Reala Again

Chapter 1

The Magic Pickle Fairy

Elliot had found himself in a red and black checkered room with torches touching the perimeter. He sits on a throne in the middle of this room. It was ominous and kind of creepy. Elliot had thought he was exempt from nightmares ever since he defeated Wizeman five years ago. This seemed like one right now.

Elliot felt a push from his back and he fell. It wasn't a high fall. He was able to flip back and fall on his feet like a cat. He looked up to see who pushed him and it seemed to look like a friend of his, a friend who he often saw in his dreams. "Is this another one of your pranks? It isn't even April yet."

Elliot heard a laugh that was manic and rapid. Black lipstick made a curved smile, "you think I'm your purple little friend?"

Elliot laughed as well, it was a broken and awkward laugh, "of course, you must be NiGHTS. No other nightmare has been in my dreams in years."

"NiGHTS?" Blue eyes with thick eyeliner came into Elliot's view, "there is no NiGHTS."

Familiarity struck Elliot. This was the last nightmaren he defeated before defeating Wizeman. This one is only other first rank nightmaren according to NiGHTS. Ze isn't a nightmaren made from Elliot's fear; ze is a commander of nightmarens, right below Wizeman. But the name suddenly hit Elliot. "You're NiGHTS' rival, Reala."

"Oh, how very good." Reala tilted hir head to the side, "I'll be blunt, I'm not allowed to give you nightmares."

Elliot scratched his head. Elliot had thought that was what nightmaren did, give people nightmares in order to drain their Ideya. Of course, this nightmaren probably can't give him nightmares because he defeated Wizeman. Then what is ze doing here?

"I just want to know you. Your skills with flying are just impeccable. I didn't think you would defeat me."

"Then why didn't you try to talk to me sooner?"

"I wanted to wait until you were an adult."

There were sounds of a key turning; and the sound of someone throwing up.

"Guess you need to do adult things now. Toodaloo."

Elliot doodled in his notebook since the professor was on a tangent with one of his students about women's rights and whether they were relevant. What wasn't relevant was this subject to this class. Elliot drew a jester like creature holding a basketball. Elliot still played basketball, although he didn't play for his college's team. He plays intramural basketball. He had his rival, Tony, which unlike his previous rival, Robert, the kid who bullied him in high school, they were good friends.

"That about wraps up the class for today. For Thursday I want you to read chapter 10-14 of The Autobiography of Malcolm X."

Elliot was about to close his book when Tony walked over to Elliot and blocked his book from closing, "you know, I never seen you draw before. This is really good."

Elliot glanced at his notebook, "oh yeah, I saw this guy in a dream."

"That's a guy?"

"Technically not, but let's just call him one for now."

Both of the boys walked out of their classrooms. Tony bit his lip then asked, "you know, there's a new American Pie that came out, we should go see it."

Elliot shook his head, "nah, Claris' band is playing at Artemis tonight, and I need to go see her play."

"Ah, still with her? Mind if I tagged along?"

Elliot felt kind of offended about Tony's comment on whether or not they were still together. They've been together for four years, which was a long time for a nineteen year old. Although hanging out with Tony seemed fun to do while listening to Claris' music, "Sure" he said, "I think you'll like Claris and the Dreamers."

Thank the world for fake IDs. Elliot was nineteen and there was no way he could get into the bar for a beer without these fake IDs. Tony had the same thing.

Claris was there, setting up. Elliot sneaked a kiss on Claris' cheek, "hey, Claris, we need to talk about something, privately."

"Sure," Claris lead Elliot to a door which was at an alleyway, "is NiGHTS asking when we're had sex again?"

"No. Um. I may ask, who was the last nightmaren you defeated before meeting me and defeating Wizeman?"

Claris tapped her finger to her chin, "Well…"

"You don't remember."

Claris shook her head, "Actually, I didn't want to tell you when it happened. Before graduating High School, I formed a friendship with Jackle. Jackle is now working for the Nightopians."

"So I guess Nightmaren could contact Dreamers that defeated Wizeman. I was just wondering. Reala contacted me and complimented my flying skills. I bet Jackle never complimented you on that."

Claris stuck out her tongue in amusement, "I got to perform now. Don't think of this as a big deal. I think good things will follow."

"I hope so," said Elliot.

Elliot had a few drinks with Tony then they stumbled outside to a park. Tony found a bush, "I need to wiz, just give me a second."

Elliot sat on a bench and waited he began to talk to Tony who was doing his business, "nice night tonight."

Tony nodded, "yeah, very nice, kind of makes me want to kiss someone in the moonlight."

"Want to borrow my girlfriend?"

"Nah," Tony said has his zipped his pants, "I'd rather borrow her boyfriend."

Elliot suddenly blushed, "what?"

"Wait," Tony suddenly realized what he said, "not what I meant. I'm not gay."

"Dude, its fine to be gay. A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts."

"So you want your girlfriend to kiss other guys?"

"You want to kiss other guys?"

They both blushed. Tony took a deep breath as he came out of the bushes, "let's go to our dorms. We have classes tomorrow anyway."

"So see you in Memoirs class?" Elliot waved to Tony.

"See you in Memoirs class."

Elliot sat on the bench way after Tony left. Elliot wouldn't expect Tony's attraction to men. It didn't seem that obvious. At least now Elliot wouldn't feel that weird about his own personal attraction to men.