Just a note for legal stuff:
NiGHTS into Dreams and related characters are not mine.
I wish that they were, though. In my dreams, right?
However, Molly, Tier, Nightingale, and Picusha *are* mine, and any use of
them without my written permission will result in a horde of rabid
Nightopian hitmen coming to your house, along with a lifetime of
nightmares.
I apologize if the formatting is still off.
All of my formatting keeps being undone when I upload my stories.
This is my attempt to fix it.
Please note that in this story, all Nightmaren except for NiGHTS and Reala
are genderless.
Nightopians should be too, but I'm lazy, so they're not always.
And this is meant to be pure nonsense, so don't worry if it makes no sense.
I hope that you like it anyway.
That said, enjoy the story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NiGHTS Into DayDreams
By Molly Plunkett
(NightDrgn@aol.com)
Part One: Nightmare in Dreamland
"I want that Red Ideya!"
Wizeman banged a fist before opening it to focus one of his eyes on the Nightmaren in front of him.
The Nightmaren in question bowed his head, red and black tassels hanging over his shoulders.
"And you shall have it, Wizeman. This I swear!"
Reala looked up to smile.
It had been a long time now since his brother, NiGHTS had shown his true colors and fled.
In all that time, no matter how many dreams they had raided, or how many children they had frightened, not one red Ideya had been discovered.
Many still believed that it was only a myth, but Reala knew better.
He knew that NiGHTS was not as far away as many believed.
He also knew that his traitorous brother possessed the elusive gem.
Reala bowed his head once more as Wizeman spoke.
"Very good, Reala. You know where to begin your search. Now go!"
Reala backed away before drifting out the door, being careful to avoid looking at his master.
He didn't dare turn his back on Wizeman, but he couldn't gaze upon his master without risking his wrath.
Once outside, the red and black Nightmaren chuckled to himself.
He knew where to go, alright.
Night was falling, and his Nightmaren kin would be out searching for Ideyas.
Reala knew that NiGHTS had gotten into the habit of defending the sleeping children.
Now was the best time to find the purple clad Nightmaren, and finish him once and for all!
~~~~~~~~~~
~~
NiGHTS sighed as he drifted on his back over brightly colored bushes and streams.
Whoever had dreamed this world had a wonderful eye for color.
He gazed up at the darkening sky, frowning thoughtfully.
Soon his fellow Nightmaren would emerge to attack the sleepers and continue their search for the Red Ideya.
His hand went automatically to the gem in his chest.
His own Ideya had been weakening recently, and there was nothing that he could do.
It meant that the source of his power was leaving him.
The two children whose courageous spirits had produced this Red Ideya, had begun to grow up and forget the dream world.
"Claris . . . Elliot . . . have you really forgotten me?"
He sighed and continued to drift before flipping upside-down and resting his hands behind his head, bored.
Once his Red Ideya was gone, that would be the end of his power.
Wizeman would take over all of Nightopia, and the real world as well.
"I've got to find a new dreamer. One with the courage needed to produce the Red Ideya!"
NiGHTS closed his eyes as he straightened out, gazing up at the stars.
"I will find that courageous dreamer, and together, we will stop Wizeman once and for all!"
~~~~~~
~~
"Maple candy!"
A figure in a purple sweatshirt and black and white, dragon print sweatpants bounced happily through her room, singing songs that she had made up, and slowly finishing off a large leaf shaped piece of maple candy.
Her name was Molly, and although neither she nor the purple Nightmaren knew it, she was exactly the one whom NiGHTS sought.
~~~~~~~~
Wow . . . so much for Nightopia, huh?
End of Part One
~~~~~~~
Part Two: Dreamer Girl
Molly was being attacked.
A monstrous, eel-like fish with dragon wings emerging from its head was swimming through the air, roaring menacingly.
Molly backed away, feeling the strangeness of this creature, but not necessarily fear.
GillWing had noticed something different about the human below, why did she not scream and run, or burst into tears?
There was no fear.
With another roar, the nightmarish monster flew straight at Molly, who grabbed a rock and threw it at the monster's head.
Offended by the attack, GillWing roared again, but it had had enough.
Flipping its tail, the nightmare left.
"Hey, that was brave!"
A small, pudgy creature with wings and a halo came flying over.
Molly shook her head.
"Not really, that monster just wasn't very scary."
The Nightopian shook his head.
"That was GillWing, one of the Nightmaren. A tough one, too. Not many people could have turned him away like that!"
Molly blinked.
"Really? Hey, not bad! I wonder if anyone saw me?"
The Nightopian shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. No one from the waking world, anyway."
Molly blinked in confusion, so he added, "You're dreaming right now."
She frowned.
"That's a shame, I like this better than the waking world. Hey, what are you anyway?"
Strangely enough it never occurred to Molly to question the appearance of a chubby little angel-like being.
For that reason alone, this had to be a dream.
She sighed in disappointment.
"He is a Nightopian. Or should I say. . .He was!"
Both Molly and the Nightopian cried out as blade-like flashes of light cut through the air, knocking the Nightopian to the ground.
Molly froze in indecision.
"Stop!"
The Nightmaren attacking them did indeed stop, but it was because of his curiosity rather than Molly's words.
"What a strange human you are. You just got here and you're already trying to defend these ridiculous little fools."
Molly stepped into a defensive stance, hands close to her body as she prepared to fight.
The Nightopian pushed himself up, eyes large with tears.
"Hey, that hurt!"
He cried out in alarm when he saw their attacker.
"A Nightmaren! Run for it!"
Molly blinked as the Nightopian spun around and took off in the opposite direction, clearly terrified.
She frowned at the Nightmaren.
"Well, you look like a joker to me."
The Nightmaren laughed, Its tasseled hat swinging with the motion.
"And you look like a promotion to me! Now give up your Ideya!"
Molly blinked. "Idea?"
A lightbulb appeared over her head, only to be batted aside by the Nightmaren.
"No, you idiot, Ideya! Your dream energy!"
Molly frowned.
"Right . . . dream energy. And you're the big bad . . . thing . . . that's going to steal it."
The Nightmaren twitched, then flew closer until all that Molly could see was the turquoise and green checkers of Its costume.
"I am not a thing. I am a Nightmaren!"
Molly nodded.
"Right, I got that part. Now what are you . . . WHOA!!!"
She cried out in alarm as something began to emerge from her chest.
The Nightmaren laughed, hands extended as the yellow sphere emerged.
It studied it before turning back to Molly.
"So you had a yellow Ideya, did you? What else are you hiding?"
Molly fell backwards, dazed as she felt suddenly lost and without hope.
"What did you just do to me?!"
The Nightmaren laughed.
"Be quiet and give me all of your Ideya!"
It thrust Its hands out again and Molly felt something else being ripped away.
She stepped back, but something wasn't right. Her spirit was failing.
"Stop it!"
As a red glow began to emerge, the Nightmaren gasped in delight.
"Red! You have a Red Ideya!!!"
It yelped as It was suddenly tackled.
Molly let out a big breath as she grabbed the yellow Ideya back, feeling her hope returning.
"Yeah, and I'll keep it, thanks!"
She smiled in relief when the energies fused once more.
The relief was short lived, however.
"Give me your Red Ideya!"
Molly whirled as the Nightmaren attacked, alarm creeping into her mood.
"I'm in trouble!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like I said before . . . so much for Nightopia!
(We may need a new heroine, too)
End of Part Two.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part Three: Nighty NiGHTS!
"I'm in trouble!!!"
Molly cried out in alarm as the turquoise and green Nightmaren flew at her, claws extended as It attacked.
At the last moment, something intervened, knocking the enemy to the ground.
The Nightmaren looked up and Its expression changed.
"You?! Impossible! I'm not about to be killed by you, I'm leaving!"
Molly got up, having fallen during the attack.
She cried out as the Nightmaren swept toward her again, ripping something away before flying off.
"But not before I get what I came for!"
Molly fell, aware that something disastrous had just happened.
"No!"
A new voice came from behind Molly.
Bewildered, she turned slowly to find out who was there.
A rounded face lacking a nose, eyebrows, or a proper mouth peered down at her.
The purple jester's hat identified him as another Nightmaren.
"Ah . . .ah. . ."
Molly stared in dismay, having discovered why the Nightmaren were so feared in this dream world.
The purple Nightmaren held out his hands in an attempt to be reassuring.
"Hey, relax. I'm the good guy he. . ." "A purple one!!!"
He blinked as he was interrupted.
Molly threw her arms around his legs.
"You must be on my side, everything purple is usually for me!"
NiGHTS looked down at the insane girl grabbing him.
"Um . . . I guess you could say that."
But the hero was already wondering if this was really the right girl, or if he'd imagined seeing a Red Ideya around her.
He decided to try a test.
"Hey. Hey you. HEY!!!"
As Molly failed to stop hugging his legs, he pulled his cheeks out and made a monstrous face, eyes flashing with menace.
With a surprised gasp, Molly fell back onto the ground.
NiGHTS folded his arms.
"Did I scare you?"
Molly blinked and pointed at him.
"Wait, I think I've seen you before."
NiGHTS blinked.
Obviously, this crazy girl wasn't afraid.
"Have you?"
Molly nodded.
"Yeah, a few weeks ago when I was having a bad dream.
It was awful, I was stuck in a building, and my poor babies were stuck in the elevator. . ."
NiGHTS nodded.
"Right, the chicks that turned into kittens."
He remembered alright, he had come across a half nightmare which had captured a dreamer in its folds. She had been in danger of going from a disturbing dream to a full blown nightmare, so NiGHTS had intervened.
By simply showing himself and exerting his own influence, he had changed the mood of the dream.
Molly smiled.
"It *was* you!" NiGHTS turned to look in the direction that the other Nightmaren had gone in.
"Yeah, but that's not important now. We've got to get your Ideya back!"
Molly blinked, then sat down.
"How? I can't fly like that guy can. He's long gone."
NiGHTS blinked at the sudden change in attitude.
It was probably due to the loss of her Yellow Ideya of hope.
Her optimistic outlook had been stolen away.
Well, that was all the more reason for them to go and get the Ideya back.
NiGHTS held out a hand.
"Leave the flying to me. Here, take my hand."
Molly stared in surprise, noticing that the hand had no wrist attaching it to his arm.
Instead, it simply floated in place.
NiGHTS frowned as she hesitated.
"What's wrong? Just take my hand so that we can go!"
Molly backed away from that strange hand before frowning at herself.
What was she doing?
Taking a breath, she took NiGHTS' hand.
Instantly, everything changed.
Molly gasped in shock, looking around wildly.
"Hey, where'd you go?!"
She slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Where'd my voice go? I sound wrong!"
She blinked as NiGHTS took control of his arms and removed the hand from his mouth.
"Nothing has happened to you. You've just merged with me, that's all."
Molly was silent, but in this form, NiGHTS could sense her questions.
"Right, we're the same person right now. You can fit inside me because your body isn't here. You are only a figment of your own imagination, like a spirit, so you don't take up any space."
Molly blinked again as her questions were answered before she could even ask.
"Oh . . . so I'm along for the ride while you fight the bad guys?"
NiGHTS nodded as he left the ground, smiling as he felt Molly's surprise at being airborne.
"Yes. That's more or less how it works."
~~~~~~~~
Hey, maybe there's hope for Nightopia after all!
(But that girl's another story)
End of Part Three
~~~~~~~~
Part Four: You Have No Ideya
"We're going to crash!"
Molly threw her hands over her eyes.
NiGHTS pried his hands off of his face.
"Will you please stop doing that? I've been flying all my life, so just have a little faith in my abilities!"
Molly forced herself to calm down.
"Fine, but now's probably a good time to tell you that in my world, I'm terrified of heights."
NiGHTS rolled his eyes.
"It figures. Well, don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Molly sighed.
"Right. I'm stuck inside a nightmare monster turned good guy, flying through a world that isn't even real, and trying to find more monsters that want to rip energy away from me. What's there to be afraid of?"
NiGHTS frowned as he flew.
"You're a real comedian, do you know that?"
Molly smiled.
"I try my best."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The green and turquoise Nightmaren burst into Reala's chambers.
"M . . . my Lord Reala! I bring news of. . ."
It choked as Reala flew over and wrapped his claws tightly around Its collar, choking It.
"I don't care if you're bringing me NiGHTS' head on a platter! You will never admit yourself into my chambers again, Dush!"
Dush choked and managed to squeeze the proper words out.
"F . . .forgive me . . . Lord Reala. . .!"
Reala released the lesser Nightmaren and drifted back to his throne.
"Now, report."
Dush rubbed tugged at Its collar and coughed a little before bowing.
"Lord Reala, a Red Ideya dreamer has appeared in Nightopia."
Reala's expression changed as he absorbed this information.
"Excellent, then we have another chance! Wizeman will be delighted! And you have stolen the Red Ideya of course. Haven't you, Dush?"
Dush cleared Its nonexistent throat and looked around for an escape.
"Well, m . . .my Lord R . . . Reala. . ."
It gagged as Reala rose and grabbed It again.
"You let the Red Ideya escape?!"
Dush hung limply in the General's grip.
"I st . . . stole a Yellow Ideya, sir! But I. . ."
Reala flung the green and turquoise Nightmaren to the ground.
"We have plenty of Yellow Ideyas, you fool. It is the Red Ideya that Wizeman requires! Now explain to me why you failed to obtain it!"
Dush opened one eye, trembling with pain and fear.
It could only manage one word.
". . . NiGHTS. . ."
Reala's eyes widened slightly.
"NiGHTS!"
He brought his claws down, ending Dush's suffering.
The red and black checkered Nightmaren studied his yellow claws before clenching them in a fist.
"NiGHTS . . . and that is the last dreamer who you will ever protect!"
~~~~~~~~~~
Uh oh, Someone had better warn NiGHTS!
End of Part Four
~~~~~~~~
Part Five: Little Balls with Halo
NiGHTS flew on, hands all but blinding him.
He sighed.
"I thought that you were going to stop doing that. Lucky for you, I know this world by heart."
Molly allowed NiGHTS to move his hands.
"I think I'm okay now. I . . . Ack! Stop that!"
No sooner had Molly calmed down, than NiGHTS had proceeded to flip and loop through the air.
He laughed at his companion's shock and anger.
Molly caught her breath as he leveled out.
"And what Ideya do you have, the Pink Ideya of Stupidity?!!"
She noticed abruptly that that were flying much lower.
NiGHTS shook his head.
"I don't have any. Nightmaren don't dream. We'd better be quiet for a while, we're confusing the natives."
Molly blinked and looked around.
Several Nightopians had stopped whatever they were doing to stare at the insane Nightmaren who was flying in random patterns and talking to himself.
"Oh. Right."
Molly fell silent and simply watched as NiGHTS flew. For a few minutes, anyway.
"Hey, NiGHTS. . ."
NiGHTS didn't even blink.
"Hm?"
Molly studied the ground below them, no longer afraid.
"How do I know your name? And where are we going?"
NiGHTS shrugged as he flew.
"We're sensing each others' thoughts. It's a side effect of merging like this. It should also strengthen your abilities if we stay merged long enough."
A small form came whizzing up behind them.
"Hey, you!"
Molly and NiGHTS stopped and turned as the Nightopian came flying over.
NiGHTS smiled.
"Hello, Topper. You look like you've survived Dush's attack."
Molly blinked.
"Dush?"
NiGHTS sighed.
"The Nightmaren who attacked you."
Topper made a face.
"I know who attacked me."
NiGHTS turned to the Nightopian.
"Not you, I meant Molly."
Topper tilted his head in a cute gesture of confusion.
"Who?"
"Me, you silly Nightopian."
Molly replied.
Topper looked even more confused.
NiGHTS chuckled.
"Well, you *are* a silly Nightopian."
Topper frowned.
"NiGHTS, are you playing tricks again?"
Molly couldn't resist speaking up.
"I love tricks! Unfortunately, I'm not playing any right now."
Topper tilted his head the other way.
"Huh?"
NiGHTS grinned.
"Well, you know me, Topper."
The Nightopian shook his head, eyes goggling.
"NiGHTS, what are you doing?"
Molly giggled, catching onto the game that NiGHTS was playing.
"Doing? It's only me . . . Molly!"
Topper took a breath, obviously very confused.
NiGHTS laughed.
"What's wrong, Topper? You look confused."
Topper scratched his cone shaped head.
"But you're NiGHTS. Who is Molly?"
"I told you. I am!"
Molly grinned.
NiGHTS quickly added, "Oh by the way, you do remember how I can merge with dreamers, don't you?"
Topper was almost cross-eyed by now.
"Well, of course I. . ."
He blinked suddenly as he caught on.
"You merged with that Red Ideya dreamer!"
Molly took over one of NiGHTS' arms and waved, beaming happily.
"Give the man a prize! Hi there, Topper. My name is Molly, and I'll be your Red Ideya dreamer this evening."
Topper laughed.
"Okay, NiGHTS. You got me. You could have warned me that you'd found the girl, though."
Molly frowned.
"Excuse me, but could you please not call me "the girl?" My name is Molly."
NiGHTS took charge again, obviously enjoying himself.
"That sounds like a reasonable request. Say hello to Molly, Topper."
"Hello to Molly, Topper."
Topper replied with a grin of his own.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Say End of Part Five, Narrator.
End of Part Five, Narrator.
~~~~~~~~~~
Part Six: Blue Chips, Golden Stars, and Red Ideya
(part of this nutritious breakfast!)
Topper frowned at the laughing, purple figure overhead.
"Okay, so you fooled me. How long are you going to laugh, anyway?"
NiGHTS sighed, grinning.
"I'm sorry, Topper, but it's not me!"
Topper flew up and rapped on NiGHTS' head.
"Hey in there, girl! Quit laughing!"
NiGHTS grabbed Topper.
"Ow! Hey, that hurt!"
Molly in turn frowned at him.
"And I told you not to call me "Girl."
Topper bounced off the ground like a ball as he was released.
"NiGHTS, why don't you just drop her?"
NiGHTS blinked.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
A moment later, Molly hit the ground.
"Ouch!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
"You guys?"
NiGHTS spoke up, tired of listening to the argument that had been going on for the past five minutes.
Topper continued as if he hadn't heard.
"You oversized girl!"
Molly glared.
"Oversized? That's hilarious coming from a lump of clay like you!"
NiGHTS sighed, shaking his head.
"You guys. . .?"
"Clay?! That's better than being stuck in a dull world like the one you're from!"
Topper folded his stubby arms.
Molly shook her head.
"At least my world is real. Yours is nothing but one big figment of everyones' imagination!"
NiGHTS had had enough by now.
"YOU GUYS!!!"
He flew between them, pulling his face into a fearsome expression that shocked both Molly and Topper into silence.
Satisfied, NiGHTS returned to normal, smiling.
"That's better. Will you listen to me now? We need to get going before someone decides to guard the Ideya Capture."
Molly and Topper exchanged a glance, but since it was the same glance, nothing was really accomplished.
They both nodded and spoke in unison.
"Okay, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS blinked.
"Wow! Now you two sound like you've merged!"
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
"This is Spring Valley. There's an Ideya Capture here somewhere, and that's most likely where we'll find your yellow Ideya."
NiGHTS explained, answering yet another unasked question.
He and Molly had merged again in order to travel faster.
Beside them, Topper was trying his best to keep up.
A body shaped like a misshapen piece of candy corn and tiny wings did not make him as aerodynamic as NiGHTS' slim form.
Actually, Molly thought, NiGHTS was so thin that if he hadn't explained how she could be inside him, she would have expected him to burst if they merged.
Did Nightmaren eat?
She suspected that they didn't.
"Not in the way that you do, no."
NiGHTS startled her out of her thoughts, smiling as he answered.
"Remember, I'm really just a spark of Nightmare energy housed in a body that. . ."
He frowned, not yet ready to reveal too much.
"That looks vaguely human."
There.
He smiled, satisfied that he had corrected his slip.
He wasn't about to admit that he was Wizeman's creation.
Even with her Red Ideya, Molly was sure to be terrified by Wizeman.
NiGHTS fell silent as he flew.
He still felt fear race through him at the thought of his former master.
And Molly was going to face him on her own?
At least last time, there had been two Red Ideya dreamers.
Claris and Elliot had worked as a team to free NiGHTS from his Ideya palace prison.
And together with NiGHTS' help, they had pushed Wizeman temporarily off of his throne.
But that had been years ago.
Longer for Claris and Elliot than for NiGHTS, who did not age.
"NiGHTS, what are those?"
Molly turned his attention toward a series of large, yellow rings surrounded by blue bubbles.
NiGHTS smiled, sensing a new way to surprise his companions.
"I'll show you."
"NiGHTS! Stop! Stop! Oh no, we're going to crash again!"
"When have I ever . . .crashed?!"
NiGHTS demanded as he pried his hands off of his eyes for the third time.
He wasn't maneuvering as gracefully as usual because of Molly's nervousness.
"AIEEEEE!!!"
Molly felt her stomach fly into her throat as NiGHTS looped through the rings.
"Really. How unprofessional, NiGHTS."
A deep purple creature resembling a bird commented as he hovered nearby.
NiGHTS slammed on the breaks, provoking a yelp out of Molly.
The Hollow opened his beak slightly in a birdlike smile.
"You have the Red Ideya, don't you? Give it to me."
Molly and NiGHTS frowned and spoke in unison.
"Now why would we do that?!"
The Hollow laughed.
"Because if you don't. . . "
Topper flew up to make a face.
"One ugly Hollow is going to beat NiGHTS? That's funny!"
The Hollow shook his head.
"What's funny is that you Nightopians are too dumb to know when you're beaten."
NiGHTS landed quickly.
"Topper, this is bad. You should go."
Topper blinked.
"One Hollow, NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS shook his head.
"No. We're surrounded."
Even Molly had no comment as they all spotted the small army of Nightmaren that had managed to ambush them.
And as they moved in, NiGHTS saw that their leader was none other than. . .
"Reala."
He spoke the name as if it left a foul taste in his mouth.
Molly spoke very quietly.
"Is this a friend of yours?"
Nights gave his head a quick shake, never taking his eyes off of his evil counterpart.
~~~~~~~~~
Not good . . . definitely not good.
End of Part Six
~~~~~~~~
Part Seven: Get Reala!
Reala advanced, grinning cruelly.
"I'm so pleased that you remembered me . . . brother."
NiGHTS backed up a step.
Molly frowned.
"Brother? NiGHTS, he's your. . .?"
Reala chuckled.
"Yes, this cowardly excuse for a Nightmaren is my brother, I'm sorry to say."
NiGHTS stood tall and proud.
"I'm equally sorry, Reala. It's disgraceful to have any connection to a monster like you."
Reala frowned and gestured to one of his companions, a black and gold Nightmaren.
The Nightmaren struck NiGHTS roughly across the face.
Reala smiled.
"Mind your manners, NiGHTS."
Molly recoiled, feeling the blow as sharply as NiGHTS did.
She looked up at Reala, angry.
"Oh that's it. . .!"
She would have marched over, but NiGHTS refused to budge.
Molly strained.
"NiGHTS, take this guy out!"
NiGHTS shook his head.
"Look around, Molly. If I attack Reala, these Nightmaren are going to attack us. We can't do anything."
Molly sighed, unable to argue.
She didn't believe that they could win anyway, she was only driven by anger.
Reala smiled.
"Ah, hello, dreamer. Molly is your name, is it?"
Molly felt herself cringing away from that deadly smooth voice and cruel gaze.
Reala laughed, seeing hesitation in NiGHTS' eyes.
"So she's afraid of me. Good, she's a smart one I'll take her Red Ideya now."
"NO!"
NiGHTS lunged, breaking free of the circle of Nightmaren in an attempt to flee.
Molly gasped, looking back.
"Faster, NiGHTS! They're right behind us!"
NiGHTS paralooped through the air, ensnaring two of their pursuers in his glowing trail.
Unfortunately, two more quickly took their place.
The purple Nightmaren cried out as claws grabbed at him, tearing through his costume.
"This doesn't look good!"
NiGHTS winced as he tried to fly faster, weaving through rings in an attempt to lose the other Nightmaren.
"Molly . . . I don't think that I can escape. I'm going to drop you, and I want you to run!"
"No!"
Molly gasped at the thought.
If NiGHTS couldn't escape, what could she do on her own?
NiGHTS groaned as the scratches slowed him.
"We'll both be caught if we don't try this. Now do it!"
Abruptly, Molly found herself falling through trees.
She suppressed a yelp as she landed hard, and looked back before swallowing nervously and running away.
NiGHTS flew in the opposite direction.
"You're not getting her, Reala!"
Reala smirked.
"Clever, NiGHTS . . . but we think alike."
Molly skidded to a stop, gasping in horror as Reala came down out of nowhere to stand in front of her.
Reala grinned.
"You've got some real courage, girl. Now give it up."
Molly backed up before crying out.
"No! NiGHTS!!!"
As Reala advanced, she kicked his hand away.
"And don't call me "Girl!"
Reala blinked.
"You are either very brave . . . or very stupid."
NiGHTS spun around at the shout, realizing what had happened.
"Molly!"
He knocked another Nightmaren aside before sweeping toward Reala.
"Let her go!"
Molly backed away.
"Well, I think it's pretty obvious which it is. I have the Ideya that you want, after all!"
Reala grinned.
"Indeed you do."
Reala was suddenly caught in a paraloop trail and held immobile for a moment as NiGHTS swooped.
NiGHTS reached for Molly, who in turn strained to grab his hand and merge again.
Reala snarled as he broke free.
"No!"
He lunged, knocking Molly to the ground before turning and slashing at NiGHTS.
NiGHTS cried out as red slashes appeared on his side, and landed hard nearby, doubling over in pain.
Molly pushed herself up before Reala grabbed her by the hair and yanked her toward him.
He turned toward his remaining Nightmaren, who were hurrying toward the sounds of battle.
"Secure the traitor! We'll bring both of them before Wizeman."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh no . . . is this the end for Nightopia and the waking world?
(Not to mention, our heroes?)
End of Part Seven
~~~~~~~~
Part Eight: Trapped in Nightmare
"Molly? Molly?!"
Molly groaned as an urgent voice forced her out of a deep, dreamless slumber.
She opened her eyes to find two enormous, purple eyes staring at her from a round face lacking a nose.
She panicked and slapped the Nightmaren away.
"EEEEK!"
NiGHTS tumbled away a short distance, holding his face.
"Ouch!"
Molly blinked, remembering where she was.
"Oops . . . I'm sorry, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS turned to frown at her, sporting a bandage over his nose.
"Remind me not to wake you anymore."
Molly held her hands up helplessly.
"I said I'm sorry. I saw a Nightmaren, and I reacted without thinking!"
NiGHTS sighed.
"Fair enough."
Molly stood up, looking around. They were in a dark cell with stone walls. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were in the dungeons of Nightmare Castle.
"How was I sleeping, anyway? I'm already asleep!"
NiGHTS was peering out at the two Nightmaren guards outside.
"You went into a deeper sleep as a result of being hurt. You were sleeping too soundly to dream, so it was like losing consciousness."
Molly blinked.
"Oh . . . that makes sense, I guess."
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~
Neither could be sure how much time had passed before a Nightmaren in a green uniform with one black arm and one black leg on the opposite side approached.
He grinned.
"On your feet, prisoners. General Reala wants to see you."
Molly and NiGHTS exchanged a glance, but accomplished nothing.
NiGHTS placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I won't let them hurt you."
Not very reassured, Molly only nodded and allowed herself to be pulled out and led down the corridor.
Behind her, she could hear a brief struggle before NiGHTS joined her, escorted by six Nightmaren.
Molly was impressed despite her situation.
If they were taking this kind of precaution against NiGHTS, then he had to be an amazing fighter!
All too soon, they halted outside of an enormous, arched doorway.
The door creaked open, and they were shoved roughly inside, where they hit the floor. The door slammed closed behind them.
Molly noticed NiGHTS regarding her worriedly from where he was sitting on the floor, but she could only think of one thing to say.
"That hurt, NiGHTS."
"SILENCE!"
Both looked up as green flames ignited on the walls.
Reala sneered from his throne.
"I see you've taken to crawling in the presence of your betters. I approve."
NiGHTS and Molly both stood to their full heights in silent defiance.
Reala seemed amused.
"Wizeman wants to see you, NiGHTS. And he demands that the Ideya be left intact until then. Lucky for you."
Molly winced as his gaze fell on her.
Reala smiled, noting the reaction.
He turned to NiGHTS.
"It is to be removed in front of you, traitor, As a reminder of your failure."
NiGHTS glared.
"I won't allow it!"
He flew into the air, and Reala instantly threw himself out of his throne to meet the challenge.
"So you wish to be humiliated in front of the girl before she is sent into eternal nightmares? So be it!"
Molly ran to the door as the two Nightmaren clashed overhead.
She could hear the whoosh of air as they paralooped one another, and the tearing of fabric as Reala's claws found their mark.
She strained against the doors, but to no avail.
They were securely bolted shut.
Trapped, she turned to watch.
NiGHTS sported several new slashes, but the worst appeared to have healed somehow.
Nightmaren bodies were not the same as hers, after all.
Reala also looked as if he was taking a beating.
As she watched, NiGHTS paralooped, flipping up and over Reala before sweeping around him and catching him in his trail.
Reala cried out.
All action quickly ceased as a new voice thundered.
"ENOUGH!"
NiGHTS all but fell to the floor.
Reala grunted as he was released from the attack, and fell into a kneeling position as a shadowed figure appeared.
Molly turned to see the figure and felt fear overpower her, despite her Ideya.
"Who . . .?!"
NiGHTS answered in a low, bitter tone.
"Wizeman. . ."
~~~~~~~~
From bad to worse. . .
End of Part Eight.
~~~~~~~
Part Nine: The Heart of the Nightmare, and a Dreamer's Heart
Molly cried out as she was flung into a new chamber.
She felt something impact with her head before she lost track of the world around her.
NiGHTS flung two Nightmaren off of him.
"Molly!"
Wizeman thrust his hands out, staring disapprovingly at his servants.
"I do not recall giving the order to kill her!"
Reala scowled and took the opportunity to kill the Nightmaren responsible, venting his rage over having been injured by NiGHTS.
If it hadn't been for Wizeman's orders, he would have ripped his brother to shreds.
NiGHTS grunted as he was restrained again.
Molly remained motionless on the smooth stone floor, golden brown/blond hair laying in startling contrast against her purple sweatshirt.
Wizeman was far from pleased.
"We will take advantage of the dreamer's silence. Remove her Ideya now."
NiGHTS struggled, trying to stop Reala from reaching Molly.
Reala noticed and took his time.
He landed and walked slowly over to the unconscious girl before kneeling and brushing a lock of hair away from her face.
He looked up at NiGHTS.
"Are you enjoying the show, NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS struggled harder, but the four remaining Nightmaren guards held him tightly.
Reala chuckled.
"Give it up, traitor. You can't save her."
NiGHTS watched in horror as Reala turned back to Molly and reached for her.
Reala stopped as Wizeman spoke up.
"Wait, Reala. I have a better idea. NiGHTS, you wish to defend that Ideya. Do you not?"
NiGHTS glared.
"I will give my life if it keeps that Ideya out of your grasp, Wizeman!"
Reala turned, claws at the ready, but Wizeman waved him away.
"Then I have a proposition for you. Betray the girl and I will allow you to leave Nightmare."
He waved a hand, and the Ideya Capture appeared.
"You were looking for this, weren't you? Add her Red Ideya to the collection and you may go free."
NiGHTS stood, frozen in shock as the Nightmaren stepped back, releasing him.
Reala looked disappointed as he drifted to his master's side, watching silently.
NiGHTS walked numbly over to where Molly was laying.
"You. . .want me to do what?!"
The evil figure laughed cruelly.
"Face the facts, NiGHTS. The Red Ideya will never be safe from me unless you take it for yourself!"
NiGHTS looked down at the girl at his feet, troubled by his thoughts.
**Wizeman's right. The only real way to keep Molly's Ideya safe is to take it from her.**
Molly rubbed her head as she stirred.
"Ow, that really hurt! Who is this guy, NiGHTS?"
She blinked as she received no response, and looked up.
"NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS frowned.
"If I do this . . . I'm no better than Wizeman and the others."
Molly blinked, obviously confused.
"What are you talking about, NiGHTS? What's wrong? That monster said something bad to you, didn't he? Ignore him! You're better than he is!"
Wizeman laughed, attracting their attention.
"What a touching scene! Alas, I fear that NiGHTS has lived up to his name and kept you in the dark, my dear."
Molly rose to her full height.
"What are you talking about?"
Wizeman watched in satisfaction as he saw NiGHTS stepping closer to Molly.
"Why, NiGHTS owes his very existence to me. I made him what he is!"
Molly gasped.
"NiGHTS! Is that true? Are you. . ."
She gasped again as NiGHTS grabbed her and held a hand over her chest.
"I'm sorry, Molly."
And then the Red Ideya was in his grasp.
Molly stared at him in horror before flickering and beginning to fade away.
"NiGHTS. . .!"
NiGHTS abruptly assaulted the Ideya capture, releasing the dream energy.
Molly sighed as her yellow Ideya returned to her, then hit the floor, falling into a deeper sleep.
Wizeman pointed at NiGHTS, focusing his eyes on Reala.
"Reala."
Reala bowed quickly before advancing on NiGHTS.
"Well done, brother. You are one of us after all, it seems. It is a pity that you released so many Ideya, but I understand your desire to keep the female in your sight. The other Ideya can easily be recaptured, and you may now rejoin us. We are kindred spirits, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS backed up, pressing the Ideya to the red crystal in his own chest.
The two merged, and NiGHTS smiled as he felt the power coursing through him.
So this was what gave his friends such spirit and energy!
"No, Reala. I'm nothing like you!"
Reala's surprise was clear as he watched the change come over NiGHTS.
This wasn't the rogue Nightmaren running for his life and sabotaging Wizeman's efforts.
This was a true hero, finally bursting free of his self imposed prison.
Wizeman turned all six eyes on the two Nightmaren.
"Destroy him and take that Ideya!"
Reala flexed his claws, but the attempt at intimidation failed.
NiGHTS rose into the air and paralooped around his brother, engulfing him in glowing bands of energy.
He turned quickly and flew at Reala again, only to find his rival free and attempting to do the same to him.
The two flew around each other, each attempting to ensnare the other in his trail.
Reala snarled.
"You think that you can beat me? You're gravely mistaken, NiGHTS!"
NiGHTS grinned.
"Less talk and more action, Reala!"
He took the chance to paraloop again, holding Reala immobile.
The red and black Nightmaren cried out and sank lower before catching himself.
NiGHTS frowned as Reala came dangerously close to where Molly was laying.
She couldn't be hurt in this dream, but she could feel pain.
If she were surprised or startled, she could witness and interfere with the fight, or wake up.
He cried out as Reala took the chance to paraloop him, holding him tightly.
NiGHTS was too shocked to react as Reala came back for another attack and then another.
Exhausted, NiGHTS lost altitude.
One more attack like that and he would have nothing left.
Something seemed to shake free of him in response to his thoughts of fleeing.
He watched as the Red Ideya slipped free and returned to its rightful owner.
Molly stirred as Reala flew down to collect her.
Unable to do any more, NiGHTS turned and flew away, narrowly avoiding the guards.
"I'm sorry, Molly . . . I'll return for you, I swear it!"
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~
Months Later. . .
"Please, Wizeman . . . can't I dream tonight?"
Molly looked up from her prison, gazing hopefully at the eye nearest to her.
Wizeman seemed to chuckle.
"You would escape through your dream, my dear. But perhaps if Reala spoke for you. . ."
Molly turned toward the red, black, and white Nightmaren.
His eyes were as cold as ever.
Reala nodded.
"I might . . . if you entertained me. Sing. I know that you sing when I leave you alone. Serenade me now, and if I like what you sing, I will ask our master, Wizeman to allow you one night of dreams."
Molly sighed.
"But my heart is filled with darkness now . . . I don't know if there are any songs left in me."
She looked up at Reala again, seeing that she would get no pity out of the evil Nightmaren General.
Taking a breath, she sang her greatest desire.
Let me dream tonight Let me live tonight Allow me just one night To keep my soul alive.
Let me fly tonight Let me see the moon tonight. Permit me just this night And I will be yours again in the light.
In this darkness, I can feel myself fading away. In this darkness, I'll never see another day. In this darkness, Neverending nightmare. In this darkness, A lifetime of despair!
So please let me dream tonight Please give me just this night. Tomorrow, I'll still be here. Trapped within your grasp.
Let me dream tonight Let me live tonight I can do no more to you. . . So let me dream once more.
Molly had closed her eyes on the final verse, and now looked up to see what would happen next.
Reala smiled.
"My nightingale, your song reaches a part of me that no one else may touch."
He reached through the pillars, to turn her face toward him.
"If you say that your songs will fade without your dreams, then I will aid you. But only for the sake of allowing your beautiful songs to continue. In time, you may even become one of us."
Molly blinked, shocked despite her dark spirits.
"One of you?!"
Reala grinned.
"We Nightmaren are created from nightmare energy. In time, your spirit will darken sufficiently, and with Wizeman's blessing, you may very well join our ranks. You would make a lovely Nightmaren. And I have already granted you your new Nightmaren name . . . my Nightingale."
Molly closed her eyes, accepting the new title.
Her Yellow Ideya of hope had long since been stolen away, leaving her with only her courage.
She couldn't bring herself to struggle anymore, Wizeman had won.
"If you say that this is my fate, Reala. . . I can't argue."
Reala regarded her coldly.
"You must swear allegiance to me, and to Wizeman. Never call me by name unless I grant you permission. I am your Lord and General."
The girl bowed her head.
"Yes . . . Lord Reala."
Reala smiled and rose.
"Very well then. I will plead with Wizeman for your sake. And in return, you will be my Nightingale and sing only for me."
Molly . . . no, Nightingale lowered her head in acceptance.
For years afterward, she met with Reala each night.
Together they flew over Nightmare, and she sang her soul to him, until there was nothing left but satisfaction with her new role as Lord Reala's companion and Master Wizeman's servant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EPILOGUE:
NiGHTS banged a fist against the table in front of him.
"If I'd just been quicker! I could have done something. I could have saved her!"
The Nightopians and rebel Nightmaren winced in sympathy.
A slightly smaller Nightmaren, clothed in a costume of green and pink diamonds drifted closer.
"Reala's full of deceit, and he has a full army backing him. You couldn't have stopped him by yourself."
"I could have tried harder."
NiGHTS covered his face.
The others stepped closer, attempting to reassure their leader.
Topper closed his eyes in a moment of serious reflection, completely out of character for the normally fun loving Nightopian.
"She's still there, in Nightmare. There will be other chances, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS rose, a look of determination on his round face.
"This isn't over, Wizeman. This is far from over!"
The End
(For Now)
NiGHTS into Dreams and related characters are not mine.
I wish that they were, though. In my dreams, right?
However, Molly, Tier, Nightingale, and Picusha *are* mine, and any use of
them without my written permission will result in a horde of rabid
Nightopian hitmen coming to your house, along with a lifetime of
nightmares.
I apologize if the formatting is still off.
All of my formatting keeps being undone when I upload my stories.
This is my attempt to fix it.
Please note that in this story, all Nightmaren except for NiGHTS and Reala
are genderless.
Nightopians should be too, but I'm lazy, so they're not always.
And this is meant to be pure nonsense, so don't worry if it makes no sense.
I hope that you like it anyway.
That said, enjoy the story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NiGHTS Into DayDreams
By Molly Plunkett
(NightDrgn@aol.com)
Part One: Nightmare in Dreamland
"I want that Red Ideya!"
Wizeman banged a fist before opening it to focus one of his eyes on the Nightmaren in front of him.
The Nightmaren in question bowed his head, red and black tassels hanging over his shoulders.
"And you shall have it, Wizeman. This I swear!"
Reala looked up to smile.
It had been a long time now since his brother, NiGHTS had shown his true colors and fled.
In all that time, no matter how many dreams they had raided, or how many children they had frightened, not one red Ideya had been discovered.
Many still believed that it was only a myth, but Reala knew better.
He knew that NiGHTS was not as far away as many believed.
He also knew that his traitorous brother possessed the elusive gem.
Reala bowed his head once more as Wizeman spoke.
"Very good, Reala. You know where to begin your search. Now go!"
Reala backed away before drifting out the door, being careful to avoid looking at his master.
He didn't dare turn his back on Wizeman, but he couldn't gaze upon his master without risking his wrath.
Once outside, the red and black Nightmaren chuckled to himself.
He knew where to go, alright.
Night was falling, and his Nightmaren kin would be out searching for Ideyas.
Reala knew that NiGHTS had gotten into the habit of defending the sleeping children.
Now was the best time to find the purple clad Nightmaren, and finish him once and for all!
~~~~~~~~~~
~~
NiGHTS sighed as he drifted on his back over brightly colored bushes and streams.
Whoever had dreamed this world had a wonderful eye for color.
He gazed up at the darkening sky, frowning thoughtfully.
Soon his fellow Nightmaren would emerge to attack the sleepers and continue their search for the Red Ideya.
His hand went automatically to the gem in his chest.
His own Ideya had been weakening recently, and there was nothing that he could do.
It meant that the source of his power was leaving him.
The two children whose courageous spirits had produced this Red Ideya, had begun to grow up and forget the dream world.
"Claris . . . Elliot . . . have you really forgotten me?"
He sighed and continued to drift before flipping upside-down and resting his hands behind his head, bored.
Once his Red Ideya was gone, that would be the end of his power.
Wizeman would take over all of Nightopia, and the real world as well.
"I've got to find a new dreamer. One with the courage needed to produce the Red Ideya!"
NiGHTS closed his eyes as he straightened out, gazing up at the stars.
"I will find that courageous dreamer, and together, we will stop Wizeman once and for all!"
~~~~~~
~~
"Maple candy!"
A figure in a purple sweatshirt and black and white, dragon print sweatpants bounced happily through her room, singing songs that she had made up, and slowly finishing off a large leaf shaped piece of maple candy.
Her name was Molly, and although neither she nor the purple Nightmaren knew it, she was exactly the one whom NiGHTS sought.
~~~~~~~~
Wow . . . so much for Nightopia, huh?
End of Part One
~~~~~~~
Part Two: Dreamer Girl
Molly was being attacked.
A monstrous, eel-like fish with dragon wings emerging from its head was swimming through the air, roaring menacingly.
Molly backed away, feeling the strangeness of this creature, but not necessarily fear.
GillWing had noticed something different about the human below, why did she not scream and run, or burst into tears?
There was no fear.
With another roar, the nightmarish monster flew straight at Molly, who grabbed a rock and threw it at the monster's head.
Offended by the attack, GillWing roared again, but it had had enough.
Flipping its tail, the nightmare left.
"Hey, that was brave!"
A small, pudgy creature with wings and a halo came flying over.
Molly shook her head.
"Not really, that monster just wasn't very scary."
The Nightopian shook his head.
"That was GillWing, one of the Nightmaren. A tough one, too. Not many people could have turned him away like that!"
Molly blinked.
"Really? Hey, not bad! I wonder if anyone saw me?"
The Nightopian shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. No one from the waking world, anyway."
Molly blinked in confusion, so he added, "You're dreaming right now."
She frowned.
"That's a shame, I like this better than the waking world. Hey, what are you anyway?"
Strangely enough it never occurred to Molly to question the appearance of a chubby little angel-like being.
For that reason alone, this had to be a dream.
She sighed in disappointment.
"He is a Nightopian. Or should I say. . .He was!"
Both Molly and the Nightopian cried out as blade-like flashes of light cut through the air, knocking the Nightopian to the ground.
Molly froze in indecision.
"Stop!"
The Nightmaren attacking them did indeed stop, but it was because of his curiosity rather than Molly's words.
"What a strange human you are. You just got here and you're already trying to defend these ridiculous little fools."
Molly stepped into a defensive stance, hands close to her body as she prepared to fight.
The Nightopian pushed himself up, eyes large with tears.
"Hey, that hurt!"
He cried out in alarm when he saw their attacker.
"A Nightmaren! Run for it!"
Molly blinked as the Nightopian spun around and took off in the opposite direction, clearly terrified.
She frowned at the Nightmaren.
"Well, you look like a joker to me."
The Nightmaren laughed, Its tasseled hat swinging with the motion.
"And you look like a promotion to me! Now give up your Ideya!"
Molly blinked. "Idea?"
A lightbulb appeared over her head, only to be batted aside by the Nightmaren.
"No, you idiot, Ideya! Your dream energy!"
Molly frowned.
"Right . . . dream energy. And you're the big bad . . . thing . . . that's going to steal it."
The Nightmaren twitched, then flew closer until all that Molly could see was the turquoise and green checkers of Its costume.
"I am not a thing. I am a Nightmaren!"
Molly nodded.
"Right, I got that part. Now what are you . . . WHOA!!!"
She cried out in alarm as something began to emerge from her chest.
The Nightmaren laughed, hands extended as the yellow sphere emerged.
It studied it before turning back to Molly.
"So you had a yellow Ideya, did you? What else are you hiding?"
Molly fell backwards, dazed as she felt suddenly lost and without hope.
"What did you just do to me?!"
The Nightmaren laughed.
"Be quiet and give me all of your Ideya!"
It thrust Its hands out again and Molly felt something else being ripped away.
She stepped back, but something wasn't right. Her spirit was failing.
"Stop it!"
As a red glow began to emerge, the Nightmaren gasped in delight.
"Red! You have a Red Ideya!!!"
It yelped as It was suddenly tackled.
Molly let out a big breath as she grabbed the yellow Ideya back, feeling her hope returning.
"Yeah, and I'll keep it, thanks!"
She smiled in relief when the energies fused once more.
The relief was short lived, however.
"Give me your Red Ideya!"
Molly whirled as the Nightmaren attacked, alarm creeping into her mood.
"I'm in trouble!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like I said before . . . so much for Nightopia!
(We may need a new heroine, too)
End of Part Two.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part Three: Nighty NiGHTS!
"I'm in trouble!!!"
Molly cried out in alarm as the turquoise and green Nightmaren flew at her, claws extended as It attacked.
At the last moment, something intervened, knocking the enemy to the ground.
The Nightmaren looked up and Its expression changed.
"You?! Impossible! I'm not about to be killed by you, I'm leaving!"
Molly got up, having fallen during the attack.
She cried out as the Nightmaren swept toward her again, ripping something away before flying off.
"But not before I get what I came for!"
Molly fell, aware that something disastrous had just happened.
"No!"
A new voice came from behind Molly.
Bewildered, she turned slowly to find out who was there.
A rounded face lacking a nose, eyebrows, or a proper mouth peered down at her.
The purple jester's hat identified him as another Nightmaren.
"Ah . . .ah. . ."
Molly stared in dismay, having discovered why the Nightmaren were so feared in this dream world.
The purple Nightmaren held out his hands in an attempt to be reassuring.
"Hey, relax. I'm the good guy he. . ." "A purple one!!!"
He blinked as he was interrupted.
Molly threw her arms around his legs.
"You must be on my side, everything purple is usually for me!"
NiGHTS looked down at the insane girl grabbing him.
"Um . . . I guess you could say that."
But the hero was already wondering if this was really the right girl, or if he'd imagined seeing a Red Ideya around her.
He decided to try a test.
"Hey. Hey you. HEY!!!"
As Molly failed to stop hugging his legs, he pulled his cheeks out and made a monstrous face, eyes flashing with menace.
With a surprised gasp, Molly fell back onto the ground.
NiGHTS folded his arms.
"Did I scare you?"
Molly blinked and pointed at him.
"Wait, I think I've seen you before."
NiGHTS blinked.
Obviously, this crazy girl wasn't afraid.
"Have you?"
Molly nodded.
"Yeah, a few weeks ago when I was having a bad dream.
It was awful, I was stuck in a building, and my poor babies were stuck in the elevator. . ."
NiGHTS nodded.
"Right, the chicks that turned into kittens."
He remembered alright, he had come across a half nightmare which had captured a dreamer in its folds. She had been in danger of going from a disturbing dream to a full blown nightmare, so NiGHTS had intervened.
By simply showing himself and exerting his own influence, he had changed the mood of the dream.
Molly smiled.
"It *was* you!" NiGHTS turned to look in the direction that the other Nightmaren had gone in.
"Yeah, but that's not important now. We've got to get your Ideya back!"
Molly blinked, then sat down.
"How? I can't fly like that guy can. He's long gone."
NiGHTS blinked at the sudden change in attitude.
It was probably due to the loss of her Yellow Ideya of hope.
Her optimistic outlook had been stolen away.
Well, that was all the more reason for them to go and get the Ideya back.
NiGHTS held out a hand.
"Leave the flying to me. Here, take my hand."
Molly stared in surprise, noticing that the hand had no wrist attaching it to his arm.
Instead, it simply floated in place.
NiGHTS frowned as she hesitated.
"What's wrong? Just take my hand so that we can go!"
Molly backed away from that strange hand before frowning at herself.
What was she doing?
Taking a breath, she took NiGHTS' hand.
Instantly, everything changed.
Molly gasped in shock, looking around wildly.
"Hey, where'd you go?!"
She slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Where'd my voice go? I sound wrong!"
She blinked as NiGHTS took control of his arms and removed the hand from his mouth.
"Nothing has happened to you. You've just merged with me, that's all."
Molly was silent, but in this form, NiGHTS could sense her questions.
"Right, we're the same person right now. You can fit inside me because your body isn't here. You are only a figment of your own imagination, like a spirit, so you don't take up any space."
Molly blinked again as her questions were answered before she could even ask.
"Oh . . . so I'm along for the ride while you fight the bad guys?"
NiGHTS nodded as he left the ground, smiling as he felt Molly's surprise at being airborne.
"Yes. That's more or less how it works."
~~~~~~~~
Hey, maybe there's hope for Nightopia after all!
(But that girl's another story)
End of Part Three
~~~~~~~~
Part Four: You Have No Ideya
"We're going to crash!"
Molly threw her hands over her eyes.
NiGHTS pried his hands off of his face.
"Will you please stop doing that? I've been flying all my life, so just have a little faith in my abilities!"
Molly forced herself to calm down.
"Fine, but now's probably a good time to tell you that in my world, I'm terrified of heights."
NiGHTS rolled his eyes.
"It figures. Well, don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Molly sighed.
"Right. I'm stuck inside a nightmare monster turned good guy, flying through a world that isn't even real, and trying to find more monsters that want to rip energy away from me. What's there to be afraid of?"
NiGHTS frowned as he flew.
"You're a real comedian, do you know that?"
Molly smiled.
"I try my best."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The green and turquoise Nightmaren burst into Reala's chambers.
"M . . . my Lord Reala! I bring news of. . ."
It choked as Reala flew over and wrapped his claws tightly around Its collar, choking It.
"I don't care if you're bringing me NiGHTS' head on a platter! You will never admit yourself into my chambers again, Dush!"
Dush choked and managed to squeeze the proper words out.
"F . . .forgive me . . . Lord Reala. . .!"
Reala released the lesser Nightmaren and drifted back to his throne.
"Now, report."
Dush rubbed tugged at Its collar and coughed a little before bowing.
"Lord Reala, a Red Ideya dreamer has appeared in Nightopia."
Reala's expression changed as he absorbed this information.
"Excellent, then we have another chance! Wizeman will be delighted! And you have stolen the Red Ideya of course. Haven't you, Dush?"
Dush cleared Its nonexistent throat and looked around for an escape.
"Well, m . . .my Lord R . . . Reala. . ."
It gagged as Reala rose and grabbed It again.
"You let the Red Ideya escape?!"
Dush hung limply in the General's grip.
"I st . . . stole a Yellow Ideya, sir! But I. . ."
Reala flung the green and turquoise Nightmaren to the ground.
"We have plenty of Yellow Ideyas, you fool. It is the Red Ideya that Wizeman requires! Now explain to me why you failed to obtain it!"
Dush opened one eye, trembling with pain and fear.
It could only manage one word.
". . . NiGHTS. . ."
Reala's eyes widened slightly.
"NiGHTS!"
He brought his claws down, ending Dush's suffering.
The red and black checkered Nightmaren studied his yellow claws before clenching them in a fist.
"NiGHTS . . . and that is the last dreamer who you will ever protect!"
~~~~~~~~~~
Uh oh, Someone had better warn NiGHTS!
End of Part Four
~~~~~~~~
Part Five: Little Balls with Halo
NiGHTS flew on, hands all but blinding him.
He sighed.
"I thought that you were going to stop doing that. Lucky for you, I know this world by heart."
Molly allowed NiGHTS to move his hands.
"I think I'm okay now. I . . . Ack! Stop that!"
No sooner had Molly calmed down, than NiGHTS had proceeded to flip and loop through the air.
He laughed at his companion's shock and anger.
Molly caught her breath as he leveled out.
"And what Ideya do you have, the Pink Ideya of Stupidity?!!"
She noticed abruptly that that were flying much lower.
NiGHTS shook his head.
"I don't have any. Nightmaren don't dream. We'd better be quiet for a while, we're confusing the natives."
Molly blinked and looked around.
Several Nightopians had stopped whatever they were doing to stare at the insane Nightmaren who was flying in random patterns and talking to himself.
"Oh. Right."
Molly fell silent and simply watched as NiGHTS flew. For a few minutes, anyway.
"Hey, NiGHTS. . ."
NiGHTS didn't even blink.
"Hm?"
Molly studied the ground below them, no longer afraid.
"How do I know your name? And where are we going?"
NiGHTS shrugged as he flew.
"We're sensing each others' thoughts. It's a side effect of merging like this. It should also strengthen your abilities if we stay merged long enough."
A small form came whizzing up behind them.
"Hey, you!"
Molly and NiGHTS stopped and turned as the Nightopian came flying over.
NiGHTS smiled.
"Hello, Topper. You look like you've survived Dush's attack."
Molly blinked.
"Dush?"
NiGHTS sighed.
"The Nightmaren who attacked you."
Topper made a face.
"I know who attacked me."
NiGHTS turned to the Nightopian.
"Not you, I meant Molly."
Topper tilted his head in a cute gesture of confusion.
"Who?"
"Me, you silly Nightopian."
Molly replied.
Topper looked even more confused.
NiGHTS chuckled.
"Well, you *are* a silly Nightopian."
Topper frowned.
"NiGHTS, are you playing tricks again?"
Molly couldn't resist speaking up.
"I love tricks! Unfortunately, I'm not playing any right now."
Topper tilted his head the other way.
"Huh?"
NiGHTS grinned.
"Well, you know me, Topper."
The Nightopian shook his head, eyes goggling.
"NiGHTS, what are you doing?"
Molly giggled, catching onto the game that NiGHTS was playing.
"Doing? It's only me . . . Molly!"
Topper took a breath, obviously very confused.
NiGHTS laughed.
"What's wrong, Topper? You look confused."
Topper scratched his cone shaped head.
"But you're NiGHTS. Who is Molly?"
"I told you. I am!"
Molly grinned.
NiGHTS quickly added, "Oh by the way, you do remember how I can merge with dreamers, don't you?"
Topper was almost cross-eyed by now.
"Well, of course I. . ."
He blinked suddenly as he caught on.
"You merged with that Red Ideya dreamer!"
Molly took over one of NiGHTS' arms and waved, beaming happily.
"Give the man a prize! Hi there, Topper. My name is Molly, and I'll be your Red Ideya dreamer this evening."
Topper laughed.
"Okay, NiGHTS. You got me. You could have warned me that you'd found the girl, though."
Molly frowned.
"Excuse me, but could you please not call me "the girl?" My name is Molly."
NiGHTS took charge again, obviously enjoying himself.
"That sounds like a reasonable request. Say hello to Molly, Topper."
"Hello to Molly, Topper."
Topper replied with a grin of his own.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Say End of Part Five, Narrator.
End of Part Five, Narrator.
~~~~~~~~~~
Part Six: Blue Chips, Golden Stars, and Red Ideya
(part of this nutritious breakfast!)
Topper frowned at the laughing, purple figure overhead.
"Okay, so you fooled me. How long are you going to laugh, anyway?"
NiGHTS sighed, grinning.
"I'm sorry, Topper, but it's not me!"
Topper flew up and rapped on NiGHTS' head.
"Hey in there, girl! Quit laughing!"
NiGHTS grabbed Topper.
"Ow! Hey, that hurt!"
Molly in turn frowned at him.
"And I told you not to call me "Girl."
Topper bounced off the ground like a ball as he was released.
"NiGHTS, why don't you just drop her?"
NiGHTS blinked.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
A moment later, Molly hit the ground.
"Ouch!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
"You guys?"
NiGHTS spoke up, tired of listening to the argument that had been going on for the past five minutes.
Topper continued as if he hadn't heard.
"You oversized girl!"
Molly glared.
"Oversized? That's hilarious coming from a lump of clay like you!"
NiGHTS sighed, shaking his head.
"You guys. . .?"
"Clay?! That's better than being stuck in a dull world like the one you're from!"
Topper folded his stubby arms.
Molly shook her head.
"At least my world is real. Yours is nothing but one big figment of everyones' imagination!"
NiGHTS had had enough by now.
"YOU GUYS!!!"
He flew between them, pulling his face into a fearsome expression that shocked both Molly and Topper into silence.
Satisfied, NiGHTS returned to normal, smiling.
"That's better. Will you listen to me now? We need to get going before someone decides to guard the Ideya Capture."
Molly and Topper exchanged a glance, but since it was the same glance, nothing was really accomplished.
They both nodded and spoke in unison.
"Okay, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS blinked.
"Wow! Now you two sound like you've merged!"
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
"This is Spring Valley. There's an Ideya Capture here somewhere, and that's most likely where we'll find your yellow Ideya."
NiGHTS explained, answering yet another unasked question.
He and Molly had merged again in order to travel faster.
Beside them, Topper was trying his best to keep up.
A body shaped like a misshapen piece of candy corn and tiny wings did not make him as aerodynamic as NiGHTS' slim form.
Actually, Molly thought, NiGHTS was so thin that if he hadn't explained how she could be inside him, she would have expected him to burst if they merged.
Did Nightmaren eat?
She suspected that they didn't.
"Not in the way that you do, no."
NiGHTS startled her out of her thoughts, smiling as he answered.
"Remember, I'm really just a spark of Nightmare energy housed in a body that. . ."
He frowned, not yet ready to reveal too much.
"That looks vaguely human."
There.
He smiled, satisfied that he had corrected his slip.
He wasn't about to admit that he was Wizeman's creation.
Even with her Red Ideya, Molly was sure to be terrified by Wizeman.
NiGHTS fell silent as he flew.
He still felt fear race through him at the thought of his former master.
And Molly was going to face him on her own?
At least last time, there had been two Red Ideya dreamers.
Claris and Elliot had worked as a team to free NiGHTS from his Ideya palace prison.
And together with NiGHTS' help, they had pushed Wizeman temporarily off of his throne.
But that had been years ago.
Longer for Claris and Elliot than for NiGHTS, who did not age.
"NiGHTS, what are those?"
Molly turned his attention toward a series of large, yellow rings surrounded by blue bubbles.
NiGHTS smiled, sensing a new way to surprise his companions.
"I'll show you."
"NiGHTS! Stop! Stop! Oh no, we're going to crash again!"
"When have I ever . . .crashed?!"
NiGHTS demanded as he pried his hands off of his eyes for the third time.
He wasn't maneuvering as gracefully as usual because of Molly's nervousness.
"AIEEEEE!!!"
Molly felt her stomach fly into her throat as NiGHTS looped through the rings.
"Really. How unprofessional, NiGHTS."
A deep purple creature resembling a bird commented as he hovered nearby.
NiGHTS slammed on the breaks, provoking a yelp out of Molly.
The Hollow opened his beak slightly in a birdlike smile.
"You have the Red Ideya, don't you? Give it to me."
Molly and NiGHTS frowned and spoke in unison.
"Now why would we do that?!"
The Hollow laughed.
"Because if you don't. . . "
Topper flew up to make a face.
"One ugly Hollow is going to beat NiGHTS? That's funny!"
The Hollow shook his head.
"What's funny is that you Nightopians are too dumb to know when you're beaten."
NiGHTS landed quickly.
"Topper, this is bad. You should go."
Topper blinked.
"One Hollow, NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS shook his head.
"No. We're surrounded."
Even Molly had no comment as they all spotted the small army of Nightmaren that had managed to ambush them.
And as they moved in, NiGHTS saw that their leader was none other than. . .
"Reala."
He spoke the name as if it left a foul taste in his mouth.
Molly spoke very quietly.
"Is this a friend of yours?"
Nights gave his head a quick shake, never taking his eyes off of his evil counterpart.
~~~~~~~~~
Not good . . . definitely not good.
End of Part Six
~~~~~~~~
Part Seven: Get Reala!
Reala advanced, grinning cruelly.
"I'm so pleased that you remembered me . . . brother."
NiGHTS backed up a step.
Molly frowned.
"Brother? NiGHTS, he's your. . .?"
Reala chuckled.
"Yes, this cowardly excuse for a Nightmaren is my brother, I'm sorry to say."
NiGHTS stood tall and proud.
"I'm equally sorry, Reala. It's disgraceful to have any connection to a monster like you."
Reala frowned and gestured to one of his companions, a black and gold Nightmaren.
The Nightmaren struck NiGHTS roughly across the face.
Reala smiled.
"Mind your manners, NiGHTS."
Molly recoiled, feeling the blow as sharply as NiGHTS did.
She looked up at Reala, angry.
"Oh that's it. . .!"
She would have marched over, but NiGHTS refused to budge.
Molly strained.
"NiGHTS, take this guy out!"
NiGHTS shook his head.
"Look around, Molly. If I attack Reala, these Nightmaren are going to attack us. We can't do anything."
Molly sighed, unable to argue.
She didn't believe that they could win anyway, she was only driven by anger.
Reala smiled.
"Ah, hello, dreamer. Molly is your name, is it?"
Molly felt herself cringing away from that deadly smooth voice and cruel gaze.
Reala laughed, seeing hesitation in NiGHTS' eyes.
"So she's afraid of me. Good, she's a smart one I'll take her Red Ideya now."
"NO!"
NiGHTS lunged, breaking free of the circle of Nightmaren in an attempt to flee.
Molly gasped, looking back.
"Faster, NiGHTS! They're right behind us!"
NiGHTS paralooped through the air, ensnaring two of their pursuers in his glowing trail.
Unfortunately, two more quickly took their place.
The purple Nightmaren cried out as claws grabbed at him, tearing through his costume.
"This doesn't look good!"
NiGHTS winced as he tried to fly faster, weaving through rings in an attempt to lose the other Nightmaren.
"Molly . . . I don't think that I can escape. I'm going to drop you, and I want you to run!"
"No!"
Molly gasped at the thought.
If NiGHTS couldn't escape, what could she do on her own?
NiGHTS groaned as the scratches slowed him.
"We'll both be caught if we don't try this. Now do it!"
Abruptly, Molly found herself falling through trees.
She suppressed a yelp as she landed hard, and looked back before swallowing nervously and running away.
NiGHTS flew in the opposite direction.
"You're not getting her, Reala!"
Reala smirked.
"Clever, NiGHTS . . . but we think alike."
Molly skidded to a stop, gasping in horror as Reala came down out of nowhere to stand in front of her.
Reala grinned.
"You've got some real courage, girl. Now give it up."
Molly backed up before crying out.
"No! NiGHTS!!!"
As Reala advanced, she kicked his hand away.
"And don't call me "Girl!"
Reala blinked.
"You are either very brave . . . or very stupid."
NiGHTS spun around at the shout, realizing what had happened.
"Molly!"
He knocked another Nightmaren aside before sweeping toward Reala.
"Let her go!"
Molly backed away.
"Well, I think it's pretty obvious which it is. I have the Ideya that you want, after all!"
Reala grinned.
"Indeed you do."
Reala was suddenly caught in a paraloop trail and held immobile for a moment as NiGHTS swooped.
NiGHTS reached for Molly, who in turn strained to grab his hand and merge again.
Reala snarled as he broke free.
"No!"
He lunged, knocking Molly to the ground before turning and slashing at NiGHTS.
NiGHTS cried out as red slashes appeared on his side, and landed hard nearby, doubling over in pain.
Molly pushed herself up before Reala grabbed her by the hair and yanked her toward him.
He turned toward his remaining Nightmaren, who were hurrying toward the sounds of battle.
"Secure the traitor! We'll bring both of them before Wizeman."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh no . . . is this the end for Nightopia and the waking world?
(Not to mention, our heroes?)
End of Part Seven
~~~~~~~~
Part Eight: Trapped in Nightmare
"Molly? Molly?!"
Molly groaned as an urgent voice forced her out of a deep, dreamless slumber.
She opened her eyes to find two enormous, purple eyes staring at her from a round face lacking a nose.
She panicked and slapped the Nightmaren away.
"EEEEK!"
NiGHTS tumbled away a short distance, holding his face.
"Ouch!"
Molly blinked, remembering where she was.
"Oops . . . I'm sorry, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS turned to frown at her, sporting a bandage over his nose.
"Remind me not to wake you anymore."
Molly held her hands up helplessly.
"I said I'm sorry. I saw a Nightmaren, and I reacted without thinking!"
NiGHTS sighed.
"Fair enough."
Molly stood up, looking around. They were in a dark cell with stone walls. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were in the dungeons of Nightmare Castle.
"How was I sleeping, anyway? I'm already asleep!"
NiGHTS was peering out at the two Nightmaren guards outside.
"You went into a deeper sleep as a result of being hurt. You were sleeping too soundly to dream, so it was like losing consciousness."
Molly blinked.
"Oh . . . that makes sense, I guess."
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~
Neither could be sure how much time had passed before a Nightmaren in a green uniform with one black arm and one black leg on the opposite side approached.
He grinned.
"On your feet, prisoners. General Reala wants to see you."
Molly and NiGHTS exchanged a glance, but accomplished nothing.
NiGHTS placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I won't let them hurt you."
Not very reassured, Molly only nodded and allowed herself to be pulled out and led down the corridor.
Behind her, she could hear a brief struggle before NiGHTS joined her, escorted by six Nightmaren.
Molly was impressed despite her situation.
If they were taking this kind of precaution against NiGHTS, then he had to be an amazing fighter!
All too soon, they halted outside of an enormous, arched doorway.
The door creaked open, and they were shoved roughly inside, where they hit the floor. The door slammed closed behind them.
Molly noticed NiGHTS regarding her worriedly from where he was sitting on the floor, but she could only think of one thing to say.
"That hurt, NiGHTS."
"SILENCE!"
Both looked up as green flames ignited on the walls.
Reala sneered from his throne.
"I see you've taken to crawling in the presence of your betters. I approve."
NiGHTS and Molly both stood to their full heights in silent defiance.
Reala seemed amused.
"Wizeman wants to see you, NiGHTS. And he demands that the Ideya be left intact until then. Lucky for you."
Molly winced as his gaze fell on her.
Reala smiled, noting the reaction.
He turned to NiGHTS.
"It is to be removed in front of you, traitor, As a reminder of your failure."
NiGHTS glared.
"I won't allow it!"
He flew into the air, and Reala instantly threw himself out of his throne to meet the challenge.
"So you wish to be humiliated in front of the girl before she is sent into eternal nightmares? So be it!"
Molly ran to the door as the two Nightmaren clashed overhead.
She could hear the whoosh of air as they paralooped one another, and the tearing of fabric as Reala's claws found their mark.
She strained against the doors, but to no avail.
They were securely bolted shut.
Trapped, she turned to watch.
NiGHTS sported several new slashes, but the worst appeared to have healed somehow.
Nightmaren bodies were not the same as hers, after all.
Reala also looked as if he was taking a beating.
As she watched, NiGHTS paralooped, flipping up and over Reala before sweeping around him and catching him in his trail.
Reala cried out.
All action quickly ceased as a new voice thundered.
"ENOUGH!"
NiGHTS all but fell to the floor.
Reala grunted as he was released from the attack, and fell into a kneeling position as a shadowed figure appeared.
Molly turned to see the figure and felt fear overpower her, despite her Ideya.
"Who . . .?!"
NiGHTS answered in a low, bitter tone.
"Wizeman. . ."
~~~~~~~~
From bad to worse. . .
End of Part Eight.
~~~~~~~
Part Nine: The Heart of the Nightmare, and a Dreamer's Heart
Molly cried out as she was flung into a new chamber.
She felt something impact with her head before she lost track of the world around her.
NiGHTS flung two Nightmaren off of him.
"Molly!"
Wizeman thrust his hands out, staring disapprovingly at his servants.
"I do not recall giving the order to kill her!"
Reala scowled and took the opportunity to kill the Nightmaren responsible, venting his rage over having been injured by NiGHTS.
If it hadn't been for Wizeman's orders, he would have ripped his brother to shreds.
NiGHTS grunted as he was restrained again.
Molly remained motionless on the smooth stone floor, golden brown/blond hair laying in startling contrast against her purple sweatshirt.
Wizeman was far from pleased.
"We will take advantage of the dreamer's silence. Remove her Ideya now."
NiGHTS struggled, trying to stop Reala from reaching Molly.
Reala noticed and took his time.
He landed and walked slowly over to the unconscious girl before kneeling and brushing a lock of hair away from her face.
He looked up at NiGHTS.
"Are you enjoying the show, NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS struggled harder, but the four remaining Nightmaren guards held him tightly.
Reala chuckled.
"Give it up, traitor. You can't save her."
NiGHTS watched in horror as Reala turned back to Molly and reached for her.
Reala stopped as Wizeman spoke up.
"Wait, Reala. I have a better idea. NiGHTS, you wish to defend that Ideya. Do you not?"
NiGHTS glared.
"I will give my life if it keeps that Ideya out of your grasp, Wizeman!"
Reala turned, claws at the ready, but Wizeman waved him away.
"Then I have a proposition for you. Betray the girl and I will allow you to leave Nightmare."
He waved a hand, and the Ideya Capture appeared.
"You were looking for this, weren't you? Add her Red Ideya to the collection and you may go free."
NiGHTS stood, frozen in shock as the Nightmaren stepped back, releasing him.
Reala looked disappointed as he drifted to his master's side, watching silently.
NiGHTS walked numbly over to where Molly was laying.
"You. . .want me to do what?!"
The evil figure laughed cruelly.
"Face the facts, NiGHTS. The Red Ideya will never be safe from me unless you take it for yourself!"
NiGHTS looked down at the girl at his feet, troubled by his thoughts.
**Wizeman's right. The only real way to keep Molly's Ideya safe is to take it from her.**
Molly rubbed her head as she stirred.
"Ow, that really hurt! Who is this guy, NiGHTS?"
She blinked as she received no response, and looked up.
"NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS frowned.
"If I do this . . . I'm no better than Wizeman and the others."
Molly blinked, obviously confused.
"What are you talking about, NiGHTS? What's wrong? That monster said something bad to you, didn't he? Ignore him! You're better than he is!"
Wizeman laughed, attracting their attention.
"What a touching scene! Alas, I fear that NiGHTS has lived up to his name and kept you in the dark, my dear."
Molly rose to her full height.
"What are you talking about?"
Wizeman watched in satisfaction as he saw NiGHTS stepping closer to Molly.
"Why, NiGHTS owes his very existence to me. I made him what he is!"
Molly gasped.
"NiGHTS! Is that true? Are you. . ."
She gasped again as NiGHTS grabbed her and held a hand over her chest.
"I'm sorry, Molly."
And then the Red Ideya was in his grasp.
Molly stared at him in horror before flickering and beginning to fade away.
"NiGHTS. . .!"
NiGHTS abruptly assaulted the Ideya capture, releasing the dream energy.
Molly sighed as her yellow Ideya returned to her, then hit the floor, falling into a deeper sleep.
Wizeman pointed at NiGHTS, focusing his eyes on Reala.
"Reala."
Reala bowed quickly before advancing on NiGHTS.
"Well done, brother. You are one of us after all, it seems. It is a pity that you released so many Ideya, but I understand your desire to keep the female in your sight. The other Ideya can easily be recaptured, and you may now rejoin us. We are kindred spirits, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS backed up, pressing the Ideya to the red crystal in his own chest.
The two merged, and NiGHTS smiled as he felt the power coursing through him.
So this was what gave his friends such spirit and energy!
"No, Reala. I'm nothing like you!"
Reala's surprise was clear as he watched the change come over NiGHTS.
This wasn't the rogue Nightmaren running for his life and sabotaging Wizeman's efforts.
This was a true hero, finally bursting free of his self imposed prison.
Wizeman turned all six eyes on the two Nightmaren.
"Destroy him and take that Ideya!"
Reala flexed his claws, but the attempt at intimidation failed.
NiGHTS rose into the air and paralooped around his brother, engulfing him in glowing bands of energy.
He turned quickly and flew at Reala again, only to find his rival free and attempting to do the same to him.
The two flew around each other, each attempting to ensnare the other in his trail.
Reala snarled.
"You think that you can beat me? You're gravely mistaken, NiGHTS!"
NiGHTS grinned.
"Less talk and more action, Reala!"
He took the chance to paraloop again, holding Reala immobile.
The red and black Nightmaren cried out and sank lower before catching himself.
NiGHTS frowned as Reala came dangerously close to where Molly was laying.
She couldn't be hurt in this dream, but she could feel pain.
If she were surprised or startled, she could witness and interfere with the fight, or wake up.
He cried out as Reala took the chance to paraloop him, holding him tightly.
NiGHTS was too shocked to react as Reala came back for another attack and then another.
Exhausted, NiGHTS lost altitude.
One more attack like that and he would have nothing left.
Something seemed to shake free of him in response to his thoughts of fleeing.
He watched as the Red Ideya slipped free and returned to its rightful owner.
Molly stirred as Reala flew down to collect her.
Unable to do any more, NiGHTS turned and flew away, narrowly avoiding the guards.
"I'm sorry, Molly . . . I'll return for you, I swear it!"
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~
Months Later. . .
"Please, Wizeman . . . can't I dream tonight?"
Molly looked up from her prison, gazing hopefully at the eye nearest to her.
Wizeman seemed to chuckle.
"You would escape through your dream, my dear. But perhaps if Reala spoke for you. . ."
Molly turned toward the red, black, and white Nightmaren.
His eyes were as cold as ever.
Reala nodded.
"I might . . . if you entertained me. Sing. I know that you sing when I leave you alone. Serenade me now, and if I like what you sing, I will ask our master, Wizeman to allow you one night of dreams."
Molly sighed.
"But my heart is filled with darkness now . . . I don't know if there are any songs left in me."
She looked up at Reala again, seeing that she would get no pity out of the evil Nightmaren General.
Taking a breath, she sang her greatest desire.
Let me dream tonight Let me live tonight Allow me just one night To keep my soul alive.
Let me fly tonight Let me see the moon tonight. Permit me just this night And I will be yours again in the light.
In this darkness, I can feel myself fading away. In this darkness, I'll never see another day. In this darkness, Neverending nightmare. In this darkness, A lifetime of despair!
So please let me dream tonight Please give me just this night. Tomorrow, I'll still be here. Trapped within your grasp.
Let me dream tonight Let me live tonight I can do no more to you. . . So let me dream once more.
Molly had closed her eyes on the final verse, and now looked up to see what would happen next.
Reala smiled.
"My nightingale, your song reaches a part of me that no one else may touch."
He reached through the pillars, to turn her face toward him.
"If you say that your songs will fade without your dreams, then I will aid you. But only for the sake of allowing your beautiful songs to continue. In time, you may even become one of us."
Molly blinked, shocked despite her dark spirits.
"One of you?!"
Reala grinned.
"We Nightmaren are created from nightmare energy. In time, your spirit will darken sufficiently, and with Wizeman's blessing, you may very well join our ranks. You would make a lovely Nightmaren. And I have already granted you your new Nightmaren name . . . my Nightingale."
Molly closed her eyes, accepting the new title.
Her Yellow Ideya of hope had long since been stolen away, leaving her with only her courage.
She couldn't bring herself to struggle anymore, Wizeman had won.
"If you say that this is my fate, Reala. . . I can't argue."
Reala regarded her coldly.
"You must swear allegiance to me, and to Wizeman. Never call me by name unless I grant you permission. I am your Lord and General."
The girl bowed her head.
"Yes . . . Lord Reala."
Reala smiled and rose.
"Very well then. I will plead with Wizeman for your sake. And in return, you will be my Nightingale and sing only for me."
Molly . . . no, Nightingale lowered her head in acceptance.
For years afterward, she met with Reala each night.
Together they flew over Nightmare, and she sang her soul to him, until there was nothing left but satisfaction with her new role as Lord Reala's companion and Master Wizeman's servant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EPILOGUE:
NiGHTS banged a fist against the table in front of him.
"If I'd just been quicker! I could have done something. I could have saved her!"
The Nightopians and rebel Nightmaren winced in sympathy.
A slightly smaller Nightmaren, clothed in a costume of green and pink diamonds drifted closer.
"Reala's full of deceit, and he has a full army backing him. You couldn't have stopped him by yourself."
"I could have tried harder."
NiGHTS covered his face.
The others stepped closer, attempting to reassure their leader.
Topper closed his eyes in a moment of serious reflection, completely out of character for the normally fun loving Nightopian.
"She's still there, in Nightmare. There will be other chances, NiGHTS."
NiGHTS rose, a look of determination on his round face.
"This isn't over, Wizeman. This is far from over!"
The End
(For Now)