AN: We're finally at that plot!

Jackle was happy. Things couldn't be going any better. Jackle had been made NiGHTS permanent partner, due to Reala's prolonged absence. They were both doing exceedingly well, they both became Wizeman's favourites, they were assigned to the important tasks he had to offer. Jackle was happy with this, before he'd barely ever been outside the castle, now he was being sent out once daily. Wizeman was being very kind to Jackle, which surprised him. He hadn't talked to Wizeman much before now, all he remembered of Wizeman, was him calling Jackle a failure. Now, he was showering him with praise. He had even apologised for misjudging him. Jackle had never heard of Wizeman treating anyone else like this, so he took it as a huge compliment. Whilst NiGHTS and Jackle were both happy, Jackle was constantly bothered by something. NiGHTS, for whatever reason, didn't seem to care about his twin. Jackle had never met Reala, from what NiGHTS had told him, he was very stuck up. But, NiGHTS cared about nearly everyone. So, why would he suddenly forget about the person he called his brother? NiGHTS didn't know the real reason for Reala's absence, Wizeman had forbidden Jackle from telling him. He said he didn't want NiGHTS to get distracted. Wizeman had told Jackle, that he hadn't told NiGHTS any information, true or false, about Reala's disappearance. Whenever Jackle brought the subject of Reala up, NiGHTS wouldn't be interested, and change the subject as soon as possible. Wizeman had told Jackle to try and forget about it, Jackle tried, but he couldn't. Jackle had developed a strong liking for his master. Whenever they were alone, he would always tell Jackle how proud he was of him. For some reason, this just made Jackle feel happy. In fact, when he was around Wizeman, he seemed to mirror his emotions. When Wizeman was happy, Jackle was happy, when Wizeman was disappointed, Jackle was disappointed. It was strange, but Jackle didn't think about it much. He had more important things to worry about right now…

It was a simple task, at least that was what Wizeman had told them. All they had to do, was find a female dreamer, who possessed a ideya of courage. They were both confused, normally they were assigned to important tasks. Dreamers with only one ideya were very common, this was the sort of work a first-level would do. Wizeman insisted that it was important, but he wouldn't tell them why. So, they set out to find the dreamer. The only problem was, now that they were in her dream world, they couldn't see her anywhere. The dream world was an open field, it's sky was filled with stars and the moon shone brightly. It was very dark, but it was lit up by strange crystals, which gave off a green glow. These crystals were huge, they were almost as tall as Jackle. They poked up from the ground at random. While NiGHTS could fly up, and look for the dreamer, the world was so large, he might lose Jackle. Jackle couldn't fly, so they couldn't look for him together that way. They had to walk.

"This sucks." NiGHTS complained, moodily.

"Tell me about it." Jackle agreed, walking at a steady pace. NiGHTS was hovering along, beside him. "Can't you just walk?" Jackle asked.

"Why? You jealous?" NiGHTS teased, flying around Jackle in circles.

"No." Jackle said, smiling, "Besides I'm faster at running."

"Oh, really?" NiGHTS said, mischievously, floating down, so that he was on the ground, "We'll see about that."

Their little contest, helped pass the time. But, more importantly, it brought them to the dreamer. She was crouching next to one of the crystals. Jackle saw him first,

"NiGHTS!" He hissed, putting out a hand to stop him from running away from him.

"What are you-?" He began, then he saw the dreamer, and smiled, "Oh! You've got a good eye Jackle." Jackle and NiGHTS hid behind a group of the crystals, and talked about the plan of action. They decided that Jackle would use his dream changing abilities to get the ideya. Whilst every nightmaren had this skill, Jackle had more experience with it than NiGHTS. When Jackle was about to move forward, NiGHTS grabbed onto his shoulder (He did have a body, it was just invisible).

"What?" Jackle asked, worried. NiGHTS was staring at the girl's face, frowning. Then shook his head, and muttered,

"It's probably nothing." He let go of Jackle. NiGHTS' behaviour confused him, but Jackle continued about his work. He sensed the girl's fear and smiled. Stage fright. Jackle was about to make his move, when NiGHTS stopped him again. Jackle was about to speak, but NiGHTS spoke first,

"I want to do this." Jackle frowned. NiGHTS had suggested that Jackle did the job. Why did he suddenly change his mind?

"Ok, sure." Jackle said, confused, but not showing it. He moved back behind the crystal, and waited. He couldn't see what NiGHTS was doing, it was too dark. But Jackle did spot him eventually, he was moving up behind the dreamer. Then NiGHTS did something which Jackle didn't expect. He spoke,

"Hello." The girl jumped, and spun around.

"W-who's there?" She stammered, she looked frightened. Jackle guessed that this was some strange idea NiGHTS had come up with. NiGHTS walked into the light.

"My name's NiGHTS." NiGHTS said, "What's yours?" The girl frowned, so did Jackle. Maybe this was some trick? He would act friendly, then scare the girl? The girl gasped, and took a step forward.

"NiGHTS?" She asked, looking as if she couldn't believe it.

"Yeah." NiGHTS replied, "What about you?" The girl's face fell.

"You…but…don't you recognise me?" The girl asked, looking worried.

"No. But...something about you seems familiar." NiGHTS answered, looking carefully at the girl. Jackle didn't think this was a trick anymore. This girl knew NiGHTS? They had met before? Jackle should have intervened then, but something held him back. He wanted to listen. The girl looked dismayed. Then she seemed to pull herself together.

"You're working for Wizeman aren't you?" Jackle was surprised, no visitors should know about Wizeman. NiGHTS looked surprised as well.

"Yes." He replied, amazed, "But, how do you know who he is?" It seemed that the girl wanted to cry, but wouldn't let herself.

"Alright. I understand." She said to herself, ignoring NiGHTS' question, "You told me what to do if this happened." NiGHTS looked very confused now. The girl stepped in front of NiGHTS, and spoke. Jackle couldn't hear what she said, she was speaking quietly and he was too far away. When she backed away, NiGHTS had a strange look in his eyes.

"Claris?" NiGHTS gasped.

"Hey, NiGHTS." The girl who NiGHTS called 'Claris' said, smiling, "I told you that you could rely on me." NiGHTS bent down, and hugged her. Jackle's jaw dropped. What was NiGHTS doing? NiGHTS let go of her, and smiled,

"Yeah, you showed me!" He said, happily. They were treating each other like old friends.

"Wizeman can't be that powerful then." Claris remarked, "If it was this easy to stop him from controlling you."

"Or maybe you're just awesome!" NiGHTS exclaimed, happily, pulling Claris into another hug. Jackle stared at the two, he hadn't the faintest idea what was going on. NiGHTS was consorting with the dreamer, that was bad. If Wizeman found out, he would surely punish him. Jackle couldn't let that happen. Not again. NiGHTS was his friend, he wouldn't let him get hurt. Jackle came out from behind his hiding place.

"The girl must have done something to him." Jackle thought, "NiGHTS isn't in his right mind at the moment. The girl must have something to do with it. I need to get him away from her." Jackle strode towards them. When he stepped into the light, Claris jumped. NiGHTS' eyes widened.

"Jackle!" He exclaimed.

"NiGHTS." Jackle said slowly, so that he could understand, "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine." NiGHTS replied, he looked nervous.

"I don't think you are." Jackle disagreed, "Look, go back to nightmare, I'll handle this. Alright?"

"No." NiGHTS said, defiantly, "Jackle, you don't understand."

"What don't I understand?" Jackle knew he had to be careful. NiGHTS was confused. Delirious. Whatever he was, Jackle knew NiGHTS would never do anything like this. There was something wrong with him.

"I…it's…" NiGHTS struggled to explain.

"Why don't you start by telling me, how you know this girl?" Jackle suggested, still in the same slow, deliberate voice. Claris moved forward, and said,

"Me and NiGHTS are friends!"

"Is that so?" Jackle said, struggling to keep his temper. He didn't dislike dreamers, but this one was doing something to NiGHTS. Messing with his head. Jackle didn't know how she was doing it, but she was manipulating NiGHTS. Jackle hated her for it, "Well then, Claris was it? When did you and NiGHTS first meet?" Jackle thought he had her. There was no way she could make up a story that sounded convincing.

"Jackle." NiGHTS said, moving forward, "Me and Claris met about a month ago. Remember when I stopped doing what Wizeman told me to? It was because I was visiting her." NiGHTS seemed to think what he was saying was fact. Jackle on the other hand, didn't.

"Come on, NiGHTS." Jackle pleaded, "Come back to nightmare, you're not well. You're sick. Just come back, I can handle this." NiGHTS looked frustrated, but it seemed he was trying not to show it.

"Listen," NiGHTS began, "I'm fine, at least I am now. Wizeman was controlling me. When I was visiting Claris, I began to realise what Wizeman was doing, was wrong. Wizeman found out, and brainwashed me. It took a while to kick in, I went to you. I hoped I could bring you around to my way of thinking, before I became Wizeman's servant again. But, I could tell you wouldn't stray. So, I became his tool again. I forgot everything. He even made me forget about Reala. Claris helped me remember, I warned her this might happen. I…" NiGHTS trailed off, waiting for Jackle's reaction.

Jackle knew that Claris had nothing to do with this, now. It had been a wild speculation, it was complete nonsense. NiGHTS was telling the truth. Or, was it just what he believed? Jackle didn't know what to think. NiGHTS was his only friend, he trusted him. But, he wanted to stray away from Wizeman completely. That was insane. While NiGHTS had been so nice to him, Wizeman had created Jackle. Jackle realised he couldn't betray Wizeman. So, what could he do? Jackle searched his mind, desperately trying to find another solution. He found none. So, in a wild attempt to avoid, what seemed, the most likely outcome, he spoke,

"NiGHTS, you might not agree with Wizeman's plans. But, you're a reasonable person aren't you? Wizeman will kill you if you don't do as he says. Please, just forget about it. Come back to nightmare, we can forget this ever happened, we wouldn't have to tell anyone."

"What are you talking about?" NiGHTS asked, incredulously, "I'm not going back to being Wizeman's servant! He doesn't care about you, me or anyone else. All he cares about is his absurd fantasy of becoming the ruler of nightopia. I know he treats you like you're better than the rest, he treated me like that as well. It's all an act, he does it with everyone. To make sure they're all loyal to him. When he doesn't need you any more, he'll throw you aside. You mean nothing to him!" Jackle was shocked by NiGHTS' outburst. Then his shock turned to anger. Wizeman wouldn't do that, NiGHTS was wrong.

"Liar!" Jackle hissed, "Wizeman cares about all of us! He'll give us all a position of power when he becomes the ruler of nightopia. You should be grateful, he had given you so much! Others would die to be in your position!" It was NiGHTS' turn to lose his temper,

"Well, if that's what you think, then I was wrong! You're a lunatic!" NiGHTS spat. Jackle snapped. He swung his fist into NiGHTS' face. NiGHTS cried out, and stumbled backwards.

"Stop!" Claris cried. But, Jackle ignored her. He kicked NiGHTS in the stomach. NiGHTS fell over backwards. Gasping for air. Jackle placed his foot on NiGHTS chest, and drew out one of his cards. Holding it above him threateningly. Only then, did he realise what he was doing. He had attacked NiGHTS, his only friend. He didn't move. He was too shocked. What he had desperately been trying to avoid, had become inevitable. NiGHTS seemed to realise this as well. The anger had gone from his eyes. He looked sad,

"I see you won't be persuaded…" He muttered, tears welling up in his eyes. Jackle could feel his eyes getting wet as well, his hands were shaking. NiGHTS' sad face, suddenly turned into a snarl, "I WAS TRYING TO HELP YOU!" He yelled. He shot out from underneath Jackle, leaving a glittering, star trail behind him. Jackle toppled over. NiGHTS moved towards Claris, who took his hand. Claris transformed into shining dust, which flew into NiGHTS. Jackle stood up. He had to fight NiGHTS. NiGHTS wouldn't be convinced. He had no choice. Jackle felt a tear slide down his invisible face. He wiped it away. He needed to hate NiGHTS, as hard as it may be. It would be easier that way. If he thought of NiGHTS as his enemy, he would be able to finish him off more easily, if the situation came to that. But he couldn't stop thinking about his friend, the only one who hadn't judged him...

NiGHTS flew upwards, and dived towards Jackle. Jackle jumped to the side, NiGHTS missed him. As NiGHTS flew up, for another attack, Jackle threw one of his cards. It must've hit, because Jackle heard NiGHTS cry out in pain. But NiGHTS didn't stop. He shot down at Jackle again. Jackle altered the dream world. He created a large wall, made out of the same crystal that surrounded them. The wall was directly in front of NiGHTS. NiGHTS swerved to avoid it. He just made it. Jackle swung his fist into NiGHTS flight path. It connected. NiGHTS was knocked to the floor. He had a small cut in his right arm. Jackle ran forward, drawing another card. NiGHTS was struggling to get up. Then Jackle slashed at his face. NiGHTS screamed. Jackle's card had created a huge, red gash on NiGHTS' face. NiGHTS snarled, and closed his eyes. Jackle was confused, then he realised what NiGHTS was doing. Crystal spikes shot up from the ground, meaning to impale Jackle. Jackle yelped, and ran in the other direction. He felt a searing pain in his left leg. He ignored it, and carried on running. Then the spikes stopped appearing. Jackle stopped, and looked down. There was a large cut, floating where the lower part of his left leg should be. Cursing Jackle turned around, to see NiGHTS charging at him. Jackle couldn't avoid it. NiGHTS hit him directly in the stomach. He was sent flying backwards, he smashed into the ground. A terrible pain shot through his back. He tried to stand up, but he couldn't. He couldn't move at all. He lay there helpless, as NiGHTS walked towards him. NiGHTS stood over him, he looked sad again.

"Sorry, Jackle." He muttered.

"Sorry." Jackle managed to murmur. His vision was going darker. NiGHTS pulled up his fist. Then everything was black.

AN: Well...wasn't that jolly? I have no idea what Claris' dream world is supposed to be like, so I made one up. Anyway, R&R