This is the last story. I was thinking about making more, but I can't remember any other WD stories. It's been a while since I read the book. Anyway, I hope you like it!
The Story of NiGHTS and the Dark Hedgehog of Nightmare
NiGHTS frowned in utter dispair at the scene in front of him. Nightopia was dying. After so many raids from Wizeman's Nightmarens, the once-beautiful world had become like Nightmare: dark, empty, and depressing. The Nightopians were gone.
Tears filled NiGHTS' eyes, but he brushed them away and looked determined. "I can't let Wizeman get away with this. I HAVE to stop him, even if I have to sacrifice myself." He had heard of a dark hedgehog somewhere in Nightmare that could work magic, and NiGHTS thought that he could somehow trick the hedgehog into saving Nightopia for him.
As NiGHTS flew towards Nightmare, he met up with Owl.
"Hoo, NiGHTS! Where are you going?" Owl asked, flying alongside him.
"I'm going to the Dark Hedgehog so I can get him to save Nightopia." NiGHTS replied, looking straight ahead.
Owl was shocked. "The Dark Hedgehog?! But NiGHTS, haven't you heard those terrible stories? Whoever visits the Dark Hedgehog never return! We musn't go there!"
NiGHTS looked at his friend. "I'm not asking you to come along. I'm only saying that I have to risk my life to restore the home of so many dreams. If I don't come back, at least I will have died trying."
Impressed by NiGHTS' attitude, Owl told him, "Well then, you won't have to try alone. I will come."
The two of them continued their way into Nightmare, past Wizeman's castle, to the other side of the Dark Ocean. It was a very long flight, and both of them were tired. At last, they reached the cave in the cliff that resided high above the Dark Ocean's black depths.
NiGHTS and Owl were barely entering when the Dark Hedgehog himself appeared in front of them. "What do you want here?" the Dark Hedgehog questioned threateningly.
Owl asked timidly, "A-are you the D-Dark Hedgehog?"
The frightening hedgehog narrowed his glowing eyes. "Yes. You may call me Mephiles. Again, I ask you: what business have you here?"
NiGHTS began, "Nightopia is dying, and I am willing to sacrifice myself in order to save it."
Mephiles sneered, "Do you honestly think that you can save Nightopia by sacrificing yourself? A soul this desperate shall have to have a last meal!"
Owl exclaimed, "Great then! I'm famished!"
NiGHTS, however, knew that Mephiles was tricking them to eat here so that all their secrets will be known. "I don't want any food, thank you." NiGHTS answered politely.
Mephiles slowly turned his head to NiGHTS and responded, "So you're smart enough to not eat a feast here. However, even that will not get me to help you."
NiGHTS then had an idea. "How about we make a deal? Let's play a game. If I win, you have to save Nightopia. If you win, then I must remain here."
Owl shot NiGHTS a surprised glance. "NiGHTS, no!"
The jester ignored Owl. "Do we have a deal, Mephiles?"
The Dark Hedgehog thought a moment, then said, "Yes. But if you lose, not only will you have to stay here, but you will have to give me one of your hands."
NiGHTS nodded, not seeming worried at all. "Fair enough. What game shall we play?"
Mephiles stared at NiGHTS for a moment, as if reading him psycically. Then, he responded, "We will play backgammon."
NiGHTS was relieved; backgammon was one of the games he was best at. But he tried not to show his emotions as he spoke, "Let's start."
NiGHTS was very confident that he would win. In fact, he was sure he would win. That's why it was a complete surprise to him when he lost. NiGHTS stared at the board, trying to figure out what he did wrong.
"It was a nice attempt, NiGHTS." Mephiles spoke. "But you were overconfident. Now then, it's time for you to keep your end of the deal."
NiGHTS tentatively held out his left hand and closed his eyes. Just then, he felt drowsy and was unable to keep afloat. He barely heard Owl cry out as the ground rushed up to meet him.
When NiGHTS awoke that night later, he found himself inside a cave within the cave. He had trouble remembering what had happened.
Owl, who was beside him, noticed NiGHTS had waken up. "NiGHTS," he whispered. "Are you all right?"
NiGHTS looked up at Owl with glazed eyes. He saw Owl's somewhat sad expression and that snapped him back to his senses. "Yes. Yes, I'm fine." But then he realized he had no feeling in his left hand. He looked at where his hand would be, but his hand was gone. He sighed. "Don't worry, Owl. I'm not in any pain. Tomorrow I will challenge Mephiles again and I am sure I will win."
But Owl looked doubtful.
Over the course of the next two days, NiGHTS also lost his right hand and one of his eyes to Mephiles, who kept beating him at backgammon.
This was probably the first time NiGHTS had given up. After the last time of losing, he stayed curled up in his area of the cave and closed his remaining eye, keeping his head bent down.
"Oh, NiGHTS..." Owl murmured softly, glancing at NiGHTS' missing hands and the patch that was now over his lost eye. "I'm so sorry for all this..." He had never seen NiGHTS look so defeated.
"It's not your fault, Owl." the purple jester spoke quietly, without looking at his friend. "I just thought I'd be able to save Nightopia-- not just for me, but for the Visitors, too." He sighed. "You should get out of here, Owl. Mephiles didn't say you had to stay with me. I'll probably die soon, anyway."
But Owl, to NiGHTS surprise, said firmly, "No, NiGHTS. I can't let you live in this awful place all by yourself. I'll stick with you 'til the very end if I have to."
This time, NiGHTS did look up. He tried his best to smile, but it came out distorted and weak. "Thanks, Owl." He slowly got up. "I at least have to try one more time to beat Mephiles." When he went over to where the Dark Hedgehog usually was, he began, "Mephiles, I thought I'd play you just one more time--"
"No, NiGHTS. There is no need." Mephiles interrupted. "I am letting you go."
NiGHTS cocked his head in confusion. "Letting me go? But I didn't..."
Mephiles explained, eerily sympathetic, "This is no place for warm hearts and brave souls. Go now. Nightopia has already been saved."
NiGHTS shook his head. "I don't understand..."
"It does not matter." Then Mephiles added, "But know this: suffering isn't the best way to save someone or something you love." Even though Mephiles had no mouth, NiGHTS was sure he was smirking as he finished, "And you can never barter with the Dark Hedgehog."
The way back to Nightopia was hard on Owl: he had to carry NiGHTS, since NiGHTS had lost his hands, therefore lost the power to fly with Twinkle Dust. But once they had made it back, NiGHTS was overjoyed when he saw that Nightopia was lush and beautiful as it had originally been. The Nightopians had also returned.
NiGHTS spent the first few moments of being back simply walking around the different parts of Nightopia, admiring the new beauty. And then he saw Reala fly down to him.
Reala stared at NiGHTS for a few seconds in shock and concern. "NiGHTS..." he whispered, "what happened to you?"
NiGHTS was surprised at Reala's expression. There was something in his eyes that was different, too. Was Reala...worried? "It's a long story." NiGHTS told him, not wanting to go into detail.
Reala frowned. "You look terrible..." Then, moved with pity, he magically restored NiGHTS' hands and eye.
"Huh?" NiGHTS looked at his hands that were there now. He removed the eye-patch and could see through both eyes. He looked at Reala, wide-eyed. "Reala..." He didn't say anything for a second, then he asked, "Was it ok to do that?"
Reala shrugged. "Wizeman doesn't have to know." More sympathetically, he added, "I just couldn't stand to see you like that."
NiGHTS smiled and soared into the air. He called down to Reala, "You wanna have a race?"
Reala shook his head. "Nah, I got work to do. Besides, I can't be seen fratranizing with the enemy."
NiGHTS shrugged his arms. "Suit yourself." He did a backflip before flying away. As he glided over the beautious Nightopia, he remembered what Mephiles had said:
"Suffering isn't the best way to save someone or something you love. And you can never barter with the Dark Hedgehog."
Well, that's the end of it! If you're wondering why I didn't put up all these stories at once, it's because I wanted to give you a breather in between each chapter so you wouldn't be up all night reading it. Plus I get more reviews that way. :)
Soooooooooooo, please review! And don't forget to tell me which story you liked best! Sayonara until next time!
