NiGHTS flew up to Chay's door first. Just as she was about to knock, a voice came from behind her.

"She's still cleaning the kitchen. Apparently, you left quite the mess in there."

NiGHTS turned around to see Malice flying up to her.

"Malice." NiGHTS said. Then realization hit her. "You can talk! Reala said you couldn't."

"That idiot only sees what he wants to see." Malice snarled. "He and Wiseman are fools."

NiGHTS rolled her eyes.

"Look," NiGHTS said. "Just because you aren't a first level doesn't mean that you should hate Reala, or Master Wiseman."

Malice smiled evilly and began cackling.

"You are a fool NiGHTS." Malice said.

"Yes, you've told me such already." NiGHTS said, a little afraid of the black jester. "Look, I need to ask you some questions."

"About the attack on Bubbals and Archer?" Malice asked.

"Yes," NiGHTS said. "Did you hear anything? See anything?"

"No." Malice said. "It was a completely silent attack... that is until Bubbals hit the floor. The stone was too loud."

NiGHTS sighed. Then something caught her eye. Malice had a clawed hand holding the side of his arm... where some dried blood lay resting. NiGHTS's eyes followed Malice's body until they reached a torn part of his vest.

NiGHTS looked down at the piece of fabric in her hand. They were the same color. Realisation dawned on NiGHTS and she realised that she had to get away from Malice.

"Well." NiGHTS said trying to sound casual. "If you think of anything else, you can find me or Reala... or Jackle."

Malice smiled evilly. He then began chuckling.

"Oh NiGHTS." Malice said with almost believable remorse. "I'm afraid I know you know that I'm behind the attacks. After all, I did tell you I had power's none could imagine."

NiGHTS knew she was screwed. Malice had powers that she didn't. He had taken down two powerful second levels, and she was alone. She was still learning the advanced fighting styles, but didn't know them all. What else could she do? She made a break for it.

NiGHTS dashed away with all the speed she could muster. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough. Malice dashed after her and caught a hold on her arm.

"You and I are the only nightmaren to possess the red ideya." Malice said to NiGHTS as he dragged her back towards him. "That makes us special, more powerful."

Malice pulled NiGHTS so her back was to his chest, with Malice painfully gripping her arms behind her back.

"I could put you to good use." Malice whispered beside NiGHTS's head.

"Go to hell!" NiGHTS shouted as she struggled against Malice's grip.

Malice's eyes narrowed.

"You think you could do better?" Malice taunted. "Reala and Wiseman will be dead soon."

"Not if I can help it!" NiGHTS shouted angrily at Malice.

"I see you cannot be swayed." Malice said sadly. "Pity. I cannot have you running to Wiseman... You're going to have to disappear for a while."

"What?" NiGHTS asked nervously.

"Just relax." Malice said smoothly.

Malice's eyes began glowing red as he channelled the power of the red ideya inside him. NiGHTS began to feel really sick. She felt as if she was being compressed. NiGHTS's eyes shut as she felt herself drift away.

*Meanwhile*

Jackle was flying down the hallway. NiGHTS had disappeared from the hallway, and he personally, didn't want to report to Reala that NiGHTS was gone.

"NiGHTS!" Jackle sang out looking under table cloths and behind statues for the purple jester. "Come out come out wherever you are... where are you?"

Jackle flew until he saw a shadow move quickly against the far wall.

"Hey, wait!" Jackle called as he tried to see where the shadow went.

Jackle stopped in front of the stairwell to the dungeons. Jackle's curiosity got the better of him as he flew down the stairs into the darkness.

"Hello?" Jackle called into the darkness.

"Jackle?"

"NiGHTS?" Jackle shouted. "Why are you down here?"

"Malice locked me in here! Now get me out of here!" NiGHTS commanded angrily.

"Hold on a sec. I'll get the keys!" Jackle shouted. With that he flew back to the key holder and grabbed the keys for the cell. Jackle flew back quickly and let himself into the cell. NiGHTS was against the far wall, her hands above her head in chains. Jackle stopped for a minute and looked at the locks on NiGHTS's hands.

"I can't undo these." Jackle said.

"What!" NiGHTS shouted angrily. "Why not?"

"Well, only a first level or Master Wiseman can undo these." Jackle explained. "Hold tight, I'll fetch Reala... It will be just like being rescued by a knight in shining armour for you!"

"Jackle!" NiGHTS shouted blushing.

Jackle smiled and gave a wink at NiGHTS that said 'I know you're in love with Reala, stop lying to yourself."

"I can't believe I didn't see this coming." NiGHTS thought angrily to herself while she was waiting for Reala. "How could I not? I heard Malice speak when he wasn't supposed to. He pretty much admitted he was up to something. Oh, why didn't I tell Reala I heard Malice speak? That could have solved everything!"

"NiGHTS!"

NiGHTS raised her head and saw Reala and Jackle flying towards her. Reala looked relieved that NiGHTS was uninjured.

"Reala!" NiGHTS cried happily.

"Hold on." Reala said.

Reala placed his hands on NiGHTS's restrained ones. His hands glowed with dark magic and after a minute the chains began to disappear. After NiGHTS was free she jumped up and happily gave Reala a big hug. Reala returned it and squeezed her tightly. They stayed like that for a minute, happy to be with each other... until they heard Jackle snigger.

Reala blushed and helped NiGHTS stand.

"NiGHTS, I checked the records," Reala said in a hurry, trying to distract Jackle. "The only ones who bear red ideya are you and-"

"Malice." NiGHTS said. "I know, he told me. He said it made the two of us special... then he asked me to join him."

Reala looked absolutely furious. Jackle tried not to laugh.

"I was right."Jackle thought. "NiGHTS got angry at the mention of Chay, Reala looks like he's about to strangle every living thing in Nightmare."

Out loud, Jackle asked.

"What did you say?"

NiGHTS looked at Jackle like he had grown an extra head.

"I invited him out to eat ice cream and cake." NiGHTS said sarcastically. "I told him to go to hell! What do you think?"

"Just asking." Jackle muttered.

"We have to warn Master Wiseman." Reala said.

NiGHTS and Jackle nodded and the trio flew to Wiseman's throne room.