DDR HEARTS 2: NiGHTOPiAN NiGHTMaRES
By
Darkness Shade
The Outlaw Star
"I still get the feeling we're forgetting something." Dark commented as the crew of heroes settled in after dinner.
"Like some big adventure happened and we just forgot about it? What are the odds of that happening?" Ryan asked back, laughing at such a notion.
"If you ask me, it'd be right in line with you two." Reps shot out, grinning like a bastard.
"Beat me to it…" Yosh chimed in before going back to his meditation.
"Yesh, why do we bring you guys along again?" Dark growled in annoyance, "Anyway, I'm exhausted so if you'll excuse me I'm heading to bed."
Getting up and heading towards his room, Dark saw Alia sitting on the edge of their bed, three familiar cards in her hands.
"Wondering about those, are we?" Dark asked, sitting down next to her and snaking his arm around her waist.
"Dark…yeah, I think I've heard of these before. Tarot cards, right?" Alia asked, handing them to him.
"Yeah, someone interesting gave them to me…or sort of tricked me into drawing them I suppose. I'm not sure what it means but I don't think I've seen the last of him." Dark explained, "So then…shall we retire my sweet?"
"You goofball…"
With that Dark headed off to the realm of sleep…along with the rest of the crew of the Outlaw Star; however, he and a certain other handsome devil's destinations would be a little different than the rests.
Gate of Your Dreams
"Ugh…hey, wait…this is…I was wondering if we'd ever come back here again." Ryan stated, standing up and walking towards the fountain where he saw, "Dark…and NiGHTS."
"Ah, there he is, he decided to join us afterall." Dark joked, "Took you long enough…"
"Oh so funny, I hope he didn't annoy you too much NiGHTS." Ryan sighed, joining the two of them, "Owl seems to be absent so I suppose that means we won't be subject to any long winded speeches then?"
"Heh, you two crack me up so much…" NiGHTS replied, spinning in a circle, "So, what shall we do then now that you've returned?"
"Heh, you won't be doing anything NiGHTS! And don't expect any help from your little Visitor friends!" shouted a rather familiar voice.
"Oh look, its Drag Queen man!" Ryan shouted, "One beat down wasn't enough for you I take it?"
"Oh, so cocky now, but Master Wiseman has been examining you and your brother's abilities and auras. This time you won't be so lucky!" Reala cackled as a strange wave emanated from his hands.
"Ugh…what's happening to me?"D ark growled, falling to one knee and clutching his arm.
"I don't know, but I feel funky too." Ryan grunted, panting as he collapsed to his knees and hugged his chest, "What's…going…on?"
"Heh, let's see you try to use all those little abilities of yours now; better yet, let's see you do anything without NiGHTS around to help you!" Reala stated, snapping his fingers as NiGHTS was bound, chained, and then dragged through a rather ruined looking large door, "Heh, come after him if you dare…I'm sure the denizens in these dreams are just dying to meet you."
With that Reala left as he'd come, leaving our two heroes in a daze before they passed out.
Sometime later, Dark finally came too and saw Ryan still passed out and apparently staying that way despite how much he shook him.
"Ugh…that's odd, I didn't see that door there before." Dark stated, standing up slowly and seeing a large wooden door emblazoned with a stain-glass design before him, "Strange, that image looks so familiar, almost like I've seen it before…maybe in another reality."
Knowing that he had to find NiGHTS to try and get some answers, Dark pushed the door open and was engulfed in a bright light before a sensation of falling overtook him.
"Hmm, just where will I end up I wonder?" Dark thought aloud before seeing a title slide up before him…
The Dream of Ostentation: GOLD RUSH
"Oh God my eyes!" Dark shouted after arriving in this dream world, the glitter and glitz a little much for the poor half-demon's eyes to deal with initially, "Clearly this dream is all about not turning it down and going as flashy as possible…I LOVE IT!"
Now that he'd been able to gather his bearings, Dark saw that this was apparently some type of ultra-glam arcade, the lights, the neon, the machines…Dark wasn't sure to make of it but it look fantastic!
"Hmm…I detect a problem though…why the hell is everything so large?" Dark shouted, noting that he was just a tad out of scale, "A tad! Are you high author-boy? I'm like…six inches tall here, there's nothing threatening about a half-demon that short! Although I bet I am adorable at this size; yeah, the ladies would just be all fighting over me. Hmm, though it might end up like that other world we ended up at…tough call."
"Hello! Yes, Dark! Up here!" NiGHTS shouted from a jail cell of sorts inside what appeared to be a capsule machine, "If you could free me that'd be super…or you can leave me here and keep talking to yourself; it's up to you."
"Huh, you're a bit snarky when you want to be." Dark growled, "Well, I can fix that easily."
Jumping into the air, Dark was a bit surprised when he landed with a thud slightly injuring himself.
"Hmmm, I wonder if that's what Reala meant by problems." Dark groaned, "Well I can still use my enhanced demon strength to jump high!"
Bounding to and fro, Dark finally came upon the machine that held NiGHTS captive and tried to figure out how to free him.
"Oh wait, I just need some yens!" Dark stated, searching around before seeing a change machine, "Hmmm, this will troublesome, but I think I can do it."
Hoping over to the machine, Dark began fiddling around with the machine before finally just pushing it over the counter edge and...CRASH!
"Messy, but an effective way to Make It Make Money!" Dark stated, jumping down and picking up a rather large 500 YEN coin, "Alright, I think this should free you so hold on."
Tossing the coin into the slot, Dark pushed on the crank as hard as he could and finally…click, snap, whirr; out came a capsule, but no NiGHTS.
"Darn it, I didn't want a Reps figurine, I wanted the NiGHTS one." Dark growled in frustration, "Hmmm…well, I better try again."
After half an hour Dark was quite tried from carrying giant money and getting nowhere, NiGHTS now buried somewhere in the middle as he was no longer in sight.
"This plan doesn't seem to be working very well." NiGHTS groaned, tapping his foot impatiently, "Can't you think of a faster way?"
"A faster way to get you out? That might take some thinking with me this size." Dark replied, looking at the surrounding and seeing something that might work, "It might be a bit bumpy but I think this'll work."
Bounding up to the top of the counter, Dark worked out some quick math in his head, checked the angles, and deduced that what he wanted to attempt should work.
"Should…" Dark joked, before climbing up to one of the lights hanging above nearby, "Well, here goes nothing!"
Reaching back and slicing the cables with his claws, Dark waited for it to let go and come crashing down; finally hearing the last cable break Dark felt an increase in speed and held on tight.
"IIDX GOLD!" Dark shouted as the light knocked into the capsule machine, sending it careening into the ground and shattering open, sending its contents and a very dizzy NiGHTS spilling onto the floor.
"Which way is up?" NiGHTS stated, his eyes rolling in circles before shaking his head clear, "Oh hey, I'm free…quick, come dualize with me!"
"Hmmm…well, normally I'd ask for a list of everyone you've dualized with before, but you seem pretty level so I don't think that'll be a problem." Dark joked before running over to NiGHTS capsule and merging with him.
"Ah, this is much better." Dark stated, taking off into the sky and flying around recklessly, "Heh, that Reala is such a dork."
"I must say, even when you're like this you're way different than any Visitor I've encountered." NiGHTS commented, now doubting if dualizing with Dark was such a good idea.
Having reached a good vantage point, Dark slowed down and began to hover while surveying the entirety of this arcade.
"NiGHTS, I've a question: Why is this place like this?" Dark asked, clearly looking for some answers.
"Well, usually the dreams Visitors enter always have something to do with themselves, things they like, things they desire, or things they lament or are frightened of; apparently arcades would be something quite important to you." NiGHTS attempted to explain.
"That seems to make enough sense." Dark stated, "It's so empty though…I guess that's part of me as well then, right?"
"Only you can answer that one Dark, but it would seem that deep down you worry about how you're different from everyone; like it isolates you from everyone." NiGHTS stated, before shaking his head, "But hey, I'm just a purple jester that merges with people and soars through the dream realm, so what do I know?"
"Heh, you're a peculiar one that's for sure." Dark stated before resuming his flight, "Well, let's look around then, shall we?"
Unbeknownst to the two of them, a certain mantled individual had been watching from the shadow before fading into the scenery, his faceless smile looking every so delightfully creepy.
"So my friend Darkness is finally back…I can't wait to have fun!"
Gate of Your Dreams
Meanwhile, Ryan had finally shaken off the effects of whatever Reala had done and was trying to piece together what was happening.
"Okay, Dark is gone, but he probably woke up first and went to save NiGHTS." Ryan deduced, "And since that door to the right there is the only one I can see around here odds are I'll find them in there."
Standing, Ryan felt it a little harder to move than usual and really had to shake it off to even walk.
"I feel so…weak. I don't really like this one little bit; I wonder if this has anything to do with what happened earlier." Ryan thought aloud, before trying to fly or use any of his abilities…only to find out that he couldn't.
"Well that's super then…hopefully that whole dualize thing can help, if I find NiGHTS that is." Ryan sighed, before heading towards the door and heading inside, not even paying attention to the image on it…
"Ack! What the hell, why am I falling?" Ryan asked in surprise, "Well, I hope this'll be a soft landing on the body or I'm screwed! Where am I heading anyway?"
As if in answer to his question, a quick description appeared before him…
The Dream of Isolation: MELANCHOLY MIST
"Jeez, what's with the fog here? I can barely see anything…" Ryan grumbled, trying to make his way towards anything that looked like a recognizable object, "Hmmm…I get the feeling I'm not alone here; better stay sharp."
Walking through the mists, Ryan soon saw the silhouette of a person coming closer…and then vanishing.
"Alright, that was creepy." Ryan commented to himself, "Hmmm, this place is starting to look a little familiar."
Seeing a nearby building, Ryan took note that he'd seen this place years before…in college.
"This is my old campus isn't it?" He mused, able to see vague shapes of the other buildings, "…not the best time in my life."
Before Ryan's thoughts could drift elsewhere, he caught glimpse of someone entering the building…someone with green hair.
"Charmy?"
Shaking his head at how it couldn't possibly be her but not being able to shake the feeling, Ryan chased after her, unaware of the trap being set.
"Heh, let's see how she toys with you Visitor." Reala cackled to himself as he faded in from the mists, "She's been quite interested in you ever since Master Wizeman created her…I hope she takes her time breaking the cocky little bastard."
Business College
"I don't remember this place being this large on the inside…or this twisted." Ryan huffed, catching his breath after chasing after what seemed to be Charmy, "Man, without my abilities I'm not doing well; I can't really be that out of shape, can I?"
Shaking his head and continuing slowly down the hall, Ryan came upon a room and suddenly images of the past appeared before him.
"Hey, that's me…and that other girl…after everything that's happened I'd forgotten about that." Ryan commented, seeing himself chatting with a blonde-haired girl, "Heh, we both went here…but I guess this is a memory before everything bad went down."
Not wishing to see things that would reopen old wounds, Ryan continued out of the room and entered a very long corridor that apparently stretched on forever.
"I wish the others were here, this place is really creepy all alone and stuff…I don't think I've been alone like this in a really long time." Ryan murmured, "Those thoughts from back then…it's certainly not someone I am now and yet I can't deny how easy it would be to send me back to that."
Ryan was really starting to dislike this dream; there were parts of him he never wanted to see again…or to let others see and this was certainly heading towards those.
Finally reaching the end of the hall Ryan headed upstairs and was hit with another old memory, the floor littered in crumbled red paper and disjointed DDR machines strewn about.
"Man, if I wasn't seeing this myself I'd think I'd gone nuts." Ryan joked, picking up one of the sheets of paper and unraveling it, "Of course…it was a February when all that happened, not too long after we graduated and I'd gone on to win my first tournament…"
"How come you didn't come see me compete hon?" Ryan asked the girl sitting opposite him at their table, her long blonde hair obscuring her face.
"…I told you I was busy."
"Yeah, but I wish you could tell me with what silly." Ryan replied, trying to ease the tension.
"Look, just drop it okay."
"Hey, I've got to ask you something: how come you've been cold to me lately? Did I forget something important?"
"You always were a worrywart."
"That's not answering my question…"
"Maybe I just don't want to answer it…maybe I don't even want to be around you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Figure it out; you're supposed to be so smart college boy."
"Are you…are you saying what I think you are?"
"Jeez, you can be so oblivious at times…I'm dumping you doofus!"
"But…but why?"
"Why? You just don't have what I'm looking for in a guy anymore Ryan and I just can't settle anymore."
"Is that what you call what we had? Settling?" Ryan asked back, devastated.
"You just aren't ruthless enough…goodbye."
With that Ryan sat wordlessly, unable to think of any response to stop her; the box he'd hidden under the table fell from his hands along with a red card that simply stated 'Happy Valentine's Day'.
Ryan clutched his chest at reliving this memory, a few tears falling down his face at the hurt he was feeling.
"Damn…I'd forgotten how much that stung." Ryan groaned, realizing how strongly he'd suppressed those memories, "If Sonic hadn't come along when he did…and Yosh…heh, I'm glad I had those two to help me out otherwise I'd probably have been a bigger mess than I am now."
Wondering just what other surprises awaited him in this landscape, Ryan continued on before coming to the third and final floor of the building and seeing a very empty space laid out.
"I get the feeling someone's here, watching, waiting…I don't like it." Ryan thought aloud, "Hmmm, if these dreams are supposed to represent aspects of ourselves then this last floor seems pretty dead on…a vast loneliness tucked away where it can't cause any harm, where it's no longer needed."
Suddenly a bright light shone forth in the center of the area, a certain familiar green haired girl standing on a machine that had always been a central point in his life: DDR 5th Mix.
"Charmy?" Ryan asked, slowly making his way to the machine, "How'd you get here?"
Charmy for her part could only chuckle and smile at Ryan; something about it didn't seem right to him but being in such a lonely place did its part to affect his mind and so he didn't pay any attention to it.
"I found you." Ryan whispered before taking Charmy in his arms and feeling her embrace him.
If only he'd been focusing more, then maybe he'd notice her toothy grin and the dagger in her right hand…
The Dream of Ostentation: GOLD RUSH
"Heh, it's about time I go pay my dear Darkness a visiiiiack!" Jackle attempted to cackle out but tripped all over the capsule's Dark had knocked down earlier, "Oh my non-existent ass…"
"Did you hear that loud crash NiGHTS?" Dark asked, his attention being drawn to the sound, "Hey that looks like…JACKLE!"
"Oh drat, there goes my surprise." Jackle chuckled, standing up and staring at Dark floating in front of his face, "My you've lost some of your height it would seem."
"Still doesn't mean I can't play." Dark shot back, laughing, "I got to say though, you're smile is much creepier at this size."
"Oh don't worry Visitor, I don't bite…much." Jackle stated, winking at Dark, "So then, shall we play? How about one of your games this time?"
"Hmmm…trying to decide which game would be fair is a bit hard." Dark commented, flying around and finally deciding on a favorite of his, "BEATMANIA IIDX!"
"Ah…a DJ game is it? How delightful." Jackle cackled, cracking his fingers, "I play a mean deck so don't expect this to be easy…in fact."
Winding back his hand and smacking Dark, Jackle effectively broke the dualization process up and sent NiGHTS flying into a dark portal far from where he could help Dark.
"Ack!" Dark shouted, falling and landing on the turntable, "What the hell dude?"
"Now now, I am the enemy after all…plus after some recent promotions I think I'm ready to tangle with you…and maybe even your brother later." Jackle knowingly smiled.
"I thought you looked a little different, that mask is new." Dark groaned, standing up in agony, "How the hell can I hit all seven keys and the turntable now without NiGHTS to help?"
"I don't know Darkness, but if you don't win then I'm afraid things will just get a little more…fun for me if you follow." Jackle laughed, sporting a very creepy smile this time.
"Hmmm…Ah, I know what to do! Dream logic bullshit powers, activate!" Dark shouted, smashing into the Effector button and fiddling with the switches.
"What? What are you doing?" Jackle shouted, confused at his actions.
"I'm leveling the playing field!" Dark shouted before his efforts came to fruition and suddenly instead of one Darkness Shade, there were eight!
"You never cease to amaze me with your cunning; I almost wish we weren't enemies." Jackle stated at the sight, "But Master Wizeman wouldn't like me to consort in such a way so I'm afraid we have to fight."
"BRING IT ON!" Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, and Dark shouted as they all took their positions, "IT'S PARTY TIME!"
"I don't think you'll mind if I pick the first song." Jackle cackled, spinning the disc and looking through the collection of songs, "So many choices…oh, this one sounds promising."
"The Strong Jaegar Ryusei Remix huh? Not a wise choice Jackle." Dark prime commented, taking point on the turntable, "As the song says, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"
"Heh, we'll see." Jackle stated, setting his options and hitting start.
The Darks seemed to be a little over their head at first, attempting to play a song as eight miniature versions of yourself would be you think easier since you only have to focus on one note but they found themselves lagging behind.
"Oh come on Darkness, I thought you said I chose poorly." Jackle chuckled, seeing him struggle, "I mean it's just one of me and I'm doing well and taunting you at the same time after all."
"You cocky bastard." Dark laughed, "Come on guys, time to amp it up!"
With that the Dark's took on a creepy purple glow and tapped into their demonic powers and kicked it into overdrive.
"Oh my, what's this? A bit of a challenge makes itself known. I knew you wouldn't disappoint." Jackle grinned, pleased at the outcome.
"ROAR! ALL SYSTEMS GO!" Dark prime shouted as the song picked up and the group of Darks pulled off a lovely storm of Just Greats.
"Wha? I lost? How the heck did that happen?" Jackle questioned, "You couldn't have scored that much at the end…could you?"
"Growl baby, we won't lose to anyone." Dark prime replied, twitching slightly, "Ugh, this is a bit tough…our turn to choose!"
"By all means, I wouldn't want you to think me unfair." Jackle agreed, allowing Dark to spin the disc and chose the next song to battle on.
The Dream of Isolation: MELANCHOLY MIST
Just as Charmy raised the dagger high and planned to plant it into Ryan's back, a strange portal opened up and out flew NiGHTS, who hurled straight towards them.
"What?" Charmy shouted as NiGHTS collided with her and knocked her away, the dagger flying from her hand and scattering onto the floor with a loud clank.
"Ugh…what happened there? NiGHTS?" Ryan asked, before seeing the dagger and Charmy on the ground, "A knife…what the hell is going on here?"
"Oh my, it would seem I've been found out." Charmy shouted, before changing into someone Ryan didn't recognize.
"You're a new face around here." NiGHTS commented, slowly coming to, "Another NiGHTMaReN from Wizeman….lovely."
Ryan looked over this new development, a female, at least he figured she was female, wearing a dress that wrapped around but left quite a bit of midsection exposed, a small star tattoo between her breasts and on her right cheek; with knee-high boots, purple hair in buns, and this strange look in her eyes he knew he'd have to be careful around this one.
"Oh dear, don't like what you see big boy?" the NiGHTMaReN asked, "I'm so hurt, after all I was born from your thoughts, your feelings Ryan. My name is Twahl."
"…" Ryan wasn't quite sure what to say.
"Oh come now dear, where are your manners in introducing yourself to a pretty girl?" Twahl stated, holding out her gloved hand, "Don't I even get a simple kiss?"
"…I think you're confusing me for my brother." Ryan replied, "So I'd imagine you were behind that lovely little memory-go-round I dealt with on the way up here then."
"Oh, did you enjoy that? It's so nice to know someone's weakness." Twahl chuckled, staring seductively at Ryan, "That little lack of trust and sadness, it almost had you till that purple fool showed up."
"Well what now then, are we going to fight?" Ryan asked, watching Twahl sway back and forth seductively.
"Silly boy, why would you want to fight a charming specimen such as myself?" Twahl asked with a haughty laugh, "I have much more in store for you…if you can get out of here."
With that Twahl vanished in a whirl of rose petals, leaving Ryan and NiGHTS alone to sort things out.
"Shit…" Ryan sighed, sitting down and collecting his thoughts.
"You okay?" NiGHTS asked, floating over to him, "You shouldn't let her get to you."
"I know…it's not something I like to remember." Ryan stated, standing up and dusting himself off, "Well, shall we do that dualize thingie?"
"Heh never thought you'd get to that. I just hope it's less insane than dualizing with your brother." NiGHTS joked, high-fiving Ryan.
"Hmm, this feels better." Ryan commented, finally feeling more like his usual self, "So, I don't think this'll be easy; she seemed pretty sure we'd be trapped."
"Well, this place seems pretty isolated so I suppose we should just fly forward and see what we hit then!" NiGHTS shouted with a fist pump.
"Heh, sounds good to me dude, let's go." Ryan agreed, taking flight towards the distant darkness, hoping no more bad memories were in store.
After they left, Reala dropped in a bit worried about this encounter.
"She's being too soft on the boy…she'd better toughen up or he won't be the only one she'll have to deal with." Reala cackled to himself, "I wonder if his memories are affecting that low level garbage…it wouldn't surprise me."
With that, Reala disappeared leaving Twahl to her devices…for the moment.
The Dream of Ostentation: GOLD RUSH
"Huff…huff…huff." Dark panted, having given his all in their final bout, "I won't lose."
"Ugh…invisible finger cramps…but if I won then it'll be worth it." Jackle groaned, "And then I get to have a lot of fun."
As the two combatants tried to steady themselves after their epic little duel, the scores soon came to a head and…
"A TIE?"
"What the hell's a border bonus?" Jackle shouted in confusion, "You tied with that you little cheat."
"Heh, who's cheating Jackle? Remember, in a dream we can do anything we want to." Dark laughed back, "So we tied…what now?"
"Well then, I guess we have a good old fashioned fisticuff throw down!" Jackle shouted, grabbing for Dark prime, who jumped out of the way, "You're pretty nimble aren't you?"
"Everyone quick! Make like this is Shadow of the Colossus and attack Jackle's glowing weak point!" Dark shouted, jumping on Jackle's hand and running up his arm, "Huh, I guess you do have appendages…."
With that, the other Dark's launched a full out assault on Jackle who clearly had his hands full.
"Ack! Hey you…not there…Oh GOD! Stop, that tickles!" Jackle shouted, twisting and turning trying to reach and fling the different Darks off of him, "Hey now, watch where you're climbing!"
"Why are you blushing?" Dark prime asked from on top of Jackle's head, "This is almost too easy Jackle…"
"Argh! Enough!" Jackle shouted, flinging his arms out and launching all but the original Dark off of him, the clones dissipating when they hit the ground, "Finally, just you and me again."
"And Mark." Dark added, still situated atop Jackle's hat.
"How…how do you know about Mark?" Jackle asked, suddenly very serious.
"Oh Jackle, the question is how do I not know about him." Dark stated with a very creepy grin.
"Oh, wait; I see what you're trying to do." Jackle cackled, "Funny, funny…so then, I think it's time you got what you have coming to you."
With that statement, Jackle grabbed Dark and pulled off his hat.
"Nothing up my sleeves ladies and gentleman." Jackle stated before tossing Dark in his hat.
"Hey, what are you doing…and when's the last time you cleaned this thing?" Dark grumbled from inside the hat.
Ignoring him, Jackle pulled off his Mantle, covered the hat with it and did some very fancy motions with his arms; when he removed his Mantle the hat was still there but Dark was nowhere to be found.
"Ah, I lose more assistants that way; oh well, at least I had fun and in the end, that's all that matters…right Mark?" Jackle cackled before vanishing into the background, "Besides, he's too crazy to quit now…"
The question is what happened to Darkness Shade?
The Dream of Isolation: MELANCHOLY MIST
"I kind of wish I was back in Dark's dream, at least his was much simpler." NiGHTS groaned as he and Ryan made very little headway escaping.
"I can't help it if my mind is complex dude; I'm not the simplest guy." Ryan huffed in annoyance, "Wait…I think I finally see a light ahead."
Heading towards the bright glow, it truly was an exit and with that the two of them were soon back into the foggy realm that blanketed the buildings outside.
"Fog too?" NiGHTS questioned, "What are you trying to hide?"
"Look, there are a lot of things in my past that…affected me to simply put it." Ryan explained, "Even though things are different now they still reside somewhere in my heart…I just never realized how strong they seemed to be."
"Heh, you should know that matters with the heart are never weak darling." Twahl cackled, appearing before the two, "Took you long enough, don't you know you don't ever leave a lady waiting?"
"I think she means herself." Ryan chuckled, "So I guess we have to fight then, don't we?"
"Well, we could…although picking on me with mean old NiGHTS just doesn't seem so fair." Twahl pouted, "Perhaps someone could help me level the playing field?"
"Needing my help already?" Reala cackled, slamming into NiGHTS and knocking Ryan out of him and to the ground, "You really should cease all this foolishness NiGHTS; if you beg enough I'm sure Master Wizeman might find it possible to forgive you."
"Your talk is cheap Reala, so bring it!" NiGHTS shouted, flying off and taking Reala's bait leaving Ryan to fend Twahl off alone.
"Finally, some alone time handsome." Twahl chuckled, inching her way towards Ryan, "I hope you won't be too rough on little old me."
"Jeez…are you really a creation involving my psyche cause that really makes me worried." Ryan shuddered, keeping an eye on her movements.
"Oh come now, you've always waited for that one who likes you for you, your, how did you put it again? Oh yes, your KIND LADY." Twahl stated, seductively grinning at Ryan, "After all your girl troubles, you've got a bit of mistrust built up…a lot of hurt…why don't you let me help ease all those troubles?"
"I somehow doubt the help you want to give me would be beneficial." Ryan shot back, trying to think of what he could do to stop her.
"Oh, you've wounded me honey." Twahl stated, changing into Charmy, "Why would you hurt me like that Ryan?"
"Ugh, I won't fall for your stupid tricks." Ryan spat back as his eyes caught sight of something sticking out of the ground, "Hmmm…"
"Getting some ideas are we, you naughty boy you." Twahl stated, pulling a whip out, "I guess I'll have to get rough then."
Sensing his time was up; Ryan made a mad dash towards the object narrowly being hit by Twahl's whip and pulled it from the ground.
"It's a bit rusty, but I'd recognize this sword from anywhere." Ryan remarked to himself, "I'll have to tell Yosh he came in handy again."
"Ah, that memento; you always were a sentimental guy." Twahl giggled, "I guess that's why you're just so scrumptious."
"Okay, that was creepy." Ryan shuddered, "Wizeman clearly wasn't thinking straight with you."
"Just show me some love Ryan, let me heal that aching heart of yours!" Twahl shouted, charging at Ryan and wrapping the whip around his sword, "Heh, NiGHTS can't help you…and I don't think you can either."
"Ugh…stop saying things like that with her body." Ryan shouted in frustration, yanking her whip to one side and punching her hard in the face, "Don't defile my Charmster like that!"
"Ow…that hurt." Twahl grumbled, shifting from Charmy back to her true self, "Well then, maybe you'll feel better if I take this form!"
Ryan could only groan in discomfort as Twahl shifted to another girl, her blonde hair obscuring her face.
"That's low Twahl." Ryan seethed at this development.
"All's fair in love and war Ry." Twahl chuckled, "Let's work some of that anger out."
Snapping her fingers, Ryan was caught off guard as four more whips showed up and latched on to him effectively tethering him in place.
"Crap…this isn't good." Ryan groaned, struggling to break free, "If only I had my powers…"
"But you don't silly boy." Twahl dryly remarked, changing back to her true form, "And now I get to the best part."
Ryan could only watch as she sauntered her way over before she was standing face to face with him.
"Mmmmm." Twahl moaned as she pressed herself against Ryan and kissed him deeply, "Finally got you."
"How could this get any worse?" Ryan groaned, "And don't kiss me, I don't know where your mouth's been."
"So tough and yet so fragile underneath." Twahl commented, running her hand under his shirt, "I wonder how much you've left till I break you into pieces."
"Heh, if you were really made to work with my memories and feelings you wouldn't want to do that…" Ryan laughed, finally figuring out a plan, "If anything, it should make you want to help me."
"…heh, trying to get to me? That's cute." Twahl stated, shifting her appearance one last time to someone Ryan didn't quite recognize.
"Who? Who are you?" Ryan asked, a little dazed from Twahl's actions but still hanging in there.
"Why Keydan, I'm hurt you've forgotten me. Why couldn't you save me?" Twahl asked before a look of confusion painted her face, "Who is Keydan?"
"My "other" other self…he must know this girl." Ryan commented, taking this lapse in concentration to break free of the whips and deliver a kick to Twahl's gut, knocking her down to the ground in the process.
"Turns out my memories confuse more than me." Ryan stated, straddling Twahl to keep her from getting up, "Well then…got any more game plans for this date? Or are we done having fun?"
"…" Twahl was speechless as she turned back to her normal self, "I've failed…there's nowhere for me to go now that I couldn't break you."
Ryan raised an eyebrow at this and asked her what she meant.
"Master Wizeman doesn't tolerate failure, especially from a low-level like me." Twahl sighed, "If I go back, I'm toast."
"Shit…now you're making me feel bad." Ryan stated with a sigh, before getting up and helping Twahl to her feet, "I wouldn't worry about the Wize Guy, we'll K.O. him soon enough."
"Why would you help me?" Twahl asked, confused at Ryan's actions, "Why show me mercy?"
"Heh, you should know the answer to that one Twahl." Ryan chuckled, placing a hand over his heart, "This silly thing just can't stand to see a girl sad."
Meanwhile, NiGHTS was busy dodging Reala's massive energy attacks and trying to get back to Ryan but being cut off at every turn.
"Let the couple have their fun, she's been dying to meet him for quite a while." Reala remarked, "So let them have some time alone Mr. Third Wheel."
"Ugh…you're so annoying Reala. You just never give up." NiGHTS groaned, "I swear, those two are so much trouble…"
"Annoyed at a Visitor are we? Now I've seen everything." Reala joked, eager to see NiGHTS sweat, "Shall we continue then or have you had enough?"
Saying nothing, NiGHTS, apparently having had enough of Reala, flew right at him catching him off-guard.
"Hey, what are you? Argh!" Reala shouted in surprise before NiGHTS grabbed him by the legs and began swinging him around violently, "NiGHTS!"
"Sorry Reala, but I've got things to deal with." NiGHTS shouted, letting go and sending Reala flying into a nearby building, "At least you're good at one thing Reala…and that's losing to me!"
"You cocky…" Reala groaned as he tried to lift himself free of the rubble, "Hmmm, I knew she couldn't do it…time to take care of business then."
NiGHTS was unaware of Reala's trickery though, as he was concerned with Ryan's wellbeing; this left him unaware of Reala opening up another one of his portals and making a beeline straight for…
"Ryan…so…what do I do now?" Twahl asked, a little confused by how things turned out, "I mean, aren't I the bad guy?"
"Well…I think you guys are all unfortunate pawns in Wizeman's sick little game." Ryan commented, "All because of these darn Ideya we've got."
"Well then, if you so dislike them then allow me to take them from you!"
"What the? REALA!" Ryan shouted unable to detect the source of his voice.
Too late, Ryan noticed Reala coming at him full force, his clawed fingers aiming straight for him.
NiGHTS, having just got there, saw Reala's plan and couldn't fly fast enough to get to him.
"Ryan!" NiGHTS shouted, unable to do much but watch.
SCHLICK!
Ryan was in shock, barely able to breathe as he blinked and realized he had no hole in his chest; however he still saw blood on his shirt.
"T-Twahl?" Ryan shouted, seeing she had jumped between him and Reala and took her attack, a sizable wound now in her chest.
"Peh, pathetic low-level nightmare; what a waste." Reala grunted, removing his hand and disappearing, "We'll meet again boy…and next time nothing will save you."
Twahl coughed twice before collapsing back into Ryan who caught her and held her up.
"Why? Why did you do that?" Ryan asked, feeling tears well up in his eyes.
"Heh, you should know why handsome." Twahl stated, changing into Charmy, "It's because of girls like her, the ones that love you."
"You idiot…"
"Heh, its okay…it's better this way." Twahl stated, coughing up blood, "At least now…I don't have to worry about Wizeman. Don't let him win…not when she's waiting for you."
"Twahl…I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Ryan cried, holding her close.
"Silly…I wasn't the one who needed protecting." Twahl stated, putting her hand on his chest, "You were…don't forget me."
With that Twahl gasped before going limp in Ryan's arms, her body slowly disintegrating and merging with the mists before she was gone completely.
"Ryan…" NiGHTS stated, unsure how to comfort his friends.
Ryan could only stare at his hands and shirt, the blood covering them the only physical reminder of Twahl.
Standing up, Ryan stared listlessly into the vastness that was his dream and could do naught but cry.
"It's appropriate this place is called Melancholy Mist NiGHTS because all it does is remind me of that which I could never hold on to; always slipping through my fingers and leaving me completely alone. I never want to revisit these memories again, but I won't ever forget what happened here."
Walking solemnly to the door, Ryan paused a moment before letting all the rage and anger boil up as he shouted as loud as he could.
"REALA! I will not let you get away with this! You and Wizeman will never know what hit you…" Ryan growled before sighing, "Come on NiGHTS, let's go see if Dark's doing any better than I am…"
And with that, Ryan closed the door; once again putting away the memories of his life he no longer needed.
Gate of Your Dreams
"He doesn't seem to be here, could he be in his dream?" Ryan asked NiGHTS, seeing no sign of Dark anywhere.
"Oh I'm sure he'll drop in when we least expect him." NiGHTS chuckled before they both heard a loud screaming sound.
"Oh GOD!" Dark shouted before crashing into the fountain, water splashing everywhere.
"I think you should watch what you say from now on." Ryan commented, heading over and helping his brother out of the water, "What happened?"
"Well, I was in an arcade and then I was small and NiGHTS was in a capsule machine and Jackle was huge and we played IIDX and then we fought and then he tossed me in his hat and I ended up back here." Dark explained, "That fall could've hurt more if the water wasn't there."
Ryan merely nodded in reply and still seemed out of it.
"What happened dude?" Dark asked sensing something was amiss.
"…I'll tell you later, you should probably finish up your dream and get our Ideya back." Ryan commented, "I'll be okay here."
"He had a rough time." NiGHTS whispered to Dark, "Just give him some time…come on, let's head back to GOLD RUSH."
Nodding, Dark followed NiGHTS back through the door leaving Ryan sitting quietly by the fountain, staring into the starry sky surrounding them.
"Huh? Heh, guess I did get one back from all that." Ryan stated, noting a faint yellow glow had joined the red, white, and blue ones on his hand, "Twahl…"
As if sensing his mood, the sky rumbled slightly before a strange thing occurred: it started to snow.
"Snow, huh? Heh…haven't seen this in a long time." Ryan chuckled before hearing a noise, "Who's there?"
"It's just me Visitor." Owl stated, flapping over to Ryan, "I'm glad to see you okay; I take it your brother is well also?"
"Yeah…"
"You seem bothered by something, Ryan was it?" Owl asked, "What happened?"
"…"
"Oh, you managed to retrieve your Ideya of Hope." Owl remarked, trying to ease the tension.
"Yeah, she must've helped with that." Ryan commented, holding his hand to his chest.
Owl, noting his distress, tried thinking of something to help and so pulled out the lollipop Dark had given him.
"Now how did it go again? Ah yes! One, Two, Three!" Owl stated before biting the lollipop, "Three!"
Despite his mood, Ryan couldn't help but chuckle at this odd showing of humor from Owl…
The Dream of Ostentation: GOLD RUSH
"Ah, it's so nice to be here normal size." Dark growled, striking a pose, "Though I did make a mess earlier it would seem."
"Eh, I wouldn't worry about it that much." NiGHTS replied, "These things tend to happen in dreams."
"I guess I'll take your word for it…hey, do you hear something other than the BGM playing?" Dark asked, his hearing picking up a faint song.
"Hmmm, someone must be playing one of the games here, but who?" NiGHTS questioned, a bit perplexed at this, "It might be a NiGHTMaReN so be careful…"
"Ah, I take it Ryan ran into one then…that would explain a little bit about his mood." Dark commented, "Well, let's track that song down!"
Winding through the large maze of games that was his dream, the duo of Dark and NiGHTS soon found themselves face to face with the source: a strangely dressed man was playing on a DDR EXTREME machine.
"I don't recognize him." NiGHTS stated, "Do you know him Dark?"
"He looks like Legend, a character from the "Legend of Max" background and the "PARANOiA Survivor MAX" video…but what would he be doing here?" Dark asked in confusion, "I guess I'll go ask."
As Dark approached, Legend noted him coming near and turned around, not saying a word and merely staring at him.
"So what brings you here?" Dark asked, noting a creepy vibe coming off of Legend, "Shouldn't you be in my brother's deck?"
Legend spoke no words and motioned towards the machine as if he wished to face off against Dark.
"Heh, playing against me?" Dark chuckled, "Well then, far be it for me to turn down such a request…but you asked for it!"
Hoping on the machine, Dark allowed Legend to choose the song and then they were off, a blur of feet and legs as each tried to top the other.
Legend however was the first to begin feeling the lag and when Dark started taking the lead he finally had had enough.
"What the hell?" Dark growled as he felt a wave of energy pulse from Legend and start distorting the arcade, "Shit, its dualizing time Nights!"
"Like we practiced! Hup!" NiGHTS shouted, fist-bumping and hip checking Dark, "DUALIZE!"
"Heh, that was more fun, guess I was right." Dark chuckled as the two of them watched Legend take off down the swirling vortex with no visible pathway.
"How do we chase him down?" NiGHTS asked, "He seems to have us pretty well stuck."
Looking about for any option he could, Darkness noted the DDR arrows were strewn about and he got an amazing idea.
"Follow my lead!" Dark shouted, twisting and dodging Legend's attacks as he firmly planted his feet across the arrows, "Just got…to follow…the beat!"
Legend, clearly upset at this development, pulled out two long chains of Freeze Arrows and began trying to whip some sense into Dark.
"Ugh, hey, that's not fair." Dark stated, doing a nearly impossible spin and bouncing upside down along a pair of jumps, narrowly avoiding his attacks, "Why's he using Neomax's attack anyway?"
"What are you talking about?" NiGHTS asked in confusion, "I swear just when I think I've figure the two of you out you go even crazier on me…"
"Doesn't matter right now NiGHTS, I think we've got him!" Dark shouted, planting on a long freeze and launching himself right at Legend, "The Fly!"
With that stupid reference, Dark firmly planted his foot upside Legend's face and knocked him back, sending him reeling and toning down the chaos for now.
"Ugh, and I thought I was c-crazy…that h-hurt!" Legend finally spoke, changing his form to what looked like Dark but…more demonic and unrefined, "Maybe d-dealing with yourself will be m-more your s-speed."
"Dark, what the hell is that?" NiGHTS asked a little unsettled at the sight he saw.
"That's what I worry about…what I worry people might one day see me as." Dark growled in annoyance, "Heh, you're making it easy to conquer my fears here who ever you are."
"Well t-then, if it's so e-easy, b-bring it!" the mysterious man cackled, charging right at Dark with his claws fully extended.
"This guy has one heck of a nervous tick." NiGHTS commented, slightly bothered by his speech impediment.
Dark merely rolled his eyes and gracefully spun, dodging the attack and kneeing his attacker in the gut.
"I've had a lot of time dealing with that demonic half of mine; you clearly have no idea how to handle any of that." Dark commented, hoping this nonsense would end soon.
"We'll s-see about t-that!" the man exclaimed before throwing his arms out and sending the arcade into a state of disarray, ruining it forever.
"NO! THE ARCADE! Oh it was so flashy and awesome! Why would you do such a thing?" Dark asked, crying foul and shaking his hands.
"E-easy, because it w-would get t-to you."
Taking the moment to attack, Dark wasn't prepared and was hit hard causing NiGHTS and him to break apart; the result left NiGHTS unconscious and Dark on his own.
"Come back Octapaw, I'll be gentle this time I swear…" NiGHTS groaned before passing out.
"What the hell was that about? And why a cephalopod?" Dark growled in confusion, "Ugh…just ask him later I guess…"
"What w-was that a-about b-being easy?"
Dark huffed and growled at this development, just who was he fighting?
"G-guess it's t-time to e-end this for M-master Wizeman!"
Dark raised his arms up to defend himself as the man went in for the final blow…
"I don't think so baby!"
With that exclamation two huge playing cards flew in and smacked the man back hard, causing him to change into yet another form.
"Huh? I'm not dead…" Dark stated in shock before seeing a familiar Mantle in front of him, "JACKLE?"
"Heh, I guess I have to step in sooner than I thought; either way I'm tired of waiting to take action." Jackle cackled, "I didn't expect Tournture to give you such a thrashing; that love of arcades really got to you."
"Heh, so what Mr. Cape man, if someone messed with that thing you'd be all upset too." Dark shot back with a laugh, "So who's the creepy guy in the straight-jacket and chains?"
Standing up, the NiGHTMaReN known as Tournture had the creepiest of smiles on his faces seeing this turn of events.
"So y-you finally m-make y-your move? Master w-was r-right all along." Tournture cackled with a twitchy laugh.
"Dude, I think that guys jacket is way too tight…is it sewn to his head?" Dark gasped in disbelief, "Damn, he makes you look sane dude."
"Wizeman tried to make something that would capitalize on your unbridled randomness…too bad he didn't realize there was some sense in that chaos." Jackle explained, "So all you have left is someone that is completely and utterly insane."
"Shit, that's pretty bad with you saying that…still, being bound and restrained…sort of reminds me of a few issues I have." Dark stated, looking at his clawed hands, "Nobody's perfect…"
"If you t-two are q-quite finished…" Tournture growled, "I'd l-like to get t-this fight on; e-even if you've s-seen through m-my trickery, you're s-still going down."
Unlatching the chains from his boots, Tournture flicked them up and readied them just behind his head as he prepared to attack.
"This may sound crazy, but with NiGHTS out of it, I think we've no choice." Jackle stated, looking over his shoulder at Dark, "Let's dualize!"
"Uh, what?" Dark asked a little uneasy at that, "Is that a wise idea? I mean, you know what kind of people we are so merging…can you even do that?"
"Of course, all 1st-level's can…I'm rather lucky I got promoted or my plan may never have worked out." Jackle answered quickly, their window of time quickly running out, "I'll explain later now come on!"
"Jeez, no need to be so pushy dude!" Dark shouted high-fiving Jackle, "Dualize?"
In a quick flash of light, Dark and Jackle managed to dualize and Dark was feeling a little strange.
"This…is odd. I feel like Rayman." Dark joked, moving his floating appendages about, "I mean I know the arms are there but not seeing them is odd."
"Focus Dark, we can joke around later after Tournture's put to pasture." Jackle chided, "I think you know what to do, so let's go!"
"Yo yo yo yo, it's the invisible man hot damn!" Dark started rapping, pulling out some playing cards, "Jackle, mad Mantle, ready to jam!"
"P-peh, you can't i-intimidate me." Tournture spat back, winding up and letting loose with his chains.
Merely laughing, Dark spun around and deflected the chains with his Mantle before letting loose the cards in his right hand.
"Ugh!" Tournture groaned as the cards glanced his head, leaving a nice slice wound on his right cheek, "How d-dare you mess w-with me?"
Dark's grin, which when filtered through Jackle's becomes much more unsettling but also much more awesome, was all that was needed as he started bobbing his head to the beat.
"The funk is so hard, it's taken over you. Ol' Jack is now controlling you." Dark cackled, summoning two large tarot cards at his sides.
"Nobody can control me!" Tournture shouted in a blind fury, stretching out his chains and spinning around, creating a tornado of destruction that began sucking up anything in sight and flinging it at our, uh, heroes I suppose.
"I think you're really getting to him." Jackle stated with a grin, "I can't remember the last time I had such fun!"
"It's not over yet Jackle." Dark stated, spinning the cards around his body and charging towards Tournture.
Using the cards as a shield, Dark managed to grab hold of one of Tournture's chains and began spinning him around and around, disrupting his attack and making him very upset.
"ARGH!" Tournture practically foamed at the mouth in annoyance, "You're pissing me off."
Letting him go, Dark watched as Tournture hit the ground hard and left a sizable crater.
"Death never looked so vibrant, tall like a tyrant…" Dark picked up where he left off, summoning a cavalcade of cards, "…but colored in violent oranges, yellows, and reds!"
"I have had enough of this!" Tournture stated, all sanity he may have had now completely blown away, "Stop mocking me!"
Charging recklessly at Dark and Jackle, Tournture was blind to the attack now heading his way.
"Looks like your fortune just came up, bad future!" Dark shouted, bringing his hands together and burying Tournture in an avalanche of cards from which there was no escape.
"No! Nononononononono!" Tournture screamed as his body was torn apart by the calculated nonsense of Dark and Jackle.
"No one can beat our crazy." Jackle chuckled maniacally as Tournture disappeared from sight.
"Everybody just bounce tonight, man, come on!" Dark shouted as he split from Jackle, a grin on his face at how fun that had been, "Damn Jackle, we might have to team up again if it's always going to be that fun."
"That sounds like it would be an excellent idea!" Jackle replied with a grin, "Perhaps we should leave now…if we can find the door."
"You won't be going anywhere traitor!"
"Eh?" Jackle asked before feeling something amiss, "Reala?"
"So nice to see how you repay Master Wizeman's promotion of you." Reala whispered in his ear, his hand sticking out of Jackle's invisible chest.
"Jackle!" Dark shouted, seeing blood pour from his wound, "You asshole!"
Dark charged at Reala but was too slow as Reala pulled back, his mission accomplished for now as he vanished.
"Eh…looks like the jokes on me for once." Jackle cackled, his hand holding his chest as he collapsed.
"Dammit! Jackle!" Dark shouted, trying to stop the bleeding with something, anything he could find, "Hold on dude!"
"Heh…I don't think I'm going to make it this time." Jackle groaned with a grin still on his face, "I know you can stop him, ever since that day…"
"Those cards…what was that all about?" Dark asked, hoping this was all some bad dream.
"It was a prediction…you and your brother…toppling Wizeman's corruption…freeing not only Nightopia…but us." Jackle gasped before coughing, "You can do it Dark, you're too crazy not to succeed…and trust me, I know crazy."
"Jackle…this isn't the end. We'll get to finish our game of Go Fish one day." Dark stated, seeing Jackle begin to fade away.
"Heh…the Mantle…never dies baby!" Jackle cackled one last time before he disappeared, leaving only his mask behind.
"Jackle…" Dark softly stated with a sigh, seeing the mask glow and form a keychain, "Heh, the Mantle never dies!"
Acquiring the Mad Mantle Keysaber, Dark sat silently waiting for NiGHTS to finally come to.
When he finally did, Dark filled in what happened while he was unconscious and, having found the door, left behind the ruins of what was once a cool dream.
Gate of Your Dreams
Ryan heard a door opening and, as expected, out came Dark and NiGHTS yet he could tell something was off...
One explanation later, Ryan was caught up on all that had transpired and was quite miffed.
"Damn that Reala…he's going to pay this time." Ryan commented, anger coursing through his veins.
"At least you have all your Ideya back again." Owl commented, "That's some good news."
"He's right, now you've recollected all that was you." NiGHTS added, "…strange though, this is usual when that windbag and his puppet tend to show up."
"Ah, the whole let everyone do the work then finally handle things yourself move." Dark deduced, "Let's see him try to take us down though! I won't let Jackle down!"
As the group sat and chatted, ominous storm clouds made themselves present and the sky itself seem agitated.
"I should have done this from the beginning; you two have proven to be more trouble than I expected despite having disarmed you."
"WIZEMAN!" NiGHTS shouted, looking for the source of his voice and getting grabbed by a giant hand, "ACK!"
"NiGHTS!" Ryan shouted, trying to analyze the situation "Is that Wizeman?"
"Um, I think that huge guy over there is Ry." Dark noted, pointing to the sky at a rather imposing figure, "With six hands it makes you wonder why he just can't hold all these Ideyas."
"Silence!" Reala shouted, flying by and knocking the two of them to the ground, "I won't tolerate your disrespect anymore."
"You asshole! I was hoping you'd show up again!" Ryan shouted, charging headlong at Reala only to whiff and go tumbling to the ground, "If only I had my powers, then we'd see how cocky you'd be."
Reala merely chuckled at such a silly notion and leered at the two of them.
"I think you're in no position to be doing anything boy." Reala spat back, diving down and grabbing hold of him, "If you really want to test me then come on!"
Continuing his hold of Ryan, Reala dragged him over to the edge of the Dream Gate and tossed him over watching his body sink into the cloud before chasing after him.
"Ryan!" Dark shouted, unsure what to do now, "Dammit…"
"Peh…human or not I will have your energy soon enough; one of you will do for now." Wizeman cackled before disappearing into the depths as well leaving Dark alone with Owl.
"Well that went well." Dark growled, thinking over his options, "I'm not going to give up that easily Wizeman…too many people are counting on me."
"What are you going to do Visitor?" Owl asked, watching him curiously.
Holding his hand to his chest, Dark could see and feel the vibrant energy of his Ideya resonating and it was then he knew what he had to do.
"Sorry Owl, but I can't just leave them hanging…I'll be back with them soon!" Dark shouted before running to the edge and jumping down into the inky darkness below, "In the nights baby!"
"Good luck Visitor…"
The Unconscious Space: LATITUDE 30
"Ugh…my head…where did I end up?" Dark groaned, coming to his feet and seeing NiGHTS chained up nearby, "NiGHTS!"
Running over to him, Dark was unaware of Wizeman's ever-present gaze until…
"Dark? DARK! Look out! It's a trap!" NiGHTS warned but it was too late as Dark felt an intense pressure surround him.
"Peh, foolishly rushing to your demise…you're just as foolish as the humans you wish to belong with." Wizeman growled before swatting Dark backwards into an abyss.
'So this is how it ends then…' Dark stated as he fell, 'I can't believe it ends this way…'
'No…I can't give up…I can't let him win…'
Holding his hand to his chest, Dark felt his Ideya resonate deep inside himself and knew this wasn't the ending in mind.
"Ryan…Twahl…NiGHTS…Jackle! This isn't how this story ends!" Dark shouted fiercely as he felt like his old self again, "This is our dream Wizeman! OURS! And you will not have any of it!"
Spreading his wings wide and pulling himself out of his dive, Dark pulled back up striking a fierce pose.
"I am Darkness Shade and you just pissed off the wrong fucking half-demon!" Dark growled in frustration, "BRING IT ON!"
With that Dark took off towards NiGHTS location in a flurry of speed, noting that he had a little complication now in the form of some type of goofy-looking bird.
"What the hell is that?" Dark growled in confusion before noting its rider had a key, "Hey! I bet I need that! Come back here!"
Seeing the determination in Dark's eyes, the bird's rider took off leaving Dark to chase after him.
Meanwhile, in another section of town, Ryan was finally coming to after his unexpected flight and saw Reala standing nearby.
"So boy, you want a fight with me again? I'm not sure it'll end as well as it did last time." Reala cackled, pointing menacingly at Ryan.
"Heh, just because I'm powerless doesn't mean I'm weak! I'm going to make you pay for what you did to Twahl and Jackle!" Ryan shouted, feeling his Ideya give him strength, "Let's rumble!"
"Heh, show me what you've got Visitor."
With that Ryan flew headlong into his attempts to avenge his fallen allies but was clearly outpaced, especially since Reala could fly and, at the moment, Ryan could not.
"Are you all talk? Or maybe I just haven't pushed you hard enough?" Reala spat condescendingly, "Maybe this will do it!"
With that, Reala summoned forth numerous energy balls that surrounded Ryan's position.
"Shit…" Ryan gasped at his predicament, trying to find an out, "There must be something I can do!"
"Heh, the only thing you'll be doing Ryan is losing, and then your Ideya will be mine!" Reala shouted in glee, launching his attack at the defenseless Ryan.
'Everyone…I'm so sorry…I was too weak again…Twahl…Dark…Jackle…and NiGHTS, I let you all down.' Ryan thought silently as he closed his eyes.
"Always giving up too easy…I don't think she's expecting that silly."
"Twahl…?" Ryan asked opening his eyes and feeling a surge of energy run through him, "Dark? Of course…this is our dream…and no one can take that from me."
Reala cackled in utter delight as the energy collided with Ryan's location and eagerly awaited the aftermath…except, it didn't all go as planned.
"What the heck?" Reala asked in utter confusion, his energy slowly being pushed back.
"What's the matter Reala? Not used to someone that can hold his own? Better yet not used to someone older that can see through your intimidation?" Ryan questioned, feeling his Ideya give him strength, "That look of fear…how often have you seen it on others and now you yourself sport it?"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Reala shouted, summoning forth more energy to silence Ryan's taunts, "I am Master Wizeman's top NiGHTMaReN and I won't allow some pathetic boy to defeat me!"
"Then we have a problem here Reala." Ryan shot back, summoning forth his Keysaber and exploding forth from the energy, "I'm no boy! I'm a man!"
In all his rage, Reala never expected such a move and could only look in horror as Ryan close in on him.
"This is for every life you've ever ruined, every dream you've destroyed, and for everyone you've hurt as a foolish puppet!" Ryan screamed, his Ideya flooding his Keysaber with strength, "Dream Crush!"
With a single swipe and an almost deafening silence, the two combatants landed but only one of them was in good shape.
"This is…how could you possibly be so strong?" Reala gasped, seeing himself fade away, "I've never been defeated by one of you…how…ACK!"
"Don't feel too bad Reala…Wizeman will be joining you all too soon; you should've never messed with our dreams because all you've gotten yourself is nightmares." Ryan calmly stated as he watched Reala disappear for good, "Twahl…Jackle…soon you can rest easy."
Sensing Dark was near, Ryan quickly headed for his position that seemed to be nearing a familiar building…
"Holy shit! What was that lightshow? What that Ryan and Reala?" Dark asked, chasing after what appeared to be the last of these goofy birds, "I don't have time for this; get back here!"
Meanwhile Ryan had quickly closed in on Dark's position and saw him chasing…something…in the distance.
"Yo, Dark!" Ryan shouted, "What's with the bird?"
"Help me stop it and I'll fill you in!" Dark shouted, readying his Keysaber, "Three! Two! One! Now!"
Nodding, Ryan tossed his Keysaber towards Dark and vice versa, the two of them grabbing the others weapon and dashing towards the bird.
The bird and its poor rider didn't know what hit it as Ryan and Dark caught it in a crossover attack, permanently freeing the key from its grasp.
"Finally, that's all of them! Let's go save NiGHTS!" Dark shouted, heading back to the central building with Ryan in tow.
Arriving there, they quickly freed their friend and went about seeing if he was okay.
"Ugh…hey, you guys…what did I miss?" NiGHTS chuckled seeing the two of them okay, "Sorry I couldn't help."
"It's okay…I think we managed to find our own way." Ryan replied, showing off the glow on his hand, "Also…Reala won't be a problem anymore."
Looking down the long pit nearby, Ryan could sense a terrible evil within.
"He's down there, isn't he?" Ryan asked, turning to NiGHTS for an answer.
"That's right…Wizeman's waiting for us…wait…what's that?" NiGHTS asked, pointing at a strange pink thing floating through the sky.
"It appears to be a cephalopod of some kind." Ryan remarked, unsure why it'd be in their dream.
"Wait…a cephalopod?" Dark asked, connecting the dots, "NiGHTS, no!"
It was too late, however, as NiGHTS had already begun chasing the creature, shouting something about Octapaw over and over again…along with some other unsettling comments.
"Dammit dude, we don't have the time for him to waste chasing after some overblown mollusk." Ryan groaned, "Well, I guess we'll just have to face him ourselves."
"Heh, wouldn't rumble with anyone else bro." Dark replied with his trademark grin, "NiGHTS, if you feel like not being silly we'll be fighting Wizeman now, okay?"
With that, the two of them jumped into the depths, ready to end this madness that had consume their dreams for too long.
D'Force Master
"This place seems far too calm for what's about to happen." Ryan grumbled, "Show yourself Wizeman, we know you're here!"
"Come on and fight! You're all that's left between us and peaceful dreams!" Dark added, itching to take him down.
"I see that Reala was just as useless as those other cretins." Wizeman groaned, appearing before our heroes, "I truly have underestimated just how annoying you are; however, once I get your Ideya it will be of little concern."
"Heh, listen to this guy thinking he's already won." Ryan joked, "He's worse than some of the villains in reality we deal with."
"You dare mock me?"
"No, mocking you is this." Dark growled, mooning Wizeman and smacking his bottom, "Kiss it you overgrown sundial!"
"Your insolence proves most irritating; I shall enjoy this more than I should." Wizeman groaned, getting ready for his assault, "I'll show you the power of a God."
"Hmmm…I think we might need something a little stronger for this Dark." Ryan suggested, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Hell yeah…let's do this thing!" Dark shouted, striking the pose, "Fusion! Wapoh!"
"What? Where did those two go? Who are you?" Wizeman asked, now seeing a single person in front of him.
"I am neither Ryan nor Dark; I am the one that will destroy you!" Kouki stated, "I am the hope of the universe, the one to respond to those that cry out in fear! I am Kurayami Kouki and I am the defender of Dreams!"
"This turn of events is indeed unexpected. I would not have expected you two to be capable of dualizing with one another, but no matter; now receive my judgment." Wizeman bellowed, swishing reality with his hands and changing the scenery.
"How'd we get into deep space?" Kouki asked, noting he could still breathe, "This place is pretty TRiPPY."
Taking a moment to turn to the reader, Kouki gave a wink and a smile before returning to the fight at hand.
"Sink into darkness." Wizeman cackled launching energy blasts at our heroes as they attempted to negotiate the starry maze.
"Damn…that was close." Kouki groaned, "We've got to motor to get to him!"
Dodging more blasts Kouki eventually made his way to Wizeman only to discover…
"A shield? Like that could stop us!" Kouki shouted, pulling out his Keysaber and laying into it.
Finally, Kouki pushed his way through and knocked Wizeman for a loop, the groan a sign that damage had been done.
"Heh, want some more Wize Guy?" Kouki asked, striking a pose.
"I will banish you." Wizeman bellowed, adjusting reality again on our heroes.
"What's with all the rocks?" Kouki grumbled, making his way towards Wizeman only to bump into a clone, "Okay, that was unpleasant…let's try to avoid those."
Unfortunately, in a comic manner, Kouki seemed incapable of avoiding too many of those and when he did, the bright red rocks exploding in his face didn't help much.
"Enough already!" Kouki roared, flaring his aura, "This is getting on my nerves."
"Did you really think you could withstand my power?" Wizeman questioned, clearly amused at his frustration.
"Enough!" Kouki growled, tossing his Keysabers at the clones and clearing a path, "Here comes hit number two Wizeman!"
Charging up and plowing headlong into him, Kouki landed another blow on Wizeman and damaging him further.
Stating nothing, Wizeman gave a large swipe of his hands altering reality one more time.
'Oh crap, water…and this time we can't seem to breathe.' Kouki thought, quickly making his way towards Wizeman but making no headway.
"Perish." Wizeman howled, sending a torrent of whirlpool their direction.
'Dammit…we're stuck.' Kouki groaned, hearing a familiar chiming sound in his mind, 'Great, one more and we're drowning.'
Struggling to break free and attack but making no headway, Kouki wondered if this was the end.
Then, just as all hope seemed lost two large tarot cards came tearing through and destroyed all the whirlpools.
'Jackle?' Kouki idly thought realizing he now had a free shot at Wizeman.
"The Mantle never dies!"
"What trickery is this? How could mere humans defeat me?" Wizeman shouted shock at this turn of events.
"Easy! With Hope to guide us, Purity to keep us focused, Intelligence to aid us, our Growth through our memories, and the Courage to stand up to it all you never had a chance you Ideya-less loser!" Kouki shouted, focusing the strength of his Ideya, "Ideya Incineration!"
"What? Noooooooooooooooo!" Wizeman shouted as the full-force of Nightopia seemed to bear down upon him, knocking him for a loop and finishing this nightmare once and for all.
Splitting apart and watching Wizeman going to pieces, Dark and Ryan high-fived one another and listened to his parting words.
"You may have defeated me now, but mark my words; as long as darkness exists in the hearts of humans then I, and the nightmares, shall never truly be destroyed." Wizeman warned.
"Quit it with your sour grapes and vanish Wizeman." Dark growled.
"Besides, if that happens then we'll just have to come back and kick your butt again, count on it!" Ryan responded as the last bits of Wizeman vanished from sight, "Well then, now what happens?"
At this time NiGHTS finally decided to rejoin the two of them and was pretty shocked at what he'd missed.
"Wow! You two really are something else aren't you?" NiGHTS stated, holding his hat down.
"Um…what's wrong with your hat?" Dark asked, noting something pink poking out of it, "NiGHTS…?"
"Pay no attention to the Octapaw beneath the curtain…er, I mean hat." NiGHTS stated in a panic, "Wow, could I use a distraction right now…"
As if in answer to him, NiGHTS noted he was beginning to fade away as was all of Nightopia which left Ryan and Dark puzzled.
"That'll do. Well, I guess this is goodbye…" NiGHTS softly stated, "It's been…different though I certainly wouldn't mind doing it again."
"Heh, I guess I should take that as a compliment." Ryan replied with a laugh, "So with Wizeman gone anything of his is going huh? Well, at least Jackle and Twahl can be at peace now."
"This sucks though…from what I can tell this is it." Dark growled in disappointment, "I actually enjoyed some of this…especially Dualizing with Jackle."
Seeing the bright light start to consume them, Dark and Ryan lost sight of NiGHTS and were soon on their way back to where they belonged.
"Don't worry…as long as you hold those dreams in your heart you'll always be able to see us…farewell Visitors."
Outlaw Star: 5:30 AM
Ryan moaned and groaned in his bed before slowly coming to, his body feeling as if it'd run a marathon.
"Ugh…what a dream…it was more than that though." Ryan stated, sitting up in bed and seeing a small box sitting on his nightstand, "What's this?"
Opening it up, Ryan was surprised to see it was a music box that produced a haunting melody that soon filled his room.
"Twahl…" Ryan softly spoke as he watched the figurine in the middle spin with the music, "I knew it was real…"
Holding on to the music box, Ryan walked towards the common room to see none other than Darkness Shade sitting there already, his gaze looking out towards the infinite dark of space.
"It's really over now, isn't it?" Ryan asked him, sitting down and following his gaze, "Penny for your thoughts?"
"Sure you have enough of them for that?" Dark joked before looking serious again, "I feel happy but…there's this feeling eating at me."
"I wouldn't worry about them. NiGHTS said that they'll exist as long as we dream." Ryan remarked.
"Heh, I guess you're right, and he wouldn't lie to us. Hopefully he told Owl we're okay, wouldn't want him to have a panic attack fretting about the two of us." Dark chuckled, imagining Owl all flustered, "He'd lose too many feathers if he did that."
Staring at the music box, Ryan had a contemplative look on his face as if he had a question his heart wasn't sure it wanted to ask.
"Dark…do you think we'll see them again?" Ryan asked, seeing what he thought of it.
"Heh…I don't think they'd go down that easy." Dark remarked, looking over his new Keysaber, "We all have to Dream Dreams after all, and in mine I can seem them smiling there."
"I think you're right Dark, well, let's get back to bed then; who knows what we'll have to deal with next?" Ryan asked, getting up and heading back to his room.
As Dark went to stand up, he swore he saw something outside the ship but merely blamed it on being tired.
'I could've sworn that was Jackle…guess I'm still tired.' Dark thought to himself, laughing at his goofiness as he returned to sleep.
If Dark had only taken a better glance he would've seen quite the sight as three familiar NiGHTMaReN had taken a stance atop the Outlaw Star: one striking a familiar pose playing his invisible flute, the other giving a soft smile and a seductive wink, and the last with his mantle spread wide and cards flying from his hands.
"Like I said, the Mantle never dies baby!"