Disclaimer: you know what I'm gonna say Nights and them don't belong to me, Eve/Tara does.
A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews. It got my mind moving on this chapter and I ended up making it an extra 1,000 words longer. heh oh well the more the merrier. Hope you like it please r/r.
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In another part of town a light flashed in an alley way. And four Nightmaren stood in the middle of the ally and looked around. Clawz dug his talons into the pavement. Testing the ground under his paws and leaving holes where his talons had gone in. He smelled the air and it reeked of humans. "Humans everywhere.... how delightful...." He walked forward. "Alright since Wizeman put me in charge I think we should split up you guys know what we're here for. Now get dressed and let's go." Clawz, Gulpo, Gilwing, and Puffy all walked out of the alley in their human forms. No one would be able to tell that they were monstrous Nightmaren from the dream world. "Gilwing your with me, Puffy your with Gulpo."
"WHAT?!" came Puffy's shrill protest. "Why do I have to go with zee stinky fish!!"
"Who you calling stinky... fat ass..." Gulpo retorted. Puffy growled a low as a rabbit beach ball could.
"Don't call me FAT ASS!!!" Puffy shrieked making windows around them shatter and the Maren had to cover their ears.
"Don't argue with me Puffy I'm not in the mood!" Clawz growled. "Don't forget who Wizeman put in charge of this mission..." Puffy shut up. She knew Clawz wouldn't hesitate to hit her upside her head. The four 'humans' set off in search of the girl. One of them was taller then the rest and very muscular with short buzzed hair. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a simple white tank top. He made any wrestler look bad. The second was shorter and fatter than the other though he still had some muscle on him. His hair was longer and stringy. It would sort of remind you of a guy that was swimming for far too long. The raisin look wasn't even applied here. He looked far worse than that. Plus he smelled like fish. He just wore a pair of blue overalls and that was it. The third was a girl with long brown hair and a beautiful body. She looked more ditzy than she did smart. She wore a tight pink spaghetti string dress that went pass her knees. The fourth was shorter then the other two males with medium length blue hair. He looked smarter and cleverer than the others did. He wore a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. They split up into two groups. The cat and the dragon were in one group and the stinky fish and beach ball were in the other.
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Reala and his group were still trying to find the right street to get on to find Tara's home. Elliot had done a lot of digging and found out where they lived. It was good that he had found it when he did shortly after her address had been removed from the website due to privacy complaints made by her parents. The reporters he thought had to be bad enough without her having stalkers. After what seemed like hours they finally found the right street. Elliot and Clare realized that this was the high class part of town where all the rich people lived. They felt out of place as they looked around at all the huge houses behind the brick walls and gates. "This place is pretty snazzy..." Jackle said in awe. "I wonder what the inside looks like?"
"It wouldn't be a good idea to take a look... These types of folks like their privacy. And if you even looked inside the gate the cops would be here in a snap.." Elliot warned.
"Cops?" Jackle inquired.
"You know law enforcers." Elliot explained.
"Oh..." Jackle shrugged. "Not like they'd be able to catch us."
"Not you maybe." Clare put in. Jackle stuck his tongue out at her and she glared at him.
"Knock it off you two..." Nights put in. "We have more important things to do than fight amongst ourselves." they continued walking until they came upon this huge mansion that sat a half mile away from the road.
"Whoa." Jackle breathed. "It's a palace..."
"It's a mansion Jackle" Elliot corrected.
"Whatever…" The group traveled to the front gate. Elliot pushed a call button on the intercom and waited for a reply.
"May I help you?" a snotty sounding voice came through.
"Yeah we're here to see Tara Valenstine." There was a pause in between replies.
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"Madam there is a group of people wanting to see Miss Tara." A butler explained to Mrs. Valenstine. She set down her tea and got up out of her chair and went to the front door.
"Let me see." The camera showed five individuals, two kids and three men. She examined each one closely before her eyes fell onto Reala. Her expression became horrified. "Call the police! That one is the man that kidnapped my Tara!!" She pointed to the tall buff black haired man who looked rather annoyed.
"Yes madam…"
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"What is taking so long?" Reala asked while tapping his foot. Nights looked over at him, he was going to tell him to be patient but he couldn't, he could see that he wanted Eve back very badly. He could see the despair in his eyes. The fact that he was powerless at this point to do anything but try to convince this girl Tara that she was taken to the dream world and became his lover.
"What's that sound?" Jackle asked as he turned his head and looked down the street. Elliot and Clare didn't hear anything but Nights turned his head and looked as well. While Reala just looked in that direction without moving his head. It wasn't long before Elliot and Clare heard what the Nightmaren were hearing but by then it was too late and five squad cars squealed to a halt around them. Each officer jumping out of their vehicles and pointing they fire arms at them while taking shelter behind their open car doors.
"Hands in the air NOW!!" one shouted at them. Elliot and Clare did as they were told, they were kind of scared. Nights, Jackle, and Reala on the other hand took on a fighting stance out of instinct. Reala narrowed his eyes; he recognized the weapons they welded. "Put your hands up!" Elliot looked over at Nights.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of…" Elliot explained. "They're going to arrest us and take us downtown." Reala growled.
"I'm not going anywhere till I see Tara… Jackle cast a barrier." Jackle nodded and began chanting.
"Put your hands where we can see them!"
"Jackle can this barrier repel material objects as well as magic?" Reala asked. Jackle nodded as he chanted.
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"They're planning something chief…" one cop whispered to his superior.
"Move in slowly… I want the big black haired guy for questioning..."
"Yes sir..." they moved around their car doors and moved in around them.
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"Nights do what they say..." Elliot whispered. "They won't hesitate to shoot us."
"They can't shoot us." Jackle said while grinning widely brushing his thumb against his fingers. Sharp metal joker cards appeared spreading out like a fan in his hand. "But we can shoot them." He began laughing insanely until everyone told him to shut up. Reala walked over and knocked him hard over the head. "You guys are no fun..." Jackle said in a pout rubbing the bump that was forming on his head.
"You can't attack them Jackle they're just doing their job." Elliot explained.
"Says who?" Jackle asked as he crossed his arms.
"Says me…" Nights interjected with a stern looked aimed at Jackle. Jackle just shrugged.
"I'm getting bored just standing here…"
"Well then why don't you use that transportation spell of yours to get us out of here?" Reala snapped.
"Well I could try to locate Tara with my magic." Reala glared at him.
"And why did you not mention this before?" Jackle grinned widely.
"You never asked." Reala growled lowly at him. "Okay okay I'm on it. Don't haveta get into that 'I'm gonna kill Jackle' mode or anything…" He put his hands up. Jackle closed his eyes trying to remember Tara's energy. It had to be exactly the same as Eves' since they were the same person right? The cops were growing impatient and fired a warning shot at them only for it to hit something and bounce off. It started a ripple effect on the barrier which made if visible to the humans' eyes. A yellow energy flowed around the five of them which freaked the cops out to no end. "Would you guys knock that off, I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE!!!" He went silent and closed his eyes again. "Aha there you are…" The barrier grew bright and the sphere soon vanished leaving no proof that they had ever been there. It grew silent none of the police knowing what was going on nor did they comprehend what had just taken place. They concluded that there must have been something in their coffee or the donuts were old.
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Tara sat at the table at the outside restaurant while her friends were at the buffet getting a few more things to eat. She though wasn't as hungry as she had thought she was. She gazed around at all the people who were talking and seemed to be enjoying themselves. She didn't know why but she felt empty for some reason. Like something was missing and she couldn't grasp what it was. She looked over at a couple that was sitting just a few feet away. She felt jealous of the girl having the hot boyfriend that seemed to want to do everything and anything for her. Most of the guys that she had ever gone out with only wanted her for her money. Then her thoughts turned to Reala. What had become of him? Did he really kidnap her like everyone believed? She wanted the answers to her questions so badly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone coming toward her. It was a man with medium length blue hair that wore a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Tara looked up at him he was looking at her with disbelief in his eyes. "Can I help you?" she asked softly.
"I don't believe it... It is you..." He said with a bit of shock in his voice and took off out of the small restaurant. Tara didn't recognize him. But then the thought crossed her mind that maybe he had met her within the six month blank in her mind. Maybe he could tell her what had happened to her. She got up and took off after him.
"Wait! Please tell me who you are!" The boy ran down an alley way and Tara followed him. She stopped when she found that he had stopped at the dead end. He was facing the brick wall and Tara was a couple yards behind him. "Please have you seen me in the last six months, do you know where I have been?"
"I know exactly where you have been..." he said in a low tone. He turned slowly to face her. His face was dark and evil looking his eyes that had looked normal were not bright yellow with blood red irises. The pupils were just black slits in his eyes now much like that of a cat. On his forehead was a big yellow diamond shape. Tara began to back away from him as the boy transformed into some kind of cat creature. She was stopped by something big round and soft. She turned around to see a large rabbit looking creature behind her.
"Where do you zink you're going girly?" Her breathing became harder as fear began to take control of her. Her heart raced as adrenaline made its way into her bloodstream.
"Who are you and what are you?! What do you want with me?!" The cat creature flexed his muscles being in that human from always made him feel so cramped up. Glad to be out of that form he walked casually closer to her.
"Names Clawz... And we were sent here by Wizeman to kill you..."
"Wizeman?" she said mostly to herself as a bunch of images flooded into her mind, images that she didn't quite understand. All she knew was that he was the one. "He's the one that kidnapped me not Reala..." The two creatures were joined by two others, a giant lizard type creature with wings and a fishy looking one. Her fear grew more now than it had been earlier. "Why do you want me dead?"
"Because our master wishes it..." The cat known as Clawz advanced toward her. His claws extended to their full length he got ready to pounce on her as if she were a little mouse. Tara tried to get past the Nightmaren blocking the entrance of the alley but Puffy hit her with her round belly sending the helpless girl to the pavement. It happened as if it were in slow motion when Clawz pounced. Tara closed her eyes tightly expecting him to dig his claws into her flesh and rip her body to shreds. She couldn't help but scream in her terrified state. She could barely hear someone call out her name and the attack to her never came. She opened her eyes wide with fear and surprise.
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The five appeared in a small room with tile, mirrors, sinks, and paper towel dispensers along with stalls. The five immediately looked around. Elliot looked in the stalls and found toilets in each one. Elliot's face turned bright red. Nights looked over at the boy. "You okay Elliot?"
"This is the girl's bathroom we're not supposed to be in here!" Clare couldn't help but giggle at Elliot's expression. A woman came threw the door and spotted them. She was quite startled. "What are you doing this is the woman's bathroom!" she scolded.
"Eh we speak eh no English!!" Elliot blurted out has he grabbed Clare and Nights and ran threw the door. Reala and Jackle both shrugged and followed without a word. They walked into the restaurant and looked around.
"She should be around here somewhere..." Jackle stated.
"Maybe we should split up and look." Nights nodded to Clare.
"That would be a good idea. We can cover more ground that way." Nights and Reala went into one group while Jackle, Elliot, and Clare formed another. Jackle grumbled wondering why he had to stay with the brats. Clare, Elliot, and Jackle walked through the restaurants outside sitting area, while Nights and Reala looked on the street. That's when Reala smelled it and narrowed his eyes. Nights looked over at him. "What is it Reala?"
"Gulpo… I know his smell anywhere…" Reala took off to follow it.
"Reala wait we should get Jackle first."
"No time!" Reala in mid stride jumped into the air. He could fly faster than he could run. He followed the scent to the entrance of an alley where he witnessed Clawz about to pounce on. "Tara!!!" Reala threw himself into Clawz. The cat Maren hit the brick wall leaving an indentation where he was thrown. He landed on the pavement as bricks fell from the wall covering the cat with them. Reala landed gracefully on one toe his black hair falling back into place and his eyes landing on the pile of bricks. When Clawz did not emerge he turned around. Reala looked back at Tara; she was staring at him like she was in a daze of some kind. Still sitting on the pavement where she had landed when Puffy pushed her down. They spent the longest time just staring at one another. Like the rest of the world didn't exist around them. Reala walked over to her and extended his hand to her. "Are you alright?" She hesitated for a minute before she took it. He helped her up.
"Yes…" she looked back at the Nightmaren that were still blocking the alleyway.
"So it's true, zee great Reala has fallen for a weakling human." Tara looked over at Reala for a moment. She wondered what that creature had meant by a weakling human. Did that mean that Reala wasn't human? She began to remember a few things. She remembered a dark room and Reala was lying on the floor but he was different. She blinked and looked over when the sounds of brick moving caught her attention.
"I always knew that he was pathetic…" Clawz emerged from the bricks looking a bit angry. Reala pushed Tara behind him.
"What are you going to do cat? I can kill you with my eyes closed." Clawz advanced toward them. His eyes began to glow an eerie red as he suddenly picked up speed swiping his paw across Reala's chest. Reala stepped back in surprise at the cat's sudden burst of speed. Reala looked down at his chest which was now covered in blood his shirt shredded. Clawz' talons were sharp as razors that matched his claws.
"Reala?!" Tara said horrified. Reala couldn't fight him in his human form.
"That's only a slight demonstration of my new abilities." The cat laughed insanely, even putting Jackle's to shame. "You can't take on all of us at once Reala. One of us is bound to get our hands/paws/talons/fins on her."
"Well then maybe we should jump in then!" Nights and Jackle both landed in front of Reala. They were no longer in their human forms. Nights drew his sword while Jackle pulled out his cards.
"You guys can take the other three... Clawz is mine..." Reala glared at Clawz and the cat had a twisted grin on his cat like face.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this Reala..." The cat admitted. The battle began when Gilwing went after Nights. Gulpo went after Jackle. Jackle grinned he knew he had beaten Gulpo so many times in training. Puffy went after Tara after Reala was drawn away by Clawz. Elliot and Clare could only watch from the mouth of the alley. Passer Byers would try to peak in but Elliot would say they are shooting a movie and no interferences are allowed. Clare looked in she saw that Puffy was going after Tara. She ran into the alley before Elliot could say anything. She ran passed Puffy grabbing Tara's wrist and pulling her out of Puffy's way before she could squish her like a pancake. She ran out of the alley past Elliot who ran after them as Puffy bounced out behind them.
"Come back here you little wench!" Puffy roared behind them.
"Yeah like that's gonna work!" Elliot yelled back.
"Where are we going?!" Tara asked the younger red head. Clare kept running as fast as she could.
"Somewhere away from Puffy!"
"We can't take her into town that could create a panic! Innocent people could get hurt." Tara turned them into a narrow alley way. Elliot followed behind them as quickly as he could. Puffy followed him but she found that when she entered the alleyway she got stuck in between the two buildings. She of course shrieked causing all of the buildings windows and glass of any kind to shatter for at least two blocks. The girls and Elliot had to cover their ears being so close to the source of the shrieking. It caused the humans pain and they could no longer walk. It got the other Nightmarens attention and they had to cover their ears. It didn't cause them pain unless they listened to it for a while. Gilwing escaped Nights and went to see what Puffy was shrieking about. He found her wedged between the buildings. The human's were on their knees covering their ears. Gilwing swooped down finding that it was the perfect opportunity. He looped his tail around Tara's waist and flying up into the air. Puffy stopped shrieking and grinned at the little humans.
Tara pounded her fist on the lizard's tail trying to get him to release her. His tail was to muscular and he probably didn't' feel a thing. He flew up into the Chicago skyline up to the top of a building. Gilwing turned to her with a grin on his lizard face. His sharp teeth showing, she thought he was going to eat her. "Have a nice trip!" His tail loosened until it was no longer around her. She screamed as she began her descent to the ground. Nights flew up to catch her but Gilwing tackled him to the ground in the middle of an intersection. Reala knew Nights had failed and tried to get to her but Clawz bite him in the leg keeping him from flying to her in time and threw him into the same brick wall that he had been thrown into. The wall unable to take anymore abuse collapsed on impact sending Reala into the building. A hair salon and all the women inside shrieked as he flew by crashing through the front door and into a parked car. Jackle stood over Gulpo having chanted his spell and was gone before Clawz could pounce on him. Jackle appeared below Tara and caught her right before she hit the ground. She grabbed onto Jackle tightly out of fear.
Jackle grinned feeling all heroic. But then he pictured Reala's face if he saw them like this. He quickly put her down on the ground. "You alright?" Tara nodded slowly before her face became horrified. She pointed behind him.
"Look out!" Jackle turned around only to be met by Gilwings tail smacking into him and knocking him across the street into a clothing store window.
"Now who is going to protect you human?" Tara backed away from the creature. Without thinking Tara took off in the other direction. Gilwing followed her as she leapt into the air legs first she grabbed onto a lamp using it to propel her body back at Gilwing. Her feet smashing into his head and then pushing off his head back flipping and landing gracefully on the sidewalk. She blinked for a moment as people watched her amazed.
"Where did that come from?" Gilwing shook his head. She had succeeded in pissing him off.
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A tall woman with short brunet hair and blue eyes stood in front of a camera near the battlefield. She had on a pair of white pearl earrings and necklace a light brown trench coat and black dress shoes. "We go live in 5...4...3...2..." The cameraman gave her a motion with his finger to signify a one.
"This is Amber Mazon reporting to you live from downtown Chicago. It seems that our fair city is under attack from monsters. That's right I said monsters. With me is Police chief Devon Stone. What do you have to say for this?" She turned to a rather fit dark brown haired man in a police uniform. The camera turned with her to get both of them in the shot.
"All I have to say is for people to stay away from the downtown area until this matter is resolved. Until further notice downtown is a danger zone. Police have been instructed not to let pedestrians into the downtown. Roads have been closed. And please don't sneak in to get camera shots. You could get yourself killed that way." The camera turned back to Amber.
"There you have it. Police are telling people to stay away from the downtown area. If you are in the downtown area evacuate immediately." The television turned off. Tara's mother set down the remote a horrified expression on her face. She looked up at her husband.
"Tara is downtown..." she said just staring at the off television again.
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Elliot climbed down the small crater where Nights was lying. "Nights!" He crouched beside him patting him lightly on the cheek. "Nights wake up." Nights slowly opened his eyes. He sat up rubbing his head.
"What hit me?"
"Gilwing..." Nights stood up remembering the reason they were there. "Where's Tara?"
"We lost track of her after Gilwing took her." Elliot explained. Nights grabbed hold of him and flew out of the crater. He set him on the edge as a water main broke open spewing water all over the place. A black police officer grabbed Elliot away from Nights.
"Get away from that thing boy!" He shouted as the pulled his gun. Elliot threw himself in front of Nights.
"Hey he's here to save us not kill us." He turned to Nights. "Find Tara we'll find Reala and Jackle." Nights nodded and took off into the sky. Elliot turned back to the police officer. "Have there been anymore sightings of Nightmaren that look like that one."
"Nightmaren? What in blazes are you talking about boy?" Elliot groaned.
"The monsters... Were there any more sighted that looked more human like that one did." The cop nodded.
"As a matter of fact yeah one has been sighted in the department store and another just outside the salon. They both just down the street."
"Thanks!" Elliot waved as he and Clare took off in the direction he specified. "Clare you take the department store, I'll get the salon." Clare nodded and ran in the direction of the store while Elliot went toward the salon. Clare could see the commotion at the store. The police were already there. She ran into the store but was stopped the police.
"Miss I'm sorry but this store is closed." A tall black cop said.
"No you don't understand my friend is in here. I need to find him."
"All the people have left the store already. The only thing in here is us and that creature. And the government wants to have a look at it." She saw a bunch of people surrounding Jackle taking his picture. "Jackle!!" She stomped on the officers' foot and escaped him running over to Jackles side.
"HEY get away from it kid!"
"Jackle wake up!" She shook him but he wouldn't wake. Then she smacked him across the face hard. Jackle's eyes shot open and everyone around them backed away.
"OOWW! What was that for?" Jackle fumed as he pulled a thong off of his hat. He forgot about the pain in his cheek and examined the cloth before flinging it away.
"Quite napping in the underwear department and get out there and help Nights." Clare scolded.
"I wasn't napping for your information." He rubbed his head where it had hit just about everything when he landed. Racks, display cases, and finally the wall.
"Whatever lets just go." They went to walk out the front door but the black cop who had his foot stomped on by Clare stopped them. He didn't look to happy with her right then.
"You ain't going no where!"
"Come on he's not going to harm anybody."
"Just Gilwing..." Jackle put in.
"I'm not talking about him I'm talking about you. You just assaulted an officer and your helping a prisoner escape." The cop continued on.
"Blah blah blah..." Jackle said before he chanted the teleportation spell. Everyone looked disbelievingly at the spot where they had just been. They heard a shout coming from outside. "Add no respect for authority to that list too." They took off toward where Nights had gone.
Elliot finally found the salon and police were swarming the place. He couldn't see Jackle or Reala. He would play it cool he was just walking by. He turned his head to look for the Nightmaren that had landed in there. He saw a group of people carrying Reala on a stretcher. They were headed toward a black van. Elliot could only think it was the government going to take him off to area 51 or something. "Reala!!" He ran toward him but the cops caught him. "Let go of me! Reala! Wake up!" it didn't' help they were now loading him into the van. Elliot fought harder against the cops. One of the black suited men pointed at Elliot.
"Get him out of here!"
"Reala! Think of Tara! She needs you! You must go to her before Clawz kills her!"
"Sir he's waking up!" one said.
"Then shoot him with some sedatives!" The one that spoke first said. The one in the van opened up his briefcase which contained a syringe and a liquid in a bottle. He stabbed the syringe into the bottle and drew some out. He replaced the vile and then tapped the syringe with his finger making sure the liquid would squirt out fine. He neared it to Reala's arm.
"Reala! Tara's gonna die!" Reala's eyes shot open as his arm flew up breaking the straps and catching the syringe before it was inserted into his skin.
"Get away from me you stinking human!" He broke the rest of his straps and floated inside the van punching his way out. The cops let go of Elliot and went after Reala.
"Dude that's not a good idea..." Elliot was too late in saying something Reala had already pummeled them. Reala leapt out of the van toward where he could sense Nights and Jackle and the battle.
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Tara was running away from a now very furious Gilwing. Clawz watched Gilwing herd her closer to him. The three who were supposed to be protecting her were down and now they could kill her without hassle. Clawz flexed his claws getting them ready to rip her to shreds. She had caught onto this little game of theirs when she noticed that every time she tried to turn in a different direction he would make her continue going straight. How she figured that out was beyond her. She didn't normally think about enemy strategy when she was scared out of her mind. She saw an alley up ahead it was a narrow alley so if she went in she would have to time it just right. If not she would end up hitting the wall or not making it in at all leaving her open for attack. She made the decision putting all her weight on her right foot and then pushing off of that making her body go left into the alley. It was far too small for Gilwing the fit in. To Tara's dismay there was no exit and all the doors were locked. Gilwing flew around coming back and started bashing his head against the building trying to get in. Clawz exited his spot where he was waiting to pounce and padded over to the alley. "You look like a fool doing that… Now it's my turn…" Gilwing stopped and looked down at the cat letting him go in the alley to hunt his prey. Tara retreated to the back of the alley having no where else to go. The cat came closer the sound of his claws on the pavement echoing in the alley.
"Why do you want to kill me so badly? I mean I know you've been ordered to but why the twisted pleasure out of it?" Clawz grinned.
"Because I want to see Reala squirm when he sees that I'm holding your dead corpse in my jaws."
"Why do you hate him so much?" Clawz scoffed at her.
"Wizeman should never had made him the general nor Nights for that matter. They both abandoned us in the end. Because you almost died in that battle he left and our troops were massacred. Among the casualties was my mate Nerwen..."
"Those things happen, there's nothing any of use can do about that."
"THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE LEFT THE ARMY DEFENCELESS!!" The cat growled bearing his teeth.
"I'm sorry for your loss but where will revenge get you?" The cat laughed.
"It doesn't matter I have to kill you anyway so I might as well get my revenge while I'm at it…" He advanced extending his claws. Tara pressed her body against the wall. She looked for anything to fight back with. There was a metal pipe lying next to the dumpster. She slowly grabbed it up holding it like you would a sword her body going into a fighting stance. "Fighting back now are we?" Clawz asked amusement pouring from his voice.
"What so funny about that? I may look weak and fragile but I am not at all!" she blinked for a minute not knowing why she was talking so confidently.
"A human like you has no chance of beating me…" She ran at him swinging the pipe at him. But the only thing was he was Nightmaren and she was human. There was a major speed difference between the two. Thought she tried her best anyway. Clawz being a cat was enjoying this. He loved to play with his prey. He leapt over her slashing across her back coming mere millimeters from her skin. She looked over her shoulder. "Hey this was my favorite shirt you jerk!" Her fear just seemed too had just disappeared into thin air. She felt like someone else had control of her body. She ran at Clawz with the metal pipe ready to strike him. Each time she swung at him he would move out of the way. Clawz jumped over her again. Now he was blocking the alley exit again.
"Clawz we got company…" Gilwing said at the mouth of the alley. Clawz looked back at him.
"Well then get rid of them…" With his attention turned elsewhere Tara ran at him again. Clawz looked back at her only to have his face hit with the pipe. The cracking noise even made Gilwing cringe. Tara grinned and Clawz who was facing the wall slowly turned his head back at her with a not to happy expression on his kitty face. "You're so dead…" He jumped at her and Tara ducked allowing him to fly over her. She dropped the bent pipe and took off toward the exit. Clawz was on her tail in seconds. She turned the corner Clawz running into Gilwing. Clawz smacked Gilwing over the head. "I thought I told you to get rid of them!" He jumped off of the dragon and began the chase again. Clawz face still throbbed with pain he would kill her for that. Reala would be next. He went in for his attack jumping into the air. Reala saw this and had to react fast before he killed Tara. He drew his sword and threw it at the cat. Clawz felt something sharp enter his back as he was impacted. His body pinned down to the sidewalk like a bug pinned on a Styrofoam block in a fifth grade class. Tara stopped and looked back. Clawz had a black sword in his back. Reala landed in front of Tara protectively.
"Reala." He narrowed his eyes at Clawz as the cat struggled to get up. Blood was pouring from his wound. Clawz growled turning around to see that Gilwing was brought down by Nights and Jackle. He looked back at Reala.
"You haven't... seen the last of me... Reala..." The cat suddenly disappeared in a flash of lightning along with Gilwing and the others. Nights and Jackle walked over to Reala and Tara.
"Well now that that's over with..." Jackle said rubbing his head. Reala walked over and pulled his sword from the sidewalk and holstered it.
"Reala... The last time we met I lost six months of my life... I want to know where it went. How I spent it, where I spent it and who I spent it with." She looked over at Reala targeting him for that last part of the question. Nights walked up to her.
"This is just as we thought you wouldn't remember anything unless both you and Eve became one again." Tara looked at Nights like he were crazy.
"What are you talking about?" Tara said out of pure confusion.
"Tara the truth is we didn't really know that you were you until recently." Reala tried to explain.
"How could you not know that it was me?"
"Because you were like us... You were Nightmaren." Jackle stated. Tara still didn't understand. How could she become a Nightmaren?
"How exactly did this happen?" She asked looking at each one of them.
"Wizeman." They all said at once.
"He's the one that brought me back to the Dream World in the first place. I remember that much." She combed her fingers through her hair. Elliot and Clare finally caught up to them and rejoined the group.
"So basically she doesn't remember anything after she was changed into a Maren." Nights asked no one.
"That does make sense cuz when she was in Maren form she couldn't remember anything before being changed into a Maren." Jackle piped in.
"Yet she knew that she wasn't one of Wizeman's creations." Nights continued.
"Basically you must free Eve in order to get your memories back." Reala said softly. Tara looked over at Reala and nodded.
"Okay lets get this over with. Take me to her." Nights motioned everyone to gather in a circle and his Ideya began to glow and in a flash of red light they were gone. Taken back to the Dream World into the Twisted Meadows where Eve was still being held in the Ideya Palace.
A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews. It got my mind moving on this chapter and I ended up making it an extra 1,000 words longer. heh oh well the more the merrier. Hope you like it please r/r.
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In another part of town a light flashed in an alley way. And four Nightmaren stood in the middle of the ally and looked around. Clawz dug his talons into the pavement. Testing the ground under his paws and leaving holes where his talons had gone in. He smelled the air and it reeked of humans. "Humans everywhere.... how delightful...." He walked forward. "Alright since Wizeman put me in charge I think we should split up you guys know what we're here for. Now get dressed and let's go." Clawz, Gulpo, Gilwing, and Puffy all walked out of the alley in their human forms. No one would be able to tell that they were monstrous Nightmaren from the dream world. "Gilwing your with me, Puffy your with Gulpo."
"WHAT?!" came Puffy's shrill protest. "Why do I have to go with zee stinky fish!!"
"Who you calling stinky... fat ass..." Gulpo retorted. Puffy growled a low as a rabbit beach ball could.
"Don't call me FAT ASS!!!" Puffy shrieked making windows around them shatter and the Maren had to cover their ears.
"Don't argue with me Puffy I'm not in the mood!" Clawz growled. "Don't forget who Wizeman put in charge of this mission..." Puffy shut up. She knew Clawz wouldn't hesitate to hit her upside her head. The four 'humans' set off in search of the girl. One of them was taller then the rest and very muscular with short buzzed hair. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a simple white tank top. He made any wrestler look bad. The second was shorter and fatter than the other though he still had some muscle on him. His hair was longer and stringy. It would sort of remind you of a guy that was swimming for far too long. The raisin look wasn't even applied here. He looked far worse than that. Plus he smelled like fish. He just wore a pair of blue overalls and that was it. The third was a girl with long brown hair and a beautiful body. She looked more ditzy than she did smart. She wore a tight pink spaghetti string dress that went pass her knees. The fourth was shorter then the other two males with medium length blue hair. He looked smarter and cleverer than the others did. He wore a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. They split up into two groups. The cat and the dragon were in one group and the stinky fish and beach ball were in the other.
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Reala and his group were still trying to find the right street to get on to find Tara's home. Elliot had done a lot of digging and found out where they lived. It was good that he had found it when he did shortly after her address had been removed from the website due to privacy complaints made by her parents. The reporters he thought had to be bad enough without her having stalkers. After what seemed like hours they finally found the right street. Elliot and Clare realized that this was the high class part of town where all the rich people lived. They felt out of place as they looked around at all the huge houses behind the brick walls and gates. "This place is pretty snazzy..." Jackle said in awe. "I wonder what the inside looks like?"
"It wouldn't be a good idea to take a look... These types of folks like their privacy. And if you even looked inside the gate the cops would be here in a snap.." Elliot warned.
"Cops?" Jackle inquired.
"You know law enforcers." Elliot explained.
"Oh..." Jackle shrugged. "Not like they'd be able to catch us."
"Not you maybe." Clare put in. Jackle stuck his tongue out at her and she glared at him.
"Knock it off you two..." Nights put in. "We have more important things to do than fight amongst ourselves." they continued walking until they came upon this huge mansion that sat a half mile away from the road.
"Whoa." Jackle breathed. "It's a palace..."
"It's a mansion Jackle" Elliot corrected.
"Whatever…" The group traveled to the front gate. Elliot pushed a call button on the intercom and waited for a reply.
"May I help you?" a snotty sounding voice came through.
"Yeah we're here to see Tara Valenstine." There was a pause in between replies.
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"Madam there is a group of people wanting to see Miss Tara." A butler explained to Mrs. Valenstine. She set down her tea and got up out of her chair and went to the front door.
"Let me see." The camera showed five individuals, two kids and three men. She examined each one closely before her eyes fell onto Reala. Her expression became horrified. "Call the police! That one is the man that kidnapped my Tara!!" She pointed to the tall buff black haired man who looked rather annoyed.
"Yes madam…"
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"What is taking so long?" Reala asked while tapping his foot. Nights looked over at him, he was going to tell him to be patient but he couldn't, he could see that he wanted Eve back very badly. He could see the despair in his eyes. The fact that he was powerless at this point to do anything but try to convince this girl Tara that she was taken to the dream world and became his lover.
"What's that sound?" Jackle asked as he turned his head and looked down the street. Elliot and Clare didn't hear anything but Nights turned his head and looked as well. While Reala just looked in that direction without moving his head. It wasn't long before Elliot and Clare heard what the Nightmaren were hearing but by then it was too late and five squad cars squealed to a halt around them. Each officer jumping out of their vehicles and pointing they fire arms at them while taking shelter behind their open car doors.
"Hands in the air NOW!!" one shouted at them. Elliot and Clare did as they were told, they were kind of scared. Nights, Jackle, and Reala on the other hand took on a fighting stance out of instinct. Reala narrowed his eyes; he recognized the weapons they welded. "Put your hands up!" Elliot looked over at Nights.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of…" Elliot explained. "They're going to arrest us and take us downtown." Reala growled.
"I'm not going anywhere till I see Tara… Jackle cast a barrier." Jackle nodded and began chanting.
"Put your hands where we can see them!"
"Jackle can this barrier repel material objects as well as magic?" Reala asked. Jackle nodded as he chanted.
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"They're planning something chief…" one cop whispered to his superior.
"Move in slowly… I want the big black haired guy for questioning..."
"Yes sir..." they moved around their car doors and moved in around them.
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"Nights do what they say..." Elliot whispered. "They won't hesitate to shoot us."
"They can't shoot us." Jackle said while grinning widely brushing his thumb against his fingers. Sharp metal joker cards appeared spreading out like a fan in his hand. "But we can shoot them." He began laughing insanely until everyone told him to shut up. Reala walked over and knocked him hard over the head. "You guys are no fun..." Jackle said in a pout rubbing the bump that was forming on his head.
"You can't attack them Jackle they're just doing their job." Elliot explained.
"Says who?" Jackle asked as he crossed his arms.
"Says me…" Nights interjected with a stern looked aimed at Jackle. Jackle just shrugged.
"I'm getting bored just standing here…"
"Well then why don't you use that transportation spell of yours to get us out of here?" Reala snapped.
"Well I could try to locate Tara with my magic." Reala glared at him.
"And why did you not mention this before?" Jackle grinned widely.
"You never asked." Reala growled lowly at him. "Okay okay I'm on it. Don't haveta get into that 'I'm gonna kill Jackle' mode or anything…" He put his hands up. Jackle closed his eyes trying to remember Tara's energy. It had to be exactly the same as Eves' since they were the same person right? The cops were growing impatient and fired a warning shot at them only for it to hit something and bounce off. It started a ripple effect on the barrier which made if visible to the humans' eyes. A yellow energy flowed around the five of them which freaked the cops out to no end. "Would you guys knock that off, I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE!!!" He went silent and closed his eyes again. "Aha there you are…" The barrier grew bright and the sphere soon vanished leaving no proof that they had ever been there. It grew silent none of the police knowing what was going on nor did they comprehend what had just taken place. They concluded that there must have been something in their coffee or the donuts were old.
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Tara sat at the table at the outside restaurant while her friends were at the buffet getting a few more things to eat. She though wasn't as hungry as she had thought she was. She gazed around at all the people who were talking and seemed to be enjoying themselves. She didn't know why but she felt empty for some reason. Like something was missing and she couldn't grasp what it was. She looked over at a couple that was sitting just a few feet away. She felt jealous of the girl having the hot boyfriend that seemed to want to do everything and anything for her. Most of the guys that she had ever gone out with only wanted her for her money. Then her thoughts turned to Reala. What had become of him? Did he really kidnap her like everyone believed? She wanted the answers to her questions so badly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone coming toward her. It was a man with medium length blue hair that wore a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Tara looked up at him he was looking at her with disbelief in his eyes. "Can I help you?" she asked softly.
"I don't believe it... It is you..." He said with a bit of shock in his voice and took off out of the small restaurant. Tara didn't recognize him. But then the thought crossed her mind that maybe he had met her within the six month blank in her mind. Maybe he could tell her what had happened to her. She got up and took off after him.
"Wait! Please tell me who you are!" The boy ran down an alley way and Tara followed him. She stopped when she found that he had stopped at the dead end. He was facing the brick wall and Tara was a couple yards behind him. "Please have you seen me in the last six months, do you know where I have been?"
"I know exactly where you have been..." he said in a low tone. He turned slowly to face her. His face was dark and evil looking his eyes that had looked normal were not bright yellow with blood red irises. The pupils were just black slits in his eyes now much like that of a cat. On his forehead was a big yellow diamond shape. Tara began to back away from him as the boy transformed into some kind of cat creature. She was stopped by something big round and soft. She turned around to see a large rabbit looking creature behind her.
"Where do you zink you're going girly?" Her breathing became harder as fear began to take control of her. Her heart raced as adrenaline made its way into her bloodstream.
"Who are you and what are you?! What do you want with me?!" The cat creature flexed his muscles being in that human from always made him feel so cramped up. Glad to be out of that form he walked casually closer to her.
"Names Clawz... And we were sent here by Wizeman to kill you..."
"Wizeman?" she said mostly to herself as a bunch of images flooded into her mind, images that she didn't quite understand. All she knew was that he was the one. "He's the one that kidnapped me not Reala..." The two creatures were joined by two others, a giant lizard type creature with wings and a fishy looking one. Her fear grew more now than it had been earlier. "Why do you want me dead?"
"Because our master wishes it..." The cat known as Clawz advanced toward her. His claws extended to their full length he got ready to pounce on her as if she were a little mouse. Tara tried to get past the Nightmaren blocking the entrance of the alley but Puffy hit her with her round belly sending the helpless girl to the pavement. It happened as if it were in slow motion when Clawz pounced. Tara closed her eyes tightly expecting him to dig his claws into her flesh and rip her body to shreds. She couldn't help but scream in her terrified state. She could barely hear someone call out her name and the attack to her never came. She opened her eyes wide with fear and surprise.
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The five appeared in a small room with tile, mirrors, sinks, and paper towel dispensers along with stalls. The five immediately looked around. Elliot looked in the stalls and found toilets in each one. Elliot's face turned bright red. Nights looked over at the boy. "You okay Elliot?"
"This is the girl's bathroom we're not supposed to be in here!" Clare couldn't help but giggle at Elliot's expression. A woman came threw the door and spotted them. She was quite startled. "What are you doing this is the woman's bathroom!" she scolded.
"Eh we speak eh no English!!" Elliot blurted out has he grabbed Clare and Nights and ran threw the door. Reala and Jackle both shrugged and followed without a word. They walked into the restaurant and looked around.
"She should be around here somewhere..." Jackle stated.
"Maybe we should split up and look." Nights nodded to Clare.
"That would be a good idea. We can cover more ground that way." Nights and Reala went into one group while Jackle, Elliot, and Clare formed another. Jackle grumbled wondering why he had to stay with the brats. Clare, Elliot, and Jackle walked through the restaurants outside sitting area, while Nights and Reala looked on the street. That's when Reala smelled it and narrowed his eyes. Nights looked over at him. "What is it Reala?"
"Gulpo… I know his smell anywhere…" Reala took off to follow it.
"Reala wait we should get Jackle first."
"No time!" Reala in mid stride jumped into the air. He could fly faster than he could run. He followed the scent to the entrance of an alley where he witnessed Clawz about to pounce on. "Tara!!!" Reala threw himself into Clawz. The cat Maren hit the brick wall leaving an indentation where he was thrown. He landed on the pavement as bricks fell from the wall covering the cat with them. Reala landed gracefully on one toe his black hair falling back into place and his eyes landing on the pile of bricks. When Clawz did not emerge he turned around. Reala looked back at Tara; she was staring at him like she was in a daze of some kind. Still sitting on the pavement where she had landed when Puffy pushed her down. They spent the longest time just staring at one another. Like the rest of the world didn't exist around them. Reala walked over to her and extended his hand to her. "Are you alright?" She hesitated for a minute before she took it. He helped her up.
"Yes…" she looked back at the Nightmaren that were still blocking the alleyway.
"So it's true, zee great Reala has fallen for a weakling human." Tara looked over at Reala for a moment. She wondered what that creature had meant by a weakling human. Did that mean that Reala wasn't human? She began to remember a few things. She remembered a dark room and Reala was lying on the floor but he was different. She blinked and looked over when the sounds of brick moving caught her attention.
"I always knew that he was pathetic…" Clawz emerged from the bricks looking a bit angry. Reala pushed Tara behind him.
"What are you going to do cat? I can kill you with my eyes closed." Clawz advanced toward them. His eyes began to glow an eerie red as he suddenly picked up speed swiping his paw across Reala's chest. Reala stepped back in surprise at the cat's sudden burst of speed. Reala looked down at his chest which was now covered in blood his shirt shredded. Clawz' talons were sharp as razors that matched his claws.
"Reala?!" Tara said horrified. Reala couldn't fight him in his human form.
"That's only a slight demonstration of my new abilities." The cat laughed insanely, even putting Jackle's to shame. "You can't take on all of us at once Reala. One of us is bound to get our hands/paws/talons/fins on her."
"Well then maybe we should jump in then!" Nights and Jackle both landed in front of Reala. They were no longer in their human forms. Nights drew his sword while Jackle pulled out his cards.
"You guys can take the other three... Clawz is mine..." Reala glared at Clawz and the cat had a twisted grin on his cat like face.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this Reala..." The cat admitted. The battle began when Gilwing went after Nights. Gulpo went after Jackle. Jackle grinned he knew he had beaten Gulpo so many times in training. Puffy went after Tara after Reala was drawn away by Clawz. Elliot and Clare could only watch from the mouth of the alley. Passer Byers would try to peak in but Elliot would say they are shooting a movie and no interferences are allowed. Clare looked in she saw that Puffy was going after Tara. She ran into the alley before Elliot could say anything. She ran passed Puffy grabbing Tara's wrist and pulling her out of Puffy's way before she could squish her like a pancake. She ran out of the alley past Elliot who ran after them as Puffy bounced out behind them.
"Come back here you little wench!" Puffy roared behind them.
"Yeah like that's gonna work!" Elliot yelled back.
"Where are we going?!" Tara asked the younger red head. Clare kept running as fast as she could.
"Somewhere away from Puffy!"
"We can't take her into town that could create a panic! Innocent people could get hurt." Tara turned them into a narrow alley way. Elliot followed behind them as quickly as he could. Puffy followed him but she found that when she entered the alleyway she got stuck in between the two buildings. She of course shrieked causing all of the buildings windows and glass of any kind to shatter for at least two blocks. The girls and Elliot had to cover their ears being so close to the source of the shrieking. It caused the humans pain and they could no longer walk. It got the other Nightmarens attention and they had to cover their ears. It didn't cause them pain unless they listened to it for a while. Gilwing escaped Nights and went to see what Puffy was shrieking about. He found her wedged between the buildings. The human's were on their knees covering their ears. Gilwing swooped down finding that it was the perfect opportunity. He looped his tail around Tara's waist and flying up into the air. Puffy stopped shrieking and grinned at the little humans.
Tara pounded her fist on the lizard's tail trying to get him to release her. His tail was to muscular and he probably didn't' feel a thing. He flew up into the Chicago skyline up to the top of a building. Gilwing turned to her with a grin on his lizard face. His sharp teeth showing, she thought he was going to eat her. "Have a nice trip!" His tail loosened until it was no longer around her. She screamed as she began her descent to the ground. Nights flew up to catch her but Gilwing tackled him to the ground in the middle of an intersection. Reala knew Nights had failed and tried to get to her but Clawz bite him in the leg keeping him from flying to her in time and threw him into the same brick wall that he had been thrown into. The wall unable to take anymore abuse collapsed on impact sending Reala into the building. A hair salon and all the women inside shrieked as he flew by crashing through the front door and into a parked car. Jackle stood over Gulpo having chanted his spell and was gone before Clawz could pounce on him. Jackle appeared below Tara and caught her right before she hit the ground. She grabbed onto Jackle tightly out of fear.
Jackle grinned feeling all heroic. But then he pictured Reala's face if he saw them like this. He quickly put her down on the ground. "You alright?" Tara nodded slowly before her face became horrified. She pointed behind him.
"Look out!" Jackle turned around only to be met by Gilwings tail smacking into him and knocking him across the street into a clothing store window.
"Now who is going to protect you human?" Tara backed away from the creature. Without thinking Tara took off in the other direction. Gilwing followed her as she leapt into the air legs first she grabbed onto a lamp using it to propel her body back at Gilwing. Her feet smashing into his head and then pushing off his head back flipping and landing gracefully on the sidewalk. She blinked for a moment as people watched her amazed.
"Where did that come from?" Gilwing shook his head. She had succeeded in pissing him off.
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A tall woman with short brunet hair and blue eyes stood in front of a camera near the battlefield. She had on a pair of white pearl earrings and necklace a light brown trench coat and black dress shoes. "We go live in 5...4...3...2..." The cameraman gave her a motion with his finger to signify a one.
"This is Amber Mazon reporting to you live from downtown Chicago. It seems that our fair city is under attack from monsters. That's right I said monsters. With me is Police chief Devon Stone. What do you have to say for this?" She turned to a rather fit dark brown haired man in a police uniform. The camera turned with her to get both of them in the shot.
"All I have to say is for people to stay away from the downtown area until this matter is resolved. Until further notice downtown is a danger zone. Police have been instructed not to let pedestrians into the downtown. Roads have been closed. And please don't sneak in to get camera shots. You could get yourself killed that way." The camera turned back to Amber.
"There you have it. Police are telling people to stay away from the downtown area. If you are in the downtown area evacuate immediately." The television turned off. Tara's mother set down the remote a horrified expression on her face. She looked up at her husband.
"Tara is downtown..." she said just staring at the off television again.
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Elliot climbed down the small crater where Nights was lying. "Nights!" He crouched beside him patting him lightly on the cheek. "Nights wake up." Nights slowly opened his eyes. He sat up rubbing his head.
"What hit me?"
"Gilwing..." Nights stood up remembering the reason they were there. "Where's Tara?"
"We lost track of her after Gilwing took her." Elliot explained. Nights grabbed hold of him and flew out of the crater. He set him on the edge as a water main broke open spewing water all over the place. A black police officer grabbed Elliot away from Nights.
"Get away from that thing boy!" He shouted as the pulled his gun. Elliot threw himself in front of Nights.
"Hey he's here to save us not kill us." He turned to Nights. "Find Tara we'll find Reala and Jackle." Nights nodded and took off into the sky. Elliot turned back to the police officer. "Have there been anymore sightings of Nightmaren that look like that one."
"Nightmaren? What in blazes are you talking about boy?" Elliot groaned.
"The monsters... Were there any more sighted that looked more human like that one did." The cop nodded.
"As a matter of fact yeah one has been sighted in the department store and another just outside the salon. They both just down the street."
"Thanks!" Elliot waved as he and Clare took off in the direction he specified. "Clare you take the department store, I'll get the salon." Clare nodded and ran in the direction of the store while Elliot went toward the salon. Clare could see the commotion at the store. The police were already there. She ran into the store but was stopped the police.
"Miss I'm sorry but this store is closed." A tall black cop said.
"No you don't understand my friend is in here. I need to find him."
"All the people have left the store already. The only thing in here is us and that creature. And the government wants to have a look at it." She saw a bunch of people surrounding Jackle taking his picture. "Jackle!!" She stomped on the officers' foot and escaped him running over to Jackles side.
"HEY get away from it kid!"
"Jackle wake up!" She shook him but he wouldn't wake. Then she smacked him across the face hard. Jackle's eyes shot open and everyone around them backed away.
"OOWW! What was that for?" Jackle fumed as he pulled a thong off of his hat. He forgot about the pain in his cheek and examined the cloth before flinging it away.
"Quite napping in the underwear department and get out there and help Nights." Clare scolded.
"I wasn't napping for your information." He rubbed his head where it had hit just about everything when he landed. Racks, display cases, and finally the wall.
"Whatever lets just go." They went to walk out the front door but the black cop who had his foot stomped on by Clare stopped them. He didn't look to happy with her right then.
"You ain't going no where!"
"Come on he's not going to harm anybody."
"Just Gilwing..." Jackle put in.
"I'm not talking about him I'm talking about you. You just assaulted an officer and your helping a prisoner escape." The cop continued on.
"Blah blah blah..." Jackle said before he chanted the teleportation spell. Everyone looked disbelievingly at the spot where they had just been. They heard a shout coming from outside. "Add no respect for authority to that list too." They took off toward where Nights had gone.
Elliot finally found the salon and police were swarming the place. He couldn't see Jackle or Reala. He would play it cool he was just walking by. He turned his head to look for the Nightmaren that had landed in there. He saw a group of people carrying Reala on a stretcher. They were headed toward a black van. Elliot could only think it was the government going to take him off to area 51 or something. "Reala!!" He ran toward him but the cops caught him. "Let go of me! Reala! Wake up!" it didn't' help they were now loading him into the van. Elliot fought harder against the cops. One of the black suited men pointed at Elliot.
"Get him out of here!"
"Reala! Think of Tara! She needs you! You must go to her before Clawz kills her!"
"Sir he's waking up!" one said.
"Then shoot him with some sedatives!" The one that spoke first said. The one in the van opened up his briefcase which contained a syringe and a liquid in a bottle. He stabbed the syringe into the bottle and drew some out. He replaced the vile and then tapped the syringe with his finger making sure the liquid would squirt out fine. He neared it to Reala's arm.
"Reala! Tara's gonna die!" Reala's eyes shot open as his arm flew up breaking the straps and catching the syringe before it was inserted into his skin.
"Get away from me you stinking human!" He broke the rest of his straps and floated inside the van punching his way out. The cops let go of Elliot and went after Reala.
"Dude that's not a good idea..." Elliot was too late in saying something Reala had already pummeled them. Reala leapt out of the van toward where he could sense Nights and Jackle and the battle.
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Tara was running away from a now very furious Gilwing. Clawz watched Gilwing herd her closer to him. The three who were supposed to be protecting her were down and now they could kill her without hassle. Clawz flexed his claws getting them ready to rip her to shreds. She had caught onto this little game of theirs when she noticed that every time she tried to turn in a different direction he would make her continue going straight. How she figured that out was beyond her. She didn't normally think about enemy strategy when she was scared out of her mind. She saw an alley up ahead it was a narrow alley so if she went in she would have to time it just right. If not she would end up hitting the wall or not making it in at all leaving her open for attack. She made the decision putting all her weight on her right foot and then pushing off of that making her body go left into the alley. It was far too small for Gilwing the fit in. To Tara's dismay there was no exit and all the doors were locked. Gilwing flew around coming back and started bashing his head against the building trying to get in. Clawz exited his spot where he was waiting to pounce and padded over to the alley. "You look like a fool doing that… Now it's my turn…" Gilwing stopped and looked down at the cat letting him go in the alley to hunt his prey. Tara retreated to the back of the alley having no where else to go. The cat came closer the sound of his claws on the pavement echoing in the alley.
"Why do you want to kill me so badly? I mean I know you've been ordered to but why the twisted pleasure out of it?" Clawz grinned.
"Because I want to see Reala squirm when he sees that I'm holding your dead corpse in my jaws."
"Why do you hate him so much?" Clawz scoffed at her.
"Wizeman should never had made him the general nor Nights for that matter. They both abandoned us in the end. Because you almost died in that battle he left and our troops were massacred. Among the casualties was my mate Nerwen..."
"Those things happen, there's nothing any of use can do about that."
"THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE LEFT THE ARMY DEFENCELESS!!" The cat growled bearing his teeth.
"I'm sorry for your loss but where will revenge get you?" The cat laughed.
"It doesn't matter I have to kill you anyway so I might as well get my revenge while I'm at it…" He advanced extending his claws. Tara pressed her body against the wall. She looked for anything to fight back with. There was a metal pipe lying next to the dumpster. She slowly grabbed it up holding it like you would a sword her body going into a fighting stance. "Fighting back now are we?" Clawz asked amusement pouring from his voice.
"What so funny about that? I may look weak and fragile but I am not at all!" she blinked for a minute not knowing why she was talking so confidently.
"A human like you has no chance of beating me…" She ran at him swinging the pipe at him. But the only thing was he was Nightmaren and she was human. There was a major speed difference between the two. Thought she tried her best anyway. Clawz being a cat was enjoying this. He loved to play with his prey. He leapt over her slashing across her back coming mere millimeters from her skin. She looked over her shoulder. "Hey this was my favorite shirt you jerk!" Her fear just seemed too had just disappeared into thin air. She felt like someone else had control of her body. She ran at Clawz with the metal pipe ready to strike him. Each time she swung at him he would move out of the way. Clawz jumped over her again. Now he was blocking the alley exit again.
"Clawz we got company…" Gilwing said at the mouth of the alley. Clawz looked back at him.
"Well then get rid of them…" With his attention turned elsewhere Tara ran at him again. Clawz looked back at her only to have his face hit with the pipe. The cracking noise even made Gilwing cringe. Tara grinned and Clawz who was facing the wall slowly turned his head back at her with a not to happy expression on his kitty face. "You're so dead…" He jumped at her and Tara ducked allowing him to fly over her. She dropped the bent pipe and took off toward the exit. Clawz was on her tail in seconds. She turned the corner Clawz running into Gilwing. Clawz smacked Gilwing over the head. "I thought I told you to get rid of them!" He jumped off of the dragon and began the chase again. Clawz face still throbbed with pain he would kill her for that. Reala would be next. He went in for his attack jumping into the air. Reala saw this and had to react fast before he killed Tara. He drew his sword and threw it at the cat. Clawz felt something sharp enter his back as he was impacted. His body pinned down to the sidewalk like a bug pinned on a Styrofoam block in a fifth grade class. Tara stopped and looked back. Clawz had a black sword in his back. Reala landed in front of Tara protectively.
"Reala." He narrowed his eyes at Clawz as the cat struggled to get up. Blood was pouring from his wound. Clawz growled turning around to see that Gilwing was brought down by Nights and Jackle. He looked back at Reala.
"You haven't... seen the last of me... Reala..." The cat suddenly disappeared in a flash of lightning along with Gilwing and the others. Nights and Jackle walked over to Reala and Tara.
"Well now that that's over with..." Jackle said rubbing his head. Reala walked over and pulled his sword from the sidewalk and holstered it.
"Reala... The last time we met I lost six months of my life... I want to know where it went. How I spent it, where I spent it and who I spent it with." She looked over at Reala targeting him for that last part of the question. Nights walked up to her.
"This is just as we thought you wouldn't remember anything unless both you and Eve became one again." Tara looked at Nights like he were crazy.
"What are you talking about?" Tara said out of pure confusion.
"Tara the truth is we didn't really know that you were you until recently." Reala tried to explain.
"How could you not know that it was me?"
"Because you were like us... You were Nightmaren." Jackle stated. Tara still didn't understand. How could she become a Nightmaren?
"How exactly did this happen?" She asked looking at each one of them.
"Wizeman." They all said at once.
"He's the one that brought me back to the Dream World in the first place. I remember that much." She combed her fingers through her hair. Elliot and Clare finally caught up to them and rejoined the group.
"So basically she doesn't remember anything after she was changed into a Maren." Nights asked no one.
"That does make sense cuz when she was in Maren form she couldn't remember anything before being changed into a Maren." Jackle piped in.
"Yet she knew that she wasn't one of Wizeman's creations." Nights continued.
"Basically you must free Eve in order to get your memories back." Reala said softly. Tara looked over at Reala and nodded.
"Okay lets get this over with. Take me to her." Nights motioned everyone to gather in a circle and his Ideya began to glow and in a flash of red light they were gone. Taken back to the Dream World into the Twisted Meadows where Eve was still being held in the Ideya Palace.