Chapter 8: The demon of dreams and eternal sleep

The very next day, prior to Sportacus's transformation, Krystal researches on how to remove the powers from Sportacus's soul with no luck so far. Usa, on the other hand, is in her half human form and trying to teach Sportacus on how to control his special powers. Stephanie and the other Lazytown kids are watching very closely, wondering what Usa will do next. Sportacus is a bit agitated with the whole half human thing and demands to be reverted back to normal. Daphne, as Evila wants to be called for now, watches them while hiding in the trees and looks over to a shadowy figure. "When the time is right, I'll let you know when to attack," Daphne lowly says to the shadowy figure. The figure stares at Daphne for a bit then nods, waiting for the command.

"Okay," Usa says loudly. "First you need to obtain your ability through meditating. That means no moving."

"Good luck with that," Trixie sarcastically says. "That's all he ever does. Jump, skip, play. No meditating for this one."

"Shut up," Usa snares at Trixie. "Listen. Sit down, rest your hands on your lap, close your eyes and clear your mind of all thoughts. Just listen to my voice."

"How will I know when it starts working?" Sportacus asks.

"You won't know if you keep talking," Usa growls a bit. "Listen to my voice. Imagine yourself somewhere peaceful. At the beach, in the forest, on a hillside in the country. Then look down at the ground and imagine a small gray demon with huge red eyes in front of you. After that, imagine the demon trying to kill you then-…"

Before Usa could finish what she was saying, she is forced back against a tree nearby. Stephanie and the others stare in awe, wondering what just happened. Daphne motions for the figure to attack and it does. A large, ant-like demon appears and holds up a hand full of gold dust. He spins a bit, spreading the powder and everyone, but Sportacus, fall into a deep sleep. Daphne laughs a bit and runs off, leaving the rest up to the ant demon. Sportacus slowly opens his eyes to see the demon and a sense of sudden rage overcomes him. Unknown to the demon, Sportacus stands and throws a baseball bat at it. The demon growls a bit in anger and runs off, not wanting to get killed. Sportacus, then, notices everyone asleep and his first reaction is to check to see if Stephanie is okay.

Usa awakens in her own room, in America, and she jolts up. She looks around a bit, seeing Inuyasha and Full Metal Alchemist posters all over. Her Inuyasha alarm clock goes off and her human mother walks into her room. Usa stares for a second, tells her human mother that she'll be right down in a second, and she quickly runs to a mirror. She notices no wolf ears, her hair is long and blonde once again.

After getting dressed, Usa runs down the steps and into the living room and she notices her human niece and nephews. A bit confused, Usa plops down onto the couch and stares at the floor. "What is going on here?" Usa says lowly to herself. Her youngest nephew, Sam, sits down next to her and wants her to read a book to him. Usa smiles a bit, takes the book, and stares at it like it is new to her. "I could swear I was in Lazytown," Usa thinks to herself then starts to read the book to Sam. Her niece, Melissa, and her other nephew, Dan, both head outside to catch the bus while Usa's mother has Sam put on his jacket so they can leave. Her mother asks if Usa wants to come and she does.

"What's troubling you?" Usa's mother asks while buckling Sam into the car seat. "You look like you've been to hell and back."

"I just had this most unusual dream," Usa says as she gets into the car. "I was in Lazytown. I was there to protect a key which turned out to be Sportacus."

"You are losing it," her mother laughs a bit then climbs into the car as well. "No more Nick Jr. for you."

"I can't help it," Usa stares at the glove compartment. "I was also known as the angel of death."

"I can tell you this for sure," Usa's mother says as she drives out of the driveway. "Your dreams seem to get weirder and weirder by the day. If I'm correct, you volunteering at Sam's school is starting to get to you."

"Impossible," Usa states. "Wait. When did I volunteer at Sam's school? I don't remember doing that."

"You forgot already?" Usa's mom seems shocked. "This is the second time this month. How are you to keep volunteering at the school if you forget that you did? Maybe you need a break. I'll call the school and let them know that you're not coming in today."

"I'm going anyway," Usa snares. "I want to keep an eye on Sam."

"I get it," Usa's mom gives a sly grin. "You want to see him."

"Who?"

"You know," her mom grins again. "That boy who's niece also goes to that school? I heard he's volunteering again today as well."

"Mom," Usa practically screams as her face turns red. "God. You make such a big deal out of everything. Cut it out."

"Sorry…"

Sportacus leads Krystal to where everyone is and he notices the rapid twitching of Usa's wolf ears. Krystal stares for a bit, sniffs the air and growls lowly, knowing what caused this mess. Sportacus asks her what is going on and Krystal has him sit down so she can explain. "It's a demon of dreams and eternal sleep," Krystal states as she paces back and forth. Her eyes are fixed on nothing and her constant pacing is starting to bug Sportacus.

"How can we snap them out of it?" Sportacus asks as he forces Krystal to sit down.

"I don't know," Krystal says. "I have never come across one before. But I know this is the work of a dream demon. This creature is a crossed between a human and a large army ant but its only power is to make people fall into a deep sleep for eternity, making their dreams seem real to them. A demon of this nature is also impossible to find."

"So there is no hope for them," Sportacus lowers his eyes to the ground in sadness. "I tried to catch it but it escaped."

"Wait," Krystal stares at Sportacus. "You were here the entire time? How? How were you able to keep yourself from falling into a deep sleep like the others?"

"I don't know," Sportacus shrugs. "All I know is that it didn't know I was around until I threw a baseball bat at it. I think it got scared."

"What were you doing before you noticed the demon?"

"Meditating. Why do you ask?"

"So it does work," Krystal grins brightly. "Usa had you meditate then everyone, but you, fell into a deep sleep. Maybe we can tap into their dreams and wake them up."

"First we take them home."

"Good idea…"

Stephanie stares at a tree for a bit then hears a school bell ringing. Her concentration on the tree breaks and she runs into a large school with a bunch of other students. Her friends from Lazytown included. Ziggy, Trixie, Pixel, and Stingy are all waiting for her at the front doors. A huge smile forms on Stephanie's face and they all head inside. A bit confused, Stephanie begins to wonder if this is real until she sees her uncle and Sportacus standing near the office. "Uncle Milford," Stephanie shouts. She runs to the two and hug them greatly, acting as though it has been years since she last saw them.

"What's going on?" Stephanie asks. "And what happened to those wolf ears?"

"Wolf ears?" Milford looks up at Sportacus.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Stephanie," Sportacus says.

"But," Stephanie stares. "What about Usa and Krystal? And what about Evila and those demons who are after you?"

"Oh dear," Milford says in surprise. "Has all this studying gone to your head? There is no Usa or Krystal. Not even an Evila and demons."

"I agree with the mayor," Sportacus nods his head with his arms crossed. "I highly doubt that there are any demons after me. Who are those people you mentioned?"

"Usa is the angel of death and swore to protect the key?" Stephanie sits down. "Krystal is Usa's creation from another reality and Evila is Robbie's demon cousin who was damned to hell until she made a deal with Hades."

"Quite an imagination," Milford laughs a bit. "Tell us more when you get home from school. Good luck on the test."

"See you Stephanie," Sportacus waves then leaves with Milford.

"But if they're not real then," Stephanie thinks to herself then chases after Milford and Sportacus. "Wait. Why am I going to school here again?"

"Your mother sent a letter to me," Milford says, seeming a bit concerned. "Don't you remember? She said that it would be best for you to stay here and go to school instead of going back home where it is too dangerous."

"I see," Stephanie stares at the ground. "Thanks, Uncle Milford. See you after school." She runs off to catch up to the other kids.

"Such a sweet girl," Milford smiles and leaves.

Lunchtime and everyone is gathering to get their lunches. Stephanie notices Robbie behind the food counter and a feel of chills crawl up her spine. She stares in confusion for a bit then asks Robbie, "What are you doing here?" Robbie laughs a bit then glares at Stephanie.

"I can't believe you ask me this everyday," Robbie lowly says. "I have no choice to work here. Getting rid of Sporta-kook got too tiring and it was impossible. But the school district saw my ambition and decided to hire me. Now quit asking me that."

"Weird," Stephanie says to herself. "One more question. Do you know who Usagi Gipson and Krystal Lee are?"

"No," Robbie snares a bit. "Now get. Everyone else is waiting to get their food."

"Huh," Stephanie stares again then walks away to join her friends. "Not even Robbie Rotten knows who they are. What is going on? Did I dream it?"

"Hey Pinky," Trixie grins. "Still asking Robbie the same question again?"

"Oh hush, Trixie," Stephanie sticks her tongue out at Trixie as she sits down. "I have to ask you this. Do you know who Usagi Gipson is?"

"Well duh," Trixie says. "But no one around here seem to know her. Not even Krystal."

"Good," Stephanie sighs in relief. "I'm not alone. I thought I was dreaming for a second there."

"Maybe they left and erased everyone else's memories," Ziggy says. "they do possess some unusual power."

"But Usa was supposed to teach Sportacus how to control those special powers," Stephanie states. "Why would they leave so suddenly without a word to us and not protect the key?"

"No idea," Pixel says while poking a string bean with his fork. "Seems so weird to do that. Especially if Usa's father is after the key to this reality."

"I know," Stephanie nods her head. "It is almost like it never happened…"

Usa is staring at her black art book, wondering what is going on, then her nephew, Sam, comes running up and starts talking about a boy being in the classroom. Usa looks up to see a tall, young man, around her age, with very short black hair, light green eyes, and is wearing all black like her. A little girl is hiding behind him, with her dark red hair in pigtails, her dark green eyes staring at Usa. The man looks to see Usa, grins brightly, and walks up to her with the little girl. Usa stares in awe at the man then stares at the little girl. "Hey Usa," the man smiles and sits down next to her. The little girl just stares at Usa then starts poking her in the arm.

"Will you quit that?" Usa says. "That's irritating."

"You're dreaming," the little girl says. "This isn't real."

"I'd like to believe that," the man rolls his eyes. "So what's new today, Usa?"

"Um," Usa looks down at the floor. "I don't think I'm all there in the head today."

"So you forgot who I am again?" the man stares then slightly smiles when Usa nods her head. "It's Jason Sky. This is Kanna Darr. No more brain-draining video games."

"Can't keep me from that," Usa grins. "No. It's something else."

"Like what?" Jason asks in concern.

"I know this may seem odd to you but," Usa begins. "I could swear I was in Lazytown."

"A kids' television show?" Jason laughs a bit. "You're right. That is odd."

"Knock it off," Usa snares lowly. "I'm serious. I was there with Krystal Lee and some demon of love and hate named Evila Rod."

"Okay," Jason stares. "You're scaring me."

"Listen," Usa continues in a very low voice. "I was sent there to protect a very special key from Hades himself."

"Sure," Jason laughs again. "And this is actually a dream."

"I'm beginning to think it is…"