A multiverse-crossing ship in the shape of the letter O was heading straight to Zalgo's dimension, so a special Stone could be given to him. The guardian of said Stone, Garnet, opened her eyes to find herself without her visor, and full of daggers ready to stab her.
NiGHTS could visibly hear and see from a bridge in the ship how her former master was trying to persuade Garnet to give him the Time Stone, by piercing her hard light body with the daggers instead of simply stabbing and poofing her. She was waiting the moment to face such a threat for a long time...but besides it, and the chain of events she blamed herself for causing (Reala's attack, the battle with Metal Sonic, the Hero War), she knew about nothing.
When she heard steps, she turned back to find Steven, Cream and Amethyst rushing in. NiGHTS remebered about visiting the half-human boy on his world. She wanted to be so disappointed (probably even mad) of him, but the tenderness of meeting him again shaked of any logic at the moment.
"It's been a long time, kid.", NiGHTS said, shaking hands with Steven.
"Nice to see you too.", Steven greeted back, before looking to his back to see a confused Amethyst and Cream. "Guys, this is NiGHTS. She's my mentor, teaching me to become a Multiverse Hero!", Steven explained, striking a heroic pose for which NiGHTS simply shaked her head for, making him stop as he realized he was doing a silly thing. "Heh, sorry...also, NiGHTS, I'd like for you to meet Amethyst and Cream."
"Nice to meet ya, Dice!", Amethyst greeted herself in a chill way, offering her hand.
"It's NiGHTS.", NiGHTS nearly deadpanned, before accepting the handshake . "But it's nice to meet you, anyway."
"Hi.", Cream shyly greeted herself. "I'm Cream. It's nice to meet you, Ms. NiGHTS."
"The pleasure is all mine.", NiGHTS smiled kindly, before breaking it down into a frown. "But...really. You shouldn't be here...it's not safe at all. It's a spaceship of no return to anywhere we know, and...really, you were probably dragged along with it. Just like I how I was before..."
"But now there's no way.", Steven suddenly said. "You can't defend the Universe without a Steven and company. ...I mean, that doesn't really make sense, but you do know what I tried to say."
The argument debunked all doubts NiGHTS could have over the gem boy's potential, so she pointed down the bridge to the other three.
"See your "mom" down here? We gotta do something to help her. Go.", NiGHTS said.
"Uh...ok, ok, uhm...ok, so, I think I got a plan."
…
Garnet screamed in pain, as the daggers penetrated her hard light body. Her components were fighting their emotions to keep the fusion stable. Before she could de-fuse herself out of stress, NiGHTS swiftly and gracefully flied down.
"She ain't exactly a friend, but it's my job save her.", NiGHTS stated, putting her fists on her hips.
"You didn't forget, right?", Wizeman said, turning his attention to his rebellious creation. "You're one of my most powerful creations, but just like the others, one that I can simply destroy."
"Yeah, but the kid's a genius.", NiGHTS stated, before summoning a Mare Balloon of her own and bursting a hole on the ship, which began to suck Wizeman, his limbless hands and the needles hurting Garnet. Sadly, Garnet was among the victims of the hole, forcing Amethyst to hold her using her whips.
It took Steven and Cream uniting efforts and a back jump to safely pull back Garnet inside the ship. Meanwhile, Wizeman's being was covered in ice and lost to the vast space of the multiverse.
"...we must turn this ship somewhere else.", Garnet stated.
"Good plan.", NiGHTS sassily and sarcastically said.
"It's to protect the Time Stone.", Garnet replied.
"I swear I think you should thank me for saving your butt.", NiGHTS said.
"After nearly blasting me into space? No.", Garnet said, slightly getting a angrier tone. "I won't work for you."
"You know we are in a ring ship, with no return to any of the worlds we know, right?!", NiGHTS nearly snapped.
"Please, stop.", Cream, a pacifist at heart, pleaded.
"Ok. But remember. The adults are talking here.", NiGHTS calmly said.
"I'm sorry, but I'm confused...", Garnet almost stuttered of confusion. "That is Amethyst and Steven...but what is she? Your ward?"
"No.", Cream immediately replied. "I'm Cream by the way."
"Garnet.", Garnet also presented herself, in her stoic voice, before walking towards NiGHTS. "Any idea of how to bring us home?"
"No ordering me around.", NiGHTS debunked Garnet's demand.
"We can't bring the Time Stone to Zalgo. No matter what.", Garnet said, trying to keep her cool. "You have any idea of what's at stake?"
"I should be asking you this.", NiGHTS snapped. "Since he attacked Mobius, he was in my head for six flippin' years! Fighting him might be suicide, but we should at least try to get him off guard. And that's what I say. Understood my point, Garnet?"
"...fine. But remember, only if you are in a high stake I'll dare give the Time Stone.", Garnet coldly said to NiGHTS before going away.
Remembering of the two youngsters on the ship, NiGHTS rested her arm over Steven's shoulder like she was knighting him.
"Alright, kid...you're a Multiverse Hero now.", NiGHTS kindly said before flying away.
Steven's eyes filled themselves with stars as Amethyst and Cream looked in awe. Soon, the two girls celebrated, lifting Steven high.