The Phantom Nightmaren
Chapter 7
One thing to notice is that Claris had the trauma of Jackle's torment as well. Claris had spent a long time with Jackle. Yet Claris knew she had to get back to her world. So she called up an Awaker, and told it, "Tell NiGHTS that I'm trapped here."
The Awaker nodded its head and flew away.
Soon after, NiGHTS came flying down the waterway and confronted Jackle, "this has gone too far!"
Jackle began to laugh, "too far? Like what you did to Wizeman?"
NiGHTS rolled her eyes, "you can't interfere with Visitors up to keeping them in the Night Dimension."
Jackle threw a card at NiGHTS.
Claris knew she had to help. Claris ran over to NiGHTS and dualized with the nightmaren.
Jackle began to frown, "you're the one who sent this rebel?"
"Who else could help?" Claris asked. She flew over to Jackle and ripped his cape off!
Jackle was now vulnerable. He tried to get his cape back, but Claris just used her power to get him until he exploded.
Claris then flew away.
"What?" NiGHTS screamed, "You spent how much time in Nightmare?"
"Three years on and off?" Claris squeaked. At that point she knew what she did was a bad idea.
"And all for an opera?" NiGHTS frowned, "that's sort of small scale to do something this dangerous.
The Awakers appeared, and Claris knew it was time to go, "I'll stay out of Nightmare from now on, honest."
NiGHTS shook her head, "okay, but I won't be helping you again."
Claris knew now that was the reason why NiGHTS wasn't helping Helen.
It was a long time practicing, but Helen thought she had it down. Helen got her her hotel room, then flopped on the bed. There was an an hour before she needed to be present at the concert, and she probably needed to eat.
Helen's cell phone rang, and she answered, "want some chili?" It was Claris' voice. They were just together, but she had to call for a meal. Wait... A meal...
"Yeah, but where did you get chili?" Helen asked.
"I made it!" Claris proudly answered, "It saves money to have a slow cooker at a convention."
Helen got up, "why didn't you ask when we left the studio!"
"And invite Jackle? Hell no."
This seemed kind of nice. It was forming that Helen and Claris were becoming friends. This probably wouldn't happen if Jackle had stayed out of everything. Yet then again, Helen wouldn't be successful without Jackle.
Elliot laid on the ground of the convention hall's gym. It was a large room with bleachers on the side, and two baskets to resemble Elliot's favorite sport. Elliot had that orange ball that he threw up onto the air and caught.
Why do Nightmaren have to be so unhelpful? Elliot was aware it's in their nature, he did the research. Yet Jackle seemed to want more out of Helen than what he gave to the poor girl. Elliot had heard that Helen had a hard life until she became internet famous, but it wasn't worth giving it up to be married to the fellow. Helen used charisma to be able to stay on this world, but she still has to marry a Nightmaren.
It's odd, since NiGHTS never asked for anything in return.
Elliot didn't catch the ball the last time he threw it, and was about to bonk him in the head until a young man caught it. "Will!"
It was Will alright. Will dribbled the ball until he got close to the net, then he got on one leg and made a basket. Will got the ball and passed it to Elliot.
Elliot got to the same spot, tried to shoot the ball standing on one leg, but missed. Elliot was really out of practice.
"Guess that's an H," Will chuckled them sighed, "like Helen."
If Elliot knew anything, it was young adult romance, he could read Will like one of his books, "you wanted to date Helen?"
Will shrugged, "call it more of a distance crush. I saw her in Nightopia, then found her on YouTube. She's cute, and we're into the same things. Yet that barely says of we'll make good partners. I'm having a date with her on Sunday, but at this point, I don't know."
"It's obvious that Jackle is manipulating her," Elliot analyzed, "and as chairman of the convention, I need to stop him."
"No, I need to stop him," Will cried out. He stole the ball from Elliot and made a slam dunk, "Helen and I help each other out, it's what we do."
A back ring appeared from the ground and Reala rose from that circulation, "may I advise you on this mission?"
Helen finished the last note of her Phantasy Star melody and knew what was next. Helen began to sweat, she knew she didn't get much practice.
Claris and Jackle walked onto the stage. Claris was wearing a purple mini dress with an underbust pink corset. She looked beautiful. Claris winked at Helen.
Helen began to play the song and danced to her heart's content. Helen wanted to hate the song, but she had to love it for the fact that it had the right sound, the right beat, and the right meter. Helen paid attention to Claris who was singing in the nightmare language with Jackle.
Only things went sour when the spotlight on Helen flicked upwards, and she heard a scream at the tech booth. Helen stopped playing when she saw Reala attack Natalie.
"Keep playing," Jackle growled under his breath. Helen had to oblige. Yet something was wrong with her violin. She looked over to see that the plug wasn't in. It must have fallen out. Helen tried to eye the plug.
Will walked onstage, "Helen, you have to get out of here."
Helen nodded her head and began to run, only to feel a wind push both of them back.
A portal was opened. Claris screamed many obscenities about the curse of her powers, "My powers aren't for your use, you jerk!"
Jackle grabbed Helen then entered the portal then closed it.
That was when everyone began to scream, "he's not a cosplayer?" "Who is this monster?" "Call 911, call the Ghostbusters! Helen has been kidnapped." "Claris has powers?"
Claris made a loud whistle with get two pinky fingers. "Everyone! This will all be sorted out!"
Everyone looked at Claris. There were hundreds of frowns and plenty of scowls. Claris knew there was disappointment; not at the concert being cut short, but at Helen being in danger.
Claris stuttered; this was how she felt during her audition before she met NiGHTS. Yet she couldn't run away like last time. She opened her portal then looked at Will, "Kid, we'll save Helen."
Claris was about to step into the portal until Reala stopped her, "miss, NiGHTS may not be here because you are no longer a child, but I'm here because you're an adult."
"Sush Reala, I was never an adult," Claris teared up, "I'm a friend."
The three stepped into the portal to see what they had to do to save Helen.
Lets get this maren.
For she kidnaped a lady fairen.
Together we will save this star,
And hopefully we will get far.