Hi again. Sorry for not updating in a while. Been having trouble updating and writing. Any how as it says in the title, this chapter's takes place the day before Christmas Eve. And being Starlight doesn't know much about the Waking World or humans other then the books she've read from their human, thanks to Owl, she doesn't know what Christmas is about. Until after this event.
And because of reasons from the last chapter I have to do the disclaimer.
I DO NOT OWN NiGHTS, Reala, Jackle, Owl, the nightopians, their Christmas design, or all I want for Christmas. I DO OWN Starlight, Starlight's Christmas outfit, and the plot.
Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I had writing it.
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Starlight is playing with a group of young Visitors that look 4 through 6 years old. They all laugh and play, having the time of their lives. Starlight enjoys herself as much as the Visitors do. The green maren picks up one of them and flys about with the girl in her arms. She giggles and asks for Starlight to fly faster and do a cork-screw, which she all but gladly does.
For some reason, Starlight can't dualize with any Visitors. NiGHTS nor Owl can't figure it out. She can parloop and drill-dash like NiGHTS and Reala. She seems to have all the powers of a first-level except dualizing. NiGHTS and Owl still can't identify if she is just a strong second-level nightmaren like Jackle with a few tricks or if she is a first-level that can't dualize. Mystery and questions surround the young lime green nightmaren but the same nightmaren didn't seem bother or worry about it as much as Owl.
Starlight giggles and sets the Visitor down. The young girl that was just in Starlight's arms takes a few stumble dizzy steps forward, trying not to lose her balance. The green maren places her white gloved hands on the Visitor's back to help support her from falling on her butt.
"I'm okay, Starlight." The girl says in a gigglish voice. "I'm just really dizzy from the cork-screw."
"Me next!" A little boy shouts, "Me next!"
"No way! I get to go next." Another little boy shouts back. Then the other kids start shouting wanting to be picked up too.
"Come down, please." Starlight says in a polite voice, stopping the children from fighting. "How about I fly with all of you." The children cheer until a calm voice interrupts their cheer.
"Sorry kiddies but it's about time to go home." The calm yet happy voice belongs to a violet figure with deep, big, blue cat-like eyes. Starlight smiles at the figure. The kids 'aww'. "Come on now. I thought you'd all be excited to wake up being it's very close to a certain time of the year." NiGHTS' smile wides at the children's faces that change at the end of his sentence. Starlight just gives a confuse look.
"Rrrrrright. Sorry Starlight but we have to go." One of the kids says.
"Yeah, we can play some other time." One of the boys that was fighting with each other, runs to the Dream Gates with the others.
"See your later, Starlight." The girl that she flied with says, running off with the kids. NiGHTS and Starlight follows them, and sees them off as they wake up in their own world.
Starlight turns to face NiGHTS. "What did you mean 'a certain time of the year' when you said that to the children?" Starlight asks NiGHTS.
"You don't know?" NiGHTS asks surprise and Starlight's confuse look answers his question. "It's the day before Christmas Eve."
"Christmas Eve? What's Christmas Eve?" Starlight asks confused, she has read a few books that mentions it and heard the Visitors talk about from afar.
"You don't know what Christmas Eve is?" NiGHTS' voice raises in shock and hurt Starlight's ears by accident. He apologizes for that. "You really don't know what Christmas or Christmas Eve is?" NiGHTS asks again to confirm. Starlight nods her head.
NiGHTS scratches the back of his head. "Alright then." NiGHTS trys to think of what to tell Starlight. "Christmas is a time of joy and good will. It snows a lot during Christmas and all the good girls and boys get presents. Everyone is often in a good mood and help each other out." NiGHTS trys to explain to the young maren. "And Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas."
"Every human is in a good mood and help each other?" Starlight asks, very confuse.
"Yes, everyone is happy and joyful." NiGHTS smiles as he farther explains, "Everyone gets presents for each other and help others out too."
"Everyone helps each other?" Starlight doesn't really believe that fact or what NiGHTS is telling her. She seen the Visitor's world, and read in a few books, and even the Visitors helped her confirm that some people don't care for each other and are very sad most of the time and even want to see total strangers get hurt for no reason.
"Yep." NiGHTS chimes happily.
"But why are they so happy?" Starlight wants to know.
"For personal reasons I guess." NiGHTS answers.
"Like what? What could make everyone so happy?" Starlight is frustrate and confuse, and pleads to NiGHTS to explain.
"Well like..." NiGHTS pause for a moment to think, "playing in the snow, and having fun. And spending time with people they care for and don't see much. Like a cousin or grandparent they haven't seen in a long time, and how happy they are to see someone they care for a lot and see how happy they are too. Sometimes they get gifts for each other." NiGHTS closes his eyes and imagines what he described.
Starlight's face flashes many different emotions that NiGHTS doesn't notice because of how satisfy he is with the answer he gave to Starlight. The green maren just hangs her head and her expression darken. "So that's why everyone is so happy now?"
"Yep, pretty much." NiGHTS smiles and opens one of his cat-like eyes but his smile is wipe off his face when he sees Starlight's not so cheerful and gloomy eyes.
"I see..." Starlight says in a depress tone, "Thank you for telling me this." She flys and leaves without another word to NiGHTS.
NiGHTS is perplex. Why is his best friend/possible love interest looks so glum?
NiGHTS decides to go talk with Owl. Being other then him and Owl, to NiGHTS knowing, they are pretty much the only ones that have conversations with her. NiGHTS sees Owl resting on a branch by their home. He is explaining boring facts to a poor female Visitor.
"Owl, can I talk to you for a minute?" NiGHTS floats down to the two.
"Not now NiGHTS, I'm explaining things to a Visitor." Owl says.
"It's alright Owl." The girl says quickly and NiGHTS asks before Owl can counter.
"I was talking with Starlight and she got really sad and left. Do you have any idea why she's so depress?"
"Starlight is sad?" Owl questions, "I don't know what could have made her sad. What did you say to her?"
"She asked me what Christmas was and I told her."
"Be more specific, what exactly did you tell her?"
"I told that Christmas is a time of joy and everyone is happy and celebrates with friends and families." NiGHTS answers.
"Excuse me, but I think I have an idea why your friend is sad." The Visitor from before speaks up. NiGHTS and Owl look to her. She clears her throat. "I think she's sad because of explanation you gave her."
"What?" NiGHTS is stun.
"Well from what I remember Owl saying about her, she has no memory before she came to the Night Dimension and she's kinda of new, correct?" Owl and NiGHTS agree. "So the lack of having a family and being in a strange place would be upsetting." She continues. "If I was in her shoes I'd be pretty upset not even knowing if I have a family or not around the time when they spend time together. I'd feel left out and sad."
NiGHTS is shock and sadden by this. He has just basically made his close friend and possible love interest sad and feel so bad. NiGHTS hangs his head in shame. "I can't believe I did that to her."
"Aw don't be so down, NiGHTS." The Visitor places her hand on NiGHTS' shoulder, trying to comfort the purple maren. "Why don't you go say your sorry and say you'll spend Christmas with her."
"What?" NiGHTS' cheeks turn a light shade of red, "I couldn't possibly. Christmas is for people, who aren't family, are ones that have special feelings for each other. Plus, I have the Visitors and other responsibilities to care of-"
"And since when did you care so much about your responsibilities?" Owl asks in annoyed tone being NiGHTS will run off or say that he was boring him and the Visitors when he is just trying to explain things.
"Yeah, and you and Starlight can take care of the Visitors together. You both have the same responsibilities." The female Visitor backs Owl up. "Plus you owe it to her, making the poor girl so sad." This makes NiGHTS feel even more guilty.
"Alright," NiGHTS reluctantly says. "I'll s-spend Christmas with S-Starlight." NiGHTS cheeks are red.
"Yeah but first you have to find her, lover-boy." The Visitor says with a cheeky smirk and spark of mischief in her eyes.
"Right." NiGHTS turns his head away from the female Visitor, refusing to look at her. His cheeks still contain the same shade of red.
NiGHTS flys off to start his search for the lime green maren. Owl and the Visitor exchanging glances and chuckle and giggle when NiGHTS is out of hearing range.
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Starlight sits in one of the clouds above the Dream Gates. Knees tuck in tight to her chest, just barely giving the blue diamond in her chest a squeeze. The dark look in her eyes that when NiGHTS told her about Christmas still there. She isn't really looking at anything just the Dream Gate with many thoughts in her head occupying her mind.
I don't understand it, not at all. Is Christmas truly a time when everyone is happy and cheerful? Starlight asks this question over and over. Trying to figure out an answer to herself. As I've read in books and, heard from Visitors and, the few times NiGHTS actually took me out to see the Waking World, the world never seemed like it was possible. How does a world even for one or two days like that exist? I guess I'm wrong. No, I am wrong if what NiGHTS said is true. And evidence has showed that he is. The green mare remembers the happy looks and excitement on the Visitors' faces from the last few days. Possibly waiting for their family and loved ones to come see them from NiGHTS' talk. Family... The word rolls around in her mind. Wonder if I have a family, or had. A mom, a dad, a sister or brother; A few pets possibly. I wonder what they look or looked like. Starlight is very confident if she does have a family they might be dead or working for Wizeman, which in her opinion means they're dead to her. Either way, she imagines what her mom looks like. Maybe an older version of herself with different traits. Her father wise and strong with a strange air to him like her, as NiGHTS and Owl said. A little sister, cute as a chine doll with sparkling eyes, or mischief little brother to play or outsmart with. Maybe even an older sibling like NiGHTS and Reala, to tease and hang out with. I wonder what that would be like. Her thoughts got deeper and slightly depressing. Suddenly she realizes something. She shouldn't be mobbing and doubting what she might have. She has friends that care for her and like to see her smile and play with them. But the lagging feeling of sadness still sits in her heart.
She sighs and decides to sing. Singing always makes her feel better, with or without someone listening to her. The green maren thought for a while deciding what she should sing. A song crosses her mind that a Visitor sang once. Starlight remembers lyrics easily so it isn't much of a trouble to remember how the song went and it is a nice song in her opinion. She stands up on the cloud, straighten her clothes from an wrinkles, positions her self to sing properly, closes her eyes and takes in breath.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas...
Is you
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocks
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby...
Oh
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer's click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Ooh baby
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the thing I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me...
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is...
You...
All I want for Christmas is you... baby
All I want for Christmas is you... baby
All I want for Christmas is you... baby
All I want for Christmas is you... baby
Starlight sings her heart out once more except with much different results. Awhile she sings her blue diamond sparkles and flashes different colors and her clothes starts to change. Snow is falling all over the Dream Gates and as she sings louder and with more feeling the lights from her jewel get brighter 'til it covers most of her chest. The snow gets thicker and spreads out into other dream worlds. Her eyes are still closed and she doesn't notice any of these things happening, she continues to sing cheerfully.
Her lime green coat and hat turns into a darker merrier color, the yellow collar that hides her neck and her cuffs are made into a pure white fluffy fur. The yellow sleeves that connect to her collar to her cuffs, a bright red takes over the yellow color. The maren's pants turns a darker green like her coat but slightly darker and the white flower design turns into a bells and holly one, and the zigzag pattern is replace by dark red like her blouse. The girl's sky blue blouse turns a dark red, making her blue diamond stand out more. Her boots are the same shade of green as her coat with stars where her flower use to be and a gold strip replacing the blue on her shoes. Her silver edge along the rim of her hat and diamond, along with the silver rings in front turn to gold, and silver bells hangs from the points of her hat. She still has her white gloves on.
The whole place looks like Christmas just arrive, which isn't far from the truth. The sparkles and flashes disappear and the blue diamond returns to normal.
Starlight opens her lime green eyes and sighs. She feels much better now. Soon she smells something... off. It is very discreet but it is still strong. It is a familiar scent to her, but she can't quite pin point it. Looking down she notices, finally, that it was snowing. Starlight is shock by this.
"Starlight!" A voice shouts to her, she turns her head and sees NiGHTS flying towards her. NiGHTS' clothes are different. His clothes are red and white and still hold there gold and pink. His hat is red with darker red strips and white puff balls on the tips.
"NiGHTS?" Starlight flys closer to NiGHTS and meets him half-way.
"What happened here?" NiGHTS asks, his eyes darting all over the Dream Gates and to Starlight.
"I don't know. I was just up there singing." Starlight points over to where she was.
"I know. I heard you and then it started to snow and I found myself in my Christmas outfit." NiGHTS gestures to his clothes. Then NiGHTS finally notices Starlight's new look. "Erm nice outfit." NiGHTS comments on Starlight's new look and tries to keep the heat from his cheeks rising.
The green maren gives a confused look and looks at her clothes. She gasps and inspects her new wear attire. She turns her head around to look at her back causing the bells to jingling and surprise the girl again. She inspects the bells and shakes them.
Starlight's actions makes NiGHTS laugh a bit. "Forgot, this your first Christmas here." NiGHTS bites back his tongue realizing what he said and why he is here.
Starlight is confuse by all the sudden changes and nods, still inspecting her new threads.
"Look Starlight..." NiGHTS sees that she isn't paying attention to him and to her clothes. NiGHTS stops her by grabbing her shoulders and finally getting her full attention. NiGHTS tries to not get 'rosed cheek' again by having Starlight look right at him. "Look Starlight, I'm sorry I made you feel sad. I never meant to make you feel bad I was just trying to answer you when you asked about Christmas. Please forgive me for making you so sad." NiGHTS asks with a pain look in his eyes.
Starlight smiles warmly at NiGHTS and hugs him. "Of course, NiGHTS. I was confused and very sad, but you were just try to explain things to me. Beside I'm not upset anymore. I'm happy, and a little confuse by these new clothes, but mostly happy." Her smile makes NiGHTS feel better and NiGHTS returns the hug and remembers something else.
"There also another thing I want to tell you." NiGHTS coughs a bit and pulls back his hug enough to look at Starlight. Trying to keep his voice stable, and carefully choose his words. "Since this is your first Christmas here and if you don't have plans I w-want to know if y-you like to spend C-christmas with me." NiGHTS can't find the strength in him to look her in the eye. Starlight gives a puzzled look, thinks and smiles.
"I'd be delight to spend Christmas with you, NiGHTS." Starlight giggles a bit. NiGHTS ends the hug.
"Great!" NiGHTS cheers, "There's tons of stuff we can do." He grabs Starlight's arm and pulls her along. "Come on! Let's go!"
Starlight giggles and flys along with NiGHTS. This Christmas should be fun.
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Thanks for reading this chapter. Yes, I know it's far from Christmas and it's over. But I wrote this as a Christmas special, and I just got stuck and didn't get it finished in time. Oh while. And I also didn't plan to make this a two-parter. It just got really long, really fast and I deiced to make it a two-parter being sitting for a really long is boring. Who knows it might end up being a three-parter. Geez I hope not.
So I'll try to get part two up as soon as I'm done writing it. It should be quite fun.
Picture of Starlgiht in her Christmas outfit: art/Starlight-s-Christmas-outfit-482268298?q=gallery%3Aloppbunneary%2F30334941&qo=0
Any how R&R please.