Starlight flies around Nightopia. Christmas is already over but it is still snowing in Nightopia as the Visitors in the Waking World get ready for the next holiday: New Year's Eve. But the last day of the year is less then a week away, specifically 4 days away. Starlight is still in her Christmas clothes. She decides to keep them on until all the holiday snow in Nightopia is gone. Starlight is flying though the branches and circling tree trunks in the snow covered trees at the moment.
An odd sound reaches Starlight's ears and Starlight looks down. She sees something shift in the snow below. The dark green maren tries to make out the form. 'It doesn't look like a nightopian or nightmaren.' Starlight thinks to herself, staring down at the creature with one hand on her chin.
The creature continues to shift and move in the snow. Soon more things start moving in the snow that Starlight can't tell what there are. They make some odd noises too. To Starlight the noises sound close to whimpers. Quickly, the creatures shake the snow off of them.
Starlight can now fully see the creatures in the snow. One looks like a hedgehog but with a pointy nose and instead of quills it has a smooth back that is blue with six red spots. Another one is hard to describe, it looks like a small child but it eyes are bigger than normal and its skin is pitch black. Starlight can't see its whole form because it is covered with some kind of clothing. One other can be compare to a dog but it is standing on its back paws and its fur is blue and black, Starlight can't tell if it's been out in the snow so long it changed its fur color. Its ears are shaped oddly and it has a gold ring around its neck and white bumps on its forearms and it has red eyes. The last one looks like a child too but doesn't have a cover on, it looks like it's wearing a white dress with green stockings but its face is the same color of the dress and its "hair" is the same color of the stockings. It also has two reddish pink blades on its head and big pink eyes. Starlight notices the green and white one, which looks somewhat like a ballerina, is holding two red and white balls with a black stripe around them.
Starlight can easily see that these odd creatures are very confused and scared. Starlight slowly flies down to them. When the creatures see Starlight they jump and prepare to attack. Starlight sees this and curtsies as low as she can. The creatures are taken back by this but continue to stand their ground.
"I am not here to harm you." Starlight says in a calm and slow manner. Making sure she makes eye contact as she says this. She learns this when the kids she sometimes meet are afraid of her. This way always calms them down or at least make them less edgy.
It works. The creatures lower their arms and whatever attack they were going to use on Starlight. But they are still nervous and are prepare to attack if she tries to pull a fast one on them. Starlight rises from her curtsy slowly and stands up. The creatures don't budge.
"Who are you?" Starlight asks in calm tone again.
The creatures make different sounds and Starlight can't understand any of them. Starlight gives a confused look at the group. The blue hedgehog sees this and pulls a tag that is around its neck. Starlight bends down to read the tag.
"'Flames'" Starlight says as she reads the tag.
The one that is covering almost all its body with a strange shall walks forward. It sticks out its hand and shows a tag around its wrist. Starlight reads the tag.
"'Snow Storm'"
Next the blue and black dog walks up to Starlight. It sticks its arm out too and shows a tag around its arm as well. Starlight lifts the paw up to read the tag better.
"'Rapture'"
The green and white ballerina finally walks up to the rest of the group. The ballerina pulls out a locket and shows the back of the locket. Starlight squints to read the back of the locket.
"'Vannala'"
Starlight sees the creatures are calmer now. Starlight remembers now of something Owl told her once. Creatures like animals can accompany Visitors to the Waking World. This is so when the creature and Visitor have a deep connection. Their dream world is altered between the two. The pair, or in this case group, always stick together. But where is the Visitor?
"Can you tell me where your owner is?" Starlight asks, looking at the four creatures. The creatures get upset when the Starlight asks this. Starlight now notices that the creatures have small cuts and bruises. Starlight is unease by this.
When the pair is separated, the creature doesn't know how to get back to the Waking World. The creature, or creatures, are lost and can't return home without their companion. That is why they are always together. When the pair case happens nightmarens go after the Visitor because their ideya is stronger. Leaving the animal partner behind and trap in Nightopia until the Visitor comes back.
"Did something attack your owner and they disappeared?" Starlight asks to confirm what she thought.
They all nod.
Starlight wants to scream. A nightmaren actually found the group and attacked them and stole the Visitor's ideya. Making the creatures trap in Nightopia. They obviously tried to protect their owner. Starlight wants to get back at the nightmaren that took the ideya and trapped these scared creatures. So why doesn't she?
"I'm going to take you back to your owner." Starlight says petting the blue hedgehog. This made the group more untroubled and cheerful. "But I need you to stay here so I can get back what was stolen from your owner." The creatures aren't cheerful anymore when Starlight says this and shout in their weird language. "You can't come with me. I can't carry all of you and I don't want you falling into Nightmare." Vannala jumps up in front with a smile and holds out more than the two balls she already has. The others smile too. Starlight is confused.
Rapture points at the balls in Vannala's arms. The blue and black dog pokes the ball. The ball opens up and bright red light comes out and surrounds Rapture. The red light goes back in ball and the ball closes with Rapture gone.
"W-where did Rapture go?" Starlight asks, frighten of where Rapture went.
Vannala giggles at Starlight. The green and white ballerina throws the ball Rapture poked. The ball opens up in midair and the red light comes out again. Rapture comes out of the red and white ball and the ball goes back to Vannala.
Starlight is bemused by this turn of events and turns to the others. "Let me get this straight, red light comes out of the balls and suck you guys up and let's you out when they're thrown?" The group nods their heads.
Then the creatures take a ball from Vannala and poke them. The balls suck them up with the red light and they are all gone. The balls then get smaller to the size of a marbles.
Starlight stands there shocked. 'Learn new things every day.' Starlight thinks to herself, bombshell. She picks all the balls up and puts them in her pocket. She makes sure she has all the balls before flying back up in the air and in the direction of Nightmare.
It takes Starlight 30 minutes to get there. As she leaves the Dream Gates she starts to hear screaming. These are the screams of the Visitors who have lost all their ideya a long time ago. Starlight feels chills racking her whole being as she gets closer to Nightmare. The dark green 'maren finally reaches the edge of Nightmare.
Starlight looks at all the nightmare's personal worlds. Starlight doesn't know which nightmarens are holding the ideya. She has to guess and let her own blue ideya shard lead the way. She goes through the worlds carefully as not to attract attention. Starlight doesn't want Wizeman and the whole nightmare army to know that she's here.
The first world she gets a strong pull is similar to swamp. The water is a dark purple gunk that bubbles up and smells awful. The trees are dead and hollow and are being swallowed up by the water. The logs that float on the water are slowly being swallowed like the water is acid, which Starlight didn't doubt is true. The sky is pitch-black with no light as Starlight looks around looking for the boss. A huge monster made of the dark purple gunk and seaweed rises out the water. It doesn't have eyes.
Starlight dodges a swipe from the monster. The monster tries to take a few swipes at Starlight before roaring and spitting out the dark purple gunk. Starlight avoids the gunk. Starlight tries to think of plan. She can't drill dash it without the gunk burning her so paralooping will have to be her best bet. Starlight circles around the monster waiting to put her plan into action. The monster raises more from the water and Starlight can see three ugly roots sticking out. Starlight goes for one root and paraloops it. The monster howls and Starlight can tell that it did some damage to the monster. The monster sinks back into the water, hiding its roots. Starlight prepares to dodge another attack from the monster. The monster misses Starlight and spits more gunk at her. The monster rises from the water again and Starlight goes for another root. The monster howls again when Starlight paraloops its root and sinks back into water. Starlight circles around waiting for the monster's attack and to rise up again. The monster takes swipe at Starlight and throws and log at her but Starlight dodges it. The monster roars and rises out of water again. Starlight paraloops the last root and the monster let's out a long howl and disappears. The monster is gone and Starlight sees a yellow shining ball, the ideya of hope. Starlight takes the ideya and places it in her other pocket. She leaves this world looks for the next ideya.
The second world where she gets a strong pull looks like the inside of clock. There are gears turning all around Starlight. The ticking is bit soothing to Starlight. There are many bells as there are gears. Starlight looks at all the different gears and mechanisms that belong in different clocks. As Starlight looks for the boss of this world she sees a huge gaping hole in ground. As Starlight circles the hole a big bird comes out of the hole standing on metal stick like cock-cock clock. The bird is 10 times bigger than any monster bird Goodles Starlight has seen. The bird is colorful like a peacock and wears a purple top hat and an orange and red waistcoat. A monocle is over its left eye. Gears and other mechanical things spill out the bird's pockets. The bird doesn't appear to be mechanical. The bird spreads its wings out and mechanical people that you see in special clocks come out of the hole attached to thin metal wires.
The bird squawks loudly and one the mechanical people throws a knife at Starlight. Starlight dodges the knife. The bird throws sharp clock hand at Starlight. Starlight moves out the way but it cuts her coat. Starlight circles the bird, trying to find an angle to drill dash the bird. A mechanical person rushes at Starlight. Starlight dodges the mechanical person and the thin wire. Another mechanical person throws an axe before Starlight can get close to the bird. The bird slings a sharp metal gear that barely misses Starlight. Starlight weaves though the thin wires and dodges the attacks from both the mechanical people and bird. When Starlight gets close enough to the big bird she drill dashes the bird. The bird falls off the platform and is in too shock to fly and falls into the hole. When the bird falls into the hole and can't be seen anymore the mechanical people fall to the ground. As soon as the bird is gone and along with the mechanical people the blue ideya of intelligence appears on the platform the bird was on. Starlight flies over to the blue ideya and places it in her pocket with the yellow ideya. Starlight leaves this clock world and looks for the next ideya.
The third world is that of a decaying forest. The tall trees that block the sky view are sickly green. The grass is gray and looks like a little breeze can break the grass blades. The leafs are brown or gray with holes in them. As Starlight flies she hears a loud thumbing. Starlight stops flying and hovers in place as the thumbing gets closer, shaking the trees. Starlight sees what looks like a giant hedgehog made of dead tree parts, moss, and deadly looking mushrooms. Its eyes are blacks. There is a dark red gem on its forehead.
The beast roars and vines shoot up from the ground. The vines reach up to smack Starlight while other vines cover the dark gem on the beast's forehead. Starlight weaves though the vines to get closer to the giant hedgehog. One of the vines hits Starlight when she gets to close, making Starlight rail back with a cry. As Starlight flies up to look for another chance to attack, the plants on the beast's back spits out poisonous gas. Starlight covers her mouth and flies higher so she doesn't breathe the gas. But when the beast leashes the gas the vines retreat. Starlight drives down, avoiding the gas, and drill dashes the dark red gem. The beast yelps and shakes its head. Starlight does this two more times and the beast lets out a long howl instead of a yelp. The gem cracks and breaks apart from the attack. The beast disappears into the ground and the green ideya of growth takes the beast's place. Starlight flies over to the green ideya and places it in her pocket with the others. Starlight vacates the world and looks for the next place.
The fourth world is looks to be a Visitor's graveyard. Tombstones as far as Starlight can see. There are skulls and bones littered across the ground and the tombstones. There are a couple of monuments and angel memorials but the angel ones are distorted. The angel's arms are missing or parts of their skeleton are showing or their wings don't have feathers or flesh but all of them have their eyes gone and black gunk spills out. A ghost that looks like a fallen angel appears in front of Starlight. Starlight rails back.
The ghost smiles and howls in disorder laughter. Starlight can feel the chills running down her spin again. The bones start moving. The bones stack on top of each other and tower high up with boney hands on top with razor sharp claws. The towers of bones wave about trying to get Starlight. Starlight nimbly dodges the claws and tries to avoid getting hit. All the while the ghost continues to laugh. Starlight paraloops the tower of bones that tries to hit her. There are so many towers that it is very hard for Starlight to move. Starlight paraloops more of the towers of bones in the direction the ghost is. The ghost is so busy laughing it doesn't notice Starlight is coming its way. Starlight paraloops the ghost before it notices. The ghost yelps and disappears and later appears in another place. Starlight hurries over to the ghost again and the ghost resumes laughing again. Starlight does the same thing over again two times. The ghost screams from Starlight's last attack and fades away. The red ideya of courage materializes in front of Starlight. Starlight takes the ideya and places it in her pocket.
'Now all I need is one more.' Starlight thinks to herself. Starlight leaves this dead zone.
Starlight flies around before feeling the strong pull again and the ideya in her pocket getting warmer. She goes in the direction where the pull gets stronger. But when she arrives outside the world where the last ideya she needs is, she stops. 'That place feels familiar.' Starlight thinks confused. Starlight's ideya shard feels stronger and the ideya in her pocket feel like that they trying to pull her in. Starlight goes into the world but still feels this odd familiar feeling like it's just on the tip of her tongue.
Starlight looks around the world and realizes this odd familiar feeling. 'This can't be right.' Starlight thinks to herself, shaking her head in disbelieve. 'There must be some mistake.'
The world is similar to a big toy box and shaped like room. The walls are yellow and blue with diamonds, hearts, clubs, and spades with orange curtains hang on the walls. The floor is the same pattern as the wall but smaller. There are dolls and toys scattered across the floor but they are either broken or look discord. There is a huge jack-in-the-box sitting in the middle of the room. It's big enough to hide in. There are knifes and other torture machines that lye on the floor with the dolls and toys. Off to one side of the room is guillotine with dry blood caked on.
'There has to be mistake.' Starlight begs in her mind. But her ideya shard and the ideya in her pocket tell her this is where the last ideya she needs is. 'This can't be right.'
"Hello Starlight." An emotionless voice greets Starlight.
Starlight whirls around to see Jackle a few feet behind her. "Jackle," Starlight stutters in a whisper, "There has to be mistake." The mad gambler continues to look at Starlight with a sad look in his eyes. "You can't have the white ideya I need."
Jackle sticks his hand into his mantle and pulls out the ideya of purity. Starlight's shard gives a soft glow and the ideya in her pocket give a soft tug. "This is it, right?" Jackle says showing the ideya out to Starlight. Starlight wants to cry but the tears won't come out.
"I don't want to fight you, Jackle." Starlight says in sad voice. "Please Jackle just give me the ideya."
"I don't want to face Wizeman's wrath." Jackle says putting the ideya back in his mantle. "Wizeman knows your here." Starlight stops cold at this. "He thought it was NiGHTS that was taking the ideya that was caught not long ago. He noticed when the cock-cock bird was destroyed."
Starlight wants to cry so badly but the tears deny to shed. She just watches Jackle and pleads to him to give her the ideya. But Jackle tells Starlight no and even tells Starlight to give him the ideya and go home. Starlight tells Jackle she can't. The dark green Maren explains to the mantle one about the situation. Jackle understand this well but he still refuses to give Starlight the ideya. Starlight tries to breathe but the best she can do she is shallow hard.
"If you don't hand over the ideya Starlight," Jackle says. "I'll take it by force."
Starlight stares at Jackle with her sad eyes. She doesn't make a move indicating that she is going to giving the ideya to Jackle or fight Jackle. Jackle sighs lowly at this. He pulls out one of his razor sharp tarot cards and throws it at Starlight. Starlight pulls out of sad state and tires to dodge the card. But the card cuts through Starlight's coat and shirt and cuts her arm.
The dark green 'maren hiss from the pain. She looks at the orange one in disbelieve. The orange one holds a solemn gaze as he takes out more of his tarot cards. Starlight takes in a sharp breathe.
Jackle throws more of his tarot cards at Starlight. Starlight barley avoids Jackle's assault. The attacks get harder for Starlight to dodge as Starlight tries to hold back any tears that will blur her vision.
How could Jackle do this to her? Is he more afraid of Wizeman then he cares for Starlight? The dark green 'maren knows how frightful and cruel Wizeman can be. But is Jackle more afraid of being mark a traitor then being Starlight's friend?
As for what's going in Jackle mind is this; Jackle does care for Starlight a great deal. She is the only one that helped him when he was badly injured and asked to be his friend. The young green maren is like a sister to Jackle. Jackle thought of plan when he threw the first attack. After Jackle knocks out Starlight, Jackle will take the ideya Starlight collected and give them to Wizeman. Jackle will tell Wizeman it was NiGHTS. If Jackle tells him that it was Starlight, Starlight will be killed. After he gives Wizeman the ideya, Jackle will take Starlight back to her home in Nightopia.
Starlight and Jackle continue their dance of battle.
Jackle throws another tarot card that cuts Starlight. She gasps from the sting of the cut. Jackle flinch in guilt for hurting her but he had to do this. Starlight makes some space between her Jackle as she cradles her wound and thinks of another plan to get the Ideya. Jackle advances at her and Starlight draws back and manages to dodge Jackle's attacks.
Starlight feels the pain of the cut becoming more painful for her. She feels the worry of not succeeding and the creatures being trap here forever. The weight of guilt of failing the Visitor and them never coming back. The sadness of the creatures never seeing their owner and friend. The depression of the Visitor would feel of their creatures and best friends never waking up and being with them.
All these feelings swirling in Starlight like a hurricane. Tears brim at the edge of Starlight eyes. Starlight's blue crystal flashes many colors and sparks fly from the crystal. I'm sorry Jackle. Starlight thinks with a heave heart. Jackle watches all this happen before his eyes in awe and confusion. Before Jackle can think, Starlight flies up to Jackle and paraloops him. When Starlight paraloops Jackle a bright multi colored light flashes. Jackle drops to the ground like a rag doll.
Starlight floats down to Jackle. She has just torn off his mantel. Kneeling down to the floor, Starlight checks Jackle in fear that she seriously hurt him. Jackle isn't seriously hurt, Starlight can see this but, Starlight did do a number on him. Starlight knocked Jackle out. Starlight cries of sadness or relief, she can't tell; Sadden that she hurt her friend or that he is okay.
"I'm sorry Jackle." Starlight whispers as she bows her head to the unconscious Jackle.
Looking up, Starlight sees the white ideya, the ideya of purity. Starlight takes the ideya and places it in her pocket along with others. She has all the ideya of the Visitor. Starlight leaves Jackle's room the way she came and leaves Nightmare.
She goes through the Dream Gate and into the Waking World. The harsh wind almost blows Starlight off the clock tower. Starlight shudders at the cold air. It is still winter in the Waking World.
Taking a deep breath, Starlight starts her search for the Visitor. Starlight uses the ideya as a compass. The ideya leads her far, far away from Bellbridge and to a small town. Slowly melting snow covers the ground and roofs. Frost on the windows blocks what's inside. The ideya leads Starlight to a window of a two store house yellow house with a black roof. Starlight wipes some of the frost off the window. She peeks though the window and sees a room with young boy sleeping in bed.
Starlight makes her dust slip though the window and unlock it. Pushing up the window, Starlight slips into the room. Tip-toeing across the room, Starlight walks next to the boy. The ideya in Starlight's pocket is burning. The dark green nightmaren takes the ideya out of her pocket. The ideya shine so bright Starlight has to look away or she will go blind. All of the ideya softly floats down and disappears into the boy's chest. She takes the red and white balls in her other pocket out and place them next to the Visitor. Starlight smiles at the Visitor and brushes a few strands of hazel hair out of his face. She sees a faint smile grace the Visitor lips.
"Color me surprised. I thought NiGHTS was the one who defeated 5 second-level nightmaren in one night."
Starlight swirls around hearing that familiar voice. Behind Starlight is Reala. Reala is in his normal attire. He didn't want to wear his Christmas clothes any longer then he had to. His hands are on his hips.
"R-Reala." Starlight stutters out in shock.
"Why did you save this Visitor?" Reala asks looking from the visitor back to Starlight. "I thought you only liked the little ones."
"I-I had to." Starlight tries to control her voice. "This Visitor is connected to these creatures. If I didn't return the ideya and the creatures they would have been trap in Nightopia forever!"
"I don't see a problem." Reala shrugs. Starlight tries to glare at Reala but it looks like a cute pout to Reala. "Anyway I'll be taking back the ideya you stole from us." Reala says and starts to walk over to the sleeping Visitor but Starlight stands in front of the Visitor with her arms spread out.
"I can't let you do that." Starlight says.
Reala quickly shoots his hand out and tries to grab Starlight's arm. But Starlight quickly moves and punches Reala in the chest. The hit doesn't hurt Reala because of his armor. Starlight let's out a hiss of pain and shakes the hand she punched Reala's armor with. Reala uses this to grab Starlight's arms and twist them around and pin them behind Starlight's back. Starlight panics at this and back kicks at Reala's leg. Reala let's Starlight go when she kicks him. The female 'maren casts a glance at the sleeping Visitor. Starlight let's her dust slip from her palms and makes the dust surround Reala and push him out the window. Reala is shocked to say the least as he watches Starlight manipulate her dust and push him out the window.
Starlight sprints over to the window and jumps out of the window, using a small bit of her dust to lock the window behind her. Landing softly on the snow, Starlight gets into a fighting stance and has her dust circle around her.
The nightmaren general wants to ask Starlight how she is able to control her sparkle dust like that but he will have to ask her that after the fight. Reala gets into a fighting stance too. He flies at Starlight with his drill dash. Normally, he and NiGHTS will use exploding bubbles to fight. But Reala is fighting Starlight and can't use the bubbles at the moment. So Reala is fighting the way he used to when NiGHTS battled with Claris and Elliot.
Starlight is quick and dodges Reala, her dust circling around her. The green 'maren dodges another attack from Reala. When Reala comes at her with another attack Starlight blocks the attack with her dust and counter attacks with a punch, hitting Reala in the side. Starlight paraloops Reala. Reala gasp out in pain from being hit. Making some distant between her and Reala, Starlight formulate a plan. A red and black streak is all Starlight sees before getting hit by Reala's drill dash. Starlight makes her dust into a sledgehammer and slings it down on Reala. But Reala dodges this and comes at Starlight again. Starlight jumps back, trying to make some space, and using her dust to make a shield from Reala's attacks. With the onslaught of attacks, Starlight can't think of a plan. Reala shows he is truly a first-level nightmaren and devises the title of general.
The fight continues for sometime. Reala does most of the attacking, leaving Starlight defending or counter attacking at some points. Starlight does land a couple of good hits on Reala but using her dust and fighting for a long time without stopping is wearing her down. The general of nightmaren does admit that the green nightmaren is very strong to hold out for so long in a fight with him and land a couple of good attacks on him; the green nightmaren would be a great addition to their army but she needs to lose her kindness and merciful traits to live in Nightmare. But Reala knows she is not strong enough to the beat him.
Suddenly Reala gets hit in the head with a snowball.
"Picking a fight with a girl, Reala? Now that's low but I guess that's to be expected of you," NiGHTS says with a grin on his face and holding another snowball in hand, catching Reala's attention.
"NiGHTS?!" Starlight and Reala say at the sometime.
Said nightmaren flies down, attacks Reala and then flies next to Starlight. Starlight is surprised to see NiGHTS. How did he find her? Did he know about the ideya and the special Visitor?
"You okay, Starlight?" NiGHTS asks with his eyes on Reala.
"I'm okay." Starlight says, pushing those thoughts to the back of her head, and smiles.
NiGHTS and Starlight get into fighting stances. Reala doesn't have much time to think when NiGHTS and Starlight come at him. NiGHTS paraloops Reala. Reala staggers back from the attack and isn't prepare for Starlight to drill dash him. She nails Reala square in the shoulders. Reala growls out in pain and anger. Reala drill dashes NiGHTS but as NiGHTS moves out of the way Reala changes directions and punches NiGHTS in face. NiGHTS is dizzy from the hit. Reala uses the moment to driver an onslaught of attacks on NiGHTS. But before Reala can do this Starlight attack with drill dash and pushes him away from NiGHTS. Reala is taken back by Starlight's attack. The green 'maren then kicks Reala in the side but Reala grabs Starlight's foot and swings Starlight against the Visitor's houses. Starlight let's out yelp in pain. NiGHTS is no longer dizzy from the hit but is now mad at Reala for swinging Starlight around. NiGHTS comes at Reala and Reala moves out of the way and prepares to counterattack.
Starlight shakes the snow off her head as she gets up. She watches NiGHTS and Reala fight each other waiting for her chance to strike. NiGHTS and Reala fight for a long time before Starlight sees an opening and paraloops Reala. Reala let's out a groan of pain and falls to the snow covered ground, panting. The red and black nightmare general has no more strength left to fight. NiGHTS paraloops Reala, sending Reala back to Nightmare.
Once Reala is gone, NiGHTS flies back to Starlight.
"You okay?" NiGHTS asks with concern look.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." Starlight says with a smile.
NiGHTS wraps his arms around Starlight in a tight hug. NiGHTS was very upset when he saw Reala and Starlight fighting. He knows Starlight can't beat Reala on her own. NiGHTS is very happy that she is safe. Starlight is surprised by the hug but hugs NiGHTS back. She always loves the hugs NiGHTS gives her. The two stops hugging.
"Come on, let's head back to Nightopia," NiGHTS says.
Starlight nods and takes to the air slowly. NiGHTS sees this and grabs Starlight's hand and wraps his arm around her waist helping Starlight fly better. Starlight is shock by NiGHTS' actions but let's NiGHTS guides her and help her fly. The young 'maren had fight the nightmare general much longer than the older one.
NiGHTS and Starlight head back to the portal on the Bellbridge clock tower. After going to through the portal, NiGHTS asks Starlight if she'd like to stay at his and Owl's home for night. Starlight agrees because she doesn't want to sleep alone for some reason, even she doesn't know. NiGHTS takes Starlight into his home and the two share NiGHTS' bed and fall asleep.
In Wizeman's throne room
Reala and Jackle bow their heads as they kneel before their master. Jackle regained conscious not long ago and Reala returned not so long ago either. Both nightmaren fear what their master is going to do to them for failing.
"Care to explain what happen?" Wizeman says in irritated tone. The eyes on his hands turning red.
Reala doesn't know to say. He is completely stuck on exactly what to tell Wizeman. That when he followed the energy trail from the ideya that he found Starlight instead of NiGHTS? That he failed in stopping her return the ideya to the Visitor? That NiGHTS and Starlight beat him? No, Wizeman already knows all this and will punish Reala for this.
Jackle is the first to speak. "You see Master Wizeman," Jackle gets Wizeman's attention as he talks; "Starlight helped NiGHTS gather the ideya. I believe NiGHTS beaten the first four and gave Starlight the ideya and the battle with me because NiGHTS was too tired to continue fighting." Jackle lies through his teeth, hoping Wizeman and Reala bought it.
"Continue..." Wizeman says, buying it so far.
"When Starlight finished me off, she was shining and the last attack did a lot more than I expected." Jackle says.
Wizeman stared at Jackle with three of his hands, peering down on him and not saying anything. The other three were on Reala.
"Master Wizeman." Reala gets Wizeman's attention. "I have notice it myself, master. Starlight has performed many things that are hard to explain. I've been up close to Starlight and saw something strange in the diamond on her chest." Reala licks his lips and continues, "Starlight's behavior is far from nightmaren's usual behavior. Even in NiGHTS' case."
There was a long silent moment after Reala finishes telling Wizeman what he knows on the subject on them. Wizeman continues to remain silent, staring down at the two. The silence is too long in Jackle and Reala's opinion. They can't tell if Wizeman is deep in thought or if he is expecting them to say anything else. Reala decides to speak up again.
"Master," Reala says having Wizeman recognize him as the speaker. "What is Starlight?"
After a long pause, Wizeman sighs and pulls his hands back from Jackle and Reala. "It is a long story." Wizeman says in his booming voice. "But I suppose I should tell now before something like this happens again."
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
"Do not speak of this matter to anyone else." Wizeman says as he dismisses Reala and Jackle. "Or the punishment will be worst than anything you could ever imaged." Wizeman closes the huge doors behind Jackle and Reala.
The mad gambler and nightmare general stand there, shaken to their cores; Eyes open wide and pupils smaller than normal. Their limbs are slightly trembling. Breathe harsh and stiff.
"I never thought Wizeman could do something like that." Jackle says in cracked voice.
"Neither did I." Reala says in hashed tone.
"To think that something like that happened and no one knew about." Jackle says.
"Yes and it will stay that way forever until master Wizeman decides to ever tell others what occurred long ago." Reala says in much harsher tone and glares at Jackle. "I will not be punished for something you do."
"I won't tell anyone." Jackle says, glaring back at Reala. "From what master said it will most likely be a painful death sentence."
Reala flinches at the thought of Wizeman killing him in a most painful way. Reala let's out a heavy breath and turns away from the large, orange nightmaren and down a hallway. "I have important business to return to." Reala says this as he flies down the hall slowly, leaving Jackle alone in front of Wizeman door.
Jackle watches Reala leave and goes down another hall. Besides, if I tell her it will destroy her. Jackle think to himself going back to his room to clean up with heavy thought clouding his mind of Starlight's happy smile and it breaking with tears stream down her face.