NiGHTS sighed as she fixed her persona over her face. It was time. NiGHTS looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a fancier version of her regular clothes. (Think JoD) There was silver embroidery on the white sleeves and the pants. Her hat had been taken off, allowing her long silky blonde hair to cascade around her lithe frame. Her persona mask rested snug on her face.
"Beautiful."
NiGHTS turned around to see Reala. He was wearing his better cloths. (Also think JoD) His persona rested on his face.
"You think?" NiGHTS asked spinning in a circle.
"You look fine." Reala said rolling his eyes.
NiGHTS huffed.
"Reala knows I don't like dressing fancy!" NiGHTS thought angrily.
Reala chuckled and flew over to NiGHTS.
"Come on NiGHTS." Reala comforted. "It's only for a night."
NiGHTS sighed and she flew out of the room. Reala rolled his eyes and followed her to Wiseman's throne room. There was a large number of nightmaren already there. The room had been decorated for the celebration.
"NiGHTS!"
NiGHTS and Reala turned around to face Jackle.
"Hey you guys." Jackle said. "How was Frost Forest?"
"Cold." Reala said shivering.
"Cool." Jackle said. "Look guys, I really think we should ditch this party."
"I do to, let's go." NiGHTS said as she began to fly away... before Reala gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back beside him.
"Why?" Reala asked.
"The cards." Jackle said in an ominous voice.
"The cards?" Reala and NiGHTS ask at the same time as they glance warily at each other.
"They have been giving me nothing but bad signs all day." Jackle warned.
Reala rolled his eyes again.
"Jackle." Reala complained. "How many times do I have to remind you that I don't believe in your stupid cards!"
Jackle's eyes went wide and his lower lip began quivering.
Reala looked guilty for a split second before he shook his head.
"I'm sorry." Reala said to the now whimpering Jackle. "I'm just not superstitious, now Master Wiseman's expecting us, we need to go now."
"Ok." Jackle said dejectedly.
Reala nodded his head at the sad orange nightmaren, and then turned his head to NiGHTS. Reala offered his arm out to her and NiGHTS smiled as she took it.
"I don't like fancy parties."NiGHTS thought. "But Reala makes it easier."
The three flew up to a row of small thrones. Reala, NiGHTS and Jackle were Wiseman's favourite nightmaren; all three strong and intelligent... yes even Jackle. (When he's sane) Reala flew and took his seat in the middle of the three small thrones, NiGHTS sat to his right and Jackle to the left.
NiGHTS sighed.
"I really don't want to be here!" NiGHTS complained in her head. She glanced at Reala; he was staring over the nightmaren crowds, apparently thinking.
NiGHTS felt an itch in her head, like something was coming. Something big.
"Reala." NiGHTS said suddenly. "I'm going out for a minute."
"Out?" Reala asked.
"I'll only be a minute." NiGHTS reasoned. "Please?"
"Maybe I should come too." Reala said as he began rising out of his seat.
"No, it's fine." NiGHTS smiled. "I'll be quick, just need some air."
Reala sat back down in his throne as he thought for a moment.
"Fine." Reala said after a moment. "But be back in time for Wiseman's speech... he'll be furious if you miss it."
"Alright." NiGHTS sang as she flew over and gave Reala a peck on the cheek. "Be back soon, promise!"
With that, NiGHTS took off through the nightmaren crowd. Several gave NiGHTS a cheery hello before she zoomed out of their sights. NiGHTS took in a deep breath as she exited the crowded throne room. The night air felt fantastic! It was a beautiful, clear starry night. The moon was almost full. It should be full in three days. NiGHTS loved the full moon, or more specifically, where Reala took her on the full moon.
There was a rare nightopia that only appeared on the full moon, it was lovely. There was a clearing over perfect green grass, under a starry sky with the full moon glowing brightly. And in the middle of the dream world, was a small stone pillar that rose five feet into the air. And on top, was a beautiful rose.
NiGHTS smiled as she remembered the rose. It was pure black, always had some dew on it. It was one of the most beautiful things NiGHTS had ever seen.
NiGHTS's thoughts were interrupted by a violent flash from the throne room.
"What?" NiGHTS gasped. "What was that?"
NiGHTS took off as fast as she possibly could to get to the throne room.
"Reala's still in there!" NiGHTS thought terrified for her mate. "Please, let him be ok."
NiGHTS came bursting into the throne room. Jackle was flinging his cards at a target NiGHTS hoped she would never she again.
"Malice?" NiGHTS gasped.
There, Malice turned towards NiGHTS.
"Hello my dear." Malice said evilly. "Miss me much?"
"Hardly." NiGHTS growled angrily. "Where's Reala?"
"I'm here." Reala said flying down beside NiGHTS. He was holding his arm were blood was pouring down.
"Reala!" NiGHTS gasped. "How? Are you alright?"
NiGHTS flew and began trying to inspect Reala's wound.
"NiGHTS not now!" Reala hissed. "... Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I just got here." NiGHTS said sadly. "How is he here?"
"Why, I'm here because of you." Malice said, throwing Jackle away with a powerful blast. "I told you NiGHTS; the red ideya makes us strong."
"I'm stronger then you are!" NiGHTS shouted angrily.
"How dare he!"NiGHTS thought, furious. "He hurt Reala! He's going to pay!"
With that, NiGHTS dashed at Malice. She summoned the power of the red ideya inside of her to attack.
"NiGHTS wait!" Reala shouted, but NiGHTS chose to ignore him. She couldn't always let Reala protect her, right now, she needed to protect him!
Malice smiled darkly as he ducked, grabbed NiGHTS's wrist and placed his clawed hands on NiGHTS's red gem. NiGHTS felt a sharp pain in her head and her chest.
"I can't breathe." NiGHTS thought as she began falling.
Malice laughed as NiGHTS smashed into the ground. "You should have chosen me NiGHTS. I would be able to keep you safe, unlike your current mate."
NiGHTS heard Reala hiss and she saw him launch himself at Malice. Malice used his power and sent Reala blasting backwards into a pillar.
"You are cursed NiGHTS." Malice said evilly as he turned to face the purple jester. "If you value your safety, you will come to me... before your ideya destroys you from the inside out."
Malice flew down and landed beside the helpless NiGHTS as she glared at him.
"I placed the curse on you." Malice explained. "I can take it away, all I ask is that you fulfill you destiny; all you have to do is join me. You have until the full moon to decide."
With that, Malice dashed upwards. He disappeared and took the large red ideya with him, Wiseman's old prison. This apparently was serving as his prison now.
"NiGHTS?"
NiGHTS heard Reala ask. But she couldn't answer.
"Is she ok?" NiGHTS heard Jackle ask.
"She's alive... but she isn't moving." Reala said.
NiGHTS finally began to feel an icy chill in her chest. Finally she felt air fill her lungs as her eyes came back into focus.
"NiGHTS!" Reala shouted happily. "Are you alright?"
"I'm ok." NiGHTS said quietly. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you later." Reala said. "Wiseman's gone, and you're cursed. We need to find someone who can help us. The only one I can think of is that Owl from the dream gate. I'm taking you there!"
"I'll come to!" Jackle said.
Reala nodded. He picked NiGHTS up bridal style and began flying to the dream gate. NiGHTS tried to get herself comfortable in her mate's arms. She quickly closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.