NiGHTS was in a terrible mood. She was thrilled that Jackle had returned... but her stomach was hurting her. Reala had been staring at her for a while now, or more specifically, at her stomach. She was feeling pain, every time the little brat kicked.

Yep, that's right. NiGHTS is pregnant.

(Author's note: Nightmaren are different from humans with the whole pregnancy thing. They conceive the same way, but they give birth much sooner. Nightopians come together and collide and the eggs form almost immediately. Nightmaren have about a three day carry time, and then they go into labour.)

"This is horrible." NiGHTS thought as she flew. "I can't hide it much longer; my stomach is getting to big! Reala will probably guess what's wrong with me... then what?"

"You ok?" Jackle asked flying in front of NiGHTS suddenly.

"Yep, never better!" NiGHTS said grimacing.

"... You don't look so good?" Reala said concerned.

Reala flew up close and put his hand on NiGHTS's forehead. His eyes narrowed concerned.

"You don't have a fever, but you still don't look so good." Reala said, still concerned for his mate. "Maybe we should stop for awhile."

"No!" NiGHTS shouted. "We need to keep going! We're running out of time."

Reala closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

"Fine, but I'm going to carry you." Reala reasoned.

With that, Reala scooped NiGHTS up in his arms bridal style. NiGHTS sighed and got herself comfortable in Reala's arms and began to dose off.

Jackle stared at the two angrily.

"You alright?" Reala asked. NiGHTS opened her eyes from trying to nap to look at Jackle.

"I-I-I... I think so..." Jackle said his eyes narrowing. He cringed slightly for a minute. Just as NiGHTS was getting out of Reala's arms to check up on Jackle, he snapped out of it.

"Hehe... brain meltdown!" Jackle sang insanely.

Reala rolled his eyes and scooped NiGHTS back up.

NiGHTS gasped as the baby inside of her kicked her inside hard. Reala stopped noticing NiGHTS's discomfort.

"Jackle, could you leave Reala and me alone for awhile?" NiGHTS asked.

Jackle nodded his head and flew off ahead.

"This is going to be tricky." NiGHTS thought. "Reala knows me well, but I can't hide how sick I'm feeling forever... but what about Malice? How can I help fight him with a life inside of me? It's no good; I'm going to have to lie to him."

"What is it NiGHTS?" Reala asked.

"I'm... uh, well... I think I have stomach flu." NiGHTS lied. "It should go away in a few hours, until then, I'll just have to ignore it."

NiGHTS gave her best happy face... Reala stared at her blankly for a moment.

Reala eventually sighed.

"Alright, but if it gets any worse, promise to tell me." Reala compromised.

"I promise!" NiGHTS said happily.

"I also promise to tell you the truth as soon as Malice is gone." NiGHTS thought as she gave Reala a big hug.

"You two done yet?" Jackle shouted back.

"Yes, what is it?" Reala asked annoyed.

"I think I found the door." Jackle said.

"Already?" NiGHTS asked amazed. "But the moon hasn't risen yet... how could the door be showing?"

At this the three Nightmaren looked up into the sky. The hot, unforgiving sun blazed down on the tired nightmaren. It was about midday.

"The door won't open without the moon." Reala said as he thought. "So if we go to the door, we could get some rest."

"Good plan." NiGHTS said panting slightly. Sleep would help.

Jackle nodded his agreement and the three nightmaren flew down to the beautifully engraved doorway. It was extravagant. Pure silver vines wrapped around the beautiful wooden door. The stained glass picture on top showed a gorgeous black rose surrounded by a full moon. However, no handle had yet appeared.

"So tired." NiGHTS complained as she leaned against Reala.

Reala chuckled, rather amused at his mate as he picked NiGHTS up and tucked her into tree roots that formed a mossy bed. Reala crawled in beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist. As the two were about to fall asleep Jackle suddenly broke the serene silence.

"I need to go for a quick walk." Jackle said nervously.

"Be back before the moon rises." Reala warned.

Jackle nodded a quick response and dashed off into the trees. NiGHTS was too tired to care at the moment and she quickly fell asleep.

*Meanwhile*

Jackle half ran half flew as fast as he was able to. He had to get away from Reala and NiGHTS while he still could!

Suddenly his vision went cloudy as his painful head ache returned with a vengeance.

"Give up Jackle." The voice inside his voice whispered cruelly. "Your blue ideya base can't save you, or them."

"No." Jackle panted. "Go away."

"How can I?" The voice taunted. "I'm you."

Jackle shook his head violently. He wouldn't hurt Reala or NiGHTS!

"NiGHTS doesn't have to get hurt." The voice said gently. "In fact, it's best she doesn't get harmed. And Reala doesn't have to get hurt either. All you have to do... is grab NiGHTS and bring her back to Nightmare."

"No, I won't give in to Malice!" Jackle said furiously. "I won't take NiGHTS! So give it up!"

"I have control of your mind." The voice said angrily. "You can't escape me; I hear your every thought! Now... you will turn around and fly back to your friends."

Jackle began to feel an intense migraine hit his head. Dark power also entered his body. His eyes began to lose focus, and he began laughing heartily as if he had heard a good joke.

Maybe he is insane.

*Later*

NiGHTS opened her eyes. There was Reala flying from tree to tree picking some fruit. Jackle was shuffling his cards, doing insane tricks that weren't even possible.

Reala turned around and his eyes fell on NiGHTS.

"You're up!" Reala said happily. "Just in time, the moon's going to rise in a couple minutes... how are you feeling?"

NiGHTS got up slowly and glanced at her tummy. It was huge.

"It's better." NiGHTS fibbed.

Reala's eyes narrowed and he flew down. He put another hand on her forehead to take her temperature. He muttered a bit as he thought.

"Hey are there any cherries?" NiGHTS asked in oblivion. "I'm really craving them right now...oops."

NiGHTS realised she had made a mistake as Reala's eyes went wide.

"Cravings?" Reala asked angrily. "Tired? Stomach hurts! NiGHTS are you pregnant!"

Leaving it there! It's a cliff hanger. Now in my opinion, sequels are never as good as the first story. So I would be happy if you reviewed telling me which one you like better so far.

Read and Review.