A/N: Sorry for the wait, my excuse is: my internet won't let me submit the file. So I've submitted it at school.

NiGHTS: Back to Earth

Actuality 6

Wizeman had been noticing that his main first rank Nightmaren hadn't been around in a while. Yet then again, he hadn't been hearing about NiGHTS stepping in to destroy his plans either. The only thing that Wizeman would assume was that Reala was taken to the Waking World along with NiGHTS. Without Reala his Ideya progression went at a standstill.

All that Wizeman could do was to call his other first rank Nightmaren, "Jackle!"

The invisible orange Nightmaren had appeared. He had bowed down to his master, "yes master?"

"I need to…receive your Waking Watcher," Wizeman commanded, "I sense that Reala is in the Waking World."

"Speaking of Reala," Jackle answered, "I think it's in his room."

Curiously had spread in Wizeman's mind, "and why is it in Reala's room?"

Jackle knew the answer to that one, and he was sure about it, "Reala's been obsessing with the Waking World for years now." Jackle paused; he added something "it seems to be tuned to one visitor."

"And the visitor would be?"

"Hmm, well, I can't recall," Jackle stood up then began to ponder, "some orange head, definitely of the female gender."

Wizeman remembered an orange haired girl before when he was once in the Waking World, with the intentions to rule it himself, "Pamela?"

"Umm, no," Jackle was still thinking, "It's very similar, ended with a Y."

That was when Wizeman grew impatient, not angry or displeased as usual, just impatient, "just receive the Waking Watcher!"

"Yes master," Jackle went back into a bow then faded away.

Somehow, Wizeman already knew that there would be chaos in the Waking World where NiGHTS and Reala were.

Pammy just wanted to scream, could the second clock tick any slower? The last day of school was always like that. She was about to go as crazy as Jackle if the clock ticks any more slowly. When the bell had fianally rung, she got up then yelled, "Yes!"

Will, who was in her homeroom class, had noticed her scream of joy. He approached Pammy, "excited?"

"Well you know, last day of school," Pammy confirmed, then added, "and my first date with Devin since we came back together again!"

Will nodded, "yep, and Helen told me that it's a double date."

"Yep, let's find Devin and Helen," Pammy fled out of the room with full excitement.

When the four came out of the school building, they came to know that they had two surprise guests with the names of Nicholas and Ren. They hung out at the end of the front stairs, as they waited for their hosts to arrive.

Helen just looked at them with full astonishment, "Nicholas, Ren? How did you get here?" Helen had the rights to ask that, the school was far from Helen's house for anyone who couldn't drive, the only way they would had made it was if they took the train, in which they had no money to buy any tickets.

"We took the train here," Nicholas explained, "I remembered what stop to get off at from three years ago."

"Okay," Helen nodded, but was still wondering: "where did you get the money to buy the train tickets?"

"We took your emergency money Madeline told us about," Ren explained to Helen. He gave her a grim smile; he knew this was a sinful thing to do.

"Well," Helen hesitated for a second; she really didn't want to say this "isn't that money used for emergencies?"

"Boredom is an emergency," Ren talked back at Helen.

Pammy was very upset that both Nicholas and Ren coming to school when she was about to have a date with Devin, "can't you afford to get back? We're going to have a double date at the park."

Ren just gave Pammy a look, "date?" he asked slyly.

"Yeah, a date," Pammy had spoken, "isn't that what couples do?"

Seriously, Ren didn't know a thing about Devin and Pammy getting back together, "couples?" continued with the sly one worded questions.

"Ren, can you stop with the one worded questions?" Nicholas asked, "It is quite factual that Devin and Pammy are together again. I bet you would have known with that Waking Watcher of yours if you haven't sent us here!"

"It's not mine its Jackle's; also I wouldn't know because I don't check it often." Ren hissed. He hated it when anyone mentioned his obsession, in which it wasn't an obsession at all in Ren's point of view.

"Can you please stop," Pammy cried, still aggravated about Reala watching her for the past three years, "you can fight when you get to Helen's house."

"I think not my dear," Ren grinned a sharp grin, "we're coming with you if you like it or not! We waited two hours for you to come, and we are coming with you."

"Ren," Nicholas had spoken out, he knew that Reala was the odd one out in a love triangle, if he could admit it or not, but it was still not excuse to disturb the two, "you know that dates are special and…."

"Shut up Nicholas."

After Will had set up the blanket, Helen gave Devin and Pammy two tuna salad sandwiches. "Will and I will give one half of ours to Ren and Nicholas."

"Oh no, allow us," said Pammy.

It was already too late, Ren already had taken a bite to Will's sandwich, "needs more pickles."

Helen was just offended by Ren's comment, especially since he was too scared to make food himself, "I didn't use pickles; I've used celery!"

"No wonder," Ren took another bite.

That was when the six were approached by someone. Someone who was a friend of Helen's and Pammy's, it was Joy. She winked at them as she tilted her knitted white hat, "Hi there, enjoying the lovely day?"

"Yes we are," said Helen, "winter seems to be finally over!"

"So, Ren, Nicholas, I have been hearing from Helen and Pammy about your problem," Joy began, "I also know that you need Artificial Ideya to enter the Dream World again."

"Cut to the chase," Ren looked at the girl, "do you have an Artificial Ideya or not?"

"Well, no," Joy said disappointedly, "but I found out about a beauty pageant that is giving away a gift basket with an Artificial Ideya in it for the winner." Joy gave Pammy a flyer with the information.

"Good," said Ren, "so you three would have to enter to…."

"Um, this isn't a beauty pageant for girls, it's for boys," Joy explained, "so Will, Devin, and you guys will have to enter." Joy smiled with excitement, "I've already made dresses for you!"

"Wait just a second," Devin defended himself, "I am not going to immaculate myself by wearing a dress."

"Actually, Joy, I feel the same way," Will admitted, "sorry."

"Well, Ren and I are technically genderless, so we wouldn't care what we wear," Nicholas explained, "so we would both be happy to enter the pageant!"

Ren finished up his sandwich, he actually didn't want to wear a dress, just like how Devin and Will felt. Yet if that was the only way back to Nightmare; then let it be.

"Wait a second," Pammy noticed from the flyer, "both of them need a talent to enter the pageant."

"We have talent," Nicholas defended, "I play the flute."

It looked like Ren could get away with this one; he didn't have any talent, "Well, looks like Nicholas would have to enter alone."

"Wait just a second," Pammy glanced at Ren, "you can act very well, Joy can write a monologue for you."

"Fine," said Ren as he rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to do this.

Joy squealed a long eardrum breaking squeal, "okay! We can practice and do fittings at my apartment tomorrow to 12:00!" Just then, Joy left without a trace.

It looked like both Nicholas and Ren would have to wear dresses, it didn't matter to Nicholas, but it did to Ren.

"I will have to warn you," said Helen, "her dresses tend to be very frilly."

It was the big day. The only thing that Ren could say was, "I can't be leave I'm doing this." He was in a black and red frilly short dress with long boots. It was very suiting for Ren, and he looked very good in that particular dress, it was just that fact that he was in a dress he didn't like.

Joy didn't react as she put some safety pins on the dress; she made the dress a tad too big. The reason why she didn't react was because some of the pins were in her mouth. As she put on the final pin she said, "You must be nervous."

"I was never nervous before a show; I was Captain Hook in Peter Pan…."

"No, Pammy was Captain Hook," said Joy, "you disappeared into the Dream World after Nicholas defeated Wizeman."

"Same difference, she didn't do as well as I would have," Ren began to get full on himself.

"And how did you know how well she did?" Joy

Before Ren could answer that, Nicholas came into the dressing room with a purple and pink dress, which was much frillier than Ren's. "I'm ready!" Nicholas sang out.

"No just yet," said Joy, "you need make up."

For once, Ren was fine with it, "I wear make up all the time, I can put it on myself, where is it?"

"In this box," Joy pointed to a black box, "I have a lot of black lipstick if that's your preference."

"Of course it's my preference," Ren talked back, "what other lipsticks are out there that would look good for my complexion?"

"I'm not questioning," Joy said as she looked at Nicholas' dress, "perfect, no need for pins, although I think you would look cuter in pigtails. Joy took out a hair brush to put two little pony tails in his hair.

"What are we, dolls for you?" Ren sat down to put on some eyeliner.

"Hey, I've helped many girls with these pageants, and I get just as exited with them as I am with you…only that you look cuter." Joy looked at the clock, "oh, we have only five minutes!" Joy imedetally grabbed the makeup for Nicholas and quickly put it on his face, "good!"

The Pageant seemed to fly by quickly, it was very easy. Answer some questions, walking and waving the right way. Joy had helped them before, so it was simple for the two.

It was the talent competition, the biggest one of the pageant. It was also Nicholas' turn. He had his flute set up, along with the notes in his head. He had this song down! Only when he stepped onto the stage, he saw one of the judges that looked too familiar, with pink hair and pink eyes she wasn't difficult to miss, "Claris?" Claris was one out of the only four dreamers go retrieve all of their Ideya, although her and the other dreamer, Elliot didn't completely kill Wizeman, they did accomplish retrieving the Ideya.

Baffled by how he knew her name, Claris just said, "Mr. Nicholas Meier is your name? And you have a song that you wrote?"

"Um, yes," Nicholas nodded his head. He began to play his song; hopefully the song might jog her memory.

From the look of Claris' face, it did. She looked astonished, reminded her of an audition she had a long time ago, being fourteen in Twin Seeds. That was the song that she sung, heard it from a dream. After the song she asked, "What was your main inspiration to write this song?"

Nicholas was baffled; he couldn't say that the inspiration was the Visitors from the Dream World. All he said was, "from a dream I had."

Claris' companion, Ashlee spoke out, "you hit the notes very smoothly, and the tune is very memorable. What do you name it?"

"Dreams Dreams," Nicholas answered.

"Very good, you may leave," said Ashlee, the other judge.

Nicholas left, feeling very accomplished. All he had to do was to wait for everyone else to finish their talents.

Ren was next, with his monologue. He was embarrassed by his attire and the monologue itself. He sure hoped that his fellow Nightmarens weren't watching.

Jackle appeared in front of Wizeman once again, only this time he had a crystal ball in his hand. He turned it on, and then tuned to who they had known as Reala, only to see him in a frilly dress, acting very mad at nothingness.

"Do humans of the male gender usually wear clothing such as this?" Wizeman asked Jackle.

Jackle was just gazing at the Waking Watcher, with his eyes wide open; he wouldn't usually see Reala like this. "Not usually."

"He probably has an explanation," Wizeman told Jackle. They continued to watch.

"Very good," said Claris, "I just love how you projected the emotions involved in the monologue."

"You are way too nice Claris," said Ashlee, "the monologue is a tad cliché."

"I didn't write it," Ren mumbled.

"Then we will only take your acting to account then," said Claris, "but what made you choose this monologue?"

"An acquaintance of mine wrote it," Ren explained, as he hoped that the monologue itself wouldn't do anything harmful for his performance.

"Very good, you may leave," said Claris.

When the results of the three finalists came, everyone was very excited. "Before I announce the finalists, may I talk to Mr. Nicholas Meier in private?"

"Someone's in trouble," one of the young men called out in a playful manner.

Nicholas stepped up onto the stage, he wondered if she recognized him, or if he actually was in trouble, "what is it about?"

Claris left the stage, "follow me." She had to know about this child, who he was, where he got the song. They came to a dressing room, immediately she asked, "Do you know a fellow named NiGHTS?"

Nicholas thought it was the right things to do to show her instead of tell. He clapped his hands to release a purple light which he circled the floor with around him. He released the circle that floated around him to reveal his true form: NiGHTS. Before Claris could react, he said, "I am NiGHTS."

Then, Claris reacted. She stuttered with fear and excitement at the same time. "H-how d-did you get here in this world?"

"Reala sent me here, but I pulled him along with me." NiGHTS explained, "Ren is actually Reala." Then NiGHTS pleaded to Claris, "we need to win this competition, there is an Artificial Ideya in that gift basket you're giving away; we need that and three more to get back home."

Claris smiled, "for you NiGHTS, of course, you were going to win anyway!" Claris was fully honest, that Nicholas boy was charming along with talented and looked so cute.

NiGHTS smiled back, "thank you!"

After the pageant, Nicholas and Ren were at the dressing room back in their regular clothes, trying to rub off the makeup. The rest of the group was there. Claris came with the basket in her hands, "congratulations Nicholas," she said, "and good luck with the other artificial Ideya."

Nicholas picked up the stone; it was a red one, of courage. Then Nicholas picked up the rest of the basket then gave the rest of the basket to Joy, "thank you for all of your help."

"No problem, I had fun," said Joy, "you were great to work with."

"Good job Nicholas," Will gave him a pat on the back, "how about some ice cream? It's my treat!"

Nicholas' eyes began to bright up. Nicholas hadn't had any ice cream since he came to this world. He wanted to taste the cold yet sweet concoction again. "Yeah, of course, let's go Ren!"

Ren, who never had any ice cream before sighed, he came with Will and Nicholas.

Devin walked over to the door, but before he exited, he looked at the girls, "coming with?"

"Can you wait for us?" Pammy asked, "I have a personal question for Joy."

"Okay," Devin shrugged, "fine with me!"

When Devin left, Pammy asked, "Where did you get the idea for the monologue?"

"Oh yeah," Joy blushed, "I've read your diary from three years ago, when Reala dumped you. I thought that it should be a taste of revenge."

"But…" Pammy was hesitant for a moment, and then began to ramble, "I am way over Ren, you know that I have a loving boyfriend, and my life is good without that monster of on ex."

"I don't think so," said Joy, "Ren told me that you flipped out at him when you met him last week."

"Also," Helen added, "you refused to let Ren live with you."

Pammy thought about it for a moment. Maybe they were right. She did indeed flip out at Reala when they first met for the first time in three years. She also never asked her parents about Ren living with her. She had loved him at one point, and she was very upset when she found out that Ren never loved her. Yet she had always thought that she was over it ever since she had cut her hair and helped Helen dump Jackle. Maybe, she still had some sort of liking for that Nightmaren.

"Sorry Pammy," Joy apologized, in reaction to the long pause, "maybe that was a little harsh."

"That's okay," Pammy let out a smile. Joy may have been harsh, but it made her realize many things.

"Well, let's just get some ice cream," said Helen, "the boys are waiting."

Pammy thought some more about the whole situation as they walked. Helen had to put up with a lot with two Nightmarens living with her, "hey Helen?" she asked. She was about to suggest something that would slightly surprise Helen, "I know that I wasn't being supportive with the whole living situation with Ren. Maybe I should ask my parents if he could live with us." She knew that this was the only way to have her get over Ren. By having him live with her.

"For the full truth," Helen told Pammy, "Ren has been so rude to all of us besides Mum. If its fine with your parents, my Mum and Ren, then its fine with me."

The three stepped outside; Ren had to ask, "What were you talking about?"

"A possible location change for you?" Pammy asked, "We know that it's such a hardship for you to live with your traitorous brother. So perhaps you could live with me?"

They all began to walk to the ice cream parlor. Ren thought, Pammy seemed to understand too well how much of a hardship it was to live with his brother. At the same time he had that Artificial Ideya right in May's room where he was staying at. He needed to keep that secret until he could get himself home before NiGHTS has a chance to find it himself. "Not tonight, maybe another day."

"Fine, fine," Pammy nodded her head, "I need to ask my parents anyway."

"Good," said Ren, "I just need another day to...orient myself."

That was when everyone came to the ice cream parlor. They had all went inside to grab some cones. Nicholas was glad to taste chocolate ice cream again. It was like Ren with spaghetti as for Nicholas for ice cream.