Chapter 3: A Gray Day

After being ban from the water park, me and Wads spent our summer doing just about everything besides swimming. At first it seemed like the summer would last forever, but it's been a few months now and summer has come to an end. I guess I should have took the time to enjoy it more than I did, but anyway it's too late now.

As I stepped outside my house I could feel that the air was starting to get cool, and the trees were starting to change colors. During this time of year I've always thought that Cappy Town looks its best.

"Wonder what I should do today?" I thought as I looked at the tree in my front yard. "I guess I could always go see what Wads is up to." After a few more seconds of looking at my tree, I finally decided to get up and head into town to look for Wads.

Walking down the path to town has been something I've done every day for as long as I can remember. I guess since my house always feels lonely and boring, I always try to find a reason to go out. Even when there's nothing to do, I've always come up with an excuse. As I walked down the path I noticed town square was filled with people. Sure it's normal for there to be a lot of people around but not this many.

"Hmmm I wonder what's going on?" I thought as I looked around at all of the people. "Was there something special going on today?" I started to feel like I was forgetting something. "OH YEAH! Today's the Fall Fest! I can't believe I forgot!"

The Fall Fest was a well known Cappy Town event that's held every year near the start of fall. When the Fall Fest comes to town, people from all over Dream World flock to Cappy Town to celebrate the years harvest and to prepare for winter. Most people who live in Cappy Town set up stalls at the park where they sell things they've made, or vegies they've grown. Normally they set the stalls up near the fire works area, but sometimes you can find stalls in other parts of the town as well. Some people, such as the Inn Owner, even set up special events! The Fall Fest really is a special day... How could I have forgotten it! Just then I heard someone shouting my name from a mob of people.

"YO NIGHT!"

"I wonder who that could be!... As if I didn't know." And there he was. Wads.

"Night wait up!" He yelled as he pushed his way through the mob.

"Awww do I have to? I was hoping to get away from you today!"

"Man, you're cold!"

"Hey at least I don't freak out every time I see Dynablade!"

"W-what? You saw that?"

"Yep! You were cryin like a baby when you saw that thing fly over the town!"

"Hey! Shut up! It's not what you think!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

"Yeah...Whatever..." Wads tone of voice changed. He sounded a bit sad, it really wasn't like him.

"Uhh Wads? What's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"You seem... Different."

"No, no I don't. It's just... If... If we don't hurry we'll miss all the free food!"

Wads then took off running towards the park. Something has to be wrong. Out of all the years I've known him, I've never seen Wads act this way. Could something have happened? Anyway, I didn't really have too much time to think about it. If I wanted that free food I'd have to get to the park right away. The park is located just south of Brick Street which isn't that far away from Town Square, so I could get there in no time.

When I got to the park I saw Wads standing on top of the hill, so I ran up to join him.

"Wow! Look at all the stalls!" Wads yelled. I could tell he was excited, even more than usual!

He always did get into this kind of thing. Then again so do I! After all this is quite a sight to see! There was food stands, stands selling crafts and other goods, stalls with games set up, an out door dance floor, a small fighting ring, a DJ who was playing popular songs, and even a petting zoo! Everyone really went all out this year! "Well what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" Before I knew it, Wads was running down the hill and I soon followed after.

As we ran through the park I couldn't help but notice at all the happy people. It's nice to see that they can go on living a happy life even though Dark Matter has returned. Then again, none of them has had their lives changed because of it.

"Hey Night! Let's get somethin to eat before all the foods gone!"

"Yeah lets go!" So with that, being said, me and Wads headed over to the food stall in the picnic area.

"How can I help you?" The man behind the stall asked.

"I want a burger!" Wads was quick to respond... Maybe too quick. What is he starving?

"Same here!" I replied.

The man then smiled and pointed to the picnic table next to the stall. He said that we could wait there until our food was done if we wanted to. So we did. It was a nice spot, heck maybe the best spot in the whole park! It was right under the picnic area tree, which is one of the most well known trees around. Next to Steve that is. About 10 minuets later our burgers were done and were hand delivered to us just like at cafe. It's kind of strange for a stall to do something like that, but I'm not complaining! After about another 5 minuets we inhaled the food and was on our way to the next stop. The burger was great, but me and Wads were still hungry.

"Sooo what else should we eat?" I asked Wads.

"Heck if I know!"

"Hmm well..."

"Well...?"

"How about Ice Cream?"

"Ok... Ice Cream..."

"Huh? Wads?"

"Ok lets go. The stands set up at the dock right?"

"Uh, yeah." Wads was starting to act strange again. What's going on?

"Well, why are you just standing there Night! Lets go already!"

The Ice Cream stand was set up on the docks just south of the beach. The stand stays there all year but on special days like this they give out discounts. Normally a lot of people hang out at the beach but lately I've been hearing about these "Angry Crabs" that have been around the area. Anyway, they can't be that big of a problem.

After leaving the park, me and Wads walked east though one of the most well known places in all of Dream World. The Hang-Out. Really the Hang-Out isn't that big of a place, but it's a beach side field with a tree, that has been nick named Steve, and a bunker that was built a few years ago during an internet count down. Some people believed it'd be the end of the world, and took shelter there. Man were they disappointed when nothing happened!

"Hey Night, why does everyone like the Hang-Out?" Wads asked.

"Really, I don't know. I guess its because when most people first come to Dream World this is where they start out. Since it's beach side boats come by here all the time, and it's also a pretty open place so a Star Warrior could land their Air Ride here no problem."

"I guess you're right."

"Yeah, and on top of that it's one of the safest places in all of Dream World!"

"Safe you say..."

Once we left the Hang-Out Wads said nothing. He didn't even talk to Kine who normally can be found swimming around close to the beach. I knew Wads had been acting funny all day but this is just too much. He didn't even say anything after he got his ice cream. He just ate it then walked back to the park.

"So Night." Wads said as we walked to the next stall. "What do you think of the Fall Fest?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well you know. You always seem to have fun but are you sure it isn't just an act?"

"Huh? Why would it be an 'act' ?"

"..." Wads was speechless. Just what is he thinking? Awhile ago he was jumping around, but now it's like he doesn't want to be here...

The next stall we stopped at was a game. The rules were simple. Throw the dart, pop a balloon, win a "monster" prize! The only catch was that the balloons were moving and would randomly speed up! Not as easy as it sounds. Wads didn't look like he wanted to play so I stepped up first, and picked up the blue dart. After 2 rounds I was able to pop 7 balloons! My best record yet! "Try to beat that one Wads" I thought.

Finally Wads looked like he was ready to play, so I handed him the dart and wished him good luck.

"Ha! Save it Night!"

"Think you're going to beat me huh?"

"Think? Yeah right, I KNOW I'm going to beat you!"

"Ok whatever you say!"

Wad's final score added up to 20 balloons, and with that my dreams were crushed.

"Here you go!" Said the man running the game as he handed Wads his prize. "Here's your monster prize!"

The prize was a blue blob that reminded me a lot of the Gooey creatures that can be seen around. Normally Gooeies living in a town is rare but I know a few that live in Cappy Town. One of them likes to spread rumors and legends, while the others never really talk too much. Still, how is that a monster?

"Congratz Wads! Even if the monster prize wasn't really much of a monster!"

"What are you saying!"

"What?"

"Not a monster huh? That's just like you!"

"Wads what are you talking about!"

"SHUT THE HEL...""Wads!" I cut him off. "What is wrong with you!"

"SHUT UP!"

"I said WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU" By this time I was about ready to bash his face in.

"WHY WOULD YOU CARE! YOU DIDN'T EVEN CARE WHAT YOU DID TO THEM BANDITS!"

"W-what! What's that got to do with anything!"

"You son of a..."

Wads then turned and walked away without saying anything else. He just left the prize on the ground and never looked back. What... Just happened to Wads? What were we fighting over! Also why would he care about them bandits? He wasn't the one who... Took away the only thing they really had.

After the fight I didn't feel like going to anymore stalls, so I headed home as well. By this time the sky was turning bright red and the sun started to set. It looked amazing. I wonder why sunsets stand out for me? Maybe it's because of all the time I spent watching them. Maybe it's because of my memories. When I look at the sunset I just get this feeling. It's almost as if I should remember something. Even if that's true, why would I have forgotten it? "Don't wake up." Them words ring through my head.

Soon I woke from my daydreaming and found myself shaking. "What is this? What's wrong with me?" I began talking out loud once again.

"Yes I wonder... 'what'." As I heard these words ring for my head, I began to get a bit tense. "You seem to be on an edge, but you also seemed confused and scared."

"WHO ARE YOU!" I yelled.

"What, are you afraid? I'm not going to hurt you, but if you want to hurt me... Then by all means. Go ahead."

"W-what are you talking about! Show yourself!"

"Show myself? You think I'm hidden? You sure you aren't just blind? Then again, maybe you are."

"What are you..."

"Talking about? I wonder." By this time I was getting ready to kill the voice, but then something happened.. A single spark shout out of my body. It then hit the ground, flashed, then vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

"A spark!" The voice sounded shocked. "Then... Could you be?"

"What! Could I be what! Tell me!"

"I... I'm sorry..."

"What!"

"I can't do this. Something's not right!" After that the voice stopped talking. They were gone.

I stood there for quite awhile thinking about what had just happened. How can a voice come out of thin air? Also what was it talking about? And above all... How did I create a spark! Did that even happen! Or was it... all a dream? It was now getting late, so I picked up the Gooey toy and headed home.