Author's note:
Before beginning this next chapter, I want to share that there is a little moment in this story that talks a little bit about the topic of mental health and being on the spectrum.
A couple friends of mine have autism, and so does one of my nephews, which doesn't make me love them any less than I would any of my friends and loved ones. Sadly, not everyone takes to heart that people on the spectrum are human just like anyone else. My older sister, sadly, for someone who majored in psychology, does not understand very well how human emotions work.
Raising awareness on mental health is one cause I'm very passionate about. Back in high school, I actually used to volunteer at this non-profit organization that helped neurodiverse children and young adults learn and practice social interaction. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I ever had, and it gave me a lot to think about when choosing how I would use my skills in the arts to help people.
My volunteer work was not always an easy job, though. As mentioned in the story, working with someone who has autism or a similar condition requires patience as well as compassion. In other words, just treat them like you would any other kid, but beware that they may require more guidance in certain areas. Admittedly, it could be frustrating having to repeat myself sometimes, or when whichever child I was assigned to seemed to lose interest too easily or do something inappropriate that nearly made me yell at them (which I was terrified of doing, out of fear that I would only make the problem worse).
But it isn't just people with autism or similar conditions whose mental health needs attention. Even neurotypical folks face mental health issues that can develop from various experiences in life. When I was younger, for example, I was bullied a lot and my teachers, sadly, turned a blind eye instead of helping me, and my parents were always fighting.
As a result, I grew up with terrible anxiety and PTSD. And sadly, the therapist my mother made me see couldn't tell the difference between autism and simple emotional distress, which left me being improperly treated for a long time; not that I think there's anything wrong with having autism. Anxiety, though it can look similar, it's a totally different condition, especially once you know the whole story behind the symptoms.
Fortunately, I had my best friend, who has always been like a big sister to me, to help me work through my emotional issues. Unlike the adults who I should've been able to trust to help me, she actually listened. And when she gave advice, she was never mean about it, nor did she ever make me feel like I was always the one at fault or that nothing I did would be good enough. As a result, my best friend also became the hero to rescue me from inflicting self-harm, and serve as proof that there are good people in this world who genuinely mean well.
Neurodivergent or not, getting misdiagnosed and/or not knowing the whole story behind someone's behavior can be dangerous to their health. Being improperly treated can be just as dangerous as not being treated at all. Quoting Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood, "Band-aids don't fix bullet holes," and I've often heard, "Physical wounds heal faster than emotional ones."
So, if someone you know may respond a little differently to certain situations than you or some others might, ask the right questions and get the whole story before you judge them. And remember, everyone is unique and learns in their own way. Ultimately, it is up to each and every one of us to do everything in our power to help others achieve the one thing we all want in this world: to be loved and accepted as we truly are.
If there's one thing I know about dreams, speaking from experience and doing a bit of research, it's that dreams are often a reflection of our personal truths, and ultimately it's up to us to decide if we want to let that side be known in the real world so folks can know the real us, or if we feel there is something we fear about ourselves, we must learn to confront it rather than let our fears control us.
All of you, readers, probably face different kinds of issues in life, and that's okay. Struggling in anything does not make you any less smart or capable of doing great things. If anything, you just need a little reminder of how special you really are.
So, next time you feel down or doubt yourself, just look in the mirror and tell yourself, "You are special, you are beautiful, and you are strong." Start the morning by looking in the mirror and naming at least three positive traits about yourself, whether it's that you have beautiful eyes, you're great at math or drawing, you have a nice smile, you're great at making handmade bracelets, you have a gift with animals, or even for having a great collection of Funko Pop toys. Kindness is a talent as well, and if that's yours, embrace it; it is not a weakness, if anything, it means you are wiser than some may give you credit for.
Wow! Long author's note. Anyway, please enjoy this story, and I hope everyone who reads this will someday have their greatest dreams come true, and most importantly, know one truth they can always count on is that they are not alone.
Forgive me if some dreams seem a little out of character. Remember though, in a dream, anything can happen.
Featured songs:
1. All the Pretty Little Horses (link to song in profile)
2. Surf Crazy from Teen Beach Movie
3. Storm Clouds Grow a lullaby from Lilo & Stitch: the series (link in profile)
With Nefari on the loose in the realm of dreams, no one was safe from their own dreams being turned into horrible nightmares. So, there was only one thing to do.
Lamenta came in carrying a clipboard like her mom always did whenever she planned things or managed Count Crescendo.
"Alright, everyone. Sleeping bags set up?"
The ballroom was full of people in their pajamas, everyone setting up their sleeping bags, pillows, and teddy bears.
"When you said we were going to a slumber party," said Comedia, all donned up in her balloon pattern pajamas. "I thought there would be more pillow fights and makeovers than getting ready for bed."
"Well, this apparently isn't a typical sleepover," said Myra. "All I know is Princess Lamenta invited us all here and said it was urgent that we get everyone we could here tonight."
"If we're not gonna stay up all night," said Lee Ali. "Why are we having a slumber party?"
"Because, like Myra said, it's not a typical sleepover." Lamenta said.
Lamenta got winged and flew up high enough for everyone to see her.
"Alright, everyone. Listen up. As you all know, last night all of you and lots of other people were struck with scary dreams of all kinds. Any other day, it would usually be the result of anxiety, guilt, irrational fear, trauma, watching a scary movie, or even eating way too much before bed."
"Ugh. I've been there," groaned Carmine, holding his stomach as he recalled eating too much pizza before bed one night.
"But... all of you having nightmares at once is a little too strange to be a coincidence."
"What exactly is your theory, Lamenta?" Tech asked.
"After interviewing a bunch of people, I noticed a pattern everyone found in all these dreams. Everyone who had a nightmare saw a woman in purple and black who made dark storm clouds with purple lightning." Lamenta then pulled up Nefari's mugshot. "Turns out, it matches the description of Nefari Navarro, apparently Silvaria's little sister, who attacks in the realm of dreams."
"How is that any different than what Silvaria does?" Myra asked.
"Yeah," said Kade. "Isn't she the one who made all those monsters appear at the horse show?"
"Silvaria makes people's worst fears come to life with pesadilas while people are awake. Nefari goes deep into a victim's subconscious and turns sweet dreams into horrible nightmares, and then she feeds on the fear caused by them. If she collects enough fear from our nightmares, she'll become powerful enough to take on her human form in our realm again and reek havoc on more planets!"
"In other words, it means none of us will ever get a good night's sleep again?" Hunter said, yawning as he was still tired.
"It's worse than just never sleeping well again." Lamenta shook her head. "The way Nefari works, she also kept people staying awake with nightmares, making them too tired to fight her and/or Silvaria when they attacked during the daytime. According to what I found, the last time both sisters were free, they nearly shrouded every planet in Enchantra in eternal night by creating a spell that messed with the gravitational pulls on all the moons to bring them into endless eclipses. And if Nefari succeeds in this conquest, she could free Silvaria too and then resume what they attempted before."
"That definitely not good for any of us," said Anakin. "What do we have to do?"
"Simple. I gathered all of you here because having more dreamers in one space leaves a bigger chance of us catching Nefari." Lamenta said. She picked up what looked like a lantern. "I called EHC, and they sent me this special lantern that will travel with me when I enter the realm of dreams. Once I find Nefari, I'll catch her in this lantern, and she'll be back here in this realm as a blob of purple smoke that cannot survive daylight. But everyone has to stay asleep while I'm in their dreams."
"What happens if someone wakes up while you or Nefari are still in our dreams?" Goldie asked.
"It would trap both of them in the dreamer's subconscious." Carmine said, recalling a prior lesson. "I read that in a book when Lamenta first got her powers. If that were to happen, you'd literally be hearing voices in your head until you go back to sleep, but it's a little harder to get them out."
"That's why I'm staying awake," said Mariposa.
"I will be staying awake as well," said Shmi.
"And so are Padme and I," said Caroline.
"In the event we notice anyone is about to wake up," said Padme. "we all know a surefire way to make sure they stay asleep."
"And that's...?" said Obi-Wan.
"Lullabies," said Susy. "Each of us knows at least one that has worked like a charm for each of our children whenever they've struggled with sleeping, and we believe they will do the same for the others as well."
"It's true." Carousella said. "Nothing soothes one to sleep like the sound of a mother's lullaby, no matter how old you are. Like how Shmi still sings to Anakin before he goes to sleep sometimes."
Anakin's face turned red as Carousella revealed that secret.
"Don't be embarrassed, Ani." Shmi said, kissing her son's cheek.
Garrett also gave the moms a silver mirror that would allow them to communicate with Lamenta while she was in the dream realm.
"Remember, Lamenta. Nefari is very powerful, and knows how to dig deeper into the subconscious than her elder sister. You'll need to be cautious when pursuing her. And figure out how to change the nightmare back to a dream before you move to the next one."
"I will, Professor." Lamenta saluted. "Now, everyone get comfy."
Lamenta had Strawberry and Crescent help pass warm milk to anyone who wanted some to help them fall asleep. Lamenta also cast a little spell to create an illusion of little sheep jumping over a fence for people to count, and she got out her violin on which she began playing Brahms Lullaby and then Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Little by little, people started to get sleepy. And Lamenta knew one more lullaby that her great grandmother Miranda sang to Carmine that would surely help him and of course the horses to fall asleep.
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep, my little baby
When you wake, you shall have
All the pretty little horses
Dapples and grays, pintos and bays
All the pretty little horses!
Carmine was already falling fast asleep, cuddling Fluffy, and all the horses were beginning to yawn. Diamond was the first, not surprisingly since she was little. Sapphire kept her niece warm underneath her wing as they both fell fast asleep. Gabby cuddled up with her teddy bear, and many of the other kids cuddled up with their plushies.
Myra couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so relaxed being sung to sleep. Not even when she played whale song to relax the night before she had a big test.
Way down yonder
In the meadow
Poor little baby, crying Mama
Birds and the butterflies
Flutter round his eyes
Poor little baby crying Mamma.
Crescent lay his head down with Carousella curling up beside him, and Kade fell asleep laying against Round n' Round's soft, feathery wings. Comedia also started yawning and laying her head down as her father gently stroked her head behind her ears, which he found soothed her to sleep very easily.
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep, my little baby
When you wake, you shall have
All the pretty little horses
Dapples and grays, pintos and bays
All the pretty little horses!
Before she knew it, Lamenta looked to see everyone was fast asleep.
"Okay, Mommy. Aunt Padme, Grandma Shmi, Grandma Susy. Mrs. Mariposa. You all know what to do?"
"We do, but do be careful, Lamenta." Susy said. "I know we've only been together a short time, Sweetheart, but I worry about you."
Every night, Susy dreamed someday she would be reunited with her son and meet his and Caroline's baby. It didn't help that she'd stopped counting rotations and wasn't sure how big her grandson or granddaughter would've been. Not to mention the nightmare she faced not knowing if Carmine was okay, as he'd still been underage when she was kidnapped, and Caroline as well with her parents' passing.
"I'll be okay, Granny Susy." Lamenta said. "No one can really hurt me in the realm of dreams. It's just like any nightmare. It feels real, but it's just an illusion."
Lamenta quietly and carefully sat in the middle of the room with her plush sheep in her arms to help her get to sleep. And she concentrated as she sang a special song to help her enter the realm of dreams.
"Dreamers, dreamers, deep in sleep, all your dreams safe I will keep. Til you wake to morning light, I'll protect you from the fright. Dreamers, dreamers, deep in sleep, realm of dreams show where I seek."
Lamenta closed her eyes and lay on her pillow. And that was when she found herself transported into another realm.
When Lamenta opened her eyes, she found herself in what looked like a beautiful wide open space filled with lots of horses running along. and Lamenta found herself riding a pretty silver horse, and then she saw whose dream she was in.
"Wahoo!" Ahsoka shouted, riding Fiesta, feeling the wind through her montrals.
"Ahsoka!" Lamenta called, getting the horse to catch up. "Looks like you're having a good dream so far."
"You bet. No better dream than this. The wide open space, the wind through your hair or montrals or whatever... it's amazing."
Fiesta stopped at a cliffside where Ahsoka could see a beautiful sunrise over the horizon.
"Wow," she and Lamenta gasped.
Such a beautiful dream, Lamenta almost forgot why she was really here... until she saw dark clouds filling the air.
"Uh oh!" Lamenta gasped. "Nefari's here!"
Suddenly, that was when Ahsoka's dream changed. Soon, they were no longer in a field of horses. Now, they were on what looked like a cliff side made of black rock and ash. Ahsoka suddenly looked scared, and her fear only grew when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"AHSOKA! HELP!"
Ahsoka looked to see none other than Anakin Skywalker hanging for dear life from a lower part on the cliff, a giant river of boiling lava down below.
"Master!" Ahsoka cried in dismay.
Quickly, Ahsoka started climbing down until she reached a platform low enough for her to reach down and grab him. She reached down for his hand, but just before she could, someone else grabbed her from behind.
"Not to worry, my sweet." said a new female voice. "You're safe with me."
"Let me go!" Ahsoka grunted as she struggled to break free.
"Ahsoka...!" Anakin cried, losing his grip before falling toward the river of lava below.
"NO!" Ahsoka screamed.
Lamenta suddenly jumped on the woman and pulled her hair to distract her, and this time, Ahsoka managed to jab whoever grabbed her with her elbow, only to get thrown toward the lava herself. Ahsoka and Anakin were both screaming as they fell.
"OH NO!" Lamenta exclaimed. She had to do something quick. She had to change the dream, but to what? And then she had an idea. "I know!"
Just before Anakin and Ahsoka could hit the lava, the boiling river turned into... a giant waterslide! And instead of screams of terror, suddenly there were screams of delight as Ahsoka now dreamed she and her master were on the best water ride of their lives at a big water park. And before she knew it, Ahsoka was laughing with her master and some other friends as they landed on a bunch of tubes on a lazy river, including Lamenta.
"Phew! That was too close for comfort." Lamenta sighed with relief.
"Now this is a dream," sighed Ahsoka. And it was even better when a droid came with some fruity umbrella drinks for everyone.
Unfortunately, that was also when Lamenta noticed Nefari jumping through a portal of some kind to get into someone else's dreams. Fortunately, it looked like Ahsoka was going to be fine. So, she quickly went on to follow Nefari into whoever else's dream was heading for.
Lamenta entered the next dream, and she found herself in a bathing suit and on what looked like a sunny sandy beach with palm trees, white sand, and crystal blue wtare with perfect waves.
Blue skies
Gentle breeze
What a day
Sunshine and sweet harmonies
Time to play
No more complications
From now on just
Good vibrations!
Lamenta saw what looked like a beach party and there were lots of people getting ready to surf. Who's dream could this be?
On my way
Feeling fine
Can see my reflection in my surfboard shine
Can hardly wait
To cause a commotion
C'mon everyone!
Jump into the ocean!
Flying high
Just outta reach
No ants, no bugs, we're nuts for the beach!
Surf, surf
Surf, surf crazy
Ride the perfect waves
Say hi to the sky
Surf, surf sand
It's a bikini wonderland!
Summers on!
And we're gonna
Surf, surf crazy
Lamenta looked around as the beach party was going on and there was a game of beach ball happening too!
"Go long!" shouted one boy.
Lamenta whacked the ball with her hand as it came towards her, and she jumped when she felt a little wave of cold water at her feet.
"Cold, cold, cold!"
But she couldn't help laughing as she felt the cool water; it reminded her of one of the tropical beach vacations she'd gone on with her parents during one of their tours when she was smaller. And then she saw who was currently in the lead in the big surf competition.
Lamenta couldn't believe her eyes when she saw it was Tech who was riding the waves, and looking perfectly happy and confident doing it.
"Cowabunga!" Tech shouted, doing a flip on the wave with his board.
The radio blares
And here's the plan
We'll soak up the sun
And get the ultimate tan
We can hardly wait to show our devotion
Here we go again into the ocean
Now's the time
So here's the speech
Never lookin'down
Have a ball at the beach!
Surf, surf
Surf, surf crazy
Ride the perfect waves
Say hi to the sky
Surf, surf sand!
It's a bikini wonderland
Summer time
And we're going
Surf, surf crazy
And when the wave gave Tech a perfect landing on the sand, he got a big kiss from his lady love Mila, wearing a bikini. Although, Lamenta couldn't say she hadn't seen a lot of guys dreaming about their wives or girlfriends wearing such outfits. But she didn't let her parents know about that; for one thing, she didn't want to embarrass anyone in their waking life, or for her parents to go overboard trying to hide certain truths from her. With her power, seeing the truth of anyone's subconscious was inevitable.
"And the winner of this year's big surf-off is... Tech!" announced the caster.
"Wow, Tech is a lot more imaginative than he lets on." Lamenta said. "I wonder why he's never so open about having fun in his waking life."
Despite having the ability to see nothing but the truth, Lamenta didn't always get the full story about everyone right away. Everyone changed over time or had various personality traits or memories suppressed deep where they are harder to find. Tech, though, was a bit of a more confusing case for Lamenta. He wasn't always very open with how he felt, and sometimes didn't seem to understand certain cues as easily as others.
But when Lamenta thought about it, she though maybe it was because Tech was what her parents called neurodivergent. At first, she didn't understand what that meant, but Carmine told her it meant Tech just processed thoughts a little differently. Some referred to it as being socially challenged, or some called it "being on the spectrum." Lamenta and the other kids were still learning about it themselves. Garrett had actually worked with children with autism and similar conditions in his earlier teaching days, so he knew a thing or two about it. The way he explained it, it didn't mean they were any less intelligent than the average being; it just meant that they may take a little longer than others to understand certain things or might not respond the same way as others.
Lamenta knew a lot about the other Batchers, but Tech, she was still learning about. Based on his dream right now, he had a lot more going on in his mind than the typical smarty pants attitude she was used to seeing. Maybe it meant Tech still needed time to open up to others. She recalled her father suffered from anxiety, which was something entirely different, although it had similar symptoms and effects on a patient, and despite requiring different kinds of treatment, both kinds of patients required patience and compassion as any other individual; even what Lamenta believed some referred to as a neurotypical child faced plenty of struggles in his or her lifetime.
Lamenta and her family were proof of that. Boba struggled with fractions in school, Omega wasn't the best at essay writing, and Gabby wasn't so hot when it came to learning other languages. Lamenta also fell asleep often during science class. Even the grownups had their share of struggles that did not require a specific mental condition to exist. Qui-Gon still did not always know his own strength, Carmine still got nervous in a fight, Kara had a bit of a tendency to rush through things, and Anakin struggled learning to dance when Carmine started tutoring him in ballet.
"Hmm... I don't see any sign of Nefari yet."
But... Lamenta spoke too soon, as Tech had gone back into the water, when purple lightning struck and a strong wind began to blow. And then, that was when the water started to get really choppy, and the waves got too big for surfing or even swimming.
"Tech, get out of the water!" Lamenta screamed.
Tech was quick to notice that the water was getting rough, very much like he'd described in his nightmare from last night.
"Oh no, it's happening again!" Tech panicked, trying desperately to swim back to shore, only to be grabbed by the leg by something big and slimy. "HELP!"
The big tentacle wrapped itself around Tech tighter and quickly dragged him under the water. Quickly, Lamenta took on mermaid form and swam underwater, and she was flabbergasted by the monstrous beast she saw under the water. She'd seen krakens in books and even once in a scary movie about monsters of the deep, but this one was a lot scarier than she could ever have imagined.
Tech struggled in the tentacle's slimy, but very tight grip. He looked terrified as he didn't look like he could hold his breath much longer! And then, she started seeing a few lights starting to flash.
"Uh oh!" Lamenta gasped; she'd seen this happen before. Tech was waking up!
Quickly, Lamenta got out her mirror and contacted the mothers.
"Red alert, mothers!" Lamenta said. "Tech's about to wake up!"
Lamenta swam over to the kraken and started to work her magic to get Tech free and up to the surface.
In the world of the awake, Tech was tossing and turning, about to wake up from his slumber.
Quickly, Mariposa came along and gently hugged Tech in her arms like she did Goldie when she had a bad dream.
"Shh. It's alright," she whispered. "It's alright, Tech."
Mariposa then sang a beautiful little song she learned from her husband, as his own mother used to sing it to him when he was a child.
Mariposa:
When storm clouds grow
And I feel blue
Your song comes drifting on the tradewinds
Your bright smile shines Like sun on sand
And island dream of you
Slowly, Tech started to calm down and drift back into sleep.
"Lamenta, are you alright?" Susy whispered into the mirror.
"I'm fine, but there's still a giant kraken to deal with!" Lamenta said.
Inconveniently, the kraken rose from the water and this time grabbed both Tech and Lamenta, and then it started reaching onto shore and grabbing any surfers or beach dwellers who remained too close to the water, and the kraken started dragging all of them down into the water.
"Okay, Lamenta. Think! What lives underwater that's friendly?"
Lamenta thought hard and quick, and she worked her magic to transform the kraken into... a bunch of cute dolphins, and together the sweet sea mammals helped everyone up to the surface, and the sun started to come out as Lamenta worked more of her magic to make the clouds disappear just as Nefari was about to feast on Tech's fear.
Nefari saw this and grunted in frustration.
"Not again!" Nefari created another portal. "Dreamer number three will have to be someone more easily frightened."
"Oh man." Lamenta groaned. Quickly, she followed Nefari through the portal to another dream.
"And they're off!" shouted a sports caster. "Zipp Festiva in the lead!"
Lamenta quickly found herself dropped into a seat at what appeared to be a bleacher made of clouds, and there was a crowd of people and magical creatures cheering as a bunch of different winged magical creatures were flying in a race.
Zipp was obviously dreaming about being a champion flight racer, and boy did she dream fast!
"Excuse me, slowpokes!" Zipp teased, zipping past the other racers once again.
But just before Zipp could cross the finish line... a big black dragon burst from out of nowhere and started breathing fire everywhere! Except, unlike the last two dreamers, Zipp didn't flinch in fear. Instead, she shut her eyes, and then like magic, she was wearing her royal guard armor. And not only that, but now she had a unicorn's horn.
"Eat this, dragon!" Zipp exclaimed, shooting magic at the dragon.
The dragon tried to chomp her, but missed every time.
Lamenta flew by and came to Zipp.
"You're not afraid?" Lamenta said.
"I'm a royal guard. It takes more than a dragon to scare me," said Zipp. "Besides, I'm a lucid dreamer. I can change my dream any time."
Zipp proved that by turning the dragon into... a little dragonfly.
"Take that, Nefari!" Zipp said. But when she looked around, no Nefari.
Lamenta was quick to notice Nefari escaping again.
"AGH! There she goes again!"
Lamenta went chasing after Nefari again, and everywhere she went, Nefari changed everyone's dreams into nightmares, only for Lamenta to change them into something sweet right after.
Caleb Dume's dream:
Nefari gave him a nightmare about a bunch of Audrey II plants trapping him and preparing to feed him to the biggest one of all. Lamenta swooped in and turned them into a bunch of bouncy sunflowers Caleb could jump around on like trampolines.
Aayla Secura's dream:
Nefari gave her a nightmare about an earthquake collapsing the entire ground beneath her and threatening to drop her into a pit of hungry gundarks, but Lamenta turned them into a bunch of cute cuddly bunny rabbits.
Eeth Koth's dream:
Nefari once again placed him on a rollercoaster that was so fast, so rough, and started to make him really nauseous. But Lamenta transformed it into a gentle canoe ride through a forest river with lots of birds singing a beautiful song.
Myra's dream:
Nefari gave Myra a nightmare that she was trapped in a room full of nothing but pink, and she was stuck in some frou frou lacey ball gown and silk gloves that she could barely move in. Myra didn't hate pink, but she didn't like being surrounded by so much of it either, nor did she care for fancy dresses.
So, Lamenta worked her magic and gave Myra ger dream of performing a rockin' guitar solo for a crowd of thousands.
Boba's dream:
Boba screamed in terror when he found himself at the altar with Aurra Sing, but Lamenta did her bit again, and placed Roya into Boba's dream.
Roya sucker punched Aurra right out of the cathedral.
"Paws off my boyfriend, bounty hunter!" Roya said angrily, and she pulled Boba into a dip and kissed him.
Everywhere Nefari went, she tried to feed on fear, but Lamenta kept coming in and stopping her before she could feed on more than a little bit of fear. But after going through more than twenty different dreams and stopping the nightmares from waking anyone, Lamenta was starting to get exhausted.
"This isn't working!" Lamenta breathed, contacting the real world through her mirror. "I can't corner Nefari! She's constantly on the move from one dream to another."
This wasn't good. Lamenta couldn't catch Nefari if she wouldn't sit still long enough for the former to corner her. And the way she seemed to choose dreamers randomly, Lamenta couldn't even try going to another dream before her to catch her.
Mariposa grabbed one of her husband's books and did some digging.
"I foudn something!" She exclaimed, but froze as she nearly woke some of the kids. She lowered her voice and told Lamenta about a spell she discovered. "There's a spell here that can help you bring everyone's dreams together at once. Nefari won't be able to escape if all the dreams are in one place. But..."
"What?"
"It says you'll need assistance from someone with daylight magic to cast it."
Luckily, Lamenta knew someone who fit the description.
Gabby never ceased to be the happy go lucky girl she always was. Awake or deep in sleep, she was full of sunshine and bright spirit. So, Lamenta wasn't too surprised to find her cousin was dreaming about sliding on a rainbow and landing in a pit of colorful flowers right near a land made of ice cream.
Fortunately, Nefari hadn't gotten to Gabby's dream by the time Lamenta arrived.
"Gabby!" Lamenta exclaimed, catching up with Gabby.
Gabby immediately got concerned when she saw the look on her cousin's face.
"Lamenta? Oh no, is Nefari here?"
"Not yet. I need your help."
Lamenta explained to Gabby the spell she needed to perform to trap Nefari.
"Care to become a villain's worst nightmare?" Lamenta said, making her hand glow purple.
Gabby didn't hesitate to make a golden glow appear on her hand, and she joined hands with Lamenta as they began the new spell to bring the dreams together.
"Dream it together, Dreamers unite, Dream by dream, unite the realm of dreams together at the seam!"