Scrambled Chapter 8

NiGHTS JOD

“I have found Nights,” Owl told Ethan, while on another plane of the Dream Gate, but only a few feet away, the invisible creature told Victoria the news. So while the two Visitors couldn't see or hear the other, they had their friends keep an open line of communication between them.

“Good, did you tell her I think Reala is trying to build an army?” Ethan asked, arms crossed.

Owl shook his head. “I believe Nights has already figured that out herself. Reala has her captured in a Nightopia.”

“Right, captured.” Ethan tapped his finger on his arm, trying to recall information given to him earlier in the evening. “So, we just need one of our Ideyas things to free her, right?”

“Yes, you do. Sadly,” Owl looked down, “you two cannot enter that Nightopia since it doesn't belong to either of you.”

Ethan pressed his mouth into a line. “What do we do?”

The invisible creature continued to relay the conversation to Victoria as Owl and Ethan discussed options.

Victoria groaned and raised her hands in the air. “Invisible creature, tell Ethan for one so smart, he is certainly so dumb.”

“Umm...” The invisible creature seamlessly changed to the plane where Ethan was. “Ethan, Victoria says you're smart, but...you're dumb?”

“She what now?” Ethan stared, befuddled, in the direction of the invisible creature.

“M'dear,” Owl addressed the invisible creature. “Until the Visitors are able to speak face-to-face again, we need to discuss...filtering the messages.”

“Huh?”

“No, no,” Ethan injected. “She's doing a great job because she doesn't hold back. Go on, invis', what else does the subject of that,” he pointed to his second Nightopia, “have to say?”

“Umm,” the invisible creature started shuffling her feet. “Victoria says, if all you need is an Ideya, then just take one of hers.”

“Oh, great.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “First argument through an invisible carrier. Kinda like texting.” When the invisible creature started making confused noises again, Ethan shook his head. “Tell her that's a stupid idea.” After all, he reasoned, you needed your Ideya for your heart and all that weird dream junk he was learning about.

“Err...now she's yelling...” the invisible creature mumbled out. “She says if it's so stupid then take her blue Ideya of Intelligence since she obviously doesn't need it...”

Owl brought a wing to his forehead. He really needed to have a talk with the creature. He then looked back up. Wait, the creature...

Ethan stood there, mouth opened, surprised at the message. “How...how in the hell did I fall for such an insulting girl?” he asked the invisible creature.

“I dunno...I mean, last night you were both yelling really mean things to eachother right before you kissed her.”

Ethan gulped and his eyes widen. “Did what now?”

“Hoo, wait!” Owl happily cheered and Ethan was grateful for the interruption. “Wait, wait, that plan can work!”

“How so?” asked the invisible creature.

“M'dear, you can carry the Visitor's Ideya from one place to another. Why, even to the pits of Nightmare itself. You can certainly take it to free Nights.”

“I can?” she asked confused.

“Wait,” Ethan said. “Won't taking her Ideya hurt Victoria?”

“As long as the Ideya can be returned, the Visitor will be fine.”

“Well, ah, hmm.” Ethan rubbed the back of his head. “I guess that was a brilliant plan. So, ah, apologize for me would ya?”

The invisible creature did and Victoria gave a reply.

Owl had to stop the creature before she could relay that message. “No not repeat to this boy what that girl just said.”

Ethan, while not knowing what was said, couldn't help but smile. “So, that girl always like this?”

“Just to you,” Owl said. “She's polite to the rest of us.”

Ethan laughed. “This is gonna be fun.” Then a blue Ideya came into view, held by the invisible creature. “Ah, she just had to send that one, didn't she?” he said mildly insulted and amused.

“Umm,” the invisible creature went. “I can sneak myself past Reala, but,” she looked at the glowing orb, “how can I sneak this past him?”

Ethan smirked. “I have an idea.”

Back in the Nightopia, Nights had her face in her hands, distressed over the terrible turn of events and the sadness in her heart. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Looking up she saw nothing; that sight filled her heart with hope. She felt fingers on her face gently turning her head towards the door, then back in front of her. Reala still had his back to her. She nodded and graciously await whatever plan they had to free her.

With a small noise, like one opening their mouth wide, a blue Ideya slowly appeared out of nowhere. Nights wasn't expecting that. Her own jaw dropped. How? She wondered. She didn't have much time to as the Ideya was shoved into her hands.

“Take it back to Victoria,” whispered the invisible creature.

Nights didn't have to be told twice. She quickly used it to free herself. Then she glanced at the doorway, so close, and then looked at Reala, who hadn't noticed. Nights could easily sneak away and avoid confrontation, however, the imagine of his smirk was still fresh in her mind. “Thank you,” Nights told the invisible creature. She then shoved the Ideya forward and it landed in the creature's arm. “You take it back to her though.” The creature tried to ask a question. “Go,” Nights said before it could be asked.

“...Mm.” And she began to walk away.

With her leaving, Nights flew. “Reala!”

“Ah, Nights,” he said, not even looking back. “Have you come to your senses so soon?” By this time, he saw she was already flying under and in front of him. He barely had time to comprehend her escape as she quickly moved overhead. He gasped, realizing her moves, and flew away before her Paraloop could seize him. “You would attack an injured 'Maren?”

“Still can fly, can't you?” she said, as he started to form his own Paraloop.

Paraloop battles were interesting with dodging another's vortex while trying to close your own around them. Thank goodness the circle didn't have to be perfect, so long as the Twinkle Dust connected. That's why Nights found drawing figure-8's the most effective method. When one circle failed, you were already starting your other. However, it seemed Reala had taken notice of this tactic long ago and he too was doing figure-8's. An onlooker would get quite dizzy watching them.

“You tricked me!” Nights yelled.

“I did no such thing.” He swerved to avoid another Paraloop. “Believe it or not, I have been truthful in all my words tonight. My only error was forgetting how much of a disillusioned fool you are!”

“You're right; I don't believe you!” Nights flew high. She planned to create a giant Paraloop, one that could suck even those not in the circle. She dove down and around to catch the tail end of her Twinkle Dust. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Reala almost finishing his smaller circle, but she had almost completed hers! She didn't.

“Wotcha!” Reala's smaller Paraloop engulfed her and she vanished into the portal.

“Ha!” Reala laughed victoriously at the space where Nights once was. He smugly smiled. Then. “Argh!” He grabbed his head in frustration. He had won, yes, but now he had to go find her again. He grumbled at his lack of foresight.

Elsewhere, the opposite end of the portal opened and dropped Nights to the ground with a thud. She laid there, face on the ground, for a bit, contemplating her loss. Then, with a yell, she started pounding the ground in frustration. She got up and kicked the nearest object, a pile of jack-o-lanterns stacked on top of eachother, and they fell with a splat. She grabbed a nearby witch's broom and snapped it over her knee. She then used what was left of the handle to swat at a large spider in its web, sending it flying off. She continued her rage, breaking and throwing objects, frightening off ravens and bats, until she reached a fountain of 'blood' that was surrounded by prop skeletons. Exhausted, she sat down at the fountain and held her knees close to her.

The emptiness hurt.

A short time passed and Nights glanced up from her misery and at the full moon in the evening sky. As if she didn't felt brokenhearted enough, she had to be transported this to Nightopia: The one that reminded her of 'home', of Nightmare. She saw the haunted house in the short distance, could also hear the screams from it too, and the graveyard that was always filled with a thick fog. Back when Nights first encountered this world, she thought Nightmare had already taken it over. It certainly looked like a Nightmaren boss level. The third-levels were confused the first time they saw it too. But no, it belonged to a Visitor who adored bloody horror movies and was enthralled with Halloween after a visit to the States one October long ago.

Nights turned her head to look at the statue in the middle of the fountain: A scared maiden about to be devoured by a huge werewolf. As she stared at it, and thought about their roles, a hooded figure approached from behind. He held a chainsaw and, when he was close enough, pulled the chain to start it up.

“Not now,” Nights said unfazed and rested her head on her hands.

Disappointed noises came from under the hood and out came Nightopians, who set their costume and prop down. Seeing the familiar Nights looking sad, they floated over to her and offered her a caramel apple.

“I'm gonna need something stronger than that.”

They handed her a huge chocolate bar.

“That's better.” She took it and bit off a large chunk. The Nightopians continued to play in front of her. Their foolery, unfortunately, didn't alleviate her mood. At least the candy was tasty.

Her thoughts strayed towards the owner of this Nightopia. Nights first met that Visitor here instead of the Dream Gate and the Visitor immediately thought Nights was a Nightmaren. Not that the Visitor was wrong, but it still hurt. However, once the Visitor got a good look at Nights, at Nights' regal outfit and bright eyes, decided Nights was a prince who fought Nightmarens. Nights smiled weakly. Not that the Visitor was wrong about that either...

“Nights.”

Nights turned towards the Visitor. “Hello, Victoria.”

The girl sat by him. “Are you alright?” she asked softly.

Normally, Nights would steer the subject to something pleasant, however, Nights' defenses had been devastated and he couldn't keep up a front. He turned his head from her, not wanting her to see how dejected he felt. Now he felt her arms wrapped around him in a comforting hug. They sat like that for awhile.

“I'm sorry,” Nights said.

“What ever for?”

“You should be out having fun with Ethan.” He sighed. “Not here.”

“This is my Nightopia and you are my friend, Nights. And I know Ethan would want me here right now.” The two continued to sit. Suddenly, a large crack of thunder, followed by a manically cackle, disturbed them.

Nights turned towards her. “Can we go to your second Nightopia? I sure could go for some of those chocolate parfaits and crème brulee they have there.”

“I think that's a good idea.” She got up. “I have to warn you, though: Reala is at the Dream Gate waiting for you.”

Nights frowned. “I'll go take care of him.” Victoria lifted her eyebrows and gave him a knowing look. “Unless... you took care of him already?”

Victoria didn't answer. She just smiled and walked towards the door.

Nights looked around at Victoria's first Nightopia. Thank goodness her other two Nightopias were normal. Then again he supposed this unusual one was the reason why Victoria still had all 5 of her Ideyas; what Nightmaren could possibly scare her light away?

When they entered the Dream Gate, Reala sat at the fountain, sporting a black eye.

He remained seated but spoke up. “I am sorry,” he said sincerely. “I got carried away and should not have Captured you.”

“You think?!” Victoria yelled. Nights held up an arm. He gave her a look to let Reala continue.

“Nights, can we talk, please?”

Nights crossed his arms and nodded. “I have thought about your offer.”

Reala leaned back on the fountain and gave a long sigh. “And?”

“All you want is reassurance you'll survive,” Nights kept his voice low. “Here is your reassurance.” He placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder. “If, if, Wizeman comes back, she is going to help me defeat him.” He lifted his hand and floated closer to him. “Because, you see, I do care about your survival, Reala, despite what you think, and I have already taken measures to ensure it some time ago.” Reala lowered his head but kept his gaze on Nights. “However, right now, I don't care about you.” Reala frowned. “So, you'll survive if we fight Wizeman, Reala, but I don't care if I ever see you again.” Nights wanted to shout so many things at him. How happy they could have been together, how they could have lived out theirs lives in bliss, but no: Nights would not give him the satisfaction of the sorrow he caused.

Reala took a breath. “Please think of the odds and be rational,”

Nights reached his patience and cut him off. “I am not going to have sex with you!”

Reala, and Victoria, felt embarrassed at the bluntness and wording of that statement. Reala also couldn't argue how, at the moment, that was a rational thought. “I will take my leave.” He got up from his spot.

“If you want our truce to remain intact, do not bring this discussion up with me again.”

Reala clenched his fists. “Very well.” He flew away from the Dream Gate, leaving Nights and everyone there.

“I'd thought he'd never leave,” said the invisible creature.

“You and me both. How long have you been there?”

“Since you got back, Nights.”

“Right.” Nights excused himself from Victoria and floated over to Ethan's side. “Ethan? Owl?”

Ethan was busy writing on some parchment Owl had given him. The feathered quill Ethan used looked like one of Owl's.

“Glad you made it back safely like Owl said you would, Nights,” Ethan said. “I'm really sorry this evening has been rough for you."

“Hoo. Hoo. Yes, Nights, you've been through an awful ordeal. I know if you want to talk about it, I am always here to listen to you.”

Nights nodded her head. “I think I'll take you up on that offer in the morning. However, would you mind if Victoria and I gorge ourselves on sweets until then?”

Owl nodded. Nights looked towards Ethan.

“Yeah, you two go ahead and have fun. You look like you need the girl time.” He went back to his papers.

“What could you possibly be writing?” she asked, hands on her hips.

“If I'm gonna come back and keep losin' my memories, I wanna write some info down for myself.”

“Such as?”

He paused and read off a line. “'Victoria is crazy and over-powered: Do not piss her off.'”

Nights laughed. It felt good. Ethan smiled. “So, is that what you think of your 'dream girl'?”

“I think when I wake up I need to sit down and read 'Taming of the Shrew'.”

Nights, Owl, and Ethan laughed about that.

Then Owl had to yell over: “M'dear, do not tell that Visitor what we are talking about!”

The end.