Into Dreams Part 3
A giant green flash appeared suddenly and then ended, revealing Sonic and the others holding onto each other's shoulder with Silver in the center, clutching the emerald down on Rarity's keytar. Everyone let each other go.
"That worked. So, where are we?" Silver wondered as he put the emerald in his pocket and strapped Rarity's keytar around him.
All of them began to look around to where they had entered. The sky was a deep blue color with many twinkling stars in the background. The area they were in was covered by many tall green pine trees. They appeared to be in some kind of garden as there were small 4 bushes around the corners. They were standing in a circular pathway with red stripes on its exterior with a large fountain in the center, making the sound of water pouring heavily. Next to it were two tall green statues of two women holding water bearers. Around them were 6 brown doors floating, each with a few small steps leading towards them. It was a magnificent sight to behold as they were in awe of the location's natural beauty. Even Shadow couldn't help but admire it.
"This place is so beautiful." Sunset managed to say.
"I know. Just being here makes me want to lie down and take a looong nap." Sonic said as he stretched his arms.
"Well, we're not here for sightseeing. We're here to take back the emeralds, remember?" Shadow firmly reminded him.
"And save Rarity." Silver added.
"That too." Shadow reminded Sonic. Sonic sighed at Shadow's uptight attitude.
"I know, I didn't forget. Just making a joke. You need to lighten up sometimes." Sonic replied, making Shadow turn away and fold his arms.
"Uh, wasn't this supposed to take us to where Rarity is? I don't see her around anywhere. In fact, I think we're the only ones here." AppleJack said as she examined the area. She was right. Aside from them, it was empty.
"Oh, hehe, maybe I should have mentioned that when I did this, it didn't take me to Rarity's exact location. Just the dimension to where she was taken." Manic said with slight embarrassment as he rubbed his neck, making him the receiving end of many irritated glances.
"That would have been nice to know. Great, so Rarity's in an entirely new world and we don't even know where to begin looking for her!" Rainbow Dash said as she flayed her arms up in frustration.
"And I don't sense the emeralds presence at all." Shadow said.
"No sign of Rarity or the emeralds. Great start." Knuckles complained.
Suddenly from the sky, a small sound of what appeared to be a flute was heard, grabbing everyone's attention as they looked around for the source. It was a soft and smooth melody, and it was very relaxing and pleasing to the ears.
"What's that song. It's soooo nice." Pinkie happily noticed as she began to nod her head to the sound of the music.
"Where's it coming from?" Tails wondered.
The music of the flute began to increase into noise and Sonic and the group managed to notice that the melody was coming from the sky as they raised their heads up to find its origin. Coming down to them, was a figure who didn't even have a flute at all. They had their hands into the position of a flute, yet the music still appeared. They wore a purple suit with pink covers on the feet with yellow stripes around them. They had a small pink vest with yellow stars. They had large white sleeves with cuffs decorated with purple and yellow triangles upside down of each other. They were wearing a red jewel in the center of their chest and on top of their head, they wore a large purple jester hat with lavender stripes. They had a large purple collar where their neck should have been. Their eyes were closed as they descended down in the middle of everyone, still airborne and they stopped moving their fingers and the music ended. They opened their eyes, which were large and clear blue and they had no nose as well. The figure gave a welcoming smile.
"I've never seen this many visitors at once." They said.
Before any could ask the purple jester about their identity, Pinkie dashed in front of them and eyed them up with a big and excited smile on her face.
"How did you do that?!! You were making music without an instrument! You've gotta teach me!" Pinkie shouted, bursting with energy as she peered into their face. The jester let out a small chuckle and slightly drifted away from her to get back some space.
"Just a special talent I have. Here in the dream world, anything is possible." They informed her as they floated upside down with their hands behind their head. Hearing the phrase 'dream world' made Shadow raise an eyebrow and he turned his attention to the jester as he began to inspect them with suspicion as he squinted slightly. There was something familiar about this jester.
"Uh, yeah, before we start doing anything, who are you? And where are we exactly?" Silver said as he spoke up and approached the jester. They turned right side up after hearing him.
"Oh, introductions are due. Pardon me. I'm NiGHTS." The jester said with a bow. "And you visitors are in Nightopia, the realm of dreams. This location is known as the Dream Gate, the starting place of every dreamer."
"We're not dreamers. We're not even sleeping." Fluttershy informed NiGHTS, causing him to float up in a sitting position and examine her and the others with curiosity.
"Not dreaming? That's odd. Then how'd you arrive here?" NiGHTS asked.
Shadow continued to eye NiGHTS and this talk of dreams jogged his memory a bit. It then hit him why NiGHTS seemed so familiar and Shadow's eyes widened. He then marched up towards NiGHTS through Sonic and the others and gave him a slight glare.
"I have a question. You wouldn't happen to know anyone by the name of Reala would you? You look a lot like him." Shadow demanded to NiGHTS, causing Sonic and the others to face NiGHTS with slight surprise at Shadow's assessment. NiGHTS stood or rather, floated straight quickly when he heard this.
"Reala?! You know Reala?!" NiGHTS said, bewildered.
"I remember him! He was the meanie who tried to take over my dream!" Pinkie remembered. "Come to think of it, Shady's right. You look like him, except more fun and a whole lot nicer!"
"Same old Reala." NiGHTS said with a disappointed sigh. "Yeah, I know Reala. I guess he's sort of my sibling in a way. We were both created to serve this evil guy called Wizeman and take over Nightopia. Reala liked the idea, but I didn't, so I betrayed him. Ever since then, I've been defending visitors and Nightopia from their threats. And having a little fun along the way." They added as they stretched their face into a large toothy grin, making Pinkie laugh slightly.
The name Wizeman made Tails speak up suddenly as well.
"Wizeman? I remember Rarity mentioning that name when she told me she was stealing the emeralds for her master!" Tails explained.
"You've even heard of Wizeman too. What brings you to Nightopia?"NiGHTS asked with great interest.
"Our friend Rarity wasn't being herself. Like she was some under kind of evil spell. She came and took 6 of these powerful gems known as Chaos Emeralds and disappeared. We managed to trace her here using the only one she didn't take." Sunset said.
"Yep, that sounds like something Wizeman would do." NiGHTS nonchalantly said as he rose up slightly. "Anyway, seeing as he's behind your missing emeralds and friend, you don't mind if I join your little journey, do you? I'd never miss up an opportunity to make Wizeman mad."
"Sounds good to me. You seem way past cool." Sonic agreed. NiGHTS floated down. They fist bumped in agreement.
"Besides, you seem to know your way around here. We're kinda lost. We're really in need of a guide." Silver added.
"A pleasure." NiGHTS said, giving him the thumbs up.
Pinkie suddenly came behind NiGHTS and she gave them a bone crushing hug, making them slightly amazed at the strength of her grip.
"Eeeeehhhh! This is so great! Welcome to the group! I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie said. " And that's Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Manic, Silver, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, Fluttershy, and Shadow!"
NiGHTS turned and he noticed all of them, giving him welcoming looks of approval, well except Shadow, of course. Pinkie let NiGHTS go and they were approached by the others.
"Now that introductions are done and over with, let's get started! Where to first, NiGHTS?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, seeing as Wizeman made your friend and stones disappear, they'll probably in Nightmare. That's his headquarters." NiGHTS deduced.
Speaking of Nightmare, in the location, Wizeman and Reala waited in Wizeman's chamber.
"Sir, I fear she's been gone for too long. What if she failed?" Reala said, his voice full of concern.
"Patience Reala. I have faith in my new servant." Wizeman calmly responded.
Suddenly, a glittering dark purple mist appeared, revealing itself to be Nightmare Rarity. In her hand, she was holding the emerald canister with 6 Chaos Emeralds, Red, Grey, Blue, Cyan, Purple, and Yellow. She came down on her knees and presented them to Wizeman.
"Master Wizeman, here are the emeralds as you requested." Nightmare Rarity, said.
"Excellent. I told you she wouldn't fail Reala." Wizeman said, causing Nightmare Rarity to turn to him, who folded his arms with displeasure and he grumbled a bit. He was hoping she would fail.
"You thought I would fail?! As If! I'm not like you for starters! 2nd, when you're as talented as me, there's only one-way things end. With success!" Nightmare Rarity told him as she did a conceited hair flip. Reala looked as if he wanted to tear her to shreds, regardless of what Wizeman thought but he just remained silent and clutched his arms more tightly. Nightmare Rarity then turned her attention back to Wizeman and she opened up the emerald canister, making the 6 emeralds rise up in the air. Wizeman observed them, impressed with the power he could sense. They then each floated into the palm of the 6 hands surrounding Wizeman. After this, Wizeman felt a surge of energy through his body as each of the hands glowed the color of the respective emerald they possessed. Reala looked on, astonished at the new power his master possessed.
"I can feel it.....these emeralds......I've never known a power like this before!" Wizeman exclaimed.
"It is truly a pleasure to please you master." Nightmare Rarity said with a bow.
Wizeman suddenly felt a disturbance in Nightopia and his hands stopped glowing. Both Reala and Nightmare Rarity noticed this.
"Master, what is the matter?" Reala asked.
"It appears that we have visitors." Wizeman said. He then formed a small hole from behind Reala and Nightmare Rarity, making them turn towards it. In it, they saw Sonic and the group with NiGHTS in the Dream Gate, chatting about their next move. Nightmare Rarity gasped and she formed a look of panic. Reala turned towards her and he gave her a smug smile.
"So, things only end in success, do they?" He taunted.
"I don't understand. How could they have followed me here?" Nightmare Rarity wondered. Suddenly, the color drained from her face and she formed a dejected look as her shoulders sunk. She turned towards Wizeman.
"Master Wizeman, please forgive me! It appears that I forgot to bring you one emerald. I forgot the black visitor called Shadow always keeps it in his possession. I am so ashamed sir. They followed me and now are going to disturb your excellency." Nightmare Rarity apologized, her voice full of regret and remorse and she hung her head in shame.
"Let that be a lesson to you. Don't be so cocky!" Reala scolded as he floated around her slowly before he faced Wizeman. "Master, allow me to correct Nightmare Rarity's mistake. Let me deal with NiGHTS and his new companions. I owe Shadow and the pink one for my humiliation."
Hearing this suggestion made Nightmare Rarity raise her head and she looked at Reala as if that was the stupidest idea she had ever heard.
"And have you mess everything up again like last time?! I don't think so!" She snapped as she pointed towards Reala with aggression, taking him back. Before he could respond, she turned around and faced Wizeman.
"Master, I think I can correct my mistake. With an emerald, an individual is granted the ability to perform something called Chaos Control, allowing one to bend time and space to their will. Seeing as you possess six, why don't you try dealing with our unwanted guest by doing the technique yourself? The results would be beneficial. " Nightmare Rarity suggested.
"How dare you suggest Master Wizeman having to deal with such unworthy beings himself!? He-"Reala began before Wizeman spoke.
"Reala. Enough. Nightmare Rarity, your suggestion sounds extremely promising. I would like to test the power these emeralds have now bestowed me with. I say, allow our guest to approach me and then I will make use of this Chaos Control. Excellent plan." Wizeman decided, making Nightmare Rarity beam with joy and Reala speechless and stumped as he sighed in defeat.
"Thank you master." Nightmare Rarity said.
"Yes, I have a new Nightmare in mind which would preoccupy our visitors." Wizeman cryptically added. His hands began to glow the respective color of the emeralds again.