Chapter 5

Elliot was staring up at a dark, cloudy sky. His arms and legs were spread out over the cold black sand upon which he lay. Elliot gazed up and thought, "I just can't believe this. I don't want this to be real..." Then he looked over at the water, which was a murky black and thought, "Oh wait a minute. This isn't real. It's a dream, you dummy."

Then, Elliot felt a droplet of water fall onto his face. Then another. Then yet another. Within a few seconds, many more droplets of water came falling down on Elliot. Elliot scrambled to his feet and tried to keep the water from getting in his face by putting his arms up.

A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky and within a moment's time, a crackle of thunder was heard. Elliot picked up his pace and started running across the barren dreamscape. The black rain kept pouring down harder and harder as the time went by. It seemed the more Elliot ran, the more rain fell.

"This sucks...", Elliot thought to himself as he pressed on. Elliot approached a hill that seemed really familiar. "Something seems vaguely memorable about this...", thought Elliot. He proceeded to climb up the hill. When he reached the top, he saw the crumbled remains of the Ideya Palace.

Elliot put his arms down and bowed his head. He frowned a little. "NiGHTS...", Elliot thought to himself sadly. He kneeled down on one knee and picked up a piece of the desecrated monument in each of his hands. "I'm really on my own, I guess...", Elliot spoke aloud in a saddened tone.

"Indeed you are, Elliot Edwards.", said a nasty voice from behind Elliot.

Elliot spun around in an instant to see a figure who looked much like NiGHTS, except his skin color was more gray, and his clothing was black and red. "Enjoying your dreamscape's new look much?", asked the figure with a cackle.

"Lord Reala.", responded Elliot in a dull tone.

Reala cackled a little and said, "I see you've learned respect for those more powerful than you. Good boy."

I don't respect you. I never have or ever will, you piece of crap.", responded Elliot harshly.

Reala frowned a little and said, "I see. Well if that is the kind of attitude you're going to have, I guess I won't tell you what I know about NiGHTS."

"I wouldn't trust you to tell me the truth anyway.", snapped Elliot.

Reala laughed. "Ha ha... You always were a stubborn one, Elliot.", he said.

"Shut up.", said Elliot.

Reala cackled once more. "If you were nice to me, I would tell you everything I know about what's going on. You sure you don't want me to tell you?"

Elliot just stood there and stared at Reala sternly.

Reala laughed and said, "I figured as such. You humans have always been such vile, stubborn creatures..."

"You know nothing!", shouted Elliot.

Reala flew into Elliotreally fast, put his face to Elliot's, and snapped, "I know everything! I lurk through your mind and through your heart always! I am a creation of Master Wizeman, who is a creation of all humans' darkness within! We see everything!"

Elliot stood there with his hands clenched into fists and started to shake. Reala smacked him across the face and said, "You could never possibly understand everything we know."

Elliot punched reala in the face as hard as he could. Reala tumbled a little, got up, and then cackled. "You know nothing about true human spirit!", snarled Elliot.

"Hahaha... I see this is going nowhere. Per haps a visit from an old friend might straighten you out.", cackled Reala as he flew away. All of a sudden, Elliot heard a bouncing sound from behind him. He spun around instantaneously.

A gigantic ball shaped nightmaren dressed in clown's clothing with long ears came soaring up and over Elliot. Elliot stood there frozen. He was terrified. This thing was about to come down and crush Elliot.

"So Puffy will be the end of me...", thought Elliot as Puffy started to come down.

Puffy started laughing. All of a sudden, pictures and memories of Claris came into Elliot's head. "she's gonna miss me...", he thought.

Puffy was now only ten feet above Elliot's head. Time was running out. Elliot still stood still frozen in terror. Then out of nowhere, Elliot heard a scream that sounded like Claris yelling, "ELLIOT!!!"

"NOOOO!!!!", roared Elliot as he leaped into the air. He now had a red aura around him for a brief moment as he took flight, grabbed Puffy, and through her into what was left of one of the fountains.

Puffy let out a quick scream and bounced straight up. Elliot flew straight over to Puffy and grabbed her once again. Then, Elliot spun Puffy around and then threw her into what was left of the giant flower clock.

Elliot took a quick glance at the black water and had an idea. He flew over to Puffy and grabbed her. This time, Elliot spun her around 3 times and then flung her towards the water. As Puffy crashed into the black sea, she let out a blood curdling shriek.

The water began to bubble around her and steam began to rise from it. "Incredible. I didn't think that would happen...", Elliot thought to himself as he watched his unfortunate foe sink deeper and deeper into the deep sea of horrendous darkness.