Helen hopped out of her mom's car and ran up to Mary who was waiting for her on the sidewalk. She was wearing bright, red heels that immediately caught Helen's eye as she went to greet her friend. The heels couldn't be less than 4 inches; Helen wondered how she was even standing without wobbling around. She turned around and waved goodbye to her mom as she drove away.

"Still getting rides from your mum?" Mary chuckled.

"It's not like I can drive yet!" Helen protested to her friend, but in a joking tone, "and neither can you."

"I took a taxi," Mary started fumbling around her bag for some black lipstick and went to reapply her already darkened lips, "I'd never trust my dad to drive me anywhere."

Helen stared at Mary as she applied the lipstick with a questioning look on her face, "Black lipstick? That's new."

Mary threw the makeup back into her bag and smiled as she smacked her lips together for a finishing touch, "I like it."

The two began walking down the street, glancing through store windows but never actually heading inside of one yet. Nothing really caught Helen's eye, and the stores around here were all clothing stores for like… old people. The only time they stopped inside one of the stores was to warm up for a moment. It was February after all, and Bellbridge could get quite cold during the winter.

A bright light had bounced into Helen's eye nearly blinding her for a moment. She looked around to see a a little silver ring that glistened as the suns rays hit it. It was sitting in a little store window- a Jewelry shop she usually dismissed on her afternoons in town. Something about the ring was different, though, and Helen couldn't seem to take her eyes off of it.

"You like that?" Mary responded. Helen didn't even hear her walk up.

"A little bit. I don't have a ton of jewelry, it's always too flashy. But if you're trying some new things then I want to too!"

Mary looked down at the ring that had caught Helen's attention so much, "This one's not that flashy. I can get you something bigger. Like with a diamond or something?"

Helen shook her head, "I kinda like this one."

"Alright princess," Mary winked, "I'll be right back."

Helen was told to wait outside while Mary went into the shop to purchase the ring on the display in the window. She could see the store employee hesitate for a moment before retrieving the ring and selling it to his new customer.

She wasn't sure why she wanted it so bad. There were definitely other things she could want around town, even a simple coffee would be a nice enough present. But for some reason, she was eagerly awaiting Mary to return outside with her new ring.

"Here you go my lady," Mary laughed as she presented Helen with the tiny box containing her present within. "Put it on! I wanna see it how it looks on you!"

Helen fumbled around with the new ring on her finger. It was weird for her; never being a big jewelry person, but it gave her a new level of confidence she didn't know she even had. Is this how Mary feels now?

She looked up and saw Mary heading towards the cafe up ahead already, she wasn't that hungry but could definitely go for some coffee, or even just some hot chocolate now that she was thinking of it before. Thankfully, the line wasn't too long. Most people aren't out walking around town on a cold February afternoon.

Helen got a small cup of coffee to warm and perk her up, but Mary insisted on tea. She seemed almost snobby about it. Then again, she was never a huge fan of anything bitter.

Mary wanted to stop at the convenience store before they parted ways to run a few errands of her own instead of sitting down at the cafe. Although she lived with her parents, she still lived very independently. She cooked her own dinner, did her own laundry, bought her own food…

As the duo walked out of the cafe and turned the corner, Helen's phone buzzed. Figuring it was her mom asking about how much longer they'd be out, she took it out and looked down to see the message and answer. As she was about to send her reply, Helen rammed into another person on the sidewalk and spilled her hot coffee everywhere.

She looked up instantly with regret, seeing a couple of boys standing outside the cafe, one now wearing her beverage all over his jacket. One of the boys standing next to him had dark hair, and Helen recognized the red shirt under his jacket as the jersey for the towns major youths football team. He was glaring at her.

"Watch where you're going blondie," he scoffed, taking a sip of his own hot drink.

The boy Helen bumped into turned around to his friend embarrassed, "It's fine, dude. Neither of us were really paying attention."

"The bitch was clearly on her phone. Obviously whatever trends on twitter are more important than the safety of others," the other responded, never turning his focus away from Helen.

"No one even got hurt but… yeah," the boy turned back to Helen, "You really should've been looking where you were going."

"Yeah… sorry…" Helen bent over to pick up her now empty cup of coffee she dropped. She didn't even get to drink any yet.

"Is there a problem here?" Mary stepped beside her friend and crossed her arms, staring sternly at the dark haired boy.

He looked taken aback for a moment before standing his ground again, "Yeah there is. We're out here freezing our asses off in the freezing cold, minding our own business when your friend was too stupid to not stay in her lane."

"Oh grow up," Helen grunted, now finally getting sick of the boys attitude,"my phone buzzed and I just checked to see who it was quickly. It's your fault for acting like you own the sidewalk."

The one boy shrugged slightly, but in return received a mean look from his friend before quickly turning back to Helen almost in fear, "But you seriously couldn't wait three seconds to look? I'm going to smell like coffee all day because you can't go three seconds without looking at your phone?"

"You could've stopped walking at least…" A third boy chimed in. He looked like he didn't really want to get involved.

"That jacket's hideous anyway," Mary smirked, "she did you a favor. Bright blue isn't really your color."

"It's my sister's…" he mumbled quietly.

"It's what?" Mary leaned in mockingly.

"It's my sister's."

The dark haired boy burst out laughing, "Really 'Taylor? You wear your sisters clothes? What else do you two borrow? Lotion? I thought you smelled a little fruity today!"

"My jacket was in the wash and it's cold out, shut up Jake!"

"Look, there's no need for this," Helen pleaded, both at the boys and to Mary, "I said I'm sorry. What do you want?"

Jake slowly pulled out his phone and studied Helen for a moment before smirking, "I know exactly what I want." He lifted the lid off of his own cup of coffee and walked over to Helen, dumping it right on her head. "Aw look you two match now! I hear lovebirds chirping."

The coffee was hot; it felt like it was burning off her skin but Helen tried to remain calm. Mary went to step forward but Helen grabbed her arm, she knew how Mary has been lately and didn't want her escalating things even more. It was just boys being boys.

Helen turned around and dragged Mary away. They were headed in the opposite direction of the convenience store, but she didn't really care. She just wanted to get home and take a shower.

"Seriously, what's up with girls? All they care about is phones and coffee, and have no respect for us guys anymore." Helen overheard Jake complaining from behind them loudly, clearly making sure she heard him.

"She's probably going to go whine to her mom and dad about this horrible injustice," the third boy forcibly laughed along.

"Whatever, she's gonna regret that." He laughed to himself and shoved his phone back in his pocket.

The quieter boy noticed Jake putting his phone back, "Let it go, dude. You took that a little too far don't you think?"

"Shut up 'Knight don't act like the good guy here, you were enjoying it too don't lie." Jake rolled his eyes. "No one messes with me. Or- you guys either I guess. Sincerely, a hit to you guys is a hit to me. I'm just looking out for my guys, right?"

The other two exchanged uncertain glances again before responding, "Right."

Juliet blinked her eyes open to see the somewhat familiar area in the Dream Plaza before her. Did Twylight… teleport them? She glanced over to see NiGHTS and Twylight in the distance having a conversation. NiGHTS was yelling about something, but she couldn't tell what they were saying, and she wasn't sure if it was because of distance or because of her head throbbing from the teleportation.

Twylight noticed Juliet walking over and smiled, ignoring NiGHTS' remarks, "Juliet, is it? Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah..?" Juliet responded a bit confused, "we just teleported."

"We portalled here about 5 minutes ago," they grinned, "you passed out after we got here. You seemed pretty stressed out! Only for about a minute, though."

"So you can teleport? Can all nightmaren do that?" Juliet glanced over to NiGHTS.

"No, it's just my power, or well, one of them." Twylight grinned playfully.

"My paraloops are a bit different compared to these portals…" NiGHTS begrudgingly added in. "Paraloops are more...destructive."

"Can you teleport anywhere? Like to the Waking World? Is that how that Nightmaren attacked me at school?"

Twylight's face scrunched up in confusion, "Well, sure, but more importantly a nightmaren attacked you in the Waking World?" Twylight leaned back and began to scratch their chin with their claw-like fingers, "I've been dormant, so it's impossible otherwise. Nightmayr doesn't have those powers. They're mine… to an extent. Nightmayr has powers of his own but mine are more fun!"

"So what powers does he have?" NiGHTS demanded in question.

"Do you mind if we have this conversation later? Let me wake up a bit,"" Twylight rubbed their black lit eyes and yawned. They turned around and flew off giving a reassuring smile before NiGHTS could demand more information out of them.

NiGHTS felt guilty. So much was happening that he didn't know how to stop. All NiGHTS wanted to do is help people… it must hurt feeling so helpless, Juliet thought. He flew off in the direction Twylight had left without saying a word more to Juliet.

Juliet sighed as the two disappeared and decided to go over to Jolten to see how he was doing instead, figuring NiGHTS and Twylight would figure something out themselves. He was sitting on the steps to the entrance of the large castle that resided in the plaza. They looked tired and a bit grumpy, his face was resting on his hand, and his expression barely changed when Juliet walked up to them.

"They're in there," they pointed to the entrance behind him, "the other two, I mean. I'm assuming that was what you wanted."

"Uh… yeah sure, thanks Jolten." Juliet grinned awkwardly and walked past the sulking nightmaren through the castle doors. Maybe now wasn't a good time to bother him.

The other two visitors were right in the first hall. Helen was pacing back and forth around Will, who was laying on the ground, his head supported up by his arms.

"I mean- we couldn't of right? You don't think we actually…"

"I don't know, Helen! Let's stop talking about it."

"I'm sorry it's just, with what happened and what's happening I can't help it! Oh… hey Juliet." Helen stopped pacing as she noticed Juliet awkwardly walking into the room, "Sorry I didn't notice you there… how long have you...?"

Juliet shrugged, "Is there something going on?"

Will laughed, "Helen thinks we were the ones who released Nightmayr."

"What do you mean we ? You were the one who kicked the stupid thing!"

"Yeah but you were supposed to catch it that's how the game works! Why did we even do that anyway?" He got defensive, clearly not wanting all the blame to be on him.

"Wait wait wait back up a second. Why do you think you released Nightmayr? You mean like how Twylight was released?"

"Well…" Helen started, "back at his lair….it first occurred to us when that orb rolled out of your bag… This castle, the Dream Plaza… we were here before," her voice cracked a bit, "a few years ago we both ended up here somehow. We found an orb similar to the one Twylight came out of-"

"The orb was somehow telling us NiGHTS locked it away so we broke it and freed whatever was inside it and it was probably Nightmayr.." Will quickly finished.

Helen glared at him.

"What! You take too long telling stories."

"What if it wasn't? Isn't there a third part of Fryght somewhere?"

"Exactly, which is why I said we should just let it go. Nothing could change what happened so we should focus on what's happening right now." Will agreed.

"Speaking of, how was… your sister right? Was she okay?" Juliet immediately took the chance to switch topics. Whether it was a good topic to switch to or not was up for debate.

Helen jumped in again, "she was in an unconscious state but we managed to get her to wake up… hopefully Will can convince her she was just 'dreaming' so to speak."

"Do you know what Nightmayr wanted?" Will's eyes narrowed up at Juliet, "I know he was after you before but... it didn't seem like he cared that much to see you tonight."

She groaned, almost as if she was embarrassed, "I'm just as confused as you guys are. It has something to do with that stone. Do either of you have it with you?"

Helen sighed "Twylight has it, where are they anyway?"

"They flew off somewhere, NiGHTS followed...I think. It's just us, and Jolten I guess…"

"Jolten? Is that the yellow one?" Will sat up, "what's his deal anyway?"

Juliet crossed her arms, "that's a good question. I guess he betrayed Nightmayr but he's still against us? I don't think they're that much of a threat, though."

Helen peered over to see Jolten staring bullets at them through the crack in the door. "I think he can hear us."

"He's supposed to," Will shouted towards the door with his hands cupped around his mouth.

"Anyway I have to find where NiGHTS went. I want to go back to where I found Twylight's orb in the Dream Gate..." Juliet explained.

Will groaned, "I thought we were dropping this topic."

"I never said you had to come," she laughed.

" I'll come," Helen stepped forward to offer, "I missed Nightopia, and any chance to see NiGHTS again I'll take."

"You sure you don't wanna come?" Juliet turned around and asked Will once more as she and Helen stood in the doorway.

"No thanks, I should be waking up soon to deal with Maria anyway," he shrugged, "you guys go on ahead."

Helen frowned a bit, but turned back to Juliet and walked out behind her.

Twylight had outflown NiGHTS, and now the nightmaren had no chance of talking to them alone again. Returning back to the Dream Plaza's main clearing, NiGHTS kicked the ground in anger. What was he even angry about anymore? Something about Twylight was bothering him. He couldn't help but to feel like he's met them before. Something about them was familiar… but that had to be impossible. He would've remembered running into another nightmaren wouldn't he? In any case, NiGHTS didn't trust them. If Fryght's story is true, nothing good could come from any of his shattered pieces. He was going to keep a close eye on Twylight.

His thoughts were interrupted by Juliet and Helen's voices calling behind him. Juliet looked extremely out of breath.

"NiGHTS!" Helen shouted, "We've been looking for you!"

"Oh? What's up?" The nightmaren flew down, crossing his legs and sitting in the air like usual.

"I wanted to go back to the Dream Gate to check out where we found… well... found Twylight I guess." Juliet replied, trying to catch her breath still from running.

NiGHTS sighed, "Unfortunately that might be too dangerous, the place is probably in an even worse state now than it was before."

"Okay…" Juliet sounded disappointed, but quickly thought of another easy suggestion for the night. "Why don't we go check out Nightopia instead?"

"Sounds like fun!" NiGHTS beamed, "Helen are you going to come with us?"

"Sure!" she smiled back, "I'd love to!"

NiGHTS took the two visitors and flew off to the small clearing of the plaza where the entrances to Nightopia were. Helen wandered around in the clearing in awe, it looked almost like the Dream Gate but felt… cozier in a way. It was strange not having the fountain in the center to break the eerie silence, all there was… was a bird bath? Helen peered over to look into the small bath, and the same circle of light from Juliet before happened again. The frames for the doors were filled, replaced with three Nightopia's unfamiliar to Juliet. "What? NiGHTS where did Lilac Valley go?" Juliet looked up to her friend.

"The Dream Plaza was a place for visitors to interact with one another like a big dream gathering! So I guess this clearing here recognizes the visitor and changes the Nightopia accordingly now that Juliet's ideya has activated it."

"Right… visitors couldn't normally see each other in the Dream Gate… it was separate for each visitor's dream… that always confused me too I guess." Helen further tried to explain.

"So how do we get my Nightopia back?"

Helen waved Juliet over, "I think it has something to do with this bird bath thing. Does it sense ideya or something?" She looked over to NiGHTS.

"Juliet try touching it," NiGHTS flew down, "see if we get a reaction."

Juliet grabbed the bath and pulled herself over to look into it like Helen did before. Again, the light returned and the three new doors were swapped out with Juliet's current as the stained glass imagery above them shifted. However something was different this time. A new door glittered brightly next to the door for Lilac Plains. The stained glass above depicted a dim green forest, the focal point of the picture appeared to be a suspended bridge.

"That wasn't there before!" Juliet identified the new entrance.

"Looks like a new Nightopia awaits you, Juliet!" Beamed NiGHTS once more. "Let's go already! I can feel some excitement right behind the door!"

Juliet clapped her hands together in excitement. A new Nightopia to explore! What surprises had in store for them there?

"You know what…" Helen leaned up against the bird bath, "I think I'll let you two go yourselves. Now that I know my Nightopias are still here… I want to spend some time there myself for a bit. I missed them..."

NiGHTS nodded, "Sounds good! Once I finish up with Juliet I'll come find you and we can play like old times! Maybe we can try to make an even bigger bubble in Aqua Garden!"

"That would be fun too!" Helen laughed.

"Alright, Julie!" NiGHTS looked down at Juliet, "it's just you and me!"

Helen waited until Juliet and NiGHTS were gone before triggering the doors to change once again. She stood staring at the three entrances to her Nightopias, not sure which one she wanted to visit again. Memory Forest reminded her of the last night she was here, and it made her feel upset. Neither she nor Will brought it up, and they both acted like they didn't remember, but she knew they would have to face it eventually.

She glanced around the clearing before stepping up to the door that led to Crystal Castle, feeling rather giddy before she entered.

"'Thought they'd all never leave," Rachael flew out from hiding behind, Reala grunting.

"I see NiGHTS brought back an old friend," Reala sneered, "not like that'll do him any good this time. I have another idea to tire NiGHTS out and get him to cooperate."

"Oh huh? What's that?" Rachael replied, they seemed uninterested in anything Reala was saying.

"Just follow me," he grunted in response.

The new door glittered, and Juliet could feel it beckoning for her to go inside. Each Nightopia she creates is a reflection of herself, her deepest desires. What would this one have in store for her? She stepped forward and pulled the large black doors open, and she felt herself falling into her new dream.

The new world was a large forest, with trees that looked as tall as skyscrapers. Several of the trees were hollowed out with small holes along the sides which she could see nightopians flying in and out of. Several paths winded around leading deep into the woods, with pretty colorful markers along the sides, like the ones you would follow if you had gotten lost while taking a hike. The scenery reminded Juliet of the woods her family would hike in when she was younger. Those family hikes were the start of her love for adventure and nature, and she had nearly forgotten until now.

"I love it!" Juliet clapped her hands together as she ran into the world. The smell of the forest hit her nose strongly bringing a strong sense of happy nostalgia.

"Me too! The forest has always been one of my favorites." He kicked up his feet to float in the air, "Quiet, endless, no room for Wizeman..."

"Well now, I suppose that's why I've always hated it." A cruel toned voice interrupted the peaceful reminiscence. A voice that felt like needles on Juliet's back as she shuddered. NiGHTS quickly regained his posture and turned around in tune with the visitor to face the newcomer.

It was Reala. He had Helen tightly in his grip.

"Bravo, bravo! As suspected, you have uncovered a new Nightopia!"

"Let her go Reala! What do you want?" NiGHTS flew in front of Juliet, but was obviously feeling too tired from zipping around to fight again.

Something about Helen was giving Juliet a weird feeling, but she couldn't explain what it was. Instead, she decided to remain behind NiGHTS where she was safer.

"How about we have a trade? You have something Nightmayr wants, I have something you might want." He grinned, Helen simply remained silent. "I know you don't enjoy harm coming to your little visitor friends so just be a good boy and behave."

"What could he possibly want from us? If he wants his stupid stone back, we're not the ones who have it."

"What?" Reala had a confused expression on his face, "the orb! Nightmayr sent us to retrieve it from here."

NiGHTS and Juliet remained silent, and stared at Reala for a while before looking at each other and chuckling. Reala demanded to know what was so funny.

"Have you been hanging around here all night Reala? You missed the big party we had back at Nightmare!" NiGHTS joked in a chiding manner, "that orb we found here is long gone. Nightmayr knows it too."

Reala snarled, and tightened his grip on Helen, "explain yourselves! I can easily crush the visitor, NiGHTS!"

Juliet locked eyes with Helen and nearly jumped in her own spot. NiGHTS was about to react when Juliet leapt in front and cut him off, "go ahead!" She shouted. NiGHTS flinched and stared wide eyed at Juliet, appalled at her actions. "That's not Helen, anyway!"

"You're a feisty visitor, aren't you? You pick them well, NiGHTS." He sneered.

"What? But-" NiGHTS looked over at Reala. He had an angry expression on his face. "That's not Helen?!"

"How are you so sure? Are you willing to take that bet?"

"Of course," Juliet crossed her arms, "Helen doesn't have pink eyes."

NiGHTS was taken aback, almost disappointed in himself for not realizing the difference. Was it so long he couldn't even remember what his own friend looked like?

The Helen growled and ripped away from Reala, transforming and revealing herself to be Rachael.

"Bravo, bravo. As suspected, your plan turned out to be useless and failed again!" NiGHTS laughed, mocking Reala.

"You certainly haven't won yet… or did you forget NiGHTS? A nightmaren always comes back for seconds. While we planned to have our fake dance here, another ball was commencing! You really think I would've let you have any prize?" Reala sneered, but before he could say any more a large portal opened up behind him and Rachael. Twylight flew out of it, grabbing the two and throwing them in behind their back. They poked the portal, causing it to close as soon as the two fell through.

"They won't be back. At least not for a while." Twylight smiled over at the two and began to laugh.

"It's ok but… NiGHTS? What was he talking about?" Juliet frantically ran to her friend.

NiGHTS flew silently for a moment, but his expression changed to shock as soon as he recalled, "Crocile!"

Twylight responded, already opening up another portal, "your friend is in trouble. They sent Crocile for the other visitor to lower your numbers. When I saw I came to find you two as soon as possible."

"I should've figured Reala would try to do something sneaky like that, he never plays fair" NiGHTS pouted, "I just hope we're not too late."

"If we stand here and shame ourselves any longer it will be too late, come on." Twylight grunted as they began to shove NiGHTS through the portal. Juliet willingly followed through.

Will watched Juliet and Helen walk out of the castle back outside into the plaza, feeling a bit guilty for skipping out on them. What was he so nervous about?

Just as the door closed behind the two girls, it opened once more as Jolten flew in. Will stood uncomfortably as Jolten hovered a bit too close to him, smirking.

"You're not actually waking up yet, are you?"

Will groaned, "No. I mean…"

"You're a terrible liar you know? I could hear your hesitation that entire conversation. It was painful." Jolten crossed his legs and rested his head against his hand, "and you guys really talk like no one else is listenin'."

Will turned away from the nightmaren, a little annoyed, "I don't know… it'd just be weird."

"Weird? Because they're both girls?" they smirked.

"No!" Will turned back to Jolten defensively, turning red, "it's just… it's Helen!"

"Oh, what do you like her or something?"

He turned red and stiffened in frustration, "No!"

Jolten sighed and flew down, sitting on the ground again, quieting down a bit, "shouting just makes you look more guilty, you know. Anyway, what is it then? You were all gettin' along fine before."

Will paused in confusion for a moment but decided to take a seat next to Jolten, "It's just… things are kinda weird between all of us. I know Helen thinks it too, but were both too nervous to say anything I guess. It's not healthy to just pretend like nothing happened between us and NiGHTS, you know?"

"Pretending like I know what you're talking about... nothin's gonna happen if you don't say anything. You two are friends, from what I've gathered in the past 30 minutes at least."

"That's the thing… I don't think we are. I don't know… we've ran into each other a few times before… I don't think she's particularly fond of me anymore. That's why I feel kinda weird about going along…"

"I mean, I don't think the purple guy is very fond of me either, we've had some bad run ins with each other but we've been able to put it behind us for the sake of getting through this together." Jolten shrugged, "I think you're just overthinking things. I do it a lot, you just gotta learn to get over it and move on."

Will looked up at Jolten, "You overthink things? What does a nightmaren have to stress out about anyway?"

Jolten frowned, "It doesn't really matter, it's not important to what's going on now."

"Come on," he moved in closer to the nightmaren, "I just shared with you ."

"Fine," Jolten groaned, "being around NiGHTS lately has also felt pretty weird for me too… I guess I just spent my entire existence being constantly compared to him, seen as lesser than him… every second of my life before was spent just trying to be better than him, being me . Showing Wizeman I could be worth something to him. So tagging along behind NiGHTS now like some dog just feels like a slap in the face. But… it's funny," Jolten laughed, "I don't actually miss him. Wizeman, I mean. Even though all my existence… he was all I ever really knew. Everything I did was for him. I feel… weirdly free… but I feel guilty about it."

"If you want my opinion, Wizeman's a jerk," Will grinned, "he probably didn't deserve you at all."

"I don't know why he kept me around. He only kept a handful of rejects around, but they all still had some kind of purpose, they were all their own nightmaren. I was just always… the lesser NiGHTS !"

"Maybe you were overthinking things again," Jolten looked at Will in uncertainty, "I mean, what if no one was actually comparing you to NiGHTS? What if that was all in your head?"

He perked his head up and laughed, "Well, that would mean I wasted centuries of my life and it's all been useless up until this point. Anyway!" Jolten stretched up and pulled Will up to his feet, "since you don't wanna wake up just yet, and NiGHTS and the Funky Bunch are all busy, how about we go kill some time together."

"I haven't seen any of my Nightopias since I was 13. Actually, I don't know how to get to them from here thinking about it."

Jolten gave a bow, similar to NiGHTS' own signature, "allow me to be your tour guide for the night. I'm experienced with this job, trust me. I have a resume."

"Lead the way, then!"

"Any particular Nightopia in mind?" Jolten glanced back and asked as the two headed outside.

"Well, you're pretty bright in color and loudly obnoxious. How about Delight City?"

Jolten mockingly replied with a 'ha ha' and went to pick the visitor up in his arms, "sorry about the bumpy ride but I can't dualize. I am quite fast, though."

"How fast?" Will grinned, trying to challenge Jolten in a way.

"Faster than that dumb purple clown wishes he could be!" With that statement Jolten burst off in a flash of light, arriving in front of the gate of dreams in just a few seconds. He dropped Will on the ground, who was wobbling around rather dizzy from the sudden take off but soon regained balance.

Just up ahead was the path that lead to the small courtyard, containing the doors to Nightopia. Jolten caught a familiar appearance disappear behind one of them just as they arrived.

"Hey… that was…" He trailed off quietly, more confused than anything. Will just look up curiously at him. "A nightmaren just went through the door, Rachael." Jolten pointed where he saw the nightmaren enter.

"That's Crystal Castle! That's one of Helen's Nightopias!" Will responded frantically.

"Rachael going in there means nothing but trouble, come on let's see what she's up to!" Jolten grabbed Will by the arm and dragged him along through the door into Crystal Castle.

Jolten was in awe by the beauty of the Nightopia, despite how he tried to hide it. The way the light reflected off of the many crystal walls made it feel warm and colorful. Will could tell the Nightopia had changed since they were kids and he last saw it, one main thing catching his eye was how big the large palace now stood, now covering a large majority of the Nightopia rather than just a section, He shuddered imagining getting lost in that place now .

Jolten lost sight of Rachael, but continued dragging Will by the arm around frantically in search of her, not only looking for the black and white figure but any visitor that could be her as well. He was cut off in his hunt when a loud scream was heard towards the jewel mountain.

"That was Helen!" Will shouted, "aren't NiGHTS and Juliet with her too?"

"Don't know, don't care at this point." Once again Jolten took off in the direction of the jewel mountain where the scream was heard, both unknowingly flying straight into a nightmaren lair residing there.

Jolten could tell the atmosphere was feeling different, and his thoughts were reassured by the changing scenery of the sandy ground to a murky swamp. Crocile was splashing around in the middle of it. The swamps waters were heavier than when NiGHTS and Juliet had fought in it, unknowing to Jolten, and Crocile certainly was keeping his ground easier, having no plans on flopping over any time soon.

Jolten dropped Will on the ground and began flying over to large 2nd level, "You get your friend, I'll take care of Crocile!" Will nodded and started quickly sneaking around the swamp, being sure not to attract Crocile's attention. Helen was sitting up along the outskirts appearing to be out of breath as Crocile approached her.

"Hey ugly!" Jolten shouted as he sent a bolt of lightning down behind the crocodile to make sure his attention was grabbed towards the opposite direction. Crocile began splashing towards him, hopping around the murky water. He jumped up, unhinging his long jaw and went to snap at Jolten who had quickly dodged out of the way and sent another bolt of lightning straight down on Crocile's back. He stood his ground and howled, but managed to endure the hit. Obviously, no attacks would penetrate through his rough skin on his back; his thick scales were almost like a coat of armor.

As Jolten flew around being chased by Crocile, Will hurried around the outskirts while in a crouching position to hide himself. Helen stood up, finally being out of Crocile's hunt and backed up against one of the trees of the forest simply watching the crashing bolts of lightning raining down- but none having any effect.

Realizing Crocile would not be forced over by sheer strength itself, he lifted his arms up and summoned a large tornado from the swamp, using up a lot of energy to do so. Crocile's sneering was cut off by him being swirled around in the vortex, Jolten growing it larger and larger enough to fit the crocodile's full body in. He howled as he was tossed around in his own lair. Jolten seized the vortex and Crocile was flung over onto his back, creating a large splash. Will ran up to Helen, shoving the two of them out of the splash-zone in time.

While Crocile rolled helplessly on his back in the mucky water Jolten summoned a final bolt of lightning onto the 2nd level's stomach. Crocile cried out as he accepted his final defeat, bursting into light. Jolten flew up to the two visitors and grabbed them, flying quickly away and out of the nightmaren lair as it began to fade away. The familiar surroundings of Crystal Castle began to reappear, and the three were finally able to sigh in relief.

"Thank you… Jolten, right?" Helen glanced up as Jolten touched ground with them.

"Look at you, killing other nightmaren," Will grinned, "now you're a real traitor. NiGHTS is going to be so proud of you."

"You shut up!" Jolten dropped the two, "I didn't do it cause I wanted to. I'm only here to help stop Nightmayr. If this was Wizeman's work I would've left you to that 2nd level. Anyway... we should find NiGHTS and Juliet to make sure they're all cool, too." Jolten already turned away.

As if on cue as Jolten turned around, Twylight's portal opened into the Nightopia and the trio from Venturing Forest entered through. Juliet had sighed in relief seeing Jolten there, but NiGHTS kept a suspicious look on his face.

"I already know what you're thinking," Jolten crossed his arms staring directly at NiGHTS, "yes, I defeated Crocile. No, this doesn't mean I-".

NiGHTS immediately burst with laughter while Jolten stood silent with an annoyed expression. "I guess this means you get an official welcome to the team!"

"I don't need any 'welcome' from you ." Jolten crossed his arms and growled.