Many thoughts went through Nights' mind after Jeanie attacked Reala. It was a brutal attack, but Jeanie could not defeat Reala. Jeanie, or any other Visitor, could defeat the third rank Nightmarens with the numerous Blue Chips scattered about the Dream Gate, but not him. Only Nights, herself, could beat Reala, however her time was running out. If she did not stop Reala, the Dream Gate and everyone else there was finished. She knew what she had to do. If she was going to die, she would take Reala with her.

Nights held on firm to Reala as they fell to the Dark Ocean. He tried to fly, but he could not support both their weight.

"You'll kill us both!" he yelled at Nights.

"I know," she said softly as she rested her head against his. "We were created together, we'll die together."

Reala did not want to die. He feared of what might await him at death. He feared not existing. He feared being as worthless as the other Nightmarens Wizeman destroyed. He refused to die. With his power, he shattered the chain that bounded him to Nights. The metal links bursted everywhere as Reala kicked himself away from Nights and flew off into the distance. The poison would kill Nights soon.

Nights couldn't let him get away. She started to pursue but another seizure of pain from the poison attacked her. Nights' whole body contracted as she descended once more. She would hit the black water before she regained her composure. She felt another jolt and immobile. Nights wondered what happened. She was certain she had not hit the water yet. Soon, brown feather fluttered around her. Nights looked and her shoulders were being gripped by Owl. She never felt more grateful to see him. Slowly the old bird flew Nights back to the Dream Gate. Once at the center, he laid her upon one of the benches.

She reached out to her old friend. "I've been poison, I don't..."

"It's alright, Nights, I know. Wait here. The antidote is almost done." He teleported away.

Night closed her eyes and hoped Owl would arrive in time. If he didn't, Nights would have no other choice but to haunt him. If he thought she startle him now, wait till she was a scary ghost.

Nights felt one of her hand being gently gripped. She opened her eyes and smiled warmly. "Hello, Jeanie," she greeted the crying girl.

"Please don't die, Nights. I'm so sorry."

"You idiot," Nights said as she took her free hand and smacked the back of Jeanie's head. "Stop crying. I'll be fine."

"Mm. Nights better be fine or I'll never let you have a peaceful stay at the Dream Gate again," the invisible creature threatened Jeanie. Oh good, Nights thought, the invisible creature was okay.

"But, Nights, this is all my fault. If I haven't of been so stupid..." Jeanie continued to cry.

"Tell you what," Nights squeezed Jeanie's hand. "will you stop those tears if I forgive you?" Jeanie's bottom lip trembled when Nights said that, but she wiped her eyes dry. "That's better; all's forgiven. Now, why don't you wake up?" With that, Nights gave Jeanie a gentle pinch and woke her up.

"Nights," the invisible creature walked over to her. "how could you forgive her so easily?"

"Why not?" Nights asked. "Besides, I'll be..." Everything became fuzzy to Nights before she lost consciousness.

"Nights? Nights!"

There was nothing but complete darkness around Nights. Finally a light broke through the gloom. Nights always heard Visitors joke about not going into the light, but Nights had always preferred the lightness over the darkness. She flew upward to greet whatever awaited her. Nights opened her eyes. She remained in the Dream Gate. Alive, wrapped in a warm cushioned blanket and with a soft pillow under her head. She got a good look at the blanket and smiled at the tacky little cartoony owls on it. She felt at peace.

"Ah, Nights is awake. Give her more of the medicine. Hoo."

Nights felt her torso being sat up. "Huh?" The edge of a bowl was pressed to Nights' lips and she was forced to drink a nasty tasting liquid. She pulled away."Ugh! That's worst than the poison!"

"Make sure she drinks it all," Owl told the invisible creature.

"Mm," she said before forcing the medicine on Nights again.

Nights snatched the bowl away. "I can do it myself." She looked warily at the brown medicine before downing another gulp. Nights had heard Visitors pinching their nose before drinking something disgusting. Nights now wished she had a nose.

"Oh, it's not that bad, Nights. Hoo."

"Not that bad?" she asked twirling a finger in the medicine.

"Yes, it's highly nutritious and very beneficial for those who have lost their strength after being poisoned. This is the best plan of treatment given after the antidote has been admin..." Nights stuck her medicine laden finger in Owl's beak and he blanched. It was horrible, the stuff even made the back of Owl's feathers stood up on their ends. Nights smiled at her small victory.

Owl coughed hoarsely. "I'm sorry I ran off like that before. I had to gather the ingredients to the antidote for you. Besides, hoo, I can do nothing against Reala."

"I knew you wouldn't desert me, Owl."

"Hoo." Owl lifted one of his eyebrows. "Did you now, Nights?"

"What?"

"About this martyrdom of yours..."

"Oh boy, here it comes..." Nights rested her cheek on her hand.

"I don't know if in my old age I can take this sacrificing of yourself. What I'm trying to say is that I hope the next time you worry about us... you would actually worry about us. Hoo."

"We'd miss you terribly, Nights," the invisible creature added.

Nights sighed. "I'm sorry."

"We forgive you," the invisible creature said as she curled up against Nights. Not wanting to be left out, Owl gently rested on Nights' shoulder.

Nights chuckled and basked in the love of her friends.

Back in the suburbs, it was a sunny afternoon. Mrs. Jones sipped on her iced tea as she watched her daughter trying to play the flute. 'Try' being the operative word. She laughed as Jeanie hit another sour note.

"Jeanette, remind me again why you suddenly want to take flute lessons?"

"It just feels right," Jeanie said.

"It doesn't sound right."

Jeanie recalled some heartfelt words. "I can do anything I want to. I just have to try." Jeanie's mother smiled as her daughter continued practicing.

The End