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Prologue
The plan was simple. Sooner or later, I had to sleep. When that happened,
I would have to fight Nightmare. It was with that thought in mind that I had
spent the day preparing for that event. I was certain that the whole issue would
be solved tonight, for better or for worse.
However, Nightmare had a surprise - for all
of us.
End of Prologue
Location: Sabreur's Lab
Time: 11:50 pm NST
It was late. Painfully late. But I still had work to
do. After checking to make sure that the newly-improved fire sword didn't need
any more attention from Drake_Da_Dragon's forge, Infernus and I had hurried
home to finish modifying the blade in the lab.
I bent over the lab table, rubbing sleep from
my eyes. Despite my weariness, I couldn't afford to lose my concentration now.
The advanced fire saber lay in front of me, the hilt opened and pieces scattered
across the table. I carefully screwed in a fuel cell, making sure that it was
properly connected to the blade. Satisfied that all was well, I began putting
the sword back together.
I knew that something big could happen tonight,
and I would probably need help. I vividly recalled the attacks that had followed
my nightmares. If more creatures attacked in the morning because of my dreams,
I knew we would stand a better chance if we were prepared. While I worked in
the lab, Infernus was busy making arrangements. Everyone we knew was warned
to get all their weapons ready and be prepared for a fight, just in case. Child_Dragon
was on her way to my house, along with Un-Eairkagh. We all agreed that our family
stood the best chance if we stuck together.
Location: Sabreur's Lab
Time: 12:20 am NST
Child_Dragon had arrived a few minutes ago with Un-Eairkagh. Even the normally
jubilant Eyrie seemed quiet and subdued. Admittedly, he couldn't keep up his
somber attitude for long and begun plundering around in my refrigerator looking
for ice cream. Barely able to stay awake, I carefully fused the last piece of
the advanced fire saber together. The metal doors of the lab slid apart as Infernus
walked in and looked over my shoulder. His face was a mask of concern.
"Are you going to make it?" he asked, noting
the dark circles under my eyes.
"Yeah, but barely. We need to test this thing
out," I said, picking up the saber and holding it in front of me.
"Alright, everybody get clear!" yelled Infernus.
Un-Eairkagh had snuck in while I wasn't looking and had been about to toy with
some rather delicate electronics. He jerked his paw back and trotted out of
the lab, pretending he hadn't done anything wrong. I grabbed my goggles off
the table and put them on, while Infernus pressed a button on the wall that
closed the doors to the lab. I looked at the base of the saber. Built into the
hilt was a small microphone. If I had done this correctly, the saber would react
to my voice and trigger a rush of flame when I commanded it. Unlike the rather
mediocre flames that are normally produced by a fire sword, the flame generator
in the hilt of the advanced fire saber was based on my improved firebomb design
and should put out a massive wall of flame. Assuming, of course, that it worked
properly. I took a deep breath.
"Activate Saber!" I yelled, bracing myself for
what I was certain would be my latest explosive failure.
Flames roared into life, springing from the
hilt of the saber and racing down the length of the blade. In seconds, my vision
was obscured by flame and smoke. What wasn't obscured was distorted by a haze
as the massive rush of heat caused the air to twist. I was aware of a roaring
noise, like a tornado or a train passing right next to me. And then, it was
over. The sword stood wreathed in intensely hot, but controlled flames. A hacking
cough came from behind a table.
"Jeez! Was it supposed to do that!?" Infernus
demanded, rising from where he had taken cover and looking a bit shaken. A burnt
piece of the ceiling drifted down, glancing off of his shoulder.
"Um... Yes?" I replied sheepishly, gazing at
the charred hole above us.
Location: Sabreur's Room
Time: 12:33 am NST
I barely remembered staggering towards the bed. Although I have stayed up
late before, this day had been insanely busy. I carefully placed the advanced
fire saber on the dresser where I had kept my old sword. I didn't bother getting
into pajamas -- the last thing I needed was to try taking on Nightmare's minions
in my bedclothes. I was about to drift off when Kiddo walked into the room.
"Goodnight, Sabreur," she said, looking nervous.
"Although, I guess it isn't going to be a good night for you, is it?" I couldn't
help but smile.
"Are you kidding?" I said, still smiling. "Tonight's
gonna be a great night."
"Why is that?" Kiddo asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"Because Nightmare is going to learn the hard
way," I replied grimly, "that nobody messes with family. Goodnight, Kiddo. See
you in the morning." She smiled.
"You too. Goodnight Sabreur."
It was dark. Not surprising, really. I looked
down at my right hand, and was comforted to see the Advanced Fire Saber firmly
gripped there. Aside from the darkness, my surroundings were not particularly
sinister. I was standing in front of a large oaken table, with chairs arranged
at regular intervals. Stone walls surrounded me, with no apparent door. The
chair in front of me was pulled out, seeming to invite me to sit down and relax.
I ignored it. Nightmare had plans for me, and
I didn't want to get into the habit of playing by his rules. Instead, I began
to examine the room carefully, looking for a way out. I was looking closely
at one of the stone walls when an all-to-familiar voice spoke behind me.
"Why, what a surprise to see you here, Sabreur,"
Nightmare spoke in that same voice that had brought a chill to my heart but
a night before. I turned, my heart fluttering.
"Hello Nightmare," I replied grimly.
Nightmare was laying on top the table, looking for all the world like some demented
artist's rendition of a giant cat. His red-coal eyes glittered as he watched
me.
"Let's skip the formalities this time, shall
we?" Nightmare grinned, and began tapping a clawed paw on the table. "Join
me now, or you will die. Allow me into Neopia, or our friendship is over."
I felt my fear rise, then suddenly disappear. This thing of evil was threatening
my life, my family, and my world. There wasn't any room for fear anymore. Anger
had filled the void where fear had once taken root.
"Forget it, you freak of nature. You
don't need to dissolve our 'friendship' - we never had one. Did you really think
I would give up? Are you really so incredibly stupid that you thought
I would just bail out on everybody? I can't believe I was ever afraid of such
a pathetic waste as you," I spat, feeling the frustration and fear of the
past few days rushing out of me as I spoke. I advanced on Nightmare, sword drawn.
"It's over Nightmare. You've been beaten
once, and you're about to get a taste of Deja Vu," I growled, whipping the
sword back and forth in front of me. I noticed with some satisfaction that it
was significantly faster than my old saber.
"Oh, you're right about one thing, Sabreur,"
Nightmare snarled, all trace of joking and sarcasm gone. "It is over. But
not for me." With that, he faded away like smoke on the wind, leaving me
alone in the room.
"What?" I replied to empty air, tauntingly.
"Is that it? Come on, you aren't scared are you?" A chuckle came
from nowhere.
"Oh dear, how could I be scared of you, the
little insect who thinks he can take on the force that will rip Neopia asunder?"
Nightmare's voice echoed around me from no apparent source. "The reason it
is over between us is that I no longer need you. The barrier is weakened. I
can enter Neopia without your help now." Another sinister laugh. "You
have until nightfall tomorrow until I reach full strength. Then the barrier
that holds the Shadows at bay will fall, and this world will be mine. Goodbye
Sabreur. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Very soon."
With Nightmare's mocking laugh filling my ears,
I awoke.
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