These chapters have no business being as short as they are, but if I fused them with the bigger chapters, I’d have to do a bunch of renumbering and other complications.
So, we’ll just have to live with this before my standards improve.
XD Chapter 13: The Tale of the Nightmare King The Massive The Tallest were sitting on their couch, eating snacks and watching T.V..
“We now return to Irk’s Funniest Home Videos!” The TV showed an Irken child trying to catch a giant, orange jellyfish on an asteroid with a net.
The jellyfish quickly took the net away and began chasing the Irken child, who ran around screaming.
“Looks like he’s gonna need a bigger net!” The Tallest laughed while coughing out a few snacks.
It was then that Orbot and Cubot barged in.
“Sirs: we just got a report from our spy.” Orbot said.
“Yarr, it appear the landlubbers did away with Star Wolf as good as they would a robot made o’ wood, arrgh!” Cubot replied.
“Ugh.
I should have known they would mess this up.
Even with Rattlesnake Jake’s help.” Red replied.
“Yarr, what say you we do about those landlubbers now, eh?” Red thought for a moment.
“Call me crazy, but I wonder if HE might have a chance against him?” “You don’t mean…” Purple began.
Red nodded.
“Let’s give him a call.
Computer: connect to Fort Francis on Planet Kateenia.” In a few seconds, an image of a chubby, green chameleon, wearing glasses, braces, and a yellow KND shirt appeared onscreen.
He was sideways and was holding and staring at a poster of Numbuh 10 wearing her vacation outfit.
“Neeerrrrr.
Oh, Numbuh 10.
You’re so cute when you show off your-” The nerd silenced himself when he looked to the side and saw the Tallest on his screen.
He threw the poster behind his back and said, “Oh, m-my Almighty Tallest.
H-How may I help you?” “Uhhh, so Francis: how are things going down there?” Purple asked.
“Oh, everything’s going schweeeet!
I’ve been capturing those rare Shrink Wisps just like you asked!
I should have another shipment sent over by tomorrow!” “That’s all well and good Francis, but we have a bigger task for you.” replied Purple.
“It would appear your cousin, Leon, along with his comrades, were beaten by a little bald kid who goes around by the name, Nigel Uno.” “N-Nigel Uno?” Francis stuttered.
“Y-You mean Numbuh 1?
THE Numbuh 1?!
Oh, it’s always been my life-long dream to meet the leader of Sector V and now LEON got to?!
This stinks!” “Don’t complain yet, Francis.” Red began.
“We have a feeling Number 1 might be headed your way soon enough.
You still have the Star Piece, don’t you?” “Nerr her her her.
Yes I do!
Ever since you entrusted it to me!” “Perfect.
Then they’ll no doubt be coming your way soon.
We want you to-” before Red could finish, a teenage boy in a gray sweater, shaggy hair, and a five-o’clock shadow appeared on the screen next to Francis.
They all looked at him with confusion.
“Uhhh, who are you?” The boy was silent for a moment.
“I’m Dave.” “How did you get here?” Purple asked.
“I dunno.
I just bought this new web cam, hooked it up, and turned it on.” “Well, this is a private channel.” Red replied.
“Oh.
How do I turn myself off?” “I don’t know!” “Just get out of here!” Purple shouted.
“But I wanna stay.” Red sighed.
“Alright, fine, you can stay.” “But you better keep quiet, Dave!” Purple ordered.
“Anyway,” Red continued, “they’ll no doubt be heading your way soon, Francis.” “So, we need you to-” before Purple could finish, they all noticed Dave was putting toothpaste on a toothbrush and was beginning to brush his teeth.
“Uhhh, w-we need you t-to…” Red tried to finish, but he and everyone else were too distracted by Dave’s tooth brushing.
“Okay, you know what, we’ll call you later Francis.
This is just too weird!” “Almighty Tallest signing off!” At Purple’s cue, the communication link with Francis shut off, and the Tallest and the robots left the room.
Dave was left on the T.V.
screen, all alone, continuing to brush.
Sector W Treehouse Paddy and Lee were happily playing a videogame, with Sonya watching from between them.
“Man, that Rhymer guy was a total wimp!” Paddy boasted.
“Totally!” Lee agreed.
Sonya looked behind the couch to see Harvey looking out a window by the wall.
Frowning sympathetically, she approached him.
“Hey, Harvey!” Harvey turned to look at her.
“Oh.
Hey, Sonya.” “You did a great job defeating that Rhymer!” “Whatever.” Sonya gave a small frown.
“What’s wrong?” “Nothin’.” There was silence.
“You’re thinking about Numbuh 1 again, aren’t you?” “WHAT?!” he snapped.
“You miss him, don’t you?” “No, I don’t MISS him!
Why the heck would I MISS him?!
I don’t even like him!” “Your heart says differently.” she said in a sing-song voice.
“It ain’t like that!
Ever since he vanished, my sister hasn’t wanted to do anything.
She’s been all sad and depressed ’cause she thinks it’s her fault!
All because of that stupid cake mission!” “You mean the mission you talked her into kicking him off?” “Shut up!
Ever since he beat Grandfather, he’s been hogging all the attention from everyone, even though WE had the higher success rate!
That’s why I got her to do that, and we would’ve WON that mission if it weren’t for you!” “Because you put us in danger and you were being a jerk!” “And for what?!
Numbuh 1 disappeared and now NO ONE got credit.
OR cake!
Hey, if anything, it’s YOUR FAULT he vanished!” “How does that make any… ugh, forget it.
Whether you admit it or not, you miss him.
I can feel it.” “Whatever.
I’m going downstairs.” He stomped down to his house.
His friends could only look at him with mixed feelings.
The shadow being, that eavesdropped from outside the window, returned to space.
He drew out, not his sword, but a black, heart-shaped necklace.
“You are causing so much pain.
And it seems only I can stop you.” The necklace opened, revealing a picture of Dimentia and a younger version of himself.
“Dimentia…” Star Haven Dimentia was sitting in the fountain, staring at herself in her mirror.
“Mirror, mirror, in my hand, who has the most beautiful face in all the land?” “Numbuh 256!” Dimentia turned to see Numbuh 1 arrive, joined by Gabe and Jeremy.
“Oh, Number 1!
Thanks for answering my call.” “It’s Numbuh 1.
What did you want to talk about?” “I’ve been wanting to ask… you haven’t had any nightmares lately, have you?” “Um… not particularly.” “Good.
There’s actually another story I wanted to tell you.
Remember when I told you the Star Spirits created the first adults?” “Yes, and…?” “Well, the truth is, they had a little help.” “From who?” “A vicious spirit, known as the Nightmare King.” “The Nightmare King?” “Yes.
The Nightmare King is the most dangerous out of all the adults.
He once tried to establish a dominion of Nightmares over Galaxia, along with the rest of the universe.
It was by his hand that the Irken Empire, and the first adults, came to be.
He’s the one who is mainly responsible for creating the disease, and it’s why the children of Irk are so overcome by it.
“The Irkens are a mix of Star and Nightmare power.
While they don’t have their powers, the Irkens were made in the same family as the Wisps.
Since Wisps generally don’t age and Nightmares do, the Irkens take a long time to become adults.
The aging process evidently differs for each Irken.
Some Irkens could’ve been children for hundreds of years.” “Then that explains why Tak and Zim knew each other for 50 years, and were still kids!” Nigel figured.
Dimentia nodded.
“Anyway, the Nightmare King’s main job is to go around to different children across the universe and give them nightmares in their sleep.
He knows the greatest fear of any child in the universe.” “Where does he live?” “In the dark, distant kingdom of Nightmare Land.
But it’s far too dangerous for anyone to go there.
And there’s really no point.
The Nightmare King is far too powerful to stop.
But if we can repair the Star Rod, we might have a chance at him.
But I also fear he’ll become a greater threat with how much progress we’re making.” “I see…” “But we can’t let that fear stop us.
I have another mission for you and your friends.” “Shoot away.” “A strange base was built on Planet Kateenia recently and we suspect the Irkens might have something to do with it.
We sent Number 1-Inch down there to investigate two days ago and he hasn’t reported back ever since.
I want you and your friends to go down and see what’s wrong.
And if that base is as hazardous as we believe, I want you to destroy it.” “Sounds simple enough.
We’ll get to it ‘soon as lunch is over!” He turned to leave.
“Wait!” Nigel stopped.
“There’s something else.” “Yes?” “I’ve been meaning to ask: what planet did you say you were from?” “Oh.
Zathura.” “Where’s that at?” “Oh… it’s not around, anymore.
The adults destroyed it long ago.” “What?!” “Yes…” Dimentia bowed in remorse.
“I’d rather not talk about it now.
It’s too…” She trembled.
“I’m… sorry.
I’ll see you later.” “Ciao.” And with that, Nigel returned to his Arwing.
Dimentia formed a small smile and teleported.
“Well, now that that’s done, let’s have ourselves a drink!” Gabe suggested.
“Well, I am feeling a bit thirsty.” With that, Gabe and Jeremy flew down to the fountain and took a drink.
“Mmm, not bad!” Gabe said, satisfied with how it tasted.
“Well, it is Jirachi-powered.
Now, come on!
Let’s go get lunch!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Gamen_Watch “Dave” comes from Drake & Josh, and the show the Tallest were watching is an obvious parody of America’s Funniest Home Videos.