The Nightmare gateway and Beyond (IV)

As the group headed their way towards the castle. They were all waiting at the deck for an explanation from Dennis. Everyone was waiting in the center of the deck beside a terminal that showed a holographic map of their surroundings. After a few seconds passed, Dennis finally shows up with Dj and Lota on his side.

"Alright, I'm going to be direct with all of you. We are going back to our own world to take back what is ours. A fight would be expected, so don't hold back. Right now, our primary aim is to get past the nightmare gate. If you have questions or want to say something then make them now."

Dennis said to everyone. He then took off his coat and tossed it in the captain's chair.

"Dennis, I know this is crazy, and it's probably your fault... But I'm glad you choose us to be here with you."

Owen said to Dennis.

"He is right, even we didn't get to do much. I will still follow-up just to have fun."

Dwight said.

"I was brought later to the party so I don't know what else is going on, but I will fight even for what is right."

Donte said. Dennis then shed a tear of joy from his right eye.

"Then let's go take the fight onto our enemies!"

Dennis said to everyone. They all saluted at him and went to their designated spots on the deck.

Meanwhile, on the nightmare gate. Celeste and Sally were standing on top of a green hill. Watching as the soldiers got ready for a line of defense.

"Celeste, do you believe that an entity... Stronger than god exists?"

Sally asked. She was worried about what could come out of the gate at any moment.

"Well... If there is one, they should be here with a cavalry at any moment."

Celeste said to Sally. She then turned around and saw a ship that looks similar to the Arc-xenal.

"Cavalry?"

Sally asked. She then was hearing an engine from far away. It was calling out for her and she turned and saw a ship heading their way.

"Is that a ship?"

Sally asked. One soldier showed up and gave her a pair of binoculars to have a better look.

"That's more like the Arc-xenal, but why is it so... Small?"

Celeste asked. She then sent guards to go send a party message.

Meanwhile, inside the ship. Everyone was waiting for Dennis to give out the order to drop out of the ship, but he was busy piloting. After a while, Dennis stood up, but before he could say anything, the intercoms turned on.

"Dennis, we have arrived at our destination. Should I land us in a comfortable spot?"

It surprised Dennis for a moment. He heard the same voice from the previous ship.

"Wait, a minute. Is this the same voice ai from the other ship?"

"Affirmative. Would you like me to land in a comfortable spot?"

The ship said asked again. Everyone was waiting for Dennis to give out the order.

"Alright then... Stay on standby, get us close as possible to the ground."

"Understood."

Once the ship received Dennis's orders. It then descended. Everyone was getting ready to get off, but they felt they were missing something. They looked at Dennis after noticing something was wrong.

"What?"

Dennis asked.

"Dennis, aren't we missing something, or at least you?"

Dj asked. Dennis then looked at everyone, and everything was in order. He then looked at himself and he realized that he was missing his coat.

"Oh, yeah, just give me a sec."

Dennis said. He then snapped his left hand, and he made his coat appear on himself. Then they all continued towards the nearest exit.

"Since when you can teleport stuff?"

Dwight asked.

"I figured that out when I was in Retronia. I got into a fight with X and when things got reasonable, I just snapped the middle finger with my thumb like this."

Dennis then preceded by snapping his finger, and he teleported out of the ship.

"OH COME ON!!"

Owen said. Meanwhile, on the ground. Celeste and Sally were still looking at the ship until Dennis appeared in front of them. They both quickly jumped back and entered on their own guard.

"Well, look what we have here... You two where here this entire time... And you don't even leave a message behind...?!"

Dennis said. He then gave a big, faint smile that scared Sally and Celeste.

"D-dennis!?"

They both said. Dennis's arrival made them think it was an enemy, but they calmed down and soon as the ship landed. Everyone else joined while looking at the gate.

"So status report?"

Dennis asked. He then went past Celeste and Sally to have a better look at the situation.

"It just appeared out of nowhere. We have soldiers at front making a shield barricade, but we don't know what can come out at any moment."

Celeste said. Dennis then looked at her and sighed.

"Guys, get back to the ship. Dj, Spike, you two are coming with me."

Dennis said. Dj and Spike then moved forward and stood next to Dennis.

"Owen, you are in charge of piloting the ship. Once you see a hand coming out of that gate, go for it."

Dennis said.

"You got it."

Owen said. He then went back to the ship with the others. Celeste and Sally got worried about what Dennis said to his friends.

"Dennis, are you making an army of friends or are you just creating your own personal team?"

Sally asked. She took another look at Dennis's friends and saw great potential, even from the kids.

"I'm just trying to do what it feels right. As far as I can tell, I was gone for 2 years in this world while I lived my entire life for about 17 years in the other one. There are a few things that I have done wrong and I feel that a few things are hard to explain, but I want to do what my gut is telling me."

Dennis said. Celeste then approached him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Dennis, you are a brilliant father, a good friend, and a person who we can all thrust. We may have known you for years, but your connection to us will always be in your heart. No matter if you end up forgetting, the heart always finds its way."

Celeste said to Dennis. She then hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Sally then approached Dennis with a wrapped sword in her hands.

"Also, we want you to have this... Don't open it until you truly need it."

Sally said. She quickly handed Dennis the sword, and he placed it on his back.

"Thanks... I wish I could return but one day I will."

Dennis said. He quickly turned around and his left eye was getting triggered.

"Dennis, give out the order. My soldiers are as well as your soldiers."

Celeste said to Dennis. She then had her staff ready to send out the signal.

"No... We can handle this ourselves. Dj, Spike, go on ahead and greet an old acquaintance of ours."

"Understood!"

Dj and Spike went on ahead. Dennis stayed behind to see how things would play out.

"Don't get the wrong idea here. It's not that I don't want to ask for help. Is that I don't want to risk the lives of soldiers that aren't prepared for the unknown..."

Dennis said to Celeste. She then realized what Dennis meant and gave a surprised expression. She quickly got nervous and sat down on a nearby rock.

"I haven't seen you act like since about two years ago. Are you sure that Dennis's words got to you?"

Sally asked. She then walked over to Celeste and crouched to inspect if she was alright.

"Yeah... When he speaks the truth, it truly gets into the mind. I have never heard Dennis say a lie once to me so I was hoping for it to not be true."

Celeste said to Sally. They then looked at Dennis as he was standing still with his arms crossed, looking at the gate.