Markedly Meditative Mighty

*excessively loud yawn*

Just as much of a lazyhead as ever, huh, Mighty?

Nnngh, quit being so noisy... I've gotta go in to school today and I'm already tired just thinking about it.

You're actually going to class? That's a surprise. It'll be the first time in a while, right?

Yeah... Gotta go show my face for a day, at least. Plus I heard we've got a pop quiz today too.

Not that I care that much either way, but... *YAAAWN*

I admit, I'm curious to see how that turns out. Think I'd be able to tag along?

Probably.

Aren't you gonna be bored just sitting there and watching though? I get the teacher to let you join in.

Really? Even better!

Great. Just channel my vibe and shout "Here!" for me in roll call. 'Cause you're gonna take the test too. Mine, specifically.

Oh, come on! Isn't that cheating?!

I can't count the times I've walked these halls but it feels sorta different as a pseudo-student.

Like I'm scared to run in corridors now.

Why? No-one follows that rule.

...Hold up.

What is it, Mighty?

This little sleepyhead.

Mnn...mmm...

She's sleeping on her feet! Reminds me of a certain someone.

As if! Even at my super sleepiest I never wiped out that bad, ever.

......

Hmmm. I don't think she's just sleeping. Looks kinda Nightmarish to me, actually.

Oh no! That's terrible!

Yeah, it's pretty bad... *yawn* I should probably do something about it.

Then I'll help you. We've gotta get inside her dream, right?

Sure but slow down. We should carry her to the infirmary first. Then we can go fight the Nightmare.

Got it!

Geez, I could really take the rest of the day off. I'm beat.

Ready, Aldo?

You know it. Always.

Do you even get tired? Whatever. Here goes.

Looks like we made it.

Mighty, look!

Mm-hm, yeah, uh-huh...

You might not think so now but you're growing up.

And before you know it your student days are behind you and you're out there in the real world. That's what your studies are for. For preparing you for the future.

I know, sir, that's why I'm even doing extra homework and stuff!

I just hope it pays off in my grades...

Standard student anxieties, huh?

I prefer to sleep to get away from that kind of stuff but everyone's different, I guess...

Still weird though.

Hey, Professor McFakey-Fake. Nice disguise.

Wh-Who are you?!

Oh, just some nightmare hunter.

Did that work?

......

Looks like it!

Hm?

For a second I wasn't sure.

I...

If this is the infirmary then we must be back in the real world.

And that possessed student is...

Mnn...mmm...

...Still asleep? How come?

No way...Ugh.

Uh, Mighty?

What does this mean? And what's with the grave expression? I've rarely ever seen you look that serious.

...Let's check out the other rooms. If I'm right, and I better not be, there's something real fishy going on here.

What?!

Don't get worked up just yet. Let's go.

*snore* *whistle* *snore*

Don't tell me this kid is...

Yup, Nightmare.

And look around you. He's not the only one.

Mnn...mmm...

Mnn...mmm...

Is anybody besides us awake here?!

How possible is it that a Nightmare could instantly take hold of an entire school?

It isn't really possible. One Nightmare per host. But we're not dealing with just any regular-degular Nightmare here. This is the work of a real top-tier Nightmare. A Ririto.

How powerful is this thing?

A single Nightmare with the power to possess multiple dreams at once? Total drag to handle.

Well, how DO we handle it?

Like you would anything else, by hitting it until it goes away.

But that's precisely why it's such a pain in the butt.

We're gonna take it on anyway though, right?

Duh. Wait there a sec. Gotta change.

Change? What for?

Mighty...what are THOSE?

My traditional Nightmare Hunting robes.

Oh. What kind of powers do they have?

Uh...

...I feel kinda cool wearing them?

You're not even sure about that?!

No, for real though. It's like I put it on and I'm in unadulterated Nightmare-hunting mode.

Cool. Let's go.

Is this the dream version of Route 99?

Yup. Kinda fitting for a nightmare, huh?

Hey, check it out.

Reeeeeeeee! What pathetic little marionettes you are, dancing to a tune you do not even understand! When you have finished dancing for your teachers you will be thrown onto the cruel stage that is the real world and dance until you snap. Never stopping, never resting, no hope, no future and no luck on your side! All that awaits you is endless darkness, regret and despair!

No matter how hard you try every drop of effort is for naught. Even the very world around you hurries to its own utter destruction, so futile is your desperation to persist!

The sooner you accept that this is your fate the sooner you will be free! Reeeahahahaha!

So this is our soporific specter, huh?

It's powerful but if we're quick we can stop it here and now.

Let's do it, Aldo. Let's save the school!

What's this, a pair of runaway puppets with delusions of grandeur? Reeheehee! Then your strings will be cut!

Reeeeaaaaargh!

Rrreeee! Fools!

Did we do it? Did we defeat the Ririto?

Well, we're not in the dream any more.

Mnn...mmm...

Mnn...mmm...

They're still asleep!

It usually takes a while for people under a Ririto's narcosis to wake up.

Although it could be too late and they'll be asleep forever.

...!

Come on, please...wake up!

Zzzzzzz... *SNORE!*

Is it too late after all?

Nah. I reckon we just haven't beat the Ririto for real yet.

Let's give the classroom another once over. If my hunch is onto something I think we'll run into that Ririto again.

*mutter* Failed...

This teacher's tossing and turning.

The Ririto. I can feel its strong influence radiating from him.

This time it's gonna go all out. Watch yourself.

Don't worry.

Cool. Welp, while I'm still in the zone let's go kick this thing's butt, I guess.

I don't see it anywhere.

The teacher.

Can you really continue this profession? Surely not when you know that your job is to feed generations of poor, earnest children a miserable pile of lies on a silver platter? Who are you to convince them of a bright future when you know that it is nowhere to be found? That makes you nothing but a charlatan. Or does it? At least a practiced charlatan has some conviction in their own lies.

How convincing do you think you appear to your pupils? Reeheeheehee! How about to the one who sleeps through or misses your every lesson, hm?

*mutter* Failed...

Rude. If you're gonna talk about me at least do it on a day I cut class.

Mi...Mighty?

That's not even why I don't always go to school.

It's kinda right about one thing though, Teach. Despite your best efforts, us kids really are worried for our future.

But that's why we go to school and have lessons and stuff. So maybe we can figure it out. Together.

I dunno if anything we do will make that much of a difference. But at least we gave it our best shot. "If we don't believe that tomorrow can be better than today, who will?" Or something.

Mighty...!

You're right, gosh darn it! I've got to pull myself together. If my students have this much faith in themselves then as their teacher I have to back their determination 110 percent!

Rrreeeeeee! No! My spell!

Now?

Now!

Did we do it this time?!

Sure felt like it. Now everyone's just gotta wake up.

Ngh... Wha...

Huh? Was I dreaming?

Omigosh, the test!

We did! Nice job, Mighty!

I gotta get checked for narcolepsy...

Woah, is that Mighty? Here? In school?!

Mornin', guys.

Aw man, is it raining? I'm supposed to be taking my girl out after school today. Bummer.

Like, that hood and everything! Since when was your wardrobe so in fashion?

Heh. Not too shabby, right?

Wakey wakey, Prof.

...Huaaawhazzat? Gosh, this tiredness just hit me out of nowhere. I didn't actually fall asleep...did I?

You totally did.

What?! I did? Ack! Look at the time!

Yup, looks like he's just fine.

Oh, Mighty! When did you get here?

I swear I saw you somewhere else just moments ago too. Strange.

Nah. I just got here.

Huh. Guess I must've stayed up five hours too long grading papers last night...

Well, since you missed the start of class I'm gonna have to mark you down as late, Mighty.

For real? Oh, man!

That's so you, Mighty. Never on time for anything!

Ahahaha!

Ahaha...yeah...

*yawn* Meh. Whatever.