Mateo/History

## Trials of the Dream Chasers

### Awakening

In his dream, Mateo walks along the Candy Realm, holding a hot dog, when a mysterious figure nudged him while passing by, being pursued by the Night Hunter and Grimspawns. He then witnesses them using Lunia's Hourglass to Dream Craft.

Mateo was woken up by a shockwave and a car alarm going off before waking his sister, Izzie, and they look out the window to investigate as Cooper did the same from the apartment opposite theirs. Mateo messages Cooper about the whole thing, only to be ignored. The following morning, before he leaves for school, his dad José aks him where his sign up sheet is for "sheep week", to which he replies he doesn't fancy the idea of partaking in the school sport event. Mateo is then about to leave for school, but forgets his homework. When his father picks it up and looks through it, he is annoyed to see Mateo had drawn over it. Mateo then replies that he was trying to think outside the box.

While on his way to school with Izzie, Mateo, in a pile of knocked over trash outside his house, found a broken hourglass, which he faintly seems to recall seeing in his dream, and he puts it in his bag. He and Izzie then got breakfast burritos from Mrs. Castillo, and headed to school.

At school, Mateo runs to his locker, but everything falls out when he opens it. Logan and Cooper come and Logan picks up Mateo's Sheep Week team sign up sheet, which has a Z-Blob doodle on it, and comments on how Mateo has no one on his team. The three of them end up having an argument, which Mr. Oz breaks up by reminding them they should be in class.

Later in his bedroom, he's drawing on his tablet and Izzie tells him he needs to get out more. Then when he goes to sleep, he wakes up and finds himself in the Dream World. Izzie show up behind him, and he asks what she's doing in his dream, to which she replies that they were in her dream. Mateo points out some places he can see in the distance were he think he's had a dream. Just then, his backpack starts to move, so he throws it off. When they check inside, they see Z-Blob inside. They begin to question how this is possible and how they are sharing a dream. A portal then opens and when they go through, they end up in a forest. They explor a bit, and Mateo climbs some trees and begins to draw the breathtaking sights.

Suddenly, strange purple storm-clouds began to appear, and the forest creatures began to run away as Grimspawns appeared and the land started turning dark and corrupted. The portal through which they entered then vanished, and they were forced to run and hide.

### Dream Chasers

Mateo and Izzie diligently gathered all the necessary supplies, preparing themselves for the daring rescue mission that lay ahead to save Cooper. Mateo took a moment to reflect on the series of events that had led to Cooper's unfortunate predicament, emphasizing the urgency of their mission. Izzie voiced her worries about the potential dangers they might encounter along the way. However, Mateo reassured her by reminding her of her own advice to not overthink things. Mateo gradually succumbed to sleep, entering the Dream World alongside Izzie and Z-Blob. Mateo found himself grappling with the hourglass portal that would transport them to the Fantasty Realm. It was only when he finally visualized it that hourglass portal to the Fantasty Realm appeared before them. With confidence, Mateo declared their readiness to become heroes to Z-Blob before stepping into the Fantasy Realm.

Mateo and Izzie find themselves under attack by the Night Hunter and the Grimspawn, leading them to seek safety in a nearby village. In the village, they come across the Grimkeeper, who has captured Cooper. Mateo assures Cooper that they are here to rescue him. The Night Hunter confronts Mateo and Izzie, teasing them about possessing something he wanted. In response, Mateo grabs his pencil and fights back. As the Grimspawn attacks Mateo, he unintentionally activates his Dream Crafting ability once again, causing his pencil to grow larger. He utilizes the enlarged pencil to defend himself against the Grimspawn. Mateo was surprised at his newfound fighting skills, finding the situation epic. However, he realized that he made the pencil too big as he struggled to hold it. Mateo confronted the Grimkeeper's assault and devised a strategy to convert Z-Blob into his robot suit. They confronted the Grimkeeper. Cooper was concerned about the success of their rescue mission, but Mateo lightened the mood by making a joke about leaving. They continued to fight against the Grimkeeper until Cooper was finally freed from captivity. With Cooper saved, they readied themselves to go, but the Night Hunter merged Mr. Sharkyjaw with the Nightmare Galleon and pursued the dreamers relentlessly.

Fortunately, Mr. Oz and Albert arrived in their Spacebus, which left Mateo bewildered as he had doubts about Mr. Oz's ability to rescue them. They managed to delay the Night Hunter, allowing Mateo and the others to flee to the Spacebus. However, before they could escape, the Night Hunter fired a Shadow Bolt at Mr. Oz. Following Mr. Oz's instructions, Mateo utilized a desublimator on him, purifying him. Mateo and the others listened as Mr. Oz described his role as a Dream Chaser and the Night Bureau. Unexpectedly, the Nightmare King and his Night Terrors launched an assault on the Spacebus. Startled by one of the Night Terrors, Mateo woke up in fright, returning to the Waking World with everyone else.

### Chased Dreamers

Mateo and his friends gathered at their dream landing, where Izzie wanted to explore one of the Dream Realms. Nevertheless, Mateo informed her that they were instructed by Mr. Oz to remain in the dream landing until his arrival. However, an hourglass portal suddenly opened, tempting Mateo and the others to venture through it. However, just as they reached the portal, Mr. Oz, who warned them about the perils of navigating the Dream World without adequate preparation, finally arrived. Mateo and the others entered Mr. Oz's Spacebus. Having successfully evaded a horde of Grimspawn, they voyaged towards the Fantasy Realm. Their ultimate destination was the Dream Forge, where they hoped to acquire their hourglasses to unlock the ability to engage in intricate dream crafting. Mateo, feeling uncertain about the upcoming challenge, turned to Mr. Oz and inquired about any lessons or study guides that might be available prior to the test. Mr. Oz cautioned Mateo not to be frightened by Albert's words and reminding him of the saying that one always wakes up before hitting the ground.

Mateo and the rest encountered a young child who unveiled the Dream Forge while playing in his sandbox. Mateo was inspired by Mr. Oz's speech about the Dream World and the power of imagination through the art of Dream Crafting. To enter the forge, Mateo had to pass the sand guardian, which proved to be too much for Logan to overcome. Undeterred, Izzie encouraged Mateo to go next, but Mateo, insisted that Cooper should go instead. With unwavering confidence, Mateo assured Cooper that he was more than capable of succeeding. Unfortunately, despite Mateo's reassurances, Cooper also fell short in passing the sand guardian. When Izzie faced her turn and met with failure as well, Mr. Oz stepped in to provide comfort to Mateo. He advised him to block out any distractions and get confident. Puzzled, Mateo questioned how he could overcome the challenge without an hourglass. Mr. Oz explained that there would be instances where Mateo would face challenges without the aid of an hourglass or even run out of dream sand. In such situations, Mr. Oz emphasized the importance of creativity and thinking outside the box to overcome obstacles. Initially, Mateo had contemplated giving up on the challenge, but he ultimately opted to give it a try. Confronting the sand guardian, Mateo wielded his pencil, transforming it into a staff, prepared to face the guardian head-on. However, in a swift motion, the sand guardian defeated Mateo, transporting to the Waking World. Mateo pondered what he might have overlooked.

While walking to school alongside Izzie, Mateo couldn't help but notice the visible uneasiness in Nova's demeanor. Concerned, Mateo casually remarked that Nova seemed to have had a difficult night. Little did he know that his observation would catch the attention of Mrs. Castillo, who happened to overhear their conversation. Intrigued by the mention of the Dream World, Mrs. Castillo chimed in, sharing that her first dream had been her most cherished one. This sparked an idea in Mateo's mind, as he realized that he could potentially utilize the ladder at the Fantasy Realm as a means to get to the Dream Forge. Excitedly, Mateo hurriedly sought out Cooper and Logan to share his newfound plan. However, in his eagerness, he unintentionally embarrassed them in front of Dallas and the other students.

Returning to the Fantasy Realm, Mateo and his friends discovered that thinking creatively is the key to reaching the Dream Forge. As Logan ascended the ladder, Mateo and the others observed him standing beside the Dream Forge. They followed Logan's lead and entered the Dream Forge when its door opened. Inside, they were surprised to find that the Forgemaster was the same young child they had seen earlier. Curious about the contents of the Dream Forge, Mateo inquired, and the Forgemaster explained that the challenge within varies for each dreamer. Failing to complete the challenge would result in severe consequences, causing the dreamer to become unaware and lose the ability to craft dreams. Worried about losing Z-Blob, Mateo requested some time to contemplate the situation from Mr. Oz.

The next day, Izzie alerted Mateo about someone interfering with Nova in the Dream World and asked him to speculate who it could be. Initially, Mateo suspected Haley, but Izzie corrected him, revealing that it was actually the Night Hunter. Later, in Mr. Oz's science class, Mateo created a drawing depicting his defeat against Z-Blob. After the class concluded, Mateo remained behind until Mr. Oz took notice. Mateo was doubtful about being capable of doing the right thing and saving the Dream World, fearing that he was not prepared enough. He also mentioned his attachment to Z-Blob and the fear of losing him. Mr. Oz responded by asking Mateo to consider the possibility of succeeding and highlighted his creativity and inspiration. He acknowledged that Mateo needs to work on his confidence but gave him a drawing of his idea as a reminder of his potential. Mr. Oz emphasized the importance of everyone's contribution in protecting the Dream World and encouraged Mateo to be the guiding light for his team.

Upon his return to the Dream World, Mateo witnessed a heated argument between Cooper and Logan. They informed him that Izzie had recently dashed off to save Nova. Concerned, Mateo set off on a mission to locate Izzie before she fell into any trouble. Cooper emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to enter the Dream Forge, as they might only have one chance to do so. Determined, Mateo declared that he would fulfill his role as a Dream Chaser and assist those in need.

### The Bigger Picture

Izzie was shown a comic by Mateo, which depicted the Dream Chasers engaged in a battle against the nightmare creatures. However, Mateo confessed that he had taken some creative liberties while creating the comic. Mateo's attempt to greet Zoey was met with disappointment as she simply walked away without acknowledging him. When Izzie noticed this, Mateo tried to retrieve the comic from her possession. Izzie encouraged Mateo to approach Zoey and talk to her. However, Mateo was unsure about what to say as he sounded like a dork whenever he tried to talk to her. Izzie suggested that Zoey might actually be interested in dorks, much to Mateo's annoyance. Izzie pointed out that Mateo's ability to effortlessly combat nightmare creatures in the Dream World should give him confidence while talking to Zoey. However, Mateo countered by stating that what he can do in the Dream World is simply unattainable in the Waking World. Izzie suggested that even if Zoey doesn't see the comic, Logan and Cooper should be allowed to view it because it is of high quality. Logan and Cooper arrived and Cooper was interested in seeing the comic. Mateo firmly refused, stating that nobody was allowed to take a look at it. As Mateo left for class, The Wolves warned him to be cautious of The Destroyers during Sheep Week, emphasizing that if The Destroyers fail to defeat him, The Wolves would take matters into their own hands.

Mateo and Cooper were engaged in a conversation about their concerns regarding Sheep Week while attending Ms. Putnam's class. Unexpectedly, Logan disrupted the class by playing loud music on his phone. This unexpected disturbance led to Ms. Putnam losing her composure, which caught Mateo and the rest of the students off guard. To everyone's surprise, Ms. Putnam announced that there would be a math test scheduled for the following day, even though Sheep Week was set to commence on the same day. While Mateo, Cooper, and Logan were in the cafeteria, Logan made the decision to rejoin Team Dream Chasers as they were preparing to face off against The Destroyers. Curious about who The Destroyers were, Mateo asked for more information and ultimately gave Logan permission to rejoin the team. However, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Izzie, who shared crucial information about The Insomniacs, students who had fallen victim to the Nightmare King. Mateo found it hard to believe that the revelation was merely a coincidence, but acknowledged that they had more pressing matters to attend to. After finishing their lunch, Mateo was pondering the mechanics of tether ball, while he and his friends received another cautionary reminder about The Destroyers. As Mateo observed Oz and Julie engaged in conversation, Logan suddenly conceived a plan to pilfer the math test answers from the Dream World, enabling them to dedicate the afternoon to preparing for Sheep Week. Initially hesitant, Mateo eventually conceded that Logan's idea had merit, although he couldn't help but express disbelief at his own agreement.

Mateo and his companions ventured into the Dream World's rendition of school, utilizing the Locator to locate Julie. Mateo recognized that Julie was tense because of her routine of going to school, returning home, and dreaming about school. When they arrived at the school, Mateo and the rest realized that it was even more peculiar than they had anticipated. Mateo proposed that they separate in order to find Julie. Spotting Zoey walking away, Mateo seized the opportunity to talk to her. Mateo surreptitiously trailed Zoey to the auditorium, but his confidence wavered. Yet, as he heard the melody of Zoey's guitar and Z-Blob encouragement, Mateo mustered the courage to enter the auditorium. There, he beheld Zoey skillfully playing her instrument. Unfortunately, his moment of awe was short-lived as Zian caught him. Mateo swiftly apologized to Zoey. He confessed that his intention was simply to to talk to her, as he found it difficult to express himself in the Waking World. Zoey granted him the opportunity to speak with her, which prompted Mateo to compliment her exceptional musical talent and asked if she was a member of a band. To Mateo's surprise, Zoey disclosed that she had indeed been a part of a band back in California, but her life took a tragic turn when she moved to New York and encountered the Night Hunter, resulting in the loss of everything she held dear. Moved by her story, Mateo empathized with Zoey, acknowledging the feeling of isolation that he himself had experienced before finally deciding to open up. Reflecting on his journey, Mateo realized that if he hadn't taken the leap of faith to share his thoughts and emotions, he would have never stumbled upon the Dream World, find Z-Blob, or summoned the courage to approach Zoey.

Startled by a noise from outside, Mateo rushed to investigate. To his surprise, he discovered Izzie and together they encountered Logan and Cooper fleeing from an angry Ms. Putnam. Mateo couldn't help but question Logan. While Ms. Putnam was wreaking havoc in New York, Mateo and the Dream Chasers to seek refuge behind Señor Tortuga to brainstorm a solution to calm her down. Mrs. Callisto pointed out that, like everyone else, Ms. Putnam yearns to be something she is not. Understanding her desire to be acknowledged, Mateo came up with a plan. He converted Z-Blob into a quadcopter and teamed up with Logan. Mateo and Logan attempted to catch Ms. Putnam's attention and let her know that they could see her, but Logan's rapping only made the situation worse, much to Mateo's irritation. As a result, Ms. Putnam ejected both Mateo and Logan from the quadcopter, but they were saved by Zoey. Mateo expressed his gratitude to Zoey, and she responded by saying that helping friends is an essential part of friendship. Mateo reprimanded Logan for his music preferences, but he also came to understand Ms. Putnam's advice about music being a source of relaxation and inspiration. He also realized that Ms. Putnam wanted to be heard as well. Consequently, Mateo devised a plan to lure Ms. Putnam downtown with the help of Mr. Hopper. Once there, Ms. Putnam found herself playing a Walking Piano. After she finished, Mateo praised her piano skills.

The next day, Mateo made his way to the classroom and spotted Zoey, who greeted him with a smile. Taking his seat behind her, Mateo noticed that Ms. Putnam was more at ease today. She announced that the test would now be an examination on the connection between math and music. The turn of the events caught Mateo off guard. Following the conclusion of the test, Sheep Week commenced. Engrossed in his book, Mateo couldn't help but feel remorseful for intruding into Ms. Putnam's dream. Team Dream Chasers prepared to face off against The Destroyers in a game of Sudden Death Tetherball. Mateo and his teammates felt a sense of relief when they discovered that The Destroyers were merely a group of frail teenagers, boosting their confidence. Team Dream Chasers emerged victorious against The Destroyers, securing a win. Mateo took the opportunity to apologize to Logan. Despite his initial harshness, Mateo was grateful that Logan had proven himself and contributed significantly to the success of Sheep Week.

### Short Sheeped

Mateo, Izzie, and Cooper were under the impression that Logan had once again abandoned the team due to his absence. This led Mateo to believe that they would have to forfeit the game according to the rules. However, Izzie encouraged Mateo not to back down and managed to convince Jefferes to grant them some extra time to find a replacement member. In a candid conversation with Cooper, Mateo confessed that Izzie's boldness sometimes intimidated him. While practicing his ball-kicking skills on a staircase, he accidentally kicked Cooper and Izzie. Izzie came up with an idea to have Z-Blob replace Logan. However, Mateo quickly dismissed the suggestion, not wanting a repeat of the previous incident involving Z-Blob. Instead, Mateo revealed that he had already planned to ask Zoey to be Logan's replacement. He was grateful to Zoey for coming over and mustered up the courage to invite her to join his team for Sheep Week. Unfortunately, Zoey declined the invitation, explaining that she was caught up in the Dream World. Mateo felt disappointed but decided to make a joke about Zoey fighting the Night Hunter in the Waking World. Unfortunately, this comment offended Zoey, and she angrily knocked the soccer ball out of Mateo's hands before riding away on her bike, leaving Mateo feeling even more dismayed.

The following day marked the commencement of Sheep Week, and as Zoey was busy distributing meals, Mateo approached her to offer his sincere apologies for his earlier remarks. Mateo assured Zoey that whatever she was going through was her own personal matter, but he wanted her to know that he would always be there to lend an ear whenever she needed someone to talk to. Despite admitting that he found Sheep Week to be rather silly, Mateo confessed that he was participating in it solely for the sake of Izzie and Cooper. To Mateo's astonishment, Zoey surprised him by deciding to join Team Dream Chasers after witnessing Dallas bullying Izzie. As the soccer match was about to commence, Mateo's anxiety intensified upon discovering that he had been designated as the captain of Team Dream Chasers. Striving to uphold the spirit of fair play, he approached Dallas with the intention of extending a handshake and offering well wishes for the forthcoming game. However, instead of reciprocating the gesture, Dallas veiled his response with a threat, cautioning Mateo against shedding tears in the event of their defeat. Mateo gathered his team and informed them that they had never played together as a team before, highlighting the formidable reputation of The Wolves, who remained undefeated. Mateo acknowledged that between the two teams, they were likely considered the worse one. Nevertheless, he reassured his teammates that if they gave their utmost effort on the field, they would not bring shame upon themselves.

Mateo attempted to strike the ball, yet Dallas forcefully pushed him aside, successfully earning the point. Mateo expressed his regret, but Cooper reassured him. Following the Wolves' additional score, Mateo passed the ball to Zoey, who unfortunately got knocked down by Dallas. Mateo acknowledged the Wolves' intense gameplay and the overwhelming support they received from the crowd, who simultaneously laughed at Team Dream Chasers. Filled with determination, Mateo declared that he would no longer restrain himself and proclaimed that it was time to demonstrate that bullies do not emerge victorious. By pretending to be a chicken, Mateo successfully diverted the attention of The Wolves, enabling Team Dream Chasers to gain a point. Afterwards, Mateo skillfully halted Dallas, giving Izzie the opportunity to score another point. With their spirits high, Team Dream Chasers managed to secure an additional point. Mateo reassured his teammates that they were heading in the right direction and needed just one more goal to ensure their triumph. Just as The Wolves were on the verge of securing their last point, Izzie passed the ball to Mateo, who scored the decisive point, leading Team Dream Chasers to emerge victorious in Sheep Week. Overwhelmed with joy, Zoey rushed towards Mateo and embraced him tightly.

Mateo, Izzie, and Cooper basked in the glory of their triumph, and planned to tell Logan about it. They were still convinced that Logan was in the Hamptons with his mothers. Mateo comes up with a plan to find Logan using the Locator. Excitedly, they make their way to their landing spot in the Dream World. However, to their shock and dismay, instead of finding Logan, they were led straight into the Grim Realm, where they realized that the Nightmare King had taken Logan hostage.

### Private Eye

In an attempt to invite Zoey to the Fall Festival, Mateo stealthily entered her cave to leave a note. He also brought along a bone to distract Zian. However, Mateo's plans took an unexpected turn when he accidentally triggered one of Zoey's booby traps. Realizing he needed assistance, Mateo urgently called upon Cooper for help. Cooper swiftly arrived at the cave and managed to free Mateo, who proceeded to explain the entire situation. Cooper was disappointed when Mateo planned to take the note back after going through all the trouble. Mateo defended himself, explaining that he felt the timing was not right. However, Cooper disagreed, asserting that Mateo was simply afraid of rejection. Cooper pointed out that Mateo's fear of negative feedback and rejection was similar to his reluctance to share his comics with a wider audience. Mateo countered by voicing his concerns about what would happen if Zoey rejected him or if people disliked his comics. Cooper challenged Mateo's fears by asking him to consider the possibility that people might appreciate his comics. However, Mateo remained hesitant and unwilling to take the risk. Mateo concluded by stating that he couldn't bear the thought of Zoey finding out that he had been in her cave. Shortly after, Mateo unintentionally triggered an alarm, prompting him, Cooper, and Z-Blob to hastily exit the cave.

Mateo was searching high and low in his room for the comic book he had just finished reading a week ago, but his efforts were in vain. Despite his best attempts, he was unable to locate the book, which left him feeling frustrated and confused. However, he soon realized that Z-Blob had the comic and took it back. Noticing Mateo's reluctance to share his comics with others, Izzie advised him to overcome his fear of people reading his work. Mateo denied being afraid and even planned to show his comic to Cooper later that day before school. When Izzie inquired if he had shown his comics to anyone else besides her and Cooper, Mateo asked if Z-Blob counted. Izzie replied in the negative. Mateo asked Cooper for his opinion on the comic. Cooper was impressed with the comic and requested to read it again after school. IInitially, Mateo was hesitant to grant the request, but Cooper persisted and promised to return it at lunchtime. Zoey overheard their conversation and became curious about what they were discussing. Sensing the need for secrecy, Mateo swiftly retrieved the comic from Cooper and concealed it, claiming that it was of no importance and that Cooper would have the chance to read it later. Unfortunately, in his haste, Mateo accidentally placed the comic in Zoey's grocery bag. Mateo and Cooper then proceeded to their class. Mateo partook in Mr. Oz's class, during which Mr. Oz emphasized the significance of sharing one's work. As the class drew to a close, Mateo inquired if Cooper had finished reading his comic and if he could have it back. To their dismay, Cooper realized that the comic book was neither in his backpack nor his locker. Mateo, feeling a sense of panic, frantically explained that it was the original copy. Sensing their distress, Izzie intervened and requested that Mateo and Cooper meet her in the library.

Mateo, Cooper, and Logan were gathered at the library when Izzie joined them. However, Izzie decided to take on the role of a detective. This annoyed Mateo, who asked her to stop fooling around. Unfazed by Mateo's annoyance, Izzie hushed him, revealing her plan to find the missing comic in her own unique way. Mateo, feeling a sense of urgency, emphasized the need to locate the comic as soon as possible, fearing the embarrassment he would face if anyone else were to stumble upon it. Just then, to Mateo's surprise, Zoey arrived to the library. Confused and concerned, Mateo couldn't help but question Zoey's presence, directing his inquiry towards Izzie. He couldn't help but be frustrated, as Zoey was the last person he wanted to witness his work. Izzie informed Mateo that she would leave no stone unturned in her quest to find the comic. Izzie conducted an interrogation of Zoey, who confessed that she had missed her first class due to an intruder breaking into her landing. Mateo feigned ignorance of the situation and escorted Zoey out of the library, acting nonchalant. However, Izzie persisted in questioning Zoey, urging her to stay. Izzie then turned her attention to Cooper and inquired about his whereabouts in the Dream World the previous night. Cooper fibbed and claimed that Mateo had summoned him to assist in a battle against the nightmare creatures at Pillows Peak, and Mateo corroborated his story. However, Izzie shocked everyone by revealing that Mateo and Cooper were the ones who had broken into Zoey's cave. Mateo tried to brush it off as crazy talk, but Izzie went on to expose the truth that Mateo and Cooper hadn't been at Pillows Peak because she and Logan were dancing to K-Pop there, leaving Mateo utterly confused. Zoey scolded Mateo for invading her cave and destroying Mrs. Castillo's belongings. Mateo apologized, insisting that he hadn't meant any harm. However, Zoey cut him off, refusing to listen to his excuses, and stormed out of the library. Logan questioned Mateo about his actions of breaking into Zoey's cave. Mateo, initially willing to provide an honest response, suddenly diverted the conversation by questioning the relevance of discussing the incident in relation to his comic. Izzie interjected, explaining that the incident was indeed connected to Mateo's comic, as it was the catalyst for its disappearance. She revealed that Mateo's comic and the ghost peppers intended for Mrs. Castillo had been inadvertently swapped. The revelation led Mateo and everyone else to the realization that the comic was now in Mrs. Castillo's possession.

As they exited the library, Mateo and Izzie rendezvoused with Mrs. Castillo outside. To Mateo's delight, he noticed that Mrs. Castillo was indeed holding the comic they had been searching for. Curiosity piqued, Mateo couldn't help but ask Mrs. Castillo if she found the comic to be uninteresting. Mrs. Castillo, taken aback by the question, inquired why she would think that. Feeling uncertain, Mateo explained that he had reservations because the comic didn't resemble professionally crafted ones. However, Mrs. Castillo reassured him that its uniqueness was actually a positive attribute, making it one of a kind. With a sense of relief, Mateo gratefully accepted the comic back into his possession. Izzie asked Mateo about the reason behind breaking into Zoey's cave with Cooper. Mateo confessed that he had intended to ask Zoey out for the Fall Festival but sought Cooper's assistance as he had become trapped in one of Zoey's traps. Worried about Zoey finding out, Mateo pleaded with Izzie to keep their secret safe. Izzie agreed to maintain confidentiality and advised Mateo that he could avoid such incidents in the future if he put his work out there. Taking Izzie's words to heart, Mateo sought validation for his comic from Mrs. Castillo. He asked her if she genuinely believed his comic was good, to which she responded positively. Encouraged by her response, Mateo requested a favor from Mrs. Castillo. He asked her to offer Zoey the opportunity to read his comic the next time she made a delivery. However, Mrs. Castillo suggested that Mateo should personally show his comic to Zoey instead of relying on her. Mateo expressed his doubts, stating that he didn't think he could do it. In response, Mrs. Castillo reminded him that he couldn't stay inside his comfort zone forever.

As Mateo was gathering his belongings from his locker, Nova suddenly interrupted him with a speech. Confused, Mateo asked Izzie what Nova was talking about. Nova then proceeded to point out a yellow eye on Logan's cap, but unfortunately, the cap did not respond. In an attempt to prove her point, Nova opened Mateo's locker, causing his drawings of Z-Blob and the nightmare creatures to spill out. Mateo struggled to find the right words to explain his drawings, but before he could, Ms. Putnam mistook them for submissions for the Fall Festival. Feeling pressured, Mateo falsely claimed that they were indeed submissions. However, he soon realized the mistake he had made when Ms. Putnam announced that she would be taking the drawings to her classroom for the other students to see. Panicking, Mateo tried to explain that the drawings were just rough drafts and not ready for public viewing.

### Enter the Nightmare

The Waking World was under siege as the nightmare creatures infiltrated. Mateo revealed that the Nightmare King had caused a rift that resulted in the division of Z-Blob into two entities. Faced with the imminent danger posed by the Nightmare King, Mateo shouldered the responsibility and devised a plan. The plan involved Mateo diverting the Nightmare King's attention, while Cooper and Logan would activate all the lights to obliterate the Night Terrors. Meanwhile, Izzie, accompanied by Phil and Zian, would venture into the Dream World to create a counterfeit Lunia and serve as a distraction for the Nightmare King, allowing him to return to the Grim Realm. By insulting the Nightmare King and referring to him as a pitiful friend to Lunia, Mateo managed to divert his attention. Meanwhile, Zoey got Izzie to fall asleep and then joined Mateo. As they gathered together, they encountered Mrs. Castillo, who shed light on the concept that fears were actually the product of someone's imaginations turned against them, something that the Nightmare King eagerly sought. In a stroke of inspiration, Mateo approached Mrs. Castillo and requested all the burritos she had in possession. In an attempt to trap the Nightmare King, Mateo and Zoey cunningly led him into an alleyway. Mateo aimed to hurl a burrito at the NightmareKing, but his throw went awry, causing the burrito to land on a nearby rooftop. Meanwhile, Zoey successfully launched multiple burritos towards the Nightmare King. However, their victory was short-lived as the Nightmare King retaliated, forcefully pushing Mateo and Zoey off the fire escape, causing them to crash onto a dumpster. As the Nightmare King focused his attention on Zoey, Mateo swiftly grabbed a wooden plank and attacked the Nightmare King. However, his efforts were in vain as the Nightmare King effortlessly knocked him back, sending him crashing into the box of burritos, resulting in a messy explosion of burrito fillings all over the Nightmare King. Seizing the opportunity, Mateo and Mr. Hopper mocked the Nightmare King. With the Nightmare King momentarily distracted by their taunts, Mateo and Zoey seized the chance to escape.

At the stage, Mateo and Zoey joined the rest of the group, ready to execute their plan. Mateo emphasized the importance of diverting people's attention away from the Nightmare King, so he instructed Logan to showcase his DJ skills while Zoey mesmerized the crowd with her guitar playing. Despite the presence of the Nightmare King and the audience, Mateo reassured Zoey to stay focused. As Zoey's music filled the air, Mateo urged Cooper to expedite the completion of the Edison Ray, knowing that more Night Terrors were approaching. Fortunately, Cooper successfully finished the ray, which purify the partially corrupted victims and eradicate all the nightmare creatures in the Waking World, with the exception of the Nightmare King. The Nightmare King defiantly declared that it was the end, but Izzie, using an illusion of Lunia, cunningly enticed the Nightmare King back to the Grim Realm. Undeterred by the potential dangers, Mateo made the resolute choice to traverse the rift in order to put an end to the Nightmare King, and to his surprise, the rest of his friends joined him.

The Nightmare King aimed to obliterate the Dream Chasers by extracting the imaginations of his captive dreamers. However, Mateo ingeniously merged the two Z-Blobs, causing the divide between the worlds to gradually close. Despite the pleas from his friends, Mateo remained steadfast in his decision, resolutely explaining his plan to put an end to the Nightmare King's tyrannical rule. Mateo made the selfless choice to assign the responsibility of becoming a Guardian of the Realm to Z-Blob. But that would mean Z-Blob would forever be bound within the confines of the Grim Realm, unable to venture beyond its borders. Undeterred by the magnitude of this sacrifice, Mateo and his friends pooled their collective dream crafting abilities, channeling them into Z-Blob and empowering him to fulfill his newfound role as a guardian. As the culmination of their dream crafting efforts drew near, the Nightmare King found himself ensnared within Z-Blob. As the rift between the realms teetered on the brink of closure, Mateo took a poignant moment to bid a sincere farewell to Z-Blob, acknowledging the immense bravery and sacrifice he had displayed. Mateo then returned back to the Waking World.

While in class, Mateo was engrossed in another drawing when suddenly a low growling sound emanated from his backpack, catching him off guard. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Mateo politely excused himself from the classroom and led his friends to the library. Once there, he revealed that the source of the growling was none other than Sneak. It was then that Mateo realized that the rift was still open.

## Other appearances

### Dream chasers to the rescue

Mateo and Z-Blob were tasked with rescuing Jayden from a Grimspawn at the Fantasy Realm. However, they were soon ambushed by more Grimspawn. To combat this, Mateo dream crafted Z-Blob into his robot suit. When Izzie arrived, Mateo was disappointed to learn that she was late because she was watching a new season of *Bunchu Bunny*. They continued to fight the Grimspawn until they met up with Logan and Cooper, who were also trying to rescue Jayden. Unfortunately, they failed. Mateo then asked if any of them were able to ask Zoey to meet up. Just as the Night Hunter attacked, Zoey arrived and rescued Jayden. However, the Night Hunter and a horde of Grimspawn soon arrived to attack the Dream Chasers.

The next day, Mateo and his friends were tired as they were discussing the need for a plan. When Jayden arrived, he asked about their fatigue. Mateo and the others lied, with Mateo saying he was tired from drawing comics. Zoey told Jayden the truth, which shocked Mateo and the others. Jayden didn't believe Zoey and left the table, which made the others feel relieved.

### Dreamolition Duo vs. The Mutated Math Monsters

Mateo was in the midst of taking a pop quiz for his algebra class when he was persuaded by Z-Blob to create a brief comic. Without hesitation, Mateo got his tablet and made a comic strip that depicted a confrontation between the Dreamolition Duo and the Mutated Math Monsters. However, as time passed, the class bell rang, and Mateo realized that he had not completed the quiz. Consequently, he requested more time from Ms. Putnam to finish the assessment.

### Dreamolition Duo vs. The Pudding Pirates

During a quiz, Mateo vented his frustration to himself about Coach Jeffries leaving his pudding out, emphasizing how it was incredibly distracting for him, especially when he was feeling hungry. Mateo received an urge from Z-Blob to create a short comic. The comic revolved around Mateo and his friends embarking on a high sea adventure in search of a hidden treasure, which they intended to share with children all over the world. However, their plans took a turn when they encountered the Pudding Pirates, who not only destroyed the kids' boat but also managed to steal the treasure map. Suddenly, a swarm of sharks appeared. Mateo and Z-Blob transformed into the Dreamolition Duo, rescuing their friends from the danger. Mateo had Z-Blob transform into a sturdy boat, providing a secure means of transportation for everyone. Upon reaching their destination, a fierce battle ensued between Mateo's group and the Pudding Pirates, with Mateo fearlessly taking on Mad Coach O'Grady. In a moment of brilliance, Mateo commanded Z-Blob to transform into a Kraken, overpowering and defeating the pirates. With the Pudding Pirates vanquished, Mateo and his friends finally unlocked the treasure. The sound of the class bell startled Mateo, and he realized he hadn't completed the quiz. Mateo felt a sense of dread as he anticipated the punishment that awaited him, likening it to walking the plank.

### Z-Blob in Left Alone

Mateo was diligently working on the Edison Bomb at the Night Bureau until Logan's music interrupted him. He decided to address the issue with Logan and left his work station. Upon his return, Mateo was dismayed to find the entire place in disarray.

Mateo was in the middle of his lunch when suddenly an alarm went off, causing him to be momentarily distracted. During this time, Z-Blob managed to devour Mateo's taco without him noticing. Realizing the need to address the alarm, Mateo quickly left to turn it off. However, upon his return, he was dismayed to find that the remainder of his lunch had also disappeared.

Engrossed in his tasks, Mateo's concentration was abruptly shattered by an explosion. Hastily departing from the area, he eventually returned to find Z-Blob had once again wreaked havoc, much to his annoyance.

### *Dream Chasers and the Riddle-Spokens*

On a Monday morning, Mateo woke up earlier than usual to create a drawing for the ART-STRAVAGANZA. As he sat at his desk, he scanned through the pictures he had been working on for the past week. He had been sketching for at least an hour when Izzie suddenly yawned loudly behind him. She was dressed and ready for school, but still looked sleepy. Izzie started talking about their adventure in the Dream World in the previous night, where Mateo had saved the day with his Z-Blob airplane. Mateo shushed her and locked the door to make sure their father couldn't hear them. He then complimented Izzie on her unicorn Bunchu and asked where she got the idea. Izzie explained that it was inspired by a series finale of *Bunchu Bunny Kung Fu Rabbit*. Izzie suggested that he should have watched the anime with her, as even Z-Blob loved it. Mateo agreed to watch it with her after school, but explained that he was currently occupied with something and needed to finish it before they could leave. Izzie became intrigued and leaned in, pondering what it could be. She playfully asked if it was homework, to which Mateo denied. He discreetly shifted to conceal his papers. Izzie's curiosity grew, and she jokingly suggested that it might be a love letter for their Zoey. Mateo blushed and vehemently denied it, clarifying that Mr. Guerrero had informed him about the ART-STRAVAGANZA, and he was experimenting with ideas to submit. Izzie exclaimed with joy, admired for Mateo's decision to participate in an actual art show where others would view his work. Mateo cringed slightly, not intending to disclose this information, but he didn't want Izzie to mistake his artistic endeavors for a romantic gesture towards Zoey. Izzie rushed over to Mateo, eager to see what he was working on. Mateo quickly hid his doodles, not wanting Izzie to see them yet. He anxiously told her that his work wasn't done yet. Izzie stopped trying to peek over his shoulder and let out a sigh. Mateo slowly straightened up, looking down at his drawings in the safety of his shadow. Izzie flopped back down on her bed, expressing her excitement about Mateo submitting something for everyone to see. She praised his drawing skills and mentioned how Mr. Guerrero had wanted him to join the art club at the beginning of the semester. Mateo doubted about submitting his work, mentioning that the deadline was today and he hadn't come up with anything great yet.

Izzie showed concern and suggested that he could just pick one of his many drawings, as they were all really good. However, Mateo struggled with his art, feeling like he couldn't just do anything with it. Mateo pointed out that Izzie talked as if she had never seen his art before. Izzie confidently responded that she knew both his art and him very well. She reassured him that he was really talented. Despite her encouraging words, Mateo sighed and began to put away his drawings. Throughout this process, Izzie expressed her frustration and worry with audible noises, but Mateo was accustomed to her making a lot of noise, so he easily ignored it. Izzie attempted to start a conversation by saying Mateo's name, but he interrupted her, believing that he was not yet ready to showcase his art. He paused to examine his collection of scribbles, realizing that no matter how many hours he dedicated to them, they never seemed to evolve into true works of art. Disappointed, he concluded that none of his drawings were good enough and suggested that he might try again next year. Izzie reminded him that he had made the same promise the previous year. Their father's voice interrupted their conversation, calling them downstairs for breakfast and reminding them not to be late for school. Mateo quickly gathered his drawings, placing them in a folder and then into his backpack. Izzie tossed him his books, and he returned the favor by placing her favorite pencils in her bag. He then extended his backpack towards Z-Blob, who hopped inside. Just as Mateo was about to leave the room, Izzie hesitated by his desk. Curious, he asked her what was wrong. She held up the form for the ART-STRAVAGANZA. She questioned him once again, asking if he really had no intention of entering. Mateo fiddled with the straps of his backpack, contemplating his response. He admitted that he was not yet ready, as his sketches were still messy, and he had not yet determined the perfect version of Z-Blob to submit. Izzie attempted to interject, but their father's voice called out once more, urging them to hurry. Mateo acknowledged his father's call and rushed out of the room.

As Mateo was on his way to lunch, he caught sight of the art room and stopped in front of it. He couldn't help but stare at a flyer on the teacher's door, advertising the ART-STRAVAGANZA. The flyer encouraged students to leave stickers by their favorite entries and recognize the school's great artists. However, Mateo's heart sank a little as he realized that he had not submitted anything for the competition. As he was about to turn away from the art room, the door swung open, and Mr. Guerrero appeared in the doorway. Mateo was surprised to see him and smiled weakly, already trying to come up with an excuse for not submitting anything. However, Mr. Guerrero was excitedto see Mateo's work in the art show and reminded him to drop it off by tomorrow after school. Although he was willing to give an extension, the judging needed to be done before the ART-STRAVAGANZA later that week. Mateo was taken aback by the news and asked if he was really in the art show. Mr. Guerrero confirmed it and handed him the entrance form that Izzie had dropped off earlier. Mateo was surprised that his sister had forged his signature and submitted his work without his knowledge. Mateo's reaction was a mix of shock and anxiety. He watched as Mr. Guerrero went back into the art studio, carrying the form that Izzie had obviously forged. Mateo was surprised that Izzie had taken the initiative to submit his work without his consent. He had always known that Izzie was supportive of his work, but he never expected her to take such a big step without his consent. As he walked down the hall, he felt his backpack shudder on his shoulder, and Z-Blob pecked at him, sensing his distress.

As Mateo approached Izzie, Cooper, and Logan at lunch, he was filled with anger and fear. He cut Izzie off mid-sentence and demanded an explanation. Mateo's face turned red with anger, and he couldn't control his emotions. Izzie attempted to mask her worry with a sheepish smile, acknowledging her mistake. She confessed to forging the form, driven by her belief in Mateo's talent and her desire for him to share his art with others. However, Mateo felt betrayed, as he had expressed his reservations to her, only to be ignored. Izzie, trying to ease his anger, insisted that she had taken action because she believed in his abilities and wanted him to overcome his tendency to overthink. Despite Izzie's efforts to appease him, Mateo remained torn and uncertain about how to proceed. Izzie compared the situation to being in the Dream World, emphasizing the importance of letting go and allowing oneself to truly experience it. Cooper nodded in agreement, further intensifying Mateo's embarrassment and fear. Cooper acknowledged Mateo's unwavering commitment to his comics and illustrations, recognizing the effort he had put into his work. With genuine encouragement, Cooper urged Mateo to take the leap and finally complete one of his projects, emphasizing the importance of sharing his talent with others. He believed that Mateo had the potential to shine at the ART-STRAVAGANZA, which would showcased to the entire school. Feeling the weight of expectations, Mateo expressed his frustration, explaining that he felt cornered into this situation without a finished product to showcase. Izzie, taken aback by the news of the entire school attending the art show, suddenly realized her oversight and the validity of Mateo's concerns. Cooper chimed in, agreeing with Mateo's sentiments and acknowledging Izzie's lack of understanding. He pointed out that Izzie's failure to fully comprehend the situation was not nice. Izzie struggled to find the right words to express her remorse.

Cooper suggested asking for an extension, highlighting that turning in the project by tomorrow would still be considered an extension. However, Mateo's heart sank as he felt the weight of his unfinished work pressing down on him. In a moment of frustration, Mateo lashed out at Izzie, blaming her for the predicament. Mateo's words echoed across the lunchroom, causing a hush to fall over the nearby tables. Logan spoke up, voicing his disapproval of Mateo's harsh words. Despite enduring a barrage of unwarranted insults from Logan, Mateo felt justified in his anger and frustration, believing that he deserved the opportunity to express his emotions. As Mateo prepared to defend himself against Logan's verbal attacks, Zoey suddenly interjected. However, instead of feeling relieved or comforted by her presence, Mateo experienced a profound sense of humiliation. He did not want Zoey to witness his distress anymore than he wanted his classmates to discover the sketches hidden within his backpack. Reacting impulsively, Mateo hastily grabbed his backpack and declared that nothing was amiss, his face flushed with embarrassment and his gaze averted from Zoey's. He made it clear that he would now have to navigate his problem alone, feeling let down by Izzie's lack of support. With a whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind, Mateo stormed off.

Mateo was in a dilemma whether to tell Mr. Guerrero about his withdrawal from the competition or not. He was contemplating whether to reveal Izzie's mistake or not, as Mr. Guerrero had already added his name to the list of contestants. Mateo was afraid of the embarrassment he would face if he withdrew from the competition. He felt helpless as he couldn't create the perfect piece of art in such a short time. He walked out of the lunchroom with a heavy heart, feeling hollow and empty inside. However, as he was about to leave, he couldn't resist looking back at Izzie, who was sitting alone with her head bowed over the lunch table. Throughout the day, Mateo and Izzie maintained a complete silence between them.

During dinner, their father, noticing their unusual behavior, questioned them about it, wondering if something had happened at school. Mateo stared sullenly at the carne asada and frijoles on his plate, desperately wanting to talk about what had transpired earlier. However, he was filled with fear and uncertainty, afraid that if he broached the subject again, he might lash out.

During bedtime, both Mateo and Izzie changed into their pajamas without uttering a single word to each other. As Mateo settled into bed and pulled the covers around himself, he listened to the sounds Izzie made. Izzie broke the silence, whispering to him from her own bed. She expressed her wish to help him, acknowledging his creativity and suggesting that he share his talent with others, believing it would make him a better artist, just like the ones who drew *Bunchu Bunny Kung Fu Rabbit*. Mateo struggled to keep his emotions in check, determined not to explode once again. However, he couldn't help but feel that Izzie was making excuses for herself, not fully understanding what he was going through. Izzie attempted to console Mateo, expressing her confusion about his anger. She acknowledged that it wasn't ideal for the entire school to witness something he wasn't prepared to reveal, but she encouraged him to consider the excitement and admiration he would receive once he emerged victorious and surprised everyone, including himself. Mateo, however, closed his eyes tightly, hoping to transport himself into the Dream World. Unfortunately, he quickly realized that it wasn't as simple as he had hoped. Izzie assured him that she was willing to assist him in brainstorming additional ideas if he wanted, emphasizing that she had his back. Mateo, however, finally lost his patience and snapped at her. Mateo voiced his frustration, believing that Izzie wouldn't have coerced him into this situation if she genuinely had his best interests at heart. He couldn't fathom why she hadn't even apologized for her actions. Rolling over to face her, he glared at her, continuing his tirade. He pointed out that unlike her, he genuinely cared about the outcome of his creations. He reminded her of the incident whe Bunchu turned back into a stuffed animal, nearly causing her to fall down a mountain. Izzie defended herself by claiming that it was only a one-time occurrence and that she wasn't as terrible as he made her out to be. Frustrated, Mateo accused Izzie of oversimplifying his problems by suggesting that he should just "stop overthinking." He believed that she should consider the impact of her actions on others. With a hint of resentment in her voice, she agreed to let him be angry with her, revealing that she was also upset with him. She declared that she no longer wanted to watch *Bunchu Bunny Kung Fu Rabbit* with him. Mateo responded in kind, stating that he didn't want to watch it either. However, he winced at the thought of breaking his promise to her. It weighed heavily on him, making it difficult for him to fall asleep. However, as the night progressed, Mateo drifted into the Dream World.

Mateo found himself in the Dream Chasers' landing, where Logan and Cooper were already waiting for him and Izzie. As he sat up, he couldn't help but be captivated by the doors surrounding him. Logan greeted Mateo with a playful remark, wondering why he took so long to arrive.Mateo, however, was more concerned about the meeting and asked if Mr. Oz had arrived. Cooper informed him that neither Mr. Oz nor Zoey had shown up yet. Mateo then had an idea, inspired by his hourglass, to use his dream sand to create the perfect drawing of Z-Blob for the competition.