While playing certain missions in NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, I started to wonder how the other Nightmarens got ideas for those schemes. I mean, the gumball machine to block off the roller coaster tracks? Who's idea WAS that?? But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. This fic is just my speculations of how the Nightmarens got their ideas. Oh, and I'm sorry I don't know all the types of minor Nightmarens.

Note: I do not own the NiGHTS franchise. SEGA does. If you got any problems with that, take it up with them, ok?

JoD: Behind the Schemes

Prologue: The Not-So Tenatious Ten

"Nightmarens, I summon you." Wizeman's deep voice echoed throughout the castle.

Upon hearing their master's voice, the Nightmarens stopped what they were doing and made their way to Wizeman's throne room. Once inside, they sat down by ranking; Second-Level 'marens in the front row, and minor 'marens in the back row. Since Reala was the only First-Level Nightmaren (and Wizeman's favourite), he stood beside Wizeman. He kept a steady and intimidating gaze over the rest of the Nightmarens.

Wizeman waited until everyone was settled, and then he began, "My Nightmarens, I am sure you have wondered why I called you all here today."

Steve, a Seapo, nudged one of his buddies. "Is he always gonna start these assemblies like that?" he whispered, both amused and annoyed.

His friend, a Shleep named Charles, replied, "Maybe he just likes to play Mr. Know-it-all."

They started snickering, but instantly stopped when Reala casted a glare at them.

Wizeman went on, "Six of the Dream Gate scouts have been killed by Visitors Dualized with NiGHTS, but the seventh and eigth surviving scouts have told me that two Visitors who possess Red Ideya have entered the Night Dimension. Because of NiGHTS, their nightmares are in danger of turning into dreams. I'm sending all of you into their Nightopias to destroy them."

Ralf, an outspoken yet loyal scorpion Nightmaren (I don't know their name), asked in concern, "But Master, what if something happens to us?"

"I don't care!" Wizeman snapped. "Not MY problem. Just do your job and do it right. Or else, you will DIE."

The minor Nightmarens gulped. "Y-yes, Master Wizeman."

Wizeman turned to the Second-Level Nightmarens first. "Each of you will go to a different Nightopia and guard the Ideya that are there. If NiGHTS and the Visitors try to steal them back, well, you know what to do."

The Second-Level Nightmarens nodded. "Yes, Master." Then they left.

Wizeman then instructed Reala, "The boy Visitor is about to enter Pure Valley. You must capture NiGHTS before they can Dualize."

"I will, Master. But what about the girl?"

"She is currently alone in Aqua Garden. You already made an appearance to her, so I suggest not going after her at the moment. Besides, we need to take care of NiGHTS as soon as possible."

Reala nodded. "It shall be done."

"Good. Now go, and take the Goodles with you."

Reala bowed to his master, then snapped his fingers and the three Goodles hopped onto their birds and flew after Reala out of the castle.

Wizeman finally turned his attention to the minor Nightmarens. "Disperse yourselves among the different Nightopias and come up with plans to stop the Visitors. I expect good results from you, as you finally got through your training."

"We had training?" a Deworm called Johnson said.

"GO. Now." Wizeman ordered impatiently.

"Yes, Master!" Then the minor Nightmarens left the room.

Wizeman then grumbled to himself, "They don't stand a chance."

While still in the corridor, the minor Nightmarens huddled.

"Since we're gonna die anyway, it won't really matter which one we go after anyway. So who will it be?" Bob, one of the Balloogas, asked.

Fred, a Murtle, suggested, "Dudes! How about the dudette! Yeah, because, like, she's weak and helpless like a dudette should be, huh dudes?"

The others considered this. "Yeah! Just like the stereotypes in the real world!" they agreed.

"I've even heard from one surviving scout that she's a blond, so she's dumb and easy to outsmart!" Steve added.

"Yeah!"

But Bertha, a bird Nightmaren, said, "Hang on, we all can't go. Some of us have to go to the other Nightopias."

"Ooh, I've got it!" Ralf spoke up. "How about there's a group of us who devise the plans for stopping NiGHTS and the Visitors, and the rest of us just infiltrate the Nightopias and attack directly?"

The others agreed and were able to make a group. The group went as follows: Ralf, Steve, Charles, Bob, Fred, Bertha, Ted (a Sparkeel), the Joe Colony (the colony of bees in those hives), Kenny (a Mothpit), and Johnson.

"Aw, why was I listed last?" Johnson whined.

"Stop complaining." Ralf told him. "Be grateful that we even picked you at all." He turned to the rest of the group and announced, "To Crystal Castle we go!"

"Why Crystal Castle?" asked the Joe Colony. "Wizeman said the girl was in Aqua Garden."

Ralf explained, "Aqua Garden's too far away. By the time we get there, the girl will already be in Crystal Castle. We're better off if we go there first."

"Uh, another thing." Ted spoke up. "Didn't Wizeman tell us not to go after the girl right now?"

"He only told that to Reala." Ralf said.

"I HATE that 'maren!" Kenny scowled. "He's so conceited and he's always suckin' up to Wizeman!"

"So that's why we're going to elimitate the girl's Nightopia and maybe we'll be awarded the Second-Level Nightmaren title! Or even First-Level!" reasoned Ralf.

"Yeah!" they all cheered.

The next chapters will be funnier, I promise. Tell me what you think, please! :D

PS: Oh, and if you know the types of minor Nightmarens that I didn't know, please let me know them!