A/N: A few quick things before we kick this bad boy off! I decided to write this fic somewhat based off of an old NiGHTS rp forum I was on with some friends and one of those friends, Zacs Brebac, has agreed to help me co-write it. As such, there are going to be quite a few OCs in the story. If you aren't a fan of OC heavy stories then I'm sorry but this is not the fic for you. The beginning is also going to track a lot of different characters as they cross paths with eachother, setting up backgrounds and relationships for a more cohesive story later on, so hopefully that won't be too confusing. Without further ado, let's get into this!

Within an odd, brightly colored room a single caped figure resembling a jester sat alone at a small table. A few distant sounds could be heard, many of them sounds of fear, a few resembling a sort of sinister joy, and more still were hard to determine. One thing was clear, though: the sounds were all disorganized. It was madness out there, even more than usual, and there seemed to be no force attempting to rein it in. However, the figure within the room seemed not to notice. In fact, he was actively ignoring the nonsense outside. This required focus, after all.

Upon the table sat a deck of cards, appearing larger and differently proportioned from standard playing cards, face down and stacked neatly. The figure's right hand rested next to it, his fingers rapping the table lightly, indicated only by the yellow and orange glove which adorned it and the light tapping sound caused by the action. Deep blue eyes stared at the deck as if expecting something from it. They were hard to read, possibly from a mix of emotions and thoughts contradicting each other. Bored and yearning. Frustrated yet hopeful. Indeed, since Wizeman's fall at the hands of NiGHTS and a new pair of dreamers, he'd been doing readings quite regularly to try and find some indication of where things were going to go from here. This wasn't like the first time it had happened. Wizeman had been defeated that time, yes, but that was it. Whatever lesson NiGHTS had planned to impart on him then had not stuck, and after some recovery he was back to the same routine, possibly even stronger and more determined than before. But this time was different. Master Wizeman was gone, presumed dead. Then again, even that didn't seem to make sense. Some of those who had been created by Wizeman still lived, himself included, which was not supposed to be possible if he truly was gone. Then again, that was by Wizeman's own claim, and why wouldn't he want his creations to believe that? What better way to prevent a mutiny?

But despite these regular readings he had, thus far, gained no further insight. The cards only seemed to tell him that which was already obvious to him. And yet, they seemed the only tool he had at his disposal for now. With a resigned sigh, he finally placed his hand on top of the deck and gently removed the top card, turning it over to see what his deck had to tell him this time.

The Moon. Inverted. Well that seemed obvious. Instability, deception, error... Their entire world had been thrust into chaos. Things that had been accepted as truth for countless years had now come into question. The status quo was essentially non-existent now. One might call it a power shift but said power didn't seem to transfer to any particular source. One would assume that it would have gone to Wizeman's usurper, but that was just the problem, wasn't it? He wasn't usurped, merely defeated. NiGHTS showed no desire for power, control, or even status. Indeed, the younger Nightmaren had seemed to just go about their usual carefree ways afterward, as though they'd done little more than a simple chore, leaving Nightmare to sort itself out with no guidance. Now many vied for power over the realm. There were those who believed Wizeman was not truly gone and sought to maintain the state of things as they were under his rule, there were those who were well established in rank and reputation who seemed to feel entitled to control of Nightmare, and then there were the young upstarts and those seen as lesser who sought to establish a name and reputation for themselves by pursuing the same position, no longer needing to fear such severe consequences for acting out as they had before. And Nightopia too was in a bit of disarray. There was much uncertainty to those on the other side of this. Many still feared the forces of Nightmare, even more so in such a state of flux, while others saw Wizeman's fall as an opportunity to rebuild what had been lost during his reign. Some of the bravest even saw it as an opportunity to strike against Nightmare while it was unstable. But none seemed certain themselves whether or not Wizeman truly was gone. There was a lingering fear that he would return, just as he had before. Yes, Nightopia was beginning to thrive again, to an extent, but the years of oppression and fear were making it a slow going process. And unlike Nightmare, Nightopia had never had a sovereign to maintain a sense of order and control. In truth, Nightopia was in just as much a state of chaos as Nightmare, it's inhabitants were simply... more peaceful about it.

He placed the card in it's position in the spread and then gently revealed the next one. Knight of Wands. Inverted. Well, that seemed to fall in the same vein as the first card. Division and discord... Naturally this was everyone's greatest obstacle at current. Until things reached some sense of stability all progress would likely be halted for both sides. There was just too much uncertainty, which made people nervous. Most people were reluctant to take significant action without some certainty, it went against instinct to thrust oneself into the unknown. Any progress that was possible in the current state of things seemed to fall upon the brave and the ignorant.

He put the card in place and proceeded to reveal the next one. Four of Wands. Interesting. Harmony and prosperity. Then again, that was sort of the point of all this, wasn't it? The truth was that Nightmare had gained too much power in Wizeman's time as ruler. Wizeman himself had gone mad with it, seeking to destroy Nightopia all together in order to rule over the entire Night Dimension. But that would never happen, it couldn't. Nightmare and Nightopia needed eachother in the end. Without light there would be no shadows. Without evil there would be no morals. Everything was meant to exist in balance. But time and Wizeman's rule had bred corruption, and with that corruption came imbalance. Now was the chance for that balance to right itself, for Nightmare and Nightopia to return to form and play the roles for which they were intended. Of course, this was provided nothing went wrong during the Night Dimension's recovery, and in it's current state there was plenty that could easily do so. Yes, the restoration of balance was the ideal outcome, but it was far from absolute.

Placing the card in position he continued on, revealing the next. Nine of Wands. Wands again? That was significant, no doubt. Three of any particular suit in this spread was considered a concentration, but for three to be drawn in a row? Such was almost unheard of. Wands were generally related to progress and all that came with it. The ambition, struggles, consequences... and in these placements that made a lot of sense. Laying out the end goals and what could obstruct them. And the Nine of Wands here... Clearly it was referencing NiGHTS directly. Strength in opposition and meeting attacks boldly. NiGHTS had become a symbol to many, though what they represented varied from person to person. Obviously the purple clad Nightmaren had made a lot of enemies through their actions, and even some who were not particularly displeased with the results would seek to end them for the mere status it would gain them. To defeat the one who had brought Wizeman's fall? What better way to display one's own power and propel oneself in status? Alternatively, there were those who could look to the rogue Nightmaren as an inspiration. A protector and embodiment of strength who overcame phenomenal odds. Clearly, NiGHTS' role in all of this was far from over.

He moved on to the next card. The Devil. Of course, that much was obvious. Violence, force, fatality, and the vehemence that drove it all. This was the seemingly inescapable recent past which still influenced people's actions now. So much time spent in fear and oppression as their world had been ravaged by Wizeman's twisted ambition. It was like an unseen scar across all who had been unlucky enough to experience it and even some who had merely been told stories shocking enough to instill that fear in them as well. Just one more factor to inhibit the necessary progress. It was something he himself struggled to overcome at times. Even then, it was far easier for him than for most. He had never been quite what he seemed after all.

Continuing on he revealed the sixth card. Queen of Pentacles. Opulence... Security... Liberty... Yes, despite the current chaos and turmoil there was one thing that remained true. They were now free. Wizeman's tyrannical rule had ended. With that freedom came joy and relief, but also risk and unrest. While some relished in it others didn't know how to handle it. And possibly worse, it served to lower certain inhibitions. Too much freedom could lead to disaster. After all, that was how all of this started, as well as how it ended. Wizeman had nothing to keep him in check for so long, nothing to inhibit his ambitions. That was, until NiGHTS had asserted their own freedom with a will even stronger than Wizeman's. In that regard it was a good thing that freedom was all NiGHTS really pursued in their endeavor. Had NiGHTS wanted power or control they may have ended up with an even bigger problem on their hands now.

He paused for a moment as he put the card in place on the spread. Down to the last four cards now. He wondered if this reading would actually reveal anything new. So far it only seemed to reiterate what he already knew, just as the other readings had. He reached to the deck and revealed the next card. Four of Cups. Weariness, aversion, imaginary vexations... Of course people were nervous and uncertain, even fearing that which was seemingly gone from the world now. How could they not be? It was simply a part of life for so long, it would take time for people to adjust to the change, those who found themselves able to anyway. For starters, many were tired. The end of Wizeman's rule had taken it's sweet time indeed, and some still insist that it continues, that he was merely weakened and would return just has he had the first time. And in all truth, who was to say they were wrong? The survival of some of his very creations was possible evidence of such. Then again, it could be indicative of lies or possibly even a simple anomaly. Regardless it was a source of uncertainty to be sure, as if there wasn't enough of that as it was.

Moving on he turned over the next card. Six of Cups. More Cups, naturally. This was clearly a very emotional time for people, it came as no surprise that he would see this suit occur more than once. In fact, a part of him had expected it sooner, but he disregarded the thought. The placements all made sense and it was important that he remained impartial to gain a full understanding of what was shown to him. There was little point to thinking about how he would have chosen to place the cards. He was not the one conveying the message, only receiving it. But this was interesting...

The eighth position was meant to signify influences from the environment, and the Six of Cups had two interpretations, one referring to the past or youth and the other signifying a new beginning or rebirth. In this case, the card seemed to be using both at once. It referred to the time before Wizeman's reign, before the corruption and imbalance, and also to the present state of things, where they have the chance now to start anew. It was a cycle. Imbalances would come and go but eventually things would be drawn back towards a neutral state. That was the way of things. Though one could only hope that balance would return sooner rather than later.

Moving the Six of Cups to it's place he continued on and revealed the next card. The Star. Another one with multiple interpretations. On the one hand it conveyed loss, theft and abandonment, clearly things people were facing currently. On the other hand it could be indicative of a bright future. Suiting to represent the hopes and fears involved in this situation. When considering both together it becomes clear. The need to move on. And for certain there was much to move on from, and it would not be easy, nor would it happen quickly, but it certainly wasn't impossible. Yes, there was fear, enmity, envy, and plenty of pain driving people's actions currently, but recovery could come in time.

He let out a sigh. So far this had been just another fruitless attempt. He already knew all of this. He was beginning to wonder how many ways his deck could give him the exact same information, almost as if it was some sort of game. Well, there was one card left, he might as well see what it was. He turned the final card over, and as his eyes fell upon it, a wicked grin crept across his face.

"Well... It's about time something interesting happened..."