Prologue: Into the Subordinate's Tortured Mind

My Master is dead. I've come to terms with that. I know NiGHTS is the one who physically destroyed him, but why did he really die? Was it because of his inability to actually care about his subordinates? Or was it simply because he underestimated NiGHTS? Whatever the cause, Master Wizeman is dead.

Nightmare has no ruler, no protector, anymore. What will become of us- we Marens that have only been taking orders all these nights? Will we fade away, or will we regroup? Will NiGHTS find us and try to destroy us as she once did?

Someone I knew once told me I was headed on one hell of a path. She never explained herself, but gave me a coin that I remember acts as a badge of her office. That, and my odd eye. I'm still unsure as to the full extent of its power, but I figure I should have faith in Time, like she always told me to. Her name escapes me, but I remember her shining ruby eyes.

I want to find all of my siblings. I'm not sure where to even start looking, considering each of their outlandish hiding places. But let's think for a second here: All of them must still exist somewhere. I mean, how would I have been able to survive NiGHTS' onslaught on both myself and Master Wizeman and survive his death? Donbalon's not the type to travel, and neither is Puffy. Gillwing and Gulpo barely got along, so finding those two together is a long shot. Perhaps Jackle could be found with Chamelan- but then, where would that stealthy beast be hiding in the first place? And 'Queen' Bella never got along with much of anyone, and did her absolute best the keep far from the rest of us. Giriana hated Bomamba for the same reason Gulpo detested Klaws, which just makes extra work for me.

Then there's Cerberus. The Hellhounds would be ideal for finding the other Nightmaren. But how do I get the beasts to obey me? I've gotten them to listen before, but that was with the Master's help, and the Master's not here to help me now. Maybe they just need the right kind of control. But what kind? Stern-yet-loving? Iron fists? Kid gloves? Mindless subordination? Or do they just need freedom, like NiGHTS did?

There's so much to think about when it comes to power. I'm almost surprised Master Wizeman was as sane as he was with all of that power. And now I'm trying to assemble my Nightmaren brethren once again: Will I be able to handle the task, or will I go insane with the effort?

I know where Cerberus will be: They always seemed to love the open plains, where they could hunt and run, like human dogs.

That trio will be my first challenge. I know that the best way to find all of my far spread siblings is to have the Hellhounds sniff them out. Who will they lead me to first? Card shark Jackle? Spindly Bella? Or will they drag me right back to traitorous NiGHTS, the last thing they were sent after before Master Wizeman was killed?

That wildcard. NiGHTS. What will I do when I see her again? The ruby-eyed gift giver told me to forget my mirror image, but I know I can't. Though I feel odd saying it, NiGHTS has been huge in my life- almost as huge as the Master. I've wanted badly to ask her a question that's been nagging at the back of my brain since she abandoned us all that Time ago- Why?

If I got that answer, maybe I'd feel better. Then again, I'll be just as likely to hate both the answer and NiGHTS all the more. I should probably just leave it up to Fate, to Destiny, but that's just so damn hard.

First things first, though- I've got to find the Maren that'll actually listen to me. They need me a bit more urgently- or is it the other way around? Maybe I'm just lonely. Maybe I'm so used to the feeling of having someone watch over me or be at my shoulder that I go nuts when I'm alone. Maybe I'm just going nuts because of Master Wizeman's death, and that's driving me to think that I need company.

I'm not quite sure of anything right now. The only thing I can think of that can even be considered anything near real is action. There's so many things jumbled up in my head right now that the future's a blur, and the recent past has faded to an extreme kind of dim. But actions, happenings, doings are solid, real. They're probably the only thing that will keep me anchored to the world for a while. At least until I can pull out of this psychotic maelstrom and just soar for a bit.

My mind seems to have kicked into high gear, flashing so quickly through all scenarios that I can't process them, but I still feel them. From most of them I get the same, distressing knot of fear, anxiety, and disgusting realizations that I can't rid myself of, no matter how hard I try to forget.

Truly, the only thing I can do right now is just take this task one step at a Time. Cerberus first- the rest can wait for the Hellhounds. When the beasts are tamed, I'll be off to find then next, and the chain reaction will continue until all of my siblings are united again.

But then what?

AN: Alrighty, disclaimer time. Don't own NiGHTS, Reala, Nightmare, or anything that came from ever-wonderful Sonic Team and SEGA.