Disclaimer- I don't own NiGHTS, Nightmaren, or anything or anyone canon. They all belong to Sega, however, Lightans, and all OCS featured in this story are mine.

Lightans are like… the good dream equivalent of Nightmarens. It occurred to me that perhaps while there are Nightmarens, there have to be something to balance that out, right? Hence the birth of Lightans. Though, I have a feeling that to Nightmarens, Lightens are just myths and legends due to an imbalance in the Dream World's natural balance. I also believe that Lightens try to protect the Ideya, whilst staying hidden. However, that's counterproductive on their part.

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Long ago, long forgotten, they hide in plain sight. Within the worlds of Nightopia and Nightmare, there are legends and lore about them. The unknown creatures known simply as Lightans, they existed in total secret under strict rules to NEVER interact or interfere with Nightmaren activity. And none disobeyed; not even the youngest of the Lightans… apart from one.

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Xantippe groaned, aware that she was in pain and somewhat conscious, but not entirely. The clouds felt cold… that was unusual for Lightan areas. But… she wasn't actually sure of where she was, apart from the fact that she'd been flying around rather quickly beforehand. It came rushing to her in a tidal wave of images and emotion as she sat bolt upright, wrenching her eyes open just in time to crack skulls with the same purple-garbed Nightmaren that she'd been watching… how long ago was it?

Recoiling from the impact, Xantippe held her forehead, a bit out of it while an effeminate voice nearby groaned in equal pain. Opening her eyes once more, she looked over at the Nightmaren, who was also holding… his? Her? Head. "What'd you do that for?" the Nightmaren barked at her, looking irritated as he rubbed the spot that Xantippe had clonked with her head. Xantippe's temper flared, "It's your own fault, you shouldn' jus' stand over someone who's asleep, moron!" she shouted back, getting to her feet and taking her hand away from her forehead. "Well you're a moron for knocking yourself out like that!" the Nightmaren accused, glaring at her with azure eyes that had slitted pupils, reminiscent of a cat.

Xantippe had no comeback to that, but she did stick out her long tongue, crossing her arms as her wings flared and shut in irritation. The Nightmaren did the same, but seemed to calm down a little. "Well, who are you anyway? Never seen you before." The 'maren looked at her with interest, his eyes scouring over her frame and back up to her face. "My name's Xantippe, and that's all you're getting from me, icky Nightmaren." Xantippe ground out, in no mood to be cordial. "My name's NiGHTS… I guess it's… okay to meet you." He said, chuckling a little. It was certainly not 'nice' to meet her. Xantippe narrowed her eyes. "What are you laughing at?" she inquired, curious, but still a bit mad. NiGHTS waved off the question. "Never mind that, it was a funny thought." He replied. Xantippe blinked, "Nightmaren THINK?" she replied, that was news to her. "Funny, the books always said that Nightmarens were idiotic creatures that doted on that strange creator of theirs with the god complex." She admitted, looking at him. She expected some sort of angry reply or a strange look as an answer to that, but she wasn't expecting an effeminate laugh that escalated into a bout of hovering giggle fits.

Xantippe blinked, "Is that not true?" she asked, looking at NiGHTS with a respectable amount of confusion. Up until now, the dusty brown owl had been silent, but he spoke up. "NiGHTS is… different from most Nightmaren." He said, in the sort of tone that made you know that he wasn't done, and wasn't going to be done for some time. "Uh…huh." Xantippe muttered, looking at the owl with a bored expression, her default one for lectures and the like, which seemed to cause NiGHTS to laugh even harder, clutching his belly. Xantippe made a 'go on' motion with her hands, encouraging the owl. "Well, NiGHTS rebelled from Wizeman… but I suppose you could say that most Nightmaren are somewhat dimwitted." The bird said, hooting every now and then. NiGHTS seemed to regain his breath and finally nod in agreement, looking at Xantippe with mirth in his odd eyes. "Well, you're not a Visitor, Xantippe, but you aren't a Nightmaren… so what are you? Funny, obviously." NiGHTS said, his voice having hints of laughter.

Xantippe looked away. "I'm not even supposed to be talking to you, NiGHTS, so I'm not going to tell you what I am." She said, her arms crossed. "Which would be a … Lightan, right?" a smooth male voice interjected some feet away. Xantippe looked over, not noticing that NiGHTS had taken on a defensive stance in the air as she saw what looked to be another Nightmaren, this one with an intricate mask on his gray-blue face and garbed in reds and blacks, with some body armor. "You could be right, you could not be… who are you?" Xantippe said evasively, looking at him with apprehension. "Reala." NiGHTS spat the name as if it were a curse, a sort of fire in his eyes that made Xantippe think that he didn't get along very well with the other. Reala looked at NiGHTS with a similar look of pure loathing in his eyes, "NiGHTS… You're lucky today. I've got no interest in you…" he said, floating closer and running his painted talons along Xantippe's jawline in a mockery of a personal touch. Xantippe jerked, not expecting him to touch her and quickly rubbing at her jaw with her wrist, glaring at him. "Don't touch me, Nightmaren FILTH." She spat, wings flaring with anger. Reala put on a hurt look, his tone matching in a way that was insincere, "Aww… and here I thought we could be friends… after all, I didn't think you wanted to be allies with a tricky Nightmaren like NiGHTS… you did know he and that owl were tricking you right? They were going to make you do all sorts of horrible things to those innocent Visitors after all…" he said.

Smart as Xantippe was… she was also rather gullible, a downside as she leaned towards Reala, her head tilted at an angle, indicating that she was curious. NiGHTS spluttered, "Xantippe, don't listen to him! He's the one tricking you, not us!" he yelped, floating in front of her. Xantippe looked very confused, "But…" she looked around, conflicted. She didn't know who to believe. Reala soared to sidle up next to her, at arm's length. "But HE'S the one being rather rude to you, yes? He called you names, remember? I haven't done anything like that, have I?" he said silkily, making Xantippe float somewhat closer to him, subconsciously, she was taking his side. "Well no… I… guess I can trust you…" she said, floating over to him, looking unsure, but not noticing that Reala had lifted his hand upwards… but she did notice the sharp pain as he brought the unnoticed hand down hard on the back of her neck, sending her spiraling into darkness again, the last thing she heard being NiGHTS yelling her name. And the last thought through her head questioning how Reala had known what she was.


Celibate shuffled her talons, looking up at the bright deity-like leader of the Lightans. Sycophant-like Lightans floated and soared around her, she was a large being who looked down at Celibate like a mother would to a disobedient child. The eagle did feel like she was tattling a little on Xantippe, but she had a bad feeling. "What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Celibate?" Celerity had a clear voice that echoed around the room, making Celibate feel low in comparison. "Uh… it's… about Xantippe…" she started slowly, looking embarrassed.

The kind face of Celerity encouraged her to continue. "She… left… towards Nightmare Plains… and hasn't come back." She said, looking very unhappy to report it. Celerity's face darkened considerably, the yellow-garbed leader's face warping into one of disappointment and anger. "When did she leave?" Celerity asked sharply, making the eagle wince and shuffle her talons again. "About… three hours ago…" Celibate said, looking down at the glass-like floor. Celerity's aura brightened, making the toady Lightans squeak and fly together. "Well… I suppose that means we must go and get her…" Celerity's voice echoed around. "Or leave her to her own devices…" she seemed to be considering the strengths and weaknesses of her choices.

One would deliver the disobedient Lightan to her and allow her to be punished… the other was almost like killing her, Celibate thought. Celerity sat down upon a large white marble throne, her aura dimming, the Lightans resuming their happy actions around her head and torso. "…She shall be retrieved for punishment."Celerity uttered, making Celibate sigh with relief; punishment was better than death, after all. "But I do not think she will be staying long…" Celerity's words made Celibate's white and red head to shoot up, looking dismayed and shocked as she was dismissed. She spread her wings to take flight back to her roost, feeling conflicted.

Author's Notes: Not much to comment on here, but please read and review.