"I don't understand," whined Mouser, as he placed several intimidating masks on the wall, "why are we puttin' these things up?"

"Because," Wart smiled as he adjusted another mask, "I am the nightmare king. At least of the Subcon division. I'm not about to go up against the guys in Dream Land. But I still want to instill fear in Mario. These shall do the job. My little Phantos."

"Phantos?" repeated Mouser. "That ain't a very clever name, boss."

"Ah, but the name alone will make Mario tremble."

Mouser stepped back and looked at the Phantos that hung on the wall. "Eh, I guess the grin is a little unnervin', but I still don't see what's so scary about them."

"Perhaps a demonstration is in order," said Wart as he smiled again. "Do you see that key over there? I would like you to pick it up for me."

"Sure," said Mouser. But the second the rat touched the key, the masks swooped off the wall and began to chase him. Clutching the key, Mouse shrieked and ran around the castle's chamber with the Phantos at his heels.

"Not only will this terrify Mario," said Wart calmly, "but it will give him a bit of a sporting chance as well, don't you think?"

"Call 'em off!" screamed Mouser.

"Drop the key."

Mouser obeyed and the masks returned to the wall.

"They shall provide Mario his greatest nightmares," Wart hissed with a smirk.

But Wart was wrong. While the Phantos did give Mouser nightmares for years to come, Mario's dreams were much, much worse…