Evil Wizards don't mix very well with children. Despite this fact, Nightmare decided to raise one anyways.
"Raise" may be the wrong term. What really happened was that he left Meta in the care of guardians and tutors, all left over from the previous monarch's reign. Some unfortunate souls had been abducted from the village nearby the castle.
He'd specifically chosen families with children around Meta's age so Meta would be able to develop social skills. After all, the young secret weapon prince in training would need them.
Even then, Meta wasn't very social. While he did play with the children, he perfered the company of books. Books could take him places he couldn't go otherwise. He wanted to fight dragons and evil knights just like the heroes did. They saved innocent people, and even if Meta wasn't fond of romance, he did wish he had a chance to rescue someone.
He was so inspired by these tales that he decided to go on his own quest with his own court. Gathering up the other children, he explained his master plan.
"We're going to sneak into the kitchen and steal all the ice cream!" He said, handing out toy swords. The children cheered, and ran towards the kitchen. As they approached, they brought their voices to a whisper. Meta peeked around the corner, making sure no one was in sight. Once he made sure the coast was clear, the children walked up to the refrigerator. Just when they were about to open the doors, someone yelled, and they all ran away.
The small blue orb had small, stubby arms that were not ideal for many activities. His father, however, insisted he learn a musical instrument. Meta had wanted to learn to play the drums or guitar, but Nightmare decided he would play the violin instead. He claimed it was much more sophisticated, which confused Meta. Why would a child need to be sophisticated?
Nevertheless, the puff learned how to play the violin. He had lessons daily, right between his magic and language lessons. Eventually, he could play more than just a simple exercise.
Naturally wanting to see his son's progress, Nightmare decided to listen to him play something. The tutor was frightened he would be executed for not doing a good job, and shivered uncontrollably the entire Meta finished, Nightmare was pleased, and told the tutor he had done a good job. As soon as the two went to go get ice cream, the tutor fainted.
When Meta's wings started to grow in, he was estatic. Flight was his key to growing up and finally leaving the castle. He felt bittersweet about this, but his curiosity about the outside world was too strong to ignore. He could always come back.
He decided to start his flight by jumping off of a tree in the courtyard. Just as he jumped, he realized that he did not know how to fly. He closed his eyes, bracing for the worst.
The worst never came.
His father had been watching the entire time, and had swooped in to save Meta at the last moment. The puff opened his eyes to see his father's not-so-comforting face.
"Meta, you know better than to do that," He said.
Meta sighed. "I know, I just want to fly."
Nightmare let the puff down onto the ground. "I cannot blame you. I was eager to fly when I found out I could."
"I want to explore, father. The castle is nice, but there's nothing new." Meta gave his father puppy dog eyes. "I want to experience all my stories for real."
Nightmare wasn't effected by the display of cuteness. He simply started to move back inside.
"No. Not until you are older."
Meta followed as fast as he could. His small body had trouble keeping the same pace as anyone else. "How much older?"
Nightmare turned around, startling the puff. Meta fell on his bottom.
"I'll think about when you will be able to explore the village. You would be supervised, but you would still be able to roam around." Nightmare helped the puff back on his small feet. He then remembered the plan he had come up with so many years ago, when he had kidnapped Meta in the first place.
"I do, however, have some plans I haven't told you about."