NiGHTS was no longer hurting. His irritated hide was soothed enough by the cool stone so long as he remained motionless. The Nightmaren knew that the moon would be high in the sky by now, but he had already been out all day, and was now in no condition to rise. Nothing could possibly have enticed NiGHTS out of his lair.
NiGHTS!
NiGHTS flinched, causing a fresh round of itching. Nothing but Wizeman's orders, anyway. But the thought of rising before the itching had subsided was the last thing that NiGHTS wanted. He half entertained the thought of pretending not to have heard the summons. NiGHTS!
NiGHTS was airborne and snarling miserably at the itch in a heartbeat. Breeding, instinct, and training had combined to become an irresistable force, and NiGHTS was flying for Wizeman's chamber before he even realized it.

Wizeman waited patiently. His chamber was actually a separate dimension that was linked to the rest of the castle, and from there to Nightopia. It was done seamlessly, giving the impression that Wizeman and the realm known as Nightmare had always existed in that particular place.
NiGHTS was coming, Wizeman knew. He also knew that the purple Nightmaren was in extreme discomfort. That he was still driving himself to obey Wizeman's summons was a testament to the time and effort that Wizeman had put into each and every Nightmaren.
Wizeman waited contentedly as he sensed NiGHTS approaching at great speed. Closer and closer . . . His six eyes blinked as NiGHTS came barrelling in. "ITITCHESITITCHESOHMASTERITITCHES!"
NiGHTS squeaked as a massive hand snatched him out of the air and pulled him into a ring of eyes, each set in the center of one of Wizeman's hands. Wizeman observed the Nightmaren, who was now twitching despite himself as his sunburn was irritated.
Wizeman released him in disgust. You were outside of the castle during the daytime. He noted. NiGHTS landed miserably. "Yes, Master. . ."
Wizeman pressed a fingertip under the Nightmaren's head, forcing NiGHTS to look up at him. Why?
NiGHTS blinked, wouldn't Wizeman already know the reason? Or was this a test, to see if he would lie? NiGHTS shuddered at the thought of telling the truth, that he had declared war on the sun. He winced as Wizeman tightened the circle of hands warningly. Why, NiGHTS? NiGHTS tensed and straightened, at attention despite his itching. "I was exploring, Master!"
That was true, wasn't it? It wasn't his original reason for staying out, but that was why NiGHTS had stayed out. Wizeman seemed to accept that answer, relaxing a little. And what did you discover? He spoke in the tone of a parent, humoring a small child.
NiGHTS considered, feeling a little excitement seep into his voice. "Everything looks different when the light touched, Master. It looks like a different place! Not like the places where the dreams are, but like nothing I've seen before. . ." NiGHTS caught himself rambling and quieted, embarrassed.
Wizeman considered. But you stayed out too long, NiGHTS. The light has harmed you. NiGHTS winced at the gentle scolding. "Yes Master, but. . ." You will not repeat this folly, NiGHTS.
NiGHTS was silent at that. No more sun wars or exploring? He had to stick to the same schedule as the other Nightmaren, seeing only what he had already seen a thousand times over? That fate seemed terribly cruel to NiGHTS. He looked up pleadingly. "But Master. . .!"
Wizeman's eyes darkened. You will obey me, NiGHTS! NiGHTS tensed, dropping into a kneeling position despite part of him screaming to stand up for what he wanted. The possibility of standing up to Wizeman was unthinkable and blasphemous. NiGHTS truly had no choice in the matter. "I will obey you, Master Wizeman. . ."
Wizeman radiated pleasure, rewarding NiGHTS in his own manner before extending a hand in a farewell gesture. Very good, NiGHTS

"Crush your head!" A pair of gloved fingers came together before releasing. "I crush your head!" Again, the fingers pinched air.
The fingers belonged to a yellow and orange glove, which in turn belonged to a floating cuff. That cuff belonged to a massive flaired mantle. The mantle belonged to a red collar and a horned helm. And withing that helm floated a set of unfocused blue eyes, and a freakish Cheshire Cat grin.
A pair of booted feet swung playfully beneath the mantle as Jackle watched his brother Nightmaren go about their business. At least, he watched until one came into range. And then . . . "Crushed your head, Clawz!"
Clawz, a monstrous blue cat with razor-like wings sprouting from his shoulders and a love of pyrotechnics, looked over in disgust. He simply hissed a warning and continued on his way.
Jackle positioned his hands as if he had folded his nonexistant arms. "Sourpuss. . ."
A loud BOiNG! announced Puffy's arrival. Jackle turned excitedly to see the rapidly approaching operatic Nightmaren. "Puffy! I crush your . . . GYAHPUFFY'SGONNACRUSHME!"
All activity paused for a moment as a deflated squeak followed by a loud, strangled gurgle was heard.

Puffy sat for a moment, smirking contentedly before bouncing off of the slightly wrinkled mantle underneath her.
The mantle drifted into the air as if propelled by a nonexistant breeze before popping back into shape. Jackle's head, hands, and feet came back into place as the cloaked Nightmaren clenched his fists. "That wasn't very nice, Puff!"
Puffy shrugged good naturedly. "That is why I did it! Pretending to pinch heads isn't very nice either. . ." Jackle shrugged back. "It's fun." He grinned, lifting his hand and making a pinching gesture. "Crushed your head, Puffy!"
Puffy bounced back onto Jackle. "Crrushed YOU, Jackle. . ." She rolled the 'R' slightly. Jackle let out a pained squeak in response.

NiGHTS drifted forlornly back toward his lair. No more challenging the sun. No more adventure. No more satisfying his curiosity. No more fun. . . "It's not fair!" NiGHTS complained, slamming a fist into a convenient wall. The wall gave a startled yelp before it whimpered like a beaten dog. NiGHTS sulked. "Sorry GillWing. . ." He continued along.
The eel-like dragon known as GillWing watched for a moment. NiGHTS was sad. GillWing had long since taken a liking to his purple sibling, and so chose not to leave NiGHTS to face whatever was troubling him alone.
NiGHTS was distracted from his sulking by a menacing shadow falling over him. He halted, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. GillWing halted as well, watching NiGHTS quietly.
When NiGHTS turned around, GillWing launched himself, swooping over NiGHTS to land on his other side. NiGHTS scowled at the empty corridor behind him. No stalker there. . .
NiGHTS turned back, blinking at a soft whoosh as GillWing leapt him again. "hm, there's a draft in here. . ."
Continuing on, NiGHTS quickly realized that the shadow was back, dwarfing him in darkness. He halted again, doubly suspicious now.
GillWing observed contentedly as NiGHTS seemed to be waiting for something. This was a fun game, the dragon decided. GillWing was caught unaware when NiGHTS abruptly bent over, pulling his head between his legs to scowl up at GillWing. "GillWing, you're following me! AND upside-down!"
GillWing blinked down at NiGHTS. Even he knew that that was just plain silly.

NiGHTS rolled his eyes. "No, GillWing. Don't follow me! I'd rather be alone. . ." He scratched irritably as his irritated hide chose to remind him of his condition. GillWing whimpered sympathetically, opening his mouth to present NiGHTS with a sloppy slurp. NiGHTS cried out at the resulting itching. "FORTHELOVEOFWIZEMANNO!"
GillWing jerked back in surprise, not understanding the problem. NiGHTS whimpered, now thoroughly uncomfortable once again. "Don't touch me!"
GillWing flopped limply with a broken hearted groan. NiGHTS covered his face. "It hurts, stupid. . ."
GillWing cocked his head thoughtfully. His good friend NiGHTS was hurting? Then he, GillWing would help!
NiGHTS scowled, then gasped as GillWing opened his mouth to bugle a happy note. NiGHTS' eyes bugged out as the dragon descended on him. "Wha! GillWing, don't! I said don't! Do-GYAH!"
All went dark for NiGHTS as GillWing's jaws snapped shut.

GillWing flapped along happily, worming his way into a small portal that spat him out into NiGHTS' lair. GillWing then spat NiGHTS out.
NiGHTS coughed, twitching painfully. "Sometimes you make me hate you. . ."
GillWing ducked his head with another whimper.

To Be Continued. . .