Dangerous Dream

Alrighty. I'll make your wish come true.

*yawn* Think slept through half the movie.

I can't blame you. It was a total snoozefest!

I mean, darkness masquerading as humans? Good triumphing over evil and saving the world? Ugh. Boooring!

The shorter the movie, the more obvious they have to make the villains, I guess.

Honestly, humans blabber on and on about how harmful stereotypes can be...

But then they turn around and paint us creatures of darkness as the bad guys every time!

They're SUCH hypocrites! Just 'cause we kill, consume, and terrorize humans a little doesn't make us bad!

To be fair, that's pretty monstrous from a human's point of view.

Ouch!

Hey! Are you gonna apologize for bumping into us or what?

Dammit... Why does this whole world hate me? Even that movie hates me... This sucks. I can't stand it...

J-Just leave it. There's something off about that guy.

Phew... That was scary.

You never know when someone's gonna lash out these days. Come on, let's just go.

Mmm... That one smells delicious, darling.

That's what smells good to you, huh?

Well, let's go follow him, then. Not like we have anything better to do right now.

Scum. How come they get to do whatever they want while I'm forced to hold myself back?

I wish guys like that would just disappear. No one would even care if they did. So I might as well just...

Boo!

Wha?!

Heh heh. Gotcha good, didn't I?

A knife, huh?

Go waving this around town and everyone'll treat you like a monster.

And it won't be pretty! They'll chase you down and mess you up!

A monster? Me...?

Deep breaths... Deep breaths...

Thanks for stopping me. I totally lost my cool.

Well, that's not the reaction I was expecting. I totally thought you'd come at us, then get your butt whooped.

I wouldn't have fought you guys. I know violence isn't the answer. But still, I... Sometimes, and I really mean sometimes, I imagine killing people.

Oh yeah? And you don't actually do it becaaause...?

Are you out of your mind? I don't do it because it's wrong. Obviously.

Yeah, we've got a few screws loose, but you're a fixer-upper yourself.

Heh heh. The thing about being a Nightmare is we always have to stay on the wrong side of sanity.

We have to act like we're having fun, or we can't get what we want.

Don't be afraid. We just...feel bad for you, for not getting to be your true self. You see, we're just like you, monsters in human clothing.

You're...like me? Really?

Really really! We're demons, stoking people's desires, feasting on their sorrow, and indulging them in sweet dreams.

So you're monsters, huh?

Then it's not just me? I'm not the only monster?

I have an idea. Why don't you try releasing those violent impulses?

I...

Do you wanna live the rest of your life in agony, suppressing all your feelings? Or would you rather set yourself free? Live a life that's true to who you are? The choice is yours.

We'll be waiting at Route 99. Come see us if you're interested.

I...

Well, this is taking a strange turn. I only came here because I sensed a Nightmare...

What's your plan with the boy, darling?

It's like I said, I'm gonna help him unleash the impulses he's been holding back.

I meant the smell, darling. That vanilla scent is the mark Nightmares leave on their prey. If you lay your hands on another Nightmare's prey, you'll get yourself hurt, darling.

You worried about me? Aww, you must really love me.

I...I decided to come after all.

I don't want to live the rest of my life in denial.

Even if what I want breaks the law... I want to stay true to myself.

It couldn't have been easy to live a lie all this time. So I brought you a little present to cheer you up.

Ta-dah! Like them? I made these all by myself!

Gh-Gh-Ghosts?

Yup, to help get this party started! Lemme show you what they can do!

These people...

Recognize 'em, don'tcha? They're aaall the horrible, terrible, awful people you've killed in your head again and again.

So what're you waiting for? Go on! No more holding back! This is what you wanted, isn't it?

N-No, I...

"Look into my eyes. Let yourself be free. Lose yourself in the dream..."

(Instead of killing who you are inside...)

Aaargh! I hate you, Dad! Always treating me like a failure!

Everyone in my class! That woman who laughed at me! That old lady who tried to take me away... I wish they'd all DIE!

Mmm, just look at all that repressed emotion pouring out. So tasty...

Feels good, doesn't it?

Yeah! It feels incredible not having to hold back anymore.

It was the best feeling in the world when I finally broke my family's rules.

Was your family strict, then?

Yeah. You see, my family is in a very particular line of work. So when I was younger, I never had any freedom. Do this, think that. Don't talk to that friend. Day in and day out, I was being forced into a mold.

They just wanted the nightmare hunter. They didn't care about who I really was.

You're just like me, then. They don't see how hard I'm trying. They call me lazy and unmotivated without knowing the first thing about me.

All that didn't bother me much. I was used to pretending to be someone I wasn't. Like I was a good kid.

But then...

I want someone to love me! Everybody else has someone... Like it's the most normal thing in the world. So why doesn't anyone love me? Please, love me...

Then I saw a monster cry, and it changed me. So I ran away from home.

Isn't your family worried about you?

Can't say they are. I mean, they're all dead.

Oh. I'm so sorry...

I can tell you mean it. Y'know, violent urges aside, you're actually a pretty normal guy. Though maybe that's more of a curse than a blessing for you.

Oh? What's this I'm sensing?

Darling, do you have a minute?

Sorry, you mind entertaining yourself for a sec?

Oh? What's that?

Is that another one of his presents over there?

So what's the secret?

Working while the sun's still out? You must really love your job.

Ohhh, I see...

Whoa, you look just like the old me. You even have my old hair. Does that mean you're still human? Anyway, nice to meetcha, parallel me. I'm Mighty.

So you really are me after all. I knew you seemed familiar.

Hah! You're not even the tiniest bit surprised, are you? But I guess nothing really fazes nightmare hunters after what they've seen.

So. You here to take us down?

That all depends on what you say next. I'm chasing a Nightmare named Marey Anne. Are you with her?

(That's Mare's real name... Could that mean this world's Mighty is chasing down this world's Mare?)

Nope. But it's possible Marey Anne's the Nightmare we're looking for. We can talk details after we get back to the guy she's currently after. C'mon, follow us.

Where'd he go? Tch... She couldn't wait for night to fall, huh?

Mare, follow his scent!

That way! I smell his scent near that dilapidated old building!

That would be the industrial ruins. Mind if I tag along?

Be my guest. You'll probably find whoever you're looking for in there.

Found 'em!

Hello, Marey Anne. Looks like I'll be doing some hunting today.

Well, well, well. If it isn't the nightmare hunter and the Nightmares that keep encroaching on my turf. I'm afraid you won't be stealing my prey this time.

This time? Then you're the one who put the girl with the dead cat into a dream?

My, how clever you are.

Why did you squeeze her so hard? She almost died.

And? Why would a Nightmare like you care about a human? Aww, has someone grown attached?

Maybe I have. I may be a Nightmare, but I still hate killing people.

If they die, then I'll never get to see them again... If they die...I don't get to consume them anymore.

Are you sure it's wise to say that in front of your friends? They'll realize you're a monster and turn their backs on you.

Don't be ridiculous. Mare's always been this way. I'm not gonna start hating her for it now. I know that she's a monster, but I love her anyway.

Did you say you LOVE this little monster?

Sure, she's selfish and cruel and childish. But I could tell she meant it from the bottom of her heart when she said she wanted to be loved. It moved me. And isn't that what love is all about?

Grrr...!

Hey! What are you doing?! Why'd you scratch me up like that?!

If he can love you as a monster, he can love you when you're torn to shreds!

Ahh, I see what's going on here. Looks like this is a touchy subject for this Mare.

"This" Mare? You mean...

Hey, nightmare hunter. Feel like teamin' up with a Nightmare for a smidge?

That guy there is only here 'cause of me, and I wanna help him.

Sure thing. Besides, you don't seem so bad. I only really hunt down the bad Nightmares.

Heh. You really are me. Okay, let's do this!

You leave me no choice!

Mare!

Eek! What are you doing?!

I'm gonna use your power to kill these guys! If you're me, then there's no harm in me taking your power!

You have what I want!

Ugh...

With you being the Mare of this world, I didn't wanna have to hurt you. But...

Are you sure you want to do that? Try it and I'll suck every last drop of power out of her.

......

Wait. Look over there.

RAAAGH!!!

He's the only person to ever understand me! If you wanna kill him, you'll have to go through me first!

Tsk. That was mildly irritating, nothing more.

But I'm bored now. I'll call it a day.

Mare!

Oh...darling...

I'm so glad you're okay...

Thanks for saving Mare.

I was in such a daze... I'm just glad...I could help...

The Nightmare sucked out some of his energy, but luckily, it doesn't look like it's anything life-threatening.

That's great for him, but what about me? I'm totally not okay...

Sorry, Mare. You'll be able to rest soon. Let's head back to Elzion first. We gotta get him back home.

Mmm? Where am I?

Well, well. Look who decided to wake up. You're back in Elzion now.

The last thing I remember is being attacked by some strange lady... Oh! What happened to your plushie?

I'm not a plushie... I'm Mare...

As you can see, we got her back. All thanks to you.

You know, I've been thinking. Maybe you could use those violent urges of yours to protect people instead of hurting them.

I think that's a great idea. You really were a big help back there.

You might be ashamed of your impulses, but there's a use for everything. You can't go around hurting innocent people, but beating the stuffing outta bad guys is totally and conveniently justified. No one complains when people kill monsters in games and movies, right? This is no different.

Hah... It doesn't feel very good when you put it that way. But...you might have a point.

Those urges might be dangerous, but they're proof of who you are. So don't try to change them or repress them. Just find a way to put them to good use. Unleash carnage the legal way: on violent criminals and synth human extremists.

Thanks for being so accepting of a monster like me.

Huh. I never would've guessed the other me would care so much about others. I'm always the one being looked after, so it's kinda strange to see it the other way around.

Caring? Hah! Don't be silly. I'm just a misfit who stands on the monsters' side. You shouldn't kill. You shouldn't steal. All that's true, but it's all for the humans' benefit.

Meanwhile, monsters are expected to adapt to the human way of doing things.

I don't see why the odd human or two can't adapt themselves to the monsters' way of doing things.

(In fact, ever since I first met Mare...)