Nightfire

I have returned :)))

Am going to be on vacation for the next week or so, and will be unable to post.

Am going to be on vacation for the next week or so, and will be unable to post.

they're both non-binary.

Chapter 4 - First Threats Perspective of Sanity A few days had passed since the group had run into the orange nicheling. All of the group had created a sort of temporary camp to gather food at. Sanity and Trickery were getting along well enough, being the only two in the group who could eat the toxic berries. Outrage and Ambition were snacking on the regular berries, and Common was staring out into the grasses, seeming suspicious of something. "You seem worried, Common." Ambition had also noticed Common's aloof behavior. "What's happening?" "I think I heard something out there." Common responded. By now, the rest of the group was looking at her. "Nonsense! Nothing would threaten us. Look at how strong we are!" Outrage's claw flexed. "I'm sure it's not a threat." Common commented. "Maybe just another one of those purple crabs." "Well. Let's see what it is." Trickery stood up from their cozy nest, trotting right past Outrage and Common. "Can't be that dangerous." Swiping grass out of the way, Trickery turned back to Common. "See. Nothing. Just your mind playing tricks on you." "I suppose you're-" Common started. A great brown-black figure had appeared behind Trickery, its shadow looming over the entire camp. Trickery noticed everyone's change in gaze, and turned around. A low growl came from its throat; a bearyena had come to the camp, and it was hungry.

My-Family-22-Aug-2021-010410372.html Sorry if I missed anyone. Some families might not appear

The Secrets in the Aftermath Fox Heart stopped herself as soon as Koi folded backwards into the crowd of younger nichelings. She backed up, staring at Koi in horror at what she had done. It was like watching fire get poured in water. Koi picked herself back up, a new darkness in her eyes but wiping off her wounds. After a moment, she asked; "Are you done now?" The rest of the Frozens raced forwards and pulled Fox Heart away, of whom was staring at what she had done just a moment before. "Yes.. I believe so." "Good." Koi brushed herself off, voice lighter but still overcast with sorrow. She wrapped a patch of flowers and clover around her wound. By now, the rest of the Frozens had arrived. Evergreen watched the clearing with shock, and Horizon with a lesser dissatisfaction. "Let's head back now. I don't like rogue missions." She commented, with a strange half-heartedness in her tone. Ghost could barely process all that had happened. But he knew something; Horizon was hiding the truth behind this meaningless attack. And he needed to figure it out, before anyone else could be hurt.

I was thinking for Common, a character who is solely good, including with characters representing cunning and anger and whatnot, they would be too trusting, too kind, and too forgiving. Outrage is nearly unable to be kind as they're ticked off by the smallest things, Trickery is absolutely untrustworthy and too scheming to ever think of anyone as friend or equal, Sanity will snap at any moment, making them pretty much unable to be friends or close with. Ambition is selfish and will use anyone they can to reach the top, but considering they don't have any cunning due to Trickery, they won't even leave anyone alive if they really do try and take leadership. Common is the complete opposite of all of them, making for a 'perfect' nicheling of only good and nice genes. But considering how easily manipulated and how little they really think for themselves, they're so vulnerable to every nicheling in the tribe. It'll be difficult for them to think for themselves since they're literally made to trust and forgive others with no genetic way to balance it. Seeing as they can't really settle conflict without letting both parties off to easily, and everyone else will only work for themselves and no for the sake of the entire tribe, nobody can really be a sole leader without the tribe failing to work. So we'll see how that vote Trickery suggested turns out..

Chapter 3A - The Wanderer Perspective of Sanity Rain began to fall down towards the island, coating the sky in gray clouds and the ground in cold water. Outrage had dipped into the water, washing a leech wound they had obtained. Common, Trickery, and Ambition had all come down from the berry bushes, and the group began to travel again. Sanity was grabbing a few extra berries from a berry bush, when suddenly their had hit someone else's. Pulling back quickly, they looked up at the same time as Ambition to see an orange female. "A Common? In the wild?" Trickery peeked from around Sanity to see her as well. "A Common wouldn't steal berries." Ambition stared at the female suspiciously. She turned to look at Ambition. "These are my berries! I've had claim over this area for a very long time. So I suggest you move along quickly before I decide to chase you off." The orange female certainly wasn't acting like a Common. "You're not a Common, but you don't have horns either.." Ambition stared at the female in confusion, but no fear. "A non-Common without horns on this island?" Outrage had climbed onto the sand. "So just.. a normal nicheling? Nothing special?" "We can have her come with us and ask her what's up with this island!" Common suggested. "I'm not going anywhere, and certainly not with you little thieves." The orange female growled. She swiped defensively at Ambition, who swerved out of the way. Outrage surged out of the water, face twisted in anger. "Don't you touch them!" They launched past Ambition, shoving them backwards, straight at the female. She looked in fear at them as Ambition shoved her down. "Wait! Outrage!" Common raced forwards, but it was too late. Wiping blood off their snout as rain cleansed the rest of their fur, Outrage looked at the body of the female. "Why would you kill her?" Common looked down at the body in sadness, but no anger at all. "She was threatening Ambition. Surely you would understand, that was merely self-defense." Sanity pointed out. "Yeah but-" Common trailed off. The sky was darkening as he stared at the body, tears undisguisable from rain. "She proved no use to us anyways." Trickery added. "Usually once their purpose is complete, they have no use. She never had a purpose, just to sit around and attack children. No purpose, no use." Common stared at Trickery, speechless. "You.. seriously don't mean that.." "I agree with Trickery." Sanity chimed in. "If something is in our way and not with us, then they have no use and therefore are a waste of food." Common looked between the two. "You're.. insane.." Sanity shrugged. "That's what my name means." "Why would you say that!?" Trickery sounded so distraught. "You can't even consider another point of view before saying someone's insane? You're such a prejudicial hypocrite!" "Oh god. Trickery, I'm so sorry!" Common, you're so naïve and innocent. It makes me want to cry. "Could you please explain to me what you mean by that? Then I'll be able to understand it better!" "Of course!" Trickery smiled. "That'll make you a better, more open-minded person." Sanity exchanged a glance with Outrage, who just shrugged. Trickery and Common walked off, talking in their overly expressive voices that made Sanity want to snap someone's neck. Following them slowly, the sun began to set. Chapter 3B - A Selfish Lesson Perspective of Trickery Trickery stepped over the blossoming flowers, sniffing the air as they walked next to the rabbit burrow. "What did you want to show me?" Common followed Trickery's gaze. "The rabbit burrow?" Trickery shook their head. "No. The rabbits are around, and I need to find and hunt them." Common sounded shocked. "Hunt them!? What have they done?" "That's their purpose. To be hunted." Trickery began to following a scent. "Once they've completed that purpose, they've been a use. A rabbit's use is to feed us, so we can survive and thrive." Common gave no comment, gazing at Trickery in speechlessness. With a fast leap and quick grab, Trickery had the rabbit in their hands. Coiling their tail upwards, they stabbed it with the poisonous tip, although not letting out any venom. Dropping the rabbit, it took a few final steps before slipping on the sand, and dying. "There. Now, it's purpose has been fulfilled." Trickery glanced up at Common, smiling at her. "We get to eat thanks to the rabbit. A fair trade." Common looked at the rabbit. "Well.. I feel bad for it, but.. if it's to help others.. I suppose it's fine." Trickery picked up the body. "Good! You're learning." They gave Common a pat on the head before walking off, leaving the foolish nicheling on its own, staring out at the water. Once out of view from Common and anyone else, their bright smile and kind eyes faded into complete expressionlessness. You too have served your purpose. Now fade back into nothingness until I bring you back myself.

Chapter 2 - Obsession Perspective of Sanity Sanity walked away from Ambition and Trickery, heading over to the shores. They looked at the water, and saw it drenched in blood with bodies floating in it for a second, before blinking and watching it turn to blue again. Rubbing their head, they looked over as Outrage was flopping around like a beached squid, screeching like a banshee. Outrage eventually got to see Sanity, watching them with their usual blank expression, somewhat amused. Outrage's face turned into fury. "HELP ME OUT, MAYBE?" They flipped around again, spraying sand into the sea. "THIS LITTLE CRAP WON'T GET OFF ME!" Sanity raised an eyebrow. "Your attitude to this sure makes me not want to help you." Outrage straightened, staring Sanity in the eyes. "If you don't fix your attitude, I'll feed you to a blue bird." Sanity was beginning to lose their patience. They saw flashes of Outrage, dead with their throat torn out, and knew they needed to calm themselves. "What do you need anyways?" "Now you're willing to cooperate." Outrage sighed, turning themselves over to reveal their back. A small yellow leech had grabbed onto them, slowly draining out their blood of which melted into their fur. "Kill this thing for me." Sanity felt a strange sensation drift over them, a feeling of murderous desire that was almost impossible to resist, mesmerizing even. Paw twitching strangely, Sanity reached out, and grabbed the leech, watching it twist in their paw trying to escape or latch onto Sanity themselves. Grabbing it with their other paw, they gave into the urge, and torn the leech in half. They then dropped the leech, watching its dying body let out a few dying twitches before lying on the grass, unmoving. "That feels.. so much better.." Outrage had also calmed themselves, rubbing their shoulder blades together happily. They used water to wipe the blood off their back. Sanity took their eyes off the dead leech for a moment, turning their hauntingly emotionless gaze to Outrage. After a second, the hybrid straightened. They turned towards Sanity. "Thanks.. I guess." Sanity felt a new sensation wash over them; a feeling of usefulness and acceptance. An urge to keep Outrage alive and make sure nobody ever hurt them; like an obsession with them. "It-it was nothing." Night fell, and Sanity spelt some time thinking of all that had happened on the island so far. Outrage and Ambition were siblings, and seemed to know what they were doing more than anyone else. Trickery was so obviously trying to impress Common, it was funny. and Common was just.. the center of everything. The eye of a hurricane. All their lives seemed to revolve around Common's.. and Sanity had no idea why they wanted to keep that cycle alive so much. It made them feel useful, but also used. Proud, but also jealous. They felt that Common was the missing link to keeping Sanity sane, but also the cause of Sanity's possible insanity. Mind hurting from all this thought, Sanity drifted asleep.

yep!

Chapter 1 - Dark Beginnings Perspective of Common Common was confused. A second ago, she had been a regular nicheling, with bearyena hind legs and nimble fingers with a runner's leg, scorpion tail and ram horns with the ability to heal others. But now, she had no recollection of that at all, and even that figure with everything on it she was certain she was in seemed unreal and hazy. But now, she had drifted into a small bay, far away from all those weird memories. Pulling out of the ocean and onto the sand, Common shook herself off, looking around the small peninsula. 2 bearyena-hybrid children were looking at a red nicheling, with short, viper-like fangs, of whom was looking at the other nichelings suspiciously. Next to Common, a beautiful nicheling with a scorpion tail pulled themselves in to take up as little area as possible, soaking and shaking sand off their pelt. "Hello? Who are you all?" Common glanced around the group, all of whom turned to look at her. "I'm Outrage." Said the darker brown of the bearyena hybrids. They pointed to the lighter-colored one. "That's Ambition, my sibling." "You all couldn't have the minimum of etiquette getting out of that water?" The scorpion-tailed nicheling let out a short sigh. "I'm Trickery, by the way." "S-Sorry." Common pulled away from Trickery a bit, wiping sand and water off her fur. "IT'S NOT MY FAULT WATER IS WET AND SAND IS STICKY." Outrage yelled at Trickery. Trickery stared at Outrage condescendingly. The red nicheling sighed, and Outrage silenced out of surprise. "I'm Sanity." The red nicheling explained. Their eyes had a strange blankness and they looked ticked off. "Well... I'm glad I can get to know you all now." Common said awkwardly. "We should go in land. Our fur will dry from air, right?" Sanity nodded. "I'm ready to go." Ambition grinned. "FIRST ONE ON THE MAINLAND IS THE NEW LEADER!" Trickery sighed. "Guess being loud is genetic." . The group reached the mainland, and Common was blinded by the grasses. Sweeping it out of the way, he tore it out of the ground, letting himself and Sanity see better. "No no no! Don't do that!" Trickery peeked out from behind Sanity, pointing their paw to Common. "Oh? Why not?" Common held onto the strands of ripped grass as if they were treasures. "We're not going to stay here, are we? Bearyenas will be unable to find where we've been if the grass is still here." Trickery pointed out. "We're lucky this grass regrows." "Why do you need to be so careful all the time?" Ambition argued back. "That's a leader's job, not yours." "That's basic logic." Trickery retorted. "Would you rather get eaten or stay alive?" Ambition glared at them. "Nothing would eat me, especially a bearyena. I'm one of them!" "Stop fighting!" Common nearly climbed over Sanity. "We're still figuring out this place, it's not good to argue already." Ambition rolled their eyes, but Trickery nodded, their eyes morphing to look strangely innocent and docile. "Common's right, Ambition. We should listen to him for now, until we can think of a proper leader. Picked by everyone together, of course." They added. Ambition glared at the two. "Alright.. for now."

pre-played about 30 days, and got this great screenshot with Trickery and a bearyena. First post coming later today or tomorrow!

An Unknown Vengeance Koi and Ghost instantly rushed down to defend the Outsiders. Finch, King and Alecto hesitated, but Fox Heart's face morphed into rage. She shoved Ghost out of her way. Ghost, having less battle training and weaker defense, fell backwards against the rock. Arctic jumped forwards. "Fox Heart, stop. These nichelings have families and children. Even you should know to not hurt children-" Fox Heart snarled, claw curling around Arctic's arm. "If I can't have my firstborn child, nobody can." She shoved Arctic out of the way, racing forwards. Finch ran up to try and get her to stop, but it was no use. She jumped forwards, grabbing Rowan by the scruff and flung her into the icy waters; she was dead before she hit the ground. "NOO-" Soil leaped forwards, slicing Fox Heart's shoulder and attempting to lock his teeth around her eye. Fox Heart backed up, letting him fall with her into the icy waters, before cutting into his stomach with her hind legs and launching him into the sea. He struggled to get breath for a second, blood leaking out of his stomach quickly, before he fell under the water. Fox Heart limped out of the waters. Dirt jumped forwards, slashing her face and forehead. Fox Heart grabbed his paw, slamming him down out a rabbit hill, before slicing his neck open, watching him bleed out against the rock. The rest of the Frozens were stood in fear. The younger nichelings of the group stared at Fox Heart in horror. To keep him from dying, Alecto had to hold a vengeful Ghost back, exactly as she had done for Fearless, who had died after breaking free. Fox Heart raced over to the group, claw raised high. The younger nichelings tried to run, but without a runner's paw like the one Fox Heart had, she easily caught up. Ghost watched in horror at the massacre about to happen, when suddenly- "Mother! Stop!" Koi jumped forwards, shoving Fox Heart back, who instinctively sliced downwards- attacking her own daughter in the name of revenge.

Welcome to the Isle of Sins, an island of nichelings created by the bad traits of the world used to make the most perfect nichelings of all time. The nichelings of the island are the four different traits of evil turned into mortals as to create the most perfect nichelings of all time; all the bad traits a nicheling can have taken from them and given to the Children of Evil and taking the Evil's good traits and giving them to the perfect nichelings, called Commons. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From left to right: Outrage - taking all the vengeful, angry and rage-filled traits from Commons. They are the twin sibling of Ambition, and both are half-bearyena. Sanity - taking all the insanity, breaking-point traits from Commons. They are the most common of the Children, since after losing sanity they can present traits of Ambition, Outrage and Trickery. Ambition - taking all the jealous, ambitious and selfish traits from Commons. They are the twin sibling of Outrage, and both are half-bearyena. Trickery - taking all the manipulative, chaotic and cunning traits from Commons. They are the rarest of the Children, usually having healing abilities to better manipulate with. Common - the forms of perfection. These rare nichelings only exhibit good traits, and are discovered through their lack of horns that mark the Children. Sadly, due to the fact they're so heavily modified to be perfect, they are unable to reproduce and are extra-prone to damage. Commons are also typically tribe leaders, whereas all the Children have no good leadership skills and would drive the tribe to destruction. They are the only forms of nichelings with genders that they typically fluctuate between, and have no attractions due to not wanting to do anything 'bad'. This story was written by an aroace genderfluid person so you shouldn't be surprised by the amount of self-insertion the Commons have ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note that this story will likely be on hold for a bit while I work on Frozen Empire. Just wanted to get this thing out before writers block steals my knees

haven't been able to get to do anything with him while making other developments. Same thing with Alecto and Quartz, I really wanted to do stuff with them while they were younger.

Hidden in the Snow Evergreen pulled Horizon aside to talk. "Sister, I have some worries for the party that went out to find the Outsiders. What do you really what with them?" "Why are you doubting what I want?" "Last time you wanted to track down a group, you slaughtered them all." "To be fair, they deserved it." Evergreen looked at Horizon, concerned. "The children we captured deserved to have their families killed?" Horizon shrugged. "Their parents were criminals. It was fine." Evergreen sighed. Horizon continued. "And plus. the Outsiders could attack the Empire at any time, with strength in numbers and element of surprise. I need to make sure we're safe." "And how would tracking them down ensure our safety?" Horizon didn't respond, looking out towards where the group left. After a moment, she spoke again. "We'll know where they are at all times." Evergreen looked across the mountain in the same direction of her sister. "I hope you're correct." But I fear you're not. A ramfox charged down the edge of the mountain, prepared to attack the group. "So that's why you could smell food." Koi turned to Arctic. "Should we hunt it?" "We can defeat it's pack if we work together." Ghost remarked. "It wouldn't hurt anyone, and we'd get some fresh food." Arctic nodded. "Let's be quick before Horizon worries." As the group began attacking the ramfoxes, Ghost noticed someone in the distance. Well, actually, someones. "What are you all doing here?" Ghost asked. The group looked startled when he mentioned them. "Were you also all sent?" "Go go go!" Fox Heart scampered ahead, towards the Outsiders group. The rest of the group hesitantly followed. "What are you-" Ghost started. Then, he was hit with haunting realization of what was happening. They're going to kill my family. And I don't think I can stop them.

Reunion "Hey! Look over there!" After walking for what seemed like eternities, Koi pointed towards bright yellow and blue figures in the distance. Ghost was immediately hit with happy nostalgia as he looked on and saw his mother, Rowan, and brother, Soil. He scanned the group for his father, Carrion. Ghost and Soil went right up to each other. "Brother! You've returned, like you said you would." Soil's smile was happy, but also weirdly sad. Ghost smiled. "This is Koi, and that one with a shoulder scar back there is Arctic. We've been sent to see how you're all doing." "Is living in an Empire good?" Soil asked. "Since the day I led you towards where the Empire would be, I was hoping it would be." "Yes, so far. Although it seems it's only up from here." Ghost couldn't grin wider if he tried. "Where's father?" Soil's smile faltered and his gaze darkened. "He died a few days ago.. You're lucky you didn't have to see it." Ghost was hit with emptying sadness. "I'm.. sorry I wasn't here for him." "Not your fault at all." Soil's smile was back, but had clearly taken a toll. "That one over there is Dirt. And mother is expecting her last child. We've merged with Bronze and Fire Diamond's family to get better protection from enemies." Ghost nodded. "Good to see you're well protected against the elements." As Fire Diamond had her child, Arctic looked down at the teens and children of the group with a seemingly torn expression, different from their usual serious nothingness. "Arctic, what's wrong?" Koi asked. Arctic shook themselves, expression once again being hidden. "We should start heading back soon. I can smell fresh meat.. there might be a balance bear nearby." "What?" Ghost turned to Arctic, worried. "It doesn't seem to be close enough to smell us, though. And if it did, it would catch Fire Diamond and her children's scents and be warded off by the poison. They'll be fine. But we have no protection against balance bears, other than our claws." Arctic explained calmly. Ghost seemed a bit on edge, but a bit calmer. "Alright, if you say so.." "..Wise elder." Koi finished, looking at Arctic smugly. Arctic snorted, turning away from Koi. "You seriously have no clue about when it's time to be serious, do you?" Koi shrugged. "At least I'm not a pessimistic blob of gray grrr I am murderous and I also know a lot." Ghost began laughing, and even Arctic let out a small chuckle. "Whatever..." Koi grinned, glad she could get even a nicheling like Arctic to crack a bit.

yep. If you have poor luck, you're basically doomed.

you'll see : >

I love niche .-.

Staying in Place Horizon pulled Ghost and Koi (red with white spots) over to talk. "I have a special mission for you two. It's very important, and will be very good for the mountain." Koi perked up at this. Her mother had always told her to listen to Horizon and this was her chance to prove herself! "What do you need?" Horizon nodded. "I'm glad you're happy to help. Have you heard about the Empire Outsiders?" Koi thought for a second, before remembering who those were. "Those groups of nichelings who left the Empires back when you became leader?" Horizon smiled. "Correct! You're a very fast learner." Koi grinned happily. Ghost nodded at her, but he felt a strange worry in his stomach. Horizon continued. "These Empire Outsiders have gone missing, and I haven't found any trace of them. Although they did leave the Empires, there's very valuable allies among them. Without these allies, our Empire could be destroyed. If we can't find them, we're standing on thin ice constantly.. if you can, our Empire will surely live forever." Koi shuddered. So much pressure to save and protect the Empire.. if she didn't succeed, what would Horizon do to her? "I'll protect the Empire with all my life, I promise you." Horizon patted Koi's head, but there was something unsettling in her tone. "I trust you to keep that promise." Koi felt a bit of uneasiness, but Horizon swiftly moved on. "Arctic will be going with you; they're powerful and can defend you all in case of attack. Ghost knows the way there; he's the descendant of the Empire Outsiders. Good luck too all of you." The group assembled, and left to find the Outsiders. Alecto then came to speak with Horizon. "Is it time?" Horizon responded, still watching bouncy Koi leave. "Is everyone ready?" Alecto nodded. "I'm still unsure on why you want to do all this." Horizon shrugged. "I'm just making sure they.. stay in their place." Alecto stared at Horizon for a long moment. She had heard the tale of Blood Sky before, and hadn't been able to sleep for a long time after imagining the image of Blood Sky's twisted neck, and the horrid words repeated by Fire Opal over and over again. With a shudder and flinch, she walked away, shoving the thought down again. Ghost walked down the island, feeling powerless beside the large, muscular figure of Arctic and tired beside bouncy bubbly Koi. The group was making good ground for their second day, and Ghost knew exactly where his family was. Salvador had warned him of Horizon's darkening future, and Ghost was scared he was going to fail the old nicheling. But he needed to stay as unsuspicious as possible, and comply with what Horizon said. But he couldn't shake the feeling he was getting watched.. And that he was bringing his family an unwanted demise.

yep

Storm on the Horizon Horizon looked down at Fearless' bones. Her shoulder hurt profusely, and her back was covered in dried blood of both her enemy's and her own, but she had won. She had secured her rightful place as leader. "You should get your wound checked." Evergreen commented. "It could get infected." Horizon shrugged, but flinched while doing so due to pain. "I doubt that." Something else more important was on Horizon's mind. She knew that some nichelings had left the Empire as well. And she felt powerful, having crushed a horrid group planning domination. So logically, what if these nichelings were planning the same thing? Surely then it would make sense to hunt them down. Of course, she couldn't let Ghost and King know. Their loyalties were likely mixed. Maybe she would confront them about their loyalties. But probably not. Too much time that could be wasted instead of preparing for the attack. Maybe after the rogue nichelings were crushed. Somewhere else on the island, the nichelings outside the Empires had met up. A lot of the younger nichelings wanted to go out and, admittedly, start their own Empire. They were all young and eager for success! It wouldn't hurt to make it. Of course, they didn't tell the older nichelings, who were always like don't join the Empires blah blah fighting bad blah but surely they were just exaggerating how bad Empires were. And now, that youthful group had planned how they were going to escape the watchful eyes of their parents and create a legacy that every nicheling would fear. The Storm Alliance would shake the mountain to its very core and change the course of the Frozen Empire for good.

Sorry for not posting for a while! Internet once again went out for like a week? Will likely pick this back up in a bit.