One
By Helljumper117
Envy is a powerful motivator. It starts small, when you are jealous of another’s good fortune or situation, but do not hate them for it. When that jealousy is not put to rest, it takes like sparks to a field of wheat.
I can advocate this easily by a story that all know by now. A sister, the guardian of the night, envious of her elder, princess of the day, and her position with the people. They grow distant to the point of both not knowing each other anymore. They lose understanding, and replace it with fear. The elder ignores, and the younger grows more and more resentful; building to a hatred. At this point, the younger resorts to primal, violent means to get what she wants.
The elder is left with no choice. She still loves her sister, but sees only one option. It hurts them both deeply, and they are separated.
At this point in my life I do not try to reason my actions. I only thank the stars that I am once again reunited with my sister, and the monster that I carefully constructed is demolished. But there is a single action I took that day that cannot be erased or reasoned. An action that I deserve neither forgiveness nor parole for. Before I explain, however, I must ask a question.
What is the value of a number?
This always depends on what is being counted. I could say, ‘I have two million bits.’ Two million becomes valuable. However, you think about particles, atoms, and molecules. The building blocks of life. Two million becomes a miniscule number, and drops in value.
Think for a moment about the number ‘one’. There truly is no other number like it. Single. Individual. Set apart. A whole. Independant. Unique.
I think one is the number we use to put the most value on anything. No matter how much money you have, how many people you know, or even how many items you can rightfully say belong to you, one is the number that describes who we are, and what we do.
There is only one of each of us to go around. There will never be another like ourselves. We are the most valuable resource this world has to offer.
But how often do we forget this? How often in this world is the value of the one cast aside for selfish means? I can answer that.
I can answer that because a long time ago, I forgot the value of one.
I ended one.
* *
The night was quickly drawing to a close. The dawn of the Summer Sun Celebration would mark another successful year for the citizens of Equestria. For me, however, I retreated to the confides of my own room.
My chambers were the aftermath of explosion after explosion of pure anger... And insanity. As the first twilight of the new dawn entered, I looked into the mirror. The dejected and desperate creature that looked back caused me to shatter the reflective glass out of pure horror. I threw myself onto the ground.
“I can’t... I don’t want this...”
The floor muffled my voice, but another heard everything I said clearly. It responded with a voice that transcends normal speech.
You know what you want... There is nothing to stop you.
“Lies! I- I’d have to attack... I’d have to murder my sister! I refuse!”
I stood up, and violently lashed out against my bed. I so desired to leave, beg the one pony in the world who still cared and remembered me for help. Yet there I stood, contemplating that very pony’s death and downfall.
When have I steered you wrong? Look at yourself! You have become more powerful than your sister could ever dream, and you sit here clouding your own identity in the depths of your room. All I want is to help you.
“My identity?! I see it clearly now! This ‘identity’ is a reflection of you! You have turned me into a monster!”
I have done nothing. I gave you a hope. An escape. A way to become what you always wanted.
“But at what cost?! You’re asking me to take a life... My sister’s life!”
Victory requires sacrifice. If she cared for you, she would have given you the public recognition you deserve. Instead, she allows herself to take the whole of the limelight. You remain in the dark.
“I- I- I just need to talk with her-”
The time for talking is over. Look outside.
I obeyed. In the center of the city stood thousands of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies who eagerly awaited the raising of the sun and to begin the celebration of the longest day.
Look at them. They don’t know you. They don’t care about you.
The voice paused, allowing me to take in the view.
Go. Show them who you are... And what you are capable of. Make this a day- a nightthat all will remember. I will be there through it all. I will give you strength and courage to win. With me at your side, you are unstoppable.
“NO!” I screamed. “I’ll listen to you no more! Be gone from me!”
In an uncontrollable rage, I lit up the darkness of my room with unrelenting forces of lightning, each bolt pulsing with pure power. I yelled out, and raised my forehooves up high, as if trying to scare the voice from my head. Soon, it ended and I slumped down, my head below my shoulders and my hair shielding my face from view. I think a few tears escaped and dripped to the floor.
“Princess?” came a new voice.
I looked up and turned. There, in the open doorway, stood a lone, golden-armored guard. He must have been one of very few on duty in the castle at that time. I stared directly at him, each eye an abyss of sadness.
“Stay... Stay away from me... It’s not safe...” I told him desperately.
He did not heed my warning.
“What happened here? Are you hurt, your majesty?” he asked, still approaching.
“Please...” I begged him. “Don’t come any closer.”
“It can’t be all that bad.” he replied. His expression held sympathy and concern, yet he was still very cautious as he approached.
I backed away.
“Y-You don’t understand.” I said.
“Maybe if you explain it to me?” he was merely hooflengths away. “Or perhaps we could get Princess Celestia-”
My brain did not register the rest of his sentence. That name... I wanted so badly to love it, and to be filled with hope when I heard it. Not today. My muscles tensed in a feeling of hatred I had never experienced before.
I went into a trance. My body shook. My breathing became erratic.
And one familiar voice threw it all over the edge.
Kill him.
I obeyed.
It happened so fast. The guard, with all his training to fight in the worst of scenarios and to be prepared at every second, never saw it coming. The princess whom he had sworn to protect was now turning on him. I lunged forward, my eyes glowing in an unblemished white fire.
I did it in the worst way possible. His head was lifted at just the right angle that his throat was exposed. I leaned forward; my horn the only weapon I needed.
As soon as I touch, his eyes widened in astonishment. In the split second before I finish the task, a final gasp of breath escaped his mouth. Immediately after, my horn pierced through the soft flesh, unencumbered.
Blood stained my mane, my horn, and my hooves.
We separated.
I heard a desperate gargle.
He staggered and fell.
A whole minute of pure agony and gargling later, he became still.
More light began to show through to my room, and I could see clearly what I had done. I crouch low, my forehooves over my head in disbelief.
“No... No, no, no, no, no!” I scream.
Although I could not see the voice, I called out to it.
“YOU DID THIS!” I accused.
At first, there was no answer.
“DON’T HIDE FROM ME, DEMON! VENGEANCE WILL BE SERVED FOR THIS!”
I have done nothing. Look down.
I complied. My eyes widened. The red stains on my hooves told the whole story. I stared at my sticky limbs, which shook uncontrollably. Blood formed a large pool across the stone floor. My eyes were then treated to a full view of my crime. Unable to do anything else, I collapsed into a sobbing fit.
For the first time, I felt a comforting embrace.
I can help you.
I did not look up, but I replied.
“How?... I deserve to suffer for what I have done...”
I can take that suffering from you... If you let me. I can make it all right again.
“How? What good can come out of this?”
Let go. Surrender to me. Become what I am, and I will make you even more powerful than you are now. None shall stand in your way.
I looked over at the blood-covered body before me. Lifeless eyes stared back, as if calling for help. What could I have done? My better self would have told me to turn myself in; pay for the crime I had committed.
But my better self was no more alive than the pony that lay in my room, staring lifelessly at the ceiling.
“I give myself to you... Just please, make the guilt go away...”
As you wish.
An invisible grip strapped me down. I felt as though I was being stripped of my own skin. I tried to cry out in pain and terror, but I no longer controlled anything. I felt myself grow, change and mold into something else. Raw power now flowed through my limbs.
Luna is no more. You are Nightmare Moon.
I turned my head and stared at the reflection that shone through the cracked remains of my mirror. A terrifying monstrosity looked back. I suddenly realised something; I didn’t want this. This was not the solution. I opened my mouth to protest.
Instead of my thoughts, these words exited my lips.
“I am Nightmare Moon.”
What? No!
The sun finally peeked out from over the horizon. In the streets below, Princess Celestia bathed in the glory of the new light and the cheers of her subjects.
“Now, Celestia, you will know the full power of the night. Your sun has risen for the last time.”
Stop it! This isn’t me!
For the first time, my calls are acknowledged.
“Foal. I am you. You are me. We are one and the same now.”
NOOO!
The black figure smashed through the window, descending to the streets below. A villainous laughter echoed across the entire city. Ponies all over Canterlot, and those gathered at the city center suddenly stopped and looked up to see a black figure headed straight for them.
Though my thoughts no longer controlled my actions, I pictured in my head the victim of my own insanity. Those last few moments repeated itself over and over. As chaos and destruction were released upon the city, I could think of only one thing.
The one I ended.
* *
CHEERFUL HELP
CORPORAL
EQUESTRIAN ROYAL GUARDS
MEDAL OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
30th OF SUMMER’S END C.E. 79
I can guess, think, and speculate on who that pony was. I could spend the rest of my eternity here contemplating it. But I will never know. I don’t know who was descended from him. I don’t know what his hopes; his dreams, were. I can hardly remember his face.
However, he taught me one thing. And I remind myself of this every time I visit this one, eroding grave. I dedicated myself, upon my return, to live my life and honor his memory by doing one thing.
I will never again forget the value of one.
* * *
