Darkness, that’s the first thing he saw, and also the first thing he remembered.
It was all around him, he couldn’t see any light anywhere, but then again, he never had seen light before, but somehow, he knew the word, and he knew the image, and he knew the pain and agony of it, as well as the good useful benefits of it, and he knew all the other words as well, and what they meant, and how good and bad they were, for he had perspective. And he also knew the colors as well, and he knew where he was, he was on the moon, but he didn’t know how or why, but then he remembered how and why. But the one thing that he didn’t know exactly was where he was, or who he was either.
You are in my mind, Nightmare Moon said, I have created you out of my ideas, thoughts, dreams, fears, hate, and love. You have been made from darkness, shadow, and nightmares; you are not real yet, for you have no form or shape.
But you will have a shape and form soon enough, I promise you this, and I will not break my promise as my sister did when she said she loved me, but then she banished me to the moon, if she had truly loved me she would have let me be the one and only princess to rule Equestria.
This may be confusing and disorienting to you at first, you’ll remember and know and see and hear and taste and feel things that you have not experienced, but in some way, you have, for you are a reflection of me, a shadow of my fears, thoughts, ideas, dreams, hate, love, and finally my very worst nightmares. But once I have given you a shape and form, as well as a name, things will become so much clearer to you. And then I can only hope and pray that you take on your own identity and personality.
I do not wish to control you as a puppet forever, for perhaps if you developed your own free will, power, strength, and knowledge, you can escape this barren desolate place and piece of rock. And then you can get revenge on my sister for me, or at least prepare the way for me to come home at last. I want to be welcomed back there at home with warm and open loving arms and hooves.
Since my sister will probably do all she can to make ponies forget my name and memory, but I want it to be remembered, for when I get back the night shall last forever, and my name and memory will last as the eternal night lives on.
But after all I have said to you I think I have come up with a name for you, an identity of your own. You are reflection of me, a shadow of me, but with time and patience you can become so much more, you can be better and stronger.
You can have more power, and when you do, your name shall live on forever too.
And I have a feeling that it’s going to catch on someday, eventually.
Welcome to your first day being alive or created, Nightmare Shadow.
And with that said Nightmare Shadow was lost to the mind, thoughts, ideas, fears, dreams, hate, love, and nightmares of his creator, Nightmare Moon.
The next time Nightmare Shadow was awake, he had an actual form and shape, it was in the form of a pony, but not just any regular other pony like a Pegasus or unicorn, but he was an Alicorn, which was all three types of ponies at once, and therefore it was the best kind of pony, he was the best kind of pony, and his creator, Nightmare Moon, was also the best kind of pony too.
And so, that was how he eventually became both her companion and her son.
They played chess together (and sometimes he won, sometimes she did, but no matter who won, he still enjoyed the game very much), and he sometimes built statues of her, basically they did what they could do to pass the time, it was after all very boring up there on a flat piece of rock. (“What a remarkable image and likeness and replica of my figure,” Nightmare Moon said when she looked upon it for the very first time. “Good,” he said, “I’m glad that you like it.”
“Like it? Oh no, I don’t like it, I do not simply ‘like’ things,” she said, “I love it.”)
And because of that and many other things and various acts (like talking with and to her) he gained favor and love from her, until one day he got a very strange, odd, and unusual request from the Princess of the Night herself.
“Will you sing for me, please?” she asked to him one day very casually.
“What is singing?” he asked slightly confused by the question asked of him.
“Singing is the use of your voice in order to express ideas, thoughts, or feelings.
And singing without these can cause a wildfire of something unintentional.”
“I know that,” Nightmare Shadow said, “But please tell me this, what is it exactly though? I don’t quite fully understand what you mean by your words.”
“What I mean is that you must think for yourself, say what you want, but do it not in plain and simple words as you would do with me or any pony in plain and simple talk or conversation, but with melody and tune, with voice, with love or hate, with kindness or cruelty, with honesty or deceit, with darkness or light, and don’t be afraid to hold anything back because of your own fear.”
“Well then, if you request it, then so shall it be done,” and with that said he began to sing, but not out of his mind, but out of his heart, for if he focused with his mind on the words, he would surely find some fault within them.
♪ Darkness, night time,
Time to sleep,
Rest now my Princess,
Rest now and sleep,
And let your mind be at peace,
Think not of the sun,
Think not of your sister,
Think not of the light of day,
And instead,
Only think of me.
Let your mind wander not,
Let it not think of pain,
But of joy instead,
Let (all) your sorrows wash away,
And confide within me,
Let your fear go,
So that you may be free,
And hold to your hate,
So that one day,
Revenge may be yours.
And then surely as the night comes,
So will you rise,
To take your place,
Up in the sky,
With the stars that shine so bright,
And shine forever,
And as the night live on,
So will you,
In eternal night,
As the darkness rises.
“That was beautiful,” she said after he was done, “Can you sing it once more again for me, please?” she asked with seemingly innocent kind (but yet still deceitful) eyes of pleading and begging that asked for this one favor more.
“I think that is all I have in me for now, so no more songs for you.”
“But I like it, I mean love it when you sing, won’t you sing for me please?”
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no, I don’t like it, and even though I want to make you happy, I have to find my own place in this world, or on this piece of rock.”
“You are doing quite well on my own my beautiful creation and companion.”
“Well then if I am not singing then what shall I do to entertain you?”
“Play a game of chess with me,” she said, “And if you don’t know how to play it or know what it is then I will teach you, I will teach you all my new student.”
And with that said Nightmare Shadow nodded, was taught the game, and then over their long years on the moon he got quite good at the game and was even surprised to learn that Luna had only ever lost one game of chess against her older sister Celestia, “Surely this fact cannot be true?” he said with surprise and shock when first hearing this spoken out of her own mouth.
“It is my student, and it was only the first game that I lost.”
“Well then, how could you not have won against her in the war efforts.”
“Chess is a simple game,” she said moving a piece, “It does not take into factor or consideration the loyalty of subjects or their willingness to betray the side that they fight for. It does not consider any emotions, hate, love, fear, hope.”
And then she checkmated him, “You must understand this my student, always have the support of your subjects in at least one way or sense, even if you have to use an emotion like fear you must have them be loyal ONLY to you.”
“I understand,” he said, “But were there not enough loyal to you then?”
“There will be never enough loyal to me,” she said, “It will never match my sister’s full force, not unless I reclaim the throne which was lost to me.”
“Yes, I know,” he said, “But you will have me, that will change things, right?”
“Perhaps, but then again, maybe not, I am never sure of anything.”
And with that said she gazed out at the stars in silence, “Soon the hour of my departure will be at hand, and you must be ready and prepared for that.”
“I am,” he said with determination and a little bit of excitement and joy.
“No, you’re not, and that’s because you have not made the promise.”
“What promise?” he asked her nervously taking a few steps back to one of the faded and eroded statues that was just one of many that he built to honor her name over the years, but even now the moon would still not hold her memory.
“Promise me that no matter what happens to me or you that you will finish my legacy, our legacy. The Lands of Equestria must be mine alone to rule.”
“Yes, I can promise you that,” he said, “I swear it upon my very life.”
“That is good,” she said, “And I think that perhaps maybe now you are ready.”
And with that said she gazed into his eyes and said, “Remember the promise.”
And then she looked at the stars, tilted her head up, and then said something very plainly and simply, “Freedom… freedom at last after so many long years.”
And that was when the sky opened up at last as the stars aided in her escape.
Nightmare Shadow had no need to glance away at the brilliant blinding light as he was an immortal Alicorn and had the powers, strength, and knowledge of his teacher (not his master for he did not serve her as others soon would), and so he couldn’t help look up in wonder and then he too was teleported away.
When he finally arrived away from that cold barren desolate place he found himself surprised to be at a castle, one that lay in ruins, clearly this was the place where his teacher once resided as he had learned about in their many talks and conversations, it was a shame to have it fall into such a state.
If he had care and charge of the castle it would never ever be this way.
It was at that moment that he noticed the room was empty.
Before they had left his teacher said to wait for her to come here, and so he did, he would show her that he alone was loyal and that he alone loved her.
Then he thought to himself, was it even possible for a pony like him to love?
He had after all been created out of imagination and shadow and darkness.
Who was to say that if she died that he wouldn’t also die as well too?
But he did suppose that he had some emotion being a reflection of his teacher.
And with this reassurance he waited for her to come, but when she did she was surrounded by six other ponies and he watched in horror from the darkness and shadows as she was defeated by them using the Elements of Harmony.
No, this cannot be, he thought to himself, and then he tried to rush out to protect and avenge his teacher, but found himself in both cases bound by her magic, and on the second case he was no more than a shadow. It was obvious to him that since the six ponies used the Elements of Harmony to defeat his teacher that he had been affected in some small way too, granted he wasn’t dead, but he didn’t have a ‘physical’ form either. He cursed at himself and then wandered away in the castle all alone, he needed a plan of attack and revenge, and then ever so slowly he got one, granted it would take years, and history might need to be changed or influenced a bit, but he could wait, after all, he was immortal, and time had no real meaning or any value to it at all.
And so with that in mind he went on his way all over Equestria until he found all that he needed, the Elements of Chaos, a host body, a few spells from the great and powerful wizard Star Swirl, and even more knowledge and power too,
And when at last he had gathered all he needed he stood in the Crystal Empire ready to finally reveal his plan, it took me a long time teacher, he thought to himself looking at the city that would soon be his with pride, but I finally did it.
I am going to make you proud, he thought, and then started his plan.
He stared at his beautiful creation with pride, he had made an empire out of shadow and darkness, and now the only thing left was to get rid of all those who would stand in his way, and so he decided to send letters to them.
And with that he gazed out at the empire and smiled, it had been so easy to defeat Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, and they now stood within his dungeons waiting his righteous judgement, and for a second he almost considered mercy, but then laughed at the idea, oh I do so love when I can make myself laugh, he thought, of course he would kill them, he would kill them all, and any pony else who would stand in his way against him.
And very soon he would be rid of this body and no longer would he be any more connected to her, and once that was done then he could kill her if he so wished, after all, her life was connected to his right now, she had created him out of pure thoughts and imagination and her own dreams and fears mixed in the darkness and shadow, so this form or shape still was not a true body.
But soon enough he would gain a new body, and all would bow before him.
And so he gazed out as he sent out a big beam of dark negative energy that held magic and shadows and darkness to signal his victory there.
I hope that they can see this in Ponyville, he thought, but then he pushed it aside, of course they could, in fact one of them was probably awake since they would since this great disturbance, but he wondered which one it could be possibly. Would it Princess Celestia or that old fool of a wizard instead?
He didn’t know and he didn’t really care that much either, and so he went over and sat down in his new throne chair. And as he sat he thought to himself, I can’t believe that this was actually occupied by that fool Shining Armor, pathetic really, and I also can’t believe that Cadence thought love could work on me, that’s so weak, and as for the six, well their elements won’t work on me, so surprise. And then for no reason at all he got up and went over to the window and then decided to start singing for some strange mysterious reason.
♪ Everything is going perfectly well and fine, all is coming together at last, no longer burdened by the past, for now is my time to shine. The past is behind me, and the future ahead, and all their hopes and dreams are now dead, and instead with me they will final be free. Chains cannot hold me back, they cannot pull me down, I’ll only laugh as I free myself from the ground, and then they will all finally pay, that is a fact. The time of light is gone, it’s time for the darkness now, time for shadow that they will bow, and now light’s time is done.
For darkness rises in Equestria tonight, the moon shines bright, and ponies shake with fright, and soon enough there will be no more light. ♪
And with that said he smiled and stopped, for now he had finally risen to his full power, and now all that he need now was time, and perhaps maybe a sign for the ponies of this kingdom. And sow with that in mind he took off the balcony in flight and went over the light of the mon casting his shadow down below on the citizens of this weak and pathetic kingdom that would soon be very strong and under his command. “PONIES OF THIS EMPIRE!” he said.
“YOUR PRINCESS NO LONGER RULES YOU! I DO! YOU ANSWER TO ME NOW, THE PRINCE OF THE NIGHT, MAKER OF SHADOW AND DARKNESS!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND, SAY SOMETHING IF YOU DO!”
But no pony responded out of fear, “VERY WELL THEN!” he said, “You leave me no choice, your fate will be almost just as bad as the one facing the princess now,” and with that said he cast a spell over the whole entire city turning every pony into a statue thus keeping them alive in case he needed them later/
But he doubted that very much, but still, it would be nice to have servants and slaves should the occasion ever rise and come, which it surely would.
And so that was how the Crystal Empire was taken over and instead turned into the Empire of shadow and darkness, but what happens to it and him are another story for yet a different day, but for now all you need to know is this, Nightmare Shadow echoed a cold cruel laugh as he returned to his throne room and then waited for his enemies to come. And let them come he would indeed, for he knew that no matter what, he would always win somehow in some small little tiny way, even if they could not ever see it, or refused to see it instead.
Besides, he had a backup plan in case he was defeated, after all, any good pony would have one in war, but what was his backup plan exactly?
That’s a very good question indeed, but I can’t tell you, I can only show you.
Nightmare Shadow smiled as he looked around the kingdom, this was one backup plan for a part of him lived within each and every crystal, but he knew that the parts of him could be purged with the magic of love and friendship and hope, and that was why he had an even better backup plan, one that would not fail since he had planted a seed of darkness within every pony, and so he smiled when he saw the mirror of nightmares, for it showed you your worst fears and only a version and image of yourself that you hated and despised, and it could turn any pony insane and crazy, even the heroes as well.
And so with that he smiled as he saw just himself, for the mirror would not lie when you were actually that monster and the thing that you hated and despised. But who to give it to? Celestia? Twilight Sparkle?
Surely they would suspect its true nature, no, he would leave it here as a gift for Cadence and Shining Armor if he was defeated, and then they would decide what to do with it, but no matter where it ended up at he knew that there would be a fight and conflict, and one of family, and what better way to destroy something than from the inside so that it can never be rebuilt again?
And so he smiled as he put a note on the mirror, just in case.
And so he left the mirror behind and prepared for the rise of an eternal night of darkness and shadow, one where he ruled, and then soon enough he felt the presence of intruders within the magical spell that he cast over the empire.
Well then, he thought to himself, let’s go greet our guests, shall we?
And with that in his mind he readied himself for the war.
