The Beginning of a Lightmare

by jjb0420

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Dark, Violence, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Death, Alternate Universe
Length: 3280

You all know the story....................A unicorn, student under the ruler of Equestria, meets six ponies who open her eyes. But...............What if someone else entered the story?

You all know the story....................A unicorn, student under the ruler of Equestria, meets six ponies who open her eyes to something magical. But...............What if someone else entered the story, and changed everything?

This is the story of a mysterious, kind, shy pegasus named Lightmare, a student under Princess Celestia alongside Twilight. Unlike Twilight, she has her own story to tell, and is willing to help her friends along the way. Who is Lightmare? Where did she come from? And what's in store for her and her friends?

1st Person view(Will be using words such as I and say/says)

Published 2020-11-02 06:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-11-02 06:30:00 UTC

Prologue/Friendship is Magic Part 2

It was Friday morning. Celestia’s day had just begun, the sun was rising, many different kinds of ponies were just starting to wake up, as well as the animals. Near a lush forest called the Everfree, was a small cottage lush with plant and animal life. Already, the pony inhabiting the cottage was feeding the animals for the day. Her name, was Fluttershy.

“here you go little guys, and you too Angel,” she said with a timid voice, almost at a whisper. The rabbit in question, Angel, was tapping their foot in waiting. But Fluttershy knew what they wanted. “Don’t think I forgot you, Mr. Picky-Pants, I have what you want,” she pushes a complex salad dish towards him with her muzzle. “Now, I’m going to get my herbs from the forest, then go out and do errands. So you all behave, and Angel’s in charge until I get back, okay?”

They all spoke in their own animal languages. But she understood them all, they had all said ‘Okay!’ “Okay, I’ll see you all later, bye!” she said, leaving the house. She had just closed the door, when she heard a loud thud from in the nearby trees.

She shrieked, and hid behind her mailbox, scared that it was something bad. “who’s there!?” she said. When no response came, she slowly came out from her hiding place, curious what it was.

She walks towards her garden, That’s when she saw it completely. It was a bruised white pegasus, with a black and purple mane. Her cutie mark was of a star surrounded by a dark, purple storm.

“A...............A pegasus?! Who..................is she? I’ve never seen her before,” she said, slowly approaching them. “I should get some first aid supplies and.........” Right then, the mare gasps, and she tries to wake them up.

“Please.................wake up.............”

‘Who............Who is that.............?’

“Please...................I’m..........I’m worried about you...........”

My eyelids slowly open, and quickly shut due to the bright sun. Once my eyes readjust, I see a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. Her cutie mark is of three pink butterflies.

“Wh-Who are you?!” I ask, panicking.

She holds a hoof out in reassurance. “O-Oh! I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m...........I’m Fluttershy. We’re currently in my garden. I found you out here, and I was worried. Who are you?”

“I’m Nightm....................” I begin, but stop myself.

‘Why was I about to say that? What is my name?’

“I’m..................Lightmare. I.............I don’t know how I got here. I just.......woke up in your garden. Sorry.” I bow my head and look at the ground. Tears start to well up in my eyes as I struggle to remember how I got here.

“Oh, don’t be sorry.” She reassures you. “Why don’t you come into my house and I’ll get you something to eat and drink. You look a little lost.”

“Are.......are you sure?” I ask, looking up.

“Of course. You didn’t mean to get in my garden, why would I not show kindness?”
I look down in thought before giving a small nod.

“Great. Follow me.” She leads you into her cottage. Inside, it’s extremely tidy and neat. There is a small kitchen area to the right with a fridge, oven and stove, all clean. There is a small sitting area to the left with two comfy looking chairs and a table between them. There’s a bookshelf filled to the brim with books next to it.

“Sit anywhere you would like.” She says. “I’ll get you something to eat. What would you like?”

I look around, thinking about how nice the cottage looks before sitting on a nicely made wool couch. “Could I have an apple?” I ask.

“Of course.” She says. She goes over to the fridge, opens it, and pulls out a red apple. She takes a knife from a drawer and cuts the apple in half with her mouth, then places it on a plate and brings it over to me.

“Thank you.” I say, taking a bite out of the apple with my muzzle. It’s delicious, sweet, and juicy.

“Do you have anywhere to stay?” She asks.

“............No.” I look at the ground. “.................I can’t remember much of anything.”

A look of concern forms on her face. “Oh, you poor thing. Why don’t you stay here for a little while, until you get your memory back?”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden on you.” I say, my ears tilting down in concern.

“You could never be a burden.” She says.

“Um, okay.” You say. “Thank you.”

She taps her chin as she thinks about living conditions. “I have an extra room, it’s just there.” She points to a door. “You can stay there for tonight.”

I look away from her shyly. “....................Thanks, Fluttershy. You’re...............you’re very kind.”

“A little bit of kindness never hurt anypony. I’m the Element of Kindness after all.” she responds, chuckling.

I look at her and tilt my head. “’Element?’”

She tilts her head back at me, eyebrows curved in concern. “You really can’t remember anything?” you shake your head. “Well........hopefully I can help with that.”

“.........Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I need to go talk to my friends about something. I’ll be back soon.” She walks towards the door.

“Your............friends?” I ask.

She stops and turns her head to me. “Yes. Don’t worry, they’re nice. They’ll want to meet you, too.”
“Oh..........okay.” I say as my ears tilt.

Fluttershy looks at you for a moment. ‘Hmm.......she must be shy like.......like me.’ she thinks, then smiles.

“I’ll be back soon.” She says. Fluttershy closes the door, leaving me alone in her cottage.

After waiting for a while, just reading different animal books, I turn my head to hear the door open. Upon first glance, I see Fluttershy leading five different, and unique ponies into the room. I get up out of the chair onto my hooves, as they surround me. One is a unicorn with an elagant purple mane, white coat, and diamond Cutie Mark. Another is pink with a poofed up pink mane and a balloon Cutie Mark.

A third is an orange mare wearing a stetson with a blonde ponytail mane, and an apple Cutie Mark. The fourth is a blue Pegasus with rainbow tomboy hair, and a rainbow stormcloud Cutie Mark. The last is a lavender unicorn with a dark blue and purple mane, and a star Cutie Mark.

Fluttershy smiles as she steps forward. “I’m back! Meet Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Girls, Meet..............”

Twilight’s eyes shrink once she sees your cutie mark, and she steps forward a few steps. “..............Lightmare?”

“Yes, but.............Who are you?” I ask.

“Hey Twilight. You know this darling? From where?” Asks Rarity with an elegant tone of voice.

“...........She was in Celestia’s school for Gifted Unicorns. She was a special case..........Celestial chose her herself.”

“But ah thought ya were a special case sugarcube, what with bein’ the Princesses only Prized Pupil.” Says Applejack, speaking with a country accent.

“..........No. No I wasn’t. At least, not the only Prized Pupil. There was also........her.” says Twilight.

“So you really know this mare Twilight?” Asks Rainbow Dash, confused.

“Yes. Her name was Lightmare. She was a very strange pony. I...........I didn’t really notice her that much, I was too focused on my studies.”

I hold my head with my hoof. Intense emotions are going through my head. “...............Why do I feel like I should be..............jealous of you?” I ask.

Twilight tilts her ears in embarrassment. “Oh, you shouldn’t be. I’m nothing special.”

“Are you CRAZY Twilight?! I mean, you managed to figure out how to get the Elements so we could all blast Nightmare Moon out of Princess Luna!” Pinkie esctatically shouts.

I tilt my head in confusion. “’Elements’? ‘Nightmare Moon?’ What are you girls talking about?”

Twilight looks back at me. “.......The Elements of Harmony? The most powerful magical artifacts known to ponydom? You really don’t know?” I stare blankly at her. “Sigh.............well, the Elements each represent an aspect of friendship. Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, Loyalty, and Magic. When united, they can do incredible feats of magic.

“Twilight is Magic, Rarity is Generosity, Fluttershy is Kindness, Applejack is Honesty, Rainbow Dash is Loyalty, and I’m Laughter. We used the Elements to kick Nightmare Moon’s butt when she tried to bring eternal night!” Pinkie exclaims, hopping around everyone.

I look at all of them. Fluttershy makes sense, considering how kind she’s been to me. The others have to wait though. “And Nightmare Moon? Who’s that?”

“She was a dreadful villain created from the jealousy of one of our Princesses.” Responds Rarity.

“Over a thousand years ago, the two Alicorns princesses Celestia and Luna ruled over Equestria, each bringing day and night. Overtime, Princess Luna became jealous and bitter over Celestia’s day, as ponies would play and frolick during it, whereas they would rest and settle during her night. One day, she wouldn’t lower the moon. Celestia tried to reason with her, but her jealousy twisted her into Nightmare Moon. Forced to stop her, Celestia used the Elements to banish her in the Moon!” Explains Twilight.

“Until a few days ago, when she escaped. But we got the Elements and kicked her butt, changing her back into Princess Luna!” Exclaims Rainbow Dash, punching in the air as she flies.

I look down, thinking. “..........That’s.......really interesting. I just wish I could remember this stuff, instead of having to hear it from you.”

Fluttershy turns to Twilight. “You should ask the princess what happened to her. I mean, if anyone would know what happened after you left Canterlot, it would be her.”

“Maybe............maybe I should.” says Twilight.

“Well, what’re we waiting for? Let’s go ask the princess what happened to her!” says Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah! I wanna find out what happened to Little Lightmare!” says Pinkie.

“I’ll go get Spike so you can send a letter!” Rainbow Dash flies out the door at high speed.

“Anypony have any suggestions on what we should write the letter about?” asks Fluttershy.

“Just say something like, ‘Dear Princess Celestia, we wanted to know what happened to the other Prized Pupil after we left Canterlot. Fluttershy found her in her garden with amnesia.’” suggests Pinkie. “Spike should be here any minute!”

True to Pinkie’s word, Rainbow Dash comes flying back in after a few minutes, putting down a small, purple and green dragon. He’s currently rattled from the high speed ride here.

“Alright, here he is! Spike will write the letter to Princess Celestia!” says Pinkie.

“Can somepony please explain what’s going on?” asks Spike. He spots me with his green slits. “.........Wait, Lightmare? What are you doing here in Ponyville?”

I get a bit nervous seeing a dragon so close to me. “...................Who are you?”

Spike is just as puzzled as me. “What do you mean who am I? It’s me, Spike!”

Twilight walks over to Spike. “She doesn’t remember us. Somehow she got amnesia.”

“Hey sugarcube. Did ya ever talk to Lightmare before ya left Canterlot?” asks Applejack.

He nods. “Yeah. We were friends back then.”

“Can you tell us what she’s like?” asks Fluttershy.

“Well, she tended to be a bit shy, but she’s really nice. I talked with her more than Twilight since I actually got out of the tower and socialized.” says Spike, grinning at Twilight.

“Hey! I socialized too!” she says.

“Not really.” says Spike and everypony else.

“Shut up! I did to!” She exclaims, frustrated.

“Twilight. You were such a recluse Celestia had to task you to make friends, and before Nightmare Moon showed up, you called everyone in Ponyville crazy at your party.” he says with a deadpan stare.

I burst out laughing upon hearing that. “That’s pretty funny.”

Spike laughs too. “Yeah, it is funny. Especially the look on your face.”

The two of us laugh with each other for a bit before I stop. “............You’re nice, Spike. Sorry that I can’t remember you.”

Twilight looks back at Spike after taking a deep breath to calm down. “Spike, I need you to write a letter to Celestia. She might know what happened to Lightmare after we left.”

“Yeah, sure.” Spike pulls out a scroll and quill, and starts writing.

“Do you remember anything Lightmare? Anything at all?” asks Fluttershy walking over to meand putting a hoof on me in comfort.

I close your eyes and try to remember anything. A single memory appears. I’m staring through a telescope at the moon. More specifically, a set of three stars surrounding the moon. “.........I remember the stars.”

“The stars?” asks Spike.

“Yes. I remember staring at the moon through a telescope and seeing three stars on the edge. Does that mean anything?”

“The stars were a part of Nightmare Moon’s prison. You were involved with her somehow!” says Twilight. “Do you remember anything else?”

I try to remember more, but as hard as I try, my memory is still extremely hazy.
“I...I can’t remember anything else.”

Spike finishes the letter. “Alright, letters done. You sure you want me to send this?”

“Yes,” Twilight replies. “We need to know.”

Spike takes a deep breath, and blows out green fire. It ignites the scroll and it turns to magical ashes that fly out of a nearby window. “There.”

“Thanks, Spike. Now we just need to wait.” says Twilight. We all sit and wait in the living room. I look out of the window at the moon. ‘The moon. Could it be.....?’

Spikes cheeks expand as he lets out a fiery belch. Magical ashes fly out of his mouth and condense before transforming into a scroll. Spike opens it up and begins reading.

“...............Princess Celestia and Luna are coming here as we speak.”

“W-Wait.........they’re coming here? What else did they say?” asks Fluttershy.

“It doesn’t say. It just says that it’s important that we stay put.”

There’s a knock on the door. Twilight rises from her seat and goes to answer it. “Maybe that’s them now.”

There’s a loud scraping sound as she opens the door. A white alicorn with a rainbow mane stands at the doorway. Behind her is a shorter, dark blue alicorn with a navy blue, starry mane.

“............Twilight, where is she?” Celestia asks. Her voice is firm, commanding, yet kind.

“Wh-what? Where’s who?”

“Don’t play dumb, Twilight. Where. Is. Lightmare?”

“I’m right here,” I reply, standing up to try and lower the tension. I walk up to the trio and stare at the princesses. I look at them closely, trying to decipher which one is the “Celestia” that Spike’s letter was addressed to. After a few moments of silence, you come to the conclusion that the white one is the ‘Celestia’. I bow in respect.

To the complete surprise of everyone but the two princesses, Celestia wraps around me in a hug. “...............I was so worried about you.”

“Um, I’m fine,” I say awkwardly. She lets go.

“.........So this is the other Prized Pupil you had in our absence, sister?” Luna asks. “I see. She even has the cutie mark of the stars, like you and I.................How interesting.” Originally she kept a firm, commanding look on her face. When she says that however, you see a hint of a smile.

“Um..............P-Princess........” Fluttershy speaks up. “.........Do you know what happened to Lightmare after Twilight and Spike came here?”

Celestia’s face drops back to a serious expression. “I am afraid that I, do not. However, Luna does.” She turns to her sister. “Luna, tell us what you know. Please.”

Luna looks up, as if trying to find the right words. “............a thousand years ago, I was consumed by jealousy,” she says.”.....all I desired as Nightmare Moon was eternal night, to kill my sister, and to take over Equestria. Celestia was right to imprison me in the moon. Even with my dominion over the night, my power was very limited there. I was only able...............to cast a single spell. I believe you are all familiar with the prophecy of my release?”

Twilight nods. “Legend had it that on the thousandth year of your imprisonment, the stars would aid in your escape.”

Luna nods. “Yes. The stars. The stars.............and Lightmare.”

Everypony stares at me. “.........Me?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes. You were unknowingly part of the prophecy. You see................whenever ponies slept, I could still see their dreams. What Celestia and Twilight Sparkle never noticed, was your jealousy.”

“My........jealousy? What do you mean?”

“................As a pegasus, you were not able to use magic practically as Celestia’s Prized Pupil. You were always second best to Twilight, who would always get their projects done before you. And even when that wasn’t the case, your efforts weren’t fully appreciated. Until................you found Tale of the Two Sisters.” She looks at Twilight. “............unlike Twilight, You found the prophecy, and saw the signs weeks Beforehand.” She turns to you. “You saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s escape long before anypony else did. And you believed that if you found the stars spoken of in the prophecy, then you would get the respect you deserved. And that...................is where my spell came in.”

“Your spell?”

“.............The moment the light of those stars touched your eyes, they aided in my escape from my banishment.” She looks back at Twilight. “That moment, was the night of the Summer Sun Celebration. You were there Twilight Sparkle.”

“.............I remember. All too well.”

Luna looks down and sighs. “..............Before I.........Nightmare Moon, paid a visit to Celestia, she came to you. In return for your help, she gave you her magic. She corrupted you. You.............became my loyal follower.”

I gasp. “What?”

“You were her eyes, her ears, and her hooves. You did everything she couldn’t do herself. You were forced to help Nightmare Moon.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes shrink. “..............the Shadowbolts! It wasn’t just you, was it?! Lightmare was one of them!”

“The ‘Shadowbolts’?” Asks Twilight.

“An illusion I used to try and trick her, Twilight Sparkle. Every step you took to get the Elements, I tried to stop you. Instead, I showed you who the Elements bearers were. Lightmare was one of three pegasi who tried to trick her into not tying that bridge for you six.”

“You mean...... ?” Twilight’s eyes shrink.

“Yes. I tried to kill you, twice. And tried to impede you three more times.” Her voice trembles as she says this.

I look down. “.....................What happened to me then?”

“...........I lost control of you. When these six used the Elements to stop me, You were cleansed of my influence. It would seem however................Nightmare Moon did a few things before her destruction.”

“..............Like my amnesia.” I turn to head to bed.

“Hey, where are you going?!” Asks Pinkie, disappointed.
“I’m going to bed. I’m tired.”

“........well, I hope tomorrow morning you’ll be ready for you party!” Pinkie shouts as I keep walking.

I walk into the guest bedroom, and smile a bit at how nice it looks. I hop into bed, looking out of a window at the night sky. 'Sigh...................I wonder when my memory will return. I still remember my name, so that's something. I was Nightmare Moon's second-in-command, and I tried to stop the Elements of Harmony. Seems like I had a pretty important, yet dark role in her scheme.' I turn over and close your eyes.

Author's Note

Hello! I hope people like this, the backstory to Lightmare, my pony OC! I've wanted to do it for a long time, but I've been busy and had writers block the past few years. Hopefully I'll be able to get back on track and get to working on my writing projects again! Have a great November, and as always,

Stay Pony my Friends

Bye!