It was such a strange feeling, like staring out a window. Twilight could see everything that her eyes could see, but she was not in control of them. She could feel another presence with her inside her head, that presence was in control. It was the one making the actions. It moved her eyes when it wanted to, it walked where it wanted to go. She could also sense it reading her memories, like a book. After a while, she reached out to try to communicate with it. At first it pulled away, but then decided to push her instead. Overwhelming her with a feeling of weakness. Then it opened itself up to her.

“You are a strange pony.” It said, if you would call thoughts speech. “My master picked well, you were the brightest among your group, therefore you were the perfect candidate for the possession.”

“What are you?” Responded Twilight in her mind.

“I am a manifestation of Queen Nightmare Moon. Separate, but connected. I am my own individual, but also linked in some way to Nightmare Moon. And my Queen has named me Dawn Lighter.” Responded Dawn Lighter. “You should feel grateful for being the first of a new empire.”

“So, your kind of like a parasite, but also like a hive minded individual.” Reasoned Twilight.

“Call it what you will, just know that I am in control.” Said Dawn Lighter.

“And Celestia is dead, killed by Nightmare Moon. Therefore, you are also responsible for her death. She will need to be avenged. Somehow, I will have to break free from your control. Defeat you, and-” Said Twilight.

“Enough.” Interjected Dawn Lighter. “Don’t you see? You are powerless, and your friends are weak. They are nothing without you. You have no hope. I do not need you, but I need your power, yet I cannot take that power for myself since your soul is connected to it. Otherwise your consciousness would have been disposed of. Anyway, the Queen is talking.”

“Have a better grip of your host now? Good.” Said Nightmare Moon. “My sister’s subjects have increased since my banishment. Therefore, I think I will have a huge census of all Equestrians. Every Earth pony, Pegasus and Unicorn. Young and old, mare and stallion shall be accounted for in my new empire. All will be given a new name. A name touched by the moon.”

“A wonderful idea my Queen. How about we create, say, a tablet that these ponies must always carry with them. Some way of recognition, so that we may never lose track of them. We should always be somewhat aware of what is happening in this land. And I think this would help us greatly.” Said Dawn Lighter.

“A wonderful idea. We should also wipe all their previous names, say a spell that makes you forget your own name and everypony else’s. Yet keep a few distinct names, such as Celestia so that they she will be kept as an example to all.” Said Nightmare Moon.

“When should we start this process my Queen?” Said Dawn Lighter.

“As soon as possible, but I think we need an individual to keep an account of all the names and the number of all the individuals in this kingdom.” Said Nightmare Moon.

“I think I already have an idea of who that may be. His name is Spike, in fact, he is an assistant to my host. Let me summon him here.” Said Dawn Lighter.

Pausing for a moment, Dawn Lighter retrieved the memory of the teleportation spell and casted it. In a moment, a confused dragon stood in front of the two.

“Woah Twilight, what happened to you, and what is she doing here?” Said Spike.

“Listen closely Spike and listen well. As I do not like to repeat myself. Celestia is dead, and I am the new ruler. As my first action as Queen is to rename all my equestrian subjects. A name touched by the moon.” Said Nightmare Moon.

“And what do you need me for?” Gulped Spike, a little shaken by the news.

“We need you to keep a record of all the ponies, their occupations and new names.” Said Twilight.

“But, why have this census at all?” Said Spike.

“Well Spike,” said Nightmare Moon. “I want to assess the kingdom my sister has been governing. What advances we have made. Our allies and our enemies. Ignorance is a dangerous game to play when you are a ruler. Now, I do not need all my motives questioned. I will prepare you a way to catalog all my subjects. Their names and occupations. Come, there is much work to be done.”

It took nearly a month of renaming and categorizing all the ponies. Many grumbled, but fearing punishment, only did it under their breath. For others, they accepted it, hoping that regardless of what happens, things will turn out for the best.

One of these hopers was Fluttershy. She knew that when hard times fall, she would stick with her friends. No matter what would or could happen, she would stay true to them. So when it came to her turn to be processed, she was a little anxious. She knew that her name was special, and that everypony else was too. Yet she knew that if she refused, they wouldn’t be nice to her, and it is better to make friends then enemies.

“Please state your name, and your occupation.” Said Nightmare Moon. Sitting at a desk with Spike next to her, writing down everything. There were piles of paper near her and Spike. They were in the castle, in a private chamber that Celestia had used to study.

Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy began. “Hel-hello, my name is Fluttershy, and my occupation is animal caretaker”

Taking a moment for Spike to write it down, Nightmare Moon asked. “And why were you named Fluttershy?”

“W-well I am normally fine when I am with animals, but ponies can surprise me, and I don’t like being surprised. So I stay mostly quiet and shy around ponies.” Said Fluttershy.

Thinking for a moment, Nightmare Moon said, “well, I am sorry to hear that. Things are changing around here, and you will have to overcome your shyness eventually. Therefore, your new name shall be Flutter Moon, since your shyness will be no more.”

Nightmare Moon told Fluttershy to come closer to the desk. “I am going to put a spell on your, something that will do many things. One of these things is going to make you forget your name, and everypony else’s name. And another thing it will do is make you more adaptable to the moon.” Said Nightmare Moon.

Taking another moment, Nightmare Moon put the spell on Fluttershy. “Woah.” Said Fluttershy. “Everything feels weird. How will the spell stay active?”

“The moon shall rejuvenate it daily.” Said Nightmare Moon, also taking a blank tablet and engraved “Flutter Moon” on it with her magic. “This is your identification tablet, keep it with you so that we may identify you. Also, your new name is Flutter Moon, since your old one is no more. You may leave now.”

“Wait, what was your names again?” Asked Flutter Moon.

“This is Spike, my assistant, and my name is Nightmare Moon my dear, your queen.” Said Nightmare Moon, smiling.

Author's Note

Sorry for a long time without update, recently got back from my trip to Asia. Thankfully was able to write this story while I was over there. I know this one is a little long, but it is needed. Enjoy!

Edit: Added some curves to the words so readers could be able to understand what is being said, in the mind.