Darkness Falls

by Namara

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark
Length: 5132

In a moment of weakness, Twilight becomes Nightmare Moon

Inspired by the cover image.
Taking advantage of Twilight's flaws and mistakes, the Nightmare swiftly corrupts her. Now with Nightmare Moon controlling her every move, how can Twilight break free from forces powerful enough to bring a Princess to her knees?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-12-02 22:18:44 UTC

Whispers in the dark

Memories are extraordinary things. Some fade away into oblivion, some remain with you until the end of days. for instance, Star Swirl the Bearded. He will forevermore be remembered as the frail yet extraordinarily powerful unicorn from days of old. Few, if any, remember the days that he thought dark thoughts, the temptress of the unspoiled night sky beckoning him out, out of conformity.

I remember those days.

Oh, pardon my manners. My name was once Twilight Sparkle. But that is not important. No, what is important is that that was who I once was, merely a shadow of a memory. A small rut in the smooth plane of my existence. I will tell you about myself in return for you listening to my ramblings.

I was the protégée to the Solar Matriarch, Princess Celestia. I was a bookish little filly, I can tell you that much. Quoting myself, I didn't know that I would ever need other ponies to make my life complete. But then I learned of the danger Equestria was perched precariously upon, I knew I must be the one to prevent it. But certain events lead to others, and soon I was caught up in a whirlwind of preparations.

But that could never last. The clock eventually strikes midnight and the magic eventually ends. I wasn’t prepared for that, I can tell you. The greatest threat Equestria has ever known manifested itself in the form of Nightmare Moon. You probably know the rest.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Between you and me, I could tell it was doomed from the start. Applejack and Rarity fought like cats and dogs, Dash was pushing Fluttershy off the edge and Pinkie was luring me to the pits of insanity. Sadly, everything has an end, especially friendship. But we did not merely drift apart, no. We were ripped away from each other, like a bawling foal from its mother’s teat. But it was not a monstrous being that took us apart such as Discord. This was silent, undetected.

It began with one innocent little late assignment. Some ponies around town called it 'Lesson Zero', mocking my every mistake. That was when the whisperings began.

They were small titterings, barely words at all. But they comforted me at night when I was lying in bed, kept awake from insomnia.

It's alright, Twilight, they crooned. They're just mean, that's all.

At first I panicked. Hearing voices in your head is a sign of insanity, and for all I knew I was pushed off the deep end. Then I calmed down and thought rationally. What sin was there in comforting myself?

I became comfortable with the whisperings. I even reprimanded them sometimes when things got out of control. Like when they suggested that I throw them in a dungeon.

No, I thought sternly. That is way out of line.

I horrified myself, blanching every time I responded to the little voices in my head.

Go away! I wanted to scream. Leave me alone!

One day, when the brutal bullying of Carrot Top left me wracked with sobs in the corner of the library. Spike was visiting his dragon friend Cinder. Dash was working, Pinkie was loading her party cannon, Applejack was bucking, and none of my other friends were present.

My chest, heaving with sobs, was throbbing. I was perched awkwardly on a very thick book with the letters branded upon the fat cover barely readable. Salty tears splashed on this weathered book.

Gingerly, a hoof ran through my deep blue mane. I remained curled in a fetal position, unaware that it was not my hoof stroking my mane.

I sluggishly realized that all four of my hooves were braced against the oak wall. A ragged breath caught in my throat as I lifted one shivering lilac hoof to meet the mystery counsel. Feeling nothing but air, I gulped another breath of air and turned to get a glimpse of the pony who lovingly patted my head.

A transparent hoof clad in a horsehoe shaped delicately into a fleur-de-lis rested on my shoulder, attached only to a long foreleg.

I was not scared when I saw the phantom hoof. More perplexed than anything else. As the foreleg faded away into nothing, I shakily stood up and scoured the library for anything explaining what I had just experienced.

Studying soothed my aching soul and soon the salve of knowledge removed whatever blemishes I had on my mind. Temporarily. I eventually had to return to the public eye. Town gossips expertly scan over my disheveled body after hours of crying and spreads some rumor about how I get high all the time.

How is it that my 'friends' didn't put a stop to it? Hmm? How is it, that after weeks of abuse, none of them even bothered to shoot down one jibe?

As I fled back to my safe haven, I angrily asked myself these pointless questions, blood boiling. I slammed the heavy library door behind me and flipped the open sign to the antonym on the opposite side. I tripped going up the stairs and something assaults my face, drawing blood.

I lifted my head up, touching a hoof to my slashed cheek. I glared down, scouring the floor for the offending object. Then I see it, the small fragment of violet metal. I gingerly lifted it telekinetically, enveloping it in a soft purple aura. I saw my reflection in this miniscule scrap of metal and recoiled. My mane was disheveled, eyes red. Tufts of my lavender fur were sticking up at random.

It was a curious shard, too. It was shaped into a crude version of my cutie mark and one edge of it differed from the other sides. This one unsymmetrical edge branched farther away from the compass rose design blossoming from the center. This edge was a shade darker than midnight blue and had a smaller version of my cutie mark inlaid on it in diamond.

It struck me that it wasn't yet finished and the young draconian crafter of this beautiful remnant would be disappointed if it was discovered before completion. I guiltily buried it deep within Spike's dresser.

But I felt drawn to the fragment, so I dug it out and cradled it in my hooves. I furrowed my brow when I saw a second sparkling diamond. I could have sworn...

Twilight.

I jumped and my eyebrows shot up in surprise, nearly hiding themselves in my hairline. The voice was stronger now.

What are you doing, hiding in here?

I furrowed my brow again, this time deeper. It was never this critical.

You know perfectly well what I mean. You should be out there, getting back at those backstabbing traitors. You saved their flanks more times than you can count. They should be groveling at your hooves, awaiting your beck and call.

I don't think that's actually how the phrase goes. I thought. And why should they be groveling?

Oh come on, Sparkle. You're a smart mare. the voice said teasingly.

So what you're saying is that because I saved Equestria, they should be 'groveling at my hooves'?

Exactly. the voice said approvingly. Twilight could practically see its faceless body nod

. But Twilight. If you don't want groveling, than just make them respect you. You seem to have lost what little you had.

"What?" I yelped aloud. "Alright, let's play with this little idea of yours. How would I go and regain said respect?"

Perhaps you can invite Trixie back into town.

"Denied!"

Get the parasprites back.

"No way."

The voice paused for a moment. What about if Princess Celestia got involved?

"NO!" I shouted. I blinked and shook my head. "No, I won't let the Princess fight my battles for me."

I personally didn't exactly go for that one, either. the voice confided.

"Then why-" I began, blissfully unaware that I was talking to myself.

Because it's right here in your head.

I have to say, I got goosebumps when it said that. "You- you're in my head? That's not even possible!" I cried.

The voice tsked. Now Twilight, after all you've been through, THIS is what's impossible?

"Point taken," I said grudgingly. I laid down on my bed, still hugging the metal shard to my chest.

Oh Twilight, you must be exhausted. The voice seemed to be genuinely concerned.

"I, er, am," I said lamely.

I'll be quiet for a while.

"Goodnight, voice."

When I woke up, I groggily sat upright. I couldn't see. I assumed that my mane got crusty from crying. Said mane was shielding my eyes from the early morning light, so I heaved myself to my hooves and blindly made my way to my mirror. I lifted my elegant brush and groomed my mane back to it's usual style. Only when the brush struck my scalp, it was deflected with a metallic clang. I groped my head and found the crooked metal thing attached to my head and righted it so I could see. I screamed as I saw the deep blue helm on my head, pinning back my mane reflected in the mirror.

I clamped a hoof over my mouth to muffle the primal shriek escaping my lips.

"What the hell happened?!" I shouted into my empty living quarters.

"You shouldn't have fallen asleep with that metal, Twilight." the voice said darkly.

"Huh?" I jerked my head. It was aloud now.

"I said you shouldn't have fallen asleep with that metal," a swirling figure stepped out of the shadows and I stifled a screech.

"Wh- who are you?" I sputtered.

The shape chuckled cynically. "You honestly don't recognize me?"

I squinted. It still looked like a black cloud.

The shape walked over, thrusting it's snout in my face. "You are a part of me now." she then walked inside me and I collapsed as agony was searing down my spine. My knees buckled underneath me and the world went black.

When I came to, my neck ached from lying on the hard floor for who knows how long. I stood up on shaky legs like a newborn fawn walking for the first time. I walked over to the full-length mirror in the bathroom and examined myself. My fur was several shades darker than before and my mane was hidden away in the helm the color of the night sky. I had a breastplate the same hue as the fierce helm except for the symbol of my cutie mark glistening amethyst in the center, studded by five similarly shaped diamonds. Four horseshoes clad my hooves in the shape of familiar midnight blue fleur-de-lis. My tail was drained of any other color than the very same blue as the armor protecting my body. But the one thing that unnerved me in the least were the two dragon eyes peering back at me.

Granted, they had the same iris, but the new cat-like quality they possessed gave me the chills. The presence in my head was guiding me through my shock with loving care. I carefully extended my new wings as if they were made of tissue paper and could rip at the slightest disturbance.

My heart swelled with pride. Now the jeers would stop. Those who did would pay deeply.

I had no qualms.

I have to thank my proofreaders, Amethyst Hope and Apple Cloud for looking this over. Apple Cloud pointed out a glaring mistake when we chatted earlier this week at school. Thanks for checking it's quality!

My so-called friends

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

This phrase is now one of my favorites, even if I never follow it. Revenge is a fragile thing, really. One can plan meticulously for months only to miss the perfect opportunity. One could also jump at the opportunity to get back at their aggressor. Then again, some ponies are like snakes. They lie under the radar and wait for said opportunity. They snatch it up as eagerly as a starving dog to rich meat. Sometimes it's a bit too much for those ponies and their pride gets in the way of the need to stay hidden and they take the 'honor' of being accused. They inadvertently condemn themselves to ruthless berating from bystanding ponies.

I saw myself in the mirror. Short. Lavender furred. Violet eyes and the horn. And the orderly, tri colored mane and tail.

I punched the mirror. Hard. Shattering the reflective surface. Cracks spiderwebbed across its face, a particularly large one slashing my face down the middle. My reflection returned to that of my true appearance.

I was much taller than the first Twilight. And more powerful, too. Compared to the old Twilight, old Twilight had about as much magic prowess as Sweetie Belle. I felt that I could... I could...

I don't know what I would do.

I sunk to my haunches. I had no plan of what I was going to do now that I was different. How would I go out in public? How could I learn my lessons in friendship?

That thought derailed the train. What would Princess Celestia say now that I was virtually Nightmare Moon?

Shh,

I was jolted. "You're back?"

i]Oh Twilight, I've always been here. Nightmare Moon laughed inside my head.

"What do I do?"

Make a plan. I had a thousand years to plan, whereas you have mere hours, days at the most. Nightmare instructed.

"That's right," I said to myself. "Spike is on his way back,"

You know how he is, too. Nightmare added. Blows everything out of proportion.

"Yeah." I laughed. "He's so paranoid."

I could practically see Nightmare Moon roll her eyes. Yeah. So paranoid.

"So you have a plan?" I asked the fractured mirror.

Mend it so we can talk better, Nightmare Moon commanded.

I lit my horn. Deep purple magic swirled around it, highlighting the curvature of it. The mirror was alleviated of its breaks, fragments jerkily moving back into place.

A mist befell the mirror. I wiped it away, revealing Nightmare Moon waiting for me.

I must say, she looked a little more than imposing. I could see why there was a holiday dedicated to her frightening might.

I hummed the Nightmare Night tune to myself.

"Hello?" Nightmare Moon said impatiently.

I snapped to attention. "Yeah?"

Her eyes steeled. "Excuse me?" she asked coldly.

I mentally cursed myself for being so stupid. "Yes, Princess."

Her eyes softened, just a bit. "I'll first teach you how to address ponies of varying importance. You may refer to me as Nightmare Moon. You must speak to me formally during our lessons. You will refer to all other ponies by name. Example. Celestia, Applejack, Surprise. You speak to other ponies as I did at the Summer Sun Celebration. Do you understand?"

I nodded. "Yes, Nightmare Moon."

"Imagine that I'm -oh what's her name- Lyra."

Twilight drew herself up to her full height and glared down at 'Lyra'. Nightmare Moon had shifted to make herself look like said unicorn and was giving me doe eyes.

I faltered and smiled for a moment, but resumed my regal and aloof manner. "Lyra," I sneered.

"Wh-who are you?" Nightmare Moon asked innocently.

"None of your concern," I glowered at her, trying my best Stare.

Nightmare Moon shifted back and nodded in approval. She looked at me through half-lidded eyes. "Close. Try a little more stately."

A cold feeling settled inside me. It felt like I swallowed a bad egg. "Er, Miss Moon-"

"Nightmare Moon,"

"Nightmare Moon," I corrected myself. I cleared my throat and continued. "I think I read something about... about too much magical input where if you get too much power, you, erm, get sick."

"Alicorns don't get sick, Twilight Sparkle," Nightmare Moon said matter of factly. "Our natural defenses are too strong, even for this 'too much magical input'."

Downstairs, someone was knocking on the door.

I froze whilst Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes at my fear. "Oh please, Twilight Sparkle. You know the golem spell?"

"Y-es," I choked out.

"Do you still have that decoy of yourself in the closet?"

"I don't have a fake me,"

Nightmare Moon scoffed. "Really now? How come I can see it in your head?"

I rubbed my eyebrows, exasperated with the dark alicorn. "I really shouldn't try to lie to you,"

Nightmare Moon's face turned dark. "That is true."

Lighting my horn, I retrieved the life-size model of myself from its place deep within the bowels of my closet. "Do you know why I have this?"

Nightmare Moon shrugged. "It's not in here,"

I laughed dryly. "Now how do I do this?"

"Enchant it with the golem spell and pour your essence into the doll. That way, you will be looking through the doll's eyes but your real body will remain unconscious here."

"It's not a doll. It's a collectable model!" I pouted as I cast the spell.

Everything went black for a minute as I blindly cast myself into the lifeless toy. When I regained my senses, I held a foreleg out to examine. It was a soft purple hue instead of the near-black of my alicorn self.

They knocked on the door again.

With a brief backward glance at the mirror Nightmare Moon, I trotted downstairs to greet whoever was banging relentlessly on the door.

I opened it, only to see Cheerilee standing in the entrance.

"Can I help you?" I asked in a tone that would make Nightmare Moon proud.

She was taken aback by the new timbre of my voice. "Er, yes. Hello Twilight."

"Cheerilee. Is there anything you need?"

"I forgot this one book of mine on my last visit, it's a really big one called--"

I rolled my eyes and levitated the large tome. "Is this the book you're looking for?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Yes. Not yeah."

The mulberry coated mare shuffled her hooves. "So... yea- yes. I have students to teach," a trail of dust revealed where she cantered off to.

When the fleeing mare faded from sight, I retreated back to the bathroom.

Nightmare Moon regarded me frostily. I refused to glance over my shoulder. I’ve heard too many Slendermane stories to fall for that one.

“What?” I finally asked after thirty seconds of a staring contest.

“Oh nothing,” she said innocently. “Just the fact that you ignored each and every word I said in the past twenty minutes.”

“Excuse me?”

She gave me a look that would turn Fluttershy to stone. “There were no venomous phrases spat. No quivering townsfolk.

And for Faust's sake, get out of that ridiculous doll!”

I sighed and returned to my body. Now that I was as tall as the darkened alicorn, she wasn’t quite as intimidating. But she was still a sight to behold, starry mane being tossed in the perpetual ethereal breeze that all alicorns-

“Nightmare Moon, why isn’t my mane like that?” I asked her, truly puzzled by this conundrum.

“That, my dear Twilight, is much more simple a question than asking why it’s like that,” she chuckled. “When you use a massive amount of power at once, you begin the slow transformation to the godly level of an alicorn,”

A realization struck me cold. “Does that mean that, if I am correct, the Elements of Harmony will change?”

“Yes. But they will be weaker and the conversion will take much longer. Yours faster because you were the lost Element of Magic,”

“Were?” A feeling as if my internal organs were dripping into sludge inside me told me I didn’t want to know.

“But of course. Alicorns can’t wield the Elements. That’s why Celestia and Luna can’t use them anymore.” Nightmare Moon said gently, as if the slightest disturbance could tear me like wet tissue paper. She put a hoof to her chin, pondering. “But perhaps, since you had yours… accelerated; you may still control the Element. Tell me, Twilight. Do you feel still kindred to the Element of Magic?”

“I- I’m not sure. I haven’t seen it in a while. Since Discord, actually.”

“Hmm,” Nightmare Moon mused. Then her cat eyes made contact with my own “Begone. Go practice high-level magic or something.” She waved me off.

I left the bathroom and did as I was told.

I woke up to the sound of hushed murmurs. My ears pricked, but I kept my eyes closed and breathing even.

“What should we do? Twi ain’t here and we can’t use ‘em if she’s not!”

“I’ll tell you what we should do. Pound her ‘til she tells us where Twilight is!” A sound of hooves cracking followed this statement.

“Rainbow Dash, it doesn’t quite look like her. Remember, Nightmare Moon was black and had a cerulean mane like Princess Celestia’s. This… this imposter has no mane and is a dark purple. The armor’s not even right. But I have to admit, those diamond sparkle just like-“a gasp was to be heard. “Twilight’s cutie mark! Rainbow Dash, check her flank. I swear, if we catch those ruffians that did this to her…”

Something touched my flank and I made the mistake of flinching.

“Twilight?”

I opened my eyes a crack and saw a pair of concerned-looking teal eyes peering back into my own.

“Twilight, we’re mighty sorry this happened to you. Them pranksters are gonna regret knowing the name Applejack after the whoopin’ I’m givin’ ‘em.” The orange farmpony apologized.

I merely glanced down at myself; nothing appeared different. But then it hit me.

In a moment of incredible word association, I muttered the best thing anypony could say in my predicament.

“Oh,”

“That’s it? ‘Oh’?” Rarity asked incredulously.

“Yes.” I stood up to my full height and glowered at the ponies so oblivious to my suffering. “And that’s Twilight Sparkle to you,”

“Twilight? Are you- HOHMYCELESTIA, SHE HAS WINGS?” Rainbow Dash scrambled away.

The others shied away except Pinkie, who looked deadly serious.

“Twilight… how could you? I thought we were friends,” she whispered sadly, mane deflating a bit.

“Pinkie? What in tarnation are you talkin’ about?” Applejack said in surprise, recovering her Stetson and placing it back in its rightful place atop her head.

“Applejack, she betrayed us.” Pinkie said softly.

“What?!” They all yelped.

I chuckled. “It had to come out somehow, didn’t it, Pinkie?”

“What… you…” Rarity’s jaw dropped.

“I’m going to tell you the truth. Over the past few weeks, I’ve become the town laughingstock. In case you haven’t noticed.” I

snapped to a cowering Fluttershy.

“I was mocked relentlessly so I took comfort in the only place where I could be at peace,”

“Your mind,” Pinkie finished for me. She turned to the rest of my ‘friends’. “Don’t you see? Nightmare Moon can’t really be killed. She can only jump from body to body. When we defeated her, who was the closest to her?”

“Twilight.” Rainbow Dash answered, dumbfounded.

Pinkie nodded. “Exactly. I suspected the whole time. Every time I was by her, my belly would get floppy and my nose would get cold. That means something-bad-is-possessing-our-friend.” From seemingly nowhere, Pinkie whipped out a copy of The Equestrian Bible. “The power of Celestia compels you!”

“It doesn’t work like that, Pinkie Pie.” I informed the pink pony madly waving a bible in my face.

“It doesn’t?”

“No. And this isn’t Nightmare Moon; this is me. So I strongly suggest you all leave and never come back,” I said frostily.

“Twilight, we can’t do tha-“

“I said GO AWAY!” I roared, flaring my wings.

Fluttershy screamed and flew away with Rainbow Dash in tow. Rarity galloped out with Pinkie.

Applejack remained behind. Shivering with fear, but still.

I will never forget the words uttered from her mouth for as long as I live.

“Twilight, you're my friend. Ah know the real Twi Ah'm friends with is still in there somewhere. Ah'll fix this, Ah swear on my daddy's grave." Then she ran away in a blur of blonde and orange.

Ever Spiraling

Can you ever fully forgive?

Is it possible to forgive, even if what said convict did was horribly wrong? Saddle Hussein, Al Capony or even Ahoof Hitler? Would someone forgive the misguided actions of the fallen?

I groaned. After my outburst at my friends, I had a splitting headache.

"Stop whining," Nightmare Moon snapped from inside the bathroom.

"Stop telling me what to do! I am a full grown mare!" I retorted.

I groaned again, this time louder, much to the displeasure to my malevolent teacher.

"Shut up, it was only a little mi-" she slipped.

"A little what, exactly?" I got up, despite the horrible headache, and advanced toward the enchanted mirror.

"A little, eh, mind magic," Nightmare Moon said lightly, as if to change the subject.

Another terrible feeling sunk inside me. “What did you do?” I whispered.

After no response from the unwilling mare, I screamed, “What did you do?”

“I may have accidentally altered your response slightly,” she confessed.

“You WHAT?!” I growled, ready to go full Rapidash mode.

Feeling more empowered, Nightmare Moon’s eyes sparked with pride. “I ‘fixed’ your reaction to your so-called friends.”

“What would I have done?” I shouted at the mirror.

“Are you sure you want to-“

“I SAID, LET ME SEE!” I screamed again at the mirror.

“Fine.” Nightmare Moon muttered. “So pushy.” She said under her breath.

“What was that?” I said dangerously.

“Nothing,”

“I thought so,”

After a few moments of glimmering horn, Nightmare Moon spoke again.

“I opened the viewing portal. It works much the same as the time travel spell you used-“

“Just show me the freaking portal,” I growled.

“Jeez, I’ll open it. But you’ll learn that information after,” She lit her horn again and the mirror space to her left glowed a soft baby blue. The scene changed to that of the downstairs library.

An alicorn— me— was spread out on the wooden floor. A group of five ponies in various colors were speaking in a hushed conversation. The alicorn groaned and staggered to its hooves.

“Rarity- Applejack- Pinkie- Flutters and Rainbow- help me,” then the alicorn collapsed to the floor, bringing a fresh wave of alarmed murmurs.

You couldn’t quite make out the lower species’ words, but from the excessive use of hoof movements, they seemed to be in a heated argument.

“That is Twi, just possessed by some disgusting pony. Or it’s Twi performin’ an exorcism on herself. Which is unlikely.” I heard Applejack say, pointing to the spasming me on the floor.

“Looks like an exorcism. Weren’t you in that movie, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash looked up from my body to Pinkie.

Before she could respond, Rarity scolded them.

“You should be ASHAMED of yourselves! Bickering over who was in what movie- disgraceful when our dear friend may be dying before our very eyes!” Rarity snarled.

She crouched down in front of my head and whispered something. I stopped seizing and Rarity straightened up.

The scene faded away into the reflective surface of the mirror.

I was silent for a moment. “So I wouldn’t have yelled at them? Wouldn’t have denounced our friendship?” I asked hoarsely.

Nightmare Moon’s eyes darkened. “Yes. Then you would have gone to Canterlot with your oh-so-special friends,” she sneered. “and gotten ‘fixed’ by the dictator the forced you to banish me from Luna!”

“She didn’t force me to do anything! I did what was right!” I shot back.

Nightmare Moon smiled evilly, eyes narrowing in dark glee. “And that led you to me,”

“But I sure as hell can leave!” I yelled and my horn sparked furiously.

She just gave me this amused smile. “Oh there won’t be any of that, will there Nightmare Moon?”

“What?”

Her horn glittered menacingly and a sharp pain brought me to my knees with a cry of pain.

“Nopony double-crosses Nightmare Moon. Nopony.” She snarled and everything went dark.

Every muscle in my body was screaming in protest as I shuddered with every conscious thought.

"Get your sorry flank up and pay attention," a familiar voice snapped.

I got to my knees and huffed from the effort. It felt like... like... like a bolt of lightning struck me in a pool. I groaned as pain shot through like said electricity.

"What.... the hell... did... you do?" I managed to grunt.

Nightmare Moon was flipped on her back, examining a perfectly pedicured hoof for chipping. She glanced over to me in mock surprise. "Oh, Sleeping Beauty's awake and on her hooves."

I gnashed my teeth in anger, eyes blazing. I would have repeated myself, but I didn't have the energy. Pity.

"I fully merged with you. This picture you're seeing? It's just a hologram. I'm inside your head, Twilight Sparkle. And you can't get me out."

I huffed, still unable to speak.

Nightma- my darker side grinned a wide reptilian smile, much like the Cheshire Cat. "A mite upset, aren't you? I'll have to fix that." She stood up, looming above my cowering form. Her eyes narrowed in concentration and lit her horn in a glimmering azure aura.

Something- a higher influence, a divine intervention- seized my body like I was a ragdoll and straightened my screaming leg muscles. I would have arched my neck and screamed, but I had no control over what I could do. No will. No conscience. No future.

"That's better," my mirror image nodded in acceptance. "I was hoping to have you flying by now, but somepony decided to rebel!" The not-me said in a singsong voice. I noticed that the previously Nightmare Moon looked like my own reflection. MY new one.

"Oh, I don't believe 'Nightmare Moon' is a fitting name. I took it under Luna's influence, yes, but you are not the Lunar Princess," a disembodied voice cooed, voice echoing off the bathroom walls. "But alas, it has sentimental value. After all, she led me to the most powerful unicorn in Equestria."

She allowed me to respond to her.

"Nightma--"

"That's isn't my name anymore," she snapped. "I- rather, we are called Artume now. Right, Artume?"

She let me answer again.

"Never," I croaked.

She whipped me with an electrical current like Daring Do would whip a snake. Coldly, ruthlessly, she lashed out like a mother bear.

"What is your name?" she asked cruelly.

"T--"

Crack!

"Sp--"

Crack!

After what seemed like hours of undulating pain, my primal core gave in to stop the relentless abuse.

"What is your name?"

"Artume," I sniffed, attempting to tuck into a fetal position. But no, she had taken control with an iron hoof after I said it.

"Better," she said ruefully. Then she smiled a terrible grin. I felt my soul tar when I heard those words she uttered next.

"Now we take Ponyville."