I'm a Nightmare!

The last thing I remember from my first life was a flash of light and noise. The world seemed to rip apart around me, and then reform in a strange new way. Then, darkness, all around me. I lay there on the ground, waiting for sight and sound to return to my senses. Once that happened I slowly lifted my head from the ground and looked around me. I was in some sort of castle ruin, It looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen it before. I moved on to trying to stand up after that, and promptly fell flat on my face. I heard a giggle and then saw a golden shod white hoof come into view.

“Here, let me help you.” came a voice, as a golden light surrounded me and lifted me to my hooves. It gentle folded my wings to my side and put my purple hair into something resembling sanity. So there's three things that I knew I didn't have: wings, hooves, and purple hair. That was not the end of the shocks I would receive on that day.

I slowly looked up to whoever had helped me, and discovered something I never thought I would ever see in reality, Princess Celestia. My brain stopped for a few seconds as it tried to process this new development, and to reassess my sanity. In the end it came up with a wonderful solution.

thump

I awoke in a small dark room in a very warm bed. It was comfortable, but I wouldn't realize that until later that night as I shot from the bed in fear as all that had occurred invaded my memory. I let out a shout as I sat up, and the door to my room was immediately opened, two guards rushed in.

“Are you alright?” the one of them asked, while the other lit the candles that lined the walls.

“Yes!” I said, rather quickly. “I just had a nightmare, I think. Please, tell me I'm hallucinating and you are not magical ponies.” They just stared at me. “Okay, new question. Where's the nearest restroom?” The unicorn who had been lighting the candles earlier used his magic to open a door across the room.

“We will leave to give you privacy, let us know if you need assistance.” said the one who had spoken to me first. Then, they left, closing the door behind them. I sat in the bed for a minute longer, and then got out. Stumbling over my hooves I made my way into the restroom, and took in my reflection for the first time. Two seconds later I was doubled over in deranged laughter, every time I tried to get up I would catch my reflection again and go into another bout of laughter.

That was what the four pony princesses found, Nightmare Moon lying on a bathroom floor laughing at her own misery. Celestia, Twilight, and Cadence just stared at me with looks ranging from amusement to horror. Luna exploded in fury.

“YOU LAUGH AS THOUGH THIS IS A JOKE! YOU MISERABLE CREATURE OF HATE AND DARKNESS!” She shouted, as I slowly rose from my position on the floor. One wing raised to block my reflection, while stray giggles still escaped my throat.

“Yes.” I managed to get out. “I laugh. I laugh at my own wretched future and the fact that I will never again have friends, anypony who sees me from here on out will fear me. I laugh now, because it will probably be the last time I ever will.”

Silence descended upon the group. Luna huffed with rage while I calmly stared back at her, a small smile on my face.

“I think now would be a good time to invite you to come down to dinner with us, Nightmare.” said Celestia, stepping between Luna and me.

“Of course, but on one condition.” I said, facing her.

“WE WILL NOT RELINQUISH THE MOON TO YOU OVER A PLACE AT OUR DINNER TABLE, DEMON!” Came the shout of Luna.

“I wish that you do not call me Nightmare. That is not my name and I will never respond to it. I ask instead that you simple call me Shadow.” I said, as I stared purposefully at Luna, who seemed to growl at me.

“I think we can do that.” said Celestia, as she glanced back at Twilight and Cadence, both of whom were still staring at me as though I was about to rip their throats out. They nodded on reflex, and Celestia smiled while gentle leading them out. Luna followed her. I gave my reflection one last glance, this time seeing my eyes fill with tears as I imagined my now empty future. I gentle wiped them away and followed after the four princesses. I had no idea what was in store for my new life.