Nightmare Moon’s POV [Present]

It's been six months since you freed yourself from that wretched Luna's body. She thought she could keep you imprisoned within the deep recesses of her mind. But you're a crafty mare. Every time Luna used a bit of her magic you'd steal some of it. Some would call you a parasite, others would call you a leech. Those that insulted you in such a way never lasted long.

Same could be said of Celestia's reign over Equestria after you emerged from her sister's skull. Her being in a state of shock allowed you to imprison both her and Luna upon your moon. Now they are forced to watch on from your silent vigil as you rule Equestria with an iron hoof. Your guards became your tyrannical force. They beat ponies for speaking out against you.

Your soldiers would burn crops and tear down homes of those who would dare plot to overthrow you. Executions for rebels who would dare challenge you were a regular event around Canterlot Square. Ponies learned early on that fighting you would have dire consequences. With your subjects filled with a sufficient amount of fear you were able to turn to more important matters.

Ponies were forced to harness grand amounts of magic in order for your nation to rule on in eternal darkness. Even you know how gardening works. You can't grow plants when there's no sunlight to help them develop. So now here you are, sitting on your throne. Everything is running smoothly. No adjacent nation wishes to go to war with you. Chrysalis doesn't make an attempt to come to the surface lest she faces your wrath.

Life is good, but it is also boring. While you love that you have countless ponies waiting on your every order you'd like to have a pony go against you every now and again…

Anonymous’ POV [Past Events]

Two hundred and sixteen days have passed since you first arrived in Equestria. Needless to say you loved it here. Ponies were friendly, they were accepting. The co-rulers of this nation were kind enough to give you citizenship, a home, and a weekly stipend with which to live. Despite having a fairly good life back on Earth, with the way things were you couldn't say you were angry.

Sure you were dejected that you wouldn't see your home again, but you have a good life here with these equines. You were trying to make the best out of a bad situation, and you were succeeding. But that all changed when Nightmare Moon returned. That alicorn didn't waste a second.

Before anyone knew it both Princesses were imprisoned. Guards left and right surrendered to her, and Nightmare Moon’s indoctrination began. Her force grew and spread throughout the land like a wild fire. Without anyone around to go against her, other than a few pockets of pony fighters, she had free reign over the land within a few months.

Those of you who could do something, anything to try to stop her started an underground resistance in Manehattan. You had quite a number of ponies, you had procured arms, and you had a chance to break into Canterlot. It took a week of planning and gathering. You wish you had more time but she wouldn't grant you that. Nightmare was desperate; she wanted everything under her control as quickly as possible

You were hoping you and your little group of thirty or so ponies could do something against that. Boy were you wrong, dead wrong in fact. Your group had managed to sneak into Canterlot. After that you made a mad dash for the castle. Out of the group you brought in only half made it into the castle interior. The rest were left behind to bide you time…

By the end of the first hour only you and the five ponies that stayed with you remained. The rest were either caught or killed. Nightmare didn't play around when it came to things like this. With what you had left you sneaked through the darkened corridors of Canterlot Castle. What was once warm and inviting served as a constant reminder of the failure you and countless others have suffered through.

At that point during the eternal night you were thinking that the six of you could make a difference, that you could turn those failures around and bring peace back to Equestria that is until you found the place you were looking for. When you finally found the tyrant's living quarters needless to say you were nervous. You could vividly recall the cold sweat dripping from your brow

Your shaking hands as you held onto your spear for dear life, and the utter fear that consumed you, not knowing what to expect on the other side of her door. Your resolve was dwindling the longer you remained in that poorly lit hallway. It didn’t instill any confidence in those you were supposed to lead. In fact, were it not for those around you, you would have never opened that door.

When you did you were greeted with a horrid sight. It was her... her ice cold glare caused the six of you to freeze with terror. Her pitch black coat caused your allies to freeze with fear Those infernal fangs that stuck out from her lips when she sneered caused your comrades to back away. Her midnight blue mane was a violent maelstrom of raw magic power. The wings she sported were unfurled and flaring.

They seemed to stretch to both walls of her room. When that long, black horn of hers began to glow with an eerie light you knew it was over. She was furious that you made it past the guards, and she mentioned that she would take great pleasure in finishing you off herself.

At the last moment you decided that you would make her work for her victory. With a battle cry you charged, spear aimed at her exposed neck. Nightmare's eyes grew wide with shock when you closed the distance. Your body began to glow from her magic but you refused to stop, you could see the sweat pouring down her face, and the strain she showed as she managed to lift you off of your feet.

She succeeded in stopping you, but not before you got a good swipe at her neck with the blade of your spear. Unfortunately all you managed to do was leave a horizontal cut along her neck, as though you tried to cut her from ear to ear. It wasn't deep enough to kill, but you took solace in knowing that every time she looked in a mirror she'd see the mark you'd left on her.

She finally swatted you away like a fly, and your comrades were next... The rest was a blur of you and the survivors being punished like the traitors you were. Going against the sole Princess of Equestria was a death sentence. You were well aware of that. But what you weren't aware of is that while you watched your comrades hanging from nooses the Princess had other plans for you...

Because you were so crafty at getting around her guards, and because you had the audacity to try and take her life she decided to keep you around. She made you into one of her royal guards. She said it would have been a waste to have you hanging with the rest, but not before beating you senseless for your transgressions against her. You were a fool to think you would get out of this unharmed.

You did leave a scar along her "beautiful neck" and you had to be punished for it. After that moment you were forced to wake up at odd hours, don the armor made for you, and stand by Nightmare's Throne. You were stuck standing guard for the pony you hated the most on this planet. Nightmare only made it worse by securing your loyalty.

If you didn't keep her safe from harm, Manehattan would be burned to the ground. She had you in a vice grip and she knew it. She was sure to rub it in your face every so often when there wasn't an emissary visiting. But you'll find a way to get back at her. You'll have your revenge...

Author's Note

A rather short intro to a rather short story.

Though, it is rushed, and feels forced, I wouldn't mind hearing your opinion on it.