Mathew Reese was just your average guy. He lived in a small town with his adoptive father, had a circle of friends, loved the natural beauty of the world, and had just started to take his first steps into becoming an independent.
All of that changed the day that two powerful beings combined their magic to seal away a great evil. Now Mathew is trapped on Equus as the sole human the lands have ever encountered. Everything he’s ever known has become null and void as he tries to make sense of his new life.
Follow Mathew on his journey for answers through the land of Equestria and learn the truth behind one of its most notorious evils… Nightmare Moon.
This story now has a sequel. Continue this exciting tale in Shadows Within the Heart! 
Shadows Within the Light was my very first fic. Expect a degree of amateur writing. I have put this story on my list to rework it at a later date so that I can take what I've learned to make this story better. Until then, I hope you enjoy my little tale because it has been said that it's a hidden gem. 
Be sure to leave constructive criticism as well. I welcome it and it will help me to improve. 
How come this story doesn't have any coments? To my eyes, this is a gem that fell through a crack, as it seems.
Also, just how far do Mathew's regen powers go? Could he get blown to peices, with only his gem-heart surviving and recover from it? Or is it not that potent?
Does Celestia want to shove him off to Ponyville?
7622831 Thank you for the kind words. :)
As far as Mathew's regen goes, I haven't set a limit for him. This first portion of my little tale probably won't get to test that out to his fullest extent, but maybe (if enough people really like this story) I may go all out with his limitations in a sequel. Although, I did plan for a fairly heated fight scene at one point that I hope you'll look forward to.
In regards to Celestia, yes. Mathew's next stop is Ponyville.
that pic is great
This story has a lot of potential.
I like that,Nightmare Moon is just trying to talk with her daughter luna instead the overused 'night will last forever'that i've seen so many times.
its original.
I sadly dont have much to say right now...too tired
.
so lets just say,i love how this story is going so far,pls oh pls continue this awesome thing you created and goodnight
7650470 Awesome, glad you enjoy it. I've just about finished writing the last few chapters for it, so no worries on it dropping into the shadows to never be completed. I fully intend to put the whole thing up.
Thanks for the comment, too. If you have anything else to add (whenever you feel the need) please feel free to let me know about it. Despite what my skills seem, I'm actually a fairly novice writer, so I really enjoy getting feedback on my stuff.
7649447 Thanks! I've got a good friend who is an epic artist (even though she might say otherwise). She was infected by my excitement when I was thinking about posting this as my first story.
Enjoyable story, eagerly awaiting more!
Heavy chapter, Its really testing the character of Applejack and Mathew.
Very well made!!
How is this not one of the stories that get more attention from others is perplexing.
I can compare it to some hidden gems in FIMfiction that fell thru the cracks.
7687952 Thanks for the praise. If I had to guess, it's most likely because I'm still new to putting out stories. I have to thank some of the writers that I follow, though, since I get inspiration from many of them. Oh how I wish I could have such a way with words some days!
Still, I must be doing something right if it's enough to get this many views. I honestly hope you guys enjoy this story and it would be so awesome if it got more popular, but so long as at least one person likes it then I'm happy.
7688277 My guess is you're updating at odd times, so most people don't get to see it on the front page. You would do better also if you had a punchier description. You don't need any followers to gain traction, they just make it easier.
7742641 Thanks for the input. I'll put some thought into a better description. The current one was made because it made me smile. In response to your previous comment, before you deleted it, I can see what you mean lol. I guess I did mold Mathew toward the dramatic side of things, in a way.
7624106 I would set it to be kind of like Wolverine. As long as one cell survives, he will always regen. Though, I dunno how his memories would be affected. As long as wolverines brain wasn't hit, he would still have his personality, but wolverine never had magic. Now, not turning magic into a deus ex machina, but magic could preserve his memories to his soul? I dunno, it's just my idea.
This story is... interesting. It's a different take compared to what I've read before is all I'll say to avoid spoilers, which I enjoy. It's quite well written too, not littered with glaring errors and flows quite well. I have a few gripes with the character of Mathew but meh, it's your story and I'm enjoying it so far anyway. Looking forward to the next chapter, this is all going to start coming to a head soon I feel.
7758706 I'm liking that idea. :)
7758803 lol, thanks for the input. This is the first serious attempt of a story I've put together for others to enjoy. I'll admit that I got carried away while writing it. Once the idea sunk into my demented little mind, I just had to get it out. I know it's not the best piece, but I enjoyed the concept and I've tried to improve in my storytelling since I started writing this (a turning point, if you will).
As for the current state of Mathew's tale, yes, it is coming to a head. There are a few more chapters left and it'll be going out with a bang.
I look forward to your future comments.
Look dude, if you don't know how to use old Enligsh, don't use it. Luna can be "up to date" or something. It will be a lot less annoying than badly used old English.
7759144 I'll keep that in mind. My apologies for butchering it enough to warrant such a response.
Ooo this is getting good
will their be a sequal?
7805229 I've got one in the making, yes. So far I've thought up enough for a few nice sized chapters, but with the other stories I'm working on I haven't devoted enough time for a complete start to finish outline.
I was also waiting to see how much desire there would be for a sequel. If enough people want one then I'd definitely get started on it once I get the time for it.
7805238
A sequel would be very nice.
Also the fact that someone is already asking for a sequel and the story isn't even over yet that should tell you that you're doing a really good job
7805238 Oh but,we do need a sequel or i'll have to eat a peanut butter toast without peanut butter or do something as equally impossible and stupid.
I hope this means Nightmare moon if she succeeds in returning life to him doesent die, as that would be like spitting on his sacrifice and all that hes done.
This story is amazing tho, Im glad i stuck here till the end
I think I might smell a sequel coming...
This story's good, donno why there isn't many comments praising your work well here's one.
Good job.
7829766 Thanks, Shadow. ^_^
Well,i can say that i am happy with this story.
it was short but great.
it also needs more loving
Hmm. Will there be a doctor strange moment?
This would a have been a perfect bittersweet ending. The hero successed in his mission, bit at the cost of his live. His friends surround him as he lays dieing, a smile on his face.
tis such a perfect way to go.
but whats this I see? There is yet more to this tale! Will the hero live? Or is it mearly what follows after?
Where would you be without a 7829766
7861447 A dark and lonely place.
I'm glad he's liked my work enough to spread the word to others.
7861447 took the words right out of my mouth.
AWSOME
You put "here the end of it" instead of "hear the end of it" near the end of the chapter.
7905051Fixed and thanks for catching that. :)
Pace is a bit slow for my tastes, choice of words is okay but could use some pep.
The human character seems to be to indifferent about the whole thing that happened to him. Taking it in stride is one thing, but he barely shows enough emotion considering the absurdity of the situation (and what transpired so far).
That in turn makes him seem dull, he's keeping a bit too calm despite him having been so severely hurt.
Luna in turn adapted to his embarrassment about that human taboo a bit too easily, even instantly reacting with flustered shame, rather then being further confused.
He only said it was embarrassing and a taboo, that alone shouldn't provoke a reaction like that of her, because to ponies it is no taboo at all. The only thing that would be caused by his rather "sparse" explanation would be reluctant acceptance and perhaps a small apology.
Still confusion and curiosity, rather then instantaneous embarrassment, would remain with her, considering this is Luna we're talking about who still lacks behind on social interaction/rules of modern times.
That by the way:
can only be incorrect.
I'm pretty sure Toddlers old are/can be very indifferent about nudity, to the point of just not caring.
This sentence makes it sound like humans are born with an instinct to cover themselves up, even though it's taught to us as a social rule (or to protect us from 'harm'). There is no natural concern for 'decency'.
Should change that sentence to something like: "... it's like a strict taboo that we're taught from young age, growing up." Even tough that alone is still pretty scarce.
*Sigh* again with the dullness of the character... only smile and wave. Sunshine mood to the limit.
I dislike it when I have to much to complain about a story.
But stuff like this makes it so hard not to:
"The ponies" in this case, is a presumptuous generalization of him, considering he was confined to the castle grounds and thus was only served by the 'royal kitchen staff'.
Self explanatory, there had to be high class quality meals, served by fittingly skilled cooks, since shabby cooks would be very much amiss in a 'royal kitchen'.
Hence, why "it’s really the best every time". So to assume '(all) ponies' could cook well, would be premature and rash.
Guess it was just the wrong choice of words, irks me none the less though.
That actually made me kinda sad and also wonder what that guy ever had to eat in his life. Besides, the absence of meat doesn't seem to bother him in the least. Was he a vegetarian before he got there?
7923628 I'm not afraid to say this, I love you! Seriously, I've been waiting for this kind of critiquing. Thank you for pointing such things out to me. Though it's a little unfortunate, I did write this story when I was... very much an amateur. I feel that I've improved since the early chapters of this story, but I won't even dare to think I'm a good writer. Personally I see myself as mediocre. With you pointing these errors out, it brings a previously unknown flaw in my writing to the light and I will try to make sure I do better in the future with my work.
However, there are a few points that are, more or less, addressed in later chapters. If you can/are willing to do so, could you look further into the story and see if your irks are remedied? I'll understand if the problems are too much for you (and I wouldn't want you to force yourself to continue reading if it's just too painful), hell, I've stopped reading a few stories myself from unacceptable grammar issues. I liked the concepts, though... I just couldn't continue reading them since it gave me minor headaches constantly trying to reform the written words into the proper order.
Again, thanks for taking the time to point that out.
So... Is he a namekian?
So... Are nightmare moon and mathew now soulm8s? Srry for poor jokes
7996377 lol, in a way they are soul mates
Luna's speech could use some editing, but this is definitely a very engaging and interesting start.
(I know this is old writing - I have similar problems with reading my old works)
Hm... I think you should have spent more time with him getting used to Equestria before this. Or have this come into play right as he was starting to get used to it.
A change, no matter how good, is a shock, which comes with some psychological repercussions. And he doesn't have any knowledge of MLP, so he has no real incentive to ignore those feelings.
A fast acceptance is okay, but skipping that process is not recommended.
Also, your foreshadowing, intentional or not, is giving off mixed signals.
There are still a lot of promising elements to this story, though, so I am still giving it a chance, but I want to let you know that this got close to losing my interest.
(Don't take this too hard, though. I mean this in the friendliest of ways.)
Ah, you have definitely re-captured my interest again.
(I still feel that you should have spent more time on having him acclimate to Equestria, but I definitely understand that feeling as a writer to rush to the more "interesting" parts.)
Okay, scratch that last thing I said. You got to it in the end.
Wow, this just keeps getting better and more interesting.
And you've managed to get me mad at Celestia, all without breaking her character.
8346387
Lol, I'm glad that you're liking the story so far. Thank you so much for your comments, too, it'll really come in handy when I finally go back and tackle rewriting Shadows Within the Light. For now I'm simply focusing on getting my other three active stories written before I shift my focus to improve my first piece. SWtL was the very first thing I started to write after I found this site and it has a number of flaws, big and small. I was never a big writer before MLP (usually just making random sci-fi stories that entertained me and a few friends), but now I try to be better with my writing like all those I follow on the site. I noticed you have some stories as well and I'll probably be looking at your stuff to see if I can get more inspiration for my own writing.
I seriously have to thank all of the writers who've created the stories I've read. All of them have inspired me to do better with each word I type. The way some people weave their sentences is just mindblowing.
I hope that you continue to enjoy Shadows Within the Light and I look forward to more of your feedback.
The writing and interactions feel very stilted and abrupt. There's little in the way of flow from one scene or thought into the next. Additionally, there's too much telling and not enough showing. You don't have e to explain everything.
I'll keep reading to see how you improve.