POV: Nightmare.
We’d spent the night walking the town, letting one of the locals talk about their welcoming little home. However, I eventually had to end our tour.
“Your town has a… quaint air to it. I find it pleasant. However, my servant and I need rest so that we may go on in the coming morn.”
The small mare tried to keep her smile up as she nodded, but she was far worse than the monster at faking such. I made no comment
“Of course, your Highness, the inn is just down the way on the left. Would you like me to accompany you, or would you prefer to go alone?”
I would much prefer having no company on the short trek, but I couldn’t trust the thing behind me to not disappear if I left it alone for too long. Rushing to the village without pulling it along was an oversight, one I’m surprised it hadn’t capitalized on…
I gave the monster a sidelong glare. It was planning something; it always was. I can see gears turning behind those glowing eye sockets.
“My servant and I will find our own way, you did point it out before.”
The colorful mare nodded again before scurrying away. I suppressed the urge to scoff; not all ponies hold as little need for fear as I do. If I intend to rule alone, which I shall, I need to be aware of my subject's weaknesses.
No matter how bitter such an awareness brings.
“Come along, creature, we’re wasting moonlight.”
The thing nodded with that ever-present smile of its. Thankfully, it could keep pace with me just fine, so it only took a few minutes for our walk to see us inside the inn.
Tables and chairs were chock full of ponies, talking, laughing, and cheering all around. The festivities were silenced when I entered, but to my surprise, an earthblood stallion raised a tankard.
“A toast to the night and the one who saved it!”
They answered with unified cheers that made the floor shake and I allowed myself a small smile. I flared my wings as I spoke, a technique Celestia would often use to make others more agreeable.
“Yes, thank you all, my subjects. However, you must all quiet down when morning is full and bright. Even I must rest on occasion.”
The crowd went back to their celebrations once I lowered my wings. I kept my smile on as I surveyed them all. Pegasi, unicorns, and earthbloods, all together and smiling. It brought no small amount of satisfaction to see the fruits of my—Luna’s labor… but I am her now; does that make this my doing as well?
The warmth of pride died when I spotted the creature hiding in the shadow of the open door, it was smiling. I didn’t feel a shiver going down my back. And I most certainly knew when it got there! I think.
With a raised head and regal gait, I strolled through the room and around partying tables. I had to decline several offers of drink and merriment, and thankfully, the creature managed to avoid causing unrest as it passed.
The click of its bony feet was silent when compared to the boisterous inn, and its hunched form led the eye to pass straight over it as if it weren’t even there.
We reached the stairs just fine and ascended them, though the weak material creaked beneath my weight. We found a room marked by a crescent moon on the door at the far end of the hall. A note hung off the symbol proclaiming it as my quarters for as long as I remained.
I smiled once more as I pulled the door open with a burst of magic. I cast a glance over my shoulder.
“Stand guard at the door, creature. I know that you need no rest.”
The thing nodded before answering in its slimy, low voice.
“Of course, Nightmare of Moon.”
I could admit to the shiver of satisfaction at hearing that title. Every time he spoke it, it was an admission, an admission of defeat, of subservience. I’m sure it’s a lie, a false front to whatever schemes he holds onto but…
The thing turned around and leaned against the wall, his head starting to sweep from side to side, scanning for intruders that would obviously never come.
I went to pull the door closed, but a question came to mind.
“What is your name? I don’t remember you ever speaking it, creature.”
The thing locked up at that, just like it had before, and I drank in its confusion with glee.
“I… don’t recall.”
I could tell the uncertainty in its voice was genuine. The slimy feeling was absent, and I didn’t want to hear that answer. He never said something I didn’t want to hear, always trying to bend only just enough to curry favor without appearing weak.
I find it pathetic but…
“Then figure one out by the time I awaken again, or I’ll let one of the town children name you.”
I saw him stiffen before I slammed the door shut.
I let my shoes fall off of my hooves and for my chest piece to thud onto the rug before I fell into the bed. It was far from the softest I’d laid on, but it would suffice.
The land of dreams beckoned me. I had several things to attend to, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Yet no matter how hard I looked, nothing was there.
And they know you
Nothing was there.
POV: ——
I don’t recall.
I grasped for the memory, reached for the knowledge, only to find nothing within my grasp.
It was such a simple question, ‘What is your name?’ Why couldn’t I answer? Where did my name go? I searched through my own head, scanned my thoughts, I even delved into the shattered depths of my soul. I screamed into the emptiness, demanding to know.
But nobody came.
I stiffened at the sound of clopping hooves and snapped my attention to the stairway. A few ponies stepped into the hall, noticed me, and froze in place. I kept my eyes on them, waiting for their screams.
My smile widened as I drank in the fear that polluted the atmosphere. I savored the taste but dared not drag more from them. One raised a hoof.
“A-are you gonna h-hurt us?”
I shook my head, letting the silence return. The jittery ponies slowly made their way down the hall away from me. I could see prayers flashing through their eyes, begging for protection, and thanking whatever they believed in that I was docile.
A shame, I felt tempted to follow them, if only to make them quiver a moment more. I could see so many errors, so many openings waiting to be exploited. My smile dimmed when their door closed.
A name. I needed a name. Yet what name would befit me? Who should I be? I let the question simmer and boil as dawn’s orange light angled through the curtains. I heard the incessant din of a crowd emanate from the ground floor. Some were still partying, others simply talking, and with my blue eye, I could pick out even the silent whispers carried by the wind.
Ponies talked about many things. Some spoke of the fire yesterday, others regaled past stories of ridiculous escapades, and a few would mutter about poor service or the pains of early mornings. However, the Nightmare dominated the air. Every other conversation was exclusively about her.
“How courageous,” “Princess of the common folk,” and “damn hot body,” though the last one resulted in an unfavorable situation for that stallion. Maybe he should’ve kept that comment to a place his wife couldn’t hear.
I chuckled as I singled out the strand of numbers pertaining to that conversation. They argued about standards and loyalty and so many other pointless things. So many errors in judgment, would it kill them to reflect?
Wait, my name.
I pick out the errors that rot away the insides of others and use them to chisel away at their souls… I see their errors, and every error is an opening, and every opening can be fatal.
Fatal Error.
Shivers ran down my spine at the name. I could even feel the emptiness between the shards of my soul lessen as if I were an incomplete puzzle that regained a crucial piece.
I am the architect of my own destiny, the one who carves their life from the failings of others, the ugly truth that will end their hideous perfection.
I am madness.
I am their Fatal Error.