//------------------------------// // 23 - My Evil Twin // Story: Black Angel // by Zobeid //------------------------------// my evil twin foul weather friend always wants to start when I want to begin Despite the severity of the wounds, Nightmare Moon’s healing power was great, and soon the Nemesis was whole. She stirred like one waking from a deep sleep. Standing over her was Nightmare Moon: armored, her mane and tail billowing like clouds of stars, triumphant in battle. The Nemesis huddled, naked, her soft strands of midnight blue hair spilling across the ground, her hip unmarked by any sigil. The same size they were, and yet one was ancient and the other new. The Nemesis looked up and said, softly, “I thought you came to destroy me.” Nightmare answered, “As Lord Morpheus explained the matter, either you will destroy me or I will destroy you. It’s our destiny. I do not intend to be the one destroyed. However…” She paused and lowered her head, and spoke more softly. “I prefer to make my own destiny.” The Nemesis sat upright, and her puzzlement was tinted with a wee ray of hope as she asked, “You don’t think we have to fight?” “Perhaps not. Morpheus said you wished to take my identity, to replace me. Is that true?” The Nemesis glanced down at the ground. “I guess… that’s what I’m supposed to do.” Nightmare quirked an eyebrow, surprised by the timidity of this creature. It was not at all what she’d expected. However, she reflected upon how she’d felt after her own death, when she’d been brought to the Castle of the Dream King — confused and helpless. No doubt the Nemesis was equally disoriented after being tortured by Grogar and then, against all expectation, healed. At this moment in time she was vulnerable. Nightmare Moon chose her words carefully, and what she said was: “I would be pleased if you take my place here in the Dreaming and fill the role that Lord Morpheus prescribed to me — while I return to the land of the living, to Equestria.” The Nemesis cast a startled glance upward. “Can you do that?” Nightmare smiled, though it was no smile of delight, but perhaps more like the grimace of a stage magician about to spring a trick. She explained, “I know secrets even Morpheus does not, or else has forgotten long ago. I know that only a trinity can walk the Moon’s Path: only three who are one. You and I together make two. We’ll need one more of us for this plan to work.” She lowered her muzzle close to her duplicate’s ear and spoke as though imparting a secret. “We’ll need to collect Princess Luna.” Flying wing-to-wing, Nightmare Moon and her Nemesis followed a trail, a scent. It was one that Nightmare had followed before with disastrous results. This time, she vowed, things would be different. Their flight took them across the Sea of Green, above its skerries, back toward the mainland of The Dreaming wherein Nightmare Moon’s castle was to be found. There was little conversation as they travelled. Neither of them were talkative by nature, although the novelty of their situation did lead to a few questions. As they rested briefly upon a rocky island, Nightmare Moon asked, “So, Nemesis… Is that your name? The ponies of Frivoli called you Hero.” “I don’t have a name. Nopony has given me one. If I take your place, I guess I’ll be Nightmare Moon.” “Do you share all of my knowledge? My past, my memories?” The Nemesis looked confused, then opened her mouth to speak, then paused again. Finally she answered, “I don’t know.” Nightmare narrowed her eyes with suspicion. “You don’t know? How can you not know?” “I… I think I know how to do all the things you can do. But you’re nothing but a dream of a memory now, and I’m less than that — a concept, barely an idea. I don’t think I’m that well defined.” Nightmare Moon blinked and swished her tail while she considered the implications. After some moments she shook her head. “It does not make sense. Tell me what you know of my past! Can you name my mother?” The Nemesis cocked its head curiously. “That would be Luna, would it not?” Nightmare scoffed. “Neigh, you cretin! I was a part of Luna, not her offspring any more than her hooves or her wings are. I mean to ask you, where did Luna and her sister come from? Search your memories and answer me if you know!” The Nemesis closed her eyes for a few moments, then answered, “At the beginning of time we were born to the great alicorn Faust, who shaped our world and appointed us to watch over it as benevolent deities. When the time was right, we revealed ourselves to mortals, the better to guide them.” Nightmare gawped for a moment, then broke out in a loud, whinnying laugh. “Neeheeheehee! Your mind is addled with delusions of grandeur. Tell me another one!” The Nemesis obliged, saying, “Celestia and I were part of an ancient race of alicorns who were hunted to near extinction. The last of our kind, we hid in the wilderness until we found the Tree of Harmony, and at its bidding we went to the pony lands with teachings of love and tolerance. Our followers grew until we were offered queenly crowns.” Nightmare paced, circling around her Nemesis. “Go on…” she prompted. The Nemesis said, “Celestia and I were born as humble earth ponies during the Reign of Discord. We scrabbled to survive in a landscape that was impossible to understand or predict. Then a vision led us to the Elements of Harmony. When we defeated Discord with them, we ascended to a higher plane of existence and became alicorns.” Nightmare Moon snorted. “You really have no idea, do you? You’re just making up these stories.” The Nemesis looked at her. “Then let’s hear yours?” Nightmare Moon began to say, “My mother was…” She stopped and frowned. “No. I think I’ll keep my identity to myself. You have no past, and I am loath to give you mine.” After a moment she added, “You are hardly the creature I expected. You’re like a foal in the woods. It is fortunate for you that I’ve decided not to pursue the doom Morpheus pronounced.” At least for now, she added inwardly. Such prophecy was not something to easily dismiss. The Nemesis frowned and look down at her feet, but said nothing. Nightmare spread her wings. “We have rested enough. Our quarry awaits.” “Are you sure you can find her?” She tossed her head. “Easily! Even if I could not sense her presence in The Dreaming, it would matter not. I know her habits as I know my own. I think we should begin our search with the Garden of the Moon.”