Author: Denim Blue
Description: Nightmare Moon was known as the embodiment of jealousy and hatred within Princess Luna's heart, at least that's what the books and legends of Equestria say. The truth is much more complex than that though, but few know this. How did Luna change into such a powerful and vengeful pony? Who, or what, IS Nightmare Moon, really?The Stars Above Know Part 1
The Stars Above Know Part 2
The Stars Above Know Part 3
The Stars Above Know Part 4
The Stars Above Know Part 5 (New!)
Additional Tags: Jealousy, Corruption, Battle, Spacetime, "Good" vs "Evil"
31 comments:
Interesting story, very well done. I am intrege to see where it goes.
ReplyDeleteI really like the premise, but I just can't seem to get into it as much as some stories. Maybe with the continuations, but for now I sadly have to give it only 4/5.
ReplyDeleteI hope the situation does indeed turn out to be more complex than the first chapter suggests.
ReplyDeleteThis one was equal parts sad, silly and serious and I rather want to read what comes next.
ReplyDeleteCan I get a 'Hell Yeah!'?
ReplyDeleteHell Yeah, I can get a 'Hell Yeah!'
Hah- you know what would be funny?
ReplyDeleteIf it turns out this world's Celestia is acting totally different.
Absolutely loving this story.
ReplyDeleteI'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Well written dear sir. Easy to read and full of joy over the entire story.
ReplyDeleteI can´t wait for the next update!
Quite interesting. It's well written, and I've not seen this particular interpretation of events before.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful interpretation of the events that the beginning of the show just skimmed over. :) "Nightmare Moon" being Luna's "evil twin" mask, Luna as the "good twin" that returns and is "redeemed" after her banishment shocks Celestia onto a more benevolent path... it's all such an amazingly well thought-out and, frankly, beautiful way to "backstory" canon events. The confrontation between Celestia and Luna the first time has an incredibly strong element of "(She) was seduced by the dark side (of power). When that happened, the good (pony) who was your (sister) was destroyed." Yes, I'm such a Star Wars geek that I re-purpose famous lines.
ReplyDeleteI've got to be honest about this: the fanfiction I've seen here thus far for MLP:FIM is the highest-quality work I've come across for such a new story-universe. Or perhaps there is a level of quality-control here that discourages the twisted stuff that seems to infect all too many fandoms. Either way, I strongly commend the administrators and members of this community. :)
I... I don't know. I really want to like this story, but I've had trouble not skipping parts because I have a feeling that they're slightly predictable and I already know what will happen.
ReplyDeleteThe story is supposed to be about the complexity of the situation behind the rise of Nightmare Moon. Said complexity however can be characterised as simply a one-eighty of the original premise of the pilot. Celestia is a tyrant; Luna is a heroic defender of the commoner; and she merely allowed herself to be banished in order to shock her sister straight.
I should also note that my opinion might be slanted; Tyrant Celestia will often do that with me. In light of this, I am perhaps being unfair. The story still has things left to explore: For instance, why did Nightmare Moon try to destroy the Elements? Why did she send lethal threats after the heroes? (cliff, manticore). What happened to her after she was purified? What of the jealousy that Celestia believes she feels within her sister, will that have an impact on the story? These are but a few hooks.
Here is the thing thouh: I think I can already guess how all of the questions above will be answered. I might be wrong. We'll just have to wait and see...
Bookmarking, Because the comments above rate it so highly(I wish there were more than just 12 though.)
ReplyDelete@Anon: Batman gambit.
ReplyDeleteWhich is funny because in the show canon, the events of the pilot were Celestia's batman gambit. So.... basically this story is looking to put a batman gambit alongside another batman gambit.
Basically the next chapter is going to make or break this story.
I have to say that I really really enjoyed this story's workings. The character development was good, the dialogue was believable, and it's a fairly interesting take on the events of the banishment. I haven't ever encountered a good NMM before. I was impressed that it worked.
ReplyDeleteThere are only two small issues that I have with the plot: Celestia harnessing the elements the first time, and the on-the-fly nature of the "evil NMM" ploy. Other than that, it seems to be a nice, fluid plot. I would point out to the anonymous poster 3 posts above me that we have yet to see how things play out the night of the Summer Sun Celebration. You can't hold that against the author if they haven't written it yet.
So yeah, I'd give this star a 5 rating, but not quite that mythical 6 star rating that a few fanfics here have gotten.
To Denim Blue: fantastic story, great take on this part of pony lore. It's been a pleasure reading this fic, and I'm eagerly waiting to see how you decide to wrap it up. Here's hoping that more of your work gets posted to EqD.
A truly wonderful end to a great fanfiction.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denim Blue.
This story is put together very well. It's certainly underrated.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice new take on the story that played out very well if a bit predictable.
That was beautiful. The concept of NMM being Luna from the future that could of been was what got me hooked at first. To see the tyrant Celestia would of become be changed over the years into the Celestia we now know was well written out. The last chapter, though, that was the best chapter overall. I didn't even notice I was crying by the time I finished it. Thank you for such a beautiful tale.
ReplyDeletePerfect end, though I do wish "Nightmare" could have avoided that kind of delayed ripple effect nonsense like she had the entire rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteAnd so ends the first Fanfic I got into, and my, what a touching ending it was. I feel bad for NMM, but at the same time, feel glad she finally got the peace she wanted. Thank you for writing such a grand sotry, and getting me into MLP fanfincs, if not for me wanting to read this, I may have never experienced all the grand writing all the authors on here do!
ReplyDeleteThat was fucking spectacular. And now I need to get back to work because there's a hobo in the lobby.
ReplyDelete@La Barata
ReplyDeleteI'll grab my skateboard. Also, regarding your emblem, I've seen enough hentai to know where that one's going
Anyways, onto my review. Very refreshing ending, my friend. Definitely a fantastic and altogether unorthodox approach to the whole Nightmare Moon concept. It's pretty much what got me hooked in the first place, and I'm glad I saw it through to the end. I'm torn between a 4 and 5 star. Five because of the excellent plot and whatnot, but 4 because some of Nightmare Moon's actions in chapters 4 and 5 seemed a tad too abrupt and unnecessary when dealing with Celestia, even though you did address it in the end. Regardless, though, great story, and I'm glad I read it
Hmm. I struggle a bit with the ending. Not so much because of how you handled it. More personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, whatever. I've been here from the start (feel kinda bad for never commenting), enjoyed it enough. Its an interesting notion. I've been working on something not entirely unlike this, though also definitely not quite the same. Not sure if I will ever finish it though.
This has definately been one of my favorite fanfics here, good job! I'm sad that its over tho haha
ReplyDeleteI´m happy. Sad but happy.
ReplyDeleteThat was amazing. The only thing I would of done differently is not reveal to Celestia the other Luna, I felt it took away from the reunion and sisterly bond between her and the real Luna. Otherwise 6/5 stars!
ReplyDeleteI've got a new addition to my watched author list it seems.
ReplyDeleteOhmigawd I teared up. whatisthis
ReplyDeleteohalso @Sun Ray:
"oh Celestia is a bitch and a tyrant, lets try an overthrow her, even though we love her"
Or she could leave the citizens to perish under a tyrant. Woo.
"Oh noes mean old Celestia put us on the moon, at least she still stalks to us telepathically and is no longer a tyrant"
...What? They 'felt' Celestia when she moved the moon, she's not watching them purposefully.
"haha we still love you Celestia, but I'm too afraid to ruin my evil image so I'm gonna try and take over Equestria and make it eternal night"
And since when did she say she wanted to keep her evil persona?
I read the first chapter long ago, but decided to re-read it, and everything else, now that the story was complete. What a great arc! This is instantly a part of my personal head-canon.
ReplyDeleteSo many fanfics start with little more than an idea and wander all over without the story really getting anywhere. The progress in this one is, well, beautiful, and the quality of the prose nearly matches the quality of the storytelling. This is an easy 5 stars. :D
This story doesn't deserve 4 stars.
ReplyDeleteIt deserves 6.
It works for the most part, although I'm not so sure about the time-travel aspects of the story. Nightmare Moon's disappearance at the end seemed to have been pulled out of thin air. It seems inconsistent. If you're going to erase her, do it when Luna is banished to the Moon, changing the course of history in such a way that she can't go back in time. If you're going to let her stay around, then let her stay.
ReplyDeleteOverall, though, it's still a good read. Four stars.
Finally found time to read this and I thought it was very good.
ReplyDelete