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Pony POV Series, Tale of Nothing

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= Undertale OST - Undertale =

Voice of Nightmare !$*(!@(!(  ERROR!

I slip through the cracks like a shadow. I'm an intruder more than ever. This isn't just not my world, this is a world that isn't truly connected to my Equestria. Traveling through the naught between without a gateway I'm not protected by anything except I blend in perfectly with the 'not there'. There are things very old and very dangerous that prowl this space between the world's walls that can't function in places with such harsh rules like existence!

After traveling to the human world and having sassage tentacle claws for forehooves, it felt relieving to have four legs again.

But they're not the point. The point is sitting chained to wall by her neck, beaten and bloody, with a dog bowl in front of her. Her pink fur dirty, her stripe purple and white mane is a mess, her face is stained with tears, her blue eyes are bloodshot, her crown is missing. She can't notice me, it's better she doesn't.

'I wish I could just make the monster who did this to her never-heard-from-again.' I thought.

'Similar sentiments dear, but even if I could use my magic, he's one of those things that the shadow who makes has blessed... even I'd be no match for him, because this worldline's Shadow Who Makes had commanded it thus. He'd know you were there just because it would be a weakness for him not to. Unless the The Shadow Who Makes feels like giving him a bloody nose in hopes it'll 'balance things out'. Why do you think an edgy teenager is able to bring Equestria to its knees with no clue about Equestria before coming here?'

I sighed. Fate always got her way. But maybe I could cheat just a little.  I trotted over to her.

Her eyes are open, but she's staring out at nothing, she's shivering, like an abused animal. I knelt down. I hugged her. She keeping shivering as I spread out my wings and covered her with them, and gently touched my horn to her forehead. I don't know if it was my nature as a Nightmare or just what torture she'd been through that made her still not realize I was there.

I can feel it... her despair, the crushed hope that her dad or her Silvey will save her, she's given up everything, she thinks she's going to die in here. She was taken just to hurt her father in revenge, and to 'teach a lesson.'

"I'm sorry I can't do more for you, or he'd come, and make things even worse for revenge.

"Let me take your pain, let me eat your despair, let me drink up your misery, I'll suck out the poison." So my magic began to syphon off the darkness eating her soul inside her, careful to do it slowly enough that it wouldn't rip her heart apart.

"My heart is already fill to the brim with bile
Why should I fear pain this vile?

"Let me take this meaningless pain from you,
When all's said and done, I'll drag it with me to Hell.

"I'll eat the hate, I'll take from this cruel fate.
My heart's already pitch black, I'll take the flack.

"Let my horn be the lancing pin,
"I'll take the weight of your sins.

"My soul's as vast as the sea,
For me this is a sting from a bee."

I shudder as I take in the darkness inside her, all the blackness, my heart is infested to the core with dark magic, taking in these dark feelings are a drop in the bucket for me.

Eventually she stops shivering, her eyes close, and she's granted the temporally mercy of a long dreamless sleep.

'This won't change the course of events for this world at all as far as anypony can see princess.' Father Discord's voice says.

"It's the damage that nopony can see that's the most vicious, you helped me master that remember?"

'I'm not allowed to forget.'

The darkness adds up, I feel her every tear like I shed it myself, but I'm built now to hold black magic anyway, and the ship's going to the bottom of the ocean. This pain will end up going where I'm going soon enough. And the Spirits of Dark Magic will be lose their playmate.

I'm done here, but I'm not finished, and slip through the crack's again.

I almost wonder why I'm not just finding one of the Beasts from Beyond and offering it to me as a midnight snack. Then again, I reek so much of dark magic at this point I'd likely taste like sludge to them.

The next place I came to, was a filly with one front leg and back leg replaced with crude fake limbs. She'd been thrown around like a tennis ball by fate. This Equestria was the opposite extreme of the first. The first one had a dark lord who couldn't be meaningfully outwitted. This one had a hero who was like a black hole consuming fate's threads for his own rope.

First Diamond Tiara burned down her CMC's club house for spite... and was banished to Tartarus for it. And after trying to commit suicide, which sadly didn't work out, she was turned into a beast, and was cut limb from limb by the hero until who she was discovered.

Except the Shadow himself who created this world felt guilt at what he'd done after he'd learned the truth about the heart world version of us. Heh. This world's shadow who makes and mine? Not so different.

And the shadow who makes rewrote fate so a demon had possessed her and used her own feelings to make her its pawn, and was finally discovered the second time.

'Huh, my Princess, I must admit...That demon has...alright taste in plans.'

I look at my black vulture wings, my eyes narrowed. "... You would know wouldn't you, father?"

'...Yes, I would...I believe twice now... Princess... do you hate me?'

"I'm empty inside remember? How could I possible hate you for everything you did?" I said matter-of-fact.

'... I see.'

This world's filly was given clumsy fake limbs to replace the ones she lost. This world's... this world's Discord even offered to restore what she lost... but she refused his offer... saying it was her 'repentance'.

'Oh you have got to be kidding me!'

"What? Out of character for you?"

'Not for a 'reformed me' I suppose. No I was talking about that bucking mask daring to talk down to ME about being a God of Chaos!'

My eyes narrowed. "Can you focus?"

'Sorry, I'm just tired of being called 'not true chaos' by self proclaimed posers and imitators.'

"Your empathy for another version of me is so touching. It truly is. If I still had a heart, I'm so sure I'd feel warmer at your display of newfound parental like love at even an image of myself, used and abused like I was for a plan that didn't even work in the end," I say in a flat voice.

'...I'm chaos, my dear. If I was a sociopath all the time it'd be boring. I have to sprinkle in a little empathy in there somewhere.'

I felt something bubble in me. "... You're not the god of recognizing sarcasm," I said, my tone and volume not changing at all.

'Neither are you of making it, my dear. Deadpan snark is more your forte, given your current personality.'

"I'm only what you taught me to be. Remember? ... Her? She didn't even get a choice. She never agreed to a deal with the devil. She was used and discarded. Then used and discarded again."

'Valid point...Alright, my dear, I get your point.'

And I thought I had it rough. At least she didn't try to turn the world into hell to save it only for it to get undone and to be all for nothing anyway.

"I don't understand how she can treat losing body parts due to being possessed by a demon as 'repentance.'"

'Same reason the Shadows Who Watch like to think Luna would make that little baby Nightmare in her head to torture her in her sleep as punishment for being possessed by a space parasite. Is it really all that different from what you want princess?'

"I'm taking an ocean of filth with me where I'm going. At least it serves a purpose... for the first and last time in my life."

If I stay long, the supreme hero blessed by the Shadow of this worldline (or the local heroes who 'finally caught up' to his world's 'level') will notice me, and just like the villain of the last world, I won't win because an outsider like me would go against the will of this worldline's one-who-makes. I won't win no matter what I do. Unlike the first filly, my actions are going create a new world line... I'll need to leave fast, or ... or what? What outcome would I have to be afraid of?

'I won't get my big finish,' Discord said hastily, like a parent pulling a foal from the train tracks as they chased after a butterfly. 'Which you promised to help with I'll remind. I mean going out fighting a storm wizard would have the spectical, but it's just not the same! A villain can't go out fighting against any random hero! It must be their arch-enemy or it's just unsatisfying!''

"Did I promise? Humph."

I touch my horn on the top of her head. Alarms would be going off already. Ponies will 'think to check up or see how she's doing' already. I have to work fast. My eyes glow white. What did you expect? Me to play nice?

"You won't remember me, but you will heed what I say. The demon burned down the club house. The demon attacked Ponyville. You were a puppet it wore like cloth. You would have never been that horrid on your own. ... Diamond Tiara is not a murderer." I think I feel shame. Then again, I don't have the right to be called Diamond Tiara anymore. I've ruined the named my parents gave me.

"You're better than that. You're better than this." Uuuuugh. Why did I... feel... Sick? Dizzy? Like the two hemispheres of my brain wanted to go on separate vacations.

'Think that Mother feels the same way when she goes against Her nature when she brings something into existence? Maybe why She's erased Father seven or eight times every time She's given birth?'

"Diamond Tiara, is not a murderer." I feel bile rising from my throat but I push it down.

"Diamond... Tiara... is not a murderer," she echoed.

"Losing your legs, is not penance for bullying Apple Bloom and the others out of jealousy."

"Losing my legs, is not penance for bullying Apple Bloom and the others out of jealousy... "

'Since when you can do mental suggestion?'

"Just helping her see very clearly. You need to make up for your bullying, but this isn't the right way." I nearly passed out from saying those last several words... why?

'Diamond, I respect you dedication, but do remember if you pass out here we might attract some unwanted company.'

"I need to make up for my bully, but this isn't the right way." Diamond Tiara echoed.

"Ask... Discord... to... help... you, after... all." I was covered in sweat as I let go.

"I'll ask Discord to help me... after all," Diamond Tiara said like it was her own idea.

'TIARA! Move! Now!' A deaf pony would have felt the vibrations of worry and concern in his voice.

"Don't... call me, that." I fled, just before the hero 'just happened' to arrived in her room.

...

= Robotech - 'Reflections' =

After practically crashing onto the ground outside of Ponyville, I wandered off through a field of wild flowers.

I was back in my Equestria... the one I nearly destroyed for nothing... I one I helped twist into a sea of Hells for a dream that didn't come true... I looked behind me... I saw a perfect trail of hoof-fall-shape withered blossoms. Little flowers losing the that little flame of will to keep on living. I normally never leave a trail of anything.

'Dear, focus. Pull it in. Remember, you're in control.' I pulled my wings as close around myself as I could. And I passed without a trace, no more wilting flowers.

I crawled onto a large tree stumped and curled up, hugging my rear legs. Hot, cold, dry, wet, rough, soft, it made no different to me. In a flash of chaos magic, a black plush cat appeared, I wordlessly hugged it close to where my heart used to me. I closed my eyes.

I spent the day resting, even insects didn't notice me, or maybe they did, they crawled around me, none touching me. Celestia's sun and Luna's moon couldn't see me now even before Apple Bloom revisions to the world.

"Just a day or two more... then it can all finally end. And we'll both get what we want... doesn't that make you happy, Discord?"

'... Yes, just peachy.' He didn't sound it.

I sleep without dreaming, just as well, you can't have a nightmare, if you never dream.
Optional Canon. 

Pony POV Series: 
 'TRUE Last Battle Arc' 
By Alex Warlorn
Diamond Tiara's Journey of Nothing 

cog·ni·tive dis·so·nance
noun
PSYCHOLOGY
  1. the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.


I wrote this purely on the space of an few hours. Maybe this is too much focus on the villains, but better than that, than the heroes fighting against a cardboard cut out for the final battle. 

MLP FiM: Copyright Hasbro. 

Cover Art by Iguanodragon. 

Previous:  Pony POV Series 'Last Battle Arc' Back At Start
Alternate Title: The Elements of Harmony Will Kick Butt
(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Hi, everypony. We're back. We promised we would be!)
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): We were here at the beginning, of course we're gonna be here at the end!)
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): Just remember what we promised. That we wouldn't meddle in the outcome of events.)
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): That never stopped us before. Just means we can't cheat.)
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): Then our job here will be done...)
(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Do we really need to leave? We were born here, weren't we?)
(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): We were still born from another Twilight Sparkle, not this world's Twilight Sparkle. Unless we want to forget everything we've done, or always be having to watch out for being erased, we'll eventually have to go to our mother's worldline.)
(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Awwww...)
(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): I don't like it eith


Next Chapter:  Pony POV Series 'Last Battle Arc' TRIXIE'S BACK!
"Alright, kitties! We've got three fillies with three cutie marks! They've done more to earn them than anypony can know, so that means this has gotta be the bestest cute-ceañera ever!"
Pinkie Diane Pie was wearing a hard hat covered in smiley-face stickers. She was barking out orders through a megaphone, though not her giga-sized one for reminding ponies to write.
"Mew-mew!" 'Aye aye!'
The wuv-cats hurried about, adorably barefoot in overalls and hard hats with holes for their ears. They had promised Pinkie they'd return to help, after all. A party for three fillies, which even by Pinkie Pie standards was going to be a grand affair indeed. By pure coincidence, insurance rates in Ponyville had dropped slightly after the last of the Crusaders had earned her cutie mark.
Pinkie Diane had received a large unsigned donation from the 'Cutie Mark Celebration Charity' (that had existed for all of one day) from Canterlot. The Cakes themselves were awestruck at the little cat creatures going


First Chapter: alexwarlorn.deviantart.com/art…



FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE check out the ton of recursive fanfics of this fanfiction series. A lot of heart went into them! They also answer a lot of unaswered questions.  mlp-pony-pov-series.deviantart… For heaven sake they rock! Kendell2 and Oracle Mask and Richforce and Ardashir and Jawmax and Persona22 and Dragon of Twilight and ItsFromPeople and all the rest!!! alexwarlorn.deviantart.com/jou… Seriously, they rock. 

JOIN THE PONY POV SERIES GROUP!  mlp-pony-pov-series.deviantart…


Don't forget the trope page. A LOT of pages have REALLY been neglected since last year. 
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© 2017 - 2024 alexwarlorn
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:star::star::star::star::star-half: Overall
:star::star::star::star::star: Vision
:star::star::star::star::star: Originality
:star::star::star::star::star-half: Technique
:star::star::star::star::star: Impact

The chapter begins with Diamond Tiara visiting an alternate universe, the journey itself is quite an accomplishment. Her usual ability to stay unnoticed proves itself useful again but one mistake would be her end. In her own universe she is a powerful Nightmare and able to combat even gods to a certain degree but here she is an intruder that could easily be sniffed out. However her local counterpart has it far worse, that Diamond Tiara was basically tortured and completely broken (this is a reference to Darth Vulcan… don’t check it out). Both Discord and Diamond know that by the rules of this world, they can not defeat the local villain, in fact no one can... making it incredible hard to telling any interesting stories within this setting. Seriously, villains have to be powerful to be a serious threat but there still needs to be at least some hope for the heroes to win or some compelling struggle going on besides that. This world has been cursed by one of the blandest and yet most destructive things possible: lazy writing.

Now Diamond Tiara shows some impressive pragmatism by accepting the extremely unfair rules of this world calmly and NOT trying to change or overthrow it. She knows full well that she simply can not do it. Instead she focuses on what she can get away with and literally devours the pain, despair and misery of the tortured child before her. Most people would have broken down into sobbing wrecks from doing this but Diamond already contains so much darkness and so much Dark Magic within her heart, that she can easily endure a bit more of it. She again makes it very clear that she doesn't intend to survive her final battle and so she doesn't mind taking some misery of others down with her. However for the child before her this makes all the difference and she experiences something she hasn't for a long time: a moment to rest. She is granted a long dreamless sleep to extend this moment as far as possible.

Diamond’s journey isn't over yet but the next alternate universe is something of a mirror version of the previous one. Instead of having an undefeatable villain, this one has an overpowered hero (this one is Equestrian Wind Mage which could have been an okay story if it hadn’t committed the worst sin of crossovers: overpowering one side compared to the other one). In both worlds Diamond Tiara is just a footnote for the „grand“ things around here. In this one the child was banished to Tartarus for burning down the club house of the CMCs and tried to commit suicide in hell but instead she was turned into a monster and her limbs were cut off before the hero noticed that he was mutilating a child... and this sounds really, really stupid if you just summarize it. This crosses the line so far that it is really hard to take seriously in any form. Apparently this world finally had a light bulb moment and the writer realized how silly this entire ordeal was, so it was revealed that Diamond Tiara was possessed by a demon who used her feelings to corrupt her.

Actually that is a pretty interesting concept as it allows you to have a possession setting where the possessed person still has some form of involvement in the actions and therefore that person can reasonable feel guilt afterwards. Depending how much free will is involved this can lead to some very unique interactions. In short this is the kind of idea if you want to have both Nightmare Moon being Luna's own dark feelings AND Nightmare Moon being Luna trapped inside her own body by a demon. It doesn't work quite for Diamond Tiara for one very simple reason: She is just a child. If Luna with her many years of experience would be exploited like this, it would make sense for her to feel guilty about this. For a child this makes no sense since children are sadly very easy to manipulate because of their general lack of experience.

Discord also approves of this act of evil since it does show a certain degree of effort and manipulation if the demon got away with it once. As Diamond points out it isn't that different from what he had once done to her. The local Discord even offered the child to heal her damage but she refused his offer to pay for her crimes. This is sadly pretty stupid AGAIN. This world had one good idea, only to follow it up by another bad one. Even Discord (the Pony POV version) is annoyed. Not so much by the reasoning and more by having Majora's Mask of all this talk down on him for not being chaotic enough.

That thing is just a hex and it feels weird to have this mask talk down on a genuine God of Chaos. To be fair in the game the mask was just a cursed item that drove the entire plot and didn't have much personality going for it. Majora's Mask isn't that interesting in itself, the most interesting is that it will actually destroy the world if you let the time limit run out instead of patiently waiting for the hero to advance the plot like every other villain. The world itself is much more interesting than its villain. Fans did often greatly expand on it, basically turning Majora's Mask into something entirely different... which isn't the worst idea since it's canon version has almost no personality so there is a lot of room to come up with your own ideas.

In the end both Discord and Diamond Tiara agree that this kind of repentance is pretty pointless and hardly chaotic. It doesn't help anybody unlike the actions of the Nightmare which will end up taking a lot of misery and darkness down with her. Again she knows that she can not actually win in any meaningful way here should she actually fight the local hero. But isn't this exactly what she wants to happen? For a moment she is seriously tempted but Discord really tries pretty hard to get her back, all while claiming this just serves his own big finale. So the Nightmare quickly gets to work to mind control her counterpart into a more reasonable choice. It is a very unpleasant experience for the one who mastered Dark Magic especially since she can see the similarities between herself and her handicapped counterpart.

To be fair there is also a very important difference: She had a lot more free will about her own choices than the other child ever had, Discord pretty much admitted that he had little influence over her when they drowned the world in suffering and Diamond Tiara very much tried to murder Apple Bloom when the filly was about to ruin her plan. Unlike the other child who was mostly a victim that got her feelings exploited Diamond Tiara is very much both victim AND villain. For the other child it would be perfectly reasonable to calmly accept the horrible things that happened to her as more than enough punishment for her bullying, get herself healed and move on. For Diamond Tiara things aren't quite as easy since she had more free will to her own choices and therefore also has more responsibility for the results.

She is very narrowly able to get her counterpart to make the choice to get healed while she escapes back to her own universe. Discord was clearly worried sick since the local hero was just about to find Diamond. Back in Equestria the Nightmare is completely spent from her journey... less in the physical sense and more from the emotional side. For a brief moment her powers of despair manifest and kill everything she comes into contact with... luckily just flowers. It is not exactly clear if this is the last journey to another universe she has planed or if she will need to rest for a day or two but it is very clear that time for the heroes is running out. The final battle draws near and for once Discord is not happy about it since he knows what she is planning to do with her own life... and he actually cares for her.

Overall I quite liked the look into Discord’s and Diamond Tiara’s rather complicated relationship. In a way the two are very broken individuals, both know that they could be better and as hard as both try to deny it, they know that their roles as villains ultimately don’t make them happy. So they cling to each other and each seems to see the other as somebody who can actually understand them.