>Providence must have been smiling at you.
>While you were once again sweating and out of breath, you had made it at the very last second.
>Normally you'd have just paid for a hotel room and be done with it, but there was nothing more you wanted to do than get out of this town.
>It was ridiculous how on edge you were.
 
>Collapsing into an empty seat, you patiently awaited for departure.
>There were a few other ponies scattered around, but for the most part the place was deserted.
>You weren't surprised though, not like there would be many ponies apt on catching the midnight train to Ponyville.
>Drumming your fingers against the seat, you felt a slight lurch as the long journey home began.
 
>Invariably your thoughts once again turned to sleep.
>Reaching for a random magazine from the pocket of the seat in front of you, you idly started flipping through the glossy pages.
>Advertisements, gossip, the latest fashion hits, it was about as exhilarating as the lecture.
>Still, it kept your mind busy and your eyes open.
>The other ponies in the cabin certainly weren't up for any conversation.
>Most of them were either asleep or fast on their way to it.
 
>Stifling a yawn as best you could, you turned to the next page.
>Occasionally you would take a look out the window and watch the dark landscape zip by, the gentle jostling of the train trying to lull you into sleep.
>Slapping yourself lightly, you went back to the tabloids.
 
>By the time the train coasted into Ponyville, the moon had taken its prominent perch in the starry sky.
>Soft light dripped around you as you stepped onto the platform.
>With a head full of useless trivia, you trudged along the dirt road that would eventually lead to your humble home.
>It was difficult putting one foot in front of the other, but the promise of a soft bed kept you going.
 
>You were drowsy enough that the fear had fled from your thoughts, your mind slowing down to the point it could only focus on one thing at a time.
>At least the moon and stars were there to guide your path, you couldn't imagine you'd have made it very far without them.
>The nights in Equestria never seemed to be as dark as they were back home.
 
>Acting on muscle memory alone, you unlocked your door and slammed it behind you.
>Your house was nothing special.
>A simple two story building with a rather cookie cutter exterior.
>It didn't stick out too much, which was what you liked.
 
>You were currently in your living room.
>There was a couch and table to your right, the entrance to the kitchen just ahead, and some stairways to your left.
>The bland wooden flooring was broken up by a large area rug under the table, and transitioned into stone tiles when you crossed the doorway to the kitchen.
 
>You chucked the keys at the sofa as you stumbled up the staircase.
>There was no real point in locking your door.
>Crime wasn't any real problem, especially in Ponyville.
 
>Not so gently opening the door to your bedroom, you threw off your clothes and collapsed on your plush mattress.
>You peeked at the clock on your nightstand as you pulled the covers over you.
>Squinting a bit to try and see better in the dark, you deciphered that it was some time at night.
>It was hard to see the little hands of the clock.
>With an incomprehensible groan you turned away from the offending timepiece and quickly fell asleep.
 
>The blaring, brassy ringing of the alarm greeted you.
>Its piercing clanging made you open your eyes in weary fury.
>Rolling over to the side of your bed, you quickly put an end to the horrific noise with the push of a button.
>Rubbing your eyes, you looked through the window above your bed.
 
>The first few rays of the sun were peeking out over the horizon, cutting a small path through the darkness.
 
>You weren't even sure why you set the damnable alarm in the first place, the Human Research Institute always took a month or so before setting up another project.
>There was no sense going back to sleep since you already woke up, so begrudgingly you shuffled over to your wardrobe.
 
>Pushing apart the sliding doors revealed a neat row of identical looking suits and shoes.
>You really should have put more variety and style in your outfits, but it was such a good package deal to get all of them.
>Mentally compiling your morning checklist, you sighed.
>Might as well get started.
 
>About an hour later, you found yourself sitting on your couch with a small plate of misshapen pancakes.
>Sleepy cooking never worked out no matter how many times you tried, yet you always believed the next time would go off without a hitch.
>Spearing your food angrily, you thought about what you were going to do for the day.
 
>Thanks to the Institute's generous payments, you were pretty much set for as long as they had need of you.
>Which, being the only human on the surface of the planet, meant job security was a guarantee.
>You could always just start making up stuff when you started to run out of actual human knowledge.
>Not like they could fact check anything you said.
 
>Whenever you weren't busy collaborating with some big wig, the days were spent however you wanted to.
>The only problem was that nothing ever stuck with you when you tried it.
>You tried all sorts of activities and hobbies, but they all lost their charm after a while.
>Most of the time you just meandered around town looking for something to do.
>It wasn't a very fulfilling existence.
 
>Grumbling, you set down the half finished plate of food.
>You were having another existential day again.
>Introspection like this always killed your appetite.
 
>With a resigned sigh, you got up and made for the door.
>You'd rather just walk around and chat with anybody instead of sitting around contemplating life.
>Maybe you'd see something interesting enough to inspire you to do something.
 
>Resting your arms behind your head, you started down the beaten path into town.
 
>While it wasn't a long walk, it was always a very quiet one.
>There was the ambient sounds of nature, of course, but since you lived so far out you hardly saw anybody.
>Focusing on the sound of your footfalls on the dirt, your mind once again turned inward.
 
>Despite your best attempts to not acknowledge it, you only wound up making it stick out more prominently in your mind.
>The events of last night.
>For some reason, you didn't feel as afraid anymore when you thought of it.
>A strange sense of acceptance welled up inside of you, alongside a dangerous curiosity.
 
>Some part of you was pleading to stop this train of thought, but the other half of you wanted to investigate further.
>If you concentrated hard enough, you could begin to catch fragments of words and sentences.
>Memories you weren't sure were yours also surfaced.
 
>You were inclined to wonder - and more than wonder.
>Was it all just a strange coincidence?
>Meaningless conjecture?
 
>Then why did it have such a profound effect on you?
 
>A strange sort of drive awakened inside of you, burning up your lethargy and giving energy to your limbs.
>You had to try and test it out, if only for the peace of mind should nothing happen.
>Yet if something DID happen...
 
>You were at once both excited and horrified at the strange vista you found yourself at.
 
>Curiosity overrode reason as you made straight for the pharmacy.
>At least you found something to do for a while.
 
>A young mare was manning the counter.
>She was a rather generic one, white coat and blue mane.
>You tried to put on your best smile as you leaned against the table
 
>"How can I help you?"
 
>She sounded rather bored, giving you a sideways glance as she rearranged some empty bottles.
 
"I've been having troubles sleeping, I was wondering if you had anything I could use?"
 
>Perhaps you were trying a bit too hard to be conversational, as the mare raised an eyebrow at you suspiciously.
>There was a minor pause as she seemed to be mentally gauging the situation.
>Lucky for you she seemed to not care enough to comment, and simply went back to a set of shelves and picked up a bottle.
 
>"35 bits."
 
>Counting out the correct coinage, you slid it across the counter and seized the bland looking bottle.
>Giving a good shake to make sure there was plenty of pills, you quickly bid farewell.
>You would have your answers.
 
>Locking yourself away in your abode, you closed all the curtains and sat back down on your couch.
>Pushing the plate of cold breakfast to the side, you set down both the bottle and a glass of water.
>It was at this point you realized the recommended dosage would probably assume you were a pony.
 
>After a bit of mental gymnastics you estimated that four should be good enough.
 
>In reality you just doubled whatever number was on the label.
 
>Uncertainty crept into your heart as you popped off the cap and shook out the white capsules.
>Again you were at odds with yourself, fear of what you might find and the desire to know.
>Your breathing hastened as you stared at those little pills.
>What was going to happen?
 
>You had to know.
>You needed to know.
 
>Quickly shoving them into your mouth, you knocked back the whole glass of water in one go.
 
>There was an intense feeling of regret at you sat there, staring at the last few droplets of water in the cup.
>You suddenly weren't so sure you wanted to go through with this anymore.
>All you could do was wait and see.
 
>Lying down on the couch, you folded your hands across your stomach and closed your eyes.
>There was no turning back now.
>Focusing on the sound of your heartbeat, you quietly waited to be whisked away into the land of dreams.
 
>The first thing you felt was that your couch had grown very hard.
>Opening your eyes, you could see a familiar looking painting so high up on the ceiling.
>Propping yourself up on your elbows, you realized you were lying down in a pew.
>A strange emotion skirted around your mind, slipping past any attempt to grasp it.
 
>Sitting upright, you could see you were completely alone.
 
>The moonlight still shined brightly however, providing you with a modicum of comfort.
>Getting out of your seat, you started walking around the empty building, examining all the engravings on the walls.
>They were mainly simple patterns, with the occasional constellation or lunar iconography scattered here and there.  
>You were here for some reason, but you did not know what.
 
>While the sound of silence would normally unnerve you, it was difficult not to be relaxed when you were here.
>It was as if everything around you was telling you it would be alright.
>With a gentle smile on your face, you approached the pulpit.
>Taking the few steps up the platform, you ran your hand along its wooden edge.
 
>"Service does not start for quite some time. What are you doing here?"
 
>Your calm state of mind shattered into pieces.
>Whipping around, you could see Nightmare Moon walking toward you.
>Her blazing eyes were locked with yours, freezing your blood.
>Throwing yourself down to one knee, you kept your head bowed low as panic seized you.
 
>You could feel the pressure of each fall of her hoof on the ground.
>Her ebony form continued to draw ever closer to you with each passing second.
>Screwing your eyes shut, you awaited your fate.
 
>She had stopped in front of your kneeling form.
>Tensing yourself up, you held out for something that never came.
>After a while of nothing, you finally chanced a glance upward.
 
>Your black queen was tilting her head in an inquisitive manner, looking both at and through you.
 
>"How curious..."
 
>Her voice trailed off into nothingness as she circled you once, examining you from all sides.
>She seemed to be talking more to herself than you.
 
>"Such detail."
 
>When she stopped in front of you again, you worked up the courage to speak.
 
"What do you speak of, your highness?"
 
>Your words seemed to break her concentration, a mild look of surprise crossing her dark features.
 
>"It's nothing. What I want to know however, is your purpose here."
 
>Why, that was easy.
>You were here to...
>You were here... for?
>A dull expression adorned your face as you tried to recover what little you were aware of.
 
"I am here to serve you."
 
>Nightmare Moon looked confused for a moment, but her lips quickly formed an amused grin.
>There was an almost playful glint in her eyes as she let out a peal of laughter.
>Unsure of how to react, you continued to kneel in reverence.
 
>Eventually her echoing laughter faded away, leaving you in silence once more.
 
>"If that is the case, then why don't you help me set up?"
 
>Carefully meeting her eyes, you could see was serious.
>With a resolute nod, you stood up.
>You would do anything to serve your goddess.
 
>A cart full of familiar looking books wheeled itself to your side, the glow of Nightmare's magic on the handle.
>With a curt nod, you took a few off the top and started placing them in the pockets of the pews.
 
>As you were busy with that, Nightmare Moon made her way to the pulpit.
>She leaned against it, just watching you go about your duty.
>It made you a little nervous, turning what should have been a relaxing job into one slightly less so.
>Still, you worked as quickly and efficiently as you could.
>Once you had gotten to the end of the furthest pew, you noticed there was still one book left on the cart.
 
>Looking back toward Nightmare Moon, you could just barely see a sly smile on her face.
 
>"Why don't you keep that one?"
 
>You were going to object and say you weren't worthy of taking such a holy manuscript, but the look in her eyes told you that refusal was not an option.
>Your choice to keep your mouth shut seemed to please her, as she stepped down from the platform and sauntered over towards you.
>Gripping the book tightly in both hands, you tried not to sweat too much as you waited for her arrival.
 
>Nightmare Moon came very close to you, her ever amused smirk never leaving her face.
>All you dared to do was keep as still as possible.
>Her mere presence was enough to render your limbs to pudding.  
>Ever so softly she leaned next to your ear and whispered to you, her starry mane washing over the side of your neck
 
>"Won't you go out and spread the good word?"
 
>With a minor spasm you nearly fell off of your couch.
>Taking a quick check of your surroundings, you were confident you were in your living room.
>Rubbing your head lightly, you tried to ignore the chills you felt all throughout your body.
>As you sat up, you felt your hand brush against something next to you.
 
>At your side was a plain, black hard cover book, with a dim looking crescent moon set into the center.
>With wide eyes, you picked it up.
 
>It felt real enough in your hands as you turned it over and over again.
>It all seemed so impossible though.
>With some trepidation, you slowly opened it.
>Your curiosity would not let you pass up such an opportunity.
 
>Tensing up as you finally looked at the first page, you found yourself confused.
>The black runes etched into the pages were incomprehensible to you.
>Cautiously turning the page, you only found more of the garbled symbols and shapes.
>Frustration bloomed inside your chest as you revealed page after page of cryptic text.
>Your anger started to boil over as you flipped through it.
>What the hell was going on?
>Why were you given a useless book?
>Where were your answers!?
 
>Then, like a bolt of lightning, it finally struck you.
 
>There was a reason the text was so indecipherable.
>Clearly you were not ready to learn the inner mysteries of your Goddess yet.
>You were but a mere initiate, unguarded and unprepared to comprehend Her infinitive wisdom.
>Your fury quickly simmered away into nothingness.
>As you came to your revelation, knowledge once locked away in the corners of your mind began to reveal themselves.
 
>Nightmare Moon's tenants and teachings, they would become your goals.
>Her messages and warnings would become your sword to cleave through ignorance.
>The truth, HER truth, must be brought to all those lost in the dark.
>This was to be your purpose, this was your destiny.
>You had never felt a calling so strong before in your whole life.
>Everything you had done up to this point was just so you could stand here today.
 
>Rushing to your feet, you held the black book up high and swore a sacred oath to yourself.
>You would stop the terrible fate the scriptures proclaimed, and spread her glorious name to every corner of the land!
>The world will revel in the truth you carried!
 
>With a violent start you awoke once more.
 
>You were lying down on your couch.
 
>Beams of sunlight snaked their way through the gaps of the curtains, leaving you wondering how long you were asleep.
 
>Rubbing the back of your head, you looked all around you.
>Your half eaten breakfast was still where you left it, along with the bottle and empty glass.
>Reaching at your side, you felt nothing but the upholstery of the cushions.
>It was growing increasingly difficult to tell what had and hadn't happened.
 
>Shaking your head free of any remaining cobwebs, you started cleaning up the mess you left behind.
 
>You stuffed the plate of food into the refrigerator and left the glass in the sink.
>Tossing the pill bottle up and down in your hand, you went to your bathroom and placed it in a drawer.
>During all of this you couldn't shake the feeling like you were looking at yourself from a different perspective.
>Acting only as an observer to your body as it went about its tasks.
 
>Slapping yourself lightly, you refocused your mind.
>You had more important things to do than sit and wonder, something more fulfilling.
 
>A sense of purpose began to dawn on you.
 
>Looking back in the mirror, you tried to make sure your suit didn't have any visible wrinkles in it.
>Smoothing out any imperfections with your hand, you took a long look at your reflection.
>There was something off about you.
>As you stared into your own eyes, you tried to discern just what it was.
 
>You shook your head.
>Now wasn't the time to be busy checking yourself out.
>Flashing a winning smile to the mirror, you rotated on your heel and made for the front door.
>There was still plenty of daylight left, and you couldn't waste another second.
 
>Breaking out into a light jog, you headed back into town.
 
>Stopping at the first house you came across, you straightened your tie.
>Taking a few deep breaths to steady yourself, you knocked lightly on the wooden door.
>It would all begin here.
 
>A few minutes passed before a chocolate colored mare answered your summons, giving you a curious look as you stood there.
 
>"Hi?"
 
>Giving her a great big smile, you crouched down to meet her at face level.
 
"Hello, my name is Anonymous."
 
>Holding out your hand, the mare hesitantly shook it.
 
"Do you have a moment to talk about our Lady and Savior, Nightmare Moon?"