Deep in the Everfree Forest, a manticore gave a roar. An Ursa Major rocked her cubs to sleep. Vines and ivy crept up a crumbling castle wall, and a sea serpent admired himself in a crystal.
Deep in that same Everfree Forest, the pony stirred. She opened her eyes and looked around.
"Where am I?," she thought. "For that matter, who am I?"
She heaved herself to her hooves and looked around once more, wracking her mind for answers, memories, just something to give her an idea of what to do. But it was to no avail. She still had no idea as to where and who she was. She used her somewhat logical brain, to try and piece together her past.
"I have awoken in a dark forest. I am lost. I do not know who I am. I am not sore in any way, leading me to believe that my amnesia was not caused by physical interaction. Magic, perhaps? There exist spells capable of wiping one's memories... But if I can remember the fundamentals of magic, why can I not remember myself?"
She trotted forward in no particular direction. Her eyes fell on a glassy pond, and she caught sight of her own reflection. She was a tall, ashy grey mare, with a scruffy mane striped six different shades of grey, ranging from almost white to black. Her tail was much the same. A long, pointed horn jutted out of her forehead, parting her forelock. A pair of broad wings lay folded at her side. Twisting her neck, she gazed at her flank, the mark of her destiny. A turquoise crescent moon on a black background, with a lightning bolt striped three different shades of grey positioned in the curved bay of the moon.
Try as she might, she could not decipher its meaning. "Perhaps it is my destiny to rule the night?" she mused to herself. "Or maybe I steward the weather?"
As she stared at her reflection, she noticed her eyes. They were the eyes of a cat, with slit pupils. Her irises were dark magenta, with a paler magenta sclera. She couldn't help but feel that they were not normal somehow.
She turned to continue trotting. "I cannot remember my true name. So I shall invent one," thought the pony. "I will call myself Grey Scale, because I am all grey."
Satisfied with her chosen name, Grey Scale cantered along. "I will make my way to a village. I will ask for help from healers. And perhaps I may someday be reunited with past friends and family."
Nonsense! Nopony appreciates you, and you know it. You have no friends, or family. Common ponies cannot appreciate your glory!
Grey Scale stopped. "Who speaks? Show yourself!" she called out, hoping to find the source of the mysterious voice.
I like your town idea! Sounds like a plan! Maybe you'll meet someone as awesome as yourself! And don't listen to her, she wouldn't know a family if it bit her on the muzzle!
"Hello?" Grey Scale called out once more, swivelling her ears and scanning the trees for movement.
Do not listen to the impish foal. Instead listen to me, the wise mare. Do not waste your energy searching, for we are not there. We exist in your mind.
"Are you spirits?" asked Grey Scale, terrified at the thought of such creatures inhabiting her mind.
What we are is of no concern to you. You need only know that I created you, and as such you are obliged to follow my commands.
"I find that difficult to believe."
Whatever you do, don't listen to her. She'll corrupt you, make you into a horrible shadow of the pony you could, and should be. If no pony will appreciate you like she says, then you have to make them appreciate you! Go out there and show off your brilliance.
Grey Scale found herself liking the encouraging spirit more, even if it was a bit cocky. But the demanding spirit seemed to know more.
"Demanding spirit, tell me more, and perhaps we can reach an agreement?"
No!
It would be my pleasure. First of all, we are not spirits. We are, in the simplest of terms, consciousnesses. We serve to instruct and guide you. That is all I will divulge to you for now. Do as I tell you, and I will share more information. First step would of course be removing that obnoxious other personality...
Grey Scale, cool name by the way, it suits you, just know that no matter what that other one says, I will always remain with you. Even if you're lonely, I'll be here to comfort you. If you follow her ideas, what she says will become true. No pony will love you. Her way is not the right way. So please, listen to me instead of her.
Grey Scale was conflicted. The demanding consciousness was frightening her. She preferred the other one. But on the other hoof, the dark consciousness had the information she so desperately needed. Following the friendly consciousness could mean losing her only ties to precious information.
"Friendly consciousness, do you know the same information as your dark counterpart?" asked Grey Scale.
I know a bit, but not as much as she does.
"Then I require adequate time to decide. Lead me to a civilisation, if possible."
There's one nearby, but I couldn't tell you how far away it is. You're on the right track, though.
You'll regret this.
"Do you have names?" asked Grey Scale.
Not really, but you can call me Loyalty if you want.
Address me as Nightmare.
"Alright. Nightmare, I need more time to decide. I will present my decision by the end of the week," said Grey Scale.
It wasn't a choice, but maybe, just maybe, I'll change my mind based on whatever feeble arguments you come up with.
Grey Scale nodded. Starting up her brisk pace once more, she addressed the voices one last time before heading off. "Loyalty, am I going in the right direction?"
Yes.
"Then I will make my decision later this week."
It was a tough decision. Knowledge, in exchange for loss of freedom? Destroying the encouraging Loyalty, whom she had come to like during their short conversation, leaving Nightmare to dominate her?
Somehow, Grey Scale had the feeling that this decision would affect her entire life. She had better not screw it up.
Chapter 2: Similarities [Edited]
Grey Scale trudged forward through the forest. She gave an annoyed sigh as she placed a hoof down and disappeared up to her knee in mud.
"Is there not an easier way of traversing the landscape?" she asked, dragging her hoof out of the puddle.
You are aware you possess wings?
"How am I to use them?"
Just spread them, and beat them strong, but slow and even.
Grey Scale opened her broad wings. She spread them out, and gazed at the perfectly preened, slate-grey feathers. Following Loyalty's instructions, she gave them first one, then two flaps, trying to get a feel for it.
On the third flap, she rose unsteadily into the air, tilting slightly to the left. She righted herself and continued ascending at a slow pace.
Great! You're really getting the hang of it! Flying is awesome, am I right?
Once she was in the air, Grey Scale instinctively found herself knowing what to do. And Loyalty was right. It was quite enjoyable.
Once she reached her desired altitude, careful to avoid the trees, she stopped and began to hover. She looked around for any sign of civilisation. Spotting a small town in the distance, she turned in that direction and beat her wings methodically.
She powered along easily at a high speed. She wondered why she was not tiring herself out. Perhaps I am equipped with athletic training from my past she reasoned.
You have no idea...
Grey Scale jumped. "So you can hear my thoughts?"
Yeah, but I think Nightmare just sort of tunes you and me out.
Quiet, foal. I am arranging my plans.
Grey Scale rolled her eyes and continued flying. Within the hour, she was at the edge of the town. A small cottage with a pen out back was the first sign she saw of civilisation. A happy yellow Pegasus was hovering about feeding animals and humming a soft tune.
Grey Scale attempted to land in the fenced-in area, but wound up entangled in said fence.
The Pegasus jumped. "Oh um...hello..."
"Greetings. Might you be the owner of this quaint little abode?" asked Grey Scale, working to free herself.
"Oh, um, yes."
"What is your name?"
"My name is Fluttershy..." muttered the Pegasus.
"Could you repeat that?" asked Grey Scale.
"My name is Fluttershy..." said the soft-spoken mare.
"I still have not grasped your name. One more time, please?"
"My name is..." the Pegasus stopped, her voice fading into a small squeak.
She dares to mock you? Do not ask her for her name. Demand it!
"Your name. I require it. Now," boomed Grey Scale.
The little yellow Pegasus jumped up and stiffened before falling on her side. Grey Scale prodded her with a hoof, but still the Pegasus did not move.
Try a gentler approach. Start by saying sorry. That was really uncool of you.
"I apologise for my previous outburst. You do not have to tell me your name if you do not want to."
Slowly, the Pegasus loosened herself up. After a few moments she stood up and shook herself a little bit.
"That's alright. My name is Fluttershy. I'm, uh, sorry for not being clear enough. Your eyes...kind of scared me...please don't be mad at me! I'm sorry. It's my fault that you couldn't hear..." She trailed off, looking intently at Grey Scale.
"Are you...an alicorn?"
"Yes. Is that unusual?"
"Well, um, the only alicorns I've ever seen are the princesses and Twilight,"—Fluttershy shivered—"And Nightmare Moon..."
"Nightmare...Moon?"
"You don't know about Nightmare Moon?"
"I'm afraid not. Tell me about her."
"Well, she used to be Princess Luna. But Luna got angry because nopony liked the night sky. The common story is that Luna's bitterness turned her into Nightmare Moon, but Twilight told us about a really old book she found that said that a spirit that fed on hatred and greed possessed Luna. That's what really made Nightmare Moon. But nopony knows for certain. Nightmare Moon tried to make the night last forever, but Princess Celestia put her in the moon for a thousand years. She broke out, put Princess Celestia in the sun and tried to make eternal night again. But Twilight got me and my friends to use the Elements of Harmony, and we saved Luna and all of Equestria. I was the Element of Kindness," Fluttershy explained.
"And this 'Nightmare Moon', she was an alicorn, no?"
"Yes, she was. She was very scary looking. Actually, you sort of look like her..."
"Really? What did she look like?" asked Grey Scale. Perhaps this shy Pegasus could provide her with answers about her past.
"Well, she was really tall. Her coat was black, her mane was all starry and floated around. She wore armor that was a kind of blueish purple colour. Her eyes were like yours, but they were turquoise. Like I said, you remind me of her a little. Oh, but not in a bad way. You sorta look like somepony else I know too, but I can't really put my hoof on it...Anyway, Nightmare Moon's cutie mark was a turquoise crescent moon on a dark purple background."
Grey Scale's tail flicked to cover her flank. Fluttershy noticed this.
"Why did you cover your cutie mark? Is it sore? I have medicine to fix things like that. Just let me see it."
Before Grey Scale could respond, the yellow Pegasus was gently moving her tail strands away.
There was a soft screech as Fluttershy saw the mark that adorned Grey Scale's flank.
"Nightmare Moon!" she shouted, and bolted into her house. Grey Scale winced as she heard locks click into place.
"That could have gone better," she thought.
Burn her house for her insolence!
Grey Scale contemplated Nightmare's suggestion. "Perhaps not."
Good choice.
Grey Scale sighed, opened her wings, and took off once more.
Grey Scale felt ashamed as she glided above the town. She hadn't meant to frighten Fluttershy.
Fluttershy wasn't the only one—any Pegasi she encountered in the airspace above the town recoiled at the sight of her eyes. Most fled with cries of 'Nightmare Moon!' when they saw her cutie mark.
Despite this, Grey Scale refused to believe that she was in fact, Nightmare Moon. She would never attempt to create an eternal night. Plus, hadn't Fluttershy said that Luna had been cured? This ruled out all possibility of her being Nightmare Moon. She clung to her chosen name.
Suddenly, a burst of air, sound and pain shattered Grey Scale's quiet reverie. She reeled from a head-on collision with her side. Regaining a semblance of control, she turned to face her attacker, who was gearing up to charge again.
Grey Scale's breath caught in her throat. Her assailant was a perfect replica of herself.
No, not a perfect replica. But certainly similar. The cyan mare's mane and tail were near identical to Grey Scale's own, however, they were striped with the colours of the rainbow instead of a scale of different shades of grey. The mare's cutie mark was not the same as Grey Scale's, but it was certainly similar. A cloud with a tri-coloured lightning bolt shooting from it. Most prominently, the Pegasus mare lacked a horn.
The mare raised her head, seemingly deciding against launching a full-on attack.
"So you're the one who's been scaring everypony in town, eh? Well then, Nightmare Moon, here's where you stop. Twilight's already getting the other Elements ready to kick your sorry flank! Believe me, when we're through with you, you'll be begging to be sent back to the moon! But until then, Rainbow Dash is gonna whip you so hard, we might not even need the Elements!" exclaimed the mare.
The mare attacked before Grey Scale could respond. She launched a powerful kick at Grey Scale's flank, spurring her into action. The alicorn beat her wings and succeeded in at least partially dodging the attack, but her attacker managed to hit her in the fetlock. Grey Scale cried out in pain, but rolled with the attack, evading her opposition, at least for the time being.
Tear her wings off!
There is no possible way that this will end well.
Grey Scale wheeled around in a banking turn. She decided that Nightmare was right. This arrogant mare who called herself Rainbow Dash needed to be taught a lesson.
Rainbow Dash followed Grey Scale higher into the air. She propelled herself forward at a high speed, delivering a backhoof blow to Grey Scale's muzzle. Blood trickled from her nose. Grey Scale lowered her horn like a lance and flung herself at Rainbow Dash. She speared one of Rainbow Dash's wings, dislodging feathers and sending a small splatter of blood into the air. Rainbow gave a cry of pain, which quickly evolved into a battle-cry, as she grabbed Grey Scale by the horn and swung her around, before launching a powerful buck obviously honed from years as a weatherpony. The buck hit Grey Scale in the stomach, winding her briefly.
Rainbow Dash stared intently at Grey Scale's horn. The alicorn could not decipher why. Rainbow Dash also appeared to be gazing at appoint somewhere behind Grey Scale.
Grey Scale recovered quickly from the buck. She turned and launched a buck of her own. Her hooves, strengthened and hardened by her earth pony magic, made a dull thud as they collided with Rainbow Dash's flank. Rainbow plummeted and landed on a nearby cloud with a hollow thump.
Grey Scale descended and pinned Rainbow down with her forehooves.
Now, tear her limb from limb as a punishment for having the insolence to assault you!
With pleasure, thought Grey Scale, smiling devilishly. She reared her head back. She felt a strange, yet familiar sensation emanating from her horn. Crossing her eyes slightly, she gazed at the tip of her horn, which had flared to life of its own accord, with a black-tinted rose aura to it. The tip began to glow extremely brightly.
Let her live! She was scared, so she made assumptions and acted too quickly! You can't fault her for that!
Yes you can. Very easily. Now, end her pitiful life!
Grey Scale looked at the mare beneath her. Rainbow Dash was shivering, obviously in pain and terror. Nightmare was right. But on the other hoof, Loyalty was also right. This mare couldn't be held accountable. After all, Rainbow Dash wasn't the first pony to reach the conclusion that she was Nightmare Moon today.
The aura swirling around her horn slowly dissipated. Guilt washed over Grey Scale like a tidal wave.
Eventually, Grey Scale spoke. "I," she said, "am not Nightmare Moon."
She released Rainbow Dash and sat back on her haunches. She wiped the blood stream from her nose.
Rainbow Dash slowly got got up, wincing. She wobbled unsteadily for a moment, before lifting her right hind leg off the ground. "Who are you, then?" she asked warily.
"I do not know. However, I have named myself Grey Scale."
"How do I know you're not just Nightmare Moon, or something like her?"
"If I were Nightmare Moon, you would not be alive right now."
"Fair point." She took a good look at Grey Scale. "You...are like an exact copy of me. What the hay?"
"I took notice of this also."
"Come with me. You need to meet Twilight."
