Monochrome

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.