Alone

"So, are you supposed to be my shadow or something?"

"Not exactly. Your shadow is where it's always been."

"What are you then?"

"To put it bluntly, I'm every negative emotion and vice you subconsciously blocked out from the day you were born."

"Subconsciously?"

"I don't really know how to explain it. It was like there was some kind of fail-safe built into your mind that locked me out, but there were times I occasionally slipped through the cracks."

"You mean when I went crazy or got mad for a little while."

"Yep. That was pretty much me showing through. I'm guessing you've never had the urge to drink in excess or anything like that, right?"

"Right."

"I only had so much influence. I tried to show myself as much as I could, but most of my attempts were in vain."

"What if I didn't want you around though?"

"Your personality directly affects mine while I'm in physical form, so I'll tell you a few things. First off, all beings are born with an instinct to destroy. It was a key survival feature, and still is in wild animals. Secondly, I know everything about every universe because I'm connected to every life form in existence. Third, I didn't want to be around either."

"You don't want to be here?"

"No. I'm literally an embodiment of the suicidal impulse that only developed in creatures of higher consciousness. If your mind were to be truly complete, there's a possibility you would try to destroy yourself."

"But you said you possess infinite knowledge. Why can't you use that to change everything?"

"One reason: Your body won't last long enough. You're mortal. You'll die eventually."

"What about the princesses?"

"They would have to accept their complete consciousness and overcome the self-destructive tendencies that followed. Not one single soul in existence can handle that pressure. Now that you know I exist, I'm part of you, and I'll manifest every night you're alone from now on unless you defeat me or erase me from memory completely."

"Even if I got rid of the memory, you could still show up, couldn't you?"

"That's the long and short of it."

"Then I'll fight you."

"You're willing to confront me? That's a surprise."

"How so?"

"Because, you likely won't win."

"You sound pretty self-assured."

"My power over the mind has destroyed everyone it's come into contact with. I can't be anything but self-assured."

Twilight grabbed her spear that was lying nearby.

"I'll make you a little wager," the dark half of Twilight's soul offered, "If I fight you after every night you train, you'll get a little better each time. After the full year is up, we'll engage in one last face-off. If you win, I'll probably disappear for good. If I win, I take over your mind and body."

"You gamble for high stakes."

"Being alive is an all or nothing game. That goes for everyone, including me."

"You're on."

Before Twilight could even react, her other half warped behind her.

"I think you should get some shut-eye."

She felt a pinch on her neck before collapsing to the ground in the hauntingly cold rain.

Twilight woke up in her shelter feeling like death the next morning. Her analytical mind wanted to deny everything that transpired, but as the day went on, she could feel rationality slipping away. It was the first time in her life when logic failed her to this degree. Physically speaking, someone's soul couldn't split in two, even with the use of magic. It was completely unheard of. Was she just going crazy? Her perception of reality was definitely distorted by this time. She didn't know what to believe anymore. Even Star Swirl never documented this type of phenomenon. She was completely on her own in this situation. All through the light of day, she watched the fields outside the forest. The wind made the grass and leaves sway ever so gently. A deep fear and despair settled in. She could either continue her training and try to overcome her own hidden nature, or give up here and die. If she went home now and admitted defeat, she couldn't live with herself knowing what was out here. There were only two options on the table, and it took all day to finally make her choice.