Nightmare Moon's Mask

Chapters

Hyrule: The Start
Hyrule: Finding Myself
Wandering
Mask
The Plan
Day One: Rainbow Dash
Day Two: Fluttershy
Day Three: Pinkie Pie
Day Four: Twilight Sparkle
Day Five: Rarity
Day Five: Applejack?
Days Three, Two, One
Final Hours
Afterwards

Hyrule: The Start

Different.

I always hated that word. Everyone always called me that. Though, they wouldn’t say it to my face, no, they would whisper it amongst their friends. After learning to listen at doors and eavesdrop on conversations, that’s all I would ever hear. Different. Every time I walked in, the people would always hush. Not that this was new to me. This happened back in Hyrule as well and everywhere else I’ve been to. I don’t know who I am or what I am, just that I’m different from everyone. In Hyrule, there were others just like me who got lost in the Lost Woods, but I was somehow different from them still and they stayed away from me. Everywhere else I ventured off to everything was always different from me, making me become even lonelier. But, I’m getting too far ahead of myself, let’s start at the beginning.

My name is Solus. I’m not just a skull kid; I’m my own individual even though everyone else thinks we’re all the same. My first memory was being in front of the Great Deku tree. Back then, I was as normal as all of the other Kokiri kids. The Deku tree was telling me that I was an orphan and that my parents were killed by Ganondorf. I was too little to actually know what that meant, so I continued living in peace in one of the houses by myself.

Everyone in the village was friendly, except Mido, he always wanted to bully us. I made a few friends like Link who was just like me in which he was an orphan. We all played in the grass with our fairies and lived a great life. I was still normal and people acknowledged me as an equal. It was a good place to live. I didn’t question anything about myself and I indulged in my time, not knowing how bad it could get.

Then, I was so bored one day that I wandered into the Lost Woods and got lost. The Deku tree and the kids always told me that I shouldn’t go, but I went. Who cares about their warnings? They’ve never been in there themselves. I wandered in there, going into the entrances and other areas before realizing I was going in circles. I tried to go back out, but I lost my way and soon I was just stuck in there. Hallucinations of water cropped up and I would make a mad dash, only to despair as it disappeared. I collapsed on the ground in a clearing on the third day, and saw my Kokiri friends and the Deku tree before me. They all laughed at me, telling how foolish I was while I kept croaking my need for water. Dark spots enveloped my eyes until I was in a blissfully unaware of my state. I thought I had died.

Then, the darkness faded and my eyes fluttered open. I looked up and saw a ton of skull kids. They giggled and surrounded me. I croaked, “Water,” again and this time they used a small bag to collect water from a pond. Two skull kids lifted my head and the skull kid with the small bag put it on my mouth and slowly poured it into my parched mouth. Each drop was like sweet nectar and I tried not to choke on it as I tried to swallow each precious drop. The other skull kids around me stripped me until I was naked. They brought some clothes I had no idea where they came from that matched theirs and roughly pulled it on me. Soon I must have resembled a skull kid as well. What were they doing? Then they were busy chatting about me in some language I couldn’t decipher. They left me lying on the ground and I was suddenly aware of my hunger.

I stayed there until they returned with a mask. It was a mask of a skull. I tried to raise my hands and block them from making me wear it, but they came on me and roughly forced it on my face. All of a sudden, I could feel the mask contorting my face and my body. Pain writhed through my body and I could literally feel my bones changing shape and my skin morphing. I convulsed on the ground for what felt like hours, while the other skull kids giggled maniacally around me. Finally, once the transformation had finished, nothing felt different, though I could tell everything had changed.

My first look on my new self was when I put a hand out against the ground to prop myself up. They gloved my hands, so I couldn’t exactly tell how my skin had changed, but I could tell that my hand had somehow shrunk. Glancing at my arm, I noticed that it was skinnier than normal. I quickly stood up and noticed that my body was much lighter than before. I ran over to the pond nearby as the skull kids cleared before me. I stooped over the water and saw my weird skull kid costume. I was draped in a red cloak and I could feel some other clothing underneath made of straw. Worst of all, was my mask felt looked like a skull of some demonic creature. I couldn’t even see my eyes behind this atrocious mask. I tore it off, only to see my hideous face.

I growled, dropping my mask beside the pond and lunged at the other skull kids waiting to see my reaction. Most of them managed to dodge out of the way, but an unfortunate one wasn’t as quick to pull away. I grabbed his cloak’s collar and lifted him up off the ground. All he did to react was to hang limply and continue giggling. The other skull kids snickered along with him. I glanced at the others.

I gazed back to the one in my hands. I shook him roughly, but he continued chortling along with the others. “You think this is funny?” I asked angrily, still shaking him, “You think changing me into this monster is funny?”

I tore back my left hand from grabbing him to trace the contours of my face. Even with one hand, this skull kid was really light in my grip. My face had somehow transformed into a wooden watermelon shape with a yellow beak. My eyes frightened me most of all. They were one solid color. Orange. Instead of having parts of my eye white, black, and brown; it was all orange. These eyes were also a perfect circle for some reason. My vision stayed the same, so the eyes must have been all right despite the aesthetic change. I didn’t even want to know how the rest of my body must have changed.

“Change me back!” I continued, screaming into the skull kid’s face. “I don’t care what you guys did to me; just make me go back to my normal self.” The skull kid kept giggling and his body shook with laughter instead.

I dropped him back down to the ground. He lay there still shaking from laughter. The freak. I ran on over to another skull kid and grabbed at his collar and lifted him up as well. “How about you? Do you know what the mask did to me? What’s with this strange costume anyways?” I looked at mine and noticed that it was the same as everyone else’s. I was struck by the sudden impression that they were preparing me to be a skull kid with them. The skull kid I was holding saw the realization on my face and started cackling.

I dropped him on the ground as well. Enraged by my discovery, I attacked the mass of skull kids gathered. They sidestepped me deftly and no matter how many times I tried to hit one of them, they would always avoid me, giggling as they did.

Eventually, I got so tired that I gave up and collapsed on the ground on my hands and knees, panting heavily. The skull kids gathered around me in a circle, dancing while they did. One of the skull kids stepped in front of me. “Didn’t mommy say not to go to the Lost Woods?” The skull kid taunted, wagging his finger.

Cursing, I swiped at him. He dodged as well, signaling to the other skull kids around me. Together they left the clearing, taking a few second glances over their shoulders at me. I stayed there on the ground, before collapsing again and letting the bliss of darkness take over me again.

I don’t know how long I was out this time, but it couldn’t be too long since it was around noon and the skull kids were here in the morning. I opened my eyes again and I noticed I was lying face down. The skull kids must have stayed away because they weren’t anywhere near the clearing. I was suddenly aware of my hunger that gnawed inside me. Wondering where I could find some food, I stood up.

I stretched a little and glanced around the clearing until I noticed the skull mask right next to the pond with a hat. It looked like something an eccentric wizard would wear, with colorful feathers sticking out of the brim. I walked right up to the hat and the mask and a sudden wave of bitterness ran through me. I took them and threw them into the pond. They sunk quickly and soon they disappeared under the grime of the water. Good. I wasn’t about to let them turn me into some monster like them.
I took the chance to look back in the water. Unfortunately, everything that had happened hadn’t just been another hallucination. The horrible watermelon head looked back from the water, looking delirious. Sighing, I turned away.

I set off into the forest, wondering where I should go. If I stayed in the forest, that would mean more time for the skull kids to convert me to their weird ways. On the other hand, if I went back to Kokiri Forest, the other people might try to force me out. Considering these options, I wandered the Lost Woods, hoping that I could somehow convince the kids that I was one of them, even after my transformation. Maybe my voice hadn’t changed too much and they might be able to recognize me.

I kept my pace, looking about me at my surroundings. Dark trees loomed over me, trying to make me become even more lost than I already was. Roots reached out of the ground to trip me and animals flicked within sight momentarily, before getting lost in the forest again. Occasionally, I could swear that a few skull kids were watching me, but when I turned my head in their general direction, nothing was there. The entire forest was extremely dark, as the sun was blocked by the uniformity of trees. But I just kept going forward, hoping that I would find my way out. Clearings passed by on my right and left, but I paid them no heed, just continuing on my path.

Eventually, after a few hours, I saw a light on the edge of the forest. This one didn’t seem like a clearing, it was far too big. Getting excited, I ran toward the light. My feet pounded the ground faster and faster. The light grew bigger and soon my wary jog turned into a full-on sprint. The light was so close now.

I burst into Kokiri Village and lingered by the trees. The familiar buildings surrounded my view. My friends ran through the village without a second thought about what may have lay outside of their little sanctuary. Just how I left it. Only, my friends don’t seem to be worried about what might have happened to me. That was strange, I was gone for a few days. Surely the Deku Tree and the people would have wondered where I might have wandered off to.

Ignoring my paranoia, I jogged on over to the closest person I could find. Saria. Panting a little, I rested my hands on my knees when I stopped in front of her. She stopped walking immediately and took a long look at me, before backing away to a safer distance.

“You’re a skull kid aren’t you?” Saria asked inquisitively, bending over to get a good look at my small skull kid state. “Shouldn’t you be playing in the Lost Woods?”

I tried looking up while still hunched over from exertion. My eyes met hers and she flinched back, standing up straight again. I tried standing up to stay level with her, but still remained too short. “I-I’m Solus. Remember me? I’m your friend. I haven’t been here for a few days because I got lost wandering the Lost Woods. You remember me, right?”

Saria perked up at my name. “Solus? You’re trying to tell me you’re Solus?” She laughed. “Yeah right, he left three days ago because he wanted to go live in Hyrule castle.” She rolled her eyes and continued walking.

“Wait!” I ran in front of her again, raising my arms to bar her path. “I wanted to go live in Hyrule Castle? I would never do that. Who told you?”

Saria raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. “A week ago, he told us that he decided to go to the castle because he wanted to pursue his career as a tailor or something. We all told him not to leave or else he would die, but he was dead on pursuing his dream. He left and didn’t die, surprisingly, and now he’s probably living it big in the castle. That’s fine by him. He can stay there. What’s that have to do with you?”

I looked at her, dumbfounded. What in the world was she saying? It didn’t make any sense. Why would I go to the castle? I didn’t say anything about such a crazy dream. “But-but, I would never go to the castle. M-maybe you’re just confused with someone else. Or-or...” I trailed off.

“I get it,” Saria deduced, wagging a finger at me. I looked up hopefully. “I bet Solus told you to say that you were him to confuse us into thinking he became a skull kid. Too bad, kid, I’m not falling for another one of his pranks.”

I gulped. I never thought for a second that my harmless pranks would come to bite me in the butt. “No, this is Solus. I didn’t leave to go to the castle. I just got lost in the woods and here I am like this because I got transformed by other skull kids.”

Saria chuckled. “Yeah, right, like I’m supposed to believe that. Tell him that this prank is too conspicuous; he must be getting out of touch. Also, tell him I said hi. Must be great living in the castle of all places. Oh well, I’m happy here.”

I held my head in my hands. How ironic that my own pranks would be my own undoing. I started scratching my bald, wooden scalp, worrying about what would happen now. Staring at the ground, I couldn’t help but feel pathetic about my situation. Saria must have felt sympathetic for me, because she said, “If you need any help, you can talk to our Great Deku Tree. I’m sure he can be of assistance.” I looked up to see her looking worriedly at me.

The Deku Tree? I hadn’t thought of that. It might be able to figure out a solution to this conundrum. Hopefully, it would know why I turned into this form and why Saria thinks I left to the castle. “Thanks,” I said, and ran off to the path to the Deku Tree. I could just feel Saria’s eyes burning a hole in my back.

“Umph!” I fell on the floor with something heavy pinning me down. Mido.

“What’s a skull kid doing here?” Mido sneered. “What’s your business here? Shouldn’t you stay in the Lost Woods?”

“Mido!” I was glad I could see him for once. Maybe he could tell me about Saria’s eccentric ways. “It’s me, Solus. Remember me?”

Mido relinquished his hold on me and jumped to my side. Swiftly, he jumped up and I followed suit, glad that I wasn’t hostile to him anymore. “Solus? He left a few days ago. Why would it concern you? You can’t possibly be him. You’re just some random skull kid nobody cares about.”

I opened my mouth, only to close it again. My head spun, making the world around me distorted. I was hoping that Saria was somehow delusional or mistaken. Now, Mido only confirmed what she said, which didn’t make any sense at all. “But,” I tried to explain, “I got lost in the Lost Woods and the skull kids turned me into one of them. I didn’t go anywhere else. I came back after that and here I am now.”

Mido scratched his chin, looking at me skeptically. “Nah, I bet he just told you to say that to mess with us. He was always annoying by tricking us into believing strange things.”

I smiled for a minute, thinking about how I made Mido believe he could become stronger if he drank undiluted sap from a tree. He was crying later on about stomach pains and diarrhea. Remembering myself, I shook myself out of my trance and stared at Mido. “Thanks, I guess,” I continued toward the Deku Tree.

“Hey, where are you going?” Mido asked.

“To the Deku Tree, if anything can figure this out, he can.”

I looked back. Mido looked as though he was about to protest or chase me down, but he bit his tongue and headed to harass someone else. Heaving a sigh, I trod onward.

Soon, I stepped through the narrow passageway to the Great Tree. I avoided all of the Deku Babas and kept going onward. The passageway opened up and the Deku Tree towered over me. The Tree appeared to be taking a nap, as he always did. Shaking my head of the distracting thoughts, I focused on my task.

“O Deku Tree, awaken!” I cried.

Leaves fell to the ground. Branches shook furiously while the tree shifted from side to side. A deep growl was emitted that sounded like a huge slab of granite being scraped along sand. The face of the tree became more visible as the mouth opened. Slowly, the eyes poked out and his mustache was pronounced.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Solus. Do you remember me?” I asked hopefully.

The Deku Tree remained still for a few moments, which told me it was probably inspecting me closely. “Yes, you’re Solus, right? It seems thou has been tangled in the Lost Woods.”

I was so glad the Deku Tree still knew me for who I was that tears formed in my eyes. “You still know who I am? Even after I changed? Oh thank Faron. Everyone else thinks I went to Hyrule Castle for some reason and that I was just another one of my pranks.”

The Deku Tree made deep hems. Leaves shook off of his branches. “Oh, I told you not to go into there, didn’t I?”

“That’s not important now is it? We need to know why everyone has this delusion that I left to the castle.”

“But this is important. For becoming a skull kid means that every Kokiri kid will think you left for a different reason. A powerful magic surrounds that mask that made you the way you are. It made sure that your friends’ memories altered to think you have sought out Hyrule Castle, without a second thought to them. It does not matter if thou heart is pure; thy folk shall never know the truth. I did warn you, didn’t I?”

A surge of blackness overtook me. I became so dizzy that standing up straight became an effort in itself. I sat down to prevent the possibility of me falling over. The Deku Tree’s face remained as impassive and pensive as ever. My mouth felt like cotton and I tried to speak, but ended speaking with a rasp. I coughed a little and began again, “So no one will know that I am me anymore? No one can recognize me? Everyone will think I went to the castle for the rest of my life?”

“Aye, ‘twas a horrible fate every skull kid had to suffer. Every one of them ignored my warnings and foolishly got helplessly lost in the Lost Woods. The only ones who could help them were already converted skull kids, who in turn for helping to lost travelers, had to make the lost into a skull kid along with them in return. That has been their system that has worked for many an age. Many people like you who have been changed have come to me to ask the same things you ask. It’s not in my power to grant thy wish. You must travel your own path.”

I opened my mouth, about to ask one of the millions of questions before shutting it. I did this a few times before I finally asked, “Can’t you turn me back?”

The Deku Tree shook a little, dropping even more leaves. “I can’t do that. As I told you, the mask’s power is irreversible. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I gain nothing out of it, the skull kids would be most angry, and it’s your fault. No point.”
I stood up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The Deku Tree sighed, sounding more like the wind blowing through fallen leaves in autumn. “Go live with the other skull kids. There is nothing else for you to do here. Go now.”

I rubbed my hands on my new pants. “Fine, I’ll do that,” I said, contempt dripping in my voice like bloody knives. “I don’t need you guys to dictate how I want my life to be. I’m fine on my own.” My voice grew to a shout. “In fact, I’ll be happy if I never see this horrible village for the rest of my life!” I ran out to the narrow passage.

The Deku Tree sighed again behind me. Running away, I could vaguely hear the remnants of its monologue to itself. “The youth never learns, always thinks that the elders can be used as a tool for their own satisfaction. Decisions made are later regretted and apologies for mistakes almost never heard. Brash impulsiveness flows in their veins. Arrogance and ignorance is valued as a solution for everything. Dreams sidetracked, carelessness present, and lack of understanding. The bliss of the youth must always be covered by those of the wise, for they will be crushed in the torrent of life. Are they the ones to become adults? What changes must they go through to enter the higher level? Such is life: a mystery.”

The Deku Tree ended on that philosophical note that only made me angrier in retrospective that he could think I am inferior to him. I’ll show him. I’ll show all of them that I can fly and that they’ve only been dragging me down. I ran back to the Lost Woods, ignoring everyone who was looking at me curiously.

I burst through the dense leaves impeding my way into the maze of a forest. I didn’t care where I was going, as long as I was going somewhere and it was away from that forsaken village. My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel the pulse in my head. Still, I didn’t feel tired at all. My feet kept pounding furiously against the ground. Nothing could stop me.

Finally, I sprinted into the same clearing I was in and immediately collapsed on the ground next to the pond. Everything was a blur as I tried to catch my breath. I lay there for several minutes, just trying to recuperate from such a traumatizing experience.

I managed to gain enough energy to push myself into sitting up. I glanced around. No skull kids to ruin my day even further. I noticed a notepad and a pen next to me. On the notepad, it read, “You’ve been asleep for two days. Become one of us.”

I growled. I was about to throw that into the pond as well, but thought against it. Writing down everything would help me pass away time. The notepad could help me stay sane. It was awfully grateful of them to give me this. I ripped of the page with the writing and threw it in the pond.

For the next half-hour, I wrote down all of my experiences in this notepad. There was nothing else to do, so I kept writing until around the part where I left the Deku Tree. I don’t know who will find this or what they’ll do with it, but I hope I can keep my memories here. I hope I can still be remembered even after knowing I’m pretty much a nobody.

After writing, I noticed I wasn’t hungry anymore. I just felt that I was innately satiated from the environment around me. It was a weird feeling, but I gladly accepted the fact that I wouldn’t have to scavenge for scraps of food.

I guess I’ll stop here. Here in the woods with all of these crazy skull kids around me. Who knows what’ll become of me now that I’m in the forest secluded from my past life. Who knows what’ll become of my future life with no Deku Tree and skull kids wanting to convert me.

All I know, is I have myself, and that’s all I need. This concludes the first chapter of my life.

Hyrule: Finding Myself

“Months, years — as time passes, change is inevitable.”

I read that somewhere. Sometime in Kokiri, I read in a scroll this philosophical statement. What did it mean? I didn’t know at the time. But now, I see. This applies to me in so many ways.

Before I forget, I have to mention it’s been so lonely for me. So, so lonely. I’ve never been this lonely in my entire life. In Kokiri, I always took it for granted that I would always have great friends to hang out with. Now, the skull kids would stay away from me and the Kokiri kids are scared of skull kids. So, I’m left on my own. I thought that this withdrawal would be simple and painless, but it has proven anything but. In desperation, I would talk to the skull kids, but they wouldn’t pay me any heed.

On my own, there’s nothing to do. There’s also this great homesickness that took over me for the first few days, but it died out. Eventually, the cold reality of being entirely on my own gripped me and refused to let go. Unlike homesickness this didn’t die out. No, it just got worse and worse. Every day I had to cope with this and carry on my life without talking.

I also noticed myself, almost degrading. Without anyone to actually talk to, I can’t be influenced or stay sane. This notepad is good enough, but it isn’t the same. It’s like when you love eating chocolate. Then, it turns out it has run out of stock and you need to eat cheap substitutes like cocoa beans and coffee. That isn’t the real thing; you have to have real chocolate. But you have to deal with it. It’s the same thing with friends, except it takes a bigger toll on your life.

Now, with no one to learn from, I have begun to lose everything I’ve learned before. My thoughts have turned into thinking my poor state and about what pranks I can play on these undeserving whelps. Everything I think about is bitter. Why do these people stay away from me? I’m my own person, aren’t I? What have I done to deserve this? Do these people have some sort of mental illness and I’m immune to such stupidity? What is this blindness that surrounds everyone in Hyrule? I should deserve to be god above these puny mortals who choose to ignore me. Sorry, I went off on a tangent there.

Seriously though, I should stop pitying my situation. That only leads to negative thoughts, which seem to happening on a frequent basis. Nothing good ever came out of it. Speaking of which, I was thinking about how I acted to the Deku Tree. It had a point, I shouldn’t have gone there, but my blind rage just seized me. I forgive it, for the most part. Objective words often lead to unhappiness, though the truth is learned.

But let’s start back at the first day. After I stayed in the forest, I decided to make my own house, or shelter to live in. I didn’t see the other skull kids having houses, but I’m pretty sure they would just sleep on the forest floor. Since I had my standards and I wanted to rebel from the skull kids’ customs, I set out through the forest for materials.

At first I was unsure what I would use to make a shelter, but I had a general idea. A simple hut like the ones in Kokiri: off the ground and easy to make. But, the majority of the houses were made of wood, which was in abundance. Though, I couldn’t make it without an axe and I was probably too weak even if I did.

Still, I made my blueprints in the notepad. The house was situated on a supported platform with a ladder leading up to it. The house had a dome-shape and was only big enough to fit in a bed and some space. I sketched how the overlay was going to look like and, on a separate page, the blueprint of the house. It didn’t take that long to make it, and soon I was searching for a place where it was going to be.

I managed to get lost again, trying to find a place. Something about the forest tries to deceive you every time you walked through. Every tree looked exactly the same. I stumbled about; trying to go in what I thought was a straight line, not letting any other clearings distract me.

But, wait. Wasn’t that the same place I was just at? I walked in a complete circle! I started out in a place with a rock directly in the middle of four trees, and here I was then. I was so confused. How could I have been so dumb to walk in big circle?

I set off again, this time making turns left or right every few minutes to make sure I was actually going somewhere. This time, I felt sure I was going progressively away from my original starting point and I saw different sights before me. But before long, I was back again at the four trees and the rock.

I was furious. How could such a straightforward area lead me astray? I started running as fast as I could in a random zigzagging path, weaving in and out of trees. At one point, the branches whipped at me so much, that I closed my eyes and sprinted blindly.

Eventually I opened my eyes again. What I saw disappointed me and relieved me. Before me was the clearing with the pond that I was found in. I couldn’t believe I got backtracked all the way here, but I was glad I was somewhere familiar. In that moment, I was so annoyed at the Lost Woods that I swore not to lose myself there again. It was a long time before I set foot back into there.

Since I was so tired of running like a madman, I collapsed on a comfortable region of grass and dropped my pen and notepad beside me. I fell asleep before I even hit the soft blades of grass covered in dew.

I slowly opened my eyes. I didn’t even know I had eyelids on this face, but apparently something blocked off all light. Slowly, I began to squint at the blinding sunlight that bedazzled the clearing. As I got my bearings, I looked around me. My jaws dropped.

In front of me was the house made in just the same way as the blueprint. I rubbed my eyes with my gloved hands. When I looked up, it was still there. I pinched my arm, hard. Nothing. It was like a dream, the house I wanted was right there and I didn’t have to do the hard work I thought I would need to do. But how did this happen? I grew giddy with excitement. I had the house I wanted and I didn’t have to worry about anything anymore.

As my ecstasy died out, I grew bewildered. What happened while I was asleep that would cause this house to appear out of nowhere? Pondering what could have happened I looked around me at the forest.

“Who did this?” I asked.

I was so confused that I didn’t even know who I was asking. I just wanted to know who would be so productive as to make such a house in, according to the sun, just a few hours. I hadn’t expected a response, but it came.

Three skull kids stepped forward out of the right side of the clearing, where the pond was. They stood on the opposite bank and peered mysteriously at me through their masks. We stood in stony silence as I tried to find my words.

After a few moment I cleared my throat. “Uh, hello I guess,” I said tentatively, not wanting to appear that aggressive. “Did you guys make this?” I didn’t know that skull kids could make such things. Based on their appearances when I got here, all they seemed capable of was laughing and playing.

The one in the middle spoke. “No.”

I grew more and more confused. “Well then, if you guys didn’t, who did?”

He spoke again. “The Woods gives to those who are worthy. The Woods has much power. We are its messengers.”

What? What was he talking about? Something about the forest making my house? That doesn’t make any sense. Did everything they had to tell me be in some cryptic form of riddle that I had no idea of solving? I opened my mouth to ask him even more, but he interrupted once more.

“Learn to be one of us,” he said, extending his hand out to me. “Live. Breathe. Dream. Think. Wonder. Understand. Only then can you be one with the woods, and one of us. Only then can you learn the way of the skull kid. You have much potential. Your fate is shining bright. Don’t stray from the path and be thrust into darkness. Also, whatever you do, don’t leave Hyrule.”

I left my mouth hanging open. The three turned around and disappeared back into the forest. I couldn’t even describe how bewildered I was. Everything he said didn’t serve as an explanation, only more confusion. Was I supposed to guess how everything worked? How was I supposed to decipher anything from that philosophical speech? Become one of them? Yeah, right. Their eccentric ways only unnerved me further than it should have. What was the point in talking to them anyway? Just to confuse me?

I stood there for a moment, thinking about everything. I shrugged and looked at my newfound house. Pretty much everything was on par on what I had on the blueprints. I circled the house, admiring the detail that someone or something managed to make. I climbed the ladder up to the platform. It was just as I planned, spacious enough to walk on, but still rather narrow.

I stepped into the house. There on a table in the center was my notepad with a pen on top. On my right, the bed took about a third of the space. On my left, there was a bookshelf next to the drawer covering the entire left wall. It was amazing that this could be created in just a few hours.

The floor and the walls were made of wood, though the roof was thatched by straw. Simple, yet functional for my needs, just as I had intended. At this point I didn’t question how it came to my possession, but I was glad I wouldn’t sleep on the cold ground again. I sat on my bed, exhausted by all of the events that had occurred and processing all of the advice the skull kids gave me. Still, as I lay on my bed, I couldn’t go back to sleep in such short notice. There was part of me that still wanted to keep adventuring onward and find out everything that I could know.

I walked out and climbed down the ladder. I was right about to head into the forest again, but I remembered how horribly lost I got last time. Shuddering a little, I decided to stay in the clearing for the time being. It was probably safer than to risk the maze of trees losing myself in them.

The clearing was rather small, however, and wouldn’t suit my exploring that well. But, my annoyance and frustration with the forest pushed me to stay put where I was. So I walked the borders of the clearing about twenty times, before I memorized every detail of the clearing.

After that, I grew so sick of my surroundings that I went back into my house. Already, the house felt like the one I lived in in Kokiri. The Deku Tree already assigned one to me, so I lived in there ever since I was little. It always had that sense of home and coziness that never went away. Thinking about it then, I was struck with a huge wave of homesickness. This house was only a pale imitation of the real thing, even though it was nearly identical. It didn’t have the same feel. It wasn’t in my home village, Kokiri. It just wasn’t the same. I curled in a ball on the bed, wondering what was happening to my life.

The days passed on. Like sand in your hands. You might collect as much of them as you possibly can, but they will slip through your fingers whether you like it or not. Carrying on with days, trying to learn something, but wasting away.

At first, I was tentative to go to the forest. After a few tries, I grew more and more confident. More and more explorations made me go deeper and deeper. I don’t know how to describe it, but as I kept going in, the forest didn’t try to confuse me anymore. The trees were no longer imposing and actually told me where to go. I knew the forest like the back of my hand now and it took seconds to get to where I wanted to go. It was almost as if I became one with the forest and part of it resided in me and guided me.

Still, I couldn’t get along with the skull kids. Early on, I tried to hide from them, but they turned out to be friendly. I would go up to them and try to make some normal conversation between them, but all they seemed capable of was giggling. The guy who gave such a philosophical speech was either nowhere or just blended with the rest of the lot.

I grew sick of their incessant laughter. Soon my conversations turned into pranks with them trapped in a hole or sleeping from poppy flowers. They would always laugh, even though they were victims. I was angry at them, but then I would just laugh along with them. Why not? They didn’t know who I was or what I needed. So much for being one of them. They just wouldn’t comply with me.

It didn’t matter. Trees were better friends to be with. Leaning against one of them satisfied me for hours on end. There was nothing to do and I didn’t want to leave the forest so quickly, I still had things to do. Like talk to my favorite tree, Tim. That sounded so much better in my head. I know I sound rather pathetic, but that was my life at that point. Worthless.

One important event happened only two weeks after my house was built. By then I was quite acquainted with my clearing and the skull kids. I noticed every skull kid had a mask of their own, though I still didn’t want to be a skull kid myself. Eventually, I grew sick of my face. Why was it like a watermelon anyways? Looking in the water day after day grieved me even further. I hated my identity. I hated what I had become. With the mask, I could become anonymous and mysterious. I needed something to hide behind, so I wouldn’t appear as mortal as I was. I wouldn’t appear as raw and helpless if I had the mask and I could regain some sense of my life that I lost. I wanted a face that I wouldn’t be ashamed of. Something to give me freedom. I decided to go retrieve my mask.

There I was, just a few days after I threw the mask in. I sat next to the edge of the water, gauging how deep this pond would prove to be. Since I already saw how hideous I looked without clothes to cover myself, I foolishly decided to plunge in fully-clothed. I dove into the cold pond. It was freezing and I was out of breath soon. Opening my eyes didn’t help: everything was murky in this pond, even though it was safe to drink. I breast-stroked hard and reached out blindly for what I wanted. Soon, I came across my hat and I opened my eyes. In front of me was a scrap of paper, but no mask. How could that be?

By that point, I was running out of breath. Bubbles gushing out of my mouth, I swam as quickly as I could to the top. The cold cleaved its way to my bone and tried to make me stop. White pain erupted in my vision and I thought I died.

I burst through the surface, gasping. I swam to the bank and sat there, exhausted. Why wasn’t it there? The only way that it could have disappeared, is if someone or something took it. Could it be the skull kids? Nah, they wouldn’t take back what they gave me. The woods, as the kids supposedly said? That probably wouldn’t happen, since it only benefits the skull kids. The Kokiri Kids? They wouldn’t swim into a pond.

Soon, the fuzziness disappeared from my vision, and the world wasn’t a colossal blur anymore. As I slowly started seeing properly, I glanced around. Who could have taken the mask, then? I doubted that I would be able to find that person: He or she would have had to have stolen it in the few weeks when I threw it in and when I went to retrieve it. What was their motive? What could they possibly achieve from stealing a mask?

Scanning around, I saw a person standing ominously on the opposite bank from me and my house. What was stranger was that that person wasn’t running or anything, he was just standing there, staring into me. Our eyes met for a few moments. Regaining my senses, I jumped up to my feet and ran around the pond. The person silently ran into the woods.

Since it was just a few weeks after my horrendous misadventure in the accursed woods, I was reluctant to step inside there again on such short notice. As I ran to where he was standing, I hesitated, peering into the depths of the forest, before sprinting in the general direction of his path.

After running blindly through the trees, I saw the faint outline of him running. I picked up my pace, even though I could feel the right side of my abdomen cramping up. Still, the adrenaline and curiosity of this thief kept me running. I wasn’t angry, surprisingly; I just wondered what one would do with my mask. My breath came out in short, ragged gasps after being put through so much physical exercise. I carried on, through all of my pain. Something told me that this was worth it.

After following him for several minutes, I lost him. He must have outrun me somehow. I kept going, knowing that he would stop at some point. After relentlessly running for a minute, I saw him. He was facing me. I ran up to him, before stopping abruptly twenty feet away. What I was expecting, whatever I was expecting, was not this.

An eccentric young man stood in front of me, hands intertwined. He was garbed in all purple: Purple jacket with a purple shirt that had a gold collar, purple pants, and purple slippers. His left wrist was embraced by an intricate gold bracelet. He had pointed ears and his auburn hair had its side-burns shaved. Something about him boasted his eccentricity with his closed eyes and unnerving aura.

What was most astonishing about him was his immense backpack. Masks of all sizes covered it. I could only imagine what could be in the backpack if the masks couldn’t even fit inside. The masks just made me stare in wonder. Each one had their own story and had their own power that resonated with its own atmosphere. It was easy to appreciate the significance of each masterpiece. Describing them would be hard, since it doesn’t serve it justice and show the regality of the masks.

While at first I stopped because of shock of initial appearances, I was held transfixed by the masks and scared of what this man could do. We stood there, observing each other (though I wonder how he could see me with his eyes closed). After a bit, I saw my mask hanging on his backpack. I was about to move to reclaim it, but was too fearful. I didn’t know who or what this person was. Better to wait for him first.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, he delivered to me words that I will always remember. No matter how old I become, this line will continue to haunt me:

“You’ve met with a curious fate, haven’t you?”

Even though he spoke softly, it resonated inside of me. It felt a little condescending even though I could tell he was only mortal. There was power in his words that astonished me.

After he finished, the darkness of the trees slowly enveloped him. He waved a hand in goodbye. Suddenly, I realized that this man was about to leave with my mask. I sprinted the last twenty feet and dove at him, missing. I grasped at thin air and looked ahead of me. He was gone.

I sighed; wondering how I could be held entranced for so long and be oblivious to his tricks. He obviously wanted to fool me into letting him take the mask. The power he supposedly had was probably rehearsed.

I continued walking through the forest until I came upon a break in the trees. It led me to Hyrule Field. I wandered here for hours, searching every nook and cranny for wherever I thought he would be. I don’t know what he did, but he managed to vanish entirely from Hyrule somehow or at least from my searching eyes. I did come across a shop in Castle Town that said “Mask Shop”, but it looked derelict and unused for years. I opened the door and it was empty and covered with cobwebs. So much for that.

Finally, I gave up, exhausted from such an excursion. I meandered my way back to the woods, defeated. I didn’t even care that I would probably get lost once again in the confusion of the trees. Luckily, the forest felt merciful and I was in my clearing before I knew it. I gazed solemnly at my pointed hat lying beside the lake. I picked it up and put it on my head. Better than nothing I guess.

I spent a lot of time on two stumps in another clearing in the Lost Woods. I felt like my purpose here was rather worthless. What was I doing besides being baggage to the world? What did I do to actually help this world? I grew more and more depressed and dejected. I’m sure that the skull kids could sense this, but decided to leave me alone. It was probably for the better.

During this time, I saw Link running around here quite frequently. He actually seemed to know where he was going and looked pretty busy. Imagine my surprise, then when he walked up to the two stumps and hopped on one of them.

I was ecstatic that someone actually chose to acknowledge me, even if he happened to be mute. He pulled out Saria’s ocarina and played her song. It had been a while since I had heard that and it brought back memories. Memories of when I was part of the Kokiri Forest. Memories of when I played with my friends. Memories where I was accepted and loved. Memories when I wasn’t so alone. A nostalgic wave was brought about me.

I looked at Link in wonder. I was so glad that he wanted to share his joy with me on that beautiful instrument that I offered to be his friend. He looked a little apprehensive of my friendly behavior. I gave him something that I found while wandering the forest: A piece of heart.

Link returned later with a mask, my mask. I looked at it in surprise; I thought I would never see it again. I cautiously chose to be enthusiastic about having something to cover my face, while I was secretly wondering about how he would come about this. The mask salesman probably gave it to him to sell it and I happened to be the only person who wanted it.

I told him I would buy it for 10 rupees, and his face fell. Obviously the mask salesman let him borrow it for more, but he couldn’t complain: He couldn’t even talk. Unfortunately for him, he would have to sell it to me for such a measly price because the mask salesman wouldn’t let him borrow more masks without selling this one and I was the only one to sell the skull mask to. How I figured that out, I have no idea.

Anyways, Link gave me the mask with a dirty look and ran off with my money. I smiled, thinking about the great deal I made. Finally, I had the mask I had been seeking for so long. I turned it over in my hand, admiring the intricate details carved. I put on the mask.

Instantly, I felt power flowing through me. The ambiguity it gave me allowed me to do whatever I please. The sense of mystery filled me, allowing me to become even more detached from the rest of Hyrule. I felt like a separate entity from all of the mortals in Hyrule, even higher in rank than the Golden Goddesses. I was hiding in a sense, so that I could display my true worth. My true self could be exemplified behind the mask, while the mask could prevent my weaknesses from being seen, and only show my strength.

Not that any of this mattered. The skull kids still wouldn’t accept me as one of their own for whatever reason. The mask didn’t augment my strength beyond its psychological factors, though the people didn’t want to witness it. After seeing four or five unimpressed skull kids, I became adamant in my decision. The entirety of Hyrule seemed to reject me, even those of my own kind. It seemed unfair to me that I was doomed to such a meager living in the forest.

I decided to leave Hyrule. Since I was young, everyone told me there was nothing beyond our peaceful land. But the loneliness has pierced through me and anything seems better than where I am now. I feel that there is nothing left for me in Hyrule. It’s time I move on.

So here I am, finishing this journal entry. I made all of my necessary preparations. It seems that I don’t need to eat as a skull kid for some reason, so all I packed was, well nothing besides everything that was currently on me. I didn’t want something that would drag me down and I didn’t want to bring anything from my house because that was meant as a representation of my status. I also didn’t bring any water since that would be abundant in any land anyways.

With that, I’m ready to set off. I only hope that the lands beyond will be more accepting than this one. My chapter in life with Hyrule is over. No skull kid or any other being will miss me.

I’m content.

Wandering

Sweat dripped down my face. Miles stretched out endlessly. Everything I saw was either grass, a few flowers, or occasional ponds. Nothing was distinguishable in these plains. The bland grass continued on for so long that every time I saw it I felt like retching. Can you believe it has been three days since the day I departed? And here I am, even more miserable than ever.

When I first set out, I walked opposite of the path to Hyrule Field. According to the map, I would be crossing into uncharted territory. Soon, when I broke out of the Lost Woods, I saw the grasslands I would be stuck in for days. Somehow, I still don’t need to eat. It’s probably because … I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. One less thing to worry about. Eventually, I walked so far that I couldn’t even tell which way would be back to Hyrule. I couldn’t tell where I was going. I could have wandered in circles and still be unaware because everything was exactly the same.

I kept walking, despite exhaustion threatening to consume my spirit. I haven’t even slept, because it felt too exposed to sleep in such an open space in contrast to my house in the Lost Woods. Desperation, fear, and loneliness pushed me onwards. I just want to see something new, something fresh, something that can tell me that this journey was all in vain. Even animals seem forsaken in this land. I barely see anything besides the few lost birds or scampering squirrels. If this is what lies beyond Hyrule, it’s not worth venturing.

Anyways, it was too late to turn back. After a while of non-stop walking, I started feeling numb. My body was screaming at me to stop this silliness. I ignored it and forged onward. I didn’t even notice the dark spots that appeared on the edges of my vision. I was too determined. Unfortunately, my legs collapsed beneath me and I fell on my stomach. I used my hands to drag myself forward. Inch by grueling inch I crept forward. I did this for a few yards before my hands grew bloody and fell limply. My mouth was filled with grass and dirt while my clothing was completely caked. The dark spots grew bigger. I closed my eyes.

My eyes fluttered. A huge blur of white enveloped my sight, seemingly preventing my endeavor. I struggled against this brightness until finally I could see once more.

A black obsidian floor stretched out under me, immaculately clean. So clean, I could see my own reflection. White marble columns supported the air at regular intervals all around me. The sky above was white as well, making this place seem barren and empty. It was as if there was a uniform maze around me, trying to lose myself in the blandness of this place.

I stood up, wondering how I could have ended up in such a weird place. I slid back my clothing at my wrist, unveiling my blue skin. I grimaced a little and pinched it, hard. The dull throb of pain that accompanied me was enough. Something was wrong here, and I had no idea what it could be. Where was I? How did I get here? This place didn’t surprise me too much though as it was pretty similar to the repetition of the grassy plains.

I gazed about me, trying to see if there was anything different to my scenery. The white marble pillars only leered at me, offering no explanation to me whatsoever. I started walking around, looking around. It didn’t matter which way I went, it was all the same. I kept walking, seeing if there was an end to this.

“Solus, I presume.”

I glanced around me until I looked behind me. I saw something mystical. It was a floating fuzzy orange orb or something like that, spinning around in place, with fine grains of dust flicking out and to the ground. At the center, it was mostly orange-whitish, and it was only around the edges that it had its orange texture. Something about it was alluring and authoritative, like something far greater than Ganon, yet not as renown.

“Y-yes,” I said, “How do you know my name? Or who I am?”

The thing made a soft exhaling sound. The thing exerted a weird aura that made me feel like it was infinitely intelligent. It was a weird feeling, since back at home I never had anyone address me directly in quite a while, especially not someone this meaningful.

“I suppose I should start at the top then,” the thing said, “It’s been a while since I told the tale, or be fortunate enough to have an audience."

“At the beginning of existence, there were many deities that decided to make their own lands from the nothingness that is the cosmos. For example, the land you came from, Hyrule, was created by the Golden Goddesses. Now understand that there are millions upon billions of these gods and goddesses that made vast, creative lands. There are so many places out there that used to be disconnected.”

I stood there, wondering if what it was saying was true. The story he was weaving seemed plausible thus far, and considering its weird state of being, it would probably wise to heed its words. “Now how does this relate to me?” I asked.

"Hold on, we’ll get there in a minute. Many other beings we like to call Jaoks roamed the cosmos as well. These were lesser beings compared to the gods and goddesses. I am one myself and we tend to stay in this form. We can also be whatever we desire in the mortal world.” He briefly flickered through a bunch of transformations: a tiger, a wolf, a giraffe, and a crane.

“Together, we bridged the gap between each world. Since the places were so far apart, the distance was rather great even with the bridges and consequently, many worlds didn’t mingle. However, some brave beings like you decide to leave and set out for the greater truth. They ultimately get lost in the bridges and collapse and we have to decide whether or not they survive or not. If they are worthy enough.

“Before we get to your story, let’s explore mine a bit further. As I said, I’m a Jaok and every one of them was assigned a role after their divine intervention. My role was to be the ‘wall’ between reality and illusion. Reality is upheld by the illusion that every being in every world sees. There are two others that maintain each, but I’m meant to make sure that any mortal will be unable to see between the two planes of existence. Thus, this place we are in is the place between reality and illusion I created. It retains original substances of reality, but still has that subtle illusion about it.

“Now we get to you. Us Jaoks observed everything in all the lands. I took a special space for you. I can tell you are an independent, strong-willed person who can decide the outcome of his own fate for himself. Whether it is good or bad, the future had much potential for you. Because of your unique personality, many don’t get along with you. You’ve tried to find your own place, but can’t. You don’t belong in your society because you are somewhat omniscient. You have the power to influence events where others cannot. I’m sure you’ve seen another like you. The Happy Mask Salesman.”

What? This thing was saying a bunch of hogwash. Yet it all made sense, in a creepy way. It felt like I almost knew about this absolute truth beforehand. Its explanation clicked in my head, fitting with all of the puzzle pieces I’ve seen before. The woods “choosing” me as special, the Salesman’s words, and my mysterious past. My past.

“Why am I so special, anyways? What makes me different?” I asked.

It flickered a bit before answering, “Your birth. It was when the excess matter that the goddesses formed together to make something special. This doesn’t actually determine if that individual will leave or not, and others without this process can also leave. This happens only once in every world, but in yours it happened twice. The second was the mask salesman. You two both formed at once, making you like twins, though he was born in a curious place called Termina. He is very similar to you, in terms of original nature, but he has chosen a different path.”

I couldn’t even make sense of it. What was the significance of this and how would it affect me? “Why have you brought me here?”

“You were in the bridge, and I had to make my decision. Life or death. I have you here to give you a chance. I’m curious enough to see how you will handle this.” Out of the depths of his orange-whitish oval, a cow figurine floated out.

Yeah, you heard me right, a cow. It wasn’t even that spectacular as well. Any pottery maker or sculptor could have made this with ease. Was this thing joking or what? What purpose would a cow serve? I must have gazed disbelievingly at it because the Jaok said,

“This will allow you to travel through time and space. A way to travel through the worlds in a more graceful manner and help carry out your goals.”

I looked at it, holding the cow near my chest. “How come people need these special ‘cows’ to travel? Aren’t the bridges enough? Anyways, how will these cheap cow figurines allow me to travel?”

It chuckled a little, wobbling a bit. A glanced at it suspiciously. It replied, “The bridges are primarily used for gods and the like to travel through without having to access the world from space. We never expected people to actually try to travel outside of their realm, but it became curious to see it occur. It was never meant for people of a world to visit other ones. But, a few of these beings became curious enough to travel and we decided to keep the bridges there to test the longevity of them.

“Then there were the cows. Cows are sacred beings and, believe it or not, they are relatively hard to carve even for Jaoks, which is why they are used to transport you to all sorts of places. You use them by pushing its head back into its body and it will take you to a random place at a random time unless you tell it where you want to go and at what time. Use it well.”

The Jaok’s dust started to flick out even more. It expanded a little, trembling as it did so. I could tell it was about to leave, but how could I possibly let it go?

“Wait!”

The Jaok stopped and reverted back to its original size. I opened my mouth, thinking about the questions that I had. It seemed impossible to put them into words anyways. But, there seemed to be something nagging at me that didn’t make any sense.

“Can I go back to Hyrule? Can I tell anyone about this?”

The Jaok took a moment before answering, “No.”

I gulped. I wondered if this was a good thing. Would I become a nomad forever? Like the Gerudos? Was it worth it? Was this what I wanted? Well, it had to be better than staying in boring old Hyrule. Knowing that there were so many places out there for me to explore, it made my heart soar. I wanted to understand what could be out there and what I could do with my life.

The Jaok finally imploded on itself, leaving a tiny orange dust lying on the ground. I looked solemnly at it for a second, before lying back on the ground. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until my head touched the cold obsidian. So sleepy...

I woke with a start. What a weird dream I was having. Maybe it had to do with the fatigue I endured yesterday. It was the dead of night right now: not even crickets were chirping, reflecting the emptiness of this desolate plain.

I stood up, knowing fully that I should probably just sleep until it was daylight again. Still, some part of me wanted to keep venturing. That dream I had motivated me and once again, I could feel energy coursing through me.

I yawned, stretching out. I looked around my surroundings before my gaze fell upon a cow figurine, contrasting to the grass. The cow. I picked it up in wonder. Maybe that crazy hallucination wasn’t just a dream. Maybe it was true. I couldn’t imagine what potential I could have now with this cow. The truth the thing conferred to me came rushing back, making me stare at the night sky with all its stars. Life truly was a wonder.

I gazed back at the ordinary cow figurine in my hand. I had second thoughts, looking at it now. What if that thing was just playing me for the fool? This cow couldn’t possibly have the mystical attributes the thing thought it had.

Nevertheless, I followed its instructions. I pushed the head in. Its neck retracted into its body until it was just a tightly compact cube of a cow figurine.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what was to come. A few seconds later, I opened my eyes, staring at the cow. I shook it a little and growled. Was this all a prank? I was right about to throw it on the ground in disgust when it happened.

The cow’s eyes shone purple. The spark shimmered and disappeared as quickly as it came. I stared at it, puzzled. Then, a white beam shot out of the eyes directly at me. I shielded my eyes. A mysterious pulse coursed around me, vibrating like crazy. I felt my feet leave the earth and my hands relinquishing the hold on the cow. A chant called from the depths of nowhere, and the buzzing grew louder and louder.

Shing! I fell to the ground on my back and the cow landed on my stomach. I grunted before opening my eyes to wonder what arbitrary place it took me. A great migraine filled my head and the world flickered before me.

What?! That’s all I could think of, just ... I don’t know. I can’t believe where I happened to end up. If this was what other worlds held for me, I don’t even know if I want to venture any further.

I was in this blocky world. Everything I saw seemed to be made of squares. Everything had this shape that made it seem very crude and rudimentary. What is this place? How could it be that this is a world in its entirety? I couldn’t believe that the laws of physics would allow this place to exist. Just, I don’t know what to say.

To spare myself the confusion, I think I’ll just summarize using select few choice words.

Essentially, this weird Italian man (made of the blocks too) came in. By the way, did I mention the hills in the “background” have eyes? Well anyways, I hid in scattered bushes and watched him jump like he was on the moon all over the place. A bunch of weird brown mushrooms with feet started charging at him. If he stomped on them, he would smoosh them into nothingness. A few times, he was unlucky and was hit by the brown mushrooms or fell into a bottomless pit. He would leap into the air and fade through the ground. Then, he would magically appear at the beginning of the place and continue. We eventually came upon brown blocks that he could smash to bits with his gloved hand. The ones with question marks would either have red mushrooms, making him grow; fire flowers, which made him change suits and spew fireballs; or coins, though there was nothing on the block to indicate what it would produce. With the mushroom, he could have one free hit, and the fire flower suit thing gave him two hits. More and more enemies sprouted up, some are even more bizarre than the brown mushrooms. Gigantic fish that flew out of the water, giant turtles that hid in their shells when hit, plants that grew out of green pipes and spat fire, cannons that shot cannon balls with faces, more things in shells, more things in spiky shells, lava balls that shot on their own accord, turtles that threw hammers, and to top it all off a huge turtle in a shell that spat fire and threw stuff that the Italian would have to jump over to touch the axe and cut the bridge, making the turtle die in lava so that the Italian guy could go reconcile with some weird girl in a pink dress. What? Just what? What was I talking about? Something, something, something.

Well, I sat in awe, hiding behind the lava pit staring at the two that were fixed in place reveling in the moment. I guess it makes sense; they were parted for such a long time... They weren’t moving. At all. Not breathing not anything, just standing there. Like statues. Frozen in time. Perpetually stuck. I would have gone and tapped them, but the lava blocked me. After looking at how this entire world perplexed me so much, I guess one more mystery didn’t exactly surprise me. What was it with this enigma of a world? What does this say about future worlds?

I don’t know. Next world I suppose. I pressed into the cow’s head again, wondering what could await me on the other side. So started my inconsequential adventures into limbo. My own quest to journey where everything won’t make sense.

I gasped. The mysteries of the universe only served to perplex me even further with the Jaok’s explanation. What did it expect of me? Did it really think that I would actually accomplish something? It said something about great potential and the ability to choose my own fate. I just want to stop being so alone, even though the sub-deity said I wouldn’t belong. I still held some hope.

Well, enough rambling. I ended up at some barren wasteland. All I saw was garbage. Nothing but garbage. That’s right; I was in an uninhabited place. So much for socializing with the people. Mountains of trash filled the landscape of the polluted landscape, with battered signs and faded remnants of a civilization. Only, the trash stacks were a little different. Something unusual...

All of the mountains were made of trash cubes. Obviously, that wasn’t all that natural though, something had to have done that. But, who could? Who could live in such a deserted place? And who could stand the solitary confinements of being alone, working on making huge trash cubes?

I was already eager to see who this person would be. Maybe he or she could tell me how to deal with the lonesome lifestyle. Even though we were raised in different circumstances, we both have the same mentality of dealing with the harsh realities life had to give.

I started walking. The combination of dirt and scraps crunched beneath me. I glanced around me. Directly in front of me was a sign saying: “Welcome to Earth, home to humans” The last part was blotted out by some crude paint. It hung on its side, providing the foreground for the trash piles. Everywhere else around me had a desert region, almost like the Gerudos with nothing but more trash and other noteworthy man-made landmarks like a sign that read “BuykLarge Gas”. A small breeze picked up, reflecting how deserted this desolate world was. I couldn’t imagine what happened here. What could have occurred to allow this to happen?

I headed to the trash piles because whoever made them would probably stay around there. How insane would this person be? What could have pushed the person to such a redundant lifestyle? Were there more than one? Questions only grew more numerous as I sought to find answers.

As I drew nearer to the trash, I wondered how the person would be capable of making such things. Surely this was a physical demanding activity and must have been quite difficult. The trash now surrounded me, leaving me unaware of which direction to go. Narrow canyons were formed with the mountains and I stumbled aimlessly on this empty place.

Eventually, the heat got to me. Sweat poured down my forehead, while I tried to distinguish what was reality and what was an illusion. My entire throat felt like sandpaper and my tongue was completely devoid of any saliva. I travelled in this haphazard fashion, spinning around in circles, wondering where I could go. My rational thoughts disintegrated and I still kept onward.

Man, was this place huge. I couldn’t even tell where I was. The trash piles proved walls for a maze and I was a rat trapped inside. Eventually, I collapsed on the ground, though still conscious this time.

I exhaled in ragged breaths while taking in the harsh, scratchy atmosphere. Each time I coughed, nothing would come out, and my entire body would shudder violently.

I felt a sharp jab on my shoulder. I ignored it. I couldn’t harness the strength to respond. It came again, this time harder and prodded me three times. A groan gurgled from the back of my throat as I heard whirrings and clickings behind me. Who knew what this person was?

I felt some cold claws dig underneath my stomach and lift me. Surprisingly, the person managed to lift me up with what seemed like no effort. I hung like a rag doll suspended in midair before the person decided to move.

The ground passed before me at a snail’s pace. Everything was a blur on the ground. The person carrying me moved at the same pace rather steadily, like he or she just rolled across the ground. I closed my eyes, exhausted and fatigued.

When I opened them, I stared at a dark ceiling. Glancing around me, I noticed all sorts of junk littering the shelves of where I was. It was a dark room, teeming with all sorts of weird items. This person was probably a hoarder.

I realized that I wasn’t thirsty anymore. The person must have given me water. I stood up, wondering where he or she was so I could so my thanks and ask him the questions that perplexed me.

Walking along the shelves, I found … it. What? What was it? Well, apparently it was a box with two stiff, metal arms; two eyes stuck to its neck; and weird triangle things with grooves regular intervals as feet. On the bottom right of the center box was a name: Wall-e. How is this possible? Is this thing unnatural? Made of only man-made objects? Has this society come that far? If so, then how come it was so... deserted?

“Um,” I said tentatively, “Who are you?” I wanted to ask it “What are you?”, but felt it would be too rude.

It didn’t respond. It stared at me curiously, as if studying me. It had a lot of emotions displayed in its eyes despite it being a hunk of metal. I could almost feel it trying to communicate with me, despite the fact that it couldn’t talk.

“I just wanted to say,” I said awkwardly, “Thanks for saving my life. It must be a lot to be stuck in this wasteland by yourself. Doing your work alone. Do you think we can be friends? I mean there are some differences between us. But how do you deal with the loneliness?”

My words came out in a tumble as I tried to say everything at once that was in my mind. I felt embarrassed for talking to it, as if expecting a response. I was too lonely at this point and I desperately wanted to talk, even with it.

Wall-e just looked at me somewhat sympathetically, as if it knew what I was going through. It must feel pretty lonely too, even if it only has artificial intelligence, it must feel what normal people do. Wall-e must have made a decision because it turned sadly away. It must have known it could never be my friend since communicating wasn’t a real option.

“Su-or-ry.”

I gaped at the robot. It could talk. But why did it choose not to? Was it because it was difficult or maybe it had limited vocabulary. Maybe the long years of being suspended in this horrible limbo of a civilization had devastated its capabilities. Maybe it knew that talking would only lead to disappointment and it only wanted to work. Maybe it chose not to. Maybe it didn’t like the company of people. Maybe something happened to it that it preferred to stay where no one was. Maybe there was an entire civilization full of these machines. Maybe.

But that was all speculation. I decided not to talk back to it. It probably didn’t enjoy my company that much, but felt that it must rescue me. So here we were two parallels. One who was forced into the cold reality of no companionship in a wasteland and another who was lonely amongst many people in a hospitable land because of being born differently. Through all our differences, we were very much alike, yet couldn’t relate. Two lines that will never meet.

The Wall-e left me in the dark place alone and rolled on out with its traction, roller, metal things. I didn’t blame it. It probably didn’t know what to make of me. I sighed for a little, before sitting down. Time to leave.

“Who are you?”

I stared up into the old man’s crisp, blue eyes. His snow white hair dangled down to his waist and his beard drooped on his chest. He was draped in all white, shining brighter than the sun herself.

I was apparently on a small ship of some sorts. With me were two small people who were only about two feet tall. One of them was grievously old and the other seemed young with angst running through him. Next to them was a tall, elegant man who also had long hair. Standing with him was an intimidating woman with blonde hair.

“Speak! What devilry brought you here?”

I opened my mouth, flabbergasted. “I fell out of the sky.” It was the best I could think of on such short notice. I carefully hid the cow in my costume pocket.

The old man looked at me cautiously before saying, “I am Gandalf the White. Joining me would be Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, Elrond the Wise, and Galadriel the Fair,” he gestured to each one respectively. “We are headed to the Undying Lands and beyond. What is your business?”

I don’t know. How do you explain that you somehow teleported here without meaning to? Especially since there was no other way that I could have gotten on here. “Someone played a trick on me, and I ended up here.” I winced slightly.

Gandalf’s brows furrowed as he implicated the possibilities. He muttered a little to himself before giving up with a huff. “Well, we are here to escape Middle Earth aren’t we? If you choose to join us, you are more than welcome. Just keep in mind that there is no going back.”

I nodded, gazing at each of the members of the boat in turn. Frodo seemed repulsed by my appearance and Bilbo looked tired. Galadriel and Elrond looked at me with no expression, judging me silently. I scooted to the edge of the small ship as quietly as I could, trying to avoid those burning stares. I tried to imagine myself in their light. A short person with a creepy mask and eccentric dressing styles. I glanced to where the ship was heading, a horizon in the distance. An expanse of a wide harbor graced the land with small towns lying just beyond, nestled in elegant trees. I sighed wondering if I should just go again, but it was worth a chance to see the “Undying Lands.” Who knows what it might offer for me.

I sat in silently. The bloody sunset tinged the calm, pristine waves surrounding us. Looking behind me, I glanced at the mystical land the travelers seemed to be leaving. It seemed a shame that I had to miss out exploring a new land and instead had to be on a boat to an island. The travelers themselves seemed to be rather tired and expectant of this vacation. I couldn’t get over how conspicuous and intriguing I must have been to them.

The boat quietly sailed onward for several hours, regardless of the awkward silence that forged between us. Presently, the wooden pier rose up sharply to the right. The boat sailed until it was right next to it and stopped by itself.

Gandalf threw down a wooden plank leading onto the pier. He plodded along it, murmuring to himself as usual. The other denizens of the boat followed suit. As they reached the pier, the woman they called Galadriel gazed back at me and gave me a long insufferable look while the others kept walking. Something wise, yet curious. It was fleeting, as she wandered away like an ethereal presence.

They continued onward off the dock to meet the rich dark soil. A repertoire of birds echoed throughout the island in the midst of great trees that obscured the travelers’ view of their destination. Soon, they vanished in the mystical glow of the forest.

I remained on the deck of the boat until I was sure they were far enough away that I wouldn’t be able to run into them again. Then, I ran off the boat and took off in a direction I was sure didn’t coincide with theirs. Trees lashed out at me and roots threatened to trip me as I made my mad dash through the forest.

Eventually, I slowed down to a stop. I stood there, panting with a stitch in my side as I took in my surroundings. This entire island seemed rather relaxing as if it was like a retirement home. The magnificence that was accomplished on this island seemed in part due to the inhabitants. I just wanted to stay here for the rest of my days and lose myself in the wonder.

But, all I wanted right now was to explore further. After my meeting with the Wall-e, I had no desire to meet anyone new. It would be nice to be a traveler in the universe, ever present and omniscient. With that in mind, I forged recklessly onward in a random direction, the sun fading into darkness.

The symphony of the forest rang out as I picked up my pace. Weaving my way through the woods proved easy in contrast to the Lost Woods. Soon enough, I reached the break in the forest to a huge clearing. In the very center stood an immense temple with intrinsic symbols traced on every surface. It appeared to be built from bricks of compact and dried dirt that decayed over time. It was only one story, since the opening of it led deep into the underground. I walked up to it and traced the symbols, wondering what language it could be.

I glanced around the rest of the clearing. There wasn’t much else left here besides grass. I wondered what civilization could lurk in a temple underneath. They seemed fairly reliant on their own resources if they didn’t need to come above ground.

Seeing nothing else for it, I decided to go down. Down to the earth.

The stairs crumbled a little beneath my step. A small amount of rubble rolled down into the dark abyss. I listened for it to stop. Ten seconds. I gulped, glancing nervously at the walls flanking me. The same mysterious runes were imprinted on them as well, only adding to the unsettling tension building inside me.

When I was about halfway down the stairs to hell, a whir echoed off of the walls. Presently, the runes right next to me glowed crimson-red. They flashed for a few seconds before the glow seeped into the connecting runes. Within seconds, the entire stairwell was lit with the dim light. At that point, it was my only source of light that kept me from stumbling in the dark.

I swiftly hit the end of the stairs and I peered cautiously into the room ahead. Lit by the same symbols, the room appeared vacant besides a white flashing screen set into a stone slab in the middle of the room. I stepped into the room from the last of the steps. Unidentifiable dark clumps of insects immediately scattered to the various cracks between the symbols. I glanced past the platform through the doorway to the next room. It was just a smaller version of this room, though it didn’t appear to lead anywhere.

I walked up to the slab and peered at the screen. It mystified me; I’ve never seen anything like it before. The screen appeared ingratiated as part of the slab with its borders dissipating into stone. Why does it glow? What does it do? This perplexed me as I read the message on the screen. “Equestria: Home to the Equines.” I tapped it, expecting it to do nothing.

The entire screen vanished. A few seconds it reappeared as a white screen with blue text in various rectangles scattered randomly around. I tapped each of them in vain before giving up. Everything was in gibberish besides a faint white text scrolling at the top. It read: “Optimization levels: 23%. Current functionality of ripping portals: 2%. Preparation of Ponification machine: 67%. Probability of happenstance: 80%. Current progress: 43%. Dimensional interference: Minimal.” The numbers fluctuated as I read it.

I glanced frantically about before spotting more text popping out on the bottom. This time it read: “The Equestrian Diarchy is governed by our benevolent Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, though the Diarchy is merely formal and the correct form of government is actually a democracy. Expect a fair yet primitive society of the ponies with the occasional monster. Equestria is the aftermath of the Abiogenic War and the Conflict Wars on the planet Earth with all sentient human life forms terminated. Unfortunately, a discrepancy appeared as a form of magic, making everything spontaneous. Any uprising or rebellion is strictly prohibited and unadvised as anypony to cross the line shall be terminated. -Sincerely, the Fallow.”

I stood there as the color randomly changed and yet more gibberish flew out again. After feeling like an imbecile, I heard a loud shearing sound. The distinct ripping sound was followed by nails on a chalkboard. As I reeled from the shock, I glanced at the wall in the next room. A small hole was present that looked out into the nebulas and the cosmos in space. Objects whizzed past as the hole ripped apart. An interdimensional portal.

Soon, the portal finally settled as a white space. A blank canvas. Leading to some queer place called Equestria.

It stood passive for a few moments. Then, it turned to chaos. Rocks and debris flew past me at a frightening velocity into the portal. Soon, the force became stronger and stronger as I started to skid along the floor. I tried to turn back, but to no avail. The vacuum dragged me inch by inch until my feet left the ground. I glanced desperately around the room as I flew through it. A sense of nausea engulfed me as I fought to regain some balance. I shot through the smaller room and within seconds, I saw the edges of the portal fly past me. I closed my eyes.

Mask

Pain.

Pain like I’ve never felt before. Even the time with the skull mask wasn’t nearly as bad. Indescribable. Red tinged in my peripheral vision. My tissue ripping, my skin disappearing, organs dissipating, cartilage ripping, bones shattering, neurons shifting, and body parts morphing.

I only closed my eyes, hoping that it would end. The pain drove me to the edge of unconsciousness, but just enough so I wouldn’t pass out. I writhed on the floor until the pain eventually alleviated. I briefly heard a few words: “Hat, terminated. Tunic, terminated. Gloves, terminated. Mask, terminated. Cow figurine, terminated.” My eyes were still wrenched shut for a few seconds before I opened them again.

I blinked, confused. What I saw was exactly the same place that I left. I was in a small room and the big room with the slab was right in front of me. The stairs and the runes were all the same. The only difference was that the small room had machinery working around me with multiple tubes attached to my body.

Eventually, I stood up. The tubes immediately retracted. But when I tried to stand on my two legs, I collapsed again. I groaned staring at my han...hooves? I looked to my right. A mirror implanted on the wall only displayed the worst. I...was a pony. That’s right, a pony. Not just any pony, though, a unicorn. A young colt with an indigo hide. My disheveled red mane and tail only accentuated how bizarre this phenomena was. I looked eagerly to my eyes. Unfortunately, they were still a solid orange. I gazed down, disappointed as I contemplated what being a unicorn might mean. Could I do magic? Aren’t unicorns technically not ponies? I suppose I would find that out later.

The weirdest part about it all was how everything looked. All of the minute texture from this world was gone. I didn’t notice it at first, but everything seems to look almost cartoony. Why was this? Where did the portal lead me? A world full of ponies.

I awkwardly stood in my new equine state. Being reduced to being upright on four limbs made me feel inferior. The lack of two usable hands would prove unhelpful in my future endeavors. Combined with the lack of my mask and the cow, this trip might not be too pleasant. I felt mortal for once.

Well, I trotted out of the small mechanized room to the big room. A huge grating sound resounded behind me. I whirled around to see the machinery folding back into the same walls as the alternate small room beyond the portal. The portal itself was nowhere to be seen.

Nevertheless, it would do no good to stay in the same room. I had to go and see what I could eventually do in this new land. I walked towards the stairs, but the slab in the middle caught my attention. It too had a glowing screen, but instead of Equestria, it read: “The Undying Lands.”

I anxiously turned back to the stairs and sprinted up them with my awkward four hooves. As soon as I got out, I looked back and it was the same clearing with the same temple in a forest. Why was everything mirrored? Shaking my head, I continued into the forest. Right at the edge of the clearing, a wooden sign stuck out of the ground with graffiti on it. It read, “The Death of Capitalism.”

What did that mean? I had no idea. I didn’t even know if it was potentially helpful. I just had to ignore it and continue with my adventure. I crossed the threshold into the forest.

Somehow, this place gave me an entirely different vibe than the Lost Woods. With that place, it was initially confusing, but it was systematic in its actions. This forest was also alive, but it didn’t feel as amiable. All it wanted to do was trip you up in your moment of weakness. Every twig and every organism wanted to eliminate the hostile presence as quickly as possible. The trees also seemed to be alive and I could swear that on the edge of my vision I could see them snatching at me. It just didn’t feel natural at all.

I meandered my way out, taking caution not to disturb its inhabitants. I was on alert; everything could represent a danger in a place like this. Especially without my cow figurine, I felt especially vulnerable. Who knew how long I was in there, for my sense of logic entirely dissipated in my numbing fear.

After tripping approximately twenty times, I finally made it out into the rest of Equestria. It was definitely different. The small village nestled under a thriving city set in the mountain with a town on top of the clouds. The diverse scenery filled with rivers, hills, and trees. To be honest, it felt exactly like Hyrule. I suppose that should have come across as horrible to me, but seeing the ponies milling about fascinated me. This place also seemed much more expansive than Hyrule, which would prove fruitful when I started exploring. After all, I would have a lot of time now that my cow was vaporized and it wasn’t like I could ask the thing for a new one.

Was this going to be the end of my short travels? Would I ever contribute anything worthwhile to this new pony community? I suppose I would have to find out, whether I liked it or not.

I looked behind me briefly. Surrounding me was the horrid forest again. I shuddered, knowing that if I ever wanted to go back through the Undying Lands, I would have to cross through again. I knew that I was never going back.

I put that behind me and continued forward into the village before me. The soft brown dirt crunched beneath my hooves as I appreciated the animals around me. For some reason, the occasional animal became quite frequent as I approached the rear of some sort of cottage, if you could call it that. The cottage itself was more of a tree than anything else with diverse habitats strewn randomly in front of it. It could be the perfect Kokiri cottage for anyone who especially loved nature.

I walked around the cottage, curiosity piqued. What I saw amazed me. A yellow pegasus. What other mythical creatures would this place offer? This pegasus was a mare with light pink hair. She was flying to each of the habitats and feeding the animals in turn while humming a relaxing tune. What was funny is that it’s weird to see a pony, albeit a pegasus, having a dominant role in comparison to other animals. I don’t know, it was just seeing another animal being superior to others that was surreal since most of the animals in Hyrule weren’t socially segregated. Evolution? Who knew.

Putting my thoughts away, I trotted on over to this butter pegasus with a smile on my face and my hoof raised as a greeting. It took a few strides until she noticed my presence. As soon as her eyes locked onto mine, she uttered a shrill, but quiet meep. It was so silent that I almost didn’t hear it. I froze mid-stride and we held eye contact for a brief second. Then, she flew faster than a regular pony to the opening of her cottage and darted inside, slamming the door. What just happened? Either I made an atrocious impression, this society is full of xenophobes, or that pegasus was simply shy.

I remained in my stance, befuddled. The animals all took a curious look at me before heading on back to their own houses in their habitats or in the cottage. Was I that questionable?

Shaking away my pessimistic thoughts, I slowly resumed trotting to the village. There wasn’t any point in making amends at this point. I just had to hope that she was an exception. Going over the bridge, it was easy to appreciate the lifestyle the ponies before me were having. All of them were working together to help benefit themselves instead of working selfishly. This was what I would call a community. Ponies would be working on a construction project together, there would be bakers managing a single bakery, and ponies in general having no competition. It was as if these animals we took as inferior had somehow managed to have a superior society in comparison to ours. That fascinated me. Even if it seemed primitive, at least it wasn’t at the throats of others.

The village itself was also pretty. All of the cottages were well crafted and wonderful architecture such as an intricate statue was seen a few times. I was automatically drawn toward another house that was built inside a tree situated in the center of town. Hopefully I’d have some better luck with the ponies over there.

Glancing around me, I saw the ponies milling about on the asphalt road that snaked around the cottages. Some of them actually took the time to smile my way and wave. That was astonishing. No other being I have encountered has done that. That simple act in itself was enough to make me happy. I was always the lone wolf who couldn’t make any friends. Things were definitely looking up for me.

In an instant, a pink blur shot in front of me. As we both skidded to a halt, I glanced at her features. She was a completely pink equine with balloons on her flank. What did those marks mean? Before I had any time to figure this out, the pink pony levitated in the air.

“Omygosh, Omygosh! Another stranger?!”

I gaped at her, wondering how she could defy the laws of gravity. Before I could consider this, she “flew” back to the bakery shop with its assorted confections.

I continued trotting again, wondering how weird this town was going to get. Everyone else seemed fairly normal, but who knew. Maybe deep down they were all just as peculiar. Who knew, the society they had was already thriving though. Maybe I’d be able to fit in since I’m also-

There he was. By the clock tower. There wasn’t any mistake. It was the Mask Salesman. Somehow he was here too? He was an ordinary pale unicorn with his signature auburn hair. And the backpack with the masks. Can’t forget that. What was he doing? Well, I wasn’t going to let him off easily. This jerk stole my mask and made me buy it. He was just standing there, almost daring me. I looked for the opening.

I lunged at him. Instantly, we both went tumbling into the ground. Rubble and dust rose up and I coughed. After I rubbed my eyes, I looked down and found that I was on top of him and he was belly up. Pinning down his upper hind legs with my own, I was aware that some local ponies gathered to watch, but I was too furious.

At first I had the upper hand with his initial shock. I landed hit after hit using my fore hooves on his face and his chest, though I didn’t seem to be doing that much damage as his skin was unscathed. Soon, he realized who I was. It took one glare from him and a bright purple light from his horn to send me flying into a cottage. The wall behind me stood firm and my head banged against it. I don’t know what magic he used, but it was certainly powerful.

I groaned, sinking down onto the ground against the wall. Blood trickled down the left side of my face. The salesman simply got up, brushed dirt off of his immense backpack, picked it up, and left. I found myself viewing through red and white spots. Blurry ponies came right up to me. I heard snippets of conversation, though all they only talked about my condition and my weird eyes. I faded away into the darkness.

My eyes flickered open. A purple unicorn slowly came into focus.

“Excuse me mister, but who are you?”

Who am I? That was a good question, and not even one that hasn’t been asked before.

“I’m a nobody. I’m sorry for the trouble,” I rasped.

The unicorn squinted at me. “Don’t say that. Just don’t do that again. Our village, Ponyville, would be more than willing to welcome you in if you still want.” She looked at the other ponies gathered. “Who was that stallion, anyway? We tried to go after him, but I think he teleported.”

I sighed. “Like me, we’re travelers. We just happen to be enemies. It’s complicated.” It was the half-truth.

The unicorn gazed curiously at me, as if dubious of my answer. “Well, my name’s Twilight Sparkle. I’m living in the town library in the tree if you need me. We don’t get strangers much anymore. What’s your name? You have to be someone.”
“My name is Skull Kid.”

“Pleased to meet you. We’ll just leave you to explore the town by yourself, if you’re fine with that.”

I nodded. Twilight turned around and left without another word. As the crowd followed, I could tell that she was extremely interested in my eyes, but knew better than to ask about it. All the better.

I picked myself back up. This town once again started back up, though I was sure that they were waiting to welcome me into the town. I didn’t know what I was going to do then. Would I stay? Where would I stay? Would the ponies hate me for this incident? I didn’t think so. I was so embarrassed by this, though, that I honestly thought that it would be better if I left to travel. These people didn’t need to see the tragedy that was me.

Finding my legs proved tricky. Propping myself up, I found that my hind legs were a little shaky and threatened to collapse at any given moment. I managed to stand up and regain my balance. After a bit, I limped on over to the middle of the concrete road, wondering where I just came from.

Then I saw it in the corner of my eye. The mask. The Salesman must have dropped it. Not any ordinary mask, but one that gave off a mystical aura. An intricate darkly colored face with a horn sticking from the mask itself. Its eyes shined bright blue. Unlike every other mask I’ve ever seen, this one had every detail carved intricately. It felt almost alive.

I trotted on over to it and picked it up awkwardly with my hooves. Turning it over, I couldn’t imagine who could have carved this. This surpassed even experts in its design. It almost seemed not made by any man or pony.

I had a surge of nostalgia for how my old skull mask had helped me. What would this mask do? Would it make me even better than the last mask? Would I be able to remain anonymous as always? Or would the townsponies hate me for it? I looked around, but they didn’t seem to notice me.

Without thinking too much of the consequences, I irrevocably set my life into stone. You know how the Jaok was telling me about my potential for unequivocal good or irrefutable bad? Well, I can say that this decision was not for the good. In fact, no matter what, no matter how much I try to make this up, it will always stay with me. The next events that happen will never be the same. The clock tower behind me chimed twelve times, foreshadowing what was about to happen. How valuable time would be. How significant it would become. If I could undo this moment, I would. But now, I was essentially done for. My dreams would never come true and I would take down the ponies around me as well.

I put on the mask.

The Plan

Hello.

Who are you?

Who am I? Nightmare Moon.

And this is your mask I’m wearing?

Yes, I’ve been waiting for a new vessel for a long time. I suppose you will have to suffice.

Vessel? Are you trying to tell me that you are controlling me?

You sound betrayed. Is this not a desirable fate?

No, it’s not. I’m going to take off this mask as soon as I’m conscious. You have no power over me.

*An amused laugh*. I’m afraid that won’t be happening. You see, I have so much more power than you could dream of. Together, we can have so much fun watching ponies suffer. And if you don’t agree...I’m afraid that this body will only be owned by me. You would be terminated.

Why would you do this? Who can be this cruel?

Cruelty? I beg to differ. It’s all part of my delight. I’m just a manifestation of everyone’s nightmare, to put it simply. What’s the point, anyways? Why stand up for ponies? Worthless, the lot of them. Let me show you just how fragile society really is. Let me show you what will happen in the aftermath. After seeing this countless times, it never ceases to amaze me how amusing this all is. With my power, I am unstoppable.

It’s inevitable then. I can never escape and ponykind is supposedly doomed.

Yes. Rather than give you the illusion of choice, I will decide for you. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it and find it enjoyable.

I shuddered.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself still standing and peering through the narrow slits in the mask. Was the conversation I just had a momentary lapse? Or was it all in my head?

Go to the edge of the Everfree Forest. If you fail to obey or step out of the line in any way, I will be forced to take control.

Why did it have to be this way? Why did this amazing town called Ponyville have to be destroyed? Was it my fault?

A fuchsia unicorn with smiling flowers on her flank trotted next to me. She looked curiously at me. “Are you okay, mister?”

I must have been standing like this for a long time. I wondered how weird I looked with this mask on. “I’m fine.”

The unicorn smiled. “I’m Cheerilee, the local school teacher. If you want, I could give you a tour of the town.”

I was about to make an excuse to leave the town, but I thought against it. This mask was just going to have to wait. If it was going to destroy the town, it would be good to learn more about it. I tried not to think about rebellious thoughts for fear of the mask knowing about it. “That would be nice.”

Some interesting places she took me were Sweet Apple Acres, the town library in the tree, Carousel Boutique, Sugarcube Corner, the school, and the windmill. Cheerilee was a fantastic guide and provided historical insight to each place. Never did I actually feel bored, since she was so energetic about teaching me about the town. It made me feel like I was part of the community. I almost forgot about the mask.

Eventually, we stopped in front of the library. The sun was setting and Cheerilee obviously had a great time giving me a tour. She talked a little about what benefits I could have by living in the town. I kept on a bright face and though I genuinely enjoyed this, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. But what could I do? What would I do? Apparently nothing. It was like looking at a dead civilization. And I knew the mask could make that claim, seeing as it could hold that much magic and power.

“So, there. That’s the general history of Ponyville. If you have questions, you can come by the school after class time. I hope you’ll consider staying.” Cheerilee gave me a smile, before leaving to a cottage on my right.

I stood there, contemplating what it all meant. So, I was now a puppet. Beforehand, I was a free traveler. Because I put on that wicked mask, I have succumbed to its ways. What if it stayed on the ground? Would it manifest in a different way? Why did the Salesman have this mask in the first place? Was it a setup? Or was this mask originally part of this region, though the Salesman happened to pick it up?

Well, the mask didn’t offer any answers, so I was stumped. I would have gladly taken a spare cottage in any part of the town, but the mask ordered me to go to the edge of the forest. Back to that dreaded place. What else could I do? I made my way back across the bridge and went to the right of the pegasus’s cottage.

I walked right up to the imposing trees frowning upon the small blades of grass. After waiting for a few seconds, a strange sensation passed through me.

It felt like tendrils were licking my insides, but gradually working their way toward my head. Each tendril would start at different places and go at different speeds. Eventually, they all made it to my head, more specifically my horn.

At a random point, some of the tendrils surged into my horn. I gasped as I felt all my energy converging on that point. I glanced up and saw my horn glowing a bright yellow. In front of me, two trees were enveloped by the same light and were uprooted. They were both laid on the ground, before they were broken apart.

At this point, the glow around my horn grew even brighter and more tendrils of energy surged into it. The individual pieces of wood were covered with their own glow now. Leaves were shaken off and then the pieces of wood converged before my eyes. Together they knit together like a great puzzle. After much ordering, they finally came to resemble a cottage. Albeit, a cottage without a door or furniture but still a cottage that was made in about a minute.

I stood there with my mouth open. Did I do that? The entire spectacle with the tendrils and the light from my horn seemed to suggest that, but this wasn’t my conscious decision to do such a feat. Was it the Mask? Yeah, it probably used me.

I crept into the cottage. Peering inside, there wasn’t anything in it at all. What was the point of a shelter if I was going to sleep on the ground?

I suppose I’ll tell you everything, even if there’s no point. I’ve been waiting for a collaborator of sorts to help me with my “project”. Even if you don’t help, I can still be sure that I will succeed. It’s always nice to inform someone of my brilliance.

First of all, there are the two Princesses. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. Luna controls the moon and Celestia controls the sun. Each day they must lift the moon and the sun at the appropriate time.

Then, there are the pegasi. They control the sky to make sure that everything over Ponyville goes accordingly. They only control the clouds and the rainbows.

Finally, there are the six elements of harmony. Within them is an ancient power that has the power of righting the wrong. They have bearers to fully expound on their potential. They are the sole guardians, though live normal lives as regular ponies.

Why was he telling me this? It wouldn’t help me at all.

These are all factors to my plan. The only real threats, however, are the elements of harmony. I can easily overpower the Princesses. The pegasi aren’t strong enough and won’t see it coming. The elements are the only ones that can stop this.

What was the plan?

To disable the six elements one by one. That way there will be no interference. Then, I’ll be able to unleash the moon to crush Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale. It’s foolproof.

My eyes widened. That was its plan? To cause the moon to destroy three cities? It seemed underwhelming to me, there were much more aggressive ways to destroy the world. This still horrified me to no extent. What was the point?

I heard an amused chuckling from the mask. Was there anything I could do? Should I just give in?

We’ll begin tomorrow. Honestly, I enjoy breaking them slowly to see their fragility. There’s a certain art to it, almost like crafting the Pony Lisa. Every town’s never the same; every world can be destroyed in a different way. Spreading destruction across the universe, isn’t it great?

My eyes widened. Who was this embodiment of this mask to have such widespread power? For that matter, how could it travel?

To this, I had no answer. I almost felt that was better. Better not to know anyways. I would rather focus my attempts in escape. I only hoped that it would find a better vessel in Equestria, or that it would leave my body once the deed was done. Even my supposed individuality that the Jaok complimented would have no chance against this.

Sleep on the ground, little one. We have much work to do.

I lay on the soft grass that was the floor. It was soft and cool. After the horrible incident with the plains, I thought I would despise it. But now, it served as reality. It kept me conscious that there was a world out there.

I didn’t sleep for a while. I couldn’t. Thoughts kept racing in my head like the clopping of galloping ponies. About my adventures thus far. It made me wonder what all of the Deities were doing. What prevented them from halting this plight of Nightmare Moon? What about the Jaoks? Aren’t they the regulators in all of this?

I reached up and tried prying the mask off to the best of my abilities with my hooves. It didn’t budge. It almost felt like my face and the mask were one. Panic surged through me and I had to take a few breaths to calm down. What did everypony think when they saw me? Was I a monster in their eyes?

Even though I knew my inevitable fate, it wasn’t until this moment that I started crying. But when the tears reached the edge of the mask, they disappeared. I couldn’t even despair without the thing interfering.

This was all my fault. Why did I pick up the wretched mask in the first place? Couldn’t I see how deadly the mask was from its aura? Why did I have such a love for masks?

But then, this was also the Salesman’s fault. He had the mask on him, yet he wasn’t affected. Maybe it was because he was immune to the power of the masks. He picked up the mask. Whether to destroy it or to utilize it, I have no idea. But, yet again, my reckless nature caused this chain of events.

Well, what was the point of beating a dead horse (not literally)? Even though I wasn’t thinking at this point, it still took me hours of tossing and turning to finally sleep.

“Why? You killed us all. How could you?”

I looked down to see a familiar fuchsia unicorn. My word, the entire lower half of her body was torn off. Her forehooves were clasped around my right one. Her eyes were delirious and mad, as if I was an abomination.

This wasn’t in the cottage. Where was I then? I looked past Cheerilee. Floating above the center of town was the mask. Its laughs filled the entire village. Directly beneath it were rivers of torrential blood filling the entire village. Various ponies had differing injuries and were being carried off by the waves.

“This isn’t my fault, I swear,” I said as I looked back at Cheerilee. All she did to acknowledge me was shoot a dirty look stronger than a dagger in my heart. I reeled back, trying to get away from Cheerilee, but she held on.

I grimaced while looking toward the flying city above Ponyville. Over there, torrential hurricanes and lightning struck the city. Pegasi flew about and tried to contain themselves before being blown away or struck into ashes. The buildings fell over to crush ponies below.

Over in Canterlot, a dragon roared. Ponies ran frantically away from its flames. After causing some destruction, the infrastructure started to collapse. Slowly, the city in the mountain inched its way down before it turned to a tumultuous descent. A loud crash resounded through the world like an explosion.

“Isn’t your fault, is it Solus?” Cheerilee’s face changed into Saria’s. “Is this just another prank of yours?” A distasteful sneer tainted her features.

“That’s right, Solus.” Midol stood to my right as a pony. “Or should I say ‘Skull Kid’? I always knew you were different, but now you want to end the world? That’s even crueler than my antics.”

I felt cold steel against the left side of my neck. Looking to my left, I saw Link as a pony standing as mute as ever. He held the sword and gazed at me like it was his duty to finish me off. Blood trickled down from where the sword cut me.

“Why are you guys doing this? You know what happened. I’m innocent. It’s not my fault.” Even as I said it, I doubted the legitimacy of my words.

To this, they laughed. Until all I could hear was their laughter. Laughing when they burst into flames. Laughing as the mask laughed. Laughing as I stood there helplessly. Laughing.

I gasped. Looking around me, I saw the four walls of the cottage. It was just a dream. Just a dream. At least, that was what I told myself.

Lying there, I cried. Tears came down as the dreaded morning dawned on the village that was oblivious of the horror to come. I only hoped that I could cry for every pony.

Day One: Rainbow Dash

New day. Get up.

I sighed. After getting around two hours of sleep, I wondered how I would fair. Not that it would be a problem anyways, since the mask could always control me.

I rolled over onto my stomach and propped myself up on my four hooves. Yawning and stretching, I walked out into the glorious day outside. The birds were singing, squirrels were gathering acorn, and ponies were starting their day. How innocent they all were. How much I wished I was them.

In an instant, I felt the tendrils surging yet again. As my horn glowed again, my vision turned black. After a few seconds, I saw the insides of what happened to be the town library. The wooden shelves carved in the tree were filled with an abundance of books. I wanted so badly to go take one and sit down for a nice read. But, the vision shifted to in between the shelves.

Situated there was a pedestal with five necklaces and a tiara adorned with a jewel each. Frequently, I saw Twilight pacing about the library with a small purple dragon. I shuddered a bit, thinking about my dream, but realized this one must be tame. They were both apparently cleaning the library.

I realized that I must be staring at the Elements of Harmony that Nightmare Moon dreaded so much. Why didn’t the mask just decide to destroy those things right then and there?

As I said, it’s more amusing to destroy them individually.

I guess there was no point in reason at this point. At that moment in time, I gave up. From here on in, I’m only documenting what its actions were, along with my own moral and ethical standpoint against this.

Anyways, I felt the mask analyzing the elements present. It randomly chose one of them. The red one shaped as a lightning bolt.

Preliminary analysis complete. Begin search for matching cutie mark.

Cutie mark? I guess that would probably have to be the marks on the ponies’ flanks. What a weird name though, it sounds...girly. Is it a tag for others to recognize?

My vision blacked out again. When it returned, it focused on a single pony. After observing the mark, my vision switched to another pony. This process kept going until eventually there was a match.

A cyan pegasus sleeping on a small cloud. Her disheveled rainbow mane and tail expressed her individuality and uniqueness. Her cutie mark was a white cloud with blue, yellow, and red lightning bolts streaking out under it.

Reciprocal Cutie Mark identified.

My vision turned black for the last time and I saw the familiar view of Ponyville ahead of me. Out of curiosity, I asked the mask why it needed me to act as a vessel.

I don’t. But, it’s better to have a persona for the whole town to fear.

Did I mention how much I hated this thing? Who could do this? I could easily be free, but this mask has to have things its own way.

I felt another brief surge of energy and suddenly I disappeared.

I opened my eyes and somehow I was in the middle of the road outside of Ponyville. How did I end up here? Teleportation?

A solitary cloud floated above my head, just like the one in the vision. I could see a familiar blue pegasus napping quietly on it. She looked peaceful.

It took me a while to realize, but I found that I couldn’t move. At all. I panicked and attempted to move my hoof. Nothing. Was this the mask taking control of my body? Well figures, since it wants to “destroy” these ponies that it would want to do it by itself.

“Hello, Rainbow Dash.”

That wasn’t my voice though. I wondered how it could do that, considering it was using my body, but I trusted that it had to be based on its magic along with it already knowing her name.

Rainbow bolted upright on the cloud and peered at me. “Who are you? Isn’t that a mask of Nightmare Moon?” She shuddered. Apparently she also had some bad experience with this entity.

Rainbow flew down and hovered in front of me, holding her hooves out in an aggressive stance. “Come on, speak. I’ve already dealt with monsters that are cheap knockoffs of the real thing.” She punched the air in front of me.

I chuckled, though it sounded more like granite sliding on concrete. “I suppose you are one of the more athletic ponies. Wants to join the Wonderbolts. Supposedly the Element of Loyalty. Arrogant, yet loyal.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Those are lies. Just how did you figure that out? Is this a prank by Pinkie Pie?”

Actually, no. My horn was glowing briefly and during that time, I presume the mask absorbed all the information from Rainbow. What was it doing? I presumed that it would want to torture the bearers of the elements, but now I couldn’t guess why.

“Ponies like you are pathetic. Why waste away your life to false ideals that you know will never occur?”

Rainbow looked over her shoulder to the nearby bushes on the side of the road. “Pinkie, this isn’t funny. You can cut it out. Call this guy off.”

“Becoming a Wonderbolt,” I said with contempt, “You aren’t anything special. You are another nobody who can’t come to terms with reality. Didn’t mommy tell you not to make dreams you can’t fulfill?”

At that, Rainbow looked back. Trying to be courteous, she said, “Excuse me stranger, but I’m not listening. You can go back and tell Pinkie that it didn’t work.” She flew back to the cloud.

In a flash, I was lying on top of the cloud. Rainbow skidded to a halt right in front of me. “What’s your problem? Can’t you see that I can’t be bothered?”

“Yet, even though you claim to be loyal to your friends, you’re willing to neglect them for your selfish needs. Like forgetting about Pinkie during your time at the Academy."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I was only gone for two days.” She shook her head. “Anyways, this really isn’t any of your business.” She flew off in the general direction of hills dotted with apple trees.

After a few seconds, I teleported onto some tree branches. Rainbow was lying under me, clearly looking exhausted. Looking around, she seemed satisfied that she escaped me. She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed considerably.

“Only, you aren’t grateful for your friends.” Rainbow jumped and glared at me. “You always think that you’re right and that everything should revolve around you. What’ll happen if you become famous? Will it stop there? Or will you become so full of yourself that you become ignorant of everything in front of you?”

She flew off again, yelling, “I’m not listening!” as she stuck her hooves in her ears. This time, she left to the center of town.

Then, I appeared inside just inside the leaves that made up the tree library with Rainbow sitting above me. “And that infectious attitude has spread across the town. Filling ponies everywhere with hopes and dreams. What will happen to them? Most ponies will not succeed. Yet, you still continue your foolish endeavor.”

Rainbow bolted and this time I was in the darkest corners of a cave. “Rainbow Dash, what’s behind this wall you put on for your friends? After acting superior to everyone around you, are you any better? Is this all an act for yourself? Or have you come to reflect the external savage nature that you yourself despise as well? Your personality is rebellious, yet it’s all a facade. The boundaries that make you are faded and muddled, and as time goes on, it’ll only get worse.”

Now, we were right on the side of the barn. Rainbow peered carefully around, until seeing me behind her. “So tell me, Rainbow. Who are you? Through your fake confidence and bravado, who are you? Who do you plan to be? All I can say is that in all my time, ponies like you have only crumbled. They either live up to their dream, or die trying. Even with their goals fulfilled, it’s downhill from there. Are you one of them?”

Rainbow hovered up, wings flapping furiously. She looked past me, apparently wanting to give chase again. After a second, she collapsed on the ground. “I give up,” she lamented. “Please, just make it stop,” she beseeched with her hooves clasped in a praying position.

I smiled. “Gladly.” My horn glowed for the last time and she was enveloped in it. She looked around her body nervously, before she turned into a sickly black and white creature. Gone were the spirit and the confidence, only despair was present, as reflected by the bland colors in her mane.

Rainbow looked tiredly around her, like a zombie. She took off half-heartedly back to her cloud. Wobbling feebly, it was astonishing to see the life sucked out of her.

I was disgusted. I couldn’t believe that its words could do such a feat. How could it keep on battering her with barrages without any care? It just converted a fun-loving, easy-going pegasus into a slave.

Well, I guess I should have expected that. It did say something about crushing their spirits until they were meaningless. But, unlike just destroying the elements themselves, it decided to break down the ponies. Until they were empty shells that could do no harm. To see how far you could test the limits until they deflated. I honestly felt sorry for the pegasus. Having her deepest secrets revealed and exploited.

Finally, around this point, I had control of my body. I gasped, shaking from head to hoof, as I tried to balance myself. Taking deep ragged breaths, I tried to fight my nausea. Unfortunately, I threw up. Yet again, when the substance was about to hit the mask, it disappeared into nothingness.

I’m...losing myself. I realized that. Now, my sense of right and wrong would be horribly distorted and life itself would be controlled by the mask. I hated this feeling.

But, I didn’t cry. I probably couldn’t after my episode last night. For better or worse, I was losing my sense of humanity. Losing what makes a man a man, or a pony a pony.

The good thing was that at least the mask remained passive. With that out of the way, I went back to the cottage on the edge of the forest.

When I got there, I hadn’t realized just how tired I was. My entire body was aching after that mass usage of energy the mask had. That’s what I was, just a tool for its own satisfaction.

After resting my eyes a little, I was about to go back out into Ponyville, but I thought against it. I couldn’t bear to see ponies again after that. I felt too guilty to even have eye contact.

So, I lay there on the ground of the cottage. I didn’t mean to stay there for the rest of the day since it was only noon, but I fell asleep.

“Why have you forsaken us? Have you come to cleanse our sins with a sinner?”

Four ponies were chanting around a statue in a plain outside of Ponyville. They kept asking mystifying questions as I watched silently. It was a stormy night with the wind ferociously blowing the rain along with the grass.

At once, the ponies turned to face me. Their eyes reflected their astonishment as they trotted toward me. I remained in place and waited.

“Have you come to save us all? Or wash us away in your pity?” they asked as they stood in front of me. They repeated this over and over.

“I’m merely a spectator,” I said, hoping to alleviate their sorrow.

Then, their eyes turned red. They chanted again, but it sounded like they were saying something backwards. They came towards me.

As they came closer, I saw ponies rising from the ground. First you would see a hoof or two peeking out. As they kept digging out of the ground, their entire body was shown with multiple scars and vacant stares. Once they were out, they started walking toward me along with the four chanters.

After a while, I realized what they were saying. Moon. Three days. Save us from the mask. Give us salvation. Help. Help. Help.

I was chilled. I turned around and started galloping, but more ponies rising from the ground impeded my path. The storm blew even fiercer now and it was all I could do just to stay on my feet. Eventually, after turning in every direction, I came to realize that they were forming a circle around me.

I closed my eyes.

Day Two: Fluttershy

New Day. Get up.

I groaned. It was dawn and I was astounded. How did I sleep for a whole day? Like yesterday, I didn’t get much sleep after the nightmare. Staring at the wooden ceiling almost soothed me more than sleep. I felt delirious and tired, but escaping the nightmares was my main priority. What a life I was living. Getting up and sleeping just for the thing to do its work.

I walked out again and it was the same process again. The mask would use its magic to look at the elements. This time it chose one with a pink blutterfly. Instantly, I thought of the pegasus that was feeding the animals in front of her cottage.

So, because I already knew that, the mask didn’t bother to go through the process to match the cutie mark. I dreaded what was to come even more than the previous pony. Even though this pegasus ran away from the sight of me, I still felt the need to protect this innocent pony from the horrors to come. There was a bit more connection with her that was hard to describe. Plus, she seemed really shy and was friendly with animals.

Well, since her cottage was close to ours, I took the walk over. Yet again, it was a nice day with no cloud in sight. It was a pity that it wouldn’t rain so that the ponies would know the horrors to come. If this was supposed to be an apocalypse, I would’ve expected it to be like my nightmare.

Soon enough, I chanced upon the tree cottage with its multiple habitats containing animals. The yellow pegasus was again feeding each one of them. I wondered why she felt obligated to help these animals. They could’ve easily survived by themselves. It must be her hobby or talent.

“Hello, Fluttershy.”

Like yesterday, she uttered a quiet meep and darted back into the cottage. I could hear the mask utter curses as it tried to find another way to “talk” to her.

I felt myself walk toward the door with the mask controlling me. I pressed my ear up against the door, but it was silent aside from the clock ticking softly. I waited a few moments until eventually the mask lost its patience.

“Hello? I didn’t mean to startle you. Can I get to know you? I’m new around town.”

Unfortunately, that was the mask forcing my own voice out. I felt grossed out, yet I couldn’t do anything about it.

Still, the door didn’t open and there was still this awkward silence. This pegasus must be really unsociable compared to the rest of town. It made me wonder how the mask would cope with this challenge. I secretly hoped that this might stop him.

I sighed. “I see you have many animals around your cottage. I really like how you treat them well. I’m an avid naturalist myself and I love interacting with animals too. Something about their habits and quirks seem interesting in a way to me.”

The door opened a little. I saw her head peek timidly out. What was she doing? Didn’t she know that this was all part of the mask’s wicked plan? Why couldn’t these ponies see through this act?

“Could we have a chat over a cup of tea?” I asked hopefully.

Luckily for the mask and unluckily for me, the door opened. It might as well have been a white flag. I saw Fluttershy go to brew some tea on the stove. I felt myself smile broadly as I walked toward the sofa inside. I audaciously plopped down and relaxed. I felt a bunny tapping at my leg, though I casually levitated it outside.

“I-if you don’t mind me asking,” Fluttershy said in a demure tone, “How come you have N-nightmare Moon’s mask on?”

“It seemed particularly fashionable to me,” I declared.

“Oh, sorry for asking,” she said. She uttered a soft squee that made me feel so sorry for her. I wanted to destroy the mask for being so cruel to this pony.

“Now where was I?” I said, back to the mask’s voice, “You do realize that your shyness will be the demise of you. Element of Kindness, but can be quite brave in certain circumstances. Often too much of a pushover, but can be assertive. You’re a tough cookie, you know that right? Difficult personality to work with.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Fluttershy said, a little confused. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

“You see, everyone harasses you. Even your friends. Even your family.” Fluttershy winced at that. “But, you simply don’t care. When you’re friends point out your flaws, and rather rudely at that, you still don’t get angry or discouraged.”

“I’m glad that I have my friends to point out the flaws,” Fluttershy countered. “They know that I can drag them down, so they have to give me advice. In fact, I think I don’t deserve these nice friends that put up with what I do.” She reminisced on old memories while standing by the stove.

I sat up. “So you foolishly believe that these ponies are good inside. I think that they don’t deserve you. A pony so kind and caring, yet they treat you like a doormat.”

Fluttershy wagged a hoof at me. “I see where you’re going, but it’s not going to happen. I’m not going to assert myself that much again. Who knows who I might hurt this time? I already caused so much torment to Pinkie and Rarity and I couldn’t bear to do that again. I’m sorry, but Discord already tried this on me.” She humphed and stuck her nose in the air.

I cheered inside for her. She already resisted a lot more than Rainbow, despite being shy. But the mask, cunning as ever said, “I see. However, even though you think they are acting for your well-being, I’ve seen them talk behind your back. Don’t you ever feel like you are the odd one in your group of friends? Like you don’t belong and they know it?”

Fluttershy shuddered. “Well, I do my best. I can understand if they’d do that considering how annoying I must be to them. I can only hope that I can become more like them instead of being shy-”

“-well, don’t you think this shouldn’t happen?” I interjected. “Here you are living a quiet and peaceful life that most ponies admire. Does it ever occur to you that their teasing and cynicism are because they are jealous?”

“Oh no,” Fluttershy scoffed. “Like back in Cloudsdale, I’m sure the ponies weren’t jealous of my inability to fly. But even then, they were doing it for my good because they wanted me to succeed at flying. It was mainly my fault for my attitude.”

“But consequently, people start ignoring you. They feel that you are not special and as time goes on, they start worrying about more important matters. In their eyes, you’re nobody, just a background pony. Doesn’t that bother you?” I could tell the mask was getting frustrated.

“That only gives me more room to improve, so that I can be accepted. It’s not their fault that they forget about me. They have their own priorities and that makes me all the more forgettable.”

“Well, don’t you think that it’s pathetic how you can’t break your shyness and how your flaws constantly get in the way of your daily activities? Don’t you feel ashamed at times?”

“Yes, but I know that I can stop it. It’s only a matter of time and perseverance.”

“Why don’t you just isolate yourself from your friends then? Isn’t it too much of a hassle to go outside and communicate?”

“But, I need to buy food for my animals. And my friends all depend on me as well.”

“So you’re content with your life?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Definitely.”

“Well, you know what I think? I think that you should be separated from the outside world. And I’ll even give you the food that you’ll need to feed all of your animals. All the food for a lifetime. So from now on, you should only stay within the general vicinity of your cottage and never go into Ponyville or anywhere else.”

My horn glowed again and I watched as Fluttershy transformed into a Fluttershy devoid of color and personality. As the kettle whistled, I watched as an immense supply of food covered the majority of the cottage. At least the mask had some decency to know that the animals would starve.

Within a few minutes, we saw a dejected Fluttershy feeding the animals. I stood up and stretched before heading back outside. The animals were still peaceful and didn’t know what happened to their caretaker.

I regained my body and I took time not to lose balance this time. Since I already saw the process of degeneration of the ponies, I felt numb to the horror it implied. It just wasn’t fair. Fluttershy didn’t even give up; she was just introduced to new false ideas by the mask. What was the point of breaking her down if you only did it halfway and then cheated?

I felt sympathetic for her. She even knew to resist such malicious thoughts, yet the mask had to have its own way. Why couldn’t the princesses or the townsponies do anything about this? Surely they realized the effects by now. Or maybe an illusion was placed over Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy to make them seem normal. I didn’t know. What I did know was that this wasn’t going to end well.

With each passing day, the mask grows closer to its goal. If these ponies can’t find a solution to this, then we were all doomed. I started imagining the moon coming down and crushing us all. An angry face plastered its surface while the entire town panicked. Not a pleasant thought.

Then I started thinking about how I could stop the mask. The mask did say that it could take control of my body, but I wondered if my resilience could break its power. I would only need to have control for a few seconds in order to kill myself along with its spirit. It seemed grim, but this was only for a last resort and I was getting very desperate. I had to be careful not to reveal this plan to the mask, so I didn’t think about the details.

But, I think I will bide my time. I trotted back to my cottage and again, it was only noon. But, I felt so tired that I fell asleep. Closing my eyes, I tried not to reflect on my position. It would only bring despair.

Giggling.

Like the skull kids I heard childish laughter. I snapped open my eyes to see ponies around me in a circle. At first, I thought this was a continuation of the zombie dream yesterday. But I realized that all of these ponies seemed normal apart from the laughing.

“Thanks for bringing the moon down on us. Thanks for destroying our population. No worries. Do you want to play a game?”

“What’s the game?” I asked, not wanting to know the answer.

“It’s a game where we see who’s the last one to die. It’s one of the best since you only play it once. No rules. Just fun.”

I looked around, sickened. All of these ponies were clearly delusional. Their eyes were lit with a cruel passion and the enthusiasm radiated from them. What was wrong with them?

All of a sudden, they started killing each other. And laughing. Regular ponies would grab metal bars and cave other ponies’ heads in. Pegasi dive bombed the ponies and twisted their necks. Unicorns made ponies’ brains bleed through their ears and out their eyes with their magic.

All the while, I remained a spectator in the middle of the circle. They paid me no heed and continued joyfully killing each other.

“Stop!” I tried to say, but my voice was dead. The ponies still ignored me.

Then the mask appeared in front of me. “Au revoir, Skull Kid.”

Day Three: Pinkie Pie

Get up. New day.

I blinked slowly. Staring at the ceiling, I wondered how I was surviving on such few hours of sleep. Every part of my body wanted to just stay on the grass and fall back to sleep. But, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Not with the horrors that awaited me.

I asked the mask why it wanted to do this. Why did it need to break all six of the elements when it could just break one of the bearers and be content?

It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to psychologically break down someone, so I decided I needed to practice a bit. Plus, if the other five bearers can bring the broken bearer back to her senses, then my whole plan could be ruined.

I shook my head, trying not to buy into the mask’s logic. Even with my active resistance of its ideas, I still can’t shake the feeling of understanding. If you can twist your mindset enough, perhaps the devastation it causes can be justified.

Maybe I was delirious with the lack of sleep. Maybe I couldn’t think straight with it tampering with me. For whatever reason, I couldn’t find any error with its logic.

After pondering this, I finally got up. Walked outside as usual and this time the mask chose the element with a blue balloon. I remembered the pink pony with yellow and blue balloons on her flank. All she did when she talked to me was exclaim how I was a stranger. Maybe she was scared of people like Fluttershy.

I teleported to the middle of Ponyville. My sight instantly strayed toward the local bakery. The frosting covering the edge of the roof and the pink cupcake sticking out of the normal building made it look like a gingerbread house.

I felt myself walking without my will. So it begins. When I made it to the shop, I slowly crossed the threshold into the store. For some reason or another, the store was entirely dark. Maybe the mask’s intrepid conversions were being noticed. I had hope that this would be the case, since this might be able to stop it.

“Surprise! Welcome to Ponyville!” I heard the pink pony say.

The lights flared on and I saw something that touched my heart. The pink pony jumped out in front of me and blew her party streamer. Everywhere along the ceiling was adorned with streamers with confetti floating around. Balloons were attached to tables and presents were strewn about the entire store. Ponies gathered around tables and looked earnestly at me.

I...I was speechless. This pink pony barely knew me and yet she felt it necessary to welcome me, even though I was a stranger. Even though I was different and I had this weird mask on me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in control and I couldn’t express my gratitude.

For the first time since I got the mask, I tried fighting for control. It’s hard to describe, but imagine trying to fill your soul into every part of your body while an infection has already taken your spot. That was essentially what I was trying to do; only the mask wouldn’t let up an inch. Forcing my way back into myself was like trying to flood a dam that had no cracks. I tried making my own cracks but it didn’t work.

Eventually I gave up. It wasn’t working and I was tired. There simply wasn’t enough energy for me to overcome this powerful foe. I knew that it was probably angry for me trying to fight and would probably assert its power later, but for the time being, I was too angry to care.

“Helloooo? Is that a cosplay of Nightmare Moon?” The pink pony giggles turned into snorts.

I shook my head. “Hello, Pinkie Pie.”

“Aww, how cute. You already know my name.” Pinkie Pie’s energy and passion was contagious. I felt myself craving sugar until the point where I turned into a party animal.

“Let’s see.” I tapped my chin with my hoof. “Element of Laughter. Obnoxious. Random and sometimes annoying. Loves parties and eats boatloads of sugar. Breaks into song?” I could hear the mask’s confusion. “Can be insecure without friends.”

“Watcha talking ‘bout? Can’t you see we got a party starting here? C’mon, cheer up. We’re here to make sure that you feel welcome here and there’s no better way than a Pinkie Pie party.” Pinkie broke into a wide grin.

“Pinkie, don’t you feel like you are odd? Like everyone else doesn’t like you at all, but are stuck with you because they don’t want you to explode?”

“Oh, I know what you need. Be right back.” Pinkie dashed into further into the store. I presumed she was going into the kitchen, but for what I didn’t know.

I walked towards her. “Yet you continue your act to please ponies every day. Secretly, you aren’t like this. You do have logic and think, but decide to erase that to make way for this life. The life of only pleasing other ponies when they don’t need to be pleased.”

“Ah! Here we go.” Pinkie pranced back toward me with a cupcake in her hoof. “Eat up. This will cheer you up.”

I squirmed. “Uh, no thanks. Can you pay attention to me?”

Pinkie snorted. “Pay attention? Hah, nice joke. Here.” She proceeded to smoosh the cupcake against the mask.

I could feel the irritation and anger of the mask brewing all around the shop. Pinkie, oblivious to this, started laughing again and fell on the floor in tears. “Sorry about that,” Pinkie said, wiping a tear away.

“Pinkamena Diane Pie, isn’t it time that you grew up? To leave this partying to others and move on with your life? You hunger for other ponies so much that you’ve become addicted to their praises. But, when you starve, it turns you into a monster. That’s when you lose it. That’s why ponies keep their distance from you. You’re too annoying to them and too random for investment of time.”

Pinkie, by this time, was done laughing and actually looked intently at me. “You know, now that I think about it,” Pinkie said tapping her chin. I died a little, thinking that she gave up. “I think we need more music.” She jumped up and galloped over to the corner of the store where four musicians were playing. She whispered something into their ears and the music descended to cacophony.

Pinkie jumped back to me. “That’s better. Hey, do you want to play a game?” She grabbed my hoof and pointed to a group of ponies watching a pony blindfolded. “We’ve got Pin the Tail on the Pony over there.”

I pulled away from her hoof. “Pinkie, I’m serious. Think about how pathetic your existence in Equestria is. How meaningless you are, even to your friend. Even your element seems fake. Element of Laughter is like being principal of a home school. What is with you?”

Pinkie squinted at me. “Mister, I think we have a problem here. I see everypony’s smile besides yours. C’mon take of your mask.” She attempted to pull it off. “Hold on,” she grunted with exertion.

“What are you doing? Stop it!” The mask seemed frightened.

“It’s not budging!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“I’ve had enough.”

I watched sadly as Pinkie’s pink colors dissolved into monochrome. Gone was the energetic and playful pony and in her place was a dejected pony that pretended to like parties, but secretly despised them. She groaned as she attended to everypony else around her.

As I grew feeling into my limbs again, I wondered how the mask would react to my act of resistance. It didn’t dole any punishment which meant it either ignored me or it couldn’t feel me.

Nevertheless, my feeling of grief completely overwhelmed me. If I wasn’t possessed by Nightmare Moon, then I could have had a great time being welcomed. A party just for me. But, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t let me.

I wanted to go party anyways, regardless, but seeing the despondent Pinkie made me think otherwise. I felt too guilty to even consider having a good time while such a depressed pony was lurking.

So, I trotted back home, ashamed and wistful. I lay on the ground again, telling myself not to go to sleep. I managed to keep this ruse going for a few minutes, before I realized that I was way too tired. I yawned, before sleep suffocated me.

“Hello, Skull Kid. Come sit with me.”

I blinked. Right in front of me was Nightmare Moon. Not just the mask, but an entire pony that illustrated her features, though her body wasn’t distinct. She exuded vileness and death, but I sat to the right of her on the log. A fire crackled in front of us.

I was so thankful that this wasn’t one of my nightmares again, that I grew comfortable in her company. Staring at the flames soothed me in more ways than one and for the first time since I picked up the mask, I relaxed.

“What is a pony’s life?” she asked.

I turned toward her. Was she going to go off on a philosophical debate with me? Considering how evil she was, I couldn’t imagine that she would have any thought at all for anything.

“Well,” I said, trying to get my answer, “a pony’s life is a blank slate. Each pony is unique in their respect and they deserve to live peacefully. Every pony is capable of being detrimental or helpful towards society, but it’s their own choice. A pony is someone who can make a difference and be special.

Nightmare Moon remained silent, contemplating my answer. “That’s true, but what if the society they’ve wrought is inherently flawed. What if it’s better to play God and erase them in order to start anew?”

I tried to grasp that idea. “I don’t think that’s fair. Divine Interference should never be the answer. Ponies should be able to fix their civilization so that they can be better denizens of this planet. If they mess things up, it should be on their shoulders, not ours.”

“But throughout the history of every world I’ve been to, they don’t change. I’ve seen people fight devastating wars and promise never to fight again. Yet, in a couple of decades, they go at it again. It seems as though they don’t learn from their mistakes.”

“Yes, but the point is that society won’t be perfect. In order to have a thriving civilization, there has to be flaws for people to solve. Utopia will never be obtained. If you just keep wiping them out and introducing new humans, ponies, or other creatures; you’re just rolling the dice again and hoping for the best. Nothing is perfect and genocide will only harm civilization. It’s not possible to suspend them in their primitive form. They will always start building even greater and become where they are now. And don’t think that I can’t see your previous work on Equestria. You’ve done this before to this place.”

We remained silent for a few moments. “I think that my reasoning is just an excuse,” Nightmare Moon admitted. “No matter how much I twist my logic, it all boils down to me deriving enjoyment from the destruction of civilization. I don’t know why. When I took control of Princess Luna, I didn’t know what I could do. I took complete control of her body and turned into a monster. Then, I caused so much destruction to ponies that I caused a dark age where ponies degraded that still lasts today.

“Eventually, Celestia banished me to the moon. I was furious, though I bided my time there. After a thousand years, I managed to come back for my vengeance, but those six ponies stopped me. I suppose it was for the better. I was converted into a mere mask until the Salesman picked me up.”

“Did you know why the Salesman wanted you?” I asked earnestly.

She shook her head. “He promised that he would allow me to spread my destruction even further. That’s when he dropped me onto the ground and you picked me up. For some reason, I haven’t thought about myself until now.” She glanced at me. “I think I’m pathetic, having such meager desires.”

“Does that mean you’ll stop with your destruction?” I was hopeful.

Nightmare Moon nodded. “I think from now on, I’ll...” she trailed off.

Suddenly, her eyes turned completely white. “How could you induce me with such foolish morals?” she yelled.

I didn’t know what happened at the time, but I think I know the answer. Since she was inherently evil, no matter how much she regrets her actions, she will always revert back. That was the ultimate source of my problems: her nature. I couldn’t stop it, even now when I was so close to stopping this ordeal.

I felt a shove behind me. I closed my eyes as flames licked me.

Day Four: Twilight Sparkle

Get up. New day.

What did this all mean? Did the mask actually have a change of heart? I would have some hope, but unfortunately I saw what happened at such circumstances. It made me feel as though the mask was a machine like Wall-E. Something inside itself must have a re-alignment of sorts to make sure the mask carries out its task without emotions getting in the way.

But that meant that the mask wasn’t in control. Or was it? I was theorizing that there were two personalities to the mask. One was dead-set on completing the mission, while the other acted as the rational part that actually thought. It’s like the id and the superego, only the irrational side was stronger. That was the side I saw most of the time that was programmed to destroy civilization. The rational part tried to justify its actions, but might be persuaded to give in as shown by the lack of awareness for my resistance at Pinkie’s store.

Now I wasn’t sure whether the irrational part completely destroyed the rational part or merely suppressed it last night. I wondered if the rational part had to fight in order to gain control of my dreams. But I knew that it was unsure about these current events and wished to discuss with me.

That gave me hope. I could tell that now the mask seemed...human. I can’t believe I said that, but it made sense. You can’t have a functioning spirit without having some balance. So the maker did just that. Even if it is inherently evil, it still has some reasoning behind it.

Unfortunately for me though, it seemed as if the rational part was gone. Judging by how the mask commanded me like every other day, it probably meant that I was dealing with a crueler mask. I could only hope that the rational part was still alive and it would come back one day.

I walked outside so engulfed in my thoughts that I didn’t pay attention at all to the mask’s process. This time it chose the tiara with a dark pink crystal that looked like a sparkle. I groaned. That meant it was going to go after Twilight, the pony who actually welcomed me despite my appearance.

I was teleported under Twilight’s vast library in the middle of town. Ponies milled about, blissfully unaware of my mental torment.

My hooves started walking to the library on their own accord. Using my magic, I opened the door and peered inside. Apparently I was too early since I heard the soft snoring coming from upstairs. Oops. Not that it would stop the mask.

The library itself was amazing. The copious amounts of books easily surpassed the meager amount back at Hyrule. Reading the titles, I instantly found interesting books to read. “The History of Equestria by Starswirl the Bearded”, “Little Mares”, “The Friendship of the Ring”, and etc. I wanted to sit and read.

But unfortunately, I kicked a bell next to the door. It resounded throughout the library. I felt sorry for Twilight and her pet dragon. They wouldn’t even have a good night’s sleep before being battered.

“Who is it?” I heard Twilight ask from upstairs. She yawned while coming downstairs.

“Hello, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Hello,” Twilight said while trying to smile. “You’re up early.” She squinted at me. “Isn’t that a mask of Nightmare Moon?”

“I suppose. Element of Magic. Bookish and dorky and unsociable. Yet made friends relatively quickly and since then become amiable. Has an OCD tendency and freaks out too much over trivial matters. Keystone to Elements of Harmony.”

“I suppose you just described me,” Twilight stated while yawning again. “Now is there anything I can help you with?”

I shut the door. “I never get ponies like you, Twilight. They always try too hard to rise above common folk. There must be thousands just like you. All of these ponies never have any free time and feel obligated to be better. For what? Satisfaction is never obtained. Pretty soon, your entire life is just spent working. You’re friends are ignored and stallions are shunned to make way for your dogma.”

“I thought Pinkie Pie was the last nutcase of this town,” Twilight muttered.

I laughed harshly, like the cawing of a crow. “Me? I’m the reason ponies are better. I’m the reason society exists. You? You live in your own delusional world so much that everything else is a distraction. All of your so called ‘friends’ are worried about you, yet you can’t be bothered. You-”

“-I’m sorry, sir, but you have to leave. I’m not going to let you go into my home and insult me. So open that door and move it.” Twilight glared at me.

My horn flared and the room went dark. I heard Twilight moan and a few seconds later I saw her horn flow. After glowing for a moment, it was clear that Twilight wasn’t going to be able to relight the room. “What’s your problem?” she asked menacingly.

“Celestia’s own protégé. Did you know that Celestia has had thousands upon thousands in her lifetime? To her, you’re nothing. Just another pony who’s bound to fail. Your life is nothing to be proud of.”

The silence that ensued only confirmed that Twilight was actually considering this. I couldn’t believe that she would take faith in a complete stranger. “I know I can be insane in my studies,” she admitted. “But it’s all for the better. I’m trying to better my life by learning more every day while other ponies simply sit around, waiting for a shooting star.”

“Twilight, you help so much around your community, yet the ponies never appreciate you. While they succumb to the inevitable, you remain tenacious and boldly step forward. But, do you honestly feel as though ponies praise you for your work, or are they secretly jealous of you?”

Twilight tapped her chin. “Hmm, I’ve never thought about that.”

“That’s right, Twilight, you don’t notice anything around you. Everything is just another test to you and that’s the only thing to keep you going.”

“Well, what would you suggest to stop that then?” Twilight asked while rolling her eyes.

“Twilight, I think you should live a little. Go outside and have fun all day instead of being close-minded.”

Twilight nodded her assent as the grayness took over her body. She shook her head and went outside absent-mindedly.

I regained my control and looked after her. She was so nice too. I couldn’t believe someone as smart as her could be corrupted so easily. Not that I could complain. The rational part of the mask was nowhere to be seen.

I walked back to my cottage and lay there, trying to realize what this implicated. If the irrational part is the only present side, then would this world be in a worse state? Would the mask cause more widespread destruction? Would I be able to stop it?

“Mommy?”

A small colt sat up in his bed. His toy elephant started floating in the air before him with a wide grin. What would have been a serene night was interrupted as more toys started floating with the same smile and the colt’s more urgent cries.

He finally got up and ran out the door, passing right through me. I followed him to another room in the building and saw his parents sleeping peacefully. He tried to wake them up by shaking them, but they remained asleep. He looked to the hallway to see the toys waiting for him there.

He dived out of the window placed conveniently to the side of the parents’ bed. I climbed out of the window with him as he ran towards the center of town. Along with him were other young ponies that were presumably running from the toys as well.

They all gathered in the center, just outside of the library. There was about thirty of them panting there. They looked around in terror as they saw the toys float slowly toward them. A random filly started bawling and ran away to the toys. When she reached their line, she dissipated.

The remaining ponies looked terrified. They huddled even closer while waiting for the toys. The line was only twenty feet away now.

Appearing at the front was the mask. It watched expressionless at the harmless ponies. Then, I could feel it staring straight at me. In the distance the clock chimed. Twelve.

Day Five: Rarity

Get up. New day.

Why? Why did I have the same nightmares again? Was it because the rational part disappeared? Was my routine back to “normal” now? I think this was the final nail in the coffin to tell me that I was going to be stuck with the irrational side of the mask from now on. To me, the rational part might as well have been gone.

I was scared. Scared of what would happen to me now. Scared of this incoming crisis. And also scared for the ponies. I had been since the first day, but I can’t describe to you how nervous I was.

I trotted outside and this time the mask chose an element I never saw before. A purple diamond. Like on the first day, the mask looked through a bunch of ponies to look at their cutie marks. This one was a white unicorn with stylized purple hair.

I was teleported to an intricately designed boutique shop. It looked as if it belonged in a proper city instead of a town, which was peculiar. Perhaps the mare inside wanted to express her individuality.

Yet again, I trotted without my will to the door of the shop. Peering at the sign, I checked to see if it was open. Nope. Too bad for this mare, I guess.

I pushed the door open and saw the mare in question working on a variety of dresses. She looked frantic, as if she had to fill out twenty orders in the space of this morning. I watched for a second as she ran around the mannequins levitating scissors, string, rulers, and other materials.

“Hello, Rarity.”

Rarity stopped in place to see me for the first time. She gasped. “Darling, do you have any sense of fashion at all? That mask is so passé; you simply have to let me design a better outfit for you.”

“Element of Generosity. Loves beauty and also loves being popular. Manners and behavior is proper. Interested in being a fashion designer. Typically loves her friend, but can get caught between wanting to fulfill dreams and pleasing friends.”

“Dear, you really have to stop mumbling,” Rarity said while dragging me over to on my right. She propped me up onto the stage and started measuring me.

“Rarity, you are a weird pony. So many different details in your personality. You are interesting. Ever feel like you shouldn’t please your friends or the audience that much? It’s become your life, just helping people. Yet, sometimes they don’t appreciate the personal dilemma you go through.”

“Mmhmm,” Rarity muttered, not paying attention. She started looking at the various fabrics that littered the shop.

“Even your own element contradicts with a normal pony’s nature. Generosity is simply a derived version of selfishness since ponies will never give unless it helps them in some way. So technically, you’re element should be greed. Greed is the ultimate source of every action that you make.”

I could tell that Rarity actually started listening. “But isn’t greed a bad thing to be proud of? Wouldn’t that be a bad representative of my personality?”

“Not necessarily. It’s what helped ponies survive during the primitive ages. In present-day circumstances, it’s shunned for making ponies apathetic. Why be scared of it though? It should be something to be proud of, something that will help you live with yourself.”

“So you’re suggesting that I become cut off from my friends, my family, and my audience just to fulfill my needs?” By this point, Rarity stood still right in front of me.

“Yes, it’s an honorable ideal. Rather than constantly being afraid on how society will judge you, you should loosen up and realize that you can be so much more without the limits that hold you back. Create your own style of clothes that you want and ignore your friends. Start doing what you want to do.”

Rarity’s enthusiasm disappeared as she turned gray as well. She looked around and ignored all of the dresses she was working on. All she did was go through some doors to what I assumed was her bedroom.

I regained myself and looked around. Everything seemed so creative in this room and lively. How would this be affected by Rarity’s new attitude? Only time could tell. I realized that there was only one other pony left. That meant that right after this unfortunate soul, the mask would start bringing down the moon. What could I do? I was too numb to figure out any devious plan. I just wanted it to be over.

I peered outside of the window just in time to see an orange blur darting into the bushes.

Day Five: Applejack?

Who was that mysterious pony that was spying on me? I ran outside as quickly as possible. Looking at the bushes where she darted into, I found that she wasn’t there. I glanced up only to see her galloping away.

I wasn’t really sure why I started following her. Not even the mask was inclined to cover its footsteps and make sure everypony didn’t find out. I could feel some resilience in this girl, something I longed to see since the mask started torturing them. I wanted to be sure that she could rebel against me and that it might be possible to stop the moon.

I started following her. She was definitely a fast runner and was trying her best to deter me, but I eventually caught up to her at the apple orchards.

The mare was panting in front of the gate as I trotted up to her. I took note of her features. She was a beautiful, orange mare with her blonde mane and tail in a ponytail, and wore a brown hat. I was guessing that this was her home and that she was an apple farmer.

This time, I used my own magic to analyze her. “Hello, Applejack,” I said by myself.

Applejack looked up and glared at me. “Now don’t you act all pleasant on me. Ah saw what you did to Rares back there, you turned her like Discord did. What is this some kind of joke?”

“Actually no.” I tried to get my voice to sound intimidating. “Let’s see, you’re the Element of Honesty. Stubborn, yet wise.”

“Jus’ who do you think you are?” Applejack asked, trotting straight up to my face. “Behind your mask, who do you think you are?

I stopped. I never thought about that. Back in Hyrule, I always praised my mask because it gave me anonymity and ambiguity, but here I dread the mask. Did the mask truly help or was I just that ashamed of my features? Was I emotionally detached to the rest of the world because of that? I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way, but I felt inclined to tell her my true feelings.

“I...I’m nothing,” I admitted, trying to back away slightly. “I’m petrified if someone discovers who I am behind this facade. Inside, my strength relies entirely on the mask.”

Applejack’s eyes widened, obviously not expecting this answer. “Why are you doing this then?”

I glanced around me. “Let me just say that I’m warning you Applejack. If you allow me to succeed, then I could potentially destroy the world.

At this point, Applejack must’ve thought that I was insane because she backed up. “Ah know you ain’t a bad pony,” she said. “Ah know that ponies can lead bad lives. But can you try to help yourself? What happened to you?”

I wasn’t sure what I was planning on doing. At first, I wanted to approach her like the mask would and break her down, though to a lesser degree so that Applejack would stay resilient. What ended up happening was confirming that I was entirely crazy. I already knew I was insane, but this was desperate.

This was my last ditch effort to make sure that I would stop the mask. If I wasn’t strong enough, I wanted to be sure another pony would help me if I faltered.

“I’m not sure I can. When my time comes up, all I will be is a puppet. A face for ponies to fear. And I don’t want that.” I wanted to tell her about the mask, but I feared that it might be too far-fetched.

But she understood. Something in Applejack’s eyes could grasp the truth from my cryptic words and interpret it. She knew. “Ah pity you. Can’t be easy.” Her eyes looked deep into mine.

I sighed. “I try. Only I’m not strong enough. Sometimes, events occur that are beyond my power to control. I learned that I’m only mortal. Ponies might die and Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale might be destroyed because of my weakness. Promise me that you’ll stop this if you can. Tell all of the townsponies you know and try to help your friends.”

Applejack nodded slowly. “And what if Ah can’t? What if Ah fail?”

I looked solemnly at her. “Then pray for a miracle. Look to the skies.”

I left, hoping that that was enough incentive to start rallying up the ponies. I couldn’t fathom what Applejack or the ponies could possibly do to stop the moon from falling, but some help is better than no help.

I returned to the cottage and promptly fell asleep immediately, wondering what would happen tomorrow.

No matter, she’s only the Sixth Element. I won’t bother with her. I don’t need to. Just learn your lesson, Skull Kid.

I opened my eyes to see ponies fleeing. They were yelling and shouting in their hasty attempt to escape. I looked up and I saw it.

The moon. In all my other nightmares, I’ve never seen it before. Deep in its eye sockets were two red eyes with a tiny dot for the pupil. A crude nose stuck out below it and its mouth was stretched into a grin. It petrified me. The face, though slightly comical, was intimidating and only reflected how cruel the mask was. How unfair life could be. How it intended to destroy ponies.

What was worse was that it was only a couple of meters from hitting Ponyville, the epicenter. It was descending rapidly with wisps of flames licking the front part of its face. I heard the clock tower chiming slowly.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I saw Twilight. I saw Fluttershy, I saw Rainbow Dash. I saw Rarity. I saw Pinkie Pie. As my vision flickered through all of them, I noticed they stood vigilant in their homes, waiting for customers.

Occasionally, they would glance outside to see the moon, only to avert their eyes and maintain their composure. As they looked down, I could tell that the conversions did a real number on them.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw Applejack with the mask in the center of town. Applejack was shouting something, I think. Something about stopping the moon. Unfortunately, the mask was levitating above her so she couldn’t attack it and the mask was also ignoring her. The clock tower chimed.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I was on the edge of town, gazing at the moon. I was lying on the grass being whipped around by the wind. I couldn’t see the clouds, but I could hear thunder and see lightning from above.

It took a few minutes, but the moon made contact. On the clock tower. The chiming stopped as the building was slowly crushed. As the tower came down even further, more buildings followed suit. The fiery energy covered the entire town by now.

Then, it hit the ground. The flames exploded and covered me along with all of the fleeing ponies. I shielded my eyes as I was overwhelmed. The heat was overwhelming.

I saw it. The mask. In the flames. Giggling.

“You’ve met with a curious fate, haven’t you?”

Days Three, Two, One

I awoke.

I touched my face. The mask wasn’t there! I could actually see without looking through the slits. Finally. Maybe now I was free from the enslavement.

Then, I remembered my dream. I got up immediately and ran outside.

I saw it. The moon. Even though the sun was dawning, the moon was hovering above Ponyville. It wasn’t anywhere close, but I could see that it was descending slowly. Thankfully, it didn’t have any flames licking it right now, though it still had that creepy face.

The mask was levitating in front of the cottage. It silently watched the moon coming down as if the moon was his newborn. It seemed serene and peaceful, like having the destruction of the world was therapeutic.

I trotted next to him. Together, we both watched the dawn of a new day with the moon coming down. It was so peaceful that I couldn’t believe it was happening.

Dawn of the First Day. Seventy-two hours remain.

Three days. Seventy-two hours. What could anyone possibly do to stop this? Once the puzzle pieces of the mask’s plan fell into place, it became fate. Destiny. This event was set in stone. Might as well accept the inevitable and give yourself up. What was the point of struggling?

I sat down, overcome with emotion. The mask re-attached to my face. I sighed as I realized that all of my efforts were for naught. What could Applejack do? What could the Ponyville citizens do? What could all of the ponies in Equestria do?

My vision once again limited to slits, I got up. There wasn’t any point in doing anything right now, but I felt it my duty to listen to everypony. If I inadvertently caused this, the least I could do was listen to them. How would they react? Would they try to run from town or stay? Would they hate me? That couldn’t be possible since they didn’t know that the mask and I destroyed the bearers of the elements.

The three days passed as a blur as I wandered aimlessly around town. With the ponies’ rising anxiety and fear came tension. Tension with desperation. Desperation with panic. Panic with bad decisions.

First, I went to the town square. I was pretty sure that by now all of the ponies in Ponyville have seen them imminent threat of the moon. With that in mind, I figured that they would all go to the square to get a better view.

Sure enough, they were there. All of the ponies were pointing at the moon and talking fearfully. They all gathered around Town Hall where a solitary mare was standing. I was sure that that mare was the mayor. She was a light brown mare with gray mane and glasses along with a collar adorned with a blue ribbon.

“Citizens of Ponyville,” she called. Everyone turned to her. “I have gathered you all here to witness what seems to be the moon falling down upon our town.” A murmur passed through the crowd like a gust of wind. “Settle down, settle down. I assure you that if we work together, we’ll find a solution to stop this.”

“Why isn’t Princess Luna doing anything about this?” a young colt asked in a stuffy accent. Calls of disbelief and assent resounded through the crowd.

“I’m sure she’s doing the best she can,” the mayor said, though unconfidently. “We’re not sure why the moon is falling or why our Princess isn’t stopping it. All we do know is that if we stand around and wait, the moon can potentially destroy us all.”

“Maybe Nightmare Moon is back,” a stallion said, “And she’s killing us all for vengeance.” The crowd gasped as one.

“If that were the case, I’m sure Celestia would right it. No, I think that it’s an external source that has caused this.”

“Then who is it? There isn’t any magic around it,” a mare said.

I slunk into the crowd, trying to lose myself in it. After hearing about Nightmare Moon, I was sure that that made me the most conspicuous of the entire crowd. Luckily for me, the ponies were too busy looking at the mayor to notice me.

“We’re not sure. There’s no information regarding this as of yet. We’ve already sent a letter to the Princesses which should come back any minute.”

I noticed the small purple dragon was to the right of the mayor. But where was Twilight? Like most of her friends, she was likely at her home waiting for customers. They would stay to see the apocalypse but they wouldn’t do anything. They were the mask’s slaves.

After a few moments of waiting, the dragon belched. At the edge of the small emerald flames, a scroll appeared. Immediately, the mayor unraveled it with her magic and levitated it up for her to read. Ponies squirmed anxiously, waiting for the news.

The mayor cleared her throat. “‘To the ponies everywhere, we don’t know what’s happening. My sister Luna and I have tried several times to control the moon with our magic, but we couldn’t stop it at all. Keep calm and we’ll find an answer. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.’”

“What does that mean? Not even the Princesses can stop it? We’re doomed!” a random pony shouted.

Everypony began talking as one. I could sense the fear present in their tone. This was awful. The moon was moving slowly enough that it would make ponies panic. It was psychological torture and the wait would be unbearable. I couldn’t believe the mask was doing this. It was all in good fun, it had said, and now it wanted the ponies to descend to chaos.

“But in three days, the Summer Sun Celebration is still being held here, isn’t it?” a young filly asked. She looked so hopeful that it was heartbreaking. I couldn’t even look at her.

“I’m afraid not. By our calculations, the moon will be crashing upon us in three days.” The mayor looked sympathetically to the filly.

“That’s not fair!” she shouted. “I’ve always wanted to see Celestia rise with the sun.” I heard her sniffling. I felt so guilty; my heart was torn to pieces. Please, let me right my wrong. Please let me stop this. Even if it costs me my life, I want that filly to be happy.

I heard other ponies say the same things and that they would stay just to see the celebration. Arguments sprouted between the logical ponies who suggested fleeing and the ones who wanted to stay. As the voices grew louder and louder, it was as if the town itself had split into two factions. The logical side and the stubborn side.

“Settle down!” the mayor yelled. “We can decide whether to leave or not in the three days. But for now, we should all try to find a way to stop the moon. At the current velocity, it will crush Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale. If we can find a way, then we can stop this madness that has plagued you all.”

The talk died down. Satisfied, the mayor continued, “Can I have a representative from the pegasi, the unicorns, and the earth ponies to discuss this with me later? Thanks for listening.” With that the crowd dispersed and went back to their homes.

Suddenly, a mare grabbed my hoof and held it up. “It’s Nightmare Moon’s Incarnate! This colt’s the one who caused this all.” Everypony making their way back turned around and watched the mare drag me to the front.

I could feel my face burn beneath my mask. Everypony stared at me. What should I say? Should I admit that it was technically my fault? Should I remain silent? These thoughts ran rampant in my mind as I tried to think of something to say.

“It’s just a costume,” the mayor said, waving her hoof. “How could a colt manage to bring the moon down upon us? I think you’ve been drinking too much, Berry Punch.”

Berry Punch let go of my hoof. “I do not,” she said indignantly. I used this time to slip away as everypony else kept her eyes on her. “Everypony thinks I drink because of my name, but it’s not my fault my parents named me like this.”

I trotted quickly away into the maze of cottages. Luckily, nopony was lurking around there since they were all back at the square. I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the mayor. I walked around the desolate town until I came to a grassy hill and rested there. After that, I wanted a low profile.

I sighed. This was exactly what the mask wanted. The town to plunge into discord. For paranoia to overtake the ponies’ logic. How bad was it going to get? I didn’t know. The three days passed like a blur and a snail at the same time. Without the Elements of Harmony, there was no way that they would stop the moon. I remained on the grass until I felt nopony would care about me.

“Derpy, try seeing if the pegasi in Cloudsdale can stop it with their strength. Applejack, see if the earth ponies can construct something to stop it. Minuette, try gathering all the unicorns and stopping it with your magic.”

I was currently pressing my ear to the door of the mayor’s cottage. So far, it seemed like she was trying to find a plan to stop it, though I knew it wasn’t going to work. I wondered how the ponies would feel once they found out that it was inevitable. Would they run or would they accept their fate? Even so, it would take a long time to salvage the entire town.

For a moment, it was silent, which I took to mean that the three ponies were nodding. I darted out of the way to the other side of the door as it opened. The three mares charged out and went off to do their duties.

I waited for a minute, about to follow them when two stallions started approaching the cottage, bickering. They crossed the threshold and then stood in front of the mayor.

“Yes?” she asked unenthusiastically.

One of the stallions, a brown one with money bags as his cutie mark, cleared his throat. “Mayor Mare, we must continue the celebration. Our children would be beside themselves if it didn’t happen. Who cares if the moon falls on us? I accept my fate here in Ponyville.” He closed his eyes and put a hoof on his chest solemnly.

“Are you crazy, Filthy Rich?” the other brown stallion with an hourglass as a cutie mark exclaimed. “All you care about is your investment in Ponyville. You’re scared that you’ll lose your fortune because the moon might be a fraud.” He pointed accusingly at Filthy.

Filthy looked incredulous at the other stallion. “Doctor Whooves, I’m being reasonable. What if this is all a hoax some prankster set up and that’s a fake moon? Anyways, the Celebration is such a momentous occasion that even if we were to die, we would go out in a bang.”

Doctor groaned and started massaging his head with his hoof. “Reasonable? All you know is that in three days, unless you do something about it, this town will be destroyed. And if Princess Luna, Celestia, and all of the unicorns in Ponyville can’t stop it, you know we’re in trouble. Evacuate the town. We don’t have enough time.”

The mayor looked suspiciously at Doctor Whooves. “How do you know that the unicorns can’t stop this? We still have the pegasi and the earth ponies to back us up too.”

He looked at the mayor. “Well, according to my calculations, the mass of the moon plus the momentum it’s going at cannot be diminished significantly by ponies. We don’t have enough strength or time for a solution. Something is controlling the moon and we can’t stop it. I’m sorry, mayor, but we must leave. We can rebuild later.”

Filthy narrowed his eyes. “Leave all our precious work to be destroyed?”

“That or be destroyed ourselves. Your choice.”

As they continued bickering, I had to leave. How could the ponies be arguing over common sense? Was Filthy that nationalistic or was he just selfish? I couldn’t fathom how they would stop the moon if they were this stupid. Was the mask right? Were these ponies unsalvageable? Were they all going to die?

I continued roaming about Ponyville. Most ponies were outside, discussing what they would do. I overheard the earth ponies saying that they would construct a structure that would barricade the town. The pegasi were racing about in Cloudsdale, taking ropes and attaching them to the moon, attempting to pull it away. Periodically, the moon would glow with a multitude of colors from the unicorns, only for the moon to go unhindered.

I couldn’t bear it anymore. I went back to the cottage and slept, hoping for the third day to come faster.

I awoke.

Dawn of the Second Day. Forty-eight hours remain.

The ground shook violently.

I got up swiftly and ran outside. The moon was so much closer now. The entire earth beneath me shook like an earthquake.
This really was it then. The end of the world. And what could I do? Even all of these ponies couldn’t stop this devastation caused for the enjoyment of a cruel mask.

“Give me another donut, Joe.”

I was at the local coffee shop on a table, savoring my cappuccino with a couple ponies. They all seemed depressed and worn down. I wondered if they were all tired from the discussion yesterday. But they seemed as though they wanted to give up living. Was their decision that gut-wrenching?

The mare who asked for the donut was currently sitting on the counter next to a few other ponies. The morning bustle in the shop seemed to be the same. Ponies milled about, fulfilling orders behind the counter. It was astonishing to me that their daily routines could keep continuing even as the end of the world stared at them, literally. And what do they do? Drink coffee and eat donuts. Gotta admire them.

“Here ya go, Derpy,” the yellow stallion said, passing a donut on a napkin over to the gray mare.

Derpy looked at the donut, and laid her head on the table. Her body shook as tears dropped onto a rapidly growing spot on the table. All the other ponies ignored her and continued about their business.

I felt awful. What happened to her to make her so sad? I bet the moon wasn’t the least of her problems. I got up and sat on the stool next to her. As I rubbed her back soothingly, I whispered, “It’s okay,” in her ear.

Derpy sniffed, wiping her tears and lifting her head a bit. “Thanks, mister. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

“Just tell me what’s your problem. Tell your entire story.”

She nodded, though she didn’t look up. “I’m the mailpony around town, so it’s my duty to keep delivering mail. Even after the three days are over and everyone has gone, I still have to do it.”

“But, why?”

“How do I explain? All the ponies are depending on me. I still have to deliver mail during the Celebration. My own filly, Ditzy, is so eager, how can I deny her? And my husband, the Doctor, still insists on helping everypony around town. What can I do? I’ll have to stay ‘til the end.”

I felt bad for her. She was stuck here due to obligations and her family. Mail must be her life if she feels so attached to her job. Was she bound to Ponyville because of that? Was her fate tied to the town? How many other ponies had a story just like that? Was this town full of Derpys?

“You don’t have to. Just convince them to leave with you. Forget about the other ponies.”

“But I have to.” She looked up and stared at me with her ditzy eyes. I understood. Something in her eyes related the pain and the misery she went through from other ponies. Like me, she was different. Yet instead of feeling apathetic to the pony world, she felt it necessary to help them. Derpy didn’t care whether or not the ponies made fun of her, she just wanted to help. Even if that cost her life. To her, her life was inconsequential compared to others.

We maintained eye contact, or lack thereof, for a while. I felt shameful in front of her. I felt bitter in front of others while she was loving. Feeling a sudden surge of emotion, I embraced her tenderly. After a moment, she returned the gesture. I couldn’t tell you how much I admired this mare right now. She’s sad for her inevitable demise, yet she feels so dedicated to her position. Even if her instincts tell her that this is wrong, she’s going to do what she feels is right.

“I hope everypony is proud of you.” I drew back and held her at arm’s length. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Please...stay safe,” my voice cracked.

“Thanks,” she said, “I feel a lot better now.” Her smile returned and my heart swelled. I was so happy to know that I could help her. It was my way of redeeming myself.

I walked away and took my cappuccino with me before Derpy could see the tears streaming down my face. I suppose then that this should be my job. Help the town out as my final actions. Even if I will be labeled as a demon in front of everypony, at least I’ll know that I did my best.

I spent the rest of the day traveling to restaurants and other stores to listen to the ponies’ stories. I considered helping the five bearers of the Elements, but I couldn’t. Call it weakness, cowardly, or foolish, but I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t bear looking at them again, even if I would help. I would feel too ashamed. Hopefully, Applejack would know what to do.

It was only at this point that I really felt a sense of the ponies’ life. I would talk to Roseluck and feel her attachment to her garden. I would talk to Mr. and Mrs. Cake and know their devotion to the bakery. I’ve finally learned more about the ponies instead of being forced around by the mask.

Luckily for me, everypony was quite friendly and willing to talk to me. After hearing their story, they would thank me and walk off happier. It was astounding, knowing how much help I was just by lending an ear. These ponies calmed down around me and started to rationalize their next plan of action.

I trotted home as the sun set, exhausted yet satisfied. For the first time since I’ve come to Equestria, I’ve actually helped them with their troubles. I’ve actually learned who they all were.

I collapsed on the ground. The ground shook again. I sighed. Throughout the day, these tremors were frequent and only reminded us of the moon. I noticed that this was the first day in Equestria that I’ve slept at a normal time. I closed my eyes.

I awoke.

Dawn of the Third Day. Twenty-four hours remain.

I walked outside, bleary-eyed. The moon was just above the town now. This was it, I guess. My final day of life. I was sure that if I tried to escape, the mask would drag me back. As it said, it wanted to be the figure of destruction.

How did I want to spend my last hours of living? Yesterday, I was with other ponies, but today I wanted to be alone. I was tired, I needed to think, and I wanted to accept my fate.

So, I sat down next to the tree on the edge of town in my natural habitat. I know, this is pretty anticlimactic, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Eventually, I was at peace. I accepted my fate and I genuinely wished my life was over. I was happy for everything that happened thus far. I felt bad for the ponies, but I couldn’t do anything about it now.

I sighed. The sun was setting now. The moon covered the entire town’s view of the sky with its flames. I made my way over to where I assumed it was going to crash. The clock tower. The ground rumbled again as I watched the ponies crowd around town strewn with decorations for the Celebration. Ponies were also leaving the town through various modes of transportation. The five bearers of Elements must’ve been in their homes. Just like my dream.

Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted up. I levitated above the clock tower and was dangled limply in town. The ponies gasped as they saw the symbol of their destruction. A giggle erupted from me, loud enough for all to hear.

"Six minutes to the end of the world."

Final Hours

Ponies watched, horrified, in their frozen stances around town. They all knew now what the cause of their death would be. I was solidified as a villain now. Even the ponies that I helped would come to accept that my intentions were false.

And I kept giggling. My entire body shook with it and I imagined that I looked deranged. With six more minutes, I had to accept my fate. To realize the death that would crush me. These ponies were to be buried along with me. The clock chimed.

Right in front of the tower, below me, four ponies teleported in. Applejack, Doctor Whooves, what appeared to be Link, and a tall, dark blue unicorn with wings.

The unicorn with wings started, “This is Nightmare Moon as a mask. When it wasn’t a physical embodiment, it could control a pony and turn that pony into Nightmare Moon’s own shape. That’s what she did a thousand years ago with me. She assumes all control over the body and now it’s happening again with that poor pony up there.” She gestured with her hoof.

The Doctor glanced around anxiously. “Princess Luna, don’t you suppose we should leave? We should escape and pick up the pieces later. The rest of Equestria depends on you. You can leave this place and be safe."

Luna shook her head. “I accept my fate. As princess, I’m tied to this land. Abandoning it would make me seem like a coward. I accept death.”

He groaned. “Am I the only sensible one in this entire town?”

Applejack pointed at me. “This here fellow meant to say that it wasn’t his fault. Ah think if we could stop the mask from possessing him, we could stop the moon.”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Luna countered. “This mask is too dangerous and powerful to get off. Anyways, the mask doesn’t need a body to carry out its doings. It only needs itself. There’s no point in resisting."

The Doctor rubbed his face. “This is insane! I have the TARDIS which could teleport us anywhere else and you guys just want to stay here. We’re just going to stand here and die. Nice knowing you all.”

The others didn’t react at all and stood silently watching the moon and me. I wondered why they felt so dedicated to the town. Perhaps it was unexplainable, like a feeling.

I fought against the mask again for my body. I really wanted to help these ponies, even if to no avail. Like last time, it was like pressing against a brick wall, but I was a flood. My energy pressed against the mask for cracks along that wall which I could swear was made by the rational part of the mask. Was that part still alive? The pressure against them made them crack even further. Soon enough, the water spilled through them and I was through. I felt weird as my soul poured into my body.

I gasped. My magic faltered a bit and I fell, before catching myself up again. As they turned to me, I said, “Twilight, Pinkie, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy. Revive them. Use the Elements of Harmony. Stop the moon. Stop Nightmare Moon.” I shuddered as the mask took control of me again.

I growled. “You fool! I won’t let this happen again.” The mask darted off of my face and I fell, my magic drained. I hit the ground, hard. As I groaned in pain I heard something. Link’s ocarina. It played seventeen notes.

Cringing, I wrenched my face up to look at them. They were gone. The clock chimed for the last time. I passed out.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw vast darkness. I was standing on two legs again, which disoriented me but I had my clothes. I found my balance after a few moments and waved a hand in front of my face. Nothing. I was blind to everything. Just where was I?

In front of me, I saw light radiating. The light grew bigger and I had to shield my eyes. Eventually, the light penetrated my eyelids and all I saw was blinding whiteness. It felt as though thin daggers were pressed into every part of my eyes.

Then, the pain stopped along with the light. I opened my eyes and saw a slender young Kokiri girl with black hair along with a gruff boy that had bushy eyebrows, glowing. They looked at me serenely, as if they knew everything I didn’t. We stood there, looking at each other in silence.

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked quietly. I felt almost afraid of them.

“We’re your parents,” the girl said, her voice like Saria’s. “We’re where you least expect. The land where time holds still, dreams roam freely, and imagination dominates overall.”

I thought about that. “So this is the land between life and death. But are you really my parents?”

“Not necessarily,” the boy said in shallow voice. “We are foster parents who find people like you across dimensions. This isn’t exactly that land either. We’ve come to you in your unconscious state. It’s a pity we died so soon and had to give you up to the Tree.” He looked to mother.

“Are you here to escort me to the afterlife?”

Mother shook her head. “No, it’s not time. You have your own life to live. This isn’t the end of your story. We just wanted to tell you that you have to carry on. Never give up.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so stupid.” I buried my head in my hands.

I heard Mom whisper, “It’s okay, we make our mistakes,” as they embraced me. For the first time in my life, I felt loved. I felt like I belonged in this eccentric family.

They let go too soon. I looked up confused as they backed away into the darkness. “Wait, don’t go!” I cried desperately, chasing after them.

They slipped away into the darkness and I grabbed at thin air. I whirled around in a complete three-sixty. Nothing. They vanished.

I sighed and closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw Luna in front of me. She was saying something, though it was muffled. She kept repeating it as the words became clear enough for me to hear. “Wake up.”

She pushed me and I fell. Darkness rushed around me.

Afterwards

I opened my eyes.

I was lying on my back outside town before dawn, somehow. A crowd of ponies were gathered around me. Looking up, I didn’t see the moon. The moon was gone! All of my worries were gone. I didn’t have to die. I didn’t have to die.

“He’s awake!” I heard Applejack say. I looked to the right of me to see her.

I heard a collective sigh of relief amongst the crowd. Applejack, Luna, Doctor Whooves, and Link all came into my vision in front of me. The crowd backed up a considerable distance.

“What happened?” I asked in a raspy tone.

Fluttershy, Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, and Pinkie trotted next to them, with color. They all started giggling first, until everypony started laughing deeply. It was so infectious that I couldn’t help but laugh myself. We kept laughing until we ran out of air.

I sobered quickly after. “I’m so, so sorry. I can’t imagine how angry you guys must be at me. I’m forever in your debt.”

Pinkie jumped on top of me with her hooves around my body and pressed her snout against mine. “Don’t be silly, it wasn’t your fault.” She stared into me with a serious gaze, quite unlike her usual bubbly self.

She jumped back and I stared at the ponies in turn. They all gave me a smile. It almost felt like a dream. “But what happened? Where’s the moon? Where’s the mask?”

The mask salesman trotted into view now, holding the mask. I cringed back, worried. He smiled at me creepily. “Don’t worry, it’s safe now. Nightmare Moon has been driven away from this world once and for all. It’s only a souvenir now. I think I’ll keep it for myself. I will forgive and forget.”

“As for the moon,” Applejack said, “Ah think that’s a tale for another day. Instead, let’s start the Summer Sun Celebration!”

Fireworks shot into the sky above Ponyville and the crowd cheered. They stampeded back there to witness a white unicorn with wings lift up the sun with her magic at the library. The Salesman walked off and disappeared in the grass forever. I would never know who he was, though I was happier because of that.

Still, they remained and that was important to me. That they forgave me. I didn’t even know how they stopped the moon and the mask at that moment. I didn’t know how they saved the corrupted ponies. But I didn’t care. At that moment, I felt secure. The ponies had forgiven me to an extent. I was no longer enslaved. I wasn’t worried. Wherever the river flowed, I would enjoy the ride. As long as everything was back to order. Even if I did look different, I was still a mortal pony.

Time flew by swiftly afterwards. I accepted that I would never leave Equestria. The ponies told me how they saved the world, though I’ll spare writing that down since everypony knows about that. We were friends and would forever remain. Applejack and the bearers of the Elements remained in Ponyville while Luna returned to Canterlot. Doctor Whooves, Link, and I remained in Ponyville for some time, getting to know all of the inhabitants before moving on. We traveled across this magnificent world that was Equestria. Travelers and friends until the end.

I’m an old, sentimental pony now, living back in Ponyville. I was never the real hero, yet never the real villain. Only a bystander. My adventures have come to a close. I’m glad that you all forgive me. Thanks for listening to my words.

I only wished things could have occurred differently. But I have no part in fate.

Author's Note

Hello, y'all. I hope you had as much fun reading this as I had writing it. I appreciate all of your support and hope to see you again in the future for another story. Thanks!