The Mask Hurts

by storywriter97

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Adventure
Length: 2276

The new assistant of Starlight has plans to ascend, but at what cost?

Ember Snow is the favorite daughter of a pair of ponies that belong to the nobility. She was blessed, or cursed with chaos magic which is slowly changing her. What shall this filly do when she succeeds in her plan to finally ascend? Will she destroy, or will she save?

Published 2020-03-19 01:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-03-24 03:18:50 UTC

The Mask Renewed

Ember Snow looked in the mirror as a stylist was curling her purple mane. Her brown coat was groomed to almost perfection. She smiled softly at her new hairstyle, while doing her best to hold back the tears upon seeing a fellow filly and his mother. Her mother was busy looking at herself in the mirror instead of looking at her.

'I hate her.' Ember thought as she examined her apathetic unicorn mother. The once beautiful smile of this filly disappeared into an expression of apathy.

The stylist finished her mane, and Ember got up from the chair. As she went to her mother, her mother quickly said." My favorite child, if only your siblings could be as beautiful as you. Sadly they were all mistakes." The tone of Ember's mother was mocking. It was like she didn't care about her brothers and sisters.

Several ponies gave her several looks at how she spoke about her children. There were whispers between ponies.

"Come now daughter, it is time to go home." Her mother gestured to her as she opened the door with her hoof.

Ember trotted out the door and followed her mother to their large house.

She sat on a large comfortable chair with cushions so soft that one could instantly fall asleep. Her mother and father were bragging about her to their guests.' I am just a trophy to them. They don't love me.' She thought as she waved her hoof and had a bright smile that even Celestia herself would envy.

"Daughter show our guests one of your tricks." Her Pegsai father said.

"Yes daddy, I will be honored to do so." Ember's horn activated and out of nowhere, a small cloud formed above the empty drinks. It rained down apple cider which refilled the cups of the guests.

The guests stared in awe, and cheered at the display of magic.

"Can I go now mother?" Ember said trying to not roll her eyes. She jumped from her seat and stared at her mother with such great posture benefiting a noble mare.

"You are excused daughter." Her mother said.

Ember trotted over to her room which was so massive that it can be its own house. The bed was so large that three ponies could sleep together. Rows of bookshelves filled with an innumerable amount of books that contained subjects of magic, history, and the basics. She trotted to her mirror and looked at her reflection. Tears began forming as she finally allowed her true self to appear." I hate friendship. My brothers, and sisters alienate me instead of helping me. For some reason they have friends and by Twilight's sake.``

Ember paused upon saying the word Twilight the ruler of Equestria. A burning rage likened into lava scarred her soul." The princess of friendship, what a joke. She allows those filthy lower lifeforms in that school." Ember placed her hooves on her mirror as her voice broke.

"Am I not special? My magic is chaotic, yet I was never chosen to be a student of the princess." Ember stuttered as she refused to move away from the mirror. Her horn glowed with an aura that was static, and waving. Immediately a book came to life and floated to her.

"Why do you cry? Read me and escape this pain." The book said with its voice being as sweet as candy. On the cover was the adventures of Daring Doo.

Ember would be creeped out about this a year ago but her facial expressions never changed." At least you are not a history book. For chaos sake let this work." Her horn glowed and the book fell on the ground.

Ember put her two hooves on her face and made expressions with them. Almost as if she was trying to make a mask.

"Another school day tomorrow for more friendship lessons from Principal Starlight and the professors bah. I bet they are talking behind my back. Oh Ember is too short, Ember is too ugly, Ember is too weak. They are all evil. I know that I am right." She turned her flank to the mirror and headed to the bed to sleep.

The next morning, Ember woke up as the alarm clock sounded throughout her room. She groaned as she slammed her hoof on the device to shut it up." Another day to plan my ascension."

Before she could move, servants entered in to pick her up so she could take a bath. She offered no resistance as her mane , and coat was washed thoroughly.

Afterwards, she was sat on a throne and a large portion of food was on her plate. Her eyes met with her brothers and sisters. Her beautiful mother was standing up observing her gathered children.

"Daughter I made your favorite. I hope you will enjoy your oatmeal, and sliced apples." Her mother said happily as she paid attention fully to her daughter.

One of her sisters spoke up." Mother where is our food."

Her mother snapped her head and glared at her with pure disgust.' You all will eat after your little sister eats. She has to keep up her strength."

Ember began to eat her hot tasty oatmeal and sliced apples and get ready for another day of school.

After getting to the school, she maintained a smile and was soon met with a friendly voice that urked her. It was a pony with a high pitch voice." Good morning Ember, have you slept well.

Ember felt talking to this pony was having needles stabbing into her coat, 'lies, lies, and more lies. She doesn't hope I have a good morning.' She almost glared before catching herself.

"I slept quite well darling friend." The elegant tone of her voice could be mistaken by a pompous rich Unicorn from Canterlot.

The two spoke before heading to the first class that was taught by Applebloom. On the chalkboard was the lesson was the value of loyalty.

Ember sighed as she took out her notebook and begin taking down notes.' Loyalty my flank, like anyone has been loyal to me.'

Author's Note

This is my first fan fic, I hope you all will enjoy it.

The Party Mask

Ember was brought forth in front of the class and began showing off why she was the assistant of the head mare Starlight. She began to write down the answers as if she knew the answers." The element of honesty is vastly important as lies always end up hurting fellow ponies." Ember almost cringed at her saying that. She hated her fellow students to the point that she felt her blood boil inside.

"Well done Ember, but you are missing one thing." Applebloom said as she began to correct her." Lies do not only hurt other ponies, but they also hurt yourself."

Ember sighed as she thought of a different mask to wear as she listened to the teacher. She simply nodded while smiling before returning to her seat.

She noted down what Applebloom said quickly as it was still fresh on her mind. As she continued, she leaned back in her chair to observe the board. The chalkboard was painted with the white chalk, and the noise was comforting to her. Her eyes turned to examine her classmates that sat by her. Pear Mash's coat was green like a pear, and his mane was a light brown. His accent sounded country. Her other classmate was a blue scaled dragon whose passion seeped out of her hide.

Ember found herself zoning out as she became lost in her thoughts.' I wish my parents would give a damn.' Tears threatened to flood her eyes as the memories of alienation began to flood her little filly mind. Her emotions were like a raging storm beating upon the shore.' No, by chaos' sake I will not weep. I will not show them the real me.' The sadness that was once there was now replaced by a deep bitterness and hatred. Her hate for her family burned hotter than the heat of summer. Its raging flames threatened to overcome her.' Applebloom, I feel her lacerations, does she really care or is she like mother?' Her rage was immediately halted by the bell as she was jolted back into reality.

One by one the students got out of their seats to head to their next class.

Ember trotted alongside Pearl Mash to say." Sorry I dozed off for a couple of seconds, do we have a test?" Another lie that Ember always stuck too.

"We have a test coming up. You want to come to the study group?" He questioned with a faint smile on his lips. Pear felt a warmth like being wrapped in a hot blanket.

"Oh gosh, you flatter me with your invitation. I will be so happy to join the study group." Ember stated while trotted alongside him.

Ember saw paintings of the famous ponies that saved Equestria time, and time again. She

ignored it so as to not betray the rage she felt on her face.

Pear Mash broke the silence." How are you doing in your classes with Professor Sweetie Bell?"

"Well enough, perhaps she will give us a gem." Ember chuckled as the two made their way to

the class. However, when she sat down in her seat, she remembered the voice from one of her many dreams.' Come and hear me for guidance. Who needs friends when you have monsters.' The voice was like honey on the lips.' Ember drowned out the noises from the outside as she wondered what this voice was. She thought it could be a figment of her imagination or something more. However, she was brought back into reality by a feminine voice.

A red-scaled female dragon asked." Hey, pony you got the notes from yesterday's class."

Ember glared at the dragon with an intense hatred that she could cut the air with it. She sighed as she went through her bag and got out yesterday's notes." Bring them back to me after you are done." She stated while looking at the dragon in the eye.

"Thank you so much, you saved me." The dragon was so relieved as if she had a great weight on her back.

Sweetie Bell took note and proceeded to start the lecture. The class went on although quickly.

Immediately an announcement was announced that the classes will be taking a field trip to the crystal empire next week. This caused much excitement with all of the students, even Ember.

Once classes ended, Ember went to Starlight to help her with anything." Ms. Starlight, do you need anything?"

"Ah yes, Ember, can you help me water these plants I brought. No need to use the pitcher, I shall teach you a simple spell."

"Really, that will be so awesome Starlight!" Ember gleefully yelled while jumping up and down.

Starlight chuckled at the excitement of her student and began to teach her a water spell.

While Ember was listening and doing the spell, something hit her heart.' Why go with this plan of yours? Starlight loves you. Tell me how far of this plan of yours to ascend goes.' That voice conflicted her and pierced her soul with a sword.' Nothing will halt my ascension.' Ember combated this voice as she buried it deeper than the sea.

Out of Ember's horn came a flood of water that drenched the fresh soil that the flower hooked into. Ember hoof pumped Starlight with a smile brighter than the stars.

"Too much too much, but it is a start." Starlight said while rubbing the back of her head. She quickly continued on, "Ember, I trust your classes are going well. I do have a special assignment for you." Starlight announced to her little assistant.

Ember perked up to see what assignment her mentor wanted her to do.

" Pinkie Pie is throwing a birthday party tomorrow, and I want you to come."

Those words shattered her soul as she was told to attend the party of a pony she hated. It felt like sharp hooks dug into her flesh and threatened to yank out her fleshy organs.' No no no, this can't be what she wants. Why do I have to go to that party?'. Ember barely could form a thought at this moment.

"Trust me, she has loads of cake and I know you love cake. I saw how you consumed that pie." Starlight joked with a small chuckle that was accomplished with a warm smile.

Ember exhaled." I will be honored to attend Ms. Starlight." Ember felt like poison was in her mouth at saying that.' I can't believe I have to even dare entertain that ridiculous Earth pony with my presence.' Ember's mood was completely ruined at this announcement. However, that small voice sounded in her head.' What is your purpose for hating the party pony? She has done you no wrong.'

Ember retorted back mentally.' She talks about me behind my back. I bet the princess laughed about me when she rejected my application to the magic school.'

'Do you have proof?' That simple question shook Ember's soul to the core. It was like a magic spell trying to change her mind.

'Quiet', Ember buried the voice back inside and was brought to attention when Starlight got something that was intoxicating.

"You have donuts!" Ember shouted as she used her magic to float up.

Starlight was delighted to see her student so excited but cautioned her to lower her voice. The two then enjoyed time conversing about magic and eating donuts.