Masks of iron and ivory.

Chapters

Ch1. ɨռȶɛʀɛֆȶɨռɢ....
Ch 2 - ɛ̵͓͕͉̫̇͐̎mbers
Ch3. not to hide a face, but to hide so much more
Ch4. questions
Ch5. dreamers folly
Ch6. Sands

Ch1. ɨռȶɛʀɛֆȶɨռɢ....

My eyes slid open slowly. I rose gradually as I scanned my room. just as I’ve done every other day since.... My walls were a dull grey while my ceiling was a midnight black with constellations all over it. My floor was covered in a snowy white carpet. I suddenly sprang with a spin out of my bed and rocketed past my dresser... just like every other night. No one hid behind it, no one ever did, but the day I didn’t jump to action, would be a day I regretted. I sighed as I saw nothing amiss, but sent a quick magic pulse through the house.

Again, nothing. Stretching and popping some joints, I walked to my dresser popping open the bottom drawer of the dark brown piece of furniture. I dressed up in my usual under armor padding. It was a soft and spongy metal polymer. I didn’t know anything past that nor did I care. Next came my real armor. It was a skin-tight dark gray suit of metal. Next was my cloak, It was pitch black, and was slightly tattered at the edges. Just how I liked it. Quiet morning…. Regrettably.

Lastly, my mask. It was an ivory white once upon a time, but sand, dirt, and various other things have since darkened the mask's face. My other six masks lifted off of my dresser to float around behind me. I willed them to begin their circular orbital that I so liked.

Different masks, one for every situation. Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Shock, Neutrality, and Schadenfreude were my normal masks of glossy white. I had two more, one was Rage, and the other, Deceit. Rage was a cracked black mask with a large diagonal break across the right side of the mask. Embers flowed around the edges and through the eyes, but the lava flowing down the long break was what really sold the fiery theme to me. Deceit’s true form was a cloud of black smoke in the form of a mask, but most of the time it was disguised as one of the other masks, waiting.

With my masks settling into their circling pattern behind me, I decided to have breakfast. Breakfast was never any fun, so lets get to the interesting part work. I stood from the table in my dining room, brushed my clean cloak off, and ripped open a portal to the lobby.This never gets old.

As I stepped through I heard “YAA, what the hell dude, stop popping in like that! It’s REALLY damned annoying.” Closing the portal, I used my power to switch my masks from the dirty neutrality mask to the glossy mask of schadenfreude. Slowly turning and tilting my head, I peered into the speaker's eyes.

The enchantment on my masks acted as a one-way window. I smiled deeply as he averted his gaze from the black pits of the mask. I then responded in my most energetic voice “WHY HELLO there my little friend, I understand that my habits can be a TAD unnerving, but they are how I get around, soooo you better get used to it.”

At the end I deepened my voice, and layered some static as I spoke. I snapped back into my signature stance back straight, head slightly tilted, and hands behind my back. “Now, have a nice daaAAay, see you in the ring.”

I spun on my heel and walked towards one of the many halls Oh how I love illusions… even if they’re a little ..basic. It faded from the sterile white of an office to a replication of old Roman architecture. Colosseum architecture to be specific, and I Love It.

Looks like they’re going for the Ol’ Roman look today. A circular wall of marble surrounded the sand filled pit that I stood in. I stole a quick glance at the stone bleachers and saw them filled to the brim. The grin under my mask widened. Oh this will be fun.

However, my revelry was interrupted by the sound of shouting. I glanced at the opposite side of the ring, and saw, to my delight, the man that was annoying me earlier. Hmmm thunder specialty, wizard class….. Adept? He certainly wasn’t a novice, but he didn’t have that crackle of power surrounding masters….

He saw me staring at him, and shouted “WATCHA LOOKIN AT YOU MASKED FREAK. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA WANTS HIS ANTIQUE FACE BACK.”.....

My mask was one of neutrality, then rage flashed its fiery head, and finally settled on schadenfreude. My favorite. The smiling mask was just the thing.

I slowly turned to the crowd “You know what? I think it's time to start teaching these youngsters to respect their elders, wouldn’t you say?”

I snapped my head back towards my competitor. I chuckled internally as I started layering a few illusions. First, static in the voids that should be the eyes of my mask. Next, black liquid that seeped from the holes, and lastly arcane symbols of the blackest kind, that phased in and out of existence around my head. He started squirming under my unblinking gaze. Heh, still got it.

Then a loud crack rang out above all the other noise, followed/accompanied by a thundering shout yelling “BEGIN.” I summoned a scythe made out of a lil piece of entropy itself. I decided spread my arcane wings, made of dozens of sharp metal plates. He threw a hand out, and lightning thrashed where I stood. However, I had already teleported just to the side.

No, no he needs a little hope.

He continued lashing out at me with lightning from his fingers. Sometimes the boy even had the creativity to throw lightning from above, or try to electrify the ground. How… predictable.

I suddenly stopped my constant dodging, and the adept, to his credit, paused. He seemed to think for a moment before charging up a massive bolt of lightning going so far as to infuse runes into it.

Quite the gamble isn’t it boy?

I grinned beneath my mask.

Oh the hope I see in his eyes.

He shouted while the ball of electricity left his hands and barreled towards me. I simply spread my hands to the sides and tilted my head. The sphere struck like the hammer of an angry god. The crowd was silent, then muttered, then cheered with joy.

The lightning adept was grinning from ear to ear. “HOW’S THAT, YOU SMUG BASTARD? THOUGHT YOU WERE TOUGH? WELL GUESS WHAT-”

His cliche taunts were cut-off by a burst of mad, demonic laughter. “You really thought you stood a chance, didn’t you?”

The laughing died down to chuckles as the masked man in a cloak walked out of the cloud of billowing sand completely unscathed. The only reminder of the previous attack were the small crackles of blue lightning that flashed all over me. “Enough of this farce.”

And with grim, joyful finality, I blinked behind him, and brought my scythe around in a sweeping arc that flashed through him like he wasn’t even there.

I began to walk away as he fell into pieces, literally. Of course, this arena had a reset enchantment; he would be fine, mentally scarred, but fine. I hummed a little happy tune as I cheerfully marched down the hall.

The receptionist had a beaming smile on her face. “Wonderful performance, you should do that kind of thing more often!”

I smiled at her enthusiasm as I replied, “But that would take away the special feeling as my theatrics become the norm… a few centuries of these performances and everyone would be doing it….”

I bowed my head slightly before ripping my usual portal into space-time. As I stepped through I had a funny feeling.

Eh probably nothing, after all It’s just a portal.

I closed my eyes as I stepped through. I breathed in deeply to find something... off.

This isn’t my home? I could’ve sworn that I had the coordinates right.

I opened my eyes and they instantly shot wide open. Meanwhile, the portal behind me closed leaving only a few crackles of blue lightning as a memory of what once was.

I blinked a few times. I shook my head. Then I reached under my mask and rubbed at my eyes. Where the hell is this forest? I’ve never seen it before…That's when I heard a trio of screams belonging to…. Small girls? I instantly charged in their direction.

At least this place might be interesting.

I crashed through the underbrush, and used small blinks to bypass larger obstacles. Then I thundered onto a small dirt path and spotted…. Three ponies? I flicked my head the other way and saw…. Wooden wolves?

God whoever made those must be getting desperate. I mean seriously, wood? For wolves? How unimaginative and…. ineffective. The leader of six wolves growled at me as the pack stalked closer.

I rolled my eyes. “Really? First wood, second wolves, third they’re feral, how incompetent is that wizard? Weak material? Weak spirit? AND he STILL can’t keep control of his mutts?”

I sighed as I shook my head. “Oh, how the education system has failed you my dear mage.”

The weird pony things started shivering. Again, rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Just calm down, little ones, these things aren’t actually dangerous.”

To emphasize my point, I waved my hand to send an arc of lightning through the pack dropping them dead.

I chuckled at my own antics. What, do I show off for tiny horses now? How the mighty have fallen…..

With sarcasm dripping from my internal monologue, I turned towards said little horses.

“Well then, I honestly have no clue what to do with you three.”

I looked them over. The one in the middle was slightly bigger than the other two, had crimson hair, and a yellow coat. The small pegasus was orange with purple hair, while the unicorn was white with a myriad of purple colors?

Eh I’ve seen stranger, only way this could be weird by MY standards is if they started….

My thoughts were cut off by the normal horse stepping forward shakily. “W-w-w-well ya c-could help us get ta Ponyville, Mister?”

The poor thing looked down immediately after saying that, and followed up with “I-i-if you don’t mind.”

Well, at least it's something new….. Should be interesting.

I shrugged while I replaced my current mask with Happiness.

“Not at all. I’m not from around here, so this is all new to me.” I slowly walked towards them, stopped around 3 feet away from the cowering fillies.

At least I think that’s what baby horses are called.

“Wellllllllll are ya gonna point the way? I ain’t exactly a tour guide.”

I kept my happiness mask on to keep them calm. I don’t really feel like chasing these ones all through the forests.

Slowly the pegasus filly started walking past me, the remains of the timberwolves, and in the direction I presumed their town laid in. I smiled beneath my
mask as I raised a fist in mock passion.

“Onward to glory, and gold and fame.” My stomach growled in the middle of this “..AND HOPEFULLY FOOD.”

The three fillies started snickering as we walked towards this new place.,

This should be very…… ɨռȶɛʀɛֆȶɨռɢ.

The three fillies started snickering as we walked towards this new place.,

This should be very…… ɨռȶɛʀɛֆȶɨռɢ.

Author's Note

first thing i've tried publishing so far. I'm new to writing, so tips are appreciated.

Hope ya guys enjoy! and lemme know if ya want more

Ch 2 - ɛ̵͓͕͉̫̇͐̎mbers

Goals, goals, goals. What should mine be? Of course my amusement comes first, but I wonder what I’ll end up doing to achieve that… Mayb-

My thoughts were cut off by the pegasus. What was her name again?

Ah yes, Scootaloo.

“Hey, mister, how did you get here?” Scootaloo was a curious little thing, I could appreciate curiosity.

I chuckled as I thought about what I would reveal. They know that I do magic….

“Well, you see, little one, I’m a mage; a good one too, I do believe. But everyone makes mistakes. I was attempting to go home, but missed by a margin of infinity I believe. How clumsy of me.”

The little unicorn tilted her head slightly. “How do you miss by infinity, sir? Is it even a real number?”

I laughed hard at that.

“AHAHAHAH! Yes, Sweetie Belle, infinity is a number, it’s just ….. an infinite one.” well, it’s more a concept of an innumerable amount, but I don’t really feel like explaining it

The little unicorn nodded. “I guess…”

Applebloom butted in. “Hey, sir, where did ya come from?”

I tilted my head at that and frowned beneath my neutral mask.

“You know… good question, I don’t quite remember….”

I continued to ponder about whether or not the city’s name was really that forgettable. Names aren’t very important, but dammit I should at least know the city’s name… ah well names are just strange labels, never been all that necessary.

The walk continued like this. They would ask a question, I would answer as vaguely as I could, they would scrunch their cute little faces up, and repeat.

I was giggling a little on the inside at that……. I decided on my new personality. A little cheery, comedic….. Mysterious maybe? Ah yes, and very bad at straightforward answers. Few lies, but only vague truths…. YES, that should gain their trust. Judging by these children this world is so sickeningly sweet. Then again, I could be wrong... I wonder if I can spice things up a little while I’m here?

Eventually, they ask the big question. Specifically, the brave little Scootaloo does.

“Sir we get that you have many, many, MANY names, buuut could you at least give us something to go off of?”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle butted in with their own agreement to Scootaloo’s sentiment.

We all stopped as I tilted my head, thinking. Then they started with the large round puppy dog eyes. Uhhuhuhh what is with these equines? Why are their eyes so large and noses so small? Maybe I should just off these malformed weaklings and be on my way...

I shuddered internally as I considered their request. “Very well….. Just call me ol’ Masker.”

Switching to my mask of happiness as I continued, “NOW ONWARDS! I mean, we passed the edge of the forest like ten minutes ago, we do have a destination, and something tells me we’re getting close.”

Hopefully I don’t have to do this much pandering later…. After all, where’s the fun in playing nice?

The three little fillies bounced in place as they started chattering on and on about how wonderful ponyville is.

I sighed. “While I’m sure that this Ponyville is absolutely perfect, I kinda need to get there to experience said perfection.”

If I keep sugarcoating things this much, I’ll end up a diabetic.

Their bouncing stopped, then they started pulling on my cloak trying to get me moving as fast as possible. I decided to oblige by running alongside them.

The sooner I arrive, the sooner I’m finished with these three.

They were all so happy, with grins splitting their faces. We ran upon a cobble road, and passed an orchard as our pace devoured the ground beneath us.

A very short time later we slowed as the town was just in front of us. And I was greeted by quite the sight….. There were ponies of all colors and subspecies. Pegasi flew through the air, while the other two kinds bustled about on the cobble road.

While we walked, Several heads turned towards me with wide eyes. I was forced to throw up my deceit mask to look happy. I hate this…. I Hate This…. I HATE THIS!

My head started to twitch ever so slightly and my eyes were even more pronounced in their frenzy, but they were covered. Fortunately I managed to keep my emotions under control,but I couldn’t last forever. Just as my emotions were starting to swirl into the contours of rage and paranoia, we reached an odd looking tree. The earth pony as I learned they’re called, stepped up to the door and knocked.

Several moments later a tiny, bipedal, green and purple basilisk opened the door. It looked between the three fillies somehow not noticing me. I think he needs to get his eyes checked…..

The lizard thing focused on Applebloom “so uhh, why are you all here?”

The fillies all started talking at once, but after an annoyed response from the basilisk. Really need to figure out what he is, reptile, lizard, basilisk, whatever he is, I don’t like not knowing what to call him. Applebloom took the lead. “Hey Spike. We met this fella while we were walkin’ through tha forest an we thought Twilight would wanna see him.” Seemingly for the first time Spike looked at me.

He jumped as my head twitched into a tilt. “Spiiiike… interesting…. My name’s Masker, a pleasure to meet you.” Spike seemed hesitant, but eventually decided to shake my outstretched hand. He hurried back inside as I stepped in.

A moment later, a larger purple pony, with a horn on their head, flashed into existence directly in front of me. She proceeds to look me up and down slowly, before letting loose a barrage of questions one after another after another. I didn’t bother paying attention. Rude.

I managed to cut open her barrage with a question of my own. “I was under the impression that this was supposed to be a lil meet and greet not an interrogation.”

This violently curious violet pony sheepishly smiled saying “I’m sorry it’s… I’ve never seen anything like you before, not to mention some of your strange customs It’s… It’s just SO EXCITING”

My eyes rolled violently at the squealing young scientist as I donned my neutrality mask. This is going to get real annoying real quick. Before the annoying unicorn could pose another round of questions, I walked out. Enough of this. There’s no fun to be had.
I focused on the coordinates that should be the miniature dimension that I had as a home. However, when my hands ripped open the fabric of space, all I saw was an endless white void… this isn’t good.
I was brought out of my stupor by the previous lavender pony coughing to gain by attention. I forced the hole closed, so I could turn to my interrogator once more. Here we go again.

Surprisingly the unicorn didn’t start spewing forth questions. “Look I’m sorry for overreacting like that, but it’s rude to walk away when someone’s talking to you. You should know this, unless…. Are you a kid?”

A flash of anger came and went in an instant. “No I’m not a child, I just don’t like dealing with interrogations.” She’s got some nerve… screw the cheery persona, these ponies are annoying
The purple pony grinned sheepishly “yea I’m sorry. Can we start over? Hello my
name is Twilight!”
Hmm. Maybe… nah “I have quite a few names as people like labeling me
differently all of the time.. but you can call me masker.” With that I spun on my heel to stalk back the way I came.
The unicorn teleported in front of me. Amateur. I folded space around her as I
walked through the space that she should’ve occupied. After I passed space unwrinkled, pushing Twilight back where she was.
This time she just stared at me while looking confused. “what was that.”
I kept my neutral mask despite my rising mirth “What do you mean dear? I just
walked by you. It’s way too easy to confuse this one… I suppose pinching reality like that can be a little weird, but it’s not that uncommon… right?”

I tried to continue my walk as I tilted my head in thought. Emphasis on tried. A ball of fritzy pink hair cannoned into me, took one look at me, and tried to give me a hug “imsosorrymisteryoulookedsosadandimtheembodiementoflaughtersoIthoughtineededtocheeryouupcauseyoulooksadand…”

She continued her prattling of course, but I tuned it out as I blinked back raising wards and readying my dimensional sheaths

Oblivious to this, she tried to rush me again, and flew right around me as I
curved space.

She turned around and spotted me. “Look mister you need a hug AND ARE GONNA GET ONE.”

Before she could do anything, I blinked away getting to the edge of the town. I
tilted my head before blinking to the forest. At least this place isn’t covered in rainbows and butterfly puke.
I walked into the forest thinking about my next idea. If those three fillies were
right then the ponies around here don’t care much for this forest… well then I’ve been storing an unhealthy amount of anger in Rage recently. I need to let some of it out.

With that thought I walked deeper into the forest. In my several hour escapade, I came across a couple of timberwolves, and even a manticore. A lightning bolt or single slash of scythe sent those creatures on to the next life. Just a little farther… there.

Deciding I was far enough away, I flicked Rage onto my face. My cloak burst
into flames as red hot fury pulsed through me. I flung folds of reality all around slicing trees and pulverizing rocks. I pinched and rubbed folds of existence together to create immense friction and heat. I sent several of these heated cuts into the surrounding forest. My rage fueled attacks sliced dozens of trees each, with the burning cuts in reality leaving behind giant streaks of ashe.

It went on like this for several minutes. Until I decided to finish this with a bang. I began reaching out and grasping the fabric of space, and yanking it towards me. I pulled more and more of space itself into folds upon folds upon folds. I dragged a town sized portion of the forest together. I condensed the space continuing to pull in slightly more area. I squeezed as hard as I could, to bring the rolls of space to a glowing, white, burning state. AND released. Ecstasy poured over me, as I saw a ring of white burst out from me, scattering the fabric back where it was before. The force of this snap would’ve shattered all of the trees within…. If they weren’t already pulverized by the dimensional squeeze. The white ring faded when all the space was restored, but it continued to rip through the treeline while it dissipated.

I sighed in relief as my pent up anger faded…. I haven’t been able to do THAT for a long time… I still shouldn’t make a habit of it. Anger fading, with my neutrality mask on, I walk back to the path that I deviated from as I've finished letting out my anger. I turned my head both ways, shrugged, then picked a way to go.

Either I go back to the town and figure out a plan, or I find something entertaining to do deeper in this forest….

Ɇ̹̼̘̪ͧ̐͆ͤ͟ł̞̳̦͉̰̒͞₮͔͇͆̌͂̎̀Ⱨ̼̬̖͙̱̟̤̏͞Ɇ̹͉̞̫̥̃ͣ͋̀͡Ɽ͙͉͕̭͓̮͈̪̊̋ͪ͢.̵̙̞̺͍̪̐ ͮ́҉̻̲₩̺̮̼̤̙͇̭̩̐̽͆͊͢₳͙̥̺ͥ̿͟Ɏ̵̘͖̰̲̺̀̿͌,͆ͮ͆̆͏̥̭ ̡̯̫̥͑̊ł̛̙̥̺͙̙̳͕̀.͂͊҉̺͍ ̴̣͉͓͉̗͈̮̅₩͚͈ͤͯ͊̚͝ͅł̛̜̹̲͇̮̥̪̥̆₦̯̲͍̳̯̜ͫ͑̚͘.͇̯͕̺͇̺͉̈́͗̆ͦ͞

Ch3. not to hide a face, but to hide so much more

After walking for what felt like hours, I came to the edge of the forest. I sighed as I spotted the town. I guess I better introduce myself properly this time… Maybe I should start with that unicorn, she’s annoying, but she probably know the locale, being at the center of town and all.

I twisted space a little as I walked back through town. Everything around me stretched, and pinched as light had to pass through distorted space to get to me.I passed through the bustling street like a spectre from the great beyond. I got nearer and nearer to the odd treehouse when I heard a gasp

When I spun to face the noise I spotted….the hell?

And all of a sudden the pink menace jumped at me…. Only to pass around me as she did before. I grinned internally as her body seemed to stretch as it passed through elongated space, only to shrink back to normal on the other side.

However, this time she got up with a literal fire burning in her eyes, “No more silly pinkie, IT’S TIME TO GET SERIOUS.”

With that she sprinted around a corner… and popped up right in front of me? No seriously, one moment she’s running away, and the next she just… poofs out from between my legs and out in front of me this is getting ridiculous.

Before I could react she jumped onto me, wrapping her hooves around my shoulders as they stretched comically

I shuddered at the sight, and feel of here stretched out limbs how the hell did she get to me? Why is she hugging me? How is she stretching her forelegs like that? WHY IS SHE T̿ͪO͓̬̍ͦ̕U̢̙̻͈̣̥̓ͧ̚C̻͎̭̣̦̥̫̒́H̺͓̼̼̿̑͢IN̖̤͍̾̇́G̟̞̘̩̥̲͓̟̍̀ ̲̪͎̻̯ͬ̃̋̉͞M͑̏҉͕̯͍̣Eͯ?

My twitching started as I started struggling, even forgetting about my magic. The dimensional twist pulled back to normal, and several ponies jumped the sensation of space flowing back to its proper place. WHY
All of sudden the pink menace got off of me “I’m sorry Maskie, I didn’t realize you didn't like hugs it just looked like you needed one.” Her pink fluff of a main deflated slowly, like a balloon, while she was speaking.

After glaring at her from under Shock, I shook my head switching back to my half and half default mask. “...I forgive you.. Just Don’t. Do. That. Again… Oh and my name isn’t ‘Maskie’ if you have to call me by a name, use Masker. It sounds a little dignified at least.”

She nodded quickly as she bounced back to her hooves and dashed off while saying something about a welcome party.

Again I shook my head as I turned back to my destination. I was pleasantly surprised to find the purple unicorn what was her name again?... Oh yes Twilight… Gah I hate having to remember names…
As I was contemplating this, I was reminded by the pur- TWILIGHT that my spacial twist had failed “um sir, are you still mad about before? If so, I’m sorry again, but could we try at least?”

I put on Deceit to fake a smile “but of course dear, I just had to blow off some steam. After All I’ve found myself in some… strange circumstances.” back at it with the pandering… still, antagonizing the locals before I learn about whats out there, doesn’t sound like a great plan

Twilight beamed at this “then WELCOME to Ponyville, we should discuss your introductory party, before you say anything, its the best way to get everyone to accept you quickly.”

I tilted my head at this as I put on Neutrality. “A party for someone you’ve just met… as a form of mass introduction… eh, if nothing else it sounds interesting.” At the end of that, I swear I could here a teakettle boiling.behind me, but when I turned, I only found hoofprints.

I narrowed my eyes at this creepy

Twilight seemed to catch onto my thought. “Yea Pinkie goes crazy over parties. Actually this is pretty tame for her, usually she’s even more… well… Pinkie from what I’ve seen.”

Keeping my head tilted I turned towards her “why is a reality warper like her so invested in such an inane thing. I mean, I like a good party myself, but getting that excited about parties is… strange.”

Twilight twitched at my remark “Reality….WARPER?” a bunch of strands of hair were starting to pop out of her mane. “But...but… HOW? She’s an earth pony, they aren’t supposed to be able to use magic!”

I shook my head at that. “Little one, everything has magic running through it, hell lots of the mechanics in physics are just a result of magic, everybody has magic. Some just have an easier time accessing it. It just so happens that your pink friend seems to unintentionally tap into her power.”

Twilight started twitching “how did you know this? How did you know she could warp reality?”

I laughed at her frazzled state “I’d twisted a piece of space around me in an oval. I was for all intents and purposes. Outside of your dimension of movement, walking towards me would only get you past me, space was bent in a way where you could walk for entire cycles of eternity and still get no closer to me. And yet, your friend just popped it like it was a bubble.”

The lavender unicorn froze. I waved my hand in front of her, but the only response I got was Twilight falling over still frozen in the same position.

The little dragon huffed “great you broke her, it’s gonna take all day to get her back… and you’re probably gonna get a few questions.”

I briefly flashed my flaming mask, Rage. “that. Would be… unwise”

The little dragon raised an eyebrow “I mean, you did drop quite the bomb on her, it wouldn’t be nice if you didn’t follow her up… Hell if she got crazy enough she might

get Celestia involved, and believe me you wouldn’t like THAT.”

I put on Schadenfreude to enjoy this little game of threats. “Might I ask, why should I care?”

Spike threw a deadpan look my way “last time I checked, wasting a PRINCESSES time isn’t very a very good idea.”

My mask didn’t change. Oh how convenient, maybe there’s something to be had here. “How do I know that Twilight here has such direct access to such a person? Why should I worry even if she was here as I wasn’t the one who called her? And lastly why should I fear Celestia?”

Spikes mouth dropped open “y-you mean you haven’t heard of her… She RAISES THE SUN EVERYDAY. Why WOULDN’T you be scared of upsetting her?”

I tilted my head at that “I’ve heard many a tale of magic users being able to do that young drake, what they actually do is rotate the planet, usually by manipulating a huge wellspring of power, or simply nudging small parts of the world to speed or slow things down.”

Spike shook his head. “Yea whatever you wanna think mister, just sayin, Celestia DOES raise the sun, and even if she didn’t she is known to be the princess of the SUN for a reason.”

Once more I shrugged “very well, I do suppose I could sate some of her curiosity.”

I sighed inwardly at having to deal with Twilight again, but other alternatives were far less desirable. I suppose it’s time for these masks to really earn their keep

Decision made, I switched my mask back to Neutrality “if I’m going to be interrogated later, may I at least step inside while… here let me help you with that.”

Ending my request early, I picked Twilight up in my telekinetic grasp, and walked inside “may I ask where you want her?”

Spike frowned at my antics. “Up there on her bed.”

I turned around to see a staircase leading to a platform, and another staircase. I slowly strolled up the wooden stairs as I admired the collection of books does she really have this many books?... no way she lives in a library… then again.

I turned to Spike as I set the frozen unicorn on her bed gently. “Is this a library?”

The lizard nodded, and I left let out a short chuckle before I clamped my mouth shut. Dammit, I need to can these emotions, and soon.

I shook my head “I apologize, I probably shouldn’t laugh at your living arrangements.”

Spike smiled at me for some reason “don’t worry, we get that a lot actually, anything you’re interested in?”

I nodded “yes, many things, but first, I have a couple… problems that need to be resolved. No worries! I just need to sit down for a moment.”

With that out of the way, I blinked back down to the groundfloor where the couch resided. I sat down comfortably while calling up to Spike “Don’t disturb me until I’m finished, it’s real annoying if I have to pause in the middle.”

The little dragon raised an eyebrow at this, but I ignored him.

I brought my orbiting masks into a line in front of me. I reached out and gently touched Sadness with my index finger, holding it right between the mask’s eyes. I poured my regrets, both old and new, into the mask. I followed with the feelings of loss, and ended the session with Sadness by tossing in any miscellaneous sad feelings I had. With that, I had reestablished my link to the emotional sink that was this mask.

Sighing in relief I leaned back as I basked in the contentment I felt, as all of my regrets were pulled into Sadness before I could even feel their pain. This is nice…. But such an imbalance is unhealthy.

I shook my head with annoyance as I could no longer feel regret. I turned to Happiness and repeated the process from before. After this was complete, I felt a lot more… tranquil, peaceful I suppose.

It took around half an hour to complete the process with all of the masks, except Deceit, that one wasn’t an emotion sink, it was just a lie given physical form.

I breathed in deeply as I stood up… and felt nothing. I searched my mind, and only found traces of my previous emotions, remnants of what was before. I couldn’t find any new emotions either as they were all soaked into the masks.

I’m supposed to feel satisfaction, but that got sucked away into Happiness. I’m supposed to be angry at fate for putting me in this stupid world, but the fires of rage were quenched before they could even ignite. I’m supposed to feel the cold sting of regret for stepping through that faulty portal. I didn’t, I just felt… Hollow
Good… its working.

Author's Note

thought I'd finish the third chapter before I go, but don't expect regular updates guys. (though I'm not going to take more than a week between chapters if I can help it). Sorry, but I've found that writing is like a fart. If you're forcing it, it's probably shit.

In all seriousness I've got lots of stuff that always needs doing, and I run into writing blocks as I try to write Maskie here realistically.

again, any suggestions would be welcome as I'm still new to this

see ya later guys, and I hope you enjoy past and future chapters!

Ch4. questions

Masker stretched his legs out, rolling his ankles, and pushed himself up from the couch. Only half an hour and I’m already stiff? I know I’m old, but I thought I solved those problems a while ago…

My amusement, worry, and regret would’ve flared at this thought… but nothing came.

Sighing, I continued my little routine with various joints all over my body. After finishing my stretching, I looked around, taking in my surroundings.

The place was obviously a library with all of the books lying around, shelved or otherwise.

The couch was at the back of the ground floor, and faced the doorway. Turning to my left I noticed the staircase that I used before.

Returning my masks to their circular orbit behind my back, I strolled over to the stairs and ascended to the second floor which was more of a large balcony overlooking the main part of the building.

This didn’t prevent the presence of even more carved bookshelves that were, like those below, stuffed with books. Red, green, yellow, brown, black, and many other colors covered the bindings that poked out from their places.

Swiveling my head from side to side revealed more of the same everywhere. Eventually I reached the second set of stairs, and called up to my two hosts in a loud, clear voice “I’m finished with my task little drake, if she’s recovered, then I’m willing to answer a few of Twilight’s questions.”

Spike poked his head over the side of the platform holding the duo’s beds. “My name’s Spike, and we’ll be down in a bit.”

I slowly pivoted on one of my feet, and descended again. The steps creaked at each thump of his heel as it struck the next step. Ok, I’m definitely not that fat… am I?

It only took a few seconds for me to reach the first floor, and only a couple more to walk around the statue and desks at the center of the room.

I spun around mid-step as I fell back onto the couch, and reclined while I waited.

About fifteen minutes later, Twilight walked down the steps. The sound of her hooves on the wooden steps alerted me before I turned to watch her descent. Her mane still had numerous strands poking out, but the crazed look in her eyes was gone. She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs and took a deep breath before walking towards me.

Before she could speak up, I used a calm voice to speak up. “I apologize for being terse before. I’m willing to answer a few questions now.”

Twilight tilted her head to the side a few degrees before nodding once. “Then let's begin.”

I returned the nod.
Twilights left eye twitched as she began an indecipherable blur of questions. Each word was distinct, but they came too quickly for me to comprehend one before another drilled into my ears

I raised my hand palm out. Twilight got the hint and her endless questions slowed down, and stopped entirely as she realized that I wasn’t answering.

I tilted my head back a little and sighed. “I understand that you’re excited, but, please, one question at a time.”

Twilight nodded as she sat down on a pillow a few feet in front of the couch. “Yes I understand… First, what are you? Well if thats not rude I-”
I cut her off with another hand motion. “It’s alright. As for what I am. I’m a human, I’m of the archmagus subspecies though. The only difference between a normal human, and magus, is that magi can wield magic.”

As I was saying this, a pen and notepad appeared next to Twilight, who began furiously writing down notes. Her purple eyes were wide as she gave me this creepily wide grin. “You said you could wield magic. What kinds? How do you use it? Is it attached to emotion? I—.”

I faked a cough, and Twilight’s grin turned sheepish as I responded. “One. Question. At. A. Time. Please.” After sighing, I continued. “I’ll answer your questions in order I suppose…” where to start where to start… “I guess I should start from the basics eh?”

Twilight nodded “yes I want to know exactly how your magic works.”

I smiled beneath my mask. “There are four schools of magic. Every magus can learn from every school, but they tend to have a strong affinity for one. They can learn to establish an affinity for a second school, but only archmagi can gather three affinities.” or more, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Twilight was scribbling notes with the occasional crack sounding out as the pencil reached supersonic speeds.

Bloody hell is she writing a biography? I caught myself on that thought. Shock… I’ve got that in an emotion sink right? Yea I do… I’m good at faking emotions while linked to my masks, but…. Even in my own head? Gotta be careful about that.
I mentally shrugged. A problem for later. “As for how I do it. Really couldn’t tell ya. Just kinda do.”

Twilight scowled at me “you said that you have schools of magic, which means that it requires understanding which can be taught, how could you NOT know how you use your magic?”

I leaned back “first, they’re more aspects than schools, but they’re called schools cause magi wanted to sound smart.” Finishing with a snort, I continued. “We sorta command a piece of us. Again, couldn’t tell ya which piece, but thats about all I can do to describe how we access our magic.”

Twilight proceeded to try to find a new angle in her questioning… several times. “Well do you feel anything when you practice magic?” power. “How do you send this command?” Will. she continued to prattle question after question, but I stopped answering as soon as I saw what she was trying to do. Eventually, my silence convinced Twilight that I was done with that line of questioning

She shook her head before continuing. “Well can you at least tell me what the ‘schools’ of magic are?”

I slowly rolled my head to pop a few joints. Time to wrap this up I guess. “The three big ones are spacial, mental, and spiritual manipulation. Haven’t got a clue as to what the fourth school is, so don’t bother.”

I arched my back as I stood up from the couch. I rolled my ankles, and went through some leg stretches. “It’s been fun talking Twilight, it really has, but I’m getting tired.” I reached my hands out in front of me, and spread them apart like I was opening a curtain.

Before stepping through, I stuck my head through… white, every direction… forever. Dammit.
I pulled my head out and turned to Twilight. “It appears... that I need a place to stay…” I examined some of the bookshelves while I waited for the scribbling sounds to stop.

Twilight eventually stood up. “You could stay here while you find your way back home, I’ve got a guest room.”

I shook my head. “I don’t need a full room, I’ll just crash on the couch.”

Twilight shrugged God thats a weird motion to see a horse do. “If you really want to, then feel free.”

At that I stood up straight before falling right back onto the couch. I crossed my arms behind my head as I laid it on top of the arm rest. I turned my head towards the door to see the orange of sunset, leak through the door frame. “Good night… even if it’s still quite early.”

Twilight clopped out the door while saying “goodnight, see you in the morning.”
Wonder where she’s going? Eh none of my business. I wove a few shield wards and alarm wards within the general vicinity of the couch. And now. A yawn broke my thoughts. Ok enough scheming… I was falling.. falling.. Falling.

Ch5. dreamers folly

Ch 5.

Uhh... What the hell? I'm in a dream? I have emotion sinks, this is supposed to be impossible!

I shook my avatar’s head, and began to observe my surroundings. Only to find them… lacking

Pure black, absolute nothing, Void. All that was, is and shall be.

It feels calm, comfortable.

I sighed as I let myself rest in the emptiness of my mind. I could conjure up anything I wanted here. Afterall, this was MY dream. However, I chose nothing. Peace.

Hours passed like minutes, and seconds passed like years. Time was an abstract, and I enjoyed this to the fullest extent.

Eventually, a ripple went through my mindscape, foreign, powerful, an intruder.

I jolted at this realization, and reached out with my hands. I clenched space in my hands, and tore it open. The void was inverted into a static white state, one where everything could be seen as the horizon was infinitely far away. In the distance I spotted a dark blue speck.

I held out my hands to let a scythe coalesce in my grip. I pieced together my arcane metallic wings and folded reality.

Suddenly, I stood before a winged unicorn, and took a step forward to cross the threshold of bent space. The intruder flinched at my sudden appearance.

I spread my wings as I raised my scythe in a defensive posture. “Who are you? And why are you in my mind?”

A dreamwalker, in their true form… sloppy.

The dreamwalker’s glare hung over a grimace. She was tense, ready for a fight, and wing unfolded in preparation. “THOU SHOULD NOT MAKE DEMANDS OF THINE PRINCESS.”

I returned her look with one of cold emptiness. Eyes like the void I floated in before. I want that peace back.

“I bow to no dreamwalker, no princess, no king. NOW LEAVE. You are not welcome within my mind. If we are to speak, I will only do so in the waking world. This place holds my peace, and you have disturbed it.”

The longer I spoke, the more static dripped from my voice.

The intruder didn’t flinch. “THOU HAST BEEN NOTED TO BE A PRACTITIONER OF SOUL MAGIC?”

I sighed at this as I facepalmed. “God, why does everyone assume the worst… Soul magic has many branches, and yes I can do some soul magic, no I’m not a necromancer.” I dragged my hand down my face in exasperation.

Dammit… missed an emotion I guess, I’ll have to reignite the links. Must be faulty.

The dream walker narrowed her eyes. “WE DO NOT TRUST THINE WORDS FOUL NECRO-.”

I cut her off, “I don’t care. Get. Out. Now.”

The dreamwalker glared at me with a snarl. “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO US IN SUCH A MANNER? WE ART THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT, WE SHALT NOT BE ORDERED AROUND BY THE LIKES OF YOU.” With this, the winged unicorn lowered her horn at me.

Fine then.

“Princess or not, no one invades my mind.” I snapped my fingers and disappeared. The intruder looked around while screaming about my cowardice or whatever. I watched as she wandered the endless white void for hours. She sent blasts everywhere, tried teleporting, and even attempted to force the dream to shift. Nothing happened. Nothing changed. The static was getting loud, and the silence was deafening.

She talked, she walked, she yelled, she screamed, and failed to escape. She was stuck here. I had dilated time, so that she felt years pass. Minds weren’t meant to deal in absolutes such as this, but she tried. Oh how she tried. She ordered, demanded, requested, bargained, she begged. She screamed and screamed and screamed for someone, anyone…
…
…
b͖͉͓̳̬̄͜ṷ̵͎̭̥̇͗ͣt͍͚͚̳̬̣̍͞ ̟̞͉͔͇̪̜ͯͨ̕n̸͇̩̺͆͗͌̋ó̪͉̭̙͖̥͢b̵̪͍̦̱͙ͨ͑̄͊o̫̺͎̖̫̠͂͟d̢̼̼̥̤̖̼̜̄ͥͅy̶͍̻̏ ̢̗̝̪̗̮͇̟͈ͨ͌ͮ̉c̨̻̳͋̈ͪa̡͈̮͇̥̟̠͉̐ͅm̗̯͔̀ͫ͡e̝̩͓̺͆̅͌͜
…
…
…

Eventually the intruder fell silent. She sat still, breathing heavily.

Pathetic.

As I finished the thought, the dreamwalker’s screams… started to scream back. Unending wails of rage, sorrow, and eventually, regret. Reverbing off the ends of this world in my head, her screams returned. To her, the screams were from nine years ago. Nearly a whole decade of nothing but her own voice ripping into the void.

I materialized then, black particles coalescing into the forms of my masks. They floated in their circular orbit, but my body wasn’t present. I used them as my mouth piece “This is your one and only warning dreamwalker. Now go.”

The strange blue pony sprinted for a door that popped open.

Maybe that was a bit… much.

The door slammed behind her as she ran. I let the white fade to black once more. Back to that feeling of coolness, the cozy dark, the pure tranquility. My. Personal. Void. Finally, rest…
…
…
…

My eyes slowly opened as I heard the flapping of wings and hooves on the gravel outside. Rays of sunlight passed through the window, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. The wood seemed to shine. The image didn’t last for long, as the sun rose swiftly, I narrowed my eyes. Why is it so fast? It wasn’t passing through the sky nearly as quickly yesterday…

Then it hit me. Two auras, the larger was golden and pure, while the other seemed… muted.

Greeeaaat.

I rolled off of the couch and stood up straight. Brushing down my coat, I removed my wards, and started prepping a warp to… I guess the clearing I made in the forest?

Never did get the name of that place

I was going through my routine stretches as I popped joints all over my body. I watched the door while I waited for whatever was going to happen.

The door slammed open as a far larger, angry-looking, white alicorn burst through. The wood on the door splintered, and the room’s temperature rose. Lines of flame danced through her rainbow mane. Then the aura hit me.

Annnnd she’s the big one. FANtastic.

I blinked my neutrality mask on, “Greetings, and may I ask to whom do I owe the pleasure?”

The white alicorn glared at me as she asked, “What did you do to my sister?” Her voice was low.

I tilted my head for a moment before grinning beneath my mask, “Well hello there ms. what-did-you-do-to-my-sister, my name is masker. You mind if I just call you wha? Your full name is quite a mouthful.”

Six more ponies walked through the door, a white unicorn with a neutral look, a scared yellow pegasus, a glaring indigo pegasus with a rainbow mane? An orange earth pony, a jittering pink earth pony that I fondly knew as the pink demon, and Twilight.

The alicorn continued to glare at me as she spoke. “I will not repeat myself again creature. What. Did. You. Do. To. My. SISTER.” Her strained voice raised into an earthshaking shout.

I sighed as I pulled my shoulders back to pop something in my back. “Could you please give me a description of your sister, please? Otherwise, I probably won’t have a clue about whoever you’re talking about.”

The alicorn spread her wings. “My sister is Luna, princess of the night, and my fellow diarch. She is an alicorn with a midnight blue coat, does that remind you of anypony?”

I tilted my head at the strange pronoun it’s almost like this world is a parody of mine… Bah best not to dwell on it. “Yes, it does, she practiced none of the dreamwalker etiquette, so she became subject to my dream.”

The White Alicorn’s eyes narrowed to slits “what do you mean?”

I shrugged “More than likely she spent some time in a static void.”

The alicorn kept glaring at me. “What do you mean ‘more than likely.’”

I straightened as I began to brush my coat off, again. I noticed the white unicorn grimace, but I ignored it “I don’t remember my dreams very often, hell I barely remember your sister, and dreamwalkers are supposed to solidify dreams. Though I do remember peace in my dreams, only place like that is a void.”

The princess snorted “likely excuse, now tell me why you locked my sister in your head?”

I responded in a neutral voice “I remember yelling… and pain, my guess is that she started a fight.”

The princess’s eyebrows furrowed as her scowl deepened. “My sister would do no such thing, enough of your lies. Girls, use the elements.”

I glanced at the other ponies and noticed as their jewelry slowly faded into full visibility.

Really? You’re fighting me with those trinkets? I can’t even feel their power.

I crossed my arms behind my back as I eyed each of them. “Might I ask what you think those will do? They don’t even have the strength to radiate an aura.” I shook my head as I strengthened my links to my masks. I need to focus, I need no emotion for this, just rational thought.

My power weakened with the exodus of my remaining emotions, but I didn’t think I would need it.

The princess smiled, and most of the other ponies were grinning at me.

They know something that I don’t.

I let Unhappiness replace Neutrality as I strengthened my hold on the warp. I shouldn’t need an out but...

I watched carefully as the smaller ponies began to float. Lines of white spread from the jewelry and connected the six. It seems all six members are necessary for their weapon to work properly… these ‘elements’ must be something of a glass cannon then.

After a few moments, Twilight opened her eyes to reveal glaring white lights. Creepy.
A rainbow shot from them, and barreled towards me in a steep arch. I tried to dodge, blink, jump, warp, nothing I tried, worked. I couldn’t even move normally, these ‘elements’ had me locked in place. What? No. no no no nonononono.

Shock replace Unhappiness at this realization
I had underestimated them, I should’ve learned my lesson from Strider…

I growled as I folded, looped, and tore space apart, trying to bar the rainbow’s path. Rips were repaired, loops were untangled, and it jumped across the folds. I failed to even slow it down.

When it struck I felt… PAIN. Not physically… at first, but that void in my chest was filled. I hated it. I felt energy coursing through me. MY energy. Every mask held my emotions, but to do that, each mask needed a sizable piece of my power. This power flowed through me leaving behind rivers of soul-rending fire.

Shock, the emotional sink that contained any emotion pertaining to surprise contained, cracked. I felt every emotion that was stored there all at once.

Panic, pure unrelenting panic. No no no NONONONONONNOOOO.

Fortunately, the mask held, but only barely. Whisps of power kept the fragmented mask connected.

Huh, I’m screaming. What am I saying? Oh nothing, just jibbering. I suppose I should get myself together then…

I gasped for air as I finally managed to pull my fractured mind back together. “Why… why.” I bowed my head as I continued panting.

Celestia’s look of shock slowly faded to concern, “Oh my, I didn’t know they would do that…”

I rose my head as I began layering my illusions. Eyestatic, the black fluid leaking from my eyes, those demonic symbols. I. Was. Finished. With this NONSENSE.

I growled as a pure black scythe coalesced into my hands. I spread my archaic metal wings, and to finish, I flicked Rage on.

Embers rose from my shoes as smoke leaked from the bottom of my coat.

“ÿ̴̲͉̻̺̗̬́o̘̳͂ͤ̽͡ư͕̜̜̮̜̘̔̆́ͫ ̵̩̲͚̗̅̌s͔̮̱ͪ͟h̻̫̠̻͓͖̟̓̽̆̔̕á̢̹̞͈͇̩̠͇̘͊͒l̫̪̘̃͢l̩͍ͯͥͫ̕ ̵̖͖͔͖̭̟̘́̀ͅr̯̭̭̝͕̜͌͑͌͢ẽ͚̲͜g͚̯̰̻̭ͪ̇̒͝r̙͓͉̝̄̌̊́͞ĕ̴̙̲̮͓̥ͮt̢̪̙̃̿̿̅ THA-.”

I was cut off by a pulling sensation. I had accidentally released my warp, and was yanked to a far-off location.

Celestia glanced at Twilight “What exactly do you know of him?”

Twilight gulped at Celestia’s worried tone “Wellll, he told me some of the basics of his magic, he can teleport pretty much anywhere, and he’s able to manipulate space like its some kind of rug.”

The mane six were worriedly glancing to each other as Celestia lowered her head to let out a sigh. “This intruder needs to be tracked down, if he’s capable of such things, who knows what he’ll do?” Celestia straightened up as she gently rubbed her forehead. “This situation just progressively worsens doesn’t it.”

Everyone shivered as they heard an enraged howl sound off in the distance. It was coming from the Everfree. They turned towards the Everfree as its treeline began to quiver. A single, distorted threat rang with malice. Enraged screams, repeating and overlapping, echoed from the woods

Y͇̳͔̬͖̟ͤͯ̒̀ͅO̬̥̻̫͓̗̫̗͊͛͜U̲̜͎̺͖ͨ͜ ̳̖̮̺̀ͣͪ̕S̤͉̼̠̞̜̞̣͌͛͝H̡͉̬̻͑͆̉̚A̶̳̗̻͎͉̥̺ͦL̴͚̥̖̗͇̊̄ͤḺ͓͙̹͎̳̯̾̀͗̀͞ ̸͖̭̝̞̠͚ͭͯR̵̖̻̚Ė̶̳͍̭̹̰̘̀̄̈G͑҉͔̬͈͔͕R̭͚̰̼͙͚̬̰̂ͬ͜E̞̼͔͈̠̖ͨ͟T̙̯̣͕̭͙̟̮̏̾͋̄͢

Author's Note

yoyoyo back at it again. Turns out this story seems like its updating every other week. Im mostly running into troubles with proofreading. I don't see an issue, and then another comes along and pokes so many holes in my story that it looks like swiss cheese. So Ill try to get the next chapter out next week, but no promises

Ch6. Sands

My howls of rage echoed through the Everfree, as lines of rippling, pure, black, entropy ripped through the nearby brush. I brought my head down, and noted the embers swirling around me. I growled as I continued my onslaught on the surroundings.

Trees splintered, grass and bushes withered, vines were shredded. Only a couple of minutes later I dropped to my knees, exhausted. I panted while shaking in the last light of dusk

While taking shaky breaths, short strings of memory caught up to me. Flashes of blinding pain, reminders of past mistakes, faces so many bloodied faces. I shuddered at the images that flashed through my head.

Bloody blades, scorched earth, demolished towns, bloody plains, toppled castles, and so many more. Landscape after landscape, covered in corpses, some blazing in unending flame, others merely coated with a thin layer of ashe

I felt my mind going numb, the feeling of skin being covered by shards of thick ice. Each memory felt like a bolt of lukewarm lightning. Flashes of recognition, flashes of comfort, and flashes of despair. Each memory lashed a fiery stinging thorn into the cold recesses of my mind.

But the worst was one from long before any of that, before any fighting, before I truly came into my magic. And it lingered.

The sands… I could see through my mind's eye. Faint shadowy distortions at the edges of this memory borne vision.

The world began to spin. The green and brown surrounding blurred into nothing more than shapeless color. Details lost in the mad gyrations in my vision. Swirls formed within my spinning gaze, and the colors began to fade to a sandy tan…

…

I was walking next to a wagon. It was mostly a light brown color, with the only metal on it being that which was on the wheel axis and axles. A man sat on a raised lip at the front of the wagon, as a pair of large, shaggy, sand colored camels pulled it. A whip lay across his lap, but the man held the reins gently in both white-gloved hands.

He had a white cloth wrapped around his head, leaving only the eyes peeking out from the folds. The rest of his body was covered from head to toe in a white robe. His sea blue eyes would’ve been piercing if not for the friendly demeanor that always accompanied it.

We were talking about something, I don’t quite remember what, but whatever it was, I could remember seeing the smile behind his eyes.

We were walking upon a long cobbled road that stretched from horizon to horizon. The stones were tightly packed with gravel being used as filling. The desert sands accompanied us along this gray forgotten road. The dunes, ever present, like a sea of sand. One that obeyed no tide, no current, a frozen ocean of blistering hot, tiny specks.

When oceans dry up, when the clouds disappear, when the mountains themselves crumble to dust, the sands shall remain. Slowly changing, but constant all the same.

The bloody orange of a setting sun bored into our backs. Highlighting the dunes in a faint reddish golden glow.

There was a wagon, imitating the one that rolled beside me, around thirty feet ahead with another man like myself, walking by it. A woman sat on this wagon’s lip, and was dressed similarly as the other wagon driver.

Our boot covered feet walked for hours as the wagons rolled, and the bleeding sun finally dove beneath the horizon. Letting the stars dot the sky. An air of serene determination traveled with us like a sentient cloud.

The man pointed out several constellations, explaining meanings, and how each could be used to navigate. A bright star to the north. A hydra to the south. Even an ursa to the east. Ending with a winged snake to the west.

My eyes trailed across the night sky, traced lines, and picked out patterns as the old man prattled on about the white specks above. The images that showed directions were neat and all, but one could paint whole stories with all of those little dots up there. All one had to do was connect the points.

We went on a couple more hours like this before stopping. We had talked and walked, and laughed and smiled through our travels. It was our routine at this point, wake up, eat, move, stop, eat, and rest. We had been doing this for a while now. I don’t remember for how long.

We were heading somewhere… somewhere important… Where were we going?.... Bah it doesn’t matter anymore.

Over the course of the aforementioned hours, our camels slowly dampened, with fur clinging to them. Their panting became apparent, and we were forced to stop for the night.

Our stop left us upon the crest of one of the larger dunes around. The drivers pulled tents, cooking supplies, and bedrolls from the backs of our wagons. Meanwhile, my fellow walker and I tied the camels to a post we drove into the road

We gathered around a campfire. The other walker was telling some ghost story, but I remember it being outright ridiculous.

Something about a magical talking horse. He claimed it was true, but we all laughed it off. I mean, what purpose does a mage have to make such preposterous creatures?... Nevermind, I don’t want to think about it.

Then the male wagon driver spoke up. “You know, we should be more thankful for the paths we walk.” The rest of us stared at him, with tilted heads, and raised eyebrows. He continued “we’ve been blessed with a safe road. Sure it’s long, sure it’s hot, sure we don’t have a choice, but there are all kinds of monsters out there, in the wild sands.”

My snort dripped with derision “oh please .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌ we all know that there isn’t such a thing as ‘tame sands,’ so whats the difference?”

When I spoke his name, a burst of static replaced my voice. The noise blotted out everything for a moment, as all went white for a fraction of a second. A singular instant in time where silent lightning covered my vision. A pinprick in infinity, gone as quick as it came.

The wagon driver nodded “aye, but the monsters stay away from the roads nowadays. Go back saaayyy forty years, and we would need a full caravan just to get from town to town.”

My clothed head maintained its tilt as I asked “what? I haven’t seen anything to fear out there. Just sand, sand, more sand, and if I look carefully mirages. Ohhh soooo spooooky. Give me a break .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌ we’ve all heard your ‘back in my day’ stories.”

The driver scowled “some are exaggerations, yes, but this is of an entirely different nature. Do. Not. Go. Out. Into the wild sands. Do you understand?”

I sighed as I slowly shook my lowered head “Fine.”

The older man maintained his scowl “promise it.”

I threw up my hands in an exasperated shrug “sure I swear, now lets get on with dinner.”

The old man scowled, as his blue eyes took an icy glint. The hawkish glare bored into my soul as spoke in a low tone. “I see… I won’t get anything more out of you… Some lessons must be learned the hard way.” He closed his eyes, and his head swayed slightly as his voice lowered further. “I had to learn, and so shall you.”

I shifted on the blanket as I lowered my gaze, not wanting to look into those cold sapphires again.

The old man sighed once more. “I suppose we should get on with dinner.”

I nodded excitedly in agreement

The woman laughed as she spoke up in a cheerfully teasing tone “excited for travel rations are we? I thought you despised them! Oh how the sands shift.”

Some of my previous bravado returned as I grunted “anything’s better than listening to

another story from .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌. “

The old driver shot me a withering look. His eyes hardening into shards of ice, but this time they also held a small twinkle. A sparkling light that reignited after it was doused during the warning. “Hey, I’ll have you know that I’m an AMAZING story teller. Why if I chose to, I could be weaving tales of terror, and daring delight at the capitol.

One eyebrow lifted as I spoke in a sickeningly saccharine tone of fake joy. My tone bouncing up an active, as I faked a wide toothy grin. “And you’re definitely stuck being a merchant out of your love of travel, despite how much you whine about your feet hurting.”

The old man’s smile returned. “But of course, I love seeing the sites and talking to people. Making coins. I just hate walking.”

Our banter continued on for a few more minutes, and with the somber warning slowly fading from our heads, the serenity from before returned. However, our talking was winding down as the time we all laid to rest, neared. Such a happy memory…

Before we could lay down, faint vibrations sounded through the ground. The pebbles at the top of the gravel bounced, the surrounding sands shifted, and the camels called out in terror

The old man jumped to his feet while his voice took on a shrill tone. “ CUT THE CAMELS LOOSE, .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌, AND .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌ GET ON. I’LL DISTRACT THEM.”

I was about scream my questions back at him, but then I saw them. Large, red, plated worms. Jumping from dune to dune, diving back into the sand each time. They were barreling through the sands like a barracuda through water. Spiked heads splitting the land before them, and miniature explosions of sand occurring whenever they left a dune

I was about to protest, but I saw the determination in the old mans eyes. This was his last story, the final tale of daring do, his chosen ending. I nodded solemnly as I sprinted towards one of the loose camels. After all, I couldn’t stop him, so why waste his gift?

The other walker and I were mounted on the bareback beasts. The other two were occupied by the drivers.

The old man rode his camel at top speed into the desert. While the woman led us in a mad dash down the road.

Most of the monsters went after the old man, but a couple split off coming towards us. Our camels were galloping as fast as they could, but the giant worms were gaining on us.

Once they got close, I realized that each worm had a mouth the size of one of our wagons. They could swallow us whole, camel and all, but only if they caught us.

We were yelling inane things; “Come on!” “We can make it!” And other such nonsense. These things were relentless, and our camels would eventually get tired. Their fur was already dampening, and they were panting. The worms just continued effortlessly diving through the ground like it was nothing

The woman stared at us while the animals galloped. She peered into our eyes, memorizing this moment, and gave us one last sad look as she leaned her camel away from us. She headed off the road, and onto the sands opposite the worms. She called out as she to, dashing off into the desert

“Goodbye my .̘̦̠̻̓́̎͌͞,̴̟̩̘̲̮̮̥͑̋̚.͈̙͕̇̐͘,̨͇͈̗̫̝̘̺̋.̶̫̣̞͈̫͌̏ͥ,̨͖̬͐.͖̰̫̩͙͗̄̊̀,̥͎̗͇͉̮̯̣͌̓͢.͇̮̻̫̯̉̄̐̎̕.̙̣͕̪̠͍̩͇̉͋͂͝,̯͙̦̺̠̥ͯͭ͡.̵̤͉͎̞͍ͥ,̃͋̆҉͈͔̣͎͇̪̟ͅ.̨̻͓ͧ̌, may the sands spare you both.”

Her choked farewell faded from our hearing as we stared at her back. She left hunched over her camels back, kicking up a cloud of brown dust behind her.

Suddenly the two massive worms jumped over the road, and followed her into the sands. The ancient, wild sands.

She didn’t make it far. As it turned out, but fortunately for us, these worms aren’t very cooperative. One ripped the camels legs off, the other got the beast’s head. The first grabbed the woman’s shoulder, and the other took hold of her torso. The woman screeched “NO NO, SANDS PROTECT ME, SKIES GUARD ME, SEAS GUIDE ME. NOOOO”

We spun our camels around and drove them to a mad sprint down the cobbled road. Both of us shuddered as we heard the sounds of ripping flesh, not unlike that of torn papyrus, just… more… wet. I cried as we ran. I heard phantom crunches as I imagined her bones being rent apart.

Coward. FOOL. WEAKLING. We should help her, we should save her. But the old man’s warnings rang through my head. His deep voice thundering like a chorus of gongs, repeating the same grim tale

“The wild sands are dangerous, they expose us, and they hide monsters. Do. Not. Go. out into them.”

we heard her screams echoing on through the whispers of the wind. Her haunting shrill cries of terror and pain were carried along by the swift hot air of the desert..

Several minutes after the screams died with their owner, my companion and I slowed the camels to a walk. Several minutes after that, we noticed no worms, not even the telltale vibrations from a far-off approach. We sighed in relief as our heads dipped.

I looked up and stared into the other’s windswept brown gaze. The eyes already held too many lines, and now the edges of those eyes were dampening at the corners. “What now brother?”

He slowly swung his black covered head from side to side like a miniature pendulum, and turned to stare back the way we came. Where we all should still be, where we lost what little we still had

…

We both looked out upon the desert. The sands unmoved, the stars: cold, and the road seemingly untouched.

The sea of sand remained, as it always had, as it always will. The land didn’t care, the sky didn’t care, the seas beyond the horizon didn’t care. Only we did, and we would pass, the land, sea, and sky would not.

The last flashes of the memory were of happy faces, and endless dunes. The final one being the landscape that never cared. Wind, sweeping thin lines of sand up into the speckled night sky, only to drop it down once more to the tan hellscape below.

To it, nothing had changed. Then all went white.

...Shame about the ending….

…

I locked those memories up for a REASON DAMMIT.

As the white lightning faded, the world of green began to return. At first only the amorphous blob of colors. Then came the distinction between the colors, the sky divided from the land, and the greens separated from the browns. Lines, shapes, edges began to sharpen as well.

My breaths continued in their shaky, irregular rhythm. Like a bad dream, most of the memories I experienced, faded. From sharp recollection to vague impressions, and finally, complete absence. The locks from the other masks asserted their presence once more.

… But the damage had been done. I knew the faces, the names were still missing, but those faces… I saw people, people that I should know, people I should love… People that I should miss.

And those sands. The most vivid memory of all. Those consuming sands. All the rest faded, but not that blistering uniform sandy hellscape. The wilds are never tamed, they’re only ever temporarily subdued. Beware the areas others call ‘safe.’

That damnable warning still echoed in my skull, and I failed when I tried to ignore it. However, logic put my mind at ease. No sand, just dirt, leaves, mud, and rocks. No sand, no unstoppable monsters. No invisible threats. Im fine. I can worry about sand later.

I shivered as I began to trudge forward. Broken sticks, leaves, and other things crunched beneath my boots. I had cleared and flattened a circle of around thirty feet while throwing that tantrum before.

Eventually the crunching transitioned to wet plops as I crossed the clearing’s threshold, onto the muddy forest floor. I was still tired, but it appears that I was sleeping while I walked through those sands.

A few hours of rest, while I was… preoccupied

I slowly pulled the shards of grainy memory together, feeling the stinging pains, the hollowness before a fight, the fear of the sands, and let the emotions flow. A minute of doing this as I plodded along, allowed me to gain a firmer grip on them.

I crushed these shards into a tight ball within the clutch of my will, and reached out a hand to Unhappiness. The frowning porcelain mask glowed a pale grey as I touched it.

I wrapped lines of will around the ball of pain, and slowly dragged it towards the edge of my mind. Once at the brink, I pushed it over the side, and onto another plane entirely. The mask resounded with a faint bell chime as the memories landed within it.

I can deal with that, later.

I scanned my surroundings with sight and magic while my heavy footfalls splatted upon the muddy ground. The light faded as the forest returned to its supernatural darkness. Nighttime darkened the place further, and I was forced to walk through a forest that was black as pitch. Fantastic, at least the vines don’t hang down low enough to catch onto me

I went on like this for a short while, searching for a cave, or any semi-defensible position. After all, those ponies probably won’t give up. They just found a threat, and already proved themselves capable of ripping me apart with those magical artifacts.

YES, FINALLY, SOMETHING GOES RIGHT! Low and behold, one of my many magical pulses turned up a jagged opening in a cliff. Only a few feet off the ground. I focused, and sent pulses into the hole in the rock…. Nothing. It was vacant, perfect.

I quickly scampered in to settle down on the hard cave floor. The air was damp, the floor was hard, and the place was dark. All of that could be fixed, but the important part was that I was ‘safe’… for now.

All it would take would be one chance encounter, one lucky pony, and those living weapons would be on me. One mistake, and I’d need to run.

I shivered at the memory of that soul-rending pain. Never. Again.

That being my final conscious thought as I fell into that void once more… This time, I would be undisturbed, I would finally get to rest in the inky dark of nonexistence once more.