Fading Sanity

by MorganaTheNotCat

Rating: everyone
Tags: Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Horror, Moondancer, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 16517

Moondancer realizes some odd things are happening in her house. It leads her down a rabbit hole that slowly drives her insane.

It started small. Pictures out of place, or mislabeled books. But then, it changed. Entire new rooms, long and dark corridors. Moondancer was sure something was strange with her home, and she was determined to find out why. The line between reality and nightmare becomes blurred as she goes deeper down the rabbit hole. Will she able to keep her sanity by the end of her trip?

Published 2023-06-28 14:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-06-28 14:00:00 UTC

The routine.

I don't like to imagine.

I'm a realist. I do things by the book. I don't stray away from my daily routine, I barely even leave my house. Everyday when I wake up and run through my list of things, It's always the same no matter the day or time.

My blurry vision faded away as I slowly lifted myself from the sheets. My room was dark. I keep the curtains in my bedroom closed. Even when there's Sun outside, I don't like to get light on my face as soon as I wake up. I reached to my left side with one hoof, it's where I keep my glasses. And swiftly put them on.

My room was the same it had always been. Bland. Unorganized. Unkempt. Why would I waste time organizing and cleaning it anyways? Moss seemed to grow from some cracked crevices in the wooden ceiling, dust had been collecting in some of the larger wardrobes and some of the corners had spider webs. I got up from my bed. The frame was old, and the mattress was almost moldy. Sleeping on it wasn't comfortable, but that didn't really matter to me. It got me through the 6 hours of required sleep, and that's enough for me. Frankly, If given the opportunity, I wouldn't sleep at all. Such a waste of time, when I could be doing something else, something more productive.

Just like the ceiling, the floorboards were old. They creaked under my weight as I walked around the left side of my bed, to my right. That's where I could find two double doors leading into a small closet, where I kept most of my clothes. And by clothes, I mean the different sweaters I wear most of the time. There were also cardboard boxes with files or papers, I wasn't sure. It had been a long time since I even moved anything around in there.

My mouth opened wide with a yawn as I reached for a black sweater. It was my favorite. A gift from a friend, back when I still cared enough for friendship. The gift itself came from Minuette, she had made the sweater herself and given it to me. I didn't like how it was prickly at first, it felt like those sweaters your grandma would knit you. But it started growing on me. Now, it's practically the only thing I wear. That same day, I was expecting a special guest. But she didn't bother showing up.

Now I've got other things to worry about. After all was said and done, I went for the door that led downstairs to the main area. Once again stepping down the rickety stairs. I wondered if one day they would just give in and I'd fall right through them.

They led to the living room, which, like the rest of my house, was dark and gloomy. There were a few coffee tables sparingly around, sitting against hallways. On top of them, books of different kinds and volumes, stacked on top of each other. There were also wooden shelves, which had even more books of all kinds. Some of which I had to buy myself, and some which had been with me for a while now. Most of them were related to various subjects in academics. Study of magic, magical artifacts, Equestrian history, spells, potions, really anything that wasn't fiction. I didn't care to spend time reading a romance when I could instead be gaining more knowledge.

Under one window, next to a wall-shade was my work station. This was my piece of paradise. In here, I could fully close myself out and focus on my studies (Not that I already wasn't excluded from everything else around me). There, lay a few books. Pieces of parchment too, with plenty of horn-writing on them. I was no stranger to taking notes. There was a half-burned candle sitting on top of a plate. The drops of wax that once ran down its side, now completely solid. I'll have to remember to buy more candles next time I go out.

Turning a corner, I stepped into the kitchen. Or what was once the kitchen. Despite there being a dining table with chairs, I didn't actually eat there anymore. I was using the dining table to instead hold the plethora of books I read, as well as some dirty plates and mugs. On the wooden counters, more dirty plates, pans, pots. I keep telling myself I'll wash them, but it's not on my priority list. I open a cupboard, there's some milk. It smells weird, but I just gulp it down straight out of the box. There wasn't much left anyway. I opened another cupboard. Oatmeal. Sure, that makes for a decent breakfast. I have a hard time finding a clean bowl, but once I do, I pour the oats inside and make my way back to my study station.

This is where I spend 90% of my time. In silence, under the light of a lampshade. Reading, taking notes, writing. Oftentimes, I eat while I study or study while I eat. I've got a clock hanging beside the front door, I use it to check the time, but not too often otherwise I'll get anxious and won't be able to focus on my study. So there I sat. All day. Everyday.

And I enjoyed that.

Spending time by myself is what I enjoyed. I kept eating my breakfast, scribbling down notes from the book I was reading. The silence helped me focus. Sure, a few curious ponies would knock on my door from time to time, but if you ignore them for long enough, they usually go away. If it's the mail pony, they'll know to leave the mail in the mailbox. Even then, I spy on them to make sure that they've truly left before I go out to collect my papers. I only interact with other ponies when absolutely necessary. Given the chance, I'd avoid talking with them at all.

My home was more than a simple house. It was almost like sacred grounds for me. My books are my refuge. Each one holds a world of knowledge and secrets waiting to be unlocked. It's like having an entire universe at my hooves.

Some may say that it's run down, moldy, old, unkempt. But I for one find it charming. I can feel the energy in the air. The creaking of the floorboards, the whistling of the wind. It's alive.I don't need others' approval. My passions and interests are my own, and I find solace in pursuing them without the distractions of social norms and expectations.

Friends were never really my thing. I attempted it once or twice, but after what happened last time, I'm never going back to making friendships ever again. My books don't lie to me. They won't cheat on me, they won't forget about me. I'll have them until the stars fade, and until each wooden support beam of this house has rotted away and given in, I will have them by my side. I find solace and companionship within the pages of my books, a source of unwavering support and understanding that surpasses what traditional friendships offer. My books are almost like a better version of a friend.

I sat, minute after minute, hour after hour, my eyes fixated on the pages. Reading. I was in my own bubble. My mind was focused. I could hear the tik-tok of the clock beside me near the door, ticking every second. I glanced up and off to my left. It was already 10:30 A.M. I lowered my head and buried it deep within the pages of the book. Time seemed to move fast, or not move at all. I took one glance up and off to my left again, my eyes jolting to the door. It was already 12 PM. I had a book to return at 3, so at least there was some time left. I was so focused all throughout that I didn't have a sense of time. One minute for me seemed to move an entire hour forward. I took one glance up and off to my left one final time, though I did not find my clock by the door. I scanned the room for a second and noticed it was by the window instead. Tik-tok. Already 2:30 PM.

If I want a chance at returning that book in time, I should get going immediately. I hopped off my seat and looked at the shelf behind me. Books upon more books, cramped into more and more shelves. I looked at the top most shelf, looking at the names written along the spines of them... Where is it? My eyes analyzed each book on the top row, yet nothing. It was only when I moved further down that I could see it on the middle row. I could've sworn I put it on the top row.

Using my magic, I float the book off the shelf and by my side as I go for the drawer next to the shelf to grab a pair of bags. I wrap them around my body and float the book into one of them, closing it shut after I'm done. Finally, before going out into the world, I took one deep breath and prepared myself.

I was immediately assaulted by sunlight as soon as the door opened. I had to squint my eyes to see better and even then it took me a few seconds to adjust to the lighting outside. Once I managed to get my bearings, I went down the stone path leading up to my house, crossing the stone fence and heading on out to the streets of Canterlot.

Everytime someone lay their eyes on me and our gaze met, I turned away or looked down at the ground. Perhaps they liked to stare because I barely came out of my house, but they didn't know me and they couldn't care less about me. Maybe they were staring at my unkempt mane, or droopy eyes from late night studying. But like I said, I don't care about others' judgments.

This was my most dreaded moment of the day. When I wasn't inside. It felt unproductive to not be inside studying all the time, and even worse, ponies could come up to me and start conversations, slowing me down even more. I hated talking about unnecessary things. The only pony outside I interacted with was the librarian at the reception desk, and even then, all I usually did was return or ask to borrow a book.

It felt like ages to walk along the busy streets. These crowded areas don't sit well with me, and all the noise makes my head-ache. Despite the annoyance, I managed to somehow reach Canterlot's library in one piece. I reach the front desk and I think the receptionist is already groaning once she sees me. I'm there everyday, or every other day.

She's this old mare with gray mane and tail, her mane is tied up in a bun, and she wears some reading glasses. Somehow, she always greets me with a smile. I don't do the same.

"Moondancer!" Her weary voice called. "Good to see you again. Came to return a book I presume?"

"Yes." I didn't waste time and immediately reached for my bag, placing the book on the desk.

"The Healing and Magical Properties of Plants and Flowers! This one is a classic. I remember when I was a young filly like you, I would hunt for these on the forest next to my house!" The old mare picked it and placed it under the desk. I stared at her, waiting with a raised brow. It took her a second to realize her mistake. "Oh! Sorry dearie, I know you've been waiting on your book about magic and its properties on structures, but the pony who borrowed it hasn't returned it yet."

"UGH!" How long does it take for someone to read a book!? I can read almost 200 pages in less than 3 days, how lazy is this pony that they can't read it in time and must hold me up!? This small outrage shifted my glasses off position, and I had to readjust them slightly. The receptionist shook her head.

"Now, now, be patient. It'll be here soon, don't you worry." Right. At the rate it's going, I won't be able to read it at all. And I've got 4 other books I'm finishing this week.

"Sure. Whatever." I faced away and began the walk back to my house. I could hear the receptionist as she waved goodbye.

"See you soon!"

Un𝕗amiliarity.

It's morning again.

I lifted myself up the bed, the Sun was shining on my face. I brought my hooves to my face and rubbed my eyes, I hated the way the sunlight peered through the window. Guess I forgot to close the curtains before going to bed. My hooves reach for my glasses as I let out a yawn, I couldn't find them on the drawer to my left. I did find them on the drawer to my right though, which was strange. I usually leave it at the left side because it's easier to reach in the morning. But being honest, as long as I could get it by the morning, it didn't really matter.

Once again, I hopped off. The floorboards creaked under my weight. I wonder if there's some day where I'll hop off the bed only to fall through the floor. Walking around my bed, I made my way to the closet, opening the double door. My clothes all laid out orderly, but I couldn't find my favorite Sweater. The Black turtleneck I loved so much. Figuring it was probably downstairs, I sighed and closed the doors making my way over to the doorway leading into the stairway.

Going down the stairs, I made my way over to my work desk. As expected. My sweater was hung on a coat-hanger by the side of the entrance. I don't remember having a coat hanger though. Even then, why would I hang up a sweater in there? Maybe I was just too tired to care. I stepped closer and lifted it off the hook with my magic, only to wear the cozy turtleneck over my body. The fabric hugged my coat, it was somehow warm. As if it had been worn recently.

I looked over at my work desk, taking a second to appreciate the chaotically organized mess. Books stacked on top of each-other, pieces of parchment rolled and tucked into one or two shelves. I made sure to keep notes for whenever necessary. But before I start, breakfast. I turned around and made my way to the kitchen. Once again, the same sight.

The dining table was full of books, pots, pans, teacups, plates, anything that I didn't care enough to clean up that had piled. I made my way to the cupboards, maybe I still had some milk to drink. And just as I expected, I could see a full carton as I opened a cupboard. This one didn't smell bad either. And unlike the one from yesterday, it was a full carton. I checked another cupboard, but this time, I didn't have any oatmeal left. There were some bananas on a fruit bowl at the very middle of the dining table though, hidden away between the piles of books. Was that always there?

Sure. Whatever. I drank the milk straight out of the carton and grabbed a banana or two for me to eat as I made my way back to my work station, where I'll study away for hours on end. Without hesitation, I sat down and opened the book before me. But as I kept on reading through the pages, I realized that there was something odd about this book. The pages felt oddly familiar... Have I read this before? I took a look at the cover for a second and saw it. "The Healing and Magical Properties of Plants and Flowers"

I thought I was seeing double for a second, so I had to clean my glasses with the sleeve of my sweater. Yet, the text didn't change at all. How's this here? I returned the book yesterday. Maybe I returned the wrong book? I didn't want to have to pay fines for being tardy. Well in one way or another, all solutions to my problem went down the same route. I had to go back to the library. I hate leaving my house.

"Good to see you again, Moondancer!" The receptionist mare replied with a smile and a nod. I was not so cheerful.

"Yeah. Hi. I want to ask something." Reluctantly, I stepped closer to the reception desk. I had the same satchel from yesterday. "I came here yesterday, right?"

"Of course you did sweetie! You always come by Mondays to drop off borrowed books. Exactly at 3 PM. I make sure to keep the dates marked down!" She proudly displayed a calendar marked with delivery dates.

"Yeah yeah, listen, what book did I return yesterday?"

"Why the one you borrowed last week. The Healing and Magical Properties of Plants and Flowers." What? No, I couldn't have.

"Can you- Double check?" I have the book right here with me. It even has the library's stamp on the first page, the same one they use to identify that this book came from the Canterlot library.

"But you-" She seemed confused.

"Just do it!" I commanded, and once I realized I was being maybe a bit too loud, I stepped back. "Please."

She was reluctant, but nodded in silent agreement as she reached for something under the table. I was worried I might have returned the wrong book. Maybe I was tired and just couldn't remember it, maybe my glasses were dirty and I didn't read the cover properly. There were numerous reasons. Yet when she placed the book on the table, I felt my heart skip a beat. The Healing and Magical Properties of Plants and Flowers. That is what was written on the cover.

But how?! I was already panting by the time I reached into my bag, grabbing the book that was inside. What book?

It was empty. I was sure I had put something inside, I was sure of it too. I double, triple, quadruple checked yet- I couldn't find it.

"No- There's- No something's wrong here." I had that same exact book on my bag, but now it's empty.

"Dear, are you alright?" I'm not. I wasn't only confused, I was taken back. How could something like this happen? What kind of explanation could explain this series of events?

"Nothing, I'm- fine. I think. Bye." Despite turning around to leave, I couldn't help but taking a look back at the desk as I made my way to the exit, to be sure for a third time that the book was the right one. It was.

Once I was inside, I tried to make sense of everything. I certainly saw the cover, and I certainly saw that the cover was correct. I saw it, I'm sure of it. I know that I had returned the book yesterday, and I'm even more certain that I saw it before my very eyes today. Something was wrong, a book doesn't just change like that. And then, what's with my bag? How could I have not noticed that the heavy book that weighed me down was gone? What if the bag had a hole, and it fell on the street? I didn't see anything when I was coming home, and given I keep my head low even while walking through crowds, there's no way I could've missed it. I also take the same path to and from the library, if it had fallen on the street, I would've certainly seen it on my way back.

There has to be an explanation to all of this. What if somepony stole the book while I wasn't looking? It would be difficult, but not impossible. Even then, what if my mind was just playing tricks on me? Why and how would that happen?

I paced around my room. I couldn't stand still. There had to have a logical explanation to everything. I searched my bag a third time, and even a fourth time. Nothing. But I couldn't let this rest, I wouldn't be content with sweeping what just happened under the rug and forgetting about it. Trying to think of possible solutions, I made my way around the different rooms. The kitchen was the first.

Well the book I returned yesterday was the book I saw on my table earlier today, and by the time I went to return it today, it had suddenly vanished. There is no way the book I saw on my table was the same one from the library. But it had the library's stamp. How would it not be the same book? I walked in circles around the dining table until I realized something. I didn't have a fruit bowl.

I have lived in this house for well over half a decade now. I never had a fruit bowl. Much less did I re-stock it with food. The bananas I ate earlier today looked fresh. Then, I made my way to my work station by the door. The clock. It wasn't hanging by the window next to the desk, it was hanging to the side of the door, I remember it now. I check that same spot everyday. And the coat-hanger. I never had that either. Did someone break into my home? But even then, who would break in only to place new items inside, or move them around? Was that the reason why my glasses were at the wrong side of the bed earlier this morning? Is... There someone living with me?

No. That's impossible. I don't have a basement or an attic. They'd have to be literally living inside the walls of my home if they were to live with me. Or my closet. But even the closet is not that deep, and is full of junk like boxes full of files and personal records, no one person could live there. Wait... That's it!

A moment of clarity struck me as I rushed upstairs, making my way to the closet. I always keep a record of the books I borrow in here, and even the ones I return. I opened the closet and it was just as inviting as ever with its cobwebs, dust, and moss. I had to shift around a few things to be able to reach the box with the records, but sure enough, there it was. I quickly looked through them, page after page.

Seems I had borrowed the book two weeks prior. And returned it... Yesterday.

I almost felt a chill run down my spine once I saw that. It's impossible. Despite my logical thinking, there was no logical solution. If there is no logical solution, then the question becomes... Is there magic involved? Is there something out of my control, some unseen force acting upon me that is making all this happen? And even more-so, is there someone with me? I had to keep an even closer eye on everything around me, all the while searching for answers. Making my way back downstairs to my work-station, I looked behind it at the shelf of books I kept. Surely there would be one book in here that discussed some issues I'm having. I keep notes. I'm organized, despite what it may seem. If I want a specific book on a specific topic, I'll look for the parchment where I wrote down the notes for it.

On my work table there were quite a few rolls of parchment, most of which were dusty and old by this point. But I knew they'd come in use, which is why I kept them all this time. I had to look through 5 or 6 of them before I found one which depicted magic and the way it interacts with the world around us. Soon, I had organized a small list of books. They'd surely have what I was looking for. By the time I started, it was still very early in the day. 2 PM to be exact. Let's see if I can find anything of note in here.

8 Hours. Of course, I enjoyed reading but 8 hours is a bit too much even for me. I had read every single book I had, I combed through every page thrice, making notes of anything I found that could help me explain the strange happenings, and I did find a few worthwhile things. Nothing close to a definitive answer, but a theory instead. It was better than nothing.

First theory. The two events are linked together somehow. The book and the shifting of furniture and items are connected through some means, means which I can't explain. Spit balling ideas, magic is an obvious one. Throughout pony history, magic has been a double edged blade. It has been used for the good of Equestria, with the earth ponies caring for the soil and plants, the pegasi dominating the skies and helping the water cycle, and the Unicorns helping with raising and lowering the sun. That was, before Celestia and Luna. But it has also been used by forces of evil. Discord with his chaos magic, Tirek with his magic stealing abilities.

It is possible, albeit unlikely, that for some reason, somepony imbued my furniture with magic. Shape shifting or kinesis abilities could explain how and why things have been moving around, and why I thought I had grabbed the book when I hadn't. But then, why would one go through all that? To play a prank on me? There is a clear lack of motive, and I can't figure it out. Did somepony hate me and wanted to get revenge? I barely interact with anypony though, so I don't know who would do such a thing.

Second theory. My house is the place of origin for the occurrences. This would mean that something within the building is causing it to behave like this. I regularly conduct magical experiments, as well as potion mixing. It would be more probable that some kind of magic spell gone awry created issues within the structure. This is about the time I'd appreciate that book on the effect magic has on structures, but for some reason a pony has to waste weeks reading a single book. The magic somehow seeping out and somehow interacting with the book could explain it all, it is not uncommon for magic to 'Seep' and 'Creep' into places it's not supposed to.

If this is the case, then what magical experiments have I performed recently that could've caused this shift? What changes in the environment (Exterior or interior) could cause it to suddenly shift and

Third theory. The two events are linked, and there is somepony living in my house with me. I don't know what could explain why a pony would be living in here with me, especially considering I have lived here for a long while. I would've noticed if there was somepony. Yet, I can't seem to explain this series of events. Perhaps this pony comes out of the shadows to lurk in my home while I'm asleep, eating my food, reading my books, and whatever else. This pony could've, somehow, acquired back the copy of the same book I returned and brought it back to read it themselves, and somehow, that book had disappeared while on my walk to the library. This is admittedly a weak theory, but it's all I have.

But then, who and why would do such a thing? Especially if they've lived with me for a while, they must be hiding somewhere. I previously called them out for having to literally live inside my walls, but what if that isn't far from the truth? What if one of the rooms has a secret mechanism, a door or something that reveals a hidden passageway to an unknown chamber? I've lived here for years, but I barely go anywhere aside from my work desk, the kitchen, and the bedroom.

Fourth Theory. I am the chain connecting these events. Perhaps, I am seeing things. This series of events could be chalked up to my delusions. I don't have anything to disprove this theory, but I don't have anything to prove either. It is possible albeit unlikely — Again — that this is nothing but my imagination playing tricks on me. I've lived alone for too long, and despite feeling perfectly fine physically, it could've taken a toll on my mental health. I've read that there are ponies who go insane if they stop talking to others. I could never. My books are were I find the most joy and happiness, to suggest something like this is whats causing all this is just absurd. But once again, come the questions.

I am clearly not seeing things. These things aren't just visual, they are perceptively physical. As in, I can reach out and touch the objects. I know that the coat hanger is in a physical space because my jacket is hung up on it. It is perceptively real and tangible. But it could be my mind making me see things. What if instead of a coat hanger, it's actually a stack of books and my brain just sees it as something else? I can't discard the possibility.

Gah... I need some time to think. I can't stand staying awake for a second longer. It was already dark, and the interior had no natural light at all. I had been used to staying up late at night studying but for some reason tonight felt different. The dusty darkness I so warmly enjoyed now felt eerie. It felt like somepony could be lurking within the shadows. I had to do quick looks behind my back every so often. It felt like I was being watched.

The candle burned brightly, lighting up a small portion of the desk. I left my papers on the table and decided it was about time I head to bed. I floated the candle on the plate, the candle was completely new, almost unburnt. I knew I could take my time heading back to bed. As I pushed my seat back, it felt creepy. To be surrounded by all the darkness. Each creek of the floorboards, or whistle of the wind sent shivers down my spine as I made my way up the stairs. It didn't feel welcoming anymore.

Reaching my bed, I placed the candle by the drawer and took of my sweater, hanging it inside the closet. I closed the curtains to avoid the same mistake from earlier this morning (A barrage of light as soon as I woke up) and crawled into bed. Taking my glasses off, placing them by my left side, and blowing the candle out before closing my eyes.

S𝕡𝕚raling 𝕆𝕓se𝕤sio𝕟

Damn it. The curtain is open again. With what has been happening recently, I can’t chalk that up to a mere coincidence. Fortunately, my glasses were in the right position and I could easily reach for it, although I did have to wipe the lens off before putting it on.

Yet again, rays of unsolicited sunshine invited themselves into my bedroom. Into my eyes. Usually, I would close the curtains again. But I honestly appreciate the light and the sun coming from the outside. It somehow feels as if it’s lifting the thick unnerving atmosphere most of the dark corners of this house carry. I had to stretch myself out before being able to stand on my own four hooves. My eyes were still a bit heavy as I couldn’t sleep well last night. I kept thinking about everything that had happened, and what it could mean. I couldn’t feel safe wrapped around my sheets. It was like I wasn’t alone.

Despite that, I managed to fall asleep. I had the weirdest dream too... Or rather, a nightmare. That same horrid birthday where I lost all faith in friendship. It was a memory replayed in my sleep, tormenting and taunting me. But I have my books. They will keep me company. I don’t need friends.

I stepped around my bed yet again and made my way over to the closet doors. Which felt different for some reason. I opened them both and grabbed my sweater which was hanging on the inside, sliding it on before stepping back and closing them again.

Today is the perfect day to test out a few of my theories. I can attempt to discard the most inexplicable ones right off the bat, It’ll help me focus on what’s important. Starting with the idea that what I’m seeing is just figments of my imagination, or my mind which for some reason seems to be giving in. If this is the case, then that must mean there is some kind of trigger making me forget or hallucinate these events. But once again, I remind myself that these are tangible things. Physical, tangible events which I can not only see, but touch. I didn’t have proof that others were hallucinating. The fact that the receptionist saw the book is actually proof against this theory.

If I did in fact return the book the day before yesterday, then that means that the book I saw on my table did not exist to others, yet it did exist to me. But that’s simply impossible since I actually reached out and touched it, even put it in my bag.An unlikely theory, but a possibility to consider nonetheless. If I wanted to get some solid proof I’d unfortunately have to reach out to others... I’ll be sure to write a letter to some known ‘friends’ to see if they’d be willing to visit. I hope I won’t have to make amends.

Onto the next theory. Somepony was living inside my house with me. Who it could be or why they could be doing this was unknown, but if there was in fact somepony living with me, then there must have been signs of tampering or displacement. Why you would move my glasses from one side of the bed to another, I don’t know. But it isn’t impossible. Perhaps I had a way of proving if there was somepony with me or not. If they’re living with me, then there must be signs of it. Food being taken away from bowls for example, or secret rooms where somepony could live in. I’ve got a few things in mind to test out this idea.

I’ll get to the bottom of this. This is just the start. Today will be spent researching and exploring every theory.

I head down from the upstairs and once again, the creaking of the old floorboards fills me with a sudden wave of anxiety. I went through this same place every day with no issues or worries, but today felt different. I was cautious instead as I stepped down, figuring that for once, I should probably look a bit more into the structure.

My head scanned around the room. I was looking for signs that something had moved out of place. The clock seemed to be on the same spot by the side of the window, the coat hanger was at the corner next to the door. My work desk was empty aside from the unlit candle that was on top of it. But I specifically remember it being populated with pieces of parchment filled with annotations from my late-night research session. I stepped closer of course, opening drawers to find that actually... The parchment was nowhere to be seen. Even the empty rolls had completely vanished.

Seeing this made my eyes open wide. All my research, all gone. I had just started making some good progress too, only for it to be thrown down the drain like that. I wouldn’t let this go. There has to be some kind of explanation to all of this. I searched the drawers in the desk, I searched underneath the desk, behind the desk, I searched on the tucked away corners and in hidden crevices next to it yet — Nothing. Somepony or something was conspiring against me. Now I knew this all meant something. Just as I’m starting to make progress and question the events around me, I’m stumped and halted. I won’t let this be.

Unfortunately, both of the tasks that day had me going out of the house to get some utensils to help me. If I’m quick, I might finish my shopping list before noon. Once again I grabbed my bags and slung them over my body, carrying a small sack of bits for the purchases as well. Let’s get this over with

I pushed the door open with a sigh. Going out to the streets was always an exhausting task, almost daunting if I’m being honest. But with what’s been happening, I’m not sure if I prefer the outside or the inside. Either way I stepped through and my eyes took quick looks around to make sure I was alone. One potted plant in a dark corner almost scared me to death, but I’m glad it was just a random plant. Which... I don’t remember owning it. This one looked green, like it had been either taken care of, or it had been recently bought. Maybe I did just own it and I wasn’t sure? I don’t know what to trust anymore. My memory is unreliable, my lack of sleep from last night has gotten me drowsy already and it’s barely 1 P.M.

Using my magic, I floated my recent purchases off their respective bags, placing them on the work desk before me. I first grab some string and a few golden shining bells. Small ones too. These would be perfect for my plan.

I started out by floating the tools by my side, including the hammer and a few nails. The front door was the first one. I kneeled down and prepared the nail and despite having no experience with this, I feel proud to say I did a decent job, not that it is too difficult to hammer a nail. I looped one end of the string a few times over the nail, making sure that the line was just slightly below knee-height. I pulled it along and repeated this process for the doorway at the kitchen, and the one at my bedroom. By the time I was finished coordinating all these strings around, most of the doorways had strings with spools and nails all around the house, leading up the stairs and into my bedroom.

At the foot of my bed, hanging on the wall were distinct bells. If one of the strings were to move, the bell would trigger, waking me up in the process. Not a very efficient setup, but it gave me some comfort at the very least. Each bell had its own marker beneath it. ‘Bedroom’ ‘Kitchen’ ‘Entrance’ one single step and they’d fall right for my trap! But that wasn’t all I came up with.

After the bell setup was done, I headed back to my work station, taking care to not trigger the series of strings that had webbed the insides of my rooms. I took some fruits I had bought earlier today at the market and enticingly placed them on the food bowl at the table. I know exactly what kinds of fruits and how many there were. 3 Apples and 2 bananas. If somepony took any of the fruits, I would know.

Now comes the part I don’t like. I feared that I was the only one suffering these strange hallucinations, it was a theory that couldn’t be discarded. Unfortunately for me, if I wanted to prove this, I would have to reach out to other ponies. If they could come to me, they’d be able to see if there’s in fact something wrong with me. And at first, I was skeptical.

I don’t think I need to repeat myself. I don’t like making friends, and I don’t have many. I barely remember anypony that spoke to me in the last few years aside from the receptionist at the library. Inside, I had everything I needed. But not everything it seemed. Either way, I had to reach out to somepony. The first pony that immediately came to mind was Minuette. She was part of my friend group back in school, but it annoyed me how friendly and outgoing she was all the time, I didn’t want to have to deal with that. Lemon Hearts could be an option but unfortunately I don’t know where she lives. I suppose Twinkle Shine would be a good option to try but then again she did go on an Equestria-wide adventure ever since the start of last year. I know this because she wouldn’t stop sending me letters about her travels, only stopping once she realized I never answered a single one.

Unfortunately, that left me with the only option I didn’t want any kind of contact with. For a Princess of Friendship, she is incredibly indifferent. Guess when you go big, you forget the ponies who stood by your side when the world was much smaller. It’s not fair. How come she gets to become an alicorn and I’m forced to be left behind? Discarded away like I’m nothing? Memories of the past quickly come back to me. The birthday party was clear as day again in my mind. I despised Twilight Sparkle, and despite that, I had to talk to her. If I wanted some help, I’d need to reopen some old wounds.

I made my way over to my work table. It was about 4 PM already which is strange, I didn’t notice the time passing by so quickly. A piece of paper lay before me, completely blank. It was waiting on my move, itching to be filled with words. I prepared my pen and got to writing.

Dear Twilight Sparkle.

I know it’s been a long time since we last spoke, but I hope this letter reaches you well. I know we have grown apart over time, but I still believe we share the strength of the relationship we once had, especially after the day you turned me down. But I don’t want to lie to you, I need your help as well.

Lately, I’ve been experiencing some inexplicable events within the insides of my house. Items shifting places, missing furniture, and much else. I don’t know who is doing this or why it’s doing this but I’ve been on this for a good while now trying to figure it out myself. Unfortunately, I can’t do it alone. With your expertise in magic and your intelligence, you could help me find clues so I can solve this mystery once and for all. And if we got some time, we could even go out for tea and catch up. I currently reside at 14 Crescent Moon Lane in Canterlot.

Your old friend,

Moondancer.

Short, but it’d get the job done. As I started preparing the letter to be sent though, I could feel as if I was being watched. I turned around but looking into the darkness of my house, I found nothing. I need to buy lanterns or more candles, something that can illuminate the dark. Seems like the sunlight from outside isn’t doing the job, and I can’t stand all this darkness inside anymore. At one point, I felt so comfortable and relaxed inside but now... It felt eerie and gloomy. The creaking of the floorboards wasn’t a charm anymore, it was a weary sound. The darkness that I often enjoyed now seemed to hide figures and shapes within it, but what they could be I didn’t know.

The letter was sealed. I’ll go to the post office tomorrow, I have one last thing to check today before I head to bed. The building where I stood was old. It was already old when I first got there, and was clearly something that had been built around. For some reason, among the beautiful and colorful structures of Canterlot, this had gone completely untouched over the years, perhaps it was even here before they began construction of the capital city. Not to mention the fact that this place had seen many owners, most of which left soon after. This leads me to believe that there are hidden trap doors or passageways, secret rooms that you can somehow access if you look hard enough in-between the old and torn wallpaper.

I never tried to look for any of these. I didn’t care for it. I never believed the stories either. Some ponies say that this place has some kind of dark magic related to it, that some old mare’s tale from decades past about spirits haunting this place. At the time, I was indifferent and dismissive. Sure, as if spirits would actually haunt a place like this. But now? It was a theory to be considered, even if extremely unlikely. The reason I wanted to find these rooms is that if there is someone living with me, that’s where they’d be hiding. They sleep and hide during the day, only to creep out at night when no one’s awake and stalk the many rooms.

I didn’t want to waste time, so I immediately went to action. First, I searched around the lower floor. I carefully inspected every wall, every corner, I even moved the bookshelf I kept on the corridor to see if there was some kind of hidden passageway. Unfortunately, all I ended up doing was making a small mess of books that fell down from the shelf, with no signs of an entrance anywhere. The kitchen seemed promising. A few of the cupboards had a lot of empty space inside of them — But that’s all there was to it. Empty space. I had to step over my traps in order to not trigger them as I made my way upstairs to check the final room.

Under the bed? Nothing. Behind the drawers? Nothing either. I was already starting to lose hope. Maybe it really was all in my head, maybe I had been seeing things or something had affected me and I just didn’t remember it properly. But that’s before I opened the closet doors.

At first, it really was just an empty closet with clothes and boxes. But there was something else to it. A strange marking, the wallpaper seemed torn out in a small section. Seeing this as some kind of lead already made my heart spike, my eyes widening as I dug out the boxes that hide what I assumed was entrance. I don’t remember having this many boxes though.

Finally, after I had removed everything, I could see it. A square indent that went into the wall, it almost looked like a trapdoor and was certainly large enough for me to fit through. And if that’s the case, somepony else could too. However something was weird about this. It was just an indent. There was no handle, or a button to press, or something that’d make this open. It seemed like the wallpaper had just been placed on top of it to hide some kind of hole. If that’s the case, I suppose I can just...

Leaning down, I pushed my horn against the wallpaper, and just like that, the wallpaper ripped right open and gave way to something behind it. I had to peel off the rest with my hooves before I could finally identify that it was some kind of staircase, a very tight staircase that spiraled up toward the ceiling. Apparently I did have an attic. I wonder if I also had a basement, and if so... Where could the entrance be hiding?

I took a deep breath before stepping through the newly opened entrance, finding myself in that same winding stairway that spiraled up. It was claustrophobic to say the least, but it worked for its intended purpose. It seemed that the further up I went, the darker it became. At one point, I was surrounded by complete darkness, so much so that I had to use a spell to have some horn light, just so I could see the steps. This stairway was different from the rest of the house. It didn’t feel old, it was incredibly new in fact, completely brand new almost. And it seemed to go on for way longer than It should have... Way too long... If I had an attic, I would’ve reached it by now.

Finally, a door. It was the end of my climb into the unknown. Fortunately or Unfortunately for me, as I tried to open the door, it didn’t budge. Figures, it’d probably be locked. I can’t really break it down myself so I’d have to find another way inside, perhaps from the outside-in? A hole in the ceiling or a window would suffice. I don’t remember there being windows in my attic though, but that’s something I’ll have to figure out later.

I started going back down. Step by step, illuminated by the light on my horn but... Something felt off. I kept going, and going and going and going and yet, I didn’t reach the entrance. My heart began racing. Has someone closed me in here? My walk became a trot, then a gallop. I was running down these stairs with wide open eyes, they jolted across every corner of my vision to find an exit and yet nothing. I just kept running, I could feel my heart pounding faster and faster, sweat running down my forehead, my breathing becoming shallower, quicker. This feeling... It was horrible. It felt like being trapped in a hamster wheel. I ran and ran and ran but I didn’t reach an end. The descent... It seemed a whole lot larger than the ascent. I had gone down a lot more than I had gone up. It was a solid 4 or 5 minutes of running, and at one point I almost felt like screaming for help but who would even hear me? I felt trapped, the darkness around me felt like it was closing in, and were those whispers? Speaking softly into my ear? What were they saying?

What is happening? What's going on? Where am I? Where am I headed? What is this place? Is this even my house anymore? Is it all in my head? No. It can't be. Can it? No. I can't think straight. 𝕀 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝.

Finally, an actual floor! It seemed to be a small tunnel made of stone and dirt, this wasn’t where I started. At the end of the dark tunnel a light that shined brightly, was that outside? I quickly galloped with all my might, my glasses almost dropping to the floor before I finally jumped out with a yelp.

Where... Am I? I found myself laying on a patch of grass. I looked around to see... This was my back garden. That’s the kitchen window. My first thought was to immediately look up and yet... Nothing. Despite going up and down a large spiral staircase, there was no sight of the remains of it. My house looked completely unchanged. I took a look back to where I came from, it was a trapdoor, like the entrance to a basement. It had seemingly closed, locking itself.

I took this second to calm down, my heart was still racing and my breathing was still as heavy as it could be. That feeling... I don’t want to feel it again. It was like I was trapped with nowhere to go, with just darkness around me... What were those noises too? It couldn’t be whispers... This is not some kind of haunted manor, there has to be some sort of explanation for this. After I was decently rested, I pushed myself off the ground and headed inside, almost tripping over the string I had set up. I immediately rushed upstairs and...

The closet was closed. The boxes I had displaced around the room so I could access the passage weren’t there anymore. No... This has to be wrong, there has to be something wrong here. I opened the doors and shoved the boxes aside, spilling documents all over the floor in the process and once I could finally see it — Empty. There was no indent. I tried pressing my hooves against it, I tried other spots in the wall, I tried using my horn to cut through yet again but... Nothing. I need some time to think... I need some rest. I’ll... Try to figure everything out in the morning. Again. ℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝

Wait, how is it so late already?

𝕋𝕙r𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕤 o𝕗 ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕔ept𝕚𝕠𝕟

Author's Note

For this chapter, I suggest you read it with non-justified formatting.

𝕋𝕙r𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕤 o𝕗 ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕔ept𝕚𝕠𝕟

The bells. The drat bells. They wouldn't stop ringing the entire night. Every hour, it was just Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! all the time. I turned and shuffled in my bed, I tried to hide away in the pillows in a feeble attempt to cut out the noise. They had rung many times. I had got up, checked and went to bed. There was nothing. Then they did it a 2nd time. I got up, checked and there was nothing. A 3rd. Then a 4th. By the 12th time 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖. I got up and ripped the strings connected to them, they couldn't ring anymore. Yet somehow, I could still hear that faint Ding! every so often. I swear...

When morning came I was less than refreshed to take on this new day. My body was limp, my eyelids were heavy. It was hard to think straight when my head was aching so bad... But it wasn't just because of the bells. I couldn't sleep the entire night. I kept thinking and thinking about everything, I kept trying to imagine what could be causing these things. The staircase, it went up into what seemed to be empty space. There is no possible way there'd be a room up there. And then, there was no hole in the wall once I got back. I kept thinking about this the entire night and not only that, I kept hearing noises in my home.

What sounded like whispers, gentle groans, I could hear creaking, walking in the floorboards as if there was somepony downstairsℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 yet every time I went down there to check I could see nothing and nopony. It drove me 𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕟𝕖. I needed to take a breath. I needed to relax. I don't know how I can calm myself but I'll have to figure out a way.

First things first, coffee. I need to drink something, I need to stay alert I... Gotta get up and take a walk or a stretch or something, I don't know. I reached for my glasses again, it wasn't on the left sideℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝. I unwillingly got up from the bed and walked around to grab them, cleaning the lens and using the circumstance to open the closet and grab my sweater only to realize... I had slept with it. I didn't take it off. A minor oversight on my partℝ𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣, 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗. I headed down the stairs, taking one deep sigh as I went down the steps. And I kept going. And going... My stairs were never this big. I know this. Finally I reached the bottom, yet when I looked back up, the length of the stairway didn't change one bit.

My head scanned the surroundings once I stepped out into view, but I couldn't see anything of note. The clock was by the door yet again, the potted plant was once more by the side of the door... Wasn't that were the coat-hanger was? Where'd the coat-hanger go? It hurts to overthink this much. I stepped closer to my work desk, where to my surprise I found that the letter to Twilight was completely untouched. Fortunately or unfortunately for me. I headed over to the kitchen, though on my way over I tripped on one of the pieces of string, falling face first in the floor, sending my glasses flying forwards. Despite the string connection to the bell being cut, I swear I heard another Ding! coming from upstairs...

I had to spend a few seconds looking for my glasses, I can't believe I let myself fall victim to my own trap. Even if I couldn't see it because of my drowsiness, I should've been able to remember it was there. Shouldn't I?

The lens. They were partially cracked on the right side. I didn't have spare glasses, that means I'd likely have to go out to get new ones made for me. I can already see this is the start of a great day. Once I came back to my senses, I looked around the kitchen but it's not like I could see anything too different. The dining table was just as it was before. A small mess of books and dirty plates. The window was slightly open, letting some sunlight creep into the dark room and sending some light into the darker corners. I saw a fruit bowl. I don't remember buying that, I barely even eat fruits at all... But upon closer inspection, my eyes widened. I did buy a fruit bowl! Yesterday, was it? Or was it the day before that? Either way, there were no signs of it changing either. 2 pears, and 1 banana. This must mean that there is nobody living with me, or maybe there is but they bought and replaced the food the next day so I wouldn't notice...? 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘?

I didn't care. It had been a while since I ate something decent. I used my magic to float the banana closer, unwrapping it and taking a bite before I turned back to my work station. First things first, I need to post this letter to Twilight. Second, I want to go out and personally take a look at the basement entrance I saw yesterday. I don't remember ever seeing that in my back garden, but it is something worth checking. If there is any semblance of a lead or anything that can help me better understand whatever is going on here, it'll be a relief.

Once again I stepped over the string and trotted past my work desk, opening the door and stepping outside only to remember that I forgot to grab the letter. I quickly stepped back inside, floated it by my side and off I went.

The Canterlot post office. It was actually nice to get out and get some fresh air, after everything that had happened. The streets didn't seem so busy this particular day, but that doesn't make it any easier to interact with ponies. My mane was messy, my eyes droopy, my glasses were cracked, you wouldn't be far off to assume I was homeless. To be fair, after stepping outside, I didn't feel like going back. Not because I liked what was on the outside, but because 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖. Still, I just needed to send this over and get back home to continue my exploration.

There was already a line formed as I stepped inside. A few ponies stood ahead of me, and I patiently waited my turn. I tried to keep my eyes open, but standing there was just so boring. The office chitter-chatter of the mail ponies running about was like a droning sound in my head, it was white noise that helped me fall asleep. Every few seconds or so, I'd jolt my head up in an attempt at keeping myself conscious, only to slowly loose that grip more and more. I just... I could just take a quick rest... It wouldn't be so bad right...? I'm waiting in line anyways it shouldn't be an issue...

As I closed my eyes, a sudden flash. It jolted me back into action, before I glanced around to see if anypony had noticed. Fortunately, the couple ahead of me were too busy flirting with each-other to notice it, and the grumpy looking stallion behind me could care less about what I did. Just a few minutes, it should be... fine...

Another flash. An image. It was my house. It kept invading my thoughts, like a sickness seeping into my mind. It was like every time I closed my eyes, I could see it. Again and again, it kept coming back to me, and just the image of it... It sent chills down my spine. It made my heart beat faster, my breathing shallower. For a second, I lost myself. I wasn't at the post office, I was before the front steps, and despite my reluctance to step inside, I was drawn to it. There was something about it. It's mere presence intimidated me, but it also called out to me and begged me to keep exploring it's new secrets, it wanted me to reveal what was hidden beneath the surface.

"I said move it lady!" The stallion behind me gave me a push, I almost lost my balance as I stepped forward. I looked ahead to see that the line of 5 or 6 ponies had already left. I was next in line. I took a look back at the stallion. If I had any strength, I'd stick it up to him and tell him what I think about his actions, but I barely had the ability to stand upright, much less make cohesive sentences. I looked at the counter, a cyan coated pegasus stallion greeted me.

"How can I help ya?" Despite his charismatic and friendly attitude, I didn't reciprocate.

"Here- I'm- I need to deliver this letter- I mean, I need this letter delivered. To uh... Twilight- As in Princess Twilight. Twilight Sparkle." He looked at me in the eye with a raised brow and a cheeky smile.

"Oh! So you're a fan of the princess?" He chuckled.

"What? I- Look I really don't want to discuss this right now, just take the letter and-" Despite my attempts at shutting the conversation down, he insisted.

"No no, there's nothing wrong with wanting your favorite princess to let her know you're thankful." What is he even talking about? I really don't have time for this.

"Just- Take the letter. To her." He was about to continue the conversation, but I just turned around and headed out, leaving the letter on the counter. He seemed somewhat confused as I left the post office.

I stood before the front garden yet again, my eyes fixated on the building before me like a hypnotic spell, I wanted to 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕚𝕥 as much as I wanted to come inside. It was time to explore the basement and attic from yesterday, but I don't even know if they exist to begin with. I lived here for 5 years, I would've noticed if something was off. And why now of all days? Why has this sudden activity picked up?

It was hard to deny the truth, there was something wrong with my house and it was starting to affect me. With everything I've seen so far, I couldn't rely on my memory. I couldn't rely on my mindℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 I didn't know for certain what was what, how it happened or why it happened. And much less could I focus with half-open eyes and drowsy head.

But I had to push through. I need to find out what is happening and why it's happening... But this time... I don't even know where to start... I don't know what to do and I feel like I'm lost in a labyrinth, except every path leads to a dead end. I feel like when I open the door and step inside that my worst nightmares may just very well come to life. I considered the option 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪 and sighed. Let's try the backyard, it should have something.

I circled around around the outside making my way to the back, peering into the windows. The glass was slightly cracked in points, and most of the curtains were closed. I couldn't see in. Once I reached my backyard, I took a look around. This was where I got ejected out of in my last trip. There was this dead tree, curling like a tentacle, It was creepy and unnerving... My window gave a good view at the backyard, did I seriously never notice this dead tree?

To my surprise, the door leading into the "Basement" was still there. It was a wooden trap-door that seemed to lead into a stairway, the red paint was already faded and old. Stepping closer, I could see that it was open. But... Do I want to open this? I let out a yawn, my tired limbs could barely bring themselves to grab and pull on the handle, finally revealing its secrets. It was indeed a stairway, leading down. I had no other choice. 𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕'𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪

The sunlight from the outside helped me see my steps, it kept my footing. But as I went further down, and down, and down, the light began dissipating and at one point, it almost seemed to disappear. It felt like I was stepping on stone but the floor... It was completely black. A color that absorbed most of the light, making it impossible to see in the darkness. My steps echoed louder the further I went down.

At one point, I had to cast a spell. The horn light spell, yet again. I was tired though, the light wasn't as bright as it was just yesterday and it was hard to maintain this, despite that, I pressed forward. Eventually, the stairs stopped and I was finally in a floor... Somewhere. I could tell from the light around me that this was a corridor, and I pushed through.

I couldn't see ahead, but I could tell by the sound of my hooves that it was long. The sound seemed to travel forever forward, despite the darkness around me. I had to glance back a couple of times, it felt like I was being watched or followed and yet my attempts at finding this mystery observer remained futile. I couldn't see far enough in the darkness to determine where I was or what was happening.

I pressed forward.

I'm getting tired.

Whispers. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕪 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖?

The hallway turned left. Then right. Then a fork on the path. One path lead to the left and another to the right. A realization came to me, one which shook me to my very core. This wasn't a series of corridors. This was a labyrinth, designed to entrap. The light of my horn became dimmer, my limbs felt weak. My eyelids felt heavy. I yawned. I couldn't think straight. I can't stay. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪.

I turned around but the corridor I had just came from... It closed in on me. I was trapped. I was trapped in the dark. I immediately ran up to the wall, my eyes widened in terror. I can't stay trapped here, I can't stay! I won't stay! 𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪. It's dark and cold. If I disappear nopony will ever even hear of me, would they realize I had disappeared? Would they come rescue me? Maybe Twilight, that is if the letter ever gets to her, and if she even decides to come over.

My heart was pounding, anxiety kicked in. I can't stay like this. I turned back and headed for the fork. I was trotting quicker than before now. I turned a corner. Then another. And another. The dark walls... They seemed to go up endlessly. There was no ceiling. The whispers kept getting louder, the sound of my hooves now galloping against the floor echoed through this distorted room. It twisted and turned, every step I took seemed like I was headed four other steps on the wrong direction. The darkness was suffocating, the air was heavy. I can't stand this. I can't.

𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥. 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥.

My fear turned into desperation. My heart was pounding, it was the only comforting noise that gave me a semblance of safety somehow. Another turn. Sweat was running down my forehead, my panting getting shallower and quicker. Another turn. Step after step I galloped in the unrelenting darkness, the light in my horn was almost gone by this point. I could barely focus on keeping the spell working, my restless condition contributed to everything. In a fit of sheer desperation, I called out.

"HELP!" I screamed. "HELP! PLEASE! SOMEPONY!" The only thing there to listen to my screams were the towering walls of the pitch-black maze.

Another turn. A dead end. I turned back to come through the way I had just been through but it was sealed shut. The wall had closed in yet again on me. I stepped back, my chest contracting with fear, anxiety. The terrible feeling of being trapped, hopeless. The feeling of being alone. I took a step back only to realize the dead end that I had seen now closed me in as well. I was confined. My body could barely move.

𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖. I covered my head with both front hooves, lowering my front to the ground. Tears rolled down my eyes. "MAKE IT STOP! LET ME LEAVE! I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!" But nopony came. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't do anything else. I screamed, I begged to be set free. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕟𝕕!

This is my fault, this is what I get for my selfish isolation from society. My mind is consumed by self-blame, in this situation, it's the only thing I can blame. I suppose that this is my end. In this moment, my mind had fully surrendered. My eyes closed. My heart began slowing down and my quick shallow breathing became a steady sigh. The tears that once ran down my cheeks had now dried up as I lay on that cold dark floor. In that moment, it didn't matter what was the mystery of this house, or what it carried, or why it was tormenting me the way it was. In that moment, there is one thing I knew:

𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕖 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖.

``` 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕀𝕋 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℙ 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤 𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕤... 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪'𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖... 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 ℍ𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖

```

𝕃 𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕪𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕙

Author's Note

For this chapter, I suggest you read with non-justified formatting.

𝕃 𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕪𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕙

"STOP!" I screamed as I woke up in a cold sweat, hanging onto my bedsheet. My eyes darted across the room, I was in my bedroom.𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 I didn't want to get up, I wanted to stay on my bed but I knew I had to do something. I can't leave this be. I can't.

That feeling, that same feeling when I was trapped down there. That feeling of helplessness, loneliness... It kept coming back to me, coming back with a memory. One specific memory which I've been trying to keep away from my mind. It was unfortunately familiar to what I had felt before.

I lied. Perhaps I lied more to myself than anything. I'm a realist, and that part is true, but despite finding solace in my books I still don't feel whole. Deep down, I feel an emptiness devouring my soul every single day, but that facade is covered up by my "Love" for books. I don't care about that anymore. My own birthday party years ago had left me scarred, this hatred of genuine friendships and connections with others prevented me from making new friends. I didn't want to get hurt again. But now, here I am... I just wish I had someone to tell me everything will be okay. Books don't do that. I can't give up though, not yet at least. There are still things to solve.

I want to go down there again, and I'll go prepared this time𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖. I'll figure it out from there. A source of magical power must be creating all of this, all this shape shifting, teleporting, impossible geometry kind of deal. I reached for my glasses on the drawer, but realized they were once again on the right side of the bed. I got up and walked around, putting them on only to find that the cracked lens were no more. It was now pristine and clean. I'm getting used to this sort of thing by this point.

Candles, some rope, a storm lantern, a few pieces of parchment for sketching, a compass, some food, a sleeping bag and a hiking bag. I didn't know what awaited me, perhaps a pony-eating manticore or something of the sort. But I'll deal with it. I'll... Find some way. I'm sure I had all these items with me, I just need to prepare to venture into the unknown.

I stood before the entrance. My legs were already trembling, I knew that I shouldn't go down there. Everything compelled me to do the contrary. My mind was telling me to go back, if I could just wait for Twilight to get here, I'd be able to use her help. I'd find out everything that was happening, and maybe I'd even go out for a cup of tea with her. But for one, I'd have to endure this for days on end until she finally got here. 𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕀'𝕕 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘. And there was also something else about that basement entrance. It called to me, the whispers I heard before, that's what they were saying. They told me to go deeper, they were calling my name. It was impossible to ignore.

My legs were already shaking before I even took a step, flashbacks of that terrible scene from yesterday filled my mind with terror and anxiety. I took one deep breath before finally stepping forward, using my magic to pull on the handle and open the double trapdoor. Once again, that darkness. It filled me with dread. But I had to push on. I stared into the dark abyss, every step took me further

``` 𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

    𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

         𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

            𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

                𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

                    𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟...

```

I reached the end of the stairs. Or as much of an end as there could be. Behind me, the entrance had already shut. The darkness around me crept in, as if it was stalking or enveloping me. I used my horn light for a second, I knew it'd be futile but whatever faint light it gave me was enough to put me at slight ease, ℂ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕒 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕤 𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕥. I'll need a clear mind if I want to get through this.

The map. Right. I should start at the bottom. I got the piece of paper out of my bag I floated it before me using my magic and my horn to light it up. A circle at the bottom, that represented my entrance and where I came from. Before I get going, I want to check something. Out of another pocket, I floated a metal compass close to my eyes, I had to shift my glasses a bit before I could see through the dirty glass. The magnetic needle spun aimlessly inside the compass housing, at one point, magnetic north was right in front of me, then to my left, then behind me even though I was standing completely still.

I wouldn't be able to find my bearings with this, but it's so... Frustrating... I've came all this way prepared only to find out that everything I tried was useless. I wasn't even getting closer to an answer. I just knew something was happening, but I didn't know anything about it. I hated this feeling of being powerless, not knowing what to do, or where to go... Usually my books would give me all the knowledge I need, but there is no book that can prepare me for something like this. In a fit of rage, I threw the compass against one of the walls, grunting as I watched the glass hit the wall and break. Enough of that already.

I floated the storm lantern out of my bag, I was glad I wouldn't have to rely on the faint light of my horn, but I would have to refill the lantern every so often. I had prepared the lantern beforehand, all I needed to do was spark the fire. And so I did. It was quite simple really, a spell I had learned a while ago helped me do the job effortlessly. The orange light soon invaded the hallway, casting itself on the jet black walls that surrounded me. Time to press forward. 𝕀'𝕞 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕

Each twist and turn of this dark maze feels like I'm slipping further into a dark abyss which I can't escape out of. I don't know how long I've been down here already, looks like despite my preparing, I didn't bring a damn watch. Everything looks the same, everything feels the same. The same dark, cold and empty corridors that I saw 30 minutes ago are the ones I'm seeing now. Or was it 10 minutes ago? I can't tell.

What a dumb idea it was to bring a map. The walls shift. They become larger or smaller, they close in on themselves, they change shapes. Sometimes, the corridors are diagonal, sometimes, there are stairs that go up into a second floor before going back down in the same room, only for everything to be different againℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕪𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙. I spent my time mapping out this place, but it was useless. I had left my map behind long ago.

The feeling of being alone in such an ominous place fills me with dread. Every hoof step made me that much closer to delirium. Despite knowing I was alone, I would still look behind me and check my back every so often. I heard whispers. They were calling my name. I'm sure of it. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕥. I hope my letter reaches Twilight. 𝕀 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖.

I couldn't take it anymore. Reaching a small square room, I sat down in the cold unforgiving floor with a sigh. My muscles were tired and my limbs felt heavy, I was starting to feel light-headed and yet, no real progress had been made. The light on my lantern was the only thing that gave me company and guided my way. I leaned back against one of the walls on the room and looked up at the 'Ceiling'. It was just darkness that stretched endlessly.

I shouldn't have come down here. I shouldn't have come to this house. I shouldn't have come to Canterlot at all. I don't know why or how I thought it was a good idea. Was this an effect that this place was having on me? Am I being compelled down here? Is there something I need to discover? Those questions lingered in my mind but honestly... I didn't care for an answer. After what I've been through, 𝕀 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕟𝕕. 𝔹𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕟𝕕. The answer is that it was probably some kind of powerful amulet or dark magic or whatever that for some reason chose my house as its resting place or something. But who cares about the answer.

My mind, once filled with determination and curiosity, was now blank. Devoid of any semblance of life, or will to continue. I stared at the wall before me, its lifeless surface reflected my state of mind in that moment, devoid of any kind of thought or will or anything. There was no frustration, no sadness, no guilt or anger. Just nothing.

There was no escape, not only from the maze but from my head.

And I just sat there.

𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘.

But... Then...

A light glimmer in the dark...

What's that? Coming from around the corner?

I gathered the courage to lift myself from the ground, floating my lantern beside me. I left my bag by the room, knowing I probably wouldn't ever see it again. My eyes were already wide in excitement, the bleakness that shrouded me just seconds ago was now completely gone. The fact that I found ANYTHING that isn't another dark corridor was enough to get me on my four hooves.

The light was coming from around the corner, I peeked through and saw a door. A white wooden door, white as snow. It felt familiar to me for some reason, I just couldn't quite be sure why. My heart was pumping fast as I reached for the handle, when a sudden memory came back to me. That dreadful day. My birthday. It made me hesitate. Maybe I shouldn't be curious... From what I've seen so far, this place can't have something good in it.

My hoof reaches for the door's handle.
𝔻𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕕𝕠 𝕚𝕥.
and while hesitant at first, I was curious as to what's inside.
𝔻𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕥
The light coming from the bottom of the door made me excited.
𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪
This was the only light in this maze of illusions.
𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕕
Maybe this door holds the answer to everything...
𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕝𝕝 𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕥 𝕚𝕥
With one deep breath, I turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Bright sunlight flooded my view, I had to rub my eyes. Being in darkness for so long accustomed my vision to the faint light. The smell of fresh air reinvigorated my forces, the grass beneath my hooves made me feel free once again, the sound of birds chirping in the distance only added to that feeling. But once I could finally see, I regretted my decision.

It was that day again. My birthday. I could see the tables arranged, party foods were laid out in bowls, decorations right outside Canterlot castle, I was lucky the princess allowed me to do my party there. I was at the table, or better, a younger version of me. That smile... I never could smile like that again. I thought she was coming, that's why I was so excited. Minuette approached me, she had a gift on her back and a smile on her face. Lemon heart was on the other side, next to Twinkleshine.

I didn't want to see all this again. I didn't want to relive this. I turned around back to face the door, and it had disappeared. Of course it had. I turned back around at the scene again, my eyes wide, my breathing becoming shallower and quicker. I just froze, watching the worst day of my life unfold before my very eyes once again.

"Is Twilight coming?" The joy. I'd never felt anything like it ever since then. And the silence from my friends. It only confirmed my suspicions. "Oh... Okay..." It wasn't just a party. Twilight would never understand that. She thought that our friendship could be discarded like that, the only friends I ever had. I felt 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟, unwanted by those around me. I felt like a burden.

"Hey! We'll still have fun, right?" Minuette tried to cheer up the mood, but it didn't matter.

"Sure..." The memories came flooding back to me. Those same feelings, those same emotions. Minuette and her friends were nice and all, but they weren't like Twilight. She was special to me, and I cared a lot about her. It took the girls a long time to convince me that I was worth something, that I mattered and that I was important. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕕, 𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕦𝕡.

The emptiness in my chest... I could feel it as I felt on that same day, the same day I was forgotten and left behind by a supposed friend. In the end, I didn't matter. I wasn't important anyway. I was never worth anything to begin with. I held back but... It was difficult. Tears swelled up my eyes, running down my cheeks the way they did in that same day.

To my despair, the scene repeated itself.

Again.

And again.

And again...

An endless loop of that day. I tried to look away, I tried to cover my ears, close my eyes, but no matter what I did, I could still feel it. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕨. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤. Everything I had felt on that day, and the day after that, and the months after that, and the years. 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕖. 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕪.

I read my books to hide the pain, if I bury myself in study, I won't have time for friendship, I won't have a chance to be broken down like that again. But deep down, I knew it was a cover up. I lived a miserable life, and I will continue to live it for the rest of my life because 𝕀'𝕞 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤. 𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤, 𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖. 𝕀 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕚𝕖 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖, 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟.

𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕖 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟, 𝕟𝕠 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕀 𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕕, 𝕟𝕠 𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕀 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕥, 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖. 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕤, 𝕀 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡! 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕘𝕠 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪! 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕞𝕖!? 𝕆𝕗 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕡𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕤!? 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕕𝕠 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠'𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤!? 𝕀 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖, 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕥, 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕀 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕟𝕕!

𝕀 𝕁𝕌𝕊𝕋 𝕎𝔸ℕ𝕋 𝕀𝕋 𝔸𝕃𝕃 𝕋𝕆 𝔼ℕ𝔻

``` 𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕀𝕋 𝕊 𝕋𝕆ℙ
𝕀 ℂ𝔸ℕ'𝕋 𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕄𝕌ℂℍ 𝕄𝕆ℝ𝔼 𝕆𝔽 𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊 𝔼𝕄ℙ𝕋𝕐 𝔸 𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼

                                  𝔸𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼   𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕀𝕋 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℙ                           𝕀 ℂ𝔸ℕ'𝕋 𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕄𝕌ℂℍ 𝕄𝕆ℝ𝔼 𝕆𝔽 𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊

                                𝔼𝕄ℙ𝕋𝕐
        𝔸𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼
                            𝔸𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼                                                                         ℍ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊
                                                                                                                             ℍ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊                                             𝔼𝕄ℙ𝕋𝕐
                                                                                     𝕀 ℂ𝔸ℕ'𝕋 𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕄𝕌ℂℍ 𝕄𝕆RE
                                            𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕀𝕋                   𝕊𝕋𝕆ℙ                                                                         ℍ𝕆ℙ   𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊
                                   ℍ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊                                               𝔼 𝕄ℙ𝕋    𝕐        𝕀 ℂ𝔸ℕ'

𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕄𝕌ℂℍ 𝕄𝕆REℍ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊
                𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝕀𝕋 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℙ

                                                        ℍ𝕆ℙ𝔸𝔹𝔸ℕ𝔻𝕆ℕ𝔼𝔻𝔼𝕃𝔼𝕊𝕊
                                                  𝔸𝔹𝔸
                        ℕ𝔻𝕆ℕ𝔼𝔻                  𝔼ℕ𝔻 𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊 𝔸𝔾𝕆ℕ𝕐

    ℙ𝔸𝕀ℕ
                    𝔽𝕌𝕃 𝕄𝔼𝕄𝕆ℝ𝕀𝔼𝕊

```

I lay on the grass, sobbing into my own sweater.

Light?

"So what's this all about?" Like usual, Spike was lounging on my back, eating gems as he always does.

"Moondancer needs our help, and I'm not one to turn down helping an old friend." I can't even remember the last time I spoke with her, but I'll be more than happy to see her again. "She says there's magic involved, and If there's any pony who knows magic, that's me!" I extended my wings with a proud smile.

"Yeah, sure, as long as we stop on our way to that donut place you used to go to!" I rolled my eyes at Spike's comment.

"14 Crescent Moon Lane, that's here." I stopped before a house. It looked old, overgrown, it hadn't been taken care of for a good while. Moss on the roof, a dead tree on the front garden, broken windows.

"Ugh." Spike shuttered. "This place makes my scales stand. Are you sure we're on the right place?"

"She said this is where she lives... Maybe she moved out? Letters do take a while to go from place to place, but this one was labeled as urgent and the date on the envelope lists 4 days ago." Spike was right, something about this place felt off. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what, but it just felt weird. Like the house itself was an ominous presence.

I had to step through some dead branches on the garden to reach the front door, the wood was almost rotting away. I knocked twice on it with my right hoof. "Moondancer!" I called out. "It's me, Twilight! I got your letter!" But... Nothing.

"Maybe she's out?" Spike made a good point, I couldn't see any movement inside and I didn't know for how long she'd been out either.

"Let's go check around the back, if she's not there, we'll come back later." With Spike's nod, we headed around the side and into the backyard. To my surprise, I found her. Moondancer was laying on the grass, she seemed to be mumbling gibberish while sobbing into her sweater. She looked so different from back then... Something clearly changed along our years of separation.

"Moondancer! Are you okay!?" I didn't waste a second and rushed over, Inspecting her body. There were no bruises, cuts, or anything of the sort. But Moondancer... She seemed completely lost. "Moondancer, what's going on? What happened? Why are you crying?" I touched her with my hoof, and when she looked up at me, I could see her watering eyes. How long had she been crying for? I was about to continue my questioning, but she just reached up and hugged me with both of her front hooves instead, burying her face in my shoulder.

I was surprised by the sudden hug, but I wouldn't deny her. I wrapped my own hooves and wings around her body. I didn't know what she was going through, but it was clear that she was happy to see me. In a moment where she needed me, I wouldn't run away like I had before. We shared that sweet hug, I could feel the warmth of her body despite the short duration.

"It's okay, I'm here for you." I spoke softly to her, and I could hear her sobbing getting softer while her grip got tighter.

"An entire maze?" Spike seemed excited with wide eyes, I settled him down with a gesture of my hoof.

"Yes. Underneath my house." Moondancer spoke after sipping a bit of her tea, then let out a sigh. "I don't know how I got out. There's a... Trapdoor, or something. In the backyard. It goes down into it."

"I don't remember seeing a trapdoor when I came into the backyard. Do you, Spike?" Spike shook his head. After recovering her from her state, it took her a second to come back to herself. But once she did, I brought her to Joe's donut shop. A quiet place where she can regain her strength. "Okay, so it started with furniture and small items, but then whole rooms started to appear?"

"Yes. And after that, I found the maze." Moondancer stared blankly into her cup of tea. "I'm so glad you came by when you did... If you hadn't... I'd still be lost inside..."

"But you weren't in the maze when we found you. You were in the backyard, crying. We never even saw the entrance to maze." I don't remember seeing it, but maybe my memory's just bad. I didn't pay much attention to it either, but if I hadn't noticed it, Spike surely would have. That's why I'm bring him on most missions, a second pair of reptilian eyes when you need it. He's very useful in other ways too.

"But-" Moondancer stopped dead on her tracks, she looked lost in thought, breaking the stare contest between her and her teacup to look up at me with a puzzled expression. "I saw it! I went inside it, I've been there! I mapped it out even! It's in my bag-" She tried to reach for her back, but she wasn't wearing a bag. "Look, you gotta believe me! I know I'm not crazy, I can still tell what is real. This is real, isn't it?"

"What?" I took a glance at Spike with a raised brow. He looked back at me and shrugged. Moondancer pushed her seat away, standing up as she stared me dead in the eyes. She didn't say a word, it was like she had seen a ghost. I had never seen someone that lost in their own mind. I could tell she was confuse, and that something terrified her. Her expression wasn't like she was thinking, more-so like she had just unraveled a horrible truth.

"You're... Not an illusion, like my birthday? This isn't fake?" How do I answer her question? What am I supposed to answer to this?

"Yes Moondancer, we're both real. We're in the real world right now. Are you okay?" She was reluctant to accept this, and I wouldn't even know what to say if she didn't. What kind of experience did she go through that made her question her own reality?

"Okay. Okay, I believe you. I hope you're not lying, I hope this... This isn't some kind of trick. By the maze again. I can't- I won't handle being toyed with again..." With one sigh she sat back down, covering her eyes with both front hooves. She was already on the brink of tears.

"What do you mean, toyed with again?" This could be the reason why she's so distraught. There's something more than meets the eye here, and maybe Moondancer is the key to solving it.

"I can't take it Twilight... I can't take it..." Tears rolled down her cheek again, she cleared them with the sleeve of her sweater.

"Listen, I can't help you if you don't let me help you." I leaned closer, over the table, speaking in a soft empathetic tone. I didn't want her to break down again, I even held her hoof. "You're clearly scared of opening up, there's something that troubles you deeply. If you keep ignoring it, it's only going to snowball into a larger problem. If you want me to help you, you need to help me too."

Her eyes were fixated elsewhere. She didn't want to look at me. I could see how she was considering the option, I was finally beginning to crack that outer-shell that she used to protect herself, revealing the true pony underneath, one who was troubled and lost. I won't stop until I help her.

"Okay..." Moondancer sighed, her eyes taking a quick glance at mine before pushing my hoof away with a sigh. She shifted on her seat, looking down at the table. "I... Feel..." It was a visible struggle for her to speak her mind. "Alone. I stay home all day, and... I study. I don't know what I study because frankly, I just read. The words on the paper are... Meaningless to me. They're just the best way I can find to cope with everything that's happened to me... I bury my head in the books, so that I won't be touched by the outside world. I push everypony who tries to talk to me away because of what's happened to me. I'm scared it'll go wrong again... It's my own fault that I feel so isolated and alone..."

"What do you mean go wrong again? What happened before all this?" I could see and feel her stare. She was hesitant to speak, and stayed quiet. "Moondancer... You need to tell me. If you keep it all inside, it's only going to get worse."

She played with the spoon in her cup.

"You did." I... Did? I stayed quiet and listened closer. "My birthday party. So many years ago. It took me so long to open up to any pony, and when I did, you brushed me away like I was... Nothing... It made me feel so hopeless and lost, so alone... I didn't want to ever give friendship another try after what you did." I could see her gritting her teeth, furrowed brows and teary eyes in a mixture of spite and sadness... I didn't know how to react. I was the cause of all of this? I could feel the guilt weighing on my chest, my heart beating faster.

"I'm... So sorry Moondancer." I stammered, my voice filled with remorse. "I can't believe I hurt you like that... I was foolish and thoughtless, I pushed you away when all you needed was a friend." My own tears welled up, mirroring the pain in her eyes. "I didn't know the impact it had on you..."

Moondancer's spite shifted into sadness, mixed with understanding. "It's... Not entirely your fault Twilight. I get that we all make mistakes, but it hurt... It hurt so much... And I retreated into myself, building these walls to protect me from ever feeling that kind of pain ever again..."

I reached closer, trying to close the gap between us. "I can't change the past, but I can make it right. Please, let me be there for you now to help you heal." It was the only thing I could offer her.

"I want to believe you Twilight..." She looked at me, her gaze filled with a mix of vulnerability and a flicker of hope. "I want to believe that things can change, that I can find a way out of this loneliness that I've made for myself... But it's hard. It's so hard to trust again."

"I understand," I whispered, my voice filled with sincerity. "I won't ask you to trust me blindly. Let's take it one step at a time. We'll face this together, and I'll be there for you every step of the way."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our shared pain and the possibility of healing hanging in the air. The road ahead would be difficult, but I was determined to help Moondancer find her way back from the depths of her lonely labyrinth. We may not have all the answers right now, but with time and understanding, maybe we could find solace and friendship once again.