//------------------------------// // Not Again // Story: Masquerade // by Jewel_Eater_Dragon //------------------------------// I sat there on the couch in the Apple residence. I placed my hoof on my forehead again, checking on my horn. I wanted to stop rubbing my forehead, but I could not help it. My magic has finally blossomed and for a moment, I lost it. It was terrifying. I sat there with my face in my hooves, trying desperately to calm myself down. I could hear voices coming from the kitchen as Twilight and Applejack continued to talk about me. How I came to being here on the farm. Apple Bloom sat with me, patting me on the shoulder reassuringly. I felt like a little foal on the way to see the principle. “Wha’cha thinking of Masquerade?” Apple Bloom finally asked. “Just what had happened today actually. I feel silly now running and screaming like that.” “Well, it was rather funny now, but I dunno how I would react if I suddenly lost my cutie mark if I had one.” “That’s very understanding of you Apple Bloom. Thanks.” And a sigh escaped my lips. I leaned back for a moment, thinking back to that mare I had crashed into. What was her name again? I remember somepony say ‘Twilight’. I wondered if it was the same ‘Twilight’ that Twinkleshine, a regular customer of mine, spoke of when she ordered her costume for last years’ Nightmare night. But before I could ponder on it more, Applejack came into the living room. “Uh Masquerade, would you mind joining us here in the kitchen for a bit?” I nodded and walked into the room. Applejack asked me to sit on the stool opposite them. Apple Bloom on the other hand, must have felt sorry for me, sat on a stool right next to me. I looked at the two mares in front of me. So this was Twilight. Couldn’t place a hoof if this is the same Twilight that Twinkleshine spoke of, but she is cute… Oh why did I think that, I wondered to myself. “First of all,” Twilight began, “Is for you to relax. Alright? Now tell me again, Masquerade, what had happened earlier.” I let out another sigh as I began to retell my tale from the beginning. From what had happened at the wedding in Canterlot a week ago, from the yelling and the panic induced screaming, to the invasion, the changelings, the six mares who seemed so brave at the time as well as that one particular changeling that seemed to pass through me and the magic force field that sent me flying. I then mentioned about me landing in Zecora’s hut, to waking up different, to having my magic stronger than it was before. I mentioned what Zecora thought as I told her what happened, as well as how Applejack said I seemed taller this morning, and how my horn had disappeared. It took a while to tell my tale and by the time I had finished, I had the two mares staring at me. Apple Bloom had brought us some apple juice. “That… was us you saw running towards the central tower.” Applejack started. “And yes, that was Rarity you saw running with us.” Twilight continued. I simply blinked. “But anyway, unless I’m missing something here, that does not really tell me how you… ‘lost your horn’ earlier, or so you say.” Twilight questioned. “Twilight, you sound as though you don’t believe that his horn plump right disappeared.” Applejack said, sounding a little hurt. “It’s not that I don’t believe it, it’s just a little hard TO believe.” Twilight tried defending herself. “Well you know me sugercube, and you know when I tell you something, I meant it.” “Well, that is true. You are one lousy liar Applejack… Ahh… I mean that in a good way.” Squeaked Twilight, again trying to defend herself. Applejack on the other hoof, simply shook her head at a sheepishly grinning Twilight. During the commotion, I placed my head between my hooves, and closed my eyes. The weariness had begun to set in. I tell myself that I can’t blame Twilight that she doesn’t believe that I had lost my horn. If it wasn’t for the fact that Applejack confirmed it, or that I had neither seen nor felt my horn, I would not have believed it myself. A wave of what felt like depression, I think, washed over me, making me feel even more lethargic. My emotions were now shot, my sanity stretched thin, and I am mentally tired. I begin to nod off, thinking only about how I wish I could just fly away from all this. “Whaaaa? MASQUERADE!!!!” I heard both Twilight and Applejack yell. My head shot up. “Wha? What?” instinctively I reached for my horn. “What?! No! Not again! My horn is missing again!” “Forget your horn!” Twilight said, “You just grew wings!” I turned my head to look behind me and there, spread out wide was a set of large grey coloured, white tipped Pegasus wings.