//------------------------------//
// Just for You 
// Story: Acceptance 
// by Riddle-Me-Think 
//------------------------------//


I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic





Shadows flickered and shifted about as a green candle and it’s green flame lit the confined tent space from its spot on the table it stood on. Below it was a map of Equestria and marked with all it’s notable areas. A hoof came down and traced a line form Ponyville to Appleloosa, and quickly moving to Dodge Junction. Total time, one week.

The path made its way past the badlands and right to Baltamare, going through Fillydelphia and stopping at Hollow Shades. Two to three weeks travel. Moving on, it reached near Catnterlot, already the time was worked in the ponies mind, at least a weeks travel.

Sham carefully looked over the path, already knowing that Appleloosa and Dodge Junction had been passed. The first had allowed them to gain some profit with the Zap Apple jam they had gained from the Apple Clan in Ponyville, but not as much as they could. The Apple Clan in Appleloosa had traded a number of their produce for more equipment and wood, apparently loosing a barn from a small fire.

Nothing was gained from Dodge Junction, as most of the trains had left with their supplies and shipments, and therefore no trades were made. Then again, they were able to trade some apples for cherries from that one pony, but it didn’t actually gain them a profit, just another means to gain it.

Their next destination would take time, and plenty of planning. Sham knew of the things that could randomly happen during these trails, even more so when they were still close to the Everfree Forest.

Weather patrols did their job well, but the random and sometimes even dangerous storms from the Evefree can't always be detained. All it would take is one good storm to set his clan back for days or weeks depending on the severity.

The first heir didn’t move an inch at the tents door being pushed open, keeping all focus on his current task of figuring out the best paths Chance and his scouts had found for him and what he should expect in Baltamare.

“A letter for you Sham.” Chroniclers young voice broke through the quiet, “It‘s from your sisters.”

Only giving a nod that he heard the young adviser in training, the colt set the rolled up parchment on the table and waited. Lifting his hoof and taking up the letter, Sham broke the wax seal and began to read.

Not even getting past both his sisters nonsensical greetings, he narrowed both eyes at the events that had taken place since his leave. Not even a week, and already Masquerade had found changelings, began making contact with said changelings and also found some hostile changelings.

His sisters were safe, so he found that a good bit of news. The mare his cousin had a fascination with however, had found herself on the wrong end of a changeling cocoon prison.

This could be problematic for relations, He told himself, already working on plans that could correct this, Her safety will be Masquerades first priority if I know him, and therefore will ignore more important tasks!

With swiftness, Sham picked up a new parchment and began making a response. He liked Masquerade's plan, despite it being near borderline crazy, but if done right would have a large profit in the end. Peace from the ponies, and even greater trade using changeling merchandise. But his cousin needed to be focused.

And there are only two ways for that to happen. Already working on the possibilities in his minds eye, he could see the first option was to remove her. This was possibly the most stupidest thing he could do actually, as the way his sisters described his actions with her, he would go on a mare hunt if she just disappeared.

The second plan he started to form would work as well, distract him with the threat of things getting worse and forcing his hoof to get to work. Or it may push him to have the others do his work while he tends to her, Sham’s eye twitched, seeing a problem.

Another option would to possibly have her go someplace of her own will and leave for a bit, leaving Masquerade alone and having to do his work. This wasn’t an option however, as she would be too weak to do anything, so that idea was of no use.

He stopped his writing as a new idea worked its way to the front of his mind. Setting his writing utensil down, he calmly asked, “Chronicler, what do you know of one Twilight Sparkle?”

Blinking for a moment to think, the young colt told, “Twilight Sparkle is a unicorn mare from Canterlot, born to Twilight Velvet and Night Light. Both own an estate that belong to the House of Twilight, a more minor noble family of Canterlot, and therefore have little influence.”

Shame rose a brow in interest so far, not only on this one ponies lineage, but also how his assistant had come a crossed this information, “Their has been confirmation from our sources that she is something called the Element of Magic, one of six that were used to fight and bringing back Princess Luna.” Now he had both brows up high while looking at the parchment before him. He wondered if Masquerade knew of that detail.

“She is also personal student to Princess Celestia since the age of six, and has proven to be one of the most powerfulest unicorns to date.” The colt droned on, not really paying attention to how Sham had all but stopped what he was doing to stare at him. When he did notice he looked down and began to scuff the floor in a circle saying, “I sometimes look through the reports our scouts make.”

Waving a hoof to show it was fine, the self-proclaimed genius leaned on his elbows and folded his hooves over the other in deep thought. This is even more problematic then I had perceived. Having the urge to grit his teeth.

Holding out a hoof expectantly, Chronicler got the queue he had learned and rushed off to a box. Opening it and using his green magic to pull out a long pretzel stick, he rushed back and put it in the awaiting hoof.

With the familiar salty treat in his hoof, Sham placed one end into his mouth, absently chewing on it like one would a cigar as he thought. The heavy grains of salt seemed to relax his body and mind, letting his thoughts flow more freely then when he was turning them over and over.

Twilight Sparkle was a powerful magic user. Twilight Sparkle was highly educated. Twilight Sparkle was an Element of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle was taught by the solar monarch. Twilight Sparkle was part of a noble family. Twilight Sparkle had connections with those in higher position. Twilight Sparkle….

Has the greatest Infiltrator to come from the Five Prominent Clans wrapped around her hoof, and doesn’t even know it. A plan was needed, and the one he had in mind was possibly dangerous in some sense, but the pay off was too good to resist.

With new plans in his mind, he set to work on writing his letter again, giving specific instruction he knew both sisters would do, if not enjoy doing. After all, it was confirmed that he is the new clan head to the Gem Clan.





A light groan echoed in the lowly lit room of one Twilight Sparkle as she slowly came back to the waking world once more. She moved in her place to get out of her bed, but quickly found a hoof keeping her down, “You keep resting, if you need something me or Spike will get it.”

The tiered mare cracked an eye open to find Masquerade once again in her room and trying to tend to her once again. For three days straight that seemed to be the only thing he did with his time, tending to her and her needs.

Slowly shaking her head she said, “I just need to stretch my legs, I feel confined in this bed.” Struggling against the stallions strength.

With a grunt, he let up and got up from his sitting position, “Alright, I guess you do need a little exercise to keep your figure, but back to bed after that.” He told firmly while holding a hoof out.

For once, Twilight was glad she felt embarrassed or angry by his words, it showed she was getting better. Granted, these feelings didn’t feel strong enough for her to make any move to lash out at him, but they were there, and that was what mattered.

But she supposed it wasn’t all that bad, having both Spike and Masquerade act as butlers for her. But on the other hoof, it was near annoying how much they worried over her. Masquerade actually going as far as sleeping at the floor by her bed to see if she needed him on a moments notice.

He might give Rainbow Dash a run for her Element if he keeps this up. She joked to herself, giving a few light giggles as she used the offered hoof to stand up on shaky legs.

With a raised brow the stallion asked, “Did you suddenly develop ticklish hooves while I wasn’t looking?” Making sure he was close enough to catch her, but far enough Twilight didn’t feel like he was babying her.

“No, I was just thinking.” She smiled, taking some easy steps and giving each leg a good stretch, feeling a rush go through each limb as they moved.

With his own smile he commented, “Your gaining strength rather well, a few more days and you should be back to lazing about this place and reading none stop.” This got him a weak, but still firm, smack to the back of his head, still smiling despite being attacked.

Twilight was between amused and abash at his comment saying, “Says the stallion who more then not, does nothing but sit around and take walks.”

He went to retort, but kept from doing so when one of Twilights legs decided to give out on her. With quick reflexes, he bent down and caught her, slowly nudging her back up to stand again.

Watching her take a breath to get control of her body, Masquerade said, “How about we head down stairs, get you on the couch and a few books?” He was hoping that the mare would take the offer so she can get the exercise she wanted, then could pass out on the couch if need be.

“No, the beds fine.” Twilight told, already making her way to the comfortable mattress and warm blankets. The whole short way, she used Masquerades body to help support herself and get back in before plopping down. Without needing to be told, he brought the covers back over her and laid himself down on the floor.

“I‘ll be down here if you need me.” He told, taking this moment to rest his eyes and think without any visual distractions. Above him, Twilight hummed in a absent tone before going quiet, presumably to sleep.

He didn’t get to stay their for long, or as long as might have liked. A light tapping alerted him to the door, raising his head to let all senses lock onto it’s source. Spike, he confirmed to himself, feeling the mix of worry and concern flow about the small dragons from.

Setting his head back down with the knowledge there was no threats, he relaxed and waited for the dragon to make his appearance. It didn’t take long, as the door opened to allow him in.

Masquerade peeked an eye open in Spike’s direction, asking with a hush tone, “Yes?”

Throwing a thumb over his shoulder he said in an equally quiet voice, “Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity Applejack and Rainbow Dash are downstairs.” Looking to his adoptive older sister he told, “They want to know how Twilight's doing.”

With a light sigh, he got up and moved silently to Spike saying, “I‘ll fill them in. can you keep an eye on your older sis?”

Spike crossed his arms telling, “I don’t mind keeping watch, but let me remind you I am still her assistant.” In a sort-of no nonsense tone.

“Sure thing, whatever you say little bro.” He grinned, giving a light noogie on the dragons head, walking out the door and to Twilight's gathered friends.

When Masquerade reached the ground floor of the tree-house-library-thingy, he was bathed in a room that seemed to give off varying levels of concern from the mares in it. This all seemed to turn into relief when he entered their sight.

“Hey Mask, how‘s Twilight holding up?” Rainbow was the first to speak, getting right up to him while hovering in the air.

Using a hoof to bring the pegasus down to earth, he stated, “She‘s getting better and recovering at a steady rate.” Looking to each one he informed with a smile, “Like I told her not to long go, she‘ll be up and about reading within a few more days.”

“She‘s awake!” Pinkie almost zoomed past the stallion, if he didn’t turn his magic on to catch her poofy tail.

“No, she‘s asleep.” He corrected calmly, having a very good idea where his cousins got all their energy from. “I suggest waiting for a bit or coming back later if you want to visit her.” Gently moving the pink mare back into line with the others.

Looking him over, Rarity asked, “Masquerade, have you eaten lately?” Seeing his questioning look she told, “You seem…thinner then last I saw you.”

“I‘ve been snacking.” He brushed off, knowing the drop in weight could be because he wasn’t getting nearly enough emotion as he should.

“Rare‘ means a full blown meal, no‘ little nibbles of treats.” Applejack narrowed her eyes at the black Unicorn.

Sitting so he could hold both hooves up in a non-threatening  display he said, “I‘m fine really, Twilight takes priority until later notice--”

“Don’t be feedin‘ us tha‘ now!” The farmer seemed to threaten, “Ya‘ll need t‘ take care your self too.” She berated him to make him see reason.

Rolling his eyes he told, “And I am, I assure you.” Putting both fore hooves down again, “I‘m fine and am working at highest efficiency.”

Applejack gave a withering look to the changeling, having the highest inkling that he wasn’t telling the full truth. So far he had not said anything for her to exploit, but her friend was right, he lost weight.

“We could take your place.” All eyes turned to the quiet voice that belong to Fluttershy, who all at once, hid behind her mane at the sudden attention.

With a smirk forming on her muzzle, Dash agreed, “Yea, we can take over for you.” Like the idea some.

Pinkie was another story, “Oh, that’s a fantastic idea, we can all pitch in and help-- oh and visit her when she‘s awake, I can cook with Fluttershy, Dash could maybe read her a book of Daring Doo!” Her enthusiasm was infectious to all the mares in the room, each one growing their own version of a smile.

“That’s all good and well Pinkie Pie.” Masquerade coughed, cutting her off, “But don’t you all have obligations to tend to?” Not that he didn’t want the help. This actually brought him the opportunity to actually feed more on the towns naturally gathered love, and not risk taking anything from Twilight.

Each one got into their own mental check lists with Applejack being the quickest, “I got nothing‘ till night comes ‘round, so I‘m good.”

Pinkie was next after her, “Same here, the Cakes have been keeping up with orders and wont need me till later to watch the twins, so I‘m sticking around.”

“I had just finished filling out my own orders and wont have any more work until my next order comes in.” Rarity smiled, “So I‘m free for the day.”

Feeling a nudge to his shoulder, Masquerade looked to Rainbow’s smirking face as she told, “Face it bug boy, we‘re all cleared for the day. Even Fluttershy had me help her set her animal friends up for the day so she could visit as long as possible.” And waved in the general direction where the shy mare was giving her shy smile.

With a defeated sigh that he only half meant, he groaned, “Fine, seeing I am out numbered, I‘ll go and do something than tending to Twilight’s every need.”

“Now don’t go and try to guilt trip us.” Rarity sniffed at the stallion, “We are merely looking after your well being as well as Twinkles, Right girls?”

Getting a number of different yes’s, Masquerade gave another suffering sigh. Mares, why does it always have to be mares that cause me the most trouble and headaches!

On one side, he was glade to possibly have some feeding time, on the other, he still din't want to leave Twilight until she was able to care for herself again. She has Spike, and her five friends, that should be more than enough at this time. The logic was sound, but his instincts once again told other wise.

With a controlled breath he nodded, “Alright, alright, you’ve persuaded me.” He forced himself to give in, despite wanting to be stubborn, “I‘ll go and have some time to myself while the rest of you tend to Twinkles.” Almost storming to the door.

“Just ge‘ out ther‘ and have some fun, we‘ll take care o‘ things ‘ere.” The orange mare ordered him playfully watching him make his way to the door.

Opening the door wide, he gave one last sigh and saying softly to them, “Thanks.” And not giving them a chance to respond as he closed the door on them.

Each pony gave the other looks before Rarity said, “That stallion makes me wonder at times.” Getting agreeing nods from the others.





A yawn broke though the silence as two eyes reopened to the world, but still having a groggy feeling. Twilight gave another more lighter yawn and shifted in her spot to face the door. Instead she got an eye full of yellow fur.

Scrolling her vision upwards gave a new view of a smiling Fluttershy, “Good morning Twilight, how was your rest?”

Blinking owlishly at first, she finally said, “Good.” Giving the room a once over asking, “Where is Masquerade?” Considering he had not left her side for the last three days, it felt rather off for him to just not be there.

“Well, the girls and I came to visit you and see how your were doing.” As if she just remembered, she turned to Twilight nightstand asking, “Would you like something to drink?”

Looking over to the same stand, the tiered mare could see a pitcher of water resting on a tray and a cup that was still unfilled. Giving a shake of her head, Fluttershy returned to what she was saying. “Rarity noticed that Masquerade might have been neglecting his own well being, and with the other pitching in, convinced him to take the day off.”

With another look, Twilight asked, “What do you mean neglecting?”

With a slight shuffle of her hooves the shy mare told, “Rarity pointed out he looked…thinner?” And heard the bedridden mare to give off a sigh.

Of course he would do that, wouldn’t he? Her inner thoughts echoed, I wanted to help him for things like this, but I’m the cause of it this time. It confused her why he had to push himself like this.

“Please tell me you were able to get him to take the day off.” She groaned, hoping against hope that they somehow got the stubborn mule to have some time off.

With a pleased smiled the yellow mare nodded, “It took some convincing, but we all were able to talk him into going.” Looking to the side she said a bit more quietly, “But I still feel a little bad for pushing him into going.”

Giving an amused shake of her head Twilight said, “He‘ll be find Fluttershy, some time to himself might actually help.” Reaching out from her covers to give the other mare a light tap on her shoulder.

With a small nod from the pegasus, Twilight looked past her asking, “You said the other girls are here?” Getting a more expressive nod, she smiled saying, “Can you help me up, I think I would like to go down and visit them.”

Wordlessly the mare did as asked, helping her friend out of bed and to the floor where her weak legs shook from some effort. Using her wing to steady the unicorn, she heard a small “Thanks” and help guide her down the stairs.

The first thing to greet them at the main floor was the smell of something sweet and strong. The next thing was more of a who, being Rainbow Dash looking up from one of Twilight's books and giving a excited wave, “I see your finally awake egghead.” Setting the book aside to get up and make her way over.

Casting a look around she asked, “Where are the others?” Having a good idea where one of them was with the delightful smell of baked sweets.

Jerking her head to the side Rainbow told, “In the kitchen. Applejack wanted to cook you something, Rarity decided to help her cook for us all and Spike followed her like a puppy. Then Pinkie thought that a few butterscotch cookies would be good and went right in with them.”

Giving her friend a once over she asked, “How you holding up anyways, you look ready to keel over any moment.” Going to the lavender unicorns side to aid Fluttryshy in guiding her to the couch.

“I‘m still tiered from the whole…draining process I was put through.” Twilight told, giving a shiver at the mere memory of having her emotions ripped away from her. It was not pleasant in the least, feeling like her whole being was being sucked out of her and leavening…nothing. She could not think of a way to explain it or put it into words.

Fluttershy gave a concerned look to the unicorn when she mentioned the reason for her weakness. It was obvious to her that Twilight was scared of it, and didn’t wish to go through it again. “Do you want to talk about it, you don’t have to, but it might make you feel better?” She softly asked.

Twilight opened her mouth to say no, but held herself off from doing so. Thinking about it, turning them away would be just like how Masquerade would turn any help away when it came to his well being. I would essentially be doing what he has for most of his life, She realized, taking a rather deep breath and readied herself.

When she had reached the couch and helped onto it, she launched into how she felt, “It started with one of the changelings that took Sweetie Belle‘s form and tricked me downstairs.” With closed eyes she could see the moment in time her back was turned and seeing a green light flash in the room before her body went limp.

“He paralyzed my body with some sort of spell, and started putting me into one of those cocoons.” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stayed silent with rapt attention, unwilling to interrupted their friends retelling. “When I was fully trapped inside, he filled it with this…gas that felt like some sort of thick slime.”

Twilight gave another shiver at the thought of the same magical gas surrounding and caressing her body, “It was hard to move in, and when I breathed it my thoughts were hard to keep straight.” Taking a gulp of air to calm herself she went on, “Then came the rest of the changelings.”

This was the part she was reluctant to tell, but seeing as she had gotten this far…“The one who bound me lit his horn and started to take my emotions and…” She hadn’t realized it, but tears began to well in her eyes while she looked for the right words, “I felt so numb, so cold and alone…”

She gave a sniff while closing her eyes, seeing the event from that day replaying before her again, “Every time they feed on me, forced my own feeling out of my body, it was like nothing started to matter.” She remembered putting up a fight, after feeling the effects of the spell come undone did she try and free herself.

With out Twilight's notice, both pegasi put their wings over the unicorn and try to comfort her as she cried, “I tried to break free, tried to move. But that stuff got in the way, I felt so scared and helpless!” After nearly three days of not feeling anything, Twilight was now feeling her emotions come back nearly full strength. Only, they were not what she wanted to feel at that moment.

“And it dragged on, I don’t know how long, but every time they came down to feed, I lost more and more of myself. Everything just started to feel numb, I don’t think I even knew I was numb, it was like nothing mattered!” By now her sobs and wailing got the attention of those inside the kitchen, bringing them out to a shaking Twilight.

“W-when Masquerade came in disguised as one of them a-and.” Giving a look of uncertainty to Fluttershy she could hardly say, “I watched him come to me, looking hungry like all the others there.” She shook in place trying to sort her feelings.

She felt both wings and hooves tighten around her, but gave them no mind, “I-I watched him…I thought-- he was so relentless.” The ponies and one dragon wanted to ask what was happening, but at Rainbows look, they thought otherwise.

“Be-because I didn’t know it was him, I-I got scared again, or I think I did, I don’t know!” With her eyes closed again, she could once more see the scene of one single changeling, suddenly using one of her acid like chemicals she used to break down some plant matter for further study. 

She was not sure how it was left out, probably from one of her experiments earlier, but seeing Masquerade use it as a weapon sickened her some. Then for him to toss that changeling drone, though fed on her a little, was more or less harmless, tossing her into the wall. Then came the battery she used for some of her mechanical experiments.

She had heard everything during the whole exchange, and while numb to it at the time, right now it shook her to the core at how cruel Masquerade could be, how efficient he would go about his attacks.

“I wasn’t sure i-if should have felt relived or scared when he showed himself to me… it was like I was looking at somepony else, somepony that wasn’t Masquerade.” It was hard to swallow for her in a sense. The shy and even reluctant little colt that was scared of nearly every pony but her, now a trained infiltration expert that knew how to graft into a group. Then proceed eliminate them by any means.

A gentile hoof brought her chin up and brought Twilight out of her thoughts to find Rarity’s concerned yet comforting eyes, “Hush now darling, don’t fret.” Being joined up by the others, and surrounding the dazed mare, “He may seem different, but I‘m sure he was just as worried, if not more so.”

“I’ll say.” Applejack’s strong voice confirmed, “Tha‘ boy was more roun’ up than a rattlesnake ready t’ bite.” The comparison was rather ironically close, seeing as the changeling used a snake like actions to get his work done.

Rubbing her hoof along Twilights forelegs, Dash added, “The guy likes you Twi, if anything I would say he was just as scared.” Any more words she might have had died in her mouth as she spotted every pony in the room looking at her.

“I-- he what?” Twilight could barely get out from her now completely confused mind, “Likes me, as, as in--”

With a shrug the pegasus told, “Like likes.” And poked her with a hoof, “I may not be as smart as you Twinkles.” Smirking some at Twilight’s confused face, and motioned to Rarity with her head, “Or as sharp as Rare‘ over there, I‘m not stupid. I know when a stallion has something for a mare when I see it.” Smiling in some satisfaction.

“I can concur with both him having interest.” Rarity told, getting the blue pegasus to puff up some, “And with you not being sharp.” making the flyer deflate. Giving a glare to Rainbow Dash she scolded, “It might have been better to have told Twilight this after she had settled some.”

With a slight tilt of her head, Rainbow looked to the mare in question to see her stuttering in place, with her words of comfort only adding to the stress on her mind.

“I-I, why would he-- but we, and the…” Were just little bits that could be formed in her mind as she tried to form some reason other what Dash was implying. Masquerade told you changelings were territorial, so that would be one reason to fight, right? Was one thought, while another countered. Than why would he cater to my every need, get so defensive around me?

“H-how…” She placed her hooves over her face, feeling the wet tears on her cheeks but ignoring them to figure out this latest problem. One that strangely made sense… Unless…

“T-that can't be right, we‘re old friends. I-its not like he spends all his time around me.” She reasoned out loud to assure herself, to deny that the very idea was false and impossible.

Tapping her chin in thought, Pinkie said, “Now that you mention it, I don’t see him around anypony else but his cousins and us a few times…” Garnering everypony’s attention, mostly Twilight's, “Doesn’t he mostly spend his time here with you and Spike?”

“No, don’t be silly. He-he spends time with Spike too.” She tried to deny further, unable to believe the evidence that was suddenly appearing out of no where.

With a roll of his eye, the dragon told, “Only when your not around, other wise he‘s next to you talking ‘bout changeling stuff or listening to your research notes from your studies.” Slowly coming to the same conclusion as all others in the room.

Silence descended on them all while they tried to process this information. It didn’t seem right, but if one looked at all this, they would clearly see that Masquerade had feelings for Twilight. 

Rarity wanted to cheer to herself that she was right from the start, but now may not be the right time. With Twilight's rather distressed state of mind, she chose to change the subject all together and defuse the situation, “Might I suggest we go back into the kitchen before the food burns?”

Faster than lightning itself, Pinkie Pie suddenly rushed out of the room yelling, “No, not the cookies, anything but the cookies!!!”

“Wha‘ do ya mean anythin‘ but the cookies? Wha‘ ‘bout my pie!” The apple farmer called in equal alarm, just remembering they had forgotten about the food that could very well start a fire if left for too long.

With those two gone for the moment, Rarity raised her hoof again to get Twilight to look at her as she told, “Don’t think about it now darling, just go on and rest some, okay?” Getting a jerky nod from the lavender mare, she nodded herself and gave Dash a glare that said ‘we’ll talk later’, getting the speedster to flinch some.

Both winged ponies jumped off the couch to let Twilight lay down and close her eyes, doing what she could to relax her overly active mind at the possible discovery of Masquerade’s feelings. She wished to deny it, but evidence pointed to the same conclusion.

It can't be right, it can’t be. She wanted to shake her head. Can it?





Masquerade basked in the warm sun, allowing his black fur to heat up at the suns rays and making him relax. He was once more in the park, enjoying the ever abundant positive emotions floating about and practically gorging himself on the amount of it in the area.

He had to admit that some time to think was a good idea, but with no storms being made, he settled for another pass time of his: pony watching.

He may have been able to mimic the body, but the interaction ponies made with one another was something he had to see and feel.

It sometimes astonished him how ponies acted, so peaceful and blissful of the world and just enjoy life as it is. No huge secrets behind every clan wall. No skeletons stuffed away in closets. No cloak and dagger tricks to get what you want. Just peaceful and happy communities.

Well, almost peaceful and happy. He snorted in thought, laughing at his own joke. Despite everything the sun deity had done, crime, strife, racism and even rape were still around. As long as their was good, evil was around to poke fun at it and entice those foolish enough to follow in its ways.

And sometimes its not because it’s for evil reasons, a thought reminded him. Sometimes, it is out of desperation or need. It was something he didn’t like to admit, but being a creature that thrives in the shadows, he knew all too well this was the truth.

A sad and tragic truth if there ever was one.

With a mental shake of his head to remove such thoughts, he paid more attention to a couple that began to pass him up, emitting strong feelings. Lifting his head to see what was causing it, Masquerade could not hold back the smile that formed on him. With some pride, Time Turner and Ditzy Doo passed him, both the reason for the disturbance.

The crossed eyed pegasus had her smiling head leaning on Time Turners side, while said stallion was just walking on with his own smile. Running around the two was a young grey unicorn filly that was excitedly moving about them, jabbering something or other.

I see she got that date she had asked ‘him’. Masquerade grinned to himself, mentally patting himself on the back at the manipulation he had done. He can't say he was proud of tricking those two into getting one another’s affections, but he also didn’t want them to suffer being alone from the other.

Also, it was still fun to do so, a guilty pleasure if there ever was one.

A lonely clock maker that has nopony to share his innovative mind with, and a loving mother of two, who wishes to give her all for them. They needed the other. He just felt they did, and made it so. That was what an infiltrator did, make things better for the whole and not be noticed or credited.

Needs of the many, over the needs of the few. That was what Mother had taught him and his siblings. But what if it was the few, that effected the many, do you then put their needs before the many? The thought made him frown, but it was one he hopped to solve right at some point in time.

But for now, he was just going to lay in the sun relaxed, and bask in the love that surrounded him.