I do not claim ownership of My Little Pony: Friendship is magic, or any of the characters presented in this work of fiction except my own. Monochrome Masquerade is mine. Ask first and you may use him in whatever works you like though. If you'd like to read this someplace else, it will be updated on my DeviantArt as well. Prologue link: http://korutokumori.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4yybhx
Prologue:
I was rudely awakened by a sunbeam. I blinked in the light for a moment, trying to wrap my still half asleep mind around the concept of “awake”. I began to put two and two together before remembering what day it was. I jumped out of bed and made my way to my full length mirror to check myself over, making sure nothing was out of place. Black coat, white wings, purple eyes, dark and light gray mane with matching tail, and no horn. Everything was looking just perfect. Just before I left the mirror though, I noticed my blank flank.
“Oh, shoot. Can't forget that.” I focused my magic for a moment before an ember of green flame placed an image of a happy drama mask on either side of me. My cutie mark. I grabbed my saddle bag and made my way downstairs, leaving my home near the Everfree Forest just outside of Ponyville. I was glad everything was scheduled for today instead of yesterday. I was plagued yesterday by off and on splitting headaches. I even had to cancel my lunch with Bon Bon. I guess that worked though, since it's more fun to hang out with her and Lyra, and Lyra wouldn't be back until today. I was able to reschedule with them for today before my date with Rose. Today would be different, it had to be. I was getting a bit peckish. I made my way into Ponyville, waving to a couple of the ponies already out an about this morning. “I've got a good feeling about today.”
After another minute of walking and a few 'Good mornings', I finally arrived at my first destination today. Sugar Cube Corner. I walked in, the familiar 'ding' of the front door alerting someone that there was a customer. I was expecting to be met by the ever zealous Pinkie, but instead found myself being tackled by a tiny mass. I tumbled over, hitting the ground before getting a good look at my assailant. A baby pegasus was sitting on me, clapping his hooves and laughing.
“Well good morning to you too, Pound.” I laughed and moved Pound Cake off of me and stood up in time to see Mrs. Cake running in. She quickly scooped up Pound Cake and deposited him on her back.
“Sorry about that. The little guy got away from me while I was fixing his bottle. So, here for your order Mask?” She moved behind the counter and set Pound down, checking off my name on the book of orders they had set for today.
“Yes please. I got that big date today,” I said ruffling the baby pegasus' mane. She moved into the back room and came back out with a box containing a single cupcake with a rose design on it.
“Well I wish you the best of luck. Does the icing look alright?”
“Oh, it's perfect! I'm sure she'll love it.” I reached into my saddle bag and retrieved a couple bits for her. It was a pain not being able to use my magic, but I had gotten used to it pretty quickly. I set the bits on the counter. “Two bits right?”
“It is indeed. One moment.” She took the bits and retreated into the back room again. She returned a moment later with another cupcake. Just a simple green one with an apple slice on top. “Here's one on the house! Good luck to you!”
I thanked her for the cupcakes and headed out, waving good by to her and Pound Cake before enjoying my cupcake and my walk, depositing Rose's cupcake carefully in my saddle bag. I'd never actually had a cupcake before coming to Ponyville, but these things were pretty good. Not that it actually filled anything. Once the cupcake was gone I had already reached my next destination. I knocked on the door and waited for a response.
“One second!” I heard from inside. A moment later the door swung open. Before I could greet her though, I had a candy shoved into my mouth. “How does that taste?” Bon Bon must be working on a new candy recipe. After the initial surprise I took a moment to savor the new candy.
“Hmmm, not bad. Almost tastes like zap apple jam.” Bon Bon smiled and shouted back into the house.
“See? Mask likes it!” She was joined in the door way by a rather sleepy looking Lyra. I waved hello and she returned the gesture.
“Yeah, but Mask is weird. I still say it tastes like a rotten apple core.” She gave Bon Bon a joking push.
“So, you girls ready?” To make up for having to cancel yesterday, I promised we would hang out most of the day instead of just lunch. Lyra levitated their saddle bags over and nodded.
“Yup! We've got to get started showing you around!” Lyra was already out the front door. “Onward!”
Bon Bon and I laughed as she made her way down the road. “Has she always been this enthusiastic?” I asked.
“Yup, it's why I love her.” She said with a chuckle. “So, do you want to go tell her she's going the wrong way or should I?”
Before I could answer Lyra was walking past us, looking deadpan. “No need. Let's go.”
Bon Bon and I both laughed as we joined her to our next destination.
ʭʭʭʭʭʭʭʭʭʭʭʭ
The tour had ended conveniently around lunch time. They had taken me around to see all of the major places in Ponyville: Carousel Boutique, the library, the mayor's office, Cloudsdale (they just kind of pointed it out), the train station, etc. We had a good time and were enjoying listening to a rerun of “The Vinyl Scratch” on the radio in a nice little restaurant.
“And this has been, The Vinyl Scratch!” The usual sound of a record scratching ended to feed.
“Man, now THAT was a crazy show,” said Lyra. She always got into it the most. “That Scratch. She sure has some awesome friends backing her up, huh?”
“Like Octavia?” asked Bon Bon.
“Friend?” I retorted with a chuckle. “I'd say from what I heard, those two are just a BIT more than friends.”
Lyra leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, that's for sure. Oh hey! Did you hear about what happened yesterday?”
Bon Bon perked up. She loved gossip and the latest news. “You mean that fiasco in Canterlot? How could I not, I could have lost you!”
“Fiasco?” I asked. All I knew about yesterday was that my head was pounding so badly I couldn't think straight. “What happened?”
“All of Canterlot was invaded by these awful things called Changelings!” What? “Their queen kidnapped Princess Cadence, took her place, hypnotized Twilight's brother AND me, and set her drones loose throughout the entire town!” … What? The invasion? It was yesterday?! I risked a glance up towards Canterlot, thankful that it looked in to be in one piece. That explained the headaches too. I'd cut myself off from the hive as best I could, but I guess I could still get the signal.
“I'm just glad Twi and her friends were around to stop them.” Bon Bon shuttered as she continued. “Terrible things, I hope there aren't any here in Ponyville!”
I smiled as casually as I could. “Well come one now, they can't all be so bad... right?”
Bon Bon looked appalled. “Mask, how could you defend those... things? Especially after nearly destroying Canterlot!”
I couldn't think of a decent enough response. I decided to side with her, hoping to end the conversation sooner. “Yeah... I guess you're right.” Great, two of my only friends have a changeling phobia.
After a second of silence the clock tower chimed, signaling 3 o’clock. I remembered there was something to do at 3...
“Oh shoot! We should get going Bon Bon, leave mister macho here to his date,” said Lyra. No sooner had she said anything when I saw Rose walking down the road. The two got up from the table and began to make their way home. “Good luck, give us the details later!” With that they were gone, leaving me to my own devices.
I waved goodbye to them, then looked back to see Rose trotting up to my table. She really was nice. Kind, pretty, and so nervous it was adorable. Her whole color scheme just glowed like a warm spring day, too. I couldn't help but sigh a little as she approached. She finally sat on the other side of the table, looking rather nervous. “Hi.” She looked up and gave me a small smile.
“Hey. So, you ready for lunch?” I hadn't eaten anything with Lyra and Bon Bon to make sure I'd be able to eat on our date.
She nodded then looked down at the table. I felt like I wanted to get her out of that shell she hid herself in. I suddenly remembered my gift for her, and reached into my saddle bag. I pulled the box containing her cupcake out carefully. Before I was back up though, I was blinded for a moment by this massive purple light. I blinked for a moment before setting the cupcake on the table. “So Rose, I got you this from Sugar Cube-”
“THE HORROR!! THE HORROR!!!” I heard her scream. I looked up at her to find her cowering in front of me.
“Rose, what's wrong! Do you not like cupcakes?” I was afraid I'd done something to ward her off on our first real date. She still looked terrified though and I started to notice a few other people looking our way. I turned to see what everyone was staring at, but found everyone behind me has looking our way as well. Me? Had I done something? I continued looking around and found my eyes locked on a purple unicorn, staring angrily at me. It took me a moment, but I soon recognized her as Twilight Sparkle. I turned back to Rose. “Listen, Rose. I'm so sorry, but-”
“It knows my name! It knows my name!” She screamed, cutting me off. It? I know I could be a little rude sometimes, I'm a guy. But it? Suddenly, everypony suddenly shot up and started to run from me. Screaming. I looked around to figure out what was going on, when I finally found out.
Staring back at me from a shop window, was a face I'd never wanted to see again. Solid purple eyes, no mane, a curved horn in the middle of my forehead, bitten looking ears, fangs, and a shiny black exterior instead of my black coat. Staring back at me, was a changeling. Staring back was me, without my disguise. I turned back when I heard, “Dash! I found one! Take it out!”
Prologue: End
So... that happened. Any comments are appreciated. Except flames. Those give ouchies.