The alicorn hurled herself through the air above Everfree Forest. She headed up beside her new castle… and then she sailed right past it. She kept gathering speed. She aimed somewhere in the general area of Canterlot, though she didn’t really plan it.

Moon didn’t know where she was going. She didn’t know why she was doing what she was doing. She didn’t think anymore. She just flew. The wind in her hair and then the misty spray of a gigantic river as she flipped down over it both gave her the distraction that she craved. As long as she didn’t stop, she didn’t have to think. Then, she wouldn’t have to decide who she was going to be.

After some moment, with time flipping by her like treetops, she came within sight of the massive Canterlot castle. Although pretty far off on the horizon, she could spot it instantly. Home… She slowed down to a gentle pace, almost like a sightseeing train. She breathed in the expansive lakes and valleys around her. She then slowed down to a trotting pony's pace. Home… Home? Really? She slowed down to the point that she found herself flopping in place.

Home? Really? Of course not! What could possibly be wrong with me? That was… was… THEN. This is now! She took a breath, and then she flipped herself in the opposite direction. Home is… is… Oh, for goodness sake’s, what am I even thinking…

She surveyed the hills below her. She also looked down at herself. She suddenly noticed that she still had the flowing dress on. She turned around to spot her fancy accoutrements added to her boots. She lifted her eyes up, and she spotted her bridal-like veil. She sensed her diamond and sapphire studded tiara sitting on her head. All complete, yes, and all I need is a… Prince.

She hovered back towards her new castle. Well, I guess I blew it. Didn’t it? I just threw it all away. I messed it all up. Of course I did. She lifted the tiara off of her head with her magic, and then she placed it onto her front right hoof. She eyed her reflection in a particularly huge, smoothly cut diamond.

“I suppose it doesn’t matter. Banishment. One thousand… blasted years… An epic battle defeating the very holders of the elements of harmony…” Moon narrated to her reflection, which gave an annoying scowl back at her. She let out a huge sigh. “All that… And in my heart, I’m still that little black filly cooped up in a castle— looking out and swooning over the stallions from my window. Hoping. Dreaming for that perfect prince, that perfect date…”

Oh, get over yourself! You know what you are! What you’ve become… Don’t be so blasted stupid. So ignorant. It’s far, far beyond that point where you could second-guess yourself. You made your choice. You won. And now you have everything you always wanted. Vengeance. Victory. Moon didn’t picture the reflection saying those words back at her, but might as well had.

Deep inside, those horrible itchy sensations kept on pushing her. Those hateful feelings had kept on keeping her going— had kept her alive. Yet she had almost kicked them out of herself completely just a moment ago— cradling her head on Strawberry’s lap and having not a care in world.

Something inside her shifted for good. Yet somehow, someway those scratchy, angry sensations held on. Come on, now! Back to the castle! It’s time to savor bringing death and destruction to those pathetic little worms that dare call themselves ‘royal subjects’.

Moon sailed through the air back over the torrent of trees, parks, lakes, and rivers. She held onto the tiara, and she went on at her reflection, “It doesn’t matter. All of it. All I know, all I really feel… Is that I’m nothing different than any other mare after a bad date. I want to go home and cry. I’ll nag at my friends.” She chuckled. “And then comes the blasted ice cream. I wonder what Marks will whip up.”

Why are you wasting your time with such… such… Trivialities! Moon paid little attention to her path as she flew— eyes glaring further at her reflection. That’s… that’s what I see… The scowl she saw in that diamond almost seemed to burn back into her eyes. She felt ashamed. She blasted a warm breath into the shiny jewel, and then she couldn’t see anything anymore.

“I’m a,” she said to herself. She quit her flying and then just flapped in place. She seemed to descend by instinct yard after yard. “I’m a… I should face it… I have faced it… No, I haven’t faced that I’m just…” She landed atop a humongous elm tree, nestling onto a branch beside a set of owls. She glanced over at them silently. If anypony is watching this, then I’m sure that I look ridiculous.

The short, fat owl twisted its head over at Moon. The eyes seemed to look straight through her as if she was just a window. The bird then fixed its stare back at the batch of maple trees right in front of them.

“I’m just a…” the alicorn muttered again to herself, unable to even complete the thought.

“Who,” said the owl closest to her.

“The… I’m…” Moon whispered, her voice failing her, “I’m just a…”

“Who,” the owl farthest from her said.

“I am… I am… am…” the alicorn went on.

“WHO!” another owl called out.

“I’m a monster!” Moon hollered at the owls. She flailed her front hooves in the air and waved about her mane. The owls remained as still as if they had been carved from stone. The tears began to flow again, and she turned to bury her face in her hooves. “I. Am. A. Monster.” Her voice had deteriorated into a low moan.

And… You’re JUST NOW figuring this out? One would probably think that torturing the very element of kindness until you stole her essence would give you a hint? Maybe, idiot? You left her and the rest of them as broken magical shells... That was your true self, standing over them and blasting them without mercy. She panted hard as the tears flowed stronger than usual. She bobbed herself up on the branch, shifting over left a few feet. She stared off at the distance towards where he she would find her new castle.

“Who!” yet another owl yelled.

“Oh, for goodness sakes!” Moon shouted, turning to the group of owls. Really now! It’s… enough! “I’m a monster. It’s my path. My life. My destiny. My future. Monster.” The largest owl twisted its head towards Moon. It paused, and then it twisted it over until it looked totally backwards.

“BOOO!” Moon called out. The owls remained totally still. She squished her face with her hooves— knowing that a foal’s carnival ride would have better scares. She paused, and then she stood up upon the branch. She stretched out her wings. She fluttered back up in the air. The occasional tear dropped down her cheek and landed on the trees below.