When Ponyville had finally recovered from Applejack’s wild antics the previous night, Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash made a horrific discovery: THE MASK WAS GONE!

Frantically they searched for it, checking every nook and cranny, asking every pony they came across, but only to have their efforts be in vain.

So where was the mask?

It turns out that before Applejack had woken up that day (having passed out in the middle of town that morning due to exhaustion), Fluttershy managed to sneak up to her, and take the mask, before Twilight and RD could find her. Keeping it hidden in a secret compartment in her house.

But why? Why would she do this?

Because this was her big chance. She overheard from Twilight that this mask has the power to remove all restraints on one’s personality. To take away ALL social inhibitions. She HAD to put this mask on. In her mind it was the only way that she could truly fit in. No more quiet mumbling. No more being afraid. NO MORE BEING PUSHED AROUND. This was HER time to shine, and she’s not going to let it slip through her hooves. So that night, mustering up all the courage she could, she picked up the mask, took a deep breath, and started to pull it toward her face...