[[ArmchairPsychology Are you comfortable?]] Good. What we are about to reveal to you will [[MindScrew shock you to the core.]] The truth that has [[YouAreNotReady been hidden]] from [[{{Muggles}} all humanity]] will now be revealed to you. You see, the world you inhabit, perhaps even your very nature as a human, is [[{{Masquerade}} not as it seems]].

[[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness We]] [[CrypticConversation cannot reveal more]]; you must [[FigureItOutYourself discover for yourself]] the true nature of your deception.

'''[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Choose a Pill: ]]
'''
* '''TomatoInTheMirror:''' It is not the world which is wrong, but ''you''. Perhaps you are - or [[WhatHaveIBecome have become]] - a [[DeadAllAlong ghost]], a [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot robot]], a [[CloningBlues clone]], or something stranger. In the end, you are not actually ''in'' or rightfully a part of the normal world. It's not the world which is not real, but you.
** Signature Examples: ''TheSixthSense'', ''[[HPLovecraft The Shadow Over Innsmouth]]''
* '''[[{{Masquerade}}The Masquerade]]''': The world of men is real enough, but we're not the only ones who inhabit it. Aliens, wizards, vampires and other beings coexist with us in the same cities, schools, and jobs as we do. Sometimes peacefully, other times less so. Beware, if you are discovered breaking the {{Masquerade}}, you must either become part of it, or join those who fight or police it.
** Signature Examples: ''MenInBlack'', ''They Live!'' and ''HarryPotter''. [[TropeNamer Trope Namer]], or at least, popularizer in this context: [[TheWorldOfDarkness Vampire: The Masquerade]].
* '''Hidden Realm:''' There is a SpiritWorld, [[MagicalLand magical]] [[AnotherDimension dimension]], or other realm [[HiddenElfVillage hidden]] but coterminous with "The Real World" that the character can go into. The world is isn't so much false, as that our understanding of all that's in it is [[WorldHalfEmpty incomplete]]. You may have to SaveBothWorlds.
** Examples: ''PansLabyrinth'', ''The Spiderwick Chronicles'', ''PeterPan''
* '''Artificial Realm:''' The world literally isn't real; you live in a LotusEaterMachine, magical illusion, or are in a [[ConvenientComa coma]] ...[[DyingDream or worse]]. In this case, you must either destroy or escape the illusion to return to the real world. But... is it worth it?
** Signature Examples: ''TheMatrix'', ''VanillaSky'', ''Jacob's Ladder'', certain TwilightZone episodes, LifeOnMars
* '''Hollow World:''' The paranoids are half right. The world is real, but not for ''you''. Everyone around you, from childhood friend to complete stranger, even the weatherman, is putting on an act to fool you into thinking you live in "the real world". Sometimes they're all in on it, other times everyone is being {{Mind Control}}led or manipulated with FakeMemories. Reasons for this vary, but may be as disgustingly mundane as setting up an elaborate reality TV show, pseudoscientific experiments, to the chillingly bizarre community of refugees from the real world.
** Signature Examples: ''DarkCity'', ''TheTrumanShow'', ''TheVillage''

This knowledge is not without price, however. If you wish to [[LaserGuidedAmnesia keep it]] you have [[KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade no choice]] but to join [[{{MIB}} us]]. You may at least take pride in that, much like a [[RagsToRoyalty pauper who discovers she is a princess]] and other [[ChangelingFantasy changeling fantasies]], you are yourself an intrinsic part of this the world behind the BrokenMasquerade. Perhaps you are an heir to a kingdom, a [[PhlebotinumRebel rebellious product of its mad science]], or [[TheChosenOne destined]] to bring it into balance with the "real world".

In any event, I hope you like to [[{{MIB}} wear black]].

Contrast TheUnmasquedWorld, where the {{Masquerade}} is broken for ''everyone''.
----
<<|{{Plots}}|>>

<<|TheIndexIsWatchingYou|>>