Things Are Not What They Seem: CYOA Part 3

>(A)

 

Whoever is at the door can wait.

 

"Twilight, you mind letting me in on exactly what you mean by, 'I don't think that's Pinkie.'?"

 

She nervously looks back up at the basement door, making sure no one is listening in.

 

"While I was casting that scanning spell on you, Pinkie got a little too close to the circle, and got caught up in the spell for just a moment. Now, I've scanned ponies before, I know what they feel like. Pinkie did NOT feel like a pony. Plus, she said something that didn't make sense. 'That was the most amazing spell I've ever seen you cast.' I banished an Ursa Minor, and I've used the Elements of Harmony twice. Those spells were much more impressive."

 

"So, she's an imposter?"

 

"I hate to say it... but it's a definite possibility."

 

Bringing a hand to your forehead, you lower your head in thought. Without Pinkie, you could very well still be wandering around town aimlessly, hungry and thirsty. You owe her quite a bit, even if you had just met her. Plus, she was very friendly, someone you didn't want to anger or even disappoint. But if it was all just a facade...

 

How do you react?

>(A) Trust Twilight, those are pretty convincing arguments

>(B) Tell Pinkie what Twilight has told you, hear Pinkie's side

>(C) Answer the door

>(D) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(A)

 

Twilight seems as methodical as you. She wouldn't jump to conclusions: there's definitely something up with Pinkie.

 

"Alright, Twilight, I trust you. But what do we do about it?"

 

She visibly relaxes at your response. "I'm glad you believe me, I was almost sure I was going crazy. As for what to do... I, uh, I dunno. Maybe we should try discretely asking questions, seeing where her story stops lining up with the real Pinkie's? Then we could at least figure out when she was replaced."

 

You nod. "Sounds like a sound plan."

 

There's another knock on the door, louder this time.

 

"Oh, shoot! I need to answer that. Coming, Anon?"

 

"Of course."

 

The two of you make you way upstairs quietly. The air between you is tense, but only out of concern for your mutual friend. You curl your hands into fists. Whoever—or whatever—has replaced her has got it coming.

 

>RP: (40) +4 (Twilight is glad you trust her)

 

What do you do?

>(A) Answer the door with Twilight

>(B) Find Pinkie, start asking her questions (specify if you want)

>(C) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(A)

 

You follow Twilight up to the front door. It glows purple as Twilight grabs it with her magic, then swings open, revealing a rather tall guest.

 

Twilight is instantly struck speechless while you take a closer look at the visitor. She's a rather regal-looking pony, with wings wider than you've ever seen and a horn that makes Twilight's look tiny. Her head is eye-level with yours, and her gaze locks onto you after recognizing Twilight.

 

Safe to say, you're a touch intimidated.

 

"P-p-princess!"

 

Okay, now you're REALLY intimidated.

 

"I, uh, didn't expect you. I'm so sorry, I'm not ready for company at all!"

 

The white-coated alicorn turns from you and gives Twilight a gentle smile. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

 

"Y-yes! Definitely, yes! Come in, please, Princess."

 

You swear you saw a smirk appear on that face. Was she enjoying messing with Twilight? It seems the two of them know each other fairly well. The princess walks in as Twilight and you step aside.

 

"So, you must be the 'human' Twilight wrote to me about. A pleasure to meet you."

 

>Analytical: Pinkie is suspiciously absent.

 

How do you react?

>(A) Greet the princess

>(B) Apologize to the princess, find Pinkie

>(C) Stammer awkwardly because holy shit that's the princess

>(D) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(A)

 

Yeah, okay, it's intimidating, but you're a man. You've been in worse situations before. You've got this.

 

"The pleasure is all mine, Princess. I am Anon." You accentuate your greeting with a bow.

 

"Oh, my, such manners from someone not even from this country. I am Princess Celestia, the elder of the two leaders of Equestria. My sister, Luna, is still in Canterlot, attending to royal duties, but I am such she would be pleased to meet you as well."

 

Fuck yeah. You're a lot less nervous now, and almost feel like you've got some swagger.

 

The same cannot be said for the poor panicking unicorn. "So, Princess, what brings you here?" asks Twilight.

 

"Two reasons, actually. The first being your recent letter. I thought I would come here for myself as an ambassador of sorts, as Anon here is a representative for an entire race of sentient beings."

 

You absentmindedly scratch the back of your neck. It is true, technically.

 

"The second reason is a bit more... grim, if you will." Celestia scans the area briefly before continuing. "There have been some disturbing reports of movements from our enemies, and I myself have noticed a subtle shift in the flow of the magical leylines. Such a thing is only possible if a major force is on the move."

 

What next?

>(A) Listen

>(B) Ask Celestia who the "enemies" are

>(C) Apologize for stepping away and find Pinkie

>(D) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(B)

 

You're a little lost in this conversation.

 

"Excuse me," you ask, "but who might these 'enemies' be?"

 

Celestia turns to you, her visage deepening. "Not too long ago, another race, known as changelings, invaded Canterlot in order to use the love of my subjects as food. While we were able to resist and drive them out, there was still considerable damage done, and a wound struck in the pride of the Queen of the changelings. I suspect this is their doing, but I cannot be sure."

 

With a nod, you acknowledge Celestia's explanation. It looks like you've landed in Equestria at a very awkward time. Or maybe this kind of thing happens all the time here? From Celestia's tone, this sounds pretty serious, especially if the leader of these changelings was personally involved.

 

But do you stick your nose in? Or just try to get home?

 

A loud thump behind you grabs everyone's attention. You turn and find Pinkie at the base of the stairs, smiling as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

 

"Hiya, Princess!"

 

Twilight and you exchange glances.

 

>RP: Celestia: (35) (Good first impression, and she is impressed by your cordiality)

 

How do you react?

>(A) Greet Pinkie, return to the conversation with Celestia.

>(B) Pinkie could be a changeling. Confront her.

>(C) Open response

 

 

 

 

 

>(C) Have Twilight or Celestia confront Pinkie

 

You don't know Pinkie well enough to get her to slip up and admit she's a changeling. This job is better left to Celesita or Twilight.

 

After waving to Pinkie, you turn around and motion for Celestia and Twilight to lean in, almost as if you were in a huddle. Celestia raises an eyebrow, but complies. Twilight is not far behind.

 

"Twilight, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

 

"I think so."

 

You look to Celestia. "Twilight and I don't think Pinkie is, well, Pinkie. While scanning me earlier, Twilight got a whiff of Pinkie, and it didn't smell like pony. She's not acting entirely normal, either."

 

Shaking her head, Celestia let out a sigh. "Then it is as I feared, though that much worse if they have inflitrated the Elements of Harmony already."

 

There's that phrase again, 'Elements of Harmony'. You'll have to ask about it after this situation with Pinkie is resolved.

 

"So, is there some kinda spell either one of you can cast to reveal whether or not she's a changeling?"

 

Twilight blushes and looks away. "There is one, but I haven't really practiced it at all..."

 

Celestia stands up straight, leaving your impromtu huddle. "Then allow me." Her gaze turns iron, aimed directly at Pinkie.

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

The jovial smile vanishes from the pink pony's face. She knows something is up. Before she can react, however, she's hoisted into the air by a golden glow.

 

"I'm sorry if this is really you, Pinkie Pie, but I must do this. I promise to be careful."

 

"W-what's going on? What are you—" Pinkie cuts herself off with a cry as her body glows white.

 

The room is encompassed in a bright flash and you shield your eyes. Shortly following the flash is the thump of Pinkie dropping to the floor.

 

Well, what you used to think was Pinkie. In her place, though, is an insect-like creature about the size of pony, but with thin wings and a short, curved horn. Spread around its legs are large holes, giving the appearance of swiss cheese. You surmised this was how a changeling looked. Turning to Celestia and Twilight, your suspicion is confirmed.

 

Twilight looks horrified, while Celestia is much more severe and resigned. You remind yourself never to get on her bad side.

 

What next?

>(A) Watch

>(B) Express your confusion

>(C) Talk to Twilight. She doesn't seem to be taking this well.

 

 

 

 

>(A)

 

Whatever is about to go down, you decide to stay out of it. This was Celestia's and Twilight's matter.

 

"I-I can't—this was—" Twilight is stammering, unable to complete a thought.

 

The changeling got to its feet and sneered at her. "You ponies are all so pathetic, clinging to your ideas of love and harmony. You get what you want by TAKING it, not asking! Pinkie was weak, easy to overpower. Just like you."

 

Twilight takes a step back, and Celestia quickly steps forward, between the changeling and Twilight.

 

"I think you will find my student much more capable than you give her credit for." Her eyes narrow. "And you turned out to be a quite terrible spy, being caught like this. I think you'll find your time in the Canterlot dungeons very unfulfilling."

 

"The damage has already been done, princess." The changeling states her title mockingly.

 

"Where's Pinkie!?" yells Twilight, coming out from behind Celestia.

 

"Pffft. You really think I will tell you? You're not ready for what's coming, not at all!"

 

Celestia lays a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, calming her down. "He will talk soon enough, Twilight." With that, her horn flashed and the changeling crumpled over, unconscious.

 

Your heart is starting to race, wondering what the changeling meant by 'the damage is done' and 'what's coming'. If a trap truly was being sprung, you were right in the middle of it. Single-mindedly searching for a way home wasn't going to work any more, you didn't think. Not until this was over. Besides... this changeling was pissing you off.

 

What next?

>(A) Talk with Twilight

>(B) Talk with Celestia

>(C) Open response

 

 

 

 

 

>(C) Secure the changeling

 

You stomp on over to the changeling, half-considering kicking its unconscious body, but there was really no point to it. Whatever it had coming was much worse than anything you can do now. Instead, you bend over and pick it up carefully, not entirely sure if it would stay unconscious. Whatever Celestia's spell did, however, worked like a charm. It's completely limp.

 

You turn to Celestia, the changeling in your arms. "Where should I take him?"

 

Celestia throws back her mane, looking down her nose at the inert changeling. "Put him in the carriage I used to get here. It's right outside. I'll have my guards take him back to the castle and hold him for questioning."

 

She lives in a castle? Pretty sweet. You nod to her and take the changeling outside, depositing it in the large, stylish carriage Celestia spoke of. The guards leading the carriage eye you suspiciously, but do nothing to hinder you. You puff out your chest, trying to look daunting in return.

 

Once the changeling is in the carriage, you turn around to see Celestia and Twilight speaking right outside the library. They turn to you as you approach.

 

"Thank you, Anon," says Celestia. "Twilight and I were talking, and decided it would be best to gather the rest of the Elements of Harmony here first thing to determine if any more are compromised, as well as protect those who are not."

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

Nodding, you cross your arms and ask, "What exactly are the Elements of Harmony?"

 

Twilight blushes. "Oh, I haven't told you yet? Well, they're the strongest magical force in Equestria, comprised of six elements, or aspects, of friendship. My teacher, the princess, here, one wielded them alone, but now they are split up amoungst six ponies. Pinkie was the Element of Laughter. I'm the Element of Magic. The rest are my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. All six are required to use the Elements and banish whatever evil is attacking Equestria."

 

Ah, that's why capturing Pinkie is such a big deal.

 

You also realize this gathering could either be very positive, or completely disasterous. If all four of Twilight's other friends are changelings, then you've got a long ways to go to reunite the Elements. If all four are still okay, then it'll be very tough for the enemy to capture anyone, now that you'll be aware and together. Plus, getting Pinkie back shouldn't be too tough with the six of you...

 

Right?