Things Are Not What They Seem: CYOA Part 9

Last thread: http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/8102235

 

Pastebins are all at pastebin.com/u/smutanon

 

>RP Status: 70 means eligible for romance.

>PP: 30

>TS: 45

>PC: 55

>RD: 41

>FS: 39

>R: 32

 

>RP from last time: +2 from RD/FS

 

>Anon has just emerged from the changeling hive after Chrysalis revealed his decisions were being made by you. She offered to "help" him in exchange for him betraying the ponies, but he refused. All of the mane 6 are safe and Luna has joined the party from Canterlot.

 

As Pinkie steps back, Celestia steps forward, much less composed than Anon remembers her being. "I am very glad too see you safe, Anon." She reaches over with a hoof, giving Anon a quick hug. "What happened down there after you were separated?"

 

He continues to fight with the voices in his head, wondering as well if the time spent with Celestia had any meaning behind it. She was a genuinely kind and concern pony, that was fact. There were no voices in her head controlling what she did.

 

But is that was he looked for in someone?

 

"Anon? You do not look well."

 

"I don't feel well. I've got a lot to think about."

 

Celestia leans in, trying to get a better look at his face. It's conflicted, twisted in confusion. "Do you need to lie down?"

 

"Celestia... I'm going to need a lot more than that."

 

"What do you mean by that? What exactly happened to you?"

 

How do you reply?

>(A) The whole truth

>(B) Tell her about everything except the voices

>(C) Make up a story

>(D) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(B)

 

Anon scratches the back of his neck. "A lot. I assume Rainbow and Fluttershy already filled you in on their side of the story?"

 

"Yes. They said they got separated from you in a tunnel lit by green crystals."

 

"Yeah. After that... I ran into Chrysalis."

 

Celestia's eyes widen at the mention of the queen's name. "Oh, dear."

 

"'Oh, dear' is an understatement. She was... oppressive. Powerful. But also very intelligent. She had a plan for me. In fact, she orchestrated my entire trip through the hive that led me to her."

 

Celestia seems intrigued by this. "What sort of plan?"

 

Anon pauses a moment, looking away before answering. "She wanted me to join her and betray you. Said you were manipulating me, and that you knew more about the cloud hanging over my head than you let on."

 

"Anon," Celestia is quick to get out her reply, almost fumbling with the words, "I swear I know—I knew—nothing about the cloud, only that it—"

 

"I know. I never believed Chrysalis. The manipulation came from elsewhere."

 

The tension evaporates from Celestia's face, relieved at your reply. From her posture, though, you can tell she has one more question...

 

"Where did the manipulation come from, then?"

 

Anon shakes his head. [spoiler][/spoiler]>I can't believe I'm actually siding with you on this one.

 

"Sorry, Celestia, I think I need a moment."

 

"O-of course."

 

>RP: 54 (-1) Celestia is relieved to see you safe, but disappointed you're still hiding something.

 

Anon takes a look around the area. Who do you want to talk to?

>(A) Luna

>(B) Twilight and Rarity

>(C) Rainbow and Fluttershy

>(D) Applejack and Pinkie

>(E) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(B)

 

Anon sighs.

>I suppose if anyone deserves some kind of an explanation, it's Twilight. She's done a lot for me.

 

After nodding to Celestia, Anon walks over to Twilight, huddled with Rarity in conversation. They both notice his approach and brighten visibly at seeing him uninjured. Twilight goes as far as nuzzling his leg briefly, getting a bit of a blush from you.

 

"Hey, Twilight. Rarity. Have have you two been?"

 

"'You two'?" exclaims Rarity, "How about YOU? We've run into nothing but bugs and moss out here, and while I do find bugs most despicable, you were in that cave, alone, for almost half an hour!"

 

Her reply brings a smile to Anon's face, touched by the concern of someone who, really, doesn't know him at all. "I'll be okay, Rarity. I may have bumped shoulders with Chrysalis, but I got out just fine."

 

"Chrysalis?!" hollers Twilight. "And you're fine? Wow, Anon, that's really something. How did you get away?"

 

"I uh, convinced her I'd work for her."

 

"Way to think on your hooves!" says Rarity. She looks downward and frowns. "They are called, 'hooves', aren't they?"

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

Anon chuckles. "Feet, actually. But I appreciate the sentiment."

 

"It's a good thing you were able get away, Anon, because she's more powerful than ever now. That's why Celestia and Luna are here, in fact. I'm not sure we'll be able to win this time..." Twilight's face fell, and your heart with it.

 

She's a good girl, though, and it hurts his heart to see her downtrodden like this. "Hey, Twilight, you and your friends are all very smart, and, from what I've seen, impressive. Don't give up. Believe me when I say attitude is half the battle."

 

"And the other half?"

 

Anon grins. "Bucking them really, really hard."

 

Who do you talk to?

>(A) Luna

>(B) AJ & PP

>(C) FS & RD

>(D) Find out why Chrysalis is so powerful

>(E) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(D) + (A)

 

>Heh, so I'm not the only one who's first thought was 'What the fuck is going on?'

 

Anon waves to Twilight and Rarity, then turns to find Luna and Celestia talking, probably about the very thing you're curious about. He walks up to Celestia and taps her on the shoulder, hoping for an introduction to her sister. Celestia catches on quickly, stepping to the side and gesturing to Anon.

 

"Luna, this is Anon. He's the human I've told you about."

 

Wanting to make a good first impression, you bow deeply. "A pleasure, Princess."

 

Luna raises and eyebrow at him and directs a question to her sister while keeping her eyes on you. "I was told he was a stranger to our land and our customs."

 

Celestia looks to Anon and smiles before answering. "Stranger to our land, certainly, but he's caught on to the rest very well."

 

Luna appraises Anon for a moment, trying to discover more from his posture and gaze. "You've earned much of our respect from your actions, Anon. Not everyone would work so hard to aid those they do not know in a world they do not know. We assure you that formality is unnecessary around us, the same as our sister likely stated of herself." She cocks her head, then continues. "Are all of your kind this tall?"

 

"Uh..." His posture goes from lax to awkward in seconds. "I'm actually not that tall in comparison to most humans. A little less than average."

 

"Hmm. Interesting. And your females?"

 

"The same, thought a little bit shorter on average."

 

"Reproduction?"

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

Anon's face went completely blank. He attempts to mumble out a reply but what comes out is something like, "bwuah?"

 

"Do you copulate? It seems that with the posture and size—"

 

"So, Anon, what brings you over here?" Celestia butts in, saving you from further discomfort.

 

"I was actually curious about Chrysalis. Twilight said she's more powerful this time. That something bigger is going on."

 

"Ah." Celestia looks to her sister then back to Anon before answering. "She's not just Chrysalis this time. She's casting spells and harvesting love in ways that she could never do before. That barrier spell, for instance: maintaining something that powerful from that distance would be nearly impossible, even for her. However, Luna and I have sensed another power present, one we've both dealt with in the past. The Nightmare."

 

"Nightmare?"

 

Luna picks up the explanation. "The Nightmare is a spirit of corruption. It seeks out powerful beings and feeds off of their ambition, making both itself and its host incredibly strong. Its last host was... me, unfortunately, and it required the Elements of Harmony to banish. Twice."

 

Celestia lays a hoof on Luna's back, then turns to Anon and continues. "Not only is Chrysalis able to cast incredible spells like that barrier, but she's put most of Ponyville into a trance, feeding off of their love while they live on in a dream state. This has made her a much greater threat than in the past."

 

What do you ask?

>Open response

 

 

 

 

>Ask about magic nullifiers

 

"Hey, Celestia, do you have any weapons? Anti-magic artifacts? Something I could use to help?"

 

She frowns at the question. "Yes, there is one. I... do not know if you should participate in this fight, though, Anon. You have already done so much, and there isn't much I can offer you in protection."

 

Anon steps up to Celestia, their faces now less than a foot apart. "I know you're concerned for me, but I want in on this, and not just for you and your ponies. I've got a bone to pick with Chrysalis now, and I'm not going to let someone else settle this for me."

 

She returns Anon's gaze in-kind, weighing his answer against her judgement. Behind his iron stare, Anon began to squirm. Not only was Celestia's word likely the final one on this, but he very suddenly realized he found something out about himself. Something untainted by the voices: he wasn't one to let sleeping dogs lie.

 

Luna interjects, "Sister, if we may: Anon has encountered Chrysalis once and walked away intact. We would not put it past him to do so again."

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

Celestia glances to Luna then back to Anon. Defeated, she sighs and shakes her head. "This is against my better judgement, but I will allow it, if you are so set on helping. The item in question lies in Canterlot. In fact, we should be leaving for there now to spend the night. It is not safe neither here or anywhere in Ponyville until Chrysalis is deafeated, and attacking her now, while she's ready, would be unwise."

 

Her reply came out curt and more to-the-point that she often spoke. Anon wonders why she put so much stock in his safety.

 

What next?

>(A) Head to Canterlot for the night

>(B) Go and chat with ponies you haven't spoken with yet (specify)

>(C) Ask more about the upcoming encounter

>(D) Open response

 

 

 

 

>(A) while (C)

 

>RP: PC: 60 (+6)

Luna: 45

 

>You know, for being controlling, heartless bastards, you guys don't seem so stupid.

 

Anon tells Celestia that heading back to Canterlot for some sleep sounds like a good idea. She acknowledges his response, and her and Luna round up the party and corral them into carriages driven by the same kinds of royal guard pegasai Anon saw earlier. Questions still lingering in his head, Anon hops in the same carriage as Celestia and sits down next to her. She glimpses down at him as he takes his place, though says nothing and gives no further indication of recognition.

 

An odd sort of silence settles amoung the passangers. Twilight and Luna sit opposite Anon and Celestia, though Twilight is content to nap, while Luna simply looks out the windows into the night. Celestia, often enthusiastic about chatting with Anon, keeps her vision forward and steady, as if in intense thought... or maybe just ignoring Anon as best she can.

 

Several minutes into the flight, Anon finally speaks up, keeping his voice low. "Sorry to bug you more about this, but what sort of plan did you have for taking on Chrysalis if she is so powerful?"

 

Celestia doesn't shift her gaze. "The difficult part will be getting Chrysalis alone, I imagine. Once we do find her and separate her, though..."

 

"You can zap her with the Elements?"

 

Her gaze softens, though she does not look at Anon yet. "I fear that this time, it will not be that simple."

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

"What's different? Haven't they banished the Nightmare in the past?"

 

She nods. "Yes. But they only function against chaotic bodies. That is their function: to restore Harmony by eradicating chaos. However, I do not think Chrysalis is in the same situation as my sister was."

 

Luna turns an eye to Celestia briefly before returning her attention to the window.

 

"When the Elements banished the Nightmare from Luna's body, she was in a chaotic state. My sister fought against the Nightmare's control of her body—creating an internal chaos, something the Elements could identify and purge. With Chrysalis, however... I am worried she has embraced the Nightmare, as their goals are very similar. In fact, all the Nightmare really requires is ambition. With Chrysalis, it is likely a symbiotic relationship which creates an internal Harmony, making the Elements useless against her as she is."

 

Anon scoots closer to Celestia, who glances at him before shifting her attention forward again. "As she is? So I take it you have a plan for that?"

 

Finally, Celestia turns and looks Anon in the eyes. "Anon, though I said I would allow you to fight this battle... I do not wish it. There is much to risk and little to gain. Please." He could swear he saw her face soften, though only for a moment.

 

"I can't, Celestia. I could never. Not while those who have given so much to me put themselves at risk. Not while you put yourself at risk."

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

She cracks a weak smile, one threatening to break at any moment. "Your stubbornness reminds me of somepony else I know." She looks over to the sleeping Twilight, shaking her head. "I suppose I should have learned by now that when somepony believes in something, my counsel will do naught to sway them." Looking back to you, her tone turns serious. "And you will need that determination if you are to wield the one weapon I have to give. The same one I was forced to use against Luna so long ago."

 

Anon swallows, taking a deep breath to let Celestia's last statement settle in.

 

"That is a last resort, though. I believe that if Luna and I both focus on distruping Chrysalis' mind, we can create a temporary chaotic body and use the Elements in that moment, purging Chrysalis just as my student did to my sister."

 

He's about to ask her more when the carriage comes to a halt, lurching him forward slightly, though Celestia somehow remains still. Even when sitting, she is graceful. The four passengers unload from the carriage and Luna and Twilight wander off toward their bedrooms. Anon stands awkwardly in the hallway before Celestia grabs his attention.

 

"Come, Anon. I will show you to your bedchamber. But first... your weapon." She tenses at the thought of showing him the item, but recovers quickly and walks off, Anon in tow.

 

"You seem hesitant to show it to me. Is that just because you don't want me to fight, or because of something else?"

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

"Both. The weapon is old and imperfect. I never wished to see it again. I should warn you now—" She stops walking in front of a massive, heavy set of doors, one emblazoned with the sun, the other with a crescent moon, "—I created this weapon based on what I knew of the Elements, made it as close to them as I could in order to tap into that kind of power. But my knowledge was limited, my practices imprecise. The weapons is powerful, indeed, but only under the right circumstances." Her eyes darken. "And it exacts a price. Do you still wish to use it?"

 

You don't even hesitate to answer. "Yes."

 

Face still grim, she nods. "So be it."

 

The doors open before her, glowing with her magic. Inside is a repository of items, ranging from scrolls to shields and robes. Rows of shelves are stocked full of them. In the middle of the room, however, is one item that stands out, bathing in the light of the torches lining the room.

 

"That is your weapon," says Celestia, pointing to it. "Duty."

 

Upon a pedastal, hovering of its own power, is a javelin, a little over two meters long, pointed at both ends. It floats over to you, moved with Celestia's magic. She holds it out in front of you, giving you a chance to inspect it closer.

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

 

It's made up mostly of a blue mineral, though you aren't knowledgable enough in the area to tell what kind it is. Golden embroderiy, too intricate and smooth for human hands, decorates the javelin from tip to tip. Grasping the center with one hand, you brush the fingers of your other hand up and down the shaft, taking in the texture and beauty of it. Celestia must have spend years crafting this.

 

"Why did you call it 'Duty'?"

 

"Because Duty is an Element that compliments, though isn't necessarily a part of, Friendship. So too did this weapon play a part in vanquishing my sister to the moon for a thousand years. I used it for Duty's sake: that was the only way for me to justify the use of the Elements. It is... difficult to use the embodiment of friendship against your own sister without personal justification."

 

"How does it work?"

 

"Just like the Elements, it takes its power from an idea, one present and strong in the wielder. In this case: your conviction. If you believe in the purpose that you use it for, then it will aid you. The stronger your belief, the stronger Duty becomes."

 

Anon shifts his grip, spinning the javelin around, getting a feel for the balance and weight. It's surprisingly light.

 

"It is flawed, however. In two ways. First: it does not measure your conviction alone. It measures your conviction against that of your enemy. Should Chrysalis believe more strongly in her cause, then the weapon will turn on you, perhaps even kill you if the gap is large enough."

 

(cont)

 

 

 

 

He stops playing with the javeling and lowers it, looking at Celestia very intently now.

 

"The second comes after successful use. I am not sure why it happens, though my guess is that it occurs to assure the weapon is only used in good faith, not by somepony corrupted or cruel. You will be confronted with your act, though from your enemy's perspective. And just as conviction will assure Duty will defeat you enemy, it will assure you are not driven insane by the recompense."

 

As she spoke, you could see emotion—raw, unbridled emotion—begin to surface. This was undoubtedly from experience. You can't even imagine how she must have felt, seeing her sister's defeat and feeling her sister's betrayal from Luna's eyes. You now understand why she wanted so badly to keep you from using it.

 

"Hey." You lay a hand on her neck, gently stroking it.

 

Celestia sniffs and raises her chin, attempting to regain the composure she so often walks with. She does a poor job.

 

"I can't say I know what you went through, Celestia. I don't even know if I have siblings. But I know a good sister when I see one. And that's all anyone can ever really do: be the best sibling they can, you know? Do what's right by their family. Is that what you believed you were doing?"

 

On the brink of tears, she nods, keeping her mouth shut for fear a cry would escape it.

 

"Then you'll both be fine."

 

>RP: PC: 67 (+7)