It was empty, all very empty. Twilight didn't have the slightest clue where she was.
All around her was the never ending abyss of space. It's all absorbing darkness in its infinite glory.
Stars twinkled lightyears away from her and it was cold, so terribly cold. She wasn't dead yet, so she began to look around.
Far below her, Twilight could see a small sphere. She could make out little bits an pieces and understood it was her planet Gaia.
What felt like days passed, she never grew hungry or thirsty. It was as if her body was suspended in a state that never needed anything.
Floating around the void that was space she grew very bored.
She eventually bumped into something and was very startled when she did.
Looking at what she bumped into there was a table. Hoof-carved from the finest mahogany with intricate ornate details carved into it.
Masterfully carved statuettes of dragons graced the table at each corner.
There was a throne to the side, carved from marble and laced with the purest gold as an accent to the piece.
On the table was a box. It was a simple box with no designs, pictures, or much of anything.
Carefully she opened the box. Inside was a letter and a board.
Setting aside the box she opened the letter and pulled out a hoof-written message.
"Dear Twilight
You have been transported here for a little game. I'm sure you have noticed but Gaia is below you.
You will not need food or any silly thing like that as long as you are up here.
Play the game and you may return home else, I can't promise you will always be safe here.
The game is called 'The Game of Life'. You are a god up here and have control over the life's of the ponies and other creatures below.
Before we began you need to know the rules.
Play the game or else
Sanity? Why would you need that? Your already talking to yourself.
The life's down there will mean nothing to you as you control them. They will all believe to have there own control however, you will be puppeting there strings. So do take time for your own enjoyment with the lives you are given.
Before you start a life roll the die included with the board. Then pick a card from the respective pile. The card will have who you will be controlling.
You hear that? That's the sound of other ponies watching in on you. They watch the game for there own enjoyment. Where are they you ask? There in another dimension watching you of course. They will all have there own ideas of where to take the life's of those you control. Take them when you can. It really makes for an interesting game.
An finally we are at the last rule. Do not be afraid to kill or suduce others with the life you control. You will only be looking through there eyes when your controlling them after all.
So now that that's out of the way. You may began the game whenever you feel like it. But you must begin or things may not turn out well for you.
Yours truly
-Discord"
"Discord! There's no way I would ever play such a game! This is just terrible." Twilight burst out in outrage. "I know you can hear me Discord! Just how long has your little 'game' been going! And how many ponies has your game affected!"
"Oh Twilight, your words hurt me. This game has been going on for ages. Even before I found it. I simply added some of my own flare and twists to the game. Most of the villains you and your friends have fought have even been controlled from here. Nightmare Moon and King Sombra are two excellent examples. It's sad that they choose to abandon the game though. The effects of being unprotected in space are priceless. Especially when prolonged by me."
"Why me though!"
"Oh I didn't choose you. I don't choose anyone who comes here. The game picks a new player whenever the old one gives up playing or returns home after completing enough lives. Each player is different though.
Some have played 50 lives and not been able to return home and others have only played one and returned home. The game decides it all for you. You will know when you can return."
"So I have to play the game, or die." Twilight spoke as she realize she had no choice but to play.
"That is correct Twilight. But be warned, the game has some interesting twists to it and an ironic sense of enjoyment."
"Then you win Discord, I'll play your game."
"Wonderful!" Discord expressed gleefully. "I'll be watching" Discord stated before disappearing into thin air.
Twilight walked/floated over to the table and took a seat in her throne. She used her magic to grab the board and the dice.
She shuffled the cards and laid them out in six neat piles.
Twilight overlooked the table making sure everything was ready to be used.
Making a mental checklist she went over each individual item, checking then off one by one.
Twilight rolled the die, it spun all around the table. It bumped into one of the statuettes and came to a lazy stop on the three.
Slowly she reached for the 3rd card pile. She took a card in her shaking hooves and flipped it over so she could read it.
There was one thing written on the card and it was a name.
The name being one she recognized and suddenly became fearful of what would happen to her.
Twilight hoped she wouldn't do anything she would regret and wished to herself that the watchers wouldn't make her first attempt any harder then it already was.
Twilight dropped the card and it gently floated to the table as she readied herself to begin.
The name on the card was Fluttershy, and Twilight was in control.
