The Fate Players

I was too late, I stood there dumbfounded trying to make up my mind which freaking door I should take. Isa already went to star door while Connor headed straight for the door with a rainbow themed lightning bolt imprinted on. So I was left only option left, the door with the butterflies on it. Overall, nothing too impressive to look at.

“What the hell? How come I get the only girly door?” I complained.

“Your door isn’t the only girly door,” Isa pointed out. “Just look at Jamie’s.”

“It’s not called being girly, it’s called being amazing-ful!!!!” she replied, jumping up in the air.

“It’s not our fault you couldn’t make up your mind” stated Connor.

“Why’d you pick that one?” I asked.

“Why? Because the design matches my kind of style. That’s why!”

“Hmm, you like rainbows?” laughed Phillip.

“N-No I was referring to the lightning bolt, dumbass,” Connor hissed, sounding slightly embarrassed.

“OK, we’ve picked our doors now. Can we get on with this event thing?” asked Isa impatiently.

“Of course,” responded the voice. “These doors should lead you to your new partner’s home, where you will team up with them in order to destroy the Pests. As I mentioned before, your weapons will upgrade throughout the game depending on your effort and strength. Each Pest you encounter will be different than the last, but do not worry. I shall warn you each time when a new wave approaches. Before I forget, a case will be given to you when you start, it will be filled with all of the essentials you’ll need in order to survive in this world.”

The doors in front of us suddenly opened, beams of light shining through all of them and nearly blinding us. “Farewell and good luck, my fate players! Your decisions shall determine the outcome of this game!”

“We just walk right through?” wondered Marko as he pointed to the door. “Here goes nothing.” With that, he stepped through the door and disappeared.

“Huh?!”

“See you guys on the other side!” chirped Jamie as she waved goodbye and stepped through her door.

“Let’s just get this shit over with. It’s been a while since I tried any new moves,” muttered Connor as he stepped through his door.

“Bye-Bye,” hummed Phillip as waved and he left.

“Hey uh…..” Isa began as she turned towards me.

“Todd.”

“Right, Todd, good luck out there. Hopefully you’ll see me in action.” Isa walked through her door until I was the only one remaining, it was actually kind of hard to see through all the light. Covering my eyes, I ran right through the door,  preparing myself for whatever was on the other side waiting for me.

I opened my eyes up only to shut them close, the sudden light of the sun stung my eyes fiercely. “Why do I keep on passing out?”

Taking in my surrounding, I noticed a small cottage was a few feet in front of me. Small animals were scattered around, with a small bridge across a narrow stream. It could only be described as ‘one with nature’, everything about it screamed natural. The roof was made out of leaves, branches and the odd bits of feathers from the birds flying around.

“So this is where my partner lives?” I muttered to myself. I was about to walk over to the cottage, until I felt a sharp tap on my toe. I looked down to see it was my machete, along with a large silver suitcase. Inside was a dozen granola bars and a several bottles of water packed tightly against each other.

“So much food,” I gasped.

Deciding against stuffing my face, I closed my case and resumed walking towards the cottage. If I remembered correctly, Zarerus told us that this land was mostly filled with equines. So I might as well prepare for the unexpected as I walked up to the front door.

“Um, hello? Anyone home?” I called.

“Coming!” replied a soft feminine voice. The door opened up, only to reveal a small yellow Pegasus on the other side. I was just as surprised, my eyes shrank and heart stopped at the sudden sight of its light yellow coat and light pink mane and tail, along with its teal eyes.

“Um-“

“Eeeep!” squealed the little thing and immediately slammed the door in my face. I wasn’t sure if that eep was coming from the Pegasus or from someone else inside. I decided to knock again to hope for a better reply.

“Hello? I won’t hurt you, is anyone there?” I called out again.

The door slightly cracked open, revealing only it’s eye.

“W-w-what are you?” muttered the thing.

“You can talk?” Zarerus never mentioned that these ponies could talk, what else could they possibly do?

“S-s-so can you?” replied the yellow pegasus.

“W-well yeah,” I stuttered out.

“What are you?” she repeated.

“I’m a human.”

“Human? I’ve never heard of that before,” she said timidly.

“Well I’ve never heard of a talking horse before,” I replied.

“I’m a pony,” she corrected.

“Ok then, I’ve never heard of a talking pony before.”

“What do you want? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind. I’m actually looking for someone.”

“W-who?”

“I’m looking for someone with a butterfly symbol. Three butterflies to be exact.”

“Y-you mean like mine?” She opened her door completely and walked out, only to reveal that she had a trio of butterflies on her flank. It’s just like the ones on the door I took.

“Exactly like that,” I muttered to myself. “So, does that mean she’s my partner?”

“Huh?”

“Nevermind. What’s your name?” I asked.

“I-I’m Fluttershy,” she squeaked, her voice barely a whisper

“Your name is what?”

“F-fluttershy.”

“Huh? I kind of need you to speak up little.”

“F-f-f-f-f-f,” she whimpered. It looked like she was about to cry or something.

“O….K then. Why don’t I start. My name is Todd Walker,” I said trying to sound as non-threatening as I could.

“Well, n-n-n-nice to meet you, Todd.” Her eyes roamed over my body until looking down at my side. A small squeal and the tiny pony retreated back into her house.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“W-why do you have that big sword with you?”

“You mean my machete?” I asked holding it up, causing her to give out another small squeal.

“Sorry.”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking but, why are you here?” she asked, her face half hidden in the doorway

“It’s a long story,” I began. “But I’m sure you already know.”

“K-know about what?” she asked innocently.

“About the game.”

“What game?”

“You mean you don’t know? You’re not like some kind of in-game character or something?” I inquired.

“You’re confusing me,” she replied. “What kind of game are you playing?”

All of a sudden, several strange noises erupted into the air, along with that same familiar emotionless voice.

Zing Zang Zong Zung! A new wave is approaching, all players prepare for combat. Just as fast as it had came, Zarerus’s voice was gone.

This was bad, the game is just starting and neither of us knew what was about to happen. I didn’t know if this small creature was supposed to be my partner or not, or how I could fully explain this to her. I thought they would know, isn’t this a virtual world? Surely creatures like this can’t possibly exist, right?!

“What was that?” asked the Pegasus.

“The game’s beginning,” I muttered to myself.

“What? What game? What’s happening?” The poor creature looked like she was about to faint.

A sudden rustling of leaves caught both of our attention. Beyond the bridge, a row of bushes were shaking. Crouching low, I slowly walked over the bridge, the odd groan of the wood beneath me. Crossing over the bridge, I stalked over to the bushes, my machete tightly clasped in my hand.

“What in the hell is this?”

I noticed the little yellow Pegasus trotting up to behind me.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”  Walking up closer to the bushes, I readied my machete in case any Pest were going to spring at me. Reaching out, I yanked some of the branches out of the way. A small bird squarked and flew at my face, pecking me relentlessly. Swatting at the tiny thing, it continued its assault until flying away into the open sky.

“Huh, for a minute there I thought it was some-“

SLAM

Something tackled me to the ground, pinning me down to the dusty earth. I looked up only to see it was some kind of giant insect, its giant mandibles snapping at my machete while green ichor splattered against my face.

“AH! What the hell!?” Placing a foot against its underbelly, I shoved the giant bettle off of me. Getting back up, I stepped back to get some distance. The beast stood up again, that’s when I realized what it was. Blue shell, golden veins, four sword-like legs, giant jaws; it’s just like the image that Zarerus showed us, it was a Pest.

“W-what is that thing?” muttered the Pegasus who was trembling with fear.

“It’s a Pest.”

Gripping my machete again, I stood ready for my first fight. Okay, first fight with a pest and I have no clue what I’m doing. Could be worse. I could feel the adrenaline pumping in my veins as I took a broad swing at the Pest. “Get away! Piss off!” I yelled as I continued swinging at it. The Pest just snapped it’s jaw at me as a warning strike.

I kept swinging my blade in hoping that I would at least slice it but to no avail. The Pest merely raised one of its legs and knocked my machete clean out of my hands and beyond the bushes.

“Shit!” Sweat ran down my face as my legs turned to jelly, I’m going to die this soon into the game?

Right before the Pest was about to pounce, a purple beam came out of nowhere, piercing right through its shell.

“Fluttershy!” called out a concerned voice.

I looked to my left to see that another strange creature was headed this way. When it came into distance I got a better look at it. It was another one of those small horses except this one was lavender and wings on its back and a horn on its head. The thing stopped as soon as it spotted me.

“Another one?” we both exclaimed, staring at each other.

“Wait, aren’t you another one of those human creatures?” asked the purple equine.

“Yeah. But wait, how do you what a human is?”

“Twilight!” called another voice.

I saw a familiar figure following behind her, someone who’s still got that same purple jacket. Once she came into distance, I recognized who it was.

“Isa?”

“Oh hey,” she greeted. “Todd, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait, do you know this guy?” asked the purple horse.

“More or less,” Isa replied.

“So, who is that?” I asked pointing to the purple horse.

Before she could answer, the Pest jumped up and onto its feet again. It snarled at us and ready to attack, my machete was nowhere in reach. I was just hoping someone else had an idea. An object came flying by and struck the Pest in the face, killing it instantly. It rolled onto the ground, blue blood pooling into a puddle beneath its shattered face. The small pegasus curled into a small ball, whimpering to herself as she continue to look at the dead Pest. Small tears ran down her face as she continued to shake her head back and forth.

I looked back at the dead Pest, an axe lodged firmly into its sliced jaw. We all turned back to Isa, who looked the most surprised out of all of us.

“Whoa, lucky shot” she muttered.

It went silent for a while. I was both amazed and frightened that Isa could throw an axe with such precision and ease. She was right, it was a lucky shot. Although I don’t think we’ll be getting any more of those later.

“So, what is your name?” I asked the purple horse, breaking the silence.

“Oh right, my name is Twilight Sparkle,” she introduced.

“Come again?” I asked, making sure I heard that correctly.

“My partner,” Isa mentioned.

“Huh?”

“Yeah, about that,” started Twilight. “Do you think you explain a little more in detail what that means?”

“You’re my partner for the game. I told you already,” Isa replied.

“You mean you don’t know either?” I asked.

“Don’t know what?” Twilight inquired. “All I know is that there was this strange noise in the air and then I saw that bug thing heading over towards Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Fluttershy?” I wondered and turned back to the muttering Pegasus. “Is that your name?”

“She didn’t tell you her name?” asked Isa.

“Well, she sort of did, but I couldn’t understand her because she was speaking so softly,” I explained.

“Sorry about that, Fluttershy can be like that when meeting new faces,” explained Twilight. “Speaking of which, where did you two come from? And what game are you talking about?!”

We suddenly heard more screaming from the distance, that’s usually never a good sign. “We’ll explain later, sounds like there’s more pests back at the village,” said Isa, retrieving her axe from the dead Pest’s corpse.

“Ewwww!” she groaned, wiping off the blood.

I was about to run with them, until I realized that Fluttershy wasn’t moving, she still looked scared.

“Hey, aren’t you coming?” I asked.

“I don’t know. After seeing that, it was just so gruesome! I don’t know if I can handle that,” she muttered.

I really didn’t have a lot of time, the further Isa ran the more I would lose sight of her. I needed accompany them, but I also couldn’t leave this timid Pegasus here. What if I might need her help later?