Don't Lose the Game

Don't Lose the Game

Written By:  Luminous Daze

Chapter One: Rules of the Game

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The door clicked closed as I pulled it taught behind me.  It was fairly late at night and I had been working my second job to keep my bank account in the positive.  The house was cold as ice as it normally was.  I had left it off to save on power while I was at work.  I clicked on the heater and looked to the thermostat; sixty degrees.  It wasn't unbearably cold, but just enough to make a hot blooded male like me not want to get that shower I so desperately needed.

Few years ago I had a small crash, which could have been a deadly one if I hadn't reacted correctly.  The worst I got was my right leg broken in four places, which resulted in a titanium rod down the middle of my leg.  All and all, with a long story short, I got a lump sum of money which ended with me owning a house and my car.  To be honest, I didn't really need two jobs, but it kept me busy instead of staying insanely bored and alone in my house.

Didn't really have any family that I was close too.  Most were insane and so I had distanced myself from them all.  As for relationships, I had a few flings with multiple partners over the internet of both genders.  After my first relationship, which lasted years on end, I didn't want anything serious.

Depression and suicide never was my cup of tea.  My life was boring, nothing to get sad and do something I'd regret.  Ever get the feeling you were just born in the wrong time or something like that?  Like you were dropped off and abandoned on the wrong planet to live among the wrong specie?  Yeah, that was probably why I felt so out of place.  What was worse was this persistent feeling of being watched.  It didn't help that I had a new internet buddy that seemed to read me like a book.  Mark that up to paranoia I suppose.

Quickly swiping my mouse across the pad, I quickly woke up my computer from its sleep.  Skype was my first choice as I was eager to return to the mind games my friend apparently liked to play on me.  I was a sucker for pain I suppose.  Or derived on the attention, I wasn't sure which.  Within an instant of logging in, a bling sounded followed by an orange circle marking that my friend had messaged me.

“GodofFun01: Have a nice time at work?”

I sighed, unsure telling him so much about myself had been the smartest choice.  Now he had been able to pick up so much on my daily routine it was scary.  However, my desperate need to eradicate my boredom had me returning frequently to this mad fellow.

“AuraLyrica: I'm not even going to ask how you knew I was at work.”

Don't really know why I picked that particular screen name.  Often enough I would roleplay both genders, and that name usually left them guessing so I could choose my gender just by how I felt that day.  I guess that shows a lot about my sexuality, or at least what my boredom would push me to do to satiate myself.

“GodofFun01: Simple, you told me you worked two jobs, and extrapolating that you spend most of your time on here, it was easy to guess you were at work.”

I sighed, shaking my head to myself.  Who says extrapolating? Was this turd just messing with me?  I decided to just ignore him for a moment and check emails.  His mind games could wait for a moment, I suppose.  As soon as I had gmail pulled up I heard another bling.  I looked to Skype and found another message.

“GodofFun01: mmm, Have I bored you already, Lyrica?  Would it help if I offered a little game of sorts?”

Games? I liked games... and I suppose this god of fun had came to realize.  Whenever he would offer up a game, I was always quick to join in.  I had yet to lose, but the games were the closest things I had to satiating my boredom.

“AuraLyrica: You've got my attention...”

“GodofFun01: I promise you'll love this game, but just bare with me.  I need to ask a few questions.”

“AuraLyrica: Shoot, I've got nothing better to do, and all your games have at least been partially entertaining.”

“GodofFun01: Ok, first off, would you enjoy living in a new world?”

What the hell question is that?  I frowned as I read the question a few more times.  From past experiences I knew I should give whatever he had planned a chance.  I decided to ask a question of my own, I was intrigued to see his answer.

“AuraLyrica: Depends on the world, can you give me some details?”

For a moment it said he was writing, and I tapped my finger against my mouse.  After a minute he answered.

“GodofFun01:  Does it matter?  Wouldn't you take anything over the world you're in now?”

“Hmm...” I nodded, smirking just a bit.

“AuraLyrica: You've got a point, but no go, I want details.  You should know by now I don't play a game without all the details first.”

A chill ran down my back and I glanced about.  It was almost like the old days when I would say something sarcastic to my mom and then I would hear my full name being berated at me throughout the house.

“GodofFun01: Fine... A world full of magic, where the dominate sentient race is ponies that have three races, pegasus, unicorn, and earth ponies.  One can fly, one can use magic, and the other has magic over the crops.  Even though the world is tame in retrospect to your world, it's power system is mainly a harsh system of the mind.  Using one another as a stepladder to get as close to power as possible.  Their only barrier being the Alicorns that ruled over all no matter what.  A specie that is made up from all three, and their lives greatly longer than any other.”

I fell silent for a few moments, rereading what he said quite a few times.  I was seriously starting to think 'GodofFun01' was a gay little youngster that liked to screw with me of all people.  I could only imagine how he came up with a land of ponies with a social structure like that.  Deciding I wanted to move things along, I replied.

“AuraLyrica:  Sure... At least it sounds better than Earth.  Power structure of the mind, I can get down with that.  Pretty sure I'd be running things though.”

Silence... Several upon several moments of silence, until finally it said he started typing once more.  For as long as it was taking him, I thought for sure it was going to be a long ass paragraph.

“GodofFun01: Wanna bet?”

“Uh...” I stared at the screen for a moment, unsure how to reply to that.  After a few moments he replied again.

“GodofFun01: We will see about that, but first we play a little game as to decide what type of pawn you'll have.”

“AuraLyrica: Pawn?”

“GodofFun01: Just play along with me for a moment, okay?  After we decide on your pawn, I'll tell you the rules of the game, and you can decide if you want to play or not.”

I was about to start typing, but I quickly looked up as he continued.

“GodofFun01: This is how our little game begins.  The world is a matriarchal society with Alicorns instantly recognized as the leaders and royalty.  I'm going to give you two choices, you ready?”

“AuraLyrica: Just ask the questions.”

“GodofFun01:  Your first choice is you'll be a regular and might I add, random specie of pony.  You start out fully as a pony and with a vast amount of bits and a bit of social standing to get you started.  One of the houses of power will instantly take a liking to you and will aid you in your ventures for power.  No one will know you're not of this world, and will accept you as such.  However, you will still need to get past the barrier of Alicorns ruling all.

Second choice is you are a human, and you will slowly turn into an Alicorn.  You will start out with Alicorns by your side, and you will become an Alicorn in time.  They will know that you were human, and whomever that you let find out that you were human.  If the public finds out, that's it, game over.  While you will be an Alicorn, and instantly in a position of power as a recognized princess, or prince, you will have to stay in the castle, and will most likely be watched by the others.

By the way, you can choose your gender for either choice.  Remember it's a matriarchal society.  Females call a majority of the shots.  What is your answer?”

I sighed, once more wondering how much damn time he had spent on this little game.  I tapped my mouse eyeing my options. 'on one hand, the first choice seems to be the classic you start out ahead material wise, while the second is you naturally gifted with power.  Not to mention he stated Alicorns have longevity, so why not?  Why work for the power if you can't live a long life to enjoy it.'

“GodofFun01: By the way... treat this game as it were real.  I promise it's more real than you know and it will determine your future.”

“Dafuq...” I grumbled, shaking my head.

“AuraLyrica: It's just a game... I'll take the second choice, and I'll be female for the game.  Might as well start out with power, I can get bits and factions behind me later.”

“GodofFun01: Really? Female? Are you sure you wouldn't want to be male?  You can't change it once your there.”

Rolling my eyes at the screen, my mouse hovered over the logout button, tempted to just quit.  'Haven't heard the rules yet...  but him acting like this is real is a bit... egotistical? Is that the right word? Eh, oh well...'

“AuraLyrica: Yes... now tell me the rules and lets get on with the game.  I'm already starting to get bored.”

“GodofFun01: lol, can't have that now can we?  Alright, female it is.  The rules are simple.  You cannot tell ANYONE about our little game.  Simple right?  Also, you'll meet a fellow named Discord.  He's my brother, and by no means can you say my name in front of him, or ask him for help.  Other than those two rules, you can side with anyone to climb the power ladder as it were.  Also, you may need to learn magic and how to fly from someone.  I'll leave that up to you, however.  I'll be by your side whispering in your ear from time to time.  If at any time you break my rules, or cheat, it's game over and simply, you die.  Reach the end of the game, or it's your life.

GodofFun01: Still want to play?”

“AuraLyrica: You still haven't said how to play... Are we playing an mmo or something you've found?  Or is it like chess or something?”

“GodofFun01: I told you, this is more real than you know.  You will be transported to the land of ponies and will literally PLAY the game.”

A small vain pulsed in my forehead.  It was seriously starting to piss me off that he kept pretending all this was real.  It was a damned game afterall, wasn't it?  I just sighed as I typed.

“AuraLyrica: Brb... I'm going to think on it awhile.”

“GodofFun01: I need your answer, yes or no?”

“AuraLyrica:  Look, it's just a game.  I'll play later.”

“GodofFun01:  This is a limited offer I'm giving you.  YES OR NO?”

Deciding just to ignore him, I quickly logged off and got up out of my chair.  As soon as I stood, Skype came back up and a bling drew my eyes back to the screen.

“GodofFun01:  Don't make me come there to get the answer.”

The hell? Was he hacking my computer or something?  Deciding not to risk it, I hit and held my computer power button.  After a few click noises, my computer remained on.  I know you're not supposed too, but I got on all fours, yanking the cord from the wall.  I sighed in relief as I heard the power drain from the desktop.  I stood up and froze, the screen still alive and Skype still up.

“GodofFun01: I told you, it's more real than you know!”

The screen started to swirl and something came crawling through it.  I don't scare easily, but damn, it was like that movie the ring where the girl just comes crawling through and is so ugly you scream in fright and die.  Quickly reaching into my pocket, I grab my pocket knife and flip it open, pointing it toward the growing figure.  It was the creepiest thing I'd ever seen.  A large serpent like creature with different body parts.  A goat head, with two different horns.  Two arms and two legs, even though each limb looked as if it belonged to a different animal.  It was like Frankenstein went crazy and just started splicing together animals.  The beast hovered above me, and my hand shook as I yelled, “Stay back!”

“OH, psh... really think you can stab me with a rubber knife?”  The surprisingly female sounding beast stated, snapping her fingers on her lion paw hand thing.  With a puff of smoke, the knife in my hand suddenly felt a whole lot lighter.  I slowly brought it closer, inspecting it as it bent in my grasp.

“My dear Lyrica, my name is Eris.  I am the god of folly and fun.”  I just remained firm and still.  Glaring at the beast, my mind drawing a blank.  It wasn't that I was insanely scared.., well, maybe a bit, but I couldn't process what was happening.  Things like this simply don't happen.  Things like this were too exciting for this puny planet called Earth. When I didn't say anything, I froze as she neared me, and her eyes focused on my shirt.  I glanced down to realize I still had my name tag from work.  Her expression turned into a small smirk as she said, “Ace, really?  Such an egotistical name.  No wonder you are the way you are.  Sounds like the main character of a movie or some nonsense.  Think I'll just stick with calling you Lyrica.  Suits you better.”

“W-what do you want?  What are you?”  I muttered, stepping backward toward the door.

My hand reached the door knob to my front door and Eris quickly snapped her fingers.  As my hand clenched the knob, it quickly turned to liquid in my grasp, hastily oozing between my fingers.  My heart skipped a beat mainly since it felt as if I had squished a slug in my hand.  Turning to look, I gave it a quizzical look.

“Pink Pudding, isn't it grand stuff?” Eris gave out a quick giggle, “Now... off to business.  You didn't want to answer my question, so now you don't have a choice.  I'm making you play whether you like to or not.”

Bringing up her paw, she prepared to snap.  I hastily raised up my hands to halt her.  After all that had happened within a few moments and my lack of a chance to process anything, I decided not to risk it, “Wait!  I don't want to play, ok! No!  There's your answer!”

“Mmmmm...” Eris tapped her chin with her eagle clawed hand for a moment, her lion paw still at snap ready.  A large grin spread across her muzzle and she simply said, “But that's no fun.”

I heard a snap, and then the floor disappeared.  I yelled as I fell into nothingness.  The last thing I saw was Eria waving and laughing up above.