Together, four friends walked out of the gaming store with brand new copies of the new MLP game. The clerk had told them that he had no idea when they got there. They just... were.

This didn't bother the group. Ryan, Alex, Cindy and Roxanne (Roxy for short)(1) were too eager to try it out!

So they went back to their shared home. The prices were steep, but between the four of them, they managed well enough.
Anyway, they went to their respective rooms and plugged the disc into their drives.

Flashes of light revealed brand new VR gear. This, again, would normally be a yellow light to most, but they were curious, so they put the headsets on nearly simultaneously.

Suddenly, they were transported to what looked like the Realm of Ascension from Friendship is Magic's third season. Except they could see occasional appearances of ones and zeroes.

"Welcome to the Gateway!" a regal sounding voice rang out, as a white alicorn landed before them, smiling brightly. "I am CelestAI. And this is the beginning of a new adventure for you all!"

Menus appeared in front of each as they chose their races.

After a brief loading period, there stood a forest green Changeling in the place of Ryan,

Name: Garrett
Racial Bonuses:
+4 CON
+2 INT
-2 CHA
+4 Stealth
Night Vision
Desperation Move: Swarm - when at critical hp (or when angry enough), can call on the power of the Hive to come to their aid. 1d12 (increasing with every 5th level) changelings will teleport in and proceed to take down as many opponents as possible..

A sienna brown Gryphon was in place of Cindy,

Name: Genevive
Racial Bonuses
+2 STR
+2 DEX
+2 CON
-2 INT
Lightning Reflexes
-2 Diplomacy
Weather Magic LV 1
Desperation Move: Twister Sister - When at critical hp (or when angry enough), activation of this move causes Weather Magic skill to boost to level 5 for a few precious minutes, allowing total weather control.

A reddish brown Hippogriff in place of Alex,

Name: Emberglow
Racial Bonuses:
+2 STR
+2 CHA
-2 WIS
Dual forms (Hippogriff and SeaPony)
+2 Diplomacy
-2 Lore
Desperation Move: Tidecaller - When at critical hp (or when angry enough) activation of this move allows control of available water, allowing total control. At the will of the user, random sea creatures may also materialize if sufficient water is present to support them.

And a white Crystal Pony in place of Roxy.

Racial Bonuses:
+2 STR
+4 CON
+2 CHA
-2 INT
Magic Resistance
+2 Diplomacy
Pocket Space: All ponies have an inner Pocket where they can store practically anything, up to 500 pounds in some cases, without feeling any strain.
Desperation Move: Glowing Heart - When at critical hp (or when angry enough), they can activate this move to summon a fraction of the Crystal Heart's power, severely damaging or banishing disharmonious elements in range.
Level Adjustment +1: Crystal Ponies are actually slightly stronger than other races, and so gain levels more slowly.

Classes were selected next. But Ryan's character got a whole different selextion from the others!

Defender
Excavator
Guardian
Harvester
Infiltrator
Magus
Proto-king/queen
Warrior

CelestAI explained, helpfully, "Changelings are different from any of the other races, so they have unique classes that only they can pick."

"So... what's the difference between a Defender and a Guardian?"

CelestAI waved a hoof and two videos appeared. One of them showed a Changeling conjuring a shield to protect their ther allies. The shield was also wielded like a weapon, cutting through enemies. The other video showed a Changeling beating back several enemies much larger than themselves.

"Simply put," she said, "a Defender protects his allies before atacking the enemy. A Guardian beats back invaders and soaks much of the damage."

"One attac, one protec." Ryan summarized. Either way, he chose Warrior just as Alex chose 'Druid' and Cindy chose 'Healer'.

Roxanne couldn't decide, and just chose 'NEW'.

"Interesting choice." CelestAI said. "Choosing not to choose a class yet, eh? There are upsides and downsides to that." she added.

After that, the lot of the began to shrink down in size.

"What's going on?!" Cindy was the one toexclaim.

"Openings have been discovered for you. Good luck!" CelestAI explained, the four of them being lifted into the portal.

CelestAI chuckled. "That never gets old."

In the hive of the "Reformed" Changelings, a new life stirren inside of an egg.

In Griffonstone, an expecting mother gave birth to a Gryphon and a Hippogriff.

In the Crystal Empire, an expecting mother swelled slightly in size as a new presence came into existence beside what was there already.

Only time would tell how this would work out....

Author's Note

1: Guess which game this is referencing.