The Third Choice

The Third Choice

Chapter 2: Introductions, a summons, and an assassination attempt

By UltimaReborn

My head hurt. I cracked my eyes open to see the familiar lights of a hospital. Was it a dream? Did I survive the crash and just dream it all? I wondered to myself. Then I heard hushed voices nearby. I recognized them as those of the Mane Six. Okay it wasn't a dream after all. I should probably just tell them the truth and get it over with as soon as possible. Knowing Twilight she'll definitely ask a ton of questions.

“It's awake!” said a tomboyish voice easily recognized as that of Rainbow Dash.

“Yes, and 'it' has a name you know,” I said to them, only to be met with a round of surprised gasps. “My name is Tristen.”

“Well that's... a strange name.” said Twilight, obviously at a loss for anything else to say. A rare occasion indeed. “Well, my name is-” she began.

“Twilight Sparkle.” I interrupted. She looked surprised and a bit frightened, as did the other ponies.

“How did you know my name?” she asked.

“Before I answer that there are two things I would like to say.” I said.

“What do you want to say?” inquired Twilight.

“First, can I get a glass of water? Manticore venom really leaves your throat dry,” I said. “And second, don't freak out when I answer your questions, okay?”

“Uh, okay.” said Twilight, obviously confused by the second. “Here.” she said as she levitated a glass of water from the nightstand nearby to me.

“Thank you.” I said and drank, draining the glass in a matter of seconds.

“Okay, first question: What are you?” asked Twilight.

“A human.” I replied, bracing myself for the shock.

“A-a human!?” she nearly shrieked. “B-but humans are just old mare's tales!”

“Yes well back home unicorns and pegasi are both considered to be mythical as well.” I replied.

“Okay,” she said, visibly shaking herself. “Second question: How do you know my name?”

“Ah. This is the part I thought you might freak out over.” I said. “You see in my world the exploits of you six are broadcast as a television show.” It was evident by her expression that the only word she had understood was 'broadcast'.

“Have you ever seen the trick called animation?” I asked. “The one where you draw a picture repeatedly with slight differences, and then move the to the next really fast, giving the illusion of movement?”

“Yes, but what has that got to do with my question?” she replied.

“Because using that technique people from my world can watch your adventures here in Equestria.” I said.

“Oh dear!” squeaked Fluttershy.

“What!?” screamed Rainbow Dash.

“Really?” asked Pinkie.

“My stars.” said Applejack.

“That's... that's AMAZING!” shouted Twilight, obviously wanting to know more already.

“Where exactly am I?” I inquired once they had calmed down.

“Canterlot Emergency Hospital.” answered Twilight.

“Ah, well enough questions for now,” I said. “The rest can wait, especially since Princess Celestia will probably be summoning me soon.” At the mention of her teacher Twilight's eyes widened.

“Oh, and can someone bring me a few sewing supplies?” I asked.

“Uhhh, sure. Why?” Twilight asked me.

“Just something I want to make while waiting.” I answered her, completely truthfully.

“Okay, I don't see any harm in it.” she said.

“Thank you.”

As they left Twilight told a passing nurse that I would like a few things. Once she came into the room I asked her for some sewing supplies, reciting a short list. Once they were brought to me I began to work.

Two hours later, moments after I had finished what I was working on, two Royal Guards, one pegasus and one unicorn, arrived and informed the Mane Six that I was to be brought to Celestia in Canterlot Castle. I dressed, not needing to put on my hat as they hadn't removed it, and walked out. The guards escorted myself and the Mane Six to the castle and after a few minutes, we arrived at the large doors I knew led to the throne room. The guards pushed open half the door and we entered.

Celestia sat on her throne, Princess Luna standing to her right, looking more regal than on the show.

“So, it really is a human.” she said, looking at me.

“Everypony, and myself, bowed. The Mane Six with their fore-hooves pressed to the ground along with their heads, and I on one knee, the other up with my left arm over it, and my right fist planted against the floor, head down.

The Princesses looked a bit surprised that I had bowed, clearly expecting me to be ignorant of who they were.

“You may rise.” she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. The amiable look in her eyes dimmed as she turned to me. “Tell me, how did you come to Equestria human?” she asked, a cold tone in her previously warm voice.

“Yes your Highness.” I responded. I spent half an hour explaining to them about the show before. Once that was done I began to tell them what my life was like, so that they could understand the circumstances of the accident.

“You see, your Highness, I was with my mother, coming home after getting some groceries, when our vehicle got into an accident. The crash killed me. I don't know what happened to my mother. Once I died I was in the Void, the place between the crack in the fabric of Creation. There the being my race knew as God spoke, telling me I had two choices: I could go to Heaven or to Hell. Having recently been doing some reading, I was aware that there may be a third option,” I explained. “When I asked it answered that there was, I could go to any place of my choosing. I chose Equestria as you can tell. As part of a reward for being so aware of what was going on, and not whining and begging for a second chance I got to choose some specifics. For example I have a type of incantation-based magic called Invocations. My body is good as new, none of my ailments having carried over, oh and of course I got this hat.” I said as I patted said hat.

“I see,” said Celestia, with a slightly lost expression on here face. “This is quite a bit of information to think on.”

“I'm assuming that you would like me to stay in the dungeons while awaiting your decision?” I asked. Celestia just nodded. The unicorn guard levitated a medieval-looking pair of wooden handcuffs forward, attaching them to my wrists. As we turned to leave, I felt a warping of magic. Some malicious spell. I turned, rushed at Celestia as the guards turned, thinking I was attacking her. I grabbed her, and dragged her to the floor even as a bolt of fire passed through the air where a split second ago her head had been, destroying the back of the throne.

Everypony in the room turned, and with many shocked gasps saw, none other than Nightmare Moon standing in the shadows of the doorway. Luna's was a look of utter fear. The damn spirit must have finally found a new host. I rose and charged her, much like with the manticore.

“Oh please. That trick worked once, but not this time.” she said. “Now come and die you stupid beast!”

Clearly she assumed that I was going to do what Twilight had, and teleport behind her. And assuming things is what gets you killed. As I drew closer I saw her back legs tense, clearly intending to buck me once I teleported. Thus she was surprised when I didn't, and my head connected with her front, causing her to nearly fall and me to stagger back. With a look of rage on her face her horn began to glow and she threw me back across the throne room.

I scrambled up as fast as I could and, with my bound hands, pulled my hat off my head. I spun a few times and released, sending right toward her. She laughed and brought up a barrier, clearly believing the fedora-like hat to be nothing but a last ditch effort at distracting her. The look on her face as the hat sliced right through her barrier and hurled toward her face was one of both amazement and fear. The hat connected and knocked her unconscious. As she lay there, a dark mist rose from her and fled out the window: Nightmare Moon's true form. Once the last of the mist had left, a unicorn in the attire of a castle maid was left, still passed out. I retrieved my hat and turned to the still frozen-in-shock ponies.

“Well now that that's been taken care of I believe that I should be getting to the dungeon.” I said. The look on their faces after hearing me make this comment so calmly and casually after what had just occurred was shock even greater than at the appearance of Nightmare Moon.

“H-how did you do that? Y-you knocked her out with a hat! How!?” said Celestia in utter amazement.

“It's a good hat.” I said, reaching up and patting it.