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                       Three Choices                       
                   -by WurkyWilk358 0w0-                   
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                         Chapter 1                         
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Chapter 1
You feel discombobulated. You can’t tell what is up and what is down. You feel like you’re floating, but you can’t fly either. When you finally manage to open your eyes, everything is a blur. There’s barely any light, and your senses slowly begin to return to you. You try to move your arm, but all you feel is a tingling sensation up and down all four of your limbs.
Eventually, your senses return to you and you can see more clearly and feel movement in your limbs. You slowly sit up and as your vision returns to you, you take note of your surroundings. It’s dark but you can tell that you’re outside. The tall brick walls flank you on either side, about three stories high. To your left is nothing but the end of the alleyway you are setting in, the faint scent of garbage in the air. To your right, you see a dumpster with the lid open.
After shakily managing to stand on your feet, you hastily walk towards the opening of the alleyway to find your bearings. In the corner of your eye, you spot something sitting on the ground beside the dumpster. It looks like an old single-strapped backpack. You take the backpack and open the main pocket. Inside are a variety of miscellaneous items. You find a rope, a pocket knife, a flashlight, a pen, a notepad, a horse shoe, a flask, and small snacks consisting of granola bars and a bag of trail mix. Committing the items in the backpack to memory, you sling the backpack over your shoulder and continue on to the opening of the alleyway.
Once you reach the clearing, you’re met with an unexpected sight. The buildings surrounding you are nothing like the ones you are familiar with in your hometown. They’re lavish-looking and even the street lights are just as fancy as the buildings themselves. What’s even more surprising is the large castle in the distance. The castle looks like something you’d see in a children’s fairytale book.
Not wanting to dawdle, you decide to get a move on by walking to the left, away from where the castle stood. The night brings a chill on your very body, but you don’t let it bother you. You look up at the starry sky and see the moon shine down on you. It’s somewhat comforting despite your current situation. There’s not a soul in sight and it almost feels like the town is abandoned. Yet, you get the feeling that everyone is just inside the buildings around you and asleep since it’s so late at night.
When you look up at the moon again, you can’t help but do a double take at it. It could just be your vision playing tricks on you, but you could swear that the moon has somewhat of an outline that looks like the head of a horse. It’s a strange-looking sight, let alone the fact that the moon also looks a bit bigger than usual; even for a full moon. You brush it off as your imagination and continue down the road.
Along the way, you suddenly hear the sounds of someone talking from around the corner up ahead. Your hopes of getting answers to your questions come to light as you pick up the pace in the hopes of talking to someone who lives here.
As you are just about to round the corner, you stop dead in your tracks and quickly hide behind the wall. You blink several times as you try to process what you just saw. Sucking in a big breath of air, you very slowly peak your head out from the corner of the wall.
Standing on two legs are what can only be described as a pair of mutant horse-people. They stood on double-jointed legs, their arms and hands were normal, but they had tails and their heads were exactly like a horse’s. Although, their muzzles looked a little too short to be a normal horse’s, so you distinguished them as a pony’s muzzle. Their attire looked like old medieval armor and they each held a spear in their hands. On each of their foreheads was a long horn that stuck out a few inches. You couldn’t hear what they were talking about since you were too much in shock at the sight of them and you were a fair distance away, not to mention you were also fearful. You look away and try to come to terms with what you’re looking at. Perhaps you were just hallucinating and you couldn’t see properly due to the poor lighting in the dark of night. But you knew better, they were as real as you.
You thought about going the other way but it would mean backtracking to where you started, which would be a waste of time. You look once more from behind the corner and you see that one of the mutant pony-people has left. There was only one pony-person standing by himself with his spear in his hand. As you looked at the creature, you began to weigh your options.
You could just walk up to this creature and simply ask for directions. You have no idea how it will react when it sees you, but you figure it’s the best course of action. Who knows? Maybe this pony-person is nice and can help you with your current dilemma.
There’s also the option of just taking a risk and rushing this creature. You recall that you have a pocket knife in your backpack. You’re just about the same size as the pony-person and he’s all by himself. He probably wouldn’t see it coming but there’s also the level of risk to consider.
If neither of these plans sound optimal, there’s always the choice of sneaking past him and finding your way out of the city. If you were to do so, you’d be leaving without any knowledge of where you are, how to get home, but you would also not bring attention to yourself from the locals.
Author's Note
Option 1: Ask for directions.
Option 2: Attack.
Option 3: Sneak past.
Choose wisely.

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                         Chapter 2                         
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Chapter 2
After contemplating your options, you feel it best to ask the pony-person for directions. Even though you’re unnerved at the moment, you steel yourself and boldly walk around the corner and approach the armored pony-person. Your heart rate elevates little by little with each step you take towards the pony-person. You don’t know how it will react and you swallow a small lump in your throat. Your presence is soon noticed by the pony-person and he looks your way. You flinch at his gaze as you calmly walk closer until you’re about a meter away from him and stop. You both stare at each other for about a minute, until you speak up.
“Good evening,” you say. “Sorry to bother you, but I’m hoping you can help me with my current situation.”
The pony-person continues to eye you suspiciously but doesn’t look like he’s giving you the cold shoulder.
“Pardon me for asking, but what exactly are you?” He asks in fluent English. You’re a bit surprised he can understand you, including the fact that he can speak just as well as you.
“I’m not exactly from around here and have lost my way,” you reply vaguely. “Can you please tell me where I am?”
The guard hums in thought before answering. “You are in the city of Canterlot.”
You have to take a minute to process what you just heard. Canterlot? What kind of a fantasy name is Canterlot? You’ve never heard of a city name like that before on Earth.
“What kind of a strange name is Canterlot?” You ask.
“Well, what is the name of the place where you come from?” The guard questions. You tell him your hometown name, and he looks at you like you’re the weird one. “Now, that name sounds more made up than Canterlot.” He shakes his head as if dismissing the subject. “Do you have anywhere to go?”
You shake your head and frown. “I…don’t even know where to stay,” you say, after the realization dawns on you that you’re basically homeless at the moment. “I just woke up in an alleyway with no prior knowledge as to how I even wound up here. One minute I was minding my own business, and then the next thing I know I woke up in this place. You’re the first person I’m talking to, and even before, I was hesitant in doing so, because I haven’t seen anything like you before either.”
The pony-person now looks at you as if he’s pitying you. The same realization of your homelessness dawns on him as well. He looks away for a brief moment, as if thinking about something to himself, until he looks back at you.
“You really don’t have a place to go, do you?” He asks and you shake your head. “I don’t normally do this, but since you’re not in the best of situations, I’ll do you a favor.” He holds out his free hand towards you. “Why don’t you crash at my place for the night so that you can at least get a decent night’s sleep before deciding what to do tomorrow?”
You were taken aback by the unexpected offer from the pony-person. You had never met or encountered anyone or anything like him before, yet he surprisingly offered you shelter at his home for the night. You felt a sense of gratitude build up within you as you stared up at him.
“That’s so very kind of you, but I wouldn’t want to impose,” you say politely.
The pony-person just smiles and shakes his head. “It’s no trouble, I’m part of the local guard around here. It’s my job to help those in need. Besides, it’s only for one night.”
The sense of gratitude within you builds as you raise your hand and clasp it with his. “Thank you,” you say, and tell him your name.
“Nice to meet you too, my name’s Dapper Drue,” the pony-person introduces himself. “Come with me, my place isn’t far and my shift has just ended.”
You nod and follow Dapper down the road. Along the way, Dapper asks you some simple questions about where you’re from and any recollection as to how you got here. You answer his questions as best you can but as far as recalling how you got here, you can’t remember anything. After about twenty minutes of walking, you arrive at what looks like a simple two story apartment complex. Dapper leads you to one of the ground floor doors and unlocks the door with his key. Dapper is the first to walk in and turn on the light. The apartment looks like a simple studio apartment with basic furniture and a small kitchen to the side.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” Dapper says while taking off his helmet. With his helmet off, you can properly see his face. He has turquoise-blue fur and dark turquoise hair styled in a crop top. “It’s not much, but it’s enough.”
“Nice place,” you compliment.
“Thank you,” Dapper says. “I’ll be right back, I’m gonna go take a shower.”
Once Dapper leaves and steps into the other room, leading to the bathroom, you pace around the apartment and assess your surroundings. You take a seat on the couch as you wait for Dapper. On the top of the shelf in the corner of the room, you spy a large jar full of what looks like gold coins. It’s about the size of a cookie jar, if not a bit bigger. You stare at the jar, and then glance at the door where Dapper is taking his shower. A few thoughts cross your mind as you sit on the couch.
Dapper was nice enough to let you stay in his apartment until tomorrow. It’d be rude to just leave the apartment and not say a word while Dapper is preoccupied. Not to mention, sleeping on a couch beats spending the night on the cold cement outside. Plus, Dapper might be able to help you find your way by tomorrow.
However, that jar of coins looks like it’s pretty easy to lift off the shelf and empty into your backpack. The coins can probably be of use to your own benefit. You could just steal the coins, sneak out of the apartment, and get out of the city as fast as you can before Dapper knows you’re gone with his property.
On the other hand, you feel somewhat guilty that you are imposing yourself in Dapper’s home. You know that he was the one who offered but at the same time your problem is your own. Leaving would make things easier and you would find another place to stay for the night. The least you can do is use the notepad and pen to leave a note for Dapper explaining why you left and thank him for the offer.
Author's Note
Option 1: Stay the night.
Option 2: Steal the coins and bail.
Option 3: Leave and find another place to spend the night.
Choose wisely.

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                         Chapter 3                         
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Chapter 3
After careful consideration, you immediately cast aside the notion of robbing this kind fellow, and it would be considered impolite to just up and leave after Dapper offered you shelter. You realize that even if you had taken the coins from the shelf, you probably wouldn’t get far anyway since Dapper knows your face and is basically what is considered a cop in this strange world. Having a criminal record right off the bat, including the fact that he works for the law, is a bad play entirely. Not to mention, where exactly would you go if you decided to leave? There’s no telling what else this world is like, and it would be best to just stay put. You remain on the couch until Dapper eventually comes out from the room dressed in simple pajamas.
“Would you like to take a shower too?” Dapper offers.
“Oh, no, that’s fine, but thank you,” you say as Dapper sits on the chair beside the sofa.
“It’s not every day that I offer anypony to spend the night at my place, especially somepony I’ve just met,” Dapper points out.
“I know,” you say. “And it’s not every day I wake up in an alley with no recollection as to how I ended up here in a world I did not recognize.”
“Fair point,” Dapper said with a chuckle. “Do you at least remember what the world you came from was like?”
You nod and tell Dapper all about your world, at least the parts that you could easily explain. Dapper seems intrigued with your descriptions. Hearing about a different world from what he considers you as an alien is very interesting to him.
“Wow, your world sounds amazing!” Dapper said.
“I guess it does have its merits,” you shrug but then frown. “I just hope that I can find a way back soon.”
“Hey, I know things look kinda bleak, but I’m sure it’ll all work out,” Dapper reassures you. “You just need a good night’s sleep. That always helps me whenever I’m feeling down.”
You give Dapper a small smile and a nod. “Maybe you’re right, Dapper, plus I am kinda tired.”
“Wait here, I’ll go get you a spare pillow and blanket,” Dapper says and stands up and walks out of the room for a moment.
He comes back with a pillow and simple blanket and hands you them.
“Hope you sleep well, we’ll figure out what to do next in the morning,” Dapper says and leaves to go to his room.
You adjust yourself on the couch as Dapper turns off the lights. You stare up at the ceiling as your eyes slowly begin to close. Your worries about your current predicament wash away as you allow sleep to take hold. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but the least you can do for the moment is try to get some sleep.
You open your eyes, and instead of being met with the morning sun, you find yourself in a strange starry void. You’re unfamiliar with your surroundings, and notice that you are floating in midair. You look around and all you continue to see is nothing but the endless void. The only logical explanation to your current state is that you are having a dream. However, this dream is a little odd to you. It doesn’t feel like any normal dream that you have had prior to this one. It feels like you are awake, but also asleep at the same time.
Suddenly, a bright light shines above you. You look up to see the full moon in all its glory. The moon looked like it was much closer to you than it does when usually in the sky. You couldn’t help but admire the light from the moon and found yourself gazing at it for an untold amount of time. Your moon gazing, unfortunately, was cut short when you heard a faint sound. It was an unusual sound that seemed to echo all around you. When you looked around the void, you didn’t see anything else besides the moon above. Just then, the noise became louder and sounded like someone was laughing. Just as you turned back to see the moon, you were shocked to see a pair of eyes staring at you. They were a pair of brilliant emerald colored eyes with cat-like slitted pupils. You stared at the eyes for a good minute until the eyes squinted at you and you heard the laugh again. This time, you could hear it more clearly and it sounded feminine.
“It appears my efforts proved fruitful after all,” the female voice said.
“Wh-Who are you?” You ask, now a bit nervous.
“Who I am matters not,” the voice stated. “What matters is what I’m about to tell you. You are a peculiar specimen, and are the only one I have been able to make contact with ever since I was stuck in this prison of mine.”
You weren’t sure what she meant until you glanced up at the moon.
“You’re…stuck on the moon?” you asked hesitantly.
“Not for long,” the voice said, sounding malicious. “I shall soon be free, but I am at an impasse. You see, in just two days time, there shall be a certain celebration held. On that night, I shall make my grand return. The only problem is that I need a certain object that can only be found in an old castle. Since you are the only one I’ve been able to contact, and given the fact that you clearly are not a pony or any magical creature I know of, you are the only one I can think of to acquire this item.”
“Why should I help you?” You boldly ask. “What even is this item that you need?”
“That’s none of your concern,” the voice said. “But what I can offer you, should you help me, is my favor. If you help acquire this item for me, I will see to it that you are rewarded appropriately for aiding me. I am a mare of my word, and my word is absolute.”
You tried to contemplate what was transpiring presently. What was thought to be just a strange dream ended up being some kind of freaky mental communication with a formless apparition who is now demanding for your help getting an unknown item from some vague old castle.
You were hesitant to agree because everything about this voice sounded like bad news. Whoever this is obviously sounds like someone who would most likely cause you an unknown amount of trouble that you felt like you couldn’t afford right now.
However, the part about her making it worth your while did sound admittedly intriguing. Maybe whatever she was offering could prove to be advantageous for you. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to take her up on her offer, right?
You also get an idea of your own. What if you could somehow manipulate her to strike a bargain that would prove advantageous for you? You hypothetically could get her to promise to obey your every command in exchange for getting the item. You could also convince her that you are her only hope in ensuring whatever plan she has goes without a hitch.
Author's Note
Option 1: Deny her.
Option 2: Comply with her.
Option 3: Attempt to manipulate her.
Choose wisely.
Side Note:  
We apologize for taking longer than we said we would. We had a bit of a block but managed to come up with a new chapter.