Story:
Barley opens the door of his cider bar as Princess Cadance trots in.
“Thank ya kindly for coming on such short notice, Princess Cadance.” Barley nods, “I figured if anypony would know what to do about this situation, it would be you.”
He points over to the bar seats where, among several other ponies, Zephyr Breeze sits, his area is littered with cider mugs, his face in his hooves, and tears streaking his eyes.
“Oh dear.” Cadence gasps, nodding to Barley, “you did the right thing. I only hope I can help him through this.” Cadence walks calmly over to Zephyr, sitting next to him, “hello again, Zephyr Breeze. What has you so upset, if I may ask?”
“Princess!” Zephyr falls off the stool in shock. He takes a moment to settle himself before climbing back on, face red from embarrassment. He coughs, “what?” He starts again before finally realizing what he was asked. “I mean, who said anything was wrong?!” Cadence lifts an eyebrow, and allows silence to linger. Zephyr bites his lip, sweat beading his face. Finally, after a few short minutes he caves, “Rainbow Dash will never love me!” He bawls.
“Oh?” Cadence blinks, taken aback, “how did you arrive at this conclusion?”
Zephyr breaths a long breath in before he answers, “It all started when I talked to her the other day-”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Rainbow! Nice outfit!” Zephyr walked over to Rainbow Dash, putting a wing around her as he took in the outfit that matched her mane, “though if you wanted to impress me, the dress you wore when I was a guard works so much better on you!”
Rainbow Dash immediately pushed Zephyr off of her. “Are you serious right now, Zephyr?!” She groaned.
Zephyr bounced back up, dusting himself off, “what? Are you that shocked to see me?”
“Yes! No! Just-just look where you are!” Rainbow Dash pointed.
Zephyr looked. Rainbow flags were being held by everypony. A parade came by, throwing out free flags of multiple colors. Signs were held with the lines “love is love”. Zephyr turned back with a shrug, “I do indeed, and I think it's sweet that you are an ally for your friend. Who is it? Apple Dumpling or whatever?”
Applejack, who was standing right next to Rainbow Dash, raised an eyebrow.
Rainbow Dash sighed. “Look, I have tried to be subtle in hopes that you would get the hint, but obviously I have to be direct.” She glared straight into his eyes as she spoke, “I. Will. NEVER. Love you!”
“Oh come on, Rainbows. Stop playing hard to get and-” Rainbow Dash cut him off.
“I AM NOT PLAYING HARD TO GET!” Rainbow Dash grabbed Apple Jack, kissing her deeply before she continued, “I'm a lesbian, Zephyr. I like MARES!!!”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Oh.” Cadance breaths, “what did you do after that?”
“I just sat there, dumbfounded. By the time I was able to think, they were both gone!” Zepyr admits.
Cadence nods, an understanding smile on her face, “I am very proud of you, Zephyr.” She beams.
“Proud?!” Zephyr blinks.
“It is completely understandable to be shocked when you find the one your heart loves pines for another, but, to be honest, you are taking it quite well. What's most important is that you are respecting Rainbow Dash's feelings.” Cadance gives Zephyr a moment to respond, and when he doesn't, she continues, “I know it hurts to let go of this love, Zephyr, but it is the right thing to do.”
Zephyr sighs, looking over to Cadance, “couldn't you use your love magic to help?”
Cadance sighs, “my magic doesn't work that way. I don't make ponies fall in love. I only remind them of their best moments together.”
Zephyr sighs before Cadance drapes a wing around his shoulder, “I don't blame you for asking.” She sighs, looking off into the distance, “Trust me, you aren't the first and you certainly won't be the last. Still, think about this, is that what you really want?” She took Zephyr's sigh as one of resignation, “I genuinely hope you meet somepony who feels the same about you as you do about them, but for now, just focus on Zephyr, okay.”
“Princess Cadance!” Another voice called out.
“Give me just a moment, Zephyr. Seems another pony needs my help.”
Cadence trots over, talking with a couple of ponies. Zephyr groans mournfully before turning his attention to the bar. He notices something stuck in the napkin holder. Curious, he reaches out, plucking the crumpled paper from among the napkins.
He realizes two things simultaneously. One: he is looking at one of the magic pages everypony had been fighting over. Two: A strange unicorn is now pointedly staring at him, or, more accurately, the page in his hooves.
The unicorn coughs, realizing he has been noticed, and sighs, “that is a powerful magic force you have found.” The unicorn begins, “and I couldn't help but overhear your plight. I, for one, sympathize with you.”
“You do?” Zephyr gasps.
“Yes. With all of these…confused ponies who are being lead astray…back when I was a colt, every mare was happy with a colt and vice versa. It always intrigued me that there was a sudden surrender of this…pride once the so called ‘princess of love’ came to be noticed.”
“Wait. You think-you think Cadance made Rainbow Dash like mares?” Zephyr gasped.
“I am not directly saying anything. Though, I know what I would do with that page.” The unicorn huffed.
“Oh?” Zephyr asked, holding the page a bit closer to himself.
“Oh, I am no barbarian, dear boy. I am Neighsay. I have moons of experience when it comes to rules and regulations. I was merely saying, if you gave me that page, I would change things so that there would be a board, just like there is one for schools, but this board would determine who is truly…compatible with one another. It would be certain that you would get to be with your dear Rainbow Dash.”
“But…if I can change anything, couldn't I just change things so Rainbow Dash loves me? Zephyr wonders.
“That may be true, but then you would be doing a great disservice to your fellow pony. Imagine how many other poor ponies sat where you sit now worried about love. With this, no pony will ever have to feel like this again. Think about it!”
What should Zephyr do?
[CHOICE]
(Hero) Don't use the page and give it to Cadance.
(Chaos) Use the page to make Rainbow Dash fall in love with him.
(Villain) Give Neighsay the page
Villain choice: give the page to Neighsay
[ENDING C: VILLAIN]
Zephyr bites his lip for a moment, thinking. He shakes his head, “I know exactly what to do with this page!”
He walks over, giving it to Neighsay, “You're right. No pony deserves to feel this way. Life would be better without heartache…even if it means no love either.”
Neighsay nods, “wonderful choice.” He grabs a quill, writing on the page. The page glows brightly.
Zephyr opens his eyes to find himself at home. “Huh?” He looks around, trying to figure out why the page took him there. His mom and dad are still in the pictures, as is Fluttershy and-
He stops, looking back at the picture. Fluttershy was standing, looking away sadly in the picture with a male pagasus. Zephyr blinks. “Mom…what's up with this picture of Flutters? Where's the pic of her and Discord?”
“Discord? The Chaos thing? Don't be absurd, Zephyr. He's in stone.” His mom answers.
“Classic Zephyr. Always joking around.” His dad sighs.
Zephyr flies out of the house as fast as he can, looking around. He can only see ponies everywhere. No sign of any other creatures. Unicorns stallions walk with unicorn mares. Pegusi mares fly with pegasi stallions. Earth ponies are only with earth ponies.
Zephyr looks around. Ponies he knows are supposed to be together, such as Lyra and Bon Bon, now each have a male pony matching their race.
Everypony looks miserable. Zephyr gasps. “What have I done?!”
He flies straight to the board of love. Chancellor Neighsay is at the head, and looked down. “Ah, dear Zephyr Breeze. We were expecting you today.”
“This is wrong.” Zephyr breaths, “I thought I was helping, but everypony is miserable!”
“It will take time for pony kind to get used to the new way, but it is better!” Neighsay counters.
“How is it better? What is the point of keeping the pony tribes separate for marriage?” Zephyr wonders.
“To keep the magic pure, of course! I'm sure you heard of the tiny pegasus filly who couldn't fly. She had a mixed family. That can only mean that fillies in mixed families have a higher risk of being born magicless. If we allow that, soon enough, There will be no magic with which to defend ourselves.”
Zephyr blinks. First, the ponies of the same gender, then getting rid of mixed families…what next?
“And Flutters?” Zepyr asks.
Neighsay laughs, “what? Your sister and the villian that both turned our world into a chaotic mess and sold us out to a power hungry centaur? You can't be serious. You truly believe that monster would have kept her happy?”
Zephyr bites his lip quietly. “What about me and…Rainbow Dash?” He asks.
“Ah yes. I do recall saying we would be certain you would be with her…however, plans have changed.” Neighsay sighs.
“WHAT?!” Zephyr growls.
“I do apologize, Zephyr, but really, Rainbow Dash is a wonderbolt, and you…style manes. You two are not compatible in the least. We will find a mare closer to what you do to continue having better talents in that area of expertise, and Rainbow Dash will be paired with Soarin. Within a few generations, we shall the strongest generation of ponies ever known!”
“That-thats not how talents work!” Zephyr yells.
“No? Then explain the apple family. Or most of the pies. Of course, there is the rare oddity with the pink one, but studies show that two ponies of a similar talent have a higher chance of having their offspring have a talent similar as well.” Neighsay flips through his book as he speaks.
“This wasn't the deal!” Zephyr rushes over only to be tackled by security.
“No, but this will make a better Equestria. All thanks to you.” Neighsay nods as Zephyr is taken away.
(+1 page for Villians)
Hero Choice: Give the page to Cadance
[ENDING A: HERO]
Zephyr bites his lip for a moment, thinking. He shakes his head, “I know exactly what to do with this page!” Zephyr gets up. While he's never been known to be the fastest pegasus around, he feels like he would have impressed even Rainbow Dash with how fast he ran from that spot to Cadance.
“PRINCESS CADANCE!” He yells louder than he means to, and blushes before he coughs and continues, trying to ignore the fact that she and most of the cider lounge is now staring at him. “I, uh, found a page and-” he gives the page to Cadance, who beams at him.
“Thank you, Zephyr.” Cadance nods, taking it.
“Yeah, dude, that was super cool.” a burnt orange pagasus Stallion grins, “the way you snubbed the creepy unicorn over there. It makes me want to paint something…could I paint you some time?”
Zephyr, for the first time in his life, finds no words, stammering. The Stallion sweeps a hoof across his lilac and violet mane before boring into Zephyr's eyes with his own cyan pools, “is…that a Yes…or a no?”
“You want to paint…me?!” Zephyr finally manages before coughing and nodding, “i-I suppose that would be…doable…”
Cadance looks between the two, a smile crossing her lips, “Zephyr, this is Spearhead. He's a guard pony. Spearhead, this is Zephyr. He dresses manes. I do hope you two will become good friends.” She stresses, scooting the two closer together.
Spearhead drapes a wing across Zephyr, “come on. I'll tell you all about my art exhibition!”
(+1 page for Hero)
Chaos ending: use the page to make Rainbow Dash be in love with him
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Chaos ending: use the page to make Rainbow Dash be in love with him
[ENDING B: CHAOS]
Zephyr bites his lip for a moment, thinking. He shakes his head, “I know exactly what to do with this page!” He grabs a quill, writing as quickly as possible. Neighsay gets up, rushing to grab the page from Zephyr, but the page glows, and all the ponies shield their eyes from the light.
“Zephyr sweetums.” Zephyr opens his eyes to see Rainbow Dash in front of him…in her house.
Zephyr's face grows red. He breaths before grinning, “Rainbows, I know you love me, but don't you think it's a bit early to be welcoming me into your home?”
“Why wait? I was already looking at dress ideas, smoochie poo.” Dashie smiles, going into a drawer, and producing a booklet with the words ‘wedding ideas’. “Just think, soon enough, we will be married!”
“M-m-m-married?!” Zephyr gulps, “I mean, shouldn't we go on a few dates first?!”
“I do love it when you're shy, Zaph-y.” Dash giggles.
“Zaphy?! And since when do you giggle, Rainbows?!”
“Only for you, my snuggle muffin!”
“Alright that's it. This is getting weird. You aren't acting like you…where's that.page. I need to fix this.” Zephyr looks around but can't find the page anywhere.
“You're so silly smoopy-poo. Let's go pick out our cake!” Rainbow Dash pulls the very uncomfortable Zephyr away.
(+1 page for Chaos)