CYOA: A Day in Ponyville

You march. Well, okay, you don't march at all. Snips and Snails are loyally pulling you along in a cart. Your soldiers march ahead of you as you ascend the mountain towards Canterlot.

At the very front, is a peculiar pony. One who talks to herself. She looks like a scribe. The unfortunate, unlucky one who would document your new kingdom. "In the year that has passed since the queen claimed power over the Equestrian Kingdoms, there have—"

You stop paying attention to them. You had just gotten there, but some embellishments were just natural. Besides, you had another pressing concern. At the top of the hill sat a heavily decorated fortress. From here, it looks more like an opera house than a castle.

There's no mistaking what this was. Canterlot and its gates. If you couldn't get past them, your conquest would be ended. With a firm glare, you demand the best efforts from your army. They push onward with a rising chorus of battle cries and horns blaring. The thick oak doors opened for you to walk right in.

Had they realized how superior your forces are compared to them? Probably. You came into Canterlot with great fanfare. The crowds cheer at your approach. You put on a winning smile and trot into town with your head held high.

Approaching you is Celestia, her wings spread and a smile on her face. You smile in return, wondering if she had come to personally surrender. That was the best-case scenario, but you know there were many alternatives. You just hoped they didn't involve your head being on a spike somewhere.

"Welcome to Canterlot," Celestia says as she opens her arms wide. "It is not often that we have a new princess, especially one that manages to uplift themselves, and come to me without aid. What a truly special pony you are."

You nod eagerly, excited by her compliments. "I appreciate that, Princess Celestia. I really do." You did feel more than a little relieved to have gotten this far.

"My sister had some words about you." She inclined her head at the castle. "You'll speak with her later, no doubt. But there is one thing missing."

Celestia casts a spell over you. It's warm and inviting. It touches your heart. And then the rest of you. Magic, raw and powerful, pours through you. Your magic wells up inside of you. You feel dizzy from the powerful rush. "What are you doing? This is incredible!"

She smirks down at you. "Go on, dear pony. Show us what you're made of." She flares her wings wide and steps aside.

You blink, then cease to exist, simply vanishing.

Celestia turns to the rest of your army. "I have sent her to the last and final test. If she passes, she will be a princess, accepted by all. If not, well, you have served your queen well."

The army cheers for her words. But then one says what they're all thinking. "Wait, what's that mean?"

Meanwhile, you look around in surprise. You're in a field of countless stars glittering all around you in every direction.

A ghostly figure forms before you. Luna becomes more visible as she steps towards you with no sound to her hoofsteps. She smiles softly. "Greetings, young unicorn. It is not often that a pony such as yourself is chosen to be a princess. A task not given, but one earned through great feats of valor and bravery."

You reach up, feeling something missing. The tiara, it's gone. You're alone, with only your own thoughts. "How did I get here? Great feats? What did I do?!"

"It is rare, but some have proven worthy. Others do not wish the burden of the crown, nor the demands of leadership. For some, it is a title, not a burden. The choice is yours." Luna leans in, touching her horn to yours. "But you are here. Be proud, for you are the first pony I have had the privilege of walking down this path."

"Where does it lead?" You look at all the stars and shimmering darkness.

Luna steps away from you, standing tall with her wings spread. "It leads to a future of limitless potential, and a place among the elite." She brushes your side with a stretched wing. "Do you feel lost? I have felt this. Perhaps this is why my sister chose me for this task. We will walk side by side. Tell me, how does this feel?"

"I don't know," you admit. You rub your front hooves together. "This all happened so fast. I remember, being just another pony. There was a tiara, and I thought I could, um, had to take control. I'm so sorry! I know I wasn't supposed to do that."

She moves around you, still smiling softly. "Perhaps. But you are here now. Perhaps it was destiny, perhaps the plan of some higher power, or the result of choice. Does it matter? What is done is done. Now you must make a choice." She put a hoof on your shoulder. "You are here, and regret the ills, and look forward, I hope, to better days. They are days you can help bring closer."

You nod. "What do I have to do?"

Luna begins the slow walk towards destiny, with you at her side.

Equestria would cheer for you.

The End.