You step through the portal and are blinded by sunlight streaming through towering stained glass windows. Getting your bearings, you realize you now stand on four wobbly hooves in the center of an ornate marble hall. This is no secret base - you are in a grand castle throne room.
At the far end sits an immense winged alicorn pony, white as snow, who gazes down with an imposing air. "Welcome," she bids in a magisterial voice that echoes off the vaulted ceilings. Her jeweled hoofsteps ring out as she descends from the throne, her ethereal rainbow mane wavering.
With a pop, Agent Sweetie Drops appears beside you. "Our newest recruit," she announces, then whispers "Sure we can't have them?"
The towering alicorn waves a dismissive hoof, golden shoes glinting. "Equestria has need of them. I had hoped a pony of alien mind would come sooner." She looms nearer, her presence both beautiful and intimidating.
"Equestria faces grave threats. You may be the solution we need." Her piercing cyan eyes seem to gaze straight through you. Dappled sunlight filters through the stained glass, bathing the hall in prismatic hues. What have you gotten yourself into?
"You've already sacrificed much coming this far," the alicorn says, her voice echoing around the vaulted hall. "Complete this task successfully, and you will never lack for anything - this I swear."
She steps closer, her lavender eyes locked with yours. "Brave warrior of a distant realm, listen closely..."
The alicorn describes a grave threat facing Equestria, a wrong that must be righted. It sounds daunting, but achievable. With your unique skills, even transformed, you are the best chance to succeed where ponies alone cannot.
You stand tall and affirm your willingness to take on this vital mission. For your new home and its people, you will face the coming challenges without hesitation. The alicorn sees the resolution in your gaze. "Then go forth with our blessings."
As you turn to leave the gleaming throne room, a sense of purpose lifts your hooves. Far from home, you have found a new cause to fight for, filled with possibility. Come what may, you will prove yourself worthy of the faith placed in you this day.
The End, or really, the beginning, but that's another story entirely.
Yay! I reached one of The End's! Chapter 23
Cheers David. This was an interesting read so far.
11753549
Really really sorry Twilight. My mind wanders a lot. I wish there was another way. You kept making really good points.
I wanted there to be something ,anything you missed. :( Something that makes being a human actually feasible in the long term.
Even not for me, for someone else. A new path. A new opportunity. Permission to hug you and for you to walk me to the tunnel so I can become a pony? And hopefully I'll make sense of whatever Muffins gave me and see her again.
11753582
Aw! Is your world more accepting of ponies? Perhaps I could visit yours instead? If it's open to such things, then that would cause little issue. Oh! I should have asked to start. Maybe your world is already dimensionally aware. That would resolve a lot of this.
11753585
I just am an optimistic weirdo that's heard legends of unicorns and pegasi. Plus I find some furry animals easier to approach then people. Not everyone's like that.
My world isn't dimensionally aware. It's generally not safe; dictators wanting to rise to power, numerous diseases your body probably isn't immune against, poachers, plus what if something in the atmosphere kills you. Suffice to say it's a terrible idea for you to come.
Sorry Twilight.
11753602
That sounds like an... interesting world. Is that how you got here? Let's put that aside. If your people did you so little favors, why are you so eager to keep them held close? Why not just join us? It's not as if a pony becomes less of a pony when you're a pony yourself. If you enjoy physical affection, I know a few who could help you with that.
11753513
You know, they could get paid, but not with bits. The Crown calculates his salary to his work, and instead of giving him bits, offer a list for the human to requisition, lime a house, daily food deliveries, etc. That solves the problem. And, eventually, noting would stop Bon Bon from hiring a human to make human sweets at her shop.
11753608
It's very simple.
Just because some people may be truly awful does not mean there isn't good in the world. And if somehow someday someone arrives that may be a good fit for Equestria that doesn't want to lose who they are, I want there to be welcome here. Rather be subjected to who knows what.
In the end, it isn't about me. It's about others.
11753618
What an interesting idea... But would they be happy having somepony else do the spending for them?
11753629
Happy? No. But Sweet Drops may have specified this would happen if he chose to remain human. They wouldnt gave bits, but he would say, written, what he wanted on a form. Then he would receive it. No questions asked - unless sometibg absolutely dangerous, like involving black magic. They wouldnt be happy, but that is the tradeoff.
You know, if they got some sort of credit card for limited expenses, it would alleviate the problem. A corporate card so to speak.
11753646
Sweetie drops? How do you know about her? When was she part of this conversation?
Okay, just got to the ending here. This is such FUN! I've gotta go pick at the other choices now~