The Third Choice
Chapter 1: Two Choices Given, the Third One Taken
By UltimaReborn
My life wasn't particularly bad or particularly good. It was rather average in all honesty. We had quite a streak of bad luck over the past several years however. We were poor, relying on a government program to pay the five-hundred plus dollar rent in the shit hole known as One Oak Townhouses. My mom had bought the old falling apart car that our neighbor Bob had left behind when he went to live with his sister and brother, the latter of which had moved out about a year ago. Oh, and the best part? We didn't have any money to change or renew the plates. Plus my mom never got back her drivers license after some cop pulled her over and used faulty information to get in trouble. Then there was Frank. The asshole that thought he was the owner of the apartments. He was actually just the handy-man. And that term is lightly used here. He never actually did anything and everyone hated him. He abused a random kid that came over to visit some friends once and that was the last straw. We reported him to the owner of the apartments, Craig. He talked to him and let it slip that we were the ones to report him. After that we only went deeper into the shit. We were getting groceries and then heading home when a 'police officer' came straight out of the parking lot across the road. There was panicking, a crash, *butterflies, a Fox, a severed head*, oh and did I mention I died?
This is the story of how I took the third option, and what I did afterward.
It was dark. Really dark. Except that it was also brighter than the sun. "So this is the Void. Been wondering what it would be like." If you're wondering why this was how I reacted, being dead and all, it was because I was never normal. I saw things, thought things, understood the workings of things that normal people couldn't even comprehend the existence of. I could hear the ancient forces speaking, heard the start whisper, and at times I would gaze into the Dream.
You know most people either don't realize they're dead, or they start flipping out.
"Oh, hello. I'm guessing you're what people have been calling God for the past several thousand years or so?" I asked.
Indeed. Well seeing as you're taking this so well let's get right down to business. Heaven or Hell?
"You know I was reading some fanfiction lately. And in those when people died they got a third option. I'm guessing that there is one?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
Yes there is. Let me guess: Equestria, right?
"Yep."
Okay. Anything specific?
"Yes actually. I'd like to stay human. And be able to use the Invocations. So that would include the failsafe... oh and could I get that hat that I always wanted?" I asked.
Sure. I haven't met a soul like you in a while. Consider it a reward for now whining and asking to go back, and all that what-not about second chances, or it's not my time.
"No problem. And thanks." I responded.
See you some other time. Maybe. Possibly not.
"Yep. Bye and thanks again."
I woke up in a part of what I was assuming to be the Everfree Forest. And it seemed the part that was closest to Poneyville. Great place to be sent back to. If it could be considered sending back since it was my first time here. I get up and start heading toward Poneyville, when I hear a terrified scream. Six to be precise.
I ran toward the screams only to find none other than the Mane Six, seemingly having been interrupted in the middle of a picnic by the manticore that was currently roaring at them. I wondered why Fluttershy hadn't done anything about it when I noticed a pony on the ground with a claw mark on her side. It was Fluttershy.
"Okay that is it!" I bellowed at the manticore. "No creature is gonna hurt Fluttershy and get away with it!" As I yelled I ran at the chimera that was now looking at me and ignoring the girls. Damn manticores. Need their own class instead of just being considered a proper chimera.
"Don't! You'll get killed!" yelled Twilight as I charged. Gonna need to explain things to them later, I thought to myself.
Just before the thing got within ten feet I stopped and decided to try my Invocations.
"That which I seek is eternal slumber, I Invoke: STONE!" I said, pointing two fingers at the manticore. As the Invocation began to take effect, the manticore got me right in the lung with it's stinger.
Once the thing had stoned over I staggered back a bit, feeling the poison going to work even as I began to lose the ability to breath. I turned back to the six most iconic ponies in the world and smiled.
"Like I said: No one hurts Fluttershy and gets away with it." then my eyes rolled up into my head and I blacked out.