-
1.
>Jump over the barrier, walk down the corridor to the left.
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2.
>This one goes on for a while.
-
3.
>Labyrinths like these are always so close together for some reason.
-
4.
>Then there’s the fact that they are seemingly scattered virtually everywhere.
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5.
>Most of these places are apart of various quests.
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6.
>Some of those are freely given, while others, randomly discovered.
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7.
>Adventurers search these to earn fortune, fame, power, and more.
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8.
>The difficulty of them vary greatly, with some being easy, some being hard.
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9.
>No matter the difficulty, they themselves are integral.
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10.
>Because without doing them, there can be no progress in the story.
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11.
>Even the smallest of quests can have a much larger impact overall.
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12.
>Such as assisting a cook in getting supplies for the duke’s birthday, which leads to fighting a dark wizard bent on controlling the world.
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13.
>It’s quests like those that make things interesting.
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14.
>That’s one of the reasons games are so fun to play.
-
15.
>Most ponies say games are too distracting, or even harmful.
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16.
>In the very same breath, they’ll praise books and movies.
-
17.
>They’re all hypocrites.
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18.
>It’s not like any of those can be directly interacted with like a game can be.
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19.
>And what’s cooler, is that in most cases, the player themselves is the hero.
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20.
>It’s there that they can be extraordinary – to be truly special – in a world elsewhere.
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21.
>Isn’t that what everypony yearns for anyways?
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22.
>Yes, of course.
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23.
>Besides, the /real/ world is far worse, and especially far more cruel than any game could ever be.
-
24.
>But here in the game? It’s fair, it’s kind.
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25.
>Friends are here that never desert you.
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26.
>Family is here that never hurts you.
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27.
>Life here is good.
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28.
>You’re the hero.
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29.
>You’re special.
-
30.
>You’re not you.
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31.
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32.
>Sadly, gaming has to stop every now then and then, but it’s only for a short while.
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33.
>Sleep is one reason, and it is annoying.
-
34.
>Have to do it, though.
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35.
>The long cold nights are bearable to get through.
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36.
>Hunger pains are a common form of interruption.
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37.
>Usually eat very little, so it’s not too much of an issue.
-
38.
>Don’t have anypony to talk with about these things however.
-
39.
>Well, that isn’t entirely true.
-
40.
>But that isn’t the point.
-
41.
>Because you don’t need anypony else.
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42.
>The game is all that’s needed.
-
43.
>This current area is so drawn out, wish it wasn’t.
-
44.
>Kinda makes it boring at times.
-
45.
>That tends to wake up sleeping thoughts that should stay asleep.
-
46.
>Alright, gotta pull the lever, then the next room can be accessed for-
-
47.
>A skeleton pops up from seemingly nowhere.
-
48.
>It is swiftly dealt with by the magic blade in your possession.
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49.
>In it’s place, several more crawl out from the earth.
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50.
>One by one, they are taken down.
-
51.
>More take their place each time another falls.
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52.
>This is getting really dicey, gotta watch your health, otherwise-
-
53.
“Darn it!”
-
54.
>Written in red text across the screen is two words, “You Died.”
-
55.
>Gonna have to redo that whole section, AGAIN.
-
56.
>If you were paying more attention, you would’ve remembered that this was an ambush.
-
57.
>And as the hero, mistakes cannot be afforded to be made.
-
58.
>All the ponyfolk back in town are relying on the hero to save them from the dark wizard.
-
59.
>The treasure this place has is essential to beating him.
-
60.
>Although this is your third run of the game, it’s still just as great as the first time around.
-
61.
>The hero, Epona, is awesome.
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62.
>She’s agile, strong, dependable, and skillful; borderline flawless.
-
63.
>Above all else, she isn’t you.
-
64.
>Need to concentrate, the area you died in is coming up again.
-
65.
>Won’t fail this time, just need to circle the skeletons, then-
-
66.
>The screen suddenly turns black.
-
67.
>With it, the world around starts to come back into focus.
-
68.
>No, don’t pay attention to that, go back to the game.
-
69.
>Turning things out, the power button is pressed.
-
70.
>Nothing happens however.
-
71.
>Again it is pressed.
-
72.
>Still nothing.
-
73.
>Again and again it is pressed, each time it ends the same way.
-
74.
>Which only means one thing.
-
75.
>The power cells ran out.
-
76.
“Great, just… great.”
-
77.
>Haven’t been keeping track of it like you should have been doing.
-
78.
>Worst of all, is bell that tolls inside your head.
-
79.
>Your no longer the hero.
-
80.
>You’re no longer special.
-
81.
>You’re you.
-
82.
>Again.
-
83.
>Don’t like that.
-
84.
>Don’t like any of it.
-
85.
>There is /nothing/ good about it, ever.
-
86.
-
87.
>You slip a hoof into your hoodie, and press it against a needle.
-
88.
>Pain clears away the growing fog; giving just enough focus to know what needs to be done.
-
89.
>Have to venture into the market to get new power cells.
-
90.
>Rather stay here where it is safe.
-
91.
>Can’t do that, though.
-
92.
>Sensations begin to creep up around as you sit here.
-
93.
>The first is the itchy, sweatiness that is your body.
-
94.
>It’s immediately followed up with a sharp pain in your gut that forces you to strongly wince.
-
95.
>Not sure when the last time you ate anything, but it’s clear that it’s a problem now.
-
96.
>That’s just something else that will have to be dealt with.
-
97.
>You give yourself a once-over as you put away your game.
-
98.
>Clothes are start to wear out again, need to fix them soon.
-
99.
>Just sow them up later, like you always do.
-
100.
>As for smell, well… it isn’t pleasant.
-
101.
>Doesn’t matter, it’s fine.
-
102.
>Out into the streets you go, with your gaze to the ground.
-
103.
>Various eyes bore into you as you’re walking.
-
104.
>They’re judging you.
-
105.
>I know.
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106.
>They’re disgusted by you.
-
107.
>I know…
-
108.
>They want you gone.
-
109.
>I-I know.
-
110.
>Focus, don’t get sidetracked.
-
111.
>As if things couldn’t get worse, a delicious smelling aroma wafts in your general direction.
-
112.
>In response, a pang of hunger strikes without mercy.
-
113.
>Can’t help but wince slightly.
-
114.
>Keep it together.
-
115.
>Have to do this.
-
116.
>There is no choice.
-
117.
>A large crowd moves about the marketplace up head.
-
118.
>That is both good and bad.
-
119.
>Good because it ensures that more distractions, so less likely to be seen.
-
120.
>Bad because there’s a lot of ponies.
-
121.
>Too many.
-
122.
>Regardless of that, you enter the crowd, and it’s immediately clear that you’re given a wide birth.
-
123.
>Legs keep shaking with each step, head buzzes loudly, with neither stopping.
-
124.
>World is tightening around more and more.
-
125.
>Everypony is drawing closer to you.
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126.
>It’s getting harder to breath.
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127.
>Fire licks away at your trembling form.
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128.
>Sight is fading away.
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129.
>Everything is-
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130.
“NO!”
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131.
>Chest heaves hard, body quakes in tremors, but all in all, you’re still here.
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132.
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133.
>However, here in the middle of the crowd, all eyes are upon you.
-
134.
>A single squeak escapes as you dart off into a nearby alley.
-
135.
>Your heart beats like drums in your ears as they splay back upon your head.
-
136.
>You hide behind a set of trashcans, and hold yourself tightly.
-
137.
>It is awake, the beast, it is eating away your insides.
-
138.
>That’s why there is pain.
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139.
>Never will it stop.
-
140.
>It just waits.
-
141.
>Everything around turns black as you squeeze your eyes shut.
-
142.
>Slowly, you gently rock yourself back and forth.
-
143.
>Shouldn’t have come here.
-
144.
>Shouldn’t exist.
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145.
>There is no choice.
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146.
>For a time, everything else remains quiet.
-
147.
>Eventually, you reopen your eyes to the blurry world around.
-
148.
>Your sleeves dry your eyes, and you shakily stand back upon your hooves.
-
149.
>Need to finish this, fast.
-
150.
>It will be done.
-
151.
>Because you are the hero.
-
152.
>No pony notices when you slip back into the crowd.
-
153.
>Good.
-
154.
>First things first – get food.
-
155.
>That’s the easiest part of all of this.
-
156.
>Second thing to do – get power cells.
-
157.
>The hardest part.
-
158.
>Speaking of which, you can just make out the stall from where you are.
-
159.
>A young mare is running it instead of the owner.
-
160.
>Good.
-
161.
>Some guards are talking with her, though.
-
162.
>Bad.
-
163.
>Will figure out what to do later once you got food.
-
164.
>Various stalls sell various kinds, and best of all, nearly every one of them is crowded.
-
165.
>That makes things a little less difficult, but still not a complete breeze.
-
166.
>After all, it only takes on observant pony to see, then it’s all over.
-
167.
>Now, what to get?
-
168.
>Something small enough to conceal away within your hoodie.
-
169.
>Mouth keeps watering as you eye the different foods.
-
170.
>Brain is fuzzy, just want to eat.
-
171.
>Probably drooling like a zombie.
-
172.
>Don’t care.
-
173.
>Moving along like the aforementioned creature, you slip by a few vendors.
-
174.
>Practice skill comes into play, with several new items now occupying a space close to your body.
-
175.
>Should eat now.
-
176.
>No, not yet.
-
177.
>A quick glance around reveals no pony seems to have noticed.
-
178.
>Good.
-
179.
-
180.
>As you start to make your way around to the next destination, the strongest hunger pain drives you to stumble.
-
181.
>Barely recover enough to move out the way of everypony else.
-
182.
>This is getting worse.
-
183.
>Go off to eat then, that will solve the problem.
-
184.
>Get the cells first.
-
185.
>Going to make mistakes if you keep this up.
-
186.
>Just go, do what needs to be done.
-
187.
>Despite what just happened, everypony around moves on like nothing is wrong.
-
188.
>Why would they ever notice you, other than seeing a piece of trash?
-
189.
>You’re not special.
-
190.
>You’re you.
-
191.
>But you can pretend not to be.
-
192.
>Remember: the hero never stops, they can’t otherwise the world suffers.
-
193.
>The hero suffers alone, it is their burden.
-
194.
>So you too must suffer alone.
-
195.
>Body is very itchy, sweat continues to worsen.
-
196.
>Hunger aggravates everything else further.
-
197.
>In spite of it all, you carry onward.
-
198.
>A prayer from when you were younger echoes quietly inside your mind.
-
199.
>“Celestia, please help me through this.”
-
200.
>No pony else has ever helped before, but if she does?
-
201.
>Well, then… thanks.
-
202.
>Can see the stall again, and the guards are no longer there.
-
203.
>Good.
-
204.
>Mustering everything you have, you *try* to appear normal as you reach the stall.
-
205.
>“Hi there, can I help you with anything?” Says the cheerful voice of the mare.
-
206.
>She doesn’t know you.
-
207.
>Good.
-
208.
>She doesn’t need to.
-
209.
>She will eventually.
-
210.
>Staying silent, you shake your head gently.
-
211.
>Throat is dry.
-
212.
>I know.
-
213.
>Stomach hurts.
-
214.
>I know.
-
215.
>You need to eat.
-
216.
>I know…
-
217.
>You need to get the power cells.
-
218.
>I-
-
219.
>Stop getting distracted!
-
220.
>The needle in your pocket is pressed against your barrel.
-
221.
>It breaths some much needed concentration back.
-
222.
>From the corner of your eye, the mare is keeping an eye on you.
-
223.
>There is no pony else here but you.
-
224.
>Be patient, don’t rush things.
-
225.
>Various titles are brushed over, some interesting, others not so much.
-
226.
>Keep browsing regardless, an opportunity will present itself soon.
-
227.
-
228.
>As if on cue, a young colt accompanied by his mother come up to the stall.
-
229.
>Good.
-
230.
>Just need to wait a little longer.
-
231.
>Nerves may be frayed, pain may be constant, but determination is all you have right now.
-
232.
>The colt begins talking up a storm to the mare running the stall.
-
233.
>There we go.
-
234.
>Leaning forward slightly, a seemingly unassuming scratch of a foreleg does the job.
-
235.
>With that, you carefully, and calmly, retreat into the crowd.
-
236.
>Each step is very shaky, unfocused.
-
237.
>A dull ringing is in your ears, it won’t stop.
-
238.
>It will pass once you get home, so keep going.
-
239.
>Some color from nearby draws your attention, though once you see it, prettification takes hold.
-
240.
>A large group of guards are coming your way.
-
241.
>Instincts take over instantly, with you breaking out of the crowd, and immediately sprinting away.
-
242.
>Each leg aches badly, along with your lungs that burn terribly, but there can be no stopping, there can’t be.
-
243.
>There is no choice.
-
244.
>Into the alleyways, around street corners, and through backyards you go.
-
245.
>Reflexes just barely prevent accidents.
-
246.
>Shouting is seemingly coming from all directions.
-
247.
>Every voice oozes with venom; the very same venom that’s been spewed your way since you were little.
-
248.
>They’re going to catch you.
-
249.
>No.
-
250.
>They’ll find what you really are.
-
251.
>No!
-
252.
>They’ll lock you up in that terrible, terrible place.
-
253.
>NO!
-
254.
>The asylum awaits.
-
255.
>Vision rapidly begins to dissolve into a blurred mess.
-
256.
>Can just barely make out greenery around through the pain.
-
257.
>It’s-
-
258.
>…
-
259.
>…
-
260.
>…
-
261.
>Sounds.
-
262.
>Thoughts.
-
263.
>Feelings.
-
264.
>Pain.
-
265.
>So. Much. Pain.
-
266.
>Every part of you is agony, especially your lungs.
-
267.
>Looming over you, is a dark unicorn mare.
-
268.
>Her steel blue eyes burn into you, “...welcome home…”
-
269.
“NO!”
-
270.
>Your words banish her in an instant.
-
271.
>Clarity takes the reigns, and with it, everything else around comes into focus.
-
272.
>There are no pale walls around; only grass, stones, bushes, and trees.
-
273.
>You must have crashed face first into here.
-
274.
>Guess you blacked out.
-
275.
-
276.
>Nearby, nestled between a set of trees is a something you are very familiar with.
-
277.
>Those boxes, all cobbled together, you know them.
-
278.
>It’s then that you realize exactly where you are.
-
279.
>This is home.
-
280.
>Fear forces your ears to twitch about to listen carefully.
-
281.
>No pony else is around here.
-
282.
>It’s just you.
-
283.
>Which means one of two things – either you lost your pursuers, or there was no pony chasing you to begin with.
-
284.
>Of course, it’s the former, it has to be.
-
285.
>You’re not crazy.
-
286.
>You are not your si-
-
287.
>Your hoof makes contact with the needle in your pocket, thus silencing that thought.
-
288.
>Alongside it, are the items acquired from the marketplace.
-
289.
>Despite the pain, a sigh of relief escapes from your lips.
-
290.
“...quest complete.”
-
291.
>An apple is withdrawn, and is greedily devoured within seconds.
-
292.
>Something hot and wet rolls down your cheeks.
-
293.
>Ignore it like the beast inside is ignore.
-
294.
>Another piece of food is eaten hastily.
-
295.
>Would go for another, but you must exercise restraint to save the rest for later.
-
296.
>Legs hurt too much to stand up, so you crawl into your home.
-
297.
>Still feel really itchy, need to remedy that.
-
298.
>Your hoodie is removed, and a coolness washes over your body.
-
299.
>It does little in the wake of the pain coursing through you, but it certainly feels better.
-
300.
>The power cells are replaced in your game, then the button is pressed.
-
301.
>The screen lights up, so does everything else around begin to fade away.
-
302.
>You can be hero.
-
303.
>You can be special.
-
304.
>You can not be you, Bambi.
-
305.
>This is fun.
-
306.
>This is right.
-
307.
>This is all that matters.
-
308.
>There is no choice.
-
309.
>Ever.
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon
by NHanon