Sister thread: >>27899883

(1/3)
>You are Glory Cascade. You were born a unicorn mare and raised in the Halean Empire's capital city of Triana, or what few history enthusiasts may remember as Manehattan.
>Anyways, you joined the Imperial Guard at 18. You thought it the best way to exercise your talent of motivating others and even make the guard appear a little less scary.
>You never were the intimidating type anyway. You're actually quite cute.
>Maybe a bit less cute in plate armor, but that’s debatable.
>Now, after a little over 2 years in the guard you feel as if your superiors have taken notice of your dedication.

>>27899906
(2/3)
>Your eyes slowly flutter open.
>You feel the warmth of the sun on your body coaxing you awake, the last remnants of your dreams being chased away by the muffled yelling entering your quarters from the hall. You brush the peach strands of mane away from your face and rub your eyes as the sound becomes clearer.
>"Surprise inspection! Front and center, cadets!"
>You leap out of the covers faster than you ever have before. You've dealt with this kind of inspection many times but it’s not the inspection that startles you. It's the fact that this voice isn't the voice of your commander.
>You pull your lucky hair tie off your foreleg and quickly wrap your mane into a ponytail as you do every morning. You loved nothing more in the world than that hair tie. Your mother gave it to you on the day you enlisted in the Imperial Guard and, unfortunately, it is the last thing you have to remember her by.
>You take a quick look at your cream colored coat to make sure you haven't drooled on yourself in your sleep. With a deep breath, you put on your game face, pull the door open, and instantly stand at attention.

>>27899914
(3/3)
>Your eyes dart left and right, searching for the source of the masculine voice. To your left and two doors down you see a beefy looking stallion in uniform sporting an impressive goatee and a chest lined with medals. You swallow a both excited and terrified scream. This was Steel Forge, the High Constable of the Empire and its highest ranking officer.
>Running through your mental checklist, you make sure there is nothing about your stance that can bring unwanted attention to you. Hooves properly spaced, stand tall, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back, chin high.
>As you do this the High Constable moves one room closer to yours.
>Raw fear washes over you as you realize that your personal quarters are about to be inspected by the highest ranking officer in this half of Equestria.
>Panicking, you revert your mind to the state of your room the night before.

> Are you the type of pony to polish your armor? Sweep the floor? How did you leave your quarters?

>>27899927
>taken notice of your dedication
Of course we take care of ourself. Although I'm not sure if we made our bed since we were in such a hurry.

>>27899927
We're not a neat freak, but we certainly meet standards.
No half measures from us.

>Phew!
>As you run the events of last night through your head you specifically remember hanging your armor and organizing your storage locker.
>Of course there will be some dirt and dust around but nothing that could get you scrubbing toilets.
>You breathe a sigh of relief, one that you immediately suck back in at the sound of approaching hoofsteps.
>As your eyes swing back front your catch both a mare and a stallion standing at attention down the hall.
>You try to lock eyes with your best friend and give them a reassuring glance.

>Who is your partner?

>>27900345
You just asking for a gender or more?

>>27900345
Our lanky and enthusiastic erf pony stallion. He's been our buddy since childhood.

>>27900345
Our cheerful stallion friend of course.
His name is Baked Beans.

(1/2)
>You make eye contact with the Earth Pony stallion, Baked Beans.
>Looking back at you, Beans gives the hint of a smile and a little nod.
>He's been your on duty partner ever since you joined together.
>Your ability to motivate others and Beans' cheery nature play off each other really well.
>You can't help but give a little grin back.
>"That your coltfriend over there soldier?"
>Your body tenses up as you realize who is now in front of you.
"No, sir!"
>His light grey goatee seemed to reflect the small amount of sunlight entering the barracks, making him look slightly more threatening.
>"That's good. Your commander here tells me you work well together. Don't want that to be ruined by any citations now do we?"
"No, sir!"
>He peeks over your head and into your room, which is not very difficult for the towering stallion.
>"Get that floor swept cadet. You don't want to be returning to a dirty room no do you? Good work."
"Thank you sir!"
>He turns toward your commander and nods before continuing back down the hall.

(2/2)
>You set your tray down and sit on the mess hall seat next to Beans as he shovels oatmeal into his mouth.
>Beans turns his head toward you.
>"Where do you think the big man is sending us?" He gets out in between mouthfuls.
"Who knows, I won't complain as long as we get to walking. Standing does a number on the joints."
>He shoves some more food in his mouth.
>"Mmhmm"
>You pause a moment before a thought hops in your head.
"Maybe we're going out of the city! I heard there's some bandits threatening the farms, and they might need help patrolling the roads."
>As you finish your sentence you notice the ponies at the next table over looking at you and whispering to one another.
>When your gaze meets theirs they quickly turn away as if nothing has happened.
>Beans seems to have noticed them as well.
>You shrug it off at first, not wanting to make a scene while the High Constable is in the building, but it is really starting to bother you.

>>27901140
When will they stop spreading rumors of us being a couple?

>>27901140
Ignore them, it's not hurting us. At least as far as we know...

(1/3)
"When will they stop spreading rumors of us being a couple?"
>"Come on Glory, who doesn't like a little shipping now and again? Hmmm"
>He gives you a suggestive look and inches his face closer to yours.
>You counter with an unimpressed look of your own and push his muzzle away with a hoof.
>You're used to this kind of teasing, though.
>You've been friends with Beans for as long as you can remember and neither of you would ever do anything to jeopardize that.
"I guess it doesn't really matter, it's not hurting us in any way."
>You shrug and continue eating the rest of your food.

(2/3)
>A meteor!
>The High Constable of the Guard personally came to your barracks, hoof picked your patrol team, and is sending you out with confidential orders to escort caravans holding pieces of a meteor back to the capital.
>You were told the trip will be about a day long there and back.
>This is so surreal.
>Apparently a meteor landed in the forest to the East just a few nights ago and an excavation team is already on site mining away.
>You can't help but wonder why this is such a big deal that required personal recruitment from Steel Forge.
>The fact that there are other caravans as well that aren't taking the same route as you is strange too.
>Chill out Glory.
>Don't ask questions.
>You are guardpone.
>You guard stuff.
>This is actually your job.

(3/3)
>You slip into the familiar coziness of your armor's chest piece.
>Thank the heavens you got that armor adjustment last month.
>If it doesn't fit snug it chafes when you walk.
>And you are about to do a lot of walking.
>You pull out your hair tie and put it in your mouth as your peach mane falls on your shoulders.
>You take care in folding your mane into your helmet.
>You hate helmet hair.
>Once everything is in place, you slide the elastic ring onto your foreleg and look in the mirror.
>Your light blue eyes follow your leg down to the hair tie of the same color.
>Would she be proud of you?
>Probably.
>She always said you would do something great.
>Maybe getting picked for this job is the first step.

>You and Beans decide to make one last stop at the armory.
>Saddlebags, check.
>Food, check.
>Sword, check.

>Do you grab anything else or do you head straight out for duty?

>>27902313
Get a map of the area and do we know if there are any reports of bandits on our route.

>>27902313
Grab a spear. What type of armor are we wearing? Is it like in the show?

(1/2)
>You head over to the spear rack and pick out the sharpest one you can find before slinging it across your back.
>You bite down on another spear before tossing it to Beans.
"There are bandits on the road after all. You can never be too careful."
>He slides the spear onto his back as well.
>"Good idea! Now if a wild animal tries to carry you off I wont have to save you."
"H-hey! We went through the same training! We're on the same skill level!"
>"That's exactly how I know you would be screwed."
"Y-you...b-but..."
>He snickers at your frustration as you both head for the door.

(2/2)
>You meet the caravan master at the gate.
>A white stallion with a grey mane introduces himself as Ivory Ring.
>You pay close attention as he pulls out a map and explains to you the route you will be taking, doing your best to remember the details.
>While bandits have not been known to attack this area, they don't exactly have any borders to follow, so you remind yourself to stay alert.
>The wooden creak of the city gate opening tells you its time to go.
>You and Beans bump hooves and take your places on either side of the carriage as it rolls into the forest.

That'll be it for now. But don't fret! I'm planning on being back at midnight EST to do some more. That's when the story is actually gonna pick up, hopefully. Now is the time to let me know what I'm doing wrong or what you wish I was doing to help me get better. I really appreciate it. Make sure you check out this thread as well. It might explain some stuff.
>>27899883 (Cross-thread)

>>27902819
This quest hold my interest better than your sisterquest. It's going well so far.

>>27902819
>>27902734

A great piece of advice is to put "CYOA" somewhere in your OP's. Helps me find it to bump it.

Bamp.

>>27902819
Enjoy the trip

beb

bumping from 10.

>>27905487

Shameless self-bump. I'm back and writing the next section now.

(1/2)
>You've lived in Triana all your life, so you've come accustomed to the cold, dead concrete that makes up most of the city.
>You thought the land outside those walls would look a little livelier than what it turned out to be but there's no point in putting yourself down over it.
>Pushing the thought aside, you decide to just enjoy the fresh air and the sound of rustling leaves.
>Ivory Ring did break the silence every once and a while to share tall tales and ghost stories of the surrounding area.
>He told stories of ponies being turned to stone in the forest as well as a massive castle rumored to have been rumored been ruined even before the alicorn sisters left nearly 1000 years ago.
>In the distance you can just make out a small clearing.
>"I reckon this is where we load up. Thank y'all for keeping me safe this far."
"It's our pleasure, sir."

(2/2)
>As the carriage pulls into the clearing, you're taken aback by the sight of the crater.
>Its size could easily dwarf a small house.
>In the center of the crater rest a large meteor, still smoking despite how long it's been sitting.
>As you approach, ponies climb down the scaffolding and begin loading your carriage with strange rocks.

>Do you try to investigate what it is you will be transporting or maintain your post?

Stay where you are.
Both the thread and the pone.

(1/2)
>Despite the urge to know what must be so important to the Empire, you stand your post.
>You are a professional.
>There's no need to go sticking your nose in places they don't belong like some kind of filly in a candy shop.
>After you're all loaded up, you glance back at the breathtaking sight before returning to your position at the front of the carriage.

>You begin your trip back to the city in the late afternoon.
>You're still a little giddy over the events of today.
>You're part of a confidential operation of the Empire, and with the size of that meteor, this operation isn't ending anytime soon.
>They even hinted a promotion for both you and Beans!

(2/2)
>It's getting dark now as you feel a tap on your left shoulder.
>You turn to see Beans with his nose scrunched up.
>"Uh... H-hey Glory..."
"Hey"
>"I-is it alright if we change positions for a while? Those rocks smell like ass."
"You're the type to know what ass smells like."
>"Hey, there's a huge difference between the mare and stallion bathrooms in the barracks. But seriously, can we switch before I throw up?"

>>27907114
Sure. Do you feel any worse for wear besides feeling nauseous?

"Sure. Do you feel any worse for wear besides feeling nauseous?"
>"No I'm alright. Thanks, Glory.
>You stop trotting for a second and allow the carriage to pass.
>As it passes by, you are certain you hear whispers coming from inside the canvas exterior.
>"Stargazer, here, catch."
>You watch in confusion as a stone plate spirals out of the carriage and into the mouth of a steel blue pony behind the carriage.

Hey guys. Wrapping up for now. This is where the action picks up, so hopefully the quality does too. Hit me up with critiques. Don't forget to read this thread. >>27899883

>>27907415
Are they a part of the crew that's working on this operation? If not than we should be after them.

>>27907415
Wait, are they stealing?

>You start to panic.
>Another pony with a ash colored coat and grey mane jump out of the carriage.
>They both take off sprinting, the original carrying the stone tablet in her mouth.
"Beans!"
>His head jerks around at your sudden outburst to see the two thief ponies running deeper into the forest.
>You both start galloping after them as fast as your legs will allow.
>The chase is on.
>You duck and jump over a variety of obstacles in pursuit of the two.
>Beans runs up next to you and manages to get some words out in between gasps for air.
>"You paid more attention than I did in training, what's our plan?"

>>27908808
throw things at them

>>27908808
We gotta keep after them. Don't do anything that would slow us down or let us lose sight of them.

Do we know where they might be going?

"We have to just stay on their tail. We can't afford to lose sight of them!"
>They seem to be running into a deeper part of the forest.
>They begin to swerve in and out of the trees, making it harder to keep your eyes locked on.
>You force yourself to focus.
>With such important orders there's no way you can let them get away.
>A burst of energy runs through your veins.
>You got this.
>You take advantage of their movement, lower you head, and charge.
>You start to gain ground.

>>27909319
Keep it up. We're trained guards, we can do this.

>>27909319
Both follow the one with the tablet. It's more important than they are and she's have a harder time getting away.

>>27909624
This, and be cautious. Don't get tripped up or smacked by anything they might try in desperation to get away.

>Don't worry Glory, you can catch these thugs no problem.
>You continue to weave through obstacles, trying not to let your armor weigh you down.
>Aha!
>The four of you reach a clearing, and you wonder for a second why the thieves have stopped running.
>You look past them and see a sharp drop off blocking their escape.
"Beans! I think we've got them cornered!"
>"There's a bridge right there you doofus!"
>You look again and he's right, but the two of them do nothing to cross it.
>You cautiously close in on the two, just in case they attempt anything crazy.

>>27909790
Beans, run to the bridge, try to head them off in case they try it.

Ask for their surrender, they have nowhere to go. Again if they split up and try to get past us, pin the one with the tablet.

>>27909790
Keep an eye on the one with the tablet. If we bring that back we're still okay.

"Beans, run to--"
>The two of them start running for the rope bridge.
"Dammit!"
>You should of secured it right as you had the chance!
>Stupid, stupid, stupid!
>Okay, it's okay.
>As long as they're in sight, you can pull it back in.
>All you need is that tablet and everything will be fine.
>There's no choice but to pursue.
>Beans is quick on his hooves, making it halfway to the bridge before you even get your first step in.
>Right as the pony with the tablet makes it fully across, a board gives underneath the weight of Beans and his equipment.

Gotta go for now, we'll be back later today. Thanks for everything guys!

>>27910260
Beans, hold on!

Honestly, this is bad. If it can't hold his weight, getting on the bridge would be suicide for us.
Strip as much as we can as quickly as we can, then rush out onto the bridge to help.

Best case, whatever board he grabs onto can hold his weight and he can use his military training to hold on long enough.

>>27910260

Drop our spear and armor if we can quickly enough and race across! We're a trained guard, we can take them without our equipment if need be. The important thing is not letting them get away.

beb

>>27911198

>>27912428

>>27913091

"Beans, hold on!"
>No no no no no!
>Think fast, Glory.
>If the bridge can't hold him, it won't hold you either.
>You have no other option than to take off all your armor and go help him.
>You struggle to pull off your helmet as your sweaty hooves glide along the sleek metal surface.
>The helmet pops off and your mane falls to cover some of your vision.
>As you hastily slide out of the rest of your armor, you look back to Beans.
>He's hanging onto a single board for dear life, but what surprises you is the same grey pony you were just chasing, is now leaning down in front of him.
>"Come on! Lock hooves with me!" she yells.
>"What are you doing?"
>"Just do it already!"
>Now, void of all excess weight, you rush over to Beans and take your position to help pull him up.
>With a few heaves, the two of you manage to lift him out of certain doom and back onto solid ground.

>What should you do with the mare?

>>27913862
Thank her for her help. It would be shitty to take advantage of that by jumping her.
Just calmly ask her why they stole that plate and what they want with it.

>>27913875

See >>27914179

>>27913778
Sister thread gets a bump too, even if it doesn't need it as much.

"Thank you"
>Beans collapses onto the ground and rolls onto his back.
>"Yeah thanks, I prefer life."
>"...Yeah."
>The three of you spend the next few moments recovering from the whole ordeal.
"Why don't we all just calm down for a moment."
>You look the mare in the eye and catch an apprehensive look.
"Look, we're not going to hurt you."
"We just want to know why you stole from us and what you want with that tablet."
>"I'm sorry but I can't tell you that."

>>27914649
Oh come on. You can't know what that thing is anymore than we do. What made you think just grabbing something like that was a good idea?
It could be dangerous!

>You let out a sharp huff, making it clear that you didn't like her answer.
"Come on! You can't know what that thing is anymore than we do!"
>The mare shakes her head.
>"You're right, I don't, but that's why I took it."
"But what made you think that that was a good idea? It could be dangerous!"
>She doesn't reply.

>"Aw come on Glory, don't give the pretty mare such a hard time."
>You raise an eyebrow to Bean's comment, and he fails to keep in a smile.
>"Sorry, did I make you jealous?"
"You little..."
>You calm yourself before you get a chance to club him upside the head.
"Okay. So what're we gonna do now? We aren't leaving until we get that tablet back."
>The mare shifts in her position.
>"I'm afraid that we can't do that and you know it. We have interests in it as well."

>>27915476
Yeah well you're a thief and and I'm a guard who's gonna get in six different kinds of trouble if I don't get it back, so you'll forgive me if I think my interests are more important!

Yo OP, do we get an update too?

"Yeah well, you're a thief and and I'm a guard who's gonna get in six different kinds of trouble if I don't get it back, so you'll forgive me if I think my interests are more important!"
>The mare takes a step back and assumes a defensive stance.
>"Well what do you expect to happen? We give it back and then we all go home, pretending nothing ever happened?"
>Before you can retort, Beans gets up onto his haunches and shushes you quiet.
>"Okay whatever-your-name-is, we don't want no trouble, but we can't help you if we don't know what you want."
>The mare stands silent for a while, but her body slightly relaxes.
>Beans, you smooth talker!
>She stands up straight and opens her mouth to reply, but she is interrupted by the sound of a pony across the bridge.
>"Asha! Are you okay!?"
>The three of you look to see the mare's partner in crime.
>"Yeah!"
>The pony across the bridge opens her saddlebags and calls out.
>"You two! Guards! I have your ransom right here!"
>She pulls out the same tablet that you saw flying out of the carriage.

>>27917965
Look, Asha, I'm grateful for what you did for Beans, but I can't go back empty handed.
If we get the tablet, we're not going to chase you or anything. That's not the job we were given.
You... can look at it before we go.

>>27917965
Accept her offer, but be wary of the possibility of it being a trap.

>>27918107
>You... can look at it before we go.
Why should we let her? She tried to steal it.

>>27918589
As thanks for allowing herself to be caught to help Beans.

"Look, Asha, I'm grateful for what you did for Beans, but I can't go back empty handed."
>Asha nods in acknowledgement.
"If we get the tablet, we're not going to chase you or anything. That's not the job we were given. You... you can look at it before we go."
>She stays silent.
"Beans, make sure she doesn't pull anything on us."
>Beans promptly walks to meet the mare at the bridge.
>A flash of concern flashes on Asha's face before she turns around.
>"Don't do anything stupid, Stargazer!"

>>27918998
Beans, grab the tablet so we can go.

>>27919026
And it probably shouldn't be necessary to suggest this, but put our armor back on.

"Beans, grab the tablet so we can go."
>He complies and meets Stargazer at the bridge.
>You decide to take the time to put your armor back on, it's not best to return home without your equipment.
>You place the chest piece on you back and secure it around your barrel with a strap.
>The helmet easily slide onto your head after you fold your hair into it.
>Once you're done, Beans has the tablet and the two thieves have regrouped.
>You thank the gods that things didn't go worse.
>You reach out for the tablet, and Beans gladly hoofs it over to you.
>Immediately, it start to glow wildly as a purple gem embedded into the tablet casts light in every direction.
>Your mind gets flooded and you can't think.
>A splitting pain tears your head apart.

>>27919305
don't think, try to let it wash over you and see if it passes

>>27919305
There's nothing to do but let it happen and hope we don't die.

>>27919305
We're near a drop. Hit the dirt so we don't stumble off.

>You relax your body and allow yourself to hit the ground.
>You've never felt anything like this before.
>Clearing your mind, you hope it will be over soon.
>Even with your eyes closed, all you can see is white.

We're calling it here. The end of "chapter one". I say we because I'm sure everyone has at least looked at the other thread by now (Glory best pone). This isn't going to be an episodic type of thing, but we hope you liked this huge introduction to the real quest. I'll probably start a new thread for the next section of the story, unless you guys think I should do otherwise. How do you think it's going? Hit us with criticism hard. It only makes us get better.

>>27919578
The two thread thing is weird. Dunno if I like it, but I like the guards more than the thieves so far at least.

>>27919578
Glory is a best. My biggest regret is that I haven't gotten the chance to characterize her yet. Mainly because you two run when I'm either at work or asleep.