Disembodied Anon CYOA

>Day 113 in equestria
>you've been a ghost this whole time, able to speak, but having no body or form to speak of.
>you've been silently watching a pony eat breakfast for a while
>it seems a little creepy, but when you don't eat or sleep having something to cement in what time it is can do wonders
>floating downtown, you go through your day
>you've got three children to visit as their imaginary friend, but they won't be out of school until this afternoon
>you loved little cherry stem. She always made you laugh. You must have played cops and robbers for hours yesterday.
>before then...you had scheduled a chess match with Tabletop at the asylum- he's a bit crazy, but he'll believe in you without question
>he's got killer game too. You haven't beaten him yet

>hmm...you could haunt the old Tooley place!
>when you first arrived you tried to reveal yourself to the couple that lived there.
>they ended up...well...moving away.
>their screams and threats woke up everyone in town until you accidentally spooked the social worker investigating them
>you still feel bad about that, but they're living in a better town now
>regardless, there are teen ponies who sneak to the house on dares
>every once in a while, you make it interesting.
>can't have peoplebelieving you don't exist, can you?

>That was the last time you really tried to get help, or make people understand
>since then you've been careful for who you hang with
>you hang out at the hospital some days, hoping to cheer up some of the more critical patients with your songs
>it's a sad life, but as long as others are happy... you can be too.
>anyway, you've got a day to plan...
>where to first?

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE:

DO YOU

A: Visit the school and check up on your kids
B: Play chess with TableTop
C: Haunt the Tooley Place
D: Visit the hospital
E. Wander aimlessly around town


#### Thread Chose B


>you figure that tabletop wouldn't mind your being a bit early
>it's not like he has much else to do
>you float south across manehatten toward the mental health facility
>It's a fine morning
>you approach the facility very shortly
>the place is painted white, a stark contrast from the brick-heavy city plan
>you fly in through Tabletop's window, the iron bars give you no trouble as you can slip easily through them
Good morning, Tabletop!
>the pinkish pony sits up from his bed, smiling like a child
>"I wasn't sure you'd return, friend!"
What, after you tried to maim me with a flowerpot? It takes more than that to get rid of me!
>Tabletop chuckles sincerely

>You had met him while touring town. He had his own house back then
>he had forgotten to turn off his oven, and you saw the fumes coming out of his house
>as you reminded him, you were struck at how he took you in stride- until you stayed around him more
>Tabletop appeared to have Alzheimer's (or whatever they call it in Equestria) or some serious memory problem
>after having to remind him of things constantly and nearly save his life a time or two, you decided to get him taken care of
>it was a simple matter. all you had to do was get him in public and start an argument
>someone called the police and he was taken away
>he was furious at being taken to the facility, but after he...forgot, he seemed to enjoy himself there
>somehow he still remembers you

So, are you ready to match wits?
>"I was ready when you were still in diapers, you ruddy, base-minded peckerhead
We'll see about that, you old, daft codger!
>Tabletop reaches under the table and produces a chessboard and a set of glass pieces
>"I never did understand why you needed me to move your pieces"
I'm just too clumsy. The pieces'd fall through me
>he sets up your game
>you can see the happiness in his eyes
Alright, since I lost last time, I'll be white
>"very well"

pawn to D4!
>Tabletop reached for his thinking cap- which made him look like some sort of elf-and replied
>"Ah ha! pawn to D5!
>he moved yours, and then his.
pawn to F4.
>"Hmm...interesting. Knight to F6."
>you audibly winced.
>"what, are you in danger already? At least let me play a dozen turns before you concede!"
>that old bastard
No, I'm just wincing at your old-fashioned openings. Surely you can think of something more creative than that!
>He smiles, and leans back
>"flattery will get you nowhere, but oh...don't let that stop you!"
Pawn to E3
>"Ha! the Stonewall attack? That is an easy counter! pawn to C5!"
>Damn.
>the game runs on for hours. you lost ground early, but Tabletop let you regroup your pieces
>why does he keep toying with you?
>in any case, after an hour or so he won the game
>after some name-calling and accusatory statements, you floated out in a huff

>but you couldn't help but smile for him. He beat you fair and square...again.

DO YOU

F: go to lunch (or at least pretend to)
G: explore the rest of the mental facility

OR ANY PREVIOUS LETTER


#### Thread Chose C


>you need to blow off some steam after that humiliating game with Tabletop
>the old Tooley place is up on the west end of town
>You float over the overgrown building and remember what you did to them
>this is a reminder to you of the harm you can do to ponies

>you hear a rustling sound
>three ponies creep out of the neighboring park
>looks like they're skipping out on school today
>you swoop down from the sky and listen in

>"They say this is where the Tooleys lived before a ghost drove them out of their house"
>a brown pegasus with bleach-blond hair was leading the other two into the back yard
>"Y...you don't really believe in ghosts, do you?" asked the shorter, grey one
>the third pony, a tall beige pegasus with long hair pushed the little one back
>"Of course not! They were just crazy. I mean, come on, they were earth ponies! I'd say some pega took it on himself to scare them off. We don't need any more of those useless ponies around here."
>"Then why are we here again?" replied the grey one
>"We don't want them coming back, now, do we? this "ghost" was someone's good idea, but they didn't bucking do anything with it. What we bring this "ghost" back? You heard how quickly those no-wings ran... we could clean up this neighborhood in nothing flat!"
>The first pegasus kicked down the back door
>"We'll start with just the earth ponies, of course. Lets swing by that Orange dude's place first. This'll make him feel a little more welcome in the neighborhood."

>If you had a jaw, it would have dropped
>you floated inside with every mind to practice your Satan impersonation
>As they distracted themselves gathering white robes for their costumes, you readied for the strike
>but you stopped. wouldn't it be better if you scared the shit out of them red-handed?
>you'd like to get them in real trouble, but it's hard to resist scaring them now...and you'd have to wait so long...

DO YOU

H: Scare them now
I: Wait until they start the raid
J: Try to rat them out now (somehow)

OR ANY PREVIOUS LETTER


#### Thread chose H


>fuck the cops, you’re going to teach them a lesson they’ll never forget
>you circle the house, contemplating how you’re going to scare the ever-living shit out of them

>”Alright, we’re set. Wanna meet back here at midnight?”
>”Sure. Ya think I should bring my torch? I found one in my basement last week”
>”Hah, sure. You think you can find enough for…all…What’s that?”
>a sound was coming out of the basement, almost like…chains clinking.
>”Aaah! Do…do you think someone’s still here?” asked the small grey one
>”No, there couldn’t be. No one would dare anger the ghost.”
>as the words left his mouth the first brown pegasus’ eyes grew wide, and he covered his mouth in horror.
>”I…I didn’t say that! It wasn’t me!”
>”Nice one, Dumbbell. Real scary!”
>”I swear guys, I didn’t say a thing!”
>the clinking continued
>the three ponies started working faster, eager to get out of the house as soon as possible
>now light moaning was coming out of the basement- not moans of pain, but of…pleasure.
>”Do you think we should look downstairs? We…we could use our costumes to try to scare them off”
>”It’s just the wind, dumbass. Hurry up with those hoods.”

>you smile as you see the three ponies start to sweat. You really ought to put your talents into theater. Imagine what you could do with an entire auditorium.
>you had already mastered most sound effects, but multiple voices were still troublesome.
>you add a stallion's groans downstairs, and chuckle as the adolescent pegasi stop working to listen
>"Ha... you guys getting excited?"
>"NO, shut up."
>"you guys think we should scare them?"
>"Lets do it."
Ɏɇs łɇŧs!

>The Pegasus jump in terror
>”alright, this isn’t funny anymore, guys. Who the buck did that?”
>as they argue, you bring out the ace in your sleeve
>the moaning from downstairs gets louder, and louder.
>the pegasi start to back towards the back door
>now the voices are screaming. And they are getting even louder
>”forget this, lets get out of here!”
>the short and tall pegasi run toward the back door while the pony apparently named “dumbbell” stayed behind
>”What, are you guys chicken?”
>”They’re trying to scare ponies off again! Lets go downstairs and jump ‘em!”
>now putting their pride on the line, the three pegasi creep toward the basement hatch
>you strain and add the sound of a sputtering chainsaw to the screaming in the basement

>just as they reach it, your straining voices culminate in a single bloody, anguished screech and a bloody splattering
>the sound of metal ripping through bone echoes through the small country home as the would-be-pranksters stand frozen with fear
>taking a moment to rest from your grueling performance, you float out of the basement and over the back door

>throwing your voice had taken months to learn, but you knew that if you were to be productive with your presence in Equestria, you would need to learn this eventually.
>luckily, with no other outlet for your intellect, your voice became far more powerful than you had even hoped
>you had great success in copying noises. Almost any sound you heard you could make yourself
>true, you tried not to interfere, but what if there were an attack on the city? What if a criminal was holding a hostage?
>you can still help ponies even if they never know you exist
>but these ponies?
>well…they don’t count.
>you really had spent too much time watching horror movies
>you hover outside the back door and begin singing a simple nursery rhyme
...hush now quiet now it's time to lay your sleepy head...
>the three ponies are paralyzed with fear now. they lay trembling on the floor- prey to your whims
...hush now quiet now it time to....
>you approach them, wishing they could see your shit-eating grin
"ǤO ŦO ɃɆĐ!"
>they bolt

>As they scramble out the front door, you start to laugh
ĦȺĦȺĦȺ- *cough* *hack* *cough*
eauugh... I can't have you taking my job, now, can I?
>you float away, sore but satisfied

>it's funny, you thought you heard someone else laughing, but you looked around and no one was there...
>you probably imagined it. these old oak walls have the strangest echoes
>in any case, there's always something to do in town.

>you're pooped though.

DO YOU

K: take a nap until school's out
L: keep looking if anyone else is around
M: go watch someone eat lunch to unwind

OR LETTERS A ~ G


#### Thread chose L


>you stop and think
>maybe there was someone who was there after all
>voices don't just come out of nowhere, after all
>...
>unless it's you.

>you float around the Tooley's place, hoping to find hoofprints, or some sign of the laughing you heard
>why were they laughing, anyway?
>you had just unleashed your best demon voice and they weren't scared?
>shit. maybe you should be the one afraid
>you see several schoolwagons driving kids home in front of the house.
Heh...I'll bet they got a good look at those goons
>after a few minutes turned up nothing, you conclude that it must have been the kids riding past
>you'd have laughed too if you got to see your schoolhouse bullies pissing themselves in fear

>you float away, chuckling again.

>maybe your kids will want to play with their imaginary friend again

>you yawn and turn toward manehatten
>let's see what else-

>wait

>you heard something again
>it sounded like a sigh, a sigh of relief.
>somepony was there, you just know it!
>they must have been hiding until you left, but...
>how could they have seen you?
>how could they hide so well?

>you dart back to the haunted house and proclaim
I know you're here! Come out! I want to talk to you! Where are you?
>you distinctly hear a sharp, nervous breath, and then something fluttering away.
STOP! Who are you? I just want to talk!!

>but it's too late. It was just as invisible as you, it seems, and now it could be anywhere.

>all the questions fill your mind
>who was it?
>are they like me?
>it seemed to be able to sense me. Can anyone else?
>just what are its intentions?

>you'd heard of ghost houses in Equestria that you certainly didn't start. what if there are others here like you?
>but why couldn't you see it?

>you can't handle this information right now.

DO YOU

N: play with your kids as their imaginary friend
O: try to follow the voice ( you thought it went east-ish, but you can't be sure)

OR REALLY ANYTHING YOU WANT. I'M A WRITER, NOT A COP


#### Thread Chose O


>this is too important to leave.
Please come back!
>you float after the voice, hoping to follow it and learn more about what it could be
>unfortunately, you find yourself heading back downtown, where the noise of the traffic masks any sound you could trace.
>damn
>you'll be on the lookout though...

>Now you're right back where you started
>middle of Canterlot at the height of the day
>all the hustle and bustle on the streets below you is tiring.
>you decide to look into one of the buildings
>There's the fashion district, the mall...
>right behind you is a massive building that houses the Canterlot Enquirer
>And of course there's the castle of the two princesses

DO YOU

A: check out the Canterlot Enquirer
B: check out the castle

OR ANY PREVIOUS LETTER


#### Thread Chose A


>you enter the home of the Canterlot Enquirer" biggest newspaper west of Manehattan
>sure is loud in here
>"Damnit kid, I need pictures!"
>you float into the back room of the editor's office, hoping to hear some fresh news
>There's a grey-haired pony angrily smoking a cigar and yelling at what appears to be a photographer
>"But sir, nobody's ever gotten a picture of her! She's as mysterious as they come!"
>"I didn't hire you to sit on your flank, I hired you to get me PICTURES! PICTURES OF PONIES! and now you tell me you can't do that?"
>looks like juicy gossip. Maybe you'll use it to help out that poor psychic on Main street
>another pony steps into the office. "Sir, another kid is here to see you. Says he's got pictures: pictures of ponies.
>"Well let her in!! What, do you choose now to ask for my permission?

>another pony walks in- she has wavy purple hair and a sleek white coat.
>"Good morning sirs!" she beams, "I happen to have some pictures you may want to see!"
>"WELL LETS SEE THEM. I don't have time for exposition!
>the white mare opens an envelope and presents the editor with a dozen photographs.
>"I...I don't believe it!" You got a picture of the Mysterious Mare-do-well?" the first photographer said
>"MORE LIKE THE MYSTERIOUS MENACE! Hmm... I like that. Put it on the front page with a bunch of question marks!
>the white mare speaks up again. "So I take it you're willing to hire me?"
>If you're as good as you say... just get more pictures of that purple menace! What did you say your name was again?"
>"Rarity"
>Well, welcome to the paper. Don't get cocky. WHERE"S MY COFFEE??"

>interesting.... this pony is a little high-sprung.

>you clear your thoat
MENACE?
>"Who said that?"
You call me, the mysterious mare-do-well, a menace? How dare you!
>"I don't know where you are, sorceress, but I'll never believe your lies! You're a danger to Equestria! And why do you have to wear a mask? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING FROM US??"
I'm just trying to help ponies! Unlike you, who seem to be content abusing them.
>you don't know much about this mare-do-well, but you've read about her exploits in previous papers. She seems like a hero.

>"WHAT, I'M BEING TRASH-TALKED BY AN INVISIBLE SHE-DEVIL? I know your kind, I'll expose you for what you really are! A FRAUD!"
>you move up to right in front of him and whisper...
Someone's got his panties in a bunch today...
>the editor throws his coffee at you, but it passes through and lands on his carpet
>"I'LL BET YOU MEANT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN! I'LL EXPOSE YOU, MARK MY WORDS!"
>chuckling, you float away. Maybe there will be time later to rile him up more
>"I'LL GET YOU MARE-DO-WELL!"


#### Thread chose to go back and visit the children for clues about the mysterious voice


>you smile as you realize what time it is
>3:48! that's when Cherry Stem gets home from school!
>you travel swiftly to her house, excited to play with the closest thing you have to a friend

>you come up on her house: a small townhome near the outskirts of the city
>the light yellow filly was playing in her sandbox
>you smile and start making quiet buzzing noises above her
>she stops playing and looks up
>"Oh no! the changelings are back!"
Nope. It's just me.
>"ANAMOOSE!"
>you never understood why she called you that. She could easily pronounce your name...the little stinkbrain
Hey, Cherry! How was school?
>"Well, miss teacher had us do a show and tell, and I didn't have anything to bring-"
>you feel at ease as the little filly tells you about her day
>She had accepted you completely when you revealed yourself. Even as a human, you never knew anyone so pure and innocent
>for the past month or so you both had played "princess" and "changeling invaders", and had tea parties...
>she made you feel like a father sometimes. It hurt when she had to come inside to her real parents

>"-and when they told me I couldn't bring imaginary friends to school I told them 'listen here, mister, Anamoose and Shiny aren't just imaginary friends, they're real!' but then he said I had to so I brought this rock that sort of looks like my face.
How does it look like your face?
>"let me show you!'
>Cherry Stem runs inside excitedly

>you decide to stay outside.
>her parents already think that Stem's a bit too old for an imaginary friend, so you two should probably keep it on the down low
>...
>wait. Imaginary friend?
>Imaginary friends?

>when Cherry Stem comes tumbling out the back door holding her saddlebag, you rush up to her
Cherry, what was that you said about another imaginary-
>"Stopstopstop! You have to look at my rock first!"
...Okay, Cherry. Can I see your rock?
>she presents a dirty grey rock with two bumps that, admittedly, look a lot like pony ears
That's great!..uh...did you win?
>"you can't win show-and-tell, silly!"
Good, good, good. What were you saying earlier about...er...how your friends are real?
>"Oh. they told me I couldn't bring you to show-and-tell because you're not real but you are so i argued and i got in trouble."
Didn't you mention another pony? Shiny, was it?
>Cherry Stem looked around repeatedly and shrunk down
>"I didn't mean to, it just slipped out! I'm sorry!"
Why...who's Shiny? why didn't you want to tell me?
>"She made me promise! she made me promise not to tell you about her and I messed up again. I'm so bad at secrets..."
>she starts sniffling and covers her face with her hooves

>just what the hell is going on here?
Hey, Cherry... it's ok, it's ok! You're a good pony and I know you'll do great things someday. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
>"do you mean it, anamoose?"
Of course. You are the best pony.
>she wipes her eyes and sits up again
>you hate to see her cry.
So when did you see Shiny? What did she say to you?

>"she started playing with me last week. She's really nice and we played with pretend trumpets"
Oh that sounds like fun, so you know why she didn't want me to know?
>"I don't know. at first she said it had to be a secret because it was super-duper important. She wanted to know a lot about you, though. But when I told her you were my best friend, she was a little more nice."
>you're her...best friend?
>god damn if you still had tear ducts you'd cry
>but who the hell is this Shiny?

Can I meet Shiny?
>"I don't know, she's REALLY shy. I could still ask her, though.
>hmm...
>you get closer and start to whisper
How about we make it a surprise party? Can you get a hold of Shiny?
>"yeah! She comes by here every once in a while in the morning!"
Okay...you should play with her, and then I'll surprise her tomorrow morning and we can all play together!
>she thinks this over for a minute
>"does that mean I have to keep another secret?
Just for one day! Then no more secrets.
>"SIGH!"
>"Okay. But we'd better have real fun tomorrow"
Lets shake on it.
>Cherry Stem puts out her hoof, and wiggles it around in the air
>"Deal!"