//------------------------------// // Convention // Story: The Invisible Brony Defense Force // by SoullessDCLXVI //------------------------------// We've been on the road for two days. A very boring two days. We've played a number of road games, sung Smile Smile Smile 5 times and Winter Wrap up twice, Much to Max's chargin, although I coulda sworn I saw him silently singing along a few times. The memory draws a smile to my face. But now we're here! New York City. Where the smog is heavy and the muggers abundant. I really don't get why Max wants to be here. The hotel we're staying at is nice. One of those four star deals I don't get to stay at very often. I'm glad Mandy and Tony are paying for this. Although I think they know that they can hang this over my head for a few years. After we check in and get our stuff put away I start bouncing up and down excitedly, "We're here! We're here! We're here! Omigoshomigoshomigosh!" Imitating a Rainbow Dash/Pinkie Pie Crossbreed. Annoyed, Mandy puts her on my shoulder and in an excellent Applejack impression says "Whoa, nelly. Calm your boots there sugarcube." Of course I'm still excited. Annoyingly so. So hearing an applejack impression immediately following my own combined impression only makes me start in on a giggling fit as I roll on the twin bed nearest the window. It wasn't that funny, but I was in a really good mood and excitable. "You're acting just like Pinkie Pie, cut it out" says Tony. He really doesn't like Pinkie. Which I just don't get. I mean, she's Best Pony. His favorite is Applejack. Although, I guess that makes sense, him being a southerner. And in case you're wondering I'm native to New England. Max and I moved to Tennessee in 2008 with our families when the company that employed them moved a lot of jobs down south. Mandy's favorite is Rarity. Which also makes sense. Mandy frequents a chatroom program called IMVU. A 3D Chat program where you can create clothes and buy pre-made clothes from others. She's amassed a very large collection of digital clothing for her avatar and a network of friends all over the world that she exchanges stuff with through the mail. I never really got into IMVU. I tried, so I can hang out with her. But it's not my thing. Like at all. Although IMVU did teach me that being popular flat sucks. Useless drama everywhere. I don't know why people desire that status. "Oh yeah? Well you're acting like...." I pause, looking at the floor in concentration. Trying to think of a character that would accurately reflect his actions, but would insult him. Too much time has passed, so I come up with something very clever and highly original. "..an ass." Tony raises his eyebrows at me incredulously. "Yeah... okay then. Anyway, we gonna go? I didn't come to New york to be poorly insulted in a hotel room" Mandy said "Finally!" and we exited the hotel room. "Hey, Wait for me!" yelled Max just as the hotel room door closed. The sound of a toilet flushing could be heard through the door. "Where you going?" I asked him "I'm.... I'm coming with" I stared at him. "I thought you hated ponies" "I don't hate them, not really, I just find the fanbase annoying" "You find the fanbase annoying, and you wanna come with us, to BroNYCon?" "I don't actually have any other plans right now and I'd rather not be alone." I narrow my eyes at him, slightly confused. "Whatever. Let's just go." ***** Sarah was set up. All ready to go. Just a few more minutes until the peak of the convention. She wanted to get the most bronies she possibly could. ***** The crowd was enormous. So many people who love the ponies as much as I do! I saw a group of guys who are arguing with someone that, yes, Equestria was real, and yes, they could totally 'make it' with the Mane 6. '..and a few who love ponies more than I do!' I thought smiling. It was quite refreshing. Until today I'd only met two people who were bronies. And I turned them myself. Now I was in a room with thousands. "Hey guys, I'm gonna check out the Fighting is Magic panel. Find out if they're finally gonna add Derpy or not. Wanna come with?" "Sure" shrugged Mandy and Tony. Max, however, decided he'd already had enough. And it turns out he did have plans for the the day. He was gonna wait in line to 'get inside lady liberty, giggity'. "I'm out, peace" max said turning and giving a quick three fingered wave. I just shrugged and made my through the crowd. Sitting in the back of a large room with tons of dudes with the panel distant and small was not quite how I pictured this going. I'm used to watching these things on YouTube. Now it was just bad smells and seemingly disembodied voices. "Hey, you catching any of this? I'm a little hard of hearing." said some random guy to my left. It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. "Nah man, sorry" "Name's Snake, by the way" said snake, extending his hand. I shook it. "Snake?" "Yeah, it's my alternate name. I prefer to call everybody by their chosen names. No birth names here." "Oh, well my name's Soulless." "Nice to meet you dude," Snake turned to the guy on his left "Hey, Arrow, wake up." snake pushed him lightly a few times. "I'm awake! I wasn't lulled to sleep by the sound of droning electronically enhanced voices or anything" 'Arrow' said groggily while yawning and rubbing his face. "Really? Looked like you were asleep to me. Anyway, meet Soulless" Arrow looked at me with half lidded eyes. "Yeah. Cool. What's up man?" He asked reaching over Snake to offer handshake. I look at his hand. "No offense, but I saw where that hand was just now. No thanks." he retracted the hand but I thought I heard him mumble "Your loss, lots o' people wanna touch the arrowhead."