//------------------------------//
// Song of Return Part 5: All Decidedly-Alright Things Must End 
// Story: Brony Recon: Ascension 
// by Freescript the Bard 
//------------------------------//

The Doctor's POV

Amazing! After eighty years, the pig-man of Manhattan still lived! Perhaps an unintended side effect of the concoction I had used to save his life. Lazlo and his wife had a full life, even having three kids and seven grandchildren. I was simply amazed that he could reproduce with a human, given his state.

My mood was high after my visit with my old friend. Not even a cyberman could bring me down. With a spring in my step, I walked happily up to the Marcellus' home and entered with a grand, "The Doctor is in!"

There are few things in the universe that, after nine-hundred-odd years, could surprise me. This was one of those rare moments. When I opened the door and made my grandiose entrance, I was greeted by a grey pegasus with a pink mane, sitting at the table with Nicodemus holding an arm behind her shoulders

Rainchaser looked up at my humbling introduction. "Oh, hey Doctor…" she greeted. "Yeah… I'm a pony again. Happened a few hours ago."

I stared for a moment more. "No… no, that's not possible," I stated. "We designed the deponyfication device to last the full period. Unless you were exposed to any magic from Terra which is impossible… unless…" I pulled out my trusty sonic screwdriver and moved to the grey mare.

"What are you…?" she asked, and stopped as I pointed the device at her to get a reading on the energy composite around her. After a brief span of time, the blue light flashed to signal completion.

After a few seconds, the sonic device gave a report of its findings. The results were almost enough to surprise me. "That's rather odd…" I said, analyzing the result. "You were exposed to a large amount of earth pony magic… interesting."

"I was what, now?" she inquired. "How could I be exposed to earth pony magic when I'm a pegasus?"

"Because if it was pegasus magic you wouldn't have been affected. You can't have a reaction to your own magic, you know," I answered. "Tell me, were you around Nick while he was healing?"

Rainchaser blushed slightly. "I… slept next to him last night, but what does that have to do with me turning back into a pony?"

"Huh, interesting… it would seem that Nick retained his natural earth pony ability, most foremost the inert hardiness that makes them so tough and able to survive. It's like humans… but more literally."

"So, wait," pleaded Nick. "The reason I healed so fast is because I still have earth pony magic still in me? But I'm a--"

"Human, yes, but how do you explain your eyes, or even how you managed to survive a wound that would be fatal to most humans and recover in two days? That kind of thing should have taken weeks, at least."

Nicodemus pondered this for a moment. "I guess that makes sense. I had something similar happen when I lost my memory. Not many people OR ponies can say they survived a one-hundred-fifty foot drop off a sheer cliff without any significant injury."

"Yeah, I've noticed that you have some pretty bad experiences thee past few weeks," I remarked. "Falling from a cliff, stabbed through the abdomen with a clothes rack, frying pan to the face…"

Rainchaser snickered at this. Nick just glared. "Okay, I admit I deserved that one," he said humbly. "And yes, I also noticed the sheer amount of things I went through."

I thought for a minute, remembering the reports Ben wrote to command. "I just realized something," I said plainly. "Most of it is Rainchaser's fault. Think about it; reverse psychology on the cliff, a concussive frying pan to the face out of anger, and I think a while back there was an incident with Applejack's cider party…" I trailed off in my thoughts, like I normally do when I go off on a tangent.

"Hey, Nick, Where does your mom keep the cooking flats?"

Uh oh…

>><<>><<

Storm's POV

I flopped down onto my bed, huffing. "You know, this would be more enjoyable if I could go outside," I grumbled. Ben looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "I just feel so… cooped up in here, ya know?"

The brony folded the paper and sat next to me. "Storm, we both know that's not the reason you're upset," he consoled, placing a hand on my mane and lightly scratching. "Now, what's up?"

I sighed sadly. There were a few things I was upset about. First of all, constantly being reminded of what I once was. Even though I had convicted myself that I was to live out my life as a mare, it was hard not to look around my old home and be sucked into a nostalgia. A very awkward nostalgia.

Then, there was Caramel. The love of my life and father of my foal. Barring the six days I was gone for the brony retreat, I never missed watching the sunset with him. At least in Equestria, I could look at the Celestia's sinking sun and think that he was watching the same thing. But in this world, there was a different sun. Heck, not even the constellations were the same. It was as if Earth was an alien planet, and I was stuck here while Caramel was on Terra.

"It's just… hormones," I lied, blushing.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Hormones? Really?"

Sighing again, I looked him in his brown eyes. Weird, I thought they were hazel. "Alright, I guess I'm a little homesick," I said, almost giggling at the irony of it. "A LOT homesick, in fact."

Ben smiled at me and hugged my neck with his arm. "You're not the only one, Storm," he admitted. "It's too bad Dinky left. She always reminded me of her mother. Especially her eyes…" Ben sniffled and wiped his nose. "Her beautiful eyes…" It took me until then to realize Ben had broken down, barely holding back tears. "I think I need a hug."

I was happy to oblige, sitting up and wrapping my forelegs around his neck. He returned the embrace by encircling me with his arms and laying his head on my shoulder. It was a bit out of character for the usually passive brony, hugging a pony while on the verge of tears. Maybe Derpy was having an effect on him. Could he really change so much for the cause of love?

Suddenly, Ben broke away from my hold and clutched at his chest. "Storm," he gasped. "What time is sunset at?"

"About…" I looked at the clock, my eyes widening with realization. I became aware of the orange light filtering through the window. "…now…"

We glanced at each other, knowing exactly what was happening. "Something tells me this is gonna hurt."

As if to confirm his words, Ben convulsed in pain and collapsed on the floor. My mind flashed back to Markus' ponyfication. What Ben was experiencing didn't look half as bad, but it still looked painful.

As per my misfortune, the door swung open to allow my dad entrance. "Hey, Sam. I just wanted to tell you--"

"Gah!" exclaimed Ben from his keeled-over position. The roots of his hair were already turning white. His arms began to grow a coat of emerald hair and grew shorter. His hands and feet were disappearing. Strangely, his clothes had changed colors to match his coat and were melding to his body. His face was the worst part to watch. Ben's features became elongated, forming a broad muzzle. Both ears shifted to the top of his head, where they lay back as a sign of pain. Even though Ben had clenched his eyelids shut, I could see the sockets enlarge behind them.

Finally, Ben's face relaxed and a green earth pony slumped to the floor. My dad and I stared at Kind Greetings in wonder. "Uh… you okay, Ben?" I asked.

"I was right," he said shakily. "That did hurt. Oh, hello, Mr. Anders."

My dad shook himself from his shock. "That was certainly… different," he admitted. "I actually came in here to tell you that your friends from New York want you to call back."

I nodded, almost immediately forgetting about the reponyfication. "I'll just Skype them. It's an hour after sunset in Manhattan, so they'll be ponies by now," I stated, hopping off the bed and trotting over to my desk. Using my magic, I turned the computer on and looked to Ben. "Hey, Ben, you wanna talk to Rain and Aegis?"

"Nah, I'm gonna find Dinky and take a nap. Completely altering your genetic and integral makeup is tiring." As if on cue, a small grey filly walked into the room, stopping when she saw Ben in his pony form.

"Benny!" she exclaimed, throwing herself to embrace the brony's foreleg "You're a pony again!"

"Oof! Careful there, Dinky." The filly unhinged herself from Ben's leg. He then performed an impressive track-star hop onto the bed. "I'm gonna lay down for a while, Dinks. You want to join me?"

Dinky nodded. "I'm not tired, but I can lay next to you."

"That'd be great." Ben settled himself on my bed, curling up on his side. Dinky hopped up next to him and planted herself between his forelegs and hind-legs.

I smiled at the sight. Surprisingly, I felt the slightest bit jealous of my friend. While I wasn't as impatient as Sky, almost nine more months is a long time to wait to experience what Ben has. I guess some things are worth the wait.

Using magic, I moved the mouse and opened Skype. Even after nearly three months in Equestria, I was still logged on. Nick's status read online, as did Markus' and Cereal's. Chloe's and Jon's remained offline. Shrugging, I clicked on Nick's profile and called him.

My call was answered by a group of video feeds. Every one of them showing ponies. Cereal stood next to Shift, the brony commander now in the form of a grey unicorn with a dark blue mane. On Aegis' feed, he and Rain greeted me with a wave. The only part of Skyblaze that was visible from his call was a teal and grey tail, Luna pointing at the camera and telling him it was working.

"So, seems we're all ponies," I stated. "How did your visits go?"

Everypony shared a glance with their on-screen companion. "Could've been better," they all said.

"Oh, can it. You all got the easy parts. I had to tell my dad that I'm engaged and pregnant, on top of being a pony; a mare."

Skyblaze smoothed back his mane. "I guess even admitting immortality is trumped by that. Now, where's my favorite diplomat?"

"Taking a nap." I turned the webcam to point at the sleeping green pony, Dinky snuggled up in his hooves. "Reponyfication took a lot out of him."

"Aw, they're so cute!" giggled Rain. "Just think, Storm. That'll be you someday."

I smiled at her, subconsciously putting a hoof to my abdomen. "Yeah, I guess it will be." There was a moment of silence as I was lost in my thoughts.

"Hey, sis, you okay?" Shift's voice snapped me back to the world.

"I'm okay. How about you? What's going on at Exodus Equestria?"

"Nothing but found after round of Go Fish and Checkers. No offense to Cereal and Seth, but you can only take so many mediocre table games," Shift griped.

"You know I'm standing right next to you, right?" Cereal glared at the changeling.

Shift ignored the unicorn. "Seriously, come back soon. I'm bored out of my chitin."

"I'm right down the street, Shift," I told him. To be honest, I was as anxious as he was to get home and be with my friends. "If you want, I could have my dad drive me there so you don't have to put up with those two killjoys."

"...I can hear you guys."

"Luna and I are leaving Wisconsin first thing tomorrow morning," Skyblaze reported, then put a hoof to his heart. "Oh land of cheese and all things dairy, I shall miss thee so."

Luna shook her head. "I will never understand this human fascination for everything that comes from cows. Even the meat is a delicacy, it seems."

Aegis groaned. "Please don't mention steak… I miss it too much."