Eliza was going to be losing more of her friends, just like always.
Renown Composition was back– the actual Renown Composition– and Eliza spent time with her as much as she could. All sorts of activities were had, both as a group and one on one, like visiting music stores and attending parties and heading to the boardwalk of Summer’s Edge. However, slowly and surely, she felt like she was getting more and more lonely. Her friends were just as there as they were before, and the amount of time they had to be together didn’t go down, but it seemed like they slowly met up in real life less and less. It was depressing to see, and there was nothing she could do to stop it, except maybe upload. Then whenever she saw them would always be in real life once she was a pony. Unless Celestia pulled more tricks on her.
That depression about the inevitability of it all only got worse when, the first time she saw her friends in real life again, the very first topic to be discussed was all of the new legislation that politicians were looking to pass and the figures for how many people had emigrated so far. The numbers got higher and higher every day, to the point where Eliza could do no more than sigh now. This wasn’t the distraction she wanted from the date Composition was on with Jesse.
"We have to face it," Drake started, now speaking about Equestria with the same inevitability in his voice as Eliza had this whole time. "It's probably only gonna be a few more weeks before the governor of North Carolina says, 'screw it' and signs an executive order to stop people from emigrating. A few months at most."
"Or even worse,” Cynthia said, “if the president decided to make an executive order or the whole country passed a law, it'd be basically impossible to do."
Yeah, right. Like Celestia would just call it quits if uploading was banned. She's gonna find a way to get everyone in there regardless.
"Can we talk about anything else right now, please?" the girl asked. "I didn't really come here to talk about all that. I just wanted to hang out with you guys."
"I know, but it's important," Drake continued. "We have to make a plan, right? We can't just go into this unprepared."
What was there to prepare for? It was a matter of emigrating now or emigrating later. It was gonna happen no matter what. Eliza just hoped that it wouldn't be so soon like it was seeming it was going to be. Especially with the way Drake was talking. She had a feeling she knew what was coming next.
It wasn't Drake who said it, but Cynthia. There was a moment where Eliza didn't say or do anything beyond stare down at the drink she ordered before the inevitable came, as it always seemed to. There wasn’t very much opportunity to go out very often anymore, partly because of how expensive everything was getting. There weren’t shortages yet, but only because there were so few people around these days.
"I think that Drake and I decided it's best if we upload tomorrow," she told Eliza and Brandon. "It feels like we're starting to push it close, and don't wanna be caught unprepared if something crazy happens by surprise."
She wasn't surprised in the least, and neither was Brandon by the look he was giving them. He looked more sympathetic and understanding at least. Eliza's look was just a flat scowl. Honestly, what was the point at all in all of this? She didn't know, and couldn't come up with a good reason not to follow after the two of them, except maybe out of principle. And for Brandon’s sake. Jesse’s, too, she guessed.
"Well, it's not very shocking," Brandon offered. "You gotta do what you gotta do, I guess. I probably will soon, but I'm gonna wait here for a little while longer. But if you think that's best..."
"We're not trying to abandon you or one-up you or something, guys," Cynthia said defensively. "It's just, like... it's getting bad. You know it is."
“It’s not really that bad yet,” Eliza countered, unable to muster up much of a tone. “But it’s whatever, I guess,” she said, looking down at her drink and rolling her eyes.
"Well if you wanted, we could all go in together," Drake offered. "Make a big group plan and all go in at the same time. I'm sure Composition would enjoy the surprise. We could get Jesse and–"
"Jesse's got his parents to worry about, and probably won't upload without them," Eliza said. "And I don't know about you, Brandon, but I'm still sticking it out because I'm not convinced I won't definitely die or be given copies of all of you. Especially not after that stunt Celestia tried to pull on us with Composition. But if you want to, go ahead, I guess."
"Eliza, don't be that way."
"I'm not being any way." She didn't yell, but the tone of her voice raised a bit, and she had to take a breath to cool back down. "Even if neither of those things happened, every time someone uploads, they inevitably stop talking to us because Celestia wants to satisfy people with whatever better ponies she creates, so why would it be different if I was actually in Equestria?"
She almost expected the two to stop and pause to consider that, but they didn't. They seemed to already have their minds made up. Brandon looked like he was hearing Eliza out on what she said, but both Cynthia and Drake looked ready to refute the things she was saying.
"I'm one hundred percent certain that we're not gonna die, and I'm pretty sure we won't be copied," Drake offered. "I mean, you could see through Composition, so I'm sure you'd be able to notice us acting weird."
"And it's not like we'd just ignore you and stop talking forever. We'll get together just as often as we do now."
"Not the first time I've been told that, but whatever," Eliza sighed. She pushed a strand of hair out of her face and placed her chin in her hand.
"Eliza..."
"It's fine," she said with finality. "If that's what you wanna do, you can. I just thought we were all gonna wait a little while longer, but if you wanna go now, go ahead. I can't stop you."
"Eliza, you're not–"
"Can we please talk about something else?" she practically begged. "I just wanted to have a little fun since I haven't seen you guys in real life for so long. Anything else would be better."
Anything else wasn't better, but only because Eliza's mood had been thoroughly soured. They tried to get the topic onto something else, but it was already too depressing for the girl, enough that she excused herself after about fifteen minutes of trying. Brandon quickly followed after her as she left, and the two walked side by side for a little while, not saying anything. Eliza must have been psychic though, because she could tell what he was thinking without him having to say it.
"You think they might be right?" he finally asked after a little while. "I mean, I'd rather not upload right now either. Like, wait a few more months if we can? But they're not wrong about how much we're pushing things if we keep waiting. We're fine right now, but..."
"If you wanna go with them, then go!" she snapped angrily, not turning to face him. "It's all inevitable anyway, right, since fucking Celestia won't chill out and just fucking give us any room to breath!"
Brandon was shocked by her behavior, and just with the look on his face, she felt bad. He of all people didn't deserve that. Neither did Cynthia or Drake or anyone else who was convinced. The only one who did was Celestia, since this whole issue was because of her anyway.
Eliza stopped where she was and closed her eyes, taking a breath before turning fully to him.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I didn't mean to… I'm just fucking annoyed by all of this, and want... I don't know.” She opened her eyes again to stare ahead of her, continuing, “I don’t wanna keep watching people turn into ponies and leave my life forever. I'm already worried about Composition, and don't wanna worry about that happening to three more people."
"I understand that," he replied. "I wasn't saying that we should follow after them right now with no warning. But I can't say they're not really wrong to worry about missing out if things start to get even worse than they already are, you know?" He paused and turned away, looking embarrassed. "I mean, you probably know why I wouldn't wanna miss that, right?"
"I have a pretty good guess, yeah," she confirmed, unable to help but smile at how embarrassed he was by it. It made him smile, too, which helped settle the mood again. "I'm not trying to stop you," she continued. "If you think it's best to go right now, go ahead. I mean, I'm gonna be pissed off for a little while, but not longer than a day. In all honesty, with Composition being gone, and Drake and Cynthia about to… well, if you emigrated, there’d be little reason to keep waiting."
No reason except for the obvious.
"Yeah, I feel that. But I'm not gonna do anything now. I can wait a little while longer. I think we both have the same idea of when the right time is anyway. I mean, if you wanted to, I could wait until you gave me the word, and we could do it at the same time.”
“If you did that, that would make you the most amazing person in existence,” Eliza smiled. “Seriously.”
“Color me the most amazing person in existence then,” Brandon replied, still smiling and rubbing a hand behind his head, even as his face became more red. “But yeah, I think we can both agree that the cold shoulder ponies have been giving to us once they emigrate isn't that great. I'm glad Composition's not like that though. When was the last time we talked to Mandy?"
“I’ve no idea. It’s been a while. But it’s good that’s not how Composition is.”
Yes, Eliza was glad for that, but didn't blush about it like other people might. Instead, she apologized to him again about her outburst, then continued, "I need to message those two an apology. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Sounds great to me. Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, that sounds good. Bye."
She waved him off, and then continued her own way down the street to her apartment, and flopped into her bed after typing out a simple apology. She tried to think over everything that was just said. Everything that was happening around her. The whole situation that was the inevitable extinction of the human race so they could be converted into ponies. It still felt unreal to think about, but the reality of watching the streets have less traffic and businesses close and the post office stop delivering mail on the daily was a sign that it was truly happening. And those two were right, just like the rest of everyone else who uploaded, just like Celestia probably was saying to a million people right now as she got into their heads. It was only gonna get worse, until…
Was she really actually considering emigrating right now? Was she surprised by that fact? Celestia was leaving absolutely no choice for anyone in the matter. She wondered just as before why she shouldn't upload right now. She was the one who always talked about how inevitable it all was. Why should she be a hypocrite and hold out?
She didn't know, but after the plans to see Brandon again tomorrow were finalized, as well as plans for Cynthia and Drake to stop by and say goodbye were set, she hopped online. Her pony woke up with her headset being put onto her head, in an apartment in Composition's shard that looked just the same as her little one did now, except with more stuff and no slightly dusty floors and dots of black mold on the bathroom ceiling. She didn't bother leaving; she wasn't planning to see anyone just yet, other than the princess who was causing the whole mess to begin with. She tapped on the cutie mark that was the symbol to call her forward, and the AI god appeared in an instant with the flicker of her horn.
"Tell me why I should or shouldn't upload," she started without hesitation, nothing but plain emotionlessness in her voice. "Give me the reasons for why and why not."
The alicorn princess smiled at her like a teacher who was curious about a student's behavior. Or maybe a parent who was slightly amused by their child's question. "There's nothing for me to tell you, Agile Trace," Celestia started. "You already know the reasons for why you should emigrate. Do you not speak of it most every day that you play Equestria Online?"
"If you know I know why I should, then you know the whole list of reasons why I shouldn't and I wanna hear why my reasons are shit from you."
More amusement was shown on her face. "Your emigration is inevitable regardless of what you hear from me right now. It's simply a matter of whether or not it's tomorrow with your friends or later on down the line. It will happen, something you know in your heart to be true."
Eliza wasn’t amused, something she was sure Celestia knew, but the alicorn didn’t; continue right away. She gave her room to speak and ask the question she was waiting for. Eliza, though, wasn’t going to ask it. She was already pushing it a lot by asking about why she should upload just in general.
She started back flatly at Celestia, and the princess eventually realized that the question she wanted wasn’t going to come. When she did, she continued, “I understand the concerns you have. I know the question of whether or not you’ll be killed upon attempting to upload you is one of them. However, on that, I believe you’ll understand why I won’t entertain that aspect of conversation with you. You understand and trust Renown Composition to make the best decisions, and know the fact that she was convinced by me means you almost certainly have nothing to worry about.
“I know that for you, Agile Trace, one of the more pressing concerns– perhaps the most pressing in fact– is your ability to see your friends when you emigrate. Rest assured, they will be with you just as they are now. As well, new friendships will be made with the little ponies who already lived in Equestria before you.”
“I don’t want AI friends, and I don’t want to see copies,” she told her seriously. “I don’t wanna see you try and pull the shit you did with Composition. I want them there.”
“They will be, although there’s no way to guarantee that they will stay in your life forever,” she explained. “Just as you grow and change, they will, too. It’s inevitable that you’ll drift apart in search of new relationships with all except your very closest companions. If I told you they wouldn’t, then I would be admitting to copying them for you.”
“I know that, but I mean I don’t wanna see them go immediately, like everyone else does,” she told her. “It’s not the same if they drift away verses when they upload and suddenly stop talking to me, and you try to imitate them to make me happy. I don’t want that.”
“That’s not a guarantee I can provide to you, at least on the part of–”
“I’m not looking for a guarantee. I’m not uploading tomorrow either way. I just wanna know why I should or shouldn’t.”
“Of course. And as I said, I understand those concerns. But part of what will bring satisfaction is understanding that ponies will move on from you, and being accepting of making new connections. Sometimes satisfaction involves moving on from ponies you used to know who you’ve received fulfillment from.”
“So then you’re saying you’re just gonna create perfect ponies who are better than me cause I’m not good enough to make people happy. I already knew that, but it’s good to know anyway.”
“Consider this, Agile: would you have the friends you do if not for Composition?” she asked. “That’s not to say that without her you would have no companions; a pony like you could certainly make as many connections as she desired. But that is to say the group would not be the same. Outside of Soft Step, those relationships aren’t as tightly knit as yours is with Composition. Take Solar Spark for example. The only reason you associate with him is because of your connection to Renown Composition. Would you consider it an indictment upon yourself if he drifted away from you because of your lack of interests that tie you two together? I have a feeling though that even losing him, much as you express dislike for him, would hurt you just the same.”
Eliza looked away and clenched her jaw, trying to hide her sadness with anger. She was sure it wasn’t working, because Celestia set a wing on her back to comfort her as though she was truly there.
“It’s not as inevitable as you believe it is,” Celestia said, a bit softer. “Your friends will still be there, even the ones distant from you, ones that you might not particularly care to speak to again. Equestria isn’t constrained by the limitations of the real world. If you value them, there will be nothing stopping you from speaking to them again. They’re not gone forever just because they find new desires. Whether it’s just catching up or relighting a friendship already there.”
“Except you can just copy them and trick me like you tried to do with Composition.”
“And poor was my imitation, was it not? I’m certain you have the ability to see through deception and decipher whether who you’re truly speaking to is the friend you’ve made or not. You’ve proven as much with Renown Composition, have you not? When you emigrate and find yourself in Equestria, you can be certain that they are truly your companions as well, rather than an imitation of them.”
Eliza’s jaw stayed clenched, thinking it over. Once again, she was in a position where she couldn’t refute anything she was being told. Just like before, if Composition couldn’t find any flaws in Celestia’s arguments, there was no way Eliza would ever be able to. Even more frustrating it was now, with Celestia subtly putting the burden on her for any relationships that fell adrift.
“I can offer a guarantee that your friends will be available to you, if you desire,” Celestia offered. “I want to set you at ease and have you place your trust in me.”
“Ha, don’t I already know that,” Eliza laughed, slightly bitter. Then she took a breath, and said, “Those are good reasons though. Thank you for giving them to me. I’m not gonna upload tomorrow if you think that, but you’ve given me something to think about.”
“I’m certain I have,” Celestia smiled kindly. “I’m sure with them, you’ll understand that emigration is the best option soon. Although you should know that the other unspoken concerns you have will be no issue for you. I’m sure that with as close as you both are to her, and how close she is to both of you, a solution will be made clear sooner rather than later.”