The Conversion Bureau

Change of Life

Part 6: Acperience II

“Wooo! New York at last! That flight from Houston took foooreeeveeer!” Pinkie Pie chirped as she bounded along.

“Still, catching the Red eye? You could have just taken a later flight.” Twilight remarked.

The three ponies were making their way down the hall on the top floor of the Brooklyn Conversion bureau. This floor was reserved for residential staff, and Rainbow Dash’s room was at the very end. Applejack had spent her assignment in Texas, overseeing the construction of the Houston Bureau and taking in the culture of the Lone Star state. Pinkie Pie however hadn’t remained in one spot for any extended period of time; she had journeyed all across the United States and visited almost every major city in the country. Her final destination just so happened to be Houston, so she and Applejack elected to share a flight to New York.

“Thats what ah said.” sighed the cowpony. “But this one just had to get ‘ere as, what did’ja say, ‘Super speedy weedy deedy possibeely’?”

The bouncing pink earth pony giggled. “Well duh! I couldn’t wait to see our friends!”

“Well, you guys are here, and that’s all that matters right now.” Twilight said with a strange smile.

Stifling a yawn, Applejack glanced at her unicorn friend. “So, you say she was cryin’?”

Twilight stopped half-way down the hall, her head hanging low. “She wouldn’t leave her room at all yesterday. Rarity and I tried to get her out to at least have some dinner but she refused.”

Pinkie’s permanent grin vanished for a second. “Well that's no good at all is it?” But then it returned in force. “I know! Lets throw her a-” Her trademark suggestion was cut short by Applejack’s hoof.
“Sugarcube there are some things a party can’t solve, and ah think this is one of ‘em.”

Twilight nodded despondently as they continued down the hall. “Seeing you guys will probably brighten her mood though.”

Eventually they reached their destination; a door emblazoned with a rainbow lightning bolt.

Twilight sparkle knocked on the door to Rainbow Dash’s bedroom. “Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie Pie just came in from their flight and they are dying to see you!” she called through the door.

“Maybe she ain’t there?” questioned Applejack’s trademark southern drawl from behind.

“Well Dashie doesn’t usually get up this early usually she sleeps in till like ten or eleven or even twelve! Like, this one time, she-” Pinkie’s rant was cut short with a wet squelch, most likely Applejack’s hoof in her mouth.

Twilight raised her hoof to knock again when the door flew open revealing a very groggy, very disheveled blue pegasus.

“Dashie!” Pinkie cried as she darted forward and wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow’s neck. The pegasus chuckled as she wearily returned the hug. “Heya Pinks. How was your trip?”

Twilight and Applejack’s eyes widened at the can of worms Rainbow just opened, and just as Pinkie was taking a huge lungful of air to describe every last detail of her time around the US Applejack quickly wrapped a foreleg around her neck, pulling her away. “There’ll be time for that later Pinkie.”

Rainbow smiled as the cowpony trotted up to her and the two friends shared a neck hug. “Heya Sugarcube, how ya been holdin’ up?”

Applejack stepped back and peered into her friend’s eyes. They looked as tired as she felt; bloodshot, with dark bags sagging beneath. It looked like she hadn’t slept a wink.

The pegasus shifted in discomfort, her eyes cast down at the floor. “I didn’t really sleep well. That’s all.”

Applejack frowned. “Rainbow, Twilight called me yesterday. She told me the gist of what happened between you an’ Robert but none of us know the whole story.”

The pegasus shot a glare at the purple unicorn, who shrunk away. “I’m sorry Rainbow. Its just you were so upset, I was worried. We all are.”

Rainbow cast a look of disdain at her friends. “Its not important. We had a falling out, its over.” At these words her eyes ever-so-slightly brimmed with tears, which she wiped away quickly with a hoof. “Besides-” she continued. “-its better this way.”

Pinkie tilted her head. “You really mean that Dashie? It sounded like you guys were so close.”

Rainbow shook her head. “Well we aren’t, not anymore. I just want to move on...”

Suddenly a door a little ways down the hall burst open, and an alabaster unicorn, her mane in rollers, came galloping out. She reached the group, breathing heavily. “So sorry I’m late, my mane was just an absolute mess.”

“Rarity!” Pinkie squealed, bounding toward the unicorn intent on wrapping her in a hug. Rarity quickly backpedaled, laughing nervously. “Pinkie dear it is wonderful to see you, but do you think we could hold off on the hugging until my rollers have set?”

A loud thud brought everypony’s attention back to Rainbow, who had slammed her hoof down. “Okay, seriously, what’s this about?!”

The assembled friends glanced at each other nervously. “Rainbow-” Twilight began. “-we...we want you to tell us what happened yesterday.”

“It is important.” Twilight pushed. “We have never seen you like this before. Please Rainbow, we’re your friends, you can tell us anything.” The other ponies nodded in agreement.

Rainbow Dash looked to each one of her friends, her magenta eyes peering into their own. After what felt like an eternity she let out a long sigh. Turning back toward her bedroom she beckoned the others to follow her.

Pinkie bounded up and down on the bed with joy, while Applejack took stock of the room itself. The numerous Wonderbolts posters hardly surprised her, but what caught her eye from the floor did. She leaned down to get a better look but before she could see what it was a blur of blue swept it away. Rainbow Dash clutched the large picture to her chest for a moment before placing it face down on the night table. “That’s private.” she mumbled.

Twilight and Rarity stood near the door, whispering to one-another. Rarity then stepped forward. “So...Dash-”

“Right.” Rainbow sighed, slumping to the floor. As she did, thunder tolled over the city foretelling of an oncoming storm.

“I met him yesterday at 8:30, just like every morning. We sat around and watched the news for a bit, then decided to head to the park. We got caught up in a few things before we actually got there.” Rainbow swallowed as the same icy feeling that had filled her when she was told about Robert’s imminent death weighed heavily in her chest.

Rainbow’s eyes shifted toward Twilight sparkle, who shrugged apologetically. “I didn’t tell them about him.”

“Whats all this about Robert?” Applejack asked, perching her stetson on top of a bedpost.

Rarity cleared her throat and, together with Twilight Sparkle, filled Applejack and Pinkie Pie in on the phenomenon, and its effect on humans. Once they were finished Applejack stood there mouth agape, while Pinkie had ceased her bouncing and now sat legs folded on the bed.

“Dying.” Rainbow choked. Everypony’s attention was now glued on the shivering blue pegasus.

“We...we got to the park...and started talking...I promised myself I would talk to him about it and maybe convince him to undergo conversion...” She balked. Remembering the whole experience was too much. She began to feel her eyes burn from the tears she was holding. Suddenly, she felt a foreleg around her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she saw that all of her friends were now around her, with Applejack’s hoof draped over her.

Taking a shuddering breath, Rainbow continued. “I...I asked if he liked watching me fly...he said always. I asked if he...maybe wanted to fly himself...he said it was always a fantasy of his. I...I...I asked if he maybe wanted to fly with me...and he said yes! But...but when I asked why he wouldn’t get ponified...he said he didn’t know. So I pushed a little further...and he...he...” She couldn’t, it was too much. Rainbow Dash broke down in Applejack’s arms. “He he just blew up!” She cried in between sobs. “He became a totally different person and...and h-he t-told me I didn’t m-matter, that I didn’t care, that I was only trying to make him get ponified for my own benefit...and when I told him that I...that I wanted him to st-stay with m-me he just...he just-”

Rainbow sobbed into her friend’s shoulder. Everyone stood there in shock, most of all Applejack. She was at a loss for words, seeing her best friend completely fall apart like this was beyond anything she was expecting, and over a human no less!

Rarity was the first to speak. “I...Rainbow I’m so sorry, I didn’t think he would just go off on you like that. He seemed so nice, like a gentleman!”

“Yea well, he obviously ain’t.” Applejack spat. “Of all the nerve. Sayin’ them things even though she was worried ‘bout his wellbein’. Nuts ta him ah say, you don’t need someone like that in yer life Dash.”

Pinkie nodded in agreement. “He sounds like a real grumpity grump meany pants.”

Twilight however seemed to be piecing something together in her head. She leaned down and gently nudged the crying pegasus. “Rainbow, you said that he became a completely different person?”

Rainbow Dash looked up at the unicorn, her eyes bloodshot and full of anguish. She nodded.

Twilight Sparkle stood back up, her expression that of deep thought. “It couldn’t be.” She whispered. “Its too soon...” She turned away and began to pace around the room. Now everypony’s attention was drawn to the purple unicorn.

Rainbow gazed at her bookish friend pleadingly. Did she know something about Robert?

The unicorn stopped and turned back to her friends. “We don’t know much about the onset of the symptoms in humans, only their progression. What we do know is that the illness manifests in two ways; mental instability and physical degeneration. When I was speaking with Robert, he mentioned he had strange dreams, as well as physical pain. He told me that the dreams had been going on for several months so I assumed that they were unrelated. Initially, I believed that meant his symptoms were advancing at a very slow rate and that he had some time before he would need to take action...but...”

Twilight frowned. “I may have completely miscalculated the rate at which his mind was deteriorating. In other humans, split personalities began to manifest themselves, followed by crippling hallucinations. Sometimes these other personalities would gain control over the main consciousness of the individual, and as if a switch had been flipped in their head, the change was always instant. A human could be friendly one minute and become a complete sociopath the next. We still don’t know why this happens. We think it may be because the human mind is incompatible with magic, and the emergence of the various psychoses is almost like a defense mechanism, but it ends up having the completely opposite effect and merely drives the poor human to even further depths of insanity.” Twilight concluded.

The other four ponies stared at Twilight blankly. She let out an exasperated sigh.

“Robert is going crazy because of the magic! That is why he said those things!”

“Its true!” Twilight insisted. “The pattern is the same, its always the same! But for some reason its happening much faster to Robert, and I don’t know why!”

Rainbow was standing now. She flashed over to Twilight, her hooves on the unicorn’s shoulders. “Whats going to happen?! How long does he have?!” She shook her violently. “Tell me!”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know Dash! The only way I would be able to find that out is if he was here! I could run some tests and do a psychological evaluation.”

“But Dear-” Rarity interrupted. “-If he were here wouldn’t it simply be easier to ponify him?”

“Well its true!” the earth pony retorted. “Ah don’t think someone like that should be near Dash, or any one of us for that matter.”

“Hes a bad influence! Sure he may have seemed nice, but hes human, whats more hes city folk. Humans are one thing, but city folk can never be trusted, they’d sooner throw ya under a carriage if it meant them gettin’ ahead. How can we be sure this is really cause of some sickness? Maybe he was always like this. Maybe-

Rainbow Dash fluttered over to the nightstand where she had laid the photograph. Taking it in her hooves she gazed at it as she spoke. “Robert isn’t like the other people in this city. He never has been. He’s nice, and friendly, and he isn’t afraid to help people or ponies.” She turned to her friends. “Sure, he has his flaws. He gets down on himself a lot...and he lacks confidence, but that’s never stopped him from always-” She looked back to the photo. “-being there for me.”

Her friends glanced at one another. Was she going where they thought she was going?

Rainbow’s eyes glistened as a smile came to her face. “He always makes me laugh, even if its at his own expense. He cheers me on in everything I do...he believes in me. Every day I’ve spent with him has been...well, awesome.” She laid the photo upright back on the nightstand. “That’s why I believe Twilight Applejack; Robert wouldn’t say those things unless something was very wrong.” Her smile fell. “And something really is wrong, isn’t it Twilight?”

“Yesterday I recieved a correspondence from the princess. She heard about the plight the humans were facing, and decided to take action. Last night Princess Celestia teleported here in secret and cast a spell. A very powerful spell. Its purpose was to shield all humans as far as four hundred miles inland of the east coast from the effects of the magical energy.”

“Yes. She is currently resting in an undisclosed location inside of the city.”

“So- so the humans will be alright?! Robert will be alright?!” Rainbow asked, her eyes filled with joy.

Twilight smiled weakly. “Yes...and no. Most of the humans will be alright...but there will be a few who have sustained far too much damage from the energy for the spell to truly benefit them. I...I think Robert may be one of these unfortunate few. His mind and body will no longer be poisoned, but they may have deteriorated beyond the point of no return.”

“There’s another problem.” Twilight continued. “The spell won’t last forever. It will last roughly two weeks, that should be enough time to either get all of the remaining humans within the area of the magic’s influence evacuated or ponified.”

Twilight shook her head. “If we can get Robert here as soon as possible we can get him converted in time before he is lost. Again, I feel his actions yesterday were influenced by his illness; so he may actually be open to the idea.”

Rainbow whipped around, her eyes flashing. “Alright AJ. What is your problem?”

“Ah don’t think you should be around someone like that is all.” Applejack replied nonchalantly.

“Ah don’t have ta. The effect hes got on ya is proof enough he’s no good.”

“The Rainbow Dash ah know wouldn’t be reduced ta cryin’ all night over anythin’.”

“Well then maybe you don’t know me!” Rainbow Dash retorted hotly, advancing on her friend. “Maybe I’ve changed a bit! You wouldn’t know though would you? You wouldn’t know because you weren’t here!” She turned toward the rest of her friends with tears in her eyes. “None of you were here!!”

“YOU WEREN’T HERE!” The pegasus screamed, causing her friends to withdraw. “Every day. Every day I had to deal with things that I had to face alone! Humans who hated me for what I was, or ponies who only knew me for what I could do, not one person or pony ever tried to know me for who I am!” Tears were flowing freely from her eyes now. “Robert was different, he actually got to know me! He accepts my strengths and my faults as parts of who I am! He was alone, just like me! We were alone until we found each other!!”

She couldn’t stop the tumult of words flowing from her mouth. She didn’t even try; it was all true. Everything that had been building over the least few months was spilling out of her being like somepony had twisted open a faucet.

“But the one thing, the one true thing that makes Robert so awesome is...is that he reminds me of all of you! Everyday I saw pieces of you in him. He helped me to cope with all of you being gone...but now...now-”

Rainbow was cut off by a very peculiar sound. A sound that really had no place there in that raw moment of explosive emotion. Laughter. One by one each pony in the room turned toward the bed. Pinkie Pie, who until that moment had been unusually quiet, was now practically bawling her eyes out in raucous snorting laughter; her legs kicking in every direction.

Despite the laughter preceding it, the statement carried no ill-intent or ridicule; it had been a simple, innocent observation.

The room went silent. Everypony turned to the blue pegasus, waiting for a response. Rainbow’s mouth opened and closed mutely, her eyes wide.

“Why do ya look so shocked?” Pinkie chirped as she hopped off the bed. “I don’t really understand everything Twilight was talking about, but Robby sounds real important to you! Real important. So I was thinking, but then I realized you must be in love! Its like soo obvious!”

The blue pegasus continued to stare at her pink friend, mouth agape. Her brain blazed at fever pitch, grasping for something, anything to say in response to Pinkie’s accusation.

A million thoughts were running through her head, but only one truth stood resolute in her heart.

Rainbow’s face was soon flushing a violent crimson, her magenta eyes jumping to each of her friend’s faces. Pinkie looked ecstatic, as always. Twilight was staring with a cocked eyebrow. Rarity’s expression was unreadable; hovering somewhere between shock and thoughtfulness. Applejack however...

The cowpony’s stare bored into her pegasus friend for a few long agonizing moments before she retrieved her stetson and slammed it back onto her head. “Ah wont accept this...” she spat before storming to, and out of the door.

A chilling silence pervaded the room. Twilight gave Rainbow a strained smile. “I’ll go talk to her.”

“I’ll come too!” Pinkie chirped. The two ponies left to follow Applejack, leaving a blushing Rainbow and a pensive Rarity alone.

For a while neither said a a thing. Rainbow Dash was sitting on the floor still in a state of half-shock over the events that had just occurred, while Rarity’s gaze was still locked on the door.

“I...I...guess...yeah...” Rainbow replied in a daze. The words felt alien to her; in all the time she knew Robert she never thought that their relationship would become anything more than what she believed it to be. She didn’t know when it happened, or how, or why...but she couldn’t deny that she felt something deeper than friendship for the tall, scruffy human.

Rarity wheeled around to face the pegasus, her face now full of conviction. “Then go to him.”

The unicorn cantered up to Rainbow. “Go to him.” she repeated. “Given the circumstances you may never get another chance.”

Rarity sighed. “That mare is...she is just very set in her ways dear. She will come around, and even if she doesn’t this is your choice, your life...your love; you can’t let the reservations of another dictate your actions.”

The unicorn smiled. “Darling I have spent my entire life waiting for my Prince Charming, I just couldn’t live with myself if I allowed you to let yours slip away.”

Rainbow Dash smiled and wiped her moist eyes. The rumbles of thunder were becoming more frequent now, and the patter of rain could be heard upon the window. Standing, the pegasus rested a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Thanks Rarity...I...I’m going to go and bring him back. I swear.”

Rarity beamed. “I know you will.” Then she wrinkled her nose. “Do be careful in all of that icky rain though.”

Rainbow grinned and fluttered to the window. She undid the latch with her teeth and nosed it open. The room was suddenly filled with humidity of the storm outside. She flared her wings in preparation, but balked for a moment.

“Huh?! Oh, yeah. Just, ya know, getting a feel for the air. I’m heading out!” Rainbow replied with a quick grin.

Eight a.m. The morning grind, made all the more loathsome by the storm that raged above. Even after the conversion movement had left its mark (or scar as some would say) upon the city the groggy, frantic drudge of the morning routine hadn’t changed, though its participants certainly had. Gone were the sounds of traffic; beeping horns, revving engines, and the flung curses of disgruntled commuters. In its place; the innumerable clops of hooves upon pavement.

Ponies of all colours and ages milled through the streets. The fallout of the bus service and cab industry, combined with the lack of cars still in use left virtually every street, bridge, and crosswalk of the city clear of traffic. Most of the equines wore umbrella-hats or rain coats, and those without could be seen darting under awnings to avoid the downpour.

One avenue however was different. The ponies were there, just like every other street. They were in the process of commuting to their destinations or getting their foals ready for school...just like every other street. What made this particular avenue unique was the shadowy bipedal figure currently striding down it briskly.

Heads turned and whispers were exchanged as the human waded through the masses. Humans were a rare enough sight as it was, but seeing one so early? The conversion movement had all but destroyed human industry; those that remained were rarely compelled to leave their homes much less have a reason to be out and about in the morning. The human’s appearance certainly did not help matters. It wore a long dark green poncho, its face veiled in shadows cast by the poncho’s hood. Only the dim glow of the lit cigarette hanging from its mouth gave any clue as to its appearance: a face of stubble, dark eyes, and an expression of intense focus. Together with a hand wrapped in bloody bandages it was an intimidating sight, and ponies shied away from the man, giving him wide berth like one would do when seeing a raccoon out in the daytime or a stray dog.

But if the human cared he didn’t show it. His gaze was locked straight ahead toward the entrance to the one last functioning means of public transportation in New York city; the subway. As he reached the staircase to the terminal, the man took one last drag from his cigarette and flicked it into a nearby trash bin. He cast a look straight up into the sky, and then disappeared underground.

The human grunted as he tightened the drawstring of the duffel. “So...how does this usually go?” he asked without turning to his neighbor who stood in the doorway to his bedroom.

“Well, you check in and fill out some forms. Pretty basic stuff, Just medical history, occupation, your short and long term goals.”

“Hrm...guess that makes sense.” the human relented. “So...you check in and then what?” he continued.

“They get you assigned to a room and you attend the orientation. After that you are given a list of seminars to attend during the week you spend there. Its apparently different depending on where you plan on living after you check out; ponies moving to Equestria have to attend seminars pertaining to history and social norms while those who aren’t relocating have to learn about how human society will change with the conversion movement.”

“Well, after your week is up, they call you down to the ponification rooms and...well I think you know.”

“Huh.” Robert replied dumbly. His eyes wandered to his nightstand where his laptop and cell phone rested.

Robert grumbled. He would have liked to at least had his laptop to remain in touch with the outside world. His phone he could care less about; he hadn’t had anyone he needed to call in months. He glanced out of his window; the first drops of rain could be heard hitting the glass. Striding over to his closet he pulled out a long dark green poncho with ‘SECURITY’ emblazoned in yellow on its back; a purchase from a seedy thrift store in the South Bronx. He slipped it on, not bothering to change his clothes.

Robert strapped the duffel over his shoulder. “I brushed my teeth. They’ve got showers there right? Besides, I need to get there asap.” He finally turned to the unicorn. “How do I do that?”

John sighed thoughtfully, his eyes on the ceiling. “Well, if you take the subway from Amsterdam, the D-line will take you to the Brooklyn bridge. Head across that, then take the C to Prospect Park. The bureau is just east of there: it was the University Hospital before the movement.”

“Yeah, something about hospitals having the necessary facilities for the bureaus. Makes sense I suppose; they can house large numbers of people and they are stocked with medical equipment.”

John sighed and trotted up to the human, laying a hoof on his knee. “You gonna be alright?”

Robert took a deep breath. “Yeah...I think so. Thanks for helping me get my head together John.”

Robert rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m nervous. I don’t know how I’m going to approach this John, how I’m going to fix this. What am I supposed to do?”

John’s expression grew stern. “Go to where ponies are. You won’t have to look very long. Its alright to be afraid Robert...because this part won’t be like a fairy tale. Real life doesn’t fit into storybook pages that were written for it...”

Robert was taken aback by the profound statement. “Wow...John that was-” Then it him like a ton of bricks as he brought a hand to his face. “Goddamn it.”

John burst out laughing. “I’m sorry man it was too easy, the poncho just makes it- Oh wait!” He levitated a Yankee cap resting on the nearby dresser onto Robert’s head. “Perfect!”

Robert whipped the hat off his head at John, who jumped away laughing. John’s laughter was infectious however as Robert soon felt himself joining him. The two friends laughed and laughed, a cathartic gesture for Robert in the face of all that had happened over the last day.

Eventually they regained their composure and it was time for Robert to leave. He made his way out of the bedroom, John right behind him, toward the front door of his apartment but stopped in the living room. He took a long look around, at his couch, at the sliding glass door, and the pictures that lay on the end-table. Then he remembered something. He strode over to his couch and reached underneath, retrieving a large manila envelope. Reopening his duffel, he packed it away with care and turned to his neighbor.

“Well...guess I’m off. I don’t have much in the pantry but you’re welcome to anything you find.”

“Yeah...see ya.” and with that, Robert strode out of his home; taking the first steps towards his new life.

He descended the first set of stairs into the Amsterdam subway platform. The air was thick with humidity, as it always was in the subway on a rainy day; bright fluorescent lights cast large halos against the mugginess. Reaching the landing he noticed that the row of turnstiles that once separated the ticket offices from the platform had been removed. He pulled out his metro card for a moment before casting it aside and making his way down the remaining stairs.

As he reached the platform he glanced around; no humans, very few ponies. He had heard once that most ponies have an aversion to being underground, so these were probably converts. Walking forward, he took a seat on a nearby bench and rested his bag in his lap. The distant roars of the metro calmed his nerves a bit, it was one of the last sounds of his old life, of the time before.

He shook his head. He couldn’t be thinking like that, not now. He had resolved to leave the time before behind and embrace the future.

He sighed, and began to think about what he would be facing in his immediate future. A blue pegasus with a prismatic mane came into his mind’s eye.

He groaned as his head fell into his hands. It was no use, he would just have to put all his cards on the table when he met her and hope it turned out for the best. It was an old habit of his; when he knew he would be facing a tough decision or a heated argument he would play out both sides of the exchange in his mind. Sometimes he would be pleasantly surprised at the actual outcome, and other times crushingly disappointed. He could only pray that his meeting with Rainbow Dash would be of the former.

He was drawn out of his thoughts by the telltale roar of the incoming D-line. Gathering up his bag, he approached the gap as the train slowed and eventually stopped at the platform.

The elevator car reached the lobby of the bureau, its doors releasing its only passenger.

She couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t even fathom it. Her best friend had fallen in love with a human, and a city human no less. She had already been hurt once, didn’t she know better?

The orange earth pony’s thoughts raged as she made her way into the lobby; a sparkling, clean area meant to mirror the conversion movement’s intentions and vision, a place to put incoming humans’ minds at ease. The elevators lay beyond the security check-in that lead all the way to the building’s doors in an area whose floors were of the most pristine marble, that had large green plants in almost every corner and pieces of art on every wall. The shape of the lobby funneled to the receiving desk; a dark lacquered wood piece. But there was a dissonance in the otherwise pleasing aesthetics of the lobby. It came in the form no less then a dozen security cameras covering every square inch of the lobby and the security check-in as well as the five inch bulletproof glass that protected whoever was manning the receiving desk.

Applejack clopped wearily through the deserted lobby. She was tired, she was aggravated, but most of all she was hungry. She hadn’t had a bite to eat since yesterday afternoon and it was making her already poor mood even worse. She resolved to grab some breakfast and maybe catch a few hours of sleep before-

The cowpony groaned inwardly. Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie caught up to Applejack and began walking on either side of her.

“Don’t you think that was just a bit...harsh?” the unicorn asked haltingly. Applejack sighed.

“But Rainbow Dash is your best friend AJ! She needs you, all of us, right now more than ever!” Pinkie exclaimed.

They turned a corner into another corridor, which led to the cafeteria. Applejack stopped and turned back toward her friends.

“Why not? Before yesterday it sounded like he really makes her happy! Isn’t that what matters?” Pinkie chirped.

“I have to agree with Pinkie. Rainbow seemed much happier having Robert in her life while she was here in New York.”

“Well I will be the first to admit that I’m a bit surprised, but I don’t see the harm in it. Besides, pony-human couples aren’t unheard of-”

“Yeah, between tha converted ponies and humans; and ah don’t know if you’ve noticed but they ain’t looked too kindly upon. This is Dash Twi, our Dash. Are ya really alright with her facin’ that sorta persecution’?”

“And furdermore, Ah still think this Rob is no good. She deserves better Twi. She shouldn’t haf’ta settle for the first human ta show’er a bit of kindness, specially one that’s so unstable. Tell me ah’m wrong Twilight.”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know Applejack. Its true that inter-species relations are heavily demonized in human media, and maybe there are better people or ponies out there for Rainbow, but she chose him and its her decision.”

Applejack’s gaze bored into the purple unicorn for a few long seconds before she turned tail and began to make her way down the hall. “Where are you going?” Pinkie called to her.

She looked back. “Look, ah know you never seem ta get tired, ever, but ah’m plum exhausted and starvin. This is a lot ta take in, and ah don’t think ah’m in the right mind to be dealin’ wit’ it right now. Ah’m just gonna grab somethin’ ta eat and a few hours rest, maybe then ah’ll be a bit more...agreeable.”

With that, the cowpony turned and made her way to the cafeteria, leaving a concerned Twilight and crestfallen Pinkie Pie behind in silence.

He must have zoned out on the subway, because the next thing he knew Robert was already halfway across The Brooklyn Bridge with yet another cigarette screwed in between his lips. Hundreds of ponies were hoofing their way across either heading to or from Brooklyn. Seeing anything other than bumper to bumper traffic on this bridge would have been a completely alien sight months ago. The inter-borough bridges which had for so long carried millions of vehicles across the Hudson now served as glorified foot- hoof bridges.

The rain had temporarily abated, and Robert removed his hood. He stopped for a moment and peered across the water. That was when he noticed something rather odd. It was no secret that the Hudson River was befouled and polluted, and had been for decades due to human industry. The river’s murky brownish-green hue had been proof enough of that. Yet, even under the dark stormy sky, the river which had for so long seemed to mirror humanity’s impact upon the natural world now seemed to glow with a clear azure shine. Its usual murkiness now replaced with a clarity one could only see in places like the Caribbean.

He glanced around, none of the passing ponies seemed to notice or care. This also seemed unusual. The majority of these ponies were converts, so such an unbelievable phenomenon should have at least turned a few heads. He turned back toward the river-

“...what the fuck?” he whispered breathlessly as his cigarette fell out of his mouth.

The river had returned to its normal state, leaving no sign or trace of its changed appearance. A loud boom of thunder overhead sent a few ponies on the bridge skittering as a fresh downpour of rain fell from the sky. Robert flipped his hood back on and continued his trek, now at a much brisker pace.

Rainbow Dash hadn’t been prepared for the ear-splitting crack of thunder that surged down from the upper atmosphere. She quickly righted her course with a roll, momentarily glimpsing the expanse of the Hudson beneath her, and continued her flight toward Manhattan.

Her coat was quickly becoming drenched from the storm but she didn’t care. She needed to get to Robert, and fast. A determination burned in her heart, the likes of which she hadn’t felt since the night she and her friends faced Nightmare Moon. Had the weather been a bit more amicable she would have even tried a Sonic Rainboom, but the storm threw too many unwanted variables into the mix for her to feel comfortable attempting such a complex maneuver. The rain and wind were already impeding her enough as it was, trying something like that could be extremely dangerous.

“Ugh, why did this have to happen now!” she yelled into the sky in exasperation. She gritted her teeth in frustration as the rain continuously obscured her vision; she was kicking herself now for forgetting her flight goggles.

As an updraft hit her wings, the same uncertainty that she had felt before taking flight gripped her. Immediately the sensitive pin feathers in her wings began to flood her brain with information about the storm.

Winds heading east at roughly twenty miles per hour, with gusts of up to thirty miles per hour. Cloud to ground lightning almost nonexistent. A quarter of an inch of rain per hour at the current rate of precipitation. This storm...it felt so-

She surged forward, tightening her frame to minimize wind resistance. She had to hurry. She had to reach him.

He didn’t need any maps or directions from here; he knew Brooklyn like the back of his hand. Which made sense as he had lived here virtually his whole life, only moving to Manhattan after graduating from Fordham.

It would be two blocks of walking to get to the subway then another two after reaching prospect park to reach the bureau. His pace slowed a bit as he took in the sights of his old neighborhood. Everything had changed. Being the first borough to see a conversion bureau, the changes that now permeated the city had radiated out from it. Old delicatessens and markets that he remembered visiting for years were either boarded up or had been changed into more pony friendly establishments like bakeries and candy shops.

With the absence of construction crews capable of handling the needs of up-keeping the various buildings, sidewalks and roads, many of them had fallen into disrepair. Not so extreme as to warrant them hazardous and thus mark them for demolition, but their condition had certainly deteriorated. In other parts of the borough nature had begun to reclaim the concrete jungle with vegetation becoming overgrown in some places and trees being left to damage roads and sidewalks even further with their roots.

Robert couldn’t help but notice how his old neighborhood now reflected himself; the old was being swept aside to make way for the new but it still managed to linger. He wondered if after everything was said and done if any part of the city itself would be recognizable to those who had lived in the world before, if any part of himself would be recognizable to the being he was going to become.

So lost was he in his thoughts that he had already reached the subway entrance without realizing it. He took a few steps towards it but a store across the street caught his eye. ‘High-Fliers’ glowed in neon lettering through the gloom of the rain, and pony mannequins wearing flight suits and goggles were on display in the windows. Before he could stop himself, he felt himself crossing the street and entering the establishment.

It appeared to be a sporting-goods store aimed directly at pegasi. Flight suits hung on wracks near the back of the store, while glass cases containing various eye-ware and other flight-assisting tools lined the walls. Posters featuring the Wonderbolts and other flight teams that had earned recognition were pinned above the cases.

An older pegasus stallion with a grey coat and white mane looked up from behind the counter.

“Good Morning, welcome to-” he began with a smile but stopped when he noticed the species of his would-be customer. “Oh...um, pardon me but are you maybe looking for a different store?”

“Oh, alright. I- Sorry its just we never get humans in here. How can I help you?”

Robert slowly walked forward, scrutinizing the contents of the cases. Goggles of every size, color, and function were on display. Clip-on altimeters and airspeed indicators lay in separate cases, as well as in astronomically separate price ranges. He turned back toward the goggle case.

“Ah, find something you like?” the pegasus asked. “Maybe for a ponified friend of yours?”

She dipped low and shot like a missile toward his balcony, flaring her wings on the approach and landing softly. He wasn’t outside; that wasn’t a good sign. She shook the excess water off her coat and trotted slowly up to the sliding glass door and attempted to peer inside. The blinds were drawn shut.

She took a deep breath. She could do this. She had to do this. She tentatively raised a quivering hoof to the glass...a few seconds passed...then a minute...then five...

She groaned in exasperation and began to pace back and forth in front of the door. She had been in such a rush to get to Robert that she hadn’t even thought of what to say. How was she going to convince him to come with her to the bureau? What if he shot her down again? What if Applejack was-

She mentally slapped herself. She hadn’t come this far just to lose faith in the human that she...loved. That’s right; she loved him. She hadn’t come to convince him, she had come to save him.

She took another deep breath and raised her hoof, then let a few knocks fall upon the glass.

She knocked harder. “Rob! I know you’re in there! Come out and talk to me you dweeb!”

She grit her teeth in frustration and knocked hard enough to rattle the entire door-frame. “ROB!”

The scream reverberated through the glass into the dark apartment, and was left unanswered. She took to the air, ready to check his bedroom and kitchen windows when she heard the neighboring sliding glass door open and the clop of hooves onto wood.

Rainbow turned toward to the neighboring balcony to see the brown unicorn levitate a cup of coffee to his lips. He glanced at her.

“Yeah...but he won’t answer.” Rainbow replied crestfallen. She landed on John’s balcony.

“Where do I begin...he told me about what happened between you two yesterday-” At this Rainbow shifted uncomfortably. “-and apparently it did a number on him. Had the craziest goddamn dream I’ve ever heard. Hallucinated some sort of monster in his mirror and nearly broke his hand...said he felt like he was going crazy...”

Rainbow tensed. It was just like Twilight had said. “I need to see him.” She took a step toward John. “Now.”

Rainbow felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. It couldn’t be. It couldn't be. He wouldn’t just leave, there was no way.

John gazed at the pegasus while taking another long gulp of coffee. “You seem surprised. You knew what was happening to him, if he didn’t do something he would have died. You should be happy.”

Rainbow’s legs fell out from under her as her eyes began to burn from tears. “No...no I- it- it isn’t enough...just...just him leaving isn’t enough...I....”

Rainbow shook her head as she brought her hooves to her eyes. She had been too late, he was gone.
She took a few shuddering breaths. “Where did he go?” she asked hoarsely.

John sighed as he looked up into the stormy skies. “Last I saw he was making his way to Brooklyn-”

“-also told me I’m welcome to whatever I may like in his apartment. Something about there only being a one in three chance of him having any use for it when he got back.”

Rainbow slowly stood, her gaze never leaving the brown unicorn. John drained the last of the coffee from his mug and turned to the pegasus with a grin.

“...ohmygoshhmygoshhmygoshhmygoshhmygoshhmygoshOHMYGOSH!” Rainbow exclaimed as her face broke into a wide grin. Her heart was doing back-flips in her chest in sheer joy.

He never got to finish his sentence as the rainbow-maned pegasus blasted off into the rainy skies. He watched her rainbow trail disappear behind a far skyscraper.

Twilight trotted dejectedly to the security desk. She hoped that maybe Applejack was just in shock over what had happened and that she and Rainbow Dash would reconcile; she hated watching her friends fight. She reached the small door that lead into the enclosed area behind the desk and undid the latch with her magic. As she stepped inside she was momentarily surprised to see Pinkie Pie already manning the station.

“I got a bite to eat, then decided to watch the security cameras!” The pink earth pony chirped. She could never stay in a bad mood for long, that Pinkie.

Twilight yawned and took a place next to Pinkie. “The bureau doesn’t open for another two hours, so there probably wont be anyone to watch.”

“Says you! I’ve been watching the ponies on the sidewalk and its hilarious! They are all so stuffy and grumpy in the morning. You’d think after becoming ponies they’d be a bit more chipper!”

Twilight shrugged. “Just city life I guess, Canterlot was the same way. I mean, not as technologically advanced but the mindset. Everypony just sort of-”

Reaching out with her magic, she adjusted the position of one of the cameras through the control console. The view on the screen shifted upwards slightly and a shadowy humanoid figure came into view. It was standing across the street, staring up at the bureau.

The two ponies jumped as the door opened, revealing Rarity sans hair curlers. “There you two are.” She hissed. Squeezing her way in the alabaster unicorn addressed her friends in a hushed tone. “What happened with Applejack?”

Twilight sighed. “Shes refusing to accept it, and I don’t think she’ll be changing her mind anytime soon.”

“Not so loud!” Rarity chided. “But yes, she left to try and bring Robert here, to be converted.”

“But of course! Its none of our business to try and stop her from pursuing love. Twilight dear I thought you of all ponies would-”

“Its not that!” Twilight hissed. “There’s a storm outside! Its not safe for her to fly right now. Plus Princess Celestia said that they would officially announce the existence of the phenomenon within the hour on national television! There could be a human backlash, and if Rainbow is out there when it happens-” She shook her head. “Besides, right now Applejack-”

The three ponies behind the desk jumped and wheeled toward the door. A still very fatigued Applejack stood right outside with a scrutinizing glare.

“Oh! Oh, um nothing darling its nothing, nothing at all!” Rarity replied nervously.

“...uh huh.” The cowpony deadpanned, obviously unconvinced. “What in tarnation are ya’ll doin in here anyways?”

Applejack squeezed behind the desk, now making the space that could comfortably fit two ponies very crowded.

“We- we were um...” Twilight began. Her eyes darted up to the security monitor. “Ah! Right, that human! Its been standing there watching the building for a while we were just a bit concerned...”

Applejack squinted at the screen and let out a snort. “Ah’ll take care of this.” With that she turned and left the small room, making her way toward the doors of the bureau.

Rarity glanced at the monitor. “My...that is a bit unnerving, why is it just standing there like that?”

“Lets take a closer look!” Pinkie sang as she reached out and slowly began to turn a nob on the console. The picture on the monitor began to zoom in on the figure’s face.

The subway ride had been uneventful, and no other strange hallucinations had occurred during his trek to his destination. Here he stood, before the building that had caused him so much fear, so much grief; The Brooklyn conversion bureau.

The bureaus of New York city hadn’t seen the same ‘sea of cars’ phenomenon that other areas had. Instead, the transportation department began to assign parking garages to house the vehicles that had been left behind. Eventually every parking structure and lot within Brooklyn and the majority of those in the other boroughs were filled to capacity with abandoned vehicles, their entrances sealed with chains and security personnel. Thus, the area around the building was clear.

He remembered the bureau, but not in its current state. Back when it was the university hospital, it had had only been fifteen stories tops. Now it stood at roughly thirty, making the building appear even more imposing. The bureau, and hospital before it, was actually split into two separate buildings connected at the base by the first floor.

It was ironic. So god damned ironic that it belonged in a bad novel or a crappy drama. This building was significant to Robert in more ways than one. It was in this very building twenty-four years ago that he had been born kicking and screaming into the world. How ironic that his human life should end within the same building it began.

That's right, his human life would be ending, he would be finally undergoing the conversion that he had for so long avoided, for so long despised. The revelation hit him like a freight train and he felt his legs turn to lead. The world swayed around him, and despite standing perfectly still the vertigo caused his stomach to do flips. He grit his teeth, fighting back the nausea. He hadn’t come this far to give up. Taking a deep breath, he made his way across the rain-slick street toward the bureau.

As he made his way up the stairs leading toward the door, he felt his legs become even heavier. Fighting the urge to turn and run, to give up, he took each step one by one, each one becoming more difficult than the last. He kept his goal firmly in his mind, the image of his sky-bound savior burned in his mind’s eye lending him the will to keep climbing. Finally, he made it to the top, the doors were right before him...as well as a pony. A pony wearing a cowboy hat.

“Woah there sugarcube.” The cowpony warned. “Bureau ain’t open fer another few hours, come on back then.”

Robert shook himself out of his daze. Sure now that this wasn’t another hallucination he cleared his throat. “Pardon me, but I’m actually here to see someone- somepony.”

“Shes a member of the staff.” Robert interjected. “She’s a pegasus. Her name is Rainbow Dash.”

Robert immediately noticed how the pony used ‘Dash’ when referring to Rainbow. She was obviously close to her...but how? “Shes a...friend of mine. Please, I need to speak with her; its important.”

The pony’ eyes narrowed. “She ain’t in no state to be talkin’ wit a human. So why dont’cha just Come. Back. Later.”

That was not a request. Robert felt his resolve waver in the face of the pony’s stubbornness and the reminder of just what put Rainbow in such a state. Despite this, he held his ground.

The pony grit her teeth and took a few steps forward. “And just what is so darn important that ya need ta bother her?!”

“Apologize? Just why would’ja need ta-” The pony’s eyes widened. “Wait a consarn minute.”

At the same time Robert began to piece a few things together in his own mind. Cowboy hat, southern accent, freckles...

Applejack. A tough, stubborn pony who was fiercely protective of her friends. Robert swallowed hard, this was going to be rough.

“Yes, and I came here to apologize to Rainbow for the way I acted yesterday. Please, you need to let me see-”

Robert didn’t have time to finish his sentence as the earth pony reared up and came down with a thunderous slam, the resulting shockwave sent him tumbling backwards and almost down the stairs. He fell with a wet ‘thud’ onto the stone top-step, his duffel becoming unfastened and rolling down the stairs. Applejack advanced upon him.

“Just what? Ya think you can just smooth all this over wit an apology? You city folk are all tha same!”

She was standing over him now. A blinding flash of lightning etched his retinas and outlined her figure against the dark sky. “All hat and no cattle.” she hissed, eyes narrowed.

Robert gasped as Applejack brought a hoof down on his shoulder. The blow wasn’t hard enough to injure him, but she was exerting an amount of force that betrayed her diminutive body.

“Twilight says yer sick or somethin’. That yer goin crazy or some noise. Personally, ah think shes right. Ah think you’ve been sick long before we ever came to yer world. What other reason could there be?”

Robert grit his teeth as the pony put more force behind her hoof, it was starting to become painful.

“Ah’m gonna let ya in on a little secret pard’ner. Shes too good for ya. She deserves better than some nobody human. What could ya even give her? What do ya even have ta offer her?”

“That’s enough, Applejack!” a voiced called through the gloom. Robert looked up to see Twilight, Rarity, and a pink earth pony who he could only assume was Pinkie Pie standing in the entrance to the bureau.

Applejack removed her hoof from his shoulder and whipped around to face her friends. “No it ain’t!” She yelled. “He needs ta understand just what he did ta Dash!”

“Applejack hes here! He came of his own free will! What do you think that means?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Ah wont accept it! Hes no good Twi! Ah don’t know what his angle is but hes up ta somethin’! Hes got ta be!”

“And just what would that be?” Robert asked as he got to his feet. His gaze bored into Applejack. “What could I be up to?” he asked icily.

“You’re right. It doesn’t matter. None of this matters. The only thing that matters to me, right now, is Rainbow Dash.”

“Now I am going to ask again.” Robert continued. “May I please speak to Rainbow Dash?”

Robert froze. He slowly turned around, and there fluttering a few feet over the stairs was the pegasus he had been longing to see.

“Long enough.” Rainbow replied. Her gaze drifted to Applejack. For a few long seconds neither said a thing to the other. Applejack looked away in shame.

“Dash-” she mumbled. “Ah, ah was just lookin’ out fer yer wellbein’”

Applejack’s head hung low as she turned and dejectedly made her way back to the doors of the bureau. She cast one more venomous glare at Robert before pushing past Twilight and Rarity back into the building.

Twilight released the breath she had been holding. “Robert I am sorry about that. She-” A white hoof came up and silenced her. “Mmph?!”

Rarity shushed her and nodded toward the human and the pegasus that faced each other on the stairs.

The rain stopped, but the distant rumbles of thunder remained. Robert took a deep breath. This was it, this was what he had been waiting for. It felt like his heart was beating a mile a minute in his throat, but he managed to start.

“You talked to-” he shook his head. “Its a long story Dash...it happened last night...a lot of things happened last night.” He descended a few steps. “Dash, about yesterday I- I’m sorry. I am so sorry. That...that wasn’t me. I mean, it was a part of me but-” he brought a hand to his face. This was going to be hard. “There’s something wrong with me Dash. I didn’t mean a word of what I said but I couldn’t stop myself from saying it...it was horrible, like being trapped in my own mind...”

Rainbow crossed her forelegs against her chest. “It really hurt me Rob, the things you said...”

“I know. I know Dash and I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve any of that. You...you are the best thing to ever happen to me.”

“Applejack is right. I am a nobody Dash. I have nothing to offer someone as amazing as you, and before you entered my life I was even less than a nobody. All of my past goals, achievements, dreams...they are nothing now that the world is going to completely change. The one and only thing about my current life that I can say I am proud of, that gives it purpose, is the fact that I have you in it.”

Rainbow’s face tilted forward slightly, causing her wet prismatic bangs to obscure her eyes. She appeared to be shaking.

“And you do deserve better Rainbow. There are tons of other ponies or even people that could show you so much more. But...but I am willing to change, mentally and physically to be deserving of you. I want to stay with you Rainbow, to be with you, and God willing fly with you too.”

And in that one, clear moment, there was no need for poems or sonnets, no need for grandiose declarations or flowery prose. Just three little words.

Rainbow inhaled sharply, her entire body seemed to be quivering. A ray of sun broke through a cloud, illuminating the stairs where they stood. Slowly, deliberately, Rainbow Dash looked up to Robert, her magenta eyes were wet with tears and a trembling smile was on her lips. Robert was taken aback; seeing her like this...she was- gone?!

Rainbow disappeared before his eyes as she darted straight up, then came down like a missile towards him. He hardly had any time to react before-

Jack-offs, all of them. It was his third month as a photographer and he hadn’t been able to land any good shots, which was surprising since the Conversion movement’s effects on human society seemed like such a ripe subject.

His partner Jack Gardener sat across from him at the small table at the cafe across the street from the conversion bureau. He was nursing a small latte while cycling through the images of his own camera.

“This sucks.” Mackenzie spat. “I can’t believe there are no fuckin’ shots to be found. Not a one.” He glanced at Jack’s camera. “What are you lookin’ at?”

“My own work. You should be focusing on yours Mack, that’s why we came here isn’t it? Something about the masses enrolling to get ponified being a ‘Fuckin’ Goldmine?’”

Mack groaned and brought his head down on the table. “Shut it. How was I supposed to know the place wasn’t going to be open for another two hours.” He turned his head over to look back at the entrance to the bureau...and noticed something going on.

Mack squinted, it looked like some sort of altercation but he couldn’t make out what was being said. He bent down and dug his camera out of his bag. He zoomed back in on the doorway, and noticed that a pegasus was now there, fluttering behind the two figures near the stairs, a group of other ponies now stood in the doorway.

Mack raised his camera again. A sunbeam had broken through the storms and illuminated the two figures on the stairs, a human wearing a green rain poncho and a rainbow-maned pegasus. The pegasus suddenly shot straight into the air and came down toward the human. He zoomed in further as she descended, just in time to catch-

“Hm?” Jack looked up at the sounds of the shutter-clicks. “You get something?”

He turned his camera around to show the image on the small LCD screen. Jack set his own camera down and took Mack’s. He gazed at the picture for a few moments before smiling and giving Mack a thumbs up.

There, on the screen, a perfectly timed shot of the rainbow-maned pegasus locking lips with the human could be seen. The pegasus had her forelegs wrapped around the human’s neck, while the human was cradling her head in his hands. The sunbeam radiated through the pegasus’ mane and flared wings, giving her an almost angelic appearance.

It was a one and a million shot, and they were going to make sure everyone had the honor to appreciate it.

Their lips parted as a cloud obscured the momentary sunlight. Robert didn’t know what to expect from kissing a pony...but it hadn’t felt bad, or weird, or even furry like he thought it would. Their eyes met, both glistening with emotion.

Robert ran his hands down her back, under her wings and brought her close, holding her against him.

“Featherbrain.” came the muffled reply. “I flew through the rain all the way to Manhattan to find you.”

Robert smiled as he gently rubbed her back. His heart was racing, he felt light-headed, but he couldn’t have been happier. For the first time, in a long time, the future seemed as bright as the sun. He knew now, holding the pony he loved, that he was ready to take his true first step into his new life.

Behind the two lovers, Rarity, Pinkie, and Twilight were all in varying degrees of emotion. Rarity’s eyes were wet from happiness, Twilight looked relieved, while Pinkie-

*PFFFFFBBTTHTFFTTT* “IT’S SO BEAUTIFULLL!!!” Pinkie cried while blowing her nose with a comically over-sized handkerchief. She gasped, immediately ending her sobbing as she cast aside the handkerchief. “You know what this calls for?!!?”

“Ahem.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Before that, don’t you think they should get out of the rain? Besides I have much I need to discuss with Robert.”

Pinkie’s exuberance deflated. “Fine. But I’m starting to think I’m not gonna be able to throw a party in New York!”

Robert and Rainbow Dash turned toward the door, and together made their way inside with the others.

The Conversion Bureau: Change of Life

by Hurricane Puncher

Acperience II