//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Turning into a Pony // by viclouiis //------------------------------// "Are we there yet?" Peter asked after about an hour in the car. "No, Pete, we've got a few days of driving if we stop to rest... maybe three or four? It takes a while to get from Oregon to Chicago," I said. Peter started tapping his feet against the back of Matt's chair. "Hey, man, could you stop?" Matt asked. Peter obliged. So, Matt was driving, Sarah was next to him, asleep. Then, behind her was Meg, on her phone. I sat next to her thinking about... everything, I guess. Next to me was Peter, being Peter. Behind him was Zane, stretched out drinking a soda and listening to music on his iPod. I figured that music would be nice, so I got out my iPod and turned it on. I plugged my earbuds in and put them in my new ears. Music blasted out, and I quickly shook my earbuds out. I turned the volume to the lowest level and put them back in. Much better. I listened for about two hours, and noticed that we were stopping at a 7 Eleven. I pulled out my earbuds. "What're we pulling over for?" I asked. "Zane drank everything we brought, which is like one soda bottle and three water bottles, so we figured he could take a leak and pick up some new drinks," Matt said. "I want to save as much time as possible, so I'll buy the drinks while he goes... you know," I said. They nodded, and I pulled the sweatshirt I'd packed out of my bag. Zane and I got out and walked inside. He ran towards the bathroom while I walked around. Hmm, some sodas looked good. I also grabbed some water. Then, just to be sure that we had enough food, I grabbed a couple bags of chips, some candy, and a handful of Slim Jims. I dropped them on the counter. The cashier was a bored looking girl flipping through channels on a TV. "Nothing on but that weird story about people turning into ponies. Total load of crap, if you ask me," She said. "Uh, sure," I nodded. I payed for my stuff, Zane came out of the bathroom, and we walked out of the store. I dropped the bag on the floor and sat down. Matt started up the car and drove for another hour. "Guys, I'm getting a bit tired, can somepony else drive for a bit?" Meg took over for Matt. She'd been driving for about a half hour when I fell asleep. I was back in the forest. I walked down the same path that I'd walked in my last dream. "You there?" I called out. My response came in the form of Callan stepping out of the brush. "Hey," She said. "Hi. So, anything I need to know?" I asked. "Umm... when you get your wings, don't start flying until you're fully me. You know, pegasus bones are hollow, so they don't weigh you down. Human bones, not so much. Also, you'd better wake up," She said. "What? Why? I didn't get to really talk to you!" "Wake up!" She said. I found myself stirring. I was back in the car. I looked around. Sarah, who'd been sleeping for hours was now awake. She was really happy about something. Meg had stopped the car, and was staring at her hands... well, they weren't really hands anymore. More like hooves. Oh... I looked back at Sarah, and... pony ears. Sarah had pony ears. Next to me, Matt had much larger holes. Wait, what was up with me? I tried to look at myself, but Matt saved me the trouble. "Kate, you've got wings," He said. I did... they actually felt pretty good. I turned around. Zane had a mane, and Peter was much taller. "Uh, Meg, I don't think you should be driving. I'll take over," I said. We switched seats, and I started driving. "Hey, Kate? Could you turn on the radio?" Meg asked. I obliged. "There're many car crashes today, Phil. This probably has to do with the startling development of 'bronies' becoming ponies. Anything to say on the matter?" "Thanks, Allison. Now, we have the father of one of these bronies here at the studio. Hello, sir, may the audience get your name?" "Uh, hello, Phil. My name is Josh Jackson, and my son and daughter are part of this... event," He said distastefully. "May I ask how old your kids are, Josh?" Phil asked. "Well, my son, Adam, is seventeen, and my daughter, Amanda, is fourteen," Josh said. "Isn't that a bit old to be watching cartoon ponies?" Phil asked. "I always did say that that... cartoon was unbecoming and not a good entertainment for maturing people their age. Their mother didn't see any harm in it, however. Well, Linda, WHAT ABOUT NOW, HUH?" Josh yelled. "Calm down, Josh. What was your reaction to these transformations in your children?" Phil asked. "I kicked them out. I chased them out of the house with a broom," Josh said. "That sounds a bit... harsh," Phil said. "Don't judge my parenting, please," Josh said defensively. "Alright, calm down," Phil said "Thanks," Josh said. "Anyway, Josh, what kind of ponies are your kids, erm, transforming into?" Phil asked, "Well, Phil, they only talked about their 'OC Ponies' for hours on end, so I know that Adam is turning into a pegasus named Shiruken, if I recall correctly. Amanda is, I believe, a Batpony named... uh, Shredder. Yes, that's right. I believe that the name originated from Amanda's love of her electric guitar. Actually, I think that Shredder's one of the... you know, little kid ponies," Josh finished. "Thanks. Finally, have you heard of a convention for those like your children in Chicago?" "First of all, please don't call them my children. Second, who hasn't heard of that blasted convention by now?" Josh said. "You're right. There's a convention in Chicago held by two teens who are owning up to starting this. Any last words, Josh?" Phil asked. "Yeah, Phil. If you're one of those... things, you deserve what you're getting, you-" Josh was cut off. "Ahahaha, sorry, Josh, we're out of time. A different perspective, after the break," Phil said nervously, and a commercial for Walgreens started up. "Woah," Peter said. Everypony was speechless. Zane broke the silence. "Sounds like my mom," he said. We didn't say much of anything after that. I drove past a welcome to Idaho sign. "Anypony hungry?" I asked. "I am," Peter said. "Me too," Matt said. "I am too. We could eat what we packed, or we could stop to get a meal. Opinions?" I asked. "I'd love some McDonalds right now," Peter said. "Burger King!" Sarah yelled. Zane nodded. "How're you still hungry?" Matt asked Zane, who shrugged. "Guys, listen," Meg said. "You're turning into your OC. Who exactly is your OC?" Phil asked. "My OC is named Hellfire. I know, so original. He's half batpony, half griffon," a familiar voice said. "Is that Aaron?" Matt asked. "I think so," Meg said. Aaron's a bit of a tough guy. He went to our school. I was certain it was him on the radio. "So, Aaron, are you aware of this convention in Chicago?" "Yeah, but I've got hooves, so my buddy James is taking me. He doesn't watch the show or anything, so we're not all that likely to get in a crash," Aaron said. "Alright, do you know any other bronies?" Phil asked Aaron. "Actually, yeah. My cousin, Will, is a brony. I'm meeting up with him in South Dakota. Also, there were a few kids from my school who also watched the show. Matt, Sarah, and Zane, I think. There were a few others. A guy named Ron, and somepony named Maddie. Probably some others, too," He said. Ron was a jerk, and I didn't know Maddie at all. "He just mentioned you guys on the radio," Meg, a.k.a Captain Obvious, said. "Anything else you'd like to say, Aaron?" Phil asked. "Yeah. Good luck, you guys," Aaron finished. "Thanks, Aaron. Have any opinions on this? Are you turning into your OC? Know anyone who is? Call six six six, eight three one, four four nine one," Phil finished. "Want to call in?" Peter asked. I nodded, and Matt pulled out his phone. He called the number as I turned off the radio. He was put on hold. We waited, and he was picked up after about fifteen minutes. "Hello, this is Phil! May I get your name?" "Hey, I'm Matt. Aaron mentioned me before. Also here in the car are Sarah and Zane, who were also mentioned. Then we have Meg, Kate, and Kate's younger brother, Peter," He said. "Hello, Matt. May I ask the type of pony you're becoming, as well as your companions?" Phil asked Älright. I'm turning into a changeling, this... uh, creature that can turn into any other creature at will. Um, also important to note, they feed off of love. My OC's named the Joker, inspired by the supervillain of the same name.Kate's a pegasus. Uh, what's your OC's name?" Matt asked. "Callan Firehoof,"I said. "Yeah. Meg's a unicorn, and so's Sarah. Sarah's OC's named Candy Heart, and Meg's, uh... Meg?" He asked. "My OC's named Felicia," She said. "Oh, uh, okay. Zane's an earth pony named Jack Copper. I honestly have no idea why. Pete's, uh... Pete's..." "I'm part centaur, part draconequus!" Peter said. "Oh, yeah," Matt said. "My OC's named Steely Impressive Dude!" Pete said. "Alright, then. I take it you're on your way to Chicago?" Phil asked. "Yeah," Matt said. "We're supposed to be quarantining you guys, but I'm sure that this isn't a contagious thing," Phil said. "Yeah. I'm no medical genius, but it's safe to say that unless you have an OC, this isn't going to be happening to you anytime soon," Matt said. "Thanks, Matt. That's about all the time we have, good luck!" Phil said. He hung up. "Well, anyone up for McDonalds?" Peter asked.