Chapter 11: Fight And Flight

=== The Conversion Bureau: A New Age, A New Era ====== Chapter 11: Fight And Flight ===

[ Earth, October 2, 2080 - 2:45 AM PST ]

          It was another rainy, autumn night in Seattle, even if the thermometer suggested otherwise. Ethan was tossing and turning in his bed, the last four months worth of events were weighing on him heavily. He watched his friend go into a Conversion Bureau in St. Louis a human, and then come out an electric blue and cobalt-maned Unicorn. On top of that, whatever happened between the point he went in and came back out had altered him of mind enough, to where he just seemed more... open. Ethan, Natasha, and Kyoko, on the other hand, all seemed to be clamming up more and more. Kyoko tried to deny her problems, saying that having Andre, or Blue Vague as it were now, around was making things easier for her. Ethan could tell, though, none of the three humans of the Four Amigos were having anything but a difficult time. The nightmares were plaguing them all still; and it seemed like Ethan was due for another round against his inner darkness...

He had managed to get a pass into the Seattle Domes for the day, and decided to go to the airport to register for a pilots permit. When he listed his address, the manager just laughed at the fact this Outsider fool was trying to get a permit. Nevertheless, he approved the permit and showed Ethan to the hangar where the beginners planes rested.

Why was he laughing like that, it said that all qualified comers could get permits...

Ethan was in the air now, the plane was somewhat beat-up and rickety, but it was holding well enough in the air by his standards. His father and grandfather were some of the last remaining Outsider pilots, getting a license before the AIs took over as pilots for general purpose aircraft. He saw no better way to honor them than to become a pilot himself, even if he had to jump through a lot more hoops to do it.

Man look at the ground, I can see the Domes, and the slums... beautiful and depressing...

Then a pair of strange looking jets appeared out of nowhere and had him flanked on each end. They were sending signals for him to land and return his plane. He sent the relevant information that he had proper clearance to fly and everything. That's when things started to go south, and fast.

OUTSIDERS LIKE YOU AREN'T ALLOWED IN THE SKIES!!

The booming voice resounded everywhere Ethan could perceive. It was definitely not coming over the com-link, but he really didn't have any time to wonder what the hell he was hearing. In a flash, the planes broke their flanking formation in order to tail him. Then... BOOM!Ethan and his aircraft was rocked by a pair of missiles taking out both wings, and with it any power for him to stay airborne.

What the hell... why.... WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!

Ethan tried to eject, but the seat didn't work. The fuselage had become a rapidly falling coffin. Ethan was going to be an example; an example to the rest of the Outsiders that slum rats did not deserve to be in the air.

Someone... SOMEONE... Help me... I'M STUCK, SOMEONE HELP ME... PLEASE!

The fuselage was disintegrating, and before long Ethan was in pure freefall, with no parachute or anything to slow him down before a terminal impact.

I just wanted to fly... I just wanted to fly... I just wanted to fly...

He was not flying, but falling... falling... falling... and before he hit the ground... nothing. Then he woke up, body covered in a cold sweat.

          Everyday for the last four months, he'd have these nightmares. Every month, they'd get more and more intense. It was wearing him down. He knew why he wanted in the air so badly, but he couldn't figure out why he still wanted to get in the air. He thought his tour with the Air Force would quell him of the bug, but it just made it that much more intense. He was starting to develop the same blazing hatred of the Dome-dwellings Andre has, or had, he couldn't exactly tell in that regard. His entire being was chafing at the fact the whole damn system was set up to prevent what he always wanted, and if he was; going to resolve this internal conflict, something was going to have to change.

          Later that morning, he called Natasha on a secure line.

"Natty, you know what we've been talking about the last couple of weeks?"

"Yeah baby, I know... I get the feeling that seeing Andre and what it did for him is pushing us in that direction."

"Do you think that it'd help us?"

"I dunno, but frankly I'm out of ideas."

There was a long pause. It seemed like they were silently coming to some kind of confirmation of their previous discussions.

"So, do you want to go at the same time or let me go first?"

"I really in my heart of hearts want to say at the same time... but I think you're gonna need me as a human for awhile afterward."

"Heh, no wonder we're still together"

"Hey, through thick and thin, right?"

"Yeah, definitely."

"Have you cleared everything with the Isegawas. Apparently they thought that all four of us were gonna go eventually. I don't even know how they came to that conclusion but hey, it's best to have all of us in one place if we all do go. No telling what might happen if we were relatively alone."

"That's understandable. I just hope they remember that we still need our privacy, if you catch my drift."

"You sly little dog you. No wonder we're still together."

"Hey, what can I say. I am what I am."

===== ===== =====

[ Earth, October 5, 2080 ]

          It was early morning in Chicago. Rainbow Dash was still in her dorm room at the Chicago Bureau, doing about the best thing she could do sans flying the skies - sleeping away in her hammock. She was running the Chicago Bureau fine more or less, although some of the staff complained that she was growing steadily more dispassionate as the days went on. Her Element of Loyalty was perceiving the same thing, as began to 'speak' to her subconsciously...

Forgetting the mission, how could I forget the mission... Yeah, I am kinda mad that I can't fly like I want to... I don't know what to do... wait... St. Louis, where Twilight is... Something of interest?...

She was snapped out of her reverie with the magical artifact by some news that just came through from one of her assistants. She was going to be given leave, apparently Celestia was figuring Rainbow Dash was about at her limit of patience; therefore she was to relocate to St. Louis for some R&R, where her new housing was already arranged.

This was all that Rainbow Dash needed to hear.

"Alright, send word down to St. Louis - tell Twilight she's about to get some company!"

          At the same time in St. Louis, Four Amigos were sitting in a corner of the Bureau lobby to themselves, while Twilight Sparkle manned the reception desk, as was her custom. Spike was off with some other Ponies watching how they ran their particular areas of the Bureau, and trying his best to stay away from any prying eyes. Andre was still more or less adjusting to being a Unicorn. He was sitting on a cushion, wearing a translator headset to help himself get used to reading Equestrian ideograms. Thankfully, he was used to the whole idea, since Kyoko loved to throw in Japanese print during their text-based chats and he had to have some way to keep up.

Ethan couldn't help but remark at the sight himself. "You know, you look funny wearing that visor. Double since it was originally made for humans, or I guess kids anyway."

Andre looked up and chuckled at the thought. "Yeah I guess it does look weird. But I figure you all are gonna need the same thing before we get to Equestria. It's kinda hard to get used to the whole ideogram script unless you've been around it for awhile. Oh well, at least it has more regular syntax, unlike Japanese..."

"" Kyoko replied in Japanese, obviously miffed he would insult the language to her face.

"Hey, I'm just stating facts. It does make translating a bit of a hassle comparatively speaking," Andre replied back, obviously not trying to start some greater linguistics argument with someone fluent in at least 2 languages.

Natasha decided to re-route the conversation to issues more pertinent. "So baby, when is your date with destiny?" She was in full support of his decision, but still trying to figure out how to handle things in the interim period.

"According to Twilight Sparkle, three days like Andre, barring any unforeseen events of course." Ethan replied, the nervousness that a hard deadline starting to creep into his mind and voice.

Andre looked up at Ethan, he could easily read the nervousness in his voice. "Hey man, if you want to bail and take some more time to think about this, we'll still be at the Isegawas waiting for you." He tried to project the best sense of concern he could, given he still only 3 weeks or so into being a Pony.

Ethan definitely appreciated the sentiment, however, he was firm in his thoughts. To him, there really wasn't any way to directly confront his internal dilemma, or the larger problem of what he was to do with himself now that he was done with his service. He definitely didn't want to go re-enlist endlessly just so he could have something to do with himself. He wanted to fly the skies for himself; not under the orders of someone else, and definitely without having to cow to whatever those idiots in the Domes thought.

I wonder what I'd do if it was me in this situation... Kyoko thought to herself during the whole conversation. She knew Ethan would be like Andre in 3 days, and Natasha wouldn't be that far behind. Before long, she would be the only human left in the Four Amigos; so what would she do then?

          As the Four Amigos discussed their future prospects, Twilight was buzzed down the New Light Bridge Room. Apparently a Pony of most high interest had just warped in, and wanted to see Twilight post-haste. So Twilight took the short elevator ride and long walk down to the Bridge Room. When she entered the Bridge Room, she was immediately struck by a cyan-and-rainbow-streaked blur.

A blur this color can only be one pony... she thought to herself after being knocked out for a few seconds.

"So Twi', what's up?" Rainbow Dash said in her usual forever-in-a-rush tone of voice; standing over Twilight and eager to get caught up on things.

Twilight, for her part, just wanted to get out from under Dash and hear just why she wasn't in Chicago at the moment. "What's up?! Aren't you supposed to be in Chicago running that Bureau?!"

"Celestia sprung some vacation time for me, something about keeping me from going stir-crazy and going nuts in Earth airspace...," Dash replied, finally getting the hint and stepping from over Twilight.

Well this is just great... Twilight thought to herself. How was she supposed to run the Bureau, teach Blue Vague, and keep Rainbow Dash somewhere where she could see her?

          As the two long-time friends walked back to the elevator going to the ground floor, Rainbow Dash recounted the terms of her vacation time. Effectively she had free reign to go where she wanted to, so long as it was within the continental United States. She'd also be taking up residence at the Isegawas, although she hadn't personally be there yet to set up her room. Twilight was wondering what that building was they were building in the back of the clinic, but never thought to ask. It was now obvious to her that Celestia and Luna were working some more machinations behind the scenes; and she hoped things weren't about to get too hectic a quarter mile up the road from where she and Dash were currently.

          As Twilight reassumed her post as head administrator and receptionist, Rainbow Dash found the Four Amigos, and among them this 'Blue Vague' that Celestia had told her about.

"Hey, I guess by the blue coat and the cobalt mane, you must be Blue Vague, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, hopeful she didn't make too great an assumption just now.

"Yeah, I go by 'Blue Vague' now, and whom might you be?" Andre responded, not knowing just who exactly this mare with a strange dye-job (or was it natural?) was.

"Heh, well I am friend of Twilight, and Bearer of the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash, at you service!" Rainbow Dash replied, standing with an impressive air of confidence, and speaking loud enough for anyone in the lobby to hear her.

Oh Lord, she's one of the Bearers? Andre thought to himself, thinking back to the group that Celestia mention she'd have to report his existence to.

The other three were thankful there weren't too many humans in the lobby, otherwise she'd be causing quite the commotion.

Twilight Sparkle just sighed as she was still trying to figure out how she was supposed to keep a proverbial leash on the cyan speedster.

The rest of the day was a lot of Rainbow Dash regaling the Four Amigos with stories of her and the other Bearers of Harmony's exploits back in Equestria. The Four Amigos spent the same time wondering how Rainbow Dash was still in one piece after everything.

Pegasi must be incredibly durable... Ethan thought to himself during these stories, wondering if Fate would have the same thing in store for him.

As the sun set and the now group of five left for the Isegawa's Clinic, Ethan settled into his dorm room in the underground levels. As he said his good nights to Natasha back at the clinic, he could only think about what was plaguing him all these last three or four months... Why do I still want to get up into the sky so badly? I thought being in the Air Force those years would have satisfied me, but it just made me want it more. I thought the constant rejection by the private pilot registries would have made me give it up, but something in me wants to fly, and wants to fly bad. Just what is it?

=====  =====  =====

[ Earth, October 8, 2080 ]

          The three day orientation had come and gone without incident for Ethan and the others. Everyone was on hand in the lobby. Natasha appeared just as nervous for Ethan going in as Ethan did himself.

Natasha was looking off to the side, when she heard Ethan's name called to be the last conversion attempt of the day, she began to feel so many pent up emotions. "Baby, you know if you want to do this later, you'd better say so now or forever hold your peace, as they say."

Ethan was just as nervous, but still determined to see this through. "I know, and you know what I told you the last 3 nights you asked me that. We're gonna see this through, and I guess it's better I go first."

"I know, I know... but it's still hard though. I'm... I'm just so nervous about everything... what are we gonna do in the interim... what happens when my number comes up to so to speak... just so many questions...," Natasha said, going on and on about all the questions she had swirling around her head.

Ethan asked for a moment to help console her, and Twilight granted it, seeing as it really wasn't delaying anything for anyone else, except the for the few human workers in the 'basement'. Ethan reached over to hug her, and whispered into her ear, "This was our decision. We both knew what this meant, and how this is something neither of us can take back. But I truly feel this is something we were meant to do. If you really want me to not go through with this, you have to tell me now, please."

Natasha thought for those few moments. She didn't know how to answer, that is until she looked into Ethan's hazel eyes. Those hazel eyes showed a man that was one part nervous, but another part determined. A man that knew that any manner of things could happen to him, but he had something that had to be seen through, and by God he was going to finish it. It was that same exact look that she fell in love with those three years ago when she met him in San Diego while they were both on leave. After taking it all in, she gave her response, "Go ahead. This is our decision, and we're both going to see this through to the end." She then gave him a kiss to seal the deal.

Andre looked on with some manner of trepidation. Not for Ethan's rapidly approaching Ponification, though, but more for his relationship with Kyoko. Neither were able to share any of the same kind of intimacy that Ethan and Natasha clearly had for each other, and he was wondering just why not. Was he too nervous to pursue things further, was she too nervous to let him into her heart... or was it some combination of both?

With that, Ethan made the long elevator ride and walk to the Conversion Room. Accompanied by both Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, herself wondering just why she was so interested in what this human was about to undergo.

Loyalty, just why did you tell me to come here? ... What is it that you want me to see?

          Twilight and Dash were in the observation room while Ethan was in the exam room with the Pony assistants. He was a tad nervous only wearing a medical smock around everyone, but just chalked it up to the persistent human taboo about (near-)nudity in most situations. He performed the usual routine for each client: lie in the bed, drink the serum, raise the rails, and pass out like someone flipped off a light switch.

=---- ----=

          After falling asleep, he began to have a vision. He had heard that the Conversion process was as much a spiritual journey as it was a physical change, so he wasn't surprised at first that he was floating around like a disembodied soul. Then the true meat of the vision hit him.

Well this seems pretty ok and ... Sweet Mother of all Creation ...

First he was staring at the ocean... an ocean that you could almost see straight through to the bottom. He saw Ponies swimming along the surface, he saw Ponies on boats, he saw Ponies apparently water-skiing, he almost swore he saw something Pony-like living in the water but he figured that was too weird even for this vision.

It's so clean, water so clean... if I had hands I could reach in and drink it and never get sick...

Then he was floating along the ground, he could see fields stretching into the horizon, forests so green and healthy, every manner and type of flower and fruit. He saw Earth Ponies tending the soil, singing to the plants and having them grow, singing to the ground and having it become more fertile, seemingly singing to ordinary rocks and watching them grow into massive megaliths for quarrying. He found it strange but that was Magic for you.

The plants, the animals, even the ground itself look so clean and healthy...

What truly grabbed at his soul was flying around the sky on a cloud-platform. He saw the Pegasi actively managing the weather: directing where the winds would blow, where the sun would shine, and where the rain and snow would fall. They had actively taken control of the skies, but they were not selfish. They had all of this ability to determine who lived and who died, but they did not see it that way. They clearly showed without speaking they were working for the benefit of all, not just for the enrichment of themselves.

They rule the skies, they literally rule the skies. Yet they don't discriminate, they don't bully and coerce the Earth Ponies or Unicorns into compliance. They all work for the same thing, the same goal, they all want to preserve Life...

He then saw all 3 at the same time, coming together to form a seamless world. The Unicorns enjoying the ocean, the Earth Ponies tending the land, the Pegasi managing the skies. He then heard a voice in unison say to him with all kindness and earnestness:

Welcome our new brother. We graciously await your arrival in our lands. Soon your heart shall be put at ease you embark on a new journey of self-discovery.

Ethan wanted this world so badly now, a world where everyone wasn't scrapping like dogs just to get by. A world where the everything didn't seem to want you dead. A world where 'life' didn't mean just simply existing from day to day.

He was then sped to the Canterlot Castle, although he himself wouldn't have known it yet. He was then came to rest over the image of the Elements of Harmony and sat before a vision of Celestia and Luna.

The Vision of Luna then spoke "Ethan, son of the House of Hartford of Earth. Born on the 17th Day of June, Earth Year B.C.E. 2057. You come before us to seek a rebirth into our Herd and Family. Do you understand the ramifications of this decision?"

Ethan spoke, as if he were addressing a superior officer, "Yes Princess Luna, I understand I will forfeit my Human body in favor of the Body of a Pony from this Land."

The Vision of Princess Celestia then spoke, "Do you understand that this decision is final, and the process irreversible?"

Ethan stated, "Yes Princess Celestia, I understand this decision is final and this process is irreversible."

The Vision of Princess Luna then spoke, "Do you understand that your form will be selected once you receive the Spark of our Magic. Also, that selection of form is entirely random and can in no way influenced by any entity, not even ourselves?"

Ethan stated, "Yes Princess Luna, I understand my new body will be determined here and now, and I do accept this Spark."

The baseball-sized White Spark of Equestria then manifested behind the Visions of the Princesses. Ethan noticed how it looked like a tiny star.

After which, Princess Celestia then stated, shifting from the tone of a monarch to the tone of a mother, "It is agreed. Ethan Hartford of Earth, you will be imbued with this Spark and be reborn as a member of our Herd. Please accept this with all your Heart and Soul."

Ethan stated, with a sense of renewing purpose, "Yes ma'am Princess Celestia, I do indeed accept this Spark."

Both Visions then spoke, "THEN LET IT BE SO!"

As soon as the Spark of Equestrian Spark merged with Ethan's soul, a gale force wind began to blow the entirety of the Astral environment. Part of what was driving Ethan to this conversion was about to be made patently obvious to all very soon.

=---- ----=

"Twilight... is the person undergoing Conversion supposed to glow one color and then change colors when transforming?" Rainbow Dash asked, Twilight had her back turned not paying attention at first.

"No Rainbow they... OH MY LUNA IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN! CODE YELLOW WE HAVE A CODE YELLOW!!!!" Twilight exclaimed, starting to run around like someone set her mane on fire.

"What the Hell is a 'Code Yellow'?!"  Rainbow Dash asked incredulously.

"I don't know but I need to contact Princess Celestia, give me a second!" Twilight barked, trying to contact Celestia mentally.

It looks more like non-metallic gold to me anyway, and something is telling me that this -should- be happening... Rainbow Dash thought, feeling the Element of Loyalty react to the sudden outburst of unfamiliar magic.

=----- ----=

          As Celestia and Luna manifested properly in the Astral Plane, they were greeted with a scene similar to an incident one month ago with another of the so-called Four Amigos.

My suspicions are bearing out... Celestia thought to herself as she surveyed what lay before her.

What the two Royal Princesses saw was a human soul being engulfed by the clash between the White Spark of Equestria and what could only be surmised as a golden foreign entity, most likely a Terran Shard. The entire landscape now looked even more like an ancient shrine than the last time, as a giant faded Magic Circle etching appeared underneath Ethan, the North Side filled in with blue from Andre's conversion the month before.

"Oh God... I feel like an airplane caught in turbulence..." Ethan said, the pain obviously starting to take its toll.

"In effect, you are Ethan... and I suspect the originator of a source of this turbulence will be making herself present before long..." Luna said, recognizing the scene for what it was.

Indeed Keepers of the Other World. I could sense the turbulence caused on this Plane. You have indeed found another potential Conduit... The ancient voice began, sound a tad bit stronger than the last time spoke, but still extremely exhausted.

The voice then began to direct her statements towards Ethan. Child, your soul bears one of the Shards of my Power. Now, you face a choice - to awaken that Shard of my Magic comes with a Trial. One must face the very darkness that pervades their heart and conquer it, before they may be granted my Power. If you accept this Trial of the Soul and pass, you will be granted a Magic that no one from either World has seen in eons. If you accept but fail, your very soul will be destroyed and your body rendered lifeless and inert. The shard shall then embed itself in another of my Children's Souls. If you reject this Trial, your memory will be purged completely and the shard reassigned; while you may hold their Spark and Body and continue to live, you will remember nothing of your life to this point as one of my Children.

Ethan had little hesitation - he had friends whose lives he wanted to share in, he had a girlfriend he was willing to go the ends of the Earth for, and he had a dream he wanted to fulfill.

Ethan then shouted to wherever, hoping the voice would hear him. "Voice, wherever you are. I say bring it on. I'm going to take this whole thing right to the end!"

LET IT BE DONE, AND I PRAY FOR YOUR SUCCESS!

In a flash, Ethan found himself in the Seattle Airport - he was going to have to face his worst nightmare head on.

          Ethan sat in the chair while the registrar looked over his paperwork. He then heard the laugh, that same incredulous laugh he'd been hearing over and over and over again for the last 3 months, at least.

What is he laughing about... don't they know my family history... hell I flew in the Air Force... what's the problem?

He was then shown to the hangar, as per the manager's suggestion; he was to give a live demonstration of his flight skills, using an awfully old and generic looking plane. Ethan thought nothing odd about this situation, I mean they couldn’t give flight licenses to just anyone right?

Well, it doesn't seem odd that I'd have to do a live demonstration of my skills. I mean they just can let any yahoo up in the air that could claim to fly, could they?

Little did Ethan know just who these people would consider to be an un-flightworthy yahoo. The manager motioned over to two seedy looking pilots and said to both of them, well away from what Ethan could hear,

Blow him out of the sky, send a message to all those damn Outsiders that the Elite are the only ones allowed in the air!

Soon enough, Ethan was in the air again. The plane itself was nothing really to write home about, but it was sturdy and looked safe for all the world. So Ethan went about the business of performing all the usual tests and acting upon the requests of the manager and flight instructors. As the flight continued, he noticed a pair of sleek looking fighters pull up on each side of him to flank him.

You are unauthorized to enter this airspace. We request that you land immediately.

Ethan was obviously confused by this particular request. He was in the middle of a live flight test, and certainly he had clearance to be in this airspace - hell he barely gone anywhere. The pilots of the jets were clearly having none of it.

We are issuing our last warning. Clear out of this airspace now, or we will be forced to take action!

Ethan was now indignant. What do you mean clear out of this airspace?! I'm in the middle of a flight-test, I have the proper clearances and everything.  As he typed on the on-board computer to send the signal showing his clearance, the computer turned up nothing of the sort. He tried as best he could, going through all the files, but nothing turned up. Wait what the hell, I saw the manager upload the clearances to the onboard navigator, none of this is making sense...

That was when he heard the managers voice, not over the com-link, but positively BOOMING all around him. OUTSIDERS LIKE YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE IN OUR AIRSPACE. RATS CAN'T FLY. ONLY EAGLES FLY. ONLY THE ELITE ARE THE EAGLES. RATS LIKE YOU SHOULD JUST STAY ON THE GROUND. SO GO BACK TO THE GROUND WHERE YOU BELONG!!!

Ethan was positively freaking out now. What the hell? Where is that voice coming from? Rats, I'm not a da... WHAT THE FUCK?!

His plane was rocked, not by missiles, but something else... something more disturbing. Both of the jets had transformed into some kind of monstrosity -  flying metallic demons, unholy fusions of black flesh and black-gray metals. OUTSIDERS STAY ON THE GROUND. ELITE RULE THE AIR. OUTSIDERS STAY ON THE GROUND. ELITE RULE THE AIR. They kept chanting this statement, all the while shredding the wings and tearing at the fuselage. Ethan's plane was barreling completely out of control, and Ethan had no way to eject or fight off the demons.

What in the fuck is this... why... What do you mean only the Elite rule the air... What the hell sense does that even make...

The demons were not going to listen to any kind of reason now, they had their orders. The wings of the plane were completely torn off, the fuselage shredded and breaking apart. Ethan began his descent, not in a plane, but in complete free-fall, without not even so much as a parachute.

Why... why... I just wanted to fly... like my father... I wanted to fly... like my grandfather... all pilots... the legacy... I wanted to honor them... why...

Ethan's soul was growing black as pitch, about as black as the giant black-hole like entity he was rapidly descending towards. He was losing his will to pursue his dream, and with it, the will to survive this Trial.

Maybe... maybe I can't fly... maybe I should have never flown... maybe I should have just stayed on the ground...

He was losing all sense, all will to survive; as he continued falling, falling, falling to the black hole that'd erase him from existence. That is, until he heard a voice...

Hey Ethan, if you never flown, would you have met me?

Natasha... but... look at me...

It was always your dream to fly... what would your father and grandfather think if you just stayed on the ground because some jackasses told you to?

They... they wouldn't think anything of me...

What would your Air Force mates have said if they heard you just gave up ever trying to fly this soon after getting out of the service?

They... they wouldn't think anything of me either...

And what about yourself, could you ever face yourself again if you knew that you just gave up on your dream like that?

No... I couldn't... I couldn't live with myself...

What about all the others... all the other kids that want to fly... don't you think they deserve the same chance to soar the skies without the constant threat of being shot down, literally or figuratively?

Yes... Yes, they all deserve that chance... None of them deserve to be pinned to the ground just because of some selfish jackasses...

Ethan's soul began to light up again, the will to survive reignited...

What makes them think they can say who flies and who doesn't...

His descent into the black hole and oblivion slowed to nothing...

What makes them think they can say who thrives and who doesn't...

The clouds gathered around him, a storm was brewing, but this was a storm of the soul...

WHAT MAKES THEM THINK THEY CAN SAY WHO DIES AND WHO DOESN'T?!

His Astral Body was sitting on a bed of clouds before the event horizon of the Astral Black Hole. But Ethan didn't see it; he was looking back up, looking up at a golden sky, his golden sky. He was about to become a storm blowing through it and the Earth, the proverbial winds of change.

The Domes... the Domes kept me from flying... The military always sent me out, even if the mission was boring, because they respected me and my skills... The Domes hate all Outsiders, they're the ones that tried to kill my dream... My parents gave me my love of flight... The military gave me the skills and the drive to pursue my dreams... But those bastards in the Domes are trying to steal the dream away from me and everyone else like me...

The Astral Black Hole shrunk to nothing, as Ethan's soul was now glowing hot like the midday Sun.

They try to take everything for themselves... But my parents weren't selfish like them... not even the military was selfish like them... They claim they rule everything... They claim dominion over the seas, land, even the skies... No more... they can't have it... I WONT LET THEM HAVE IT. THEY CAN'T HAVE DOMINION OVER THE EARTH. PLEASE, PLEASE WHATEVER YOU ARE, VOICE... GIVE ME THE POWER... GIVE ME THE POWER TO TAKE THE EARTH BACK FOR THOSE WHO WILL TRULY RESPECT AND SHARE IT!

So you have wished it, so it shall be granted!

Ethan could feel the storm winds blowing, but to topple him, but to support him. They were his winds, and they formed a whirlwind leading straight back to the shrine where this entire quest-of-sorts started.

Ethan could feel the sense of a dream renewed charging up his entire being. Charging him up so much, he felt like someone who could take the world by storm, literally. He chuckled as he watched the tornado break up into gold particles of light; which then formed the Gold Spark of Terra. Both Sparks now danced around each other, like children who went from fighting to playing just like that.

The ancient voice then took the tone of the bearer of a great power.

As you accept both Sparks of each World, you will be conferred the Body of their World. This will mark your rebirth as the Conduit of Wind. Go, my Child, go with the Bearers of the Other World's Magic and find the other two that shall join you. Once all Ten have been realized, a New Age will be forged.

The ancient voice's tone then shifted to that from a bearer of great power, to that of a great matron.

Before you go though, although you may occupy the body of the Other World... you will remain as much my Child, as you shall become theirs. Do not forget this fact, and let no one try to convince you otherwise.

"Heh, I'd never forget something like that, " Ethan said.

"Now, Ethan, shall we pick up where we left off." Celestia said, as Luna and herself reappeared before Ethan in the cave-like shrine.

"Yes, Princess Celestia. I don't think I could ever be more ready." Ethan answered, his voice filled with a determination and will not to be underestimated.

The Great Magic Circle Ethan was standing on began to glow, also ready to proceed onward. The section to Ethan's right filled in with the same golden hue of his Terran Spark of Wind, and gained a new symbol to match.

Assuming the role as the Supreme Monarchs of Equestria, both Celestia and Luna asked in unison, "Ethan Hartford of Earth, do you accept Both of these Sparks, the Spark of Terra and the Spark of Equestrian Magic, so that we together may forge a New Age for both our Worlds?"

Ethan answered, with all earnestness and vigor, "Yes, yes I accept both of these Sparks and my role in forging the New Age to come."

Princess Celestia then said, as a mother welcoming a new child, "Come my little Pony, come and forge a new path as a Child of Both Worlds."

Princess Luna then said, as a teacher welcoming a new student, "Come my little Pony, come and learn of your new Role in this great Cosmic Dance of Life."

Then both said in unison, "Come our new little Pony, come and let us forge A New Age together!"

As both sparks merged with Ethan's body, he felt charged with an energy and a vigor that was indescribable.

=----  ----=

That... whoever in there has an intense sense of Loyalty, and a Power this thing recognizes... Rainbow Dash said, rushing out of the room much like Twilight did some weeks ago. The entire exam room was alive with gold-colored magic, and it sounded like a hurricane was raging inside.

Said glow, though, slowly cooled and coalesced into the form of a Pegasus; a Pegasus stallion of brilliant yellow-gold fur and platinum-blonde mane. She also saw around his neck a medallion with a hurricane-like symbol on it, looking as if made out of pure golden-yellow topaz.

"Sorry I couldn't be more decent... things happen... ya know," Ethan said, noticing Rainbow Dash semi-blushing.

"Yeah... they do, don't they," Rainbow Dash replied back, somewhat sheepishly. She was indeed blushing, but not at the mutual nudity.

Good Celestia, he looks like a male Spitfire with a dye job... she thought to herself. A guy she barely knew now reminded her so strongly of her idol.