Chapter 23: Under Pressure

=== The Conversion Bureau: A New Age, A New Life ====== Chapter 23: Under Pressure ===

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[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- July 6, 2081 ]

          The last seven days in the Isegawa Complex had been nothing but a scramble. Ever since the explosion near the St. Louis Bureau, everything went to pot even more than it was already. The SPH forces were now moving in on the national capitals, laying waste to the remaining federal forces around the world. It was less a war, than it was a slaughter; something that horrified everypony still left Earth-side. The only things that were left under the control of the duly elected governments, that didn't immediately fold to the SPH anyway, were the Domes of the national capitals; and the Bureaus, which most of the military not protecting the Domes of the capitals were guarding along with several contingents of the Royal Guard.

          Everyone in the Complex was scrambling to pack up as much as they could, the Isegawas never saying a word about what lay 150 m below them all. All the while, just the mere fact that there were military vehicles camped out near the Complex, and soldiers and military ground-drones running patrol all around, was making everypony quite skittish. Nopony though, was more skittish than Blue Vague, who had practically barricaded himself in his room, and was curled up in his bed, desperately wanting everything around him to be over.

"Happy pony... I'm a happy pony..." he said to himself in a low voice, as if trying to talk himself into feeling something he wasn't.

Are you really happy?

"I'm happy... Ponies are always happy..."

Does everypony out there look happy to you?

"Everyone is happy, everyone is working really hard to be happy..."

Just then he heard a crash outside, which made him draw under his covers.

"Applejack dear, please watch the sewing machine. I'd really appreciate it the Doctors Isegawa didn't have to try and find another one with all the chaos everywhere..."

"Ah'm tryan Rarity but it's really danged hard to be careful when ya in a rush like this. Ain't no tellin how much time we have left..."

See, they don't sound happy now do they...

"..."

This world isn't making anypony happy...

"..."

Do you know why this world isn't making anypony happy...

"No... please... stop..."

It's the humans... the humans are the reason why nopony in this world is happy...

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"

And it's not just us that aren't happy... what about all the animals that have died because of the humans... look at your Element...

"SHUT UP!"

          Blue Vague was now starting to tear up. He wanted desperately for the voices to fall silent again, or at least not to share his own. He would have given anything to hear any word that would have told him this was some kind of trick; some kind of trap by some cosmic entity... that this wasn't his own mind questioning his faith to save humanity. Yet his voice would not relent in its probing.

The oceans are so fetid, and now they are almost completely dead. The dolphins, the whales, the sharks, the coral, the fishes, the octopi, even the little plankton that you can't see without a microscope... how many now cease to exist because of the humans over-fishing and blatant pollution?

Vague couldn't answer... he didn't want to answer; he didn't want to admit to himself that humanity may, just maybe beyond redemption. He continued to cry, and cry, and cry.

Midori Hana stood outside of Vague's door, forehoof against the door. She began to cry herself, knowing she hardly knew how to help her coltfriend.

"You want to go in there don't you, Hana?" Golden Storm asked, getting a short break from moving material around.

"Yes... I... I wanna help him... this is just like a year ago almost... except..." Hana started, sniffling all the while. "Something feels even worse, like there is something lurking inside of him that's trying to claw its way out."

"I know what you mean..." Twilight Sparkle added, excusing herself from butting into the conversation between the former Humans. "I've been trying my best to contact Princess Luna, she would know how to handle this 'problem' the best."

The two of them thought for a few moments, and then came to the sudden realization of that implication.

"You really don't think it's that serious, do you Twilight?" Midori asked, after making sure that everyone was away from Vague's door.

"Honestly, I do. I want to be proven wrong so badly on this, but I cannot be sure unless Luna or Celestia talks to him," Twilight replied, shivering at what it could mean if her theory was right.

Conduit of Water, what is ailing you?

I don't know anymore, Princess Luna... I don't know what my mission is anymore... I don't know what our purpose is anymore...

It is to save humanity, is it not?

Yes... in theory... but...

But 'what', pray tell?

I don't know, I don't know if they are worth saving anymore Princess Luna...

I see...

What do you see, Princess...

Do you believe you can make that decision?

I...

I wouldn't not even think myself capable of issuing such a judgment upon all of humanity, even despite the actions of the previous month...

BUT... But... all the death... the destruction... those bastards claim they are just trying to preserve humanity... but they are just trying to preserve themselves...

Do elaborate, Conduit of Water...

They were mad, they were mad you came and laid bare what they have done to everyone... They were mad the population has begun rejecting their rule... They are mad that more and more humans feel that becoming Equestrians would lead to a better life for themselves, than remaining under their corrupt system...

Intriguing...

They are the reason why this world is so broken... they are the reason why everything is dying... they are the reason why anyone even has to be faced with the choice of leaving this world... It shouldn't have to be this way... It shouldn't have to be this way...

It doesn't have to be this way...

What do you mean Princess Luna?

Although this current order is coming to an end, a new order can be built... a new Age can be forged... is that not what your Will Of the Earth implores you all to do... It will be a long and bloody struggle... But, is forging any new age so clean?

I... I...

Although I cannot claim to know all of what troubles you... know this. I struggled with this same feeling, this same rage, this same anger... Although its genesis was different, I fear you are already walking down that dark path... I implore you, please, as both your mentor, and I hope as a friend, to cease this... Nothing good can ever come of it, ever...

I... I will try Princess Luna...

-----

          Later that evening, in a now eerily quiet office building in the Manhattan Domes, Richard Edwards sat at his desk, while Candice and some assisting A.I.s performed last minute cleanups of documents and files, in order to ensure that no information would fall into anyone else's hands if the S.P.H. came searching the premises.

"Candice..." Richard started as he spoke over the intercom to the main computer room where Candice was busy at work.

"Yes Mr. Edwards..."

"Tomorrow is the day..."

"Yes, Safe Haven has been completed without a hitch, and the Royal Guard has begun weaving the cloaking spells. All of the systems in the facilities are reporting Code Green. All of the employees willing to move are already in transit through standard means. I dare say the SPH truly knows absolutely nothing about this."

Richard Edwards fumbled a bit with a dark violet necklace, as he contemplated the future.

"I won't lie Candice... it feels like I'm running away. Like I'm running and hiding like a scared dog..."

"Sir, you know as well as I do... we do not have the means to counteract the SPHs numbers nor weaponry. We need time, we need time to build up both our and the Ponies' forces. Safe Haven should give us that time."

"Unfortunately, you are right. I'm afraid dear Melinda is out of time, and this greater project of ours will have to change in its focus."

"Sir, do you believe that it would be wise to meet force with force?"

"In terms of an all out war against the SPH, no. This will be as much a war of ideas and ideals, as it is a war of bullets and spells now."

"Yet, we will have to be able to meet force with force, when the time arises."

"Indeed, Candice... indeed."

          Elsewhere in Manhattan though, the three main figures of the Society for the Preservation of Humanity were in a very luxurious barroom, imbibing some spirits with their closest lieutenants.

"Tomorrow is the day we finally crush what is left of that bitch Aguillar and her partner-in-crime's governments!" Peter Vaughn said, rubbing his hands in anticipation, almost giddy at the prospect of finally being rid of any and all detractors in the world's governments.

A raucous cheer erupted from the 20 or so others in the room with them.

Claire Terrance sat in one of her many designer dresses, puffing away at an electronic cigarette. "Yes, tomorrow is the day we establish our own order."

Nathan Egret also was excited, but concerned with what the future held for their group. "But we should retain the legal structures as they stand, at least long enough to properly transition."

The crowd murmured for a bit, not wanting to see their money suddenly become worthless due to the loss of legal backing.

Claire thought for a few moments, and then agreed. "It would prove to be quite a problem if the governments fully collapsed, that is true."

Nathan continued, "Indeed, why bother rebuilding the foundation entirely, when there is one already laid out for us; we just merely need to occupy it for the time being..."

The crowd murmured some more, mostly in agreement with what Nathan stated.

Peter brushed aside all of their concerns. "This is all a mere formality anyway. They would eventually have given in to us completely; we're just... moving the schedule up a bit." He then chuckled for a bit, wondering just what those damned horses were going to think once they lost what little formal protection they had left.

Everyone stood up and cheered, as a chant soon erupted. "To a New Age! To a New Order! To a New Mankind!"

          Meanwhile, a couple at the Atlanta SPH Processing Center were getting ready for their first field mission -- they were to go through the Southern states towards Texas, wiping out whatever would be remaining of the U.S. Military after noon tomorrow.

"Tomorrow is the day we go on our first sweep, I am so excited, Andrew!"

"Well, at least the gear we have been given does indeed work for anyone. I am astonished how at light and strong it feels."

"Yes, it is, isn't it dear! Far more potent then what those little Ponies in their tin-can armor can do. We'll show them... we'll show them all!"

"I hope you're right, Linda. I pray to God above that you're right."

Are you absolutely sure of this, President Aguillar... I cannot predict your future safety should you choose to proceed down this route...

Princess Celestia... I must protect my country and my family at all costs... If this is something that I have to endure... then I will endure it as long as I can...

I would assume that your family has already been outfitted with the charms that I sent to you three days ago...

Yes, whenever you feel it is best time to send them to Safe Haven, you have my permission to do so...

I pray, that one day I can return this trust that you have given me, Melinda Aguillar...

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

          All across the world, caravans were moving in on the national capitals. The SPH was now poised to deliver, in their estimation, the knockout blow. Soon they would be formally in charge of everything, and could begin their real goal, the expulsion of the Equestrians and the elimination of their Human allies.

          The public remained bitterly divided in this regard. Some regarded the SPH as nothing more than selfish extremists, probably with backing by the Dome citizens who were seething after the failures in the previous elections. Others regarded the SPH as freedom fighters, destroying Vichy governments and re-establishing humans as the lone source of political power in the world.

          As far as the Bureaus were concerned -- the mobilized Unicorn divisions of the Royal Guard were resolute to provide shielding for the Bureaus to the bitter end. while the Earth Pony medics and Pegasi scouts were to coordinate with their Human counterparts, supporting what was left of the military and police forces still loyal to their respective governments. Everyone there felt however, that it was only a matter of time before the hammer would come down upon their heads as well.

          There were a few convoys though, taking a different route. Many trains, a few planes, and several automobiles were en-route to a quiet looking spot in the Cascade Mountains, a couple of hundred miles east of Seattle and Vancouver. The HEA, its 13 member leadership council sans the head in Richard Edwards, and much of the remaining human contingent, were on their way to the 99% complete, underground facility known as Safe Haven. There, they would ride out this storm, and hopefully, be able to plan for future. A future that was gravely in doubt now.

{ Author's Note: For the rest of this chapter, I will explicitly indicate setting and time changes for each 'soft' transition }

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[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- July 7, 2081 @ 8:00 AM GMT-6 ]

"So... the day has finally arrived..." Dr. Hayato said wistfully, as he rubbed a doorway in the Isegawa Clinic. "You know, I've gotten attached to this place in the last year plus."

"I can tell, honey. Unfortunately, all things we do come to an end," Dr. Jun replied, rubbing her husband's shoulders, the dark violet charms around their necks as well.

"Captain Johnson, are you sure your intel is correct in this regard? How would the S.P.H. even know this facility had an underground laboratory?" Dr. Hayato asked of the Army Captain standing off to side.

"Dr. Isegawa, I believe it would be fair to say the S.P.H. and their Dome backers probably have a hand in a lot of cookie jars. Knowing them, they probably tracked down one of your subordinates and made it worth his or her while to talk," Johnson responded morosely.

"Do you think this plan will work, it would entirely depend on the SPH being foolish enough to think they would gain anything from this place should they attack it," Dr. Hayato asked, still feeling sentimental for the Clinic, Lab, and Dorms he'd been living in the 15 months previous.

"They will want as much intel on the inner workings of Equestrian physiology as they possibly can. Of course, all of the relevant information has already been removed from this facility, am I correct?" Capt. Johnson asked of the two doctors.

Dr. Jun responded in turn. "Yes, the only information that is in our physical files and computers, at this location, is a lot of useless garbage. In addition, you do understand that if what you say is true, and they attack this place, then we would have no recourse but to self-destruct the labs. Despite our best efforts, there may still be traces left they could use."

"Yes. Mrs. Dr. Isegawa, myself and my men are fully prepared for that eventuality," Capt. Johnson replied, resolute to see this mission through.

Dr. Hayato sighed as he began to walk back to the dormitories. "Then let us pray that we begin to strike a blow against the SPH."

[ 08:45 GMT-6 ]

"Ok so we got everything packed up?" Twilight Sparkle asked, inwardly lamenting how spartan the Dormitories looked again.

"Ahh, we just got this place really feeling like a home, and now it's back to looking like a human doctor's office," Pinkie said morosely; her mane poofy yet still sad herself.

"Yeah, I can tell how much you Ponies care for aesthetics. From the briefings I got, the location you all are relocating to should be just as amenable to you all; even if you won't be living near other human communities for quite some time," Capt. Rodriguez replied to Pinkie. Like a lot of other humans, he found himself growing more and more comfortable with the Ponies after spending (more-or-less) social time with them.

"That's that Safe Haven place y'all talkin 'bout? Ah hate the idea of leavin’, but looking at things, Ah don't think we gotta choice..." Applejack said, brim of her hat over her eyes, trying to hide her disgust at the idea.

"Unfortunately, sometimes when you play Poker, you have to know when to fold when you're dealt a crap hand," one of the Privates said as he helped Storm move some more equipment to the underground labs for transport.

"Yeah I'd probably be terrible at playing that game... heart-on-sleeve kinda mare, ya know?" Rainbow Dash responded with a bit of mirth.

Rarity used a bit of magic to get Rainbow Dash on with the business of getting ready to leave the facilities. "Yes, we can see that, Rainbow dear. Anyway, I have all my things packed away, finally. Really, I'm starting to wonder myself how I travel with so many things."

Most of the human military men and women just shrugged and went on about their business.

Blue Vague was finally out of his room (for more than a few minutes at a time) for the first time in a few days. "I see everyone is getting ready to move. I guess it's to be expected." His tone was as dejected and depressed as any Pony had anyone there at the Dormitories ever heard.

Midori Hana tried her best to cheer her coltfriend up. "Oh come on now, while we might be losing this place. We'll still have a spot to call home, and we'll make that spot just as good as this one, maybe even better!"

"I guess..." was all the morose blue Unicorn could reply with.

"So ya became a Pegasus after ya left the service. And now you're all mixed up with the Equestrian VIPs? Man, you are just a magnet for trouble aren't you Ethan?" one of the other Privates said, as he, Golden Storm, and Red Blaze were walking outside heading back toward the Dormitory.

"I know, right? Man the last year has just been nuts, and I'm guessing it's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future, Terry."

Red Blaze was still chuckling from some of Storm and Terry's stories while they were moving the last of the heavy equipment. "I always wondered who that 'Terry' was, that Storm talked about when we first started dating."

"Yeah, that'd be me. He went into the Air Force and I stayed a ground-pounder in the Army. If I ever converted, probably end up an Earth Pony, who knows..." Terry responded, wondering what Blaze looked like while she was still human.

"Bad news everyone!" Capt. Rodriguez said out loud, as everyone who wasn't moving something particularly heavy or fragile stopped what they were doing in order to gather round to hear what the field commander had to say.

"What's up Captain?" Terry answered back, his group having met the rest at the common area of the Dormitory.

Capt. Rodriguez rubbed his forehead before speaking. "Like I said, bad news. The SPH has broken through the 3rd defensive line in Washington."

"Oh man, I know it was probably too much to ask they hold out all of today, but are they seriously that close already?" Terry responded.

"Care to elaborate on what's going on in the Capital?" Golden Storm asked, fluttering in the air before settling on a railing with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

Captain Rodriguez took a deep breath, and began to give the impromptu report. "Yeah, I figure the ten of you should know, along with the rest of my men. There are five defensive lines around the White House and the Capitol Building. Since 05:00 GMT-5, the SPH and their mercs have pretty much carved right through Defensive Lines 5 and 4 and are starting to breach 3. At this rate, Washington could fall before 13:00 GMT-5."

"Oh my Celestia! The President's family, they could be in danger!" Rarity said, utterly shocked at how fast events were moving.

Capt. Rodriguez continued. "Indeed, although we do have a failsafe in place... at the very least President Aguillar's family should be safe."

"But not Aguillar herself, or at least whatever we would define as 'safe'," Twilight figured.

Capt. Rodriguez was surprised at how fast Twilight put two-and-two together. "Sharp mind you have there, Twilight Sparkle. And yes, she'd be correct. In order to prevent a full and total collapse of the command structure of the U.S. Government, Aguillar would stay behind, along with the senior staff at the major departments, and the senior legislators in the Congress."

"She'd effectively be ceding the government to them. And I doubt she'd be alone in doing so..." Blue Vague said, disdain clearly evident in his speech.

"Anyone that says that you Ponies are 'feeble-minded' is a damn fool themselves," Capt. Rodriguze mused, scratching his head and wondering if the Unicorns were reading his mind or something. "But yes, it would be a functional surrender. At this point, though, I don't think we have the capability to fight this long term as-is. About the best we can do is go to ground, and try and build up to counterattack at a later date."

"That's so awful... at the same time, I honestly can't argue with it. What'd be even more awful is to give a reason for the SPH to keep doing what they have been..." Fluttershy said, mane hanging over her face, as if she were ashamed to admit it out loud.

"Yeah man, I agree with the bright yellow Pegasus. I don't think we got it right now to fight back. As much as I hate runnin, we gotta at least keep ourselves alive to fight another day," Terry added in agreement.

Capt. Rodriguez agreed, as a truck settled down outside the dorm to give the Ponies without the cybernetic implants a chance to keep up on the public news. "Hopefully, that's the chance that Safe Haven and this plan affords us."

Blue Vague stamped his hooves in frustration, wondering when all of this was going to end...

Why does this has to keep going... is everything we did going to be for naught?

[ Washington D.C. -- 11:15 GMT-5 ]

"The Barbarians are at Gate 2! I repeat, the Barbarians are at Gate 2!" an aide shouted, as people scrambled around trying to get rid of any sensitive information they could, even if they had to resort to burning storage drives and paper documents.

"Momma, are you gonna be alright?" Rosa asked of her mother.

"Yes dear, I will be," President Aguillar replied, as she knelt down to hug her daughter.

"Mom, I... I'm sorry if I said anything to hurt you before. Please... just..." Reggie tried to say, as he began to choke up. He hugged his mother as tight and as long as he could, before he and Rosa were led away, both crying.

Michael just hugged his wife; he hoped not for the last time. "Please, dear. I don't know what I'd do without you. I don't know what exactly those bastards want, but please... just stay safe, stay alive... I really think they can help us all, but we need good Human leaders to make it all work."

"I know, dear. I honestly believe the SPH wants the government more or less in-tact. And as long as they keep people like me in place, it will be as stable as it could be all things considered," Melinda replied, hopeful that she wasn't just spouting idle wishes.

"GATE ONE! THE BARBARIANS ARE AT GATE ONE! If you want to get out, get out now!" a general shouted, as he began to round up as many civilians as he could for a military transport out.

President Aguillar's family shared one last hug as they were ushered away, and President Aguillar began to contemplate her fate.

Lulu, the time will soon be upon us...

Yes, I'm afraid that the current age, I would surmise in an official sense, is about to come to an end...

Is the spell to bring our Allies to Safe Havencomplete?

Yes, Twilight Sparkle and the human arcanists, neophytes that they are, have successfully designed a safe teleportation spell for the humans to use... How strange that our teleportation uses the New Light Bridge, while theirs will pull them through the Shadows Between Planes...

The light and the shadow will always co-exist... I believe the concepts of Yin and Yang would be a rough human equivalent...

I suppose they are... Perhaps, if we are afforded enough time, we can begin to properly exploit those concepts...

Perhaps we can, Lulu...

[ Washington D.C. -- 11:45 GMT-5 ]

♪♪ Mycountry,' tis of thee,

♪♪ sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;

President Aguillar, sitting in the Oval Office, alone, sat... and waited; singing various hymns and songs of patriotism. She did not have to wait long though. With a resounding crash, the door to the Oval Office fell to the ground, as black-suited, masked men and women rushed in and surrounded her, wielding automatic weapons, some glowing gold or red with Thaumatic-tau radiation.

"Hrm, I would assume you all have come for me. But really... ten, just for myself? A bit of overkill don't you all think?" President Aguillar stated matter-of-factly, staring at the blown down door to see who else would come through.

One other black-clad and masked man walked through the displaced entrance, striding along as if he were the king of the world... and in some sense... he was now. "Madame President, such an honor to meet you face to face again..."

"That voice... I see... I figured as much... You may as well remove that mask..." President Aguillar stated again, doing her level best to show now outward signs of fear or trepidation.

The masked leader removed said mask, to show his face to his new potential puppet. "Indeed, I guess I should reintroduce myself. Peter Vaughn, multi-billionaire, man about town, and now King of the Goddamn Mountain."

"So you say..." President Aguillar responded, projecting a sense of being unconcerned with how Vaughn thought of himself at that moment.

"Of course, in the interest of national stability, you will remain on as a figurehead. As well as whatever advisors and legislators we can track down and round up. On that note, the first order of business under this new arrangement -- I will need you will make a little announcement..." Peter said, eyes narrow with a dangerous and devious glint.

[ St. Louis -- 10:58 GMT-6 ]

"Everyone, get out here or tune your cyber-tracker to the best newsstream you can, apparently the SPH are about to make an announcement," Capt. Rodriguez shouted out.

The same calm sounding voice from nearly a week ago came over the airwaves, with the now familiar black shield of the SPH on the screen. "The following message comes courtesy of the Society For the Preservation Of Humanity..."

"This is it people, once this message is over, I want everyone on high alert and to get into position -- they are probably going to come here first. And to you all, Doctors Isegawa, Elements of Harmony, and Conduits of Terra... I can only wish you good luck and Godspeed. Hopefully me and my men make it back alive..." Capt. Rodriguez stated, kissing the dark violet charm around his neck as if it were a rosary.

The message from the President of the United States then began, everyone marking their disgust at seeing the black-geared and masked thugs behind her, ostensibly to project force and ensure her compliance.

Celestia... Luna... Please, I hope this gamble of yours and the world leaders work... Twilight thought to herself, as she and the rest of the Ponies and the Doctors Isegawa prepared to be winked out at any moment.

"My fellow Americans, I have come to the conclusion that, after this long month of fighting, we can no longer afford the bloodshed caused by such; and the United States Government and her Military, such that it stands, can no longer resist the rebel forces. To wit, as of this moment, the United States Government and the Society For The Preservation of Humanity have agreed upon the terms of surrender. For this interim period, I will remain as President of the United States, until such time that new elections can be held. And as such, I am officially declaring null-and-void the official security arrangement with the Equestrian Conversion Bureaus, and declaring them Enemies of the State. This means that remaining federal forces, will not be allowed to operate in any official capacity at the Bureaus; and any that do, do so at their own risk of court-martial on grounds of treason. In addition, any Members of Congress that do not return to work by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, July 9, 2081, will officially forfeit their position, and the SPH will retain the right to appoint a replacement of their choosing, until elections can be held. I wish and pray for calm during this period of transition, and a brighter future for not only the United States of America, but all of mankind."

Everyone watching was stunned into absolute silence. Although they knew the broad outlines of what was planned, none could believe that it was actually upon them now. Effectively, the S.P.H. had control of what was left of the American Government, and now free reign to do what they wanted.

[ Undefined Region -- 11:20 AM to 1:00 PM GMT-6 ]

          Soon after, the other major nations of Earth that still held out, fell like dominoes. Canada and the European Union (and with it all constituent states and regions) officially surrendered at 12:20 GMT-5. The Chinese Federation fell next, at 13:10 GMT-5. Followed by Korea, Australia, and Japan simultaneously at 14:20 GMT-5. Overall, by 1:00 PM Central Time, there was no major nation left that wasn't already allied with the S.P.H., or under its thumb.

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 6:15 PM GMT-6 ]

          The evening was as tense as any other that any of occupants of the Isegawa Complex could remember. Even though that the President, through her speech, had effectively declared Equestria Enemies of the State, and anyone supporting them to be traitors, none of the military that was to assist them left. That mettle was soon to be tested though, as the recon drones showed the familiar black armored vans progressing toward the Bureau and the clandestine Labs.

"Well, it looks like the rats are taking the bait. Alright people, it's showtime!" Capt. Johnson said, as the rest of the soldiers checked their disguises. They now looked all the world like just your average lab workers, white coats and casual wear all around. All wearing the same dark violet charm around their necks; well hidden, though, from sight by anyone not really paying attention.

"Don't go doing anything stupid you all, we are going to need all the military help we can get at Safe Haven..." Dr. Hayato said, as the charm he was wearing began to flash in a pattern.

Dr. Hayato, Twilight and Dr. Jun has already messaged myself regarding the coming S.P.H. forces. Are you ready to be teleported to Safe Haven? Luna asked of Dr. Hayato telepathically.

No, Luna. Something in my gut is telling me that I will have to help Capts. Johnson and Rodriguez sell this little trap... can you keep an open link with me in case things become too hectic... Dr. Hayato asked of Luna.

Luna thought for a few moments. I agree to those terms, Dr. Hayato Isegawa. However, you must swear that you will call for your teleportation to Safe Havenonce things become dire... your wife can destroy the labs remotely from here if need be...

Dr. Hayato agreed to the counter-terms.

He went over to hug his now Ponified daughter, his darling Kyoko, now Midori Hana, for what he hoped would not be the final time. ""

Kyoko sniffled a bit before she responded in Japanese herself. ""

Although none of the others, save Dr. Jun, could understand the full remarks, they all could feel what was intoned. He then hugged his wife and shared a swift kiss, then she was surrounded by a dark violet bubble and disappeared into the ground. Soon the ten Ponies in their midst blinked out of existence; all eleven of the travelers joining many of the humans and Ponies there were to man Safe Haven for the foreseeable future.

[ New York City -- 7:35 PM GMT-5 ]

          Richard Edwards hugged Candace as she was preparing to leave herself for Safe Haven.

"Are you sure that you don't want to leave now?" Candice asked of her boss, pleading with her eyes as well.

"No, there is someone apparently of note in the S.P.H. that wanted to discuss something with me directly. And I felt that I should oblige them. Don't worry, I have an open line to Princess Celestia in case things go south."

Indeed, Candice... I will make sure that Richard is brought to Safe Havensafely... Celestia told the both of them telepathically, all sharing a brief chuckle at the unintended pun.

"Please, just don't say anything that you'll regret..." Candice asked, as she hugged Richard again.

"I won't. I just hope that I can coax whoever it is into saying something they'll regret revealing..." Richard Edwards replied, hoping his rhetorical skills wouldn't fail him.

Candice waved goodbye as the dark-violet bubble engulfed her, sending her to Safe Haven ahead of Richard Edwards. As he sat in his office entirely alone, he began to sing one of his favorite songs...

♪♪He said, "Son, I've made my life out of readin' people's faces,

♪♪ And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 6:55 PM GMT-6 ]

          The black armored vans rolled up to the outside of the Isegawa Complex, as Dr. Hayato, now about as well armored as a civilian could be on such short notice, stood with his 'co-workers' in Capts. Johnson and Rodriguez out near the front doors of the Clinic to welcome their 'esteemed guests'.

"Ah, so this is the famous Isegawa Clinic. Or I guess I should say, the Isegawa Laboratories." said a snide looking man in black armor with a few white stripes on his chest armor. He was flanked by a good fourteen other men in unmarked black armor.

"And to whom to I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Dr. Hayato asked, hiding his incredulousness as well as anyone else could expect.

"Oh just your friendly neighborhood Society Sweepers; Capt. James Young at your service," the snide looking man said as he held out his hand for  handshake, which unsurprisingly was not returned.

Ugh, thought I recognized that ugly mug. Young is one of the worst of the rogue mercs out there. Didn't think he had the balls to join the SPH formally though... Capt. Johnson thought to himself.

"Anyway, enough pleasantries... where's the lab," Young asked, his snide face suddenly taking a visage of deadly seriousness.

"We are a nice suburban health clinic. Why would we have a dedicated lab?" Dr. Hayato asked, trying to suss out just what Young knew and what he didn't know.

"Not to be too rude, but don't fuck with me, Dr. Isegawa. My intel clearly states you got some state of the art facilities right underneath our feet. And you aren't but a stone's throw away from that damned Bureau. It's too fucking convenient if you ask me. So I will ask nicely one last time, where... is... the... lab?" Young asked, as he signaled for his flankers to raise their weapons at Johnson and Dr. Hayato.

Dr. Hayato rolled his eyes as he feigned surprise. "Well, it looks like you got me. If I can get assurance that your men would not harm myself or my staff, I will show you."

"Well since you are being so kind as to give us a guided tour, I believe I can swing that arrangement," Young replied, as he signaled his men to lower their weapons and get the laptops to record as much information as they could.

Soon after, they were all riding the elevators down to the labs proper... and the tension was just beginning to build.

[ New York City -- 8:03 PM GMT-5 ]

         A ding resounded through the empty, quiet hall leading to Richard Edwards's main office. A lone woman in a black dress walked out, and was greeted by a not unfamiliar voice.

"So, Miss Claire, you must be the Society's VIP I was hearing so much about. Please, do come in..."

Just what do you have planned, oh well, that won't matter soon enough, my dear~ Claire thought to herself, as she patted her purse.

Richard buzzed the doors to open, and stood up to greet his longtime rival. "Miss Claire Terrance, to what do I owe this fine pleasure this evening?"

"Mister Richard Edwards, the pleasure is all mine. After all, I personally requested this meeting."

"So, I cannot imagine you'd want to talk business with me, what with effectively neutering the governments of the world today. I would have thought you to be picking out a new outfit to wear to your coronation, or inauguration, or whatever you people are planning in the future."

"Your aspersions wound me, Dear Richard. However, I do have business to discuss with you..."

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 7:15 PM GMT-6 ]

"It's a treasure trove, a fucking treasure trove... Goddamn everything I could want to know about those damn Ponies inside and out..." Capt. Young said, as he was giddy at what his techs were telling him were all over the labs, as the 'workers' were quick to get out of the way and not confront the SPHs armed escorts. "Oh and what do we have here... the plans for the Conversion Serum.. GOLD! IT'S FUCKING GOLD! I'll make Major easy with this haul!"

"So, I trust that everything is to your liking?" Dr. Hayato asked, showing everyone there the best poker face anyone could ever want out of someone who didn't play regularly.

"Is it to my liking? Fuck yes it is!" Young replied, jokingly punching Dr. Hayato in the shoulder. "Goddamn I don't know what the fuck you and your workers here were thinking when you made this shit. But HOOOLEEE Jesus did you document fucking everything. We're gonna have shit that's gonna make sure that those damn horses never set foot on this planet ever again!"

Luna, they are gobbling the bait down like there isn't anything wrong at all... Tell Jun to get ready to begin the self-destruct sequence... I don't want them or anyone else to find anything legitimate that might be left in this place... Dr. Hayato relayed telepathically, as he ushered the SPH techs around some more, hoping to have them fully entrenched in the lab.

[ New York City -- 8:21 PM GMT-5 ]

"So what made you finally do it Claire, was the bank account not growing fast enough or something?"

"GODDAMNIT Richard, you were always like this. All the fucking money in the world and it's like you don't give a damn about one red cent!"

"Answer me this Claire, what on God's browning Earth can I buy on a dead planet?"

"Oh there you fucking go again with this shit, Richard. It's always like this with you, I don't know what your father did while you were outside, but it's fucked your head up."

"More like it made me see clearly, Claire. What the hell is money going to do for me when everything is breaking down? You know it, I know it, everyone on the goddamn planet knows it! They can read the reports how the Agri-Domes output has been slowly declining. How the power grid is growing more and more unstable. How the storms are getting worse and worse. How the diseases and plagues are growing more deadly by the year."

"And we can fix it, Richard, baby. We can fix everything..."

"Oh don't give me that bullshit, Claire. And stop with that damn 'baby' talk, we haven't dated in 10 years, at least. Every goddamn decade it's 'We're gonna make it all better' with us. And what the hell do we do as a unit? We build another goddamn dome, another layer to keep the world out. Do you know what those Equestrians did... they are making everyone see just how much bullshit we've been piling on them for the last 60 years, Claire. Not only that, but the Earth itself is about give us a very rude awakening."

"The Earth itself gave us this Power, the Power to fix things..."

"And what the fuck are you doing with it, Claire? You are trying to tear this goddamn world apart at the seams. What, you think everything is gonna be fixed once all the Outsiders are dead or something? Do you really think they are going to go out like that? That if you told them all to jump into the ocean and drown, they'd do it like a bunch of lemmings? No, you know what's going to happen? They are going to fucking fight back, and then you're going to fight back. By the time all this damn fighting is done, there won't be anything left!"

"Then they all should just fucking die. What the fucking good have they done for us? What purpose do they serve for the world? None, not a goddamned-mother-fucking THING! They should all just keel over dead. We're the chosen ones, we're the ones that will build the new humanity."

"And you wonder just why we broke up 10 years ago. You were the same goddamn way Claire, the same goddamn selfish BITCH!"

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 7:30 PM GMT-6 ]

"AHAHAHA... Fuck Major, they'll shoot me straight to a fucking Colonel when I get back with all this. These schematics, these designs, these everything... I hit the goddamn mother-lode here!" Capt. Young shouted, giddy like a schoolboy at all that he was supposedly finding to bring back.

"Yes, I can see your jubilance knows no bounds..." Dr. Hayato said, quite nonplussed at the strange nature of this SPH field commander. "Anyway, I would greatly appreciate it if you would allow us to leave and try to find a way in this new world of ours."

The request was met by the sound of one firearm chambering a round; and another producing a high-pitched whirring, readying its thaumatic discharge.

"Oh dear, my good Doctor. I'm afraid that can't be done. You see, I am under very strict orders to execute all collaborators with extreme prejudice. And I believe that would be, oh, everyone here that isn't in the S.P.H. to begin with," Capt. Young said, as he raised his own firearm, aiming square at Dr. Hayato's forehead.

Dr. Hayato... any second now... Luna said, incredibly tense at the scene she was perceiving.

Not yet, Luna... let me ask him one more question... also tell Jun to start the self-destruct sequence as soon as you teleport me... Dr. Hayato replied, hopeful he just didn't make the mistake that'd end his life.

"Before you unceremoniously end me, I would like to ask one question of you and your men," Dr. Hayato asked, still maintaining his poker face somehow.

"Oh fine. But do make it a good one since it will be the last words you'll ever speak," Young replied, wondering just what the Doctor was doing besides vainly running for his life.

"Are you a bitch that likes bananas?" Dr. Hayato asked, with all manner of a smile and deviant glint in his eyes.

"What in the hell?" Young replied, he and his flankers confused, and more importantly, losing their aim points on Dr. Hayato.

"Well, you're gonna go bananas... in the Afterlife." Dr. Hayato said, with a wink.

Play us out, Luna! Dr. Hayato shouted at Luna with all urgency, telepathically.

"Oh you dirty motherfucker!" Capt. Young said as he picked his gun back up to blow Dr. Hayato's head off... but all he got to aim at was a dark violet egg-shaped bubble, which sunk into the floor just as fast as it appeared.

"FUCKING!! SON OF A GOD... WHAT?!" Capt. Young shouted as he and his men looked all around, before being interrupted by the sounds of rapid gunfire and some of his men hitting the floor. "WHAT IN HOLY FUCK IS GOING ON?! SOMEBODY FUCKING TELL ME SOMETHING!!"

Someone finally responded as a SPH grunt came running in. "Fucking... dark purple... eggs... all the workers turned into these dark purple eggs then disappeared!"

"DISAPPEARED?! WHAT IN THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN THEY DISAPPEARED?!" Capt. Young shouted in response, as he went through all the rooms where he saw lab workers milling about just a few minutes before, only to see either nothing or wounded or dead SPH grunts leaning against tables or on the floor.

Everyone was out of the lab... everyone except one.

"This shit ends now James, I am not letting you fucking get away this time." Tyler Richardson said to himself, as he laid his charm on a box in the Transport Room.

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 8:40 PM GMT-5 ]

Claire, tears streaming down her face, pointed the concealed handgun at Richard. "Why? Why did you throw your lot in with those goddamn Ponies. They were gonna ruin everything, EVERYTHING you, your father, your grandfather worked for!"

Richard merely sat back down in his chair, never taking his eyes off the distraught ex-lover-turned-SPH-leader. "As a great man once said, 'The times, they are a changin''. I intend to be at the forefront of the new age that will be built. But it's going to be built right. People who deserve to get ahead will get ahead. People who don't cheat the goddamn system will get ahead. A true meritocracy, Claire, or at least as close to one as mere mortals can make."

"WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT MERITOCRACY?! WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT FAIRNESS?! It's every goddamn man and woman for himself, and you get ahead any fucking way you can do it. You get every fucking thing you want, even if you have to snatch out of someone else's hands."

"That's probably what you intended to do to me. Get into my head, tell me I'm your everything, then when you hooked yourself far enough in, BOOM, you get me out of the way, and everything's yours."

Claire was now clearly distraught, her hand was shaking so bad, her aim was nowhere near good enough to be a reliable shot now. "No... no... no... I loved you... I loved... you... we were going to be so powerful... we were going to be the most powerful couple in the Domes... no... in the world... but you didn't want to play that game did you? Your goddamn morals got in the way, didn't they?"

"What can I say Claire, I am my father's son."

"You are... aren't you... just like your dad and mine... same damn argument... they could have ruled this damn planet... and he didn't want it... he didn't have the balls to do it... and YOU DON'T EITHER!" Claire screamed, raising the gun back up at Richard's head.

"Hrm, I guess this is how it ends, huh... or does it?"

I would take it, that is my cue... Princess Celestia said, ever the demi-goddess of dramatic timing.

If you wouldn't mind, Princess...

In a flash, Claire pulled the trigger, but not before Richard was engulfed in the dark violet bubble. The bullet went straight through the bubble, but not inside; instead piercing the window behind Richard's office desk, causing cracks to form all through the rest.

Claire shook for a few seconds, and threw the gun to the floor. She then followed by letting loose the most guttural, soul-shaking scream she could manage. Her body suddenly began glowing red, as her exposed skin had red Terran runes all over her.

"YOU DIRTY SON OF A BITCH! I'LL FIND YOU... I WILL FUCKING FIND YOU... AND I WILL FUCKING ROAST YOU ALIVE!!!"

The window shattered as a giant plume of flame, the result of pure, unadulterated rage, emerged from the building; as if that floor had a giant flamethrower mounted somewhere inside of it.

A few moments later, after the plume died down, Claire looked around. The fact she reduced all of the furnishings, the windows, and a good chunk of the walls of the office to either molten slag or ashes did not calm her mood any.

"I swear... I will find you Richard... and there will be Hell to pay... oh yes... Hell to pay!" Claire said to herself, while being doused by the fire sprinkler system.

[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- 7:55 PM GMT-6 ]

"Self-Destruct Sequence Initiated... Laboratories will be demolished in... 10 minutes..." the calm, monotone female voice announced to all who could hear her.

"FUCK! God why the hell did I think I'd have any time to hunt that bastard down... and I don't know the layout of this place at all... I got maybe eight minutes left to find him, end him, and find the Transport Room again..." Tyler barked at himself, cursing his own luck.

He went room to room, searching for James Young, the man responsible for damn near getting him drummed out of the Army two years ago, and most likely the man responsible for that horrifying display of wartime technology a week ago.

"For the three of them... for all those civilians two years ago... he has to die... and  I need to make fucking sure of it..." Tyler said, as the lights began to dim, and red klaxons whirled about.

--

"Laboratories will be demolished in... eight minutes..."

"WHERE THE FUCK IS THE EXIT?! I WILL BE GODFUCKINGDAMNED IF I DIE IN THIS PLACE!" James shouted as he tried to find his way through the labyrinthine labs. The shutters were beginning to close around the outer edges of the lab.

"THERE IT IS, THE ELEVATOR... I... NO NO... NO YOU FUCKING GODDAMN DON'T!" he shouted as he tried to run to his salvation, only to be cut-off by crystal laden shutters.

"WHAT IN THE FUCK... GODDAMNIT... THERE HAS TO BE STAIRS... FUCKING SOMETHING... ANYTHING!" James shouted, trying to fight off the panic as best he could.

"JAMES! JAMES WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU, YOU LITTLE RAT BASTARD?!" James heard a suddenly familiar voice shout.

"Sir, there is still one of the enemy left in this building, sir." the last remaining SPH grunt said as he reported to his superior officer

"I CAN FUCKING SEE THAT! YOU FOCUS ON FINDING A WAY OUT OF THIS GODFORSAKEN RATTRAP!" James barked.

"Sir, yes si--" he replied, before a spray of blood from his skull cut him off.

"Can't you fucking tell your people to keep their helmets on, James?!" Tyler shouted from down the hall.

"Oh fuck you, Tyler!" replied as he chased after possibly his only lead out.

--

"Laboratories will be demolished in... five minutes..."

"Fucking two years ago James... you remember that shit... you massacred 200 civilians in Central Africa, damn near got me court-martialed."

"Why the fuck are you bringing that shit up now? And besides, it's a goddamn war zone, who the fuck cares about civilians, they should get out of the fucking way if they don't want to get shot."

"I bet you're the one who fucking ordered the use of that Red Bombagainst us. You cost me three of my finest and damn near another four just with that!"

"Fuck you, Tyler! It's a goddamn war zone, kill or be killed! I don't fucking have time to deal with ethics or whatever else sugar-coating bullshit you all can come up with."

The two man aired their grievances while they tried to end each other's lives.

"There isn't any goddamn justice for people like you. And now the worst of the worst are trying to claim they are going to fucking fix things?"

"FUCK YOU TYLER! Those goddamn Ponies are the fucking problem, they are going to kill everything that makes a human a human. The world isn't fucking Candyland or wherever the fuck they come from. I will be damned if they turn this world into some kind of sugarcoated kids playground."

They eventually, by stroke of sheer accident, made their way back to the Transport Room, where the dark-violet charm was still flashing, waiting for its user to be snapped out of there to safety.

Shit... he followed me all the way here, if he notices that flashing charm, he's gonna put two and two together... Tyler thought to himself as he was ducking the fire from James's armaments.

Why in the fucking hell would he lead me back fucking... wait a minute... that purple necklace... THE GODDAMN PURPLE NECKLACE, THAT'S HOW THEY FUCKING GOT OUT! James's shouted in his own mind.

"THAT FUCKING PURPLE NECKLACE, THAT'S MY TICKET OUT OF THIS DEATH TRAP!"

"Oh no you fucking don't!" Tyler said, as he slid on the ground and kicked the box, sending the charm flying off into the shadows of still more boxes.

"Laboratories will be demolished in... two minutes..."

"YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, AND I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL WHOEVER IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT FUCKING MAGIC YOU'RE USING!" James said as he raised his gun to fire... only to get nothing as he pulled the trigger.

"OH FUCKING HELL, OUT OF AMMO, JESUS FUCK ALL!"

"GUESS YOU LOSE, JAMES!" Tyler said as he raised his firearm, only for hear the familiar click of an empty magazine.

"MORE LIKE A DRAW, EH FUCKER!?"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

"Laboratories will be demolished in... 90 seconds..."

They both threw their guns at each other, only to both miss, as they dove into the boxes and crates trying to figure out where the charm was.

"FUCKING NEEDLE IN A GODDAMN HAYSTACK!" James shouted as he threw the boxes, looking for any glint of metal or any flash of violet.

"Laboratories will be demolished in... 60 seconds..."

"THERE, THERE IT IS!" James shouted, so exuberant that he saw the charm, that he immediately tipped Tyler off to the fact. Which earned James an immediate shoulder tackle from Tyler.

"LIKE FUCK I AM GOING TO LET YOU GET AWAY FROM ME A THIRD TIME!" Tyler shouted as he punched James several times to try and keep him on the floor.

It wasn't enough though, for as soon as Tyler tried to get up to grab the charm, he was chop blocked by James.

"FUCK YOU, YOU STUPID MOTHER FUCKER!" James shouted as he tried to scramble on his hands and knees toward his salvation.

"Laboratories will be demolished in... 30 seconds"

James leaped on top of Tyler, stomping away at him, as fast as one could with roughly 30 seconds left to live. What he did not realize though, that the Isegawas would be EXTREMELY thorough in their self-destruct sequence.

"Laboratories will be demolished in... 15 seconds... opening Gate to Equestria..."

"OH FUCKING WHAT?! THERE IS A GATE?!" James said, as he looked around... he wouldn't be able to look long, as the gate opened.

"AHHHHH! GOD-FUCKING-DAMNIT! WHY DOES IT BURN?! IT BURNS!!! MY FUCKING EYES!! I CAN'T SEE!!" James screamed, the pain becoming unbearable as his skin began to burn and necrotize in the presence of full-blown raw Thaumatic-epsilon radiation. He staggered around backwards, away from the charm and in front of the Gate itself, eventually falling to the floor and curling into a fetal position.

Tyler began screaming as well, as his body started to suffer the same effects. He was spared the blinding though, as he drug his battered, burning body towards the charm.

OH NO! CAPT. TYLER! CAPT TYLER! Princess Luna shouted into his head as he finally laid a good hand onto the charm...

Princess... get me out of here... please... he replied, mind tired as his body was rapidly turning charcoal black; the entire room now flooded with raw Thaumatic-epsilon radiation.

Yes... yes Capt. Tyler... Luna replied, as the dark-violet bubble surrounded him and transported him out.

"Self-Destruct Countdown... Zero... Initial Explosive Charges... Firing... Thaumatic-Epsilon Flood... Initiated..."

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE... Momma... I don't want to die... momma... help me... help... me..." James said, as his voice and his life slowly ebbed to nothing, entire body practically petrified in the flood of radiation.

The above-ground clinic shook as the entire campus quaked with a violent explosion. No one above ground would be affected by the now constant flow of poisonous mana. However, the Isegawas were always ones to be extra sure of something.

"Thaumatic-Epsilon Flood... Sufficient...  Final Explosive Charges... Firing..."

The Isegawa Laboratory, the site where a serum that would revolutionize the world was developed. The site where Four Conduits of Terra both entered Equestria, and returned to the Earth, was now no more. It now rest imploded and buried under 150 meters of soil and rock. Its last occupants... the charred and crushed corpses of 15 mercenaries.

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

[ Safe Haven-- 18:08 PM GMT-7 ]

          Halfway buried in the Cascade Mountains, a couple of hundred miles east of Vancouver and Seattle, was the now base of Operations for the Human-Equestrian Alliance, the (hopefully) aptly named Safe Haven. Combining the best of the Isegawa Laboratory and the Conversion Bureaus... it could house 10,000 human adults at a time, and still have room to spare for a transitional Pony population. The current human population was 6,300: comprised of the main roster of the Human-Equestrian Alliance, publicly allied politicians and/or their immediate families, and many military experts. However, there was one person in particular that was of note to all the principles.

"GET THIS MAN INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM STAT!" shouted a human doctor, trailed by a Unicorn specialist in Thaumatic-Epsilon Poisoning.

Princess Luna, Blue Vague, and Capt. Rodriguez all followed the doctors, human and Equestrian, into the ICU, as they started to do whatever they could to help save Capt. Johnson's life.

"Am... I... home?" Capt. Johnson asked, voice raspy and light, as if he went from 30 years old to 90 in an instant.

"Dear God, these burns are awful..." a doctor said in the background.

Julio Rodriguez was apprehensive approaching his fellow Captian, remembering how dangerous raw thaumatic-epsilon radiation was to the body. "Is it okay if I approach him?"

One of the Unicorn doctors nodded. "It's safe, the bed he is laying in soaks Epsilon radiation. Any lingering in his body should be safely neutralized now."

Luna and Vague moved over to allow Rodriguez to take his friend's lone good hand. "Please, don't leave us... there is still too much for you to do... too much for all us to do..."

Tyler Johnson managed a faint smile, as he turned his head to look his friend in the eye. "No... no this soldier's tour is at an end... You asked me a question a week ago... what would I do if I was forced with a choice: Ponification to live, or to die a mangled wreck?"

"His vitals are steadily decreasing... this poisoning is too bad...." one of the Unicorn doctors said, scurrying in the background.

He chuckled a bit at all the work being done to give him these extra few minutes. "Doing the Lord's work, both species... that's all I can say. As I said, my tour is at an end... I made a gamble, and I'm paying for it with my life. Please... Princess Luna... I don't know if your Sister is here or not... but I give this message to you and her,"

"Yes Captain?" Luna asked.

"Do not give up. Don't give up on your dream. Don't give up on your vision. I don't care how hard the Society, or anyone else on either side makes it for you... you cannot give up on this world. There are too many people who want to do good. There are too many people who don't know they can do good yet, that need to know. These next few months will try you, they will try all of you. When I heard that speech, I knew what the Presidents and other leaders were planning to do. The next few days especially will test your patience to the brink. Don't give up, and don't give in either."

Luna quietly nodded, knowing words were not needed for this situation.

He turned to Vague, to give him the best advice he could given the situation. "I can sense the fear in your eyes, as you watch this soldier's life slip away. But remember, I knew what I was signing up for. I knew that every time I set foot off base, or out of my camp, I might not walk back alive. You have to always know the risks of the job that you take. At the same time though, you must always keep sight of your goal and what the reward is. I can sense in you, and all of those Ponies back and the Isegawa's lab, that you all want this world to be saved so desperately... Do not lose that faith, do not lose that dream. You Ponies, and every ally you make, will have to fight through pain, torment, everything. Others with weak wills may lose faith, and your enemies will test it... but you can't fail, you can't fail your friends, and you can't fail your loved ones. Fight! Fight with every goddamn ounce of strength in that near 4 ft. tall body of yours!"

Vague was left speechless, as he began to trot over to the ICU doorway, almost in a trance.

"This isn't good, he doesn't have much time left..." another doctor stated in the background. At this point Tyler didn't care how much time was left in his hourglass, he was going to make his last remarks.

Rodriguez took his friend's hand, for probably the last time, as Johnson began to speak "You can probably tell, I've made my choice. Unfortunately, it is one that I guess is selfish in your all's eyes. But I do feel that I have done enough for this life... I can hear their voices Rodriguez... Marks, Brown, Erickson... Those three taken from us a week ago... I can hear them... they are calling me home..."

Rodriguez was too distraught to say anything back, as Luna tried to console him as best she could.

The beeping of the EKG slowed... and slowed... and eventually... nothing. Nothing but a flat tone.

Everyone in the ICU stopped cold, as the main human doctor walked over to check Tyler Johnson's vitals. He shook his head that he could feel nothing. The main Unicorn doctor made one last check, to see if there was any brain activity or passive mana drawing left in his body; he too came to the same conclusion... nothing.

"Capt. Tyler Johnson, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Time of Death: 18:20 GMT-7, 6:20 PM Pacific Standard Time. Cause of Death: Acute Thaumatic-Epsilon Exposure," The main human doctor said, in the most professional tone he could muster; silently drawing the blanket over the head and face of Tyler's now deceased body.

"Did he make it?" Twilight asked silently of Capt. Rodriguez, the other eight Ponies and remaining members of his unit standing around her, desperately wanting to hear good news.

Capt. Rodriguez did not want to crush their hopes, especially not the hopes of the Native Ponies, but he could not lie to their faces. "No... I'm sorry Twilight... everyone... Capt. Johnson is no longer with us."

The military men still with caps took them off in quiet remembrance, as Pinkie and Fluttershy both began crying on each other's shoulders. The others took the bad news varying degrees of hard as well. Yet none of the ten Elements or Conduits absorbed the blow harder than Vague himself; remaining to himself, frozen like a statue outside of the ICU Hall.

It's not fair...

It's not fair...

It's not fair...

[ Safe Haven-- 20:35 GMT-7 ]

          The sun was setting on Safe Haven, as it had set on the functional independence of the nations of Earth, and on the life of Capt. Johnson. Richard Edwards and Candice received the news of Johnson's passing, and offered his immediate condolences to Capt. Rodriguez and the remnants of Johnson's unit. The few politicians that could make it out and their families, did their best to cheer up the Bearers of Harmony, who were crushed by the sudden loss of the Army Captain they made such quick friends with. Princesses Luna and Celestia entered a private room with Richard in order to discuss what had transpired over the day, with Luna delivering Johnson's final admonition to the both of them.

Standing in the truly gigantic greenhouse area, watching as the sun finished setting, was a single Unicorn. Electric blue fur, cobalt and white mane, a Cutie Mark of a stylized raindrop with crashing waves... and eyes completely devoid of feeling and emotion. His tail swished back and forth, slowly and rhythmically, as he stared into rapidly darkening skies.

It's not fair...

It's not fair...

It's not fair...

This world isn't fair...

Nothing is fair...

This world isn't fair...

Nothing is fair...

This world... this world... this world... this world... this world...

THIS WORLD DOESN'T DESERVE TO EXIST!