Chapter 24: Breakdown

=== The Conversion Bureau: A New Age, A New Life ====== Chapter 24: Breakdown ===

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[ San Francisco, U.S.A-- July 9, 2081 @ 8:45 PM PST ]

"Yeah man, I'll be right over..." a young man, probably no older than 25, said over a comlink, after which taking his black helmet off.

"So, you must be with the Society For the Preservation of Humanity, yes?" said a strange teal-haired woman. Strange hair colors were really not uncommon these days - one of the many ways that those both inside and out of the Domes tried to express their uniqueness and individuality. However, something was... a bit off about this woman's hair. It was as if she was born with that teal hair, so incredibly natural -- definitely couldn't have been just simple dye.

"Well, hello there pretty mamma. Going with the retro hippie look? I like it... I like it a lot," the SPH soldier replied, suddenly drawn to the strange, yet drop-dead gorgeous woman.

Ample bust, round hips, legs to die for, fresh and expressive face, and a voice that just called out to any able bodied male like a Siren of myth. She was everything any male could want in a woman. She was a bad momma, and she knew it, all too well. "Well, seeing as you've already got the government to fold to your organization, I wonder why you'd still be in uniform. I think you would look so much better out of it♥."

He was instantly drawn to her. The tie dye shirt showing off her ample cleavage. The jet black, tight fitting pants showing anyone who'd turn and look exactly what she was working with. But what pulled him in the most, were her eyes. They just seemed to... glow a luminescent emerald green in the twilight of post-Sunset.

"To be honest miss, I was going to going to get back to base. We are starting our second phase of sweeping operations tomorrow. The colluding governments were first, those damn Ponies are next. Either they leave the Earth... or they'll be buried in it."

The woman just tsked as she draped her arms over the ostensibly big and strong soldier. "Now why would you go and do a silly thing like that? I know a far better use for your time♥." A quick kiss on the lips was all she needed to seal the deal.

"Yes... yes, that would be a far better use of my time..." the young man said with a sudden pall over his voice, eyes locking in on the woman; he was now completely in her thrall.

"I'm so glad we could come to an agreement... now, just follow me so we can have some... hehe... privacy♥."

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[ Safe Haven-- July 10, 2081 @ 7:30 AM PST ]

        A quiet grave with a small headstone and an assortment of flowers -- the final resting place for Capt. Tyler Johnson. A somber mood still hung over Safe Haven, as the humans began to settle in to their new homes in the dormitory section. The Bearers of Harmony and the Conduits of Terra also began to settle into their rooms, far larger than at the Isegawa Complex. None could really appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the basic construction, nor were they in any frame of mind to develop how they were going to decorate each room to their personal liking. So it stood, each room was rather simply adorned for the time being.

Blue Vague hardly left his room, even more withdrawn than he was the last couple of weeks at the Isegawa Complex. What disturbed his friends, especially Midori Hana, the most was the fact that he hardly spoke since that night he watched Tyler pass on in front of him. Whenever he did, he spoke in a dreary monotone, as if is his soul had been ripped out.

So there he lay in his bed, covers the same electric blue as his fur. The false waterfall droning on, intended to bring some comfort to his tortured, broken soul.

It's not fair... why did he have to die... why did anyone have to die... no one was supposed to die...

The death and destruction wrought in the last month had thrown him in a pit of despair so deep, he felt he'd never re-emerge from it.

So much death...

So much destruction...

All for what?

Another trinket... another bauble... for power?

Is this what humans will always do with power?

And it's not just now...

Has it always been this way?

Will humans always kill for power?

Will they always strangle their own just to get or stay ahead?

If so... what is the point?

Why save them?

Why save a species that would do this?

Why indeed...

Wouldn't it be better, just to start from scratch?

Surely the others must have thought about this as well...

Wouldn't it be better, to return everything to Zero?

Return everything to Zero...

Return everything to Zero...

He rolled out of the bed, and began to trot out of the room.

I should at least get something to eat... food is good...

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[ San Francisco, U.S.A-- July 10, 2081 @ 9:15 AM PST ]

"Now wasn't that a far better use of your time ♥."

"Yes..."

"And don't you want so much more~"

"Yes..."

"Oh that's a very good answer~ because I want so much more... I want it ALL! I want every... last... drop!"

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[ Safe Haven-- July 10, 2081 @ 12:30 AM PST ]

        The Bearers of Harmony and Conduits of Terra (Vague included) were in a media room watching more news reports stream in from across the globe. They all were showing the same thing, black armored vans with the SPH insignia were massing near the Bureaus, which were now only being defended by whatever was left of the militaries and Royal Guard Unicorn units. They were mostly left to themselves: none of the Humans wanted to watch their former coworkers effectively under siege, and none of the other Ponies had enough free time to even bother at the moment. Blue Vague was the only one not in the larger cluster watching the screens; instead content to just stare at the video wall, monotonously munching away at a container filled with plain hay.

"You know, I don't like to talk bad about Ponies while I'm sitting in front of them. But Vague is starting to scare me, seriously..." Rainbow Dash said.

Midori Hana agreed, looking on with grave concern at her coltfriend. "To be honest... he's scaring me too. He's never been this silent before, especially while watching the news."

"I've heard of being 'blue', but Vague just seems... blank..." Pinkie Pie said, as she waved a hoof in order to try and break his stare, to no avail.

Golden Storm sat next to him and took a bit of Vague's hay, to see if he could get him to react. The lack of any response just further confused and disturbed everyone. "I would like to say that him being with us is a good sign... but it's really hard given his behavior, or lack of it."

Everyone went back to the cluster and continued on with their watching, making sure that Vague didn't get up to wander off anywhere unattended in his state.

        After some time, an interview of particular interest seemed to be starting from St. Louis, so Twilight pressed a reinforced control pad in order to focus in on that interview.

"And here we are, with some SPH soldiers, who agreed to speak to us. Ma'am, you said you were a middle-aged couple living in Atlanta when you heard the initial messages of the SPH. Care to elaborate what drove you to join."

The mention of 'Atlanta' perked Blue Vague's attention in particular, now showing the first visible signs of emotion in a few days. A fact that was not lost on Twilight, whose attention was now divided between the speaker on the projector and Vague's disturbing reaction to her.

"Yes. I joined the SPH because I believed the threat of the Ponies was so great, that myself and my husband had to take up arms against them." A female voice started speaking, her face shielded by the standard mask and tinted goggles of all the SPH front-liners.

Vague's face began to quiver at hearing the voice... the voice that was so familiar... the voice that struck mortal fear in his soul.

"This world was designed by God for humans, and no alien or demon or whatever will take it away from us. We as humans have worked far too long, and far too hard to build up what we have, only for it to be frittered away like this!" the woman continued to rant, reporter still with the mic at her face.

Vague's face began to twitch, as if the gears in his head suddenly began to work overdrive. This was now evident to everyone there.

"Vague, baby... you're starting to scare the rest of us..." Hana said as she approached Vague, who was so deep in his own thoughts he didn't recognize anyone else's presence.

"We will rebuild this world. We will be the new humanity. We will be the ones to shape the New Age!" she concluded, as the report threw it back to the main station.

Vague was visibly trembling now, as his body began to glow an eerie shade of off-blue. It was similar to the blue of his Water Magic, but it wasn't quite the same. Something that both Rarity and Twilight picked up on immediately.

"Vague, what's wrong. Please, you have to tell all us what exactly is wrong," Twilight asked; placing a forehoof on Vague's shoulder opposite Hana, trying to jostle him to get his attention.

He turned to Twilight, and said one word...  "Momma?"

With that, Twilight saw the same flash in his eyes she nearly two weeks ago while in the trailer of the now deceased Capt. Johnson. Something that frightened her to her core. After which, Vague puffed out of existence in a cloud of blue smoke, teleporting himself to God knows where and with God knows what kind of magic.

"No... Vague... STOP... STOP IT... DON'T DO THIS!" Twilight shouted at the space Vague just a few moments ago occupied; not caring it if it was in vain at this point.

All six Elements of Harmony manifested immediately on the 'person's of the Bearers, flashing in clear warning. Something highly dangerous was approaching.

Luna, Vague has taken a turn for the worst. I'm losing touch with both his mana and his Spark of the Soul.

I understand Celestia... I will contact the Bearers of Harmony immediately. If it is what I fear, then we have precious little time before it fully manifests...

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[St. Louis, U.S.A. -- July 10, 2081 @ 2:40 PM CST ]

        The SPH were camped out all around the St. Louis Conversion Bureau, roughly 50 meters all around. They were high-fiving each other, as they had cleared out what was left of the military. The scene was similar all around the world, with most Bureaus only having Explicit Magic Shields as a line of final defense against the outside world that was quickly caving in on them. This fact was not lost on a couple of SPH soldiers, and one female soldier in particular.

"Finally. Today is the day we start striking back against those damn Ponies!" Linda said excitedly as she looked all around for her commander to tell her were to go next.

"Since Capt. Young has been declared MIA and the Isegawa Laboratories are kaput, I guess this is the last Pony-related facility in the region," Andrew thought, figuring that Capt. Young got himself killed doing something reckless.

"Exactly, soon they'll be gone, all gone. And we'll start rebuilding the world the way that WE want it! It'll be so wonderful, Andrew!" Linda shouted as she hung lightly off Andrew's shoulders.

"I suppose so..." Andrew responded despondently, still wondering if he was making the right decision. There has to be a better way than this, doesn't there? he then though immediately.

Soon they heard beeping in their headset, as they looked at their forearm mounted display, the thaumatic sensors began going off. Strangely enough, the signal was roughly 200 meters behind them.

"Oh I think one of the dear Unicorns is trying to teleport out to get help or some such. Well we can't have that now, can we? I don't think the new Captain will mind if we go off on a little excursion of our own..." Linda said, as motioned for her husband to follow her. Being the kind of man he was, he quickly complied.

Blue Vague wandered the back alleys around St Louis, eyes darting all around, mane disheveled, shouting into the alleys not caring who heard him. "Momma?! Momma?! Where are you, momma?!"

He continued to wander aimlessly for another few minutes, until he heard a shout from behind him.

"HALT! In the name of the Society for the Preservation of Humanity, I order you to halt, Equestrian!" he heard from the eerily familiar female voice. There stood two SPH soldiers, one male and female, completely masked.

Blue Vague, doing his best to magically disguise his voice, responded as he came to a stop. "I do not know your quarrel with me. I have done nothing wrong."

The two soldiers kept their firearms trained on Blue Vague's head, as they slowly approached. The female continued to speak. "What you've done wrong? You're ruining this world! Trying to take from us everything we've worked for..."

Everything they've worked for?!

"You're trying to turn this world into an abomination!"

An abomination?!

"You are nothing more than demons, demons sent to destroy us. But we will rise above... oh yes... we will rise above and build a new world!"

A new world?!

"Yes, I will find my son... and we will build a world worthy of every human qualified for the New Humanity!"

Her son... her son... her son... her son... her son... her son... her son... her son...

The last words from the female SPH soldier stuck in Blue Vague's mind. He had one more question to ask, as his voice disguising spell began to fail, mind not able to concentrate on anything. "Female human? What is your name?"

The female soldier stopped and ordered her partner to stop. "Fine demon. Since you so desperately want the identity of the instrument of your end..." as she motioned for her husband to remove his mask, and she removed her own. "Linda and Andrew Bowman. Those are the names of the humans that will send you to Hell where demons like you belong!"

Blue Vague -- Andre Bowman -- began quake violently; body resuming its off-blue glow, voice returning to normal. "No... momma wouldn't be a bad woman.... SPH are bad people... momma not bad person... momma not bad person... a momma never bad person... momma protects... papa protects..." His mind was rapidly unraveling at the seams, as he stood up on all fours again.

That voice... NO... no... it can't be... he hadn't been missing long enough... he wasn't injured... he wasn't sick... he couldn't be... Linda thought to herself as she began to quake with anxiety herself.

It's him? Why would he? I... I don't get it... Andrew thought to himself, dropping his gun as he watched the blue Unicorn and his wife enter a simultaneous mental standstill.

"PONY! What is your name?!" Linda asked.

"Momma not bad person... Papa not bad person..." Vague responded, mind stuck in place.

"I WILL ASK AGAIN, WHAT IS YOUR NAME, PONY?!" Linda repeated, her hand and arms quaking as she tried to hold her aim steady.

"Momma... Papa... Momma... Papa..." Vague responded, still logjammed mentally.

"I WILL ASK ONLY ONE MORE GODDAMN TIME! WHAT... IS... YOUR... NAME?!" Linda shouted at full throat, tears streaming down her eyes, wanting desperately for the Pony in her midst to not give her the answer she felt was coming.

"Momma, it's Andre... your baby... your precious baby... momma loves Andre... momma never leave Andre... papa never leave Andre... always happy... always happy family... always happy forever..." Andre replied, an insane grin on his face.

"No... NO... NO!" Linda shouted, as she became wild with confusion and rage. "NO, MY SON IS NOT A PONY... HE CAN'T BE A PONY... I RAISED HIM IN GOD'S IMAGE... MY SON CAN'T BE A PONY... HE CAN'T BE A PONY... HE CAN'T BE A PONY!!!"

She began to stagger backwards, all the anger and rage and sadness of fourteen years of leaving her child behind with his paternal grandfather was catching up to her. She raised her gun back up at the insane grinning Pony, her own reality rapidly coming apart at the seams.

"SHUT UP YOU MONSTER! YOU'RE NO SON OF MINE... YOU'RE A LIAR...  A HONEY-TOUNGED LIAR! I'LL DESTROY YOU! I'LL DESTROY EVERY LAST ONE OF YOUR KIND! DO YOU HEAR ME!? DO YOU HEAR ME MINION OF THAT DEVIL PRINCESS!?!!!"

"Momma, it's your son... your precious son... let's be happy together... let's be happy forever... be happy forever... no more hate... no more strife... no more anger... just happy... just... happy"

Dear God, she's going to... NO, I CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN... NOT THIS WAY! Andrew thought, as he leapt on top of Linda to wrestle her to the ground.

"STOP THIS LINDA! STOP IT! STOP IT BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU CAN'T TAKE BACK!" he said as he tried to get the gun out of his rapidly declining wife's hands.

"SHUT UP! LET ME KILL HIM... HE IS DEVIL SPAWN... HE IS A DEMON SENT HERE TO TEST OUR FAITH... I'LL DESTROY HIM... I'LL DESTROY ALL OF THEM..." Linda yelled as she used the strength augmentation of her armor to throw Andrew off of her and against a concrete wall. She got to her knees, where she pointed her gun at Andre, no... pointed her gun at that demon that pretended to be her son.

"DIE SPAWN OF SATAN! DIE AND BURN IN THAT PIT THAT YOU CRAWLED OUT OF!" she shouted as she pulled the trigger.

A flash from the muzzle of the gun...

A red-mana laced bullet travelling through the air...

A body...

A body covered in black armor...

And an explosion.

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[Safe Haven-- July 10, 2081 @ 1:02 PM CST ]

"NO! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!! NOT TO HIM!!"Twilight Sparkle shouted, as loud as she could manage. The Element of Magic on her head glowing as hot as it ever has.

"What?! What's happening?" Midori Hana replied, the other two Conduits of Terra completely confused as to what was going on

"Mother of Celestia... I... I can feel it... it's coming from St. Louis..." Rarity said, beginning to quake at the thought.

"Three years ago... I haven't felt this kind of eerie feeling in three years..." Fluttershy said, not know exactly what to do in this case.

Just then, two flashes went off, as both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna manifested next to the nine remaining Conduits and Bearers. Luna was the first to begin speaking. "I tried desperately to find the Conduit of Water, but I'm afraid I'm too late. It has begun..."

"What's begun... what's wrong with Vague?!" Midori Hana shouted, tears beginning to stream down her face.

"Anypony with enough magical power faces the same problem if they become psychologically unstable. The more cracks that form in their mind, the more those cracks are filled in by something seeking to occupy that space," Luna stated morosely, knowing full well what was happening thousands of miles away.

"And that something is their innermost darkness. I know not what it is for Vague... but we fear that his mind and soul is starting to become engulfed in it. If that creature fully manifests, wherever it does so will be in grave danger!" Celestia concluded for her sister.

Suddenly all nine of the Ponies put everything together, and were dumbfounded at the solution.

"That's... I thought... only..." Golden Storm stammered, not know how to contemplate the revelation.

"There is no time to discuss this! Luna, get the Nine of them to St. Louis, NOW!" Celestia shouted at her sister.

"Yes Celestia!" Luna responded, and forcefully teleported all Nine of the Ponies near the scene.

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[St. Louis, U.S.A. -- July 10, 2081 @ 3:03 PM CST ]

"My... son... please..." Andrew said, his life force in flux, the armor blown off his back, skin charred and bleeding.

What kind of species would have mates so carelessly attempt to destroy each other?

Momma... shot... papa... Momma shot papa... Momma shot papa... Momma doesn't love papa...

What kind of species has a mother that does not love their own son?

Momma doesn't love me... Momma doesn't love me... Momma doesn't love me....

What kind of mother would reject their own son's existence?

Momma doesn't see me... momma doesn't see me... momma doesn't see me...

What kind of species exists that would do such a cruel thing to their own?

Humans are so mean... humans are so ruthless... humans are evil... humans are evil... humans are evil...

What kind of world would allow such an evil species to not only exist... but to thrive?

This world is evil... this world is evil... this world is evil...

You know what our power is, correct?Our power will cleanse this evil world. Our power will reduce this world to nothing... We are the Power of Zero... we will return this world to its Origin State... and let the Power of Infinity create a new world...

World goes to Zero... Infinity takes over... Infinity makes new world...

Infinity will create a world. And should that world turn evil, Zero shall destroy it. That is your role, that is the role of your friends... to create, to judge, and if need be... to DESTROY!

All friends... Zero and Infinity... Create... Judge... Destroy...

Now... it is time for us to begin...

Yes... let us begin... let us begin... let us begin...

With that, Blue Vague let loose a deafening roar, something more suitable for a demon straight out of the pits of Hell than a candy-colored 3'+ tall Pony. as the entire alley began to glow the same eerie dark off-blue he was before.

"What the hell... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Linda shouted, as she tried to get away from the scene. Liquid blue tentacles shot out of the ground and grabbed her before she could get far.

"Human... you will not escape my grasp... you will not escape my Judgment!" Vague began to speak, with a tone of voice distorted. His body began to grow in size, as he was now roughly the same size as Luna, though more thickly built being male. His horn grew sharp, and his entire coat turned jet black with blue highlights; his body became clad in frightening gel-like armor, itself a shade of deep blue. What scared Linda the most of this frightening visage, were his eyes. They were sharp and slitted, much more befitting a predator or a monster than something cute and toy-like.

"Agents No 370 and 371, we received a signal of a massive thau... OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!" a random SPH soldier shouted as he began to gaze upon the warped visage of Blue Vague.

The creature grabbed the soldier in a thick tendril from the ground, as he seemed flow like water over to look him in the face. "Human... your species... and your world... has run out of time... this Age will be brought to an End. What are your final remarks before your soul is sent for judgment?"

"OH GOD... PLEASE... PLEASE RELEASE ME... PLEASE LET ME GO... I CAN CHANGE... I CAN CHANGE..." he shouted; pleading, begging to be spared.

The creature Vague had become thought briefly, before issuing his response. "This world has given you enough chances to change. Yet you ignored its warnings. The time has come for all to pay for their sins."

The man was then engulfed in a sphere of the dark blue liquid that seemed to make up the creature's armor. The screams for mercy went unheeded, as his body, armor, everything was dissolved into nothingness. The liquid that engulfed the soldier disappeared back into the being and armor of the creature.

"What are you... no... I know what you are... a beast... a Demon from the pits of Hell itself! You were never my son, NEVER!" Linda Bowman shouted, as she struggled to free herself from the grip of the monster.

"NO... STOP THIS VAGUE... STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!" Princess Luna shouted, tears already streaming down her face, as she reached the area that the creature occupied.

Wait... that man... that man... I can sense it... he shares a connection with Blue Vague... no... a connection with Andre Bowman... Luna began to think. And as discretely as possible, she teleported Andrew to Safe Haven. That act immediately noticed by Celestia.

Sister, why are you sending that Society soldier into our midst?

Because that man is extremely important to Blue Vague... help him and heal him... he still lives, but by the barest of margins... and he is possibly the lynch-pinto recovering his mind and soul.

I understand... I hope this gamble of your pays off... Celestia responded, before cutting the link and calling for medics.

"My dear friends... you have arrived. But your forms are incomplete. Come, let me show you the way," the creature stated with a strange and eerie tone, as he released his mother from his grip.

The creature raised his hooves as a wall of dark blue mana appeared all around the Princess and the other nine Ponies. With that, all of them disappeared.

"Haha... my son is a monster... my son is a monster... my son is a monster... haha. AHAHA... AHAHAHA!" Linda began to laugh insanely, the reality of the situation coming down on her like a ton of bricks.

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[Northwest of the Ruins of New Orleans, U.S.A. -- July 10, 2081 @ 3:30 PM CST ]

        The nine Ponies stumbled around on the sickly brownish-green grass, while Princess Luna remained standing tall. Everyone was scanning all around, trying to figure out where they were exactly.

"Ok just where did that... thing send us? This place looks utterly dreadful." Rarity stated matter of factly, the sights and smells assaulting all her aesthetic senses. Everywhere she or the rest of the Conduits and Bearers looked, there were either dead trees, dying grass, or bluish-black water.

"Wherever we are, it's in terrible shape." Golden Storm said, scanning all around, looking for Blue Vague, or whatever was left of him at this point.

"A fine city... a historic city... The French Quarter... Cafe DuMonde... the Madri Gras Parades... a people that held out until the absolute last second..." the tall, blue, mutated Unicorn said, standing on the surface of the brackish, blackish-blue waters.

"Vague! Vague just where did you send us all? I am giving you a chance to respond under your own power, before I force you to myself!" Princess Luna said, her entire body glowing in the azure aura of her natural Unicorn Magic.

"Madame of the Moon, I am sorry to inform you that the Pony that you know as 'Blue Vague' cannot respond right now... he is currently... how can you say... indisposed," the demonic looking Unicorn said, turning around to face Luna and the rest of the Conduits and Bearers.

He's right though, I can feel Blue Vague... but his mind and soul are too far out of reach for even myself to contact currently... Luna thought to herself, trying to figure if she was truly dealing with what she believed she was.

"Beast! If you are not Blue Vague, then what name do you go by?!" Luna shouted, trying her best to stall the creature while she figured out a means of proceeding.

"So many questions, Madame of the Moon. Well, since I do have the time, I will answer them: first of all, we are currently outside of the former city limits of the sunken city of New Orleans. Of course the city sits below quite a lot of water, but I felt it would be unfair to you all to leave you thrashing about in that poison. Secondly, I do not have a name currently... however... don't you believe this situation is... reminiscent of something?"

Luna narrowed her eyes as the Bearers of Harmony stepped backward some, the implication still shocking to them all.

"Hrm... yes... I do believe that would be a fine name for myself. You may call me Nightmare Ooze, The Waters of Conquest! Just as the waters of the world conquered this city, my toxic waters shall conquer the world itself!" the now named demon of a Unicorn said, slitted eyes glimmering with a dangerous power.

"HOW DARE YOU MOCK ME! DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THIS IS SOME KIND OF JOKE! THE NIGHTMARE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST FORCES OF EVIL IN ALL OF PONYDOM!" Luna shouted at full throat of the Royal Canterlot Voice. Nightmare Ooze shook his armored head a little bit.

"Quite the set of pipes you have in your possession Luna. But let me ask you something, just why is the Nightmare 'evil'? You just wanted to the Ponies to enjoy your night, didn't you? Enjoy it so much that you would make said night last in perpetuity," Nightmare Ooze said as he strode across the polluted water to the shoreline.

Once he stepped on the shore, the other Ponies were horrified as the ground under his hooves melted into the same gelatinous dark-blue morass that covered his black body.

"In this world, there is a persistent legend of four entities. Four entities that would herald the end of the current age. Their names: Conquest, War, Famine, and Death! I am merely but one of those agents of the End, an Agent to return this world to Zero!" Nightmare Ooze said, body brimming with poisons and acids that could seemingly dissolve anything he wanted.

He continued on, with the most absolute of confidence he was correct in his assessments. "This world is corrupt... too corrupt. He thought it could be saved... oh how he wanted it to be able to be saved; but its people are corrupt... the beasts that are left are corrupt... the plants that are left are corrupt... EVERYTHING IS CORRUPT! This impurity can only breed more impurity. There is only one solution... yes... one solution indeed. The impurity must be purged. The impurity must be eliminated. This world must be returned to its Origin State, so that a new, pure life can be forged. THIS... this is the New Age she has foretold!"

"You're shouting nonsense! Stop it, please, stop it before it's too late. Stop it before we lose you forever!" Midori Hana shouted, desperately wanting to believe it was some monster that was just possessing Blue Vague and not Blue Vague becoming hopelessly corrupted himself.

"I see... this will not do, will not do at all. The three of you need convincing... yes... convincing. You all must be shown that mankind and this entire planet is corrupt beyond repair, beyond redemption, beyond saving."

In a flash, dark blue tendrils grabbed Storm, Blaze, and Hana around the heads.

"STOP IT VAGUE, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN’ MAN!"

"LET ME GO, LET ME GO!"

"PUT US DOWN, VAGUE, PLEASE!"

The Nightmare of the Oceans did not heed his friends warnings, as a giant wall of dark-blue ooze began to form around the four of them. He was thoroughly convinced that the proper role for the three of them were to become those agents of the End, the Agents of Zero. "Do not resist. This is your true nature... you know most of all the depravity of man... the cruelty of this world... how this world can no longer be saved... should no longer saved... it needs to be erased, so that life may start over..."

The three Ponies in his grasp screamed and howled in pain and anguish, as Nightmare Ooze began to bombard and assault their minds with visions of the utter cruelty of man, of the world, of everything. He wanted to crush them, break them -- just as he was broken.

"Yes... break... shatter... give up on your notions of saving this world. Nothing of this world is worth saving, it would be so much better to start over wouldn't it?"

The Elements of Terra were manifest, but they appeared faded and cracking under the withering mental assault of Nightmare Ooze; who was hellbent on turning his friends into monsters like himself.

"Famine... all shall succumb to the great plagues... nothing will survive... nothing will continue..."

"War... fight until you destroy everything... fight until you kill everything... fight until everything is annihilated..."

"Death... death will consume all... death knows no bounds... all will be consumed by it... new life cannot appear until the old life ends..."

"Yes my dear friends... embrace your new natures... embrace your roles as the Agents of Zero. End this world with me!"

Before he could complete his task though, he was suddenly impacted by a crushing blast of rainbow-colored light, punching a hole straight through his supposedly protective wall.

"ARGH! GODDAMNIT... HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THOSE SIX THAT FAST!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, losing his grip, both physically and psychologically on the other three Conduits of Terra.

"Yeah! Like seriously, how did you forget about us? I mean you did teleport all ten of us!" Pinkie Pie shouted, as Twilight readied another blast.

The three Conduits of Terra all laid on the ground unconscious, still reeling from the heavy mental assault. The cracks in their Elements disappeared, but the color had yet to return.

"Bearers of Harmony, I have to restore the remaining Conduits of Terra to fighting shape. Do anything you can to bring Blue Vague back from the grips of Nightmare Ooze! At the very least, hold him off until they can return to the battle!" Luna shouted as she quickly grabbed the three unconscious Conduits before Nightmare Ooze could recover.

"Understood Princess Luna! Ladies, let's go!" Twilight shouted as the six Bearers of Harmony charged their foe.

"Over here, slowpoke!" Rainbow Dash shouted, as she rammed Ooze again, nearly cracking the gel-like armor along his side.

"DAMNIT!" he shouted in response, immediately before he took both rear-hooves in the face from Applejack.

"Come on, Vague, I know you can fight better than this!" AJ shouted in derision, hoping any kind of words could spark something.

It did indeed spark something: blasts of dark blue mana from the mouth of Nightmare Ooze. Slamming into all six of the Ponies foolish enough to challenge him.

"UGH! How can something with no weight hurt so bad?!" Twilight shouted as she managed to right herself, the other five shaking off the pain as best they could from the mostly surprise attack.

"He's not going to quit until the other three are monsters just like him, is he?" Fluttershy asked morosely, as the six moved back into an impromptu formation.

A formation quickly broken up as the six of them dodged the dark blue tentacles sprouting from Ooze's armor. They continued to run around in a disjointed manner, as Nightmare Ooze tried to physically restrain them in any manner he could.

"Don't run, girls. There is so much I want to show you. I want to show you everything. That this world needs to be erased before it can be rebuilt!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he galloped around, trying to grab hold of any of the Bearers of Harmony.

Twilight... we need find some way to attack Nightmare Ooze without touching him... who knows what he could do to us if we make physical contact with him... Rarity said to the other five Bearers through the Element of Generosity, trying to think on the fly as best she could.

Yeah as it stands, that might only leave Twilight and AJ able to do it... wait... Rainbow Dash started, before she had a sudden flash of inspiration. She dashed upward, hopefully far enough out of the reach of Ooze's tentacle-ed armor's reach.

Wait... what are ya thinkin RD?! Applejack asked as she watched the cyan Pegasus as best she could.

Just watch! RD responded, body starting to glow the pale cornflower blue.

"Hey ya big dope... I hope you think you four aren't the only users of active Terran Magic!" Rainbow Dash shouted, hoping she'd grab Nightmare Ooze's attention.

Which she did indeed. "Come on now I couldn't forg-," he started before howling in pain as all his tendrils retracted into his armor. He was struck by a fairly large lightning bolt, out of the mostly clear, somewhat bluish sky. "DAMNIT! 100 GODDAMN THOUSAND WATTS RIGHT IN THE FUCKING SKULL!" he shouted as he staggered around, temporarily disoriented by the influx of Lightning Magic.

"That's right... GIRLS! Blast him with as much Terran Magic as you can muster! We got to keep him at bay until Luna can finish healing the other Conduits!" Twilight shouted!

"Son of a... what kind of pollen is this..." Nightmare Ooze shouted, as he was finding it hard to think straight.

"Just a little somethin' I whipped up on the fly... call it Sense Scrambler..." Applejack replied, dark green runes all over her body. "Now there big boy..." she started.

"... we think it's time for you to cool off a bit!" Pinkie Pie shouted to finish as metal cables and thick vines out of the ground held Nightmare Ooze in place as best they could. "Fluttershy!"

"I got it.... I'm sorry Vague, but we have to destroy that... thing... before he eats you from the inside out!" Fluttershy shouted, apologizing before striking Nightmare Ooze with 'bolts' of aquamarine mana, which began to freeze his armor solid.

"You think that's gonna keep him place?" Fluttershy asked while looking at the near frozen solid Nightmare Ooze. However, his power to keep his body a fluid quickly disabused anypony of the notion that would be enough to keep him in place.

"Shoulda figured that wouldn't be enough, least not yet..." Applejack said dejectedly, as she Pinkie and Fluttershy scattered, avoiding a another blast of dark blue corrupted mana.

"Why do you struggle against me? I only speak the truth. This world is too far gone. We should just start over from scratch!" Nightmare Ooze shouted at the six Bearers, trying to regain control of the situation.

"No you don't Nightmare Ooze. That's just nihilism! That's just you giving up!" Rarity shouted as she and Twilight flung bomb-like spheres of Light and Shadow Magic at him. Nightmare Ooze continued to reel backwards, trying to find respite for a few moments for planning.

"She's right! You're just a fragment, you're just the worst of Vague's mind. He definitely wouldn't do this! He's too loyal to his friends and this world to drown it, or melt it, or whatever you'd do to it!" Rainbow Dash added, launching streams of lightning in-between volleys of Light and Shadow Bombs.

Nightmare Ooze shed his broken armor, as he pulled in more water to replace it. "YOU! YOU! You..." he started to shout, eyes flaring with rage. But then he began to calm down, and think about things. The Bearers held up on their attacks, but remained on guard as they tried to gauge Ooze's thought patterns.

"Yes... yes... I see... It makes so much sense now... you would try and preserve this world... to improve this world... this indeed makes so much sense... why could I not see it before..." the Nightmare began to reason out loud, as he began to chuckle with glee.

"What do you mean 'it makes so much sense'? What are you talking about Ooze?" Twilight asked, as she and the rest of the Bearers circled around him, trying to gauge a proper distance to keep.

Nightmare Ooze's eyes began to glow, as a de-saturated navy blue fog began to flow from his entire being. The fog blew through the entire area before any of the Bearers of Harmony could think of a counter-measure; Luna not being able to extend her shield quickly enough to block the effects.

"Twilight! Twilight are you alright!" Luna shouted, trying her best to focus on restoring the Elements of Terra and their Conduits as best as she could figure.

The fog finally dissipated, revealing the Bearers of Harmony in a very relaxed state. As far as Luna was concerned, far too relaxed.

"Ehehehe... Magnets... how do they work? And who cares... I have magic... Magic is all I need... Magic is everywhere... ahahah..." Twilight stated in a airy tone, giggling like a madmare, eyes glowing with the same de-saturated blue as the fog that had just blown past her.

"Twilight! What is wrong with you?! Get a hold of yourself, young filly!" Luna shouted, trying to figure out how she could help her and the Conduits of Terra, although she would soon realize Twilight was not the only one affected.

"So pretty... everyone should have one... yes... I am so generous... everyone everywhere can have one..." Rarity said as she stumbled around, handing out invisible dresses and hats or whatever have you to no one in particular.

"We'll be friends forever, no doubt... everyone will be friends... no one will every betray another... perfect friendships all over..." Rainbow Dash said as she fluttered around in a strange looping motion.

Pinkie Pie just sat in place, laughing hysterically at nothing in particular. "You're so funny... Dragons are so funny... Gryphons are so funny... Humans are so funny... Zebras are so funny... Everyone is so funny... We'll laugh all the time... no more sadness ever!"

Applejack was nodding along as if someone was talking in her ear, everything they were saying she was agreeing to perfectly. "See... Like ah say, honesty is the best policy... no more need to lie to anyone, right? No more obfuscatin’... No more hidin’ thangs... Everyone gets to say just what they mean... No one will ever have to wonder just what we're all really thinkin’."

Fluttershy sat on the ground next to Rarity, commending her on giving out the invisible dresses to her invisible patrons for free. "See Rarity... being kind feels good doesn't it... much better than being selfish... much better than retaining any hate... Everyone is so perfectly kind... No one has to steal... No one has to kill... Everyone is so kind..."

All of the Bearers of Harmony's eyes were glowing the same de-saturated blue as the fog they just inhaled a few moments before, Nightmare Ooze bellowing with laughter at the turn of events. "That's right... let my fog conquer your mind! Let it into your heart, and let those feelings explode and consume you! Then you will truly reach Infinity... you will truly be creatures that will build a new and perfect world... once this one has been wiped clean!" Nightmare Ooze shouted at his new 'friends'.

What's happened to all of them... why are they all in this mental haze... I can't find any of their true thoughts or feelings like this... not with my attention divided... Luna thought, as she was now faced with a truly horrifying decision.

What am I supposed to do, 'Tia. If I leave the three of them to save the Bearers, Ooze can try and reclaim their souls. But if I don't,then their minds could be broken with obsession the same way mine was... Luna thought to herself, she began to cry...

Lulu, do you really think their minds are so weak? Celestia responded, hearing the pleas of her Sister.

But... this is a Nightmare... I... I can't.... Luna stammered, not understand what her sister was getting at.

He has only been a Nightmare for a pittance of time,compared to yourself before... His Power in that form cannot be anything near enough to dominate their souls so soon... Please, have faith they can break his grip without your assistance... Celestia clarified for her mildly distraught sister.

Yeah... Princess... trust them... I do... Golden Storm added; his Element of Wind still heavily de-saturated in color, but returning all the same.

We fell because we are still new to this form and body... Vague fell because he allowed himself to fall into a pit of despair... But they... they are strong... they can withstand this little bit of mental pressure... Red Blaze added.

Please... we will be able to return to the fight soon enough... trust they can hold on long enough until we do... Midori Hana concluded, her tone imploring like Princess Celestia to retain her faith.

I pray that your faith will be returned... otherwise we could be in for a true cataclysm... Luna said, as she managed to calm herself down for the time being.

"You know Rarity, you have a really good eye for clothes design. I wouldn't have thought a Pony would have picked up on the subtleties of the human figure so fast."

"Well, darling, I would say I have a very good eye for detail. I must admit though, I was a bit afraid to incorporate so many neutral colors into my designs. Usually Ponies, especially the ones in Canterlot, like a lot of bright hues and whites. I believe they will appreciate the browns and blacks just as much though."

"Canterlot sounds like a major hub for culture. No wonder the Princess had you running the Bureau here in New York."

"Yes, I see what you mean now. Although, I wish those people who lived under those glass-like domes would come out more. I don't see why they are so insular."

"To be perfectly honest... I don't either..."

"Ok ok, so maybe when they swing the bat and actually hit something, they could press a little latch that let it drop to the ground..."

"Hrm... I think that could work. You know Miss Dash, you see to really want to preserve as much as you can about each sport when translating it for the Converts’ new Pony bodies."

"Yeah. I mean, I don't think it's fair we completely change everything if they don't have to be changed, ya know. Also, just call me R.D., we're friends now right?"

"Never heard of making friends after two days. Then again, I haven't had to deal with the same people, or Ponies now, this long in a row anywhere but online."

"Well, sometimes ya gotta meet face to face before you can form the bond. Or at least that is what Twilight tells me."

"Oh come on, you really think that show was funny. The writing just seemed kinda, I guess, pedestrian."

"For a species that wouldn't think twice of walking everywhere, that seems like a funny incidental joke."

"I know, right. Sometimes my best stuff is just stuff that comes out of the clear blue."

"When this is all done with, Pinkie, maybe you should write jokes for someone. I figure Equestrians would appreciate stand-up comics a lot more than us over here."

"Oh come on now. There is nothing about being a human that means you can't be funny, you just need the right avenue for it!"

"Suppose so..."

"And ya ran off, just like that?"

"I know Director Applejack... but my family wouldn't have understood. There's nothing left for me here on Earth... and..."

"Alright, first of all, just call me Applejack -- Ah hate those formal titles. Secondly, Ah don't like Ponies or Humans that can't be honest..."

"BUT!"

"...but that doesn't mean Ah don't understand ya situation. Even though this city is more open-minded than the rest, there are still a lot of Humans that reject our very existence, let alone our presence here. That's why we got the 'no-tell' policy."

"Really?"

"I don't like it, personally. My deal is being as honest as you can with everyone ya can. But I also know that ya have to know when to say something, and to keep yer trap shut. Ya can call it hypocrisy; ya can call it realism; Ah call it trying my best to help a person or Pony out."

"Oh thank you Di... Applejack."

"Ah just want ya to promise me one thing. When this hullabaloo starts to die down, or the Humans start to accept us more: please, please come back, find yer parents, and tell them exactly why ya doing this."

"I will, and thank you... thank you so much..."

"Oh thank you, I know it's a bit of trouble for you to make coffee the way I like it. But I really do appreciate it..."

"No problem, Fluttershy. I think this place suits you quite well, although I wish..."

"You wish what?"

"I just wish that my parents and my grandparents generations could have done a better job..."

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno if the job situation was inevitable with how computers and robots work, but the whole world... it's... it's just so messed up... and it makes me so mad..."

"Mad?"

"Yeah. I watched the old documentaries. I looked at old picture books and encyclopedias. This area used to be beautiful: crisp blue skies, clear water, thick green trees. Now you're lucky if you can find the color 'green' or 'blue' occurring naturally out there."

"I see..."

"Although, maybe I should refine my statement... maybe it doesn't make me mad, but more just..."

"Just what?"

"Extremely sad. We could have done so much, but so many people were selfish before..."

"Do you really think it was that many people?"

"Huh?"

"I think it was just a few people. Although I'm just a Pony with second-hand knowledge, it seems like this world is so damaged because a few people wanted to make as much money as they could without any concern for others. They thought the world was unkind, so that gave them an excuse to be unkind themselves. Even if this world isn't fair... or this world isn't kind... that doesn't mean you can be unkind too."

"Heh, you're right. I wish we had more people like you years ago, Fluttershy."

"If I can be a little selfish, I wouldn't mind getting a few more Ponies like you..."

"These networks, these designs, these... these... everything!"

"Huh, what is it Twilight?"

"Your science. It's amazing... so many theories, so many calculations... it's... it's a magic all on its own!"

"Hrm, that's a funny way to look at it when you say it out loud. But now that I think about it a bit, I guess our science is a magic."

"Andre, just think about it... once we get our magic and your science together. It... it could change both worlds forever!"

"Always thinking big, huh Twilight."

"I have to, it's what I do!"

It hurts so much... and he's hurting so much...

So much pain... so much anguish...

This world is unfair... but it's unfair to try and destroy it before we can really try and fix anything...

Indeed Conduits of Terra... but Blue Vague is not lost to us yet...

The honest truth is... Ah wish Ah could just kick his flank right now... but that's not Vague we're fightin...

That's some monster... some horrible monster that's pretending to be him...

Even if it's not a monster... that's not him... it's just a little, tiny piece of him...

We've done way too much together to give up on him...

It is our duty to bring him back from the brink, even if we have to do it kicking and screaming...

Because that is what friends do... AND FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC!!

I couldn't have said it better myself, Bearers of the Elements of Harmony...

Nightmare Ooze strode up to the still (supposedly) enthralled Twilight Sparkle, looking with some interest at the Element of Magic atop her head. "Well... you won't needing these, at least not for right now. There is so much more I need to show you all... yes... so much more. You all will become the perfect Agents of Infinity, just as they will be the perfect Agents of Zero. We'll rebuild this world into the perfect, eternal Paradise. No strife... no hate... no death... just calm and happiness from now until the end of Time itself..."

He tried to use his magic to remove the tiara from the top of her head, but found his magic failing to even reach it. "Well, that's... odd..."

He then tried to physically reach and take it off her head, only to find that it burned his hoof as soon as he touched it. "OUGH, damn... I can't even touch it... it should be inert... you don't have the mental link to ac... no... NO... NO!"

Twilight's eyes flashed back to normal, and fired quick blasts of Shadow and Explicit Magic to back Nightmare Ooze out of her personal space.

"STOP... RESISTING... ME! WHY, WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING THAT CORRUPT RACE... THAT EVIL RACE... A RACE THAT WOULD DESTROY THE LONE WORLD THEY LIVE FOR ANOTHER TRINKET... ANOTHER BAUBLE! IT'S NOT WORTH IT... JUST LET ME AND THE OTHER AGENTS OF ZERO ERASE THIS WORLD! YOU CAN BUILD WHATEVER YOU WANT IN IT'S PLACE!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, as he watched the other Bearers of Harmony resume their normal visages and mental faculties.

"Because we made a promise! WE MADE A PROMISE TO SAVE THIS WORLD! AND WE'RE GONNA DO EXACTLY THAT!" Twilight Sparkle shouted in response, as she grabbed a near-dead tree from out the ground. She proceeded to pound away at Nightmare Ooze. Pounding so hard that his body was pulverized into dark blue ooze.

"STOP IT TWI! Ah... Ah think ya did enough..." AJ shouted at Twilight, who tossed the tree off to the side.

"Ugh, that's just... nasty. Really Twilight, you have to work on that temper of yours," Rarity added, finding the dark blue goop surrounding them to be most distasteful.

The goop however, began to shake, as it flowed into the brackish blue waters of the shoreline. "I WILL NOT LET YOU STOP ME! I WILL NOT LET YOU RUIN THIS! I WILL END THIS WORLD! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO TO IT AFTERWARD! BUT THIS WORLD IS CORRUPT! THIS WORLD DESERVES TO DIE! EVERYONE IN IT DESERVE TO DIE! ANYONE WHO'D KILL A CHILD'S FATHER IN FRONT OF HIS OWN FACE DESERVES TO DIE!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as his body began to rise again from the murky depths.

"Oh my Luna, just what is that thing... is that really Nightmare Ooze still?" Rarity shouted, as she and the rest of the Bearers ran further away from the shoreline. Nightmare Ooze was still 'alive', having turned into a giant, gelatinous, horse-headed creature.

"I'LL DESTROY EVERYTHING! NO WORLD THAT WOULD ALLOW A CHILD TO WATCH HIS FATHER DIE IN FRONT OF HIM DESERVES TO CONTINUE EXISTING!!" Nightmare Ooze bellowed, slinging acidic sludge everywhere.

Luna! What did that beast just say?!  '... a child to watch his father die in front of him.'? Are you thinking what I am thinking?  Celestia asked, while she and the medical team worked on stabilizing the SPH soldier.

Seeing as we are linked telepathically at the moment, I would wager so. That man I sent to you for treatment is most likely the human father of Blue Vague. He was incredibly distraught when he found his parents, and his supposed death most likely sent him over the edge... Luna reasoned, using her magic to actively shield the ten of them while the giant Nightmare Ooze continued attempting to assault them.

"I WILL... I will... What in the hell is that Power..." the giant (even more) demonic head of Nightmare Ooze said as it looked around, trying to find the source.

"DRAGON KICK!!" shouted a masculine voice, as a clawed foot tore through the 'jaw' of the gel-like horse-head; the one-foot flying dropkick executed with perfection.

"SON OF A GODDAMN... WHERE THE HELL IS ALL OF THIS COMING FROM?!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, as he reeled a bit away from the shore.

"Now how's that for a- THAT BURNS! WHAT IN THE HECK IS THAT THING MADE OUT OF?!" Spike said while trying to think some kind of spell or chant to keep his foot from burning as it was.

"Ugh! I told him not to do anything like that, we didn't know what that beast was actually comprised of..." Rosethorn said as she held her forehead in her palm for a few moments. She then materialized a case full of salves, as she found a counteragent to stop the burning and repair any damage to Spike's foot.

"So Spike, who's your Dragoness friend here?" Rarity asked incredulously, while Nightmare Ooze flailed around on the shoreline.

"Oh right, yeah..." Spike started as he tested his foot again, finding the damage to be repaired and the pain mostly gone. "This is Rosethorn, Celestia already knows about her. I'd explain more but it seems like our blue Unicorn friend has kinda dove off the deep end here..."

"Yes it does seem that way..." Rarity sighed as she readied herself for the fight again.

"Princess Luna, what exactly are we supposed to do. As it stands, we'd probably be burned, if not melted if we actually touch him!"

"Just a moment Twilight I... I... I HAVE IT! Twilight, you have to keep up the fight against that thing. I believe that Celestia might have a secret weapon in order to defuse this situation. But we cannot confirm it until she returns him to consciousness."

"Ugh man, it still feels like I got hit by a Mack truck. Oh hey Spike, damn man you are looking good in that cloak," Golden Storm said, as he looked over at the pair of humanoid Dragons and his Conduit mates regaining full consciousness as well.

"Well... this just goes from bad to worse doesn't it?" Red Blaze added

"I dunno... sometimes in games when the boss grows into that giant mutant form it means you are close to defeating him... or at least closer." Midori Hana replied, trying to put as positive a spin on the situation as she could manage.

Red Blaze looked over at her green hued friend strangely, before acceding to her guesstimation. "I would argue Midori, but this situation is already insane enough as is."

Twilight began to pace a bit thinking. "Well I know one thing so far: we can't touch him, at least not with our bodies. If his ooze can burn even dragonscale, then it'd probably tear through us like nothing."

"So we need some kind of Proxy to fight with... wait a minute. Remember those months ago... our performances?!" Golden Storm asked the others excitedly.

Hrm... I wonder what the gold one speaks of... it probably relates to the Human's Magic... Rosethorn thought as she kept an eye on Nightmare Ooze, who was still thrashing about trying to fix himself. Just what did Spike put into that kick? I would think a beast of his caliber to be recovered by now...

"Yeah, those phantoms we made with Terran Magic. But... don't you think we need something more... proven in this kind of situation?" Red Blaze asked of her beau.

"At this point, babe. I think we pull out anything we can think of, this is a total 'wing it' situation as far as I'm concerned," Golden Storm replied, nodding sagely.

"I'm cool with it. Power and Will and all!" Midori replied.

"Might as well. I can't come up with anything better anyway." Blaze added.

"Luna can you give us some cover while we get things set up?" Golden Storm asked.

"YOU MEAN LIKE I'M ALREADY DOING RIGHT NOW!" Luna shouted, as no one else besides Rosethorn noticed the sludge bouncing mostly harmlessly off the invisible protective dome.

Golden Storm shrunk backward a bit. "Oh right, that's a thing. Well we should go ahead and get started then."

They have begun to contact us...

Yes... I believe it is that time...

But what shall he do?

Do not worry... my time shall come before too much longer...

Do you really believe that?

Yes... yes I do... His mind is not so weak to be consumed by this... despite appearances...

"Grand Golden Dragon of the Winds. Let your storms rage and your gales blow. Appear before us: Viento Dragón!"

"Blazing Red Phoenix of the Flames. Let your flames burn for all eternity. Appear before us: Plamâ Feniks!"

"Crushing Green Tiger of the Earth. Smash all that oppose you. Appear before us: Taizan Tora!"

"ARGH. GOD WHAT THE HELL DID THAT... OH FOR THE LOVE OF... WHY... WHY DO YOU KEEP RESISTING ME... WHY WON'T YOU JUST LIE DOWN AND LET ME DESTROY THIS GODFORSAKEN PLANET!!" Nightmare Ooze bellowed as he witnessed that not only did the fail to corrupt the other Conduits of Terra, but they had enough time to call forth the Phantoms they created so many months ago.

"And 'lo, we have arrived..." Viento stated, the Golden serpent-like Dragon as he scanned the battlefield.

"That we have... and no wonder why the other could not join us on this excursion..." Plamâ stated matter of factly as she stared at the great horse-like beast in the water near them.

Taizan simply stretched her limbs, preparing for her first real battle. "Ugh the Astral Plane can be so boring at times... I've been waiting to sink my claws into something ever since we were created. You can only have so many sparring matches before you get tired..."

"Wow... I didn't think I would see these things again. I thought it was just a trick for the end of that show." Pinkie said, marveling at how detailed each beast was now, fully 'fleshed' out as it were.

Plama looked at Pinkie with a wide smile from her beak. "Yes, and you all have surprised us as well. You Ponies managed to create stable mixture of our Magic with little practice."

Taizan looked at Nightmare Ooze, and noticed a look in its eyes that concerned her. "If you wouldn't mind, we could use a little help with this. That thing, despite how much of a neophyte it is, is coming more unhinged by the second."

Viento agreed with his Earth-based compatriot. "Yes, the most dangerous beast is one that is cornered, as it were..."

Twilight looked up at the 10 ft tall beasts, an almost pleading look in her eyes. "But, um Phantoms(?)... that's the problem... we can't touch that creature. Spike and Rosethorn are the toughest here, and even their skin gets burned when they make contact."

Taizan rolled her eyes as bit at the assertion. "So, what's keeping you from making the same Proxies. Despite our appearances, we're simply hyper-condensed mana."

Suddenly the light bulb went off in all six of the Bearer's heads.

"You know what, you're right. We're gonna bring that big bastardization of our friend down!" Twilight shouted, as she ran to the back edge of the protective dome.

"Huh, Twi'. Watcha got in mind?" Applejack asked, watching Twilight's body light up the deep violet of her Shadow Magic.

"Hehe, just watch AJ. In fact, all of you watch!" Twilight responded. No sooner than she stopped speaking, giant plumes of dark violet mana shot out of the ground.

Come on, I know this will work... Twilight thought to herself as she began to concentrate on a form.

"DAMNIT, I CAN'T HIT IT, IT'S JUST RAW MANA... AND I CAN'T TOUCH HER EITHER... STUPID PROTECTIVE DOME!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he continued to pound away on Luna's dome, still not able to break through.

"Well it's not about to be 'raw' anymore! COME OUT! Shadow Goliath!" Twilight shouted, as a massive, 10 ft wide dark-violet tarantula phantom leaped from the plume of mana.

"Man... it's great to be out of her head. It's like having a thousand college professors trying to talk to you all at once!" Goliath said, shaking her head loose while scuttling next to Viento.

"SON OF A... THAT'S IT... THIS BULLSHIT ENDS NOW!!!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he launched spheres of dark blue mana, which were promptly deflected by Viento and Goliath.

"Hrm, that does sting some... but overall not the best attack..." Goliath remarked, a foreleg under her 'chin'.

"Yeah it's probably not the best idea to antagonize him further..." Viento stated, dodging yet another mana sphere.

"YOU DIRTY LITTLE... I'M GOING TO ENJOY MELTING YOU IN TO SLAG! I'M--" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he began to rant and rave before being struck by another giant bolt of lightning. "ARGH! SON OF A BITCH! RIGHT IN THE FUCKING EYE AGAIN, THAT'S TWICE!"

"Heh, don't look at me Ooze, look up there with whatever good eye you got left..." Rainbow Dash yelled, body covered by the cornflower blue runes. A giant bird of prey swooped down, backed by the sun, and blasted Nightmare Ooze in the other good eye before breaking off and joining the rainbow colored, growing menagerie.

"THE OTHER EYE, NOW?! WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE GODDAMN EYES?!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he went reeling backwards from the shore.

"Heh, great job Thunder Falcon!" Rainbow Dash shouted, as she pumped a forehoof in the air.

"A pleasure to be of service Miss Dash. Plama, and it is a pleasure to meet you~!" Thunder said as he took a good gaze at the phoenix next to him.

"Business first, other stuff later when we get back to the Astral Plane..." Plama replied, wanting to focus on the task at hand.

"I'M GOING TO TEAR YOU ALL LIMB FROM LIMB IF I DON'T MELT YOU ALL FIRST!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, every second to delay further driving him mad. He charged the formation with giant forleg-like 'plumes' of toxic sludge, only to be blocked by two more arrivals.

"GODDAMNIT, IF IT WEREN'T FOR THAT DAMN SHIELD YOU'D ALL BE MINE, YOU HEAR ME, MINE!!" he shouted as he tried to push past or through the giant Dark Green Steer and the giant Silver Mechanical Beetle that appeared on the field of battle, as it were.

"Keep him off us Grand Taurus!" Applejack shouted, body covered in forest green runes.

"And you help him Mecha-Beetle-6000!" Pinkie Pie added, silver all over herself as well, hopping in the air cheering her giant beetle-like creation.

"I WILL FUCKING END ALL OF YOU! YOU HEAR ME! ALL OF YOU!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, his attacks becoming more and more wild and unfocused by the minute.

"Such foul language, I will simply have to do something about that once we return you to normal!" Rarity shouted at the horse-shaped monstrosity offshore.

"LIKE I GIVE A FLYING FUCK WHAT YOU THINK, YOU BITCH!" Nightmare Ooze shouted in response, as he unleashed a stream of blue mana at the Dome, trying to finally crack it. Only for it to be blocked by a giant white cloaked, fox-mask wearing creation.

"No, you really do not want to see that side of me, I can assure you, Ooze!" Rarity said, eyes narrowed.

"AND WHAT IF I DO!?" Ooze shouted in response, still trying to push past the steer and the beetle phantoms.

"Well, can't say I didn't warn you!" Rarity shouted back, as the phantom removed her mask.

"ARGH, MY EYES... HOW DOES ANYTHING THAT BRIGHT EXIST?!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he clenched his eyes tightly shut.

Rarity beamed with pride at her creation "Excellent work Masque Renarde."

"Thank you ma'am, it will be a pleasure to serve you in the future." the giant, white cloaked and masked fox responded.

"DAMNIT, THERE'S ONLY ONE OF YOU LEFT... I-" Nightmare Ooze started before howling in pain and flailing around as best a horse head and torso could. "GET THIS DAMN THING OFF ME, AAAAAHHHHHH!"

Fluttershy took a matronly and correcting tone. "That 'damn thing' is named Frostfang, aren't you boy."

"Indeed Mistress Fluttershy. We must hurry though, maintaining our presence in the Physical Plane is taxing on the summoner's body," the giant aquamarine and ice blue wolf stated as he and the other eight Phantoms looked on at the writhing Nightmare Ooze.

"Indeed, those Phantoms require an extreme draw of Terran Mana, and you risk burning your magical channel system out of you keep this up too long." Luna warned.

"I say one big blast, we need to weaken him enough to use the Elements of Harmony and turn him back into Blue Vague," Rainbow Dash suggested, pounding her forehooves together.

Wait... while the first part of your plan is sound... the second part will not work as you stated, at least not immediately... Celestia stated. She then continued immediately before anyone could ask a question. We have to break Nightmare Ooze's grip on Vague's mind first; otherwise it would take multiple uses of the Elements of Harmony before Nightmare Ooze would be vanquished.

And our bodies probably can't channel enough mana fast enough in our state to do it... Twilight concluded.

If I might suggest something... use the mana formed in our bodies in one blast... Shadow Goliath added

But wouldn't that destroy you? Twilight replied, not understand her beast's suggestion.

We cannot be destroyed unless our creator is slain. We would merely return to the Astral Plane until you gather enough mana to summon us again... Goliath answered in a reassuring tone. Soon after, the plan was relayed to the rest of the Elements of Harmony and Conduits of Terra.

I would assume this means that you have our trump card ready to be played, 'Tia? Luna asked of her sister.

I would not suggest such a plan if I did not, Lulu.

Please... please help my son... I don't care what you do to me afterward... I just want him back to normal... or whatever counts for normal these days... Andrew added, Celestia helping him communicate with the others.

We will... we definitely will... everyone else responded.

"Why have you stopped. Do you realize your attacks are futile. Do you realize no matter how much Power you waste attacking me, I will not fall. I AM AN AGENT OF ZERO. I WILL TURN THIS WORLD INTO NOTHING!!" Nightmare Ooze bellowed, as he began to ready one great blast he was sure would crack Luna's barrier and wipe out all of the forces arrayed against him.

"Are you all ready!" Twilight yelled.

Shadow Goliath agreed, prepared to give everything of herself for her creator. "Yes, Master Twilight. Our hyper-compressed mana should be enough to render him unable to act long enough to begin the psychic counter-assault.”

"I'm so sorry we have to do this..." Fluttershy added, not sure what to think even if the blast wouldn't necessarily kill Frostfang and the others.

"Do not be, Mistress Fluttershy. Simply focus on your task, rescuing your friend from the grip of that demon."

The six beasts under the control of the Bearers of Harmony then charged the gigantic Nightmare Ooze.

"COME, YES COME. COME TO YOUR DEATHS!" he shouted as he released his blast.

"NOW EVERYONE!" Thunder Falcon shouted, as the blast was deflected straight up into the air and the beasts all latched onto the giant form of Nightmare Ooze.

"NO... NO YOU DON'T! STOP IT! GET OFF OF ME!" Nightmare Ooze shouted, as he had realized too late what the six Beasts had planned.

"SORRY, BUT THIS ROUND GOES TO US! BETTER LUCK... NEVER!" Shadow Goliath replied, as all six of the beasts immediately self-destructed their physical forms, in a titanic explosion of Terran Mana.

My goodness! What an amazing display of sheer power... Rosethorn said, helping Luna maintain the shield.

The explosion completely vaporized the giant form of Nightmare Ooze, as his original form flew back inland, landing with several thumps and thuds not a few hundred yards away from the Luna and the others. The Bearers of Harmony immediately rushed out from Luna's shield after him, making sure he couldn't slink away before the plan was completely executed.

"No... so... close... must... get away... I can... come back... come back..." Nightmare Ooze stammered, trying to get to his feet. Before he could too far, he was surrounded by all of the Bearers.

"You aren't getting away from us! Not now, not EVER!" Twilight shouted, as all six Elements of Harmon began to glow with their grand light.

"NOOO STOP!!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he tried to get away from the blast anyway he could, before he and the Bearers were engulfed in a giant dome of iridescent magic.

It hurts... It hurts so much... Why did you do it... Why did raise your gun at me mom? Blue Vague asked, floating in a morass of blackish-blue liquid. He continued his rhetorical questioning, figuring no one would ever hear his own voice again.

Was it because I became a Pony?  Was it because I wanted to go into computers? Was it because I wanted to stay with gramps? Was it because I didn't want to be what you wanted me to be? Why momma? Why... Why...

A new voice entered his mind, not his own this time, but one still familiar to him.

I'm sorry...

Papa?

I'm so sorry, Andre... I was too weak... I should have said something before now...

Papa, how are you alive? I saw the explosion...

They saved me... even though I was marked with the SPH's uniform... they saved me anyway...

But how? But why?

Your Moon Princess saw me lying before you before your body mutated into that awful monster;she moved me to wherever her sister is... Her human and Pony doctors healed me enough to where I can at least speak to you...

Why did you join the SPH?  Why did you leave me with gramps? Why?

Because I was a weak man son... I let your mother have her way for far too long... I was blinded by my initial love for her to see how our relationship as a family fell apart. No,I won't even say that much. I watched it fall apart... and I did nothing to stop it. I let her run roughshod over you, over your dreams, over your desires... And when you eventually rebelled... I did nothing to force her to reconcile. We just left you with my father... even though he did not have that many years left... Thankfully you were able to qualify for the University not too long after his death...

Even though I did what society told me to do... I still could not find work... I couldn't make any kind of living for myself... I was just adrift... like a piece of wood floating around the ocean...

That is our collective fault. We allowed the world to degenerate to this position. I can see that now. Just in the short while I've spent with the Ponies and their human allies, I've seen more real work done than I had since the Singularity. Even if I can no longer actively contribute, I still want to lend whatever support I can in your new life. So please... reject that voice that tells you this world is not worth saving... that it is too late to redeem this world... it will never be too late to redeem this world until the last being alive draws its last breath.

I agree... I cannot give up on this world... not after my friends have already done so much to try and save it... not after they've done so much and risked their lives and their sanity to rescue me. I'm going to do it Papa. I'm going to build a world that gramps would be proud to call home!

Indeed son... indeed...

And that should be my cue to appear... I do hope that Master Vague would not mind if I piggybacked on his mental restoration... as it were...

"NOOOOO! I WILL NOT BE DESTROYED! I WILL NOT LET YOU HAVE YOUR WAY! THIS WORLD IS MINE! MINE TO CONQUER! MINE TO DESTROY! MINE TO REBUILD!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as his body was being burned away by the light of the Elements of Harmony.

"You were nothing more than a corrupted aspect of our friend. OUR FRIEND WE WILL TAKE BACK!" Golden Storm shouted, as he and the other Conduits commanded their Phantoms to add their Power to the Elements to completely eradicate the Nightmare.

"STOP! PLEASE! THIS WORLD IS TOO CORRUPT... IT'S TOO CORRUPT... YOU'LL DAMN YOURSELVES TO OBLIVION... EVEN ZERO IS BETTER THAN A NULL!" Nightmare Ooze shouted in vain as only his torso and head remained.

"You are nothing more than a corruption of the Power granted by the Will of the Earth, and my master's own inability to control his paranoia and fear. You do not deserve to exist in this or any other world, for you bring nothing but despair behind you. Begone foul beast, so that my Master can take his rightful place as the Herald of the New Age," the turtle-like creature said, as he and the other Conduit-controlled Phantoms dissolved in to Mana to enhance the Elements of Harmony.

Will and Power... once they are combined... they will form the greatest Magic any living being can possess...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!" Nightmare Ooze shouted as he completely vaporized in the iridescent Dome of Magic.

All that was left behind was rapidly evaporating slime, and an electric-blue, cobalt-and-white maned Unicorn colt.

Once the dome itself dissipated, Twilight and the rest of the Bearers of Harmony promptly collapsed to the ground; tired, but victorious against their now formerly berserk and somewhat-possessed friend.

"Did it work?" Twilight asked, raising her head off the ground somewhat, her eyes finally able to focus on the colt lying on the ground in the middle of the six of them; the Conduits of Terra a touch confused as to what lay before them.

"Wait, so if the Elements of Harmony restored Vague to 'normal'. Why is he the size of the Cutie Mark Crusaders roughly?" Golden Storm asked.

Luna, Rosethorn, and Spike eventually caught up with the ten of them. Luna, already having heard the question with her extra-sensitive hearing, answered promptly. "It is a similar case to myself. When I was purged of Nightmare Moon's influence, my body was temporarily reduced to the size of a foal. It will only last for a week or so, so do not be concerned. Although I will have to call in some therapists in order to ensure that Vague does not relapse. The Nightmare is simply a devilish alter ego formed when a Pony becomes obsessed with a certain subject and has great potential power."

"Wow, you mean any of us could become like him?" Pinkie Pie asked, as the other Bearers of Harmony got to their feet.

"Yes, but now is not the time to discuss this. I believe our good friend has to reunite with a loved one back at Safe Haven," Luna started, before she began to stumble a bit. "Oh my, I believe using that shield for so long against Nightmare Ooze drained me more than I realized. Rosethorn, you do know where Safe Haven is relative to here, yes?"

"Indeed Princess, just give me a second, it takes a little while to draw the mana while on this side, I find," Rosethorn replied, as the ground underneath everyone's feet and hooves began to glow with curved Draconic Runes.

"Maxl Yazluro" she then shouted as the thirteen of them disappeared in a puff of white smoke. Only to reappear in the main lobby at Safe Haven a couple of seconds later.

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

[Safe Haven-- July 10, 2081 @ 3:30 PM PST ]

"Welcome back, you all..." Celestia said with all warmth, nuzzling her sister.

"It's great to be back..." Luna responded, as she called for some medic Ponies to take Blue Vague to Sick Bay for a full physical and psychological evaluation.

"So do you really think he's gonna be OK in a week?" Midori Hana asked, not sure if she should follow the medics or wait until they got him stabilized.

Celestia moved to comfort Hana as best she could. "Physically, yes, Midori. However mentally, he will show the scars of today, and the last few weeks, for the rest of his life. While those scars may heal, they will never truly disappear. As my sister may have stated already, a Nightmare is simply a manifest form for the dark thoughts of any Pony with sufficient Power. For my sister, it took several years before she finally collapsed to her darkness. In Vague's case... well... it's hard to tell honestly. While one could reason it only really started since early June, my guess is the true cause was the unresolved issues with his parents."

Luna sighed as she took a drink from a water bottle gripped in her aura. "I wish to continue this discussion at a later time. I really need to draw myself a long bath to soak in for about 72 hours consecutively."

She would not get the chance for her bath though, as warning klaxons began to sound all through the lobby.

"OH MY GOD! THEY DIDN'T FIND THE FACILITY THIS FAST DID THEY?!" Red Blaze shouted, startled as anyone else.

"No, but this is a severe problem," Celestia said, hoping that nothing else would happen this day.

A man still wearing his military uniform ran up with a report from the communication room. "Princess Celestia, Ma'am. A report has come in from the Moscow Bureau. They are beginning to breach the building itself. The Royal Guard and civilian Ponies have withdrawn into the secure laboratories underneath."

"Ugh, that is the tenth one today..." Celestia said, cursing her ill luck so far.

"Celestia, this news is horrible! At this rate, we could lose nearly 700 civilian Ponies and 100 Royal Guard Unicorns!" Luna responded with utter shock, almost slinging her water bottle at a poor HEA volunteer in the hall behind her.

"There are no clients, volunteers, nor allied military personnel in any of the Bureaus left though... which leaves us with one option," Celestia said, her ethereal mane covering her eyes.

Capt. Rodriguez, who was walking up while he heard the conversation from another hall, could figure where Celestia was going with this. "Complete Withdrawal. Everyone goes to ground. Salt the Earth. They get nothing of our tech."

Twilight began to figure what the implication were though. "Princess Celestia. Although it is probably the only option we have left, it would look like nothing less than us completely caving in. For obvious reasons, the rest of the public doesn't know of Safe Haven; so it'll just look like we're running back to Equestria with our tails between our legs."

Celestia turned around for a few moments to collect her thoughts, she did not want leave the humans who'd want to leave the rule of the SPH high and dry. At the same time, there was no presence, no way to fight back against the SPH on a wide enough scale, at least not now.

"I've come to a decision," Princess Celestia, Avatar of the Sun, Co-Ruler of Equestria stated. "Tell every Royal Guard and technician Pony to open the Gates to Equestria. Everypony in the Bureaus in the Americas, Asia, and Oceania are to head for Manehatten. Every other Bureau is to head for Canterlot. Any humans not allied with the SPH found in the Bureaus is to be given an ultimatum: either leave with the SPH, or Convert and relocate to Equestria immediately. All Stocks of Conversion Serum are also to be moved, and all gates are to be left open for ten minutes after the last Pony leaves. This is an order people, I will not have slacking, every moment is precious."

"Understood Princess Celestia." Capt. Rodriguez and a couple of communications Ponies and HEA volunteers replied as they ran back to the Communications Bay.

"I would have never guessed the situation on Earth to be so dire, Princess Celestia," Rosethorn said, showing genuine concern for the Equestrian Princesses.

Celestia continued to curse her ill luck and failures of foresight. "I'm afraid I've completely underestimated the depths to which those who profess to be the Elites of this world would go to retain their position."

Rosethorn placed a clawed hand on Celestia's shoulder, and offered a few words. "Princess, I would not profess to have some grand knowledge that could immediately fix things. Instead, you need time. We all will need time. And I believe you will need to consult the other Kingdoms and Nations for advice. These Humans appear to be an amalgamation of all of our ideologies and tendencies. Of course, there may be some concessions that have to be made in order to gain everyone's support."

Celestia looked at Rosethorn with some disdain, before finally acceding to her ideas. "I see. Perhaps I might have gotten somewhat greedy or naive in thinking that I could swoop in, and just 'fix' things with a few nice words and a cure-all potion. This world is deeply scarred, both physically and spiritually."

Luna trotted over to her sister, and looked her in her eyes. She was looking for a sign of weakness, a sign that she was conceding. She was thankful when she didn't find that sign. "I'm afraid we are left without a choice. If we are to truly accomplish our goals, we're going to have to stomp on some toes to get it. I do not mean some kind of wider conflict, though. Nevertheless, the time shall come where we have to use our last trump card. We should take this period, in which we are literally and proverbially underground, to prepare for that day."

Celestia sighed, as she looked up and out at the mountain vista. She thought of how beautiful it would have looked even a few decades ago.

If only we had gotten here sooner... it would not have come to this... but I'm afraid if we are truly to fix this world... we will have to take a far more forward stance ourselves...

"Luna -- yourself, the Conduits of Terra, and the Bearers of Harmony begin informing everyone that I will be making a formal address to all residents of Safe Haven two hours after the evacuations of every Bureau is complete. I want everyone on the ready for any breaking news until then."

"Yes, Sister. We all understand," Luna replied, as she and the other Unicorns teleported out of the lobby; the Pegasi and Earth Ponies also taking off to notify anyone they came across.

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

[Location Unknown -- July 10, 2081 @ 9:00 PM EST ]

        All across the world, people living outside of the Domes were milling about outside far more than usual. They found the now all-too familiar black vans constructing various screens and projectors. In the fighting, many of the power transmission vectors were damaged, so power was even more spotty than usual. Nevertheless, the SPH felt that this message was so important, they would spend money(!) in order for everyone to hear it, by whatever means they could manage.

"Today is a glorious day for humanity. The alien threat known as the Kingdom of Equestria has turned tail and run back for their own world. While our forces are currently doing final sweeps of their facilities, we can find no trace of the creatures. Our scientists will now proceed to work on a means to seal the Aurora Barrier, so that we may never have to face this threat from the Equestria, or any other faction, from their world again! We shall also direct the leadership of the world to begin the rebuilding efforts. We will remain true to our stated goal, to create a new, better world for humanity," the masked speaker stood up to conclude his message. "To a New Age. To a New Order. To a New Mankind!"

While the rest of the SPH celebrated the full retreat of the Ponies back into Equestria, one female soldier in particular was still distraught; rocking back and forth as her mind raced with the thoughts from a few hours previous.

My husband is dead... My son is a monster... My husband is dead... My son is a monster... It's all their fault... it's all their fault... Those damn Ponies... I'll kill them... If they ever come back... I'll kill them... I'LL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!!

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

[ Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, California, U.S.A.

-- July 10, 2081 @ 6:10 PM PST ]

        Deep under the floor of the Mojave Desert, there lay a cave. Normally this cave would be empty, but now it was filled with activity. The buzzing and flitting of a small horde of hybrid insect and Pony creatures. Sitting on a regal, emerald-colored 'throne' was Chrysalis, their Queen and entire focus of their existence. She used well placed drones all over the major human 'hives' in order to keep track of the goings-on above ground.

"Humans can be such a silly lot, can't they, my dear?" Chrysalis remarked, rubbing a perforated foreleg underneath the chin of her latest mindless object of affection.

"Yes... my Queen," the young man said, mind completely under the thrall of his new, loving, all-consuming Queen.

"What are you going to do with the strange creature, Queen Chrysalis?" a high ranking soldier-Changeling asked of his Queen, unsure what to think of her new pet.

Chrysalis continued stroking her mindless pet's chin. "Oh that's simple. First, I drain him for all he's worth. Then we see if his body is compatible with the pod. I suspect that these... humans... can be quite useful to us, should we remain unable to establish a presence near Equestria. You would like that, wouldn't you dear?"

"Anything to serve my Queen. I will lay down my life, if you so will it..." the young man replied in a dry monotone.

"Oh, I just love hearing my pets talk like that~," Chrysalis said, flitting her wings in joy, and a devious grin across her face.

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

[ Safe Haven -- July 10, 2081 @ 6:30 PM PST ]

        About 5,000 humans and Ponies were in the main auditorium of Safe Haven, while the rest of the population and the infirmed watched over various monitor setups. Princess Celestia, with her sister Luna and fellow traveler Richard Edwards to each side of her, strode to the lectern to deliver her remarks. The Doctors Isegawa, Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and the Conduits of Terra sans Blue Vague were in the front row of the audience; Blue Vague himself watching the remarks on the closed-circuit monitor in his infirmary room.

"As you all have likely heard by now, I have recently ordered, and completed overseeing, the total withdrawal of our public presence on Earth."

Celestia waited a few moments while the murmuring died down.

"Also, you all have most likely heard by now the remarks, or a synopsis thereof, by who we can only assume is the leadership of the Society for the Preservation of Humanity. He proclaims this is a full-blown retreat, and from their perspective, I can see why they would believe that. However, I felt it necessary to address you all personally, as to prevent any rumors from cropping up before we can develop any solid plans going forward. Myself, my sister, and the leadership of the Human-Equestrian Alliance met briefly before I prepared these remarks, and we have come to an agreement. This is merely a setback, and not a permanent end to our quest.

"Although I am an ages old creature, I am not omniscient. It is partially my fault that we find ourselves in the position we do now, having to scramble around in the shadows. I severely underestimated the depths to which the self-professed Elite would go in order to preserve their position in this world; going so far as to execute a worldwide coup-d'etat in order to maintain their 'spot', as it were. Although I wish it did not have to come to this, I am afraid we will have start over from scratch.

"We will spend the foreseeable future attempting to find remaining allies outside of these walls, as well as consulting with the other Nations Equestria shares a world with. Together, I believe we can truly forge a new Age; not only for Humanity, for Ponydom, but for all sapient races of both worlds!"

Everyone got up and applauded as best they could; while Vague, his body and mind still exhausted, just smiled at the words of his Princess.

Princess Celestia... Twilight and the other Bearers of Harmony... Storm and the other Conduits of Terra... I am so sorry... I don't think I could ever apologize enough for my behavior from today and the last few weeks... but I will make it up to you... I will do everything in my power to make this world live and thrive!

In the Human Sick Bay, Andrew sat up in his bed, seemingly clear of thought for the first time in ages.

Linda... she is no demon... she is no agent of the Devil... Celestia is just another leader trying to do the best she can for her people... Isn't that want everyone wants? The best for their people? Why should we just dismiss her out of hand because they walk on four legs, and we walk on two?

Andrew called for a human volunteer to see if he could get a change of clothes... and whatever documentation he needed to join the H.E.A. formally.

It appears I have a lot to consider going forward... But I know one thing, that future doesn't involve the SPH or anything like it... I don't want to become a Pony like Andre... but there is so much I need to do for him, even if only goes as far as being there in this new phase of his life... and hopefully the new phase of our world.