The Conversion Bureau: Never Forget

Chapters

01 - The Dream
02 - The Meeting
03 - The Talk
04 - The Future

01 - The Dream

Year 6, Week 5, Tuesday

Nimbus kicked her legs weakly as she slept, the dark blue pegasus lost in the depths of her dream. It was the same dream she’d been having for the past few weeks, of a time from her childhood. She was still in school, getting ready to catch the morning bus. Hearing footsteps, she turned to see her father entering the kitchen. Only the face he wore was blurred, the details lost.

“What is it, sweetheart?” His voice, thankfully, had remained the same, the baritone that had calmed her when she used to have nightmares.

“I don’t know Daddy, your face looks-” She clapped a hand to her mouth in shock, the voice coming out of her mouth not her own, but rather the voice that she’d found herself with after her Conversion. As the faceless man who was her father but wasn’t took a step forward, worry etched across his blurry face, she took a step back in fright, falling through the floor into darkness. Unfortunately, that meant she’d rolled off of the bed in the waking world. Landing heavily, face first as luck would have it, the pegasus shouted in surprise and a little pain.

“Son of a-” she checked herself, glancing over at the mattress. The expected blue-green bundle was conspicuously absent. “Breaker? Where are you?”

“I’m in the kitchen Mom! Uncle Dusty’s making waffles!” The colt’s excited giggling echoed down the hallway as Nimbus got to her hooves. Rubbing her face with a hoof, she trotted out into the hallway, sighing again as she saw the multitude of boxes that had yet to be unpacked from the move in the soon to be kid’s... foal’s rooms. Entering the kitchen, she felt her mouth tug into a smile at the sight of her son sitting on his cushion at their low table, already making inroads on a plate of waffles.

“Morning Dusty, thanks for making breakfast,” Nimbus said as she settled onto a cushion next to Breaker. Despite it having been nearly eight months ago, she still found herself wincing inside at the eyepatch that covered his left eye. The doctors had tried to save it, but it had gone too long without proper treatment. He’d managed to stay in the Guard as a trainer, but his days of frontline duty were over.

“No problem. The twins woke us up early anyway, decided to get out of there while I could, make something nice for everyone. Flare and Aegis are supposed to come back today anyway, right?” Dusty’s eye narrowed worriedly as the door to his shared room with Skipjack opened and she trotted out, carrying a pair of crying foals in their carriers. One, a pegasus filly, buzzed her wings in an attempt to escape, while the earth pony filly in the other carrier flailed her hooves around

“Dusty, you had better-” Skipjack started, but Dusty cut her off

“Formula bottles are on the counter, took ‘em off the heater five minutes ago, so it’s the right temperature.” He grinned as Skipjack smiled wearily and carried the twins to the table, setting them in their highchairs. The crying was soon silenced by the bottles, and the twins were gurgling happily a minute later.

“Thanks Dusty.” Skipjack walked over and leaned against him with a smile.

“Not a problem, Skip,” Dusty replied with a smile as he draped his head over hers.

“Ewwww, gross!” Breaker made a face, sticking his tongue out at the two.

Nimbus snorted and tapped her son gently on the head. “Now now, don’t be rude, Breaker.”

“But Mooooom! It’s gross grown-up stuff!”

“Your father and I do that, and it’s not gross,” Nimbus pointed out.

“You’re right, it’s lots more gross when you and Dad do it,” Breaker replied with a huff.

Nimbus smiled and ruffled his mane. “Well, someday you’ll find a nice mare and then you’ll be doing it too.”

Breaker tossed his head. “Nuh-uh! Girls have cooties!”

“Well, you’ll understand more when you’re older.” Nimbus smiled at Breaker, who rolled his eyes and went back to eating his waffles.

Fireball, rooming alone while Aegis was away, nosed open her door and began the slow wobble down the hallway. She was ten months along with their first foal, and was ready for the whole experience to move on to the next phase. “Coffee....Coffee, now!” she called desperately.

Dusty sighed, and pointed with a hoof to the pot on the end of the counter. “Think you can spare some for me this time?”

Fireball smiled at Dusty. “Depends. Can you spare me one of those tasty-looking waffles?” While she’d managed to sleep through the twin’s latest round of wailing, the scent floating down the hallway had finally brought her around. She’d gotten used to sleeping late since she’d had no weather duties to attend to lately, thanks to moving and motherhood.

Dusty snorted good-naturedly. “Plenty more coming.” The earth pony grabbed the jug of batter and poured more onto the griddle. “Got the mix from that new shop that reopened in town, the owner finally ponified and came back to work here.”

“A mix? Pre-made? My, that’s convenient...” Aegis and Fireball had only made waffles on special occasions, as making the batter generally also meant making a mess. As she watched Dusty pour the semi-liquid substance, she gained a whole new appreciation for the way humans did some things, methods and ways of thinking they were now carrying over as newfoals into Equestrian society.

“I guess... Never really thought much of it,” Dusty admitted as he closed the lids. “Just give em a little bit. Hopefully our little syrup vampire here will leave some for the rest of us.” He ruffled Breaker’s mane with a hoof as he walked by, stopping to take the bottles from the twins. “And did we enjoy our food my little angels?”

The foals responded by starting to make faces at him, and with a chuckle, he and Skipjack each picked a foal and burped them. Nimbus smiled, something about the whole situation, being surrounded by the others feeling... right. She shook her head and the strange sensation dissipated.

“Something wrong, Nimbus?” asked Fireball as she sat beside the newfoal mare. “Most ponyfolk don’t sit and shake like that for no reason.” Fireball leaned in and, jokingly, asked a question: “Is it fleas?”

Nimbus smiled a little, though her ears folded back a little. “No, it’s not fleas.” She glanced back to the rest of the room and leaned in to whisper to Fireball. “Would it be okay if I talked to you after breakfast? Just a couple things that’ve been bothering me a little, nothing serious, I hope.”

“Of course, I’d be happy to help, Nimbus. Feel free to ask me anything.” The native smiled at the newfoal. “And... I might have stuff to ask you, too. Like how could you stand being shaped more like a beach ball than a pony for so long.”

Nimbus laughed, reaching over with a hoof to idly ruffle Breaker’s mane. “Well, it wasn’t fun at times, but was worth it at the end.”

Breaker squirmed, pushing his mother’s hoof away. “Moooom! Knock it off already, you’re gonna mess up my mane!”

“Breaker, you don’t comb it anyway,” Nimbus pointed out with a smile.

Breaker sputtered, but gave up with a huff as he returned to his waffles. The remainder of breakfast passed by quickly, and Nimbus led Fireball to what would eventually be Breaker’s room once things were unpacked.

“Well, what I wanted to talk with you about may sound silly to a native Equestrian, but lately I’ve started feeling... strange,” Nimbus said with a sheepish smile “Sorry, I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I’m feeling. It’s just... like this morning, being surrounded by everyone just felt... right. I mean, I was pretty social as a kid and while I was still human, but this felt... deeper than that.” She sighed as she looked at Fireball. “I must not be making any sense, huh?”

“Well, I might know what you mean, Nimbus.” Fireball smiled as she made herself comfortable. “It’s only been you, Breaker, and Flare until now, right?”

Nimbus nodded as she settled down next to Fireball. “Yeah.”

“Well, it’s not exactly a secret, but I don’t see how a newfoal would know. Ponies, well, we’re just not meant to live like that. It’s gotten popular to do so, lately, but traditionally, there were about one male to every three or females...”

“Well yeah, I think I overheard some of the trainers talking about it-”

“...In every household.”

Nimbus blinked, suddenly glad she was already sitting down. “Really?”

“Yes, it’s true. But now we traditionalists are starting to fall out of style. Aegis won’t even think about a second mate, no matter how much I prod him about it. But this...” Fireball sighed happily. “This full household, it feels right because these ponies, you, I, everypony here....we’re a herd, of sorts.” Fireball worked her sore hooves a little. “A very strange herd, maybe, but I must say, even if you and Skipper aren’t Aegis’ mates, it still feels wonderful to have you here.”

Nimbus nodded, despite the uneasiness she felt at how all of this seemed to be making sense to her. “I’m definitely enjoying having you and Skip around too. Though...” she looked at the only open box, and taking a breath, reached in, “that’s not all that I wanted to talk about.” She held up the photograph, showing an older human male and a young girl waiting for the bus. “That’s me, when I was twelve. And, that’s my dad...” she stared at the picture for a few long seconds. “I realized a few days ago, before Flare and Aegis left, that I can’t remember what my voice sounded like as... as a human.”

“Oh, I think I see...” Fireball hesitated, forming her thoughts carefully. “You’re a little scared of forgetting other things...” Fireball gently tapped the picture, motioning to Nimbus’ father.

“Well, I’m more scared that I don’t even know when I forgot. I tried to remember it and just... couldn’t.” She sighed. “I was just so busy having to be a mom to Breaker, and keep training for the Guard...”

Fireball nodded slowly. “And time decided to play a trick, passing by like it does, yes?”

“I guess.” Nimbus leaned against Fireball with a smile. “I dunno... I just needed to talk to somepony about this, and Skip’s been so busy with the twins that...” she trailed off. “Look at that, I did it again.”

Fireball laughed lightly. “What, saying somepony? I think it’s nice.”

Nimbus snorted sarcastically. “Yeah, just great.” She looked at the picture again, and took a deep breath. “Well, I’m not going to sit around any more. Gonna go see my dad, probably have a huge fight with him, and settle things out.”

Fireball blinked. “Wait, what?”

Nimbus slumped, some of her enthusiasm fading. “Yeah, me and my dad kind of stopped talking to each other when I decided to get ponified. We never were on the best of terms, he’d opposed me going into the Army, swore I’d get hurt. Turned out he was right about that.” She closed her eyes for a few seconds. “I thought about taking Breaker to see him, let him know he’d actually gotten a grandson, although a pony instead of human.”

“Oh, I had no idea... From the way you spoke, I thought he’d passed...”

Nimbus laughed. “No, that old buzzard will keep right on hanging on until he really makes up his mind about Conversion. Who knows, maybe seeing Breaker will help...” she mused.

“Won’t know unless you try,” Fireball said with a giggle, only to twitch an ear. “Aegis is home.”

“I still think you’re just making a blind-” Nimbus was cut off as Breaker’s squeal of happiness echoed down the hallway.

“MOM! DAD’S HOME! MOM! MOOOOOOM! DIDJA HEAR ME?”

“Yes Breaker, I think the whole neighborhood heard you.” Nimbus laughed as she got to her hooves, offering a leg to Fireball. “Well, let’s go welcome them back.” The two mares walked out of the room and down the hall toward the front door, where Flare was flat on his back, Breaker giggling on top of him. Aegis was standing behind them, a wry smile on his face, which broke into an even wider smile as he saw Fireball trundling down the hall toward him.

“Now there’s a sight for sore eyes!” Aegis stepped around Flare and eagerly trotted to meet his marefriend. “How are you? Everything ok? Do you need anything?” Fireball remembered that Aegis’ latest assignment was also a bit of a vacation... for her. She shut him up with a kiss, stopping the wordflow.

“Everything is fine, Aegis. The little one’s kicking like crazy, mind, but Nimbus says that little Breaker was even worse.” She wrapped her neck around Aegis’ in a hug. “And we both missed you very much.”

Aegis returned the ponyhug, then leaned down to Fireball’s very round belly. “And I missed the two of you, more than you can imagine.”

Nimbus smiled at the bulky captain as she slid past him. “Careful there sir, the recruits’ll sniff out you being such a softie in less time than it takes for me to say it.” She turned her eyes downward to Flare, still laughing as he held Breaker. “And you! Just what do you think you’re doing down there?”

Flare grinned sheepishly up at her. “Sorry dear, I just wasn’t fast enough, he got me this time.”

Nimbus scowled at him, but couldn’t hold it as Breaker added his own smile to the mix. “Alright, this time it’s forgiven. Now come on up here, you still owe me.” Reaching down, she scooped Breaker up onto her back and hauled Flare up a second later, the two giving each other a short kiss and a nuzzle. “Now, how was your trip, you two?”

“Sorry, can’t talk about it. But just glad it’s done for now. Got a nice couple days off, looking forward to some relaxing on the beach,” Flare said with a smile, before he noticed Nimbus’ expression. “Something wrong, sweetheart?”

“Well, it’s got to do with what I found before you left. But we can talk about it later. Now come on inside, I think there’s still some waffles left, unless Dusty’s eaten them all again!” She shouted back toward the kitchen.

“Nimbus! You wound me so! I’d never steal the last waffle!” Came Dusty’s mockingly indignant reply.

“Alright... if you’re sure...” Flare said, levitating Breaker off of his mate’s back and ‘flying’ him along as they entered the kitchen, Fireball and Aegis following them a few seconds later.

“...Because it’s not the last waffle if I make more real quick...” Dusty muttered as he poured more batter onto the griddle.

02 - The Meeting

Year 6, Week 5, Wednesday

“Mom! Mom look!” Breaker said excitedly as he pressed his muzzle to the window. “I can see tiny things moving down there!”

“Those are cars, Breaker,” Nimbus said with a smile. “Now come on, let’s get you buckled in, the seat belt light is on.”

“Awww...” Breaker tried his best pouting face, but Nimbus only smiled wryly as she secured the belt around him. She had to admit that the new pony seats were pretty comfortable, though she realized that airplanes would soon be vanishing from the sky. So many things were going to change once Rejection hit.

“Attention everyone, this is your captain speaking. We’re on approach for landing at Bremerton National Airport. Thank you again for choosing this airline to meet your travel needs. Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened and all trays in their designated positions.”

Flare looked over at Nimbus as he buckled his own belt. “Are you really sure about this Nimbus? From what you said-”

“I’m sure Flare,” she replied firmly. “Much as he and I fought when I left to be ponified, he’s still my dad. I at least owe him the knowledge that I’m still alive, and definitely that he has a grandson.” She ruffled Breaker’s mane. “If he doesn’t accept it, then that’s his problem, and it’ll at least let me have some closure on this whole mess.”

Flare was conflicted, but nodded silently. He’d always had a good relationship with his parents, though after losing Red Flash, they’d become somewhat overprotective of him. He still remembered his mother crying as he’d left their little village for Canterlot, saddlebags packed for the beginning of his Guard training. “Hey, Nimbus?”

“Hmmm? Something bothering you?”

“Well, I was wondering... once we get back home, would you mind if maybe we visited my parents? We haven’t seem them since Breaker’s first Hearth’s Warming Eve, and I’m sure they’d love to see you again,” he grinned, “though I think this time you’ll be a lot less nervous.”

Nimbus scowled mockingly and cuffed his shoulder. ”Hey, I did just fine once I got there, mister.”

Flare laughed and nuzzled her as the plane steadily descended toward the runway. Breaker snorted and returned to staring out the window. Adults were just confusing sometimes.

The bus finally stopped with a squeal of ill-maintained brakes, the doors sliding open to allow its mixed passengers to get off.

“Finally, solid ground again!” Flare exclaimed as he trotted across the concrete of the bus terminal. “I can’t believe humans put up with that every day.”

“Well, usually people have their own cars, and besides, the bus was fine,” Nimbus mollified as she glanced back at Breaker. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”

“I gotta go potty,” Breaker whined.

“I got him,” Flare said as he glanced around, looking for the restrooms. Spotting them, he coaxed the colt along, very nearly entering the women’s restroom before correcting himself and using the right bathroom.

Nimbus laughed to herself before finding a nice bench to climb onto and lie down. The bus seats had been as uncomfortable as they always were, though at least the drive itself had been uneventful. What both surprised her and yet didn’t was the lack of ponies around. They’d only shared the bus with three other ponies, who were all continuing further north to Sequim to see the northern part of the Olympic National Park.

“Excuse me miss, is that little one yours?” She was startled out of her thoughts by a slightly overweight man sitting down on the bench next to her. She glanced up at him and froze, her heart racing a mile a minute. It was Abe Powell, her favorite teacher from high school. She’d spoken at length with him about her decision to enter the Army, especially after the last major fight between her and her father. The last she’d seen him was when he’d helped her onto the bus bound for the Conversion Center.

“Y-yes, that’s my son, Breaker.” She extended a hoof. “My name’s Nimbus, what’s yours?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Nice try, Jennifer.”

Nimbus gulped. “I don’t know what you mean-”

“Do you honestly think I’d not recognize your voice?” he said sternly before breaking into a grin. “I’m glad to see that things worked out, this whole Conversion thing and all.”

Nimbus relaxed, a smile of her own breaking out as she sat up and hugged him. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Powell.”

“You’re not my student anymore, call me Abe.” He returned the hug, mindful of her wings.

“Nimbus? Who’s this?” Flare called out as he trotted over, Breaker hiding bashfully behind him.

“Flare, this is Abraham Powell. He used to be my favorite teacher when I was still in school, and helped me out both when I joined the Army and got on the bus for the Conversion Center.” Nimbus said as she broke the hug. “Abe, this is my husband Flare, and that’s Breaker. Now come on son, Abe’s very nice, don’t be shy.”

Breaker cautiously took a few steps out, still sticking very close to Flare’s legs. “H-hello.”

“Well hello there.” Abe rocked forward off the bench and crouched down. “I knew your mother back when she was still in school.” He looked up at Nimbus with a grin. “He’s definitely got the look of your eyes."

“Yeah, he’s pretty great.” Nimbus ruffled Breaker’s mane affectionately.

“Moooom!” Breaker squirmed free, straightening his mane.

Abe laughed. “So, what brings you back to this neck of the woods?”

Nimbus’ smile faded slightly. “Well... I was unpacking some boxes, and found a photo of me and my dad... I just felt like I should at least try to set things straight, tell him he’s a grandpa now, y’know?”

Abe nodded. “Well, I’ve seen him around town, though haven’t really talked to him. He did take you leaving for the Conversion Center pretty badly.”

Nimbus folded her ears. “Yeah, I feel bad about the things I said too.”

“Well, let me give you all a lift, it’s a bit of a hike from here to your dad’s place.” Abe pushed himself to his feet, gesturing toward the parking lot. Leading them to his sedan, he stared for a second at Breaker. “Well, I don’t have a safety seat... Not that I think he’d fit in it anyway...”

“Mom, what’s that?” Breaker asked curiously.

Nimbus hesitated. “Well, it’s something made for keeping children safe...” She thought about it before sighing. “Well, just be careful.”

“I promise.” Abe helped get Breaker and Flare into the backseat, while Nimbus got to sit up front. Buckling the three ponies in, Abe settled into the driver seat and turned the key. He pulled out of the parking lot and started down the road.

“Say, Mr. Powell,” Flare asked after a few minutes, “forgive me for asking, but why were you at the bus stop? We never told anyone where we were going...”

Abe’s hands tightened on the wheel a little. “Well, to be perfectly honest, I was going to catch the bus down to the Bemerton Bureau and take the shot.”

“R-really?” Nimbus said after a few seconds. “What made you decide that?”

“Well,” Abe said with a sigh, “‘bout four months ago the high school let me go. I tried getting a job at the other schools in the district, but none of them were hiring. So, I got the idea that, if there’s not a job for me here, maybe get it over with, ponify, and see about getting a teaching position in Equestria. There’s actually a program in place for teachers to go to Equestria and help teach students there. So.... y’know.” He shrugged.

Nimbus put a hoof on his shoulder. “I know you’d be great for it. I hope you get the job.”

Abe chuckled. “Thanks. But enough about me and my problems, tell me about yourself! I’d hoped to see you come back, but I guess they don’t give the Royal Guard much time off, huh?”

Nimbus laughed. “Well, with more of us now, we can actually have time off. To hear Flare tell it, back before Equestria showed up, there were almost no Guards at all.”

“Oh, so he’s a native? So, how’ve you found humans?” Abe glanced over his shoulder, catching the slump of Flare’s shoulders. “Something wrong?”

“Well... I was in St Louis when the Bureau attack happened... “

Abe winced. “That sucks. I’m truly sorry. And glad that you got out okay. Not all of us are like those lunatics.”

Flare nodded. “I don’t know how much your news talked about it, but there were ponies involved in forcibly ponifying nearly a hundred people. And there’s been reports of deaths of humans and newfoals at several different Bureaus around the world. Given the nature of the deaths, ponies are likely involved there too. So, just be careful if you do get ponified.”

Abe nodded. “Well, I’ll be sure to keep my head down. Hoping to help spread a positive image of what humanity’s achieved in our history for a good many years.” He pulled the car onto a simple one lane street, plain houses evenly spaced on either side. He eventually pulled to a stop in front of a tan house with a brown roof, a single SUV parked haphazardly in the driveway. He got out of the car, unlocking the doors for the others. “You really want to do this?”

Nimbus took a deep breath as she trotted around the front of the car. “Yeah. I’ve put this off for long enough.” She froze though as a voice shouted from inside the house.

“Abe, what’re you doing here?” It was definitely male, hoarser than Nimbus had remembered it. It’s owner made themselves known a second later, walking onto the front porch. The rail thin man stopped at the sight of his guests. “And why the hell are there ponies with you? You know damn well how I feel about them.”

Steeling herself, Nimbus trotted forward to face him. “Hey Dad.”

The man’s eyes widened, though they returned to their usual scowl a second later. “Jennifer.”

03 - The Talk

Year 6, Week 5, Wednesday

The two stared at each other across the yard. The tension in the air was thick enough Flare swore he could feel it. At his hooves, Breaker pressed close, nervously glancing from his mother to this strange human on the porch.

“Been a while, Dad,” Nimbus said calmly.

“Four years since you ran off to that Conversion thing. See you actually went through with it,” he replied tersely. “So, why the hell do you think I’d want to see you around here again?”

Flare nearly spoke up, but the look on Nimbus’ face stopped him. It wasn’t angry, or sad, or really anything. She just... stared.

“Look, Evan,” Abe said as he locked the car, “I know how pissed you were with Jenny’s leaving, but you at least owe your own daughter the chance to talk to you.”

Evan spat off the porch. “Don’t really know or care what you got to say. Just say what ya came here to say and get lost. You may sound like her, but you ain’t my Jennifer.”

Nimbus took a breath, her wings fluttering slightly as her emotions started leaking out. “Dad... I came here to try to set things right between us. And to tell you something else.” She motioned for Flare and Breaker to stand next to her. Shepherding Breaker forward, Flare leaned against her gently in support. She pressed back as she took another deep breath. “Dad, this is my husband, Flare... and this is my son, Breaker. Your grandson.”

Evan blinked, staring at Flare first, then Breaker. “You mean you... with that?”

Nimbus snorted, stamping a hoof. “At least have some goddamned civility. Flare’s my husband and I love him.”

“After you ran away? Turned into one of those ponies? Rutted with one of them like an animal? I didn’t raise my daughter to act like that,” Evan said with rising anger in his voice. “Tell me exactly why I should even give you the time of day?”

“Alright, that’s enough!” Abe shouted as he stepped in between the arguers. “This has gone on long enough. Evan, regardless of how you feel about ponies, Jennifer is your daughter, and you should at least hear her out.”

Evan snorted, but turned to walk back inside. “Fine, you can come in. Speak your piece.”

The five of them were seated in the living room, the ponies on the couch, Evan in the recliner, and Abe on the spare chair.

“Alright.” Evan leaned back. “You got your chance, so talk.”

Nimbus took a breath, feeling Flare’s comforting presence next to her. “I admit Dad, the entire flight here I was thinking about all the times we fought, and the last one we had before I went for Conversion. I had a whole book’s worth of questions I wanted to ask you too.”

Evan just sat there, his expression locked into a scowl.

“But you know, now that I’m here, I realized I don’t have anything more to say to you.” She leaned against Flare. “I mean, going to the Conversion Bureau was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I can walk again, Dad. And more than that, I can fly!” She resettled her wings to emphasize the point. “There’s nothing holding me back. I’ve got a great stallion who I love, who gifted me with a beautiful son,” she ruffled Breaker’s mane, deciding to ignore the little scowl he gave her. She sighed and looked back at him. “If you don’t want to talk again after this, that’s fine. But if you change your mind, just let me know. If I have to, I’ll fly here myself.”

The room was silent for a long few minutes. No one made a move to break the silence, the focus of the room centered on Evan. With a sigh, he heaved himself out of the chair, rubbing his face with a hand.

“Is that all?” He gestured with the other hand toward the door. “Then I want you out of my house.”

“Evan!” Abe said hotly, rising to his feet as well. “That’s uncalled for-”

“It’s alright Abe,” Nimbus interrupted quietly as she carefully climbed off the couch. Turning to help Breaker down, she turned to her father, her expression unreadable. “It was nice seeing you, Dad.” She led Breaker out the door without another word.

“But Mom, I thought you said you wanted to make up with Grandpa...” Breaker asked, his voice fading as he trotted out the front door. Nimbus’ response went unheard. Abe stood there for a second, before shaking his head and walking out the door after them.

Flare, after climbing down from the couch, stopped at the doorway and turned back, lowering his head in a small bow. “It was nice meeting you. Your daughter is a beautiful mare, and I’m lucky to have met her at all, let alone been blessed by a son with her. I hope that we can meet again under better circumstances.” He turned and followed the others to the car, not looking back.

Inside the house, Evan stood there, not moving. Once he heard Abe’s car start up, he walked down the hall to a nondescript bedroom, a simple bed and dresser obscured by boxes. Stopping over one of the boxes, he opened it and reached in, lifting out a photo frame. The image inside was of a young woman, dressed in an Army combat uniform, a broad smile on her face. A few tears splashed against it as Evan wept, though whether it was from his losing his daughter the first or second time, he couldn’t tell.

The graveyard was quiet, only a few people visiting loved ones. However, something new was present, that turned the heads of the curious. Three ponies and a human walked through the silent stones, their destination a few rows ahead.

“Are you sure you want to walk out on him like that, Nimbus?” Flare asked cautiously. The whole ride over Nimbus had been silent, just staring out the window.

“Like I said Flare, I’ve got nothing left to say to him. I’m going to remember the good times, and if he wants to, I’d be fine with welcoming him back into my life. But I’m not going to shed any more tears over it.” Nimbus smiled and nuzzled Breaker. “I am who I am, and as much as it scares me, I can even face forgetting what it was like to be human. After all, I’ll be facing it together with you, and with Breaker.” She leaned against Flare and draped a wing over his back.

Flare smiled. “That’s a promise, dear.” He leaned against her and nibbled her ear.

Breaker gagged. “Mooooom, Daaaaad! We’re outside! Those people are lookin’ at us!”

Abe laughed, Flare and Nimbus joining in after a tender nuzzle. Breaker just rolled his eyes and kept on trotting forward, turning around when he didn’t hear his parent’s hoofsteps anymore. He saw they’d stopped in front of one of the hundreds of stones, and Nimbus was starting to tear up a little. Galloping as quick as his legs would allow, he pressed himself against her legs and nuzzled her. “What’s wrong, Mom?” He looked at the face of the stone, but couldn’t tell what it said. “What does it say?”

Nimbus knelt down next to him and nuzzled him. “Well, this is where your grandma is buried, Breaker. Her name was Carol. I didn’t get to know her too well, but my Dad used to tell me stories of how pretty and nice she was.”

The little colt tilted his head. “Why’s she buried, Mom?”

Nimbus sniffed, wiping at her eye with a hoof. Flare crouched down on Breaker’s other side. “Well son, when ponies, and I guess people, get old, Celestia and Luna call them back to the Eternal Herd, to roam in the Summerlands.”

Breaker squinted, staring at the stone. “I’d like to meet her.”

Flare smiled sadly and bumped shoulders with him. “Well, you’ve got a lot of growing to do first. Plenty of life ahead of you.”

Breaker looked between his parents, even more confused than ever. Finally writing it off to adult stuff, he turned back to the gravestone. “It was nice to meet you, Grandma Carol, even if you can’t talk to me from being buried in the ground. Maybe when Uncle Aegis teaches me more earth stuff, I can!”

Nimbus laughed despite herself, wiping at her eyes one final time. “Who knows, maybe you will son, maybe you will.”

04 - The Future

Year 6, Week 5, Friday

Nimbus nosed open the door, her eyes worried as she entered the hospital room "Fireball? Aegis?" Flare followed in after her, Breaker nervously trotting after him.

Fireball looked up from her bed, smiling weakly as Aegis sat in a visitor's chair, gently rocking a so-very-tiny bundle that clutched a bottle. “Hey,” Fireball said wearily. “You missed all the fun...” Aegis looked utterly exhausted, but still managed a grin at Breaker, Flare, and Nimbus.

Nimbus rushed to Fireball's bedside, giving her a gentle nuzzle. “Are you okay? You look awful.”

Fireball nodded. “I just need some rest... but I think poor Aegis is in worse shape.” Fireball laughed, giving her dear husband a smile.

“Hey... I was terrified, Fireball.”

Flare trotted over to Aegis, giving him a nudge with his shoulder. "So, how's the little guy?" Breaker hurried to stand next to Nimbus

Aegis smiled, then turned Peony towards Flare. “Little gal, actually, and she's a pegasus, too.”

Flare blinked, then glanced over at Nimbus sheepishly.

“You look like you might have lost a bet, Flarey dear,” noted Fireball.

Flare winced. “Yeah... laundry for a week”

Nimbus smiled. "It's okay, you can pay me back later." Nimbus nuzzled Fireball again

Fireball laughed weakly once more

“Ouch, hah... Sorry, Flare, but that’s funny,” Aegis added, grinning. Aegis looked down to Breaker. “Breaker, would you like meet Peony Sky?”

Breaker nervously trotted forward, encouraged by Flare's nod. Flare gently levitated the little colt so he could get a better look at Peony. “Oooooh, she's so small Dad. Why's she small? Was I that small when I was born?”

Aegis removed the now-empty bottle from Peony's tiny grasp, allowing her and Breaker to see each other clearly. Peony smiled at Breaker. Breaker stared at Peony, leaning forward to get a better look.

“Well, Breaker, Peony was just a little impatient to get to meet us all, you see...” Fireball began, “So she decided she didn't need to be as big, and arrived a little faster than she should have”

“A trend I really hope she shakes off as she grows...” Aegis fervently wished.

Flare nodded in agreement. “Well, at least you two are okay...” He folded his ears. “Figures I'd not be around to help.”

Nimbus gave Flare a look. "Now don't start with that. You had no way of knowing this would happen."

“Don't sweat it, Flare, seriously,” added Aegis.

“Everything is fine now, Flare,” Fireball said, getting her own word in on the matter.

“Though... thank... thank goodness we were here, and not in Snaffleton...” Aegis offered Peony to Nimbus, as he could tell she she was itching to hold the new foal. Nimbus accepted the little bundle carefully, practically melting on the spot. “Snaffleton has a much more traditional birthing center, with just a midwife... If... if we hadn't moved out here to Hawaii...” Aegis shook his head, trying to free it of the dark thoughts.

“Fireball, Aegis, she's beautiful,” Nimbus gushed as she nuzzled Peony gently.

Fireball smiled at Nimbus. “She's my little miracle.”

Aegis turned to Flare, unable to rid himself of the what-ifs. “We don't even have a unicorn medic out there.” Flare winced in sympathy.

“Aegis, please, stop worrying so. We're here, it was... close... but I'm still here, too.” Fireball sat up in her bed slowly, motioning for Aegis to come close. The two shared a hug before Fireball was forced to lower herself back down. Nimbus gently passed Peony to Fireball, who accepted her daughter, smiling fondly, and held her up over her shoulder to begin the burping process

Aegis perked up suddenly, his mood finally brightening. “By the way, Flare, Nimbus... we've decided. We're getting married, as soon as possible.”

Flare grinned. “Sounds like a plan, it's about time for you two.” Nimbus squeaked joyously and nuzzled Fireball again. Fireball laughed, nuzzling back.

“We had hoped to be married before our first foal, you know, but, weeeeell... he he...” Fireball bobbed Peony up and down a couple more times.

Aegis chuckled. “Heh, yeah. I guess the order doesn't matter. We've certainly waited long enough.”

Breaker stuck his tongue out. "Dad, can you put me down now?" Flare realized Breaker was still in the air, wrapped in his telekinetic grip, and set him down.

“Say, Breaker, speaking of it... I have something very very important to ask you,” said Aegis, lowering himself down to look Breaker face-to-face.

“Whassat, Uncle Aegis?”

“Well, When your Aunt Fireball and I get married, do you think you can be our clasp-bearer?”

Breaker tilted his head. ”I dunno... what's a clasp-bearer?”

“Well, you know how unicorns use horn-rings when they get married?”

Breaker nodded.”Uh-huh, I've seen Dad's.”

“Well, earth ponies and pegasi don't have horns, so we use little cuffs that attach to our forelegs.” Aegis made a small motion of attaching something to his leg.

Nimbus nodded. “I've got one that Flare gave me, remember?”

“Sometimes we use necklaces, too, but Fireball and I are gonna use clasps. And you, Breaker, would have the Very Important Job of carrying them to us when the time comes. Can you do it for us?”

Breaker thought hard, then nodded. “I won't let you down!” he replied with a grin.

“Thanks, buddy!” Aegis held out his hoof to Breaker, waiting for their traditional hoof-bump, which Breaker enthusiastically returned.

“They're still a little young, but we did want Jennifer and Summer to be our flower-fillies,” Fireball said with a tired smile.

“They'll do fine.” Nimbus replied with a firm nod.

Interrupting the moment, Fireball finally got Peony to burp loudly, the sound echoing about the mostly-silent room. “Oh my...”

“Hah, good one, my little blossom,” Aegis praised.

Nimbus snorted at Aegis, then continued. “And I don't want you worrying about anything. I'll help get things organized. You just focus on getting better.”

Fireball looked relieved. “Thank you, Nimbus. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Nimbus smiled. “Celestia knows Flare wasn't any help with our wedding, so I've got experience.”

“Leapfrog is going to be my mare-of-honor, and Aegis' friend Gregor, a griffon, will be the best, um, 'stallion'.” Fireball giggled.

Flare scowled a little at both Nimbus' remark and at the mention of the griffon, but relented when his wife shot him a warning glance.

“I hope you two wouldn't mind being in the wedding party, too? Also got Skipper and Dusty signed on,” Aegis continued, giving the two a hopeful glance.

“Of course, that's not a problem,” Flare responded.

“Great!” Aegis clapped Flare on the back a little too hard in enthusiasm. Flare was nearly pitched to the floor, Breaker skittering out of the way. “Err, sorry,” Aegis apologized with a nervous chuckle.

Flare grumbled something about "earth ponies" and "too strong for their own good", but got back up.

“Do be careful with Flare, Aegis, we still need him for a bit, you know,” Fireball chided jokingly, then she wiped at Peony's face with a cloth, cleaning her up a little. Finally, Fireball kissed Peony on the forehead. Peony burbled happily, trying to nip the longer ends of her mother’s mane. She may have came into the world early, but all welcomed her nonetheless.

Cloudhammer settled back onto the cushion behind his desk with a sigh. Much as he’d wanted to spend more time with his newfound son and new grandfoal, the paperwork continued to pile up in his absence. He was getting ready to start in on the small mountain that was occupying his desk when there was a knock at the door. “Yes, come in.”

“So, perhaps you might explain why the watch officer in charge of the Beacon Stone reported you ‘rushing in and demanding’ an emergency teleport to Hawaii? Or why you were not present for two Council meetings, or the update on Project Thesan?” Celestia asked calmly as she walked in.

Cloudhammer rushed to his hooves, knocking over some of the stack of paperwork. “Your Highness!” He’d started into the bow before Celestia’s laugh stopped him.

“Relax, Cloudhammer. So, how is Captain Exemplar’s foal?”

“She... she’s fine... a little pegasus filly. Aegis and Fireball named her Peony Sky,” Cloudhammer said as he got to his hooves. “But, how did you know?”

Celestia tilted her head. “You left the message on your desk. It wasn’t too hard to figure out why Captain Exemplar would send you a message like that. He does remind me of you, especially when you were still seeing Chrysanthemum.”

Cloudhammer started to ask how she knew about Chrysanthemum, but chose to nod instead.

“Now, come. Luna agreed to postpone the update meeting for Project Thesan. I admit to be very curious as to what Dr Lewis has to say this time.” Celestia gestured with a wing as a gentle glow surrounded her horn. “Shall we?”

Cloudhammer grimaced. “You know I hate long range tele-” The rest was cut off as they disappeared, the wind scattering the papers around the office. Once she was sure it was safe, Cloudhammer’s secretary poked her head in, eyes widening as she saw the mess.

“Discord’s left toe! How come he always makes such a mess when he leaves?”