History YMMV / TheConversionBureauNotAlone

* MisaimedFandom: Many readers didn't seem to quite understand this story is a DeconstructionFic that runs on GreyAndGreyMorality. Stand-outs include:

** Fans who wanted to see Equestria [[NukeEm glassed.]] [[spoiler:They don't get their wish.]]

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The story is a relatively short affair compared to later deconstructionist works like ''Fanfic/TheConversionBureauTheOtherSideOfTheSpectrum'' (and its reboot ''Fanfic/{{SPECTRUM}}''), the ''[[Fanfic/TheNegotiationsVerse Negotiations]]'' series, or ''Setting it Right'', but ''Not Alone'' was one of the most prominent early deconstructions of the ''Conversion Bureau'' concept that has some balance to it.

* TearJerker:
** The entirety of the chapter titled "He's Dead", where Andrew describes how his friend Eddie was essentially replaced by a "smiling zombie with wings". It really illustrates just how heartbreaking and [[FridgeHorror horrifying]] it would be to see your friend completely change, both physically and mentally, like that.
** In "Aftermath, Part 1", Andrew, upon learning [[spoiler:exactly how the potion works, is forced to lie to Thunderhead to make amends. It's the first time Thunderhead's been happy since his "birth", and it's not even true]].
** In "Aftermath, Part 2", [[spoiler:Shining Armor, who had lost [[AnArmAndALeg both of his hind legs]] during the Battle of South Africa and is recuperating in the hospital, is visited by Cadence and Twilight (who's an utter wreck and [[ItsAllMyFault blames herself for his condition]]). He stays positive and reassures them both that everything will be fine. As soon as they leave after being told visiting hours are over, he breaks down crying himself]].

* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The story is a relatively short affair compared to later deconstructionist works like ''Fanfic/TheConversionBureauTheOtherSideOfTheSpectrum'' (and its reboot ''Fanfic/{{SPECTRUM''), the ''[[Fanfic/TheNegotiationsVerse Negotiations]]'' series, or ''Setting it Right'', but ''Not Alone'' was one of the most prominent early deconstructions of the ''Conversion Bureau'' concept that has some balance to it.

** Fans who want to see Equestria [[NukeEm glassed.]] [[spoiler: They don't get their wish.]]
** Also, fans who want to see all of humanity ponified and brought under the control of the Equestrian Diarchy. [[spoiler:They don't get their wish either.]]
* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: The story is a relatively short affair compared to later deconstructive works like ''The Other Side of the Spectrum'' (and its reboot ''SPECTRUM''), the Negotiations-verse, or ''Setting it Right'', but ''Not Alone'' was, if not the first, then the most prominent early deconstructions of the Conversion Bureau concept that has some balance to it.

** The ponies involved with the EFH as of "The Longest Day". [[spoiler: After Bon-Bon outs them, it's decided that they have to leave Ponyville]].

* MisaimedFandom: Readers who defend the humans putting ponies into [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII internment camps]]. [[WordOfGod The author has said]] in comments that they're supposed to be an unjustified, kneejerk reaction motivated by racism and paranoia.

** Also, fans who want to see all of humanity ponified and brought under the control of the Equestrian Diarchy. [[spoiler:They ''really'' don't get their wish.]]
** And the readers that don't seem to quite understand the fact that the story is a DeconstructionFic that runs on GreyAndGreyMorality.
* TearJerker: The entirety of the chapter titled "He's Dead." Aside from being a tearjerker, it also outlines the exact FridgeHorror issue of the personality changes that come from the ponification.
** Andrew [[spoiler:is forced to lie to Thunderhead to make amends. It's the first time Thunderhead's been happy since his "birth," and it's not even true]].
* TheWoobie: Poor, poor Thunderhead. Imagine if you came into being at someone else's death.

* HoYay: Between [[spoiler:Andrew and Ice Breaker]].

* PatrickStewartSpeech: Arguably, the entire story is one of these to the original. Possible examples include the EFH posters and the [[spoiler: declaration of war speech]].

* BrokenPedestal: Starman Ghost himself.

* AuthorTract: Written to set right perceived issues with certain other TCB stories. Whether or not certain story plot points are established by fiat, have or lack substance and make sense are things that have divided the readership.
* FridgeBrilliance: Why is it [[spoiler: the Elements of Harmony aren't able to ponify all of humanity, or do anything else against them? Think about it, the Elements are stated to draw on the [[PowerOfFriendship Harmony between six special ponies]], thus it stands to reason that if it were used on multiple individuals, it would have to overcome the Harmony between those in order to work. And thanks to the war, all of humanity is united against Equestria. Essentially, six souls against '''SEVEN BILLION'''. [[CurbstompBattle No wonder it wouldn't have worked]].]]
** Or it could simply be because what they were trying to do wasn't particularly harmonious.

** Also, fans who want to see all of Earth Ponified and brought under the control of the Equestrian Diarchy. [[spoiler:They ''really'' don't get their wish.]]

** Andrew [[spoiler:lies to Thunderhead, to make amends. It's the first time Thunderhead's been happy since his "birth," and it's not even true]].

* MisaimedFandom: Readers who defend the humans putting ponies into [[WorldWar2 internment camps]]. [[WordOfGod The author has said]] in comments that they're supposed to be an unjustified, kneejerk reaction motivated by racism and paranoia.

* AuthorTract: Written to "set right" perceived issues with certain other TCB stories. Whether or not certain story plot points are established by fiat, have or lack substance and make sense are things that have divided the readership.

* AuthorTract : Written (from word of god) to "set right" perceived issues with certain other TCB stories, certain story plot points are established by fiat and with a certain lack of substance and subtlety, don't necessarily make sense and you should definitely not try to [[FilibusterFreefall look behind the curtain]].