Conduit, Not Monster

I know. Short chapter, but it's all I could get down for a while. I promise longer chapters and more fan-requested James centered material. Thanks everypony!

Strange Enemies, Stranger Allies

Unbeknownst to Cole and Applejack, James was perched on a rooftop not far from their location. James did something that he hadn’t done in a long time: he smiled.

“Good job, Applejack. You made the right choice.”

He silently flew off into the distance. All he wanted to do was keep an eye on the group of Conduits and not too involved in them. Suddenly, his echolocation kicked on while in mid-flight. It was sort of like a “built-in homing beacon” that proved very useful in the past. He changed directions and flew towards where it was leading him. He ended up on another rooftop in the Neon District and two guys talking to each other in an alleyway. Both of them had very similar Brooklyn accents.

“I’m telling ya, broda. This guy’s got a lot a power on him. He can help us get outta this hell-hole.”

“I don’t know man. I don’t think I’m willin’ to trust him yet. I mean, why would he wanna help out a couple a SOB’s like us? For all I know, he’s just using us to get to this Heller guy and McGrath. Then, when we find ‘em, he wouldn’t have any more use for us. And just like that, BOOM! Game over.”

“Look, do ya wanna get outta here or not? Cause if not, I’m leavin’ without ya. I’m sick a this crap! I need to get outta Empire or I’m gonna go insane! Away from the Reapers, away from the plague, and away from all those God-damned Conduit freaks!”

While one of them continued on his rant, James silently snuck down to the ground level and walked over to the alleyway. As soon as they saw him, the two goons shut their mouths.

“I’m gonna give the both of you two choices. One, you tell me who “this guy” is and I’ll let you go free. Or two, you don’t tell me and we have to do this the hard way. Which one?”

Like a flash, the goons reached around their backs and pulled out matching Bowie knives. They charged towards James and prepared to attack. But, he was ready for it. James unleashed his tendrils to wrap around the goons and catch them. They were strung up to the walls of the narrow alley and couldn’t move. James also made sure that their mouths were wrapped to keep them from screaming.

“Oh well. I kinda like this way better.” He walked over to his new captives. “Be sure to get a good look at my face. Because it’s the last thing you’re gonna see.” And with that, James reached up and grabbed them both out their trap. His body opened up and turned the two into bloody mush. It sucked them in and James was able to access their memories. Another handy tool that proved useful in the past as well. He focused his mind to search the memories for anything having to do with what they were talking about. Finally, after about a minute of searching, he found something.

The two goons were lying on a concrete floor, bloodied and beaten. There was a figure standing in a back corner that kept his face hidden.

“I’m guessing that you two got that way because you tried to get out of the city?” the figure spoke. Whoever he was, he was using a voice modulator to further disguise himself. The two nodded to his question. “Then you must be pretty damn desperate. If you want, I can help you leave. But, you have to do exactly what I say, when I say it. You two are going to do a little recon work for me. There are some certain individuals in the city that I’m looking for, but I can’t risk someone recognizing me out in the open. I have your phone numbers, so I can send you instructions on where to go whenever I feel like it. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”

The two goons nodded their heads. One of them spoke, “Just so we know, who are the people that ya want us to find?”

“……I suppose I could tell you now. One of them is named Cole McGrath, otherwise known as “The Demon of Empire City”, and the other is named Sgt. James Heller. Once you find one of them, you are only to keep an eye on them. Do not interact with them, or they will kill you. That will be your only warning from me.”

The memory cut off right there. James was even more confused now then he was before. Who was that guy? Why would he be looking for Cole? For that matter, why would he be looking for James? And what did he mean about ‘being recognized’? James just couldn’t put the pieces together with what little he knew. Suddenly, he heard a phone going off. It was probably one of the goons’. James picked it up and saw that it was a phone call from a blocked number. It could either be that hooded guy or someone else. On instinct, James transformed into one of the goons since he had absorbed their bodies.

“Hello?” he answered in a Brooklyn accent.

A motherly voice answered him. “Do not worry, James Heller. I know this is you.” The hairs stood up on the back of his neck. Had his cover been blown? “And before you say anything, no I am not the hooded man that sent those two after you and Cole McGrath.”

With some relief, James reverted back to his normal form. “Then who are you really?”

“My name is of no importance. Just know that I am here to help you. I know what it is you truly seek. Retribution. You want to pin something on this plague that is sweeping across your home and take immediate action.” The accuracy of that statement made James shiver a little. “If you wish, I can offer my help to you. I know what causes the plague. It is the very man that you saw in those memories that you have just drained.”

“How did you know that I can do that?”

“There is much that I know, child. But, that is not important right now. What is important is that you find Cole McGrath and discard this cell phone.”

James was taken aback. “You better cut the crap, lady! This might be my only lead on this bastard and there is no way in hell that I’m doing that!”

“I understand your frustration. But, it is for the best. The tasks that the hooded man will have you do involve killing innocent people. You wish to save lives and not risk anymore, correct?”

James tried time and again to argue with the woman, but couldn’t find a reply. Defeated, he said, “Fine. But if I lose the trial because of this, I’m coming for you lady.”

“And I will be sure to keep that promise.”

“One more thing. Give me a name so that McGrath and the others know who sent me.”

“Very well, child. I shall not give you my human name, but I will say this. You can call me Celestia.” Weird choice of a name, but it was a name nonetheless. “Now go. Find Cole McGrath and his friends. I will stay in contact with you in any way that I can. Goodbye for now, James Heller.” And with that, she hung up and James threw the phone away.

“Just when something good comes up, something else gets in my way. Well, I need to talk with McGrath anyway. Maybe he’ll know something that connects us both to that one hooded guy.” And with that, James glided off towards Cole’s usual hangout.