The Conversion Bureau-Night Terrors

As Motherbird landed outside the newly constructed Military Airbase Kodai, the Elements, each equipped with a POW's shoulder tag, walked down the rear ramp, escorted by the Spectres and Colonel Jackson. Waiting for them, wearing a suit, was President John Bowers. He was around forty, with a graying beard and brown hair. His Secret Service retinue stood at attention as the Spectres, Colonel Jackson, and the Elements approached.

"Colonel." Bowers spoke.

"Mr. President." Lee spoke, as he and the Spectres snapped to salute.

"At ease. I'm damn proud of all of you. Congratulations on your mission success." Bowers spoke. "Let's get moving."

"Roger that." A Secret Service agent spoke. "Whiskey Hotel, this is Heart. Package is received. Sending to Post."

As the Elements were ushered into a secure Humvee, the Spectres took seats in the truck behind them. Twilight could only watch through the windows as Washington DC came into view. Twilight was taken aback by the sight of the capitol. What she had heard from Parliament about "cities of slag and refuse" was clearly wrong. Orderly, straight skylines peppered with buildings brushed shoulders with greenery and plant life. Humans walked and chatted as if there wasn't a war going on. Every so often they would catch a sight of a human soldier, or a Police Officer. Twilight turned away from the window and sighed, brushing her shoulder tag and reading its text for the umpteenth time.

PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE-EQUESTRIAN

ASSIGNED TO-WASHINGTON DC STATUS-PROTECTED SOVEREIGN.

"Twilight?" Applejack asked. "You okay?"

"I wonder how Cadance and Shining will take the news." Twilight replied.

"Parliament will go insane." Rainbow said.

"They're already insane!" Rarity said. "I've had to give nearly half of my fabric to the army for uniforms!'

"A quarter of my apples are gone." Applejack said.

"I've had to sign up for the reserves." Rainbow said.

"My animals cry at night." Fluttershy said.

"No parties…" Pinkie said, giving a small sniff. Twilight looked over at Spike, who looked rather distraught.

"Spike?" Twilight asked. "You okay?"

"What's going to happen to us?" Spike said, glancing at his bracelet, as he was too small for a shoulder tag.

"We'll be fine." Twilight said. "I mean, what could happen?"

Spike hopped over to Twilight and leaned on her shoulder, shivering. Twilight wrapped her legs around him, and hugged him as best she could. Then, they heard the car stop. The doors opened, revealing their lodgings. And it was not what they expected. Instead of a run-down townhouse, a small three-story house greeted them, perfectly kept and clean. Twilight and the Elements were ushered inside, and to their shock, it looked just as good inside as it did on the outside.

"Wow." was all they could say.

"This'll be your home for a while." Bowers said, walking in. "Frankly, some folks in Congress vouched for the Sierra Angelo POW camp, but I got the go-ahead. Here's a schedule for the bi-weekly restock, the utility info, everything you need."

Bowers handed Twilight a large packet of paper, bound with a binder clip.

"Feel free to use your magic, but we have cameras rigged throughout the house." Bowers said. "We can't exactly block certain magic, but we couldn't settle on a blanket ban either. So, as long as you behave yourselves, you'll be fine. If you have any requests, the computer in the lounge has a direct message function that links to the White House. You need anything, we'll do our best to get it."

"Thank you." Twilight said. Bowers nodded.

"You're welcome. I want you to know we're not the monsters that you make us out to be." Bowers said. "I best get going. The country's not going to run itself."

Bowers nodded, and walked out. Twilight set out to explore the house. On the second floor were the bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small lounge, with the computer. The first floor had a kitchen already stocked with food and a dining room. A small library was coupled to an office on the third floor, along with a storage room. Twilight walked back downstairs to find her friends browsing through a cabinet.

"Heh, board games." Rainbow said. "Monopoly, Sorry!, Checkers, Chess...geez, think we're getting better treatment here than at home."

"I have to agree." Twilight said. "It is nice. Say...anyone hungry?"

"I am." Fluttershy said.

"Let's make some lunch, then." Twilight said. As they headed into the kitchen, the Spectres were given the all-clear to return to Motherbird for their next mission.

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

Two days later.

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Celestia sighed as she sat in her office, reading Parliament's reaction to the Element's capture. Upon hearing the news, Cadance and Shining had taken it hard, but they had then withdrawn their support for the war, and declared the Crystal Empire a Neutral Party. There had been no message from humanity as to what wanted or any wish for a prisoner exchange.

"Celly?"

Celestia turned to see Luna walk in.

"Parliament has approved an assault on the wall."

"What!?" Celestia cried. "That's suicide!'

"Indeed. They have sent an ultimatum to the human leaders. Release the elements or the assault will begin."

"They have the Mjolnir platform." Celestia said.

"Parliament says using portable shielding magic, they are protected, but I have my doubts. Cadance and Armor have also withdrawn financial support."

"I heard." Celestia said, motioning to the fateful letter on the table.

"We have to end this war." Luna said. "This is folly! Madness!"

"Unless Parliament decrees so, we continue to fight." Celestia said. "Tell them that we have no opinion on the assault. If we are to make a stand, we must do it soon."

"Agreed." Luna said, walking over to sit next to her sister. "We must do it soon."