The Conversion Bureau: Eleven

The Conversion Bureau: Eleven

By General_H

Chapter 3

“What do you mean; they just disappeared off the face of the Earth?”

“It seems so.”

“They fled Seattle, crossed Canada and the Aleutian Islands while fending us off, travelled across Kamchatka and now they are GONE?”

“Yes, just the eleven of them. They killed ten times their own number in pegasi.”

Luna rubbed at her eyes with her forehooves. “There is only eleven of them!” Yet Luna knew that it was enough to be worried about. This tiny band would likely stop at nothing to enact some form of fruitless revenge.

“Luna, your sister is here to see you and progress.”

Princess Celestia glided gracefully across the room to Luna, mane waving.

“Have you found any leads?”

“No sister, they were last seen in the old human settlement, Provideniya. We lost track of them after that.”

“That’s very strange. We last saw them a few days ago.”

“That’s what’s bothering me.”

The two sisters pondered for a time, thinking of something to do about the disappearance of the eleven humans.

“I have no idea else, but to explore the area. I want thirty-two pegasi ready for a scouting mission by this afternoon.

Celestia, having exhausted her time for tactical thought, left for her chamber.

*

“James, you are the worst at Blackjack.”

“I bet I could beat you at Table Tennis.”

“No you couldn’t”

Victor Gestured to himself.

“You clearly don’t stand a chance.”

The crew enjoyed the daily banter between Victor and James. It provided amusement in the most grey and boring of times.

The crew were of mixed ethnicity. James was a New Zealand immigrant to the USA. Victor was Mandarin Chinese. Alice, Dan,

Kathy and Jackson were American. Chris and Trent were from the UK. Rajeev was a Bangladeshi. Ahmet was from Turkey.

Beatrice was Polish. Most of the group that were not from the USA were in the USA because they had at one time wished to be converted or were living there.

“Hey Big A, want to join us?”

“Maybe, once I have finished my meal, Victor.”

“You always say that.”

“Just leave everyone alone, Vic,” Said Dan, entering the room with some ropes. They have better things to do than play silly card games with you and Monkey-boy.”

“Like what? Stare out the window gormlessly?”

Beatrice sighed and found something of great interest in the ceiling.

“Come on guys, it’s getting late. We need our sleep,” Jackson said, yawning.

“You’re no fun.” Said James.

The crew laughed, and after some supper steadily left the living area for the cabins. Soon only James was left in the room, staring out through one of the portholes. The odd clank next door reminded him of Dan and Trent’s presence next door. It was only ten o’clock. James sighed with exasperation. Back at home, he stayed up until at least ten thirty most nights. He would read or play video games, sometimes after his parents told him to turn his lights out and go to sleep. Sometimes he would sneak out into the kitchen with Kyle and have small midnight feasts on the couches.

As he became sleepier He became aware of a tugging at his mind, gradually getting stronger. He attempted to find the source of the tugging, but it evaded him easily. He felt himself drifting off to sleep...

*

James’ eyes drifted open. He was not on the ship, but on lush green grass. There was no-one in sight. He turned around see one of his most hated enemies in front of him.

Princess Celestia.

James yelled and scrambled backwards, but her voice transfixed him.

“Be calm, Human-foal.”

“Stay away from me.”

“There is nothing to be afraid of.  I am not going to hurt you”

“You will convert me if I give you the chance.”

“You have already given me a thousand chances. And it is nothing to be afraid of.”

“Yes it is! All my friends, my family, taken from me—

“No. We have given them a new–

“Don’t spit your bloody propaganda at me!"”

James ran at the Princess, and found him trapped in a bubble of magic, restraining him.

“Be calm, James. Struggling is not going to do anything.”

“You’re scared,” James spat.

“Why would I be scared of you? I trapped you to protect you more than myself. Now, may I continue speaking to you?”

“Fine, Princess. James spat. Speak.”

I want to ask you. Why are you running? Why are you with these people, James? You are barely fifteen years old, a foal. You have no herd…

“They harboured me when I was separated from my family. They taught me to fight. They gave me a chance to stay human, to stay as I am. To find out who I am rather than be converted into a pony, and run off to Equestria to live happily ever bloody after. And the crew. They are my new family! We all depend on each other to survive and live.”

“Fighting seems to be what humans do best. It saddens me. Yet I see so much kindness in you, James.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t want to kill, do you James? Do you?”

“I made a choice. I knew that I would have to kill, but I still made that choice. So I killed ponies, and I am not afraid to kill more.”

“The ponies that you killed had families, James. Lives. Dreams. They wished to spread their gift to all!”

“They’re all BRAINWASHED! James yelled. They had lives and dreams before, but you stole them and stuffed them full of shit! It’s all FAKE!”

“Open your eyes, James! Is this what you really want? To be forever separated from your family, who are living in Equestria and waiting for your return?”

“Yeah, they probably don’t care.  They’ll be full of Rainbows and false happiness.”

“You seem adamant in your opinion. But I will show you one thing before you leave.”

James felt himself float through the air as Celestia flew from the sunny meadow to a small village. He saw three ponies waiting on the ground.

“Who are they?”

“You will see James.”

Celestia landed near the three ponies, and released James. He fell to the ground with a bump.

The three ponies eyes widened as they saw him. They galloped over to him.

“Sweet Celestia boy, when did you get so tall?”

“Dad? Mum? Kyle?”

“It’s so good to see you James. We have been so worried about you, out there.”

“Yeah Big Bro. You look pretty bad too.”

James leant out to hug his family, but stopped.

“What’s wrong, son?” his father said, padding closer.

James turned away.

“They aren’t my family. They’re just ponies. Brainwashed ponies.” James thought.

He turned towards them.

“You aren’t my family. You’re just brainwashed slaves to her!” he pointed to Celestia.

He expected anger from his father, but only saw sadness and disappointment, as with his mother and brother.

“You aren’t my family,” James said.

“They love you, James. Much more than you know.”

James looked at his family once again. They looked pleadingly at him.

“We love you, James. Come and live with us. Please,” His mother said.

Memories flashed through James’ head.

“Come on, quick! We have to escape!”

“James, Kyle, get into the sewers and follow the red line. We’ll be just after you.”

“AAGH!”

“DAD!”

“MUM”

“RUN!”

“KYLE! NOOO!”

“James Flint, we know you’re in there. Your family has been ponified. Join the herd and you can live with your family in peace.”

No! Leave me alone….

Tears were falling down his face. He cast his eyes down. His family and Celestia looked at him. James ran at Celestia.

“YOU BITCH! YOU BASTARD! ROT IN HELL!”

Again James felt the bubble of magic encase him. He struggled, but it did nothing. His parents cantered away, saying nothing. Celestia looked at him, eyes full of wisdom and he felt himself drifting away. The image became hazy, and he felt himself coming to…