The Conversion Bureau: Iron Horses

Sir Topham Hatt was reading the newspaper in his office as he enjoyed his morning tea with the radio on. “In other news multiple conversion clinics have happily reported the first tests of conversion were a huge success and the participating patients have been shown with high spirits.”

Sir Topham Hatt smiled a bit. It was his railway that played a part in building one of these clinics on Sodor near the town of Harwhick. He was just about to take another sip of tea when the door knocked. “Come in.”

The door opened and a small earth pony stallion came trotting in. He was dark blue with a dark gray mane. He was wearing a railway workers uniform. The controller was confused. While he was planning on hiring ponies for his railway he never had any applicants yet. “Excuse me but where did you get that uniform?” he asked the pony.

“Sir it's me, Albert,” the pony replied.

Sir Topham’s jaw dropped as he stared at the pony that was one of his workers. “A-Albert, what in the world has happened to you?”

“An amazing transformation sir,” replied Albert. “You have no idea how happy I am. The doctors recommended conversion and it not only changed me but it cured me of my disease.”

Sir Topham Hatt was flabbergasted but regained his composure. “Well, do you feel well enough to return to work?”

“Oh yes sir the doctors say I should be free to do anything with this body,” Albert responded happily.

“Well for the time being I’ll put you on light yard work just in case,” Sir Topham said.

Throughout the week Albert has been seen helping out as much as he can around the yards at Knapford. Despite now being a small pony he could actually lift more and even bucked a box van just to show off his strength it surprisingly rolled a few feet. The other workmen and even some of the engines were impressed. “Maybe we should have more ponies working on this railway,” said Percy, the small green engine.

Later that week Sir Topham Hatt was doing a bit of paperwork in his office when the knocking of his door came. “Come in.”

Albert trotted in looking very excited. “Sir, I would like to take an early start to my weekend.”

“Not coming in tomorrow? Whatever for?” asked the Fat Controller.

“Well sir, I finally convinced my wife and son to undergo conversion therapy with me. They are not sick or anything, but we came to the agreement that it would be better to explore the pony life together.”

Sir Topham Hatt looked at him confused. “But I thought the conversion treatment was for the terminally ill.”

“It is.” Albert said. “But it's also for people who want to change. If you were smart you would join us.”

Sir Topham Hatt chuckled. “Oh no, I prefer to keep using my hands. I’m happy with what I am.”

Albert, to his boss’s surprise, then scowled at him. “Why waste your time being an ape?” he asked with slight anger as he walked out of the office. Sir Topham Hatt was surprised by this sudden change in demeanor.

He didn’t wonder for long until another man came into his office. This one was one of the station porters “You noticed it too?” he asked.

“Noticed what?” Sir Topham asked with a raised brow.

“Ever since Albert came back he’s been preaching the joys of being a pony and telling us about Princess Celestia like a bible preacher.”

“What?” Sir Topham asked, confused. “But I see him in church on Sundays. Well, either way keep an eye on his behavior. I don't want him pressuring people. Oh and do tell your colleagues.”

Meanwhile outside the office Gordon, a large blue engine came gliding into the station with the express. As he slowed to a stop he noticed Albert glaring at his coaches. Before Gordon could ask anything Albert then started approaching the passengers that were disembarking from the train. “Listen Humans! Celestia is our new god! We must change for her vision!”

Everyone stopped and looked at Albert confused. Even some of the pony passengers were bewildered by this. “We can’t keep being this way! Celestia will guide us all into the better future!”

“Okay sir, I think you need to leave,” said the Station master as he approached Albert to guide him away.

But just as he was about to, his hand was swatted away by a hoof. “Keep your paws off me you dirty ape!”

Everyone gasped. The station master just looked down at him annoyed. “Alright sir if you don’t leave I’m calling security.”

“Make me!” Albert said.

Next thing Gordon heard was the sound of a brawl as the human and pony attacked each other. Gordon blew his whistle which alerted the Fat Controller. He stepped out of his office to see the fight. He turned to a porter. “Get security and notify HR.”

Gordon just watched as Albert was dragged away by security guards. “Oh the indignity,” he muttered to himself.

Later that night at Tidmouth sheds, he told the other engines about it. “After he was taken away he was fired on the spot. To see a workman or pony act in such a manner it's just disgraceful.”

“Disgusting,” added James.

“Despicable,” finished Henry. “And to preach Celestia like that. I thought ponies were understanding of religion.”

“What makes you say that Henry?” Edward asked.

“Well this pony named Fluttershy was curious about the church of Wellsworth and I told her about the many human religions. She seemed very fascinated by it,” Henry explained.

“Albert’s not the only one acting like this,” Emily the Stirling engine said. “Several ponies that were once humans have been trying to pressure others into changing. I’ve seen it on my last passenger run and my driver says there are similar incidents happening all over the world.”

“She’s right,” Thomas added. “I saw a similar incident in Ffarquhar.”

“These ponies are going into hot waters now,” James said.

“I wouldn’t be blaming the ponies yet James,” Edward said. “It's just these changed humans that are acting irrationally.” He then let out a sigh. “But I fear this may get more difficult before it gets better.”

To the engines in that shed that statement would be more true that they thought.

Meanwhile Twilight Sparkle just finished tucking Spike into bed and was talking on a telephone. “The Newfoals have been showing erratic behavior. One even got into a brawl with the Station Master at Knapford.”

“They are just excited my dear student,” came the voice of Princess Celestia on the other end. “It will be slow but soon we will set the plan into full motion. You have informed your friends, yes?”

“Of course I even handed them the teleportation potion.”

“Very good, rest now my student. Things will be picking up very soon and only then the humans will have to make a choice.”

Twilight hung up and got ready for bed herself. She wants to believe she is doing the right thing but deep down she has a bad feeling about her mentor’s plans.