Prologue: Calm day on SodorView OnlineThe Conversion Bureau: Iron HorsesPrologue: Calm day on SodorThe sun rose high in the sky over an island off the northwest coast of England. A railway roundhouse was slowly gaining some activity as shed doors opened only for steam locomotives with faces slowly rolled out into the morning sun. These are the engines of the famous North Western Railway. One of these engines was just backing up to two coaches in the yards not too far from the sheds. “Morning ladies,” the engine said cheerfully. “Morning Thomas,” said one of the coaches. Thomas was a six wheeled E2 tank engine originally built for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway until he was transferred to the NWR. He wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but his home on Sodor where many of his friends live, both old and new. Speaking of new, as Thomas approached the platform he noticed something in the sky. He then whistled. “Morning Derpy.” Above Thomas in the sky high above the tracks, there was a grey pegasus with a wall eye stare. She looked down at Thomas, smiled, and waved as she flew off. Thomas smiled and as he waited for his first passengers to board, his mind went back to an event that happened not so long ago. About a year ago a strange Island appeared somewhere in the ocean roughly many miles from the Island of Sodor. Many people soon found out this mysterious island was an entire country filled with talking ponies. Many of them could fly and do magic. Naturally it took some time for the shock to settle in but soon the world met it’s ruler, a tall white alicorn dubbed Princess Celestia. She expressed an interest in a peaceful co-existence with the human world. It wasn’t long before nearly the entire world wanted to see these supposed alien equines. With Sodor being the closest land by a one day boat ride, it was natural for many ponies to come here and see the sites of Sodor. Thomas’s thoughts were interrupted by a guard’s whistle. He was soon on his way with his first local passenger run. He was excited as some of his passengers were ponies looking to travel on his branchline. As he traveled along he saw his good friend Henry in a siding. He had birds perched on him. Near him was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane. Thomas whistled hello to his friend who whistled back. Of course it scared the birds away but despite that both the large green engine and the pegasus laughed. Everywhere Thomas looked there was always a pony or some sapient equine exploring Sodor with curiosity and even interacting with the locals from people to engines. As he approached the junction on his return journey to the big station he stopped at a signal to let another train come by. Soon a large orange engine came thundering by pulling a long train with lumber, bricks, steel beams, and other construction material. “Wow,” he said. “What’s going on? Is a new station being built?” he asked his driver. “No,” replied the driver. “Some new fancy hospital is being built at Harwick.” “Oh I see,” Thomas said as his signal dropped and he continued on his way to Knapford Station. He soon pulled into the station and his passengers disembarked. However, much to the tank engine’s surprise, a little dragon came running up from his coach Annie. Thomas heard this Equestria nation had a young dragon living there. “Oh hello there young one. Did you enjoy your trip on my branchline?” The little dragon nodded as the driver stepped out of Thomas’s cab. “Hey kid, want to see how this engine runs?” The little dragon nodded excitedly but as he stepped forward a voice shouted. “Spike! Our bus is leaving soon!” A lavender alicorn was by the entrance and was waving the dragon over. Spike was disappointed but walked away towards the alicorn anyway. Thomas was also slightly disappointed but on the other hand he was confused. Bertie nor Bulgy the buses would leave so soon he doesn't even think they arrived yet. Spike soon caught up with the pony at the entrance. The pony looked down at him with an almost annoyed look. “I thought I told you to not interact with them as much,” she said. “Aw, but Twilight I just wanted to see how he worked,” Spike groaned. “That's why we have books and this so-called Internet,” Twilight said with a small hint of anger. Spike now knew it was best to not push his luck further. Meanwhile in an office a man was looking over the railway schedule. This man was Sir Topham Hatt otherwise known as the Fat Controller. As he was reading over the schedule a knock came. “Come in, the door is open,” he called. A man walked in, stumbling a bit. He was dressed in overalls. “Ah Albert,” the Controller said. “How can I help…” he trailed off as he noticed his stance and his sweat. “Good lord Albert, you look worse than yesterday.” “Yes sir,” Albert responded before letting out a slight cough. “My wife is right, I think it's really serious. I think I need to take the rest of the day off.” Sir Topham stood up and walked to the door and opened it. “Albert, take a week off and see a doctor. I don’t want to see you in that uniform until I know you’re well.” “Thank you sir,” Albert said as he began walking to the door. Meanwhile Twilight Sparkle was in a phone booth while Spike was playing on a playground nearby in the park. “Your majesty, is it ready?” she asked. “Yes my student,” a voice on the phone responded. “The formula has worked well although I made a few minor adjustments to improve its effectiveness.” “That's good but are you sure this is necessary? I mean what if they resist?” “They need this Twilight,” Celestia responded. “Their history is horrific and we can’t let them go on like this. War, Greed, Dogma, all that ends. The only thing we now need is to test this on a terminally ill person.” “Of course your majesty,” Twilight responded as he noticed a man in a railway uniform walking towards what looked like a clinic. “It will be done.”
Chapter 1: Newfoals on SodorView OnlineThe Conversion Bureau: Iron HorsesChapter 1: Newfoals on SodorSir 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.
Chapter 2: Storm on SodorView OnlineThe Conversion Bureau: Iron HorsesChapter 2: Storm on SodorAbout a week has passed since the small fight at Knapford Station. Ever since then, the engines and humans have been keeping a close eye on the ponies. The ordeal was also affecting how most interactions would go. The reactions vary as James the red engine found out. He grumbled as he pulled into Wellsworth station with a local passenger train. As his passengers disembarked he just moaned. “As if that pony has taste. Like he would know what a good coat of color is.” “Oh? What’s that about a good coat?” asked a voice. James looked on to the platform to see a white unicorn with a dark purple mane. He knew this pony was named Rarity. A well known fashionista from Equestria. “Oh great, here to say my splendid red coat is ugly on a human made machine?” he grumbled as he looked away. “Oh no darling, I think your red coat is splendid.” This caught James by surprise as his eyes darted back to the unicorn. “Really? My coat is splendid?” “Oh yes darling, I do believe red is a proper color for an engine like you,” she said. “Oh, why thank you, it's nice to know some ponies have taste,” James said. “Yes and if I might say those stripes look-” she stopped as she heard a buzzing from the saddle bag she had on. Her horn lit up and she pulled out what looked like a mobile phone. After a few seconds of glancing at the screen her once confused look went to worry. “Oh so sorry darling, I have to go,” she said as she turned and trotted into the station. James was confused and it only grew as he glanced around the platform to see other ponies reacting the same. Getting a message on their phones and leaving the platform. “What's all that about?” he asked himself. Meanwhile Ryan, a purple class N2 tank engine, was traveling up the line with a small goods train. It hadn’t been an easy morning for him as newfoals had been protesting in the streets and berating humans. It didn’t do the situation good considering the conversion clinic was built in town. At least he would be away from there for a while. “Typical baseless propaganda nonsense,” complained his driver. “I know,” Ryan said. “Now we can only hope Charlie doesn’t make them worse with his jokes.” “Or we can hope they can make him shut up,” his fireman complained. “I never did like his jokes.” Ryan continued on until they reached a junction where their signal was red. After stopping Daisy, the diesel railcar slowly came by. She had barely a few passengers on her. As she passed by she looked at Ryan with a frown. “Good luck,” Ryan said. “Thanks,” Daisy replied as she passed. After a few more minutes the signal dropped. Ryan started to move when a strange booming sound came from behind them. “What is that?” he asked. His driver looked back and gasped. There in the distance a strange dome was slowly expanding. “We have to move!” he shouted as he opened the regulator. Ryan took off like a rocket down the track as the dome behind them expanded. They began to slowly outrun the expanding forcefield behind them as they rounded a bend and there was the Miniature railway. All three engines watched in shock as Ryan charged through. Ryan just shut his eyes and prayed the little engines would be safe but then he felt his driver put on the brakes and he began to slow down. “What are you doing? We need to…go?” He stopped only to notice the giant dome stopped expanding and it was so close to touching Rex’s buffer. Rex carefully moved away and joined Mike and Bert as he asked the obvious question. “What’s all this about?” Meanwhile Thomas was making his way to Knapford with his two coaches. Then he heard a strange sound and saw something growing over the horizon. “What is that?” He asked, alarmed. “That doesn’t look good,” said his driver. They slowly entered the station where a crowd of people were looking out in the distance at the glowing translucent dome with concern and alarm. Even the workers and shunters in the yard stopped what they were doing and watched. Many radios and the few televisions in the station were tuned into the news to see what was going on. Thomas listened carefully to the one radio that was placed near him. “We are now receiving many reports of strange domes forming all over the world. The only thing we know about them is that they are originating from towns and cities that have conversion clinics set up, including, I regret to say, the one on Sodor,” explained the News anchor. “We urge any residents near Harwich to-” The news was cut off as static flooded both the radios and televisions which caused more concern to flood the station. The static then cut off and the Television displayed an image of Princess Celestia. “Citizens of Earth,” began Celestia, her voice as cold as an arctic chill. “While we appreciate you opening your arms to the prospect of friendship, I have reason to believe your species has long been plagued by war, greed, and bigotry. For that I offer you a solution: join my society of harmony and become my subjects and you'll be free from the problems of humanity. Should you refuse we will have no choice but to see you as the enemy. We don't want to but in times like these we need to make sacrifices for the good of harmony.” After that the static returned briefly before the news returned. Thomas felt scared as did the crowds of people. He was so scared he actually started shivering. He then heard a calm voice. “Thomas?” The blue engine darted his eyes and saw Sir Topham Hatt standing before him. “Thomas, leave your coaches and go back to the sheds. There will be an emergency meeting,” he said. “Y-yes sir,” Thomas responded as he left the station. A while later he was in his berth at Tidmouth sheds. He then saw two more engines approaching. Those being Emily and James. “Guys? What’s going on?” Thomas asked. “We were told to abandon our current jobs and come here,” James said as he backed into his shed. “Have you guys seen the others?” Thomas asked. “I’ve seen Edward,” began Emily. “He was helping Salty and Porter at the docks when all this started. He’ll be spending another night here because the yards at Wellsworth are full.” “Is Percy…” “I’m sure he’s fine,” finished James, “And so are the others. Wherever they are.” Meanwhile in the hallway of a clinic a human was thrashing himself on a gurney as it rolled down the hall. “Please! Let me go! I do not consent to this!” It all happened so fast. One her town was trapped under a dome the next moment some pony guards trapped her and forced her and a few others into a carriage all the while he saw two of Sodor’s engines being forced into a shed as she passed a yard. “Please ma’am,” the pony doctor said calmly. “This will all be over soon.” They soon arrived in a room where another pony was holding a syringe. “Be still ma’am this won’t hurt a bit. After a while you will love your pony body and our ruler.” All the woman could do was scream as the doctors made another pony out of a human civilian. In a forest a yellow pegasus just stared at the dome in the distance. She sighed as a deer nearby nuzzled her. “Thank you but are you sure I can trust him to help me?” On a tree nearby, the Sodor Warbler, a rare bird, tweeted to her. “Yes he is my friend but can he-” She was cut off as the bird chirped more. “You’re right, I have to be brave and hope for the best.” She slowly stepped out from the bush she was hiding and looked down the track. Then a whistle sounded. Fluttershy smiled as she recognized the whistle. Somehow she felt comfort knowing an engine who appreciated the forest was coming. Deep down she hopes she is still friends with the engine that was slowly approaching her. The engine that was named Henry. Author's Note Sorry its been a while. Had to deal with some stuff.