The Conversion Bureau: Stormriders

By Silvertie

Part 4 of 3

Six pegasi gathered in a courtyard, tall human buildings surrounding them, the midnight sky streaked with smog and pollution. The Stormriders touched down to the damp concrete, and as one, sighed, their bones clicking as they finally earned their first real rest in days.

“Alright, Hailstone,” Frostbite coughed. “That’s the last of ‘em. Now what?”

“You’ve all been good to me,” Hailstone nodded. “You’ve stayed by my side throughout this bloody affair. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”

“Justice had to be served,” Blizzard dismissed. “We had to serve it.”

“We knew what we were getting into,” Icicle added.

“Thank you.” Hailstone sat down. “Truth is, I don’t know where we’re going from here. We’re probably wanted from here to Manehattan in Equestria.”

“So we’re just going to turn ourselves in?” Wind Chill raised an eyebrow.

“I guess,” Hailstone sighed, looking at his hooves. “Twenty seven storms in seven days... that’s gotta be a record.”

“Don’t be so hasty,” a voice rasped, coming from all directions at once. The six pegasi looked around, alarmed.

“Who’s there?” Sleet demanded. “Show yourself!”

“My name is Black Martyr,” the voice declared. “You six, and I, have something in common.”

“Speak, voice,” Hailstone replied, confident. “Or this meeting is over.”

“So impatient...” Martyr chuckled, a dry laugh. “We share a hatred of humanity, you and I. Humans have taken what we hold dearest from us without mercy. And they still seek to partake of our land of plenty...”

“Equestria for Equestrians,” Icicle guessed. “So you’re the Black Martyr...”

“How astute of you,” the voice chuckled again. “The Stormriders have made a name for themselves -- righteous retribution on wings of thunder and lightning. You weren’t very subtle about your killings, but you were very thorough. Our group could use ponies like you.”

“What’s the deal?” Hailstone cut to the quick.

“Safety. Protection. Like-minded allies,” Martyr’s voice left the offer hanging. “Very powerful friends. Wealth. All yours; to have Equestria’s best weather team on our side, no cost is too great.”

“What would we be doing?” Chill asked.

“Naturally, you would work the weather in our advantage,” Martyr elaborated. “Cloud cover to conceal our operatives from human eyes in the sky. Rain and storms to keep innocents inside. You may take on assassination jobs, if you so wish, but I understand that your previous killings were all in the name of clear-cut justice, so I will understand if you-”

“No, we’ll do it,” Hailstone coughed. “Or rather, I will. I can’t speak for everyone.”

“You don’t have to ask twice,” Frostbite said. “I’m in.”

“Same,” Icicle said.

“Got nowhere else to be,” Chill nodded. “I’m in.”

“With you to the end,” Blizzard grunted.

“Can’t leave you lot unsupervised,” Sleet sighed. “Snow’ll kill me in the Great Beyond if I did. I’m in.”

“Excellent,” Martyr said. “A full team. Remain where you are, Hope will guide you to a safe-house.”

A presence in the air suddenly vanished, and the Pegasi looked around in surprise when they heard a hoof splash in a puddle. A cowled pony looked at them, and wordlessly beckoned them with a hoof.

The Stormriders looked at one another, and nodded.

Stormriders rode together.

Stormriders flew together.