Agent Six, Reporting For Duty!

       Agent Six opens her eyes, waking up with a yawn. She gets out of bed as she stretches and puts her clothes and saddlebag on. She trots to the door and leaves her room. Making her way to the exit, she ponders when the mayor will be available. She trots out of the inn and makes her way to a shop known as Quills and Sofas. Meanwhile, another memory plays in her head.

     “I certainly cannot wait until our big day.” Diamond Shield said to her fiancé. It had been three weeks since they became engaged.

     The stallion smiled at Diamond. “I know honey. But you know that there is no other option.”

       “I know.” She smiled back. “I’m just ecstatic is all. It will be the day that you and I have waited years for. We will have a happy family. It’s hard not to think about.”

   “Yeah. I am excited too. You look so beautiful…”

      Diamond Shield blushed “Thank you. Might I just say how dashing you look?” She smiled.

        “My darling…” The stallion lifts Diamond Shield and leaned her back to plant a kiss on her cheek. “If it would please you…”

     Diamond Shield’s eyes sparkled. “You are far more dashing than Prince Blueblood of Canterlot.”

        The flashback ends as Agent Six shakes her head. “Hmm…” Agent Six eyes a sign on a building. “Quills & Sofas.” After a little consideration, Agent Six trots into the shop. “Hello…” She greets the shopkeeper at the counter as she approaches.

        The shopkeeper turns to face Agent Six. “Hello there madam. How may Davenport help you today?” Davenport asks in a pleasant tone.

      “I would like to purchase some fine phoenix feather quills.” Agent Six says to Davenport.

       “Ooooh, a mare with expensive tastes.” Davenport grins.

           Agent Six chuckles. “I DO have rather expensive tastes.”

     “I like that. You’ve no idea. As a bonus offer, if you buy a dozen phoenix feather quills, you get fifty percent off on a comfy padded sofa of your choice.” Davenport offers.

      “Hmm…” Agent Six spies a tiger-stripe designed sofa. “I’ll take that one. The one with the stripes.” Agent Six sets a bag of bits down on the counter.

     “Delightful. Would you for the sofa to be delivered to your home? It’s free.” Davenport says, hoofing a dozen phoenix quills to Agent Six.

    “Yes.” Agent Six packs the quills neatly into her saddlebag. “But not right now.”

    “You would like us to keep the sofa? For how long?” Davenport asks.

      “Until I have a proper home. At this moment, I have only an inn room. As soon as I have a home to call my own, I will let you know. Have a good day.” Agent Six says to Davenport and turns to leave the shop.

             “Good day, Ms. Thank you for choosing Quills & Sofas!” Davenport waves.

          Upon exiting the shop, Agent Six levitates the liquid-filled test tube and examines it. She frowns, discovering that the liquid seems to have undergone serious discoloration from containment. She pulls the cork off with her teeth and pours the stuff out. She puts the cork back on the test tube and places it back into her saddlebag. Deciding that she has not done enough research, Agent Six trots on her way to where she got the liquid in the first place.

     En route, Agent Six ponders what the green liquid actually is. She has already eliminated the possibilities of sewage and toxic waste. So what else could it be? Only one way to find out, she thinks. She sighs, eager to find out what it is.

    Soon enough, she arrives within the darkened territory. Being wary, she approaches the liquid-filled fountain.  She kneels beside the fountain and takes the test tube out again. “Here we go.” Agent Six lowers the test tube toward the green liquid, unaware that a potential threat approaches from behind. Her ears perk up. “I’ll be with you in a moment. You poor ponies have an awful sewage system. Or something to an oddly sweet effect.” Agent Six says while filling the test tube.

      The figure hisses at her. “Ponies? I think not. What are you doing here?” The figure asks.

    “Did you just-?” Agent Six turns, only to come face-to-face with a changeling. “Oh…a spyling. And a male one at that.”

      The creature that Agent Six called a “spyling” grins a fanged grin. “Spy? You wish. You do realize that you are in our domain, right pony?”

     “I did not realize that until now, changeling.” Agent Six shoves the changeling away lightly with her hoof. A small dog growls while hiding behind the changeling’s wings. “And if you must know, I am here to analyze this green slime.”

     The changeling budges slightly from her push. “That “green slime” is our food. And I would like for you to leave it alone.”

     “Your food…? Fine. I’ll let your food be…IF you tell me just what this stuff. Clearly it is not sewage. What is your food called, Mister…?” Agent Six asks.

      “Calm down, fluffy.” The changeling says to the dog, who is now barking at Agent Six. “I’m Raptor. An Alpha here. And this is called Amrita. Which I would prefer that you do not contaminate it.”

     Agent Six levitates a biscuit to the dog. The dog sniffs the treat and proceeds to eat it. She takes Raptor’s words in. “Fine. Fair enough…” She sticks the test tube in Raptor’s mouth like a foal’s bottle. “Take your Amrita back. Thank you for answering my question. I must say that for a stallion of your uncivilized race.”

   Raptor takes the test tube out of his mouth and eyes Agent Six. “You’re trespassing, you know that right? What is your name intruder?”

       Agent Six smirks. “Aww…am I trespassing? You poor thing. I only thought to get information. Quite frankly, I am not a fan of your kind. You feed on equine emotions. A characteristic that is, in my point of view, useless. Perhaps your kind need bread in your savage daily lives. As for what my name is, that is…privileged information.”

    Raptor rolls his eyes. His head is covered in dog treat crumbs. “Suit yourself Ms. But why do you need information about us?” He asks.

       “I did not say that I wanted information about your kind Raptor. I really just needed information on your…” Agent Six eyes the fountain before returning her attention to the changeling before her. “…food as you called it. I came here while exploring the other day. As I had mentioned before, I did not realize that I had entered your kind’s domain. I apologize if I came off as an intruder.”

    “Hmm…as long as you don’t prove to be a threat against us, I see no problem with you being here.” The changeling eyes Agent Six. “But you can’t stay here…well, not long anyway.” He smiles at her.

    Agent Six tips Raptor’s head up by placing her tail against his chin. “Tell you what. As long as you do not prove a threat to me, I won’t be a threat to you. BUT…” She gets eye to eye with the changeling. “If you ever cross me like you would have done today, I can guarantee that you will regret it.”

    “Hm…” The stallion nods dubiously. “I see. Well good day anyway.”

     “I mean what I said. You would regret it for the rest of your days Mister Raptor. You have been warned. I know a stallion’s weakness. Even that of your kind’s. Good day. And you can keep the test tube.” Agent Six turns to trot back on her way home.”

     “What a strange mare.” Raptor whispers to the dog.

           Soon, Agent Six arrives back in Ponyville. She passes by two stallions. One of which is very pale. She hides a cringe. Are stallions usually so pale? Sheesh. She thinks to herself. Like the night before, a rumble makes itself known in her belly. How lovely. She trots into a restaurant and saltlick bar to dine and again drown her sorrows away. Sorrows that she wishes would die.

        Agent Six takes a seat and addresses the barkeep. “Get me a plate of hay fries with a side of salad.” She says.

     “Alright. Would you like anything to drink?” The barkeep asks.

    “Apple juice. With a saltlick in it, please.” She replies.

    “Comin’ right up.” The barkeep submits the order as she goes deep into thought. Soon after, her meal arrives with her drink. “Order up!” The barkeep announces.

       “Thank you.” Agent Six starts to dine on her meal.

      “It is such a beautiful evening. Wouldn’t you say?” Diamond Shield asked her fiancé.

      The stallion wrapped a hoof around her waist. “It certainly is, my sweet Diamond. But as always, your beauty surpasses that of the sun and moon.”

       “Yes, about that complement.” Diamond Shield frowned.

      The stallion frowned back. “Hm? What is my dearest? Have I offended you?”

     “N-no. I appreciate the complement. It’s just that, I don’t want to surpass the sun’s beauty. Nor the moon’s. I want my beauty to have a uniqueness that only you can see.” Diamond Shield said, her smile returning.

    “. . .” The stallion grinned, taking this into consideration. “Of course my dear. If that is what you wish.” He nuzzled her mane.

      Diamond Shield giggled. “I love you…”

     “As I love you, Diamond Shield. We shall never drift apart. We never will.” I promised.” The stallion said softly.

     By the time this flashback comes to a halt, Agent Six’s plate and glass is empty of all contents. She puts some bits down on the counter to pay for the meal. “Thank you…” She stands up from her seat and stumbles her way out of the bar. Her eyes are noticeably dilated, a clear sign that the saltlicks have taken effect. She shakes her head, making her way home. “Auck…my head…perhaps now is the time to return to the inn.”

     With no personal objection, Agent Six trots on her way to the inn for some needed rest.

       Agent Six opens her eyes, waking up with a yawn. She gets out of bed as she stretches and puts her clothes and saddlebag on. She trots to the door and leaves her room. Making her way to the exit, she ponders when the mayor will be available. She trots out of the inn and makes her way to a shop known as Quills and Sofas. Meanwhile, another memory plays in her head.

     “I certainly cannot wait until our big day.” Diamond Shield said to her fiancé. It had been three weeks since they became engaged.

     The stallion smiled at Diamond. “I know honey. But you know that there is no other option.”

      “I know.” She smiled back. “I’m just ecstatic is all. It will be the day that you and I have waited years for. We will have a happy family. It’s hard not to think about.”

   “Yeah. I am excited too. You look so beautiful…”

      Diamond Shield blushed “Thank you. Might I just say how dashing you look?” She smiled.

      “My darling…” The stallion lifts Diamond Shield and leaned her back to plant a kiss on her cheek. “If it would please you…”

     Diamond Shield’s eyes sparkled. “You are far more dashing than Prince Blueblood of Canterlot.”

        The flashback ends as Agent Six shakes her head. “Hmm…” Agent Six eyes a sign on a building. “Quills & Sofas.” After a little consideration, Agent Six trots into the shop. “Hello…” She greets the shopkeeper at the counter as she approaches.

     The shopkeeper turns to face Agent Six. “Hello there madam. How may Davenport help you today?” Davenport asks in a pleasant tone.

     “I would like to purchase some fine phoenix feather quills.” Agent Six says to Davenport.

        “Ooooh, a mare with expensive tastes.” Davenport grins.

     Agent Six chuckles. “I DO have rather expensive tastes.”

     “I like that. You’ve no idea. As a bonus offer, if you buy a dozen phoenix feather quills, you get fifty percent off on a comfy padded sofa of your choice.” Davenport offers.

      “Hmm…” Agent Six spies a tiger-stripe designed sofa. “I’ll take that one. The one with the stripes.” Agent Six sets a bag of bits down on the counter.

     “Delightful. Would you for the sofa to be delivered to your home? It’s free.” Davenport says, hoofing a dozen phoenix quills to Agent Six.

    “Yes.” Agent Six packs the quills neatly into her saddlebag. “But not right now.”

    “You would like us to keep the sofa? For how long?” Davenport asks.

      “Until I have a proper home. At this moment, I have only an inn room. As soon as I have a home to call my own, I will let you know. Have a good day.” Agent Six says to Davenport and turns to leave the shop.

            “Good day, Ms. Thank you for choosing Quills & Sofas!” Davenport waves.

          Upon exiting the shop, Agent Six levitates the liquid-filled test tube and examines it. She frowns, discovering that the liquid seems to have undergone serious discoloration from containment. She pulls the cork off with her teeth and pours the stuff out. She puts the cork back on the test tube and places it back into her saddlebag. Deciding that she has not done enough research, Agent Six trots on her way to where she got the liquid in the first place.

     En route, Agent Six ponders what the green liquid actually is. She has already eliminated the possibilities of sewage and toxic waste. So what else could it be? Only one way to find out, she thinks. She sighs, eager to find out what it is.

    Soon enough, she arrives within the darkened territory. Being wary, she approaches the liquid-filled fountain.  She kneels beside the fountain and takes the test tube out again. “Here we go.” Agent Six lowers the test tube toward the green liquid, unaware that a potential threat approaches from behind. Her ears perk up. “I’ll be with you in a moment. You poor ponies have an awful sewage system. Or something to an oddly sweet effect.” Agent Six says while filling the test tube.

      The figure hisses at her. “Ponies? I think not. What are you doing here?” The figure asks.

    “Did you just-?” Agent Six turns, only to come face-to-face with a changeling. “Oh…a spyling. And a male one at that.”

     The creature that Agent Six called a “spyling” grins a fanged grin. “Spy? You wish. You do realize that you are in our domain, right pony?”

     “I did not realize that until now, changeling.” Agent Six shoves the changeling away lightly with her hoof. A small dog growls while hiding behind the changeling’s wings. “And if you must know, I am here to analyze this green slime.”

     The changeling budges slightly from her push. “That “green slime” is our food. And I would like for you to leave it alone.”

     “Your food…? Fine. I’ll let your food be…IF you tell me just what this stuff. Clearly it is not sewage. What is your food called, Mister…?” Agent Six asks.

      “Calm down, fluffy.” The changeling says to the dog, who is now barking at Agent Six. “I’m Raptor. An Alpha here. And this is called Amrita. Which I would prefer that you do not contaminate it.”

     Agent Six levitates a biscuit to the dog. The dog sniffs the treat and proceeds to eat it. She takes Raptor’s words in. “Fine. Fair enough…” She sticks the test tube in Raptor’s mouth like a foal’s bottle. “Take your Amrita back. Thank you for answering my question. I must say that for a stallion of your uncivilized race.”

   Raptor takes the test tube out of his mouth and eyes Agent Six. “You’re trespassing, you know that right? What is your name intruder?”

    Agent Six smirks. “Aww…am I trespassing? You poor thing. I only thought to get information. Quite frankly, I am not a fan of your kind. You feed on equine emotions. A characteristic that is, in my point of view, useless. Perhaps your kind need bread in your savage daily lives. As for what my name is, that is…privileged information.”

    Raptor rolls his eyes. His head is covered in dog treat crumbs. “Suit yourself Ms. But why do you need information about us?” He asks.

    “I did not say that I wanted information about your kind Raptor. I really just needed information on your…” Agent Six eyes the fountain before returning her attention to the changeling before her. “…food as you called it. I came here while exploring the other day. As I had mentioned before, I did not realize that I had entered your kind’s domain. I apologize if I came off as an intruder.”

    “Hmm…as long as you don’t prove to be a threat against us, I see no problem with you being here.” The changeling eyes Agent Six. “But you can’t stay here…well, not long anyway.” He smiles at her.

    Agent Six tips Raptor’s head up by placing her tail against his chin. “Tell you what. As long as you do not prove a threat to me, I won’t be a threat to you. BUT…” She gets eye to eye with the changeling. “If you ever cross me like you would have done today, I can guarantee that you will regret it.”

    “Hm…” The stallion nods dubiously. “I see. Well good day anyway.”

     “I mean what I said. You would regret it for the rest of your days Mister Raptor. You have been warned. I know a stallion’s weakness. Even that of your kind’s. Good day. And you can keep the test tube.” Agent Six turns to trot back on her way home.”

     “What a strange mare.” Raptor whispers to the dog.

          Soon, Agent Six arrives back in Ponyville. She passes by two stallions. One of which is very pale. She hides a cringe. Are stallions usually so pale? Sheesh. She thinks to herself. Like the night before, a rumble makes itself known in her belly. How lovely. She trots into a restaurant and saltlick bar to dine and again drown her sorrows away. Sorrows that she wishes would die.

        Agent Six takes a seat and addresses the barkeep. “Get me a plate of hay fries with a side of salad.” She says.

     “Alright. Would you like anything to drink?” The barkeep asks.

    “Apple juice. With a saltlick in it, please.” She replies.

    “Comin’ right up.” The barkeep submits the order as she goes deep into thought. Soon after, her meal arrives with her drink. “Order up!” The barkeep announces.

     “Thank you.” Agent Six starts to dine on her meal.

      “It is such a beautiful evening. Wouldn’t you say?” Diamond Shield asked her fiancé.

      The stallion wrapped a hoof around her waist. “It certainly is, my sweet Diamond. But as always, your beauty surpasses that of the sun and moon.”

    “Yes, about that complement.” Diamond Shield frowned.

   The stallion frowned back. “Hm? What is my dearest? Have I offended you?”

    “N-no. I appreciate the complement. It’s just that, I don’t want to surpass the sun’s beauty. Nor the moon’s. I want my beauty to have a uniqueness that only you can see.” Diamond Shield said, her smile returning.

    “. . .” The stallion grinned, taking this into consideration. “Of course my dear. If that is what you wish.” He nuzzled her mane.

    Diamond Shield giggled. “I love you…”

    “As I love you, Diamond Shield. We shall never drift apart. We never will.” I promised.” The stallion said softly.

     By the time this flashback comes to a halt, Agent Six’s plate and glass is empty of all contents. She puts some bits down on the counter to pay for the meal. “Thank you…” She stands up from her seat and stumbles her way out of the bar. Her eyes are noticeably dilated, a clear sign that the saltlicks have taken effect. She shakes her head, making her way home. “Auck…my head…perhaps now is the time to return to the inn.”

     With no personal objection, Agent Six trots on her way to the inn for some needed rest.

            The next evening, Agent Six trots around Ponyville after a terrible morning hangover. Nearby, a familiar green-coated Pegasus stallion has his eyes on her. Agent Six looks in his direction. “What are you looking at?” She asks coldly.

       “Just the little outfit you’re wearing. What gives?” The stallion asks.

    Agent Six approaches the stallion. “Do you have a problem with my outfit?”

    “No. Just wondering what it’s for.” He shrugs.

     “The purpose of my outfit is classified.” Agent Six replies to the stallion.

         The stallion raises an eyebrow. “Classified. Riiight.”

        “Yes. Classified.” She flips her mane. “You stallions are far too curious. Perhaps even for your own good.”

     “Maybe we don’t want suspicious-looking ponies around…” The stallion replies.

     “Suspicious? Me?” Agent Six scoffs at the nosy stallion. “Who asks a mare about her outfit? THAT is suspicious.”

      “Who goes around wearing THAT? It’s bound to cause some curiosity.” The stallion says.

      Agent Six narrows her eyes at the stallion. “You are really starting to annoy me, stallion. I rather like my outfit.”

        “Maybe I should go then?” The stallion asks.

      Agent Six looks away. “Perhaps you should.” She and the stallion part ways. “Hmph…”

      A pony dressed in a black military-like outfit approaches Agent Six. “Ma’am, I advise that you read this.” The pony says, hoofing a note to her.

    “. . .?” Agent Six eyes the pony, and then takes the note to read it quietly to herself. “I am the commander of a small group of highly trained units, and I’d like to meet you. Be at the park in twenty. –EQV” Agent Six balls the note up and tosses it aside. “This MUST be a trap.” Agent Six rolls her eyes and makes her way to the park to meet with this anonymous commander. Her horn glows, just in case her suspicions of a trap are correct.

     It becomes apparent that the commander has found her first when he approaches her. An earth stallion. His coat is white in color. His mane is black with yellow stripes and his eyes are a dark blue hue. “Hello.” The stallion says, bearing a patch with the initials on the note.

    Agent Six stops to look at the stallion. “Are you the one who wanted to see me?” She asks.

    “Possibly.” The stallion replies.

     Agent Six maintains her horn’s glow, but it is not bright enough to see. “Who are you?”

     “Well, I could be an enemy, or an ally. Whichever you’d prefer.” The stallion grins.

         “I don’t want you as either. Stallions are not exactly my favorite choice for allies. Or enemies. Your sort can be deceptive.  She explains to the stallion.

       “Oh no, I don’t mean me personally. I meant the Vanguard. I’d like to see you as a member.” The stallion says.

     “What is the Vanguard?” She asks.

         “It’s an elite team of stallions and mares like you.  Trained…ready to serve.” The stallion simply explains.

     “What makes you think that I am a trained mare? Agent Six asks the stallion. “I am but an ordinary Equestrian citizen.”

          The stallion chuckles. “Now you and I both know that what you’re saying is a lie.”

     “What do you know about me, stallion?” Agent Six asks, her voice as frosty as ever.

       “More than you’d think.” The stallion says.

    Agent Six cocks an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

       “I know what kind of work you’re into. And we have work for a pony such as yourself.” The stallion answers.

      “All of my previous jobs entailed was guarding my queen and country.” Agent Six replies to the stallion. “Any other information is classified.”

       “Ah. Classified. That’s the kind of work I was speaking of Ms.” The stallion says, still grinning.

      “. . .” Agent Six smirks at the stallion. “I must say that for a stallion, you are quite clever. But any pony can say “classified”, and not know the meaning. We seem to be on a similar page in regards to status. Flattered as I am by your offer however, I’m afraid that I must decline. But…” Agent Six levitates a card to the stallion while her horn glows slightly brighter. “If you should ever need my services, you know who to find.”

    The stallion nods to her. “Soon.”

    Agent Six nods back. “Good day.” Agent Six puts a pair of shades on as a nearly blinding light comes from her horn. The stallion seems unfazed. When the light clears, she is no longer in front of the stallion.

    Agent Six reappears in her room at the inn. “Hmph. Stallions always need help. They’re too muddy lazy to help themselves.” Agent Six teleports herself into bed with a yawn and dozes off for yet another night.