Chapter 1View OnlineCulmination Of Actions PastChapter 1Putting down her game of Blackjack, Canterlot High School’s resident security officer blinked owlishly at the screen in front of her. Blinking once then rubbing her eyes and blinking again did nothing to dispel the image she she had on screen. Six figures had stumbled out of the Wondercolt statue at the front of the school. Her hair itched like crazy but she ignored the need to scratch it in favor of picking up her handheld radio and giving the sisters a heads-up. “Yo Celly, Lulu, this is Security. Six people just stepped outta the statue. Did Sunset tell you two anything about this? Over” Not even a second after she removed her finger from her radio Luna spoke. “Luna here. No. Sunset didn’t tell us anything about anyone coming through the statue today. Sister, would you call her and the girls to your office? Over.” “Luna, why don’t you go down and talk to them? I’ll send Raven down to get the girls; they’ll be in Miss Harshwhinny’s class now. Thank you Security; just keep doing what you do best.” Through the screens, Security saw the six figures walking towards the front doors of CHS. Luna was out of her office going to meet them. Her shirt was untucked and Security snickered. “So much for professionalism Lulu.” Security smiled, scratching that darned itch that had been bothering her for the last minute. The fact that she only got an itch that intense whenever something bad happened escaped her. Looking at the lobby camera, Security saw the six suited figures, three females and three males step through the front door and look around. They took a few more steps into the lobby, just enough so as to not obstruct the doors; leaned against the trophy display case and waited. Looking at the bank of screens, Security saw Luna round the corner of the same hallway the six people were in. she looked composed, but even through the cameras not so insignificant blurring Security could still feel Luna’s gaze. As Luna approached the unknown party Security scratched that abominable itch again. It just didn’t go away, it was getting annoying now. She scratched it harder. The short, clipped sound of Luna’s footsteps echoed around on the silent, unforgiving surfaces around her. As Luna got closer one of the men with stepped forward and Luna stopped walking, the man continued walking towards her until they were ten feet apart. Luna started first. “Why are all of you here?” The man in front of her nodded, his black hair waving to her. “Principal Luna. I am Steelhorn, Captain of the Royal Guard. We are here to pick up Sunset Shimmer.” Luna gazed at the man. She could not read him, it was disconcerting. “Why do you want to talk to her.” Steelhorn’s eye hardened and his voice took on a clinical tone and he recited words from rote. “There was an accident. Nopony survived.” He didn’t need to continue. Luna’s gaze didn’t shift, her eyes didn’t harden, instead, she took a deep breath in and a deep breath out, moving her right hand up and down in time with her breaths. After a minute of that Luna lifted her radio up to her lips and spoke into it. “Celestia, the men and women are from Equestria. Its better if we talk in person.” “Okay... Luna, what’s wrong?” Luna didn’t respond, she turned and motioned for the six people to follow her. As they walked down CHS’ hallways towards Celestia’s office they didn’t speak. After a time they reached Celestia’s office. Stopping outside the door Luna turned to the men, “Captain, this is a small room. Not all of us are going to fit in here. Are you going to tell Sunset what happened?” Steelhorn shook his head, stepped aside and motioned to a shorter man, one whose eyes were bloodshot and he seemed to be in a daze. “No ma’am I won’t be the one to tell Sunset. Night Light will be the one. Twilight was his daughter.” Silence hung in the air. Luna bowed her head and muttered something but she turned the door handle and motioned for Night Light to come inside. He followed her-- after Steelhorn gave him a light push and some hushed words-- like a lost puppy. Inside the office was a dense quiet, Celestia leaned on the corner of Ravens desk twiddling her fingers,as soon as she saw Luna her head snapped up but her eyes crinkled in confusion as she saw Night Light. “Luna wh-” Celestia never got a chance to finish her statement. Luna pulled her the right arm into a empty office. And office lobby was quiet again. Night Light was alone, in a chair, his head sunk into his hands and tears were gentley splattering on the dirty office carpet. Hushed voices came from outside the lobby and from the office that Luna and dragged Celestia into. But Night Light, so deep in grief heard none of that, all he could hear was the last words his darling daughter had said to him. “I don’t need help. I know what I’m doing.” ‘You stupid silly filly! Why! Why!’ “Why!” Night Light screamed as his grief came again like a tidal wave, collapsing him to his knees, his eyes streaming tears. He continued to wail and bash his fists on the office floor. And he was suddenly scooped up in someone’s arms. He struggled, fighting to get out of the hold. He wanted to be alone. He needed to be alone. And a voice spoke to him. One he thought he would never hear again. “I’m going to get her.” “No! Night-” “-Light! I’m so, so sorry.” Cried Celestia as Night Light weakly struggled in her arms, spraying her with tears as he continued to try to escape her. The office door opened and Steelhorn stepped in but he stopped halfway in the doorway as he saw Night Light sobbing into Celestia’s shoulder. Celestia... Standing at the doorway for what seemed an appropriate amount of time he cleared his throat. “Princess Celestia-” He paused, shook his head and resumed “- Principal Celestia. Sunset and the girls are outside. Should I send them in?” Celestia did not answer, instead she stroked Night Lights head as he vented onto her shoulder. She didn’t answer him. Instead, Luna stepped towards him and shook her head. “I’ll talk to her.” Steelhorn’s gaze turned apprehensive. “Are you-” “-Sure? Yes, I am. It’s not the first time I’ve had to this. It never gets any easier.” Luna took a step towards the office door, Steelhorn moved out of her way. Her eyes were clear and teary but they held an inner steel that spoke volumes. She pushed open the door and stepped out into the hallway. The steady scratch of pens and pencils on paper filled the air. As did one forbidden sound. Bzzzzzzzt... Bzzzzzzzt... The phone sat, unattended and woefully ignored but it continued to do its job. After all, someone forgot to turn it off right before taking a test. That, and it was still in that someone's jeans. Bzzzzzzzt... Bzzzzzzzt... “Sunset Shimmer!” Whipped an annoyed voice. “Bring your phone to me, now! And you can expect a zero for your test score today.” Sunset Shimmer. Former High School Queen; Former Monster, slowly rose from her desk, her test clenched in her left hand, her blank and dull phone dead in her right hand and approached miss Harshwhinny’s desk and placed her test and her phone on it. She returned to her seat, her stomach growling hard enough to give her cramps, it was a sore reminder that she had skipped breakfast. Wanting a way out of her situation she raised her hand and Miss Harshwhinny stared at her for a minute, throwing daggers with her eyes but eventually, she relented. “What is it.” Sunset quickly moaned two words, “Stomach cramps.” Harshwhinny’s face redenned as did Sunset’s and a dozen other people’s as they realized what she said and the implications of it. “Just-Just go.” Harshwhinny painfully moaned from under her facepalm. Sunset let out a quick victory smile, grabbed her book bag, and stood up from her seat not bothering to push it in. She got midway through the classroom, delayed by many knowing grins and a few awesome fist bumps when the classroom door opened and Principal Celestia's secretary, Raven and another man stepped in. Raven motioned for the man to stay by the door and she walked over to Sunset, “Sunset, six people stepped out of the portal a few minutes ago. Do you know anything about that?” Sunset took a step back, her face confused. “No. I-I don’t.” Raven cocked her head. “Okay-” Raven motioned for Sunset to stay where she was and went to Harshwhinny and talked with her. After a few minutes Raven pulled away “- Would Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Sunset please come with me.” Raven then walked out of the classroom, following closely behind Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Everyone of the seven people made it out of the classroom. When Sunset stepped out of the classroom she spotted two people in suits and froze. The person closest to her, a woman with a shock of silver running through her hair proffered a hand, “Sunset Shimmer. I’m Storm Keeper, Captain of the Lunar Guard.” Sunset stared at the offered ebony hand and slowly extended her own to shake it. “Thanks, I guess. But why are you guys here?” Storm Keeper dropped the handshake and looked past Sunset and recited as if from reading from a piece of paper. “If you and your friends could come with us there something we’d like to talk to you all about.” Storm Keeper turned around only to find a ball of pink obscuring her vision. Taking a step back she saw who it was. “Bearer of the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie. Is that right?” Pinkie took a step forward and shot hand forward and vigorously shook Store Keepers hand. “Yeppers! That’s me!-” Pinkie drew back and squinted, still shaking hands “- Sooo, if you and your friends just came through the portal does that mean...” Storm Keeper withdrew her hand and said in an exasperated sigh, “Yes Laughter, I’-” “- I’m going to have to throw a Pony Party!” She zoomed off only to have her hair clothes lined by the second person, a man with white hair and a scar running down past his right eye and hooking around his jawline. “Miss Pie, there will be time for-” He spat the word “-parties later. Right now it’s imperative that Sunset speaks with Night Light.” Twilight gasped, “My dad’s here?!” The man let go of Pinkies hair and turned to Twilight with wide eyes and half crouched in a bow, “Princess I-” He stopped, shook his head and rose from his half bow “- Sorry... My name is Storm Watcher, were from Equestria. The Night Light I was talking about is Princess Twilight Sparkles father.” Twilight’s eyes widened and she drew in a deep breathe, which was cut off by Storm Keeper. “Sparkle!” Twilight squeaked and jumped as Storm Keeper grabbed her shoulder. “This goes for you and everyone else. No questions until this matter is settled. Do all of you understand.” She finished with a stern tone and a frown. Everyone stared at her and nodded. Sunset looked at her with a frown and a glare. Rave turned to the group, “Celestia wanted me to bring all of you to her office. Let’s go.” They all walked down CHS’ hallways talking and laughing but for Sunset, everything seemed wrong. Everything had taken on a new look, a new meaning. The life she left behind, what did that mean to her now that it had come back to haunt her? Was her life here really better than the life she had left back in Equestria. In both lives she had friends, she could depend on them no matter the reason. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She shook her head and looked over, it was Storm Keeper. “Sunset, you’re not in trouble okay. Remember, Celestia pardoned you. You have a clean slate. No, we’re because- because there-” “-Keep!” Storm Watcher interrupted, “There’s a time and a place.” Storm Keeper huffed and moved away from Sunset. The group had reached the Principals offices, outside were three other, two men and a woman. The man leaning on the door frame looked up, startled. He looked around and when his gaze settled on the group’s approach, he opened the door and disappeared inside of it. The sound of crying came from inside. The sound filled everyone with dread. Most stopped upon hearing the sound, their faces masks of confusion and concern. But Twilight’s face was a mask of confusion and horror. The crying, it was her dad. She took a few steps forward but froze as the door opened. Luna and a man stepped out. Now that she was closer Twilight could see her dad being held by Principal Celestia. The door clicked shut, the sound went off like a gunshot in the hallway. Twilight rushed up to Luna, “Vice-Principal Luna! What happened? Why is my dad in there? Why is-” Luna looked down at Twilight, and Twilight stopped speaking. “Twilight I want you to sit down. Sunset, I want you to sit down as well.” Luna sat them down on chairs in a small alcove right next to Celestia’s office. They could faintly hear the crying from inside. Luna brought herself down to eye level with Sunset. “Sunset, Twilight.-” both girls looked at Luna and she looked back. A sense of dread built up in the air “- There was an accident. Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia didn’t make it.” Author's Note So... I'll go hide now and work on this story in my spare time.
Chapter 2View OnlineCulmination Of Actions PastChapter 2Far above Canterlot High, far above the Earth, far into space at the center of the galaxy the sun shone bright and true, dispersing its life giving light throughout it’s galaxy. As it’s light wove unseen past asteroids and planets, past satellites and clouds, it fell upon the tear streaked face of a father in mourning. In his world he used to love the sun and the sights it would bring to him each day. But now, now it left him with a sick and twisted feeling every time he woke up with its rays effortlessly caressing his face, indifferent to his plight. Now, he hated it. And being so close to such a perfect copy made his heart want to furiously wrench itself from his chest. Because every time she spoke he remembered, he remembered that he was the only one left. His son, Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire had locked and barricaded himself in his room to suffer in a spiral of grief that led ever downwards. Twilight Velvet’s heart gave out unable to cope with everything that was falling down around them. Luna... Poor poor Luna, she was locked in absolute denial, she kept telling every pony that Twilight and Celestia were alive, that it was just a feeling she had; that it was true. She had to be restrained and kept to her quarters because of her outbursts, they hurt everypony and re-opened old wounds, she was mocked and told off, she cried and raved but she went to her rooms... It was funny and sad really, because the truth is what the masses believe, and they believed that --after 2 weeks of searching and no signs of life-- Celestia and Twilight were dead. The fact that his son had locked himself away because he was denied access to the scene and the fact that his wife, Cadance had disappeared leaving only a note that Shining could read had broken the once proud stallion. And the worst part was that Night Light was dying too. He was losing hope, he was losing faith. And yet there he was, being comforted and cared for by the very image of the woman who had led Twilight to her death. And she was crying. And the same sun that had touched Night Light’s face tried to touch upon the faces of eight other mourning people. It couldn’t. It couldn’t bring warmth and joy to those who needed it because it could not shine through the cold, hard stone of CHS. Together they cried, whether it could be seen or not, they were all crying. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight, and Sunset all huddled together and released a river of tears. Luna stood leaning against a wall of lockers as she watched the girls grieve. She was no stranger to grief and pain after having spent several years in the armed forces, but she meant what she said, dealing with things like death and delivering the news never got any easier. For her at least. Luna did feel sad though, but not a soul crushing grief like what Sunset was going through. But she had to know, she had to make sure she was right. Luna turned to Steelhorn, “ Captain, what happened? How did the Princesses die?” Steelhorn was silent for a minute, Luna got the distinct impression that he did not want to answer her. But ever so slowly he uncrossed his arms, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, then recited, “Two and a-half weeks ago, Princess Twilight left to go to her lab which was based in the Castle of the Two Sisters deep in the Everfree Forest. She declined help from the Princesses and her father who is-was a leading expert in magical studies. But a couple of days later, Princess Celestia received a letter from Princess Twilight requesting help, she did not specify what type of help. As the afternoon approached, Princesses Luna and Cadance reportedly felt some disturbance from where Twilight’s lab was, they went to fly there but as they met in Ponyville, a magical field, larger and more comprehensive than anything either one of them had ever seen erupted from the location of Twilight’s lab. By the time Princess Luna and Cadance recovered from the initial shock they couldn’t even get in the forest. “Some sort of super potent magical radiation field was coming from the ruins and had spread throughout the Everfree Forest and the surrounding areas. Nothing survived. Experts spent a whole week looking at the area but there was nothing they could do. At that point, the forest and the land around it was labeled a ‘dead zone’. Nopony was allowed in, nopony was allowed out. The radiation sapped the magical and physical strength of any who entered it’s field and it was found that those who had been in the radiation field could contaminate others. As a result a quarantine was put in place around Ponyville and the Everfree Forest until a solution could be achieved. Last I heard, doctors were beginning preliminary tests to see if they could rid organic beings of this ‘radiation sickness’. “As of three days ago, it was determined that Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight would’ve died as a result of the catastrophic failure of one of Princess Twilight’s science experiments. “ The only thing that Princess Twilight told anypony was that she going to attempt to recreate something she had read about during her time here. Other than that, she didn’t tell anypony what it was, she kept it a secret. The conclusion that our analysts made was that Twilight messed up and called for Princess Celestia to help fix it. We can only hope that their deaths were quick and painless.” Throughout Steelhorn’s recitation, Luna did not look at him, she had her eyes locked on Sunset who was darting around, looking for something. By the time Steelhorn had finished, Sunset had her magical journal in hand and was muttering something under her breath while scribbling in the journal. Luna knew how that was going to end. She’d seen it before, she didn’t interfere. It was better if she didn’t interfere right now. Shaking her head and lifting it from Fluttershy’s ear, Applejack stood up and walked towards Luna with a conflicted expression. “Lu-Vice Prin-” Luna held up her hand and shook her head. “-Applejack... It’s Luna.” Applejack paused and nodded. “O-Okay-” She took a breath “-Did they feel any pain?” Luna was silent for a second as she nodded and Applejack grimly smiled. Turning, Applejack gave a small thankful wave to Luna, “Thanks for bein’ honest Luna. I needed that.” Applejack walked down the hall, turned away from the lockers then sunk back against them and slid to the ground, the sunlight was now in her face. She pulled her legs up and her arms hugged them. She rested her head on her knees and closed her eyes, tears coursing down her already soaked cheeks. Rainbow Dash was across the hall from Applejack. She was one of the few that could even come close to matching the volume of water pouring from Sunset’s eyes. But now, now she was silent and sulking, her mind trying to make sense of the world around her. Sliding down next to Rainbow Dash was Pinkie Pie. There was no smile on her face nor tears in her eyes, her formerly fluffy bubblegum pink hair was flat and covered her curled up form like a blanket holding her together. She was shaking like a leaf in an autumn breeze. But a few feet in front of Luna was a problem, Fluttershy and Rarity were together, balling their eyes out, Rarity’s makeup ran down her face and onto Fluttershy's dress but neither of them cared. Neither of them cared as they vented their grief through cries and sobs and hugs and choked reassurances to each other. But across from them, curled up in the same chair that she had sat down in, was Twilight. A recent addition to the wondercolts, Twilight was a genius and that was a problem. She over thought many simple problems and tasks and made a big deal out of them. But this news, this news was no small problem. She had died. She had died in a different world. How was the poor girl going to reason with that. If the other Twilight died, it was only a matter of time before she did too. But she didn’t want to die! She couldn’t die, she had so much to live for, she was supposed to go to college, get her PHD’s in science and mathematics; see her brother get married; have kids; grow old; then die. She wasn’t- she couldn’t die now she just couldn’t. She had a life to live, she was supposed to go to college; get her PHD’s in science and mathematics... As Luna saw Twilight sink deeper and deeper into the horrors of her mind, she saw Sunset break and hold her self together; break again and bind it together with willpower. But when she ran out, when her will fails her. What would she do? Something akin to a gunshot echoed throughout the hallway and Luna looked up, crouched, and focused. The door to her sister’s office had opened. That could mean only one thing. With a leap and a cry Luna was halfway across the hall but it was too late. Celestia had stepped out, Nightlight in tow. And everybody was staring at them. For Luna time had slowed. She saw Celestia’s sad, confused gaze focus on Sunset; Twilight’s broken facade lock onto her father; And Sunset’s grief fueled glare turning from Celestia to Rarity and Fluttershy her hand breaking the pen and it’s contents splashing over the journal as it snapped close with a bang. And time resumed. Luna stumbled into Celestia and Night Light backing them into the office. Twilight murmured, “Daddy?” And Sunset launched out of her chair, a hand aimed at Rarity, “SHUTUP! Shut! Up!” Sunset screamed at Rarity and Fluttershy as her hand streaked through the air and left an inky and bloody handprint on Rarity’s face. “Shutup! Shutupshutupshutupshutup-” Sunset was interrupted by a rainbow colored blur that tackled her to the ground. Luna stared for a second, Sunset had broken, she had attacked another student, she was on the ground being beaten by Rainbow Dash. And Luna lept into action. Leaping between the pair Luna quickly pulled Rainbow off Sunset and twisted her right arm behind her back and held her to the floor. Sunset was up a second later, a kick aimed at Rainbows face. It was blocked by Steelhorn’s shin as he tackled Sunset to the ground and restrained her. Rarity had stopped crying and was glaring daggers at Sunset. Rarity made to get up but was blocked by Storm Keeper as she got herself in a position to block Rarity from attacking Sunset. With the exception of heavy breathing, and the muted sound of Fluttershy crying the hallway as still as a crypt. The seconds ticked by as no one moved. With a quick breath Luna took the initiative. "Girls, I will contact your parents so they can come pick you up. You all have a week off to grieve." As Luna spoke, the tension in the air eased and everyone was able to breath just a bit easier. But one situation still needed to be taken care of. With caution in her voice Storm Keeper addressed the principals. "What about Sunset? Her parents are in Equestria and her teachers just died. I think it would be best if she came back with us." From behind her Rainbow Dash started, "Hey! We're her friends-" "- And friends help each other," Snapped Storm Keeper. "Which is-" "-I'll go." Once again the hallway was silent save for the faint rustling as everyone turned to Sunset. While most were silenced by the statement, one wasn't. "Sunset," Celestia called. "Are you sure you want to go back? You have your friends here, you have us. We're all grieving." The rustling was heard again as everyone looked to Sunset. "I- I'm sure." A solemn silence filled the space after her words. Celestia was the first to break it. "Sunset, are you sure." The only thing that Sunset could do was nod her head. The hallway fell silent once more as Sunset clambered to her feet with the help of Steelhorn. "Come on Sunset, let's get you up." Once Sunset was on her own two feet she made her way to her journal. Ignoring everyone's voices she picked the ink stained book up by one clean corner then hugged it close to her chest. Turning around, she was met with the intense stare of Rainbow Dash. "Sunset," Rainbow choked out. "I'm sorry." And she embraced her friend. What followed was a tearful separation for everyone. Sunset said her goodbyes and gave out her final hand shake to Vice Principal Luna. It was over all too soon. Steelhorn laid his hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Sunset Shimmer, it's time to go. I trust you said your goodbyes." Shakily, Sunset turned away from the portal, "Yes sir. Let's go- go h-home." Steelhorn walked through the portal first. Sunset followed a few seconds after him while waving a somber farewell to her friends. They continued to wave even as Sunset disappeared into the portal.
Chapter 3View OnlineCulmination Of Actions PastChapter 3Sunset has walked through the portal. She was in between two different planes now. Under her feet lay a winding path and around her swam a kaleidoscope of colors. Ten cautious steps in and a weird prickling sensation washed over her skin. At first she flinched at the unexpected feelings but gradually she warmed up to it. The prickles weren't painful, but they weren't comfortable either. They felt like waves of stinging ice hurled around during a winter storm. One particularly intense wave caught her attention. Looking up from the ground Sunset saw a faintly glowing rectangle in the distance. It was the entrance to Equestria. The rectangular pane of white light was... smaller than she remembered it. But then again she had grown quite a bit since she tried to steal Princess Twilight... Sparkle. Former Princess Twilight Sparkle’s Element- tiara thingy. Sunset stood before the entrance to Equestria and violently shook her head to rid herself of those destructive thoughts. She had to go forward. She had to get back into Equestria, if only so she could help them. Sunset took a step into the portal. The tingling around her body increased. Now it felt like she was getting a massage. The world around her started to bend and warp. The four corners of the portals pane shifted behind her leaving her in a field of shimmering white light. Closing her eyes Sunset took the final step towards her home. But just for a moment, just before she closed her eyes. Sunset could've sworn she saw flames and smoke curling around the red skin of her taloned hands. Sunset’s smoking body was violently ejected from the portal where she skidded to a stop amidst a group of four ponies. With her eyes rolling and her ears ringing Sunset Shimmer could not see or hear a thing. But she could feel. She could still feel the last remnants of the portals tingling magic working its way out of her system. She could most definitely feel her head being wrenched to the side. Then she was only faintly aware of the tingling sensation that surrounded her head. A few seconds later she was aware of nothing. One month ago. It was just another day on the clock. Another monster down. Another world -and countless lives- saved. Another pay check. And once again, another ‘unofficial’ meeting. Former Special Agent Sweetie Drops wandered the halls of a forgotten tactility as she reminisced about the old days, the good days. Days where all she had to do was care about capturing monsters and not- not baking sweets. Sure, did she like her new lifestyle? Yes. But did it have the same pizzazz? No. Hence the fact why she was wandering a forgotten facility reminiscing about her ‘glory days.’ She stopped and ran her hoof over one particular spot on a janitor's door. Sweetie Drops looked at the number. Door 978. Sweetie Drops let out a slight chortle, 978 was the year of her birth. Leaving the sign behind Sweetie Drops opened the janitorial supply closet and entered it. The door closed behind her with a soft kiss of wind. She looked around the room for one particular object. Manticore Plush. Cute... But not it. A Celestial Bit. Sweetie Drops picked it up in her right hoof and looked at it. It was minted in 972. A keeper then, unlike the new gold plated nickle bits. Sweetie Drops turned to her right. A big red button sat out in an open space on a concrete wall. It rested under a clear cover that had, ‘For Use in Case of Emergency’ scratched into the plexiglass. On top of the cover Sweetie Drops could see some faint scratches. ‘That means you Wet Mop!’ She would decidedly not press that button. Besides if she remembered anything from basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal training it was that you never pressed the red button. Sighing, Sweetie Drops drooped her head and looked at the hoof prints imprinted into the dust. They led to the red button. She moved to the red button. Looking closer she could see that there was dust on the bottom edge of the button. She sighed. Of course they would do that. Looking at the button Sweetie Drops opened the cover then unceremoniously pressed it with her hoof. A snap and a hiss emanated from behind her. She turned around letting the plexiglass casing fall and protect its charge once more. The shelving unit that held the Manticore Plush had shifted back an inch. Sweetie Drops pressed against it and the shelf moved back on its own letting a rectangle of harsh white light fall onto a cold concrete floor. Sweetie Drops stepped into the room and closed the secret door behind her. The wait was killing her. Time was of the essence. In the amount of time that had been given to this project The Director could've greased a few hooves, averted disaster or brought down some corrupt nobles. This new project was quickly becoming a bother. So then, why was she wasting her time sitting in some ‘secret’ room beneath the middle of Nowhere? Sweetie Drops, that's why. After the ‘Special Agents’ gross mishandling of the Bugbear and its subsequent escape, Princess Celestia came to personally shut down one of the most productive agencies Equestria had ever known. Of course in that one year all evidence of the Agency’s existence was ‘destroyed.’ ‘All’ of its employees were fired and sent to various towns across Equestria to resume new lives with new identities. The Princess had a say in where some of her ‘little ponies’ ended up. Such was the case for one mare even though she didn't know it. That mare was the former Special Agent Sweetie Drops; the one responsible for the whole mess. Unfortunately given recent events like Nightmare Moon, Tirek, and Sombra; Celestia had seen it fit to re-activate the agency and ensure that it operated under her full supervision. But what she didn't know was that the agency was already operating outside her purview. And they were doing very well. Though that was to be expected given the less than noticeable lack of ‘Special Agent’ Sweetie Drops. However; given her recent performance and the even more recent projects the Agency had found itself understaffed. They tried the usual lineup, posters, house calls, applications, agent retrieval and re-activation. They were close to full strength but some project managers were begging for more ponies. They could get their precious ponies as soon as there were more. Hence the risky activation of ‘Special Agent’ Sweetie Drops. So far her progress was... less then desirable. Mainly she was late. Like two whole minutes late. It was unacceptable yet The Director really had no choice. There were more projects coming up and they needed to be staffed. A quick glance at the clock above the ‘secret’ door showed that Sweetie Drops was now two minutes and thirty seconds late. The Director let out a disappointed sigh. And the door finally slid open leaving a harsh rectangle of white light on the floor which was quickly obscured by the problematic pony. The Director sat up in the chair and prepared to give that little pony a good solidly prepared speech. For Sweetie Drops her ‘interview’ had begun as soon as she left her shop in Ponyville. She had followed the trail of clues to an out of the way building. She had found a way inside. Then she found the right doors. Overall, her performance was below that of a rather infamous wall eyed agent. It was a pity. Then again, all Sweetie Drops did was bake all day, she didn't practice much, except for that bugbear incident which was just about the only time she actually got to use her old skills. But when she sat down on the cold lumpy chair her superior turned up the heat. There were no polite introductions, there was only the cold clinical tone of a uninterested doctor. “Answer yes or no to the following questions. Your name is Candy Swirl. Code Name: Sweetie Drops. Alias: Bon Bon.” Sweetie Drops nodded cautiously. “Yes.” “Gender: Female.” A confident ‘yes’ came out of Sweetie Drops. It sounded much more confident than she felt. “Place of Birth: Canterlot.” “Yes.” “Date of Birth: Fall season; Year 978 of Princess Celestia’s rule.” Bon Bon paused and thought back. “Yes” “Height: 11 hooves or 44 inches.” Again there was a pause quickly followed by a confident sounding ‘yes’. “Race: Earth.” “Yep.” Her examiner let out an exasperated breath and recited the lines, “Please answer the question with a yes or a no.” In a very bored voice. Bon Bon quaked a bit under the rebuttal and squeaked out a mousy sounding ‘yes’. “Hair: Cobalt blue and Fuschia stripes.” “Yes.” “Eye color: Arctic Blue.” Bon Bon rested her forehead on the edge of the table and mumbled an affirmative. “Wife: Lyra Heartstrings.” “Yes.” There were no more questions, just a taut rope of silence as her superior’s words filtered through to her bored brain. She processed it then snapped the rope. “WHAT!” Sweetie Drops had leapt up off her chair in shock and anger. When she landed she leaned over the table to get as close as she could to her superior and gave him a piece of her mind. “Lyra Heartstrings and I are not married, hitched, or special some ponies! We are roommates nothing more then that.” Taking a deep breath to recover after her rebuttal Sweetie Drops sat down in her chair and stared at her superior. Said superior was busy wiping the residue of Sweetie Drops’ furious little tirade from her muzzle. That action went on for a couple of minutes, just to ensure that there was no trace of any slime on her body. Wiping the last of the residual spit from her muzzle The Director tossed the white handkerchief into the trash can at the far corner of the room. She made it with ease. Turning to her former employee The Director levitated a file out from under her desk and held it in the air. “Sweetie Drops, should you accept this mission you will be officially recalled to the Agency.” Sweetie Drops looked at the suspended file with a curious glint in her eyes then turned to face The Director. “What is it?” “That is classified information.” “Alright then,” Sweetie Drops reached over and tugged the files from her superiors magic grasp and smirked. “What’s in them?” Her superior let out a mirthless chuckle. “Congratulations ‘Special Agent’ Sweetie Drops,” the special agents head shot up as her superiors horn lit up in a golden glow. “The Agency is happy to have you back.” An odd squishing and cracking noise followed that statement. The sounds repulsed and nauseated Sweetie Drops. But they died down fast enough that she didn't lose her lunch. The voice she heard next was not one she was familiar with. “Special Agent Sweetie Drops. The Agency might be happy to see you,” Prince Blueblood sneered as he leaned into the light. “But I'm not.” Author's Note So, for anyone who followed this story I have changed quite a bit. I like it and it is not nearly as obtrusive as it once was. As for some opinions, if you read this story before, what do you think of it now? Even if you're new to this story I'd like to know your opinions. And now for the explanations, Blueblood used shape shifting magic on himself hence the switch between Female and Male Pronouns. Also, that reveal. I like it.
