The Swamp

HOOOOOOOT!!! HOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

The train whistle blew loudly as it neared the station. Bon-Bon sat on the bench with the folder in her hooves, still trying to fully understand what she was up against.

"New Horseleans!" The conductor called, "Coming into New Horseleans!"

Upon hearing that, Bon-Bon packed away the file in the saddlebags she had and put them on. She felt the brakes slow the train as it pulled up to the platform. Once it was fully stopped, everypony aboard began to pour out of the train and on to the platform. Quickly, she made her way through the crowded area and into the open. Unfortunately, Bon-Bon wasn't very familiar with the city. And all around her was excitement and mayhem.

"Excuse me," She said as a mare wearing a strange costume walked by her, "do you know where I could find Big Hoof Tavern?"

"Why, of course I do, cher." The mare said in an accent that was somewhat similar to the country accent Bon-Bon knew, "It's 'bout three blocks that way, then go left for 'nother two. Ya should find it somewhere 'round there."

"Thanks for the help."

"Any time, cher. And, be careful while ya'll are there, don't want to be spendin' Mardi Gras in jail."

Then Bon-Bon watched as the mare disappeared into the crowd.

"Mardi Gras?" She said quietly to herself, "I don't know that one."

Shaking the questions about the event away, Bon-Bon turned and started going in the direction the mare had pointed. But, as she walked, she saw what the event actually was. All around her, she saw floats, ponies in costumes, heard laughter and celebration. It was a citywide party. However, there were a couple times when she saw a fight break out into the street and the occasional drunk that stumbled by.

"Hey there, sugar lips." A drunk stallion said, swaying and nearly falling over as he moved toward her, "Ya interested in goin' crazy with a strong and handsome stallion tonight?"

"Oh sure." She replied, rolling her eyes and giving him a fake smile, "Just tell me where to find them."

"Yer lookin' at one."

"Sorry, hon, but I'm not interested in stallions who look like they've been smashed in the head with a bottle too many times."

And with that, Bon-Bon walked away as the stallion stood in the street speechless. In a way, she felt a sense of joy mixed with pride. But, at the same time, she felt bad for him. Maybe if he sobers up, he'll find a nice mare.

"Hey," She heard him call out as she continued walking, "fuck you, you uptight bitch!"

And that's when she no longer felt bad for him.

The streets were crowded as she made her way through the busy parade/party. Eventually, Bon-Bon reached the first location on her list.

"Big Hoof Tavern." Bon-Bon said to herself, seeing the neon sign showing a pony drinking out of a big mug, "I hope you're in here, Trip."

She walked through the door and saw that it was busy inside. Most of the tables and booths were already filled with ponies talking and laughing while drinking out of big mugs. The counter and barstools weren't as busy and the bartender was shaking up a cocktail for another customer. It looked like a nice place, even though there was a dead alligator hanging from the ceiling and there was black and white pictures of ponies posing around the creatures they had hunted.

"Excuse me." Bon-Bon said politely, addressing the bartender as she took at seat at the counter, "Do you know an earth pony stallion named Trip Wire?"

"Sure," the bartender replied, serving the drink he had been shaking to a customer, "everypony in 'ere knows Trip. Best trapper in the bayou, 'ccordin' to most. Why?"

"I'd like to talk to him. He's an old friend of mine."

"That right? Well, right 'bout now, he should be in his room upstairs. I could show ya which one, if ya like."

"Alright, thanks."

The bartender and Bon-Bon went around to a back door, while another pony covered for the bartender.

"He's been livin' 'ere for 'bout five years now." The bartender said as they climbed the steps, "Used to live up in Fetlock Pointe, but decided to move closer to the bayou. Said he feels more comfortable 'round dangerous places or somethin'."

They walked down a short hallway and stopped at a door on one side of it.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Who is it?" A voice called out from the other side.

"It's Cider Punch, Trip." The bartender replied, "There's someone 'ere to see ya. Says she's an old friend of yers."

"Old friend?"

The door opened and revealed a green earth pony stallion with short black hair. His cutie mark was two sticks with a string attached to them, while a cage hung above. The expression on his face told Bon-Bon that he was slightly annoyed. But, when he saw her, his expression changed to surprise.

"Well, well," the stallion said, raising an eyebrow at her, "long time, no see."

"Yeah," Bon-Bon replied, "it's been a while."

"She's all yers now, Trip." Cider Punch said, turning away and leaving, "I'll be downstairs if ya need anythin'."

"Thanks, Cider. Come in, Sweets."

Bon-Bon entered the apartment as Trip Wire closed the door behind her.

"So," Bon-Bon said, walking over to a battered armchair and sitting in it, "how's it been?"

"It's been good." Trip said, taking a seat across from her, "I've been working around the swamp here, dealing with nuisance alligators, snakes, etc."

"Sounds pretty easy, considering you used to go up against much bigger and more dangerous creatures."

"Yeah, at least the pay is good. But, I'll admit I miss a challenge."

"Then you're in luck."

Trip Wire looked at the mare as curiosity formed on his face.

"Marshal Talon Sharp came to my house and said that the agency needed our help." Bon-Bon explained, opening the folder she had been given, "What they want us to find is a creature known as a Snap-tooth..."

"Okay, hold on, Sweets." Trip said, holding up a hoof and interrupting her, "Since when does Talon Sharp make house calls? And what do you mean by the agency? That was shut down and locked up, wasn't it?"

"I can explain that."

Bon-Bon began telling Trip Wire everything Talon Sharp had told her. From the agency to the Snap-tooth. She showed him the file and showed him what they were looking for. The stallion listened as best as he could and looked at the images and read the paragraphs that described the animal. But, there was still one thing that didn't make sense.

"Alright," he began, "if they resurrected the agency months ago, then why didn't they call us back in the beginning? Or, better yet, why come to us now after eight years of silence?"

"In truth," Bon-Bon replied, "I'm not sure. But, you and I both know that they don't do anything unless they had a reason."

"And what's your reason? Something must've made you want to do this mission and pull you away from your comfortable life in Ponyville."

Bon-Bon slumped down in the chair and sighed as she remembered her reason for taking the mission.

"Because," she began explaining, "my dad was the captain of the airship that disappeared."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sweets." Trip said, mentally kicking himself, "I didn't mean to make you upset."

"No, it's alright. But, I didn't come here to grieve. I came because I need the best trapper I know. And, last I time I checked, that was you. Am I wrong?"

"You sure as shit are not. I'll have to find my old gear, but I'll help you, Sweets."

"Great."

Then Bon-Bon reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper with an address and a time on in it.

"Be there at this time." Bon-Bon said, giving it to Trip Wire, "I'll meet you there with the others."

"Getting the band back together, huh?" Trip said with a grin as he opened the door for her, "Alright, I'll see you there. Good luck with everypony else."

"Thanks, Trip."

With that settled, Bon-Bon left Trip's apartment and made her way back to the train station.

"Alright," she said to herself and looking at the next name on the list, "one down, three to go. Thankfully, the next name is in Manehatten."