Chapters "Captain," A crew member said, addressing his commander, "we're ready to depart."
"Very good, Mr. Gust." The earth-pony captain replied, looking over the airship as the last of the cargo was loaded, "Cast off and bring us to two hundred and fifty feet."
"Aye, sir. All hands, prepare for departure!"
Within minutes, the large aircraft was untethered from the platform and began to ascend into the sky.
"Take us north, by northwest, Mr. Star." The captain ordered, turning his attention to the helmspony, "And bring her up to fifteen knots. I'd like to be in Canterlot by morning."
"Aye, captain." The stallion replied, turning the helm as the props spun faster.
Steadily, the ship began to cruise towards home.
Many hours passed by as the night began to fall over the land. The ship continued it's steady pace as the world around it darkened.
"Alright, Mr. Star," The captain said as a bat pony came to the helm, "you're relieved for the night."
"Thank you, sir." The tired looking stallion said, stepping aside and allowing the other pony to take control.
The stallion descended down the steps, before going to his bunk below deck.
"Captain," the bat stallion said, scanning the area around the ship, "may I ask why we're going to be flying over the Everfree Forest?"
"Because, Mr. Shadow, the fastest way to Canterlot is over the forest." The captain replied, taking a pipe out of his pocket and lighting it, "And before you ask, yes, we did go around it before. However, with the amount of time we lost while we were in the Zebralands, we have to make it up with as many advantages as we can get. And right now, that advantage is going over."
"What about dangerous animals? Like, dragons and manticores?"
"Dragons aren't an issue. Not since Princess Twilight made good connections with them. And manticores can't really fly all that well. Don't let the wings on their backs fool you, those are mostly used to move a little faster while ambushing."
The stallion at the helm seemed to relax a little after hearing that. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to relax for long.
FWWOOOOMMMM!!! BA-BOOM!!!
Without warning, something bright and moving fast shot past the airship and exploded a short distance away. The explosion caused a small shockwave that shook the ship.
"What in Tartarus was that?!" The captain exclaimed, rushing over to the side and looking over.
He saw nothing but the dark shadows of trees going by. But, as he continued to look, another bright object sailed towards them.
"Hard to starboard!" He called, watching the object graze the side of the ship and explode just above them.
BA-BOOM!!!
By now, the entire crew was awake and on alert.
"Get on the guns!" The captain ordered, keeping a watchful eye on the ground below and seeing another object sail past.
"What are we shooting at, sir?!" A crew member called, loading a cannon.
"Aim at the ground!"
Without questioning their targets, the ponies aimed the cannons down and fired into the darkness.
Kra-BLAM!!!
BA-BOOM!!!
The flashes of explosions and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. But, since the ponies on the ship couldn't see what they were firing at, they didn't know if they were actually defending themselves or just hitting the ground below. The captain watched for where the objects were coming from, as well as several over ponies, but it was still difficult to spot the danger.
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!!!" The captain shouted as an object barreled towards them and struck the balloon that kept the ship airborne.
BA-BOOM!!!
"We're going down!" Shadow called, bracing the helm with as much strength as he could muster.
"Abandon ship!" The captain called, "Everyone, get off the ship, now!"
"Too late!" Another called out as the ship plummeted towards some trees.
The airship dropped out of the sky and into the trees, damaging the hull and tearing away the rigging as it crashed into some water. The burning balloon got hung up in the canopy of the trees, burning the tops until the branches couldn't support the weight and dropped it into the same water, extinguishing the flaming canvas. As for the crew, their fate was unknown as the ship rested against some fallen trees and other debris.
Chapter 1: Coming Out of Retirement
"Lyra, do you really think you'll wear that?" Bon-Bon asked, looking at her friend as she showed off her dress.
"What?" Lyra chuckled, twisting around and looking at what she was wearing, "I think it looks great."
"It's white. A white dress in the sun is way too bright. I'd hurt my eyes seeing you wear it. Try that purple one we saw earlier."
"Oh yeah. That one might look nicer."
Bon-Bon watched as her friend went over to a rack and take a purple dress from it, before going back to the change rooms. She waited patiently for the mint coloured unicorn to come back out and present herself.
"You ready?" Lyra called from inside the little room.
"Yeah. Let's see it." Bon-Bon replied.
Lyra opened the door and did a few poses, smiling all the while. Bon-Bon chuckled quietly to herself as she watched her friend.
"So, what do you think?" Lyra asked, twisting herself to look.
"I think it suits you very well." Bon-Bon said, before looking at a clock on the wall, "Hey, we better get back home. It's getting late."
"Right."
They collected their items and proceeded to the counter, before paying for their new clothes and leaving.
Ponyville wasn't a big town, but that was one of the reasons why many ponies liked it. Of course, there was also some things that ponies didn't like about it. One such thing was the Everfree Forest, just a short distance away. It was frightening, dark, dangerous, and unpredictable. Even during a bright sunny day, the forest wasn't something to take lightly. But, everypony knew that beyond it was far worse danger. However, beyond that danger was the Zebralands, a valuable trade partner and friend to Equestria.
"So," Lyra said, levitating shopping bags in her magic, "who's turn is it to make dinner?"
"I think it's your turn." Bon-Bon replied, grinning at her, "I did it last night, remember? Steamed carrots and mashed potatoes."
"Oh yeah. Alright, I'll try to make something as good."
"I'll be happy with anything."
They laughed as they rounded a corner and came into view of their house. But, when Bon-Bon saw who was there, her expression and emotions changed almost instantly.
In front of their house was a gruff looking pegasus stallion wearing a blue and black hat and jacket that had several medals on his chest. On one eye, a large scar cut over it, showing a clear sign that he had fought something with claws. His mane, tail, and goatee were dark grey, showing his age. And his cutie mark was an image of an eagle with it's talons ready to strike. He looked military, but not from any known branch of it.
"Um, Bon?" Lyra said, stopping as she noticed him, "Who is that?"
"Somepony I thought I'd never see again." Bon-Bon replied, keeping her eyes fixed on the stallion as she continued forward.
Lyra quickly followed behind her, still holding the shopping bags.
"Good evening, fillies." He greeted, removing his hat respectively, "May I come in?"
"Sure." Bon-Bon said hesitantly, cocking her head, "Come on in, sir."
"Thank you."
The three ponies entered the house, the strange stallion taking a seat on the couch as Lyra and Bon-Bon set down their things and sat down across from him.
"Um, could I get you anything?" Lyra asked, giving a warm smile.
"I'll have coffee, if you have it." The stallion replied, returning her grin, "Black, please."
"Sure. Be back in a bit."
Then Lyra got up from her seat and left, leaving Bon-Bon and the strange stallion alone.
"I see that you're enjoying retirement." He said, looking around at the decorations and pictures on the walls, "Probably more than most ponies I know."
"Get to the point." Bon-Bon said assertively, keeping a calm expression, "Why did you come here? I know you don't do anything unless you had a good reason."
Upon hearing those words, the stallion changed his posture and focused all his attention towards her.
"The agency needs your help, Agent Drops." He said, leaning towards her and focusing into her eyes, "We need somepony who can handle themselves under extreme conditions, pressure, and danger. And there's only so few who can manage what I'm about to propose to you."
"The agency was disbanded after the bugbear incident, Marshal, you know that." Bon-Bon said, not breaking eye-contact, "I'm not the same mare I was then. And, even if it was resurrected and I were to come back, I'd be leaving behind the peaceful life I've created here. I can't do that. Lyra would be heartbroken."
"I understand. But, you and your team were the best of the best when you worked with us and this mission might seem personal to you. As for the agency, it was resurrected a couple months ago. And I can assure you that we need your skills for this. It's nothing more than a locate and recover mission."
At the sound of those words, Bon-Bon's ears perked up. The stallion noticed this and saw that he had her interest.
"Why would the A.M.D. be doing a locate and recover op?" Bon-Bon asked, raising an eyebrow at him, "We specialized in fighting monsters and other dangerous creatures. Not property or cargo."
"That's the interesting part." The stallion replied, retrieving a folder from under one of his wings, "The thing that needs to be located and recovered is a creature of sorts."
Something in the stallion's tone made Bon-Bon very curious. Then she noticed a folder tucked under one of his wings.
"Go on." She said, bringing her hoof to her chin.
"Are you familiar with a beast known as a Snap-tooth?" He asked, retrieving the folder from under his wing.
"Somewhat. I know that they're rare, highly dangerous, fast, can camouflage very well, and strong."
"Take a look at this file, Ms. Drops. You might understand a little more than what you already know."
Hesitantly, Bon-Bon took the folder from him and opened it. She found it full of pictures and documents that described the Snap-tooth in almost full detail. However, there were some parts that had been blacked out. And the black lines had her attention.
"Why are there black lines on a monster file?" She asked, looking back at the stallion, "Whenever it came down to monsters, we always made sure that we knew everything about what we're after."
"The lines are there because we got the file from the zebras." The stallion replied, "Many of which have been killed capturing it."
Now she was really paying attention upon hearing what the stallion just told her.
"Wait, wait, wait." She exclaimed, keeping her voice down, "Do you mean to tell me that they caught this thing?"
"That's correct." He confirmed.
"Then why come here and say you need my help? From what I understand, the mission is already complete."
Then the stallion lowered his head and rolled his hat in his hooves.
"Two weeks ago," he began explaining, "an airship was sent to bring the captured Snap-tooth here to study and understand it. However, the airship never returned and no one has any clue where the ship, creature, or crew are. We contacted the zebras and they told us that the airship had left the port late, but undamaged. Now, we've had some witnesses claim that they heard cannon fire and explosions coming from a swamp south of the Everfree Forest. No one knows what happened for sure. But, one thing is for certain, if our ship was attacked and the Snap-tooth escaped, it will be nearly impossible to find it again."
Bon-Bon rolled the information in her mind, trying to put it all together.
"Eight years." Bon-Bon said, looking from him to the folder and back, "Eight years since the bugbear incident and the shutdown of the agency. Not a word from anypony, not even an explanation for how it escaped. I was forced to change my name to protect my team from discrimination. And they had to go their separate ways, probably to other countries. Which makes me ask two more questions. The first; why was it resurrected? And second; why would this be personal to me?"
"To answer the first," the stallion explained, "it was resurrected because more reports of monsters have been coming in from all over Equestria and the princesses ordered that it was vital that the agency was in use again."
"And the second?"
"The reason this might be personal is because one of the crew members is somepony you know."
"Who?"
"Your father, Capt. Heavy 'Cannonball' Drops, was the one in charge of the ship before it and everyone aboard went missing."
Bon-Bon's eyes widened as shock and horror wormed into her mind. Images of her father bloodied and broken, trapped in the wreck of his ship, unable to escape. Memories of him flowed in throw her mind as well. Knowing that he was in danger made her decide very quickly what her next action should be.
"Do you know where to find the rest of my team?" She asked, closing the folder and placing it beside her.
"Yes." The stallion replied, "But, you'll have to convince them. I know they won't listen to me if I tried talking to them."
Just after he said that, Lyra walked in with a cup of steaming black coffee and gave it to the stallion.
"Thank you." He said, placing it on a table next to him and standing up, "But, I'm afraid I misjudged the amount of time I could spare. I have to get back to the office and fill out some paperwork."
"Oh, okay." Lyra said, taking the full coffee cup back, "I don't suppose you would like a snack of some sort to take with you? Peanut butter crackers or a couple biscuits maybe?"
"I wouldn't mind a biscuit or two. Thank you."
"Alright. I'll be right back."
She left the room again and the stallion looked back at Bon-Bon.
"Here." He said quietly, taking an envelope out of his jacket, "The locations of your teammates and our new HQ. Be at headquarters in two days at noon."
Bon-Bon took it and looked inside, finding a map, addresses, and several images inside.
"Keep the file." He continued, "You might need it later."
Lyra entered the room again with a brown bag and gave it to the stallion.
"There you go." She smiled, "Mind if I ask how you two know each other?"
"I was friends with Bon's father." The stallion replied, taking the bag in one wing and tucking it into his jacket, "Plus, I thought I'd stop by and say hello."
"Well, alright. Thanks for stopping by, Mr. uh..."
"Talon, Talon Sharp."
"Okay. You take care, Mr. Sharp"
"Same to you."
With that, the stallion opened the door and stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him and leaving Bon-Bon and Lyra alone.
"Hey," Lyra said, seeing Bon-Bon looking very concerned, "are you alright?"
"Um, yeah." Bon-Bon replied, wiping away a tear that tried to escape her eye, "I, uh, have to take care of some things. I'll probably be gone for a few days. I hope you don't mind."
"I'll still be here when you get back. When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning. I have to catch the first train to New Horseleans."
"What's there?"
"An old friend."
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."
