Chapters Shadows into the Light
Jotting Shadow strolled through the halls of Canterlot Castle. It had been a while since Luna, Princess of the Night had called on him to see her personally in her office. The brightly decorated tapestry’s of the Day Halls gave way to the more subdued, but no less spectacular ones of the Night Halls. Jotting saw Lethe and Doctor Hooves, fellow members of the Night Watch outside the Lunar Princesses quarters.
Lethe was a dark-purple coated pegasus with a lighter violet mane and tail with a cutie mark depicting a red medical cross with a white one inside it. His mane was short cropped, almost military like. Lethe was flamboyantly excitable, but at the same time, one of the Night Watch’s best spies due to his ability to be overlooked as an infiltrator due to his ability to stand out and act foalish.
If Lethe was overlooked for his ability to not look the part of an intelligence officer the Doctor was overlooked by being as plain as plain can be. The Earth pony’s tan coat and brown mane allowed him to blend into any crowd. The hourglass cutie mark seemed out of place for the physiologist, but as Hooves had explained to Jotting time and time again cutie marks did not always signify jobs or even hobbies, just a pony’s special talents.
Jotting looked down is dark blue fur to his own mark. A quill and dagger crossing, the blasted thing may as well have been a red flag for in own profession as a Night Watch officer. He really was a writer though. In his spare time between missions he had more than six published works, all adventure novels. It made a good cover story for the mark at least. In reality Jotting was one Equestria’s premiere intelligence gatherers and most likely the fourth most powerful unicorn in the country. Something he kept close to his chest.
“JT,” Lethe greeted him as Jotting grew close using the nickname the Night Watch had given him. “You got called too?”
“Guess so. Any idea why the Princess would call the three of us?”
“Another tribalist revolt maybe.” Doctor Hooves put forth.
JT shook his head. “Not a chance. I put down a unicorn conspiracy just last week and except for your everyday groups there’s nothing I can’t think of on the map.”
The ornate doors behind them opened with a glow of blue-black magic. Stiffening to attention the three stallions marched instep into the darkened room. The walls, so to speak where mainly bookshelves stuffed end to end. At the opposite end from the door was a wall sized window where the Moon Princess Luna stood regarding the three as the approached.
“Gentlecolts. I realize that this is somewhat surprising, but believe me when I say that this meeting of the utmost important,” the Alicorn said. Her night-blue mane flowed with unseen magic as she turned to meet them.
The Doctor and Jotting bowed deeply while Lethe simply nodded with a bright smile.
“First and foremost, I congratulate you all on your actions during the recent changeling attack. Lethe, it was due to your medical talents that many ponies, including two Wonderbolts will be able to live normal lives after nigh fatal injuries. Doctor you single hoofly protected an entire shop from a full wave of the insects.”
“I was simply eating when everything happened, majesty,” The Doctor said hoping to downplay is role in the defense of the city.
“Nonsense, few would have done what you did. As for you Jotting Shadow, protecting a school full of children? If I remember correctly you dislike foals.”
The dark blue unicorn reddened in embarrassment under the teasing smiles of his coworkers. “I was asked by the teacher to come in a talk about being an author in hopes of getting her students more interested in books, Princess.”
Luna smirked at her charge’s blush. “And yet since then you have been lauded as much a hero as the Element Bearers and the new royal couple. My sister has received no less than forty letters from students and parents requesting a statue in the schoolyard.”
Lethe suddenly burst out laughing, knowing his friend’s penchant for disliking crowds and attention. The stallion even hated signing autographs for his new books. The thought of him at a statue unveiling would be a hilarious sight. Even Hooves chuckled at the image.
“Nevertheless, you three are heroes and fine examples of the Night Watch. As such, my sister and I agree the three of you are the best choices for a very important and possibly permanent mission.”
The three stallions were paying complete attention to the princess, their eyes full of surprise and determination.
“In the last few years the Element Bearers have fought some of the greatest threats to ever grace Equestria. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Changelings not to mention parasprites and all manner of beasts. As such they and their friendship is the kingdoms best defense against destruction. We, by which I mean Celestia and I both agree that the six mares must be protected and watched over more closely. In secret, at least for now. To that end, you three are to relocate to Ponyville under various guises, and keep an eye on the Bearers.”
“So what, we’re getting demoted,” Lethe spoke out of desperation. “No more face to face with the bosses. No more putting out social fires. No more—“
“What my colleague means Princess, is why take us away from what we we’re trained to do actively and put us in a more passive role?” the Doctor cut in as he shot a warning glare at the amped up pegasus.
“Your talents and training make you more than adequate for this mission. Hooves, haven’t you wanted a private
The Doctor looked away, embarrassed that something he thought was a secret was known to his boss.
Luna smiled gently at the hovering winged pony. “Lethe, this is more of a promotion than a demotion. You will be sending reports directly to me, not your captains. Also, Ponyville is in need of another physician, their hospital is sorely understaffed.”
The pegasus landed and apologized for his outburst, albeit under his breath.
“As for you JT, you are very late on your latest novel, are you not?”
JT huffed. “Kinda hard to do with all my work lately. I mean Earth Only rising in Appleosa. The Bladed Wings along the border towns. Not to mention the old aristocracy here in Canterlot.”
“Exactly,” Luna said with a smile. “You’ve been working five years straight without a vacation. Your job in Ponyville is to make your editors happy and the rest of your fans as well.”
“But—“
Luna placed a hoof on the unicorns shoulder. It may take twelve ponies to do the job of you three, but this is a personal request from myself and my sister. If you truly wish, you my turn the mission down, but please think on this.”
JT looked over at his fellow Night Watch agents. Both had pleading looks in their eyes. Though the three only worked together on rare occasions he was closer to them than most of the other ponies in their group. Him leaving would put a damper on the mission, plus he did want to finish the series he had started writing years ago and get started on a new one.
“Alright Princess, I am yours to command.”
Luna clapped her hooves together like a giddy filly. “Excellent. I will have your living and work arrangements in Ponyville made within a day. You three get packing and read these mission briefs. Oh what fun this will be. Weekly reports just for me,” the alicorn princess practically danced to her desk humming a bouncy song and the stallion agents backed out of the room.
Out in the hall Lethe was mimicking the Princess’s mood. “Look guys,” he said pointing at the first page of the briefing folder. “We’re hereby promoted to special agents. Oh, look at the extra bits we get. And look, free housing. And here, only one of the princesses can give us orders anymore. Luna wasn’t kidding, this is some promotion.”
JT laughed. “Calm down Lethe. You have a bit more work to do than me and the Doctor when it comes to cutting ties in Canterlot.” The pegasus gave him a quizzical look. “How many coltfriends are you going to have to say goodbye to?” the unicorn gave him a hint.
“Hey, I’m a one colt pony, Agent Shadow,” Lethe said in all seriousness. “I just have a bunch of very close friends,” he finished with a smile.
The Doctor sighed heavily. “He is right though Lethe. While Jotting and I are woefully unattached to any mares, while you have at least two full little black books. I just need to inform my parents and captain. For JT, just his editor, a few fans, and his own captain. You on the other hand have many people to say farewell to.”
“It’s one and half books and you two are single because you’re both sticks in the mud. You never join me at the clubs. You only go to hole-in-the wall bars or snooty restaurants. When was the last time you had marefriends anyway?”
JT and Hooves looked away from their outspoken friend, both realizing that some of what he said was true. For Hooves it was due to his constant work and his, somewhat abrasive nature. He had been told on many occasions he was all too blunt in his observations and conversations, chasing away the occasional date. JT on the other hand avoided such situations all together. With his friends the unicorn was friendly, funny, and insightful. With strangers, excluding targets, he was quiet and withdrawn. Hooves suspected past dating trauma before the two had met contributed to his friend’s mindset.
“Anyway,” JT bellowed hoping to deflect the conversation. “We may as well inform our captains—“
“Former captains,” Lethe cut in with a bright smile.
“Former captains,” the unicorn corrected with a thankful nod. “Of our reassignments. The file says just to say we’re under the direct orders of the princesses now and hand them the transfer papers. In and out.”
“I wonder if they’ll miss us.” Lethe pondered as the approached the headquarters of the Night Watch.
“No,” the Doctor and Jotting said together with a laugh.
As the small side building to castle came into view Jotting waved at the two black armored door guards. They in turn nodded and allowed the three stallions to pass. Inside was a complete contrast to the unimposing exterior. Huge maps lined the windowless main room, each with different marks and colored pins decorating the parchments. Pegusai zipped around the building small dome, avoiding the crowed floor. Unicorns carried pony tall stacks of folders in magic auras beside earth ponies who gathered around tables reading and re-reading the papers.
In unspoken unison the three stallions split from each other and headed straight for their respected superior officers offices. JT knocked loudly on Watch Captain Thornside’s door and entered when a heard the grumble of the Earth pony’s voice.
“What’d the Princess want Agent Shadow?” the red and white earth pony asked gruffly. Without a word Jotting pulled the transfer paper out of the folder with his black glowing magic and floated it to the captain’s desk. Thornside read it over and his face darkened more, somehow. “Well, some of your lessers will love to see you go, but I on the other hand have to find someponies half as talented as you to take your place. Might try out Kay’s two ponies per mission initiative,” he mused.
“Sorry Captain Thornside. Look at it this way, no more listing to me grumble about being overworked,” Jotting joked.
“I’d rather listen to you complain than deal with possible failure Agent,” the old pony sighed. “Are all your mission ops and observations in your file?” JT nodded. “I’ll have some of the Lt’s pick me six good ponies to take your place. One for each tribe. Hope you’re not expecting a transfer party or nothing, you’ve made me too busy.”
“I’m good Captain. Just tell them I said goodbye. And really six? Luna said three.”
Thornside smiled. “I stretched you thin for the fun of it. That and you never let me down. Gonna need to hedge my bets with anypony else.”
“Thanks captain. That means a lot,” Jotting said earnestly.
“Bah. Get out of here before I try to deny a direct order from Princess Luna and keep ya here.”
With a laugh JT gave a final salute to his former officer and left the office.
Inside Captain Bleakapple’s office Doctor Hooves had just handed over his own transfer orders. The gray and green earth pony across the desk had her head in her hooves. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to stay?” she asked hopefully.
“Not unless you can convince both princesses there’s someone better than me for a physiological oriented mission,” Hooves said somewhat proudly.
“No, I can’t and you bloody well know it. Any suggestions on who can take your place here as head shrink?”
The Doctor scowled at the pun. “Sigmund maybe or Fraiser. Not Phil, ever.”
“Fine. I take it you’re leaving soon.”
“I believe we were given three days to pack and prepare.”
“Bring Fraiser up to speed then tomorrow. At least he’ll be happy.”
“Cheer up Bleakapple. Shrinks come and go. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
For the first time the earth pony looked up from her hooves. “I’ve been in this outfit since your parents were in kindergarten Hooves. I’ve served Celestia and more recently Luna for a long, long time. I can say without a doubt you are the best psychologist for these ponies I have ever seen. They come to you for anything and everything and you fix em right up. No I can’t just replace you, I can put somepony in your place, but you will be missed.”
Doctor Hooves beam with pride a tear nearly forming in his eye.
“You’re still a jackass though. Hope this new assignment teaches you some social manners. Dismissed.”
The mood ruined, Doctor Hooves left the room.
Lethe was unusually quiet as Captain Tools read the transfer paper. No hovering, no looking over the old unicorns shoulder. The pegasus simply sat on his haunches and waited for the yellow and white pony to say something. Minutes passed and Lethe started to fidget. More time went by and he started to tap his foot to a silent tune, causing the captain to finally look up from the parchment.
“You realize this stinks right. I’m short on medics as is and even shorter on air support.”
“Sorry boss, Luna’s orders. If it helps you won’t be the only one losing your best agent.”
“No that makes mean feel like the Night Watch is being diminished.”
“Aw come on Tools, I spent the last three years annoying the heck out of you. My constant hangovers, crying over break-ups, my choice in music during surgeries. My complaint file is a full bookshelf,” Lethe reminded the mare pointing at a large box labeled with his name in the corner of the room.
The old mare chuckled. “Maybe, but it was always the personal stuff that got you in trouble. Not one single pony would say anything bad about your work. I’ve got entire medical team to reorganize now, so out you go. Good luck on whatever it is Luna is sending you on,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks boss. Tell everyone to be good without me. Oh and you should put Barn in charge of diagnostics. He’s a total jerk but he’s really good.”
“I’ll think about it. Goodbye Lethe,” the captain gave a quick hug to her former favorite medic.
The three newly relocated stallions milled about the building saying quick goodbyes to their various colleges. Lethe hugged as many as he could while the Doctor received his fair share of shoulder pats and Jotting his own share of nods. Formal farewells out of the way they left the headquarters for what felt like the last time.
“I’m going to miss this place,” Lethe said sadly.
“I agree, although I’m going to miss my office a bit more. I wonder what kind of places the princess will have procured in Ponyville for use to live and work in.” Hooves pondered.
“Maybe we’ll be roommates?” Lethe cheered happily.
JT shuddered. He had the misfortune to share a hotel a few time with the pegasus and it had left some harrowing memories. “I pray by the full moon that that’s not the case.”
Lethe laughed. The same experience had scarred his friend for life where found memories for him. “Well boys. I have some sad rounds to make. I’ll see you two in a few days.” With that he flew off leaving a purple trail behind him.
“While our friend has his ex’s to speak to I should inform my parents. They’ll be happy when I tell them I’m setting up a private practice.”
“I’ll see you then. My editor, Red Mark, will want to know my change of address. He’ll need somewhere to send whatever is left of my manuscripts after he’s done ruining them.”
They shared a laugh and went their separate ways.
Three days had passed and the stallions stood in front of both the white princess of the sun Celestia and the dark blue princess of the moon Luna. The agents had simple saddle bags stuffed with a few personal belongings that hadn’t been moved to Ponyville ahead of them.
“Now remember there will be no need to lie about your previous jobs, however do try to keep the fact you are Night Watch agents out of conversations,” Luna reminded them.
“Agreed Luna,” Celtestia said with a smile toward her younger sister. “Although you are there to watch the Harmony Bearers in secret there is no reason you should make that the only thing you do in Ponyville. They don’t need constant surveillance, just somepony to watch out for them encase. Please try to live your own lives while there. Make friends, have fun.”
The three nodded in understanding.
“Well my little ponies, off you go. Everything you need to know about your new lives in Ponyville is in those papers,” Luna said. “Your first reports will be due in a week. Jotting Shadow knows a spell to send letters to me directly so drop them off with him. Jotting, no peeking.”
“As a spy I will fight my urge to look through sealed documents, my Princess,” the unicorn joked. With one last bow the three departed for the train stations.
“So where’s everyone living?” Lethe asked once they had settled into their first-class cabin.
“Princess Luna made my day,” Hooves started. “The building she assigned me to is both my office and my home, now I can sleep in until last minute and retire to my room if things get slow. I’m quite pleased.”
Unable to hold in his excitement Lethe spoke before JT could open his mouth. “I’ve got a nice apartment right in the middle of town. It’s perfect for me, top floor, big windows and a short flight to Ponyville hospital.”
“Princess Luna set me up in a tree house right across from the library,” Jotting said with sigh. “It used to be a three story shop of some sort but now I got a mini mansion to myself.”
“Aw I’ll keep you company Jotting,” Lethe said in a mock seductive voice.
“I believe the country term is, you know my barn door don’t swing that way,” JT smirked.
“I know. That reminds me though. I wonder how many stallions’ do in Ponyville.”
“Like most of Equestria it’s an eight to one mare to stallion ratio. Given Ponyville has around one-thousand ponies and coltcuddlers are about two to four percent of the population I’d say your choices are slim,” Hooves remarked analytically.
“Gee, thanks Doctor,” Lethe frowned. “Guess I’ll have to choose carefully then won’t I.”
“So are you going to try to lure the bearers into your office Hooves?” JT asked.
“No. I won’t take an active role in anything. If they need help then hopefully someone will suggest the new shrink in town. What about you JT? Lethe and I have jobs that have the potential to help us interact with the Bearers. You may be a somewhat famous author but the only bibliophile in the group isn’t a fan of fiction if I remember from our briefing.”
Jotting frowned at the term somewhat famous. “I’m hoping just being a writer will get me closer to Twilight Sparkle. Books are books after all and it appears she loves them even if fiction isn’t her favorite. If anything I’ll be a conversation starter.”
“Wait, you’re going to try to assimilate into their group?” Lethe asked in awe.
“It’s what I do Lethe. Granted it’s usually subversive, but I’ve always been a fly on the wall as it were.”
“That was with large racist groups, not six mares,” Hooves reminded his friend. “It would be more like getting into the inner circle of said groups right away.”
“I’ve done that, twice as a matter of fact,” the unicorn said with a pompous smile.
Lethe laughed. “How is it that a stallion that hates ponies is the best infiltrator?”
“Short term stay and lies,” Hooves remarked. “To Special Agent Shadow life is a play. His time on stage is limited and his life a script. In other words it’s not Jotting Shadow that gets close to those groups, its whatever character he thought up for the occasions. I believe he will find this assignment among one of his most difficult because it will be himself trying to get close to the group and not a masquerade.”
Jotting stared at the psychologist for a second before his eyes went wide and his lip began to quiver.
“Uh Doctor, I think you broke our friend,” Lethe said waving his hoof in front of JT’s face only to get no response.
“Oops,” the tan earth pony said. His analysis of his colleague’s work method had been spot on, but it seemed the unicorn never thought about the change in style he would need to implement to work the way he normally did. “Jotting, listen to me. Think of this as a challenge. Plus, remember Luna said to not say anything about our Night Watch positions. I’m a psychologist, Lethe is a castle medic, and you are an author. Those are our parts in this play. Everything is a little closer to the truth, and not complete fabrication that’s all.”
JT’s eyes hinted at recognition, then formulation, finally realization. “You’re right Doctor. It’ll be different sure, but I’m up for it. Who knows, maybe I’ll really get in good with the Bearers and become real friends. That’ll make it easier to watch after them, right?”
“Right,” Lethe cheered, glad to have his brooding friend back. “Oh hey guys we’re almost there. What do ya say we meet in town square at around seven after we get somewhat settled in and give ourselves a little tour around town.”
Hooves thought for a moment. He had plenty of boxes filled with medical texts, notes, and personal items to unpack, but postponing the opening of his new practice would be fine to get to know the town better. “That sounds fine, Lethe.” Jotting agreed. The train came to a stop and the three piled out of their car into the bright glare of Celestia’s sun.
Quick goodbyes were shared and the spilt for the rest of the day. Jotting had just passed town square when his vision was suddenly filled with pink.
“Hello new friend,” A high pitched voice cheered from beyond the cotton candy colored veil. “Are you new in Ponville? How long are you staying? What’s your name? Where are you from? Oh, do you like parties?”
Jotting took a few steps back and saw a pink-puffy permed haired pony hanging from a light post. Pinkie Pie, Element of Laugher. Jotting had shut down a group of uppity nobles who’s only stated goal was to get this one pony back for the ruckus she caused at the Grand Galloping Gala not long ago. “Um, hi, I’m Jotting Shadow. I’m moving to Ponyville. I’m from Canterlot, or Winninapolice originally. I like parties, kinda.”
“Moving here, that’s great. My name is Pinkamenia Diane Pie, but you can call me Pinkie. Oh are you the new brain doctor, or the new nurse, or the writer.”
JT was taken back. How in Luna’s full moon did the pink pony know so much?
“Oh, I talked to the moving ponies yesterday. They told what kind of ponies were moving here so I could learn more about my new future friends,” she said as if reading his mind.
“Why did the Night Watch not hire this pony?” JT wondered. “I’m the writer, the other stallions moving here are friends of mine from Canterlot though.”
“That’s awesome,” Pinkie Pie shouted. “Friends all moving to Ponyville together, it’s so cool. Oh do you want me to show you where your new house is. I’ve already been there, and it’s by one of my bestest best friend’s house too. How did you get one of the tree houses, they’re like super expensive, and they all used to be shops. Yours hasn’t been one for a long time though, like ten years, way before I moved to Ponyville. Applejack, another of my bestest best friends, said it used to be a clock store, but the mare who ran it moved to Manehatten. That’s sad, but okay since there’s another clock shop in town, its run Tick Tock.”
The pink pony was a stream about conscious thought vocalized. Jotting followed the bouncing Pinkie Pie through town until they reached a thick tree with a green door and windows jutting over its trunk. JT used the key Princess Luna had given him and unlock the door. Inside his things from Canterlot sat in the middle of the large main room, neatly boxed.
“Thank you very much Pinkie,” Jotting said and turned to shake hooves with the Element of Laughter only to find her missing. Before for he could question where she had gone a squee came from the inside of the house. Jotting turned back around to see the pink party pony poking his moving boxes.
“Oh, what’s in here?” she asked shaking a box twice her sized causing it to rattle loudly.
“My standing lamps by the sound of it,” JT said. He let his magic flow through his horn and toward the box. With deft concentration the packing tape was disintegrated and the box levitated up revealing he had guessed right as five decorative lamps remained still on the ground.”
“Wow that was amazing. I bet only Twilight could do that, but she could do it faster. Oopsie, sorry that was rude,” Pinkie said covering her mouth in embarrassment. Rarity’s social lessons taking some hold in her mind.
JT’s laughed. “No harm in being compared to Celestia’s personal student,” he said he levitated the lamps into an out of the way corner.
“You know Twilight?” Pinkie’s eyes flashed with interest.
Truth, Jotting. Remember, you lie by omission not be design. “If you went to Celetsia’s School for Gifted Unicorns you knew of Twilight Sparkle. I saw her in the Canterlot library quite often, maybe spoke to her once or twice. Never anything serious.” Not a lie in the explanation. This isn’t so hard.
“Yep, that sounds like Twilight. Oh, do you want to meet her, I mean see her again, I mean officially meet her?
JT looked at the cityscape of boxes littering his room, but thought the better of telling her no. “Why not, unpacking can wait and it’s not every day you meet the Celestia’s personal student.”
Pinkie suddenly burst out laughing. JT waited for her to calm down before she explained. “It’s funny. You’re going to be neighbors with her and you’ll get to see her every day. So it will be every day you can meet her.”
JT chuckled and followed the bouncing pony outside. The library was barely twenty steps from JT’s front door. Pinkie threw the door open and hopped inside.
“Twilight,” she shouted. “Oh you’re here too Dashie, good you can meet Twilight’s new neighbor too. Well you can meet him later at the party for him and the other ponies that just moved in today too, but here’s good too.” Pinkie said to the cyan colored rainbow maned pegasus lounging on a beanbag chair.
“Pinkie slow down,” a velvet voice sounded from the kitchen of the library’s main room. A lavender unicorn came from around the corner with a glass of juice floating in a purple magic bubble in front of her. She saw JT and smiled. “Hello, you must be the author Pinkie said was moving in next door, next tree I mean,” she said with a smile.
“Um… yeah. I’m Shadow. I mean JT. I mean,” Jotting took a deep breath. Here he was, three of his mission objectives in one room and he couldn’t act the way he was used to. It was maddening. “Sorry, I get flustered in social situations. I’m Jotting Shadow, but my friends call me JT.” He reached to shake Twilight’s hoof when a loud thump of a book hitting the floor came from behind him.
“Wait, Jotting Shadow? You wrote the Hyperpony Saga and the Dark Dragon series.”
“Um… yeah. I’m still kinda writing that one. Almost finished though,” Jotting rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
“I thought you only read Daring Doo books, Rainbow,” Twilight teased.
“Duh, Twilight I read other books between her releases. Jotting Shadow’s books are awesome too. They’re all bloody and action packed, and super cool.”
“You here that JT? Dashie likes your books. What about you Twilight have you read them?” Pinkie pressed the purple pony.
It was Twilight’s turn to rub her head in embarrassment. “Well… Spikes’ read the one about the dragon I think, but well I think it was a bit too… intense for me,” she admitted.
“Aw, did the action make the Element of Magic scared?” Rainbow Dash teased.
“No,” the unicorn shouted. “It was the… second chapter of the first book. Where the two farm ponies were… you know…”
“Rutting,” Dash finished with malicious grin.
Twilight “eeped” and hid her face behind her hooves. Rainbow Dash burst out laughing and rolled back and forth on the floor. “It’s not funny Rainbow Dash. I mean I’ve never read something as descriptive as an anatomy book. It’s… well… ug…” she turned toward Jotting. “I’m sorry, I’m sure you’re a great author, but I’m more of a researcher.”
“Tell me about it,” Dash said between laughs. “You could use his book as research.”
Twilights face reddened even more. Her eyes focused on the beanbag chair Rainbow had been sitting in. Twilight’s horn glowed and the chair floated in the air over the unaware pegasus. With a wicked smile the glow stopped and the beanbag fell on to Rainbow with a stratifying thump.
While Twilight and Pinkie Pie laughed and Rainbow Dash fumed, Jotting found himself in an unusual mental state. He was having fun, he knew that, but at the same time he was uncomfortable with the group of mares being so energetic around him. This new territory of trying to find a way to connect with his targets, not just get his targets to connect to him, was befuddling to say the least.
“Anyway Mr. Shadow,” Twilight addressed him after Rainbow had calmed down.
Jotting held up a hoof to stop her from continuing. “Jotting, please, or JT.”
The unicorn smiled, please to see the author wasn’t caught up in formalities like other’s she had met in the academic world. “JT then, I apologize again if anything I said out your works offended you.”
Jotting laughed. “The only ponies that offend me when talking about my works are my editor and Censor Literature of Ponies Party, the anti-obscenity group.”
“I’ve never hear of them?” Twilight said confessed.
“Don’t read the papers much do ya egghead. They’re against, like everything in books. They even protested Daring Doo for being too violent,” Rainbow remarked with a smile that Jotting read as I know something you don’t know.
“Oh well they sound like prudes then. Thank you for excepting my apologies JT. I take it since Pinkie brought you she’s already told you she’s planed a Welcome to Ponyville party.”
“Yeah she—“Jotting turned to see that the pink pony had vanished again. “When did… how did…?” he stuttered, confused as to how she had left unnoticed past his well-trained senses.
“That’s just Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash and Twilight said in unison.
“Okay,” the still confused dark blue unicorn drawled. “She mentioned it, the party I mean. My friends and I will most definitely be attending. They moved here today as well.”
“Hey yeah, Pinkie said a psycho and a nurse were moving in too,” said Dash.
“It was psychologist, Rainbow,” Twilight corrected her with a sigh. “So why would three ponies be moving to from Canterlot at the same time?”
“Work mostly,” Jotting said as nonchalantly as possible. “Hooves wanted to start a private practice, I need some time away from the big city, and Lethe can’t survive without us.” This no-real-lies thing isn’t so hard. Yeah it’s annoying. It feels like I’m endangering the mission, but not too bad.
“Cool, well I got to go and clear some skies. Should have probably done it an hour ago, but the new Daring Doo book is really awesome. Oh yeah,” Dash trotted over to one of the libraries shelves and pulled out what Jotting recognized as Dark Dragon: The Rift. The first in the series. “Can you sign this?
“Rainbow!” Twilgiht exclaimed. “That’s the library’s copy. You can’t mark in it.”
“Aw come one Twi, aren’t you always gushing over you’re sighed magic book collection.”
“Those are from my personal collection and from famous unicorns that died centuries ago,” the unicorn admonished. “That book is for everyone.”
“Ug, fine,” Rainbow grumbled as she put the book back in on a randomly chosen shelf. “If I bring a copy to the party tonight will you sign it?”
JT smiled. “Of course Miss. Dash, anything for a fan.”
“Heh, that’s usually my line. Cool, though. Later.”
With that the chromatic maned pegasus flew out a nearby open window and out of view. Twilight was mumbling as she replaced the book Rainbow had improperly shelved into its rightly place.
“So how’s my brother doing?” she asked suddenly.
“I’m sorry, who?” He knew who her brother was, but feigning ignorance was an automatic response.
Twilight turned a knowing smiled spread across her face. “Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard. The Night Watch still works with them sometimes right?”
The only thing that kept Jotting’s jaw from falling to the floor was pure, unadulterated shock.
Lethe fluttered about his new loft apartment with a trio of small boxes in his arms. Unlike his friends besides the larger furniture he only had a few small personal positions. He laughed to himself thinking how long it would take the two bibliophiles to unpack and shelve all their books. He on the other hoof never read anything except the occasional newspaper. Dumping the boxes on the small dresser in the corner of the room, he carefully opened the larger of them revealing a set of ornate golden wing-blades.
“Couldn’t leave you behind, could I boys?” Lethe purred at the ancient weapon. He had acquired them on a random adventure with a pegasus friend of his who had a penchant for tomb raiding. She may have gotten a nice statue out of the escapade, but the beautiful set of pegasus battle tools was a better prize in his opinion. He splayed the wings out fully and placed them on a previously set couple of nails displaying the sparkling artifact in all its glory.
“Mines bigger than yours Daring,” he said aloud remembering the phrase when he and his companion had escaped then dungeons traps with their only prizes.
A loud series of knocks snapped him from his admiration. Hovering across the room he opened the door to be greeted with a pink earth pony bouncing up and down with an oversized pink envelope in her mouth.
“Hefro, Wanna comf ta a parfy,” she mumbled.
“Um… what?”
The pink pony took the letter out of her mouth and shoved it into his hooves. “Wanna come to a party? I already invited your friend Jotting. Oh, this place is huge. You could have a great party in here,” she said hopping around the room deftly maneuvering around the furniture boxes.
Pinkie Pie, Bearer of Laughter. Lethe said to himself immediately recognizing the mannerisms from the briefing. “So you met Jotting. He’s getting settled in then?”
Pinkie stopped and smiled. “Nope. He just had to meet Twilight, my best friend and the town librarian, and Princess Celestia’s student, and a really powerful unicorn, and the Element of Magic.”
“He had to meet all those ponies huh? Jotting hates crowds, good on him to coming out of his shell,” Lethe joked.
Pinkie stared at the hovering purple pegasus and giggled. “No silly, Twilight is all those things. That was funny though.”
“Thanks,” Lethe smiled. It was good someone appreciated his humor. “So when’s the party?”
“Eight o’clock sharp. It’s for all of Ponyville’s new friends. Oh you can meet all the people in town. Well all the ponies that show up, but for welcome parties a lot of ponies attend, more than if it’s one my Thursday parties."
“Everypony huh?” He remembered reading Pinkie’s parties ranged from foals birthday parties to drunken raves. “Is this going to be a simple get-together or a more grown up thing.”
Pinkie nodded. “Well since this is a welcome party there’s going to be plenty of cider and wine and even some honey brew. That’ll bring out all the ponies who like a more mature party,” she parodied a high class Canterlot accent on mature.
“Sounds good. By the way, don’t supposed you know a place I can get a new bed? I sorta need a new one. My last one wasn’t worth moving”
The pink pony’s smile widened to an impossible girth and she dragged the pegasus out the door. They passed a mix of colorful houses and businesses until she halted in front of the strongly named Sofas, Quills, and Stuff.
“Really?” he gave the party pony a quizzical look.
“And Stuff.” She said pointing at the end of the sign. “Beds are stuff. So are cakes, but they don’t sell food here.”
Lethe couldn’t help but to smile along with her. In Canterlot every item had a shop with few bleed overs. Here in this small burg with limited space a seemingly random assortment was much welcomed sight than the snootiness of the capital city’s business district. Pinkie greeted the shopkeeper as they entered and explained their reason for coming.
“A pegasus hmm? You’re lucky fella, we just got a new shipment of specialty cloud beds from Cloudsdale. Didn’t mean ta order em mind you, but maybe if a new fella such as yourself where ta but one and give em a good name around town I might be able to sell em a bit faster,” the elderly unicorn told him with a big salesmen smile.
Lethe’s ears perked up. He hadn’t had a cloud bed since he was a colt, but he knew the grounded versions were enchanted and expensive. “How about a reduced price if I’m going to be advertising for you.”
“Ten present off.”
“Fifty.”
“Twenty-five.”
“One-third off the price.”
“Deal.”
The two shook hooves and Lethe signed some papers to have the bed delivered later in the day. He was also talked into buy an entire living room set in the space of the paperwork making his bit saving attempts futile. Pinkie was still smiling was they left the shop.
“So I hear you’re going to be the new doctor at the hospital. Did you work at one of the huge hospitals in Canterlot?”
“I was more of a trauma surgeon than a doctor. I think my title here is something like consultant meaning I get a big important office and do no real work. I’m hoping to actually help though. I don’t like just sitting around. I love to make ponies feel better,” he gave a quick glance to his medical cutie mark.
Pinkie nodded. “Same here, but parties are my way of helping. So if you’re a doctor and your friends a doctor then why did Jotting call him THE Doctor?”
Lethe laughed at the memory of the three’s first mission together. Before that he and Hooves had separately been called Doctor as a codename during their individual missions, but while together Jotting had simply said Hooves call sign would be The Doctor and Lethe’s would be Feel Good. Lethe loved the name so much he used it on any mission and even a few club outing since.
“More to avoid confusion than anything,” he told the pink pony still bouncing alongside him. “Besides, Hooves has that ‘Doctor’s’ aura all the time. I get into the zone when working but otherwise I’m much more laid back. So I don’t mind him getting the title.”
It was Pinkie’s turn to laugh. “Yeah, if it wasn’t for your cutie mark and what Nurse Redheart told me I would have never guessed you were a doctor. Most doctors act a bit…” she pondered the right word not wanting to offend her new friend.
“Aloof,” Lethe offered.
“Yeah, aloof. Kinda above all us non doctor ponies.”
Lethe nodded. “Lots are. Hooves is. Most of the ones I know are… well grizzled is the best term I can come up with, but I learned to separate surgeon me from walking around me. If that makes any sense.”
Pinkie nodded sagely. “That’s good. I wish everyone could do that.”
“I don’t,” he said quickly sensing sadness in her voice. “It would be too hard to know if a pony is being real or if
The party pony instantly brightened. “You’re right. That makes a party even better.”
“Then it’s something to work toward.”
“Right. That reminds me, I need to get ready for your guy’s party tonight. Remember eight sharp at Sugercube Corner.”
“We’ll be there.” He watched her bounce away. Her good mood affecting him and those around her. Lethe knew that the Bearer of Laughter would be a great friend in the new world void of war wounds and conspiracies.
The Shrink and the Mailmare
A soft ding alerted Doctor Hooves that his first attempt at baking in a new oven was finished. If reading ponies was his first special talent then baking was a secret second, something he had not shared with his friends due to Jotting’s and Lethe’s penchant for mooching food. He carefully pulled the cookie try from the oven and frowned at the crispy looking chocolate treats. “Blasted oven burns hotter than my one back in Canterlot,” he said to himself. “Or maybe it heats faster. Oh well, guess I’ll make another batch.”
As the cookies cooled he went downstairs to set to unpacking a fifth box of medical texts and began placing the books by most to least used in bookshelf by his new oak desk. He looked around the space that would be the greeting room to his new office. Simple, clean and bright, it felt welcoming, unlike the one back at the Canterlot headquarters which was a nondescript room in a hall of nondescript rooms. Even if the new practice was more of a cover than a real business he promised he would never do anything less than his best.
His train of thought was interrupted by a series of knocks at the door. Upon answering it he was greeted by another series of knocks on his skull.
“Ow, watch it. I’m here. I’m here,” he shouted at his assailant.
“Oops sorry,” a bubbly voice apologized. “I was trying to remember the last time I delivered mail here.
Hooves stopped rubbing his head and looked up into a set walleyed gold eyes. They belonged to a grey pegasus with a blond mane. A thick mail bag was slung over her back and a peculiar bubble cutie mark graced her flank. “I was assured this dwelling was vacant for quite a while before it was purchased for me.”
“Yeah I was thinking it’s been a long, long time since this place has gotten a letter,” her giggle was as musical as her speech.
“So I’m getting letters already?”
The grey pegasus gasped and reached into her bag and pulled out an oversized pink envelope. “It’s a Pinkie Pie invitation,” she told him reading his puzzled look. “She sends out lots of em, but this one’s a bit different.”
Hooves opened the card inside the envelope, only to watch a stream of glitter fall to his clean floor. With a heavy sigh he read the multicolored, twisted letters in different fonts inviting him to a place called Sugercube Corner at eight that evening.
“He He, Pinkie always puts a lot of work into her invitations,” the mailmare said as she hovered over Hooves shoulder.
“So I see. Does she throw parties for all newcomers?”
“Yep. Pinkie’s always throwing parties for anything. I go as often as possible, but I don’t like leaving Dinky home alone.”
“Dinky?” the picture of a cat or a bird came to the forefront of his mind.
“Oh, Dinky’s my daughter, she’s barely out of foalhood so I can’t leave her alone too often.”
“I can’t see you as a mother,” Hooves said offhand. The mailmare gave an indignant gasp and her gaze hardened to near hatred. “Wait, wait, I said that wrong. What I meant was –“she didn’t let him finish as she zipped into the sky and hover the horizon. “Great job Hooves, here for ten seconds and I’ve already made someone hate me.”
He shut the door and went back to his unpacking. “How is it Lethe and Jotting can assimilate into any situation despite their different personalities, but I can’t talk to a single pony outside a psychologist couch without eliciting a negative reaction,” said to himself as he fell back onto a habit he had picked up from his father, talking his problems out loud using himself as a foil for a conversation.
“I mean they’re not even trained to figure out thing inner working of ponies, I have a bloody diploma for it. Lethe has no filter between his brain and mouth and Jotting avoids crowds like a plague.”
“It’s because both of them leave their comfort zones,” his rational voice said back. “During my missions I only observed never interacted. I’m more at ease telling people what their problems are without minding what they think.”
His emotional side sighed. “That doesn’t explain my rudeness, not that what I said was that rude. She overreacted, mares tend to do that.”
“You realize how foolish that sounds, right. Now you’re deflecting responsibility Hooves. Anypony would be angry if you told them they weren’t parent material.”
“That’s not what I said,” Hoove’s shouted at his rational thought.
“No, but that’s how anypony who doesn’t know you would take it. And now the pretty mailmare, whose name you don’t know, is flying around town, tears in her eyes telling anypony who will listen how mean and nasty the new psychologist is.”
Hooves sat in silence for a second pondering what his unfiltered rational had revealed. One he was worried some about his image in this new town. Two he felt bad about hurting the mare’s feelings, even if inadvertently. Three somewhere in his subconscious he thought she was pretty. Quickly shelving the book in his hooves he rushed into the kitchen and slid the now cooled cookies into a bag and rushed out the door.
Bag of cookies in mouth, the Doctor ran down the streets of Ponyville looking for any signs of the gray pegasus. She was nowhere to be found in the market place or at the apartment buildings near the town’s center, his frantic search and darting eyes caught the attention of one of the market ponies who whistled to get his attention.
“Ya’all look like ya lost yer favorite pet or something mister. What’s the problem?” the orange earth pony with the apple stall asked.
“It’s Doctor, and I’m looking for the mailmare, the grey one with the bubble cutie mark. I’m afraid she took something I said out of context and flew off before I could apologize.”
The country pony took a few seconds to register both his Trottingham accent and his speech mannerisms before answering. “Oh you mean Ditzy, I saw her flyin’ toward my farm not that long ago. Ya might be able ta catch her on her way back inta town.”
“And which way would your farm be located Miss…?”
“Applejack. Sweet Apple Acres is south of town. Just follow that road and yer headin’ the right direction.”
“Much obliged Miss Applejack,” Hooves said and took off south in a quick trot leaving the farm pony smiling at her good deed.
True to the farm pony’s word the Doctor saw a familiar grey shape heading his way nearly as soon as he left the town proper. On closer inspection her eyes were slightly read and her cheeks flushed. She was flying quite close to the ground, her mismatched eyes never leaving the dirt road.
“Excuse me Miss Ditzy?” the Doctor asked softly so as not to startle her. She paid him no heed as she simply flew closer and closer never looking up. “Ditzy?” Hooves questioned again, a bit louder this time. Still no answer. She was now right in front of him and closing in Hooves tried to take a few steps back but a stray divot in the road caused him to tumble backwards. He institutionally reached out a hoof and grabbed the mailmare's mailbag pulling it and her on top of him and into a very accidental kiss.
As their lips met the strap of Ditzy’s mailbag wrapped around them both, binding their bodies together. Hooves’s mind was blank. He felt the mare’s soft lips on his and her light pegasus body smashed against his own. In the microsecond their lips were connected he felt everything was right in the world, but the reality of the situation came to Ditzy much faster than him.
The grey pegasus wiggled uncomfortably off of him grinding her frame over his stomach all the while apologizing profusely.
“Sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I should have been flying higher or watching where I was going or… Oh it’s you.”
Hooves stood and brushed the dirt off his back. “Yes it’s me. No harm no foul as my friend would say. Now then I—“ he started to apologize but she had already moved a distance down the path. Scooping up his fallen treats Hooves followed the fuming mare.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said once he caught up with her. Ditzy said nothing and continued hovering toward town, so the Doctor continued. “For both the incident back there and what I said at my office. I really, truly didn’t mean for it to come out like that what I meant was—“
“That a retard like me shouldn’t have children. That somepony like me doesn’t look like she can take care of herself much less a little filly,” venom spewed from the mailmare lips.
“No.” the Doctor said choosing his words carefully. “I meant that you look quite young to be a mother. I’m sure you take great care of… Dinky was it? Anyway I didn’t mean to insinuate I thought ill of you. I even have cookies as an
For the first time since running into him Dinky looked the Doctor in the eyes. “You… you… didn’t mean it like that?” she asked waiting for the Doctor’s nod, once he gave an affirmative she stared down at the ground again this time in both shame and embarrassment. “I’m sorry too then. For flying off like that.”
Hooves waved a dismissive hoof. “No, no. There’s no need for you to be sorry for anything. I was the one who misspoke and you were rightfully angry at what I said. Let’s start over. I’m Doctor Hooves, Ponyville’s new psychologist.” He held out his hoof to shake.
“Ditzy Doo,” the mailmare said back as she took his hoof and gave it a friendly shake. “So what’s a psychologist do?”
“Well thank you. Anyway a psychologist is a medical professional who tries to help a pony with any mental problems they might have. Depression, anger, strange feelings, that kind of thing. We try to find the root of said problems and help a patient through the.”
Ditzy giggled. “So that’s what Pinky meant by you being a brain doctor. I though it meant you cut into pony’s skulls or something.”
“Oh Celestia no. It’s my friend Lethe who’s the surgeon not me. Can’t stand the sight of blood truth be told.”
“Well that doesn’t sound much like a doctor then,” she pointed out.
“Well I did have to go through that kind of medical training for school, but I haven’t so much given out a Band-Aid since I received my degree.”
“Well, if you help ponies and you like doing it that’s all that really matters?”
They had entered the town and Ditzy headed toward a nearly fixture of apartment mail boxes. As she put the letters into their respective slots the Doctor admired how quickly and skillfully she worked.
“Do you mind if I ask something?” he ventured carefully.
“It’s about my eyes isn’t it?” she had caught him staring while she filtered the mail.
“If it’s a touchy subject…”
“My mother blamed me for my dad leaving, and used to abuse me. One night she hit me so hard I fell out of our cloud house and into a pond below it. I got lucky and was fished out by a earth pony but I hit my head when I hit the bottom of the water. The doctors said it was some nerve damage and was too dangerous and expensive to reverse. It doesn’t really affect my vision, but I’ve been made fun of for it my whole life,” the story was practiced and not without a hint on agitation.
“I’m terribly sorry I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“Nah, I knew you’d ask, being a doctor and all. This gets it out of the way early.”
“Well since I’ve gone and asked something uncomfortable it’s your turn. Ask me anything.”
Ditzy was taken aback. No pony had ever kept a conversation going after hearing her life story. She gave the tan earth pony in front of her a once over. His smile was genuine and his eye’s sincere. He was enjoying speaking to her. “Why are you still talking to me?” she accidentally said aloud.
“Well you enjoyed my cookies and you forgave me for being extremely rude earlier. Not many ponies have done that, I’m infamous for having Hoof-in-Mouth syndrome back in Canterlot and its cost me more than a few friendships.”
“Oh,” she looked down embarrassed for the praise.
The clock tower bells rang seven times starting Hooves at the lateness of the day. “Sorry Ditzy I’m afraid I agreed to meant my friends for dinner at the café. Will I see you at the party tonight?”
“Um… Yeah I guess. I can bring Dinky to the start of it and send he home with my neighbor later,” he cheeks were flushed for some reason.
Hooves didn’t notice. “Excellent. I’m sure my friends would like to meet you and I’d like to speak with you more at length. Not as a Doctor mind you, as a friend. Unless you want to talk to me as a Doctor then I’m available.”
Dinky laughed at his rambling. “No that’s fine. I’ll come by your office when you’re open if I need brain help. See you tonight then?”
The Doctor nodded and watched the mailmare fly out of sight and stared at the sky for a minute more before rushing toward the café.
So Three Spies Walk Into a Café
As Hooves closed in on the café he saw his two friends sitting at an outdoor table. Lethe had an amused grin on his face and was barely holding in a bout of laughter. Jotting on the other hand was banging his head over and over again on the table’s surface.
“Problem?” Hooves asked, taking a seat next to Lethe.
“Twilight Sparkle knows Jotting is a Night Watch agent,” the purple pegasus said with a snicker.
The Doctor was taken aback. “What! How?”
“I don’t know!!!” Jotting wailed causing some passersby to stare for a brief moment before resuming their day. “She asked about her brother, connected him to the Night Watch and just asked about the goings on at the castle. She never said how she got the info. I… I… answered every question she asked. It was all trivial, but…,” he sniffed. The Hooves noticed he had actually been holding back tears. “Ten years. I’ve been an infiltrator for ten years and not once, not even on my very first mission had I ever been made. Now here we are, not a bucking day into the mission and my primary target knows everything.”
“It can’t be that bad. Maybe Princess Celestia told her,” Hooves ventured trying to calm his friend down. “Or maybe she heard from her brother, I’m sure such a thing would cross his desk as captain of the guard.”
“But Princess Luna said we answer to her and Celestia told us it was a secret to the Bearers,” Lethe reminded him.
“I’m a failure as a spy,” Jotting sobbed.
Hoove’s cleared his throat. “JT, there are a hundred ways Twilight Sparkle could have found out about our mission. She has personal access to both the Princesses and the head of royal security. While the Night Watch isn’t a secret, its members are. She could have used any one of her sources to find out about you. There is no reason to break down. We have a party to go to soon and you can ask her there, discreetly if you so desire.”
“Yeah,” Lethe said patting Jotting on the shoulder. “She has access to all kinds of info I bet, so it wasn’t your fault, the deck was stacked. Besides, now there’s really no reason to hide who you are from her. In a way, your life just became like one-hundred percent easier.”
Jotting looked up at his friend’s hopeful faces. The two ponies in front of him had twice in one day brought him back from a black void of self-doubt that he had almost never experienced. “If anyone back in Canterlot hears of this they will never find your bodies,” he warned.
Lethe and the Doctor erupted in fits of laughter, glad to have their somber, if dark-humored brother back. Hooves called over the waiter and ordered lavender tea. Lethe asked for some pomegranate juice. Jotting ordered cider. The conversation turned toward their days, Lethe’s run in with Pinkie Pie seconds after she had left Jotting with the well informed Twilight, and the Doctor told a shortened version of his escapade with Ditzy Doo minus the accidental kiss.
“Aw, the Doctor has finally found his special somepony,” Lethe teased.
Hooves nearly spat out his tea. “Hardly Lethe. I just felt it would have been detrimental to both my new practice and any possible future friendships if had just left things as they were.”
“And yet you followed her on her route like a lovesick colt,” JT joined in the teasing.
“She’s interesting. I mean… she’s nice… she’s… oh buck, it you two will never let up will you.”
Lethe turned toward Jotting. “JT, I propose a secondary objective to our mission. Get the Doctor laid.”
This time Hooves did spit out his tea. "Wha—“
“Very well Lethe, I have taken your proposal into consideration and agree with its stated goals,” Jotting said in a mockery of his former captain’s voice.
“Now see here,” Hooves interrupted their laughing as he cleaned the table. “You two may be familiar with flings and such but I’m not that kind of stallion. If I get in any type of relationship I want a long term one.”
Lethe stared at the Doctor for a second before smiling. “Special Agent Shadow, I wish to amend my proposal. We must make sure the Doctor and the Mailmare get married during our tenure here in Ponyville.”
Hooves’s eyed widened as he stared at the serious looking pegasus. “Wait—“
“Special Agent Lethe, I accept your amendment to the mission. Our first point of operation is tonight’s party,” Jotting said with a fake serious nod.
“Now hold on you two, if I wanted—“
“Nope, sorry two to one vote. That’s how we’ve always done things Doctor. Now then tell us more about the pegasus that captured your black heart,” Lethe put his head between his hooves settling down to listen.
“Jotting?” Hooves asked for help with pleading eyes only so see the unicorn mimicking the pegasus. “I hate you both,” the Doctor grumbled.
“Come one Hooves, Lethe is right. The last time you so much as had a conversation with a mare that lasted past your initial insult of her character she turned out to be an assassin trying to get into the palace. Face it, you need help.”
“Not that kind of help,” the earth pony said pointing at Lethe.
“Now I’m feeling insulted Doctor. I know my relationships last a week usually but that’s how I plan em. I have had two long term relationships that only ended because of our job.”
“I’m sorry Lethe, it’s just I’m usually the on giving advice for relationships and such. Usually your little jabs at my personal life didn’t affect me, but I really do want to get to know Ditzy better.”
“And that’s where we come in,” JT said getting up from the table after placing a few bits down for his bill. “I’m going to the party early, if anyone knows anything about your marefriend is going to be the Element of Laughter.”
“Pinkie,” his two companions reminded him.
“I know her name, but you’re right, I need to remember not to be so damn formal. Anyway, I’ll go early, Doctor you wait outside for your date. Buy her a flower so something. Lethe do your best to catch Ditzy before she gets to the party and play up the Doctor,” Jotting was in his element of tactical planning.
“Aye, Agent Shadow. I’ll search from the air,” the pegasus took off into the sky.
“He didn’t pay,” Hooves grumbled “This plan of yours, well thanks JT, I really do appreciate it.”
Jotting patted his friend on the shoulder. “Yeah well I expect free consultations for my many, many psychosis in the future. As for tonight just watch what you say, try to turn that analytical brain off for the night and enjoy the party.”
“I’ll try, easier said than done as it were.”
“Yeah well you fixed one conversation with her already so I think you can handle it.” With that the unicorn got up from the table leaving the Doctor to cover Lethe’s portion of the bill.
Jotting entered the strangely shaped Sugercube Corner ten minutes before the scheduled time for the party just in time to see Pinkie Pie leap from one end of the common room to the other, a colorful trail of streamers following in her wake. The decorations floated into perfect waves and seemed to magically attach themselves to the wall in unison.
“That’s impossible,” the unicorn grumbled.
Pinkie turned and smiled at him. “Oh, hi JT you’re early.”
Shaking the physics breaking performance from his mind Jotting plastered a smile on his own face. “I tend to do that a lot. Do you need any help?”
“Nope,” she said with a comical shake of her puffy hair. “I just finished. Snacks and drinks are over there on the table. I couldn’t get my friend Vinyl here tonight but I do have her new album so that’s okay. All my friends said they’d be coming to meet you and your friends tonight too.”
“That’s great Pinkie. I promised Rainbow Dash to sign one of my books for her and Twilight and I need to continue our conversation from earlier.”
The pink pony’s eyes widened and started to glimmer. “I knew you and Twilight would hit it off, you both like books.”
“Uh yeah, hit it off, that’s what we did, I guess,” Jotting said remembering his last meeting with Celestia’s student. “By the way Pinkie can you keep a secret?”
“I am the best at keeping secrets. I pinkie promise.”
“Pinkie whatis?” the confused unicorn asked.
“I cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye that I won’t tell anyone your secret,” she pantomimed the actions in her limerick.
“Right,” Jotting was confused but realized he needed to trust her. “So, my friend ran into the mailmare, Ditzy, and he’s attracted to her now. I need info o0n said mare Miss. Pie.”
Pinkie’s eyes shimmered even more. “Really? That’s great. Okay I’ll help you out. Ditzy is a single mom, her filly’s name is Dinky and she’s a unicorn. Ditzy’s ex-husband was a pegasus and left because he thought she cheated on him, even though Ditzy’s dad was a unicorn too. She’s really nice, but because of her eyes and because she’s a bit clumsy everyone calls her Derpy, that’s really mean and I never call her that,”
Pinkie took a few deep breaths and continued. “She loves muffins, especially double chocolate chip ones. She likes Ocitavia and Lyra’s orchestra better than Vinyl Scratch, but that’s okay everyone has different taste in music. She works really, really, hard at being a mailmare and sometimes gets home late so she gets her neighbors the Flower Sisters to watch Dinky for her sometimes. Oh and you wouldn’t know it but she has really strong wing power, when Rainbow Dash was measuring every pegasus in Ponyville Ditzy got twelve wing power, when she went straight that is, she was really tired from delivering packages that day.”
A few more deep breaths. “She’s a really good cook, but loves taking Dinky to Hayfred’s restaurant for their hayfries, best hayfries in Ponyville by the way. She’s really smart and is always getting books from the library to read, she like romance novels by the way, I’m not sure if she’s read your books. Annnnd that’s everything useful I know.”
Jotting’s mind was still catching up with the second round of deep breaths. “How do you do that?”
“Lung capacity? Pinkie said still smiling.
“No, I mean recalling all that personal information without notes or anything.”
“Oh I try to learn as much as I can about my friends and everyone in Ponyville is my friend, so I know lots about everyone.”
Jotting continued to stare at the Element of Laughter as she double checked her decorations.
She’s not a pony, she’s a filing system come to life… with a tornado and Discord as parents.
“Well thanks Pinkie. All that will really help the Doctor,” he was finally able to say.
“Good, so I hooked up you and Twilight, the Doctor and Ditzy are in the works, now for Lethe,” the earth pony mumbled to herself.”
“Wait what?”
“Nothing, just shipping. It’s something I thought I’d try.”
“Shipping? Wait back up, me and Twilight?”
“Yep, I’m going to do my best to get the two of you together.”
Jotting knew how the Doctor felt at the café. “Pinkie, I’d like to get to know Twilight a bit more before someone decides we should be a couple.”
Pinkie seemed to ignore him. “Okay. So what kind of mares does Lethe like?”
“He doesn’t,” JT told her somehow getting caught in her matchmaking mood. “Lethe’s a coltcuddler. He likes stallions.”
“Ooooo, a challenge. That’s great. Let’s see, Big Mac’s definitely a no. Snips and Snails are too young,” she continued to ramble off a list of names JT presumed were single stallions. A sudden crash in the storefront ceased her musings. Jotting followed Pinkie toward the source of the noise to discover a cyan pegasus trying desperately to put the store’s door back on its hinges. Jotting used his magic to levitate the door back into it proper place, much to Rainbow Dash’s relief.
“Thanks,” Rainbow said as she dusted herself off. “I was going a bit too fast there and didn’t pull up in time.”
“That’s fine Dashie, you’re early anyway. It’s just you and JT right now, but everyone should be coming in soon,” Pinkie gave Dash a friendly hug.
“Great,” Rainbow reached into her side packs and pulled out a stack of books Jotting recognized as the entire collection of his first series. “You promised to sign some books for me, remember.”
Jotting couldn’t help but laugh. “I remember saying A book, but I’m flattered to see you really are a fan.” He levitated a pen off the nearby counter. “So what do you want it to say?”
As the Luna’s moon ascended in the sky a dark purple pegasus was on his third circuit over Ponyville’s airspace looking for the mare who was his mission objective for the night. He was about to double back when he spotted two grey shapes passing under a streetlight. A quick flyby identified a bubble cutie mark on the pegasus.
“Good evening ladies,” Lethe called down to the two mares as he landed next to Ditzy. “Going to the welcome party?”
Ditzy was shocked at the new arrival while Dinky hid behind her mother’s back leg. “Um, yes we are. I’m Ditzy this is my daughter Dinky,” she said motioning to the shy unicorn filly.
“Name’s Lethe, I’m one of the stallions being welcomed along with Jotting and the Doctor.”
At the mention of Hooves, Lethe noticed the mare relax a bit as a smile crossed her face. “Oh you’re one of the friends the Doctor met for dinner then?”
“Yep. He was on cloud nine when he showed up, said he met a nice mare in town who was coming to the party. I recognized you from his description immediately.”
Ditzy frowned slightly. “What did he say?” she asked.
Lethe noticed the change in demeanor and decided to steer away from the obvious. “He said you were a cute grey pegasus with a bubble cutie mark and a unicorn daughter.”
Ditzy smiled at this and blushed. “Um… thanks”
“Mommy, is this a nice pony?” a tiny voice asked barely above a whisper.
“Yes he is Dinky. He’s a friend of mommy’s new friend. They moved here together,” she told her daughter.
“Hi, I’m Dinky Doo,” the filly said coming out from behind her mother’s legs. “Are you mommy’s special somepony?”
Ditzy blushed even deeper as Lethe laughed at Dinky’s wide eyed curiosity. “Fraid not Dinky. Your mom met a much better looking stallion than me. Granted I’m not as socially awkward as him, but he’s a really good pony.”
“So Mr. Lethe, how did you meet Hooves?” Ditzy butted in trying to steer the conversation away from her possible relationship.
“We used to work at the same hospital,” he said without blinking an eye. It was true that the two often ran into each other in the Night Watch’s medical ward, even if they had worked a few missions together before actually both being stationed there.
“What about your author friend Pinkie was talking about? It makes since for two doctors to be friends, but what did he do get a really nasty paper cut?”
Lethe’s first meeting with Jotting ran through his head. Both were just out of shoe camp and were team up with a much more experienced agent while they investigated a Tirek Cult. The elder agent went down leaving the two green recruits alone against a mob crazy robed cultist. Lethe’s wing had been clipped by a magic bolt. He thought it was his final mission until his dark blue unicorn partner shielded him from the any further harm. Jotting was able to shield them both until backup arrived and captured all of the remaining cultist.
“He helped me out when I got a little over my head,” Lethe told the mare. “I introduced him to the Doctor not long after.”
“Do you give shots?” the curious filly asked finally fully emerging from behind he mom.
“Yes I do, but I’m so good at it I’ve never had a single pony tell me it hurt,” Lethe blatantly lied to Dinky. Even the strongest and most hardened Night Watch agents would weep and whine at the sight on a little needle.
“I don’t need any shots,” Dinky insisted. “Right Mommy?”
“That’s right. My little filly is healthy as a…” the remainder of the phase escaped her.
“I bet she is. So I have to ask, what do you think of Hooves?” Lethe asked Ditzy.
The mailmare blushed again. “At first I thought he was very mean, but then he brought me cookies as an apology. Is he really that bad at talking to other ponies?”
Lethe burst out laughing. “Oh yeah. He’s gotten us in a few fights at around Canterlot just by speaking his mind. No filter between his physiological analysis and his mouth. He just comes right out and says what he’s observed. He needs constant supervision around anyone not a friend or a patient.”
Suddenly Lethe remembered he was supposed to be touting the Doctor’s good attributes not telling Ditzy everything bad about him. He was about to correct himself but thought against it. If she didn’t get a heads up with Hooves’s worst attribute.
“Why is he like that? I mean he seems like such a nice stallion, but it seems a bit mean,” Ditzy said hanging her head.
Damage control time. Lethe thought to himself. “He had something to prove back in school. Hooves’s parents are both low class laborers and when some of his peers found out in first year medical school they never let him live it down. Most of those in Canterlot Med are either legacies or high ups. My parents are both in the medical field as a matter of fact. It gets a bit cliquish. To avoid ridicule Hooves threw himself into studying, got to the top of the class and kept going. Now his mind is constantly referencing the texts he read and is reading it back out loud when he observes something.”
“That sounds a little sad,” Ditzy said.
“It is. He only had a handful of real friends in Canterlot. Plenty of peers, but he aggravates most ponies trying to get to know him. JT and I just got used to his quirks.”
“Sounds familiar,” Ditzy whispered to herself.
“Mommy, mommy. There’s Sugercube Corner,” Dinky shouted while she hopped around her mother in a perfect representation of Pinkie Pie. “I hope there’s muffins.”
Ditzy smiled as she saw a nervous looking tan earth pony standing outside the shop’s doors, off to the side of the stream of ponies entering the party with a yellow flower in his mouth. Lethe smiled as he saw a dark blue shape duck around into the alley stealthily upon noticing the approaching group.
So far, so good
“Why am I so bloody nervous,” Hooves asked himself after JT had ducked back into the alley. “It’s a simple welcome party. I’ve been to plenty for new members. Buck up Hooves, remember all of the data Jotting gathered for you. You’re prepared for this. You won’t screw this up.”
Ditzy, Lethe, and a tiny grey unicorn stopped in front of him. With a sly smile Lethe excused himself and joined the herd of Ponies filing into Sugercube Corner. The Doctor knew his cheeks were flushed as he held out the tulip to his date.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked so I picked out something that reminded me of the color of your eyes,” the Doctor told Ditzy doing his best on to stutter.
Ditzy smiled and quickly ate the blossom of the flower. “I love tulips. Thanks Doctor. Oh, this is my daughter Dinky,” she motioned to the wide eyed filly.
“Pretty huh?” the Doctor chuckled. “That’s only the second time I’ve been called that. Lethe had entirely too much wine the first time.”
“I think she meant handsome,” Ditzy corrected her daughter before realizing what she had implied. “I mean, she must think you look nice.” That wasn’t any better.
“It’s fine Ditzy, no need to pro… I mean you look very nice as well. Both of you.”
The inclusion of Dinky caused the filly to lose all trepidation and she moved between her mother and the Doctor. “Can we go inside now? I wanna see what treats Aunty Pinkie made for tonight.”
The Doctor nodded and motioned for the door. “That sounds like an excellent idea. After you my dears.”
Pinkie’s party was in full swing. Multicolored ponies milled about talking to each other. Other’s raided the confection table. Jotting Shadow held a mug of hard cider in his magical grasp. His target of interest had yet to show, but at least Rainbow Dash had been a good distraction to take his mind off the too informed Twilight Sparkle. Dash had left his side for the first time that night to strike up a conversation an orange earth pony JT identified as Applejack.
“Don’t worry she’ll be here,” a now familiar bubbly voice said from behind him.
“You read minds don’t you?” he answered without turning around.
“Nope, just books. And recipes. And tarot cards, but Twilight asked me to stop doing that,” Pinkie hopped around to face him.
“Oh well. It’s a great party Pinkie anyway Pinkie. The guys really do appreciate it.”
“No problemo. Parties are what I do best.”
“She’s right. That and breaking every law of nature, but I’ve learned to ignore it,” a new voice said from behind them.
Jotting turned to see Twilight Sparkle with a purple baby dragon riding on her back. JT remembered Spike from his earlier interrogation at the library. The dragon had remained silent the entire time with a smile on his face.
“Miss. Sparkle, just the mare I was waiting for. I was hoping we could carry on our earlier conversation,” JT said with a false smile plastered on his face.
“I’d like that, but first I’d like a drink.”
Without moving, Jotting used his magic to lift both a plastic cup and the punch ladle behind him. When the cup was filled he floated it to Twilight who accepted it with her own raspberry color magical aura. A warm feeling spread over JT was their auras intertwined. Spike, oblivious of the tension whistled at Jotting’s use of precision magic.
“Spike, I think I saw Rarity talking to Bon Bon and Lyra. Why don’t you go take her a cup of punch.”
Jotting repeated his earlier feat only this time floated the cup to Spike who slid off Twilight’s back and practically ran over to a white unicorn with a purple mane.
“So, where were we?” Twilight asked.
“You were going to tell me how you found out about my job,” JT ventured.
“No, I think you were telling me how Princess Luna is doing acclimating to her various positions,” she said with a sly smile.
Jotting realized she was trying to play his game.“Let’s try this again,” Jotting dropped his voice to his most threating yet sociable level. “How did you find out?”
“Hmmm. Walk with me,” the purple unicorn said the smile never leaving her face. She led Jotting over to where Spike and the white unicorn Rarity were carrying on a conversation. “Rarity, this is Jotting Shadow, the author.”
“Charmed,” Rarity’s Manehatten accent seemed out of place in the country town. “So tell me Mr. Shadow, do you go to many formal book signings? If so I’m sure you could use a new suit, yes? It may be outside my normal expertise, but if I can make Spike a working tuxedo I’m sure a suit for a stallion such as yourself would be no trouble.”
Jotting looked over at Twilight who simply nodded. “It’ll be a while before I finish my next book, but I’ll make sure to take you up of the offer.”
“Wonderful. Now if you’ll excuse me I believe I see another potential customer. Come along Spike, I need a gentlecolt, er dragon on my arm tonight. A lady always must be escorted at a party after all.” With that she and the dragon, who was somehow magically floating behind her with hearts replacing his pupils, left the two unicorns alone again.
“And the point of that was?” Jotting asked his companion as he magically refilled he cup.
“Well if you’re going to keep an eye on us it’ll help if you know everyone, right? If I introduce you to everyone then you’ll have an easier time.?”
It took a lot of effort for Jotting to keep his jaw dislodging itself. “And now I have two questions. Who told you? And why are you helping me?”
“How bout we play a game,” Twilight said as she led him to another corner of the room. “You ask a question, except for the one you really want to know and keep your secret. After every question you meet someone new at tonight’s party. Deal?”
“I am so bucking confused right now. You know I’m here to spy one you and the other elements. You know I was sent by the princesses. You know all this is supposed to be a secret and yet you’re offering to help me. So here’s the first question. Why?”
“Well the other elements and I have had a few incidents over the years. Applejack running away because she didn’t win any money at a rodeo comes to mind,”
“And the Great Ponyville Riot, caused by a certain enchanted doll,” Jotting offered. He felt a hint of satisfaction when Twilight’s smiled dipped, even if for only a moment.
“Yes, that too. I think it would help us if somepony else was watching out for us. Plus I read in a book having a few friends outside out you’re main group is a good thing. Now let’s go see if we can’t find Fluttershy.”
Jotting walked beside Twilight as she talked about her friendship findings, she also gave him a quick briefing on Fluttershy. They found the butter colored pegasus talking to trio of filly’s.
“Now girls I know you want to try to get your cutie marks in mosh pitting, but I don’t think the other guests will appreciate you running into them and spilling their drinks,” Fluttershy reprimanded the sulking fillies.
“Then they shouldn’t be in our way if they don’t wanna mosh,” an orange pegasus with a purple mane whined.
“Yeah,” an off yellow earth pony interjected. “We set up chairs markin’ tour area an everything.” She pointed to three chairs randomly placed near the dance floor.
“That’s not really… well I know you see the boundary but maybe, if you don’t mind, you could ask Pinkie for some extra streamers and, well rope it off. Just encase.”
“Hi Fluttershy. Hello Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo. I’d like you all to meet Jotting the author from Canterlot,” Twilight called out as they approached the group.
“Oh, hello Twilight. Um… hi Mr. Shadow. I really like your novels,” Fluttershy said sinking lower and lower behind her pink mane with each word.
“Thanks. Twilight said she didn’t like my books,” JT said. The declaration shocked all those gathered.
“Twilight doesn’t like a book. Is it really bad?” the white unicorn Sweetie Belle asked in asked.
“But if Fluttershy likes it, it can’t be scary or anything.” Scootaloo reminded her friend.
Fluttershy peeked out from the folds of her mane. “Well they are scary sometimes, but they’re really well written. Why don’t you like them Twilight?”
“I never said I didn’t like them. Just that I had trouble reading them.” Another round of gasps made Twilight realized what she had insinuated. “I didn’t mean that they’re too hard for me to read, I mean… I meant.” She shot an angry look at JT. “Help me out here.”
“Two questions,” Jotting proposed ignoring the confused fillies and mare.
Twilight scowled. “Fine.”
“My writing has some adult themes and Twilight was too embarrassed to get more than a few pages in.”
“What are those books called again,” Sweetie Belle asked with a mischievous look in her eye.
“Well there’s—“ Jotting started only to be shut up by Twilight’s hoof being placed over his mouth.
“The Dark Dragon Series and the Hyperpony Saga,” Fluttershy finished for him. Twilight looked at her friend in shock. “They’re really not that bad Twilight. I’ve writ… read a lot worse.”
“They’re just fillies Fluttershy,” Twilight said pointing at the innocent looking youth. Fluttershy, realizing what she had done hid back behind her mane.
“So where are you livin’” Apple Bloom asked Jotting hopping to steer away from the awkward conversation.
“The tree house that used to be a clock store. Right by the library.”
“Wait, why did you move there?” Scootaloo asked, sounding almost distraught.
“It’s where my um… real estate agent decided would best suit my needs. Granted I haven’t even seen the entire place yet, but it’ll work.”
“Sure, um… sounds cool. Anyway, let’s go see if Rainbow Dash will help us with our mosh pit girls,” Scootaloo said. The three fillies dashed off toward the rainbow maned pegasus.
“Excuse us Fluttershy,” Twilight nodded to her friend as she headed toward the refreshment table.
“It was nice meeting you Mr. Shadow, maybe when you have some free time we can talk shop.” Fluttershy left JT wondering what she meant as he caught up with Twilight.
“So how long did you know I would be coming to watch over you and your friends?” he asked after filling his mug with more cider.
“Before you knew you were coming here I bet?” she told him, her expression telling JT she was still aggravated about the conversation.
“So one of the princesses did include your input in the mission then.” Jotting said with a smile.
“Nope,” Twilight returned with an even haughtier smile.
“Fine then, do any of the other elements know?”
“Nope,” she repeated knowing the one word answers were annoying JT.
Jotting let out a sigh as the two approached Applejack who was flanked by a very large red earth pony and a smaller caramel colored one.
“Hey there Twi, Ah was wonderin when you’d get around to bringin your date ta meet us?” Applejack teased Twilight.
“He’s definitely not my date AJ, I’m just introducing Jotting to my friends.”
Applejack held out a friendly hoof. “Pleasure ta meet ya. I’m Applejack. This here is ma big brother Machintosh, everyone calls him Big Mac.” She gestured at the red stallion next to her. “And this is Caramel, our farmhand.”
Jotting shook each offered hoof. “Nice to meet you. I’ve been drinking Sweet Apple Cider since I was old enough to drink. It’s good to finally meet the ponies behind it to say thanks.”
Big Mac and Applejack beamed at the praise, while Caramel blushed. “Thanks partner. Good ta see even the stuffy fru-frus up in Canterlot can enjoy our apples,” Applejack said. Twilight gave Jotting a worried glance, wondering how he’d handle the accidental insult.
Jotting laughed. “Ug tell me about it. I swear some of the nobility can’t eat something unless its jewel incrusted. I do know both the princesses don’t go a day without a bushel of your farm’s apples.”
Applejack tipped her Stetson cowboy hat in embarrassment. “Thanks for the compliments partner. I here ya came here with some friends. Ah met the stallion calling himself Doctor, but I ain’t seen the pegasus Pinkie was talking about.”
JT scanned the room and quickly sighted his friend laughing with a green unicorn mare and a beige earth pony. “That’s Lethe,” he comminted pointing at the pegasus.
“Talking with Lyra and Bon Bon, huh,” Caramel pointed out. “He’ won’t get anywhere there. Those two are a couple.”
“Trust me that’s the last thing on his mind right now,” Jotting smirked. He wasn’t about to out his friend to a family of farm ponies who, in his experience, made up a good deal of the tribalist earth pony groups. Hooves had written a pager on the reasons behind the trend but Jotting never got around to reading it.
“Yer friend’s barn door swings the other way then?” Big Mac asked. Jotting did his best not to look panicked. The large earth pony was surprisingly perceptive. Jotting swore the whole town was throwing him off his normally perfect game. “There ya go then Mel. Go talk to the feller.”
“Damnit Mac, Ya don’t need ta announce it to the room,” Caramel growled swinging his head to see if anyone had heard the comment.
Applejack huffed. “Pu-leese Caramel. Bout everypony knows ya play for the other team. Go talk to em. If anything ya’all can be friends at least.”
“Let’s go Mel, I’ll back ya up. Pleasure meetin ya Jotting. Nice ta see you again Miss. Sparkle,” Big Mac nodded his head and ushered a distraught Caramel toward the group.
“I agree with Big Mac. Nice meetin’ ya. Now I got ta find Rainbow and the Crusaders before they get somepony hurt,” another tip of her hat and Applejack left.
“You were quiet,” JT remarked to Twilight as she sipped from her cup.
“I’m still mad at you for embarrassing me like that in front of Fluttershy. She doesn’t need to know there’s a book I can’t finish.”
Jotting was about to tease her more when he noticed she was being very serious. “Wait, you’re really worried about somepony else thinking you had reading trouble. Isn’t that a bit… shallow?”
“I’m Princess Celestia’s personal student. I have and image to keep up. If somepony thinks I can’t read a simple book series then it reflects on the Tia, if I make her look, bad she might dismiss me as her student or worse as the Element of Magic. I’ll lose my friends and my home, I’ll be homeless.” Twilight’s hair became more and more frazzled with each statement. Jotting saw she was breathing erratically and her eyes were glazed over, seeing only a dystopian future for herself.
Slippery slope arguments to her own detriment. Check. Jotting thought remembering the briefing files. “So read the books,” he challenged.
Twilight looked at him as if hearing his voice for the first time. Her eyes went from glazed over to an overly excited glimmer. “Of course. It’s that simple. That’ll show them. I’m not afraid of any literature ,” she shouted the last statement and rushed out of Sugercube Corner leaving a confused Jotting staring after her.
“Did I just save us or doom us,” he mused out loud. “I need another drink.”