Snow

“Hey. Wake up.”

“Mrph…” Braeburn groaned as he felt someone shake his shoulder. The stallion sighed and rubbed his eyes, sitting up in his chair. The RDI Canterlot building was dark now, most of the agents safely at home. Though the main lights were off, ambient lights flickered and shone from various computer monitors and displays. Braeburn sat up in his chair, his eyes scanning the room. The room was mostly empty, as the majority of agents had gone home for the night.

Braeburn turned his attention to the mare standing across from him. Bon Bon lay a steaming cup in front of him before pulling up a chair. “Thanks,” Braeburn said as he accepted the drink. “What time is it?”

“2 in the morning,” she replied, sipping from her own cup.

“Huh. It’s been awhile since we’ve done this, hasn’t it?” Braeburn chuckled.

“Sure has,” Bon Bon smiled as she glanced around the mostly empty room. She could make out Wire Tap slumped over in his chair, his jacket draped over his body. His chest rose and fell in time with his breaths.

Cover Story’s desk was empty, but a light snoring could be heard underneath the desk. Bon Bon chuckled, knowing that the stallion was most likely asleep on the floor, hiding under his desk with a box of pizza.

Braeburn sighed with bliss as he set his cup down on his desk. It was rare that the RDI building was so peaceful. There always seemed to be something going on that required their attention, some criminal at large or a conspiracy to stop. “You remember the last time we did something like this?”

Bon Bon nodded in response. The two glanced over at an empty desk that was across from Wire Tap. They were silent as they recalled the agent who sat there.

1 Year, 6 Months ago

The plastic food tray hit the table, catching Braeburn’s attention.

“Seat taken?”

Braeburn looked up from his tray of food. “Guessin’ it’s about to be.”

The light grey earth pony shrugged and sat down. “You’re Braeburn, right?”

“Eeyup.” The grey pony chuckled.

“Thought I recognized you. Name’s Black Badge.” Braeburn’s eyes flicked towards the pony quickly, before returning to the book in front of him.

“Pleasure.” Black Badge tossed an apple in his hooves before taking a bite.

“So, what do you think about our fellow academy students?” Braeburn didn’t answer, turning a page in his book. “What about that Bon Bon mare? Saw her down at the range the other day. She seems to be a fine shot.”

“Reckon so,” replied Braeburn.

Black Badge set his apple down and narrowed his eyes.

“Your accent… you from the West?” Braeburn sighed and closed his book. “Frontier, huh?” Black Badge leaned closer. “How does a pony like you end up taking a job like this?”

Braeburn stared into Black Badge’s eyes, his expression blank. When he spoke, his voice was even, but cold. “Ah’ve seen things out on the frontier. Things that ah’d like to forget, but can’t. Things that stay with you for the rest of your life. An’ ah’d like it if nopony had to see these things, so here ah am.”

Black Badge scoffed. “You should have joined the army.”

“Been there, done that,” replied Braeburn, opening his book again.

“You? In the army?” Black Badge laughed. “Sure.”

“An’ you? Why’d you join the RDI?” Black Badge shrugged, reaching for his apple.

“I wanted to do the right thing, put away the bad guys.” Braeburn shook his head.

“Down an’ to the left.” Black Badge froze.

“What?” Braeburn shrugged.

“You looked down an’ to the left when you said that.”

“So?”

“That’s the telltale sign of a liar, partner.” Black Badge frowned, then leaned in closer.

“Okay, cowpony. Do you want to know the real reason I joined? So I can shoot people, simple as that.”

Braeburn laughed and stood up. “You should’ve joined the army then.”

1 Year Ago

“Remind me why this is necessary,” Braeburn grumbled as he fiddled with his tie.

“Aw, come on Brae! Aren’t you the least excited?” Bon Bon was standing next to him, a massive grin on her face. Braeburn just sighed.

“Sure, ah just don’t get why we need a huge ceremony an’ all. It’s not like we’re becomin’ full agents or anythin’, we’re just gonna be juniors.”

Black Badge rolled his eyes. “I believe the correct term is ‘Probationary Agent.’

Braeburn rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Black Badge.”

“Alright. Braeburn, Bon Bon, Black Badge, Lock Pick, Cover Story, Wire Tap. Front and center.” Underneath the eyes of the entire Canterlot division, the 6 ponies trotted over to the center of the room. A unicorn trotted in front of them.

“Congratulations on completing your basic training at the academy. You have proven your worth, and shown determination, dedication, and loyalty to your homeland. You have proven worthy to join the ranks of the Royal Division of Investigations. Now, raise your right hooves and take the oath.”

The 6 ponies raised their hooves and spoke simultaneously. “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Laws of Equestria against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me Celestia.”

As they finished, the room erupted in applause and cheers. “Congratulations, you are now probationary field agents,” the unicorn announced. “And that means that you respond to me now. Welcome to the RDI, probies. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

9 Months Ago

“What’s up, boss?” Asked a red pegasus, trotting into the interrogation room. Special Agent in Charge Dead Drop was looking through the glass, observing as Bon Bon and Braeburn finished up their interrogation.

Dead Drop turned to the Assistant Special Agent in Charge, a pony named Firefight, and the Senior Special Agent who had just trotted in, Lock Heed.

“Sir,” began Fire Fight, “I have never seen any agent break a pony that fast… much less two probies.” Dead Drop nodded. The suspect, slumped over in a chair, was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Yeah, yeah. Now yer cryin’. Bet you weren’t when you slit their throats, huh?” Braeburn was saying.

“Celestia forgive me!” sobbed the stallion.

“Yeah, way too late for that,” growled Bon Bon as she slammed her folder shut. “We’re done here.”

“W- wait!” Cried the stallion.

“S’matter? Don’t like bein’ alone? Ahd get used to it if Ah were you.” As the two agents left the room, Dead Drop turned to Fire Fight and Lock Heed.

“I agree. Braeburn processes incredible interrogation skills, and Bon Bon is one of the best investigators I’ve seen in a long time. I think it’s time to promote them to Special Agents.”

Lock Heed nodded. “Well, Black Badge won’t be happy about that. He was hoping to be the first promotion.”

Dead Drop laughed. “He’ll get there eventually.”

4 Months Ago

Lock Heed pounded on the door. “Firebug, open up. RDI, we have a warrant,” he called. Black Badge grumbled.

“He’s not home.” Lock Heed looked through the window in thought.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Lock Heed pushed a button on his radio. “Cover Story, Wire Tap, take the back door. We’re going in.”

Black Badge rolled his eyes and turned away from the door. Lock Heed drew his pistol and nodded, and Black Badge bucked the door down. As it hit the ground, the two surged into the room.

Lock Heed held his gun in his hooves, his eyes scanning the room. Black Badge moved forward, eyes locked on a closed door at the end of the hall. “Clear,” Lock Heed announced.

“Cover Story, I’m coming in,” called a voice. Seconds later, the blue unicorn entered the room, his gun floating in his magic.

“Clear!” called Wire Tap from the back of the house. Black Badge gestured to the door, and Lock Heed nodded. The agents took up positions surrounding the door, and Black Badge approached it. As his hoof touched the knob, the door suddenly flew open.

An orange pegasus flew out, knocking Black Badge to the ground. “Freeze!” roared Lock Heed. The pegasus swore and drew a gun, firing wildly, sending Lock Heed ducking for cover.

Cover Story and Wire Tap glanced at each other. “Time to try out that new technique?”

Wire Tap nodded. “Go!” Cover Story’s horn lit up, engulfing the room in a flash of white light. The pegasus recoiled at the light, blindsided. Wire Tap sprang up, using his wings to give him a boost to tackle the pegasus. The two pegasi crashed to the ground. Black Badge kicked the pegasus’s hoof, sending his gun flying. He kept his gun trained on the pegasus as Wire Tap pulled out a pair of zip cuffs.

“Well done, probies,” complimented Lock Heed as he holstered his gun. “What do you call that strategy?”

“I was thinking something like Flash and Bang, boss,” replied Cover Story.

“Eh, the name needs work,” chuckled Black Badge.

6 Months Ago

The pile of papers landed on Braeburn’s desk with a dull ‘thunk.’ Braeburn gave a huff of annoyance, glaring up at the pony who dropped them. Black Badge stood in front of him, a triumphant smile on his face. “Alright, ah’ll bite. What?”

“Guess who’s not a probie anymore?” Black Badge puffed his chest, the smile still plastered on his face. Braeburn rolled his eyes.

“Wire Tap? Cover Story? Lock Pick? Bon Bon? Me?” Black Badge gave a sarcastic laugh.

“Very funny. I’m talking about me, dimwit. I just got my promotion, and that means you can’t treat me like a probie anymore!” Braeburn just rolled his eyes.

“Fine. Why don’t you file away those files, Special Agent Black Badge?” Black Badge shook his head.

“Naw. That’s probie work. And I am not a probie!”

“I’d beg to differ,” scoffed Lock Heed as he entered the room. “You got your promotion last out of everyone. That still makes you a probie in my book.”

Black Badge groaned. “Come on, boss! Braeburn can file these himself!”

“Negative, Braeburn is currently putting together a profile of a serial killer.” Lock Heed narrowed his eyes. “And you’ve only been a Special Agent less than a day. You want to keep it like that, do as you’re told.”

Lock Heed grumbled something under his breath, then accepted the stack of papers in defeat.

3 Months ago

The agents were gathered around a large monitor set up in the center of the room. Dead Drop trotted up and down impatiently. “So. We know that Border Line was the one who planned the Canterlot Station attack. We know that one of his partners betrayed him and died for it, and now Border Line’s on the run. What else do we know?”

“We know that Border rented a bunch of warehouses in Canterlot, but we don’t know which ones specifically, the company’s being extremely difficult,” reported Bon Bon.

“An’ we also know that Border’s still got a cache of weapons an’ explosives stockpiled up,” chimed in Braeburn.

“We also know that he targeted several stations across Equestria, but his partner double-crossed him,” said Wire Tap.

“And we know that said partner was found dead in the sewers two days ago,” finished Cover Story. “So not much, boss.”

Dead Drop cursed and kicked a table, sending a sheaf of folders crashing to the ground. “Damn it! We have a terrorist on the loose and no leads, no clues, and no witnesses!” Dead Drop turned, glaring at his team. “Nopony is leaving this building until we find something!”

“Hey, boss!” Black Badge burst into the room, panting and out of breath.”

“Probie! Where the hell have you been?!” demanded Dead Drop.

“Running down a lead boss!” Fire Fight scoffed.

“This better be good, probie.”

Black Badge nodded. “It is, believe me. Okay, so I was wondering, how does a pegasus move crates of weapons into a warehouse without attracting attention?” Dead Drop stared at Black Badge, who gulped before continuing. “Well, he’d have to use a wagon. I checked with the depots in Canterlot, and I found that a pegasus by the name of Cold Cash rented a wagon a month ago, and Cold Cash-”

“Is the name of the dead partner,” mused Lock Heed. “Okay. How does that help us?”

“Well, you know how the depots have been having issues with wagon theft? The depot manager told me that they equipped all of their wagons with a tracking spell, so if a wagon went missing, they could find it with magic.”

Bon Bon nodded. “So if we track the wagon, we find the warehouse.”

Black Badge reached into his bag and pulled out a slip of paper. “I already had the manager run the spell, and I’ve got an address. Dead Drop chuckled.

“That’s good work, probie. Fire Fight, call SADDLE. The rest of you, gear up. Let’s roll!”

About half an hour later, the agents found themselves in front of a run-down warehouse on the outskirts of Canterlot.

“Sir, SADDLE’s here, what’s the game plan?”

Dead Drop sighed, his eyes scanning the building. The other agents stood in front of him, all wearing black body armor and carrying pistols. Behind him, ponies dressed in olive green armor and helmets and carrying long black rifles were surrounding a warehouse.

Dead Drop’s eyes flicked to the boarded-up windows. “Alright. Firefight, Lock Heed, you’re with me. We’ll take the catwalk. Cover Story, Wire Tap, flash and bang, take the main door. Braeburn, Bon Bon, Black Badge, watch the rear. Let’s move, we don’t have much time.”

Soon, Braeburn, Bon Bon, and Black Badge found themselves in the warehouse’s rear exit. Bon Bon’s eyes swept the roof while Braeburn watched the windows, Black Badge listening to the radio calls. “Contact, contact!” Gunfire could be heard from the building.

“Drop your weapon!” came Free Fire’s voice. “He’s running, rear exit!” As if on cue, a pegasus tore out of a boarded window.

The three agents drew their weapons. “Freeze!”

The pegasus cursed, and beat his wings, taking to the air. Three pistols fired simultaneously, and the pegasus fell from the sky, landing a heap on the ground. “He’s down!” Braeburn ran over, kicking the pistol aside.

“I count nine shots in the chest,” said Bon Bon. “Just like they taught as at the academy.” Black Badge chuckled before picking up his radio.

“We got him, boss. Shooter is down, repeat shooter is down.”

“10-4, probie.” As Braeburn bent over to pick up the pegasus’s weapon, the back door suddenly burst open. A purple earth pony ran out, his eyes widening at the corpse.

“You bastards!” he cried, raising a rifle in his hooves.

“Crap!” Before Bon Bon and Braeburn could unholster their weapons, the pony fired a burst at the three. Black Badge shoved Bon Bon down, and Braeburn dived for cover. Bon Bon scrambled to her hooves, weapon drawn.

The sharp report of a pistol shot caused her to flinch. Braeburn, a smoking pistol in his hooves, advanced towards the pony sprawled on the ground. “He had backup,” he observed grimly.

“Whew. That could have been bad,” remarked Bon Bon.

“Hey, at least… we…. Got him,” Black Badge remarked. The stallion suddenly collapsed on the ground.

“Badge!” Bon Bon ran over to Black Badge. As she turned him over, she saw a blood stain on his shoulder, an area not covered by his vest.

“Boss, Black Badge took a hit. ‘Ah need EMS down here, stat!” Braeburn shouted into his radio. “Easy there, Badge. You’ll be fine.”

Black Badge coughed before smiling. “Down… and… to the left, Cowpony. Down and to… the left.” He closed his eyes, his body going limp in Bon Bon’s hooves.

Now

Braeburn sipped his drink, leaning back in his chair. “I’m gonna miss him.” Bon Bon nodded, staring at the empty desk.

“Yeah, me too. He was arrogant, hot headed, dense… but I still can’t imagine working here without him.” Braeburn nodded, laying his drink on the table.

“Hm. An’ to think he was the last probie, yet the first one to go.”

“Hey, I’m not gone yet!” Braeburn and Bon Bon smiled as they turned to the new comer. “For Celestia’s sake, stop talking about me like I’m dead,” grumbled Black Badge. White bandages could be seen wrapped around his shoulder.

“Yeah? Well a transfer’s just as good as a death,” remarked Bon Bon, giving Black Badge a light punch on his good shoulder.

“She’s right, Badge. We’ll practically never see you again,” said Braeburn, sipping from his cup again.

“Aw, hell guys. We’ll probably meet if the Fillydalphia Unit does a joint investigation.” Braeburn scoffed.

“Like that’d happen. I mean, you picked the Filldalphia Unit because nothin’ happens there.” Black Badge shrugged.

“Well, I’ve had enough action for now. I’d like to live, thanks.” Bon Bon lay a hoof on his shoulder.

“Hey, we get it. You’ve got a family to care for, and they’d like you to live too. You don’t have to feel bad about your decision.”

“Thanks, Bon. Gotta say, I’ll miss this.” Braeburn set his cup on the table.

“When’s yer train leave?”

“An hour. Just stopped by to say goodbye. Where’s the boss?” Bon Bon pointed with her hoof to the office on the second floor.

“Director’s office.”

“Best I don’t bother him, then. Tell the others I said bye.” Bon Bon nodded, then hugged him. Braeburn joined the hug, careful not to touch his injured shoulder.

“Stay safe, probie.”

“You know it, Cowpony. Will you miss me?”

“Nope,” Bon Bon deadpanned. Black Badge smirked.

“Down and to the left, liar.” The three chuckled, and Black Badge turned and trotted out.

Braeburn returned to his seat, tossing the empty cup into the trash can.

“Hey, Brae? You think he should have quit? I mean, do you think he wanted to after getting shot?” Braeburn sighed, staring out the window.

“If you spend your whole life working here and never want to quit, you ‘aint doin’ your job right, Bon.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right.” With that, The two agents sat back in their chairs and watched the snow fall outside the window.

This is a test