Justice, Integrity, and Service

After Bon Bon left, Lyra found herself wandering around in the bullpen. She was given an odd glance or two by a few of the deputies, but not much else happened. Soon she found Daring, sitting at a desk tucked away in a far corner of the room. The mare had kicked up her rear legs on the desk and was reading a book titled ‘Rumors and Legends: A History of Western Equestria.’

Lyra stood still for a moment, unsure of what exactly Bon Bon expected her to do.

“Are you going to say something or just stand there,” the pegasus asked without looking up from her book.

Lyra blinked. “Well, I just had some questions I guess.”

Daring rolled her eyes and shut her book. She pulled up a chair from the empty desk on her right.

“Thanks.” Lyra sat down, wondering what to say. “I guess I should apologize if we offended you in some way.”

“You didn’t.” The pegasus eyed her, silently asking if there was anything else.

Lyra cursed inwardly. She sucked at these kinds of conversations. It would have been easier with Braeburn, she thought, he seemed like a good conversationalist. She decided to just bite the bullet and be direct.

“I guess I should tell you the real reason we came out here. My partner, Bonnie, she’s been obsessed with trying to figure out what happened between the RIS and the Marshals. She’s been looking for some excuse to come out here and talk with you guys.”

“Why?”

The unicorn sighed. “I wish I knew. I think she just wants to try and fix whatever happened.”

Daring blinked and chuckled softly. “Wow. That’s not an easy task.”

“I know it isn’t. Can I ask you something, Daring? You don’t seem like the type of pony who’d become a marshal.”

“And you don’t seem like an RIS Agent. Yet here we are.”

Lyra’s mind began to form a plan. “Tell you what, how about we swap stories? I’ll tell you how I got here if you tell me how you got here.”

Daring considered the offer before deciding that having a chat wouldn’t hurt her. “Fine.”

The halls of Canterlot University were silent. Most of the students were hidden away in their dorms, cramming for the impending doom that was finals season, while others were trying to abuse their professors’ office hours to get last minute questions in. Or to beg for extra credit.

Daring Do was doing neither of those things. Instead, she was pacing the hall, muttering to herself. There was no point in studying, she knew, as she had mastered all of the content last week. Besides, her mind wouldn’t let her focus on anything.

The thoughts had started a few weeks ago. In the beginning the uncertainty was fine. After all, didn’t everyone change their majors a few times before graduating? But here she was, in her final year and still filled with doubts and concerns.

After a few failed attempts and multiple major changes Daring felt that she had found her passion in archaeology. After all, she had received her cutie mark based on her ability to find things, so it all made sense. Or, that was what she told herself.

Her mother had promised to support her no matter what. She hadn’t gone to college, and she was thrilled that her beautiful daughter had a chance to do what she never could. Her father on the other hoof was a bit more difficult.

He had been a high ranking officer in the Equestrian Air Force for years. A proud veteran loyal to the cause, he had high expectations for her. Mainly he wanted her to succeed, but he was also a very realistic pony. He was a bit disappointed to hear of his daughter’s obsession with archeology. It wasn’t a major that paid particularly well.

Daring’s father had sent her countless newspaper articles and studies which generally agreed that a major in business or economics would boost her chances at getting a career. Or, she could follow in his hoofsteps and join the armed forces. Who knows, maybe she could even become a legendary Wonderbolt.

But Daring knew that none of those options were for her. She had tried to explain it so many times, but she just couldn’t get the point across. Besides, the only alternative major she could think of was writing, and that was quickly shot down.

The pegasus collapsed onto a bench. Her counselor assured her that she should follow her heart, and not her parents, and that advice suited her fine. Until she got the letter. The letter from her mother that said her father was deathly ill.

Daring wasn’t sure what the problem was, but the doctors didn’t think he had a long time left. He didn’t say it, but she knew that his final wish was to know that his daughter would be safe, and have a job that paid and house to live in.

What was she supposed to do after college? Daring had no idea. Even if she was a certified archeologist, it wasn’t like she could find a job right out of the gate. Sure, she had made connections through networking, but the best she could get would probably be an entry level internship that would take years to build on. And it wasn’t like she could just up and leave, searching for some hidden treasure.

With a frustrated sigh, Daring rubbed her forehead. “What am I supposed to do,” she muttered. In the empty hall nobody answered.

Daring stood from the bench when something caught her eye. It was a poster that had been attached to the notice board across from her. Daring trotted over, examining it closely.

“Are you ready to serve Equestria,” it asked. “The Canterlot Division of the Marshal’s Office is looking for dedicated, hard working individuals from all backgrounds,” declared the brown jacketed pony in the corner. “Whether you’re a unicorn, earth pony, or pegasus, and no matter your skills, we want you. Inquire at the Marshal’s Office for more details. Temporary and permanent positions available.”

Something clicked in Daring’s mind as she read the words. She didn’t know much about the Marshal’s Office, but she did know that it was a very esteemed office, and having a job there could pad even the worse of resumes.

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. She could finish college with her major in archeology and a minor in creative writing, then she could join the Marshal Service for a few years. When she was sure she had enough money she could finally leave and pursue her dreams.

A smile fell on her face. For the first time in a long time, things were looking up for her.

Daring paused, taking a sip of water from a plastic cup before tossing it away. A water cooler was located near the cubicle, which Daring explained as both a blessing and a curse. Sure it helped cool her off in the terrible summer heat, but it also meant that ponies were always crowding near her desk. “Anyways, that’s where it all began for me. A poster on a wall.”

“And who says recruitment drives are a waste of money,” Lyra joked.

The pegasus cracked a smile and Lyra was relieved. She was getting somewhere, which was always good. “Yeah, I guess so. Wish they could help us now, though.” She shrugged off the thought. “Anyways, there was an application and an interview, followed by a physical exam which I passed easily. After that, I was in.”

“Was your father proud?”

“Oh, yeah. He was a bit surprised at first, but he was happy I decided to serve Equestria like him, although in a different way.” A remorseful sigh escaped Daring’s lips. “He passed shortly after I got in though.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry-”

Daring waved a hoof dismissively. “It’s fine, I’ve learned to live with it now. Anyways, where was I? Oh yeah, that’s how I started as a Deputy Marshal.”

Daring stood in front of the office door, shifting on her hooves. She wondered how exactly she needed to approach the situation.

It had been a few months since she joined the Marshal Service, and Daring was surprised to find that she was enjoying it. Finding ponies was a lot harder than finding objects, she discovered, as ponies liked to move around while objects mostly stayed buried.

The Canterlot Division was directed by the Marshal of Canterlot, a pony by the name of Pinkerton. Pinkerton was a well educated pony who had spent ten years working with the Manehattan Police Department’s Homicide Unit before becoming a Marshal.

He had guided Daring through her training, in which she learned how to shoot a gun and conduct an interview. In the past few months she had followed him, along with the other deputies, and hunted ponies who committed crimes even Discord wouldn’t dream of doing.

But something still felt off to her. Daring had no idea what it was, but the thought of displacement had been nagging at her mind. Daring just didn’t feel like she belonged in Canterlot.

Daring shook her head and rapped her hoof against Pinkerton’s office door. “Come on in!”

She nosed it open and trotted into the fresh, clean office. Pinkerton was a very neat and organized pony, to the point where even the books on his shelf were meticulously organized by author.

“Hey, Marshal.”

“Deputy Do. How can I help you?”

Daring settled into one of the red chairs from across him. Pinkerton, a large, thin unicorn, wore a brown jacket like the rest of them. He didn't want to seem like he was above everyone else, and did his best to be approachable to his deputies. Daring only hoped she wasn’t taking advantage of his openness.

“Uh… I’ve just been thinking, sir. You know, about my time here and my position and stuff.”

Pinkerton cocked an eyebrow. “Is something wrong? Are you not satisfied here? Because I think you’re a damn fine deputy.”

“No, sir. It’s not that. I love working here, being a deputy. It’s just… Lately, I’ve been feeling like I don’t belong here, sir.” Pinkerton was silent, urging her to continue. “Not like here with the Marshal Service. In Canterlot. If that makes sense.”

Realization began to dawn on Pinkerton. “Ah. So you’re tired of the city.”

“Yes sir,” Daring replied. She was surprised how quickly Pinkerton was able to find her problem and put it into such simple words. “It just feels too clean here. Like the streets are always pristine. And everything’s always so perfect.”

“And the ponies are a bunch of stuck up brats who won’t talk to you if they think you’re poor,” chuckled Pinkerton. “Don’t you worry, you’re not the first pony to tell me that.” Pinkerton rubbed his chin, thinking. “I think you’d benefit from a change of scenery. You’d like somewhere more open, with secrets and mystery all around. Somewhere you can see the stars at night. Somewhere without tall buildings blocking out the sunsets.”

Daring smiled. The Marshal seemed to know exactly what she wanted.

“I think you’re in luck. There’s another division of the Marshal’s Office that’s in dire need of more deputies. Now don’t get me wrong, losing you to them is devastating to me, but I won’t stand in the way of what you want.” Pinkerton pulled a piece of paper from his drawer and handed it to her. “How do you feel about moving out west?”

“You ever feel that way about Canterlot?”

Lyra smirked. “All the time. I grew up in a smaller town. Setting hoof out there for the first time was a real culture shock for me.”

Daring chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it can do that to people. Nice place though. The ponies there just suck. Anyways, that’s my origin story. What’s yours?”

Lyra sighed. A part of her didn’t want to go into detail, but she knew she owed Daring that much. Besides, even though she was able to get Daring talking, they still hadn’t hit the core issue that Bon Bon had set out to solve. “Alright. It’s nothing that special…”

Snow was falling around the city, covering everything in a thin white blanket. Lyra Heartstrings forged on, trying to ignore the biting cold around her. The wind blew through her fur, causing her to shiver. Her trusty lyre was safe in its case, strapped around her shoulder. As she walked, she tried to remember the details of the past half hour.

It was just another gig for her, at some rundown bar in the lower part of Canterlot. It wasn’t much, but it was one of the last venues that let solo musicians like her perform at. It was a place she had been performing at for years, until she threw it all away half an hour ago.

All it took was one stupid pony drunk off his ass, who kept hitting on her the entire time. Then he took it too far and tried to grope her. He deserved that punch, if not harder. But still, it was enough for the owner to cut off their deal and ask her not to return.

Lyra kicked at the snow, grumbling to herself. Now she was out of a job. She loved doing charity performances, but most of it was pro bono, which meant no bits. She cursed her luck as another gust of wind blew through her.

Before she knew it, she was in central Canterlot. She blinked, realizing she must have gotten lost in her thoughts as she walked around absently. Looking around to get her bearings, Lyra realized she was in front of a building that she had never seen before.

Looking up and squinting, she made out the letters ‘RIS.’ The Royal Investigative Service, Equestria’s premier law enforcement agency. A chuckle escaped Lyra’s lips.

When she was young, Lyra had always wanted to be a special agent. She thought it was just natural for fillies to want to join organizations like the Equestrian Secret Service but quickly found she was alone on that desire.

Eventually she abandoned those dreams when she discovered her talent for playing the lyre. But somehow, her heart had guided her to the RIS headquarters. Even though she had never been there before and didn’t even know where it was for that matter.

She turned thoughts over in her head. Was it too late to apply? She was still young. And it wasn’t like she had any other plans for a career. A crazed smile fell on her face. Maybe it was time to take a chance.

Lyra felt embarrassed at the story. “So yeah. It really wasn’t some cool moment. I just ended up there and applied on a whim. Somehow I got in, and here I am now. Just some dumb luck, I guess.”

“Maybe it was more than that,” Daring said.

“Probably now. If I ended up in front of a hayburger place I probably would have applied there too.”

“Hey, fate works in mysterious ways,” Daring replied. “But either way, you’re here now. And since you haven’t quit, I guess you like that job?”

Lyra’s eyes flickered to the closed door of the Marshal’s Office, where Bon Bon had gone. “Uh, yeah. Love it.”

A knowing smile fell on Daring’s lips. “Okay. Sure thing,” she chuckled.