An Equestrian Melodyby LuluRainbowChaptersCHAPTER 1: The Consequences of Knowing Too MuchCHAPTER 2: Sorta New Acquaintances & Grand PlansCHAPTER 3: Appletastic PrisonbreakCHAPTER 4: Welcome to PonyvilleCHAPTER 5: Scars of the Past, Hope for the FutureCHAPTER 6: Who Are You?CHAPTER 1: The Consequences of Knowing Too MuchEbony is a good choice for cello bows. It's very fancy-looking, high quality, insanely strong, and best of all: it knocks ponies out cold pretty easily. Well, perhaps I'm getting a bit too far ahead of myself already. I suppose farther into this script it will all make sense, hopefully. I suppose I need a proper introduction now, hm? My name is Octavia. Octavia Melody. Yes, that Octavia Melody. The world-renowned musician. Or rather, world-renowned former musician who is now quite possibly wanted dead or alive for knowing a bit too much about the Equestrian government, and a few other actions that will come to light further on in this script. Who knew that Celestia was such a cruel, heartless- Oh, I am getting ahead of myself yet again. Though in all fairness, how does one even begin to explain how they end up in this situation that I have now found myself in? Well, I suppose it all started from nothing special. As everything usually does. I had been on tour for quite a few weeks, and it just so happened that the great city of Canterlot was my last stop. Obviously, the bustling city of Canterlot wasn't new to me, but it sure did make a perfect last stop for a weeks long tour. The of the performance had gone exceptional. A huge crowd, great applause; everything a musician could ever want and then some. It was truly something of beauty, and it seemed the crowd could agree on that. You know, music really is quite the passion. To be able to do something I love, that being playing my cello, and making a living from it? That is truly amazing. Beyond words, I'd even reckon. I can't wait for the day I can hopefully return to that, after- I just can't seem to keep to the chronological order of this story, huh? Anyway, I had just finished packing up my supplies, and one of my guard ponies did the favor of escorting my luggage to the train station; leaving me to peacefully enjoy my trot slowly back to the train station. After all, even though I was excited to return home, I also wanted to take in the beauty of Canterlot just a while longer. And not only was I excited to return home, I was more so excited to return to my roommate and closest friend: Vinyl Scratch, a fellow lover of music and even a quite popular DJ. Unfortunately Vinyl had been unable to attend that night's concert, on account of some "important business" she had to attend to. Before that, she had been acting a bit more secretive and suspicious the past few weeks. I found it a little suspicious at the time, I suppose, but brushed it off pretty quickly. Safe to say, I now think I understand what she had been up to. It'll make sense once this script plays out a bit more, I suppose. Anyways, as I trotting back towards the train station, I had to pass close to the esteemed Canterlot Castle Royal Garden. There was not a sight in all of Canterlot, dare I say in all of Equestria, more beautiful than that lovely, lush garden. Colorful flowers, bright grass, beautiful bushes, neatly-trimmed hedges...that garden really seemed to have it all. However, as I passed by, I was quite shocked by the sight that awaited me. The beautiful bushes trampled. The colorful flowers destroyed and ripped apart. The bright seemingly burnt. The hedges ripped out from where they stood, with only a few remaining upright. The entire garden was now nothing but a horrible mass of destruction, and standing in the middle, seemingly examining the wreckage was the ruler of all Equestria herself: Celestia. And two guards stood next to her, seemingly looking around, observing the damage with her, and...whispering something amongst themselves and to the princess, with the princess even whispering back. I suppose I would've paid no mind and just been on my merry way had Celestia not had an eerie grin on her face. I don't know why I did what I did next, but I guess curiosity just beckoned me to sneak behind the little hedges that remained and eavesdrop into the conversation that was taking place. I suppose it was that grin. I suppose I just knew that something was off, and my mind just had to know what it was. I was a bit like a mouse to cheese, I suppose. As I crept closer, being very careful to stay out of sight, what I heard...was shocking to my very core, to say the least. Something that would change my life forever. Change my perspective of Equestria and its ruler. Something, that in a way, changed everything I ever even knew. "Yes, yes, of course I do indeed mean her. Shouldn't be hard for us to frame her for causing all this mess. She deserves it, after all these years she's spent pestering me and being nothing but a pain in my rear. And once that's all done and she's out of my mane, I'll just use my magic to restore every thing to almost new, like nothing even happened here to begin with!" Celestia exclaimed. For a few seconds, it was like my brain had failed me. Like a poem that had every chance to deliver a rhyme, but fell flat at the end of the verse. My brain just couldn't seem to comprehend what I just heard. After thinking it over several times, it finally hit me. It hit me a bit too well, actually. "Sweet Beethooven," I whimpered out. I then realized that I had not been quiet at all. I had not meant to even speak, but somehow the shock had made me spill out words. Uh oh. I had the two guards and Celestia in front of me faster than I could sell tickets to one of my concerts. And those tickets sell out pretty darn fast. "Well, well, if it isn't the one and only Octavia Melody, eavesdropping on this private little conversation," Celestia said with a grin, a grin so menacing it could very likely scare an Ursa Major off. A grin scarier than the most ear piercing tune you can imagine. "G'day, my fair princess," I said humbly, praying to any pony gods above she wouldn't do anything to me. The atmosphere felt terrifying, like a thousand snakes staring into my soul. Only a few moments later did I realize my voice came out as a squeaky mess instead of a self-assured greeting. "How much did you hear?" Celestia asked simply and sternly, evidently seeing right through my little act. Well, I was a musician, not an actor, after all. "U-uh," I stammered, almost certain there was no way to get out of this situation I was now in. "Enough, I assume?" Celestia questioned, already knowing the answer. "Is that all you are? Just a miserable creature, arent'cha, Princess Celestia?" I accused. I seriously felt anger boil up inside me. The princess ponies looked up. The princess I looked up to. The very princess who had complemented my performances in the past. Was this all she was, under her metaphorical mask, nothing but a cruel and heartless pony who cared about nothing more than power? I was disgusted to even refer to her with the "princess" title. "Silly little filly, how do you think I've managed to stay in control all these years? You see, sometimes ponies get in my way and I have to...put them in their place, of course!" she exclaimed with a maniacal laugh. I was right. She only cared about the power, not the ponies. She never cared about the ponies. For centuries she put up this act, it was all like a never ending concert in her sick little mind. At this point, I attempted to run like the wind, before immediately being tripped by a guard. That's when I realized I was trapped. Somehow guards had managed to surround me in every direction. I had no escape. "Now, originally I had no plans to...deal with you. Well, yet, at least. Of course, I suppose your music could take the spotlight from me, couldn't?" she teased. "Oh, so is that what'chu see from this land? A bunch of toys for you to dictate over? You're the empress who gets all the fame!?" I practically screamed at her. I couldn't hold in all this building rage anymore. All she saw in these little ponies were little toys, and this land was like a dictatorship for her. "That is enough of her nonsensical ramblings. Guards, show this fool what common sense looks like!" Celestia ordered. I was out cold before I could even react. When I awoke, I was bound to a chair in front of a table. Looking around, the room was dark and dusty, seeming to be a wooden shack of sorts. There was one window to my right, and I could tell dusk was just breaking. Evidently I had been out for almost 24 hours, meaning that the guards had knocked me out good. Some light from the setting sun crept into the room, and I could also see two stallion guards in brown uniforms wearing black glasses guarding a nearby door. Guarding my only escape from this room. I very quickly realized that the table in front of me was some sort of interrogation table. And across from me sat a slightly older-looking unicorn mare, with a black mane and white coat. She wore a brown leather jacket and her cutie mark was a skull with a lock symbol over it. Whatever that was meant to represent, I sure don't believe it was a good omen. She used her magic to hold a cigar up, puffing a few smokes before letting out some deep coughs. "Ah, you're finally awake," she spoke to me in a deep and raspy voice. I struggled against the ropes, before very quickly realizing that it was fruitless. "No sense in struggling. Won't help you," she spoke. Her raspy voice made it hard for me to tell if she actually felt some sympathy for me or not. She slammed some papers on the desk and pushed them over to me. Reading the papers made my heart pound. "No, no! You've got to be kidding me!" I shrieked out. A life sentence to Canterlot Prison. "Well, you are the one and only Octavia Melody, correct?" she asked. "Well, yes, but...what did I do to deserve this?" I asked. This was all so infuriating to me. It all felt like one big, sick, and cruel joke. And it sure wasn't funny. "Princess' orders. You heard something you definitely weren't supposed to, and from then on verbally assaulted the princess," she stated in a matter of fact tone. "Ah, so, this is just a little game for her, isn't it?" I retorted. "I think that's enough of you. Guards, I think it's escort time," she stated as she took another puff of her cigar, not letting out a disgusting cough this time around. As the guards began to move towards me, a cloaked white unicorn mare jumped through the window. Glass flew through the room, and knocked the unicorn pony that was sitting across from me out of her chair and onto the floor; also knocking her out in the process. From just outside I heard a scream towards the pony who now seemed to be my savior, who was already lifting a chair with her magic and throwing it at the guards. "Agent 58! What in the hay are you doing!? You can't just charge into a building like that!" a stallion shouted towards her from the outside. "Well, boss, she's my friend! I can't just leave her hanging!" she said as she kicked the guards to make extra sure they were out cold, as if a chair smacking them right across their faces wasn't enough. As if the voice wasn't enough for me to recognize her, I definitely recognized who it was once she turned to face me. "I would never leave my bestie hangin'!" Vinyl Scratch said to me with a smirk as she ran over, pulled a knife from her cloak pockets, and began to cut the ropes that tied me to the chair. "Well, uh, thank you so much but...I still need an explanation of what is even going on here," I stated, quite annoyed by this entire predicament so far. "Well, I can tell you later, first we-" Vinyl was interrupted by another guard, who had somehow entered the room without either of us noticing, who grabbed her and threw her against a nearby wall. Luckily, the ropes were cut just enough for me to weasel my way out of them, but I wasn't entirely sure what I could do to help. Outside I could hear faint whispering between the mysterious stallion and a mysterious mare. "But, boss, we gotta do something!" the mare cried out. "We can't without the others here, Agent 11," he said solemnly. "What if we lose Agent 48?" the mare responded, sounding defeated. "Wouldn't be the first time we lost an agent," the stallion responded, full of sorrow. Just then, Vinyl had managed to rummage through her saddle bag throughout the struggle, and threw me something that she somehow ended up with. My ebony cello bow. Right then and there I knew just what to do with it. Picking it up with my hoof and standing straight up, I crept behind the unsuspecting guard, raised my hoof, and... WHACK He was out cold, and Vinyl was saved. And that there is how I learned ebony is a good choice for cello bows. The two mysterious ponies also now peeked through the windows, revealing two familiar faces that I had definitely seen before. Provided, I hadn't seen them around much, but I definitely recognized the two. The stallion was Doctor Whooves, or is it Doctor Hooves? Doesn't really matter, I guess. From what I had seen, he was a huge science geek, but overall a kind and caring fellow. The mare was Derpy Hooves, a muffin-loving delivery mare. I suppose she wasn't, to put it kindly, the smartest mare but she also meant well and had a heart of gold. And, that's all a pony really needs. "Well, quite a pleasure to see you two again!" I said wholeheartedly. "Listen, we ain't got much time to waste around here. Agent 11, Agent 58, we taking this lassie back to the hideout?" asked Doctor Whooves. Doctor Hooves? I don't know. "I have no objections, boss," Derpy said. "No objections from me either. Say, boss, I even have an idea!" Vinyl exclaimed as she beckoned Doctor Whooves (or Doctor Hooves) and Derpy to enter the hut, which they obliged to do. She inched closer to Doctor Whooves (Doctor Hooves?) and whispered something I definitely couldn't make out. Whatever it was it made his eyes immediately light up, so it was evidently a great idea. Not that I had come to expect anything less of Vinyl. "Why, Agent 58, that's a splendid idea!" he exclaimed. "Agent 58, Agent 11, boss!? What in the orchestra is this all about?" I asked, more confused than ever. "Listen, Tavi, we'll tell you everything once we get to safety, I promise. For now, just come with us. Please?" Vinyl pleaded, embracing me into a gentle and warm hug, which I gladly accepted as I nodded. She also took back my cello bow, which was lying on the ground but thankfully intact, and put it back in her saddle bag. "Alright, if my calculations are correct...there should be a ventilation shaft inside this hut that we could use to make it back to our hideout," Doctor Whooves (Hooves?????) explained. "Alright, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" exclaimed Vinyl as she broke the hug. Doctor Whooves (y'know what, I'm just gonna call him "the Doctor" for now) and Derpy jumped into the hut. The Doctor pulled out a screwdriver from his brown saddlebag and quickly got to work unscrewing the vent and entering the shaft, which was thankfully big enough for a pony to fit in. Something made me think this was nothing new to him, and perhaps the vent systems of Canterlot were a convenient method of travel. After the Doctor was Derpy, then Vinyl, and then lastly me. It was mostly a silent endeavor, almost like follow the leader of sorts. Eventually we reached what I assumed was the hideout. It was a simple, but nice place. It seemed to be a bunker of sorts, and there was sleeping bags and pillows lined neatly in many areas. As well as bottled water and food supplies in freezer containers, and even a few tables and kitchen appliances in an adjacent room. The place was quaint but fancy, I suppose. Not that I could make out too much of it, as it was quite dark. "This place is pretty fancy," I commented. "Indeed. We all worked together to create this," the Doctor commented as he pushed a random cardboard box in front of the vent, seemingly meaning we would be completely safe. I also noticed a map of the Canterlot ventilation shaft on one of the nearby walls, explaining their knowledge of the ventilation routes. "Hey, Tavi, I know we promised to tell you anything once we got to safety...but we're all pretty tired. It's definitely night by now, and we all need sleep. We'll explain everything tomorrow, alright?" Vinyl asked as she placed her hoof on my shoulder. I nodded my head. "Sounds like a good idea, actually," I responded. I noticed the Doctor and Derpy had already taken this opportunity to get comfy in their individual sleeping bags. Vinyl pointed towards one that I could use. "Use that one other there, it's the only spare one," she pointed out as she slid into her own sleeping bag. "Night Tavi!" she exclaimed. "Night Vinyl!" I called out as I slid into my sleeping bag, as if there was nothing off about this situation despite a million thoughts and questions lingering in my head. These thoughts raced through my head. There were 5 empty sleeping bags, implying to me that currently 5 "agents" were missing. And what exactly is this agency? I can only assume we're a group who knows about the true Celestia, and we're working to stop her? My train of thought was interrupted by the Doctor throwing a notebook towards my sleeping bag "Hey, take this and, if you're up to it, record life's events in it. It could be kinda useful later," he said with a slight smile. So, here I am. Writing everything that's happened so far, I guess. I'm a fast writer, so this hasn't taken me too long, but then again there is really no way to keep track of time in this. I'm getting tired though, so I think it's time to sleep. I'll hopefully figure out more tomorrow, and have a lot of questions answered. I'll make sure to write more then. This has been Octavia, signing off. CHAPTER 2: Sorta New Acquaintances & Grand PlansAuthor's Note The story is back! Sorry for the month-long delay, haven't been very active lately. Future chapters should hopefully be out sooner. Enjoy! CHAPTER 2: Sorta New Acquaintances & Grand Plans "It's time to wake up, madam," I heard a gentle voice call out to me, suddenly awakening me. As I opened my eyes, I saw the kind and welcoming face of the Doctor nearby. "Oh, well, g'morning sir," I greeted, my nose immediately being greeted by a smell of fresh toast from the neighboring kitchen. Sure, toast wasn't that fancy, but it was still quite delicious, "Agen-Uh, Vinyl is in the kitchen, finishing up preparing our breakfast. Just toast and orange juice today, and just us three, " he stated. "Uh, what about Derpy?" I asked, perplexed by her sudden disappearance. "Well, she said she was going undercover to visit a local store to resupply us, get us some fancier foods and beverages beyond toast and orange juice...and scout out the Canterlot High Class Prison," he responded as I began to rise from my sleeping bag and prepare for breakfast. "Canterlot...High Class Prison, why?" I asked. "Ah, yeah...you weren't here for that," he solemnly responded. "Here for what? Look, I still don't know what's going on here even! You all promised to explain this, but I'm still waiting for that, y'know" I stated, perhaps giving off more harshness than I intended with my voice. "Hey, Tavi! Breakfast is ready, me and the boss will explain things over breakfast!" Vinyl called out, sending me and the Doctor trotting over to the kitchen room, pulling out some chairs, and sitting. The room was pretty clean and orderly, with a blue wall and black-and-white tile floor. We all took a bite of toast from our clean white plates as the Doctor cleared his throat, preparing to tell me everything. "We are EQCEA. Short for the Equestrian Corruption Exposal Agency, working to expose the corruption that exists in our very government. The corruption spread by our very ruler: Celestia," he began, starting his speech. I took a look at my orange juice, immediately realizing what he was beginning to say. "You know what I mean. I know you do. You saw her, the true Celestia. The true ruthless dictator behind the mask of lies. That's how you even got roped up with us, isn't it?" he asked, less questioning and moreso confirming what he already knew. "Yes, indeed, you all...saved me from a life sentence apparently, and for that...I cannot thank you all enough" I responded, showing my gratitude with a warm smile, which Vinyl and the Doctor returned. A moment of silence ensued, before the Doctor continued his statement. "Well then. I am...the leader, the boss, the big man himself, Agent #1. I was the first one to ever see the corruption in the Equestrian government, and that was so many moons ago. Gosh darn lunatics...broke into my lab and stole all my greatest inventions. Who knows what Celestia wanted with those," he stated angrily, readjusting his voice before continuing onward. "After me, there have been 57 other agents, though for various reasons many of them aren't with us anymore. Some left to just live normal lives, some were likely bribed by Celestia herself, some left to protect friends and family, some were captured, and some...met their untimely demise, risking everything for our cause. Because of this, there are only currently 8 active agents, though due to some...recent predicament, only 3 are actually with us right at this current moment. 3 are very likely safe, 1 was likely captured but I believe has a smart escape plan, and only 1 is actually in actual danger, the one I sent Derpy to that prison to scout for," the Doctor explained further. Me and Vinyl had nearly finished our breakfast already, and there was still so much to hear. "Is that one...in great danger?" I asked, worried. "Yep. Somehow Celestia issued her an execution due apparently very soon, on quite a few different charges. Treason, crimes against the government, all that stuff apparently," Vinyl stated. "She's one of our newer agents, Agent #45. Candy Apples. Celestia's tax and finance laws have hurt her family's businesses so bad, and Celestia has cheated and stole from her family for so many years...that's why she joined. That's why we gotta save her, y'know? Out of all of us...she's easily got the best reason for wanting to bring Celestia down. I really wanna save her, it's not just her mission to save her family...it's our mission. Our mission to help everypony," he spoke. It was then I realized that the Doctor really did have the essence of a true leader. Someone who wanted to save everypony, even if most ponies may not of realized they needed saving. And we truly needed every member to save everypony. Doctor Whooves finally finished his toast and juice, before looking back at me. "Welp, Derpy will still be gone for a bit, so how about me and Vinyl tell you more about the group? Anything else you wanna know?" he asked. "Well, Derpy, how'd she get involved in all this? What happened to her?" I asked. "Funny story, really. She was one of the highest class mailmares in all of Equestria. The princess trusted her big time, even sent her own parcels with Derpy. Until one day, Derpy slipped up and accidentally opened a high class package from the princess. It was classified documents, and I guess she couldn't resist looking at them. She learned a lot of things, and she knew right then she was in danger. Me and her were close, still are actually, so she came to me. I knew right then and there she was just gonna have to drop her life, so she joined in with us as Agent #11. I know she was on 'WANTED' posters for a few months, but it feels like after that the general public just forgot about her. That's why she always goes out scouting for us, I doubt anypony except the princess herself would remember her," he explained as I listened intently. "So, what number is Vinyl?" I asked. "Agent #58, currently the latest addition. Everything happened when I happened to meet up with the whole gang at a bar. Wanted a nice, peaceful night to just relax with a couple of drinks. Turns out the place was rigged by Celestia, the whole place just a little get-together for some of her minions. Turns out it was all actually a trap, though. So, the whole gang came along. I remember how boss mistook me for one of Celestia's minions at first, almost ended up in a bad situation there. Needless to say, I helped kick the hay out of the whole lot of 'em, left them unconscious long enough to make a grand escape. Honestly, I never really trusted Celestia to begin with, so I was never really shocked to learn what she had done. Good ol' boss over here let me into the group pretty much right after we made our escape. Agent #58," Vinyl explained "Wait, so the bar on the news, that they said got raided by a mysterious gang of criminals...was that you all?" I asked, already knowing the answer in the back of my mind. "Yep. We raided it to get a few documents we needed. Unfortunately, it seems they expected our arrival back then. Like Vinyl said, it was a trap they lured us into. The documents were forged and useless, and now we've had Celestia and her brainwashed group hot on our trail ever since. That all culminated in...the incident a few days back. The one that left us without a few members for right now, and got Candy Apples in prison. We all got sloppy then, messed up big time, but we're gonna fix this. We're gonna bust Candy Apples out of prison and find the others. Have a big regroup, start planning, and then work together to finally bring down Celestia. It's been a long and bumpy road, but...I have faith in all of us," the Doctor stated. "All of us? Does...that mean?" I asked, slightly shocked. "Well, I kinda asked Doctor Whooves about it, he thought it was a great idea by the way, that maybe you should join us. You seem pretty against Celestia after everything that's happened now. I really feel like you could be a great help to us, Tavi," Vinyl said with a warm smile. "That's what I feel, too. So I, Doctor Whooves, invite you to join us. To help us conquer and defeat Celestia. To help us help Candy Apples and the others. What do you say?" he asked me, with a patient and warm smile. I thought it all over. I thought of Celestia, and now my new and seething hate for her. I thought of all the innocent ponies, manipulated and controlled by that cruel and heartless tyrant. I thought of Candy Apples, scared and likely close to her death. I thought of her family, cheated and hurt by Celestia. I thought of everything. I had to help them. "Of course. So many innocent ponies need our help, and we can't let them down. I, Octavia, now also known as Agent #59, swear it," I said with a determined grin. "And well, Tavi, as a general rule we follow: no using our real names during missions. Just our numbers," Vinyl notified me. "Sounds smart," I responded with a nod. "And another rule, that I created long ago. The most important rule, that I want nopony in this agency breaking. We kill nopony. We may attack them, knock them unconscious, steal important documents, whatever...but we never kill a pony. We never stoop to their level. We are not murderers. We are better than them," he said, once again sounding like a great and inspirational leader. Just then, Derpy had entered the base. She held a few bags of supplies, and wore a nice and big smile, implying her mission was very likely successful. "Derpy, Agent #11! You have returned!" the Doctor said with a grin as he stood up from his chair and ran to her, embracing her in a quick hug. "Yes, sir! I also visited the prison, as you asked. Things don't seem too great, to be honest. Seems like the public execution of Candy Apples is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I think they tried to get her to talk, spill our location, and they'd free her. Didn't work, from what I've heard," Derpy reported. "Well then, we'll just have to free her ourselves tonight. Sneak in during the dead of night and nopony will even know we were there, it's really the perfect plan!" the Doctor exclaimed, "Uh, boss, I don't know how possible that is with just 3 of us. We need at least one other member," Derpy stated in a worrisome tone. "Well, good thing we got a new recruit right here!" Vinyl exclaimed with a cheery grin as she pointed to me. "Oh goodie! That means my mistake of buying extra of these wasn't a mistake!" Derpy exclaimed as she pulled out new and fancy black coats, with built-in saddlebags, exactly 5. "Why, Agent #11, what a nice idea of you! Now we can infiltrate enemy forces in style, and convenience thanks to thesewe integrated saddlebags," the Doctor said with a grin. "Well then, we have suits and information. Now we just need a plan to infiltrate the prison in secret, and get out before anypony even knows we're in there. We're gonna save Candy Apples, all of us are," Vinyl said with a signature optimistic grin. "It's easy. Derpy will stand guard outside, she's the most equipped for that. After all, she's the only pegasus with us right now, and until we can get Agent #23 back," the Doctor stated. "Agent #23?" I questioned. "One of the ones that got lost in...the incident a few days back, but she'll be fine. Pretty sure she got away and is just in hiding for right now. Like I said, Candy Apples is our main priority right now. She's the one in the most danger," he reminded us. "Well then, if Derpy stands guard, I say we go a full infiltration mission, boss. Me, you, and Tavi, what do ya say, boss?" questioned Vinyl. "Of course, of course. If I'm correct, there should be a boarded up tunnel just outside. It would be impossible for any earth pony or pegasus to destroy it, but Vinyl here could use her magic and get us in without a sweat," the Doctor stated with upmost confidence. "Well then, that settles it. Now all that's left is to wait for nightfall, correct?" I asked. "Correct. You all may have some spare time to do whatever you please right now, we have a lot of time to burn and it wouldn't be any fun just sitting around," the Doctor stated as he began to sit in a corner and pick up a book, flipping through the pages to get to where he left off. "I'll write some more in my journal," I said to nopony in particular, though evidently Vinyl heard me. "Alright, Tavi. I'll try to work out some sick new music to play when this is all over and I can return to a normal life," Vinyl said with a smile, as optimistic as ever. So, here I am now. Writing up the events of the day so far, as I wait for the operation tonight. Everything is becoming clearer, and this little batch seems like quite a nice group. Vinyl is still my same optimistic friend. The Doctor is a calm and composed leader. Derpy seems friendly and somewhat naive, but yet has an aura of seriousness around her. Candy Apples, from what I've heard, seems like quite the strong and courageous type. It feels like we might actually be able to do this. Yet, at the same time, it seems our objective is as of yet a bit unclear. Are we simply looking for evidence to bring down Celestia? It seems that way, but I'm not sure it will be so easy. Anyways, looks like it's almost time for the operation. I'll write the results when I return. Hopefully everyone of us comes back safely, including Candy Apples herself. This has been Octavia, signing off. CHAPTER 3: Appletastic PrisonbreakSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.CHAPTER 4: Welcome to PonyvilleSometimes you meet the strangest ponies in the strangest of places, or the most unexpected of ponies in the most unexpected of places. I learned that thanks to my trip back to my hometown, Ponyville. On any normal occasion, I'd be overjoyed to once again see this great place...but this time I wasn't. I was actually quite on guard, worried that anypony at any moment would recognize me and everything would crash down. I knew that Ponyville, for being such a small town, had quite a bit of followers of Celestia...including Princess Twilight Sparkle. Honestly, all I had to fear was how much anypony knew. I reminded myself that I was perfectly safe as long as pictures of the agency hadn't been spread around. In some distance section of town, I heard a newspaper salesman stallion advertising the latest paper. "Presumed terrorist group EQCEA still at large after breaking into the Canterlot High Class Prison to rescue a fellow agent. It is also presumed they were the ones who caused two explosions which burned the place to the ground. No deaths have been reported, and it seems the much beloved Magnum Opus has survived. She reports being violently attacked by two of the agents and left to die in the burning building, before the agents escaped from the burning building. Canterlot is currently under extreme lockdown until the criminals are captured," the stallion called out. "My goodness...they're calling it a terrorist group now? And spreading all those lies?" I muttered to myself, frustrated beyond all belief...when I suddenly heard a pony calling out to me. "Hey, over here!" she cried as I looked toward the origin of her voice, in a darker ally. The pony was one whom I'd seen before, I could recognize Bon Bon anywhere. Why she wanted me in a dark ally...I didn't know, but I trusted her enough to follow her. Me and her had been decently close friends, at least until everything I knew in life changed. When I arrived, she looked around before sitting on an old and dusty bench. I sat down with her, surprised that the bench was able to hold the weight of the both of us. "I heard what happened...at the prison, I mean," she said. "Yeah, seems like all of Ponyville has too," I responded. "I take it you don't believe the stories, do you? Or at least the part where they say the explosions were acts of terrorism on behalf of EQCEA?" she questioned. "Look, Bon Bon, I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but I gotta get going," I said, about to stand up. "Wait, no! I can explain this, really...I can," she pleaded with me. "Alright, start talking," I commanded as I stayed in my seat. "You see, me and you ain't so different actually. I don't buy a single word that Celestia says, that her followers say, or that the media says. I know some of the truth, some of the things she's done...it's awful. It truly is, it's awful how many ponies she's used and hurt," Bon Bon stated solemnly. "You're a smart cookie, not gonna lie. Takes a lot to see past her, evidently, judging by all these fools around here," I stated, looking back from the ally to all the ponies passing by. It really was something to think about how many of them bought into Celestia's garbage lies. "Shoot, how much more blatant do I have to be? You were there, weren't you? You were at the prison that night, weren't you?" she asked. "Alright, what kinda sick game you trying to play here?" I stammered. "I told you, me and you ain't so different. You're Agent #59, and I am...was...Agent #4," she stated plainly and calmly. "You...were?" I asked, shocked. Never would I of guessed that Bon Bon...worked in that agency. "Yep. In normal everyday life, I was Bon Bon. When I was Agent #4, I was Sweetie Drops. Doctor Whooves, Agent #1, whatever you wanna call him, he recruited me early on. To be honest, at first...I didn't buy any of it. Even as the group grew...I still just had my doubts about everything, if Celestia really was a bad pony. And then Agent #13 came along. She had years of experience with Celestia's dark and twisted self...she really made me see the true light of everything," she stated before letting out a deep sigh. "Agent #13? Never met or even heard of her," I stated aloud. "Of course you haven't met her, and it's unlikely you've heard of her. Doctor Whooves, he just wants to forget that. He wants to forget anything ever happened there. Lots of bloodshed, sadly. Agent #2, Agent #3, Agent #5, and Agent #8 all...just gone in an instant once they reached us. Yet...they took them from us one by one, it was awful. Agent #6, Agent #9, and Agent #12 were all captured and later executed. We never found out what happened to Agent #7 and Agent #10. They got lost during the massive struggle that occurred. Needless to say, they probably ain't breathing today. Yet, part of me, part of me hopes those two escaped and managed to live normal lives. Agent #13 got it the worst...I just...oh...goodness, I just can't," she stammered, seeming to have a bit of a panic attack from thinking back. "You alright?" I asked, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "Yeah...I just...don't know. Everything that ended up going on back then...it was all horrible. I left soon after, I had friends...I had a life. I just couldn't deal with it anymore, especially once Doctor Whooves tried to forget it all. Hey, don't get me wrong...Doctor Whooves, he's got a good heart. He really does. He's troubled, after a whole life of this. He's seen a lot of pain, hurt, and death...that I suppose it ain't too bad that he just wants to forget it all. I have quite a bit of respect for him, actually...even if some parts of me don't. So tell me, who all is there now?" she asked, "Well...Doctor Whooves and Derpy Hooves. There's a few agents currently missing, but we're sure they'll be fine and we'll locate them eventually. Then there's Candy Apples, Vinyl, and me," I stated. "Ah, old Derpy. Loyal little pony, I'll give her that. Stuck with Doctor Whooves...even after everything that went down, real trooper she is. Tell me, did her rule of 'Kill Nopony' that she wanted after everything happened...did that ever get passed?" she asked. "I assume, Doctor Whooves told me that we kill nopony," I responded. "Good, good. I told you, that stallion...he's got a good heart. He has a way of looking past the darkness...see the light and potential in everything, even...even if there's darkness and evil all around us," she stated with yet another sigh. We both sat in silence for a few moments, before she continued to speak. "You, you know...I've...thought about returning to the agency, a few times. Really, I have. My mind is still scarred a bit, but I think...I think I feel somewhat better after all these years. I suppose back then, back then I blamed Doctor Whooves for a lot of it. When in reality...everypony would probably be alive if it weren't for Celestia. Maybe Agent #13 wouldn't of...wouldn't of...yeah," she stated. "Pardon me, I know it's a touchy subject, but how did Doctor Whooves and Derpy feel about Agent #13?" I questioned. "Oh, you're fine, don't worry. Derpy was always a kind soul, so she liked everypony. And Doctor Whooves, well, he liked Agent #13 a lot. Even with Derpy around, Doctor Whooves considered Agent #13 a bit of a 'second leader' to the agency. I suppose that's why her fate...hurt him the most, I think somehow it even hurt him more than it hurt me. Everypony he knew and trusted was just picked off, right there in front of him. I suppose I didn't help when I just up and left...but I couldn't take all of it anymore. I really just couldn't. One night, I left a note and just vanished in the middle of the night. I ended up in Ponyville, where I met some friends, old and new. I met Lyra, my best friend, and everything has been pretty good. Anyways...after that, it was just him and Derpy. Those two rebuilt the agency from the ground up. I've lurked from the shadows ever since, keeping up with news and stuff to see where you all go. I stopped for a bit, though, for a couple of years recently. I actually kinda wanted a break from it all, hearing about it even. My life, it is finally back to normal. I have friends, I have everything I've ever wanted. However, the other day...I heard about the 'terrorist' group...and I did some digging. That's how I knew about you, and so when I saw you here...it really was something. To talk to a genuine, living agent after all these years. To know that...after all that pain and suffering...our cause is still going strong," she stated with a smile. "You know, Bon Bon, I...never would of suspected about your life. About everything that happened to you. Heck, I'd have never believed you...until I got roped into everything," I said with a chuckle. "Heh, yeah. It's all so wild, everything about this is. So...what even brings you here?" she asked. "Well, I came here for some supplies. Entire prison was rigged, actually, those freaks all knew we was gonna come and rescue Candy Apples. Luckily, every single one of us escaped. Derpy got a bit scratched up, but she's healing quick. All of Canterlot is locked down...so I had to come here to grab some supplies," I stated. "Look, with everything that went down...it ain't safe for you here. I'll grab all the supplies you need, there won't be any risk for me. But...first you gotta promise to do something for me, alright?" she asked, looking at me. "Yeah, sure, anything," I responded with a smile. "I...wrote this letter a few days ago, I never expected to be able to send it...but now I can. It's a letter to him, a letter to Doctor Whooves. You read it over for me whilst I go grab those supplies you need, I'll even buy you a bigger saddlebag to carry everything. And then once I get back...make sure you deliver that letter to him. It's important for me," she said as she handed me the letter from her saddlebag. "Alright, good luck," I said with a smile as she stood up to go buy the supplies I needed. I sat for a few seconds, thinking back over everything that happened before letting out a sigh. I unfolded the letter and began to mentally read it. "Dear Boss, I'm writing this letter, but I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to get this to you. Let's cut to the chase: it's me. Agent 4, Sweetie Drops. I know you remember me, and I know you remember what I did all those years ago. I'm alive, and I've been doing pretty well. For a while, I kept up to date with what happened. I knew you and Agent #11 rebuilt the entire agency from the ground up. I really must applaud you two for all that, really. A couple of years ago though, I just stopped. I cut any ties I had left to hear anything about what happened. My life, it's been pretty good. Met a great friend called Lyra Heartstrings. Anyways, I heard about the incident at the prison. They're calling the explosions you all caused an act of terrorism, but I know better than that. We did some...stupid things in the past, that's for sure...but I know terrorism was too much for the EQCEA. I know we had standards, and I know how Celestia and her servants are. Anyways, boss, after everything...there's one reason I'm writing this letter. I know I have a life now, I have friends now, I have everything I've ever wanted in life...but yet, in a way, I still feel a bit empty. My life is great...but Celestia, she's still in control. I can't call my life perfect until I see that tyrant fall, and...well. I'll be upfront with you: in a way, I want to return to the agency. I want to help every last one of you bring down that ruthless dictator. I ran off in the dead of night like a coward back then...cause I blamed you. I blamed you for what happened to everypony. Especially after...Agent #13, after she just...I...yeah. I blamed you in a way, not gonna lie, but over the years...I've realized that all of it was Celestia's fault. I know me rejoining, I know it won't bring anypony back. But, it will stop Celestia from hurting anypony else. It will help to stop her ruthless dictatorship. Meet with me in Ponyville...any day will work. I'll be waiting everyday. Bring two agents with you, if you want. And...if it's any extra motivation: I did some researching, and I think I might know where one of your missing agents is now. She's safe, and she's alive. Look boss, please...please consider it. Sincerely, Special Agent #4: Sweetie Drops" After looking through the letter, which took longer than I thought it had, Bon Bo-Sweetie Drops returned. There was a silent understanding between us as she handed me a new saddlebag and helped to load it up with the supplies. The night was fast approaching. "Tomorrow, you give him that letter, alright?" Sweetie Drops asked as I stood up, ready to head back to base. "I promise, Agent #4," I said with a smile and a wink, which also brought a smile to her face. So, here I am, back at base. It's nighttime, and everypony is asleep. Tomorrow is the day that I give this letter to Doctor Whooves. Will he let Sweetie Drops return? I honestly don't know. I hope he does, it seems like she could benefit the whole agency. And I wonder what agent she knows is safe? It's really late now, I should really get to sleep...but sleep will be hard. I'm anxious for tomorrow, and what it might bring. This has been Octavia, signing off. CHAPTER 5: Scars of the Past, Hope for the FutureAs I sit writing this, I really have to wonder about everything. Our objectives, our morals...everything. As I learn more about the agency's past, the more I fear for our future. The Doctor, he seems to think life is just a straight shot for us now. I'm not so sure, but yet...I want to believe. I want to believe we can keep our promises and stick to our morals. I suppose that belief is enough to outweigh all my fears. Apologies, I'm getting off track again. So, let's start from where we left off. After writing the last chapter, I somehow managed to catch myself a bit of sleep. I actually overslept, and was almost late to breakfast. After a quite silent breakfast that morning, Doctor Whooves confronted me about the events of the previous day. "Agent #59, where in the hay where you yesterday? You had each and every one of us worried sick!" he exclaimed. "Well, you see, I was in Ponyville, and I met somepony," I responded. "You...met somepony? Who?" he asked, with a curious expression on his face. "It's probably just easier if I just give you...this letter," I said as I pulled it out of my saddlebag and handed it to him. He intently read it for a few minutes, yet stiller quicker than I had the day prior. "Oh...my...goodness...she's alive! She is alive! After all these years, she's still alive!" he screamed out excitedly. "Who's alive, boss?" Candy Apples asked, dumbfounded by his sudden outburst of excitement. "Agent #4! She's been in Ponyville all this time, and Octavia met her yesterday!" the Doctor responded in joy. "The Agent #4? The one who escaped in the dead of the night not too long after everything went down?" Derpy asked, also showing excitement in her voice. "Yes, her! And not only does she say she might want to rejoin the agency, she says she knows where one of our missing agents is at, she did some research! We just gotta meet up with her in Ponyville. She said I could bring along two agents, if I felt like it," he stated. "Who you gonna send with you, boss?" Vinyl asked. "I think I'll bring Agent #45 and Agent #58. You and Agent #11 are equipped enough to fend off anypony who might come searching for us. When we come back, we should hopefully have 2 extra ponies in the agency!" he exclaimed, as excited as ever. "I reckon it might be nice to meet this Agent #4 feller, so I ain't got no objections," Candy Apples said aloud as she stood up, prepared to join me and the Doctor. "Good, good. And I'm sure Octavia over here has no objections, and it might be nice for Agent #4 to see her there, after their little encounter yesterday. And well, I think we should just head out right now. There isn't anything stopping us, and as they say: no time like the present!" Doctor Whooves exclaimed. "Sure, I'm game, not like we really have anything else to do today," I said with a grin as we began to march off. "I'll see you soon, Tavi!" Vinyl called out. "I'll see you too, Vinyl! We shouldn't be too long, or at least hopefully not!" I called back. After we had been trotting for a bit, Candy Apples began to speak. "So, miss, you said 'ya met this feller in Ponyville? Former member of the agency, just livin' her life there now, in peace like nothin' ever even happened?" she asked to me. "Yeah, that's what she said. Though the boss might know more about the fact of her being a former member," I responded. "Yes, yes, indeed, I do. She was a great agent, she really was. You see, she was part of the original agency, It consisted of 13 agents; me, Derpy, Agent #4, and 10 others. Strongest agency there ever was, stronger than we even are right now. Yet, our power and confidence was a curse. I remember the day as clear as ever, the day I...the day I try to forget. The day that has haunted me every single day of my life sense. All 13 of us, we...we raided Canterlot Castle, we thought we were so close to the ending of it all. We planned to sneak in, grab the documents we needed, escape, and finally expose Celestia once and for all. It all seemed to go to plan, but then suddenly we were surrounded by all kinds of Celestia's guards. They took out Agent #2 and Agent #8 first, and after that Agent #3 and Agent #5...well...they didn't last too long. We couldn't turn back, really, we couldn't. It was either backwards to death or forwards to a chance of survival. So the whole lot of us, which was just nine members now, we trudged forward. Agent #12 was always a bit clumsy so played right into one of the traps, and got captured. Then, they started to open fire on us. Didn't even know they had that kind of technology, to be honest. I almost wonder if their thievery of my technology helped to create it. In the entire mess, Agent #6 and Agent #9 got badly wounded and captured. Agent #10 disappeared somewhere in the scuffle, could've escaped...been captured...been killed...anything. By the time we were nearing the top, there was just 5 of us. Me, Derpy, Agent #4, Agent #7, and Agent #13. Fire and explosions started breaking out, and Agent #7 got lost at some point in that mess. At that point, we knew, we just knew we had to get out or else we were all going to die. They'd taken down at least seven of us, probably nine, and we'd only fatally wounded just a few of their dozens of guards. See, this was before our 'No Kills' policy. And then...before we got out, they...they got her. They got Agent #13. She just screamed at us, told us to go. We got out, sure, but not before we saw...her fate," he said with a shiver. "That...sounds horrible," I added. "That's...an understatement. Agent #6, Agent #9, and Agent #12...they all were put in prison after they were captured. We could of saved them, but it was too dangerous. There were too few of us, and the Canterlot security at that point was at an all-time high. So those 3 met their unfortunate fates. Eventually, Agent #4 left in the dead of night...and me and Derpy were left alone to build everything back up. Derpy also added the current rule of 'Kill Nopony', which...I'm glad she did. We realized that murder isn't an answer after they violently ripped so many of our own from us. We realized from that point onward we just couldn't stoop to their level," he said solemnly. "I joined the agency a whole lot later, seein' as I'm Agent #45," Candy Apples began, "so y'all are still pretty new to me, but seem like a nice batch. I joined cause of an incident, somethin' real horrible. My family is apple farmers, 'ya see, some of the best around. Celestia, well she'd been cheatin' and stealin' from us for years. She ended up passin' some tax laws, and those really hurt us. So we started a rebellion, tried to make some noise and rally up against Celestia. Things, well, things didn't go so good. She sent officers, whole batch of 'em, told us to stop the rebellion. We, well we said no, and then things all went downhill. Lots of shootin', lots of pain. They burned down the barn, they took everything from us. Told us they'd be back, and they'd come with a lot more ponies. So, I gathered up the ones who made it and I sent them on a train down to Appleloosa. They tried to get me to come along, but I told 'em I was gonna make apple pie of Celestia's reputation first. I told 'em I'd do that and I'd return to 'em, all in one piece." Silence overcame is for a while, until Candy Apples again began speaking. "So...you heard 'bout the bar incident, I know 'ya did. Well, after that, ol' Agent #58 joined us. That's when we all got darin', and we did our second ever raid on Canterlot Castle. See, I don't know how things went down there...cause I was the first one there to be captured," Candy Apples stated with a shrug. "Yeah, she was. We brought the whole gang there: me, Agent #45, Agent #11, Agent #23, Agent #36, Agent #37, Agent #38, and Agent #58. We showed up right in the dark of evening, and got in rather easily. Things went smoothly, perhaps too smoothly. After the bar incident, I don't know why we thought they wouldn't be ready for us. Anyways, that Magnum Opus mare showed up. She called us all fools for walking right into that trap, which I suppose she was right. Suddenly, we were all surrounded. Agent #45 told us to run forward, she'd hold them off. She succeeded for a few minutes, apparently, before they managed to capture her. We kept going, until Agent #36 got tripped and also captured. They were on our tail, and right then some of us decided to just get out. Agent #38 bailed first, told us all she'd regroup with us later and not to worry too much about her. She escaped through a window into a boat that was conveniently placed. You see, Agent #38 can't swim; but that's a story for another time. That left just five of us to push onwards, before eventually Agent #37 also bailed. She, luckily, is able to swim. Anyways, we kept pushing on...certain death would await us if we pushed backwards. However once Agent #23 bailed, she's a pegaus so she just flew off, the remainder of us decided we just needed to get out of there. We eventually found a good evacuation spot. We opened the windows in the parachute storage unit of the castle; and me, Agent #11, and Agent #58 escaped into the dead of night just like that," the Doctor stated, ending off with a grin. "Well, 'ya may be proud and all of your grand escape but it's still 'yer fault for gettin' us into that mess, boss," Candy Apples retorted. "Well, we all turned out fine in the end! Don't be so glum, my sugary apple friend. Everything will be fine in the end, I assure you of that," the Doctor responded. "Ah well, I'm sure of that. Was just pullin' your leg a bit," Candy Apples stated with a chuckle, which the Doctor shared. "Well, anyways, not too long after that incident we met you, Agent #59, and rescued you," Doctor Whooves stated aloud. "Well, I would probably be rotting away in a jail cell somewhere if it weren't for you all," I responded with a hearty and cheery smile. We continued trotting in silence for a few minutes before finally arriving on the outskirts of Ponyville. "And here we are! Now, Agent #4 should be around here somewhere," he stated as he looked around town. "Psst, you three! Over here!" called out Sweetie Drops towards us from the same ally I had seen her in the day before. We quickly trotted over to her, and we saw a green unicorn sitting on the bench. Lyra Heartstrings, I assumed. "Lyra, I would like you to meet some of the agents of the EQCEA I told you about!" Sweetie Drops softly exclaimed. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Real life agents! So, what do you all do? Do you fight against Celestia? Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!" Lyra squealed out. "And you three, meet my best friend in all of Equestria: Lyra Heartstrings. She's a bit eccentric, but she really is a kind soul. Also an avid activist against Celestia, though she rarely shows it besides helping out a few anti-Celestia ponies and groups. Ponies and groups like you," Sweetie Drops said with a wink. "Yeah, yeah, sorry about that. I was just excited to meet some real life agents of EQCEA. Could you three introduce yourselves, please?" Lyra asked kindly and softly. "Of course! I am Doctor Whooves, Agent #1 and the boss of the agency. I work long and hard to help our agents, and to take down Celestia," he said with a grin. "My name is Candy Apples, Agent #45. My family is the greatest dang group of apple farmers you ever did see, till Celestia started cheatin' and stealin' from 'em real bad," Candy Apples stated with a frown. "And I am Octavia Melody, Agent #59. I'm the newest agent, actually, so I don't have much experience yet," I stated aloud. "Nice, nice! And Bon Bon...she told me about her formerly being Agent #4. And so...she told me why you're all here, too," Lyra sighed. "Lyra...you know this...this is important to me. I'm sorry to to do this to you, I really am...but I don't think my conscience could stay clean if...if...I knew I bailed out," Sweetie Drops said, starting to choke up a little bit. "I know, Bon Bon. I really do, and I know you'll do great. You're Bon Bon, after all. I just...well. I need you to promise me something," Lyra stated. "Of course, anything," Sweetie Drops responded with a slight smile. "Promise me...you won't die on me, alright? And if something happens to you, and you do get fatally injured...no matter what, make sure you see me. One last time," Lyra pleaded. "Of course, Lyra, of course," Bon Bon responded with a smile as the two shared a hug for a few moments. "Well, then it's official. Welcome back to the EQCEA, Agent #4!" Doctor Whooves stated aloud with a grin. "Oh yeah!" Sweetie Drops and Lyra exclaimed at the same time, both giggling afterwards. "I brought some more suits, actually," stated Sweetie Drops as she opened her saddle bag and tossed Candy Apples a suit just like me and the Doctor had. Sweetie Drops also had one for herself, too. Candy Apples and Sweetie Drops took a few moments to get dressed up, and then Sweetie Drops gave Lyra one last hug before her departure with us out of the ally. "Well then, let's go get that missing agent of yours!" Sweetie Drops said with a wink to the Doctor. "Oh yeah, right! You said you knew where she is, right?" the Doctor asked. "Yep, I think she's been staying at the Ponyville Hotel," Sweetie Drops responded. "They got a hotel in this old place?" Candy Apples asked. "Yeah, they added it as part of one of Celestia's latest plans. Apparently she's working on expanding all of Ponyville, also added a bar. All this expansion has put some smaller businesses...well, out of business. I know poor Rarity, she...well...she got cheated pretty hard by Celestia. I know her and Twilight Sparkle, well..they've had a falling out thanks to all this. Twilight nowadays...well, she's just like the rest of Celestia's lot. It's sad really, to be honest," Sweetie Drops said with a frown. "You know, I wonder what will happen to all of Celestia's followers once we bring her down," I pondered aloud. "I really think they will repent, they'll see our bringing down of Celestia as a warning. From there, they will hopefully learn the error of their ways," the Doctor responded swiftly. "And if they don't?" asked Candy Apples. "Well, that doesn't matter right now. Right now, we need to focus on our missing agent. You said she's at the hotel, right?" the Doctor asked to Sweetie Drops. "Well, I said that she's staying at the hotel. Right now, she's probably at the bar starting up a party," Sweetie Drops responded with a light chuckle. "Well boss, you thinkin' it's who I'm thinkin' it is?" Candy Apples asked with a smirk. "That sounds like Agent #37, if I ever did hear a better description of her," the Doctor jested. "I take it Agent #37 likes her alcohol?" I asked. "No, Agent #37 loves her alcohol. She ain't a bad alcoholic, though. When she's drunk, she's the greatest party girl you'll ever see. I reckon she might even be a greater party girl than Pinkie Pie," the Doctor giggled. "Well then, let's go meet up with her," Sweetie Drops suggested. "Alright, pardner, let's go," Candy Apples responded. It was a relatively quick walk to the saloon, but the Doctor stopped us before we went in. "Wait, you three! We can't just go walking into there, you know what they'll think? I volunteer that Agent #45 and Agent #58 go in, that way things will look a bit less suspicious," the Doctor suggested. "Good idea, boss. Come on, Agent #45! We got a Agent #37 to...retrieve," I called with a smirk. As me and Candy Apples entered the bar, we realized it was a bit bigger than we expected. There was at least 20, if not 30, ponies there. We scanned the crowd before quickly Candy Apples pointed out a yellow unicorn mare with light blue hair. "Alright, there she is! Looks like some folks are givin' 'er a hard time over there, we better go check that out," Candy Apples stated. We walked up to three drunk stallions, all three of which reeked of whiskey. The biggest one was a brown earth pony with a silver mane, and had a cutie mark of a bottle. The other two were medium-sized and appeared to be unicorn twins, each having an orange mane and a red mane. Their only differences were their cutie marks, one of them had a cutie mark of a beer mug; whilst the other had a cutie mark of an upside-down beer mug with beer spilling out. Seemed like an interesting batch, that's for sure. "Heya, miss lemon-breath, I know you're up to no good. Me and the boys here, we gonna have to teach you a lesson?" the biggest one asked menacingly. "Look, you two, I ain't sure what I did to you three but I'm sure we can all settle it over a nice drink or two!" Agent #37 exclaimed, sounding quite carefree. "Aww, ain't that cute! Wittle filly wants to solve this over a dwinky!" the orange one with the beer mug cutie mark mocked. "'Ay, fellers, back off the girl," Candy Apples threatened, showing a glimmer of menace in her eyes. The three stallions turned to look at Candy Apples. "Or else what, cowgirl?" the biggest one asked, putting his face towards Candy Apples', attempting to scare her. "Or else we're gonna have a problem, mister. And I reckon...you don't want the entire Ponyville Police Force here," Candy Apples responded with a smug grin. The big stallion looked like he was about to start something, before the one with the upside-down mug cutie mark stopped him. "Come on, boss, these freaks aren't worth our time and effort," he said. "Eh, you're right, c'mon you two! Let's get out of here," the big stallion said as he and his two...friends or whatever...joined him. "Oh my, if it ain't miss cowgirl herself! Got yourself a little girl toy, 'eh? Never knew your barn doors swung that way," Agent #47 teased. "Oh please, it ain't nothing like that. This girl here is our newest recruit," Candy Apples responded, slightly flustered. "Oh wait, yeah...I know her! She's that cello-playing musician girl! Jeez, you're movin' up in the world. Better than that one stallion you literally found near a trash can that one time," Agent #47 responded with a smug grin as Candy Apples jokingly slapped her. "Oh, please! You know that wasn't nothin', just helpin' a folk out...and 'ya know that," Candy Apples responded whilst rolling her eyes. "Whatever you say, cowgirl! Whatever you say!" exclaimed Agent #47 teasingly yet again. "Well, whatever. Let's get your drunk little self back to camp, we got enough recruit too...technically an old recruit who rejoined. We can fill 'ya in on the way," Candy Apples stated as we walked Agent #47 outside to regroup with the others. "Hey, boss! Hey...uh, new gal! I think your name is Candy Dandy, you sure look like a Candy Dandy to me!" Agent #47 exclaimed to Sweetie Drops. "Uh, no...that's not my name. I can't actually say it yet, since we're on a mission. However, I'm Agent #4. I had left the agency some years ago, but returned today," Sweetie Drops responded. "Well, ain't that something nice! I'm Agent #47! Nice to meet you, Candy Dandy Mandy!" Agent #47 responded teasingly. "Alright, Agent #47...let's get back to base. We had to change locations, you see...you've missed a lot," the Doctor began. I won't bore any future readers with many more details, so I think I'll just cut to how things are right now. We got back to base safely and easily, and the Doctor filled Lemon Hearts in on everything that's happened. Oh yeah, Lemon Hearts is Agent #47's name. Anyways, once again it is night as I relax writing this. As I wonder if everything truly will turn out okay, and everyone can fulfill their promises to return safely. I suppose I should finally get some sleep, the Doctor said something about working on figuring out where some of our last missing agents from the second Canterlot Castle incident are. Tomorrow should be an interesting day then, all things considered. This has been Octavia, signing off. CHAPTER 6: Who Are You?I had finally fallen asleep shortly after writing my last chapter when I was suddenly awoken by a sound nearby. Sounds of hooves trotting, stones being pushed aside, and twigs snapping. I looked around; Doctor Whooves, Derpy Hooves, Candy Apples, Vinyl Scratch, Sweetie Drops, Lemon Hearts...they were all there, all asleep peacefully in their grounded sleeping bags I had always been a light sleeper, since foalhood even, but this...this was more than just a loose timberwolf or other animal. This was most certainly a pony, and surely one who did not have the best intentions at mind for us. I stood up and began walking towards the sounds, which had begun to slow down. I soon neared the small brook that was beside the camp, and there she stood. Magnum Opus. I tried to be silent, tried to just sneak back to the others and warn them. However, she turned around immediately; as if she could simply just sense my presence. "I knew you'd be here," she spoke, in her same rough smoker voice, showing me she hadn't changed a bit since our last encounter in the burning prison. "Just...just who are you, anyway?" I asked. "Silly little filly, I am what I am. I am the Magnum Opus," she said with a grin. "How did you become one of Celestia's highest powers?" I questioned further, pressing for as many questions as I could. "Well, I would tell you...but that would just be stupid. You're the enemy, why would I spill the information to you? What makes you think I'm of low intelligence?" she snarled back, hatred seething in her eyes "I'm the enemy? I'm the enemy? I'm not the one who assists the dictator who murders in cold blood, I'm not the one who sets off two explosions in a prison and blames it on others, I'm not the one who lies about everything!" I screamed out, much louder than I had intended. "You don't get it, do you? You're the enemy of everyone, because that's all everyone knows. It doesn't matter what you say, do, or think; you can't change our ways of life. You yourself are a threat to our very way of life. We, the followers of Celestia, live our happy way of life, whilst you are all are a threat to that. Threatening everything, which makes so many ponies, just for your little agenda." she stated aloud. "You're a very pathetic pony, Magnum Opus. You're too blinded to see the truth right in front of you, aren't you? It doesn't matter if you follow Celestia; it doesn't matter if she gives you everything you cherish...because she doesn't care. She doesn't care about me, she doesn't care about her followers, and she doesn't even care about you. All she cares about is herself, and she's willing to do anything she can to keep her power. She's willing to hurt, steal from, lie to, and even kill those who are of no use to her anymore. Don't you realize that someday your worth to her will run out, too? Don't you realize that, in the end, our little...'agenda'...as you call it...is right? Heck, it isn't an agenda, it's about saving ponies. Saving ponies from a cruel, heartless leader," I retorted angrily. "And you say your precious boss...he's any better? You think his values are better in the end? You think...in the end...everything he works for will be for the better?" she asked, with a grin. "Of course he's better. He cares about the truth, and he values the lives of ponies. Comparing him to Celestia is like comparing light to dark and love to evil," I retorted. "What in 'da hay is goin' on over here?" I heard Candy Apples ask as she approached the scene. "Oh goodie, another one!" exclaimed Magnum Opus, seemingly amused by Candy Apples' sudden appearance. As Candy Apples entered the clearing with me, she spied Magnum Opus. "Oh...it's you," she leered. "Why the angry face, my southern cowgirl fellow? You gonna give me a rant on how wicked and evil I am, too?" Magnum Opus teased. "Why, you...you're nothin' but a disgrace. A disgrace to me, to my family, and to all of Equestria, and that's all you'll ever be...nothin' but a disgrace!" Candy Apples snapped, unleashing her anger into burning words. "I'm no disgrace, cowgirl. I'm the one that everypony strives to be like, just as everypony strives to follow Celestia," responded Magnum Opus with a scowl. "Your mind is so deluded it can't see the truth. This world is so corrupt, and you can't even see it through your distored vision. That's what's a disgrace," stated the Doctor as he entered the scene. "My my, seems we've almost got the entire agency right here! What a pleasure to meet you again, boss," mocked Magnum Opus. "Listen, I don't know why you're here, but you better get far away from here. And you better do it quick," Sweetie Drops threatened as she also entered the small clearing. "Well, I'll be! If it isn't the former Agent #4, back with her old agency of misfits! I figured you'd be gone for good, after Celestia and her little batch of friends showed you what happens to those who come against us. I'm sure you haven't forgotten Agent #13," Magnum Opus replied, with a distorted and morbid grin. That little...whatever you want to call her...she knew that would disturb Sweetie Drops. Immediately Sweetie Drops trotted backward a few steps, fighting memories to produce a leer. "You're darn right nopony here has forgotten, and one day Celestia is gonna pay for that," called Derpy as she joined us. "Well, well...it's Celestia's former mailmare! Took that important parcel one day, and then just vanished out of thin air like nothing even happened. She never forgot, you know. Celestia never forgets her traitors, and she never forgets to dish out revenge, so one day you're gonna pay for that," Magnum Opus said, keeping her same grin. "I'm pretty sure you heard Agent #4. Get the hay out of here, or we're gonna have to make you!" exclaimed Lemon Hearts, mixing her average peppy attitude with anger and hatred. "You heard Agent #4 and Agent #37, now get out of here!" screamed Vinyl as she joined everypony else. "The whole agency is here! Every last one of you! Aside from the ones who are still missing, but we'll find them eventually. We had Agent #36 captured, but yet she managed to get away. Slipped out right under our noses," Magnum Opus scowled. "Yeah, we're all here. Seven against one. Do you really think you can take seven of us down, just one of you?" I questioned. "Silly little foals...silly little foals indeed. It's not just me, it's me and a bunch of soldiers. We got the place surrounded in the time we had our little idle chat, so I'll give you two choices. Come with us, and we'll spare your lives. Sure, it'll be a lifelong sentence to prison...but you all won't die. Or, you can try to run. Run and we'll get you all. Every last one of you," Magnum Opus stated, showing a very menacing grin. "And...we're supposed to trust you? We're supposed to trust that you'll keep your word if we just come with you?" the Doctor asked. "Worth a try, isn't it?" Magnum Opus responded, keeping her now signature grin. There was a silence, before suddenly me and the rest of the agency started running. There were booms, flashes...all the like. I saw the Doctor running with Derpy, Lemon Hearts running with Sweetie Drops, and Vinyl running with Candy Apples. This left me on my lonesome, running and praying to any pony god above that might exist to spare us our lives. Fires erupted in the forest around me, and booms and flashes rang out from every corner. I just kept running and running. However, I wasn't paying attention to where I was heading...and down a cliff I fell. The world around me went from a mix of greens and reds from the forest, to the blue of the sky above me as I fell, to black. "Oh my, I hope she's alright. She took a pretty bad fall, but I think I've patched her up good enough," I heard a soft voice speak to herself as I regained my consciousness and began to sit up. I noticed I was in a small field, with a make-shift camp. It seemed daytime had already arrived. "You're alive!" the cream-furred unicorn mare with a pink mane exclaimed. "I'm alive alright, just barely though. Was running from a whole group of ponies, tumbled right off a cliff," I responded. "Yeah, yeah...don't worry, you're relatively fine though. I don't think anything broke, as you mainly landed in a few flowers and a few bushes," she reassured. "Good, good. So...who are you?" I asked. "Oh, me? My name's Twinkleshine," she responded with a sweet smile. "I'm Octavia, think I've seen you around before," I stated. "Perhaps you have, perhaps you haven't. No matter what though, I know I've heard a lot about you" she responded. "W-what do you mean?" I asked, slightly unnerved. "I've been looking for you and the other fellow agents for a while, silly," she replied with a sweet giggle. "W-wait. Does that mean what it thinks I mean?" I questioned. "Mhm. I'm Agent #38 of the EQCEA. Nice to meet 'ya, Agent #59!" she said with another smile. "I can't believe it, I survive and am rescued...but not just rescued! Rescued by a fellow agent, whom we've been looking for for quite a while now!" I exclaimed. "Hehe, yeppers! I've been following the progress of all of you, but could never quite locate where you were hiding out at. However, I must fear no more! For you, Agent #59, have come to guide me back to the rest!" she exclaimed with yet another smile. "Well, see, that's the problem...I don't know where the others are at right now," I responded solemnly. "W-why? Did something happen?" she asked, showing much concern. "Well, yeah. One of Celestia's higher ranking ponies, Magnum Opus, showed up with a bunch of soldiers. We all had to scatter, not sure if everypony even made it out alive. So I have no idea where they could be right now," I responded. "I see, well...that's quite unfortunate. I do have a plan, however!" she exclaimed. "Really, what?" I asked. "You see, I've done quite a bit of research in my time away from the agency so far. Let's just say...I know where Agent #23 and Agent #36 are!" she responded. "Why...that's wonderful!" I exclaimed with a joyful smile. "Indeed it is, hehe! So, all we gotta do is find them and then regroup with the others. From there, well...we might just be golden!" she responded. "So...where are they?" I questioned. "In a small area not too far from here, called Dodge Junction. It used to be called Dodge City until Celestia decided it wasn't worthy of that title anymore," she replied with a frown. "And...why's that?" I asked, afraid of what I might hear. "Some of the folks there, they didn't really like Celestia. They got a bunch of ponies riled up and started a big anti-Celestia campaign. From there, things got nasty. Dodge Junction is now just a ruin of the place it used to be, nopony even lives there anymore," she answered solemnly. "I...see," I sighed. "There was a prominent businessmare there, Cherry Jubilee. She was a big leader of the campaign, which itself is sometimes called the Dodge City Resistance. Anyways, Celestia ended up threatening her. Celestia manipulated Cherry Jubilee real good. Cherry Jubilee, however, had a plan. She was going to escape, and she was going to go back to protesting Celestia. She slowly but surely worked against Celestia from within. From within the government, she eventually got roped in with us. She was Agent #41, but also a special case. Like I said, she worked from inside the entire government. Eventually, Celestia caught on. Celestia decided Cherry Jubilee had been a pain to her for too many years, so she framed her. Celestia destroyed the entire Canterlot garden, and framed Cherry Jubilee. She said Cherry had finally snapped, so they locked her up...and now...Cherry ain't breathing anymore," Twinkleshine shuddered. I kept quiet, despite something actually clicking inside of my mind. That was the conversation I had spied on all those nights ago, the conversation that changed my life forever. I had heard Celestia discussing Cherry's fate. "And now, I hear that monster wants to frame her own sister for something. She's a sick and demented monster," Twinkleshine whimpered out. "Well, we're going to fix this. Fix what we can, that is, and save who we can," I stated with confidence. "Yep, hehe!" Twinkleshine responded, back to being as peppy as a rabbit. "It's getting a bit late, I say we set up an area for me; and tomorrow we'll go looking for those two. Does that sound alright to you?" I asked. "Of course!" she responded. So, here we are. Nightfall has finally arrived, and I am finishing my writing. We need to stop Celestia before she harms other ponies, we really do. Agent #2, Agent #3, Agent #5, Agent #6, Agent #7, Agent #8, Agent #9, Agent #10, Agent #12, Agent #13, Agent #41, and possibly others I haven't yet heard about...all gone thanks to Celestia. She's a monster, and we're gonna stop her. This has been Octavia, signing off.
CHAPTER 1: The Consequences of Knowing Too MuchEbony is a good choice for cello bows. It's very fancy-looking, high quality, insanely strong, and best of all: it knocks ponies out cold pretty easily. Well, perhaps I'm getting a bit too far ahead of myself already. I suppose farther into this script it will all make sense, hopefully. I suppose I need a proper introduction now, hm? My name is Octavia. Octavia Melody. Yes, that Octavia Melody. The world-renowned musician. Or rather, world-renowned former musician who is now quite possibly wanted dead or alive for knowing a bit too much about the Equestrian government, and a few other actions that will come to light further on in this script. Who knew that Celestia was such a cruel, heartless- Oh, I am getting ahead of myself yet again. Though in all fairness, how does one even begin to explain how they end up in this situation that I have now found myself in? Well, I suppose it all started from nothing special. As everything usually does. I had been on tour for quite a few weeks, and it just so happened that the great city of Canterlot was my last stop. Obviously, the bustling city of Canterlot wasn't new to me, but it sure did make a perfect last stop for a weeks long tour. The of the performance had gone exceptional. A huge crowd, great applause; everything a musician could ever want and then some. It was truly something of beauty, and it seemed the crowd could agree on that. You know, music really is quite the passion. To be able to do something I love, that being playing my cello, and making a living from it? That is truly amazing. Beyond words, I'd even reckon. I can't wait for the day I can hopefully return to that, after- I just can't seem to keep to the chronological order of this story, huh? Anyway, I had just finished packing up my supplies, and one of my guard ponies did the favor of escorting my luggage to the train station; leaving me to peacefully enjoy my trot slowly back to the train station. After all, even though I was excited to return home, I also wanted to take in the beauty of Canterlot just a while longer. And not only was I excited to return home, I was more so excited to return to my roommate and closest friend: Vinyl Scratch, a fellow lover of music and even a quite popular DJ. Unfortunately Vinyl had been unable to attend that night's concert, on account of some "important business" she had to attend to. Before that, she had been acting a bit more secretive and suspicious the past few weeks. I found it a little suspicious at the time, I suppose, but brushed it off pretty quickly. Safe to say, I now think I understand what she had been up to. It'll make sense once this script plays out a bit more, I suppose. Anyways, as I trotting back towards the train station, I had to pass close to the esteemed Canterlot Castle Royal Garden. There was not a sight in all of Canterlot, dare I say in all of Equestria, more beautiful than that lovely, lush garden. Colorful flowers, bright grass, beautiful bushes, neatly-trimmed hedges...that garden really seemed to have it all. However, as I passed by, I was quite shocked by the sight that awaited me. The beautiful bushes trampled. The colorful flowers destroyed and ripped apart. The bright seemingly burnt. The hedges ripped out from where they stood, with only a few remaining upright. The entire garden was now nothing but a horrible mass of destruction, and standing in the middle, seemingly examining the wreckage was the ruler of all Equestria herself: Celestia. And two guards stood next to her, seemingly looking around, observing the damage with her, and...whispering something amongst themselves and to the princess, with the princess even whispering back. I suppose I would've paid no mind and just been on my merry way had Celestia not had an eerie grin on her face. I don't know why I did what I did next, but I guess curiosity just beckoned me to sneak behind the little hedges that remained and eavesdrop into the conversation that was taking place. I suppose it was that grin. I suppose I just knew that something was off, and my mind just had to know what it was. I was a bit like a mouse to cheese, I suppose. As I crept closer, being very careful to stay out of sight, what I heard...was shocking to my very core, to say the least. Something that would change my life forever. Change my perspective of Equestria and its ruler. Something, that in a way, changed everything I ever even knew. "Yes, yes, of course I do indeed mean her. Shouldn't be hard for us to frame her for causing all this mess. She deserves it, after all these years she's spent pestering me and being nothing but a pain in my rear. And once that's all done and she's out of my mane, I'll just use my magic to restore every thing to almost new, like nothing even happened here to begin with!" Celestia exclaimed. For a few seconds, it was like my brain had failed me. Like a poem that had every chance to deliver a rhyme, but fell flat at the end of the verse. My brain just couldn't seem to comprehend what I just heard. After thinking it over several times, it finally hit me. It hit me a bit too well, actually. "Sweet Beethooven," I whimpered out. I then realized that I had not been quiet at all. I had not meant to even speak, but somehow the shock had made me spill out words. Uh oh. I had the two guards and Celestia in front of me faster than I could sell tickets to one of my concerts. And those tickets sell out pretty darn fast. "Well, well, if it isn't the one and only Octavia Melody, eavesdropping on this private little conversation," Celestia said with a grin, a grin so menacing it could very likely scare an Ursa Major off. A grin scarier than the most ear piercing tune you can imagine. "G'day, my fair princess," I said humbly, praying to any pony gods above she wouldn't do anything to me. The atmosphere felt terrifying, like a thousand snakes staring into my soul. Only a few moments later did I realize my voice came out as a squeaky mess instead of a self-assured greeting. "How much did you hear?" Celestia asked simply and sternly, evidently seeing right through my little act. Well, I was a musician, not an actor, after all. "U-uh," I stammered, almost certain there was no way to get out of this situation I was now in. "Enough, I assume?" Celestia questioned, already knowing the answer. "Is that all you are? Just a miserable creature, arent'cha, Princess Celestia?" I accused. I seriously felt anger boil up inside me. The princess ponies looked up. The princess I looked up to. The very princess who had complemented my performances in the past. Was this all she was, under her metaphorical mask, nothing but a cruel and heartless pony who cared about nothing more than power? I was disgusted to even refer to her with the "princess" title. "Silly little filly, how do you think I've managed to stay in control all these years? You see, sometimes ponies get in my way and I have to...put them in their place, of course!" she exclaimed with a maniacal laugh. I was right. She only cared about the power, not the ponies. She never cared about the ponies. For centuries she put up this act, it was all like a never ending concert in her sick little mind. At this point, I attempted to run like the wind, before immediately being tripped by a guard. That's when I realized I was trapped. Somehow guards had managed to surround me in every direction. I had no escape. "Now, originally I had no plans to...deal with you. Well, yet, at least. Of course, I suppose your music could take the spotlight from me, couldn't?" she teased. "Oh, so is that what'chu see from this land? A bunch of toys for you to dictate over? You're the empress who gets all the fame!?" I practically screamed at her. I couldn't hold in all this building rage anymore. All she saw in these little ponies were little toys, and this land was like a dictatorship for her. "That is enough of her nonsensical ramblings. Guards, show this fool what common sense looks like!" Celestia ordered. I was out cold before I could even react. When I awoke, I was bound to a chair in front of a table. Looking around, the room was dark and dusty, seeming to be a wooden shack of sorts. There was one window to my right, and I could tell dusk was just breaking. Evidently I had been out for almost 24 hours, meaning that the guards had knocked me out good. Some light from the setting sun crept into the room, and I could also see two stallion guards in brown uniforms wearing black glasses guarding a nearby door. Guarding my only escape from this room. I very quickly realized that the table in front of me was some sort of interrogation table. And across from me sat a slightly older-looking unicorn mare, with a black mane and white coat. She wore a brown leather jacket and her cutie mark was a skull with a lock symbol over it. Whatever that was meant to represent, I sure don't believe it was a good omen. She used her magic to hold a cigar up, puffing a few smokes before letting out some deep coughs. "Ah, you're finally awake," she spoke to me in a deep and raspy voice. I struggled against the ropes, before very quickly realizing that it was fruitless. "No sense in struggling. Won't help you," she spoke. Her raspy voice made it hard for me to tell if she actually felt some sympathy for me or not. She slammed some papers on the desk and pushed them over to me. Reading the papers made my heart pound. "No, no! You've got to be kidding me!" I shrieked out. A life sentence to Canterlot Prison. "Well, you are the one and only Octavia Melody, correct?" she asked. "Well, yes, but...what did I do to deserve this?" I asked. This was all so infuriating to me. It all felt like one big, sick, and cruel joke. And it sure wasn't funny. "Princess' orders. You heard something you definitely weren't supposed to, and from then on verbally assaulted the princess," she stated in a matter of fact tone. "Ah, so, this is just a little game for her, isn't it?" I retorted. "I think that's enough of you. Guards, I think it's escort time," she stated as she took another puff of her cigar, not letting out a disgusting cough this time around. As the guards began to move towards me, a cloaked white unicorn mare jumped through the window. Glass flew through the room, and knocked the unicorn pony that was sitting across from me out of her chair and onto the floor; also knocking her out in the process. From just outside I heard a scream towards the pony who now seemed to be my savior, who was already lifting a chair with her magic and throwing it at the guards. "Agent 58! What in the hay are you doing!? You can't just charge into a building like that!" a stallion shouted towards her from the outside. "Well, boss, she's my friend! I can't just leave her hanging!" she said as she kicked the guards to make extra sure they were out cold, as if a chair smacking them right across their faces wasn't enough. As if the voice wasn't enough for me to recognize her, I definitely recognized who it was once she turned to face me. "I would never leave my bestie hangin'!" Vinyl Scratch said to me with a smirk as she ran over, pulled a knife from her cloak pockets, and began to cut the ropes that tied me to the chair. "Well, uh, thank you so much but...I still need an explanation of what is even going on here," I stated, quite annoyed by this entire predicament so far. "Well, I can tell you later, first we-" Vinyl was interrupted by another guard, who had somehow entered the room without either of us noticing, who grabbed her and threw her against a nearby wall. Luckily, the ropes were cut just enough for me to weasel my way out of them, but I wasn't entirely sure what I could do to help. Outside I could hear faint whispering between the mysterious stallion and a mysterious mare. "But, boss, we gotta do something!" the mare cried out. "We can't without the others here, Agent 11," he said solemnly. "What if we lose Agent 48?" the mare responded, sounding defeated. "Wouldn't be the first time we lost an agent," the stallion responded, full of sorrow. Just then, Vinyl had managed to rummage through her saddle bag throughout the struggle, and threw me something that she somehow ended up with. My ebony cello bow. Right then and there I knew just what to do with it. Picking it up with my hoof and standing straight up, I crept behind the unsuspecting guard, raised my hoof, and... WHACK He was out cold, and Vinyl was saved. And that there is how I learned ebony is a good choice for cello bows. The two mysterious ponies also now peeked through the windows, revealing two familiar faces that I had definitely seen before. Provided, I hadn't seen them around much, but I definitely recognized the two. The stallion was Doctor Whooves, or is it Doctor Hooves? Doesn't really matter, I guess. From what I had seen, he was a huge science geek, but overall a kind and caring fellow. The mare was Derpy Hooves, a muffin-loving delivery mare. I suppose she wasn't, to put it kindly, the smartest mare but she also meant well and had a heart of gold. And, that's all a pony really needs. "Well, quite a pleasure to see you two again!" I said wholeheartedly. "Listen, we ain't got much time to waste around here. Agent 11, Agent 58, we taking this lassie back to the hideout?" asked Doctor Whooves. Doctor Hooves? I don't know. "I have no objections, boss," Derpy said. "No objections from me either. Say, boss, I even have an idea!" Vinyl exclaimed as she beckoned Doctor Whooves (or Doctor Hooves) and Derpy to enter the hut, which they obliged to do. She inched closer to Doctor Whooves (Doctor Hooves?) and whispered something I definitely couldn't make out. Whatever it was it made his eyes immediately light up, so it was evidently a great idea. Not that I had come to expect anything less of Vinyl. "Why, Agent 58, that's a splendid idea!" he exclaimed. "Agent 58, Agent 11, boss!? What in the orchestra is this all about?" I asked, more confused than ever. "Listen, Tavi, we'll tell you everything once we get to safety, I promise. For now, just come with us. Please?" Vinyl pleaded, embracing me into a gentle and warm hug, which I gladly accepted as I nodded. She also took back my cello bow, which was lying on the ground but thankfully intact, and put it back in her saddle bag. "Alright, if my calculations are correct...there should be a ventilation shaft inside this hut that we could use to make it back to our hideout," Doctor Whooves (Hooves?????) explained. "Alright, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" exclaimed Vinyl as she broke the hug. Doctor Whooves (y'know what, I'm just gonna call him "the Doctor" for now) and Derpy jumped into the hut. The Doctor pulled out a screwdriver from his brown saddlebag and quickly got to work unscrewing the vent and entering the shaft, which was thankfully big enough for a pony to fit in. Something made me think this was nothing new to him, and perhaps the vent systems of Canterlot were a convenient method of travel. After the Doctor was Derpy, then Vinyl, and then lastly me. It was mostly a silent endeavor, almost like follow the leader of sorts. Eventually we reached what I assumed was the hideout. It was a simple, but nice place. It seemed to be a bunker of sorts, and there was sleeping bags and pillows lined neatly in many areas. As well as bottled water and food supplies in freezer containers, and even a few tables and kitchen appliances in an adjacent room. The place was quaint but fancy, I suppose. Not that I could make out too much of it, as it was quite dark. "This place is pretty fancy," I commented. "Indeed. We all worked together to create this," the Doctor commented as he pushed a random cardboard box in front of the vent, seemingly meaning we would be completely safe. I also noticed a map of the Canterlot ventilation shaft on one of the nearby walls, explaining their knowledge of the ventilation routes. "Hey, Tavi, I know we promised to tell you anything once we got to safety...but we're all pretty tired. It's definitely night by now, and we all need sleep. We'll explain everything tomorrow, alright?" Vinyl asked as she placed her hoof on my shoulder. I nodded my head. "Sounds like a good idea, actually," I responded. I noticed the Doctor and Derpy had already taken this opportunity to get comfy in their individual sleeping bags. Vinyl pointed towards one that I could use. "Use that one other there, it's the only spare one," she pointed out as she slid into her own sleeping bag. "Night Tavi!" she exclaimed. "Night Vinyl!" I called out as I slid into my sleeping bag, as if there was nothing off about this situation despite a million thoughts and questions lingering in my head. These thoughts raced through my head. There were 5 empty sleeping bags, implying to me that currently 5 "agents" were missing. And what exactly is this agency? I can only assume we're a group who knows about the true Celestia, and we're working to stop her? My train of thought was interrupted by the Doctor throwing a notebook towards my sleeping bag "Hey, take this and, if you're up to it, record life's events in it. It could be kinda useful later," he said with a slight smile. So, here I am. Writing everything that's happened so far, I guess. I'm a fast writer, so this hasn't taken me too long, but then again there is really no way to keep track of time in this. I'm getting tired though, so I think it's time to sleep. I'll hopefully figure out more tomorrow, and have a lot of questions answered. I'll make sure to write more then. This has been Octavia, signing off.
CHAPTER 2: Sorta New Acquaintances & Grand PlansAuthor's Note The story is back! Sorry for the month-long delay, haven't been very active lately. Future chapters should hopefully be out sooner. Enjoy! CHAPTER 2: Sorta New Acquaintances & Grand Plans "It's time to wake up, madam," I heard a gentle voice call out to me, suddenly awakening me. As I opened my eyes, I saw the kind and welcoming face of the Doctor nearby. "Oh, well, g'morning sir," I greeted, my nose immediately being greeted by a smell of fresh toast from the neighboring kitchen. Sure, toast wasn't that fancy, but it was still quite delicious, "Agen-Uh, Vinyl is in the kitchen, finishing up preparing our breakfast. Just toast and orange juice today, and just us three, " he stated. "Uh, what about Derpy?" I asked, perplexed by her sudden disappearance. "Well, she said she was going undercover to visit a local store to resupply us, get us some fancier foods and beverages beyond toast and orange juice...and scout out the Canterlot High Class Prison," he responded as I began to rise from my sleeping bag and prepare for breakfast. "Canterlot...High Class Prison, why?" I asked. "Ah, yeah...you weren't here for that," he solemnly responded. "Here for what? Look, I still don't know what's going on here even! You all promised to explain this, but I'm still waiting for that, y'know" I stated, perhaps giving off more harshness than I intended with my voice. "Hey, Tavi! Breakfast is ready, me and the boss will explain things over breakfast!" Vinyl called out, sending me and the Doctor trotting over to the kitchen room, pulling out some chairs, and sitting. The room was pretty clean and orderly, with a blue wall and black-and-white tile floor. We all took a bite of toast from our clean white plates as the Doctor cleared his throat, preparing to tell me everything. "We are EQCEA. Short for the Equestrian Corruption Exposal Agency, working to expose the corruption that exists in our very government. The corruption spread by our very ruler: Celestia," he began, starting his speech. I took a look at my orange juice, immediately realizing what he was beginning to say. "You know what I mean. I know you do. You saw her, the true Celestia. The true ruthless dictator behind the mask of lies. That's how you even got roped up with us, isn't it?" he asked, less questioning and moreso confirming what he already knew. "Yes, indeed, you all...saved me from a life sentence apparently, and for that...I cannot thank you all enough" I responded, showing my gratitude with a warm smile, which Vinyl and the Doctor returned. A moment of silence ensued, before the Doctor continued his statement. "Well then. I am...the leader, the boss, the big man himself, Agent #1. I was the first one to ever see the corruption in the Equestrian government, and that was so many moons ago. Gosh darn lunatics...broke into my lab and stole all my greatest inventions. Who knows what Celestia wanted with those," he stated angrily, readjusting his voice before continuing onward. "After me, there have been 57 other agents, though for various reasons many of them aren't with us anymore. Some left to just live normal lives, some were likely bribed by Celestia herself, some left to protect friends and family, some were captured, and some...met their untimely demise, risking everything for our cause. Because of this, there are only currently 8 active agents, though due to some...recent predicament, only 3 are actually with us right at this current moment. 3 are very likely safe, 1 was likely captured but I believe has a smart escape plan, and only 1 is actually in actual danger, the one I sent Derpy to that prison to scout for," the Doctor explained further. Me and Vinyl had nearly finished our breakfast already, and there was still so much to hear. "Is that one...in great danger?" I asked, worried. "Yep. Somehow Celestia issued her an execution due apparently very soon, on quite a few different charges. Treason, crimes against the government, all that stuff apparently," Vinyl stated. "She's one of our newer agents, Agent #45. Candy Apples. Celestia's tax and finance laws have hurt her family's businesses so bad, and Celestia has cheated and stole from her family for so many years...that's why she joined. That's why we gotta save her, y'know? Out of all of us...she's easily got the best reason for wanting to bring Celestia down. I really wanna save her, it's not just her mission to save her family...it's our mission. Our mission to help everypony," he spoke. It was then I realized that the Doctor really did have the essence of a true leader. Someone who wanted to save everypony, even if most ponies may not of realized they needed saving. And we truly needed every member to save everypony. Doctor Whooves finally finished his toast and juice, before looking back at me. "Welp, Derpy will still be gone for a bit, so how about me and Vinyl tell you more about the group? Anything else you wanna know?" he asked. "Well, Derpy, how'd she get involved in all this? What happened to her?" I asked. "Funny story, really. She was one of the highest class mailmares in all of Equestria. The princess trusted her big time, even sent her own parcels with Derpy. Until one day, Derpy slipped up and accidentally opened a high class package from the princess. It was classified documents, and I guess she couldn't resist looking at them. She learned a lot of things, and she knew right then she was in danger. Me and her were close, still are actually, so she came to me. I knew right then and there she was just gonna have to drop her life, so she joined in with us as Agent #11. I know she was on 'WANTED' posters for a few months, but it feels like after that the general public just forgot about her. That's why she always goes out scouting for us, I doubt anypony except the princess herself would remember her," he explained as I listened intently. "So, what number is Vinyl?" I asked. "Agent #58, currently the latest addition. Everything happened when I happened to meet up with the whole gang at a bar. Wanted a nice, peaceful night to just relax with a couple of drinks. Turns out the place was rigged by Celestia, the whole place just a little get-together for some of her minions. Turns out it was all actually a trap, though. So, the whole gang came along. I remember how boss mistook me for one of Celestia's minions at first, almost ended up in a bad situation there. Needless to say, I helped kick the hay out of the whole lot of 'em, left them unconscious long enough to make a grand escape. Honestly, I never really trusted Celestia to begin with, so I was never really shocked to learn what she had done. Good ol' boss over here let me into the group pretty much right after we made our escape. Agent #58," Vinyl explained "Wait, so the bar on the news, that they said got raided by a mysterious gang of criminals...was that you all?" I asked, already knowing the answer in the back of my mind. "Yep. We raided it to get a few documents we needed. Unfortunately, it seems they expected our arrival back then. Like Vinyl said, it was a trap they lured us into. The documents were forged and useless, and now we've had Celestia and her brainwashed group hot on our trail ever since. That all culminated in...the incident a few days back. The one that left us without a few members for right now, and got Candy Apples in prison. We all got sloppy then, messed up big time, but we're gonna fix this. We're gonna bust Candy Apples out of prison and find the others. Have a big regroup, start planning, and then work together to finally bring down Celestia. It's been a long and bumpy road, but...I have faith in all of us," the Doctor stated. "All of us? Does...that mean?" I asked, slightly shocked. "Well, I kinda asked Doctor Whooves about it, he thought it was a great idea by the way, that maybe you should join us. You seem pretty against Celestia after everything that's happened now. I really feel like you could be a great help to us, Tavi," Vinyl said with a warm smile. "That's what I feel, too. So I, Doctor Whooves, invite you to join us. To help us conquer and defeat Celestia. To help us help Candy Apples and the others. What do you say?" he asked me, with a patient and warm smile. I thought it all over. I thought of Celestia, and now my new and seething hate for her. I thought of all the innocent ponies, manipulated and controlled by that cruel and heartless tyrant. I thought of Candy Apples, scared and likely close to her death. I thought of her family, cheated and hurt by Celestia. I thought of everything. I had to help them. "Of course. So many innocent ponies need our help, and we can't let them down. I, Octavia, now also known as Agent #59, swear it," I said with a determined grin. "And well, Tavi, as a general rule we follow: no using our real names during missions. Just our numbers," Vinyl notified me. "Sounds smart," I responded with a nod. "And another rule, that I created long ago. The most important rule, that I want nopony in this agency breaking. We kill nopony. We may attack them, knock them unconscious, steal important documents, whatever...but we never kill a pony. We never stoop to their level. We are not murderers. We are better than them," he said, once again sounding like a great and inspirational leader. Just then, Derpy had entered the base. She held a few bags of supplies, and wore a nice and big smile, implying her mission was very likely successful. "Derpy, Agent #11! You have returned!" the Doctor said with a grin as he stood up from his chair and ran to her, embracing her in a quick hug. "Yes, sir! I also visited the prison, as you asked. Things don't seem too great, to be honest. Seems like the public execution of Candy Apples is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I think they tried to get her to talk, spill our location, and they'd free her. Didn't work, from what I've heard," Derpy reported. "Well then, we'll just have to free her ourselves tonight. Sneak in during the dead of night and nopony will even know we were there, it's really the perfect plan!" the Doctor exclaimed, "Uh, boss, I don't know how possible that is with just 3 of us. We need at least one other member," Derpy stated in a worrisome tone. "Well, good thing we got a new recruit right here!" Vinyl exclaimed with a cheery grin as she pointed to me. "Oh goodie! That means my mistake of buying extra of these wasn't a mistake!" Derpy exclaimed as she pulled out new and fancy black coats, with built-in saddlebags, exactly 5. "Why, Agent #11, what a nice idea of you! Now we can infiltrate enemy forces in style, and convenience thanks to thesewe integrated saddlebags," the Doctor said with a grin. "Well then, we have suits and information. Now we just need a plan to infiltrate the prison in secret, and get out before anypony even knows we're in there. We're gonna save Candy Apples, all of us are," Vinyl said with a signature optimistic grin. "It's easy. Derpy will stand guard outside, she's the most equipped for that. After all, she's the only pegasus with us right now, and until we can get Agent #23 back," the Doctor stated. "Agent #23?" I questioned. "One of the ones that got lost in...the incident a few days back, but she'll be fine. Pretty sure she got away and is just in hiding for right now. Like I said, Candy Apples is our main priority right now. She's the one in the most danger," he reminded us. "Well then, if Derpy stands guard, I say we go a full infiltration mission, boss. Me, you, and Tavi, what do ya say, boss?" questioned Vinyl. "Of course, of course. If I'm correct, there should be a boarded up tunnel just outside. It would be impossible for any earth pony or pegasus to destroy it, but Vinyl here could use her magic and get us in without a sweat," the Doctor stated with upmost confidence. "Well then, that settles it. Now all that's left is to wait for nightfall, correct?" I asked. "Correct. You all may have some spare time to do whatever you please right now, we have a lot of time to burn and it wouldn't be any fun just sitting around," the Doctor stated as he began to sit in a corner and pick up a book, flipping through the pages to get to where he left off. "I'll write some more in my journal," I said to nopony in particular, though evidently Vinyl heard me. "Alright, Tavi. I'll try to work out some sick new music to play when this is all over and I can return to a normal life," Vinyl said with a smile, as optimistic as ever. So, here I am now. Writing up the events of the day so far, as I wait for the operation tonight. Everything is becoming clearer, and this little batch seems like quite a nice group. Vinyl is still my same optimistic friend. The Doctor is a calm and composed leader. Derpy seems friendly and somewhat naive, but yet has an aura of seriousness around her. Candy Apples, from what I've heard, seems like quite the strong and courageous type. It feels like we might actually be able to do this. Yet, at the same time, it seems our objective is as of yet a bit unclear. Are we simply looking for evidence to bring down Celestia? It seems that way, but I'm not sure it will be so easy. Anyways, looks like it's almost time for the operation. I'll write the results when I return. Hopefully everyone of us comes back safely, including Candy Apples herself. This has been Octavia, signing off.
CHAPTER 3: Appletastic PrisonbreakSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
CHAPTER 4: Welcome to PonyvilleSometimes you meet the strangest ponies in the strangest of places, or the most unexpected of ponies in the most unexpected of places. I learned that thanks to my trip back to my hometown, Ponyville. On any normal occasion, I'd be overjoyed to once again see this great place...but this time I wasn't. I was actually quite on guard, worried that anypony at any moment would recognize me and everything would crash down. I knew that Ponyville, for being such a small town, had quite a bit of followers of Celestia...including Princess Twilight Sparkle. Honestly, all I had to fear was how much anypony knew. I reminded myself that I was perfectly safe as long as pictures of the agency hadn't been spread around. In some distance section of town, I heard a newspaper salesman stallion advertising the latest paper. "Presumed terrorist group EQCEA still at large after breaking into the Canterlot High Class Prison to rescue a fellow agent. It is also presumed they were the ones who caused two explosions which burned the place to the ground. No deaths have been reported, and it seems the much beloved Magnum Opus has survived. She reports being violently attacked by two of the agents and left to die in the burning building, before the agents escaped from the burning building. Canterlot is currently under extreme lockdown until the criminals are captured," the stallion called out. "My goodness...they're calling it a terrorist group now? And spreading all those lies?" I muttered to myself, frustrated beyond all belief...when I suddenly heard a pony calling out to me. "Hey, over here!" she cried as I looked toward the origin of her voice, in a darker ally. The pony was one whom I'd seen before, I could recognize Bon Bon anywhere. Why she wanted me in a dark ally...I didn't know, but I trusted her enough to follow her. Me and her had been decently close friends, at least until everything I knew in life changed. When I arrived, she looked around before sitting on an old and dusty bench. I sat down with her, surprised that the bench was able to hold the weight of the both of us. "I heard what happened...at the prison, I mean," she said. "Yeah, seems like all of Ponyville has too," I responded. "I take it you don't believe the stories, do you? Or at least the part where they say the explosions were acts of terrorism on behalf of EQCEA?" she questioned. "Look, Bon Bon, I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but I gotta get going," I said, about to stand up. "Wait, no! I can explain this, really...I can," she pleaded with me. "Alright, start talking," I commanded as I stayed in my seat. "You see, me and you ain't so different actually. I don't buy a single word that Celestia says, that her followers say, or that the media says. I know some of the truth, some of the things she's done...it's awful. It truly is, it's awful how many ponies she's used and hurt," Bon Bon stated solemnly. "You're a smart cookie, not gonna lie. Takes a lot to see past her, evidently, judging by all these fools around here," I stated, looking back from the ally to all the ponies passing by. It really was something to think about how many of them bought into Celestia's garbage lies. "Shoot, how much more blatant do I have to be? You were there, weren't you? You were at the prison that night, weren't you?" she asked. "Alright, what kinda sick game you trying to play here?" I stammered. "I told you, me and you ain't so different. You're Agent #59, and I am...was...Agent #4," she stated plainly and calmly. "You...were?" I asked, shocked. Never would I of guessed that Bon Bon...worked in that agency. "Yep. In normal everyday life, I was Bon Bon. When I was Agent #4, I was Sweetie Drops. Doctor Whooves, Agent #1, whatever you wanna call him, he recruited me early on. To be honest, at first...I didn't buy any of it. Even as the group grew...I still just had my doubts about everything, if Celestia really was a bad pony. And then Agent #13 came along. She had years of experience with Celestia's dark and twisted self...she really made me see the true light of everything," she stated before letting out a deep sigh. "Agent #13? Never met or even heard of her," I stated aloud. "Of course you haven't met her, and it's unlikely you've heard of her. Doctor Whooves, he just wants to forget that. He wants to forget anything ever happened there. Lots of bloodshed, sadly. Agent #2, Agent #3, Agent #5, and Agent #8 all...just gone in an instant once they reached us. Yet...they took them from us one by one, it was awful. Agent #6, Agent #9, and Agent #12 were all captured and later executed. We never found out what happened to Agent #7 and Agent #10. They got lost during the massive struggle that occurred. Needless to say, they probably ain't breathing today. Yet, part of me, part of me hopes those two escaped and managed to live normal lives. Agent #13 got it the worst...I just...oh...goodness, I just can't," she stammered, seeming to have a bit of a panic attack from thinking back. "You alright?" I asked, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "Yeah...I just...don't know. Everything that ended up going on back then...it was all horrible. I left soon after, I had friends...I had a life. I just couldn't deal with it anymore, especially once Doctor Whooves tried to forget it all. Hey, don't get me wrong...Doctor Whooves, he's got a good heart. He really does. He's troubled, after a whole life of this. He's seen a lot of pain, hurt, and death...that I suppose it ain't too bad that he just wants to forget it all. I have quite a bit of respect for him, actually...even if some parts of me don't. So tell me, who all is there now?" she asked, "Well...Doctor Whooves and Derpy Hooves. There's a few agents currently missing, but we're sure they'll be fine and we'll locate them eventually. Then there's Candy Apples, Vinyl, and me," I stated. "Ah, old Derpy. Loyal little pony, I'll give her that. Stuck with Doctor Whooves...even after everything that went down, real trooper she is. Tell me, did her rule of 'Kill Nopony' that she wanted after everything happened...did that ever get passed?" she asked. "I assume, Doctor Whooves told me that we kill nopony," I responded. "Good, good. I told you, that stallion...he's got a good heart. He has a way of looking past the darkness...see the light and potential in everything, even...even if there's darkness and evil all around us," she stated with yet another sigh. We both sat in silence for a few moments, before she continued to speak. "You, you know...I've...thought about returning to the agency, a few times. Really, I have. My mind is still scarred a bit, but I think...I think I feel somewhat better after all these years. I suppose back then, back then I blamed Doctor Whooves for a lot of it. When in reality...everypony would probably be alive if it weren't for Celestia. Maybe Agent #13 wouldn't of...wouldn't of...yeah," she stated. "Pardon me, I know it's a touchy subject, but how did Doctor Whooves and Derpy feel about Agent #13?" I questioned. "Oh, you're fine, don't worry. Derpy was always a kind soul, so she liked everypony. And Doctor Whooves, well, he liked Agent #13 a lot. Even with Derpy around, Doctor Whooves considered Agent #13 a bit of a 'second leader' to the agency. I suppose that's why her fate...hurt him the most, I think somehow it even hurt him more than it hurt me. Everypony he knew and trusted was just picked off, right there in front of him. I suppose I didn't help when I just up and left...but I couldn't take all of it anymore. I really just couldn't. One night, I left a note and just vanished in the middle of the night. I ended up in Ponyville, where I met some friends, old and new. I met Lyra, my best friend, and everything has been pretty good. Anyways...after that, it was just him and Derpy. Those two rebuilt the agency from the ground up. I've lurked from the shadows ever since, keeping up with news and stuff to see where you all go. I stopped for a bit, though, for a couple of years recently. I actually kinda wanted a break from it all, hearing about it even. My life, it is finally back to normal. I have friends, I have everything I've ever wanted. However, the other day...I heard about the 'terrorist' group...and I did some digging. That's how I knew about you, and so when I saw you here...it really was something. To talk to a genuine, living agent after all these years. To know that...after all that pain and suffering...our cause is still going strong," she stated with a smile. "You know, Bon Bon, I...never would of suspected about your life. About everything that happened to you. Heck, I'd have never believed you...until I got roped into everything," I said with a chuckle. "Heh, yeah. It's all so wild, everything about this is. So...what even brings you here?" she asked. "Well, I came here for some supplies. Entire prison was rigged, actually, those freaks all knew we was gonna come and rescue Candy Apples. Luckily, every single one of us escaped. Derpy got a bit scratched up, but she's healing quick. All of Canterlot is locked down...so I had to come here to grab some supplies," I stated. "Look, with everything that went down...it ain't safe for you here. I'll grab all the supplies you need, there won't be any risk for me. But...first you gotta promise to do something for me, alright?" she asked, looking at me. "Yeah, sure, anything," I responded with a smile. "I...wrote this letter a few days ago, I never expected to be able to send it...but now I can. It's a letter to him, a letter to Doctor Whooves. You read it over for me whilst I go grab those supplies you need, I'll even buy you a bigger saddlebag to carry everything. And then once I get back...make sure you deliver that letter to him. It's important for me," she said as she handed me the letter from her saddlebag. "Alright, good luck," I said with a smile as she stood up to go buy the supplies I needed. I sat for a few seconds, thinking back over everything that happened before letting out a sigh. I unfolded the letter and began to mentally read it. "Dear Boss, I'm writing this letter, but I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to get this to you. Let's cut to the chase: it's me. Agent 4, Sweetie Drops. I know you remember me, and I know you remember what I did all those years ago. I'm alive, and I've been doing pretty well. For a while, I kept up to date with what happened. I knew you and Agent #11 rebuilt the entire agency from the ground up. I really must applaud you two for all that, really. A couple of years ago though, I just stopped. I cut any ties I had left to hear anything about what happened. My life, it's been pretty good. Met a great friend called Lyra Heartstrings. Anyways, I heard about the incident at the prison. They're calling the explosions you all caused an act of terrorism, but I know better than that. We did some...stupid things in the past, that's for sure...but I know terrorism was too much for the EQCEA. I know we had standards, and I know how Celestia and her servants are. Anyways, boss, after everything...there's one reason I'm writing this letter. I know I have a life now, I have friends now, I have everything I've ever wanted in life...but yet, in a way, I still feel a bit empty. My life is great...but Celestia, she's still in control. I can't call my life perfect until I see that tyrant fall, and...well. I'll be upfront with you: in a way, I want to return to the agency. I want to help every last one of you bring down that ruthless dictator. I ran off in the dead of night like a coward back then...cause I blamed you. I blamed you for what happened to everypony. Especially after...Agent #13, after she just...I...yeah. I blamed you in a way, not gonna lie, but over the years...I've realized that all of it was Celestia's fault. I know me rejoining, I know it won't bring anypony back. But, it will stop Celestia from hurting anypony else. It will help to stop her ruthless dictatorship. Meet with me in Ponyville...any day will work. I'll be waiting everyday. Bring two agents with you, if you want. And...if it's any extra motivation: I did some researching, and I think I might know where one of your missing agents is now. She's safe, and she's alive. Look boss, please...please consider it. Sincerely, Special Agent #4: Sweetie Drops" After looking through the letter, which took longer than I thought it had, Bon Bo-Sweetie Drops returned. There was a silent understanding between us as she handed me a new saddlebag and helped to load it up with the supplies. The night was fast approaching. "Tomorrow, you give him that letter, alright?" Sweetie Drops asked as I stood up, ready to head back to base. "I promise, Agent #4," I said with a smile and a wink, which also brought a smile to her face. So, here I am, back at base. It's nighttime, and everypony is asleep. Tomorrow is the day that I give this letter to Doctor Whooves. Will he let Sweetie Drops return? I honestly don't know. I hope he does, it seems like she could benefit the whole agency. And I wonder what agent she knows is safe? It's really late now, I should really get to sleep...but sleep will be hard. I'm anxious for tomorrow, and what it might bring. This has been Octavia, signing off.
CHAPTER 5: Scars of the Past, Hope for the FutureAs I sit writing this, I really have to wonder about everything. Our objectives, our morals...everything. As I learn more about the agency's past, the more I fear for our future. The Doctor, he seems to think life is just a straight shot for us now. I'm not so sure, but yet...I want to believe. I want to believe we can keep our promises and stick to our morals. I suppose that belief is enough to outweigh all my fears. Apologies, I'm getting off track again. So, let's start from where we left off. After writing the last chapter, I somehow managed to catch myself a bit of sleep. I actually overslept, and was almost late to breakfast. After a quite silent breakfast that morning, Doctor Whooves confronted me about the events of the previous day. "Agent #59, where in the hay where you yesterday? You had each and every one of us worried sick!" he exclaimed. "Well, you see, I was in Ponyville, and I met somepony," I responded. "You...met somepony? Who?" he asked, with a curious expression on his face. "It's probably just easier if I just give you...this letter," I said as I pulled it out of my saddlebag and handed it to him. He intently read it for a few minutes, yet stiller quicker than I had the day prior. "Oh...my...goodness...she's alive! She is alive! After all these years, she's still alive!" he screamed out excitedly. "Who's alive, boss?" Candy Apples asked, dumbfounded by his sudden outburst of excitement. "Agent #4! She's been in Ponyville all this time, and Octavia met her yesterday!" the Doctor responded in joy. "The Agent #4? The one who escaped in the dead of the night not too long after everything went down?" Derpy asked, also showing excitement in her voice. "Yes, her! And not only does she say she might want to rejoin the agency, she says she knows where one of our missing agents is at, she did some research! We just gotta meet up with her in Ponyville. She said I could bring along two agents, if I felt like it," he stated. "Who you gonna send with you, boss?" Vinyl asked. "I think I'll bring Agent #45 and Agent #58. You and Agent #11 are equipped enough to fend off anypony who might come searching for us. When we come back, we should hopefully have 2 extra ponies in the agency!" he exclaimed, as excited as ever. "I reckon it might be nice to meet this Agent #4 feller, so I ain't got no objections," Candy Apples said aloud as she stood up, prepared to join me and the Doctor. "Good, good. And I'm sure Octavia over here has no objections, and it might be nice for Agent #4 to see her there, after their little encounter yesterday. And well, I think we should just head out right now. There isn't anything stopping us, and as they say: no time like the present!" Doctor Whooves exclaimed. "Sure, I'm game, not like we really have anything else to do today," I said with a grin as we began to march off. "I'll see you soon, Tavi!" Vinyl called out. "I'll see you too, Vinyl! We shouldn't be too long, or at least hopefully not!" I called back. After we had been trotting for a bit, Candy Apples began to speak. "So, miss, you said 'ya met this feller in Ponyville? Former member of the agency, just livin' her life there now, in peace like nothin' ever even happened?" she asked to me. "Yeah, that's what she said. Though the boss might know more about the fact of her being a former member," I responded. "Yes, yes, indeed, I do. She was a great agent, she really was. You see, she was part of the original agency, It consisted of 13 agents; me, Derpy, Agent #4, and 10 others. Strongest agency there ever was, stronger than we even are right now. Yet, our power and confidence was a curse. I remember the day as clear as ever, the day I...the day I try to forget. The day that has haunted me every single day of my life sense. All 13 of us, we...we raided Canterlot Castle, we thought we were so close to the ending of it all. We planned to sneak in, grab the documents we needed, escape, and finally expose Celestia once and for all. It all seemed to go to plan, but then suddenly we were surrounded by all kinds of Celestia's guards. They took out Agent #2 and Agent #8 first, and after that Agent #3 and Agent #5...well...they didn't last too long. We couldn't turn back, really, we couldn't. It was either backwards to death or forwards to a chance of survival. So the whole lot of us, which was just nine members now, we trudged forward. Agent #12 was always a bit clumsy so played right into one of the traps, and got captured. Then, they started to open fire on us. Didn't even know they had that kind of technology, to be honest. I almost wonder if their thievery of my technology helped to create it. In the entire mess, Agent #6 and Agent #9 got badly wounded and captured. Agent #10 disappeared somewhere in the scuffle, could've escaped...been captured...been killed...anything. By the time we were nearing the top, there was just 5 of us. Me, Derpy, Agent #4, Agent #7, and Agent #13. Fire and explosions started breaking out, and Agent #7 got lost at some point in that mess. At that point, we knew, we just knew we had to get out or else we were all going to die. They'd taken down at least seven of us, probably nine, and we'd only fatally wounded just a few of their dozens of guards. See, this was before our 'No Kills' policy. And then...before we got out, they...they got her. They got Agent #13. She just screamed at us, told us to go. We got out, sure, but not before we saw...her fate," he said with a shiver. "That...sounds horrible," I added. "That's...an understatement. Agent #6, Agent #9, and Agent #12...they all were put in prison after they were captured. We could of saved them, but it was too dangerous. There were too few of us, and the Canterlot security at that point was at an all-time high. So those 3 met their unfortunate fates. Eventually, Agent #4 left in the dead of night...and me and Derpy were left alone to build everything back up. Derpy also added the current rule of 'Kill Nopony', which...I'm glad she did. We realized that murder isn't an answer after they violently ripped so many of our own from us. We realized from that point onward we just couldn't stoop to their level," he said solemnly. "I joined the agency a whole lot later, seein' as I'm Agent #45," Candy Apples began, "so y'all are still pretty new to me, but seem like a nice batch. I joined cause of an incident, somethin' real horrible. My family is apple farmers, 'ya see, some of the best around. Celestia, well she'd been cheatin' and stealin' from us for years. She ended up passin' some tax laws, and those really hurt us. So we started a rebellion, tried to make some noise and rally up against Celestia. Things, well, things didn't go so good. She sent officers, whole batch of 'em, told us to stop the rebellion. We, well we said no, and then things all went downhill. Lots of shootin', lots of pain. They burned down the barn, they took everything from us. Told us they'd be back, and they'd come with a lot more ponies. So, I gathered up the ones who made it and I sent them on a train down to Appleloosa. They tried to get me to come along, but I told 'em I was gonna make apple pie of Celestia's reputation first. I told 'em I'd do that and I'd return to 'em, all in one piece." Silence overcame is for a while, until Candy Apples again began speaking. "So...you heard 'bout the bar incident, I know 'ya did. Well, after that, ol' Agent #58 joined us. That's when we all got darin', and we did our second ever raid on Canterlot Castle. See, I don't know how things went down there...cause I was the first one there to be captured," Candy Apples stated with a shrug. "Yeah, she was. We brought the whole gang there: me, Agent #45, Agent #11, Agent #23, Agent #36, Agent #37, Agent #38, and Agent #58. We showed up right in the dark of evening, and got in rather easily. Things went smoothly, perhaps too smoothly. After the bar incident, I don't know why we thought they wouldn't be ready for us. Anyways, that Magnum Opus mare showed up. She called us all fools for walking right into that trap, which I suppose she was right. Suddenly, we were all surrounded. Agent #45 told us to run forward, she'd hold them off. She succeeded for a few minutes, apparently, before they managed to capture her. We kept going, until Agent #36 got tripped and also captured. They were on our tail, and right then some of us decided to just get out. Agent #38 bailed first, told us all she'd regroup with us later and not to worry too much about her. She escaped through a window into a boat that was conveniently placed. You see, Agent #38 can't swim; but that's a story for another time. That left just five of us to push onwards, before eventually Agent #37 also bailed. She, luckily, is able to swim. Anyways, we kept pushing on...certain death would await us if we pushed backwards. However once Agent #23 bailed, she's a pegaus so she just flew off, the remainder of us decided we just needed to get out of there. We eventually found a good evacuation spot. We opened the windows in the parachute storage unit of the castle; and me, Agent #11, and Agent #58 escaped into the dead of night just like that," the Doctor stated, ending off with a grin. "Well, 'ya may be proud and all of your grand escape but it's still 'yer fault for gettin' us into that mess, boss," Candy Apples retorted. "Well, we all turned out fine in the end! Don't be so glum, my sugary apple friend. Everything will be fine in the end, I assure you of that," the Doctor responded. "Ah well, I'm sure of that. Was just pullin' your leg a bit," Candy Apples stated with a chuckle, which the Doctor shared. "Well, anyways, not too long after that incident we met you, Agent #59, and rescued you," Doctor Whooves stated aloud. "Well, I would probably be rotting away in a jail cell somewhere if it weren't for you all," I responded with a hearty and cheery smile. We continued trotting in silence for a few minutes before finally arriving on the outskirts of Ponyville. "And here we are! Now, Agent #4 should be around here somewhere," he stated as he looked around town. "Psst, you three! Over here!" called out Sweetie Drops towards us from the same ally I had seen her in the day before. We quickly trotted over to her, and we saw a green unicorn sitting on the bench. Lyra Heartstrings, I assumed. "Lyra, I would like you to meet some of the agents of the EQCEA I told you about!" Sweetie Drops softly exclaimed. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Real life agents! So, what do you all do? Do you fight against Celestia? Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!" Lyra squealed out. "And you three, meet my best friend in all of Equestria: Lyra Heartstrings. She's a bit eccentric, but she really is a kind soul. Also an avid activist against Celestia, though she rarely shows it besides helping out a few anti-Celestia ponies and groups. Ponies and groups like you," Sweetie Drops said with a wink. "Yeah, yeah, sorry about that. I was just excited to meet some real life agents of EQCEA. Could you three introduce yourselves, please?" Lyra asked kindly and softly. "Of course! I am Doctor Whooves, Agent #1 and the boss of the agency. I work long and hard to help our agents, and to take down Celestia," he said with a grin. "My name is Candy Apples, Agent #45. My family is the greatest dang group of apple farmers you ever did see, till Celestia started cheatin' and stealin' from 'em real bad," Candy Apples stated with a frown. "And I am Octavia Melody, Agent #59. I'm the newest agent, actually, so I don't have much experience yet," I stated aloud. "Nice, nice! And Bon Bon...she told me about her formerly being Agent #4. And so...she told me why you're all here, too," Lyra sighed. "Lyra...you know this...this is important to me. I'm sorry to to do this to you, I really am...but I don't think my conscience could stay clean if...if...I knew I bailed out," Sweetie Drops said, starting to choke up a little bit. "I know, Bon Bon. I really do, and I know you'll do great. You're Bon Bon, after all. I just...well. I need you to promise me something," Lyra stated. "Of course, anything," Sweetie Drops responded with a slight smile. "Promise me...you won't die on me, alright? And if something happens to you, and you do get fatally injured...no matter what, make sure you see me. One last time," Lyra pleaded. "Of course, Lyra, of course," Bon Bon responded with a smile as the two shared a hug for a few moments. "Well, then it's official. Welcome back to the EQCEA, Agent #4!" Doctor Whooves stated aloud with a grin. "Oh yeah!" Sweetie Drops and Lyra exclaimed at the same time, both giggling afterwards. "I brought some more suits, actually," stated Sweetie Drops as she opened her saddle bag and tossed Candy Apples a suit just like me and the Doctor had. Sweetie Drops also had one for herself, too. Candy Apples and Sweetie Drops took a few moments to get dressed up, and then Sweetie Drops gave Lyra one last hug before her departure with us out of the ally. "Well then, let's go get that missing agent of yours!" Sweetie Drops said with a wink to the Doctor. "Oh yeah, right! You said you knew where she is, right?" the Doctor asked. "Yep, I think she's been staying at the Ponyville Hotel," Sweetie Drops responded. "They got a hotel in this old place?" Candy Apples asked. "Yeah, they added it as part of one of Celestia's latest plans. Apparently she's working on expanding all of Ponyville, also added a bar. All this expansion has put some smaller businesses...well, out of business. I know poor Rarity, she...well...she got cheated pretty hard by Celestia. I know her and Twilight Sparkle, well..they've had a falling out thanks to all this. Twilight nowadays...well, she's just like the rest of Celestia's lot. It's sad really, to be honest," Sweetie Drops said with a frown. "You know, I wonder what will happen to all of Celestia's followers once we bring her down," I pondered aloud. "I really think they will repent, they'll see our bringing down of Celestia as a warning. From there, they will hopefully learn the error of their ways," the Doctor responded swiftly. "And if they don't?" asked Candy Apples. "Well, that doesn't matter right now. Right now, we need to focus on our missing agent. You said she's at the hotel, right?" the Doctor asked to Sweetie Drops. "Well, I said that she's staying at the hotel. Right now, she's probably at the bar starting up a party," Sweetie Drops responded with a light chuckle. "Well boss, you thinkin' it's who I'm thinkin' it is?" Candy Apples asked with a smirk. "That sounds like Agent #37, if I ever did hear a better description of her," the Doctor jested. "I take it Agent #37 likes her alcohol?" I asked. "No, Agent #37 loves her alcohol. She ain't a bad alcoholic, though. When she's drunk, she's the greatest party girl you'll ever see. I reckon she might even be a greater party girl than Pinkie Pie," the Doctor giggled. "Well then, let's go meet up with her," Sweetie Drops suggested. "Alright, pardner, let's go," Candy Apples responded. It was a relatively quick walk to the saloon, but the Doctor stopped us before we went in. "Wait, you three! We can't just go walking into there, you know what they'll think? I volunteer that Agent #45 and Agent #58 go in, that way things will look a bit less suspicious," the Doctor suggested. "Good idea, boss. Come on, Agent #45! We got a Agent #37 to...retrieve," I called with a smirk. As me and Candy Apples entered the bar, we realized it was a bit bigger than we expected. There was at least 20, if not 30, ponies there. We scanned the crowd before quickly Candy Apples pointed out a yellow unicorn mare with light blue hair. "Alright, there she is! Looks like some folks are givin' 'er a hard time over there, we better go check that out," Candy Apples stated. We walked up to three drunk stallions, all three of which reeked of whiskey. The biggest one was a brown earth pony with a silver mane, and had a cutie mark of a bottle. The other two were medium-sized and appeared to be unicorn twins, each having an orange mane and a red mane. Their only differences were their cutie marks, one of them had a cutie mark of a beer mug; whilst the other had a cutie mark of an upside-down beer mug with beer spilling out. Seemed like an interesting batch, that's for sure. "Heya, miss lemon-breath, I know you're up to no good. Me and the boys here, we gonna have to teach you a lesson?" the biggest one asked menacingly. "Look, you two, I ain't sure what I did to you three but I'm sure we can all settle it over a nice drink or two!" Agent #37 exclaimed, sounding quite carefree. "Aww, ain't that cute! Wittle filly wants to solve this over a dwinky!" the orange one with the beer mug cutie mark mocked. "'Ay, fellers, back off the girl," Candy Apples threatened, showing a glimmer of menace in her eyes. The three stallions turned to look at Candy Apples. "Or else what, cowgirl?" the biggest one asked, putting his face towards Candy Apples', attempting to scare her. "Or else we're gonna have a problem, mister. And I reckon...you don't want the entire Ponyville Police Force here," Candy Apples responded with a smug grin. The big stallion looked like he was about to start something, before the one with the upside-down mug cutie mark stopped him. "Come on, boss, these freaks aren't worth our time and effort," he said. "Eh, you're right, c'mon you two! Let's get out of here," the big stallion said as he and his two...friends or whatever...joined him. "Oh my, if it ain't miss cowgirl herself! Got yourself a little girl toy, 'eh? Never knew your barn doors swung that way," Agent #47 teased. "Oh please, it ain't nothing like that. This girl here is our newest recruit," Candy Apples responded, slightly flustered. "Oh wait, yeah...I know her! She's that cello-playing musician girl! Jeez, you're movin' up in the world. Better than that one stallion you literally found near a trash can that one time," Agent #47 responded with a smug grin as Candy Apples jokingly slapped her. "Oh, please! You know that wasn't nothin', just helpin' a folk out...and 'ya know that," Candy Apples responded whilst rolling her eyes. "Whatever you say, cowgirl! Whatever you say!" exclaimed Agent #47 teasingly yet again. "Well, whatever. Let's get your drunk little self back to camp, we got enough recruit too...technically an old recruit who rejoined. We can fill 'ya in on the way," Candy Apples stated as we walked Agent #47 outside to regroup with the others. "Hey, boss! Hey...uh, new gal! I think your name is Candy Dandy, you sure look like a Candy Dandy to me!" Agent #47 exclaimed to Sweetie Drops. "Uh, no...that's not my name. I can't actually say it yet, since we're on a mission. However, I'm Agent #4. I had left the agency some years ago, but returned today," Sweetie Drops responded. "Well, ain't that something nice! I'm Agent #47! Nice to meet you, Candy Dandy Mandy!" Agent #47 responded teasingly. "Alright, Agent #47...let's get back to base. We had to change locations, you see...you've missed a lot," the Doctor began. I won't bore any future readers with many more details, so I think I'll just cut to how things are right now. We got back to base safely and easily, and the Doctor filled Lemon Hearts in on everything that's happened. Oh yeah, Lemon Hearts is Agent #47's name. Anyways, once again it is night as I relax writing this. As I wonder if everything truly will turn out okay, and everyone can fulfill their promises to return safely. I suppose I should finally get some sleep, the Doctor said something about working on figuring out where some of our last missing agents from the second Canterlot Castle incident are. Tomorrow should be an interesting day then, all things considered. This has been Octavia, signing off.
CHAPTER 6: Who Are You?I had finally fallen asleep shortly after writing my last chapter when I was suddenly awoken by a sound nearby. Sounds of hooves trotting, stones being pushed aside, and twigs snapping. I looked around; Doctor Whooves, Derpy Hooves, Candy Apples, Vinyl Scratch, Sweetie Drops, Lemon Hearts...they were all there, all asleep peacefully in their grounded sleeping bags I had always been a light sleeper, since foalhood even, but this...this was more than just a loose timberwolf or other animal. This was most certainly a pony, and surely one who did not have the best intentions at mind for us. I stood up and began walking towards the sounds, which had begun to slow down. I soon neared the small brook that was beside the camp, and there she stood. Magnum Opus. I tried to be silent, tried to just sneak back to the others and warn them. However, she turned around immediately; as if she could simply just sense my presence. "I knew you'd be here," she spoke, in her same rough smoker voice, showing me she hadn't changed a bit since our last encounter in the burning prison. "Just...just who are you, anyway?" I asked. "Silly little filly, I am what I am. I am the Magnum Opus," she said with a grin. "How did you become one of Celestia's highest powers?" I questioned further, pressing for as many questions as I could. "Well, I would tell you...but that would just be stupid. You're the enemy, why would I spill the information to you? What makes you think I'm of low intelligence?" she snarled back, hatred seething in her eyes "I'm the enemy? I'm the enemy? I'm not the one who assists the dictator who murders in cold blood, I'm not the one who sets off two explosions in a prison and blames it on others, I'm not the one who lies about everything!" I screamed out, much louder than I had intended. "You don't get it, do you? You're the enemy of everyone, because that's all everyone knows. It doesn't matter what you say, do, or think; you can't change our ways of life. You yourself are a threat to our very way of life. We, the followers of Celestia, live our happy way of life, whilst you are all are a threat to that. Threatening everything, which makes so many ponies, just for your little agenda." she stated aloud. "You're a very pathetic pony, Magnum Opus. You're too blinded to see the truth right in front of you, aren't you? It doesn't matter if you follow Celestia; it doesn't matter if she gives you everything you cherish...because she doesn't care. She doesn't care about me, she doesn't care about her followers, and she doesn't even care about you. All she cares about is herself, and she's willing to do anything she can to keep her power. She's willing to hurt, steal from, lie to, and even kill those who are of no use to her anymore. Don't you realize that someday your worth to her will run out, too? Don't you realize that, in the end, our little...'agenda'...as you call it...is right? Heck, it isn't an agenda, it's about saving ponies. Saving ponies from a cruel, heartless leader," I retorted angrily. "And you say your precious boss...he's any better? You think his values are better in the end? You think...in the end...everything he works for will be for the better?" she asked, with a grin. "Of course he's better. He cares about the truth, and he values the lives of ponies. Comparing him to Celestia is like comparing light to dark and love to evil," I retorted. "What in 'da hay is goin' on over here?" I heard Candy Apples ask as she approached the scene. "Oh goodie, another one!" exclaimed Magnum Opus, seemingly amused by Candy Apples' sudden appearance. As Candy Apples entered the clearing with me, she spied Magnum Opus. "Oh...it's you," she leered. "Why the angry face, my southern cowgirl fellow? You gonna give me a rant on how wicked and evil I am, too?" Magnum Opus teased. "Why, you...you're nothin' but a disgrace. A disgrace to me, to my family, and to all of Equestria, and that's all you'll ever be...nothin' but a disgrace!" Candy Apples snapped, unleashing her anger into burning words. "I'm no disgrace, cowgirl. I'm the one that everypony strives to be like, just as everypony strives to follow Celestia," responded Magnum Opus with a scowl. "Your mind is so deluded it can't see the truth. This world is so corrupt, and you can't even see it through your distored vision. That's what's a disgrace," stated the Doctor as he entered the scene. "My my, seems we've almost got the entire agency right here! What a pleasure to meet you again, boss," mocked Magnum Opus. "Listen, I don't know why you're here, but you better get far away from here. And you better do it quick," Sweetie Drops threatened as she also entered the small clearing. "Well, I'll be! If it isn't the former Agent #4, back with her old agency of misfits! I figured you'd be gone for good, after Celestia and her little batch of friends showed you what happens to those who come against us. I'm sure you haven't forgotten Agent #13," Magnum Opus replied, with a distorted and morbid grin. That little...whatever you want to call her...she knew that would disturb Sweetie Drops. Immediately Sweetie Drops trotted backward a few steps, fighting memories to produce a leer. "You're darn right nopony here has forgotten, and one day Celestia is gonna pay for that," called Derpy as she joined us. "Well, well...it's Celestia's former mailmare! Took that important parcel one day, and then just vanished out of thin air like nothing even happened. She never forgot, you know. Celestia never forgets her traitors, and she never forgets to dish out revenge, so one day you're gonna pay for that," Magnum Opus said, keeping her same grin. "I'm pretty sure you heard Agent #4. Get the hay out of here, or we're gonna have to make you!" exclaimed Lemon Hearts, mixing her average peppy attitude with anger and hatred. "You heard Agent #4 and Agent #37, now get out of here!" screamed Vinyl as she joined everypony else. "The whole agency is here! Every last one of you! Aside from the ones who are still missing, but we'll find them eventually. We had Agent #36 captured, but yet she managed to get away. Slipped out right under our noses," Magnum Opus scowled. "Yeah, we're all here. Seven against one. Do you really think you can take seven of us down, just one of you?" I questioned. "Silly little foals...silly little foals indeed. It's not just me, it's me and a bunch of soldiers. We got the place surrounded in the time we had our little idle chat, so I'll give you two choices. Come with us, and we'll spare your lives. Sure, it'll be a lifelong sentence to prison...but you all won't die. Or, you can try to run. Run and we'll get you all. Every last one of you," Magnum Opus stated, showing a very menacing grin. "And...we're supposed to trust you? We're supposed to trust that you'll keep your word if we just come with you?" the Doctor asked. "Worth a try, isn't it?" Magnum Opus responded, keeping her now signature grin. There was a silence, before suddenly me and the rest of the agency started running. There were booms, flashes...all the like. I saw the Doctor running with Derpy, Lemon Hearts running with Sweetie Drops, and Vinyl running with Candy Apples. This left me on my lonesome, running and praying to any pony god above that might exist to spare us our lives. Fires erupted in the forest around me, and booms and flashes rang out from every corner. I just kept running and running. However, I wasn't paying attention to where I was heading...and down a cliff I fell. The world around me went from a mix of greens and reds from the forest, to the blue of the sky above me as I fell, to black. "Oh my, I hope she's alright. She took a pretty bad fall, but I think I've patched her up good enough," I heard a soft voice speak to herself as I regained my consciousness and began to sit up. I noticed I was in a small field, with a make-shift camp. It seemed daytime had already arrived. "You're alive!" the cream-furred unicorn mare with a pink mane exclaimed. "I'm alive alright, just barely though. Was running from a whole group of ponies, tumbled right off a cliff," I responded. "Yeah, yeah...don't worry, you're relatively fine though. I don't think anything broke, as you mainly landed in a few flowers and a few bushes," she reassured. "Good, good. So...who are you?" I asked. "Oh, me? My name's Twinkleshine," she responded with a sweet smile. "I'm Octavia, think I've seen you around before," I stated. "Perhaps you have, perhaps you haven't. No matter what though, I know I've heard a lot about you" she responded. "W-what do you mean?" I asked, slightly unnerved. "I've been looking for you and the other fellow agents for a while, silly," she replied with a sweet giggle. "W-wait. Does that mean what it thinks I mean?" I questioned. "Mhm. I'm Agent #38 of the EQCEA. Nice to meet 'ya, Agent #59!" she said with another smile. "I can't believe it, I survive and am rescued...but not just rescued! Rescued by a fellow agent, whom we've been looking for for quite a while now!" I exclaimed. "Hehe, yeppers! I've been following the progress of all of you, but could never quite locate where you were hiding out at. However, I must fear no more! For you, Agent #59, have come to guide me back to the rest!" she exclaimed with yet another smile. "Well, see, that's the problem...I don't know where the others are at right now," I responded solemnly. "W-why? Did something happen?" she asked, showing much concern. "Well, yeah. One of Celestia's higher ranking ponies, Magnum Opus, showed up with a bunch of soldiers. We all had to scatter, not sure if everypony even made it out alive. So I have no idea where they could be right now," I responded. "I see, well...that's quite unfortunate. I do have a plan, however!" she exclaimed. "Really, what?" I asked. "You see, I've done quite a bit of research in my time away from the agency so far. Let's just say...I know where Agent #23 and Agent #36 are!" she responded. "Why...that's wonderful!" I exclaimed with a joyful smile. "Indeed it is, hehe! So, all we gotta do is find them and then regroup with the others. From there, well...we might just be golden!" she responded. "So...where are they?" I questioned. "In a small area not too far from here, called Dodge Junction. It used to be called Dodge City until Celestia decided it wasn't worthy of that title anymore," she replied with a frown. "And...why's that?" I asked, afraid of what I might hear. "Some of the folks there, they didn't really like Celestia. They got a bunch of ponies riled up and started a big anti-Celestia campaign. From there, things got nasty. Dodge Junction is now just a ruin of the place it used to be, nopony even lives there anymore," she answered solemnly. "I...see," I sighed. "There was a prominent businessmare there, Cherry Jubilee. She was a big leader of the campaign, which itself is sometimes called the Dodge City Resistance. Anyways, Celestia ended up threatening her. Celestia manipulated Cherry Jubilee real good. Cherry Jubilee, however, had a plan. She was going to escape, and she was going to go back to protesting Celestia. She slowly but surely worked against Celestia from within. From within the government, she eventually got roped in with us. She was Agent #41, but also a special case. Like I said, she worked from inside the entire government. Eventually, Celestia caught on. Celestia decided Cherry Jubilee had been a pain to her for too many years, so she framed her. Celestia destroyed the entire Canterlot garden, and framed Cherry Jubilee. She said Cherry had finally snapped, so they locked her up...and now...Cherry ain't breathing anymore," Twinkleshine shuddered. I kept quiet, despite something actually clicking inside of my mind. That was the conversation I had spied on all those nights ago, the conversation that changed my life forever. I had heard Celestia discussing Cherry's fate. "And now, I hear that monster wants to frame her own sister for something. She's a sick and demented monster," Twinkleshine whimpered out. "Well, we're going to fix this. Fix what we can, that is, and save who we can," I stated with confidence. "Yep, hehe!" Twinkleshine responded, back to being as peppy as a rabbit. "It's getting a bit late, I say we set up an area for me; and tomorrow we'll go looking for those two. Does that sound alright to you?" I asked. "Of course!" she responded. So, here we are. Nightfall has finally arrived, and I am finishing my writing. We need to stop Celestia before she harms other ponies, we really do. Agent #2, Agent #3, Agent #5, Agent #6, Agent #7, Agent #8, Agent #9, Agent #10, Agent #12, Agent #13, Agent #41, and possibly others I haven't yet heard about...all gone thanks to Celestia. She's a monster, and we're gonna stop her. This has been Octavia, signing off.
