Author's Note

The next chapter taking a short break from this for a bit but I will have another chapter ready soon my good followers.

Enjoy,

Alvasa Out !_!

Survey Corps

A lone unicorn mare walked through the night streets of Canterlot. Her coat was an alabaster white while her mane and tail consisted of a lighter off-set of fuchsia with dull powdery blue highlights and her eyes were a bright magenta. On her flanks was a bright yellow and orange sunrise coming up over a valley with a stream running through a green flowery field. The was Morning Sunrise, aka Princess Celestial alter ego. She was covering herself with an old burlap cloak to hide her body.

She was following the leads left to her by Tightship to get in touch with Levi Ackerman. So far she'd figured out what to do. She needed to a member of the Strawberry family that ran an establishment here in the city. One with the wing symbol hidden somewhere in or on the property. Once there she would need to show the coin Tightship had presented to her and order a 'Surprise.' From there she'd only guess that an arrangement would be set up for the coin holder to meet with Levi or somepony closer to him.

Sunrise was currently head to a bar in the lower area of Canterlot, the area all nobles have said they would never set hide nor hoof in and should be purged from their city. The same part of that city that most of the hypocrite frequent quite often for a quick romp with a beautiful mare or some pony else's spouse. Sunrise came to a stop outside a bar 'Punching Bag'. She looked up at the sign from under her hood and saw a very small wing symbol branded into the very bottom left-hand corner of the sign. Sunrise quickly pulled out her coin and looked at it then at the sign, there was no doubt they were the same.

She sighed in relief, "At least they have an outpost in the city," She muttered returning the coin to her saddlebags. "But this is Levi and with him having a Corps I would expect him to have a few through the major cities, Faust knows I should. Well... let's do this...." She walked in and sat at the bar.

"What'll it be this evening ma'am?" A burly looking green coated earth pony stallion with a short red mane, tail, and mutton chops said. Un his mouth was a rather stubby thick cigar the smoke smelled of berries. He was wearing a brown golfers cap and a black vest over a white button-down shirt. He was sitting behind the bar wiping down mugs as Sunrise sat on an open stool.

"Oh, ah...um... Could I perhaps have some cider please?" Sunrise asked removing her hood. She was a little put off by how calm and friendly the bar's atmosphere was.

"One cider," The stallion filled up a mug. "Best cider this side of Equestria straight from Apple Acres," he said placing the mug on the bar for her. "Name's Strawberry Punch," He smirked as he set a mug down and blew smoke out of his nose pulling the cigar from his and taping it on a nearby ash trey before returning it to his mouth. "This here is my fine establishment. We don't take flack from no creature and serve all till they make a ruckus then they're out. Nobles have no sway here either, so if you're one of the hoity-toity buckers ya should finish your beverage fast then leave." He squinted.

Sunrise cover her mug in golden yellow magic and quickly downing the cider let out a loud burp right in the stallion's face. Her own face showed a bit of an embarrassed blush, "Excuse me I am so sorry! I can't even remember the last time I was that rude to another creature let alone a pony!"

"It's fine ma'am." Punch held up a hoof. "It's one of the reasons I built this place. For any creature to come and have a drink with out fear of persecution. But with that said and seeing as you're extremely pretty and in a potato sack cloak you're only one of two things," He squinted again. "You're either a whore looking to go home with some creature to make some good coin or you're from a small town looking to make it big. I've got advice for both if you're willing to listen."

"I'm always willing to listen to advice but I can cross out the first option as I would never stoop so low as to sell my body, even to get by," Sunrise crossed her foreleg with a bit of an annoyed scowl.

"You wouldn't guess show many mares and a few stallions come here trying to play fisher pony for that sort of thing Miss," Punched took her mug and filled it up again. "I don't judge how any creature makes a livin but I won't stand for that business coining into my business. That said. I can tell ya you should go back to whatever little town ya came from. Like before I can't tell ya how many come here wanted it but like yourself are really pretty and get used and tossed off after there done with ya. Go home to your folks and kin that need ya."

"Um," Sunrise reached back and pulled out the coin Tighship had given her and placed on the counter sliding it under her hoof for only Punch to see.

His eyes widened and then he looked at the mare, "What special would ya like tonight miss?" he asked.

"A Surprise," She said with confidence.

"Alright then," Punch took the coin and then looked at Sunrise. "I'll be back with your surprise in a moment." He trotted of and went on the back. After a few minutes, he returned with a strawberry sundae on a trey then placed it in front of Sunrise with the napkin. "Here ya are Miss. Enjoy." He calmly trotted off.

"Hmm..." Sunrise raised an eyebrow. "I thought there'd be more to it, oh well can't let this go to waste," she licked her lips and then noticed something about her ice cream.

The chocolate swirls through the glass read, 'Take the Napkin'. Gobbling down her treat she left some bits on the bar and took her napkin and hastily left out of the bar. Once she was far enough away she teleported back to her room and cast away her disguise.

Celestia opened the napkin, in it was a metal set of only the wings from Levi's coin. There was also a note on the napkin.

Dear Miss.

We have received your summons and will be sending one of the Survey Corp to hear you out. They will be in Canterlot within a week's time. They shall meet you at the bar at the same time you arrive the first night. Know we have not accepted your job until the Survey Corps member has heard you out and made the call to take it. Be there or we will not answer your call again.

Sincerely,
The Survey Corp

At the bottom was a stamp of a shield with two crossing wings, one white over one blue.

Halfway through the week...

Another hooded cloaked unicorn mare walked through the streets of lower Canterlort. She was also wearing more clothing than normal ponies, so some thought she was a noble until they looked closer at her attire. She was wearing a hooded forest green cloak that was frayed and dirty with mud at the base. Underneath the cloak, she wore a short, light brown jacket with the Survey Corps emblem on both shoulders, on the front left pocket, and in the center of the back, a white button-down shirt with a dark brown sash around her barrel. The cloak also hid a set of twin single-edged swords.

She walked all the way to the Punching Bag. Once there, she spoke with Strawberry Punch as soon as she walked up to the bar and showed him her uniform.

"May I see the coin?" she asked.

Punch raised an eyebrow at the hooded mare. He shrugged and pulled out the coin and dropping it on the bar. "Why'd ya want to see it anyways? Make sure it's not counterfeit?"

"Yes actually," the mare enveloped the coin in a sapphire aura and looked it over.

"Well? What's up with it?"

"It's real. This is one of only a select few coins made specifically by Mr. Ackerman himself for a select few individuals," the mare explained. "So only a select few have these. It means that either it was stolen, the pony who presented was in disguise, or that pony gives it away to somepony who thought they needed it more." She placed the coin in her pocket. "You gave them the instructions?"

"Yep," Punch nodded. "That was nearly a week ago. She should be coming back in here over the past couple of days."

"Good," the mare nodded. "We will be using the room if needed be."

"I'm not gonna argue with anypony about it let alone you of all ponies," Punch waved off the order. "It the whole reason we built this place and that room anyhow. I suppose you're in need of a place to camp as well. I'll get the resting quarters set up."

"Thank you very much," She nodded and followed Punch to the back of the bar for lodging and a good rest.

The next evening...

The hooded mare remained as such sitting in the back of the bar but now she wore a blank white expressionless mask that had been enchanted to hide her presence, especially in crowded areas. She notice Punch signal that the pony who'd given him the coin had just entered the bar. It was a simple ear scratch as he was turned around. The hooded masked mare watched as Punch interacted with the mare. She'd order a cider quickly downed it and then spoke with Punch. The masked mare activated another enchantment on her masker. True Sight, an old spell that few knew of these days that allowed the mask's wearer to see anything clearly as if it were day.

What she saw didn't surprise her, "Will that explains it," She rolled her eyes. "It is the princess's coin after all, "She watched the incredibly tall mare drink another cider and then signaled by hitting a button under the booth's table and sending a magical light to Punch at the bar.

At the bar...

'Sunrise' order another cider and then asked Punch the question on her mind. "Any word?"

"Just keep comin in and I'll let ya know when." Punch said bluntly.

"I was told a week," Sunrise pouted.

"Listen," Punch took the mug. "Ya just do as yer told and we'll let ya know. They should be here by tomorrow night at the latest." A light caught his attention. "Excuse me miss, the kitchen is callin me," he trotted off and was goin for a bit and then returned. "Ya should go home, Miss. One of my employees had an accident and we have to shut down for tonight."

"Are they alright perhaps I can help," Sunrise asked worriedly. "I'm quite gifted with healing spells."

"Go home," Punch said outright. "We'll contact ya if necessary for now we need to close up."

Sunrise folds her ears against her head. "Alright," she got off the stool and trotted out, and not long after so did the dissidents of the bar. "Guess it wasn't just to get me to leave, perhaps I should look in on this," She smirked lighting her horn only to feel a send sharp headache and a sudden jolt sending her on her rump. "Faust above," she she her head. "Levi sure doesn't play around with his safe houses' warding. I think I will go home, need an aspirin," She trotted back to the castle not noticing a dark green cloaked masked pony discreetly following her from a distance.

The next day...

Celestia had gotten up and raised the sun as per usual. She then went over and changed Spike out of his nighttime diaper and gave him his morning bath and took one with him in the royal bath house. After a bit of a splash fight with Cadence they all exited and went for breakfast.

Today was one of Celestia's court days and that meant no magic lessons for her favorite purple pupil. So, after cleaning Spike again she sent him with Cadence who normally watched over the little whelp on a day like this if she didn't have her own studies to tend to. She often went to fetch Twilight and let her pick a few books from the Library to read while they sat in the park. In all honesty, Celestia preferred Cadence over the nannies anyways, most of them treated her son as if he were some sort of an unsightly pet and only did the bare minimum to keep the drake quiet.

She was currently sitting on her throne partially listening to another noble pratol on about how they deserved more land and how they wanted a pool cause they heard somepony else had one.

"And that princess is the reason why the crown must give me this land," Lord Snooty Butt said in his posh accent.

"Let me get these facts straight Butt," Celestia sighed. "You want me to put an entire city block and an orphanage out because you heard Madame Scarlet Rose has a pool and you don't... "

"I'm so glad you see..."

"Shut up you pompus plothole," Celestia snorted. "Madame Scarlet funds that orphanage which is why you targeted it as it is not even near your home which gave you the excuse to want to tear down the city block. Get you buck ass out and don't come back before I strip you of your title and rank altogether for even suggesting it."

"But if I can..."

"NOW!" She shouted and the overweight stallion quickly ran out as fast as he could before tripping and rolling like a bowling ball knocking over several ~~pins~~ nobles on his way out. "If I have to deal with anymore like that I will do it" She rubbed her temples with her hooves when a commotion outside caught her attention

The guard stood at attention as a masked green cloaked unicorn trotted up. Due to their own enchanted armor, they saw the pony and crossed their spears.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No," the masked pony answered nonchalant. She tried to push forward but the guards wouldn't uncross their spare. She chuckled. "ehehehe.... Boys, you cute and all, but you should really let me through."

"No appointment no through." the other guard said sternly, "And don't make threats you can't back up little mare," he shoved her back.

"It wasn't a threat," She scowled under her mask.

"I don't think I like her tone," Said the first guard as he looked at his colleague.

"Let's teach her how to respect the guard," The second guard smirked as they readied their spears.

"You boys are making a big mistake," the mare glared.

"No we're not!" they said as they thrust their spears only for the cloak pony to shoot backwards and up.

"Where'd' she go?" they looked ago.

"Up here coltfer brains," The mare said causing the stallions to look up as she whizzed between the duo spinning like a top reveal twin swords attach to mounts on her front hooves under her cloak. The stallions never knew what hit them as they hit the ground out cold. "I told you two you were making a big mistake."

Just then Celestia opened the doors of the throne room and saw the mare and the unconscious guard.

Before she could ask, "Need not worry your majesty. They are simply battered and bruised. They got big heads so I taught them a lesson in humility. I never unsheathed my blades." she bowed her head then reached into her pocket wand pulled out the gold coin to return it to its rightful owner, "I believe you contacted the Survey Corps."

Celestia took the coin and looked at the masked mare. "Levi certainly hasn't lost his touch in training others."

"Truth be told told princess I would very much like to continue this conversation in private," They mare held up a hoof.

"Of coarse," she looked to an upcoming patrol. "Take these two to the infirmary and then have them report to Captain Steadfast Wall." They saluted and took the others away and left two in their places. "Please this way," Celestia motioned to the throne room. The masked mare entered and Celestia horned flashed sending out a wave of magic after she closed the door. "Silence spell."

"I am aware," The masked mare said nonchalantly.

"May I ask that you drop your disguise," Celestia asked.

"If it were any other pony I would've denied you that," The mare said.
She reached up and threw her head back and pulled off her mask to reveal a beautiful younger mare, probably no older than her upper twenties. She was a unicorn mare as the masked was enchanted to hide her horn and mane. She pulled back her cloak to reveal she had a cream coat a strawberry blonde mane and tail with graded into bright vibrant green at the tips with vibrant sparkling sapphire blue eyes and a what looked like red jam in a jar cutie mark . Underneath the cloak she wore a short, light brown jacket with the Survey Corps emblem on both shoulders, on the front left pocket and in the center of the back, a white button down shirt with a dark brown sash around her barrel. The cloak also hid a set of twin single edged sword. The princess also noted the mare was also wearing a rigging similar to one she'd seen Levi use years prior.

'He must have configured a set for his corps,'

"Don't bother asking about my gear princess," the mare read her mind. "It was made by the head of the survey and his team of enchanters. He will not make it for the guard. This is my personal gear we made together."

"You must be very close to Levi then," Celestia summoned some pillows and a table with some hot tea.

The mare cleared her throat. "My name is Strawberry Marmalade Ackerman. My Great Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather is Levi Ackerman," Marmalade looked at the princess. "I am here because you sent word you have need of the Survey Corps services, or was it just a prank to test if we would respond?"

"A bit of both," Celestia smirked. "May we drop all formalities?"

"If it was anypony but you, I would have to decline," Marmalade looked at the solar ruler undated the let out a sigh, and relaxed. "But thank you princess, But why did you go through this trouble?"

"As I said, it was a bit of both," Celestia chuckled. "I wanted to see what services Levi's Survey Corps offered by normal means. I have a job for Levi specifically and was hoping he would be the one to come and in hopes, he would comes at my summons. I also wanted to see my old friend in person and not just through a likeness I crafted out of a hunk of stone. Perhaps here his adventures from him too and not read about them."

"In all honesty, Grandpa Levi did want to come and see you, your highness," Marmalade sipped her tea. "But... he is busy training the Members of our family that wish to Survey Corps fighter program."

"Marmalade, I take it all members of the Corp as from the Strawberry family, no outsiders unless they're married to somepony in the family," Celestia sipped her tea.

"Please call Me Marmy when it's just us or I'm not in uniform, but Yes," Marmy said sipping some more tea. "We don't force any pony to join. Every pony goes through some self-defense training when they're little but other than that we let others choose what they want to do. Some don't even join the Corps outside of running a safe house or meeting outpost like the bar here in Canterlot."

"That's good to hear," Celestia sighed in relief. "Now... about the job..."

Celestia spent the next hour explaining what she wanted Levi to do. Marmy merely sat there and listened to the whole thing. The only motion she ever made was to occasionally sip on her tea. Celestia told her how she wanted Levi to come and train cadets at the academy alongside his old friend and comrade in arms, Tightship.

"And that's the just of it," Celestia said. "Well, would he do it?"

Marmy set the cup down gently and then sternly looked Celestia right in the eye. "No he won't," she said outright. "Grandpa doesn't mind training others, he loves it in fact but it's the fact he'd be in the public doing it. Our family established the Corps so we could be discrete about our work."

"I understand," Celestia sighed in defeat. "In all honesty, I never thought he'd go for it I really just wanted to see him is all. Letters are fine but they are still no replacement for flesh and blood."

"I understand that Princess," Marmy gave an understanding smile. "But at the same time, Grandpa is busy overseeing things in our Corps and a few family matters. He is still technically the Patriarch of the entire Strawberry family after all."

"I under stand Marmy and I thank you for telling me outright," Celestia returned her own understanding smile. "You really remind me so much of Levi at times it's uncanny but at the same time, you have me recalling things he mentioned about your grandmother. You said Levi is training your family, did he train you personally too?"

"Yes ma'am," Marmy proudly nodded. "Though my training is a bit more extensive than most."

"Oh?" Celestia noted with piqued curiosity.

"I actually traveled with Grandpa for a good number of years," Marmy explained. "I left with him not long after Granny Streusel passed away. We traveled and trained and took jobs. All the while we were also setting up the Survey Corps. Grandpa and I spent nearly a year in the mountains as he trained me to properly utilize my equipment."

"Speaking of equipment," Celestia looked over the younger mare "I take it Levi went through a lot to make a working set for ponies to utilize to its fullest."

"No," Marmy shook her head. "I can't tell you the details. Grandpa swore me to our family oath not to speak with it aloud. If you want an explanation you'll have to ask him."

"I don't think he will," Celestia shook her head. "He's always been to keep those type of secrets to himself and I think that is for the best."

"It has been nice speaking with you princess but I must be on my way now," Marmy said standing up and placing her mask back on her face. His horn looked as if it was never there while her tail and mane faded into nothing. She pulled her hood up and she was nopony again. "Should you ever need us we're here for you my lady," she bowed. "And you send him a message saying you want to see him. I think he'd like to come for a visit. Have a good day princess," she bowed again and then left.

"You as well surveyor," Celestia gave a slight nod and the cloaked pony left. "I think I will write him to come by within the next few months. I do miss him..."