//------------------------------// // The Escort Mission // Story: Pony Team Bravo: Dysfunction is Magic // by Cuteless //------------------------------// Chapter 2 - The “Escort” mission Mouse awoke to two things she found very wrong: for one, the bed was comfortable, unlike the last one she had slept in, the other, voices. “So what do you think we’ll need?” With the cultured and rather posh accent, it had to be Midnight Moon. “Don’t rightly know. Ah’m bettin’ they’ll give us most of what we’ll need when we get there.” There was Green Horn. She grinned inwardly. He sounded more like what somepony would hear in the country. She idly wondered if it grated on the nerves of the posh ponies who populated the city. Mouse snuggled deeper into the plush pillow and covers as she listened to them talk. They were arguing about what supplies they would need, if they were going to be expected to camp somewhere, how nice/mean the escortee was going to be. All in all, sensible helpful talk, if the two ever managed to agree on anything. Green Horn was easily the more laid back of the two, happy to go with a minimum of supplies and was arguing for the cheaper methods, obviously someone who was used to saving. Meanwhile, Midnight Moon was wanting everything he could get packed into his saddlebags and high quality stuff ‘just in case’. The debate rambled on; Mouse yawned, carefully sitting up and studying the room happily unnoticed by her acquaintances. It was very much a standard hotel room, and (she remembered) inexpensive. Three small beds were tucked against one wall, with a small four-seater table bolted down on the floor. There was a large wardrobe tucked up against the wall nearest to her bed in which she knew her red dress from the night before was hung along with her coin purse and her... two emergency defensive measures. She yawned again, rolling herself out of bed and towards the dresser. She checked behind her to make sure her companions were still distracted before grabbing up her coin purse and strapping it around her stomach. The two straps of her emergency defensive measures went flat along her left and right sides, easily within hoof-reach, which she checked with a quick touch test. She slipped the dress over them, then used the full length mirror in the door to check herself out. Her black mane was showing off to all who could see that she had just woken up, her blue eyes were half lidded and her grey coat was mussed. She moved herself to the side and hitched up her dress, admiring her cutie mark quickly before letting it fall back down. She smiled again, loving the fact that when the dress fell you couldn’t even tell there was anything under it except her. “Morning Mouse.” She turned slightly, nodding to the two. “Bathroom?” “Down the hall.” Another nod and she trundled slowly towards it, making sure to lock the door as securely as she could; you could never trust someone not to rob you nowadays, ‘specially in hotels. Shower complete, and feeling exceptionally more awake, she smiled as she re-entered the room they shared. The two were exactly where she had left them at the small table in the center of the room. Her smile widened as she realised that one of them had had the forethought to get room service, which included pancakes. At a swift trot she cleared the distance and loaded up a plate. “Hungry, Ah take it?” Green Horn asked. Mouse shrugged and swallowed before replying. “Well, who can pass up free food?” She looked up to see the two giving her a concerned look. “What exactly did you say you did again?” Midnight Moon asked, leaning forward slightly. Mouse looked him in the eyes, keeping her expression as neutral as she could. “Odd jobs. I travel a lot, and you never know when the bits will run dry.” “Of course.” Midnight Moon smiled, “I know a bit about traveling without a stable job myself.” “You’re a hobo doctor?” “No! Well, I was homeless for a while but–” He shook his head. “–not the point. What I meant was I did some traveling before I got my degree.” “So you didn’t go to an official school?” “I trained under a professional!” “I once spent a few days with a stallion repairing odds and ends, I don’t call myself a repairpony.” Mouse grinned as she watched Midnight Moon frown, lip curling back slightly. “Enough you two, this conversation is gettin’ us nowhere.” Green Horn butted in. Mouse laughed and returned to her pancakes, pleased at her successful teasing. “Yes. Of course.” Midnight Moon said sourly. “Back to the matter at hand, this job. Are we going to take it?” “I thought we’d already agreed to take it.” Green Horn sighed, Mouse narrowed her eyes before understanding. They were talking about supplies while she was waking up, who knows what else they were discussing without her. “Yes, but we don’t know our third member’s opinions on it.” Confirmation. They had been talking behind her back, and she bit back a grin. Maybe these two were going to be useful for more than some slight physical prowess and what sounded like fairly shaky medical knowledge. “I’m happy to go along if you two are. As long as I get a cut of what we find.” “So, Ah’m sensin’ a certain monetary desire out of all this.” Green Horn muttered as Mouse examined a hoof. “Yep.” she agreed casually. Green Horn nodded. “It’s a deal then. What about you Doc, goin’ t’ back out?” “No.” Midnight Moon almost looked affronted at the question. “I’m an Equestrian citizen and thus I’m happy to do my duty for the throne.” “It’s decided.” “Good.” Mouse said happily as she cleaned off her plate. “When are we going?’ The answer to that was just before the meeting time. Thankfully, their hotel wasn’t far away from the station. After gathering their stuff, Midnight Moon picking up his saddlebags carrying unknown items, Mouse and Green Horn leaving without any visible signs of equipment. Her two companions walked ahead confidently, heads held high, Mouse stayed behind low to the ground with none of the skipping of the night before. She was on the clock now, which meant she had to be alert and attentive and above all focus and... “Oh that’s a fancy carriage... I wonder if we can borrow it?” Mouse mused out loud as she looked at the new object of her desires. The first thing she noted was that the enclosed carriage part was made of an expensive-looking wood, ornately carved. A picture of a bag of money was painted on the door and it was big enough for four full-grown ponies to sit inside comfortably. She approached it, noting the driver’s seat with its worn-looking cushion and the twin shafts protruding from the front, obviously designed for two ponies to pull it. She wandered up to have a look inside and caught a glimpse of what looked like red velvet seats when she felt something catch her tail. Turning her head she noticed Green Horn looking at her with an eyebrow raised. “Slow down there little missy. What exactly do you mean by ‘borrow’?” “I mean, borrow. To use to get around in, you two can pull and I can travel in comfort. It’s a win in my favour.” “But it’s not ours. It–” He stopped to read a name written on the wooden door. “–belongs to someone named Money Bags.” “And?” Mouse raised an eyebrow. “He’s probably rich. He won't miss it.” “Why do I have a feeling I know what you mean by odd jobs now?” Midnight Moon said as he tapped a hoof on the ground. “Oh look, we’re here.” Mouse said nervously, wandering into the building while wondering exactly what was going to be in store for them. Mouse walked towards the second floor, ignoring the wandering eye of the officer she had spoken to the night before. In fact, she wondered why he was still there. Surely he had to sleep, right? This thought kept her occupied till she was at the second floor. Soon enough she was back in the barely furnished office. Behind the desk Shining Armour sat, eyes on the team as they entered. Her attention however was drawn immediately to The Box that sat unassumingly in front of her new boss. It was long and rectangular, a deep red in color, with what looked like gold trimming, a cheap looking lock and the letters P.T.B engraved on the top. “Welcome.” The sound of Shining Armour’s greeting snapped her out of her careful scrutiny of The Box and back to the real world allowing her to look around the place again properly. She heard her team enter before what sounded like a coughing fit brought her attention to the old pony at the back of the office. He stood slightly behind the Captain of the Guard adjusting his glasses and stroking his well waxed mustache. “Are these the fine young guards who will be assisting me today, Armour my boy?” Shining Armour nodded. “Pony Team Bravo, this is Money Bags. An old family friend from Stalliongrad and your short term employer.” “Glad to meet you. Ah’m Green Horn.” Green horn said with a grin. “It’s an honour to meet you sir. My name is Midnight Moon.” “That’s a really expensive looking watch.” Mouse muttered out loud, staring at the golden chained time piece that was wrapped around the old ponies right fore hoof. The room went dead silent as Mouse continued to look over the stallion. Cutie mark of a bag of money? Evidently the owner of the carriage outdoors, so check, top hat and well-cut vest? Check, black-and-white patched coat that made him look like a cow? Unusual and probably fancy. Check, check and check. Target set! “You do know we can all hear you my young mare?” Money bags asked with a grandfatherly smile as Mouse face-hoofed. “Ummm... I meant target that we will be guarding?” Mouse coughed before quickly changing the subject. “Speaking of guarding. Why can’t the normal force do this?” Midnight Moon asked curiously. Shining Armour nodded. “Fair question. I want to test your skills with something easy.” The two stallion nodded but Mouse’s attention was back on the box. “What’s in the box, Boss?” Shining Armour was not amused. “Introductions first.” “Yes sir! My name is Mouse, I’m an odd jobs pony.” Green Horn and Midnight Moon face-hoofed as Money Bags looked on with interest. “An odd jobs pony hmm? How do you plan on guarding me exactly?” Mouse thought about the two straps on her side before she reared up, kicking out with her forehooves at the air before settling back down. “I’ll think of something.” “Wonderful! Wonderful!” Moneybags cried in obvious delight, much to Mouse’s (and she was sure everyone else’s) confusion. He placed a hoof on Shining Armour’s shoulder before continuing. “You sure know how to keep an old stallion entertained. I do hope they will get on with your other choice.” “Other choice?” Midnight Moon asked looking around the room as though he expected someone to just pop out. “Yes.” Shining Armour nodded. “I just hope he’s going to be awake at least when I introduce you.” “Umm, excuse me. But did you say ‘awake’?” Green Horn looked confused. “Yes, you’ll see what I mean. In fact, Night Owl! We’re ready for you!” Mouse turned to face the door and waited, doubting somehow that anything was going to smash through one of the walls. Seconds turned to a minute, which turned into minutes before there was a small thunk at the door, followed by another. Eventually Moneybags sighed and strolled over to the door and opened it, stepping aside to show off the pony behind it. Behind the door stood a unicorn, Mouse looked him over trying to discern what help he was going to be. He was moderate sized, with an electric-blue mane and tail that stood out against his dull brown coat. She winced as she noticed the tattoo of an owl on his chest, knowing that it was going to make him – and by extension the rest of them – easier to identify.Though she understood why he had it when she saw his cutie mark. The mark, like Midnight Moon’s, was fairly ambiguous.A bright yellow circle behind the silhouette of an owl, she was unsure the exact type, sitting on a branch. His only other identifying features were the grey-rimmed glasses that adorned his face and the small grey-strapped watch that fitted snugly over his left forehoof. Mouse shook her head, feeling quite bemused by the whole thing. It was Green Horn that broke the silence first. “Well howdy there Mr. Night Owl, pleased ta meetcha!” The unicorn whom Mouse was confident was Night Owl held up a hoof and started to wave it in Green Horn’s direction, who grabbed it and shook back. “Stallion of few words, Ah see. We’ll get along just fine!” Midnight Moon took a slightly different approach. Dodging the hoof that was still pumping up and down even though Green Horn had released it, he waved a hoof in front of the waving pony’s face. “Umm, hello? Hello?” He frowned, raising the hoof he was using to his chin. “An unusual case. I would prescribe a good dose of smelling salts, or maybe a skunk to wake him.” “Ahh, no. That won’t be necessary.” Shining Armour intervened just as Midnight Moon started to unzip his saddlebags. “He suffers from a strange form of narcolepsy, but he’s in an almost permanent sleepwalking state. He’ll be accompanying you with a possibility of joining.” Mouse looked at the new arrival unimpressed. “Because our team isn’t dysfunctional enough?” “That’s the spirit!” Money Bags cried. “Now we do need to be going, I have a costume party tonight and I do need to be home.” “Wait.” Shining Armour said with a smile. “One more thing.” With deft movements of his hooves he opened The Box, Revealing the treasured contents within. Four badges, bearing a golden carving of the Sun and the Moon – the symbol of Equestria – and below, the names of each member, stuck to a flexible black material. Mouse whistled softly as they were slowly unveiled, moving forward and taking the one with her name. “Now you’re only getting one of these each. So if you lose them, too bad. Now, to some ponies these badges will mean the world and will allow you to access information you normally wouldn’t get. But, please-” Shining Armour paused and looked at all of them insistently. “-you are an undercover group. These won’t mean much to most normal folk so don’t go flashing them around unless you have no choice. Mouse nodded along with the rest of the group, picking up her badge and placing it into the saddlebags Midnight Moon carried. Green Horn did the same. Midnight looked disgruntled. “Well, if you’re going to be the only one in the group with saddlebags, you’re going to be the pack mule.” Mouse said innocently, before turning back to Money Bags. “So, New Boss. After you?” Money Bags smiled before pushing past Night Owl and heading down the stairs. Mouse was the last to follow him out, giving a parting glance to Shining Armour who was staring with a small glare down at the paperwork that had apparently just teleported onto his desk. Joining the group outside she noticed the small argument that has escalated between Green Horn and Midnight Moon, this one apparently over who exactly was pulling. Night Owl was standing next to the carriage still (somehow) asleep, while Money Bags looked on with a bemused expression. She watched for a while, before Green Horn eventually offered to pull and Midnight agreed to drive. To everyone’s surprise Night Owl quietly hitched himself to the carriage, quite willing to pull alongside Green Horn thus leaving Mouse to travel in comfort next to the older stallion. “So.” Midnight Moon called in from his seat. “How fast do we need to get to Stalliongrad?” “As soon as possible old boy. I have some things to get down in the city.” “Can do sir.” Midnight called in. “You heard him stallions. Start pulling!” With that the two pullers began to strain against the stays they were hitched to. The carriage moved slowly at first, before gradually picking up speed. Very soon the group was traveling at a steady pace along the road to Stalliongrad. The trip was smooth, and Mouse laughed as Money Bags told stories about his home. He was in the middle of a tale about his wife’s baking when suddenly the carriage began slowing to a stop. With a hoof, Mouse motioned him to stay down as she poked her head out of the window looking to see what had caused the delay. The cause, it seemed, was a brown-maned and -coated stallion with an hourglass cutie mark standing at the side of the road and waving at the carriage while looking concerned. “What seems t’ be the problem?” Green Horn asked, panting lightly. “Yes. Well, I’m looking for a pony. Have you seen one?” Mouse couldn’t see Green Horn’s exact expression, but she could imagine it was fairly confused. “Yes. Lots, as in everypony. Can you be more specific?” “Ahh, right. Right. Specifics, yes.” The brown stallion seemed to be deep in thought. “Well, she’s grey. Has a blonde mane, tail and a picture of seven bubbles on her butt.” He paused before adding. “Oh and she has wings.” “So, a grey pegasus with a seven bubble cutie mark?” “Yes!” The stallion cried exuberantly. “That’s it! Have you seen her?” “No.” The answer came as a chorus from everypony on board the carriage. The stallion’s face fell. “Well. If you do see her. Can you tell her the Doctor’s looking for her and she needs to return to the Tardis? Thanks.” Without another word he wandered away from the road, shaking his head. Mouse shook her head as well as the others waved him off, Night Owl waving in what seemed to be the opposite direction. Mouse face hoofed before she returned to her seat. “False alarm boss, nothing to worry yourself over.” “Worried?” Money Bags smiled. “With you all here I feel as safe as houses. I mean, Shining Armour wouldn’t send anyone untrained to look after me.” Mouse stifled a laugh and didn’t say anything. The next stop however was no laughing matter. The carriage was cruising along, pulled by the two stallions, when suddenly there was a rustle of bushes along the path. Mouse’s ears perked up as she heard a shout. Leaning out the window she noticed six masked ponies on the path, standing around them menacingly. “My good ponies,” Mouse began but was interrupted when two of the ponies jumped onto the carriage and started attacking the door, the other four assuming combat positions. Mouse could hear shots of magic and the sound of various more physical strikes occurring but she was a little bit more concerned with the two trying to get into the carriage proper. Reaching out, she lashed out into the face of one, being rewarded with the sounds of a crunch as the attacker’s nose broke, but strangely no signs of blood. “Mouse, my good mare,” Money Bags said, his voice wavering somewhat. “What in the dickens is going on?” “Attack sir. Don’t worry, just sit there, you’ll be right as rain. Promise.” She pushed them back again before realizing simple punches and kicks weren’t going to work. Evidently they were spelled or something, the one with the broken nose barely seemed to notice it had been injured. With a sigh she began to slip out of her dress. “Is this really the best time to get changed?” Money Bags asked, closing his eyes tight. “I’d be worse off clothed. Trust me.” Mouse replied as she slid her hooves down to the straps on her sides. She learned shortly that while the attackers might be immune to most things a high speed knife-to-the-face was not one of them. Money Bags looked at her in alarm. “You, why, what?” He stuttered. “Dangers of the road, mare has to be able to protect herself. Got the blades off an earth pony, um, friend of mine. Unicorn enchanted the straps, meaning double the steel in same amount of space. Cool right?” Money Bags looked disturbed. “But, but you just killed two ponies.” Mouse shook her head and opened the door, pointing down. One the ground were two ash piles, the masks half buried in them. “Those weren’t ponies sir, not that it’d have mattered. You’re more important. After all, pony life has never stopped me in the face of getting paid before.” Her voice was calm, almost joking but she knew her widened eyes and shaking was given away her shock. “Now stay put.” Stepping carefully over the ash piles her two attackers had turned into, she lent down and sheathed the two knives before moving to the front of the carriage. The first thing she noticed was another four piles of ash surrounding her teammates along with the unhappy frowns they wore, even Night Owl who still remained obstinately asleep. She then noticed the area surrounded them, overgrown plants were scattered around the ash piles, along with several rocks and a fair few scorch marks. From there her eyes drifted to the carriage, noting the fact that it was still on fire. She face-hoofed. “Unicorns.” She muttered. “Do one of you want to do something about that?” The rest of the team turned, looking at the burning carriage. The three unicorns of the quartet hurriedly and with a good use of telekinesis shoveled enough dirt onto the flickering flames to snuff them out. Mouse stared at the charred and blackened parts of their transport. “I see you all fared fine then? Unlike the poor carriage.” “Yeah, we’re grand.” Midnight muttered, sounding a touch out of breath. “Absolutely peachy.” “Good. Then get moving, we need to get to Stalliongrad A.S.A.P and hanging around here isn’t going to do us any good.” “She’s right, you know,” Green Horn said. “Ah don’t know what those were, but they weren’t normal. Nothin’ gets it’s ear bitten off and doesn’t make a sound. And the way these things just turned to dust...” Mouse blinked. “You, you bit off it’s ear?” “No, I just got two of them to attack each other.” “My respect for you has gone up.” “Be that as it may.” Midnight Moon interrupted. “Is it safe to continue using the normal path?” “You seriously want to go cross country with a broken carriage? Good plan, nothing can go wrong.” Mouse muttered moving to get back in. “Stick with the roads, and we’ll get there in no time.” She slipped her dress back on, ignoring the fact that it was slightly crumpled, and spent the rest of the journey lost in thought about exactly what those ash-based creatures were. She decided to neglect mentioning the small fire to their employer, who seemed happily oblivious to it. This meant the rest of the trip was fairly quiet and punctuated only by the greetings that Money Bags called out to passersby after they had entered the city. Soon enough the carriage pulled to a halt outside the headquarters of the First Equestrian Bank. It was huge, made of large stone blocks that came from the quarries around the area, with the letters “F.E.B” adorning the front of the building in gigantic gold letters. Mouse’s spirits lifted instantly, thoughts of dust creatures forgotten; she could almost smell the money littering the building. Money Bags carefully got out, motioning them all to follow him inside. As Mouse passed the three stallions she wrinkled her nose at the smell of sweat and smoke that surrounded them before following Money Bags up and into the building. She was in heaven, the rich kind. Just by looking she could tell that the statues and pictures that lined the walls were worth piles of bits each. She glanced around, frowning as she noticed the security measures that were placed strategically around the corridors and rooms in which they walked. No parting gift for her then. Eventually, everypony settled down in Money Bags’ office, Mouse noting the name plank on his desk with amusement and wondering who decided to make all of those look the same everywhere. Money Bags removed his top hat before resting his hooves on his desk; he looked tired. “My greatest thanks for escorting me home,” he chuckled. “Well, my office anyway.” He leaned back in his chair a small smile gracing his face. “As I’ve said, I’m holding a party tonight. A costumed gala, as it were. I would be honoured if you would choose to attend.” Mouse looked at the rest of the team who were looking at him wide-eyed, with the exception of Night Owl who was still fast asleep. “Well?” he asked. Mouse nodded in time with the rest, wondering exactly what this was going to be like, and hoping against hope it wasn’t going to be as dull as most Canterlot parties she had been ‘invited’ to. “Splendid. Here,” He reached into his desk and pulled out four bits of green paper. “Present these at the gate. You’ll be let in.” Sensing that he was tired and desired some privacy the team departed, after swiftly getting directions to where the party would be held. Mouse wandered along at the back of the group, giggling to herself as her costume idea materialized in her mind. She watched the others move into the first fancy dress store they could find, a small place called “Heroes and Princesses – for all ages!” She shook her head and slipped away, she was going to need a very different kind of shop for what she wanted.