//------------------------------// // The Agency // Story: Land of Equines // by Daddy Joe //------------------------------// The Agency December 5th, 2012 The guards took me to many other parts of Canterlot including the city square, the restaurant district, and one thing I noticed about the city is that there were stone roads instead of dirt and grass roads that Ponyville has. So this is basically Equestria's way of being modern, I guess. However, one pony caught my eye while me and the guards were on the outskirts of Canterlot. It was Bon Bon. What was weird is that she walked up the stairs of an underground room. The building itself looked slightly decrepit, but still structurally sound. I ordered the guards to stop and hold their position and climbed out of the carriage. I shut the carriage door, which got Bon-Bon’s attention. “Hey, Bon-Bon! Haven’t seen you in awhile.” I said. “Same with you! We need to catch up on things.” Bon Bon replied. “That sounds good. But what are you doing downstairs in that run-down building?” I asked, pointing at the building. I can see it in Bon-Bon’s eyes, she was trying to think of something made up. The whole idea of a mare like her coming out of a building far from her home was very fishy. “Bon-Bon, don’t bother trying to make things up, so just tell me the truth.” I said. “Ohhhhh! C’mere,” she groaned while directing to move down the stairs. “You have to promise you will never tell a soul about this, including Lyra.” “Yeah, yeah, of course. What’s the deal?” I asked. “Just bear with me on this. I work for a secret anti-monster agency.” she revealed. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Bon Bon.” I said as I quickly got up and opened the door. To my confusion, the interior of the underground room looked like a huge office with a hallway in the middle. “What is this place?” I asked. Bon-Bon let out a sharp sigh. “Like I said, this is where the secret location of the agency is supposed to be. Here’s my badge.” Bon-Bon said while pulling out her agent ID that had a picture of her and a nickname that stated, “Special Agent Sweetie Drops.” “Woah, you weren't kidding! Geez, my bad, Bon-Bon.” I apologized. “I told you, Caleb. I wasn't being a little vague on my answer to you.” Bon Bon admitted. “Mind if I take a look around?” I asked. “I suppose you could. You’re already inside the building, y’know.” Bon Bon said. I turned a corner and saw a mare with a curly blonde mane and a pink coat, writing on a paper at a desk. She looked up and quickly took notice of me and Bon Bon. “Bon-Bon, how did he get in?” the mare asked. “Well, for starters, the agency isn’t smart enough to put a bucking lock on the door.” Bon-Bon said. “Oh my Gosh, we could get into so much trouble!” the mare exclaimed. “Do not worry. Your secret is safe with me. I promised I wouldn’t blab to anyone about this place.” I said. “Did he?” the mare asked Bon Bon. “He did, and I believe what he said.” Bon Bon replied. “If that’s what you think.” the mare responded. While I looked around the room, I discovered a piece of paper that had the logo of the agency in the corner of the paper. The logo was a blue shield that had faded black figures at the bottom of the shield and the acronym C.A.M.A in the middle of the shield. The paper read: Canterlot Anti-Monster Agency Help Wanted Looking for a brave, physically, and mentally strong individual to patrol the Everfree Forest at night. Age: 15-40 Pay: 25 bits an hour, can vary per creature Go to room 8 for details I took a long look at the piece of paper and thought to myself. “Well, Caleb, you have been sort of a freeloader to the ponies of Ponyville in a way. Maybe it’s time that you do something and return the favor.” Now, I also know the risks of going out in the Everfree at night with the possibility of running into a Timberwolf or two, but I'm pretty sure I could take them now. Also, if I were to patrol the Everfree, the Land Rover could came in handy with navigating the forest and the pay seems pretty good. Well, it depends on if 25 bits is considered minimum wage or not, but I highly doubt it if you’re basically working for an agency. After making my decision, I started towards the hallway. “Caleb, are you sure you want to do this?” Bon-Bon nervously asked. “I’m sure, don’t you worry about me.” I said. “But, Caleb, the Everfree Forest is a very dangerous to venture at night! You shouldn’t do this!” she warned. “Look, I already have an idea from what i’ve heard about it so far, but I want to do this. Plus, it would be a great way to repay for all that everypony has done for me, wether it being Twilight taking me in, everypony in Ponyville, or everyone accepting me. I’ll be fine.” I assured. “Okay, fine. But don’t say that I didn’t warn you.” Bon-Bon warned as she walked back outside. “Got it.” I said. I walked down the hallway and found room that was numbered eight out of eighteen. I knocked on the door and a deep voice came from the other side of the door. “Come in.” the voice said I turned the knob and pushed the door and there was a large stallion with a grey coat and a shaggy brown mane with strands of grey and a beard. He looked at me with a perplexed expression. “Ain’t you that human everypony's been talking about?” he asked. “Yep, the one and only.” I said. "What are you here for?" he asked. "I'm responding to this help wanted ad." I answered. The stallions face lit up with interest and sat up in his chair. “Well then, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Agent Night Hunter; the manager of the Everfree branch and previous patrol stallion.” Night Hunter introduced. “The names Caleb. Caleb Barlow.” I said. “Nice to meet ya.” Night Hunter said. “You too. If I’m correct, you said you were the previous stallion to take this job?” I asked. “Uh, yes. Being sixty-two years of age can take a toll on you, so I was moved to become the manager of the Everfree branch," he said. "By the way, how did you even find this place?" "No lock on the door." I replied, covering for Bon Bon. "That explains. So you want to become my successor?" Night Hunter asked, referring to my interest in the job. “Sure, that’s a way of looking at it.” I responded. “Okay then, have a seat.” Night Hunter said while pointing at the chair on the other side of the desk. After sitting down, Night Hunter pulled out a large document and placed on the desk in front of me. "First, I want your word that you read the help wanted ad and that you fit all the requirements of being brave, mentally, and physically strong." Night Hunter asked. "Yes, yes I have." I replied. "Good." he said. "What is this?" I asked about the document in front of Night Hunter. “It’s a contract. What I want you to do now is to take a long good read and sign your name at the bottom.” Night Hunter instructed, turning the paper my direction. “Don’t I have to do some sort of interview first?” I asked. “Nope, no need to. You did just agree to what the help wanted sign stated, 'Looking for brave, physically, and mentally strong individual.' Am I right?” he asked. “Yes I did. I guess you’re right.” I said. “And heck, you look like someone who wouldn’t crack under pressure. You would be pretty intimidating to most ponies.” he said. “Ha. You’re not entirely wrong about that,” I quipped. “Also, why do you guys hire ponies at the age of fifteen? Doesn't that seem a bit young?” I asked. “For us ponies, fifteen is considered the age of adulthood,” Night Hunter answered. "Ponies mature very quick." “Oh, I see now. It was strange for me because for humans, eighteen is considered being an adult.” I clarified. “Ah. But like I said, take a long look at this and make your decision.” he said. I directed my attention to the piece of paper, picked up a feather pen and read the text. I, __________________, agree and will follow these conditions, requirements, and duties listed below required to become a Canterlot Anti-Monster Agent. Conditions: - Sign onto a ten year contract that will be considered null once the period is up. Contract can be considered null if the agent receives a serious injury that prohibits duties or any other duty hindering obstacle. - You will follow orders given by your location manager. - Try your utmost in keeping your employment a secret. Requirements: - Take a four month class in order to learn what to do out in the field. - Trained for the use of lethal weapons. - Interact with other agents in your area if necessary. - Have good inspection skills to identify a possible creature in your area. - Be physically strong to protect yourself if weapons are unavailable. - Be mentally strong to ensure you won’t crack in a tense situation. Duties: - Patrol your designated location at the hours of 8PM and 3AM. - Patrol on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Days off are for territory inspection for any signs of creatures that may have trespassed your territory. - Be able to plan out strategic tactics and solve complex problems. - Eliminate or rid of any creature in your territory. - Clean up evidence if necessary to protect C.A.M.A’s secrecy. - Fill out a creature elimination form if extermination occurs. Ex: (Date of death, specie, quantity) - Send a weekly report of your territory. (this is mandatory) “So this four month class is like a training program or something?” I asked. “Yes. This program is vital to officially become an agent and to also know what to do when you’re out there. Plus, I’ll be the one teaching you everything I know.” Night Hunter informed. “Sounds good. And where would that be at?” I asked. “That’ll be at a training facility located next to the E.U.P training facility, so not really far from here. You will also staying there at the bunks for the entire four month duration.” he said. “I see.” I said. “Anymore questions?" Night Hunter asked. “Nope, that’ll be all.” I concluded. I continued to read the contract’s text a second time to make sure I didn’t misread anything while my first viewing. After I finished reading a second time and taking a long thought into what I was doing, I gave my neatest handwriting and wrote my signature on the blank line. “So, tell me, what happens now?” I questioned. “What’ll happen now is that I take this and know that you have full commitment and expect you back at this building on December 7th. Be sure to also pack some of your belongings to take with you such as clothes and that kind of stuff.” Night Hunter said. “Okay, I’ll be sure to remember that.” I said. “Alright then, nice to know that we have an alien specie on the agency.” Night Hunter said. “Alien specie? I’ll give you points with choice of words.” I said. “Heh, sorry about that.” Night Hunter said, apologetically. “Don’t worry about it. I get the nickname Ape a lot.” I informed. “That's gotta stink.” he said. “I’m used to it, so it doesn’t really bother me." I replied. “That’s good to know. Nice to see you're interested with the agency. I see nothing but good things in you.” Night Hunter said. I then shook his hoof and headed to the door. “December 7th you said, for the four month program?” I asked again. “Yep, that’s the date. Make sure not forget it by tomorrow.” Night Hunter reminded. “Ha. Thanks. See you in four days.” I said. “Yep. You too.” he responded. I then headed back to the exit of the subterranean agency through the main lobby. The guards were still waiting there while scanning the area. I inched my way back inside the carriage. “Where to next?” one of the carriage pullers asked. “I’ve seen enough. I think i’ll head back to the station now.” I said.