//------------------------------// // Country Roads // Story: S.M.I.L.E. Agent Aria Blaze // by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof //------------------------------// A rusted wire fence with barbed wire along the top surrounded the farm. A similarly rusted metal gate blocked the driveway, a newer looking chain and padlock holding it shut. Firecracker Burst got out and walked up to the gate. As she did, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small silvery object. After slipping whatever it was into the lock, she made her way back to the car, pulling her phone out of her pocket. A few taps and flicks of her thumb, and there was a sudden loud POP! The chain fell away. "We could have picked the lock," Kerfuffle pointed out. "We could have," Burst conceded, "but where's the fun in that?" The hinges of the gate were rusted in place. It had taken help from Aria to force it open enough for them to drive through, the rusted metal groaning painfully -- both in the sense that it sounded like the gate was in pain, and in that it hurt Aria's ears -- the entire time. "Perfect for a haunted house, huh?" the senior agent asked. They left the gate opened as they continued down the dirt road. The black SUV, now covered in a fine layer of brown dust, came to a stop in front of the farmhouse. It was two stories in height, with the windows on the second floor being the kind that stuck out of the roof, surrounded by siding ("dormer windows" they were called, but Aria had no idea, never really gotten into architecture). The building had probably once been a bright, cheery white color, but parts of it had broken off, and what remained had taken on that sickly yellow tone that white things often do when left out in the sun for far too long. A brown and white dog shot out of nowhere, running directly for the car. Firecracker Burst had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting the animal. Even at their slow pace, the stop was sudden enough to throw them against their seat belts. As they recovered, the canine continued to stand in front of the car, barking at them. "A dog?" Firecracker Burst said, looking at the animal. "Probably one of the neighbor's," Kerfuffle offered. "Sometimes they'll get loose and explore. Check out neighboring farms, the people that live there, stuff like that." "Sure it's not just some stray?" Aria asked. "Too healthy." The scientist leaned forward more, pointing at the dog. "It's well fed, more than it could just scrounge up. Plus, a coat like that requires some brushing to keep it from getting knotted or matted. Especially this time of year, when it would either have just finished shedding the winter coat, or still doing so. " She shifted to look at Aria from the corner of her eye. "I bet if it lets us get close, we'll find it has a collar and tag on." "If?" "It might come up to us, or it might just bark at us from a distance, backing up whenever we move closer." One shoulder shrugged. "Hard to say with strange dogs." Kerfuffle turned to watch the dog a second longer. "Although, I don't think it'll attack us." Aria decided to get out first. As she opened the door, the dog ran over to her side. It barked at her, spun in a circle with a little whimper, then ran toward the house. A second later, it came back and repeated the process. "I think it wants us to follow it," Burst suggested. "We're not going to find some stupid brat trapped in a well, are we?" Aria grumbled. She and the others followed the animal, although not very far. The dog stopped in front of the house, letting out small whimpers as it looked between them and the porch. "Okay," Agent Firecracker Burst said as she moved to the front. "Change of plans. I'm pretty sure this dog's owner is inside the house. So our first priority is to find them, make sure they're okay, and get them out. Leave the scanning equipment for now. Grab the lights and weapons." She held up a hand. "And remember, there is at least one other person in there. So don't attack anything or anyone unless you're sure it's a threat. Got it?" "Got it," Aria and Kerfuffle both confirmed. "Good." The three of them got what they needed, and made their way toward the door. Firecracker Burst took the lead, and Aria pulled up the rear, Kerfuffle between them as she was the least inclined or experienced at combat. The dog watched from the base of the steps, but refused to go up onto the porch. The door groaned as it opened, allowing the three to enter. Floorboards creaked under their footsteps. The air smelled stale and musty, getting a few coughs and sneezes. Flecks of dust danced in the light. Black mold stained the wall, along both the floor and the ceiling, spreading toward the center. "Maybe I should burn this place down when we're done after all," Firecracker Burst said. "Just because of how toxic this place must be." She turned to face the other two. "Standard horror movie rules apply here. Which means we all stay close together. We'll check the ground floor first, move up, and then continue to an attic and basement if they have one." She turned and motioned to one side. "The stairs are over there," she then turned the other way, "so we'll start on that end." The three made their way to what turned out to be the kitchen. Much like the rest of the house, the walls were peeling and discolored. There was more black mold, with a very large patch where the refrigerator must have been. There was also a gap where the stove must have been, marked by smoke stains. Something was growing in the sink, and Aria would swear she saw it moving. Not far from the sink was the back door, a deadbolt attached to it. Against another wall, was another door. One which looked more like it belonged to a closet. Probably a pantry. "Kerfuffle, stand beside the wall and open the door from behind it," Burst ordered. "That way, if anything comes out, you'll be out of immediate danger. Aria, stand off toward the right of it. Be ready if anything pops out. Like an animal or such." Kerfuffle gave a nod and moved forward. Pressing her back against the wall, she reached out and grabbed the door handle. Her attention focused on the other two, waiting for them. Once they were in position, and Burst gave a nod, Kerfuffle yanked the door open. A shout came from the pantry as a girl ran out, swinging her balled up fists blindly. Stepping forward, Aria's hand darted out to grab one of the wrists. It was enough to get the girl to stop, and let Aria get a good look at her. She was in her early teens, and kind of on the beefy side. Her skin was a burnt orange color, and kind of dark pink hair, with slightly brighter streaks in it. One of her booted feet lashed out, kicking at empty air. "Knock it off, you brat!" Aria yelled. "We're here to rescue you, for fuck's sake." That was enough to get the girl to stop attacking. She opened her eyes, looking up at Aria with a scowl and pulling her arm free. "How'd yous even know we was in trouble?" "What's your name?" asked Firecracker Burst. "Ain't supposed to give it to strangers," the girl said, pronouncing the O's in "to" and the end of "stranger" like they were A's. "Ain't supposed to be walking around an abandoned and possibly haunted house alone, either," Aria retorted. "Aria," Burst warned, giving her a look. She then returned her attention to the girl. "How about I introduce us first?" One hand came up to press against her own chest. "I'm Firecracker Burst." She turned her head. "That's Aria Blaze." Turned again. "And behind you is Kerfuffle." Kerfuffle gave a small wave. "Now, what can we call you?" asked Firecracker. "...Babs..." "Okay, Babs, why don't you tell us what you're doing here?" Babs let out a sigh, moving to wrap her arms around herself. She licked her lips as she looked down at the floor. "I came down to visit my cousin Apple Bloom for Spring Break. We and her friends was watching Teen Mystery Solvers: The Movie, when Scootaloo thought it would be cool to try it out ourselves. That was when Apple Bloom remembered this place, and how it was supposedly haunted. So we came here to check it out." A growl formed in Aria's throat. Closing her eyes, she rubbed at her forehead. She recognized those names. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and a third named Sweetie Belle were a trio of freshman from Canterlot High. More importantly, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were the younger sisters of two of The Rainbooms. Normally, that would probably mean the bunch of them showing up, using their powers, and rainbow blasting everything. Although she may have gotten over things enough to no longer plot revenge, that did not mean she wanted to hang around with any of them any time soon. Applejack especially. Plus, there was the matter of Aria being recognized and asked about being there, and the fact that SMILE was not supposed to interfere with Rainboom matters. Hopefully whatever was going on with that spring break cruise they went on would somehow keep them from showing up, but Aria was not willing to bet on it. "So there's three others here?" Firecracker Burst asked. "Yeah," Babs answered. "Do you have any idea where they might be?" Babs started to nod, then stopped. Her lips pressed thin as her brow furrowed. One hand reached up, running through her hair. "We... we arrived and came in." Her jaw clenched and brow furrowed more. "There... there was an argument... I think? About where we should start? Someone said... something... and the rest of us said no..." "Hey," Firecracker said softly, "it's alright. If you don't remember, it's fine." She straightened up. "Our car is right outside. Go wait by it, and we'll find your friends." "No," Babs snapped, straightening up. "They're my friends. I ain't abandonin' them." "You're not. You're just going to be somewhere safe so nothing happens to you while we find the others. Don't want to find them, only to lose you again." Babs crossed her arms and let out a huff, but did not argue. So the four of them made their way toward the back door. After finding it locked, Firecracker Burst tried unlocking the deadbolt. The knob snapped off in her hand. "No plan survives first contact," Burst mumbled to herself as she looked at the broken piece of metal. She then spoke up to the others. "Looks like we're going back to the front door." Once again, she took the lead as they walked, making their way to the front door. Although now, Babs was behind her, followed by Kerfuffle, and having Aria pull up the rear. A loud groan from the house caused the group to stop. A thunderous crack of wood breaking echoed around the group. Kerfuffle cried out as the floor gave way beneath her. Aria lunged out, trying to grab a hold of the girl's arm. Kerfuffle's hand slipped right between her fingers.