//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Honorary E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A Agents! // Story: The Origins (#1) // by LightningStar626 //------------------------------// Chapter 15: Honorary E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A Agents! ~Constructions moved across the surface of the CHS building facade, replacing the shattered glass windows and broken support beams. CHS students and the other students swarmed the halls and were doing the best they could to help. The ones with the construction passions and knowledge took the lead and the crew crossed the hallways and stepped over the debris all around. Principal Celestia was working in her office, papers in hand and a noticeable frown on her face when suddenly, there was a knock on her door. Flash entered with a smile on his face.~ "Principal Celestia?" he called. "They're back." ~She rose expectantly. Then, politely budging Flash out of the way and walking into the main lobby, Steven stepped through the remains of the building's front doors, followed by the girls, still decked out in their magically, pony/crystal forms, and smiling happily.~ "Mr. Secret. Girls." Celestia spoke softly. "Thank goodness you're safe! We were so worried!" "Thank you, Miss Celestia, I'm glad to be back." Steven repiled. "Thanks to these girls here, the world is saved and Adagio has vanished." Hearing this, she smiled. "Well done then, girls. Thank you for everything." she suddenly eyed Lightning and Karly. "Oh, you might be Lightning Star and Karly Crystal. Thank you both for your help too. The Rainbooms couldn't have done it without you." Lightning bowed to her. "You're very welcome, Principal Celestia." "Have all of our classmates been safe here?" asked Karly. "Oh absolutely, they love it here! Everyone has been so friendly, and they've even gotten together to try and fix the roof." ~The principal gestured at the wreckage of the CHS lobby, her arms spread wide. Directing at the crew of students, who smile in response, she applauded at them.~ "Well, look at that." Lightning marvelled. "They have been working hard to fix it, though I think it just would have been better if I just got professional construction workers. It might be millions of dollars worth of damage and a frontpage in the paper is declaring a threat to public safety, but there is no such thing as bad publicity, right?" ~She peered intently at Steven and, inexplicably, they all burst out laughing. Steven cleared his throat politely.~ "Anyways, girls, since our work here is done, it's time to go back home," he said. "Already?" asked Lightning. "Yep. I'm pretty sure everyone wants to get back. Do you know where the book is?" He directed at Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, but after all that's happened, they totally forgot about it and had no idea where it was. "I've been keeping it safe in my office. Here, I'll go and get it." ~As Celestia left for her office, Karly noticed the geodes around her and Lightning's necks. And, feeling like they didn't need them anymore, she took hers off and rewarded it to Sunset Shimmer. At that moment, she felt the magic leaving her body, and she found herself staggering afterwards, back to normal, heavy and human, on the floor, her heart clattering. Pulling herself together, she opened her hand to present the geode.~ "Do you…want these? After all, they belong here." she offered. Sunset was taken aback by the question. But then, smiling softly, she closed Karly's hand with the geode still tucked inside it. "No. You keep them. They were given to you for a reason. They belong to you." ~Karly felt flustered but rewarded. All she could think to say was 'Are you sure' and 'Thank you'. She felt a hand pull urgently at her shoulder and turned to face Lightning, who had also taken off her geode and was back to normal, her eyes reflecting the geode's crystal. Celestia then came back and handed her the book.~ "Thank you, Miss Celestia," said Karly. ~With a quick but careful swipe, Lightning stared down at the book then turned the first page open. Scanning Lightning and Karly's geodes, like it did with the Mane 7's, it finished the final pieces of its puzzle, and gladly opened the portal again. A bright gleam of white and yellow illuminated outside the school and to the statue, catching the attention of all the students belonging to Steven Secret. Getting the hint that they were finally allowed to go home, they raced outside and hopped in without thought. Some, of course, said goodbye to their new friends before leaving, and some even tried to drag them with them to the portal, but they knew where they belonged. After the last supposedly student leapt through, Karly closed the book.~ "There we go. All of our classmates have been safely returned to our world." "There's just one thing left to do," said Lightning. ~They turned back to Celestia and the seven Rainbooms, who were smiling passionately.~ "I guess…this is goodbye," Lightning admitted. "...we're sure going to miss you, Lightning and Karly." said Twilight. "You've done so much for us, and when it seemed as if it was hopeless, you've never let us give up." Sunset added. "It's been crazy, but fun, too." Rainbow nodded. "You're good guys, and have good hearts and as long as you two work together, you can handle anything! We'll see ya around." She and Lightning locked fists. "Yes. Let this not be an official goodbye." said Rarity. "Just a goodbye until next time." "And until then, please take care," said Fluttershy, holding back a tear. "We'll be waitin'." said Applejack, as she tipped her hat. ~The nine grouped together for a strong embrace. For a long moment, silence filled the office room like a living presence. Pinkie tightened her grip around the two girls, squeezing them with ferocious intensity.~ "I'll be counting down the minutes-s-s-s!" she promised with unexpected tears that began to spill from her eyes. Lightning patted her pink hands. "I'm sure you will, Pinkie." ~Watching them all together, Steven and Celestia stood off to the side, mesmerised by the moment as they were.~ "Do you really have to go?" asked Celestia, her eyes shining for the first time that day. ~It made Steven feel good to see it. A shy, but slow grin broke all over his stubbly face and he turned to face her.~ "You're right. Do we have to go? It's not like we have a time bomb on the portal or anything. And as long as we have that book, we can visit whenever we like!" "Well, this book actually belongs here, so if we find the one in our world, then yeah! I'll be all for that!" Lightning grinned, still being squeezed by Pinkie. "Yes!" Karly said. "And I mean, somebody has to teach us all we need to know about these geodes too if we're going to keep them." "How do you reckon we do that?" asked Rainbow. Steven hummed then spoke up. "Twilight? Do you remember what I said to you back in the dungeons after finding out about your magic?" "You wanted us to become agents?" "Become agents?!" The Rainbooms chorused. "WHAT!?" Lightning and Karly gasped. Steven nodded. "Yeah. Given the circumstances, there will be no doubt that Devil will still be after you and your powers. You'll perhaps end up crossing paths with him and his minions, so I figure you might need us. But, as I've said before, the choice is up to you." "That certainly makes alot of sense…!" Lightning agreed. "You girls have what it takes, and we are looking for new members! It'll be a great way to bond with each other and learn! I like you! Like, a lot!" "So, what do you say? Do you want to be a spy?" ~The Mane 7 fell into a silence as they pondered. Looking at each other, they wondered what each of them would say. Only Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie seemed like they would say yes. But Sunset and Twilight looked like they were going to say no, much to Lightning and Steven's disappointment. Sunset began to recount everything that's ever happened that's brought her up to this moment. Her life in Equestria, her life at CHS, how far she's come as a person/pony. Learning how all the magic from her world has developed, both here and in Equestria. How it's affected her and them. After all, they are now the defenders of this world. They didn't choose the magic, the magic chose them. And if equestrian magic ever comes forth in these new upcoming adventures, what else is Sunset going to do?~ Finally, Pinkie jumped up. "Yes. YES! A MILLION TIMES, YES!" "A chance to become more awesome than I already am!? Sign. Me. Up!" Rainbow said, pounding her fist. "Count me in too!" Applejack smiled. Rarity looked shocked. "Applejack, darling, really?" "I know it may sound crazy, Rarity, and, sure, it sounds like a lotta danger will be comin' our way if we 'll accept, but I'm willin' to take it. We're gonna need all the help we can get from Lightnin', Karly and Secret, and they'll need help too. I promise we'll stick with each other an' never let any human rattlesnake harm us. So, what do ya say, sugarcube? Please, join us." Rarity stared deeply into Applejack's green eyes. Then, taking her hand, she smiled. "I know it will be dangerous, and while fighting isn't my thing, I'm more into fashion, it'll be more heartbreaking to be apart from you and the others. I may not start fights, but I can finish them. I accept." "How about you, Fluttershy?" "I…I…" her words barely came out of her mouth. She was scared and unable to think. "Hey... You don't have to do it if you don't want to." Lightning assured. "Nobody's forcing you…" "I-I know, but… It's just that… I don't want to hurt anybody, or start fights, or…" "There are many things you can do besides fight, Flutters. Can I- can I call you Flutters?" Lightning asked. "Hmm-hmm." "Being a spy means being true to yourself, being the best you can be! That's what it's about." "Being wise and resourceful…even brave." Karly spoke with compassion. "I used to be like you, Fluttershy, you know? And while I'm still not THAT good at being a spy, I- I say I'm okay." "R-Really? Well, if you can overcome your shyness, I guess I can too." "So, is that a yes?" Lightning smirked. "...it is." "Whoo-hoo! Way to go, Fluttershy!" Rainbow and Pinkie cheered. Steven turned to final girls. "Sunset? Twilight?" The two were lost in their minds. "I…I don't know what to say." Sunset tried to not stutter. "Me neither. I'm not sure if I'll be cut out for the job, or be of much help." Twilight shrugged. Karly assured her. "Your knowledge of science could be helpful. Since we have a hi-tech secret lab in our hideout, but no experts to work in it and forensic items." "You have a hi-tech secret lab?!" Twilight exclaimed, much so clearly that it scared Karly. She cleared her throat. "Ahem. Okay. I'll do whatever I can." The only person left to answer was Sunset, and as everyone turned to her, she gazed up into all eyes that were upon her and smiled. "Equestria had chosen us to look after the magic in this world, and now you guys too. I know it's not easy to stay out of danger, but I guess sometimes, there is something cool about not knowing what is going to happen next. And after everything we just went through, I feel like there are kinds of magic out there that need to be discovered. Maybe in your world now too, if all it took was magic to open the portal, both portals." Lightning saw where she was going. "Sooo… What you are saying isss…?" "It's like what Karly said before: someone has to teach you how magic works here, and someone's got to know the most about it…it might as well as me, so, I guess what I'm saying isss… Yes. I'd love to be a part of your team." ~Sunset gave out her hand and Lightning shook it with respect, making their alliance official. Their friends then arose into cheers and the nine all group hugged together again.~ "Of course, we will have to take things slow and learn the first importance as soon as possible." said Sunset. "Deal." Lightning grinned. "Congratulations, girls! You have made a wise choice and I look forward to working with you from here on out." Steven said. "You shall be given the name 'Agent' along with your last name. If you supposedly don't have a last name, let's just use your first name or at least shorten it. I'll need to return home now to collect some documents." Lightning smiled then raised her finger. "Now, the only thing we need to do is think of a name for our little agency." "You don't have a name?" Twilight asked. "No, it's been unnamed for the last five years because we just…couldn't think." Karly replied. Lightning nodded steadily. "It was just the three of us as well anyway, so we figured perhaps we didn't need one, but now, we have you!" "Why don't we just call it the Rainbooms then? That is our original name." Rainbow shrugged. "I say we start fresh, Rainbow Dash. Just to be interesting." Twilight reasoned. "So, what shall it be?" asked Fluttershy. "Hmm... Wait, Sunset Shimmer, what- what was the name of the world you said you were from?" Lightning asked, turning to the former, fiery pony. "Equestria?" "Equestria… That's it!" "What is it, Agent Star?" Steven asked. "We'll name our agency E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A!" "E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A?" Everyone repeated. "I…actually like that. It reminds me of home." Sunset said. "Hmm, a very imaginative name. Is it going to be an acronym? If so, what would it stand for exactly?" Steven asked. "Equestria's Qualified Undercover Equestria Spies Trustful, Respectful International Agency! Whoa, that's a mouthful!" Everyone stood in silence thinking, then Pinkie hyped up a gasp. "That sounds… Amazing!" she shouted. "I do like that," Karly agreed, and the others muttered excitedly in agreement. "Very well, then," said Steven. "Our agency will be known as E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A! Get ready for the future then, girls! Because these magical adventures are just the beginning!" ~The End~ ~Secret agent appliances sure moved fast. As Lightning, Karly and the Mane 7 settled down in a classroom, the girls' official agent badges came to them in a secret mail compartment. More preparations were being dealt with, but for the meantime, the seven admired what they had now impressively. A pure golden badge in the shape of a small shield, with their name and picture firmly printed on it along with the agency name. Their eyes lit up.~ "Check it out! Our very own secret agent badges!" Pinkie giggled, shoving it in everyone's faces. "I know!" Rarity pointed. "And look at how they printed our pictures and names! So stylish!" "Well, these metals and engravings don't come cheap, you know? Take good care of them." Lightning said. Karly flicked a bit of paper. "Not unless you stick them to yourself." she grinned. ~Lightning grinned back, then noticed a flaw and turned around to leave.~ "Where are you going, Lightning? Your badge is right here!" said Sunset, as Lightning hopped off her chair and went outside. Everyone followed. "I forgot to tell Steven something." she said, with a smile. "What?" said Sunset. "We're E.Q.U.E.S.T.R.I.A Spies." ~And with that, she shifted and soared up into the clouds before anybody could say another word. As she rose and rose, torn air pummelling the pink, white and brown ears on her aero-dynamic frame, Lightning felt the most extraordinary elation. The sky was blue and teased with clouds, and the curve of the earth fell away below her, releasing her. She flew in a wide circle, then continued her direction up north, while the world and people below her tried to guess the future.~