“Is everyone alright? Z! Are you hurt?” Rocket said amidst everypony’s coughing fits. The camera looked around the room. From the looks of it the explosion from the bomb did nothing at all. The room was fine. And all the ponies inside were unharmed.
“I am alright.” Zecora replied. “Although I believe that the explosion for us was nothing but a flash of light.”
“Zecora’s right.” Foxtrot added. “Why are you guys coughing though?”
“We just do.” Rockwell answered, hoof on mouth. “It’s required after every explosion.”
The camera panned back to a now seething Rocket. “What in tartarus, Rockwell!? That thing could’ve killed all of us!”
“Yeah I know, I know.” Rockwell gave a dismissive wave. “My bad. But look at the bright side, we now know where the detonator is.”
“I just don’t feel that risking our lives just to find a small button is a good tradeoff.”
“We didn’t risk it though.” Rockwell shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll be more careful next time.”
“No, no, no, there’s no next time for you.” Rocket quickly replied. “I’ll be in charge of that device from now on.”
“Really? Because I just got used to carrying it. It’ll feel weird if I let it go now.”
Rocket reached a hoof to Rockwell. “Hoof it over, Rockwell.”
“Eh.” Rockwell made his eye rolling apparent before hoofing the device to Rocket. “I’m one item lighter.” He then turned his head to the shaman. “So Zecora, is there any way we can tweak this bomb to target those totems outside?”
“What I can recall from the book is not reassuring. Because when those targets are set, their effects are lasting.”
“So using them as demo charges is not an option, huh?” Rockwell pondered for a bit before continuing. “Oh well. I’m pretty sure you’ll figure something out.”
Foxtrot’s ears perked up at Rockwell’s words. “Wait, you’re not helping us take those things down?
Rockwell gave him a frown and a shake of the head. “I was going to until I realized how powerful that thing is. I have to get back in town and see if they made more of those. In addition, I’ll also apprehend the mayor personally. Because what she’s doing here is straight up terrorism.”
“Arresting the mayor?” Rocket raised a brow. “That’ll be a hard thing to do. You’ll need one of those if you want things to go down smoothly.”
“I already filed the forms for it before I left HQ. All I need to do now is to send a request for it later.” The camera followed Rockwell as he trotted towards the door. “I’m leaving now. Enjoy the bomb.”
“Good luck with the arrest.” Foxtrot said.
“Yeah, go get ‘em tiger.” Rocket added.
“But before I leave...” Rockwell said, ceasing his trot. He quickly spun around and dove for the crystal bomb, pressing its detonator. All that the camera can see is a bright purple light that was then followed by a loud explosion.
“Dammit Rockwell!” Rocket cried out.
“A device that creates strong, harmless explosions? If we could patent this stuff it would surely put the Mistmanean fireworks industry out of business!”
---
Green fire roared out from the barrel of Rockwell’s flare gun. It zoomed upwards into the sky until it can’t longer be seen. “And...sent.” Rockwell said as he tucked the flare gun back to his jacket pocket.
They were now trotting casually in the middle of town square. There were more ponies now than there were before. Which was natural considering that it’s now afternoon and the weather was sunny but still remained cool, an ideal time for an afternoon stroll. And due to how many ponies there were in town square right now, Rockwell completely blended in. The locals didn’t even bat an eye to the camera’s direction. Maybe Rockwell’s tourist disguise did work after all.
“Now we wait.” Rockwell looked at the camera mare. “How about we go back to the coffee shop again? My purse is still jingling, I could buy you another cup of espresso.”
“Espresso sounds nice.”
The camera tailed the agent as he continued his casual trot towards the quaint café. But he immediately halted himself when he saw one of the patrons sitting in one of the café’s outdoor tables. The camera focused its shot on where Rockwell was staring. It appeared to be Octavia and she was sitting alone in her table while furrowing her brows on the sheet music she’s reading.
Rockwell looked back to the camera. “That face looks familiar. Let’s surprise her.” And with that he sneakily approached the musician. The camera followed Rockwell’s muted movements, keen on not ruining the agent’s intentions. Due to how focused Octavia was on her reading, she didn’t notice Rockwell slip into one of the chairs of her table. The camera mare followed what Rockwell did and seated herself as well. And still, Octavia was none the wiser.
“If it isn’t Mrs. Scratch.” Rockwell said, causing Octavia to jump out of her seat in surprise. The camera captured every single second of it in HD perfection.
“You almost gave me a heart attack!” Octavia cried, giving Rockwell a light slap. “And don’t call me that in public, you’re giving ponies wrong ideas!”
“...lotsa cream, lotsa sugar.” Rockwell said to the waitress standing beside him. “And espresso for the lady.” Once the waitress has finished jotting down the orders, she left their table with a smile. Rockwell then turned to look at the Octavia. “You were saying?”
“Never mind.” Octavia said as she leaned back to her chair.
“Taking a break from the fiddle fiddling, I see.” Rockwell said, leaning back as well.
“It’s not that,” Octavia replied. “We just dismissed earlier than usual. So how did your day go? More interesting than mine, I presume.”
“Nah, not really. It’s just standard BoS business. We raided a house earlier, did it with Miss Scratch. And confiscated all the evidence of the frame up inside. The same thing happened to the mayor’s warehouse. We raided it and confiscated some of the evidence there as well. Now the vampire-werewolf situation will be resolved in...” Rockwell did some counting in his head before continuing. “Around five hours. Vinyl and her cabal will issue an official apology to the wolves at seven.”
“Scratch.” Octavia had a look of apparent disbelief in her face. “As in Vinyl Scratch.”
“Uhuh. Great mare, good little fighter.”
Octavia’s look hasn’t faltered still. “How in the world did you manage to persuade Vinyl to do all that? Especially during daylight? She’s usually the grumpiest pony around this time of day.”
“I have my moments.” Rockwell shrugged. “She really cares about her inspection scores, does she?”
“I guess so?” Octavia said as she took a sip from her cup.
“We parted ways after that. Then I went to Everfree again and discovered that the town mayor is up to some terrorist-ic activities that would lead to the eradication of four of Ponyville’s local groups. And that’s why I’m back in town again, to wait for the right moment to apprehend the mayor.”
Octavia almost spat her drink when she heard the last line. Her face had turned to a rather comical look with her eyes wide open in surprise and her cheeks bulging from the drink she’s trying not to eject orally. Rockwell had an amused look on his face upon witnessing the mare’s panicked reaction.
It took a while for Octavia to gulp down her drink and it also took a while for her to take a grasp on the current situation. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was cracking, as if it’s trying its best to contain whatever fear that’s planning to come out of it. “You’re going to what the mayor?”
“I’m going to apprehend the mayor.” Rockwell answered in his signature laid back tone. “Actually, the more accurate term would be to abduct or capture her. I just like ‘apprehend’ better because it sugarcoats the much harsher fate they’ll be in once the bureau gets them.”
“Harsher fate?” Octavia put down her cup. “Isn’t this just a regular arrest? Terrorist or not she still falls under the category of criminal, right? And aren’t all criminals have the privilege to all the good and the bad that the legal system will provide for them? Right?”
“That’s what would happen if the bureau follows the rules. Fortunately for us, we don’t.”
Before Rockwell could continue, the waitress has arrived with their orders. She placed the steaming cup of native in front of Rockwell in which he gave her a smile and a nod. The waitress then proceeded to set down the cup of espresso just below the camera’s view. And with a smile, the waitress left them again.
“You see,” Rockwell said, blowing on his drink before taking a sip from it. “The bureau tends to bypass every legal jargon the government has set when it comes to dealing with troublemakers both big and small. If they want you gone they’ll have you gone. And there’s really no getting out once the bureau sinks its teeth in you. And it’s not like anypony can reprimand us for doing this kind of things anyway. We’re doing all of this in secret after all so there’s no way that an eye would just suddenly bat out here in our general direction.”
As Octavia listened to the agent’s rant the camera spotted that her both her hooves were gripping tightly around her cup. “That’s rather cold, Agent Rockwell.” Judging from the sound of her voice, one can tell that her mood had definitely soured.
“All in a day’s work, Miss Melody.” Rockwell took another sip from his cup.
“So what fate awaits the mayor then?”
“I’m afraid that’s a secret.”
“Of course it is.” Octavia took a sip from hers as well.
“Let me tell you what’s not though. I have been waiting for something that will help me in apprehending the mayor.”
“Oh yes. I was wondering what you’re going to do about that. Because there is no way that you can uproot an authority figure from their posts that easily.”
“Got you curious, huh?” A grin appeared on Rockwell’s face.
Octavia shyly stared at the contents of her cup. “As heartless as this may sound, but you’ve made me really curious of what you are going to do in this scenario. Oh Celestia,” She placed a foreleg on her blushing cheeks. “Don’t I sound awful? I am indulging myself with the suffering of others. Is this schadenfreude? I think it is.”
“Relax. Nopony will think it’s bad if nopony knows about it. It’ll be our little secret.” Rockwell held his cup in front of her.
Octavia giggled at the agent’s gesture. “Oh what am I doing?” She brought her cup over to Rockwell’s and clinked it. “This is so naughty! So what is this something you speak of?”
“Let’s wait a little longer.” Rockwell leaned back to his seat again. “It would be best to show than tell.”
“Oh. Alright then.” Octavia complied.
“So uh, how’s the rehearsal?”
Octavia gave a long exhausted sigh. “To be honest with you, I feel like the-”
A green flame suddenly surged between the two ponies, quickly flying inside Rockwell’s jacket. “Here it is.” He took his dragon flare out and pried open the contents. It appeared to be a small golden card with intricate decorations that adorned both sides. It has writings on it that were too small for the camera to make out.
“This is the item that will make the apprehension smoother.” Rockwell showed the card to Octavia.
“It’s a...” Octavia inspected the tiny object closely, probably reading what’s written on it as well. “Business card?”
“To the eyes of a plebeian it does look like one.” Rockwell said as he leaned back, taking the card with him. His words earned an eye roll from the mare. “But to any official’s eyes, it’s like the gates of tartarus has personally come for them.”
“So what is that thing and why does it elicit such a reaction from Equestria’s government officials?”
“This little thing right here,” Rockwell gave the card a gentle shake. “Dear Miss Melody, is what you call an Equestrian High Sanction Pass. Oops, I forgot the ‘Type 42.’ It’s a type 42. It gives the user total control to every royal guard in any selected area within Equestrian soil. And by total control, I mean total control of the minds and bodies of every royal guard present. It makes resisting officials yield faster since the ones who were supposed to protect them were now the ones against them. I like to think of it as a power play of some sort, break their spirits quicker. And since we’re in a business where discreetness is of utmost importance, it’s really necessary to make such things quick. Although the sanction only works on guards that are on duty at that time, those that have removed their armor and their form changing spell will not get affected by it.”
“That’s terrible!” Octavia protested. “Why create such thing that harbours tremendous power over this nation’s citizens?”
A smirk formed on Rockwell’s face. “I know right? It may not be happening right now, but these things are so gonna bite our butts one day. But don’t you worry about its accessibility. I had to fill out three separate forms just to get permission to send a request if I needed it. My request will then be reviewed to see if it’s really worth sending one or not. I was only filling out those forms in case the situation arises that I would need it. I didn’t actually expect that I would use it. But that’s just in my department. These things are not given away like pamphlets though. There’s a policy that states that only a hundred of these must exist at a time.”
He leaned in close to Octavia. “Here, let me give you a fun fact: these things magically dissolve once used. And only then will the forgers be allowed to make another one to replenish the numbers back to its standard limit. And only select organizations are issued with these passes. The bureau has five of these currently in their possession. Since you know, we make more ponies disappear compared to the other orgs. Although covering up the disappearances is the real challenge here. But that’s another set of problems to deal with and I’d hate to elaborate on it right now.”
Rockwell finished his explanation with a long sip of his cooling beverage.
“You’re not a very benign group of ponies, are you?” Octavia said flatly.
“We’re also not malignant if that’s what you’re thinking. We’re just grey, like really, really grey.”
“So you’re grey as well.”
“I’m going to be honest with you here.” Rockwell let out a faux sigh. I may wear black all the time but deep down, I’m actually grey.
Octavia gave out a snort and shook her head. “Are you really enjoying this?”
“I’m rather fond of double meanings.” Rockwell downed all the contents of his cup. He set it down the table, paid for everypony and got up from his seat. “Okay. Let’s make some ponies disappear.” He said it while looking at the camera. He turned back to look at Octavia. “You should come with us, it’ll be fun.”
She looked back at Rockwell with disdain carved on her face. “How can you be so enthusiastic in doing such terrible task?”
“Some experiences get even better when you share it with others.”
“Then why do I feel worse?” Octavia said as she slowly got up from her seat.
“Guilt is a natural reaction when doing this kind of thing. It usually fades around the fifth time, I think.” The camera followed Rockwell and Octavia as they slowly trotted towards the town hall.
“So what happens to the position of mayor once Miss Inkwell disappears?” Octavia made her voice low so that none of the passing ponies could hear what they’re talking about.
“It’s either the town elects a new mayor or the bureau will have to select a new one for them.”
The camera panned its shot back on Octavia. She looked unconvinced at Rockwell’s answer. “You do know that both of these resolutions will get ponies to start asking questions, right?”
“Oh yes, definitely.” Rockwell agreed with her statement by nodding in quick successions. “Ponyville will feel weird for a couple of days due to this occurrence but they’ll forget about it eventually. The public’s collective memory can be rather short as they tend to move on to other fresher things.”
“You speak as if you were above the common populace.”
“The system.”
Octavia tilted her head, confused. “Beg your pardon?”
“Afternoon gents!” The camera focused on who Rockwell was talking to. It appeared to be the two royal guards assigned to guard the entrance of town hall. “I’m agent Rockwell of the Bureau of Secrecies and I seek your assistance in apprehending a criminal that’s currently residing inside the town hall.”
The guards gave each other confused glances. “A criminal? In town hall?” The one on the right said. “But that’s impossible.” The one on the left added.
Rockwell pulled out the sanction from his jacket pocket and stuck it in the guard’s chest plate. The card clung to the armor like glue and melted itself into the metal. The guards’ armors emitted a golden hue just as the pass faded away. As the camera centered its shot on the guards, it noticed that their eyes glowed as well. It shared the same color as the glow on their armor. Their golden, glowing eyes were locked firmly on where the agent was standing.
“I, Sergeant Steadfast,” The guard on the right announced. “Along with all the other royal guards stationed in Ponyville are at your service, sir!” Both guards gave Rockwell a snappy salute.
“The criminal is identified as one Miss Raven Inkwell.” Rockwell began. “The details regarding the crimes she committed are currently under classified information. As of right now this matter should be regarded as the highest priority and should be dealt with in great haste and urgency. I want you to bring Miss Inkwell to me so that I can take her in for questioning. And once you’ve accomplished your task, I want you to gather your whole unit back here to get administered for an eye exam. Is that clear?”
“Sir yes sir!”
“Dismissed.”
As the royal guards briskly marched into the building, Octavia gave Rockwell a confused look. “An eye exam?”
“Vanisher ward slang. It convinces ponies to come with us so that we can flash them.”
“That’s...really weird.”
“If it works, it works.” As Rockwell answered, commotion could be heard inside the town hall. There were inaudible screams coming from inside. The breaking sound of furniture can also be heard within the premises. The camera focused its shot back on Rockwell and Octavia. The former has a grin plastered on his face while the latter had her face cringing from the entire ruckus that the agent has indirectly caused.
“Check that out,” Rockwell pointed a hoof towards the building. “It’s really awesome, what you’re hearing right now is one of those things where people are suddenly and forcibly taken by government ponies, never to be seen again.”
Octavia shot Rockwell another look of disdain. “And that’s supposed to be ‘awesome?’”
Rockwell looked at the mare with both brows up. “I thought you said you loved those kinds of things?”
“I remember expressing a slight interest in what you’re doing, Agent Rockwell. But I don’t remember telling you that I love it.”
“Oh right. Sorry, wrong pony.” Rockwell snickered, awkwardly scratching the back of his head as well.
The camera panned its shot to Octavia who has her eyes narrowed down on the agent. But she was abruptly interrupted when a thestral was thrown outside the town hall all of a sudden.
“Whoa!” Rockwell screamed in delight as he looked at the mare rolling violently on the ground. “She had her henchmares helping her now. This is starting to get interesting!”
Their attentions were directed back to the building when a loud sound of shattering glass came from the hall’s west side. The camera spied a white blur tumble out the first floor window and rolled itself into the ground. It was Mayor Inkwell. She quickly got herself up and dashed towards the town’s Outskirts.
“She’s getting away!” Octavia cried out.
“The wonders of adrenaline,” Rockwell said dreamily. “Stuff’s give earth ponies wings. Shall we?” Rockwell looked at Octavia while gesturing a hoof to the direction where the mayor has fled. Octavia gave a determined nod and burst into a sprint. The agent on the other hoof, just trotted like the way he used to, in a casual manner. When Octavia realized that’s she’s the only one running at high speeds, she immediately stopped. She then looked back at the group with a mixed look of confusion and annoyance.
“Why the casual trot!?” She called out. “I thought you’re not supposed to let her get away!?”
“I’m giving her a head start.” Rockwell said matter-of-factly.
“Giving her a head sta-” Octavia dragged a hoof across her face in downwards motion. “I don’t think you should have given her anything at all, Agent Rockwell! I don’t even think that we should have given her the chance to have us chase her!” Her voice sounded really frustrated.
Rockwell shot his flare gun again. A roaring green flame launched itself out from the barrel and quickly disappeared into the blue sky. “No, no, chases like this are necessary in this kind of situation.” Rockwell’s reply just made the mare more confused and frustrated than ever. “Because you see, the carriage that will take her to the bureau usually arrives in about twenty minutes or so. And I needed something to do to pass the time before then.” Octavia hit her face with a hoof, creating a loud smacking sound.
As the group continued to trot casually into the Outskirts, a thestral landed in front of them by surprise, stopping them from their tracks. The camera centered the shot on the newly arrived thestral. It was Blurry. And her eyes were staring coldly at the agent.
“I’m giving you a warning, agent.” Blurry said, her voice menacing. “Do not arrest the mayor. Doing so will only make things worse for you. This warning will only be given once. Because the next time we meet, I’ll have your face kissing the grou-”
“Guards she’s with the mayor.” Rockwell flatly ordered the guards who were about to go to the Outskirts to pursue Inkwell. “Get her.” They immediately changed course and went in for the thestral mare. Blurry left as soon as the pegasi guards were on her tail. Their pursuit continued in the air, but the other guards still followed them despite being on hoof.
“And to the Outskirts we go!” Rockwell turned his casual trot into a jog. The others followed.
As the group entered the Outskirts area of town the camera zoomed in on one Raven Inkwell that’s running for dear life. The camera followed her every hasty movement until she was faced with her first obstacle, a metal fence.
Without hesitation, the mayor climbed up the fence with ease and hopped over the sharp ends and landed safely on the other side to continue her escape. “Wow, she can do parkour! Who knew?” The camera was still keen on following the mayor so only Rockwell’s voice could be heard.
The group also arrived at the fence in which the mayor has successfully overcome with ease. Octavia attempted to climb it, but paled in comparison to what the mayor did and slid slowly downwards on the metal she was holding on to. Rockwell on the other hoof, opened a gate that was unnoticed before.
“What other things can she do?” He said as they passed through the gate.
The camera could see Raven from afar again. She was unknowingly running to a part of the Outskirts where the houses were grouped so close together that they were basically cramped. Upon realizing that this neighbourhood provided no escapable alley for her to go in to, she decided to go inside a house instead and just use the door on the other side to pass through. Well, that’s probably what she was thinking when she tried opening the doorknobs of each house she passed. Unfortunately, none of them were open as most houses in the Outskirts were locked during the day due to most of its citizens being nocturnal. But what the mayor did was that she found a house that had its window opened on the second floor. Using tiny protrusions that only she can see on the house’s wall, she quickly scaled the building and dove straight into the window.
“Look at those climbing skills!” Rockwell exclaimed. “What did she eat to do such feat? Meat?” The door of the house that Inkwell climbed on suddenly opened itself, revealing a thestral who was probably awoken by the disturbances caused by the mayor’s knob fiddling and breaking in.
“Coming through! Urgent guard business!” Rockwell said as he casually led the group into the house and out its other door.
As the group exited the house the camera spent no time in centering its shot on the fleeing Inkwell again who was now jumping from one roof to another. Some of her leaps landed her safely to the next roof, while others had her hanging on the edge before climbing back up.
“Look at her! It’s like we’re behind the scenes of somepony shooting a picture.” The camera switched back to Rockwell, where he and the group were trotting slowly down the street, matching the mayor’s pace.
Octavia gave the agent a flat look. “She’s not getting away, is she?”
Rockwell scoffed at her words. “What do you mean? She’s moving so fast that we can barely keep up!”
The camera panned back to Inkwell, who was now matted with sweat and was panting heavily. It then moved back to Rockwell, whose face looked fresh compared to the fleeing mare.
Upon reaching the final house and also the Outskirt’s end, Mayor Inkwell leapt from the house’s roof and into the branches of an oak tree where she climbed herself down as quickly as her body could deem possible. Finally touching the ground, she immediately went into a full sprint into a downward slope in which she stood on her hind legs as she slid down the hillside.
“Wow!” Rockwell cried out in amusement again. They were now trotting on a staircase that was beside the slope while looking at the mayor as she unknowingly turned her escape into some sort of extreme sport. “You gotta admit, that one looked really cool.” He said to Octavia.
“Indeed.” Octavia replied while looking at the staircase they were standing on. “Impractical as well.”
“Don’t blame her.” Rockwell said as he continued moving down. “Your vision narrows when you’re experiencing an adrenaline rush.”
As the mayor reached the bottom of the slope, she continued her sprint towards the lake and dove headfirst into the water. The camera was back at recording the mayor again. And despite the distance between it and the mayor’s, one can tell that her strokes were darn near perfect. But the admiring bit was interrupted when a sound of splashing water can be heard off camera. The camera mare panned the shot on where it came from. And it appeared that Rockwell and Octavia just went on a row boat that was just lying around a small pier all along. The camera followed suit. Once Octavia and the camera mare sat comfortably on the small boat, Rockwell began rowing. The camera zoomed in its shot to the mayor once more.
“Look at those strokes.” Rockwell said as he gradually closed the distance between them and the mayor. “Is she a former athlete or something?”
It was no surprise that Inkwell was the first one to reach the other side of the lake. And despite having just swam half a quarter mile she still has enough strength left to go into another sprint up the hill where a thestral just landed, probably to carry her someplace safe and away from the agent. As she reached the top of the hill the thestral immediately carried her with his hooves and took off into the air.
They didn’t go far when a short metal rod was flung into their direction. The piece of metal was moving too fast that it flew past the fleeing group. And then it flashed. The thestral carrying Inkwell suddenly stopped flapping his wings and dropped hard on the ground. The camera panned back to the agent, who was not attempting to hide his smug smile.
“I can’t believe you were just toying with them.”
“And I can’t believe that only took thirteen minutes.”