That was easily the most relaxed I had ever been in a while. Several hours later, I woke up in my bed next to a snoring Cheerilee and Tree Hugger. Wait a minute...did we? Guess we did. I had to admit, it was rather enjoyable. And to see Cheerilee smile like that was worth more than solving any case I could ever hope to crack.
Tree woke up first, and smiled at me. “Hey man. Didja...relax well?”
I blushed, and nodded. “Um...you could say that. So that’s how Cheerilee really felt, huh?”
“She’s just been nervous, brah. I was here to help her feel more comfy before we...ya know.”
“But is she okay with you being…”
She laughed casually. “Hah-hah. I’m all about that free-love style, dude. I’m not quite into you like Teach is, but you’re pretty fun to roll in the weeds with, if ya catch my drift.”
I started to sweat, and I could feel my mouth contort into sort of a smile mixed with an embarrassed frown. “Heh...hah. Well, um--ahem. Glad you were able to...have fun, heh.”
The green mare smiled, and lied back down. “We’re gonna sleep a bit longer if that’s okay. It’s been a while since either of us engaged in such an activity.”
“Okay. Well, if you need anything let me know. When Cheerilee wakes up, I’m going to tell her a few things.”
I looked out of the window at the side of my bedroom. “Hm?” Cozy Glow was there, and getting herself set up in her new home not too far from both where I lived, and the agency where I worked. Perfect. But things weren’t completely hunky-dory just yet. I still had to deal with Neighsay as well. Just what secrets was that stallion hiding?
Everypony had the right to know the truth. No matter how painful.
First thing was first. I took a shower and cleaned myself up after that...um...nap. When I got out, I heard a knock at my door. This time I was cautious. Now more than ever especially. I dried off, and gazed through the peep window, and relaxed when I found out who was standing there. “Okay…” I opened the door to find Lyra Heartstrings--one of the two agents assigned to help me out. “Afternoon, L.”
“P. Great to see you’re still alive after nearly getting stabbed in the back. I know what that feels like, trust me,” she walked in, and sat on the couch. “I bring some news that you may wanna hear.”
I closed the door, and sat with her. “Oh? What’s up?”
She removed her shades, and looked straight at me. “We’ve recently come into some knowledge about Neighsay and his exploits. Turns out Twilight was right. This is bigger than she anticipated.”
Wow, these ladies were impressive. It was about 9AM when I spoke to Twilight, and now it was just 2PM. In that short time, they had already found out more information? Amazing. “Oh? Just what have you found?”
“Essentially, we’ve deduced that Neighsay has been putting ponies under experiments to try and create an army of his own. But that’s not all. He plans to use this army to assert his own power and control Equestria behind Twilight’s back!”
I thought about it for a second, and shook my head. “That’s not exactly an army. That’s a merc group. He’s trying to be a puppet master. Pulling strings from behind the scenes without our knowledge. This would explain the chimera attack on Appleloosa and the Bugbear attack in Ponyville. Someone is trying to fake us out, Lyra.”
“You think he’s not the real one behind this?”
“What do Sunset and I have in common?”
“You lost both of your parents before you could recall?” she answered.
I nodded. “That’s right. Now think about Cozy Glow. Are her parents in any local records? Birth certificates? Citizenship? Burial records?”
“No, no, and no. What are you getting at?” she used her magic to levitate one of the brownies off the coffee table and nibbled it.
Wait, I didn’t make those.
“Cozy may have probably endured something similar. Given just how vengeful her behavior was toward Neighsay. It’s entirely probable.”
“Hm...good point,” she said in between her consumption of another brownie. I sincerely hoped that Tree didn’t put anything strange in this batch. “And you also think that this all is being done for some other greater kind of purpose? Beyond simply forming his own faction?”
I nodded. “Yup. It’s kind of twisted, but I am aiming for something similar. Everypony around the world deserves to have power strong enough to counter their enemies. But through non-consensual experimentation? Doesn’t feel right…”
Lyra put her hooves together and started to think hard. For a seasoned agent, I expected the best tactics one could imagine. “Okay. Here’s what we’re gonna do,” she explained, “You intend to help Cozy get settled and make friends again, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Sweetie Drops and I will watch your back,” Lyra proclaimed with a grin, “Protecting an HVT--that stands for High Value Target--is what we tend to do.”
That was a solid strategy. However, something was still on my mind. “But what about Neighsay?” I asked with a hint of caution, “This particular case is...something that I need to be involved in.”
Lyra gave a deep breath. “I don’t normally do this. But you’re one of the best agents we have. So I’ll see what Commander Sweetie says.”
“Um...what exactly?” I raised a brow. Just what was she referring to? Also, Bon Bon was the leader now? Sick.
“Agents Whooves and Muffins will tail the scene for you. Don’t worry, they’ve been in this position for a long time. They’re capable,” she flashed me a convincing smirk, “I know because they were trained by yours truly.”
As much as I didn’t like the idea of other folks fighting my battles, it would be nice to have some assistance. And I would be damned if I got Corkscrew, Flash Drive, Neon Isotope, or Guttersnipe involved in any of this. Not now, not yet anyways. And Quick Draw...I needed to consult with her. “I see...and what will you have them do?”
“While you’re busy dealing with Cozy, those two will aid Princess Twilight in uncovering more information about Neighsay and what he’s planning. And as soon as you’re free, we’ll call on you for further assistance. Sound good?”
So essentially, they were low-key removing me from the case so that I could watch over the kid. But, I’d be on standby in case anything juicy were to pop up or occur. Fair enough. The last thing I needed to do was have an emotional outburst or something. “Alright...I trust you, Lyra.”
“No problem,” she levitated the plate of brownies, “Mind if I take these? I think Bon Bon would love them.”
I could only imagine what unholiness would take place once they both ate those. But I wasn’t going to deny a fellow agent some hospitality now was I? “Sure, go ahead. Thanks for the tip, Lyra. I’ll be available when you need me.”
She nodded, and got up to leave. I opened the door for her. “Gotcha, Pale. See ya later.” She left, and I closed it.
That’s when Cheerilee must have finally woken up. I heard the shower turn off, and a few minutes later, she joined me downstairs on the couch. “Another meeting with someone from work?”
I felt my cheeks turn rosy when I saw her. “Um...yeah, eheh. Listen. Um...do you…like...”
Cheerilee cut me off with a kiss. One that ignited my very soul. It felt like it lasted forever, even after she pulled back. “Yes, I do. Let’s not make this awkward. But I’d recommend we keep it hidden from the general public.”
At last, the blush went away and I could think more critically. “Good point. My enemies could use you against me if they found out.”
Cheerilee gave an awkward chuckle. “Aha...well, that’s one reason. I just don’t want anypony to start throwing rumors around--for the sake of your work that is. The Crusaders are young adults now, but they’d be all over me as soon as they found out that I found somepony.”
Good old lovely teacher. Always looking out for others. Even so, I would ensure that nothing would ever happen to her. “Thanks, Cheery. Say, you don’t wanna get--”
“Married?” she cut me off and let out a laugh, “Ha! I don’t cotton to the idea of being tied down to somepony forever--not unless I’m absolutely sure. Though ‘Cherilee Vestige’ does sound…” she blushed, and cut herself off with a nervous laugh. “I mean...haha! F-forget I said that. Being...dates? That’s perfect enough for me. If that’s fine for you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, she was a few small years above me, but that didn’t bother me. She was a kind, lovely soul that deserved the best. So I...figured I would attempt to be that in any way that I could. “...Absolutely, Cheerilee. I...adore you.”
Another laugh from the purple mare. “Heh! What’s wrong? Can’t say ‘love’ even though we just--?” she shot me a teasing sort of grin.
I couldn’t stand it. Her face made my heart explode. I brought her in for a close hug, and nuzzled the side of her face with my own. I didn’t say anything. No words could convey the emotions I felt in that moment.
She looked at me, and also fell silent. Cheerilee must have known what I felt, and chose not to spoil the embrace with words. We knew exactly what each other wanted without having to say it. That is how we knew we were meant for each other.
At least, I hoped.
Naturally, we were interrupted. By Tree Hugger. “Yooo...you guys finally caught each other’s vibes, didn’tcha? Stellar. Cheery’s friends are happy too.”
Outside through a window, I saw both the Mayor and Spoiled Rich squeal excitedly at each other. They must have noticed me, because they fled immediately after.
Cheerilee giggled. “Oh don’t mind them. They’re just happy that I’ve found somepony. But I’m sure you’re still busy, so I’ll go on ahead and scoot for now,” she said as she got up, and beckoned Tree to follow.
Admittedly, I wanted her to stay. But she was right. We couldn’t let moments like these interfere with our work. “Oh well...would you mind coming back later tonight?”
Tree Hugger gave her usual mellow grin. “Sure man. I’m always free for some fun.”
“Oh, for sure. I’ll definitely be free by then,” Cheerilee replied as she went to the door. “And Pale...thank you. For accepting how I feel.”
I grinned like a giddy little colt that had just found his soulmate. “It’s...no trouble, Cheerilee. Thank you for opening my eyes. You too, Tree. See you both later tonight.”
They waved as they left. It felt...nice to get that tension out of my system. Twilight was right. I did need to relax some more. Maybe I needed to do more. Take my mind off things as I got ready for Cheerilee to return this evening. I got up, and left the house. I started on a casual stroll through Ponyville.
It was nice to be among my usual crowd once again. As usual, I made my rounds to my most common places. The retirement home, the bakery, the bridge near the river at the edge of town. Very calming to be in a place where I could just...exist for a moment.
However, things wouldn’t stay so casual for very long. My walk was interrupted by a familiar pink alicorn that landed before me. “Cadance?”
“Shhh. Yes,” she wore a sunhat and glasses to conceal her identity along with a sweater. She also lacked her crown and special horseshoes so she could blend in. “Aunt Tia told me what happened regarding Sunset Shimmer. And...I think you deserve to know what I dealt with growing up.”
I gave a more serious nod, ready to listen. “Go ahead. Talk to me.”
She sighed, and started her explanation. “I’m sure you know that I was raised by earth ponies when I was a filly, right? No records of my parents whatsoever?”
I nodded, and waited for her to continue.
“Well...I think it’s entirely possible that they too, were involved in whatever Sunset’s parents were involved in.”
I raised an eyebrow. Quite the leap of logic to make. But I wanted to hear her out. “And just what makes you think that, Cadance?”
“Think about it, Pale. Your parents have no records, Sunset’s parents have none. Mine don’t, and neither does Cozy Glow’s. See a pattern here? If they went missing, there would’ve been an investigation conducted as soon as I met Celestia. But...it never happened.”
Well now. This just made the rabbit hole even deeper. Was it possible that Cadance’s biological parents were also taken from her and used for unethical experiments? Given the trend of lack of documentation among those who were affected, it would appear logical.
“I see...thank you for your input, Cadance.”
“No problem. I want to contribute as much evidence that I can against Neighsay. I can’t believe that smug son of a cow was able to sneak past us, past Aunt Tia! It’s insane.”
I nodded with a cold stare at the water that flowed beneath the bridge. “I know...your sister-in-law admits to not being good enough to catch him in his act. But that is in the past now. What we need to focus on, is righting the wrongs that he has caused so no one else can endure whatever he’s done.”
“Agreed. You have my full support, Pale. Also, we’re going to be funding your Earth Pony lessons so that the ponies of Ponyville can start learning how to defend themselves right away. If that’s cool with you…”
Yes. Things were coming along nicely. With that established, I knew it was time to head back and see how the kid was doing. “Absolutely. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on my case.”
She spread her wings. “Understandable. My daughter is here in Ponyville with her coltfriend, so I can’t afford to let her out of my sight for too long anyways,” she said as she flew into the air. “See you later!”
“Bye!” I waved my hoof, and ran back towards the home where Cozy had stayed. As soon as I got there, I knocked on the door. “Kid?”
The young mare opened it up, and flashed me a nervous smile. “Oh...hi, Mr. Vestige. Is something wrong?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. Everything’s great, actually. Are you ready for your first lesson of learning how to hang around others?”
“Oh...um...if you’re sure?”
“Yes. There’s somepony I’d like for you to meet and speak with.”
“Oh really?” she asked with a face that was hopeful, but confused. “Who?”