“Alright,sir,” said Monsieur Monnaie, “All your bits from your satchel and your reward are deposited into your account.”
“Reward?” questioned the confused Big Macintosh.
It was mid after-noon and the bank was crowded. A cleanup crew was cleaning the destruction that had just happened in the morning. News-ponies were asking questions so fast that the royal guards couldn’t answer quickly enough. They tried to reach and question Mac, but were blocked by the Royal guards which was a good thing. He didn’t like the limelight anyway.
“Yes, the reward for catching those bank robbers.” Monnaie smiled, “The Bank of Equestria humbly thank-you for your deed this day.”
“No problem.”Mac said as he turned to leave.
The day had barely started and he had already stopped a gang of criminals. He ached so bad that he just wanted to go home, but he still had a “friend” to visit. He grabbed his empty satchel, sneaked past the press, but was stopped by the unicorn that saved him from Azure.
“Hey, uhh, Big Mac is it?” The blue haired unicorn asked, “I just wanted to say thanks. Celestia knows how much these guys would have gotten away with.”
“Eeyup.”
“Oh and my name is Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard.”
The name seemed familiar to Mac. He knew that he had heard it before, but where? If he didn’t figure it out now, his whole day would be filled with trying to remember. Then it hit him.
“You’re Ms. Twilight’s brother.” Mac assumed.
“How did you know?” asked Shining Armor getting a little defensive.
“I’m one of her friends’ brother. Applejack to be specific.”
“Ohh!” Shining Armor put his hoof out for a hoof shake. “Well, it’s about time we met. There seems to be a serious lack of stallions in the country.”
Mac laughed as he returned the hoof shake. This Shining Armor guy had a nice firm hoof shake. It looked like he might have finally found a stallion friend. He took a glance at the clock and gasped. He needed to leave now or else he’d miss visiting hours. Mac ended the hoof shake, told Shining Armor farewell, and then galloped to the hospital.
“See you around my friend.” yelled Shining armor.
“Yeah…see you around” Mac called back before rushing to the hospital.
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“Do you know her name?”
“Eenope.”
Big Mac stood at the front desk of the hospital. The nurse, Nurse Coldheart, was the only obstacle blocking him from the mare he saved. His lack of knowledge about the mare didn’t help the situation. This nurse was so uncooperative. It took a lot to get Mac angry, but the nurse was certainly getting the job done.
“Well then I can’t help you.” said Coldheart.
“I brought her in yesterday…she was flailing and screaming. Minor burn wounds”
“Sorry, sir. I still can’t hel-“
“I know the mare you’re talking about…follow me.” interrupted another nurse.
A couple of stair cases later, Mac arrived at the room of Hush-Hush. The nurse gave him a couple of warnings ranging from “Not talking loud” to “Don’t ask her name”. He thanked the nurse then opened the door.
“It’s about bucking time you got here.” said the Hush-Hush.
“Such elegant language you have.” Mac condescended.
“Don’t you start with me!” The mare took a break to sip from her glass of red liquid, “You’re the one who’s is late.”
For the first time, Big Mac actual got a good look at this mare. She resembled Princess Luna’s guards. She had grey fur and yellow eyes that seemed to glow. Her mane was dark blue with a light violet streak? He didn’t know the exact colors. He was stallion, after all. The difference was that she wasn’t all bat like…well except her teeth. They were sharp and pointy.
“I’ve had a busy morning.”
“So I have heard.” The mare threw a newspaper at Mac.
Mac grabbed it. ‘It has already been published? ‘He thought. On the front page was a picture of him, with a bloody snout, standing in front of the three criminals. The headline read “Country Stallion Defeats Infamous Bank Robbers after Saving Mare from Fire”. A smirk appeared on his face. The picture made him look good.
“You better calm yourself down before you start attracting attention.” The mare poured Big Mac a glass of red liquid, “Red Wine?”
“I don’t drink.” Mac said while shaking his head, “You shouldn’t be either in your current condition.”
“I’ve been in worse,” The mare quickly gulped the freshly poured glass, “Let’s cut to the chase. I need you to attend a royal ball with me.”
“Uhh...” Mac was on his vacation and attending a fancy ball was not apart of it.
“It doesn't matter. You have no choice in the matter. The ball is next week. You’ll be provided more information and a suit will be prepared for you immediately.”
“Uhh…”
“Well, that’s it. See you in a week, Mac.” She smiled while shooing him out the room, "Also, learn how to dance. You look like you have two left hooves."
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Mac arrived at the castle as the sun was setting. He saw Princess Celestia using her magic to lower it while Princess Luna was calling in the night.. His whole body was now aching. Azure’s paralysis spell must have had side affects because every so often his muscles wouldn’t respond ,causing him to stumble. ‘At least the day was over’ he thought. A long night of sleep was what he needed. (Actually what he needed was a day without a disaster.) He finally reached his room and opened the door.
“Mr. Macintosh?” asked a servant stallion from behind.
“Yes?” Mac sighed.
“Will you be attending dinner with the princesses tonight?”
“…Eeyup.”
Mac, led by the butler, entered the dining hall. The smell of food reached his nostrils. Drool flowed from the corner of his mouth, but he quickly remembered where he was and wiped it away. The stallion reached two massive doors. On the doors was the same symbol that was printed on his new satchel. Slowly, the doors opened and revealed a table fully adorned with a variety of food.
“Welcome Big Macintosh!” proclaimed Princess Celestia, “I hope you’re enjoying your stay.”
“Eey-” He stopped himself. He had to remember whose presence he was in. “ Yes, princess.”
Celestia ushered the farmer pony to sit at the table. Hesitantly, he obliged. As he sat down, more servant ponies surrounded him. One washed his hooves. Another tied a bib around his neck. Others brought in silverware and arranged it in front of him. There were so many different types of spoons, forks, and knives. Lastly, a pony came in. She sat a salad in front of the princess and Mac. Not wanting to disrespect the princess, the farmer stallion waited for her to take the first bite, but she never did.
“I’ve heard that in only two days you have managed to rescue a mare from a fire and stop a bank robbery.” Celestia said.
“Yes. Just doing what any other citizen would do.” Mac replied.
“If only that were true…” Celestia sighed as she took a bite of her salad, “Big Macintosh, I need you listen to listen carefully.”
“Yes’m”
“You have involuntarily entered a world that you may never escape,” The princess’s expression went grim, “The dark side of Canterlot: Organized crime, Illegal Gambling, dirty politics, etc.”
“I only did two things…” Mac explained.
“Yes, but you did two very big things that made an impression on a lot of ponies.”
Mac didn’t think what he was impressive. Maybe those deeds were above average, but nothing to pat yourself on the back for. He took a bite of his salad and pondered. He probably wouldn’t have much of a vacation based on the way Celestia was talking.
“So why are you telling me, a farmer, all this information?”
“Exactly for that reason.” said a voice seemingly from nowhere, “No one would ever expect a regular citizen to help the royal crowns.”
A black cloud of smoke flowed from under the table. When it all came to a centered point, the cloud formed into Princess Luna. The princess stretched out her wings then yawned. She must have just woken up. She walked to the table, took a seat, and looked Mac right in the eyes.
“Do you know who you saved in that fire?” she asked.
“An insane mare with important information.” replied Mac. He honestly didn’t know what was happening anymore.
“Well that’s half correct. She is crazy.” The night princess laughed at her own joke, but then returned to her professional expression. “She is actually a high level Intelligence officer for the Equestrian Intel Agency. Oh and the information was out of date, therefore; useless.”
“It’s a secret agency that Luna solely controls.” added Celestia.
“Okay…” was all Mac could say.
“Listen, criminal activity has been on the rise in Equestria and we don’t know why. We need somepony who nopony would ever expect to help us end or at least subdue this criminal activity.” Luna explained.
“Eenope.” Mac stated. All he was and all he will ever be is a farmer. None of this secret agent pony stuff pertained to him. Plus, his family needed him. He couldn’t just risk his life. “Find yerself another stallion.”
Luna stood up and paced the room. She was growing noticeably irritated. Celestia lit her horn and a small line of magic connected to Luna’s horn. Both looked towards the other. It seemed if they were having some telepathic conversation. Mac simply continued eating. This "magic" stuff was pretty annoying to him. After a while, the magic line broke and both princesses looked at the stallion.
“I don’t why you said “no”, but please rethink.” Celestia pleaded, “If this crime wave spreads, small towns, like Ponyville, would be hit first and the hardest. Your farm would be ravaged and destroyed. Think of the citizens, your grandma, Applejack, and Applebloom.”
“All we need you to do is small missions. No one will ever suspect you. You and your family’s identity will remain secret. No harm will come to you.You will have protection just in case. If anything should happen, we will make sure your family will survive in utmost comfort.” Luna assured.
“…” So many thoughts flowed through the stallions mind, yet it seemed clear what he should do. “Alright, but I want all you said in writing.”