E.S.S: 1
(Equestria Secret Service)
The Job and Tirek
Prologue:
Eight a.m. marked a digital clock over a two doored door. It opened quickly letting passage to a unicorn stallion; his coat was a maroon red. On him he had a dark gray vest, his eyes a dull yet bright shade of yellow. His mane was a dulled silver gray that looked almost black, waved back, short and spiked a bit, and his cutie mark was a faded golden iron piece that held a ball of dull blue matter that glistened a little in the light. He looked over into what appeared to be a collage room with seats inclined towards the middle to face three large worn wipe boards. A few others were in the room with him, others came in and took their seats. He himself choose a seat next to a dirty yellow colored unicorn male wearing a worn jean hoodie, who for a second glanced at him. He didn’t pay much attention to him and faced the front of the room. Glancing at the clock which now read eight O two, another last stallion entered the room, he was a white coated male having a rough shave and had on a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. This stallion took a look around the room and groaned, proceeding to take his seat in the front of the room.
“Greetings and welcomes from the princesses themselves, and blah blah blah, ah yes time take role” Said the instructor at the front of the room, he took out a clip board and started calling out names, “Double Tap?”
“Here.”
“Sweetie Drops?”
“Here” a light yellow mare answered.
“Cloud Duster?”
“Present”
“Alloy Atomms?”
“Here sir” Answered the maroon red stallion.
“Muffins?”
“Uh, here sir!” Yelled a (not crossed eyed) gray mare.
“Jackson Ice?”
“You know I’m here..” said the dirty yellow stallion.
“And lastly, Wild Berrie?” There is no response. “Well, that’s one less problem” The instructor murmured as he marked the name as: Not showing up.
“Now, my name, for all who care and want to continue in this facility is, Mr. Notts. Allow me to ask you all a question, don’t worry it’s easy. What does E.S.S. stand for?” Mr. Notts asks the entire class. Sweetie Drops raised her hoof. “Yes Miss Sweetie Drops?”
“E.S.S. Stands for: Equestria Secret Service” Sweetie Drops said quickly.
“Correct, and does anyone here know what exactly we do here?” Mr. Notts asked. Double Tap raised his hoof. Notts pointed to him.
“The E.S.S. protects the royalty from any harm.” Double Tap said.
“That’s correct, but there’s more. We also make sure no one has to ever encounter a threat, and if they do we neutralize it or them. We keep the peace on a leash. We make sure if anything out of the normal happens, it’s dealt with and no one ever has to see or hear of it. Can anyone remember the attack by a giant dragon a week ago?” Notts asked and looked around the room. No one raised there hoof except Alloy, the others looked at him in confusion. “Alloy you say..you remember? Interesting, someone forgot to their job.” Notts marks something on the clipboard. “Anyone have any questions?” Everyone but Alloy and Jackson raised their hooves. “You Cloud Duster.”
“What dragon??” He asked terrified.
“Hehe, oh that’s my favorite kind of question, you see here at E.S.S., Celestia has made it clear and has provided us with the skills and training to make ponies forget things, of course it doesn’t always work, in the case of Alloy over there. Now any questions besides the dragon and erasing memories?” No on raised their hoof.
“Good now for a brief history on E.S.S. Celestia founded it after Nightmare Moon’s Banishment. It’s over 900 years old. It’s underfunded. Almost nobody joins, due to the, ahem, risks. Many don’t even care or have interest in it because of that. And finally, we’ve prevented many bad little things from happening to you poor defenseless civilians. Oh and did I mention it’s underfunded? Yes, yes I did, you know why? Because most civilians as I’ve stated don’t know, are afraid, or give a damn about E.S.S. Now I’m getting ahead of myself, that’s all the history I’m giving, I’m not here to teach you our roots and what not, I’m here to train you to become a proper E.S.S. personal and to learn some of the best kept secrets of this planet! Follow me, this classroom is just the introduction room to see how many would come” Notts walks out of the room, the rest of the small class follow behind him in an irregular line, some whisper amongst themselves. Two E.S.S. agents stood in the halls watching them as they all went outside to a courtyard full of equipment some of it old and new.
“What are we doing here?” Asked Muffins.
“I’m going to show you all something you never knew existed.” Notts said.
“Why don’t we know?” Cloud Duster asked.
“Because if you did know, I’d kill you, erase your memory, or make sure that, get this, you didn’t know! Eh, I'll show you it later.”
“Oh..uh okay sir.” Duster said nervously.
“Now, physical training, I’m sure you all know what that is. We’ll be doing a lot of that here. Anyone who doesn’t like that, the exits back down the hall the way you came in.” He said and looked at them all seeing if any would leave. “Good come along” Notts smiled and went down a path.
Away now to a gun range in the E.S.S. facility it is now 2 weeks later. Alloy is shown with an assault rifle levitated by a magical field. He shoots a pony cut out hitting it almost on aim. Notts walked around noting down and observing his rookies. Cloud Duster, Muffins, and Jackson are sitting awaiting their turns. “Good effort Sweetie Drops. Alloy make sure to be more steady. Double Tap, what the hell are you doing? Are you even aiming, go run five laps ASAP! Berrie, I think you’re improving, but I think you did better with the demolition, I’ll talk to you separately.” Notts said. Double Tap flies out and began his laps. “Alright next!” Muffins, Jackson, and Cloud Duster took their spots at the range while the rest sat down and observed.
“Go ahead and start with the lower caliber, I’ll be watching in a bit. Berrie come over here.” The three began firing at the targets using smaller pistols with rubber bullets. Despite two weeks of training, Jackson wasn’t holding his gun the right way. It was slightly tilted left, and held with a laid back manner. Before he could take a shot, Notts whispered to Alloy, “Hm, you seem to be getting this stuff down. Why don’t you show your partner Jackson here how it’s done?”
“Sure I’ll help the poor fellow.” Alloy responded, and went to help out Jackson. “Ice, what have I told you? You need to hold the gun straight.”
Jackson looked at Alloy. “Fool, you know how I shoot! I don’t need no instructor!” He shot his gun, hitting the target in all its positions with relative ease.
“Ha, fine, but you know what the instructor is gonna say.” Alloy smiled, and walked away.
Current Day:
Two years later Alloy and Jackson are on a mission from E.S.S. to track down a being by the name of Lord Tirek.
“Man, this op should be easy. I mean, how hard can this Tirek guy be?” Jackson remarks
“I dunno Jackson, seems the whole royal army couldn’t even put a dent into this guy, but then again there all poorly trained” Alloy chuckles.
“Army? You mean those displays? They can’t do damage to anything,” Jackson laughs. A light flashes in the sky with a great intensity creating an aurora of heat.
“The hell was that?” Alloy turns to Jackson.
“Dunno,” Jackson readies his gun, “but we’ll probably need these ready.” Another light display flashes above them converting the light blue sky into a darkened red.
“Alright, am I tripping or did the sky just change?” Alloy asks.
“I don’t know what we did, but I don’t want another hit!” Jackson remarks. Twilight is seen flying overhead dodging rays of powerful magic.
“Hu, looks like some sort of fight, entertaining” Alloy peers over to see a large object walking surrounded by smoke. “Whoa what is that thing!?!”Alloy pulls out a sniper he brought for the op and looks through the scope. “Hey Jackson check this thing out!”
“What’s going on?” Jackson looks through the scope. “Damn, that’s one hell of a fight. My money’s on the big one.”
“There’ll be no money if we don’t stop this thing, come let’s get at a distance, make sure he doesn’t stomp on us”
“Alright.” They head towards the Oak Library, but once they come within a 20 yard distance in gets blown up before their eyes”.
“Well that’s not a spot I would’ve liked to be in.” Alloy jokes, “Doesn’t seem anywhere in this place is safe”
“We should dig a fox hole that should be safe enough.”
“Dig a hole? Here? I’ll take my chances facing that thing head on!”
Using his magic, Jackson starts removing hunks of dirt. “If you say so, feel free to shoot that thing if you feel like it.”
“Might work for all we know.” Alloy runs towards the being who is only focusing its attention to Twilight and seems to be in a conversation. Alloy sets up his weapon and targets the monster. Three shots fire. Alloy looks up from the scope to see no effect whatsoever. “Dammit…”
“Not too late to join in,” Jackson offers from behind.
“Very generous of you-” Alloy tries finishing but is blocked out by the roar and trees flying in many directions. Bits and pieces scratch up his suit and his fur. He bits down holding in the agony. Parts of the ground split open and cracks form around Jackson’s fox hole. “Jackson let’s cut our losses and get out of here!” Alloy teleports him and Jackson a few miles away. Both of them breathe heavily and see as the disaster off in distance unfolds tearing up the terrain. “Whatever that thing is, I don’t think we’re equipped to take that thing. Let’s go back to headquarters.” Alloy final says, Jackson nods, taking a last glance at the unfolding events. And with that, they leave the area.
Back at headquarters Notts is impatiently awaiting them, “Finally! Is the thing down??”
“About that, no, whatever it is, this Tirek, it had took no damage from our weapons.” Alloy starts.
“No damage?? That thing has been charging everywhere! It even went to the castle and did who knows what with the princesses!” Notts yells.
“Hey, we couldn’t do anything! It was like hell with that thing!” Alloy replies. Jackson nods,
“Not going back out there.” Jackson says.
“Well I have nothing! Maybe this thing will be stopped by some miracle.” Notts takes his seat and moves his hooves across his hair. Alloy and Jackson look at each other briefly and sit down in the quest chairs. The phone on Notts’ desk rings. He picks it up instantly, “This is Notts, yes….really?? Well I’ll be, got it, thanks for the update.” He hangs up and half smiles. “Ha, looks like we got our miracle. According to Agent Sweetie Drops, Tirek has been dealt with and all the princesses are back restoring order.”
“Wait...wha...?” Alloy’s eyes widens. Jackson crosses his arms.
“Well what do ya know” Jackson says, with a small smirk.
“Princess Twilight finally did something, whatever it was and defeated him.” Notts says as he steps off his office chair, “I need to go to a meeting about the whole thing. You guys take the day off.” Notts grabs his gray jacket and exits.
“Well how about that,” Alloy smiles.
“We got the day off at least,” Jackson says, they both walk out of the headquarters.
“Where are you going to go?” Alloy asks Jackson.
“I need to get home, check on my girl. See if everyone is safe,” Jackson tells him.
“Heh, alright be safe now, wouldn’t want you getting trampled by a giant magical creature.” Jackson makes a partial smile,
“Yeah, same goes for you, see you tomorrow Alloy.” He walks away. Alloy goes back into headquarters to the changing rooms he throws away the ripped suit and begins tending to his wounds. Some of the other agents, Wild Berry, Muffins, and Cloud Duster, enter as Alloy cleans his face.
“Did you guys see that thing?? It was huge; I only saw it from a distance!” Wild Berry starts.
“Oh no, I was helping the Wonder Bolts.” Muffins replies.
“It’s dead now, I think. The sky has cleared up.” Cloud Duster says.
“How about you Alloy, where were you in all this?” Wild Berry asks.
“Oh you know, fighting Tirek,” Alloy states casually.
“Haha! You? Oh come on, what are you on?” Wild Berry laughs, Cloud Duster chuckles.
“Maybe if you read your intel, you’d know,” Alloy says to them with a smile.
“Oh! Are you okay??” Muffin goes over to him with great concern.
“I’m okay Muffins, Jackson was there with me, we got out before things became too ugly,” Alloy states, he goes over to his locker.
“Why didn’t you take it out? Isn’t that why you’re here?” Wild Berry mocks as he goes to his locker.
“Oh Wild Berry, you ignorant pony. That thing took no damage whatsoever from our weapons, didn’t you see how that thing took all the magic out of others?” Alloy replies as he puts on his vest.
“No damage hu? Fine then, whatever you say Alloy.” Wild Berry takes out his things.
“What are we doing now?” Muffin asks Alloy.
“Boss said to take the day off, so I’m guessing that applies to us all.” Alloy starts for the exit.
“Oh nice!” Muffins smiles joyfully.
“I hear Notts is at a meeting,” Sweetie Drops says as she walks into the room, “He’s with the princesses, you know how that usually goes, he’s probably getting into trouble for not being able to do much.”
“Poor old Notts, you think this will affect us?” Cloud Duster asks her.
“Hard to tell, but we couldn’t do anything to that beast! Princesses Twilight herself defeated him.” Agent Sweetie states.
“What more do you know?” Alloy turns to her.
“It was all done with magic, that’s why you couldn’t dent him. He was literally a magic power house, inpenetable.” She replies.
“At least he’s gone now,” Alloy smiles at her.
“Yeah, whatever Princess Twilight did, worked,” Sweetie Drops turns to her locker.
“That's a relief, see you all tomorrow,” Alloy opens the door and leaves. Alloy looks up at the castle peaks; the sky is now a clear blue with some clouds. He walks down the street, ambulances and police with a mix of guards are rushing to aid many. Some builds have notable damages with traceable tracks of Tirek leading towards Ponyville. Alloy sits at a bus stop and waits, “Wonder if they’re coming or I’ll have to walk home.” He says to himself and waits 10 minutes, “Yep, looks like I’m walking.” He stands up and starts to walk.
Alloy arrives at his home with evening now showing its colors, a small modern house painted a light blue with its small almost non-existent lawn is his place. He opens the heavy tan door, going inside. “Meow!!!!!!!!” A small gray cat leaps onto Alloy’s face.
“Gah! Down Colla!” Alloy, using his magic, carefully removes the mischievous cat from his already scarred face.
“Meow. Meow. Meow!” Colla runs off to her bowl that is in the kitchen then hisses.
“I know, I know, you’re hungry. Give me a minute girl. He takes off his vest and throws it on a small brown sofa; he then levitates a bag of cat food and gently sprinkles some into Colla’s bowl. The cat purrs with happiness and begins feasting. Alloy smiles and then hops onto the sofa turning on the T.V.
“New News about the attack of-” Alloy flips the channel.
“Thank you Princess-” The channel starts. He flips it again.
“In related news, we are safe according to-” Alloy sighs and leaves it on.
“I’m missing my show.” He says to Colla who is now done with her food, “You’re going to get fat if you keep gobbling up all that aren’t you supposed to save some for later?” The cat meows and stares at him. A phone in the kitchen rings Alloy hurries up to answer, nearly tripping over Colla who scatters off after hearing the ringing. Alloy picks up, “Hello? Alloy speaking.”
“Alloy, son! Are you okay??” responds who seems to be his mother on the other end.
“Yes mother, thanks for calling. Though the event has long passed. How are you and father?”
“We’re doing just fine; the retirement home wasn’t really attacked.” Alloy’s mother starts.
“Why are you in a retirement home and not at home?’ Alloy asks her.
“Oh, we have that? I think it was your father that dropped me off to visit…someone” She says.
“And where is father now?” Alloy asks.
“Father, uh…I forgot. Something to do with business affairs.”
“Mom, tomorrow I need you to get your memory checked.” Alloy says with concern.
“Oh don’t worry about me son, I’m okay, how are you?” She starts again.
“Right….so, I’m going to call father now, you stay there in the retirement home.” Alloy hangs up and dials his father.
“Ah, son. How are you my boy?” Alloy’s father almost instantaneously answers.
“I’m well, did you leave mother at the retirement home?”
“Retirement home? Alloy, your mother is not that old, have some respect now.” Alloy’s father tells him.
“No, no, I mean she is at a retirement home right now, she called me from one.”
“Ah, okay. What’s she doing there?” he asks Alloy.
“Well, that what I was calling about. Are you busy?”
“A bit, just closing up some documents. Do me a favor and pick up your mother.”
“Me? I don’t have a car remember, plus nobody hardly uses them, only the rich.”
“Oh right, you disassembled it in your garage, tell me again, why did you do that exactly, it was expensive?” His father asks sarcastically.
“I needed the part for an invention of mine,” Alloy starts, “You know how I like doing that.”
“That I do, fine, I’ll go and get her in half an hour. Stay safe son.” He hangs up.
“Stay safe? Ha.” Alloy puts down the phone and heads out to the garage. Inside is the half destroyed car with parts of all kinds everywhere. There is a work bench in the middle of the garage with random items put together along with some broken or disassembled weapons. “I should really organize this place sometime.” He sits at his work bench and begins to levitate one of the items. He rotates it and sets it down carefully.
“Meow?” Colla hops onto the table.
“It’s supposed to be a gun that you wear on your arm.” Alloy tells her. “But I can’t seem to make it practical.” He picks one of the put together weapons. “Now this thing, I think if I can just find a way to make it hold magic, then I could have nearly limitless ammo.” Alloy smiles. Colla jumps on the weapon knocking it to the floor, parts fly off. “Colla! Agh, I’ll fix it later.” He stands and ushers her out, and goes out back into the kitchen, closing the garage door behind him.
Night time had fallen in the grand city of Cantorlot, the events that had occurred that day were now slowing down, there was still the sound of ambulances, and even the beginning of reconstruction could be heared. As for Alloy, he was in bed asleep giving little thought about what had happened. A knock at his window, which faced towards the backyard got him up. Wearily he hesitantly opened his dull yellow eyes and went to it, the knocker was agent Sweetie Drops.
“Alloy open up already!” Sweetie Drops yells in a whisper. Alloy tiredly opens the window.
“Hu? What are you doing here? What time is it? Did some ecliptic disaster occur?” Alloy asks. Sweetie jumps into the room, she has on a disguise.
“No, but it is a disaster.” Sweetie starts, “You know how Notts had to speak with the princess?”
“Yes…that usually happens. What you're getting at is something deeper I presume?”
“Yes. Alloy, the agency is under threat of being shut down.” Sweetie turns away saddened a bit, then turns back to see Alloy's reaction to this.
“So the Princesses finally decided to put an end to our services?” Alloy says, not all panicked as Sweetie thought he'd be.
“Yes! It's either that or we're going to end up like the royal guards, useless.” She says.
“The royal guards?? End up like them? Ha! No thank you, wait, how do you know this?” Alloy starts.
“Look Alloy, I've always been weary about being unwanted when I saw what the 'Main Six' as they're called, I've seen that they could take down high priority targets...So I've been seeing Notts notes on what happening..”
“By see do you mean take his paper without him knowing?” Alloy smiles a bit.
“Erm...yes, but that's besides the point Alloy!” She states.
“This doesn't sound to good, do the others know?” Alloy asks her.
“Not yet, you were the closets to me so I came here first.”
“Closest to me?” He slightly smiles.
“Location wise Alloy” She smirks.
“Oh, right hehe. I'll be sure to notify my partner Ice. He and I have talked about situations like this before, just didn't think it'd happen.” He sighs.
“I have a plan, for me and my partner, Muffins. If tomorrow something happens and we loose our job, come find us in Ponyville.” Sweetie says.
“Will do, thanks for coming by.”
“See you at work, remember be prepared for anything, even brainwash.” And with those final words, Sweetie hops out the window and runs off. Alloy yawns and closes the window. He gives his situation some thought, falling back to sleep shortly after.
Morning again, Alloy is awake before the alarm goes off. He waits tired in bed until his alarm finally goes off, he gets out of bed and stretches. His cat begins to meow repeatedly for food. Knowing the cat won't shut up until it's feed, it's the first thing he does. After that he does what is his daily morning routine, brush teeth, shower, prepare for work, turn on the TV, and make coffee. The time is 7:30 am when the morning cycle is completed. The remainder of the hour was used up getting to work at 8am. Alloy would usually take the bus, but due to yesterday's events the bus service was still down so he walked and teleported till he reached the familiar E.S.S building doors. He swipes his ID card and enters everyone else is there already in the small auditorium for the daily morning meeting. Alloy takes his spot next to a sleeping Jackson. Notts is at the front of the room, he looks more disorganized than his usual self he begins to speak.
“Ahem, good morning everyone, as you all know about yesterday's events I'll skip it. Now to more...important matters.” He hesitates. Every notices and pays attention, even Jackson looks up from his folded arms. “The Princesses and I had a discussion yesterday and from what they say these 'Main Six' as you all know, have indeed proven to be a great asset to our country. Which leads to all of us. What are we?” He asks out to them, not expecting a response, “We're E.S.S. The secret service that's supposed to protect this country from threats to escalate to the degree that was yesterday. Now what really did happen yesterday? We didn't do anything, we were overpowered, and our own abilities were useless to take down the beast, but these six were able to do it all by themselves! With some ancient power of friendship or something just as ridiculous. Where does that leave us then? No where. As of today our service are no longer needed to the extent that they used to be...we will be only a back up if the six are gone or can't do anything.” A general mumble begins in the room. “I know there are questions so ask away”
“What are we going to do then??” Cloud Duster asks aloud.
“You all have to take on new jobs, start new lives, but still remain a part of E.S.S. Sort of like sleeper agents in case a tragedy strikes.” Notts answers. More whispers and conversations start up.
“I'm getting out of here this is bull.” Jackson gets up and leaves, others follow, some throwing down their E.S.S IDs, some cursing. Eventually everyone in the facility takes their thing from their lockers and leave the building, including Notts.
Alloy walks back down the street his expression is one of near disbelief. E.S.S was a sort of hobby for him, something he could feel proud of at the end of the day knowing he had made a difference. It was just a hobby though as stated, but for his coworkers it was their life. Alloy was well off financially so that wasn't an issue, the real issue was the new void that now filled all his spare time. He could go back in his garage and finish unfinished projects he had, but he wanted something more.
After an hour of being back at home sitting on his couch starting at the TV and pondering he gets up. “Well that was boring! Hmm wonder if Sweetie Drops actually went to Ponyville yet. I should check up on Jackson as well...Later!” Alloy throws off his suit leaving just his vest and pink-red shaded tie. He looks at the time on his watch; 10am. He runs out the front door, not locking it, speeding down the streets. His father, who is in a carriage, stops him.
“Alloy! Son, hey where are you going in such a rush?” His carriage stops.
“To Ponyville”
“That little town? What on earth do you want to do there? More importantly, shouldn't you be at work? Or is this part of the job?”
“Hehe, well you see, we were all laid off.” Alloy says briefly.
“I knew it would happen sooner or later, well you have fun on whatever you're going to do over in...Ponyville. I have an important financial meeting with Fancy Pants.” With that Alloy's father is off.
“Goodbye to you too!” Alloy shouts out with a laugh. He continues onward, seeing a purple-like item glimmering in the distance.
End of Chapter 1.