//------------------------------//
// E.S.S: 2 - The Crystal Castle, Ice, and The Library  
// Story: E.S.S (Equestria's Secret Service) 
// by Power Hors3 
//------------------------------//

E.S.S. 2
The Crystal Castle, Ice, and The Library 

Alloy reached his destination (Ponyville) around 1pm that day, the only thing was he didn't know where to find Sweetie Drops. It came the time when he was now lost there. He didn't often go to that town and the only times he had, had been short and brief. Around him the townsfolk had also begun reconstruction of all the damaged properties caused by Tirek. Through all this, what really had gotten Alloy's attention was a giant purple shaded castle that was near the center of the town. That had not been there before the day before. Was it new? If so, how did they build it so fast, and out of crystals?? Actually, some of the townsfolk seemed to be awed by it as well as if they hadn't seen it before. A rather annoying noise began to draw closer to Alloy saying, “Hey, hey hey hey, hey, are you knew? Hey you! Behind you. Hey hey!” Alloy turned to see, a pink mare with puffy hair was bouncing with a smile towards him.
“Uh..heya are you talking to me?” Alloy responds half dazed. 
“Of course! You're new here right??” She asks.
“Sort of, I've been here before, I'm just uh..looking for someone.” Alloy responded.
“Oh! Silly me! I'm Pinkie! Welcome to Ponyville! Who are you looking for?” She asks.
“Pinkie….Pinkie Pie?” He thought to himself.  It couldn't be! She was part of the main six! The reason his job had been taken away. This gave Alloy mixed thought and emotions which he did not express outwardly.
“Helloooooo?” Pinkie waves her hoof in front of his face. 
“Oh, sorry, um, yes I'm looking for someone. A friend of mine who arrived this morning. She's a yellow-tan color for her coat. Her mane is blueish and pinkish, her mark are a bunch of candies I think.”
“Oh! You mean BonBon?” Pinkie asks.
“BonBon…? Umm, she has all the features I described?” 
“Yep! I'll take you to her!” Pinkie grabs Alloy's arm and runs down the streets with Alloy hardly keeping pace. They stop at a house some blocks down. “We're here!” She smiles.
“Thanks, see you around maybe?” Alloy smiles. 
“Maybe!” She bounces off. Alloy knocks at the door hearing some sort of argument going on inside. A light greened mare opens the door and closes it walking out enraged. She hardly notices Alloy standing there. 
“Who are you??” She ask trying to be polite. 
“I'm Alloy, I was told, uh..BonBon lives here?”
“Yes she does now. She inside the door's unlocked.” The mare walks off. Seeing no alternative, Alloy walks in seeing boxes everywhere.
“BonBon?” He asks out.
“Over here Alloy.” Sweetie says in a shaky voice. Alloy walks over to the living room where Sweetie drops is wiping away tears.
“Sweetie Drops are you...okay?” 
“Alloy…call me BonBon please, that's who I'm known as here. And...I'll be fine, just had an argument with a friend, but thanks for asking.” 
“I'm sorry I had to arrive at such a moment, I see you're moving here permanently?”
“Yes” She gets up.
“Where's Muffins?”
“She applying for a job here in town, where's Jackson?”
“He's at home or something, I've been meaning to check up on him, but haven't.”
“Oh, I see. Have you noticed the castle?” she asks.
“Yeah, I was about to ask you on that.” He chuckles lightly.
“It turns out whatever happened yesterday made a castle sprout out of the ground and now is inhabited by Princess Twilight.” She say casually as if giving a report.
“Sprouted out? Alright...things just keep on getting stranger. I've been meaning to ask, why did you move here?” 
“Two reasons, one my best friend lives here, two I want to keep an eye on the main six, it turns out they all live here. A coincidence maybe. It's important too because we no longer have as much access to restricted material.”
“Research hu? Hmm, uh, what do you know about the pink one?” Alloy asks.
“You don't know?” She asks.
“I've never paid much attention to them all until recently.” 
“She's the co-owner of a bakery here in town, local party maker, her element is the element of laughter.” 
“Element...of laughter? Is that code for something..?”
“No, it an actual element like of a mystical power that grants it's power to someone, all magic based. Honestly Alloy, you don't know this?”
“A little, like I said, I never went I depth with it.”
“Here” She takes out a notebook, “I've made these papers on them, read them so you can catch up.”
“After I read all this stuff, what do you want me to do?”
“That's mainly up to you, I would like to perhaps have a one on one conversations with one of them to know how truly powerful they are and their weaknesses, in case they ever become a threat.”
“Hmm, I think I can make something work out. How do we keep in touch?” He asks.
“I haven't thought of that. We could meet up every time we have something important to report. Here in town, there's a place called Hay's Burgers, let's meet there.”
“I'll look for it, anything else before we part?” 
“Yes, since you live in Cantorlot, I need you to take, or do research in their libraries, more specifically, the royal archives.” 
“It's manageable, I'll try.”
“If you do, don't get caught Alloy.”
“Get caught? Me?” He laughs a bit. “I won't Bon Bon,  I'll see you in a day or two.” 
“Be safe, and don't forget about the research” She says to him. He walks out the door and is ambushed by the green mare. He manages to escape her tossing her aside.
“Wow hey! I don't want any trouble now” He backs off.
“I don't either, I want to know what you two were talking about.” She asks him as she brushes off some dust. 
“Did you have to tackle me though?” He remarks.
“Sorry about that, it's been a long day. So tell me”
“Can't you ask her about it?” Alloy asks.
“I want to make sure she doesn't make it up.” she says.
“Make it up? Who are you by the way, never did catch your name.”
“It's Lyra Heartstrings, are you going to tell me?”
“Lyra, you need to have more trust in..Bon Bon” He recalls her new name, “She's a good pony, and from what she says you two are best friends. Trust her, she trust you.” Alloy says then walks off leaving Lyra in deep thought.
“What a crazy mare.” Alloy says to himself when he's out of view from the house. “Research. Something to do!” He smiles. 
“Research?” A familiar voice says from behind. He turns to see Pinkie trailing him.
“I thought I saw an extra shadow earlier, are you following me?” He asks the mare.
“Kinda, I was just catching up to say that there will be a party for you at 5pm today at the bakery.”
“A party for me? What'd I do?”
“You're new here! So that means there is something to celebrate.” She smiles. Alloy begins to question her logic, but goes along with. This could be the perfect research opportunity, and even more he thought. 
“Hmm, as good as reason as any, I'll be there maybe” He smiles back. She passes him an invitation.
“Here ya go!” She smiles once more then bounces off. Alloy smiles to himself. Perfect he thought. He had three hours to spare before the party, in that time he figured he could snoop around the new castle and possibly find out more of it's properties. Alloy went down town towards the castle and sat down on a nearby bench. There he took out the notes Sweetie Drops had given him, flipping through he finds a rough sketch of the castle that Sweeite made. 
“Looks like she's started research in this already. I'll add in some side notes as I go along.” He puts away the journal using his magic to teleport to some unknown place. Casually he walks towards the castle's entrance and, to his surprise, opens the unlocked door. There was no one there as far as he could tell, the light was emitted through the crystal walls creating a haunting appearance. “No guards” He makes the journal appear and writes that down. He steps with caution feeling a chill, he looks at his watch that, on the side, has a thermostat. 50 degrees he takes note. A noise causes him to skew next to a pillar. He watches as Twilight and a dragon walk about the castle conversing.
“Spike this castle is huge, I didn't think we'd get this” She says to the dragon.
“You said some magic or something made it just pop out? A whole castle? Was it buried or something?” 
“I don't think so, I think it was just the tree of harmony giving it to us for protecting Equestria.” she responds.
“Yeah but the others didn't get a castle.”
“It belongs to all of us, it's just I live here that's all”
“It's rather empty here.” Spike looks around. They pass by Alloy's pillar and walk outside closing the door behind them. 
“It's my castle now!” Alloy hops out from the pillar and begins to run around the castle almost like a child. He reaches a room that looks like a throne room. “This looks interesting...” He goes around the room and sees a chair that has the same mark as Pinkie. “What? She has a throne too?” In the center of the room there are lines that lead to each of the chairs. “Some sort of trap door?” After some time he finds out nothing more besides the unique patterns on the walls. He starts heading towards the main door when it is suddenly opened by Spike and Twilight, quickly he rushes over to pillar he had been before. 
“Hold on Spike...I heard something.” Twilight says to Spike. She looks around.
“Uh, I think it's just the castle you know? It's new and stuff right? Probably some creaks Twilight.” Spike assures her.
“I think you're right, this castle is so big, I don't think I'll ever get used to it.” She says to the dragon and they continue away into one of the other halls. Alloy takes his chance to leave the castle.

Some time later Alloy is back in Cantorlot, he is on his way to Jackson's home. The general area Alloy is in is a more run down part of the city, the neighborhood feels unwelcoming and has obvious signs of possible dangers. He realized some of the ponies, the ones on the corners were perhaps drug dealers. “It's always been strange to me that Jackson lives around here” He thinks to himself. 
“Hey you, the one with the vest!” A male pony in a hoodie asks while approaching. 
“Hmm? Yes what can I do for you?” Alloy asks.
“What do you think you're doing roaming this area??” He asks.
“I've been here before, like several times” Alloy says trying to send him on his way.
“Don't stay here long then” The pony says to him, leaving. Alloy looks at him a while than continues on to an apartment complex. Little fillies are outside playing with the sprinklers, others are just chasing each other. In a chair near the front doors there is an older mare is overlooking the children, taking a few hits from a cigar. Alloy proceeds inside going up a flight of stairs to a door marked #56. He knocks a few times times. “Bamm!” The door hits his face. Another angry mare walks out swearing off as she goes.
“Why does this door open outwardly??” Alloy rubs his nose. 
Jackson walks out.“Oh, Alloy sorry about that, my girls not the best today.”
“Yeah, no kidding! What are you doing today?” Alloy asks.
“Looking for work mostly.”
“Work?”
“Yes, the thing ponies have to do to pay rent. Something you don't worry about I'm sure.” Jackson says.
“Ha, right. Have any success?”
“No, that's why my girl was infuriated.”
“Oh I get it now.”
“Yeah, how about you Alloy, what have you been doing?” Jackson walks in and sits. Alloy follows him in closing the door.
“Just, researching. Paid a visit with Sweetie Drops in Ponyville, seems she lives there now.”
“Sweetie Drops hu? I see you're chasing after someone” Jackson chuckles.
“I..uh, I mean she's alright, but no. I'm not looking into..uh being with her.” Alloy replies defensively
“It was a joke hehe, have you seen that new castle there?”
“Seen? I've been in it!” Alloy declares.
“Sneaking around? You try'n get yourself into trouble? Which reminds me, what the hell are you doing roaming around these parts of the hood? You look like a perfect target for a jacking, could get you into even more trouble.”
“Eh, don't worry about me partner, I'll be fine. So want to research with me?”
“You're so naive sometime I swear. As for the research, it depends. What does it involve?” Jackson asks.
“Breaking into royal archives, surveillance of the main six, stuff like that.” Alloy summarizes.
“Sounds risky...does it pay?” He asks.
“Well...not exactly.”
“Sorry Alloy, I'll have to pass on this one. I need a job badly right now, I have about a months worth in the bank. That's not going to last me long.” Jackson says.
“I understand, if you need something to do, call me up. Hehe, I may be hiring one day” Alloy says with a smile.
“I'll keep it in mind, don't get into to trouble.” Jackson warns.
“Trouble me? That's easy, you're the one that needs to stay out of trouble!” Alloy jokes as he heads towards the door.
“Right, says the one who set the office on fire.” Jackson remarks. Alloy opens the door.
“Hey, accidents happen!” Alloy laughs, “See you sometime Jackson.” 
“We'll see, bye Alloy” 
Alloy leaves the building.

Evening now begins to fall upon Cantorlot, Alloy now finds himself eating some plain hay at a side shop. He looks towards the massive library that is the Cantorlot Archives near the main castle. After paying he heads on inside as a normal one would, some secretaries there looks up slightly but keep on working behind their desks. There are a variety of sections there, the one he was looking for was at the very back under lock, since it had entrance into the main castle. Alloy pretended to to look through some books about biology, slowly making his way from one section to another. It was tedious work to fit in there, often the guards would look his way making sure he wasn't going near the restricted sections. He observed as one of the secretaries got up and presented her badge to the guards and passed trough to the area. “Hmm..” He thought, “I could teleport in, no it's likely magic proofed. Woo the sectarians? Nah, too much work. Steel a pass? Bingo.” He then went over to a desk where a secretary was busy typing. 	
“Ahem, excuse me. I'm looking for a specific books on crystals, can you help me find some?” He asked the older male.
“Crystals? You'd be better off finding better ones in the Crystal Empire, but I'll show you what we have here.” The male went on ahead of Alloy going towards the geology section. Alloy peered occasionally to see where his badge was. On his shirt. The male began to show Alloy the different types of books, as he reached up to get one of the books, Alloy snatched up the badge placing it in his vest pocket. 
“This is the one! Thank you so much” Alloy grabbed a random book on obsidian. 
“Glad I could help.” The male says and parts away. Alloy helped put away the other books and sat there for a while flipping through the pages. To his surprise, this book mentioned the elements of harmony, describing there composition as unknown and ancient. 
“The elements, this book can't describe them, I bet once I get into the back I'll surely find something more.”  Suddenly a thought crosses his mind. “PINKIE'S PARTY! I missed it!!” He rages inwardly he looks at the time, nearing 8 now. “No no! Dammit!” He hits his head on the table he's at.
“Are you okay sir? A mare asks him.
“Oh, yes, I was misinterpreting some information in this book hehe.” He answers.
“Okay, hope you can concentrate better.” She smiles and leaves. Alloy sits there a while angry at himself for his forgetfulness. He finally decides it's not worth getting mad over and continues his mission. Quickly he makes his way to the back, the guards use a scanner to see his badge's authenticity. The guards don't question his purpose for being there, letting him pass through the gates. 	
It's darker there than the rest of the library, more ancient and preserved to outside change. He sees random scrolls everywhere, most of them older than he was. The sections there were not to well organized, having sections like, time spells, destruction spells, cure spells. Nothing to specific as he expected, he'd have to look through many scrolls to find what he was after. 
“Might as well begin” he says in a low voice. As the time passed the library closed, but Alloy remained in the back with little concept of how late it was getting. A door opened, someone else entered the large area. Alloy made his way around keeping his distance. The one who entered was the mighty Celestia herself. Alloy gulped becoming unusually nervous, which he was not often. He saw as she wrote something at a small desk near a window then left the room after a while. He sighed and went forward to see what she had written. The scroll which she had written on said: 'My student Twilight, which I my self have learned from has been adjusting to her new castle. After yesterday's big event, our Equestrians has begun to readjust to their lives. Usually I would have E.S.S. clear some of the memories, but I feel that with such a grand event, it would cause damage. E.S.S. has been put on hold from operating for the time being, I still feel concerned about this nation's safety, even with Twilight and her friends, I'll leave E.S.S. as a possibility in the future, for now it'll be paused. Also I think my sister ate the cake piece I left in the fridge' End note. Alloy sighs.
“A possibility...” He had gone though many of the scrolls there that night but found nothing conclusive. Finally it came to the point when he had fallen asleep at one of the desks there.

The library opened that morning as it had always had, Alloy was still asleep in the restricted section. His alarm on his watch was the only thing that managed to awaken him. “Hmm?” He looked around. “The library. I found nothing!” He gets up and starts to leave. Someone else, he just noticed had been in the room at the time of his awakening. 
“Good morning” Luna says to Alloy sending a sudden chill upon him. He turns.
“Princess Luna! What a nice surprise” He says, pretending to belong there.
“You were here all night?” She asks noticing that part of his face hair is flat due to the side he had been sleeping on.
“Oh yes, accidentally fell asleep while in study.” He responds.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?” 
“As a matter of fact, I did need dome help finding something about the” He thinks compelled to tell the truth, “The Elements of Harmony” 
“An interesting subject to study, are you a scholar?”
“Not exactly, I'm more curious about them, seeing how the main six used them and how it has protected our nation over the years.” 
“Yes, that it has. I'm sure my sister may have more knowledge on them, but it's hard to get sometime to speak with her. I think, perhaps speaking with Twilight about it may better aid you in your search.” She suggest.
“I think that'll help thanks.” Alloy smiles. Luna grabs a scroll and starts to head out but stops.
“I didn't get your name, who are you?” She asks.
He thought to himself, if he were to lie would she know? She could be reading his thoughts! So he decided to tell the truth, “My name is Alloy.”
“Alloy? I think I've heard your name somewhere. Well, Alloy, hope you find what you need.” And with that she left the room. Alloy thought for a second and headed towards the desk Celestia had been at last night. There were many scrolls there of the happenings throughout her reign. He thought about taking some but had already spent a long time at the library, and she'd probably notice.

Alloy left the library, the time now 9am. It was the weekend now, time to update BonBon on what he had found out.

End of Chapter 2.