E.S.S.: 3
The Trio and A's
Alloy was exhausted from his night, he did not know when he had fallen asleep but whenever it was, it had been at a late hour. He felt a sudden hunger, it had been nearly over 12 hours since his last meal. He rushes home to feed the cat which is extremely disappointed with the lack of food she's had. "So sorry Colla, I was on a mission, you know how things are." He says to the cat which hisses at him, still waiting on its food. He smiles a bit and levitates the cat food over, pouring some into the cat's bowl. The cat makes a happy sound and eats away. Alloy himself makes a simple breakfast of eggs and fries with a side of orange juice. Remembering the notes Sweetie Drops had given him, he begins to read them. He had heard about the main six before, who hadn't? They had reformed Luna, Discord, defeated Sombra, Crysllis, and now had beaten the almighty Tirek. In most occasions such as Somba's return and Crysillis' attack, E.S.S had been involved in taking out some of the enemies. With Sombra, E.S.S had been there ready in case the shield broke over the city. At the wedding, E.S.S had fought of many Changelings, that is until a magical blast literally blew them away. Through many such occasions, E.S.S has been there. As Alloy recalled, E.S.S had been around nearing the time Luna had been banished.
He put away the notes and headed to his room, he threw his clothes into a laundry bin. His chest had some fluffy white fur on it that was hidden mostly by the clothes he wore. "What to wear," he looked through his closest, most of the clothes were formal, just the way he liked it. So he choose another vest, another dress shirt and another tie, putting them on quickly. He sniffed himself. "Oh goodness I smell horrible..." He takes off the clothes and heads into the shower.
He comes out, teeth washed and himself washed smelling like soap. He sniffs again, "Mm much better!" Quickly, he puts on his clothes and, taking the notes, and rushes out of the house. Again forgetting to lock the door.
Some time later, 11am, he was back in Ponyville. The buses were now back on schedule and that made everything much simpler. Alloy caught a glimpse of Pinkie as he walked past to find Hay's Burgers. As he turned to look another way she appeared before him, startling him into a defensive position.
"Alloy! That's your name!" She starts, "Where'd you go yesterday??"
"I had something come up, sorry for the trouble of the party" He says.
"Nah don't be! Someone told me you left town so I canceled it before anything went up!" She smiles. Alloy smiles a bit too, wondering how she knew he had left and who had told her.
"Are you planning another party, because I'm not staying long, I don't want you to go through the trouble of organizing it" Alloy finally says.
"Let me think.." She pauses, "You're not staying here long, so I got it!"
"You got what?" Alloy asks confused.
"I'll bake you a special cake! Just for you so you can eat it at home!" She smiles again.
"You really don't have to..."
"It's the least I can do without giving you a party!" She says eager to begin baking.
"Heh, alright thanks Pinkie" He starts to turn to leave.
"Wait! When are you leaving town??"
"Sometime this afternoon, before 1pm" Alloy estimates.
"It'll be done by then! I'll find you at the bus stop!" She grins and hops away. Alloy felt like it was all unnecessary, but he really liked cake so better for him! And he got it from Pinkie, which he know knew that she was a fantastic baker from Sweetie's notes. Anyways, he resumed his walk to the restaurant, which was not far off. He entered and causally ordered a milk shake and sat waiting for Sweetie Drops. As it so happens, Muffins came in as well a few minutes after and instantly noticed Alloy greeting him with a firm hug.
"Alloy! You came to town! Sweet-, I mean BonBon told me you'd be coming, how are you??"
“I'm doing well myself, what have you been doing?”
"Oh I've gotten a new job at the post office, I used to work there actually, BonBon and I have been also doing research."
"Ah so you're part of the little team too hu?" Alloy asks.
"Mm hmm! I go through some of the letters the six receive, it's all normal bills and stuff so far." She says. BonBon enters the place, orders a drink and sits with them, she is wearing shades.
"Hey you two, you should wear a disguise." BonBon says.
"Those shades really don't do anything" Alloy says to her. Muffins nods in agreement.
"Well... Okay maybe you're right, anyways did you get in?" She asks taking off the glasses.
"Yes, I managed to get in. I wrote some notes in your notebook if you don't mind" He passes the book to her.
"In where?" Muffins asks.
"Oh the Royal Archives." Alloy responds.
"Shh, not so loud" Bonbon looks around. "What'd you find Alloy?"
He leans in, "I was there all night, I saw that there were many high spells there, anyways pertaining to the Main Six, there wasn't much of what we already know. I did actually read some of Celestia's writing which went so far back it was hard to get anything on the elements specifically"
"Good job Alloy, it's a shame their archives don't have what we're looking for" BonBon says.
"I ran into Luna this morning." Alloy says.
"You did?? In the library?" She asks.
"Yes, we had a small conversation, and she suggested I talk to Twilight about the elements."
"Alloy! You could have been held as suspicious! Luna could have had you executed!" She says rather loudly, then lowers her voice, "You got lucky"
"She didn't seem to find it odd that I was there, but I suppose it was a close call" Alloy sips from his milkshake.
"Wow hehe typical Alloy" Muffins smiles.
BonBon sighs and smiles a bit, "Okay, well I'm glad you're safe, now I have another thing for you to check out."
"Tell me, and I'll get right on it" Alloys says, his milkshake nearly empty.
"There's a guy I know, well that I know little about, but I found out about him a while back when I went into Notts' office. The guy's name is A. He's a male earth class. He was making deals with Notts until I came in and he left. So to the point, I would like to know who he is and what he his deals are about." She says.
"You're sounding more and more like a boss every time we speak" Alloy jokes, "Then again you are really good at what you do."
"Oh Alloy, you know it's just the three of us right now. I'm sorry for sending you off on so many missions...it's not my intention it's just we're short on ponies to help." BonBon says sincerely. Muffins finishes her drink.
"I understand, I'm not complaining. It gives me something to do" Alloy smiles, "Any leads on where the A is?"
"Well...not exactly" BonBom says.
"Wait I know!" Muffins blurts out, "I have this flier thingy!" She takes out a paper from her bag. "It says A's pawn shop right here" She smiles.
"Let me see" BonBon reads it, "Seems like this may be the guy, it has the shop's address and number. Fine work Muffins."
"Glad to help! Hey I have to go make these deliveries, it was nice seeing you two." Muffins hugs them both and rapidly leaves.
"That Muffins is a smart one, a good memory for recalling things." Alloy smiles.
"Indeed, I'm glad she's staying with us." BonBon says with a small sigh.
"What's wrong?" Alloy asks.
"It's just the three of us Alloy...all of the agency either left, became part of the military or something else." She drinks from her cup.
"We're doing a good deal of work without them, and you're the best of the best with this. I'm sure later down the road we'll get more members" Alloys assures her.
"Thanks for that, it means a lot, I've been stressing out on a few this like what if the main six turn on us or what if they're defeated. I don't want to be left defenseless. That military we have is all just for show, have you seen them fight? It ridiculous how Tirek defeated them all..."
"I know, that's another reason I'm here with you, you have a purpose to keep our home safe." He smiles again, "Oh I nearly forgot to to inform you that I also got into the new castle"
"Thank you...wait what?? You got into Twilight's castle? What did you find??" She asks changing her stressed tone to a sudden surprised one.
"It was open, and inside there was really nothing there. Really empty besides Twilight and Spikes rooms which had some books and furniture. I took some notes in your notebook if you want my full observations. There's nothing really out of the ordinary about it besides the crystal that it's made out of." Alloy summaries.
"I see, again good job. I appreciate it, here have the flier good luck on the mission" she gets up.
"Take care now BonBon, if there's anything more that I can help give me a call."
"I will, see you next week, maybe sooner of something comes up." She leaves the place, throwing away her cup as she goes. Alloy looks at the flier which has an image of the earth pony named A on it. He looks like a rather shady guy wearing a flame shaped necklace.
"A, what a simple name." He thinks and leaves, putting the flier in his pocket and leaving a tip on the table. He goes to the bus stop where he finds Pinkie happily bouncing towards him, he can't help but smile.
“Here you go! As I said” She hands him a box, which he opens. The cake has his name in large letters.
“Looks amazing, what is it made out of?” He asks.
“Strawberry!”
“You're amazing! That's one of my favorite flavors” He smiles more, “Thank you Pinkie”
“I'm glad you like it”
“It really kind of you, I well, feel like I should make it up to you somehow” He says.
“No need! It's my standard to give everyone new something nice and feel welcomed.” She smiles.
“Okay, heh, but if there's something you need in the future, next time I'm around, ask.” He offers.
“I'll keep it in mind!” She says, “See ya around silly!” She goes off and away. Alloy watches her leave then waits on a chair for the bus to arrive.
The address from the flier takes him to another rundown place in Cantorlot except this time it's nicer than Jackson's neighborhood. There are normal shops such as phone stores, clothing stores and such, mostly a shopping district. He stands in front of the store that has, in big neon letters written: A's Pawn. He walks in, the door had a little bell to signal a customer.
"Welcome to my little shop in the jewel of Equestria! We also sell jewels of you're interested" A greets with a smile, "What're you looking for? We have it all, tvs, phones, rings, weapons?"
Alloy only hears the last part and says, "Weapons hu? That interest me"
"Looking for a little protection ay? Come over to this counter" A leads Alloy to the back counter where he reveals knives of all sizes along with spears, swords, bows and such. He notices a little trap door under the mat where A is standing.
"I'm looking for something more...dangerous, something with kick"
"Kick eh?" He leans in to whisper, "You want to look at the lead shooters?"
"The guns?" Alloy asks.
"Shh not so loud, yes the guns" A says.
" Yes."
"What a great customer!" A goes over to close the shop, "We need to make the exchange quick, you know how the law is" A rushes to the trap door and unlocks it with a key that is his flame shaped necklace.
"What type do you have?" Alloy asks.
"I just got a whole new stock! Come on down" A climbs down, Alloy follows. In the basement, which seems to be larger than the shop above, there are many weapon types as well as regular store supplies.
“Quite the selection, where'd you get them all from?”
“Trading with the officials, some are from out of country, but you don't wanta here bout all that, you're here to buy” A says.
“Officials? Like what kind?”
“Hey hey, that's for me to worry about, now what type of gun are ya looking for?”
“Have you dealed with a stallion named Notts?” Alloy asks directly, he could tell A was probably not a good fighter, he was just a supplier, and from what it seemed he had no helpers near him or at the store. It was just them.
“I might have, what does it matter to you?” A responds, he knows he's in a bad spot.
“I worked for him. He was my boss before we left.” Alloy answers.
“Looking for blackmail?”
“No, he was a good boss. I just want to know what was your business with him.” Alloys says.
“Weapons, if that isn't obvious. He sold them to me, I sold some to him. It was all mutual, and it was that way for years. Until recently, it stopped but he gave me more than I ordered, which is good for me.” A grins. Alloy walks over to a crate and opens it, E.S.S. weapons.
“Yes, I remember some of these from work.” Alloy says.
“And what exactly was that work?” A asks, now feeling more comfortable knowing Alloy is not there as a threat.
“Just security.” He says.
“Must of been some heavy security then, these weapons are huge! You don't see these around often” A chuckles.
“It was. Well that's all I needed.” Alloy goes back up. A closes the trap door.
“Is that really all you came for?”
“Yes, but I suppose I may visit you again sometime, for some business.”
“Just what I like to hear! Here's my card.” A tosses him a card with his face on it.
“Now before I do leave, is your business with Notts over?”
“Yes, since this little shut down you speak of, he's stopped communicating.”
“Great, don't tell him I came or next time I see you, we'll have different business.” Alloy says in a serious tone.
“Hey, as long as you don't speak to the authorities about my guns, we're okay” A says.
“I won't.”
“Good” He reopens the shop, “Looking forward to your business” Alloy walks out of the shop and heads home.
Arriving home, he remembers the cake he had gotten from Pinkie, which was at the table where he had left it before going to fine A. “Mmm what delicious looking cake.” He said aloud. Colla interrupted him with a meow and a hiss. She scoots her bowl and meows louder. “I didn't forget!” Alloy says to her giving her food from the cat bag. He sits at his 3 chaired table and takes a slice eating it. It was sweet and had real strawberries in it as Pinkie had said. “Amazing!” Levitating a cup of milk over to himself he finished the slice and drank. Afterward he washed the dishes, brushed his teeth, showered, and went to bed early.
The next morning at 9 am Alloy had nothing to do so he was sitting in his sofa seeing the 9am news. Colla is near him sleeping lazily. The phone in the kitchen rings making Colla, as usual, freaks out and runs away, Alloy yawns and levitates the phone over to him and answers.
“Alloy speaking.”
“Alloy it's me BonBon, you need to get here right away!”
“In a flash.” Alloy hangs up asking no further questions. He puts on his shirt, vest, and watch. Quickly he brushes his hair back to how it usually was and left his house, door unlocked.
Within 30 minutes he reaches Ponyville tired, due to him teleporting his way there. He knocks on BonBon's door. She opens up quickly and steps out.
“Alloy, good you came, walk with me” She says.
“What's the situation?” He asks as they walk.
“Muffins said the Main Six were headed out altogether somewhere.”
“And that's important..?” Alloy was confused.
“Yes! Very, you see each time they go out like this, something big happens. In addition to that they all left from the castle. Muffins and I are staying here as usual and are going to see what caused them to leave, we'll look for clues in the castle.”
“How long ago did they leave?”
“Over half an hour ago, they took a train. The one that leaves to the further reaches of our lands it's costly, but I know you have that covered.”
“Yes, alright, anything I should take?”
“Anything you see fit to take, it'll be a long journey.” BonBon says.
“I'll just be spying, I best get going then” Alloy starts running ahead.
“Good luck Alloy!” She shouts out.
They go their separate ways, Alloy boards the steam train sometime later with a pack of basic supplies such as water, matches, a change of clothes, food, and a small shelter. Overall the bag weighs 20 pounds. He takes his assigned chair and looks out the window, the trains in Equestria were fast due to there reliance on both coal, steam, and most importantly, magic. What Alloy saw was the landscape quickly passing by, with 3 minutes they were already out of Ponyville. Making himself comfortable he fell into a deep sleep.
The train stopped and he got off, looking around he was in the middle of nowhere at a desert landscape, the train parted. This was the train's last spot, he had no clue where to go from here. So he began to walk forward from the train's last tracks, he found a balloon on the ground, no doubt Pinkie's, he thought. Going along even more he found more balloons, looking at his watch he noticed it had been nearly closing in to 1pm. Honestly he was exhausted from the heat and walking.
More time passed and he was in mildly tropical area, it had more shade than the desert, he found a river and drank from it. The balloons lead him to a bridge which as unstable as it seemed, was sturdy so he crossed. Eventually after another hour or so the balloon trail which he usually found one every mile stopped at the edge of the small sub-tropical forest. He wasn't certain where he'd go but forward was the best choice he thought. It was now closing in on evening the sun was beginning to make it's final turn. He was at the edge of a small cliff, looking over he saw a small settlement with simple houses except for the one at the end which was the largest. Sliding down, he made his small tent there and couldn't help but to fall asleep, exhausted.
It was nightfall when Alloy was awakened by a rather loud noise outside his tent. He was shocked to see two ponies with large smiles staring at him.
“Welcome!” One of them said.
“Where am I exactly?” Alloy asked him, he stood up.
“Our town!” The other replied with the creepy smile.
“It's just. Our town?” Alloy asks.
“Yes! It could be your town too! Come on we'll show you!” They both said. Alloy packed his tent and followed them into town, which was now lighten up by lamps, most ponies where indoors.
“Wait what's that?” Alloy pointed to a prison, that in it held the main six.
“Oh don't mind that, it's our local prison where non-equals like us are kept.” Said the male.
“Equals?” He asks.
“Yes look!” They both excitedly showed there equal marks.
“How'd you do that?” Alloy asks. He catches a glimpse of Pinkie in the prison.
“Our leader, Starlight will show you!” One of them says, as he leads them to the biggest house. One of them knocks. Starlight opens.
“Ah a new guest! Welcome welcome” She says aloud offering him entrance.
“Thanks, nice little place you have here” Alloy flatters her.
“You think so? It is isn't it? It's a perfect Utopia put together by myself.” She somewhat brags.
“I noticed the cutie marks, what's up with that?”
“Oh yes, we all have the same ones so nobody is superior to anyone else.” She says.
“How do you get them like that, do you paint them on?” He asks.
“What paint them on??” She says, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Oh it's just a question, sorry if I intruded.”
“We remove them with a spell I have, I can show you.” She offers.
“I like my mark just fine” He answers.
“Oh but I'm sure once you see the benefits of being just as one, you'll surely want that thing off” She smiles.
“We'll see, speaking of such, I need a place to rest tonight, do you have an extra place around here?”
“Why yes, I'm sure any of our citizens here would be delighted to have a spot for you, stay here, I'll go out and ask one of them.” She leaves followed by the other two, Alloy alone in her home.
“What a wacko place, same cutie marks, plain clothing, same houses it seems, weird smiles, and they have the six in their prison. I could break them out…No I mustn't interfere with them, could have me suspicious once things are over.” He says to himself. After 5 minutes, Starlight enters with a gray-pink mare that as wearing a cooking apron.
“Here you are. Oh my, I nearly forgot to ask your name friend.” Starlight says to Alloy.
“It's Blur, Blur Red.” Alloy makes up.
“Nice name, Blur Red, this is our town baker, she'll be lending you a spot in her home” She smiles. The mare in the apron smiles as well.
“Thanks, I'm truly humbled by your kindness” Alloy says.
“It's getting late, come along” The mare in the apron says. Starlight watches with a smirk as they leave.
At the baker's house Alloy is given a bed, aka the living room couch. The mare is with him staring at his rear, which makes him uncomfortable.
“Your cutie mark is beautiful...” She starts.
“Beautiful? Hmm never given it's beauty into perspective.” Alloy responds, “What was your mark before you changed it?”
“It was…something else, I'm not allowed to say.” She says rather sadly.
“Oh, I see, it's alright” He sits on the sofa which is his makeshift bed. She sits by him.
“Blur Red, where do you come from?” She asks.
“A place called Ponyville in Equestria” He lies, but is convincing.
“Ponyville….yes. I've heard of that place before.”
“How about you?” Alloy asks her.
“Just a small town somewhere, I can't recall much of it” She answers.
“Are we here alone?” He asks.
“Yes...why?” She says kind of feeling suddenly insecure.
“Just asking, I wouldn't want to disturb anyone that's asleep”
“My name is Sugar Belle” She says suddenly.
“Oh, uh, lovely name” Alloy says awkwardly.
“Earlier today those six came into town, they all had different cutie marks, but they were still friends”
“Those six, what happened to them?”
“I..I well, can't really say...” She looks out of her window, “We might be being watched”
“What?” Alloy asks.
“Those six are special, and so are you, I realized it earlier when I spoke to them here.” She continues, seeming to ignore his question.
“When did they arrive?”
“Around mid-day, they were able to roam free around town to see how great it is. And then after some...ahem things happened, they were thrown in our prison...their marks were replaced.”
“With that equal sign you have?” He asks.
“Yes. I've spoken too much already...you make yourself comfortable. I-I need to go. See you in the morning.” Sugar Belle says in a hurry and runs up stairs shutting the door. Alloy sits there looking in the direction she went. He then slowly peers out the window and sees how a white stallion was watching the house from a distance. Shutting the curtain quickly, he laid on the couch and thought about possibly helping out. The main six were captured. Was it still his job to help them? No, his job was to protect Equestria, this had nothing to do with the endangerment of Equestria. Maybe it did though, if the main six were gone, then would that endanger the country? Everything seemed okay back at home, this was an isolated town anyways. He wondered if Sweetie and Muffins were concerned about him being gone so long, and the main six being gone a while too.
The lantern that lighted the room turned off on it's own. Alloy rolled over on his side. He wasn't trapped here. He could leave right now and go back home. Or were they going to imprison him too? He knew now that if they went as far as to take the main six, he'd have to watch his back. “I'm on my own here” He thought. Nobody could help him if he was taken. This hadn't crossed his mine till now, and it made him begin planning out numerous scenarios until he fell asleep.
End of Chapter 3.