//------------------------------//
// E.S.S: 13 - Personality Issues with a Mix of Love 
// Story: E.S.S (Equestria's Secret Service) 
// by Power Hors3 
//------------------------------//

E.S.S: 13 
Personality Issues with a Mix of Love

Sugar had awakened earlier than Alloy, she had slept on the couch but saw that Alloy's bedroom door was opened and went to it. Alloy was still in bed, so she took the chance to go into the kitchen and start to cook. Once she finished cooking, she had hoped Alloy would have gotten up but was sadly mistaken. She peaked again into his room, he was still asleep. After a while she decided to eat then sit and watch the T.V. Eventually Alloy wakes up and heads to the living room where he sees Sugar.
“You're finally up! I made you breakfast, want me to warm it up for you?” She stands, already on her way the kitchen.
“Yes please.” He tries to smile, “I slept..a lot”
“I was starting to wonder if you'd ever get up, Sweetie called a while ago. She said we'd all meet with Celestia later today at one P.M.” 
“Celestia...she might know something..” He says softly, but loud enough that Sugar hears it. 
“Something about what?” She asks as she microwaves the food. 
“It's, something about that guy from yesterday that tried to kill you three.” He lies.
She takes out the food and places it on the table for him, “What were you doing last night with that one guy anyways? You said you were on a mission with him right?”
“Yeah...” He eats the eggs.
“I'm sorry if I interrupted Alloy..”
“No you're fine. I was just worried for you..” He looks at her. She blushes a bit.
“I was worried about you too, that's why I followed.” She smiles.
“If you're curious, he's a dark magic user, he can amplify some of his senses and do other unnatural things.”
“Like that shadow thing?” She asks.
“You saw that? Yes, that's one of the things, I also had had a mission earlier with him yesterday”  He drinks some orange juice. He picks up a baked good, “What's this? It smells good” 
“It's a little new thing I made just this morning, it's like a bagel mixed with a doughnut, it has fruit filling.” She says. He takes a bit and instantly likes it.
“Amazing, you've really outdone yourself, I should have woken up sooner!” He keeps eating it.
“Yes! It's a success” She smiles, “Look it's getting close to one, we should leave!” She stands up. Alloy swallows the rest of the baked goods and they both head out. 

At the castle Sweetie, Muffins, and Jackson are already there awaiting them. “Ay look who's here” Jackson says, he comes over to Alloy and whispers, “Enjoy your night friend?” He chuckles.
“She only stayed over” Alloy says quickly. Sugar goes to talk with Muffins.
“Uh hu sure” He winks.
“Hey, it's none of your business anyways” Alloy smiles, “Oh yeah, did you manage to hire a few workers?” 	
“I got out and looked for the strongest unemployed, I found 5 willing to work”
“Good job, but we need more, they don't all need to be very strong.” 
“Gotcha, I'll get on it later.” Jackson says.
“Are you two done?” Sweetie goes to them, “The Princess is waiting.”
“Heh, yeah. Come on Jackson.” Alloy smiles a little. They all enter the palace and are lead by a guard straight to the throne room.   
“Welcome all. Guards you may take your leave” Celestia says. The guards all leave the room, only the five and Celestia are in the room, “Is everyone well now from yesterday's events?” She asks to specifically Muffins, Sugar, and Sweetie.
“Yes Princess, everything is back to normal.” Sweetie reports.
Celestia nods, “That's relieving to hear. I was going to tell you to interrogate the prisoner, Max, but it appears that he has escaped”
“What? How did this occur?” Sweetie blurts out.
“I can explain” Alloy steps forward. “Yesterday I went on a mission for Notts to either help 'Max' escape or to kill him. I chose to spare him, he was on E.S.S' old agents; Wild Berrie”
“I knew I recognized the weapon!” Muffins adds. 
“Ahem, yes he used the same weapon.” Alloy says. 
Celestia thinks a bit, “What shame, he was a good agent. Alloy, have you found out any more from your time with Notts?”
“I knew they had agents in high positions here, but I don't have a list of who specifically” He says.
“Do you think we can flush them out with one strike at their home base?” Celestia asks.
“I don't think we can, not only are they well trained, they might have other bases that I don't know of” 
“Very well, you may continue your work with him.” Celestia says. She turns to the others, “As for the rest of you, in three days there will be a gala here and I'd like you all to be here for extra insurance that nothing drastic occurs.” All nod, “Thanks for your compliance, is there anything more anyone would like to bring up?” 
“Yes, but I must speak to you about it in private.” Alloy says suddenly. The other four agents look at him a bit confused. Celestia nods in approval, and the others leave.
“Come, let's walk and talk, I don't like being cramped on the throne all day” Celestia chuckles a little and begins to walk, Alloy follows, “What's this you wish to discuss?” She asks him.
“After yesterday's mission for Notts I became curious in what my partner for the mission told me during the mission” 
“This partner, who is he or she?” 
“He goes by the name: Silent Death. He use some sort of shadow magic”
“Sounds like a dangerous stallion, what did he tell you that bothered you?”
“He said...that I wasn't who I thought I was. At first I thought he was just crazy but then at night I went to him for him to explain. He and I went to the National Archives and he showed me that I was off the grid for the early part of my life, my name only appears on things from a few years back.” 
“That's quite strange, how did he know that you possibly weren't yourself?”
“He said he sensed it somehow.”
“Is there any other evidence that he has some truth to what he says? Perhaps doing some DNA test, checking with your family, and looking for other evidence may prove him wrong” Celestia suggests.
“Yes, you're right, but it got me thinking of what would happen if it were true..”
“What you're doing today is what matters Alloy,  the past is gone, we must focus on learning from it, see how we can do in our present, and plan for the future.”
Alloy nods, “Yeah that's right..”
“It seems that you may have some sort of idea about something that worries you” 
“Have you heard about Dr. Flower Pot?” Alloy asks her.
“Certainly, I am the one who gave the order to dismiss him from his position” Celestia says, “Are you thinking you might have been one of his test subjects?” 
“I...don't know for sure. Dr. Flower was one of Equestria's leading scientist in many things including brainwash.” 
“Indeed, his lab was stormed in by old E.S.S and they recovered most of his research including his unethical pony experimentation. All his works are available to E.S.S of course, if you want to look into it” Celestia says.
“Thanks, Celestia, for helping me with this. I have one last question, I think, if I am or was someone else, do I continue doing what I'm doing?”
“That is for you to decide Alloy, if something in your past affects you, you may want to consider taking care of it, but you don't have to. You are a new pony. Maybe, you might just still be Alloy” She chuckles a bit. 
“Heh, you're right again, I'll be off now, I don't want to take so much time away from you” He starts to leave.
“Take care Alloy, don't get to distracted in finding this out. Remember, you still have Notts to take care of” Celestia says.
“I won't let you down!” Alloy says as he exits. 

Outside the way he came in at first, Sugar was waiting for him, “Hey how'd it go?”
“You waited out here for me? You're too kind” Alloy smiles and continues, “I was talking to her about how I am to deal with Notts and what specific information she wants me to find out” They start to walk.
“Oh okay so its things I guess we didn't need to be there for” 
“I suppose not, what are you doing today?” Alloy changes the subject.
“I was planning on uh, doing office work or something, are you free- I mean are you doing anything today?” She says quickly and reddens a bit.
“A bit of research, nothing too important. But I'm sure that office works pretty heavy on you, you must have no time” Alloy says slyly. 
“No I have plenty of time! I mean um, nah not to much work” She smiles a little.
“Heh, let's go out somewhere, together.” Alloy smiles as well, “Anywhere specific you've been wanting to go to?”
“Yes! Um, well a few places actually. I need to go shopping for my baking supplies, but that's boring”
“I'd be glad to accompany you” Alloy says thinking to himself that going out would be the perfect distraction from all that's been going on.
“Come on then let's go! There's a sale today at some of the stores here in Cantorlot!” She grabs his hoof with her magic and takes him along with her. 

The next hour is spent with Sugar taking Alloy from store to store showing off different kinds of cooking supplies, from teaspoons to ladles. She had then taken out multiple coupons and argued with the sales ponies to get the right price which had made Alloy crack up with laughter. 
“Phew that's the last on my list!” Sugar tells Alloy.
“I think you scared that sales-mare half to death” He chuckles.
“Hey the coupon said two mixing bowls for the price of one and she wouldn't scan my paper!” She says pridefully, carrying a bag full of goodies.
“You need help carrying any of that?” 
“Yeah here!” She stacks him with nearly all the bag. He huffs.
“How were you carrying all of this..?” He smiles a little and adjusts the bags.
“I'm strong too you know?” She laughs a little, “We'll be catching the train to Ponyville, let's hurry!” She starts to run ahead. Alloy traces behind her all the way to the trains. They both pay and board. 
As they sit Alloy starts to talk, “Sugar, I've been wondering...”
“Yes?” She makes room for all her things.
“Uh, nothing...” He quiets down.
“Uh uh ask!” She says pointing a ladle at him.
“Heh, alright” He clears his throat a little, “How do you feel about me? As a pony, am I a good pony?”
“Alloy, of course you are, there's no question about it.” Sugar looks at him.
“What if...I were someone else entirely?”
“What do you mean, like a different personality?”
“Sorta, it's hard to explain” Alloy says, trying not get too into his identity crisis.
“I don't know, the pony you are right now is really kind, generous, smart...handsome.” She gives him a little smile.
“That's all I need then, thanks for your honesty” He smiles, but turns to face the window avoiding to get emotional. She looks at him a while but says nothing sitting back into her seat.
Both are silent for a large part of the ride till Sugar finally speaks up, “How about me, do you think I'm good as a pony?” 
“Why of course Sugar, you show all the positive traits, you cook, smile, make others laugh, I'd say you are great” Alloy says.
“How many missions are you going to do for Notts, it's dangerous with that guy” 
“I really can't say, I think as long as I need to. He's up to terrible things as you know, Celestia wants him out of the picture and I'm the only one that can get information from it all.”
“That sounds like it may take a while...” Sugar says to him. 
“I believe so, but it's for the safety of everyone, including you.”
“You said earlier that I'd be using an earpiece to communicate with you during some missions” 
“You still could, but on most missions so far, they've been so random that we haven't had time to hook up anything.” 
“And what about Jackson?”
“Jackson, well he has plenty of work to do at the office now that he's starting to overlook the new workers.” 
“Are you making excuses to work alone?” She asks, not holding anything back. Alloy pauses not knowing what to say, “Well...are you?”
“I-I'd rather not talk about it..” Alloy says.
“Alloy..come on, you know you don't have to do this alone.”
“I suppose not...Can we talk about this later? This place a little too un-private” Alloy says.
“Okay..but we will talk about it, no more avoiding it” Sugar tells him. He nods slowly and goes back to looking out the window. She looks at him worriedly. 

The train arrives in Ponyville and they board off and head to Sweetie's house. “BonBon, Lyra! I'm home!” Sugar announces. Lyra peers over. 
“Hey you two! On a date or something?” Lyra asks them.
“Heh, just because two ponies are hanging out with each other for an hour or two doesn't mean they're together” Alloy says with a little smile.
“So you were!” Lyra laughs. Sugar gets a little red.
“I suppose we were” Alloy chuckles a bit. He goes to set the things Sugar bought on the counter.
“I knew it!” Lyra says to Sugar.
“Um yeah hehe, but we're not together” Sugar says shyly.
“Aww you poor gal, we need to fix that! Lucky for you, I'm an expert at this sort of stuff!” Lyra says in suave tone. 
“I'm sure you are” Sugar laughs a little, “Maybe you can tell me later, we're heading out again right now.” Sugar says to her. Alloy come over.
“Is BonBon home?” He asks Lyra.
“Nope, she went to go talk with Twilight about something, I didn't really hear what” Lyra admits.
“Speak with Twilight? What would that be about?” Alloy wonders as he heads to the door. 
“I dunno, you two enjoy your day!” Lyra waves to them as they leave the place. 
“Sweetie's at the Twilight's place probably to ask her about some magic stuff” Sugar says to Alloy.
“She doesn't really like her though, must have been desperate for some information if she went” Alloy snickers a bit under his breath. 
“I remember Sweetie saying that she didn't like her much before, but I never talked to her about it” 
“Heh, she's always been that way ever since Twilight became an Alicorn Princess, and who wouldn't? Suddenly out of nowhere for us, there's a new Princess. What did it mean? Was the kingdom going to be divided? Nope, everything turned out alright, she just became an extension of Celestia's power to help out the country when there was trouble. She hasn't done all that bad so far, granted she hasn't done much of anything that isn't new” Alloy chuckles.
“I actually never you knew about her until she came to town, even Starlight was a little surprised.” Sugar confesses.
“You didn't miss to much” Alloy says.
“Wait I did hear about some powerful creature that took down all the army. Wasn't that big?”
“Shoot you're right! Yes, that was quite the day...” Alloy recalls, “The next day old E.S.S was dismissed, that's when it all started” 
“Oh, I didn't know, wait what happened to all the old agents?”
“Most got a new job, a select few joined Notts, and then there's us.” Alloy smiles a bit, “I may get in contact with some of them, but they might be satisfied with life.”
“Are you satisfied with the way things turned out?” She asks.
“It's been harder, but I like it. I always have something to do” Alloy says with a grin.
“I asked you on the train why you were making excuses...why then?” She asks again.
Alloy sighs, “It's a mix of many things Sugar, the first being your safety. I..care for you especially, and I'd hate to lose you”   
“And I'd hate you to get hurt Alloy...you need to let us help you more dealing with Notts.”
“There's no much you guys can do to aid me with that since it's only me under cover, and Notts knows you three are with Celestia.”
“But what about Jackson? They don't know anything about him.” Sugar suggest. 
“I don't want him to get hurt either..”
“Alloy, he can handle himself. Introduce him to Notts again and convince him to join”
“But Jackson's busy with the construction task-”
“I'll take care of that, me and the others can over look it. You need at least one of us helping you out there...” Sugar says.
“You're..right, I'll talk to him later today” 
“Good, I'll rest easier knowing you're a little safer..” She leans into him and smiles. 
“And I'll be relieved to see that the construction business goes well. More importantly, you and the others are safer here.” Alloy says he stops walking and turns to her, gently moving her hair, “It'll still be dangerous for you three here now that Notts knows you're apart of E.S.S, watch your backs okay Sugar?” 
“I will, remember to be safe too...” She leans in and kisses him and walks a little back, “Now go and take care of business!” 
“I-I will!” He smiles a little, his heart beats faster and before he knows it, he's running to E.S.S HQ to talk to Jackson.

When he enters the office he walks a little dazed and out of breath from running. He goes to his office room and sits on the chair, spinning twice. Jackson walks into his office. “Hey you aight?” Jackson asks.
“Yeah man, heh. Just um, good” Alloy says he pretends to be stacking papers.
“Have you been doin drugz cuz?” 
“Eh, nooo” Alloy smiles.
“Ah I see now, you took a little trip wit Sugar didn't you?” Jackson laughs. Alloy's complcetion is too red for Jackson to notice that Alloy is nervous.
“Well...yeah okay fine. I'm well, I like her...dammit. Happy?”
Jackson's laughter fills the room, he rolls on the ground and points, “Fool it's about time! You're always so serious, pretending you ain't caring about no one in that way, but ha! Look at you now!” 
“Yeah yeah, calm down there partner, I got something new for you” Alloy rubs his head, he is having a flutter of thoughts. 
Jackson quiets down and stand back up wiping off a tear off laughter, “Oh man, wat you need?” 
“You're dismissed of your duty with the construction, I'm passing that responsibility to Sugar and the gals.”
“Wait what?? Hey I know you love her but you're taking my job from me??” Jackson says suddenly.
“Wo there, I got something else, something more important. It's about time I take someone out to have my back with Notts. I'm going to help you join up with him so that we can both be there.”
“Hmm, about time.” Jackson smiles, “I was starting to think you forgot about me or didn't need me.”
“I was, ahem, trying to not get you involved”
“Why's that? You don't think I can handle myself?” Jackson asks, not mad at all but his facial expression made it seem that way.
“No, it's just...lately I've been..” 
“To caring? Don't worry about me bro, I gotcha. I'll join you with Notts' stupid thing” 
“Heh, thanks for understanding” Alloy says relieved.
“Sometimes it just takes a few ponies to make you see that you're not alone in dealing with this sort of stuff.” Jackson says.
“Since when have you been getting all wise?” Alloy jokes.
“I think I found that in a book or something!” Jackson laughs.
“Ha! Very well then, let's not waste time, we're going to Notts' place.” Alloy says. Jackson nods. They leave the office and head out to Canterlot.

End of Chapter 13.