E.S.S: 20
The Hunted.
Sweetie Drops took the executive decision to commence the reconstruction of the old into the new E.S.S. She employed Atomm's construction to begin adding in the basement are, she had to wait for Alloy to see on how exactly it was going to be laid out, but meanwhile the whole front part of the office was demolished to make room to start digging down.
“It's funny how we employed our own business to so this” Sugar says to Sweetie who is back in Alloy's office going over papers.
“It's a good thing that Celestia is funding all this as well, Alloy would be stretching his money thin. It also feels great to have all the agents, too bad they can't all be here since it's too small.” Sweetie comments.
“Aren't we supposed to call Dotted Field back in?” Sugar asks.
“I forgot, hehe go call him in, I have a job he could do” Sweetie replies. Sugar grins a bit and exits, going to her office room. She sits down and makes the call.
“Hello. This is Dotted Field speaking” He answers.
“And this is Sugar with E.S.S we'll need you here at the office as soon as possible” Sugar says in a business tone.
“Oh, I thought you just wanted to chat, I'll be right over” He chuckles a bit and hangs up. She sits back in her chair. Alloy's cat brushes past her. She looks at the cat, it had been going on and about anywhere it wanted. It only showed up for food and water.
“I think this guy is trying to start something...” She disregards the cat and starts to think about Dotted, but turns her thoughts to worrying about Alloy instead. She missed him very much, he had been out for over four days now without any word whether he was okay or not. She had to worry about this, but at the same time focus on her work at the office, Sweetie had helped her out a lot ever since she came into E.S.S but was always so busy with running the place.
She went over to Alloy's office, Sweetie looks up, “Something you need dear?”
“I'm going out for a quick walk, I'll be back in a bit. I called Dotted, he should be here soon”
“Very well, don't take too long” Sweetie says and resumes her work. Sugar closed the office door and started to walk away from the building. Construction workers moved around her, taking measurements and digging down. Cara was among them, she came up to Sugar.
“Sugar, I don't mean to be of bother, but is Alloy here today?” Cara asks.
“Um..no he's not why?” Sugar now wanted to question Cara more, she was part of E.S.S after all, she could research her and track her if it came down to it.
“Just, wanted to talk to him” Cara replies.
“Is that so? Alright, he's still out.” Sugar starts to walk away.
“Wait, are you sure you don't know when he's returning?” Cara stumbles back to Sugar.
“No. You should get back to work” Sugar says, “I have work of my own to do” She paces away. Cara frowns a bit but listens and goes back to work.
Sugar went to go visit Muffins, she had the day off that day. “Sugar hey!” Muffins flies to Sugar giving her a tight hug, “Are things good over at the office?”
“Yes, we reemployed fifteen old E.S.S members.”
“What?? Really who are they??” Muffins goes into her home, Sugar follows her.
“I can't remember all their names I think I remember um...Al, Anderson, Sean..?” Sugar recalls.
“Yeah! I know those guys! I should go visit, are they all at the office right now??”
“Nope, we're expanding the office to fit them all” Sugar chuckles a bit and sighs.
“Are you sad about something? I can notice..” Muffins sits on the couch and pats it so Sugar knows to come and sit.
“Yes...” Sugar looks down a bit, “It's..Alloy..”
“He's still out right..?” Muffins asks.
“Yeah..I can't handle it anymore..” She tears up, “He's been gone too long! And when he left we were...”
“Something happened between the two of you?” Muffins says in a comforting tone.
“We were..in a little fight. It was my fault..I thought he was with another mare..actually I don't even know if I'm wrong...he could be with her..” She cries a bit. Muffins gives her a tissue.
“Who do you think he's with..?”
“Cara, the new one in the construction business! I saw them together in Canterlot before he came back and left suddenly..” She cries more.
“He was probably employing her, that's why she's working right?” Muffins says.
“She keeps asking for him every time I see her..it makes me suspicious...”
“There's no need to be suspicious, I've known all about Alloy, he's a loyal stallion. Don't confuse his generosity for flirting with that mare. As for him being gone, that's the way we role in E.S.S, missions can last a long times, going solo is dangerous, but he can do it. I remember when I went on my first solo op, it wasn't as hard as what Alloy is currently doing, but I was still nervous and scared. I missed everyone back at the office...what I'm getting at is; he misses you too Sugar” Muffins smiles. Sugar wipes her tears and smiles a bit.
“Thanks for telling me that Muffins..I feel a little better now..” Sugar cleans off the tear marks.
“No problem Sugar! Glad to help” She says in her naturally happy tone.
“I need to go now or Sweetie will nag me about it hehe, thanks again see you later!” Sugar leaves Muffin's home and races back to the office with new found hope and happiness in her heart.
Alloy woke up in the tree, his sides hurt due to him resting upon tree branches. Carefully, he teleports off, down to the base of the trunk. He saw Blind resting on the top of another tree, not to far from where he was, so he grabbed a small stone, tossing it at the sleeping bird.
“Blind Spot! Get up!” Alloy yells up to him. The gryphon twitches a bit and turns to Alloy.
“I think I broke something..teleport me down carefully!” Blind calls out from above. Alloy teleports him near himself. “Yeah..it's my left wing..” Blind feels it with his claws, “There's nothing we can do about it here, eh..where are we?”
“I thought you would know this” Alloy chuckles a bit, “I'm guessing you don't know because you usually fly not walk”
“Correct, I know 'where' we are, the forest of the Giant Bird, I just don't know exactly 'where' in it we are..maybe near the end of it, we flew past most of it. If we head west we'll reach a town eventually” Blind plans aloud.
“That sounds just about as good as anything!” Alloy looks at a compass he had in his pack. “That way!” Alloy starts to walk ahead, Blind follows from behind, occasionally touching his broken wing. They walked on for miles to the west, Alloy was focusing on a few things as they walked, his brother and Sugar. If Alloy found his brother, he could explain to him everything that had happened. And for Sugar...he felt bad. They had left off in a bad spot, how could she have been so ignorant to Alloy? Calling him out like that, it hurt his heart. Although he hadn't done anything, he felt as if he did and kept going over what his mistake was.
“What are you going to do now, after this ABlur?” Blind randomly asks, to make conversation.
“I suppose I'll return back to Notts' HQ and then start my own private search for my brother. Oh and of course get your payment” Alloy replies.
“You know..I noticed your badge when you passed out the other day. You're part of E.S.S. Mr. Alloy Atomms” Blind says. Alloy thinks fast.
“Ahem, yes my old badge, I still carry it around by instinct” Alloy makes up quickly.
“I don't care whether or not you are part of E.S.S or with Notts. Or both, it's just part of the job.” Blind says, well knowing Alloy was probably under cover, “I do whatever it takes to protect myself and my family, we as gryphons are contracted by many to do a job, Notts was just the latest employer.”
“Yes, I'm E.S.S. My true mission is to find out all about his underground schemes and to stop it. Please keep calling me by my agname, my other name: Blur.” Alloy admits and says, “Since we're on the same page now, do you know of any of his plans?”
“No, we are just called up at random to do things for him, we do other contracts meanwhile. But, if we're being honest here now, I don't like it. Killing innocents is not what I do, and lately Notts' has been getting into terrorist acts. I'm sure the other gryphons would agree with me on that...but the damned money makes us do it. Always..the bits..” Blind chokes up on those last words and goes silent.
“I don't do my work for the money. I do it, like you said, to protect the ones I love. And if that means getting myself into danger like doing these missions to accomplish it, I will continue. What I'm getting to is that you don't need to rely on the coin to make you do these things, but you're a mercenary, I suppose you can't do that much to help that” Alloy comments.
“It wasn't always like this...as the old gryphon at the capital always says; 'Our land used to be a rich and powerful one. All connected to a big prideful treasure that made us feel good. Jobs we're normal and not as high risk, there was a justice system, schools, everyone was happier.' I spent some of my teen years thinking that maybe I could go find our treasure again we would return to the glory...” Blind says with a heavy heart.
“Things can't return to the way things were, well not right away, if you did ever find that treasure, many things would have to happen before things get better.”
“Yes...but at least we'll begin to feel united..and maybe, just maybe we'll stop doing the things we do..”
“I'd help you search for this treasure if you're still up for it” Alloy offers.
Blind chuckles, “Now that would take a long time. Don't worry Alloy, the idol isn't the only thing that will 'save' our nation, it's working together.”
“If only everyone shared that vision” Alloy says.
“I have a feeling we all do...it's just we're too prideful to admit it and too attached to the damn idol” Blind reflects. Alloy simply nods. They are at the edge of the forest now, the town merges into the forest, now a few shops and gryphons could be seen. Some looked to them seeing that they were both dirty, hurt, and of course, that one was a unicorn.
“I need to get back home to take care of all that is happening.” Alloy says, “Perhaps you and I should keep in contact for you to aid me in stopping Notts. I'd be willing to pay you more”
“Let me think about it. I want to help, but I need to..think about it” Blind coughs, feeling he's being to soft. “I'm going to fix my wing in this town. Stay here a while somewhere, eat something or whatever” He goes away. Alloy takes a seat on a wooden bench and rest. Several gryphons pass by and stare, Alloy notices and stays aware.
“You Unicorn. I haven't meet one in real life before” A teenaged male gryphon come up to him, “Do you really have magic?” He asks Alloy.
“Yes. Say, do you know any places that are good to eat at?” Alloy now asks the teen.
“For sure! Come with me” He excitedly says. Alloy figured this gryphon was probably of the scholarly type, and not like the other gryphons that wouldn't care to help, so he followed him around the town to a few food shops.
“This one” Alloy stops seeing the food was most editable for his kind.
“It doesn't have that much flavor” The teen comments.
“It's all I can eat here kid” Alloy says, buying noodles again. “Noodles seem to be the only thing I can find, do you know where the fruit or vegetable shops are?”
“Ohh right, you're a unicorn duu!” He laughs, “Yes, there are a few around here, follow”
Alloy eats the noodles as he goes with the teen, “Hey, what's your name?”
“Philip. Yours?”
“Blur” Alloy says.
“Nice to meet you Blur, are you visiting around here?”
“Yeah, you can say that.” Alloy replies.
“Oh, I live here of course, we don't get many unicorns around here. Actually I think you might be the first! I like to study different species, I'd like to make a job of it, but nobody here thinks it's good..” Philip chuckles a bit and sighs.
“Don't stress on it, if you got out of this place and came over to Equestria, you'd possibly accomplish that dream.” Alloy says.
“I thought of moving, but it's just...a um, scary thought. Not scary, just, new..hehe” Philip laughs again.
“I'll give you this card of mine if you need help getting out of here” Alloy opens his pack and takes out a small card with a number on it. Philip takes it.
“I might use it” He acts like he doesn't care.
“It's up to you, not me.” Alloy says as they stop at a fruit market. “This looks promising..” Alloy looks through the various fruit, some of which he had never seen.
“Hurry up and buy” The seller groans. Alloy makes a few quick choices, putting things in his bag and paying. Philip is still there.
“Well that's all I need kid. Thanks” Alloy says.
“Oh, uh of course” Philip starts to leave, “Bye.” He goes. Alloy heads back to the little center of the town and sits to eat. Blind sees him and come up to him.
“I'll be able to fly, but not soon so we're going on foot, or hoof in your case” Blind states.
“I didn't expect to be up in the air again. Very well, lead the way.” Alloy says. Blind nods and the two start their long walk to capitol.
Dotted Field arrives at the offices and looks around seeing the construction taking place. Sugar walks up to him, “You guys are making a big remodeling!” He says.
“Yeah, it's for all our agents, we have fifteen more” She smiles.
“That was fast!” He says in surprise.
“Oh they're all old agents” They walk to the untouched back part of the offices. “Sweetie has a job for you”
“What is it?” He asks. Sugar shrugs, they step into Alloy's office, “A bigger office, is this the boss' place?”
“Yes, take a seat Mr. Field” Sweetie says, seeing him enter. “Sugar you can leave or stay” Sugar nods and waits outside.
“My task ma'am?” Dotted asks.
“Simple, stay alert of our perimeter while our construction goes on.” Sweetie states. “If you need a weapon, well...” She opens the desk, there are guns, but Dotted wasn't trained with them. She closes it, “You'll depend on your armed combat”
“Understood ma'am. Anything else?” He asks, already standing up.
“No. It's really simple so if you slack off, it may really simply turn into a bad situation. You got me?”
“Yes.” He takes his leave, Sugar is waiting to escort him outside. “Where's everyone? All those agents?”
“Not here at the moment. What'd she say?”
“Protect this perimeter. That's something I'm used to” Dotted says. Sugar smiles a bit and leads him out. It is a hot day, most of the snow had been cleared away now, the heat could be noticed on the workers' faces as they sweat and move dirt.
“That's really easy, I'll be in the office if something happens. Good luck” She chuckles and leaves him to it.
Dotted did as was expected, he roamed around the office building, sharply looking for any strange activity. Sweetie was monitoring him through the cameras, Sugar was there as well but sat doing paperwork.
“Anything interesting happen yet?” Sugar asks Sweetie.
“He seems okay for now” She replies and takes a sip off coffee. The camera feed cuts off, the building's power is shut down. “Must be the construction ponies cutting off the power for safety. Looks like I'll have to monitor him myself, take this paperwork to the lobby so the sun can light you” Sweetie takes a clip board and paper, leaving Sugar. She takes a seat and sits at the edge of the broken concrete to watch Dotted.
“It's so hot outside...” Sugar comes up to her. “Do you need a drink?”
“Yes please, just get my coffee.” Sweetie smiles a bit. Sugar goes back in, heading towards Alloy's office.
“Hmm, coffee..coffee..ah there it is!” She lifts it with her magic. Just as she opens the door, there a sudden explosion that knocks her down. With ringing in her ears, she stands up and heads to the outside.
“Sugar! Get down.” Sweetie pushes Sugar back inside, she is scratched up.
“What's going on??”
“A pipe blew up. Must have been under high pressure..” Sweetie replies.
“Why are we back in here for?”
“Just in case something else blows up. We'll wait for them to fix it outside.”
“And Dotted?”
“He's fine, no one got hurt...” Sweetie says. Her ears perk up, she hears gun shots, “On second thought, this may not have been an accident!” She pulls Sugar into Alloy's office, taking out the guns.
“What..i don't know how to use those.” Sugar says as Sweetie passes her a small pistol.
“You start today! Watch me quickly.” Sweetie takes out a similar gun, “Reload here, aim, pull trigger. That one has nine rounds. Point at the enemy.”
“But I don't want to kill anypony!”
“Then don't! Shoot at their legs, arms, it may still kill them but that's your best choice!” Sweetie opens Alloy's office door. Sugar sticks by close by Sweetie, trying to figure out how to hold the strange gun device. At the edge of the hall where the construction line is drawn, Sweetie peeks around, the construction ponies are all gone, except Cara who jumps into the hall by them.
“What's going on!?” Cara panics. Sweetie scoots her away from them.
“Silence! We'll take care of it, stay put!” Sweetie half shouts. She turns to Sugar, “Sugar, you stay with her”
“But you said we'll take care of it?” Sugar starts.
“We have no time to argue, stay, it's an order.” Sweetie states, and leaves them.
“What...is happening..?” Cara whispers to Sugar.
“I don't entirely know myself, tell me what you saw” Sugar and Cara hide behind a desk.
“Okay..I saw three ponies, they were wearing some sort of armor and holding..metal tubes that shot out metal pieces..We were fixing up the pipe when they suddenly came and threatened everyone, naturally eveypony fled, I was confused until I saw Sweetie's head and I came in here with you two..” She has fear in her eyes.
“This doesn't sound too good..” Sugar states, becoming worried.
Sweetie carefully looks around her, she holds a pistol in her hoof. Hiding behind equipment, she makes her way around the building and points at a stallion. “Put your hooves up where I can see them, no magic!”
Dotted Field turns around, he has a frightened expression, but changes it to a calm one once he sees that it is BonBon. “It's you...I didn't know what to do, they came out of nowhere from the sky.”
“Are they all pegasi?” Sweetie asks.
“Yes, that's what I saw, they left I believe, I haven't seen them anymore.” He says. Sweetie holsters away her gun and sighs.
“Must have been a warning...come inside the office” Sweetie turns, leading him back inside. Cara and Sugar look up as the two other agents come in.
“Is everything okay now..?” Sugar asks Sweetie.
“Yes, just a little..” Sweetie looks at Cara, “Misunderstanding. It's safe to go out now. Cara take the day off”
“But Miss BonBon, we were fixing the pipe” Cara says.
“Right, do that first. I'll contact the other workers to come back in” Sweetie leaves them all to make the calls. Cara takes a seat.
“What really happened?” Cara asks Sugar.
Before she can answer, Dotted speaks up, “It was a misunderstanding as BonBon said it was”
“But those pipe things...what were they?” Cara questions.
“Don't worry about it, you can go take a break while the others arrive” He says. Cara gets up and leaves.
“Thanks for that, do you know what the pipe things were?” Sugar asks him.
“No, but I assume you know because you have one in your pocket” Dotted smirks.
“Oh, um, yeah I do know.” Sugar shyly says.
“What is it?”
“They're guns, they shoot out small metal tubes that create a lot of damage on impact.”
“A gun..yes, I believe I did hear about those before. I've never seen one”
“They're really rare to come by in Equestria, they're banned”
“Yes, I've heard about only high officers having them, how do they work?”
“Well...um, I don't use them myself so..I don't know really..” Sugar says.
Sweetie come up to them, “And you shouldn't use them, only as an emergency. Guns are banned for a reason, because they can kill fast. Faster than somepony can duck, create a shield, draw another breath...”
“They could make us stronger, we could dominate other countries” Dotted starts to think aloud.
“Mr. Dotted Field, knowledge of guns has been restricted to only those in high power or authority, all the world leaders have banned them, it's been that way for a very long time, that's why ponies hardly know of them. We have them because we're the E.S.S and need to deal with special threats. In fact we rarely use them ourselves, and I'm okay with that.” Sweetie says, trying to get his mind off of the topic.
“We could do so much..how do we know other private parties don't use them?”
“We know of two that use them.” Sweetie frowns, “I'll have no miss-usage of the guns in the agency, we're currently dealing with one of the groups that has these weapons. It is standard that we show you how to use them, but hear me when I say that if I ever find out that you or any other agent sells the guns, tells outsiders about them, or harms anyone with them, they'll be immediately taken out of the agency.” She leaves to Alloy's office and closes the doors.
“She must take the whole gun thing really seriously.” Dotted sighs, “The other place I heard that word is water gun, drill gun, figures it's root comes from something dangerous”
“She's just being cautious with you, don't worry.”
“Heh, I won't worry about it, our drill sergeants were pretty tough on us too” Dotted smiles, “I guess I'll resume my watch over the place” He starts to head on out. Sugar goes to Alloy's office.
“Everything alright Sweetie?” She steps in.
“Yes..I might have been a little over-exaggerated, but it's all true..guns are a bad thing.” Sweetie is laying back in Alloy's chair.
“You need a break, do you have any paper work to do?”
“No, I've got everything done. I even sent some agents to serve as extra security to the Canterlot Castle, and some I've ordered to lookout for Twilight's Castle. Twilight doesn't have any guards looking over it, it's just a big empty building, it's good to have a little protection for her..” She closes her eyes. “I'm going to..take a small nap, just make sure no one comes into the offices..”
“Sure thing Sweetie” Sugar slowly steps out, closing the door silently.
Mid-day in the Gryphon kingdom, the Capitol was now in their sights. “Thanks for escorting me here, I'm capable of going from here Blind”
“Uh hu, don't mention it. I assume you'll resume your search for your brother once you return like you said?”
“Yes, but of course I have a ton of work waiting for me as well...” Alloy walks a bit ahead and turns to Blind, “Remember that you can notify me of some of Notts' movements, I appreciate the help”
“I don't want to be used by a mad pony, I'll let you know what happens here. Have a, er safe journey I suppose. I'm becoming too nice, forget about the money you promised, you gave me enough.” Blind leaves. Alloy chuckles a bit and goes into the ruined capitol.
“Hey I know you!” Pinkie hops to him.
“Pinkie? What are you doing in a place like this??” Alloy turns, thinking maybe she was just an illusion.
“Okay, so the map table in Twilight's castle decided to send Rainbow Dash and I to the Gryphon Kingdom so we can solve a friendship lesson!” She says quickly and in one breath, “And you??”
“I'm just on vacation, just leaving actually” Alloy says.
“Talk about exotic! You sure go far for this...um.. place” She giggles, “Say you haven't seen a priceless idol laying around have you?”
“I've heard about it, but no I haven't run across it, why?”
“Rainbow Dash and I think it could bring this kingdom back to joy and prosperity! Oh well, she left on without me, I better go find her!” Pinkie hops away, “Byeeee!”
“Heh, yeah bye.” Alloy begins his descent down the mountainside. “Guess, Blind's vision may come true after all, the main six always seem to solve problems. Good luck to them with this place.” Alloy chuckles to himself. Hours pass, with all the fatigue and pain he climbs aboard the train and sleeps.
“I can do this, trust me” Alloy tells his brother.
“But what if you fail and they come after us?” Hertz asks.
“They need to be exposed for their crimes somehow brother. I've been collecting information on them for a while now”
“I know, you tell me that all the time...shouldn't we notify the police or something?”
“Not yet, I need just a bit more evidence, this is my chance, today they're doing a little volunteer thing at the medical station. If I can get in and take pictures, it'll be the nail on the coffin!” Alloy smiles. His brother looks at him worriedly.
“Can I come with you then like last time?” Hertz asks.
“No, not this time, at least not inside. It'll be suspicious if you come too, but you can help. You can wait for me in a near by restaurant, oh and I need you to teleport the camera to me.” Alloy passes him a small camera.
“Got it, anything else?”
“Nope, just wait for me to get out...” Alloy looks at the camera, “Hurry we'll be late!” Alloy runs out the door of a small house in Canterlot, his brother closes the door, following quickly behind him. They make it to the Canterlot building of medical research, as told, Hertz waits outside for Alloy, he teleports the camera to him once Alloy signs in.
“Excuse me sir.” A nurse asks, “Sir...hello? Sir wake up wake up”
Alloy opens his eyes from his dream, back on the train, a mare was shaking him up, “Oh good you're awake, this is your stop, Ponyville”
“My..stop..? Yes, of course. Thank you” He gets out of his seat, it was 3 A.M. in the morning in Ponyville. Alloy had slept through the whole trip. This little dream gave him more insight, but he needed more. He steps off the train and looks around. “Ponyville..my stop? Guess I can sleep at the office..” Alloy walks onwards, eventually getting to the office, “E.S.S….what's this??” He looks at the front of the building that is missing, “I'm gone for five days and this happens!?” He runs inside, all the back area is intact. The lights now work again, “I'll deal with it in the morning..” Alloy pulls out his bed and lays down closing his eyes.
End of Chapter 20.