Sherwhinny Forest – Underground
"Your Highness," Bon Bon spoke, bowing slightly before the skinny equine monarch and her guardians. "Please pardon us for being... mmm... surprised."
Sharp Quill joined in: "We didn't know that you had become heir to the throne of Trottingham, much less Blue Nova Industries."
"Haven't you been paying attention this past year?" Chief Agent Horizons glared at the other League members. "Prince Bluebood removed himself from the public eye following the Equestrian Games at the Crystal Empire."
"For very legitimate reasons, I assure you," Princess Plasma calmly said. "And, to be honest, it was something of a surprise to me as well. Alas, I am far from shirking my newly-appointed responsibilities." She waved a hoof at the rectangular chamber around them. "As the reigning member of the House of Trottingham, it is my task to see to the protection of Equestria's citizenry." She smiled warmly. "It is a position forged by blood, after all. I do believe that—in working with the League—I can make the Matriarch very, very proud."
"The Matriarch...?" Garnet blinked.
Haze leaned in towards him. "The House of Trottingham—and all other eucorns like them—are flesh and blood descendants of Princess Celestia," he quietly explained.
"You needn't act as though it's a terrible, horrible secret," Princess Plasma calmly said.
"Yes, Secret Agent Haze." Horizons frowned at the sarosian. "Please, be respectful to our new... partner."
"You needn't chastise him," Plasma said, trotting deep into the group. "He's simply wishing to fill in our newest member. Such is wise." She placed a gentle hoof on Garnet's shoulder. "It cannot be easy adjusting to such a horrible leap in time." Her eyes narrowed. "For all of your crystalline brothers and sisters."
"Uhm..." Garnet exhaled, shuddering. "I assure you, your highness, I have performed extensive research every night and day to catch up." He swallowed. "Regardless, please do forgive me for my ignorance."
"There is nothing to be sorry for," Plasma said with a gentle smile. "A lot has changed since the Age of Clover." She waved a hoof. "Equestria's two strongest sorceresses became alicorns." She turned to face Haze. "Princess Luna tapped into the world of dreams, and the Ponies of Saros were born." She paced across the chamber. "Princess Celestia wedded Duke Blue Nova, the first and only Prince of Canterlot. For years, they ruled peacefully and had several children. However, Blue Nova was a mortal, and he sadly passed away within a generation. Celestia has since remained a celibate widow, and the subsequent descendants of her and Blue Nova's coupling have carried the responsibility of lording over several vassal states within the Equestrian monarchy for centuries."
"And your state is here?" Garnet asked. "In Trottingham?"
"A different Trottingham," Plasma explained. "Across the ocean." She smiled. "Most continentals refer to it as 'Old Trottingham.' But the House branches across both land and sea—as does our charge to protect Equestrian interests." She briefly frowned. "And while some eucorns have grown lax over the years... settling for lives of decadence within the Canterlot Elite or... grfffff... opening designer clothing stores..." She cleared her throat and regained a warm demeanor. "My brother and I have maintained the original mission set in stone for the bloodline of Blue Nova. Now... thanks to the legislative collaboration between the Regal Sisters and the Canterlot Royal Council, I can keep true to my promise by incorporating the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria."
"So... uh... Princess Plastic?" Betsy belched. "With all due respect... how are you and your tiara gonna get us back to monster-bagging?"
Plasma spoke before Horizons could snap at the rhino: "Secret Agent Betsy, I presume." She trotted over gracefully. "You have a reputation for being crude, offensive, and frequently out of line." She tilted her head up. "And yet... your successful track record proves that you're a priceless asset in the field."
"Damn skippy."
"While I'm not entirely pleased with such brutish airs..." Plasma's lips curved. "I can appreciate something that works when I see it." She slowly shook her head. "I am not here to shake up the established order." She turned about to gaze at all of the agents in turn. "Nor am I here to terminate any pony or complicate the current ranks."
"Then, what may I ask, are you here for?" Sharp Quill inquired.
Plasma scuffled to a stop beside a concrete wall. "... ... ...to gift the League with power... something that has been sorely lacking since Prince Miller turned traitorous seven millennia ago. Behold."
Her horn glowed with bright blue energy.
Whurrrrrrrrrrrrr! The left concrete wall suddenly slid down.
Bon Bon and the rest of the agents turned, squinting into a bright new light.
"Holy butt lava..." Betsy slurred.
"Whoah..." Bon Bon cooed.
The sliding panel revealed a transparent glass sheet. Through the window, the group gazed upon a spacious subterranean facility consisting of multiple floors—each complete with alchemy stations, weapons lockers, manabatteries, and storage compartments. These floors belonged to a series of modern, well-lit structures with see-through panels that were then balanced atop a massive blue-metallic cube. Multiple armored doors stretched at equadistant intervals along two-dozen levels of the cube on all sides, and Bon Bon could see a mechanically-powered platform dangling from the ceiling—presumably built to meet each entrance. A noisy ambiance emanated from the huge chamber, and the agents could already spot multiple ponies in labcoats and security gear bustling from room to room within the upper levels balanced atop the blue metal cube.
"Fillies and gentlecolts of the League," Plasma proudly spoke. "I present to you and your eyes only... Blue Crescent."