Ponies Protecting Ponies: The Return of Chaos

by Venates

Chapter One: At the Gala

Ponyville's train station stood chipper in the light of day. The Friendship Express hummed with a quiet might, waiting for its upcoming passengers to board. Off in a corner where no one could hear them, six ponies were giving one another quick farewells.

"Cabin is secure," Derpy said to her companions as she left the rear-most carriage. Her two golden eyes swung independently in all directions, taking in every view and potential threat. Though such an image perturbs most ponies, her coworkers knew her well enough to know that it meant she was keeping an eye (or two) out for them.

Bon Bon nodded and waved her hoof toward herself, signaling the others to get closer. Derpy kept one eye on their surroundings. Carrot Top gave a sly smile to the others. Amethyst looked riddled with anticipation. Doctor Hooves was fidgeting with his tongue. Lyra looked bored.

"Alright, let's run through everything again, just to be sure," Bon Bon said to them. "As discussed, with only four tickets provided by PPP Command, Hooves and I will be the two staying behind. This means that Carrot Top will be your handler while in Canterlot."

Carrot's unchanging smile told Bon Bon that the orange mare hadn't forgotten her role.

"Seeing as radio chatter will be limited," Bon Bon continued, "you will not be in direct contact with anypony other than each other. Carrot will act as a conduit to other PPP units from Canterlot, but unless something does go down, don't expect to hear much. In other words, save the meet-and-greets with other agents for a different time."

Lyra snorted. "I've been in Ponyville close to a year now," she reminded Bon Bon. "Believe me when I say that 'catching up' really isn't on the list of things I've planned for tonight."

Bon Bon shot Lyra a warning look. "Whether or not that's the case, Heartstrings, do try to stay on target tonight." Bon Bon eased the tension in her face before continuing. "Princess Celestia will be at Sparkle's side most of the night, but be sure to have one of you follow Sparkle if they are ever separated. Other than that, you, Star, and Doo–" Bon Bon pointed at each pony as she named them "–will be on the floor wherever Top sees fit. Are there any other questions?"

Four ponies shook their heads. Doctor Hooves nodded. Bon Bon looked to him, but no question came.

"Alright," said Bon Bon, "You're dismissed. Board the train before it departs. You should arrive shortly before Sparkle and company reach the castle."

Three mares turned to enter their train carriage. Carrot Top followed Bon Bon and Hooves as they made their way out of the station.

"Bon Bon," Carrot began, "Can I talk with you for a moment?"

Doctor Hooves seated himself a few paces away from the two mares to observe a blade of grass sticking through the platform's paneling. Convinced he wouldn't move, Bon Bon turned to face Carrot. "I already asked if anypony had questions, Carrot," Bon Bon said to her.

Carrot Top sighed. "I know," she said, "But this is more... between us."

Bon Bon shook her head. "Carrot, I already told you, it's fine." She pointed a hoof toward Hooves. "I can take him to his appointment on my own. And I've got a lot of paperwork to catch up on, including more billing statements for Dent. If you thought he was ornery last week, wait until he sees what expenses went into that parasprite fiasco."

Carrot Top struggled to make eye contact. "I know, but..." She gazed over in Hooves' direction again.

Hooves gently moved the grass with a hoof. Bon Bon reached out to put a hoof on Carrot Top's shoulder, an action which snapped Carrot's attention back to the mare in front of her.

"Listen," Bon Bon said, "You've been great with trying to help him. Really." Though Bon Bon usually tried to not show much emotion, this time she made sure her words sounded earnest. "I know you feel bad not being there when things got hairy, but–"

"Better late than never," Carrot finished with a smile.

"I was going to say, 'I've forgiven you,'" said Bon Bon. She removed her hoof from Carrot Top's shoulder and looked back to Hooves. "No one reacted well when we lost his brother. But I think, gradually, we've all started to finally move on."

Carrot opened her mouth to speak again, but the sound of a steam whistle cut her off.

Bon Bon pointed a hoof back toward the train. "Go," she said. "You have your assignment. End of discussion."

Carrot Top smiled before giving a weak salute. There was a time when the sarcastic nature of the motion would have irritated Bon Bon, but a lot can change over time. She returned the salute, and Carrot Top quickly made her way back to the carriage where her three partners were waiting for her.

Bon Bon walked over to Hooves and tapped him on the shoulder. "C'mon," she said to him. Hooves excitedly stood up and walked at her side. "I think the doctor will be happy to see you today."

---

As Amethyst looked on, Carrot Top boarded the train and took a seat next to Derpy. Carrot and Bon Bon just had a private conversation, and Amethyst couldn't help but be curious.

"Do you think everything's alright, Chief?" Amethyst asked Lyra.

Lyra's attention hadn't left the window, though her thoughts appeared to be elsewhere. "Huh?" She turned her head in Amethyst's direction, then back to the window. "Oh that. Yeah, I'm sure it's fine. Probably just something to do with Hooves' appointments."

Amethyst didn't immediately answer. She gazed out of Lyra's window, but didn't see anything of particular interest. She gave Lyra a small nudge.

"It'll be nice seeing Canterlot again, won't it?" Amethyst asked. "We haven't been back since getting stationed here."

Lyra shrugged. "I never really missed Canterlot, to be honest," she said. "Ponies always seem to be too busy to give you the time of day."

"Like we haven't been busy," joked Amethyst.

The train window lost Lyra's attention as she gave Amethyst a sly smile. "It's true," she said. "I've barely been at the house long enough to find out if Bon Bon is a terrible roommate or not."

Amethyst laughed and adjusted her seat. "You know, the housing market's gotten better," she said. "I know things were touch-and-go when we first got here, but you could probably find a new place if you wanted."

Lyra gave another shrug. "Rent's cheap," she stated. "And like I said, I'm barely there anyway."

Lyra looked back at Derpy and Carrot, deep in their own discussion.

"What about you?" Lyra asked Amethyst. "Surely you're looking to find a place that doesn't have a kid running around."

Amethyst gave Lyra a hard poke in the chest. "Hey, Dinky is adorable," she said. "And besides, having a built-in babysitter has made things a lot easier for Derpy. You think you're busy? Try being a single parent."

Lyra threw up her front hooves in mock defeat. "Okay, Star, no need to get defensive." The train rolled forward, and Lyra turned back to the window.

Just behind them and almost out of earshot, Carrot caught a name and couldn't help but bring it into her own conversation with Derpy. "How is Dinky?" she asked the pegasus.

"Huh?" Derpy looked up from her lap. "Oh, she's fine," she answered simply. When Carrot's smile told her she wasn't going to get away with so few words, she smiled and continued, "Amethyst has been a big help at the house. They practically get along like sisters. She's even started helping Dinky with magic lessons, which is great considering neither Cheerilee or myself can help much there."

"Oh?" Carrot asked, "And how's that going?"

Derpy chuckled. "Well, the first morning Dinky lodged a toothbrush in Amethyst's throat, and spent the rest of the day apologizing."

Carrot's jaw dropped and stayed there for a few seconds before she was overcome with giggles. "I would have loved to see that!" she finally managed.

Derpy smiled and shook her head. "It was scarier at the time." Her smile faded. "Otherwise... I think Dinky's been having a hard time. She's... having trouble fitting in with the other fillies and colts. Figuring out who she's supposed to be, and where she belongs." Derpy looked down and rubbed one of her forelegs. "It's... hard to see somepony so young, especially my own daughter, dealing with that sort of thing."

Carrot reached out and pulled Derpy's chin so she could see her eyes. Carrot smiled and told her, "All ponies go through that sort of thing. I take it she doesn't have her cutie mark yet?"

Derpy shook her head and opened her mouth to say something, but no words came. Carrot gave her back a soft pat.

"See? She'll grow out of it," Carrot assured. "You just have to give it some time."

Derpy smiled but didn't offer another response.

A few yards in front of them, Lyra gave a large yawn.

"I forgot how long trains take," she said to Amethyst. "Couldn't we have flown again?"

Amethyst sneered. "You could have asked Derpy for a lift," she said.

Lyra shook her head. "You know what I mean. I trust Doo with my life, but–"

"But no flying," Amethyst finished. She chuckled and looked forward. "We haven't forgotten." Lyra frowned at Amethyst, then turned back to the window. Hesitantly, Amethyst asked, "So... what's on your mind?"

"Hm?" Lyra turned an ear towards Amethyst before her eyes followed suit. "What do you mean?"

"You've been quiet, Chief," Amethyst said simply. She lowered her voice before asking, "It's not like you. Are you afraid of going back to Canterlot?"

"What? No, I–"

"I mean, you lived your whole life there–"

"Star, I–"

"And it's where we met and–"

"That's not–"

"I mean, I think it would be fun if–"

"STAR!"

Lyra put a rough hoof on Amethyst's muzzle. Noticing the volume of her voice, she looked back to see Carrot Top and Derpy staring at them. She rolled her eyes and removed her hoof from Amethyst's mouth; she needed both forelegs to cross them in disapproval.

"Sorry," Amethyst said sheepishly. "I guess... I guess I'm a little excited to be home, you know?"

Lyra didn't respond. Amethyst looked on for a few seconds, waiting for a reply, but when none came she chose to look down at her hooves.

After a few silent moments, Lyra sighed and told Amethyst, "Don't get the wrong impression, Star. It'll be nice to be home again. And you and I did make a lot of good memories in that town before going to Ponyville."

Amethyst smirked, but a hiccup broke it. Gathering herself, she joked, "Careful: talk like that and ponies will think you're going soft."

Lyra returned a sneer and gave Amethyst a sharp jab in the shoulder. Her expression softened when she finally admitted, "I'm just worried about this mission is all."

Amethyst looked around before leaning in closer to Lyra. "The terror threats, you mean?"

Lyra gave a small nod.

Amethyst shook her head. "Probably just that: a threat. Wild things are always said to happen at big events like this, and they never do."

"Yeah, because any uglies who get remotely close deal with security," Lyra said to her. "We're the security tonight, Star. I've just got a really bad feeling in my stomach on this one."

"You know what that is?" Amethyst asked.

Lyra stared at her and shook her head.

"Pre-gala jitters!" Amethyst said excitedly. She reached under their seat and pulled out a suitcase that Lyra couldn't recall her bringing on. Amethyst opened the case, and inside were four simple-yet-elegant saddleskirts in varying colors.

Lyra's jaw dropped and her eye twitched. Amethyst told her, "I made the rhinestones myself! Can you believe how long it's been since I've used magic to do what I got my cutie mark doing?!"

Lyra swallowed. "Okay, now I REALLY don't want to be here tonight."

---

"Doctor."

"Doctor."

Hooves walked into the office with a cheery skip, his favorite part of the appointments now fresh in memory. He entered another room with large glass windows to tinker with a few high-brow puzzle objects. As the door to the room closed behind him, Bon Bon stepped in to greet the doctor as well.

"Good evening, Sweetie Drops," said the tan stallion in a white coat.

"Hello, doctor," Bon Bon replied. She looked on at Hooves through the separating windows. She then asked, "How are we doing today?"

The psychiatrist shook his head. "As I've been saying for months now, Miss Drops, he hasn't shown much sign of improvement. He still ignores the dangers and concerns of reality in favor of whatever the whim of the moment is, and–"

"And is still a functioning adult," Bon Bon reminded. Her gaze was stern. "His work continues to be impeccable, and his mind brilliant, even in the face of–"

"Ten percent lucidity? Approximately?"

Bon Bon closed her mouth.

The psychiatrist shook his head and continued, "Positive productivity or not, Doctor Hooves continues to have questionable ability in societal integration and danger recognition. He's a threat to himself and to those who surround him."

"He couldn't hurt a fly with a leaking can of bug spray!" Bon Bon retorted. She flung a wide foreleg in her counterpart's direction. "Just look at him!"

The psychiatrist adjusted his glasses before speaking. "Remind me of his occupation, Miss Drops?"

Bon Bon's posture grew more resigned. "He's an engineer, of sorts," she said. "He works for me making new gadgets and repair work."

"Mm. And you really think none of those devices could malfunction and cause someone injury? Even a papercut?"

The question hung in the air.

When no response came, the psychiatrist continued, "Miss Drops, even though it's not my place, I still have to question the well-being of a stallion whose care is left in the hands of his employer. I think you may be too invested in the success of Doctor Hooves' work to be truly concerned with his health." The psychiatrist raised a clipboard to his eyes. "I continue my assertion that he be institutionalized, whereupon a dedicated nursing staff can help him through this long-lasting trauma."

Bon Bon grit her teeth. "You're right." She walked to the door to Hooves' room in a stride completely devoid of emotion. "It isn't your place. And you know nothing about my personal interest in his health." Before the psychiatrist could respond, Bon Bon opened the door. From the other side, Hooves looked at her expectantly. "It's time to go, Doctor," she said to him.

On the way out of the office, Bon Bon gave the psychiatrist one last steely glare. "Doctor," she said.

"Doctor," said Hooves, far more amiable than the mare before him.

---

"Is the line always this long? I can't even see Celestia!"

Lyra rolled her eyes. "Princess Celestia, Star. And I'm starting to wonder if you're actually excited for this or something," she said.

Carrot Top snickered. "I'm starting to wonder if Amethyst made your saddleskirt too small, Lyra."

As Lyra rounded on Carrot Top and Amethyst looked over Lyra's dress in a panic, Derpy rose a few yards into the air to get a better view of the castle. Princess Celestia's white coat and flowing mane of color waited patiently in the distance. They weren't too far from the entrance, and being outside the structure made the line feel longer than it actually was. Princess Celestia was only one pony, after all, and it was customary for each guest to be greeted by her before entering.

"It won't be long," Derpy said to the bickering mares below her. "I'd say five-to-ten minutes at this rate."

Lyra groaned. Carrot Top gave her a nudge. "Now who's anxious to get inside?" she asked.

Lyra scoffed in response. "I'm just itching not doing anything here. Shouldn't we be, I don't know, using a secret entrance or something?"

Amethyst smiled as she pulled some stray lace into place on Lyra's skirt. "It's important we be seen here," she reminded Lyra. "It'll help our cover as perfectly ordinary guests. Besides, I think it's fun to act like a civvy for a bit!"

Lyra gave her eyes another roll.

Once they finally reached her, Princess Celestia gave each of them a knowing smile with her bow. The last one to be greeted, Celestia pulled Carrot Top aside for a brief conversation.

"I will try to keep Twilight near me tonight," Celestia said to her. "Try to help in some of the larger rooms if you can, but otherwise I think you all are welcome to some of the festivities. You've more than earned it."

Carrot Top nodded and bowed a second time before taking a light trot to her waiting agents.

"What did she say?" asked Derpy.

"To keep our ears open, our eyes forward, and our noses on the grindstone," Carrot said with a sweet smile. "Comms on, girls. Amethyst, I want you to stay here in the foyer and let me know when Twilight arrives. Lyra, Derpy, you two take the VIP section, low and high. I'll be in the ballroom. You see anything suspicious, you know the drill."

---

"Who does he think he is?! I have half a mind to take my grappling hook and shove it up his–"

After the elevators lowered them into Ponyville's Ponies Protecting Ponies headquarters, Bon Bon angrily dropped her saddlebags and marched into her office. Doctor Hooves galloped into his lab, eager to work on the next device that would more than likely make Bon Bon's day worse.

"And the rates he charges!" Bon Bon shouted, her office door closed behind her. "You'd think at those prices he would actually be drilling into Hooves' skull!"

An explosion shook Bon Bon's door.

"Sorry!" called Hooves. "I just... I'll clean it up!"

Bon Bon gnashed her teeth before delivering a hard buck to her desk. Thankfully, the wood had long since been reinforced, and it didn't do much other than move it a few inches. Knowing she'd have to move the desk back was wearing thin the last of Bon Bon's nerves. She grumbled as she stomped to the other side of the desk, but stopped after noticing a drawer was open. Heaving a deep sigh, she placed a hoof on the drawer to close it, but hesitated. A bright blue cover was peering at her through the crack. Bon Bon instead opened the drawer further and withdrew the book from inside.

The cover was a bit more faded than she remembered. Heavier, too. Her heart beat solemnly as she looked upon it, as though it were the only picture she had of a loved one long since passed. A small part of her said to simply put it back and return to finding new insults and threats for the obnoxious head shrink, but something deeper within her placed the book on her desk. She stared at it for a few minutes before slowly turning the front cover.

Carrot hired a new scientist today. He's an earth pony, but that doesn't seem to stop his eagerness for the job. Iron Ore gave him a glowing recommendation, but considering–

Bon Bon slammed the book back shut. Scarred wounds on her heart itched at her. She took another deep breath, then opened the book a second time.

Iron Ore gave him a glowing recommendation, but considering they're brothers, I suppose it's to be expected. It's strange how, despite looking strikingly similar, one wouldn't otherwise think they'd be even remotely related. Doctor Hooves is downright scrawny for a stallion, and his energy and enthusiasm is through the roof. Iron Ore, on the other hoof, has always has a more reserved personality behind his big, strapping muscles and–

"Bon Bon!"

"WHAT?!" Bon Bon slammed her book again, blushing. Doctor Hooves' soot-covered face was peering through her door.

"FOUR part Hydrogen!" answered Hooves. "Not five. Five is bad."

"...Thank you, Doctor."

Hooves beamed before slamming Bon Bon's door back shut. She sighed and returned to her book, her mind now lost in memories she forgot were hers.

---

As Carrot Top entered the ballroom, she couldn't help but take in the romantic atmosphere of the evening. The soft music, the silk decorations, the gentle aroma of perfumes and colognes... Such a shame something as distracting as work kept her from it all. She gave the communications device in her ear a gentle tap.

"This is Agent Top, reporting in for the Ponyville branch," she stated on a broad communications channel.

<Good evening, Agent Top,> said a velvety voice with a rich Canterlonian accent. <This is Agent Melody. I see you've made it to the ballroom. Are the rest of your agents stationed elsewhere?>

Carrot smiled. "They are indeed, Agent Melody. Agent Star is in the foyer, and Agents Doo and Heartstrings in the VIP section."

<I thought I heard Heartstrings' discordant voice,> uttered Agent Melody.

Carrot looked up to the ballroom stage and chastised herself for not recognizing Agent Melody sooner. She was an elegant mare with a passion for music, and an ear that could pick out any sound from any assortment, be it a sour note or a voice of interest.

<Did I really just hear that?> came Lyra's voice over comms. <Is that music freak Octavia seriously our Canterlot contact on this op? Did they not have anypony else?>

<You really should be more grateful, Heartstrings,> replied Octavia. Carrot didn't see her lips move a hair, and her bowtie hid her throat's movement as well. <I'm the one who brought you this job, after all.>

<Yeah, after making me bomb my Symphony audition!>

"Lyra, please get off this channel," said Carrot as kindly as possible. She spotted a punch table and walked toward it. "I'm sure you have lots of 'catching up' to do, but we have to keep radio clutter clear." Carrot's comm device barely emitted static before she continued, "And yes, that is an order."

Lyra gave one last grumble before a click cut her off. Carrot chuckled.

<If the reunion is finished, I do have some information to relay to you, Agent Top,> said Octavia.

"Oh, by all means," said Carrot. She motioned at a vendor to pour her a drink.

<One of our agents spotted a person of interest,> continued Octavia. <It comes from a rather dated wanted list, but one in effect nonetheless.>

"Related to the terror threats?"

<We believe so.>

"Mm." Carrot gave her drink a taste and nodded in approval. "Well, give me a description, and I'll make sure we have an eye out for them."

Carrot took another sip of her drink as she listened. "Mm-hm. I see. Oh, really?" She gave her drink a swirl. "Yes, that is hard to miss. You don't say? Oh, yes, immediately. Thank you." Carrot cleared her throat before opening the Ponyville comm link.

"Alright, everypony," said Carrot as she strode away from the punch bowl. "There is a suspicious pony in our midst, and I need you all to be on alert."

<How suspicious?> asked Amethyst. <I've had an eye on the door all night, but I haven't seen anypony other than some hoity-toity types.>

<I doubt they would have come through the front door, Star,> said Lyra. <Especially since Princess Celestia is right there.>

"Lyra's right," said Carrot. She smiled and waved as a couple danced past her. "This pony has been wanted for a long time, and Celestia herself put his name on the list."

<What an honor,> said Lyra, dryly.

Carrot chuckled before saying, "You should get his profile on your datasticks before long. We're looking for a unicorn stallion, grey coat, brown mane, and a cutie mark of an open book. His eyes have two different hues."

<Sounds like a real looker,> said Lyra. Then, after a beat, <...Maybe not the word I was looking for.>

Carrot smiled and continued, "According to our Canterlot contact–" Lyra coughed. "–he's likely to be intermingling with the crowd, thus avoiding any big commotions to try and subdue him."

<Is he working with the terrorists?> asked Derpy.

"It's impossible to say, but that's the theory," answered Carrot Top. She watched Octavia play her cello and swayed gently to the rhythm of her band. "We need somepony to find him and get close to him. Discretely. See if they can, ah, loosen his lips a little."

<You mean a honeypot?> asked Lyra. <Not exactly my preferred strategy. It was Star's weakest grade in training as well.>

<Hey!> Amethyst retorted.

<Guess that leaves you, Doo,> finished Lyra. <Maybe he'll throw those wall-eyes against a wall.>

Before Derpy could give her own angry reply, Carrot cut her off and responded with a devilish grin. "Actually," Carrot said, savoring every syllable of the word, "there's one last vital detail to that assignment."

<Oh?> said Lyra, her tone feigning apathy. <What's that?>

"Well, he was raised in Canterlot, you see," Carrot said, finishing her drink with gusto. "He kind of has a thing for unicorns."

Comments

[HorseWordFan]

This is gonna be good.

[Venates]

7826547 Good to see you, and glad to hear you're enjoying it so far! The next chapter should be out in about two weeks or so!