Epilogue- A Sign Far Beyond
Under A Luminous Sky
by
Jake The Army Guy
Epilogue: A Sign Far Beyond
Six Months Later
Agent Bentgrass yawned loudly as he strolled through the breezeways of Canterlot Castle, the sound of his hooffalls reverberating off the pearl painted walls. He nodded at a passing pegasus carrying a giant stack of papers, gingerly stepping out of his way. As he walked, he ran his tongue across his teeth, grimacing slightly. Blasted overnight trains...
After several more twists and turns, he finally arrived next to a heavy wooden door with the R.I.S. emblem on it. Crossing to the opposite end if the hallway, he checked his reflection in a window. He gently ran a hoof through his styled mane, turning his head slightly to inspect at different angles. Satisfied, he smoothed down his suit, cleared his throat, and opened the door.
He was instantly greeted by the sound of several quills scribbling furiously on parchment. Easing the door shut behind him, he smiled at the mare behind the desk along the left wall. “Mrs. Moonbeam, a pleasure as always.”
The turquoise unicorn looked up at him, and gave him a tired grin, flicking her head to clear the errant strand of mane across her eye. “Agent Bentgrass! How have you been?”
“Apparently nowhere near as busy as you.” He gestured towards the 6 quills floating in a turquoise aura above the desk, each writing on separate pieces of scrolls that hung beneath them.
"Ha! This is nothing! Wait until I get about six more quills in the air, then you can start talking about overworking!"
Bentgrass opened his mouth, but only a loud yawn came out. "Oh, pardon me."
"Rough night?"
"Overnight train from Stalliongrad. A two week operation followed by a summons from the director. I wonder if I should update my life insurance policy."
She just smiled at him. "The Director is with his grandson, but he's expecting you."
With a final smile and nod, Bentgrass walked to the large door with a frosted window, the words Director Top Notch painted in thick black letters in the middle. He gave a light knock.
“Come in!”
Opening the door, Bentgrass saw the Director, greyed mane still impeccably coiffed around his horn, sitting behind his desk. Across from him was a pinto earth pony wearing a grey military cadet’s uniform, his brown mane fashioned into a sharp crew cut. The Director smiled. “Ah, Agent Bentgrass! Please, come in.” Bentgrass eased the door shut and quickly crossed the office, standing before the desk. “Have you met my grandson Pip?”
“Not as of yet.” He gently inclined his head towards the young stallion. “A pleasure to finally meet you. You grandfather speaks very highly of you. I see you’ve been accepted to the Military Academy at West Hoof.”
Pip opened his mouth to speak, but Notch cut him off. “Halfway through the semester, and he’s already at the top of his class,” he said with a wide grin.
“Aw, Granddad...” Pip turned away slightly.
“You know, Pip,” Notch comically lowered his voice, “Agent Bentgrass here spent six years in the Night Guard.”
At this, Pip immediately looked up at Bentgrass, his eyes wide. “You worked for Princess Luna?! That’s so wicked!” He puffed his chest out. “I’m going to be captain of the Night Guard some day!”
“A lofty goal.” Bentgrass smiled at him. “Well, if half of what your grandfather says about you is true, then Captains Anvil and Hammer may have competition in a few years.”
“Pip here is on his Spring Break!” Notch threw a foreleg around Pip, hanging off of him like a foal. “He's cavorting with his lovely young marefriend. What’s her name? Donkey, Dumpy...”
“Dinky!”
Notch laughed. “Okay, okay, sorry! Say, how about you go down to the Castle kitchen and save us a table. Need to talk a bit of shop with Agrostis here.”
Pip nodded, giggling as Notch ruffled his buzz cut mane. “Sure thing, Grandad! Nice to meet you, Agent Bentgrass.” The agent nodded to him as Pip walked through the door.
As Pip closed the door behind him, Notch looked up to Bentgrass and gestured to the chair with his hoof. Bentgrass eased himself down as Notch spoke. “Now then, Agrostis. I understand you're most likely running on bad coffee and good thoughts, so I'll get right to the point. You remember the Ponyville incident six months ago, yes?"
Bentgrass nodded. "It's hard to forget a time when the fate of the world hung in the balance."
"If I read your report correctly," he said, gesturing to a manila folder on his desk, "a great deal of the credit for closing that case goes to Doctor Sparkle."
"Her contributions cannot be overstated. Were it not for her, things could have gone... much worse."
"And that is exactly the problem!" Notch leaned in, resting his elbows on the desk. "If nothing else, that case highlighted a serious problem with our organization. We are horribly, dare I say laughably, ill-equipped to deal with cases involving the arcane. Only half of our field agents are unicorns, and of those merely a dozen or so of those have any experience with exotic magics like the ones you faced in Ponyville."
Bentgrass arched his eyebrow. "Indeed, it seems we are at a bit of a loss. However, I fail to see what this has to do with me."
"I'm getting there. It was with these facts that I approached Their Majesties with a proposal." He stood, his tired bones creaking quietly as he crossed the room to open a large filing cabinet. "In a nutshell, we are greatly swelling the ranks of Division Six, with the expressed purpose of stacking the field with agents who are well-versed in forbidden magics."
Bentgrass nodded slowly as Notch pulled another plain manila folder from the cabinet. "I see. So, I assume that we are pulling unicorns from the War Department, yes?"
"No." Notched eased himself back into his chair. "A brief chat with General Armor nixed that idea. It seems that combat magic is falling out of favor with the young. He can't spare the mages without compromising national defense."
"Well, then where will we be procuring unicorns well-versed in obscure magic?" He let out a quite laugh. "Surely not academia!"
Notch laughed. "Of course not! I'd not send you into a hostile situation with some aging bookworm."
Bentgrass tilted his head slightly. "Well, then wh—" His eyes widened as it dawned on him. "Oh, no, Director, that is a very bad idea."
Notched raised his hoof. "Now, now, I understand your hesitation, and let me assuage your fear by saying no, they will not be official agents, only probationary."
"Probationary?"
"Yes. The program started a few months ago. We sent out letters requesting the aid to some of Equestria's foremost experts on dark and forbidden magic. All of them young, in fine physical condition, with a bright head on their shoulders. They will all be assigned a supervisory agent and sent out on random cases, just to test them out. If the agent feels they have what it takes, then the offer will be extended to become an official agent."
Bentgrass studied him for a minute before nodding. "I assume that you wish me to be one of these supervisory agents?"
Notch smiled. "The first actually." He floated the manila folder to Bentgrass, who plucked it from the air. "And here's your case. There’s a rather... cheeky pony down in Manehatten doing very naughty things. Local police are flummoxed, and the bodies are starting to pile up.” He nodded towards the folder. “Everything you need to know is in the file. I want you two on the next train.”
Bentgrass had opened the folder as Notch spoke, his eyes flying across the pages, soaking up the details. After a few moments, he looked back up. "Director, if I may, this seems to be a... rather serious case. I'm not sure guiding somepony around by the hoof is going to expedite things. Besides, is a serial killer really the best way to introduce a civilian to what we do?"
Notch smiled. "Trial by fire, as they say."
"Director, I really would prefe—
“This is not a request, Agent Bentgrass.”
Silence for a beat, then Bentgrass sighed and slumped his shoulders, though a small smile played on his lips. “Very well, Director. Tell me, is she at least any good?”
“I’ve always thought of myself as great.”
Bentgrass jumped ever so slightly at the new voice; he hadn’t even heard the door open. Standing up and turning around, he looked at the new pony. A azure unicorn mare with a blue and white mane stood before him, a smug grin on her face. She wore a white coat, similar to his but with a collar more like a trench coat than his V-neck, that ran down her flank to just above her cutie mark. She approached the desk with a confident swagger, stopping just in front of Bentgrass. “I assume you’re the ‘super agent’ everypony has been telling me about.”
Bentgrass arched his eyebrow, though his smile remained as he raised a hoof. “Special Agent Bentgrass. Pleasure to meet you, Miss...”
The mare maintained her brash smile and gently tapped his hoof.
“Probationary Agent Lulamoon. You may call me Trixie.”
Agents Bentgrass and Lulamoon will return in...
Eye of The Beholder
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Eye of The Beholder... eh.. seen this name too often.
well hope that next story would be a good one too
[insert comment from original epilogue here]
1987449
Yes. I apologize, I and track to make some edits and accidentally deleted the original.
Oops, my bad.
*inset previous WTF moment here*
1981280>>1987810>>1987449 Yeah, again. I hope you don;'t think I'm some feature whore. I honestly just changed a few things.
1981280>>1988082
Well, it seems to me you made some edits besides just giving Trixie a new title. You changed the tone of the epilogue by removing a few of Bentgrass' lines, including the ones about working together with Twilight.
I kinda miss those lines, I felt they were important in the original.
1989454
Don't worry. I my next story, which should be coming out today or tomorrow, I address the whole Bentgrass/Twilight thing. Trust me, it all works out.
1990025 Awww, does it really have to? :(
1990390
Well, I don't think it needs to. I felt that Twilight's true feelings on the whole thing are pretty evident by her actions and words at the end, but apparently some are confuzzled, so I might as well paint it clearly.
...Trixie? Oh dear. This should be interesting. Eye of the Beholder, is it?
You got Mbwun from Relic, didn't you?
OMG YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I'VE WAITED FOR A CROSSOVER LIKE THIS. THANK YOU!! *Cough* I mean...I'm sure this is a wonderful story
1997152
Eeyup. Also, Bentgrass was inspired by You-Know-Who...
OH MY GOD RELIC MLP CROSSOVER!
1999634 You sir just won the internet. All I can say is
twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/2199347499/me-gusta-creepy-me-gusta-l.png
All this talk about bentgrass and i have no idea who hes inspired by...answers please?
Finally an update I've been waiting for this!
Oh and that's a really good way of introducing OC by first including the mane six and then branch of.
This i'd better be good
Also what is Relic? Somepony HAS to fill me in on this because it seems awesome from these comments
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at the very beginning of the story....
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2000868Have you ever read any Preston/Child books? Special Agent Bentgrass is inspired by the fictional character and FBI agent Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. And Bentgrass is a very good approximation of Pendergast, if I might say so. I've only read two Preston/Child books, and I am practically drooling for the rest of them! Jake The Army Guy has captured Agent Pendergast and ponyfied him successfully! And on that note, I wonder if Jake will introduce Diogenes in the sequel? The entire time in Under A Luminous Sky, I was looking for any sign of Diogenes's involvement.
2000376 I KNOW, RIGHT?!
That's ok, I'm sure I didn't need to sleep the night before my exam anyway. Reading this whole story in one sitting was great preparation.
Damn you Jake, you and your ridiculously brilliant fic.
2004967I LOVE RELIC. PLEASE HELP ME, MY CAPSLOCK IS STUCK!
2030059 NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! I LOVE RELIC TOO!
2030591YAAAAAH!
2031129>>2030591
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIII THINK CABINET OF CURIOSITIES IS THE BEST IN THE PENDERGAST FAMILY OF NOVELLLSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAARRGGHHH!!!!!1111!!1!
2031175AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
2032107AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!
2032178YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
2033643
2033703AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
2031175 CABINET OF CURIOSITIES IS F^CKING AWESOMESAUCE! I JUST RECENTLY READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND IT SIMPLY OOZES AWESOME!
As soon as I read the part where Trixie first came in, on sheer instinct, my eyes darted to the bottom of the page, my mind wanting to read ahead for a flash of time. The bottom of the page just so happened to be the part where she says her name. Let me tell you, I have never facepalmed so hard in my entire life. I may wake up with a concussion tomorrow morning.
Still, though, I really must admit that I LOVE this entire fic. Mystery, murder, romance, action, abject terror, all centered around a lust for revenge and power. It's everything I love in a murder/mystery story.
I must say, good sir, smashing good show.
2051708
Most everyone has that reaction with Trixie and I'm not sure why. I know the way I introduced her was a bit cliche... okay, a LOT cliche, but its a teaser, it's supposed to be an attention whorse. Is it because its her? After Magic Duel, we can see she's a bit reformed.
All I ask is that you trust me. I have some good plans for her, and I think people will approve of her once I get there.
2051745
Alright, my friend. I trust your judgment.
I have another little question. Obviously, this story takes place after Daylight Burning (correct me if I'm wrong), but does Daylight Burning take place after Night Guards? If the three stories are related, is there any particular sequence to reading them? I want to read them in order so I don't get confused.
2053447
Ah, the continuity.
See, I have this weird idea that all my favorite stories happen in the same universe, mainly because I love these characters, and I like to pay tribute to stories that are much better than mine.
But in all reality, this story is not cannon with the other stories. The Agent, Hammer, Anvil, and Sharptooth do exist in this world, but there is no continuity.
Of course, if I HAD to say it, the order would be Night Guards, The Ambassador's Son, Luminous Sky, then Daylight Burning.
If you're wondering how it all it all fits in,
With continuity facts
Just repeat to yourself it's just a fic
You should really just relax.
Oh, My Little Pony: Friendshiiiiiiiiip is Maaaaaaagggiiiiiiiiccc!
*guitar strum*
2053503
Then the order I read them is all over the place. I'm gonna start with the first in your "continuity list", and read from there. I got confused, because in this one, spike is already a teenager, and in Daylight burning, some event took place between Twilight and Spike that led to a slight falling out that I hadn't read before, and therefore had no prior knowledge, which led to me being confused which led to me asking about the supposed continuity which led to you giving me a list which led to this comment.
...I'm gonna go read now...
So that's, by my count, three Iron maiden references, one Black Sabbath reference, one Judas Priest reference, and four Metallica references you've got in the chapter titles alone. Relevant Heavy metal must be so proud.
Okay, now that I've actually read this story I'll just say that it was awesome.This is how a dark fic should be written.
I must say that this is one of my favorite fanfics I've ever read, ever!!!! I can't wait for the sequal!
oh hoy am I looking forwards to this! just wanted to mention that my nickname at work is Tap, like I noticed one of the characters names is tap too
2109923
Don't forget one AC/DC reference!
2239534
Didn't catch it, actually. Was never overly big on ACDC myself, but I won't object if that's what other people in the car want.
2246453
Gah! I would hope Bentgrass wouldn't "rubber" her. That doesn't sound very safe for Woona...
Fixededed! Thanks for the assist!
2246584 so when is Eye OF tThe Beholder coming out? i just cannot wait for it
Alright, I wanted to save all my thoughts until I finished this. And lo and behold, I finally have! Now, where to begin...?
I suppose with applause and a congratulations would be the best place! Well done, sir! You have crafted a tense, gripping thriller that had me hooked from beginning to end! I felt at times like I was switching between a thriller and a murder mystery, trying to figure things out ahead of time, but you kept me guessing the whole way through. Bravo!
I particularly liked how well you kept your characters in character, something I see a lot of authors struggle with. You create a great sense of atmosphere in your environments too. I can definitely see how this got featured. Brilliant work.
P.S. Special Agent Bentgrass (Very Special Agent Bentgrass, as I've affectionately begun calling him) reminds me of James Bond.
-- DQ
Just finished this story up, and I must say, it was an awesome read. Great original character, and good use of established characters, I was at the edge of my seat for all of the action scenes. The atmosphere was fantastic throughout, and I often didn't know how exactly things would turn out. The mystery was also well thought out and held together very well.
A very solid story throughout I plan on recommending to others. Great job!
Very very awesome story! I was pretty much hooked from the very beginning, and now I'm probably off to check out the sequel.
I was a little sad how things ended between Twilight and Bentgrass, but let's see what happens next before I dwell on it too much.
I'm honestly not sure why I didn't read this earlier. You write like a pro.
I agree with Archonix. Your writing is excellent and engaging. You really captured the essence of 'Bentgrass' (nice!) and added to him, and you've made Twilight into an excellent foil. I'm only at chapter 6 now, but so far it's been fun, and appropriately creepy at the beginning. I'm looking forward to the rest.
Well done! Really really.
You know, pony pony pony has kept me from reading the 12th Pendergast novel since I discovered MLP, and you just pushed that time out further. I actually don't feel bad about that at all right now.
*snerk* Very nice *claps* Twilight was written perfectly, even up to the end where as much as I wished she would say something different, I knew she wouldn't.