Chapter 19- Introductions

In my defense, I was being pinned to the floor by an earth pony in power armor. I mean it wasn't like I had any way to escape. What? Teleport? Well sure, if I was able to concentrate. But considering I was being soul kissed by a very attractive mare, mere moments after having my world rocked by a world class kiss from a pony sized insect…

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. At least until Moonlight Shadow stops glaring ice daggers at me. It doesn't help that Lindana keeps offering advice on technique, causing whoever is wearing Ed to giggle uncontrollably.

Thankfully, Lindana's badgering managed to have a effect on Sweetie Drops, because she finally pulls back in frustration.

“Thanks so much for killing the mood Lindana.” Sweetie says, pouting.

“Um, Bon Bon, I think before you make a statement like that, you might want to read the room first.” The pony inside Ed's armor remarks.

Sweetie Drops finally decided to take a look at her surroundings. The bullet holes, the blood, the bodies, and must noticeably, the fuming mad form of Moonlight Shadow.

“Um, are we interrupting something?” She asks, still straddling my waist.

“Yes.” Moonlight says coldly. “Yes you are. Now if you have a free minute now that you are finished giving Johnny a dental examination, would you mind explaining just who, or what the two of you are? Oh and as a follow up, WHAT THE HECK YOU ARE DOING KISSING MY PARTNER!”

“Partner eh? That's a new one, I thought the great Dus-ahem I mean Johnny Appleseed, was always the lone wolf. That reminds me um, 'Johnny', you shouldn't call me Sweetie anymore… well not unless you want to get kissy again.” She adds coyly. “I go by Bon Bon now.”

“Right. Okay 'Bon Bon', would you mind terribly climbing off of me? I'd like to get some circulation going in my lower half again.” I say, thrashing in vain.

After a few moments I began to get feeling back into my legs. I stood up long enough to make my way over to the bullet ridden sofa, and collapse into it.

“Alright, now look. I'd had a pretty messed up morning so far, and it doesn't look like that will be improving anytime soon. So before this goes any further let's get some introductions out of the way, and then maybe you can explain what you two are doing here in decommissioned power armor.”

“Oh, okay sure.” Bon Bon says, somewhat mollified. “It's just that I was so excited to finally see you again. But okay, I guess you deserve an explanation. Um, but what about her?” She says gesturing at Moonlight. Some of this stuff is still what you would consider 'classified'. I know she's not on my good side at the moment, but I don't think mom would like me just spreading it around.”

Unfortunately Bon Bon had a point, depending on what she had to say. There are some things I definitely did NOT want agent Shadow to take back to her boss. Ugh, this won't end well.

“Ah, Moonlight. If you don't mind could you maybe give us some time to talk this out? Just until I hear what she has to say? Professional courtesy?” I add lamely.

The look I get in return is so black it makes her coat look like diamonds. “FINE!” She says, before teleporting away.

Oh, this will surely not end well for me.

“Lindana, do a passive sonar sweep, to make sure she is gone.” Bon Bon says, all professional for once.

“Sweep complete. No other living sentient beings present other than the five of us.” Lindana returns, sounding equally professional.

“Oh knock it off,” I huff. I'd know better than you if I was being ease dropped on. I've got more magic on this place than Celestia has cakes in her cake room. And besides, if Moonlight says she's giving us space, than she is. I trust her.”

“And just who exactly IS she anyway? And since when do YOU take a partner.” Bon Bon fires back.

“SHE is to Luna what I am to Celestia.” I say flatly. “And as to why she is my partner, we are on a joint investigation for BOTH royal sisters at the moment. And as you can see by the bodies on the floor, things are getting messy. So before I can get back to it, I need to deal with the four of you. Now it's my turn to get some answers. So… spill it.”

“Fine.” Bon Bon says, settling into the nearest chair. “Well it goes like this. Ever since your accident, mom has conspired to keep me from finding you, or finding out what happened to you. After my department was shut down, I was reassigned to Ponyville. There I made friends with a wonderful mare, who was kind enough to let me move in as her roommate. Johnny, this is Lyra Heartstrings.”

The armor retracts from Bon Bon's companion to reveal a gorgeous mint green unicorn. She smiles at me, with an unsure expression on her face as if she doesn't quite know how I will react. Her innocence is so unexpected, I am momentarily thrown off my game.

“Ah, a pleasure to meet you Miss Heartstrings. I'm sorry that you have somehow ended up in the middle of whatever scheme Bon Bon has concocted.” I say, offering her a wry smile of my own.

“Oh. No, it's fine.” She says quickly. “I knew when Bon Bon saw that letter that there was no way she could let things lie. I fully expected SOMETHING to get out of hoof. It is Bon Bon after all.”

“HEY!” Bon Bon rounds on Lyra. “Who's side are you on? And what do you mean out of hoof? So far everything is going to plan.”

“Riiight.” I interject. “And that plan is?”

“Well, she says, her face reddening, as she suddenly begins to sound coy. “See, Lyra overhead a conversation between Rarity, and Fluttershy, two of the Elements of Harmony?” Seeing my nod, that I understood who they were she continues. “Well, apparently they were talking about a letter that Twilight had recently received.”

“Oh Celestia, I see where this is going.” I say rubbing my temples.

“That's right. Your name. The first time in years I ever heard mention of it.” Bon Bon confirms. “Naturally Lyra and I were on the next train to Canterlot. I worked out a plan to break into the Vault, and got your file. This told me where you were, and who you are now...” She hesitates a moment before continuing, “among… other things. Before we left we rescued Ed and Lindana. Since Ed needed a pony to survive outside of lock down, Lyra volunteered. There are things I needed to tell you Johnny. And I don't know how much time I have before Celestia finds out what I've done. Please, let me say what I have to say, then, if you want me to leave I will. No questions asked. Please?”

I bite off whatever sarcastic remark I was about to make. She was being completely serious. I've only seen her like this once before. The night I accidentally broke her heart. Even though I didn't mean to do it, I can't help feeling that I owe her this much at least.

“Alright. It's obvious you have gone through a lot to come here and see me, getting into who knows how much trouble with Celestia. Go ahead, say your piece. Whatever it is, I'll listen.”

Her face relaxes for the first time since her arrival.

“You don't know how much that means to me Johnny. You really, really don't. A day hasn't gone by that I haven't regretted the things I said the night of the dance. You got hurt, and no pony would let me see you, or tell me any details. All I ever wanted was see you just one last time. To tell you I was sorry for acting like the spoiled brat that I was. I fell for you so hard Johnny. And I got jealous of Twilight so fast. I just can't help but to think that if I had behaved differently that I might have had a shot. That I could have shown you just how awesome I was, how much I loved you, how right I was for you.

But I never got that chance. My 'mother' saw to that. I read your file Johnny. ALL of it. There are things in there that you didn't know. That none of us knew outside of my mother and one other pony.

When I first read your file during the train ride here, I was convinced I had to tell you everything. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was still thinking like that spoiled brat from back then. That I would just be selfishly deciding what was best for you, without giving you a choice. Well, I'm NOT that pony anymore. So this time I WILL give you a choice.” Bon Bon takes out a bulky manilla envelope and places it on the corner of Ori's desk. “So here's the deal Johnny. If you want things to remain how they are right now. Your job, your relationship with Twilight, with Celestia, all of it. If you like the way things are, then just destroy that envelope unread. On the other hoof, if you feel that you need to know the truth about what happened to you all those years ago. Then open it and read it. But Johnny, if you do, nothing will ever be the same between you, Twilight, or my mother, ever again. So before you make that decision, you need to ask yourself what is more important to you, Twilight, or the truth.”

I study Bon Bon's face. She is being completely honest with me. Completely sincere. I'm not the type for premonitions, but as I cast my gaze at that simple envelope, I can't help but feel a shudder of fear pass through me. There's something bad in there. Really bad. Bon Bon is right, this isn't something I can just decide on the spur of the moment.

“Bon Bon, I...” I stop, shake my head, and let out a long sigh. “Bon Bon… Sweetie, you come into my life out of nowhere, during a really bad time, and drop a bombshell that I just can't wrap my mind around.” I take the envelope, trot into my office, quickly go through the sequence of moves needed to open my hidden drawer, and put the envelope inside. I close it back and trot back into the outer office. “For right now Bon Bon, I have decided to wait on that decision. At least until this current case is over with.”

Bon Bon actually looks relieved at my words. Sweet Celestia, just what is IN that thing?

“Fair enough Johnny. Fair enough. All I would ask is that when you finally make that decision, one way or another, that you let me know. I just want to know for my sake, no other reason. You can find me in Ponyville. Practically everypony knows each other, so I'll be easy to find.” She rises, and makes as if to depart.

“Whoa, whoa, slow down, slow down. Where are you going in such a hurry? You just got here.” I say, scrambling to my hooves.

“Wha...” She says, clearly surprised. “B- but I thought… I mean, all I wanted was a chance to apologize. I mean, I know that after what I said back then that you had to hate me pretty ba-”

I cut her off with a kiss. Twilight would understand I think. (Well, I hope she would anyway.)

“Wha- what… what was THAT for,” she asks breathlessly, her face blushing furiously.

That was Duskwind apologizing for hurting a good friend a long time ago. For making her suffer for years and years until she risks her career going rogue just to try and help a pony that hasn't done one thing to deserve it. Bon Bon, I'm so sorry for hurting you. I truly suck at relationships. I honestly thought that once I explained my feelings for Twilight, that everything would be okay between us. And maybe they would have been, if I hadn't taken your feelings so lightly. Hate you Bonny? You're my best friend in the whole world. My B.F.I.T.W.W. And you come in here asking for MY forgiveness?” I get down on one knee in front of her. “Bonny, the one who should be begging for forgiveness here is me.” I take her hoof in my own. “Will you Bonny? Will you forgive a stupid moronic pony for hurting his best friend?”

“Oh Johnny, YES!” Bonny gushes. “Yes of course I will!”

And of course it was at that moment that Moonlight chose to return, Ori in hoof.

“WHAT!!!” They yell in unison.

“Wait, I can explain! It's not what it looks like!” I yell struggling back to my hooves.

“Oh no Johnny. It's obviously MY fault.” Moonlight says, grinding her words out between her teeth. “See I foolishly thought that you had to be finished with your little PERSONAL talk with your little SWEETIE. Obviously I was premature. Something YOU might have to look out for in the future!” She says, pointing an angry hoof toward Bon Bon, before teleporting away.

Oh Sweet Celestia. Tonight just gets better and better.

“Um… boss?” Ori asks in a daze.

{Sigh}, “What is it Ori.”

“Um, am I going to have to budget for a wedding? I mean I know cash is kinda tight until we get paid for this current job, but I know this really great wedding planner down on twenty-third street, an-”

“No, Ori, no.” I rub my temples in vain once more. “No wedding Ori. We are just friends. That's all.”

“Ah, I see,” she says, still sounding like she doesn't. “It's just that Moonlight mention some other kissing. And something about you soul kissing a bug as well. But then again she wasn't really making much sense the way she was pacing around and shouting.”

Oh boy… it's the night of the dance all over again. Whatever happened to my simple, peaceful life? Ponies shot me, I shot them back, then I go and have a drink or six and wake up next to some member of the opposite sex and/or species. Sure, it wasn't a PERFECT system, but it worked.

“Alright ladies. Take a few minutes to get acquainted. I need to go fix this with Moonlight. Ori, if I'm not back in thirty minutes, go get Doc Suture again.” I say then teleport myself over to Ori's.

It took almost the full thirty minutes to explain the situation to Moonlight. Minus of course any information about what Bon Bon brought me. I gave her time to recompose herself, and then we returned to what was left of my office. It only took me a moment to almost wish I hadn't.

“And there he was, leaning on my doorway crying like a baby. “Oriiiiiiii! Sh-sh-she wouldn't let me go Oriiiii, an, an her claws were HUGE!” Ori bugs out her eyes in exaggerated fear, as she tells Bon Bon one of my less than shining moments.

“BWAAHAHAAAA!” Oh my gosh! That's PRICELESS!” Bonny is laughing so hard tears are falling down her cheeks. “And you mean to tell me that he never KNEW she was a diamond dog?”

“Are you kidding me? He was so hammered that he told me that she was a yeti.” This causes yet another bout of uncontrolled laughter at my expense.

“Okay, okay. Enough BONDING ladies. I can tell that Ori has done an excellent job of keeping you entertained.”

“Johnny Appleseed.” Bon Bon says, clapping Ori on the shoulder. “How dare you put your employee through so much trouble? This poor mare deserves a bonus for half the things she told me you put her through. And I don't think a raise would be out of the question either.”

“Here here!” Ori chimes in.

“Okay, that's just about enough!” I say stamping down my hoof in emphasis. Unfortunately that was right on top of poor Blackjacks deceased body, which made the obligatory squishing sound.

This set everyone in the room to laughing, except for myself. “Aw c'mon.” I try in vain. “Have a little respect. The poor guy is dead.” I say, raising my hoof from his chest, causing him to offer a low whistle as his lungs draw in air.

“Oh Johnny really?” Moonlight says disdainfully. “Bad enough all the mares, but now you got this poor dead guy chasing after you?”

That one did it. Even I had to laugh. Although I'm sure I'm going to Tartarus for it.

Once the laughter finally died down, I got down to the business at hoof.

“Alright, from what we were saying before Bon Bon and Lyra showed up, it seems obvious that we are going to need to plan out a stealth mission into Night Industries. Now this isn't going to be easy. Night Industries is the most state of the art advanced complex in Whinnyappleous. Maybe even in all of Equestria. Aside from a ton of security guards, they will also probably have every type of magical defenses known to ponykind. Also, if what I saw during the tour is any indication they will probably also have those ponvideo cameras set up so that they can see who all is moving around in the building.

“Ponvideo?” Bon Bon asks, but I hold up a hoof to forestall her for the moment.

That is why I think we need to have an edge. Which is why I have decided to bring Bon Bon and Lyra in on the case.

“What?” Lyra and Moonlight say in unison.

“Yay!” Bon Bon says, giving me a quick hug.

“Johnny,” Moonlight begins, offering me a scowl of disapproval, “I strongly disapprove of the idea of bringing outsiders into this. I don't know these ponies. And we don't have the luxury of time for me to determine their strengths and weaknesses. I can't count on them.” She says, her tone brooking no argument.

“Well, it's true that I may not know Miss Lyra very well, but I do know Agent Bon Bon. Her, I trust.” I say equally as stern. “And if Bonny trusts Lyra, then that's good enough for me. Also Bon Bon, Lindana, and Ed are all fully trained agents of Celestia, just like I am, and while Lyra is wearing Ed, Ed can run the suit with her permission, so she won't be a liability. Something else to consider Agent Shadow, is that these suits were perfectly designed with this sort of infiltration in mind. Being organic they will pass completely undetected by countermeasures designed to detect magic, and their chameleon camouflage, will keep them completely invisible to guards and ponvideo cameras. Like it or not, these two are our best bet of getting somepony inside to disable the wards so that the rest of us can sneak in.”

Moonlight sits quietly for a moment, thinking, weighing the options. “You're right.” She finally concedes. “But I still don't like it. These four will be you're responsibility Johnny, if anything happens to them it's on your head.”

“I am totally okay with being on Johnny's head.” Lindana says from Bon Bon's shoulder. “That was FUN! Let's do that again.”

“That's NOT what she meant.” Bonny says crossly. “But then again...”

“Um, Bonny, I don't know about this,” Lyra interjects. “I mean, I'm just a musician, not a spy like you all are.”

“Ah, fuggeddaboutit.” Ed says, from her shoulder. “Stick with me kid. I'll do all the driving. It'll be fun, you get to be all secret agent pony, sneaking into the big bad corporation. Trust me, I did this all the time, it'll be a breeze.”

“Well, if really think I can handle it.”

“Absolutely.” Ed assures. “Remember we are linked now. I know everything there is about you. And I gotta tell ya Lyra, you are selling yourself short. There's a lot of potential inside of you, just waiting for a chance to be let out. Just give this thing a shot. You might surprise yourself.”

“Well… okay. If you say so Ed. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me, that link works both ways. And I will admit, I HAVE always been curios what it would be like to do some of the things Bon Bon has told me about. Alright, count me in.”

“Yes!” Lindana says happily. “Oh just wait Lyra, the four of us together, sneaking into a maximum security facility. This is going to be so much FUN!”

I roll my eyes. Same old Lindana. The worse the pressure of an assignment, the more she enjoys it. That is one masochistic bug. It makes me miss Bob. Those two would mock argue for hours. I shake my head, no time to think about the past, I need to tell them what ELSE I discovered.

“Okay, before we start planning out details. There is one other thing we need to talk about.” I trot over to the unicorn assassin pony that shot up Mane and Star. “I'm not sure what to make of this, but it can't be anything good.” I reach down and strip off his trench coat. Then I roll the body over onto it's stomach. There, clearly visible on its exposed back, are what I noticed earlier. Two, small, vestigial wings.

“W-wings? What mockery IS this!” Moonlight shouts in anger.

“How is this possible?” Lyra asks, “He's a unicorn with tiny wings. Is he an alicorn?”

“No he is NOT!” Moonlight says, her eyes blazing.

“I'm not too sure WHAT he is,” I admit. “I ran into a pony once with tiny wings like that at a gym in Ponyville. But despite their tiny size, that pony was a Pegasus. Still when he put on his rain coat, you couldn't tell that he wasn't an earth pony, and a big one at that. “As far as I know he isn't a cross between a Pegasus and a unicorn. Children from mixed marriages are either always one, or the other. This...pony, doesn't make any sense.”

“Wait a moment. In Luna's report about the attempted bombing in your office, she said that the magic used to teleport the explosives was a unicorn type spell, but NOT cast by a unicorn. And this… this THING was using unicorn magic to attack my detectives.”

“And he was sent after them because they were nosing around looking for Ebon Shard,” I say, adding the pieces together. “And Ebon Shard was put and kept in his position by using false paperwork that came from Night Industries. Now we HAVE to get inside that complex. What in Equestria are they doing in there?”

“I used to think I knew.” Moonlight admits bitterly. “But now I see that both the Princess and I have been kept in the dark. The irony is not lost on us. I don't know what foul deeds they are hiding from us Johnny. But whatever it is, I have a bad feeling about it.”