'Maybe getting an empty room would have been better.' Boba thought as he felt the strong wind blowing against him nearly knocking him off.

Along the way though he couldn't help but admire the scenery as they passed. Boba watched as they got closer to what appeared to be a castle off in the distance though it seemed to be made out of crystal. 'That might be worth a fortune.'

"Four, three, two, one! The Crystal Empire, that's the one!" The girls shouted while Boba just listened to them though it got annoying hearing them go over the same damn routine for the twentieth time. He could hear them cheering or whatever the hell they were doing. He couldn't see them.

"Okay, everypony, great job! Sounds like we're ready." Why the hell did it sound like she was speaking through a megaphone?

"One more time from the top." Boba groaned along with the other ponies.

"Oh, please! I think that was perfect." No shit.

"But we've run this, like, twelve times already. I think we've got it." Ok so maybe he exaggerated how many times they went over it.

"Cadance said the Games Inspector really puts folks through the wringer on her visits. There's no margin for error here. And this time we need to practice the steps."

'They weren't practicing the steps!' Boba thought in annoyance not sure he could take the song again.

"On a train car?" Please say no. Please say no.

"You heard the pony! On your hooves!"

'That pony dies.' Boba thought in anger.

"Two, four, six, eight-" They were caught off letting out screams as the train brakes squealed. Boba hanged onto the train tighter as he felt his body moving. The train finally stopped causing Boba to let out a sigh of relief.

"Crystal Empire, ladies! Watch your step leaving the train!" Boba heard from what he assumed was the train Conductor.

"Probably should've watched our step while we were still on it, too." Boba let out a slight chuckle as he heard them coming out of the train. Boba watched them as they walked even as the train began to move again. Seeing his chance to not be seen he flew over towards the building they were standing at where he landed but making sure to stay low so not to be seen.

"Wow! The Crystal Empire looks crystallier than ever!"

'Crystallier?' Boba thought as he flew up to the clouds landing on one then proceeded to the next one and next one trailing them though it wasn;t hard considering they weren't sparkling like the other ponies.

"They must have everypony in the Empire out sprucing it up!"

"This must be why we were asked to handle the welcome committee routine."

"And it's probably also because we'll be awesome at it." Rainbow spoke while two young ponies ran through them holding flags with big smiles on their faces.

"Princess Cadance was right. These ponies do look pretty darn excited."

Rainbow flew over picking up one of the children and held her in the air. "Yup, I remember that feeling." Boba watched as her face frowned as she sat the kid down. "But not as much as I remember the crushing wave of disappointment that came when things didn't work out."

'Way to make a kid sad.' Boba thought as he watched the kid frowned and looked ready to cry.

"That right there. That is the face I do not want to see." Rainbow spoke as she pointed at the kid causing the others to agree only for them to be picked up by Twilight magic and carried off.

Boba only shook his head as he followed them to a building with heart symbols on it. Boba flew over landing on top of it crouching down he listened in the building.

"We're here."

"There are my girls." A new voice spoke.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Boba could only chuckle at the funny song.

'These ponies are something.'

"Oh, my. This is spectacular. Please, everypony, stand back! I need air!"

'That pony is a drama queen.' Boba never did like those as they always blow things way out of proportion and that seemed to be what she was doing.

"Go ahead and try whatever you like. It's all complimentary for the welcome committee."

Boba then heard ms drama queen giggle. 'Definitely annoying.'

"That over there is a crystal mud bath, which relaxes your body and rejuvenates your coat. Now, I realize it can be kind of strange to climb into mud, but if you'll just give it a chance, I'm sure–"

"Woo-hoo!" Somepony yelled causing Boba to flinch from the loud sound that was multiplied in his helmet. 'God dang it!' Boba ears rang for a little bit but he was able to hear again.

"Ahh, so relaxing!"

'I'll show you relaxing when you tied up and pushed down a hill.'

Boba listened again, but all he heard was deep breathes.

"Go ahead, have a good time while I get my ceremonial headdress done."

"Ceremonial... headdress?" Rarity asked with enthusiasm in her voice.

"When meeting with important guests, it was a tradition for rulers of the Crystal Empire to weave crystals into their manes in a very specific way. The Games Inspector is known for doing her homework. She'll certainly be expecting my look to reflect the importance of her visit."

'That inspector might actually give me a hand in capturing one of them.' Boba stopped his train of thought as he heard the door open again.

"Princess, if I may have a word... I-I have two pieces of news for you. First, your mane stylist has the flu and won't be able to make it for fear of you catching it, too."

"Oh. Well... I hope she's better soon. Do any of the other stylists here know how to do the traditional royal ceremonial headdress?"

"Um... well... uh...no."

'You got to be kidding. They worked here and only one knows how to do the headdress?'

"Oh.......Just a... small detail."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You're trying to land the Equestria Games here. There is no such thing as a small detail!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight scolding at her friend.

"I suppose... I could give it a shot." Ms drama queen spoke up again.

" Oh, Rarity, you would do that for me?"

"Way to step it up, Rare!"

'Do all of them love to yell?' Boba thought. The only two who haven't yelled was the yellow pegasus known as Fluttershy and the one known as Applejack.

"Fortunately, I have all the precise instructions right here."

"Oh, my!" Drama queen.

"You sure you're up to this?"

"Working on the hair of royalty on such an auspicious occasion is the opportunity of a lifetime! I will give it everything I've got!"

"See? No worries!"

"Besides, the Games Inspector isn't expected for several hours. I'll have plenty of time to figure out exactly how to... do... this..."

"Oh, Rarity, that's wonderful! You said you had a second bit of news?"

'That second sentence must be addressed to the other pony.'

"Yes, quite. The Games Inspector, Ms. Harshwhinny, will be arriving on the... next train."

Boba chuckled as the ponies gasped. 'They really do have bad luck.'

"What!? You couldn't have told her that news first!? That's fifteen minutes from now!" Dang she is loud.

"Oh, my goodness!" So the shy one does speak softly.

"How long before Cadance is ready?"

"Hmmmm... I'm sure to find some shortcuts."

"Can you have her back at the castle when we're done?"

"Done."

"Okay, we'll be fine. Everypony, just be on the look out for the pony with the flower print luggage." Boba stopped listening in when he saw five of his targets exit the building. This would be a good time to capture one of the two inside. Boba glanced back over to the five who were walking further away. His eyesight remained on the yellow one known as Fluttershy. Boba quickly activated his jetpack and flew after them once he reached the clouds above. As he glanced down he saw Pinkie jumping up and down.

"Easy peasy, pudding in the freezy!"

What?

"We bring the Games Inspector back to the castle, put on our big welcome committee how-do-you-do and then..."

"Put the pudding out to thaw before you eat it or you'll crack a tooth?"

'Strange one.'

"I'll just ignore that. We need to remember that the Games Inspector arriving early is probably part of a plan to psych us out."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked her Rainbow while looking at while she hovered over her.

"You said it yourself. She's got a rep for trying to catch hosts off-guard, just to see if we can handle the kind of massive pressure that comes with hosting the Equestria Games." Rainbow pointed out causing her friends to look at each other.

"Oh, no... We're gonna blow it..." Fluttershy spoke out.

"Not if we always stay one step ahead and don't fall for any of her mind games. Anything she throws at us, we just need to remember she's testing us and roll with it."

'I have to say...this has been an interesting job I have ever done. I also have a target unless I find someone else.' Boba thought as he simply followed them to the train station. The whole trip was silent as they arrived just as the train was pulling up. From what Boba saw was only two mares got off including the one with the bag matching the description.

Looking down at the mare he saw she had a green mane and tail. Her fur was a tan color. Her clothing consisted of a pink shirt and a short skirt that went down to her knees. On her face were a pair of red glasses.

'This outta be good.' Boba thought in amusement as he watched the six approach the mare.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Rainbow spoke causing the mare to turn around while also lowering her glasses.

"Yes, what is it?" Her voice sounded like she was irritated to Boba.\

"Oh no."

"Be cool. Well, I know you're not expecting us, but we're here to personally welcome you to the Crystal Empire." Twilight smiled nervously.

"The whole lot of you came to do that?" She asked with her eyes narrowing.

"Uh, well, um... yes!" Twilight managed to speak out after studdering.

The mare eyes narrowed more and more until she smiled. "Well, darn tootin', ain't that the cat's meow!" The mare ran over and shook hands with them. "Y'all didn't need to do that. Why, I hardly expected anything like this."

Boba just zoned out on them with a bored look on his face. 'Not much information gathering here.' He thought as he flew off after them. He just watched as they tried to impress the pony.

He followed them everywhere though it turned out to be a waste of time. Though it turned out good when he saw Twilight break away from the group. 'Excellent. Just need to find the perfect time to strike.' Boba thought as he followed Twilight only to back where he was original.

Boba sighed as he landed on the building attempting to hear the conversation only for to walk out again. Back to the castle. 'I never had this much difficulty with my other contracts! Why can't any of them just be in a spot for me to collect!'

Boba sighed as he listened to the ponies again though not really paying attention to their conversation. "Shining Armor."

Boba immediately perked up at that. 'Finally.'

Boba followed after Twilight to what appeared to be a gymnasium. Quickly landing in a cloud, he glanced down while zooming in to see other heat signatures. He couldn't hear what they were saying from this distance. Growling he stood up getting ready to jump down when he saw other heat signatures appear. He watched as there was chaos everywhere with the pony from earlier bursting through the doors which she was soon followed by the others. Boba flew off after them while turning his heat vision off his helmet. Boba landed in a cloud just as Rainbow was sent flying. He didn't pay any attention to anypony else but his final target, Shining Armor.

'So this was the captain of the Royal guard.' Boba thought as he watched the group. Only to sigh as they run off again then proceeded to followed them all through the empire all the way back to where it began. Boba landed on the building and began to listen in. Oh, so the mare wasn't the inspector. He listened to them apologizing only for them to let out cheers as the real inspector told them the Crystal Empire would be hoisting the Equestria Games. As they cheered Boba turned on his thermal vison and smiled beneath his helmet when he saw it was just the two mare and his targets. 'Time for the move.' Boba thought as he sat his weapon to stun. Once it was he flew down to the front door and opened it. Walking through he closed it behind himself.

Boba watched as the ponies all turned towards him with curious glances while Shining Armor eyes widened. "You..."

Boba quickly raised his rifle and fired at them. All of his shots slammed into them knocking them out or just unable to move. Satisfied he walked over towards the ponies towards which one he was bringing with him. Aiming he fired his fibercord whip and watched as it wrapped up Fluttershy. Lowering his gauntlet he walked towards her only to stop as he felt a hand grab his right ankle. Glancing down he saw Shining Armor struggling to get up. "N.....no.'

Boba just stared down at him then raised his rifle and slammed the buttstock onto Shining head knocking him out. 'Sorry your 'majesty'. But I have a job that I intend to collect.' Boba thought as he carried Fluttershy bride style making sure not to hurt her or cause discomfort as he walked towards the exit. Once outside Boba fire off his jetpack and flew towards the destination of his pickup.

As he flew, Boba glanced down at his target to see she was asleep. She had a peaceful expression on her face as the sun shined on her. Boba sighed underneath his helmet. It was a job........so why did he still feel guilty about it still? He knew though that his conscious would just fade away like all the other times they did........just like other times.......he knew.

Next Chapter: Chapter Five Estimated time remaining: 48 Minutes