SiE Chapter 9: The Mare From ｢Ｓ.Ｍ.Ｉ.Ｌ.Ｅ｣

>While it’s not her usual alarm clock, the three short, distinct beeps that ring out through the dim room jolt the mare awake in an instant, the product of uncountable hours of training.
>With a brief look at the slumbering shape under the sheets next to her, the mare slips out of her bed and into the brisk ponyville morning.
>By the time she arrives at the small bridge near Ponyville’s city hall, her contact has had ample time to familiarize himself with the stream beneath, glittering with the first meager rays of sunlight.
>”I’m retired.”
>”This is a special situation.”
>The stallion hands the mare a dossier, small enough that she gets a good enough idea of it’s contents after a short flick through.
>”Is this wise, getting involved with the Elements?”
>”Desperate times call for desperate measures. This comes all the way from the top.”
>The mare frowns, and the stallion continues.
>”Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time for you.”
>”That was different.”
>The mare sighs, and looks back at the dossier.
>”Fine, I’ll do it.”
>”Excellent. Your partner will be here within the hour.”
>”Partner? I work better alone.”
>”I’m afraid you’ll need all the help you can get.”
>With a smile, the stallion holds out his hoof, and with a reluctant look the mare takes it and shakes.
>”Welcome back, Agent Sweetie Drops.”

https://youtu.be/-SI35rNEdhM

Chapter 9: The Mare From ｢Ｓ.Ｍ.Ｉ.Ｌ.Ｅ｣




>You had expected Princess Luna to be surprised, maybe angry or even scared, like she seemed when she confronted you in the dream world.
>Instead it was you that was scared by her lack of any sort of reaction from the Princess of the Night.
>She took the fact of ｢ＮＩＧＨＴＭＡＲＥ｣’s return without flinching, taking the news with no so much as a hint of emotion.
>And then she started giving orders.
>Well, requests, but from her they were taramount to the same thing.
>You and Dash were to go back to Ponyville and warn the other elements, then keep an eye on the Everfree for any sign of Nightmare.
>She also asks that they're the only one’s that you tell.
>”I will inform my Sister. Now, you need to return to Ponyville at once.”
>Discord at least has the decency to bring you back to Rainbow Dash’s house, and despite the task Luna’s given you there’s nothing you can do to stop her from flopping onto her bedspread as the weight of the day’s events finally come to bear.

>For once, Dash is up bright and early, eager to warn the others about Nightmare.
>She speeds through her morning routine at a speed that is impressive, even for her and in no time takes off, warming her wings in the morning sunlight.
>Despite it only being early morning, Ponyville’s town square is bustling with activity as ponies set up their stalls for the day.
>Dash swoops down and lands by one store in particular, manned by one solitary member of the apple clan.
>”Howdy Dash. You’re up early.”
>”Yea, about that. I’ve got something to tell you.”
>Applejack catches Dash’s meaning, and the two of them step out of earshot of everyone else.
>As succinctly as she can, Dash relays yesterday’s events and Princess Luna’s request.
>”Well, we beat him once, we can do it again. Even if he is one of them fancy stands.”
>”Speakin’ of which, I never thanked you and Anon for savin’ Applebloom from that substitute teacher.”
>You can’t help but chuckle when Applejack attempts to turn towards you, only to end up looking even further away from you than before, and you move into what would be her line of sight if she could see you.
“It was nothing, really.”
>Dash relays your words to Applejack and adds;
>”Where is Applebloom anyway? Doesn’t she usually help you with the market stalls.”
>”She’s at Sweet Apple Acres spendin’ some time with Granny Smith.”
>Applejack pauses for a moment, a somber expression overcoming her features as she considers her next words.
>”The more a’ that she gets gets these days the better.”
>Rainbow Dash just nods, at as much of a loss as you are as to what to say in response, and after a few seconds Applejack’s expression it’s earlier, cheerier state as if nothing had happened.
>”But y’all both didn’t come here to hear me mope. Thanks for the heads up.”
“Anytime.”
>”So, seein’ as Twilight and Pinkie are still outta town, I suppose you’ll be off to tell Rare’s the good news next.”
>Applejack looks across the market towards Ponyville’s clocktower and smiles.
>”She could probably use a wake up call right about now. She could afford to have a little bit less beauty sleep after all.”
>Applejack’s joke elevates the tension somewhat, and Rainbow Dash agrees with her.
>The two mares say their goodbyes, and the pair of you head off towards Rarity’s boutique.
>Though she could fly their, Dash remained grounded as the two of you weave through the market, mostly for your sake.
>After all, it’s much less disconcerting to be walking along side her then floating in midair.
>And despite the urgency of your task and Applejack’s words, neither of you particularly wants to be the one to wake Rarity up and endure the repercussions.
>So you find yourselves making your way through the marketplace, which is already bustling with activities as ponies try to get in early for the best deals.
>It seems every couple of steps you seem to find somepony who recognizes Rainbow Dash and calls out in greeting.
>And for her part Dash revels in it. You on the other hand are just glad your intangibility affords you the ability to relax and take in the sights around you.
>Which is why you almost trip over her when she stops in the middle of the road.
>”Oh. Rainbow Dash! I hate to be a hastle but could you help me move some sweets? Lyra’s wandered off and I need to finish setting up before the market gets too busy. It’ll only be quick.”
>”It’ll be more than quick with me helping you Bon Bon. Where’s the stuff?”
>”Just over here, come on.”
>The noise of the market crowd falls away as Bon Bon leads you two into an alleyway, and you step a touch closer to Rainbow Dash.
“Well this isn’t suspicious at all.”
>”Well it worked didn’t it?”
>Bon Bon stops, and turns on her heel to face you.
>”Besides, I didn’t want to do this at the market. For both our sakes, Rainbow Dash.”
>”What’s this about Bon Bon?”
>”It’s Sweetie Drops. Special Agent Sweetie Drops.”
>Before either you or Dash can voice your confusion, Bon Bon, or Sweetie Drops as she called herself, levels her hoof at you.
>”Anonymous, under the authority afforded to me by Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria, I’m taking you into custody.”
>”Wh-”
“-at?”
>”Anonymous isn’t a monster, he’s my Stand.”
>”You’re what?”
“Basically I’m a-”
>Sweetie Drops cuts you off with a swipe of her hoof and sighs.
>”Look, Rainbow Dash it’s obvious that you two have become friends, but he is not what he seems.”
“Well what am I then?”
>”A potentially dangerous entity masquerading as-”
>This time you cut her off with an exasperated swear as you throw your arms up in defeat.
“Seriously? We’ve been through this song and dance Princess Luna. You really want to go against the Princess?”
>Sweetie Drops falters, doubt flashing across her features just for a second, before she steels herself.
>”I was told you’d say that, and even if I wanted to believe it, I have my orders. Come with me, there’s no need to make a scene.”
>”He’s not going anywhere.”
>Dash steps in front of you, only for the both of you to be covered in shadow as the sound of rustling feathers fills the air.
>Instinctively, you swing your fist upwards and are surprised when your punch elicits a pained squark.
>Unceremoniously a gryphon falls to the ground in front of you, twitching slightly as he regains his breath.
>”Giovi! Damn it!”
>You step forward and swing at Sweetie Drops, intent on knocking her out before she can summon her stand.
>Time seems to slow to a crawl as you fist flies towards her stomach, and you watch as, almost mechanically, she twists her hoof up, swatting your blow away like it was nothing.
>”I wanted to do this without violence, but I have to take you in.”
>Her hoof launches forward like a cannon ball aimed straight at your own gut, and all you can do is twist your body out of the way to avoid the attack.
>You move your body sideways, avoiding her attack, only for the back of your foot to connect with something, sending your sprawling and leaving your open for another blow.
>Sweetie Drops takes full advantage of your position and diverts her punch downwards, and you guard with your arms, taking the full force of the strike meant for your guts.
>You kick your feet upwards, and Sweetie Drops throws her entire body backwards, causing your feet to kick empty air but allowing you to use the movement to flip yourself back onto your feet.
“Did you see her Stand?”
>”No, didn’t you?”
>You and Dash circle Sweetie Drops and she does the same, fixing the two of you with a determined stare.
“But I felt her hit me. She wouldn’t have been able to do that on her own.”
>Sweetie Drops spins, and launches at you with a high kick.
>Once again, you bring your arms up to block, and as her leg approaches you catch the tiniest hint of a gleam covering her fur before the limb collides with your own.
>”Hey! Don’t forget about me!”
>Dash tackles Sweetie Drops, sending the two mares tumbling.
>With a grunt of exertion she throws Dash of of her, leaving her with you behind her and Dash infront of her.
>Before she can move, you swing your first at the back of her head.
>Not the fairest of moves, but one that’ll end this fight quickly.
>The gap between your fist and the back of her head shrinks in moments, and you’re all but ready to call it a day when you feel your fist stop short.
>Sweetie Drops turns her head, looking over her shoulder at your fist, stopped inches from her head by her hoof, which is covered in the same glimmering sheen as before.
“I-impossible!”
>She flips herself upwards, and you lash out with a desperate kick which only serves to give her a springboard to push herself higher into the air.
>”Anon! Did you see her stand.”
“Yes. No. I…”
>Your almost feel your neurons firing as you try to put your thoughts into words.
“Her stand’s defending her but using her body to do it!”
>”Oh, that clears things up!”
>Your window for a witty retort closes as Sweetie Drops lives up to her name and attacks you from above.
>Her kicks beat your arms like a drum, and gives her enough upwards force to keep her suspended above you and free to continue her assault.
>You reach out and grab her legs, only for her to do the splits in your hands, stretching your arms out either side of you and leaving you open as she brings her hooves down onto your head.
>The hit drops you like a sack of potatoes, sending you sprawling in the dirt.


>Though she didn’t hit you, the force of Bo- no, Sweetie Drops’ blow sends you sprawling, your already weakened forelegs collapsing and sending you into the dirt just like Anonymous.
>You would have never imagined someone like her doing something like this, but a couple of weeks ago you would have never imagine being spiritually tied to punch ghost either.
>You climb to your hooves while she’s distracted with Anon, and with a flap of your wings launch forward.
>Twisting your body in the air, you aim your back hoof at Sweetie Drops and scream in equal parts anger and frustration.
>Despite your vocal warning she barely has time to turn her head before she receives a quite literal flying kick to the jaw, throwing her off Anon and into the alley wall.
>You land, and offer Anon a hoof to help him to his feet.
“So, what was that about her stand defending her?”
>”I guess it only worked on other stands.”
>A pained groan echoes out from behind you, and you both turn to see Bon Bon’s gryphon companion climb to his feet, before looking around and taking a defensive stance.
>”STOP! I’m Special Agent Giovi an-”
>Anon takes a step forward cracks him over the head, the gryphon not even registering the stand before he goes unconscious again.
>”The hell sorta name is ‘Giovi’?”
“It’s a gryphon name.”
>Anon just rolls his eyes before turning his attention back to Sweetie Drops.
>”So what do we do with her?”
“We talk to her, try to figure out why she’s after us.”
>Anon strides over to Sweetie Drops’ prone for, and hoists her up.
>”Hey, wake up. I know Dash didn’t hit you that hard.”
>She coughs, stirring from her daze as she weakly responds to Anon’s question.
>”I have...orders…”
>”Who from?”
>Her response disappears beneath a fit of coughing, and Anon drops Sweetie Drops in alarm.
>”Jeez, maybe you did hit her harder than I thought.”
>Another round of coughing interrupts your retort, and you turn your head to see that Giovi has joined Sweetie Drops in hacking up their lungs.
>Drops of what you take to be blood sputter from their mouths, but as more of it comes out you see that instead of read it’s a dark, inky black.
>Sweetie Drops’ body is racked by a round of coughing so severe that Anon has to hold her to stop her from banging her head against the ground or the wall.
>With a deep gasp, the coughing stops and with a shuddering gasp of air, both she and Giovi fall limp.
>From their mouths a thin wisp of smoke emerges, instantly turning Anon’s expression into a scowl.
>”Nightmare!”
>Anon drops Sweetie Drops and jumps up as he swipes at the smoke, but it dissipates as his fingers pass through it, disappearing into the air.
>”God damn it!”
>”Augh...where am I?”
>Sweetie Drops looks around, then yelps and scrambles backwards as she spots Anon.
“Woah, hey. Sweetie Drops calm down.”
>Her head whips around to you, and you swear you see her eyes go even larger.
>”Who told you that name?”
>Both you and Anon groan in unison.

>It takes a little while for you to explain things to Bon Bon (her prefered name, as it turns out) but she quickly catches on.
>”But how would I even know what the name of my stand is?”
“It’s hard to describe. You just sort of...know.”
>Bon Bon nods, and looks down at her hooves before closing her eyes and calming her breathing.
>”｢ＴＨＩＳ  ＡＩＮ＇Ｔ  Ａ  ＳＣＥＮＥ｣.”
>Though it’s subtle, you definitely notice the shimmering around her limbs, at times becoming so visible you can see sparks dancing along the surface of her fur.
>”Wow.”
“Yea.”
>”So what about him?”
>Both your gazes are drawn by Anonymous towards the still unconscious gryphon, and Bon Bon shrugs.
>”I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.”
>Anon shrugs, and goes to pick him up only to stop, straining as he struggles to budge Giovi.
“What’s wrong?”
>”I...I don’t know. He won’t move.”
>Anon strains even more, only to lose his footing and fall flat on his ass.
>”What the hell.”
>Anon’s confused tone draws you in closer, and as you approach you see that Giovi is actually rooted to the ground by, well, roots.
>Before your eyes, you watch as the roots grow longer and more constricting as the gryphon’s features seem to draw more gaunt and aged.
“That’s not good.”


<=To=Be=Continued==

https://youtu.be/jNEk5Yf-MYY