Sweetie Belle kept her focus on Shining Armor as she made her way across the room. She was tempted to look back to make sure that Brawny Bones wasn’t following her, but she just kept looking forward.

As she got closer to Shining Armor, she could hear some of the conversation he was having with several other ponies and the cadets they were with.

“Yeah, being a Dad is a lot of work,” he was telling them. “My own Dad keeps saying, ‘I told you so.’ Just remember when you have kids one day, your parents will never stop telling you that.”

The remark was met by a small chortle of laughter from the group.

“Excuse me, Shining Armor?” asked Sweetie, tapping him on the shoulder.

“Yes, miss?” said Shining as he turned around. Unfortunately, there wasn’t that much clearance between the two of them, and he ended up turning right into the side of her left breast, causing it to almost pop out of her dress. “Oh I’m sorry about th-th-I-I-“

Sweetie Belle could see he was flustered realizing how big she was, and the ponies and stallions he was talking to had also taken notice of her enormous chest as well.

“Sorry,” she said. “I’m a bit bigger than most ponies.”

“I, can see that,” replied Shining, composing himself and giving her a little more space. “So, are you enjoying the evening, miss…?”

“Sweetie Belle,” she replied.

“Sweetie Belle,” Shining Armor thought out loud, “now why does that name sound familiar?”

“Rarity’s my sister,” she said. “She made Cadence’s wedding dress, and I was one of her flower fillies.”

“Oh yeah, now I remember!” He chuckled. “Wow, you sure…grew!”

“Yep, I’m just busting out all over,” she said jokingly, and saw a few of the cadets chuckle.

“So are your friends here with you tonight as well?”

“Nope, it’s just me and my date. I was wondering if I could speak to you?”

“Like, right now?”

“Yes, there’s something very important I want to discuss with you.”

As she said this, she saw a few of the cadets smirk. They probably think I’m propositioning him, she thought to herself.

“Sure, I can spare some time to catch up with a former flower filly,” he said, before turning to the other guests. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to attend to my friend here. Please, have a great rest of the evening, alright?”

As they turned away, Sweetie Belle could swear some of the ponies were eyeing her suspiciously.

“Now, what do you want to-“

“Can we go somewhere a little more, private?” she asked.

“Um, okay,” he said, nervously. “Where should we go?”

“How about…out there?” she asked pointing to one of the gazebos in the garden outside the large windows.

“Alright,” he said, “if you insist.”

“Champagne, sir?” asked a server, who came into view with some glasses on a tray.

“Yes, thank you,” he replied, taking a glass. “And you, Sweetie Belle?”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, as he handed her one.

And so with each of them holding a glass, Shining Armor opened one of the doors to the garden, and they walked across the lawn.

“Oh, it’s chilly out here,” said Sweetie, her shoulders shivering. “Maybe I should go get my wrap.”

“Allow me,” said Shining, taking off his suit coat and putting it over her shoulders.

“Such a gentlecolt,” she smiled.

The two soon entered a gazebo, and sat down on opposite sides.

“Now before we get started,” she said. “I know what you’re thinking, and no, I’m not trying to proposition you. My family raised me better than that.”

“I…I didn’t say that you were-“

“I could see it on those other pony’s faces,” she continued. “Believe me Shining Armor, I just want to know something about the cadets.”

“Well, I’ll be happy tell you what I can,” he replied, taking another sip.

“It’s about one of the Royal Cadets, named Chrome Shield. Have you heard about what happened to him a month ago?”

“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, but you know, there are so many cadets serving the Princesses, that I’m afraid that name doesn’t-“

“There was a cadet who was lured into a room and was attacked, and then his attackers fled,” she said with intensity. “Chrome was that stallion who was attacked.”

“Oh. Yes, I had been informed about that happening.”

“Now, I understand there’s going to be an investigation among the cadets to find out who did this to him. Is there anything you can do to make sure that whomever did this is caught?”

“Sweetie Belle, did Chrome ask you to-“

“No, he doesn’t know I’m talking to you right now. He told me not to get involved, but I really don’t want this thing swept under the rug.”

“I see. You must really care about your boyfriend to-“

“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s…he’s a nice stallion, and I just want to know that the Royal Guard are going to look into this properly.”

“I’m sure they will. This is definitely a very serious matter, Sweetie Belle. To have our cadets attacking one of their own is very serious, and as a former member of the guards, I feel that it is something that needs to be addressed. But please understand. There are a lot of things that have to be done in regards to protocol. I can’t just resolve this all in a few days. I know you want some reassurance from me that justice will be served, but all I can tell you at this point, is to please be patient.”

Deep down, Sweetie Belle wanted to press further, but she felt that at this point, Shining Armor would just repeat what he had said.

“Well, okay,” she replied. “I guess that’s everything I wanted to say.”

“Don’t look so glum,” he said, helping her to her hooves. “I’m sure it’ll all work out with Chrome. And, it is nice to see some of your sister’s element alive in you.”

Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but blush at the compliment, and it raised her spirits a little.

As they headed back indoors, something flashed through her mind.

“Oh, I also have a real quick question,” she blurted out. “Do you know what a flying buttrest is?”

“You mean a flying buttress,” he replied. “They use them in the construction of castles. They’re all over Canterlot Castle, inside and outside.”

“…why does everypony know about this except me?” she asked. “Chrome even knows what they are.”

“Well, it is part of the curriculum for being in the Royal Cadets and the Royal Guards. I made it a requirement that everypony needs to know a full history of the castle they protect, including it’s architecture. It could come in handy someday.”

Sweetie Belle took a few moments to process this, and suddenly, a thought crossed her mind that made her laugh out loud!

“What’s so funny?” asked Shining.

“You really ARE Princess Twilight’s brother!” she replied.

Once back inside the castle, Shining Armor took back his coat, and the two parted ways, with Shining quickly being pulled into another conversation with some ponies and stallions.

It was at this time that Sweetie decided to make a visit to the nearest washroom.

Gulping down the last of her champagne, she went to the washroom under the elaborate staircase in the receiving room.

After touching up her makeup and hair, she gave her smile a check in the mirror, and headed out the door.

As she came out of the washroom, she was shocked to see on a couch across from the doorway…was Brawny Bones. He had been fiddling with a beer bottle in his hands, but upon seeing her, he suddenly leaped from the couch and was right in her face.

“Nice to see you, boobs,” he snickered, his chest pressing against hers.

“My name is Sweetie Belle,” she said, as she tried to move past him.

“Hey, come on,” he said, suddenly blocking her way. “I just want to have a little talk is all.”

She could smell the alcohol on his breath, and saw his eyes scoping out her cleavage. She was pretty sure he was drunk.

“I don’t have anything to talk to you about,” she said. “Now please move aside.”

“Funny, because I have something I wanna talk to you about,” he said. “I saw you talking with Shining Armor. What were you two talking about?”

“I was just, catching up with him,” she said. “I hadn’t seen him in awhile.”

“Oh?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “And when was the last time you saw him?”

“A long time ago. At his wedding.”

“Right, his wedding,” he said, the smile hardening. “You’re a terrible liar, Sweetie Boobs.”

“I’m telling you the truth,” she said, turning to go in the opposite direction. “And my name is Sweetie Belle. Now I really need to get back to my date. Excuse me.“

Suddenly, Brawny threw his bottle down, and his hand shot out, grabbing her right wrist!

“You’re not going anywhere, until you tell me what you told him,” he demanded.

“Ow-you’re hurting me,” winced Sweetie Belle, trying to pull free of his grip. “Stop!”

“Come on,” said Brawny, yanking at Sweetie’s wrist and pulling her past some worried-looking ponies. “Let’s find somewhere a little more private to talk.”

“Let, go of me!” Sweetie demanded, as they passed by some more guests.

“Hey,” said a nearby cadet. “Do you need help?”

“Mind your own business,” retorted Brawny.

As the cadet rushed off, another one rushed over to Brawny.

“Brawny, you really should let her go,” he whispered. “You’re making a scene and you-“

“She told Shining Armor something,” Brawny said to the cadet, “and I’m going to find out what.”

Already a number of other ponies were staring at what was going on…including Clear Sight, who had come out from the orchestra room to get some drinks for himself, Chrome, and Steel Spirit.

Seeing Sweetie Belle being pulled around by Brawny, he quickly rushed back into the orchestra room and over to his friends.

“Hey, where are the drinks?” asked Chrome.

“We got a situation,” said Clear.

“What is it?” asked Chrome, his face shifting to a serious look.

“Brawny Bones has Sweetie Belle by the wrist out there. He’s-“

Before Clear could finish, Chrome’s chair clattered to the floor and he sprinted through the doorway (his friends right behind him). Soon, he was standing in the crowd, watching Brawny Bones.

“What are you all staring at?” said Brawny, trying to act tough. “This is none of your business.”

“Well now you’ve made it my business,” said Chrome, emerging into the open. “That’s my date you’ve got by the wrist. Let her go, Brawny.”

“Sent her to snitch on me to Shining Armor, didn’t you?” Brawny said. “Always sticking your dick where it doesn’t belong, and now you got your little boobydoll here doing your dirty work.”

“I think he’s drunk,” Clear Sight whispered to Chrome. “Maybe you can take advantage of that.”

Chrome quickly surveyed the situation. He knew Brawny was stronger than him, but his friend’s observation had given him an idea.

He stepped forward, but Brawny stood his ground. Chrome kept moving, until he was within a few feet of his adversary.

“I’m only going to say this one more time,” said Chrome, standing up as tall as he could. “Let her go, or else.”

In response, Brawny held up his left hand, curled it into a fist, and tapped Chrome on the jaw, almost like a warning.

“Or else, what…freak?” he sneered.

“Why don’t you find out?” retorted Chrome.

That was the trigger.

Brawny pulled back and let loose his fist.

Suddenly, Chrome’s horn glowed with a yellow aura, and a golden shield materialized in front of him. Brawny’s fist made contact with it, and suddenly, he cried out in pain!

Sweetie Belle was momentarily shocked by what she had just witnessed. A moment later, Brawny had let go of her arm and she ran to the edge of the crowd, where a few ponies asked if she was alright.

Brawny clutched his aching hand, before turning to Chrome.

“I warned you,” he said, as the shield disappeared.

“Now you’re gonna get it,” said Brawny, as he charged towards Chrome and pulled back his right fist.

Sweetie Belle was just about to call out Chrome’s name, when suddenly, she saw his horn glow again. A second later, the aura had enveloped his body, and Brawny swung and made contact with air before falling to the ground.

A second later, Chrome reappeared behind him in a flash of yellow.

Brawny stumbled back to his feet and charged at Chrome, leading to another disappearing/reappearing act.

“Your boyfriend can teleport!?” asked one pony next to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie didn’t say a word. She just couldnt believe what she was seeing. Brawny took another swing, and the shield appeared again, blocking his attack.

I never taught him any of that, she thought to herself. And teleporting was not an easy thing to learn.

“Fight like a real stallion, you coward,” said Brawny, as Chrome teleported again.

As he reappeared, Sweetie could see him starting to wobble on his feet.

He’s starting to tire, she thought, remembering how much energy it took to teleport.

“Stop this!!” came a familiar, booming voice

Suddenly, there was the clanking of metal as several Crystal Empire Guards marched into the midst of the confrontation, along with Shining Armor who was livid.

“What is going on here?” he asked, looking at both of the cadets.

“He provoked me,” said Brawny, pointing at Chrome.

“He was hurting Sweetie Belle, sir,” said Chrome. “I told him to leave her alone, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Guards,” said Shining, “escort these two away for questioning, so we can get to the bottom of this ridiculousness.”

And with that, two guards took Brawny by the arms, and led him away. Two more did the same thing with Chrome.

It was then that Shining Armor spotted Sweetie Belle sitting on a couch, surrounded by several ponies.

“Are you alright?” he asked her.

“My wrist hurts,” she said, before wincing a bit, “I think Brawny Bones may have broken it.”

“We’ll get you iced and wrapped up. Now, I need you to go with these guards. We need your story on what happened here, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, as the guards helped her to her feet, and led her away.

“Okay folks,” said Shining turning back to the onlookers. “Raise your hand if you saw what happened.”

As he looked around the room, a large number of hands shot up in the air.

“Alright. those with your hands up, come with me for questioning. The rest of you may return to the dance.”

As Shining Armor headed off with the group of witnesses behind him, he could ‘t help but feel it was going to be a long night.

Author's Note

Early on when figuring out the story, I knew there was going to be a confrontation between Chrome Shield and Brawny Bones, though I never expected it to go like this.

It did evolve over time, and originally had Chrome using his magic to make Brawny punch himself, but it seemed stronger if Chrome just blocked the attacks and never had Brawny hit him.

The inclusion of Shining Armor was fun. Originally he was just going to have a very minor appearance at this dance, but in thinking of his personality from the show, I realized I could have some good use out of his character. Plus, it acted as a nice little quiet moment before the heavy stuff of the chapter happened.