Chapter 16

A bliss silence was heard by the gunslinger as he slowly opened his eyes. There was a small twinge of light piercing his eyes as his senses returned to his body. He then felt something on his chest and he glanced down to see a welcoming sight that made him smile. His mare, his lover, his new love of his life, Johanna Justice, slept happily on his chest. A warm feeling of happiness washed over him as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. It had been many years since he felt this happy with someone, and this world had given him a chance on both fronts of his life. After a small pause, Johanna began to stir from her slumber and then looked up at Arthur.

“Well, good morning, darlin’,” Arthur said with a smile. “Sleep well? After last night, I can say it was a wonderful experience.”

Johanna merely smiled and leaned into Arthur's chiseled chest. “Last night was amazing, just like you.”

“You were also amazing, darlin’,” Arthur held her close. Arthur looked to the far side of the tent to the indoor tub. It was large enough to fit two bodies, which gave him an idea. “Care to join me for a wash?”

“Only if you carry me over,” Johanna teased Arthur, but was surprised when he stood up and picked her up bridal style. “My my…what a gentlestallion, you are.”

Arthur chuckled as he carried Johanna to the tub. The tub was made so that the water would remain hot thanks to a magic charm that was casted on it. It was Arthur’s routine every day to empty the tub after every wash and refill it. Arthur climbed into the tub with Johanna as the warm water enveloped them. With them both inside, Arthur grabbed a bar of soap and began washing Johanna’s body.

“By the way, you said somethin’ that caught my attention from last night. What’d you mean when ya said you weren’t in heat?” Arthur wondered as he scrubbed her back.

Johanna blushed furiously and shook her head to clear the embarrassment itched onto her. “Oh, um…well, once a mare comes of age…they become fertile and active in the Spring…” She paused for a moment and fiddled with her thumbs. “In other words, they want to…procreate and become mothers.” Johanna covered her face with her palms as her face began to heat up from her own words.

“I see,” Arthur nodded in understanding. “Well, not to offend you or anything, but I’m sorta glad. Things didn’t exactly work right the last time I tried being a father. You’ll excuse me if I seem hesitant.”

“But of course, we do use herbs or medicine to control our urges! Equus forbid, there would be countless teenage mothers running around!” But I wouldn't mind bearing your foals… The mere thought of Johanna being a mother to Arthur’s foals brought a demure smile to her face with blushed cheeks.

“I appreciate the thought, Johanna.” Arthur in appreciation. He took his time to wash the mayor and gently kneaded her skin and moved his hands to rub her breasts. “That feel alright?”

Johanna moaned and moved her hand to his shaft and grabbed hold of it gently in her fingers. “Somepony’s excited~.” She teased Arthur and leaned her head backwards to kiss his neck.

“Seems someone hasn’t had enough,” Arthur said in a huffed voice.

“You complaining, stud~?” Johanna purred.

“Not in the slightest…”

The two spent another hour or so in the bath, consummating their love once more. It was safe to say that Arthur wouldn’t trade anything in the world for this level of happiness and peace he was experiencing.

Two Months Later

Time passed on once more and the winter winds were beginning to die down and the weather began to warm up for the coming spring. Arthur’s relationship with Johanna had skyrocketed since Hearth’s Warming, which branded a smile across his lips for the foreseeable future. Today, Twilight had invited her friends, Arthur included, to a picnic by the lake. It was convenient for Arthur since his camp was nearby and he also decided to bring Johanna along as his plus one. As the main six were conversing amongst themselves and enjoying the day, Arthur was on his back, legs crossed, and laid his head on Johanna’s lap. The mare in question was enjoying running her fingers along the gunslinger’s dirty blonde mane that had grown a bit over time.

“You two are just the sweetest-looking couple!” Pinkie Pie chirped. “How’s it feel to have a coltfriend like Arty, Mayor Mare?”

Johanna giggled as she continued to play with Arthur’s hair. “Like the first time you have ever tasted your favourite cupcake,” she replied to Pinkie who looked in awe at her.

“Oh?” Rainbow smirked as she hovered over the two. “So you rode the gunslinger, huh?”

“Watch your words there, rainbow butt,” Arthur remarked, tipping his hat up and opening a stern eye at the Pegasus. “Our intimacy is our own business, thank ya kindly.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously as she rubbed the back of her head. “I was just kidding,” she replied and decided to move to where Fluttershy was seated as she used her wings to lift herself there. Seriously though, with how much Mayor Mare limps every weekend, I’m so jealous!

Just as the group was about to return to enjoying the day, a young, friendly neighbourhood drake came running towards them in a hurry. Spike eventually made it to the area where he struggled to catch his breath.

“I…I…let me just…hang on…” Spike wheezed.

“Simmer down there, boy, take a minute to find your breath,” Arthur said as he sat up.

Spike then lurched in response and belched out a scroll that plopped on the ground.

“A scroll?” Twilight picked up the scroll and unfolded it to read. “Dear Twilight, I am sure you are excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot.” She paused. “Wedding? I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music.”

“Oh goodness, what an honor!” Fluttershy said gleefully.

“Pinkie Pie, I can think of nopony more qualified than you to hold the reception.”

“Hip hip, hooray!” Pinkie cheered as she did a cartwheel.

“Applejack, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception.”

“Well cover me pleased as punch!” Applejack grinned.

“Rainbow Dash, I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do’s.”

“YES!” Rainbow pumped her fist.

“Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmares.”

“Princess Celestia wants me to-ha…Heh…wedding dress…eh…for a Canterlot wedding…eyeya…” Rarity slurred as she fell backwards and passed out.

“Damn, Celestia must be pulling out all the stops for this shindig,” Arthur said.

“Arthur, I would like you to attend as well for…security detail?”

“Come again?” Arthur arched a brow. “She wants me to come too?”

Twilight blinked and squinted her eyes at the letter. “Says here that the Princess is asking for you personally to be on security detail for the wedding…per recommendation from her sister,” Twilight replied. “Arthur can also bring a plus one for the reception.”

Already Johanna felt her stallion’s eyes gazing at her when the words plus one was uttered. “I know who he is taking.”

“So who’s getting hitched?” Arthur wondered.

“Twilight, you will be playing the most important role of all,” Twilight continued to read. “Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon, yours, Princess Celestia.” Twilight pursed her lips as she turned the page over. “But I don’t understand, who’s getting married?”

“Oh! Right, I was supposed to give you this one first,” Spike said sheepishly as he handed her a second scroll.

Twilight took the scroll and unrolled it. “Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and…my brother?!”

“You got a brother, Twilight?” Arthur wondered.

“Yeah, my older brother…” Twilight huffed and scowled as she looked down to the ground. “Who I find out is getting married to some unknown pony and he has the gall to tell me this via a letter?!” She exclaimed and grinded her teeth. Her lips started to quiver and her eyes started to water. “I mean he’s my B.B.B.F.F.” She continued but paused when the other ponies around her looked dumbstruck. “Big Brother Best Friend Forever.”

“There must be a valid reason, Twilight, after all, he’s your brother,” Arthur argued.

“I suppose you’re right, he is pretty special. I mean, they don’t just let anypony be captain of the royal guard.”

“Damn, he’s a captain? That’s pretty impressive,” Arthur smirked.

Rarity gasped and took hold of Twilight’s shoulder. “So not only is your brother getting married to a princess, but he’s a captain of the Royal Guard of Equestria?!” she asked with a beaming smile.

“Yes,” Twilight answered deadpanned and rolled her eyes when Rarity fainted, albeit in a dramatic fashion.

“Well no offense to your brother, Twilight…but I’d rather have a sheriff as my stallion for life,” Johanna added in her comment and giggled with a blush as she pictured herself in a wedding dress with Arthur as her groom.

“Heh, this is gonna be an interesting experience,” Arthur chuckled.

The Next Day

The group were all on the train headed to Canterlot and Arthur figured he would dress appropriately for a formal occasion. He wore a dark blue coat with tassels hanging off the shoulders, light grey jeans black buttoned up collared shirt with a faded grey ascot tied around his neck, and brown leather gloves. He also made sure to wear his signature hat and straightened his ascot once more. Johanna was sitting next to him and the girls and Spike were talking about how much they were looking forward to the wedding. Everyone except Twilight who was looking out the window with an annoyed expression.

“Twilight, ya can’t hold a grudge against your brother forever. Like I said, there’s always a valid reason for this sort of thing,” Arthur advised.

“Valid reason my hoof! He could have told me this face to face. I even went back to Canterlot to tell my parents that I was moving to Ponyville. I’m not that inconsiderate to tell them just by some flimsy paper,” she retorted, but paused and took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. “But, maybe you’re right…maybe he does have a very good reason not to tell his L.S.B.F.F about his engagement.” Twilight smiled a little and turned to Arthur’s confused face. “Little Sister Best Friend Forever.”

“Yeah, I ain’t gonna take the time to understand why you call yourselves that,” Arthur dismissed and Johanna giggled.

“It’s just a sibling thing, dear,” Johanna said.

“If you say so,” the gunslinger shrugged.

The train soon arrived at the Canterlot train station and Arthur noticed that there were quite a few guards posted than usual. His instincts kicked in, making him narrow his eyes slightly and mentally thanked himself for making sure his pistol on his belt was loaded.

Something’s definitely up if there’s this much muscle on duty. Arthur thought as the train came to a stop.

“Woah! What’s with all the guards?” Rainbow wondered as she poked her head out the opening doors.

“I’m sure they are just taking the necessary precautions,” Rarity guessed. “Royal weddings do bring out the strangest ponies.”

“Or something more troubling,” Arthur said under his breath.

“Well, they’re not stopping me from seeing my brother,” Twilight declared and marched towards the castle, with company in toe. She didn’t even bother to ask the guards to let her through the gates of the castle, her glare being an indication that she was not to be trifled with. When her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar unicorn stallion wearing a helmet that indicated a higher rank, she cleared her throat to yell. “I got something to say to you, mister!” she called and ignored the guards who pointed spears at her.

Shining Armour gazed down from his post and removed his helmet as he rushed down to greet his sister. “Twily!” He greeted her in glee. “I missed you L.S.B.F.F! How was the train ride from-” He was caught off guard when she swatted his arms away from her when he tried to hug her.

“How dare you not tell me face to face you were getting married!? I’m your sister for Goddess-Sake!” She jabbed her finger into his plated chest as she scolded Shining.

“I-It’s not my fault!” Shining tried to say. “Princess Celestia has requested a major increase in security. Didn’t you see all the guards at the train station?”

“Sure did, lot of muscle just for a wedding,” Arthur spoke up with Johanna standing beside him. Shining noticed the gunslinger and arched a brow at him. “Oh, pardon me partner.” Arthur stepped forward and tipped his hat before offering his hand for a shake. “Name’s Arthur Morgan, I’m the sheriff of Ponyville here on Princess Celestia’s request. Pleasure to meet ya, Captain.”

Shining reached out the hand to shake it, but his eyes lingered to the weaponry Arthur carried on him. “Uh, yeah…pleasure to meet you…” He trailed off but straightened up when his eyes landed on Johanna. “Oh, Mayor Mare! I didn’t know you were going to be present for the wedding?”

“Well I’m here as the plus one for my sheriff,” Johanna replied and leaned towards Arthur’s frame. “Ponyville can survive without me for a weekend, and somepony has to keep an eye on this stud right here.”

“You’re dating this stallion?” Shining asked in mild surprise.

“Sure am, and he’s been wonderful to me.” Johanna cooed.

“Back to the matter at hand, I can only guess something’s going down that’s bigger than just keeping the wedding going off without a hitch. I can only assume there’s some kinda threat?” Arthur surmised.

“Threat?” Twilight’s repeated.

“How did you know that?” Shining wondered.

“Call it instinct,” Arthur replied. “So what do you know so far? I can only assume that there shield that’s surrounding the whole city is your doing too?”

“How did you…?” Shining paused but sighed as he nodded. “You’re right again, this shield is my spell. It’s to keep Canterlot safe from a threat we were warned about a few days ago.” He explained and looked upwards to the sky. “Only problem is, we don’t know exactly who or what the threat is exactly. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna asked that I provide additional protection, hence why the spell.” He finished and fired up his horn to release a beam of magic that hit the dome of the shield, which rebounded and spread out from all corners of the enclosure. Once the spell was done, Shining grasped his head in pain.

“You okay?” Arthur asked.

“Yeah, the spell just takes a lot out of me,” Shining brushed it off and led them towards the castle steps. “The burden of keeping Canterlot safe and secure rests squarely on my shoulders. Staying focused on the task at hand is my top priority.”

“Seems like a lot to shoulder for a single stallion,” Arthur hummed. “Ya look like ya might keel over if you’re not careful.”

“He’s right, Shining,” Twilight interjected and rushed to her brother to see if he was alright. “To use this much magic for over a span of a day is not good for anypony, much somepony getting married.” She grumbled about the last part.

Shining merely chuckled at his sister’s words. “This is nothing, really Twily. I’ve been through much worse than this. Besides, with Cadence helping me in keeping my mind in check, this shield spell is a piece of cake.”

“Cadence?” Twilight replied confused, her eyes blinked for a few seconds to process the words. “What does my old foalsitter have to do with this?”

“She’s my fiancé, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Princess Cadance.”

That single piece of information made Twilight’s mood shift dramatically. A wide and bright smile grew across her lips as she squealed like a little girl. “Cadence?! As in the Cadence?! As in the greatest foalsitter in the history of foalsitters?!”

“Uh, care to fill us in?” Arthur interjected.

“She was my foalsitter when I was just a filly,” Twilight replied with stars in her eyes. “She’s the kindest, most generous and most loving foalsitter in the whole world!” She exclaimed in glee. And now she’s going to be my big sister! My B.S.B.F.F!

Before Arthur could comment, he heard a voice call out to them from behind. “Urgh! What is all this noise here?!” A pink alicorn with a permanent scowl walked up to the party.

“Cadie!” Twilight greeted her foalsitter and proceeded to greet her in their special greeting. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little…” she lost momentum in her greeting when she was met with a raised eyebrow from Cadance who sniffed and merely walked towards Shining Armour. What the hay was that about?

Arthur took in the alicorn’s appearance. He was surprised to see that there was a third alicorn in existence in this world. She had pink fur with a multicoloured mane and tail. Her physical features were very appealing on the eyes, and she wore a pretty pink dress and long white gloves. The alicorn eyed Arthur with piqued interest and walkers towards him. Johanna bowed her head and Arthur took off his hat in respect.

“Erhem, it’s a pleasure to meet you, your majesty. My name’s Arthur Morgan,” Arthur introduced himself.

The scowl on Cadance’s face immediately turned into a grin. A very sultry grin. “Oh hello there, handsome…” she purred out to Arthur, but was shocked when she was ignored by the stallion and also from an irate earth pony mare.

“Back off.” Johanna warned Cadence with her eyes glued onto the alicorn’s in defiance.

“You dare tell me what to do?! Do you have any idea who you are speaking to, mere peasant? I am-” Cadence was halted from her tirade by Shining who dragged her away from Johanna.

“I-I’m sorry about Cadie. Pre-marriage stress.”

“It’s all well and good,” Arthur waved it off as he put his hat back on.

“Well, I have to get back to my station. But Cadence will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going,” Shining said. “I think I speak for all of us when I say, we could be more excited to have you here, Twilight. Isn’t that right Cadence?”

“Absolutely,” Cadence said with a grin and she and Shining walked off.

“Well, that was…a peculiar encounter,” Arthur said and Twilight stood there in disbelief.

Twilight’s eyes narrowed on her brother and his fiancé as they departed. “Yeah…peculiar,” she replied and thinned her lips. “Too peculiar.”

“Arthur, do you mind if we take a stroll through the city? It’s been some time since I’ve been to Canterlot,” Johanna requested.

“Sure.” Arthur turned to Twilight. “Why don’t ya go and check in on how your friends are doing with the preparations. I’ll return soon to join ya. Also…you’d be right in suspecting that mare. Something about her don’t seem right to even me.”

“Huh?” Twilight blinked, surprised by Arthur’s words. “Oh, um…yeah I will check up on them,” she said and rushed off to where her brother departed.

Johanna merely looked at Arthur with an arched brow. “What do you mean by ‘something about her don’t seem right’?” she asked her stallion curiously.

“Johanna, I’ve met a lot of people during my days as an outlaw. I’ve lied, cheated, stolen, and hurt those who were just as bad as me. Point is, I can sniff out bullshit a mile away. Twilight made this Cadence to be all great and kind, when she ended up being as sour as spoiled milk.” Arthur glanced at Johanna with a serious look. “You can’t cry bullshit to a bullshitter.”

That is certainly a fair point… Johanna thought to herself as she processed Arthur’s words. “What should we do then?” She asked her stallion and held onto his hand in worry. “I know you were called in to be security detail for this wedding, but if that princess is up to something, what then?”

“Part of me just wants to confront her and make her fess up, but my side of the law says to wait until I can confirm she’s up to no good. I never act on things unless I’m absolutely sure about it.” Arthur said as they walked through the streets of Canterlot. “I’ll probably go and speak with the woman after our walk. Perhaps I’m thinking about this too much and it’s muddlin’ up my thoughts.”

Johnna pulled Arthur’s arm and they began to walk towards the city. “Then let’s go see the sights and clear those thoughts. Let’s make some memories together here today.” She replied and hooked herself to her stallion’s strong arm.

The two enjoyed their time in the city together as they visited gift shops, stopped for a drink and snack at the café, and strolled through the local park. Despite the numerous guards stationed everywhere, Arthur was enjoying his time with his mare. During their walk, he was recognized by some of the locals due to the article in the paper about his involvement with the hospital funds case. It felt humbling to the gunslinger how thankful people were for his efforts and Johanna couldn’t be prouder of him. Along the way back towards the castle, Arthur spotted a large building with a group of foals standing out front. With them was Princess Luna herself and it looked like she was speaking with another older pony.

“Is that Luna?” Arthur said aloud.

“Oh my, it is,” Johanna said. “Should we say hello?”

“Wouldn’t hurt if we did.” The two approached the lunar princess and she noticed them approach her and the foals. “Howdy there, Princess, fancy seeing you here.”

Princess Luna’s ear perked when a familiar voice called out to her. She turned to see Arthur and Mayor Mare approach the orphanage. She smiled broadly, excited to see the sheriff in Canterlot. Her smile dimmed a little when she saw the arms of Johanna around the stallion’s.

“Arthur! So good to see you here. To you as well Mayor Mare,” she greeted both ponies with a wave of her hand, which seemed to have signalled the other foals to look behind to see the sheriff and his marefriend.

Before he could speak another word, Arthur was nearly trampled by a stampede of foals that rushed over to him. Some of the foals he recognised from his mission on Hearth’s Warming Eve.

“Sheriff Morgan, a pleasure to see you and the beloved Mayor Mare in Canterlot on this beautiful day.”

An unsettling twisting of his nerves shot up and down Arthur’s spine. When he turned around, he instinctively clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes at the sight of the two stallions he’d hoped not to see again. Cider Mac, with his associate Duke Venture, approached the gunslinger in a casual manner. Cider wore a clean light blue suit with a pocket handkerchief in his coat pocket. Duke wore a black jacket, slacks, and white button up shirt, and black tie.

“Cider…” Arthur said bitterly but as calmly as possible, for he was still in front of the foals, his mare, and Luna. “To what do I owe the unexpected appearance?”

“Oh I’m just here to make my annual donation towards this fine orphanage.” Cider replied with a confident smile and reached out his hand towards Arthur. “And I thank you for solving the mystery of the missing funds, Mr. Morgan.”

“I don’t exactly remember doing it for you,” Arthur retorted. “I just did what was required. Now that hospital can keep helping those who need it.”

“Always as disrespectful as I recall from our last encounter, Morgan,” Duke sneered but Cider raised his hand.

Cider shook his head and eyed his assistant. “Now now, Duke…no need for such crude words. One should always turn the other cheek when met with scrutiny, not meet it in kind.” He scolded his assistant and turned back towards the princess and bowed slightly. “I must be off. Princess, it was indeed an honour to finally meet you,” he bowed slightly at the alicorn.

“Indeed it was a pleasure to finally meet you, Cider Mac…” Luna replied with a soft smile of her own with her eyes focused on the earth pony before her. “I do hope to see you at my niece’s wedding.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Cider Mac replied and turned his attention to the foals before him, who looked in sorrow at him. “Now don’t be sad now, I promise to make regular visits here.” He told the foals and ruffled some of their heads which elicited a giggle from them. “Now you all behave now, ya hear?” He said to the foals.

“Okay, Mr. Mac!” All the foals said in unison.

Cider Mac stood up and waved at Arthur and Johanna. “Mr. Morgan, Madam Mayor…adieu.” He bid them farewell and walked with stride towards the business sector of Canterlot, with Duke Venture behind him.

“I never thought I’d see him again.” Arthur looked at Johanna as she bit her thumb nail. “All these years after he almost beat me, and he shows himself now?”

“What are you on about?” Arthur wondered.

“Arthur, that stallion is the one who ran against me for mayor back in Ponyville. He’s the one who should have been mayor but disappeared once the polls were about to be announced.”

“Him? He ran for mayor?” Arthur said with surprise. “Never would’ve thought, why’d he leave anyway if he were about to win the election?”

Johanna shook her head as she shrugged. “I don't even know the details on that, but I heard it had something to do with his family…” she trailed off as her eyes lingered into the distance.

Arthur looked back to where Cider had left and thought about Johanna’s words. If Cider had once run for mayor for Ponyville, then that meant he was once a resident of the town he sheriffed over. But why did he leave if he was about to win the seat of mayor? Arthur shook his head and replaced his frown with a smile for Johanna.

“I guess I can count myself lucky you ended up being mayor instead of him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the privilege of working for you.” Arthur wrapped an arm around Johanna and kissed her forehead.

“You tease,” Johanna lightly shoved Arthur to one side and paused when she realized that the foals were still present with Princess Luna behind them. She saw some of the colts fake a gag and some of the fillies looked in awe at the couple. “Anyhow! Princess, I hope all is well in Canterlot.”

Luna merely nodded with a blank look on her face. “Indeed it is, thanks to Arthur these foals have a bright future ahead,” she replied as her arms were occupied by some of the foals who stood close to the princess. “I am glad my sister took my recommendation for Arthur to be here for my niece’s wedding.” I hope to Equess above he will ask me for a dance!

“She sure is a certain kind of marem that’s for damn sure,” Arthur said sourly, confusing Luna.

“What do you mean?” Luna inquired.

“Met her when we arrived with Twilight and the girls. Twilight was going off how Cadence was her old sitter when she was young and made her out to be some kind of Saint. Only when I met her, she barely gave Twilight the time of day and acted like she weren’t even there. Seems like she ain’t that great as I had heard.”

“Indeed, she even flirted with Arthur right in front of her own fiancé and myself!” Johanna added.

“Princess Luna, what does flirted mean?” One colt asked as he looked up with innocent eyes at the dumbstruck princess.

Luna’s mouth imitated a fish out of water with her eyes locked onto Arthur and Johanna, who were also stumped by the question. “I-I will explain to you all when you are older…but now, who wants ice cream?!” She asked out loud and was greeted by a cheer from every foal. “Excellent! Follow me to parlor! It is all on me. Arthur, Mayor, I will see you back at the castle!” She bid them farewell and ventured off with every foal into the city of Canterlot.

“That was unexpected.” Johanna commented as soon as she and Arthur were alone.

“Meh, let’s just leave her be,” Arthur shrugged with a mock chuckle. “It’s about time we return to the castle anyway.”

Johanna nodded as they turned to make their way back to the castle. On the way, Arthur overheard a couple of ponies arguing about something.

“And you just let him get away?!” A stallion barked, grabbing the other stallion’s collar. “That was a whole day of earnings he made off with, do you realize how bad that’s gonna affect us?!”

The unicorn stallion used his magic to force himself free from the grab. “Well who’s the genius that left all our bits to linger in our store instead of the bank?!” He barked back at his colleague.

“Seems like there’s been another robbery,” Johanna sighed.

“Well he’s gotta be around here somewhere! Who else around this city wears a rustic hat like that?!” The unicorn stallion glanced at Arthur. “Besides that guy..”

“So what if he has the same hat?! We’ve been robbed by a funny-sounding pegasus stallion!” The earth pony stallion barked.

“Uh, pardon me, hon” Arthur said, stepping away from Johanna and approaching the two. “Sirs? I’m a sheriff from out of town. Was this feller wearing a hat like mine and had ginger hair? Maybe even dressed similarly like me?”

“Yeah! That’s the one! Calls himself Lucky Charms. How did you know? Are you an accomplice of his?!” The earth pony stallion attempted to interrogate Arthur, but was stopped when he felt a hand hit the back of his head. “What the hay, Wedge?!”

Wedge rolled his eyes. “Don’t be an idiot Biggs, this stallion is a genuine law-pony. I heard about this sheriff in the paper,” he commented and turned to Arthur. “Sorry about my friend, it’s just all those bits were from our monthly sales and now we can’t even pay rent with what we have left.”

Arthur barely registered what was told as his mind was currently in a state of mild shock. That name this thief called himself, Lucky Charms, was the same dumb nickname an old fellow gang member of his called himself. Though the description had also been somewhat similar, it all just had to be a coincidence since the man in question…had died back in Arthur’s world.

“Arthur?” Johanna called out. “Are you okay?”

“I’m…I’m fine, Johanna,” Arthur managed to say. “Did this feller have a funny accent?” Arthur pushed any possibilities he had lingering in his mind back in order to focus on the investigation.

Wedge nodded and put his hand to his chin. “Yes, he did mention something about how he hates rich folks and also when we tried to get out bits back, he punched me hard in the face,” he commented and pointed to a fresh shiner on his eye. “And he also pointed some weird small cannon from his hand whilst he said, How about I try fitting my boot up your hook nose, ya snotty old bitch? Then flew off with all our bits!”

Arthur blinked as he slowly pushed his coat aside and pulled out his six-shooter to show the stallions. “Was that small cannon…something like this?”

“Yeah! It was. Just looked a different color but it was the same size!” Biggs replied and tried to look into the nozzle of the firearm, but was cut off when Arthur quickly holstered it back in. “Whoever he is, I hope he is caught and our bits returned to us.”

“Johanna, we gotta go,” Arthur said sternly as he pulled Johanna along.

“But what about our bits?!” Wedge called out.

“I-I’m sure he’ll look into the matter!” Johanna called back. “Arthur, what is the matter? You act as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I may as well have, Johanna,” Arthur said in a low voice as they walked back to the castle in haste. “This thief is sounding an awful lot like an old acquaintance of mine. But that ain’t possible, it can’t be, not even if he’s got a gun on him like I do.”

“But how?” Johanna wondered.

“Because!” Arthur snapped as he turned to glare at his mare for the first time. “I saw the poor bastard take a bullet to the head right in front of me! Don’t you get it?! He’s dead!”

Johanna blinked and her eyes watered slightly. “But…you died too, didn’t you?” She asked Arthur rhetorically and held his hand. “Yet here you are now, with me and the others…what’s to say that others from your old gang couldn’t follow?”

“Trust me when I say this, Johanna.” Arthur stooped in his tracks and took hold of both Joahnna’s shoulders. “While some of them were well and good, there are those who should rather burn in Hell. That is to say, if this thief is who I think it is, then maybe, just maybe, it ain’t as bad as I presume.”

“Is it somepony you miss?”

“He and I…I guess you could say we were alright,” Arthur sighed as he let go of Johanna.

Johanna smiled softly at Arthur’s answer. “Then wouldn’t you be happy if he was indeed here in this world?”

“I suppose…” Arthur nodded. “We best head back. Twilight’s probably having a hard time-”

“STOP!”

Arthur and Johanna snapped their heads to a mare shouting and pointing down the street where a stallion was sprinting away.

“STOP THAT STALLION! HE STOLE MY NECKLACE!”

“Arthur!” Johanna said to the gunslinger.

“I guess now’s the time!” Arthur said as he adjusted his hat.

Arthur sprinted after the escaping stallion as fast as he could. Just like the description, he was a green furred pegasus stallion with a scruffy ginger mane and tail. Also, his clothing was similar to Arthur’s and he wore a bowler hat.

“HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE!” Arthur shouted at the stallion. “DON’T MAKE ME HURT YOU, BOY!”

The pegasus stallion simply ignored him and continued to run away from Arthur. When he reached the entry of an alleyway, he jumped over some trash cans and kicked them over to impede his pursuer. Now’s my chance! He thought to himself when he ran into a corner and spread his wings to fly, but he was halted by the sheriff who tackled him to the ground. “Get ya fockn’hands off me, ya stinkin’ cunt!”

Arthur pulled out his lasso and quickly hogtied the stallion. As he did, Arthur immediately recognized that high pitched, yet annoying, voice. There was only one way to confirm this stallion was who he presumed to be.

“Hey.” Arthur spun him around to look the stallion in the eye. “You never could win Karen Jones’ heart, no matter how hard ya tried. All you were to her was a slime ball.”

Silence reigned over the area when the words were spoken. “How the bloody hell do ya know Karen?!” The pegasus barked out at the stallion who lassoed him. “Wait…” He narrowed his eyes and looked at his capturer’s face. He took into detail the hair, the hat and the eyes that looked down upon him. “Well fock ‘me sideways on a runaway carriage…Arthur Morgan?!”

“Sean MacGuire.” Arthur said with a blank face as he hoisted the stallion up. Despite his new physical appearance, Arthur would be able to recognise that annoying voice and dirty rugged look anywhere. “Never thought I’d see you here. Hell, it was the last thing on my mind.”

“The feelin’s mutual, me old friend. How in the name of Saint Patrick did ya wind up here in this fever dream of world?” Sean asked Arthur, but he had an inkling of an idea how the latter arrived.

“It’s a long and quite dreadful story, I’m afraid.” Arthur frowned but kept a straight face. “I’d tell you about it, but it ain’t exactly the time and place. For now, I gotta do my duty.” Arthur turned Sean around and began emptying his pockets of all the valuables and money he had stolen. One of his pockets had a familiar-looking necklace that probably belonged to a certain mare he had met some time ago.

“Oi! Don’t go stealin’ all me treasures I found, mate!” Sean struggled against the lasso but couldn’t get loose. Leave it to Arthur Morgan to make a nay-unbreakable knot! “And what do you mean duty?” He asked and a glint from the sheriff’s jacket caught his eye. The pegasus raised an eyebrow at the badge. “Oh, I get it! Ye in some plan to heist a bank or some rich noble’s mansion, aren’t ya? Dutch really rubbed off on ye. Ye can always count on me to help ye out, like old times, English.”

Arthur growled in irritation as he emptied the last of Sean’s pockets and spun him around again. Arthur pushed Sean into the wall and glared at Sean.

“Listen and listen good, Sean, I don’t do that shit no more.” Arthur lifted up his badge. “This? This is real. My job, is real. I ain’t no criminal no more, I’m an actual lawman-er, lawpony. I protect and apprehend criminals like you, I keep the town I’ve been living in safe, and there sure as shit ain’t no goddamn heist! Matter of fact, it actually feels a whole HELL of a lot better actually helping these folks rather than just taking what I please for my own benefits. And Dutch, he can go to hell along with that snake, Micah!”

Sean recoiled at that last bit, unprepared and completely shocked at the words Arthur spoke. “You weren’t there, Sean, you’ve no idea what happened after Rhodes. It all went to Hell in hellfire! Dutch lost his mind, we lost ourselves and fell apart, and I…I was left to die alone on a cliff.”

“Jaysus…” Sean uttered out, shocked at both Arthur’s words and his structure. “Sweet Jaysus, Mother Mary, and Joseph. So the whole gang fell apart in the end…”

“Yeah…” Arthur frowned as he stepped back and sat on a nearby barrel. “Yeah, we did. So how long you been here for? You’ve made a bit of a name for yourself as a thief, as far as I hear.”

Sean laughed and grinned as he looked upwards to the sky. “When I perished, I found meself floating in some black emptiness. Thought I would meet Saint Peter before he sent me off to Lucifer. Instead, I woke up lookin’ like this,'' He gestured to his body with his head and neck. “Next thing I know, I’m outside in some garden at a castle of all things and I see all the ponyfolk walking upright and talking. I felt like Alice! Especially with me wings. Didn’t know where to go or what to do. But hunger got the best of me, so I did what I do best. Only thing is, these ponies are not so vindictive as the people in the previous life. The rest is history.”

Arthur sat on the barrel, listening to his former gang member’s story then sighed as he pinched the bridge of his muzzle. “Alright, kid, here’s the deal. I’m still an officer of the law, no matter where I am, and you’re still a criminal. I should just turn ya into the local authorities and let them have their way with ya.” Sean gulped and began to sweat. “But, since you and I are old acquaintances, I’ll give ya a choice. Either ya come with me and apologise to ever poor sap you stole from whilst returning everything you took, or I leave ya to atone on your own accord.”

“Rather go with the man I know rather than the man of the unknown, or in this case the pony.” Sean grinned but dimmed his smile when he was met with a blank face. “I’ll rather go with you, truth be told…I’ve been rather lonely and missed ya all. Be nice to be in good company again.” He replied to Arthur, the latter smiled at his words. The pegasus’ ears perked when he heard a mare’s voice.

“We best get started on the apology trip,” Arthur chuckled as he grabbed Sean’s rope and pulled him along.

For the next hour or so, the two walked around town and returned all the loot Sean stole. It was a bit heated at times, but Arthur was there to keep the peace. Eventually, there was one last piece of loot left to return and the two were headed towards a large house in the richer district of Canterlot. All the while, Sean had a mopey frown on his face as he walked along with Arthur.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. This is for the best,” Arthur said. “Ya gotta admit though, ya didn’t really expect to fly free forever, did ya?”

“Naw, I thought I would be caught by some novice peeler. Then I would have to use me charms to escape and leg it out of here, or in my case wing it.” Sean replied and unfurled his wings. “I gotta tell ya, English, learnin’ how to fly was both a blessin’ and a curse. Feels so good to be in the air, but falling face first and breakin’ ye jaw on first flight was not grand.”

“I can only imagine, Sean.” Arthur approached the large double doors where a couple security guards stood at attention. “Afternoon, gentlemen.” Arthur tipped his hat. “I’m Sheriff Arthur Morgan. Is this the resistance of a one Miss Fleur de Lis?”

“It is, sheriff, what business do you have here?” One guard asked.

“I got here a necklace of hers that this sap took from her.” Arthur reached into his bag and pulled out the fancy necklace in question. “If y’all wouldn’t mind fetching her so I can return it, I’d be mighty appreciative.”

The guard merely nodded and turned his back to face another guard who ran towards the mansion. “Follow me please.” The guard requested Arthur and Sean to follow him to the atrium of said mansion.

The noble mare they came to meet was sitting at a small table and enjoying a cup of tea. Arthur took off his hat in respect and looked at Sean.

“If I untie you, you promise to stay put?”

“Ya have me word,” Sean nodded.

“Good, because if ya do run off, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to use those wings of yours,” Arthur threatened, making Sean sweat and nod again. Arthur undid Sean’s restraint as he followed Arthur’s example and took his own hat off and combed it back with his hand.

The guard who escorted them motioned them to wait as he approached Fleur and muttered into her ear. Feur’s ear perked up as she turned her head to see Arthur.

“Afternoon, ma’am.” Arthur smiled as he held up the necklace, making her gasp. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Fleur clapped her hands together and smiled softly as she made her way to where her necklace was. “Oh thank you very much Sheriff Morgan! This belonged to my deceased mother and I was so distraught when it was gone. I thought I would never see it again, the last memento I have of her.” She said and took hold of the necklace as though it were the most fragile substance on the planet. “Thank you so very much!”

“A pleasure, ma’am.” Arthur tipped his hat. He then shoved Sean forward a little. “And this is the varmint who took it.”

Sean gulped as he looked at Fleur, who only met his gaze with a cold eye of disdain. Sean chuckled sheepishly but frowned as he held his hat with both hands.

“Er…mum? I’m powerfully sorry fer takin’ that which did not belong to me. It was a right shameful act of sin I committed, and I only did it out of me own desire. Had I known it was somethin’ yer own late ma left ya, I’d’ve never taken it to begin with.” Sean hung his head as he looked to the ground. “I hope ya can forgive me, even if I don’t deserve it.”

Once his words were spoken, Fleur sighed and placed her hands on her hips. “Stealing from other ponies is wrong, no matter what the reasons may be, mister. As long as you promise not to do it again, I won’t report you to the police.” Fleur admonished Sean like a boy caught by his mother.

“I thank ya fer your forgiveness,” Sean said.

“I did not say I forgave you, I said I will not report you,” Fleur corrected. “You will have to earn my forgiveness if by chance we meet again, understood?”

“Yes, mum…” Sean said.

“Good, now if you’ll excuse me I need to prepare for the wedding. Thank you again, Sheriff Morgan.” Fleur winked at Arthur and left the two stallions.

“Wedding? What wedding?” Sean wondered.

“I’ll tell ya on the way back. Just make sure to keep up yer good behavior,” Arthur said as they left.

The two gunslingers eventually made it back to the castle and Arthur was still coming to terms who was walking beside him. There were some points he thought that Sean was just some doppelgänger of the once cocky young gunslinger he once knew, but this stallion knew about his old gang just as he did. It was baffling to see Sean again, but also somewhat uplifting to see one of his old gang members. As they approached the front gates, Sean was in complete awe at the structure he was about to enter with Arthur.

“Quite a sight, huh?” Arthur chuckled. “To be honest, this is my first time, as well, being invited inside a castle such as this.”

“Aye, this is the kind of scenery you would read about in the books little Jack reads.” Sean replied as he and Arthur entered the castle grounds. “Security is airtight here it seems, a little too much if ye ask me…”

“It’s just ‘cause of some threat I heard the captain mentioned before,” Arthur shrugged.

“Arthur, there you are.” Down the hall, Johanna was seen walking towards the two. “You had me worried, and…who’s this?”

“Howdy there, darlin’.” Arthur hugged Johanna with his arm and faced Sean. “Sean, this is Johanna Justice. The new lady in my life. Johanna, this here’s Sean MacGuire, one of my good friends. And get this, turns out I was right. Sean here’s from my old gang, back where I’m from.”

Johanna beamed and shook Sean’s free hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. MacGuire.” She greeted him politely.

“Likewise, lass,” Sean tipped his hat to the mare. “Not even in this life that long, and ye already find yerself a wife, English? Shame on ye fer not invitin’ me to the wedding.” He smirked at the blushed faces of the couple as he chuckled. “Don’t tell me there’s a bun in the oven startin’ to bake now, English?”

Johanna blushed profusely and Arthur raised his hand and smacked Sean upside the head, causing his hat to fly off. “One more word like that outta you, and I knock out a tooth!” Sean winced and rubbed the back of his head and nodded as he picked up his hat. “Anyway, what’d I miss while I was dealing with Sean, Johanna?”

Johanna calmed herself down but frowned at Arthur’s question. “The wedding preparations are not not going as well as you may expect, Arthur, I had just spoken with Twilight. That Princess Cadence is completely out of control.”

“How do you mean?” Arthur wondered.

“Well, as soon as you chased your friend here,” Johanna looked with a sharp eye at Sean and turned her attention back to Arthur. “I went to the castle to see how things were progressing. I heard Twilight and Princess Cadance were in the kitchens where Applejack was getting the cake ready. That princess took a mere bite out of it and spat it in the poor mare’s face!”

“She what?” Arthur sneered. Never before, ever since he met Applejack, had anyone not liked Applejack’s apple pastries; himself included. “How could she not like Applejack’s baking? What else did she do?”

Johanna grimaced at the memory of the next event. “Next thing we were at Rarity’s getting the dress checked out, but she insulted her design and Rarity merely shrugged it off. The same happened with Pinkie Pie and her party decorations! Then with poor Fluttershy and her ensemble of singing birds. I’ve never ever seen a mare that nasty before in my whole life, and I deal with aristocrats and other less noble ponies on a monthly basis.” She said to Arthur, who she noticed had a scowl on his face.

“Heh, and from the rumours I have been hearing, she’s supposed to be some sort of saint pony or cherub from above.” Sean commented out loud. “Instead of bein’ Florence Nightingale, she turns out to be Bloody fockn’ Mary.”

“What?” Johanna blinked at Sean’s words with a raised eyebrow.

“I’ll explain later,” Arthur waved it off. “Hon, please be a dear and go tell Celestia we’ll be a little late to the rehearsal. I gotta go look into something.” Johanna nodded and kissed Arthur’s cheek before heading off. Sean and Arthur stood there together before they looked at each other. Both gunslingers had a knowing look in their eye. “You thinking what I’m thinking, partner?”

Sean nodded and dropped his trademark smile. “Somethin’ is rotten in the city of Canterlot, and it isn’t me fer once.” He replied to his friend. “Ye mind givin’ me my pistol, English? I feel there’s trouble comin’.”

Arthur nodded and reached into his satchel and handed Sean back his pistol, along with some extra ammunition. The two gunslingers marched through the halls and were headed straight for where Cadence was about to get ready for her wedding. They soon arrived at a set of double doors where two guards were standing at attention.

“I’ve got official business with Princess Cadence.” Arthur flashed his badge. “The stallion next to me comes along as well.”

“Ye heard the sheriff, lads, so step aside or sod off.” Sean added in his own words to the guards, though he noticed they frowned even deeper once he finished his sentence.

Once the doorway was clear, both entered into the atrium to see Cadence alone but with her horn lit up in an eerie green aura and her eyes aglow in the same colour. Once both stallions were inside, the doors closed behind them and alerted the princess of their presence. She turned sharply at the stallions with a sneer on her face. It soon morphed into a sultry smile and a lick from her lips as she approached the two stallions.

“Why hello there, my dear sheriff,” Cadence cooed at Arthur and cast an eye on Sean with a shrug. “And to you as well.” She greeted the pegasus gunslinger.

“We just came to ask ya some questions, princess.” Arthur and Sean instinctively, and subtlety, readied their hands beside their pistols. “If I may be blunt, you’ve been very unthankful to the hard work Twilight and her friends have put in to make this wedding happen without a hitch. You mind explaining why that is?”

Cadence groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose as she shook her head. “It simply wasn’t to my liking, Sheriff. This wedding only happens once in my life and it must be perfect. I can’t just accept anything mediocre that mare Limelight and her cohorts give me, even if I was her mentor. Surely, you must understand that?” She asked and batted her eyelids to Arthur and sauntered over to him.

“Twilight.” Cadence stopped when she noticed a glare in Arthur’s eyes, Sean’s too. “Her name’s Twilight.” Arthur reached back and gripped the handle of his pistol along with Sean. “Something you should know pretty damn well by now, considering you were her sitter, not her mentor.” Cadence lost her smile all together when she sensed the growing hostility from the gunslingers. “You ain’t fooling anyone here, you bitch. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“Yeah! So who the fock are ya really?!” Sean demanded.

Cadence snarled and used her magic to restrain both stallions with her magic before they could draw their guns on her. Her magic formed chains that bound them. She kept her magic active on the chains but her skin started to reveal a grotesque charcoal coloured insectoid entity.

“Holy fokin’ Jaysus on the cross! She’s a bloody giant cockroach!” Sean exclaimed with disgust on his face and did his best not to regurgitate out his last meal.

“What the fuck are you?!” Arthur yelled.

“Somepony who you should’ve never crossed, welp!” The creature hissed. “I can’t have you both ruining what I’ve been planning for months! So I will be rid of you just like I did that pesky princess.”

Before the two gunslingers could say any more, a ring of green fire circled them and Arthur’s vision began to cloud. The last thing he saw was the creature cackling to herself before he lost consciousness and everything went dark.

Arthur groaned out loud as he managed to regain the feeling in his limbs. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a crystal-like ceiling and he was laying on the floor. Arthur managed to sit himself up and his head was pounding a little. He glanced to the side to see Sean on his back and unconscious.

“Hey.” Arthur called out as he punched Sean’s arm. “Wake up, Sean!”

Sean stirred and opened his eyes, greeted by the face of a dirt covered Arthur. “Where the bloody hell are we?” He looked around the caves and took notice of all the crystals that surrounded them.

“I don’t know, but wherever it is, it ain’t the castle.” Arthur and Sean stood up and dusted themselves off. Arthur reached into his satchel and pulled out a match and lit it with his hoof. He held it up in front of him until they heard a voice.

“H-Hello…?”

Both gunslingers turned around to see a familiar-looking pink mare wearing a dirty and tattered dress. She sat on her knees as she held both her arms together.

“Who’s there?” Arthur called out.

“P-please, don’t hurt me.” She pleaded to the two stallions in front of her.

Sean rolled his eyes. “Oh great, the big bug came down here to gloat in front of her prisoners…Ye like to rub salt on the wounds of yer victims? Well that ain’t stoppin’ me from givin’ ye a thorough beatin’!” He flared his wings and was about to jump onto the frightened alicorn, only to be stopped by Arthur. “What ye think ye doin’, English?!”

“Would you just take a step back, Sean? Can’t ya see she’s scared outta her wits?” Sean scoffed as Arthur stepped forward and knelt down in front of the mare. “Now listen good, I’m only gonna ask this once and I highly recommend you answer me truthfully.” The mare looked at Arthur in his eyes, despite the only light being the match he held. “Who are you?”

The mare gulped and slightly cleared her throat. “I-I’m Cadence, the Princess of Love.”

Arthur blinked as he stared at the mare and then exhaled deeply.

“Well…shit.”

Author's Note

Our honorable gunslinger has reconnected with a thought to be lost friend, but it seems now both have found themselves in a rather precarious situation. Tune in next time to for all hell to break loose.

Side Note:
It is good to be back once more!

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…