Chapter 18

There was a slight ringing in the gunslinger’s ears as his consciousness was slowly returning to him. As his hearing came back, he could tell that he was laying down, but there was a strange beeping noise beside him. It took some doing, but Arthur managed to open his eyes and he winced a little from the brightness. His vision was blurry, but it slowly came back to him as he saw a white ceiling above where he lay. He blinked a few times and looked around the room. To his left there was a desk and a chair that had his hat and satchel hanging off it. To his right was a strange-looking contraption that was the source of the strange beeping noise. The machine had wires coming out of it and was hooked up to his arm.

Arthur blinked again and tried to move, but grunted slightly from a shooting pain in his chest and arm. He looked down to see his chest covered in bandages, but also a welcoming, yet surprising, sight that made him crack a smile.

Laying her head to the left of his bed was his beloved mare, Johanna. She rested her head on his mattress and was snoozing peacefully. To the right of his bed, which was the surprising part, was none other than Princess Luna herself. It caught the injured sheriff off guard to see someone like Luna at his bedside, but he didn’t much mind it. When he tried to move again, he grunted again but was loud enough for both mares to stir from their slumber.

Johanna’s eyes fluttered open and she groggily raised her head from the bedside. She let out a yawn which she covered with a free hand and she started to rub the sleep from her eyes. When they were cleared, her eyes landed on her woken lover. “Arthur…? Arthur!” She exclaimed, reached out to envelop him in a hug, being careful not to hurt her stallion anymore than what he already was.

“Hey there…darlin’,” Arthur said in a raspy voice. “Can ya get me some water, please?”

“Oh, of course!” Johanna left his side to fetch him a cup of water.

The commotion then woke up the lunar princess as she mimicked how Johanna woke up. When her eyes met Arthur’s, a broad smile stretched across her lips.

“Mr. Morgan!” Luna squealed as she clasped her hands with his. “Thank my stars to see you awake! Are you well?”

“A little sore, but I’ll live.” Johanna returned with a cup of water and held it up to Arthur’s lips. The gunslinger slowly sipped and sighed contently as the liquid soothed his throat. Both mares helped Arthur sit up straight in his bed as he took some breaths and cleared his throat. “Now then, how long was I out for?”

“Two days,” Johanna said. “You have several cracked ribs and a bruised cheek bone, not to mention your ankle was sprained. I’m honestly surprised you’ve awoken so soon. Most others would have taken at least a week to regain consciousness.”

“Well, as I’m sure you both know, I’m built differently,” Arthur joked then looked at Luna. “So, what’d I miss while I was out cold?”

Luna cleared her throat before she replied to Arthur’s question. “Whilst you were unconscious, your companion made a faster recovery and was revived yesterday. Considering he’s the illusive Lucky Charms that has been at large here in Canterlot, he was arrested on our instructions to a private room in the castle. My sister and I questioned him and he confessed willingly about everything, even the fact that he is from a past life just like you. Your friend, Sean as he is called, is currently under House Arrest until we decide what to do with him…” She trailed off and then looked at the sheriff. “But with your input and with his actions in helping us yesterday, his sentence will be more lenient.”

“That’s good, I guess.” Arthur replied with a shrug.

“Though he was asking me particularly some…odd questions about-…n-nevermind!” Luna waived it off with her cheeks becoming ablaze at the memory of one specific question. Are you and Arthur having some romance behind the Mayor’s back? Or are you sharing him with her yet?

“Well, I suppose I should go see him.” Arthur tossed off the bed covers. “The poor bastard’s probably bored to tears by now.”

“You can’t move, Arthur, you’re still recovering!” Johanna said.

“Ain’t nothing I haven’t been through before, hon,” Arthur waved it off.

He slung his legs over the bed and stood up while taking off his hospital gown. As he did, all he had on was his trousers. Both mares for a good look at his back, covered in bandages. For Johanna, it wasn’t something she hadn’t seen before. But for Luna, Arthur’s back looked like it was chiseled out of marble. He carefully removed the wires from his arm and strode past Luna to grab his shirts and coat. Luna couldn’t stop staring at Arthur’s exposed upper body and felt herself go rigid. She’d known that Arthur was an eye-catching stallion in his own right, but this would be a totally different experience for her. She unconsciously rubbed her legs together as she took in all of his muscled torso, how certain muscles on his arms, abdominals, and pectorals bulged slightly as he put on his clothing. There was a slight twitch in Luna’s wings, which unfortunately didn’t go noticed by the princess of the night, and Arthur finished getting dressed. He slung his satchel back over his shoulder, clipped his belt around his waist, and grabbed his hat. The last nail on the coffin for Luna was when he slicked his mane back and put his hat on his head.

“There we go, I feel less naked now. Let’s go see-”

FWOOMP!

“-Sean.”

As soon as she heard his last word, Luna noticed, to her embarrassment, her wings flared open. She quickly and painfully folded them back onto her back just as Arthur turned around to look at her. “Y-yes of course! Let’s go and see your friend!” She replied to the sheriff and walked past both a confused Arthur and an amused Johanna. Not one word! She looked at the mayor and said the words telepathically.

After getting Arthur checked out of the medical wing, thanks to a pardon by Luna, the group walked up a flight of stairs and down a passage, they reached a door where two Royal Guards stood at attention and saluted their princess once she was before them. “At ease,” she commanded the pair, who released their salute. “We wish to speak to the…occupant of this room.”

“Yes, Princess Luna,” one of the guards grunted and stood aside to open the door.

Once it was open, they were greeted by a pegasus dancing with his hands on his hips and his hooves tapping in rhythm. Having not noticed the new arrivals, the pegasus kept on with his dance with no care in the world. Only after the door slammed shut did he stop and looked at the faces of two surprised mares and the blank look of his friend.

“English! Finally awake from yer slumber!” Sean rushed over to Arthur. “So which of these mares was it?” He asked and looked between Johanna and Luna.

Both mares arched their brows and looked at each other before they addressed Sean. “Pardon?” Luna replied.

“Which one kissed him awake? I was certain this sheriff needed a lady’s lips to begin his day, or his recovery.” Sean joked and laughed at both mares’ blushes with their eyes averted from his.

“I ain’t been on my hooves for an hour, and I already feel like knocking your teeth out,” Arthur rolled his eyes. “I heard you turned yourself in?”

“Sure did, figured if I were to turn over a new leaf like you did, I’d do it right,” Sean said with a shrug. “I just hope I don’t swing me misdeeds.”

“I doubt they’d go that far, especially since you helped save the city,” Arthur said.

“Now that Mr. Morgan is up and about, my sister and I will see to your trial, Mr. MacGuire,” Luna said, retaining her professionalism. “Sheriff Morgan? Please restrain the convicted stallion.”

“You’re the boss.” Arthur stepped forward, pulling out a pair of handcuffs and strapped them on Sean’s wrists. “Don’t worry, Sean, I’ll make sure you won’t serve time.”

“Here’s hopin’, English, here’s hopin’,” Sean said with a grin as they left for the throne room.

Luna escorted the two gunslingers and mayor through the castle halls until they arrived at a set of large double doors. The guards standing at attention saluted Luna and opened the doors for them. Waiting inside was Celestia already sitting on her throne, along with the main six. The mares already present were conversing with one another until their eyes landed on Arthur. Before anyone could exchange pleasantries, a pink blur sped towards Arthur and crashed into him, nearly toppling him over. The stallion grunted in pain a bit as he looked down to see Pinkie the party mare hugging him tight.

“Arty!” Pinkie chirped as she looked up at him. “You’re up! I’m so glad you’re up!”

“Glad to see you too, Pinkie,” Arthur said as he ruffled her head. “Ya mind releasing me? I’m still sorta sore.”

“Oops! Sorry Arty!” Pinkie jumped back as the rest of the mane six joined her.

“I’m mighty glad y’all are safe and sound.” Arthur took off his hat and held it in his hand.

Applejack walked over to Arthur and gently hugged him with her eyes shut as a stream of tears escaped from them. “A-Ah’m so glad yer finally awake, sugarcube!” She said and sniffed her tears back as she let go of the sheriff. She wiped the rest away with her hands before she continued to speak. “We weren’t sure when ye’d be up, if at all…”

“Especially with that beating you took from that changeling queen,” Twilight interjected and took a hold of Arthur’s hands. “But it’s really a relief that you’re okay, for the most part.”

Rarity made her way to Arthur and also hugged him as gently as she could. “Darling, don’t ever scare us like that again! Elysium knows how terrified we were when you didn’t wake up for a couple of days.”

Meanwhile, Fluttershy stood at the back of the group and Rainbow saw Sean in cuffs next to Luna and the guards. “Why’s a hero like him being jailed?” She questioned and pointed to the former Irishman.

“A matter we shall discuss right now,” Celestia said as Luna walked past the group and sat on her throne next to her sister. The rest of the mares stood off to the side as Arthur and Sean stood in front of the ruling mares. Sean quickly took off his hat and held it with both hands. “Sean MacGuire, also known as the elusive thief Lucky Charms. You had recently confessed to the numerous crimes of theft throughout the city of Canterlot. A great many ponies have reported your crimes in past months, and some would still rather see you imprisoned for all you’ve done.” Sean gulped nervously but kept a straight face. “However, just as Rainbow here has mentioned, your acts during the changeling invasion and thwarting the changeling queen’s plans to conquer Equestria were indeed heroic. More so, it is commendable how you willingly turned yourself in. Be that as it may, there is still the matter of what to do with a stallion like you. Before I hand down any verdict, is there anything you would like to say for yourself?”

Sean sighed and cast his eyes downwards. “I won’t lie and say that I didn’t steal from other ponies, be it fer necessity like nurishment or comfort. I won’t even lie and say I ain’t a bad pony. I know who I am, and I’m terribly sorry fer what I done just to survive now. Me whole life has just been surviving one day ‘till the next. Be it in this one or in the previous.” He said and looked at the sheriff and the other mares.

“As Arthur would have told ye all, I ran in the gang with him. A very rough crowd, but still looking out fer each other. I honestly didn’t know if I would be seeing me ol’ friend again, me older brother. If he could have turned a new leaf and ye all offer me the olive branch, I’ll take it. But if ye feel more comfortable locking me up or make me hang, so be it.”

The ponies looked at Sean with mild interest and shock, mostly due to the discovery that he was once a human like Arthur in a past life. As Celestia and Luna contemplated his words, Arthur got an idea how to help Sean. For a moment he dismissed it, thinking it would be a bad idea, but if Sean was willing to change for the better, then it would be worth taking a bet on.

“Pardon me, your majesties,” Arthur spoke up. “I believe I got a proposition for y’all.”

“What did you have in mind?” Luna asked.

“Sean here may be what some might call a fool, but he can be genuine when it really matters,” Arthur explained. “And it’s true, what he said, he and I ran in the same gang together. Among the lot, he was more innocent than most. So here’s what I propose. Let him come back with me to Ponyville. There, I ask that y’all allow me to officially deputize him as my first deputy of Ponyville.”

“You what?!” Sean was speechless for the first time in his life, this one to say. He looked at Arthur with agape mouth before he shut it closed when he saw the smirk from his old friend. He then turned to the princesses who whispered to each other. He did not fail to see the smiles on their faces before they turned their attention to him.

Celestia stood up and ushered her guards. “Very well, Sean MacGruire…from this day you will be in the custody of one Arthur Morgan, Sheriff of Ponyville, to be deputized and become a lawpony under his command. Do you accept this sentence or object?”

“I accept,” Sean replied immediately and the handcuffs were removed. He massaged the wrists and was about to go towards Arthur, but was halted by a mare who held him in an armlock.

“Yay! This calls for a Hero-turned-Deputy-Party!” Pinkie cheered and jumped up and down with Sean still in her lock, not having a care that the stallion was about to suffocate from her tight hold whilst his face was planted on her side breast.

“Pinkie! He can’t breathe!” Rainbow snapped, causing the party mare to release her hold.

“Dyin’ once was enough, thank ya very much, lass!” Sean said, taking deep breaths.

“You’ll get used to it eventually, Sean,” Arthur patted his friend’s shoulder. Pinkie then began to stare at Arthur and started circling around him. “Somethin’ on your mind, Pinkie?”

“There’s something…different about you, Arty,” Pinkie scratched her chin. “Did you get taller? No, you’ve always been tall. Maybe a haircut? Nah, that’s not it. Hmmmmm…” Pinkie kept circling Arthur, which made Sean look at Arthur for an explanation, only for Arthur to just shrug. It wasn’t until the mare stopped and stared at Arthur’s shoulder and squinted her eyes. “Can you take off your jacket and roll up your sleeve?”

“Begging your pardon?” Arthur said.

“Let me see your shoulder, Arty!” Pinkie requested.

“Okay, okay, sheesh.” Arthur did as instructed and took off his jacket. “I don’t see what the point is.” He then rolled up his sleeve to reveal his shoulder. “It’s just my-wait, what the?”

All the ponies in the room gasped, some in shock and others in happiness. Arthur’s wide eyes were stuck on a mark that sat on his shoulder. It was a mark of a star that looked like it was shining bright and proud. In the middle of the star were two six-shooter pistols, crossing each other, and pointing upwards. Arthur couldn’t make heads or tails at the mark as he poked at it with his finger.

“The hell is this?” Arthur wondered with a deadpan expression.

Johanna was the first to answer as she beamed in glee and hugged Arthur with a kiss on his cheek. When she saw him grunt in pain however, she quickly let go of him and uttered an apology before she spoke. “Arthur, that’s your cutie mark! You’ve finally earned your cutie mark!”

When Arthur blinked and raised an eyebrow at Johanna’s words, Luna decided to intervene. “A cutie mark is a sigil of a pony’s characteristics that sets themselves apart from other ponies. Acquiring one is an important milestone in a pony’s life, like a coming of age for ponies. Not all ponies gain theirs at the same age, but rather during a unique moment in their lives when they find themselves.”

“Congratulations, Arthur! That cutie mark suits you!” Twilight said as she applauded for him along with her friends.

“Truly a momentous occasion!” Rarity said.

“Better late than never, partner,” Applejack said while tipping her hat.

“YIPPIE! Now we get to celebrate Arty’s Cuteceañera too!” Pinkie jumped up and down.

“What in the ever lovin’ Saint Michael’s name is that?” Sean wondered out loud.

“It’s a celebration for ponies who’ve attained their cutie marks,” Celestia said. “And I congratulate you as well, Arthur, the cutie mark truly does suit you.”

“I thank y’all kindly,” Arthur said as he rolled his sleeve down and put his jacket back on. “I guess we best be heading back to Ponyville now that all’s said and done?”

“Not so fast. Not before rewarding you for your efforts in aiding us during the wedding.” Celestia clapped her fingers and a maid mare walked forward with a silver platter. On it was an envelope with the royal seal stamped on it. She bowed and handed it to Arthur.

“What’s this?” Arthur wondered.

“A compensation,” Luna said. “This is the sum of bits we have decided to procure for you.”

“Uh, how much exactly?” Arthur asked hesitantly.

“Five-hundred thousand bits,” Celestia said bluntly.

Hearing that amount, Sean whistled and chuckled at the shocked look of many of the mares’ faces. “And all it took was a hefty beating from some cockroaches…I wonder if that’s how much exterminators can make after the end of the day?” He wondered out loud and not much to his surprise, was not greeted by a reply from any of the ponies in the room.

Arthur just shook his head and smiled at the reward. “As much as I appreciate the reward, I don’t need that much just for doing my job,” he said and rather gave it to one of the mares he approached. “But I think a certain Apple could use this fer her family, don’t you think?”

Applejack blinked as Arthur handed her the envelope. She blinked again and looked down at the paper in her hands, then back to Arthur. After a routine of blinking and looking between Arthur and the envelope, her eyes went as wide as she ever thought possible, and her jaw went slack to the point it almost looked dislocated.

“Y-You’re…b-b-but Ah…the princess! Th-This- HUH?!” Applejack bleated. “Yet givin’ me all this?! B-But why?! This is your reward!”

“You’d be right about that.” Arthur nodded. ”It is my reward and it is mine to do with as I please. While there’s a great many things I’d like to do with such a hefty amount of money, I just don’t really feel the need to keep it all to myself. So I figure that I choose to give it to you since you could do so much more with it than I ever could.”

“But you could buy a house in Ponyville!” Rainbow Dash said.

“I’m content with my tent by the lake, thank you very much,” Arthur said.

“What about clothes, darling, surely you could use a change in wardrobe?!” Rarity said.

“Nah, I got all my clothes packed in here,” Arthur said, patting his satchel.

“You could throw the biggest party that Ponyville has ever seen!” Pinkie said, still hopping up and down.

“Not much of a party goer, I’ll leave that bit to you, Pinkie,” Arthur chuckled.

“And you’re fine with giving it all to Applejack?” Twilight questioned.

“That’s right,” Arthur nodded again.

“Gosh, that’s awfully kind of you, Arthur,” Fluttershy said softly.

“Nowadays, I no longer see any value of having a lot of money in my pocket.” Arthur smiled at Applejack. “Take this as a gesture of good faith, Applejack. From me to you.”

Applejack held onto the envelope with her hands beginning to quake and her eyes were literally going in circles before she fainted and fell to the floor. She was caught just in time by Twilight’s magic.

“Applejack?! Applejack?!” Twilight called out to her friend and tapped her cheeks with the palm of her hand. “C’mon Applejack! No time to be fainting right now.”

“Well, it’s not every day when a pony gives you such a generous gift.” Rarity said and eyed Arthur who stood with Sean, both amused at the mare’s antics. Especially from a stud of a sheriff!

Just as Applejack regained consciousness, the throne room opened again to reveal Shining Armor with his new wife, Cadence. The former’s head was bandaged whilst the latter looked less skinny after having a proper diet again.

Twilight immediately dashed over to her elder brother and greeted him with a hug. Once she let go of Shining, she greeted Cadance with their special greeting. “How are you two doing? Is everything okay? Is there still some of that changeling’s magic still in your system or-”

“Twily! We’re fine.” Shining silenced his sister by placing a hand over her mouth. “Just a little sore from all the action. But we’re fine,” replied and instinctively held Cadance close to him.

Cadence nodded and turned her attention to the others in the room. Her eyes landed directly on Arthur. She approached him with a gentle smile on her mouth. “Mr. Morgan, I cannot thank you enough for your bravery and saving my life, my family, and everypony in Canterlot.”

“It’s no problem, ma’am,” Arthur said. “You should also thank my friend Sean here. He played as much of a part in helping fight against them bugs as I did.”

“Indeed, then my thanks also goes to you, good sir,” Cadence said to Sean.

“Aw, yer makin’ all bashful-like,” Sean grinned.

“I should’ve done this when we met.” Shining stepped towards Arthur and held his hand up. Arthur smiled and clasped Shining’s hand and gave it a shake. “Thank you for protecting my family, Mr. Morgan.”

“Any time, and y’all can just call me Arthur,” Arthur nodded.

“So what happens now?” Rainbow Dash wondered.

“Now, I believe there’s a long overdo wedding party for the newlyweds,” Luna said. “Niece, you shall accompany us mares downtown.”

“That sounds delightful!” Cadence chirped.

“What about you two?” Shining said to Arthur and Sean. “Some of my boys and I are going drinking for my bachelor’s party.”

“Ya had me at drinking,” Sean joked.

“Might as well,” Arthur shrugged.

Johanna pecked Arthur on the lips. “Don’t you have too much fun, stud.”

“Right back at ya, darlin’,” Arthur said as he and Sean went to get ready. “We’ll see y’all later.”

That Evening

Arthur and Sean were instructed to wait for Shining at the entrance of the castle. Both stallions were dressed in formal attire, after Sean was talked into cleaning him up. The Irish stallion wore clean slacks with suspenders, white button up shirt, brown vest, a short tie, and wore a long coat. His mane and tail were smoothed out and combed, making him look like a proper stallion. Arthur also wore nice-looking clothing as the two waited for Shining.

“Think you’ll be able to handle being my deputy?” Arthur asked Sean.

Sean grinned as he eyed Arthur with confidence. “Don’t worry about me, English, it’s impossible fer Irishmen to get hammered. I’m more worried about ye though…don’t want another LENNY!” He imitated Arthur’s drunken stupor.

“Shaddap! It was a moment of weakness,” Arthur argued.

“Arthur!”

Both stallions turned to see Shining approach with a group of stallions. All were dressed in casual clothing as the two gunslingers met them halfway.

“Glad you could make it, Arthur,” Shining said as they shook hands.

“It’s your special night after ya tied the knot,” Arthur said. “Who’re your friends?”

“These are just some soldier buddies of mine and two stallions from the Wonderbolts. This is Soarin and this is Thunderlane.”

“Pleasure to meet ya both, boys,” Arthur greeted with a tip of his hat.

“Greetings, fellow pegasi!” Sean chirped with a toothy grin.

Thunderlane greeted Sean with a handshake before he greeted Arthur in kind. “So, you’re the Sheriff of Ponyville? My little brother won’t stop talking about how awesome you are.”

“Is it true that you took down a gang of seven armed stallions by yourself with your bare hands?” Soarin asked excitedly as he popped his head over Thunderlane’s shoulder.

“Sure did, but I didn’t do it barehanded,” Arthur said, patting his pistol strapped to his hip. “So where’s this shindig happening?”

“Our local pub us vets like to frequent, The Bent Horseshoe,” Shining said as he led the group along.

The stallions strode through the streets of Canterlot, exchanging conversations with one another, as Arthur and Sean took in the city at night. The group of stallions didn’t go unnoticed as many ponies they passed by greeted each of them. The mares they walked past couldn’t help but stare at Arthur and Sean with dreamy expressions, Shining and his friends included.

“So how long you been on the job, Shining?” Arthur asked.

“I got promoted to Captain a year and a half ago,” Shining said. “I’ve been with the royal guard since I enlisted when I was eighteen.”

Sean chuckled as he walked alongside Shining. “So ye still a chiseler as a Captain? Makes sense since ye didn’t catch during my time as a dosser, but cheer up, boyo. Tonight’s the night when we forgo our morals and get absolutely flaggered whilst we get our Equestrian Ups fer the lovely dames."”

“Did you understand a word he said?” Soarin asked Thunderlane.

“I’ll give you twenty bits if you can figure it out,” Thunderlane muttered.

The group eventually arrived at a bar with a sign that read The Bent Horseshoe. It literally had a picture of a horseshoe and was bent inwards all the way. The stallions made their way inside, as the staff led them all to a large table, and they took their seats.

“Welcome, gentlemen,” the waiter said. “Since this is Captain Shining Armor’s bachelor party, tonight’s drinks are on the house.

“Oh, we’re gonna have a cracker o’ time, I’ll tell ya that much!” Sean cheered. “Bring us a around of the top shelf stuff, mate, and add a chaser to go with it!”

Thunderlane turned to Shining and Soarin who merely shrugged and waved to the waiter to bring them their first drinks. A round of 5 shot glasses filled with a golden-like drink in it.

“What’s this?” Sean asked Shining, a little disappointed he was served a pint.

“The Golden Fairy, every vet goes through one shot before we kick start the night. Has a syrup taste to it, but 80% alcohol.” Shining smirked as he and the other held onto their glasses. “You ready? Or you chicken?”

Sean merely shook his head with a smile and held onto his glass. “The day ye find a drunken Irish, is the day ye chop off ye bottom horn. What about English? Up fer a challenge?"

“Sure, might as well,” Arthur shrugged.

Arthur and the rest of the stallions held their drinks. All at once, the stallions downed their drinks in one go. The accompanying soldier stallions all coughed and hacked from the strong drink while Shining, Soarin, and Thunderlane grunted in response. However, Arthur and Sean hummed in response as they set their glasses down.

“How are you not affected?” Shining asked.

“It ain’t bad, it’s got a kick, but not that strong of a kick,” Arthur said.

“I confess, I’m a tad disappointed,” Sean said.

“Seriously? Then let’s get some more! Another round!” Soarin said. “We won’t let two newbies get the better of us!”

“Should we tell them?” Arthur muttered to his friend.

“What? That we’re more familiar with the devil’s nectar than they’d ever be? Naw, let the lads have their fun,” Sean said with a slight laugh. “Now let’s get fockin’ laggered!” Sean held up another drink he was served. “A toast to the unlucky bastard who sold his soul away to the lady of his dreams!”

Shining gave a mock glare at Sean whilst Soarin and Thunderlane laughed at the toast. As soon as the second shot went down, all the soldiers were wheezing whilst Shining and his friends were doing their best not to choke on the burning sensation in their throats. As for Arthur and Sean, they just shrugged it off as another drink.

“C’mon lads, too soon to get hammered! Bring out the tall ones! Give me a pint!” Sean cheered and gestured for the waiter to bring them tall glasses of ale and lager. “It’s been ages since I could enjoy a good pint with some good company. Right Arthur?”

“You said it,” Arthur agreed as he drank. “Although, our friends might not be able to keep up with us for much longer.”

“You don’ know what yooor talkin’ about!” Soarin slurred. “Anoother round!”

“Shaddup! I can’t drink straight!” Thunderlane barked.

“You two are quite the experienced drinkers,” Shining said, who managed to keep a more level head than the others.

“Experienced? Ha! I suppose that’s one way of putting it,” Arthur said.

“I’m still pretty sober, so how about a little challenge, Sean?” Sean eyed Shining like he had an extra head. “Bet I can drink you under the table?”

Sean merely laughed out loud and banged his hand on the table. “Don’t blame me if ye get ossified fer ten years straight and the missus butchers ye fer the haymes left behind.” He accepted Shining’s challenge and another shot of the Golden Fairy was given to them.

Soon enough, some of the other ponies in the pub started to place bets on who would get completely drunk. All the soldiers bet on their Captain, but there were some who bet on the Irishman.

“You know…I’ve been meaning to ask, Sheriff,” Thunderlane let loose a hiccup before he continued. “Is it true you’re rolling in the hay with the mayor?”

“If by that, ya mean that she’s my special lady friend, then yes,” Arthur said as Sean and Shining took turns taking shots. “Johanna and I got something special between us, something that I didn’t think I’d have again before I came here. Honestly, she’s most likely the best thing that’s happened to me.”

“Aw, well it’s that sweet?!” Thunderlane said as he drank his cider. “I wish I had a mare at my side.”

“With your luck, Thunder? I’d be surprised if you ever did,” Soarin chortled with some of the soldier stallions laughing in agreement.

“Hey! I can bag any mare I want whenever I want!” Thunderlane shot back.

“Bet.” Soarin scanned the tavern and eyed a mare sitting at the bar. “See that mare over there? If you can get her to agree to go on a date with you, I’ll attempt to ask out our captain.”

Thunderlane merely snorted and stood up. He brushed past a grinning Soarin who eyed him as he saw his friend walk towards the mare in question. After a few minutes, the charcoal pegasus sat down opposite her to play what looked to be dominoes. It didn’t take long for him to lose against the experienced mare. With a dejected sigh, Thunderlane got up to walk in shame towards his friends. He was stopped however by the same mare that beat him and was greeted with a kiss on his lips. Petrified by the mare’s actions, his mind became blank, and he didn’t register her bidding him farewell with a wink. Thunderlane hobbled back towards his table and plopped down with a dopey grin.

“How are you smiling after you failed?” Soarin asked.

“I…I think I’m in love!” Thunderlane swooned.

“Drink it away!”

The attention went back to the two stallions still taking shots. Shining could barely keep his head up as Sean kept banging his fist on the table.

“Ya best quit while yer ahead, boyo!” Sean said in his drunken stupor. “Ya can’t drink an Irishman under da table fer as long as ya draw breath!”

Shining’s head began to wobble as he attempted to take another mug of beer and down in. He raised the glass midway but froze as he stared at the glass and saw Sean’s annoying smile in what could be described as a kaleidoscope of images. “Buck me! Now there are a dozen of you!” He slurred and slammed his head onto the table, knocked out by the excessive alcohol that streamed through his system.

Sean merely placed his mug down and saluted the drunk captain. He followed through by giving a pat on Shining’s head. “That will do Boyo, that will do…” he cooed and was greeted by the cheers and groans of the guards that circled him. He stood up and bowed at his new entourage of admirers. “Did you see that, English, that’s how ye win a drinkin’ game!” He said to Arthur as he saw him approach.

“Ya sure showed him, Sean, that’s for damn sure. Although he might not be able to function properly when he wakes,” Arthur chuckled.

“Three raw eggs, some of that Worcestershire sauce ya put on steak, and a sliver of ginger,” Sean listed off. “Me own Pa’s special remedy, works every time.”

“If you say so,” Arthur shrugged. “Let’s say we keep this going, eh boys! To the unconscious Captain of the royal guard!”

“Here, here!” The group cheered.

Elsewhere in Canterlot

In the rich district of Canterlot, in one of the three story manors that sat together, a one Cider Mac sat at his desk as he went over some paperwork for his many underground businesses. Duke Venture stood by him, as always, and there was a knock on the door.

“Enter,” Cider said.

The doors opened and one of his underlinings walked in holding something wrapped in cloth.

“Um…pardon me, sir? There’s something I have to show you,” the stallion said.

“Whatever it is better be good, considering that I'm currently in the middle of filing paperwork,” Cider warned.

The stallion stepped forward and placed what he held on to his desk. Cider heard the distinct sound of metal hitting the wooden desk he sat at, which made him pause from his current task.

“I found this a couple days after the attack. I thought it would be something of interest to you, but I have no idea what it is.”

Cider narrowed his eyes and placed the paperwork to one side before he unfolded the object from the cloth. His eyes widened and a smirk stretched across his lips as he picked up the contraption with both his hands. “I’ve only seen this used by one pony…a certain Sheriff of Ponyville used this against some thugs, none of ours thankfully. I believe he called this a firearm.” He said and pointed the gun at a vase. He pulled the trigger, it fired immediately and destroyed the pottery.

A moment later, Duke cleared his throat to address Cider. “Sir, that was-”

“A fake. How do I know? Got it for free from the FlimFlam brothers.” Cider replied and inspected the firearm thoroughly. He was able to unload the bullets and lay them down on the table for all to see. “Gentle-stallions, I believe we have just found a new revenue source to bolster our ever growing enterprise, wouldn’t you say?” He grinned and looked to his underling and assistant, the former merely nodded and looked scared but Duke merely smiled.

“You.” Cider addressed his underling. “You still have loans to pay me off, am I correct?” He asked rhetorically and didn’t wait for a response. “Consider them settled, you’re free to go home now. I don’t want to see you again.” Cider pointed at the door and saw the underling scurry towards the exit. “Remember, you never met me nor gave me this. Got it?”

The underling merely shrugged. “Remember what?”

Cider chortled and smiled as he rested his head to the back of his chair. “That’s a good boy. Git!” He barked out and the underling who he saw fled instantaneously. “It looks like my plans have accelerated by countless folds, thanks to this finding, wouldn’t you say Duke?”

“Yes, sir,” Duke nodded as he stood with his hands behind his back.

“Have our tinkerers reverse-engineer this weapon. In fact…have Torque and Kerfuffle take a look into it, they may have new ways of improving this.” Cider instructed Duke as he placed the firearms and bullets in a box. He handed said box to Duke who nodded and left the room to perform his task.

Left alone, Cider began to whistle as he resumed his paperwork. His eyes lingered to a picture of his foalhood, where he stood next to a creamy yellow colt with red mane as they both beamed at the camera.

“I’m a bad pony through and through, but that’s exactly what this world needs…even if your family thinks otherwise.”

Author's Note

He’s earned his mark and will wear it with pride.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…