The Streets of Ponyville

Fluttershy was tending to her garden when Rainbow Dash came racing into her newly constructed driveway. Rainbow Dash took off her helmet and untucked her tail from her pants. She flipped her mane around and kicked the kickstand out. Fluttershy trotted over to Rainbow Dash. "Why hello Dash. I, um, wasn't expecting you here today." Fluttershy said. "Yeah... I know." Dashie began, "It's just that... I wanted to talk to you about something." Rainbow Dash kicked the ground with a hoof. "Oh I see, maybe we should go inside." Fluttershy suggested. Dash agreed and they proceeded into Fluttershy's house.

Rainbow Dash sat down at a small wooden table in the dining room as Fluttershy poured a glass of iced tea for each of them. "So, um what did you want to talk about Dash?" Fluttershy asked and took a sip of her refreshing drink. Dash looked around and supported her chin with her hoof. "Door Buster is back in Ponyville. He's one of the new police officers. He didn't even bother telling me he was coming back." Dash said. "Oh my, isn't he that stallion you used to date?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah he's the one." Dash said. She swirled the tea in her glass before drinking it all in one go. "I just don't know what I should do." She continued. "Well, um, I'm not really to good with relationships you know." Fluttershy said. "I figured as much." Dash said, skimming the edge of the empty cup with her hoof. "By the way I heard back from Twilight." Dash said changing the subject, "She's coming back from Canterlot to begin another education here in Ponyville." Fluttershy became excited, "Wow that means all six of us will be back together again!" she said happily, "It's been the longest time since we've all been able to be together." Dash smiled and then it disappeared. "I just hope that Door Buster being back won't, uhm, hurt, things." Dash said trying to form words.

"Why would he complicate things?" Fluttershy asked as she drank more of her cool beverage. "If I recall correctly he was assigned to protect Twilight when she left to start new studies in Manehatten. I don't know what happened in that time." Dash said, "Anyways I gotta get going to work." Fluttershy smiled and walked Dash to the door. "I'll let you know when we're going to meet up." Dash yelled at Fluttershy as she started her motorbike up. Dash waved goodbye and Fluttershy returned the favor as Dash drove off to get to the park and fly complex. Fluttershy went back into her house; by her couch was a corded telephone. Fluttershy picked up the phone and dialed up Rarity's number to inform her of Twilight's return.

Door Buster and Sure Shot had had to forgo their lunch at Applejack's due to a meeting being called at the station and a series of calls their unit had received. Buster and Sure Shot were seated in a conference room; the pair was the first to arrive. Buster watched intently at the door when he heard the knob turn. He eagerly awaited to see who would be coming in. With a flash of orange a pony came in, Door Buster watched as an old friend came in and sat down next to him. "Spitfire..?" Buster asked quietly. "You know it kid." Spitfire said with a smile. "So I suppose you retired too?" Buster continued. "Yeah, I did. Right after the Royal Guard moved me out of the Wonderbolts and replaced me with some hotshot rookie pilot. I couldn't take that feeling of worthlessness so I took an early retirement." Spitfire said. Her voice hadn't changed much since Buster had last seen her, "It's great to see you again. You wanna catch up after work?" Spitfire asked just as Black Hooves and the other two officers came into the conference room. "Sure." Buster whispered as Black Hooves began his briefing.

"Alright everypony, let's get started." Black Hooves said, "This morning we had another case of vandalism. Same as the last few cases we've got, some masked ponies arrive and smash up some windows and leave a message. The way they deliver the message is different, last week at the midtown animal shelter they burned it into the skin of one of the animals there. These are some sick bastards we're dealing with. Each of the messages has something to do with failing to pay some sort of protection money, however all of the victims were unaware of any demands to pay any sort of protection money, so we're thinking that whoever is doing this has the intention of running the businesses here out of town. Today Sugarcube Corner was hit; we're trying to reach out to the original owners, the Cakes. We haven't been able to reach them, and the current owner, Pinkie Pie, hasn't been too forthcoming, but we're on it." Black Hooves said, taking several breaks to add dramatic value.

"In summation, we're dealing with the possible insurrection of organized crime into our city. I've consulted with the mayor and she wants us to stomp out this problem before it becomes too serious. You all are dismissed unless you have any questions; second shift is about to start." Black Hooves said. There was a silence in the room, Spitfire smiled and looked at Door Buster. "Well since you are all pretty quiet I assume that you are ready to get home. You all have a great day." Black Hooves said as everyone got out of their chairs. "I'll meet you outside." Spitfire said. "Sounds good." Door Buster said as he made his way back to the locker room his mind full of wonder about his impromptu date with Spitfire.

Door Buster finished cleaning up and put away his uniform in his locker, exchanging it for a coat; he slammed the locker closed with his legs and left the building. Once outside he looked around for Spitfire but didn't see her. It was almost midwinter in Equestria and it showed. It wasn't too late but it was pitch black outside, and the only light there was came from the lamp posts and the light that streamed from the surrounding buildings. Buster marveled at the stars in the sky. Still waiting Buster finally came to the realization of how cold it actually was, he could see his breath and his nose was starting to get runny. He began toying with the idea that maybe Spitfire had forgotten. "Nah." Buster said to himself, "She's just busy with... mare things." Buster looked around a bit and then noticed the door to the station opening. Sure Shot came out and noticed Door Buster, "Hey it was nice workin' with you today Buster, I'll see you again tomorrow. Stay safe." He said as he walked to his car. "Thanks. I will!" Buster called back. It was then that Spitfire left the station. "Hey, sorry I took a while. Black Hooves needed some paperwork done. Anyways, I know this great deli like two blocks away if you're up for walking." Spitfire said with a smile and jostled Door Buster on the arm. "Sounds good." Buster said and returned the small bump on the arm. They both laughed as they made their way to the deli.

As they arrived snow had just started to flurry. Buster opened the door for Spitfire and she smiled. He trotted in and closed the door. Inside the establishment Door Buster felt warmth return to his extremities and his nose return to a non runny state. "Hey Spitfire." The owner said in a low voice. It was clear that the owner wasn't very educated but he was kind nonetheless. "Hey there hows it going?" Spitfire asked with a smile. "Doin pretty good. Yous ready to orders?" The owner responded once again showing that he lacked a little in the intelligence department. Buster had only taken a quick look at the price board before deciding, "I just want some roastbeet on rye." Buster said. "Daffodil and daisy sandwich if you please." Spitfire said. "Alright, that's gonna be..." the owner paused for a few seconds, "Ten bits." Feeling the need to impress Spitfire, Door Buster paid for the entire meal. "Thanks." Said the owner and Spitfire at the same time.

The off duty cops sat down at one of the tables. The deli was virtually empty save for the two Pegasus and the owner. Neither pony said anything at first but before long Door Buster broke the ice. "So you still living in Cloudsdale?" He asked, trying to concentrate on Spitfire and not his empty stomach. "Yeah same place as usual. Nothing too fancy. What about you?" Spitfire asked back. "Just got a new place in Cloudsdale. I've been away for so long that I had to give up my old residence." Door Buster said. "So..." Spitfire said while leaning closer, "What do you think about this whole 'Organized Crime in Ponyville' deal." Door Buster took a few moments to think about the question before answering, "I think that it's a serious issue. Ponyville just isn't the same anymore. I remember when I was at Dash's community all those years ago that Ponyville was going to be facing some crime issues but I never expected it to be this bad." Spitfire leaned back in her chair, "Eh you're right I suppose. So, you uh going to get back together with Rainbow Dash?" Spitfire pried. Door Buster saw through Spitfire's thin veil. "I don't think she's too happy with me right about now." He said trying to dodge the question. Spitfire was about to say something when the Owner brought them their late dinner. "Thanks Slicer." Spitfire said as both ponies ended the short conversation. "Noes problems miss" Slicer, the owner, said. With that Slicer smiled and went back behind the counter.

There was little conversation over the meal. Spitfire and Door Buster were both terribly hungry after a long day's work. Spitfire finished soon after Buster; Slicer came and took both their plates away. "Have a wonderful evening you two." Slicer said as the two got up to leave; Buster and Spitfire both thanked Slicer. Once again Buster felt the chill of the winter night as they left. "So you wanna take me back to my place?" Spitfire asked. "Sure." Buster said with a smile. Spitfire started to extend her wings but Buster started to protest. "We aren't in an area where we can fly smart one." He said. "What?" Spitfire said looking straight at Buster. "You know? No fly zones? So we don't fly into buildings?" Buster said. "You take things too seriously kid." Spitfire said with a laugh. Buster laughed a bit, "Nope just trying to get a head start." He said and with that he flew into the air. Spitfire laughed and followed him into the sky. The cold winter air stung Buster's face as he gained altitude. Before he knew it Spitfire was right at his side laughing as the wind whipped her mane around. After a few minutes they reached Cloudsdale; a few more minutes and they were at Spitfire's doorstep. Spitfire nuzzled Door Buster, "I'll see you tomorrow kid." She said before opening her door. Buster watched her enter and close the door. He hung around for a few seconds watching Spitfire turn on her lights. He could see her silhouette on the second story. Buster turned around and headed home.

Once at home he threw his jacket on some moving boxes and went to get his mail. He opened his mailbox and found some muffin crumb covered coupons for pizza. Buster carried them inside his apartment and put them on his coffee table. He went into his bedroom and flopped down onto his bed and turned on a lamp which was balanced on some moving boxes filled with books. He followed through with the same routine he had had for the past decade. "Goodnight dear." He said looking at an old photograph of himself giving Dash a kiss. Buster set his alarm clock, turned off his lamp, and fell asleep.