Stealing a Heart of Gold

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Shining Shield, a jet black pegasus stallion with a bright red mane and eyes sat at his favorite bar. His signature black leather jacket draped across the back of his chair, he ordered a shot of Applejack Daniels from the old bartender. Shield had just come from his going away party the department had thrown him. The old bartender looked at his frequent customer with a concerned look in his eye.

“Alright Shield what’s wrong? You only go for Jack when you’re depressed.”

“The chief just promoted me to Inspector.” he said in a low grumble

“That’s great! Congratulations! You deserve a promotion!” he said as he patted his friend on the back.

“Yeah but they’re transferring me to some small town.” the bartender had a look of surprise on his face.

“What? But you’re the best cop in the city! In the seven years you’ve been working in Manehattan you’ve arrested more criminals than the entire department has in a five years! Why are they transferring you?”

“Apparently I’m making the other officers look bad.”

“What! That’s bullshit! You’ve never been a glory hog, you hate award ceremony’s and you even let some of the rookies take the credit for your arrests!”

“I know, the chief thinks I need some time to ‘recover.’” he said as he took another shot of the auburn color drink. The bartender made the connection in his head.

“Oh..well maybe some time off isn’t such a bad-”

“Who’s side are you on?”

“I’m just saying that maybe you need to get away from it all for a few weeks. You need a vacation.”

“I NEED to be on the street’s. If I’m not there then who’s gonna lock up all the perverts and muggers?”

“Some-pony else will.” the bartender said as he rolled his eyes.

“Like who?”

“I don’t know. But you need a vacation to get over what happened to-” Shield shot a burning look at the bartender. “Sorry, but it’s the truth. Not a lot of ponies can go through that and come out on top, not to mention your fa-” Shield slammed his hoof down on the table.

“Enough! If I wanted to be lectured I would’ve stayed at the going away party.” he looked back at the bartender who had a scared look in his eye. “Sorry Whiskey, I’m having trouble...adjusting.”

“It’s fine I shouldn’t have brought that stuff up.” The door to the bar opened, revealing the police chief. The brown unicorn trotted over to Shield and sat next to him.

“Hey listen I-”

“Relax chief, I get it.”

“Hey, I’m on your side. I don’t want you to go, you’re a good cop.”

“I’m just another cop, no better that any other.”

“Bullshit, you’re the best cop I have, but this order’s coming straight from the top. I can’t even over rule it and trust me I’ve tried.” he said as he ordered a drink. “Do you know what your best quality is?” Shield shook his head. “You’re modest. I’ve seen too many of these young cops thinking they’re the cream of the crop and can’t even make a simple arrest without making a big deal out of it.” the two laughed at the thought. “I guess I just came by here to wish you good luck, and I’ll see if I can transfer you back here post haste.”

“Thank’s Chief.” Shield said as he pulled out an old pocket watch from his coat pocket.

“You still carry that old thing around with you?”

“Yeah and by the way I’m brining my equipment with me.”

“Fine by me, bring you’re toys if you want to. I doubt you’re gonna need them though. It’s a pretty quiet town.”

“Better to have it and not need it that to need it and not have it.” he said as the brown pony got up and saluted the pegasus. Shield returned the salute as the pony exited through the door. He spent the next hour or so at the bar, until he saw a white unicorn mare with a long purple mane leave, the only problem was that three stallions went after her. Shield payed for his drink and grabbed his jacket.

Shield ventured outside into the pouring rain, he followed the stallions to a dark alley way, they had surrounded the mare.

“Help!” he heard the mare scream.

“Shut it lady, there’s no-pony else here. Now how about some fun?” the stallion said with an evil gleam in his eye. The white unicorn was about to scream but was silenced by one of the stallions hoof’s covering her mouth, muffling her screams of distress. She then felt two strong hooves grab her arms and force her up against the side of the building. The ponies then saw three bright flashes.

“Hey! What the hell is going on here?” Shield bellowed. The ponies looked at the dark stallion.

“None of your business! Why don’t you just buck-” the stallion was silenced by a quick uppercut from Shield, the blow made the stallion drop to the ground. The other two stallions released the white mare and proceeded to converge on the dark stallion. Shield raised his right hoof, suddenly two ropes shot out, wrapped itself around and tied the stallions together.

“What the-” the stallion was silenced as he felt electricity corse through his body and fell over on the ground unconscious. Shield tied the last one up and made his way over to the frightened white mare.

“P-Please! Don’t hurt me!” the mare said as she cowered in fear.

“I’m not gonna hurt you. What’s your name?” he said as he outstretched his hoof.

“I-I’m-” she suddenly felt woozy and collapsed on the ground, Shield moved to catch her. He took out his badge and pressed the center, a small magical beam shot up, soon a police pony arrived. As he looked at the three unconscious ponies he saw a note and an envelope taped to one of them.

To what officer finds these three,

They attempted to attack a mare in the alley way, you subdued and caught them. Get your self a medal, you probably deserve it. Photographic evidence is encased in this envelope. Take them to the chief.

-Anonymous.

The police officer opened the envelope and looked at the photo’s, he was was baffled, but took the three into custody. Meanwhile Shield carried the passed out mare through the dark and damp streets of Manehattan. He kept checking his corners to watch and see it any-pony was following him. Soon he made it to his apartment, it wasn’t much but it was home, one bedroom a kitchenette, a small sofa and book shelf. Shield entered his room and laid the mare on his bed, he tucked her in and went into the living room, he laid back on the couch and drifted off to sleep.

Rarity woke up to find herself in an unfamiliar room. She sprang up in surprise and looked around, she heard the sounds of snoring coming from the other room. She poked her head out of the door to see a jet black stallion sleeping on the couch. She gathered her strength and snuck over to the kitchenette and levitated a frying pan with her magic, she then made her way over to the sleeping stallion with the frying pan raised.

“Don’t even think about it.” he said as his eyes snapped open, Rarity brought the pan down on his head. “Ouch! What the buck lady geez!” he said as he grasped his head in pain, he got to his hooves and noticed the white mare cringed back. He trotted over to the frightened mare with an angry look on his face. “For the love of Faust! What was that for?” Rarity was still holding the pan by her magic with fear in her eyes.

“St-stay back or I’ll call the police!” she said still holding the pan.

“I am the Police!” he trotted over to his jacket and showed her his silver police badge. “See!” Rarity looked at the badge and lowered her weapon.

“Oh..I’m terribly sorry officer.”

“It’s fine, I’d probably be freaked out too If I woke up in a strangers bed.” he said still holding his head in pain.

“How did I get here?” she asked as the stallion grabbed an ice pack and put it on his throbbing head.

“You were attacked last night by three stallions in an alley way. I stopped them from doing anything.....unpleasant to you, then I brought you here to rest.” Rarity’s eyes lit up as she remembered the previous night’s events.

“Oh I remember those three ruffians.” she said as she let out a grumble, she then turned to the injured stallion. “Oh dear, how can I ever repay you?”

“Forget about it, it’s my job to protect the ponies of Manehattan. Or at least it was.” he said as he sat on the couch.

“What do you mean by that?” Rarity said as she cocked an eyebrow.

“I got promoted and transferred to some small town.” he said in a low grumble.

“Oh...which town?”

“Some place called Ponyville.” Rarity’s jaw dropped at the name. “What?”

“I’m from Ponyville!”

“Really? You struck me more as a Canterlot mare.”

“Well just because I’m from a small town doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the finer things in life.” she said with a scoff.

“I meant no offense. Usually the mare’s around here aren’t so ‘pleasant.’” Rarity blushed at the compliment.

“So you’re a Police officer?”

“I’m an Inspector now.”

“So when do you leave for Ponyville?”

“In a few days, I need to find a place before I make the move.” Rarity then though for a moment.

“Well..If you don’t find a place, you could always stay with me.” she said with a weak grin. Shield was taken back by the mare’s offer.

“Thank you for the offer miss.....”

“Rarity.”

“Thank’s for the offer Ms. Rarity but I’ll have to decline.”

“Please dear, let me repay-”

“You don’t owe me a thing, it’s my job to help ponies.”

“But-”

“No but’s, I’ll manage.” he pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. “I need to go to work. You have bit’s for train ticket?”

“Yes and thank you again, and the offer still stands incase you change your mind Mr...I’m terribly sorry dear but what is your name?”

“Shining Shield.”

“Thank you, Shining Shield.”

“No problem. Nice to meet you Ms. Rarity.”

“Oh please darling, call me Rarity.”

“Alright and you can just call me Shield.” he said as he threw on his leather jacket the two trotted out of the apartment complex and out onto the busy street. “See you when I get to Ponyville.”

“Of corse darling good bye.” Rarity said as she trotted off down the road. Shield turned his head and trotted in the opposite direction.

He entered the police department and caught several glances from the other officers. He ignored their looks and entered the chief’s office, It was small filled with filing cabinet’s and bookshelves. The tan earth pony noticed the dark pegasus he smiled at him and motioned with his hoof.

“Ah, Shield come in, sit down.” Shield took the seat in front of the wooden desk. “I just got off the phone with the Mayor of Ponyville, she is expecting your arrival.”

“Thanks Chief, I only came by to clean out my locker.”

“Now hold on a second.” the earth pony said as he reached into his desk and withdrew a small wrapped box. “It’s just a little something for old times sake.”

“Chief you didn’t-”

“Open it. That’s an order.” he said with a grin. Shield took the small box and opened it, his eyes shrank at what laid inside, a small silver whistle.

“Is that-”

“Yes, it’s your fathers whistle. I promised to hold onto it until you were ready.” he said as he got up and put a hoof on the pegasus’s shoulder.

“Thanks chief.” he held out his hoof to the old stallion, who smacked it away and brought him into a hug.

“You’ve grown up my boy, It’s time you moved on.” he said as he broke the hug.

“Thanks, for everything.” Shield said as he went towards the door.

“Wait one last thing.” the old pony said as he rifled through his pocket’s. “Here.” he threw a black leather wallet looking item. He opened it to reveal a golden shield. “Your new badge. Good luck.” Shield gave him a salute and exited the office. A green unicorn wearing a white lab coat and a pair of black rimmed glasses, trotted up to him.

“What’s up Gizmo?”

“Hey Shield, I heard you got transferred.”

“Yeah I did, I just came by to pick up my things.” the stallion continued to walk next to his friend.

“Me and the guys down at the lab are gonna miss you, so we got you a little something.” Gizmo led him down to his lab which was covered with papers and wires. Gizmo cleared off a table and pulled out a black briefcase. He opened it to reveal a pair of sunglasses, three pairs of bracelets, a package of dart’s, rope, an odd looking badge with a blue crystal in the middle of it and a strange looking metal contraption.

“Gizmo, what the hell is all this stuff?”

“These hoof-cuffs are specialized to cancel out a unicorns magic or render a pegasus flightless, they also have a distance meter on them. You wear the master cuff and strap the other one onto the criminal, set the distance and power strength. If the perp get’s to far away then they’ll be shocked, the master cuff also has a tracking spell on it so you’ll be able to find them if they try and run.” he said as he held up the bracelets. “These are knock out darts for your ‘gauntlet’ and some sealing rope for capturing.”

“What about these sun glasses?” he said as he picked up the stylish sun glasses with his hooves.

“Those glasses have a direct link into our criminal system, simply look at a pony’s face and it will immediately tell you if he or she has a record. They can also see in inferred, X-ray, night vision, they also measure a unicorns’ magic level.” Shield put on the glasses and looked at the stallion, he cycled through the visions settings.

“And what about this badge? I already have one.” he said as he showed the stallion his golden badge.

“Well it’s not the badge itself, it’s the amulet in the center.” the scientist then took the small crystal and placed it on the badge. “This crystal will project a magical shield that will absorb and deflect magical energy. If you find yourself in a jam you can overload it and it will project a dome shield around you, now that will drain it quickly so use it wisely. It absorbs magic so just ask a unicorn to recharge it.”

“And what about this thing?” he said as he held up the odd contraption.

“That is an attachment to your gauntlet, it fires a concentrated magical burst, It’s a prototype.” Shield took off his jacket to reveal a metal frame around his front right and left hoofs, both of them had a series of ropes running up and down the frame. He attached the contraption to his right hoof, he pointed it at the wall. “To activate it just point and move your hoof, it’s telepathically linked although it can only hold six shot’s until it needs to be recharged.” Shield did as he was told and let loose a blast of blue magical energy that scorched the wall. Gizmo looked at the damage it caused and his jaw hit the floor, Shield put a hoof on his friends shoulder.

“My friend, you’ve out done yourself.” he said with a grin. “I’ll be sure to write to you guys.” he said as he put the items back into the brief case and trotted out of the room with his jacket on.

“Good luck.” Gizmo said as he shook his friends hoof.

“Thanks.” Shield said as he trotted out of the door and made his way to his locker to collect his things. An old uniform, and an old photograph of him as a colt and a large unicorn stallion in a police uniform. He tucked the picture away behind his badge and trotted out of the locker room after he took his name off the locker. With the brief case on his back he trotted out of the Police station, he took a look back at the building and made his way home.

Chapter 2

Shield was on the train to Ponyville as he drifted off to sleep. He dreamt of a small alleyway, dark, cold and unforgiving. He made his way down it, he could smell the blood that was spilt the night before. As he made his way down other officers began to funnel into the small alleyway, the body was covered by a sheet and photographers were taking shots of the murder weapon. A butcher knife with the blood still smeared across the blade, Shield inspected the crime scene and made his way over to the victim’s body. It was little pegasus filly no older than eight, her throat had been cut. He could hear the public starting to gather outside the alleyway and the cries from the assumed mother. Suddenly a light green mare burst through the crowd and cried over the little fillies body. Shield put a hoof on the mare’s shoulder even though he knew that no matter what ever he said would offer no comfort to the mother. Two officers dragged the mare away from the scene as she wailed in agony.

Shield woke up in a cold sweat and noticed that the train had stopped, the conductor’s voice rang over the speaker.

“Last stop. Ponyville.” Shield got to his hooves and threw his saddle bags over his back and made his way out of the train car and into the bright light of the day. Shield put on the sunglasses that Gizmo had given him and made his way into the small town. He examined the ponies that walked by, nothing out of the ordinary. Shield entered a small bakery and had a seat at the counter, the inside smelled of sugar, frosting and hot coffee. Soon a mustard yellow stallion wearing a red stripped hat and apron stopped in front of him.

“Well how can I help you today sir?”

“I’ll just take a cup of coffee, black if you don’t mind.”

“Sure just give me a min-” suddenly a large unicorn stallion burst through the door wearing a mask.

“Alright every-pony stay down! This is a robbery!” he said as he held a large knife up. The ponied did as he was asked and got underneath the tables. He made his way to where Shield was sitting. “I said get down!”

“What was that? I couldn’t hear you could you come closer.” Shield deadpanned, the stallion then came closer and put the knife to his back.

“I said get-” he was cut off by Shield grabbing the stallions mane and slamming his head into the counter, stunning him. The stallion charged at Shield, knife drawn. He raised his hoof and let a blast erupt from his gauntlet sending the stallion out of the door and into the street. Shield calmly trotted out of the bakery towards the stallion who was scrambling to his hooves. Shield looked at the stallion with a blank face. The stallion was eyeing the knife on the ground.

“Don’t even think-” the stallion lunged for the knife, Shield shot two ropes which wrapped themselves around the stallion preventing his escape. The stallion was starting to struggle to break free. Shield picked up the stallion and trotted back inside to the counter, the ponies in the room looked at him with amazement in their eyes. Shield reached into his pocket and withdrew a bag of bit’s and tossed them on the table. “Sorry about the mess.” he said with a small smile. He dragged the stallion out of the bakery, the stallion looked up at him with fear in his eyes.

“Who are you?”

“Officer friendly.” he said as they were stopped by two police ponies.

“Alright both of you! Don’t move.” Shield dropped the stallion and did as he was told.

“Relax officers. I was just-”

“SHUT UP!” the police pony bellowed as his horn glowed. He walked forward and checked Shields pocket’s he pulled out his badge and ID. The officer looked at him with surprise. “S-sorry S-sir.” he said as he handed him his badge back.

“No problem, this guy just tried to rob this bakery.” he said as he looked over to the tied up stallion. “I’m Inspector Shield, I just got transferred from Manehattan.” the two ponies looked at him in wonder. “I’ll leave this guy in your hooves. Is that alright?”

“S-sure.” the two ponies responded. Shield left the scene and made his way through the street’s once again. He kept on walking down the road until he was rammed by a cyan blur. As he got to his hooves he saw a pair of rose colored eyes looking down at him.

“Sorry about that.” she said as he got to his hooves.

“It’s fine. Just an accident.”

“Well my names Rainbow Dash, best flyer in Equestria.”

“Shining Shield, Inspector.” Rainbow’s eyes shrank.

“Aren’t you the stallion that took down that mugger?”.

“Yes and I’d prefer to keep a low profile if that’s alright with-” he was cut off by a familiar voice.

“Rainbow Dash! How many times have I told you to watch where........Shield! Is that you?” he looked over to see a familiar white unicorn mare looking at him.

“Hey Rarity.” he said as she trotted over to him.

“You two know each other?” Rainbow asked.

“This is the stallion that helped me last week in Manehattan.” Rainbow had a grin spread across her face.

“Oh..So you’re the stallion she hasn’t stopped talking about!”

“RAINBOW!” she yelled as she blushed.

“What? You haven’t and he’s good at his job he just took down some-pony using a weird laser beam or something.”

“It’s not a laser. It fires a concentrated blast of magic.” he said as he rolled up his sleeve to reveal the odd machine.

“That looks so cool!” Rainbow said as she looked at the machine.

“It has other applications to it.”

“Like what?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, theres the ‘wing clipper’ as I call it.”

“What does it do?” Rarity asked.

“Watch.” he pointed the device at Dash. He moved his hoof and a spinning rope with half a ball on each end wrapped itself around the cyan mare, the two halves locked together tying the mare’s wings and legs to her side. Rainbow started to struggle in the restraints.

“What the? Let me GO!” she said in an angry voice.

“Fine hold still.” He bent over and unlocked the restraint and re equipped it to to his gauntlet. “I use that thing when it comes to Pegasi and Griffin criminals.”

“Where did you get that thing?” Rainbow asked as she got to her hooves.

“A friend of mine made it for me.”

“Can I get one of those?” Rarity asked with a giggle.

“Sorry, one of a kind.”

“What’s that glowing thing on your badge?” Rarity asked. Shield took out his badge and showed them.

“This is a shield amulet, it project’s a magical shield that deflect’s and absorbs magical energy.”

“Awesome! Can I see it work?”

“Umm..sure. Rarity would you mind shooting a spell at me?” Rarity had an unsure look on her face.

“Well okay. Get ready.” her horn began to glow and a white beam was shot at the stallion. An arm sized shield materialized and absorbed the magical energy. Rarity and Rainbow’s jaw dropped as the shield vanished.

“It still needs some work but, it’s fine for now.”

“THAT IS SO COOL!” Rainbow yelled.

“Hmm..Interesting.” he said as he stared at the badge.

“What is it darling.” Rarity asked.

“The magic I absorbed, seemed to have transferred to the cannon.”

“The what?” Rainbow asked.

“The thing I used to take down the mugger.”

“Oh...that thing. So is that all you can do?” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow that was terribly rude!” Rarity said.

“It’s fine Rarity I’ve seen plenty of ponies like Rainbow here. Cocky, athletic..”

“Yes, yes it’s all true.” she said as she struck a pose.

“And always move their mouth’s faster than their brain.” he said in a flat tone. Rarity giggled at the comment while Rainbow’s expression turned sour.

“There you are!” the three ponies looked over to see a cream colored mare with wavy silver hair. “I have been looking all over town for you, Inspector!”

“And you are?”

"I'm the Mayor."

“Oh, nice to meet you.” he said as he shook her hoof. “What do you need ma’am?”

“I need you down at the department pronto!”

“Why?”

“For your welcome party! Not to mention to congratulate you for stopping the mugger.”

“Pass.”

“Why? It’s in your honor.”

“With all due respect mayor, I’m not big on social event’s.”

“But you deserve it.” Rarity added.

“I’m not sure how much the chief told you about me but-”

“I haven’t read your file yet.”

“Well your gonna have quite the read when you do.” he said in an annoyed tone.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see. But back on topic I’ll drop by and introduce myself to the officers after I get settled in.”

“Very well, how can I contact you?”

“I haven’t found a-”

“He’ll be staying with me mayor.” Rarity interjected, the two pegasi looked at her with a confused look.

“Splendid! I’ll see you at the department then.” the mayor said as she trotted away. Rainbow and Shield looked at Rarity.

“What?” she said while holding an innocent expression on her face.

“Why did you just tell the mayor that I’ll be staying with you?”

“Well do you have any where else to stay for the moment?”

“Not yet but-”

“Then I see no problem.”

“Well I’ll see you guy’s later. I’m gonna go practice.” Rainbow said as she flew off. The dark stallion watched in shock as rainbow left a rainbow trail behind her.

“Is she always like that?”

“Yes, you’ll get used to her.” Rarity said with a small chuckle. “So do you want to go get settled in?”

“Sure. Lead the way.” The two ponies made their way back through town, the street’s were bustling with ponies, the crowd from earlier had dispersed. “So what’s your occupation?”

“I run Carousel Boutique. I design and make custom formal attire for all sort’s of mare’s and stallions.”

“You’re a designer?”

“Yes, Ponies from all around Equestria have ordered things from me.”

“That must be stressful.”

“It can get....overwhelming at times but I make it work.”

“And what does Rainbow Dash do?”

“She’s the local weather manager for Ponyville.” she said as she rolled her eyes.

“What did she mean by training?”

“She’s aspiring to be a Wonderbolt.”

“Oh, really? Those guys are nice.” Rarity’s eyes shrank.

“You know the Wonderbolts?”

“Let’s just say I’ve helped them get out of a jam once or twice.”

“What kind of trouble did they get-” she was cut off by the stallion jumping in front of her and his shield coming up before a small burst of purple magic came into contact with it. The force knocked the stallion back onto the ground. “Shield are you okay?” Rarity said as she trotted to his side.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve taken worse hit’s.” he said as he got to his hooves. Shield then saw a purple unicorn galloping towards them.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry I was trying out a new spell-”

“It’s fine Miss, It was an accident.” he said as he brushed the dirt off his jacket. He then put his glasses on and scanned the purple mare. “Whoa, your off the charts.” Twilight blushed with a confused look on her face.

“Excuse me?”

“Your magic. You’re a class seven unicorn, rare to meet one nowadays.”

“What are you talking about?” Rarity asked.

“Every unicorn has a certain level of magic, most unicorns are either a class four or five. The level’s are measured by the amount and quality of spells a unicorn learns.” Twilight said.

“Powerful and smart. You ever think about becoming a cop miss...”

“Twilight Sparkle, and no. I prefer to use my magic for academic study.”

“Ah...you’re a teacher then.”

“No still a student, I run the local library. Who are you?”

“Inspector Shield, newly arrived from Manehattan.” Twilight looked at her friend and back to the dark stallion. A grin creeped across her face.

“Oh...so your the officer that helped Rarity.”

“Yes, that’s correct, he just got into town this morning.” Rarity answered.

“Rarity’s told us quite a bit about you.” the lavender mare said with a smirk. Rarity blushed as she glared at the unicorn.

“How? We barely know each other.” he said as he looked back at the white unicorn with a raised eyebrow.

“W-well I just told them how you saved me from those stallions.” the white mare said with a weak smile.

“Ugh, I prefer to keep a low profile if that’s alright with you two.” he said as he rolled his eyes.

“Why don’t you want to be recognized for doing a good deed?” Rarity asked.

“I’m modest and I don’t like to draw attention to myself.”

“Too late for that I’m afraid.” Twilight said with a grin.

“Come again?”

“Every-pony’s talking about that incident at Sugar Cube Corner.”

“The bakery?”

“Yup.”

“Fantastic.” he said in a low grumble. “Well nice meeting you Twilight. I gotta go get settled.”

“Oh where are you staying?”

“For the time being he’s staying with me.” Rarity interjected.

“Okay, don’t let me keep you then. Bye.” the lavender mare trotted passed the two and continued on her way. Shield and Rarity continued to make their way down town.

“She seem’s nice.” Shield said to the white mare.

“Oh, Twilight is a dear friend, although she can be kind of a know-it-all at times.”

“I figured. Most ponies above a class five are.”

“So what class am I in?” Shield put on his glasses and scanned the unicorn.

“You’re a class three, average. However..”

“What’s wrong dear?”

“These things must be busted, it’s showing some unknown energy signature. I’ll fix them when I get my lab set up.”

“You’re lab?”

“I have a small work bench I use for modifying my equipment, hope that’s alright.”

“Of corse dear, it’s fine by me. Well here we are.” Shield looked ahead to see a tall, purple and pink building with matching window’s and banners. As they made their way inside the smell of vanilla perfume filled his nostrils and made him choke a little on the smell.

“Strong perfume in here.”

“Yes, I do like a fresh smelling home. The guest room is upstairs second door on your left.”

“Thanks, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Take your time dear.” Rarity chimed as Shield made his way upstairs. He found the room quite accommodating, it was medium size, had a queen sized bed, dresser and a large desk. Shield began to unpack, he set his equipment to the side and unloaded his important items, the pocket watch his whistle and badge. Shield laid the three next to each other and examined the three items. Shield put the pocket watch back into his jacket, along with his badge. He put the whistle on a chain and hung the heirloom around his neck. Shield trotted over and slung his jacket over his shoulder and left the room. He trotted back downstairs to see a small unicorn filly with a light purple mane and tail sitting on the couch.

“Can I help you miss?” he asked the little filly then looked up at him in surprise.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Shining Shield.”

“Well what are you doing here?”

“I live here what about you?”

“This is my house!” she yelled.

“You’re house?”

“Well my sister’s, but I live with her.”

“Oh...Well I’m a friend of your sister’s and she’s letting me stay the night.”

“Are you my sister’s cot-friend?”

“No.” the two were interrupted by the white mare entering the room.

“Sweetie Belle, don’t pester him!”

“It’s alright Rarity, she’s just curious. I’d be to if I found a stranger in my house.”

“Sweetie this is, Shining Shield. He’s the stallion that helped me in Manehattan.” the filly then looked up at the dark stallion with a smile.

“You saved my sister from being mugged?”

“Yes and among other things.” she then galloped over and hugged him.

“Thank you so much!” Shield patted the filly’s head with his hoof.

“No problem...It’s my job.”

“What do you mean?” she said as she broke the hug.

“He’s an Inspector for the Ponyville Police Department.” Rarity interjected.

“Right speaking of which, we’d better get going.” Shield said as he trotted towards the door. The two unicorns followed him into the street’s of Ponyville. The way there was spent mostly in silence, until Sweetie Belles spoke up.

“So, Mr. Shield...”

“You can just call me Shield.” he said as he looked down at the small filly.

“Okay Shield, what kind of crimes have you solved?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Why not?”

“They’re not......pleasant.”

“Any robbers?”

“Yeah a few of those.”

“What did they steal?”

“Jewelry, money, antiques, all sort’s of things.”

“How many have you arrested?”

“I lost track, years ago.”

“Alright that’s enough questions Sweetie, we’re here.” Shield looked ahead to see an old red brick’d and decrepit building.

“This is the Police Department?”

“Yes why?”

“It’s a dump. I’ve seen condemned buildings look better than this....thing.”

“Well it’s what we’ve got.” Rarity said in an annoyed tone.

“Sorry, maybe it’s better on the inside.” the three trotted inside the dark department. Something felt wrong, he prepared his gauntlet, he looked behind him to see that the two unicorns were missing. “What’s going on here?” the light’s suddenly switched on and the room was filled with ponies. Shield lowered his weapon and looked at the ponies.

“SURPRISE!”

“Great.” he said in a sarcastic tone. The mayor then stepped forward.

“We are here to welcome Inspector Shining Shield, newly arrived from Manehattan.” the ponies started to clap and cheer. “he made his first arrest, this morning by thwarting a robbery at Sugar Cube Corner.” the ponies cheered louder.

“It was nothing, just doing my job.”

“Nonsense, you deserve it. Go on have some fun.”

“I’d prefer to meet the officers if that’s alright.”

“Of corse, follow me.” Shield followed the mare over to a table with ten ponies looking up at him. “Inspector, meet the team.”

“So this is the new guy?” a grey unicorn said.

“Yes Captain.” the unicorn got to his hooves and shook Shield’s hoof.

“Nice to meet you Inspector.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Shield said as a green unicorn mare with a brown mane the trotted up next to him.

“And this is your partner, Comet Shooter.”

“Hi nice to meet you.” she said in a cheery tone. Shield looked back at the chief and mare in surprise.

“I don’t do partners, no offense. Just not my style.” both ponies looked back at him in surprise.

“Well I’m sorry sir, but rules are rules.”

“Fine. Just be on your hooves.” he said in a flat tone.

“Understood sir.” she said in an stern tone. Shield walked away from the pair and made his way over to the bar, an orange mare sporting a stetson hat was serving drinks.

“What can ah get for ya partner?”

“I guess just some Applejack Daniels if you have it?”

“Sure do!” she said as she poured the drink.

“Out of all the ponies here, I like you the most right now.” the two laughed at the statement. Soon Rarity joined the two.

“Ah I see you’ve met Applejack, our local farmer and owner of Sweet Apple Acres.” Shield looked in surprise at the orange mare.

“You own Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Yeah!”

“You guys make my favorite drink.” he said as he raised the glass.

“Well, that’s mighty kind of you Mr....What’s your name?”

“Shinning Shield.”

“Oh your the guest of honor! In that case, drinks on the house.” his ears shot up at the statement.

“Applejack, will you be my best friend?” he said in a chuckle.

“Why not, I always like meeting new ponies.” Rarity then started to glare at the two. “Hey Rarity is this the stallion that-”

“Yes, he’s the one who helped me.”

“Well then, it’s nice to have you working in our town.” she said with a grin. Soon Comet shooter trotted up next to him and ordered a drink. “Howdy there miss, what can ah get ya?”

“I’ll have what he’s having.” Comet said as she pit her bit’s on the table.

“Brown nosing will get you nowhere with me rookie.” he said as he took a sip from his glass.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I love this drink.” Comet then levitated the glass to her lips and drank the liquid, her eyes shrank in surprise at the taste and spat the drink out onto the bar, she looked at the stallion with a weak smile. “Heh-heh, sorry about that Applejack.”

“It’s alright Comet, no harm done. How about a nice sarsaparilla?”

“Thanks AJ.” she breathed out. She looked over to see Shield glaring at her. “Fine you caught me .”

“Look, Comet. You seem like a good cop, but being my partner could end up being hazardous to your health.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s in my file.”

“Well I’m looking for something more than just a file.”

“Too bad, cause that’s where you’re getting answers from.” he said as he finished his drink and trotted away from the three mares only to be stopped by the mayor.

“Ah, Inspector. How are you settling in?”

“Fairly, still getting used to things around here.”

“I expected as much.”

“When do I start?”

“Report back here tomorrow morning for a simple physical test.”

“Good, see you around.” he shook the mare’s hoof and exited the station.

As he trotted back towards town, the busy town was now desolate and dark. It reminded Shield of the city. Minus the homeless, thugs and prostitutes. Shield entered the boutique and finished un-packing his things. An old and damaged photo rested on the dresser, he took off the gauntlet and put it back in the brief case. He laid down on the bed and began to stare up at the ceiling, Shield then heard the down stairs door open and left to investigate. Shield wasn’t surprised to see Rarity or the small white unicorn asleep on her back. Rarity looked up to see Shield descending the staircase.

“Oh, you’re already back. I thought that you’d want to stay at the party more.”

“Nah, I don’t like parties that much.” he said as he trotted up to the mare.

“Really? I thought a stallion from the big city loved theses social engagements.”

“Every stallion except me. I’d take a quiet night alone over a party any day.” Rarity adverted her gaze.

“You’d prefer to be alone all the time?”

“Not all the time, once in awhile I’d invite a friend or two over, but never a massive party.”

“What about a girlfriend? Do you have one of those?” Rarity asked in a blush. Shield froze for a moment and looked at the mare with a raised eyebrow.

“No...not anymore.” he said in a flat tone.

“Oh.....sorry for asking dear I just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t walk in on anything I would want Sweetie Belle to see. You understand right?” she said with a nervous smile.

“Of corse. But I won’t stay here for long.”

“What! Why? You just settled in and-”

“Let’s just say my work has a habit of following me home sometimes.”

“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked in a worried tone.

“I tend to deal with......unpleasant crimes and I don’t want you or Sweetie Belle to be exposed to that sort of thing.” Rarity pondered the thought for a moment.

“Oh...I see. Well that’s completely understandable. But if you ever need a place to stay my door is always open.” Shield looked at the mare in surprise.

“Thanks, that’s very generous of you Rarity.”

“Oh it’s the least I can do for how you helped me.” she said as she hid her blush. The two then looked back at the little filly who started to stir. “Well I think it’s time put this little filly to bed.”

“Good idea, I need to have an early start, I’m just gonna relax downstairs for a bit, that alright with you?”

“Of corse darling. Let me just put Sweetie to bed and I’ll join you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Oh it’s no trouble at all, I would love to have a small chat, there aren’t a lot of ponies who come by my shop these days.” she said with a sad look on her face. Shield looked at the saddened mare and let out a sigh.

“Well...okay then. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” He deviated from the mare as she continued upstairs, with a grin on her face. Rarity opened the door to her sister’s door and tucked her little sister in, she was about to open the door to leave when she heard a small voice coming from the bed.

“You like him don’t you sis?” Rarity turned around to see the small unicorn sitting up on her bed with a smile on her face.

“Sweetie Belle! What gave you that idea?”

“They you were talking to him and how your face got red when he answered back.”

“You were awake the whole time?” the little filly nodded. “Then why did you make me carry you back to the house?”

“I was just tired of walking.” the little filly said as she gave a shrug. “But still you should tell him how you feel.”

“Sweetie just go to bed.” she said as she left the room. Rarity regained her composure and trotted back down stairs and joined the dark stallion on the couch. “So, Shield how do you like Ponyville so far?”

“Seems like a nice quiet town, very different than Manehattan.”

“I can imagine. So why did you become a police officer anyway?”

“Runs in the family, my dad did it, his dad didi it, and his dad before him. Just carrying on the tradition I guess.”

“Have you ever thought of doing anything else.” Shield paused for a moment and avoided eye contact.

“No....never have, never will. It’s where I belong.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty five. Why?” he said as he eyed the mare who had moved closer to him.

“Just curious, you look a lot older than that, no offense.”

“None taken, this job takes it’s toll on you somehow.”

“How long have you been a police officer?

“Since I was eighteen. Fresh out of high school.”

“That long?”

“Yup, what about you? You always wanted to be a designer?”

“Well, I’m more than a designer. I’m also skilled with jewel hunting.” Shield looked back at the mare in surprise.

“Really? I thought you were the type that didn’t like to get their hooves dirty.” Rarity frowned at him.

“Well just because I’m a lady doesn’t mean I don’t know how to handle myself. Plus I get Spike to come and help me.”

“Spike?”

“He’s Twilight’s dragon assistant.”

“A dragon!”

“He’s a baby dragon and is just the sweetest little dear.”

“Oh, never met a dragon before.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, depending what it is.”

“Why were you harsh towards Comet at the party.” Shield rolled his eyes.

“I don’t like working with other ponies.”

“Why?”

“They just......tend to slow me down. I’m better off on my own.” he said as he got off the couch.

“You’ve never had a partner?”

“No..I did, but not any more.” he glanced up at the clock. “Sorry Rarity, but it’s late and I need to get up early, nice talking with you.” he turned towards the stair case and began

“Good idea, I need my beauty sleep as well.” Rarity then joined the stallion as he trotted upstairs . The two said goodnight and went to their rooms. Shield got into his bead and sleep eventually came to him.

Chapter 3

Shield woke up in the early hours of the morning, the sun wasn’t even out yet. He grabbed his equipment and made his way down stairs. He helped himself a cup of some black coffee. Shield finished his breakfast and put away the dishes, he trotted out the door and made his way out into the sleeping town, Shield looked to the East and saw Celestia’s sun beginning to rise. He couldn’t help but feel a little homesick at the sight, but he quickly dismissed the thought and made his way towards the police station. Standing at the entrance was Comet Shooter waiting for him. “What’re you doing here so early?” he asked the mare.

“I could ask you the same thing.” she said with dark circles under her eyes. Shield trotted past her and tried to open the front doors.

“Why is the door locked?” he glanced at his pocket watch. “It’s almost 7:00 am, where is every-pony?”

“They don’t usually get here till 8:00 am.” she said as she gave a yawn.

“What? Then why are you here?”

“To tell you that no-pony get’s here till 8:00 am.” she said with a weak grin. “You seemed like an early riser, plus I kinda wanted some time to chat.” Shield let out a long sigh and looked at the mare.

“You’re not gonna leave me alone are you?”

“Nope.” she said with a weak grin, Shield then heard her stomach growl.

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“No.....I don’t usually.” she said with a sad look on her face.

“Well we can’t have that now can we? C’mon we have an hour to kill, let’s grab something to eat.”

“Really?”

“If you’re gonna be my partner than you’re gonna need your strength.” The two ponies then made their way into town, one by one the small shops started to open up and began to put out their merchandise. Shield and Comet made their way into Sugar Cube Corner and found a booth. The same mustard yellow stallion trotted up them.

“Good morning sir how can I......Oh Inspector, how can I help you this morning?”

“I guess I’ll just have and egg with a side of toast and black coffee.” the stallion wrote the order down on his pad and then turned to the mare.

“Morning Comet, what’ll you have?”

“Morning Mr. Cake, I’ll just have an egg and some tea.” Mr. Cake wrote down the order and started to trot away.

“Okay, should be out in five minutes.”

“Thanks.” Comet said with a grin, she then shifted her gaze to the dark stallion. “So why did you decide to come to Ponyville?”

“Wasn’t my decision to make, I was transferred.”

“Oh..so what kind of crimes did you investigate?”

“Name it I’ve probably seen it.” he said as Mr. Cake brought them their drinks.

“Even...murder cases?”

“Mostly those, along with some arson and drugs thrown in. Why the interest?”

“Just want to get an assessment, since we’re going to be working together.”

“Mind if I ask a few questions of my own?”

“Sure.” she said as their food arrived.

“How many felony arrest’s have you made?”

“None.”

“Okay...how many misdemeanor arrest’s?”

“Zero.” Shield looked at the mare with a raised eyebrow.

“How many arrest’s have you made collectively?”

“I’ve never arrested any-pony.” she said as she adverted his gaze. Shield almost choked on his food.

“What!?”

“I’ve been behind a desk for the past three weeks.”

“So why did they stick you with me?”

“Cause I wanted to be out in the field and no-pony else wanted me to work with them.” she said with a sad look on her face.

“Why?” he said as he backed off.

“Probably because of my....lifestyle.”

“Lifestyle? Care to elaborate?”

“If I told you then you’d probably want a replacement.”

“Well I won’t know that if I don’t know why no-pony likes you now will I?” Comet took a quick second to look around the room, she let out a sigh and lowered her head.

“I like mares.” she said in a hushed tone.

“What?”

“I like mares.”

“I can’t hear you, speak up.”

“I like mares!” she yelled, thankfully they were the only two in the bakery. She suddenly shrank back into her seat.

“Oh is that all?” Comet looked at him with an eye brow raised.

“Y-you don’t care that I’m a filly-fooler?”

“Listen Comet. I’m from Manehattan, I’ve worked with filly-foolers, colt-cuddlers, bisexuals you name it. Your personal choices are your’s alone to make and who am I to question them?” she then got up from her seat and hugged the dark pegasus with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you! You’re the first one on the force that has accepted it.” Shield broke the hug and looked back at the mare.

“No problem. So who else knows?”

“Most of the officers, some of my friends. Like Rainbow Dash and Applejack for instance, they’ve been really supportive.”

“Do the stallions on the force mistreat you?”

“No...they just give me really crappy jobs. Until the captain assigned me to you. The captain understands and keeps the guys off my back.” she said as she sat back down in her seat.

“Okay then.....so do you have a mare-friend?”

“Yeah, she runs the flower shop in town. Her name is Roseluck.”

“Any-pony give you any trouble?”

“No...not recently, plus we’re not the only mare couple in town. Lyra and Bon-bon have been together for two years and have been through a lot worse than us. How about you?”

“No, no mare-friend.” he said as he sat back into his seat.

“Never?”

“No, I had one back in Manehattan a few years ago.”

“Oh...sorry. Things didn’t work out?”

“You could say that.” he said as Mr. Cake came back out to collect their dishes. “Thanks, Mr. Cake, how much is the bill?” he said as he reached into hi coin pouch.

“No charge. Consider it a thank you for stopping that mugger yesterday.”

“I appreciate the offer Mr. Cake but I can’t accept-”

“I insist.” Shield looked over at Comet for a moment who shrugged.

“Alright, but this is a one time thing. Next time I’ll pay.”

“Deal, one time thing.” he said with a smile. The two ponies got up from the booth and trotted out the door. As they did the once quiet street’s of Ponyville were now bustling with ponies. Comet trotted to his side.

“Why didn’t you accept Mr. Cake’s offer.”

“I don’t like others doing favors for me just because I do my job.”

“That’s pretty noble. Most of the officers here will jump at the chance to get something out of their jobs.”

“Then they’re idiots.” Comet let out laugh.

“Trust me you don’t have to tell me twice.” the rest of the way back to the station was spent in silence. As the two made their way into the station the mayor was waiting there for them with a smile on her face. she was surrounded by a few officers.

“You’re late.” one of the officers barked at Shield and Comet.

“One thing you should learn about me officer, I’m never late, nor am I early. I arrive precisely when I mean to.” Comet, some of the other officers and even the mayor chuckled at the comment. The stallion had a cross look on his face. As the two walked by, Shield heard him mutter something under his breath. He let it go for now and trotted up to the mayor. “Morning ma’am.”

“Good morning you two.” she said with a smile. “Ready for the test’s?”

“Sure, lead the way.” the two followed the mare through the department. As they did Shield caught a few glances from some of the other officers and pencil pushers. Soon the captain joined the group, they trotted out of the building and down to a circular running track, waiting for them there was a familiar cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane. “Hey Rainbow what’s up?”

“Hey Shield, I’m just here for my morning work out. You?”

“Physical test.” he said as he began to stretch.

“Cool, wanna race?”

“Maybe later, right now I’m on the clock.” he said to the cyan mare.

“Alright I’ll hold you to that, mind if I watch?”

“Be my guest.” he then turned his attention back to the mayor and the chief. “So what do I do?”

“We’er gonna time you to see how fast you are. Make four laps around without using your wings.” the captain said as he withdrew a clip board and stop watch. Shield took off his jacket, his whistle and his pocket watch. He handed them to Comet who rested them on the bench. Shield took his position on the starting line, he stretched a final time and got in a running stance. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Shield took a deep breath and broke into a gallop. He could feel the wind whipping at his mane, and the sweat starting to accumulate on his brow. He had already passed the group once, he saw the cyan pegasus watching him. Most likely studying his movements for the race later on. He had passed the group a third time, he was in the home stretch, he poured his energy into his legs and crossed the finish line. He took a second to collect himself, the captain looked at the stop watch and had a surprised look in his eye. Rainbow trotted over to the chief and her mouth fell open.

“Dude! That’s a new record!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“What does it say?”

“Five minutes eleven seconds, not bad for hooves only.”

“Must be getting out of shape.” he said with a laugh. He trotted over to the water fountain and took a long drink. Shield returned to the track and started to stretch out his wings. As he took his position the mayor withdrew a small device with a fan head attached to it. “What’s that thing?”

“It measures your wing power.” Rainbow answered. Shield nodded and got into position. He dug his hooves into the ground and began to flap his wings harder and harder until he felt the force starting to move his hooves in the dirt, he took one last look over at the group. Shield lifted his hooves up and shot forward, he slowed down on the turns so he wouldn’t go flying off the track. As he rounded the last turn he put whatever energy he had into his wings as he passed the finish line he felt the force behind him catch up and felt a cool gust wash over his back and neck. Shield looked at the group too se the mayor’s hair blown back and Comet clutching on to the grass, trying to hold on. Rainbow looked at the dark stallion in amazement. “Dude! You’re amazing!” she looked at the meeter, Rainbow’s jaw dropped. “Y-you....beat me.” Shield trotted over to the machine, it read: 25.5. Shield trotted over to his partner and retrieved his belongings.

“Look’s like I’ve still got it.” the chief trotted over to him and recorded the result’s on his clip board.

“Okay, let’s move on to the strength test.” the chief said. The group including Rainbow followed the unicorn back inside the station, to a weight room. Some of the other officers were inside lifting weights, Shield could see the veins popping out of their skin. They stopped in front of a punching bag, with a digital counter attached to it. “This will measure your strength, hit the bag as hard as you can and it’ll take a measurement of how many pounds of force your punch delivers.” Shield walked up to the machine, and put his hoof against it, planning where to strike. He brought back his left hoof and struck the pad with enough force to break a rib. He watched as the number started to rise to the triple digit’s, the numbers stopped at 950. The group stared at the numbers, the Chief recorded the numbers.

“Mind if I use, my right hoof?”

“Go for it.” the chief said as he cleared the counter. Shield raised his right hoof and exhaled, he struck the pad in the same spot. This time the counter jumped up to 1,017. Enough force to crack a pony’s skull He stepped back and rotated his hoof in a clockwise motion. The group and the other stallions in the gym looked in amazement. “Another record broken, impressive Inspector.”

“Thanks.” he said as he rubbed his hoof. Rainbow then trotted over next to Comet.

“Let’s not try and get him mad.” she whispered to the green unicorn.

“Agreed.” Comet said still staring at the number.

“Anything else Chief?”

“Just a simple blood pressure test and you’re good to go. See me in my office after you’re done.” soon a white earth pony with a pink mane tied up in a bun trotted up next to him.

“Hello I’m nurse Red Heart, if you’ll please follow me to the examination room.”

“Okay, Comet I can manage from here.”

“I’ll wait till you get out.” Shield followed the mare out of the room and into the infirmary. Comet and Rainbow waited outside and started to talk.

“So you’re working with him from now on?” Rainbow asked her friend.

“Yeah, he seems okay.” Comet started to through his things, she withdrew the whistle and pocket watch. “Look at this, a pocket watch.” she levitated the object in front of the pegasus.

“Man this thing looks old.” Rainbow commented. “Wonder if it works.” Comet opened it up to see an old photo of a small black pegasus being held by a tall blue stallion in a police uniform. The watch was snatched out of her hooves, the two looked up to see a very cross dark pegasus stallion, his red eyes were like daggers.

“Don’t. Touch. This! Got it!” he bellowed.

“Sorry, we’re just curious.” Rainbow said in a low tone.

“Ever heard the term ‘curiosity killed the cat?’” the two mares nodded. “Good.” Shield collected his things and trotted over to the captains office and sat down, Comet followed and did the same. They were soon joined by nurse Red Heart, Rainbow decided to leave.

“Ah, I trust the test was a success?.”

“Yes he’s fit for duty.” she said as she gave a grin.

“Splendid, thank you nurse.” the captain said as she took her leave. He then turned his attention back to the two ponies. “Alright Shield you are set to go, Comet you still need your physical. I scheduled it for this afternoon, Red Heart had to go back to the hospital.”

“That’s fine sir, so what do we do now?”

“Well since we’ll give you two a call when we need you. Here.” he said as he handed the two ponies their beepers.

“Anything else sir?” Shield asked.

“No, dismissed.” the two ponies got up from their seats and exited the office. Rainbow was waiting outside for the two, she got to her hooves and followed them outside the department. Shield noticed that the two mares kept silent.

“Look, I’m sorry I snapped earlier. I don’t like other ponies touching my stuff. Especially this watch!” he said as he withdrew the silver watch from his pocket.

“Where did you get that thing anyway? It looks pretty old.” Rainbow asked in a hushed tone.

“It was my great grandfather’s. Every stallion in my family since then has had it while on duty.”

“On duty?” Comet said surprise.

“My dad was a cop, his dad was a cop and so on.”

“So that’s why you’re an inspector?” Comet asked.

“Yeah. Family tradition I guess.”

“Ever wanted to do something else?” Rainbow asked.

“No.”

“We all have a choice.”

“Mine got taken.” he said in a flat tone.

“Well I gotta get to work. See you two later.” Rainbow said as she took flight and sped off into the sky.

“So what do we do-” Comet was cut off by a white mare trotting up to them.

“Good morning Shield.” Rarity chimed.

“Hey Rarity, what’s up?”

“Oh I was just doing some shopping. You?”

“Killing time until Comet has to go for her appointment.” the green mare waved at Rarity, who nodded and gave her a smile. The three heard a scream coming from a nearby shop, Shield and Comet hurried over. The scream came from a nearby flower shop.

“Oh no! Rose!” Comet yelled. The two entered the shop to see several smashed flower pot’s, turned over bags of soil and ponies on the ground covering their heads with their hooves. The two looked ahead to see a white unicorn stallion holding a knife to a cream colored pony’s throat.

“Police! Drop the knife.” Shield bellowed as he raised his gauntlet.

“Shut it cop! I’m gonna teach this filly-fooler a serious lesson in pain!” the stallion said as he moved the knife closer to the mare’s throat. “Now back off or she get’s it!” Comet took a step back, shaking in fear. Shield pressed a button on his gauntlet and a red dot appeared on the stallions head. “What is that-” he was cut off by a small barb being launched from Shields right hoof and connecting with the stallions fore head. The stallion felt a massive pain stunning him, allowing the mare to wiggle free from his grip. The stallion ripped the barb out of his head and rushed towards the inspector with malice in his eyes. Shield charged forward making his right hoof connect with the stallions skull. The unicorn jabbed the knife into Shields side, the inspector let out a wail of pain, the stallion saw that the unicorn was getting his balance back and was preparing for another attack. Shield brought his hoof down onto the unicorn’s head, he felt the stallions skull crack under the pressure. The stallion flopped to the ground motionless. Shield looked back at the mare who stood there in horror Comet rushed over to her mare friend and hugged her.

“Shield the knife!” Comet said as she pointed to the stallions side. Shield looked down at the knife sticking out of him, he reached down and pulled the knife from his side, red with blood. He got to his hooves and started to limp out the door. A crowd of ponies had gathered outside stepped to give him room. Rarity rushed to his side and put his arm over her shoulder. He shook the mare off.

“Rarity I’m fine.....I just need to......get to your boutique.” Rarity helped him to her shop with Comet and Rose following close behind. Shield stumbled into the kitchen. he turned to the three mares. “Rarity...go get....a needle and thread. Rose find.....an iron, Comet...... go to the stove...... and turn a burner on.” the three did as he asked and soon returned with the objects Shield put the Iron on the ignited burner, he then turned to the white mare. “Rarity go see if Rose is injured.” Rarity gave Comet and Rose a quick look over.

“They’re fine Shield. What did you want the iron-” she was cut off as he picked up the Iron and pressed it against the knife wound. He lat out a scream of pain as he felt the burning metal make contact with his skin. He dropped the tool and staggered back into a chair, he clutched his side and looked at the three mares who had a look of surprise and worry on their faces. As he got to his hooves he stumbled forward and blacked out.

Chapter 4

Shinning Shield awoke to find his front hooves chained to the a back wall, he moved his wings and a wave of pain washed over him. He looked back to see his wings, bloodied and being held by hooks. Shield looked ahead to see a griffin snickering at his situation. The griffin pulled on a lever, Shield felt the chains starting to pull his wings. He let out a cry of pure agony, he started to cough up blood as he was lifted off the ground by his wings. The griffin let the lever fall sending the dark pegasus falling to the ground, Shield laid there motionless as the griffin walked in front of him and yanked him to eye level by his mane.

“So this is the Phantasm of Manehattan? What a joke.” Shield spat blood in the griffin’s face, the griffin kicked him in the stomach and wiped the blood off his face. Shield face then connected with the griffin’s fist, he could feel hid bones break, he looked up to see the griffin reach for a small box with a red an black clamp on each end. “You’re tough, I’ll give you that, but here is where the fun begins.” he attached the clamps to the chains and threw the switch on the small box. Shield felt thousands of volts of electricity start to rip through his body. His muscles contracted in pain, he screamed out in agony. The griffin shut the machine off and smiled at him, he walked up to him with a knife drawn, he opened the blade, it was rust and serrated. The griffin pressed it against Shields skin and began to slide it across his coat, Shield yelled in pain as his black coat was soon dyed blood red. The griffin went back to the black box and threw the switch again another wave of pain coursed through his body, he shut his eyes trying to bear the pain.

When he opened them again he was looking up at a moving white ceiling with a tan unicorn doctor looking down at him. Shield tried to get up but was held down by a pair of white hooves, he looked over to his side to see nurse Red Heart holding him down.

“Easy inspector, you’re safe now. Prep the O.R.! Knife wound to right side accompanied by severe burn!” the doctor said as they entered a room with surgeons waiting for him. Shield regulated his breathing and laid back into the bed, the doctor’s applied anesthetic and he lost consciousness.

Outside Comet, Roseluck, Rarity and her friends were waiting in the lobby of Ponyville hospital with worry in their eyes. Rainbow was comforting the white unicorn as she sobbed. Soon the doctor returned with the surgeon who had blood splattered on his scrubs.

“You’re all here for Inspector Shield?” the group hurried over to him and nodded.

“Yes! How is he?” Rarity said with tears in her eyes.

“He’s going to be fine, we had to reopen the wound in order to get a piece of the knife out.” the ponies breathed a sigh of relief.

“Can we see him?” Rainbow asked.

“He’ll be asleep for sometime, it took 150cc’s of anesthetic to get him under control.” he said as he led them to Shield’s room. The ponies entered the room to see their dark friend laying in a hospital bed hooked up to a heart monitor and I.V. drip. Rarity trotted over to his side and put a hoof on his, tears started to pour down her face. Rainbow trotted over and put a hoof on her friends shoulder. Soon a cream colored mare with a grey mane came rocketing into the room with a red book on her back.

“Comet, I came as soon as I heard how is he?” the mayor asked.

“The doctor said he’s going to be fine mayor. He’s sleeping now.”

“That’s a relief.” Twilight then eyed the book balanced on her back.

“What’s that book for?”

“This is his police file.” Twilight levitated the file and began to read it.

“That thing is a file? It looks like a full novel!” Comet yelled. Twilight began to skim the pages.

“Wow listen to this, youngest stallion ever to be accepted into the Police academy, member of the A.P.U. and spent Six months undercover in a Manehattan maximum security prison.”

“What’s the A.P.U.?” Pinkie asked.

“It’s the Ariel Pursuit Unit.” Rainbow said. “Only the best of the best get selected to be part of that group.” the ponies looked at Shield with amazement. “What else does it say?”

“Um.....over 300 arrests, earned key to the city for outstanding police work....that’s weird.” Twilight said as she stared at the page

“What’s weird Twilight?” Comet asked.

“ ‘Operation Black Cloud’ it says the name, but everything else is blacked out.” Twilight levitated the book to show the page she was on, like she said only the title showed. The rest was crossed out with thick black ink. “In fact there are quite a few cases in here like that, I can’t seem to get anything out of them.” Twilight closed the book and looked back at Rarity who was still holding the pegasus’s hoof. The group was interrupted by the nurse coming inside.

“I’m sorry ladies but visiting hours are up. You can come back tomorrow and check on him then.” the group of ponies left the room, Rarity stayed behind for a quick moment and gave Shield a quick kiss on the lips. She turned around to see Applejack and Rainbow grinning back at her.

“Um...I.....”

“You don’t need to say anything sugar cube. Ah get it.”

“Yeah, Shield is an awesome stallion.” Rainbow added

“Can you two please-”

“We won’t say a word hun, will we Rainbow?” Applejack said as she nudged the cyan mare.

“Fine. I won’t say anything.” Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes.

“Thank you.”

“So when are you going to tell him?”

“I don’t know, I need to find the right time.”

“How about tomorrow?” AJ asked.

“Sure, but-”

“How about we help you out?” Rainbow asked

“R-really you two would do that?”

“Sure we would hun. What’re friends for?” AJ said as the mares trotted out of the room. The three mares trotted out of the hospital and headed home, as Rarity opened the door to her boutique she saw Sweetie Belle sitting on the couch with a sad look on her face, the small filly rushed over to her sister.

“Rarity! I heard that Shield was hurt! Is he okay?”

“Yes, he’s going to be fine. Shield is just sleeping now.” Sweetie Belle let out a sigh of relief and hugged her sister.

“Good, I like Shield.” Sweetie Belled said as she looked up at Rarity, who put a hoof on the fillies head.

“Me too Sweetie, me too. C’mon it’s time for bed.” she said as she began to trot upstairs with her sister. The fashionista tucked her little sister into bed and soon made her way to her own room, Rarity started to apply her curlers and facial mask, she laid down to rest. Soon sleep took her.

Comet Shooter woke up in the early hours of the morning. She looked over to see her mare-friend sound asleep. Comet walked over to the kitchen and began to make herself some coffee, she was soon joined by a very tired Rose, she smiled and walked over and sat down at the table.

“Morning, how’d you sleep?” Rose asked in a cheery tone.

“Lousy, I’m going to see how Shield is doing, want to come along?”

“Sure, it’ll be a while before I open the shop anyways.” the two mares left their house and proceeded towards the hospital, on the way there Rose tried to start up a conversation but Comet wasn’t in the mood for talking as they entered the hospital lobby they saw Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash waiting.

“Howdy Comet, here to see Shield?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, same for you three?”

“Well that and we’re here to give Rarity moral support.” Rainbow said as the white mare blushed. Soon the doctor came out and looked at the group of mares.

“Are all of you here to see Shinning Shield?” the mares nodded. “Then you’d better come with me.” the mares shot each other a worried look and followed the doctor outside of Shields room. He stopped and look back at the mares. “Before I let you see him there’s something we need to do.”

“What’s that?” Rainbow asked.

“Find him.” the doctor opened the door to reveal an empty hospital bed, an I.V. Drip disconnected and an open window. “We believe he took off early this morning, but his whereabouts are unknown.”

“Is he in any danger?” Rarity asked.

“His would is closed and almost healed, but, if he exerts himself too much then the wound could re-open.” the group of mares had an expression of worry on their faces.

“So we’d better find him quickly!” Rose yelled.

“Okay, I’ll take the skies, Rose and Rarity will check up-town. AJ check downtown and Comet head to the station, get out a notice.” Rainbow said as she faced the window.

“Got it!” The mares yelled, Rainbow rocketed out of the window and into the sky. The other mares galloped out of the hospital and into the quiet town. Comet made her way to the station, she was surprised to find it unlocked. She made her way down to the locker room to see a black pegasus stallion with a bandage on his right side.

“Morning Comet.” he said in a flat tone.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you, you left the hospital!” she yelled.

“Yeah, so?”

“So?! So you’re injured and almost died!”

“I’ve been through worst.” he said as he trotted past the mare and into the weight room. He trotted over to the weight bench he laid down and began to lift the bar, Comet came over and began to press the bar down on top of him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Getting my morning work out.”

“Not with that wound you’re not!” Shield let out a heavy sigh.

“Look Comet I appreciate the concern but it’s not that bad. I’m fine.” Shield lifted the bar with a quick jerking motion sending the the mare flying off of him. He then trotted out the door onto the the track, Comet chased after him until Shield took flight, as he did the bandage came off revealing a burned closed wound. Shield felt the wind whisking past him as he flapped his wings and soared through the sky. As he shot through the clouds he saw a familiar cyan/rainbow blur come up next to him. He looked over to see a pair of frowning magenta eyes glaring at him. “Morning Rainbow, what’s up?”

“What are you doing out here?!” she yelled.

“Flying, duh.” he said in a flat tone.

“I mean out of the hospital, you got stabbed for Luna’s sake!’

“You sound like Comet. Relax I’m fine....watch.” Shield zoomed ahead and did three summer salts in mid air, Shield returned next to the mare with a blank look on his face. “See.” Rainbow stared at him and let out a heavy sigh.

“You up for a race?” Rainbow asked.

“You’re on! Where to?”

“From one end of town to the other.” Shield nodded and the two stopped on a nearby cloud to get ready for take off. Shield cracked his neck and wings as he got in position. “3......2,1-”

“GO!” Shield yelled as he rocketed ahead of the mare, he saw Rainbow starting to gain on him, he started to descend at an alarming rate, he stopped five feet above the ground and started to fly through the quiet street with Rainbow in hot pursuit. Shield flew into a narrow alley and started to zig-zag through the street’s he looked back to see that Rainbow was hot on his hoofs. He did a few quick maneuvers and exited out of the alley and into the street’s of Ponyville, he saw the edge of town and shot towards his goal, he heard a small crash and turned around to see Rainbow fumbling out of a garbage can, Shield gave her a quick laugh. “C’mon Rainbow you’d better keep up!” Shield said as he rocketed towards the edge of town Shield felt Rainbow coming up behind him, he looked ahead to see his vision clouded by orange fur. He slammed into tho object and slid into the ground. His vision became dizzy, as he got to his hooves he realized he had run into Applejack. The orange mare got to her hooves and began to yell.

“Gosh darn it Rainbow! How many times have ah told-” she then saw the dark stallion getting to his hooves. “Shield! What’re you doing here!?” she bellowed.

“Well I was winning.” he said as he looked over to the cyan mare who still had a rotten banana peel on top of her head.

“Ah mean why aren’t you in the hospital?”

“Oh that, I decided to check out early to get to work, then I ran into Rainbow and one thing led to another. Sorry for flying into you by the way.”

“Ah’m fine, I get hit by Rainbow’s fly-by’s three times a month. But you shouldn’t be out here you’re injured.” Gear let out a small grumble as Rarity, Rose and Comet came to his side.

“Shield there you are! Are you alright?” Rarity yelled.

“Ugh! Look, ladies I know it looks bad but trust me, I’m fine.” Comet then stepped forward.

“Listen Shield you may be some ex flight specialist but-”

“Oh, so you read my file?”

“We all did, only the parts that were readable though. There were some blacked out portions.” Rarity added.

“Glad to see my editing didn’t go to waste.” the mares stared back at him in astonishment.

“You blacked those files out!” Shield nodded. “Why!” Rainbow yelled.

“Trust me those cases weren’t pretty and I didn’t want them following me around for the rest of my life.” he said as he stretched his wings.

“What ever, let’s drop it for now.” Comet said in an annoyed tone. “The point is you shouldn’t be flying around wounded.”

“Comet calm down! It’s just a knife wound, I’ve been through way worse than this.”

“Like what?” Rarity asked. Shield’s eyes shrank at the question.

“We should get back to the station, it’s almost time for out shift to start.” he said as he trotted past the mares. Comet looked back at the group with a concerned look in her eye, she then chased after him. Rose left the group to open up her shop on the other side of town. Rainbow looked at Rarity who had a look of worry on her face.

“Wow Rarity you sure know how to pick em.” Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes. AJ then slugged Rainbow in the arm.

“Rainbow, don’t be rude. Shield obviously has some skeleton’s in the closet. I’m sure we all do,” Rarity said regaining her composure.

“Yeah, ah guess you have a point, but we shouldn’t just forget about it.” Applejack said as she looked at the two mares. “I’ll see you gals later ah gotta get back to the farm.” she said as she trotted back through town. Rainbow then flew away leaving Rarity in the street. Reluctantly she made her way back to the boutique and began to work on anew design. The day went by slowly, she didn’t have many customers. Around noon she heard the door to the boutique open followed by a loud grunt. She left to investigate, she was surprised to see the black pegasus stallion standing in the foyer with an angered look on his face.

“Shield? What’s wrong?” Rarity said as she walked up to him

“The pigs just gave me R&R.” in an angry voice.

“Pardon?”

“The captain gave me a week of relaxation period to get over my injuries. I can’t work for a week!”

“Well maybe that’s a good thing.”

“Rarity I’m a cop. I’m supposed to put ponies behind bars, If I can’t do that then what am I supposed to do?” he said as he sat down on the couch with a huff.

“Well...do you have any hobbies?”

“No.”

“Favorite sport?”

“No.”

“Mare friend?” Rarity blushed at the question.

“No.” Rarity let out a small grin at the information.

“What about-”

“I don’t have anything besides my work.” he said as he let out a grunt and rubbed his right shoulder.

“Something wrong dear?”

“When I flew into Applejack this morning I think I may have twisted something, doesn't hurt to bad but it’a nuisance.” he said as he looked back at the grinning mare.

“Well, your in luck today is the day that Fluttershy and I got to the spa. I insist that you join us.”

“I don’t like spa’s.” he said flatly.

“The two ponies who own the shop are well trained masseuses and will gladly help with that pain in your shoulder.” Rarity said as she looked at him with a pleading look in her eyes.

“Fine, I’ll go. Better I get it looked at sooner than later.” he said in a low grumble. Rarity beamed at his response.

“Splendid. Come along we don’t want to be late now do we?” she said as she trotted past the stallion who rolled his eyes.

“I can tell I’m regretting this already.” he said as he followed the white unicorn back out onto the busy streets of Ponyville.

Chapter 5

As the two ponies made their way through town Shield was catching a few glances from some ponies, he didn’t give them a thought as he trotted through the busy town. As he glance from side to side he noticed that Rarity was staring at him whenever he turned his head away from her. The white mare stopped in front of a bright pink building that smelled of bath salt’s and assorted lotions, the two trotted inside to see a yellow pegasus mare with a flowing pink mane reading a magazine. The yellow mare waved to her friend but shrank back seeing the dark pegasus. Rarity then trotted towards her friend with a smile on her face.

“Fluttershy, this is Shinning Shield. He’s the stallion that helped me last week in Manehattan and he’s the newly appointed Inspector for Ponyville.” she said as she brought the mare closer to the stallion. Shield nodded at the pegasus who was still nervous.

“N-nice to meet you.” shesaid in a timid voice.

“Likewise.” he said in a calm tone. Soon two earth pony mares came rushing out, one was a light blue with a pink mane and the other was pink with a blue mane. The two greeted the three ponies with a wide grin.

“Welcome to our spa I’m Lotus.” the blue mare said.

“And I’m Aloe.”

“How can we help you?” they said together. Rarity stepped forward.

“Hello girls three usuals please and give our friend here a massage, he’s been having some shoulder pain.” Rarity said as the the two mares eyed the dark stallion. The earth ponies took Shield by the hooves and led him in the back. Fluttershy and Rarity followed them as they stepped into the mud bath and kelp wrap, Shield was in the bath in between the two mares. He eyed the two mares with a cold stare.

“Don’t mention this to any-pony!” he barked.

“What’s wrong with getting a spa trip you look like you could use it.”

“I prefer not to be ridiculed by the officers.” he said in a flat tone. “So if you need me, I’ll be resting on the bottom.” he said as he took the straw from his drink and submerged his head underneath the water, leaving one end on the straw above the water’s surface. Aloe came back with a smile on her face.

“How is everything?”

“Simply divine.” Rarity said a she let out a satisfied sigh.

“But where is your friend? The dark pegasus stallion.” she asked as she looked around the room. Rarity motioned with her hoof to the bath beside her. The pink mare trotted over and saw the straw sticking out of the bath, she put her hoof into the bath and tapped on a hard surface. Shield brought his head out of the water and looked at the pink earth pony. “We can take a look at your shoulder now if you want to.”

“Sound’s good to me.” he said as he got out of the bath and followed the pink mare. As the dark stallion rose from the bath Rarity could see the water pressing his coat against his well toned body, her face turned bright red as he left the room. Fluttershy looked over at her friend with a confused look on her face.

“Umm Rarity.”

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“Your face....it looks pretty red. Is your bath too hot?” Rarity quickly turned her head away from her friend.

“No. The bath is fine Fluttershy it’s just that....” Rarity scratched her chin with her hoof.

“It’s about Shield isn’t it?” Fluttershy said in a hushed tone. Rarity looked back at her friend in surprise, Fluttershy then shrank back. “I’m sorry...it’s just my opinion.....I just guessed and-”

“It’s fine Fluttershy and you’re correct.”

“Oh...my. Well I’m happy for you two.”

“The thing is Fluttershy I haven’t told him how I feel yet....Frankly I’m scared too.” she said with a nervous look in her eye.

“Why?”

“You were there when Twilight read his file. He’s been through a lot and I have no idea how he would react if I confessed my feelings.”

“Well......no offense Rarity but that’s the risk every-pony takes with love.....sorry.” she said in a timid voice.

“No.....you’re right Fluttershy. I just need the right moment but I never get a chance to because of all the orders I have to fill out, handling Sweetie Belle is a job of it’s own.”

“What about what happened last-” she was cut off by Rarity raising a hoof.

“I thought we agreed never to mention that again.” she said in an angry tone, causing the yellow mare to shrink back. “I’m sorry dear, but I’d prefer to leave that aspect of my life behind me.”

“I-It’s okay I shouldn’t have brought it up. So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know I’ll think of something.” she finished as the sisters came back into the room and helped them out of the bath. The mares rejoined Shinning in the lobby, Rarity stared at the stallions clean glistening body. “How is your shoulder doing?” she asked trying to hide her blush.

“Much better. Those two know what they’re doing.” he said as he paid and trotted out the door. Aloe then tapped Rarity on the shoulder and brought her over to her sister.

“Is there something I can help you two with?” Rarity said in confusion.

“Normally we would never ask you of this Ms. Rarity but....who is that stallion?” Aloe asked.

“Oh..That is Shinning Shield, he’s the newly appointed Inspector for Ponyville. He just got here a few days ago.”

“Where is he from?”Lotus asked.

“Manehattan. Why?”she asked as she raised an eyebrow. The two sisters looked at one another and nodded.

“During his massage Aloe and I felt numerous scars and healed wounds all across his back.” Rarity put a hoof to her mouth in shock.

“We may not be doctors be we can recognize when a Pony has been beaten and abused. Be careful around him Ms. Rarity. We know that a stallion who has endured something like that usually only find’s trouble.” Aloe said as the two sisters trotted back into the bath house. Rarity looked back at Fluttershy who had the same look of surprise on her face, the two mares caught up with Shield outside of the salon.

“Hey Rarity ready to go?” he asked.

“Y-yes. What should we do now?” she glanced over at Fluttershy.

“I-I need to get back to my house to feed the animals, same time next week Rarity?”

“Of corse darling.” with that the timid yellow pegasus started to trot away from the white mare and dark stallion. Rarity looked at Shield with a smile. “So what should we do now?”

“Don’t know. What did she mean by animals?”

“Oh Fluttershy takes care of most of the animals that live in the park, she’s also our local veterinarian.” she said as the two began to walk through the streets. Shield eyed a massive building made out of an old tree.

“What’s that?”

“That’s the library that Twilight runs, want to go in?”

“Sure. It’s been a while since I found a good book.” the two trotted inside, it smelled of parchment and fresh ink. Shield looked over to the couch to see a sleeping purple dragon, Shield stared at the dragon with an icy glare. Twilight descended the stairs with a grin on her face.

“Hey, Shield what brings you here?”

“I think a more important question is why you have a sleeping dragon on your couch.” he said as he looked at the sleeping dragon.

“Oh, that’s Spike he’s my assistant.” Twilight said.

“Right Rarity mentioned you had a helper. How did you get him to agree to that?”

“I hatched him.”

“You what?” he said with a confused look on his face.

“Twilight, had to hatch the egg with magic to get into a school in Canterlot.” Rarity explained. Suddenly the tiny dragon awoke and fell off the couch. He quickly got to his feet and looked up to see Rarity and a strange dark stallion.

“R-Rarity! H-hey hows it going?” he said with a bright blush on his face.

“Just wonderful Spike. Yourself?”

“G-good.” he then turned his attention to the stallion eyeing him. “Who’s he?”

“This is Shining Shield, he’s the new Inspector for Ponyville.” Twilight answered. Shield nodded at the dragon and Spike returned the gesture. “So did you two need something?” Twilight asked.

“I was looking for something to read, I have some time to kill since the boss gave me the week off.” he said in a low grumble. Twilight was about to ask but saw Rarity shaking her head in a 'don't do it' fashion.

“Okay, well we have all kinds of books here. Looking for anything in particular?”

“Got anything by Colt Brown?” he asked.

“Yes, give me a second and I’ll find it for you.” the lavender mare trotted away with a smile on her face. He looked over to see Rarity glaring at him.

“You like Colt Brown?” she said in surprise.

“Yeah, why?”

“It’s just that I didn’t expect you to like something so sophisticated, I thought you’d be more interested in books like Daring Do.” she said as she noticed that the stallions eyes narrowed.

“I enjoy the plot twists’s and while I do enjoy the Daring Do series, they lack the amount of suspense and descriptive writing that I enjoy.” he took a deep breath and then continued. “Plus I can’t relate to Daring Do, she’s too.....bold. I know that if I were faced with the challenges she’s faced I’d probably be scared out of my mind, I can relate to the pritagonist'd story in Colt Brown books because they are just normal ponies put in extraordianry situations and make the best of it.” he looked over to see Twilight levitating a book with her jaw hitting the floor.

“Wow I didn’t know you had such insight.” Twilight said in amazement.

“Quite.” Rarity said.

“A good cop is more than just muscle, you need to have a good head on your shoulders. Most ponies, stallions in particular seem to forget that.” he said as he Twilight levitated the book over to him. “Thanks, you don’t have to stay here Rarity. I’ll be here for a while.” the library door opened to reveal a cyan pegasus mare and an orange earth pony mare.

“Hey Twilight, we just came by to see if.....oh you have company.” Rainbow said as she saw Rarity and Shield.

“Hello Rainbow, good afternoon Applejack.” Rarity said as she waved to her friends. Shield then noticed that Applejack had a band-aid on her forehead. Shield trotted forward in front of the mare.

“Look, sorry for flying into you this morning. I was still getting over the drugs the doctors pumped me with.” he said as he scratched his mane.

“What this? This ain’t from you, a branch came down in the orchard and clocked me in the head. But thank you for apologizing.” she said with a smile.

“Well that’s a load of my shoulders. How’s your head?” he said as he sat down on the couch.

“Fine, nothing too bad. I’m hard headed.” she said as she knocked her head with her hoof.

“Yeah...you don’t need to tell me.” Rainbow said with a laugh, Applejack eyed the mare with a glare that would make a manticore cower in fear. “But what did you mean by still getting over the effects of the drug?”

“What ever they pumped me with it was strong. I barely remember what happened before I crashed into AJ.” he then leaned back and put his front hooves behind his head. “Heck the stuff made me see hallucinations.”

“What hallucinations?” Rarity asked.

“Well for instance in the hallucination you kissed me.” Rarity’s face turned bright red. “It was probably the mix of the drugs that caused me to think that.” Silence fell over the room as Shield picked up the book and began to read. AJ and Rainbow were trying to hold a straight face, Rarity was mouthing ‘keep your mouths shut’ to the mares.

“Oh......well......that is an....interesting hallucination. What did you think about it?” she asked with a blush on her face.

“Why do you want to know?” he said as he raised an eyebrow.

“I.....was just......curious. Look at the time I really must be getting back to work, I’ll see you later Shield.” she said as she zoomed out of the library giving Rainbow and Applejack a cold glare as she exited the building. Shield glanced at the mares with a raised eye-brow.

“What was that all about?”

“Ah don’t know...... she’s probably behind on her work.”

“Y-yeah that’s it.” Shield closed the book and glared at them.

“So what did you two need?” Twilight asked.

“We just wanted to see if you wanted to go on a picnic with us.” AJ said with a smile.

“I don’t know girls I have to handle the library and-” Shield joined in on the conversation.

“Go on I can handle things here.” Shield said as the mares looked at him with a confused look on their faces.

“Handling a library is a lot of work and-”

“I spent my high school years as a cataloger for the MPD. I’m pretty sure I can handle looking after a library for an afternoon.” Twilight scratched her chin for a moment.

“Well.....if your sure.”

“I’m bored out of my mind and I need something to do.”

“What about your job?” Rainbow asked.

“The captain gave me a week off to recover from the knife wound.” he said in a low grumble. Twilight then collected her picnic basket and began to fill it with food.

“Thank you, I should be back by closing time, help yourself to something if you get hungry.” Twilight said as she trotted over to her friends.

“Thanks.” he gave the mares a nod as they trotted out the door. Shield sat behind the main desk and started to tear through the book. Shield glanced at the clock and saw that two hours had passed, as he began to read again the door to the library opened to reveal three fillies; a familiar white unicorn, an orange pegasus and a yellow earth pony. Sweetie Belle looked at the dark stallion with a grin on her face.

“Shield!” she yelled as she trotted over and hugged the dark pegasus. The other two fillies looked at her in confusion. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“Um....Sweetie Belle who is this?” the yellow filly asked in a thick southern accent.

“This is Shinning Shield he’s the new......what was your job position called again?”

“Inspector.” he said flatly.

“Right he’s the new inspector for Ponyville.” the two fillies jaw’s dropped at the news.

“So you’re the stallion that helped the Cake’s and Roseluck?” the orange pegasus said.

“Yes.”

“He’s also living with Rarity and I!” Sweetie Belle said with a grin. The white unicorn then turned back to her friends. “Oh right, Shield these are my friends Applebloom and Scootaloo.”

“Howdy.” the earth pony said with a smile.

“Hi.” the orange filly answered.

“Nice to meet you. Can I help you with something?” he asked with a grin.

“We’re looking for Twilight.” Applebloom said.

“She’s off on a picnic with your sister and Rainbow Dash. I’m filling in for her until she get’s back.” he answered.

“Oh well that explain.....Wait how did yah know Applejack was my sister?”

“I’m an Inspector, it’s my job to be able to tell things like that.”

“That makes sense.”

“So how can I help you three?” he said as he looked at the fillies.

“We’re looking for a book about cutie marks and how to get them.” Applebloom said in a stern voice.

“May I ask why?”

“We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We need to know these things.” Shield had a confused look on his face.

“The Cutie Mark what now?” he said. The three fillies then lined up side by side.

“We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We are on a crusade to find out who we are and discover out special talent!” the three fillies said in unison.

“Well let me check in the back, I’m sure we have something.” Shield took flight and started to scan the bookshelves for anything cutie mark related, he flew back in front of the fillies with a disappointed look on his face. “Sorry girls looks like we either don’t have it or Twilight has a secret stashed of books hidden some where.” the three fillies looked down in defeat. Shield shot a glance at the three disappointed fillies. “Hang on let me make a call, maybe I can find something.” the three fillies beamed at him as he pulled out his cellphone and dialed a series of numbers with his wings. “Hello operator? Get me Manehattan PD Engineering branch....yeah I’ll hold.......Gizmo that you? I’m fine, got stabbed on my first day............yeah you know me, listen I need a favor.........Relax it’s simple, I need you to find a book about Cutie Marks..........the reason doesn’t matter, just find it and mail it to Carousel Boutique in Ponyville..........Fine I’ll send you the gauntlet in the mail. I also need two radio buds for my partner and me........yes, they assigned me a partner.........she’s lasted three days so far........SHUT UP ABOUT THAT!......Sorry for shouting you understand right?.......Good and thanks again say hi to the guys and the chief for me...Bye.” he hung up the phone and trotted back to the fillies who had a confused look on their faces. “A friend of mine is going to try and find a book, he’ll call me when he’s found something.” the three fillies had a massive grin across their faces.

“Thanks Shield! We’ve tried everything from pancake making to water skiing.” Sweetie Belle said with a heavy sigh.

“Okay how did you......Forget it I probably don’t want to know.” as he looked back at the fillies he noticed that Scootaloo’s right eye was black and blue. “What happened to your eye?” he said as he pointed to the orange filly.

“Oh this... I...um...bumped into a doorknob walking out of my house this morning.” Shield and the other two ponies looked at her in surprise. “Well I gotta catch a chariot, see you guys tomorrow.”

“Why do you need a chariot to get home?” Shield asked as he cocked an eyebrow.

“I can’t fly yet, so I take a pegasi drawn carriage along with some other foals to get home.” she said in a low grumble.

“Oh....okay then.” Shield felt a little ashamed for asking that.

“Hey Shield, what are you doing tomorrow?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Nothing, I have the day off. Why?”

“Can you help us get our Cutie Marks?” Applebloom asked. Shield had a nervous look on his face.

“Listen girls I would but..” he was cut off by the three fillies giving him the puppy dog eyes. “Fine, I’ll help you.” he said with a blank look on his face, the three fillies beamed at his response. Scootaloo looked at the clock and realized that she was going to miss her ride.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I gotta go!” as she opened the door to leave she saw a familiar lavender mare standing in front of her. Scootaloo galloped past Twilight without giving her a wave. Twilight then trotted into the library to see the three ponies.

“Hey Shield, sorry that the picnic lasted as long as it did.” she said with an embarrassed look.

“It’s fine. I was just helping out Sweetie Belle and her friends here.” Twilight then looked at the two fillies grinning in the corner.

“Yeah, he even agreed to help us with our Cutie Marks tomorrow!” Sweetie Belle said as she dashed next to the stallion. Twilight looked at him in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Girls it’s pretty late and I don’t think that your sister’s would be too happy with you if you were late.” Twilight said as the two filly’s eyes shrank at the statement.

“Oh no, Applejack’s gonna kill me! See yah tomorrow Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom said as she zoomed out of the library.

“We’d better get going too Sweetie. Rarity will give me an ear full if you’re not home soon.” he said as he trotted towards the door. “See ya Twilight.” Twilight gave him a nod as he left with the small filly. The two made their way through the dark street’s of Ponyville and hurried back to the boutique. As the two stepped inside they heard crashing noises coming from the upstairs. The two went to investigate and stopped outside Rarities work room, Shield was about to knock on the door when Sweetie Belle held his hoof back and shook her head. “What’s wrong?” Sweetie Belle pointed to the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door knob.

“My sister only put’s that on the door when she has a massive order to fill. It’s better if we don’t bother her right now she tends to get a little.....crazy.”

“Gotcha, how about I make us some dinner then?”

“You can cook?”

“Yeah, I lived on my own for years, I had to learn how to cook.” Shield and Sweetie Belle made their way into the kitchen and began gathering ingredients. Once Shield had finished baking the two sat down to eat. As Sweetie Belle took a bite her eyes shrank, Shield took notice of this. “You don’t like it?” he asked.

“NO! IT'S AMAZING WHAT IS THIS STUFF?!” she said as she gobbled the rest of her food down.

“It’s a family recipe. I take it that Rarity doesn’t do a lot of cooking.”

“No she cooks, just nothing as tasty as this.” she said with a grin.

“Oh really now!” a posh voice said from the staircase. The two turned to see a white unicorn mare with glassed on her nose and measuring tape hanging over her neck. As she descended the staircase she sniffed the air. “And what is that incredible smell?”

“Shield made it, try it!” Sweetie Belle said with a smile. Rarity levitated a spoon into the mixture and put it in her mouth. Rarities eyes shrank as the explosion of flavor hit her taste buds.

“You made this!” she said as she looked at Shield in surprise. He nodded as the white mare helped her self to a plate.

“I must say darling this is amazing, who taught you to cook like this?”

“My mother.”

“Well I must get the recipe from her.” Shield’s eyes shrank at it.

“You can’t.”

‘Why’s that?”

“She’s.......not around anymore.” he said in a low tone. Rarity stopped chewing and looked at the stallion with a sad face.

“Oh....I’m terribly sorry dear, I didn’t mean to bring up such a sensitive topic.”

“It’s fine, it happened a long time ago.” Shield got to his hooves and trotted towards the staircase with the book balanced on his back, he returned to his room and began to read on the soft bed. He burned through five chapter before he heard a knock at the door, he trotted over to see Rarity standing in the door way. “What’s up?”

“I just came by to apologize for what happened at dinner.”

“Rarity it’s fine, you didn’t know.” he said as the two trotted over to the bed.

“That’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have......asked some thing so personal.” she said as she put a hoof on the back of her neck in pain.

“You okay?”

“Yes, I’v just been working so hard today I think I’ve got a cramp in my neck.” she said as she rubbed the spot again.

“Well if you want I can help you with that.” Rarity’s face blushed at the statement.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m a trained and certified masseuse.” he said with a blank face.

“Well..alright then.” she said as she turned her back and sat down in front of him. She felt his strong hooves beginning to rub her sore neck. Rarity’s face was bright red, she let out a small moan of pleasure as Shield started to move his hooves in a circular formation. “Could you please go a little lower?” she breathed out Shield did as he was asked and moved lower to her mid back, Rarity was starting to pant heavily. “Lower please.” she said in a begging tone. Shield raised an eyebrow as he moved lower. Rarity’s face was as red as an apple, she could feel all of the day’s stress being rubbed away by the stallion. “Lower.” she asked again.

“Um Rarity, I’m as low as I can get.” he said as he moved his hooves off of the mares’ back. The white unicorn got to her hooves and tried to hide her blush.

“Oh....well..thank you. Why did you become a certified masseuse?”

“It’s always handy to know how the body works. Hit a few pressure point’s and a pony will fall unconscious before they know what happened.”

“You’ve done that before?”

“Yes, once or twice when I had to incapacitate a criminal.”

“Oh well...thank you again for the massage.” she said as she trotted towards the door, as she went to close it she turned around to face the stallion. “Shield.”

“Yes?”

“I....I just want to say goodnight.” Rarity closed the door and entered her room, she flopped onto her bed and held a pillow over her face in frustration. Back across the hall Shield laid in his bed staring up at the ceiling until he heard another knock at the door, he let out a small groan as he got up. He opened the door to see Sweetie Belle looking at him with a sad look on her face.

“Hey Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“Look I gotta tell you something, but you have to keep it a secret.” she said as she looked around the hallway to see if any-pony was listening.

“Okay then, c’mon in we can talk in here.” Sweetie followed the dark stallion in his room and sat down on the bed. “So what’s up?”

“I think that there’s something wrong with Scootaloo.” she said in a low tone.

“What makes you say that?” he said as he raised an eye brow.

“You saw her black eye right?” Shield nodded as he remembered her swollen right eye.

“Yeah she said that she walked into a doorknob.”

“She told Applebloom and me that she got hit in the face with a soccer ball and this isn’t the first time this has happened.” Shield’s ears perked up hearing this.

“Is she clumsy or something?”

“No, that’s the thing! She can do extremely dangerous moves on her scooter and come out without a scratch, but every once in a while she’ll come into school with a bruise or a cut.” the little filly’s eyes started to water. Shield put a hoof around the small filly. “I just don’t know what’s going on.” she said as she began to cry.

“Neither do I Sweetie but I can promise you that I will find out. Who else know this?”

“Just Applebloom and me.”

“Any adult’s besides me?”

“No, Scootaloo made us promise not to tell any-pony but I’m just so worried about her.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“You won’t tell her that I told you will you?” she asked as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

“I won’t say a word. Is there any-pony that has seen these injuries like a family member or a teacher?”

“Well...there’s Ms. Cherilee. Our teacher at school, but Scootaloo has been hiding it from her and the others.”

“Has she acted differently when these new injuries would appear?”

“Yeah, usually she’s really happy and funny. But there are day’s when she want’s to be alone and is sad all the time, then she get’s angry. One time when I went to the club house I saw her curled up on the floor crying.” Shield thought for a moment.

“Is there any-pony that Scootaloo trust’s or looks up to?”

“Yeah, Rainbow Dash. She looks to her like a big sister.”

“Okay. Thanks for the info Sweetie and I promise I’ll figure this out.” he said as he walked her to the door of his room. “Don’t feel bad Sweetie, you did the right thing telling me this.”

“But I broke my promise, I still feel guilty.”

“Sweetie Belle sometimes you need to break a promise in order to help some-pony, and there is nothing wrong with that.” he said as he gave her a quick smile. She wiped the tears away and trotted back across the hall to her room. As soon as Shield closed the door his expression shifted to one filled with anger, he flopped into bed and eventually drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 6

Shield woke up to find himself in home covered in darkness, he knew this place. He heard crying coming from inside the house, Shield trotted inside and started to search for the source of the sobbing. When he entered the kitchen he saw two ponies laying on the floor blood was splattered all over the place. He heard the sobbing come from the pantry, as he opened it a small colt screamed and ran over to his parent’s lifeless bodies, the little colt walked over to the dead stallion and started to tug at his hoof.

“C’mon dad.....please wake up.” he said fighting through the sobs. “Mom.....please this isn’t funny........wake up.......” the colt started to break down and cry. Shield walked over to the colt and put a hoof on his shoulder, the colt looked up at him with tear soaked eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Shield said as he looked down at the colt. The small pony then fainted, Shield felt himself being pulled out of the dream, the last thing he saw was the small colt sobbing in a pool of his parent’s blood.

Shield woke up in a cold sweat, his eyes were fully dilated. He looked to his right to see Rarity glaring at him with a worried look on her face.

“Shield are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” he said as he got out of bed and trotted towards the door. Rarity stopped him with her hoof on his shoulder.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to talk-”

“I said I’m fine.” he said in a harsh tone. The two ponies trotted down stairs to see Sweetie Belle waiting for them at the door. “Hey Sweetie Belle ready to go?”

“You bet!” Rarity looked at the two in confusion.

“Ready to go where?”

“Shield said he’d help Scootaloo, Applebloom and I get our Cutie Marks.”

“Really? Well that’s awfully nice of you......have a good time and please be careful.” she said Shield gave her a reassuring nod and trotted out of the door with Sweetie Belle by his side. Rarity closed the door behind them and trotted back upstairs.

Shield and Sweetie Belle trotted through the quiet town, as they walked Sweetie Belle looked at him with a sad look.

“Hey Shield about what I said last night, do you think that Scootaloo is-”

“I have hunch, but I need to confirm a few things before I do anything, I think that you should let Applebloom know that you told me.” after he said that a small yellow filly trotted up to them.

“Hey guys what’re you two talking about?” Shield then gave a slight nudge to Sweetie Belle.

“Um Applebloom, I told Shield about Scootaloo and-”

“YOU WHAT! WE PINKIE PROMISED HER THAT WE WOULDN’T TELL ANY-PONY ABOUT THAT!” she yelled.

“I know but I’m just worried about her and if sometimes you need to break a promise in order to help some-pony!” she said as she glared back at the small filly.

“Sweetie Belle did the right thing telling me and I promised her I would get to the bottom of this.” he said as he looked at the two ponies, they were interrupted by a four pegasi lugging a chariot filled with small ponies stopping in front of them, soon a group of foals exited the chariot along with a familiar orange pegasus filly.

“Hey guys what’s up?” she said with a grin.

“Nothing!” Sweetie Belle barked with a nervous look on her face. Scootaloo was about to protest but was cut off by her stomach growling.

“Did you eat breakfast?” Shield asked.

“No, I usually skip it. I’m fine though.”

“Well if you guys want me to help you you’re gonna need breakfast. C’mon my treat.” he said as the three fillies followed him into town. They trotted into Sugar Cube Corner and sat down in a booth. Mr Cake came over and gave them his usual greeting, Shield ordered an egg with some black coffee, the others ordered pancakes. As they ate Sweetie Belle nudged him and pointed to a maroon earth pony mare. Shield gave the filly a wink and trotted over to the mare.

“Hello ma’am I’m Shinning Shield and-”

“Oh your the new Inspector correct?” she said with a smile.

“Yes and I hate to ask this but-”

“I’m Cherilee I’m the school teacher.’

“So I’ve heard and I need you to-”

“How can I help you inspector?” she said as Shield gave her a blank look.

“If you’d stop interrupting me I’ll tell you.” he said in an annoyed tone. The mare then shut her mouth. “Thank you, and you can help me by giving me access to the student personnel files.” the mare looked back at him with a surprised look on her face.

“Why do you need those?”

“I have reason to believe that one of your student’s may be being abused.” Cherilee put a hoof to her mouth in surprise. “I need those files so I can continue my investigation.”

“Of corse. I’ll give them to you this afternoon, where can I find you?” Shield scratched his head.

“I’ll be in the park all day.” Cherilee nodded in agreement. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell any-pony about this, at least not until I have more info.”

“Of corse, I will do anything to protect my students, but might I ask who it is?”

“Sorry Cherilee, classified. Plus it’s just a theory right now, but I’ll keep you up to date if I find anything.”

“Thank you and could I ask you for a favor?” she said with a weak grin.

“Sure, what is it?”

“I was wondering if you and your partner could come to the school one day and talk to the children about how it feels to be an inspector.” Shield scratched his mane at the thought.

“Sure I can do that, I just need to clear it with my partner.” he looked over at the door to see Comet and Roseluck enter the bakery. “Speak of the devil, I’ll go ask her now. Hey Comet, c’mere a minute.” the green unicorn trotted over to him with a smile on her face.

“Yeah what’s up?”

“Two things, Cherilee here want’s us to give a demonstration for the kids at school one day, that okay with you?”

“Yeah sure no problem. What’s the second thing?”

“I want you to go see Twilight and see if she has a cloud walking spell.” he said in a stern tone.

“Um...okay? Why?”

“Might need it one day. Thanks for the files Cherilee, I’ll see you at the park.” Cherilee got to her hooves, and trotted out the door. Comet looked back at Shield with a confused look on her face.

“What was that about?” she asked in frustration, Shield drew the mare close and began whispering into her ear. “Uh-huh.........okay..........WHAT!..........fine I’ll keep quiet about it.”

“Good, and remember don’t tell any-pony, last thing I need is for him or her to skip town.”

“Fine, but who is it?”

“Sorry can’t tell you at least not yet, I need more evidence.” she looked back at him with a cold stare.. “Okay how about this, if they turn out be an abusive parent you can cuff them.” Comet dropped her jaw in shock.

“R-really?”

“Yeah, you need some arrests on your record anyway.”

“Deal!” she said as she returned to her mare friend, Shield returned to the three fillies who had a confused look on their faces.

“What did Ms. Cherilee want?” Scootaloo asked.

“She wanted me and Comet to give a demonstration at school one day.” he said with a grin.

“Oh that’s cool. So should we get started?” Scootaloo asked.

“Let’s head to the park, more open spaces.” the four ponies got up, paid their bill and walked out into the sunny street’s of Ponyville. “So what do you three usually-” he was cut off by a grey pegasus mare with a blond mane and of centered eyes carrying a mail bag stopping in front of him.

“Hey are you Inspector Shield?” she asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“I’ve got a packaged for you.” she then withdrew a chocolate chip muffin and handed it to the dark stallion.

“What up with the muffin?” he said as he raised an eyebrow.

“Oops sorry. Here’s your package.” she then withdrew a brown wrapped box tied with a string of twine. Shield handed the muffin back to the mare and took the package from the mare and proceeded to unwrap it. A smile crept across his face.

“Alright it’s the Cutie Mark book.” he said as he balanced it in his back, he gave the mare a tip and looked back at the fillies who had huge smiles spread across their faces. The four ponies hurried to the park and opened the large book. “Okay let’s see here....Cutie Marks represent a ponies special talent....Oh come on!”

“What does it say?” Applebloom asked.

“There is no known way to earn a Cutie Mark, it will come when the pony discovers their special talent and no sooner.” he said as he closed the book, the three fillies looked down in disappointment. “Sorry girls, I don’t know what to say.” he said in a low tone.

“That’s okay. We’ll just keep trying till we get them.” Applebloom said with a smile.

“Glad your optimistic.” he said with a grin.

“Hey, why don’t you tell us how you got your Cutie Mark? Might help us in getting ours.” they looked at his side to see a white shield shaped Cutie Mark with a red star in the center. Shields eyes shrank at the suggestion, he could feel his heart rate increase and a small feeling of fear crept over him.

“I-I don’t remember how I got mine, It was just there one day.” he said in a low tone.

“Oh that’s too bad I alway wondered how an officer would-” they were cut off by a cyan and Rainbow blur flying up to them.

“Hey Shield, what are you doing with the CMC?” she asked with a cocky grin.

“Helping us get our Cutie Marks.” Scootaloo said as Cherilee came trotting up to them. “Hey Ms. Cherilee, what are you doing out here?”

“Hello girls I’m just...” she looked over at Shield who glared back at her. “I’m just giving him our schedule for next week so that he can tell me when he’s going to give the demonstration.” she said with a smile, Shield nodded and trotted over to the mare and took the files from her.

“Cherilee can you watch the girls for a while? I need to check something, I’ll be back in five minutes. Maybe take another look at that book, maybe I missed something.”

“Sure, I don’t mind. C’mon girls follow me.” the maroon mare said as she trotted over to the three fillies. Shield trotted away from the group and found a tree to sit under, he began looking through the files, he breezed through Sweetie Belle and Applebloom’s files with ease. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon needed to have an attitude adjustment. He stopped when he came across the prize he sought, he opened the file praying the he was wrong.

Name: Scootaloo

Mother: Star Gazer

Family: Only child, Both parent’s deceased.

Status: Deceased due to complications in child birth.

Father: Cloud Shocker

Family: Only child, Both parent’s deceased.

Status: Alive.

Occupation: Weather factory worker.

Record: Violent, Callas, Prone to mood swings, Recovering Alcoholic, possible resentment towards child for mothers death.

“Dear Luna, this guys a perfect candidate.” he said as he closed the file

“For what?” Shield jumped in surprise to see Rainbow sitting in the branch above him. “That doesn’t look like a schedule to me, what is that?”

“Rainbow, don’t bother me I’m working.” he said as he glared at the mare.

“Well excuse me! I was just curious and what is that thing?”

“Police business, I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to.” he said as he slipped slipped the file into his saddle bag. “What are you doing here any way?”

“I alway take a nap in the park.” she said as she hopped out of the tree and landed next to the dark pegasus. “Why are you helping the CMC anyway, did they use that sad eyes look on you?” she asked.

“They tried, but I’m immune to that look.” he said with a grin.

“Seriously? no pony can resist that look.”

“I got that look ten times a day from juvenile delinquents, you build up an immunity to it after a while.” Rainbow nodded and the two continued walking back to the group. “Hey Rainbow can I ask you something?”

“Sure what’s up?” she said as she looked back at the dark stallion.

“What’s your overall opinion of Scootaloo?”

“Scoot? She’s an okay kid; she’s bold, hard headed and a little cocky. I guess she’s a lot like me when I was her age. Why?”

“She looks up to you Rainbow.”

“Well yeah, who doesn’t?” she said in a cocky attitude.

“Well for one, me. And that’s not what I’m talking about, Scootaloo looks up to you like a big sister. I guess my question is do you feel the same?” Rainbow looked back at him with a surprised look on her face.

“Um.....I....Look Scoot is a friend of mine and I’d do almost anything for her, but I still don’t see what your asking.” Shield face hoofed and let out a heavy sigh.

“Okay, let’s talk hypothetically here. Say Scootaloo’s folks were out of town for a few weeks, would you offer her a place to crash?”

“Of corse! If she’s ever in a jam she can come to me for anything!” she said in a proud tone.

“Good to know.” he said with a smile.

“Why did you want to know?” she asked.

“Just curious I guess, considering I don’t know you that well.”

“Well I can say the same thing about you. I mean we know nothing about you, aside from your police record.”

“True, but that’s all I want every-pony to know about me.” he said in a cold tone.

“Why?”

“Ponies who get close to me always end up getting hurt or worse.”

“So you don’t let any-pony get close to you?”

“If you have some-pony you want to protect then keep them at a distance.”

“That’s crazy!”

“Call it what you want but I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.”

“How?”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know.” he said with a cold look in his eye.

“Oh trust me I do!”

“No you don’t!” he said as ah stared at the mare.

“Either tell me something I don’t know about you or I’ll tell Scoot that you were looking at her file.” she said with an evil grin.

“And if you do that then I’ll arrest you for interfering with police business.” he said in a harsh tone, Rainbow cringed back at the thought.

“You wouldn’t do that to me!” she said as she pressed her forehead against his.

“I’m a cop first and a friend second so don’t think that I won’t throw your cyan colored flank in a cell!” he said with a harsh glare which caused the mare to cringe back. “But, I suppose I’m not that mean. So you can ask me one question and I’ll answer it with full honesty.” Rainbow let out a sigh of relief and took a moment to collect her thought’s

“Okay heres one. Why did you really become a police officer?”

“Like I said I’m carrying on-”

“I don’t buy that. I think that there’s some other reason that you’re a cop.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know but I know that you know.”

“No I don’t.”

“Yes you do! You’re hiding something.” she said as she glared at the dark pegasus.

“Believe what you want, but I’m telling you now that I’m only following the hoof-steps of my father and his father.” he pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time. “Sorry Rainbow I gotta get back to the CMC. See ya round.” he said as he galloped back to the small fillies. As he made his way back his mind was plagued by memories of the past, he was so deep in thought he didn’t notice that he had almost walked past the group. “Hey girls sorry that took so long.”

“Oh hey Shield!” Sweetie Belle said with a grin, the three fillies trotted over to him with a smile on their faces. He looked over to see a worn out Cherilee. “Sorry Cherilee It took me longer than expected.”

“Did you find anything of interest?” she said in a blank tone.

“Yes.” he said as the mare who was obviously holding back tears.

“Oh....I see.......well I’d best get going, I’ll see you girls on Monday.” she said as she galloped out of the park and back into the street. Shield looked back at the fillies as he realized how late it was getting. “C’mon girls it’s getting late.” Scootaloo then ran up to him with a worried look on her face.

“What time is it!?” she asked as Shield pulled out his pocket watch.

“5:15 pm. Why?” tears started to form in her eyes. “Scootaloo what’s wrong?”

“My dad is going to kill me if I’m late again and I’ve already missed the Chariot back to Cloudsdale.” she said with a sad tone.

“How about I give you a lift.” the orange pegasus looked up at him with amazement.

“R-really?”

“Sure I don’t mind, just give me a second.” he trotted over to Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. “Hey girls listen I’m gonna give Scootaloo here a lift home, can you two walk home by yourself?” the two fillies nodded with a smile on there faces. “Okay, I suggest you hop to it it’s getting dark out here.” the two fillies looked at each other and hurried out of the park.

“Okay let’s go!” Scootaloo said as she climbed onto the stallions back and wrapped her hooves around his neck.

“Hang on.” he said as he took flight, he could feel the filly’s grip begin to tighten as they ascended through the clouds. “So where do you live?”

“12, cumulous lane.”

“Okay, so it’s you and your parent’s? “

“No, just my dad and me.”

“Oh....sorry, what does he do?”

“He works in the weather factory.”

“That sounds nice, you two get along?” he looked back to see the filly have a sad look on her face.

“Sometimes......”

“You two ever have fight’s?”

“Only once in a while, we have out arguments....what family doesn’t? I’m sure you had fight’s with your parent’s right?” she said as she looked back to the dark pegasus.

“No.....I never did.”

“Really? Why?”

“They died when I was young.” the orange filly felt the smile leave her face.

“Oh.....I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine Scoots, it happened a long time ago.” he said as he grinned back at the small filly. Shield stopped in front of an old building that bore the address Scootaloo gave him. “This the place?”

“Yeah...thanks Shield I can take it from here.” she said as she hopped off his back.

“Well I don’t mind walking you to the door.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why’s that?”

“My dad doesn’t like cops.” Shield raised an eyebrow at this new information.

“Well we don’t have to tell him I’m one now do we?”

“I guess not. But I still don’t think that-” she was cut off by the dark stallion trotting towards the door, he paused for a moment to let Scootaloo catch up with him he noticed the nervous look on the fillies face. He pulled out a small orange crystal and handed it to the filly. “What’s this thing?”

“A good luck crystal, I remember reading somewhere that they bring good luck, might help you with your crusading.” the fillies eyes boggled at the crystal.

“Thanks!” she said as Shield knocked on the door, the two waited a few moment’s until the door opened to reveal a grey pegasus stallion with a purple mane.

‘What do you want?” his breath stank of alcohol and vomit.

“You must be Scootaloo’s father correct?” he said as he threw on a fake smile and outstretched his hoof.

“Yeah, what about it? Did she break something?” he then turned his attention to the frightened pegasus filly. “What did you do!?”

“Nothing dad I was just-”

“Can it!” he bellowed.

“Sir please calm down, I’m just the new chariot driver and I was just making sure that I got the right address.” he said with a smile.

“Another one of you guys? Jeez they must breed you guys like rabbit’s.”

“Quite right, well nice meeting you sir. I’ll see you later Scootaloo.” he said still holding the smile. As Scootaloo trotted inside she turned one last time to look at the dark stallion before her father closed the door. Shield could have sworn he saw the filly mouth the words ‘help me.’

Back inside Scootaloo ran up to her room and locked the door behind her, jumped onto her ‘bed’ and began to cry. Her bed was just a mattress on the floor without a box spring or covers, she pulled out the small orange crystal and held it in her hooves. Scootaloo looked out the window and saw that it began to rain, she then heard her father yelling and started to pound on her door. Scootaloo looked in horror as the stallion broke down her door, he had an angry look on his face.

“WHO WAS THAT!?”

“He’s no one dad! He’s just the carriage driver that’s-” she was cut off by the stallion striking her face. He then proceeded to grab her by the mane and punch her in the face. The force was enough for her mane to rip in the stallion’s grip. Scootaloo began to wail in pain as the stallion continued to beat her, he let go of her and threw her against the wall the stallion hoof cuffed her to the radiator and left the room. Scootaloo tried to get to her hooves, but found no strength left in her body, as she looked over to her cuffed hoof she realized that she was still holding the orange crystal that Shield had given her. she held it close to her, as she looked out the window she could have sworn she saw a pair of red eyes staring at her a sudden flash of lightning confirmed her suspicion as she saw the outline of a pegasus flying away form the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Ponyville Comet and Rose had just finished dinner and were sitting together on the couch reading, the two mares suddenly heard three hard knocks at the door. Rose got to her hooves and trotted over to the door. She opened it to reveal an infuriated black pegasus stallion with vibrant red eyes staring at her.

“Hey Shield what’s up?”

“Is Comet home?” he said in a harsh tone.

“Yeah, would you like to come in and-”

“No. COMET!” he bellowed. The green unicorn trotted over with a surprised look on her face.

“Yeah what?”

“Get that cloud walking spell from Twilight?” he asked.

“Yeah why? What;s going on?”

“We’re going to Cloudsdale to save a filly’s life!” Comet’s eyes shrank at the sudden realization. After she had gotten her coat on and said goodbye to Rose the two trotted over to the transportation center and rented a single pegasi chariot. The two then dashed off into the cold dark sky praying that they weren’t too late.

Author's Note

Oh my god! I hate myself for writting that Scootaloo bit. :fluttercry:
I'm sorry Scoot's, your my favorite Crusader. :raritycry:

Chapter 7

Scootaloo was lying on the floor still hoof-cuffed to the radiator she had stopped crying only because she thought that she had run out of tears. She heard hoof steps approaching her door and cringed back to see a very intoxicated pegasus stallion glaring at her, he trotted over and kicked her in the ribs, Scootaloo started to cough up blood and soon passed out. The large stallion looked down at the unconscious filly, he heard a knock at the door he locked the door from the outside, grabbed his bat and walked towards the door, he opened it to see a familiar dark stallion and a green unicorn mare.

“What do you want!?” he yelled at them. Shield glared at the stallion with hatred in his eyes he pulled out his badge and showed it to the intoxicated stallion.

“Inspector Shield, I’m here to see Scootaloo.” he said as he stepped inside, the stallion then swung the bat at his head, he felt the bat hit Shields face. He looked behind Shields shoulder to see an enraged unicorn mare’s horn glowing a blast of magic hit the stallion causing him to stagger backwards. Shield then sucker punched him in the jaw stunning him, Shield then took his head and slammed it against the wall three times, the stallion fell to the ground with a thud. Shield threw Comet a pair of hoof cuffs, after she had cuffed him the two proceeded to gallop upstairs.

“Scootaloo! Are you here?” the orange filly started to hear a familiar voice calling out to her. he tried to get up but couldn’t find the energy, she stood only for a moment until she hit the ground with a loud thud. Shield moved towards the door and turned the knob, it was locked. Shield turned around and kicked the door open, he looked around the room. His eyes focused on the unconscious orange filly, he rushed over to her and looked her over. “COMET GET IN HERE!” the mare rushed into the room and gasped at the fillies state. Comet came over and undid the hoof cuffs, Shield put the filly on his back. “Can you handle our guest downstairs?” Comet nodded, as the two trotted down stairs they saw that their back up had arrived outside, Shield motioned to the unconscious stallion.

“What should I do?” Comet asked.

“You tell me..your prisoner Inspector.” he said as he took flight with the filly holding onto his back, still clutching the orange crystal he had given her an hour earlier. Shield felt the cold rain hitting his body like shards of freezing glass his left eye was swollen shut from the bat. He rushed into Ponyville Hospital. “SOME-PONY PLEASE HELP!” he bellowed, the doctors took the little filly into the O.R. and began operating on her. Shield was joined by Comet and the rest of his friends soon after. Rarity rushed up to him with tears in her eyes.

“Shield are you alright? Comet just told us what happened.”

“I’m fine.” he said as he got up and trotted over to the doctor. “How is she?” he asked with worried eyes.

“Scootaloo has a broken rib, a concussion and is currently unconscious.” Shield looked back at the doctor with a tear in his eye. “I know it sounds bad but she will make a full recovery.” Shield breathed a sigh of relief and shook the doctors hoof.

“Thanks doc....if she need’s anything send me the bill.”

“Sure thing Inspector.”

“Oh one more thing, she had an orange crystal with her can I see it?” the doctor reached into his pocket and retrieved the orange rock. He trotted back to the group to see that Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had arrived along with Rainbow Dash. The three ponies rushed over to Shield with tears in their eyes.

“How is she?” they asked.

“She’s out cold right now, but will make a full recovery.” he said with a smile. The two small fillies then proceeded to hug the injured stallion with tears streaming down their faces. Shield patted the fillies on the head, he felt the adrenaline starting to leave his body, he felt the pain from the bat starting to take it’s toll, his vision started to blur and he stumbled to the ground and saw nothing but blackness.

He woke up to the sound of a heart monitor attached to his left arm, he looked over to his right to see Rarity sleeping soundly with her head resting on the bedside, he glanced ahead to see five empty chairs positioned around his bed. He looked over to the bed next to him to see an orange pegasus filly sleeping soundly, he saw the orange pegasus crystal resting on the bedside him on the nightstand, he reached over to it and started to examine it. He popped the end of the crystal off and pointed it at the wall, a small picture materialized on the wall, he watched silently as the orange filly was beaten to a pulp by her so called ‘father’ Shield shut the crystal off half-way through, he couldn’t bare to re-watch the beating, a single tear fell from his eye and onto the white mare’s hoof. Rarity’s eyes fluttered open and looked up at the teary eyed stallion.

“Oh Shield, I’m so glad you’re okay!” she said as she hugged him. “When Comet told us about what happened at the house, I was so worried about you and the little dear.” she said as Shield patted her on the back. Her eyes then fell upon the orange crystal in his hoof. “What is that?”

“This is going to put Scootaloo’s father behind bars for a very long time.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a recorder crystal, it records what ever it sees when activated. This proves that her father was abusive.” he said as he sat up. He let out a slight groan as the other mare’s trotted inside and rushed over to him. He then explained to them what had happened and his plan with the crystal. The ponies were stunned by the end of the tale. Rainbow looked at him with a blank look.

“It’s just that....I feel so-”

“It’s okay Rainbow. I know how you feel. The feeling that you could’ve done more, had some-pony been there a few seconds faster and not hidden like a coward.” he said as he looked at the mares who had a confused look on their faces. “Sorry that last one was directed at me.” He looked over st Scootaloo who started to wake up. A smile crept across Shields face. “Hey kid how do you feel?”

“Where am I?”

“Ponyville hospital.”

“And what about my dad?”

“Locked up and going to be for a very long time, far away from you.” Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief and began to cry.

“Thank you!” she said as she fought through the tears. Shield raised a hoof to the small filly.

“I was just doing my job.”

“But you saved me!”

“Well actually in the ‘official’ report Comet made the arrest, I just helped.”

“Helped!? You took a bat to the face!” Comet said with a surprised look on her face. Rainbow trotted over to the small filly trying to hold back her tears

“Hey kid how are you feeling?”

“Better, but-”

“What’s wrong Scoot?”

“Where am I going to live? I can’t get a job and I don’t want to be alone! I don’t-” Rainbow pulled the small filly into a hug and began to cry.

“You won’t! You’ll come and live with me.” she said as she looked into the fillies eyes. Scootaloo started to cry tears of joy. Shield smiled, he looked at the other mares who all had tears in their eyes. Shield put his head back and breathed a sigh of relief Comet trotted over to him with a smile on her face.

“I lied before.” he said as he looked at his partner.

“What?”

“I do want to continue my family legacy but..” he turned his head towards Rainbow and Scootaloo. “Seeing a happy ending like that makes all this pain worth it.” he said with a smile.

“I-I think I understand that now.” she said as she wiped the tears away. The group was interrupted by the Mayor walking through the door.

“Oh thank goodness you’re alright.” she said as she trotted in between the small filly and the battered detective. “I just heard, you’ve done a great deed Shield.”

“Actually ma’m, Comet deserves the credit, she arrested the perp.” he said pointing over to the green mare.

“Very well, Comet Shooter the press would like to have a word with you outside.” she said with a smile. Comet looked at the dark stallion who nodded.

“Go! Some-pony needs to deal with the media hounds and it sure as hell ain’t gonna be me.” he said with a laugh.

“Okay....Wish me luck.” she said as she trotted out of the room.

“Hey Mayor, hang on a second.” Shield said as he tossed her the orange crystal. “That’s the proof you need to put Cloud Shocker behind bars for a long time.” the mare nodded and trotted out of the roof holding the orange crystal. As the mare exited a doctor entered the room with a chart.

“Okay every-pony, these two need their rest you can come and visit them tomorrow.” the ponies began to exit the room, Rainbow gave Scootaloo one final hug and left with her friends. The doctor then shot a glance over at the dark stallion “Inspector, I hope that you won’t pull another disappearing act on us again.” Shield gave a small sigh and nodded at the doctor as he left the room. Scootaloo then looked over at the dark stallion.

“How did you know that I was...y’know.”

“It’s my job to be able to piece together a crime.”

“I doubt it, from what I heard your pretty bad at seeing things that are obvious.”

“Like what?”

“Like Ra-....nothing. But I know that you had help so tell me who it was!”

“Nope, sorry.” he said as he put his hooves behind hi head.

“I know it was either Applebloom or Sweetie Belle. They’re the only one’s who knew and since you’re living with Rarity I can probably guess Sweetie Belle told you. Right?” Shield stared at the filly in amazement he leaned his head back and chuckled. “What’s so funny?”

“The fact that you managed to figure that out on your own, you’re smart Scoot. Don’t let any-pony tell you any different.”

“So it was Sweetie Belle! Ugh she Pinkie promised me that-”

“She broke her promise to save your life. If she hadn’t then I wouldn’t have been able to save you.” Scootaloo was about to protest but kept silent. “I know that promises are important, but sometimes they need to be broken in order to help some-pony, I know that lesson better than any-pony ever will.” he said in a sad tone.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you......one day. Right now we both need our rest, goodnight.” he said as he turned the light off and rested his head against the pillow. Scootaloo agreed and laid down to rest. Shield’s mind was for the most part at peace he just wanted to sleep, but his mind had other plans.

Chapter 8

Shield was awoken by the sunlight pouring through the hospital rooms window, he awoke to see Rarity, Rainbow and Comet looking at him with a smile. As he sat up he let out a groan of discomfort, he looked to his left to se that Scootaloo was still sound asleep.

“Morning.” he breathed out.

“Hey look who’s finally up.” Rainbow said with a smile. “Bout time I was getting so bored!” she complained.

“Rainbow don’t be so rude! Shield is still recovering, show some control.” she said in a snooty voice.

“Sheesh, calm down Rarity didn’t mean to upset your-” she was cut off by Rarity giving her a stare that could kill a dragon. “Your roommate.” she said with a grin.

“Did you three need something?” he asked as he looked at the mare’s in confusion. Comet stepped forward with a grin on her face.

“I just stopped by to tell you that Cloud Shocker is getting forty-five to life.” Shield let out a satisfied laugh. “And to give you these.” she withdrew a white envelope and threw it on the bed Shield picked it up and read the letter, he let out an annoyed groan.

“What’s up?” Rainbow asked. Shield began to read the letter.

“It’s an invitation to the Ponyville Police-pony’s ball, and with two ticket’s. Great.” he said in a sarcastic tone. The ponies stared at the stallion who had an annoyed look on his face. He turned to his partner with a raised eyebrow. “You want em?”

“No thanks I’ve already got mine and before you think about ripping those up, the Chief said that if you don’t show up then he’ll suspend you for three weeks.” she said in a teasing tone. Shield let out a groan of frustration.

“I HATE event’s like these!” Rarity looked at him in surprise.

“Why? Dances are so much fun, ponies all dress up having a good time, dancing, chatting and the list goes on.” Rarity said with a smile. Something clicked in the back of Rainbow’s mind, she put on a sly grin and trotted over to them.

“Well Geez Rarity if you like it so much then why don’t you just go with him?” Rarity’s face turned bright red as she glared at the cyan mare. Shield rolled the idea around in his head for a moment.

“Not a bad idea. How about it Rarity, want to go?” Rarity’s face turned bright red, she felt her heart stop beating, and began to faint. Rainbow managed to prop her back up on to her hooves.

“Y-yes. I’d love to go as your date.” she said barely holding back her excitement.

“Okay then. When is this thing anyway Comet?”

“Tonight, 8:00pm at the park.”

“Terrific.” he said in a low grumble. “Well it’s 9:00am. now so I got the day off.” he said as he got to his hooves. “I’ll pick you up at around 7:45pm. That okay Rarity?” the white mare was in a dream like state as she snapped back to reality she nodded at him. Shield trotted over to the now awake Scootaloo and gave her a quick hug. As soon as he left the room Rarity started to hop in excitement.

“About time you did something!” Scootaloo barked.

“What do you mean darling?”

“I’m talking about you and Shield! I mean come on, It’s so obvious that you like him!” the filly said as she glared at the mares.

“I know right!” Rainbow said as she trotted over to the filly and hugged her. “Ready to go squirt?” she said as she put a hoof on the fillies head. Scootaloo beamed at the words.

“Yes I-” they were cut off by a doctor entering the room.

“I’m sorry Ms. Dash but Scootaloo can’t leave yet. We still need to run a few test’s on her. She will be released this afternoon.” he said as he examined the fillies chart.

“Ugh! It’s so boring here, what am I supposed to do?” Scootaloo whined. Rainbow pulled out a hard cover book.

“I figured this might happen so I brought you this.” Scootaloo looked at the book.

“Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue.”

“This is the same book I read when I was cooped up here, I figured you needed it right now more than I do.” Scootaloo hugged the mare and smiled.

“Thanks, this’ll keep me busy. Plus it looks like you might need to help Rarity over there.” Rainbow looked back at her white friend to see her hyperventilating and Comet trying to calm her down.

“Good call Squirt. I’ll see you this afternoon.” she said as she trotted over to the white mare and helped her friend to her hooves. “C’mon Rarity we need to get you ready for your date.” she said as the three mares trotted out of the room with smiles on their faces.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Ponyville Shinning Shield entered Carousel Boutique to see Sweetie Belle sitting on the couch reading a magazine. When she saw Shield she immediately rushed over to him and gave him a hug.

“Shield thank Celestia! How’s Scootaloo doing?”

“She’s fine.......and she knows that you told me about her injuries.” he said with a weak smile.

“WHAT? You promised you wouldn’t tell!”

“I didn’t she figured it out on her own.” Sweetie Belle had a sad look on her face, Shield put a hoof on her shoulder and looked down at her. “Relax I already talked with her and I explained that you did the right thing.”

“So...she’s not mad.”

“Well she’s was at first, but then I calmed her down and I think that she understands. The only way to know for sure is to talk to her.” he said as he smiled at the small filly.

“What are you doing back here anyway?”

“I need to get my suit for tonight.”

“Why?”

“Your sister and I are going to the Police-ponies ball tonight.” he said as he walked passed the filly. Sweetie Belle’s began to smile at the news.

“REALLY?”

“Yeah she’s a friend, I have to go and I had an extra ticket. I figured some-pony should have fun at my expense.” Sweetie felt her excitement slip away.

“What do you mean you have to go?”

“The Chief said if I didn’t then he’d suspend me from duty for three weeks. I figured one night of annoyance is less painful than three weeks of sheer boredom.” he said as he trotted up the stairs. Sweetie Belle followed him into his room.

“Hey just a really quick question, what do you see my sister as?”

“Rarity? I see her as a trusted friend and roommate. Why?”

“Just curious.” Shield withdrew his suit and put it in his bag. The two ponies then heard the door of the boutique open, Sweetie Belle poked her head from around the corner to see her sister and the other two mares, she went back inside and faced the dark stallion. “It’s my sister with Comet and Rainbow. You’d better get out of here quick!”

“Why?”

“Rarity will want to dress you herself for the dance.” Shield’s eyes shrank at the thought. He trotted over to the window and opened it.

“Thanks Sweetie. I’ll see you later.” he said as he flew out of the building with the suit secured on his back. As soon as Sweetie Belle closed the window she rushed back into her own room hoping Rarity would go past her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back out on the street’s of the small town Shield was trotting down through town catching glances from some of the other ponies until he was approached by a pack of mares who were giggling to one another. “Can I help you ladies?” he said with a smile. One mare stepped forward she was a unicorn, light blue coat with a deep blue and white mane, she started to giggle to herself.

“Yeah I heard that you have an extra ticket to the Police ponies ball and I was wondering if you could take me.” She said with a blush. Shield scratched the back of his mane searching for the right words.

“Thanks for the offer Miss...”

“Colgate, I’m the dentist.”

“Right, well thanks for the offer Colgate, but I already have a date.” the blue mare then drew closer to him so that her snout was next to his ear.

“Oh, c’mon surely you can reconsider. I’ll make it worth your while.” she said in a lustful voice. Shield backed away from the mare with a blank stare.

“Sorry, ma’am but like I said I already have a date.” he then took flight into the sky, as he did he saw a magic bolt wiz past him. He looked back to see the mare glaring at him with her horn glowing, the other unicorn mares started to do the same. Shield took out his badge and protected himself from the volley of spells, he notice that some pegasi have taken to the skies and began charging at him. He put his suit in his mouth and sped away from the scene. He ducked into a narrow alleyway and proceeded to weave in and out of it. He looked back to see some pegasi in hot pursuit, he flew straight at a wall and shot up at the last second the other pegasi pulled up too late and collided with the building. Shield then doubled back to the center of town towards the library. Once there he pounded on the door, as soon as Spike opened it he galloped inside and closed the door behind him with a slam. He looked over to see Twilight and Rose staring at him. “Oh good it’s you guys.” he heard mares knocking on the door he then hid behind the desk. Spike opened the door to reveal three mares.

“Hey Spike, have you seen Shield around here?”

“Umm...” he glanced over at the stallion who was shaking his head and mouthing the word ‘no.’

“Sorry, haven’t seen him all day. I’ll let you know if I do.” the three mares turned around as Spike closed the door on them. Shield came out from his hiding place and breathed a sigh of relief.

“What was that all about?” Twilight asked.

“I turned a mare down for the Police-ponies ball, now she and her pals are playing cat and mouse with me.” he said as he sat down.

“Who did you turn down?” Rose asked as she brought him some water.

“Some dentist named Colgate. Why?”

“Oh boy, she has a tendency to pull this kind of stunt.” she said with a groan. “Why did you turn her down?”

“I already have a date.”

“Who?”

“Rarity.” Twilight and Rose both had a massive smile on their faces, while Spike had the look of utter horror.

“Why did you ask her?” Spike yelled.

“I had to go, Rarity wanted to go and I figured some-pony should have a good time there.” Rose and Twilight looked at him in confusion.

“What do you mean you have to go?” Rose asked.

“The Chief told Comet, to tell me that if I don’t go then he’ll suspend me from duty for three weeks.” he said in a low grumble. Twilight and Rose let out an annoyed sigh.

“So what are you doing here then?”

“I need a place to lay low until it’s time for me to pick up Rarity.”

“Why not just stay at the boutique?”

“No good, Rarity, Rainbow and Comet are over there and Sweetie Belled told me that Rarity would dress me for the event.”

“Yup sound’s like something she’d do.”

“So it’s cool if I stay here for a while?”

“Sure, it’s a slow day today anyway.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Do you have a suit?” Rose asked.

“Yeah it’s here in my bag.” he said as he looked over to the saddlebag.

“Well let’s see it then.”

“Okay give me a second.” he opened the bag to reveal a jet black jacket with grey stripes running down the front and back, accompanied by a red bow tie and a grey fedora with a red band around it. The mares looked at the stallion in amazement. “How do I look?”

“Great, you clean up well. But what’s with the bow tie?” Rose said witha giggle.

“Bow ties are cool.”

“Hold on a second.” Twilight said as she eyed a small cut in the fabric. “What happened here?” she asked as she eyed the cut. Shield’s eyes shrank at the memory of the last time he wore the ensemble.

“This suit is old and a tad worn out, I was going to ask Rarity to fix it for me but it slipped my mind.” Rose trotted over to him and looked at the cut.

“Nothing too major, I could probably fix it for you.” she said with a smile.

“You sure? I don’t want it to bother-”

“It’s no problem, plus I have a few hours to kill myself. I have my outfit picked out and ready to go.” she said with a smile. “Do you have a sewing machine Twi?”

“Yeah let me get it out.” Twilight trotted over to the closet and levitated the machine over to her desk.

“Hey Twilight do you mind if I take a nap, those hospital beds do not pass in the comfortable department.”

“Sure go right ahead.” she said with a smile.

“Thanks.” he said as he trotted over to the couch and began to snooze. As he did Spike cast him an icy stare. Rose was setting up the sewing machine when she realized something.

“Oh great.”

“What’s up?”

“There’s no thread, I need to get more.” she said as she got to her hooves.

“Spike can you run over to Carousel Boutique and get some thread for Rose?” Twilight asked.

“Why do I have to do it?” he said in a grumble.

“What’s wrong? I thought you liked going over there?”

“I do but.......never mind.”

“I’ll go too, I know what type of thread I’m looking for. Plus I need to stretch my hooves.” she said as she and the dragon trotted out of the library.

Who does that guy think he is, asking out Rarity like that? and to what a stupid dance. Ugh! this stinks, why I have half a mind to- he stopped as he bumped into the door of the boutique Rose entered it to find it in total disarray.

”What happened in here?” she then saw Sweetie Belle descending the stair case. “Hey Sweetie Belle, looks like Rainbow pulled a sonic rain-boom in here.”

“Sorry about the mess, my sister is having some-” a loud crash came from upstairs. “difficulties deciding on what to wear for the dance tonight.” Spike let out a low grumble at the sound and waited outside. Soon Comet joined their conversation. “Has she picked anything yet?”

“No, I swear for a pony who has so many outfit’s....Oh hey Rose need something?”

“I need some black thread to fix Shields suit.” she said in cheery tone.

“Oh sure just give me a second. Where is he anyway? I haven’t seen him since he left the hospital.” she said as she started to look through the spools of thread.

“He’s laying low at the library.”

“Why?”

“He turned down Colgate and a bunch of mares, now they’re hunting him down. You won’t say anything will you?”

“Of course not, let me just....here we are.” she levitated the spool over to her mare friend. “So does he look nice?”

“Yeah the suit fit’s him well. I’d better get back and patch it up.” she then started to look around the room for her purple companion. “Where’s Spike?”

“I saw him go outside, he probably didn’t want to hear about the dance. Considering he’s got a crush on Rarity and all.” Sweetie Belle answered. Something clicked in the back of Rose lucks’ mind.

“Uh-oh.” Rose then bolted out the door with the spool in her mouth, hoping she could make it back to the library in time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in the library Shield was stirred by a loud knock at the door, he looked out the window in horror to see almost every mare in Ponyville was waiting outside. He jumped away from the window and looked behind him to see Twilight descending the stair case.

“Who’s at the door?”

“An army of mares!”

“What!? How did they find you?”

“I don’t know! Never mind that you have to hide me!” he said as he grabbed the mare by her shoulders.

“There aren’t a lot of hiding spot’s here.”

“You’re a unicorn! Use your magic!”

“Okay hold still!” her horn began to glow and the dark pegasus began to vanish from her sight.

“Did it work?” a voice called out.

“Yeah, I think so.” she said as she trotted over to the door and opened it to see Colgate glaring at her. “Hey, Colgate can I help you with something?”

“Drop the act Twilight, I know that Shield is here!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” she said with a nervous grin, Colgate and the other mares barged in and began to look around. Shield quietly began to fly up to the ceiling. He put a hoof to his mouth to muffle his heavy breathing. Colgate then noticed the sewing machine and black suit on the desk.

“Who’s suit is that then?”

“That....belongs to......my brother! Yeah, it’s an old suit of his and I wanted to try and mend it.” she said holding the small smile. Rose then made her way through the pack of mares and made her way towards the lavender mare.

“Hey Twi I got that spool of thread for...”

“My brother’s suit.” she finished for her.

“Right, his suit.” he then turned to face the skeptical blue mare. “Hey Colgate what’s up?”

“Don’t play dumb, I know that Shield is here!”

“No he’s not. I just saw him fly over to the station.” she said in a blank tone. The blue mare raised an eyebrow. “He figured it’d be the best place to be, he is a cop y'know.” she said in a condescending tone.

“Good point.” she said as she proceeded to walk out of the library, she cast one final glance at the mares and exited the tree along with the pack of mares following close behind. As soon as they left Rose and Twilight let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank Celestia. You were able to hide him, where’s Shield anyway?”Rose asked as she looked around.

“I don’t know where-” they were cut off by a voice.

“I’m over here.”

“Where?”

“Hang on a second.” the mares heard hoof steps going towards the kitchen. They then saw a bag of flower being levitated, the mares then saw the white substance stick to the stallions outline. “Better?”

“Yeah, hold still.” Twilight’s horn began to glow and the stallion’s dark body became visible once again. The stallion looked down at the pile of flour on the floor.

“Sorry about that Twilight.”

“It’s fine, you’d better wash that stuff off before it starts to stick.” the dark stallion nodded and trotted upstairs and stepped into the bathroom. As soon as he was out of range Twilight turned to Rose with a confused look on her face. “Good thing you came when you did, I wasn’t going to last much longer with Colgate questioning me like that.”

“No problem, I’m impressed that you were able to make him invisible.”

“Just a spell I picked up.” she then started to look around the room. “Where’s Spike? I thought that he went with you.”

“He did and then he disappeared after I talked to Comet he was gone. I think that he was the one that told Colgate that he was here.” Twilight looked in shock at the mare’s info. “It makes sense, he does have crush on Rarity.” Twilight adverted her gaze and nodded at her logic.

“True, and hasn’t tried to get her attention since.....y’know.”

“Yeah..what’s it been? Two years?”

“Almost. I still can’t believe-” the two mares were cut off by Spike trying to sneak inside. Twilight and Rose glared at the dragon with an icy stare.

“Hey..what’s up?” he said with a nervous grin on his face. Twilight stepped towards the dragon holding the look on her face.

“Spike, did you tell Colgate that Shield was hiding here?” she said with a flat tone. Spike started to scratch his head in guilt.

“Um...it may have come up in conversation.” he said with a guilty smile.

“Spike! What were you thinking?” Twilight said as she stared at the dragon.

“Look I’m sorry it’s just that....” Twilight put a hoof on her assistant’s shoulder.

“Spike I know how you feel about Rarity, but you need to let her live her own life.”

“I know but....I don’t know anything about this guy. For all I know he could be a crazy!”

“Spike that idea is completely ridiculous. He’s an Inspector for the Police Department I'm pretty sure you have to be sane for that job. Now I want you to apologize to him as soon as he comes out of the shower.” she said in a cold tone. Spike was about to protest but found it pointless.

“Fine.” he said in a low tone. Twilight smiled at him as he went upstairs. Twilight then looked back at Rose with an uneasy look on her face.

“What’s up Twilight?” she said as she started to mend the dark suit.

“Even though what Spike did was wrong he still brings up a good point, we know next to nothing about Shield.” she said as she rubbed her chin with her hoof.

“Maybe I can ask Comet about him, they are partners after all.”

“Good idea. Maybe I can contact his old boss and see about those blacked out files.” she said as she began to clean up the flour on the floor.

Shield was standing in the shower, letting the warm water pour over him. He closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles, it had been a while since he’d freshened up. The warm water felt nice against his coat. He turned the water off and began to dry himself with the towel, he looked in the mirror, he put a hoof to his swollen left eye and grunted at the reflection of himself. As he trotted out of the bathroom he was stopped by Spike who had a guilty look on his face.

“Listen, sorry about telling Colgate that you were here and-” he was cut off by Shield raising a hoof.

“It’s fine.” he said flatly he trotted down stairs to see Rose stitching the suit. “Thanks again Rose.”

“No problem, although there is something odd here.” she said as she eyed the suit.

“What?”

“There appears to be a hardened substance here.”

“That’s dried blood.” he said in a flat tone. Rose and Twilight looked at him in surprise.

“Why is there-”

“I said that I’ve been hurt before.”

“What happened?” Twilight asked.

“I was out at a bar, some drunk stallion pulls a knife on a mare, I intervened. The End.” he said blankly.

“And you were stabbed?”

“More like, sliced. The blade was dull, barely left a scar.” he said as he parted his fur to reveal a small scar. Rose and Twilight both eyed the healed wound, Twilight looked closer to notice a large scar stretched across his chest.

“What about that big one?” she asked in an unsure voice. Shield let out a heavy sigh as the memories came rushing back to him.

“I don’t want to talk about that one.” he said as he let his fur go back to it’s normal place. He trotted over to the chair and sat down. Rose went back to work on his suit while Twilight finished cleaning up the rest of the flour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back inside Carousel Boutique Comet, Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle were getting tired of Rarity’s never ending supply of dresses. She came out wearing a bright blue dress with a similar hat.

“What do you girls think? Too blue?”

“Rarity this is literally the 100th dress you’ve tried on! Just pick something!” Rainbow blurted out. Rarity

“Just pick something? JUST PICK SOMETHING!? One does not simply pick out a dress. I have to make sure the hat matches, that the contrast matches and that it doesn’t wrinkle!” she then put her hoof over her mouth and tears started to well in her eyes “WHAT IF HE DOESN’T LIKE IT!? I’ll end up alone for the rest of my life! OF ALL THE THINGS THAT COUD HAPPEN THIS IS THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THI-” Rainbow flew over to her and slapped her across her face. “Thank you Rainbow Dash, I needed that.” she said as she started to rub the sore spot.

“Anytime. Now listen Rarity we can spend the next eight hours sifting through the seemingly endless amount of dresses you have or you just pick awesome looking one!” Rarity thought for a moment.

“Well there is one dress I’ve stashed away but-”

“FINE! But this is the last dress got it!” Rarity nodded and went back into the closet, when she came back out she was wearing a stunning vibrant red dress that seemed to sparkle in the light. The mare’s jaws dropped at the spectacle. “I think we have a winner.” Rainbow glanced at the clock and realized she had to go. “I’ll see you gals later I gotta go get Scoot’s from the hospital.” she began to leave when Sweetie Belle blocked her.

“Can I come?”

“Sure thing kid, I bet Scoots would like to see you.”

“We’ll see about that.” she said under her breath. The two ponies left the boutique and headed off towards the hospital.

“I gotta go get ready too Rarity. I’ll see you there.” Comet said as she left the mare alone. Rarity looked herself over in the mirror and smiled at her work, she sat down and began to apply her make up and brush her hair. As she did she began to giggle in excitement as her imagination started to fabricate the night.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9.

Shield put on his black suit and examined himself in the mirror and smiled at the repair. He turned to the lavender and cream colored mare who were looking at him with a smile.

“Nice work Rose. Looks like it was never there.”

“Thanks, we’ll leave in a few minutes I still need to get my dress on.” she said with a smile.

“Same here.” Twilight said. Shield looked back at her with a raised eyebrow.

“You’re going too?” Twilight gave a nod. “With who?”

“Most of my friends are. I’m making sure everything goes smoothly, AJ is providing food and Pinkie Pie is.......doing what ever she does.” Shield nodded in agreement. As Rose went upstairs with her dress on her back Twilight sat down next to Shield with a nervous look i her eye.

“Alright Twilight what is it?”

“What’s what?”

“What’s the secret you’re keeping from me.” he said with a blank expression.

“I have no idea-”

“Twi, I was an interrogator for the MPD for two years. I can smell a lie from a mile away, the same lie that Rarity told me the other day.” Twilight looked confused.

“Refresh my memory.”

“Ugh, the other day in the library Rarity left saying that she needed to ‘get back to work’ and you played along with it as did Rainbow and Applejack.” Twilight’s brow was beginning to sweat. “Might as well tell me now, even though I think I’ve figured it out.”

“Umm.....I don’t-”

“Rarity has feelings for me doesn’t she?” Twilight looked at the stallion in surprise, Shield looked at the mare still holding his poker face. Twilight let out a sigh.

“Yeah, she does.”

“I appreciate the honesty. I would also appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell her that I know.”

“You want to tell her yourself?” she said with a smile.

“No. She can’t know.”

“WHAT WHY!?”

“You wouldn’t understand Twilight.”

“Try me.” she said as her glare narrowed.

“Let’s just say that the last pony who got close to me.....didn’t turn out so well.” he said in a sad tone.

“She broke your heart?” Twilight said in a sympathetic tone.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“UGH! You are so cryptic! Maybe that’s why she left you in the first place!”

“She didn’t leave me Twilight.....she died.” he said in a blank tone. Twilight could feel tears beginning to form in her eyes, she wrapped her hooves around the dark stallion.

“I’m so sorry......I shouldn’t have-”

“If it’s anything I’ve learned in all my years of being a police officer it’s this, ‘If you have some-pony you care about then you keep them at a distance.’ I’ve told Rainbow this as well.” Twilight’s ears perked up at a realization.

“You said some-pony you care about. You have feeling for Rarity too!” Shield was about to protest but found it pointless.

“Yeah so what if I do? Doesn’t change anything.”

“Yes it does! This is your second chance to be happy!” Shield looked at the mare with a blank expression.

“Look Twi, I appreciate what you’re trying to do but-”

“No but’s! Either you tell her or I will!” Shield looked back at her in surprise at the mare’s bold statement.

“You wouldn’t!”

“I SO WOULD!” Shield gritted hit teeth at the mare.

“Fine, you win. I’ll see how things work out as long as you keep your mouth shut!”

“Deal.”

“Good. THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO ROSE!” the cream colored mare stumbled in surprise and started to fall down the stairs, Twilight caught her in a magical aura and set her down on her hooves. “How much did you hear?”

“All of it.” she said with a sheepish grin.

“Okay then you'll keep quiet too, deal?”

“Fine.”

“Thank you. Nice dress by the way.” he said as he looked at her ensemble, she was in a beautiful red dress that matched her mane which was held back by a hairband. She was also wearing a necklace with a glass rose in the center. (Pic)

“Thanks. Speaking of which Twilight you’d better get ready.”

“Sure hang on a second.” her horn glowed and the lavender mare vanished from sight, she returned wearing a light purple dress with a gold trim accompanied by a golden tiara holding back her hair that was styled in a bun. (Pic) “How do I look?”

“Nice, I’ll see you two there I gotta go pick up Rarity.” he said as he ventured out into the street.

“Wait!” Shield looked back at Twilight who tossed him his hat. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, I’m gonna need it.” he said as he put the hat on and ventured out into Ponyville. He had to duck behind a few buildings to avoid a certain blue mare that was still on the hunt. As he got in front of Carousel Boutique he let out a heavy sigh. Shield opened the door and found that the shop was in utter chaos. “What they hey happened happened in here?” he looked at the top of the stairs to see Rarity in a red dress with matching boots and bow on her back. Her hair was straightened and was being held by a silver tiara with an amethyst gem in the center. Around her neck were two strings of dazzling white pearls. (Pic) Shield’s jaw dropped at the mare’s beauty, she trotted up to him with a nervous look on her face.

“Do you like it?” she asked as she braced herself for the criticisms.

“You look amazing.” he said with a smile. Rarity blushed at his compliment.

“Thank you darling, you’re not so bad yourself.” she said as she eyed his ensemble. “I had no idea you had such style, nice touch with the bow tie.” she said with a grin. Shield nodded and held the door open for her.

“Shall we?”

“Lets.” the two ponies walked through town, Shield pulled his hat down to try and hide his face from a few mares. “What’s wrong darling?”

“I turned down a pack of mares earlier today and it looks like they’re still on the prowl. Luckily they don’t seem to recognize me in this outfit.” Rarity looked at him in surprise.

“Who did you turn down?”

“Some unicorn mare.....Colgate I think her name was.” Rarities jaw dropped.

“May I ask why?” Shield looked at the mare with a confused look on his face.

“What do you mean why? I said I was going with you and I meant it.”Rarity grinned at his response. “I’d take a lot more than a mare offering me some under the covers action to make me break a promise.” Rarity gave him a quick peck on the cheek which caused him to blush profusely.

“That’s for keeping your promise.” she said with a grin. “Looks like we’re here.” Shield snapped out of the shock to see the park lit up with light’s hanging by the tree branches and canopy’s were set up above the buffet, that was being run by a familiar orange mare. The two trotted over and greeted her. “Good evening Applejack.”

“Howdy Rarity what brings you..” she then recognized the dark stallion standing next to her unicorn friend. “Wow Shield ah barely recognized you in that fancy get up.”

“Thanks, no dress for you?”

“No way no how. Ah hate getting all dressed up and what not.”

“I know the feeling.” the ponies were interrupted by Rose and Comet. Comet looked at her partner in amazement.

“Wow, look who got dressed up.” she said with a giggle. “But what’s with the Fedora?”

“Fedora’s are-” he was cut off by the cream colored mare.

“Let me guess, Fedora’s are cool?”

“No, Bow Ties are cool, Fedora’s are drop dead sexy.” he said as he tipped his hat.

“Agreed.” Rarity said with a wink. The four ponies made their way through the crowd and found a table to sit at. They were joined by Twilight and Applejack they began to talk and joke around.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the hospital Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle were waiting in the lobby for their visitor passes. Rainbow looked down at Sweetie Belle who had a sad look on her face.

“What’s wrong kid?”

“I worried that she’ll not want to be my friend anymore.”

“What? Why would you think that?”

“I broke a Pinkie Promise that I made her.”

“I’m sure what ever you did she’ll forgive you for it.” she said as she put a hoof on the fillies shoulder. The nurse trotted over to them and gave them their visitor passes. The ponies then made their way to Scootaloo’s room, they walked in on her reading the Daring Do book Dash left her. “Enjoying the book Squirt?”

“Yeah! I’m up to the sand pit trap.”

“Oh that chapter is so awesome! Sweetie Belle is with me by the wa,y she wanted to-” she was cut off by Scootaloo slamming the book closed and glaring at the white unicorn who was avoiding eye contact. Rainbow looked at the fillies and started to back out of the room. “I gotta go to the bath room, I’ll be right back.” she said as she left the hospital room. Sweetie Belle trotted over to her friend with a sad look on her face.

“Look Scootaloo I-” she was cut off by the orange filly wrapping her in tear filled a hug.

“Thanks for breaking a promise.” Scootaloo said as she broke the hug.

“Your not mad?”

“Well I was at first. But then I realized that you broke it for a good reason.”

“Well yeah, I care more about you then some stupid promise.” she said as she looked back at her friend with a smile. Rainbow looked through the window and a tear of joy ran down her face. She decided to let the girls have their moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in the Park Colgate managed to slip into the park unnoticed. She began to weave through the crowd and duck under tables as she searched for her target. Meanwhile Shield and Rarity were chatting with their friends, suddenly a white mare with an electric blue mane came hit a switch and the sound system came to life.

“HELLO PONYVILLE! I’M A ABOUT TO LAY DOWN SOME FRESH BEAT’S!” the speakers boomed to life, ponies began to dance. Shield and Rarity stayed at the table and looked at each other with a blush.

“Do you want to dance?” Shield asked in a low tone.

“I’d love to.” Shield took her by the hoof and they entered the dance floor. After the music had died down the group of ponies sat down to rest. “I didn’t know you could dance Shield.”

“I had to spend three weeks undercover in a dance studio. I guess some things stuck.” he said as he sipped his drink. The mares threw a wink at Rarity who began to giggle, Shield then noticed that a familiar and an annoyed looking blue unicorn mare wearing a bright blue dress was approaching them. “Need something Colgate?” he said in a stern tone.

“You chose that whorse over me?” she said with an angry look on her face. The group cast an icy glare at her, Applejack started to get to her hooves but Shield raised a hoof stopping her action. Shields eyes narrowed as he looked at the mare.

“Hey calm down! I really don’t feel like arresting you tonight but I will if you continue to be a thorn in my side.” the mare scoffed at the threat.

“Arrest me? For what, I haven’t broken a law.”

“Actually you did. This afternoon you shot a spell at me, that’s grounds for attempted assault on an officer. Which will lead to nice cozy prison cell, a heavy fine and suspension of your dentistry license. So I suggest you apologize to my date, back the buck off and enjoy the rest of your evening away from us. Got it?” Colgate looked at him with fear starting to fill her eyes, she turned around and left the group of ponies who all had a look of surprise on their faces. “Sorry about that ladies.”

“Don’t be! I’ve wanted to tell her off for years.” Applejack said as she gave him a pat on the back. Rarity was still dumbstruck at what just happened, Twilight gave her a nudge that snapped her back to reality.

“You.....you defended me.”

“Of coarse. Why wouldn’t I?” he said with a smile. Suddenly a jazz song started playing over the speakers, Shield looked over to see an annoyed white mare glaring at a charcoal earth pony with a cello along with a full band. They began to play a song that sounded like this. Shield looked at the white mare with a grin. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Of corse darling.” Rarity got to her hooves and followed him to the gazebo

“A little privacy please!” he said as he picked up an apple and tossed it into a nearby bush. He heard a pony say ‘ouch’, he then saw a lavender, green and cream colored mare get out of the bushes. Applejack came over and herded the pack of mares away from the two ponies, he gave her a nod who returned the gesture. Shield looked back at Rarity who rolled her eyes at their actions.

“Sorry about my friends, they’re just curious.” she said with a blush.

“It’s fine.”

“What did you want to talk about?” she said with a nervous look on her face. Shield breathed a heavy sigh.

“Look, I’m no good at this sort of thing so I’m just gonna come right out and say it.” Rarity could feel her heart jump a beat. “RarityI think you’re smart, funny and beautiful.” Rarity could barely control her excitement. “But, if we decide to do this then I need you to know that you’re taking a big risk, a risk that can pose to be life threatening.” Rarities heart sank at this.

“What do you mean by risk?” Shield breathed out another sigh.

“Back in Manehattan I was dating this mare, I was pretty established by this time in my career. Some thugs tried to get to me through her.” he said barely holding back tears. “I’ve known how you’ve felt about me for a while. I was trying to keep you at a distance for your protection.” Rarity put a hoof to her mouth. “I did that because...I care about you. I understand that now you know the risk that you wouldn’t-” he was cut off by the white mare pressing her lips against his. Shield was shocked at the mares action, he didn’t fight it. As she broke the kiss she looked back at the stallion who had a surprised look on his face.

“Does that take care of any doubts?” she said with a weak grin. Shield brought her into a hug.

“Definitely.” he said as he kissed her again. He heard a faint awwe coming from a tree, Shield picked up another apple and threw it into branches, causing the green mare to lose her grip and fall to the ground. “Come out!” he barked, soon the other two mares came out from their hiding places and trotted forward with guilty looks on their faces. “Entertained?”

“A little.” Comet said with a sheepish grin.

“Oh you guys are so cute together!” Rose said as she gave them a hug. Applejack then trotted up to the group with an annoyed look on her face.

“Sorry Shield, ah turned mah back for two seconds and Twilight used her magic to make all of them disappear.”

“It’s quite alright darling.” Rarity said with a smile.

“So you two are...” Shield gave a smile and a nod. “Well ah’m mighty happy for y’all, how about a toast?”

“I’m in!” Shield said as he raised his hoof, the other mares followed suit and began to congratulate the new couple. The party started to die down and ponies began to leave the park and head home. Rarity and Shield did the same, as the two ponies made their way inside they were greeted by a sleeping cyan mare and orange filly on the couch, Sweetie Belle heard the door open and rushed to their side.

“Hey Shield, hey sis.” the fillies outburst caused Rainbow Dash to stir. She looked over to see the two ponies standing in the doorway. She grinned as she trotted over to the ponies.

“Hey you two, have a good time?”

“Yeah. it was great.” Shield said with a smile.

“The night’s not over yet darling.” Rarity said as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, causing the dark stallion to blush. Rarity trotted past her friends, as she did she brushed her tail underneath the stallions chin and made her way upstairs. Rainbow and Sweetie Belle looked back at the stallion with a wide grin.

“Keep your mouths shut!” he said in a flat tone.

“So you two are-”

“Yes.” Sweetie Belle couldn’t contain her excitement any more and hugged the stallion. Rainbow approached him and grabbed him by his suit.

“Hurt her and I swear to Celestia I’ll buck you into Appaloosa so fast you won’t even have time to say ouch!” she said as she raised her other hoof close to his face. “Understand?”

“Cr-crystal.” he said to the frightening mare as she let go of his suit.

“Cool, I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Scoot’s and I gotta get home.” she said as she trotted over to the couch and carefully put the sleeping filly on her back. Shield opened the door for them, as he did a familiar blue mare was standing on the other side.

“Look Colgate I said-” he was cut off as he looked at the mare closely. Small patches from her mane were ripped, she had a black eye and her dress was torn. “Colgate are you okay?” she began to cry and collapsed on the ground. Shield hoisted the mare onto his back and looked back at the shocked ponies. “Rainbow call Comet and tell her to meet me at the hospital. Sweetie Belle tell Rarity what happened and to call the police.” the filly ran upstairs to fetch her sister, Rainbow trotted over to the phone and began dialing. Shield took flight and started to race towards the hospital.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two hours Earlier.

Colgate was making her way back to her home after being told off by the inspector, she wasn’t that pissed at him, but she was extremely irritated that he chose Rarity over her. The mare turned around to face a noise coming from the darkness, she shrugged and was looking for her keys when she felt a hoof wrap around her neck and mouth. She tried to scream for help but felt that the hoof covering her mouth was wrapped in a cloth that had an odd scent to it. As she was dragged into the alleyway she recognized the scent, she had used it almost every in her office; anesthetic. Colgate tried to fight back but felt her vision fading, she could feel the darkness beginning to envelope her, she gave one final attempt, then everything faded to black.

Author's Note

I'd like to thank Shadow Bolt for finding the awesome pic of Rarity.

Chapter 10

Shield was waiting in the hospital lobby for the doctor’s report on Colgate, he was soon joined by Comet She rushed up to him with a worried look on her face.

“Shield how is she?”

“I don’t know, the doctor is still looking her over.”

“What happened?”

“Rarity and I went home, Rainbow was there keeping an eye on Sweetie Belle until we got back and when I opened the door for them to leave, Colgate was standing there with her hair matted, she had a black eye and her dress was torn.” Comet put a hoof to her mouth in surprise. “I’m assuming she was raped.” a doctor in a white lab coat trotted over to them. “How is she doc?”

“Nothing life threatening but....” he bit his lip at the next part.

“But what?”

“We found traces of semen in her vaginal wall. We’ve used the ‘morning after’ spell on her so theres no chance of pregnancy.” Shield let out a sigh.

“Can we see her?”

“Yes but don’t ask anything too....descriptive. She’s still in a very fragile state.” he said as he led the two to the hospital room.

“Relax doc. This isn’t my first rape case.” he said as the doctor stopped in front of the door. Shield opened it to see a dazed blue unicorn mare. Shield and Comet trotted over to her with sympathy in their eyes. “Hey Colgate, how are you feeling?” she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

“Better.....all things considering.”

“Look I know this isn’t the best time but we need some information so we can find out who did this and catch them.” he said as he grabbed a chair and sat down next to the mare. “Do you remember anything?” Colgate took a moment to collect herself.

“I remember leaving the dance.......I got to my house and started unlock my door....I felt a hoof grab me from behind and then...” she started to cry. Shield put a hoof on her shoulder.

“I know this is hard but did you see anything? Coat color? Mane color? Anything?”

“No....it was dark. But who ever it was has access to drugs.”

“What makes you say that?”

“They used medical grade anesthetic to knock me out. I’ve worked with it everyday since I started as a dentist, I’d know that scent anywhere.” Shield made a note of it.

“Okay that narrows the search, anything else?” Colgate closed her eyes and thought.

“I....I think it was a pegasus. I....think I felt a wing......and I think I saw some sort of flash of light. I can’t remember anything else.” she said wiping the tears away.

“It’s okay Colgate. Don’t worry this isn’t Shield’s first rape case. We’ll get him.” Comet said as she gave her a quick hug. The two inspectors left the hospital and trotted into Ponyville. “Were you serious? That you’ve had rape cases before.”

“Yeah and trust me it’s never pretty. Does Colgate have any family? Roommate maybe?”

“Yes, Berry Punch, they live right next to the quill and furniture shop.”

“That’s where were headed then.” Comet led Shield to a cream colored building located next to the shop she had mentioned. Shield knocked on the door and a maroon colored mare with a magenta mane answered it.

“Hello?”

“Morning ma’am. I’m Inspector Shinning Shield, this is my partner Comet Shooter.” he said as he held out his badge. “Would you mind if we ask you a few questions?”

“S-sure, come on in.” she said as she led them inside. “How can I help you?”

“You’re Colgate’s roommate correct?”

“Yes. Why?” Shield glanced at Comet and gave a sigh.

“I’m sorry to tell you this but....Colgate was attacked last night.” Berry put a hoof to her mouth in surprise.

“What do you mean attacked?”

“She was raped.” Comet trotted over and put a hoof on the mares shoulder as she began to cry. “I know that this is a tough time, but we need some information.”

“O-okay I’ll tell you what I know. Is she-”

“She’s okay. Hospitalized, but okay. Do you know any-pony that would want to hurt Colgate?”

“No. She’s always been kind to every-pony.”

“No jealous ex-colt friend? Disgruntled client or employee?” Berry rubbed her chin for a moment.

“Well, there was Red Wing.”

“Who?”

“He was a nurse at her job. She fired him three months ago.”

“What did she fire him for?”

“I don’t know, Colgate never really talkes about her work that much. But I do remember her complaining about him a lot.”

“Anything specific?”

“No....nothing specific.” Shield got to his hooves and shook the mares hoof.

“Thank you for the information ma’am. We’ll be sure to let you know when we’ve solved this mess. If you think of anything else-”

“I’ll be sure to tell you. What room is Colgate in at the hospital?”

“C18 on the second floor.”

“Thank you Inspector’s.” she said as the two ponies got to their hooves and exited the mares house as they did a small light blue colt with a camera around his neck walked up to them.

“Are you Inspector Shield?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m Shady Daze and I think I can help you.” Shield let out a sigh.

“Look Shady, I know you want to be a cop but-”

“I’m a photographer and I can help you.”

“Okay I’ll bite, how?” he said as he rolled his eyes.

“I saw who attacked Dr. Colgate.” Shields eyes shrank.

“What? Who was it?”

“I don’t know, but I can show you.” he trotted off towards towards an alleyway with Shield and Comet behind him. “I was walking home last night when I heard some weird noises, It was too dark to see so I used the flash from my camera to give me some more light.”

“So you have his picture?”

“Yeah, it still needs to be developed though.”

“We’ll go do that after we have a quick look around in here.” Shield and Comet entered the alleyway and began poking around in the trash, Shady helped as well. “Shady, how did you know who I was?”

“Well your kind of a celebrity around here and I was wondering If I could take your picture for the Foal Free Press.”

“The what?”

“It’s the school news paper.” Comet answered.

“I don’t usually do interviews....but I’ll make an exception just this once.” he said with a smile. He moved a trash bag and found a light blue piece of fabric. “Bingo.” he picked the cloth up and put it in a small plastic bag. He continued to rifle through the trash. “Comet, I think I found something.” Comet and the colt rushed over to him, he held up a red pegasus feather. “Shady, with your permission I’d like to have that film roll so it can be developed soon.” the colt complied and took the film canister out of the camera and gave it to the stallion. “Thank you, Comet go check on Colgate, she if she remembers that Red Wing character and get that rape kit, we’ll compare it with the feather. see if theres a match.”

“On it.”

“What about me?” Shady asked.

“You’ve done enough, go home. I’ll come back later with the film okay?” he said as he put a hoof on the colts shoulder.

“Okay.” he said as he trotted out of the alleyway with a smile on his face.

“What about you?”

“I’m gonna run by forensics and see if they can dig up anything on our feathered friend, then I’ll develop the photos.” he said as he trotted out of the alleyway, Comet smiled at him. “What?”

“Nice to see your sensitive side once in a while.”

“I have a soft spot for kids, what of it?”

“Nothing. It’s just nice to see that you’re not made of stone like I thought.” Shield stopped moving and glared at the mare. “I guess you must see a lot of yourself in Shady and Scootaloo.”

“No, and I’m thankful for that. No pony should have to go through the things I have had to endure.” He then took flight leaving behind a bewildered unicorn mare. Shield landed in front of the police station to see Rarity waiting for him. He trotted up to her with an uneasy look on his face, she was talking to a pony with a cloak draped over him. As she saw him she trotted over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Shield there you are, how’s Colgate?”

“She’s shaken up right now but otherwise fine.”

“Was she really-”

“Yes unfortunately. But I have a pretty good idea who did it, I just need to get the evidence.” he then noticed the hooded pony standing next to her. “Friend of yours?”

“No. But I am an old colleague.” a familiar voice said. Shield looked at the stallion with a confused look on his face, his brain connected the dots.

“Gizmo is that you?” the stallion took his hood off and revealed his dark green friend. He trotted forward shook his hoof. “Good to see you Gizmo.”

“Likewise, I was just chatting with your friend here.” Rarity cleared her throat in a loud tone.

“Right, Gizmo allow me to introduce Rarity. She’s my mare friend.” he said as he put a hoof on her back. The green stallion looked at him in surprise.

“Really? Well I’m happy for you it’s been what three years since-” Shield made the ‘slicing throat’ gesture with his hoof. “Anyway, I’m happy for you.”

“What are you doing here?”

“This.” he then withdrew a package with a pair of odd vambraces inside of it. “Say hello to gauntlet 2.0. When I got it I decided to play around with the design a bit. I decided to upgrade it.” he said with a smile, Shield put them on his front hooves and looked them over. He aimed the ‘wing clipper at a nearby tree, the ends wrapped around it. “They’re a lot stronger and faster, also if they detect any kind of resistance they squeeze harder.” Rarity put her head closer to his and started to whisper.

“I can think of a few other uses for that.” she said as she gave him a seductive smile. Shield blushed at the statement, he then noticed a long barrel running down the right ones underside.

“What’s this for?”

“Oh....that was a request by Chief Bronze.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a.....Hoof-cannon.”

“What?”

“Hoof-cannon.”

“Speak up!” he yelled.

“It’s a Hoof-cannon!” Shield rolled his eyes and glared at the green unicorn. “The Chief ordered me to add it”

“You know how I feel about these things!”

“I know. Bronze is just looking out for you.” Rarity was looking at them in confusion.

“Okay what is a Hoof-cannon?” Shield pointed the vambrace at a nearby trash can, suddenly Rarity heard a loud bang and saw that there was a tiny hole in the metal can. Rarity looked in surprise. “My word that could kill some-pony.”

“That’s what it’s supposed to do.” he said in a flat tone. “Look guys, I gotta get this stuff down to forensics so I can nail this guy. We’ll talk later.” he gave Rarity a quick kiss and trotted inside the building. Rarity looked at Gizmo with a surprised look on her face. Shield walked into the forensics lab and looked at the ponies in white lab coats. “Morning fellas, I need you to run a test on this pegasus feather and the hospital has a rape kit that has to be processed. I want you to compare the two and look for similarities in the DNA strands.” The ponies nodded and took the feather and began to work on it. Shield left the room and decided to go and develop the photo’s that Shady had taken the night before.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back outside Rarity was walking through Ponyville with Gizmo next to her.

“So Gizmo, you’ve known Shield for a long time?”

“Yeah since the academy days, seems so long ago.” he was cut off by Comet trotting up next to them.

“Hey Rarity.”

“Hello Comet what brings you here?”

“I’m on my way to hospital to check on Colgate.” she then noticed the other green unicorn. “Who’s this?”

“This is Gizmo he’s an old friend of Shield’s from Manehattan.” Comet’s eyes lit up at the statement.

“Really? You were his partner?”

“Oh no. I’m in charge of R&D and cataloging information.” he said with a smile.

“So your at a desk all the time.”

“Yeah, it’s interesting. I’m the one that process all the information that goes through the system.” he said with a smile. “So how do you know Shield Miss...”

“My names Comet Shooter and I’m his partner.” Gizmo stared at the mare in surprise.

“You’re his partner? That’s surprising.” Comet looked at him with a frown.

“Why’s that?” she said in an annoyed tone.

“Well he hasn’t had a good track record with partners.”

“How many partners has he had?” she asked

“Other than you? One, his name was Armored Angel.”

“What happened to him?”

“He died.” Rarity and Comet looked at each other with concern.

“How?”

“Sorry classified.” he said as he adverted his gaze.

“Well how long ago did he die?”

“Around two years ago.”

“And he hasn’t had another partner since?”

“Nope. Not since you anyway.”

“What can you tell us about him?” Gizmo took a second to

“Those two stallions were the best of friends, best cops in all of Manehattan. He took Angel's death really hard.”

“How long were they partners for?” Rarity asked.

“Since they graduated.”

“What do you know about him?”

“Not much, they were best friends since they were foals, went through school together, fought crime together.

“Shield mentioned he had a mare friend back in Manehattan. What happened to her?” Rarity asked.

“Dead.”

“How?”

“Sorry, classified.”

“Ugh! Why is everything in his personal life red tagged?” Comet yelled.

“Listen missy. Shield’s life has been far from happy, he lost his partner, his mare friend. Everything! So I think he deserves to have a little secrecy.” he said as he glared at the mares through his glasses. “Just forget I mentioned anything.”

“Now wait just a second-” Comet said as she was cut off.

“Isn’t there a patient you should be seeing Inspector?” he said in a cold tone. Comet was about to protest but soon stormed off towards the hospital. Rarity glared at him in surprise. “Sorry Rarity, but I can’t talk about it. I could loose my job if I did, y’know breach in security”

“I suppose I understand.”

“Is there anyplace where I can sit down for a while?”

“There’s a library not to far from here.”

“Perfect. Lead the way.” he said as he followed the white mare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comet entered the hospital in a foul mood and began thinking to herself. Ugh! What is with these Manehattan cops!? Do they not have decency over there!? She opened the hospital door to see Colgate reading a magazine, she smiled as she entered.

“Hey hows the investigation?”

“We found a few things, Shield’s over at the station running a scan on a a clue we found. I came by to ask you a few more questions.”

“Sorry but I’ve already told you all I know.”

“Not about last night, about a nurse you let go a few months ago. A stallion named Red Wing.” Colgate’s face turned sour at the name.

“Ugh, him! That guy is a real creep.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“He tried hitting on me for weeks, I didn’t want anything to do with him, then I caught him stealing medical supplies. I fired him ASAP.”

“What did he steal?”

“Painkillers, dental instruments and some anes-” she stopped as she connected the dot’s. “He did this to me!?” she said as she began to shake in rage

“Colgate calm down! It’s just a theory we don’t have any proof yet!” she said as she tried to calm the mare down. “Shield is examining the clues we found right now and I’m off to get the rape kit for analysis. I promise you we will find out who did this to you and lock them up!” Colgate seemed to back off at this statement. “I promise you that we will find him.” With that Comet left the room and trotted over to Nurse Red Heart.

“How can I help you Inspector?”

“I need to pick up Colgate’s rape kit results.”

“Sure, one moment please.” The white mare began to go through the files and withdrew them from the grey filing cabinet. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Comet started to read the files, she tucked the file into her bag and trotted out of the hospital towards the police station.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Ponyville Rarity and Gizmo entered the massive library. Gizmo looked in amazement at the collection, his eyes then fell upon the gorgeous lavender unicorn mare sitting at the front desk. She looked up and waved them over with a smile on her face.

“Hey Rarity” she then noticed the green stallion standing next to her. “Who’s this?” she said in a cheery tone.

“My name is Gizmo. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss...”

“Twilight. Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you Gizmo.” she said with a small blush.

“Gizmo here used to work with Shield in Manehattan.” Rarity said.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re a cop.”

“No, I’m in charge of R&D and information processing for the MPD.”

“What do you do for them.”

“I catalogue information for the police department. Evidence, criminals and officers. I’m kind of like a librarian for the law.” he said with a smile.

“And the R&D?”

“I design new ways for the officers to defend themselves against criminals.”

“That must take some brains.” she said with a smile.

“Well I’m not one to brag but.....I’ve got a 150 I.Q.” he said with an embarrassed look on his face. Twilight’s jaw dropped.

“Really? I’ve got a 155 I.Q.”

“Why are you a librarian then?”

“Well, I’m still a student to the princess.” it was Gizmo’s turn to be impressed.

“You’re Princess Celestia’s private pupil!?”

“Yes.” she said with a blush.

“Well it’s an honor to meet you Ms. Sparkle.” he said as bowed.

“Oh stop...Twilight’s just fine.” she said with a blush. Rarity rolled her eyes. “So did you two need help with something?”

“Just killing time until Shield is done with his analysis.” Gizmo said as he looked around the library.

“What analysis?”

“Sorry Twilight police work.” Gizmo said with a confused look.

“Yet another thing you won’t tell us about him.” Rarity said in an annoyed tone.

“What’s she talking about?” Twilight said as she looked at the two unicorns.

“Look Rarity I know, you're his mare-friend and all but-”

“But nothing, I’m tired of all the secret’s he’s keeping and you have the answers. I want to hear them!” Rarity said as she glared at the green stallion.

“Look ladies if I did that not only would my job be jeopardized, but so will Shields. If the higher ups ever caught wind of his history they would sweep him under the rug like a pile of dust.” he said in an annoyed tone.

“What do you mean? What happened to him?” Gizmo rubbed his head in frustration.

“Okay you can ask me one thing. One thing about Shield that you want to know.”

“What happened to his mare-friend back in Manehattan?” Rarity asked.

“She died, right in front of him.” Rarity and Twilight looked in shock. “He watched helplessly as she was tortured and killed in front of his eyes.” he adverted his gaze from the mares who’s eyes began to fill with tears. “That’s all I know about that operation.”

“What operation?”

“It happened during one of his missions when he was part of the APU. It was called ‘Operation Black Cloud’. That’s all I know about it unfortunately, if you want details you’ll either have to ask Shield or Chief Bronze.” the mares looked at him in confusion.

“How did he deal with the loss?” Rarity asked.

“He became a recluse, never smiled, never forgave himself for failing to protect her.” he said in a sad tone. “He was known as the ‘Phantasm of Manehattan’ he became cold as ice and unmerciful. I swear if I hadn’t seen him bleed then I would have thought he wasn’t even alive. He had this constant look in his eye like he was dead, there was no....spark behind it, just a husk.” he said in a sad tone. The ponies eyes started to well up in tears.

“Oh really?” a voice said coming from the doorway. The unicorns looked in horror as they saw an angered black pegasus stallion staring at them.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11.

“Well looks like I’ve stumbled onto a conversation.” he said as he trotted towards the group. Gizmo stood there frozen looking his friend.

“Shield I’m sorry I-” Shield then gripped him by his coat and lifted him off the floor.

“How much did you tell them?”

“Only about Flora.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.” Shield let out a deep sigh and put the stallion back on the floor.

“Okay then. Sorry man.”

“It’s fine I probably shouldn’t have said anything.” he said in a low tone. Shield then cast his gaze at the two mares.

“We were just curious about you.” Twilight said as she glared back at the stallion

“Look....I know you want to know more about me, but my life is not some story that should be told lightly.”

“But-”

“Listen I have a risky job, it’s made me make decisions that will haunt me for the rest of my life.” Rarity looked at him with a sad look. Shield trotted over to his mare friend and lifted her chin with his hoof so their eyes met “I promise I’ll tell you eventually. I just....need some time okay?” Rarity nodded with a smile and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks.” he said as his phone began to ring. “Hello?.....Hey Comet what’s up?........positive...good the boys in the lab are still analyzing the feather and the pictures should be developed by now......okay I’ll see you at the station in ten minutes.” he closed the phone and looked back at the ponies. “Sorry, but I gotta go to work.” he gave Rarity a quick kiss and left the library. The white mare turned back to the two unicorns with a smile on her face.

“I should really go too, I still have to put that ensemble together. See you later Twilight.” Rarity said as she galloped out of the door. Gizmo looked at Twilight who started to blush.

“So...what should we do now?” she asked as she looked at the green unicorn.

“Ummm....” his eyes darted around the room until his eyes fell upon a brown wooden box. “Do you play chess?”

“Um yeah!” she said in excitement.

“Want to play?”

“Sure.” she said as she began to set up the board. “White or black?”

“A gentle-colt always let’s a mare make the first move.” he said with a smile, Twilight blushed again.

“Trust me Gizmo you’re going to regret that.” she said in a playful tone.

“We shall see Ms. Sparkle. Your move.” he said with a smug grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shield had just stepped into the police station when Comet came up to him holding a file.

“Those the results from the hospital?”

“Yeah the fluids belong to Red Wing. What about the feather?”

“They should be done just about.....now.” a pony in a white lab coat came running up to them.

“Here are the test results on that feather inspector.” the lab pony said as he handed him the file. Shield opened it and smiled.

“100% match. I just want the photo’s just to be sure he can’t weasel his way out of this.” he said as he trotted over to the dark room and examined the photo’s, he put them in a stack and started to examine them, he let out a small chuckle at a few.

“What’s so funny?”

“Here take a look.” he said as he handed a few to the mare. Comet noticed that a few of them were pictures of Sweetie Belle. “Looks like our photographer has a crush on my mare-friends sister.” he said as he continued to look through the photo’s. “Gotcha!” he said as he withdrew a photo that showed a red stallion holding a blue mare with his hoof over her mouth, he looked at the next photo and his eyes shrank. “Oh no!”

“What?” Shield showed her the photo that showed the red stallions face. “So big deal he got a face shot, this only proves that he’s guilty!”

“Ugh! If Shady got a face shot then that means that Red Wing SAW HIM!” Comet’s jaw dropped at the realization. “You go to Shady’s house and you stay there and protect him until I have Red Wing in custody, Understand!?” Comet nodded and galloped into the Captains office, Shield flew out of the police station and took flight towards Red Wing’s address in Cloudsdale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in the library Gizmo and Twilight were dead locked in a battle of wits and strategy. Twilight scratched her chin thinking of a way she could turn this game around, she looked at the stallion who had the same look on his face, planning his next move. Twilight then had an idea that was so stupid it might just work. She looked at the stallion with a smile, Gizmo blushed at the mare’s action.

“You certainly are a challenge Gizmo.”

“Not so bad yourself Twilight, it’s been a while since I’ve had a real challenge.” he said with a smile.

“So you knew Shield’s mare-friend?”

“Not really.” he said as he moved a piece on the board. Twilight bit her lip at the motion.

“Was she on the force?”

“No, she was a florist. I met her once, really sweet mare. It took Shield two whole months to work up the courage to ask her out.”

“Why didn’t he ever go out with one of the mares on the force?” she said as she moved closer to the stallion.

“Theres an old saying, ‘Don’t eat where you shit.’ pardon my language.”

“I don’t get it.”

“It’s never a good idea to date within the workplace things can get....complicated.” he said at the mare moved a piece on the board.

“Did you ever date any-pony?” she asked as she adverted her gaze.

“No. Most mares go for stallions like Shield; the ‘on the street action cops.’ I’m just the guy behind a desk that does the paper work.” Twilight then moved closer to the stallion so that they were only five inches away from one another. “Most mares don’t like smart stallions.” Gizmo looked at the mare who’s blushing face was only inches away from his.

“Well Gizmo, I’m not like most mares.” she said in a suggestive voice.

“Absolutely.” he said as they both locked lips with one another.

“TWILIGHT WE’VE GOT A HUGE PROBLEM!” Rainbow said as she came bursting into the library, she then notice Twilight and the green stallion breaking apart from one another.

“What is it Rainbow?” she said in an aggravated tone.

“Hate to break up your love fest, but theres something happening down the street! You gotta come quick!” Rainbow said as she flew back out the door with the two unicorns following close behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shield arrived at Red Wing’s apartment, he was trotting down the hall with the land lord and a huge ring of keys.

“This is it.” he said as he put the key into the slot and opened the door. Shield stepped inside and began to search the apartment. “Never really liked this guy, always gave off a vibe that just didn’t feel right.” Shield looked in the bedroom closet and found bottles of anesthetic and various other drugs. Shield approached the land lord.

“Do you know where he might be?”

“No.” he said as the two walked out of the room. A grey pegasus mare with a blonde mane exited the adjacent room and stared at the stallions.

“Excuse me ma’am I’m looking for a red pegasus stallion named Red Wing.” he said as he pulled his badge out and showed it to the mare. “You wouldn’t happen to know where he is?”

“Oh him! He left like.....an hour ago.”

“Do you know where?”

“Um....I think he said something about babysitting down in some town called Ponyville. Celestia help that child, that guy is REALLY creepy.” she said in a disgusted tone. Shield’s phone began to ring, he quickly answered it.

“Hello?......Comet that you?......Easy, easy slow down what happened?.....HE’S GOT WHO ?......WHERE?.......KEEP HIM BUSY I’LL BE RIGHT THERE!” Shield hung up the phone and jumped out of the window and rocketed towards Ponyville.

Comet along with a squadron of police officers were waiting outside of the clock tower where a large gathering of ponies had crowded around the scene. Shield shot through the night sky like a bat out of hell, he landed in front of Comet who looked at him with worry in her eyes.

“Where is he?” he bellowed. Comet pointed to the top of the clock tower. “Typical.” he then noticed Rainbow Dash trying to fight her way through the crowd. “Let her through!” he ordered, the police ponies complied and allowed the cyan mare to enter the scene. She flew up to him with worry in her eyes.

“Shield what is going on?”

“Red Wing’s taken Rarity and Shady captive, he’s holding them at the top of the clock tower.” Comet said.

“Well we gotta do something!” Shield drew the mare close and whispered something in her ear.

“Can you do that?”

“Y-yeah.” she said as she flew into the sky. Shield grabbed a mega phone and talked into it.

“Attention Red Wing, this is Inspector Shield with the Ponyville police. You have my word that you will be given a fair trial if you surren-” he was cut off by a large rock falling next to him. “Okay, I am coming up to negotiate. It will be me and me alone.” he looked over at comet who had a surprised look on her face, he put a hoof on her shoulder. “If something happens....promise me you’ll look after her.” he said as he took flight and flew up to the building. As he reached the other side he saw a red pegasus stallion waiting for him, he looked over to see Shady and Rarity tied up and on opposite ends of the clock tower.

“So you’re the inspector that’s all over the news.” the stallion said with a laugh.

“It’s over Red Wing, we have the proof that you raped Colgate. You’re only making things worse with this kidnapping charge.

“Oh it’s far from over! You see inspector, you arrested my cousin two years ago and when he got out he told me all kind’s of things about you. The Phantasm of Manehattan they called you.” he said with a laugh.

“So what?”

“Let me finish.” he said as he trotted over and picked up Shady who began to squirm in his bindings. “He told me that you’re mare-friend died right in front of your eyes.” he said as he moved over to Rarity who had tears in her eyes. “And that a foal died on your account.” he said as he looked at Shady.

“Start making sense!” he said as he raised his right bracer.

“Time to make a choice inspector! The mare or the foal, only one can live. You must chose!” he said as he took flight with both ponies under his arms. Shield flew to his altitude keeping the hoof-rifle focused on him.

“Don’t do it!” Shield pleaded, the night became silent. He could feel the blood pumping through his body and his heart beating a million times per second.

“Times up!” he let both ponies go, Shield fired his right bracer. The bullet hit the stallion in the head, killing him. Shield flew straight down towards the ground. He saw a rainbow blur rocketing towards the falling mare and catch her. He poured every ounce of strength he had and shot towards the colt, he had maybe twenty seconds before he hit the ground. He outstretched his hoof and grabbed the rope holding the colt, Shield wrapped himself around the colt and braced for impact. He felt himself hit the dirt and slide, creating a massive ditch where he landed. Shield opened his eyes to see a blue colt on his stomach looking at him with tear filled eyes. Shield let out a sigh of relief and felt darkness take hold of him.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12.

Comet and the others were in Shields hospital room hoping that the dark stallion would pull through. The doctor soon entered with a grim look on his face. The ponies rushed up to him with hope in their eyes

“It doesn’t look good. He has several fractures in his shoulder blades and his wings are all but broken, his skull is cracked and he has severe internal bleeding.” Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Shady were weeping in the corner. “It’s a miracle that he’s even still alive after taking a fall like that.” he said nothing more and left the room. The ponies all turned back to their friend who was hooked up to a series of machines, keeping him alive. Gizmo looked at the door way to see a light brown unicorn stallion wearing a police uniform starring at the group of ponies, Gizmo got to his hooves and saluted the stallion.

“Chief Bronze sir!”

“At ease. Gizmo, I’m here on a personal visit.” he made his way over to the bedside and put his hoof on the dark pegasus’s head. “What happened to him?” Gizmo began to explain the situation with Red Wing. Bonze took his hat off and got to his hooves. “Taken out by a rapist. The Phantasm of Manehattan, the stallion that had survived the worst this world has to offer only to be taken out by some low ranked scum!” he yelled as tears began to roll down his face. The ponies looked at him in surprise. “IT’S NOT FAIR!” he yelled as he flipped over the table standing next to him. The green stallion then sat him down in a chair and attempted to calm him down. Applejack trotted over to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.

“You’re his father ain’t ya?”

“No....but I’m the closest thing he has to one.” he said as he wiped the tears away.

“Why does every-pony keep calling him the ‘Phantasm of Manehattan’? What happened to his last partner and why in the name of Celestia do you Manehattan cops keep everything from your friends!?” Twilight said as she looked at the chief with a kill that could kill a manticore. Gizmo rushed over to the lavender mare who began to cry, he held her in his hooves and tried to calm her down. Bonze let out a sigh and looked back at the ponies.

“Okay. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“How did all of this start?” Comet interjected.

“You must be his partner, Comet correct?” the mare nodded. “Shield’s father was an average cop and his mother was an attorney for criminal justice. A perfect team, his father would arrest the criminals and his mother would make sure they stayed behind bars. They were married after two years of dating. One year later they had a son. Shield was a very happy colt, he had friends, a schoolyard crush and honest parent’s who loved him with all their heart. Only few can be so lucky to have that.” his tone then dropped to a saddened level. “When Shield was eight years old, he saw his mother and father killed right in front of him. A group of thugs were trying to rob their house, Shields parent’s died protecting him. By the time I got there they had been dead for hours. I found shield curled up in a ball next to his parent’s bodies crying.”

“Oh my god.” Comet said as she felt tears in her eyes.

“I took him in and did the best I could to raise him. After that he was...different, he shunned his friends, kept quiet in school and got into a lot of fights. I tried to reach him but...nothing seemed to work.” he took a deep breath. “When he entered high school he showed interest in criminal justice. I tried to deter him from this path but, he’s stubborn just like his father was. He entered the academy when he was eighteen and graduated the following year. He was the best student they ever had, well he and Angel were.”

“Who’s Angel?” Rainbow asked.

“His old partner, he’s dead.” Comet answered.

“Yes. It was hard for him to do it, no pony saw what Angel really was and by then it was too late.”

“What are you talking about?” Comet asked. Bonze pulled out a flask and took a long swig from it.

“Do you remember the string of murders that happened a few years back?”

“Yeah they said it was the work of some stallion with PTSD.” Comet said as she searched her memory.

“What’s PTSD?” Applejack asked.

“It’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When some-pony goes through a traumatic experience either physical or emotional they can go insane and act out.” Gizmo explained.

“That’s what happened. Shield was investigating the murders, when he tracked him down he had an entire team ready. We called it ‘Operation Black Cloud.’” the ponies ears perked up at the name. “It was supposed to be simple, get in arrest the target and get out. Shield was squad leader for the APU at the time.” The Chiefs story began to play out in their minds.

Shield was dressed in a swat uniform and sitting on a cloud above a large ware house complex, he looked at the six stallions who were waiting for the green flag

“This is S-1 we are clear for capture. Over?” Shield said over the radio.

“Roger S-1, you and your team are clear. Over.” Shield looked back at the six stallions and waved his hoof. The seven stallions dived off the cloud and landed silently next to the ware house, as they entered. Shield heard an electronic beep.

“Shit! Get-” his warning came too late as he and his team were engulfed in a cloud of smoke and fire. Shield watched helplessly as his teammates were burned alive, he touched his face to feel a warm liquid running down his face. He looked at his hooves and saw they were red with blood, his teammates blood. He felt a blunt object hit his head and he soon blacked out. Shield awoke to find himself shackled to a wall and his wings were pierced with hooks, he heard a voice coming from the darkness.

“Not looking too good are you Shield?”

“Who are you!?” he yelled.

“You don’t remember me? I’m hurt I thought we were friends.” the voice said in a mocking tone. Soon a dark blue pegasus stallion with bright yellow eyes stepped into the light. Shield’s eyes couldn’t believe it, they didn’t want to believe it. “Long time no see partner.” the stallion said with a smile.

“Angel? Why? You were my partner, my best friend!”

“Tell me do you remember that case when that mother smothered her own colt just because it wouldn’t stop crying?” Shield nodded reluctantly as the memories started to flash before his eyes. “Some ponies can’t handle things like that! It broke me, so now I’m gonna break everything else until everything is as fractured as I am!” he said with an insane laugh.

“You’re insane!” Angel kicked him in the stomach.

“You’re in no position to be making wise cracks especially when we have company.” Shield looked at him in confusion, Angel turned on the light switch to reveal a shackled yellow earth pony mare with a blue mane. Her mouth was tied and she had tears in her eyes.

“Flora!” Shield looked at his former friend with tears in his eyes. “Please, don’t do anything to her. She’s done nothing wrong! Just let her go.” Angel put a gag in Shields mouth and trotted over to the mare, he withdrew a large knife and held it against her throat. Shield was thrashing in his restraints letting out cries of agony as he felt the hooks dig into his wings. Angel the proceeded to lightly cut the mare along her arms and abdomen. Flora tried to cry out in pain but the gag muffled any cries from escaping her lips. “Time to end this.” Angel said calmly, he raised the knife and brought the metal blade down into the mares head. Flora stopped screaming, breathing and moving all together. Shield was wailing in agony and cursing at the stallion. Angel trotted over to the table and withdrew a small white item. “You know what’s the best part of this?” he then moved the item in front of the stallion. It was a pregnancy test that showed positive.

Shield stopped moving at the sight and just stood there stunned. “That’s right, you were going to be a father. Congratulations.” he said in a mocking tone. Shield began to thrash again, he could feel the hooks tear into his wings, he didn’t care. The shackles broke from the wall and the dark stallion broke free from his chained prison and tackled the pegasus to the ground. He reached for the knife and began to thrust it into the blue stallions chest, he lost track of how many times he stabbed him before he stopped. Shield limped over to Flora and cried as he closed her eyes. He wrapped her up in a sheet and lifted her onto his back. He looked outside to see at least a dozen police ponies staring at him. As he made his way out of the door he collapsed on the street.

The brown stallion finished his story and looked back at the ponies who all had tears in their eyes. “He soon resigned from the APU and took a beat as a normal cop, he never worked with another partner again until you.” he said as he looked at the sobbing mare. “Shield was decorated for his actions, but they didn’t mean anything to him. He lost his parents, his lover and his best friend who’m he killed. It fills my heart with as much pride as sadness to see that he’s come this far.” he said as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Why? Why does he keep doing it?” Rarity asked fighting through the sobs.

“So he can make sure no pony has to go through the pain he’s had to endure. That’s enough motivation for him to go to hell and back every day.”

“Why didn’t he tell us?” Twilight said with tears still streaming down her face.

“He didn’t want your pity or to feel bad for him, he blames himself for Flora’s death. If she hadn’t become involved with him then she might still be alive. I’ve told him that’s B.S. at least a thousand times now, but he won’t have it. He always says if you have some-pony you want to protect then you keep them at a distance.”

“He told us that.” Twilight said.

“And tonight only makes that point all too clear.” he said as he looked at the sobbing white mare.

“That’s crazy! I love Rose and I want to keep her close and-” Comet was cut off by Bronze raising a hoof.

“You’re still young inspector and you don’t understand what a cop’s life is like.”

“What is it really like then?”

“Pain. Plain and simple. We inflict it, we stop it and we endure it with hope that eventually it will disappear. Shield knows better than any-pony that that’s impossible, but I have a feeling that the skies would turn dark if he ever accepted it.” as he finished his statement he heard the heart monitor beginning to flat line.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shield woke up in a void of darkness, he saw a glowing orange light and the figure of a large grey pegasus stallion sitting by it, the dark stallion cautiously made his way over to the warm fire. The stallion sitting down looked back at him and smiled.

“Hello son.” he said with a warm smile.

“D-dad? If you’re here then that means I’m-”

“Yes. I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault, I should have been-”

“Stop blaming yourself for everything!” he spat out.

“It was my fault that I’m dead and-”

“No, I never wanted any of this to be apart of your life. I’m sorry son.”

“What?”

“We never wanted you to see the things I have had to.”

“We?” as he said that a yellow earth pony mare appeared next to him. Shield looked at her with tears in his eyes.

“Flora....I’m so-” the yellow mare put a hoof to his lips.

“Shhh. It’s okay.” she said as she wrapped him in a hug. Shield began to cry as he felt the mares warm embrace.

“No, no it’s not. If you never met me then-”

“Then I wouldn’t have died? We both know that no-pony lives forever.” Shield was about to protest, but let it go. “I made my decision to fall in love with you and I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. The time I spent with you was the happiest times of my life.” the mare said as she put a hoof to his face and looked at him with tear filled eyes.

“I still could have been there for you more I-” Flora then slapped the stallion.

“Shut it! What happened to the stallion that I knew and loved?” she said in a sad tone. “You used to be the stallion that could handle anything, the stallion who’s gone through the worst things in this world. What happened to the stallion who swept me off my hooves and was going to father our child?” she said as she began to weep. The memories came flooding back to the stallions mind. He then sat down next to his father, Flora did the same.

“I-I don’t know.”

“Do you remember how we met?” she said as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Yeah....I was investigating a break in, you thought I was a burglar and smashed a flower pot over my head. What is with mares and hitting me over the head with things?” he said with a small laugh.

“You just have that look about you, I’m sure Rarity would agree.” she said with a laugh.

“Rarity....she’s....my mare friend and-”

“She’s waiting for you out there!”

“She almost died because of me! I’m just a complication for their lives I-” he was stopped by Flora slapping his face a second time. “Ouch!”

“Shut up! You’re not a complication, you give them hope and you protect them from the the horrors of the criminal world, your world! Rarity loves you and you love her!” she yelled. Shield looked at her in shock as she began to fade. “I have to go, just do me one thing. Forgive yourself, if not for you then for me. Remember that I’m always there for you and that I love you.” she put a fading hoof against his cheek, Shield held it there as the mare vanished. The grey stallion trotted over and put a hoof on his shoulder.

“I know how you feel son. I’ve never forgiven myself for leaving you alone in this world.” the stallion then wrapped him in a hug.

“It’s okay dad-”

“No. You had to grow up all on your own, I’ve missed so much in your life; Flora, graduation, your first case. I’m so sorry.” Shield held his father and began to cry. “I’m so sorry that we both died so young. You’re my son and I know nothing about you!” he sobbed.

“Well let’s talk.” Shield said as he sat down next to his father.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The hospital room was filled with doctors and nurses. Twilight and the others were ushered out of the room, only Rarity and Bronze remained. Nurse Red Heart soon arrived with the defibrillator.

“We’ve got no pulse! Get the crash kit.” she yelled as she put the two panels onto the stallions chest. “Clear!” the ponies saw the stallions body jolt. “Still nothing, going to two!” the nurse turned a dial and placed the panels back on the stallions chest. “Clear!” the body jolted a second time. “Nothing, going to maximum output.” the mare turned the dial all the way to the right shocked the stallion one last time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back inside the void Shield had just finished his tale.

“Wow....I missed a lot. I’m sorry son I-”

“Dad, I understand what you and mom did. You gave your lives so that I could live and ....I forgive you.” he said as he looked back at his father and smiled. Shield felt a sharp pain in his chest. “Gah! What was that?” he looked at his hooves and saw that they started to fad from his sight. His father put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled.

“Looks like it’s not your time yet. Have a good life son and if you love some-pony then hold them close and never let go, protect them with everything you have.” Shield could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes. Shield felt himself fading. “I’m proud to call you my son.” the dark stallion could feel himself being drawn out of the void. “Thank you for forgiving me.....I can finally see your mother again.”

Shield could feel pain rushing through his body, his eyes snapped open and he sat up on the bed. He saw a room filled with doctors and nurses, he looked over in the corner to see Rarity rushing over to him with tears in her eyes. He smiled at her as she wrapped her hooves around him. He returned the hug, soon the other ponies came bursting into the room and rushed over to their battered friend. Sweetie belle and the other foals hoped onto him and started to cry.

“Help......still....injured!” he breathed out. They suddenly released their grip and looked at him with tear filled eyes. “Are you...okay..Shady?” he said as he looked at the blue colt.

“Y-yeah. Thanks to you.” the colt said as he wiped the tears away.

“Good. Rarity?”

“A lot better now.” she said as she trotted over to the stallion and slapped him across the face. “Don’t you EVER do that to me again!”

“Ouch!” he said as he rubbed the sore spot with his hoof, he then noticed the brown stallion smiling at him “Chief? What are you doing here?”

“Gizmo told me what happened and I came as soon as I heard.” he bit his lip and looked at the stallion. “I..I told them everything.” Shield’s eyes shrank.

“Everything?”

“Yes.” Shield breathed a heavy sigh at this and looked back at the ponies who all shared the same look of sadness. Twilight stepped forward and hugged him.

“I’m sorry for the constant questions. I had no idea how much you’ve been through.” the other ponies soon joined the hug and began to cry. Shield broke the hug and looked back at them with a sad look.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but....I just couldn’t. It was too painful.” he said as he cringed at the memories. Rarity held him tightly and rubbed her hoof through his mane.

“It’s alright dear, I’m here for you.” Shield could feel tears begin to well up in his eyes, he looked back at his friends who nodded and smiled at him.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13.

Shield spent the next two months recovering in the hospital, Rarity and the others gave him daily visits. Comet would come by and drop off some paper work that needed to get done, Gizmo put himself in for a transfer and was now the evidence overseer for the Ponyville police department, his visit’s would usually be accompanied by Twilight. Even though they denied it every-pony knew they were a couple. When he got his discharge papers his friends were there to walk him out, it was nearly 6:00pm and the sun was just about to set.

“Man it feels good to be out of there.” he said as he stretched his wings.

“I can well imagine dear.” Rarity said with a smile.

“So what are you going to do now?” Rainbow asked as she trotted up next to him.

“I don’t know, I guess-” he was stopped by a familiar grey pegasus mail mare.”

“I’ve got a letter for you.” she said as she withdrew a golden envelope. Shield gave the mare a tip and she hurried off. The dark stallion opened the letter and his eyes skimmed the message. His jaw dropped at the contents.

“What is it?” Comet asked. Shield handed her the letter and she began to read it aloud.

Dear, Shinning Shield.

As a reward for your outstanding police achievements and acts of true valor. I here by award you the Shield of Honor, our highest award. It is only a small token of our appreciation for your time and sacrifice you have given to the law. The award ceremony will be held in Canterlot on the seventeenth of the month, inside are ticket’s for you and a plus one. Your partner has also received ticket’s. I, my sister and Princess Cadence will be in attendance and present the award to you. Formal attire is required.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia.

The other ponies were in shock at the message. Shield stood still, his mind was drawing a blank. Rainbow slapped him on the back with her hoof.

“Awesome!”

“RAINBOW! STILL INJURED HERE!” he yelled in pain.

“Oops, sorry.” she said as she gave him a sheepish grin. Rarity gave her an icy glare and put her hoof on her colt friends back and began to rub it. Shield let out a relaxed sigh at the motion.

“Y’KNOW WHAT THIS CALLS FOR? A PARTY!” Pinkie yelled in excitement, she then galloped off towards Ponyville. Shield shook his head and gave a small laugh.

“No getting around it I suppose.” he said to his mare friend.

“I’m afraid not.” Rarity said with a smile.

“Might as well accept it.” he said as he continued to trot through town, Suddenly the CMC and Shady galloped up to him with smiles on their faces.

“Shield! You’re okay!” they said as they hugged him tightly. Their grip caused some slight pain but Shield powered through and threw on a smile.

“Y-yeah. How are you guys doing?” he asked as they broke the death grip.

“We’re fine.” Scootaloo answered. Comet then handed Shield a file containing Shady’s pictures

“Oh right Shady I have those pictures from your camera, I’ll hold on to the ones involving the case okay?”

“Sure...Can I please have the rest?” he said as his face turned red.

“Yeah, her you- GAH!” a wave of pain went through his arm as he dropped the photo’s spilling them on the ground for all to see. Sweetie Belle noticed that some of them were of her.

“Shady? Why do you have pictures of me?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked at the blue colt who had a bright red blush on his face.

“Shady had to do a beauty segment for the Foal Free Press.” Shield interjected. “Right Shady?”

“I-I always thought you could be a model.” Shady said as he and Sweetie started to blush.

“Oh....well. Thanks Shady....you’re not so bad yourself.” she said as she adverted her gaze. “Well..I gotta go. Maybe I’ll see you later? At the party, around seven?” Shady’s eyes shrank and his face turned crimson and nodded his head slowly. “Great it’s a date!” she said as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek and then ran away giggling to herself with Applebloom and Scootaloo following close behind. Rarity’s face was in shock at what just happened. Shady was frozen on the spot and his eye began to twitch.

“I think your sister just broke him.” Shield then tapped Shady on the head snapping him out of the trance.

“Wh-what happened?”

“You just scored a date with my mare-friends sister.” Shield said with a smile.

“What!”

“I suggest you better freshen up, the date’s at seven. It’s terribly rude to be late on a first date.” Rarity said with a smile.

“R-right, I’d better go!” he said as he picked up the pictures and hurried back to his house. Shield began to chuckle at the thought. Rarity then looked at him with a sly smile.

“You know, we never got to finish our date properly.”

“Yeah...sorry about that.” he said as he scratched his mane.

“Well you’ll have to make that up to me somehow.” she said in an innocent voice.

“I’m sure I can think of something.” he said as he gave her a quick kiss.

“Ugh! Will you two please get a room.” Rainbow said while making a gagging gesture with her hoof. Rarity rolled her eyes and the group made their way to sugar cube corner where a mass of ponies had gathered. The ponies began to clap for him as he entered. Colgate trotted up to him and wrapped him in a teary hug.

“Thank you!” Shield returned the hug and smiled.

“No problem.....How are you holding up?”

“I’m better..thanks to you.” she said as she broke the hug. She then turned to Rarity. “Hey listen...about what I said the other night...I’m sorry.”

“Think nothing of it dear. Water under the bridge and all that.” Rarity said as she gave the blue unicorn a hug.

“Thanks Rarity.” she said with a smile. Shield and the others grabbed a table and began to relax. Shield looked over to see Sweetie Belle and Shady who were sharing a milkshake. He tapped Rarity on the shoulder and pointed over to their table Rarity let out a small giggle at her sister. Shield got to his hooves and made his way over to Gizmo and Twilight’s table and began to chat with them. Rarity tapped Applejack on the shoulder and moved her head next to the mares ear.

“What’s up hun?”

“I need a favor.” AJ put her head closer and Rarity whispered her plan to her friend.

“Uh-huh......Ah see.......Sure no problem.”

“Thank you Applejack, you’re a real friend.”

“Don’t worry about it hun. You have yourself a good time.” she said with a wink. Across the room Shield had taken a seat next to Twilight and Gizmo.

“Hey you two, what’s happening?” he said with a grin.

“Nothing much, just discussing the award ceremony.” Twilight said.

“You got an invite?”

“Yeah, I am Princess Celestia’s private pupil after all.” she said with a smile. “And I managed to persuade her to allow me to bring the rest of my friends.” she said as she grinned at Gizmo.

“Nice it’ll be nice to have some friendly faces there....Think you could score a few more tickets for the CMC and Shady?”

“No problem. I just need to write a letter and Spike will send it.”

“Thanks. I’d have a feeling that they’d be disappointed if they missed it.” he said with a smile. He then noticed Spike who had a sour look on his face. “Hey Spike can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure.” he said in a grumble, the two walked outside for some privacy.

“I know that you like Rarity and-”

“I know you want me to leave her alone right?” he said as he rolled her eyes.

“No, not exactly.” he said in a calm tone.

“What do you mean?” the dragon asked in confusion.

“I have a dangerous job, everyday I risk my life to ensure the safety of those who can’t defend themselves. There may come a day when I don’t come back, if that happens...I want you to look after Rarity and Sweetie Belle for me. Can you do that?” Spike looked at the stallion in shock.

“Yeah. You can count on me!” he said as he gave the stallion a salute.

“Thanks, and don’t tell Rarity about this. It’ll just upset her.” he said as the two walked back inside. The party was coming to a close and he trotted over back to his friends table, he noticed that a certain white mare was missing. “Hey where did Rarity go?”

“She had to head home for something.” AJ said. “Maybe you should go after her I’ll take care of Sweetie for you.” she said with a smile.

“Thanks AJ. See you guys later.” he said as he left the party and took hurried back to Carousel Boutique. As he made his way inside he saw that there was a light coming from the upstairs.

“Rarity? You in here?” he called out.

“Yes darling, could you lend me a hoof with something?” she said in a pleading tone. Shield did as he was asked and made his way upstairs, there was a sweet scent in the air. He opened the door to her room to see her sprawled out on the bed with her hair down and her front hooves handcuffed to the bed, she had a lustful look in her eyes. “I was playing around with these hoof cuff and I accidentally locked myself to the bed post. Could you be a dear and get he key?” she said in an innocent voice. Shield trotted over to her with the key in hoof and had a smug grin on his face.

“Well what do I get if I let you go?” he said in a playful tone.

“I’ll show you.” she said as he crawled on top of her, Rarity wrapped her back hooves around his body and flipped him down onto the bed, she then hand cuffed the dark stallion to the bed. Rarity straddled herself on the stallions chest and looked down at the stallion and licked her lips. “Some times you can be as dumb as a rock.” she said with a sly smile, she pressed her lips against his. Shield was working his tongue inside of the mare’s mouth keeping her distracted as he snuck the spare key into the lock. He grabbed the mare's shoulders and slammed her back onto the bed with their lips still touching. Rarity looked at him in surprise and started to pant heavily as he broke the kiss.

“More like a sly fox.” he said with a grin on his face.

“Oh just shut up and buck me!” she said as she pulled the stallion closer to her and locked him in a passionate kiss.

Chapter 14

Shield and Rarity were resting in their bed panting heavily as the morning sun crept through the window. Shield looked over at his mare friend who had her tongue hanging out of her mouth.

“What do you think?”

“Definitely better than round three.” she breathed out. Shield got to his hooves and struggled to get his balance. “Alright dear?” she asked.

“Yeah. Round five took a lot out of me.” he said as she got to her hooves and began to wobble.

“You’re telling me.” she said in a satisfied tone. “We’d better freshen up quickly or we’ll miss our train to Canterlot.”

“Okay I’ll just take a quick shower.” he said as he slipped inside the bathroom and got the water running, Rarity joined him.

“It’ll go a lot faster if we share.”

“Can’t argue with that logic.” he said with a smile. The two exited the bathroom and began to pack their clothes for that evening. “Are you ready yet!?”

“Almost darling.” Rarity said as she finished packing. “Okay, ready.” she said as she and Shield exited the room. The two ponies left Carousel Boutique to be greeted by Rainbow and Scootaloo.

“Hey guys, going to the train station?”

“Yup, you?”

“Yeah! It’s gonna be so awesome!” Scootaloo said as she hurried towards the train station.

“I’d better go after her.” Shield said as he flew after the filly. Rainbow landed on the ground and started to talk to Rarity.

“So Rarity did you two...have a good time last night?”

“A lady never kisses and tells Rainbow.” she said in a high and mighty voice.

“Oh come on!”

“Oh....screw it. He was amazing.” she said with a blush.

“Really?”

“Yes especially on the fifth round.” Rainbow’s jaw dropped.

“No Way!” Rarity giggled at her friends reaction.

“That’s all I’m going to say about that.” she said at the train station came into view. She looked up to see that Twilight and the others were already there. Shield greeted his friends along with Shady, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. The group boarded the train and took their seats. Shield was sitting with Gizmo and Shady while the mares and fillies sat across the aisle. Shield eventually nodded off and fell asleep. He awoke later to see Rarity standing in front of him with a smile on her face. “C’mon wake up. It’s time to head to the castle.” Shield let out a yawn and got to his hooves and walked out of the train car. The group was greeted by a large white unicorn stallion with a blue mane. Twilight rushed over to the stallion and gave him a hug.

“Shining!” she said with a smile.

“Twiley!” he said as he hugged the purple mare. Shinning and Gizmo looked at him in confusion. Twilight then led the white stallion over to them.

“Shinning this is Shield and Gizmo.” the white stallion shook their hooves with a smile, he looked at the dark stallion.

“So you’re the famous Inspector Shield. Nice to meet you.”

“Like wise Captain Armor.” he said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you sir.” Gizmo said as he adjusted his glasses.

“He’s a friend of yours?” Twilight then trotted up next to the green stallion.

“Um.....He’s my colt-friend.” Twilight said with a sheepish grin. Armor’s eyes narrowed on the green unicorn.

“Oh. I see, what do you do Gizmo?”

“I’m the Evidence Overseer for the Ponyville Police department.” he said in a nervous tone.

“Uh-huh and you’ve been seeing my sister for how long?” he said as he raised an eyebrow.

“Two months, three days and four hours. I hope to continue that record.” he said as he began to sweat. Twilight then slapped her brother on the arm.

“Shinning! Don’t intimidate him, he’s here for the award ceremony.” she said as she scowled at the white stallion.

“Sorry Twilight.” he said in a defeated tone. “I’ll see you all later, Cadence needs a hoof with some decorations.” as he left he made the ‘I’m watching you’ motion at the green stallion. Twilight rolled her eyes and looked back to her date.

“Sorry about that. Shinning is very protective of me.”

“It’s fine..he seems nice.” Shield let out a laugh and walked up up to the castle with the rest of his friends. They presented their tickets and entered the massive castle. Shield looked over to see Bronze sitting on a bench waiting for them, he got to his hooves and greeted the ponies.

“Nice to see you up and about Shield.” he said as he shook the stallions hoof.

“Likewise. What are you doing here?”

“To see you get that award. You didn’t think that I’d miss your crowning achievement did you?”

“I just assumed that you were busy and-”

“You know what they say; When you assume you make an ass out of yourself.” he said with a smile.

“Um, the expression is ‘When you assume you make an ass out of you and me.’” Gizmo interjected.

“Yeah Chief, I’m gonna get you a proverb book or something. This mix and match thing gotta go.” Shield commented.

“I’m paraphrasing!” he barked.

“What ever Chief.” he said as he trotted past the stallion. They were soon approached by Princess Celestia. The ponies bowed before the sun goddess.

“Twilight Sparkle my prize pupil. It’s wonderful to see you and your friends again along with some new faces.” the ponies raised their heads, Celestia stopped in front of the dark pegasus. “You must be Inspector Shield. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” she said with a smile.

“It’s a privilege to meet you your majesty.” he said with a smile.

“Oh come now, you’re the guest of honor and among friends. We can drop the formalities.” she said with a warm smile. “The ceremony will be held in the garden at 7:00pm.” she said as she returned to her duties. “You all can use the rooms in the west hall to change into your outfit’s.” she said with a smile.

“Thank you princess.” Twilight said. The group made their way to the hall and went to separate rooms and changed into their attires. Shield and Gizmo finished before the others, Shield was sporting a white suit with a black trim and red bow tie. Gizmo had a dark brown suit with a black tie. The two stallions decided to head down to the bar and talk.

“So how are things with Twilight going?”

“Great. She’s really smart and beautiful, I’ve finally met a pony who appreciates my intellect.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. How are things going with Rarity?”

“Pretty good.” he said with a grin. They were soon joined by Chief Bronze and Comet. “Hey guys.”

“Hey here he is! The stallion of the hour.” Comet said as she sat next to him. “So how was your night last night with Rarity?” she asked in a sweet tone.

“Very......satisfying, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”

“Sound like some-pony got laid.” she said as she waggled her eyebrows.

“Shut up.” he said with a bright blush on his face. Suddenly a royal guard trotted up to them.

“Excuse me, where can I find Inspector Shield?”

“Right here.” Shield said as he looked at the guard.

“Theres a situation at the front gate, there’s some ponies there who claim to know you.” Shield put down his drink and followed the guard to the front gate where a posh white unicorn stallion was blocking the entrance. He heard Rarity’s yelling and hurried over.

“You honestly think you can show your face around here after that incident at the gala?” the stallion said.

“Why you-”

“Hey, hey easy. Calm down, what’s the issue?” he said as he trotted up next to the stallion. He saw Rarity, along with the CMC and Shady standing in front of him.

“Who are you?” the stallion asked.

“Inspector Shield AKA; Guest of honor. Who’re you?”

“I am Prince Blue Blood, I’d like you to arrest this cow and her band of misfits.” Shield gritted his teeth and stared at the stallion.

“Did you just call my mare-friend a cow?” he said as he stared at the stallion who immediately backed off.

“Well I-”

“Look normally I’d beat the living crap out of you, but I’m in too good a mood right now. So I’ll let that slide.” he then pointed to Rarity and the children. “They are my personal guests and will be treated with the respect they deserve.” he said in a stern tone. “C’mon guys.” Rarity pointed her nose in the air as she walked past the stallion, Scootaloo and Applebloom stuck their tongues out at the stallion who scoffed at them.

“Thank you darling, but I still think you should have clobbered him.”

“So do I.” he said as he led them over to where Comet and the others were sitting. The party began, Shield soon found the others and they began to wine and dine. The ponies were soon joined by Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shinning Armor. Shinning sat next on the other side of Twilight who was sitting next to Gizmo. The Princess’s took to the stage and the crowd fell silent.

“Fillies and Gentle-colts. We are here to honor a stallion who has served the law to it’s fullest extent. It is with great pleasure to award the Shield of Honor to Inspector Shinning Shield.” the ponies began to clap and cheer as the dark stallion made his way on to the stage. He bowed to the royal family as they hung the pendent around his neck.

“SPEECH!” Comet yelled out. The ponies soon began to chant it, Shield rolled his eyes and trotted up to the podium.

“I’m honored to accept this award. I’d like to thank my father, who was my inspiration. Police Chief Bronze who’s looked out for me me throughout my career. My good friend Gizmo who’s inventions have saved my flank more times than I could count. Lastly I’d like to thank my mare-friend Rarity, who’s stayed by my side when things got tough.” He raised a glass to them. “Here’s to you!” the ponies raised their glass to them. He trotted back to his table and sat down next to his friends, who started to shake his hoof and pat him on the back. Shield returned the gestures and started to socialize. Suddenly a grey unicorn stallion came up to him with a smile.

“Hello Inspector.” he said as he shook the stallions hoof.

“Nice to see you Captain. What brings you here?”

“I just came to congratulate you.”

“Yeah this award is something-”

“Not on that, on your promotion.”

“What promotion?”

“I’ve decided to settle down and let some-pony else take the wheel. I was hoping that that some-pony would be you.” Shield was beside himself at the news.

“Y-you want to make me the Captain?” the stallion nodded. Shield sat down next to his friend who were as shocked as he was. “Thank you for the offer sir, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

“Why?”

“I’m a street cop, it’s in my blood. Plus being stuck behind a desk all day doesn’t appeal to me.” he said with a smile.

“I understand. Good luck.” he said with a grin.

“Still hard headed I see.” Bronze commented.

“You know me. Plus you know how much I hate paper work.”

“True.” Rarity came over and wrapped her hooves around him.

“Hello hero.” she said in a sweet tone. Shield leaned back and kissed her, he looked back at his friends and smiled.

For once everything turned out okay.

Author's Note

Who's up for an Epilogue?

Epilogue

Shield was sitting at the breakfast table when two colt’s made their way over to the table, a white pegasus colt with a red mane and a black unicorn stallion with a dark blue mane.

“Morning dad!” they said in unison.

“Hey guys. What’s up?”

“Just wondering when mom’s coming home.”

“She’ll be coming home later. Mrs. Sparkle is going to look after you guys while I’m at the station.”

“YES!” they said as they high-hoofed.

“C’mon.” he said as he got to his hooves. The two colt’s trotted beside their dad, he looked down to the pegasus’s head and noticed a bruise. “What happened to your head Flint?”

“N-nothing.”

“Flint don’t lie to me.”

“Star Shooter hit him in the head with an apple.” the dark unicorn said.

“STEEL!”

“Really now? Sounds like Gizmo’s daughter has a crush on you.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Trust me when a mare hit’s you in the head with something, she likes you.” he said with a wink.

“Really?”

“Yeah, when I first met your mom she hit me on the head with a frying pan.”

“So that’s why you flinch whenever she’s near it.” Steel said with a raised eyebrow.

“Bingo.” he said as he knocked on the library door. A green unicorn stallion answered it along with a light green unicorn filly. “Hey Gizmo, I’m just dropping the twins off until Rarity get’s home.” he said as the colt’s ran inside.

“Yeah sure...Why does Flint have a bruise on his head?” he said as he looked at his daughter.

“Oops.” she said with a small blush. She then chased after the colts.

“Your daughter hit him the head with an apple.”

“Oh...so when should we schedule the wedding?” he said with a grin.

“Ha ha, very funny.” Twilight said with a smile. Shield said his goodbye and made his way to the police station.

“Hello darling!” an elegant voice said as she trotted up to the group.

“Rarity? I thought you weren’t going to be back until later?”

“I took an earlier train. How are the twins?”

“I just dropped them off at Twilight’s.”

“Great, now we can have some alone time.” she said in a seductive tone.

“Why Ms. Rarity are you trying to seduce me?”

“Yes?”

“Good cause it’s working.” he said as he kissed her.

“Why don’t we head home and-”

“Mom! You’re back!” the colts said as they came running out of the library. Shield and Rarity let out a sigh.

“Hello dears.” she said as she leaned down and hugged the colts.

“Guess what! I just saw Flint and Star kiss-” he was cut off by the two foals grabbing him and covering his mouth.

“Pardon?”

“He said nothing Ms. Rarity.” Star said with a bright blush on her face.

“Star hit Flint over the head with an apple.” Shield commented.

“Oh....I see. Well like father like son I suppose.” she said with a laugh. Flint began to blush brightly.

“Shoot I gotta go, other wise the captain is gonna be pissed.”

“Oh relax I’m sure Comet isn’t that mean. Plus aren’t you her boss Chief Shield?” Gizmo said as he rolled his eyes.

“You haven’t seen her without her coffee. Now that’s scary!” he gave Rarity a quick kiss and ran towards the police station. Rarity waved goodbye and went back inside the library waiting for him to come back to her.