//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: The Legend of Mare-Do-Well 
// by JD2K 
//------------------------------//


The Legend of Mare-Do-Well
Chapter 4: The New Law & Order
by JD2K


It was half-past midnight when Pinkie Pie returned to Ponyville. Three weeks seemed like such a short time but that's what Zecora said how long she was out. The first thing she had to do before heading to Sugar Cube Corner was to pick up her Mare-Do-Well outfit from Rarity. It would have been all patched up by now and a good idea to wear it now; rather than try and find excuses as to why she was carrying such a strange box with her at night. On her back was a small sack of items she was now going to use in her rounds when it comes to fighting foes.

Before she left the hut, Pinkie asked Zecora if she had any items that could help her out in her fight against crime. The ever resourceful zebra mentioned she had something that may aid her and gave her two different types of pellets that produce different effects. One type creates a blinding odorless smoke and the other powerful sleeping gas, both she used to blind or stun predators for a quick getaway back to her hut. While the smokescreen bomb pellets were plentiful, the sleeping gas was made from a rare plant in Everfree and many such flowers had to be used to create enough powder for one single pellet. Other such powders and mixtures she would have ready in due time so all she could give were those two items. Placing them in a bag, Zecora wished Pinkie good luck on her quest for right.

Pinkie's first stop on arrival was Carousel Boutique, which was closed at the time. Knocking on the door softly, Rarity soon answered the door and was elated to see her up and about. As expected, she did have her  Mare-Do-Well costume all mended and repaired, along with a new hat to replace the one she lost in the wreck.  Pinkie then asked if she had something she could use to place her new tools and as luck would have it,  Rarity showed her a set of small pocket saddlebags that would go attached and latched around her waist. The  fashionista explained that this was made for her own possible Mare-Do-Well costume because it looks good to accessorize. Instead, she kept it around after all the hard work she did, and now thankfully it was going to be put to use.

Right then and there, Pinkie Pie excused herself to one of Rarity's dressing closets and quickly got into the outfit. Soon, Mare-Do-Well came  out, ready to go back in action. Placing the smoke screen and sleeping gas pellets in two seperate pockets after latching the utility saddlebags on, she was finally ready to head back to "homebase". As she left, Mare-Do-Well could swear she saw an extra set of locks on the Boutique door.

As she jumped from rooftop to rooftop, she once again sees Snips and Snails at the once-condemend house lot and decided to put her new toys to work, passing their first tests with flying colors. Now, having jumped back down to ground level, she softly picked the boys up and walked back to their respective homes to then later call it a night.

At least, that's what she thought until she heard a low hum of magic aura being turned on along with a rough  
shout of "FREEZE!"

Mare-Do-Well turns around and her eyes open wide looking at a curious newcomer. This unicorn wore a dark-blue suit jacket with a white formal shirt underneath and a black tie on his neck. Right atop his horn is a simple dark-blue cap with black trim topped in the center by a shiny yellow badge with the initials PVPD on it. His dark indigo eyes look at her sternly as his horn is lit with a pale brown aura to offset his dark tan coat and platinum-silver mane and tail. His flanks are adorned with the cutie mark of a judge's gavel.

"Looks like I caught myself a foalnapper! Put the young ones down, lie down on the ground and extend your hooves, and I do mean all four of them!" he barks at her. Mare-Do-Well can't understand what is happening to her. Who is this stranger and does he really think she is a foalnapper? Now more than ever she wished she could break Rule 1 and explain herself.

Before she is able to, another figure runs up to him and gasps. Yet another unicorn dressed in the same uniform as the first, however this was a filly with a bright cream coat, cherry red mane and tail with white highlights, and rose-hued eyes. A cutie mark of a pair of lollipops colored red and white are on her flank.

"Officer Booker, hold your fire!" she pleads as she steps closer, "Can't you see? This is Mare-Do-Well!" She then gives her a friendly smile. "How are you? Wow, we haven't seen you here in Ponyville in a while now!"

Booker arches his brow as his magic aura dissipates. "Mare-Do-Well? You mean that masked hero you folks here in Ponyville have been talking about all this time, Officer Peppermint Pops?"

The candy unicorn nods. "The one and the same. Listen, Mare-Do-Well, we don't know what you're doing with those... Snips? Snails?!" Peppermint grunts with annoyance. "Did these two break their mandated curfew again?!"

Mare-Do-Well knows Peppermint Pops from many parties her other self had made with her invited in the past, but the other one, the one she calls Booker, is a complete stranger to her. Did he arrive during the three week absence? Something tells her she needs to find out what happened during that time and only Twilight Sparkle can help. Nevertheless, she has to get home and let know the Cakes she is all right.

"Listen here, Miss...Mare-Do-Well, we here of the Ponyville Police Department has made it our sworn duty to investigate and solve crimes, as well as apprehend and incarcerate felons and lawbreakers within the jurisdiction of Ponyville and all points close," Booker informs her. "While we appreciate the gesture, it is our duty to take these colts home to their families so they are properly punished there." 

With those words, Booker uses his magic to lift Snips and Snails off Mare-Do-Well's back and place each on his and Peppermint's backs. Then suddenly a loud sound of static was heard in the air. Mare-Do-Well's eyes land on a small device placed at the side of Peppermint's shoulder which the cream-coated filly tapped once with her hoof.

A cracked voice then speaks out of the machine, "Officer 12, status report. Over."

Peppermint then directs her voice to the gadget. "Officer 12, Peppermint Pops, reporting. We just apprehended two offenders who broke mandatory curfew. Names are Snips and Snails. Also, reporting we encountered Ponyville national hero, Mare-Do-Well. Hero captured the offenders when we arrived and is turning jurisdiction to us. Over."

Static began crack once more and the voice returns, "Copy that. Welcome Mare-Do-Well from all of us here at the station. Return to your patrol. Over and out."

Booker rolls his eyes. "I don't understand you Ponyville ponies once bit. Why, back in San Prancisco, we didn't have any weird vigilantes out to keep the peace! Police ponies were all we needed!" The tan unicorn however looks at Mare-Do-Well as she shoots him an angry scowl. "No offense, Ma'am."

The native Ponyvillian however shows more happiness. "I don't know where you were, Mare-Do-Well, but I guess most of us are here because you inspired us. When the Police Department first came, many of us signed on the spot hoping we could be able to make a difference in others' lives just like you do. That's why I thank you on behalf of all Ponyville-born officers like me. Please, keep up the good work and we'll see each other around!"

Mare-Do-Well's expression changes to one of comfort hearing those words of encouragement. She indeed helps make a difference and she will never stop. The mere thought gives her a warm fuzzy feeling beneath her outfit. Peppermint Pops then taps the side of her cap in salute as Booker nods once, and they make their exit.

Mare-Do-Well ponders this sudden turn of events. There is now a police department in Ponyville. During all her time being here, she thought of Ponyville as being so safe that everyone could sleep without fear or worry. Just what happened here that now requires police presence? These and other answers she would get soon enough from Twilight after she gets some sleep back at Sugar Cube Corner.

Sleep, however, becomes the last thing on her mind when her eyes open wide in surprise as Sugar Cube Corner is...open for business? At half past one in the morning? Instead of seeing the usual assortment of fillies and colts, however, Mare-Do-Well sees about a dozen of the police officers and some other late night revelers who need to satisfy their sweet tooth. Mare-Do-Well furrows her brow. She originally was to sneak up to her open window, get out of her costume, and wait until tomorrow to let the Cakes know she came in during the night so as not to disturb them. This plan however is done for. She begins to pace around the rooftop she is on until finally inspiration hits her.


*******************************

"Officer Hotshot, I agree." 

A coral red-coated unicorn police mare with a slight-curly burnt-orange mane and tail nods softly and professionaly at her companion. The mare was definitely older than most of the rookies of Ponyville but also one of the commanding officers judging by the far more elaborate suit jacket she wears with epaulettes placed on the shoulders. Her flanks are emblazoned with a cutie mark of a perfectly-round golden shield emblazoned with a set of scales. Despite looking rather rough, her soft vivid teal eyes denoted friendliness.   

The senior policemare resumes, "This establishment indeed bests the donut shops back home with no equal. I think I've never eaten a crueller as crunchy and sweet as this in all my years of service."

The vermillion-coated pegasus stallion merely blushes as he fixes his cap over his short orange mane with a yellow center. His cutie mark is a fireball with flames shooting from behind. "Well, Lieutenant Buckler, when you've lived here in Ponyville as much as us locals, you appreciate what you got and we'd never trade Sugar Cube Corner for any of those donut shops you tell us about for all the bits in Equestria."

"Quite right, Lieutenant," a gray-coated earth pony officer with a dark cinnamon handlebar moustache, mane and tail with a thick Trottinghamite accent interrupted. "I have never in me life eaten tastier scones than those made by Missus Cake. Cheers for Sugar Cuber Corner, indeed!" Just like that, several patrons, both local members of the new police force and late-night customers taking advantage of the new 24-hour  service, voice and cheer their agreements for the bakery. 

Lt. Buckler merely takes a sip of her levitated coffee cup and smiles. At first she thought moving from the hustle and bustle of Fillydelphia to be one of the exchange officers assigned to the new police force in a backwater town like Ponyville was beneath her. A week or so later having met many of the locals and learning that Princess Celestia's personal disciple currently heads the Library, she has grown to think of the little town as a home away from home.

"Morth coffee, Woothenanth?" A young bespectacled earth pony with a brown nearly-cylindrical cake as a cutie mark, says through a coffee pot in her teeth as she appears to the side of the policemare. Lt. Buckler nods as she grabs the coffee pot with her magic, pours some into the cup and holds it out for the pony to grab it with her teeth again before she goes back to the counter.

"That Bundt Cake is quite helpful, isn't she?" the lieutenant muses.

"Well, thing is, she's not really the Cake's regular assistant," Hotshot replies, "The real assistant and apprentice of the Cakes is one of the nicest, friendliest and downright most fun ponies you could ever meet! Shame she's away on that party excursion she went off to since three weeks ago when the old Coltron house went down."

"Yeah, she's truly the best. Why she would've given the entire police department a welcome party that they'd never forget!" an earth pony stallion officer adds in. "You haven't been in a party until you've experienced a 'Pinkie Pie Super-Duper Extra Fabuloussal Triple-Decker-Cherry-on-Top Mega Party'!"

The policemare rubbed her chin with a hoof. "So the young pony's name is Pinkie Pie, is it? I wonder how she is li..."

"WOOOOOOOOOOOW!!"

Lt. Buckler was startled immediately by the shrill yet cheerful yell. She looks to the door and spots an interesting pink earth pony with a frizzy mane and triple-balloon cutie mark carrying heavily-packed saddlebags and pulling via a harness a colorful-looking cannon with a flower on the wheel center.

"Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow! I can't believe Sugar Cube Corner is open right now! But I thought Sugar Cube Corner is closed at night? Is it nighttime or just an eclipse? I remember Princess Celestia accidentally placed both the sun and the moon at the same spot and everything was so dark! It was so very spooky as I made a super-scary eclipse party and everyone had lots of fun and ate cookies and drank punch and played all sorts of cool games and told ghosty stories and..."

As Pinkie kept jabbering, Lt. Buckler maintains an uneasy smile on her face as does the rest of the non-native police officers. "I say, Lieutenant, that filly has quite a gift of gab, wouldn't you agree?" the  Trottinghamite muses in a whisper. The policemare was far too confused and amazed at how the pony just keeps talking and talking without break.

"...when Granny Pie baked us a wonderful cherry pie, I ate almost two pieces but I was far too sleepy so I went night-night right there on the plate and had cherries and jelly goo all over my face and mane, so they all laughed and it was fun!" Pinkie finally looks around and asks, "So, why is Sugar Cube Corner open?"

"Hey, Pinkie!" the glasses-wearing pony shouts at her from the counter.

The party pony gasps as she shoots off like a rocket, leaving her saddlebags and cannon harness suspended in the air only to fall without their owner maintaining a grip. "BUNDT CAKE! How are you? When did you get here? Is everything ok in Maredale? Why are you here? Is Gummy ok? I miss him! Whe-"

The fuchsia-colored pony with a light brown mane tied in twin braids places a hoof over her friend's mouth. "Uncle Carrot and Aunt Cup had me come help out while you were on leave to organize the bash over at Veneighce. Wow. Inviting you to plan their Carnivale! What an honor!"

Pinkie gulped without letting Bundt or anyone else notice. Just what kind of lie did Twilight cook up?! "Oh y-yeah, Veneighce! Well, when they needed the best party pony ever, I guess I'm the pony for the job!"

Bundt fixed her glasses and resumes, "Anyways, didn't you see all the new ponies around here in uniform? Ponyville has its own police department now! Here! Ponyville! And well, since these police ponies love their sweets, Uncle Carrot and Aunt Cup decided to keep it open all the time just for them. Though I guess other ponies who want some late-night desserts are also allowed to come in too."

Pinkie arches her brow as she sees the police ponies all wave at her. She finally says, "Ohhhhhhhhh! So that's why they're dressed like that. Hee hee! I thought they were all going to a masquerade later on! Silly-filly me!"

Then she let out another gasp. "Wait! Did they get an official greeting when they arrived?"

Bundt bit her lip as she tries to talk. "Well...uh... You see..."

"No, we didn't, Pinkie! Since you're the expert at that!" Hotshot called out and every native police officer and customer voiced their agreement.

"Aw, that's no good! Nuh-uh! Something must be done and Pinkie Pie is just the one to fix it! You know what this calls for?" she then grins and so did every Ponyville native as the non-native officers looked at each in puzzlement.

Pinkie and all the natives then shout in unison, "A PARTY!!!"

With that, the pink pony returns to her party cannon and jams the button everywhere. Colorful explosions of confetti, balloons and party favors shoot out and start decorating the entire bakery as the patrons and Ponyville-born officers whoop in loud cheers. Bundt looks extremely worried while the non-native officers look flabbergasted. Deciding to make the best of it, they join in on the festivities.

The party started to attract more and more patrolling officers and curious gawkers as Pinkie insisted they join the party. The pastries were plentiful, the music from the phonograph was lively and the guests and officers were all happy to finally unwind. Pinkie got to meet plenty of new ponies and that made her smile.

There was one police pony Pinkie noticed that didn't join the rest of the officers. Lt. Buckler remained quietly where she was, sippping a cup of coffee as she looked at the revelry without a word. Pinkie's expression saddened as she wondered why the mare didn't partake of the celebration. Her mood grew jolly once more as she decided to greet her personally.

Buckler calmly took her time with her coffee when Pinkie decided to poke her head out from the side of the table with lightning speed, causing her to drop the coffee cup loudly on the saucer below her. 

"Hi! My name's Pinkie Pie. Who are you?" the pink pony greeted with pep.

"Pleased to meet you, Pinkie Pie," the coral-red unicorn replies, "I am Buckler, Lieutenant and second-in-command of the Ponyville Police Department. A pleasure finally meeting you."

Pinkie giggles. "I didn't know I was that famous! Well, I'm no celeb-pony or anything like that. Just a cheerful pony who likes nothing more than to see a smile on everypony's faces! A grin can suffice, and also an upside-down frown! But those can hurt if you try to twist your head around to show them but I heard the spa has some masseuse ponies who can make all the bones and neck muscles feeling awesome, but that's only because Rarity and Fluttershy tell me so because I never really go in there. <GASP> Oooh! Except for that one time when we gave Cherry Berry a surprise birthday party in there and wow! She jumped so high she hung on to the ceiling after we yelled 'Surprise!' It was so much fun! But I guess I should be more careful about surprise parties since my friends wanted to do the same and kept me out of it that I actually thought they didn't like my parties and didn't want to be my friends anymore! I mean, can you believe I actually thought that?"

Lt. Buckler gave a low chuckle. "You're a most unusual pony to meet, Miss Pie. It's ponies like you who make Ponyville an interesting place."

"Aw, I'm just Pinkie! Miss Pie makes it sound like you long to eat pie and Mrs. Cake bakes the most delicious pies I know! Oooh, but if you want a true tasty pie, you should go visit Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack and Granny Smith makes the most delicious apple pie in the entire world! I just love to eat them! Well I also like to eat cakes, donuts, cupcakes, muffins, danish, candies, chocolates, ice cream, parfaits, apple fritters, caramel candied apples, apple brown betty..."

Pinkie just kept naming different sweets and baked goods for an entire five minutes. Lt. Buckler could only stand there amazed by how much the pony can talk without pause. All she could do was smile. She really was an interesting pony to listen to indeed, albeit if she is a bit on the chatterbox side.

Before Pinkie could ask why she was there all alone, a shrill whistle was then heard above the noise which immediately made everyone quiet. Two more earth pony police officers, a colt and filly, appeared and stood in attention at the sides of the main door. "Atteeeeeeeeeeen-TION!" the filly called out, causing the rest of the officers to put their caps back on  and scrambled to form two orderly lines at the sides of the door. Lt. Buckler sighed as she gets up and walks up to the center of the two lines, standing firm. Pinkie looked on in confusion and wondering what caused the officers to line up like that. That was when she finally heard slow steady hoofbeats approach and she soon came face-to-face with the source of the party's abrupt end.

The unicorn had a body as big as Big MacIntosh and strong as it to boot. His coat was a dark khaki shade with a black buzzcut-styled mane and tail which offset his mark of a pair of crossed poleaxes with a glint on their blades. Aside from a far more elaborate suit jacket and epaulettes, he also wore several medals and a large badge to denote this was the cheif of the Ponyville police dept. His last distinguishing characteristic was that his horn was far pointier than other unicorns, which means he was forged primarily for active combat like some of the Royal Guard and the Army. His navy blue eyes scoured the room with an intent gaze as he walked forward with a strong stride towards Buckler.

"Captain Halberd! Sir!" Lt. Buckler said as she clicked her hooves together with a stern expression.

"Lieutenant Buckler, may I inquire as to why nearly all patrolling police officers are this establishment instead of being outside scouring the streets for any ruffians and possible lawbreakers?!" he snapped with a cross look on his face.

"Sir, a grateful citizen who is known around the area as a party planner and merrymaker took it upon herself to formally welcome our department with an impromptu housewarming celebration. I was here to prevent this celebration from escalating to dangerous levels. The celebration itself would have ended soon and we would be all returning to our posts," she responded which made the commanding officer even more cross.

"What?! A travesty of justice, that's what it is! Who would dare initiate a party in after-midnight hours where most felons would be out in full force?! I demand to know who this pony is!" Capt. Halberd shouted. 

Everypony immediately points a hoof at Pinkie Pie. All she could do was smile and wave as she blew a party favor. Halberd's eyes became more focused and sullen as he walked towards the smiling pink pony and looked down at her.

"So, you're the one who is wasting the time of my officers with some silly party? Just who are you supposed to be?" he finally said sharply.

"My name's Pinkie Pie and I threw this housewarming party for all these nice police ponies! Wanna join in?" she responded with pep.

The captain answered with a snort, "Have you any idea how many felons, lawbreakers and other assorted scum that will terrorize, destroy and completely blanket this peaceful town in a wave of chaos, anarchy and destruction would be coming in just because you decided to give these brave ponies who would give their lives for all civilians a stupid party?!"

Pinkie's tail shot up. "Oooh! Oooh! A guessing game! 5? No! 8! Nononono. I got it! A baker's dozen! Do I get a prize?"

Halberd's patience reached a boiling point as his teeth gritted in rage. Pinkie took note of that and looked at him with concern. "Aww, look at you! You're all Mr. Grumpy McGrump-A-Lot! Here, have a balloon to cheer you up!" She quickly grabbed a balloon off the floor and tossed it at his face.

The captain responded by grabbing the balloon with his dark green magic aura and everyone in the room looked on as the balloon was squeezed tightly by some psychic force somehow clutching it in the middle. The balloon exploded in a loud bang that made everyone jump. Halberd wasn't finished as his eyes darted around the room as he took notice of all the balloons and used a powerful magic pulse to burst them all in a continous bang. As soon as he finished, he turned his head to Buckler.

"Lieutenant, make sure that all active forces that were at this...diversion, be given a 25% bit reduction this month for disobeying orders to be on patrol at all times when out in the field!" he snapped at her, which caused all the officers to gasp in shock. One hard stare that would rival even Fluttershy's from Halberd silenced them as he walked outside. The two officers that arrived with him sneered at them before accompanying him.

Sighing sadly, Buckler looks at Pinkie Pie. "Sorry, my dear. I hope we will see each other again soon under a more positive departure," she finally tells her as she walks outside, turning around and moving her head forward to signal the officers to leave.

All the police ponies turned to glare at Pinkie as she gulped and gave a shaky wave. The foreign-born officers left grumbling angrily at their pay cut. The Ponyville native ones quickly loosened up and sighed sadly with their tails hung low as they took exit, knowing Pinkie isn't to blame. The other partygoers just looked sad and followed suit. Soon the entire Sugar Cube Corner was empty except for Pinkie Pie and Bundt Cake.

Pinkie sighed sadly as her frizzled mane and tail went straight and looked down at the assorted burst balloons on the floor. She felt a hoof on her shoulder, making her look up to see the bright bespectacled smile of the Cakes' niece.

"Don't let it get you down, Pinkie. Captain Halberd's just not known for his social skills so that's why Lieutenant Buckler is often the one who deals with everyone since she's much nicer. This isn't your fault. You just wanted to bring them smiles and I'm sure they'll get over this."

Pinkie's mane quickly frizzled back and gave her friend a slow smile. "Guess I'd better clean up before going to bed."

The fuchsia earth pony shook her head. "No. You had a long way to go from Veneighce. I'll clean up and put away your cannon. Just take your saddlebags upstairs. Relax."

Pinkie gave her another smile as she grabs and hoists her bags on her back, and skips up the stairs. Bundt clutches the cannon's harness and pulls the cannon away. As she did so she looked at the stairs and whispered, "Welcome back."

Pinkie quickly went to her room and locked it. Turning a lantern on she placed the saddlebags on a table nearby. She sighed relief. It wasn't easy for Mare-Do-Well to quickly slip up to the roof, unlock the closed window of her room, get undressed and revert to Pinkie Pie, hitch up her saddlebags, manage to find her surplus party cannon she hides away from the Cakes stashed away where she could use it later, and somehow get it down to the floor without any noise so she can make her entrance. She did it without a problem and no one was wiser.

The party itself may have ended on a sour note but she wanted to meet every single police officer and that was her plan all the time. The party itself being a cover for her to recon and learn the names of every new officer so Mare-Do-Well would be ready was a rare stroke of pure tactical genius and even she was scared by it. The more foreign officers joining in, the better it was to record them in her memory. She smiles as she places Lt. Buckler in her own little mind's super-duper nice list and frowns as she puts Capt. Halberd in her personal ultra meanypants list alongside a certain griffon.

She yawns softly as she realizes it was two hours before daybreak. She'd greet the Cakes when she's finally all freshened up, followed by looking for Gummy and then going to Twilight's to find out how the police department came about. As she put away her mental quill and furled up her mental to-do list, she blew out the lantern's light, hopped into bed, and pulled the sheets over her. Pretty soon, she was snoring peacefully away.




The Legend of Mare-Do-Well trots along.