//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Stealing a Heart of Gold // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// 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.