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.