//------------------------------// // Guns and Ideas // Story: Requiem For A Soldier // by Shieldheart204 //------------------------------// Chapter 10: Guns and Ideas. Shield Heart was walking through the town plaza, drawing eerie gazes from the people around him. He wondered if it was his blue coat or his holster of death tools. He believed it was the former, had to be. Guns always made everyone in Vanhoover feel safe, so there is no way this town would panic. After a while he started walking at Sweetie Belle's pace, and later joining her in a silly way involving mirroring their pace. They were near the dressing shop when they were cut off by a woman with grey hair wearing a suit. "Can I help you ma'am?" Asked Shield. He looked around, hoping to see someone hiding in the shadows so it could break into an alley fight. "Hello good sir. I am Mayor Mare, mayor of Ponyville. I was hoping on welcoming you to our lovely town earlier, but I couldn't find you. It wasn't until Filthy Rich came to me with the deeds to your new home." Her face showing political joy. But she was alone. "Yeah, sorry about that, I like to be on the move. But I promise to remain slightly more stationary. I must admire the peace, quiet and friendliness of this town." She chuckled. "That tends to be our specialty. And I have been told that you have been assigned to be our Town Commissioner." "Yes, in one month I'll be in charge of all matters concerning security." "Yes, speaking of which. Because of the peace people a used to, I'm going to have to ask you to leave your weapons at home. Their presence has an unnerving effect on the townsfolk." "I'm sorry, but in order to do my job I need to be armed at all times. There is no telling when danger might come, and I will need to be ready always." "And in order to maintain order in my town I cannot allow you to brandish swords and firearms. I am afraid of the amount of complaints I'll be receiving from the retirement home after I promised there would be no trouble, yet there you were walking with your arsenal." "In that case I believe we are at a stalemate." "I'm sorry, but you cannot walk around with weapons. One of the few laws we have here is the prohibition of weapons." She smacked her lips. "I believe that I'm waisting my breath." "Yeah, I'm not gonna walk around unarmed just because it could inconvenience some old folks. The safety of this town is far more important than the comfort of a few people." The mayor sighed. "Isn't there some sort of middle ground? I have heard that you have concealed holsters. I am willing to accept those if there is no other option." Shield thought for a moment. He didn't want to make enemies with the town mayor, that is always considered a stupid move. That and he needed people to trust him. "I suppose that's logical. Very well, but my sword cannot be concealed." "Then you cannot carry your sword. I will not allow you to endanger the peace of this town. At least not for the moment. Maybe after your Presentation Ceremony people will be able to rest easily, but for now I need you to blend in." Shield was thrown off guard. "I'm sorry, Presentation Ceremony?" "Well, yes, you are the First Commissioner to have been stationed here. I want to formally introduce you and to have you explain that your presence is no threat to my town. Most people here don't even know what a commissioner is and seeing you armed has already frightened them." Shield couldn't help but snigger. Her face was void of emotion. "Is something funny?" "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm used to this. Most towns tend to give me mean looks, but I must admit that your town has given me the kindest one given the circumstances. It's a Commissioner joke." He said. "Don't worry, I'll head on home and prepare myself. But I must ask." "What is it?" "Is the Ceremony really necessary? I'd prefer, if it were just a speech marking my beginning. I'm really not a fan of parties." She chuckled. "That is unexpected to hear from a human, but that isn't my decision. The townsfolk love celebrating, and there really aren't that many occasions. Not to mention it will help you meet everyone, after all, a shepherd should know his flock." Great, a party town. He thought. Just what I needed. But he couldn't argue against her logic. It was hard to know everyone in Vanhoover, in fact he didn't know everyone but in this small town it would be actually plausible. "I think I have taken enough of your time. If you ever need anything please stop by town hall and we'll help you out." The mayor grabbed his hand and with a firm shake she headed back to the town center. "Then I guess we should go home. Your sister is probably ending her meeting so we don't have much time." Shield grabbed Sweetie Belle and carried her on his back. He imitated a horse all the way to the basement, even neighing whenever he stopped and imitating the clopping sounds whenever he walked. After setting up a wooden bench he dropped her in one of the extremes. He was impressed by Gun's redecorating abilities, granted his skills didn't make the place look pretty, but it made it very functional. The once grey basement was now covered in white tiles. There were fence dividing three quarters of the room into five lanes. On the short side of the room stood at least ten large cases opened. These cases should have been called crates, due to their really large size. Gun Nut was opening another one, preparing the contents to display the toys. He turned his gaze when he sensed someone enter. "Shield! How are you my friend?" He looked at the girl. "I don't think she should be here." "Don't worry, I'm sure of what I'm doing!" Shield said Confidently. "Like that one time you pissed off Pearl Lance?" "Hey! That guy was totally out of control and asking for it!" "And so you resorted to throwing a pie in his face?" "Not just any pie, a banana pie. And he started with the insults!" Retorted Shield. "He's lucky I couldn't find something that really hurt." He murmured to himself. "What was that last thing?" Asked Gun. "None of your business. Where's Dum-Dum?" The gunsmith looked around the opened cases. "You sure about this? If the princess gets wind of this we will have our backsides mounted on a wall." "Pfft! Like she will ever find out! She never found out about the ARs so I doubt she'll find out that have been secretly been training child soldiers. It's not like its the first time I've done it!" Said Shield with ego. "You did bring the AR prototypes right?" "Of course i did!" Gun tossed the Commissioner a stocky pistol. "I'll set the firing range." "Good." Gun withdrew a yew wand and summoned a grey bolt toward a pile of mannequins in the corner opposite to the flight of stairs. Five dolls burst to life and shuffled over the lanes, standing with their arms slightly apart. After a second, they froze. "Okay, first rule of guns. Never use them unless you absolutely have to. That means never point it at people unless they are in your hit list." Said Shield as he pointed it at his friend. Incidentally, the gun fired off a crimson bolt at the target. Gun Nut managed to duck, making the bullet singe his hair. "Because you never know when it will misfire!" Said the Commissioner. There was a sudden knock on the door. "Bollocks." Cursed the blond silently as he tossed the stocky weapon to his friend. He pulled a blanket over Sweetie Belle and rushed to the door, hoping to make her disappear. "Just stay quiet and try not to move." "Who is it?" He asked, alarmed. "It's us Shy!" Said a sweet voice belonging to Cadence. "Damn." He whispered. The time had come. He immediately opened the door and saw eight people standing in front of him. "Well hello! What brings you to my humble and crumbling abode?" Rarity stepped forward. "You said you would give us basic training if we got a letter from Princess Celestia and..." She went for her purse and withdrew a small envelope. Shield grabbed it and took a good look. It was quality paper and the back had the Celestial Seal. He broke it and read the contents. 26/05/1002 P.N.M Enforcer Shield Heart. I hereby order you to instruct Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Princess Cadence in basic, intermediate and advanced self-defense techniques. This means both in use of firearms and martial arts. The instructions are effective immediately and without exception. Princess Celestia Shield Heart sighed and swore for a second. Celestia had been smart enough to avoid giving him a loophole. She was definitely getting smarter. "I shall impart the lessons in my basement, so if you'll follow me." He said in a defeated tone as he walked toward the kitchen. "Man this place is a dump!" Exclaimed Pinkie. "I just bought it yesterday, give me a chance to renovate it!" He snapped. Shining walked faster, so that he could slap his friend on the back. "Cheer up man! You're gonna shoot a gun!" Shield stared at him. "But I need context! Why the heck am I shooting stuff in my basement in the first place! I could be in Canterlot hunting drunkards, but instead I'm in party town waiting for a rabbit to snarl so that I can call that entertainment!" From the group of women, Fluttershy immediately panicked. "I'm only joking ma'am, I would never harm a bunny. That is unless it was infected with a rare disease that made it act like a total jerk. But no such bunny exists so there is no problem." He said with humor. The veterinarian merely retreated back to the shadows. "And what do you plan on doing with the place?" Asked Rainbow Dash as she went down the stairs. "No clue, but I'll try to make it look like a high-end loft maybe Miss Rarity could help in that particular dilemma." Responded the soldier. "I would be delighted to help you in your endeavor, just tell me how you want it to look and I'll make sure it looks presentable." Answered the dressmaker. "I hope you're not joking because I will ask you. I don't have much of an eye for decoration, unless it involves weapons." "Now without further ado, let me present to you my requisition officer, friend and gunsmith, Gun Nut." He said as eight jaws dropped as they noticed the white room full of