Chapter 13: The End of Peace
Princess Celestia saw as a party of nine people return to the library after about half an hour of their departure. Shining Armor was the one to open the door, letting a bruised Rainbow Dash inside. She was nursing her eye and cheek.
"What happened?" She asked as she approached them
Radiant Dawn was perched up on one of the top windows with her bow on her left hand and turned to look at them.
"Let me guess, he let you fire a forty-five cal without warning?" She asked as she jumped down from her post. A pair of translucent wings swung out from her back and helped cushion her fall.
Rainbow nodded her head.
"Icarus wings, impressive spell casting if I do say so myself." Said Twilight as she saw the wings disappear.
"How did you know the reason behind my friend's bruise?" Asked Rarity.
Dawn slung her bow on her back before answering. "Because you can say it's one of his traditions. Whenever he gives out a class he always forgets to tell people to check the dials. I'm sure he switches the dial on purpose because it usually happens at least to one person."
"I couldn't believe he would dare do something like that, he seemed very friendly!" Protested Rarity.
"He probably does it to test people. He's always checking to see if there are any potential allies. Speaking of which, who is this little woman you brought here along with you Miss Rarity?" Asked the archer as she crouched over to the pink and purple haired girl.
"She's my sister, Sweetie Belle. I was just picking her up from the Commissioner's house, he was kind enough to take care of her while we were here."
Dawn darted her look at Rarity. "Does he know about this meeting?"
"He doesn't know you are here, he just knows that I had to leave my sister behind."
The archer let out a sigh of relief. "Good, we can't let him figure out we're here."
"Why not?" Asked Applejack.
"Because he has a tendency of over thinking things. And he might suspect that my presence is some sort of sinister plot to force him to retire." Answered the princess. "Twilight, I'm going to have to ask you to please sign this form accepting the task of becoming his official handler."
She produced from under her cloak a parchment. The librarian grabbed it and started reading.
"I Twilight Sparkle agree to..." She reduced her volume to a mumble. "Respond to any damage he may cause during emergency assignments like: arson, destruction of private property, slaughter of animals or the misuse of any items the Commissioner may use to subdue the imminent danger that assault 'insert city name here' please refer to paragraph ten for list of acceptable dangers." She read for a couple of minutes before speaking again.
She soon set the document down and grabbed a quill from one of her drawers. After a quick signature she rolled up the agreement and handed it over.
She then noticed Dawn receiving a 50-bit bill from the white-haired militant.
The princess approached and whispered. "They took wagers or whether you would read the document or not."
.oOo.
Shield Heart looked around the train station and tapped his Parasprite gun. He was wearing his blue greatcoat above his guns, scale vest, bracers and tee shirt. He preferred if people stopped seeing him as a threat as soon as possible.
A couple of beads of sweat formed on his brow, which he removed with the sleeve of his coat. Then, his entire body started to sweat.
"How the hell can these locals withstand this heat?" He exclaimed to himself. Gun walked behind him and slapped him on the back.
"Maybe because they don't wear a heavy wool greatcoat."
"But I can't take it off because I need to hide my guns and I seem to have misplaced my other coat."
"Maybe you can ask Iron Hide for a new coat, probably like the ones they use in Appleoosa."
"Maybe I should. Who knows how the winter will be."
"Probably like Canterlot."
"Probably, but I'd rather suppose it will be warmer."
Shield soon looked to the distance and recognized the Commander. Shield rushed over to his superior and saluted him.
"At ease soldier" Shield immediately obeyed. " and unbutton your coat, I can't believe how you can survive with that thing heating you up."
"I'm afraid I can't do that sir." Responded Shield as he accompanied his officer to the station.
"And why is that, did you fuse the buttons shut?" Replied Iron with a chuckle. Shield undid the first three buttons and showed what he was wearing.
"This is why sir. I doubt the town will appreciate me walking around like this."
"Don't be absurd , if you unbutton your coat I doubt people will care you're wearing armor. And I doubt anyone will see your holsters. Just try to avoid jumping a lot."
"Yes sir! I can't even jump sir. Not with this brace at least."
"You have suffered far worse and have continued with your duties. One of the reasons you are here is for your recovery."
"And what are the rest of the reasons if I may know?" Inquired the commissioner with a smug grin.
The old warhorse sighed. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"I already have my theories, but I want to prove them right." Shield said with his ego running high.
"Then follow me." Said the elder. He turned to the gunsmith. "I trust you can handle the rest Gun."
"Of course sir." Responded the brown-haired man.
The Commander guided the blond away from the station in total silence and sat him in a table at the local café. Fortunately for Shield it was completely empty, not even the waiters were present.
"I hope you realize the trouble you're in. That stunt you pulled in the caves does not sit well with the evaluators back at HQ." said Iron as he sat down.
"But I got the job done!" Exclaimed Shield as he sat down and reclined forward, hoping to not bump onto his gun on his back. "The paper clearly stated that there were no rules of engagement."
"But that doesn't give you permission to slaughter part of the goblin population."
"They were the ones that opened hostilities first! I waited for them to attack! Hell, I even tried to reason with the king!" He replied as he put his feet on the table and leaned back.
"But because they swung a sword first you had to exterminate them? I am so disappointed in you. I thought this job would save you, but instead has forced my hand!" The commander pounded his fist on the table.
"Save me from what? I handled myself pretty good."
"I meant from the Council of Defense. They've been looking for an excuse to kick you out of both the Commission and the Legion. I gave you this particular assignment because I thought you could handle this cleanly and show them that even after your disaster in Manehattan you are still a valuable asset worth keeping."
"The COD has no idea how hard it was to reduce her power under the horrible restrictions they tried to impose. Had they been any lighter she would be three meters underground by now. But NOOO, you must keep the financial district intact, you can't explode the port, you can't attack the train station with police officers you will spread panic..." Said Shield in an insulting voice.
"I know they put limitations, but they did it because they seek Equestria's best interests."
"Equestria's best interests my ass. Vanhoover was worse and all it took was Free Will to command the state, Two Face to lead the police, Major War Machine to control the army, and no Rules of Engagement. And would you look at the result!" He exclaimed as he stood up and threw his hands into the air.
"We eliminated the Triads in two years. Manehattan has been dealing with the Cartel for FIVE years. Those fat cats are too busy thinking of their investments, they couldn't give a shit about safety." He snapped as he paced around his seat before sitting down.
"I would watch my tongue if I were you. I know how you feel, I'm with you, but you have to play it safe. They have the power to take you down and you don't. If you want to make things right we need evidence but most important of all." Said the commander. "I need you to play ball. Iron Fist is already doing what he can to take down the Precious Family, and I'm preparing my own team to clear them out from Canterlot.
"But if we are to get rid of the Armchair Generals we need evidence that they are somehow involved. I don't know anything else, but I can't rely on you if your presence unnerves everyone."
Shield sighed. "Why are you even trusting me? Those guys are your friends, and who am I? A monster with a pitch-black past. Why are you risking your life based on speculations made by me?"
"Because they have given me reasons to trust you and doubt them. Last meeting the Secretary of the Air Fleets was too eager to send off the third and fourth fleets to the San Palomino Desert, as if he's preparing for something. He talks about maneuvers and looking for the Sunken Library, but I fear he's weakening Fillydelphia too much. And don't even get me started on General Spearhead.
"He tried to order one of the Royal Guard Legions to go to the Neighagra falls, saying that the was evidence that a basilisk was nested there. Can you believe him?"
"I sense you didn't allow him to send them."
"Of course not that would be suicide, as if he had no regard for standard protocol."
"So is there any news on the Mystery Guitar Man Pearl is so keen on killing?"
The commander grunted before answering. "Don't even get me started on that. Not a day goes by that he fails to call me, insisting on making it a matter of national security."
"I could always talk to him. You know we are the best of buds."
"Yeah, because nothing says we are Best Friends better than an explosive banana pie to the face."
"Why does everyone keep bringing that up? I swear, I have several incidents. Remember the time he went out hunting and I smuggled meat into his horse's pockets? The dude never knew what hit him when he released the hounds and they attacked him." He chuckled before continuing.
"Then that time I poisoned the bread with laxatives and the Follow-me potion? That was hilarious seeing him run away from the pigeons he was feeding as they shit all over him. I remember he then ordered the pigeon population be trimmed."
"I sometimes worry about you Shield."
"I'd be more worried about this place. It really looks like a place where I could easily get bored." Shield said with an evil chuckle. "Was this plan your idea? Because if it is you've changed your style."
"Grounding you here? No that was Princess Celestia's idea. She took inspiration from her apprentice and thought it would be a good idea to put you here."
"So even she is behind this conspiracy. I wondered just how deep the rabbit hole went." Shield mumbled.
"She's only trying to help you. Ever since you joined the legion she's noticed you haven't been the same."
"That's 'cause shit hasn't been the same. Eleven years ago nobody had to worry about high crime rates or drugs or any of that bullshit."
"No, we've always had to deal with that. You just decided to grow up faster and got scarred."
"Yet I'm someone you need. You need someone who has been scarred by reality, someone who has seen the most horrible corners of this world and has emerged. And there is no one who has been through half of what I have experienced."
"Don't elevate yourself, we want you to work with us and that's it. You are not some crucial piece to our puzzle of greatness or something like that." Snapped the commander. "You are here because of your actions. Also you will direct any concerns to Twilight Sparkle, from today onward she will be your official handler."
The man got up and started walking away. "Please don't make her life difficult, she already has a lot of work being the princess's apprentice."
Shield burst out laughing. "Trust me sir, with me around her last concern should be her studies."