//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12 
// Story: The Night Shift 
// by totallynotabrony 
//------------------------------//

	The safe house the Royal Guards had set up was plain, but unsoiled.  Or at least it had been.  The blood Cheerilee tracked in would have to be cleaned up.
The mare raised her head from the bathroom sink, noticing Shining Armor reflected in the mirror.  He stood at the door, not coming any closer.
“Sapphire Shores told us what she knew,” he said, looking away from the mess Cheerilee had all over her.  She gestured for him to continue as she ducked her face under the running water again.
“She wasn’t exactly honest in her business dealings, but other than those civil infractions we’re done with her.  Photo Finish’s imposter must have suspected that Sapphire noticed the odd behavior and decided to kill her to protect the secret.”
“So what was with the exploding fashion shop?” asked Cheerilee.
“You were right,” said Shining.  “She was trying to fake her own death because she was scared.  Sapphire thought that we might get the idea of who was after her since Photo Finish frequented the place.”
Cheerilee finished rinsing and turned the water off.  “What happens to Sapphire now?”
Shining shrugged.  “She’s not who we’re after.  We’ll get some local cops to bust her for the minor things.  I’m going to ask Princess Luna to authorize a memory spell that will make her forget the part about Photo Finish.”
“I thought those were illegal,” commented Cheerilee.
“So is murder,” replied Shining pointedly.  Changing the subject, he said, “Come down the hallway.  I’ve got something to show you.”
Cheerilee followed him.  On a table in the next room was a knife.  It was finely crafted with intricate decorations.  The blade, despite its wicked edge, was quite sturdy and made to last.  It had been taken from the unicorn Cheerilee had encountered in the alley.
Shining looked at the mare seriously.  “There are only three of these weapons in existence.  They’re carried by the Sabre Siblings, as the media calls them.”
Cheerilee’s mouth felt dry.  “I thought they were a rumor to scare foals away from strangers.”
Shining nodded.  “That’s the way we want it.  If the public thought those killers for hire were real, I can only imagine the panic.  The three of them are serious muderers.”  He gestured to the knife.  “Well, two of them, I guess.”
“I don’t understand,” said Cheerilee.  “If they’re that bad, why did they run from me?”
“They’re some of the smartest criminals Equestria has ever seen,” explained Shining.  “There was no point in attempting to fight you fair and square with the police on the way.  You got lucky in taking one of them out.”  
Cheerilee wasn’t arguing that point.  She was still amazed that she’d managed to throw the stake so accurately.  She asked, “What’s going to happen now that one of them is dead?”
“The Royal Guard has been trailing them for a while, so we know a little about their habits even if they keep eluding us."  Shining's mouth was set in a hard line.  "They haven’t killed any guards, at least not under my watch, thank Celestia.  They don’t forget, and they don’t forgive.  The other two will probably try their best to kill you.”
Cheerilee wasn’t used to suddenly being the hunted one.  Regardless of the other problems she’d developed due to vampirism, seldom had anypony been stalking her.  However, if the Sabres were half as bad as the scary stories about them indicated, she would gladly attempt to take them down.
She looked Shining Armor in the eye.  “Tell me where I can find them.”
He gave her a small smile.  “I was hoping you’d say that.  Obviously they’re working with Photo Finish’s group.  They’re set up in the swamps.  That whole area is mostly uncharted due to constant fog, but I can give you a few good places to check.”
Over the next few hours, Shining reviewed a pile of data and maps with Cheerilee.  She began to get a sense of what exactly she might be up against.
Besides the two Sabre Siblings, there would be several other ponies around who were undoubtedly hostile.  There had also been unconfirmed reports of violent animals being used for guard duty as well.
“It’s not going to be easy,” said Shining.  “Then again, if it was we wouldn’t need you.”
“I’m flattered,” said Cheerilee.  She actually was, if only slightly.
The Captain of the Guard checked out the window.  “The sun’s almost down.  Are you ready to go?”
The lavender mare took one last look at the large map in front of her.  There was a vague layout of the buildings in the swamp, but not much other useful data.  The whole area was generally covered in fog, and that made scouting it difficult.
Cheerilee nodded.  “I’m ready.”
Shining started to head out the door but stopped.  “Would you like to take a weapon?”  He glanced at the knife that was still on the table.
It seemed only fitting, but Cheerilee paused.  As an earth pony, the only way she could hold it easily was with her mouth, and that wouldn’t allow her to use the weapons she was most comfortable with.
She shook her head.  Shining nodded and led her outside.  “Well, good luck,” he said, somewhat reluctantly.  Cheerilee understood his hesitation.  It seemed wrong to wish luck for the job ahead of her.  She wanted to something fitting in reply, but was unable to think of anything appropriate.  She just nodded and walked away.
Cheerilee ran her tongue over the points of her fangs.  She often did that as a reality check.  Yes, this was really happening.  She, an elementary school teacher, was really about to go on a mission to kill.  An assignment sanctioned by the Princess, no less.
The moon was out.  Cheerilee gazed up at it, wondering if Luna had come to watch.  She couldn’t blame the Princess if she hadn’t.  It was a grim business, and Cheerilee was almost happy that she was doing it rather than letting some other pony suffer through the job.  Leave the monstrous tasks to the monster.
She dropped her eyes, taking a deep breath.  The fog hanging over the marshlands was beginning to thicken as she got closer.  The mist would dull even the bright moon, making the swamp inky black.
Cheerilee moved forward into the darkness.


Author note:
Yes, short chapter is short.  Trust me, you’ll want to read what happens next in one piece.