This story is a prequel to All-American Girl
It's been a few years since first contact between Equestria and Human Earth. Both worlds have desperately tried to push aside the ugliness of the inter-dimentional custody battle for the "Lost Foal" in the interest of pursuing better relations. The two worlds have grown more comfortable over the years, but things are far from perfect.
Shining Badge, the Sheriff of the small, backwater Equestrian town of Dodge Junction finds himself dealing with the murder of two ponies from his town at the hands of human "big game hunters." The traditional, principled old stallion soon gets caught up in a battle for jurisdiction between ponies from Equestria's Mage Guild and a strange human agency. With corruption and bigotry on all sides, Shining Badge is faced with choosing between his own sense of morality and that of the Law.
Written as an entry for the March Story Challenge over at the All-American Girl Saga
Cover art drawn by Shinzakura
Yay! Now on to edits!
4083631 So does that mean I messed up something in canon? Or was there some crazy dumb mistakes that I somehow missed after my bajillionth read through?
4084773
Yes.
Really? Their shield blocked bullets? AND they had the magical ability to set a man on fire?
4085948
Cheese.
4084773
Well, for one thing it would be a consulate in Appleoosa, not an embassy. And that's just the obvious.
Truthfully though, the story was rather good. I enjoyed it. Perhaps a bit too much.
4093585 What....?
4096698
YES! Ahem. I was hoping someone would respond to this eventually.
I regret nothing.
This was an excellent read. No criticisms other than the ones my AAG-TDA comrades have already voiced or will make themselves known in time.
4096102 Ah, okay. Fixed that. Guess that's what I get for not having such good off-hand political knowledge... or a consultant... or an editor...
4098343 Please be gentle!
What?! No charges against Shining for assaulting civilians and causing the death of Flintlock (he is the one who released a criminal and gave him a weapon)?
4118771 Hence why Shining Badge is so uncomfortable. Though, I'm not sure where you got the idea that he gave anyone a weapon.
Really liked the story, showing some parallels of humans and ponies.
Really liked how Justus seemed to be the obvious bad guy (that I still liked), but then it was turned around. I also like how his snarkiness and professionalism clash and come out.
One thing that confuses me- I thought Cinnamon's orphanage was in Cloudsdale, by the description, it sounds like it's on the ground south of Cloudsdale.
That aside, really enjoyable read.
4171888 Yes, I originally wrote Cinnamon's orphanage as being in Cloudsdale but then I reread the chapter of AAG Cinnamon first appears in and it says that the orphanage used to be in Cloudsdale but was moved ground side to accommodate non-pegasi.
Glad you found it enjoyable!
What's that old saying that you hear, deep on the Earth boards of FIMFiction? Humanity: no greater enemy, no greater ally