I

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The sun was barely rising and already we were on the move. After several weeks of being shouted out of bed and having Drill Instructors scream in our faces for improperly made beds and hastily-donned training armor, we had gotten quite good at getting up early and making ourselves presentable. I glanced at myself in the mirror as I strapped my cadet armor on. White coat, flaming red mane, and tail. A fiery shield and helmet on my flanks. A wing on both sides. Yup, I’m all here.

With only two weeks left until graduation, it was polishing time at the Canterlot Guard Academy. The Drill Instructors were now teaching us how to walk, talk, breath, sneeze, and dress like the elite Royal Guards. I found it highly annoying and unnecessary, but I kept my mouth shut and face expressionless.

Some of the other recruits, the ones that still hadn’t learned to keep themselves under control, were not so lucky. If the Instructor saw them so much as twitch, they would be running eight kilometers before our morning meal.

We spilled out of the barracks and lined up in ranks on the grassy field outside for morning inspection, standing at attention. Well, we called it “morning inspection,” but it was real “dawn inspection,” considering that the sun was just barely peeking up over the horizon at just the right angle to shine directly into our eyes. I squinted and my eyes slowly adjusted to the light just in time for me to spot an instructor walking towards me. Not just any instructor though; the sea green coat with the perfectly trimmed blue mane, tail and beard and the knife-like horn identified him immediately. It was Lieutenant Riptide, the lieutenant in charge of this training cycle.

“At ease Cadet Strider,” he said as he approached. I relaxed enough to look him in the eye. “You have been an adequate trainee thus far, an example among few to your peers,” he said, his tone of voice even. “I find myself curious as to what you chose as your desired duty assignment. If I may ask?”

I pondered the reason for my question. He knew what I had put down as my request; all the others probably put Canterlot or their hometown down as their request. But it’s always best to be completely honest when talking to officers. “I chose the guard unit in Tall Tale, sir!” I replied sharply.

“May I ask why? With your testing and PT scores you could land in a unit right here in the capital,” he told me. I realized that he was trying to see if I knew what I was doing. I was certain that I did.

“Sir, being assigned to a unit here in Canterlot would be good for my career, yes. But I want to go see how other cities and towns manage their units,” I explained. “I plan to start in Tall Tale and work my way around Equestria and eventually end up back here after I’ve learned all I need to make a good officer. Sir!”

He smiled at that then turned to the rest of the recruits, “That, that right there is a good career path! You all…”

He continued lecturing, but I had stopped listening. That was my plan, but one of the lessons the guard teaches you is that plans almost never survive first contact. I kinda figure that once in Tall Tale I’d wing it from there.

I glanced at my wings. Heh, wing it.

My instructor moved in front of us, “Forward March!” he ordered. Off to morning meal.

Before I knew it, it was only two days until graduation. I’d sent my graduation invitations out to all my family members.

I was laying in my cot, where I was supposed to be studying the Guard manual, but instead, I was thinking about other things. We were given free time by the instructors. In instructor language, ‘free time’ really means ‘If you aren't doing anything productive, you’ll run seven kilometers’. I looked around the room. Some cadets were cleaning the bay and their equipment, some were lying in their cots pretending to not be asleep, others studying the classroom where we would be tested on our knowledge of the manual and laws of Equestria.

Both tests were pretty straightforward; as long as you’d been keeping up in training and gave the tests all you had, you’d be fine. The ones that weren’t going to make it had already been weeded out. I wasn't worried. Mama didn't raise a quitter. My family, me especially, we don't do things halfway. Either all the way or not at all.

“Hey, Strider!”

I looked up and smiled at the voice, a curious, instantly identifiable mix of Trottingham and Manehattan accents. A small unicorn with an ice white coat and frosty blue mane, tail, and eyes striding towards me. Her cutie mark was a pale blue shield with a snowflake imprinted on it.

“Hey, Snow,” I said, sitting up and patting the mattress next to me. My best friend at the academy hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to me. The two of us had met on our first day and became fast friends, helping each other with tests, pushing each other at PT, and sharing tasks and chores.

Snow wanted to stay in Canterlot and become a member of the City Guard before eventually moving up to the House Guard, the protectors of Princesses Celestia. She had tried many times to convince me to stay in Canterlot, and I was sorry to turn her down every time.

“What’s up with you?” I asked.

Snow looked down at the floor instead of at me. She looked more nervous than usual.

“I’ve been thinking, about my career,” she admitted after a moment.

“You’re having doubts? That’s a surprise,” I chuckled.

She gave me one of her trademark icy glares, and I immediately backed down, raising my hooves in surrender. “I’m serious, Strider,” she said. “I’ve been having second thoughts about being a Guard.”

“Why? You’re the top in the class,” I pointed out, and I’m not lying; Snow always went over everything twice to make sure that she’s done it properly, which is why she always came out on top at everything. It’s honestly kind of embarrassing for me; the one with the long lineage of Military Ponies from both sides of the family ends up fifth in the platoon.

“I know,” Snow said with a note of pride before falling back into contemplation. “I just sometimes wonder what else I could have done...if there was something else I could’ve done.” She turned to me. “Do you ever think about that?”

“No,” I replied. “I’ve always wanted to do this, and not just because of my family. I want to be a Guard because I want to make a difference; I want to help ponies, to be the one that others can count on.” I paused, then admitted. “And yes, because I want to travel Equestria and have adventures and all that other jazz.”

Snow giggled once, a soft little exhalation like a breath of chilly wind. “At least you’re honest.”

“Are you saying you don’t want to be a Guard?” I asked her.

She was silent for a moment, sucking on her lower lip in thought. “No, I do,” she said thoughtfully. “But I...I don’t think I want to do it forever. I want to try other things in my life as well.” She glanced up at me. “Unlike you.”

“I’ll have you know that I do plan on retiring one day,” I declared in mock offense.

“When you’re too worn out to walk or to fly,” Snow replied.

I put a hoof over her mouth. “Don’t jinx it,” I whispered.

She rolled her eyes. “We should be studying for the test.”

“If you insist,” I pretend to sigh, holding up the manual for us both to see.

Tomorrow was the big day. I had no intention of going home, and neither did Snow.

Snow and I were in the sweltering classroom finishing up our tests, surrounded by the sound of shuffling papers and scribbling pencils. The steady, slightly maddening ticking of the clock provided a steady rhythm to the soundtrack. I was just finishing up the last of my essay responses; the quiet whispering to my left told me that Snow had finished and was double-checking her answers.

“Twenty minutes remaining. Those of you who are done are all dismissed until evening chow,” the instructor at the head of the room called out.

Snow and I were the first ones up and out of the classroom. We exited into the crispness of the late afternoon, walking side by side around the building and through the bay doors to our quarters. I went straight to my bunk and started reorganizing my things, preparing my dress uniform for tomorrow. Snow gathered up a stack of envelopes that she had received from the mail and started slowly perusing them.

“Do you think we passed?” she asked over a letter.

“Sure we did,” I said with a grin.

“Do you think our first post will be easy?”

I was tempted to be cheeky, but I figured that wasn’t what she wanted to hear right now, so I went with being blunt. “No.”

Snow huffed. “You're no help.”

I looked up at her. “Hey, relax. If you’d stop worrying maybe you could see what I see.”

“And what is it you see?” She asked rolling her eyes.

I strode over and laid a hoof on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly in surprise and looked up, her blue eyes wide. “I see two exceptional cadets who did their best and nopony can ask any more of us,” I answered proudly, giving her a reassuring grin and a squeeze.

“I wish I shared your optimism,” Snow sighed. “I’m gonna read the manual again.” She went for her copy under her mattress.

I shook my head with a sigh and a smile. “You’re crazy.”

She smirked at me, “So are you.”

“Fair enough,” I grinned. I turned my attention back to my locker and let her go back to her studying, looking for the mistake that I knew she hadn’t made. Both of us tried not to think about the fact that tomorrow might be the last time we see each other again.

I was sweating like I’d just gone for an eight-kilometer run, but I was more bored than I ever had been in my life. Standing on the parade grounds, crammed together with seven other classes while we all waited for the generals and other officers to finish their speeches about how important being a Guard was and all the challenges that we’d endured were wearing my patience thin.

We were all waiting to get our rank pin. It’s what told us what rank we were out of the academy: Guard first class, second class, or third class. Guard third class was awarded to the lower ranks. The second was awarded to the intermediate group--ponies like me, while first class was given to the high achievers like Cadet Snow.

The classes were arranged on the parade grounds by—from what I could tell— first class recipients to third. Every one of us just wanted the officers to shut up and get on with it so we can finally celebrate with our families.

I could see Snow’s distinctive white and blue form up at the group at the head. Even from this far away, I could sense her rolling her eyes. I smiled softly to myself. I was going to miss her.

“Without further ado...Cadets! Approach and receive your rank,” the general said from his pedestal. I could care less about my rank at the moment, I wanted a bath and a long drink of cold water. These dress uniforms do not breath.

With the lines finally moving there was a bit of a breeze. This was it, graduating. One week after this I was to be on my way to Tall Tale. After that, I have no idea what would happen. I was looking forward to finding out though!

As I got closer to the front I spotted my mother, sister, and brothers sitting in the pews, all of them waving enthusiastically at me! I nodded back as I passed. I was glad to see that they had all made it. I was kinda hoping to see that my grandfather came anyway, but it wasn't disappointing that he’s not here.

I suddenly realized that one of the officers was shouting at me. “Cadet Flame Strider, step forward.” Recovering from my slip-up, I climbed the stairs onto the stage and stood at attention in front of the general and Lieutenant Riptide. Riptide stepped forward and gave me my rank pin, Guard Second Class. As my instructor stepped back, I stood a little taller and offered a salute to the general and my instructor. Not really supposed to do that right now but they didn't seem to mind.

“Make us proud, Guard.” The general’s way of telling me to move on. I hurried off the stage and joined my fellow Guards.

Snow was among the last few cadets to get their rank. Just another minute or two and we are allowed to leave the academy and spend some time with our loved ones before we leave for our unit.

“Ha, now you have to take orders from us!” my brother Thasus practically yelled at me as we walked out of the academy, reaching up to tussle my mane. He was a short black unicorn with a close-cropped dark red mane and tail and the cutie mark of a blue energy orb. Despite being older than me, he was the shortest of our siblings, something that we had never given him grief over.

“I do not,” I replied, easily pushing him off. “You’re Army, separate branch.”

He bumped his flank against mine. “Killjoy.”

“So where are you going first?” Orion asked me. Aside from his cutie mark being a winged dagger, he was virtually identical to my other two brothers. “I know you said you wanted to travel.”

“Tall Tale for a while, after that I was thinking Las Pegasus,” I said, allowing my head to float away to the faraway cities and towns of Equestria.

“Ah come on, you should come and chill with me in Cloudsdale,” Orion insisted, showing off his Navy strut. “I’m trying for the Wonderbolts you know, you could help me train like we used to.”

“Tempting but no, I’ve already seen enough of Cloudsdale. The paperwork is already done for Tall Tale. I might go to Cloudsdale, might not.”

Our mother, Sparrow, moved ahead of us with a flap of her scarlet wings, the bright color contrasting with the brown and black of her sparrow feather cutie marks. “That's enough about your work, boys. It’s time to celebrate,” she sung her last word with a smile, her sapphire eyes glimmering behind her long yellow mane.

“Mama is right,” my third brother Atlas nodded, slapping me heartily on the back and nearly knocking my heart out of my chest. He never did learn his own Earth pony strength. In fact, his cutie mark practically screamed of strength: a horseshoe holding up a globe. “You just graduated, you gotta cut loose for a while before you get to work.”

“Like you three did when you graduated?” my little sister Buttercup chimed in. The smaller light brown coated and golden brown maned earth pony with a yellow and green stemmed flower adorning her flanks put some extra steps between herself and Thasus.

Thasus whirled on her, his eyes widening and his horn sparking with surprise. “You promised that you'd keep those nights a secret!” he yelled.

“I didn't say anything about what happened, did I?” she smugly replied. She and Thasus began to argue, as usual. Atlas, Orion and my mother just rolled their eyes and ignored them.

I looked back at the Academy, retreating into the distance. For a moment, I wished that I could go back, to where I knew every day what the next would bring, where I was sure that I had others I could depend on, and where I could be with Snow. But that time had passed; I was a Guard now, and in a few days, I would be in Tall Tale to serve out my first assignment. But for now, it was time to celebrate with my family.

II

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I’m gonna give you the short version of what happened since my graduation. Graduation party, then hangover the next day. A few days after, my birthday, then hangover the morning after. Tomorrow will be the Summer Sun Celebration, my family and I both agreed that there would only be food at this next event. No booze this time.

Right now I was on my way to meet with Snow. She wanted to see me before I left. She’d successfully landed a position in the Canterlot City Guard. She had the morning off so we were going for coffee. Which I needed after my birthday party last night.

I reached my destination: the Jade Dragon Tavern, a popular spot for Guards and soldiers. They served everything: breakfast, dinner, drinks, coffee. I walked through the door and I immediately spotted the ice colored mare. Her coat stood out against the browns, greens, and reds of the tavern.

She stood up and came over to greet me with a smile. “Flame Strider, there you are. I was beginning to think you forgot.”

“I’ve been busy,” we sat down at a table. “How is your unit?”

“Right now, it is as to be expected. I’m getting all the unwanted assignments and my partner is as dense as a ton of bricks. I’m not sure how long I'm gonna be able to put up with her.”

“So get promoted,” I suggested. “That way you don't have to deal with her.”

“That is literally my number one goal right now,” she sighed and looked down at the table for a moment “So how’s the family? I know you once said that they could be a hoof full.”

“Let’s just say that I’m recovering from family-poisoning.”

A waitress came over. “Can I get you something?”

I spoke up first. “Coffee and some apple cinnamon pancakes please?”

“Just coffee for me please,” Snow smiled.

“Be right out,” the waitress walked away to complete the order.

An awkward silence fell on us. Snow was alternately rubbing her hooves, first her left hoof on her right, then her right hoof on her left; this, I’d learned in boot camp, was a sure sign that she was very nervous. Maybe I should’ve said something, but for now, I was content on just hanging out in silence while I waited for my coffee.

Snow cleared her throat, “So, Strider?”

I looked her in the eye. “Yes, Snow?”

“Any chance you’ve changed your mind about staying?” she asked quickly.

I rolled my eyes. “Not this again. You know once the paperwork for assignment is sent in, it’s as good as official.”

“I know, I know, but I’m afraid of what might happen when I don’t have you to help me,” she admitted.

“What did you do before joining the Guard?” I asked, in a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“Second guessed myself the whole time,” she said rather pathetically.

The waitress came back and put our order down with a smile before continuing on her way.

“Wow, okay. Look, obviously I’m not gonna be here to help you with your thought process. So you need to find a way to help yourself. I would recommend finding another friend that will be closer, and whose advice won’t be delayed.” I smiled on the inside. “What about your new partner? Surely you can talk to her.”

Snow set her head down on the table and groaned. “Oh sweet Celestia, I have only spent the past few days with the mare and I hate her soul already.”

“What has she done to earn your ire?” I asked, trying not to laugh as I tucked into my pancakes.

Snow took a deep breath before continuing. “All she cares about is her appearance. Not to mention her daddy is a high ranking officer with a lot of pull. Every time I turn around she is looking at her reflection. She’s infuriating!”

“Well at least your making friends,” I joked.

She glared, and I felt a chill running up my spine. “I will hurt you. Preferably that vanity absorbed b—”

I cut her off. “Nope! You can’t. You’d have to answer to the brass about the incident.” I smiled and kept eating.

We continued to talk for a long while like we usually did about various topics. Snow had a lot to talk about working the job, and she has only been working it for a few days. Right now I’m just hoping I don’t end up with a partner as bad as Snow's.

I had a few hours to kill before my grandfather and I were to go out. Until then I was with my grandmother Galaxy. The elder unicorn pony was always fun and full of life. Her midnight coat and her graying blue mane were always well kept. In spite of her special talent being astronomy—defined by the cluster of stars on her flanks—she had another talent in singing. And she can make a song out of anything: looking at stars, gardening, sweeping, doing the dishes.

“Granma, where do you want me to put this?” I called out, holding up a bag of dried apricots.

“Hm? Oh, put that in the cupboard for your mother.” She pointed to the food cupboard and then went back to putting away her bag of groceries. The Manehattan accent was heavy in her voice. ”Strider, dear, have you seen the bottle of pineapple juice I purchased?”

Pineapple juice, that was a bit different. “Not yet. Why?”

“I’m nursing a sore throat right now and pineapple juice helps it heal faster.” She looked at me. “I hope I didn’t leave it at the store.”

Right, I almost forgot. She is a pony who likes natural remedies. “I’ll look for it.”

“So. Atlas tells me there was a mare you fancied while in training. We ever gonna meet her?”

I curse Atlas and his big mouth. “It’s not likely Grandma. She and I are just friends.”

“That’s what I said about your grandfather and look where we are now,” She came over to me. “Hurry up and find a mare would you? I want some great-grandfoals before I’m too old to play with them.”

I looked at her with a bit of confusion on my face. “What about my brothers? How come you aren’t hounding them?”

“Your mother is bothering them just fine without my help. By the way, Buttercup is just starting to think about stallions, so you might wanna have a talk with her about that,” she added in a too casual tone when I put my head back in the pantry to put food away.

“What!” I jumped and slammed my head on a shelf. Ouch. “What do you mean?”

Grandma Galaxy just kept on talking like it was common knowledge. “I picked her up from school when we visited last month, and she was talking to a young buck that appeared to be on their hoofball team. She wouldn't stop giggling at what he was saying.”

Buttercup and stallions. That’s not good, and I was leaving the day after tomorrow. I had to inform Orion if he didn’t already know. I found the pineapple juice in a bag we hadn’t checked by the pantry. I took it out and brought it to my grandmother. “Found it.”

“Oh thank you, sweetie,” She took the juice in her magic and took a swig. “Ahh. That helped.” She went into the living room and levitated up a magazine as she sat down. “So what is your job gonna be in Tall Tale?”

I finished putting away the food and joined her in the living room. “I’m gonna be doing whatever my NCO tells me to. I will be helping with city-wide law enforcement. Tall Tale isn’t as big city like Manehattan, and there isn't a very strong Guard presence there.”

She looked up from her magazine. “Is there any crime there? Or is it really as peaceful as it sounds?”

“Oh, there is crime. Just what the low populace allows within the city. Petty thievery, domestic disturbances, nothing major like bank robbery or…” I lowered my voice “...murder.”

She slowly put the magazine down, giving me a concerned look. “You said ‘within the city’.”

“Outside the city of Tall Tale there is a more serious problem,” I admitted. “The forests are vast, the creatures within them can be dangerous at the best of times. There is a poacher problem in the forest, but the forest Rangers have a handle on that. Oh, sure there are smugglers all over Equestria, but poachers are another matter entirely.”

She was interested now. “How are they more of a problem?”

“The way to get animal fur the legal way is to have an animal expert shave the animal. These poachers do it the cruel and illegal way.”

Grandma winced. “I’m not gonna like this am I?”

“They kill the animal so it’s safer for them to take its fur,” I told her straight.

She gasped at the thought. “That is horrible! How did you find all this out when you haven't even been there yet?”

“Thasus was able to get me a file that told me all I needed to know.”

“Are these poachers all ponies?”

“No. Some are griffons coming from Griffonstone looking for an easy work.”

“Oh, griffons are dangerous. You be careful if you run into them.”

I sat up proudly. “Don’t worry about me, Grandma. They’re the ones who will need to be careful.”

Grandma smiled at that, almost laughed. “Don’t be looking for a fight now.”

I laughed a bit. “I won't be.”

She picked up her magazine again. “Why don’t you go have a nap before you take your grandfather out?”

I stretched my legs out a little. “I’ll do that. Wake me up if I’m asleep for too long.”

“Sure, sure. Thank you for your help.”

I went up to the room my brothers and I had as colts. Our mother kept it up in case we visit. The toys and posters that had once populated the room were long gone, but the bright blue wallpaper with the cloud decorations remained, as did the old but still strong hammocks and creaky oak dressers. I flew up to my canvas hammock that I had up in the corner and got settled. It didn’t take me long to nod off.

It was getting late, the sun dipping down to the horizon and the sky turning dark red. My grandfather Skyquake and I were just sitting on a cloud looking over Canterlot. The elder pegasus may be aged but he was still looked fit and strong; he’s just not as fast as he used to be. His gray coat hadn't changed. His red and yellow streaked mane has gray in it but was still in regulation for the Army. The cutie mark that decorated his flanks is a shield cracked by a lightning bolt.

We hadn’t looked at each other for a long while now, but I wanted to talk. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Curiosity was obvious in his voice.

“You taught me all I needed to know about the Guard. It helped.” I told him.

“I didn’t tell you everything. I told you what you needed to know about basic training. Everything that happens from now on is beyond me.”

I stole a glance at him. “What do you mean?”

“The world has changed much since I served. Nothing I know is relevant anymore.” He shifted his weight on the cloud. “But I’m proud of you, all of you. But promise me something son.”

“Yes, sir?”

He looked at me. I looked back as if he was my CO, and in many ways he was. “Do better than I did. Promise me that.”

I’m not entirely sure what he meant by that. “Yes, First Sergeant.”

He chuckled. “Don’t go using my old rank. I’m not in the Army anymore, you don’t take orders from me.”

I shot him a look. “You and I both know that’s not entirely true.”

“Maybe. Now let’s go get some food. I’m starving. And your grandmother will send out a search party if I'm gone too long.” He spread his wings and dropped off the cloud. I followed.

My brothers and I always did our best to make Grandpa Skyquake proud. But now we had a promise to keep. I was gonna keep it.

The Summer Sun Celebration. The longest day of the year. I no longer remember what the original reason for the celebration is. Something about defeating a great evil, history wasn't my best class. My family only used it as an excuse to get together and celebrate with all of us together. My brothers and I were in charge of the Barbecue. No better way to cook vegetables than an open flame.

Atlas flicked me with his tail. “Hey, Strider pass me the garlic powder will ya?” he said through the spatula he was holding in his mouth.

I slid the container off the counter, onto my wing, and brought it to him. “Here. You using the pepper?”

“No, it’s all yours.” He slid it over with a hoof. I took the pepper back over to the grill I was sharing with Thasus.

“Hey, Orion what has your unit been doing up in Cloudsdale?” Thasus spoke up and asked.

Orion gave an exaggerated groan. “Navy command has started sending out security details to protect our weather ponies. I’ve been on a few. I’m not sure what Command is worried about but the most I’ve dealt with is an angry phoenix nest.” He poked at the food in front of him.

“What are you up to in Las Pegasus, Atlas?” I turned to him. “You always have good stories.”

Atlas chuckled as he thought of something he could share. “The local guard have been having an issue with fighting rings. Ponies, griffins, donkeys, and animals are forced to fight until they can’t anymore.”

Orion looked to Thasus. “What about you Thasus? You just got your own squad right?”

Thasus nodded. “I did. They’re a bunch of misfits, but I hope to use that to my advantage. As for what’s happening in Baltimare, it’s mostly cargo problems at the dock at the moment. I’m not even on that side of the city though.”

Buttercup came out to join us. “What are you four talking about?”

“Work.” we all answered.

“Okay. Is the food ready yet? Everypony is getting hungry. Especially cousin Spartan Apple, that pegasus won't shut up about her pies.”

“Yeah, yeah, tell them, it will be ready in just a minute,” I said, tossing the peppers that I was grilling. Grandpa might have taught me all about being in the Guard, but it was Grandma who taught me how to work a grill.

“Good.” Buttercup said disappearing back into the house.

I looked over to Thasus. “Wanna work your magic?” I’ll be the first to admit that we abuse the fact he has telekinesis.

“Yeah yeah. Don't get your tail in a twist.” He levitated the food off the grills and onto some platters. “Shall we join everypony inside?”

“Lead the way.” Orion gestured with his wing.

Dinner was largely uneventful. Ponies from all over Equestria, mostly guards, but some from other professions, catching up with each other and waiting for the sun to go down. When the house is filled with approximately thirty ponies things get loud.

Once dinner was over and we had dessert, it was time for Grandma Galaxy's star stories. The younger ponies all gathered close around her as she weaved tales of Equestria when she was as small as they, but everypony listened. Telescopes and star charts were brought out from closets once all the stars came out.

After hours of pointing out stars, eating various desserts, catching up with everypony, and even welcoming the new family members that weren’t here last year. It was time for sunrise. Everyone was just sitting on the lawn waiting for the sun to rise again to greet the new day.

I turned to Orion. “So what’s your goal to complete for the next celebration?”

“Become a Wonderbolt. Duh,” He looked over to Atlas. “You?”

“Not sure I’ll get back to you on that. Strider?”

“Be good at my job. Thasus?”

“Get married.”

“What?” we all blurted.

“You don’t even have a marefriend,” I protested.

“Yes I do. She’s a unicorn who works at the Aquarium,” Thasus said defensively.

“Oh, we’ve got to meet her,” Atlas said with a laugh.

Thasus glared at him. “Not happening anytime soon. She’s shy. And like I’d let you around her,” he added beneath his breath.

Atlas tried again. “Well, what’s her name? Can we know that at least?”

Thasus stood firm. “Nope.”

Orion pouted poorly. “You're no fun.”

“Hey guys,” Buttercup looked worried. “Shouldn't the sun be up by now?”

We all looked over to a timer we had that counted until the sunrise. It was done counting down and the sun was still down. “Yeah, maybe the Princess is just held up with a speech?” Orion offered.

Thasus nodded. “Yeah, maybe.”

We heard Grandma Galaxy call us. “Hey, boys!”

We four stood up and went over to where she and Grandpa were seated. “What’s the matter?”

She didn’t take her eyes off the city. “Is the Guard doing something special this year that we are unaware of?”

I looked where she was looking and pegasus guards were overlooking the city from above in crowd control formation. “We should go see what is going on,” I declared. “Orion, you have rank so I’ll follow you. Thasus, Atlas, probably best you find a ground-bound unit.”

Orion nodded and spread his wings. “Good Idea.” He looked at grandmother and Buttercup. “Get everypony inside. Let’s move!” Orion took to the skies.

I followed after him. Atlas and Thasus galloped into the city, while Orion and I flew to find an Officer. Just like that, we were back to work. After flying only a few blocks we were stopped. The other abled bodied family members of mine who were guards went in various directions.

A pegasus sergeant. “Please return to your homes,” he barked at us, thinking we were civilians.

Orion spoke with authority and without hesitation. “Lieutenant Orion of the Equestrian Navy, authorization twenty-seven hydra. Report.” Authorization is needed when you aren't in uniform.

The Sergeant immediately recognized the code and gave a salute with his hoof. “Sir! The princess has been abducted by another dark alicorn. Current orders here are to get all civilians indoors until the search party finds her.”

“Can you direct me to who is in charge at the moment?”

“Captain Shining Armor of the House Guard. He’s in the Castle.”

“Thank you, Sergeant. This is Guard Second Class Strider, Tall Tale.” Orion gestured to me. “Give him something to do.” He then flew off toward the castle.

“Alright Strider. There is a park over that way.” He pointed to the western edge of the city. “Make sure the civilians there are on their way to their homes.”

“Yes Sergeant!” I bellowed, then hurried to do as asked.

The park was still full of ponies when I got there and not another guard in sight. Ponies were looking around in confusion. I flew to a good position above them and started shouting.

“By order of the Guard, we urge everypony to return to their homes!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. Some started moving. “By order of the Guard, we urge everypony to return to their homes!” I yelled again. That got them moving in a hurry. One more time. “By order of the Guard, we urge everypony to return to their homes!” Everypony was hustling now. Except for a pair of bat ponies, they were looking for something in the playground. I flew down to help.

“Ma'am, can I assist you?” I asked.

“We're looking for our foal. Hay-for-brains took his eyes off her for a second and she ran off.” She glared at her husband.

“In my defense, she’s faster than she looks,” he protested, shrinking away from his wife.

“No excuse,” his wife snapped. “Anyway, we could use some help finding her.”

“No issue ma’am,” I said. “How old is she and what is her name?”

“Her name is Jett, and she’s Nine.”

“Got it.” I gave a flap of my wings to get myself aloft. “I’ll circle the park.” I flew low and slow, only landing to check underneath something. This was taking up my time. Don't get me wrong, helping a random couple find their filly is okay. But I needed to go help elsewhere.

I heard the clang of a chain on a trashcan. I looked for the source of the sound and it was coming from the restrooms. As I approached I could see a little bat pony coming out of the restroom.

“Are you Jett?” I asked once I got close enough. All she did was nod. “Come along, your parents are worried sick.”

As she started to follow I took note of her appearance; She was a Thestral, that was unmistakable, the fangs, the almost gloss black color of her coat and mane. What I found interesting is that her wings were Thestral but half covered in feathers starting from the front.

She flapped her little wings as she tried to keep up with my gait. It was rather adorable to watch. I made my way back over to the bat pony couple and gave them their daughter back.

“Thank you for finding her.” The mother said putting the filly onto her back.

“Just doing my job ma’am. Speaking of, I need you to return to your home.”

The stallion spoke up. “Yes of course. Thank you.”

I watched as they hurried off with the dissipating crowd, then I looked over the buildings in the distance, pondering my next move.

I doubt that Sergeant remembers me. I flapped my wings and started back to my family. They will be wondering what is going on. And right now, I think they needed me to be with them.

Tall Tale I

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Well, now we have two Princesses. At least that’s what I’ve heard. We lose one Princess for a few hours and she comes back with a little sister.

Good thing I’m not sticking around here in Canterlot; just standing there at the train station was annoying. Ponies see my service bag and instantly assume I know things about the new Princess…”Luna,” I think her name is. Even if I did know something, I wouldn't be allowed to say anything.

Finally, the sound of a piercing steam whistle was music to my ears. The train pulled up to the station in a cloud of steam and squealing brakes. Passengers disembarked out of the carriages in a jungle of voices and luggage. After waiting a few minutes for the crowd to thin out, I managed to push my way through—ponies who noticed my service bag stood back to allow me past—and entered the guard train car towards the back. There was a guard train car attached to almost every train. The oak wood being held together by iron bolts was old sure, but it held together as strong as the day it was built. The seats weren't exactly comfortable, though; the padding was worn down after generations of use.

There were a few other Guards with me in this train car. Most looked scared to be away from where it was safe. The unicorn stallion sitting next to me seemed to be calm and collected though. He wasn't much smaller than me. Gold-brown coat, dark brown mane and a shield with an eye on it for a cutie mark. He was browsing an excessively outdated copy of the officer's manual, held in his magic.

“What’s your rank?” he asked without looking up.

I answered swiftly. “Second class. You?”

No hesitation. “Same.”

I continued the small talk. “You fresh out of the academy?”

“The Baltimare Academy, yeah,” he spoke with a little irritation.

Now I was curious. “That’s mostly an Army Academy, right?”

He put down his manual, but still didn’t look at me. “Yeah. Some muckraker in records didn’t file my paperwork right, so now I’m in the Guard instead of the Army.”

“Well, that sucks,” I said sympathetically.

He gave a laugh and finally turned towards me. “You're telling me. My name is Knight Gaze, but call me KG. What’s yours?”

“Flame Strider, most just call me Strider,” I answered. “Where were you supposed to be sent?”

He breathed deep and let it out forcefully. “I was gonna be sent into the Mysterious South. We have a rather large watchtower there in the Forest of Leota.”

“Down near New Horseleans, right? That is a long distance from home isn't it?” I asked.

“Not really. I have no family to speak of, no marefriend to hold me back,” he said.

I gave him a confused look. “The Army, Navy, and Guard are my family. Why? Are you gonna try to convince me otherwise?” He retorted, looking annoyed.

I shook my head. “Hey, it’s your life, live it how you want. I just can’t imagine living like you do.”

“Okay then.” He went back to his manual.

“You’re not opposed to having a friend right?” I offered a hoof.

He eyed me weighing his options. He gave a slight smirk. “Sounds good to me,” he extended his hoof and shook mine. “So how much longer we stuck on this train?”

I looked behind me to the clock at the back of the train car. Eleven twenty-seven. “About five hours.”

K.G. groaned then looked at me. “Got any cards?”

As a matter of fact, I did. “Wanna go a few rounds of poker?”

“You know it. Deal the cards.”

It was gonna be a long train ride. Might as well make the most of it, right?

Apparently, I am not good at poker. If I was betting real bits and not just paper scraps, I’d be living on dirt as a food source. We arrived in Tall Tale on time, but it felt like we were on that train for an extra hour with the thick crowds of Guards trying to pass by us.

The sun was starting to set by the time KG and I exited the train. We took a minute to stretch our limbs. “What do you think there is to do around here for off-duty hours?” I asked as I stretched my wings out.

He popped some joints before answering. “I don’t know. Maybe we can ask some locals on one of our days off or we can look while on patrol.”

I threw my saddlebag on. “Sounds like a plan. We should report to the Quartermaster for our gear.”

“Yeah let's go.” KG took the lead toward the Guard station.

Tall Tale might be a smaller version of Manehattan, only twenty-five square miles large, but it is still a sight; there are plenty of trees and grass-covered parks, even amongst the steel and concrete buildings. The tallest building in the center of the city was about fifteen stories high, dominating the skyline. The farther you got from the center, though, the shorter the buildings got.

The City Guard compound was in the four-story average of the city closest to the train station. Upon arrival to the compound, we approached the front gate. Two average looking third class guards stuck on gate monitor duty stopped us. “Papers?” one asked.

As I fiddled with my bags to get out my orders, KG got his out and showed them to the guard. After I finally got mine out, KG took them in his magic and brought them forward to the guard, who examined them both, then nodded. “The Quartermaster is on the other side of the compound in the basement,” he instructed us. “Head straight through the yard, stay away from the Cage, you’ll see the sign.”

KG returned my papers to my bag. “Thanks, guys,” he said as they opened the gaits.

As they closed the gaits one of them replied half-heartedly, “Don’t mention it.”

KG turned to me. “I’m probably not one to judge pony behavior, but did they seem a little down to you?” he asked as we started across the yard.

“A little yeah.” I glanced at the sky. “It’s probably because this place has a problem with cloud cover. Because of its proximity to Vanhoover and the Frozen North, the weather ponies can only do so mutch. The best they can manage here is light cloud cover, rain three times a week, and one day of sunny skies. It’s worse in Vanhoover.”

“Wait, I thought pegasi controlled all weather?” KG asked in surprise.

“In most of Equestria yes that is true,” I explained. “But some places like the Everfree Forest we can't control at all. Then there are the in-between areas like this one that we can only try and control.”

“I guess that makes sense.” KG looked past me, I followed his sight. “I’ll bet that is what they were talking about when they said ‘The Cage,’” he said as we gave it a wide birth.

The Cage was Tall Tail’s jail. Integrated right into the compound, the jail yard was separated from the rest of the yard by a double fence. There was only about a foot of space between fences. I examined the prisoners as we passed by; mostly Gryphons, probably poachers. There were a few ponies in there as well, but not many.

“I’d hate to get that assignment,” I commented.

“I agree. Let’s hurry up.” I sped up my walk, KG following. We eventually reached a set of stairs going underground with a sign that said, “Quartermaster.” We descended down the stairs and into a dull room with only a few crystal lights strung up on the ceiling.

An earth pony mare was sitting behind a desk in the back. Her head was lying facedown on the desktop and she was snoring softly. Her coat was a light blue and her mane a much darker blue. I couldn't see her cutie mark; it was behind a counter and underneath a utility uniform. According to the rank insignia on her shoulders, she was a Warrant Officer.

“Why do you think she’s like that?” KG whispered to me.

“Don't know,” I whispered back. I walked up to the counter and set my forehooves on it. “Excuse me?” I asked with my normal volume.

“Ah!” She woke up with a start and nearly fell back. Once she realized we were really there, she spoke in an irritated grumble. ”Oh, okay, let me see your papers before you get your armor and rooms.”

“Yes ma’am,” I said, reaching into my saddlebags and rummaging around. Oh, darn it all, where’d they go this time?

She groaned impatiently. “Hoof them over.” I finally pulled mine out and put it on the counter in front of her. KG did the same. She didn't look up from our papers. “Your papers are all in order, no errors. This is a first,” she grumbled.

“Not many ponies from military families or that are going to the Army come here I take it, ma'am?” KG asked.

“No, none in fact.” She turned around to the shelves of boxes that held pieces of armor. “Unicorn, size medium-large.” She scanned the shelves until the landed on a box. “Ah, here we are.” She pulled it off the shelf with her muzzle and slid it around the counter to KG. “Here. try this on.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Knight Gaze started to don his armor.

“Pegasus, size large.” She immediately got what I assumed was Pegasus armor and brought it round to me. “Put that on.”

“Right away ma’am.” I opened the box to see my armor. It was unpainted steel with mushroom leather strappings. The standard City Guard emblem—a purple and navy blue shield with a crescent moon atop a star—was etched into the green fabric that decorated the sides of the armor. This armor was heavier than the armor we wore in the academy. It found that it fit comfortably around my wings, and hugged my form. The hoof guards fit nicely too. The helmet matched the armor with a green crest.

“Everything fit?” she asked.

“Yes ma'am.” we responded.

“Alright, if anything breaks or something stops fitting come back. Now for your rooms.” She opened up a logbook and started flipping through pages. She stopped on a page in the back section of the book, grabbed a pen in her mouth, and wrote something down. Spitting the pen out of her mouth she looked at us. “You're both on the third floor, room N-07. Now leave me alone.” She waved us away.

“Well, she was just a ray of sunshine,” I commented once we were out of earshot.

KG nodded in agreement. “I think you're right about the lack of sunlight getting to the ponies here.”

“Wanna go to the commander first or to our room to drop our stuff off?”

“We should go to the commander first. He might be mad we were here and didn’t report to him first.”

“Good point. Let’s go.” I headed toward the offices with KG just a step behind.

The offices were back at the front of the compound. There were two doors marked with signs. One said “Barracks and Sergeant offices,” the other said “Commander.” We went straight for the commander’s door. Inside there was a small waiting room and a door with a line in front of it.

I walked up to the door, standing behind the line, and knocked three times. Rule of a feather; knock on a commander’s door three times and wait.

“Come in!” I heard the commander yell. We entered the room and stood at attention. His office was empty, It had four gray walls, a gray floor, a gray ceiling, a gray desk, and gray filing cabinets, the nameplate on his desk read ”Commander Halberd”. The unicorn behind the desk was all a bronze color. Head to hoof. “Report,” he barked.

KG seemed stunned so I spoke, “Academy second class graduates, Flame Strider, and Knight Gaze. Reporting.”

“Go talk with Sergeant Solar Aurora. She’s in charge of you now. Dismissed.”

I was about to turn away when KG finally said something. “Sir, I would like to discuss the issue with my papers.”

“Dismissed soldier. I won't say it again,” Halberd grunted, already looking back down at his desk.

KG looked peeved, “Yes, sir,” he answered. We both turned and exited. As soon as the door closed behind us, KG growled to himself. “Does he have a Timberwolf up his tail or something?”

“Maybe the Sergeant will be more clear on our orders,” I opened the door to the Sergeant's offices. There was a short hallway with four doors, all with names plastered on them. I quickly found the one with Sergeant Solar Aurora’s name on it. “You wanna knock this time?”

“Sure.” KG moved to knock on the door. It opened before he could though. We snapped to attention.

Sergeant Solar Aurora was standing behind the door. She was a unicorn, about average sized. She was a red with an orange mane and tail. Again, I couldn’t see her cutie mark because it was blocked by her armor.

“Oh good, you're done with the Commander,” she said in relief. “Come in so we can talk. Give me your paperwork. I wanna ask you two some questions before I tell you what you’ll be doing.” She moved back behind her desk.

KG and I came in and did as told. Once she had our papers she started reading them both and taking notes. “You two have excellent reports for being fresh out of the academy,” she commented. “Why’d you two want to come here to Tall Tale?”

I cleared my throat. “I wanted to see how Guards here handle things here. So when I move on to the next city, I can have outside experience, Sergeant.”

She blinked in confusion. “Move on to the next city?”

“I plan on going to every city and learning all I can about being a guard in each city, Sergeant,” I explained further.

“A worthy goal, we’ll talk further in a sec.” She looked at KG. “And you?”

“Sergeant, I actually didn’t want to be in the Guard. I wanted to be in the Army. But some quill pusher messed my paperwork up royally. Now I’m stuck here.” He explained clearly.

“In that case, I’ll get your paperwork squared away. What unit did you want to be with?” she asked getting ready to write it down.

“The Army garrison down south in the Forest of Leota.”

“Got it. Now as for you Strider. Tall Tale should not have been your first stop.”

I pricked my ears up at this news. “Why not, ma’am?”

“It’s kinda unspoken that Tall Tale is where all the graduates that need to be given extra training get sent. We usually get bad third class Guards and turn them into bad second class Guards. You two are good second class guards. That means you don’t belong here.” She leaned back in her seat.

“My I ask a question, Sargeant?” I asked. She nodded. “What is the deal with the Commander?”

“Some rich pony put his pompous son through Officers School and this is what the Guard did with him. He does nothing while us sergeants do everything. End of story.” She took a breath. “Now I’m gonna start your paperwork to go to the next city at the end of the six-month minimum requirement. Baltimare okay with you?”

“Yes, Sergeant,” I nodded.

“Good. Knight Gaze, you're gonna be leaving at the same time to the Mysterious South. Now in the meantime, I want to be able to make you both First Class Guards by the end of these six months. You two are partners. Come to me after morning chow tomorrow morning for your first week's assignment. The compound’s schedule is on the door to your room. Dismissed.” She waved us off.

“Yes, Sergeant!” KG and I said loudly without it being yelling, then exited her office.

We hurried up to the third floor. ‘N’ means north side of the compound, It wasn't far of a trot. Once in that wing of the building we found room seven. It was small, a window, two beds, two wall lockers. The beds were on either side of the window with the lockers at the foot of each bed. The latrine was down the hall.

“Reminds me of training,” I commented, testing the mattress. “Hey, they even use the same itchy, stiff mattress!” I grinned up at Knight, hoping to get a chuckle out of him at least.

KG rolled his eyes. “Well, she did say this place was a second training ground for the really bad cases.” He started to remove his armor for the night.

I started to remove my armor as well, but I wasn’t going to bother unpacking my few items right now. I’d save that for another day. “What assignment do you think we’ll get?” I asked him.

“Well, she pretty much said that we were her best two. So I guess whatever job that she needs to be done right.” He closed his locker and climbed into his bed.

I was still fiddling with my armor; darn clasp was stuck. “Hey, maybe a little magical assistance here?”

“Can’t hear ya, I’m asleep.”

“Hey sleepy, you gonna check the schedule and set the alarm?”

“Oh, yeah.” He levitated the schedule off the back of the door and over to him. “Breakfast chow is at seven. That means we want to be up by six.” He turned the alarm dial on the clock to six.

I finally got my armor off and stored it in the locker. “See you in the morning,” I yawned, getting into my bed.

KG rolled over. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I replied, turning out the light and pulling the covers up over my head.

I’ll admit that I was looking forward to the end of the six months here. But I was also worried about the time between now and then. Six months was a long way off and a lot can happen between now and then.

Tall Tale II

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Clockwork. The morning routine of a Guard is like clockwork. Wake up as soon as the bell goes off, hurry down the hall, shower, back to your room, and put your armor on. If you can do that before a Sergeant comes by to wake the barracks you can get top marks. Knight Gaze and I were both already in the mess hall having breakfast when the Sergeants came in. They all looked confused at our presence.

“Look at that! The rookies are up before anypony else,” one Sergeant commented. They weren't talking directly to us so we kept eating.

Another nodded in agreement. “That's new.”

They continued talking as they got their meals. “Yeah,” the first Sergeant nodded at us. “Fresh meat, second class at that. Something we almost never see here in Tall Tale.”

The Sergeants continued their idle chatter while KG and I had our breakfast. I had a newspaper in front of me that I was scanning.

Wonderbolts Las Pegasus race results: First Place, Captain Spitfire, Second Fleetfoot, Third Firestreak.

Case Cracked in the city of Vanhoover! PI Phillip Finder breaks a case that baffled local Guard for weeks.

Whomever this Phillip Finder was, it sounds as if he is good at his job. A shame he is a private investigator; the Guard could use every good detective it can.

Sergeant Solar Aurora marched in, heading toward us with a rapid step. “Ah, just the pair I wanted to see.”

KG and I stood and faced her direction. “Yes, Sergeant?”

She suppressed a grin. “At ease. Since you two are up first you get the good assignment. As soon as you're done with your meals, get down to the Lantern District and relieve the two guards there. Keep the tourists from getting out of hand.”

KG and I responded with full energy. “Yes, Sergeant!”

She nodded, suppressing another grin. “Carry on.” She turned and regrouped with the other Sergeants as we sat back down to finish breakfast. We could hear the Sergeants asking Solar Aurora questions like, “Why are they here?” or “Aren’t second class guards worried about their careers?” She quietly explained our situations.

On our way out of the complex, KG picked up a map. I figured it would come in handy later. Turns out that the Lantern District is in the old town on the south side of the city, between the newer area of the city and the forest. It also held the convention center in the area.

Once in the Lantern District we started to look for the two guards we were replacing for the day. In our search, we saw a large selection of bars, clubs, restaurants, mare’s clubs, and stallion’s clubs. I slowed as we passed one of the stallion’s clubs; I’d never been to one before, and I could hear curiosity calling my name. However, Knight Gaze snapped me out of my daze with an eye roll and a flick of his tail to my face.

“There they are,” he grunted, jerking his head towards one of the bars. The two Guards were standing in front of the swing-open doors, and they both looked a little wobbly.

I shook my head at insufficient discipline these two were displaying as I approached. “We're here to relieve you for the day,” I stated. “Get back to the complex and sleep whatever you drank off before the Sergeants see you.”

The third class guards nodded in agreement and walked lazily off, stumbling and weaving with every step.

“These are what the Guards we’re working with are like?” KG asked me incredulously. “Don't the businesses here know they shouldn't be serving on duty Guards drinks?”

I just shrugged my wings as we started on our patrol. “Perhaps we should remind the shopkeepers, and bartenders while on patrol today?” I said in a sarcastic tone of voice.

He nodded in agreement. “It would probably mean less drunken Guards returning to the complex in the day to day.”

That wasn't the expected response. “Wait, are we actually considering this?” I asked quickly. KG nodded seriously. “Wait, wait, I was joking—”

“It will give us something to do at least.” KG started down the street on patrol. “We should start with the end, that way we know where we've been.”

I followed after him “A wonderful start to the career huh?” I asked with a fake smile on my face. KG just rolled his eyes.

I followed after him. At least this might give me a chance to look for good places to hang out after work.

The Lantern District was where the tourists hang out, so it was probably only a good idea to come here during the week. A bar called the Caustic Moon caught my attention the first time we passed, and Knight thought it was an agreeable place to look for lunch. It was a rather dark colored place, black wood, brick, and silver trim. It was run by a few Bat Ponies. Our waitress found us a seat that looked out into the street through the window.

“This place isn’t bad,” I commented, watching ponies pass by on the sidewalk. “The mares around here look especially nice.”

KG looked up from his hayburger. “Yeah, I suppose they do look nice.”

I laughed a bit. “You ‘suppose’? Do you like mares or not?”

KG shrugged. “I’m partial to both mares and stallions. Although I’ll admit mares do look nicer.”

I nodded at his explanation. “Well, there is nothing wrong with that. Have a look at our waitress.” I pointed quickly.

KG looked over his shoulder at her. She was a nice stone gray bat pony with a two tone blue and light blue mane and tail. Lovely figure: she reminded me of Snow. When KG looked back at me his face had reddened. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” he muttered, stuffing hay fries into his mouth to try to kill the conversation.

“Of course you don’t,” I smirked.

Our waitress came over. “Will there be anything else?”

“No!” KG said loudly through a mouthful, causing me to snicker. Glaring at me, he swallowed his food before amending. “No, thank you.”

I got her attention, trying to hold back my laughter. “If we could get the check please.” She nodded and trotted off to get the check.

I grinned at my partner, who glared stonily back. I think I just found the chink in KG’s armor. I would definitely be bringing him back to this place.

The sun was beginning to dip below the cityscape. Our shift was coming to a close. KG had told every place that sold an alcoholic beverage to not sell anything intoxicating to on-duty guards. I waited outside every time. We had some good chats with a few tourists that were asking for directions, luckily we had a map on us. We were now headed back to where the shift change happens.

“Well, this was a pretty uneventful day,” I commented.

KG looked a bit confused. “That a bad thing?”

I shrugged. “Eh, I was just kinda hoping we’d get to settle one issue. Instead, we told bartenders what not to do.”

“I told them. You stood outside.” KG corrected.

“I know that.” Right about then we heard a loud crash from an alley behind us, causing me to almost jump out of my armor. “Tell me that was you,” I said to KG quietly, daring to hope the impossible.

He gave me an annoyed glare: not as intimidating as Snow, but pretty scary nonetheless. “Did you see my horn glowing?”

I sighed. “No. Let’s go have a look,” I suggested, moving toward the alley.

KG groaned. “Oh come on. We're almost off the clock.”

“You know we’re never off the clock right?” I chuckled.

We started into the alley, a brick-lined narrow street between a bar and a hotel. KG sent out a spot of light with his horn to pierce the darkness as I attached my flashlight to my shoulder plate and turned it on. “I know I envy civilians for that small detail,” he muttered.

We searched for whatever made the sound, sweeping every inch of the alley. Our lights eventually fell on a trash can that had been knocked over, scattering its contents everywhere. “Why do you care? We’re on the clock twenty-four-seven. We get paid the entire time,” I reasoned, continuing down the alley.

KG was examining the knocked over garbage with his magic. “True, so I shouldn't be complaining.” Once he was done, he caught up to me.

“Hey, you went through Army training right?” I asked, looking at a pile of boxes.

KG was looking down a dead end off-shoot of this alleyway. “Yeah, I told you before I was supposed to go into the Army.”

I paused my search to look at him. “That means you weren’t taught the stun spell the Guards are supposed to learn. You learned something with a little more kick, didn't you?”

He looked at me, unintentionally shining his light into my eyes and causing me to flinch. “I hadn't thought about that,” he admitted. “I suppose I should ask the Sergeant for a quick lesson when we get back?”

“You should indeed,” I replied, rubbing spots out of my eyes. I looked around the remainder of the alley. “There is nothing here. Come on.”

KG nodded. “Yeah, let’s get out of here.” We started out of the alley when a griffon darted out of the shadows behind us, shoved past us, and bolted down the alleyway.

“I’d call that suspicious behavior,” I grunted, helping KG back up.

KG and I immediately began pursuit. “Halt! By order of the Guard!’ I shouted. Naturally, the griffon didn't stop. I flew down the alley in pursuit, KG not more than a few gallops behind me. The griffon turned into the dead end. “Suspect going right!” I shouted back to KG.

I rounded the corner into the dead end, I got a brief look at the griffon. Male, gold colored beak and talons, black feathers, gray fur, and tail. Unfortunately, I only had time for a brief glance before he threw a full metal trash can onto my head. I fell down to the ground, dazed by the impact and blinded from the can over my head.

“Help!” I shouted, staggering around and struggling to get the trash can off my head. I banged into the wall and stumbled away, my head ringing from the reverberations.

“Hold still,” came KG’s voice, muffled through the metal. A moment later, the can was jerked off my head, causing me to stumble.

“Where is he?” I shouted, whirling around.

“The griffon took to the air and fled as soon as you were down,” KG explained. “He got away.” He helped me up. ”It’s a good thing you got that helmet.”

I rubbed my neck, massaging the sore muscles. “Yeah, a good thing,” I muttered.

“Well, there is a bright side to this,” KG sighed.

“Yeah, what’s that?” I asked, confused.

KG started chuckling. “You got some action on your first day.”

I stared for a moment, then I started laughing with him. “I did ask for it, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did,” KG grinned at me for a moment before returning to seriousness. “Come on. Let's go fill out a report with the Sergeant, and then have the medic look you over to make sure.” KG started back to where we came from.

I followed. “That sounds like a plan.”

When we got back to the Guard complex, we reported to Sergeant Aurora on what we did the whole day. She was mildly pleased we reminded the barkeeps to not sell to on-duty Guards. She was, however, less than happy the griffon assailant got away. Fortunately, she wasn't mad at us. While I was filling out a report on the matter, KG got a quick magic lesson in stun spells.

“Rules of engagement are to only use lethal spells in a life and death scenario, where yours or somepony else’s life is in immediate danger,” Sergeant Aurora explained as KG practiced the stunning spell at a small target that she had conjured. “Fall back on the stunning spell on any other scenario.”

“I understand. Thank you for the lesson, Sergeant,” KG nodded, hitting the target three times in rapid succession.

After that, KG insisted on taking me the medic for a check, firmly cutting off my every protest. “Getting hit on the head with a trash can is no laughing matter, Strider,” he stated as he almost literally dragged me to the infirmary.

“Actually, it kind of is,” I stated; I had to admit, after the fact, it was kind of funny. KG just rolled his eyes again.

No injuries, and no concussion thankfully. I was in a hurry to get back to our room and end the day. Once we reached our dorm, both KG and I took our armors off, then headed over to chow for dinner.

“So what are we gonna do for our day off?” KG asked me, taking another bite of his daisy salad.

“Well, I was thinking,” I started, twirling my fork through my warm spaghetti. “After we get off work, we could go to one of those bars and see what the nightlife is like,” I explained.

“That sounds fun,” KG said flatly. “As long as you don’t try and hook me up with anypony.”

I had to suppress a grin. Funny, that was exactly my plan. “I wouldn’t. I was gonna try and get some tail myself, therefore you gotta be my wing-pony.” I was lying through my teeth, but it was for a good cause. Knight Gaze needed to let loose. He was too serious.

KG looked at me for a moment. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”

“Relax. Our day off is so we’re not working with a hangover.”

“I don’t often drink,” KG admitted.

“That is what a wing-pony is supposed to do,” I explained. “Make sure the other doesn't get too hammered.”

KG raised a brow. “I have a feeling that you have an ulterior motive for going out.”

I gasped. “You wound me with your words,” I said in false offense, holding my hoof over my heart. “The notion that you think I’m untrustworthy!”

KG gave me unfazed look. “We’ve only known each other for two days.”

“Still,” I said, returning to my food.

“I’m onto you,” KG warned.

“Sure you are,” I finished.

The rest of our dinner conversation went onto topics about the next few days work. After dinner, it was time to hit the showers, and then bedtime.

As we started walking back to our dorm, we ran into Sergeant Aurora, who was coming out of the showers with a damp towel over her shoulders. Her coat was still wet and gave a shine to her flanks. KG and I both snapped to attention as I commanded my wings to remain at my sides.

“Oh, Strider,” she greeted me as she passed. “Just wanted to let you know, I’ve sent out the description you gave of the griffon who attacked you to the newspapers. But don't keep your hopes up, it not very likely that we'll find him.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am,” I nodded. Aurora continued on her way, allowing us to head back to the dorm for a well-earned rest. I'd never say it aloud, but our NCO was hot.

Anyway, assaulting a Guard is a serious crime, but it also happened a lot more often than we like to admit. And in a city like Tall Tale, the chances of catching this perp are low.

Tall Tale III

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Four days. Four days since the assault by a dark colored griffon. Since then, not one inkling of the griffon’s whereabouts. Sure while I would certainly like to of had the griffon brought in but lately, I was realizing that would be harder than normal.

Every hour, we were giving and receiving full detailed reports on duties and posts that occurred outside of the complex. Even trips out of the compound for R&R while off duty had to be cleared by one’s NCO. The entire City was on edge, there has been recent tension between the griffon population and the Guard.

Knight Gaze and I were off duty now, relaxing in our dorm, before we walked down to Caustic Moon. We had already eaten dinner, and I was just going through my mail on my bunk as KG flipped through the pages of a magazine entitled Iron & Clad, a catalog of swords armor, and various weapons.

Standing up and giving his legs a stretch, KG moved over to the window and looked out across the city. “I guess it’s true about what they say about Military Ponies,” he said.

Looking up at him, I asked “They say a lot of things. Which saying you talking about?”

“We are the Sheepdogs: Peaceful and nonviolent until somepony attacks our flock.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “The Sergeants are really cracking down on all of us, as well as the city.”

“Sergeant Aurora seems frustrated, though. The other Sergeants are giving her Guards different orders every day.” I stated my observation.

“Except us,” KG added, ears flicked back and forth in agitation.

I nodded. “Except us, because we know that Sergeants aren't supposed to give orders to another Sergeant’s guards. It breaks the chain of command.”

Ears laid flat against his head, KG let out an annoyed huff. “I’m gonna go take a shower before we head out.” Grabbing his shower gear, he made his way to the door.

I waved a wing at him as he exited our dorm. “I’ll be here,” I said as I returned to the letters I had received earlier.

Sitting on top were letters from my brothers Atlas and Orion, followed by a letter from my sister Buttercup, and finally one from Snow. I wanted to know how Snow was doing. The other letters could wait As I opened the letter, I got a faint hint of spearmint. Something new Snow is trying maybe? I breathed it in and tried to imagine Snow, seeing her face clearly in my mind as I began to read the letter.

“Strider,

Things are going well here in the Canterlot Guard for me so far. How are you in Tall Tale? The newspapers aren't painting a good picture about the guards there. I wanted to come see you but things are a little crazy here at the moment.

A pair of dragons arrived in Canterlot and the citizens have had some concerns. But the older one claims to be an ambassador to dragons, and he was surprisingly nice. I had to escort him out of a library for causing a small disturbance, and he was surprisingly calm about it. It also helps that Princess Celestia seems to have welcomed him.

I’m sad to say that I’m cutting this letter short because I don’t have a lot of time on my hooves right now. Everypony’s NCO is running them ragged, mine included.

See you soon partner,

Snow.

P.S. You never sent me that postcard!”

I was rather surprised as I kind of expected a longer letter. But, a short letter is better than no letter, right? Shrugging, I was about to read my brother’s letters when KG came back.

“Hey, you ready to go?” he asked, standing in the doorway, shifting from hoof to hoof.

I dropped the letters on my bunk and hopped off with a spring in my step. “Yeah, let’s go,” I said as I grabbed my bit bag and tucked it under my wing.

We made our way out of the Complex and I noted that the night watch had taken over. Our excursion had already been cleared with Sergeant Aurora yesterday, so the Guards let us through without any trouble. Most of the city had quieted down, but the closer we drew to the Lantern District, the noisier it became. There were still plenty of taxis on the roads slowly moving between the numerous bars, waiting for the drunks to stumble out.

We were only a few minutes from the Caustic Moon, minding our own business when four Griffons showed up and blocked our path. KG instinctively tensed, preparing for a fight, but I put my wing up in front of him to stop him. These Griffons looked angry, but there was nothing in their body language that suggested true hostility, just intimidation.

The one that looked like their leader—a large, dark gray griffon with bloodstone red eyes—spoke. “We want to know why you Guards are constantly stopping us on the street to ask us dumb questions?”

“It’s harassment. We happen to know your Princess wouldn't allow such a thing,” another screeched.

I started to explain, “We are just trying to—”

One in the back interrupted. “Save it, you guards only care about your own kind? Are you always searching for us griffons and assume we did something wrong? We never hear of citywide searches for ponies. Why is that?”

“And like you don’t give us enough grief, now other ponies are trying to push us around, too,” the leader added. “Stores refuse us service, ponies passing in the streets throw trash and yell at us...how come you’re not doing anything about that?!”

“You might want to tell your guard friends to back off us griffons,” the fourth one stated, shoving his face right into mine. I refused to step back but kept my expression neutral. My heart raced, ready to move if need be.

“Yeah,” the leader said before pushing past KG and me.

KG waited for them to be out of earshot before speaking. “With attitudes like that, it’s a wonder why ponies don’t trust them.” His tone was irritated but I knew that was sarcasm.

I put a hoof on his shoulder. “Come on, we’re supposed to be relaxing tonight, not thinking about work.”

We resumed walking into the Lantern District. There were ponies everywhere. Unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, bat ponies, and I could have sworn I saw a Zebra somewhere in the crowds. We got into the Caustic Moon without any more incidents with griffons.

The Caustic Moon was in full swing. Live music, full dance floor, three bartenders on duty, gorgeous waitresses everywhere, and plenty of single mares. Although if KG liked both mares and stallions, I guess I’d have to keep an eye out for stallions too.

We sat down at the end of the bar closest the door. KG and I started the night off with some hard ciders. KG kept his eyes focused on his drink and the counter in front of him. I, however, had my eyes scanning the crowd.

KG turned to me, an annoyed expression on his face. “Why are we here again?” he asked, having to raise his voice to talk over the crowd and music.

“You need to loosen up, that's why. And I want to relax.” I patted him on the back and smiled at him.

His ears folded back. “I don’t need to loosen up,” he grumbled and took another swig of his cider. “I need to be studying my manual. I don't know why I let you talk me into this.”

He needed something to look forward to. “Alright, look. If nothing interesting happens in the next hour, we'll go back to the compound. Okay?”

He glared at me for a minute. “Okay, fine. One hour. I'm watching the clock.”

“Alright deal.” I waved down the bartender. She leaned in to listen for a request. “Another cider please.”

While the bartender went to fill out my request, I returned to scanning the crowd. As luck had it, I noticed a thestral mare on the opposite side of the room from us, watching us out of the corner of her eye. Her white coat shimmered in the dim light as her gray mane hung around her in long, flowing rings. Her gray tail slowly swept its way back and forth across the floor, the subtlest hint of interest. What stood out the most were her vibrant red eyes. Eyes that sparkled as if to say that she knew something we didn’t. This mare might just be the perfect candidate for Knight Gaze. It didn’t hurt that there was nopony else at her end of the bar.

I needed to figure out if she was looking at me or KG. I put a hoof on KG’s shoulder. “I”ll be right back,” I told him.

“Take your time,” was all he said.

I moved through the crowd doing my best to keep an eye on the mare. Her eyes didn't follow me. That was good for KG. Being quiet in here wasn't a problem, but it was quieter on this side of the room. I snuck up behind her and watched for another minute.

She would take a small sip of her drink every once in a while, keeping the corner of her gaze fixed on KG.

I decided to approach her. I quickly sat in the seat beside her. “Hey, there. How are you doing?” I immediately cringed at my cheesy approach.

She barely looked at me. “I’m doing fine,” she said out loud. Her tone said, “Get lost.”

I cleared my throat. “I noticed you looking at my friend over there at the bar.”

She looked at me now. “The handsome brown unicorn stallion sitting on the end is your friend?” She kept glancing between me and KG.

I nodded. “He is. You should go talk to him.” I pointed a hoof at him.

“Hmm. Perhaps.” She gave KG a pondering look. “He doesn't look to be in the mood though.”

“He responds to orders pretty well,” I grinned. “Just give him a few orders and he'll comply.”

She didn’t say anything else. She just sat there weighing her options. I sat there watching her think. Without another word, she stood up and walked over to KG.

I moved to a place where I could listen in. “Hey, there handsome. You new around here?” the mare asked KG in a slightly sultry voice.

The annoyed look KG had put on vanished, replaced by a look of dumbfounded awe. He just nodded dumbly at the mare. He was worse at this than I thought.

The mare was looking at him like he was a piece of candy. “You're much more to look at up close.”

KG was frozen. He had no idea what was going on. I was doing my best to not laugh at him.

“How about this—” the mare leaned in to whisper in KG’s ear. I couldn’t hear what she said.

It must have been something good because even through his fur, KG’s face was as red as an apple. “Okay,” he managed to choke out in a high-pitched voice.

The mare took him by the hoof and started leading him out. KG quickly looked my way for help, but I just used a wing to encourage him to go with her.

Once KG was gone I went back up to the bar and waved down the bartender. “That mare and stallion that just walked out. I'd like to pay for their drinks and mine.”

She nodded and went to collect the receipts. When she came back she had three scraps of paper. “Thirty-nine bits please.”

I fished the bits out of my bit bag along with a tip. I threw them on the counter. “What else is there to do here?”

She thought for a brief moment, “We have a pool table over there.” She pointed to an off corner of the bar.

“Thanks.” She nodded and went back to work. I made my way over to the pool table and watched. “I'll play winner,” I called out to the two bat ponies playing.

They merely nodded and resumed their game. The bat pony stallion was large, and almost midnight in color. The dark blue mare was of average height and weight and had dark red hair.

I watched as one by one the striped and solid balls fell into each pocket. Before long, there were only three balls left. The mare lined up her shot and fired off a strike on the three ball bounced off the eight ball and sent them both into a pocket.

“Ha! Pay up sucker!” she laughed, holding out a hoof.

The stallion grumbled and dropped a fifty-bit piece in her hoof, and then stormed off. I approached her. “Wanna go a round?

“You willing to put some bits on the game?” she smirked.

“What’s the bet?” I asked, taking a pool cue from the wall.

She grinned. “Fifty bits, if you win you keep the hundred.”

I gave her a challenging look. “Rack ‘em.”

She set the table up and I took the break shot. None of the balls went in a pocket. “You take the deciding shot,” I told her.

She nodded and studied the table. She took her first shot on the eleven stripe, which rolled down the table and just barely missed the side pocket. She grunted in frustration.

I was solid colors then. I moved around the table to line up the cue with the thirteen-stripe and the four solid. I slid the cue stick through my hoof a few times to practice and took the shot. The cue struck the thirteen, which hit the four into a corner pocket. “Yes,” I mumbled under my breath.

She and I continued the game until we both had a single ball left until the eight ball. Her fifteen ball and my two-ball were both still in play. I’ll admit that I was getting a bit nervous. She attempted to get her fifteen into a side pocket but it hit the side and glanced off. She let out a curse beneath her breath and nodded to me.

I took a deep breath to center myself and placed my cue stick on the table, lining it up. Perfect shot. I smirked to myself and fired. I knocked my number two ball into a corner, and the eight ball into the very same pocket she just tried to get her’s into.

I felt a rush of pride. I looked at the mare with a smile on my face. “Pay up.”

“You got lucky,” she sneered as she got out the bits and handed them over.

I tucked the bits into my wing. “Maybe. Now if you'll excuse me it's getting late and I really must be going.”

I exited the Caustic Moon with my head held high at my small victory tonight. I had only had two ciders, and that was early in the night. Not nearly enough for me to be even tipsy. I spread out my wings and gave them a good flap to get myself aloft. I flew low over the city streets, passing slowly above the city. I was in no hurry to get back: I wanted to enjoy my night off, breathing in the sights and scents of the Tall Tale nightlife.

I weaved through the buildings as I made my way back. Once I got close I landed and walked the remainder of the distance. As I got close to the gate to the complex, Sergeant Aurora was exiting without her armor. I went to attention.

“Flame Strider.” She gave me an odd look with her eyes. “I trust you had fun. Where is Knight Gaze?”

“Probably playing twister with a mare right about now,” I blurted without thinking about my words, then immediately clapped a hoof over my mouth. “I mean, er—”

Luckily Aurora had a sense of humor. “Well good for him. He needs to loosen up a bit,” she laughed. Once she was done laughing, she looked at me with those eyes again. She looked like she was hungry or something. “Say, would you mind walking me home?”

“Yes, Sergeant.” I fell in line next to her as she started down the road to her apartment.

“Strider, there aren’t any other guards around, we’re not in our armor,” she told me in a stern tone, walking quickly around the corner to a block of apartment buildings. “Please call me by my name, not by my rank when it’s just us.”

“Yes, Serg—” This was gonna be awkward. “Okay, Aurora.”

We walked quietly at that point. I fell a few steps behind and I finally got a look at Aurora’s cutie mark. It was just a haze of various colors. Blues, greens, yellows, and reds. I also had a good look at her in general from here. Fit, lean, and muscular for a unicorn mare. She looked back and caught me staring. I snapped my eyes forward and readied for her to yell at me. Instead, she just smiled and started up some apartment steps.

She worked her magic on the lock to one of the doors. Once it was open she looked at me. “Care to come up?”

“I really shouldn’t. I need to go get some sleep,” I told her, taking a slight step back. Something about this was off.

She rolled her eyes. “Come on, I need help with something up there, and I need a big strong, and handsome stallion to help me.” She opened her eyes wide and pouted.

It was the guilt stare. A trick only mares could do. No stallion in the world could resist it. “I.. Um.. Okay fine.” I started up the stairs with her.

We entered the building and walked up two flights of stairs. Her apartment number four was on the right. She opened the door and allowed me to pass inside. Her apartment was as to be expected from a Guard Sergeant. Cheap furniture, no personal items in sight. A single bedroom and bathroom, small kitchen.

“Nice place,” I commented. I looked back at her shutting the door and locking it. She was doing the hungry look again and walking toward me. “Um, what was that you needed my help with?” I started, stepping backward.

She spoke slow and soft and wit a sway of her hips began to walk towards me. “I was hoping you could help relieve some knots, a good massage would be wonderful.” She had me backed up against her bedroom door.

Sweat was trickling down my neck and my heart had climbed up to my throat. I was at a loss for words but I tried anyway. “I-I-I um, that sounds... I mean—”

She planted a kiss straight on my lips to shut me up. We sat there for a moment before she opened the bedroom door with her magic and we tumbled inside.

A small amount of light shined through a crack in the curtain and into my eye, waking me up. Remembering that it was my day off, I rolled over to catch some extra rest. Another pony ended up in my hooves when I rolled over. Right then, I remembered everything from last night. I was in Sergeant Aurora’s apartment. In her room. In her bed, right next to her, with my hooves around her.

I must have woken her up. “Damn, you know how to work a mare,” she mumbled as she rolled to look at me. She had a smile on her face. I preferred it to her usual serious scowling.

I chuckled. “You know how to work a stallion.” I retorted. It was true. I was a bit sore in places I was not normally sore.

She slowly hooked a hoof around my neck. “Come here.” She pulled me in for another kiss. I had to admit getting kissed by her was growing on me.

After a minute of making out, I pulled away. “Knight Gaze is gonna be wondering where I am.”

“You’re right.” She rolled out of bed and stood up stretching, a type of yoga, a sight I could watch for a little bit longer. “If we want to keep doing this we need to be smart about it.”

Regulations prevent relationships like this and were grounds for demotions or even dismissal, but it’s not like they never happen. “You mean to keep this a secret?” I was slightly confused. “Aren’t you the pony who said I’d be leaving in six months?”

“That’s exactly why this is perfect.” She stopped stretching and looked at me. “You and I can keep up a side relationship in addition to our primary working relationship while you're here. Then in six months, you leave and I likely never hear from you again.”

“That’s cold, ma’am,” I stated.

She trotted out into her living room. “Well, what's wrong with a little fun?”

I got out of the bed and followed. “So why me?”

She laughed as she started to get out cereal with her magic. “You're just not irritating to look at like the rest of the Guards. You’re also easier to talk to. And apparently, good in bed.”

“I see.” I sat down at the small table she had at the end of her kitchen. Using the end of my wing I was able to utilize the spoon proper by Pegasus standards.

We ate in silence for a few moments until the sound of chewing could no longer cover up the awkwardness. “So what do we talk about?” I finally asked.

“Work. What else?” She stated before her face lit up. “Oh wait, what did the mare look like? The one Knight Gaze went with last night?”

“I gotta say that she was attractive. Through some clever words, I got her to take KG off my hooves for the night. Then I got to play some pool.”

“What did you do after that?” she asked. I just looked at her until she got it. “Oh, right. Me.”

We laughed and talked as we ate our cereal. Once we finished our breakfast I helped clean the bowls. We shared a hot shower to clean off all the sweat from the night off, along with other smells. I left first, flying the long way around to the complex, ensuring she got there first. I approached the gate and the Guards there let me in without a fuss.

I made my way up to the dorm I shared. I opened the door and Knight Gaze was sitting on his bed reading that manual of his. He didn’t bother looking up at me. “Where were you?” he asked.

“I was with a mare at breakfast,” I answered.

He lowered his book slightly to peer over it. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” I waited a few moments. “So how was your night?” I asked, trying to tease him.

“It was fine,” KG said pulling the book up.

I was holding back laughing as best I could. “Did she make you breakfast?”

“Shut up!” he yelled at me, his cheeks darkening. I couldn’t hold it back anymore I lost it. Tears ran from my eyes as I howled with laughter.

“It’s not funny!” KG protested, looking like he was going to literally throw the book at me.

“Dude, you're redder than a tomato,” I got out between laughter. Once I calmed myself down, caught my breath and got a grip, I continued. “You gonna see her again?”

He looked at his manual again. “Maybe,” he said quickly.

“If you do, make sure she knows what she’s getting into,” I told him.

“I’ll inform her,” KG said in a monotone, refusing to look up.

I shook my head and crawled into my bed for extra sleep since I didn’t really sleep last night. I smiled as I closed my eyes: turns out things weren’t so bad in Tall Tale after all.

Tall Tale IV

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A month had passed since the griffon attacked me. Knight Gaze and I weren't leaving the compound to go to any bars or clubs much more on our days off anymore, due to the recent aggressiveness of the local griffons towards Guards. I was spending nearly all of my downtime with Aurora at her place, still in secret of course. KG was spending his downtime with Nyx, the thestral he met at the bar.

It was just after breakfast, KG and I were currently on standby duty, we usually bring messages between sergeants and the commander while on standby. We were standing outside the command doors, waiting for our next orders from Sergeant Aurora, who was currently getting her orders from the Commander. “What do you think is taking so long?” I asked KG.

“He’s probably needlessly yelling at the Sergeant,” Knight grumbled.

Almost on cue, Commander Halberd came out of the building floating a travel bag behind him.

KG and I both stiffened to attention and saluted to the commander. He ignored us and headed out the gate. I looked at KG and he looked at me with the same puzzled look on his muzzle that I must have had.

Sergeant Aurora came out of the same door looking frustrated and determined. As she got closer I noticed a new First Sergeant pin on the breastplate of her armor. I was about to ask for permission to speak but she put her hoof up to quiet me. She seemed to be waiting for something.

After what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, we heard the train whistle. Aurora then spoke with additional determination. “Get absolutely every damn Guard in this complex out in this yard now, even the warrant officers. I don't care if they aren't in uniform. Things are changing here as of now!” she enunciated.

KG and I looked at each other. “You take the west dorms, I’ll take the east. Go,” KG suggested and hurried off.

I flew through the nearest doors that lead into the west living quarters of the complex. I knocked at the first door I met. It opened a moment later to reveal a somewhat bleary-eyed unicorn. “The First Sergeant wants everypony in the yard now, go!” I barked quickly. Instantly awake, both of the ponies hurried out of the dorm, not even stopping to get dressed.

I did the same at every door, getting the Guards within moving. Some even decided to help by passing the message along to other Guards on the next floor. Well within twenty minutes, every Guard in the compound was lined up in the yard. KG and I took our places in the front due to being Second Class Guards.

It was something straight out of the academy's Do-Not-Do list. Half the guards in the yard were not in their armor, or at least halfway through putting it on. Several were grumbling as they woke themselves up and muttering to one another, wondering what was going on. If this wasn't such a serious moment, I would have laughed at the sight.

First Sergeant Aurora was in a huddle with the other Sergeants and the Warrant Officers. I don’t know what they were saying but I knew we were gonna find out soon.

After a moment, Aurora turned away and faced the company. She used a magical spell to amplify her voice. “The Commander has decided to take a little impromptu vacation,” she announced. “He also promoted me to First Sergeant which means I’m responsible for you useless wastes of iron and bits. Until he gets back, I have a chance to whip you sorry excuses for guards into shape and make you actually worthy of wearing that armor.” She turned back to her sergeants. “Sergeant Pepper! I want you on fitness detail. The medical team will be assisting you. Any guard that does not pass the lowest standard for a fitness test is off duty and under your hoof until they can pass. I also want you to test them on our regulations. Understood?”

Sergeant Pepper stood at attention. “Yes, ma’am!”

Aurora rose her voice more so she could be heard clearly throughout the yard. “Any guard that does not work to improve themselves, I will personally send back to the academy!” She then turned to the next Sergeant. “Sergeant Rivers, I want you overseeing citywide patrols. I want no street unprotected, but your guards are not to make relations with the griffons worse.”

Sergeant Rivers stiffened to attention. “Yes First Sergeant!”

“Sergeant Arrow!” she barked at the last sergeant, causing him to snap to attention. “You are on investigations. Robberies, assaults, anything of the sort, you're in charge.”

“Yes First Sergeant,” Arrow nodded.

First Sergeant Aurora stood in front of us all. “I want an update on progress by midday. Dismissed!!” As the crowd of guards scurried off, Aurora dropped her voice spell. She pointed at KG and I. “You two come with me.”

We quickly followed her, and up to her office. Once we were inside her office she sat down in her chair, her expression annoyed. “Close the door, Knight Gaze.”

KG did as asked. I couldn’t help but feel a little worried about her. “First Sergeant, might I ask what is going on?” I asked.

“I'm taking my chance to improve conditions here,” Aurora huffed, running a hoof across her face and brushing a strand of her frizzled mane out of her eyes. “For years, this guard force has been the laughing stock and black eye of the city guard. Ever since Commander Halberd took command here things have gotten so much worse I've been making plans to fix them. All the Guards here have gotten lazy, arrogant, and no respect for rank. I've had these plans for a long time, if things had gotten any worse I would have sent a request straight to the RBI asking them to investigate the integrity of the guard force here. Fortunately, that is not necessary.”

"You've been planning this for a while, First Sergeant,” KG commented.

She started to scrawl out something on a paper. “I have. Now down to the reason I called you in here. I want you two with Sergeant Arrow. Follow his lead, let him teach you what he knows,” she ordered without looking up.

“Yes, First Sergeant!” KG and I spoke together.

She continued to write on the paper. “Flame Strider, stay here. Knight Gaze, go report in with Sergeant Arrow, inform him I’m borrowing Flame Strider for courier duty. Dismissed.”

KG did an about-face and exited the office. I stood there waiting for her to give me my orders. Before long, her horn flickered and the door locked behind me. She put down her quill, removed her helmet putting it on her desk, and sat back in her chair.

“I am so sick of Commander Halberd,” she growled. “He took a two-month vacation! Out of the blue! Right when we’re in the middle of this mess!” She threw her hooves up in frustration. “He claimed he had vacation time saved up. I doubt it was true, but I'm gonna take this opportunity to do what I can.”

She stood up and tucked the letter she had been writing into my saddlebags. And she got very close to me, so close our breastplates were touching.

“Don't lose this,” she instructed looking me in my eyes. “Bring it to the head of the Canterlot Guard. You should be arriving in Canterlot by sundown. Stay overnight, then in the morning, go and ask if this request has been approved or not. Then come straight back to Tall Tale,”

She paused before whispering very closely in my ear. “I'll be in my apartment, waiting for you.” And with that, she kissed me on the mouth. I kissed her back for almost a full minute, briefly losing myself in the lilac scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her body.

When we separated her horn flickered again, unlocking the door. “Go on, get out of here.”

“Yes First Sergeant!” I bellowed and hurried out the door. Spreading my wings, I flew out of the Complex and into the sky toward Canterlot.

Sergeant Aurora's estimate about the flight time to Canterlot was a little off. A pegasus pulling cargo would have taken until sundown, but I was trained to fly in armor. The heavy metal plating felt almost weightless for me as I sailed through the air, miles above the ground. I got to the Canterlot Guard building by a little after three in the afternoon.

Entering the Canterlot headquarters made me realize how long I'd been gone from Canterlot. It felt almost too clean here, far too quiet. The Guards here were also in peak shape, their armor polished and in perfect condition.

I found a civilian volunteer working at a reception desk in the officer’s building. “Can I help you?” she asked me in the most bored tone I’d ever heard.

I pulled the missive out of my chest piece and set them on the counter in front of her. “Messages from Tall Tale, they need review and approval.”

“I’ll get them to the Commander. You may go now.” She waved me away with a hoof.

I bowed politely and took my leave. As I was on my way out of the officer's building toward the recreation area. I contemplated what I should do for the rest of the day. See my sister and mom, or perhaps—

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice: “Strider!” I looked over to see a ball of white and gold armor tackle me.

After regaining my vision and breath from being tackled I recognized my assailant, who was clinging to me. “Snow? What are you doing, tackling me like that? I could have gotten hurt.”

She looked at me with that chilling glare I missed so much. “Really? Me? Hurt you?” the smaller unicorn mare stated.

I chuckled. “Okay, I see your point. But let me up, others are starting to stare at us.” I shoved her off of me.

Snow grinned up at me, practically bursting with excitement. “You want to join me and a friend for an early dinner in a couple of hours when I get off?” she asked.

I brushed some dirt off my armor with a wing. “Yeah, sure. I wanna visit my mother and sister first though.” I explained.

“Okay, okay.” She beamed and hugged me again. ”Meet me outside the city guard barracks in an hour and a half.” She didn’t wait for me to answer and she just ran off to go do her job.

I shook my head at the behavior of my friend. It was good to see that she was loosening up, but we were in armor among our peers. Funny: she was usually the one giving me the “time and place” lectures. I exited the Guard building, and took flight again, heading for my mother’s home.

I suppose I never really noticed how big my foal hood home was until now. A white house with brown trim, a good two stories, with a basement underneath. Mother bought it in the middle of her career as a singer. As I entered the house, I could hear my mother's voice from the kitchen, singing along with an old record of one of her own performances. An evil thought suddenly crossed my mind, and I grinned. Slipping off my heavy hoof guards to quiet my hoof steps, I snuck over to the kitchen.

I peered into the kitchen and I could see her dancing around the kitchen, preparing a casserole as she performed to an imaginary audience, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. She reminded me of Grandma; I guess lots of things run in the family. I silently crept up behind her and took a deep breath. “Mom!” I yelled as she started a hoof-shuffle.

“AHH!” she screamed and jumped, literally, three feet into the air. Once she landed she started battering me with her wings. “You! Are! Such! A! Brat!”

I was laughing, hiding behind my own wings as a shield. “It was too perfect! I couldn't pass it up.”

She stopped hitting me after a second or two with a giggle and hugged me. “Good to see you, sweetie.”

“You too, mom,” I smiled, hugging her back.

“Since you’re here, are you staying for dinner?” Mother asked turning back to the pot on the stove.

“I already promised someone else my presence for dinner,” I explained. “I’ll be spending the night though.”

She scoffed in mock offense. “Oh I see how it is, can’t spend time with your mother, eh?”

“Next time I’m in town, I promise I’ll be here for dinner. I’m gonna go remove my kit for the evening.” I started toward my old room.

“When you come back out here you are gonna fill me in on what’s been going on with you!” she called after me.

“Yes, mom!” I called back.

After removing my armor I filled my mother in on what was going on in Tall Tale, Knight Gaze, Aurora, everything. Well...almost everything. I left out the part about me sleeping with my NCO. She was angry when I told her about the griffon that attacked me, she was madder that I didn’t say anything in a letter.

While we were in the middle of talking, there was the sound of the front door opening and closing. “Mom, I’m home!” a familiar voice called.

“Buttercup!” I shouted. My little sister raced around the corner, took one look at me, then squealed and flung herself into my embrace.

“Strider!” she cried, hugging me tight enough to hurt. “You’re back!”

“Just for the night, little sis,” I told her, tussling her mane. “I was just telling mom what’s been up with me.”

“Wash up for dinner, sweetie,” Mother told Buttercup. “We’ll be eating soon.”

Soon after, we were sitting around the dinner table, as Mother and Buttercup ate. “It sounds like you are having a great time in Tall Tale, other than the fights.” Buttercup commented.

“Yeah, it’s not bad. I expect Baltimare to be more exciting, though.” I looked at the clock above the sink in the kitchen.

“What, you have to leave already?” Mother asked me, sounding disappointed.

I looked at Buttercup as I rose to leave. “I’m gonna leave before she pulls out the heart-crushing puppy eyes.”

Buttercup nodded with her mouth full. “Smart!”

I hugged them both. “I’ll be back later!” I called as I flew out the door and back into the city.

I headed back to the guard building to meet up with Snow. Canterlot in the evening was calmer and quieter than the day’s hustle and bustle. Most of the vendors have closed up shop, now only the restaurants, and theaters were open.

When I spotted Snow coming out of the Guard barracks she looked...shiny, like a fresh snowfall on the mountain. She wore a bright red scarf around her neck, which nicely complemented her own colors.

“Snow, you look—” I paused a moment, trying to clear my throat so that a compliment could come through. “Nice.”

She glanced over her coat. “Oh, yeah. Well, I felt like putting in some effort.” She started walking.

I shrugged and followed. “Well, you look good. So where are we going to eat?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Well, this place is a little unconventional, but they make a mean hayburger.”

“That didn't answer my question,” I reminded her.

“I know,” she stated simply.

I continued to follow her to what the elite of Canterlot describes as the “common” area. Honestly, I always found it more lively than the rest of the city.

The place Snow leads me to was called The Fat Dragon. It was a restaurant completely run and owned by griffons. The place was stained oak wood, green carpet, dark blue seats.

“Welcome!” the kind-looking griffin chirped warmly as we entered.

“Is Krein here?” Snow asked.

The young griffon nodded. “Right down there,” she pointed. “They’re already waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” Snow nodded.

“Well, that was friendly,” I commented, following. “Most of the griffons back in Tall Tale are pretty—whoa,” I suddenly gasped, staring at the two occupants of our booth.

Dragons! Two of them! And Snow was just sliding into the booth with a friendly smile like it was nothing! Snow was friends with two dragons!

“Hey, you two. This is my old partner, Flame Strider,” she started introductions. “Strider, this is Ambassador Krein and his little sister Kii.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” I said to the two once my vocal cords started working again.

“Snow speaks highly of you Strider. You are stationed in Tall Tale, yes?” Krein inquired in a pleasant voice. The golden brown and tan dragon looked at me with curiosity.

I nodded. “I am.”

He seemed to ponder his next comment. “The newspapers haven't been kind about their words concerning the enclave of Guards there.”

“I imagine not, but were hoping for that to change soon.” Questions buzzed around in my mind, all of them demanding to be asked first. “So you're an Ambassador? How'd you get that job?” I finally asked.

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders and wings. “I half asked for it, and was half ordered to do it, I guess. Either way, I’m happy with it.”

“What’s it like walking on clouds?” Kii asked, looking at me eagerly.

I looked over at the little ashen and purple colored dragon. Her vibrant violet eyes were full of wonder. “It feels like walking on a chilled marshmallow. That's how I would describe it. Other pegasi might have different opinions on that.”

“Oh, I wish I could walk on clouds,” Kii said with wistfully. Her eyes glowed softly and her drink levitated itself into her claws. I almost squealed out loud from sheer excitement. Magic dragons!

“Well, I've heard there is a spell that allows cloud-walking,” Snow commented.

I nodded. “Enchanted amulets, too.”

“Hmm, perhaps I should invest in one of those amulets. Might come in handy,” Krein pondered tapping a claw on the table.

A griffon waitress showed up with a platter of food. “A salad, a hayburger with pepper jack cheese, two sodas, and two baskets of fish and chips. Enjoy,” the griffon smiled and walked away.

“I placed our order while you three were distracted,” Snow explained with a smile.

“Oh, well, thank you.” I picked up my food in my hooves and started eating.

“So what's going on with you that isn't related to work?” Snow asked me.

I grinned. “I managed to find my partner a marefriend within a couple of days,” I told her. “From now on, every time I go to another city, I’m going to try to find a marefriend or coltfriend for all of my partners if I can.”

Snow rolled her eyes. “That’s just like you, Strider.”

“And, I…” I hesitated for a moment. “I’ve been seeing a mare in my spare time, too.”

Snow’s muscles tensed up. “You’ve been seeing a mare? That’s nice,” she said rather quickly, suddenly seeming more interested in her food than me. “I have been seeing a stallion in my spare time as well. Traveling banker, it’s super serious.” She started stuffing her face with her salad.

I looked over at Krein who was silently watching us, he looked confused as well, as he ate. The rest of the dinner was filled with awkward small talk. I wasn't sure what was up with Snow. But I figured now wasn't the time to ask her.

I decided to change the subject. “So Ambassador. I'm curious just how many kinds of dragons there are? And for that matter is there anything that looks like a dragon, but isn't?”

Krein seemed pleased with the change in the topic. “There are quite a few different kinds of dragons, as well as Draconic creatures.” He started.

“Dragons and Drakes are the most common, but you won't see Drakes outside of the Dragonlands too often. We really just call most Drakes, 'dragons' because they are mostly Stone Dragons.” I found this very interesting. “Only time a dragon is considered a Drake is when he or she is born without wings. Now as for the Draconic creatures, that is a very interesting subject…”

I had the response letter from the Canterlot Guard Command tucked into the chest piece of my armor for safekeeping. It was still early morning, the sun just barely above the peaks of the mountains on the horizon, and I was flying back to Tall Tale. I had just passed the underside of Cloudsdale and I was coming up on the Smokey Mountains that stood between me and Tall Tale.

There was a lot of fog and cloud cover surrounding the peaks of the mountains. I cleared over the first set of peaks, discovering the valleys were filled with fog. These mountains weren't very vast. Only a few peaks and valleys across the range and were nearly always filled with high winds. The valley should have been cleared away from the morning fog by now. Something was amiss.

Suddenly, something flew right past my face, close enough to feel it cutting through the air. I ducked, then dived for cover as dozens of crossbow bolts suddenly flew out of the fog, barely missing me. I beat my wings harder and made for the final ridge of the mountain range. I was making myself harder to hit by flying in a combination of swerving and zigzag patterns. Changing direcing constantly.

I felt something punch me in the left shoulder and for a brief moment threw my flight off-balance. I glanced back to see. A crossbow bolt had struck me! I felt a small sharp poke through the armor, but luckily it hadn't truly punctured the armor. I ignored it for now and flew harder.

As quickly as I could I flew over the mountain and dove into the foliage below. I followed a winding hiking trail down toward the city. I ducked down behind a large Princess Celestia statue that was on the trail.

Finally able to take in what just happened I caught my breath. I heard wing strokes above me. I carefully peeked out from behind my cover to observe my attackers. Two griffons and a pegasus. I tried to get a good look at the pegasus. Gold coat, white mane, mangled left wing. All three of them were wearing some kind of leather mercenary armor uniform.

“I thought he said that this pegasus was slow?” the pegasus complained.

One of the griffons growled. “Well, obviously the boss got it wrong. Unicorns think they know everything. Come on, we'd better get out of here before somepony comes along.”

They separated, the griffons heading back to the mountains and the Pegasus toward the city. I finally turned my attention to the crossbow bolt in my armor. The fletching on the bolt looked familiar. With my right hoof, I carefully removed the bolt.

With the broadhead exposed, I recognized its design, which shook my cool. I was glad I spent too much time memorizing the Military Weaponry section of the manual. I put the bolt into one of my armor’s pockets and made a beeline for Tall Tale.

When I got to the Tall Tale Guard Complex, I didn't bother going through the gate. I flew over the walls and went straight to the Sergeant’s offices. There was a pair of third class unicorn guards standing at attention outside Aurora’s office, their posture perfect. It almost made me do a double-take upon seeing them; they were almost completely unfamiliar from the Guards that I had known when I came here.

“A meeting in progress, nopony is allowed in,” they stated, stepping in my way.

“This can't wait.” I pushed past them, shoving them aside with the strength of my wings and hurrying inside before they could stop me.

When I opened Aurora’s office door, all the Sergeants and Warrant Officers inside looked at me as if I was insane. I probably was.

“Guard Second Class Strider! What is the meaning of this?!” Aurora roared with a furious glare. I can't blame her for being angry. First of all, it was a room of Sergeants and Warrant Officers and I had yet to stand at attention. Secondly, I just barged in on a meeting. Another thing on the Do-Not-Do list.

I said nothing as I approached her desk, pulled the Crossbow Bolt out of my armor pocket and stabbed it into the surface of her desk. “We have a serious problem,” I stated. Everypony in the room had their eyes fixed on the bolt now embedded in the desk.

“What is this?” Aurora asked, still angry, but now slightly curious.

“That is a standard-issue Broadhead Crossbow Bolt, type fourteen. The same kind we use.” I explained.

“Where did you get this?” she asked.

“I pulled it out of my armor. It was fired from a pair of griffons and a pegasus as I was passing over the Smoky Mountains, they wore some kind of mercenary uniform.”

The room fell silent. Aurora studied the bolt for a moment, then looked up at me. “Do you have a response from Canterlot Command?” she asked.

I dug out the envelope from my armor and set it on her desk. She simultaneously removed the bolt and picked up the letter in her magic.

She levitated the bolt over to Sergeant Arrow. “Sergeant Arrow. I want you, Knight Gaze and Strider here, to take this bolt and figure out where it came from and find the ponies and griffons responsible. No screw-ups. Somepony is targeting us. I want to know who. Go get started.”

“Yes, First Sergeant!” Arrow barked, rising. “Strider, with me.”

I followed him out of the office. Once we were in his office he seemed to relax a bit. “I honestly thought she was going to kick you out of the Guard for a moment back there.”

Knight Gaze had been waiting in the office. “What did he do now?” he asked as soon as he saw me.

“I almost got myself killed, and then I almost got myself fired,” I grinned at him, trying to laugh off the past hour. Knight just stared at me with an unamused expression.

“Your partner was ambushed crossing over the Smokey Mountains, and then barged into a meeting to tell everypony,” Arrow explained, moving around his desk. “Bright side, we have a lead now. The Army is obviously missing some crossbows and bolts. We just need to figure out where they came from and work from there.”

“Sergeant Arrow, I overheard my attackers talking,” I reported. “They had a unicorn calling the shots, and providing them intel about us. I also got a look at the pegasus who shot at me.”

Knight Gaze levitated a notepad out and pen. “What’d he look like?”

“Mangled left-wing, gold coat, white mane, wearing some kind of leather uniform. That’s all I could see from the distance I was at. But I know he's in the city. Unlike the two griffons.”

Arrow, tapped his hoof to his chin. “Mangled wing. We can search for hospital records and see who matches.” He looked up at me. “But we can start all that tomorrow. Strider, you're bleeding. You should see the medic.” He pointed to my left foreleg.

I looked down and saw a slow-moving drop of blood going down the fur of my leg. I was suddenly aware of the pain on my shoulder; I hadn’t even noticed that I’d actually been hurt. “Oh, right. I should get a new armor piece to replace the damaged one too. If that is all, Sergeant?”

“Dismissed, both of you,” he waved us off.

KG and I took our leave. “I’m going to go out for a while,” Knight reported.

“Going to see Nyx again?” I teased.

“No!” Knight protested. I raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. “...yes,” he admitted, blushing.

“You have fun,” I called after him as we separated.

“Screw you, Strider,” Knight scoffed as he walked off, but I definitely saw him half-smiling as he walked away.

Aurora was on her couch glaring at me. I stood by the apartment door waiting for her to say something, staring coolly back at her.

“Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” she finally snapped.

“Emotionally compromised, I had been shot,” I replied flatly. I shifted my bandaged shoulder: Despite a pain suppression spell cast on me by the medics, it was still stiff and slightly sore from the impact of the bolt itself. And I went to go sit beside her.

She crossed her forelegs over her chest and turned herself so she wasn't looking at me. “Your excuse is that you weren't thinking clearly?” she asked not letting her voice waver from angry.

I tried wrapping my forehooves around her waist. “Well, how would you react to being shot?” I retorted. I kissed her on the back of her neck. I knew from previous nights that this calmed her down.

She resisted enjoying the kisses to her sweet spot as she thought. “Probably the same way. Okay, fine!” She leaned against me and her head ended up in my forelegs. “You're not in trouble. Not much at least. But it had better not happen again!”

“Honestly, it won't happen again,” I reassured her, as I looked down at the incredibly sexy mare in my hooves.

“Good.” She puckered her lips hinting she wanted a kiss, I obliged. I had to admit that I liked kissing Aurora. But as nice as kissing her was and a nice as the sex was, I felt something missing. I just couldn't put my hoof on it.

We stopped making out for a moment. “So when does my punishment start?

She glanced at her kitchen. “You can finish making dinner first.”

“Yes, First Sergeant,” I said playfully as I pushed her upright so I could go finish making dinner.

“Oh, just laugh it up. You know, the Warrant Officers wanted me to send you back to the academy. I told them that it probably wasn't necessary.” She gave a soft chuckle, but it was obvious that she was still upset over my little breach of protocol earlier.

Dinner tonight was spaghetti with Alfredo sauce. Easy enough to make. “Do you want a glass of wine?” I asked.

“Yes, of course,” Aurora replied. “You’re lucky your annoyingly charming. It’s the only reason I put up with you.”

I brought her a glass of wine. “Oh, I'm sure that's not the ONLY reason,” I said giving her a knowing but playful wink.

Aurora blushed and smiled as she took her wine. “Well. THAT is certainly a big bonus to putting up with you.” she returned the wink playfully.

“I thought so,” I muttered.

I went back to cooking. But as I was stirring the spaghetti, my mind wondered too about how a bunch of criminals got a hold of military weapons. They had to have someone on the inside. I had a bad feeling about the whole ordeal.

Tall Tale V

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“And you're sure you haven't seen anypony matching this description or requesting that type of broadhead?” I asked the Equestrian Army warehouse guard.

She gave me an irritated look. “Yes, like I said the last six times you asked. Now, will you go away? I have work to do.”

Knight Gaze came out of the warehouse just as the Army Guard went back in. “All of their type fourteen broadhead crossbow bolts are right where they should be. Wherever they got the crossbow bolts, it wasn’t here.”

“Sergeant Arrow won’t be happy to hear that,” I sighed. “Come on, we should go tell him that we didn’t find anything.” I turned to leave the warehouse with KG beside me.

The search for the orange pony with the mangled wing and where the crossbow bolt came from were coming up dry. Earlier today we had gone by Tall Hope Hospital and all of the free clinics around the city. No doctor in the city had any record of a pegasus with a mangled wing.

It was getting late by the time we returned to the Guard Complex; the night shift guards would be taking over soon. We headed up to Sergeant Arrow’s office. He was forelegs deep in files.

“Let me guess, nothing was missing?” he asked without looking up.

“Yes Sergeant and none of the doctors in the city had a record of treating a mangled wing,” KG reported.

Arrow put his hooves to his face and groaned with frustration. “First we had to get clearance from the Royal Medical Advisor in Canterlot to even ask the hospitals for access to their records, which took a week. Then, the soldiers over at the army outpost wouldn't let us in without written permission from our commander, who isn’t here. So that took just as long to sort out.” He spun around in his chair waving his hooves around. “And now we still haven't found anything to move forward in this investigation!”

Once he finished he sat there quiet looking at the ceiling. Knight Gaze and I stood there waiting for him to say something but he just sat there, huffing through his nostrils like an angry minotaur. An idea suddenly struck me. “Sergeant, what about Vanhoover?”

Arrow’s eyes shot open and he leaned forward in his chair. “Say again?”

I started explaining. “The Army outpost in Vanhoover, they have warehouses up there right? It’s not terribly far from here by flight, and with all the weather up there, nopony would notice a warehouse break-in.”

Sergeant Arrow thought on my words for a moment. “It’s a good idea. I’ll need to talk to the First Sergeant before I leave to get clearance for the Army outpost.” He picked up a pen in his mouth and wrote down some notes.

“Excuse me, Sergeant…” KG cut in, “but don’t you mean ‘us’?”

“No, I want you two here in case the First Sergeant needs you,” he replied. “I can handle this, I’m just taking the train to Vanhoover, checking on their warehouse, and coming back. I’ll be back in a day or two.” He got up from his chair and moved around his desk. “Go about your business until you’re needed. Matter of fact, maybe you two could hit the weights in the yard.”

Arrow trotted out of his office across the hall and into Aurora’s office. KG and I made our way out to the yard. “So what do you wanna do? I asked.

“Dunno. Nyx is in Fillydelphia for a conference on law practice for the next couple of days,” KG said looking around the yard for something to do.

“Well, I’m gonna go take a nap,” I yawned, starting toward the dorm. This investigation had been cutting into my sleep schedule, that and my nights spent with Aurora.

“Actually that sounds good,” KG followed after me.

After walking up the stairs to the third floor and down the hall to our room, KG opened the door. He made a beeline for his bed. I closed the door behind me. After fighting with the straps, I removed my armor for the night.

I rolled onto my bed to get comfortable and shut my eyes for a good long sleep. As if planned, somepony knocked on our door. “Not it,” KG said from his pillow.

“Dammit,” I grumbled getting back up. I moved over to the door and opened it. A normal Guard was standing there. “What?” I asked grumpily.

“The First Sergeant wants to see you right now. Just You. She said don’t bother putting your armor on.” She started back down the hall.

I could hear KG quietly laughing at me from his bed. I’d have to come up with ways to annoy him later as payback. I closed the door and made my way back down and into the sergeant’s offices. I stopped outside Aurora’s office and knocked three times.

“Enter!” she called from inside.

I walked inside and stood at attention. “You asked to see me, Sergeant?”

“Sort of,” she said cryptically.

“Technically I did.” I heard my brother’s voice from behind me. I broke my composure to see Orion sitting on Aurora’s office couch. “What’s up?” he grinned at me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He got up from the couch and walked over to me. “Oh, wow. I'm gone at Wonderbolt training for a few weeks and you get all hostile toward your family?” Orion asked, playfully offended.

I breathed a quick sigh. “You're right, I'm sorry.” I hugged him. “How have you been?”

“Good. I can't wait to tell you all about Wonderbolt training. It was insane.”

“He already told me. It's quite the tale,” Aurora jumped in.

I quickly remembered that I was supposed to be at attention and snapped back.

“Easy, Strider we can drop the formality for a minute.” Aurora gave me a smirk that I returned as I relaxed.

“Woah, how long has this been going on?” Orion was looking back and forth between Aurora and me.

“What?” Aurora asked looking away.

“You two. How long? Come on, I can keep a secret,” Orion grinned.

I glared at my brother. “How do you do that? This was exactly why the rest of us never had marefriends back in school.”

“It's a gift. Anyway, not why I'm here. I have two more days before I go back on duty, and tomorrow you and I are going to go watch the Best Young Flyers Competition in Cloudsdale,” he said, putting a wing over my shoulders as he finished.

“Can't, I got work here to do,” I tried to protest.

“No, he doesn't. His NCO is away until the day after tomorrow. If you have him back before then it will be like he was never gone,” Aurora said, moving back behind her desk.

“Are you sure you don't need him? Stride here won't leave unless he's sure you don't need him,” Orion said bumping my shoulder.

Aurora giggled a bit. “I have all the help I need now that the other guards here are acting like real guards instead of maggots. Go on Strider, just be back before Sergeant Arrow.”

I groaned. “Fine. Let's go.”

“Awesome!” He started pulling me towards the door. “Come on, we gotta go!”

“I’ll try not to get ambushed this time,” I called to Aurora as Orion dashed ahead.

“Just go before I change my mind,” she laughed going back to the papers on her desk.

Orion practically pulled me out of the compound, much to my humiliation. We took flight and began following the train tracks out of the city. Along the way, he started telling me about his time at the Wonderbolt Academy.

“—then after the Dragon Ambassador left with the Wyvern carcass, things went back to business as usual as far as training goes,” Orion finished.

We had swung north after clearing the mountains and were approaching Cloudsdale as we talked.

“Great, now feral versions of dragons are a thing. Because that's not terrifying at all,” I commented with as much sarcasm as possible.

“Yeah. Oh, hey did you hear? Captain Spitfire is actually doing a major expansion of the Wonderbolts,” he said with enthusiasm.

“Really? How big?” I asked as we passed the first set of residential cloud homes.

“Well, we already have squads Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. She's expanding to include an additional 23 squads, going all the way to Zulu,” he announced, doing a backflip mid-flight.

“Wow, and that's four ponies in each squad. They'll be able to do a show in every city while having some of the squads off,” I said as I did the math in my head. “That'll be one hundred and four Wonderbolts altogether.”

“I know right? I hope they pick me to be in one of the squads.”

“There's a lot of ponies in the Wonderbolt Reserve already, brother,” I pointed out. “You’d have to make a good impression on them to get ahead of the others.”

“Thank you, Mr. Doubtful. Shut up and let me dream will you?”

I chuckled. “Fine, fine. But when your dreams come crashing down, I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so’.”

We landed and entered a navy officer housing. “We're here. I set up a canvas hammock like the one back at mom’s,” Orion told me. We entered his quarters and went to his room. “I know you don't fancy normal beds. Goodnight, we have to get there early to get good seats.” He got under the covers of his large mattress and fell silent.

I flew up to the hammock my brother was kind enough to set up for me. I suppose a day with my brother would be good for me. I closed my eyes for my needed rest.

“Come on! I know just the place to sit!” Orion said bumping me mid air before flying ahead.

I followed quietly, and let Orion lead. We ended up on a cloud just to the right of where the judges sit.

“Why are we sitting here?” I asked.

“For reasons. Besides, it's the closest to the action.”

“I find that answer vague and unconvincing,” I said raising an eyebrow. “And I thought we liked to sit close to the snack bar? When did this become a thing?”

“Since you became a grump like Thasus?” Orion rolled his eyes. “Come on, try to enjoy yourself. If I promise to get you one of those lemon ice malts later, will you at least pretend to be happy?”

Purposely I flipped my mood. “Yup, I'm holding you to that.” I patted his head. “How long till it starts?”

Orion looked around as ponies filled the stadium. “Shouldn't be much longer now.”

We waited patiently for the stadium to fill up and for ponies to take their seats. It wasn't long before the announcer came in on a cloud.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts!” he started. “Please rise and join me in welcoming our beloved Princess Celestia!”

He pointed to the sky to call attention to the Princess flanked by two of Celestia's House Guards. The crowd cheered as the Princess took her seat and offered a wave to the cheering throngs below.

The announcer waited for the crowd to calm a bit before continuing. “Please welcome our celebrity judges for the Best Young Flyers Competition. The Wonderbolts!”

He pointed to they sky calling attention to the six Wonderbolts flying over trailing storm clouds. The turned upward in a line and started a tight inward spiral. They whirled around several times, then broke apart as a show of fireworks depicting the Wonderbolt emblem burst from their midst. Both Orion and I joined in the enthusiastic cheering and whistling as the Wonderbolts landed on the row of seats in front of us.

Once again the announcer waiting for the crowd to calm some. “Now let's find out who’s this year's Best Young Flyer!” he finished moving out of the center of the stadium.

As I waited for the first contestant to come out of the curtain, I turned to Orion but caught him and Lieutenant Commander Fleetfoot in a wordless conversation. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Fleetfoot turned and winked at my brother and then returned her attention forward.

“No wonder you didn't care about me and Aurora,” I chuckled. “You're getting busy with the Lieutenant Commander there.”

Orion quickly put a hoof around my muzzle. “Shut up, dude” He gave a rather irritated sigh. “Yes, but it’s not what you think. Besides, I don't expect it to last long. I think she has her eyes on another stallion anyway.”

The first act started but I was in annoying little brother mode. “Is she any good?” I asked with a grin.

“Oh, I'm telling her you said that,” Orion grumbled, jabbing me in the chest. “Now shut up and pay attention, you might learn something.”

I turned my attention forward and let it be for now. The show was awesome, one pony did fifteen barrel rolls in a row, some did complex aerial dances while others merely timed themselves doing laps around the stadium.

The end of the competition was drawing to a close and I was scraping the bottom of my lemon ice malt cup with a plastic spoon I held in my wing.

“What’s taking so long with contestant fifteen?” Orion wondered. “Stage fright maybe?”

I licked the lemon flavor off my lips before responding. “Dunno. But what happened to contestant number four? After number three they all started coming out of order.”

“Yeah, something’s not right.” Orion looked at Fleetfoot over on the judges’ cloud. She caught his eye and he gave her a querying look. She returned it with a shrug of her own and focused her attention forward again.

I looked up at the Princess who had her undivided attention focused on the curtain. I was beginning to wonder why Princess Luna wasn't attending. I recalled reading a newspaper article some weeks ago that said that Princess Luna preferred nighttime events. Which I suppose made sense, considering her name and position.

“And now for our final competitor of the day, contestant number fifteen!” the announcer called as a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane nervously flew her way out of the curtain.

There was a great gasp from the crowd as she was followed out by a white unicorn with large butterfly wings, all dolled up in fancy makeup. “A-and apparently contestant number four.” the announcer stammered as the pair took to the field.

I glanced back and forth between the two contestants. “Well this is unusual,” I commented.

“Isn’t that one of the six that were in the newspapers a while back?” Orion asked. “From Ponyville?

I squinted my eyes to get a better look at the pegasus. “I think you may be right.”

We waited and watched for their performance. After the unicorn whispered something into some instrumental music began to play and the unicorn started doing some fancy aerial ballet. Orion and I looked at each other and shook our heads together and turned our attention to the Pegasus.

The pegasus had started weaving her way through some cloud pillars at impressive speeds. It looked as if she was going to make it all the way through but she hit the last pillar and ricocheted into the cloud wall. Some ponies nearby were laughing at her as she recovered and moved on to her next trick.

“How are you liking these two so far?” I asked Orion.

“Well I’m not much one for dance,” Orion shrugged, his eyes on the Pegasus. “I’m liking rainbow mane, though.”

“Translation: you like her butt,” I smirked.

Orion shrugged. “Hey, it’s not my fault I like pegasus mares. You obviously have a type. I don't get what is so appealing about that unicorn horn.”

I shoved him with a wing. “Shut up and watch.”

The pegasus had moved on to spinning clouds. She was making them spin pretty fast too. I was getting dizzy watching her. As she was on her second cloud a piece of one flew off and hit her. When she lost control the cloud spun like a top toward the stadium and impacted the cloud wall just above the Princess, causing her to duck.

She paused a moment just as number four started flying upward, then quickly followed.

I watched as contestant four put herself in front of the sun, shining colorful light upon the stadium and started shouting something.

“What'd she say?” Orion asked me.

I shrugged. “Dunno, she’s too far away.”

Contestant Fifteen was much farther up in the sky than Contestant Four. Suddenly, her wings disappeared in a puff of smoke, disintegrated by the sun. She hung in midair for a moment, then fell with a shriek.

She was falling fast I was about to try and help but the Wonderbolts flew to action first. As they got closer to the flying unicorn, her flailing legs struck all three of them across the head, knocking them out and causing them to fall alongside her.

I looked to Orion who was standing ready to move. But contestant fifteen flew down through the bottom of the stadium at breakneck speeds. “Hang on, Rarity!” I heard her shout. “I’m coming!”

I observed as an air cone formed around the pegasus. “What is she doing?”

“I don't know.” Orion leaned over the cloud.

A dazzling explosion of colors erupted from cyan pegasus as she burst the cone, accompanied by a tremendous eruption. My jaw went slack. The legendary Sonic Rainboom, a myth no longer. A pony just pulled it off, right before my eyes! Aside from a slight ringing in my ears, that was- words fail to describe it.

I looked at Orion, who was just as awestruck as I was. “I know you saw that.”

“Seeing. Still working on believing, I'll get back to you,” Orion mumbled, unable to move his eyes.

“She has to have won. Come on, pulling off a Sonic Rainboom! How many ponies can do that?”

Orion finally looked at me. “By my count, one. That one.” He pointed a hoof at the mare coming in for a landing carrying all three Wonderbolts on her back and the unicorn in her hooves.

“Come on, let's go help,” I said jumping off the cloud. Orion regained his wits and followed.

We started carrying the Wonderbolts off the mare, who looked simultaneously exhausted and thrilled. I struggled to lift Commander Soarin off her back and on my own. “Ooff… what does he eat?” I asked, straining against his weight.

“From what Fleetfoot told me, pie. Lots, and lots of pie,” Orion said holding an unconscious Fleetfoot.

I put Soarin down rather hastily as rainbow mane was mobbed a group of her friends. He weighed a lot, especially for a pegasus. “So what's next on today's agenda?” I asked.

Orion was sitting with Fleetfoot. “Well, once Fleetfoot wakes up, I wanted to go get lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I waited off to the side.

I have to hoof it to Orion. Coming here was definitely worth the time.

We were out of the stadium. And in a Cloudsdale diner. Fleetfoot was now out of uniform and in incognito mode with a coat and sunglasses.

“Gotta say that I wasn't expecting to see you when I woke up back there,” Fleetfoot commented. I was still trying to get over the fact that she had a rather adorable lisp.

“And who were you expecting?” Orion questioned.

“Spitfire yelling,” Fleetfoot said before taking another sip of a protein shake. “Now you still haven't properly introduced me to your brother.”

I smirked at my brother from across the booth table. “Yeah, Orion, how rude of you.”

Orion looked at Fleetfoot with a raised brow. “What? You’re famous. I still have to?”

“Bro, of course.”

“He's right,” Fleetfoot cracked a sinister grin.

“Whose side are you on bro?” Orion asked me.

“She outranks me,” I tried.

“What was it you said to us when you graduated? ‘Separate Branch’ was it?” Orion challenged.

That was months ago amid conversation, how did he remember that? “Darn.”

“Okay, fine. You forced this,” Fleetfoot started. “I'm your marefriend, introduce me properly.”

Orion rolled his eyes. “Fine. Fleetfoot, this is my little brother Flame Strider. Strider, this is my marefriend Fleetfoot. Are you two happy now?”

I nodded and sipped my shake.

“Much.” Fleetfoot bumped Orion playfully. “So, Strider. Orion tells me you're stationed in Tall Tale. Anything exciting happening?”

“I can't discuss ongoing investigations, but I can tell you what's been happening around the compound.”

Orion and Fleetfoot waited for me to continue.

“Well, it's no longer where the worst guards go for career suicide. Now the worst go there for training part two. Our First Sergeant slash acting commander is turning the Guard there into a well-oiled machine.”

“What do you mean?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Well guards used to be getting drunk on duty while patrolling the streets, others were getting fat and lazy, some were just doing stupid stuff like getting too close to The Cage and riling the prisoners,” I told her. “Now the Tall Tale Guard are making a hard turn around. First Sergeant Aurora even sent at least five guards back to training in Canterlot.”

“That’s a serious rework. I heard it was mostly third class guards there?”

“It is.”

“Wow,” Fleetfoot mused. “Maybe I could ask Navy command to send some assistance provided your First Sergeant wants it.”

“She might take it actually. I’ll give her the idea.” I looked over at a clock on the wall behind the counter. Four forty-five. “I need to be heading back to Tall Tale actually. My NCO is returning tomorrow and we have work to do.”

“Oh well, have a safe flight,” Fleetfoot said leaning back in her seat.

Orion stood as I did and gave me a hug. “Stay safe, brother. What's the saying that grandfather used to say to us?”

“Let the clouds hide us from harm, and the winds take you further.” I hugged Orion tighter. “The same to you brother.”

“You two are cheesy,” Fleetfoot smirked. “Should I give you some space?”

I stuck my tongue out at Fleetfoot. “Give us a break, I got shot the other week.”

Orion pulled back. “Wait! What?!”

I took a step back from him. “It was just a scratch. I'm fine, cool your jets, bro. Bye Fleetfoot, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Same, If I’m ever in Tall Tale, I'll swing by.” She smiled.

I waved a wing as I exited the diner and took wing. Yup, Orion was right, I needed this. A slice of the old times.

Tall Tale VI

View Online

“Move, move, move! My grandmother can move faster than that, and she's dead!” Sergeant Pepper shouted as we ran past.

Technically he wasn't yelling at me since I was overtaking the others, but he was still yelling at the group collectively. Sergeant Arrow was due back in a few hours so I figured humiliating the guards that were trying to get back in shape was a good way to pass the time.

Knight Gaze was out here too, but he was over on the bench press schooling an earth pony at the moment. I finished my laps and went over to where Sergeant Pepper was standing in his physical training cap, with his whistle dangling around his neck.

“Strider, nice time. I wish some of the others were as fit as you. Less paperwork for me.” Pepper commented.

I took a sip of water from a chilled bottle before responding. “Thank you, Sergeant. May I ask you an informal question Sergeant?”

“You may,” he said, not taking his eyes off his charges.

“Commander Halberd. What do you know of him?” I asked.

“Just that he’s the son of a general out of Manehattan,” he answered.

“But what do you know of him as a pony, not a commanding officer?” I pushed.

He opened his mouth to answer but shut it quickly.

“Sergeant?” I pressed.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t know anything about him. He never eats in the mess hall with us and we almost never see him anywhere other than his office. He gets lots of mail though, almost all personal,” He stopped and looked at me. “Why do you ask?”

I shifted my wings. “Just curious about my commanding officer, Sergeant. I haven't exactly had a lengthy conversation with him.”

He nodded. “I don’t think anypony has.”

“Strider, Knight Gaze!” I turned to see Sergeant Arrow had arrived early with a smile on his face. “Get your kits on and be in my office ASAP!” He disappeared into the sergeant offices door.

“Well, he‘s back early,” KG commented, wiping the sweat from his brow as he walked up to me.

“And he’s in good spirits. He must have found something,” I added as we departed for the barracks.

Getting up to our room we put our kit’s together. KG even helped me this time. We made a racket getting back down the stairs and across the yard to Arrow’s office. Once there, Arrow had already put his findings on a board and was connecting strings to tacks.

“Strider, you were right,” he said as we entered. “They did break into the Vanhoover warehouse and steal not just dozens of crossbows, but hundreds of bolts to go with them. This is where things get good.” Sergeant Arrow was smiling the whole time explaining this.

“It gets better?” KG asked.

“It does.” He pointed a hoof to an evidence bag a shard of glass with blood on it sat inside. “I found that in the warehouse, guess who the blood belongs to? Go ahead, guess.”

“The Pegasus with the mangled wing?” I asked.

“Yes! The hospital in Vanhoover only had one patient with glass related injuries, and the description matches. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an address. But we do have a signature to go on.”

“A signature? How does that help us?” KG asked looking over the wall of evidence Arrow collected.

“I’m so happy you asked. The signature was of a griffon, one called Whitefeather, which is misleading because his feathers are black.”

“How do you know his feathers are black?” I asked.

“Because he has a record, petty thieving, and a few small-time break-ins, nothing serious until now. But the reason I’m so happy about this is because…” Arrow pulled a file out of his saddlebags and hoofed it over to me. “...of this.”

I opened the file to see a picture of a griffon with gold colored beak and talons, black feathers, gray fur, and tail. “You have got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“What?” KG asked.

“Remember him?” I asked, handing the photo to KG to examine.

After a moment of thinking, he answered. “This is the griffon who hit you with a trash can.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “So we gonna go arrest him?” I asked.

Sergeant Arrow’s grin grew as wide as the moon. “This is the cherry on top: we don’t have to. Apparently, some guards picked him up last night for being drunk at a playground. He was to be released once he sobered up but now we have reason to hold him longer.”

“Breaking into an Equestrian Military Warehouse. That’s lifetime imprisonment at least, isn’t it?” KG commented, giving the file back to Sergeant Arrow.

“Actually it’s only like twenty years, but still a long time,” I corrected.

“Right now we're waiting on a prosecutor to come here and assist us before we go question him,” Sergeant Arrow said, looking as though he might start bouncing up and down from excitement.

“Why do we need a prosecutor?” I asked.

“Because we want to stay within the law while we question him. And if he lawyers up, we want to have a head start,” KG answered almost immediately.

“That’s exactly it,” Arrow nodded approvingly. “So let’s take the time to go back over every scrap of evidence again with everything we have now and if we need to go find more.”

“Sergeant if I might make a suggestion?” KG asked. Arrow nodded for him to continue. “Whitefeather’s file said he was living in a halfway house, correct? If there is any more evidence there, we might want to get at it first.”

“Oh, I hadn't thought of that.” Arrow reopened the Whitefeather’s file. “Here it is! Five seven seven eight Redwood Road, north side of the city. Go search his room, the head of the house will be cooperative.”

“We’re on it!” I said turning to the door with KG behind me.

We turned the corner onto Redwood Road. Finding the house was easy enough. As soon as we turned the corner all the ponies and griffons at the house locked their eyes on KG and I. The residents moved out of our way and we went into the house manager’s office.

“Hello, Gentlestallions. What can I do for the guard today? I hope none of my residents have caused any trouble,” the manager welcomed us. She was an older looking unicorn. Her originally red mane and brown coat were fading to gray.

“Actually that’s exactly it,” I started. “The resident Whitefeather was arrested last night because of unbecoming behavior in public, but we’ve also linked him to a theft in Vanhoover, and assault on a City Guard. We’re here to search his room.”

The old mare frowned a little. “Oh, well that is unfortunate. Do you have a warrant or something I can look at?”

“No, we don’t,” KG stated. “But since this building is being paid for by the city, and is overseen by the City Guard, it’s technically our property, which means we don’t need one,” KG explained.

“Oh, yes,” the manager stammered out. “Yes, of course, you are right. Follow me to his room.” She levitated a ring of keys off the wall and headed out of the office.

As we followed her upstairs, I turned to KG. “How did you know all that?”

KG shrugged. “Nyx has law books all over her apartment. I get bored sometimes when she is reading.”

I smirked. “Spend a lot of time there, then? What do you do when you’re not reading?”

“Shut up and stay focused,” KG grumbled, his eyes fixed on the mare ahead of us watching her suspiciously. “While you search the room, I'll question the manager.”

“You got it,” I said, falling quiet as we made our way toward the room.

The manager began to unlock the door. “Whitefeather was doing so well. He was almost done with his A.A. meetings too,” she sighed.

Once the door opened, KG pulled the manager aside. “Would you mind waiting out here with me and answer a few questions while my partner has a look inside?”

I walked pass them. “Oh sure,” she answered. “I always like to—” I tuned them out as I began searching the room.

It was a mess, food containers and fast food wrappers everywhere. The place smelled prominently like rotting fish, which matched a lot of the containers.

“This is gross,” I muttered, starting to rummage through the trash.

There were a lot of empty envelopes and crumpled-up letters, most from employers denying work applications. I moved over to the closet, a griffon tailored business suit, and two boxes at the bottom. I removed one of the boxes from the closet and opened it up.

Empty envelopes, all with the same address on them “4838 Yellow Rock Road Tall Tale, Equestria”. Putting the box back I pulled the other out. Opening it up, I found a Gear-Crank Model Crossbow and a bundle of bolts.

“Knight Gaze!” I called.

KG left the manager outside the door and entered the room. “Find something?” he asked.

“That's one way of saying it,” I commented moving over to the bed to search it. I put a hoof on the mattress and pushed down to test it. Saggy from years without being replaced.

KG took my place at the closet and examined the bolts and crossbow. “I doubt he was authorized for a military issue Gear-Crank Crossbow. These things are rapid-fire, aren't they?”

I was moving a hoof underneath the mattress now. “That they are,” I answered. I felt some papers. “Hey, could you lift this mattress away?”

KG flared his magic and lifted the mattress. We both studied what we found beneath. “Well if the crossbow wasn't enough, this is definitely incriminating.”

Spread across the bedframe were pictures of the warehouse in Vanhoover, several Tall Tale city guards, shipping manifests, train schedules, and letters of instruction.

“I thought rule one of being a criminal was destroy all evidence?” KG pondered.

“Well it looks like Whitefeather is a pretty bad at following even those kind of rules,” I said, moving an instruction letter closer. “‘Well done on acquiring those crossbows and bolts. Deliver them to the drop and you will be compensated for your service.’ signed with an ‘H’ and that's it. Nothing else. It looks to be the most recent too.”

“We need to get all of this back to Sergeant Arrow,” KG stated.

I looked at him. “All of it?”

“All of it,” he confirmed with a small sigh.

“Well this is certainly a development,” Sergeant Arrow commented, going over the boxes of evidence that KG and I brought back. “While I’m glad Whitefeather left us a paper trail, I’m now worried who this ‘H’ character is.”

KG and I were standing near the Arrow’s couch. I was looking at the ever-growing board of evidence, while KG’s attention was on something else on the floor beside him.

So far, the evidence indicated that sometime after Whitefeather hit me with a trashcan he was recruited by H, to go north and break into the armory warehouse with the pegasus with the mangled wing. Then he admitted the Pegasus to the hospital for glass lacerations, then dropped the cargo in one off in the many caves on the coast between Vanhoover and Tall Tale. Then the Pegasus with the mangled wing and his two accomplices attempted to shoot me down with the same crossbows and bolts Whitefeather stole.

“This is turning into something you’d read out of a book,” I commented.

Sergeant Arrow took another look after finishing with a piece of twine. “Huh, it is, isn't it?”

“Whose bags are these?” KG asked, pointing to a set of saddlebags sitting next to the couch.

“Oh, those are the prosecutor's. She’s in the latrine. She’ll be back any second,” Arrow said, going over to his desk. “Okay, so first thing’s first. We need to put together a dossier to question Whitefeather with. Any ideas?”

“Well, we want to ask about this H pony, or griffon, last. If we ask too soon we could scare him and he’ll shut up until the end of time,” I commented.

“So, we ask something meaningless first. What about his previous offenses?” KG asked.

Arrow was opening Whitefeather’s file when the door opened. And a very familiar white thestral entered the room.

“Ah Nyx, a pleasure to see you again,” I said with a wide grin. KG stood there in panic mode, which looked a lot like his stand at attention for an officer mode, except his face was turning bright red and sweat was pouring down his head like he was in a sauna.

“You too, Strider,” Nyx went over and bumped her rump against KG’s plot. “Knighty, aren't you gonna say hi?”

“Hey,” KG squeaked.

“Am I missing something?” Arrow asked.

I turned back to Sergeant Arrow. “Nyx and KG here are in a relationship,” I explained, struggling to contain my laughter.

“It won’t interfere with the investigation, I assure you,” Nyx said, shifting into business. “So where are we?”

“We were just about to look into Whitefeather’s file to see what his prior offenses are.” Arrow informed her.

“So we can start small with the questions, very good.” Nyx went for her bags by the couch. “If I remember correctly he has three offenses, two private home break-ins, and one pickpocket theft, which is the one he got caught for.”

“What were the nature of the first two break-ins?” I inquired.

“The first one was a private home, he stole a small statue and pawned it later,” Arrow read from the file. “The second break-in was another private home but he broke into a safe, and stole about two hundred bits worth of gems.”

“How long did he spend in prison?” KG said looking at the evidence board.

“Sentence was for ten years, but he was paroled in six for good behavior,” Nyx said looking at her files.

I cleared my throat. “So who is gonna do the questioning?”

Nyx pointed a wing at me. “You are.”

“What?” I stammered. “Why me?”

“Because you have a friendly face. Knight Gaze looks like he's ready to take ponies to the chopping block,” Arrow started. “Also because you're supposed to be learning. The best way to learn is to get your hooves wet.”

“First time interrogating somepony. What could possibly go wrong?” I mumbled under my breath.

Tall Tale VII

View Online

The Cage. Probably the most depressing part of the compound. Also the deepest, three underground levels of jail cells, with three sublevels of solitary confinement cells. One way in and out. No guard liked going in here, least of all me. Grey cement walls, iron bars, and creepy magic canceling runes etched into the walls to prevent magic from being used. Cramped and dark. This is not a place for a pegasus like me.

I entered the security checkpoint with Nyx and Sergeant Arrow. One of the sentries on duty, one of the only unicorns able to use magic in this section, cast a spell to see if we were carrying any weapons. I wasn't, as I had left my service sword in Sergeant Arrow’s office. All I had with me was my armor, and the file KG, Arrow, Nyx and I built against Whitefeather.

On the other side of the checkpoint was the warden of the section, Staff Sergeant Pain. He was a large brown earth pony with a dark green mane and wore an instructor's hat.

I moved through the checkpoint once being cleared and saluted Sergeant Pain. Nyx merely stood beside me, while Sergeant Arrow shook Pain’s hoof.

“Arrow, I understand you’ve been put in charge of this interrogation?” Pain asked.

I stayed silent and followed, while Arrow and Pain talked as we started through the section. “I have, but I will not be participating in this one, only overseeing,” Arrow replied.

“I would expect nothing less. Just here,” Pain turned and started toward another hall. “I gave Whitefeather some coffee. He's already in the room waiting for you.” We turned into a dead end hallway with a pair of doors on one side and a row of seats on the other, a single guard was standing at the end of the dead end.

“We will be watching from the other side of the glass,” Pain explained. “Nyx is here if any kind of legal hurdle comes our way.”

“Yeap, that’s my job,” Nyx nodded. They entered the observation room, leaving me in the hallway.

I took a deep breath and entered the interrogation room. Black walls, a two-way mirror allowing a view from the observation room, and a table that was bolted to the ground. The seats were little more than cushions. Sitting there in the seat farthest from the door was Whitefeather.

I sat down. “I didn’t do it!” he blurted.

I froze and stared at him. “You could wait till I accuse you of something before claiming innocence. Okay, pal?” I finished getting comfortable in the seat and started pretending to sift through the file.

His wings shifted uncontrollably. “Um, what is it you think I did?” he asked.

“Oh, I’m glad you asked, but let’s start with what we know you did, shall we?” I started pulling the pictures of his prior offenses and setting them on the table in front of him. “Let’s see here. Your first crime, you stole a fairly expensive statue from a newlywed couple that were away on their honeymoon. Clean getting in, clean getting out. Pawned it without a hitch.”

“I don't see what you're getting at,” Whitefeather cut in, trying not to look at the photographs.

“Give me a minute, I’m getting there.” I moved on to the pictures from the second heist that he pulled. “Oh, yeah, then there was that time you broke into a safe, stealing over two hundred bits worth of gems, all while the homeowner was out getting groceries.”

Whitefeather stayed silent. He was forcing himself to stare at a spot in the wall a bit over my head. I could almost audibly hear his confidence breaking.

I leaned forward a little, resting my forelegs on the table. He instinctively looked back at me. “Do you know what the difference is from these two heists you pulled are?”

Whitefeather raised a brow. “What?”

“The first was careful, safely executed, and had a near zero risk of being caught. The second was almost the opposite. The pony who owned the safe could have returned anytime. Why did you go after that safe?”

He shrugged. “It seemed like an easy heist,” he told me.

I gave him a look to let him know that I wouldn’t be buying any of his horseapples today. “Nope, I don't buy it. I think you wanted higher risk, the rush. That is why you got caught pickpocketing that business pony. You like the rush.”

Whitefeather averted his gaze, but I could see his brow furrowing as he silently fumed.

“Which is why I completely understand why an adrenaline junkie such as yourself, fresh out of jail, would take a job…” I started laying out the pictures of the evidence we found in his room, and pictures of clues Arrow found in Vanhoover. “Breaking into a military compound, way out of your league, to steal crates full of military weaponry, accompanied by at least one orange pegasus with a now mangled wing,” I finished.

Whitefeather stared at the table of evidence with wide eyes, his throat convulsing as he tried to speak. “I—”

“We already have written statements by several hospital workers in Vanhoover that put you with the pegasus that broke into the warehouse. And you were dumb enough to sign the hospital forms with your own name.” I paused. “At this point, you can only try to help yourself by telling us what we want to know.”

I watched him look over the pictures, weighing his options. I remained silent while he thought; I was starting to worry he was gonna ask for a lawyer. Whitefeather finally sat back and sighed.

“I want a deal,” he said.

I had to suppress a smirk. Gotcha/ “I'll see what I can do,” I told him. I gathered up the evidence and walked out of the interview room, closing the door behind him. He remained sitting where he was, breathing heavily.

Nyx, Arrow, and Pain came out of observation. “How did you do that? He didn't even ask for a lawyer!” Arrow asked dumbfounded.

“I thought he would ask for one when he got scared in the middle there,” I admitted.

Pain piped in. “Well, now he wants a deal. What do we do?”

Nyx cleared her throat. “That is why I'm here.” She started for the door to the interrogation room.

I opened it for her and followed her in. Whitefeather looked up, blinking at us as if he’d just woken up from a deep sleep. “Who are you?” he asked Nyx.

“I’m an attorney with the city,” Nyx explained, pulling out the chair and sitting down. She placed her front hooves on the table and looked evenly at Whitefeather, her demeanor now entirely business-like. “We are prepared to offer witness protection in exchange for what you know about these criminals. We know of some unicorns that can change the colors of your fur and feathers so you’ll be less recognizable and can set up an entirely new identity and past for yourself in another city. Whoever you are afraid of, they would have no chance of finding you.”

“Where would you send me?” he asked.

“Any city in Equestria you wish, but you will have monthly check-ins with the local Guard,” Nyx said.

Whitefeather stared at the table, his eyes darting from one side to the other. “Can I think on this?” he inquired looking up at us.

“You may. But while you think, just remember that lives rest on you telling us what you know. Including possibly your own,” Nyx said in a tone that conveyed the gravity of the information he was holding.

Nyx turned and signaled me to follow her outside the room. I followed, closing the door behind me. Arrow and Pain were already there, waiting for us.

“Well, not much to do now until he makes up his mind,” Arrow sighed, running a hoof through his mane.

“I can notify you when he does. We’ll keep an eye on him.” Pain said, signaling the guard at the end of the hall to retrieve Whitefeather from the Interrogation Room and take him back to his cell.

“We’ll be waiting for the update,” Arrow said, starting to leave. Nyx and I followed him out.

We made our way back over to Arrow’s office. I noticed that the sun had set, which meant that Aurora was likely already in her apartment. Knight Gaze was waiting for us outside the office.

“How’d it go?” he inquired.

“He wants a deal. Once he gets a deal, he’ll tell us everything he knows. But he’s thinking about it. So all we have to do now is wait.” Arrow looked up at a nearby clock. I followed his gaze, ten-fifteen. “Go get some rest, boys. We won't be hearing anything tonight.”

Nyx gathered her things and strode over to KG, her hips swaying and a flirtatious smile returning to her face. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear that made him turn a hilarious shade of red. He quickly saluted Sergeant Arrow and followed after her. I chuckled at the sight and saluted Sergeant Arrow as well before leaving.

I was relaxed. Aurora had fallen asleep in my forelegs, her breath brushing against my chest fur. I stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. I couldn’t help but wonder if the answer to this case was just under our noses. Sitting there, taunting us. Smugglers don't hire thieves, mercenaries do. But mercenaries don't do anything, much less hire somepony such as Whitefeather, without being hired themselves first. Also, why would somepony hire a thief to steal military weapons and ammo when they could get a decent set of weapons from a civilian store at much less risk? And how did they know which warehouse to go into? Unless—

I needed to go over the evidence again. Carefully I slid out from beside Aurora; she mumbled in her sleep, then snorted and rolled over, fortunately not waking up. I walked out into her living room, where the file that contained all our notes sat waiting on her coffee table. Bringing work home, I know. I’m obsessive that way.

Flipping it open, I spread out each of the pictures and the notes that went with them, using my hooves and wingtips in unison to get them in place. I looked at everything, allowing the images to flow in front of my face.

“Whitefealter’s portfolio on the warehouse heist and...” I mumbled in thought.

I looked back at a picture of the envelopes I had found just before the crossbow in Whitefeather’s closet. They all had the same addresses, and there were just as many letters as there were envelopes; they must be from who gave Whitefeather the instructions and the intel on the warehouse.

I stood up and paced around the couch. “It has to be somepony who either had or is in contact with either the Guard, the Navy, or the Army.” I started going through the rankings in my mind. “I doubt it'd be one of the third class guards. KG and I are the only two-second class guards here, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t hire these mercs.” I paused. “Maybe Knight…?”

A second later, I had to fight down a laugh. “Heck, no. He’s incapable.” I shook my head and resumed pacing. “It has to be a guard with Sergeant ranking or up,” I said to myself. “It’s not Aurora...it just can’t be. Not Arrow, either, and I doubt Sergeant Pain gets out much. Pepper is too busy to be a turncoat.” That didn't narrow down the list much. Still had the warrant officers to go through.

“Hey,” I heard Aurora mumbling. I turned around to see her leaning on the bedroom door frame, rubbing her eyes and yawning. “What are you doing up? It's the middle of the night,” she asked.

I stopped pacing on the other side of the coffee table. “It's just this case. Something is whispering at me that I missed something, but I can't understand it. It's bugging the heck out of me.”

She came over to me. “Maybe you could understand it better if you got some sleep. Come on, I want my heater. ” She tugged me along with her back into the bedroom.

“Oh, is that all I am to you?” I asked jokingly, getting back into bed with her.

She snuggled up next to me. “That, and very good company,” she giggled. She kissed me on the nose. “Just try and get some sleep. I'm sure the answer will be there in the morning.”

I got comfortable again and let her fall asleep against my chest. I put the case out of my mind as best I could, and then followed her lead and fell asleep.

The next morning, I was with Sergeant Arrow and KG in First Sergeant Aurora’s office, giving her an update on the case. Arrow was doing most of the explaining, KG and I were merely filling in the smaller details.

“—and now we're just waiting for Staff Sergeant Pain to inform us that Whitefeather made a decision,” Arrow finished.

“It sounds to me like things are well in hoof right now,” Aurora nodded looking at the written report in her magic. “Any theories on who or what this ‘H’ character might be?”

“I suspect Whitefeather knows,” Arrow commented.

“I know you suspect that. But what do your young protégés think?” She looked at KG. “Knight Gaze, what are your thoughts?”

“I was thinking somepony with a military background like an ex-army or navy pony, possibly even Griffon Military,” Knight reported.

I nodded in mild agreement. A griffon that is ex-military would know how to train others to use military weaponry, but it doesn't explain how they knew exactly which warehouse to hit.

“Strider?” Sergeant Aurora said getting my attention. “You definitely look as though you have a theory.”

I definitely did. “It has to be somepony in the guard, or army,” I started. “And I think the return address from the envelopes we found in Whitefeather’s closet is the key to finding them.”

“Return address?” Aurora looked at Arrow, expecting an answer.

“Yes, there was a box of envelopes in Whitefeather’s closet when Knight Gaze and Strider went to search it.”

“Can I see the address?” Aurora inquired.

KG wasted no time opening his copy of the evidence file and producing the photos of the envelopes.

Aurora took the pictures in her magic and examined them one by one. she read off. Then her expression changed to confused. “I've seen this address before. Yeah, just a few months ago when the commander’s mail got mixed up with mine. He—” She paused, her face changing to angry. “Son of a…” she mumbled the last bit under her breath.

She dropped the pictures on her desk stood and walked out with determination. Arrow followed and Knight Gaze and I did the same. She stormed down the Sergeant’s hall out the door and Into where the Commander’s office is. The door must have been locked because when Aurora tried to open it it just clicked a little bit.

“Arrow, Strider. Break it down!” she ordered with fury, backing away.

Not wanting to disobey her at the moment, Arrow and I did exactly that. Backing up to the door, we kicked our hind legs against the door. My side of the double doors merely flew open, but Arrow’s actually broke off the hinges. That’s earth pony strength for you.

Aurora didn't even wait for the door to finish falling, she rushed into the office and made her way around the desk. She tried to open a drawer on the desk, but her frustration grew when she discovered that a magic-proof padlock was on it. She didn’t wait for us to help; she just kicked it herself repeatedly until she broke it completely off.

KG gave me a look with raised eyebrows. I gulped. I really, really hoped that I never did anything to piss her off.

With the lock off, Aurora opened the drawer and rummaged through it.

“First Sergeant, not to speak out of turn, but breaking into the Commander’s office is a big offense,” KG said, sounding worried.

Aurora pulled an envelope from Halberd’s desk and looked at intensely. “Halberd is no longer in command,” she stated and turned the envelope to where we could see it.

“‘Commander Halberd. 4838 Yellow Rock Road Tall Tale, Equestria’,” I read off, the realization suddenly dawning before my eyes. “He’s ‘H’.”

“Send word to Canterlot.” Aurora started, the anger in her voice rising. “If I have my way, I’ll see that mercenary scum hang!”

Tall Tale VIII

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Over the past month, the Tall Tale City Guard and I have been extremely busy. We got Halberd’s private finances unsealed and matched them up with much of the information Whitefeather finally told us. The information revealed several hideouts being used by the mercenary group, which we promptly put under surveillance. The information revealed many more contacts on the streets that could be exploited.

Knight Gaze and I were in Arrow’s office going over every scrap of evidence with Whitefeather’s seven-page statement in front of us. Halberd can’t elude us forever. Arrow was out with one of the new S.W.A.T teams hitting another hideout.

“We’re missing something and it’s right in front of us,” I said kicking the chalkboard with a hoof.

“It’s bugging you too?” KG asked looking over some pictures he had in front of him.

“Halberd has evaded every attempt at apprehension we throw at him. Despite us seeing him at each location mere minutes before each raid.” I glared at the chalkboard filled with evidence like it was a suspect. It might as well be a suspect, certainly felt like it was withholding information.

“Alright, we need to take a step back. Let’s go get some food in the cafeteria.” KG stood and went to the door. I took one last look at the board, feeling as though the lines and squiggles upon it were laughing at me.

“You coming?” he called after me.

“Yeah, let’s go.” I sighed, falling in behind him.

We made our way down to the cafeteria. The guards here had definitely made a hard turn around. Many of them had just been promoted to Guard Second Class a few weeks ago. So now KG and I weren't the only ones.

Mostly they were promoted because third class guards aren't allowed to go on high-risk missions. KG, Arrow, and I weren't enough. We needed a S.W.A.T team and so far they were not disappointing. We had two S.W.A.T teams now trained and outfitted. KG and I trained with them and received our S.W.A.T certification at the same time. It was a week long class, and I barely stayed awake for the written parts of it.

KG and I got our food after getting to the cafeteria. Today's special; Mush with a side of Mush.

“What is this stuff?” I inquired, staring at the white and brown lump on my tray.

“Protein, and other things the body needs. Just eat it,” the server said as she put a spoonful on my tray.

“If you say so,” I mumbled and followed KG to a table.

We sat down on the far end of the room and began eating. The Mush tasted like apples. Didn’t look or feel like apples in my mouth. That settled it. Eating with Aurora every night spoiled me.

“You looked troubled,” KG observed.

Sighing, I spoke. “Just this case. How was Halberd able to hide this kind of thing from the guard? The intel and evidence we’ve gathered suggest he’s been with this mercenary group since before he joined the guard. I don't understand how a pony could just throw away the oath we take like it’s a snotrag.”

“The case isn’t bothering you. The fact what this case impedes on our oath is what bothers you?” KG pressed.

I was mostly poking my mush with my utensil. “It just bothers me that somepony can squash it so easily for a promise of bits.”

He swallowed a mouthful. “I don’t like it either, the oath we take in the Equestrian Army is only a few degrees off from yours.”

“If anything yours is more strictly taken.” I agreed. KG nodded taking another bite.

After some time eating KG spoke up again. “So how are we gonna find something new in the evidence if we've been through it all?”

“I have no idea. We've been looking at everything that's there and we've found nothing new.” I said rubbing the side of my head.

That moment of silence between us seemed to last long than it did.

“Maybe that's the problem,” KG mumbled as he stared blankly at his food.

I looked up at him. “What?”

“What?” he asked breaking from his trance.

“You said that us looking at what's there is the reason we're not finding any more evidence.”

“Oh, yeah. Why, what do you have in mind?” KG asked wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“Your idea. Perhaps we look for what we don't see. Missing evidence is still evidence.”

“Your hypothesis is that we find the evidence where there is none?” he asked, looking at me like I had lost my mind. “How do we do that?”

“Not a clue. But still, we should look for the holes in the evidence still and treat them like pieces of evidence.”

“You're not making any sense.” KG stared at me.

“I'm making sense to me.” I pouted.

“Well, a good thing, because I'm not following you at all,” KG said finishing his meal.

“Just come on.” I got up from the table and started toward the door with my food tray balanced on my wing.

We brought out food trays to the wash bin and immediately made our way back to Arrow’s office.

“So we look for what evidence is missing.” I started.

“You said that already,” KG said sitting back down in front of his pile of pictures.

“I know that. We know he has small little storage rooms scattered throughout and around Tall Tale that he uses as staging areas.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So where is he operating from? An operation like this needs a headquarters. And with the volume of units, we've seen he needs a place to put them.”

“You're suggesting that wherever the headquarters is it has to be big.” KG started flipping through the pictures and documents. “There is a ten-acre plot of land Halberd’s family owned but never built anything on outside the city.”

“Didn't we already send a squad out there to check it out?” I asked.

“We did, but they didn't find anything. Something about rugged terrain being the reason.”

“Interesting,” I said looking over some more documents. I looked over his bank transactions one more time. “Hey, how much do you think a secret underground headquarters would cost to build?”

Knight Gaze shrugged. “A few thousand bits. Why?”

I tapped a line on the paper. “There is a bank withdrawal here. Halberd spent thirty-four thousand bits on something.”

“That would probably cover it, especially if he was going for basic functionality.” KG nodded.

I picked my helmet up off the couch. “We should go check out that property again.”

“But we were told to stay and go over the evidence.”

“We did. We're just following a lead. If we find anything we'll just come straight back and report it like normal.”

“Well, I suppose that does fall within the parameters of the original order.” KG pondered. “Okay let's go.”

“Grab your helmet just in case.” I pointed to the helmet on the desk.

“Yeah, I know.”

The sun was encroaching down on the horizon and the light was beginning to dim. Not quite enough for flashlights yet but it was getting dark.

“I think rough terrain was accurate,” KG said looking down a hill.

It was more or less the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Not far from where I was shot at. Not much here other than a few hoofing trails. But the hills were steep and one could tumble down if not careful.

“There has got to be something here,” I said looking down the path we were on.

KG was looking in the direction we came from. “What makes you so sure?”

I just shrugged. “I don't know. Call it a hunch.”

“Oh, great, we're out here on a hunch. That’s reassuring,” KG said sarcastically.

“See, this is how I know I’m being a good influence on you, you’re using sarcasm more openly lately,” I commented.

“Shut up and keep your eyes peeled.” KG kicked me forward with a hoof.

“So bossy,” I said jokingly, going back to look.

KG and I continued to look over every stone, under every bush, and up every tree. But we still found nothing. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I looked up to the trees, nothing there but the wind in the branches.

“You feel that?” KG asked.

I gave him a blank look. “You mean that feeling you get when somepony is watching you without you knowing?”

He returned the same expression. “Eyup.”

“Yeah, I’m getting the same feeling.” I nodded hearing a waterfall close by. “Come on, let’s keep moving.”

We made our way down to the waterfall. It wasn't very big. Only about as big a house. It fed a stream that passed by in front of KG and I. I went down to the water and got a drink.

“So if we were being watched,” KG said, “How long until they make them reveal themselves to us?”

“Oh, I’d say once we get too close to their headquarters they’ll want to have a word with us.” I started up the waterfall.

KG followed. “Yeah, but how will we know when we're getting too close?”

Just as KG finished asking his question, s crossbow bolt flew out from behind the waterfall and landed in front of me, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. “I’d say that is a good indicator!” I said as I drew my service sword. KG did the same.

Within seconds, a team of unicorns holding crossbows in their magic appeared at the top of the waterfall. Griffons and pegasi descended from the trees. All had their weapons aimed at us.

“Lotta good swords are gonna do us right now,” KG said.

I surveyed our situation. No way I could take off, and they’d shoot KG dead before he could cast his stun spell. “Stand down Knight Gaze. They got the drop on us.” I lowered my sword.

“But—” he started to argue.

“If they wanted us dead they’d have shot us by now. I’m guessing they don't want the attention that comes with murdering one of the Guard.” I reasoned. At least, I really, really hoped that was what their reasons were. It looked like KG wanted to argue but he lowered his sword as well.

Two Griffons came up to us and took our swords. “This way and no funny business, the General wants a word with you,” one of them snarled.

Halberd gave himself a promotion? Wonderful, he has an ego. They forced us toward the waterfall. A unicorn on the inside separated the water and allowed us to enter.

“Secret lair behind a waterfall. Cliche much?” I said aloud as they opened the door, trying to cover up the fact that I was about to lose control of my bladder. My smart remark earned me a hit to the nose with the stock of a crossbow.

“Shut up!” the griffon yelled.

Getting back to my hooves, I touched a hoof to my nose. There was some blood, but I’d be fine. I stayed quiet now, figuring it was best not to antagonize them further. They led us through the caves, passing quite a few offshoots that served as barracks, cafeterias, and medical rooms. There were strings attached to some bells along the walls and ceiling. A very, and comically, cheap alarm system, interesting.

We came to a reinforced door. The mercenaries knocked and then entered. Halberd sat across a desk from us. He glared at us both with a look that would’ve frozen magma into ice. “I knew when Canterlot Academy sent you two here I’d start having trouble. And sure enough, here you are,” he growled.

KG and I glanced at each other. I was curious what the scum had to say. “I purposely wanted fat and lazy guards so Tall Tale would be easy to bring to its knees. My organization would be notorious then, and we'd be rolling in bits."

“I thought putting you with Sergeant Aurora would keep you two occupied. But that search for Whitefeather prevented my mercenaries from moving undetected. So I had to leave and see that my troops knew how to move through the streets undetected.” he sighed.

“Then everything went downhill when we tried to intercept those orders from command you were carrying.” he threw a broken pencil lazily at my hooves.

Ha! I was right.

“But now you two have found us and compromised our operations in this city too much. You’ll have to be dealt with.”

“You can't kill us. That’s too messy for you.” KG said fixing Halberd with a glare.

“As much as I’d like to, you are right. I can’t. Even if we did, your bodies would turn up eventually. Then the trail would lead right back to me and my comrades. No, I think we’ll put you in our slave shipment.”

“Slaves?” I asked, somewhat alarmed. “There haven't been any missing pony reports at the compound.”

Halberd grinned. “No, because all the ponies we took were living on the street or had no families to miss them. You two will be the only ones who don't fit that criterion.” He looked at his soldiers. “Bring them down to the holding cells for processing.” He waved. “And make sure that cargo shipment is ready. Our employers are paying us good bits to get it into Equestria and I want to be able to negotiate a bonus!” He yelled at his subordinates.

They lead us away from Halberd’s office and down further into the caves. I’ll admit I as underwhelmed with the lack of sophistication this headquarters had. I was expecting an underground version of the Guard Compound. Alas, this was not the case. It was little more than a cave.

They lead us down some pathways through the rocks and to a large area where some crude cages stood. They opened an empty cage and shoved us in. “Stay here and stay quiet.” an earth pony merc said locking the cage and heading back out of the chamber.

Once they were gone, KG spoke up. “We are screwed,” he said negatively.

I turned to him. “Hey, I don’t want to hear that defeatist attitude. I wanna hear you upbeat,” I said firmly.

KG gave me a deadpan look and then plastered on a fake smile. “We are screwed!” he repeated in a cheery voice this time.

I nodded. “There you go.”

“So got any bright ideas?” KG said moving to examine the locking mechanism on the cage.

“Not yet.” I looked up at a hole in the roof of the cave. Big enough for me to fit through carrying another pony. I looked around the cave. There were only about six other ponies, four earth ponies and two pegasi with their wings bound.

“Hard to believe that some places in this world still practice slavery. I was reading an article on the Dragonlands last week and not even they look down upon us like that.” KG poked at the lock with his magic. “Hm..” he pondered.

“Find something?” I asked moving back to him.

“It’s a very crude lock, but proof against magic. I might be able to open it if I just had—” he looked at me.

“What?” I asked just as his magic flared and I felt some of my feathers being pulled out. “Owch! Hey!” I protested.

“You wanna get out of here or not?” he asked, ignoring me and putting my feathers into the mechanism.

“You could have warned me,” I pouted.

“If I told you, it would have hurt more. Now shut up and stop being a wuss,” he said, listening to the lock as he picked it.

You're a wuss. I snapped back in my head.

I watched him work the lock. After a few minutes of him slowly fiddling with it, there was a resounding click and the cage door swung open. “Awesome,” I grinned. “You think you can go get the key to the rest of these cages from the guard out there?”

“He’s an earth pony. He won't know what hit him. Be right back with that key.” KG trotted up the walkway without another word.

I went over to the cages to reassure the others. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna get you out of here.” They were all covered in dirt and grime, but their eyes expressed hope. Hope was good, it was better than fear.

“Done.”

My heart leaped up into my throat and I spun around at the whispered voice. KG appeared next to me, flipping the key around in the air, half-smirking after accidentally scaring me out of my wits. “Let’s get them out of here and report this like you said we would.” He unlocked the first cage.

“Could not agree more,” I said lifting the first pony up and out of the caves. The tunnel led up to a plot of green grass, upon which I set the former prisoner down before diving back in for the others. One by one I lifted up each of the six ponies out. KG used a spell that reduced the weight on the earth ponies so I could carry them. Finally, all that was left was KG. “You ready?” I asked turning back to the hole.

At the bottom, I could see KG nodding. Just before I leaped back down to get him he was tackled by a griffon. An alarm went through my mind and I dove faster. Landing at the bottom I looked for them. KG was holding the griffon back with a shield spell, but the griffon was battering it relentlessly, and the magic barrier was starting to crack. The griffon punched the shield hard, and Knight Gaze stumbled back, dazed.

I leaped for the griffon and shoved him aside. I charged forward and swung at his head. He ducked and swiped his claws at my exposed stomach. I spread my wings and flapped over his head, landing behind him. He looked around, having lost track of me. I took advantage of his confusion and bucked him hard in the back. He grunted and fell to the ground, skidding a few feet.

I closed in to finish him off, but then he spun around, a vicious grin on his beak. A small crossbow was in his claw, aimed right at me. The sharp, triangular-headed bolt was already nocked and ready. I froze instinctively, my eyes on the arrow that was pointed at my heart.

Suddenly, a bolt of green magic flew through the air and struck the griffon in the head. His eyes rolled back and he fell to the floor, unconscious. Knight Gaze was back up on his hooves, his horn glowing with magic.

“Me saving your life is becoming a habit,” he groused, grabbing some nearby rope on the ground. We tied up and gagged the griffon and locked him in one of the cages.

“Okay, time to get out of here,” I declared, grabbing Knight Gaze and lifting him up through the tunnel.

Joining the ponies topside we lead them back to the Guard Compound.

The ponies we rescued were now getting a warm meal and all writing statements about their abductions and treatment at the hooves of their oppressors. But that was in another part of the compound, being overseen by warrant officers and medical ponies. KG and I were with both SWAT teams and about twenty of other Guards that volunteered to go and help take the caves.

“Numbers won't help them in those caves, we have the advantage with our training,” Aurora addressed everypony as we got ready to go. “Alpha team. You go with Strider and I through the back and enter that way. Charlie, you’ll backup Alpha. Bravo will assault the front gate with Sergeant Arrow and Knight Gaze. Delta, you’ll provide backup for Bravo.”

It was a basic plan. It left room for each team leader to make adjustments on the fly. I loaded an automatic crossbow that I had selected from the armory and tucked it over my shoulder.

I followed Aurora onto one of the transport wagons that was being pulled by pegasi. Their job was to drop us off, and pick us up once we were done. The flight was quiet, and we were dropped off without incident. KG was leading his teams to the front entrance, just as I was leading mine to the hole in the ground that provided air to that end of the cave.

“Down there. That small clearing,” I said, jumping out of the wagon and leading them down. I quickly found the hole and stood by while the others landed.

Aurora trotted up. “Alright, boys, by the book on this one. Strider, since you’ve been down there before, I want you on point with Colossus…” She pointed to a particularly large earth pony wearing excessively heavy armor. “His armor is designed to take a beating so you can use him for cover.”

Colossus jumped down the hole without hesitation, or help, I followed. Once down at the bottom, I used my wings to walk on my hind legs while holding the crossbow. It’s harder than it looks, don't try it at home kids.

Colossus moved to the corridor entrance to cover it. I looked at the cage where the griffon still sat. He was still tied up and looked seriously pissed off at this point. He glared at me while I just chuckled at his annoyance. I signaled for Aurora to start allowing ponies to come down.

It took a few minutes for everypony to come down but eventually, we were all there. “Lead the way,” Aurora said.

“I only know the way to Halberd’s office from here so everywhere else is fair game,” I informed her.

“That’s fine with me,” Aurora confirmed.

I nodded to her and took point with Colossus. He was built like a wall, but Atlas was bigger. I kept my eyes forward and I could hear the S.W.A.T. team cutting the crude alarms, and quietly securing the rooms as we passed. The few mercs they encountered were put down quickly.

Good thing these crossbow bolts were dipped in a fast working tranquilizer, I had to drop a few merc guards patrolling the paths. So far so good. We were coming to a fork in the path: one way lead to Halberd and the other to the front entrance.

As I rounded the fork I came face to face with another guard, KG no less. “Friendly,” he called, holding up a hoof to stop me from shooting.

“Hello,” I responded not coming up with the proper response quick enough. “If I recall there aren't any other rooms other than Halberd’s office.”

“That’s what I remember as well,” KG nodded.

Sergeant Arrow joined us at the fork. He turned to First Sergeant Aurora who came up behind me. “We got all the mercs secure and being moved out of the caves right now back there.”

“Good. All that’s left is Halberd. KG, Strider, with us. The rest of you make sure all of those scum get a not-so-nice cell in the Cage back at the compound.”

“Yes sergeant,” a guard saluted and ran off back down the corridors.

“I’ll take point,” Aurora said heading down the path toward Halberd.

Aurora had a shield up as she walked forward, Arrow had a sword in his teeth, KG was sporting a spell and sword combination. I was merely following with the crossbow holstered. I liked hoof-to-hoof combat better.

We reached the doors. Aurora and Arrow on one side and KG and I on the other. Nodding to one another we burst through the door. KG and Aurora reading their spells, Halberd didn't bother looking up. He was just sitting at his desk doing paperwork.

“It’s rude to barge into somepony's room,” Halberd said cooly.

I was immediately on edge. I nudged KG, getting his attention. “Have a shield spell ready. I have a bad feeling.”

KG just nodded and switched spells. I watched Aurora approach Halberd.

“Halberd, you are under arrest for crimes against the city of Tall Tale, and Equestria. You will return to—” Aurora started.

Halberd’s horn flared silver light and a wave of magic burst from him like a shock wave. KG was prepared and threw his shield around the both of us, but the spell knocked Aurora and Arrow into the wall and off their feet.

KG dropped his shield spell and started firing stun spells at Halberd, who was using a shield construct to protect himself as he moved toward the door.

I broke left toward the door and circled around Halberd, I jumped at him and tried to grab him but he ducked and I crashed into the stone floor.

Halberd attempted to stomp my head with a hoof but I was quick to get up and buck him in the side. With his concentration broken KG hit him with a stun spell, but only slowed him. Halberd countered with a blast of his own that knocked KG down.

I jumped on Halberd’s back and wrapped my forelegs around his neck, I used my hind legs to keep his forelegs from flailing. With a flap of my wings, I lifted up a little and put him in a chokehold that was intensified by his own weight.

Halberd’s hind legs kicked and bucked. He was struggling for oxygen, choking and gasping as he struggled futilely to get me off him. Luckily for him, I was only going for unconscious, not dead. Once Halberd’s eyes shut and he stopped kicking, I dropped him.

Landing I checked on him. I put a hoof on his neck to check for a pulse. His heart was still beating, which was good-ish. KG came over after getting back up and zapped Halberd with a stun spell for good measure.

KG nodded satisfied. “That'll do it.”

“Yeah. Perhaps we should check on the other two and get some help?”

“I'll get some help.”

I waited for KG to leave the room. Once he was gone I went over to Aurora. “First Sergeant?”

Aurora groaned.

“First Sergeant, you alright?”

“Tell me you got that mercenary scum,” Aurora groaned, feebly opening her eyes.

“He's out cold,” I informed her. For professionalism’s sake, I tried to keep myself from showing how relieved I was.

“Good, now go check on Arrow. Pretty sure he got hit too.”

“Yes First Sergeant.” I stumbled over to Arrow, my knees shaking with emotion.

Fortunately, Arrow was okay. Some more guards arrived with a medic, the Guards dragged Halberd out of the caves and the medic made sure that Aurora and Arrow were alright. We’d captured all of the mercs, freed the hostages, and taken no casualties doing it.

All in all. Today was a good day.

Tall Tale IX

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Halberd’s court martial was today. He had stayed silent since waking up in a jail cell. His mercenaries, however, were more than willing to blab about their many, many crimes. The mercenaries’ trials were hardly an hour each, and there were a lot of them. All together it took quite some time to get through them all. Then some wanted appeals, but those didn't last long either.

Purposely, we made Halberd’s trial last just in case there were any other charges we could lay against him. And it turned out that there were a fair few: intimidation, assaults, property damage, and a few more. Although the one that we were prosecuting him on was treason.

I was with Aurora in her apartment again. We were polishing our armor. A Captain was arriving in a few hours and wanted to see the compound before he passed judgment on Halberd.

“You missed a spot,” Aurora said, moving closer to me.

I looked down at my nigh-perfectly polished armor in confusion. “Where?”

I looked back up at her. She just used it as a distraction to get closer. She kissed me and put much of her weight on me at the same time. I put my armor down on the table to focus on the new activity.

We made out on the couch for a few minutes, before we had to stop for air. “It's a shame you only have a month left here. I think I'm actually gonna miss you,” she said, resting her chin on my chest.

I shrugged and draped a wing around her. “Yeah, well, it has to happen. Before we get found out.”

“I know. I also know there is another mare on your mind,” Aurora said, standing up and going back to her armor.

This was news to me. “What do you mean?” I sat back up.

Aurora rolled her eyes. “It’s painful that you’re that oblivious to your own desires. Snow, the partner you said you had during training. You don’t talk about her much, but when you do, the way you talk about her, it's obvious that you like her.”

“What? She's just kind, beautiful, thoughtful, good at her job, her smile—” I started.

“There!” Aurora said pointing a hoof. “Right there. You like how she smiles. If you didn't like her you wouldn't remember that. It's been what, five months since you've seen her? And I've seen your face when you read the letters she sends to you. Always smiling like a drunk idiot.”

“Well, I—” I stammered.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't thought about her in that way,” Aurora interrupted, staring at me with her victory face.

I looked her in the eye. I couldn't help it when a stupid blushing grin grew on my face when I thought about Snow smiling. “Okay, fine, maybe you're right. Maybe I have feelings for her. But even if I do, what am I supposed to do? She's seeing a traveling banker.”

“She lied,” Aurora scoffed, putting on her armor. “All mares say something of the sort like that when the stallions they like say they are seeing somepony.”

I shook my head. “No, Snow doesn't lie.” I put my armor on as well.

Aurora just glared as she tightened her last strap. “Okay, live in denial. But from now on, since you’re leaving, you are staying in the compound.”

“I understand,” I said fiddling with the chest strap.

Aurora’s magic flared and telekinetically assisted with putting my armor on. “We made a deal about this when we started.”

“I know. I said I understand.”

“Just making sure. Stallions tend to be thick headed.”

“Which head you talking about?” I grinned.

Aurora blushed and laughed. “Okay, out!”

“Yes, First Sergeant,” I said jokingly, leaving her apartment.

The Captain that came to represent command was none other than Captain Shining Armor himself, and he had also arrived with an Equestrian Army security detail. These soldiers meant business, and their whole job is to take Halberd away to Earthcracker Prison. I stared in awe at the Captain of both House guards that protect the Princesses. He circled Halberd who was chained to the center of the floor with an inhibitor ring on his horn. Captain Armor had the stack of evidence floating in front of him as he walked.

“Sir, I can have my lead investigator explain everything if you’d like,” Aurora said.

Captain Armor didn’t even look away from the papers. “No thanks. I’m a fast reader. A trick I picked up from my little sister. But thank you for the offer First Sergeant.” After another few papers, he looked over at me. “Rechecking the property was your idea, Flame Strider?”

“More or less. Yes Sir,” I said, not moving.

“How’d you come to that? I wouldn’t have been able to draw the connection there had it not been for these notes,” Captain Armor said, flipping through the packet again.

I had a feeling I could leave out the unorthodox thought process. “It was a hunch, Sir,” I said plainly.

“Uh huh. Sure.” He looked over at Aurora. “You haven't promoted them to First Class Guards, yet have you?”

Aurora seemed to hesitate. “No, Sir.”

“Any way we can get on that? Like now?” Captain Armor said, hinting at the implied order.

Aurora looked over at the warrant officer in charge of that kind of paperwork. “Go. Do as he says.” The warrant officer saluted and hurried out of the room.

Captain Armor went back to the task at hand. “Okay Commander Halberd, if that is even your actual name. Charged with falsifying military documents, supplying criminals with military weaponry, trafficking in slave labor, planned murder of a guard, attempted acquisition of classified documents...”

Halberd seemed to be filling with pride as Captain Armor listed off the offenses.

“...and finally resisting arrest.” Captain Armor finished. “Oh, and lucky you. Every single one of those offenses can be proved with what I hold right here. Have anything to say before I reach a verdict?”

“I plead guilty,” was all Halberd said.

“Well, that’s that.” Captain Armor looked over to the soldiers standing off to the side. “He’s all yours, boys.”

They proceeded to unhook Halberd from the floor and lead him out of the room. I watched from my spot as best I could. Halberd was smiling. Why was he smiling?

I looked down at the Guard First Class pin on my formal uniform, and I couldn't help but feel some accomplishment. The last month had just flown by. KG and I had been busy with Sergeant Arrow training our six replacements. I also learned a great many interrogation techniques from Arrow as well, that I got to try on the replacements. That was a fun day.

We had also gotten a Captain to replace Halberd, Captain Stone Wall, a stone gray Earth pony. He was aged, but in no way elderly. He was a very hooves-on officer, never liked to be in his office unless he has to do some paperwork. Like now, going over the last of my transfer papers.

“After reading your accomplishments here Flame Strider, I can honestly say I'm disappointed to see you go. I could use a competent Guard like you,” Captain Wall started. “But I understand that you want to see other cities before you get stuck behind a desk like me.”

“Yes, Sir. First Sergeant Aurora said the next city I would be going to would be Baltimare?” I inquired.

Captain Wall nodded. “It is indeed. I hope you don't mind. But I sent a request along with your paperwork.”

“Sir?”

“My grandson. Stone. He’s a guard second class, and he’s a little slow on the uptake. But nearly everything he knows is how to be a guard. I sent a request to the Baltimare Guard Captain, that he’d be paired with you once he get’s out of the Baltimare Academy. He could learn a lot from a pony like you. Do make sure he doesn't get his head stuck in a trashcan or something. Will you?” he asked.

Wait, he already sent my papers on ahead? I could care less if he wanted me to watch some rookie. “I’ll do my best sir,” I answered, subconsciously puffing my chest up a bit.

“Thank you,” Captain Wall nodded. “Now as for your travel arrangements. Friday, you are going to be getting on the six-thirty train to Canterlot, then once it arrives in Canterlot you will be getting on the fifteen hundred train to Baltimare. Here are your travel papers, don’t be late,” he said, sliding a folder to me.

I took the folder and put it under my wing. “Thank you, sir.”

“Dismissed,” Captain Wall nodded and turned his attention to some documents.

I did an about face on my hind hooves and exited.

I only had a day left to get everything in order, as did KG. Fortunately, we hadn't really done much since coming here. I had all the letters I had received packed up and all my gear in their bags waiting for tomorrow morning. We even got the go-ahead to turn in our Tall Tale issue armor. KG and I sat in our room just sitting now.

“Hey, Strider?” KG started from his bed.

“Yeah?” I answered as I laid on my back, staring at the ceiling.

“What do you think command life is like?” he asked me.

“Paperwork,” I answered without thinking.

Even without looking, I could feel KG giving me his trademark glare. “Seriously.”

“I’d like to think that the job doesn't really change. You're just instructing Guards that protect civilians, and you protect your subordinates from the bureaucratic nonsense that they need not worry about.”

“So, paperwork,” KG chuckled.

I laughed. “Yeah, pretty much.”

“I don't think I’ll make it much farther than the sergeant rankings. From what I’ve seen Sergeant Arrow do, sergeants have more than enough paperwork to deal with,” KG said levitating his officer’s manual out and reading it again.

“How many times have you read that officer’s manual?” I asked.

“I’ve lost count. I found it one day as a colt in Fillydelphia. The foster system doesn't allow many personal items and this was the only book I owned so they had to allow it.”

I rolled over and sat up. “You were a foster foal?”

“Yeah. As soon as I was allowed, I tried getting into the Equestrian Army. It took me a few tries because of the fitness requirements.”

“So that is one of the only books you’ve been reading your whole life?” I asked baffled.

“Yeah, there are other things in here now though.” He levitated out some pictures and old, yellowed papers from the pages of the book, a small smile crossing his face. “Pictures of me and some of the other foster kids, scraps of paper where I recorded events of my life. Even the declined recruitment forms. I keep everything with meaning to me in here.”

I studied the little articles of my partner’s life. “That’s actually kind of amazing.”

“How is that amazing?”

“That excessively old officer’s manual is your entire life,” I stated.

KG closed it and looked at the tattered cover. “Huh, you're right. I just thought of it as a reminder of my rough childhood. But I suppose this thing did lead me to the life I have now.” KG sat up and looked at me, blinked a few times then jumped off the bed. “Come on. There is one last thing I want to do while I’m here.”

“What is it?”

“Just follow me for once.”

“Okay fine.” I got up off the bed and followed KG out of the compound.

He led me through the city streets, and Into the Lantern District. We passed restaurants. KG was moving quick and determined.

I had just watched an enticing group of mares pass by. “Where are we going KG?” I asked looking back at him.

He was talking to a vendor that had a phosphorus camera. “Two please,” he said and paid the pony.

“What are you doing?”

“You made me realize I'm nostalgic, so shut up and take the picture with me.”

I rolled my eyes and got in front of the camera. KG gave a salute to the camera. I put two feathers behind KG’s head and smiled.

The camera pony nodded and put his head behind the camera before shouting. “3,2,1. Smile!”

Baltimare I

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I looked at the black and white photo I held in my wing. It was a shame that KG had to take a later train; I wanted a rematch on that poker game we played on the train when we met. I sure was going to miss him.

Sighing, I put the photo away and watched the landscapes go by as the train approached Canterlot. Unicorn Range and the fields below Cloudsdale sped by in a blur of colors. All in all the train ride was quiet, and a little boring. There weren't any other Guards or soldiers in the Service Car this time, just me.

With Equestria getting into the winter months, Canterlot was already doused in white snow. Other cities and the smaller towns would soon be following the same example.

I was supposed to have only ten minutes to get to the next train, but the train arrived in Canterlot five minutes ahead of schedule. That gave me fifteen minutes to stretch my legs and wings, before being confined to yet another train car.

I walked over to the loading zone for my next train and stood to the side. There were considerably more Guards getting on this one. Off duty Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, and guards of various rankings all going to Baltimare or the few towns along the route for one reason or another.

The cold breeze was nice. I always had a higher body temperature, which I found worked well in the winter months. I hate the desert though. WAY too hot.

I watched the crowd and did some stretches to limber up as they all slowly boarded the train. That is until a familiar pony form caught the corner of my eye. Looking into a window halfway down the train car I saw Snow reading a magazine, unaware of her surroundings. The seat next to her was empty too.

This changed my priorities immediately. I gathered my things up off the ground and boarded the train. I slowly struggled through the line to where she was sitting. She was so wrapped up in that magazine she didn't notice me putting my things on the rack above her and sitting down.

So I waited for her to notice me sitting there with an amused smile on my face. Even as the train moved forward and started its trek to Baltimare, she just kept reading the magazine. I sat as quietly as possible, trying to stifle my giggling.

About ten minutes into the train ride a conductor started checking travel papers. He asked everypony in the car as he walked. “May I see your travel papers please?” the older stallion asked with a warm smile as he approached me.

I got my papers out from beneath my wing. As he looked them over I decided it was time to pull Snow back into reality. “Snow, he needs to see your travel papers,” I said nudging her with a wing.

She nearly came unglued as her magic flared and she dropped her magazine. “Strider! What are—” she started, smiling broadly at me.

I turned to the conductor and took my papers back, and then he looked expectantly at Snow. “Papers?” he asked.

“Oh, yes of course.” She got her papers out and levitated them up for him to see. Snow held her excitement in while he looked. I was close to laughing.

“Everything is in order. Enjoy the ride you two.” He nodded at us and continued down the row.

Once he was gone, Snow immediately hugged me and buried her muzzle in the softer spot between my shoulder and chest muscles. “I take it you missed me?” I inquired wrapping my left wing around her.

I heard a muffled “Yeah,” from her.

I just smiled and let her hug me. After a minute, she looked up at me in confusion. We remained in in each other's embrace while we talked.

“I thought you were in Tall Tale? What are you doing on the train to Baltimare, visiting one of your brothers or something?” she asked me in that mix of Trottingham and Manehattan accents I knew her for.

“Transfer. You?” I replied.

“Oh, I couldn’t stand it anymore.” She glared forward at nothing in particular. “I got written up for something that Vanity did, and she got praised for something I did.”

I returned the confused look. “I'd leave too,” I agreed. “But you're going back, right? Are you just on vacation or something? I mean you said you wanted to live in Canterlot.”

She looked at me almost defensively. “I do,” she started. “But after getting written up I thought I'd do the same thing you’re doing. See, live, and work in a few cities, then head back when I'm ready.”

“You're transferring to Baltimare?” I asked with hope.

“Mmhm,” she nodded with a smile. “I just kinda figured since it's a little closer to Manehattan I’d be at least familiar with it.”

My heartbeat sped up; I felt like I was soaring. “That'd be nice. Only things I know of the city are when I came here to visit my grandparents.”

Snow nodded then her eyes lit up with a fresh start of hope. “Now that you're gonna be in Baltimare too, maybe we can be partners again?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. But it's a slim chance, it's not up to us. Remember?”

“Yeah, I know. But it's not gonna stop me from wishing it.” She leaned against me, getting comfortable. Her touch against me felt like heaven.

“Let’s worry about it when we get there. Let's just enjoy the train ride like the conductor said to,” I suggested, wrapping my wing around her snugly.

She smiled and rested her head against my shoulder, before speaking under her breath. “It'll be much more enjoyable with you there too.”

I just smiled and looked out the window as the scenery rolled by, content with the moment. Part of me couldn’t wait to get to Baltimare, but the other part of me wished this train ride would never end.

The jostling of the train car pulling into the Baltimare train station woke me from my nap. I yawned and looked down at Snow, who was curled up beneath my wing. She let out a tiny snore and mumbled in her sleep.

From the train window, I looked out across the city. I could see the old buildings built of brick that still stood strong circling the outer portions of the city. Closer to the center and the water’s edge was where the larger newer buildings resided; their material was definitely younger than the centuries-old brick, but the buildings’ architecture still reflected the styles of the oldest buildings.

I gently nuzzled my sleeping partner. “Snow, wake up, we're here.”

She yawned and blinked herself awake. I watched her frosty blue eyes slowly open. Aurora’s words echoed in my head. Oh, Tartarus, she was right. I do have feelings for this mare.

“Why are you staring?” Snow asked, her face turning a little pink.

I flushed. “Um, nothing. Just making sure you're awake,” I stammered. A terrible excuse that I don't think she bought for a moment.

Once the train finished pulling into the station, we waited for our fellow Guards to get off before us. When everypony else was ahead of us, I stood and retrieved my bags from the rack above us. Snow merely levitated her saddlebag onto her back as she followed me off the train.

We got off the train and started away from the train station. I was stopped by a tap on my shoulder, which felt more like a meteor strike. Ouch. I looked to see Atlas and Thasus were waiting for me outside the train station.

“Hey, little bro!” Atlas exclaimed.

“What are you guys doing here? I didn't tell you I was gonna be here yet,” I said as I hugged them.

“I work out with the local guard sometimes, one of the Warrant Officers told me you were coming,” Thasus said.

Atlas shrugged his large shoulders. “I'm here because I was visiting Grandpa and Grandma. I had decided to visit Thasus today, then he told me you were transferring here, and arriving today. Thought I'd tag along.”

“That some big coincidence,” Snow muttered a little too loudly.

Thasus and Atlas spun their heads around faster than a basilisk hunting for prey. Snow shrunk away from their gaze, blushing. I thought she couldn't get any cuter than she already was. Oh, Celestia help me!

Atlas spoke in a mock posh voice. “Is this the infamous Snow you told us about? The one you told us you went to the Academy with?” Atlas asked, circling Snow like some kind of predator.

Thasus did the same voice and joined the circling. “She has to be the one. Same visual details as the little brother described.”

“My name is First Class Guard Snow. A pleasure to meet you two. Atlas and Thasus? Am I right?” Snow asked. “Where is your third? Strider said the show is always lacking without all three of you present.”

Atlas’ and Thasus’ ears drooped as their eyes went wide. Atlas looked over to me like how a general orders his troops. “You marry her! You marry her right now!” he shouted at me.

I could see Snow blushing even more off to the side. I cleared my throat. “Guys, slow your roll. Snow and I are just partners, friends.”

Thasus looked over to Snow. “That is the biggest load of—”

“Thank you guys for meeting us at the train!” I shouted cutting Thasus off. “But we really must be reporting in.” I put a wing around Snow and lead her away from my crazy brothers.

“Oh no, you don't! You're not getting away from us that easily. We both have the day off, so we're sticking with you for the day.” Thasus said, trotting beside us with one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen plastered on his face.

“And what? Embarrass me in front of my new colleagues?” I asked, cringing internally.

“That is precisely the plan,” Atlas said, following along on my other side.

Snow was giggling quietly. “Even without Orion they are still kinda funny,” she whispered to me.

“To you, maybe,” I groaned. “You’re not the one who had to grow up with them.”

The Guard compound here was more like a campus. There were several different buildings all crammed together like a mini town. There was a field in the center that looked like it was used for more than a few kinds of sports.

Snow and I stood at the right end of a long line of new arrivals for the Baltimare Guard, arranged in a half circle to better hear the Captain. I could hear Thasus and Atlas snickering behind me. The Guard Captain was a white earth pony mare with a pale pink mane. The uncommon color palette for an earth pony, but who am I to judge? She walked back and forth along the line of about twenty new Guards.

There were only a few Third Class Guards, they'd get standard guard duty in the local jail. A handful of Second Class Guards would be on patrol guards, parole officials, or prisoner transfers. And the First Class Guards like Snow and I would be handling special assignments, like say if a princess came to town, or my personal favorite flavor, Special Investigations.

Obviously, Tall Tale operated differently out of necessity.

“Listen up!” the Captain shouted abruptly. “I do not tolerate insubordination. I do not tolerate backtalk. I do not tolerate disobeying orders. Any Guard that is caught disobeying any of the rules will be subject to disciplinary action.” She paused, letting the information sink in. “Am I clear?” she shouted.

“Yes ma’am!” we shouted.

“I didn’t hear you. I must have something in my ears. Try again,” she said with a devious grin.

I could hear Atlas and Thasus behind me, snickering at the whispered comments they were having between them.

“YES MA’AM!” we roared.

“That’s better,” she nodded, satisfied. “I'm gonna hoof things over to First Sergeant Magnus and Warrant Officer Quibbly. They’ll assign you your partners and your rooms.”

She turned to step aside and the whole row gave a salute. First Sergeant Magnus and Warrant Officer Quibbly approached. Starting at the end of the row, they started delivering assignments pony by pony. When they reached one of the Second Class Guards they stopped and pointed over to where I was standing.

The Guard said nothing and trotted over and stood on the opposite side of Snow from me. He was an earth pony and gray all over, with a large cutie mark of what looked like a stone shield of some sort. As Magnus and Quibbly made their way down the line, each pair of guards were dismissed to go get settled.

I waited patiently as two by two went to a barracks. I started counting by two from where the other end of the line was. The two guards to my left would be paired together. Then it was me, Snow, and this Second class guard.

I was starting to worry that Snow would get paired with somepony else. When they finally dismissed the two on my left they stepped up to us.

“Guards First Class Flame Strider, and Snow,” Magnus started. “Strider, I want you paired with Stone there.” He looked at Snow. “Snow, unfortunately, we don't have a partner for you. But I am aware that you and Strider here trained together in the Canterlot Academy.”

Snow nodded, staying composed.

“I got permission from the Captain to conduct a little experiment. I want you to team up with Strider and Stone here,” Magnus told her, then stepped back a pace to look at all three of us. “Your three will report to Special Investigations at o’seven hundred sharp.”

An excited squeal rushed up into my throat, and I was barely able to hold it back. “Yes, Sergeant,” the three of us said in unison.

“Quibbly, they’re all yours.” Sergeant Magnus stepped back and walked away.

Warrant Officer Quibbly stepped up to us. He was a brown unicorn with a short orange mane. He didn't look up from his clipboard. The keys attached to the board jingled as he studied his list. “Barracks two, room nine on floor two,” he reported dully. He levitated three keys off his clipboard. “One key for each of you. Room inspection is once a month. Your armor is already in your room. If anything doesn't fit, come see me down in Requisitions. Dismissed.” He walked off.

All the Sergeants and the Captain were leaving as well. I looked over to Snow who was just smiling. I looked past her at Stone. He was still at attention.

“Stone?” I asked him moving in front of him. I waved my hoof in front of his eyes. “Stone, they’re gone.”

He finally blinked. “Oh, good,” he sighed, relaxing. “You know, it's really difficult standing there holding your breath and not blinking.”

“We were standing there for a good twenty minutes. How are you able to hold your breath that long?” Snow asked, taken aback.

“Oh, ya know, I just don't think about it.” He looked at me with dopey smile.

“Right,” I said slowly. I was starting to think that this pony might be a few hay fries short of a meal. “Well, we have our room now. Do you want to go see it?

“We partners?” he asked.

“Uh huh. You, me, and Snow here.”

He tilted his head, still smiling. “Who’s Snow?”

“I'm Snow,” Snow said, stepping forward and smiling kindly at him.

“What’s your name?” Stone asked pointing a hoof at me.

“My name is Strider,” I told him.

Stone smiled and grabbed Snow and me into a lung-crushing hug. “I have friends! We can all hang out in the room together, and we can all get ice cream. Oh, and we can have sleepovers!”

“Stone, bud,” I wheezed, struggling away from him.”We live in the same room!”

“That just means that every night is a sleepover. Awesome!” He finally let us both go and went to retrieve his gear off the ground.

I gasped for air as Stone wandered off, still smiling. Atlas strolled over, chuckling merrily. “He's like a giant foal.” He paused to think a moment. “A giant foal who can punch your lights out.”

“Perhaps we should leave them to get acclimated,” Thasus commented. “Strider, meet us at Grandma and Grandpa’s house later. I'm sure they want to see you.”

“I'll try and make it over. But I can't guarantee it,” I told him, gathering my stuff up.

I watched Snow already heading to the barracks. Atlas leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Bring your marefriend too. Grandma would want to meet her.”

“She's not my marefriend,” I said in a stern voice to a retreating Atlas, feeling my blush rising up to the crown of my head.

We heard a thud. Turning, we saw that Stone had started chasing a butterfly around in circles, which resulted in him getting dizzy and falling on his back. “You may want to bring him too. Best not leave him alone,” Thasus added, shaking with laughter. “Later,” he said, following Atlas out.

I waved a wing in their direction and started toward the barracks after Snow. “Stone! Come on, bud,” I called him over. I knew he wasn’t a dog, but it's the first method that came to mind.

He hurried over and followed behind me. As I followed Snow closely I couldn’t help but stare as she walked. I had to admit, it wasn’t just her personality that was attracting me. When she reached the door, she looked back at me. I made a point to look at anything else: the floor, ceiling, a random door across the hall, the dust bunny in the corner.

“We’re here,” Snow said as she unlocked the door. She was obviously suspicious of my behavior. I had to curb some of these feelings for now. I could deal with them another day.

Entering the dorm, I was surprised to see it a definite upgrade from the room in Tall Tale I shared with KG. There were three beds along the back wall. Two were put together to form a bunk bed, and the third stood alone. They sat wall to wall, partially covering the window.

“Dibs on top bunk!” I shouted, leaping over Snow and flying up to the top.

“No fair! You had top bunk at the academy,” Snow protested.

“Can you get up here with as little trouble like me?” I asked with a smirk. Snow just pouted. “Stone, you can have that one all to yourself.”

I looked over the room more. There was a small two pony table to the right of the door. Along the left side was where the lockers were. They were tall and definitely meant to hold a lot of gear. Snow and Stone each had nightstands near the head of their beds. I had a single shelf that looked recently installed and a corkboard with a few tacks behind my pillow.

I flopped my bags onto my bed. I could deal with unpacking later. “So my grandparents are making dinner and we three are invited,” I said as I watched Snow already halfway through unpacking.

“Oh, that sounds nice,” Snow said without looking at me.

My face and my heart both fell a little bit. “We don't have to go if we don't want to.”

She looked up at me with that million gem smile of her’s. “No, we should go. Celestia knows when we'll get another decent meal once we get to work. You heard the First Sergeant. We are supposed to be reporting to Special Investigations in the morning.”

“All excellent points.” I hopped off my bunk. “Stone, want to go get some dinner at my grandparent’s place?” I looked to see Stone dumping the contents of his bag into the corner beside his bed. I’d have to ask Snow for help cleaning it up later.

He looked at me suspiciously. “Will there be ice cream?”

That was an easy question when it came to my grandmother. “Yes actually. Grandma has an entire icebox full of ice cream.” Stone nodded eagerly.

“So it’s decided?” I asked.

“Looks that way. I’m done unpacking anyway.” Snow’s eyes widened at Stone’s mess when she saw it, then whispered to me, “I’m gonna have to clean that, aren't I?”

I nodded and whispered back. “I’ll try and help.” I looked at Stone. “Come on bud. My grandparents live in Red Town.”

Red Town was one of the sections of Baltimare, the oldest one in fact. The majority of every building was made of red brick, hence the name. We were coming up to my grandparent’s house. It was late afternoon, not quite dinner time, but I was sure Grandma Galaxy has already started cooking.

Seven Seventy-Two Lantern Lane is the house we walked up to. Before knocking, I looked back at my partners. “Fair warning. My grandmother can be quite talkative at times. Especially when she has guests.” I opened the door and entered.

My nose was greeted with the scent of vanilla as I entered. I smiled at the smell. Loud voices came from the living room, I doubt they heard me open the door.

The living room had a lot of seating; there was a large L-shaped couch that dominated one side of the room and a corner, where Atlas and Thasus sat. My grandfather's chair was nearest the fireplace at the end of the L-couch. There was a standard three to four pony couch across from my grandfather’s chair and the coffee table that sat in the middle.

Rounding the corner to the living room I made my presence known. “Hey, Grandma!” I said calling her attention.

Grandma Galaxy stood from her seat on the couch beside Atlas. “Ahh! We were starting to think you wouldn't come!” she beamed. She made her way around the coffee table and hugged me.

I could see my grandfather in his chair. We exchanged nods as our hello.

Grandma kissed my cheek as she pulled away. “I brought some guests Grandma,” I said revealing Snow and Stone behind me.

“Oh, you know I don't mind. The more the merrier. Why don't you introduce me and your grandfather?”

“Grandma Galaxy, Grandpa Skyquake. These are my partners Snow, and Stone.” I gestured to everyone as I said their names.

“I hope you two like lasagna. I made three.” She turned and bounced towards the kitchen.

“Three?” I repeated as a question. “Grandma, don't you think that's a bit much?”

“We asked her the same question,” Thasus chimed in.

We could hear my grandmother talk from the kitchen. “You boys ate a lot as colts, even more as you grew. Now you are soldiers and Guards, don't think that I forgot how to cook for soldiers.” She came out of the kitchen still smiling. “There are three soldiers here and three Guards. Three lasagnas are barely enough for the seven of us.”

“Okay, point made,” I said, nodding. I gestured for Snow and Snow to sit down on the four pony couch. I sat myself down in a spare chair leaving my grandmother a spot on the couch beside my grandfather.

“So have you been promoted yet? We read in the paper about your previous commander,” my grandfather asked me.

“I have. Guard Class One.”

“Good,” he nodded turning his gaze over to my companions.

“Snow, is it? You trained with my grandson in the Academy. How are your skills as a guard?”

I was momentarily worried that Snow would think my grandfather was one of those ponies who didn't think mares had any place in being guards or soldiers. The truth was, he didn't care who you were as long as the job got done, but Snow might not know that.

“Good enough to get written up for doing my job,” Snow cracked a grin.

My grandfather smiled and laughed. “Yeah, that'll happen.” He looked over to Stone. “What about you, boy?”

“I got into the Guard and I finished training,” Stone smiled.

My grandfather gave me a confused look. “He's a few apples short of a bushel,” I told him in a hushed voice. “But he apparently knows how to be a Guard, so here he is.”

“I see,” he nodded. “So you three are partners? What do they have you doing?”

Snow answered before I could. “We are to report to Special Investigations in the morning. I expect Strider will have the most experience with this though. With Stone being fresh out of the academy, and me having been only on patrol for six months. He will have to take lead until one of us catches up.”

Stone just nodded in agreement. “Was I just nominated to take the blame if something goes wrong?” I asked.

“Good luck, brother. You'll need it,” Atlas said smiling.

“Wonderful.” I rolled my eyes.

“Dinner is ready!” Grandma Galaxy called from the dining room. “The lasagnas have cooled a bit and now we're ready to eat.” She walked into the living room. “Thasus, show our guests to their seats, Atlas help your grandfather, and Strider I would like to have a word in the kitchen please.”

This was unusual. Usually, she only called me into the kitchen when I was in trouble or something. Once we reached the kitchen I started. “What’s up?”

“‘What’s up’ is that mare clearly likes you,” she said glaring at me.

“What? No, she—” Grandma interrupted me by hitting me on the head with a wooden spoon. “Owch!”

“You may be a good Investigator, but you are as oblivious as ever. Ask that mare out, or I'll do it for you, and I'll know if you show her up.”

“How will you know?” I asked, half-skeptically, half-fearfully.

“I have my ways.” She left the conversation at that and joined the group in the dining area.

I followed and sat down nearby my grandfather. Snow and Thasus were talking about magic spells. Atlas and Stone were talking about armor types. My grandmother jumped between each conversation.

“She whacked you on the head didn't she?” Grandpa Skyquake asked. I nodded. “Whatever it is she told you to do. Do it. And she will know. I don't know how she finds stuff out but she does,” he said before turning his attention to the meal in front of him.

I followed his lead, turning my attention to my meal. Perhaps I will ask Snow out. Soon, just not right now.

Baltimare II

View Online

I was in a half asleep, half awake state, comfortable in my bed. My blanket was snug against my coat, keeping me warm. My pillow felt like a cloud. Comfortable, safe, cold—wait cold?

“Ahh!” I shivered and tried to wiggle away from the tendrils of cold air that pulled me from sleep.

I looked down to see Snow’s horn dimming as she finished up her trademark frost wind spell. “I missed this,” she smiled smugly from below.

I glared at her. “I didn’t,” I snapped.

I actually did. I really did.

“Get up, lazybones. We have an hour and a half to get ready and eat before we report to Special Investigations,” Snow said, floating several things around the room.

I hopped down from my bunk and bumped Snow on my way to my locker. “I almost forgot that you're an early riser.”

“One of us has to be, it’s not like Stone is gonna be the one to keep us on schedule.” Snow pointed a hoof at Stone, who was still asleep on his bed, snoring loudly.

“All your usual tricks didn't work?” I asked.

“Nope, he sleeps like a rock,” Snow replied.

“Hmm, I have an idea,” I walked up to him and poked him with a hoof. “Stone, wake up or you'll miss breakfast.”

He snorted as he twitched awake. “I'm up.”

“Well, I could have done that,” Snow huffed.

“Come on, Stone, get your armor on and we'll go to breakfast,” I told him.

As he got up he looked at me. “Do you think they'll have Apple Rings in the cafeteria? It’s my favorite cereal.”

“I'm sure they'll have something of the sort Stone. Just focus on getting your armor on,” Snow instructed him.

“If you can call it armor,” I said having my first look at it.

It looked more like a uniform rather than armor. It was mostly a thick red and blue fabric. Light mushroom leather scale sat hidden underneath the fabric. There were no helmets or headgear of any kind. I felt exposed just looking at it. I suppose it was meant to look more casual: investigating in full plate armor probably wouldn't go unnoticed.

I carefully put it on and got my wings through the allotted holes. “Either of you feel a little underdressed?” The uniform armor felt almost weightless compared to my last set.

“I kinda like it. It's not as constricting as my old set of armor,” Snow said, looking at herself in the mirror that sat on one of her locker doors.

I looked over at her. Of course, she made the armor look good. That's probably why she got so many stares back at the academy, now that I think about it.

“What?” she asked, noticing me staring.

I cleared my throat. “Nothing. We should go get some breakfast,” I looked over to Stone. “Come on, bud. Let's go get some food,” Stone finished with his armor then followed Snow and I, down and out of the barracks.

Making our way across the yard to the dining hall we walked with many guards in normal sets of armor. A few in much heavier armor than normal, and very few in the uniforms Snow, Stone, and I were wearing.

Making our way into the dining hall, we got in line for the food. I balanced my tray on one wing while I got my servings using the other. Snow was kind enough to assist Stone with his tray and servings. I got a healthy helping of pancakes and eggs with tomato soup. Once we had our breakfast we found a nearby empty table and sat down.

We started our meal in silence. Halfway through, we were interrupted.

“So you three are our new investigators?” a black pegasus stallion with a white, slicked back mane asked as he sat down beside me with his tray of food. An all gray pegasus mare who seemed kinda timid sat down as well.

“We are. My name is Guard First Class Flame Strider, you can call me Strider. This is Guard First Class Snow and Second Class Stone,” I said gesturing to each of my companions. “And your names?”

“I’m Guard First Class Ace, and this is my partner Mist,” He pointed a wing at his partner next to him. “We mostly handle missing foal cases and things of that nature.”

“We heard you took down a team of mercenaries back in Tall Tale?” Mist asked me curiously.

“I helped certainly. My partner at the time, Knight Gaze, and my NCO Sergeant Arrow were instrumental in the investigation,” I said with pride.

“Such modesty,” Ace laughed. “Anyway. Mist and I have been instructed to show you three around Special Investigations before you get your first assignment that is. The lieutenant doesn’t like his ponies not knowing where anything is.”

“Sounds good to me,” Snow smiled. “I know I’d rather not be stumbling around the department.”

“Agreed,” I said before putting more pancake in my mouth. We continued the idle conversation until we were all finished.

Once done with our food, we put the trays into the wash bin and proceeded out of the dining hall, and into an unlabeled single story building, it was right next to the jail.

“Alright, welcome to Special Investigations,” Ace said as we passed through the doors there were a few chairs and a guard behind a magic-proof window. “This is the lobby. It's really a security checkpoint, but we just call it the lobby.”

After clearing the security point, we walked beyond the second set of doors and there were many first class guards with their partners at their desks going over paperwork, evidence files, and case boxes.

Each pair of desks were in a separate cubicle. There were about forty ponies in here, some of them bending over their desks, others studying maps and pictures tacked up on the walls, and some rushing back and forth between offices, clutching papers. “Here we have our desks. Each one has a separate key so you can keep your cases separate from one another.” Ace explained.

There were offices set to the sides of this section and a conference room near the lieutenant’s office. “The interrogation rooms are over there, we have two,” Ace pointed a wing.

I looked and saw four doors labeled, “Room One,” “Observation One,” “Room Two,” “Observation Two.” We continued through the desks in this area and through a door toward the back.

Ace pointed to the left side of the hallway. “Back here we have the morgue and cold storage. We have two to three coroners on duty at one time or another, you’ll meet them eventually.” He chuckled once. “They’re an interesting group of ponies.”

As we passed the door but I peeked inside. It looked like a creepy operating room. Nopony in there at the moment and all the freezers were fortunately closed.

We came to a heavily armored door at the end of this hallway, it required two keys and a unicorn's magic to open. Through a small window, it showed some stairs going down. I couldn’t see what was beyond that.

“Down there is the back entrance to our jail. We have our own entrance so we don’t expose the detainees topside when we want to question them,” Ace told us.

“Interesting set up so far,” I commented.

“We haven’t even got to my favorite part.” Ace smiled.

Snow glanced my way before saying anything. “Well, lead on.”

We started back down the hallway now listing off the things on the opposite side of the hallway.

Three Griffons each doing something different. One, a brown and tan hawk-looking Griffon male, was tending to plants and insects.

Another, a white and spotted black owl-looking female, was examining documents and pieces of artwork.

The third, a black and white eagle-faced Griffon male with big goggles on, was taking apart and putting back together crossbows and anything of mechanical nature.

“Our laboratories, and their specialists. This is Hadvar our Botanist, Geologist, and Entomologist; Otulissa, our resident Forensic Artist; and Gary, our grease monkey,” Ace said pointing to each of them.

“Hello!” the three of them chirped, smiles on their beaks.

“I assume these three are new, Ace. Probably best we get better acquainted later. Lieutenant Strong Hoof is hoofing out assignments in a few minutes. Better get to the conference room.” Otulissa said, pointing a talon towards the door.

Ace looked up at a clock on the wall. “You are right, Otulissa. We’ll be back down to visit eventually,” Ace said to them before turning back to us. “Come on, best not be late.”

We made our way out to the conference room that held many chairs. Other fellow guards in the same uniform as us came in and sat down. Snow, Stone, Ace, Mist and I all sat in the middle of the room as it filled.

Eventually, the flow of arriving guards stopped for a moment. There was some idle chattering but nothing of note.

“Attention on deck!” a sergeant barked as Lieutenant Strong Hoof walked in. Strong Hoof was a brown and steel maned earth pony. Following him was a warrant officer, a red and purple maned unicorn mare. She carried a stack of files in her magic beside her.

Strong Hoof stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “Alright, everyone, we have some newcomers to our little slice of heaven. Strider, Snow, and Stone. Raise a hoof, let us know you’re here.” The three of us raised our hooves as instructed.

“Very good. Let’s all help them get acclimated. Now, down to business. Evergreen, Red, Grill, Heavyweight, two separate thefts on the opposite ends of the city. Decide amongst yourselves which one you’ll take care of.”

The warrant officer levitated two folders over the four. They took the assignment and left the room.

“Tuff and Ruff. You two got a break-in on Forty-seventh,” the lieutenant said as another file levitated across the room.

“Cypher and Kit, you’re on this week's anonymous tips.” A stack of files was levitated over to them and they exited as well.

“Everypony other than the newcomers, you’re all on standby in case something else comes up.” On that note everypony other than Stone, Snow, and I stood up and left.

“You three come up here, I have something specific for you to do,” he said, stepping down from his podium. There was one file left. I could only assume that one was ours.

The room was empty save for the three of us, the lieutenant, and the warrant officer. The lieutenant looked each of us in the eyes and huffed through his nostrils. “I need to be blunt about this, best to see your real expressions. This last assignment is a delicate one. I’m choosing to trust you with it because you’re fresh, and there is a low chance you’re on any of the local gangs payrolls.”

“This case has something to do with the gangs?” Snow asked, opening the file and having a look.

“I’m hoping not. But the murder was committed in a part of the city we know has high levels of known gang activity. If it is gang related, I want to know which one and I want to take them down. Understand?”

“Sir, please excuse my confusion. If this is so sensitive, then why are you asking us to do this?” I asked trying to get at least one question answered.

“Because like I said: you’re fresh. No time for any of the gangs to influence or threaten you. Believe me, If there was a better choice for this I would have taken it. I don’t like trusting something like this to rookies. But take this as your chance to prove me wrong.” Strong Arm finished and exited with that signature officer scowl.

I watched him leave. “So what are we dealing with?” I asked looking at Snow who was looking at the current case file.

“Pet store owner, dead, thestral stallion, the wife, and daughter are missing. That’s pretty much all it says,” Snow shrugged. “Body was found early this morning by an employee, responding Guards and a Coroner is still at the scene.”

“Sounds like we’re already late,” I said, moving toward the door. Snow and Stone followed.

We were coming up on the crime scene. A few reporters stood outside trying to get some questions answered. The loudest among them yelled, “Why hasn’t the City Guard dispatched Investigators to the crime yet?”

“Because the paperwork was at the bottom of the stack,” I whispered to myself. As we got closer I started running through the handbook on how to handle crowds.

“Okay, Stone. Help the guards outside, widen the perimeter and make sure nopony enters through the back of the building just to be safe,” I instructed.

“Make a circle. Got it.” Stone nodded, moving to get to work. After a few moments, he managed to get the reporters pushed closer to the curb allowing us better access to the pet shop.

Snow and I stopped just outside the door. “Snow, find that employee and start to ask them some questions.” I turned toward the door.

“What are you gonna do?” Snow asked quickly.

“Have a look at the crime scene,” I said entering the pet store.

I could smell the odor of animal feces. Flies had taken to buzzing over the now covered corpse. Not much sign of a struggle save for the obvious dead pony in front of me. The coroner was standing off to the side writing something on a notepad.

I knelt down to get a good look at the corpse. “What can you tell me?” I asked, pulling the tarp off the body. I examined the body as dispassionately as I could while simultaneously fighting the urge to vomit.

She gave a weary sigh. “Thestral stallion. A stab wound to the back, likely puncturing a lung, tendons on the all four knee joints look severed, wings shredded as well, likely to prevent escape or making a scene. My first guess as the cause of death is that he drowned on his own blood. This definitely looks like a gang hit,” she observed. “I can give you more definite answers once I get him back to the morgue.”

I couldn’t help but feel as if I recognized this stallion. I couldn’t pin down why though. “Thank you, get him back to the campus and on ice. We’ll need everything he can tell us, even in death.”

“You got it,” the Coroner said heading to get some assistance.

I approached another Guard, a silver unicorn taking notes on the empty pet cages. “Where are all the animals?” I asked.

“We had animal control take them away. Poor things had to watch this,” he said in a sympathetic murmur.

“Yeah. Make sure Animal Control keeps all those animals, and alive. I may have some ideas on how they could be useful.”

“They’re animals, how can they be useful in this situation?” he asked.

I walked passed him further into the shop. “Not sure yet. Just make sure they’re all alive and well for the duration of the investigation.”

I could hear his grumbling of disapproval. “Fine.” He started to walk out.

I noticed a staircase heading up. “Hey, where does this staircase go?” I called after him.

“Into the family apartment. Nopony has been in those areas, seeing as how the murder was down here.” the guard said, still headed out the door. Snow entered as he pushed passed her.

“The neighboring store owners didn’t notice anything unusual,” Snow reported. “Or, at least, they’re not saying they did,” she added with a huff.

“I find it hard to believe that nopony saw anything,” I muttered.

“Especially since the store next door is a twenty-four-hour liquor store. I’ll work on getting in touch with whoever was on the clock there last night,” Snow said.

“Good,” I said blankly.

I started up into the apartment. I opened the door to the apartment level. It was clean, well as clean as to be expected for a couple raising a filly. Some dishes were still in the sink. Despite this, it still had the feeling of a home.

Some still packed boxes in the hallway to one side of the living area and the bedrooms. I moved past them. Into the parent's bedroom.

“Look at this place,” Snow started, looking around. “It looks like their lives just stopped here in this moment. Interrupted.”

“I’m sure our friend downstairs would agree with you,” I mumbled. That sounded insensitive.

“That was indelicate.” Snow stated, clearly appalled by my statement.

“You're right, I'm sorry. How long has the victim and his family been living here?” I wondered.

“According to the employee, only about five months. She was hired only a week or two ago, though,” Snow answered.

“What do we know about the victim?” I asked, opening some of the boxes having a look.

Snow cleared her throat as she read from her notebook. “Name is Nightpaw, thirty-one years of age. The neighbors said they largely kept to themselves, good with animals though, moved here from Canterlot. The wife’s name is Moonluck, the daughter’s name is—”

“Jett?” I asked, finally picking up a picture of the family on the nightstand beside the bed.

Without looking at her it was obvious that Snow was surprised. “Yeah, how did you know that?”

The memory was so many months ago, but it felt fresh enough. “Because I met them during the last Summer Sun Celebration. Jett had wandered off and I helped her parents find her.”

Snow blinked at me sympathetically. “Well, we need to find the wife and daughter. They are the best chance of finding out what happened to Nightpaw.”

I heard a thud coming from the living area. “Did you hear that?”

“No, what?” Snow asked, looking around.

“Sounded like it was coming from out here.” I walked back into the living area. Snow followed close.

Upon closer inspection of the living slash dining slash kitchen area. On the table was a bowl of cereal.

“Hmm.” I stepped closer to the table bench seat. I put a hoof on the side of the bowl. “It’s still cold.”

“Why, what's important about the temperature of cereal?” Snow asked.

I pointed to the bench in front of me. “Hinges,” I whispered. “It’s a container. Perfect hiding place for a small pony.”

I wiggled a wingtip beneath the seat and flipped it up revealing a very scared all black nine-year-old filly with feathered and leather wings. She was holding what I assumed was her pet, a little green gecko.

“Oh,” Snow whispered to herself.

I gave a kind smile to the shivering filly. “Hello again, Jett. You’re safe now.”

Baltimare III

View Online

Stone remained back at the crime scene, for the time being, to ensure it remained sealed. Photographs, witness statements, and samples of evidence were all taken from the pet shop and put into our cubicle a sergeant assigned us.

The cubicle was rather tight. There were two desks with locking filing cabinets, a large corkboard dominating one side of the cubicle, an extra chair, and a trash bin.

I looked over to the extra chair that sat by the opening of the cubicle. Jett sat there wrapped in a blanket, holding her gecko. Snow was trying to see if she needed anything.

After a minute or two, Snow stood and came over to me. “How is she?” I whispered as she got closer.

Snow looked at the filly with concern. “She hasn’t said a word,” she whispered back. “She keeps looking over at you though.”

Perhaps she remembered me. I found that odd since we met once only for a few minutes. I barely remembered her, and I’m an adult. I know my memory wasn’t great at that age. “You want to take over pinning the evidence up? I’ll see if I can get through to her.”

“Yeah,” Snow said, stealing a glance at Jett.

I put a wing on her shoulder. “You okay?”

She looked me in the eye. “I’m just a little worried for her.”

“We’ll take care of her.” I paused a moment. “I promise,” I smiled at her. She smiled back at me. With my friend assured, I moved over to Jett while Snow got to work.

I moved slowly and sat down nearby the filly. She stared at me with wide eyes. I tried to not to look as if I was studying her. The Guard handbook was seriously lacking on how to deal with this kind of situation. But I had a feeling I was gonna be doing most of the talking in this conversation.

“Do you remember me?” I asked her. She said nothing and just continued to look at me. “You don’t have to say anything. Just nod your head if you remember.” I waited for a response, and thank Celestia, she nodded after a moment.

“If you remember me, then you know I’m not a bad pony, right?” I asked. She nodded slowly.

“You miss your mom?” Stupid question. Again with nodding. “It’s my job to find her, you know,” Her ears flicked up.

I stood slowly. “Well, in order to find her, I’m gonna need your help. When you are ready…” I fumbled a pen and a pad of paper off the table and put it on the armrest beside her. “...you can write down anything you saw or heard down on this paper. Okay?”

I looked over to Snow who was done putting up the evidence files. Subtly I signaled her toward the outside of the cubicle. Taking the hint, she followed me outside. Once there, we spoke in hushed tones.

“So, any ideas?” I asked her.

Snow shrugged. “About what?”

I pointed the tip of my wing to the cubicle. “Jett. You know, the little filly in there that has no parents to go home to tonight. How are we gonna deal with this?”

She shrugged. “I don’t really know, I thought we’d just take care of her until we found her mom. Shouldn’t take too long right?” She smiled at me hopefully.

“Well, that’s not gonna work. We can’t take care of a filly, not here. We’ll have to get Foal Services down here, they’ll take care of her until we can determine whether or not the mother is still alive.”

Snow looked shocked. “Why do you say that?”

“They killed the filly’s father. Who’s to say they won’t kill the mother too? Or it may have been the mother who killed him,” I said not wanting to hear myself say it.

Snow frowned. “Those are some negative options.”

“I’m just being realist—” I stopped when I saw Jett peeking her head out of the cubicle looking at us. I really, really hoped she hadn’t heard any of that. “We’ll finish this later,” I said to Snow just before walking back into the cubicle.

I walked in and Jett hopped back onto the chair and used the armrest to get higher. She waved a hoof for me to get closer. I leaned an ear in close. “You catch the bad ponies right?” she asked quietly.

“Well, yeah. I said that it is my job.”

“You and she are gonna find who hurt my daddy and took mommy?” she asked again.

“I promise,” I said retracting my ear.

Jett seemed to hesitate. “Three ponies came into the shop just before daddy closed the store. One was a unicorn, he wore a black hat with red on it, and a glowing red stick in his mouth,” she described.

“And the other two?” Snow asked.

Jett made a gesture with her hooves. “Big ponies. Like earth ponies, they wore black clothes. Mommy told me to go upstairs before I could get a good look. Once I was in my room I heard shouting and screaming. Once the noise stopped, I stayed in my room waiting for mommy.”

“So why did we find you in the bench?” Snow asked.

“I was hungry...” she said looking at the floor. “...and I thought you were the bad ponies had come back, coming up the stairs.”

“That’ll do,” I patted her gently on the head with a wing. “Get some rest Jett,” I looked over to Snow and spoke in a hushed voice. “Get ahold of Foal Services, they’ll take care of her until we find something, and send a letter to the Ponyville mayor. There is a pony in that town who is an animal expert. See if you can get their help with the animals who were in the shop.”

“What are you gonna do?” Snow asked me.

“First, I’m gonna see if I can get the animals moved here. Then, I’m gonna see if there is any record of criminals in this city. Be back in a minute.” I left Snow with the filly.

I made my way across SI to where our science team hid. Hadvar was examining a white flower pedal under a magnifying glass.

“Hey, Hadvar!” I called.

He looked up from his work. “Oh hey. You’re one of the three newbies that were here earlier. What was your name?”

“It’s Strider. I was hoping I could get your help with something.”

“Shoot, I was already given some things to analyze from your case,” he said, picking up a piece of paper.

“Really? Anything from those samples?” I asked before getting to my other question.

He hoofed over the paper. “Just some info on your murder weapon. It’s a six-inch blade, steel with a seventy-two, twenty-eight iron-carbon ratio. If you find me something to compare it to, I can give you a match.”

“How’d you get all that, from just a few slivers of metal?” I asked examining the paper.

“We griffons have our talents too.” He went back to his flower pedal.

Unsure how to respond to that, I went back to what I came here for. “Animal Control took some animals from the crime scene. I need some of them brought here. Do you think we can keep them here with you?”

He looked up at me again. “Animals? Yeah sure, as long as there aren’t any cats. They don’t like me for some reason.”

“I’ll be sure to mention that. And who do I talk to about identifying a criminal from a very vague description?” Hadvar just pointed a talon over to Otulissa, who was painting something. I walked around some equipment and over to her.

“Let me guess,” she said without looking up. “Vague description, need to know who it is?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“Over here. I’ve drawn and taken pictures of every criminal with a record, and a few who haven’t gotten caught yet,” She led me over to a bunch of photo albums. There were about seven albums altogether, and all of them were two inches thick.

“No way to narrow it down?” I tried.

“Well, what are you looking for?” Otulissa asked with a bit of impatience.

“Unicorn wears a hat with red on it, smokes. That’s all I got right now.”

“Okay, there is vague, and then next-to-nothing to go on. That is what you got. I can’t help if I don’t have more to work with.”

I sighed in agreement. “Yeah, I understand. I’m working on a solution to that though.”

“I hope it’s a good one,” Otulissa said going back to her painting.

A day and a half later and Jett was with Foal Services for the time being. Snow and I had gone over all the evidence, and we were running down the very few leads that we’d gathered.

Right now, though, the animals from the shop had arrived. I had gone over to the Animal Control office yesterday and told them only the animals closest to the door. Apparently, they didn’t hear that part. All of them were here. Luckily there were only about twelve cages. But the few birds had drawn a crowd.

“Guard First Class Strider, mind telling me why you’ve turned my science room into a zoo?” Lieutenant Strong Hoof asked me.

“Sir, I have a specialist on their way to help with my case,” I said quickly.

“You’d better. Then I want all of them gone by the end of the day. Am I clear?” he, “asked,” glaring at me.

“Crystal clear, sir,” I nodded.

He said nothing else and walked out of the room. Stone was with me right now; I was having Snow go get our guest from the train station. The mayor of Ponyville had merely replied with “She’s on her way,” in the letter.

Gary came up to me, drawn by the animals making various noises. “These are a lot of animals. You sure the shop wasn’t bigger?”

“I’m sure,” I said looking at the stack of animal cages.

“Look! Puppies!” Stone exclaimed as he knelt down to look into one of the cages. The puppies inside all started yipping happily and jumping up and down. Stone started playing peekaboo with the little puppies.

I ignored him and let him look at the animals. I focused on the stairs leading down here. “Where is she? She should be here by now.”

“Perhaps the train was delayed?” Hadvar suggested.

“Maybe. But even so—”

“We’re here!” Snow exclaimed trotting down the stairs. A yellow pegasus with long pink mane and tail and three pink butterflies for her cutie mark followed. “Everypony, this is Fluttershy.” Fluttershy was wearing some saddlebags just forward of her cutie mark as well.

She saw the animals in their cages behind me. “I heard you had some critters that are witnesses in a case? Are they okay?” She seemed to be asking the animals rather than us.

I stepped up to her. “Hello, Miss Fluttershy. My Name is GFC Strider, I’m Snow’s partner. We need you to see if you can get some information about a pony from these animals.”

“Glad to be of help,” she smiled shyly at me. She looked over to a canvas sack that contained a snake and picked it up. “Oh, snakes don’t like these bags,” she said, opening it without flinching.

“I didn’t know,” I said, unsure of how to respond. She allowed the snake to slither up her foreleg and onto her shoulder. After watching the curious sight I pulled a slip of paper off the top of one of the cages. “From what Animal Control said, that snake you’re holding, the canary over there, and that hamster were closest to the incident.”

Fluttershy opened each of the cages I pointed to and each of them joined the snake on her back. Why they weren’t attacking each other or running was beyond me. “Could you please tell the nice guard what you saw?” she asked the animals in a sweet tone.

The Canary was the first to squawk. I couldn’t understand it but Fluttershy seemed to be listening with all ears, because she occasionally nodded, gasped in shock, or made a comment like “Oh, that’s horrible!”

“I don’t understand bird,” I stated plainly.

“Oh, right,” Fluttershy said, seeming to suddenly remember that I was still there. “He said, and I quote; ‘The blue and white unicorn pony in the black suit and hat with red trim. He was called Coin Shark. He was demanding payment from Mr. Nightpaw. He didn’t have the money they wanted so they took his wife, but Nightpaw was hurt in the process. They were going to take their child but they couldn’t find her,’” Fluttershy translated.

I felt weird talking to animals. “If we had a picture, do you think one of you could identify them?”

“Well?” Fluttershy asked the animals.

Unlike the other two, the snake responded by sliding off of Fluttershy and over to me. It slid up my armor and came to rest between my wings. “What’s that mean?” I asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled. “He wants to help and to go with you. He’s a Night Snake. They’re very unique; they look similar in appearance to rattlesnakes but don’t have the rattle. They are rear-fanged and do have venom, but they pose no threat to ponies. They are very docile snakes, smart too.”

I looked at the snake on my back. He was about two feet in length, with light brown scales, white belly, and dark brown splotches on his back. His head is slightly flat and triangular shaped. His eyes were orange with vertical pupils.

I grinned. “Well, I’m not one to turn down help. You need a name, though; I can’t just call you ‘snake’ all the time.”

“Wouldn’t that also mean we’d be keeping him?” Snow asked.

“We have a pet?” Stone asked with a smile.

“We have space,” I said while thinking of a name. “How about, Slithers?” I looked at him for a reaction. He just stuck his forked tongue out at me. “Belt, Slip, Kellogg, Quinn?” I listed off, getting the same reaction each time.

Snow stepped up beside me. “How about Dino?” she asked. The snake responded by making a long hiss sound and moving his head up and down.

“Dino it is. Dino, want to go with Snow and Otulissa to finish identifying that criminal?” I asked he slithered off my wing and onto Snow’s back.

“I thought you were afraid of snakes?” I asked Snow.

“Crocodiles. Not snakes,” Snow said, holding her chin high and walking over to Otulissa’s station.

I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Snow’s retreating form. I hadn’t looked at her that way since the case started. It was hard not to.

Okay, Strider enough sightseeing, back to work.

“Um, excuse me,” Fluttershy said from over by the cages.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Would it be too much trouble for me to take these animals home with me? I would like to find them proper homes,” she asked. “I am licensed to handle all animals and the land next to my home is a nature preserve.” She held out some legal papers.

I thought about it for a moment as I looked the documents over. “I don’t see why not. Not like Animal Control wouldn’t do the same. If you’ll follow me I’m sure we can find the proper paperwork. I would also like to hear about how to care for a Night Snake.”

Dino identified three potential suspects from out photo lineups. Two large brown and green earth ponies who had both been previously arrested on assault charges, and Coin Shark, who had been charged with extortion but nothing ever stuck. I wanted to go have a chat with the unicorn. With Stone assisting Fluttershy in getting the remainder of the animals to her train, Snow was with me filling the sergeant in on our progress. Dino had tucked himself into the collar of my uniform to stay hidden.

“So you got the identification of the suspect from a snake?” the sergeant asked. “And now you want permission to go ask Coin Shark questions?”

“That is correct Sergeant,” I said, trying to sound confident.

The Sergeant glared at me. “How long have you been on the job?”

“Over six months, Sergeant,” I answered truthfully. It was starting to occur to me that I may not have thought this completely through.

“Well that is plenty long enough to know that we don’t make accusations on so little evidence!” he shouted. “Permission for questioning denied. Come back to me when you have more evidence. Now get out of my office!” he shouted.

We hurried out of his office. “That could have gone better,” Snow commented dryly once we were back at our cubicle.

“The evidence has run out. The autopsy turned up nothing that we didn’t already know. We’ve been over the crime scene multiple times. We need something definitive in order to continue to the investigation,” I said aloud pondering our options.

“Well, we were just told that we can’t go question Coin Shark,” Snow reiterated. “How are we gonna keep the investigation open?”

I was busy searching my brain for a solution. “Perhaps going around the problem?” I said aloud.

“This sounds like it could potentially get us in trouble,” Snow said, raising an eyebrow in response.

“Probably. You up for a bit of surveillance?” I inquired. “The Sergeant said we couldn’t go ask questions. He never said we couldn’t go have a look at what the pony does throughout the day.” I looked at the Coin Shark’s file.

“Breaking the rules?” Snow started to ask.

“Not breaking; it’s perfectly acceptable for us to keep an eye on a potential suspect. I have his address. Let’s go see what he’s up to.” I started my way out of the campus.

Snow trotted to keep up with me. “If anypony asks, this was your idea.”

“It was my idea,” I smiled.

“Precisely.”

It’s not like finding Coin Shark was hard. He wasn’t exactly hiding. As a matter of fact, he was walking around his neighborhood flanked by the exact two earth ponies that Dino had pointed out. Since I had the advantage of being able to fly, I stayed on the rooftops, while Snow tailed him from the street.

He went inside a small diner. His bodyguards sat outside among some more shady ponies who were hanging around the alleyways. I retrieved some small binoculars from my pocket and peered through the window. He sat inside the diner with a unicorn mare. She had a white coat and a red and white mane. She was favoring a red dress, and a matching white and red fedora.

I could see Snow getting close to the diner. She stopped a few buildings short of the diner, trying to look casual, as though she were just out for a walk. She spotted me on the roof across the street. I signaled with a wing for her to stay there. From this distance I could see her nod and lean against the wall she was next to, pretending to wait for somepony.

I looked back through my binoculars at the meeting inside the diner. The mare was shouting at Coin Shark. Coin Shark’s ears were down and he shrunk into his seat, looking scared of the mare in front of him. I watched him pull a bag out of his jacket pocket and set it on the table in front of the mare. The mare snatched it up and put in a purse on the seat next to her. She waved him off. Coin Shark scrambled back to his hooves and ran out the door, looking as though he couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Coin Shark’s bodyguards stood up and followed him like obedient dogs. He started walking south toward some warehouses, still looking shaken from his meeting. I continued to follow via the rooftops, and Snow followed on the street.

It was starting to get dark, the sun encroaching on the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. In the waning light, I watched Coin Shark move into an alley and go into an old office building on the right. These offices probably once belonged to the warehouses when they were still in operation. Pipes and ventilation ducts decorated the walls of the alley, like some kind of urban jungle gym. A single fire escape went up the left side of the ally.

Once Coin Shark and his bodyguards were inside, Snow showed up again. I hopped onto the roof of the building opposite of the offices and signaled for Snow to come up. Seeing her nod at my signal and move into the building I was on, I got settled and watched the building across from me.

After a minute I heard a door behind me open. I turned to see Snow closing the rooftop door behind her with her magic. “So how was the ground approach?” I asked keeping my voice down.

“Oh ha ha, not all of us can fly or teleport you know.” She bumped my side as she crouched beside me. She was so close to me, I could feel her body heat combine with mine.

I cleared my throat. “Did you happen to hear anything while you were following them?” I asked.

“Only that they are all afraid of that mare in the diner. I think she is their employer,” Snow guessed.

“Anything is possible, but let’s focus on our current suspect before adding to the list.” I looked back over to the building and waited.

What seemed like hours went by, even though it was mere minutes. Lights were on in the building we were watching, but I just couldn’t see anypony. I glanced over at Snow who had her eyes on the horizon.

Looking past I could see that she was watching the dimming light of the sun and the stars returning, welcoming the moon behind us. “What’s the matter?” I asked her.

“Oh, nothing. I just think that it’s kinda pretty.” She paused before clarifying. “The city at this hour.”

And just like that my focus was shattered. The look in her eyes looking out across the amber light of dusk, the light hitting her in just the right way. I couldn’t help but stare. My grandmother’s words echoing in my head. “Ask that mare out, or I’ll do it for you.”

I glanced back at the building and still no change. Deciding that this was as good a time as any, I took the jump.

“Hey Snow,” I said, hoping I sounded casual.

“Yes Strider?” she asked, looking at me with those beautiful eyes of her’s.

I hesitated. “Um, I was just wondering, when this case is over that is, if you wanted to, I don’t know, go out?” I tried to look away, but those efforts were in vain.

“Like on a date?” she asked, her cheeks reddening and her eyes flicking away.

“Yes?” I managed to get out, as I looked away. “Look, I know that we're partners and we already live in the same room, I’d understand if you didn’t want—”

I was interrupted by Snow placing a kiss on my cheek. I froze. A warm sensation rushed through my body.

She scooted up closer to me and I put my wing over her. “It’s about time you asked,” she smiled. “Yes.” Snow rested her head under my chin.

“Why do you say it like that?” I asked.

Snow giggled. “Remember back in the Academy, when we were on that first eight-mile march?”

“I remember.” I also remember being soaked and covered in mud.

“I was struggling to keep up with everypony. You were the only one to stop and help, even when our instructors yelled at you not to. Remember what you told them?”

“Rule One of being a guard. Never leave another guard behind,” I answered.

“The look of determination you had, I swear that's what made them leave you be. Anyway, you helped me all the way back to the barracks.”

“I helped you put away your gear, and then help you to med-bay when I saw that your ankle was swollen,” I continued.

“You fell asleep in the chair, while you waited for them to fix my ankle.” Snow paused remembering the moment. “That was the day I fell for you.”

“None of that screams ‘romantic’ to me.” I chuckled.

“I know. I fell for you all the same.” She tried getting closer to me as a cold breeze rushed by.

“Cool,” I whispered. I took a deep breath and noticed another light had turned on across the alley. “Time for work,” I commented pointing a hoof at the lit up window, retracting my wing.

Snow and I both refocused. Through the window, we could see Coin Shark sit down at a desk. He stabbed a switchblade knife into the surface of the desk and visibly sighed, rubbing his forehead with a hoof. The window was cracked open allowing some sound to carry through.

I nudged Snow with a wing. “How long would you say that blade is on his desk?”

She squinted her eyes. “Hmm, I’d say about six inches. The same as our murder weapon.”

“We need to get that knife back to Hadvar,” I said, thinking on how we could do that.

Snow shook her head disapprovingly. “We can’t, that would be obtaining evidence illegally.”

“Perhaps we could get a judge to sign a-woah.” Dino suddenly shifted, reminding me of his presence around my neck. I had forgotten he was there.

Dino slithered to where he could see Coin Shark, flicked his tongue rapidly. “Is that him? Is he the one who killed Nightpaw?” Snow asked.

Dino responded by making a nodding motion with his head and body. “Great, now we need to prove it,” I said as Dino slithered to my side.

“That would require the knife, but there is no way to obtain it legally,” Snow repeated.

I grumbled. “I know that. But we have to try, maybe we could—” Snow poked me with a hoof while looking past me. “What?” She pointed to a pipe that had Dino sliding across the gap between the two buildings. All I could do was stare and watch.

Dino slid across the pipe and reached the other side just as Card Shark got up and exited the room we were looking at. Dino stopped to wait for Card Shark to walk away before slithering through the window. We lost track of him once he entered.

“That snake is scary smart,” Snow observed.

“Glad he's on our side,” I mumbled, as I looked for him.

Dino’s head popped up from behind the desk. He slid over to the knife that was still stuck in the surface of the desk. He coiled himself around it, bit the handle, and pulled it out. Dino slowly made his way back out the same way. When he got back to us with the knife in his mouth, Snow and I both were unsure of how to handle this.

“Is that legal?” Snow inquired.

“As far as I'm concerned, it was ‘found,’” I shrugged. “You got an evidence bag on you?”

“Yeah.” Snow levitated the bag out and then took the knife from Dino putting it into the sealed bag.

“Climb aboard, Dino,” I told our new stealthy companion. “Let’s get this back to Hadvar.”

Snow and I had collected Stone from our quarters and brought the knife to Hadvar in the basement laboratory. It had been about an hour, and he was still doing chemical tests on the knife, taking swabs and various other things.

Dino curiously poked his head out from beneath my armor. I suppose he liked hanging there because he was absorbing my body temperature. I looked over my shoulder at Snow who was sitting nearby and chewing nervously, but adorably, on a strand of her mane. Stone was reading a mini comic book had kept in his pocket.

Taking advantage of Stone’s distraction, I went over and sat down next to Snow. “The nervous hair chewing is new,” I whispered.

She spat out her mane and blushed. “Well, you weren’t exactly around to keep me from doing it while I was working in Canterlot,” she jabbed.

I grinned. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“That you are. But I do have one question,” she started. “Where are you taking me?”

“Hm? Oh right. I thought I’d keep it as a surprise,” I told her.

“Well, I just wanted to know if I needed to wear a dress or not.”

Oh, the ways I could have answered that one. “Best save the dress for the second date.”

“A second date? Somepony is confident,” she said, bumping me with her shoulder.

“One of us has to be.” I bumped her back. She giggled behind a hoof and blushed. I smiled as I looked to see if Hadvar had made any progress.

He was finishing writing something on a clipboard he had been filling up with pieces of paper. He threw the pen down and rushed over to us, looking excited. “It’s a match and I found Nightpaw’s fur and blood in the handle of the blade. This is definitely the murder weapon.”

“Great!” I said, standing. “Now all we need is permission from the lieutenant to go and arrest him.” I started toward the stairs.

“Hold on!” Hadvar called. “There is one more thing.” I looked back at him. “There was more trace blood on the blunt edge of the blade. It belongs to a thestral mare. That’s as much as I could get from the sample.”

Snow and I locked our gazes, and we had the same thought. “Moonluck!” we said together.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Snow added levitating the clipboard out of Hadvar’s claws.

“We need to see the lieutenant,” I said turning back to the stairs. “Come on Stone, time to work!” I called.

I could hear Stone and Snow climbing the stairs behind me. We got up to SI and made our way through the usual crowd of guards and investigators to the lieutenant's office. The three of us lined up. I knocked on the door thrice and we waited.

“Come in!” I heard the lieutenant say from beyond the door. We entered and stood in a straight line within the door.

“Ah, my dynamic trio,” the lieutenant commented dryly. “What trouble have you gotten into now?”

“Sir, we need a few extra guards to make an arrest and a possible rescue,” I said getting the request out of the way.

“Make your case,” he ordered.

I recited everything involving the case that had happened since he gave us the assignment. I, of course, replaced Dino with an unnamed snitch in the story. Only lying a little, right? Snow filled in a what details she had and Stone just stood there nodding and agreeing with what we had said. Halfway through explaining our case the lieutenant started writing something down.

He finished the document on his desk and slid it over to us. “You have five of our reserves at your disposal. Keep it quiet. Dismissed.” the lieutenant waved us off.

Snow took it in her magic. Once out of his office we turned toward the stairs up. “So how are we gonna handle this?” Snow asked looking over the “Granted Permission” document in her magic.

“You ever hear the one about burning the candle at both ends?” I asked.

“No.” Snow said confused.

“You soon will,” I stated.

I had selected two pegasi guards to go with me and enter through the roof exit of Coin Shark’s’ building. Snow, Stone, and the other three guards I selected, two earth ponies and a unicorn, were to go through the front door.

One of the other pegasi and I were poised by the roof door. We held the crossbows in our front hooves and used our wings to stay upright. The third pegasus was at the edge of the building waiting for Snow’s signal, crossbow folded and on his side. I had requisitioned the tranquilizer arrows from the armory with light crossbows as to not damage our quarry too much.

Stone and the earth ponies were to engage any resistance with melee combat while Snow and her unicorn were to provide magical support. All of this was a distraction meant to drive Coin Shark my way.

I heard a crashing door, shouting, and the sounds of spells being fired. “Go!” the pegasus signaled. We entered the building from the roof, sweeping the fourth floor. The single guard received a tranquilizer arrow to the shoulder and was out in seconds. Some documents were scattered around the tables; we’d have to examine those later.

On the way down to the third floor, a single earth pony thug was climbing the stairs. I flapped my wings and spun mid-air to drive the earth pony’s face into the railing with a hind hoof kick to the head.

Once on the third floor, we found Coin Shark. He instinctively fired off a spell as soon as he saw us. I ducked behind cover. The pegasus beside me fired three bolts toward Coin Shark as covering fire. All missed but caused him to retreat further into the room. Snow approached from behind me.

“Lower floors secure,” Snow reported.

“Is there a basement?” I asked.

“Why would there be a basement?”

“Every low-level villain has a basement. Take your team and go check,” I told her. She didn’t question it further, and she went back downstairs to look. “Move up,” I said to my team.

We moved further in and found Coin Shark trying to pry a window to the fire escape open. Judging by the look of panic on Coin Shark’s face, it was nailed shut.

“Freeze!” I barked. The two pegasi and I held our crossbows up. “If I see so much as a flicker from that horn, you’re getting a bolt to the shoulder. Cuff him,” I instructed my teammates.

A moment later Coin Shark’s hooves were shackled and an inhibitor ring had been placed on his horn. Gathering up the other criminals, we began moving them down to the first floor for transport.

Snow came back up from the basement. I did not like the look on her face. “I’m not gonna like the news you have, am I?”

“Moonluck.” Snow’s expression said the rest. Moonluck was dead. I felt the weight of the situation. But I felt the worst for Jett; the little filly had no parents anymore, and I had broken my promise.

I looked to the two pegasi with us. “Go get a transport for these scum, and bring the coroner.” I looked back over at Snow who was having trouble keeping it together. I pulled her aside and out of view of the other’s to give her a hug.

Snow cried lightly. “We were too late.” She buried her muzzle into my shoulder.

I hugged her tight. “It’s not your fault.” It was mine, I thought to myself.

Baltimare IV

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Coin Shark had a cut and dry trial. Those documents he had lying around his building turned out to be records of who was paying for protection, who had borrowed money from him, and who he was gonna intimidate for more bits. I'm starting to think that criminals don't know how to be criminals.

That was the easy part. The funeral for Nightpaw and Moonluck is what I was dreading. I was not looking forward to facing Jett. She would be there, probably accompanied by a representative of the foster care system.

I sat at the desk that had been provided for Snow, Stone and I. I had gone out and purchased a cheap suit for the funeral; it didn't feel right wearing my ceremonial uniform. Snow was upstairs still getting herself ready. Stone sat down here with me: he had decided he didn’t want to go. I didn’t either, come to that, but I still felt like I had to.

“What are you gonna do while we are out?” I asked Stone.

“Oh ya know, catch up on some things. Like sleep, or coloring, or my comic books! The Power Ponies are just about to escape from the Mane-iac’s clutches and defeat her again!” He practically bounced when he talked about his comic books.

I cracked a grin. “Do you secretly want superpowers, Stone?”

“Oh, it’s no secret. My grandfather thinks it's a waste of time, but I think it's good to have dreams,” Stone explained.

“I met him you know. Stone Wall is his name, right?” Stone nodded. “He had asked me to look after you, you know.”

Stone grumbled under his breath for a moment until he spoke up. “I know he means well, but I'm not that slow. I know I sometimes say stupid things, and I know I like the kind of things foals like, but I'm a good Guard!” He crossed his forelegs across his chest and pouted, obviously upset. His ears fell against his mane. “I can do my job and I like it. I honestly didn't want to get put into investigations. I wanted to be with the regular Guards out there.”

“Why didn't you say anything about it to the Captain or Lieutenant?” I asked.

“Sergeants and officers make me nervous,” he admitted, looking down at his hooves. “I'm afraid I'll say something stupid like usual.”

“I think this is the longest conversation that you and I have had since the three of us became a team, and you haven't said one stupid thing to me,” I said.

“Yeah I did,” he said, looking up at me.

“What is it that you said that you think is stupid?” I asked, giving him a skeptical look.

“Power Ponies, superpowers, coloring—”

I held up a hoof. “Let me stop you right there. I can guarantee, as long as you keep thinking those things are stupid, you will never be able to be comfortable with yourself. I could care less if you like them or not. I think you should just be yourself.”

His ears lifted. “You really think so?”

“Yup, so while Snow and I are out, you read that comic book. Cause you honestly have me curious, and I want to borrow it when you’re done.”

“Then we can talk about it!” Stone’s expression lit up at that possibility.

“We can indeed.”

“I'm gonna go finish it, and then find my issue number one, you can borrow that one first!” Stone stood and trotted out of the Special Investigations room, looking happier than I’d seen him in a long time.

I liked Stone as a partner. He was cheery most of the time. My mind wandered a bit. I wonder if I could get him a special somepony?

Just as Stone disappeared from sight, Snow came into view. I was stunned a little at the sight. Her mane was held back in a simple ponytail, and she wore a simple black dress with a coat. As she came down the steps, I looked around SI. The other Guards and Investigators started to stare; even the Sergeants and the Lieutenant couldn’t resist sneaking a few glances.

While I'd say she looked good, her expression said otherwise: she was dreading this as much as I was. I stood and met her by the steps. “You ready to go?” I asked. She said nothing as she nodded and turned back toward the steps with me.

The caskets sat beside their graves as a preacher spoke. I wasn't listening to his speech. My eyes were on the filly who had her eyes firmly locked on the grass beneath her. Her cheeks were stained with tear streaks, but it looked as if she had become numb: or perhaps she had no more tears left to cry.

Snow quietly stood beside me, her eyes set on the ground as well. I felt bad for Jett. The only ponies who had come to the funeral were the preacher, the foster care representative, herself, and then Snow and I. There were a few groundworkers waiting to lower the caskets, but I was hardly counting them.

After a few more moments the preacher stepped aside and allowed the groundworkers to start lowering the caskets into the holes. The foster care representative began to lead Jett away, with Snow and I following behind.

There was a taxi pony waiting for them. Snow and I stopped and watched Jett climb in. I stopped the representative from getting in the taxi for a moment. “If you don’t mind, may I ask what will happen to her?”

The representative turned to face me. “She's been through a traumatic ordeal. She will remain in the local foster house for now and will be given counseling. If she doesn't show signs that she is recovering emotionally, she will be moved to a different city.”

“Doesn't that seem a little harsh?” Snow asked.

She glared. “These foals quickly turn into delinquents and troublemakers. I don't think it's harsh in the slightest.” Without allowing us to reply she climbed into the wagon. “Thirty-seven thirty-seven Harmony Road please.”

The taxi puller nodded and trotted off with them. We watched them leave the cemetery.

“Strider, are you sure there is nothing we can do for her?” Snow asked me, watching the shrinking form of the taxi wagon.

I shrugged. “I'm not sure. I'll do some research, I'll see what I can find.”

“Whatever it is, it has to be better than being thought an unwanted delinquent.”

I frowned. No child, and certainly not Jett, deserved that. “Like I said, I'll see what I can find.”

“Can we go home now? I would like a nap,” Snow sighed, leaning against me.

I put a wing over her and guided her back to campus.

Over the next couple of days, the three of us assisted with investigating anonymous tips from around the city. Most were false leads, but a few turned up some stolen property around the city, which were returned to their rightful owners promptly.

One morning, we were back in SI awaiting some kind of order. Snow was writing a report, Stone was going over his manual, and I had a book on the inner workings of the Equestrian Foster Care system. It was more of a pamphlet, really, and it only gave me an overview on how the system worked.

“GFC Strider, GFC Snow, and GSC Stone!” I heard Captain Astra shout.

We all jumped up to stand at attention. Stone and I dropped our books on the ground, Snow’s papers flew up in the air. “Yes, ma’am?” I saluted.

“Come with me, I need to have a word with you three.” She headed out of SI and we followed obediently.

Captain Astra was an interesting mare. I still found her white coat, and pale pink mane odd. But she was a tough Captain. She had Sergeants that reported to Lieutenants that reported to her, if she had to come find the three of us herself, something was most certainly up.

We made our way to the main offices of the campus and up to her office. It was on the top floor and had a good view of the cityscape. “Sit down,” she said, pointing to three seats in front of her desk.

“Yes ma’am,” the three of us said together and sat down.

She sat down as well and started shifting papers around her desk with her hooves. “Alright, I’m sure you three have noticed the increase in organized crime in Baltimare. Your last major case was evidence of that,” she pointed out.

“Yes ma’am,” Snow said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

Astra shuffled some more papers. “Command wants me to put together a task force dedicated to investigating the gangs and shady organizations in this city. That would also require me to put one of my Sergeants on this, but I can’t trust any of them to do this, for fear of them being blackmailed.

“That is where you two come in,” she said pointing to me and Snow. “I’ve put you two at the top of my sergeant promotion list. Only one of you will be promoted but that will happen in time. First, you two are gonna be going to Trottingham at the end of the week to attend a more intensive training course.” She paused to pick up a pen in her mouth and write something down.

“May we know what it is we will be learning, ma’am?” I asked.

She spat the pen out and looked up at us. “Investigative techniques, interrogation methods, forensics, criminal psychology, and Sergeant procedures. Snow, since you still need your S.W.A.T. certification, you will be attending those classes as well. Your scores and current level of work experience will determine who gets promoted.”

I stole a glance over at Snow and Stone. Snow was looking just as surprised as I was, Stone looked a little scared. “Ma’am, what will Stone be doing while we are gone?” I asked.

“He needs his S.W.A.T. certification as well, so he’ll be going with you. Depending on his scores I might be promoting him to First Class as well,” she finished. “First Sergeant Magnus will explain the traveling arrangements at the end of the week. Make sure you are packed and ready to go on Friday. Dismissed!”

“Yes, ma’am!” We all stood to leave.

“Oh, and if you want a leg up on the studying, go see Warrant Officer Quibbly, he can give you the necessary reading material. Dismissed,” she added, calmly this time. We offered a salute and backed out of her office.

Once the door was closed Snow, Stone, and I all went over to requisitions for that reading material.

It was our only day off before we made the week long trip to Trottingham. We had been studying all week whenever we could. I wanted to relax, Stone was finished with his studying, and Snow was insisting that she had missed something.

I sat on my bunk rereading some of the material because it’s not like I had anything better to do while talking to Snow and Stone. Criminal psychology was a subject I preferred to do first just to get out of the way. As for the others, they all proved to be quite interesting, especially forensics. I had just learned that if you crush up a piece of charcoal, or lead from a pencil, lightly brush the dust over an area, peel off the area with some tape, and you’ll get a hoofprint.

I never care how the science or magic worked, as long as it was safe and it worked. I got through the other reading materials with little to no hassle, and I took down some notes just in case. Sergeant procedures were just adding onto of what I knew as a guard so not much new there.

Snow had made her paper and book fort in the middle of the floor. She took to her studies in criminal psychology very well; she was already done and had memorized the reading material. She had also finished most of the other subjects but was having trouble with forensics, investigative techniques, and her S.W.A.T. certifications. Currently, she was lying in the middle of her miniature encampment, muttering to herself as she tried to memorize details about crime scene procedures.

“You sure you don’t need to go over the material again?” I asked Stone. I’d been quizzing him on his S.W.A.T. procedures, but he’d gotten every question right.

“Yes, dad! I did my homework so stop nagging me,” Stone protested in a foalish voice. I just stuck my tongue out at him.

“Shh!” Snow hissed, not looking up from her notebook. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

Stone got up and stretched. “I’m gonna go get some food from the mess hall, you two want anything?” he asked, stepping over Snow’s fort.

“No, thanks,” Snow said, glaring at her notebook.

“I’m good, bud, thank you,” I said to him as he left the room.

Stone nodded and exited the room. This was just the opportunity I needed to convince Snow to go out on that date. I hopped down from my bunk and settled in beside her, closer than usual this time.

“Yes?” she asked me in a testy tone without looking up.

“So, about that date?” I started and let the question linger.

Snow’s eyes went wide and her face went red. “W-what about it?” she stammered, hiding behind her notebook like it was a shield.

“I was just thinking that we should do that today,” I started. When she didn't say anything I continued. “You have hardly put down your books all week. Let’s go out so you can clear your head.”

Snow opened her mouth as if she might argue, then thought a moment. “You’re gonna keep pestering me until I go with you, aren’t you?”

“Yup,” I smiled and poked her just behind her shoulder with a wing.

“Ah!” she yelped and laughed a bit. “Not there!”

I feigned a gasp. “Are you ticklish there?” I started to outstretch my wing.

White coats really do not hide blushes well. “NO!” she squealed, but it was too late. I had already started my feathered assault. She squirmed and kicked and tried to get away, ruining her carefully constructed study fortress. “Stop!” she cried in between laughter, her face turning pinker by the second.

“Only if you go out on that date you agreed on!” I gave her my terms of her surrender.

She held out another few moments before surrendering. “Fine! Okay, I’ll go! Just stop!”

I released her and she giggled as he regained her breath. After a moment she glanced at me and her magic flared. That was all the warning I got before her pillow struck me and pinned me to the ground.

I was on my back and she kept the pillow firm enough to where I couldn’t escape. “That’s cheating!” I shouted from beneath the pillow.

“So is tickling me. Do you agree on these rules of engagement?” she countered.

“Agreed,” I said from my pillow prison.

She lifted the pillow and returned it to her bunk. She came over to me and got her muzzle close to my face. “Allow me to get ready.” she placed a kiss on my forehead before trotting over to her locker.

I felt my cheeks heat up and my wings were becoming rigid. I got up and figured it best to go freshen up as well.

We were on our way to my surprise location for our date. Snow decided to wear a scarf to protect against the cold breeze coming off the ocean. I felt woefully underdressed, especially since all I had was a saddlebag.

One of the perks of living in Baltimare was that it was too far south for snowfall during the winter. Unfortunately, that came at the cost of getting a lot of rain. Luckily, it was only partly cloudy today.

“So where are we going again?” Snow asked. We were riding along in the back of a taxi, the little-enclosed carriage gently shaking from side to side

I hadn’t told her: I had already told the taxi pony before Snow had come down from the room. “It’s a surprise,” I smirked.

“You have been saying that every time I ask you,” she pouted.

“I know because I want it to be a surprise.”

We came to a stop right next to a sidewalk. “Well, how much farther is it?” she asked, starting to lose her patience.

“Behind you,” I pointed with a hoof.

She turned to look at our destination. It was a very large boardwalk with all the amenities of an ocean-themed park crammed in one little area. This one was called Aqualand. Not very snappy, I know, but it was a popular place, and fun for everypony of all ages. I figured Snow might like it.

The mini theme park had everything, Bumper Wagons, two roller coasters that intertwined with each other, games with prizes, many different stands for food, and booths for a wide variety of activities. I had the foresight to bring my bit bag, that rested in the saddlebags, with a few bottles of water.

Stars lit up in Snow’s eyes. “Oh, Celestia! This place is amazing! How did you know of this place?”

“Hard to miss really. But to be honest, my grandmother took me here once when I was a colt. I thought it was torn down,” I admitted.

“Well, I think I’m glad it’s not.” She looked at all the flashing colors and lights and smiled. “Let's go, we are wasting time just standing here.” She trotted ahead toward the ticket booths to get in line, and I followed behind.

When we got to the front of the line, a young stallion was at the ticket booth with the most unhappy expression and tone of voice. “Welcome to Aqualand, how many tickets do you want?”

“Two, please,” I asked.

“Fifty bits.” He pressed a few keys on his register and with a loud ding two tickets popped out. He tore them from the register and slid them beneath the window as I slid him a fifty-bit piece. “Enjoy your time in Aqualand,” he monotoned.

We walked past the ticket booth and got into the secondary line to actually get into the park. “He seemed rather unhappy,” I observed.

“Would you be happy sitting in what is probably a small, sweltering, wood box, repeating the same few phrases over and over again all day?” Snow asked.

I overly pretended to think about it. “Probably not.”

Once we got past the gate, Snow tilted her head to look around. I don’t think her smile could get any wider. “Oh, Celestia! What should we do first?”

“I always liked to get one of the roller coasters out of the way and save the next for just before we leave,” I suggested. I looked up at the roller coasters. Both had lots of loops and spins; the difference between them was that in one you sat in a cart, while the other involved being strapped into a hanging seat.

She looked as well and took a step closer to me. “Let’s do the one with the cart first, I don’t think I’m quite ready to see the ground flying past my hooves.”

“Alright let’s get in line.” I stepped toward the line. It was a weekday, so the lines weren't terrible.

“This was a good idea,” Snow said as she stepped up beside me to wait. She rested her head on my shoulder while we waited.

I decided something right then. I didn't care which one of us got bumped up to Sergeant. As long as I didn't lose this to some stupid regulation.

It was getting late. Snow and I had gone on all of the rides that interested us. We even had an early dinner at one of the small in-park restaurants. Now we were browsing the carnival style games that staff ponies had set up along the boardwalk.

There were all kinds of games: throw a ball and knock down the bottle, hit the button hard enough to ring the bell at the top, all the classics.

“Hey Strider, look at this one,” Snow beamed. She pulled me over to a booth that had toy crossbows that shoot metal marbles instead of bolts. The goal was to shoot little plastic sharks, pirates, pirate ships, or a sea monster that looked like a giant squid. Each type of target was a different worth for a score: Sharks were only ten points, pirates fifty points, the pirate ships a hundred points, and the sea monster was worth a thousand points. After watching for awhile, I noticed that the sea monster was near impossible to hit: it had a single target on it—its eye—which was very small, and it popped up and down very quickly. I barely ever had enough time to spot it before it ducked back down again.

“Well, well, well…” the pony attending the booth said with a smug grin. We approached to get a closer look. “My fellow Gentlestallion,” the attendant smiled. “Would you care to win a prize for that gem of a mare at your side?”

Of course, I saw through his attempt at poking at my pride. “Isn't that a little cliche though? The first date, go to a theme park, AND win the mare a prize? I think I'm more original than that.”

“Oh come on Strider. I wouldn't mind having that stuffed polar bear if you can manage it,” Snow said, just loud enough for only me to hear it. The look in her eyes wasn't her asking, it was a challenge.

The attendant continued. “I'm sure you are my good sir. But what is wrong with a little bit of a cliche? Come on, beat the high score and have your pick at one of any of the prizes you see here.”

I looked up at the high score to beat. One thousand six hundred forty. Shouldn’t be too hard to beat. I smiled. “What the heck? How much for a try?”

“One measly bit sir.” He held out a hoof for the bit and I hoofed it over.

I took the toy weapon in my hooves and took aim. I knew the first attempt would be terrible anyway, but I was still determined to try. The pony started the game back up, and everything moved once more.

The sharks popped up first, along the bottom row, I missed my first ten shots but then it started getting some points on my eleventh. Then the pirates and their ships popped up. I missed seven times before I regained control of the weapon, but I only hit three ships before the monster showed up. I missed every shot. Not only was it fast and had a small target, but it had fake tentacles and waves that blocked my shots.

A single bell rang, announcing Time-Up. The booth tender gave a forced frown. “Aw, too bad maybe next—”

I slammed a bit onto the counter. “Reset it.”

He hesitated. “Very well sir.” He reset it as I asked.

Snow came up to me. “If you can't win it, you can't. I'm not disappointed,” she said.

“Oh, I can do it. That was just a warmup.” I said to her with a confident smile.

It's all about timing. When the booth tender flipped the start lever and the game began to move, I let the little wooden sharks have it. I didn't miss this time either. Once I hit ten sharks, the pirates and their ships popped up as well. They were faster than the sharks, so I gave lead to compensate for that.

Six ships and eight pirates later, the sea monster showed but I didn't fire immediately. I watched for a moment. Then let out three shots evenly spaced out. All three hit the wooden creature’s eye between the tentacles and waves.

At the sound of the bell, I looked up at my score. Four thousand one hundred points. I smirked at the pony tending the booth. “Let's see somepony beat that,” I said rather smugly. But I thought I earned a bit of pride. “The polar bear please.”

He said nothing as he got it down and hoofed it over to us. “A pleasure doing business with you,” I smiled as Snow and I walked off.

Snow skipped beside me while putting the polar bear on her back. “That was amazing! You sure your talent isn't being a sharpshooter?”

“I'm sure. I'm definitely not the best, but I'm okay.”

“Whatever, until I see somepony shoot better than you, you're the best to me.” She bumped me with her flank.

I bumped back. “What do you say? Seen everything you wanted to here?” I asked her.

“Yup. Let's go home.” she trotted happily toward the exit of the park. “Oh wait! One last thing.”

Snow trotted over to an automated picture booth. Magically captured photos printed on little strips of paper.

“Please! I want to remember this,” she practically begging to take the pictures, bouncing up and down in excitement.

Having photo evidence that we are dating. Isn't this the exact kind of thing I keep judging criminals for doing? But Snow seemed excited and was giving me the puppy eyes. So how could I say no?

We got into the booth, and I put in two bits and selected the five shot strand, double print options. “A set for you, and a set for me?”

A countdown timer flipped down from five. The first photo we posed nicely, after that though we just did whatever came to mind. That is until the fourth frame. Snow kissed my cheek as the camera took our picture, causing my wings to partly spread in surprise and my face to flush.

Ah, what the heck. If command finds these pictures, it will be the end anyway.

Just before the camera snapped for the last time, I turned and planted my lips onto Snow’s for our first kiss. She started slightly in surprise, then wrapped her forelegs around me and began to kiss me back. I lost myself in her embrace, hugging her close and slowly running a hoof through her mane.

“Excuse me,” a voice interrupted.

We pulled away from each other and looked up to see another couple standing outside the booth, their faces creased in amusement. “You’re not the only ponies here, you know,” the stallion said, barely holding back his laughter.

“Sorry,” I apologized, my face turning even redder. We retrieved our pictures and exited the booth. Snow hugged the polar bear to her chest.

I barely remembered getting back to the campus and climbing into bed. The last thing that went through my mind before I finally went to sleep was the taste of Snow’s lip balm and the smell of her mane.

Trottingham

View Online

I was beginning to dislike the sound of trains. We had been on the train to Maneattan for three hours so far. We had gotten up at two in the morning to catch the earliest train. After that, we were set to board an airship bound for Trottingham. Stone was fast asleep in his seat across from me.

I was trying to get a nap in before we get to Manehattan, but on my left, Snow was still fussing over her textbooks. Luckily there were hardly any other guards in the car with us, and no officers that I could see. Not that anypony else was paying us any attention. It was so early everypony was asleep.

“I don’t understand ‘going with instinct.’ There are all these other rules.” Snow put a hoof to her chin. “What if I follow my instincts and they’re wrong?”

It had been only a few days since our kiss in the photo booth and I still got goosebumps when I thought about it, even as tired as I was.

I sat up to look at her, exhaustion clear on my face. “Snow. Please put the book down,” I instructed.

“But—” she began to protest.

I used a wing to push the book onto the seat and close it. I then used the same wing to pull Snow in closer to me. “Sleep.”

“But I—”

“No,” I interrupted, I kissed her cheek in an attempt to draw her attention farther from the book. “Sleep,” I laid down and closed my eyes.

She said nothing. I could feel her fidgeting beside me. “Oh fine,” Snow whispered. She laid her head down next to mine and leaned into me.

I could hear and feel her calming down. I forced myself to stay awake to ensure she didn’t go back to studying. “Strider?” she whispered.

I didn’t open my eyes. “Mm?” I grunted in acknowledgment.

I felt her shift and kiss my cheek. Butterflies danced in my stomach. I cracked my eyes and nuzzled her cheek; she hummed contentedly. I got comfortable again and enjoyed the remainder of the train ride.

We arrived in Manehattan fifteen minutes late. Apparently, some goats had to be ushered off the tracks a while back. Stone took the lead in getting to the docks; with his bulk, he was perfect for getting through the Manehattan crowds. Snow was right behind him, studying the map. I formed the caboose of our pony train, not that I was complaining. I liked the view from behind Snow.

What can I say? She had a fine flank.

“Which way now?” Stone asked.

“Make a right up ahead,” Snow said, directing us toward the docks. Stone took the right and the crowd started to thin out. Which was good for me, because I was about ready to take to the air rather than be stuck in that crowd any longer.

We were all quiet as we searched for the airship. Mostly because this city was loud and I found it hard hear myself think. The ship we were searching for was a repurposed Navy transport vessel called TMS Destiny, with a total passenger count of exactly one hundred and one. It’s not meant for glamorous or comfortable travel, just getting from A to B, and it’s a favorite for the Militaries and Guards.

Once getting to the docks I realized it would be hard to miss the ship even if we tried. Its dark brown hull and white air balloon made it stick out like a sore hoof. Magically charged propellers gave it its movement. The ship still sported cannons and mounted heavy crossbows to deter pirates and other things that may want to attack a ship. Not that such an attack would be a good idea since seventy-five percent of the ship’s population would easily be trained soldiers or guards for the majority of its voyages.

I had to hand it to the earth ponies and unicorns who crafted this. These airships were impressive. This ship had a now seven city route. They had finally added the Dragonlands to its route and were dropping off a large group of volunteer Sergeants from all sides of our military in Crater, apparently to train a dragon guard force there. A part of our growing relations with the Dragonlands.

“This way,” Snow said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

We made our way onto the on-ramp for the Destiny. A guard unicorn in Manehattan style armor was standing at the base of the ramp, comparing papers to the list he held in his magic. He was fast so the line was very short. “Names, and papers?” he requested when we got to the front of the line.

Snow levitated out our papers. “Snow, Stone, and Flame Strider,” she told him as he flipped to the F’s and then the S’s of the list.

“Check, check, and check. Trottingham for training?” he asked.

“We’re always learning,” I said to him with a smile.

“That we are,” he agreed, nodding for us to board.

We were a few hours into the journey aboard the Destiny. Our bunks were near the bow of the ship, on the starboard side. The midship was where the galley was, as well as the common area. Stone and I had decided we wanted to stay in our room for the time being while Snow explored the ship for a while.

It was too quiet, even with the creaking of the ship, and when things are quiet, I find that my thoughts often go places where I don’t want them to go. I found myself worrying about what would happen if Snow and I got found out after one of us became Sergeant. Would one of us have to transfer? Would we get kicked out for fraternization?

Our fourth bunkmate was a Sergeant named Triple Six, a training instructor from Canterlot. I recognized him from the Academy; he trained a different company than mine, Echo Company Three Thirteen. I was Delta Three Thirteen. He was an averagely sized earth pony. His coat was a pale gold color, while his mane was a cloudy silver. His cutie mark showed three sides of a six-sided die each side had six dots on it. I noticed a small engraved gold earring at the base of his left ear. It was an uncommon way for an earth pony to show that he was married; usually, they wore the rings on necklaces. Perhaps he’d be a good pony to ask about guard relationships.

I sat up on my bunk. “Sergeant, may I ask a question?” Since we were both off duty and in travel conditions, some formalities, like standing at attention when speaking, could be dropped.

“I don’t see why not,” he said as he perused a book in front of him.

I briefly hesitated but I don’t think he noticed. “Relationships within the guard. What actually are the regulations on them?”

Six blinked and closed his book, turning to look at me. “Were you one of mine in the Canterlot Academy?”

“I was Delta Company while you were Echo Company, Sergeant.”

“I see.” He nodded. “Why? There a mare you’re smitten with?”

I said nothing and just rubbed the back of my neck. Pretty sure I was blushing a little.

Six raised an eyebrow. “Oh, more than smitten I see. Where you headed right now?”

“Trottingham, Sergeant,” I said, regaining my composure.

“To Sergeant training undoubtedly.” He sat up a little more. “Well, I’ve always felt that as far as relationships go within the Guard, they are more like guidelines.”

Not a clue in Equestria what he was talking about. “I’m afraid I don’t understand Sergeant.”

“Think about it, kid. Part of our job description is to be close to our partners: we have to know them just as well as they do in order achieve perfect unit cohesion. Yet they don’t want us to form emotional bonds,” Six explained.

I glanced up at Stone, who was above the sergeant on his bunk. He had started listening as well. “I think I see what you’re getting at, Sergeant,” I said.

“Well even if you don’t want to bond with your coworkers, you will in time. I’ve been doing this a long time; it’s the exact way I met my wife, in fact. We bonded over yelling at a bunch of newbies. Now she commands the Three-Thirty-Seven training regiment in Canterlot as a lieutenant.” He smiled warmly at the thought.

“Only one out of the two of them will be promoted to Sergeant though. How do they deal with that?” Stone asked.

“Stone!” I said, feeling my face heat up.

“What? I notice things. Like a few days ago when you two went out, Snow came back with a stuffed polar bear and the biggest smile I’ve seen on her face,” he rambled. I glared until it hit him. “Oh, too much info?” he asked.

“A little, yeah,” I said to him.

“Don’t worry there. It’s not my place anymore to say anything. If you were still in the Academy, however, it’d be a different story.” Six picked up his book and reopened it. “All I can advise is caution. Don’t lie about it if asked, but you don’t have to mention it either, and remember that our duty comes first, no matter the cost.” Six went back to his book.

Stone looked over at me and shrugged, and I shrugged back. I settled back into my bunk and attempted to take another nap. Snow would be back soon and would probably want to talk my ear off.

We arrived in Trottingham on schedule. A Trottingham unicorn Guard Sergeant was there to greet all the guards arriving for training and take us to our hotel. There were other Guards on patrol nearby, but I noticed that the unicorns and earth ponies here were very tall; that raised some questions about Snow’s heritage. I had yet to see any pegasi guards here.

The Guard Armor here was...‘Modernly Old’ is the best way to say it, I think. It was the finest forged steel forming plate armor sporting cloth banners of the city’s flag, with a chainmail shirt underneath. The helm alone looked intimidating: a steel crest in place of where the mane was supposed to stick out, and shingled plates protecting the back of the neck. Hoofguards that look like they could crush a hydra’s skull completed the ensemble.

“I want a set of that armor,” I whispered to Snow and Stone.

They looked at the Sergeant in front of us. “I doubt you’d be able to fly in it.” Snow commented.

“I don’t care. It looks awesome,” I smiled.

“I’m with Strider on this one. It looks awesome,” Stone repeated.

I heard Snow groan under her breath. “Stallions.”

I soon realized that the Trottingham Guard matched the city itself. The city had plenty of steel and glass buildings that made it recognizable as a modern city, but in some places, you see a glimpse of the old times, like the castles in the distance, and other stone buildings that looked out of place among the newer ones. In a way it was similar to Baltimare, but with a larger time gap.

The hotel was on the outer area of the city. Stone Snow and I got our assigned room on the eighth floor, room three four seven. We had the run of the hotel for the evening. In the morning, seven-am sharp, we had to be at the local guard complex for training.

“Where we gonna eat?” Stone asked.

“You always want food. Is that all you think about?” Snow asked.

I answered for him. “Do you not?” Snow just rolled her eyes. “Seriously though, I saw a nice diner on the ground floor of the hotel. Might be worth checking out.”

“A diner sounds lovely.” Snow said heading out the door.

Stone and I followed down to the ground floor and started weaving our way through the thin crowd. I looked around. Trottingham wasn't known for gambling. But it was the only other city besides Las Pegasus that allowed it. So there was an entire area of the hotel sectioned off for gambling. Poker, blackjack, craps, even a few slot machines. I could hear cheers and ringing bells, the unmistakable sounds of winning, while we walked past.

“Strider?” Snow asked me.

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. When had I stopped moving? “It’s nothing. I'm famished, let’s get some food.”

Snow looked between me and something behind me. “Okay,” she said, shrugging it off.

I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I’m glad it was nothing she wanted to make a big deal over. While we had our dinner, we talked about our to-be-learned subjects. Tomorrow was when the fun would begin.

I was wrong, oh so wrong. The subject for the first class of the week, surprise! Criminal psychology, the bane of my existence. I swear I couldn’t remember half of the reading material. But I sat there and paid attention as best I could while the instructor droned on about strain theories and developmental problems and the like.

It was a twelve hour class with a one-hour lunch break put in the middle. Snow was in a different classroom today learning something else. Stone was probably knees deep in the mud right now.

A bell rang out, startling me to alertness just as I was about to nod off. “Alright, break time. Be back in your seats in an hour,” the instructor said.

I was relieved that it was halfway over, but the knowledge that had another six hours to go dimmed my happiness. Standing up, I felt my muscles resisting, so I took exaggerated steps to get them to loosen up.

Finding the mess hall took a few minutes. The Trottingham Guard, Army Garrison, and Navy Command were all housed in this same old-time fort. I'm pretty sure it was once a castle. Their Mess Hall was much nicer than the one back in Baltimare.

Everypony had the same lunch hour, so once I had my food I started looking for Snow or Stone. Finding that Frosty blue mane of Snow’s was easy enough in this crowd. But I didn't see Stone.

“Hey, Snow,” I said, sitting down beside her. “Where's Stone?”

“The S.W.A.T classes are eating out in the field today. Or so I was told.” Snow admitted. “Listen I wanted to talk to you about something.” She paused for a moment, looking as though she were turning the thought over in her head, then spoke. “Since we are in Trottingham, my birthplace. My grandparents are not far from here so I was thinking—”

“You want to go see them?” I asked.

“Well yeah. But I was hoping that you'd come with me,” she said scooting closer.

“Oh, I see. You want to show me off to the family, is that it?” I was amused by this, and couldn't help but poke a little fun.

“I’m serious. I was an only child growing up and the closest thing I have to a sister is my cousin Icicle, who lives with my grandparents. She needs to approve of you or else this relationship is doomed.”

Uh-oh. “Well then. I guess that I have to go huh?”

“It will be after classes, just before we go back to Baltimare, I've already worked it into our schedule.”

“You always plan this far ahead?”

“Not always.” Snow said as she went back to her meal.

I eyed the beautiful mare beside me and went back to my meal as well. We weren't holding hooves, I didn't have my wing around her or anything, but just knowing she was there was enough for me to get chills up my spine.

Five more minutes! Come on you stupid clock tick faster! I mentally screamed at the clock above the Sergeant at the head of the class. We had until eight pm to finish our tests. I finished mine twenty-five minutes ago, but only got done checking my work ten minutes ago.

Stone and the S.W.A.T. classes were supposedly camping out tonight for training. Which meant I'd be by myself tonight.

I sat there, eyes glued to the clock with my Criminal Psychology test face down under my hooves. A timer suddenly went off on the Sergeant’s desk. Was the clock three minutes behind? That's just mean.

“Pencils down, ponies. Time's up. Bring your test up to me and you're free for the night. Be back in this classroom by seven am for your next class in the morning.”

I walked up and set my test on the desk in front of the Sergeant who was waiting patiently. Once that was done I exited the fort and went back to the hotel. I flew. I didn’t want to deal with the hoof traffic below.

I landed outside the hotel and trotted inside. On my way to the elevator, I heard cheering. Looking over I saw the gambling room again. One game couldn't hurt, could it? I thought to myself.

I had about fifty bits I had allowed myself for spending money. Walking up to the tellers, I got twenty-five bits worth of chips in a little tray. Looking around the room, I studied the various tables. Blackjack and poker were the most common games. I made my way over to a blackjack table that had a sign above it saying “Minimum bet five bits.” I had heard it was a game of simple math.

“Hello sir, would you like me to deal you in?” the dealer asked as I sat down.

“Only if you can tell me the rules while you do it?” I suggested.

I put down a five-bit chip and the dealer proceeded to explain. “The rules are quite simple.”

Blackjack was definitely a game I could get used to. All you had to do was get your cards as close to twenty-one as possible without going over. Easy. So easy, in fact, that I had gone to a higher stake table after a while and won about five hundred bits. Not too shabby, considering that I’d come in with twenty-five bits.

I was back on track to the hotel room now. My winnings tucked into my bags, jingling with every step I took: music to my ears. I opened up the door and was surprised to find Snow laying on her bed, nose in a book as always.

“I thought the S.W.A.T. classes were camping out tonight?” I asked, dropping off my bags of bits.

“Just the first class,” Snow grumbled. “I'm in class number two, we'll be doing what they are doing toward the end of the week. Besides, I have to cram as much of this information into my head as possible. I have two classes tomorrow, Sergeant Procedures AND the starting S.W.A.T. lessons.”

I crawled up onto the bed with her and layed down next to her on her left. “Anything I can help with?

“You can sit there and stay quiet while I study.” Snow said firmly, not looking at me. It felt more like she snapped at me.

Following her order, for now, I gently draped my right wing over her back. I felt some very tense muscles. I got an idea in my head. Maybe she'd be able to study properly if she relaxed a bit.

So I sat up and started rubbing her shoulders gently. Her ears flicked in annoyance, but I pressed on.

“Did I ask you to give me a massage?” she asked, her voice as cool as her name.

“You want me to stop?” I asked, pausing.

She bit her lip, fuming quietly. “No,” she finally mumbled.

Grinning, I resumed the massage, digging into her sore muscles. After some time she started to lose concentration and started to let herself enjoy the massage, groaning in contentment and closing her eyes as she pushed back against me.

After about twenty minutes of me getting out the knots in her back, she rolled over onto her side. I sat over her looking down at her frost blue eyes that were peering lazily at me. Or at least I had thought it was lazily.

To my sudden surprise, Snow used her magic to pull me down for a kiss, the book falling off the bed and onto the floor. I kissed her back, wrapping my wings around her like a blanket. She began to kiss me more aggressively, pressing her tongue against my lips. I opened my mouth and responded in kind.

Turned out that Stone being in the first class was a good thing for us both.

Snow’s stirring woke me up from my exhausted, contented slumber. She lay in my hooves, her back against my chest, and my muzzle buried in her lovely-smelling mane.

I peeked over her ear at the clock on the nightstand. Fifteen minutes before six. At six the alarm she set would go off and we'd have an hour for breakfast before class. I purred and nuzzled Snow’s ear.

“I'm awake, you know,” Snow said quietly.

“Sorry,” I said.

She rolled over to look at me and sighed. “It's not your fault. Well, not entirely anyway.”

I recognized that distant look in her eyes. She was thinking heavily. And since she didn't have a book in front of her, it couldn't have been about our classes.

“Something on your mind?” I asked.

“Us,” she said a little bluntly. “Don’t you think that we're moving a little fast?”

“You mean how last week, we had our first date slash first kiss, and now we just had sex?” I asked matter-of-factly. Snow turned a little red but nodded.

“I guess a little,” I admitted. “But does it feel wrong? I mean I don't think I've ever been this happy.”

Snow smiled briefly. “I'll agree with you there. But what about this sergeant promotion? We're obviously too far into this relationship to just call it quits just because of some dumb regulation.”

“So we come up with a plan. If you get promoted, I'll transfer out of SI and into another department. What will you do if I get the promotion?” I asked.

Snow wrapped her hooves around me and hugged me. “Probably the same thing. Honestly, I don't want to be that close to the deaths of other ponies anyway. Jett’s case was hard. I’d rather help ponies heal than deal with dead ones.”

“So it's agreed? We'll do whatever it takes to keep what we have between us?”

“Mmhm.” Snow confirmed and kissed me gently.

The alarm bell went off, and Snow immediately reached out with her magic to silence it. “Looks like we need to get ready for class. Stone will likely be at breakfast.”

“So is it too early in this relationship to ask if sharing a shower would be weird?” I grinned. Snow just smiled and tugged me by the hoof toward the bathroom.

Seeing as it was Tuesday morning, the rest of the week was looking up to be very interesting.

The week had just flown by. It was already Friday. Snow was in her S.W.A.T. classes today. We'd be leaving tomorrow mid-day.

“I can't believe you guys are that far in your relationship already,” Stone whispered, over his lunch.

Stone had walked in on Snow and me in the hotel room just the night before while we were...well, you know. Snow was so embarrassed she refused to speak or look at Stone the rest of the night, instead, staying hidden under the blankets. Stone and I just muscled through the awkward by not talking, until now.

“You and me both brother,” I said, taking a bite of my sandwich.

“If you two could just hold off getting freaky anywhere I might see it. That would be great.” Stone smiled forcefully.

“We'll reign it in, I promise.” I chuckled. “So, how are you doing in your classes?”

Stone nodded as his smile relaxed into a more natural grin. “Great. It’s really just more advanced stuff than what we got to deal with in the Academy.”

“Yeah I know what you mean,” I nodded. “I got Sergeant Procedures after lunch that conclude my classes. I'll be headed back to the hotel to pack up.”

Stone swallowed a mouthful of food. “You and Snow are going to her grandparent's house to see her cousin, right?” I nodded. “I hope you'll excuse me if I don't go. It’s just that I don't want to.”

I gave him a blank stare. “Subtle.”

“I just wanna get some sleep before we wake up in the middle of the night to go home,” Stone argued.

“Yeah, yeah alright,” I nodded. “This is more for me and Snow anyway.”

Stone looked past me, at the clock at the other end of the cafeteria. “We both need to get back to class. See you back at the room.”

“See you,” I said to him as he stood to leave. I finished my lunch and pulled myself off to class.

I was out of Sergeant Procedures in half the time. I know I did well in that class. I learned a lot about being a sergeant from Arrow and Aurora back in Tall Tale. Today, I skipped my normal routine of going to the gambling room after classes.

I was up a thousand two hundred bits already. I figure I'd save the money for something important. Besides, I didn’t want to potentially ruin this winning streak...though, I have to say, the buzz I got from winning was feeling pretty good.

I went straight up to the hotel room and started putting away my stuff. Not that I had a lot, to begin with. Just a saddlebag of items.

Snow would be back from her classes soon. Looking at her travel bag, I noticed it was all in disarray. She'd be grateful for me helping her get packed. Right?

So I got to work, putting away her stuff. It looked as if she had brought a library with her. I stacked and packed the books. I was halfway through filling up one side of the saddlebags when Snow walked into the room.

“Hey,” she said smiling. Until she noticed what I was doing, that is. She gasped while simultaneously taking the saddlebags from me.

“Hey yourself,” I said blinking from the sudden movement.

“What did you see?” she asked frantically, rifling through her bags again.

“I was trying to do something nice and help you get ready to leave so we can go to your Grandparents sooner.”

“Oh,” she said, trying to hide her blush.

My curiosity level was rising. “Why? Is there something in there you don't want me to see?”

“No!” she blurted. “No,” she said again in a calmer tone. She hopped up onto the bed and attempted to finish packing.

I was on a hunting path though. I leaped up onto the bed and pinned her down. “Tell me.”

She glared at me. “No.”

“Confess.”

“No.”

“I'll tickle you again.”

She gasped, her eyes widening. “You wouldn't dare. Especially if you want to have sex ever again.”

“You can't keep your hooves off me and you know it,” I grinned down at her. We glared at each other. Waiting for one to give ground.

She sighed. “Fine, you win. Just don't laugh at me.” She levitated the bag and opened it up to show me.

Looking inside, I saw a trio of fancy undergarments that you usually see models wear for show in magazines: bright pink, lacy black, and red and white striped.

Don't laugh! I yelled at myself. “Why would you need these exactly?” I asked.

“I thought I might need one in case you liked that kind of thing on mares. Turns out massages are more your speed,” Snow said.

I felt my face heat up just thinking about Snow’s model-like flanks dressed up in one of these. “W-well I’m not gonna say that I-I'm opposed to the idea,” I stammered.

Snow pretended to think about it for a moment, smirking. “Hmm, perhaps next time. Will you get off of me now? We're going to be late.”

“Kiss first,” I said, making a kissy-face.

“Let me up first and then we'll see.”

“Fine.” I stood and hopped off the bed. “Now kiss?” I didn't care if I sounded like a foal wanting attention.

“Hmm. Nope. You gotta be good tonight. My grandparents think I'm their sweet little angel who has never had sex and doesn't even think about that kind of thing.”

“What about your cousin?” I asked.

“Oh please. I'm boring compared to her.”

I pictured a criminal version of Snow. “That’s actually kinda scary to think about.”

“Is that you agreeing with me or you not agreeing with me?”

“Whatever doesn't get me in trouble,” I answered.

“We should talk about the way you answer things. It’s weird right now.” She finally finished with her bags.

“We ready to have dinner with your grandparents and cousin who is basically a sister?”

Snow took a deep breath. “Yeah, let's go. It’s not far from here.”

I sat at the dinner table of Snow’s grandparent's house. On my left sat Snow, sitting close but not too close. Snow’s grandmother had made cheese and potato soup.

Sitting on my right was her grandfather Barback. He was the keeper of the family inn down the road. He was a unicorn, light blue mane, and standard blue coat. His cutie mark is a full beer mug with foam overflowing.

On Snow’s left was her grandmother, Frost. I'm not sure what her talent with her cutie mark of a standard snowflake, but as I understand it, she helps keep the inn in shipshape. She was a unicorn as well, white coat, white mane, white eyes.

Across the table from me and Snow was her tall older cousin, Icicle. She glared, well, icicles at me. She was similar in colors to Snow but was taller. And had an ice pick and chisel as a cutie mark.

“So Strider. How close are you with your family?” Frost asked me.

“Very. Especially with my brothers and baby sister.”

“And your parents?” Barback asked.

“Mother cared for the lot of us largely on her own.” I was about to continue when Icicle interrupted.

“What, did your dad walk out on you or something?” she asked coldly.

I felt weight in my chest and no small amount of anger from her comment, but I kept my cool and answered. “Actually he died shortly after my sister was born. He and his unit were killed by a Chimera. There was barely enough of a body to bury.”

That brought the mood down a bit, but hopefully, it would teach Icicle not to interrupt.

“So how are you liking Baltimare, sweetie?” Frost asked Snow.

“It's a lovely city, so much history just in the buildings alone,” Snow started. “It’s a rough town, though. I'm honestly hoping that Strider gets the promotion instead of me. I don't like special investigations.”

“Why not?” Barback asked.

“I’d rather help ponies heal than deal with dead ones.” Snow said.

She had said those exact words when we talked. About our situation.

“I could see where the distaste would come into the job,” Icicle said. “What about you Strider? Do dead ponies not make you nervous?”

“I'm not squeamish,” I said flatly.

More awkward silence on the table. I turned to my dinner and continued eating to try to cover up my inability to say anything. At this point, I'd be glad for the annoying sound of train wheels against the iron railroads if it meant getting out of this situation.

Baltimare V

View Online

The trip back to Baltimare was dull. That is if you discount all the time Snow and I spent in a cramped cabin by ourselves. One thought was lingering in my mind: Hearth's Warming was just around the corner. Just two more weeks and I'd be spending the holiday with my brothers, sister, mom, and grandparents. And this year, if I was lucky, Snow would come along.

“That wasn't what I had in mind for you meeting the ponies that raised me,” Snow commented.

We were in our cubicle in SI. Snow had been silent all day. Stone was nowhere to be found since breakfast. I had retrieved Dino from our neighbors. I was glad they were happy to watch him while we were gone, he was now comfortably hiding under the collar of my uniform again.

“I didn't think it was all bad,” I told her. “I just feel as if it was ill-timed.”

“‘Ill-timed’?” she asked.

“Just not the right time. Maybe we can try again another time,” I suggested.

She sighed. “Perhaps.” She looked up at a nearby clock. “When are we gonna know who is the new sergeant?”

“Once Captain Astra makes a decision.”

“Well she's taking her dear sweet time,” Snow huffed.

“What's that about sweet time?” Thasus’ voice came from the outside of the cubicle.

I looked to see my brother standing there. “Hey bro, what are you doing here?

“Are you free?” he asked.

It was a slow day, and the two of us had already finished filing our paperwork. “Kinda, why?”

“Remember how I said that I was seeing a mare who works at the Royal Aquarium?” I nodded. “Well, I figure that it's time for you to meet her.”

If I was standing I would have had to sit down. “You want me to meet her? What about Orion or Atlas?”

“I don't think she's ready to meet alternate versions of me,” he answered.

I silently agreed. “Okay, but Snow has to come too.”

Thasus looked over at Snow who smiled awkwardly at him. “Okay why?” he asked with a raised brow and a grin.

I stood and walked over to whisper it in his ear. “We’re dating now. Like, REALLY together. If you catch my meaning.”

He pulled back, his grin widening. “Well it's about time,” he said aloud, winking at Snow, who turned bright red in reply. “Alright, you come too.”

Snow and I made a quick stop at our room to remove our uniform and leave Dino behind.

The Royal Aquarium. I've never actually been here before. I had heard about it doing a great service for the marine wildlife, but I knew nothing beyond that. Never really wanted to come here either, but hey, Thasus wants me to meet his marefriend, who happens to work here.

Once inside the Royal Aquarium and out of view of other guards, I immediately I had put a wing over Snow’s back. She responded by leaning into me as we walked behind my brother. Good thing too because there were a lot of foals running around, high chance of walking into one.

“So how much further?” Snow asked.

“Not much,” Thasus called over his shoulder.

“What’s with all the kids?” I asked.

Thasus halted briefly to let three running fillies go past. “Dunno, I'd guess a school group or something. There she is.”

Thasus’ gait increased and he trotted up to an aqua blue and cerulean maned unicorn mare. Her cutie mark was of a fish with a medical sign on it. He hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“Guppy, I'd like you to meet my kid brother Flame Strider, and his marefriend Snow,” Thasus introduced us.

“Strider, Snow, I'd like you to meet my marefriend Guppy.” Thasus stood next to her with a wide smile on his face. Guppy, however, seemed antsy, like she wanted to leave ASAP. We shook hooves with her and said hi. She grinned nervously at us both.

“So how about we go get lunch?” I suggested.

“Yes, please. I'm famished.” Guppy agreed, nodding a little too fast.

We started our way out of the Aquarium. That is until I heard a filly scream as we passed a large tank that held a lot of fish. Looking in I saw something that made my stomach turn and banished all thoughts of food from my head: the shredded remains of a pony’s leg that had just been coughed up by a large fish.

Quickly I removed my wing from over Snow’s back. “Work time,” I said with a heavy sigh.

Within fifteen minutes the Guard was here, and the entire building was secured. They had sent divers into the tank and retrieved not only the hoof, but the water soaked decaying remains of a pony that had been hidden in some reeds. The thing that had been a pony once was now barely more than a skeleton with some pale green flesh sticking to it.

I stood to the side, in the maintenance section behind the tank, and let the coroner do his thing, trying to concentrate on not throwing up. I wasn’t in uniform so I couldn't do much. Snow was with the Aquarium staff in the lobby making sure all the guests and staff were accounted for.

“Strider,” I heard Captain Astra from behind me.

I snapped to attention. Warrant Officer Quibbly was behind her with a large box.

“I’m going to assume that from your lack of a uniform you were off duty?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am,” I replied.

“Well, you're going to need what Quibbly has for you, Sergeant. I'm putting you in charge of this one.”

Sergeant? That means she picked me. She pulled a sergeant rank pin out of the box and hoofed it to me. “Just because you're in charge of Organized Crime now doesn't mean you can't lend a hoof on other investigations. Consider this your first case as a sergeant, Sergeant.”

Without another word, she began to leave the Aquarium. Quibbly stepped up in her place and gave me the box.

“Here is your sergeant armor. I suggest finding a latrine or something to put it on. The Captain wants you on this ASAP. The Royal Aquarium falls under our jurisdiction and is Sergeant level for investigators. And come see me when you get back to Campus. I'll have setup options for your new living conditions. Can't have you living with the lower rankings now can we?” he said with a small smile, then turned and left the Aquarium as well.

I was kinda speechless. I honestly thought Snow would get the promotion, she aced all her classes. I got a B- in Criminal Psychology.

I could wonder about this later. I searched for a restroom, and soon found the Stallions’ Room.

I quickly entered and put my armor on. It was just like the armor I had worn in Tall Tale. This was more like what I was used to wearing. I hadn’t realized that I missed the weight so much. It felt right.

After pinning my new rank to my collar and putting the helmet on, I rejoined my fellow guards outside in the Aquarium. Everypony stiffened to attention as I approached them.

“As you were,” I stated: just one of the cool new phrases I got to use now. I continued over to the coroner. He was a gray-haired pale blue unicorn stallion with wide blue eyes, thick glasses, and a white lab coat. His cutie mark was a pony’s skull.

“Congrats on the promotion, Sergeant,” he said not looking up from the still soaking corpse.

“Thanks, but I'm yet to earn it. You learn anything?”

“I can give you basic information on her,” he said.

I quickly looked around and spotted a unicorn Guard over to the side not really doing much. A second class pin was on her uniform. “Hey come here please, I need your help.” I waved her over.

She hustled over, and stood at attention, trying to keep her eyes on me and not on the body. “Yes, Sergeant?”

“I need you to take notes for me. Could you do that for me?” She nodded. “Good, write down everything he says.”

“Yes Sergeant.” She levitated a pen and notepad out of the pockets in her armor.

“Okay, go,” I told the coroner.

“Well, the victim is female, early twenties, earth pony. Fairly short judging by what remains.” He paused. “Looks like the color of her fur was a kind of green. Mane was also green. I'd estimate time of death in the last seventy-two hours, but I'd need Hadvar to check.”

“Is that everything?” I asked.

“For now. I'll have a more detailed examination for you after I get the body back to the morgue.”

“Alright, do it.” I turned to the second class guard. “You get all that?”

“Yes Sergeant.” She tore the piece of paper out of her notepad and gave it to me.

I tucked it into one of my pockets. “Alright, I need you to get me a list of ponies who have visited or worked here in the past seventy-two hours. Okay?”

“Yes Sergeant!” she said confidently.

“Alright, hop to it,” I said as she turned to leave.

I went back down to the lobby where Snow was. There were about forty guests, mostly foals. As I approached, Snow stiffened to attention. I frowned to myself; that I certainly could do without.

“As you were,” I ordered. “Did you get all their names down?”

“I did, Sergeant.” Snow said. Her voice had a strange, sad tone to it, but I couldn't pin it.

The foals had been separated from the parents and were off to the side waiting patiently. The parents were standing in a small group whom I turned to address. “If anypony had any plans that involved leaving the city, cancel them. You're now all witnesses, in a murder investigation. Everypony who is a guest here can go home. If you're from out of town contact the local guard liaison, they'll help you set up accommodations. We'll be in touch.”

I waited for the guests to clear out before turning to Snow.

“So I guess you'll have to move out of the room?” Snow whispered.

“A few things are going to be changing. Let's please talk about it later. Tonight, when I move into my new quarters.”

“Yes Sergeant,” she said cooly.

All that was left were the employees. I looked at Snow. “This is our suspect list. I need addresses so I know where to find them.”

“Yes Sergeant,” she replied and turned and walked away as if she didn’t even know me.

“This is your office,” Lieutenant Strong Hoof said, showing me into a small room with white walls, a shelf, a wooden desk, and three chairs. “I'll have a warrant officer come by tomorrow so you can go over who you want on this task force. For now, you’re in charge of the Aquarium Case. Have fun.” The Lieutenant turned and closed the door—my door behind him.

I honestly wasn't excited about this. Honestly, I was dreading this. I had a bag of knickknacks from the cubicle I shared with Snow; paper weight, a pen, the file on our first cases, and a picture of me and all my brothers. I put everything where I assumed they went in an office like this.

My door opened. “Knock Knock,” one of the other Sergeants in SI said as they walked in.

“Come in. Please.”

“I'm Flare, Missing Ponies.” She was a pegasus like me. Her coat was fire fed, and her mane was yellow and orange, swooped backwards like she had been flying a lot. Her cutie mark was of a fire swirl.

“You know, you look a lot like—” I started to say

“Spitfire, I know, she's a cousin of mine.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway. Just wanted to come by and say congrats on the promotion, and to stop by my office if you have any questions.”

“I'll do that, thanks.”

“Also, all the Sergeants in SI get together after hours in the lounge for a card game every Thursday. You game?”

“You play blackjack?” I asked, my ears perking up.

“Most nights. But we try and change it up every so often. We play low stakes so you don't lose too many bits,” she explained.

I thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, I'm game.”

“Cool. See you Thursday, or sooner should you have a question.” She left my office.

I stood and left my office. Closing the door behind me I went back to the morgue. As soon as I opened the doors, I was assaulted by the odors of decay, blood and a wide variety of other chemicals.

The coroner was standing over the corpse, peering intently at their face. “Anything new?” I asked, holding my nose and walking over.

“Time of death is still being determined. Still determining the weapon used.” He levitated what was left of the lungs out of the corpse. “I'll let you know when I figure that out.”

I just barely fought down a gag. “Alright.” I turned back to leave.

“It wasn't drowning,” he called just as I opened the door. “Lungs are empty. Just in case you were curious.”

“Thanks,” I said, leaving as fast as I could without running.

As soon as I stepped out of the morgue, I almost immediately wanted to go back inside. There were three ponies standing outside my office. Snow, Stone, and the guard I had asked get the seventy-two-hour guest and employee list.

I opened my door and waved them inside. As I sat down on my little chair, they lined up. I pointed to Stone to talk first.

“Sergeant, I'd like to work with you on your task force,” he said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I'm familiar with you Sergeant. And you need ponies you can trust.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “Both excellent points. I'll see what I can do. Dismissed.” Stone saluted exited my office.

I pointed to Snow. “I got you the addresses of the employees that were there,” she said.

“Excellent, thank you. Is that all?” I asked.

Snow hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and spoke. “If you could talk to the lieutenant about me transferring departments, I would be appreciative, Sergeant.”

Oh, yeah. We’d talked about that. “I'll talk to him, but it would be best to have another department in mind willing to take you. Dismissed Snow.” Snow did an about face on her hind hooves and exited the office. I looked at the last pony.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“GSC Oda, Sergeant,” she said proudly. She was brown coated, silver mane and silver eyes. Cutie mark her obstructed by her armor. She was small, not weird small just kinda humorous if you put her next to anypony like Stone or Atlas.

“Well, Oda, what do you have for me?”

She levitated a packet of paper out of her hidden saddlebags and set it on my desk.

“Everypony who entered the Aquarium in the past seventy-two hours.”

“Yikes. This might take me a while.”

“Will that be all Sergeant?”

“Yes. Dismissed.”

She exited my office leaving me with the lists I had on my desk. I had my work cut out for me.

“Since Sergeants, like officers, are allowed apartments off base. We keep a few available for Sergeants should they choose them. I have two choices for you.”

I was in Quibbly’s office. I had already cleaned out my bunk from Snow and Stone’s room. My bag of stuff sat on the floor next to me. For some reason, I couldn't find my strip of pictures from my first date with Snow. I left a note asking her to meet me at the gate of the campus once she got off.

“And my choices are?” I asked, looking at the two sets of pictures on the desk.

“Living on campus in a room like the one you just had, which would be cheaper. Or, living in an apartment close to campus,” Quibbly offered.

“Apartment,” I said rather quickly. It would be hard to hide my relationship when other Sergeants were in earshot.

Quibbly jotted something down on the documents. “Okay then, now I have two more choices for you. All the beds and sheets have been replaced since the last tenant just in case you were wondering.” He handed me two small files.

“The first, it’s a bit larger than the second, and thus a bit more expensive. It’s two bedrooms one bath apartment, living room, and small but comfortable kitchen.”

That sounded appealing. “The second?”

“The second, is a single bedroom and bath, living room with a kitchen fit for a single pony like yourself.”

With how often my family was gonna visit, space was key, and something told me Snow would appreciate me thinking of her when making this decision. “I'll take the first. I'll need that spare bedroom when my brothers, sister, or other family members come to visit.”

Quibbly started writing more. “It's one block over, building fourteen-fourteen apartment five.” He levitated a pen over to me and some documents. “Sign here, here, and initials here.”

I signed on the lines. Once I was done, he levitated a key ring with three keys on it. “Here are the keys. Enjoy.”

I stood and retrieved my bag before exiting without another word. I made my way out to the gates of campus. There was a sentry stationed there. He stood to attention as I passed.

“As you were,” I said in slight irritation.

I remember an instructor from the Academy saying he didn't like the stand at attention response when a sergeant gets close or enters a room. Now I know why.

I looked around and saw Snow standing off to the side. Casually I walked up to her. I nodded for her to follow. Even when we were out of sight of all guard eyes she remained quiet. Not so much as a sigh from her.

We made it all the way up and into the apartment without a word between us. Upon opening the door I took note of the apartments’ features.

A plain couch and coffee table sat in the living room, with a bookshelf standing along the right wall. To the left was the kitchen and a small, rather pathetic kitchen table. A hall in the middle of the back wall led to the bathroom. On either side of the hallway were the bedrooms. Even as a bare minimum apartment it felt kinda homely. It just needs a few details added.

“Nice for one of the guards off-site homes,” Snow finally commented as I closed the door.

“Oh hey, you can still talk. I was worried you had gone mute. It would have made for some interesting one-sided conversations,” I joked.

She cracked a smile. “Yeah, yeah.”

I put my bag down, and put my helmet on the coffee table. “Hey. You've been off since the Aquarium. What's wrong?”

“It’s nothing really,” she said looking to the floor.

I stepped closer and pressed my forehead to her’s, as best I could; she is a unicorn after all. This forced her to look at me. “It can't be nothing if you'll barely look at me,” I said.

“It... I guess I... I am a little bit jealous that you got the promotion.”

“I thought you didn't want it?” I asked.

“I don't. But I guess that I was still hoping that I'd get it anyway.”

“I'm sorry. If it means anything it caught me completely by surprise. I thought you'd get it.”

Snow sighed. “It doesn't really help. But I'll get over it.”

I kissed her just for good measure. “How about we go out for dinner? I doubt that icebox has anything in it, and I'm famished.”

Snow smiled. “Then perhaps when we get back we could break in the new bed? Complete privacy, nopony to walk in on us.”

“You didn’t happen to bring some of that lingerie, did you?” I asked, a large grin crossing my face as I brought my wing down onto her flank.

She yelped softly. “In your dreams,” she declared, sticking her tongue out at me.

“It was worth asking.”

The next morning I realized Knight Gaze was right about being a Sergeant: lots of paperwork and less time spent out in the field. I spent the whole morning picking ponies who I felt could be trusted in this task force I'm supposedly leading. A lot was going on today.

I had also spoken to the Lieutenant about Snow, ensuring that she would be transferred to patrols by the end of the day. She was supposed to be cleaning out her SI desk, getting a new partner and room as well. That means Stone would be going through a shift as well.

When Quibbly had come by with his stack of files, I chose Ace, Mist, Stone, Oda, and seven other ponies for the task force, but only eight of them accepted. I was scheduled to meet with the new ponies this afternoon but I wanted to stretch my legs.

Stone and I were on our way to talk with our first set of witnesses for the Aquarium case. They all lived in the same location, which made it easy. All we really were doing was collecting a statement. After sergeant procedures class in Trottingham, I knew I was just supposed to send a regular investigator.

Hard to be a witness when we still don't know whose death we're investigating. Otulissa was currently working with the coroner to produce a sketch of the victim; she was supposed to be ready by the time I got back so I can go to the Aquarium and ask around.

Thirty-seven thirty-seven Harmony Road was the address we were looking for. It was a particularly long street in the business part of Red Town. For some reason, that address sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t put my hoof on it.

I felt a ticklish sensation crawl across my chest. “Dino, hold still,” I hissed into my collar. The snake was coiled around my chest beneath my armor. I hadn’t taken him out a long time and thought this might be a good opportunity for him to get some air instead of laying underneath my bed all day.

“Sergeant, may I ask a question?” Stone asked.

I groaned. “Stone, it's just me here. Please just use my name, and yes ask away.”

“Your first case here. That little filly. Do you know why Snow was so broken up about it?”

I knew what she told me of the story. Snow had told me after a particularly challenging day at the academy. Her parents were killed in an accident when she was young, though she was not forthcoming in the specifics. If her grandparents hadn’t taken her in, she would have ended up in the foster system as well. Snow cried herself to sleep the night she told me.

“It’s not my place to tell you that,” I said. “But I often wonder what I could have done for Jett. I still do.”

“Well-oh. We're here,” Stone said, looking up at the building.

I looked too and saw the label above the door “Equestrian Foster Care House.”

Oh yeah. Thirty-seven thirty-seven Harmony Road. It's the foster care house Jett went to. Perhaps Stone could handle getting the statement himself. I now had another task to attend to.

“You can handle the statement?” I asked.

“Yeah, it's basic questions only. Why?” he asked as we got to the doors.

“Because I need to see somepony while I'm here.”

“Um, alright,” he said. He was obviously curious of my intentions, but he didn't push further and we went inside.

This building was old, made of dark brown pine wood and red bricks. The floor was well taken care of despite its age and the fact that foals ran around on the wood floor.

Flanking either side of the door within were stairs heading up to the second and third floors. Just ahead was a desk with three mares behind it: a pink and yellow-maned unicorn, a purple and white-maned unicorn, and a yellow orange-maned pegasus.

I let Stone approach first. “Excuse me ladies, but do you know where I can find miss…” He paused to consult the list of names. “Ducky? It's about her trip to the Aquarium.”

“Sweet Tart can take you to her.” The blonde and orange maned unicorn mare pushed the pink and yellow maned mare up out of her seat.

Sweet Tart glared at her co-worker, but lead Stone away regardless. “Is there something we can help you with Sergeant?” the pegasus mare asked.

“Perhaps. There should be a thestral filly who showed up here about two and a half weeks ago named Jett.”

The purple unicorn mare and the blonde pegasus mare exchanged glances. “My name is Lightfeather, I'm her caseworker,” the pegasus mare started. “Follow me please.”

I nodded and followed her further into the building toward the back. She led me out back to a very large open yard where the children were playing in various groups. We stopped at the top of the stairs.

“Over there,” Lightfeather pointed to a bench off to the corner.

Jett sat alone staring at the ground. I looked around and saw no other thestral fillies or colts. She had nothing in common with anypony. And the other children kept a scared distance from her.

Lightfeather sighed. “She has sat there whenever we allow the children to play. Never smiles. The other children call her names and make fun of her for being different. I worry for her. At this rate, she will have to be moved to a different city early just because no couples are willing to even give her a glance.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“A zebra filly is more likely to be adopted before Jett right now,” Lightfeather said rather bluntly.

“Would it be okay if I went to talk to her?” I asked as a trio of fillies approached Jett.

Lightfeather seemed a little bit intrigued by my request. “I don't see why not.”

I stepped down the steps and made my way across the yard. As I approached I could hear what the ringleader of the trio was saying to Jett.

“What's the matter fang? You too much of a rodent to even say anything? You just gonna squeak and cry like a little bat? What'd you expect from a little blank flank freak.”

“Excuse me,” I said sternly coming up behind them. They turned around and cowered as I gave them my best glare. “Don't you have something better to do?”

“Yes sir,” they said before running off in a hurry. Once they were gone I looked back at Jett. She was hiding as best she could on the bench.

I sat in the space next to her. “Hey, Jett.”

She jerked her head up to look at me, tears still running down her cheeks. “Oh. Hi.”

“How are you fairing?” I asked.

“Good, I guess.” She sat up straight on the bench, trying to compose herself.

It was at this time I noticed she didn’t have the little gecko she used to have. “What happened to your pet?”

“When I came here, they wouldn't let me keep him. I had to let them take him to another pet shop,” she said sadly.

“So you like reptiles?” I asked getting an idea.

“Well yeah, I just think they are cool.”

“Hmm. Well in that case.” I attempted to look at my collar. “Dino, you wanna come out and say hi?”

“Dino? Who's—” Jett started to ask when Dino slithered out of my armor and started down my foreleg. A huge honest smile spread across her muzzle. “He's so cool! What is he?”

“He's a Night Snake.” Dino slithered across the bench to Jett and began to climb up her body. She giggled and squirmed as he spun himself all around before settling on her head. “He seems to like you.”

Jett giggled at Dino’s attempts at staying in her mane. “He's cool. Where'd you get him?”

Delicate question. Especially when I just now got her to smile. “I...found him on a recent case.” Not really a lie, not the whole truth either though.

“So are you a Wonderbolt fan?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

She nodded as best she could with Dino on her head. “Fleetfoot is my favorite Wonderbolt! There is this rumor going around that she is seeing somepony but nopony knows who it is.”

I do. My brother. “Very interesting. What would you say if I could get you to meet Fleetfoot face to face?”

“That would be awesome!”

“Well, tell you what. I'll see what Ms. Lightfeather thinks of the idea. Then after I'm done with the case I'm working on, I'll set up a meeting. That sound okay?”

“Mmhm,” she nodded.

I extended my wing up to Dino. “Alright Dino, time to go.” Dino slid off her head and onto my wing, and from there down to my neck and into my armor.

I stood to leave and Jett jumped up to hug me. “Thank you for visiting me,” she said.

I hesitated. This was a new feeling I wasn’t used to and was unsure of what it was.

I reached down and stroked her mane. “I'll be back,” I told her. I meant it too.

She released me and returned to her spot on the bench, now looking much happier. I walked back to where Ms. Lightfeather was standing. She had a file under her wing that hadn't been there before.

“You know I've been trying to get that filly to smile for almost two weeks and then you come along and accomplish that in mere minutes,” Lightfeather pointed out, sounding almost envious.

“Yeah, I guess. I wanted to know if it was okay of I took her to a Wonderbolt race after Hearth's Warming?” I asked.

“I don't see why not. But I might have another option.” She held out the file under her wing.

I took it and opened it. “What's this?”

“Jett’s adoption papers.”

My eyes widened. “I-um… I don't understand.”

“I'm her case worker. It’s my job to find her a home. She knows you, she already has a level of trust with you.” She paused to let the information sink in. “A blind pony would agree that this would be a good thing.”

Taking on a filly’s care was a massive responsibly. I know Snow wanted me to do something for Jett, but I don’t think she had this in mind. Besides, there’s no telling how this would change my relationship with Snow. It already changed when I became Sergeant, but this is a whole other kind of change.

“I'll need to think about it.” I tried to give the papers back, but she refused.

“Keep them. They’re official copies, but I have a set too. All they need are your information, then to be returned to me, and it's as good as done.” Lightfeather turned and walked back inside toward the front desk.

I tucked the paperwork under my wing and tried to get back into the Sergeant mindset. When I returned to the lobby I found Stone and Sweet Tart flirting with each other. I stood with Lightfeather and the other mare.

“How did this happen?” I asked.

“Not sure. She's usually mean with everypony.” Lightfeather murmured in obvious confusion.

“They came back and he had her laughing. I don't know what happened,” the other mare shrugged.

“Well it's a shame to interrupt this,” I said stepping forward. “Stone.”

He snapped to attention. “Yes Sergeant.”

I grew a grin. “Ask the mare out already. Or should we get moving?”

Stone’s face reddened. “I-”

“When are you off?” Sweet Tart asked.

“Um, Tuesday.” Stone said glancing over at Sweet Tart.

“Meet me here Tuesday night then. Let's say seven?” she said.

“Okay,” he smiled.

I started leading him away. “Alright, alright. You got the statement, Stone?”

“Yes Sergeant,” he confirmed, still grinning broadly.

I nodded. “Alright, let’s get back to SI.”

Baltimare VI

View Online

Apparently, random murder investigations were just something to occupy my spare time. When I got back with Stone there were boxes upon boxes of evidence and crime scene photos from years of gang activity stacked high in my office. I had to send Ace, Mist, and Stone to the Aquarium to ask if anypony recognized the sketch Otulissa made while I dealt with this.

Even after a day, I was still in my office sorting through the boxes. And I had the four other ponies who accepted my invitation to the task force in my office. All but one were already SI, the last one was from Special Patrols.

Sharp Shot. Unicorn Guard stallion originally from Las Pegasus. Silver coat short cut brown mane, his cutie mark was of red crosshairs.

Kickback. Earth Pony Guard stallion originally from the central Equestrian town Ponyville. Navy blue mane brown coat, cutie mark of silver double horseshoes. He was in Special Patrols before this.

Ruff Luck and Tuff Luck. Pegasus Guards, a sister-brother team from Mareland. They were almost identical to each other, even having the same three-leaf clover cutie mark, but the difference was in their colorings: Ruff had a dark green coat and light green mane and cutie mark, while Tuff had the opposite.

All together I have, Ace, Mist, Stone, Oda, Sharp Shot, Kickback, and the Lucks on my “Task Force.” The newest four in front of me in the sharply-pressed uniforms, ready for orders.

“Sharp Shot and Tuff, I want you two to go find these three suspects.” I slid a list of three names and addresses over to them. “See if you can get the first two to cooperate with us. They are both members of the Mareish Mob so start with bars and taverns. Then find the third. She's Canter Nostra, tail her and see what you can learn about her habits. Go.”

“Yes Sergeant.” They saluted and left my office with purpose.

“Ruff, and Kickback. Speak with Sergeant Flare next door and ask her about this missing ponies profile, he's an undercover guard from Manehattan in the Sinalope Cartel that has failed to report in. He was spotted here.” I slid the file over to them. “See if you can dig up any leads.”

“Yes Sergeant.”

I sat down for a moment. Just to take a breath. Okay Strider, list of the tasks for today only. Get boxes of evidence pinned to the walls of your office. Meet Grandma Galaxy for lunch. And lastly, check in on the Aquarium Investigation.

There was knocking on my door. How long was I sitting there thinking? “Come in.”

Oda stepped inside in her new investigator armor. “Reporting for duty, Sergeant.”

I was about to give her some meaningless task until a thought struck me.“How good are your organization skills?”

“Decent. Why, Sergeant?”

“I was hoping you could use that magic you got to assist me with putting the evidence in these boxes onto the walls. Each criminal organization on a different wall.”

Oda seemed to look around for a moment. “How long do I have?”

Oh, thank Celestia. “Till I get back from my meeting. Shouldn’t be more than an hour or so.”

“Just wait and see sergeant. I'll have these walls singing with evidence by the time you get back.”

“Alright. Leave the door open. Not like I have any sensitive material in here anyway. If you do leave, lock the door until you get back. Sergeant Flare next door has a spare key if you need to get in.”

“Yes Sergeant,” Oda said and got to work. I stood and took the only file I deemed as sensitive information. Jett’s file.

After I explained the situation to Sergeant Flare, I left for lunch with Grandma. She had picked a nice little patio diner between Campus and where she volunteers at the local Veterans Hospital.

“So you gonna be here at Hearth's Warming next week?” Grandma Galaxy asked taking a sip from her tea.

“Hmm,” I answered.

“Sweetie,” Grandma said in a slightly stern tone. “You're thinking of something else aren't you?”

I looked up at her and said nothing. She always had a way of figuring out what was on my mind, or getting me to talk about it. I pulled Jett’s file out of my armor’s side bag and set it on the table in front of her.

“What’s this?” she asked, picking it up.

“Uh—” I hesitated. Since she would find out once she read it anyway, I went with straight honesty. “Adoption papers for a little filly whose parents died. I was in charge of the investigation on their deaths.”

“Was this your idea?” she asked, her eyes brightening.

“No, the Foster System Case worker's idea. But I think I might be considering it.” I said honestly.

“What does Snow think of this? Thasus said you two were finally dating?”

“We are…” I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled nervously, blushing. “We’re a little more than that grandma, and no I haven't spoken to her about it yet,” I admitted.

She closed the folder and slid it back to me. “Well, I think you'd make an excellent stepdad. But if you don't believe me, ask Snow what she thinks. I guarantee that she will support you no matter your decision.”

“Thanks, Grandma. If you could not mention this to anypony. I would be appreciative.”

“My lips are sealed on the matter. So, tell me how are things with Snow?” Grandma batted her eyes. I know she wanted details without it getting weird.

I smiled. “Well…”

My task force was gathered in my office. Oda had completed pinning up the evidence, pictures, and notes from over the years. Now it was all visible wherever you looked in here.

“Ace. Progress on the Aquarium murder.” I requested.

“The victim was an employee named Coral. Last seen five days ago. Hadvar confirmed time of death at ninety-six hours ago. She and her fellow employee Reed were on night shift on the night of her death.”

“We know where Reed is?” I asked.

“We are looking for an address. Once we have one you want him brought in for interrogation?”

“Yes.” I turned to the others. “Anything to report from your assignments?”

Kickback spoke up. “The missing pony case we have a lead, a Griffon from the Griffon Mob was the last to be seen with him so we are figuring out how to approach this.”

“Good, good. Pursue the lead with caution. Sharp Shot. What do you have?”

Sharp Shot stood up straight and spoke clearly. “We couldn’t get through the door on the first two bars. The Mareish Mob is, as you know, very suspicious of outsiders. Without a warrant, they won't let us in. However, the mare you had us tail was reporting to somepony.”

“Who did you see?”

“I don't know but she was definitely not Griffon Mafia, Mareish Mob, Canter Nostra, or Sinalope Cartel. I think she is somepony else entirely.” Sharp Shot added.

“Do you think you and Tuff could identify her if you saw her again?” I asked.

“Aye Sergeant,” Tuff confirmed in a very thick Mareish accent.

“Alright. You two go find Otulissa. Ask to go through her mug shot collection. Ace, Stone, alert me once you bring Reed in, I want to do the interrogation. Kickback, Ruff, once you have a plan come to me just to make sure it's within our ability, if not, I'll see about getting a warrant. Mist, Oda, go with Sharp Shot and Tuff. Once they identify the mare all these organizations seem to be reporting to, find out everything you can about her. Sharp Shot, Tuff report back when you are done, I have another task for you.”

“Will that be all, Sergeant?” Oda asked.

“Good work, all of you. Dismissed.”

Once they were gone I sat down in my chair. I looked around the room. Griffon Mafia, Mareish Mob, Canter Nostra, and Sinalope Cartel. If they were reporting to one snake, then this might be more difficult than I thought.

“Sergeant?” Hadvar stepped in.

“Come in. What can I do for you?” I asked.

“Actually I found something in the tank filter that might interest you.” He set a piece of paper down in front of me.

The results on the paper might as well have been written in ancient Equestrian. I couldn’t understand a single word. “What does this mean?”

“It’s blue dye with traces of vodka in it. Made from a flower that is native to Griffonstone. Why there would be blue dye in a fish filter, I don't know.”

“Wait, Griffonstone.” I looked over to the wall that was dedicated to the Griffon Mafia. “The Griffins smuggle various alcohols into the city, under the guise of them being cleaning chemicals or supplies.”

Hadvar raised an eyebrow. “You think they were using the filter to separate out the dye?”

“Yup,” I grinned. “We just found a criminal connection.”

“But wait, why wouldn't the Griffons just take one of the filters instead of doing it there?”

“Do you think Griffons would know how to do maintenance on the filters? Or know how to remove them from the tank properly?” I asked. “The Mafia doesn’t hire these guys for their brains.”

“Yeah, I see your point. These are some expensive filters though.”

“They are built specifically for each tank's needs,” I said, recalling a conversation I’d had with Guppy earlier when I’d met her and Thasus. “The Royal Aquarium makes them in their maintenance shop.”

“So you're right, the Griffons wouldn't be able to get filters this good anywhere else.”

“Exactly,” I grinned, thumping the table. “Ow,” I added a moment later. Probably shouldn’t thump that hard.

I was on my couch, playing with Dino and waiting for Snow to come home. She had been put in charge of a four by four square section of the city and was on an eight guard team to watch that section during the day. I had made dinner but she was taking a bit longer to get home so it was just sitting in the oven on warm.

The lock on my door opened and Snow walked in. “How was patrol today?” I asked.

“Three drunk and disorderlies, and two street fights. I handled it though.” She began removing her new armor, starting with her helmet.

When she got closer I noticed a minor bruise above her left eye. “It looks like you took a hit.”

“What?” she asked as she looked at a mirror I had put on the wall near the hall. “Oh. I didn't realize she hit me that hard. Probably would have been worse without the helmet.”

“Uh yeah, luckily.”

Snow climbed up onto the couch unceremoniously. “I'm exhausted,” she groaned.

“I'm made dinner.” I got up to go get her some, allowing Dino to slide up my wing onto my back.

“You did? You're sweet.” She smiled. I liked it when she smiled.

“Rigatoni and pepper sauce,” I informed her once she took her bowl that balanced on my wing.

I went back to get myself some. “Strider, what's this?” Snow asked.

I looked over to see Snow reading Jett’s adoption papers. I had filled them all out except for the signature at the bottom. For some reason, every time I started to sign, my hoof refused to put the pen to the paper.

“You're gonna adopt her?” Snow asked with surprise, confusion, and excitement on her face.

“I-I don't know. I filled them out. But-” I stammered.

“But you haven't signed the bottom. I can see,” she pointed out. “What’s stopping you?”

“Wait, you want me to? I thought you wanted me to just help Jett,” I said.

“Well yeah, I had meant find her a good home,” Snow said. “But I also can't think of anypony who would care for her as much as you would.”

I felt my face flushing. “You...really?”

“Absolutely,” Snow smiled, glowing at me. “I saw how you treated her. Did you see her?”

“While I was at the orphanage?” I asked. Snow nodded. “Yeah. I saw her. She hugged me after Dino and I made her smile.”

Snow set the papers back down on the coffee table. “Okay, what do you want me to say to convince you that this would be a good thing?” I shrugged. “Sure, you're a little young to be a dad with a nine-year-old but I think you could make it work.”

I nodded. “I'll think about it some more. I'll make my decision once the Aquarium investigation is over.”

“Okay. But I'm gonna be reminding you about it. So don't just forget.”

“Believe me I won't,” I said going back to getting myself some food.

Ace and Stone brought Reed in the next morning. He came willingly, which made his case look a lot better.

When I entered the interrogation room, Reed was sitting in the chair, his forelegs on the table. He seemed calm. “Thank you for coming in, Reed,” I said, closing the door behind me.

“It's no issue,” Reed said, nodding. “Everypony at work is saying it was Coral who was in the tank?”

“That’s right,” I said, sliding into a seat. “Did you know her?”

Reed blinked sadly a few times, looking down at the floor. “Yeah,” he whispered.

“I’m truly sorry,” I said. “I just have a few questions to ask that might help lead us to her killer.”

“Sure, ask away.”

I flipped my notebook open. “Where were you five days ago?”

“Las Pegasus,” Reed answered. “I was visiting a family member going through some personal stuff. My co-worker Guppy had covered my night shift that night.”

I had seen the time-in sheet. “The employee log says that you were there that night.”

“Yeah, she used my code instead of her’s. I was gonna pay her back that portion of my bits.”

“Can you provide receipts or maybe a ticket stub for the train?” I asked.

“Yeah, they're at home.”

“Very well. My associate Ace will accompany you to prove your alibi.” I stood and exited the room.

Ace and Stone were waiting outside. “You think he's telling the truth?” Ace asked.

“I do. But just in case, go with him to confirm. As soon as you do, come find me. I'll be bringing in Guppy for questioning.”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“Stone, you're with me.” I started back toward my office.

“Sergeant Strider!” Scalpel called as he almost ran up. I finally learned the coroner's name. He was a white unicorn with a silver mane. He worked part-time at a medical clinic down the road.

“Scalpel, you seem excited,” I observed.

Scalpel was panting heavily, wiping sweat from his brow as he caught his breath. “I found cause of death: strangulation. And I found a hair in the victim's lung.”

“Belonging to?”

“Not our victim. Victim's mane was coral green. This one is cerulean blue,” Scalpel pointed out.

I sighed. I knew exactly where Guppy was gonna be tonight. On a date with Thasus. He was not gonna like this.

My squad and I marched into a fancy gourmet food restaurant in the “classy” part of town. I wasn’t really paying attention to what was around me with what was going through my mind.

Reed’s alibi had been true. I even double checked with the Aquarium staff who clocked out when Coral and Guppy were supposed to be clocking in. Guppy was definitely there, one of only two ponies in the whole Aquarium. Not a whole lot for her to hide behind. Especially since I was betting her mane would match the one Scalpel found in Coral’s lung. It was enough to convince a prosecutor to ask a judge for an arrest warrant.

I walked past the reservation desk with Stone, Oda, and Ruff behind me. Once inside, I scanned the tables. In the corner, Thasus and Guppy sat with smiles on their faces. I took a deep breath and approached the table.

“Good evening, brother,” I said as I stepped up.

“Strider.” Thasus’ smile disappeared when he saw my company. “What’s this about?”

“I'm sorry about this but the evidence points here.” I turned to Guppy. “Guppy, you are under arrest. Oda, Stone, take her in.”

Oda started shackling her hooves and putting the inhibitor ring on her horn while Stone recited her rights. “You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, what you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer and have that lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire.”

They marched her out of the restaurant with everypony staring. I looked back to Thasus. “I”

Thasus held up a hoof to stop me. His expression was stony, like he’d suddenly been turned into a statue. “I understand that you are doing your job. Just give me a little bit. It's a large pill to swallow.”

“I understand. See you at Hearth's Warming?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Thasus said sitting back down.

I said nothing else and headed back to Campus with Ace.

“She buckled under the pressure in the interrogation room. Full confession, didn't even lawyer up.” I said sitting on my couch while Snow made dinner.

“So what was the motive?” Snow asked. The aromas of her cooking were already helping me relax.

“Money. The Griffon Mafia paid her to let them use the filter for their alcohol trafficking. Coral apparently walked in on it and Guppy panicked.”

“How is your brother taking it?” Snow asked.

The honest answer was not well, but then again, learning that you’ve been dating a murderer would be a shock to anyone. “Better than expected. He's throwing himself into his work at the moment. It’s how he deals with stress.”

“I see,” she said. Her tone told me that something else was on her mind.

“Something tells me that this isn't the topic that you were thinking of tonight,” I observed.

Her magic flared. And from the coffee table, she levitated Jett’s file over to me with a pen. “I said I would remind you.”

“Oh, believe me. I haven't forgotten,” I said taking the file in my hooves.

Snow stopped preparing dinner for a moment and came over to sit next to me. “Have you made up your mind yet?”

I sighed. “What if she doesn't want to live here? What if I’m a terrible parent?”

Snow giggled. “I think you're asking all the questions a new father asks himself before he has a kid.”

I gave a half-hearted laugh. “I guess.”

“Perhaps you should talk to her?” Snow suggested.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Before you sign those papers and turn them in, talk to Jett, ask if she'd like to be a part of your family.”

That was a good plan. I could always throw the papers out if Jett truly didn't want to. Slowly I opened the file and signed the last line.

I was back at the orphanage, out of armor this time. Ms. Lightfeather was supposedly in a meeting. I was standing in the lobby, just waiting for her to finish up.

It wasn't long before she came down the steps and saw me. “Sergeant, I wasn't sure I'd see you again,” she greeted me. “Have you made a decision?”

“I have.” I paused. “But this decision is not mine alone to make. May I speak with Jett?”

“I understand. Yes, she is in the same spot, like usual. I will be here.”

“Thank you.” I made my way to the back. It was cold outside, with a fresh snowfall dancing down from the heavens. I saw Jett sitting in the same spot as before; she didn’t seem to mind the cold. Nor did I, not once I saw her.

I approached in a similar manner as last time and sat on the bench. “You could catch a cold sitting out in temperatures like this, you know.”

“Oh, hi,” she said glumly.

“Why the long face?”

“A rich married couple came by today. They were looking to adopt. They looked right at me like I was garbage…” She started to tear up. “...and picked the filly next to me.”

“Hey now. You aren't garbage,” I said, draping a wing around her and holding her close, both for warmth and for comfort. “Even I can see that. Then again I don't have my head stuck up my behind like they probably did.”

“I don't get it,” she sniffed.

“I'm gonna guess that these ponies were snobby and from Canterlot?” I asked. She nodded. “Then it doesn't matter what they think. If they were too snobbery to see the gem they passed up then they are the dunderheads.”

I missed using childhood swear words. You can get very creative with your vocabulary and not even say a real swear word.

Jett finally smiled. Then I remembered my actual purpose for being here. “Speaking of adoption. I wanted your opinion on something.”

I showed her the folder containing her papers. “What are these?” Jett asked.

“Your papers. Lightfeather gave them to me the last time I was here. I've been unsure about it. Then somepony close to me helped me realize it was your choice as well,” I explained.

Jett sat there looked back and forth between me and the folder. I was getting nervous because she just sat there looking shocked.

“You've been very quiet.” I reminded her.

She nodded vigorously and hugged me. I felt a little relieved. “Should I take that as a yes?”

“Yeah.” she confirmed.

“Alright well, perhaps we should inform Lightfeather of this so we can go home?”

Jett let go of me and jumped off the bench. “Come on! I still need to get my stuff!” She tugged on my tail.

“Okay, okay, I'm coming.”

She practically flew back inside while I followed her. A bundle of emotions was tumbling through my chest: joy, relief and terror all mixed with one another. I was officially going to be a parent.

I just hoped that I could be the one that Jett deserved.

Baltimare VII

View Online

Hearth’s Warming Eve. A time of merriment, joy, remembrance, and also just happens to be the founding of Equestria. This was the time of year for families to get together and enjoy each other's company. Especially for my family.

But this year we have a little surprise addition to the family. Jett was all pins and needles, buzzing with excitement in her train seat.

Snow and I sat on the other side of the row watching her look at the scenery going by. It was early morning, and the light from the rising sun was reflecting off the fresh snowfall. We had taken the overnight train, to get to my parents’ house on Hearth’s Warming Day. That and Snow wasn’t able to get free time any sooner.

“Calm down, I'm afraid you're gonna burst,” I instructed Jett with a bit of a laugh.

She squealed quietly. “I'm just so excited. I never had a big family before.”

“Oh believe me. This is just the start, wait till the Summer Sun Celebration. EVERYPONY shows up for that. Every. Single. Year.” I said making sure it sunk in.

“I can't wait!” she bounced. She set her hooves on the window to lean and look.

“She sure seems happy,” Snow commented, smiling from ear to ear.

“Probably wouldn't be this way if you hadn't talked sense into me,” I admitted.

“Yeah, well, you know you love me.” She said jokingly and rested her head on my shoulder.

But I was serious. I love Snow. “Yeah. I do love you.” I figured it was time.

Snow tensed up and then looked up at me. “I think I love you more though,” she smiled.

“Is that so, eh?” I said as I began to lean closer.

She started to talk. “I know so—”

I interrupted with a kiss, which she promptly returned. Not overdone but enough to prove my point. She hugged me back as she kissed me.

“Ew!” I heard Jett whine from her seat.

Snow broke the kiss off. “You're embarrassing your daughter,” she laughed.

“Yeah, it's gonna happen.” I grinned getting comfortable again in my seat. Hearth's Warming was definitely a time of joy.

We were walking up to the house, but as soon as I pointed the house out to Jett she suddenly had bricks for hooves. I had told Snow to go on ahead while I tried to get Jett to move.

“After all that excitement, now you're nervous?” I asked as we stood on the frostbitten sidewalk.

“What if they don't like me?” she asked quietly, in a fearful whisper.

I scooped her up and placed her on my back. “They'll like you.”

“What if they think I'm weird?” she protested.

“Then you'll fit right in,” I told her truthfully.

As we got closer to the door where Snow was waiting I could hear my family inside hooting and hollering and having a grand time. Jett tried to make herself smaller on my back, burying her face into my mane.

As I reached for the doorknob I remembered something from previous Hearth's Warmings.

“Actually, Jett it would probably be best if you follow me in,” I said letting her get off my back.

“Why?” she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

“Because the chances of me being tackled is close to one hundred percent right now,” I said, taking a breath and knowing what was coming.

Opening the door I entered quickly. “PONY!” I yelled.

My family went silent. “PILE!” I heard Atlas yell.

Thundering hoofsteps resonated through the floor. Atlas rounded the corner followed by Orion, Thasus, and finally Buttercup. All of them immediately dived onto me with shouts of welcome, pinning me to the floor and knocking the breath out of me. Thankfully, they didn’t crack any ribs this year.

“It’s good to see you too guys, but I have ponies everypony needs to meet,” I wheezed.

One by one they got off of me and returned to the living room. Except for Thasus.

“How are you holding up?” I asked as I waved for Jett and Snow to come in.

“Well enough,” Thasus shrugged, his face serious. “It helps to be here for the holidays. But if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not talk about it right now.”

“Of course. If you could make sure everyone is in the living room. I have some news.”

Thasus glanced at Jett and Snow. “Sure,”

Once he turned and left I turned to Snow and Jett. “Let me introduce Snow first. Okay?” I asked Jett.

“Okay,” she nodded.

“Okay, come with me,” I said, leading them into the living room.

“Happy Hearth's Warming everypony,” I said as I entered with Snow. Jett hid behind us.

Looking around the room, I identified all of my family. Mom, Buttercup, Aunt Breezy, and Grandma Galaxy all sat on the couch together with room for one extra. Grandpa sat in dad’s old chair. Thasus, Orion, and Atlas sat on the bench seat under the living room window, while Uncle Akane and cousin Spartan “Sparta” Apple, stood to the side.

Aunt Breezy is mom's sister, and also a pegasus. Her light blue mane and pale blue coat, her cutie mark of wind wisps.

Akane is her husband. His dark green mane, red coat with yellow spots on his snout and yellow apple cutie mark made his origins obvious, but he was family so we welcomed him.

Spartan Apple is their daughter and a fellow pegasus. Her deep dark red coat and dark green mane were reminders of her father. Her cutie mark was of an apple wearing a guard helmet. She was a small town guard. All three of them were from the Equestrian province of Coltfornia just to the north of Los Pegasus.

“Everypony I'd like you to meet my marefriend Snow,” I said to them. Snow waved nervously.

“Why don't you come sit over here with us dear?” Grandma Galaxy said, waving over Snow.

Snow complied, leaving me with the little surprise I had hiding behind me. “And! I would like to introduce Jett, my adopted daughter.”

There was silence. Everyone just sat there a little shocked, looking at one another. When the silence got unbearable for me I spoke up again.

“Come on everypony. Jett needs a home and I'm gonna be the one to give her that. But she also needs family, that's where you come in.”

“Well, I say welcome to the family little Jett!” Grandpa Skyquake said loudly.

Everypony followed with a wholehearted welcoming. I was about to lead Jett around the room telling her everypony’s names but Atlas started to before me.

“Hey, Jett. I'm Atlas. I guess you could say that I'm your uncle now.” Atlas shrugged. “Over there we have Orion and Thasus, your other uncles, great-uncle Akane Apple, and your cousin Sparta. Your Aunt Buttercup, Great-grandma Sparrow, great-aunt Breezy, you know Snow, Great-grandma Galaxy, and finally Great-grandpa Skyquake.” He introduced everypony as how Jett would address them in title.

“Have you all eaten yet? Breakfast was close to being done,” mom asked me.

“I can eat. What about you?” I asked Jett.

“I'm always hungry,” Jett said, looking up at me, her nervousness rapidly vanishing.

“Oh ain't that the truth, come on little one you're sitting next to me,” Buttercup said leading Jett toward the dining room.

Mom stood and approached me once Jett was out of the room, smiling proudly. “I'm proud of you son. I know your father would be too.”

Dammit, if she was trying to make me cry she was off to an excellent start. I took a shaky breath. “Thank you, mom.”

“Just try and let us know if you plan on adopting anymore, this was a crazy surprise.”

“Grandma Galaxy knew,” I said.

“You said to not say anything,” Grandma said standing and going to the dining room.

“Yup. Still your fault. Nice try though,” Mom called after her. “Now where is my new granddaughter?” Mom beamed as she went to tend to breakfast. Everypony followed.

“Hey, Strider,” Orion called, getting my attention.

“What’s up?”

“We have one more guest coming,” He admitted. “She has to do a show but then she'll be here right afterward.”

“Fleetfoot?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“I thought you said it wasn't gonna work out?” I asked.

Orion smiled sheepishly. “We talked. Yelled really. But we worked things out, and I think she's the one.”

“Well, congratulations on that. But why are you telling me?”

Orion glanced around, then leaned in closer and whispered. “You and I have always been close, and you're still the only one who knows I'm dating a Wonderbolt.”

“Oh. I see. Perhaps then we should join breakfast before everypony gets suspicious.”

“Good idea,” Orion nodded.

It was a little after midday now. Jett was starting to feel comfortable with everypony. I just watched and observed. If things got out of hoof I'd intervene. Buttercup was playing with Jett in the backyard snow at the moment while I sat next to mom on the back porch. Most of the others were in the living room.

“Your father had the same look on his face when he'd watch you all play,” Mom said with a giggle.

I blinked and looked around at her. “What look?”

“Overprotective Dad Look.”

“I've barely had her a whole week, and I'm already catching Overprotective Dad syndrome?” I groaned. “If I'm getting it this early on, I'm doomed.”

“It not really a bad thing. That is why you have Snow, she keeps you reasonable.”

“So that's how that works,” I joked, feigning ignorance.

There was a moment of happy silence. “So I've been meaning to ask you.”

“Yeah, mom?”

“Your Grandmother mentioned that you and Snow are pretty far in your relationship, despite the short amount of time you've been together,” Mom said.

“You said you had a question. Not somepony else's observation.”

“Are you planning on asking her to marry you?” Mom pressed.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. “Yes. But we have to be careful. I'm a sergeant, she is a GFC. I just want to be sure that if we do get married, it doesn't ruin our carriers.”

Mom put a hoof on my shoulder. “I understand the need to be cautious of that, but don't let that get in the way of your life together.”

“I won't,” I nodded.

The doorbell rang. “I got it!” Orion jumped over the sofa to get the door.

I knew who was at the door. Jett was in for a surprise. Which reminded me. “Hey, Jett. Come here please,” I called.

Jett stood from her spot beside Buttercup in the snow and tried using her leathery wings to assist in getting over to me. She only succeeded in getting herself a few inches off the ground, but she still got to me as fast as she could. “Yes?”

“I forgot to ask. Is there anything you would have liked for Hearth's Warming?” I asked her.

Jett twisted her snout in thought, then looked around. “Maybe a jacket. But I can't really think of anything else.” She looked back up at me.

“Well, we can get you a jacket when we get back home. Are you enjoying yourself?”

Jett nodded. “Auntie Buttercup was just telling me about how you both used to play together.”

“Oh yes. The building bricks.” I recalled.

“I used to step on those in the middle of the night. I'm glad they are gone. They hurt.” Mom commented with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

I smiled. “They were fun though, I built some sturdy forts.”

Orion was coming back into the house again.“Everypony!” he called.

“Sit with me, Jett,” I instructed. I lifted a wing and she curled in close against me for warmth. Her leather wings are not meant for this weather.

“I told you all that I was seeing somepony, but I didn't divulge whom it was,” Orion started. “Everypony I'd like you to meet my marefriend Fleetfoot.”

Fleetfoot stepped into view, wearing a simple blue jacket. Her mane wasn’t up like it had been air blasted. Instead, it was brushed down to her right side. It looked nice. “Hello everypony, it's a pleasure to meet you all finally.” The slight lisp she spoke with was still unmistakable.

I looked down at Jett, whose jaw was almost hanging down to the floor. She jerked her head up to me, while the awning became very interesting to me. “You knew!” she cried, pointing a hoof accusingly up at me.

“Guilty. But I didn't want to spoil the surprise,” I laughed.

Jett stood and ran as fast as her legs could carry her up to Fleetfoot. “I'm such a big fan of yours. You're my favorite Wonderbolt!” she beamed.

Fleetfoot seemed a little pleased. “Orion, you never mentioned you had a fan of mine here other than yourself.”

“Fleet, this is Jett. Strider's newly adopted daughter.” Orion introduced her.

“Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. You wanna hang with your uncle and me?” Fleetfoot asked. Jett nodded.

Calling it “dinner” would be an understatement. “Feast” was a better description for the mounds of food on the table. Zucchini, eggplant, garlic bread, spaghetti, carrots, salads, pies, cakes, the list goes on.

I had a plate of spaghetti, zucchini, carrots and a slice of apple pie that Spartan Apple made. I sat between Snow and my cousin, while everyone had their spots around the table. Jett sat across from me beside my sister and mom.

“So, Orion, you happen to make it into one of those new Wonderbolt squads?” Grandpa Skyquake asked.

“I-” Orion started to say, but Fleetfoot stopped him.

“He is scheduled for Sierra squad tryouts in spring. Soarin and Captain Spitfire will be judging his performance on their own.

“Not you?” Sparta asked.

“I disclosed that we are in a relationship, and as such, another Wonderbolt will be judging his performance. I recommended Misty Fly to take my spot as a judge, so there’s no bias,” Fleetfoot explained.

“You still get to be there though right?” mom asked.

“Damn straight! Nopony will be yelling louder than me for my stallion.” Fleetfoot said confidently.

“So I'm taking a transfer with promotion into the Los Pegasus City Guard,” Atlas said abruptly.

“Really?” Grandpa asked.

“The current Captain is retiring, and he asked me personally to take over,” Atlas said proudly. “I'll be going to Officer Academy, and then Captain's school starting next month. When I’m done I’ll be taking the position.”

“Good for you, brother,” Buttercup smiled.

“I think I'll apply for an instructor's license and take a job at the Baltimare Army Academy,” Thasus joined in. “I'm not doing anything in the army right now. I want to do something that doesn't involve just standing there.”

“Your father did a season of that. He said it was a reward in itself to train the next generations,” Mom commented.

“I just don't like all the standing around I'm doing as of late,” Thasus admitted.

“Strider, what does your command have you doing? You were promoted, yes?” Grandpa asked.

“I was,” I said. “They have me heading up the new Organized Crime Unit. We report directly to the Captain. We are supposed to be getting a prosecutor who isn't in anypony’s back pocket. So I suspect whoever they are, they will be a little green.”

“That just means you can show them the ropes, love,” Snow commented.

“Yes, I suppose that's true,” I agreed.

We were now all just sitting the living room enjoying each other's company. Jett was half asleep beside me under my left wing, while Snow was beneath my right wing sipping some hot cocoa.

Thasus and Atlas were playing against Grandpa Skyquake and Buttercup in a game of chess. Mom, Aunt Breezy, Uncle Akane, and Sparta were all chatting quietly. Fleetfoot and Orion were both cuddling next to the fire.

I saw Orion look up at me and I met his gaze. I saw him fiddle with his left wing just a little bit, allowing a little yellow and blue box to show. Orion winked.

“I think she is the one,” I remembered him saying.

“Jett, wake up. You'll want to see this.” I said nudging her awake.

“Hmm?” she stirred.

Orion stepped off the cushion he and Fleetfoot were laying on, and he stepped in front of her. No need to call for everyone's attention; everyone was looking towards him as if we all knew what was going to happen. We all held our breath. Orion stared straight at Fleetfoot as he spoke.

“Fleetfoot. You're sarcastic, a nightmare, and stubborn,” Orion started. I was having trouble following with what he was trying to do. “But underneath all that, you're loving, kind, sweet and caring. You try to better everypony in your own way.”

Fleetfoot smiled in a show of mixed affection and confusion.

“But you have made my life better by just being there, and the occasional yelling.” Orion joked. Fleetfoot giggled a bit.

“I guess what I'm trying to say is…” Orion knelt down as best he could and presented a wing ring that sat inside the little box he held in his wings. “Will you marry me?”

The whole room was quiet. You could have heard a feather drop. Nopony was breathing, least of all Fleetfoot and Orion. The silence was only interrupted by the crackling of the fire.

After what seemed like hours, but what was really only a few moments. “Yes. Of course yes. What other answer would you think, you blockhead?” Fleetfoot hugged him tightly.

Once the room released the breath we were holding. Mom started commenting. “Don't you think it's a little early in your relationship?” mom asked.

I turned to mom. “Mom. You and dad were engaged ten days after your first date.”

Mom was going to argue but didn't. “Point taken,” she admitted.

“So when is the wedding?” Grandma Galaxy asked.

Orion shrugged while he let Fleetfoot examine the wing ring. “No clue.”

Fleetfoot stopped admiring her engagement ring and nodded. “Yeah, I'm not worried about when it is, so much as who will be going. Spitfire will have my head if she isn't a part of it.”

“What about Commander Soarin?” Snow asked.

“He would just want to be invited because there will likely be pie,” Fleetfoot said with an emotionless expression.

“You're still gonna invite him, though, right?” Jett asked.

“Well, yeah, but that's beside the point,” Fleetfoot shrugged. “The point being, he'd look up from a pie every once in awhile, maybe he'd find a good mare to occupy his spare time.”

“That must be frustrating,” I commented.

Fleetfoot nodded. “He's a loud neighbor. It’s hard to get sleep with him next door some nights.”

“We were supposed to be sleeping?” Orion feigned surprise. “I'm sorry.” He grinned as Fleetfoot shoved him and everypony laughed.

“I don't get it,” Jett said, looking up at me.

I had to fight down laughter. “When you're older, you'll get it.”

Most everypony was turning in for the night. I was putting Jett to bed up in my old hammock. Luckily the hammock has a set of pulleys attached. I lowered it so it wasn’t so high off the floor; I didn’t want Jett to fall off and hurt herself.

“Did you have fun tonight?” I asked her as I rolled her off my wing and into the hammock.

She was having trouble keeping her eyes open. “I love my new family,” she smiled through a yawn. “And I know my first family is watching over me from wherever they are.” She smiled. “I love all of my family,” she murmured.

“Goodnight, Jett,” I whispered, stepping toward the door.

“Goodnight dad,” she said from her spot.

As glad I was to hear her call me that, I'm sure she didn’t realize she said it to me. I paused for a moment at the threshold while my heart did a little tap dance, then turned the light off and went back out into the living room.

Thasus, Orion, and Atlas were off to the side talking excitedly about something. Mom, Fleetfoot, Snow, and Aunt Breezy were on the couch, shaking their heads in exasperation.

“Strider! We should go out for a little bit,” Thasus suggested.

“Why?” I asked.

“They want to celebrate Orion’s engagement between brothers,” Aunt Breezy said.

“That could potentially get out of hoof,” I started. “Let's do it.” I grabbed a scarf out of the closet.

“Please have him back at a reasonable hour. Orion and I have to get back to Cloudsdale,” Fleetfoot instructed.

“Not to mention we have a train to catch in the morning,” Snow added.

“We promise!” Atlas and Thasus grinned as we exited the house.

Once out the door, we made our way down to lower Canterlot. There was a nice little tavern down here called “The Frisky Golem,” a stone’s throw away from the airship docks. It was mostly host to airship crew ponies and cargo workers.

On the way though we had to find the stairs down to the docks. The under part of Canterlot is the closest you'll get to a normal city here, away from the fancy bright colors of the city’s main body. But it very much resembled an upside-down city.Bridges, railings, stairs, elevators, and a complicated crane system dominated the view here. Whether or not the elite of Canterlot wants to admit it, this is the heart of the city. This is where the majority of the trade comes in and out for the town.

But I'm getting distracted. The Frisky Golem was carved out of the stone like a lot of the buildings here. The inside was hardwood floors, stone walls, wood pillars, and wood ceilings. An open fireplace sat in the middle of the establishment, providing warmth and most of the light.

Two pool tables sat in one corner, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do. “Hey, guys, how about we win ourselves a few extra bits in pool?”

There was a moment of consideration before Orion and the others agreed and we started our way towards the tables. Three earth pony stallions were already there playing. They were obviously members of an airship crew; their muscular builds and scars from being lashed by the ropes suggested as much. The biggest one was green with a purple mane. The middle sized was white with a black mane, and the smallest was tan with a gray mane.

We stood to the side and observed. They were good, but I wasn’t concerned. “You lot want t’ play?” the medium sized one asked in a heavy accent.

“Indeed we do,” Atlas nodded.

“Looky here at them marks,” the small one started. “We got soldiers. Didn’t think you lot came down here,” he said with a grin.

“We aren’t soldiers tonight. Just four brothers wanting a nice game,” Thasus commented.

The airship ponies all snorted with laughter. “‘A nice game,’ he says. How ‘bout we make it a bit more interesting, eh?” The large stallion asked.

“What's the wager?” I inquired.

The medium sized sailor was quiet for a moment. “Four hundred bits. That’s one hundred from each of ya.”

Orion spoke up now. “You colts carrying around that kind of coin?” he asked challengingly.

“Aye, we might be. The question is are you military types game or not?” the medium sailor challenged.

My brothers and I glanced at each other for a moment. “Rack’em!” Atlas boomed.

We were on our way home now, with a very fortunate haul, my brothers hooting with laughter at the memories of the airship ponies’ shocked faces. “They lost four hundred each game, which means we collectively earned one thousand six hundred bits from them. Meaning divided up we each get four hundred bits even,” Thasus bragged as he divided the winnings and levitated each of us our share of the bits in little bags.

“This is a good start for our honeymoon fund,” Orion commented.

I had other plans for my winnings, something special for Snow. “Where is that gonna be?” I asked Orion.

“Yet to be decided. Fleetfoot isn't into the whole fancy frou-frou stuff. I'm thinking something either relaxing or adventurous,” Orion pondered as we walked.

“Perhaps both?” Atlas suggested.

“Hmm, yes, perhaps.” Orion agreed.

We made it home, but this was in no way a reasonable hour. It was past midnight certainly. We opened the door quietly. This was bringing back some interesting memories of sneaking out late to search for trouble. Somehow, mom always was awake and waiting for us to come back.

Once we were inside, we started toward our beds. Snow and I were sleeping on the foldout bed in the office. But as we were making our way past the living room we heard Mom’s signature disapproving clearing of the throat.

Knowing we'd been caught, we faced the music. “You boys go to bed,” Mom commanded. “Orion, you'll be getting enough from Fleetfoot. Strider, please come and sit I need to talk with you.”

Atlas, Thasus, and Orion left with their tails between their legs. I went and sat on the space of couch mom was patting with her hoof.

“Yes, mom?” I asked.

“I'm so proud of you. You know that right?” she started, her tone quiet, losing some of its disapproval.

I nodded. She was already starting to worry me.

“Your father would've been proud too. And I wanted to thank you for wonderful surprise Jett turned out to be.”

I felt my heart racing. “Mom, you're scaring me. Why are you saying these things? Why now?”

“You're the only one who doesn't know now,” Mom said, blinking.

“Know what, mom?”

She almost didn't say anything. “Combined immunodeficiency, allowed a brain and spinal cord infection to take root,” she said quickly. “There is no cure.”

I felt heavy, like my wings, hooves, and head were made of stone. “Mom?” was all I could get out.

“I'm dying. Doctors say I have less than a year left. This is likely my last Hearth's Warming,” she said finally, wiping at her eyes with a wing.

I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to at the same time. “Do you want me to move back here? I can if that is needed.”

“No! Sweetie, no. I just wanted you to know. If things get worse or better at any point, somepony will let you know. But I felt you deserved to know.” She stood. “For now though, I don't want anypony treating me differently. Now off to bed, I'd wager Snow has stayed up waiting for you.”

I nodded and stood to make my way to the office slash guest room. Sure enough, Snow was there waiting on the bed. Her glare turned into a look of concern when she saw my expression.

“Love? Are you okay?” she asked affectionately.

I said nothing as I got onto the bed and settled in next to her. I was crying now though, holding back the flood that was coming if I tried to say something.

She nuzzled me and pulled me close. “She told me too. I'm here if you want to talk,” she added. My defenses against the tears were destroyed in that instant.

Baltimare VIII

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The day after Hearth’s Warming, we were all back in Baltimare. Before we had to report back to base, I had gotten Jett some winter clothing: a white hoodie with purple fluff inside and blue trim, I also tried getting her some sunglasses—turns out that a thestral’s eyes are more sensitive to light than a normal pony’s—but she wanted some old-fashioned tinted flight goggles. She wore them on her forehead when indoors, and over her eyes when outside.

I was in my office going over all the cases that my team and I were working on. Jett wanted to hang out with me today. She sat on the other side of the room, reading her comic books and playing with her Fleetfoot figure. Dino was coiled atop one of my filing cabinets, watching Jett.

Somepony knocked at my door. “Come in,” I called, hurriedly putting my helmet on. As an NCO, I had to keep a professional appearance now.

The lieutenant opened the door. I stood for a salute, but he waved me down almost immediately. “As you were Sergeant, I'm just here with a new case for you.”

“Sir?” I asked as he levitated a new manila folder over to my already overflowing pile.

“There was a carriage found burning next to the road out of town,” he explained. “That’s a popular dumping ground for the local gangs particularly the Griffon Mafia. Responding firefighters found a body inside.”

“Anything special about this case?” I asked.

“The wagon is registered to the ex-wife of a witness that said he'd testify against the local gangs. The file was closed to us because it was an E.Q Marshals case.”

“Ah yes,” I grumbled. “The Equestrian Marshals. The division of the Guard that ignores city limits.”

No City Guard actually liked the Marshals. They handled cases like escaped convicts and witnesses protection and never told anypony anything until they screwed up and needed help. And even then, they never said more than they absolutely had to.

“Yes well, their witness up and disappeared on them and the witness’ daughter is missing. We want to know who the body is in the carriage, then find out where the other two are,” the Lieutenant explained. “I want you to consider this a high priority case. If we find this witness, we might be able to nail the Mafia...not to mention stick it to the pricks in the Marshals,” he added with a small smirk.

That certainly got my motivation up. “I'll get on this then, sir,” I replied.

“The body and the carriage are already on their way here. Oh, and your new district attorney is on her way with the complete E.Q.M file. She should be here any minute.” The Lieutenant turned, looked at Jett, who just waved a hoof at him, and he then proceeded to leave my office.

I sighed and removed my helmet. “Another family is in trouble?” Jett asked me.

I didn't want to talk about this subject but I was in it now. “It seems like it. But my fellow guards know what they're doing. We'll find them.”

Jett smiled as another knock on my door resonated through. “Come in!” I called, straightening myself out in case it was another officer.

Instead, a zebra mare walked into my office. She was skinny, but then again I haven't met many zebras so I have nothing to compare her to. Her long mane was pulled back in a ponytail instead. Zebra cutie marks are nothing like a pony’s: hers was an intricate tribal design like a swirling pair of circles, but I had no inkling what it meant. She was young, not much older than me, but her expression showed determination. She wore a business-like collar and had three gold earrings on her left ear.

“Sergeant Strider?” she asked through a thick southern accent. I nodded and shook her offered hoof. “My name is Seera, I'm the new District Attorney. I studied law in New Horseleans, then I moved here to practice.”

SHE was the new DA? “A pleasure to meet you,” I said, fighting down my surprise. “Shall we get to business?” I asked, offering her a seat.

She sat down. “Sergeant, this case is a delicate one. The witness, Brass Cog, was a weaponsmith for the Griffon Mafia, but he recently been making weapons for the Mareish Mob as well. He was willing to testify against both of the gang leaders.” She explained.

“‘Was?’” I asked.

“The E.Q.M were supposed to keep his daughter safe and with the ex-wife. But obviously last night the wife may have turned up extra crispy.” She said that with a tone of stoic detachment that some would’ve found disturbing.

“Maybe. We can't be sure yet,” I said, trying to hold onto some sliver of hope.

“Of course. But this morning the E.Q.M couldn't complete the daily meeting between Brass Cog and his daughter, so he ran.”

“Are we assuming the daughter was foalnapped?” I asked, glancing at Jett. She was listening silently, her eyes on Seera as she clutched to her Fleetfoot doll.

“Until evidence suggests otherwise, yes,” Seera confirmed.

I needed to move Jett away from this conversation. “Well, welcome aboard. Since you're our assigned DA, I'm gonna have my guards give you a copy of everything we get. Sound good?” I asked.

“Good. My office is across the way, next to the Captain's office.”

“Alright. Do you mind waiting here a few minutes?” I asked, standing.

“Not at all, it will give me time to study your walls,” she pointed to my evidence covered walls. I forgot about it sometimes.

I went to my door and opened it, gesturing Jett over to me. She gathered her stuff and followed. On the way towards the back of SI, I stopped at Ace’s desk.

“Sergeant?” he asked standing at attention.

“Gather the team members that are here; I know Stone has the day off. Introduce yourselves to the new DA, she's in my office, I'll be right back.”

Ace nodded. “You got it, Sarge.”

Sarge? I was about to correct him, but he left before I could. I took Jett to Otulissa’s station in the quiet part of SI.

“Oh, hello Sarge,” Otulissa chirped in greeting as I entered. “What can I do for you?”

“Where did this ‘Sarge’ thing come from?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I dunno, most the department went out for drinks on Hearth’s Warming. We just started referring to you as Sarge, and I guess it stuck.”

“So no hope of dispelling it,” I sighed.

“Not really,” Otulissa grinned.

“Anyway, I was hoping you'd watch my daughter for me for a little while.” I stepped aside and allowed Jett to peek out from behind me. She smiled shyly at Otulissa.

“I have no issue with it.” Otulissa knelt down to smile at Jett. “How about it, kid? I got face and wing paints that will be a nightmare for your dad to get off.”

Jett perked up at the idea of face painting. “Okay!” She followed Otulissa to the back of her station.

“You’re kidding about the paint right?” I asked as she walked away.

Otulissa smirked over her shoulder at me but said nothing. I shook the thought off and put my mind back into work mode, then went back to my office. Everypony except Stone was in my office.

“Alright everypony,” I said. “I hope you all had a good holiday but unfortunately, it's time to get back to work.”

“What do you want us to do, Sarge?” Ruff Luck asked.

“Ace, Mist, Ruff. Get to the garage, Gary and Hadvar should be there as well. A burned wagon will be arriving, find out everything you can. Go.”

“You got it, Sarge,” Ruff said as the three of them exited the room. The nickname was going to take some getting used to.

“Tuff, Sharpshot, Kickback. Go to the scene of the crime, see what you can find. Be thorough, bring one or two of the squints from in back with you. Go.”

“Yes Sarge,” Kickback responded as the three of them left as well.

“Oda, you’re with me. We are gonna be there for the initial examination of the body. The coroner needs to confirm identity.”

“How can he do that?” Oda asked.

“By comparing medical and dental records,” I explained as we started to walk down to the morgue.

Seera started following as well. “Ma’am, you might want to wait in Sarge’s office.” Oda tried.

“I'm not squeamish,” Seera said proudly.

“Suit yourself,” I said, leading them both over to the morgue.

When we got to the morgue, the coroner was standing in front of one of the autopsy tables. One of the freezers behind him was open, and a body bag lay inside it. I did my best to keep my lunch in my stomach.

He spoke into a recording microphone. “Comparative examination of Jane Doe three-seven-nine to determine if this is the body of a one Flower Poppy.”

He moved over to the body bag and used levitation to get the body onto the examination table. He unzipped the bag with his magic and revealed the burned, barely recognizable body of a pony. The battle to keep my lunch down suddenly became much harder.

The coroner continued recording. “Pelvic bones and remaining reproductive organs confirm the victim as female. Flower Poppy has two distinctive medical injuries recorded and one genetic defect. Remodeled vertical stress fracture on the hind leg match the victim's, cranial surgery bone scarring match the victim’s and matching surgically removed extra left rib. Based on these matching injuries, and features, I'm convinced that this is indeed Flower Poppy,” he concluded.

“Alright next thing is, was she burned alive or killed before she was burned?” I asked.

“For the record, that is Sergeant Strider observing with District Attorney Seera,” the coroner said into the microphone, before turning it off for a moment. “I'll get on that right away. I'll send you all my findings.”

“Make sure our new DA here gets a copy too,” I told him. He nodded.

One of the other SI investigators poked his head in. “Sarge, somepony in your office to see you.”

I found this odd. I had no scheduled visitors today. Perhaps Snow decided to pay a surprise visit on her lunch break.

“I'll be there in a moment.” I turned to Seera. “I trust you have some settling in to do. Set your office up?”

“I do in fact,” she nodded.

“I'll send somepony over with a copy of all the cases we are working on and you can decide which ones have priority,” I said stepping toward the door, Oda followed me out.

Seera exited SI while Oda and I made our way across SI toward my office, what I saw when I got close enough surprised me though. “Is something the matter Sarge?” Oda asked.

My jaw dropped so fast, it felt like it’d fall right off. Through the door, I could see the unicorn mare in my office. It was the same one that was speaking with Coin Shark that day. If she was here, it was bad news, but at the same time, it would be good to know who my opponent is. “Oda? You have one of those recording devices right?”

“Yeah,” she confirmed.

“I need to borrow it,” I said. Oda levitated it out of her pocket and gave it to me. Once I’d set it up so that it was underneath my uniform and the microphone was on my collar, I started toward my office. “Stay outside my door Oda, door open,” I ordered.

“Copy that Sarge,” she nodded. She might have picked up on my caution about the mare in my office.

I started the recorder in my pocket, then I walked in and greeted the mare. “Hello, miss?” I asked shaking her hoof.

“Amaryllis Lurce.” She looked the same as she did before. White coat, a red and white mane. She was still favoring a red dress and the matching white and red fedora.

“How can I help you today?” I asked moving around to sit in my desk chair.

Sitting down in one of my spare seats she started. “You are investigating a business associate of mine and I'd like to be kept in the loop,” she said plainly.

“Who would this business associate be?” I asked.

“Brass Cog. He is a very important business partner and friend, and I'm concerned for nothing more than his safety,” she said. Her speech sounded very rehearsed.

“You'll forgive my being blunt, but I'm not permitted by Equestrian Law to divulge any information pertaining to ongoing investigations,” I replied flatly. This mare wasn’t going to be getting anything over me.

She smiled sweetly, but there was poison in the sugar. “Perhaps I could provide… persuasive compensation for information on the matter.”

Bribery? I tried to hold it back—I really did—but I couldn’t. I stared at her for a moment, then laughed in her face. “Get out,” I told her as I settled down.

“Say ten thousand bits?” she cooed, leaning forward a bit and resting her forelegs on my desk, flicking her tail back and forth in a flirtatious manner.

In my head, I was still laughing, because I couldn't believe she was still trying. But, I had to make a point.

I slammed my hoof down on my desk, and stood leaning over the desk close to her, making her jump at my sudden movement. I heard Oda outside squeak in surprise.

“GET OUT BEFORE I ARREST YOU FOR ATTEMPTED BRIBERY OF A MEMBER OF THE CITY GUARD!” I roared.

Regaining control of herself, she stood and magically straightened her dress. “I have to say I'm disappointed,” she said emotionlessly, but I detected a threatening glimmer in her eyes as she glared at me. “Good day, Sergeant.”

She left my office calmly and collected. Once she was gone Oda came into my office. “Sarge?”

I sighed and used my wing tips to rub the sides of my pounding head, it made my head hurt yelling like that. “Oda, if you could please open a Person Of Interest file on Amaryllis Lurce. I have a feeling we won't be seeing the last of her.”

“She is the one we saw in the diner when we were following Coin Shark?” Snow asked.

We were on my couch in my apartment. Snow was in my hooves, leaning into me. Dinner was ready but we were waiting a few more minutes for Jett to get as much of the face paint off as she could. Otulissa hadn’t been joking. And I had just gotten done telling Snow about my particular meeting. It wasn't a case yet, so I saw no harm in sharing.

“Yeah. I have a bad feeling about her,” I said.

“Well, your instincts haven't lead you wrong yet, love. I say stick with them.”

“Yeah, you're right.” I wanted a change of subject. “So how was your day?” I asked, nuzzling the space behind her ear.

“I finally got a new roommate and partner,” Snow replied, leaning against me. “You'll never guess who it is.”

“Vanity,” I said off the top of my head.

She booped me on the nose. “No. Bad Strider.”

Wiggling my nose, I continued. “It was the most obscure pony I could think of. Who is it then?” I asked.

“Your cousin. Spartan Apple.”

I looked at her with pure disbelief. “Surely you're joking.”

“I'm not kidding. She was going to visit your office today but I guess she forgot. And don’t call me Shirley.”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring the bad pun, and was about to continue the conversation.

“How's this?” Jett said coming into the room. The face paint was still there but it was mostly faded.

“It'll do.” I nodded to Jett as Snow and I got up off the table.

Snow and I had put together a vegetable and fruit salad mix for dinner. It was rather tasty. Mom always made us sit down together for dinner, I was determined to repeat that for my family.

“Hey, Dad?” Jett started as we started to sit down.

SHE SAID IT! I squeed internally. Calm down Strider, play it cool. I thought to myself. “Yes?”

Jett hesitated. “I was wondering. This summer, could I go to Summer Flight Camp?”

Of course, I could just say ‘Yes’, but where is the fun in that?

“Sick of me already are you?” I grinned. “I see how it is, and I had all these plans...” I started.

“No! No-no-no, that's not what I meant!” Jett tried to fix what wasn’t broken.

I was already laughing. “I'm kidding. Of course, you can go. Besides, I'm not sure how to teach you how to fly with you having those wings of yours.”

Jett pouted. “I can fly. Just not very well. That's why I wanna go.”

I nodded. “And I want you to go. But you gotta promise me something first.”

“What?” she asked.

“When school starts, you get good grades. I was always happy with a b minus or higher.” I shrugged.

“So I get good grades, and I get to go to Flight Camp?” Jett asked.

“Those are my terms. Deal?” I asked holding my wing out to her.

She hopped down from her chair to come over and hug me. “You got a deal, Dad.”

“You two are adorable.” Snow commented. Jet and I both stuck our tongues out at Snow. “You are teaching her bad habits with that!” Snow laughed.

“Like you're any better?” I asked raising an eyebrow at her.

“Shut up,” Snow said, putting more food in her mouth.

The next day. We were no closer to solving the missing witness case. But I had a feeling that once we find the father, we can find the daughter.

I was sitting with five other Sergeants in the cafeteria. It was lunchtime and I was waiting on results from the lab. We were playing a few hooves of blackjack over lunch. I was winning, for the tenth hoof in a row.

I currently had a divided hoof: both aces, one paired with a king of hearts, the other with a nine of diamonds. I was up forty-five bits, the pot was a five-bit max, and this was the last round before we had to get back to our offices.

The dealer for this hoof flipped his last card over, revealing a king of diamonds. With his previous card being a nine of spades, that made nineteen. Looking around the table, everypony revealed their cards and I showed my two hooves. I topped the dealer and won.

I collected the last of my winnings as the others grumbled. “A pleasure playing you gents and ladies. But I really must be getting back to work.”

I made my way back to my office. I was happy Grandma Galaxy was happy to foalsit Jett for me. Entering SI, I went into my office to find my cousin Spartan Apple was here, just sitting in my office.

I closed my office door. “Hey, Sparta!” I hugged my cousin.

“Hey, cousin!” She hugged me back.

“You're Snow’s new roommate and Partner as I understand it?” I asked.

“Please, you and I both know that I'll have free reign of the room,” Sparta scoffed.

“Except on inspection day,” I added.

“Yes,” Sparta nodded.

Sparta was cool. She was one year younger than me but she was always high in spirits, and quite frankly was a good actor at the best of times. When we were younger, she could start and stop crying on cue, it was freaky. She was also the cousin I was closest to.

“So why are you here?” I asked. “Don't get me wrong I'm glad you are, but I thought your dad wanted you to stay within Coltfornia.”

“I finally had it,” Sparta replied. “I wanted to get out, spread my wings. You know, see something new.”

“Okay. But you've seen Baltimare before.”

“I mean something other than property disputes and drunkards starting bar fights,” Sparta grumbled.

“You gonna go back?” I asked. I knew how much she loved her home, despite what she is saying now.

“Oh yeah. Totally. Once I complete Captain’s School, anyway. Captain Spartan Apple has a nice ring to it, don't you think?”

“Yeah it does,” I agreed. “I could write you a requisition for the reading material if you'd like?”

She shook her head. “Oh, I don't think I'll be ready for the Captain's School anytime soon.”

“So? That doesn't mean you can't start reading up. You'll be prepared for the literature by the time you are ready,” I reasoned.

She pondered it. “That's true.”

“So?” I asked pulling a requisition form out of my desk.

“Okay!” she grinned.

I started filling out the request. “So I have a favor to ask.”

“Help cover that you're dating somepony in the lower rankings?” Sparta snickered, raising an eyebrow.

“You know me so well.” I signed the form and gave it to her. “Thanks, cousin. It’ll make things easier now that you’re here. It really will.”

“Hey, anything for family,” Sparta grinned, giving me a brief hug. There was a knock on my door. Sparta and I got professional in an instant.

“Come in,” I called.

Stone opened the door. “Sarge, we got a lead on Brass Cog.”

“Duty calls,” I sighed to Sparta. She saluted, then exited my office and SI.

“Fill me in,” I said to Stone.

“Well, you know how yesterday just before you left for the day, you put me and Oda in charge of finding Brass Cog?”

He wasn’t wrong. “Yeah. I remember.”

“Well, we started looking into his records and who he made weapons for. He made one for the leader of the Itailian mob.”

“What do we have on the Itailian mob?” I asked looking at their section of my wall. “Hmm. Not much actual criminal activity. They mostly just make business investments, help the businesses in their area, or buy out the ones that aren't working.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I'm thinking that the Itailian mob won't be one of the ones that Brass Cog will be testifying against. They might have some info we can use.”

“I doubt they do,” Stone commented. “And I don’t think they’ll work with us. Criminals and Guards don’t normally get along. It’s kind of in the job description.”

“Still it might be helpful having a feather in with one of these organizations. An inside source,” I pondered.

“I think that would be a bad idea Sarge,” Stone suggested.

“Perhaps you're right. I have work for you though.” I thought it best to give Stone something to do while I'm gone. “Stone, I need you and Oda to go through every dealing Brass Cog had with the gangs. And give Gary any and all weapon designs recovered from Brass Cog’s home. See if he and his squints can make sense of them. If any other leads come up, bring them to Seera immediately. And if I'm not here, ask her what you and everypony should do next. Understood?”

“Understood, Sarge.” Stone saluted hurried out of the room.

I looked back over to the Itailian mob section of my wall. The boss’ hang out spot was a restaurant over on forty-ninth. I gathered my helmet and proceeded to sign out of SI.

I was watching through the window of a restaurant called Saucy Mama’s. I could see the Itailian mob boss through the restaurant window from my position across the street, an earth pony mare named Amore Dolce. She was not young but far from elderly. Her mane and tail were pale red and pale blue, while her coat was blonde. She sat in a booth toward the back of the restaurant, reading a book with reading glasses on. Every once in awhile a waitress would come by and refill the glass of red wine she sipped at.

The population of civilians in the restaurant was at a low before the dinner rush. I made my approach, crossing the street and entering the restaurant. I wasn't exactly discreet; wearing a full set of City Guard armor turns heads. I went over to Amore Dolce, but I wasn't the first to speak like I had planned.

“I was beginning to wonder when you were going to come in. It's rude to spy on ponies Sergeant,” she said to me in a thick Itailian accent. I saw what looked like a gold bracelet on her foreleg, but I'd guess it wasn't gold but something else, the color was off. I hadn’t seen it from across the street.

“In my line of work, sometimes it's necessary,” I said.

“I suppose that's true,” she said and removed her reading glasses, squinting at me. She waved over a large earth pony that must’ve been her bodyguard; he was almost a full head taller than Stone and twice as wide as me. “You obviously came here for a reason. Am I in trouble?”

“I actually came here because I think you can help me. And I think that there is a possibility, I can help you.”

Her eyebrows lifted slightly to indicate interest. “Then perhaps introductions are in order?” she suggested.

“Sergeant Flame Strider, Special Investigations, Organized Crime Unit,” I recited the full title.

“Amore Dolce. But if you're in charge of Organized Crime, then you know exactly who I am.” She gestured for me to sit.

I removed my helmet before sitting. “I do.”

“So what, exactly, do you think I can help you with?” she asked. She seemed cautious, and she had the right to be, but she definitely seemed interested.

“Brass Cog,” I said bluntly. “He is supposed to be testifying against most of the local gangs, but I suspect that you and yours are not among them.”

“You would be right. Brass Cog was practically family. Whenever we worked with him, we paid in full and then half that. Never rushed him. In return, he gave good quality. He never accepted it but we also offered him protection free of charge.”

“He made an item for you didn’t he?” I raised an eyebrow.

She grinned and nodded. “This.” She held up her bracelet and tapped it. A mini crossbow formed out of the metal, already loaded with a small dart.

“Impressive,” I nodded. “So where is Brass Cog?”

Amore tapped the bracelet again and the weapon disassembled. “I might have an idea where Brass Cog may be hiding. But first. How can you help me?”

“Does the name Amaryllis Lurce mean anything to you?” I asked.

Her face turned to one of hatred. “Indeed, that name means something. She came to Baltimare four years ago, from Celestia knows where, and demanded that all the crime families pay her tribute. Any pony that disagreed with her died.” Her hooves shook. “My brother was one of the ones who refused.”

“I take it you don't like her much. And would it be a stretch to say you want her behind bars?”

“I want her dead!” she snapped.

“That’s not how we work,” I replied. “But with your help, I can put her out of the game for good.”

Amore scowled. I was losing her interest. “I can see that your organization is actually helpful to the city. You used to keep the smaller gangs in line, up until four years ago. You never had to kill somepony to get them to cooperate. I'm offering a chance to take your city back from somepony who, to be perfectly honest, has a death grip on the city.”

“You sound very dramatic,” Dolce smiled at me. “But you do have a way with words, sergeant. The mares must love that about you.” She leaned back in her chair and studied me for a long time. Finally, she nodded quietly. “I'll help when I can,” she declared. “For now though, Brass Cog is hiding in a warehouse by the docks. Right next to the one the Dragons use to store their cargo going to and from the Dragonlands.”

“Thank you. I promise I'll keep Bras Cog and his daughter safe when I find the both of them,” I announced.

“I'll see what information I can dig up on our mutual friend on my end,” she said and extended her hoof.

I shook it. “And I'll do the same.”

This was possibly the dumbest idea I've had since dating Aurora. I had gone straight to the warehouse to look for Brass Cog. Alone.

The first problem was, this warehouse was large and dark. It was a maze of crates and boxes, stacked five or six high in a labyrinth. Fortunately, I have the advantage of flying over the cargo.

The second problem was that while I was busy trying to make a mental map of the warehouse and reconsidering my lack of planning, the doors burst open and three big earth ponies, all of them armed with machetes as long as my wing, rushed inside.

“Spread out! Find him!” the apparent leader, a big black earth pony with a large chunk of his left ear missing, barked. They all spread out to search, blades held at the ready.

I flew down to hide behind a pillar. I didn’t want to fight with these guys; all of them were carrying those machetes like they knew what they were doing, and I definitely couldn’t take on three of them at once. I scooped up a loose nail from the floor in my wing and tossed it into the corner, where it made a clattering sound.

“Over here!” one of the thugs shouted. All of them rushed over to the noise and began to look around.

I flew over to the next stack while they were distracted. From here I could see more of the warehouse. In the back corner, there was a large cargo container, one that looked like it has been tampered with recently. I flew down to the crate. Carefully and quietly, I opened it. Inside were scattered weapon parts, a sleeping cot, canned food, and bottles of water. Used tissues littered the ground. I went to step in and heard hooves shuffling to my left.

I ducked just in time to avoid a board being swung at my head by a copper colored pony with a silver mane. His cutie mark was of three cogs. What stood out on the pony was his right leg and hoof. It wasn’t a hoof, not really. It was a mechanical leg and claw, like a griffon's. It looked heavy. It was obvious this is who I was looking for.

“Calm yourself!” I whispered loudly, stepping back out of range. “I'm with the City Guard. I'm a friend of Amore Dolce. She told me where to find you.”

“They took her,” he sniffed, still holding his makeshift weapon with a death grip in that claw.

I watched the mechanical claw with open caution. “Your daughter,” I nodded. “I know, I need your help to find her.”

“If I testify, they'll kill her,” he cried softly.

“Not if you help us find her before then,” I whispered quickly, glancing out the door. “We'll delay the hearing if we need to. But I need your help to do that.”

He was silent for a minute. I could hear the thugs getting closer, their hoofsteps echoing off the walls. “We need to get out. Amaryllis Lurce’s henchponies are here.”

“Right,” Brass Cog nodded. He walked over to a box of weapons, all half finished and looking broken.

“Out is that way,” I pointed to the door of the crate.

“We need something to get past them,” Brass Cog replied. He retrieved a seemingly ordinary pegasus armor chestpiece, looked tailored for somepony bigger. “This is a prototype, a unicorn friend of mine was helping me work on it before I got mixed up in all of this. It was meant for the Guard anyway. Take off your chestpiece.”

I was taking a chance trusting him here, but with the thugs outside, my options were limited. I removed my chestpiece, moving carefully so as not to make noise, and replaced it with the one he had. It was close to identical to mine, except it had additional armor pieces added to just beneath the wings, and was a little heavier, I’m gonna guess that this one has a hidden surprise in it like Amore Dolce’s bracelet.

“What does this do?” I asked.

“It’s best-explained on-the-go,” he answered. “Come on!”

Baltimare IX

View Online

At that moment, the door burst open and three more henchponies with machetes rushed in, making six in all. They were closing in on us from both sides, trapping us in the back of the warehouse. If I didn't figure out how to use this stupid magically and mechanically enhanced chestpiece thingy, we were doomed.

“The armor will prevent you from taking any hits. Trust me, it'll work.” Brass Cog whispered to me.

“Didn't you say that this is a prototype? As in not tested?” I whispered back.

The earless pony suddenly turned the corner and spotted me. “Nowhere to go, pig,” he sneered through the blade in his mouth, his eyes gleaming.

“Yipe,” I whispered, panic blocking out all thought.

He rushed at me and swung the machete at my neck. In response, I threw up a wing to deflect the strike away. But the blow never came.

The thug’s look of confusion mirrored mine. He swung the machete again. I didn't flinch this time as the blade was blocked by a barrier.

“Ahh... I see now. Cool.” I flapped my wings to get myself hovering, and I delivered a roundhouse kick to the thug’s jaw. He spun away and crashed to the floor, out cold.

The other thugs charged for me. Good thing the guard teaches hoof to hoof, and I just remembered that I was proficient. Using my own combination of hovering low over the ground and ground-based attacks, I prepared to fend off the thugs.

The first to reach me tried throwing the machete at me, but the prototype armor did its job and deflected it, causing it to become lodged in a nearby crate. I tumbled past him; he tried to spin to keep up, but as he turned, I socked him right in his left temple. Instant knockout. Hurt my hoof a bit though.

The next three thugs tried getting close, but I flew up and kicked one of them in the head, causing his skull to collide with the other two. All three of them fell to the ground, out cold. Earth pony skulls are dense apparently.

The last thug was backing away, looking mildly terrified of me. “Don't be dumb. Drop the weapon, and I'll just cuff you. Make it easy for us both."

He dropped the machete from his mouth and sat down on the ground next to some pipes.

“Good criminal. I'll go easy on the hoofcuffs,” I said in a playfully patronizing way, as I got my set of hoofcuffs out.

Brass Cog stepped up to me. “You want me to do that while you keep your eye on him?” he asked, offering to cuff the thug to the pipe.

“That would be best I think,” I said, giving the hoofcuffs to him.

I made sure the thug behaved while his target restrained him. “So what now?” Bras Cog asked.

“We go find the nearest on-duty City Guard. Come on.” I waved for him to follow me quickly.

“It sucks that I couldn't keep the chestpiece,” I sighed in disappointment.

“Well, it's not regulation. And was made by an unlicensed weaponsmith who worked for organized criminals,” Seera reminded me.

I was in Seera’s office and I had just finished my report on what happened. Brass Cog was set up in a safe room here on campus instead of a jail cell, secure under the eyes of two of my hoof-picked Guards. And we now had six new ponies to interrogate. It was going to be a busy day tomorrow. I couldn’t interrogate most of them until they wake up, so it's best I wait until tomorrow morning.

The only downer was that they made me turn in the chestpiece Brass Cog gave me. I was now once again wearing my boring, normal, not-awesome armor.

I sighed. “I know it wasn't regulation. But it was still really cool. Gary is probably halfway through tearing it apart by now.” I sighed and rubbed my face with my hooves, my jealousy of the griffon seething in my stomach. “Anyway, you got what you need from me?”

“Yup, I'll have all the paperwork needed for your interrogations tomorrow,” Seera replied, shuffling some papers on her desk. “Go get some rest.”

I nodded and took my leave, walking down the stairs to the ground floor and out the gates of the campus. I glanced at my watch and felt my stomach twist; I was well past the time I had told Grandma Galaxy I was going to pick Jett up. I spread my wings and took off. Flying over the city after dark, when most ponies were asleep, was peaceful in a way. I watched the mostly empty streets below me, lit by the gas lanterns. Somewhere down there Brass Cog’s daughter was being hidden. As much as I wanted to start searching door to door, I couldn’t.

So best focus on my own family right now. Landing outside my Grandparents home, I let myself in. “Hello?”

“Strider?” my grandmother called from farther in the house.

I trotted into the living room, where Jett and Grandma Galaxy were sitting on the couch reading.

“Dad!” Jett hopped over the coffee table using her wings to extend her jump. Once on the ground again she ran up and hugged me. “When you were late, I got scared.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I don't want to lose another daddy.” She hugged my armored leg tightly.

This filly is gonna break my heart if she keeps this up. “I'm not going anywhere, sweetie. Get your things so we can go home, Snow will likely be home by now.”

She let go of my leg and went over to get her things. Grandma Galaxy came over. “So what kept you?” she asked sternly.

“Witness recovery, and forceful apprehension of criminals.” Minimal details. I know how to give information to my family while keeping within regulations.

She looked at me disapprovingly. “Meaning you were in a fight. What were the odds?”

“Six to one,” I said honestly. Her response was the whack me upside the head with a hoof. “Ow!”

“You may be skilled, Flame Strider, but you have a daughter to think about now. You can't be putting yourself in danger like this,” she scolded me quietly. “Your grandfather reined in the dangerous acts when your mother was born. You need to do the same.”

Well, that is definitely something to think about. “I think, I understand,” I stammered.

“I'm ready!” Jett said coming up to me. I got low to the floor, allowing her to get up onto my back.

“See you Friday, darlings.” Grandma Galaxy kissed Jett on her forehead. Then she looked at me and kissed my cheek, and I returned it.

Stepping outside, we lifted off the ground and headed home.

I was in my bedroom, polishing the hoofguards of my armor, which got scuffed in the warehouse. Snow was on my bed behind me, reading like normal. Jett was in bed across the hall safe and sound asleep.

“Love?” Snow said softly.

“Yes?” I replied, not looking up.

“Can we talk about something?” she asked, closing her book.

I put my armor down and climbed onto the bed next to her. “What’s on your mind?”

“My NCO said that you cleaned up in a game of blackjack over lunch earlier, and there’s a steadily growing stash of large bit pieces in that false book you have in the living room,” she started. “Do you have a problem?”

“What? Like gambling addiction?” I asked. She nodded. I scoffed a little. “I don't think it's a problem. I just go to the games on Thursdays with the other NCOs. That game of blackjack during lunch today was a surprise.”

“But is it a problem? Are you gonna gamble away your savings if this continues?”

“It’s not a problem,” I replied, feeling a little testy. “I only use the bits in the false book on those Thursdays. I promise if it does become a problem I'll stop immediately.”

She seemed to shift uncomfortably and looked away from me for a moment. “Okay. I just don't want to see it consume you. I had a friend lose everything because he couldn’t help himself.”

“How about we go to sleep?” I offered, wanting to change the subject.

She sighed. “Alright. It's been a long day.”

“Hey,” I said, getting her to look at me again. “I love you.”

She smiled and kissed me. I responded in kind, holding her close. After a few moments, we parted and she set her head against my shoulder. “I love you, Flame Strider.”

We started getting settled into bed again, and just as we were getting comfortable a knock resonated from the apartment door.

Snow groaned. “What now?” she asked in irritation.

“I’ll get it.” I sat up, pushed the blankets off with a wing and got out of bed. Moving through the apartment I answered the door. An Equestrian Postal Service unicorn pony was standing on the other side. The nametag on his chest read “Stamp”.

“A little late to be delivering packages isn’t it?” I asked.

He yawned before replying. “Normally I’d agree but this package was marked for immediate delivery.” He levitated a clipboard and pen out of his saddlebags. “Sign here please.”

I signed the paper, and he levitated the package over and sat it beside me. It was no bigger than a cigar box and only had my address on it, no return address. “Have a good night sir,” he said as he turned to leave.

“You too,” I said, closing the door. I was about to shove the box aside and leave it until tomorrow morning, but then I noticed that the box was as cold as ice. Literally.

Snow came out of the bedroom. “Who was it, love?”

“Mail pony,” I said as I went to get a knife from the kitchen to cut the tape. I cut the tape holding the box closed and opened it. Inside sat a foam container with a note made in cut-out magazine letters spelling, “GIVE US BRASS COG!”

Snow had made her way over to me and the box. “What’s in there?” she asked with worry. I took the knife, slipped it beneath the lid, and lifted it up. Both of us gasped at the contents.

“Celestia have mercy,” Snow whispered, covering her mouth with a hoof.

Inside was the severed ear of a pony sitting on a layer of ice. From the size, I guessed it was the ear of Brass Cog’s daughter.

“I need my armor,” I declared. I closed the foam box, the packaging, and then hurried to my armor, moving quietly so I wouldn’t wake up Jett.

“I'll help you,” Snow hurried after me. “I’ll stay here and look after Jett.”

With the assistance of Snow’s magic, putting my armor on was a snap. Once my armor was on, I went back to the box and put into my armor’s pocket.

I was about to put my helmet on when Snow levitated it over to me. “Be careful,” she said and kissed my cheek, then put the helmet over my head. “Go bring that filly home.” I nodded and left the apartment.

Once down the stairs and out of the building I quickly flew to campus and went straight to SI. Looking around I saw that Ruff and Tuff were on night duty, filling out paperwork. I went up to them, and they stood to attention.

“I thought you went home, Sarge?” Tuff asked.

“I was home. Go get everypony on our team, Hadvar, the coroner, Seera. Anypony we may need to find somepony. I want them here five minutes ago. Move! Move!”

They ran out of SI in a hurry. I just hoped that we could work fast.

“This is definitely the shredding pattern seen when griffin talons rip through flesh,” the unicorn mare in front of me said, staring at the severed ear.

I was in the morgue with who apparently was the only coroner available at this hour. Hadvar was here too but he had a large cup of coffee in his claw and was none too happy to have been woken up at this hour.

“I'm sorry, what is your name again? You aren't the usual coroner I work with,” I stopped her.

“My name is Doctor Scapula. I'm a Forensic Alogopologist and have a certification in Forensic Pathology. But I've been here less than a week, so I wouldn't expect you to remember me,” she smiled.

“Well it's a pleasure to meet you, and while I'd like to get to know you better, we have the severed ear of a filly, who is probably near scared to death,” I said calling her attention back to the ear.

“Right,” She turned her attention back to the ear.

Hadvar was a little more awake now and looking closer at the ear. “She’s right, our claws leave these patterns when cutting soft tissue. But those pale flecks in the blood, what are those? Bone?” he asked.

Scapula levitated some tweezers and pulled the small white flecks out, squinting at them. “No, that's not bone. It doesn’t look like anything from a body.”

“Here, let me see that.” Hadvar took the flecks and put them under a microscope. “Hey, this is wood!” he said. “I'm gonna need time, but with the others there, I might be able to figure out where these came from. Additionally, if the griffon who cut the ear off left some cells behind we might get a suspect.”

“I'll take what I can get. But you are certain that the Griffon Mafia is involved?” I asked.

“Almost certain. We need more to confirm,” Scapula said.

“Alright then get those specks identified. I'll be with my team, going over the evidence we have.” I left them in the morgue.

Heading back to my office I saw that everypony was still waking up. “You had better have a good explanation for waking me up, Sarge,” Seera said in an irritated tone, adjusting her jewelry.

“We need information, and those thugs have what we need,” I started. “Ace, Stone, Seera. We need to start questioning them now. Ace you're lead interrogator on this. Go, please.” Seera merely nodded, Ace and Stone saluted before leaving.

“As for everyone else, we need everything all of the gangs have property wise, anywhere capable of detaining a filly and not being heard.” I started opening filing cabinets. My team did the same with the various cabinets I had around the room. It was definitely gonna be a long night.

I was alone in my office for the moment, still eliminating possible holding locations. I had sent out my team to check the more likely ones several times throughout the night, but no luck so far.

Every suspect that Ace, Stone, and Seera talked to had been uncooperative so far. All but one requested public defenders; the other one just wasn’t saying anything at all.

I put my head in my hooves and sighed deeply. Somewhere out there was a little filly, scared and alone, and I couldn’t do anything to help her. Would I be sitting here if it was Jett out there? I groaned. There had to be something here that I was missing! I had to think...think of something...

A knock resonated from my door, making me jump a little. I had begun to fall asleep. “Come in,” I called, standing up and straightening out my armor.

Kickback and Sharp Shot came through the door. “The steel mill on the south side of the city is clear, Sarge,” Kickback reported, wiping off his face.

“Sarge, If we aren't overstepping any lines here, we got you a large coffee and a muffin on our way back.” Sharp Shot levitated a coffee and a blueberry muffin onto my desk.

“There is probably some kind of rule about this but I don't care at the moment. As far as I care, you are supporting the team here,” I said taking a drink of the liquid gold they had put on my desk.

“Sarge!” I heard Hadvar call from outside my office. He came in with a map of the city with red circles drawn on it and post it notes stuck to the edges. “I know where they are holding her!” he shouted, slamming the map down onto my desk and knocking my coffee all over me. “The wood was common pine, but there was stain that was unique to a manufacturer of wagons that closed down about ten years ago. Now-”

“Hadvar! We don't have time for show and tell, cut to the chase.” I interrupted, grabbing some napkins and wiping my armor off.

“Right, sorry,” Hadvar apologized slowing down. “There is only one of their factories still standing, and it is right here outside the city.” He stabbed a claw down on a spot on the map.

“That's just outside the perimeter when we searched that section of road, it's a forest in there,” Kickback commented.

“That's our target. When the others get back, get set up for a SWAT insertion,” I ordered them.

“We'll get the gear ready,” Snap Shot said as he and Kickback left.

Hadvar left with them, leaving me to make sure my armor was in combat condition. Sword, check. Helmet, check. Supercool chestpiece that would be useful in this situation, unobtainable. Stupid regulations.

“Sarge?” Ace asked, opening my door.

“Ace?” I asked.

“We got the last thug to give us something. He works for the Canter Nostra but says the other three are Sinalope Cartel. And that the Canter Nostra, Sinalope Cartel, and the Griffon Mafia are all holding the filly until they get Brass Cog,” he reported.

“Okay, so three gangs in one location. Go get Stone, join the others for SWAT insertion.”

“Yes, Sarge.” Ace saluted and left.

I sighed and decided that when this was over, I’d bring in some more NCOs to help me run the unit. I can't be doing everything like Grandma Galaxy said. Working from a desk most of the time can't be that bad. Right?

The approach to the factory was seamless. Sort of. Before we even got into the factory, we had four tranquilized griffins tied up and waiting for transport. We had an ambulance on standby back on the nearest road, ready to come in on our signal: a green magic flare.

Ace and I had climbed up onto the roof and were peering through the skylight, looking for the filly. This place was about as run-down, abandoned, and isolated as you could get. The walls were being eaten away from termites, and the paint was so far gone, you couldn't even tell what color it was anymore. The inside of the structure fared no better. Broken tables, assembly lines, woodworking tools were strewn about the floor.

It looked like there were five more inside, three ponies, and two griffins. The three ponies never moved from one of the only intact tables in a corner of the assembly area, while the two griffins patrolled the upper walkways.

“She's probably with them,” Ace pointed to the three ponies.

I squinted to try and get a closer look at the table. I could see a small hoof underneath it. It was as good a confirmation as we were gonna get. “Ace, stay up here, and aim for the first one to try and grab her.”

“Got it, Sarge.” Ace unholstered his crossbow and tucked the stock into his shoulder, taking aim.

I flew down to the rest of the team, who were all waiting outside the factory doors. Stone would be leading the charge inside since he would be carrying the shield. He would be followed by Sharp Shot and Oda, who could fire around the shield. Ruff and Tuff stayed with our detainees outside. Once a path to the filly was clear, I would get her and exit as soon as possible. It's all standard SWAT Rescue protocol really. It would all go down textbook. Hopefully.

“Clear for breach. When you're ready,” I ordered.

Stone took a deep breath, bucked the door open, and immediately turned around, holding the shield up in front of him as he entered. Once Sharp Shot entered, he immediately fired off two shots to the right of the shield, as Oda did the same on the left. I could hear Ace’s shots from above us crashing through the glass window.

By the time I entered, the two griffons were down, and one out of three pony thugs remained. Everything happened nice and by the book. I couldn’t resist letting out a sigh of relief.

The remaining pony that stood near the filly lost his cool and turned to run, sprinting out of reach. “Ace, Sharp Shot, Pursue and detain! Oda, Stone, clear the building!” I barked.

Without response, they did as ordered. I hurried over to the table and looked underneath.

“No! Stay away!” she screamed and kicked.

Her blows didn't hurt but I needed her to calm down.“I'm here to take you to your father! Brass Cog. He's your dad right?”

She stopped kicking a moment and stared scared into my eyes. I don't know what convinced her, but she wrapped her forelegs around my neck and held on tight.

“Oda, pop flares!” I ordered as I carried the filly back to the road. Green light illuminated the forest as I ran through the woods back to the SWAT wagon, which was quickly answered by the wailing of the ambulance siren.

I was with Seera in the hospital, waiting for Brass Cog to arrive. His daughter, whose name was Copper Flower, was waiting for her father and for him to give the go on a routine surgery to reattach her ear. It was still very late at night. The hospital's night shift staff was in full swing.

A bell rang from the elevator, and Brass Cog stepped out with Ruff & Tuff. “Where is she?” he demanded, shaking with anticipation.

“Just down there, room two o’two.” I pointed a hoof toward the room.

He hurried past me and Seera and went into the room. I followed and looked through a little window set in the door. Brass Cog was embracing his daughter, tears running down his face. I can tell he never meant for all this to happen and was glad that it was over. Perhaps witness protection can give him a job in research and development for the Equestrian Militaries.

Brass Cog stopped hugging his daughter for a moment and came over to the door to the room. “I'll give my testimony, statement, whatever you need.”

“And I appreciate that. But that can wait until tomorrow morning. This is more important at the moment,” Seera said. “As for you, Sarge, I recommend you go home to that filly of yours.”

“Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow.” I started toward the elevators. “Stay here until the Marshals take over. Then go get some rest,” I instructed Ruff and Tuff as I passed.

As those mechanically controlled doors closed, I couldn't help but feel the weight of this case lifting off my shoulders. I didn't want to go home immediately. I still had a lot of energy from earlier, and I wanted to do something to help me take my mind off things and help me rest. I wondered if there was a game of poker going on in the barracks. So I headed back to campus to see.

Turns out there was a poker game that night, in a lounge made by the various NCOs over the years, underneath the optional NCO quarters in what used to be a storage basement. There was a little bar, a radio, and a card table. The space was dimly lit but bright enough to see the cards.

Four NCOs of various rankings sat around the table, with one empty seat calling my name. They all had their armor on still, save for their helmets.

“Hey Sergeant Strider, we thought you couldn't make it this evening.” Sergeant Flare said from her position as tonight's dealer.

“Late work day. Too much energy to go home. You understand.” I said, sitting down.

“All too well.” another Sergeant agreed.

“Deal you in?” Flare asked, shuffling the deck

“Please,” I confirmed.

Baltimare - X

View Online

The barbers. I hadn’t been here in awhile; almost a month and a half, in fact. I had been busy all that time with Brass Cog. His testimony had led to several high profile arrests and almost as many convictions. While that was all well and good, it meant that I hadn’t had time to get a manecut. My mane was well out of regulation, even though nopony noticed due to my helmet. But I found it was best to take care of that before somepony did notice. Plus, Snow was starting to complain.

According to my inside mare, Amaryllis Lurce was getting angry, and losing money trying to fight the charges the City Guard put on her more important business partners. Which leads to Amore Dolce and the Itailian mob gaining more territory within the city and within Lurce’s organization, and in turn giving me, even more, information to use against Lurce. This was going very well.

I blew a clump of my fire-red mane off of my nose that had fallen there. I kept silent while the barber continued to trim. I wandered back into my mind.

Jett’s flying was steadily improving; she could stay aloft for longer than thirty minutes at a time and hover twelve feet high before having to come back down to rest. I even had her spot reserved for flight camp, courtesy of her Wonderbolt uncle. She was also in school now, one only two blocks from the Guard Campus. She was doing well so far in her lessons. Another couple weeks and I’d be taking her to go to flight camp.

In other family-related news, according to mom’s letters, there was no change to her condition yet. But the doctors say she could decline anytime, even with the potions and medicine she is taking to delay it.

“All done. That’ll be ten bits,” the barber said, removing the cloth that was around me to catch any stray bits of mane.

“Thank you.” I paid the stallion and left the little shop and took flight across the city toward home once again. With Jett in school and Snow at work, I’d be home alone today. Not sure what I had to do around the apartment but I’m sure I could find something.

Landing in front of my apartment building I made my way up the stairs. I opened the door, and to my surprise, Snow was sitting on the couch completely immersed in what looked to be one of the few Daring Do books I owned. I thought she had patrol today.

She hadn't heard me come in so I didn't disturb her. Moving on tiphoof, I pulled a protocol manual off my shelf, found a comfy spot on the floor and started to read. I made it a few entries through then I looked up to see that Snow hadn't moved a muscle since I got here.

I put my manual down and stepped up beside her. Still nothing. So I tried to peek at what she was reading. Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone. “Good read?” I asked.

As soon as I said those two words, she practically came unglued; she jumped up off the couch, let out the girliest scream I have ever heard, accidentally threw the book into the kitchen with her magic, and landed behind the couch with a graceful thud.

I couldn't help myself. “Ahahahah!” I held my side from the laughter.

“SHUT UP!” she yelled at me with a face red as a tomato and stormed into the bedroom.

I had to get myself under control. “Wait, love, come on!” I called, trying to hold back laughter.

I followed her into the bedroom. She was pouting on the bed, I tried to get in beside her just so we could chat. “NO! I’m mad at you!” she snapped and magically flung me off onto to the floor.

Owch. How is it that mares seem much cuter when they are embarrassed? Note to self, never say that out loud.

I sat up and rested my chin on the edge of the bed where she could see me. “Please, can I come up there?” I asked, giving my best impression of a puppy.

“Fine,” she grumbled avoiding eye contact.

“Yay!” I hopped up and settled beside her. She continued to refuse to look at me. “So you're home early,” I commented.

“There was a scheduling mishap. Sparta and I got too many days in a row of work, not that we minded, and it got missed. We were told to take today and tomorrow off to compensate for the accumulated hours. And as a reward for not complaining like a few of the others did,” she explained, finally looking at me.

“That was fortunate. Especially since I have today off as well. We could all go out to dinner tonight.”

Snow nodded. “I suppose that could be fun. But that's tonight. What about between now and then?” she asked.

I thought about it a moment. “Well. I have one idea on how we could fill the time.” I sat up and maneuvered so that I was behind her.

“How?” Snow asked slowly, looking at me over her shoulder.

I started rubbing her shoulders, and she immediately started to relax into it, lowering her head towards the pillow. “Well, Jett won't need to be picked up from school for another few hours,” I started.

Snow was almost convinced until she remembered that she was mad at me. “No. Not after that stunt, you pulled,” she snapped and used her magic to move my hooves away.

“Oh, come on love. It's not like we have many chances to be alone like this anymore.” I kissed the back of her neck.

“I suppose that is true,” she admitted slowly, lowering her head to the pillow.

I went back to massaging her back, and she didn't resist this time, letting out a quiet hum. “I don't suppose I could convince you to try on--” I started to say.

“No,” she giggled.

“Oh come on how do you know what I'm gonna ask?”

“Those are for special occasions. Like your birthday for example.” She rolled onto her back and grinned.

That would indeed make the wait worth it. “I think I can wait, I guess,” I sighed.

She patted my head. “Good boy.”

We had about thirty minutes left until we had to go get Jett but I was exhausted. Seems like Snow was too. Apparently, we had a lot of, um, energy. Yeah, energy, let's go with that. I wondered what she’s thinking about.

“What you thinking about?” I asked.

“I’m thinking that we probably smell and should take a quick shower before we go get Jett from school,” Snow mumbled.

“Or I could go take a shower and then while I am going to get Jett you can take a shower and not be rushed.”

“I like that. But then you’d miss out on sharing a shower.” she purred in my ear.

Chills went up my spine. “It’s a sacrifice to make the mare I love more comfortable,” I said in a dramatic tone of voice that made Snow roll her eyes.

“Suit yourself. Then go get clean I can smell you from here.” She pushed me off the bed toward the door.

I made my way toward the shower. “Part of this smell is from you, ya’ know!” I called back.

“Mares don’t smell anything of the sort. You're delusional!” she yelled from the bedroom.

I laughed to myself as I got the water running and began to wash up. I had a lot going well right now, now that I thought about it. I have a wonderful and curious daughter who shows exceptional flying abilities, I have a marefriend whom I love, my career is going very well right now. My life felt complete. I think in a couple weeks when I go to drop Jett of at Flight Camp I’ll stop and see mom. I just want to see if she has any advice before she…

Wow. I just depressed myself. Think happy thoughts, Strider. Think about Jett. Think about Snow. Think about Snow in lingerie...no! Bad Strider!

Before I knew it I was done taking a shower. I hopped out just as Snow was making her way into the bathroom. “See you smell much better now. Not so much like sweat and sex,” she commented.

“You still smell like that too, though.” I bumped her flank with mine as I passed her.

“I do not smell like sweat and sex!” she protested.

“If I smelled like that, trust me, you smell like that too.”

“Quit antagonizing me and go pick up your daughter already.” she used her magic to push me out of the bathroom, and close the door behind her.

I smiled to myself as I left the apartment. My life was definitely in a good spot at the moment.

“Did you get a haircut?” Jett asked on the way back to the apartment.

“I did, just earlier.”

Jett smiled. “You look more guard-like like this. It's a good look.”

“Oh, well thanks,” I said. We walked a while longer.

I felt a tingling sensation on the back of my neck, an instinct whispering to me that something wasn’t right. Looking around I saw lots around on the streets. But my eyes focused on a pair of pegasi across the street, standing outside a cloth shop. I couldn’t figure out what my subconscious was trying to tell me at first: they were just loitering, leaning against the wall. And then I slowly realized that they were both looking at me.

“Dad, can I ask you a question?” Jett asked, snapping my attention back to her.

“Of course,” I nodded.

She skipped along beside me. “Are you and Snow gonna get married?”

I felt my face going red. Why were ponies asking me this question? “Eventually, maybe. There are things to consider before that though.”

“You seem happy though. Why not just get hitched?” she suggested. Where was this kid getting these ideas? Who taught her “hitched?!”

“You'll understand when you're older, and I'll explain then too. I promise,” I said. We came to the apartment and started up the stairs. “You got any schoolwork that needs doing?”

“Uh-huh,” Jett nodded, opening the door for us. “You wanna help?”

“Help with what?” Snow asked, looking in from the bathroom. She had a towel wrapped around her mane and was brushing her tail with a brush.

“My teacher asked the class to write about what we want to do when we grow up,” Jett explained getting onto the couch.

“And what did you choose?” I asked.

“I wanna be a City Guard like you. Or a Wonderbolt!” she cheered. “Whichever happens first,” she added meekly.

A City Guard? That was a little surprising, but she is young still, plenty of time to change her mind. “That sounds like an excellent place to start. You have excellent sources too.”

“So you wanna help?” Jett bounced on the couch.

Snow smiled. “Of course, darling. Let me just finish with my mane.”

So we started on Jett’s schoolwork. She wrote the whole thing, we merely answered any questions she had while she wrote. It was an excellent way to kill time as we waited for nightfall.

We were all on our way to a little restaurant Snow had found on her patrols. I had to say I missed that part of the job; walking around on hoof, meeting and speaking to ponies going about their days, knowing where everything is. But this Sergeant position paid better and had more perks, like the apartment, healthcare, dental; there was even a daycare on the guard campus, surprisingly, although I had no use for it right then.

“We’re here,” Snow sang, gesturing.

I looked at the sign. “‘Thelma's,” I read off. “Seems like a nice enough place.”

“Oh, it is. Sparta and I come here for lunch whenever we can.” Snow lead us inside.

A waitress pony was there waiting for guests; her face was starting to show strain like she smiled way too much today. “Hi, welcome to Thema’s. How many?”

“Three,” Snow returned the smile.

“This way please.” The waitress led us further inside.

We followed her inside, my Guard training taking note of my environment. White walls painted to look old, black molding, dim lighting, a little cramped, but enough space for two lanes of hoof traffic. I could hear the faint clanging of pots and pans in the back of the restaurant, and the idle chatter of the other patrons created the background track for the restaurant.

The waitress set three menus on the table she led us to near the middle of the restaurant. “Here are your seats. Can I get you anything to drink?” the waitress asked.

“Two waters, and a glass of lemonade, please,” I requested.

“I'll be right back,” the waitress nodded and went to get our drinks.

“Isn't this place great?” Snow smiled happily, climbing onto the seat. I sat next to her, and Jett sat on the other side of the bench from us.

“It’s nice,” I agreed.

“I like it!” Jett beamed.

I smiled at her and Snow. I couldn’t help but be happy. Soon enough the waitress came back with our drinks and we ordered our food, which was delivered in minutes. Snow had a cranberry salad with thousand island dressing, Jett had a fruit salad, and I had a grilled vegetable sandwich. We made idle chatter while we ate.

When we were all done, like the gentlestallion I was, I paid for our meals and the waitress waved us goodbye. We began the walk back to the apartment; Jett tried to hurry us along, evidently thinking about the ice cream waiting in the icebox.

“...with chocolate syrup and whipped cream and chocolate chips…” she sang, bouncing along ahead of us.

It was about this time the coat hairs on the back of my neck started to stand on end. Feeling the weight of someponys’s vision, I started to subtly look around. While I was pretending to look at Snow, I spotted the same pair of pegasi across the street from earlier today, following us from a distance.

Uh-oh. Fun time with daughter and marefriend was over. Time for work.

I got close to Snow to whisper instructions. “We are being followed. Put Jett on your back, and when we turn the corner, run.”

“Guards don't run,” she whispered back.

I put the most emotion I could into my words. “I'm asking you to protect my daughter. Were she not here, you AND I both would stand and fight. But we have a job to do. So please.”

Putting it in perspective always seems to work. She nodded and wrapped Jett in her magic. “Hey!” Jett protested, wiggling in midair.

“Jett. Please hold onto Snow. And do not leave her side until I catch up,” I instructed, trying to keep my increasing panic out of my voice. Jett instantly looked terrified and went still and quiet. I looked at Snow. “Go to the Guard Campus. I'll find you there.”

“What are you gonna do?” Snow asked as we rounded the corner.

“I'm gonna slow them down. Go now!” I stopped just out of sight and watched Snow and Jett run down the street, before turning my attention to our pursuers.

What I wouldn't give to have Dino with me right now.

Not ten seconds and they rounded the corner as well in a hurry. “Looking for me?” I asked them.

“Time to break, pig.” the first thug said pulling a guard baton out from under his left wing and snapping it open. The other one cracked his neck muscles; he seemed to be going hoof-to-hoof.

I got into my fighting stance. “You kiss your mother with that mouth?” I taunted, trying to exude confidence rather than fear.

I was only trying to slow them down, so, wing and leg injuries will do. The thug with the baton swung and I immediately grappled one of his hind legs and hyper-extended the tendon with enough force to render the leg temporarily useless. He fell to the ground, cursing in shock and pain.

The second pegasus tried to box me. I ducked under one of his hoof-punches, grabbing his hoof and punching the elbow, pushing it in a direction that it wasn’t meant to go. I followed up by dislocating the shoulder socket of his left wing. He howled in pain on the ground.

The first was back on his hooves and pulled a knife from his right wing, slashing at me. I dodged, but was a split second too slow and cried out as the tip of the blade opened up a gash beneath my eye. As he followed through with the knife swing, I took advantage of the exposed right wing and dislocated it as well, kicking his legs out from beneath him as I did so.

For the second time, he fell to the ground, cursing at me. The second one started to get back to his hooves. I leaped into the sky and bolted after Snow and Jett, leaving my attackers behind on the ground. I followed the streets, taking the most direct route to Campus. As I approached, I spotted Jett and Snow at the front gate and swooped down to meet them.

“Dad!” Jett, called out as she caught sight of me, immediately jumping off of Snow and into my arms.

“You alright Sergeant?” the gate guard asked. “Do you need a medic?”

“I’m peachy,” I snapped, hugging Jett and letting her bury her face into my mane.

“Sergeant?” Snow asked.

“Jett we need to go home and pack your things. You're going to Flight Camp early.” I swung her up onto my shoulders.

“Sergeant, you were just attacked, and you’re bleeding,” Snow pointed out.

“I'll see the medic when I come back.” I flew up over the buildings.

I was furious, but I was still thinking clearly. Amaryllis Lurce. She had to be the one who had decided to attack me while I was with my marefriend and my daughter. I could picture her sneering face right in front of me as I flew.

I opened the door to the apartment. Jett was my VIP at the moment, no matter my situation she needed to be safe before I did anything else. “Go get anything you need for Flight Camp. You'll be staying with Orion and Fleetfoot in the meantime,” I instructed her. I had to struggle to keep my voice steady.

Jett said nothing and did as told. I went and retrieved my armor. I had a feeling that I'd be wearing it for a while.

Once I picked up my helmet and tucked it beneath my wing, I called out to Jett. “You got your stuff?”

“Yes, dad,” she whimpered. She sounded scared. Best I try to calm her. I walked into her bedroom and found her sitting on the bed, sniffling.

“Jett, I'm not mad at you. Nowhere near in fact.” I said, hugging her.

“Then why are you mad?” she asked.

I had an honest answer for this one. “Because I’m scared.”

“Why?”

I needed to tell her the truth. She deserved it. “The bad ponies who were after me. I think they saw you, and they might try to hurt you too. I'm bringing you to the safest place I know. My brother lives on the Wonderbolts’ training ground with Fleetfoot. It’s the safest I can think of that’s far away from here.”

“But what about you?” she asked, burying her face into my mane again.

“I'm gonna do what I do best.” I put on my helmet. “I'm gonna bring them down.”

Asking for the next day off from the Lieutenant wasn't difficult once I had explained the situation in full detail. Before I left I had my face stitched up so I wouldn't be bleeding this whole trip. I left early in the morning, with Jett on my back and all her things strapped tightly to my sides.

By that evening, Cloudsdale was in sight but they must have the wind machines turned up because there was lots of wind, and it was raining. The weight of Jett’s bags wasn’t helping; why she needed to bring all those comic books with her, I will never know.

I looked back to check on Jett one last time. She had her goggles on to block the rain from hitting her eyes, and a jacket to stay warm. She just stared at Cloudsdale as we approached, not speaking.

I flew straight to the Wonderbolt housing with Jett on my back. I needed directions. Wonderbolt Cadets were always on duty at one time or another around here.

Soon enough I found one. She stiffened to attention when I came in for a landing. “At ease, Cadet. I need directions. Where can I find Sierra Squad Leader Lieutenant Orion?”

“He lives in the Lieutenant Commander's quarters now. Just down there, housing number five-nine-four-seven,” the cadet pointed.

“As you were, Cadet.” I walked briskly past in the direction indicated.

As we got out of earshot of the Cadet, Jett spoke up for the first time since we left the apartment. “Dad, I’m cold.” I felt her shivering through my armor. Even though her thestral wings had pegasus feathers partly covering them, I doubt they were as insulated as mine.

“We’re almost there sweetie,” I said picking up the pace. “Just a few more moments.”

We came to the housing the cadet indicated, five-nine-four-seven. I heard laughter from inside. They were home, and from the sound they had company. I hated to break up a party, but I didn’t have time to waste. I knocked hard three times and heard the laughter inside stop.

A few seconds later, Fleetfoot opened the door with a stern expression on her face, probably expecting some starstruck cadet or fan. “Strider?” she asked, her distinct lisp surprising me again.

I saluted her before speaking. I was in uniform after all. “And Jett. May we come in? Jett needs someplace warm and a blanket if you have an extra.” I listed.

“Of course.” She stepped to the side.

“Thank you.” I stepped inside and got Jett off of my back. “Is my brother here? I need a favor of you two.” I started to help Jett get her wet jacket off.

“Yeah. Orion! Your brother is here,” She called.

Orion entered the room, looking confused. “My broth—brother! It's good to see you. And how is my favorite niece?”

I got Jett’s sopping wet jacket off of her as she responded. “I'm your only niece,” she reminded him.

“Doesn't make that less true,” Orion grinned, looking us both over. “You two look like you just flew through that storm, and you look like you've been in another fight.” Orion pointed at my stitches.

I didn't look at him. “I have.”

“And they did,” Fleetfoot added referring to the storm.

“I'm cold,” Jett reminded us.

Fleetfoot started toward a hallway. “I'll get some towels.”

“So what brings you here, and in uniform?” Orion started to ask.

I was about to answer but I spotted Captain Spitfire and Commander Soarin looking in from around the corner.

“Ma’am, Sir!” I saluted.

“At ease Sergeant. I’m wondering why you flew through a storm with your daughter to get here,” Captain Spitfire stated the currently obvious.

I took in a deep breath and spoke clearly. “A crime boss in Baltimare has been less than happy about arrests I've been making. She sent thugs to attack me yesterday. Jett was with me at the time, and I can't be sure they won't target her to get to me. So I brought her to the safest location I know. Here.”

Commander Soarin stepped forward. “So what you're asking is?”

“For my brother to watch his niece from now until Flight Camp starts, or until it’s safe for her to come back,” I stated, suddenly realizing just how large a burden I was placing on my brother, and on Fleetfoot.

Fleetfoot came back and wrapped Jett in towels. “Captain, Flight Camp doesn't start for two weeks,” she pointed out. I knew from her tone that she was hating herself for even bringing it up.

Spitfire thought about it for a few seconds, then nodded. “Since she is your niece and her safety is in question, I'll let her stay. Orion, just keep her safe and make sure she doesn’t go wandering off on her own.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Orion nodded.

“I’ll even allow her to sit and watch our training sessions. Maybe she'll pick up a few things before flight camp too.” Spitfire said with a confident grin.

“Are you staying the night brother?” Orion asked me.

I took a step toward the door. “No. I need to get back as soon as I can.”

“I’m gonna have to disagree there Sergeant,” Commander Soarin interrupted. “This storm is scheduled until morning. You felt how it was getting here, and it’s going to get worse. It won’t be safe for you to try flying back.”

“With respect commander, I need to risk that. These thugs threatened my family. I don’t take that lightly.” I headed for the door.

“He really doesn't,” I heard Orion commenting.

“Daddy!” Jett called. I turned and knelt to face her. She reached up with her hooves to hug me. “I love you, dad. Please come back safely.”

“I love you too, sweetie,” I said, hugging her tight. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Once we parted I stepped back into the rain and took flight back to Baltimare. It was time to take the foalshoes off. Amaryllis Lurce was gonna wish she hadn’t messed with me.

Baltimare - XI

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“Make this easier on yourself, and tell me who it was who ordered you to move on that store,” I snapped, glaring across the table that sat in the blank white interrogation room.

Silence. This guy was practically a kid. Skinny, likely a junkie looking for a fix, desperate for any kind of relief. So desperate that he was willing to do dirty work for quick bits.

“I can wait all day buddy.” I leaned back and glared at the pony. And I could wait, his public defender wasn't getting here anytime soon.

I was tightening my grip on Amaryllis Lurce. She was starting to get desperate, hiring any lowlife willing to kill for a paycheck, which worked for me because they were more likely to squawk.

I could see the sweat forming beneath the thug’s coat. “She's running out of hired help, right?” I pressed. “So she hired you to rough up that store clerk. Too bad you didn't know that we were waiting for you. If you get out of here she'll probably use you as an example.” I was just talking really. Just depositing possible scenarios.

Then I saw it in his eyes. He broke. “I-I wanna cut a deal,” he said.

“Okay. I'll have someone from the DA in here momentarily.” I stood, exited the interrogation room, and walked into the observation room, where Seera, Ace, and Stone were waiting.

“How do you do that?” Stone asked, looking astonished.

“It's easy with junkies. Silence is their enemy; the more you let their mind wander into the worst, the better,” I said, signing a paper for Seera, officially giving her the prisoner.

“You all are getting so good at this I might as well move my office down here, being all efficient-like. Keep this up and I'll be getting a promotion,” she said and trotted out.

“We got some good momentum going, Sergeant. Do we want to slow down a bit? Let them make it a challenge again?” Ace asked with bravado.

“Heck no. If it were up to me, I'd lock them up in Tartarus,” I said, turning on the microphone to the interrogation room.

The prisoner was reading over the agreement. Once he looked satisfied he signed it.

“How would you like to do this? Verbal Confession or Written Confession?” Seera asked him.

“V-Verbal,” he stuttered.

“Start at the beginning, honey,” Seera waited patiently.

“W-well I-I was...minding my own business out by the abandoned warehouses. W-when I was jumped. Somepony put my head in a bag and dragged me off. It wasn't far though. Soon I was looking at the Queen herself,” he spoke shakily. His body was still trembling and I saw his eyes twitching in his sockets; he was obviously going through withdrawal.

“The Queen?” Seera asked.

“That's what she calls herself. Her ponies call her ‘her majesty.’” He was blinking rapidly. “She said she was almost out of options. She pointed at me and told me to collect money from a bunch of places. And that I was gonna be watched to make sure I was gonna do as I was told.” he looked around quickly. “That's when you caught me.”

“The Queen. You think you could describe her well enough for a sketch artist?” Seera asked.

“I-I think so,” he nodded.

Seera stood and came back into the Observation room. “Well, that's that. You all go home and get some rest. We need you bright eyed and bushy tailed.” Seera left without another word.

Ace and Stone waited for me. “Orders, Sergeant?”

“She's right. Go home. I'm gonna stay a little bit longer,” I told them. They saluted and left the observation room.

For a moment I contemplated going back into that interrogation room and “refreshing” his memory for more details. But I ultimately decided against it; it could get the whole case thrown. Instead, I went back to my office, which was still as overflowing with papers and files as I had left it. I had a lot of coordinating to do. But my mind drifted.

Jett would likely be getting ready for Flight Camp right now. I missed her greatly. I had a little picture of her on my desk tucked next to a picture of my brothers and sister. Snow had been staying in her own quarters more and more often lately; she was mad a lot lately for some reason and wasn’t speaking to me as much. I was winning at my Tuesday and Thursday card games too, and making quite a pretty bit. Saving up those winnings for something good and worth it.

Dino slithered up onto my desk and flicked his forked tongue at the picture of Jett. “I miss her too, buddy,” I told him, idly petting him as I stared at the picture.

“You know sometimes a pet will pick up on its owner’s feelings,” Captain Astra said from the doorway. I hadn’t heard her come in, but I snapped to attention as fast as I could.

“At ease, Sergeant,” she waved me down before I could complete the motion. She looked down to see Dino comically mimicking a salute with his tail. She smiled at him. “At ease, little guy.”

“Something you need Captain?” I asked.

“I'll get to that in a minute.” She closed the door to my office. “Let’s drop most of the formalities for a few minutes. Sit,” she ordered.

She sat in one of the chairs I had across from me. “Captain?” I asked sitting down.

“I’ve been hearing some things that concern me. Not critical, but concerning,” she started. “First of all. You and GFC Snow. You two are dating aren't you?”

Best to not lie about it. “It’s true, Captain. It was one of the reasons she transferred into patrols.”

“What was the other reason?” Astra asked.

“Our first case hit her hard. She didn't want the emotional pain that comes if we fail in this department,” I said honestly.

“I see. And what's about this I hear about you spending too much time in that little card game in the basement of barracks two?”

“Just a little fun, Captain. It's not a problem,” I said with confidence.

“Of course. I just wanted to hear you say it,” she nodded. “Now about what happened with your daughter. You took her to Cloudsdale immediately after you were attacked?”

I frowned; she should know all this already. “Yes, ma’am. My brother is a Wonderbolt and is engaged to Lieutenant Commander Fleetfoot. The Wonderbolts HQ was the safest location I could think of,” I told her the truth.

“Okay,” Astra nodded thoughtfully. “Well alright then, that was all I wanted to know. Now onto what I needed you to do. Princess Luna is hosting a dance of sorts in Canterlot. Sergeants, lieutenants, and captains from across Equestria will be attending, all representing their cities. I want to send you as our representative.”

I blinked. I was closing in on Amaryllis, and she wants me to go to a dance? “Captain, I really must ask about the timing of this. I'm very close to apprehending the head of this criminal organization. I—”

“Sergeant, I'm sure your guards can do well enough on their own,” Astra waved me down. “You'll only be gone two days.”

TWO DAYS?! “Two days, ma'am?” I repeated, not sure I’d heard correctly.

She set down an invitation. “You leave early tomorrow morning for Canterlot. I want you to bring GFC Snow with you. She's good eye candy, maybe she'll distract the others and make you look good.” Captain Astra left my office without another word.

I looked down at Dino. “Well, the cat is out of the bag now ain't it?” I held out a hoof for him to slither up.

“Let’s go find Snow. Maybe she'll be excited about this,” I said.

I hoped she was. Because I certainly wasn't.

She was indeed excited, but not in the way I hoped she was. I think she was more excited about the ball and going to Canterlot than spending time with me. I was trying to get some extra sleep on this train ride since we were up so early.

“You were home late last night,” Snow said out of the blue.

I opened my eyes. She was beside me, reading a fashion magazine featuring a white unicorn mare with a purple mane in a black dress.

“What?” I asked.

“You were home late. What were you doing?” she asked without looking up.

I didn't want to lie to her. “At a game with the other Sergeants.”

She sighed. “I really wish you would stop. It's not healthy.”

“I don't get why you're so bent out of shape about it. It's just a way to pass the time,” I protested.

“Passing the time would require extra time to be had,” Snow started glaring at me, giving me the icey look she had a talent for. She was yelling in her public voice, quiet enough for only us to hear. “You have a daughter to return home as soon as possible. Not to mention I'm waiting on you most of the night. Plus, your dinner gets cold, and I work hard on those meals.”

I was fighting back against losing my temper. “Perhaps you shouldn't wait up then.”

She looked shocked, then her face turned to stone. “I see,” she said going back to her magazine.

We didn't say another word to each other the rest of the train ride. I didn't want to say anything that would make her angrier. Like that, I brought my betting money in case some of the Guards from the other cities offer a harmless game. That might set her off.

We arrived in Canterlot on schedule. The Guard was paying for the motel room close to the castle for easy access. Snow had been quiet and still seemed angry. Perhaps I should try and meet her halfway on her point on this matter.

“Hey Snow. Sweetie,” I tried.

“Hmm?” she almost growled at me.

“I-I see that you disapprove of the Tuesday and Thursday games, and the whole thing in general. I'll start putting you and Jett first on those days. No going to a game if it conflicts with spending time with you or Jett. That's the rule I'm setting for myself.” I was going to follow it too.

She sighed but didn't look at me. “I wish you would stop altogether.” She looked over her shoulder at me. “But I guess it's a start.”

I walked up beside her and kissed her nice and long. She didn’t respond for a moment, then began to kiss me back. “I love you, you know,” I said, nuzzling her cheek. “I hate it when we fight.”

“I hate it too,” she agreed, nuzzling me back. “You know what might make me feel better?”

I know what might make me feel better. “What?” I nuzzled her neck.

“Going shopping before the ball. I need new accessories. Maybe even a new dress.” She laughed at the face I had on. “Not what you were thinking?”

“Not even close.” I love this mare. I love this mare. I really do love this mare, despite whatever I might be feeling at this moment. “Yeah, okay. I deserve it after the jerk I've been lately.”

“Yes, you do,” she confirmed with a smirk.

I went to retrieve my bit bag. I took a glance at the false book in my bags containing a little over two thousand in large bits. I grabbed it just in case I needed to help Snow pay for something expensive.

We had been walking around for the better part of the midday. I had a small bag of Snow's new accessories hanging from my right wing as I followed her around. We were in a dress shop right now I was waiting outside the dressing rooms waiting for her to come out and show me.

“What about this?” Snow's voice called.

I looked up to see her doing a cute model-like pose, wearing a slimming pale ice-blue evening dress that hugged her flanks in just the right way to be an extreme distraction.

“I think the Royal Guard are going to have a hard time protecting the Princess when they are staring at you all night.” I was having trouble looking her in the eye as I spoke.

She rolled her eyes. “Stallions,” she murmured, going back into the changing room.

I asked myself: why do I care what the regulations are that the guard set up? There are plenty of married couples in the Guard ranks. Snow can find something that doesn't conflict with my job, or I could. Doesn't matter which, as long as I'm with her. Right?

“You ready?” Snow asked coming out of the dressing room with a bag. She paused and looked at me. “You’ve got that 'I have an intense thought going on’ look. You okay?”

I shrugged. “It's nothing, really. Let's go.”

She made her purchase and dropped it on my wing, and we continued along the street. I started to lose focus on where we were going; all I knew was that I was following Snow's pretty tail and amazing flanks.

“Krein?” I heard Snow say. I snapped out of my trance to see who she was talking to.

The Ambassador to the Dragonlands Krein. “Snow! It’s good to see you. You moved to Baltimare correct?” he asked.

She nodded with a smile. “I did. I don’t remember if you two met, but this is my stallionfreind Flame Strider,” she introduced me to the dragon.

She actually did introduce us, I remembered perfectly. “We met back when I was stationed in Tall Tale. I visited Canterlot after delivering some documents for my First Sergeant. He, his sister, you and I all had dinner together, and that was when you lied about dating a traveling banker.”

Snow turned red. “Oh, yeah.”

“So what brings you to Canterlot?” Krein asked.

“The Sergeant here was ordered to attend a ball catering to the guard, to his dismay,” Snow giggled.

I rolled my eyes remembering when the captain gave me the order. “I have a lot of work to do in Baltimare and this sets things back.”

“Your Guards are more than capable, it’s not like you're taking a gamble,” Snow almost snapped, subtly emphasizing the last word. I was a little shocked but it wasn't undeserved.

“Anyway,” Krein pressed, seemingly uncomfortable.

“Anyway, I wanted to do some shopping before the dance tonight and came here because I heard they have some wonderful accessories,” Snow smiled up at the dragon.

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t really know. I haven't paid that much attention when I’m in there.”

“Why are you here?” Snow asked.

This conversation was starting to drag on. My mind started to drift and I caught sight of a jewelry store a few doors down from where we stood. A unicorn pony sat in front with a set of four cups doing the 'you wanna place bets on which cup the marble is under’ routine. He was obviously a hustler. Best ignore him there.

“I’m here with my sisters,” Krein continued. “Speaking of, I should be getting back to them. It was good to see you, Snow. Good to meet you again Sergeant Strider.” He bowed.

We returned the gesture as he turned to go back into the shop. “Come on, let's check this place out.” Snow started to go inside.

“You go on ahead. I wanna have a look at something.” I started down the street.

“Hurry back.” Snow called.

I headed toward the jewelry store. I stopped at the hustler to look back at Snow. She was nowhere to be seen.

The hustler tried getting my attention. “Hey, buddy do you—”

“Cram it!” I snapped at him before going into the jewelry store.

Walking in, I could see that the place was decorated with white stone countertops with gold looking metal trim and glass displays. I walked up the counter to just kinda have a look.

“Hello sir, can I help you?” a dolled up mare asked smiling way too much.

I glanced several times between her and the horn rings. “Um maybe, can I have a look at those engagement rings there?” I asked.

“How do I look?” Snow asked me.

We were about to leave for the Guard ball. Snow had just spent an hour in the washroom, getting ready. It wasn't for nothing. She had on a simple slimming navy blue dress and her hair was pulled into a tail with a few curly strands hanging on either side of her face. She looked absolutely stunning; my jaw had stopped working at the sight of her and was just hanging slack.

“I'll take your silence as an answer,” she sighed and started toward me.

“Hang on,” I stopped her. I just wanted to look at her for a minute longer before a bunch of Sergeants and officers start staring.

“Is something the matter?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

“I just wanted to look for a minute longer.” I placed a light kiss on her lips so I didn't mess up any of her make-up. “Let's go before we’re late, yeah?”

She was blushing and giggled like she does when a little embarrassed. “Yeah, we should be going.”

We were making good time walking to the Palace when Snow stopped to chat with some guard friends of her’s that still worked in the Canterlot City Guard. She introduced me, and then they'd instantly forget my name.

While she was chatting, I subtly looked at the little snow white box I had tucked in my formal uniform. It contained a little silver ring adorned with a cloudy blue sapphire, with two white crystals on either side of it.

The jewelry seller tried to get me to buy a ring that was bigger, had more jewels, and more expensive. But this one just called to me, and I could instantly see Snow wearing it.

I noticed Snow turning towards me and put the box away just in time. “You ready?” Snow asked me.

“Yeah. Time to make the Baltimare Guard look good,” I said taking a deep breath.

Finishing our walk to the palace, we walked into the grand ballroom entrance where Princess Luna herself was greeting those coming to her event, shaking their hooves and exchanging quick pleasant conversation before moving on to the next. There was a small line, so Snow and I fell in hoof.

“I'm actually going to meet a Princess. How do I look? Is my dress wrinkled?” she started fretting.

I rested a wing on her shoulder. “You look beautiful. Just relax.” I whispered in her ear. She blushed and took a deep breath.

Eventually, we got up to the front. “Welcome to the first annual Guard Ball, Sergeant,” Luna greeted me.

“An honor to be here, Princess Luna,” I bowed politely.

“And whom have thee brought by thee side? For they remind us of beauty we have not seen since before our time away,” Princess Luna said, looking at Snow. Snow’s entire face was red and she looked like she might faint.

“This is my marefriend Private First Class Snow,” I introduced her. Snow curtsied.

Princess Luna smiled. “Another Guard? Thou has definitely fooled us. We thought thee a model.” Luna looked up past us. “It has been a pleasure to meet thee, and we would like to converse more, but we have a great many more to greet.”

“Of course Princess Luna,” Snow said and bowed. I did the same and we went inside the ballroom. Snow had to cover her mouth with a hoof to stifle her squeeing.

The dance floor was empty and most of the officers were keeping to themselves. The Sergeants were talking among themselves. There wasn't any real exchange of experience.

“Kinda dead in here,” I whispered to Snow.

“Perhaps we can do something about that,” Snow whispered, looking around. “Besides, I think I have their attention.”

I glanced around to see almost all of the stallions in the room, even some of the ones who had dates, were looking at Snow either out of the corner of their eye or not even trying to hide it.

“Geez, I knew you were hot. But some of these guys are about two degrees off from drooling,” I mumbled to Snow. She laughed.

We made our way over to the buffet table. Some Sergeants had gathered nearby.

“What do you say to mingling? You go in one direction, I go in another, we see who we meet, then meet back here in fifteen minutes,” I suggested.

“Sounds like fun.” Snow took a glass of punch and walked off. I did the same.

Snow and I ventured out for the third time. Luna had joined the party and had to encourage the officers to have some fun. Fortunately, once everypony realized that rank meant nothing inside this ballroom tonight everypony loosened up. Ponies were dancing and having a grand time, and there was laughter and music. It was actually kinda nice.

“We have very few unsolved cases in New Horseleans. We could use a Sergeant with your determination for the truth to solve them,” a Commander Swampfire was telling me, he was an ash grey earth pony with a fire-red and green mane.

“I appreciate that Commander. Perhaps I'll look into a transfer, but I not only have a daughter to think about, but I have a major case to finish in Baltimare first,” I said, politely declining the offer without actually rejecting it.

“I can respect that. If you change your mind, just reach out,” he said before moving on to the next group of fellow Guards.

I glanced around and spotted Snow talking to a pair of Captains. I figured I would go over and see how she was doing.

As I got closer I overheard the last bit of their conversation. “...we always need more Patrol Leads,” a captain was saying.

“The way things are going at home for me, I just might take you up on that,” Snow said.

A wave of confusion hit me. What did she mean by that? Was it me? No, no, no, no, no, she is just making polite conversation.

“Excuse me, Captains, may I borrow her for a dance?” I asked.

“Certainly, Sergeant,” they both nodded.

I took my blushing marefriend out onto the dancefloor for a slow song. As the music started took each other in our hooves and started to waltz. “I keep forgetting you can dance,” Snow commented.

“Mother was in show business. We all learned,” I shrugged a little.

We didn't say anything for the rest of the song and merely enjoyed the moment. When the song was over we went out to the gardens to sit where it wasn't so warm. Nopony else was there, so we found a swinging bench to sit on and watch the stars.

“Oh, Strider tonight was really fun. And different from our usual routine,” Snow sighed.

I became aware of the little white box I was carrying again. Perhaps now was a good time? Nopony here, we just finished dancing. The night was at a high moment. I started to get the ring out quietly. That is until she said something a little unnerving.

“I want to remember this night. Just like this. Before…” she stopped talking and finished in her mind.

What was she talking about? “Before what, love?” I asked her.

“Nothing. Let's just enjoy the remainder of the night.” She smiled at me.

Something was up. But she didn't want to talk about it. So I guided her back inside and we finished out the night with some more mingling and dancing.

I was back in Baltimare and I was working double time, trying to get something to stick to Amaryllis Lurce. I had Ace out picking up a package at a drop site with more information that we could use.

Once he got back and with the package and I saw what was inside, then I could go home and see if I can work up the nerve to propose this time. It had only been a few days since the ball, but Snow and I had had barely had a moment to each other. Every time I tried to work up the nerve, something threw me off.

But anyway I shouldn't be thinking about that right now. I was at work, and work things needed to get done. I finally had the sketch of the description the junkie from the other day had given us. It was a dead-on match to Amaryllis Lurce.

I had a subdue and detain order from Seera, which meant that Amaryllis would be behind bars soon enough. Hopefully enchanted bars, the kind that requires nine unicorn guards to open. I doubt those exist, but I can dream. Anyway, all I was doing was waiting. Dino was under his heat-lamp, waiting for his most recent meal to digest.

I was out of work in reality. So I got out the little white box and opened it to look at the ring inside. “What do you think Dino? Should I just stallion-up and propose already?” I asked him.

He lifted his head and it appeared as if he nodded as he flicked his forked tongue at me.

“I know, you're right,” I sighed. “But this is kinda a big deal, and I’m not entirely sure she wants to right now.”

Dino hissed.

“I am not chicken. I’m just nervous,” I protested.

He hissed again.

“Being nervous doesn't make me chicken.” That’s when reality hit me. “Why am I talking to you like you can talk back?”

Dino hissed one last time and curled back up.

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” Three knocks resonated from my door. “Finally…” I mumbled. “Come in.”

Ace came in with the Luck twins. “Sergeant, we have the package,” he announced and set it down on my desk.

“Thank you,” I nodded.

“Sergeant, are you ever going to tell us who our informant is?” Ruff asked.

“Believe me, I would if I could. If anyone else knows we run the risk of losing them as our informant. So just a little while longer and then all will be revealed,” I explained as I opened the package.

It was a packet of papers and documents, copies of blueprints, crew rosters. It was a detailed account of what Amaryllis Lurce was planning next. Jewelry heist at a small local jeweler, a bank heist at a small private bank, several store robberies, all planned out and detailed. But the most noticeable was an arms shipment coming on the train tomorrow. It was the shipment for the Guard resupply. Amaryllis was supposedly going to be overseeing the operation. Finally, she’d be exposed; however, if they make off with those weapons it will make life dangerous for the guard here.

“Sergeant, you look pleased,” Tuff observed.

“Ace, make sure everypony gets their rest tonight. We now know where Amaryllis and her crew will be and when. We are gonna need to get tactical. Make sure the reserves are ready by tomorrow.” I handed him the packet. “You have a knack for battle strategy. Come up with something for that train heist tomorrow using those. Dismissed.”

“Yes, Sergeant!” Ace, Ruff, and Tuff said in unison before heading out of my office.

I started to pack up my office for the night. I grabbed Dino, locked up and headed out. I decided to see if Snow was bunking in her dorm tonight or not. So I made my way into standard housing and knocked on the dorm room door. I could hear laughter as hooves started toward the door.

Sparta opened the door but only enough to where her head was visible. “Oh hey, cousin. Can I help you?”

I really didn’t want to know what she was doing in there. “I was just coming by to see if Snow was staying here tonight.”

“I actually haven't seen her all day. She was supposed to be on patrol with me but, our NCO said I’d be operating solo for a few days,” she informed me.

That was odd. Snow never missed duty. “Oh, alright. She’s probably just at my place.”

“Well hold on, I wasn't finished. I thought it was odd when I got back here with my… um… my company for the night...” Too much info! “... I saw that all her stuff was cleaned out. Did she move into your place fully?”

“Not that I know of. Unless she is planning on surprising me,” I shrugged.

“Well, she’s definitely not here,” Sparta shrugged.

“Okay, then I’ll head home now. Good luck with your entertainment for the night.”

“Luck has nothing to do with it,” she said with a smile and then closed the door.

As I started to head off campus I realized I needed a good memory cleaning of that moment. Heading off campus and over to my apartment I tried not let my mind wander too far as to why Snow missed duty and was not living in her dorm anymore. I finally got up to the apartment and unlocked the door to go in.

Snow’s decorations and knick-knacks were gone. I went into the bedroom and checked the closet. Her clothes were gone, her beauty products gone from the bathroom too. I came back out to the living room and noticed a letter and package on the coffee table. I sat on the couch and opened the letter that was addressed to me.

“Strider, I’m sorry you had to find out this way. But it’s for both our sakes. You have a gambling problem and you refuse to see it. I knew about the false book where you kept your bits, I’ve been keeping track of how much was in there. You had two thousand in bits there, upon our return from Canterlot you only had half that. I saw you approach that hustler in the street when I was in that shop; you broke your rule to put Jett and me first. As you've guessed, I’m leaving. I’m not going to tell you where. Don’t try and find me. I still love you and that makes this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Goodbye.

-Snow.”

My chest felt heavy and I couldn't decide if I was angry or sad. So I settled on feeling nothing for the moment. I put down the letter she wrote me and I opened up the little box. It was the strip of pictures I lost when moving into the apartment. But some had been enlarged and put as a collage with the picture of our first kiss being the largest and in the center.

Anger could come later. I laid down on the couch and began to sob.

Baltimare - XII

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Work was definitely a help and provided me something to focus on other than the fact that Snow was no longer with me. Once I had gotten through that she wasn't with me, I became angry that she left without saying goodbye to Jett. Jett was like a daughter to Snow, and she just up and leaves? How am I gonna tell my daughter that the mare that she thought was gonna be her new mom didn’t care enough to say goodbye to her? I don’t know how she will react.

“Sergeant?” Ace called. He was presenting his tactical plan for the train heist.

I snapped out of my head, and back to the real world. “Yes, I will lead Beta with the twins and cut off aerial escape,” I recited my part.

“Yes, while Oda and the other unicorns prevent teleportative escape...”

That was something I learned from my time in Tall Tale. I was tired of my primary target teleporting away.

Ace continued. “Stone will be providing crossbow cover from this ridge.” Ace pointed to a steep hill on the opposite side of the train.

“We have already managed to get word to the supply depot in Canterlot to not load the train. It will be a decoy. The Canterlot Guard has spared a unit and will be on the train as backup,” I interjected.

“Excuse me, Sergeant, but how did we manage to get a message to the Canterlot Guard already?” Ruff asked.

“It’s a lot easier to teleport a piece of paper than a fully grown pony, let me tell ya,” Oda commented, answering the question. That earned a few light laughs from around the room.

“Alright, alright. Cut the chatter. We have to go over this a few more times before we need to be at that section of train track in a few hours,” I said firmly. “Ace. Go again. From the top.”

Everypony groaned. I did my best to focus on Ace’s play-by-play. Being bored was better than being angry and not being able to do anything about it.

Silence. I hated the waiting part of operations like this. We had to wait and see. We were all well hidden. Each group had a unicorn casting a shroud spell over them to look like part of the landscape.

Some griffons passed overhead, heading northwest to intercept the train. From my position, I could see Amaryllis’ ground team of armed and armored ponies approaching from the east through a set of binoculars. Amaryllis herself was at the head of the group, wearing leather armor. She signaled everypony to find a place to hide and crouched down herself. I wanted to move on them now but we couldn't move until the Canterlot City Guard made their presence known. Then we spring the trap.

The reason we needed the cooperation of the CCG is that trains moving between cities are the responsibility of both City Guard Garrisons. It forces us to work together every so often. However, more often than not, situations like this can become jurisdictional pissing contests. Hopefully not here. I wanted Lurce all to myself.

I could hear the train chuffing, then the screeching of the brakes. It appeared around the bend. It was slowing to a crawl now. I watched from my position as Amaryllis smiled to herself; to her, it looked like one of her plans was seemingly going according to plan.

The engine rolled past her, so the cargo cars were closest to her. “This is it. boys. Military grade hardware. We'll be able to retake our city with this easily,” she preached. I could hear her bragging through the enchantment on my binoculars.

Cars one, three, and five, we're the ones filled with Canterlot Guards. Cars two and four were the ones supposedly carrying the cargo Amaryllis wanted.

Amaryllis took a moment to admire the catch of the train. “Is the conductor knocked out?” she shouted the question to her hired help.

“Yes, your majesty,” a griffon confirmed, leaning out the cab window of the engines.

“Good. Let's crack these gift boxes open before the next train comes! Cars two and four!” she called out.

This was it. She was falling for it. I watched as her goons opened the train cars and her gleeful expression turned to surprise, then absolute anger and hatred. “WHERE ARE MY WEAPONS?!” she screamed.

The sliding car doors of the other cars flew open and the Canterlot City Guard made their move, jumping out of the cars to take them into custody. Time for ours. “NOW!” I shouted. The shroud spells fell and my group of Pegasus Guards armed with automatic crossbows took to the sky cutting off aerial escape.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the unicorns performing their anti-teleportation spell, Stone and the Earth ponies set up with their more accurate semi-auto crossbows.

“Amaryllis Lurce! You are wanted for crimes against the citizens of Baltimare! Submit and be given a fair trial!” I shouted.

She was in shock; her breathing had become erratic, and her gaze was darting everywhere trying to figure a way out of this. This was not a stable pony.

“Put your weapons on the ground and surrender! You are surrounded!” I heard the Canterlot Sergeant shout.

I saw it happen the moment Amaryllis’ psyche snapped. “YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING!” she screamed, and her magic flared brightly as did the weapons her goons were starting to put down. She magically ripped from them all from their grasps and pointed at as many guards as she could see.

It happened too fast for me to shout out any orders. As soon as she raised the various crossbows at us, everything slowed.

The Canterlot Guard and the Baltimare Guard alike opened fire. The goons hit the deck, and within seconds Amaryllis was a pincushion of knock-out bolts. Bolts lined with sleeping potion protruded from her neck, legs, back.

That much sleep potion would've been more than enough to drop a dragon. And if that somehow wasn't enough to kill her, the crossbow bolts were sticking out of some pretty critical locations. She was bleeding out fast. Medical ponies wouldn't be able to get here in time to save her. All anypony could do was watch as The Queen collapsed to the ground, twitched a couple times, and was still.

The Canterlot Guard had gotten the train moving again. We took the criminals we did capture back onto the train, along with a corpse destined for the morgue. I let Ace handle all of that. I gave everyone the rest of the afternoon off once we had gotten back.

I was walking calmly back to my apartment. I would get the apartment in order then go get Jett from Orion's. I was glad that this was all over. Now I can just solve smaller crimes like a robbery that happens every so often. That sounded nice.

Or perhaps I could look into transferring to another city. Las Pegasus might be fun. Could even live with Atlas. That might be an interesting experience.

I jiggled the knob to my apartment door to find it unlocked. I was confused until I saw Thasus, Grandpa, and Grandma. Their faces somber.

“What's wrong?” I asked removing my helmet.

Thasus stood and came over to me. He put a hoof on my shoulder. “We have some bad news.”

With the look on their faces, I didn't want to know. I know I didn't want to know. “No,” I mumbled shaking my head.

Thasus’ voice caught in his throat, but he forced it out, “It's mom.”

New Horseleans - I

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I was sitting on the couch in my childhood home, holding Jett close with a wing and trying not to cry in front of her. Orion brought her home with him for mother's funeral. We buried her next to Dad’s headstone. I think she would've wanted that.

Mother's lawyer was here now to go over her Will and Testament. I didn't want to be here for this. I could care less about her things. I would’ve traded all of them in a heartbeat just to get her back.

“I want to start by saying I'm sorry for your loss. All of you. Your mother was not only my client but my dear friend,” her lawyer, Silverword, said solemnly. He was a unicorn pony whose colors reflected his name. He wore a black suit and tie.

“Thank you, Silverword. It means a lot that a family friend was trusted with this,” Atlas spoke up. He seemed to be the only one in the room with the strength to speak.

I took a moment to notice where everypony else was in the room. Grandmother and Grandfather were holding Buttercup, who had been sobbing softly but uncontrollably since before I arrived four days ago. Atlas was sitting beside Thasus. Fleetfoot was here, her wing around Orion; he was doing his best not to cry, but a few tears were still escaping. Auntie Breezy and Uncle Akane were beside Jett and I, Aunt Breezy sobbing softly.

Silverword cleared his throat. “The Will and Testament of one Sparrow Song: ‘I wish for all my possessions to be divided amongst my family. And for whatever is unwanted to go to the Canterlot Orphanage. As for the house, I leave its fate in the hooves of my children; Atlas, Orion, Thasus, Flame Strider, and Buttercup.’”

“Mother did know how to get to the point,” Thasus commented.

“I have the new deed to the house your mother had drawn up. It has all your names on it. And as for the things here, I think you all can deal with that.” Silverword put the will back in his briefcase, snapped it shut, and stood up. “My part is over.”

“Thank you,” I croaked to him.

“It's no trouble. If any of you need legal help, here is my card.” He dropped it on the table next to the deed. “I know military law as well so I know what I'm doing.”

“If we need help in that regard. You'll be the first we call.” Orion nodded.

Silverword nodded and left the house, leaving us all in silence save for the quiet crying. My mind wandered back to when Thasus told me what exactly happened;

We were on the train at the time. “Her organs failed without warning. The potions were supposed to make it so that when it happened it happened slowly,” Thasus tried to explain.

“Obviously that is not what happened,” I had snarled.

“They had to put her under. So that way she wasn't in pain.” Thasus forced himself to say.

“Well, at least the doctors got that right,” I snapped. Thasus had taken my hint and we sat in silence for the rest of the train ride.

Everypony was just kinda wandering around the house right now, picking up random items that they wanted to keep. I went to my old bedroom where I slept growing up. I started to gather up some of my old stuff that I still had here. Mom kept a lot of it. My hammock could go to Jett. I didn't really have a use for it anymore. I packed that up in a box. I started looking through a box of old clothing.

Some old winter jackets. And something I didn’t think existed anymore. Two foal-sized flight jackets. One was Orion’s and the other was mine. Back when we were little pegasi and we both wanted to join the Wonderbolts. I, of course, grew out of the dream; Orion did not and made it a reality. I took both the jackets to go show Orion.

I came out to the living room where Orion was looking over old photos. “Hey, brother. Look what I found.” I showed him the jackets.

“Wow, those are still here?” Orion stood up.

I gave Orion the bigger one, that was his. “I know; I thought these would be dust by now. Mom kept them.”

“Whose are those?” Jett asked.

“They were ours,” Orion said, smiling as he turned the jacket over in his hooves.

I looked at Jett and the jacket. “Say why don’t you try this on?” I gave her my old jacket.

She took the jacket, slipped her wings through the slots and zipped it up. It was a little big for her but she’d grow into it. It also made her look more like a colt with the flight goggles on her head. “Perfect,” I chuckled.

“Thanks, dad,” Jett smiled and hugged me.

“Jett honey, can you help me!” Grandmother called.

“Coming, Grandmama.” Jet hurried down the hall.

I was about to go back to the room when Orion stopped me. “Brother. Will you be staying for long?”

Everypony else was. But Jett and I needed to be somewhere. “No, we need to be on the first southbound train tomorrow,” I said.

“South? What about Baltimare, what about Snow?” Orion asked.

I took a deep breath. “Snow left, and I took an offer in New Horseleans. Our stuff was shipped to the joint Army-Guard base there. We will be living on-base,” I informed him.

Orion seemed unsettled. “I don’t like it. New Horseleans is an okay town if you're just visiting, but for the Guard, it’s worse than Las Pegasus. Ponies disappear in those swamps. When did you have time to put in for a transfer anyway?”

“When we were waiting for a funeral date,” I told him.

Orion sighed. “Well, I suppose I can't do anything to stop you. Just promise me you'll be there for the wedding in a few months.”

“You set a date?” I asked.

Orion grinned. “Yeah. We'll be sending out the RSVPs soon.”

I set a wing on his shoulder. “I'll be there brother.”

He nodded. “Yeah, you will. I'll need all my Best Stallions.”

“You know you're only supposed to have one, right?” I asked him.

“Yeah well, when have we ever done anything the right way?” Orion joked.

I laughed as I started back into the bedroom to look at more stuff.

“Hey, Strider,” Orion called after me. I paused and turned around. “I'm sorry. To hear about Snow. She really seemed like the one for you.” Without another word he turned around and went back into the living room.

“Yeah. She really did,” I sighed to myself.

The train hit a bump and woke me up. I saw Jett across from me. She was reading the Wonderbolt Handbook. An older version that I'm assuming she got from Fleetfoot.

“How long has it been since we left Canterlot?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

She looked up at a clock. “A few hours. New Horseleans is lots farther than Baltimare.” Jett observed.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Yes, sweetheart?” I asked shaking off the nap.

Jett hesitated. “Wh-why didn't Snow come with us?”

I knew this was gonna come up sooner or later. “She… had some things to do. We won't be seeing her for a while.”

“How come she didn't say goodbye?” Jet asked, looking like she might start crying.

I didn't have a good lie for her, and I didn't like the truth. “Come here,” I said softly, opening a wing so she could sit underneath.

“Dad, how come?” Jett pressed.

I kissed her forehead. “I don't know, sweetheart.”

Jett was silent for a moment. “I miss her.”

“Me too.” I sighed. “Me too, sweetheart.” Jett leaned against me and just sat there silently. I think a change of topic might be good. “So how was Flight Camp?”

Jett smiled. “I almost forgot. Flight Camp was so much fun! There were Gryphons there and even a young Dragon. His name is Kyber, he’s a very clumsy flyer. We're going to be pen pals. Also, I think Captain Spitfire is afraid of foals, she had a pony named Rainbow Dash helping. It was weird.” she went on and on. It was good to see a genuine smile on her face.

A thought crossed my brain as she started to conclude a story from flight camp. Her birthday was coming up.

“...and then Kyber crashed into Spitfire in the middle of dinner. I thought he was going to be in trouble for sure, but Spitfire just said, 'Close, but keep working on that landing.’” She grinned wide.

I nodded. “Say. Your birthday is coming up. Anything, in particular, you'd like?”

She puffed her cheeks. “I dunno. Your birthday is coming up too. Before mine. Uncle Orion said so, what do YOU want?”

I squeezed her playfully. “To spend the day with my daughter.”

She giggled. “No, seriously.”

“Why can't that be what I want? Think about it, we can make a day of it. Go have breakfast, find something or somethings fun to do the whole day, and then we can have dinner with cake. It will be a good way to see what New Horseleans has to offer.”

“That sounds really fun. Can we do the same thing for my birthday?” Jett smiled.

“You got it, sweetheart.” I hugged her. She yawned after a moment. “Why don't you get some rest? We'll be arriving early morning. You're going to need your rest. We have a lot to do.”

“Okay. I love you, Daddy.” She snuggled up against me. I kept my wing draped over her. These rear train cars weren't known for warmth.

“I love you too sweetheart.” I stayed awake a little while longer to make sure she got to sleep.

The train’s brakes screeched as we came into the station. The rear train cars, exclusive to the Equestrian Militaries, emptied out onto a section of platform that was behind the fence for the Base. Jett and I had to go through the Identity Confirmation Line to get into the base. Considering this was the largest Army base this far south, a training base, and Guard Outpost, the extra security was an expected and a welcome sight.

I could do without the humidity though. Ten seconds after I stepped out of the train, I felt like I was boiling.

Jett and I gathered our bags and started through the line. It was a short wait. “Papers, please and submit luggage for inspection,” a Staff Sergeant ordered.

Jett did as asked, giving our bags to a Private Third Class who was inspecting luggage, and I gave the SS my transfer documents and Jett’s papers. Once the PFC and the SS were done inspecting our things, they gave it all back.

“Welcome to the New Horseleans Army and Guard Training Base, Sergeant,” the staff sergeant welcomed me.

“Thank you,” I said moving on.

Once we were past them Jett spoke up. “Dad, why are there so many Guards?”

“Because this is an Army and Guard Training Facility, a fully functioning Army base and Guard outpost for the City, and the Command hub for all the southern provinces. Cadets come here to train from all over the southern provinces. Safety here is paramount.”

“This place is big,” Jett observed.

She was right. On the more militarized side of the base closest the bayou, there were training barracks that could easily hold several training garrisons, various training ranges, and ranked housing. Similar looking houses made to be built fast for the families of Army ponies stationed there stood in rows behind the garrisons.

Closer to the city, the base looked a little more like civilian houses. Apartments for the Sergeants, and officers, then the Guard main building, and their own training grounds behind that. This place was so big it had its own markets, and its own school system separate to the city’s.

“Yeah. Luckily everything is organized. Follow me.” I lead the way to the apartment we would be occupying in building three.

It was close to the Guard Operations Building. Just down the street was the school, so Jett didn't need to take the carriage to get there. I liked that. The building seemed well kept enough. Heading inside I looked at my transfer papers, “Family Apartment two-seven,” I mumbled.

Jett made a face. “What does two-seven mean?”

“I think that means it’s the seventh apartment on the second floor. Come on,” I said to her as I started up to the second floor.

Finding the seventh unit, I dug out the key that was mailed to me once the paperwork had been completed. It fit into the lock perfectly. As I opened the door I saw that the boxes of our stuff that was sent ahead were here.

The apartment was small. The right side of the apartment was just kitchen counters, a fridge, stove, sink, dishwasher, and a decently sized hexagon shaped table with chairs. Then there was a sitting area with a Magictune Radio. The bedrooms and bathroom were the same as the last place, in the back of the apartment. To my immense relief, I saw a Magi-Air unit sitting in the kitchen window.

“Why don't you go relax a few minutes before we make our rounds,” I said, putting my stuff down. I quickly found Dino’s cage and allowed him to slither out of the feathers in my left wing where he had been hiding and into his little open cage.

“Okay.” Jett went into her room. “Hey Dad, I got an air unit!”

Did she? “You did?” I went and looked. Sure enough, there was one for her, a smaller version of the one in the kitchen. I looked in my room and found another small one sitting in my window. “It must get really warm in the mid-day,” I mumbled.

“Should we turn them on?” Jett asked.

“Um…” Even in here, the air was sticky and heavy. “Yeah, set them for sixty-five. That should be plenty comfortable for us.” The little paper indicator flipped to the number “sixty-five” after a few presses of the button and I could hear the magical mechanisms starting to turn.

“What do we still have to do?” Jett asked from her room.

“I have to get my service armor from the Armory. Then we get you into school,” I announced. She groaned at the word “school.” “Lastly, I have to report in at the end of the day just to let Commander Swampfire know I'm here. He will also give us passes for when we want to go into the city, that way we can come back in without hassle.”

“Why do we need a pass?”Jett asked.

“Because they can’t let just anyone into the base,” I explained. “A lot of important things happen here, and a lot of armaments move through here as well. It needs to be protected.”

“Oh,” Jett mumbled. “Can we get ice cream on the way home?” she asked, coming out of her room.

“Yeah, sure. We’ll grab some groceries on the way back here and a pizza after I report in.” I smiled at her.

“Okay. When are we going?” she asked me, looking eager at the promise of pizza and ice cream.

I looked up at a clock on the wall above the door. “In about thirty minutes. You can take your boxes and start unpacking if you like.”

“Okay, dad!” She started taking her boxes into her room. I started doing the same but with the kitchen stuff.

“This place is kinda quiet,” Jett commented.

We were in the office of her soon-to-be school, waiting for our turn to talk to the principal. He was speaking with another student at the moment.

“Well, this is a military and guard-run school. So don’t expect it to be like your last one,” I said.

“I hope the other kids here are nice.” Jett shifted in their seat.

“Hey, I’m sure any of them will be lucky to be friends with you.” I bumped my wing with her’s.

“Sergeant Strider?” I heard someone call. I looked over to see the principal in their door. He was a First Sergeant. “Come on, I’m sure you have other things to do today,” he grumbled.

We entered his office. “Thank you for your time, First Sergeant,” I said sitting in a seat. Jett sat too.

“It’s no issue. I’m just an overpaid foal sitter anyway.” His voice reflected his desire to be somewhere else. “Let’s see. Jett, fifth in your class back in Baltimare. Just did a two week of Flight Camp. Hmm… your school was on summer break. We don’t have summer break here, we just shorten the days... I think Sergeant Faux will be a decent teacher. School starts at seven thirty in the morning on Monday, and goes until noon.” He slid some papers over to Jett. “Show those to Sergeant Faux in room C-eleven Monday morning.”

“Thank you, First Sergeant!” Jett smiled up at him and made a salute. It was adorable. He smiled weakly back and waved. Once we were out of the school Jett looked up at me. “What next?”

“I need my armor.”

“This is it? It doesn't seem to give much protection,” I said skeptically, staring at my set of Service Armor in the mirror Requisitions had down here.

The chest plate and sides covered only the ribs, and the spine was protected with thin sheets of plate metal. The rest was merely really light chainmail. While at as a whole it was light and comfortable, I felt underdressed. It didn't even have a helmet. However, it did have a badge that said “New Horseleans, Special Investigations. Detective” etched into the chest piece of the armor. The hoofguards were simple as well and had aggressive rubber treads on the bottom.

We were in the basement of the Guard Main building. Directly after this, I needed to report to Commander Swampfire.

“Do you really want to be wearing heavy armor when we get a heatwave?” the Staff Sergeant on duty said. “Or if it rains and it starts evaporating while you’re on-duty? You’ll die of dehydration. I suggest carrying a canteen with you.”

“I see your point, Staff Sergeant.” I saluted her, and she returned it. I walked outside and found Jett where I left her, sitting patiently on a bench. She cocked her head when she saw me in my armor.

“Doesn’t look very cool,” she said.

“It’ll keep me alive, hopefully,” I said. “Last stop; Commander Swampfire.”

Jett stayed close to me and we headed up to Special Investigations. It was a small building. There were only about five Sergeants like myself, each with an office for something specific; Juvenile Crime, Organized Crime, Missing Ponies, Smuggling, and Corporate Crime. There were only eight GFCs in cubicles taking up the floor. The sixth office was Commander Swampfire’s.

I was getting ready to knock when I heard yelling from inside. “Celestia help me, Finder! If I catch you snooping around one of my crime scenes again I will have you arrested! Now stop harassing my suspects. I want you on the first train out of here! Got it?!” I heard from the other side.

Hearing the knob turning, I stepped back. A pony stepped out. He was a reddish-brown earth pony. His midnight black mane was long and untidy, the bangs hanging down over his dark gray eyes; accents of silver ran through the black hair. He wore a pale gray short-sleeved shirt with a dark green fishing vest, and a grey fedora sat on his head. His magnifying glass cutie mark gave an indication that he might be some sort of investigator. Probably private sector. He ignored me and stormed out of the room.

When he was gone, I proceeded to knock on the Commander’s door frame. Swampfire is a, I want to say blocky, earth pony built like a tree. His coat color was a dark almost black brown. His mane was a sage green. Eyes an orange. But he seemed far more angry that when I met him last.

“Sergeant, finally. I was worried you got lost. Sorry, no time to wait, I’m afraid I need you to hit the ground running here,” he said through a pen, scribbling on a piece of paper. Once he was done he spit out the pen. “Here are your passes. You are taking over all the cases my other sergeants don’t have the time to go over. Your office is downstairs next to the labs. All the files you need are there, take your time tonight going over them and I want you back here tomorrow morning getting to work.”

I had to take a moment to process the rapid-fire instructions. “Commander, just so we are clear. I’m taking over all the cold cases that have been deemed unsolvable? So that way officially you can say you have a detective on said cases.”

He seemed to glare momentarily. “In a nutshell. Now go get to work, I have a lot of work to do, and some meetings to get to. Dismissed.” He waved me away.

I saluted and exited without another word. Jett was still with me as we headed down to the labs. “I don’t like him,” Jett commented.

“I don’t think I do either. But he is currently my boss,” I agreed.

We got down to the labs. It was mostly windows in here. The morgue was down here too, on the other end of the hall from the office door. I walked past the windowed labs, trying very hard not to look into the morgue and using a wing to keep Jett from looking, and into my office. It was a little depressing. The walls were gray and the desk was two short metal filing cabinets with a piece of wood on top. A single lamp was used to illuminate the desk. The files on the desk were new though; about thirty or so cases. An old magi-radio hung by a nail on the wall. This was obviously not a popular post since the layer of dust showed this space was used rarely.

“Are we going to be down here long? It’s creepy,” Jett said looking up at the walls.

“No, sweetheart.” I grabbed a hoof-full of the unsolved cases and put them in the one large pocket my armor had hidden under my right wing. They barely fit luckily they were mostly thin files. “Come on. Let’s go get some groceries and a pizza.”

I was sitting on the couch eating more pizza as I read over some of these cases. Jett was out like a light after four slices of pizza and a bowl of ice cream; I’d already tucked her into bed.

Most of these cases started out as missing ponies cases then turned into something else. One of the missing ponies showed up out of nowhere spouting crazy religious nonsense and waving a knife in the middle of a museum, before being shot by a rookie guard who panicked. The rest either stayed missing or died in mysterious ways: ‘Choked on chicken feet’, ‘Found dead with one-inch symbols carved into every centimeter of her skin’, ‘Death by centipedes’, ‘Hung by grapevines’.

I was finding all these deaths absolutely insane and highly improbable, but I had to believe them because there were pictures. It was a good thing I developed a strong stomach because I wouldn't be able to eat if I hadn't. Most some of these cases were initially ruled ‘Unfortunate Accidents’ or ‘Suicide.’ “Because choking on chicken feet is totally within normal parameters,” I said sarcastically to myself.

I was looking for the reason why these cases were reopened. And there was the same reason for each one: “Private Investigator Phillip Finder uncovered more evidence.” Over and over again, on every one of these.

I remembered that article about Phillip Finder long ago, and I suddenly remembered the stallion in the gray fedora from earlier. As far as I was concerned this Finder guy should be assisting me in this rather than being thrown out of the Commander’s office. Regulation states I can indeed seek help outside the Guard if I have reasonable cause to do so. My reasonable cause being that Phillip Finder was my best lead on this case.

New Horseleans - II

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Finding somepony who finds things is harder than it sounds. I’d dropped Jett off at Sunday School early that morning. It's better than it sounds. They hold games for the more active foals and open the library for the less active ones. Jett liked to float between the two. Since then, I’d been searching for Phillip Finder, with no luck.

I asked around the station; the other Guards gave me the names of a few hotels where Phillip might be staying. I checked them all, but nopony under that name or description was staying in those places.

I was heading back to the station now; it was getting close to mid-day and I was irritated. I finally got to the part of those files where my fellow investigators should have done “leg-work;” asking around, collecting statements, interrogating suspects. Finding, well, anything that could be considered actual evidence!

Instead, everything was labeled ‘Autopsy Complete. Kin notified. Suicide’ or some other half-cocked excuse to call it a day and go home. No one cared about these ponies. Nopony but me.

I entered SI and started to make my way down to my office. Some fellow Sergeants were standing around drinking coffee. They were all overweight and their manes were much longer than regulation. “Hey look, it's the Big Shot!” one called.

“Hey, Mr. Big Shot. You gonna figure out those cold cases for us?” another joked.

I smirked. “If I wanna get an arrest record even close to how many doughnuts you all eat in a day? Then yes.” I passed them and headed down the stairs. They were all silent so I guess they couldn't think of a comeback.

I got to the labs and walked past the morgue. Unable to resist, I glanced inside and lo and behold, Phillip Finder was inside, standing with the mortician looking over a dead body. “You gotta be kidding me. I look all over the city for this pony and he’s right here?” I sighed.

I stepped into the morgue and caught the last words of the mortician. “...weirdest things I’ve seen,” he was saying, shaking his head.

“What's weird?” I asked.

They both turned to look at me. The mortician looked surprised. Finder stared emotionlessly; he looked like he was studying me.

“You're the new Sergeant? The one who just pulled off that huge crime takedown in Baltimare right?” the mortician asked.

The mortician was a heavy set unicorn. His coat was an off-white. His mane appeared to have once been blue but had faded greatly with age.

“Flame Strider. You two are?” I pretended to be ignorant.

“I'm Dr. Humorous,” the mortician said. So many sarcastic jokes! “And this is—”

Finder held out a hoof. “Phillip Finder. G’day.” He had a slow, slightly growly voice marked with a strange accent.

I shook his hoof. “Who's your friend?” I nodded toward the body on the table.

“Actually…” Dr. Humorous got a file off the table behind him. “...he’s your newest case. They brought the body in last night, didn't bother to tell anypony but me.”

I growled to myself. Don’t the Guards here know anything about their jobs?

“But as I was just about to tell Finder here…” the doc continued. “This definitely ranks as one of the strangest things I've seen working here.”

Phillip didn’t say anything but nodded for Humorous to explain.

Dr. Humorous sighed. “Cause of death, drowning.”

I made a face and looked at the file again. “How’s that possible? Says here he was found on his balcony on the third floor. Not a drop of water in sight.”

Dr. Humorous shrugged. “Well it was swamp water I found in his lungs. So unless he has a swamp in his condo, I have no answers for you.”

“Thanks,” Finder grunted and turned to go.

“Hold up there, Phillip Finder.” I turned to him. He stopped and turned to look at me.

“You were outside Swampfire’s office yesterday,” he said.

“You have a bit of a reputation around here,” I told him. “Now if half of what the other guards say is true, you are gonna work this case whether I like it or not. It just so happens, I think you know more about this case than I do right now. I'll freely admit it; I need your help, I'd rather not do this solo, and I can give you full access to the facility where Commander Swampfire can't say otherwise.” I held out a hoof.

I swear the corner of his mouth twitched at the thought of annoying the Commander. “Ripper,” he nodded and shook my hoof. “Will do what I can to help.”

I looked at the file, noting the address. “Four-eight-six-three-two, Dinkleberg Lane. Let's get moving.”

Four-eight-six-three-two Dinkleberg Lane was a condominium, about five stories tall. There was a Guard wagon outside, and a few Guards stationed from patrols to make sure nopony tampered with it. I lead the way up to the crime scene via elevator with Phillip beside me. He wasn’t talkative. Not that I blamed him. He was just focused, and I can respect that. Also, elevators make me nervous. Being trapped metal box suspended by a few cables above certain death, nope.

Stepping out of the elevator, Phillip and I made our way over to the crime scene. Two guards stood by the doors; they looked exhausted from standing there all night and all morning. They didn’t snap to attention when I approached. I decided to be insulting and snarky at the same time.

“I got this,” I said to Phillip and stepped up to the two Guards. “You two are lucky it was me who arrived first,” I barked. They snapped to attention when they saw my rank. “If the Commander had come by, you two would be scrubbing the latrines for a month with your own toothbrushes.”

“Apologies Sergeant,” one of them piped up. “It’s been a long night.”

“I understand. Now we need to get into the crime scene. I’m the lead on the case.” Believe me, I was being polite.

“Of course Sergeant, but he cannot accompany you,” the second spoke, nodding towards Phillip. “Commander’s orders.”

I changed my tone from friendly to hostile. “I understand, but that isn't up to him, even if he is the Commander of SI. Regulation states that all possible assets and resources are to be used to the discretion of the investigating Sergeant. That’s me. Now unless you want your toothbrush to be used to clean the toilets. Step. Aside,” I ordered, glaring at them.

They hesitated, but ultimately moved out of the way, opened the door for us, and lifted the yellow tape. “Good choice,” I said going into the condo with Phillip.

I immediately started looking around the condo. Absolutely nothing was wrong here save for the chalk outline of a pony on the balcony. But something else had to be here right? Ponies don’t just drown in the middle of a condo.

Phillip had moved out to the balcony and crouched over the chalk outline that crossed over a yoga mat as well, looking closely, he studied it. I proceeded to look around the condo first stop was the washroom. No water in the shower, or sink so they hadn't been used recently. The bedroom was spotless. This guy kept the place clean, almost spotless. I walked out to the kitchen, no cooked food, pots and pans in their places. This almost looked like he was almost never here.

I had a look at the file again. Our victim, Rish Pinsin. Found dead on his balcony on a yoga mat. A local stockbroker working for a wealthy pony in Canterlot. He probably did a lot of traveling. Might’ve had a maid clean the place just before he came home each time.

“Look here, mate,” I heard Phillip call.

I went out to the balcony but stopped at the door: not a whole lot of room out there for two fully grown ponies and a chalk outline. Phillip was putting a cotton swab that he’d loaded with a green organic substance into a test tube that he’d plucked out of his vest.

“Criss-cross Moss. Found its way under the yoga mat. Grows in swamps. He was drowned with swamp water,” he rattled off.

I looked at the position of the chalk outline. “It looks as if he was able to move and started to crawl toward the door. So he wasn’t being held down.”

“Ruling out that he was moved here. This being where he died.” Phillip agreed.

“Question is; how? No signs of a break in.” I paused, looking around again, and I noticed a part of the wallpaper was slightly off like it had been repainted to look like the surrounding. “What’s this? A repair? One of the only things the Commander did was request a service record for this apartment and no wall repairs were recorded.” I paused. “You got a knife in that vest?”

Phillip got out a little pocket knife and hoofed it to me. I needed to get my own. I started by poking the anomaly in the wall to find that it was soft. I found its edges and carved it out, revealing that it was just putty painted over. Inside was a little leather sack tied shut with twine, and a black brand of a symbol on it.

“This probably wasn't in the blueprints for the building,” I said getting it out. I studied the symbol. It looked like the kind of ancient Equestrian symbols you see in history books. “This looks like magic. Do you agree?” I asked.

“Open her up. Carefully,” Phillip suggested.

I moved to set the bag on the dining table and pulled on the twine. It fell open revealing some interesting items. “Let’s see what our prize is,” I commented. “A vial of slimy green water, I’m gonna guess taken from a swamp. Two different kinds of small bones, one looks charred, one looks to be from an animal. Some blackthorn, and other herbs I don't recognize.” I frowned and looked at Phillip, who was impassive as ever. “Anything about this giving you the creeps?”

“This is dark stuff.” Phillip picked up the charred bone. “This looks like a pony’s tailbone. Much smaller.”

“Like a foal’s?” I said, hoping I was wrong.

“Possibly.”

“Damn.” I didn't like this already. It stinks. Literally; rotting corpses were becoming a smell I was very familiar with.

“We should check the other crime scenes. See if something like this was there, too,” Philip suggested.

“Also see if any shops sell this stuff,” I added.

Phillip started to move toward the door. “I’ll check the crime scenes. You go ask some shops.”

“Good idea. We’ll get it done faster. Meet back at the lab!” I called as he left. I stayed a moment longer and gathered up the little creepy magic bag and put it into several evidence bags, trying to touch the things as little as I could, before heading out.

I was on my third shop by one in the afternoon. “So you don't sell this stuff?” I asked.

The shopkeep was a zebra. “No, now go away. We do not practice that craft here. You need to leave,” he almost shouted. He looked scared.

“Alright, alright. Sorry for the trouble.” I left the shop feeling a little defeated. I had one shop left to check in the area.

‘The Leaky Cauldron; Potions, Herbs, and Oils,’ said the hanging sign over the door. As the name suggests, it's a potion shop, but apparently, they also hold lessons on basic potion making according to a flyer I found in another shop.

It was larger than most the other locations, set inside a single-story building on a cobblestone road. Stepping inside I got the scent of lavender. Some calming atmospheric music played that could be heard throughout the shop. The shopkeeper, a zebra mare with big golden earrings, metal bands around her neck, a smile on her face.

“Welcome to da’ Leaky Cauldron. How may I help you today?” she asked in an accent I hadn't heard before.

“Um, yes mam. I'm with the Guard,” I started to say.

The mare frowned slightly. “All our permits are paid up. But perhaps this is not what perplexes you?”

“I found some herbs and some other items and I was looking for a place that possibly sold them. All the other shops I've been to have thrown me out, and I really need your help.”

I pulled out the evidence bags to show her. She glared at them, looking horrified and angry, but she didn't yell at me so that's progress.

“It's a hex. Evil, and dark. I teach others to protect life. This is meant to take it, I certainly don't teach this to my students.” she said. “We do sell the herbs here, but not the bones, or the hydra stomach.”

“Hydra stomach?” I asked, feeling my own stomach twisting inside me. I’d been carrying around a hydra stomach?!

“A hydra is a very powerful creature. Using its stomach tissue to contain this a spell such as this one was an inspired idea. But not without its own dangers. Harvesting it for one,” she explained poking at the evidence bags.

“Well, anyway if you sell the herbs do you think you could provide some names of who bought them?” I asked, trying not to stare at the bag with the hydra stomach. “I'm sure you have regulars.”

“Indeed we do. But that will not help you,” the mare said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“These are all wild herbs. We grow the ones here in the shop ourselves. I can, however, give you the locations of where these all grow in the in the bayou.” She turned and disappeared behind a bead curtain.

I waited patiently. I looked around a little. I saw the phrase, ‘Love Elixir’ on a bottle and instantly thought of Snow. For a moment, I thought about purchasing it, but decided against it; as hurt as I am, I'm not that desperate for her affection. Although she definitely left a hole in my life.

The shopkeeper returned. “These are some maps of where you can find the herbs,” she said and slid a bunch of maps with highlighted areas on them across the countertop.

“Thank you.” I gathered my evidence, being sure to pick up the hydra stomach bag with only the very tip of my hoof.

She nodded. “Anytime, Detective.”

I made my way down to the basement offices of SI. I hadn't looked at the maps as of yet, I wanted to get Phillip's take on them. On my arrival, however, I found that Phillip hadn't returned as of yet.

“Strider!” Swampfire’s voice bellowed from across the office as soon as I entered. “My office, now!”

Uh-oh. I walked across the offices, ignoring the comments from the other Guards. “Oooh, the hotshot’s in trouble!” one of them jeered.

Ignoring them, I walked into the office to find Swampfire sitting behind his desk, doing a very good impression of a volcano about to explode. I stood at attention saluting him. "Commander? What can I assist you with?” I asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Would you mind telling me why Finder was there at the crime scene this morning?” Swampfire asked with a growl. The fact that he didn't let me stand at ease, was a good indicator that I was in trouble.

I started my explanation. "Phillip Finder is an asset I can use in my investigation. Regulation states that—”

"By Celestia, Sergeant!” Swampfire burst out. He took a breath before continuing. "That pony is nothing but trouble. He is one step away from being a vigilante! I want him off the case.”

I stood firm. "His PI License is paid and up to date. He is working fully within Equestrian Law.”

“His license can be revoked by the Guard if we feel he is obstructing justice,” the Commander argued.

I rose my voice not to show hostility but to make my point. "A decision... that is not up to you at the moment Commander,” I said flatly.

Swampfire got in my face and glared. "l can have you removed from the case, Sergeant.”

I tried not to smirk. Lucky all those study sessions with Snow had resulted in my memorizing the Royal Guard manual. "Actually, sir, you can't. Regulation seven-three-seven; the investigating officer cannot be removed from the case unless they have done something to jeopardize an arrest.” I stared right back at him. "I have not jeopardized the investigation in any way, and neither has Finder.”

“You are just determined to be a pain in my side, aren't you Sergeant?” Swampfire growled. He stood up and stepped around me. "I hope you didn’t unpack, Sergeant. 'Cause you are not gonna be here long if you don't fall in line.” He grunted and jerked his head, indicating for me to get out his office. I left and he slammed the door shut behind us.

"Yeah, I’ve never been good at ‘falling in line,’'’ I mumbled to myself as I walked back to my office.

Finder returned before long, a serious expression on his features. “I found a few more of those bags at the scenes. Did you find out what they were?” He set the new evidence bags on my desk each labeled where they were found.

“They’re hex bags. Made to kill.” I slid over a map for him to have a look. "Each of these maps highlight areas in the in the bayou where these herbs can be found. I was going to see if somepony in the lab could narrow down the search area with what you and I have found so far. Did your search turn up anything new?” I started to gather the maps.

“Yes. Talked with a few of the family members, and apparently the deceased became overnight successes three years ago, along with many others in this town, all of whom had a string of good luck around this time three years ago.” Phillip said.

“That raises some red flags,” I commented moving to the Lab.

Finder nodded and followed as he continued. “Made the newspapers.”

I stopped outside the Lab. “Anypony in those articles still alive?”

“A few,” he confirmed.

“We should pay them a visit then, after this. I think somepony’s out for payback.” I pushed open the door to the Laboratory.

There were four ponies in here, three unicorns and a pegasus. The pegasus’ workstation was covered in maps: maps of the city, maps of the swamp, and maps from all around the world. I didn't recognize a good third of them.

“Hello?” I called walking into their station.

The pegasus mare in the workstation looked up. She had a coat that resembled old parchment, and her mane was a grey with small strands of grey running through it, done up in a bun, but the big round glasses she wore made her look super nerdy. “Oh, hey you must be the new Sergeant. Sup Phillip?” She waved at Finder, who nodded back, before turning her attention back to me.

“Where are you from? Don't tell me!” she blurted and started examining me. “Growth pattern of the hooves consistent with high-quality cobblestone, wings look like they are from a long bloodline of Pegasi Warriors, but judging by your leg length, and the size of your ears, you have both Earth Pony and Unicorn genes. How did I do?”

I was impressed. “Hit the nail on the head. My name is Strider. What's yours?”

“Octa. Its short for Octant, that is an old tool sailors would use to measure latitude. Not very accurate, they got lost a LOT. Anyway, what can I help you with?” she smiled and fluttered her eyelids at us.

“We have some herbs, and maps to where these herbs can be found in the swamp. We were hoping for you could narrow down our search area.” I held up the evidence bag. Don’t think about the hydra stomach, Strider.

Octa made a dismissive sound and rolled her eyes. “Is that all? I'll have it done by morning. If you have any other things to do, go to them.” She started to get to work, muttering to herself and tapping the map.

I was about to say something but Finder stopped me. “Best let her work, mate,” he said. We left the labs and stood in the hallway momentarily.

“So where are we going first?” I asked.

“The first one runs a bar off of eighteenth street, goes by the name of Blu. Mostly patrons to musicians who want to be left alone. Care to let me do the talking this time. I might be able to get more info than you. No offense,” he added after a moment.

“Hey none taken, I knew what I signed up for when I enlisted. Anyway, lead the way.”

I was out of uniform, leaving it in my office at Finder's request. I saw the wisdom in not going dressed as a Guard. I had Dino hidden in my feathers though. He was good at retrieving things that aren't supposed to be retrieved, so I brought him along more often than not.

We arrived outside the bar on eighteenth. Blu’s Blues. Interesting name for a bar.

“You know we would have gotten here faster if I carri—” I started to say.

“No,” Finder said firmly.

“Okay. Just stating the obvious here,” I shrugged.

“We are going to be observing first. Once I get a sense for the guy, I'll ask the questions,” Phillip said.

“I call dibs on next time,” I joked.

Finder just grunted as we entered the bar. The place was built with brick walls and wood floors; there was lavender seating, and a stage with blue curtains, upon which a zebra band was playing a blues set. The bar was blue-stained pine. Phillip and I sat at the bar and listened to the ponies performing for a short while. I ordered a plate of fries to munch on while I waited.

Finder largely kept his attention on the bartender. He was a blue stallion, and I mean blue. He was the same color as the bar all over. I’m assuming this is Blu. Dropping his hat on the bar, Phillip watched him as he spoke kindly to a forlorn-looking pony at the bar, patting him on the shoulder and smiling. I was trying to keep my attention on everything I could all while looking for something out of place. Like the painted over wall back in that apartment.

“Say, barkeep!” Finder finally called out. I jumped slightly at his voice; he’d changed his speech to mimic a local accent, hiding his own accent.

Blu came over. “Can I help ya?” he asked.

“This is a nice bar,” Phillip said, looking around the place. “I’ve been all over Equestria, and this is easily one of the best. You must be real lucky.”

“Well, thank you,” Blu said.

“We’re looking for a soothsayer, or medicine mare, sompony good with hexes. Know any?” Finder asked.

“I know of one,” Blu shrugged, speaking slowly.

Finder pressed the issue, leaning forward. “I hear that you became an overnight success, and you know how ponies talk,” he whispered. “See, my friend and I, we...we’ve run into a spot of bad luck recently. We both lost our jobs, we’re running out of money, we had to sell our homes…” He affected a rather pleading expression. “We’re gonna be eating out of garbage dumpsters in a week. Please. We need somepony to turn our luck around, and fast.”

It was about now that I noticed that Dino had slithered off. I tried to not looked panicked as I looked for him in this dimly lit place without moving from my seat.

Blu glanced around to make sure nopony was listening, then whispered to Phillip, “I met him once, gave me a luck charm. Earned all this soon afterward. He moves around the city. Last rumor I heard is that he’s been seen around the Wonderbolt racetrack. That’s as much as I know.”

Phillip smiled broadly in relief and grasped Blu’s hoof. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” he breathed.

“No problem.” Blu walked off to handle another customer.

Phillip turned back to me, dropping his desperate look. “There is a Wonderbolt race tomorrow morning,” I said, having overheard. “I was just gonna see if my daughter wanted to go but it seems we’ll have to go another time.”

“We can go check it out tomorrow, and see if we can find anything that can narrow the locations down for Octa.” Phillip stood up and scooped his hat off the bar. “ I’ll see you at the station tomorrow,” he said, exiting.

“Yeah.” I nodded as I sat there, munching my fries waiting for Dino to return. After a while, Dino slithered back into my wing with a hex bag in his mouth. “Nice work buddy,” I whispered, feeding him a fry.

“You’re going to a Wonderbolt race!?” Jett whined, obviously jealous.

I stopped making dinner for a moment. “To look for a killer, I won’t be watching.” Much, I added in thought.

“I wanna go, please Dad?” Jett pleaded and gave me the sad eyes.

I had to resist. “Sorry, sweetie. I can’t this time. I promise once we can, we will go to a race.”

She pouted. “Okay.”

I hugged her. “You excited for school tomorrow?”

She groaned. I chuckled “Yeah I didn't think so. Just try and make some friends.”

“Dad, when can we go home?” she asked me.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Jett frowned. “I mean that this place just feels… wrong. I want to go home, where our family is. Where Snow is.” She hugged me tighter.

I felt a twinge of pain in my chest at the mention of her name. “Maybe in time but for now we have to stay here. I don’t think we’ll be here for very long anyway.”

“Why?”

“Ehh… My boss isn’t my biggest fan.” I shrugged. Jett laughed. “Let me finish dinner okay?”

“Okay.” Jett smiled.

New Horseleans - III

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I woke up and stretched my limbs out on my bed without actually getting up. I had another five minutes until my alarm went off. I just lay in bed in silence, allowing my mind to wander.

As soon as it sounded, I got up and started getting ready for work. But my mind drifted to my little life here. Jett wasn't exactly excited to be here, but I think we can make the most of it. She seems to be okay as long as I'm around. Perhaps a good breakfast instead of cereal this morning.

Only a few days until my birthday, and if my calendar is right, a week after Summer Sun Celebration, Jett’s birthday was gonna be here. But first, we had to get through mine, and the summer sun celebration with this weirdo voodoo killer on the loose. ‘The Voodoo Killer.’ I hope that doesn't stick.

I refocused on what was in front of me. Jett’s breakfast. I was almost done when she came out of her room yawning.

“Good morning sweetie,” I called.

“Morning dad. I was having a really good dream, then good smells woke me up.”

“Sorry I woke you. What was the dream about? Being a Wonderbolt?” I asked as I finished making her eggs.

“Nu-uh! I can’t tell you. The dream won’t come true if I tell you.” She wiggled in her seat.

I was fully aware of this myth, I was a kid once, too. “How do you know? I told my mom a dream once and it still came true.”

“What was the dream about?” Jett asked.

“That one day that I’d have a wonderful daughter...” I finished making her plate and set it in front of her, giving her a nuzzle. “...whom I love.”

“Yeah sure, love you too, dad,” she laughed.

“So what was the dream? Come on, who am I gonna tell?” I pried.

“I dreamt that I had a brother!” she cheered.

I almost dropped my plate. “A-a brother? Really? What did he look like?”

“I don’t really remember, but having a little brother would be cool. You wouldn’t have to have strange ponies watch me all the time. It could be me and him hanging out here!”

“And you could walk with each to and from school,” I added in thought.

She made a face at my comment before sighing. “Too bad it’s just a dream.”

Well actually, I saw an orphanage on the city map, so it’s not entirely out of the question. No! I thought to myself. I don’t need another child. Although it’s not as if space would be an issue. Or money. I make well enough to support another. Barely. No, no, no, no! I’m not gonna collect a random child from every city we visit. Jett wasn't random though, we had a connection. Albeit an awkward one to start.

Think about something different, this is starting to sound like a good idea. Again! “You ready for school?”

“No. Everypony looks at me funny. Nopony here is like me.” She slumped in her chair.

“You mean a thestral,” she nodded. “A word of advice, find out what kids are the unpopular ones, usually they’ll be nerdy, sitting away from the popular kids, or getting bullied. Make friends with them, trust me when I tell you that they’ll want a strong and confident pony like you on their side. And they can always help you in some way later. Trust me on this.”

This is exactly how I got through school. I helped the little guys, and they helped me.

“I'll try Dad.” Jett smiled up at me.

“I'll accept a try, that's all I ask for you to do, is try. Now finish up, and go get ready, so I can walk you there.”

She hurried and finished her eggs, it was funny to watch. She looked like a little adorable monster with those fangs. I enjoined this part of the morning. Spending it with my daughter.

On to, what is now, my least favorite part of the morning. Finding that my office smells like formaldehyde because the doc across the hall was preserving a corpse. Gross!

I waited in my office for Finder to arrive. I went over what we needed to do today. Go to the race, find this shaman, wizard or whatever, and bring them in for questioning. Simple enough. I was just looking through a pamphlet that I had gotten from the break room in the station. It was this I had gotten the idea to take Jett to the race, but obviously, things happened.

It said here that Alpha, Delta, and Tango Squads were doing a relay race. If Alpha squad was here, we had a way to get under the racetrack and have a look around if need be.

Knocking on my door. I looked up to see Finder entering. “G’day. You ready?” he asked.

I grabbed my helmet. “As I’ll ever be. I think I have a plan on how to start our search.” We exited the guard station and made our way toward the stadium. “First we are gonna walk among the crowd for a little while as the stadium fills up, see if we can find anything that way.”

“And then?” he asked.

“Then once the Wonderbolts arrive, I want to go ask them if they've seen anything in the various times they've raced here. One of their flyers in Delta squad is a New Horseleans local, maybe he noticed something that the others didn’t.” We were coming up to the stadium’s entrance.

These ground-build Wonderbolt stadiums were always big, but this stadium was huge. It's the only one south of the Macintosh Hills so it needed to be to seat all of its guests. It favored a combination of the city’s colors of green and purple and the Wonderbolt blues and yellows striping on its support pillars. Finder and I had a lot of stadium to cover.

“I’m coming with you,” Phillip said, calling my attention back to the ground.

“So you can what?” I asked. “Lie to them just to get information like you did that bartender? No, I know one of the Wonderbolts on Alpha squad. I can get her to convince Captain Spitfire to let me ask the others a few questions.”

“Not bringing me will be a mistake. I’ve been doing this longer than you,” Phillip argued.

I did my best to not have an attitude. “Which means you have a reputation throughout the Equestrian Guard, the Navy, and the Army, and it’s not a good one. Captain Spitfire won’t let me ask her ponies questions with you around.”

He glared at me for a few seconds, then grunted and looked away. “Thought this through,” he muttered bitterly.

Finally. “I wouldn’t be able to do my job if I didn’t. So when I go to speak with the Wonderbolts, please just keep looking for anypony doing anything suspicious, you’ll be able to spot it in a crowd better than I could.”

We stepped up to a security checkpoint. I pointed to my badge when a security guard stopped us. “Official City Guard business. He’s with me.”

The security guard nodded and stepped aside. “Let us know if you need any assistance.”

“Thank you, we will,” I said, moving past them.

We stepped through a concrete archway and into the stadium proper. Crowds of ponies packed the huge stadium, their voices mixing into a huge, constant roar of cheering. The field itself featured a big obstacle course of clouds, pillars, and hoops for flying through.

“We’ll split up,” I said to Phil. “You go that way, and I’ll go this way. You have a mirror or something?”

Phillip nodded and pulled out a small green compact mirror. “Good,” I said. “Use it to signal me if you see something.”

Phillip walked off and disappeared into the crowd. I tapped my hoof in thought as I looked around.

“Now if I were a crazy voodoo lunatic selling hexes, where would I set up shop?” I started up to the teller booths. “So far it's all luck hexes, this is where I'd go. A lot of ponies needing luck would be here.”

I got up to the level with all the teller booths. They were set up every fifty feet and fully staffed to keep the lines down. Only about three to six ponies in each line. Then again most ponies were here to have a good time, not risk their money.

I walked among the patrons of this level for a while. I checked the restrooms, I looked in the storerooms for the fast food and snack bars. I couldn't find anything or anypony that looked suspicious.

Boredom started to set in. I glanced at a teller’s booth that had nopony in line. “One small bet couldn't hurt,” I mumbled to myself.

I hurried over, filled out the paperwork, and hooved over the minimum wager of five hundred bits. A little steep for me but if I win, I double my money, then for each place further back the pony I bet on ends up in, second, third, fourth, I will only get a certain percentage more. I bet on Alpha team and Captain Spitfire. They've had a good year so far.

After I got my ticket showing proof of my bet, I turned to return to the search and almost walked face first into Finder.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Finder asked, growling a bit.

“Just placing a little wager. What’s the big deal?” I protested.

“We are supposed to be looking for a killer, and you’re gambling.”

“I did look, and there is nothing suspicious here so far,” I replied.

He glared at me, although he kinda glared at everypony. “Just stay focused. The Wonderbolts arrived while you were occupied.” He walked away.

I'll never understand him. It was just a little wager. No real harm if I lose this; it was just a small portion of my betting money anyway. I made my way to the Wonderbolts’ lounge.

It was up an elevator, the entrance to which was below the stands through a door labeled ‘Managers Only’. There were two Navy Guards standing at the door. I stepped up to them and pointed to the engraved badge on my armor.

“I need to speak with Captain Spitfire. It's urgent,” I said firmly.

“Just a moment Sergeant.” one of them said. The other went inside for a good minute or two.

When he returned he opened the door for me. “Captain is on the right, Sergeant.”

“Thank you.” I walked past them into the lounge.

The lounge was large. And each of the three teams was occupying a different section of the lounge getting ready. Alpha was closest.

They were all doing their stretches. A kind of yoga or something. I was always happy with the standard sport stretches. I spotted my future sister in law; Fleetfoot seemed focused and bending over backward really far, I’d snap in half if I tried that. “You bend any further, my brother is gonna be marrying a pretzel,” I commented.

Fleetfoot gasped and quickly unraveled herself and came over. “It’s so good to see you!” she hugged me. “How are you doing? Orion took your mother’s passing hard, but he had me. I can only imagine how it was for you without Snow.”

Yet again it felt as if my heart was hit with a ton of bricks. “I had Jett. In all honestly, though it's better If I don't talk about it.” I gave her a weak smile, but she didn't argue.

“Hey, I know it’s only been about a week since I saw you last, but you look thinner. Have you lost weight or something?” she asked sizing me up.

I glanced down at my body. Did I lose weight? I think I did. “Um- not that I know of. It’s probably just the armor, it’s lighter than what I usually wear.”

“If you say so.” She looked concerned but didn't press. I don't know why she looked concerned though.

“Sergeant. Long time, no see.” Captain Spitfire said, joining the conversation. “Are you here just to visit?”

“If I were I would have brought my daughter with me. Unfortunately, there may be a killer in the stadium. He makes luck deals with hexes that kill ponies.” I stated. All the Wonderbolts in the room stopped to listen in. “About thirty-one victims so far, one managed to avoid the killings, although I suspect not for long.”

“Any other details?” Fleetfoot asked.

I nodded. “All the victims started having an ongoing streak of good luck three years ago all around this time. That seems to the extension of the deals, three years and then he comes to collect.”

“Wait, three years?” Soarin asked.

I looked over at him. “Yeah, why?”

“Wind Walker was assigned to Delta squad almost exactly three years ago, after being a New Horseleans Wonderbolt Reserve for almost two years already,” Soarin pointed out.

That was not a coincidence. “Where is he? I need to ask him some questions if you’ll allow it, Captain.”

“I will,” Spitfire nodded and pointed. “He’s over there, meditating.”

I saw him over by his team. They were all doing sport stretches, except for him. He was balancing on one hoof quietly humming to himself with his eyes closed. “Lieutenant Wind Walker?” I asked.

He stopped humming but didn’t open his eyes. “Who wants to know?”

“Sergeant Flame Strider, City Guard. I think you might have some information I could use,” I rattled off. Spitfire walked up behind me to listen.

“Like what?” he asked, opening his eyes.

“Three years ago, your name jumped to the front of the Wonderbolt Reserve list.”

He stopped balancing and stood normally. “So? I didn't have anything to do with that. I got lucky is all.”

“That’s interesting because over thirty more citizens of this city got a similar run of luck and they have all turned up dead in the last month. Know anything about that?” I asked.

His eyes widened and he looked away for a moment; he seemed to be trying to hold his composure. “I… I, um. I don’t.”

“Lieutenant, if you are withholding information from the investigator of a crime, you will be charged with obstruction of justice,” Captain Spitfire reminded him.

“All he said was that I’d have to pay her back! I didn’t think that he meant with my life!” he finally admitted, looking panicked.

All the other Wonderbolts had congregated around him, murmuring to themselves. “Explain. Now.” I ordered.

“He was just some vendor in the street. Three years ago he said that he could improve my luck for free. I thought I caught a break if I was lucky enough I could get chosen early as a Wonderbolt. But he also said that I’d have to pay his Mistress back since it was her spell.” He sat there looking ashamed and afraid.

So this figure we’ve been chasing is just a pawn? Wonderful. I hope this isn't some kind of cult. That would be rotten luck. “Do you remember what he looked like?”

“He- he was a dark brown earth pony. Black stripes painted on him, hard to tell from a distance. An upside down five point star with a circle touching each point, branded where his cutie mark should be.”

Captain Spitfire glowered at Wind Walker, who turned his head away, unable to meet her gaze.

“And that didn't strike you as odd?” I sighed. “Thank you for your cooperation.” I turned to Spitfire. “I recommend you take him and his team out if the race. If he gets targeted he may need to get out of here fast.”

“What's to say this killer won't just follow and kill him another time?” Spitfire asked.

“I want to race.” Wind Walker spoke up.

“No. He'll kill you for sure,” I said.

“Captain is right. He'll just follow and kill me another time if I leave, and you won't catch him then.” Wind Walker straightened up and looked me dead in the eye. “If I die, I wanna die racing. If you save me, then great.”

The whole room was silent. Using another pony as bait. I didn't like this, but it wasn’t my call. “It's up to you, Captain. But I think it's a bad idea.” I gave Wind Walker one last look, then turned to exit.

I started to head out to find Finder again but Fleetfoot stopped me for a hug. “Go catch your bad guy.”

“Will do. Say hello to my brother for me.” I exited the lounge and went back up to the stands where eager fans awaited the show.

The crowd had gotten thicker while I was in there. All the seats were packed and riled up for a race. I scanned the walkways for Finder.

After a moment I spotted his distinctive hat on the level across and above me. I used one of the only reflective pieces of my armor to get his attention. He replied with a few mirror flashes of his own as well. After I squeezed past the crowds on the stairs, I met him on the level he was on.

“You learn anything?” he grunted.

“I did. One of the Wonderbolts was more than cooperative. Unfortunately, he may be the target today.”

“So are we looking for a hex bag somewhere in the stadium?” Finder glanced around a moment.

“I don't think a hex bag will work in this situation. If he is planning on killing the Wonderbolt during the race, he may need a secluded place to perform the spell.”

“We know what this pony looks like?”

“Dark brown earth pony male. Black stripes painted on him. An upside down five point star with a circle touching each point branded where his cutie mark should be,” I recalled.

“Alright, so he’ll be in a secluded location, in the stadium, where nopony will hear him.” Finder pondered for a moment. “The maintenance tunnels under the field. Nopony will be down there right now!”

We turned and hurried down to the maintenance tunnels. “It’s a labyrinth down here how are we supposed to find him?” I asked.

Some maintenance ponies were sitting in a break room playing cards and listening to a radio that was tuned to pick up the very race that was about to start above us. I could hear what was happening over the radio.

“...and lastly Fleetfoot of Alpha team takes her place on the starting line. The rest of the three teams waiting to be passed the shoe.”

So Spitfire is letting him do it? We won't have a whole lot of time then. “Any of you seen a brown pony who has painted stripes on himself?” I asked.

One of them thought a moment and then nodded. “Oh yeah, that sounds like Mudder.”

“He’s an odd one, he’s all into that striper nonsense,” another waved a hoof.

“We last saw him heading toward the water pumps.” one smoking a cigar pointed a hoof.

The one dealing the cards looked like the manager. “There is a map at every junction so nopony gets lost.”

“Thank you.” I turned back to Finder. “Water pumps it is.”

We hurried down the corridors stopping every fifth junction to make sure we were going the correct direction. I heard the muffled sound of a cannon go off from above us, signaling the start of the race. I picked up the pace.

I smelled burning hair and wax as we got closer to the pumps, and soon enough a low chanting was could be heard. As we rounded the last corner I saw the pony now known as Mudder. He was dressed in bones, feathers, and what looked like crocodile skins, his mark was indeed burnt off and a brand replaced it, and dark stripes painted his coat. He was bending over what looked like some kind of altar, holding a match to a bowl. The bowl lit on fire and began to burn with blue flames.

“STOP!” I shouted.

Mudder didn’t hesitate and bolted down another corridor. Philip followed instantly. I stayed a moment to look at this altar. Candles surrounded a picture of Wind Walker, bones, chicken feathers, hair and a number of other ingredients arranged in an intricate pattern. Before turning to go cut off Mudder above ground I flipped the little bowl over and doused the flames in hopes of stopping the curse.

I made my way back up to the stands. Once I got there I looked for the chase. I could see that the last leg of the race had started, Wind Walker was falling behind Spitfire and the Tango squad leader. He looked to be coughing up little white feathers. The spell hadn't stopped! Now the only pony who could was Mudder.

I scanned the crowd again and I saw Finder chasing him through the crowd across the stadium from me, easily jumping over any obstacle in his way. I flew to cut Mudder off.

“What’s this going on in the audience?” I heard the announcer saying over the PA. “Looks like the city guard is about to make an arrest. Everypony stay out of their way!”

Once the announcers called attention to it, the stadium security guards got in on the chase, but Mudder kept evading them or knocking them down. Phillip and I drove him up toward the top of the stadium.

“Wind Walker isn't looking too good folks, he’s landing in the infield. He looks to be choking on something!”

This was not good, but I couldn’t risk stopping to look. We kept on Mudder until he got to the roof of the stadium. He had nowhere left to go. Finder and the guards chased him to the edge of the roof. About a nine-story drop from up here. Mudder looked panicked and he had a knife in his mouth. Finder slowed and pulled a baton out of his vest, snapping it open.

I landed beside Finder. “Mudder! Stop the spell and maybe the jury will be kinder in their sentencing.”

Mudder smiled and laughed. “The mistress didn't tell me how to stop the spell. Only how to enact it.”

“Give up, there is nowhere else to run!” I shouted.

“I am but one of her followers. She is far more powerful than the rest of those fools in the Everfree!” He stepped closer to the edge. “We will help the mistress ascend!” he shouted and jumped.

I flew and caught him by the forehoof. Flapping my wings hard, I brought him back up to the roof. However, before I could get there he used the knife that was still in his mouth and cut deep gashes in my forelegs. I yelled in pain and instinctively let go. Finder dived forward, but it was too late: Mudder plummeted all the way to the ground and landed with a heavy crash.

I was suddenly aware of shouting from the stadium. Turning to look, I saw that Wind Walker had collapsed to the ground and was clutching his throat, convulsing. Feathers spewed from his mouth. Spitfire was pounding on his chest, trying to force the feathers out of his mouth and shouting for medics. But it was too late: just as the first medics were rushing over, Wind Walker convulsed one last time, then was still.

“No!” I heard myself shout. I had been so close! We were right here!

“C’mere,” Phillip said, but it was like his voice was a mile away. I barely heard him, and I was only vaguely aware of the blood that was running down my forelegs as I hovered in midair. He pulled me back onto the roof and took a first aid kit out of my saddlebags. Grabbing a roll of gauze, he started to wrap it tightly around my wounds, trying to cut off the bleeding.

I managed to look away from Wind Walker down at Phillip’s hooves and saw that they were shaking. I looked at his eyes; they were narrowed and seemed to blaze with hatred.

“We’ll get her,” he growled as he bandaged my wounds. “We’ll get her for this.”

A medical pony was stitching my legs up outside the stadium. I watched as they carted Wind Walker’s body away in a body bag. I felt hollow, like I’d been cut open, had all my organs removed, and been sewn back up. I’d failed him. I made it my job to keep him safe, and he’d died in front of me.

Press was swarming the perimeter the guard had set up. I could see Finder giving his statement to another guard off to the side.

Once the medic cut the thread on the last stitch he wrapped the injury in fresh bandages. “Any other injuries?” he asked.

“No, thank you.” I stood and went over to where Finder stood. As I approached the guard walked off.

“So what’s our next move?” I asked, feeling like my hooves were itching. I needed to do something.

“Our next move is that I go ask around in Ponyville and in Everfree for any information of this ‘Mistress,’” Phillip said. “You stay here and make sure things don’t get out of hoof.”

“What? I have to go with you. It’s my investigation!” I argued.

“What do you think the chances are that Lieutenant Swampfire will allow you to go?” Phillip asked, giving me a deadpan look.

I thought about it a moment. “Next to none,” I admitted.

“I’ll be back.” Finder nodded to me, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Deciding to let the CSIs take it from here, I started on my way home.

I opened the door and went to sit on the couch, waiting in silence for Jett to come back. My hooves and wings still felt itchy, which made it hard for me to lie still, but I was also extraordinarily tired from the day. I started to doze off, but every time I closed my eyes, I kept relieving the entire scene, watching Mudder hit the ground or Walker choking on feathers. More than once, I woke up with a gasp, shaking all over.

Jett got home on time and smiled as she saw me. “Dad!” She hurried over and hugged me, before stepping back and asking me questions. “I hearded something happened over the radio. I was worried. Is Auntie Fleetfoot alright?”

She’s not her aunt yet, but I suppose the term will apply soon enough. “Yeah, she’s fine. I’m fine,” I said quickly, still holding onto her.

“Then how come your legs have band-aids on them?” She pointed to the white bandages.

I hugged her again. “I’m fine now.” I wasn’t. I wasn’t fine at all. “Why don't you go put your stuff down?”

“Okay.” She let go of me hesitantly and went to her room. As I watched her disappear into her room, I took a deep breath and lowered my face into my hooves.

I kept thinking of Wind Walker. He may have accepted that he was gonna die, but that is not what his facial features expressed when he was dying. He was counting on me to stop it. Me. I failed. Again.

New Horseleans - IV

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He said that he would be back. Finder seemed like a pony of his word, somepony who didn't leave things unfinished. Not that things have really been happening as far as the investigation went. I mostly had to oversee the processing of Wind Walker, so he could have a proper burial ASAP. I also put a surveillance detail onto the bartender Blu, just to make sure; so far, he hadn’t drowned in his own cider.

In the meantime, my birthday had come and gone, and New HorseIeans threw an absolutely spectacular Summer Sun Celebration with a parade and all. Jett had the most fun out of everyone there. She got to ride on the Equestrian Military float with a bunch of her classmates as she pretended to be a Wonderbolt, an awesome one at that.

I was out looking for a suitable present for Jett right now. Her birthday was only in another day so.

A thought crossed my mind as a whole pony family walked by; it is getting close to when Jett's real parents died. I have no plan for how I'm gonna handle that.

That wasn't for another few weeks now though, so I have time to figure it out. In the meantime, pony number one in my life needs a present. But what to get her?

My stomach growled at me, and my head itched. Perhaps the search would go faster if I had lunch. I started looking for a place to eat. I found a place that not only offered food but had a blackjack table to boot. Maybe this time my luck would come around and I’d get some more money to buy her a special present.

My alarm went off, and I silenced it as quickly as I could. I already informed Jett's teacher yesterday she was gonna be absent today, so no school. Now to start things off with breakfast.

Since she didn't have a preference between pancakes, waffles, or Prench toast, I made her all three, topped with boysenberry syrup and strawberries. Eggs, hashbrowns, and a glass of Mango-orange juice. Yes, she can eat all of that, and probably more. How? I have no idea.

The next thing I knew, the entire counter was covered in pancakes, waffles, Prench toast, and batter. Actually, I may have made too much; I'm not hungry really, I've been a little nauseous every now and again lately. Oh well. We'll have leftovers.

Once everything was good and ready, I checked the time. A little after nine in the morning? She should be awake by now. I went to her room to see if she was awake. "Jett! Sweetie! I made you breakfast,” I called through the door.

"I'll be right out,” she called. I heard a sniff through the door.

I opened the door slowly. "Hey, you okay?”

Jett was laying on the bed, trying to dry her eyes quickly. "Mhmm…” she nodded.

"You were crying?" I asked. She nodded. I looked over at a picture of her and her birth parents. "You miss them.”

"Yeah. Mom would bring me breakfast in bed every year today. I miss her most.” Jett looked at the picture.

“They sounded like truly good ponies.” I smiled and squeezed her into a hug. “Would you like to go visit them soon? Not today, but soon?” Jett nodded.

Knocking on the door broke the moment. “You know who that is?” Jett asked. I shook my head.

“Go eat. I'll get the door.” Jett hurried past me and over to the table. I went over to the door to see who was knocking.

I opened the door and received a yell of “Surprise!” right to the face.

Standing there was Atlas, Buttercup, and Grandma Galaxy. “Jett, it's for you,” I called, letting them in with a big grin on my face.

Jett had stopped eating and rushed over to hug our surprise visitors. “Hey, kiddo!” Atlas smiled and hugged her.

Buttercup and Grandma moved past them quickly to put their stuff down. As Jett turned to hug them, Atlas put his bags down. All of their bags contained wrapped presents.

“What did you bring?” I asked, looking at the packages. There were a lot of them. And a lot of big ones.

“Apparently the rest of our family is determined to spoil Jett,” Atlas explained. “Orion and Thasus couldn't be here so they sent gifts, as well as our various aunts, uncles, and cousins.”

I raised an eyebrow. “The majority of them haven't even met Jett yet.”

“I wrote them, and they were very enthusiastic about her,” Grandma said proudly, she looked at the table and the kitchen. “Did we interrupt breakfast?”

“Um, a little bit. I made a lot, you all hungry?” I extended my wing towards the food.

“‘Are we hungry?’ What kind of question is that?” Buttercup asked sarcastically, getting a plate.

“Dad made it all himself for me!” Jett said happily as she went back to her seat.

“I believe it,” Atlas smiled back at the grinning filly. “So what was the plan today?”

“Dad and I were gonna go walk around the city. See what looks interesting,” Jett said through a mouthful of food.

“Don't talk with your mouth full,” I reminded her. “But she is correct.”

“That sounds like fun, do you mind if we tag along?” Grandma asked.

“It's up to Jett this time. She's the birthday filly,” I pointed with a hoof.

I could tell from the smirk on her face that Jett was gonna try and use this to her advantage. After she swallowed another mouthful of food she grinned. “I won't mind if we can open presents after breakfast.” She threw on her cutest smile, the one that was impossible to resist.

I rolled my eyes, but Grandma appeared to fall for it hook, line, and sinker. “I don't see why we can't. We would like a moment to relax after being on that train anyway.”

“Once you’re done eating, and your plate is in the sink, you can go ahead and get started,” I said to her.

“Super Pony Arcade?” I read the sign. It said Now Open on the door.

“The kids in school keep talking about it,” Jett beamed as we all walked in.

Walking in, I realized that this place was Magi-tech central. Games powered by magical energies, and enchanted to show images on a kind of screen without a projector. The games had titles like Gallopga, Centisteed, Neightona Racing, Luna Lander, Neighzy Taxi. Call me old-fashioned, but I think I prefer the old carnival games. A lot less noisy.

“So let’s get you some tokens so you can play,” I said, following my family in.

“I don’t know about you all, but I think it would be best if I find a place to sit down,” Grandma said, turning toward a meal booth.

“I wanna play Wonderbolt Simulator first!” Jett shouted and ran off.

“I’ll keep up with her,” Buttercup said, hurrying after her.

I had started to follow when Atlas stopped me. “Strider, hang on. I was actually hoping to speak to you.”

“Yeah sure, what about?” I asked.

“Let’s go over here.” Atlas led me over to some games that were out of order so we wouldn’t be distracted. He sucked in a breath, then fixed me with an even stare. “I wanted to talk to you about your recent behavior.”

“What recent behavior?” I looked at him in confusion.

“Moving here when you didn't need to, the gambling, not to mention your health,” Atlas said poking me in the shoulder.

“I’m not following,” I grumbled and rubbed where he poked me.

Atlas sighed. “Come on, little brother, I’ve been keeping an eye on you. We all have. Orion and Fleetfoot noticed you’ve been losing weight. Thasus noticed the gambling. Everypony noticed that you moved here when you didn’t need to.”

I scowled. “I don't have a problem, brother. It is just a bit of fun when I have the time, I don't go out of my way to place bets.” I fiddled with a game’s controls so I didn’t have to look at him.

Atlas stood firm. “Then explain your health?” He pointed at my gut, which was admittedly a lot smaller than it had been a few weeks ago. “You didn't look like this a few weeks ago. You’ve been losing weight.”

“I’m fine brother, really. I don't feel any different than normal.” I shrugged. I really don't know what he was talking about, I felt fine. Okay, maybe I got nauseous from time to time and had headaches maybe once or twice a week, but I was fine.

“What about mental health?” Atlas pressed. “Your prime suspect in Baltimare died when she didn't surrender. Snow left you. We lost Mom. Now you watched this cult kill a pony in front of you.”

I gritted my teeth: I hated it when somepony mentioned Snow. “How did you know it was a cult?” I tried to avoid the subject.

“Newspaper,” Atlas shrugged. Great, just what I needed. “But that is not the point,” he continued. “Whether you admit it or not, you are not well, brother. I can have a transfer set up in a matter of days, you and Jett can come stay with me.”

Okay, now he was just getting on my nerves. “No brother,” I snapped at him. “I need to finish this investigation before we go anywhere, and after that, we might just move to a place that is better on crime. Ponyville has an all-time low right now, we might go there.”

Atlas frowned at me in obvious concern. I sighed and let some of my previous anger out. “Brother, I promise you, I’m fine, really,” I said in a calmer tone.

Atlas sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “I don't believe you, but I will drop it for now. Let’s go celebrate with that filly of yours.” Atlas turned towards where Jett and Buttercup were playing a game where they pretended to be flying through the air.

I stared at my reflection in the blank screen of the arcade game: there were some bags under my eyes, and my coat did look like it was duller, not to mention that I had lost quite a bit of weight really fast…

He was wrong. I don't have a problem.

Right?

On the way back home we had gotten a decently sized cake, and Jett had requested pineapple and olive pizza for dinner, so we’d gotten three large ones.

I was still on my first piece. I kept catching myself looking at the bookshelf where I kept the false book that held my gambling money. I don't have a problem, I thought hard.

“Brother? Aren't you hungry?” Atlas asked, pointing at my pizza slice.

I shook my head and pushed my plate away. “Not particularly. I'll eat later.” Atlas shot me a quick judgmental look before returning to his pizza.

“Dad and I are gonna go visit my parents soon,” Jett said with some sadness.

“I think that is a good idea dear,” Grandma said putting a hoof on Jett’s.

“Have you seen them since the funeral?” Buttercup asked.

“When I was still in the orphanage,” Jett said. “My caretaker took me just before Dad took me in.”

“So it's been a while?” Atlas asked the obvious.

Jett nodded. “Dad said soon, though.”

“I did say soon,” I confirmed.

“The sooner the better. It's not something you want to put off,” Grandma said.

“I promised.”

“Promised Snow too,” I heard Atlas mumble, thinking nopony heard him.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I narrowed my eyes and glared.

He spoke up this time. “You also promised Snow that you'd stop gambling. But you broke that one.”

That was a private conversation between Snow and me. The only way he could know about it as if she told him. “You've been talking to Snow?” I growled.

“Now sweetie. I—” Grandma started but I cut her off.

I stood from my seat. “No! I want to know why he is taking sides with the mare who walked out on me and a filly who loved her! Why he refuses to believe his own brother!”

Atlas stood as well. “Because I looked into what she was saying. Your health is suffering, your finances have dropped significantly several times—”

“Who gave you permission to look into my account?!” I shouted. “You know what, I don't want to know. Thank you all for coming. You may stay the night if need be. I have work in the morning, I'm gonna get some rest. Goodnight.” I stormed off to my room.

“But Dad, we didn't even get to the cake!” I heard Jett call from behind.

“I SAID ‘GOODNIGHT’!” just before slamming the door.

I flopped down onto my bed, breathing hard. But after a few seconds, my anger started to evaporate, replaced with something much worse: crushing guilt. I felt like a huge weight was pressing me down onto the bed. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. I knew I should go back out and apologize, but I couldn’t get out of bed: my family must all hate me now.

I closed my eyes, even though I knew that I wouldn’t be getting any sleep.

New Horseleans - V

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I barely slept a wink that night, and was in my office as early as possible today; I wasn't in the mood to see my family off, and Jett was absolutely silent when I took her to her school. That all made my churning stomach feel even worse than before.

Maybe I did have a problem. But I couldn’t think about that now: I had other things to worry about. Like the incompetent guards that I’d assigned to watch Blu.

“What do you mean he disappeared without a trace?” I asked, rubbing my temples.

“At seven thirty in the morning, he left for the market, like he does every morning, to restock on some of the more basic items in his bar,” the first guard started.

“But,” the other interjected. “He suddenly turned a different direction halfway there and started walking toward the swamp. As soon as he entered the swamp and ducked behind a tree, he vanished. We checked the area and found nothing. By that time it was eight thirty.”

That is just magnificent. The one pony we had managed to save, we really didn’t save; just delayed his death. Perfect. I sighed. “Is there anything else? Anything at all, no matter how small the detail. Everything is important.”

They exchanged glances. “Well, he got a little wobbly just before he turned down the alley,” the first guard said.

His partner nodded. “Also that part of the swamp, it felt…tainted. Like, the whole area just felt creepy. I don't know how else to describe it.”

I stared at them for a moment. Right. Tainted. That helped a lot. I sighed and shook my head. “Before you go, could you mark exactly where you lost him on this map here?” I slid a map of the bayou in front of them.

They both looked it overtaking their time and discussing where they were at what time. Finally, the second guard took a pen in her mouth and circled a one-mile area of bayou next to the city. “That is where we lost him.”

“Thank you. Dismissed.”

Once they left, I took the map they marked on and the maps of the herbs in the bayou and compared them. That one-mile area and a spot where all the herbs are close together was reasonably close together.

“I see you’ve been busy?” I heard Finder grunt as he entered my office.

“Not really actually, but I have good news and bad news.”

“As do I,” Phillip said. “I found our killer. Her name is Xixphy. Daughter of a particularly unstable zebra potions master who was never caught, and a murdering unicorn psychopath who is in Earthcracker Prison, serving a life sentence in solitary.”

My eyes widened a bit. “I hope that wasn’t the good news.”

“Wasn’t,” Phillip said. “She is half Unicorn, half Zebra, so we will be able to notice her when we see her.”

I briefly considered asking him how he’d found this out, but decided against it. I’d seen how he got info out of ponies.

I sighed. “That is not the silver lining I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.”

“What’s your news?” Phillip asked.

“Blu was taken, earlier this morning. We have to assume he is dead,” I informed him.

Finder’s jaw tightened for a moment. “And the good news?”

“Blu may have given us a place to start looking,” I pointed to the location on the map I had on the board behind me.

“Then let’s go.”

“Couldn't have said it better.” I grabbed my field kit and I followed Finder out of the precinct.

Tainted was right. Everything here felt off. The air, the water, everything. In spite of it being early morning, it was almost as dark as night in here. The canopy of trees blocked most of the light. The little boat with the purring engine that we took from the guard motor pool didn't exactly give me any confidence either. It would do nothing if a crocodile decided to have a pony for lunch. Phillip and I had both attached flashlights to our shoulders, but the beams of light looked small amidst so much darkness.

“It's official,” I said, more to break the quiet than anything else.

“What is?” Finder asked.

“I hate swamps,” I said casually.

“We've only been in here a few hours,” Finder rolled his eyes.

Which was already longer than I cared to be in there. The little Magitek motor puttered us along the waterways. I had the map out and was helping navigate to the area with the most of the wild herbs. All things considered, I think I did a pretty good job: we only got lost and had to back up three times. But we didn’t get very far. A sandbar and thick brush blocked further access by boat.

“I knew it was too much to hope we’d be staying in the boat.” I groaned hopping onto the sandbar.

“Just another day for me,” Finder said, walking up after me. It almost sounded like a joke. Didn’t know he had a sense of humor.

We walked along what seemed like a path into the brush. The air felt as if It was getting heavier. Some light appeared up ahead. A softer light, softer than my flashlight. Just as the path opened up some, we found the way ahead lit by torches embedded into the walls of brambles. Suddenly, both our flashlights flickered out. I removed mine from my shoulder, and proceed to hit it repeatedly. It flickered a little but refused to work.

“I really wish that was because the batteries were dead,” I said.

Finder looked at me, sharing my concerned look. “Is it?”

I shook my head. “I changed them just the other day, and I haven’t used it until now.”

Finder sighed and then turned to continue down the path, following the torches that were barely within sight of each other. I looked up and could barely see a few specs of sunlight, and even that was becoming hard to see. Finder stopped me from moving further.

“What?” I asked.

“Shush!” he hissed. He listened intently.

I began to listen as well. Chanting, an ancient language, not one I recognized. Seems like we found our suspect’s hideout. Finder and I ducked a few yards off the trail as we got closer, stepping into some shallow water. We peeked through some leaves and found our foes. I had one word for the scene before me: creepy.

Ponies and Zebras, about twenty or so, were all chanting and ritually bowing on catwalks to keep them out of the water circling a large altar built around a large tree. Xixphy was standing up at the top of the altar, chanting the same language. She was wearing a scaly tribal outfit, glowing blue necklace, and holding a stone knife in her magic. The water beneath the altar rippled every so often. I hoped it was just fish.

Xixphy turned to face her crowd of followers and spoke in pony, but with an obvious zebra accent. “The time of my ascension nears!” she shouted. Her followers sat up and cheered. “But now, another soul for my power!”

Two cultists carrying crude spears escorted a pony up to Xixphy; their captive staggered along after them vacantly, moving like a zombie. It was Blu! He was still alive! That meant there was still a chance to save him. The cultists resumed chanting, louder this time.

“You got anything in that vest to help us in this situation?” I whispered to Finder.

His reply was to pull a boomerang out of his pocket and draw it back to him.

“You are oddly prepared for these situations,” I said giving him a judgemental look.

“And you’re not prepared enough,” he shot back.

We watched as Xixphy cast a spell on Blu. He seemed to snap out of his trance and tried to run but the two escorts held him in place. She started to pull a pale blue energy out of the stallion, and Blu started to go pale and seemingly shrivel up. The energy was being pulled into her glowing necklace.

“What in Tartarus?” I mumbled.

“You grab him, and we run,” Finder said, and threw the boomerang at Xixphy’s horn. I jumped out onto the catwalks and flew up toward Blu. The boomerang hit Xixphy in the temple with an audible thwack sound; she yelled in pain and staggered back, breaking the spell and restoring Blu to normal. I quickly knocked down the two cultists holding him, grabbed him beneath the forelegs, and flew back to Finder.

“Get on your hooves, we gotta run!” I said putting him down.

Finder’s boomerang returned to him, and we turned to run when we heard the water behind us shift and move. “Three souls are better than one!” Xixphy crowed. I turned back to look at her; her horn was flared, her eyes glowed, and she chanted “Petenta Serpigeo, Petenta Serpigeo!” over and over.

The water splashed and an enormous serpent burst out of the water. At first, I thought it might be a hydra, and I thought that if it were, we could at least outrun it; it wouldn’t be able to follow us. But then I caught a glimpse of the spines and spikes on the head, and the forked tail on the snake-like body, and immediately knew that I’d have taken the hydra over this any day.

“Basilisk! Don’t look at it!” Finder shouted and we turned to run. It lunged at us, we were already out of the way through, so it got a mouthful of swamp sand. Run. Running was the best option, I wouldn't get very far flying as the canopy was still too thick to get through. As we neared the boat, I looked back, knowing I'd have to avoid looking at those big glowing eyes of instant stone death. But the basilisk was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did it go?” I asked.

“Who cares?” Blu shouted as he neared the boat.

Suddenly the boat exploded with teeth, scales, and water from beneath it. Apparently, basilisks can burrow in the soft earth. This one must have tunnels all over the swamp or something.

“This way!” Finder barked, already turning and heading another way. Blu and I both followed; the basilisk was thankfully too busy destroying our escape to bother with us.

Taking to the shallows, we sprinted through the water as fast as we could. Well, they did anyway, I wanted to keep off the ground, and out of the water, knowing that thing could pop out of it at any time. I flew ahead, painting a clear route for my two Earth Pony companions.

If I remembered my maps correctly, a particularly public area of the swamp was coming up ahead, used for competitive fishing. Some guard units tend to hang around there to watch while on patrol. If we could make it there, we’d be safe...hopefully. I looked back at Blu and noticed he was slowing down. I banked hard and flew around to pick him up. Thank Celestia that I was wearing light armor. Finder kept up, splashing through the water.

My guess about where we were headed was somewhat right. We ran into a young stallion with an airboat, fishing in a deeper part of water. “Start the engine! We got a basilisk on our tails!” I shouted as I dropped Blu down into the boat.

“What the—?” the stallion cried, dropping his fishing line.

“Start the engine now!” I barked. “Get us out of here!”

The stallion scrambled over to the engine and started yanking the cord. The engine caught on the third tug, just as Phillip jumped onboard. The boat pulled away from the shore and out into wider, deeper water.

Not a moment after we got up to a decent speed did the basilisk breach the water behind us and roar at us as we sped away. I watched it slithered back into the swamp knowing it couldn't catch us.

I let out a long breath and collapsed onto the deck. “That was close.”

“Too right,” Phillip said, panting.

Blu was laying on the deck next to me, pale and shaking, but unharmed. At least we’d saved one.

“So…” the shaken stallion said. “Where to?”

“Land, as fast as you can,” I told him.

“A basilisk! She has a basilisk! A flipping basilisk, as a guard dog.” I was pacing back and forth in my office.

We had made it back. Blu was now on base under twenty-four hour armed guard until we caught this lunatic. Finder was looking at my maps as I was collecting myself. “That basilisk is the biggest threat. Gonna have to find a way to deal with it,” he said.

“It’s not the only problem!” I ranted. “What what that spell she was using? That necklace? Do you think she was legitimately pulling Blu’s soul out of him? Also if she is collecting souls, and that is where she is storing them, Wind Walker’s soul may be in there as well...”

“Worry about one thing at a time,” Finder said, not taking his eyes off the map.

“Do you think going in there by force is an option?” I suggested. “Take an airship, burn the canopy so they are exposed, and then subdue them?”

“Still doesn't help with the basilisk.”

“Not if we get one with balisticas. Balisticas and cannons!” For a moment, I allowed myself to relive my old foalhood fantasy of becoming a pirate. An air pirate! That’d be awesome.
Oh, right. Crazy cult leader. Deal with her first. “We need to do something though, before they have a chance to move.”

“Perhaps it’s time we fill your commander in?” Phillip said.

I shuddered at the thought of talking to that blowhard. “Yeah, possibly.” I kept pacing.

“Maybe need to call in the army,” Phillip continued.

“Equestrian Army?” I mumbled as I remembered something. “OH SWEET CELESTIA!” I shouted.

“What’s wrong?” Phillip asked.

I hurried to my door. “Come on! I got a plan!”

“Flame Strider!” Knight Gaze sounded almost mad when he greeted me.

I noticed the two silver bars on the shoulders of his uniform. “Sir!” I saluted him.

“At ease. You've been here how long and you haven't visited?” he scowled.

Okay, he might actually be mad. I swallowed nervously and paused, unsure what to say. Knight Gaze glared at me for a moment more, then pulled me into a hug.

I hugged him back, albeit awkwardly, we were alone so I guess it's okay. He seemed very open with his attitude now. “I apologize. I’ve been busy. I’m sure you’ve seen the papers.”

KG nodded. “I have. Nasty business, that. Anything I can do to help?”

“Actually, there is,” Finder said as he approached.

I introduced Finder and went over everything from start to finish, including the basilisk.

“Definitely sounds like I could help,” KG pondered.

I sighed. “Here comes the ‘but.’”

“But I'm Captaining the forty-fourth,” Knight Gaze explained. “We make sure the larger beasts like hydras don't get too close to the city. You were lucky to catch me when the forty-fourth is on leave rotation with the forty-fifth.”

“We need your help to get past that basilisk,” I insisted. “If we can’t stop her, more ponies are going to die.”

Knight Gaze thought for a moment, then said, “Wait here.” He turned and walked out of the room.

“Are you sure he can help?” Finder asked.

“I'd trust Knight Gaze with my life,” I said. “I have trusted him with it in fact.”

Phillip nodded. A thought occurred to me, a question that had been lingering on my mind for a long time.

“You know I’ve been wanting to ask: why do you dislike Captain Swampfire so much?” I asked. “I mean I know why I hate him. He doesn't like how I do my job, and I don’t like how he does his.”

Finder stayed silent. “Why?” I pushed.

It took him a moment but he started speaking. "I was hired to investigate a murder by a family member in Ponyville. Swampfire was the lead investigator. He refused to cooperate with me; not long after I arrived, he declared that he'd found the killer. Arrested the vic's best friend, started hamming himself up in front of the press. Ignored any of the evidence that disagreed with him, stupid wanker.

"But I proved that he was wrong. Found the real killer, got the friend out. Made Swampfire look like the idiot he is in front of everypony," Finder finished.

“No wonder he wanted me to oust you from the investigation,” I commented. “Not that that would've stopped anyway.”

“You’re five times the Guard that he is,” Phillip said. “If only you could get your gambling under control.”

“I don't have a problem,” I said, but I wasn't sure I believed myself anymore.

“You've lost a noticeable amount of weight since we started working together, and even I can tell you’re depressed,” Phillip pressed. I stayed silent, and he let out a quiet sigh. “Look, I'm not gonna tell you what to do. But I recommend getting help. You could be a bloody brilliant Investigator some day. But that habit will hold you back.”

We stood there in silence for some time. I was beginning to wonder if we were wasting our time being here when KG came back with a General. She was an earth pony mare, older, but still fair looking. Black mane, green coat. Cutie mark covered by the uniform.

I snapped up to attention and saluted. “Sergeant, Detective,” KG said. “This is General Vedette. She commands all outer-city defense forces.”

“So you’re the Sergeant I’ve been hearing so much about from the Guard Captain?” She looked over to Finder. “And you’re the PI that he’s been complaining about?”

“Yes,” Phillip grunted.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, still standing at attention.

“Nice to meet you both,” she said, then turned back to me. “You're lucky nopony on this base likes Swampfire, otherwise you'd actually need his authorization to come to me.”

I remained at attention and silent. “General. Sergeant Strider was my partner at my first posting,” Knight Gaze said. “I can assure you he wouldn't be asking us for help without a reason.”

“I believe it. I’ve read a few of the reports. But I want to hear his reasoning before I give you the all clear. At ease, permission to speak freely granted,” she said to me.

I figured the truth was the best here. “Captain Swampfire would drag his hooves if we went to him. These cultists are likely getting ready to move as we speak. We don't have time for the bureaucracy. We need force to get past the basilisk, a force that you have. We need to make an arrest now while we still know where they are.”

She stared at me. I stared right back. For a very, very long time. Why does my nose always itch whenever an officer is staring me down and I can’t scratch it? I swear they do it on purpose.

“Captain Gaze,” she finally said.

“Yes General?” Knight Gaze asked.

She smiled. “Gather the forty-fourth. Time for a ‘Live-Fire Training Exercise’.” she exaggerated air quotes. “Break out the tranquilizers and the basilisk gear.”

“Yes General!” He walked past us and exited the room.

“You got heart, Sergeant.” She turned away. “Feel free to use me as a reference in the future.” She left the room.

Once she was gone, I scratched my nose. “Finally!” I sighed.

“We should join your friend,” Finder said, stepping for the door.

I nodded. “Yeah, let's go.”

New Horseleans - VI

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We got to ride in an airship, although admittedly not how I had fantasized. We were inside the heavily armored hull of a rapid deployment troop hauler. These things were made to descend fast, and basically crash into the landing zone, allowing for a fast dust-off...if the safety measures worked as intended and we didn’t all die in the landing.

Positive thinking, Strider. These things usually work. Usually.

Granted, if we survived, we’d still be facing a brainwashed army and a giant basilisk, but the Forty-Fourth was equipped to deal with both. They had special goggles that negate the basilisk’s turn-you-to-stone-by-eye-contact power. I had on a pair, as did Phillip, who was sitting next to him, expression blank as always. The tinted lenses made everything look a little orange in color.

“Sergeant Strider!” I heard KG call out. “Care to give the troops a rundown of what to expect?”

“Me?” I asked.

“We are going after your criminal, and you’ve been here before. You can inform us on what to expect.” KG sat down.

“Alright,” I muttered as I stood. Every eye turned to face me. I swallowed and raised my voice. “Alright, everypony I’m sure you’ve assessed why you’re here. The leader of a murderous cultist group is using a basilisk as a guard dog.”

There were whispers among the ponies.

“It rests in the water below the catwalks, has tunnels throughout the swamp, and it’s easily as big as an Ursa Minor. So stay out of the water until it's dealt with.” I let my words sink in a moment. “As far as the cultists themselves, there are about twenty of them. I don’t expect a lot of resistance from them, but be careful with them. Their leader is a half-unicorn, half-zebra: take her out as quickly as you can. No kill shots. We need everypony alive for trial.” I waited for them all to nod. “Captain, care to add?”

KG stood up again. “You heard the Sergeant! Watch out for the water and disabling shots only.”

“Unless it's the basilisk,” a soldier added.

“Unless it's the basilisk,” KG nodded.

“Initiating our drop. Everypony hold onto your helmets,” we heard the helmspony say over the communication crystals the ship had. I sat back down on the seat, gripping the sides really hard and remembered my life as it replayed before my eyes.

Why couldn’t the replay of my life have shown more time with Snow?

Being in the hull of the ship with no windows, I didn’t have a good view of the crash. The sounds coming from outside filled the imagination though. Snapping branches, the loud crack of a tree breaking, then the humongous smash of splashdown and sliding to a stop, shaking us all in our seats. I took in a deep breath and looked over at Finder and nodded. He nodded back. As the door to the hull fell open, I let out my breath and followed my fellow ponies out.

We emerged onto the dry lands of the swamp and began charging inwards towards the cult’s camp. As I expected, the cultists charged right back at us, but with their crude weapons and poor training, it was like sending ants to fight an alicorn. The Forty-Fourth was a well-oiled machine, calculated, precise, and unstoppable. The first volley of bolts flew almost as soon as they were out of the transport, downing most of the cultists. Finder headed out with Bravo squad after the cultists, snapping his baton open as he ran.

I took the sky and began circling the area, looking for my target, Xixphy. On my second pass of the crowd, I spotted her. It was kind of hard to miss her, considering she was standing on a raised platform and her eyes and necklace were both glowing that creepy blue color.

“Petenta Serpigeo, Petenta Serpigeo!” she chanted. With a loud splashing, her basilisk pet rose up behind her and surged toward the Forty-Fourth with a loud snarl.

“Basilisk sighted! Alpha, Charlie, Delta! Focus fire on the serpent! Bravo, follow the sergeant’s instructions!” KG shouted.

The sergeant from Bravo came over to me. “Orders?”

“Subdue and detain. As many as you can. You got a spare crossbow?” I asked. He handed me his. “Thanks.”

I took the crossbow up and I hurried through the chaos of wood debris flying about and avoiding the basilisk’s attention. I found my way to a kinda clear shot of Xixphy, but the basilisk kept getting in the way. But as KG and the other squads hammered it with tranquilizer bolts and spells, it started to slow down.

Timing. Like back when I got that stuffed polar bear for Snow. I breathed. Breathed. Waited for the right moment. The basilisk got in the way again, but I knew it would move by the time my bolt got there. I squeezed the trigger.

I watched. For me, it seemed like time had slowed and I watched the bolt just barely miss the basilisk and strike Xixphy in her enchanted necklace, shattering it into several small shards, and sinking into her chest. She cried out in pain and fell, but I could see the wound wasn’t fatal. She'd live.

No longer under the mademare’s control, the basilisk immediately disengaged from the Forty-Fourth and swam away into the swamp. All the cultists had been knocked out or were in chains, glaring sullenly at us. Amidst the cheering of the troops, I heard Xixphy cursing us.

“My ascension… so close… pay… all of you!” and she dropped unconscious.

“Detain her immediately!” I shouted. This should be an interesting trial, I thought.

Over the duration of the trial, which took two weeks, I spent a lot of time either in the courtroom or at the card table in the Tavern that was on base. Finder had been staying on my couch since he needed to be here for the trial. He was helpful and relatively polite and seemed to get along with Jett well enough, but I could tell that he wanted to leave as soon as possible. I wanted to leave too.

Finally, the last day of the trial came and went. I was sipping on a cider when Finder walked in and sat next to me. I would have been playing cards but nopony else was playing.

“You hear the verdict?” Finder asked.

“The ‘guilty but insane’ verdict?” I scoffed. “Yeah, I heard. She should be going to Earthcracker Prison for what she did, not a hospital.” I took another sip. “I thought for sure bringing in that Twilight Sparkle mare as an expert magical witness like you said, would have been enough to convince the judge.”

“So did I,” he commented. He was silent a moment. “You know Captain Swampfire is looking for you?”

“Yeah. I know. He wants to fire me. Been avoiding him.” I took another swig of cider.

“You mean you've been gambling while avoiding him?” Finder said rather bluntly.

I just nodded. I was too tired to think up a good counter-argument.

“You need help, Strider. I can see what this is doing to you. I know the signs.” Finder said.

I looked at him as he pulled out a small purple coin with a ten embossed on it, showing it to me. A sobriety coin. “What was your poison?” I asked.

“Red poppydust,” Finder admitted, putting the coin back in his vest.

That was a particularly nasty drug. Common, but very addictive and easy to overdose on. “That's harsh,” I said.

He took a breath. “So would you trust me when I say that this is gonna kill you? Either by stress or by owing money to the wrong ponies.”

I just sat and listened. Some part of me knew that he was right.

“If you don't want to do it for you, do it for your daughter,” Finder jabbed. “She already lost one set of parents. If you die or lose her because of your mistakes, how do you think she'll handle that?”

An image of Jett staring down at my headstone suddenly flashed into my mind and I winced. She wouldn’t take it well at all.

“Think about it, Strider.” He stood to leave. “If you’re ever in Ponyville, look me up.”

He left without another word. I stared at my drink for a few moments of silence, then finished off the cider and stood, dropping some bits on the bar.

It was time to get things taken care of and back on track.

Dismissed from the unit. As I expected; no way was Swampfire going to let me hang around now that I’d made the entire City Guard look like idiots. Jett and I were repacking our belongings, not that we ever really unpacked in the first place. I wasn't angry or anything. In fact, I was kinda glad to be leaving here.

“Dad, where are we moving now?” Jett asked.

“I sent a letter to your Uncle Atlas,” I said. “He sent a letter back saying we could stay with him for a while, as I attend some... meetings.”

I didn’t tell her that the letter included a long apology, an admission that he was right, I did have a problem, and a plea for a place to stay while I attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Atlas, thankfully, replied that he was willing to let us stay at his place, but not before giving me an “I told you so” scolding. If I didn’t deserve that, brother...

“Uncle Atlas is cool. Are you gonna try and find Snow when we get there?” I heard the hope in Jett’s voice.

I hesitated. “I think... I will… in time. Once we get settled in.” I went into the kitchen and changed the shipping address on those boxes. “Make sure you properly label what you want to go into storage!”

“I will,” Jett said.

As I continued to label the boxes properly. I thought about everything Snow said to me regarding my gambling problem. And I realized more and more that she had been right all along. She was even right to leave me.

I just wished that she wasn't so angry with me she wasn't willing to give me a second chance.

Las Pegasus - I

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Almost a month had gone by, far faster than I felt comfortable with. Atlas had assigned me to work patrols, heading up a squad of twenty ponies. He had given me an easy job so I could focus on the most important thing for me right now: Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

My sponsor was a fellow Pegasus named Jack. Odd name, I know. He's Equestrian Army retired, now assisting his fellow service ponies in dealing with addictions. He's an off-white color, blue and red mane and tail. Cutie mark of a toy jack.

I was in a meeting at the moment and I was waiting for my turn to talk. I felt a tap on my shoulder and the pony before me passed on the turn to talk.

I stood and cleared my throat. “Hello. My name is Flame Strider,” I introduced myself like I was supposed to.

“Hi Strider,” everypony said like they did every time.

The point was to share a highlight from the past week, whether it relates to the ‘healing process’ or not. “I was with my daughter earlier today she wanted to go on the Wild Blue Yonder. Walking the casino floor to get to the ride, we had to pass by the blackjack tables. I heard a lot of cheering, the sound of ponies winning. I could feel myself want to join in. They want to win. It wasn't easy. A month ago I wouldn't have felt that way. It's… hard feeling this way. Feeling like I have to fight against myself.”

There were nods and murmurs of agreement around the room.

“I think I'm done sharing for the evening.” I sat back down.

“What Strider feels is normal. I even feel the pull of temptation every now and again. But we are soldiers and guards; more than that, we have families and friends who depend upon us. We need to be strong against that temptation,” Jack said.

“But we already gave in once,” somepony said.

“The fact that you are all here now means that you have the strength to break free. Let's keep it that way, eh?” Jack asked the group. I nodded with everyone else in agreement. He looked up at a clock that was on the wall. “Alright everypony. That's it for tonight. I'll see you all next week.”

I stood and went for some coffee from the table in the corner. As I was making myself a cup, Jack approached me.

“Almost a month that you've been with us. You are making good progress,” Jack grinned.

“Sure doesn't feel like it,” I commented.

“Still haven't found her?” Jack asked.

“No. I keep getting stonewalled by the bureaucratic nonsense of the Equestrian Guard. At the same time though, I'm not sure I want to find her right now,” I admitted. Didn't like hearing myself say it though.

“Can I ask why?” Jack pushed.

I sighed. “I wouldn't even know what to say to her. I know I still need to apologize to her, but after that, it's all a blank.”

“You're smart. I'm sure you'll figure it out by then.” He placed a hoof on my shoulder. “For now though, worry about that filly of yours. Focus on her. It will help.” He started to walk away. “By the way, I put in an order for your one-month sobriety coin. Keep it up.”

One month. One month was nothing to celebrate. I grinned weakly at him as he left. I had to keep this up. I wanted to keep Jett, I wanted to keep my job, and I wanted Snow back, more than anything.

Walking in the door to the apartment I found Atlas, Jett, and Atlas’ marefriend Orchid Love all sitting at the dinner table with a plate set aside for me.

Orchid was a white earth pony, with a purple and white mane and tail, pink eyes. She had a purple orchid as a cutie mark. She works as a groundskeeper for a few of the casinos.

“Hello brother. How was your meeting?” Atlas asked.

I grinned at him. “It was good mostly. We think somepony fell off the wagon again. She didn't show up like she said she would.”

“Maybe she just got caught up?” Orchid offered.

“That's what we are hoping. Jack is gonna check in on her just in case,” I started to eat.

“I gotta say. Since you've been here you are looking and sounding more like yourself,” Atlas observed.

“Less angry,” Jett chirped.

“‘Less angry’ huh? I suppose you'd be the one to notice that.” I flicked a pea at her with a feather and she laughed.

Atlas just grinned. “Anyway, I was just thinking that after a bit more time we can get you on the track for the rank of Captain.”

I nodded. “After a bit more time, I wanna be sure I'm not gonna lose all this progress.”

Orchid nodded. “We understand. Let's just be sure that this isn't gonna be permanent, you staying here.”

She was right to ask about that: Jett and I were guests in their home. We needed our own place.

“I wasn't gonna say anything yet,” Atlas started.

“No, I plan on moving us one more time. I'm thinking back to Canterlot. Maybe put in to be a Royal Guard. Settle down there…” I was about to continue.

“Funny you should say that,” Atlas started. “Buttercup, Orion, Thasus and I have been communicating by letter over this past month. And we've come to a decision.”

“Good or bad?” Jett asked what I was thinking.

“Good. At least we think it's good.” He took his dear sweet time getting it out. “We have decided we want to sign full ownership of mother's house to you.”

I had to stop and think a moment so I didn't inhale and choke on my food. Once I was able to talk, I had trouble getting it out. “Wh-what made you come to that decision?” I asked.

“Thasus is pretty much set to inherit grandma’s and grandpa’s house in Baltimare. Orion is a Wonderbolt, his home is in Cloudsdale with Fleetfoot. My home is here in Las Pegasus,” Atlas explained.

“And Buttercup?” I asked.

“She only wants to stay in the house long enough to finish school. Then she wants to move to Manehattan,” he told me.

I was at a loss for words truly. “That is...magnificent. I don't know what to say.”

“We’re gonna move to Canterlot!” Jett cheered, dancing in her seat. “I’m gonna get to see the Princesses!”

“There is one catch,” Atlas said hurriedly.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh great. What?”

“You get to host all big family events. Just like mom used to.”

Get the family back together in my place a few times a year? That wasn't so bad a catch. “I can do that.”

Atlas smiled. “Thasus has the paperwork right now. Then it goes to Orion for signing, before coming to me and you. Then all you need to do is file it with the city when you go back and it will be yours.”

“Thank you, brother,” I nodded.

He nodded as he smiled. “You can thank me for keeping your act together.”

“I will,” I smiled.

The next day I was at my desk outside Atlas’ office, working on next month’s patrol schedule. I liked getting it done and over with so I didn't have to hear it from my guard ponies that I forgot to give them a requested day off. The other sergeants here did the same with their sections of the city. We all sat in the same area outside the captain’s office.

I glanced up to look at a clock but my attention was caught by a white unicorn walking up to Atlas’ door. He was wearing the distinctive black and gold trimmed field armor of the R.B.I.

The Royal Bureau of Investigation, based out of Canterlot. If 'Agent' was a rank it was only a rank seen in the RBI, the highest being a Director who reports directly to the Princesses. They usually deal with international issues, internal affairs of the Equestrian militaries, or escaped criminals. Or in very rare cases, they take over investigations that they deem have gotten out of hoof for the local guard. If one of them was here, something was about to get intense.

I watched as Atlas opened the door and calmly let the agent in. I was also now aware that the entire office was interested in our visitor. I looked over to the sergeant who was next to me. “Leadhoof,” I think his name was.

“Hey, do you know what’s going on?” I asked him.

“No, but I have a guess.” Leadhoof started. “That's not the first RBI agent to come through here within the year. First one came here about a month or so before Captain Atlas started. He was looking into that underground fighting ring. They found his body a few days ago. My guess is this one is here to finish the job.”

An underground fighting ring. There had been some talk going around the office about that: ponies being involved in some kind of gladiatorial contest between volunteers, betting on the winners. The losers of those fights didn’t fare well: the lucky ones managed to get themselves to an emergency room, but they wouldn’t tell us anything.

I glanced at the clock and saw that it was lunchtime. I went to the canteen to have some grilled egg sandwiches and think for a while. Even mailed out some additional inquiries about where to find Snow. Not that I was really expecting a helpful response.

Once I was done with lunch, I went back to my desk. I was really starting to wish I could go back into the field. It happened every now and again, but not as often as I'd like. Sitting at a desk was not my idea of being a good sergeant. Once I was finished with the schedule, I moved on to incident reports. Got lost in the work too.

“Sergeant Strider!” I heard Atlas’ voice boom. I nearly came unglued, half-tumbling out of my chair. “My office.”

I stood and headed for his door. Walking in I saw the RBI agent standing over a ton of papers on Atlas’ desk. The RBI agent had his gaze set on me. “This is your best Sergeant?” he asked.

“Sergeant Strider, care to tell him what arrests you have under your belt?” Atlas said.

“The Mercenary Halberd, the Crime Boss Amaryllis Lurce, and the Witch Xixhpy,” I rattled off.

He looked at me with a “not bad” expression. “All three of those were high publicity in the papers. Even noticed in Canterlot. My name is Nassor. I’ve been sent to complete the RBI investigation into the fight club going on in this city.”

“And he needs help,” Atlas added.

“I cannot carry out my plan due to the fact I need to be on this end to carry out any legal assistance the infiltrator may need and to organize the strike unit,” Nassor explained.

“‘Infiltrator?’” I asked.

“I need somepony to go undercover, deep cover, and weed these rats out of their holes.” Nassor nodded at me. “That somepony is you, Sergeant.”

I looked over to my brother. “And you approve of this?”

“No, I don't,” Atlas scowled. “I think his plan sucks. But you are the only one I trust to survive it.”

Survive it? I tried not to swallow nervously and looked at Nassor. “Well if he thinks the plan sucks, the plan sucks. Let’s hear it and see if we can make some improvements,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual as if we weren’t discussing something that might get me killed.

“Captain Atlas, could you excuse us a moment? It’s best you don't know all the details,” Nassor told him.

Atlas raised an eyebrow. “Are you accusing me of something?”

“No,” Nassor said delicately. “It’s just that the fewer ponies know about the plan, the less likely that somepony will let something slip.”

Reluctantly, Atlas stepped out, briefly laying a hoof on my shoulder as he walked out.

Nassor started explaining the plan. “Your cover in an ex-soldier who was dishonorably discharged for fighting a superior. Name of Astral Strikes.”

“Sorry sir, but I already found a problem,” I cut him off.

“What? Is there an issue with the cover?”

“Yes. For starters, if I had somepony to work with besides me, I feel the cover could work better. Preferably somepony who can pose as Astral Strikes’ marefriend or fiance to create a more solid cover.” I also wanted somepony for backup should things go sideways.

“Why do you need somepony like that?” Nassor asked confused.

“Public displays of affection make onlookers uncomfortable. Also, it's harder to call a bluff when two are bluffing.” A trick I’d learned from the poker tables. I felt a bit of guilt at having to use something from my old life.

“I guess that makes sense,” Nassor nodded. “You are the one who’s going in, you should be the one who feels confident about the plan.”

I nodded as I thought about the mission for a moment. “Also if this is deep cover, we are gonna need a motel room to use as a stage so nopony can walk in on us when we are meeting for an update. Additionally, I'm gonna need somepony to patch me up in between fights.”

“I can set all that up. Anything else?” Nassor nodded.

“I’d prefer ponies I can trust on this,” I mentioned.

“I’ll see who I can dig up from ponies you’ve worked with before. Now to the rest of the details.” Nassor sat back to explain. “You will be provided bits. Glamor charms to disguise your appearance. Any and all intel you may need on ponies once you have identified them. And now your medic will have medical supplies delivered to their room. Just so you are aware, you will not be allowed to see your daughter or anypony outside the operation. So while I am setting this up, you may want to get everything in order.”

“I’ll be ready. How long is this operation gonna run?” I asked.

I was sitting with Jett at a nearby park. “How long?” she asked.

“A month,” I said. “Atlas will take care of you until I return.”

She frowned up at me. “Why can't somepony else do it?”

“Because I’m the only one who Atlas and the RBI trust to do it,” I said.

“I don't want you to.”

To be perfectly honest I didn't want to do this either. But I was worried that if it were anypony else, they’d get themselves killed. Come to that, I was worried that I’d get killed. But then, I’d been lucky so far, and I’d done everything I could to keep myself alive.

“How about I make you a promise? The moment, and I mean the moment, it gets too risky for me to be there, I will call the operation off. Does that sound good?” I offered.

“No. But I know you will keep your promise.” She snuggled up beside me.

“You know what else I can promise?” I said, draping a wing around her and holding her close.

“What?”

“Once this is over. We are going to Canterlot and staying there.”

She looked up at me. “No more moving?”

“No more moving. I’ll get you into Canterlot Academy, and once you get through that Orion and I can help get you to the naval academy and then into the Wonderbolts eventually.” I said. “That sound like a good long-term plan?”

“Will I get to see the Princesses?” she asked, stars in her eyes.

I chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.”

She hugged me. “Sounds great Dad.”

“A deep undercover operation, eh?” Jack asked before sipping his coffee. “No wonder you can't say anything more.”

“Yeah. Starting at the end of the week.” I stared at my cup.

“That would mean missing a more than a few meetings,” he said. Jack had a firm grasp of the obvious.

“I'm aware. Is there anything I can do?” I asked, finally taking a sip.

“You can write the group letters. But with you being undercover, I’m unsure how you will accomplish that,” Jack offered as a solution. One I rather liked.

I shrugged. “I'll figure out a way.”

Jack cleared his throat. “In the meantime, I can hold onto your one month chip until you return,” he offered.

I really enjoyed having Jack as my sponsor. He was hard on you, but he was still a friend. “I'd appreciate that, thank you.”

“Just don't disappoint, I expect you to be ready for your late one-month clean party,” he chuckled and sipped from his mug.

I just rolled my eyes at him. “I'll be ready.”

Day one came faster than I thought it would. I said my final see-you-laters early Saturday morning and Nassor transported me to the motel where we would be staging this little operation. Nassor wasn't sporting his usual RBI armor today. Instead, he was wearing a green janitor’s jumpsuit.

“Here put this on.” Nassor hooved me a ring meant to be put on a pegasus feather.

“What's this?” I asked.

“That is Astral Strikes. His wife's name is Glossy Finish.”

“How'd you come up with this?” I asked.

“Our local enchanter figured it would be the best way to hide the glamour charms,” Nassor explained.

“Makes sense, I guess,” I said slowly. Could have just as easily put it into a leather bracelet or something. “What happens if my feather falls out?”

“It won't, there is a secondary enchantment that will prevent that from happening.”

Good to know that Nassor thought of things like that.

“The medic you requested and your partner is already in the motel. You need to have that ring on before we arrive.”

I fumbled with it and slid it onto a feather where it was visible. I watched as my coat turned black with white specks throughout my coat, my mane and tail went white, and my cutie mark was replaced by an arrow over a four-point star. There were a number of scars visible on this coat. It felt weird that this was the closest thing to armor that I was gonna have for the next month.

The wagon squeaked to a stop. Stepping out I found we were in what I'd call the lower side of Las Pegasus. Poverty, crime, drugs, prostitution, you could find it all here. I followed Nassor up to the room.

Nassor turned to me. “If you want in knock like this.” Knock, knock-knock-knock, knock… knock, knock.

“Shave and a manecut, two bits?” I asked.

“Precisely.”

We heard the lock on the door slide, and it opened. A unicorn mare with a powder blue coat, auburn mane, and dark blue eyes stood there. She was kinda skinny, definitely dolled up like somepony fresh off the train from Canterlot. She stood out in a neighborhood like this. “Nassor?” she whispered. I could hear the shower running farther in the room.

He nodded and she stepped aside. I followed him in. Once she closed the door Nassor started to speak freely. “Where is the medic?”

“She will be out in a moment.” The unicorn walked over to the door and knocked a little harder than I thought her capable. “They’re here!” she called and walked to the other side of the room. She started pressing herself up in a mirror.

Nassor cleared his throat. “You can take the charm off now.”

I nodded and did so. It was just as strange as going back to my normal appearance.

“I believe introductions are in order. Flame Strider, meet Vanity. Vanity has already helped the Canterlot guard with a few undercover operations.”

“‘Vanity?’ I think I've heard of you. Your dad or somepony is an officer?”

“So what if he is? I earned my place in the undercover unit,” she said and stuck her nose in the air.

I heard the bathroom door open, and an audible gasp. “What is he doing here?” I heard that distinctive Trottingham and Manehattan accent mix, and my blood froze.

“Flame Strider is the point on this mission, Snow,” Nassor said.

I turned to face the mare I’d been searching for. Snow looked well. She was also glaring daggers at me.

“Something tells me that there was something between you two,” Vanity stated, smirking a bit.

“There was,” Snow and I said in unison, I in a tone of regret and her with acid in her voice.

“He has a gambling problem. He broke a promise that he'd stop,” Snow shot.

“Had,” I corrected after collecting myself. “I'm almost a month free of gambling.”

“Got any proof?” Snow asked like a punch to the face.

I had a hard time talking. “They…they don't give you a sobriety chip before the first month is over. O-only after.”

“So all we have to go on is your word? That's not worth much now is it?” Her words were like venom.

I hung my head low. “I deserve that,” I walked over to the couch and sat.

This was gonna be a very long month.

Las Pegasus - II

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It was later that same night. Nassor had left long ago, saying that he would be back in the morning. Vanity was trying to talk to me even though I didn't want to talk. Snow was over by her bed organizing medical supplies, pointedly ignoring me.

“So where were you before here?” Vanity asked from her bed as she brushed her mane.

“New Horseleans,” I said bluntly. I was trying to get settled in my little futon mattress and my stuff put away.

“What’d you do there?” she asked

“Investigations,” I grunted. Seriously, could she not take a hint?

She gasped excitedly. “Did you investigate the death of that Wonderbolt!? Oh, what was his name?”

After a few moments of her struggling with the name I had to say it for her. “Wind Walker.” I felt like I’d just punched myself in the stomach.

“Yeah! Was it exciting? Did you get to see when he--”

“Vanity!” Snow snapped. “That's enough.”

“Why? I heard he was dirty. I just want to know--”

“He was a kid who made a mistake, a mistake that I wasn't fast enough to fix. He died trying to catch a criminal. As far as I'm concerned he’s a hero,” I said firmly.

“Okay, geez. Grumps.” She levitated her charm over to her. “I'm gonna go get a snack.” She put the charm on as she exited so I didn't get a good look at her disguise.

That left me and Snow. In a complete awkward silence. She was now reading a medical journal rather intensely.

“I tried to find you,” I said.

“What?” she asked, annoyance obvious in her tone.

“I've been trying to find you for the past month.”

“Well here I am, surprise,” she said with sarcasm.

I know she was mad at me, but did she have to make this difficult? “I've been wanting to apologize.”

“For what? You have a lot to apologize for.”

“I'm sorry I was a lousy partner. I'm sorry I made a lousy relationship out of us. I'm sorry I broke my promise. I'm sorry for everything.”

Snow remained silent.

I continued. “She asks about you. Jett. Almost daily. If you'll ever come back to her. I have to tell her that I don't know.”

“I…” She tried to say something but stopped.

“I've wished I could know when you made the decision to leave though?” I said as a question.

She glared at me over the journal. “When we were in Canterlot for the dance Luna was hosting for the guard. You went over to some pony with cups to gamble while I went into a shop. You broke your promise then. I knew I couldn't be with someone who can't keep a simple promise.”

I thought back on that day. “I had told that pony to cram it. I went into the shop he was in front of.”

“How can I believe you? It sure looked like you stopped to talk to him,” she said.

I had proof. I still have the engagement ring, but I left it back with my stuff at Atlas’ apartment. “I don't have the proof with me. Didn't think I needed it.”

“So just more lies on top of the pile, eh?” she growled.

I was already getting really tired of her calling me a liar; it felt like she was trying to start a fight. But I had to keep calm. “I don't want to fight or argue. Please. Let's just get some sleep before morning.”

I laid down and pulled the sheets over me. She grew quiet. I was fine with that. I'm just glad I got to know why she left. I had to focus on the job I was here for. This was gonna be a long and difficult mission.

The next morning, we were preparing to make contact with some ponies who would get us into the fighting club. Bob and Weave were their names. Former coaches in pro boxing, but were busted for selling strength enhancing potions that had uncontrollable rage as a side effect.

“My name is Astral Strikes. I’ve been discharged from the Equestrian Army for some time, looking for a gig. Heard a rumor you know of some fights,” I recited my lines.

“Good. Just work all that into a conversation with them,” Nassor grinned. He looked to Vanity for her to say her lines.

“I'm Glossy Finish. I am madly in love with my husband Astral Strikes. Even though he is dishonored, I will follow him anywhere.” She batted her eyelashes exaggeratedly.

“Dial it back a notch or two, but otherwise believable,” Nassor nodded. “Now put on your charms, and get going. Remember your going to the gym on Vinyl and Ixalan.”

I put on my charm and was still uneasy about the change. “Now you look how you should.” Snow bit.

“Keep your cover until you return to this room,” Nassor instructed. “Vanity, your turn, assume your persona.”

Vanity put the charm oh her horn. She turned into a unicorn mare with a deep red coat, a blonde mane, and pale red eyes. I found her hard to look at. Especially since I am supposed to be looking at her as a lover for the cover. I hate that this was my idea. Maybe I can get away with being that jerk of a stallion Snow thinks I am.

“Alright, once you leave you two are on your own. Get going, Bob and Weave should be at their gym soon.” Nassor said opening the door for us.

“Well be back soon with some intel,” I said as we started toward the gym.

I was quiet and focused. Vanity… or “Glossy Finish” as I would be calling her, was already in character. Acting like a snotty Manehattanite who was madly infatuated with a stallion, she slipped her foreleg through mine and rested her head on my shoulder, giving me a very sappy look. Ugh.

“You know if they don't see us kiss at all they'll know something is up.” Vanity grinned.

An uncomfortable chill ran up my spine. “I know,” I muttered.

Kissing another mare. There was a time I had no issue with that. Now it seems like I'd be betraying Snow.

“So?” Vanity hinted.

“‘So’ what?” I looked at her.

“So we should get used to kissing each other to make it look good for our audience,” she reasoned. I hated that she had a point.

“You sure you weren't supposed to be an actor?” I asked.

“It's a backup plan. Now come on, I'm serious. Let's get this down.” She puckered her lips.

I cringed and muscled through the awkwardness. I planted a kiss on her quickly and kept walking.

“Oh come on, that wasn't a kiss!” Vanity protested. “We are gonna get found out near immediately if you can’t stallion-up and kiss me properly.”

I hated her. “Fine!”

I had to imagine in kissing somepony else. I spun around and kissed her again. I couldn't imagine Snow in her place, so I defaulted to Aurora. That wasn't too difficult. I held the kiss a few seconds.

Still irritated, I parted the kiss and continued walking. I hated this. I hated her.

“Wow, surprised Snow let you get away,” she smirked and swished her tail.

Just bear with her Strider, she'll be out of your life soon enough, I thought.

We stepped through the doors to the gym. The smell of worn leather and sweat with just a hint of blood hit my nostrils and I was reminded of hoof-to-hoof training at the academy. I immediately started searching the crowd for our targets: Bob and Weave. According to the dossier, they were both older earth ponies, but still strong for their age. I quickly spotted Bob, the brown pony with the rust red mane hitting the punching bag. All that was left to find was... bingo, Weave, the purple and blue-maned pony with the cigar in his mouth. Time to work.

We approached like we belonged here. Vanity was hanging on me, giving mares we passed the stink eye like she owned me. I slapped on my best impression of a Baltimare citizen as I started to speak. “Hey, I heard a rumor that ya’ll know where I can find some action.”

“What, that pretty dame on your shoulder not enough action for you?” Bob shot.

“Glossy fills that part of my life with action just fine thank you,” I said coolly. Vanity smirked at Bob over my shoulder. “But no…” I lowered my voice for this next part, “...I’m talking about signing up for a fight. You know: kick, buck, and punch until the fight is over. Action.”

Weave narrowed his eyes at me and looked me up and down. “Those kind of questions are liable to get you hurt in these parts. But you sure look like a fighter.” He nodded at the ring in the center of the gym. “Tell you what, you beat that fella over there in that ring, then we talk.”

I looked over at the pony he was referring to, a hulking mass of a green earth pony with a purple mane. As I watched, he punched a cocky pegasus trainee in the face so hard, the smaller pony was sent flying back out of the ring and skidded across the floor. He landed in a heap and didn’t move again.

I looked back at Weave. “I’m game,” I grunted, trying not to cringe.

This was gonna hurt.

Third and final round and the entire gym was cheering and stamping their hooves, half of them rooting for me, and half of them rooting for the giant green boulder with hooves. I was hurting all over, I had a nosebleed, I’m fairly sure I had a tooth or two loose, and I was losing vision in my left eye from swelling.

He was destroying me whenever I tried to get close. I had to find a weak spot, now! And at this point, I’d take anything. He threw another right hook, as he did I saw his shoulder catch and lock briefly before driving home the hit, that could give me an opening to escape. He followed up with a left hook and I noticed a medical issue, his ribs on his left looked rugged and uneven. That meant he had calcium deposits on his left ribs! The weak spot! Thank you, Snow, for leaving your medical journals around the apartment.

As he pulled his right hoof back for another hook, I took advantage of the hang-up and ducked underneath his hook. Coming back up I started to land as many blows as I could on the weak spot. He tried to sidestep away but I moved with him and delivered a few blows to the face before returning to the ribcage. The wind was being knocked out of him with every blow. I had him right where I wanted him.

I delivered two final hard blows the ribcage, and one knock-out worthy uppercut to the jaw. He fell onto the canvas with a loud thud. Somepony who took up the job as referee started counting.

“1...2...” He counted, along with everypony in the room. I looked up and scanned the room for Bob and Weave. They were talking to Glossy Finish, she was scribbling down some information as they talked.

“...9...10! He’s out!” The bell rang at the same time Bob and Weave left the gym.

Vanity looked at me and mouthed the words “We got it.”

“Sweet Celestia what did he hit you with? A train?” Snow asked as she tended to my injuries.

“Sure felt like a train,” I groaned.

“Well with the state your hooves, ribs, and face are in, I assume you did something to him?”

“He won! I have never seen a pony take so much punishment and keep standing, then at the end there where you ducked under his right hook and focused on this left rib cage! I have no idea what you did but it brought that giant to the ground!” Vanity was fangirling.

“I don’t see why we can’t move in on this next fight. We know Bob and Weave will be there,” Snow commented, stitching up a cut over my eye.

“Because of...owch… Bob and Weave are merely spokesponies. They draw in the crowd and the fighters. In order to bring the entire fighting ring down, we need to find out who is setting them up.” I said. “What does that scrap of paper say anyway?”

Vanity looked at it. “Tuesday, twenty-thirty, eight-nine-nine-six-five-seven Goon St.”

“Eight o’clock, on Goon street? I’ll have to be there early if we want to get any further in the investigation.”

“I don’t approve, but it’s what must be done.” Snow sighed and turned away momentarily. I tried to get up and move around except Snow’s magic pushed me, painfully, back onto the couch. “No! You may be lead on this investigation but as my patient, you don’t have a say in the matter of your health. If you want to be in fighting condition by the day after tomorrow, you need to stay put and let me heal you. Vanity, you can help by going to the drugstore and getting me these things.”

Snow levitated her a list of items. “But I wanted to look,” Vanity complained. “He’s nice to look at. Even all beat up.”

“Go! Now!” Snow shouted.

“Fine, fine. I’m going! Sheesh.” She put on her enchantment and left the room.

“Finally some quiet,” Snow sighed in relief.

“Is that the only reason you sent her out?” I asked.

“Kinda. I will need those things later, but for now, it was just so I can get you better without her talking so much.” Snow admitted. “Now I have to reset a rib before I can apply healing potions, numbing spells are only gonna do so much.”

“In other words, ‘this is gonna hurt,’” I grinned. Because of buck my life.

“Yeah.” She levitated a belt up to my mouth and I bit down on it as I felt her magic grab hold of the rib in question. I gave her a nod to signal I was ready. I saw her breathe in slowly and I must have passed out because I don’t remember anything else.

Las Pegasus - III

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I woke up feeling like I had been used as a crash test dummy. It hurt to move; even breathing was painful. I looked around to find Snow was nowhere to be found. Vanity was sitting next to the couch, reading a magazine of some kind. At least, I thought it was Vanity; my vision was a little blurry.

“Well, look who’s awake,” she smiled at me.

“What day is it?” I asked, slowly sitting up. I found an I.V. stuck in my leg.

“It's Monday, about noon,” Vanity said before crunching down on a potato chip.

I looked at the IV bag. It was filled with a light pink liquid. “What’s this stuff?”

“I forget exactly what Snow said, but basically it's a combination of Zebra medicine and modern healing methods. She said it would heal you faster but you'd be groggy for a good while.”

‘Groggy’ was right; trying to think clearly was a struggle. I was hungry too. “Is there any food?” I asked, my stomach gurgling loudly at the question.

“There is a whole pizza in the refrigerator. Snow said it was your favorite, and that you'd need food when you woke up,” Vanity said, pointing.

“She was right, as usual.” I stood up, wobbled over to the fridge, and opened it up to find a large pizza with everything on it. Right again, Snow. I carried it back over to the couch and started wolfing it down.

“Check this out,” Vanity said, holding up what looked like a set of glasses with thick rosy-pink lenses.

“Disguise?” I asked.

Vanity shook her head and grinned. “Nassor stopped by and gave me this magic camera to use while you fight to take pictures of everyone I can at the fight. It takes pictures of whatever I see. RBI agents get all the coolest toys.”

“Neat,” I nodded. I had to admit, that was pretty cool.

Vanity watched me eat for a few minutes, then put the special camera down. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Shoot,” I replied, licking my lips.

“I've noticed a lot, and I mean a LOT, of tension between you and Snow,” Vanity started. “I’m surprised you two haven’t locked the bedroom door and—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there,” I interrupted, glaring.

She sniggered. “In all seriousness, though,” she added. “You still care about her, don’t you?”

“Ha…” I muttered, chewing another slice. “‘Care’ is too weak a word for how I feel for her. I'd even go so far as to say that ‘love’ is too weak a word.”

“But she left you. Aren't you angry with her?” Vanity asked.

“I was in the beginning. Now that I've gotten the help I needed, I see that she wasn't wrong to leave me. Now I just wish she hadn't left my daughter wondering where she went,” I said. “We...both made mistakes. Mostly me.”

“Interesting,” Vanity mused.

“I don't know why I'm telling you this,” I muttered. I didn’t even like her, why was I talking about my love life to her?

“Perhaps it just easier to talk to someone who is willing to listen?” she shrugged.

“Perhaps,” I nodded, finishing off the last slice. I yawned and turned over. “I'm going back to sleep. Wake me up when Snow gets back, please.”

“Will do.”

“Strider?” I heard Snow say and felt her nudge me.

Instinct wanted me to greet her with a kiss as I woke up. But I knew better, so I didn't move. “Yes?”

“I need you to take this, it will help finish healing you.”

I rolled over and sat up. She held in her magic a red liquid in a bottle. “What is it?”

“A typical broad spectrum healing potion,” she said allowing me to take the potion in my hooves.

I sniffed at the potion. It smelled like cough syrup. “Blech.”

“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” Snow rolled her eyes.

I plugged my nose and drank it quickly to avoid as much of the taste as I could. I shuddered once it was down. “Never liked that taste.”

Snow rolled her eyes again. “It's not that bad.”

“You’re one to talk. You broke a lamp because you wouldn't take cough syrup back in Baltimare.”

“If you hadn't been chasing me, I wouldn’t have knocked that over,” Snow countered.

“You had a sore throat and a cough. I was trying to help,” I answered.

We stared at each other both remembering that day. I felt a smile spread across my face, and after a moment, Snow smiled as well.

“Jett was so mad we woke her up,” she chuckled quietly, her grumpy demeanor evaporating.

I nodded. “She looked so adorable angry. I wish I had a camera.”

Snow’s smile vanished and she turned her head away, but not fast enough that I didn’t see her hurt expression. “I miss her,” she stated.

“She misses you,” I told her.

She didn’t look at me for a few seconds of silence, then turned back, her low-boiling anger returning. “You should be well enough to fight tomorrow. You best do your stretches to loosen up your muscles.”

She stood and went over to her space of the motel room, set to work sorting medical supplies. I heeded her advice and got up to do some stretches and light exercise. I think I was starting to get through to her.

At least I hoped I was because the alternative was that the painful memories were making this worse.

Tuesday, twenty-thirty on the clock, 899657 Goon Street. Nothing more than a vacant warehouse up for rent, away from heavy hoof-traffic and private. If I was arranging private underground fights, I’d pick a place like this too.

We approached the rear entrance to find a pair of earth pony thugs guarding the door. “What’s your business?” one of them boomed.

Vanity—sorry, Glossy Finish—spoke first, “Grey Iron, he’s here to fight,” she spoke, stroking my foreleg.

“Grey Iron?” I whispered in her ear as the guards looked away.

“Passphrase,” she answered quickly.

They stepped aside and opened the door. “He is to go to the last door on the right,” the thug told us. “You, missy, can join the crowd; first door on the right.”

We stepped inside and they closed the door behind us. At the end of the hallway I spotted Weave by the door I was supposed to go into. He was watching us. Vanity and I stopped at the door to the crowd.

“Splitting up wasn’t the plan,” she whispered, wrapping her forelegs around my neck and nuzzling my cheek.

“We have to play the part,” I whispered, hugging her. “While you are in the stands, use that hidden camera Nassor gave you to take pictures of everyone you can.”

“I will. Now kiss me so we don’t look suspicious.” She puckered her lips.

I wanted to reel back, but I couldn’t show hesitation. I kissed her, reluctantly. But convincing enough to pass for real. Once we parted, she turned and entered the door to where the crowd would be sitting.

I turned and headed to where Weave was standing. “You got that mare tied around your hoof like a puppet,” he commented.

“She serves her purpose,” I said coldly.

“I’ll bet,” he smirked and opened the door. “Step inside, and I’ll explain what kind of fight tonight is.”

“Very well,” I followed his instructions and stepped into the room. There were almost two dozen other ponies and griffons sitting on benches. They looked to watch me enter the room, then quickly lost interest and faced the front. Bob and Weave took place up in front of the group.

“There will be four different competitions tonight. The first a magic duel, then pegasi kickboxing, then we move to the earth heavyweights, and lastly the griffon brawl.” Bob started.

“Whoever is the last standing in each category will have moved to the next round. Each category will be a survival match. You stay in the ring contender after contender until you drop. When there are no more contenders to fight, you win.” Weave explained.

Sounded simple enough. “What is the point of this?” a unicorn up front asked.

“Think of these fights as a job interview,” Weave said. “If you fail, you can keep fighting until you make it. Tonight is for all you fresh fighters.”

There were murmurs of doubt amount the crowd. Time to earn my paycheck for my acting skills. “Are we gonna fight or are you just gonna stand there and make promises?” I grunted.

There were cheers from the griffons, which incited the others to join in. Over the next ten minutes Bob and Weave organized us in the order in which we would be fighting, unicorns first, pegasi, earth ponies, and the griffons. There were a total of eight pegasi here, and I was third to last. We were to be kept in this room until it was our turn.

The first two unicorns headed out to the ring. Moments later a number of explosions and sounds of energy beams came from the ring, mixing with the cheers and boos of the crowd. After three minutes, the sounds of the battle died out, giving way to cheers: someone had just lost.

I caught a glimpse of him through the door. He was being carted out on an old stretcher, burns over the majority of his body; it didn’t look like he was breathing. I gulped. It was gonna be a long and bloody night.

Three possible deaths so far tonight. Two in the magic duel, and one in the first fight to the pegasus kickboxing match. I was up next. I could hear the crowd calling for blood over this match. Neither pegasus wanted to back down. Not good for whoever wins because I was next, fresh and ready for the fight. I also had to win, I needed to make it to the next event or else this operation will go on longer than we wanted. And that meant Jett would fear for me.

Oh, yeah. I also had to not die.

I heard the crowd roar and start counting. Their cheers upon reaching ten were thunderous. I watched the thugs cart away the loser; looked as though he fell through a building.

“Astral Strike! Get out there!” Bob ordered. I stood and followed him out to the ring, focusing on keeping my bladder under control. As soon as we entered the stadium, the entire crowd roared, some cheering, some booing and jeering me.

Looking around, I saw that the ring was a cage to prevent us flyers from getting too far. The crowd of dozens was all on their hooves, stomping and yelling so hard that the entire building was shaking. I turned my attention to my first opponent, who was waiting in the corner. He was bloodied and dazed. Only a few more well-placed hits and he’d be out for the count. Good.

I entered the cage, Bob locking the door behind me and went to my corner to get ready. Breathe, Strider, breathe. You can take this guy. The referee stepped into the ring to remind us of the rules. “Fight until the ten-count. No hitting your opponent while they’re down..” He held a hoof up, “Fighters ready?” He looked over to my opponent who nodded, then at me as I got into my fighting stance.

“Fight!” he shouted and jumped out of our way as a bell rang.

My opponent surged toward me with more speed than I expected. He must have still been running off of what adrenaline he had during the last fight. He threw out kicks and punches faster than I could count so I went on the defensive, blocking hits as they came and waiting for an opening. He was focused on my face leaving his legs exposed. I slipped back and swung my leg around to knock him on the ground, he rolled and got to his feet but it was my turn to be on the offensive.

He put his hooves up to protect his face, so I threw my first blows to his lower torso. When he went to block those lower hits, I made a set of left and right hooks to his head to disorient him further. He tried to grapple my right hoof to keep it pinned, but I began pummeling his chest and jaw with my left.

He released my hoof and stumbled backward, I flapped my wings to give myself some air and delivered a roundhouse kick to his jaw, knocking him out of the fight, but not hard enough to kill him...I hoped. As the referee started the count I took this time to breathe, and calm down. Keeping my head on straight during these fights was key. I had to keep the adrenaline under control, as best I could anyway.

When the count was over another pair of ponies took the contender away. Not long after another fighter came out of the back. He was a big heavy-set and very angry-looking pegasus; he didn’t look very fast, but he likely was stronger than me.

Play it, smart Strider, don’t take him head-on. I thought to myself. As he got to his corner and the referee got in place I took a deep breath. I can do this.

I was in my last fight, I felt like I was going well so far but my current opponent was not making this easy. He easily saw how I was studying my opponents and countered accordingly, changing his strategy on the fly; when I tried to grapple, he backed off and went for strikes, and when I did the same, he closed in. He was formidable, to say the least. We were trading blows hit for hit. It had gotten intense enough that we both took to the air and were using a combination of aerial hoof-to-hoof combat with ground-based attacks to try and get a leg up on one another.

Despite him being fresh to the fight, I had him worn down almost to my level of exhaustion. As we landed on the ground again I misjudged the distance of my opponent and he landed a blow to my jaw. Pain exploded across my head and I fell to the ground, spots dancing before my eyes. I could hear the crowd cheering and the count started. I was struggling to get my hooves under me.

“Three...four...five...six…”

I contemplated giving up. Just staying down and letting him win. I was tired, I just wanted to go home. Then I thought how Jett would feel if I took longer to get home than I promised. Failing to keep a promise is just what Snow was mad at me for; I didn’t want Jett, my daughter, mad at me too.

As the referee reached the count of nine, I got to my hooves, with a second wind in my lungs surging through my muscles and driving me forward. My opponent had grown cocky that he downed me, and seeing me get up definitely shocked him. He went for my face, I dodged and blocked allowing him to tire himself out. When I saw him slow down, albeit slightly, I made my move, throwing an uppercut. His head snapped backward, and I saw blood and teeth fly out of his mouth. I moved on him and landed blow after blow to his midsection taking the breath out of him. A final kick to his chest sent him down against the wall of the cage. He got back up, unsteadily, but I landed a right hook to his head knocking him unconscious.

The count started and I moved to my corner. I searched the crowd for ‘Glossy Finish.’ Bob, Weave, and a third pony I didn’t recognize had pulled her out of the crowd and were talking to her. As I was announced the winner, they gave her yet another scrap of paper and walked off. Vanity turned to me and gave a nod of success. I nodded back and grinned as Bob unlocked the cage and let me out.

“Good job, both of you,” Nassor nodded. He stood in our motel room in his fake janitor uniform, going over the pictures Vanity caught with the special glasses she had.

“‘Good job,’ he says. You get nearly beaten to death and he says ‘good job,’” Snow muttered angrily as she tended to my injuries.

“So you do care,” I smiled weakly. Even that hurt.

She huffed a bit, but I did catch a small smile. “At least you have a whole week for to get you healed this time.”

“Thank Celestia for that,” I agreed. Snow actually did manage a true smile this time. “So Nassor, anypony in those pictures that we need worry about?” I asked.

Nassor hesitated. “Most these ponies I recognize. Not surprised to see them here in the slightest. Even recognize a few from the previous investigation.”

“I’m sensing a ‘but,’” Snow whispered to me.

“But this pony,” Nassor mentioned, prompting Snow and me to laugh to ourselves. “I don’t know him.” Nassor came over to show me the picture.

At first, it was hard to make out the shape because my vision was blurry due to swelling around my eyes. After sitting up a bit and squinting slightly I could make out the likeness of the pony; it was the third pony that Vanity had spoken to. My eyes slowly widened and I felt my heart speed up. Unicorn, bronze-colored hair, a cutie mark of crossing halberds. The tattoo on his right foreleg of an anvil and a hammer was new. But it was him, it had to be.

“You know who it is,” Snow observed.

“Someone needs to go to Earthcracker prison and check on prisoner 9987. His name is Halberd, or at least that is what we think his name is,” I informed Nassor.

“I’ll send someone to check. If this is him?” Nassor asked.

“Then we have bigger problems than underground fights.”

Nassor had confirmed it. Halberd had escaped; he had another escapee use a glamor charm to take his place. Nassor had the now-Captain Aurora in Tall Tale send over everything she had on Halberd. I had a feeling it didn’t take a whole lot of convincing now that the all the City Guards in Equestria had been put on alert to find him.

“We need to make it seem as if we found out by checking his prison cell. We need Captain Aurora to make it seem as if she is scouring Tall Tale for him. Make it public enough to make the news. That way he doesn’t know we’re onto him,” I told Nassor.

Snow and Vanity were both out getting supplies and dinner while Nassor and I went over our new plan. Nassor had all but stopped giving orders in this operation, and was listening to what I said for the most part. I respected him for that. Giving up control of an operation or investigation isn’t easy, especially to someone younger than you.

“While that makes a sort of sense, what about Halberd himself?” he asked.

“We can put an alert out to the public saying to inform the guard if they see anything, wanted posters, radio alerts, his picture in the newspapers. Anything else you can think of, heck put bounty hunters on his tail. If we make it nationwide, he might not suspect anything.”

“Put pressure on him to make him more paranoid, and overly careful.” Nassor nodded, agreeing to the plan. “You think we can move on the fights yet?”

“Not just yet,” I frowned. “I think this next fight will earn us an audience with him. I can see why he is running these fights, and then we can hit the next fight he’s in.”

“Sounds like a plan. You know I have to say, you sure know how to run your operations,” Nassor complimented.

“Thanks and I realize I did kinda take command of this operation from you. Thanks for not getting mad about that,” I apologized.

“Hey, I know a better plan when I see one. You’ve been a guard, and an investigator longer than I was. We could use a pony like you in the RBI,” Nassor commented.

“Really?” I asked.

“I was actually contemplating having our recruiter approach you once we finished this op,” he admitted.

“You guys have your own training course for newcomers, and I’d have to move to Canterlot, right?” I asked.

“Indeed, but I think you’d be able to handle it. Even with you being a recovering gambler it won’t be an issue.”

“I’ll think about it,” I told him.

In truth, I was already one thinking about it. Moving to Canterlot and getting a great job in high profile investigations, cool toys included? A dream come true for Jett and me.

If only I could get Snow back into the picture.

Las Pegasus - IV

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It had been a couple of days since the last fight. I wasn't supposed to be walking about the room, but I had to figure out what Halberd was doing here in Las Pegasus running underground fights. Snow and Vanity were both out getting food and supplies for the next few days, I was taking this opportunity to figure out what I could.

“Okay, why are you here Halberd?” I thought aloud to myself, pacing the room. “You just escaped prison, you need to hide. Hiding with a bunch of low-life lawbreakers. Not your style. Slaving, poaching, and murder is more your speed.”

I was staring at my typical method of thought. A wall or board with all the evidence we had tacked up on it. Talking to it like it was Halberd seemed to help with the process. I thought about what Bob Weave said back at the fight: “Think of this like a job interview.”

“A job interview? Must be trying to hire yourself some bodyguards, or trying to jumpstart your next mercenary enterprise.” I remembered the passphrase. “‘Grey Iron.’ Not a terrible name for a mercenary group. But you’ve been at this longer than we know, right? You’ve recruited enough to do your dirty work. Killing an RBI agent, not very subtle.”

I stared at Halberd’s military picture in the top center of the wall with a red question mark scribbled over his face. He seemed to glare back at me. “Who are you really?” I pondered.

I must have been lost in thought because the next thing I knew Snow was yelling at me. “What are you doing up?! You are in no condition to be walking around!” She wrapped me in her magic and started to pull me toward my futon mattress.

“I had to go to the bathroom and I got distracted on my way back,” I protested, fighting to stay on my hooves. Not really a lie, I did use the bathroom.

“Horsefeathers! This is the second time,” Vanity countered.

“One more time mister, and I will have to get some restraints,” Snow snapped, shoving me down onto the mattress.

“Oh come on, this thing is so lumpy it’s giving me bruises on top of my bruises,” I whined, giving Snow an over-the-top pout. “Can’t I take one of your beds?”

Snow was silent for a minute. “I suppose since you are the one taking a beating for this mission and need the most rest…” She sighed. “You can take mine.” She started guiding me toward her bed, a little more gently this time.

“Maybe if you join him he’ll heal faster?” I heard Vanity say. Snow shot her one of her trademark icy glares, but Vanity just laughed.

Snow laid me on the bed and gently tucked me in so she could begin examining me. It was so much better than the other one. I watched as Snow began checking every injury on my body over again, occasionally moving to give her a better view. Vanity had gone to take a shower leaving Snow and me alone.

As she was checking for swelling around my ears she noticed my staring at her. Her face was really close to mine; her big blue eyes were like sapphires. I could feel her breath. Sill smelled of wintergreen.

“What?” she asked, blushing.

“You know full well that I end up staring at you from time to time,” I managed to smile.

Her face reddened even more and she cracked a smile. “I wish I could say the same to you. It’s hard seeing you like this.”

“I honestly didn't know Nassor would pick you of all ponies for this part of the job,” I admitted, looking down. “It was never my intention to uproot you from whatever you were doing. I figured if you wanted to me to find you, you would have let me. I wasn’t even sure how I was gonna apologize to you if I found you. I just want to make things right with us. I know you hate me right now, but that will never change the way I feel about you.”

Snow opened her mouth and closed it, then sighed and looked down. “I don’t hate you,” she whispered, blinking like she was going to cry. I started to reach out to take her hoof on instinct, but she pulled away, shaking her head. “You need to stop talking and rest,” she said, rather throatily.

“Snow-” I started.

She shoved her hoof over my mouth to shut me up. “Quiet, I need to focus and you need rest.” I sighed and settled into the bed. I wanted to keep talking to her but If I tried I knew she would just quiet me down.

The next day Vanity somehow talked me into a game of chess. I was terrible at chess. She’d already won seven times and I had stopped trying to win and more or less was trying to make shapes with the pieces. I currently was working on making the head of a dragon with little success.

“Ha!” Vanity crowed as she took my rook with her pawn. “I win again. It’s like you're not even trying.”

If she only knew. “Alright, I’m bored,” I grumbled, standing up.

“How can somepony be such a good soldier and guard and still be terrible at a game that requires strategy?” Snow asked from the couch.

“Real life is very different than a board game,” I argued.

“You could have still at least took the game seriously. I know you were just making shapes at the end there,” Snow commented.

“What, you really weren't trying?” Vanity cried, looking offended.

“Chess isn’t really interesting to me. You were also taking really long with your turns.” I layed back in my bed.

“If you’re bored, take a look at what Nassor dug up from the prison,” Snow suggested, levitating over a file.

“Have you read it?” I asked and she nodded. “Can you give me your opinion of what you thought about it?”

Snow frowned. “Well, I felt his method of escape was overly complicated…”

I read that part of the file as she explained her thoughts. He escaped by somehow acquiring a pair of religious pendants enchanted to switch identities with anypony. He somehow managed to get one on another prisoner who was being released. Rather than the correct prisoner being released, Halberd was released.

“...meaning that he must have had outside help from somepony,” she finished saying.

I nodded. “High-security prisoners are limited contact with anypony. Even mail is limited and checked. Outside help would have been near impossible.”

“So in all likelihood, he received help from a Correctional Officer.” She concluded.

“Yes. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about that from here.” I finished reading the file and set it aside. “Aren't we expecting Nassor sometime today?”

“We are. He said it would be late afternoon,” Vanity said putting the chess board away. “I don't know about you two, but I'm climbing the walls here.” She donned her disguise. “I'm gonna go stretch my legs.”

She left before we could protest against it. An awkward silence descended between Snow and me.

“You wanna play Go Fish?” I asked after a minute.

She stared at me like she thought I was kidding. Then she smirked. “I'll get the cards.”

“Ha! You suck!” Snow gloated.

I threw my remaining cards onto the end of the bed and crossed my hooves. She won yet another round of Go Fish.

“How about thirty-six out of seventy-two?” Snow asked, reshuffling the cards.

“Go Fish,” I said, a little annoyed.

“Don't be a sore loser.” She booped my snout before going and putting the cards away. A familiar sequence of knocks came from the door. Snow moved to look through the eyehole. “It is Nassor.”

She unlocked the door and let him in. “We figure anything out from what we already know?” Nassor asked.

I shrugged. “I think Halberd is here to recruit for his next mercenary gang. With how they are structuring the fights, as job interviews, it seems the most plausible reason he’s here.”

Nassor frowned. “Do you think you can make the selection process? Get close enough to put a tracking crystal on him?”

“This next fight seems to be set up in tiers. Win your first fight, move to round two, so on and so forth. Which means I’ll have time between fights to rest up.” Assuming I won, of course.

“And time to heal.” Snow chimed in. She paused to think for a moment, then took a breath. “I think I should be the one to pose as Glossy Finish this time,” she said.

“Why?” Nassor and I both asked at the same time.

“If I can heal him, even partially between fights, it will increase his chances of winning exponentially,” Snow explained. “We need that tracker placed and this is the best way to get it planted.”

Nassor looked at me. “It does make sense.”

It did, and that’s why I hated it. “She’s not going,” I said firmly.

“Since when did you become my dad?” Snow snapped at me.

“I know you’ve called the shots up to this point but this is where I’ll have to pull rank,” Nassor cut me off. “Sending Snow in Vanity’s place to be your medic is your best chance to get through the fights and close to Halberd.” Nassor turned to Snow. “When Vanity shows up, get all the information you can from her about her cover. We best prepare as best we can.”

Snow nodded and left the room to go find Vanity. Nassor looked at me.

“I know you don't like this plan but it’s the best one we have. You should really start moving around getting ready for those fights.” He dug a medium-sized hardcover book out of his jumpsuit pocket. “Also to keep your mind sharp I brought you this.”

He passed the book to me. It was a regulation manual for the R.B.I. “Why do you want me to read this?” I asked.

“I was serious when I said you’d be a good fit in the R.B.I.,” Nassor said. “This is to help you with the placement test.”

“Placement test?” I asked.

“The Placement test determines just where you need to be in the R.B.I. training. Very rarely, an R.B.I. cadet will score high enough to skip training and go right into service. The physical I have no doubt you will pass with flying colors. The written test is tricky and the questions are different for every cadet. But this,” he pointed at the manual. “Is where you will find all the answers. I’m trying to give you the best chance at getting in.”

Wow, he really wanted me in the R.B.I., “I appreciate this. Thank you.” I looked up at the clock: twelve minutes had passed already. “You best get moving before the motel catches on that you keep stopping to talk to us.”

Nassor checked the wall clock and his watch. “Good looking out. See you tomorrow.” He exited the room with haste.

I proceeded to open the R.B.I. manual and read the first entry. “R.B.I. Agent regulations, dress code, and Sexual Harassment codes.” This was gonna be a long read.

Snow had deemed me well enough to start doing exercises. I was currently doing push-ups while transitioning to wind-ups and back every set of five. Below my face was the R.B.I. Manual open to Chapter two, focusing on Royal Actions.

The one that had intrigued me the most what the one that had told me that; “Guard Captains and their subordinates are to follow orders from any and all R.B.I. Agents. Furthermore, should an R.B.I. Agent deem that a member of the City Guard or even the Guard Captain’s actions or orders are impeding a Royal Investigation. The R.B.I. The agent has the authority to charge them with obstruction of justice and place them under arrest.”

“Arresting a Guard Captain? Oh, how Captain Swampfire would have hated if I did that to him.” I muttered.

“Do what to who now?” Snow asked from her reading spot.

“Nothing. This manual is just surprisingly interesting,” I said, continuing my exercises. “The R.B.I. and its Agents have a surprising amount of power. And turns out not all agents are Captains. Special Agents are actually Majors as far as titled rank is concerned.”

“That is actually kinda interesting.” Snow nodded before going back to her medical journal. “Remember don’t strain yourself,” she said after I finished another set of wing-ups.

I stood up straight and stretched my limbs a little. I turned my attention to the wall of evidence and started rearranging things. “What are you doing?” Vanity asked from her bed.

“Setting up a timeline. Starting with things that we know happened. Then I’m gonna fill in the gaps with the most likely scenario.”

“Do you really think that will reveal anything new?” she asked skeptically.

I’m not sure why but her tone set me off. “It might!” I snapped.

“Woah! Strider, calm down,” Snow said firmly.

I breathed as I put another file in place on the timeline. “I’m sorry. I just hate the idea that I have to catch this guy again. He killed, captured, and sold too many last time before we caught him. You know, they are still reporting ponies missing up in Tall Tale.”

I stared at the board like it was deliberately hiding something. I had to have misread something. I know I did.

I heard Snow step up beside me. She knows full well how I get with cases. This is the first time one came back to haunt me, but still.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

I sighed. “A number of things. Why Las Pegasus and not go back to Tall Tale? Why set up and underground fighting ring to recruit mercenaries?”

“Well, the first question is easy: too easily recognized in Tall Tale,” Snow said. “Even if someone just noticed his criminal patterns they'd know it was him back in town. As for your second question, I just answered it: he had to change his methods of operation to avoid detection.”

That made sense. “I have one more question,” I turned to look at her. “When did you become a medic?”

Her eyes widened, and she slowly turned away. “I… um… well, you weren't the only one keeping a secret in Baltimare. I started my studies shortly after I transferred out of Special Investigations. My hope is to be a working on healing those injured in the line of duty.”

I stepped up beside her. “Why didn't you tell me?”

She shrugged. “Because I was afraid you'd talk me out of it. It seems silly now.”

“Is that how you noticed my addiction?” I asked her seriously.

She nodded. “I didn't know that much at first and then I started reading up on addict behavior. You were going to the gym less and less. Eating less than you normally did. Then you began losing weight and muscle mass. Irritability, exhaustion, a number of other symptoms.”

“And now?” I asked.

She turned to look at me. Very closely. I could see her cheeks starting to turn pink. “Like back at the guard academy,” she said quietly. She looked me in the eye and I stared right back. I got lost in her eyes, a mixture of fear, hope, and love flickering in the blue.

“Should I go?” Vanity blurted. Moment Killer.

I turned back to the wall. Snow went back to the couch for her book as fast as she could without running. “How long were you watching that?” Snow asked, hiding her reddening face behind the book.

“I saw the whole thing,” Vanity started, getting up. “Sweet Celestia, could you two be any more obvious? You might as well be carrying signs that say, ‘I want you’.”

All Snow and I could do was listen, both our faces reddening by the moment.

“Strider, you are obviously trying your hardest to win back her affection. Even going as far as going to Gamblers Anonymous meetings weekly. Then due to this mission, you are missing your one-month ceremony where you receive a ‘One-month clean’ coin or chip,” Vanity said.

“How did you—” I started to say but she kept going.

“Snow, you obviously never really wanted to leave him, but there are some trust issues that need to be straightened out. But it's almost as if you don't care. There was a moment back there where I thought you'd just tackle him onto the bed.”

“What?!” was all Vanity allowed Snow to say.

“Here’s the thing lovebirds,” she stood up. “Snow, stop putting the standard so high he'll never be able to get there. Strider, stop kicking yourself for something you couldn't control and allow yourself to feel some emotion sometimes, you might feel a little better. Maybe even clear up the mind of yours.”

She stepped past us and toward the door, putting on her glamour charms as she did so. “Now I'm gonna go get a drink; I find that’s the best solution for situations like this. And I really hope you two continue to talk. Okay? Okay.” And with that, she closed the door behind her.

I stared at the door open-mouthed. I looked over at Snow, who somehow looked simultaneously offended, relieved, and embarrassed.

“That was unexpected,” I said after a minute.

“Yeah,” she nodded and shifted. “So, are we gonna talk? And I mean really talk?”

“I suppose with everything laid out like that we kinda have to now, huh?” I asked, walking over and sitting next to her.

She cleared her throat. “So… maybe we should start with what happened after I left?”

Las Pegasus - V

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“I feel ridiculous.”

“You look ridiculous,” I said to Snow, now disguised as Glossy Finish. Snow and I were walking to the latest fight, side by side; I could feel the heat from her body against mine, and my wing was draped over her shoulders.

“Vanity was wearing this disguise and I’d bet you didn't say anything to her about it,” she whispered in my ear.

“This disguise was an improvement for her,” I said.

She snickered loudly. “I didn't mean it how it sounded,” I said and bumped her flank with mine.

She bumped me back. “You know, I was thinking since we talked. That maybe, just maybe, we could have something new.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Our old relationship is gone. There is no getting that back, agreed?” I nodded. “So we build something new.”

“How?”

“A new first date would be a good start,” she smiled at me.

I grinned at her. “I’ll have to top the last one. Maybe win you an even bigger stuffed bear.”

“Well you don't have to,” she smiled. Her expression suddenly turned serious. “We’re here.”

This round of fights was taking place in an abandoned casino outside Las Pegasus. It was a fairly large structure, but the years hadn’t been kind to it. There was a neon sign over the doors, but most of it was broken and it now only read “Fl—go.” There was a single guard hanging in the shadows next to the door.

“Grey Iron,” I stated to the guard. He nodded and allowed us to pass.

“Go straight to the left in the lobby, then down the stairs to the dressing rooms. Level B2,” he instructed as we passed.

I nodded and we headed straight there, passing through what had been a huge game floor. I glanced at what might have been a blackjack table once briefly, then walked on and down the stairs. Bob and Weave were at the bottom of the stairs, directing fighters to separate rooms.

“Ah! Astral. Good to see that you are better. Our employer was impressed with your performance at the last event,” Weave greeted me.

“Of course he was, my stallion is a true fighter,” Glossy Finish boasted.

Uh-oh. That wasn’t in character for Glossy. Would that make them suspicious?

“No kidding,” Bob nodded. “Your stall is over here, she may accompany you this time. All fighters are entitled to a coach or some kind of support. We will come to get you when it is your turn.”

We entered the small booth and closed the door. Snow and I noticed an observation crystal in the upper corner of the room. Likely to check to see if anypony is juicing before a match.

Snow hugged and nuzzled me and started whispering in my ear. “How did you and Vanity avoid suspicion?”

“You mean she didn't tell you?” I whispered back.

Snow laughed like I’d said something funny and exclaimed rather loudly, “No!”

“We acted like a couple stupidly in love.”

“You mean you two kissed?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“It was her idea. I hated it but that was kinda essential for us as a cover.”

She scowled at me: big uh-oh. “Was she any good?”

“A little aggressive. I think she tried to use her tongue at one point.” I said, rubbing the back of my head.

She seemed to forgive me after a moment, looping her forelegs around the back of my neck. “I am gonna have a word with her. But in the meantime, I think we need to sell the appearance of ‘stupid in love,’ yes?”

We were close, close enough for me to feel her breath on my chin, her heartbeat through her hooves. Her eyes looking up at me with a passion, a look I thought I’d never see again. When our noses brushed together, instinct took over for us both.

That was a kiss I had been longing for for a long time. It wasn't aggressive, or underwhelming, it was perfect. Time just seemed to stop: for a little while, all that mattered was her and me.

For a moment, I felt like pushing her up against the wall, which told me that it was time to part and get back to work. “We must control ourselves. We don't want to give them a show, now do we?”

She blushed but smiled at my comment nonetheless. “I can't wait for this operation to be over and done with,” Snow sighed heavily resting her head against my chest.

This was as good a time to tell her as any. “I’m gonna accept Nassor’s offer to join the R.B.I.,” I admitted. “Which means moving to Canterlot.”

Snow nodded. “With how you were reading that manual I figured you might. But what about—”

“I’m getting my mother’s house,” I interrupted. “That was gonna be your next question, right? Where we were gonna live?”

“I thought it belonged to your brothers and sister?” she asked.

“None of them want it and are signing it over to me, which means it’s mine,” I grinned.

She smiled briefly and then glanced around. “This really isn't the time to the talking about this. You need to get ready for your fight.”

Oh, yeah. The fights. “Okay, what do I need to do?”

“Well…”

I was on the canvas again. My first fight had gone off with little trouble, the two after had proved to be a little much for me, but I had made it into the third set of fights.

However, I could tell this was the one I was gonna lose. I was spitting blood after biting my tongue, I was missing a tooth on my left side, and I was fairly sure I had a concussion due to the fact my ears were ringing.

I didn't want to lose, but I didn't think I had a choice in the matter. I stood one last time just as the referee shouted nine; the crowd around the raised mats cheered loudly. My vision blurry, I saw my opponent advance on me again. He threw two body shots which I managed to block, but his next punch got me in the head and knocked me down. Hello again, floor.

I did my best to get back to my hooves, but my muscles had had enough and refused to go lift me up. I heard Snow yelling over the crowd: “Stay down! Stay down!” When the count reached ten, I allowed myself to black out.

Next thing I knew I was waking up in the little room underneath the casino with Snow casting her magic on me to heal my injuries.

“You should have stayed down the second time he knocked you down, but no, you had to keep getting up and putting yourself through more punishment,” she was snapping at me. “If you are putting yourself through this because you think you deserve it, you are oh so wrong.”

“I’m doing it because I’m trying to get this operation to succeed,” I muttered.

“Oh thank Celestia, I was worried you had gone into a coma,” Snow said, taking a breath.

“What are we doing back here?”

“I don’t know. The fights are over and the winners have been declared, but they said that their boss wants to talk to us once you woke up.” She swallowed nervously. “I've been doing my best to mend you, but there is only so much my magic can do.”

I gently took her shoulders. “I need you to take a deep breath. It won’t help if you are freaking out. We need to be calm when they come to talk to us.”

“I can’t be calm, I don’t understand how can you be so calm. You are a few beatings away from permanent brain damage, you’ve probably got a concussion, and they’re going to be coming back, possibly with their boss any second now.” She was pouring magic into her mending spell almost frantically now, so much that it was starting to hurt a lot more than it should have.

I sat up, painfully, and steadied her with my hooves and wings. “Snow!” I whispered harshly, looking her in the eyes. “Calm down. We still need to get out of here. I need you level-headed and in character, if we hope to get out of here.”

She took a breath and nodded. “Okay, okay. I’ll do my best. You just look like you fought a dragon.”

“Feels like it,” I groaned.

Knocks resonated from the door. “Are you two lovebirds decent?” Weave asked.

“And is he alive?” Bob added.

“I’m alive! No thanks to the beast you put me up against,” I shouted at them.

They opened the door and entered, suspicion plastered on their faces. Four griffin mercenaries entered the room with close range scatter-bolt crossbows slung over their backs and long knives at their hips. They stood between us and our exit.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, already trying to think of an escape plan. There was only one, going through all six of them, and there wasn’t much chance of that.

“No, nothing is wrong. However, our boss was very intrigued by your fighting style, and decided he wanted to speak to you.” Weave explained. “We are to take you to him.”

“Lead the way then. I want to thank him for the fights, they were… educational,” I said. Yeah, educational in how much pain I can tolerate.

Bob and Weave left the room first. We followed them and the four griffons followed us. With my injuries, we moved slowly and “Glossy” used the opportunity to get close to me to talk.

“This wasn't part of the plan,” she whispered.

“Get that tracking crystal into your mouth and swallow it,” I instructed.

We made our way outside to a carriage pulled by armored mercs. It was dark out with the moon far in the eastern sky, leading me to conclude it was early morning. We entered the carriage, which had darkened windows, and it started to trundle off; I heard the flapping of the griffons’ wings above us. I saw Snow flare her magic and put the tiny tracking crystal into her mouth, gulping it down.

I felt a small flicker of relief in my gut. If nothing else, she’d be found first if things went south.

That just left me to worry about me.

The only light was the glow of Snow’s horn doing her best to mend my injuries with what little magic she had left. Judging by the carriage going up a steep incline, we were headed into the mountains. It seemed like hours and eventually light even cracked through the covers on the window.

I heard Weave call the carriage to a stop. Bob opened the carriage door with a grin on his face. “Welcome to Grey Iron.”

Glossy and I stepped out of the carriage and took a look around the base as we followed Bob and Weave. Halberd was at this far longer than we expected. It was a few uniforms colors away from looking like an exact copy of an Equestrian Army base, with an armory, guard posts, and a barbed wire fence perimeter. There was even housing for the merc families. No children to be seen though. Higher up on a cliff there were a few airships anchored to a dock.

“The General and the Commander are in here,” Weave said as he and Bob stopped outside the door to a small brick field office. Our griffon escort and ourselves entered and found ourselves facing two ponies, both sitting behind a desk.

Halberd. He looked confident and was smoking a cigar. His commander looked like a bigger and younger version of himself.

“Astral Strike and Glossy Finish?” Halberd’s commander asked. He even sounded like him. Maybe his son?

“The same,” I answered.

“You put on a hell of a show last night. Dishonorably discharged, right?” Halberd himself asked me.

“That I am,” I nodded.

“I still love him,” Gossy gushed. Too thick, Snow!

“I figured that, even without Bob and Weave telling me. Your fighting style screamed military or guard.” He took a breath. “I find myself pressed to spin up my time schedule due to unforeseen pressure. So I need promising soldiers who aren't afraid to do questionable deeds.”

“What kind of ‘deeds’ are we talking about?” I asked.

“The kind that pays,” the commander said, sounding excited. “Anything that requires security, the Grey Iron is the group to contact.”

“Sounds profitable,” I said, feigning interest.

“It is.” Halberd turned away to look out a window. “However, before I can trust you with anything further I need to be sure you are who you say you are. Please remove all clothing and jewelry and put it on the floor in front of you. Both of you.” He said this in a tone that left absolutely no room for argument. I hesitated for a moment, and I heard the griffons behind me reaching for the knives on their belts.

I had little to remove. But I purposely avoided the wing-ring. Snow avoided the ring on her horn. It didn't take him long to notice. “Wedding bands too,” he grunted.

Snow and I exchanged glances. The game was up.

“Seize them!” the commander barked. The four griffons moved in and held us down, two each. Halberd got close to Snow’s face and removed the ring on her horn. He grinned as she changed back.

“Such a pretty face,” he purred. “I could name my own price for you.”

“Don’t you touch her!” I shouted, struggling futilely.

“Relax, son, I’m not gonna hurt your friend,” Halberd cackled, stroking Snow’s face. “No one likes damaged merchandise.”

Snow glared at him, but I could see she was shaking.

Halberd’s commander smiled and removed the ring on my wing. As my coat changed, I slid my head backward, and as my face changed to my true face, I headbutted him in the nose, breaking it. One of the griffons holding Snow moved over to me to hold me down further.

“Private Strider!” Halberd laughed.

“I’m a sergeant now,” I grumbled beneath the weight of the griffons.

“Congratulations,” Halberd said sarcastically. “You know, breaking my son’s nose wasn’t very nice. I think it’s time we educate you on what happens when our pegasi slaves misbehave.” He nodded to the griffons holding me down.

While the biggest two griffons held me down, one of the griffons grabbed hold of my left wing and pulled it out until it was fully extended. I watched as he then grabbed a talon full of feathers and grinned at me wickedly.

My heart leapt up into my throat as I realized what he was going to do. “NO!” I screamed, trying to scramble out from beneath my captors. “NONONONO!”

His grin widened and he yanked out a bunch of my feathers. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced; it felt like my entire wing was on fire. I screamed and stopped struggling, glaring up at Halberd.

“I learned from my mistakes,” he sneered at me. “I wonder if you can learn from yours.” He nodded to the griffon to continue.

I yelled, cursed, and tried to fight to keep my feathers; Snow started screaming too, begging them to stop, but there was nothing either of us could do. One clawful at a time, the griffon yanked out all of the feathers on my wing. It was a mercy when I finally passed out from the pain.

I woke up with searing yet cold pain in my wings. I dared not look at them. I found that I was locked in a small cage that was barely big enough for me to turn around; the roof was too low for me to even stand up.

Snow! I looked around and spotted her in the cage next to mine. She was studying the lock on her cage, her teeth gritted in a show of fear.

“Planning an escape already? We’ll be out in no time then,” I joked.

“Oh, Strider!” Snow cried, looking close to tears. “Thank Celestia, I was getting worried. You lost a lot of blood, and if they don’t give you bandages or something, I’m worried you’re going to get an infection.”

I finally looked at my wings and nearly passed out again. They were pale pink and looked like naked chicken wings. Some blood still dripped from a few of the broken shafts. “They’ll grow back in time,” I said trying to reassure myself.

“Strider, I’m scared,” Snow whispered, gripping the bars. “How do we know Nassor or Vanity will be looking for us?”

“Vanity’s probably already sounded the alarm after we’ve been gone so long,” I said. “If they haven’t already started looking for us, they will be soon. And they will find you.”

“How long has it been for us?” Snow asked.

“Since we left the motel room? I wager almost twelve hours.” I reached through the bars and held Snow’s hoof. “Snow, it’s gonna be okay. They’ll find us.”

Snow swallowed and squeezed my hoof. “I hope you’re right.”

I hope I’m right too, I thought.

Las Pegasus - VI

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“How long we been down here now?” Snow asked from her cell.

“I-I don't kn-know. M-maybe a whole day. P-p-possibly more,” I shivered. Would it kill them to turn up the temperature in this place? If it was any colder, I’d probably be able to see my breath.

“D-don’t worry,” I said. “Y-you’ve got the cr-crystal. Th-they’ll find you.”

Snow looked down sadly. “No, I don’t have the crystal,” she admitted. “While you were passed out, Halberd checked us for spells and detected the tracking crystal inside my stomach. They forced me to take a potion that made me throw it up, and one of his mercs took it away. It could be miles away by now.”

Great. So much for that plan. “I-it’s okay,” I shivered. “W-we’ll th-think of something.”

“Are you alright?” Snow asked, concern heavy in her voice.

“J-just cold,” I tried to smile at her, but it probably looked more like a grimace. My eyes suddenly felt really heavy and I laid down, closing my eyes.

“Strider, it’s gotta be in the sixties down here, it’s not cold.” I could hear her move closer to me. She put her hoof on my head. “Oh sweet Celestia, you’re burning up!” she cried.

Sure didn't feel like it.

She started shaking and hitting the bars on her cage. “GUARD! Please, he needs help! He’s sick!”

“Shut up back there!” a guard shouted from the distance.

Snow growled beneath her breath, then added, “I’d bet your boss wouldn’t be happy that you let an infection spread through your merchandise. What is the average price for a dead slave again?”

A moment of silence from the guards. “Fine! We’ll get you the medical kit and a blanket for him, just shut up will ya!” one of them snarled.

Snow turned back to me. “Strider, open your eyes,” she ordered.

“Okay,” I mumbled, forcing my eyes open. Her horn, with an inhibitor on, it could only do so much, but that didn't stop her from trying. She sat, setting her horn aglow and started muttering incantations over my wounds. Snow stayed like that for what seemed like several minutes while I faded in and out of trance. But I think it was really a few hours, cause at some point a blanket had covered me. The quiet had started to bother me, and I was tired, slipping in and out of awareness.

“S-Snow, I think I want to try and sleep for a bit.” I started to close my eyes.

“What! No! Strider! Open your eyes. Come on, stay awake!” She gently slapped my cheeks to keep me awake.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because with the state your body is in you could slip into a coma. You need to stay awake.”

I did my best to sit up. “Oh. Coma would be bad. Alright, I'll do my best.”

“You still awake?” Snow asked me.

“I am Strider,” I grumbled like a cavepony.

“Just think about Jett. How happy she will be that you made it home.”

“I’m thinking she’ll be mad that I let them catch me,” I joked.

Snow laughed feebly. “Good to see your sense of humor has not faltered.”

“How long we been here now?” I asked.

“At least two days.”

“I don't know how much longer I can stay awake,” I moaned. My head felt like it was encased in lead; keeping my eyes open took all the effort I could muster.

“Strider you need to, otherwise I don't know if you'll be able to wake up. Without the full use of my horn, I can't see if your concussion is gone.”

“I know. Just letting you know that we might not have a choice in the matter.” To try to keep my mind occupied, I thought on events of the past few years.

The guard compound in Tall Tale, the Baltimare guard division, the New Horseleans Guard-Army base. My daughter Jett, my brothers, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. First superiors Sergeant Arrow, and Aurora. First real partner Knight Gaze. Friend and colleague Stone. Phillip Finder, the only PI I’ll ever trust, and all the ponies I had met in those locations. Snow was a big piece of my life, like Jett and my family.

And that meant I had to come clean with her.

“Snow?” I called to her.

“Yes?” she said, stopping her spells.

“I want to tell you the actual reason I passed by that pony on the street that day. When we were at the Equestrian Guard Ball.”

“Can it wait?” she asked, adjusting my blanket further.

“It could, but I can't anymore.” I sat up with what strength I had to look her in the eye. “I went to pick out a ring. For you.”

I wanna say the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. But she just smiled from her side of the bars and put her hoof to my cheek. Her touch felt wonderfully warm and soft.

“I would count my lucky stars if you'd agree to marry me,” I smiled, nuzzling her hoof.

“Strider, I…” She hesitated.

That was when my body finally decided that it had had enough. My vision went dark and I fell over. The last thing I heard was Snow calling out to me. I couldn’t tell what she had said.

“Wake up!” I heard somepony shout as a bucket of cold water was thrown onto me.

I jumped awake, shaking. Halberd’s son stood outside my cage with a bucket. “You’re no good to us dead, or broken for that matter. You, you're a healer,” he barked at Snow. “I’m tuning the inhibitor back to seventy-five percent rather than ninety-five. Heal him. My father wants him alive.” He stormed off.

“How long was I out?” I asked.

“Twelve hours. I was starting to get concerned you wouldn't wake up,” she admitted, casting healing magic over me. I noticed that her eyes were a little red; it looked like she’d been crying.

“Twelve?” I repeated in disbelief. “Well, at least I got some rest.”

“I did what I could while you were sleeping. Now that I have access to more magic maybe I can do something more. What do you remember from just before you blacked out?”

I looked at her. I remember asking her to marry me, but from her expression, I figured she didn't want to revisit that just yet. “It’s a blur. I remember us talking.”

She did manage to smile. “Oh, it can wait till we get out of here.”

Now that I was rested, and honestly feeling a bit better, despite how cold my wings felt, I knew it could wait. I looked around and for the first time since coming here, I bothered taking note of our surroundings. We were in a big warehouse of sorts, full of captured ponies. Each of them was in a separate cage, just big enough to allow them to sit up and turn around in, but not much else.

Across the aisle to me I saw a colt, teenager likely bored out of his mind the way he was messing with a yo-yo. “Hey, you,” I called to him.

“What you want, copper?” he said, not even looking at me.

“Do they ever bring ponies out of this place?”

“Nope. Only times they move slaves is to either sell them or dispose of them.”

“‘Dispose of?’ What do you mean?”

“You know, when one of us dies, they have to get rid of the body,” he grunted, turning away from me even further. “When I was working out in the fields one day I saw them pitch a body off a cliff into a ravine,” he muttered. It definitely wasn’t a memory he liked revisiting.

“A ravine? How steep is it?” I asked.

“I was able to get a look before they caught me peeking. It’s like a stone slide, I couldn’t see where the bottom was.”

“Hmm…” An idea began to form in my head.

“Whatever it is you’re thinking, the answer is no,” Snow said firmly.

I looked at her. “How are your sedation spells?”

Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head. “No.”

“I still think that this is a bad idea,” Snow whispered. “A number of things could go wrong, you are still recovering, and not to mention who knows how long it will take you to get back to Las Pegasus without your wings.”

“All valid concerns, but we can’t afford to wait that long. I can do this,” I assured her.

She made an anxious face before letting out a sigh. “I hate it when you make sense, Flame Strider, especially in these situations. Would it kill you to not have a plan just once?”

“The alternative is we stay here until we either die or get shipped off somewhere. Now let's get on with this.” I laid down to make it look like I was dead and closed my eyes.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she sighed.

I hoped I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t tell her that.

She closed her eyes and began her spells. “It will start wearing off as soon as you leave your cage, so you’ll need to keep up the act.”

At first, the feeling was like my hooves going numb from sitting in it too long, slowly sliding up my body. Pretty soon I couldn’t move and I slipped into an aware sleep. She cast a cold spell over me on top of it. My eyes were closed but I could hear everything. After a time it was time for Snow’s part of the performance.

“Strider?! Strider! No!” she screamed and began to cry.

There was the sound of hoofsteps. “What happened?!” I heard Halberd shout at Snow.

I could hear Snow sobbing. “He just blacked out and dropped to the floor. He must’ve had internal injuries I couldn’t heal.” How she cried on cue like that I’ll never know.

I felt a hoof press against my neck. Please don’t feel a pulse, please don’t feel a pulse...

“He’s gone,” Halberd’s son’s voice said.

“Dammit! Now I can’t enjoy my revenge.” I could feel the scraping of the ground against my coat and bare wings as they began to drag me away. “At least we can still get a pretty penny out of his friend here. Dispose of the corpse with the others, then meet me in my office.”

“Yes, father,” I heard him more clearly.

The spells were already wearing off. Come on Strider, you've acted before, how hard is to play dead? Very hard apparently: I had to concentrate on keeping as still as I could, on breathing slowly and quietly through my nostrils. They dragged me out of where they kept us; my head smacked against more than a few rocks, and the dirt stung against my wings. But eventually, they tossed me onto a cart. As they started to cart me away… on no.

Itchy nose! Why is it always at the worst of times! I had to remain motionless, ordering my nose to not twitch. As they carted me outside. I could feel the warmth of the sun beating down on me. I could hear the sound of tools striking dirt, stone, wood, and metal. Must be that field the kid was talking about.

“Come on, let's dump this one and get back. We’re missing the game,” one Griffin said impatiently.

I could imagine the eyeroll. “It's Griffball, I doubt we missed much. Those games take forever to get the ball to a goal.”

We came to a stop and I felt the wagon tilting. Now the tricky part. I cracked my eyes so I could see. That was a bit steeper than the kid advertised. I could see the blood smears where previous corpses had slid down the hill.

I started to slide as well. Here we go. I opened my eyes fully as I hit the rock. Sliding down the side of the gully quickly was a problem. What was it they trained us to do in these situations? I wish I paid attention for that lesson in training, I don't have use of my wings anymore so I’ll have to make do.

I did my best to keep my wings from scraping against the rock while simultaneously trying to slow down. I planted my hooves and could feel my shoes grinding away. Suddenly the hill changed directions on me, with the speed I was going I slammed into the rock hard enough to knock the wind out of me. After the direction change and momentary pain, it got less steep. I was able to slow down enough before slamming into a pile of partially eaten corpses. Flies buzzed over the mound, providing a constant background noise. The smell was incredibly pungent, the rotting odor hitting me like a sledgehammer.

I leaped over the pile of bones and meat. Once on the other side, I paused to catch my breath and vomit. Some animals had been eating well for quite a while. There was a breeze which allowed at least some fresh air. Following my survival instructor’s most important quote “Always follow your nose,” I followed the fresh air out of this nightmare, through the winding ravines.

There were a few tight squeezes between the rock, but I managed. It seemed like these caves went on forever. I’d been down here several hours, dizzy with exhaustion and dehydration, and was near ready to go back, to get recaptured. But I saw the soft glow of moonlight ahead through a gap in the stone. Scrabbling over a final rock wall and exiting out a narrow hole, I reached freedom. The cold wind against my skin felt wonderful; I could see the light of Las Pegasus on the far horizon.

I allowed myself to smile a moment. I was nearly there now. Just had to cross the desert and get to Nassor and my brother before rescuing Snow.

“That’s it. I want to leave Las Pegasus,” I panted as the morning sun beat down on my head. I had no water, no food, there were cicada beetles making that insufferable sound, and I had stopped sweating at least an hour ago.

Las Pegasus was in full view right now; I just had to get there, but it never seemed to get any closer no matter how long I walked. I heard another sound from above me, but I wasn't convinced that it wasn’t just my dehydrated mind playing tricks on me so I kept on moving.

“Strider!” I heard my brother’s voice. Nice try, brain, I’m not that out of it.

“Sergeant Strider!” I heard Vanity shout, her voice closer and clearer. Okay, why would I be hearing her voice? And was that buzzing noise getting louder? Was I about to get eaten by a swarm of cicadas?

The humming of an airship engine came more clearly when I finally looked up. Turning around I caught sight of my brother sprinting at me right before he hugged me.

“Oh geez, bro!” I fell to the ground.

“We were on our way to get you!” Atlas shouted over the roar of the airship hovering over us. “How’d you get away? What in Celestia's name happens to your wings? Where is Snow?”

“We have to get her out, she is still there!”

“Alright, come on let’s get you onboard!”

Atlas lead me onto the ship and rushed me to medical. I was treated for my plucked wings and dehydration. Nassor was there firing off questions faster than I could answer. Luckily the doc ushered him out of the room to give me a chance to rest.

After what felt like a few hours of treatment the doctor finally gave me a green light, with a lot of red tapes. “You should be well enough to walk about the ship now. But you are prohibited from combat, and anything else involving anything strenuous. Your body has been through enough in the past few days, best not add to it. You are not to resume your duties as a Guard Sergeant until a doctor’s release. Understood?”

“Understood doctor,” I nodded.

“Okay. I am gonna let your visitors in now.”

When he opened the door Atlas, Nassor, and Vanity all came charging in with questions flying. With them talking over each other I couldn’t understand them.

“HEY!” I silenced them. “I am going to point to one of you and so help me if it is not related to getting Snow back I will ask one of those nice guards at the door to remove you from the room. Understood?”

They nodded. I pointed to Atlas.

“Three military Airships are closing in on Halberd’s base of operations. We are hanging back until we get the all clear to go get the captives.”

“Good.” I pointed to Nassor next.

“Did Halberd reveal anything about his operations to you?” Nassor asked.

“No. But I know who he has been working through and how he got out of prison. He has a son, they never said his name but I can give a description.”

“I’ll get you with a sketch artist when we get back.” Nassor turned and left. I pointed to Vanity.

“I found the tracking crystal in the desert miles south of here. When I figured out what had happened, I interrogated the griffon who was guarding the fights,” she beamed proudly. “He spilled everything.”

“It was actually kinda scary,” Atlas admitted.

I could honestly imagine it was. “Good on you, Vanity. Thanks.”

“Yeah, she hounded us until we took action,” Atlas muttered.

Vanity just smiled. I took a deep breath, I wanted to go and see if they had found Snow yet. “Mind if we go up to the deck? I want to be there when we find Snow.”

“Yeah sure.” Atlas walked with me as I made my way up to top deck, Vanity followed.

When we got up there I saw that we weren't too far from the base. I saw two of the three Military Airships pursuing the fleeing mercenary airships, and the last one floating just over the base with Equestrian Army troops rounding up the captured mercenaries. Looked like the captured civilians were being brought up from the holding area. I couldn't see Snow from here.

A unicorn on the ground popped a magical flare. “That’s our cue!” Nassor shouted. “Take us down there!”

The magical engines on the airship pushed us forward. The helmspony expertly taking us in low enough to pick up the civilians. I had my eyes glued to the crowd of civilians down there; they stood in lines, staring up at the airship with hope shining in the dull eyes. Still no sign of Snow.

Once we were in position, the loading planks went out and the civilians poured onto the ship. I searched, looked for her distinct white coat. All the civilians had come aboard, but I still hadn’t found her. A horrid thought occurred to me, feeling like a breath of icy wind on the back of my neck: what if they’d shipped her off while I was gone? Or what if they’d...no! No, don’t you dare think that, Strider! She’s fine!

“Where is Snow?” I asked my brother. I was about to panic when I heard her voice come from just off the ship.

“I want all of them on double rations for the next two weeks, check-ups with a doctor every other day, and constant observation under the eyes of trained psychologists. Am I clear?” she was barking. I looked and saw her shouting at the medic, who was doing his best to not cower.

“Yes ma'am!” the medical pony saluted. He hurried off and that left Snow alone as she looked over the civilians.

I moved as fast as I could, which was not fast at all right now, and seized her from behind in a hug. She squeaked in surprise and turned to face me.

“You’re okay!” she cried and kissed me on the mouth. We held each other tight for several long seconds, neither of us wanting to let go.

“I was getting worried,” I admitted, resting my head on top of hers. The scent of her mane, even with the sweat and dirt clinging to it, was a familiar, comforting odor.

“You worry too much,” she said, leaning into me.

I snorted. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”

“Shush,” she giggled.

We stayed like that, still holding onto each other as the airship took off for Las Pegasus. Soon, I’d be back with Jett. And then, it’d be time to ask Snow a very important question... again.

Las Pegasus - VII

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The sketch artist was dead on, Halberd's son was the spitting image of him. Just younger and angrier and uglier. Nassor had informed me that they both got away, but not before we crippled their operation. They were now on the run.

“When I become an RBI agent--” I’d started to say.

“You won’t be assigned to this case,” Nassor interrupted firmly. “Too much personal history; it’s against regulations.”

I sighed, but couldn’t argue. He was right; it was against regulations. The worry was if I made a case personal, I might make stupid decisions. Like going off on my own for revenge. Which I wouldn’t do!

I understood. Didn’t have to like it.

I was in the hospital now, getting rechecked for all the injuries I had sustained. The doctor informed me that I will need to do some physical therapy to be sure there are no underlying issues.

Snow had stayed with me the entire time, making sure to go over every detail of how she mended my wounds with the doctors. It helped them take X-rays in the right places. Snow was speaking with my doctors in private right now.

With her out of the room, it was the perfect time for scheming and plotting. Atlas walked into the room with a small bag. “Did you find it? Did you bring them?” I asked quickly.

“Yes. It was a pain the rear to find exactly what you were asking for though.” He passed me a bag with two little jewelry boxes. One had the engagement ring I bought all that time ago, the other was new.

“Looks like you managed. Did you get a message to the families?” I asked.

“I'd wager they are on a train and on their way right now,” Atlas smiled. “Isn't it a little premature to be preparing for a wedding when you haven't even proposed?”

“Just you let me worry about that. You, Jett, and Vanity handle everything else. Deal?”

“Deal.” We bumped gloves before he left to oversee the plan.

It was later that evening. I was finally being discharged from the hospital.

“You think they gave me enough potions and medications?” I asked Snow, looking at the bag of bottled items she was carrying in her magic.

“Honestly? I think they might be giving you too much. But nothing here will hurt you if mixed, and most of it is just to hasten the regrowth of your feathers,” Snow explained.

I smiled at her. “I’m really glad you’re gonna be helping me.”

“Well as your marefriend it is in my best interest to get you healthy,” she said proudly before kissing my cheek.

She turned away to look for a taxi. Now, Strider! This is the moment!

“Yeah, about that…” I started.

“About what?” she asked, turning around.

“You being my marefriend.”

She tilted her head to the side, confused. “You said we needed a new relationship, and just being my marefriend again isn't new enough for me,” I continued.

I dug out the little box I had expertly hidden under my wing until now, and she held a hoof over her mouth as she gasped. “Strider,” she whispered.

“I said it before, and I'll say it again. I would count my lucky stars if you would agree to marry me?” I asked holding the little box open for her to see the ring.

She was so quiet I started to get nervous. She was just breathing, tears leaking from her eyes. For a moment, I thought she was convincing herself not to.

“Snow, you gonna leave me holding this thing or you gonna answer?” I asked.

She flung her forelegs around me, happy tears leaking from her eyes. “Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!” She bowed her head and allowed me to put it on her horn.

“You like it?”

She studied her reflection in a window behind us. “It looks magnificent,” she smiled, wiping her eyes. “You said you bought it with your gambling money?”

“I did. Then after I got into GA, I put the rest of it into a savings account for Jett. Just in case, it will also gather interest, and slowly grow.”

“Oh! Smart.” She frowned in thought. “When are we gonna get married? I mean we have a whole bunch of planning to do…” She caught me smiling. “What are you up to?”

“What would you say if we could get married tomorrow evening?”

She stared at me for a moment, then shook her head with a smile. “I'd ask what kind of magic hat trick have you performed?”

“I've had Atlas, Jett, and Vanity getting things ready, and Nassor has actually helped get the word out to your family and mine. They are already on their way.”

“That confident I was gonna say yes?” she looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

“I had high hopes.” I kissed her; she hugged me back, kissing me happily. A taxi finally arrived. “We best go get some sleep. A big day tomorrow.”

“Indeed,” Snow agreed.

We climbed into the taxi, told him where to go, and just like that it was the beginning of our new relationship. Tomorrow we make it official.

We were staying in the temporary housing on Guard property; Atlas was kind enough to set it up for us. I awoke to the shuffling of hooves on the ground. Before I could open my eyes a pillow was thrown atop my face.

“No peeking! You are not allowed to see me until the ceremony!” Snow said, holding the pillow with her magic.

“I thought we were just gonna do this quickly?” I protested from under the pillow.

“We are, but since you kinda sprung this on me, you can give me this one tradition.” Snow lifted the pillow just enough that she could give me a quick kiss on the nose. “I'm gonna go meet up with my cousin, grandmother, your sister, and Vanity to pick a dress to wear. Jett and your brothers are gonna be back any minute now.”

“What about my medications?” I asked.

“Already laid out for you.” I heard her hoofsteps moving away. “Once I leave you can get up.”

“Okay.” I laid like that for several minutes as I listened to Snow get ready to leave. Once I heard the apartment door close I stood and went to take my medicine which Snow had kindly set up on the table.

“Feather haptic... hap... I can't pronounce this. If Snow says I need to take I I'll take it.” I started taking each of them one by one.

As I finished with those, I heard knocking on the door. “It's unlocked!”

Jett burst through the door and rushed over to me. “Dad! Dad! Dad!”

“Jett!” I responded as she hugged me. Dino was around her neck and did his best to join in the hug, slithering around my neck.

“When Uncle said you were in the hospital, I got worried,” Jett babbled, clinging to me so tightly it was starting to hurt. “Why did you let them get you? You can't do that kind of stuff! You can't do that and leave me here!” She was borderline shouting.

I petted her mane. “I'm never going that far undercover again, sweetie. I can promise you that much. We are gonna be moving to Canterlot, permanently, and I'm gonna start working for the RBI.”

She sniffled. “That sounds nice.”

“Yeah.” I looked up to see my brothers in the doorway doing their best to mind their own business. “So Jett, did you do what I asked?”

She took a deep breath and nodded. “Uncle Orion helped me.”

“Venue is set up, reception reserved?” I asked.

“Yup. Where is Snow? I wanted to hug her,” she said, looking around as if she thought Snow was hiding somewhere.

“She is already out with the rest of the girls to get ready.”

“Aww! I wanted to go,” she pouted.

“Sitting in a waiting room, while she gets fitted for a dress. You wanted to do that?” I raised a brow.

“When you put it like that, maybe not,” Jett grumbled.

“Are you two done? We have a lot of stuff to do. And the rest of the guests are waiting downstairs,” Atlas informed me.

“He also needs to pick the best stallion,” Thasus informed me.

“Oh yeah! You don't have one!” Orion exclaimed. “So who's it gonna be?”

They were all staring at me expectantly. Waiting for me to pick one of them. They were all excellent picks for the best stallion. Trouble was there was three of them. So I'm gonna opt for door number two.

“I choose Jett as my best mare,” I said, hugging her tighter.

“Pay up, I told you he'd pick her,” Orion laughed. Atlas and Thasus both passed fifty bit pieces over to Orion with groans of defeat.

I rolled my eyes. “Very mature, guys. Anyway, we best get moving, we have a lot to do today.”

“Yeah. Oh, by the way, they ran out of ministers able to perform the wedding, but Nassor said he could do it.” Atlas informed me.

“Nassor can marry ponies?” I asked grabbing my light coat to hide my still featherless wings. I didn’t like ponies staring.

“Yeah, he said it's a long story, but I think we are just lucky we know a pony who can,” Atlas added.

I nodded. “Very true.”

The lot of us were at the local logistics depot speaking to the Quartermaster-slash-tailor in charge of the dress uniforms. I had grown since the first fitting of my dress uniform. I also needed a way to dress my bare wings up so they didn’t look so weird.

“Geez, you've bulked up since your graduation,” the tailor grumbled. She was comparing my current measurements to the ones in my file. “Mostly muscle it seems.”

“You always like this when stallions are getting fitted for their wedding?” Thasus asked her.

“Only the cute ones,” She winked at him. I rolled my eyes. “So tell me about the mare your marrying, she pretty?”

Jett decided to give the description. “Very pretty, and kind and smart and-”

“Point is…” I interrupted, “...she's the one for me, and I almost lost her for good before I'm not about to make that mistake again.”

“Did you even write any vows?” Orion asked as he opened up a fashion magazine out of boredom.

Everypony looked at me expectantly, tailor included. I rolled my eyes. “No. I will know what to say when the time comes.”

“Ha! Famous last words,” Thasus laughed.

“Oh ha ha, I know what I'm doing guys,” I said, slightly irritated.

“Oh we know, we are just giving you a hard time,” Atlas commented looking over Orion's shoulder at the magazine. “It’s part of our duty as brothers.”

“Leave Dad alone, I think he's doing the right thing,” Jett said.

“Thank you, Jett,” I praised her.

A knock resonated from the door of the room we were in. Nassor stepped in, “There you are, I’ve been looking for you.”

“If it’s about what kind of wedding we want, it’s a military wedding we requested, right?” I asked.

“Oh, I know and I have it all set to go. There is something else,” Nassor added, looking a little nervous. “Not related to the wedding.”

“What is it?” I was curious now.

“My boss, Director of the Royal Bureau of Investigation, Iron Bolt, wants to speak with you,” he explained. “It seems he wanted to meet with you personally; he’s waiting outside.”

My brothers all gasped. “He came all this way?” I asked, my eyes widening in surprise.

“Apparently he had other things to do in the city, you are just another stop on his list of things to do,” Nassor explained.

“Well let him in,” I said, stepping down from the fitting stand. “How do I look?” I asked, dusting myself off and straightening my uniform.

“As nervous as you probably are,” Atlas stated.

“Thanks, brother, that’s very reassuring,” I muttered.

Nassor opened the door and a bronze coated, steel-maned earth pony with a beard in a suit stepped in. Cutie Mark was of a crossbow bolt shattering a metal shield. My brothers and I started a salute.

“At ease gents,” the stallion grunted. “Sergeant Flame Strider. A pleasure to finally meet you. Your name has come across my desk a few times, filed as a promising recruit.” Director Bolt commented offering a hoof to shake.

I shook. “Director. I knew we’d meet, however, I assumed that’d be after I applied for the RBI.”

“Special Circumstances,” he paused looking around. “Can we have the room please?” I nodded to the others. My brothers, Jett, Nassor, and the tailor all filed out of the room in a fair amount of time. Jett was none too excited about it since I just got back from assignment, but she followed obediently.

“So since not even Nassor stayed, I assume this is a delicate conversation?” I asked.

He started walking around the room as he spoke. “Not particularly. Consider this a job interview.”

“Job interview? Like I said earlier, I haven’t even applied yet,” I repeated.

“No you haven’t, and you were going to, but like I said: special circumstances. The RBI agent who died starting that mission you finished, Special Agent Mustang, he was one of my best agents,” Bolt explained.

“Sorry for the RBI’s loss,” I stated.

He seemed to take a moment to compose himself, then nodded. “Thank you, but that isn’t why I’m here. You picking up the pieces and taking the lead like you did with Nassor. It tells me you are a leader, more than that it tells me you can finish something even if you didn’t start it.” He continued.

I stayed silent. I was curious on where he was going with this.

“Special Agent Mustang left several cases unfinished, and left three fresh probationary agents partly trained.” He turned to me. “I’m willing to bypass standard protocol to get you instated as a full fledged RBI Special Agent, seeing as I need that position filled ASAP.”

“Why not just reassign one of your other agents, sir? Like Nassor, he seems capable,” I asked.

“Nassor and my other agents have their own teams of agents to lead and cases to solve. And before you ask, I tried reassigning the probationary agents, it caused… problems.” He paused momentarily. “Believe me when I say I looked at other avenues to solve this issue. Besides you are a capable investigator, you’ve lead before, and you know how to work the red tape to your benefit. What do you say? Want to guard Equestria as a whole instead of one city at a time?”

Wow, he knew how to make a point. “Let me think a moment, please. Big decision.”

“I can wait, but I need an answer before I leave here.” He sat in one of the seats to the side of the room.

I paced around a bit. This was a great opportunity, my own team, near limitless resources, countrywide jurisdiction, as well as jurisdiction over any military, guard, or civilian related cases. Then the great pay and benefits. Unfortunately, that also meant drop-of-a-hat traveling, late hours, and more high-risk missions. I was expecting to ease into it while I got used to the married life, not thrown into the deep end with rocks tied to my hooves.

This also felt like this was being hooved to me on a silver platter. I haven't earned it. Not in the right way at least. But he doesn't seem to be the kind of pony who would do that kind of thing.

I turned to him. “These probationary agents. What's the issue with them?”

“Little more than kids with dreams of grandeur. Why?”

“Am I to assume that this will be a difficult assignment?” I asked avoiding his question.

“Undoubtedly.”

“What kind of cases were Agent Mustang and his team involved in?” I asked.

“Murders on Royal property, military and guard cases, anything that needed doing really.”

“So everything?”

“Pretty much.”

“How many cases will I be finishing? To start?”

“One high profile case, and two military in-house cases that got bumped up to the RBI. To start, they have top priority at the moment you can get to the others later.”

I sighed weighing all the information. It didn’t take long. “I accept. Let me move to Canterlot after I get married, and get settled in. I owe my daughter and soon-to-be wife that much. I also need to give my wings time to heal anyway.”

Director Bolt stood and nodded. “We can do that. It will take some time to get the paperwork sorted anyway. Anyway, I'll take my leave. Congratulations on the wedding. See you at work.”

“Goodbye sir, and thank you.” I nodded to him as he exited.

Once he was gone my party reentered, and the tailor started making up for lost time. “What was that all about?” Nassor asked.

“He offered me a job. Special Agent Mustang’s job,” I said sitting down while the tailor took the dress uniform into the back to get resized.

“Really? I heard he’s done that in the past but I never thought I’d see it.” Nassor leaned against the wall. “Rumor is that Iron Bolt started out that way as well. He had to prove he could do the job better than anypony else.” We all looked at him expecting more. “That’s the rumor anyway.”

“Point is, Strider can get back to leading instead of following. You were terrible as a desk Sergeant, brother,” Atlas smirked.

“I helped improve things there and you know it,” I shot back.

“I am perfectly capable of leading my Guards without your help.” Atlas smiled with pride.

“You should try it sometime.” I fired.

Everypony but Atlas and I gave an audible “Oh!”

“That’s it, come here you!” Atlas started after me trying to tackle me. It wasn’t long before Thasus, Orion and Jett joined in the chase.

We ended up in a heap on the floor of laughter and each trying to get a grapple on one another. The tailor came back then, “Hey! No roughhousing in my department!” She threw my uniform at me wrapped in a package. “It should fit fine, now get out of here and marry that mare!” she shouted.

“Sorry, thank you,” I paid her for her trouble and we made our way out.

“What’s next?” Atlas asked.

“The cake,” Thasus said.

“The food,” Orion added.

“Keeping the guests busy until tonight,” I added. We all exchanged glances. “Divide and Conquer?” We all nodded to each other and we took off in separate directions, Jett stayed with me. We had a lot to do before tonight.

Las Pegasus VIII

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Getting everything ready was a challenge, but we managed to pull it off in the end. Everypony was filing into the cheap rental chapel now and taking their seats. I was standing with my entourage next to the altar. Nassor stood in his dress uniform as well; behind me was Jett in an adorable tuxedo. I had made the offer of her having a dress but she liked this better. Next to her was Orion, Atlas and Thasus in their dress uniforms. The bridesmares were across the altar from us: Icicle, being Snow’s Mare of honor was first in line. Then it was Buttercup, Vanity (to my great surprise), and lastly a mare I didn't know.

I looked out into the crowd and I saw a very large portion of my family on my side of the room. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Snow had laid claim to more than a few of our friends on her side. She had the fewest family members attending so I guess she was trying to even things out across the room. Stone was here, Sergeant Arrow was here sitting in the back. Knight Gaze had respectfully declined unfortunately, he was in the middle of an operation and couldn't leave. There were a few of our friends and former co-workers that had declined. But this was still big for what was supposed to be a small on-the-fly wedding.

“You nervous?” Nassor asked.

I nodded. “And excited.”

“You’re nervicited!” Jett chirped.

“I feel like I’ve heard that word before,” Thasus mumbled.

“You too?” Atlas asked.

“And can’t remember where you heard it?” Orion chimed in.

I ignored their banter and nodded to Jett. “Yes, ‘nervicited’ would be a good word. If it is one.”

“Just breathe. From what I've read in books and the stories I've heard, once you see her come down that aisle everything will melt away, ” Nassor stated.

“I've heard that as well, kind of counting on it,” I admitted.

I watched as our family finished taking their seats. The piano player was taking his place and flipping to the page of music he needed. Snow got to have all the say when it came to the music, so I had no idea what he was gonna play.

Of course, the first song was the traditional wedding march. Everypony stood, their heads turning towards the back of the room. The doors opened with a squeak and Snow and her Grandfather, Barback, stepped into view. At that moment I realized Nassor had been right in a way. I couldn't take my eyes off of her; all of my doubt and stress melted away and I felt a warm glow fill me up from my tail all the way up to my nose.

Her dress was shimmering white-silver in the lights of the rental chapel. Instead of a veil she wore a tiara, her hair was done up in a fancy bun decorated with crystals. At that moment, I was convinced there was no mare in the world as beautiful as her.

I noticed that her eyes were locked on me as well. I couldn't tell if it was her makeup, but she had a constant blush on her face. A small, nervous smile spread over her face, making her look even more beautiful.

When they finally reached the altar, I walked over to stand next to Barback, opposite Snow. My heart was doing a tap-dance in my chest, and my wings were tingling.

“Who gives this mare away to be wed?” Nassor asked.

“I do,” Barback answered. He turned to Snow, hugged her, whispered something, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Barback then turned to me and put a hoof on my shoulder. “Do better,” he ordered, giving me a scowl that would’ve put some of my drill instructors to shame.

“Yes, sir,” I answered as he stepped down and sat next to his wife. I looked at Snow and held my leg out for her to take it. She did so without hesitation, her blush spreading.

Nassor cleared his throat before speaking. “We gather here, albeit very suddenly and impromptu…” That earned some laughter from the crowd. “...to witness the joining of a love that has already undergone hardships and trials. I've known these two only a short time and I can tell you that when they argue, it’s because they love each other. A lot.”

Snow and I laughed a little with the crowd.

“Flame Strider and Snow. You two have made commitments in your life prior to the vows you are about to make: Strider to the Equestrian Guard, Snow to the Equestrian Medical Reserve. In your marriage, you are taking on each other's commitments in addition to the ones you have made, and the vows you are about to make to each other. Now, if you're ready, you may make your vows.” Nassor took a step back.

Snow levitated out a little piece of paper and started reading from it as she spoke to me. “Strider, you are stubborn, foolish, and sometimes have the maturity of a colt. You are also brave, confident, caring, and are too smart for your own good. Knowing all this, I vow to love you even when you make it difficult, to care for you when you need me to, and to remind you that you have family who needs you to come home every night. I love you, Flame Strider.”

Everypony “awwwed’ as Snow put the paper away. “Strider, you have something to say?” Nassor asked.

“There aren't enough words, but I'll do my best to keep it short here.” I joked before clearing my throat. Snow giggled. “Snow, I love you. You are stronger than me, you are smarter, and your heart is so much bigger than mine. I don't deserve you. Which is why I vow to prove to you every day that I am worthy of you. I vow to be a better stallion than the one you fell in love with, I vow to be a better father. Finally, I vow to place you and our family first above my own needs. I love you, Snow.”

Snow had gotten a little teary-eyed, but her face glowed with happiness. Nassor spoke up again. “If anypony has a reason why these two should not be wed-”

“You can keep it to yourself!” Jett shouted making everyone laugh.

“Couldn't have said it better myself, ” Nassor smiled. “Now, by the power vested in me under Equestrian law, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Strider, you may now kiss the bride.”

I was already kissing her before he finished his sentence. I could hear the cheering, but all that mattered at the moment was my wife, her forelegs around my neck, and giving her a kiss she won't forget for a while.

The reception was louder than I thought it’d be. Considering the amount of family and friends we had here, I probably should’ve expected loud.

Snow and I were at our table, overlooking the crowd as everyone took their seats. Orion took it upon himself to be the one with the microphone.

“Alright, is everypony sitting? Uncle! I see you there, sit. Now. So I can start.” He cleared his throat. “Alright, since everypony knows we are skipping quite a few traditions during this wedding, there is one that can never be skipped. The first dance. Now it is my honor to introduce my brother and new sister-in-law for the first time as Mrs. Snow and Mr. Flame Strider!”

We took the floor as he announced us. The band took their places, and began to play the song that we had both settled on:

“Wise ponies say: only fools rush in,
But I can’t help falling in love with you…”

I took her hooves in mine as we began our dance. It was a simple dance, no more advanced than the dance we did back at the guard ball. This one had more meaning though. This also gave us a chance to talk.

“So Mrs. Snow, any thoughts going through that pretty head of yours?” I asked quietly.

“Just as to where we are gonna live. We can’t stay in that hotel room, pretty sure Atlas won’t want an additional roommate. My quarters in Manehattan aren’t exactly cut out for a family of three,” Snow listed off, thinking several steps ahead as usual.

“I was gonna tell you after the reception, but I guess since we are on the subject...” I gave her a quick spin in the dance as other married or engaged couples began to join us on the dance floor. “I got full ownership of my mother’s house in Canterlot. Buttercup will be staying until she finishes school, and we have to host all the family events forever and ever, but other than that the house is ours.”

Her eyes lit up with delight. “That’s magnificent! But don’t you have to finish your service with Las Pegasus?”

“I’ve accepted a job offer from the Director of the R.B.I. Promotion, my own team, little overhead, Equestria wide jurisdiction, a few other benefits,” I smriked.

Her face fell a little. “R.B.I? You’d have to travel a bunch with little to no notice.”

“I’ll have a team with me, that I will be training myself. Also…” I brought her in close for a kiss. “...I have pretty good motivation to come back.”

Her worries slowly melted away and she rested her head against my chest. “Mmm… You bet you do.”

Her stomach growled, causing her to blush. “Are we done dancing? I’ve hardly eaten all day, and I’m starving.”

“Yeah, let’s get some food.” I agreed. Our wedding day was going quite well.

Canterlot - I

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It's been two weeks since the wedding, and during that time we have been moving into the house in Canterlot. Today we are unpacking the last of Snow's things, and the last of my stuff from my storage unit in Las Pegasus. Jett and I had to help Snow pack up her Manehattan apartment and bring her things here.

As today was Sunday, I had work tomorrow starting at the R.B.I. My wings had healed nicely and I had a nice cover of short feathers over my wings; I still can't fly, but I didn’t look like a moulted chicken anymore. Snow was starting work at Canterlot General with the Medical Reserves on Tuesday, and Jett was beginning school at Canterlot Elementary as well.

“When did you get all this stuff?” I asked, pushing a box into our closet. Formerly my mom's closet.

“I was very busy while we were apart. I went to school, got a medical license, and right now I'm working on becoming an actual doctor with the Medical Reserve,” Snow explained, putting her various dresses up on hangers.

I could tell I only needed a fraction of the closet space. Armor stand, dress uniform, and small accessory drawer: all I needed. She had the rest of the closet, and dresser. Over ninety percent of it to be filled with her things. Why did mares need so much stuff? Maybe that should be my next case.

I walked up and hugged her from behind, nuzzling the nape of her neck. “We have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?”

She turned and planted a kiss on my lips. “You bet we do, handsome,” she purred.

We continued making out, stroking each other’s manes and ears, but our moment was quickly interrupted. “Dad! Mom! I think something is wrong with the shower.”

Snow and I parted with a sigh. “It'll have to wait, your daughter requires your help,” Snow said.

“I can wait until tonight,” I winked at her, stepping out of the closet.

Leaving our bedroom, I made my way to the other end of the hallway, where Jett's bathroom was. She was standing inside, drying herself off with a towel. “What's the problem?”

“The faucet is leaking.” She pointed to the tub with a wing.

I went over to have a look. It was dripping incessantly, five to six drops of water a second. Oh, brother.

“I'll stop by a plumber as soon as I can, but don't worry about it right now, okay?”

“Okay,” Jett nodded.

“Is there anything else you noticed that we need to get fixed?” I asked her, dreading the answer

“Cracked mirror in the downstairs restroom, and I think the refrigerator is getting old. Its making weird noises.”

“Fair enough,” I said stepping into the hallway. “Was that it?”

“Did you go to school here too, Dad?” she asked.

I started making my way downstairs “Yeah, why?”

“Are other foals that go here nice?” she asked, following me.

I shrugged. “Some, you'll know the difference between the crowds after a day or so. Why do you ask?”

She rubbed her nose. “I've heard stories. Rich fillies will be mean to you if you're not rich too.”

I frowned a bit. “We may not be rich, but we are living comfortably. There’s no shame in that.”

“So what if they're still mean to me?” she pouted a bit.

“Well, you get to brag that you are the granddaughter of the famous Sparrow Song and daughter of an accomplished R.B.I. Agent, and an Equestrian Medical Reserve Physician,” I told her.

She looked at me in puzzlement. “I thought you said bragging was rude?”

Oh, right, I did. “Well...sometimes you just have to stick it to mean ponies,” I replied.

“Oh.” She seemed to be thinking about it. “I'm still nervous.”

I nodded and gently tousled her mane. “That's natural. New ponies, new social dynamic. I'd think you crazy if you weren't nervous.”

“What about your new job, dad? Are you nervous?”

“A little,” I admitted. “We are all adjusting. I'm sure I'll be okay once I get into the work.”

Jett let out a soft “Hmm” in her throat; she wanted to talk about a few things but she wasn't saying anything.

“Is there something else on your mind?” I prompted.

She seemed to glance up to the ceiling. “I kinda want a chance to talk to mom. Alone,” she admitted.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I haven’t really gotten to talk to her since the wedding, or before, or during,” she said.

“Right,” I nodded. “You will have ample time to talk tomorrow when she picks you up from school. I won't be home until later.”

“Okay.” She seemed unsure but I didn't want to push. “So, what's for dinner?”

“How about breakfast for dinner? Not gonna have time in the morning.”

“Okay!” she exclaimed, looking instantly happy.

“Go wash up and let Snow know. I'll get started.”

She hurried off and back upstairs. She was staying in my old room. Buttercup was still in her room. Once she moved out, Snow and I had plans to turn that into our nursery. But all that was for another day.

The RBI building was intimidating to anyone passing by. It was easily five stories tall, and I suspected a sublevel or two. White marble stone, with tinted windows to keep nosy ponies from peeking inside.

I was headed in through the front door. An agent flanked each side of the door, both outside and inside. A magic dispeller checkpoint awaited inside, a magical silver arch capable of undoing the most potent potions and the most sophisticated of illusion spells.

I stepped up to the security agent. “What is the reason for your visit today?” he asked.

“Not visiting, starting. It's my first day as an Agent,” I told the rather imposing guard.

“Ah, so you are Agent Flame Strider,” he nodded. “I was told to get you set up with an ID implant.”

“Implant?” I asked.

“It's a small enchanted crystal that we put into your foreleg. It allows you access most parts of the building,” he explained.

“Why does this sound like it's gonna be painful?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It's really not, part of the magic is that it burrows into the skin on its own.”

I guess that made it a bit better. “Lead the way.”

With a nod, he lead me to the medical department, which was little more than a nurse's office. Without missing a beat, the security agent told the nurse why I was there, and she pulled out a file with my name on it and a small crystal about the size of a postage stamp with it.

“Hold out your hoof,” the nurse instructed. I did so, and she used her magic to take the crystal out of the vial and set in on my foreleg just above the hoof.

I watched as it magically phased into my skin. It felt no worse than a needle prick, and I totally did not wince. “Impressive,” I admitted.

“That is just one of the fancy things the RBI uses.” I heard Nassor from behind me. I turned around and saluted.

Nassor was back in his RBI Armor, that was light enough to look formal, but heavy enough to look serious. Black with gold trim, no helmet, the official seal of the RBI embossed on the left shoulder. He smiled back at me and returned the salute. “I'll take it from here, Probie,” he addressed the Agent beside me.

The ‘probie’ saluted and went back to his post. “I wasn't sure I'd see you on my first day, figured you'd be busy,” I said.

“I had one of my probies do my paperwork, I wanted to be the one to show you around,” Nassor explained.

“Maybe we should start with the uniform?” I suggested.

“Great idea, the inventor behind this latest set of armor is a pony you know.”

“Really, who?” I tried.

Nassor just shook his head, “Best I not spoil the surprise. Come on, let's go to R&D.”

Nassor lead me down to the first sublevel. Walking into the R&D area I could see a number of unfinished projects scattered across the many tables, blueprints and notes covering every inch of every wall and bulletin board, and a number of unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies tinkering.

One of the projects looked like a mechanical pony. It was active and moving around, working on an advanced crossbow. Nassor and I approached it. “Strider, I trust you remember Brass Cog, ” he gestured to the mechanical pony who looked at me with a metal smile.

My eyes widened, Brass Cog? The weapons inventor whom I helped in Baltimare?! “Sweet Celestia, Brass Cog? What in Equestria happened to you?” I blurted out.

“An unfortunate accident,” he said, his voice reverberating deeply. “I was attempting to make a mechanical replacement for bomb disarming hazards, but my mind and soul got trapped in the crystalline power source of this mech.”

He was made of bronze, copper and iron metals! He had glowing blue crystals for eyes, he was easily double in size of the standard earth pony. How could he be so calm about this?!

“Any other side effects?” I asked, trying to keep my head from exploding with questions.

He shrugged. “Meh, don't need sleep, food, or water, so it's interesting. My daughter is happy she doesn't have to worry about my safety anymore. I promise one day we can have a beer or something and I'll explain in detail what happened. Are you here for a set of armor?” He changed the subject.

“I… I am indeed,” I stammered, still trying to process the fact that I was talking to a metal pony.

Cog trotted over to another area to the R&D department, and we followed him. This area seemed to be dedicated to armor advancements, judging by all the armor stands. Cog pulled the chest piece off a rack, and started etching my measurements on the inside of the metal with a tool.

“Alright put this on,” he said and hoofed it to me.

Was this a joke? This oversized metal necklace was all of my uniform? “Um…”

“Trust me. I perfected that original prototype armor piece you wore in Baltimare. Put it on,” he assured me.

Skeptically, I put it on. As I did a golden shimmer rushed over my coat, covering my body in that sleek, comfortable, black and gold stylish armor. Luckily, there was a mirror nearby, and I wasted no time in admiring myself.

“I think I've said it once, and I'll say it again: ‘I love magic.’” I grinned.

“You like?” Brass Cog asked.

“Heck yeah, I like, so much more comfortable than standard issue,” I proceeded to stretch my legs and wings out to get a proper feel for it. “Can it do anything like that prototype could?”

“Meh, not really. I downsized the enchantments to focus on protecting the wearer. For example, when the wearer is in danger the enchantment will put the helmet on you,” Cog explained.

“Helmets are good,” I agreed.

“As fascinating as it is to talk and watch you work Cog, ” Nassor interrupted. “We have more to see before Agent Strider gets to work, and the Director wants him on the job ASAP.”

“I understand. Come back down anytime Agent.” Brass Cog reached to shake my hoof. I responded in kind, before taking leave with Nassor.

We saw the morgue and Dr. Phalange, odd mare but likable. Then we saw the evidence locker and Agent Vice, I think he might have a few screws loose. Forensics was the home of Rivers, as she introduced herself; she was crazy happy.

Finally, we were headed up to my squad room, where my three Probationary Agents were waiting. Nassor refused to tell me anything about them, I guess so I could form my own opinions about them or something.

“I do have to tell you I hope you can straighten this lot out,” Nassor admitted.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because if you don't work, they'll be split up and spread across duty stations around Equestria,” Nassor informed me.

“I see…” I nodded. “Are you coming in?”

“Best I get back to my own team, and you need to bond with yours. But if you need me, I'm on the floor above you, room twenty-five.” Nassor stepped away. “See you later.”

“Yeah, see ya.” I watched him retreat back down the hall.

I stood just outside the door for a moment and collected my thoughts. It was time to go to work, so I had to put home life away for now. With a deep breath, I opened the door. As I walked in, I took note of my team.

Probationary Agent Amber Light. A unicorn female. As her name suggested, she had an amber coat and a red mane. Since she, like the others, was not a full agent, she had on a set of black and gold guard armor instead of the fancy new armor that I had.

Probationary Agent Sugar Shake, a sky blue earth pony with a ice blue mane. She seemed overly concerned about her looks, judging by all the beauty care products on her desk; she was actually adjusting her mane with a hoof mirror when I entered and jumped when the door opened.

Finally, Probationary Agent Skylynx. A silver feathered and white leopard coated griffin oddly enough. By his expression, he looked serious and by the book. He saluted as soon as he saw me enter; you could’ve used him for a how-to picture in the Guard manual.

“Sitrep!” I barked. They jumped and scrambled for their files.

I got to my desk. It had been cleaned out of the previous agent's belongings. Keys to the drawers sat in the middle of the large paper calendar that occupied most of the desk.

Before I could sit down the three probie agents all set the case files on my desk and stood waiting for me to read them.

I saw the three case names. “Warder,” “Missing Supplies,” and “Drug Smuggling.” I picked up the Missing Supplies case and gave it back to Sugar as she was the one who set it down.

“Explain where we are in the case,” I ordered.

She seemed to hesitate, but collected herself. “Quartermaster Bear of the City Guard is suspected of selling guard armor and weapons to criminals.”

“Witnesses?” I asked.

“One, a jittery Third Class fresh out of the Academy. Claims she saw him meeting with a pirate.”

I nodded. “Reinterview the witness discreetly. Take a sketch artist with you, see if you can get something useable.” I instructed.

“By myself?” she asked, eyes wide.

“Yeah, you don't need me to do that. This is the best way for you to learn and boost your confidence about the job. We start with the little things like witness interviews, and we go from there. Is that okay with you?” I asked.

“Yeah! I mean, yes, sir!” She went to her desk grabbed some gear and hurried out the door.

I picked up the Drug Smuggling case file and hooved it to Skylynx. “Explain.”

“There are drugs missing from Canterlot General's Medical Reserve unit. Witness told me there were several unmarked crates in their storeroom, but they were gone before anyone could investigate. The hospital knows we are investigating, and they insist that there are no missing drugs and that we are wasting our time.”

“They don't want the embarrassment. Go to the hospital, interview the pharmacy staff, then the storehouse workers and then start asking all the nurses the standard questions, nothing specific.”

Skylynx looked confused. “Nurses? Why not the doctors?”

“Because nurses gossip and talk with more patients and families than the doctors do. If one of them saw or heard something, they should all know by now,” I told him.

“Yes, sir.” Skylynx grabbed his service sword from his desk and left to the hospital.

Leaving Amber and the Warder case. “Do I even need to say it?” I raised an eyebrow.

Amber frowned a bit. “The Warder case is a...touchy one. Former Captain of Celestia's Royal Guard Warder was murdered just before Agent Mustang, the agent before you, went undercover. Dr. Phalange did the autopsy, froze the body, then archived the evidence.”

“You mean it didn't even make it to the lab?” I asked.

“We had found out Mustang had died. All cases assigned to him were halted and archived,” Amber informed me.

Brilliant. Bureaucracy strikes another blow! “Go down to Archives and get that evidence down to Rivers. I'm gonna stay here and read up.”

“Yes, sir.” She seemed a little sad that I wasn't sending her out into the field, but didn’t protest.

She left the room, and I got to reading the case files in front of me. The Missing Supplies and Drug Smuggling cases were both pretty fresh. We had our suspicion on what was going on, and we were investigating.

The Warder case was a whole other beast. It started with a royal jewelry theft case about ten years prior to now. Captain Warder was a close friend of Princess Celestia, but after two months of dead-end leads, the primary suspect Sergeant Keep started pointing hooves at the Captain, a search of the Captain’s office found a neatly placed bag of Celestia's jewelry in the top unlocked drawer.

The captain was court-martialed, but only put on two-year parole at Celestia's request. He disappeared soon after his parole was over. His parole officer noted that Warder became highly paranoid in the final month of his parole and suspected he was hiding something.

I found it odd that Celestia would defend a jewel thief… but, having to interrogate the Princess wasn’t really something I was looking forward to. First I need to speak with Dr. Phalange, having some insight on the victim's death might help. I stood and headed to the elevator.

For the second time that day, I found myself in the morgue. As I stepped in I saw Dr. Phalange looking over a corpse.

She’s a black pony with red mane, cutie mark of a scalpel and bone; she was older nearing elderly, but you could tell from the way she talked that she was highly intelligent. And she had a Trottingham accent.

“Who's the vic?” I asked.

She looked up. “Ah, Agent Strider, I figured you be back today. As for your inquiry; this is an unfortunate training accident, nothing more; the autopsy is merely a formality. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Former Captain Warder. What do you know?” I asked.

She nodded. “Ah, that one, I figured you’d be back soon for that one. Good thing I had the foresight to pull him out of the ice box.” She stepped away from the fresh corpse, and over to a wall of square doors, opening one farthest to the left. Sliding out on the table inside was the still frozen remains of Warder. I tried not to shudder.

“Stabbed repeatedly with a large blade. The first blow, the one that pierced his heart…” she pointed to the wound, “that was the killing blow. The rest of these wounds are-”

“Rage, or panic.” I finished.

“Those would be logical conclusions. The curve and angle of the wounds would suggest a pony, weilding a sharp sword with a slightly curved edge.”

“Some Royal Guard’s have service swords with a slightly curved edge. Specifically officers,” I mentioned.

“That they do, but that is hardly the only place they are found,” she reminded me.

I started to turn away, “Thanks, Doc.”

“You should also know that he was poisoned shortly before his stabbing. It weakened him, slowed his reflexes. Whoever did this knew they couldn’t kill him in a straight fight and decided to even the odds.”

“That’s very helpful.” I started to walk away.

“Do come down for a chat sometime. I miss conversing with attractive stallions such as yourself.” I turned around in surprise, and she shot me a wink.

“I-I'm spoken for, doc,” I stammered out.

She smirked. “Oh I know, doesn't mean you can't let an old mare enjoy the view, eh?”

I laughed, trying to keep my face from reddening too much. “I'll see you later, doc.”

We were at the administrative entrance to the castle. Amber and I were meeting with Princess Celestia in her office.

“How come you trusted the others to do their investigations on their own, and not me?” she asked, still looking a bit put out with me.

“Because you don't have the clearance to get an audience with the Princesses on your own, ” I reasoned. “Remember to be respectful, pretend ‘Princess’ is their military rank, and always look them in the eye.”

“I will, sir. Have you ever had an audience with the princesses before?” she asked.

“Nope.”

“Agent Flame Strider, and Agent Amber, ” one of Celestia's Guards called us. “Follow me please.”

Amber and I followed him to a different part of the castle past a number of Royal Guards, all of them eyeballing us without breaking their composure.

We reached an unlabeled door, and the guard knocked thrice. “Enter!” a regal voice called from inside.

The guard opened the door, and inside at her desk sat Princess Celestia. To my surprise, Princess Luna was here as well with a guard of her own.

“It is an honor to meet you, Princess, ” I bowed to Celestia. “Doubly so, meeting you, Princess Luna.”

“It is a pleasure, Agent Strider. We have read about your exploits in the newspaper. Congratulations on your marriage by the way,” Celestia smiled.

“Thank you, ” I halted looking at the Solar and Lunar guards in the room. “I apologize the conversation I have come to discuss is confidential. If your guards could wait outside, please,” I asked.

“Very well.” Celestial nodded to her guards and her sister.

“Please wait outside,” Luna ordered her guard. He was reluctant, but did as asked.

Once we were alone Princess Luna spoke her mind, raising an eyebrow at me. “What is so important, and secretive, that you had to send away our security?”

I had to stop myself from gulping nervously. “Former Guard Captain Warder. He's been murdered here in Canterlot meer weeks ago. Your testimony, Princess Celestia, kept him out of prison despite him being the one who was convicted of stealing from you.” I paused. “I have to ask, were you aware of his activities in the time between the end of his parole, and now?”

Celestia cast her eyes down in sorrow. “I was beginning to wonder why he didn't show up at our previous rendezvous.”

I blinked. “Princess?”

“I did indeed know of his whereabouts. He was on a mission for me. Some of the jewelry that was stolen was more than just for show. If it falls into the wrong hooves, there will be trouble.” Celestia took a breath. “We used one harmless piece as bait. He tracked it all around Equestria, even to a criminal cesspool known as Kludgetown outside Equestria, and then back again. Last he reported, he was in Ponyville,” Celestia explained.

“Were you the only one to know of his mission?” I asked.

“I was. Until now,” Celestia admitted.

“Sir, there is a good chance our killer is the same pony who stole the jewelry in the first place,” Amber pointed out, then quickly silenced herself with an apologetic smile to the Princesses.

“Do you have any suspects?” Luna inquired.

“Sergeant Keep,” I answered.

Luna and Celestia looked at each other. “He is the captain of my Sister’s House Guard now,” Luna informed me with a scowl. “Should we have him detained?”

“No, just keep an eye on him and have two guards posted outside your quarters at all times,” I asked.

“It would be a convenient excuse that you came here to warn us of an assassination attempt; then guards would have to cover us and our things at all times,” Celestia thought up.

“Brilliant, Sister,” Luna smiled.

“I will go to Ponyville tomorrow and ask around. Did he mention anything else to you about his investigation there?”

Celestia nodded. “He mentioned a private detective that went by the name of ‘Finder,’ but that name doesn't mean anything to me.”

I sighed at the mention of the name. “Sir?” Amber asked.

“I know the name. I’ll be back with my own report soon enough.” I bowed, “Princesses.”

They nodded their heads in return as Amber and I took our leave. “Tell Sugar Shake and Skylynx to be ready to go first thing in the morning and to be at the train station at six sharp,” I ordered Amber as soon as we exited the castle.

“Yes sir!” She snapped a salute and hurried back to the RBI building. I followed at a slower pace, thinking on how to handle this. First step is to talk to Snow about it.

“You are leaving town already?” Snow scowled at me.

I was sitting beside her in the bed. “Only for a few hours, and I’m not going alone, I’m bringing my team,” I defended. “I’m not leaving for days on end... yet. I’ll be home for dinner.”

“You had better. Besides you and I need to talk about another matter.” she fiddled with her tail.

I paused, but Snow didn’t say anything for a while; she was clearly trying to work up the courage to speak. Finally, she took a breath. “Jett wants a sibling.”

I sighed. “Oh yeah. She asked about that in New Horseleans.”

Snow frowned. “Well, I figured we have two options, we could either conceive a foal. Which as busy as our schedules are right now wouldn't be a good idea. Or we could go adopt another.”

“Well, I figure, we could wait a while to have our own children. We have the space now to adopt another, before we have children,” I said.

“So are we talking ourselves out of adopting or into adopting, cause this is sounding like a good idea.” Snow laughed a little.

“It is sounding like a good idea, but you get to pick this time.”

“Why me?”

“Cause I picked Jett, it’s your turn,” I said to her nuzzling her cheek.

“That's true,” she admitted, nuzzling me back. “The local orphanage is only a few blocks from the hospital. I could go check it out on my lunch hour.”

“Sounds like you have a full day planned tomorrow too.” I nudged her.

“Yeah. We best get to sleep.”

“Yeah, good night.” I gave her an affectionate kiss.

“Good night, love.”

Falling asleep on trains is starting to be a problem, seeing as it happens every time I’m on one now. I awoke to the train screeching to a halt. My team and I stepped off the train, pushing through the crowd. I haven't been to Ponyville before except when passing it on the train, so to see it in person was interesting. Brick paved streets, sidewalks too. Wood, brick and marble buildings.

A map of the town stood just outside the train station. I quickly found the guard unit here. “Amber, Skylinx, Sugar. Take these pictures of Warder and Keep. Go to the guard post and ask around, then check pawn shops and anywhere that serves alcohol, ask if anyone has seen anyone looking like them.”

“Copy,” they said in unison and then walked off.

I retrieved an old envelope from a pocket. The return address read ‘221 Honeybee Bakery St.’ This was the return address from Phillip’s returned wedding invitation. He’d sent a brief note that he was busy and couldn’t make it, but congratulated me and sent some hoof-carved wooden earrings for Snow and a necklace for Jett.

I looked up to the map of the town and quickly found the street. Six blocks south, seven west. Hurriedly I made my way down the city. I got a lot of odd looks from citizens on the street. I guess RBI armor isn’t exactly subtle.

Finding Honeybee Bakery Street was easy enough as was finding 221. It was a two-story blue home, small and seemingly comfortable among the other houses. The hanging sign above the door read: Finder & Do, Private Detectives. It had a picture of a magnifying glass and a compass rose.

I knocked on the door firmly. After a moment a gold-coated pegasus mare with a mane of varying shades of grey to dark grey opened the door.

“Can we help you?” she asked with a suspicious brow.

I returned the look. “Is Finder here?”

“Depends on if he’s in trouble,” the mare replied, tensing up a bit.

“No, why would he…” I saw her giving me a look of ‘Really?’

“Fair enough,” I nodded. “In all seriousness, no, he isn't in trouble, he just might have info pertaining to an investigation of mine.”

“Ah. Phil! Get up here, you have a guest! RBI Agent!” she shouted. She stepped aside to let me in. “I'm Daring, by the way. Daring Do,” she introduced herself.

Her name seemed familiar. “Good to meet you, Ms. Do, you are Finder's partner?” I asked.

“That and other things,” she answered with a small smirk as we entered a living room with a sofa, a couple couches, and a tall bookshelf. She walked over to a typewriter sitting on a table in the corner and setting to work.

The only sound for a few moments was the typewriter. Trying to clear the awkward silence, I cleared my throat. “You write?” I asked.

“In my free time,” she shrugged.

The bit finally dropped in my mind. Stop! Go back! I thought. Her name is ‘Daring Do’ like the character in the famous book series.

“You wouldn't happen to be Daring Do as in Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone, would you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice normal.

“No, I am the real Daring Do,” she said. “That Daring Do was created by A.K. Yearling.” She gave me a wink. “There’s a reason you’ll never see me in a photo with her,” she grinned.

“But you are Daring Do,” I persisted, slightly confused.

“Yes and no. A.K Yearling is a pen name to keep my writer life separate from my real life. You get what I'm saying?” she said.

“I think so.” I answered.

“Also nobody will ever believe you when you tell them you met the ‘real Daring Do’, they'll just think you're bluffing or you met a cosplayer.” She turned back to her typewriter.

It's true; they won't believe me! “That's borderline cruel,” I said.

“I know. I love it,” she smirked.

There was the sound of hoofsteps from a set of basement stairs, and a moment later, Finder appeared, looking very odd without his vest and hat. “Sorry for the wait. I was in the middle of an experiment,” he grunted, looking up at me. “Strider. What brings you here, mate?” he asked, shaking my hoof.

“Former Captain of the Guard Warder,” I said, getting down to business. “The Princess informed me he spoke to you about the missing jewelry?”

“He did,” Phillip said, sitting down. “There were several leads to follow here in Ponyville. A pawnshop was trafficking the items, selling them to a wanker here that we can't touch. What interested Warder was that the pawnshop was sending a portion of the profits back to Canterlot.”

“Any idea where?” I asked.

“No. He was gonna come back to find out but I haven't seen him,” he said.

“You're not gonna. He's dead,” I admitted.

Phillip blinked, then lowered his head. “I should’ve known,” he said quietly, his foreleg tightening a bit.

“We suspect the killer whoever is behind the jewelry,” I revealed.

“Probably,” Phillip nodded.

“Who's your suspect?” Daring asked.

“Sorry,” I said. “This is a little above what your cleared to handle. Believe me, if I could read the two of you in on this, I would.”

Phillip scowled. “Warder was a good pony,” he growled. “I respected him. I want his killer found.”

I nodded in agreement. “Dishonorably discharged or not, he didn't deserve what happened to him.”

There was a moment of silence between the three of us. I had to get us back on track. “Who has the jewelry?”

“His name is Mythic White, he's just a punk who is free riding on his family inheritance. Trying to get a thrill in poking at what he can get away with. So far, that's everything,” Daring scowled.

“Right, I need to collect my team. Could you point me in the direction of that pawn shop?”

“No dice, we’re coming,” Daring snapped taking off her glasses and taking a shirt off the chair to put on.

“You don't have to,” I said.

“We are probably just gonna investigate anyway once you leave. Better this way right?” Daring argued.

I looked over at Finder who silently nodded, standing up. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. Suddenly, I didn’t blame Swampfire for hating him as much. “Alright, let's go.”

Canterlot - II

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I decided I would let my probationary agents find and pursue leads on their own to kinda see where it leads them and how quickly. Phillip Finder and Daring Do were enough company for now. It was also greatly entertaining watching Daring passively torture Finder by making him uncomfortable with dirty jokes.

“You’re adorable with your ears turning red like that,” I sniggered at him.

“Shut up,” he growled at us both, flattening his ears and lowering his head.

We were headed to a pawn shop that conducted business in a rundown part of town. Most of the buildings here were dilapidated, and I only saw a few ponies on the sidewalks; a couple beggars with their signs and pans, and a small group of punks who were hanging around on the sidewalk. As we passed, they all glanced sideways at us, then quickly scattered.

"We've dealt with this guy before. He's shady but he just wants to conduct his business in peace, so he should be willing to cooperate," Daring said as we stepped up to the door.

"That'd be nice," I commented.

"Just let me do the talking," Philip said, pushing the door open.

The shop was a mess, and that was understating it. Old furniture was stacked haphazardly atop one another, with pawned jewelry stuffed in the drawers. Old armor and helmets were piled in the corners, looking as though they might fall over if somepony so much as sneezed on them. It was a little bit neater near the register. Not by much.

The shopkeep wasn't at the counter. I made myself look busy by looking at some jewelry in a wall case to the right of the register, seemingly displaying the most expensive pieces. I was also comparing them with photographs of the stolen pieces of Celestia's jewelry, to see if any were still here.

Finder stepped up to the counter and rang the bell for service. Daring pretended to be interested in a leaning stack of paintings she was poking through.

"Be with you in a minute!" a raspy and gurgling voice came from the back of the shop, a ratty curtain the only thing separating the two spaces.

"Poor security, no employees to keep the front. View of the front door is obstructed. Not even a surveillance crystal in sight of the register. Surprised this place hasn't been cleaned out by thieves," I muttered.

"I wonder how many of those jewelry pieces near the door have been lifted," Daring agreed.

The shopkeeper appeared from behind the curtain. He was a Elasmobian, a shark-looking creature that stood upright, fat but with a large toothy creepy smile. A set of water tanks were strapped to his back with a hose running up to the gills on his necks, seemingly so he could breathe in air.

“Well hello detectives. How can I assist you today?” the shopkeeper spoke to Philip directly with a greasy smile.

“You seen a pony named Warder in the past month or so?” Philip showed him the picture.

The shopkeeper studied it for a moment. "Not this month no. A month, month and a half ago yeah. He was asking about some jewellery pieces that I had helped sell,” he admitted. “Seller was from Canterlot, and they were selling to somepony in Ponyville.”

"Do you know the seller's name?"

"Fraid not. Did all our business by mail.” Finder started glaring at him, and the shopkeeper raised his fins. “Hey, hey, I’m just the broker here, Finder,” he said hurriedly. “I know the buyer's name though if you need that."

"We already know the buyer. Now we know the broker too," I spoke up. I stepped over with my pictures, not having matched any of them. "Do you recognize any of these pieces?"

There were about fifteen photos there. Celestia was wise to keep these as a record. There were also records of what the more dangerous ones did, but it was probably best that I not show him those.

The shopkeeper spread the photos out on the desk and started studying them. After a few moments, he stopped.

"These twelve here I've never seen before…" He pushed twelve photos away but pointed to the last three.

One was a gold and red ruby sunburst necklace, the second was a silver hoof chain of flowers, and the third a dark silver crescent moon hairpin with a short fine silver chain.

He pointed to the crescent moon hairpin, and the flower chain (which I knew to be the decoy with a tracking spell). "I sold the other two to Mythic White not long before that pony came asking around. But this one arrived just a few days ago, I still have it in the back. Shall I get it for you?"

"That'd be great," I nodded. He turned around and headed back behind the curtain.

"I'm surprised he's cooperative. Not his usual attitude toward us," Daring observed.

"Meaning he's bolted on you before?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go check round back to be sure." Daring turned and left Finder and I waiting inside.

"Those necklaces are not the only illegal thing he has here. Several of those jewelry pieces in the case are modified military medals. It's illegal to sell those," I muttered to Finder.

"We can let the guard sort it out. They aren't why we are here,” Philip reminded me.

I shrugged. "I know, just something to think about."

The shopkeeper actually returned carrying a small opened parcel of mail, which he handed to me. Sure enough, the decoy hairpin was in there.

"Thank you. If you don't mind me asking, why are you so willing to help us?" I asked. "I was under the impression that law enforcers were shunned in this town."

"Aye, in this town,” he nodded. “But you aren't from here are you? You’re RBI, one of the Princess' finest. If you are here for something, I figure it’s in my best interest to assist, else I get into too much trouble."

Ah, good old self-interest. Always a strong motivation amidst his kind. "I see. Thank you." I nodded and exited the shop with Finder, tucking the parcel into a pocket of my armor.

"What do you want to do next?" Finder asked.

“Well, I would want to find out where he was staying, and see if he left anything behind. He had very little in the way of money, even being funded by the Princess. How many Long Stay motels and hotels are there in Ponyville?” I asked Philip.

“Nine. I’ll get Daring.”

Nine?! This day was just getting longer and longer.

After Daring had complained vocally about my current inability to fly (I suspected that Finder was grateful for it, though), we visited two motels and one hotel, coming up empty at every one. Philip and Daring had advised we get some food before continuing. All they had told me about the place was its name was the “Apple Pie In Your Eye.” So of course I thought: What an absurd name for a tavern. Apparently, the owner just wanted something that rhymed with “pie.”

Upon arrival, however, all my preconceived assumptions about it being a rundown place for alcohol were destroyed by the sheer upbeat aura around the place. Music poured from every window door and crack the place had. The two story structure stood strong, a hanging sign over the door depicting the shapes of three gleeful ponies. The outer walls were painted in bubblegum pink, leafy green molding, and red doors and windows. Two colored lanterns set in the wall next to the double doors, unlit.

“Whaddya think?” Daring asked as we stepped inside.

“Definitely not what I was expecting,” I admitted following the two of them to the bar. Sitting down I tried to see if there were any shady characters here, but the only shady looking ponies here were the three of us; everypony else seemed to have at least a small smile on their face, enjoying themselves and the food.

"It's a likeable different,” I nodded as we approached the bar. “What do you recommend?”

“All of the food. Just all of it,” Daring smiled.

“She’s not wrong sugarcube.” An orange earth pony mare with a blond mane, green eyes, and three apples as a cutie mark approached us from behind the bar. “Gotta say you look to be a bit more straight shoot’n than some of the fellers Finder here brings to my bar.” She gave Phil a small glare.

“Said I was sorry,” he muttered.

“Agent Flame Strider, Canterlot Royal Bureau of Investigation. It’s a lively establishment,” I introduced myself. I also thought I saw her before somewhere, can’t remember where..

“Name’s Applejack. You must be the feller Phillip helped when he took his trip to New Horseleans.”

“Heard about that, did you?” I asked, not really looking to reminisce about murdering cults with basilisk guard dogs.

“It was in the paper,” Applejack stated.

“Of course it was.” I then remembered where I saw her before. “Weren’t you in the news too?” Now I remembered: Applejack was a bearer of an Element! One of the biggest heroes in Equestria right in front of me!

“Y’all ain’t looking for an autograph, are ya?” she smirked.

“Fraid not. He’s in town on business. Just stopped in for lunch.” Finder said tapping the menu in front of him. “AJ, how about a grilled tuna on sesame seed bread with some Kanga-Rum?”

“And I’ll have a pasta, broccoli, and carrot salad with a bottle of Manticore Rare,” Daring ordered.

“I’ll go with the eggplant, spinach, and zucchini sandwich, and a Shimmer Cola please,” I said, frowning at my partners. Seriously, guys? It’s barely noon.

“I’ll have your order in a jiffy,” Applejack said, disappearing through the swinging doors into the kitchen.

While we waited, I tried asking about the remaining hotels we had to visit. Daring knew a surprising amount about the hotels in this town.

“We would need to look for a place that offers long term room rental, few questions asked.” Finder resoned.

“Well, that narrows it down some. There are only three that tend not to pry into the business for their guests. Used them to lay low back in the day,” Daring replied, taking a long sip of her bourbon.

“Back in the day?” I asked.

Daring scowled and Phil gave me a look that clearly told me to drop it. I shrugged it off.

“Then that’s where we should start once we hit the beat again,” I agreed.

As I went to bite back into my sandwich, two Ponyville Guards stepped in. I had forgotten that smaller enclaves of guards don't get full armor sets. Just fabric uniforms with some protection enchantments on them.

These two were from the Ponyville Police Department. The taller of the two was a thestral mare, blonde mane & tail, yellow eyes. Cutie mark of a pair of yellow eyes. Tattoo visible on her left foreleg: a red cross with wings and the words "Angels in Flak Jackets." Must be former Air Force SAR.

The shorter earth pony stallion came in after her; a bit chubby, yellow coat, black and yellow mane & tail, green eyes, cutie mark of a bumblebee. This one came up to Finder almost looking worried. "Phil, some friends of yours got in trouble,” he said. “They say that they’re RBI, but they don't have RBI IDs."

"They also said that their boss was with you,” the mare spoke firmly.

I started banging my head against the bar, which attracted the officers’ attention. "You him?" she asked.

"Yeah, what'd they do?" I sighed.

"They were caught harassing a rich pony by the name of Mythic White. He is threatening to press charges. The Captain sent us to see if we can confirm their story," she explained.

“Which obviously…” the stallion gestured to me.

I felt a heat in my ears, shoulders and wings that I haven’t felt in a long time. I placed some bits on the counter and thanked Applejack for the meal. “What are your names?”

“I’m Prowl, and this is Bumblebee,” the mare asked.

“Which way is your precinct?” I asked Prowl.

“Follow me.” She lead me toward the door.

“He’s going up against Cold? This I gotta see,” I heard Daring say. The falling of bits, and the sliding of chairs could be heard behind me. Great. I had an audience.

Opening the doors to the Ponyville Precinct was, on accident, louder than I expected: I guess I was more frustrated than I thought I was. Every pony stopped what they were doing to look at me, with Prowl, Bumblebee, Finder and Daring bringing up the rear of the group. I headed straight toward interrogation, with Finder and Daring following.

We stopped in front of a one-way mirror into an interrogation room. Skylynx was inside, glaring at a tall unicorn mare who was growling at him from the other side of a table. “That’s her,” Daring said, grinning like a pony about to see a show. “Captain Cold Case, Major Crimes.”

She was a tall unicorn. Snow white coat, long dark blue mane, pale blue eyes. Cutie mark of a book embossed with a snowflake. She had on a black trench coat. She also reminded me greatly of my wife. A lot of similarities. She even had a similar icy glare, which she was currently focusing on my agent.

“I’ll handle this,” I said, and opened the door to the interrogation room.

Captain Cold (why did that name sound so weird?) whirled around on me. “Who the hell do you think you are?” she asked me firmly.

I ignored her. “Skylynx, wait for me outside,” I ordered. Skylynx did as he was told, ignoring Case’s glaring protest.

“Tell me who you—” Cold Case started.

“Agent Flame Strider of the Royal Bureau of Investigation. I want my team released now,” I stated firmly.

She looked past me. I glanced behind me to see Phil and Daring were behind me; Phil looked kind of worried, while Daring was grinning from ear to ear.

"Let's go to my office and talk," Cold said icily.

"Yes. Let's," I agreed.

She led me out of Interrogation; I saw her and Finder glare daggers at each other as she passed. As we passed through the squad room Finder and Daring stood with Prowl and Bumblebee. Bumblebee was pretending to look busy with paperwork. Prowl watched us pass, then quickly leaned down and started whispering into Bumblebee’s ear as soon as she thought we were out of earshot.

We reached Cold’s office, which had her name on the frosted glass door, and she opened the door. I closed the door behind us. She started speaking first.

"Agent Strider, do you know how the jurisdictional boundaries work? I need to know if you are operating in my town, who you are investigating and who you are enlisting for help,” she stated, glaring at me. “Otherwise I would've told you that asking a pair of private investigators to assist you is unwise. Then there is the matter of your team; they are not full RBI agents and have no authority in this city."

“Yeah, in your world that would be correct,” I shrugged.

"Agent?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"As an RBI Agent my jurisdiction is all of Equestria,” I smirked. “Um…where does yours end again, pumpkin?" I thought I heard a muffled laugh from behind the door.

Cold Case’s face started to turn red around her cheeks. "Agent Strider, I—”

I began pacing back and forth in front of her desk. "I should remind you that any and all RBI cases are classified and any of that 'I need to know who, what, where, and how' information you are asking about I cannot and will not divulge to you. Especially not if this is how you’re gonna treat me and my team," I stated.

"Finder is—" she sputtered.

"I've worked with Finder before, not you, and even he only knows what he needs to help me. I have told him that there is more information, but I cannot divulge to him for security reasons. He and Daring have accepted that and agreed to assist anyway. Was there anything else?"

"Your team got caught spying on a wealthy member of the community," Cold stated, quickly recovering.

"What, none of your ponies ever made a mistake? I doubt it. I'm sure they had their reasons for having a look. Admittedly, they should've found me first."

There was silence; I could see her thinking, the gears turning behind her eyes. I hadn't given her anything like she had hoped. I wasn't some greenhorn. I had experience, and I knew what I was doing, and I was higher-ranking than her. I got the impression that she wasn’t used to being stonewalled.

"If we're done here, my team should be up from holding by now." I turned toward the door.

"I'll be keeping my eye on you while you’re in town, and in the company of Finder and Daring," she said quickly. I had just cracked the door (and caught a glimpse of Daring quickly drawing away from it), but that comment made me shut it again with a forceful slam.

I turned to her and rose to my full height. "If I so much as sense that I am being followed, I will bring you in on impeding a royal investigation and abuse of rank. I wonder if your career would survive the fallout of those charges?"

If she was scared she wasn't showing it. Instead she just nodded and responded with a quiet growl, “Understood, sir. I'll see that your team is released.”

“Good." I nodded. She left her office and headed toward holding.

I went out to meet Finder and Daring, who were speaking with Skylynx. "Okay, we've lost enough time. Skylynx, report. Why were you caught?"

"We weren't trying to spy on Mythic White. We were trying to get a good look at his display case. He has a whole lot of jewelry pieces on display like trophies in his study," he reported.

"Good work. You shouldn't have gotten caught, but good work. Take the girls and go find the hotel room that Warder was using as his base." I instructed, handing him the list of hotels.

"Yes, sir." He hurried to meet up with Amber and Sugar.

"Change of plans?" Daring asked.

I nodded. "Change of plans."

Mythic White's house was large, but not to the point where it was obvious that he was wealthy. One would better describe him as well-off. It was painted white with a pale yellow molding. Three stories, a pool in the back and a place to park a carriage.

Walking up the walkway, I noticed that there were some security crystals set up in hard to see places, tucked into trees and underneath the edges of the rooftops. Not really a surprise anymore that my team got caught.

With Finder and Daring behind me, I walked up to the door and knocked loudly. After a moment a security guard opened the door.

"State your business,” he grunted, glaring at me from behind his sunglasses.

"Royal Bureau of Investigation. I want to speak Mythic White,” I said confidently.

“Just a moment.” The security guard closed the door. After two minutes, he returned, “Mr. White will see you in his study. If you will follow me,” he said in a tone of faux courtesy, gesturing us inside.

As we followed the guard I took note of my surroundings, and I was sure Finder and Do were doing the same. The house was a little bigger than mine on the inside, and geared more toward a high rolling bachelor lifestyle. There were display shelves everywhere one looked. Old school trophies for things like “Best in Track” and “Honor Student”. Certificates for Business, and Accounting, and one minor degree in law also decorated the walls of the hallway to the study. As we approached the door, it opened and a pony stepped into the hall muttering to herself and sobbing lightly. She left rather quickly. I thought I heard Phillip growl to himself as she passed.

“Mr. White will see you now,” the guard said holding the door open.

Daring, Finder and I stepped through to see a white pony sitting behind a rather grandeur desk. He had a slicked back white mane, silver eyes, and a smile that reminded me of a ventriloquist dummy: intended to be friendly, but just came across as creepy. He was very young looking: if I didn't know better, I would've guessed he was just out of school.

Sure enough behind him in a display case were five pieces of Celestia’s stolen jewellery, including the two that that shopkeeper had sold, displayed like trophies. This was definitely the guy. Just need to prove it. Which meant getting him to open that case.

"Ah, to what do I owe the pleasure Agents?" Mr. White's Southern accent was pronounced.

"I am Agent Flame Strider. These are my associates Detectives Finder and Do."

He raised an eyebrow. "Ah. The famous private eyes," he said dryly.

“No autographs,” Daring grunted, looking at White like he was a pile of dog poop.

White pointedly ignored them, instead focusing on me. “Agent Strider, I’m afraid they have no authority to be here. I agreed to the you the RBI, not—”

“Agent Strider hired us, buddy,” Daring sneered. “Package deal.”

“She is correct,” I nodded.

“I must’ve missed that part of my law schooling. Please tell me as to why you are here Agent,” he said trying to sound courteous, but I could see beads of sweat running down the back of his neck.

I pulled out my photos of the Princesses’ jewelry and stepped up to the glass case. “These look very familiar,” I stated. “They look a lot like jewelry that was stolen from the palace.”

“You came here to look at worthless replicas of jewelry?” White chuckled to himself. “All museum quality, but utterly worthless, I assure you.”

I saw one, a golden circlet; not very ornate but it boasted a black pearl on the crest. This was one of the ones that Celestia warned me about; this one, if it was not a forgery, could give the wearer telekinesis without the use of a horn.

As White tried to have a look at the pictures, I put them away quickly. “Could you open up this display case, please?” I asked.

His eyes went wide momentarily before narrowing. “Why?”

“Sir, open the case.” I repeated with authority.

His composure broke. “I-I think it’s time you left,” he stammered and pressed something under his desk. I kicked the chair out from under him and pinned him to his desk his right hoof behind his back.

“Daring, Finder, the door,” I needlessly instructed as they were already in place. The door opened quickly and the security guard entered. Phillip knocked his hind legs out from beneath him with his baton while Daring ensnared his right limb with a weighted rope and pinned him down with a hoof on his back.

“I’d stay still if I were you,” she grinned down at him, pulling his foreleg taut.

I looked back down at White. “Last time I ask nicely. Open. The. Case. Please.”

I gave his leg a bit of pressure to emphasize my point and he squealed like a little filly. “Okay! Okay!” he cried. I released him and he opened a desk drawer and got out a key. He stood up and opened the case as requested. Finder walked over and pulled White away from the case with a little more force than was really necessary, prompting another yelp of pain.

I took out the circlet and put it on, then thought about lifting the desk up to the ceiling. The desk shot straight up into the air and smashed into the ceiling, cracking the wood.

“Hey! That’s an ebony desk!” White protested, then yelped as Phillip compressed his arm.

“Shut it,” Phillip growled.

I quickly took off the circlet, and the desk slammed back down with a loud crash. White whimpered.

“You know, Mr. White, if these are fakes, then why are they so good?” I asked.

He was panicking now, eyes darting around everywhere as if trying to find an escape route. “I-I-I—”

“Help us find the thief, and maybe we’ll get charges lowered," Phillip snarled in his ear.

I glared. Finder and Daring glared. Even the security guard glared at Mr. White; I guess he didn't want to do time for him.

White looked around the room before looking back at me. Finally, he sighed as he realized that he was out of options.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked.

I thought a moment, than I had a moment of inspiration. I collected a quill and parchment from the remains of his desk and hoofed it to him. "I want you to write the thief a letter."

Canterlot - III

View Online

We were back on the train to Canterlot soon after our 'meeting' with Mr. White.

I had Mr. White write to the thief and ask for another piece. More exotic this time. While he was in Ponyville police custody, Mr. White's mail was to be redirected to the police department and opened by Phillip Finder, per RBI directive. Finder was then to get a message to me if the thief replied.

In the meantime, I had a trap to set.

After getting back to Canterlot, I had Amber go back to the RBI to help Skylynx, and Sugar on their other cases.

I made my way to the Castle. I had to report to Celestia, and return the recovered items.

It was late, and getting in to see the Princesses was a little harder now that they were under 'an assassination threat' per our cover story.

I had to go through nine different ways to convince them I wasn't an infiltrator. The worst one being a potion that was meant to dispel any potion-related transmogrification. It tasted like… well, despite what the Guard told me, it didn't taste like apple juice. I can tell you that.

Finally reaching the Princess' chamber a guard knocked for me. "Enter," I heard her call.

The guard and I entered. Princess Celestia took looking out the window with her horn aglow. She was bringing the sun down to the horizon; at the same time, the moon was rising. Princess Luna was likely in her chambers performing her own magic.

I let her finish and turn to me. "Leave us,” she ordered her guard. The guard didn't hesitate, turned about-face, and excited the room. Celestia locked it behind him. "Report."

"Four pieces recovered." I gave her the package. "We arrested the buyer, the broker was cooperative in leading us to these pieces. We located Warder's hideout. He left a lot of flimsy evidence pointing to Captain Keep, nothing damning. But seeing as Warder was unable to track down any of the other pieces it is safe to suspect that our thief still has them."

She gave a quick sigh of relief. "That is rather comforting in a way. Anything else?"

I nodded. "We want to set a trap. Catch the thief in the act. We asked our buyer to write the thief a letter asking for something new, exotic, and gothic."

She thought a moment before speaking. "Which means something of my sister's. Makes sense, nothing of her's has been stolen. If she didn't know better she would attribute the loss as a misplacement. A good plan and I think I should discuss the trap with my sister. We might have a few tricks we haven't used in some time."

I never thought I would hear the Princess say she knew a few tricks. "Very well. I trust you will keep me informed?"

"Indeed we will, by letter for now, not to raise any more suspicion from Captain Keep, if he is indeed the thief." Celestia nodded for me to leave.

I bowed, said my farewell, turned and left. After stopping by the RBI to log my hours I went home to my family.

Stepping through the door to the house I looked up at the clock, eight. Snow would've started eating dinner by now.

"Snow!" I hollered to the house.

"We're at the table!" I heard her call.

I walked into the kitchen and looked over to the dining room. Snow and Jett were both sitting there just starting their dinner. "Sorry for the delay. Had to talk to the Princess before logging my hours at the office."

"How was Ponyville?" Snow asked.

"Interesting. I met up with an old friend. A private detective. He, his partner, a pair of officers, Amber and I worked the case. If there hadn't been all of us working it today it would've taken until tomorrow evening."

"Was it Phillip Finder?" Jett asked.

"Yeah, and let me tell you…" I pointed to Jett. "If you ever find yourself in Ponyville and in trouble, you want Finder helping you."

There was some silence as we ate. Then Snow kept looking up at me and looking at Jett when she knew I was looking at her. Jett just kept eating happily. It only took me two looks to catch her meaning.

"How was your first day of school?" I asked.

She smiled sheepishly. "It was okay… I, uh, have a rival."

"Details. Spill," I said, interested.

"Well, there is this colt in our physical education class who was boasting that he was the fastest and most agile in the class. I kinda beat him in the placement race the teacher had us do. I was first, he was second. He didn't really like that and made a big deal out of it. He was told that if he wanted to do something about it, he'd have to beat me in the next race."

"You gonna go for the race team?" I asked.

"I might."

"You're fast, and agile. I don't see why you can't." I tried encouraging.

She shrugged. "It might just be too much with classes. They are so much harder here." Jett said looking at her food.

"Yeah, tell you what just think about it for now. We can really talk about it when tryouts get closer, yeah?"

"Yeah. That sounds good." She nodded.

There were a few more moments of silence. I turned to Snow. "How was your day?"

"Good. Kinda wishing your RBI would hurry up and find that trafficker. He is messing up our system. A nurse almost gave a patient two hundred milligrams of who knows what because it was labeled as painkillers. Took us nearly thirty minutes to set the patient straight because he didn't get his medicine on time."

Okay, I now have my first priority tomorrow. "He's okay though, right?"

"Yeah, he's fine. It's just frustrating," she shrugged.

"I'll see who is in charge of that investigation tomorrow and ask them if they can get a move on." I wasn't allowed to tell them I was the one investigating.

"Thank you," she said, touching my hoof.

We talked for a little while after that while eating but then we put leftovers away, did the dishes together, then sent Jett to bed. We went up to our room as well. I put my armor away while Snow took a shower; after she was finished, I took mine.

Soon enough we were both sitting in bed. "I stopped by the orphanage like I said I would," Snow said.

"Oh really. And?" I asked.

Her horn lit up and levitated over three files. "I talked to the social worker there. He was particularly helpful. I told him about Jett and how she came to be in our care, and about us. He said with our jobs we could easily get another, the issue is if Jett gets along with them."

"Did you tell him anything else?"

"Yes I told him we were looking to adopt a boy if possible, and he gave me these three candidates."

I read the file names. Cannon, Earth Pony. Bolton, Pegasus. Thorne, Unicorn. I didn't even bother opening them. "Did you meet any of them?"

"Well no I just…" Snow caught onto what I was saying. "You think the social worker is just trying to get these kids off his hooves?"

"Put it this way. Jett was considered a lost cause case when I got her in that orphanage. They were ready to send her way if I hadn't gotten her out of there. I did some research afterward. Turns out that most social workers rarely promote the ones who are having a rough time adjusting. The ones that accept it quickly and move on, almost relish in the fact that they have no parents to tell them what to do, and start causing trouble in some cases, those are the ones who get homes quicker."

"So there could be other foals there…" Snow began.

I nodded. "That needs us more."

"I didn't think about it like that." Snow admitted.

"We'll make an appointment for the weekend, take Jett with us, maybe let her decide," I suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea." she agreed.

"Let's get some sleep. We both have busy weeks ahead of us."

"Yeah. Love you."

"Love you too." I gave her a kiss, then we both slipped under the covers for sleep.

The next day I walked into the office and immediately asked Skylynx for a report. "The trafficking continues to be a nuisance to the employees at the hospital, they concluded that the crates in question are coming from Fillydelphia."

"Okay, that's a start. Get to the hospital, a nurse almost gave a patient some of the stuff that they've been shipping through there, get a sample down to the labs to see what it is," I ordered. "Amber, go with him."

"Yes, sir," she said as she started to get ready to go. "Anything that we should know sir?"

"Yes, my wife Snow works there, she is a former City Guard. You can inquire with her if she has noticed anything out of the ordinary. Just don't let her know that I'm your boss, because I won't hear the end of it."

"Got it, sir." Amber and Skylynx headed out the door in a dash.

Once they were gone Sugar Shake stepped up to me with her case file. "Sir, during your field trip to Ponyville, I wasn't able to get near that witness to talk to him."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Equestrian Marshals had him under guard in their offices, they said I didn't have the clearance to get in." She informed me.

"Ah, " I sighed. "Our direct competition. You'd think that these guys would recognize a friendly face. I mean their only jobs are to guard the prisons, oversee prisoner transfers, and assist in witness protection. And they are so, so bad at that last one."

"Sir?"

I was getting my things together. "Ran into them in a previous case, they lost a witness, I had to find him for them. Can't say more than that really." I stood up and started toward the door.

"Sir, where are you going?" She asked.

"Going to talk to your witness. You coming?"

We were at the Canterlot Marshal's Office in no time. Not that it was far. It was next to the City Guard Compound. It wasn't labeled so you had to know where you were going, otherwise you’d get stuck in a lobby with a particularly unhelpful receptionist.

This first room was bland. Boring. There were four chairs for those who had to wait for help, the receptionist's window, and a door just to the right of her with no doorknob. But there was a crystal scanner, for the kind of implant I had in my hoof.

I walked straight up to the door. "Don't we need to talk to the receptionist?" Sugar asked.

"No." I held my hoof up to the magic crystal. It glowed, and the crystal beneath my skin glowed with it. The door unlocked and I pushed through it. Sugar followed.

A few Marshals glared at us as we walked in. I held my head high and walked through without looking at them. They glared at me, practically hating my uniform. You’d think we were on the same side, but these guys were in it for glory which they rarely got or earned. Sugar and I walked past near everyone straight to their holding cells.

I stepped up to the pony in charge of the facility, the Deputy Director of the Equestrian Marshalls. "I'm here to see a witness," I stated.

"What case?" he asked.

"Are there that many RBI cases that we allow you to hold a witness?" I asked.

He glared. "Watch your tone, Agent. I outrank you."

I narrowed my glare. "And yet the RBI has more say over the Equestrian Marshall office. Now take me to my witness, or I'm gonna have to get my boss involved. If I'm not mistaken, they aren't on the best of terms, right?"

He tried to glare harder, attempting to intimidate me. I helped fight a basilisk, you are not even close to that intimidating, I thought. The Deputy Director huffed as he led me into the holding area, and into the observation of an interrogation room.

“We will bring the witness shortly. Wait here," he grunted, leaving us there.

I paced the room. Sugar waited near the door patiently. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and spoke. "Sir, do you like serving your country?"

Odd question. "Um, yeah. Why?"

She shuffled her hooves. "I know you haven't been our boss very long, but you have already taught us more in the short time you've been here than Agent Mustang did. I wanted to know if there was any shame in leaving the RBI before my probationary period is over?"

I thought about my next answer. "May I ask why you want to leave?"

"I joined because my mother was RBI, and my father was an Army recruiter, and because I thought it would make them proud.” She frowned. “But all it's done is make me miserable."

"What would you rather be doing?" I asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. But I think I'd like to make ice cream. I make some of the best tasting ice cream around, and I like to see ponies smile as they eat, because it means they are happy," she explained, puffing up a bit at the thought.

"That’s good enough reason for me. I can talk to the ponies in Pony Resources. Maybe we can get you a discharge where it will be like you were never here, or at the very least a transfer into The Reserves. That would be the best-case scenario: better than a dishonorable, definitely." I thought aloud. "But first, let's get these cases finished up okay?"

She nodded, looking a lot happier than I’d ever seen her. "I can do that, boss."

We didn't have to wait too long for our witness to be brought to us. On the other side of the glass, a brown unicorn stallion stepped in looking particularly nervous. He had a brown and lighter brown striped mane.

We watched as he timidly sat down at the table. On second thought, he didn’t look nervous; he looked depressed.

Time to give the kid some real-life practice. "How do you think we should interrogate him?" I asked. "Just by looking at him right now. How do you think the standard interrogation techniques would do with him?"

"Oh,” she jumped a bit. “Um... well, he looks more sad than he does nervous, but if we make him too nervous he might shut down and not talk about anything," she observed.

"Very good. So what should we do?"

"We just need to talk to him for a minute. Get him comfortable with us before we start in on him," she reasoned.

"You are better at this than you think. You go in there and chat him up. Ask him about his family, maybe his marefriend. I'll let you decide when it's the right time to ask about the pirates and missing supplies."

She stared at me, eyes wide, and gulped. "You want me to go in there? Alone?"

"Yes: I'm still gonna teach you, even if you might not be staying with us. Experience is experience."

She gulped again, then took a shaky breath and nodded. "Okay, sir." She left the observation room.

After a brief moment, she entered the interrogation room. The stallion stood to attention. "Oh please, there is no need for formalities, this situation you’re in is already unpleasant as is,” Sugar reassured him, gesturing for him to sit down. “Please sit."

Calm and courteous to him, very good. That will put him at ease, I thought.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I wasn't expecting an RBI agent," he mumbled.

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not a full RBI agent. Still probationary,” Sugar admitted.

"I suppose you want to know about the pirates," he said, looking down at the table.

"In a bit. First I want to know about you, why'd you join the guard?"

The witness shrugged. "It was a good fit, and it paid well. I live with my grandfather, I do my best to take care of him."

"I suppose that partially answers my next question. How's the family?" Sugar asked, giving him a smile.

The witness sighed, looking even more depressed than before. "My grandfather only has a few years left. My sister moved to New Horseleans some time ago, she doesn't visit often.” He paused for a few moments, then admitted, “I'm recently engaged."

"Oh, congratulations! Tell me about her!" Sugar acted like a girl just eating up gossip. I was curious as to where she was going with this.

"She's a unicorn, a hospice care nurse. I had originally hired her to take care of my grandfather while I worked. We bonded."

"When was the last time you got to see her, or your grandfather?" Sugar asked.

He was getting choked up. “I-I havent seen them in about a month. I haven't even talked to them, the Marshals have made me send them letters telling them I'm on a courier mission to Trottingham.”

“They must be worried,” Sugar said. He nodded. “Do you think they’d want you to help us investigate this claim of pirates buying guard weaponry? That way you can go home.”

He seemed to freeze. He looked down and didn't say anything for a good minute. Dammit, she botched it, I thought, moving towards the door.

"Okay."

I stopped and stared in surprise as the witness looked up at Sugar. "Staff Sergeant Bear, the Quartermaster for my unit. It all started when he kept inspecting the crossbows in the emergency stashes around my unit’s area of Canterlot where we patrol. He told the captain that we needed new ones: the old ones were getting a little old and rusty. So they requisitioned new ones. When we received the new weapons we put them in the stashes, but then a week later they had all been replaced with the old weapons that had been sanded and given a fresh coat of paint.”

“You knew they were the old weapons?” she asked, writing down every word he said.

“The new ones were brand new Barn Crossbows, Groundcracker Mk.V’s; Fresh off the line, the same ones our soldiers and Royal Guards use. The old ones are from Tenpinto Archery, Mustang Mk.I’s; They've been in service for at least twenty years, they don't even make parts for them any more.”

“Right,” she nodded as she kept writing. “Keep going.”

“Well imagine my surprise when I’m doing my weekly inspection on the stashes when I find the Mustangs in most of the stashes instead of the Groundcrackers. I talked to my squadmates and they said that I was imagining things. That they had ordered refurbished Mustangs and not new Groundcrackers. While yes they do look similar, the triggers are what give them away. The Mustang has a downward curved trigger where you have to practically squeeze the hell out of it, the Groundcrackers have a straight hair trigger that is incredibly sensitive. Don’t even get me started on the serial numbers, he didn’t even try and change them.”

“So what did you do?” she asked.

“I tried to say something to my Sergeant but he wouldn't listen without evidence so I went out with an old camera of my grandfather’s and staked out the last stash. At first I just got pictures of the Quartermaster switching them out. I decided to follow him to find out where he was taking the crossbows. It wasn't until we got to the undercity when I realized I was in deeper than I had asked for. I followed him to a ship where he traded each weapon for a sizable bag of unmarked gold and gems.”

“You said you had a camera?” she acknowledged.

Good ear, focus on what happened to the camera, I thought.

“I got a few good ones when he was under the streetlights. But the docks don't have the same lighting. My grandfather’s camera has an enchantment that senses when it needs a flash, so...you can imagine. They noticed me. I bolted. As I ran I threw the camera into a bush in Harmony Park."

"So you're saying all the evidence we need is in a camera somewhere in Harmony Park?" Sugar repeated

He nodded. "I went through Harmony Park because of the trees; the griffons chasing me couldn't see me, so I ditched the camera, then I went and hid somewhere else. I figured that they couldn’t go after both."

"So why were you reluctant to share with us?"

"As the griffons flew over the park they shouted out, threatened me, said they would be hunting me and my family. So as soon as I knew I was clear I made a break for the Equestrian Marshal's building, I knew they'd help me."

"That is until your case got bounced around the Marshal’s office, around City Guard office, back to the EQ Marshal's a few times, and then up to the RBI?"

"Yeah." He nodded and looked down.

"Tell you what, we are gonna look for that camera. If we can't find it, we will be back with a sketch artist so see if we can get something from you that way. Okay?"

"That sounds like a good plan.” He leaned back in his chair, looking relieved. “You were much easier to talk to than the Marshal that interrogated me yesterday."

What?! I shouted in my head.

I exited the observation room and knocked sharply at the interrogation room door, pausing for just a moment before entering.

"Excuse me. Don't worry Agent, you did magnificently, " I said to Sugar, who let out a relieved breath. "Who interrogated you?" I asked the witness.

"A stallion, a bit gruff and mean, likes to shout. I think his name is Swift."

"Thank you. I'll make sure you are transferred to the RBI witness facility. It's much nicer. Agent Sugar, let's move." We left the interrogation area and out into where a Marshal was standing. “Swift had better be in my office in the next hour, or I bring down hell on the Equestrian Marshal’s Office. Understood?” I asked as I passed him.

“Um…yes sir,” he stuttered as I passed him and made my way out of the building.