CHAPTER 6

I'm back with chapter 6, everypony. Sorry I haven't been posting at quite the rate I vowed to, but I've actually been somewhat busy. Tomorrow will probably be a two chapter day, as I want to get to Chapter 8 as soon as possible. This chapter won't be as interesting as the last, but important stuff happens, so it is what it is...please review.

The orphanage was a large school building on the bad side of town. Bad side is relative, seeing as we were in Canterlot. I should say that it was in the area of town that ponies like me came from...the sons and daughters of soldiers, carpenters, housekeepers and other 'common' ponies all hailed from this place. I knew it well. To me, this was the home of the honest, hardworking ponies who kept the world going. To the elite class, this part of Canterlot was nothing more than a depository for the less than desirable citizens of their ornate town, the crown jewel of Equestria. I'd understood this from an early age...I'd been made to understand it by my classmates. This city was the crown jewel of the empire, and ponies like me...like my dad, and all of the other dwellers of this neighborhood, we were the glue that held the jewels to the crown...necessary of course, but unsightly and better unseen. Little wonder I didn't like aristocrats...

"This is the place?" Dashie asked, looking up at the tall structure.

"Yep." I simply stated. I sighed. "Alright, if my brother or sister was brought here, they were probably adopted. I'm gonna go find out what I can."

"What if they were adopted?" Dash inquired.

"Well...I don't know. Maybe I could track down who adopted them, and...dunno. Think I should drop in and tell the kid who I am and all?"

"I think you should." Dash answered. I looked down and kicked at the sidewalk.

"I ever tell you about Scoots?" Dash asked.

"A little, I guess."

"Did you know that she's an orphan?"

"I...I guess I knew that..." I muttered.

"She sees me as the older sister she always wanted. We're not even related, and she like totally sees me as her family. That's why you have to do this, and you know it, Drake."

"I know." I whispered. "Okay...wish me luck." I walked up the steps of the orphanage, and pushed open the doors. I found myself in a lobby, facing a wall with a couple sets of doors. I picked the door marked 'Office' and entered. Inside was a long desk, behind which sat three mares of the secretary variety.

"Can I help you?" The closest one asked.

"Um...maybe, ma'am..." I replied. "I mean...I hope so...I recently um...discovered that I have a sibling that I was never aware of. They may have ended up here about ten years ago...I was trying to...um...to find them, you know." Yes, I was that nervous.

"Okay...what is the name of the ward, and what was the name of the parents?" The secretary asked.

"I'm sorry...I don't know the name of the...of my brother or sister...I just know that our parents died ten years ago. Their names were Chasseur Sabre and Twinkling Dusk. I'm their other child, Dragoon Sabre."

"Is that Sabre, spelled b-r-e?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"Just a minute, and I will check our records, sir." She nodded, standing from her chair. She walked off to a room at the back of the office as I stood waiting, my stomach tied up in a knot. I heard the door behind me open and close, and turned to see Dashie standing beside me.

"Told you I wouldn't let you do this alone." She whispered.

"Thanks Dashie." I whispered back with a smile. I turned back to see the secretary returning with a folder. I swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Okay Sir, I have the information you wanted on your relative. A foal was enrolled here about ten years ago following the death of the parents. She had the last name Sabre."

"That has to be her." I remarked. "Wait...her...I have a little sister?"

"Yes sir. It appears that way." The mare answered. I sighed. I felt Dashie press herself against me reassuringly.

"Okay...got that processed, I think..." I said. "Ma'am, was she adopted, and if so...can you give me the name and address of the foster parents?"

"I'm sorry sir, we can't give out information about foster families without a special court order." She returned. Fine...I'll just get Celestia to take care of it. "But that won't be necessary. She is still a ward of the school at the moment."

"What?!" I exclaimed. "You mean...she's here?"

"Yes sir. Now, if you come back with at least two forms of identification, or a sworn affidavit from somepony in government, we can get to work on the paperwork."

"Paperwork?" I asked curiously.

"Yes. You did want to adopt miss Sabre, correct? As her next of kin, the process is quite simple and is usually expedited." I looked at Dashie, then back to the secretary.

"Can you give us a minute? Just...a second, ma'am."

"Of course." We walked out of the office and into the lobby.

"You're gonna do it, right Drake?" Dash asked.

"I...I don't know..."

"It's your sister..."

"I know that...I just don't know the first thing about taking care of a foal. And what if she don't like me?"

"Drake...of course she'll like you. You're her brother. She needs you."

"I'm kinda scared of this..." I admitted. Dash hugged me.

"I know you are." She whispered to me. "I'm sure your sister is too. You need each other. And about taking care of foals...no sweat. I been foalsitting forever!"

"Really?" I asked.

"Pshh, yeah! I've watched Scoots and her friends a ton of times. I'm sure it'll all come to you naturally. If you get hung up on something, I'll help you out."

"Alright then..." I said. "I'll do it." I took a deep breath and marched straight into the office, and looked at the secretary. "I'll be back tomorrow...with all of the...paperwork and stuff you need...ma'am. Thank you." I walked out of the office, and out of the orphanage. I stood on the sidewalk a moment, still coming to terms with everything. In the last two hours, I'd found out I had a sister, and was in the process of adopting her, all in the middle of investigating the biggest jewel theft in the history of Equestria. What a life...

"You alright, Drake?" Dash asked.

"I'm tolerable." I answered. "Let's just go get some dinner, it's getting late. I gotta go bother Celestia for an affidavit and my Military ID probably counts as two forms of identification at least. We'll come back here after we work on the case tomorrow."

"What do you want for dinner?" My marefriend asked. She smiled. "Want some flapjacks, lieutenant?"

"Nah."

"Oh...uh...how about something...foreign...and strong coffee?" She grinned.

"I dunno...the coffee sounds good, but I think we'll just grab a couple of sandwiches or a pizza or something."

"Wow. I know you're in the doldrums if you're acting normal about food." Dash commented.

"Heh...I guess you're right." I said. "I need to relax a bit. I tell you what, sweetheart...you pick the place this time."

And so, after a dinner of hayburgers and fries, and strong coffee for me, Dash and I checked ourselves into a room at the Mareiot. As soon as we got to the room, I dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for several minutes. I finally sat up, and with Dash watching me curiously, I grabbed the pad of paper and pen beside the bed and wrote the following message:

Your Highness,

I apologize for bothering you yet again, but I have discovered something important. I have a sister, a foal of about 13 years of age who has been in the orphanage here at Canterlot for the last ten years. Her last name is Sabre, the same as mine. Our parents were Chasseur Sabre and Twinkling Dusk, both deceased. I require an affidavit proving my identity and relationship to her. I require it by tomorrow. Thank you, Your Majesty...if you could do this for me, I would be eternally in your debt.

Your Stalwart Detective,

-Drake

Finishing the note, I pulled on the lanyard over the bed, and waited for the knock at the door. When it finally came, I took the letter, along with five bits to the door and handed both to the bellcolt.

"Take this letter to the Princess." I stated. The young hotel employee stared at me with wide eyes. "It's alright. She knows me well. I'm a soldier. I will give you these five bits to do this, and...two more if you come back afterwards and bring me a strong black coffee. Make sure the princess gets it. My name is Lieutenant Drake. Use my name, and nopony'll give you any trouble. You understand?" He shook his head, still acting like he was being given a dangerous mission to save the world or something. "Alright, I'm counting on you." I concluded.

"Y...yes sir." He stammered, and ran off with the note.

"That's taken care of now..." I muttered.

"Yeah, and you scared the buck outta that poor bellcolt." Dash grinned.

"Heheh...yeah. He probably thinks he's on a secret mission for the military or something..." I chuckled. "...but at least he'll be more inclined to deliver the message."

"What do you wanna do now?" Dashie inquired.

"Honestly? And if you tell anypony, I will kill you." I grinned. "After my messenger returns with my coffee...I kinda want to just lay down and hold onto you until I fall asleep."

"Aww. You're not only the bravest, most awesome stallion ever...you're also the sweetest." My marefriend said, nuzzling me gently.

"I know...like I said, just don't tell anyone."

An hour later, there was a knock at the door of our hotel room. I kissed Dashie on the cheek and crawled out of bed, making my way to the door. I opened it to see the young bellcolt there, holding a platter, on which was a cup of steaming coffee and a letter sealed in an ornate envelope.

"I took the letter to the princess, just like you asked sir." He explained. "She was...gosh, I never met a princess before. You really know her?"

"Yup."

"Gosh. Anyway...here's your coffee, and a letter from the Princess." I took the platter, and handed him five more bits. He looked at the extra tip.

"For being so quick." I smiled.

"Gosh..." He whispered.

"Evenin' then..." I said, and closed the door. I sat the tray on the bed, and took a sip of the coffee before tearing open the beautiful light purple envelope, which smelled lightly of roses and old books. I took out the letter, and unfolded it. The writing was a beautiful, flowing script written in blue ink. I read the following:

Dearest Lieutenant Drake:

As my sister has retired for the evening, and I did not wish to disturb her, we are quite happy to acquiesce to your request. We have taken the liberty of enclosing a letter to the officials at the orphanage directing them to be of complete service to you in this matter, which we are happy to hear. We are sure you will be a most excellent caregiver to your long-lost sister.

We have been kept abreast of your work, and if we may be so bold, are quite the fan of your work. Tales of your tracking ability and detective work, and your swashbuckling adventures throughout your life have found their way to the very halls of my beloved palace, and into my heart. You may call upon me with any and all problems you may have in the future. And if you wish to call me a friend, I shall call you mine. Be well, my dear Lieutenant Drake.

Your Princess,

-Luna

"Oh dear lord..." I muttered.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I think I just made friends with Princess Luna." I replied.

"Uh-huh...well that's just you, Drake...making friends in high places." I gave Dash a deadpan look and took a long drink of the coffee.

"Let's go to bed. I gotta try to unravel this damned case tomorrow...then try to unravel my life." I said in a lackluster tone. I plopped down on the bed, and Dashie lay down beside me, and snuggled up to me. I hugged her close. "What do you think she'll be like...my sister?" I asked.

"I hope she's like you." Dash replied affectionately. "That way, we can be the most awesome family ever." I leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"What would you do without me, Drake?" She asked.

"Heh...you don't wanna know." I answered seriously.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I think this volume is really developing Drake's character a lot more. He's now dealing with more than just duty. He's actually beginning to deal with his past and with who he really is more than he has in the last three volumes. This chapter was not only a turning point in the story, but in Drake's life, and the entire nature of this saga as well. I will try to have the next two chapters up by tomorrow night. Fair warning...there is an upcoming chapter that is going to be EXTREMELY emotional for me to write, and I may take a short break for a couple days afterwards. But I digress. I hope you are liking this story so far. Please fav and review. Help me make this series something special, as it is to me and my family. Thanks for reading.