CHAPTER 7

Hey everypony. I'm back with chapter 7. I didn't really expect to be able to get this one up, with everything going on, and it being a friday and all. I never have the time to work on my stories during the weekend, so with a little downtime, I thought it would be a pleasant surprise to all of my readers (the punchline being 'all') to get chapter seven up, and somewhat finish this little scene out before I take the weekend off. All of the stuff going on in my life didn't turn out as bad as I had feared, so I'm probably gonna be able to keep writing. Anyway, here's chapter 7. I hope you enjoy it. Please review.

"I am happy to see all of you in attendance." Princess Celestia announced to the party goers as Budder and I pushed our way through the throng of ponies, trying to get to the front of the crowd. "And I am proud to say that this year's Gala shall be one to remember!"

"You can bet on that..." I muttered, finally managing to get between the crowd and the princess. I quickly looked toward the small grove of trees by the promenade, my eyes scanning every branch, every shadow. Finally, I spotted the mysterious pony atop a tall column. He was crouched down, hood over his head, his cape gently billowing in the breeze as he stooped there, as still as a statue. Suddenly he sprang into motion with a speed and precision that caught me off guard. He actually leaped from the pillar, landing gracefully and dramatically on a serving table. From his skill, I thought he must be a pegasus until he threw back his cloak, revealing a dark gray earth pony stallion wearing a wide leather belt supporting two braces of daggers. On his face was a cold, emotionless expression. He pulled one of the long knives from his belt, and spun it expertly in his hoof.

"Celestia!" I yelled. The princess snapped into high alert herself. The assassin let fly the dagger. "DUCK!" I hollered. Celestia aptly dodged the dagger, the weapon bouncing off the stone wall behind her. Two guards charged the attacker, who dove off the table, sending a roundhouse kick into one guard, incapacitating him. I watched the other guard thrust forward with his lance. The assassin dodged the thrust, seized the shaft of the spear, and spun along the handle until he had reached the guard, where he had him knocked out in two blows. Astoundingly, all of this took place in only a few seconds.

Bolting into action, I ran to where a waiter stood stock-still, shocked and frozen by the unfolding scene, holding a silver tea service in his hoof. As the assassin pony raised his right foreleg toward Princess Celestia, I saw that he had a small crossbow strapped to his wrist. I grabbed the silver teapot, and hoped that aim would be true. I hurled the teapot toward Celestia, just as the stallion fired his weapon. Fortunately, I had timed the tea just right, and the projectile struck the silver pot, embedding in the container, which fell to the cobblestone floor at the princess' hooves harmlessly.

"You lose!" I called. "Give up now!" Four guards rushed the pony. He let out an angry growl, and hopped effortlessly onto a table, then bounded off of a statue, then onto a column as if he were made of elastic. "Hey! Get back here you damned spider-monkey!" I shouted. I grabbed the silver serving platter from the hapless waiter, and charged toward the fleeing assassin. Finding myself under him as he jumped toward a nearby tree branch, I threw the round platter like a discus. The heavy metal tray struck the would-be killer in the head, stunning him. He fell to the ground, no doubt breaking a few somethings as he landed. I trotted over and stood over his battered, groaning form.

"Sorry, you forgot to RSVIP." I stated. Budder moved up beside me.

"That was totally awesome." She grinned. "All of it..." Her smile faded. "Except for that last thing you said. That was just...bad."

"Heheh..."

"Alright, take this stallion to the dungeon, and fetch a doctor." Shining Armor ordered, finally taking charge of the scene. "I want him questioned as soon as possible." Two guards grabbed the injured assassin, and started dragging him away.

"Hold up, fellas..." I stated. The guards stopped, and Shining gave me a confused look. I reached down and unbuckled the two straps holding the crossbow to the stallion's wrist. I looked the weapon over for a few seconds, impressed with its design. I held it up to Shining as the assassin was finally taken away.

"War trophy." I said with a grin. My old rival rolled his eyes. "Here sis," I continued, tossing the weapon to Budder. "New toy. Figure out how to use it, and it's all yours. You know how I am with crossbows, angel." She smiled happily, looking her new weapon over.

"Ah, you haven't changed a bit, Drake." Shining said, a hint of obvious sarcasm to his voice.

"Gets the job done though, right?" I retorted smugly.

"I appreciate you...ahem...attempt at assisting us, Drake." Shining Armor stated. "But you are not a Royal Guard, and have little to no authority here. You would do well to remember that." I narrowed my eyes.

"Um...I'm gonna take this up to my room and go for a walk, bubby..." My sister interjected nervously.

"Good idea, angel." I replied. "See you in a bit." I never broke eye contact with the Captain as I spoke.

"I will not have Princess Celestia harmed." He said irritably. "Nor anypony else here for that matter...just because of a loose cannon cavalry lieutenant who can't control his actions...or outbursts."

"Heheh..." I chuckled dryly, trying to bite my tongue. "looks like I just did your job at protecting our princess." I stated, giving the well-groomed aristocrat a cynical look. I noticed that several guards had moved up behind Shining, but obviously to watch instead of to assist him. Likewise, in my peripheral vision, I saw a few regular army officers standing in the crowd behind me. Wonderful, it was like a schoolyard brawl between rival clicks. Now all we needed was somepony yelling 'Fight, fight, fight'.

"Where were you when all of this was going on? Where were your guards? Would it kill you to say...thanks?" I said haughtily.

"The princess was in good hooves! Your...uncouth manner of doing things is out of place here in Canterlot, where we try to act civilized. And it is out of line. You are out of line...lieutenant."

"OHO! Pulling rank now, are we? I returned. He glowered angrily at me. "Well...sir, you can shove that right up your ass, cause when it comes to rank, at least I didn't buy mine. Oops, did I say that out loud? You know how...unsophisticated and ignorant us combat officers can be." I heard a chorus of 'Oooo's' from behind me. Shining clenched his teeth.

"Drake, you common thug, I have the right mind to..."

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Princess Celestia stated seriously, stepping I between us. The crowd immediately dispersed. "You two must cease this fighting at once. We are all allies, after all." She advised. "Lieutenant Drake is here, under my personal request, to provide security, Shining Armor. The same as you. He has done well at his duty, and saved my life, apprehending a dangerous assassin in the process." She looked down at me. "Thank you so very much, Drake. I am grateful for what you did. Your quick action saved me, and prevented a terrible tragedy from befalling Equestria. It does not matter how...unorthodox your methods may have been." The last comment was directed sidelong at Shining Armor, who cringed like a scolded foal.

"I am sorry, Your Highness." He said, his head hung low.

"It is quite alright, Captain." The princess spoke. "Lieutenant Drake here does have a tendency to say rather...off-color things, and should do well to remember that by being under my direct supervision, he in a way represents me." I now felt myself blushing in indignity. "But I am certain the good lieutenant shall keep his outbursts to a minimum for the rest of the Gala."

"Yes...I mean I will, Your Highness." I said contritely.

"Good." Celestia said. "You are two of the best military officers in Equestria. You should learn to work together and combine your talents instead of bickering."

"Yes, Your Highness..." We both said like schoolcolts. Celestia smiled and walked away gracefully, an entourage of guards and E.B.I. Agents with her. Shining Armor and I stood in place a few moments, neither of us sure of what to say.

"Okay..." I finally sighed.

"Right then..." He grumbled back.

"I think I'll...get back to my duty." I offered.

"Yes...you do that." He replied. "As will I."

"Shining." I nodded.

"Drake." He said back. I started to turn. "Oh, and just so you know...I have my eye on you, old boy." He stated. I sighed. Just let it go, already. I turned away from him, and walked away. I figured I'd might as well go check on my sister. She was probably worried about me.

Fun little chapter, eh? What did you all think about the Assassin's Creed pony? That was the idea of my little girl, ShadowBudder239. She came up with the idea of having a pony based on a character from the game, and when I began writing this volume, I stuck it in there. And what of Drake ad Shining having their little moment there? If Celestia hadn't broken them up, it would've probably turned into a brawl. Heheheh. Send me reviews or PM's, and tell me what you thought about this chapter. I'll probably have the next chapter up Sunday night or Monday afternoon, as these things go. Until then, thanks for reading, everypony!