CHAPTER 3

I'm back with chapter three, everypony. I hope you're all enjoying the story so far. I love writing these volumes that have a bit of Drake, Dash and Budder's domestic life as part of the story. I think it really gives more depth to their relationship than having them just working on cases. And just so you all know, these family moments are all based on actual events from my own household. Just as it is with Drake and crew, just as it is with me, the real life Budder, and my fiancee. But enough personal stuff, let's get on with the story. Hope you like this chapter. Please review, everypony.

"Buuuub...Do I really have to get all dressed up to go to the gala?" Budder asked in despair as we sat in the casual parlor, discussing our two cases. I gave my sister an unenthused glance.

"It's the Grand Galloping Gala. Of course you have to dress up." I said. She groaned.

"I dunno why..." She grumped. "If we have to take on a bunch of super-assassin ponies, I'll prolly just ruin my clothes anyway." I rolled my eyes. My sister hated dresses. Dresses and makeup. I knew that getting her into both for the gala was going to be an almost impossible mission.

"I know how ya feel." Dashie said, supporting Budder's objection. "Nopony's getting' this filly into a poofy old dress.

"Not helpin' Dashie!" I said loudly. Dash and Budder began laughing at my plight of being outnumbered by tomboys. "Alright, alright...You have nice clothes. I know you do, because I bought them for you. You don't have to put on some frilly pink princess dress or anything, just...piece together something that looks...presentable."

"Kay." Budder sighed. "Can I at least carry my knife?

"Sis...it's a formal event. At the palace. With high society types." I stated. I had to be the responisible guardian when it came to some things. "One of the small ones. Not the trench knife." My little sister beamed me an exaggerated grin. I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"You gonna be okay in Ponyville, sweetheart?" I asked Dashie.

"Aww, you know it." She grinned. "I can solve that little case, no prob. Besides, I got my buds there to have my back if I need it. I'll be more than fine."

"Now that, I like to hear." I said with a nod. I exhaled sharply and allowed myself to slump over playfully onto Rainbow Dash. "Still gonna miss you, my love." I stated wistfully, laying my head over my marefriend's shoulders.

"Aw Drake...it's only for like a week or so." Dash replied cutely, blushing a little.

"I know, but this is the longest we've been apart in a while." I said. "I'm so used to it being the three of us."

"Yeah Dashie." Budder agreed. "It's not gonna be the same without you."

"Aww...I love you guys." Dashie said. "And I'm gonna miss you too." She turned her head and gently rubbed her cheek against mine. "It'll only be a few days, Drake. I'll find whoever's been swiping money from Ponyville's treasury, then hang out with Twi and A.J. A while. When we get back, we'll have to swap stories."

"Eheh." I chuckled, sitting up on the sofa. "Oh, I'm sure Budder and I will have plenty of stories alright. A...myriad of tales of canapes and crystal glasses. Heheheh. Oh, riveting tales of tuxedo-clad stallions and where they import their mineral water from." Dash smiled and rolled her eyes. "Ooooo...I was hesitant to wear this ensemble for fear that it was out of season..." I whined mockingly, moving my forehooves effeminately for effect.

"Draaaake..." My sister groaned, burying her face in her hooves at my cynical joke.

"Dude...you're from Canterlot..." Rainbow Dash remarked. "How the heck can you hate Canterlot ponies more than me when you are one?"

"Huh? I don't hate 'em." I answered dismissively. "I don't really hate many ponies at all. I just think they're boring and annoying."

"Cause they're snooty, right bub?" Budder asked.

"Heh. Not that, really..." I answered. "It just really bothers me that they don't really do anything. No real jobs...no sense of adventure...no ambition or goals. They're just...rich. That's all they do with their lives: be rich. They wake up in the morning, and they're rich, and they pay ponies to pour their coffee because they're too rich to do it themselves. It's kind of unsettling when you think about it."

"But..." Budder began, looking around the well-furnished room. "...aren't we kinda...rich?" I scoffed. True, we had a large house, and we never really went without anything, and just looking around our parlor at the hoofmade walnut bookshelves, the fine dark red tapestry of the couch, and the regal red and gold woven rug (A gift from the King of Maretania), it was obvious that we had a little money. But rich? I had to dispel these awful rumors.

"Naw, we ain't rich." I returned. "We just have a good job. We work hard for all of this, so we earned it. Besides, I got this old antique sofa at a second-hoof shop. It was a steal." I flashed a big grin to my sister.

"So..." Budder thought out loud. "...we're not rich, but we can still live like it...I guess?"

"Eh, something like that." I answered. "Why pay a thousand bits for a set of crystal glasses, when you can get a set just as good for three hundred? That um...Butt-a-cello or whatever painting over there woulda been like a hundred and fifty bits a print at an art store. Got it at Whole Lots for thirty five. And that fancy sculpture of...whatever the hay THAT is...Princess Luna sent it to me as a gift for my birthday."

"You wouldn't wanna be rich, would ya?" Budder asked.

"Eh...not really. If I was, I'd just end up spoiling you!" I said, ruffing my sister's mane. "Heheh. More than I already do, I mean." She giggled and swatted at my hoof. I glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. "Well...it's getting' really late. We gotta leave tomorrow. Guess we'd better turn in, huh?"

"Yeeaaahhhh..." My little sister groaned. She rolled off of the sofa and onto the floor comically.

"Take a shower, angel." I ordered. "Oh, and you still haven't found anything to wear to the gala, right? Lay something out, and I'll inspect it tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Kay bub." Budder answered.

"Alright sis." I smiled. G'night angel."

"Night bibby." She said back. "Love you."

"I love you too, sis." I replied. I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, amiking her giggle. She smiled and left the room. When I heard the door latch click, I turned to Dashie. She smiled, and we gazed into each others' eyes a moment. I lay down on my back, my head in Dashie's lap.

"Still gonna miss you...my beautiful, wonderful Dashie..." I whispered.

"Mmm. You always have a way with words, my handsome...brave...sweet stallion." She mused. I smiled and cuddled against her.

"Hmmm...do I?" I asked playfully. Dashie smiled coyly.

"Maybe a certain awesome and amazing young mare would like to say goodbye to you in the bedroom." She teased. Okay...now she had my full attention. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Oh...sounds like fun..." I quipped. A smile spread across my face. "Who is she?" Brace for impact. SLAP! Right to the side of the head. "Heheh." Dashie slid out from under me and stood.

"Well...why don't you just come up and find out, detective?" Dash playfully stated.

"Hm...one mystery I must solve." I replied, closing my eyes again. "I bet I get a really nice reward when I do."

"Oh...you better believe it." Rainbow Dash said in a serious whisper. I heard the door open and close. I smiled to myself. I loved that mare. She was such a tease. I sighed and finally stood and left the parlor. I climbed the stairs to mine and Dash's bedroom. I stopped outside the door to our boudoir and perked up my ears. Sure enough, I could hear the sound of the hallway bathroom's shower. I had like...maybe an hour, given my sister's tendency to completely drain the hot water heater.

I opened the bedroom door and walked in, closing and locking it behind me. As soon as I turned, I was tackled to the floor by my rainbow-maned marefriend. I rolled onto my back, only to be pinned down by her. I didn't want to fight back. I wanted to let Dash have her fun. She smiled as I gazed up into her beautiful magenta eyes.

"I am totally gonna miss you." Dashie spoke.

"Mmm...you have no idea how I'll miss you, Dashie." I whispered back. "Eheh...so, what's with the um..." I half-heartedly wiggled my forehooves, which were pinned to the floor by hers. Dashie grinned impishly. She leaned in and kissed the end of my muzzle.

"Because..." She answered in a whisper. "Tonight, stud...you're mine."

So the gang is leaving for their cases in the next chapter. What kind of adventure will this turn into? Will the Canterlot case prove difficult for Drake because of assassins or rich ponies? And will Budder find anything to wear to the gala? All questions will be answered soon. I will try to have the next chapter up in a couple days. It's Drake and Budder time this weekend, which means I won't have a lot of time to write, but I'll make sure I get chapter four posted at my earliest possible convenience. So until then, thank you all so much for reading.