Duster walked into her now ex-home for hopefully the last time, a guard following her in. A few minutes later, they came out, Duster holding in her mouth a small bag, with a plushie that had seen better days and had what looked like had a few pony feathers tied to it as a necklace sticking out the top.
As Duster came closer, Michi saw that the feathers were close matches to Duster's parents, Harry's, and some Pegasi guardpony feathers. Michi even spotted the feather the filly had taken from her.
Sweet Celestia, this was far worse than Michi had originally thought. She motioned with her hoof to start moving. Could this be the reason why Duster felt that she needed to prove old myths? Were her parents' marital problems the cause?
Duster began to follow an older guardsmare. In a soft voice, Duster spoke, "Umm, Michi, you're not gonna tell Harry about this, are you? He doesn't know about this, and you know how protective he is sometimes. I don't want him to do something misguided. Well, more misguided than we usually do..."
As they near the palace grounds, Duster looked more and more nervous; her wings seemed to twitch at the slightest sound.
Ram Shot looked over at the young Pegasus filly and asked "Umm, Miss Duster, about... Your parents. Did they ever hit you, or hurt you in any way?" Duster started at this and nearly bolted from her entourage. The only thing that stopped her was the fact that the guard walking with them was a Pegasus, as well, and could fly much faster than she could.
Michi glanced at Ram Shot, slight scorn and annoyance clouding her gaze, "Cadet, that question was out of line."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. You are right that that's something the courts, or your aunt should handle. It's just, well..." Ram Shot's gaze darkened. "I lost a cousin like that. Nopony knew what was happening until it was too late. Seeing what we just now did, saving this filly, brought back some bad memories." Ram Shot murmured. His eyes misty, he walked stiffly. "Whatever happened to this filly is wrong, and should be corrected as soon as equinity possible."
Michi's eyes softened, though her gaze remained harsh, "Although that is true, and this sort of abuse is rare, you shouldn't go asking questions as insensitive as that to a filly who just was freed from who-knows-what kind of abuse."
Ram shot just sighed, "I joined the guard to stop this from happening to another pony. I just wanted to help. Anyways, that's half the reason I became a royal guard."
"What's the other half?" Michi asks, anger epping into curiosity.
"I want to protect Equestria, and keep it as peaceful as it is right now," Ram Shot replied.
"Oh." Michi sighed, a bit crestfallen. So much for her secret dream of having a guard fall for her, like Shining Armor had with Cadence.
Duster coughed. "Umm, Michi, I know you're a princess and all, but you sure you're not gonna get in trouble by bringing me here?" The filly mumbled, trying to get out of the situation she found herself in.
"Not in the least. I have witnesses that saw the evidence for themselves." Michi answered. "I spoke the truth, which means you're a ward of the Crown until your parents straighten their problems out. I just never said whose crown."
Duster just looked at her and shook her head, rubbing the feather necklace in with a trembling hoof. "But what am I gonna tell Harry?! I don't want him to know about this, but I don't want to lie, either. He's my best friend."
"Tell him part of the truth: your parents have problems. You also asked me if you could stay for a few days until they could calm down," Michi answered, winking playfully.
Duster just smiled and rubbed the feathers more, her hoof beginning to steady. "Ok, Michi. I just hope I'm not a bother to either of you."
"Just no more of your pranks, before I have to assign you to polish the armor for the day and night guards," Michi teases, grinning.
"I won't. No more pranks!... For at least a few weeks, and none on the guards! No more hunting myths and old ponytales." Duster agreed, making sure she could live by these new rules.
"Good. I have just redefined Harry's grounding, too." Michi mused aloud.
"Well, anything you did to him, I deserve that and worse. It was all my idea, anyway," Duster said with a tiny smile.
Just as they walked onto the palace grounds, Ram Shot turned to the two fillies. "I'm sorry, Michi, but this is where I have to leave you both. I must report to the barracks and write up this whole thing because I had to get the active guard." With a bow and a smile, he turned to walk away. A moment before he disappeared around a corner, he turned back to the fillies and gave Michi a small peck on her hoof. Michi blushed, and she could only think of the romance plays she saw with her aunt as he continued around the corner and to the barracks.
Michi stared at her hoof before using her wing to wipe off the kiss, faintly smiling. "He's not the only one to have to write up this."
Duster just stared at the alicorn and giggled. "I think somepony has a cruuuussshh!" Duster sing-songed, giggled, and ran off.
Michi shook her head, "What did I get myself into?"
She continued into the palace and to her room. She had to get busy writing up a formal report of her judgments on the incident.
Harry was sitting in his room, thinking about what had happened, when he heard a pounding on his door. "Harry, open up!"
"Duster, is that you? What the hay are you doing here?" Harry stood agape as soon as he opened the door.
"I'm staying here for a few days," Duster answered.
"Why? I thought you were gonna be grounded until next Nightmare Night, at the very least!" Harry tilted his head at his friend.
"I am. I think I'm on your punishment now, too," Duster blushed, and then looked down in shame. "My parents have problems, so your sister agreed to let me stay here until they can calm down."
"Even though we're both grounded, I'm glad you're staying, although I am not so happy to hear about the circumstances. Actually, do you know where Michi is? I need to ask her something." Harry asked.
Duster shook her head, "I kinda teased her and took off running, but you might check her room." She grinned unremorsefully, "Sorry 'bout losing her."
"Ugh, Duster! Can't you behave for once in your life?" Harry teased, but still groaned aloud. "I'll be right back. You know where I hide my snacks. Try not to eat all my doughnuts, like last time."
Harry trotted out of his room and over to Michi's. He knocked on her door, and called through the heavy oak wood. "Umm, Michi? Can I come in; I need to ask you something."
"Come in," came the answer.
"Thanks. Umm, Michi, I was wondering: is there any way Duster could, I do not know, not go back to her parents? She won't make it there. I know she was trying to hide it, but I saw a few bruises on her where she thought I wouldn't check. She covered most of them up really well with makeup. Also, I'm worried about her." Harry fretted.
Michi did not look at her brother as her quill kept on writing, "She's not going back."
Harry, relieved, reached up to hug his sister. "Thank you, Michi! I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused, I promise, and I'll try harder to keep Duster out of trouble," he hugged her once more as he gleefully trotted out of her room. "Michi, if you want, you can come to my room and join us for a snack party. I got your favorite Chocó-oats balls."
"I'm rather busy at the moment, writing a formal report to Celestia." Michi responded, disappointment clear in her voice. "Oh, and you're still grounded. I did change the metaphorical leash, though. You need to stick to the palace and the grounds, besides for going to school. You're not leaving for anything else without permission. Oh, and please bring me some Chocó-oats balls?"
After running back and forth to get Michi her snack, Harry noticed Duster staring at a box he had planned to give her. "Harry, what's in the box, and why does it have my name on it?" The filly asked.
Harry just stared at her. "Umm, it's just a gift to help you feel better. It's not much, but I thought you might like it."
Michi had finished her report, and sealed it with wax. Unlike Celestia, she would not have a royal seal to use until she got her crown, which, unfortunately, she has not received yet. Michi had just sent the letter off to Celestia, and was going to find an extra bedroom to give to Duster, as she passed Harry's room and overheard their conversation.
"Why, Harry?" She heard Duster say.
"Well, you're my best friend, and I know how you always hunt up old ponytales. So, here."
The room was quiet for a few minutes Michi made out a squeal. "Oh, Harry, I love it! Thanks so much!... And, what's this?"
Michi wondered what her brother had gotten his hooves on, but since it did not explode, she didn't think it mattered that much.
"Ugh, Dust, you're choking me! Can't... Breathe," Michi then heard her brother's breathing return to normal, then the sound of a kiss, which was quickly ended by her brother gagging out, "What the hay?! Dust, what did ya kiss me for?"
"Harry, how did you get your hooves on this? The librarian was always saying this book was checked out!" she heard Duster gasp at her friend.
A book from the library? Why did her brother have a book from the library?
Michi tapped on her brother's door.
"Well, I'm the reason why it always was checked out. It took me weeks to copy it, but it was worth it," Harry answered as he turned to the door. "The door is open, come on in."
"I just sent my report to the Princess. I am willing to bet a few bits she is not going to be a happy monarch when she reads what I wrote," Michi informed the two foals.
"Um, Michi, what report? I just thought you were just telling Aunt Tia that Duster was staying us. Was that it?" Harry asks.
Duster just looked down, and smiled gently, her voice soft, "Thank you, Michi, and I'm sorry."
"Harry, I couldn't just let what happened with those ponies go unnoticed," Michi answered solemnly. "Princess Celestia needed to know, so she can make the final judgment."
The two foals look at each other, then at Michi, and both exploded with questions. Their voices clashed until blending into a single, queer voice.
Michi backed up, "Enough, one at a time!"
They both stopped and stared once more at Michi "What did that report say, Michi?" Harry and Duster asked at the same time.
"Just what happened: I had to call the guard to stop a domestic dispute, and that I had to exercise my rank to ensure the welfare of a foal, except with more detail, and my personal thoughts on the matter." Michi answers, and walked up to spread her wings over the two foals.
Harry and Duster sat and nuzzled Michi. Harry raised his hoof to Michi, hugging her, and said, "Thank you, Michi. I'm glad you did what you did. Oh! And here: see, I saved you some more Chocó-oat balls."
"You don't have to thank me; I did what I had to do. It was an emergency situation." Michi replied., "Oh, and the room right next door will be Duster's until we can find some other placement." Michi saw the book Harry gave to Duster and something else, as well. It looks like a glimmering white feather. "Harry, did you take a feather from Celestia?"
"Yes! This is great, Harry, we're practically roommates! It's a sleepover, only better." Duster cheered.
Harry looked at his sister with a smile that seemed to split his face in half. "Yes, I did get a feather from Aunt Celly. But this time, I just waited for her to have a preening and picked one up."
"Harry," Duster stared at him. "Why the hay did you do that?"
"Well, I figured you need to complete your feathered necklace, and what better way than with the best feather I could find?" Harry finished with a smile and a blush so bright it looked like he had red fur instead of his dark, dappled hue.
"It's a good thing that Celestia lost the feather during preening, because I wouldn't even try to pluck her for a special writing quill," Michi frowns slightly, her coat shivering at the thought.
"Michi, I may do some crazy things, but even I'm not that crazy," Harry said, surprised at her disbelief in him.
Michi just laughed. "Oh, and Duster. You're also confined to the palace and grounds along with Harry for your prank."
Just then, there was a flash and a puff of smoke, and a scroll appeared in front of the three foals.
Michi used magic to open the letter.
It was a short reply to Michi from Celestia, saying Celestia had faith in Michi's judgment for now, and will deal with the problem when she returns, and to make sure that Duster gets a full medical and mental check up once she is settled in her new room.
Michi nods to herself, she would attend to that matter later, and she needed to contact the doctor and therapist ponies.
"What does the letter say, Michi?" Harry asked. Duster just looked worried and tried to make herself hidden behind Harry's small frame.
"Duster, what are you doing?" Harry asked.
"Looks like she's trying to hide behind you," Michi surmised, "and the letter just confirmed what I guessed."
"Huh, what are you talking about, Michi? Duster, why are you hiding behind me? You've never been shy before," Harry asked.
"Celestia just says she trusts my judgment and that I should get the doctor and therapist ponies to give Duster a check up," Michi answers.
"Oh, ok, that should be fine." Harry said with a small smile. Duster just squeezed in tighter behind Harry.
"What's wrong, Duster?" Michi asks gently and tilted her head.
"Don't want to go and see doctors. Mom always said that if I went I ain't gonna come back." Duster answered.
"That's not true. I have a checkup every six months, and I come back." Michi replies, as she put her hoof to her lip. "Matter of fact, I think Harry needs to have a check up soon."
"Really? I thought I still had a month 'till I had to go over to Doc Clover's office," Harry said with a weary smile.
"That's the dentist, feather-brain!" Michi laughed.
"No, Doc Minuet is the dentist. I remember because she said I might need to have a tooth pulled," Harry argued back.
"I don't know, they all start to look alike after a while," Michi replied. "But I do know that my therapist is a Pegasus mare."
"Yeah, Doc Skydiver. I like her; she's pretty and always sneaks me a lollipop," Harry giggled.
Duster just smacks Harry in the head. "Harry, you don't say that about a doctor! They're not pretty at all." She just huffed at him, looking a bit jealous as well.
"What the hay? You never met her, and she is pretty." Harry said, rubbing the back of his head. Duster just looked at him, ruffled her wings once, and just left the room.
"What just happened with her, Michi?" Harry asked while flipping his view between Michi and the door.
"Colts," Michi rolled her eyes, went over to the door, and let herself out.
Michi found duster stomping around her new room. "That that jerk pony. I should just spend the next day doing nothing but pulling his tail everywhere." She mumbled to herself.
"Even I wouldn't agree with that; besides, that would hurt." Michi smiled gently.