I stood there, looking at the tan unicorn stallion across the grass of the garden. I was oblivious to the bright pink shield around the two of us. Unaware of the worried looks from my friends. Unaware of the look of fear on Jackie’s face, or Luna’s, or Twilight's. I pointedly ignored the frown on Celestia’s face just as much as I did the smile on Blueblood’s muzzle.

The ones gathered around him watching their chosen fighter stand there, thirty feet away from me.

No, I was focused on him; watching his body, his eyes. Looking for that tell that would give me the edge here. Both of us watched the handkerchief fall, fluttering closer to the ground out of the corner of our eyes.

My right hand rested on the leather gun strap of my holster just a inch away from the grip of the peacemaker I always carried and in his magic he held the flintlock pistol he had chosen, hovering low near his right foreleg as we stared each other down.

How did I end up here? I thought to myself as I watched his eyes glitter. What I could only describe as a snide, cocky grimace came across his face… as the handkerchief touched the ground.

---

Truth be told, I was looking forward to tonight. Sure, the fact that Bluenuts and his little groupies would be there grated on me some, but I was there and so were the princesses, my friends, and the most beautiful green eyed mare I had ever seen. It was my honor that she would be my date tonight.

Stupid as it may sound, I missed her. It had only been three days since I saw her last but, I longed to see her with every free thought I had. I thought back to my time in the police academy, when I would go a week without seeing Shawna. Was it this bad back then?

I looked at the man in the mirror before me and felt a bit of pride. Rarity had put in a lot of effort to make the outfit fit me so well with my different dimensions. She had done me up in a pair of black pants, a nice tan long sleeve shirt, and a black and paisley vest right out of the 1800’s.

Even my old stetson was set aside tonight for a very traditional black hat she’d had ordered from somepony for just this occasion. Turns out she can’t make normal hats, just frufru fancy ones.

The stetson almost matched, to a tee, the same one that my Jackie wore every day. It wasn’t a every day hat, but it worked tonight, and maybe some other nights to go on a date or something.

To top it all off, she had given me a new gift. A wonderful gold chain, attached to one of the button loops, ran across my belly to my right vest pocket. Tucked in there was a brand new, gold pocket watch. The pocket low on the vest as was tradition back then. I had never owned a pocket watch, it made me feel kind of neat.

I don’t know how, I have no clue from where, but Rarity had gone above and beyond. On my feet I wore a brand new pair of boots. Real leather, well made, and with hardened leather soles as a traditional human cowboy boot would have. She wouldn’t tell me who she had make them, but she said they were the best of the best.

Speaking of the white marshmellow of generosity, she stood next to me and looked up at me then back at my reflection, hoping to see one of us give an expression she’d like. “So?”

I glanced down at her, she was wearing a dress that hugged her form and it made her look like a model without looking slutty, amongst all the other jems, jewels, necklaces and things in her mane.

“I, have no words Rarity,” I turned to inspect by back and noticed the pants did hug my butt more than I’d have liked, but I didn’t mind since Jackie was the one I was impressing, “it is perfect. I... I owe ya big for this.”

She smiled proudly and lifted her snout. “Darling, you make my friend happy, you make her smile in a way we haven’t seen before. Honestly,” she placed a forehoof on my leg in a friendly gesture, “it is all of us that owe you so much for how you treat dear Applejack.”

I glanced down at her as she paused then continued. “I must admit, I am a bit envious of her. She found her knight or rather in this case, her Ranger before me, perhaps I should look for a human of my own,” she joked.

I turned and squatted down to face her at her level. I was looking her right in the eyes.” “Rarity, the right guy, stallion or other, is out there for you. You are a wonderful, smart, kind, and passionate woman,” I paused a heartbeat and her cheeks glowed a little pink, “I know I know; mare, still the fact is, is mister right will come along, or miss right, who knows?” I reached and rubbed her ear.

She was blushing hard and then lifted up some and gave me a quick hug before returning to all fours. “Shane, you continue to prove yourself a good friend and I know I am most thankful for having met you.”

I gave her a soft nod and stood up, looking back in the mirror a moment. “Feels odd not having my belt and holster on.”

She frowned at me. “That beastly thing would clash with my design for you and,” she broke into a teasing smirk, “your jackie’s outfits.”

I chuckled. “So, what is this I hear about you inviting Spike as your date for tonight?”

She flicked a ear and gave a small nod of her head as she lit up her horn and tugged some imagined bit of lint off my pant leg. “I had, what one could call, a dose of reality, Shane. He is of age by pony standards. He has been there time and time again for me. The excuses I gave of his age, of his maturity level have all evaporated.” her ears sagged and she scratched the floor. “Do you think bad of me, a mare of my age, taking such a young drake as a date?”

I tilted my head then glanced down at her. “Rarity, I am almost fifty years old, by human standards Applejack is just barely twenty four. I am nearly twice her age, yet I don’t see anyone caring one bit about that. For that matter, look at Sir Fancy Pants and his wife, they must have forty years between them.”

She gave a exhale then smiled. “True, thank you again, Shane.”

I smirked at her expression of relief. “My pleasure, ma’am”

---

My hand slid up the outside of the holster, fingers gripping the peacemaker. I could feel the notches in the wood, the cold iron of its frame. Already lifting, thumb reaching for the hammer. I could see his magic flare, the gun near his leg starting to rise. I could see the hammer of the flintlock clicking back to lock.

---

Coming down the stairs from our rooms I saw the rest of the girls and Spike waiting. The tux Spike was in fit him well, for a waist up thing. He looked up at Rarity and me and his eyes turned to hearts when he saw her, then he started to step forward to greet his date.

Fluttershy looked as pretty as a picture, Rainbow was with a white stallion. I think his name was, Sore? Snoring? Whatever. or something like that. She was in a long flowing dress that looked a bit out of place on the sleek athlete. Pinkie was dressed tastefully in pink, and that left Twilight, who was wearing a dress much like the princess dress she’d modeled in that one episode when Rarity opened her Manehattan boutique.

My eyes wandered over them all and I panicked when I didn’t see her, but once I’d gotten to the floor I heard a throat clear and I turned. I had my breath taken from me and in that instant I saw the mare that I wanted to see every evening for supper.

Jackie stood there, just under a stone arch, alone. The evening sunlight streaming its last light to frame her. What she had on I could best describe as perfect. It looked layered and yet form fitting on all the right spots. The dress matched her eyes, her mane was sparkling like magic itself was holding it up, and she wasn’t wearing much makeup, but it all worked. Jesus, I could fall into her eyes and never come back.

I swear to you, she could have been a woman that stepped right out of the high class downtown gold rush era San Francisco, turned into a pony, then stole my heart.

Her face lit up in a light blush and an awkward smile as I found myself drawn to her. Reaching up I took my hat from my head and held it to my chest. “Y-you look incredible, Jackie.”

She kept that blush on her face but looked up at my eyes. “Thank ya, Shane, ya look right handsome, yerself. Ah ain’t seen ya stare like that before, somethin’ on my face?”

The girls behind giggled as I kneeled down and she leaned up onto her hoof tips, staying on the marble floor. I was rewarded with her soft lips meeting mine in a kiss that made me feel sparks all over my body.

The few sniffles, giggles, and overwhelming ‘awww’s’ coming from behind us spoke volumes as we stopped the kiss. I spoke softly, but not a whisper, “Lady Apple, would you do me the honor of letting me be your date tonight?” I extended my arm to her.

Her blush still bright and warm, she giggled like an embarrassed girl and gave a nod of her head. “Ah would like that more than Ah have words for, Shane.”

She placed her forehoof in my hand and I stood up, turned around to see many a smile, and a couple winks sent our way. Tonight was going to be a great night.

---

Funny how time seems to come to a grinding halt when a life is on the line. I had all the time in the world to think about tonight, about everything that had gone right... and wrong. Would I ever see Jackie again, or would she watch me die as I watched Shawna and my little girl die?

My pistol cleared the holster just as I starting to pivot my hand up. My thumb locked the hammer back with the dull clack of metal on metal. Already my left hand was midway across my gut level, held flat and moving to hold the weapon steady while I fired.

---

“Announcing Lady Applejack Apple of House Apple, Honored Bearer of the Element of Honesty, Savior of Equestria, Friend to her Majesty's Princess Luna and Celestia, and her escort, Lieutenant Shane McDonald of the Canterlot Rangers.”

I chuckled and whispered from the corner of my mouth. “ Ha-Ha your title is longer than the one they stuck me with,” making the pretty orange pony snort indignantly.

We progressed down the line of ponies, greeting each one with smiles and nods, save for one. Blueballs just glared at me, so I gave him a wink. That made him snort out loud and open his mouth to say something, but we were past him almost to Celestia. Twilight was standing at her side and I bowed to them both, as did Jackie.

“A pleasure to see you both, thank you for coming,” Celestia said sincerely for what must have been the two hundredth time, then she leaned in some. “Do ignore them Shane,” then pulled back. I wouldn’t take that advice, to let Bluedick know how I disliked him.

Applejack answered her back. “The pleasure is ours, thank you for sending invitations, Princess Celestia.”

We moved into the main ballroom. Making our way along one side, I spotted Cross with his wife, Dusty. Cortland and Golden were standing with them, as were Fancy and Fleur, so I got Jackie's attention and gestured to the group. “Want to head over there?”

Jackie smiled at them and then back to me. “Sure thing, sugarcube,” and we started their way.

As we walked up, Fleur smiled at us. “Why look at you two, you look simply perfect together,” she exclaimed as Fancy gave a genial nod to me.

“I do believe you are right on that account, darling,” The monocle wearing unicorn tilted his head to the left. “Miss Rarity has outdone herself once again. Is what you're wearing some type of human clothing design?”

It was Jackie who spoke up and didn't hesitate as every eye was on her. “Rarity based both our outfits off an old picture in a book Shane gave her for Hearths warming.”

“Magazine,” I interjected and got an orange hoof stomped on my foot.

Golden spoke up, placing a foreleg around Jackie's neck. “They are quite magnificent,” she said, gently tugging her along so the mares could talk.

I chuckled and glanced at my partner in law, then the captain. “It was the same in my world with ladies, they’ll be at it for a while”

All four of us gave light laugh before Fancy lifted his moustached muzzle. “Shane, a word of advice, old chap; just watch yourself tonight. I fear House Dark has taken a particularly strong dislike of you. While I have been able to fend off their attacks in chamber, thankfully backed by Dame Lulamoon herself, that stunt you pulled with Spoiled Rich has earned you no friends among some of the elite.”

I shook my head and gave him a wry smirk. “I am well aware, but thank you, Fancy.”

Cross spoke next after looking around. “Celestia has taken personal control of the Apple case, Shane, at least from this end. The pressure is on and somepony is going to crack sooner or later. You just make sure it isn’t you they are near when it goes down.”

Again I exhaled. “Got it, Cap.”

Jackie and I managed to break away together and got to the dance floor. A slow waltz was playing and I looked at her then smiled and held my arm out. “Would my princess care to dance?”

She blushed deeply and gulped, I loved how her cheeks would light up like that. The she gave a nod of the head. I don’t think she’d ever been called a princess before and I’d have to remember to say it again on special occasions.

Stepping out onto the floor among the other ponies there she reared up and I took hold of her, one hand gripping her hoof, one around her back resting on her withers and I let her use me to lean on as we started to move. Now I am in no way a good dancer, but Jackie seemed to know how to, albeit with very little stumbling, given my height and her standing on her hind legs. I let her lead as we swung around and moved to the soft music playing.

I found myself lost in her eyes, looking down into them as she looked up at me. That foot or so of height difference didn’t seem like such a big deal right now. We moved around the floor, not saying a word until the music ended and everyone gave polite stomps. She dropped back down to all fours and we walked off to the side. “Thank you, Jackie”

The smile she had made my heart melt. God, I don’t know why you put me here but, thank you.

The orange mare spoke up, “Would ya mind getting us a drink?” she gestured to the drink table and I gave her a nod.

I excused myself and headed for the tables. I planned on ignoring the group there, as I went to fill two cups with the juice being offered. However, it seemed that they wanted my attention.

“Well look at that, you can teach a monkey how to be civilised.” Oh, I knew that voice, I knew the pink pony who it belonged to. Spoiled Rich just laughed, as many around her did the same. I snorted as I picked up the glasses and turned to face my date, with a glance aside at the bitch.

“You know the problem with putting a pig in a dress? They’re still a pig.” A few of the mares, along with one or two of the stallions gasped. I ignored them and walked back to where my princess was.

Jackie was giving me the stink eye. “What did ya say to them, Shane?”

I handed her the glass as I told her. Earning another stink eye, but an amused smirk as well. “Well, you just watch what ya say, ok? We don’t need trouble tonight.” She let it go at that. What I didn’t see was Blueballs and the ponies he was plotting with.

---

What could have changed this outcome? Likely nothing. I think it was fated to happen eventually in some form or another. That didn’t mean I wanted this, quite the opposite. I tried my best to keep this from coming to heads.

My right hand was holding the gun, the barrel almost level with the ground. His was almost up in firing position. Two men, two stallions; trying to kill each other.

No, this was the last thing I wanted.

---

The rest of the night went quite well. We spent time with so many ponies. I met a few new ones, touched base with others I had known now for a while, and glanced at others I’d prefer to stay away from.

Around the middle of the night, Celestia had come over. Both Jackie and I gave her a bow. Celestia bid us stand once more and smiled. “Shane, you know that in forty eight hours it will mark the day you first sat on a log and faced me in person.”

I blinked as AJ smiled, then I gave a sigh. “Meaning, tonight is the eve of the morning I woke to find myself in Equestria.”

That made Jackie look up at me with concern and I felt her side press against my leg some. Celestia gave a bit of a nod with her usual calm. “That it does, my little human, and I have talked Miss Pie down from throwing you a party.”

I nodded. “Thank you, Princess Celestia. I don’t really think it appropriate to celebrate that day, not yet, anyway.”

Her eyes said she understood and I appreciated that quite a bit. She did, however, get that troll look expression around her eyes. “However, I am to understand she will throw a small party, just you and your friends, in two days time. I believe she means to make that day your… Oh what was her word for it?” She tapped her chin and looked up. “Oh, yes,” she smiled at me, “arrivalversery.”

I groaned as Jackie chuckled. “That’s our Pinkie.”

---

I had watched him load the pistol before we lined up earlier. He was no fool, he clearly knew what he was doing. He was methodical about it, like a pony that’d done this before. I knew I was not facing an amature, and his speed showed as much.

My finger pulled back on the trigger, the hammer flying forward. I could feel it move in that instant when the weight of the gun shifted and I looked at him across from me as his gun leveled.

---

It was the end of the Gala, many ponies and dignitaries had left already and I was just walking back from the restroom when someone, or should I say somepony, firmly bumped into me. I almost fell but caught myself.

Looking down right into the eyes of Grey Dark he gave an indignant grunt. “Watch where you are walking, monster. Just because you are the princess’ little pet project does not entitle you to step into a proper stallion.”

I really had had enough of him. I guess I was a bit tired, a bit worn out, perhaps a tad hangry, but I let my concentration and temper slip. Sometimes being a southern boy had its downsides.

“Go choke on a bucket of dicks.”

Gasps from around us, but a few others gave unapproving noises. Grey, reacted in a way I had not expected. Held in his tanish magic, two gloves or hoof covers slapped me across the face.

He snarled at me. “I demand retribution, monkey! I challenge you!.” He spoke loud and clear.

I didn’t know, I didn’t think. I was running on pure anger as I growled back down at him. “Any time, gelding.”

I heard Celestia cry out, “No!” from across the room and I saw him grin, at that moment I realized I may have just stepped into a trap.

Grey stepped back and announced loudly, “You all heard him, he has accepted my challenge to defend my honor. However, because you are a simpleton, monster, I will offer you a dishonorable out, simply-.”

I blinked, turning to look as Celestia and a number of guards stepped between us and she looked at me. I saw it in her face, she was upset, but not angry upset. I would venture to say fearful, and for me.

“Shane, what have you done?” she asked me with haste and urgency that shook me.

I blinked at her during the second I had to answer. “I- he slapped me, and I said yeah. I mean, I figure we just go outside and throw a few punches… and...” it was starting to dawn on me more that this may be a much bigger deal that what I’d thought was a simple pony fight.

Jackie was by my side and now were the rest of the girls and their dates. Celestia gave a very frustrated grumble. “Shane, you are a citizen of Equestria. You are an officer of the crown. Do you have any idea what you have agreed to?” Her hoof stomped down as she glared at me and spoke softly so only those very close to us would hear. “You have no clue what you’ve started.”

Turning to look at Grey and the group around him now she stood tall and spoke in her regal way. “What are your terms.”

He grinned darkly. “Seeing as the monkey there… Ranger Shane, had no understanding of what he agreed to. I will accept luxuria noctibus with his,” the stallion turned up his nose at my date, “apparent whorse in lieu of the duel.”

At his words I snarled. “You fucking prick, I’ll smash your muzzle in”. Yes I was angry. Perhaps angrier than anyone, or anypony had ever seen me. This guy had just insulted AJ, to her face no less. Whatever he said in that other language was lost on me, but the reactions of others around sent me over the edge. My fists balled up as my arms brought them up, but Cort pushed me back with both hooves on my hips.

“Shane, shut up!” he bellowed in my face. That gave me pause, he was dead serious. Choking back my anger, I grunted and grit my teeth, but silenced myself.

The white alicorn turned back to look at the lawyer stallion. “That will cost you, you know the rules as well as I do,” she paused “what is your challenge?”

A warmer smile crossed his face. “Pistols at thirty steps, drop of a cloth; to give him a fighting chance.”

I started to open my mouth but a hoof on my leg stopped me. I looked down and into scared green eyes. “Shane, please, be quiet!” How could I ignore that. I gave a nod as my anger bubbled away, I just looked up to listen as Cort slid back down to all fours.

Celestia frowned and then asked, “and if he refuses both your demands?”

The stallion shrugged like this was no big deal to him. “I demand payment for the slight to my honor. House Apple houses him; I will take forty acres of their land of my choice.”

It was starting to hit me now, this was not a game. This was for keeps and I had just put the Apples in grave risk with my temper.

“I will talk with him, and his second. Grey, you are to go with my guards and stand aside over there.”

I saw Grey nod in agreement. “As you wish, Princess Celestia.”

Celestia gestured. “Who is your second?” she asked me.

Cort spoke up before I could ask what that meant. “Ah am, your highness.”

She glanced around. “The rest of you retire away from us. I must speak to them alone.” she paused and looked at Applejack. “You may stay, this concerns House Apple directly.”

Waiting until the girls moved away with the guards and few other guests that had still been around when this all started she looked at me intently.

“Shane, you have stepped into a trap. He has played you, and there is nothing, even as princess, I can do to stop this.”

I exhaled and looked down at jackie, over to Cort, then back at Celestia. “How bad is this?”

She frowned. “He has demanded his honor be satisfied. You have three choices to make now. One, you say no, and he takes forty acres of his choosing from the Apple family land. I suspect he means to take the farmhouse and control of the only zap apples in the world, then piece out the rest and make them pay to carry their crops across his plots of land.”

I heard Applejack give a whimper and I put my hand on her neck. “Not happening, next.”

“Second, you face him in a duel, usually it is only to first blood. However, Shane, know this; he means to kill you for whatever reason. I can see it in his eyes.”

I exhaled slowly and reached up and lifted my hat, running my other hand over my hair before sitting the hat back on my crown.

“And what is this… luxu-thingy he talked about?”

With a great deal of surprise I heard Jackie stomp her forehoof loud enough to echo across the ballroom. Looking down suddenly I saw the fear and rage in them. “Luxuria noctibus, Shane. It means,” her body trembled, I had never seen her like this before. It made my gut flip, fists ball up, and blood run cold as her words hit me. “That I have to go to his bed tonight.”

I had a very scared mare I loved watching me, I had my best friend and partner, and I had an immortal alicorn looking at me, waiting for a choice. Now was not the time to blurt out anything, I needed to think.

“Cort, grab the Captain, go upstairs to my room, get the lockbox from under my bed, and bring it down to me.”

Celestia’s ears fell. Jackie touched my leg. “W-what are you doing, Shane?”

I looked down at her, then squatted down, to look her in the eyes. “I am protecting you and yer family’s livelihood.” I watched as the understanding came to her. I knelt down and hugged her as she let out a sob, but not a tear fell not saying anything. I knelt there, just feeling her tremble as she pressed into me.

---

I was glad I had pushed to send most of the girls away. Rainbow refused to leave and stayed at Jackie’s side. Twilight was forced, by tradition, to stand at the other two princesses side. At least Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie would not witness this.

---

The hammers fell. I felt the gun kick in my hand just as I saw the plume of white smoke come from his pistol. He was fast, I gave him credit for that, only his shot was just fractions of a second slower than mine. Two thunderous claps bellowed out from the both of us to meet each other.

I winced.

As the smoke cleared I looked at Grey Dark. The tan stallion had a grin on his face, then it started to fall. On his tux covered breast a rose of red started to form, and he fell forward with a shocked look upon his muzzle.

I just stood there as his body slammed down into the grass and fell aside. I said nothing, I did nothing for a few seconds. Slowly, my thumb lifted and I lowered the hammer, my left hand having fanned it back for a second shot. I gently slid the peacemaker back into my holster as the pink shield came down.

I did not see the look of horror on many of Houses Dark and Trident’s faces. I did not see Spoiled run to the down stallion, sobbing. I did not see Celestia and Luna’s look of sorrow. I didn't see Twilight openly crying.

I did not see Rainbow Dash holding Jackie as tight as she could with her wing. I did see Cort and Crossed holding their mares close, covering their eyes.

I saw the look of sorrow and pain on Fancy’s face as I walked past him and didn't care. I just walked inside past them all without a word.

I walked through the glass doorway into the ballroom.

I walked to the bar on autopilot, picked up a glass and a bottle of whisky, and poured it three fingers. Then I shot it back and slammed the cup down.

It was then that I heard a voice behind me, an oddly quiet voice filled with pain and fear. “S-shane?”

I turned, looked down at the orange mare, my date, my love, and I saw her tears. Fear, she was afraid for me still, just like before.

“I am… sorry Jackie,” I winced again and watched her gaze travel down my body. From the edge of my vision I watched her eyes go wide as she saw the blood welling up between my fingers, clutching at the hole in my gut, just above my hip. I felt the wet patter of blood as a drop fell onto my boot. I am so sorry Jackie, was the last thing I remember thinking.

I felt myself falling, collapsing to the ground, and someplace in the distance I heard Applejack screaming as blackness rushed in to cloud the burning pain and blurring world I'd found myself in, the feeling of regret filling my very being.

Author's Notes:

Once more thank you to Mocha Star for wanting to help edit my little story when Thunderblast is dealing with life.