An alarm irritatedly buzzed at seven in the morning awakening Starknight from her sleep. Cracking open her eyes she was momentarily blinded by the sun's rays raising her hand to shield her eyes from the blazing light she groaned pulling her pillow over her head. The buzzing from the alarm continued for several long moments. The sound eventually drove Starknight mad enough to sit up dropping her pillow to her lap she frowned staring blankly at her alarm clock. The sunlight emanating from her bedroom window felt warm but that feeling of warmth did little to assuage Starknight from her grogginess. Stretching she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, bending her neck to the right and left she cracked her bones shuttering at the sheer sound she heard.

“Perhaps I should see if my chiropractor will see me today”. She thought sitting in bed for several long moments, “My bones sound like I’ve aged at least seventy years.”

Reaching over to her nightstand she pressed the button to her alarm trying to shut it off not realizing she was actually pressing the radio button. Growing angry when the alarm wouldn’t shut off she knocked it across the room sending the alarm clock careening into her bedroom wall watching it break upon impact she groaned in irritation.

“Well looks like I have to buy yet another alarm clock” cleaning up the mess she thought, “might as well get some new sheets and a blanket as well while I am at it”.

Heading into her bathroom she took a quick shower before getting herself some much needed coffee and breakfast. Getting dressed she collected her keys, coat, wallet and cellphone from a table next to her front door and headed out to her car. Stepping out onto the front porch she walked the short distance to her car suddenly stopping in her tracks. Her eyes instantly narrowed, her lips curled with anger to her shock, her car was covered in graffiti and her drivers side window was broken. Approaching her car with caution she looked it over to her growing annoyance her back left wheel was missing along with her headlights.

“Seriously what the heck?!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up “who the hell did this to my car?!”

Taking out her cell phone she dialed a number waiting for the person on the other end to pick up. A few of her neighbors came out of their homes to collect the morning paper and mail. Some began to point and stare at her while others smirked and laughed. Feeling even more upset than before she turned her back to them trying to hide her embarrassment Sophia Jilmed was one such neighbor. Walking over to Starknight she smiled gesturing to Starknight’s car; she all but laughed.

“Well, well it looks like the old dragon lady” she giggled “got what she’s needed coming to her for a long time”.

“You're about to see how much of a ‘dragon lady’ I can---” Starknight began only to be interrupted by her phone.

“Hello” a male voice said over it.

“What? Oh, yes officer Moonstone its Starknight listen if you have the time this morning and if I relay to you my address can you stop by?”

“Uh, sure thing. Is there something wrong?”

“You’ll see when you get here”. She replied, quickly giving him her address she hung up turning her attention to Sophia Jilmed. “I don’t have time to get into an argument with you Sophia please go back to your home”.

Watching Sophia flick her hair Starknight sighed, a half hour slowly went by before a red pontiac pulled up. Opening the front passenger door Moon Dancer jumped out giving a loud whistle upon seeing Starknight’s car her older brother shook his head. Heading over to her both gave her a concerned glance Moon Stone took out his notepad noticing Sophia was still there looking at her she batted her eyes offering him an insincere smile.

“You know officer you don’t need to waste your time with this” Sophia began, “I am sure I can find something else for you to be doing with your time not to mention with your hands”.

“Ugh” he groaned, “Sergeant, are all your neighbors this … obnoxiously irritating?” turning his attention back to Sophia who gave him a scornful, disdainful glare he smiled, “or is it just this tortoiseshell?”

“Why I never!” Sophia Jilmed yelled out, “How dare you speak to me like that!” storming off both officers and Moon Dancer watched Sophia head up the street screaming out, “all I wanted was to make you happy!”.

“Well rookie I think you're perhaps the second person that I have known who really ticked her off like that.” Starknight said looking over the damage to her car she added, “This is going to cost me quite a bit of money to get this thing fixed let alone towed to the nearest fix-it shop”.

“Really? Who’s the first?” he replied. “Let me make a call. I have … friend that can handle this cheap for you”.

“Me when I gave her a ticket for speeding last month”. Standing up she finished, “thank you but I am not sure it would be appropriate”. Watching him take out his cellphone she sighed, “oh, very well just don’t let it slip out that I let you do this after all I am still your training officer and your sergeant”.

Nodding Moon Stone quickly made his call while his little sister Moon Dancer headed back to her brother's car. Hanging up a few minutes later Moon Stone smiled taking out a notepad and pen from his shirt pocket jotting down a phone number and address he handed it to Starknight.

“Thank you” she said, taking the piece of paper and placing it into her pants pocket, “I’ll head there later on today”.
Turning towards her house Starknight gestured for officer Moon Stone to join her following her up the small sidewalk leading to her front door, he stopped for a second turning back to face his sister who sat in the front seat of his car.

“You stay here and keep the window up and doors locked”. Looking around Moon Stone didn’t like how Starknight's neighborhood looked. He quickly turned around opening the car door, “hop out” watching his sister get out. He finished, “follow me and don’t touch anything do you understand?”

“I understand” Moon Dancer said following her brother towards Starknight's front door, “hey after I get home from school today can you teach me some cool mi---”

“I will say this once and only once” he interrupted, “you are not to mention that while in Starknight's presence EVER!”

“Yes” Moon Dancer replied, looking down she quietly finished, “brother”.

Entering Starknight's home a few seconds later both Moon Stone and Moon Dancer looked around; the house was small; tiny in fact. Both saw a fireplace in Starknight's living room, a retro mini refrigerator with a dual door freezer sat in her kitchen. A twenty inch smooth top freestanding electric range stood next to the mini refrigerator and a single basin sink with a portable dishwasher with a built in water tank stood on an end table. The kitchen also had a freestanding cabinet connected to the dishwasher with a hose running to the sink.

“How can she live like this?” Letting out a noticeable whistle he gave her a passing glance, “wow” he said, “your home is … tiny”.

“Did you come here to take a report” Starknight quipped irritability, “or are you here just to make fun of how I live?”

“Well I-er-um” he stammered, “I’ll take your statement but you know as well as I do that there is little chance of finding the person that did that to your car”.

“I know”. She humorlessly solemnly replied. Several long moments passed while Starknight gave officer Moon Stone her statement glancing at her watch she added, “I need to get going now rookie please file this report with traffic and road operations''. Walking him to her front door she finished, “I’ll stop by in a few hours after I have gone to the car depot to get a rental”.

“Wait a minute aren’t you supposed to be staying off your feet?” Moon Dancer asked giving Starknight a questionable look, “I thought you had hurt your back so doesn’t that imply that you should stay home?”

“It wasn’t my back I hit my head while I was taking down some uh, bad people” she replied glaring at Moon Stone “Tell me rookie how does Moon Dancer know I got hurt?”

“Huh? Oh, I told her about it before we came here”. He replied adding, “Now as for your report about your car.”

“I was making breakfast and didn’t see or hear anything so I assume it happened sometime last night though I am not sure what time”. Letting out forced sigh she added, “and officer Moon Stone the next time you decide to discuss work with your sister do me a favor.” Catching Moon Dancers attention she continued, “leave me out of your talks with her”. Fishing her keys out of her pants pocket she finished, “I am just grateful whoever did this didn’t try to break into my home or my garage”.

“Why's that officer Starknight?” Moon Dancer asked “do you have something really neat in there?”

Laying a hand on his sister's shoulder Moon Stone began to lead her over to the front door earning himself a playful pout from the pre-teenager. Chuckling to herself Starknight headed for her front door opening the door for Moon Stone and his sister she bid them farewell closing the door she headed to her bedroom. Entering her bedroom she tapped her foot on the floor three times; a soft mechanical sound soon resonated in the room. Starknight waited for three seconds as a black metal box rose up to the left of her bed. Opening her bedroom closet she took out a notepad and pen placing them into her shirt pocket.

“I wish I could afford to live someplace other than this dump” she thought, “it would be nice to live in the country”.

Walking over to it she pressed a few buttons on the face of it unlocking the box she opened it reached in taking out her conceal and carry license. Taking out a holster containing a chambered 500 S.M.W Magnum the revolver itself had a fluted five shot cylinder and weighed four point three pounds. Looking into the box she took out her shoulder holster placing it over her shoulders. Fitting it comfortably on her shoulders she took out a hip holster strapping it to her left hip while making sure her shoulder holster was under her left shoulder.

“I would be so nice if people around here would just leave other people's things alone”.

Placing the revolver on her bed she reached back inside the box taking out three five hundred grain jacketed hollow point Hornady X.C.P cartridges. Running her fingers over the hand-grip she smiled to herself; the revolver had a silver chrome plated eight in three eights inch barrel with an integrated muzzle brake and compensator attached to it. Looking it over she placed onto it an interchangeable front high visibility sight locking the sight into place she quickly holstered on her left side.

“Okay I think I have everything I need”.

Remembering her other gun still inside the safe, this one a Glock twenty one generation two still inside the safe she quickly took it out placing it into her hip holster. Reaching back inside the safe she took out four extra magazines clipping each one to her belt on her right side. Closing the lid and locking it in place she tapped her foot sending the hidden safe back to its hiding place. Heading out into the garage she grabbed her helmet from the back wall and power scooter. Kicking the kickstand to it up she opened the garage door and pressed the power button three times turning her scooter on.

“I might as well stop by the Brisk Star gun shop as long as I am out and about”. Looking back at her car she muttered, “I should stop by CHS as well perhaps I can talk to Principal Celestia about setting up a ‘at risk’ program that will” letting out a forced sigh she finished, “prevent any kid from doing this in the foreseeable future”.

Heading down the street she looked to her right seeing Sophia Jilmed crying on her front stoop Starknight turning around and headed back up the street towards Sophia’s. Shutting off her scooter she kicked the kick stand out and got off heading up to the crying woman. Seeing how very upset Sophia was Starknight reached out laying a hand on Sophia’s shoulder looking up through a sob Sophia gulped her teary red eyes met with Starknights soft warm blue eyes. Helping Sophia to her feet Starknight did the best she could to dry her neighbors tears speaking softly to her.

“Sophia I am very sorry for what Moon Stone and I said to you”. Standing there for a few minutes she added, “It’s just that you came onto him so strongly I am sure he was insulted and not to mention he had his little sister with him”.

“It’s a-alright” Sophia sobbed out, “I am a just a sl---”

“Hey! I don’t want to hear you talking about yourself like that again” Starknight interrupted “you are not that type of person I know you and I have had our differences but that doesn’t make you like that”. Helping her inside Starknight finished, “now you go get cleaned up I’ll be back in a little while and we’ll go and do something fun”.

“A-alright” turning to head further into her home Sophia stopped adding, “wait what little sister?”

“The little girl with the purple and red hair that child is Moon Stones little sister”. Gently leading Sophia to her living room, Starknight added, “He was taking her to school when I called him due to what happened to my car”.

“I see. Couldn’t you have called someone else?”

“Yes I probably could have called someone else but I also wanted to see what Moon Stone would do in this situation”. She replied, “you Sophia I am training him in so I thought this might be a good learning experience for him.”

“That’s a bit sneaky don’t you think?” taking a seat on her couch Sophia whipped the last of her tears away adding, “your right you know I shouldn’t have come on that strongly”. Getting up she finished, “now when you say ‘fun’ what type of ‘fun’ are you talking about?”

“You’ll see”. Starknight finished, “now go on scoot, go get cleaned up I promise you’ll like what I have in mind.”

“Very well”.

Grinning, Starknight headed back outside looking around she saw a few her neighbors walking their dogs, the paperboy zoomed by throwing the morning paper at various houses. A mail truck pulled up to the curb. Starknight stood silently watching the postal carrier get out, open the back of their truck and proceed to carry a box stuffed to the brim with mail. Hearing Sophia turn on her shower Starknight closed Sophia’s front door. Getting on her scooter Starknight started it up heading down the street as the car slowly rolled down the street.

“I wonder if Sophia likes air hockey” she thought coming to a red light she stopped failing to notice the back continental was slowly following her, “better stop by Score’N’Fun on my way home to pick up a mini board so she and I can play a few rounds”.

Pulling into the parking lot of CHS a half hour later she shut off her scooter and got off completely forgetting to take her helmet off she headed up the steps. Stopping at the front door she looked back watching the construction crew setting new pipes and wires in the crater left by Sunset’s and Twilight's battle. Walking through the plastic liners that hung front the top of the school she headed for the receptionist desk. Before Starknight could say anything to the woman sitting behind the desk she spotted Principal Celestia coming into the hallway.

“Principal Celesita” Starknight called out to her, “do you have a minute?”

“Is this an official police matter officer?” she replied with clear irritation in her voice, “because I only have a few minutes and I am already late for a meeting with one of my students and their parents”.

“Yes and no” wanting to talk in private she quickly added, “is there someplace more private we can talk?”

“If you won’t talk to her sister then I will” Luna chimed in coming out of her office “besides I doubt you really need me for this meeting”.

“Alright Luna but please make it brief” Celesita replied, turning her attention back to Starknight she added, “you can talk about whatever it is you came here for in my sisters office”.

Leading Starknight to her officer Luna opened the door gesturing for Starknight to sit in a chair in front of her desk Luna walked behind her desk taking a seat. Starknight sat down taking her helmet off taking a few moments to gather her thoughts. Luna seeing Starknight looked a little uneasy and wanting to make things go easier for her opened a drawer in her desk taking out a box of mint tea. Placing the box in front of Starknight she gestured to the box receiving a resurasing nod from the officer. Getting up Luna walked over to a coffee pot, poured some hot water into a cup and returned to her desk placing the cup in front of Starknight.

“Whatever you have come here to say can wait for two minutes while you take a sip” she said.

Picking up the tea Starknight took a sip calming herself down a bit, “now what I wanted to talk to you about was starting up a ‘at risk’ program.” Starknight took a moment to let her words sink in with Luna before finishing, “in this program a teacher would be paired with a police officer and together they would help any student that is at risk of dropping out or perhaps joining a gang”.

“I see and what else would this program do?”

“Well I haven’t gotten all the details in order just yet” Looking down she took a breath adding, “my car was vandalized this morning and I can’t help but think if the people that did this had a positive place to go this sort of thing wouldn’t have happened”. Looking up she finished, “I know I need to work on this idea but I just wanted to run it by you and your sister who really doesn’t seem to well like me very much”.

“I don’t blame her for that officer, I mean you did come on rather strongly when we first met you” Luna replied, “but as for this program you get the ‘go a head’ from your captain and I’ll run this by my sister. If she is in then I’ll call you and we’ll take it from there”. Standing up she added, “incidentally which student did you have in mind that might benefit from this program and more to the point which precinct do you work at?”

“I was thinking Sunset could be the first student and this has to be her choice I won’t force any student no matter how at risk they are to take part in this program” getting up herself Starknight finished, “I work at the one twelve I’ll leave you my desk number” reaching over Luna’s desk Starknight took a pen and paper jotted down her number handing it to Luna, “I really do hope this works out for Sunset she seemed rather … lost and hurt when I first met her”.

“I also hope it works out for her now let me walk you out and I be in touch in a few days”. Walking Starknight back to the front of the school Luna finished, “thank you for stopping by officer I am sure Celestia will approve of this program”.

Getting on her scooter and putting her helmet back on Starknight waved goodbye to Luna before starting up the scooter and heading down the street. Luna returned to her office, collected her things and headed for the meeting with Celestia and their student. Twenty minutes later Starknight pulled into the auto rental lot parked and got off her scooter. Heading inside she found a sales representative an hour later she drove out of the parking lot with a rental volvo. Fifthteen minutes later she pulled into the parking lot of Brisk Star and Sprocket parked and headed inside.

“Brisk you in here” she called out hearing the door chime, “Sprocket?”

“We’re back here” a male voice called from the back of the store “loading an order”.

Heading into the back of the store she found a stout senescent man with silvery hair lining most of his head; he had soft warm green eyes. A deeply characteristically noble face withered from his many long years in service to his country and state. Standing next to him was a middle aged man with a brown mustache and slightly graying hair; he had kind joyful blue eyes that had not yet seen the horrors of war. A red pickup truck was parked at the loading dock both men stopped their work offering Starknight a pleasant smile.

“Have you come to order some more ammo?” one of them asked.

“Yes I have” she replied, “Oh, I’ll need a new holster for my glock twenty one and Brisk Star I’ll also need to pick up a new gun as well”.

“Really? I mean you already have one of the most powerful handguns on the market”. Sprocket said making a gesture to her coat underneath he could see the butt end of her revolver he added, “what type of gun are you looking for sergeant and do you need this for work or personal use?”

“I am looking for a handgun” she replied, turning around to head back to the front she looked over her shoulder adding, “I am looking to use it only at the range and nothing else. I have no desire to take it to work with me”.

“Very well” Brisk replied, “Sprocket you go with her and get her what she needs and I’ll finish loading this order”.

Following Starknight back to the front of the store Sprocket headed behind a large glass case containing many different types of ammo, guns and hunting knives. Taking out a set of keys he opened the case while Brisk remained in the back finishing the order Sprocket took out several guns laying them on the case Starknight looked at each of them shaking her head. Putting each of them back into the case, Sprocket tapped his chin thinking his eyes widened, turning around he opened a case behind him taking out a medium sized metal box. Setting it on the counter he opened it placing a set of twin magnums on the counter.

“Seriously” Starknight grumbled looking over the twin magnums “these are far too big for what I am looking for”

“Ok how about this” He replied placing another gun on the counter “this is the Glock Forty Two it holds eight rounds and weighs about thirteen point eight ounces”. Gesturing to it he finished, “go ahead give it a once over”.

Picking up the gun she checked the sight sliding her fingers over the slide taking apart the gun she placed each piece onto the counter checking each of them one by one. Picking up each piece she reassembled the gun handing it back to Sprocket taking the magazine she looked it over handing it to him. Looking around she pointed to a 2 SRM arms shotgun model twelve sixteen watching Sprocket take it off the shelf she looked it over placing the stock to her shoulder. Feeling its weight in her arms and hands she shook her head handing it back to him.

“I’ll come back for the Glock Forty Two in three weeks”.

“Actually you don’t need to wait for three weeks to take this home,” Brisk said, picking up the gun he placed it into a brown box adding, “all we need is your license, permit and credit card and you can have it shipped to your home in about three or four days”.

“What about your ammo and holster?” Sprocket asked.

“Oh, yes I forget about those, let's see I need another magazine for my glock and another cartridge for my revolver.”

Placing two magazines and two cartridges onto the counter Starknight picked them up and looked them over placing them back onto the counter. Sprocket took out a Vertical Carry Shoulder Holster for 6 & 7 Shot, 4" Barrel Revolvers in 38 & 357. Looking it over she placed it back onto the counter running her fingers over the Lightweight Nylon Harness it’s Wide Stay Flat Shoulder Pads was made for a right handed person. Looking at it’s snap-release thumb-break retaining strap she smiled feeling the built-in tie down strap release and easy carry mount.

“So what do you think?” Sprocket asked, “do you like it?”

“Yes I do I’ll have it added to my purchase” she replied, “Alright I think the ammo and this holster will do it then” taking out her wallet from her left coat pocket and her permit from her front shirt pocket. “Who will be shipping it then if I may ask?”

“I’ll take care of that” Sprocket chimed in “just let me look up your address in the computer and you’ll be all set”. Looking at the 2 SRM arms shotgun he added, “Any reason why you don’t want the 2 SRM arms shotgun?”

“Yeah it's too heavy and cumbersome for what I am looking to do with it”. Paying for the other gun she finished, “I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a nice gun and all but I don’t want to always be carrying that thing to the range just to shoot it four or five times per week”.

“That’s completely understandable,” Brisk said, swiping Starknight's credit card, punching a few buttons on his computer he finished, “OK do you want us to email you your receipt or would you like a paper one?”

“Hmm paper would be fine”. She replied taking her receipt, “thank you both I’ll more than likely stop by again in about four or five weeks when I have the money to pick up something else”.

Heading across the street she walked briskly to the Score’N’Go opening the door she headed inside looking around she saw shelves upon shelves filled with various games. Quickly finding a sales clerk kneeling in front of one of the aisles near the back of the store she walked over to him. He had soft auburn hair, he had a slightly bronze complexion. Noticing she was staring at him; the young man glanced up from his work, his tender wam green eyes met with hers.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yes I am looking to purchase an air hockey board” she replied, “can you show me where they are located”.

“I am sorry but we don’t sell those here however we do sell puzzles, backgammon, chess, and table hockey” he replied, gesturing towards the back of the store he added, “if you will follow me I’ll show you where those are located”.

“Alright while I am at it do you by chance sell any playing cards here?”

“Yes those are located on an end-cap in front of checkout lane six” he replied.

Leading her down the aisle, Starknight selected a table hockey board and a fifty piece puzzle for herself, taking the items up front placing them on the cash register. Looking to her right she found several packs of playing cards selecting one that had mouse and cheese cartoon characters on them. The cashier began to ring up the order as Starknight looked around the store hearing the last of her items being wrung up her
vision fell to the front window watching a black continental pull into the parking lot. Three men got out of the car with one of them talking to an unseen fourth.

“OK your all set” the cashier said “will there be anything else?”

“Huh? Oh, no thank you” Starknight replied, “you have a nice---”

Her words were cut short as the three men entered the store one was wearing a black bandana over his head with a white tank top and baggy shorts and untied sneakers. The second was wearing three-quarter-length cutoff pants and knee-high socks with his jeans sagging at his waist. The third was wearing a thick gold chain hung around his neck and a plaid Pendleton shirt; the sleeves were pulled up to his elbows; all three men had gang tattoos on their faces, arms, and hands. To Starknights horror two of the three three men were carrying uzi’s while the third was sporting an AK-Forty Seven dropping her items Starknight spun around grabbing the frightened cashier.

“GET DOWN”! She screamed pushing the cashier to the floor, a hailstorm of bullets tore through the building reducing the shelving, walls, and items on the shelves to bits of rubble, “STAY DOWN”. Covering the cashier with her own body Starknight screamed out, “I’m a cop drop your weapons now!”

“You ain't no cop” one of the three men yelled back, “yous a dead pig”.

“Last chance, drop your weapons!” Rolling over on her back Starknight used herself as a human shield trying to protect the innocent cashier underneath her, “Don’t do---”

Her words were cut short one of the three men rushed around the cashregister nearly taking Starknight by surprise. Drawing her weapon she watched him raise his uzi pointing it directly at her the two momentarily locked eyes the man sneering a faint smile to her. With little choice left she raised her Glock took aim emptying her weapon into his neck, chest, and stomach. Watching his lifeless body hit the floor she rolled over to her hands and knees grabbing the frightened cashier by the shirt.

“Move, move, move!” Starknight screamed out; the cashier froze too terrified to move. “Dammit I said move!” wrapping one arm around the cashier she emptied her gun pressing the top of it to her belt pushing down and away from herself she reloaded it, “Is there another way out of here?”

The other two gang members stood in stunned silence for a split second. Starknight used their indecision to head towards the back of the store dragging the very frightened cashsheir with her. Breathing heavily Starknight pushed the cashier behind a metal closed faced shelf. She took a breath taking out her cell phone she dialed for backup. Holding the phone to her ear she waited only for a few seconds.

“911 what is your---”

“I have a Ten - Fifty Seven I need a code Eight and Thirty” hearing the man with the AK - Forty Seven slide the bolt back she screamed into her phone, “now dammit now!”

Dropping her phone she shoved the cashier to the floor climbing on top of them using her own body as a shield. The man emptied the entire amount of ammo from his weapon throughout the store reducing the rest of the shelving to little pieces of broken plastic, shards of wood and bent metal fragments. Thinking it was safe to leave the cashier to Starknights horror wiggled out from underneath her, got up and tried to run, taking several bullets to the back from the second person with the uzi. Starknight watched as the cashier fell to the ground dead. Kicking the shelf Starknight pushed herself backwards firing her weapon at the man with the AK - Forty Seven missing him. Watching him nosedive behind a shelf she rolled over to her hands and knees.

“That wasn’t some kid you shot you pig” the man screamed out from his hiding place, “I’ll kill you for that pig!”

Scrambling to her feet Starknight ran trying to keep herself from getting hit by the man with the uzi followed her towards the back causing a running firefight all the way. Starknight emptied her Glock tossing the useless weapon away she drew her revolver sliding behind a stack of boxes and barrels. Gasping for breath she peeked around the boxes waiting for her chance to take aim at him. The man searched the back of the store for her kicking over boxes and crates walking directly past her location. Looking down she found a lead-pipe sticking out of one the boxes she was using for cover grabbing it she tossed it away hoping the man would fall for her ruse. Watching from her hiding place as the man turned in the direction of the sound she came out from behind the boxes.

“Drop your weapon and get on the ground!” she screamed failing to notice the third man coming up behind her watching the second gang member turn around raising his uzi. She raised her revolver, “Don’t make me do this please”. Seeing his finger was on the trigger her nerves turned to steel, three loud shots rang out one by one each shot hitting its mark directly into his chest. “Dammit you son of a---”

Hearing multiple gunshots from behind her she spun around watching the man with the AK - Forty Seven fall to the ground, his chest and back riddled with bullets. Moon Stone stood behind the man with his own gun pointed at the fallen man, blood slowly pooled around the man's shoulders and neck. Sputtering the coughed Starknight rushed over to the fallen person kicking the AK - Forty Seven away from him she watched it slide towards nearby empty crates. Moon Stone reached up to his shoulder radio calling in the incident. Starknight in a state of shock to see Moon Stone but glad he had been there to save her life knelt next to the fallen gang member pressing her hands to the young man's wounds, her eyes filled with tears.

“Please hold on” she almost sobbed, “the a-ambulance will be here soon”.

“T-tr” the man sputtered coughing up blood reaching up a blood soaked hand he wrapped his hand around Starknights head pulling her in closer, “trunk open tr-trunk”.

Racing outside Starknight saw the fourth person in handcuffs lying on the ground with two other officers standing over him. Looking at the gang's car she walked over to it and opened the front door popping the trunk a red ambulance pulled into the parking lot just as she headed to the back of the vehicle opening it she saw a child's backpack. Picking it up she held it in her hands for a few seconds and a bit confused she headed back inside being stopped by the medics.

“Whatever you want to ask him is going to have to wait” one medic said, “he’s in critical and we need to leave now”. Watching them load the perp onto the gurney she noticed his hand fell towards the ground a piece of crumpled up paper fell out of his hand, “alright this is west bound with a ten seventy seven eighty two en-rout to Glacier Bay Hospital E.T.A is five minutes”.

“Roger that medics and doctors standing by” Starknight listened to the medics radio chatter “Ten Forty three will be northbound on Eighty One two”.

Moonstone Followed Starknight as she made her way back outside still clutching the child’s backpack in her hands. Noticing the bag himself he reached out taking it from her opening it his eyes widened in shock growing angry he rushed the last gang member who was being placed into a squad car. Without thinking Moonstone got too close to the hardened gang member taking a swift foot to his stomach the blow sent the rookie officer falling to his butt. Seeing he had dropped his keys the gang member scrambled for them kicking another officer in the face knocking that officer to the ground. Grabbing Moonstone's keys the man frantically placed them to the handcuffs unlocking his wrist. Rolling out of the way of a third officer the gang member kicked him in the side standing up he grabbed the officers gun pointing it at Moonstone’s head.

“Get up pig” the gangster screamed, shoving the gun into Moonstone’s face, “Get up now!”

“Let him go” an officer screamed out, catching the gangster's attention, Moonstone’s head snapped in the direction of the sound seeing it was officer White Tails, “Let the rookie go and get on the ground now”.

“Screw you” the gang member screamed back pointing the gun at White Tails, “I’ll kill him I’ll kill you all!” waving the gun around the crazed man screamed, “get back all of ya me and this here piggy are leaving this area”.

“We can’t let you do that” White tails yelled back, “let him go and we’ll talk”. Foolishly holistering his weapon White Tails raised his hands in a vain attempt to gain the man's trust, “tells what you---”

Five shots rang out; Moonstone and the other officers watched in horror as White Tails fell to the ground, blood pooling around his chest and stomach.Taking no further chances Moonstone elbowed the crazed man in the stomach diving for the ground the other officer immediately opened fire. The crazed man coughed up blood falling to the ground he smirked as his lifeless body fell to the side Moonstone scrambled to his feet racing over to White Tails. Ripping open the officers shirt he desperately pressed his hands to White Tails chest trying hard to stop the bleeding.

“NO NOT AGAIN, PLEASE NO NOT AGAIN” Starknight rushed over to him realizing White Tails was gone she heard Moonstone scream, “Timothy”

“Moonstone, MOONSTONE! He’s gone” pulling him away she finished, “there is nothing more you can do for him”.

Looking at his bloodstained hands Moonstone sniffed wiping a bloodsoaked hand under his nose. Getting up he found the backpack throwing it into his squad car slamming the door Starknight looked to her own bloodsoaked hands closing her eyes. Officers yelled and screamed into their radios the world began to spin slowly she looked up seeing rain clouds forming gulping hard she stood up.

“There is nothing either of us could have done” heading back inside she found an officer near the back tugging on his coat. She asked, “how old were the people I shot?”

“Both were fifteenth years old and both went to Canterlot High School” he replied.

Stunned Starknight headed back up front finding her packages lying in a heap near the entrance. With each step she took a tear, fell trickling down her cheeks whipping them away she looked back at her own blood soaked hands closing her eyes. Collapsing to the ground with other officers rushing to her aid she leaned forward screaming in rage. Her tears fell thickly down her cheeks mixing in a growing pool of blood from the gang member who was killed out front of the store. Trembling in shock, hurt and angry she felt herself being picked up. Moonstone carried Starknight to his squad car pulling out of the parking lot a few minutes later he drove her home.

Next Chapter: August, 4th Thursday, 11:30 AM part three Estimated time remaining: 18 Minutes