“I thought you meant we were gonna see some action!” Crystal Shield griped, “This is just patrolling the streets! Nothing ever happens anymore!”

Crystal was pawing at her dad to listen to her complaints, but Shining Armor paid no mind. He looked back and forth at the buildings.

“Daaaaaad!”

“You said you want to learn how to be a real knight, Crissy. Making sure the streets are safe is part of that.” Shining smiled as he turned to her. “You never know what could happen.”

“All the ponies here are so boring!” Crystal exclaimed, offending two old mares nearby. “Nopony robs stores or anything. They just sit on their butts.”

“Lower your voice, Crystalllll.” Shining grinned nervously and waved at the women. “Look, this is basic work. This will be the position you start off at if you’re really serious about this.” He explained.

Crystal pouted. “Fine. I’ll just be so good at it, they’ll promote me fast!”

“That’s a better attitude!”

“If they don’t, I’ll just train so hard and beat them up until they do!” Crystal punched her hooves together.

“Okay now that’s a bit much…”

The two moved along down the boring, shiny road, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Crystal felt like she would die from the nothingness any second now. She’d bet things were a lot more fun when the whole place was under great turmoil. But that all was over before Crystal was even born! What’s up with that?

“I don’t believe it!” Shining suddenly blurted out.

Crystal perked up. “A heist?! A robbery?!”

Her father pointed ahead quickly….at a food stand. “Good Ol’ Hungry Bungie is back in town! I thought you retired, you old coot!” He eagerly galloped over to the old geezer selling haydogs.

Crystal growled in annoyance. This SUCKS!

She dropped her head to follow Shining, but a rustle made her ear twitch. The young unicorn turned to see down the alley beside her.

“……?”

Crystal turned to get her dad’s attention, but he seemed way too into the conversation with the geezer.

‘Stay right here, Crissy. This’ll be too dangerous for you!’

That’s what he’d probably say, then go check it out by himself. Forget that! Maybe this is a good chance to show him what she can do!

Crystal slipped away, keeping an eye for Shining, and headed down the alley.

Somepony was rummaging through the dumpster in the shadow, occasionally snorting. Crystal galloped toward it, and leaped into a stance.

“What do you think YOU’RE doing, dirtbag?!” She demanded. “Show yourself!”

“HISSSSSS!” The shadowed figure reared back at the new arrival. Crystal couldn’t make anything out of it.

“I said ‘show yourself’, coward!” Crystal spat. “I won’t hesitate–!”

The creature lunged and hissed again, making Crystal step back.

“W…what are you?” She grew nervous.

It didn’t look like a pony. It had acid green eyes…and what looked like almost a beak for a muzzle.

“HISSSSSSSS!” it hissed again, but wouldn’t move any closer to her.

Be strong, Crystal. Prove yourself!

She grunted defensively, and lit up her horn. “Looks like you wanna fight–!”

PAH!

“EEK!” Crystal ducked as a big blast of green puke hit the wall behind her. The fluid sizzled and started dissolving the bricks slowly. Was that acid?!

“Crystal? Crystal!”

Crystal heard his dad running around the corner. He swiftly leaped in-between her and the creature. “A changeling?! Get back, Crissy!”

“Dad!”

The changeling scrambled back in fear, clawing up the dumpster face.

“An unreformed changeling?! What, are you with Chrysalis?!” Shining pulled it back with magic and held it to the ground.

The changeling began to cry out, drooling acid defensively.

“It could be calling for help! Crystal, get out of here!” Shining Armor ordered, but Crystal was reluctant.

“Dad…”

She watched as the unusual pony was trying to claw out of her father’s grip. Come to think of it, she didn’t seem much younger than Crystal Shield.

“I think she’s scared!” She noted.

“Don’t let down your guard, Crys.” he didn’t take his eyes off the changeling. “These are nothing like the diplomats that visit.”

“She looks like a kid, like me.”

Shining Armor looked back at the changeling. She seemed to be right. It didn’t look like a regular one. Which just made Shining more nervous. She looked closer to Chrysalis than the others he’s seen.

“HISS!” The bug spit out another ball of acid straight into the air.

“Dad!!”

Shining yelped and drew back, releasing the changeling. The target took the chance, and managed to leap on top of the dumpster, hissing the entire time.

“Dad, are you okay?!” Crystal moved to help, panicking.

“Ngh! I think I dodged it.”

Realizing she couldn’t make it up the wall, the changeling jumped off and tried to run down the other side of the alley. But a sudden surge of drowsiness made her collapse.

“You alright down there, Cap?” A voice called from the roof.

“Good timing there!” Shining Armor sighed in relief, straining to stand up. “Crystal!” He warned as she walked up to the assailant on the ground.

“Is she….dead?” She asked, hovering a hoof.

“It’s just a sleeping spell. What happened here?” The soldier asked.

“I don’t exactly know…” Shining tensed. “But it could be bad news…”

“Does that mean these patrols will get exciting?”

“……..”

———————————

Crystal Shield is so underused its criminal. She’s one of my favorite designs

Crystal Shield: https://www.deviantart.com/doodletheexpoodle/art/DoodleBio-Crystal-Shield-874213122

Scarab: https://www.deviantart.com/doodletheexpoodle/art/DoodleBio-Scarab-877235059

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https://doodlebugdraws.tumblr.com/