Utopia

"The darkest nights could not have brought the sleep that Twilight Sparkle so required that night, and the day could not come swifter. For that day was the day her mentor came from her lofty heights atop the Canterlot castle's throne to perform her ritual to raise upon Equestria the sun in all his glory. The soonest time she could contact her in the flesh, that she would have to hear what she had to say. She was due to arrive at sunrise, and a half hour before sunrise did Twilight let herself into the town's quaint hall. Of course, she had to wait, and even then there was no guarantee she'd see her straight away, but the return of the Queen of Darkness was not something to be ignored, and she wouldn't allow her mentor to ignore such a threat to national security.

"But, as the hall filled slowly with the denizens of the town, her worry began to waver. What if her mentor was right? What if Nightmare Moon was an old pony's tale? The mayor took her stage and announced the beginning to the greatest festival of the year. But as she introduced the mighty sun monarch, the curtains were pulled back to reveal an empty space, and stunned gasps filled the hall. And through a darkness and cackling evil, the dark queen made herself known! Darker than the night itself, with mane and tail shimmering like the stars, there was an alien and dangerous beauty to her. 'I bring the reign of the moon,' she spake, 'that cast down the sun forever!' and all despaired.

All save for one. The young prodigy stood up to the Nightmare, and spake of righteous fire to smite the creature. But the Nightmare laughed and was away, gone perhaps to torture the illustrious matriarch of the sun. 'I seek companions,' she did call, 'to aid me upon mine quest! Glory to all who assist me, and safety to all who do not.'

Ah, but the village was scared, and but few did volunteer. The brave and loyal Rainbow Dash, fierce proud and strong. Honest and Virtuous Applejack, whose strength could not be matched. The stunning and Modest Rarity, of whom's mane was beyond compare. Ever joyous Pinkamena, boundless energy in spades, and the quiet and faithful Fluttershy, nature's commandant. 'Within thine homes, thou shalt stay, and safe thou shalt be. We go forth to vanquish the evil, and bring back the light of day.'

And they did set off, a group of six, to the dark and dangerous Everfree, where dangers roamed and creatures wrought terrible and ghastly pain. But not a one was afeared, and they dove in with zeal.

"Shutup and hurry up will you?"

Silt cursed as he picked himself up off the floor, squeezing out from under the guard unconscious on the floor.

"Dammit, good thing he didn't see my face," Silt grumbled, "We're there though, right?"

Swift sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, Gild's office is right there. Should find ourselves all his files in here. All the information about Canterlot over the past several years, and estimations on what'll happen in the next year or two."

Swift grinned as Gin took his tools out again and got to picking the lock.

"Pretty soon, we'll be in the big time boys. Forget small timers and little shops, we'll be stealing from the big businesses. Ponies'll be so scared when they see it's us, they'll just give us the bits. And that bitch who thought she could take over us'll be in jail, being used like the whore she is."

Silt chuckled and the door clicked as Gin picked the lock.

"Right, we're in. C'mon, we've got maybe a few minutes before the next patrol is set to come through the other side of that wall."

He pointed at the wall directly through the doorway.

"At that point, they'll hear our voices through the chinks in the mortar. Let's go."

The trio slipped into the room and started searching. They never saw the flash of light blue as something left the room through a small hidden passageway that closed after it.

The illusions danced gleefully around the performer, even as he sang to his audience. Ambrosia was on the edge of her seat as the tale continued on, and Hood couldn't help but be smug. This had been his idea after all.

"Be it now they came upon a river of mighty swell and dangerous ebbings, and did find a mighty serpent, writhing in his anguish. His mighty purple scales rippled with scattered particles. His mighty coils left the river as distressed as he, and the six were forced to stop and take stock of their situation."

"O mighty river serpent," did Twilight cry, "What fury hath thou wrought that thou wouldst deny us passage?"

Ah, but the creature looked upon our heroes and anger was all they saw and he roared mightily at them but, as they did prepare for fight, the great serpent burst he into tears.

"My moustache," The great purple creature explained, "Be it half gone from my face, and forsooth, without mine stache, Woulds thou ever go out in public to face the ire of thine fellows?"

Feeling great pity for the creature, did Rarity spake aloud, "Be ye still for a moment, and bring thine head closer." With but a thought, a generous boon she gave, for her tail now sat where his once proud moustache did, completing his face. And he did roil with glee, and agreed to allow the six companions cross, making a mighty bridge of his coils."

And thus, did the fellowship cross mighty river, and be but one step closer, and one step away, from their goal"

Ambrosia giggled a little as she watched the illusions of six little ponies dancing across the coils of a sea serpent. Beside her, Zubari had fallen asleep, but Hood was still wide awake, only half paying attention to the show, more watching the area. She'd insisted on bringing him and Zubari along, so he'd do his duty. Even if he didn't really need to at a place as fiercely guarded as this.

After all, that's what he was getting paid for, no?

"Here it is! All the files we'll need are in here. Thank Celestia for stupid ponies."

The other two turned to look at their leader, who had a big grin on his face as he extracted the files from the cabinet, "Idiot kept everything ship shape and sorted, and it was all here."

The other two grinned for about a half second before...

"This idiot," The voice from behind them spoke coldly, making the trio freeze, "Has a reason to keep his office secure at all times, and to have his documents in order. Unfortunately, since you've broken into my office, inviting yourself into my space without my permission, I'm afraid I'm going to have to relocate you, all three of you, to the barracks to be held pending trial."

On of the four guards beside the grizzled old Gild, of whom it was blocking the trio of thieve's path, cleared his throat.

"Uh, sir? The barracks is currently full to capacity with the ladies and gentlecolts from the Golden Star."

"Oh?" Gild asked, seemingly uncaring, "Isn't that a pity. I suppose we'll have to skip the barracks entirely, and simply put you all in the dungeon."

"Uh.. sir?" the same guard spoke again, "the Princess requests that her guard request her permission before-"

"What Celestia doesn't know, won't hurt her. I'll explain the situation myself if she asks. Until then, detain these rodents."

Swift held up his hooves and smiled.

"Hold up! Captain, I'm sure we can come to a favourable agreement for all of us."

Gild looked at the little pony, obviously unimpressed.

"You have fifteen seconds to tell me precisely why I should bargain with thieves, runt."

Swift, for once, let the insult roll off his shoulder, though the smug look that came to Gild's eye told him he had reacted somehow.

"I can tell you who sent us," He replied smugly, "And I'm sure you and I both would love to see them in chains."

Gild narrowed his eyes at the tiny pegasus, then looked at the guards at his side and jerked his head, signalling them to leave. As they left, the pegasus closed the door with one wing, leaving his mangled wing at one side.

"I'm listening," He said slowly, dangerously, "This had better be worth it, Runt."