What's Yours Is Mine

Chapter 10- Necessary Evil

It was early morning when Swift Hoof arrived at The Staggering Stallion, the sight if the dirty little pub was a comforting one and there was a decisive sense of home as the rogue pushed through the creaky door. The bar and main room were empty, only Clean Cup, the innkeeper, occupied the bar.

"Hullo, Swift," he greeted "the usual?"

Swift shook his head "Nah, I'm here on business, is Goldy here?"

"Yep," Clean Cup said, nodding "everypony is downstairs waiting for you."

Swift nodded and made his way through the 'kitchen' door. Down the short hallway to the solid brick wall.

Third one from the top, go left two and down three, then the fifth one diagonal of the bottom left corner. he recited.

He tapped the pattern into the bricks which in turn revealed the twisting staircase, after a quick spilling trip downwards Swift Hoof found himself back in the cosy, rotting, smelly embrace of the Guild Cistern.

Waiting at the bar, mug in hoof, was old Treasure Runner.

"Took you long enough to get here," he growled, already tipsy "we've all been waiting on you so Secret can spill what he's figured out."

Swift chuckled "nice to see you too, Treasure."

The Earth Pony grunted and knocked back the remaining booze in his lug before jumping off his stool.

"Come on then" he said, Treasure lead Swift to the far corner of the cistern, where Secret Script resided when he was not gathering info on the streets. The two thieves walked through the sodden wood door to the spy's darkened personal quarters. Inside the rest of the Guildmembers and Golden Shine awaited, Secret Script in particular stood at the wall farthest from the door. The wall was illuminated by two torches and dominated by a large map of Equestria and the surrounding states, pinned onto the map by way of daggers were hundreds of newspaper clippings, letters, notes, and the occasional random item such as a lock of red hair or a silver ruby-encrusted necklace. Notably, each item was connected by lengths of string tied in between the daggers that held them there, creating a strange pattern across the map.

As Swift joined the group he asked the obvious question "Secret... What is all this?"

The Spy didn't turn around "This, is my Web of Conspiracy." He stated.

Swift swept his eyes over some of the documents "Web of Conspiracy?"

"Yes," Secret confirmed "for years now I have been gathering every scrap of information that I could find, rooting out dirty deals, locating hidden treasures, and finding hidden conspiracies."

Secret Script turned to face the Guild "Let's analyze what we know now, according to our favourite client the group that we have theorized about calls themselves 'The Watchful Sun' they are a conjoined group of nobility and aristocrats working towards two goals: To uncover the Lost Artifacts and to control the government of Equestria," he paused for a second letting the information sink in "let me be clear they do not want to overthrow Celestia, what they want is the perfect the system as it were. To eradicate corruption, impurity and crime."

Secret Script too a breath "Clearly, should they succeed, they would pose I threat to our activities."

A pause.

"Oh and one more thing," Secret said, as if the thought just occurred to him "only minutes after I left Fancy Pant's estate, he was found dead in his room, his throat slit."

The room burst I to a series of gasps, shouts of anger, and heavy swearing.

"They... murdered Fancy Pants?!" Golden Shine's voice could be heard above all others, the room went silent, the golden-coloured Unicorn trotted in front of the group and faced them his anger determination written all over his face "Let me make something clear, nopony gets to murder our clients and get off scot free, as of now, our main mission is to show these upstarts what it means to cross the Thieves Guild."

Goldy pointed to Swift Hoof "What did you find out about the orb?"

Swift pulled out the covered artifact "basically, it's a very powerful scrying orb, you can see anything you want to see by using it."

Golden Shine pondered that for a moment "alright, so it's clear we are at a disadvantage here, we're going to need some powerful allies."

Secret Script popped in "like.... Princess Celestia?"

"....How or why would we going to strike a deal with Princess Celestia? The Pony who would have us all behind bars and chugging truth potions in seconds?" Silver Lock inquired.

"Well, think about it," Secret said "this group is clearly against Celestia's government, the enemy of my enemy is my friend after all."

"Zis may be true," Dream Charmer chirped "but 'ow do we know the Princess is even aware that all this is going on?"

"Actually, I think they do," Swift offered "when I was in Stalliongrad, several nobles had been murdered and everypony was having bad nightmares. We traced the source to the mansion of Falling Star, who turned out to be murdered, and also harbouring a very magical staff under his house, as we were heading there we ran into a group of Equestrian Royal Guard."

"What in the blazes were the Royal Guard doin' there?" Treasure asked.

"No idea, but they caught us down where the staff was and we crossed blades, we tried to grab the staff and run but only set the place a-rumbling," Swift said "we escaped, obviously, but so did the Guards, I saw them teleport out, and they had the staff which looked a lot like I could be one of these artifacts everypony's going crazy for."

"So we can assume that the Princess and her court are at least somewhat aware of what's going on." Secret Script said.

"I still don't like the idea of just running into the Royal Palace." Treasure said.

"At least.... Without some leverage." Golden Shine suddenly said, he stuck out his hoof towards Swift "the orb please."

Swift relinquished the orb, Goldy's golden magical glow enveloped the green orb, the artifact began swirling with grey-green smoke. Golden Shine touched his horn to the orb and went rigid, hie eyes wide with a strange intensity before he suddenly pulled his horn back and gasped for air.

"Our good Princess just sent a letter..." He gasped "to Ponyville."

"Ponyville?" Swift questioned "Why?"

"What are the most famous magical artifacts in existence? Who's keepers reside with them in Ponyville?" Goldy pressed.

"The Element's of Harmony." Swift concluded with wide eye's.

"The Elements indeed, just the sort of leverage we'll need." Goldy said with a smirk "I saw where the letter went, to Celestia's student Twilight Sparkle-"

"Twilight Sparkle?" Swift Hoof suddenly interrupted.

"Yes, what about her?" Golden Shine asked, disgruntled.

"Why... Why does that name ring a bell?" Swift pondered.

"Uh, probably because there was this huge parade in her honour, when she became a Princess?" Goldy offered sarcastically.

"No, this feels... Older, have we ever had her marked?"

Goldy looked to Secret Script, who shrugged "Not that I can remember, and I just recently cleared the records so unless in was in the past year or so I doubt it's there."

Swift looked troubled "...Never mind then, I guess it's nothing."

Golden Shine glared at the Pegasus before continuing "Anyway, I heard her say that her and her fellow bearers would be taking the next train to Canterlot."

"That's in ten minutes." Secret Script said, and everypony went silent trying to come up with a way to catch the train.

"Well..." Dream Charmer said smoothly "I tink zat me and Brass 'Oof," She gestured to the silent, hulking Earth Pony "could get ze elements, but, you shall need to to teleport us onto zat train." She said this while looking pointedly at Golden Shine and Silver Lock.

"Alright, let's do it then." Goldy said, he and Silver Lock faced Dream and Brass, they began charging their horns, one gold the other silver, a circle of light surrounded the mare and stallion.

"You alright there Old Stallion?" Silver taunted "Not going to burn out are 'ya?"

"Shut up." Golden Shine grunted, his usually slick mane becoming frayed at the exertion too it's toll.

There was a loud pop! and Secret's room was without the whore and the brute.

                                                                     ~~*~~

"Oooooh! So Cadence has been talking about a child! Do tell!" Celestia squeed.

Shining Armour groaned and rubbed his temples, the migraine was good and set now and there was nothing he could do about it. Before he could answer the latest question a very worried Princess Luna burst back into the room.

"Luna? Your back fast, has something happened?" Celestia asked.

"Yes." Luna breathed "Fancy Pants has been murdered."

Celestia and Shining were left stunned.

"Murdered?.... How? .....When?" Shining choked out.

"Only moments ago, his wife found him, his throat had been slit- professionally might I add -and the word 'Traitor' had been written on the wall of his study in his blood."

"Do you think it was the Thieves Guild?" Celestia asked.

"No," Shining Armour said "this is not how the Guild operates, as much as I hate to admit it, they are not killers outside of bar brawls and the occasional lowlife but this... This is assassination."

"So it must have been done by this mystery group..." Celestia said "Sister... Fancy Pants owned a successful archeology company didn't he?"

Luna thought for a second "Yes, yes he did."

"So..." Celestia began "Say that this group consisted of well-connected and influential Ponies, say that, because of Fancy Pants power in the archeology business, he was sought out to help discover more Lost Artifacts but refused..."

"So they murdered him." Luna finished, her eyes going wide.

"So what does this mean?" Shining Armour asked, not aboard the same train as the Princesses.

"It means that this group is willing to murder Ponies to get what they want." Luna began.

"And that Twilight and her friends are in grave danger," Celestia concluded "Twilight..." Immediately Celestia's horn lit up and a parchment and quill popped into existence.

The Sun Princess quickly wrote a sentence or two on the parchment and magicked it away.

"What did you do?" Luna questioned.

"I told Twilight to grab the Elements and head here as quickly as possible." Celestia replied.

"But I thought you said that both the elements and the bearers would be safer in Ponyville, that nopony would think to search there." Luna challenged.

"That was before," Celestia said back "the factors have changed, pawns have been moved, the die cast, this mystery group has shown what they are willing to do. Everypony is a target now."

                                                                       ~~*~~

Twilight Sparkle slide the book into its proper place via her magic, she cast her eyes proudly over the newly-organized library, she sighed contently and reached with her magic to grab her checklist and check off 'Re-organize library again' off the list. She was interrupted by the pattering of lizard feet on the steps.

Spike the Dragon turned the corner at lightning speed, a scroll clutched in his scaly claws.

"From the Princess?" Twilight inquired, grabbing the scroll from her assistant.

"Yeah," Spike said "but it's weird, because it's not sealed or anything."

An eyebrow raised Twilight unfurled the scroll and read:

Don't panic, grave danger, grab elements and friends and get to the palace A.S.A.P.

-C

The scroll fluttered to the floor, free from Twilights magical grip.

"Twi?" Spike said, startled at the look on Twilights face.

"Get everypony here, our friends, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, get them all here," Twilight said, Spike hesitated until Twilight snapped at him. "NOW!" With a slightly scared look Spike ran out the door.

Turned around Twilight trotted purposefully to the other side of her library, there waited a solid wooden door that required a magical key, that key being Twilight's own horn. Pushing her horn into the receptacle and sparking her magic Twilight could hear the lock disengage, she pulled her horn out and opened the door. Inside was a simple display case, that held the six most powerful items in Equestria.

Grabbing the Elements with her magic Twilight pulled out a magically sealed box that was also in the closet and placed the items in there snugly.

Twilight sighed "I have a train to catch."

                                                                     ~~*~~

Dream Charmer flipped the fashion magazine open and held it up to her face, it seemed that pink was in this season. Apparently the mare currently unconscious on the floor of the V.I.P Train Car was ahead of the game, as both her sundress and wide-brimmed hat were the same shade of light pink. Dream Charmer thought it looked rather ravishing... Of herself.

The mare on the floor started groaning... Again.

Dream hummed "Take care of zat, would you?" She said, flipping the page. Brass Hoof grunted and stomped down on the mares head with a sickening crack!, not enough pressure to kill her but enough to keep her quiet and give her a nasty headache when she eventually woke up.

Brass Hoof himself had ditched his Guild barding for the uniform of the mares bodyguard, the guard himself was stuffed in the linen closet.

"Should I put her in the closet too?" Brass grunted.

"Oh just leave 'er there," Dream Charmer said " 'ow long until we reach Ponyville?"

Brass Hoof looked out the window "We're coming up on the station now."

Dream Charmer smiled and adjusted her sunhat, a tuft of her snow-white hair came loose and she curled it back behind her ear. The train began to slow down and with a final screech of its wheels they stopped in front of the rustic town of Ponyville, Brass Hoof peered through the window again and watched as new passengers boarded the train, he only had eyes though for the six distinctive mares that climbed on together.

"They're on," Brass said "three cars down from here."

Dream Charmer didn't respond, merely she flipped the magazine page and continued reading.

"Shouldn't we get moving?" Brass Hoof asked.

"Patience love," Dream said "we must await the per-fect moment."

The perfect moment took another ten minutes, the rest of the passengers boarded and with a triumphant whistle the Train began chugging along to do the loop back to Canterlot. It was about midday at thus point, bright sunlight shined through every window, that combined with the gentle clickidy clack of the wheels created a lazy, comfortable atmosphere.

One that was about to be broken.

Dream Charmer closed her fashion magazine and placed it down on the seat, jumping up she headed towards the car door.

"Come on then, let's get down to business." She sang to her large companion.

They moved through the next two cars without incident, although to Dream Charmer's hidden amusement she did turn quite a few stallion heads, and a respectable amount of mares couldn't keep their eyes of her either.

Too bad for them, she was on business.

They entered the third care and immediately noticed the six colourful mares seated on the left, fourth row. Dream Charmer glided over to the booth diagonal to their marks, so she was visible to them but nopony else, Brass Hoof sat down in the far right corner, anypony who looked would be to distracted by Dream to notice him.

"What is your plan?" Brass asked quietly "They're all mares, how are you going to charm them?"

"Don't be so close-minded, mon amie, six mares, there is a 'igh change on one of them being... 'ow you say 'out of the closet' " Dream Charmer laughed lightly and began eyeing each mare in turn.

When one dealt with the seduction of other Ponies, they learn how to tell what they like. A mare amongst other mares and yet does not list for stallions would not look at her companions with neutrality, instead they would give off the tell-take signs: Dilated pupils, quick fleeting glances to the flanks of her fellow mares, perhaps the twitching of their wings if they possessed them. Dream Charmer saw these and more while studying the blue Pegasus, she has a tomboyish look, with defined muscles and and rough-and-tumble rainbow-coloured mane.

"You'll do nicely." Dream said to herself, she sparked her magic and removed her sunhat, letting her silken white hair fall in sheets around her face, with quick magical strokes she pushed her fringe into an enticing bang that swept across her forehead just below her horn.

Now came the fun part: drawing her in. Dream Charmer had perfected this art, it began, with staring.

It was an odd phenomenon, stare at anypony for long enough and sooner or later they'll look in your direction. Once Rainbow Dash did look she was caught in Dream Charmer's perfectly  enticing look, half lidded eyes, a look in the eye that spoke both want and desire. Every detail of Dream Charmer's hypnotizing gaze was carefully calculated to convey two words with extreme efficiency and potency.

Come Hither the look commanded.

And Rainbow Dash obeyed.

"Hey guys," she said to her friends "I'm going to the little mares room, I'll be right back." Her friends didn't seem to detect suspicion as the rainbow Pegasus got up and walked down the aisle towards the vile temptress that awaited her. As Rainbow Dash passed Dream Charmer she gave her own charming grin.

"You like what you see?" Rainbow said boldly "You seem to be staring enough."

Brash, I like it Dream Charmer thought before responding with a breathy laugh "Oh yes indeed, I was only appreciating your... une grande beauté."

Rainbow's ears perked up, oh she was interested now "Are you from Prance?" She asked.

The accent gets them every time "Oui, I came to Equestria only three months ago, I was 'eading to Canterlot to see the sights... Little did I know I would see them on the train ride instead." Dream said smoothly.

Rainbow Dash's grin grew wider "Hey, you wanna come meet my friends?... One of them is Princess Twilight Sparkle." She boasted.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Dream said in convincing astonishment "Combien il est passionnant! I would love to!"

"Great!" Rainbow said "I'm Rainbow Dash by the way."

"And I am Dream Charmer." The prostitute said in a ever-so-slightly seductive tone that made Rainbow's ears perk again, as Dream Charmer rose gracefully from her seat she gave a subtle wink to Brass Hoof who sat unnoticed in the corner, the message was clear:

I'll distract them, you grab the Elements.

Rainbow Dash lead Dream back to the booth where her friends sat.

"Hey everypony," she announced "I'd like you to meet Dream Charmer, she just got here from Prance."

"Prance! Really?" Twilight and Rarity chorused.

"Oh you simply must tell me what it's like darling! The sophistication! The fashion!" Rarity said dreamily.

"And the culture is so interesting," Twilight said "it's origins are theorized to come from ancient Gryphons that once settled in that area."

Dream Charmer grinned, it was typical of Equestrian Ponies to have a over-romanticized idea of Prance which served Dream's purposes nicely. Good they were not aware of what went on in her birth home, the corruption, crime, anarchy, civil treason, fiasco's that build into civil brawls, riots, looters, patriots, loyalists, moderates, treason...

And sex slavery.

"Well I would be delighted to share will you," Dream Charmer said politely "may I sit down?"

"Of course!" Rarity said, scooting out of the way so Dream could sit in the innermost corner of the booth. Once everypony was seated the rogue in disguise immediately began talking.

"Well, first you 'ave to understand just 'ow different Prance is from Equestria, for example the cities are..."

Brass Hoof stood up silently from his seat, the six mares were captivated by Dream Charmer's tales which gave him a perfect opportunity. His eyes alighted on the small purple box that rested just under the table, Brass Hoof was no sneak but Swift Hoof and Silver Lock had stubbornly refused to let him continue working for the guild while his hoof steps sounded like a fat elephant walking on glass. So he knew how to walk quietly.

All six mare were looking at Dream Charmer as she prattled on, none noticing the hulking stallion just behind them. Even Dream, in her professionalism, didn't acknowledge him with a glance, that would have risked discovery. As quick as he arrived, Brass Hoof had grabbed the box and made his way to the V.I.P car to re-equip and await his lovely companion.

"...and that's why Prench mares wear corsets." Dream Charmer said in finality.

"Wow, I never would have guessed!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I must admit, it is news to me too." Rarity said.

Dream Charmer grinned, she had already seen Brass Hoof move out of her peripheral vision. She counted the amount of time it would take him to get back to the V.I.P car, sixty seconds she counted until she cleared her throat politely.

"I am sorry, but I 'ave to head back to my car, I 'ave preparations to make before we arrive in Canterlot," she said "au revoir, this has been... Enriching." With one last charming smile Dream Charmer was gone.

"Well she was interesting," Rarity said "don't you agree Rainbow Dash ?" She added slyly.

"I have no idea what your talking about." Rainbow said defensively.

"Oh don't think I didn't see the look you were giving her, I swear you were nearly drooling." Rarity countered with a laugh, everypony joined in. Twilight giggled as well, absentmindedly moving her hind leg to brush against the box that held the Elements.

She couldn't find it.

Confused Twilight looked under the table.

The box wasn't there.

When she resurfaced, it must have been the look on her face because Fluttershy immediately spoke up.

"Twilight? Is something wrong?" She asked.

"The Elements... They're gone."

"What." Applejack said.

"Elements... Gone... No here." Twilight stuttered.

"What? How..." Rainbow started, then her eyes widened "Dream Charmer... THAT WHORE!!"

                                                                       ~~*~~

The wind whipped Dream Charmers hair away from her face, her cloak bellowed in the strong gusts as she concentrated on her magic. Both her and Brass Hoof had changed back into their guild armour before making their way to the roof so Golden Shine and Silver Lock could teleport them out.

"How long will this take?" Brass Hoof yelled over the wind, his voice broke Dream's concentration.

"It would go much faster if you would allow me to concentrate," Dream said bitterly "it takes a minute to send the signal and another four for Goldy and Silver to charge up and lock onto us."

Before Brass Hoof could say anything back there was a flash of purple energy and six very unhappy mares teleported onto the roof with them.

"You!" Rainbow Dash immediately yelled, pointing at Dream Charmer "You tricked me! And stole the Elements!"

Dream Charmer laughed high and clear "Don't take is so personally belle jument, it's just business."

Rainbow looked angry but Twilight put up a hoof, she stepped forward with her horn lighting up. A magical purple transparent sword fazed into existence and she pointed it towards the two rogues.

"You have this one opportunity to return the Elements to me before I will be forced to take them from you." Twilight said menacingly.

Dream simply smiled as Brass Hoof walked slowly past her, putting himself in between her and Twilight.

"How long do you need again?" He asked.

"Five minutes." Dream Charmer said.

"I'll give you six." Brass growled, taking an aggressive step forward, Twilight glared at him and levelled her magical blade towards his face. Brass Hoof let out a thundering roar that was more akin to a Dragon than a Pony, everypony present took a step away from the beast of a stallion, even Dream Charmer.

Twilight's eyes widened and she took a step backwards, breaking her stance, just what Brass Hoof wanted. Twilight barely had time to raise her blade before Brass Hoof charged in with his own heavy, curved blade and they locked swords. Twilight's magical energy against Brass Hoof's brute strength.

Meanwhile Dream Charmer was charging up her spell to signal Goldy and Silver, Rainbow Dash noticed this and took flight. Getting close to Dream within seconds, Brass growled and disengaged his blade from Twilight's, he bucked her in the chest hard and sent the Unicorn sprawling with a scream. Sheathing his sword Brass Hoof charged back to Dream Charmer and tackled Rainbow Dash from behind when she landed, he grabbed her in his teeth by the scruff of her heck and threw her back into the group of mares and a recovering Twilight.

Dream Charmer sent out the signal and immediately summoned a magical blade of her own, hers a velvet pink, and took a defensive stance next to Brass Hoof as opted to take this fight bare-hoofed.

"How much longer?" He asked.

"Two minutes." Dream Charmer replied, Twilight had recovered and was cautiously inching towards the two rogues.

"One minute." Dream updated.

"Let's be reasonable," Twilight began "in five minutes we will be arriving in Canterlot, where the Royal Guard will arrest you in seconds, nether of you can fly so there's no way off the train, just make this easy and surrender."

Dream Charmer smiled, any second now "I tink zat you will find that surrendering in not the Thieves Guild's way."

Twilight looked confused and she became even more so when the two thieves disappeared in a flash of golden light.

"Celestia..." Rainbow growled "Bucking... DAMN IT!"

                                                                       ~~*~~

Celestia paced back and forth inside the Hall of the Elements, Luna and Shining Armour stood silently.

"Calm down sister." Luna said.

"How can I?" Celestia said back "Any moment Twilight could be attacked, what if-" she was interrupted by the doors bursting open and the Mane Six rushing in.

"Twilight!" Celestia greeted "I'm so glad you are okay! Now the Elements-"

"Are gone!" Twilight finished.

"...WHAT?!?" Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armour exclaimed.

"They were stolen!" Twilight said.

"Stolen? By whom?" Luna questioned.

"Who else?" A new voice echoed, seven flashes of golden light exploded around the hall and the Mane Six, Princesses, and Shining Armour found themselves surrounded by seven Ponies clad in brown padding, cloaks, and deep hoods. With one dressed in a white suit and white cloak with golden trimmings.

"A good evening to you, my Princess." The one in white greeted with silky charisma.

"You are the one who stole the Elements of Harmony I take it?" Celestia said with contempt.

Golden Shine in disguise chuckled "I prefer the term 'skillfully acquire' but yes, we possess the Elements." As if on cue each of the cloaked Ponies pulled out an element, except for Secret Script who was to Goldy's right, Golden Shine himself held the Element of Magic in his golden grip.

"Such interesting objects don't you think Princess Celestia?" Goldy taunted, admiring the crown.

Celestia frowned "Indeed, but I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, who are you?"

"We," Golden Shine said, laying stress on the word "are the Thieves Guild."

Celestia felt Shining Armour stiffen up next to her but she ignited him "I see, well, here is the situation we find ourselves in: you posses property of mine and I want it back, I can call the whole of the Royal Guard down upon you and I doubt you could fight them off."

Goldy chuckled "That is true," he admitted "but, you make any movements that I don't like and... Well... We'll see how Equestria does without it's main source of defence shall we?" Golden Shine lowered the crown to the floor and laid his hoof over it, as if to crush it, all around the other Guildmembers did the same with the elements they carried.

"Well played," Celestia admitted "what do you want?"

"Simple," Golden Shine replied "your cooperation, no doubt you are aware of a powerful group that has been gathering magical artifacts yes?"

Celestia nodded "We are."

"Well, they are called 'The Watchful Sun' their goals lie in gaining power through thief search and control Equestria in turn." Goldy explained.

Celestia's eyes widened slightly "This is... Troubling news."

Shining Armour spoke up "Why should we believe you? Your criminals, you only work for profit."

Goldy hesitated "I have two reasons, if you'll hear them."

Celestia nodded, interested "Go on."

"First, The Watchful Sun has a thing against crime, they want it gone, abolished, and if they succeed in their main goal they'll be coming for me and my partners." Golden Shine explained "And second... I assume you aware of the recent murder of Fancy Pants?"

"Yes," Celestia confirmed "your doing?"

"No, never, Fancy Pants was a very valued client of mine, the Thieves Guild performed many a job for him."

"What?!" Rarity exclaimed "Impossible! You lie! Fancy Pants was the most respectable, civilized stallion in Canterlot! He would never deal with scoundrels like yourself!"

"A respectable stallion he was," Goldy said sombrely "but he rose to his position through us and us alone, he was a client and The Watchful Sun killed him" Golden's professionalism broke for a second "And nopony messes with the Thieves Guild's clients."

Despite her better judgement, Celestia felt like this stallion was genuine, it appeared he was not finished.

"So here's the deal," Goldy continued "I shall return to you the Elements and a certain lost seeing stone, plus our assistance and cooperation in rooting out and foiling the plans of The Watchful Sun."

Celestia pursed her lips "And in return?"

Golden Shine smiled under his hood "In return, you will wipe any criminal charges placed upon my partners and I, and, you will allow us a one year period of uninterrupted operations. No investigations, no arrests, no thief chasing." Goldy's grin grew wider "The greatest crime spree Equestria has ever seen."

The room was left in a stunned silence, even Golden Shine's fellow thieves were looking at him with surprised looks, he hadn't discussed this with them.

"He is insane sister," Luna said "only a madman would request something like this, it would mean anarchy."

"Deal." Celestia said.

"...WHAT?!?" Shining yelled.

"And it appears you have lost you kind too," Luna said tiredly "I fear for the future of this country."

"Everypony listen," Celestia said, looking behind her at them "what choice do I have? The Watchful Sun is moving faster then I can keep up with, the Guild has resources, they have information, and dare I say it, they can be trusted to hold up their end of the deal."

Celestia turned back to face Golden Shine, who was still smirking.

"Do we have an accord?" He asked.

"We do." Celestia confirmed.

Goldy didn't say anything, merely head out his golden hoof. Celestia stared at the outstretched hoof for a moment before carefully approaching her opposite and shaking hoofs with him.

"So the deal is struck, I'll be in touch." Golden Shine said, before lighting his horn and disappearing in a flash of gold.

Everypony was silent for a second before they came to a realization: the majority of the Guild was still there.

"Wait a minute..." Swift began.

"Did 'e just..." Dream Charmer continued.

"Leave us here?!?" Silver Lock yelled.

"BUCKING DAMN IT GOLDY! YOU LEFT US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUCKING ROYAL PALACE!" Treasure Runner bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the hall.