What's Yours Is Mine

Chapter 12~ On the Prowl

"He's been in there for three days."

"Should we bother him?"

"I don't really want ta' bother him when he's in one of his moods."

"Well Celestia won't wait forever, we need to give her something."

"...I don't think that's worth getting stabbed in the throat for."

"Why would he stab you?"

"Have you ever bothered him while he was in the middle of his conspiracy unravelling sessions?"

"No, I wasn't even aware that he had those."

"Well he does and he doesn't like being interrupted, we'll have to wait."

"I think your being stupid."

"You can go in if you want, it's your funeral."

"Maybe I should shove you in there so he can rip you a new one?"

"How 'bout I shove my dagger up both of your..."

The door slammed open, cutting off whatever death threat Treasure Runner was about to utter. It revealed a wild-eyed, crazy haired Secret Script, behind him was a mess of papers, clippings, notes, and maps.

Golden Shine glanced at Swift and Treasure who shrugged in unison "So...." Goldy began.

"I have a plan," Secret interrupted "you should probably come sit down."

                                                                         ~~*~~

Celestia cantered through the empty hall, the morning court had just adjourned. Nothing much was discussed, besides the rising crime rate and Thieves Guild activities, which Celestia had the obligation to placate the court on doing anything about.

The Princess frowned as her thoughts turned to her criminal allies, as always she questioned whether their alliance was worth it. They were criminals, of course, scoundrels who broke the law for personal gain, and yet... She felt a strange sort of honesty that radiated from them, and the one in white, their leader, who they called 'Goldy' why did he seem so familiar?

Celestia shook the feeling off as the reached her chamber door, the two guards flanking it came to attention as their monarch approached. Celestia ignored them, entering her chambers and closing the door with a flick of magical energy, sighing heavily she rubbed her forehead.

"We must act soon," Celestia said out loud.

"I agree, my dear," a voice said back.

Celestia started, her horn flaring to life. It illuminated her darkened room and reflected off of the white cloak of her intruder, who smiled under his hood.

"How did you get in here?" Celestia demanded.

Golden Shine chuckled "there are ways into every palace, my dear, but enough of that, we have business to discuss."

"You come with news?"

"I do, my agent, Secret Script, has devised a master strategy to use against our opponents," Golden Shine explained "he has a knack for this sort of thing you see."

"As he would, he was trained by my sister after all," Celestia said "your guild has a strange talent for attracting even stranger characters."

"That is neither here nor there," Golden Shine dismissed "now, are you willing to here me out or not?"

"Go on then," Celestia said.

"Well first off," Golden Shine began "we're going to need a Lost Artifact, one that the Watchful Sun doesn't know about."

"...what do you plan to do?" Celestia questioned.

"You will have to trust me," Goldy said "it is imperative that we do not discuss this all at once, now, I assume you have at least one Lost Artifact other than the one you found in Stalliongrad yes?"

Celestia sighed "I must be mad," she said "follow me," Celestia opened the door again and lead Golden Shine out of her chambers, the guards were startled to see the newcomer emerging with the Princess.

"Your majesty? Do you want us to... Accompany you?" One of them asked.

"That won't be necessary, thank you," Celestia said dismissively, continuing to lead Golden along the hall. They walked through the twisting halls of the castle, passing the occasional guard or servant that gave Goldy a strange look, bowed to the Princess, and continued on. They descended several levels, they encountered no servants and even less guards, until finally they turned a corner, to face a dimly lit door, it was large, intricate, and unguarded. It was clad in hundreds of runes that Golden Shine was completely unfamiliar with, as he looked Celestia sparked her magic and one by one the runes began to glow.

"We found this one long ago, in the deserts to the south," Celestia explained "like all Lost Artifacts it's power is great, but unlike the other ones we know of, we know not the origin of this artifact," every one of the runes glowed brightly before growing dim, the doors creaked open, revealing a large circular room where the Lost Artifact awaited.

"We call it the Gear of Time," Celestia said.

It was a light blue, a large gear about half a meter in diameter, with a hole in the middle and strange symbols on its eight spokes. The Gear floated a meter off the ground and spun slowly in a clockwise direction, Golden Shone definitely felt energy radiating from the Gear, but it wasn't exactly magical.

Celestia walked slowly up to it with Golden in tow, as he approached it the Guildmaster noticed that light was distorting around the gear, like reality itself was turning with it.

"What does it do?" Goldy asked.

"We don't know the full extent of it's power, using it can have... Negative effects, but the few times it has been managed, the wielder can manipulate time itself." Celestia said.

"Manipulate time?" Golden Shine said, incredulously.

"Yes, one could go both forwards and backwards in time, see what is to be, what could be, what has been, and every possible outcome of any event, one could even stop the flow of time entirely," Celestia explained.

"...you could have the power of a God..." Golden Shine said, a hint of greed in his voice, he reached out towards the Gear and Celestia's eye's widened.

"No, wait don't!" She yelled but was too late, Golden Shines hoof made contact with The Gear, his eyes widened and his mouth opened up, both streamed out the Gears blue glow as Goldy's mind was consumed.

The world was a mass of swirling golden mist, the mist condensed and created a city, Canterlot to be exact. It was late afternoon, the sun just kissing the edge of the horizon and a misty rain was falling onto the marble streets of Canterlot, Golden Shine shivered and pulled his expensive overcoat closer around him.

As usual, the back street that led to the Staggering Stallion was rife with impoverished Ponies. Golden Shine didn't spare any of them a glance, and none of them spoke to the high class Unicorn as he passed by them, not until he was only ten meters from the pub.

"You look lonely, 'ould you like company, bel homme," a Prench accented voice called out to him.

Golden Shine looked to his left, there, standing in the folded alleyway, was one of the most beautiful mares he had ever laid eyes upon. Her mane was a clean white and her coat a light purple, she looked up at Golden Shine with enticing eyes and a half-hearted smile.

Golden Shine frowned at her "what is your name, my dear lady?" He asked.

"Dream Chamer," the mare answered "take me up on my offer and you shall become accustomed to saying it."

Golden Shine smiled down at her and offered his hoof "how about we strike a deal over a glass of fine wine, hm?"

Dream Charmer took Golden's hoof and let him lead her into the Staggering Stallion.

The world dissolved into a world of gold yet again, swirling and tumbling in great cataclysms of energy. Golden Shine had only the briefest moments of self-awareness that resulted in great pain to his head before he lost his sense again, the world morphed into another familiar scene.

Golden Shine sat behind his desk, in the simple office that Clean Cup had given to him on the too floor of the Staggering Stallion. In front of him stood a ragged and dirtied Pegasus, clad in a dark leather padding and cloak that were both soiled and torn at the seams, his eyes held a tired paranoid look about them.

"An Agent of Night you say?" Golden Shine asked.

"Formerly," Secret Script growled.

"And why would somepony who hunted Ponies like me for a living go ahead and join the Guild?" Golden inquired.

"I... Have no other path to follow," Secret said, looking down "My old life is gone, I must make a new one."

Golden Shine smiled "I'm sure we can come to an agreement."

The room disappeared and was replaced by another, this time Golden Shine was walking down a cobbled street of Trottigham. He turned and entered a nearby pub by the name of The Broken Hoof, inside a pure white stallion stood behind the counter, staring into nothingness.

"Where is he?" Golden Shine asked, pulling his hood away from his face. White Powder came out of his trance and vaguely pointed to the far corner where Golden could make out a figure sprawled out on the floor, an upturned table and chair next to him among several bottles both broken and naught.

Golden Shine magicked a coin over to White Powder, it landed on the counter with a click but the innkeeper ignored it, he had gone back into his stupor. Goldy cantered over to the sprawled figure, he was a rustic-looking bearded Earth Pony who was all but dead to the world. Golden kicked the stallions leg abc he groaned, turning over in his sleep and muttering obscenities, drunkenly he lifted his eyes open.

"Wot ya want? Can't ya see mm sleepin?" He grumbled.

"Treasure Runner," Golden Shine said "the Trottingham Pickpocket I presume?"

"Depends oos askin," Treasure mumbled.

"Somepony who can offer you a better life," Golden answered "why don't we strike some sort of deal?"

Treasure Runners wide and fiery eyes faded away into the mist, he was replaced by a silver Unicorn that stood behind a set of iron bars.

"You a lawyer or something?" Silver Lock asked, glaring through his prison door.

"No," Golden Shine "but make a deal with me and I'll make sure your never caught again."

Silver Locks intrigued eyes faded away, replaced by a set full of wrath and blood. Brass Hoof stood huffing and puffing in and alleyway, rain was pouring down hard on him, washing the blood away from his multiple wounds, at his hooves were at least seven Royal Guards, heads smashed open, brain matter spattered on the marble street.

Golden Shine met Brass Hoof's wrathful gaze with his own "they will be hunting you," he said.

"Then I shall kill them too!" Brass growled.

"You cannot kill them all," Golden Shine stated "come, I can hide you away from them, and perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement?"

Brass Hoof was whisked away in a tide of golden dust, it swirled around Golden Shine for what seemed an eternity before forming into yet another familiar setting. Golden was sitting at his favoured seat in the Staggering Stallion, a figure entered the pub, clad in Thieves Guild armour and cloak.

The newcomer sat down in front of Golden Shine and removed his hood, it was Swift Hoof, he looked tired, distraught, his mane was frayed and his eyes carried bags under them, he looked like he had been crying.

"You look terrible," Golden Shine stated "what happened?"

"Nothing," Swift said bitterly "I got your bucking necklace," Swift reached into his saddle bag and produced a necklace, it was gold, with a single ruby in the centre of the pendant, glowing with an enchantment that enhanced a Unicorn's magical abilities.

"Impressive," Golden Shine said, reaching for the necklace "and from a Princess too."

Swift retreated his hoof away from the Guildmaster and glared at him "we had a deal," he said.

Golden Shine smiled and produced a large bag of gold bits "that we did, welcome to the Thieves Guild," he said as they exchanged treasures.

The world shifted again, Golden Shine found himself standing outside the Staggering Stallion, his guild standing on either side of him, looking up at the pub as it was wholly consumed in flame.

For Celestia, she only saw the light flood Golden Shine's eyes for a moment before dissipating immediately, leaving Golden Shine to collapse to the ground, his hood coming free. The Princess started forward, concerned that the Gear had been too much for her ally but stopped as Goldy moaned and slowly raised himself off the ground.

"You should count yourself lucky," Celestia said, as Golden Shine rubbed his forehead "lesser minds fall to madness when they touch the Gear."

"Apparently I'm not a lesser mind," Golden Shine said in bitter humour "I saw things that I know to have past, but one thing that.... Hasn't happened."

"There is no guaranteed that it ever will," Celestia reassured him "the Gear is in tune with the flow of time, many believe they are instrumental in keeping reality together. When activated the Gear shows what has happened, what will happen, and what could happen, what you saw may very well be only one fork along the road."

"I see," Golden Shine said, staring at the Gear, waiting it slowly rotate. He felt Celestia's eyes on him, and knew she had something on her mind, especially since his face was now in full view.

"Your face is familiar to me, but I forget the name," Celestia said.

Goldy turned to face her "my name is Golden Shine."

Celestia frowned and searched her memory for where she had heard that bane before, suddenly it came to her "you are..."

"The bastard son of Lord Crimson Shine, yes," Golden Shine said "you recall what happened between us I trust?"

"I recall that Lord Crimson had estranged and banished you from the family, relinquishing any birthrights you had to land or treasure," Celestia said "he never explained why."

"Well, in fact, there where two reasons," Goldy said nastily "first, I'm a bastard, like he would tarnish his good name by having an illegitimate child inherit his status, so once he sired a proper child, my sister, he told me that I was no longer entitled to my birthright.. But I could still serve his house as treasurer."

Golden Shine chuckled "I feinted loyalty, acted as a gold counter for a few weeks, then stole the whole lot of it right under his fat nose. Every. Last. Bit."

"Your the one who stole the entire Las Pegasus treasury," Celestia said with wide eyes "you plunged the city into poverty!"

"And then created the greatest criminal organization to have ever existed," Golden Shine said "rather ironic the whole thing is, don't you think?"

"Your sister rules the House Shine now," Celestia said "you could return, turn away from this life as a crime boss."

"Do you honestly think she would welcome me? Imagine, the last she saw of me I had stolen her cities lifeblood and run off, and I would return to her rich and powerful?" Golden Shine shook his head "my place is with my Guild."

Celestia sighed softly "the ambitions and purest attitudes of the nobility seems to breed tragedy and corruption at every turn."

"That is why ponies like me exist," Golden Shine said "we steal from the rich in service of the rich so we ourselves may become rich, me and my Guild exist to take advantage of the system that is choking by its own hoof."

"...so you recognize that what you do is wrong?"

"Right, wrong, black, white, silver, gold. My dear Princess you have a very limited way of looking at things," Golden Shine teased "I do what I do because I can, I'm good at it, and I enjoy wealth."

"Everything you do... Is for wealth?"

"No, everything I do is to survive, wealth is simply a by-product of effective survival," Golden Shine stated "

Celestia blinked, taken aback from the statement. She was temporarily stunned and could not think of a response to the proclamation, was he being honest? Was he only interested in self-preservation?

"...perhaps we should simply move on from this topic," Celestia said "now, you said that you needed an artifact that the Watchful Sun didn't know of, I have given you one, what is your next move?"

Golden Shine smiled "every treasure needs a chest."

                                                                      ~~*~~

Regal Stone stepped off the train, he looked around his immediate area. The entire platform was flooded with middle to low class citizens that Regal had tolerated sharing a train with, but now that there was ample room in every direction he completely expected them to remove themselves from his presence.

"Lord Regal," a voice got his attention, he turned to his right and saw two stallions adorned in dress shirts, ties, vests, and fine cloaks to keep the cold out.

"Lord Forest has instructed us to brief you on a new development," one said.

"And why could Lord Forest not do so himself?" Regal asked.

"Lord Forest is busy running Trottingham," the stallion answered defensively "something your family cannot boast to be doing."

Regal Stone frowned "what's your name?" He asked nastily.

"Clear Sky," the stallion said proudly.

" 'Clear Sky' humph," Regal spat "that sounds like a Pegasus name."

"Yeah? And what of it?" Clear Sky said defensively.

"Ha! Do you nothing of how the world works? And you lecture me on the power of my family, all pure-blooded Unicorns just so you know," Regal Stone boasted.

Clear Sky made an aggressive move forward, his wings coming free from his cloak. He was stopped by his companion who placed himself between the two.

"Enough, we have no time to bicker like foals," he said, before turning to Regal Stone "Lord Forest has heard word of an artifact, untouched and unknown of, right under your nose."

Regal Stone scowled "and Lord Forest apparently also wants me to know he has no respect for my house, seeing as he sent the two of you who have so far insulted me thrice."

"The artifact is said to be in the Everfree Forest, the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters," Clear Sky said.

"The Everfree? But I've already scoured both the forest and that pile of rubble!" Regal Stone growled.

"Apparently not well enough," Clear Sky said spitefully.

"There is a group of architects and mercenaries awaiting is at the northern edge of the forest," the unnamed stallion said "we should go there now."

"Now?!" Regal Stone exclaimed "but I just got back from bucking Las Pegasus!"

"Lord Forest commands you," Clear Sky said nastily, taking great pleasure that Lord Forest had undoubtedly planned this out only to anger Regal Stone.

"Fine," Regal said bitterly "the next train shall be arriving any second now."

Far above the small group of conspirators, atop a tall residential building. Stood a dark figure, Secret Script watched as the train entered the station and the three Watchful Sun agents enter the locomotive before the train gave a whistle and began to chug along.

"They've taken the bait," Secret said out loud, before flaring his wings and taking flight.

The train pulled into the Ponyville station and emptied of it's passengers. Including Regal Stone and his two guides, they didn't waste any time, immediately they headed off the platform and onto the path that lead towards the Everfree.

At the edge of the forest was a group of five ponies, three of them clad in rough put-together armour and carrying weapons while the other two in more sophisticated fine shirts and vests.

"They were a part of Fancy Pants's archeology company," Clear Sky said, gesturing to the finely dressed stallions "but with out him to lead the business it took a hit, lots of diggers and the like looking for a job."

"Well at least that assures their quality," Regal Stone said "but it throws into question their loyalty, tell me, are you gents loyal to the Watchful Sun?"

"Undoubtedly," one of the archeologists said "with the Watchful Sun in control we will have free reign to search for the truth behind Celestia's cover ups and lies."

"Spoken well," Regal complimented "we should waste no time, you merc's take point, just follow the path."

The three mercenaries nodded silently and began down the path, their noble companions in tow. Unknown to them, two shadowy figure stalked behind them, just off the path Secret and Silver followed their prey through the thick foliage. They travelled for an hour or so, Secret and Silver remaining hidden from the small group, eventually they came to the iconic ruins of the castle.

"I still think thus is a waste of time," Regal Stone said, as the mercenaries braced against the large ancient doors "I have already searched this place entir-"

Regal Stone trailed off as the doors opened and a bright blue light flooded onto the ground, as his eyes adjusted, Regal could make out the object and he couldn't believe his eyes. There, suspended in the air, spinning perpetually, glowing bright, was a large blue gear inlaid with intricate symbols.

"Is that..." Regal said.

"A Gear of Time, yes," one of the archeologists said " 'cogs in the machine of reality' this is the most powerful artifact I have ever encountered."

Regal Stone could take his eyes of the Gear "we will transport it immediately," he said "bring it to the Foal Mountains."

A few meters away, Silver snuffed out the light of his horn. Glancing around the tree to assure that their quarry had not seen the spell he had cast.

"Goldy got the message," Silver said, addressing Secret Script who stood nearby "he's getting our new friends to get some muscle ready."

"Good, the plan's working," Secret said softly "the Foal Mountains... Interesting."

                                                                        ~~*~~

The Foal Mountains loomed, surrounded by the thick branches of the Black Wood, the mountains threw everything around them in shadow. Including the temple that lay at their base, the temple was built in levels, each on being slightly smaller than the last, with wide stairs leading up the centre.

Regal Stone lead his party towards the temple, they had thrown a covering over the Gear and used it to pull the artifact along. The Gear had come without resistance, spinning perpetually under the covering. As they approached the temple, the large intricate door opened by magical means to reveal a hooded, robed stallion who waited them atop the first level of the stairs.

"Lord Regal Stone," he greeted "Lord Forest send word you may arrive with an artifact in tow."

"Lord Forest seems to be sending many words recently," Regal Stone said bitterly.

"I trust that this is the artifact?" The hooded stallion said, gesturing to the covered Gear "you wouldn't come here otherwise."

"It is," Regal said "I present the legendary Gear of Time."

The hooded stallion was silent for several seconds "you would not risk the mistresses wrath by lying about such a find, I shall present the artifact to her now."

"No, I shall present the Gear to her," Regal said firmly "I shall not have credit for this find go to you priest."

"The Watchful Sun serves the Priesthood, who serve the mistress," the Priest said "our deal is that we will grant you power, in return you collect us these artifacts for us to please the mistress."

"This is true, but, perhaps the mistress does not need to see this artifact hmm?" Regal Stone said slyly "it could simply remain on my... Personal treasury, for safe keeping."

"...well played," the priest said "but you should remember, Lady Conspira favours the faithful."

"She also favours the powerful," Regal Stone countered "and, as it stands, I hold the key to power over time itself."

"No matter, let us convene with our mistress, she will be pleased by this gift."

The group entered the temple with priest in the lead, the door slamming shut behind them. Only a moment after they disappeared, two thieves faded out of the forest, Silver Lock whistled as he lowered his hood.

"Now that's a pretty sight, wonder how much coin they got stuffed in there?" Silver said.

"Make a guess, double it, and that's how many guards they have in there," Secret Script said "send the signal."

Silver Lock sparked his magic and shot a bolt into the air, it exploded into a flurry of silver sparks. There was silent for only seconds, before the crackling of powerful magic was heard and in flashes of gold as bright as lightning and just as quick, three unites of twenty Royal Guards appeared. Their armour glittered and their spears shined, in front and around Silver and Secret appeared the rest of the Guild, including Golden Shine who appeared with Shining Armour.

"Here is your prize, captain," Golden Shine said "I trust your stallions can handle this."

"They can," Shining assured "and what of your... Guild, what will they do?"

Golden Shine smirked at looked at his guildmembers "gentlemen, lady..." He said "take what you can."

"And give nothing back," they chorused back, Golden Shine gestured to the doors of the temple "after you, captain."

Shining Armour frowned "First Cohort!" He called, and the platoon furthest to the left stomped their hooves and galloped forward, they reached the doors and hurts through them, the Guild and Shining Armour were close behind with the other two cohorts brining up the rear.

Inside the temple was a wide corridor lit by torches, it allowed for only three ponies to stand side by side. The First Cohort did exactly that, they marched forward in three columns, first row with spears pointed forward, the hallway didn't last long and eventually gave way to a large circular room. Three other hallways could be seen other than the one that they had emerged from, in the centre of the room was a large statue of and Alicorn, Swift recognized it immediately.

"That's the same Alicorn statue that was in Stalliongrad," Swift said "do you think they worship her?"

"I did overhear them talking about a 'mistress' but I didn't hear everything," Secret Script said.

Shining Armour looked at the multiple exists "we must split our party," he said "the First Cohort shall come with me, as off the Guild-" he was interrupted by a burst of green fire in front of the statue, the flames revealed a robed stallion, dressed the same as the one Secret had seen. His robes were a dark purple with red accents running through it, he seemed to be shaking with anger.

"This is a sacred place," he said, voice dripping with pure fury "how dare you dirty it with your sinful presence," about forty other green fires burst forth, revealing yet more robed zealots, these ones carrying weapons.

"Allow us to grant you passage to Eitheruim, Lady Conspira may even grant you favour, maybe," the priest said, drawing a blade from under his robes and slowly advancing.

"Captain," Golden Shine said softly "hold them here, defeat them if you can, I shall take my Guild and go on, find the Gear and the rest of the artifacts that they are no doubt keeping here."

Shining glanced to the crime lord "are you sure? If there are more we will not be able to help you."

"We can hold our own, never fret," Golden Shine said, sparking his magic "don't let them see us," he said before both he and his Guild disappeared in flashes of gold. They all reappeared behind the zealots, next to the farthest exist, the priests looked around in confusion, none of them looking behind.

Shining Armour didn't give them a chance.

"Stallions of Equestria!" He said, drawing his blade "give them no quarter!" The Royal Guard pounded their chests and charged forward, crossing blades with the zealots. Golden Shine egged on his Guild and they disappeared down the hallway, the sounds of battle quickly becoming faint.

The hallway was not long, it eventually lead to a simple door, after trying the door lever Golden discovered it to be locked.

"Swift," he said simply and the thief came forward, he took out his picks and quickly unlocked the door. As Swift stepped back Golden Shine cast a quick spell and the Guild found themselves invisible, quietly the guildmaster opened the door. On the other side was a balcony of sorts overlooking a cylinder-like room, a staircase spiralled down the the stone ground where two figures stood in front of a shallow stone pool, with a floating cloth next to them, the Gear.

"Can we hurry this along?" Regal Stone asked "I do not wish to linger in your temple long."

"Silence," the priest commanded "Lady Conspira shall arrive when she wishes."

As of on cue, the pool began to bubble and froth, steam raised from the pool. The clear water turned red and thick, like blood, slowly a figure rose from the liquid and spread her wings, an Alicorn.

"Lady Conspira," the priest said, bowing.

Conspira was large, her wingspan almost touched the edges of the room, and her horn was long and sharp. She was dark purple, her mane was a lighter blue and it was long enough to meet with the pool, and when her eyes opened they shined blood red.

"My faithful servant," she said affectionately to the priest, her voice was soft and seductive "you bring a gift for me?"

"Yes, my lady," the zealot said "Regal Stone has found you a mighty gift, a Gear of Time."

"Has he?" Conpira said, looking over Regal "uncover it," she commanded.

The priest quickly uncovered the Gear, it's glow was strangely dimmed in the presence of the Alicorn.

"This is indeed a Gear of Time," Lady Conspira said "Lord Kronos made tell of them from time to time, never did he think that others could steal his power from him, it's unfortunate that I will not have the chance to use it."

"My lady?" The priest asked in confusion "what do you mean?"

"You fools," Conspira said "at this very moment, your enemy attacks my temple, and a group of thieves lurks in the shadows behind you," the Alicorn looked directly at Golden Shine and waved her hoof, the invisibility spell faded way leaving the rogues in plain sight.

Without being given a command, Brass Hoof jumped down and drew his sword. The tip pierced the priests neck, spattering his blood on the edges of Conspira's pool and drowning the stallion in his own blood. Brass quickly pulled his blade out and slashed open the throat of Regal Stone who only had time to look surprised before his face drained of colour and he fell to the floor, his blood mingling with that of the priests.

"Well this is interesting," Conspira said, looking over the thieves as they surrounded her, weapons ready "you have made a small victory here, but your mission is folly."

"Is it?" Golden Shine said "because I think there's quite a lot of coin to be made by this venture, I wonder how much we can collect from Regal Stone's life insurance."

"Ha, coin, greed, wealth," Conspira thing "such trivial things, but can inspire treason, rebellion, conspiracy, and yet you work against me."

"Sorry, but it's first come first served with us," Golden Shine said "now why do t you tell me where you keep all your wealth and your treasures so we can rob you blind."

"Hmm, you know, I had a friend, Nemesis was his name," the Alicorn said "he always said that all actions will eventually come back to haunt you, I think you'll find that your actions will do much more than come back to haunt you," Conspira laughed "I look forward to the day I claim you soul, farewell."

With that, Conspira exploded into a mass of blood that fell back into the pool with a splash.

"Damn it," Treasure said, sheathing his dagger  "what the buck was that anyway?"

"An Alicorn, Conspira I think they called her," Golden Shone said "but I wasn't aware of any Alicorns besides Celestia and Luna, this makes our job all the more difficult."

Hoofbeats echoed from where they had come from and Shining Armour poked his head through the door.

"There you are, I'm glad your unharmed," he said, climbing down the stairs and soaring a glance to the dead priest and noble on the ground "a courier arrived with a message for you, not from the Princess, one of your contacts apparently, 'Clean Cup' the stallion said his name was," Shining gave Golden Shine an unsealed letter.

Golden pulled out the parchment and read the words, his eyes widened and before anypony could ask what was the matter Golden Shone sparked his magic and he and his Guild teleported away in a shower of gold leaving a confused Shining Armour behind. The Guild reappeared in front of The Staggering Stallion, or what remained of it, the base and home of the Thieves Guild was wholly consumed in bright flame.