What's Yours Is Mine

Chapter 13- Iron From Ash

"I'm sorry Golden Shine."

Princess Celestia stood behind Golden Shine who stood amongst the rubble of The Staggering Stallion, right where his favourite drinking table used to be. The rest of the guild along with a squad of Royal Guards sifted through what was left of the inn in search of the wealth that had been harboured there, no avail. It seemed the collapsing building had taken the guilds underground base with it, burying their accumulated gold underneath the earth. It would take months, even years, to dig it out again, until then the Thieves Guild was bankrupt.

"Golden Shine," Celestia probed.

"Be sorry if you must," Golden said. "But it still stands that all my wealth, my gold, is gone. My contacts and allies have abandoned me, they won't work for us now, and I expect my own guild will leave me the moment they realize there is no more money to be made."

"Not all hope is lost," Celestia stated. "I still plan on seeing this through, with that temple in our gasp we can further route out The Watchful Sun."

"Sorry if I don't share your optimism, Princess," Golden Shine said bitterly. "But what do I know? I'm a Guildmaster without a guild, good luck with your mission but I'm afraid I won't be able to assist you any longer."

"Did we not strike a deal Golden Shone?" Celestia said almost mockingly. "As a stallion of business you wouldn't go back on your deal now would you?"

Golden sighed "fine, you've got the help of one middle-aged former crime boss, congratulations."

Celestia smirked "in fact, I think I've the help of the seven best thieves in Equestria."

"Do you really think the rest of them will stick around?" Golden Shine. "I think you overestimate their integrity."

"And I think you underestimate their loyalty," Celestia said pointedly.

Golden Shine frowned and looked up only to see the guild standing in front of him.

"What are you lot still doing here?" Golden asked. "Our guild is broken, I can't pay you anymore, you best find other work."

"The way I see it," Treasure Runner said, "as long as there's member's in this guild, then it's still a bloody guild."

"We've all been with you too long to leave now Goldy," Swift said. "We're in for the long haul."

Dream Charmer trotted up to Golden and lifted his chin with her hoof.

"I will not go back on ze streets because of 'tis," she said. "We are a family, frère aimant, and é 'll stay together until ze end." Dream Charmer pecked Golden on the cheek before letting go of his chin.

Golden Shine blinked a few times before a determined look covered his face, he turned towards Celestia.

"We'll need a place to stay so we can sort out a new plan," he said. "Preferably... Not the palace, I don't see that going over well."

"I agree," Celestia said with a smile, a puff of purple smoke suddenly appeared next to her and condensed to create a scroll of parchment that Celestia caught in her magic.

"I think I have just the place."

                                                                      ~~*~~

Spike jogged down the crystalline hallway, a scroll clutched in his claws. The letter had come to him just moments ago as he entered the castles kitchen to grab a snack, the girls and he had been discussing what to do about The Watchful Sun, but mostly they took the opportunity to spout their negative opinions of the Thieves Guild.

Spike ran into the main room where Twilight and her friends sat in their circle of thrones.

"Spike? What's wrong?" Twilight asked.

In answer Spike offered her the letter, Twilight took it in her magic and unfurled it. She read the scroll quickly, her eyes widening and her ears dropping down.

"Spike, go prepare the guest rooms please, we're going to be having some company," Twilight said, putting her head in her hooves and sighing.

"Guests?" Rarity asked as Spike ran off. "Whom?"

Twilight sighed "the thiev-"

She was interrupted by knocking at the door, Rarity got up and opened it. Treasure Runner stood outside, his hood was down and the rest of the Thieves Guild was behind him.

"Uh... Hullo, we were told tha' we could stay 'ere?" Treasure said, in response Rarity slammed the door shut in his face, slamming it into the pickpockets snout.

Twilight sighed as a slightly muffled "Ah! Buck! That hurt!" Came from behind the door.

"They are our guests," she said.

"What?! You can't be serious!" Rainbow Dash said. "We can't let a bunch of criminals stay here!"

"Twilight dear, I must agree with Rainbow Dash, we cannot just let these scoundrels into your home," Rarity said.

"We don't have any choice," Twilight said. "They need a place to stay while they figure out how to combat The Watchful Sun."

"But they must have some sort of base, why do they need to stay here?" Rarity argued.

"Because..." Twilight frowned and checked the letter again, her eyes widened slightly, "because their home burned down."

There was a pause amongst them as they digested the information, it was interrupted by knocking at the door.

"I'll get it," Rarity sighed and opened the door.

Golden Shine was behind it this time, Treasure Runner was off to the side nursing his bruised nose.

"Sorry about my associate miss, but we we were told that we could stay here for the time being," Golden said politely.

"Of course," Rarity said reluctantly, opening the door wider for them. The guild filtered into Twilight's castle, Treasure shooting a glare at Rarity who simply stuck her nose up at him, Silver whistled as he looked around at the crystalline walls.

"Damn, thus is pretty fancy for a treehouse," he said out loud. "Hey Swift, how much do you think we could thrift off of an insurance scams with this place?"

"It doesn't matter because you won't be doing anything of the sort," Twilight said, teleporting in front of them. "If you going to be staying here than there's going to be rules, no stealing, thieving, pickpocketing or otherwise taking things that don't belong to you."

"Additionally no fighting, killing, rough behaviour, illegal substances will not be consumed, I don't even want you getting drunk."

Treasure Runner opened his mouth in protest but Golden Shine cut him off.

"Shut it Treasure, you going cold turkey for now on," he said. "We'll follow your rules, Princess, I just want this business done so I can get the gold flowing again."

"And how long will that take you?" Twilight asked.

Golden Shine looked at Secret Script who pondered for a moment.

"With my contacts gone and my records destroyed the old plan goes out the window," Secret said. "I'll need at least three days to consider what resources we have left and then create a plan of action."

"Fine then," Twilight said, just as Spike re-entered the room.

"Spike, could you take.... Secret Script, to his room?" Twilight asked.

"And I'll need parchment and quills," Secret stated.

"...and show him where the study supplies are," Twilight added.

Twilight turned to the rest if the guild as Spike lead Secret off "what will the rest of you do?"

Golden Shine opened his mouth then closed it, he pondered the question for a moment or two but came up with nothing.

"Don't you have any hobbies?" Twilight asked, the guild exchanged glances before Golden shook his head.

"...Do you do anything besides break the law?" Twilight deadpanned.

"...Uh," Goldy stuttered.

"...We could... Go for a walk?" Swift offered, the thieves all shrugged in indifference.

"Okay... Sure... Let's go for a... Walk," Golden Shine agreed, with confused looks on their faces the outlaws all flooded back out off the castle.

"That, was probably the saddest thing I've ever witnessed," Rarity stated.

"Yeah, but we can't just let 'em walk around town unsupervised," Applejack said. "Who knows what sort of trouble they could get into."

"Your right," Twilight agreed. "Fluttershy, could you stay here with Secret Script? Make sure he doesn't go anywhere."

"B-but, what if he tries to leave and I can't stop him?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Relax, Flutters," Rainbow Dash said nonchalantly. "That Secret guy seemed chill to me, besides, Spike will be here with you."

Fluttershy gulped in fear but stuttered out an "o-okay," despite that.

"Come on girls, let's catch up to our guests before they steal everything that isn't nailed down," Twilight said, leading her remaining friends out the door.

They found the guild in the town market, most of them were seemingly browsing the stalls but Golden Shine had opted to sit on a nearby bench, apparently observing the whole scene.

"Okay, attach yourself to a criminal and keep them out of trouble," Twilight said, heading towards Golden Shine.

The Guildmaster didn't seem to notice Twilight until she cleared her throat, he looked at her with a neutral expression.

"Can I sit down?" Twilight asked, gesturing towards the bench.

Golden nodded vaguely and Twilight sat down, they sat in semi-awkward silence for a solid minute before Twilight broke it.

"I don't think I know your name," she said.

"Golden Shine," Goldy answered.

"And your their leader?"

"Their Guildmaster, yes."

"...I heard about what happened to your home," Twilight said. "I'm sorry about that."

"Everypony is," Golden said with a sigh. "But don't be, I'm sure deep inside you think I deserved it."

"That's not true!" Twilight said defensively.

"Isn't it?" Golden asked. "Aren't I criminal in your eyes?"

"...well you are, aren't you?" Twilight asked.

"I'm a businesspony, Princess, I make money," Golden answered. "My Guild came from the streets, the lot of them homeless, drunk, or being hunted by the law, I gave them a home and a way to move up the latter of life a few rungs."

"So they're just employees to you?" Twilight asked, confused.

"...No, maybe at first, but when our home was destroyed and they stayed with me despite that... They told me that we were more than a guild, that we were a family," Golden Shone said, he turned to look at Twilight only to see her smiling at him.

"What?" Golden asked.

"I'm sorry I doubted you," Twilight said happily. "Even though you are still a criminal, you understand the magic of friendship."

Golden Shine blinked "I have no idea what your talking about," he stated.

"Oh I think you do," Twilight said, leaning back in the bench with a knowing smile in her lips.

Golden Shine frowned in confusion and turned back to look at the market. Rarity had opted to approach Treasure Runner, feeling a bit of guilt from slamming the door in his face, literally.

Treasure was drifting from stall to stall, looking at the wares. Glaring would probably be the better term seeing as every inch of the pickpockets face read 'grumpy old man' all over it.

Rarity got his attention with a polite cough, Treasure turned his fiery gave to her and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah?" He grumbled.

"I just wanted to apologies for that incident with the door, I hope I didn't hurt your nose too much," Rarity said properly.

Treasure eyed her for a few seconds before grunting and turning back to look at the stalls, Rarity frowned at the rude behaviour but chose to ignore it.

"What are you doing anyway?" Rarity asked.

"Browsin'" Treasure grunted.

"Oh I doubt that, I imagine your trying to gage the worth of the items on the black market," Rarity scoffed, earning another glare from Treasure Runner.

"I ain't gunna steal nothin'" Treasure growled.

"Oh please, your a criminal, it's what you do."

"Doesn't mean I can't have self control," Treasure said grumpily.

Rarity hummed, looking the thief over, she took note of the tuffs of silver hair that patterned Treasure's beard and hair.

"You older than the others," she commented. "How long have you been with them?"

"'Bout twenty-two years," Treasure grunted. "Been around the longest, besides Goldy."

"Twenty-two..." Rarity said, flabbergasted. "How old are you?"

Treasure Runner suddenly became very interested in a stall full of hair clips and other accessories.

"Oh, stop being silly," Rarity scolded. "Your age is nothing to be ashamed of."

Treasure sighed "Forty-Seven," he mumbled.

"What was that?" Rarity asked.

"Forty-Seven," Treasure said, slightly louder.

"One more time, didn't catch that," Rarity probed.

"Forty-Seven," Treasure said in defeat.

Rarity raised her eyebrows, she wasn't expecting that.

"Not to offend you, but what's a stallion of your... Experience, doing with a band of thieves?" Rarity asked.

"Goldy offered me a job, I had already been a pickpocket in Trottigham for most of my life, he told me I could go further," Treasure explained.

"Hmmm, and why did you start a life of crime?" Rarity questioned.

"None of your bucking business," Treasure growled automatically.

"Well I never!" Rarity said, sticking her nose up. "It was an honest question!"

"And a ruddy personal one!" Treasure snapped, their little argument was turning a few heads.

Rarity noticed this "alright, keep your voice down," she said softly.

Treasure grunted angrily and continued to grumble to himself afterwords, Rarity rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry if it was a personal question, I'm just curious what would drive somepony to steal," Rarity said.

"Gotta eat don't I?" Treasure said.

"Oh don't give me that, you could have got a steady job, there must be more to it," Rarity pressed.

"I did have a job, I was a lumberjack," Treasure relented. "It paid the bills, barely, but with me and..."

"...And who?" Rarity asked. "Who else?"

Treasure sighed angrily "I had a wife and a little filly okay?" He said it as if it was a dark secret.

"The Lord of Trottigham, Lord Forest, doesn't exactly treat the woodcutters the best, so when he cut back on funding a lot of cutters got cut, including me," Treasure continued. "I couldn't find any other work, probably because I'm not the friendliness of ponies, so I started stealing, small amounts at first but I started taking more and more. I never told them, my family, I couldn't, I told them that they had increased my pay at work, but it was all for naught because I got caught, just once for minor thievery, but then it was clear where the money had come from."

"...Then what happened?" Rarity asked.

"What else?" Treasure said in a low voice. "When I got thrown behind bars, she took our daughter and what money we had left and left, moved to Baltimare."

"T-they just left you? After you did everything for them?" Rarity said, flabbergasted.

"Yeah, but you know, I'm a criminal aren't I?" Treasure said bitterly.

"I... I was wrong," Rarity said, looking on in sympathy.

"Yeah, not so black and white is it?" Treasure said. "You should talk ta' Goldy, he'll give you a whole speech on why ponies steal and how complicated it is."

"How did he come into the picture anyway?" Rarity asked.

"He found me a few years later, drunk as could be, offered to take me to Canterlot and make me rich, the rest is history," Treasure said.

"And your family? Did you ever see them again?" Rarity asked.

"No, but... Don't tell Goldy this, but a quarter of my share goes to them anonymously every week," Treasure said. "If they don't want me around that's fine, but I'll be damned if they starve because of me."

Rarity kept silent after that and she no longer suspected that Treasure was going to steal anything from the market. Meanwhile Applejack had chosen to approach Brass Hoof who had tucked himself in the corner of two buildings, hidden slightly in shadow as he seemingly observed the area.

Bass Hoof was as big as... Well, Big Mac, equal in muscle and height. His armour was slightly different from the other Guildmembers, more padded around the chest and shoulders and lacked sleeves, a hood, or a cloak, making the whole getup more of an armoured vest than the light padding the other thieves wore.

Applejack felt no fear approaching the stallion though, she knew he wasn't dumb enough just to attack outright. She find herself wondering what brought a stallion like him to a group of sneaks, the other thieves were lithe and slim, quiet as mice, he was the opposite.

Brass Hoof didn't acknowledge Applejack until she cleared her throat.

"Howdy," she said with a slightly forced but still friendly smile.

Brass Hoof frowned at her "did you want something?" He said in a monotone voice.

"Well... Ah... We thought it would be a smart idea ta' keep an eye on y'all, keep ya' out of trouble," Applejack said.

"Fine," Brass said, they lapsed into silence after that, Applejack sitting down and looking over the market.

"What are ya' doin' over herd anyway?" Applejack asked.

"Surveying," Brass said. "In case our enemies show up."

"Is that likely?" Applejack asked, worried.

"Maybe, maybe not but I'd rather see them coming than not," Brass Hoof said. "Coming to this town was a mistake, we stick out and put everypony at risk."

"Didn't think you cared," Applejack said sarcastically.

"I just don't like ponies dying from something other than my blade," Brass said.

"Speakin' O' which, how did a stallion like you get with a group of thieves? You don't seem the type to sneak around," Applejack asked.

"I'm Goldy's muscle, I watch the streets for him," Brass explained. "He found me while I was running from the Royal Guards, just standing in the street waiting for me, still have no idea how he knew where I was."

"And you just joined up? Just like that?" Applejack questioned.

"I didn't have much choice at the time, he offered to hide me from the guards and give me work and plenty of battles to fight, it was a perfect deal," Brass said.

"A little too perfect don't you think?" Applejack asked.

"I figure it's best just to take a meal when it comes to me," Brass said, Applejack gave the brute a look before the two of them came to silence once again.

Pinkie Pie bounced over to Silver Lock, who was internally debating swiping the condense of a stalls store box right from under the clerks nose. Goldy had told them not to but what he didn't know couldn't hurt him right? As he thought this over Silver suddenly realized that their was a bouncing ball of energy directly to his right.

"Hi!" Pinkie said, ceasing her bouncing and leaning forward into Silver's personal zone.

"Uh.... Hi?" Silver Lock said back, a little concerned for his safety.

"Whatcha doin?" Pinkie asked.

"Dunno, looking I guess?" Silver answered. "Never really been in a market without robbing it before."

"What! No way!" Pinkie said, as if that was the most amazing thing she had heard in her life. "Oh! By the way, what's your name?"

"Uh, I'm Silver Lock," Silver said.

"That's a nice name! How'd you get it?" Pinkie asked.

"Well... My parents gave it to me," Silver said flatly.

"Wait... You have parents?" Pinkie Pie asked, confused.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Silver said slowly.

"....Uhhhh, no reason! But I guess you were really poor! That's why you became a thief right?" Pinkie asked.

"No, actually I was pretty well off, not a noble or anything but we definitely had money left over after grocery day," Silver said, confused at this line of questioning.

"...then why are you a meanie thievey?" Pinkie asked.

"...Uh, I don't know, when in was a colt I liked stealing things and getting into places I wasn't supposed to be, no real reason, it was just fun," Silver explained. "Goldy found me only a couple years after I had moved out of my parents place, I had got caught breaking into some fat nobles safe, he said if we struck a deal I would never get caught again, been a thrill ever since."

"You steal stuff for fun?" Pinkie asked.

"Sure do," Silver asked. "I mean, I need to eat and all that but where's the fun in just working for your pay? Nah, taking it right under some overweight lord or lady is the real thrill of life."

"Okay!" Pinkie said cheerfully, resuming her bouncing. "As long as your having fun then it's okay with me!"

Silver cracked a smile "I like your attitude.. Uh..."

"Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie said.

"Pinkie Pie, I like your attitude Pinkie Pie," Silver said.

Dream Charmer admired the necklace in the display case, it was silver linked with a purple jewel hanging from the chain. The stall vendor didn't try to convince the potential buyer to purchase the necklace as he was too busy looking at Dream with a slack jaw and cloudy expression, Dream Charmer was fully aware of this of course and allowed herself to enjoy the attention as she mulled over wether or not she would legally obtain the necklace.

Hoofbeats approached her and Dream turned to see Rainbow Dash at her side, Dream smiled and took the necklace in her magic, the vendor uncaring, and held the jewel up to her neck.

"What do you 'tink? belle jument? It goes 'ell with my eyes oui?" Dream said teasingly.

"Save it," Rainbow said hotly. "I'm just here to make sure you keep your promise to Twilight."

"Don't fret, belle jument, I 'ill keep my 'ord and stay my 'oof," Dream said with a laugh, replacing the necklace back into it's case.

"I haven't forgotten what you did to me you know," Rainbow said angrily.

"Oh, I'm flattered, belle jument, I am glad zat I could make a good impression," Dream Charmer said, laughing again.

"It's not funny!" Rainbow snapped. "You led me on!"

"Relax, belle jument, it was for business, nothing personal," Dream said.

Rainbow Dash didn't seem satisfied as she glared hard at Dream Charmer who looked back with a sly smile.

"How'd you know I... Flew that way in the first place?" Rainbow asked.

"Not too 'ard is zit?" Dream said. "I couldn't 'elp but notice zat you kept looking at ze flank of that unicorn, Rarity was 'er name? oui, you seemed quite taken with her... Until you saw me of course."

"What? Your must be joking, me? Having the hots for Rarity? Nah, never," Rainbow said, not meeting Dream Charmer's eyes.

"Whatever you say, belle jument, but she is quiet ze beauty," Dream giggled, Rainbow glared at her and quickly tried to change the subject.

"So what about you then? You got it bad for any of your guild-mates?"

"Moi?," Dream said innocently. "Non, they are more my family than my lovers, Swift and Silver are too... 'ow you say, fickle, good for only ze occasional night with, which is something I could get anywhere no?"

"I guess you could," Rainbow said sarcastically, getting a smile from Dream Charmer.

"Brass Hoof is too aggressive, Treasure is too old and I'm sure Secret is asexual," Dream said. "Golden... Perhaps, but unlike ze others, É never seemed to want my talents for 'imself, only to use for gold and other treasures."

"How'd you meet him anyway?" Rainbow asked. "Or arrive in Equestria from Prance anyway?"

"Ha, curious aren't you belle jument? Very well," Dream said. "I grew up in Prance of course, on ze streets of ze capital, not for long though because when I was sixteen I was picked up by a group of soldiers employed by a local lord, I zen became his sex slave for five years of my life."

Rainbow's jaw dropped "w-what? How could that be allowed to happen?"

"It is common practice in Prance," Dream stated. "Not many know of 'ow far ze country fell once it seceded from Equestria, but ze Lords of Prance have long taken beautiful mares from ze streets and enslaved them to their own pleasures."

"That's horrible!" Rainbow Dash said, disgust written of her face.

"Anyway," Dream continued. "I escaped eventually, avoided border police and crossed ze line into Equestria, I zen searched for a new life for myself in Canterlot, but what little food and money I 'ad ran out."

"What did you do?" Rainbow asked.

"The only thing I knew how to do," Dream said sadly. "I prostituted myself, secretly of course  seeing as it's illegal here, I managed to scrape by until Golden Shine found me. É looked like any other wealthy stallion so I tried to entice 'im, instead É brought me to a pub, 'is home, to offer my a place in his guild."

"So you just joined up?" Rainbow asked.

"But of course! belle jument, it was a good deal all around," Dream said.

"What's that you keep calling me anyway?" Rainbow asked suspiciously, Dream Charmer giggled and floated a small bag of bits from her satchel and placed it on the counter, the still-entranced merchant taking no notice. Dream levitated the necklace she had been admiring out of its case and over to Rainbow Dash, she clasped the jewel onto Rainbow's neck with a smile, Dream then leaned on close.

"belle jument," she said. "Beautiful mare."

Rainbow's jaw dropped slightly and her face burned as Dream Charmer pecked her on the cheek and then trotted away, Rainbow rubbed her cheek and looked after the thief but she was already walking back to where Golden Shine and Twilight were.

"I'm bored 'ere, and it's getting late," Dream said, addressing Golden Shine. "Why don't we retire for today?"

"Fine," Golden said.

"Applejack could probably make us all supper," Twilight added. "We could have a nice dinner."

"All right," Golden Shine said. "But... No promises on good behaviour."

                                                                    ~~*~~

Fluttershy shakily held the tray in her mouth, on it a small sandwich and a warm cup of tea. Secret Script had been inside his assigned room since he had arrived, only poking his head out on occasion to request more parchment or an ink re-fill from Spike.

Fluttershy had spend her time in the castles library, trying to calm down despite the fact that their was a dangerous criminal in the same building as her. Spike had of course tried to calm her down, stating over and over again that Secret wasn't going to do anything other than what had been doing for the past half an hour, which was sit in his room and write.

Eventually Spike's words sunk through, it then occurred to Fluttershy that Secret Script hadn't eaten or drunk anything the entire time he had been in their. Thus Fluutershy found herself outside his door, a tragic of food held in her mouth.

She knocked politely on the closed door but no answer came, steeling herself Fluttershy gently pushed down on the door latch and quietly moved inside. Secret Script sat facing the far wall, he and the rest of the room were mostly shrouded in shadows, the only illumination coming from the open door and a single candle that was placed next to Secret himself.

The wall that Secret was facing was plastered in parchment, elegant sketches of cities and Ponies that Fluttershy didn't recognize patterned the different pages, several of them connected with string stretched between daggers that stuck to the wall.

"U-um," Fluttershy stuttered, placing the tray down on the floor. "I-I thought you might b-be hungry, so I made you a snack."

Secret didn't respond, he just continued to stare perpetually at his wall. Fluttershy squeaked slightly and slowly began backing out of the room.

"W-well, I-I'll just go then, leave you to... Whatever your doing," Fluttershy said quietly, still no answer from Secret, not until Fluttershy was halfway through the door.

"Thank you," Secret said softly, Fluttershy paused for a moment before exiting the room all together. Fluttershy let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding, her recovery was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, Fluttershy trotted back into the main hall to see her friends and the rest of the guild entering the library.

"Ya'll just sit tight now," Applejack said. "We'll have a nice supper made in a jiffy, Fluttershy? Why don't you come and help me?"

"Ah... Okay," Fluttershy said, following Applejack into the kitchen. The thieves quickly excused themselves and headed towards their respective rooms, Twilight and her remaining friends went into the library and sat down, all of them grateful for a moment to relax.

"I must say, they are an interesting bunch," Rarity said. "I never would have thought I would respect a criminal."

"I know right!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Silver was all like 'I'm just in it for the fun!" And I'm like 'so am I!" And then he said something about my attitude and-"

"Yes, we get it Pinkie," Rarity said. "But I do feel awful about what happened to their home?"

"Yeah," Twilight agreed. "I wonder what they'll do? Once all this is over I mean?"

"They'll figure something out," Rainbow said.

"But I still don't understand how all thus happened," Twilight said in thought. "Celestia only lightly explained the situation in her letter, some sort of group that's after Lost Artifacts."

"Lost Artifacts?" Rarity asked. "Whatever may that be darling?"

"Well it's kind of a mystery," Twilight explained. "Lost Artifacts are a group of powerful ancient objects, no pony knows how many artifacts there is, or where they all come from, or even what exactly they do, even the ones we already have in our possession."

"We already have some? Really?" Rainbow asked.

"Hadn't you guessed?" Twilight asked. "The Elements of Harmony of course, from what I've read they were the some of the first artifacts to be found, Celestia also mentioned an orb that the Guild found and a staff that was found in Stalliongrad."

"And what does this group want with the Lost Artifacts?" Rarity asked.

"Celestia was moot on that," Twilight said. "But I can guess it isn't good."

"Dinners ready!" Applejack called, interrupting the conversation. "First come first served!"

They all gathered in the dining room, well all except Secret Script who remained in his room. Treasure excused himself to fetch him, there was some muffled insults and arguments before Treasure and Secret entered the dining hall, the latter clearly unhappy.

The Guild and Twilight's friends remained on opposite sides of the table, with Twilight and Golden at either end of the table. Once their food was served out the Guild immediately starting eating but were almost instantly stopped by Applejack.

"Now hold on their partners!" She called. "When I serve dinner we say grace ya' here!"

The Guildmembers stared at Applejack, food on their utensils and hovering in front of their open mouths. They then exchanged glances with each other before bursting out in hearty laughter. Applejack frowned unhappily as many of the thieves banged their hooves on the table and roared in laughter, many of them becoming short of breath.

"Ha! Grace! That's a good one ha!" Treasure guffawed. "And she says it like we ain't a bunch o' sinners too!"

"I'm sorry Miss Applejack," Golden Shine said, wiping his eyes. "But we are not exactly the pious type."

"Your a guest here so ya'll gonna say grace and like it!" Applejack snapped, getting the attention of the Guild, Twilight cleared her throat and tried to calm the situation.

"Golden Shine... Why don't you say grace for us?" Twilight asked, smiling.

His Guildmembers turned sly smiles and teasing gazes onto Golden Shine who raised his eyebrows at the request, awkwardly he stood up from his chair and cleared his throat.

"Well... Um..." He stuttered, having never done this before. "We... Thank our protectors and princesses, Celestia and Luna who raise the sun and the moon each day and each night and who have graced us with the food on our plates and the company we find ourselves in..."

Golden paused for a moment "....amen?"

"Amen!" Everypony chorused heartily, before digging in to their feast with gusto.

                                                                      ~~*~~

Twilight's friends had headed home and the Guild and retired for the night, Twilight herself lay awake though. So many thoughts running through her head, she gaged the trustworthiness of the Guild, and what Celestia hadn't told her about the current situation, the Sun Princess had a bad habit of keeping Twilight out of the loop, all of this coupled with her growing curiosity towards Lost Artifacts kept her mind on overdrive and prevented Twilight from getting any sleep.

Eventually Twilight concluded that this would be a sleepless night and decided that she would at least spend the extra time researching everything about the Lost Artifacts. Twilight slipped out of her bed and quietly creeped downstairs and towards her library, but it wasn't empty as she had assumed it would be.

One of the Guildmembers sat in the library, seemingly browsing the shelves by way of candle light. Twilight racked her brain for the name of this particular thief but she couldn't recall it, but she defiantly recognized him, Twilight recalled feeling a moment of recognition when she first looked at the grey Pegasus. Something about his features and build struck a very familiar chord with Twilight, but she couldn't quite place it, which was frustrating.

Twilight cleared her throat which got the attention of the thief, he turned to look at her, slightly startled.

"Can't sleep?" Twilight asked politely.

"Yeah, you too?" Swift asked.

"It's been a long few days," Twilight said back, joining Swift in the library. "But I'd imagine it's worse for you."

"I'm dealing," Swift said, Twilight paused for a moment before continuing.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember you name," She said.

"Oh, it's Swift Hoof," the thief answered.

"Twilight Sparkle," Twilight said back.

"Yeah... I know..." Swift said slowly, giving Twilight a strange look.

"Is there something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"No it's just.... Have we met before? I mean before all this started?" Swift asked.

"I don't think so..." Twilight says slowly. "But you do seem familiar somehow, but where could we have met before?"

"Well," Swift said. "Have you ever had anything stolen before?"

Instantly Twilight's eyes widened "yes, five years ago I had an amulet, I thought I had lost it."

"An amulet..." Swifts eyes widened. "Was it gold? With a ruby in the middle? Enchanted to increase a unicorns power?"

"Yes! Wait... you stole my-" Twilight was cut off as Swift grabbed her roughly and pushed her against the nearby shelf, toppling several books as he did so.

"What are you doing?!" Twilight exclaimed, absolutely terrified.

"When that amulet was stolen, you were travelling throughout Equestria yeah? Who did you have with you?" Swift demanded.

"I... I..." Twilight eyes streamed tears of fear and sorrow. "I had a guard with me... He... He died mysteriously on the day of our return... Flash Sentry was his name."

Swift shook his head slowly, letting go of Twilight who cowered against the shelf.

"His name was Flash Hoof.." Swift said.

"What? What are you talking about? Did you... Know him?" Twilight asked, overwhelmed.

"Yes, I did know him," Swift said. "I knew him because he was my brother."

Twilight's jaw dropped, in her mind imagined Swift with the coloration of Flash Sentry and suddenly the pieces fit together. Twilight remained stunned, she could even begin to fathom a response to this new information until Swift dropped more on her.

"And the reason he died..." Swift said, tears filling his own eyes. "Is because I killed him."