Chapters Chapter 3- Fishing
"Oi, Swift, get up 'ya lazy git."
Swift Hoof waved off the annoying interloper into his dreamland, the interloper however was stubborn and proceeded to punch the slumbering scoundrel on the foreleg in a none too gentle manner. Groaning Swift opened his eyes to reveal slightly grinning face of Treasure Runner.
"Morning Princess" he said in his usual gruff tone "Come on and grab some food, you ain't slacking off on my watch." Giving the Stallion another friendly bump, Treasure trotted away out of Swifts view, yawning the young thief dragged himself upright, rubbing the scruff around his chin and neck, he headed over the stone path to the bar table that they had set up down there.
Treasure Runner was already sitting down there, munching away at a muffin, a plate holding a similar breakfast pastry, Swift sat down a for a few minutes the two scoundrels ate in a state of peace and content, until the lack of other patrons in there impromptu bar formed a question in Swifts mind.
"Where's everypony else?" He asked as Treasure poured him a mug of hard cider.
"All out on assignments, Goldy said to give you something to do when you woke up."
"Well? You got anything?"
"Nope, couldn't turn up anything up your alley."
"Really? Well what are you doing for today?"
"Don't you know? Today's market day, you know what that means."
Swift smiled at that "Sure do, I'm sure you'll have fun."
"Hey, tell you what, you want to join me?"
"Really? I thought you liked running solo?"
"Usually I do, but I could use some company and we can bring in a larger haul together. So what do you say? Up for a little fishing?" Treasure offered his mug.
"You bet" Swift clanked his mug against his companions, and they both gouged down their respective intoxicants before slamming their mugs on the counter.
~~*~~
The Unicorn was that of the upper class, that fact being advertised by his attire; a fine brown vest of the best material, another obvious trait of his wealth was of the sizeable bit bag that was strapped to his vest, clinking merrily with his every step.
The Stallion himself had a light blue coat that wheat nicely with his white mane and red eyes. The Unicorns name was Regal Stone, he often visited the market like this to browse for cheap items and products or to check up on his investments, not that the aristocrat would ever admit to doing either.
Regal was heading towards one of said investments, a vendor who sold both jewelry and artifacts from across the land, some of those raided from ancient sites of great magic, as an aristocratic Unicorn who was a player in the political game of Canterlot, Regal Stone understood the importance of enchanted and magical items from abroad, and made sure he secured the best contacts in that corner of the market.
The noble scanned the crowded marketplace, both sides of the street lined with stalls selling everything from produce to apparent omni-cures for all ailments, but Regal was looking for the distinct purple tent that market his contact, squinting through the tightly packed crowd.
As the blue Unicorn turned a corner he caught a glimpse of the tent through the crowd, and be attempted to head towards it, unluckily for him the mass of Ponies suddenly surged around him, everypony heading every which way, some even daring to bump-albeit lightly-into Regal Stone.
One such lowlife smashed none to gently into the Unicorns side, the noble glared at the offender, a brown Earth Pony wearing a soiled cloak of an equal colour, his face hidden under some tacky hood.
Regal looked down on the ruffian "Do look where you going will you?" He said annoyed, the Earth Pony responded with a gruff "Sorry mate" before he disappeared into the crowd.
Glaring in the direction of the insolent worm, Regal gave a uptight 'harrumph' and continued on his way, the noble had barely taken four steps before he immediately noticed it; the lack of a familiar weight and jingle as he walked. With a shaking hoof Regal reached back and groped for his bit bag, only to discover that it was missing.
Suddenly he remembered the cloaked Earth Pony.
"Bastard" Regal said angrily "Damn bucking Pickpocket !"
~~*~~
The cloaked Earth Pony slipped into a nearby alleyway where the sun did not reach and both he and his companion would go unnoticed.
"So how'd you make out?" Swift Hoof stepped out of the shadows, pulling his hood back in the process "I think I got a big one" Swift produced three decently sized bit bags from his saddle bag which all jingled musically. Treasure Runner pulled back his own hood, revealing his brown bearded face.
"Not bad..." he said neutrally, before pulling out his own haul which consisted of not only three-larger than Swifts-bit bags, but several necklaces and horn rings that could have only come off of married Unicorns.
"But 'Ya still have much to learn young Dragonfly" Treasure said in a mystic voice, which was horribly butchered by his accent. Swift Hoof rolled his eyes and the two scoundrels moved over to a nearby barrel and placed their haul on the top of it to appraise.
Treasure Runner moved the necklaces and rings into their own pile "These will probably fetch us a good price, probably won't even need to appraise them or even fence 'em, could probably even sell them to the store they were bought from." The roguish pair then proceeded to dump their bit bags onto the barrel, creating a sizeable pile of gold as they went. It was only when Treasure Runner unloaded the bad that he had swiped from a certain noble Unicorn did they find anything interesting.
Amongst the gold, a sealed letter could be seen, bearing a strange symbol as it's seal; a sun standard with the image of a half lidded eye inside of it, the other half of the sun filled with the likeness of a half moon.
" 'Ello, what do we have here?" Treasure swiped the letter and ripped it open without pause, pulling it's contents out he read:
The item is being delivered at sundown today, the location this time is the east side of the Canterlot Public Gardens, the deliverypony and the third party will be arriving there as well, make sure you bring the proper equipment to appraise the item.
Burn this letter after you read it.
Treasure Runner passed the letter to Swift, who raised his eyebrows after reading.
"So what do you think?" The Pegasus asked, passing the letter back "Worth checking out?"
"Damn right" Treasure said, folding up the letter and storing it away "This prissy clearly went through a lot of trouble to get this item and keep it a secret, which in turn means we should go through equally as much trouble to relieve him of said item" the two rogues shared a laugh before Swift gained a concerned look on his muzzle, looking at something behind Treasure Runner.
"Well we best go now, we got company" the Pickpocket turned and saw through the crowd; a squad of Royal Guards filtering through the market-goers, clearly searching for somepony, stopping to ask passerby every now and again, each of them carried spears and their golden armour shined brightly in the midday sun. It was then that they noticed the unarmoured blue Unicorn clearly directing the search.
"Find them!" Regal Stones voice could be heard over the din of the market "Find that filthy pickpocket and hang him for his crimes!"
"Stupid git" Treasure said, annoyed "Can't just accept defeat can 'ya?" Quick as a flash the two thieves swiped up their gold and jewellery before storing it away and pulling their hoods back up.
"Forward or back?" Treasure asked, staring at the guards as they neared the alleyway.
"I'd say forward, the street behind us isn't nearly as crowded as the one in front of us. Chances are they have more patrols looking for us, we can slip past these guards through the crowd and make our way to the garden" Swift answered.
"Can't you fly away?" Treasure asked.
"Bad idea, the sky patrols would be on me in a second. No, better to keep this to the ground until I can be sure the Sky Guards won't get me."
Without another word the two rogues exited the alleyway and fazed into the crowd like ghosts, taking opposite sides of the street. Swift found a sizeable group of market-goers that were heading his way, hiding himself amount them Swift hugged the wall as the line of guardsmen passed by. Swift held his breath as the nearest guard scanned the group he was in, luckily a larger Pegasus put himself between the thief and the guard, allowing him to slip past.
Swift Hoof noticed Treasure through the crowd, he had passed the patrol as well, they headed towards each other, assured that they were home free.
"Stop right there, criminal scum! " The thieves turned to see one of the guards pushing Ponies aside to chase them, the rest of the patrol slowly noticing too and joining the chase.
"Bail" Came Treasure's command, and the pair took of through the streets, shoving anypony that was in there way.
"Split up! Meet me at the garden!" Swift nodded and headed down a nearby alley, the majority of the guards followed Treasure but four of them gave chase to Swift. The Pegasus came out on the other side of the alley into a street with no such crowd as the market in it. Swift galloped down the street, his hooves echoing of the cobblestone and off the walls, his natural sounds were soon joined by the metallic galloping sound of metal-covered hooves that marked the Guards arrival in the street.
As he was running, Swift Hoof was searching for an escape opportunity, it was then when he noticed one of Canterlot's many bell towers, with a smirk the Pegasus increased his speed and closed the distance to the tower, the Royal Guards hot in his tail. Skidding around the corner, Swift entered the alley next to the tower, which lead to a dead end brick wall.
Not soon after the guards ran in as well, blocking off the exit and pointing their spears at the thief.
"You have committed crimes against Equestria and her people, what say you in your defence? " one said, Swift Hoof smirked from under his hood and slowly raised his right hoof in the air.
It was then that the Guards noticed the small round object in their quarries hoof.
"Wait.." The one who had spoken said "Don't you.." His sentence was interrupted by a small explosion and massive amounts of smoke filling the tight alleyway, causing the lot of them to cough and splutter. The smoke didn't last long though, it dissipated as quickly as it he accumulated and the Guardsponies were met with an empty alleyway.
"Buck it.." The leader said "Where'd he go?"
Swift looked down at the Guard patrol as they headed out to look for him, the thief sat back next to the large brass bell, pulling his hood back mad catching his breath. He looked out towards the horizon where the sun was slowly reaching it's eventual end for the day.
"I got a package to pick up" Swift said to himself.
~~*~~
The building was quite a tall one, not as tall as any of Canterlot's many spires, but still sizeable, one could see almost the entire garden from that point, all the way to the the vast hedge maze in the distance, this suited the rogues purposes perfectly.
Treasure Runner sat motionless, wrapped in his brown cloak, watching the garden below with keen eyes. The soft swish of Pegasus wings could be heard and a similarly cloaked Pony landed softly next to Treasure.
"You took your bloody grand time" the Pickpocket said, not taking his eyes off of the garden.
"What can I say? Those Guards are persistent" Swift looked down into the garden as well, glancing to the horizon to see the sun beginning to disappear into it.
"Anything so far?" Swifts question wasn't answered, rather Treasure shushed him and pointed towards a flat patch of grass that was only decorated with a few flowers. In the quickly dimming light Swift could make out three figures standing near each other, it was only a moment after he noticed them that their voiced reached him.
"...Heard you ran into some trouble Regal Stone" a cloaked Pony addressed the other figure in the shadows, this one wasn't cloaked but the low light made his features essentially invisible.
"Some common pickpocket, it is of no import, what is though is the item we came here for"
"That's the bugger who got those guards on us, the one I got the letter from." Treasure whispered.
"...Indeed, show us our prize my good Stallion" the cloaked one said, now addressing the third figure, who didn't speak rather produced a round object wrapped in old cloth from his saddlebag and presented it to the cloaked one.
"Unwrap it" he commanded and in no time the item was revealed to be a rounded, polished ball of some sort, it swirled with strange mists and gave off a fair foreboding green light.
"By the Ancients..." Regal said softly "It's truly it, this shall grant us fortune and glory beyond measure."
"Oh yes" the cloaked Pony said "But it is only one piece to the puzzle, come. Reward it and it can be put away for safe keeping" the orb was quickly covered and the three headed towards the gardens exit.
Treasure and Swift exchanged a glance, the former giving a nod to his companion. Swift pulled out one of his signature smoke bombs with a grin, he pulled the string with his mouth and dropped the hissing ball right in front of the group below.
Regal Stone barely had time to react "What in the.." Before the thing exploded, throwing thick smog around them, Swift glided down and tackled the holder of the orb into the ground from above, snatching the sphere from were it had been dropped, Swift took off into the night, Treasure Runner following from the rooftops.
When the smoke cleared the thieves were long gone, Regal Stone immediately turned to the one who had been holding the artifact.
"The Orb... Where is it? Where is it ?!?!" The Pony shook his head and the furious noble stared off into the darkness where the thieves had escaped.
"Damn you all to the seventh spire of Tartarus "
~~*~~
Swift Hoof and Treasure Runner burst through the entrance of the Den in laughter, priding themselves on their catch for that day, they where met with an annoyed-looking Golden Shine sitting at the bar.
"And where have you two been off to?" It was then that Treasure produced their haul of gold and jewellery and Swift presented the glowing orb.
"Oh you know.." Swift said casually, tossing the orb into the air and catching it again "Just out fishing..."
Chapter 4- Seeking Fortune
Chapter 4- Seeking Fortune
It had been a few days since Swift Hoofs and Treasure Runners little escapade, and since then Golden Shine had done nothing but obsess over the orb, calling up every contact he had that dealt in ancient, magical, or vintage artifacts, almost all of the had come back with negative responses, or at least that's how Secret Script had put it.
Swift sat with the Pegasus now, In the Guilds personal bar, taking generous swigs of the cheap cider while Secret Script sipped his water-He always refused offers of alcohol-And kept up a steady stream of tidbits and snips of his main product-Information.
"So I heard Goldy has you scouring the grid for anything on the orb." Swift said.
"That is true" Script said in his smooth, soft voice "Although I have turned up nothing related to the orb itself, I have noticed a pattern among the upper class society."
"Have you? What sort of pattern?"
"Well, after intercepting quite a few questionable and incriminating letters and listening to the street for a past few days, I have noticed that there has been a surge of interest in ancient artifacts, particularly in those rumoured to contain magical power or to have come from outside of Equestria."
"Do you think it's connected to the orb? Or just a coincidence?"
"I don't believe in coincidences, the real question is; did you come across of the orb because of this sudden surge of interest? Or is the orb the cause of the surge of interest?"
"Search me mate, I'll leave you up to the conspiracy theories." Secret Script just hummed in response. There was the sound of a door opening and closing before a grumpy-looking Treasure Runner walked in.
"Swift, Goldy wants 'ta see you, best hurry up there." He said irritably, before sitting down and slamming his head on the counter with a groan, Swift Hoof smiled and got up, slapping Treasure on the back as he past.
"I'm sure that hangover will clear up soon Treasure."
"Buck off." He said in return, Swift Hoof chuckled and stepped into the staircase that lead back up to the Stallion, and by extension, his Guildmaster.
~~*~~
Swift Hoof arrived on the upper level of the Staggering Stallion, where Golden Shine had set up his 'office' it was his place of solitude so he could manage the Guilds many escapades, both legal and not-so-legal.
The Unicorn himself was sitting at his desk, flipping through stacks upon stacks of reports, glaring at each passing one through his half-moon spectacles.
"You called Goldy?" Swift said, leaning on the door frame, the yellow Unicorn removed his glasses and rubbed his hooves into his temples.
"Learn to knock Swift" the Guildmaster opened a chest behind him with his magic, levitating out a sealed letter and a sack that clearly contained the orb.
"I've turned up an old contact of mine that deals with magical artifacts, your going to head to Stalliongrad to deliver the orb to him so it can get appraised."
"That's it? A delivery job? That's a bit below my pay grade Goldy."
"Don't get your mane in a twist, our branch up there has been experiencing some difficulties, their reports didn't go into detail but it's clear they need somepony who knows what the buck they're doing, thus I'm sending you." Golden Shine levitated the letter and sack containing the orb over to Swift, who placed both in his saddlebags.
"Word of warning though; don't take the orb out if it's covering, it has this.... Aura about it that I don't like, I was studying it just the other day when I realized I had been staring at he thing for almost two hours, it's not natural."
"I'm sure to be careful, see you later Goldy."
"Best bundle up, it's cold up in Stalliongrad." Swift didn't respond and simply walked out, closing the door behind him, Golden Shine leaned back on his chair, rubbing his eyes and sighing, when he opened them again he was met with with the disturbing sight of Silver Locks grinning face.
Naturally Goldy nearly jumped through the ceiling "Celestia bucking damn it! There's a thing called knocking! Doesn't anypony do it anymore?"
"Sorry I started you Goldy, I guess I'm just too good at what I do." Silver Lock said smoothly.
"Ugh, whatever, anyway I got you an assignment, Secret Script intercepted a letter that spoke of some sort of library, a treasure trove of information detailing a certain nobles crusades and expeditions in search of magical artifacts, if we're going to take advantage of this artifact trend, then we'll need those files."
"Stealing from a library? Lame, can't I break into a bank or something? Heck, even the Princesses vault? Why does Swift always get the interesting missions?" Goldy mentally face-hoofed at the childish Unicorn.
"This is important Silver." Golden Shine said patiently "And if it makes you feel better, I just sent Swift Hoof on a 'lame' mission to Stalliongrad, your mission is of top priority."
"Well when you put it that way, I'll take the job, where am I headed?"
"Trottingham, The Ruby Estate, and don't muck up while in Treasures home town or he'll kick you where the sun don't shine."
~~*~~
Shining Armour had been only just got off the train from the Crystal Empire ten minutes ago, and as such he was still stiff from the long uncomfortable ride, that didn't stop him however from standing tall and proud in wait for the Princess.
The former Captain of The Royal Guard stood in Princess Celestia's throne room, the Princess herself ordered the throne room and the hall leading up to it to be completely secure of casual listeners, the only breathing things were Royal Guards.
"Shining Armour, so good you could come to Canterlot on such short notice." Shining turned and immediately slipped into a low bow at the sight of Princess Celestia, in all of her majestic glory, her hair moving as if in a strong wind, and her white fur appearing to give off it's own light.
"Princess" Shining Armour said respectively, keeping his head bowed, he heard the soft giggle of the Princess which caused him to look up in confusion.
"Come now Shining Armour, you need not bow before me any longer, you rule a kingdom just as I, that makes us equals." The former Captain stood from his bow, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Princess, why did you call me here? Your letter said it was urgent." Shining asked dutifully, Celestia on the other hand was focused on other things.
"Princess? What did I just explain Shining? 'Celestia' will do just fine."
"....Celestia then, but about your letter?"
"Mmmm? Oh yes, that, well you see Shining, it appears one of the artifacts have turned up." The white Unicorns eyes widened.
"Really? When? How? Which one?" Celestia put a hoof to her chin.
"Well... About three days ago my spies intercepted the letter that tipped us off, I don't know how the item was found, only who found it, and the letter described the artifact as 'the orb'."
"Who found it?"
"A noble by the name of Regal Stone, I have him under watch."
"Under watch? You haven't arrested him for questioning yet?"
"Why would I? I would essentially be arresting him on no legal grounds, and he would most probably deny all knowledge of the orb, plus it would tip off his allies that we are aware of they're activities."
"You think there's a group behind this?"
"Most certainly, it would take more than the petty ambitions of one Canterlot noble to uncover one of the artifacts, so we must keep an eye out for further signs."
"Do we know where the orb is now?"
"Unfortunately no, the last letter we intercepted mentioned a trade-off with a contact, it didn't mention a place or time so it was a empty lead."
"This is troubling, what should we do?"
"Well that's why I brought you here Shining, I want to send you to Stalliongrad."
"....Stalliongrad?"
"Yes, something is stirring there that I think might be connected to these recent events, I want you to take a detachment of Royal Guards and see what's what."
"But Princess, Stalliongrad has it's own government and guard, they're independent from Equestria."
"Shining Armour?"
"Yes Princess?"
"It's Celestia."
"....Sorry."
"That's alright." The Sun Goddess said with a cheerful grin "But anyway, while Stalliongrad may have declared its independence long ago just like Prance, it still relies heavily on us, and the Duke of Stalliongrad himself has contacted me requesting aid, I hate to take you away from Cadence but this is important."
"Of course Prin- I mean Celestia! I'm glad to help."
"Good, I suggest you prepare to leave, but before you do make sure to send a message back to the Crystal Empire, ordering increased security around the Crystal Heart."
"The Crystal Heart? Why?"
"It's clear that there is a group out searching for artifacts of power, and the Crystal Heart certainly fits into that category."
"Do you think they would be as bold as to try and take it?"
"It's a possibility we cannot ignore."
"That is true, I'll make sure to write a letter, but Celestia? What about the Elements of Harmony?"
"Well, shouldn't they be put under additional protection as well? I mean they are magical artifacts."
"This is true." Celestia said "But I think what I have set up now will work, the elements are currently in the position of Twilight Sparkle, your sister, rather than in my vault as many would assume, none would guess her possessing them."
"...I don't like that idea, what if this group discovers the whereabouts of the elements? Twilight and her friends could be put in grave danger, we should warn them."
"I wish to keep this from them as long as possible, I dare not worry their minds-particularly Twilights-with this information, it is simply a risk we must take."
"I suppose your right, I'll prepare for my journey to Stalliongrad." Shining attempted to give the Princess a salute, but soon found himself wrapped in her hooves, the seasoned warrior froze mid-salute as his commanding officer squeezed him in a comforting hug.
"Be safe." She said softly, before releasing him, Shining stood there frozen for a minute before he weakly said "I will." And walked out of the throne room with a confused look on his face, as if he couldn't process what just happened.
As the dumbstruck Unicorn walked into the hall, a lone Royal Guard watched him go, pushing the doors closed with his magic and rubbing his chin slightly.
"Secret Script's going to love this." He said softly.
Chapter 5- Long Roads
The cart moved steadily down the dirt road, both it's canvas covering and driver becoming steadily damper from the unrelenting misty rain steadily falling from the sky. There were no sounds about besides the creak of the carts wheels, the splish-splashing of the cart drivers hooves on the muddy trail, and the soft pitter-patter of the rain.
The carts journey was and is uneventful, nothing out of the ordinary about it, it carried several pounds of sugar, hay, apples, illegal salt supplies, strawberries, and a master thief. The cart was eventually brought to a crossroads, two roads leading in different directions; one went in a linear path north, the other in a more north-easterly direction. A sign placed there stated that Vanhoover was to the north-east and Stalliongrad was to the north.
The cloaked cart driver stopped to catch his breath, the long trip and increased load taking a a toll of his elder body, after a moment or two the driver unlatched the carts harness from himself and walked over to the back of the cart, hitting the wood firmly with his hoof.
"This is as far as I go." The travelling merchant said to seemingly no one, after a pause the cart rocked softly from movement inside of it, before a grey Pegasus clad in brown leather wrappings and a coat emerged from the back of the cart, jumping off and landing on the muddy trail with a loud squelch.
The Pegasus produced a single gold coin from his cloak and tossed it to the merchant who caught it expertly, admiring it's shine.
"For your troubles and your silence" the Pegasus said, the merchant looked back at his passenger from under his hood.
"You know...." He said casually "I have an exceptional memory for somepony my age, and I'm planing on sinning quite a lot at the Vanhoover bar tonight, something might... Slip." The grey Pegasus frowned and reluctantly fished out another golden bit and grumpily tossed it to the merchant.
"That's all your getting Swindle, now bugger off." The cart driver chuckled from under his hood.
"Is that anyway to speak to one of your favourite fence's? No matter, good luck in Stalliongrad, Swift Hoof." Swindle Scam chuckled again and reattached his harness, before taking off towards Vanhoover with surprising speed.
Swift Hoof sighed, still slightly annoyed at being scammed out of an extra bit, but he forced himself to just forget it, adjusting his cloak's hood the rogue headed north towards Stalliongrad and his assignment.
~~*~~
The Broken Hoof was one of Trottinghams seedier dives, being mainly a bar the was well known to offer salt supplies to its customers and also was the site of several bar fights and Guard raids, this had gained the establishment quite a sinister reputation which scared off the average citizen of Trottingham, but didn't deter the rougher underbelly residence that were the ones who had given the bar it's reputation in the first place.
All of this of course, made The Broken Hoof a choice spot for the Thieves Guild.
The old wooden door of the bar creaked open ominously, casting a beam of light into the dim dining area, the fresh air cutting into the miasma of smells that had been trapped inside of the building. The newcomer stepped inside and closed the door behind him, the current patrons blinked the scalding light from their eyes and gave the newcomer a look-over. It was a Unicorn, his horn sticking out of a dark brown hood, the rest of him cover in a brown cloak.
After their assessment most recognized the Unicorn as a Guild representative, they were common enough as The Broken Hoof was an informal base of operation for them in Trottingham, those who didn't recognize the armour decided the newcomer wasn't worth their time.
Silver Lock grinned as the normally violent patrons backed off from him, clearly he was just so physically intimidating that they feared for their lives if they tried to mug him. Still grinning to himself the Unicorn sat down at the bar, leaning back and awaited his contact. After a moment or two the kitchen doors opened and a bleach white Pegasus came out, even his eyes lacked colour, the bar tender approached Silver at looked at him from across the counter.
"What brings you here Silver?" He asked softly "In for a bit of.. Spice? I just got a fresh shipment." The rogue shook his head.
"You know Goldy banned that shit White, ever since that one time...." White Powder giggled abnormally at the memory.
"Those were the days... But anyway, what do you want then?"
"I need information."
"Ahhhh, well you've come to the right stallion, what do you want to know?"
"The Ruby Estate, some sort of library, what do you got?"
"Oooh? Raiding library's now are we? The Guild has become less ambitious lately."
"Shut up, what do you know?"
"Shush now, The Ruby Estate is located in upper Trottingham, it's library is several levels below that, you'll have to evade private security, mercenaries and the like but I can get you a way in."
"Go on."
"One of the guards rely's on me for his.. Fix, I can persuade him to leave one side of the estate unguarded for you to slip in."
"What's the catch?"
"The catch is that I don't work for free." Silver's eye twitched slightly at having to give away wealth, but reluctantly he pulled out a small pouch of gold, placing it on the counter.
White Powder eagerly pulled the bag towards him and shook it, it's contents clinking around merrily.
"Be there at dusk, and you'll have your entrance, but be warned; they do regular sweeps of the library, you'll have a half-hour window."
~~*~~
The train screeched as it pulled into the snow-caked station, giving off a final whistle as to brag at it's achieved journey, the car door opened and the train was emptied of its passengers, all of them exiting that warm train and into the cold Stalliongrad morning.
Among the passengers was seven armoured stallions, six of them clad in golden armour and carrying sheathed swords and shield and covered in traditional-looking red capes, additionally they were all Unicorns as specially requested by their leader, Shining Armour was clad in purple armour and carrying a sword of his own, his taller plumed helmet marking him as an officer.
They all walked down the snow-covered cobblestone roads of Stalliongrad, looking around at the buildings and resident Ponies.
"When they told me it was cold up here they weren't joking." One guard commented, shivering and pulling his cape closer around him "It's worse than Vanhoover, even without all the rain."
"Aye" another one said "But I've heard it's easy enough to find a beautiful mare to keep you warm." This got a few chuckles from his companions.
"Beautiful you say? Well I might disagree with you, seeing as I can't tell them apart from the stallions." A few more laughs were shared before Shining felt the need to interject.
"That's enough." He said sternly "If you weren't too busy goggling at the resident mare population, you'd notice the obvious abnormalities."
"Sorry sir, but what might you be referring to?" The guard closest to Shining asked.
"Think about it, I've only been to Stalliongrad once but I could still tell you that the citizens here are very unfriendly and untrusting of outsiders, normally they bombard newcomers with angry glares and the like, but look at them now." The Guard Captain gestured to a few passing resident citizens.
"They're scared, heads down, avoiding our and each other's gazes. There's an aura of fear about, can you feel it?" The Guard nearest to Shining's right nodded.
"Aye sir, there's a tension in the air that could be cut by a dull dagger, something's clearly not right, perhaps we should hurry to the Duke's residence?"
"Good idea, come on it's this way." Shining Armour lead his squad through the cold streets of Stalliongrad, heading towards the large mansion-like building that acted as the cities centre of government, outside a pair of guards stood. In contrast to the ornate golden armour of the Royal Guards, the North Guard as they were called were clad in a grey steel armour with warm-looking cloth wrappings in between.
As Shining approached the North Guard crossed their spears in front of the stairs leading up, glaring at the Captain from under their steel helmets.
"State your business." One of them said, his speech tilted by a thick Stalliongrad accent, Shining Armour frowned at them.
"Shining Armour, on a mission ordered by Princess Celestia of Equestria, the Duke of Stalliongrad has requested our assistance." The Guards exchanged glances and moved their spears to allow Shining to pass.
The Captain gestured to his squad and they headed up the stone stairs and to the large door of the building, another pair of North Guards pushed open the doors for them and they entreated the main hall, inside was a large chamber similar to Princess Celestia's throne room; a lush red carpet ran through the centre and lead to a large stone chair in which a imposing Unicorn sat.
As Shining Armour approached the throne he was able to get a better look at the Duke of Stalliongrad, he was a dark blue Unicorn with a silky black mane which was tied back in a warriors braid and he was clad in a large blue cloak and several layers of clothing that gave him a bulky appearance.
The Captain came close to the Duke and saluted.
"Captain Shining Armour of the Equestrian Royal Guard at your service your excellency." Technically that wasn't his title anymore, but the former Captain would rather not flaunt his 'Prince' title around.
"Ahhh, seems Princess Celestia answered my call." The Duke said softly, his voice rather lacking in the rustic accent of the north.
"Always willing to help an ally" Shining Armour said "What is the situation?"
"You come at a dark time Captain, my Ponies live in fear, as they are plagued my nightmares every time they go to rest, in addition some of my resident nobles have been targets of murders, found in their beds with daggers in their chest, I think the two are connected."
"This is indeed troubling news, do you have any leads?"
"I'm afraid I have very little, except for one thing. On the eastern side of Stalliongrad the nightmares are worse and more potent, I think it's in that area were the darkness is originating from."
"Well it's not much, but I promise you I will discover the cause of this your excellency, you have my word."
"Thank you Captain, this is a load off my mind." Shining saluted again, and turned back to his colts.
"Come on, let's go see what we can see."
Chapter 6- Business as Usual
Chapter 6- Business as Usual
Chapter 6- Business as Usual
Central square on Stalliongrad wasn't the most impressive sight, while other towns and cities hand grand fountains or statues, all Stalliongrad had was literally a square in the middle where the strobes were red rather than grey and several benches were bolted into the ground for Ponies to sit on.
The square wasn't exactly empty though, a decent amount of resident northern Equines trotted by to and fro, all keeping there heads down and avoiding eye contact with one another as was apparently the new culture of the once unforgiving society.
None of said passerby's noticed or commented on the lone cloaked figure on one of the benches, he sat there unmoving as if waiting for something or somepony, eventually out of nowhere he was joined by another suspicious character; another cloaked Pony, clad in dark black leather armour and straps rather than the dull brown of his counterpart, they two didn't seem to acknowledge each other at first before the one in black spoke up.
"So Golden actually came through? That's a first, even if he only sent one agent." It was a mares voice, no doubt about that and it lacked any sign of a Stalliongrad burr.
"I wouldn't be too thankful, I'm only here because Goldy thinks there's some profit to be made, I'm only going to help you because you happened to be here."
"I'll take what I can get, but if Golden thinks he can cut in on our portion of the profit he's got another thing coming, I already send in fifteen percent what more does he want?"
"Relax, I'm only to get an appraisal for a previously acquired item. I won't steal your marks."
"You'd better not, anyway I suppose you'll need to know what's going on huh?"
"That would be helpful, yes." The mare nodded.
"Names Rogue Wind by the way."
"Swift Hoof, pleasure."
"Likewise, now here's the situation: First off the entire town is being plagued by strange nightmares, often depicting their violent deaths. The nobility seem to be subjected to this the most, and every time somepony gets the nightmares they are found dead not soon after, always from a stab wound too. Now usually, I would give a buck right? But these nobles are my marks, my guilds marks and the less of them there are the less profit we can reap, I mean grave robbing can only get you so far yeah?" Swift nodded, absorbing the information and coming up with several explanations and scenarios.
"My immediate thought is some sort of magic-using serial killer, one that's knows how to manipulate dreams and has a agenda against the nobility, have you considered that?"
"I have, but something tells me that isn't the case, I mean only Princess Luna can manipulate dreams as far as we know, I don't know my gut says otherwise."
"True, but either way it's a problem and it needs to be fixed, do you have any leads?"
"One, it's a long shot but on the eastern side lives a rather well off stallion called Falling Star, he's sort of the head big head of Stalliongrad, and he's the only one who hasn't experienced any nightmares or at least he hasn't complained about any, and the times he's been seen in public he doesn't seem scared out of his fur like everypony else."
"Well... It's a lead and I might as well take it, I'll head over to the east side and check out this guys home, see what I can see." Swift Hoof made to move before he was stopped by Rogue putting her hoof on his tail and stopping him in his tracks.
"Not so fast Swifty, I'm coming with you."
"Ugh, I would rather do this alone."
"Really? So could you tell me where Falling Star's mansion is?"
"....."
"Or what it looks like?"
".....Uhhhh"
"That's what I thought, come on I'll show you the way." The mare let go of Swifts tail and sets of walking, leaving her new companion scrambling to catch up.
~~*~~
The Ruby Estate was average on the scale of high-price residence, being two floors, wide and very long. Although it did stand out because of the material choice of stone and marble over the mahogany wood that the rest of Trottingham utilized.
It also happened to have a lot of windows.
The cloaked figure stood on the roof of the nextdoor building, a perfect open window at eye level just ten metres away, however this wall still a problem as the infiltrator wasn't a Pegasus and thus didn't posses the ability to simply fly over, but the Unicorn did have his magic and that could solve any problem.
The infiltrator explored his options thoroughly, teleportation was an obvious choice but would create too much noise, however the infiltrator was more than familiar with the art of silent teleportation, it would just take a lot of effort.
Teleportation is a trick that most a Unicorns aspire to learn, despite it being one of the most difficult early spells one could learn. Dissipating yourself into base molecules and rearranging them correctly in another spot required massive amounts of concentration, the sound teleporting made came from the molecules smashing and reconnecting together, to online site silence this the castor had to simultaneously cast a muffle as their molecules came together again, it took skill.
But luckily the Unicorn possessed said skill.
Magic manifested around the infiltrators horn, swirling around and taking a silver colour that was trademark of the castor and he prepared his teleportation spell, the tendrils of magic swirled around his body kicking up a light breeze and all at once they closed down on him, breaking his body, cloths, and equipment into tiny molecules and carried the across the way and into the window, the molecules slowly began connecting together to form a horn, that horn glowed brighter as it cast a sound bubble, the barrier formed and the molecules were given free reign to smash into each other, inside the bubble one could hear the sounds of reconstruction, however the night was left undisturbed by the show of adept magic.
The Unicorn grinned to himself before continuing on, sneaking down the hallway. He knew from the information he had been given that the library was under the mansion itself, meaning that the rogue would have to move through the mansion and down several floors. In eyesight it would have been a better idea to enter through one of the lower windows, but the thief was always willing for an extra challenge.
The rogue ghosted down the hall until he came to a flight of stairs, luckily the wood wasn't too old and didn't creak under his weight, the stairs too a turn to the right and suddenly the rogue could hear voices echoing from the main floor.
"...So have you heard about the Masters expeditions in Zebrica?"
"Yeah I've heard to rumours too, the old cot is probably digging up more trinkets."
"You shouldn't talk like that, what if we're overheard? And they aren't trinkets, they're magical artifacts."
"By who? The dust? Besides, these trinkets that the nobility are collecting, they don't have real value or power, it's just a show. Who can get the most treasure the fastest, it's all petty social politics."
"....That's kinda deep for a mercenary."
"You'd bee surprised how often I get to think about stuff during jobs, especially guard jobs like this."
"...huh."
The Infiltrator peeked around the corner and spotted the two speakers, as stated they were mercenaries, clothed in rough, spiked, iron armour. One had a large battleaxe on his back and the other one sported a simple sword. Normally they would not present a challenge, the Unicorn could simply sneak past them, however to his luck the two Sell Swords were standing right in front of the door that lead to his mark.
After momentarily assessing the situation, the Infiltrator came up with a solution, said solution required magic. And even the arrogant Unicorn had to admit he wasn't the best at what he was planning to attempt, illusion magic being the specialty of a certain prostitute back home.
Never the less, it was the quietist to get the mercenaries out if the way. Concentrating on the one with the battleaxe the Infiltrator activated his magic and reached out an invisible tendril out to him, it wrapping around his body and entering his mind. To the mercenary, he heard the faint sound of demonic whispering in his ears, the Stallion looked around in confusion, his head feeling muddled and cloudy all of a sudden, looking around the Sell Sword saw movement out of the corner of his eye before it disappeared around a corner.
"What was that?" He said out loud, his companion jumping at the sudden breakage of the silence.
"What was what?" He asked.
"Over there! I saw movement, come on!" The larger Stallion took off around the corner, his companion struggling to catch up.
As they both disappeared around the corner, the Infiltrator came out from his hiding spot and swiftly crossed the floor to the door that had been previously guarded, he slipped inside and closed the door with nay a sound.
Once the door was closed, the Unicorn was left in complete darkness, he felt around for a moment and found that he was in a small room of some sort, no bigger than a closet. For an embarrassing moment the Unicorn thought he had wasted all that magical energy to sneak into a blasted closet, the Infiltrators embarrassment was unfounded as he quickly found was felt to be a lever in the darkness, without a second thought he pulled the lever.
The ground shuttered, and the Infiltrator felt movement underneath him and the sound of chains and gears creaking and groaning, the rogue barely had time to worry about the mercenaries hearing all the noise before light flooded the compartment, forcing the Infiltrator to shield his eyes.
As his eyes adjusted the rogue took in the scene before him, the 'closet' was revealed to be some sort of lift that was probably operated by a series of chains, through the opening the Infiltrator could see a vase chamber with an almost impossibly high ceiling, throughout the chamber rows upon rows of bookshelves that even from a distance were obviously stuffed tight with literature.
The lift came to a stop and the Unicorn stepped out, looking around in slight awe, but also with worry. His own logic told him that not everything in here could be what he was looking for, but the question was; where in Equestria was it?
It was then that the Infiltrator noticed something at the back of the library, a pedestal, placed in the middle of a beam of moonlight that streamed from a window in the ceiling. Placed perfectly on the pedestal was a single ornate scroll.
"Well that's rather obvious..." The Unicorn said to himself, approaching the scroll. He reached his hoof out, marvelling at how easy it was to just grab it.
Too easy.
Silver Lock halted his hoof mere centimetres from the scroll, retracting his appendage the rogue took a closer look at the pedestal itself, he noticed how their appeared to be an additional platform on top of the pedestal itself, as an Infiltrator, Silver Lock was quite familiar with traps and alarm systems and this was one if he ever saw one.
After studying the scroll for another minute Silver Lock reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a cherry bomb, the small explosive had some weight to it, usually he would use it for distracting guards but it would suffice for this purpose.
Gripping both the cherry bomb and the scroll, Silver Lock slipped the scroll off of the pedestal and slipped the bomb on immediately afterwords, the rogue tensed afterwords, expecting the ground to collapse under him for some reason, but no, the ground heck firm and nothing dramatic happened.
Silently congratulating himself, the Unicorn stored the scroll away and looked up at the skylight, wondering if he could teleport out of there.
His thoughts and heart froze though, as the creaking of chains could be heard and the sound of the elevator hitting the ground could be heard.
Silver Lock turned and saw the two mercenaries from before stepping out of the lift, their eyes immediately locked on him, Silver Lock, clad in his leather armour and cloak, standing in a bloody spotlight.
Both parties reacted at the same time.
The one with the battleaxe drew his weapon and charged the rogue with a wild yell, his companion reached for him crossbow. Silver Lock grabbed his own weapon with his magic, the implement illuminated with a silver light and came out of its custom holster, the crossbows limps unfolded and he string was pulled taunt by the gear action, the auto feeder built into the weapon paused a bolt into the string, prepping the crossbow to fire.
Silver quickly aimed and fired, the bolt was launched from with all the power of the taunt string and buried itself in the neck of the charging warrior, the mercenary died choking on his own blood and the bolt. As he fell his killer dived behind one of the many bookshelves as a bolt stroke the stones where he had been standing only a moment ago, Silver peered around the corner and saw that the archer hand disappeared, telling him that he had probably done the same as he had.
Ducking back behind cover, a Silver gripped the small lever on the side of his crossbow and cranked it back, the intricate gear system pulled back the string with little effort and fed in another bolt, Silver smiled at the advanced weapon.
"Secret Script you brilliant bastard." The whispered before steading his breathing, he closed his eyes. Mentally mapping out the entire library and estimating the place where the archer had taking cover, opening his eyes again Silver turned the corner.
Time slowed down like only adrenaline could perform, Silver saw the archer breaking cover at the same time, in the exact place where the rogue had guessed he would be, simultaneously the released their bolts.
The missiles came within centimetres of each other, they ruffle each other's tail feathers on the way to their target, Silvers bolt sped on and embedded itself in the mercenaries right eye and into his brain while his own bolt grazed his targets cheek, opening a shallow cut.
Silver Lock watched the merc fall to the ground, his crossbow clattering to the ground. Silver allowed himself to breath normally and his heart to resume beating as he folded up his crossbow and stored it away, grinning slightly the Infiltrator activated his magic and teleported away in a flash of silver.
Chapter 7- Temple Raiders
Chapter 7- Temple Raiders
Shining Armour rubbed his forehead again, the spot just below his horn throbbing slightly. Just enough to be noticeable, one of his Guards glanced at him.
"Are you sure your okay, sir? You've been rubbing the same spot for almost half of an hour." The Captain shook his head "It's nothing, just headache. Keep moving and keep vigilant, we have to find the source of Stalliongrad's woe's"
For the past half hour the small band of Royal Guards had searched the nearly deserted streets of east Stalliongrad, searching for anything that might clue them in to the series of plaguing nightmares and brutal murders but had turned up nothing. The only point of interest was that when they entered the area, Shining began experiencing pains at the base of his horn.
"Perhaps it's magical build up, sir? That's common in winter you know." Another Guard offered, Captain Armour growled "I said its nothing, now leave it be!" The irritability in their officers voice made the Stallions shut up. Shining sighed, he didn't mean to snap but between to leads from their search to the annoying pain in his head to the bitter cold of the north, he wasn't having a pleasant day.
"Sir." One of the younger Guardsponies said "This might be long overdue bug what is it that we are actually looking for?"
"Anything suspicious, out of the ordinary. Really anything at this point would be nice."
"....Would that count then?" The Captains head snapped to his side and saw the Guardspony pointing to something across the street, there two darkly dressed and hooded Ponies moved parallel to the buildings and were clearly avoiding detection.
Before Shining Armour could do anything, another Guard called out
"Oi! You!" The two Ponies took one look at the small platoon of guards and took off down the nearest alleyway.
"Idiot!" Captain Armour yelled at the Stallion "After them!" The white Unicorn galloped down the same alleyway in hot pursuit, his guards quick behind him.
"Stop!" Shining called "We only want information!" The fleeing rogue's ignored him and exited the alleyway, taking a sharp right instantly. A few moments later the guards burst from the ally and into the empty street.
Captain Armour stomped his hoof on the ground, scuffing the cobblestone.
"Where in Tartarus did they go?" The Guardsponies exchanged glances.
"Sir... The armour they wore looked like Thieves Guild armour."
"Thieves Guild? Why in Equestia are they here?"
"Well ah, we've been getting reports that the Guild has been spreading out more and more the past year or so."
"How come I wasn't notified of this?"
"Well... You were in the Crystal Empire... Sir"
"....Right, anyway. Where did they go?" The young guard cleared his throat.
"Well their thieves right? So my guess is that they mean to steal something and what better place than a noble household?" Shining turned and spotted the large four-story mansion across the street, he nodded to the Guardspony.
"Good thinking, let's go do a routine security check.
~~*~~
Swift Hoof looked down at the street and watched as the Royal Guards deliberately entered the Star Mansion.
"Well good news is they didn't see where we went." He said "Bad news is that Falling Star will now have eight more dinner guests that originally intended." Swift looked over at Rogue Wind who was perched on the same roof as Swift, looking like a large dark bird.
"Well this is lovely, what's a bunch of Royal Guards doing here anyway? Were you followed?"
"No, I took a less-than-conventional way of travel. They must be here by coincidence and we'll just have to work around them." Spreading his wings Swift prepared to fly.
"Follow me." The grey Pegasus dived and soared silently across the street and directly into an open window, landing with nay a sound. He stepped to the side and was joined by his lovely companion who folded her dark wings, closed the window, and pulled the curtain.
"So where should we begin?" Swift whispered.
"The bedroom." Rogue Wind said, making her way to the door and peering through the keyhole.
"At least buy me a drink first." Swift Hoof said with a grin.
"Stay focused and I'll pay for the first five rounds, now let's go." Rogue Wind slipped through the doorframe with Swift following suite, the Canterlot Thief more focused on the fine piece of plot in front of him more than the job at hoof. They exited out into the dark hallway, the only light came from the windows in the main foyer, Rogue peeked around the corner and cursed softly.
"Found your friends." She whispered.
~~*~~
The front door opened silently, moving smoothly on it's well-oiled hinges. Shining Armour stepped into the polished floor of the main foyer, followed closely by his Guardsponies.
"Hello?" The Captain called, his voice echoing through "Anypony home?" No answer came and Shining turned to the armoured stallions beside him.
"Alright, you three search this floor and the rest of you follow me upstairs." The Guards saluted a split up accordantly.
The Captain flinched as the pain in his head spiked, strange as it only did so when he entered the mansion.
"Sir, are you sure your alright?" Captain Armour glared at the offending guard and the stallion looked away.
Shining jerked his head and his choice three Guardsponies followed him as he headed up the staircase with barely audible hoofbeats, he made it about half way up when there was a small gust of wind and fine specs of dust flew gently from their resting places. Shining's eye's narrowed a and he quickly moved up to the top of the stairs, leaning against the corner and steeling himself before twisting around the corner and finding nothing.
"What is it, sir?" Captain Armour shook his head.
"I thought... Never mind, let's keep moving." The four guards moved down the left hallway, watched closely by two Pegasi perched upon the the rafters.
"They're headed the opposite way, we can head into the master bedroom and get out quick." Rogue whispered, her mouth centimetres from Swift's ear.
"Quick? You insult me, I can go all night if you want me too." Under her hood Rogue Winds eyes rolled dramatically.
"You Canterlot branch Ponies are all the same, come on." With graceful movements Rogue jumped to the next rafter and the next, Swift following suite. They headed down the hall to the right until they came to the largest door that marked the master bedroom.
Swift took one look at the door latch and whispered "That's locked, here; hold on to my hind legs and lower me down."
"What?" The mare thief said, confused.
"I need to unlock it and if I drop down or hover the guards could hear, so lower me down."
"Fine, whatever." With silent shuffling, Rogue positioned herself behind Swift and grabbed hold of his hind legs, with slow deliberate movements the grey Pegasus inched off of the rafters and was slowly lowered by his female partner.
"Enjoying the few?" Swift Hoof's voice came.
"You really want me to drop you, don't you?" The mare said, lowering him father. Swift grinned as he came level with the door latch, with practiced ease he flicked out the two quality picks that resided in his gauntlets. With smooth movements and a victorious click the door was unlocked and swung open silently. Swift Hoof replaced his picks and took hold of the top of the doorframe.
"Okay, let me go." Swift said and Rogue Wind gladly let the stallion drop, the Canterlot thief swung into the room and let go of the frame. Landing softly as a cat on the inside, Rogue followed suite and closed the door gently behind her, shrouding them in darkness.
"Looks like his lordship is sleeping well." The dark blue Pegasus said softly, pointing to the large lump on the king size bed "Let's see if he keeps any documents in his room." Before Rogue could move away to begin searching, Swift grabbed her by the shoulder.
"Hold on a minute..." The stallion walked softly over to the bed and peered down at the slumbering noble.
"He's dead." Came Swift Hoof's statement.
"What? Dead? How?"
"Well it appears he was stabbed, seeing as there is a sizeable dagger in the stallions chest." Rogue Wind trotted over and took a look for herself and indeed there was a dagger stuck right in the middle of Falling Star's chest, a piece of parchment caked with dry blood stuck to the body by the dagger.
"A note?" Rogue said as Swift carefully pulled out the dagger, placed the weapon in an ep they satchel before grabbing the note. On it was a black hoof print and a single word above it.
Traitor
"Do you recognize the symbol?" She asked, passing the note back. The grey Pegasus shook his head
"No, never. But maybe Secret Script could turn something up on it." Swift folded the note and stored it away with the dagger.
"See if you can't find anything about what happened to this guy, or if he knows anything about the murders." Rogue nodded and with one glacé at the fresh noble corpse she began rummaging through nearby dresser drawer's while Swift searched the one bookcase in the room, looking closely at the titles he noticed one of them that was slightly pulled out. Curious the grey Pegasus squinted at the title in the dim light.
Ancient World Artifacts and their Powers , an eyebrow raised Swift grabbed the tome and pulled, the book came out about half way before a click could be heard. The thief pulled his hoof back and watched as the clearly fake tome was pulled back into the the bookshelf, the entire structured shifted and moved silently to the left revealing a dark tunnel that lead downwards.
Swift Hoof looked back at Rogue who was staring at the tunnel with a surprised look.
"Well, that's not suspicious." She said sarcastically.
"Yeah, come on let's see what's down there." The two headed down the stairs and took not four steps before the bookshelf slide back before either of them could react.
"Buck." Swift said, completely unable to see.
"I guess we have no choice now, let's head down." Rogue said.
"Alright, just hug the right wall so we don't get separated."
~~*~~
Shining Armour walked back to the main hallway and towards the side they hadn't searched yet.
"Sir, that looks like the master bedroom up there. Should we search it?" The Captain nodded.
"Yes we should, maybe the owner of this mansion is resting. We might be able to get some information out of them." Shining approached the door and knocked.
"Hello?" He called, knocking again. No answer came, the white Unicorn frowned and pushed down on the door latch and found it oddly unlocked. Pushing the door open the Captain stepped inside the darkened room, almost immediately noticed the lump on the bed.
"I'm sorry." Shining Armour said "But we have reason to believe there are two criminals that have infiltrated your home and I also have questions for you." No answer, now Shining was getting a bad feeling and the pain in his horn wasn't helping.
The Captain approached the bed and peeked over the edge, when he saw the scene before him he gasped.
"In here now! And bring a torch!" His guards came in one carrying a magically lite torch that illuminated the dead body of the Unicorn noble.
"Dead." Shining stated "stabbed in the chest, probably with a dagger."
"Did those thieves we saw do it?" One guard asked and his Captain shook his head.
"No, that's not how the Thieves Guild operates. Besides, the wound isn't fresh enough, it's been at least an hour or so." Committing the size and depth of the wound to memory he looked to the three Guardsponies.
"Alright, search the room for anything that would point to what went on here. Obviously this murder is connected to everything else that's going on here, and apparently the Thieves Guild is interested." The three Stallions saluted and spread out in the room, Shining took one last look at the dead Unicorn and sent him a silent prayer for safe passage to Elysium before moving to search as well.
The Captain wondered to the room's only bookshelf, glancing at the tomes and reading the titles via the torches light. He was about to move on before he noticed something; a breeze, coming from the the bookshelf, frowning the white Unicorn activated his magic and grabbed each of the books with his purple glow before pulling, most of them cane out of the shelf easily but one only came out before clicking and drawing back. The bookshelf shifted aside to reveal a tunnel leading downwards.
After a quick appraisal Shining Armour came to a decision "Alright, we'll headed down this tunnel and see what's down there, afterwords we can regroup with the rest of our squad and report to the Duke." A chorus of 'yes sir' and they headed down into the darkness, the bookshelf closing behind them without a sound.
~~*~~
The tunnel eventually gave way to a grand hall of sorts, illuminated by ominous green magical flames in golden basins. The floor an ancient worn stone and the pillars and walks made of some strange bronze-gold metal.
Swift Hoof and Rogue Wind walked carefully down the hall, absorbing their surroundings with appraising looks in their eyes.
"What is this place do you think?" Rogue asked, her voice still hushed for fear of being overheard by... Something.
"A temple I think." Swift said "A really old temple, judging by how worn everything seems. Be careful, there could be anything in here." Thoughts of ghosts and demons stalking the two scoundrels in the dark filled hall filled the mares mind and sent a shiver down her spine. Unconsciously she shifted closer to Swift Hoof and brushed against him, feeling more comfortable with the added warmth radiating from the Stallion. Unbeknownst to her Swift broke out in a grin at the contact but decided not to comment on it.
The hall lead them up a slant and through an open set of doors that were made out of the same golden-bronze material. Pass that was what appeared to be a large dome, low benches lined up on either side and faced a huge statue. The statue itself was that of a large Alicorn, not any of the Princesses but one that was not familiar to either of the thieves. A beam of evening sun fell down from a glass circle in the room and illuminated some sort of staff that was somehow standing upright and ridged in front of the statue.
Swift and Rogue walked between the benches and towards that statue, they stopped just before the staff.
"Who's that Alicorn do you think?" Swift Hoof asked.
"No idea, not Princess Celestia or Luna, certainly not Cadence." Rogue Wind looked at the staff "Is that a... Pony Skull?" Swift looked at the staff and indeed it was topped by a yellowed Pony skull that was surrounded by what appeared to be sharpened ribs surrounded the skull in some sort of morbid crown, the entire thing had an eerie red glow.
"Sooooo, should we take it?" Rogue Wind asked, still staring at the skull.
"Well it's certainly big, old, and probably valuable but it also happens to be sitting in a very obvious spot in a literal beam of light. That kinda screams 'don't touch' to me."
"Yeah well, that also say's 'I'm big, valuable, and I have something to do with what's going on' don't you think." Rogue said in retort, Swift nodded.
"Okay, so how about we..."
"Ahem." The two thieves spun around and spotted three Royal Guards who were blocking the exit and held their spears ready, ahead of them stood a tall white Unicorn in purple armour and an officers plumed helmet, he held his sword aloft with his purple magic.
"Lower your hoods and surrender, you are needed for questioning and possible crimes against Equestria and her people." The two hooded Ponies exchanged a glad before one pulled something off his belt and threw it, the object fell a few feet before Shining before spewing out thick grey smoke.
The Guard Captain coughed and yelled "Don't let them escape!" And charged through the smog, his vision cleared to reveal him only a meter away from one of the thieves, the grey colour of his snout and gleam of his eyes under the hood. Gritting his teeth the Unicorn swung the magically gripped sword at the outlaw's chest, his blade was met with the Guildmembers smaller, quicker one and deflected to the side. The rogue sidestepped to the side, easily ducking the Captain's sideswipe.
"Grab the Skull!" His foe called and Shining Amour looked to see the other darker cloaked Pony rushing towards a staff of some sort.
"Stop him!" He called and in no time at all his three guards appeared to intercept the leather-clad thief, that's all Shining saw before had turned to face his own dance partner. As soon as he turned he ducked to dodge the incoming blow from the rogue's free hoof. The Captain came up from the duck in a vicious uppercut that aimed for the Guildmembers exposed side, unfortunately the thief twisted away with a gust of wind and landed a few meters away. The outlaw's brown cloak pushed away from his armour by his large grey wings.
Taking a pause in the fight Shining Armour glanced to his Guardsponies and watched as the other thief- A mare judging by her size and form -bucked one of his Stallions in a chest with enough force to cause him to stumble back and knock into the staff. The skull top clattered to the floor with echoing sounds and suddenly the room was taken by violent shaking, both rogue's perked their heads and the mare finally punched another guard in the snout before jumping over to join her companion.
Both of the cloaked Pegasi spread their wings and and they took off, climbing rapidly before crashing through the glass circle and disappearing. Shining Armour cursed and sheathed his sword, the Captain scooped up the staff that had fallen before sparking his magic- the pain in his horn reaching unbearable proportions -and extended the spell to his three guards, the sound of crashing atoms was lost among the crumbling stone as Shining and his guards teleported away.
Outside and above ground there was a flash of purple and the four Stallions appeared and watched as the mansion crumbled to dust, their comrades buried amongst the rubble along with any evidence as to what had transpired inside there.
~~*~~
The two Guildmembers had drunk too much.
Arctic Hearth, innkeeper of the Northern Oasis , watched the two thieves that sat at the end of his bar. Drinking their guts out.
The two had arrived an hour ago, hoods down, covered in dust, and very irritable. They demanded hard cider and just kept drinking, for the past twenty minutes they had engaged in heated argument.
Rogue Wind slammed down her mug and glared at Swift Hoof who was chugging his own drink.
"You know we would have that skull if you weren't such a priss about killing that guard captain." She said angrily, Swift scowled.
"And we would of had it even sooner if you hadn't taken your grand sweet time playing with his friends!" The two glared at each other with what appeared to be pure hatred and Arctic wondered if he would have to break up a fight when the mare suddenly dropped her mug, grabbed Swift by the shoulders and forcibly kissed him.
The Innkeepers jaw dropped and watched as the two thieves gripped each other and fell off their stools, still locked in their embrace. Arctic Hearth looked down from the bar at the scene and watched as the two outlaw's activities became more and more explicit.
With a gulp and a burning face he spoke.
"I suppose you two will be wanting a room for the night, then?"
Chapter 8- Secrets of the Gods
Chapter 8- Secrets of the Gods
Secret Script leaned casually against the building to his right as he watched the early commuters trot briskly to whatever task beckoned them, unbeknownst to the dark figure in the alleyway.
Secret was soon joined by another figure who contrasted him greatly. Golden Shine was wearing his usual attire with the addition of a golden-white cloak with a deep hood that just nearly glowed in the rising sun.
"You could be less obvious in your attire you know." Secret Script said on his usual soft breathy voice "You are a Guildmaster after all."
"I think this is a lot more intimidating and mysterious than those rags you call cloaks."
Secret shrugged "These are more subtle in their appearance" he said fiddling with the edge of his cloak as he did so.
"Well I'm not the one doing the subtle work now am I?"
"Mmmm, point to you I suppose."
"Good, now if your done commenting on my fashion sense. I have a job for you."
Secret's ears perked up from under his hood "Do you? Odd, you haven't given me an assignment in a few years."
Golden Shine snorted "Don't get used to it, I need you watching the grapevine most of the time but with Swift in Stalliongrad and Silver Lock still on his way from Trottingham. Your the only one left besides a drunk pickpocket, a thick-headed brute, and a prostitute."
Secret nodded "Fair, now what is the job?"
"Our favourite client has requested another specialty job, something about an amulet of some sort. He'll probably tell you more, meet him at his mansion on the master bedroom balcony about an hour from now."
"Will do." Secret said, already readying his wings to get to his destination.
"One more thing, instead of our usual rate I want you to request information instead. Question him on the nature of the recent interest in ancient artifacts and about that symbol on that letter Swift and Treasure found, the one about the orb."
"Do you think he will know anything?"
"Well it's worth a shot, he is a high-ranking aristocrat after all with a lot of resources. Assuming that symbol represents an organization, chances are they may have approached him."
"Sound logic, is that all?"
"Yes, now away with you before I summon the guards." In a moment the indigo Pegasus was gone in a few silent flaps of his wings, Golden Shine remained to watch the crowd idle about for a moment before he too disappeared in his own brand of golden sparks.
~~*~~
Fancy Pants adjusted his expensive ornate spectacles and studied the documents before him. The expeditions into Saddle Arabia had been costly in the extreme but one or two dig sites had paid off, they had sent reports detailing the ruins buried under the sand in that Celestia-forsaken country. He wondered if...
Fancy's thought train was derailed by a series of knocking at his door which was revealed to be his wife wearing one of her best pink sun hats and a fashionable scarf.
"I am just here to say goodbye love, I have a lunch date with my old friend Star Shine." Fluer De Lis said "We haven't seen each other in such a long time after all."
Fancy Pants nodded, looked back down at the documents. His wife didn't leave though, rather she approached his desk to where her presence could not be ignored.
"Dearest, you have been working so hard lately. Perhaps you should take a break? I worry that all this will drive you mad."
Fancy smiled at his wife "I appreciate you concern my love but this is simply too important to put off."
"Mmm, then promise me that after it is done. We will take a vacation." His wife said and Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow.
"A vacation?" He asked
"Yes, I've been growing tired off the noise and busyness of the city. Not that I won't miss it but I think a few weeks in a nice quiet place would be good for us." At the words of his wife Fancy smiled.
"Alright, after I'm done with my work we can take a vacation."
Fleur smiled and gently held her husbands face in her hooves "Au revoir , until then my love." She said in that special Prench accent that she reserved just for him, landing a kiss on his cheek.
"Have a good day, dearest." Fancy Pants replied and watched his wife go out the door.
"You should not lie to your wife you know." A voice spoke from behind Fancy, the aristocrat turned and spotted the shape of a stallion in the darkness where his wife could not have seen, he made out the vague shape of guild armour on the newcomer.
"You are not Swift Hoof." Fancy said.
"I am not." Secret Script stated "He is on an assignment in the north, so our mutual friend sent me in his stead"
"Very well, I suppose you wish to know the details of the job?"
Secret nodded "I do but my employer wishes for me to discuss the payment of the exchange." Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow at this.
"I am already prepared to pay the usual rate."
"I understand but we wish the payment to come in the form of information."
"Oh? Information about what?"
"Some of my colleagues turned up a few documents that we wish to have your input on, we can discuss this more after the job is done if you wish."
Fancy stroked his glossy moustache "Intriguing... Very well then, I will provide the relevant information upon the completion of our business."
Secret Script nodded "Good, now if you will just give me the details?..."
"Ah yes, well you see there's this amulet I've been admiring for a while..."
~~*~~
The Equestrian Royal Bank was the depository of choice for keeping ones wealth, with small interest rates and a high guarantee on security with state-of-the-art magical detectors and highly trained guards. The bank was popularly used by both the middle-class and the nobility.
Solar Comet walked purposefully towards the marble steps of the back, his heavy coat buttoned tight against the brisk autumn morning. Held closely to his chest was a tightly wrapped parcel with the artifact that his expedition into South Zebrica had turned up, strange was the feeling that he felt when he gazed upon the amulet. He had felt great desire towards it even though It lay in his hooves so Solar Comet immediately decided to place the amulet in his vault while he decided what to do with it.
As Solar Comet entered the bank a dark figure enraged on top of the bank, perched precariously on the end of one of the banks building many Alicorn-shaped gargoyles. Secret Script watched the stallion trot swiftly into the R.B.E before he disappeared, the Pegasus sat still in thought as the wind picked up his cloak and swirled it behind him.
Name: Solar Comet
Gender: Male
Occupation: Owns mildly successful architectural design company.
Values and Strengths: Greedy like all nobility but rather young and lacks ambitious drive, values strategic intelligence but lacks it.
His favourite food is the double hay burger from Donut Joe's, but won't admit it.
Secret blinked and the whispers faded before taking another breath and closing his eyes, concentrating.
Royal Bank of Equestria
Commissioned as the official bank of Equestria in 2035 AC. Magical detectors, Guards that are separate from the Royal Guard. Weakness....
None present.
"Except one." Secret said to himself and opened his eyes and looked behind him to where a Unicorn stallion stood, an open hatch to his left.
"The Ward's alerted me when you flew in, your lucky I was the one on duty." He said
Secret Script snorted "Luck has little to do with it, now I need you to get me inside."
The Stallion eyes widened considerably "Inside? As in... Inside the bank?"
"Of course I mean inside the bank." Secret said in a condescending voice.
"Uhh, I'm sorry friend but that's way above my pay grade. Although... You could raise my rate-" the corrupt guard didn't get to finish as in another moment Secret Script had run over and placed a dagger to the Stallions throat.
"Don't try to weasel more bits out of me." Secret said, his voice strangely lacking in anger
"Your going to get me as far as you can into this bank or I tell White Powder to cut you off."
The Guards eyes widened even further and one twitched with the tell-tale panic of an addict losing his nectar.
"Y-you wouldn't.." He said "I need that! Otherwise I get shivers and I'll get sick! I won't be able to do my job!"
"Then I suggest you do your real job and help me rob this bloody bank." Secret shoved the Guardspony away with surprising force and glared at his contact.
The Stallion gulped "F-fine, but I can only take you as far as secondary security. Past that your on your own."
"I will not be a problem, now let's go."
~~*~~
Arctic Hearth was a simple Stallion really, he wanted nothing past his humble little inn and desired no wife no mare to warm his bed. He had no dealings with any sort of criminal syndicate or drug traffickers, he offered soft beds for travellers and hardy drink for workers.
So naturally two Guildmembers ravaging each other in one of the top floor rooms all night made him more than a little uncomfortable.
At first it hadn't been very noticeable, just the occasional bump or giggle. But after what Arctic guessed to be the fifth round one of them- he wasn't sure if it had been the mare or the stallion -decided to express their pleasure vocally and woke up both the innkeeper and quite a few tenants.
Complaints were made and excuses were crafted, eventually sometime after midnight the noises stopped and everypony was able to get some rest.
Unfortunately that was not the end of the plight of poor Arctic Hearth.
The newcomer had arrived in the young hours of the morning, Arctic had been brewing himself a strong cup of coffee when he heard the front door open. Putting on a friendly face he exited his small kitchen to greet the customer only to immediately feel uncomfortable again.
By her size Arctic guessed her to be a mare, most of her body was hidden by dark purple robes and a brown cloak with a deep hood. The cloak was coloured the shade of tree bark in the autumn and had dark swirling symbols etched into the fabric.
The stranger approached the counter and produced a simple-looking letter and placed it on the clean wooden surface, it was then that she spoke.
"Do not read the words in which you see, for secrecy in this matter is key." She said in an accented voice "And do not say anything by mouth, simply give the letter to the thief from the south." And then she left.
Arctic Hearth left the letter where the stranger had placed it, he also decided to drink his coffee black that morning.
Not far after the strange mare had left Arctic was joined by the resident male thief who to his credit seemed in a very good mood, in fact he seemed to be practically glowing. With a small smirk and a spring in his step the stallion made his way to the counter and sat down on one of the stools.
"Some strong coffee if you would my good stallion." The Guildmember said pleasantly, Arctic swiftly placed a mug in front of the thief and poured coffee into it. Swift Hoof took a generous swig from the mug and smacked his lips.
"Mmm, a good brew this. Much better than I could get back home."
Swallowing Arctic spoke cautiously "Where do you come from, if I may ask?"
"Down south." Swift said vaguely, not willing to give away his home town. A bead of sweat broke out on Arctic's brow but he forced himself not to show any facial signs, rather he picked up the letter and placed in front of the outlaw before silently slipping back into the kitchen.
Swift Hoof regarded the letter over his mug of coffee, he assumed it was meant for him but he couldn't fathom who would be writing. Goldy? No, he didn't like to make contact in the middle of a job unless it was an emergency.
Downing the rest of his coffee and immediately regretting that act as the hot liquid scalded his throat, coughing and choking slightly with his eyes watering Swift grasped for the letter and tore it open his nose beginning to run.
Come to me and you will see, for a small fee.
That the item you hold could be worth it's weight in gold.
My words you must follow, come to Silver's Hollow
Swift raised and eyebrow, his throat still hurt but at least his eyes and nose were done leaking. Logically this must have been from Goldy's contact, Swift pondered this while fiddling with his cup.
Arctic Hearth returned as Swift was stuffing the letter inside his cloak.
"More coffee?" Arctic asked.
"Sure." Swift said, still thinking. Arctic poured the black nectar yet again as the thief spoke again.
"Ever hear of a place called 'Silver's Hollow?'" Swift Hoof asked, Arctic raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah 'tis a large cave just south-east of here, wouldn't go there if I were you though."
"Oh? And why's that?" Swift asked, taking a sip of coffee.
Arctic Hearth shrugged "Folks say it's haunted."
~~*~~
Taxes, more taxes, even more taxes. Why was there so many taxes? And why did every farmer and his mother send in complaints about how they should be excepted from taxes because they provide food for the whole country?
Princess Celestia wondered these things and more as she shuffled the thick stack of papers to the left side of her desk and removed her golden spectacles, rubbing the bridge of her snout with her hooves, the door opened and her secretary stepped in.
"Another stack Celestia" Ink Well said, levitating the papers over to the Princess's desk the grey-coloured mare gave an apologetic smile. She knew how grinding the paperwork could be on Celestia.
"Thank you, Ink Well." Celestia said, her face still held in her hooves. The secretary left and Celestia was replacing her spectacles when she felt a familiar magical signature and a scrap of paper appeared before her in a quick flash of light purple.
Three dead.
House collapse.
Two Guildmembers.
Possible artifact.
Long-ranged teleportation impossible.
Shining Armour, his utilitarian script was unmistakable. Celestia didn't know what house he had been in or why two members of the Thieves Guild had been involved but she knew what she had to do.
Picking up a spare piece of parchment she wrote simply 'Don't Move.' And magicked the thing away to her former captain
"Ink Well." Celestia called, the secretary appearing in an instant.
"Yes Princess?"
"Send word for my sister to meet me in the ritual room, tell her it's urgent. Shining Armour requires our rescue."
Chapter 9- Both Sides of the Law
Chapter 9- Both Sides of the Law
Silver's Hollow was really nothing more than a hole in the ground, really, the mouth of the cave was wide but when one entered the walls quickly closed up to surround a single wooden door that was decorated with strange symbols and markings.
Swift Hoof looked at the door for a moment before walking in like he owned the place, he had never been one for knocking. Inside the rest of the cave gave way to a large uneven cavern that was dimly lite by large basins of some sort of oil that burned a eerie green colour. No signs of inhabitants could be seen.
Swift stayed low and inches his way farther into the cave, a strange feeling was creeping up his spine. Like he was unwelcome and should leave now. He reached a turn in the cave and peeked around it, there he could see two more basins of the strange green substance and they flanked a small table and a set of chairs.
Sitting at the table was a Zebra mare. Her main was long and braided, each of her hooves was adorned with several rings of gold, her sides were painted with black symbols and her eyes were obscured by a red shawl. The Zebra turned her head a looked at where Swift Hoof was hiding.
"Why do you hide? Don't you know that Valdora is on your side?"
Swift jumped at being addressed- he was sure she couldn't see him -but she was staring right at him, cautiously he stepped out of the shadows and into the light. The Zebra encouraged him with a beckoning hoof and Swift took a few small steps forward, he didn't like Zebra's, maybe it was ridiculous but the idea of Zebra Spirit Magic had always disturbed him a bit. Plus Swift had heard many a rumour of unholy Blood and Bone magics that some Zebra's utilized to acquire power at the expense of unsuspecting Ponies, he hoped they were only rumours.
As he got within a respectable distance to the Zebra she removed her shawl, he noticed that she had what looked like the skulls of small birds handing from a necklace she wore, he also noticed something about her eyes: they were white, colourless, and vacant. They didn't focus on him nor seemingly anything in particular, Swift wondered if she was blind and then wondered how she knew he was there if she was, in fact, blind.
She spoke again "Come speak words by mouth, for are you not, the thief from the south? You came to Valdora because you were told, by the great mastermind clad in Gold."
Swift fought back the crawling sensation in his spine and found his ability to speak again "Golden Shine sent me, he said you could appraise an item for us."
"That is true, but first you must pay your dues." Valdora had a small smirk on her lips, as of she knew the pain Swift felt from having to give away any amount of coin. Biting his lip and slowly reached into his bag, as if every movement pained him, and pulled out a decently sized bit-bag. About two-hundred coins in the bag.
Achingly Swift placed the bag in Valdora's out-stretched hoof, she snatched it up quick as any peddler and smirked.
"There are those who forget, that an agreement through coin can be easily met." Valdora placed the bit-bag on a nearby table "Now show me the item that you didn't sell, and it's story Valdora shall tell."
Still looking awkwardly at her eyes, Swift reached into his bag again and pulled out the wrapped orb. He held it out and it was soon encased by a faint green glow, Valdora moved her hooves in fluid motions and levitated the wrapped orb over to a small pedestal that seemed specifically made for the artifact. The green glow stopped as Valdora lowered her hooves.
"Remove the covering and we will see, how deep this rabbit hole can be." Valdora said, she was swaying slightly in her chair, her eyes looking at something Swift could not see. More than willing to get this over with and escape this creepy Zebra, he pulled the wrapping off the orb and immediately took a step back. The orb was glowing a sickly green that was not dissimilar to Valdora's own magical energy, within the orb swirling clouds of grey and green.
Valdora chuckled "The orb recognizes the power of a Witch, this will make using it a snitch." The Zebra held her hooves out to the orb and probed at the green aura, the clouds shifted and images could be seen in the orb. Treasure Runner peeking out from a dark alley, Golden Shine sifting through mountains of paperwork and sorting through gold piles, Princess Celestia herself sitting on her throne speaking to several officials as they wrote frantically on scrolls of parchment. A disturbingly familiar purple Alicorn laying in a library and reading a book, her ears perked up as a shadow of a Pony passed behind her and her book closed with a thump.
The images faded as Valdora pulled her hooves away. She smiled.
"You have acquired quite the prize, despite it's unimpressive size." She said "When using the orb, your destiny it will tell. The past, the present, and the future as well." Valdora took the wrapping from Swift and covered the orb again "But be warned when using this thing, because in your mind it shall become King." The wrapped orb floated back into Swift's hoof.
"So... It shows you anything at any time but if you use it too much you get too attached?" Swift asked, he had to confirm his thoughts as the Zebra's rhyming was giving him a headache.
"What you say it true, even though this information is all new." Valdora confirmed.
Swift nodded and stored the orb away "Well... Um, thanks, I guess, I'll be going then.." He half expected for Valdora to say he wasn't permitted to leave but instead she waved friendlily.
"Farewell, honourable thief, have a safe journey as you exit this fief." She said, pulling her shawl over her eyes and turning back to her table and seemingly staring at nothing. Swift slowly backed around the corner and nearly ran out of the cave, he was more than ready to leave this frozen wasteland and head back to Canterlot.
~~*~~
Shining Armour pulled the bandage taunt on the Guards foreleg, the Stallion nodded his thanks and rested more comfortably on the ground. Shining breathed heavily and looked to the sky, it had only been a few minutes since the Mansion had collapsed and he hand sent out his emergency letter to the Princess.
But it seemed his prayers were answered as a glowing ring of golden magic formed around them and quickly built a transparent gold dome over top of them. The Guards began to shout and panic but Shining quickly silenced them.
"Stop moving foals! It's Princess Celestia, she's teleporting us out." He called, the Guards stopped moving but eyed the dome warily as it glowed brighter and the snowy streets of Stalliongrad were gone in a flash of light.
In another moment Shining Armour and his remaining three guards found themselves no longer in Stalliongrad but in a large circular room that was lite dimly by only a few torches. Across the way stood Princess Celestia and Luna, magical glow fading from their horns.
"Shining Armour." Celestia greeted "I am glad to see you unharmed, even though not all of your company can boast the same." Her gaze shifted to the three Guard's "You may all head to you barracks for food and rest, you've earned it, Shining Armour? With us please."
As the Guards exited through the side door, Celestia and Luna lead Shining through the door opposite, with Shining levitating the staff with him. Down a short hallway and into a long room with an equally long wooden table that sported several chairs. Celestia's and her sister sat down at the far end and Shining Armour took a seat opposite Luna.
"So tell us, Captain." Luna said "What transpired in the north? And why was the Thieves Guild involved?" Quickly Shining recounted the entire situation, from when they first saw the Guildmembers to when the Mansion collapsed.
"This is troubling." Celestia commented "And even now it cannot fathom why the Thieves Guild was involved."
"Coincidence perhaps?" Luna suggested.
"No, If they had the mansion marked for looting, why would they dive into it when our guards spotted them? Further more why did they remain after they inevitably discovered that the owner had been murdered?"
Shining nodded "If it's two things the Guild avoids it's murder and the Royal Guard, then again, maybe it was because that Stallion was killed that they stayed. The Duke said that several nobles had been murdered recently and I could see why the Guild would take interest in that, less nobles less income."
Celestia nodded "That makes sense I suppose, although my instincts tell me that the Guild has a deeper involvement than we are aware of. I definitely think they are a major set of players on the board." The three of the fell into silence.
"And then there's this." Celestia said, levitating the staff onto the table.
"One of the artifacts I assume?" Shining asked, Celestia nodded but Luna spoke.
"This is the Staff of Morpheus, when used it allows somepony to enter, manipulate, and feed off of the dreams of the sleeping." Luna said quietly "It does have a side-effect, in the wake of the consumed dreams, nightmares are left behind."
Shining nodded "That would explain the nightmares that the Duke had described."
Another pause.
"So let's analyze what we know." Celestia said "There is currently a group that is both well funded and very good at covering their tracks, searching for lost artifacts of magical power. Currently two Lost Artifacts have been found: The Orb of Phoebus and the Staff of Morpheus. We possess the latter and the former is at a currently unknown location, probably in the hooves of the aforementioned group..."
"Well that might not be entirely true." Luna interjected.
"Oh?" Celestia said.
"Yes, you see I've had my Night Guards running interference and they came across a letter sent by none other than Regal Stone, the one who discovered the Orb in the first place, according to the letter- It didn't say who it was addressed to -the Orb had been stolen."
"Stolen?" Shining Armour said incredulously "By whom?"
"Who else?" Luna said back "Regal Stone decided them as Thieves Guild members."
"Well this changes things." Celestia said "So now we know that the Orb is with the Guild, troubling news indeed, if they figure out how to use it then the citizens of Equestria will have bigger things than empty pockets to worry about." The Princess breathed a sigh and recollected her thoughts "Alright, so, the Staff is with us and the Orb is with the Guild which means they mist likely have a scope of the transpiring situation and probably seek to make profit off of it."
"Probably, otherwise they wouldn't be sticking their snouts on it." Shining said.
"And thus, we confirm that they are a player. Furthermore, several nobles have been murdered in Stalliongrad, one of which was in possession of the Staff. Murdered by who or why we do not know but we can safely assume it was not the Guild, but judging by Shining's account they are in possession of any evidence on the Stallions body as to the mode of his death."
"So, not only does a band of lowly thieves know more than we do, but they currently possess the most powerful scrying orb in existence and can easily find out any secret they wish. Additionally there is a third, possibly fourth, pair of groups that we know less about, one is hunting Lost Artifacts and the other has murdered several nobles. Did I get all of that?" Shining recounted.
Celestia nodded "That about sums it up."
"Well, I think I'll double the Night Guards efforts." Luna said, standing up "If the Guild or this mystery group so much as sneezes we'll know." With that she left.
"I need to go too, Cadence will be worried and I'll need to write." Shining began to stand up but was forced back down by Celestia's magic.
"Ah ah ah, we're not don't talking Shining Armour." She said.
"What? What else is there?" Shining asked, worried they had missed something.
"Well, it's been a while, so, we need to catch up of course!" Celestia exclaimed, a wide smile came to her lips and she leaned on her hooves "So how is Cadence these days? Is her duties with the Crystal Empire kept her from you? Or have you had enough quality time?"
Shining Armour could feel a headache building up, and he didn't think it was the Staff this time.
~~*~~
The Unicorn Guard- Iron Shield -Deactivated the last magical detector and allowed Secret Script to pass through.
"This is as far as I can take you." Iron Shield said "Past here is the last level of security, only the high payroll guards and the bank managers can access there. So have fun getting jailed, or worse." And with that, Iron took his leave.
Secret watched him go before turning to the hall, it was straight and walled by grey stone, the floor was polished white marble and the entire length was well-lit. At the end of the hall a heavy metal door with several locks on it.
Closing his eyes the blue Pegasus listened intently, there it was, a faint buzzing noise like small insects. It was tell-tale sign of magical wards.
Non-lethal most definitely, more likely to be detection wards or pacification wards.
Secret took three steps towards and listened again, yep, the ward was right there. Moving slowly around the edges of the invisible square he listened until he flapped up to the top right corner and put his ear as close as he dared. The buzzing was there, but it was louder, not much but enough to notice if one knew what they were looking for. That louder buzzing indicated the source of the ward, that's where the Unicorn had cast the ward from and had expanded it to the dimensions of the hall.
Returning to the ground Secret moved to the corner opposite of the ward's source, he pulled out one of his many daggers. This one was wide and was crafted out of silver and mercury and was polished to a mirror-like shine, carefully Secret inched the polished dagger into the corner and the ward.
In a moment the ward manifested, a transparent red wall, before it was reflected back at its source and with a series of sparks the ward cancelled itself out. Silently, quickly, and without fuss.
Secret smirked slightly, Never fails .
Recreating the mirror trick on at least five more wards Secret Script finally made his way to the metal door. Three large locks adorned it, all of which sported small runes that were engraved into the metal, to destroy any lockpick that soiled the tumblers.
Secret, however, was not one for lockpicking. Reaching into a small pouch he pulled out a tiny blue crystal and pushed it into the key hole, the runes flared brightly before dissipating, leaving the lock unclasped. After inspection it appeared the crystal had disintegrated into dust, not something Secret had anticipated, Silver Lock had assured him that a single crystal could neutralize at least ten magical locks before breaking.
Secret snorted, clearly Silver had exaggerated the effectiveness of the crystals as he did with everything else, Secret made a mental note to tell Silver just how effective his crystals were. Luckily Secret Script had brought several and he made quick work on the locks, after confirming that there was no ward on the other side of the door he pushed it open.
Inside was a large circular room, the sides were lines with an abundance of crates and chests, some were propped open to reveal hulking piles of coin, jewels, and other assorted treasures. Secret ignored these and stepped cautiously farther in, he spotted what looked like a small display case to the right side of the room.
Secret approached it and peered through the glass. There it was, a thin gold chain held onto a single medallion in the shape of an angry looking Alicorn with glowing ruby eyes. The lock was mediocre and non-magical, Secret made quick work of it.
Holding the necklace up he examined it, he couldn't identify what metal the black medallion was made of but the rubies... They were beautiful, enchanting, he could keep it couldn't he? Fancy wouldn't know and the Guild could easily find the information themselves, all he had to do was slip it on...
Secret blinked and shook his head, those had not been his thoughts, he looked back at the medallion and immediately those thoughts entered his mind again. Quickly he stuffed the thing away, he didn't like the greedy feeling that the medallion gave him, he liked control and this was not control.
No matter, it wouldn't be his problem.
~~*~~
Fancy Pants was still in his study when Secret Script faded in from the shadows.
"You have it then?" Fancy said without turning.
Secret pulled out the amulet and held it out, taking care not took look at the rubies. Fancy took it in his magical glow, he barely glanced at it and placed it on his desk.
"Now, what was this information that you wanted?" Fancy asked, looking at the Thief with tired eyes.
Secret pulled out a scrap of paper, on it the sun and eye symbol that Swift and Treasure had found previously.
"There is a group that is currently seeking out magical artifacts, we have reason to believe that this group consists mostly of nobles and had deep connections with the mining industry." Secret said "This here is there symbol, we want to know what you know."
Fancy didn't even look at the parchment "Your information is correct, the group 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."
Secret blinked "Control? You mean they want to over through Celestia?"
Fancy shook his head "Not as much, they want to perfect the system as it were. To eradicate corruption, impurity.... And crime."
Secret blinked again "Do you think they have a chance of succeeding?"
Fancy hesitated "....I would say yes, with the progress they have made and the resources they possess, I think they are a real threat to the government and your.... Business"
Secret nodded and moved over to the window "Thank you for that information, we'll be in touch." The Pegasus flew out into the night. Fancy Pants key out the breath he hadn't realize he was holding.
"Well go on then, take it, your masters will be eager to get their hooves on it."
A dark chuckle came from behind him.
"All in due time, you know, when you said you could easily acquired the amulet I never would have guessed you were in with the Thieves Guild."
"A good tactician uses any resource he can."
"Quite, now there's the matter of the information you just gave away."
"I am a Stallion of my word, he wanted information, so I gave it."
"I understand, I respect your integrity, unfortunately you have demonstrated that we cannot trust you to keep your lips sealed, you have become a liability." Hoof steps approached Fancy from behind "You understand of course, nothing personal, just business."
"Of course." Fancy said "Just business." He closed his eyes and felt the pressure of cold metal on his throat.
~~*~~
A series of knocking came to the study door.
"Dearest?" Fluer called as she opened the door, the room was dark, the candles were out "Don't tell me you've been working all da-" she stopped as she stepped in something wet, flaring her horn she illuminated the scene before her. And screamed.
Fancy Pants was lying on his side, his face strangely calm but his throat was cut open in a bright red smile. Blood leaking onto the floor into a large pool. Fluer looked up and to her horror there was writing on the far wall, written in the blood of the rich.
TRAITOR
Chapter 10- Necessary Evil
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.
Chapter 11- Faces Revealed
Chapter 11- Faces revealed
Guards burst through the hall doors, running past Celestia and aiming their spears at the semi-circle of thieves.
"Orders ma'am?" One asked, looking at Celestia, who sighed and looked at the six cloaked ponies who stood around grumbling about how 'Goldy' had left them behind, in the back of her mind she wondered if there was a calculated reason behind it, her unlikely new ally seemed like the type to make subtle chess-like moves.
"Lower your weapons," Celestia ordered, the guards all looked at her in astonishment.
"Ma'am?" The same Guard asked incredulously.
"Lower your weapons," Celestia repeated "we are ally's now, and I will not go back on a deal." She looked at the thieves again, they had congested into a small group now, their expressions hidden under deep hoods "I trust you will all do they same?"
As the guards reluctantly backed off one of the thieves- the one holding the Element of Loyalty -stepped forward.
"The Thieves Guild always keeps it's deals," he said with suave charisma.
"As will I," Celestia said back "and because of that, I would request two things if you."
"And what may they be?"
"First," Celestia listed "return the Elements to their bearers."
"Done," Swift said "take them." Each of the Guildmembers head out the element they carried, with Secret Script picking up the Element of Magic. Celestia sparked her golden magic and took the Elements and floated them over to the Mane Six who accepted them gratefully.
"Now," Celestia continued "I would like you all to lower your hoods, show me your faces."
There was hesitation, the rogue's all exchanged glances.
"If we are going to trust each other, it makes sense to know each other's faces don't you agree?" They still seemed unsure before Celestia played a trump card "Besides, we cannot erase your criminal record without knowing who you are."
That worked.
"Ah bugger it all, fine." Treasure Runner growled, and pulled his hood down, revealing his bearded grumpy face.
Shining Armour gasped sharply "Your Treasure Runner! The Trottingham Pickpocket! Seven hundred accounts of petty thievery, sixty accounts of burglary, and four accounts of breaking and entering."
"This is the famed Trottingham Pickpocket?" Luna asked with a hint of doubt, looking at the old Pony.
Shining Armour nodded "I've memorized the high profile criminal records, he matches the description perfectly," Shining glared at the Earth Pony Pickpocket "I'm right aren't I?"
Treasure smiled "Right you are soldier boy," the Pickpocket glared at his companions "get on with it 'ya wankers."
Swift chuckled and lowered his hood, on cue, Shining Armpur spoke up.
"Swift Hoof, The Shadow of Canterlot, two hundred accounts of petty thievery, eight-hundred and twenty-three accounts of burglary, four hundred accounts of breaking and entering, and you have been pinned with over five hundred heists."
Swift smiled, in the back of his mind he felt something nagging at him, a sense of familiarity, particularly towards the Captain and Twilight Sparkle. He ignored the feeling.
"Suck it Treasure," he taunted as Dream Charmer lowered her hood, before Shining Armour could run off the charges Rainbow Dash interrupted.
"You!" She exclaimed, pointing at Dream Charmer "You sedu-led me on!"
Dream giggled "it is all part of the job, belle jument , you should not hold a grudge."
Rainbow Dash looked furious but Shining Armour continued undeterred.
"Dream Charmer, The Lustful Lady, four hundred accounts of illegal prostitution, two hundred and forty seven accounts of sexual harassment and forty accounts of sexual assault and rape."
The other thieves all slowly looked at the Prench mare who giggled and faked embarrassment "Sometimes I must be a little.... Forceful."
"You have no shame, lass," Treasure said, shaking his head slowly.
Silver Lock lowered his hood, smirking at Dream Charmer, Shining Armour was right on top of it.
"Silver Lock, The Silver Phantom, nine hundred accounts of breaking and entering, pinned for about six hundred and twenty two heists."
"Ha! Take it Swift!" Silver boasted, puffing out his chest.
"Yes, you got seen more than I have, congrats," Swift retorted, which got a bark of laughter out of Treasure. Brass Hoof revealed himself and Shining growled.
"Brass Hoof, I remember you, I discharged you myself, what you did to that poor mare... I let you go free out of good will, it appears I was mistaken." He said.
Brass Hoof sneered "Go on then, list my charges, Captain, sir ," he spat.
Shining Armour was furious, he growled out the charges "Seventy accounts of assault and eighty three accounts of third degree murder." Swift and Silver whistled and congratulated Brass on a respectable record, eventually they were all staring at the last one left, Secret Script.
"Go on then, show your ugly face," Treasure barked, Secret didn't move and the Pickpocket sighed heavily. Silver- who was closest to Secret Script -scoffed and trotted over to the Pegasus.
"Oh come off it," Silver said, and he grabbed Secret's hood with his magic and pulled the garment away from Secret's face.
Secret pushed Silver away ruffly, anger and panic going across his usually blank face. Shining stemmed to have no record of their outlaw, Luna, on the other hand, gasped slightly.
"Secret Script.." She breathed, causing the dark Pegasus to start, he was facing away from her now. Slowly, guiltily, Secret turned to face Princess Luna.
"An honour to see you again... My Princess," Secret said quietly.
"Sister?" Celestia said "Do you know him?"
Luna nodded, not taking her eyes off Secret "he was one of my Nightguard's, one of the best, he was my top agent when rooting out conspirators and gathering intel... All until I sent him on a mission to the Gryphon Kingdom, he never returned, I pronounced him dead and erased his files for security reasons," Luna shook her head "What happened to you? Why are you with these.... Rogue's?"
Secret Script smiled lightly "Some secrets are meant to be kept, my Princess." Luna didn't look satisfied but Celestia cut off any responses she had lined up.
"Six Ponies," Celestia mused sadly "Six very talented Ponies, you could all serve your country so well and yet you choose to break and slander the law put up to protect my little Ponies... And a I can ask is why?"
The thieves all exchanged glances.
"There... Ain't no rest for the wicked?" Swift offered.
"Money doesn't grow on trees," Silver added.
"We've got bills to pay," Brass grunted.
"Mouths ta feed," Treasure said.
"Nothing in this world is for free," Secret said softly.
"We can't slow down," Swift said.
"We can't hold back," Treasure added.
"Although we wish we could," Dream Charmer finally said, there was a pause before Celestia
spoke.
"No rest for the wicked..." She repeated, thinking.
"Until we close our eyes for good," Swift concluded for her, there was another pause as everypony present let the message sink in.
"I think it is best we all retire for this day," Luna suggested "we can think of our next move the next day."
"I think that is best," Celestia said "until then?"
Swift nodded "send your messages to the Staggering Stallion, it's our... Refuge, we'll be in touch." With that Silver and Dream sparked their horns and the thieves disappeared into a flash of silver and pink.
There was silence until Shining Armour broke it.
"They're base is a bar?" He asked incredulously.
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.
Chapter 13- Iron From Ash
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."
Chapter 1- Shadow of the Theatre
Chapter 1- Shadow of The Theatre
The Canterlot Palace of Theatrics, or 'The Theatre' as it was commonly called, was an architectural masterpiece. With it's polished marble floors and pillars, impressive interior, rounded roof, and an abundance of windows that tended to be left open a lot of the time. The Theatre was an attraction to both supporters of the arts and 'other' guests.
Fancy Pants reached into his coat pocket with his magic, dragging out a silver ornate pocket watch the aristocrat popped it open and checked the time. It was the fifth time the wealthy Unicorn had done so in only twenty minutes as he had headed towards the Theatre through the darkening afternoon streets, a fact that was not lost on his lovely companion.
"Dearest we are not even to the Theatre yet" Fleur De Lis said teasingly "Do not tell me you are awaiting the performances end already" Fancy smiled behind his twirled moustache at his wife, placing the watch back into his pocket but keeping it's silver chain clear for easy access.
"Not so, my dear. Rather I am having an item delivered to our residence tonight and I am pondering if we shall return before it's arrival. I do not want to keep the poor chap who delivers it waiting." Fleur smiled at her husband. The pink Unicorn looked lovely in a simple dress that was just a shade off her coat colour, her neck and ears were adorned with the best crafted jewelry money could obtain and she wore minimal make-up, revealing the mares more natural beauty.
"How very considerate of you love" the mare said "But I am sure that if we miss the delivery, the boy will wait happily. No doubt you shall generously compensate the colt for waiting" Fancy Pants chuckled as the pair reached the marble steps leading up into the Theatre itself, now being surrounded by other aristocratic couples heading to the performance being put on that night.
"You know me too well Fleur" the wealthy stallion replied "Never the less, I would rather get my hooves on the item sooner rather than later" in a lower tone that not even his wife could here the stallion mumbled "I'm already paying twice the normal rates anyway"
As the majority of Canterlot's upper class filtered in the main entrance, a separate being searched for an alternate entrance. Luckily for the shadow, there was an abundance of aforementioned open windows readily available for undetected entrance. One problem did stand though, the only available windows happened to be on the second floor, above the main theatre and at least thirty metres above were a certain Pegasus currently stood.
Now in reality, this was not a problem at all, as being a Pegasus constituted possessing the power of flight. Spreading his grey wings that were left outside of the leather casing in which the rest of his body was covered in. The Pegasus silently ascended towards the window of his choice, he had studied blueprints and builders drawings the day before and had selected this particular window after careful planning.
Reaching the window and entering it swiftly, the Pegasus landed inside the dusty, wooden floored hallway of the Theatres upper floors, after silently closing the window behind him the shadow stalked down the dark hall. Luckily the floorboards under the stallion did not creak as he walked over them, but that didn't stop him from carefully testing each step before putting his full weight on it, causing the stallions progress down the long servant hall to take much longer than had he done otherwise.
As the hooded Pegasus neared the end of the hall, and the door he was aiming for, a muffled voice came from behind the door, becoming clearer as the stallion reached the door and silently opened it, revealing the bright far side.
"...ood evening fillies and gentlecolts! As head of this evenings performance I personally would like to welcome you all to our humble performance of 'The Merchant of Prance'!"
After the stallions eyes adjusted to the change in lighting he observed the situation, he had come out into a small balcony behind the closed red curtains of the stage. The balcony stood at least a hundred metres above the stage floor, were several performers and stage-hooves ran to and fro, getting into position for the coming play. Continuing his scan the stallion spotted a similar door to the one he had just exited, only this one was placed on the far end of the stage and was his next destination.
Still looking around the shadowy Pegasus saw that there were several hanging platforms and beams that could be used to cross the area to the other door. True the winged stalker could simply fly across, however it was entirely possible that one of the many thespians below could spot him, a chance that he was not willing to take.
Yet again spreading his wings, the grey Pegasus jumped off the balcony and with a single silent flap, soared over to the first of the hanging platforms, the loose board swinging with his weight. After allowing it to settle for a moment, the shadowy figure launched himself to the nearest support beam, not pausing he jumped rapidly from beam to beam, his leather-padded hooves softening any noise that would had otherwise been made. Reaching the final beam the stallion launched himself again and arrived perfectly on his destination balcony, cracking his neck before continuing to the door.
Carefully pressing down on the door lever, the stallion met resistance halfway through pushing the latch down. Revealing the door to be locked quite securely, a fact that the stallion could easily remedy. Reaching into specialized sheaths in his gauntlets, the Pegasus pulled out two thin metal picks, specially designed for one purpose.
Carefully inserting the picks into the slot just above the lever, the stallion carefully pushed them in farther until he reached his goal; the tumblers. With a feather light touch that would have made any mare shutter, the stallion slipped the first pick under the tumbler and pushed it up with a small click, after repeating the process three times a slightly louder click could be heard and the grey Pegasus pushed the lever down again, this time succeeding in un-latching the door and opening it silently, slipping inside and pulling his picks out of the slot before closing the door behind him.
After replacing his picks back into their slots the stallion looked around the small room, it was a waiters closet, several shelves of high-quality wine lined the walls. Besides that there was a water pump, a door on the far left side of the room, a few empty crates and a window that the Pegasus knew was locked from the outside and thus he couldn't had used it for an entrance without being discovered. Walking over to the other door, the hooded stalker put his eye to the key slot and peeked to the room on the other side.
What he saw was one of the few high boxes in the Theatre, places where the high class attendees could look down upon those who couldn't secure a placement in the almost never full boxes. Currently residing in the plush red seats was only five stallions and mares including a certain moustachioed aristocrat and his wife, but the shadowy Pegasus was only interested in the mare sitting on the far left.
She was relatively young, probably around the same age of her hidden observer. She had a pleasant light blue coat with a dark purple mane, her face was covered in excessive make-up in an attempt to augment her beauty and around her neck was a golden necklace, made of intricate weaves of golden vines and inlaid with jewels and strange runes, in the centre was a large oval shaped, scarlet gem that sparkled from even the slightest light change.
After admiring his mark for a moment the stallion noticed something else; the mares face was quite red and it was not from an excess of blush, rather it was the kind of redness that came with an excess of alcohol. This was confirmed when a Unicorn waiter approached the mare and offered a bottle of wine to her, which the mare immediately accepted. The waiter poured the blood red liquid into her awaiting wine glass, emptying the bottle of its condense. After excusing himself the waiter headed towards the closet to retrieve more of the intoxicating nectar.
The hidden rogue was already forming a plan, as the waiter neared the stallion pulled away from the door and turned to a nearby crate. Popping open the top the stallion slipped inside with the empty wine bottles and straw and awaited his opportunity. After a few moments of silence the Pegasus heard approaching hoofsteps and the distinctive sound of the door un-latching, re-latching and the waiter walking in, the stallion in the box waited as he heard the colt moving past his hiding place. After a moment the hidden Pegasus slowly propped the crates top open a crack to reveal the waiter engrossed in searching for his charges favourite brand of wine, with practiced ease the rogue slipped out of the crate and positioned himself behind the Unicorn.
The waiter must of heard him, or perhaps some instinctual sense alerted him to a presence and the servant began to turn, but before he could get far his grey stalker wrapped his forelegs around the waiters throat, pressing down on the Unicorns windpipe and cutting of his air supply. The Unicorn attempted to fight back or choke out a cry or help, unfortunately for him it was too late and he was eventually consumed by the black void of unconsciousness.
Laying the waiter down carefully the hooded Pegasus looked him up and down, the Unicorn was roughly his size, perhaps a bit thiner but that was fine. The waiter was wearing a white jacket and collared shirt with a black bow tie, the garments being the key to the rogues plans.
"Sorry mate" the grey Pegasus said softly before unbuttoning the unconscious stallions jacket. In no time at all the rogue had stripped the waiter of his clothes, leaving the servant nude. In another moment the Pegasus had removed his own leather wraps and garments, carefully placing his picks, satchel bombs, smoke bombs, daggers, and other questionable items with the rest of his equipment. Before then changing into the waiters uniform.
After that, the now disguised rogue picked up the sleeping beauty on the floor and placed him inside the crate that he himself had been binding in, along with his equipment. The Pegasus closed the crate and walked over to the water pump and grabbed a nearby bucket, filling the bucket up with the pump the stallion dipped his hooves in the water and ran them through his rough mane, pushing the long uneven dark brown hair back into a slick sheet behind his head, he couldn't do much about his facial fuzz but it would have to do.
After adjusting his bow tie and grabbing two random bottles of wine and holding them in the crook of his foreleg the rogue confidently strode through the door and into the high box. As he had expected, none of the occupants noticed as the waiter reappeared holding bottles of wine. With a victorious grin the 'waiter' moved behind the main group of aristocrats and to the tipsy mare that was his mark.
When he neared the rogue cleared his throat.
"More wine ma'am?" The mare turned to the speaker with eyes clouded with alcohol.
"Oh I couldn't, I've already has so much already." The Pegasus put on a charming smile.
"Oh I insist ma'am, I want you to have a good time after all. Anything to lighten up such a boring performance." The mare giggled.
"Oh alright, but only one more glass." She offered her glass in which the pretending servant generously filled. And despite the mares claim of only one more cup she drank through an entire bottle in no time, during which time she opted to ignore the play and chose to stare dreamily at the enabler of her alcoholism.
"Yours is a handsome one" she said with slightly slurred speech "What's your name?" The rogue grinned while uncorking the next bottle and filling her glass yet again.
"Serving Hoof ma'am" he replied as she downed the glass of intoxicant. Wiping her mouth and smiling at the stallion as he re-filled her glass.
"I'm Sun Light" the mare said before downing another glass, Sun Light came up from it coughing and red-faced.
"Aw.. I don't feel so good" the Pegasus laid down the bottle and carefully took the wine glass from Sun Light.
"Perhaps you should go lie down Miss Light? I don't want you getting sick" the mare smiled at her waiter.
"Of course Serving Hoof, your right." The stallion helped the aristocrat up and with her leaning on him, the rogue lead her to the waiters closet, closing the door behind them.
"Oh Serving Hoof..." Sun said drunkenly, wrapping her hooves around his neck and facing him with half lidded eyes "Your so very good to me" the mare leaned in and the two met in a heavy kiss. Sun Light tasted, smelt, and breathed a wine-laced stench as she leaned into the kiss more and moaned ever so slightly as the 'waiter' leaned back. The mare finally pulled her head out of it, her head continuing to fall back until it hung limp, the mare falling into drunken unconsciousness.
The rogue delicately laid the mare against the wall and spat the taste of regurgitated wine from his mouth and into a corner, moving over to the crate he retrieved his gear and changed again, throwing the waiters cloths in with their still slumbering owner. After he was suited up the rogue went back over to the sleeping Sun Light and leaned closer, carefully unhooking her ornate necklace from her blue neck, after admiring it fir a moment the thief placed it in a pouch at his side, looking back at his mark he nodded towards her.
"Pleasure doing business, lass" and with that the Pegasus pulled his hood up, headed over to the window, and flew off into the night.
As the rogue made his escape, a certain moustachioed Unicorn aristocrat made good on his favoured habit of that night and checked his pocket watch again. Fancy Pants closed his watch with a snap, a pleased smile coming from under his moustache, the performance was nearing it's closing scene, Fleur was leaning on his side, very ready to head home as was her husband.
In no time at all the play ended, the audience coming to their hooves and stomping them in applause as the cast bowed and waved. After showing their appreciation to the actors, Fancy Pants and his wife headed towards the exit. Leaving the Theatre into the crisp night air the aristocratic couple headed to their house, the short trip not taking much time at all. Until the two reached their home; a decently large residence made of the finest marble, as they approached the door was opened for them by one of Fancy Pant's many butlers, after thanking the stallion and entering into the polished floor of the main foyer, the couple kissed and parted, Fleur heading off to her freshening room to remove her minimal make-up and Fancy Pants headed up the stairs and towards the master bedroom.
Coming to the door the aristocrat unlatched it and went inside, closing the door with his rear hoof he spoke gruffly to the dark room.
"I trust you have it" the response came in the form of a cocky chuckle, coming into the moonlight from the window, a leather-bound grey Pegasus revealed himself to the stallion. Reaching into a pouch at his side the rogue pulled out the golden necklace he had relived from a certain drunk mare. Fancy Pants stared with greed at it and reached a hoof to take it only to have the thief pull it out of his reach.
"Ah ah ah" the Pegasus said teasingly "Pay up first" Fancy Pants glared at the insolent work before reaching into his jacket and pulling out a sizeable bag that gave off that magical jingle of coin as it moved, Fancy tossed the bag to the rogue who caught it and jingled it near his ear, after nodding in satisfaction the thief put the bag in his satchel and offered the necklace to his client. Fancy Pants took the item with his magic and admired it at closer range, looking back at the rogue he saw the Pegasus give a mocking bow.
"Always a pleasure doing business Fancy Pants." He said, the aristocrat huffed.
"Perfect delivery as always... Swift Hoof" it was at that moment that he heard the sound of somepony climbing the stairs, Fancy's eyes widened slightly.
"Leave." He commanded softly, before turning towards the door as his wife walked throughout it.
"Dearest, were you talking to somepony?" Fancy Pants glanced behind him to see that Swift had disappeared, the slightly ajar window being evidence to such, the stallion turned back to his wife.
"Oh no, I was just speaking to myself." The mare smiled at him.
"Ah I see, did your item arrive yet?" Fancy Pants nodded.
"Indeed it did" and with that he presented the necklace to her, the mares eyes immediately locked on to the masterpiece, gasping in awe.
"Oh my Celestia, it's gorgeous!" Fleur looked up and placed a hoof to her chest "For me?" Her husband nodded.
"Of course my dear" Fancy Pants stepped forward and placed the jewelry piece around Fleur's neck, holding her in his arms as she looked down at her new accessory.
"Where ever did you find such a masterpiece love?" Her husband chuckled.
"Oh you know me" he said "I have good connections."
Chapter 2- The Staggering Stallion
Chapter 2- The Staggering Stallion
Golden Shine strolled through the damp, backwater slums of Canterlot. Luna's bright orb illuminating the narrow street, on each side of the street was littered with many a Pony who looked downtrodden and broken, either poor or drunk or both. Golden passed by one such poor sod on his way, the poster-child for the Equestrian proletariat reached out towards the dark yellow Unicorn.
"Please sir... Spare a bit" Golden Shine pulled his hoof away before the cretin could touch the sleeve of his white shirt, the Unicorn sneered at the pathetic being before him and simply continued on his way. It wasn't long until Shine reached bus destination; The Staggering Stallion, a place of drink and squalor if he ever saw one but one that he unfortunately had to visit quite often these days.
The stallion passed under the inns sign, which depicted an image of a drunken staggering colt holding a mug, and entered through the door. A wave of smells assaulted Golden's nostrils, a smell of stale cider, unwashed bodies, and woodsmoke. Coughing slightly the stallion made his way through the door frame, closing the door behind him Shine scanned the main room, it was filled to the brim with late-night drinkers, all around him the sound of talking, laughing, and occasionally raised voiced were all around him. As Golden Shine observed them, the patrons paid nay a lick of attention to the newcomer, despite the fact that he stood out slightly, what with the majority of Ponies present being dressed in dark, dirty clothing and looking rough and hardened and Golden Shine looking superior in his white collared shirt and brown vest, his golden brown mane slicked back as was the style for
the modern-day capitalist, Golden Shine was a common visitor to the inn.
One occupant who did notice the newcomer was the innkeeper himself, standing behind the counter and wiping a mug with a magicked cloth, the two stallions locked eyes and the innkeeper subtly jerked his head towards the far corner of the room. Golden followed the stallions gesture and spotted a cloaked, hooded figure sitting alone at a small table in the corner, strangely with two mugs in front of him, as if he were dining with somepony. Golden shine slipped through the crowd of patrons to approach the cloaked Pony, sitting down across from him and pulling the second mug towards him.
"I trust it went well then?" Golden asked, before taking a generous swig from the mug, scrunching his muzzle in disgust at the cheap liquor, the cloaked figure nodded and reached inside his cloak, revealing the leather gear and pair of wings under the garment, after a bit of rummaging the Pegasus revealed a sizeable bag that clinked and rattled with the sound of coin as Swift Hoof placed it in front of the yellow Unicorn.
Without another word Golden Shine activated his magic, levitating the bag off the table and emptying the contents onto the table itself, after discarding the bag Golden took hold of the bits themselves and began piling them in neat piles of ten, coming up with about a hundred of said piles. Shine took hold of ten of the stacks and pushed them towards Swift Hoof, who immediately swiped them up and hid them away in his satchel.
Golden Shine levitated the remaining gold into his own satchel, picking up the mug of cider with his yellow-coloured power.
"To a job well done" he said and the two scoundrels knocked their mugs together and downed the remaining cider, Golden Shine came up coughing and scowling in disgust.
"Remind me to hand Clean Cup some funds, we need some better quality cider in this place." Swift chuckled.
"Heard there's a popular new brand on the market, Apple Family Cider, problem is that you can only get it in Ponyville." The yellow Unicorn shrugged.
"Perhaps I can work something out with the manufacturers, anyway let's head downstairs, I need to talk to everypony." And with that they got up and headed over to the far corner adjacent to the counter, Golden nodded towards Clean Cup as he and his roguish companion headed through the kitchen door.
Calling it a 'kitchen door' wasn't entirely accurate, rather than a generic kitchen as most would assume, it was a short hallway made of stone that came to a solid brick wall. Golden Shine walked forward towards the brick wall, the Unicorn reached a hoof out and tapped a seemingly random sequence of bricks before stepping back. There was the sound of stone scraping on stone and the wall split in two, opening to reveal a dark stairway that spilled out of view and was lite only by a single torch.
The pair headed down the spiral staircase with Golden in the lead, turning dramatically as they headed into the deep. The light from the torch eventually fading and the two Ponies being shrouded in darkness, Golden Shine activated his horn and their way was illuminated by a pale yellow light. Eventually the two scoundrels came to a old-looking mouldy door in which they entered through.
The other side revealed a darker, damper version of the Staggering Stallion. The floor was old stone covered in thriving moss, a wooden counter of similar status and several round tables were set up. Besides that there was a small stone bridge that lead to a large stone circle that was illuminated by moonlight beaming from a hole in the ceiling, supposedly from a well in the middle of Canterlot.
Sitting around the counter and one behind it, were the filthiest band of scoundrels that could have ever united. They were dressed similarly to Swift, a few with cloaks a few without, Golden walked into the middle of them and spoke to the shadowy group.
"Come to the centre everypony, I got something to say." The shadows shifted and followed Swift and Golden to the centre of their den. As they moved into the light the lot of them pulled back their hoods and let their features be bathed in moonlight.
There was Secret Script, a rather quiet dark blue Pegasus, he was the guilds primary spy and intelligence gatherer, if you want dirt on somepony or the whereabouts of some buried treasure? He was your Pony.
Then there was Silver Lock, their infiltrator, this silver-coloured Unicorn could break into the Princesses bedchambers, steal their tiaras, escape, and have his crime not noticed for the following three days, or so he bragged.
After them was Dream Charmer, the guilds head courtesan. To put it bluntly, the Prench mare was a whore, a mistress of seduction and late-night sins, the light purple Unicorn was very beautiful and affections were sought by just about every male in Canterlot, unfortunately for them she preferred to put her brothel skills to more profitable ventures.
Treasure Runner was also there, a slick, practical, brown Earth Pony that was a master pickpocket, he brought in the consistent income, never failing to fish the heaviest of bit purses from the everyday street-users.
Finally there was Brass Hoof, a monster of a Earth Pony that was a former Royal Guard, he watched the streets for the guild, spotting outsiders and providing muscle when it was needed.
Once the merry band of thieves was assembled in the centre, Golden Shine spoke up.
"I want to start off by saying that so far this year has been one of the most profitable yet" he said "You have all performed perfectly mad racked in sone serious coin, that being said our escapades have attracted the attention of some... Peculiar clients, I have nothing solid yet, but I think soon we'll be offered some high-grade jobs" there were quite a few raised eyebrows and exchanged glances, but Golden wasn't done yet.
"Until I get it confirmed though, we won't be letting up, I want you all to continue doing your jobs, Swift" the Unicorn turned to the grey stallion "I'll have something for you soon, just help out and or take some jobs from the board until then alright?" Swift Hoof grinned and nodded.
"Sure thing Goldy, find me some big game won't you?" Golden Shine scowled slightly.
"I will and don't call me Goldy" and with that his horn lit up and the guild master disappeared in a flash of gold, leaving his band of scoundrels behind.
"Dramatic as always 'E iz" Dream Charmer said with a slight toss of her mane "I 'Op that these new jobs of 'iz will be worth it."
"I'm sure they will" Swift said through a yawn "He never fails to deliver" Dream smiled her alluring smile at the Pegasus.
"Aw, you must be so very tired from your latest adventure Swiftest" she said "Script told me the word on the street iz that a certain aristocrat was found drunk in a waiters closet, mumbling about somepony called 'Serving Hoof'" Swift looked at Secret Script who with a completely straight face, winked at him. The grey Pegasus chuckled a bit before looking back at Dream.
"Oh yes, I heard some tales about a dashing waiter in the Theatre" Swift Hooves stifled another yawn "I think I'll get some sleep... Maybe you can help me with that Dreamy?" Swift moved his eyebrows up and down to make his meaning clear. Dream Charmer caught in to him and smiled.
"Regrettably, I 'ave a previous engagement, another time perhaps" the courtesan winked and walked away, swaying her hips for all colts to see.
"Bloody tease that one" Treasure Runner said gruffly, in his northern Trottingham accent "I swear if I had a bit for every time she played a stallion.... Well I wouldn't be here would I?" Silver Lock shrugged.
"Bah, let her be, what I'm interested is Goldy's new jobs, wonder if I'll get to work my magic on a vault or 'somethin" Swift yawned again.
"Guess we'll find out soon enough, for now gents, I have some sleep to catch up on. Silver, Treasure, Script, goodnight." They all said their farewells and headed off, Swift turned to a separate walkway that lead off the centre platform, it came to a wooden door in which, when pushed open, revealed a small bedroom with a sloppily made bed, a empty bookstand, and a coat-hook.
Swift Hoof removed his cloak and hung it on the hook, then made no time of unstrapping his gear, revealing the Pegasus's rough grey coat and brown mane, along with his cutie mark: the image of a bit bag spilling it's golden condense to any who wish to claim it. After carefully placing his gear on the stone floor, taking extra care not to bump the satchel bombs on anything, Swift climbed into the bed, stretching his wings before pulling the blanket over him and falling into a deep, slightly tipsy, sleep. Full of dreams of coin and treasure awaiting his eager hooves and of precious little else, he was thief after all, he didn't not care for much else than riches.
