Thief of the Frontline

Chapter 11

"How could you lie to her like that, Nightfall?" Twilight asked angrily.

"Why does it matter to you?" Nightfall snapped back.  "I'm doing the best I can."

"Why does it matter to me?" Twilight repeated the question.  "How am I supposed to trust you if you cant even be honest with your own daughter?!"  Twilight stomped, emphasizing just how serious this was.

"I've never lied to her, Twilight!" Nightfall argued.  "I told Snowy that her mother was gone, but she's the one who assumed that Shady would be back."

"And that just means you don't have a responsibility to tell her?"

"Oh, so you think it's easy, huh?" Nightfall replied.  "How do I tell her?  How do I tell her that her own mother that she knew and loved more than anything, is dead and never coming back?  How... huh?  How dammit?"  He sat back on his haunches and fell quiet.

Twilight also fell quiet.  She didn't know what to say.  This entire time, she had been so concerned about trust, she forgot just how much pain Nightfall was in.  "I'm sorry," she said as she sat down next to him.  "That was really selfish of me."

"I love her so much," Nightfall whispered.  "Does not wanting to tell her just to save her the heartache make me a bad father?"  He hung his head low in despair.  He didn't know what to do.  He never knew what to do.  Ever since Shady died, he would second guess himself on everything.  Maybe that's why those four guards were dead.  Maybe that's why he didn't find out all the details.  Maybe that's why he couldn't sleep at night.  He sighed.

"How did she die?" Twilight asked.

"What, you think talking about it will make me feel better?" Nightfall replied.  "I feel like I'm in some cliché movie."

"Talking helps me, sometimes," Twilight said carefully.  She didn't want to set him off again.

"Fine," Nightfall surrendered for the first time.  "There was a fire.  The guards came and decided it would be best to burn down our house with us inside.  I almost gave up trying to save her, but we managed to escape after the floor collapsed, giving us access to an escape tunnel."

"Wait, if you made it out, then how did she die?"

Nightfall continued his story.  "I managed to get her to a hospital, but I had to leave to keep the guards from tracking me down.  Believe me, I wanted to stay with her, but the best thing I could do was keep them away from her and focused on me.  When I did return though, the doctors said that it was too late.  Some burning debris fell on her and apparently that opened some old wounds.  They tried everything they could, but her injuries couldn't be treated until they got the smoke out of her lungs and by the time that happened, she was already gone."

"Old wounds?" Twilight asked concerned.  "What happened to her before?"

"Shady was a victim of some pretty bad stuff," Nightfall said.  "She saw the deepest parts of the criminal underground.  Parts that even I wouldn't dare to go to."  Nightfall paused before continuing.  "Pony trafficking," he clarified.

Before the conversation could continue any farther, there was a knock on the door and Foxtrot stuck his head into the room.  "Am I interrupting anything?" he asked.

Nightfall waved him in, not wanting to talk about the past anymore.  "What's up?" he asked his pegasus friend.

"Twilight, Solar needs to talk to you," Foxtrot said.  "And Nightfall, I need your help with something important."

Nightfall sighed.  "No rest for the wicked."

Twilight opened the door in front of her half way and stuck her head in the room.  "Solar?  Are you in here?"

"Over here," Solar said from the other side of the room.  He was standing at a table that was covered in stacks of papers.

Twilight let the door open all the way before closing it behind her as she stepped into the room.  "I was told that you wanted to talk to me."

"Yeah, I do."  Solar sighed and then turned around.  He looked tired, as if he hadn't slept in a while.  In reality he had slept, but only for one to two hours every night.  "I want to let you know some things."

Twilight knew what was coming.  It was time for her to go out and rally ponies for the cause.  To inspire a revolution.  Twilight had thought about all this, but she was troubled.  The way they were going would surely lead to some kind of war.  She hated the thought of ponies laying down their lives for her.  Surely there was another way.

"Before we begin," Solar started.  "What do you know about the regime that controls Equestria?  Why do you want to help us?"

Twilight thought back to everything she had learned since waking up on that hammock.  "Well," she said.  "When I first woke up that night, I didn't really believe anything that I was being told.  I thought that you were just crazy kidnappers.  I even tried to run away, but then Nightfall showed me the Tree of Harmony, or at least what was left of it.  That's when all doubt in mind was erased.  The next morning, he brought me that book and... well... I learned things.  So many horrible things."

"And you just believed everything in the book?"

"How could I not?" Twilight replied, slightly surprised that Solar would even suggest that it was false.  "Whoever these Archivist ponies are, their masters of gathering and documenting information.  There were newspaper articles, photos, memoirs, personal journals of witnesses that had been donated.  The amount of evidence was so overwhelmingly undeniable.  It's the most impressive thing that I've ever seen."

"So what have you learned?  What was it that made you decide to help us?"

"I don't think I can just point out one thing.  Canterlot had to be one of the worst.  The upper tiers of the city using the lowers as slaves.  All the corporations in Manehattan are now controlled by the king so that the rich can get richer while keeping the poor in a state of poverty.  The buffalo nearly went extinct when they tried to rise up so that they could reclaim the land that they lost when the apple fields of Appleloosa were expanded passed the borders that had been set by now broken treaties.  There is no longer any kind of freedom of speech.  The courts don't take petitions or listen to the pleas of the citizens.  Mass hangings to keep everypony in line!  Peaceful demonstrations turn into massacres when they are met with armed resistance!"  Twilight was now shouting as her mind raced through all the things that she had read.

"So you do understand," Solar said.

"There were..." Twilight closed her eyes and sighed heavily.  She shook slightly as she did this.  "There were a lot of graphic pictures and if those weren't enough proof then the spells that allowed me to witness the event through the eyes of another were.  I even dissected the runes that allowed me to do this with my own magic.  There were no hidden symbols or effects.  I actually saw real, not made up or altered versions of history.  It was all real.  Something has to be done."

"I'm glad you think so," Solar said  "Something will be done, soon."  He smiled.  "Very soon."

"What are we going to do?" Twilight asked.

"You are headed to Ponyville.  There, you will reveal who you are to a small amount of ponies.  You need to let them know that help is coming.  Tell them to spread the word to everypony that they know they can trust and to prepare.  They'll know when the time is right strike.  Once you're done in Ponyville we'll need to get you to a neighboring town as soon as possible.  Once the seeds of rebellion have been planted, we'll hit royal targets, forcing the guards to come running."

"You've planned passed that point, right?" Twilight asked.  "I don't really see how bringing more royal forces to us helps."

"That's where things will get complicated.  Foxtrot is going to lead a team to find another rebel group that recently came out in force in Manehattan.  Once we have them on board, we'll start initiating assaults in larger cities, spread the royal forces out as much as possible.  If we play our cards right, we might be able to get to Canterlot.  The tricky part is keeping you safe.  The king will eventually learn about you and start looking everywhere to find you."

Twilight looked worried.  She knew that they would only get one shot and she didn't want to lose the friends she had made here.  Not again.  She didn't want them to end up like Apple Jack, or even worse, like Rainbow Dash.  "Are you sure this will work, Solar?"

"Twilight, you're here, right now," Solar said.  He had a hopeful look in his eyes.  "That means that the prayers of Equestria have been answered.  Once we give these ponies a reason to believe and show them that the king isn't invincible, they'll be ready to rise up."

"I just hope that we don't lose to much in this process," Twilight said worriedly.  "Are you sure that there isn't a way to do this without inspiring violence?"

"I really wish there was Twilight, but we've both seen what is happening out there," Solar replied.  "It's your call though.  When your ready, let me know."

Twilight nodded.  She really didn't want to have to do this.  Why couldn't there be another way?  It wasn't fair.  But she had to do it.  If she didn't, she would be going against everything she ever believed in.  "Alright," she said.  "I'm ready to start.

"No," Nightfall said angrily.  "I'm not going to Manehattan with you Foxtrot."

"Oh come on," Foxtrot pleaded.  "You know the streets of that place more than any other pony here.  I need a guide."

"I already told you once before, I have other plans for here."  Nightfall never liked it when he had to postpone things.  Even if he didn't want to do those things.  Best to just get it over with.  Now Foxtrot was trying to convince him to go to Manehattan with him in an effort to find another group of rebels.  For all they knew, they weren't even rebels, just terrorists.

"Yeah, yeah.  You want to lead a series of heists against nobles to help fund the cause.  That's all well and good, but we need allies as well," Foxtrot argued.

Nightfall couldn't deny that he had a point, but he had a gift for doing what he did.  It would be foolish to waste it on something that another pony was capable of doing.  "I'm good at this.  So I'm going to do it whether you like it or not."

"You know, it's not like you can't do all this while we're in Manehattan," Foxtrot said, pressing ever harder for him to tag along.  "There are plenty of high end apartments on the menu.  Robbing them would probably piss the king off way more than robbing houses in Ponyville and smaller towns."

"You say that like I can just walk in and start taking things," Nightfall said plainly.  "I need time to plan for stuff like that and I've already got plans drawn out for houses in Ponyville."

"Come on, Nightfall," Foxtrot whined.  "You know you owe me for the times I've covered for you.  Besides, I already got Paper and Bastion to come with me."

Nightfall glanced unamusingly up from a sheet of paper that had some sort of list on it.  He placed it down and faced Foxtrot.  "Are you trying to pull my in-house assets out from under me?" he asked.

"Maybe," Foxtrot replied with a smirk.

"You're playing a game that you can't win," Nightfall said.  "You know this right?"

"Oh relax," Foxtrot said.  "I'm just screwing with you.  I'm bringing them because I need ponies who aren't going to do absolutely everything Solar says.  I need to be as flexible as possible in field as I can possibly be.  That means not being bound to rules and orders."

Nightfall thought about this for a second.  He needed to stay in Ponyville, Foxtrot needed him to come to Manehattan with him.  He couldn't leave, he just...  He sighed.  He wasn't a pony of his word, never was.  A promise upon his honor had never meant anything to him before, but this was something that he couldn't cheat his way through, not when his daughter's life was at steak.  He refused to gamble with that.  He would just have to go along with the plan for now.  After screwing up everything in that outpost, he didn't yet have the confidence to be somewhat rogue.  It was probably best if he went with Foxtrot anyways, get back into the swing of things.

"I'll get you connected with some contacts, ponies who can help find these rebels," Nightfall said.  "I'll guide you through until you locate them, but that's as far as I'm going.  Once that's done, I'm heading back here and doing what I originally planned, with or without Paper Cut.

24 Hours Later

The train to Manehattan sped down the tracks as fast as the engine could carry it.  Ever since the railroad companies switched from steam power to diesel, the trains have been able to carry larger loads for farther distances far more efficiently.  None of this was anything that Nightfall cared about.  All he could do at the moment was continuously go over details in his head.

After a few more minutes of thought, with only the sound of the rattling train car to keep him company, Nightfall looked up at Paper who sat across from him.  He was fidgeting with some origami.  He had made it not because he was board, but because he needed something to calm his nerves.  There were two royal guards on the train with them after all.

Paper glanced at one of the guards, who noticed and returned the look.  Paper did his best to pretend that he was just looking around to stretch his neck, but he looked a little suspicious.

"Relax," Nightfall said to Paper from across the aisle.  "You're going to do fine.  It doesn't matter that you haven't seen her in a few months.  It's not like she's changed."

Paper knew this queue, he had been practicing the previous afternoon.  "Yeah, I know," he responded.  "I guess I just have some stress left over from working in the orchard non-stop.  I just hope she still wants to see me after so long."

"Hey, she said she'd wait for you, didn't she?" Nightfall acted.

"Yeah, you're right," Paper replied.  "I should stop worrying."

One of the guards, who had been staring Paper down, waiting for him to break, went back to watching the trees pass by outside the window.  He no longer paid the young unicorn any mind.

Nightfall winked at Paper indicating a job well done.

The rest of the train ride went by relatively smoothly, thanks to the fact that the guards got off at the next stop.  Now that they were gone, there was really nothing left to be worried about.  All they were doing was acting as representatives for their cause to a group with the same goal.  Indeed, nothing could go wrong, nothing to worry about here.

This is all what Paper wanted to believe, but he knew that Manehattan was not some place one simply walked into.  After exiting the train, they would no doubt be searched, asked to show ID, that sort of thing.

I horrifying thought rammed its way into Paper's head that instant.  "ID," he thought to himself.  "I have mine, Bastion has his, Foxtrot has his, but what about Nightfall?"

Nightfall was a wanted criminal and the second a guard realized who he was, there was bound to be some trouble.

"Hey, Nightfall," Paper whispered across the aisle.  "How do you plan on getting past the guards?  If they figure out who you are when we get off..."

"Relax," Nightfall interrupted.  "I've got it all taken care of."

Nightfall held up a small ID card and flung it into the air to Paper, who caught it in his magic.  He inspected it carefully.  There was a picture of Nightfall and some other info.  Eyes color: green, coat color: grey, mane color: blue, gender: male, age: 29, species: bat.  Everything seemed to line up, except one major detail.  The name was different.  Night Glider, it said at the very top.

"Night Glider, huh?  Where did you come up that name?" Paper asked curiously.

"Saw it on a tombstone in some small town in the middle of nowhere," Nightfall explained.  "They had a mining operation and a few friends and I decided to break into the vaults."  Besides Foxtrot and Bastion, Paper and him were the only ones left on the car, so they were free to talk about whatever they wanted.  Most ponies wanted to stay away from larger cities due to the amount of royal guards.

Paper looked back at the fake ID and compared it to his own.  Besides the information being different, it was a complete match.  "Wow, this is really well made.  I wouldn't even know that it was a fake if I didn't know you."

"Let me see it," Foxtrot said.  He was sitting to Paper's right and had been staring out the window most of the trip, but had taken interest in the conversation when fake IDs became the topic.

Paper passed the small rectangular piece of plastic to Foxtrot who looked it over.  "Impressive," he said.  "Usually you can tell if it's legit just by looking at the back.  You would not believe how many forgers accidentally put the seal on upside down or backwards.  It's really kind of funny."  He tossed it back to Nightfall.

"So what's the craziest thing you've seen on a fake ID?" Nightfall asked, trying to make conversation.

Foxtrot thought back to his days in the royal guard.  Thinking back, he did distinctly remember being posted at a train station for awhile in Manehattan.  "Well," he began.  "There was this one time that some guy tried to pass a potato off as an ID."

"What?" Paper said with a snicker.  "No way."

Nightfall simply raised an eye brow.  "A potato?" he said questionably.  That was definitely a first.

"Honest to the stars.  He had his name and all his other info written on it, even drew, or at least tried to draw a picture of himself on the other side."

"What did you do with him?" Paper asked, still smiling.

"It was my first day on the job, so I just took him in and let my higher ups take care of it.  Being new, I had no idea what to do besides that."

"Quite the introduction.  Anything else?" Nightfall asked.

"Yeah," Foxtrot continued.  "A year or two before I left the guard, I caught a guy with a fake.  Strangest forgery I've ever seen."

"Besides the potato, I'm guessing." Paper said.

"I don't really know if I'd consider that an actual forgery, but yeah," Foxtrot replied.

"Every last detail on it was perfect, just as good as Nightfall's.  The only problem was that the back didn't have any of the right markings.  It was part was made of the back of a cereal box.  Almost like he wanted to get caught."

"Might have been a plant," Nightfall responded.  "Sometimes thieves have to get rid of somepony for awhile for a job.  I did it a few times."

The conversation continued on for another hour before the train finally passed over a large bridge revealing all of Manehattan for them to see.  The streets were relatively crowded compared to Ponyville.  Large banners displaying royal symbols hung from every building in site.  They made it quite clear who was in control of Equestria.

"Finally, we're here," Bastion said in an annoyed tone as he looked out the window.  He really didn't like long train rides.

The train pulled into a massive station.  The glass roof curved one hundred eighty degrees high above, before dropping down straight to the ground with large semi neoclassical pillars.  Large metal rafters stretched from end to end and hanging from each was, of course, a white banner with black and gold trims.  The whole place had a very bright vibe to it, but it wasn't a happy one.  The sheer amount of guards prevented that from becoming a reality.  It was a nice station though.  All the bits that the upper classes that supported the king brought in at the expense of the poor helped make it a shining symbol of the royal power.  It all made Nightfall really uncomfortable.

The thing that bothered Paper, were all the ponies sitting against one of the far walls just beyond the platform.  There were full armored guards hanging out around them, as if keeping them in line.  Each pony looked like they were poor and had little to bring with them as they attempted to leave the city.

The doors to their own train opened and ponies began boarding and leaving the train.  Paper stepped out, following Foxtrot who wanted to get out of the way as fast as possible.  Before he could even stretch after the long journey, a slightly muffled, almost electronically generated sounding voice came from the his left, accompanied by an armored hoof on his shoulder.

"Identification," the guard ordered from under his helmet.  Unlike the standard opened face helmets that the guards at Ponyville wore, these guards were adorned by helmets that fully covered their faces, making them much more intimidating.  Their overall armor also didn't show any gaps.  The new design was much more modern than the old fashioned plate armor that Paper was used to seeing.

Paper Cut gave his card to the pony in front of him, before looking over at his friends who were all having their IDs checked as well.  Nightfall was holding open his cargo jacket that he had worn on their heist as he sat back on his haunches, allowing a guard to rub his hooves through the inside lining.  "He's clean," the guard said to another.

After being given back his ID card, Paper continued on with the others.  He was glad that they were here.  He didn't like not being able to see the guards' eyes.  It made him nervous because he couldn't tell if they were looking at him or not.  He could tell that nopony else liked it either.  Especially Bastion who looked seriously annoyed.

As the four stallions made their way toward the exit, every so often they would notice some disturbance.  Either a guard restraining somepony or an argument.  The most notable of which was a group of three guards harassing a single pony.  "My coat is green," he complained.  "It says it right there on the card.  Let me go."

"I don't know," one of the guards said.  "You kind of look blue to me."

"Maybe it's turquois," another suggested.

"Eh, I left my contacts at home," the third said, not caring about the civilian that they were pestering.

"This card really could say anything while it's in my hooves, you know."

"Yeah, maybe it says you're a pegasus and I don't see any wings on you."

"Yep, definitely a forgery."

Each guard kept passing it around, trying to decide what to do with it.  They got bonuses for every fake that they discovered, so it was beneficial for them to single out those who were alone and bring them in for questioning.  This poor earth pony just happened to be the days victim.

After walking down some stairs, the group came across a security checkpoint with magic scanners that could detect certain contrabands and guards with large black spears.  Although Paper really had nothing to worry about, he couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness.  Nightfall on the other hoof, looked completely relaxed and full of confidence.  Foxtrot seemed indifferent, and Bastion still looked irritated by all the guards.

After another check of their IDs and four quick scans, they were all waved through.

"Finally," Paper thought, letting himself relax a little.  They had made it through the crowded train station and into the streets where they could blend right in without worry.  Now all they had to do was find this other rebel group that was supposedly hiding out somewhere in this star forsaken city.

"So," Foxtrot began.  "Have any ideas on where we could find this faction that we're looking for?" he asked Nightfall.  "Manehattan is an awfully big city and I really don't know what rocks to look under."

Nightfall rolled his eyes at the stupid joke.  "I think I know where we can start looking," Nightfall said, taking off down the street.  "Come on."

The three stallions followed their batpony friend down the street a few blocks before stopping in front of a building with a wooden façade that had peeling paint and splintery corners.  It matched the surrounding area nicely as they were now in what appeared to be an old factory district that had fallen into poverty.  Everything was really worn here.  Even the hard, stone street seemed depressing.

"Really, Nightfall?" Foxtrot said in confusion.  "A bar?  This place looks like just another sad little establishment for drunks."

"Just another sad bar?" Nightfall said, sounding somewhat offended.  "This is not just any bar, my feather winged friend.  This is the most luxurious bar in the entire district."

"The place is called 'The Salted Wound.'  That doesn't exactly sound luxurious."  Foxtrot replied in a monotone voice.  "Sounds more like a place with a bad rep and a bunch of fights."

"I used to come here all the time.  They have some of the best drinks in town," Nightfall assured.

"Good.  I need a drink to get rid of this train lag," Bastion said as he pushed his way passed everypony else.

The others followed him in.  Both Paper and Foxtrot had both expected to hear the sound of shattering glass, punches being exchanged, and the creaking of floor boards.  Instead, they were welcomed by a much more cozy site.  Polished counter and table tops, intact bar stools that didn't match in color, clean shiny glasses, and some kind of smell that could make any pony's mouth water.

"Wow," Foxtrot said as he stepped inside.  "This was not what I was expecting at all."

"Gentlecolts," Nightfall addressed the three surprised stallions.  "Welcome to the thief HQ of the world... or Manehattan, same difference."

"HQ?"  Paper repeated, unsure.  "This looks more like a more like a legitimate business than a den of thieves."

"Well, it isn't.  Everything you see here was paid with by bits that were obtained by means that were far from legitimate.  I even paid for a few of the bar stools."  Nightfall explained.  Before he could say anything else though, a voice called out from behind the bar.

"Nightfall?!"  The voice belonged to another batpony.  He had an distinctive accent that was sort of fitting for a bar.

Nightfall turned to face the bartender.  "Hey Scotchy," he said in a voice that said they hadn't seen each other in forever.

The batpony, who went by the name Scotchy, stepped out from behind the bar and approached the group of four.  "Where have you been all these years?" he asked as a smile slowly crept across his face.

"Around... places," Nightfall replied, staring at the floor.  "I had to get away for a while I guess."

"Finally found a place to settle down with Shade and Snow, huh?  Good to hear it.  How are they doing these days?"

Nightfall took a seat at an empty table and sighed heavily, staring at the floor as he did.  "Snowy is fine, but..."  He hesitated.  "Shady didn't make it.  The guards came and I wasn't able to save her."

Scotchy's eyes widened in shock.  "Oh... I'm sorry to hear that," he said apologetically.  "She was a fine lass."  He paused to think for a second.  "I take it you be ready to get back in the game, eh lad?"

"Actually I'm here as favor for Foxtrot here."  He motioned to the pegasus beside him.

"Hey," Foxtrot greeted.  "I'm guessing that you could help us find what we're looking for."

"Well, that depends," Scotchy said.  "What is it that you're wanting me to do you for?"

"We can start with drinks," Nightfall answered.  "For me and my friends.  This is Foxtrot, that's Paper Cut."  He pointed to his unicorn would be apprentice.  "And the big guy over there who's already half way through a pint is Bastion.  Slow down before you drown," he called out.

Bastion simply rolled his eyes and went back to his drink.

"Alright, can do," Scotchy smiled as he walked back behind the bar.  "Something tells me that drinks aren't the only thing you're looking for."

"Actually we don't need drinks," Foxtrot interrupted.  "We need to get straight to business."

"Relax," Nightfall replied.  "You may not agree, but Bastion has the right idea.  It was a long train ride and it would be best to just enjoy the next few hours."

Foxtrot sighed.  "Okay, you're right."  He turned to the brown coated batpony behind the bar.  "I'll just have whatever you recommend."

"So," Scotchy began after sliding three mugs across the bar top to each stallion who were sitting at the bar now.  "What is it that brings you here?  Surely there must be a pretty big prize out there for you to want to come back here after all this time."

"You could say that," Nighttide said.  "It isn't as much of a prize as it is a long term goal."

"Well of course.  You always were the one who took on the jobs that took a long time," Scotchy reminded.  "What is this time?  Bank heist in the middle of the day, Fort Bronx?"  He smiled widely as his imagination took off.  "Canterlot Castle's Royal Vaults?!"

"This job is bigger than anything like that.  Think about changing the course of history," Nightfall replied.

Scotchy's eyes widened larger than should have been possible.  "How many bits are we talking about.  Millions?  Billions?!"

Nightfall shook his head.  "This isn't about bits anymore Scotchy.  This is so much bigger than that.  Imagine a future where the guards aren't as relentless as they are now, where there is order and stability everywhere, and thieves like us will be given opportunities that we could never have imagined without the fear of a death sentence or life in prison."

Scotchy seemed confused at hearing this.  "That isn't possible, Nightfall.  The methods that the guards use are completely supported by the king and because of this, there will never be stability in Equestria, only fear, power, and control.  Unless..."  He stopped and stared at his friend in disbelief.

Nightfall nodded.  "We're going to overthrow the government."

"But," Scotchy hesitated to think.  "How?  You cant expect to be able to just take control.  Who will lead?  A ruler who was once a thief wont be welcomed and then overthrown before anything could be established."

"We have somepony credible.  We're already working on getting her out there."

"We?" Scotchy asked.  "Are you saying that you've joined some kind of resistance movement?"

"I'm kind of like an intel gathering officer, if you want to call it that.  Foxtrot is one of the lieutenants.  Bastion is the muscle just about all the time.  Paper here is my apprentice."

Paper Cut looked up from his drink.  "Apprentice?" he said questionably.  "Cool."

"And who is this credible mare that you plan on putting on the thrown?" Scotchy asked.

Nightfall took another sip of his drink.  "An alicorn princess," he said simply.

Scotchy looked at him with a plain expression.  "Riiiiight," he said.  "Next thing you'll tell me is that you tamed a dragon and will be riding it into battle."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Paper said.

Nightfall held out a hoof to Paper who tossed him the origami bird from the train.  He caught it while still looking at Scotchy.  He took the small bird in his hooves and started to unfold it before getting stuck.  He looked over at Paper Cut.  "A little help."  How embarrassing.

Paper levitated the bird up and finished unfolding it in his magic aura before setting it flat on the counter.  On the unfolded sheet of paper was a picture of three ponies.  From left to right, stood Nightfall, Twilight, who's wings were fully extended, and Paper.  They had to make the picture into origami in order to smuggle it passed security.  Very clever.

Scotchy inspected the picture carefully.  There was no way this was real.  It couldn't be.  Could it?  "What do you need me for?" he said looking up at Nightfall.

"I need to know where I can find the rebel group that attacked the garrison here last week."  Nightfall answered.  "Have any of them come here?"

"No," Scotchy said.  "Nopony new has come here for a while.  As a matter of fact, the number of ponies we get here everyday is beginning to dwindle.  I think the king may be paranoid more than usual about something.  Might have to do something with these rebels you're looking for."

"What do you mean, dwindling?" Nightfall asked in a concerned tone.  "What's going on?"

"More and more thieves are getting caught.  Nobles are upgrading their defenses.  I'd guess they know something."

"Well," Nightfall said.  "If you help me, we wont have to worry about the king and his noble supporters anymore."

Scotchy smiled.  "I think I know a few places you could start looking."