Honor of Thieves

The Truth of the Thieves

///

A week passed since Crimson left, and everything was going well. Rose still socialized with the town's residents, then finally added the mask and sword to the catalog of magic artifacts and items the family acquired over the years. There came a knock at the door and she went to answer it, when she opened it she saw Twilight.

When Rose saw her she smiled, “Oh, Twilight please come in, I just added the two artifacts into the catalog.”

Twilight looked at the book she left on the coffee table and said, “May I look through it?”

Rose nods and replies, “I see no harm in it.”

Twilight smiles and immediately goes to the catalog and looks through it. The book contained the information of hundreds of artifacts, listed with by the name either she or Crimson made.

Rose sat next to her and said, “I decided to name the mask ‘Sixth Sense’.” She giggles, “Not the best name, but it fits, nonetheless.”

Twilight giggles then notices that some of the older entries have red lines under the name, “What do those red lines mean.”

Rose's smile fades, “Those items are cursed with black magics that we keep locked away, hopefully forever. The crew and I have only gotten a few.”

“Why do you collect them?” Twilight asked

“Several reasons, mainly because they could harm the family.” She replied, “We don't steal just for the sake of stealing, sometimes we do it to help others. We're not as bad as you think Twi.”

“Then why steal from others when these things are around?” Twilight asked, still going through the book.

“The family steals, because we're thieves, it's simple as that.” She looks at the purple unicorn, “The ones we deem dangerous we lock away, ones that aren't are kept or sold for money.” She looks at h the time and gets up, “Come on we should get to the train station, we'll be leaving soon.”

“Can I take this with me?” Twilight asked holding the book, “I'm not finished reading it yet.”

Rose nods, “Yes, I won't mind.” She goes and gets her bags, “Come on let's get the others.”
///

When they arrived to the station the were greeted by a couple of cloaked ponies. They bowed to Rose and gestured to them to follow.

Pinkie smiled, “Hiya, my name's Pinkie, what's yours?”

The mare started walking, “You will know our names in due time.” The stallion nodded and walked next to her. By the time the got to the manor they looked around and noticed there was much more life to it. Ponies walking around talking to each other, some arguing, and some in an arena sparring against each other.

“There are so many ponies here.” Rarity said, “Are they really part of Crimson's Family?”

The stallion nods and looks at them, “Yes all of them are, including us. Now let us show you where Crimson is.” The ponies start walking one of the three sparring arenas set up at the manor. Crimson was standing in the arena surrounded by ponies. He stood on one side and the a another pony who was panting.

Crimson smiles and goes to the pony, “Good at least I know that the clans aren't complete crap today.”

The other pony chuckles nervously, “Well it's an honor to hear that sir.”

Crimson sees Rose and the others and goes to them, “Nice to see you again.” He kisses Rose's cheek and hugs her.

“Hey sweetie.” Rose says kissing him back, “Whatcha doing?”

“Evaluating this current generation of family members.” He smiles at her, “Could be better, but they can work more.”

The hooded ponies turn to Rarity, and the stallion says, “Miss Rarity, please allow me to show you to the ballroom.”

“Oh please, let me give some beauty to this drab house.” She said then looking to Crimson who had a face of minor annoyance, “No offense to you or your family.”

Crimson looks to the hooded mare, “Gather the family to the main hall, I have an announcement to make.”

Fifteen minutes pass and all the family members were in the main hall.

Crimson stands at the top of the stairs, and says to them in a loud voice, “Family, friends, welcome to the Manor Latronum! Now tonight will be the long awaited Thieves Masquerade!” Cheers erupt from the crowd.

He silences them and continues, “Now please welcome my, esteemed guests, the Elements of Harmony.” The crowd cheers again, “Everything will be done by sundown so please make yourselves at home.”
///

At sundown the ballroom was filled with family, who marveled the décor that Rarity had done in several hours. The family all wore masks, as well as Crimson, who wore a Wolf mask, Rose, a puma, and the others wore masks that resembled their favorite animal. A waltz was being played Crimson and Rose started dancing together, Twilight and the others were a ways away, watching the two. Crimson whispered something into Rose's ear and they left.

“Where are they going? They're going to miss the party.” Pinkie said.

Rainbow looked to the others, “Should we follow them?” Two stallions came from the group one with a fox mask and and the other, a panther.

The one with the fox mask bowed and looked to Twilight, “Miss Sparkle, would you care to dance?”

The other did the same, but looked at Rarity, “And would you like to dance, Miss Rarity?”

Spike stood next to her, “Sorry, she's taken.”

The panther looked to the baby dragon and replies, “Why don't we let the lady decide whom she will dance with.”

Rarity looked to the two, and took the hoof of the stallion, “Just one dance, I promised Spike I'd dance with him during the party.”

“I understand madam.” He looked to Spike, “It's only one dance, I have no intention of dating her, I don't think it will work out. “

“You better not.” Spike said puffing smoke from his nostrils. He wondered if Twilight agreed to the others offer, and looked to where she was, she wasn't there. He looked around and saw her dancing with the pony who asked. Rainbow Dash left them to follow the couple. When she found them they were on the roof under the stars

She heard what they were talking about, Crimson said to Rose, “Rose, you are my best friend and the only mare I'll ever love.”

Rose giggled and replied, “Crimson I know, you tell me that everyday.”

Crimson laughed and continued, “Then will you marry me?” He said

Rose squealed and replied, “Of course, why would I ever say no?”

“So, when should tell the others?”

“Hmm, when we get everything planned out. Now what should we do about the eavesdropper?” Rose said said so Dash could hear her. Rainbow Dash try tried to get away but Rose held her still with magic.

“So, Dash, please keep quiet about this, we are going to tell everypony about this when we leave.” Rose looked at her, “Or I'll, literally, take everything you own and hide it for a year.”

Crimson said to the cyan pegasus, “Trust me she'll do it, she's done it to me when we were kids, most of the time she forgot where she put it.”

Rainbow Dash gulped and nodded nodded, “Yes ma'am.”

“Good.” She says letting her go, ”Let's go back to the party, shall we?” She holds her hoof to Crimson.

“Yes madam.” He replies taking his new fiancee's hoof, “Let us return.”