Honor of Thieves

Family History
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"Well my lineage goes back centuries, we started out as pickpockets and slowly went up from there." Fire said, handing them their tea, "But all that ended after Crimson tried to steal Celestia's jewelry."

"That's why Princess Celestia doesn't get on good terms with him." Twilight said turning to Spike.

"Well she doesn't hold a grudge on the family which is good, but back to the history lesson. Crimson had gotten into the guard as a mole in security to map out the castle for exits and getaway routes, as you already know since you have a page of his journal." Fire said pointing at the piece of paper sticking out of Twilight's bag.

"Yeah, we know his last moments in his time. You may want this back." Twilight said before giving him the paper.

"Thank you." He replied as he opened a glass case that contained an old leather book.

"Crimson must've been really good to have gotten in the guard in a matter of months." Twilight said

"Months?" Fire asked then started laughing, "No, no. This took years of work he was in the guards for two, no three years just to map out the castle."

"He was dedicated was he?" Spike asked.

"Well, a thief must have patience in order to complete a job, no?" Fire said, "Anyway he was caught held in captivity for several months before his friends helped him escape, only to reluctantly turn him to stone as the legend says."

"But the journal says-" Twilight started.

"It said nothing about him ever getting out of his stone imprisonment, does it?" Fire interrupting her, trembling with anger, "Even though it's been a hundred years my family is still hated by ponies who hold a grudge. I have the scars to prove it!"

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up any unpleasant memories." She said.

"Its fine." He continued, "He was turned to stone by his reluctant best friend, Sapphire, which lead to her to turn herself to stone with him."

"Aww that's sweet." Twilight replied.

"That's what I said when my father told me this story." Fire said sitting back down, "She and him were closer than with anypony else. The reason he did it was to avoid being caught, a little extreme in my opinion."

"That was a death sentence for the both of them." Twilight said after putting her cup down.

"Before I forget, what's in this tea it's really good."
Spike chipped in after finishing his drink.

"Oh, just a bit of mint and plants from the garden." Fire said smiling, "And I'm sorry for this. I didn't want it to end this way."

"What do you mean?" Twilight said before losing fainting with Spike following her into unconsciousness.

///

"What happened?" Twilight said drowsily, "Where am I?"

"If you're wondering if you're dead, you're not, just paralyzed from the neck down." Fire said, "And unable to use magic. Don't worry it's temporary, lasts a couple hours to a day."

"Why are you doing this Fire?" Twilight asked, "Where is Spike?"

"He's right next to you, still asleep, I just gave you two some lemon balm tea and a muscle relaxer for you." Fire said blankly, "Its actually very useful for insomniacs."

"You didn't answer my other question!" Twilight growled getting more annoyed, "Why are you doing this Fire Wing?!"

"Please stop calling me that!" He yelled, "That is not my name, it was my father's! Besides my name is Crimson, and I'm surprised you didn't figure it out yet Twilight, I'm a bit rusty at acting. I'll let you in on a deal I'll let you both go if you release an old friend."

"And if I refuse?"

"Nothing, I just want my friend back, being one of the six elements I believe you understand." Crimson said turning glum, "Besides I won't kill you, I still live by the Thieves Code which says murder is forbidden, we're thieves, not killers you know."

"I still won't release your friend, Equestria doesn't need anymore criminals." Twilight said

"Well, I have been out of that shell for 2 months, alone, no one else living here. I almost went insane! She was and is my entire world, and being a thief isn't worth it without her!" Crimson yelled punching the wall next to him.

"I still won't help." She replied a little less annoyed.

"Fine I'll go with you to where you live and have you monitor all of our actions." He said, "Besides knowing you, it would be an opportunity to know how ponies lived a century ago. Aye?"

"Fine I'll have my friends come with the princesses and elements and have your friend free in a day or so." Twilight said before yelling, "Now can you help me and give me an antidote!"

"Only if you hold your end of the bargain." He said gathering several herbs for the medicine.

"I hate you."

"Yeah, I get that a lot... Well used to." He replied placing an assortment of flowers in front of her "Here you'll feel like your body is asleep but that wears off after an hour."

"Why don't you make a tea?" Twilight asked

"I could have crushed 'em, put them in water and stick a syringe in you neck, which would suit you better?"

Twilight didn't argue and after eating the flowers asked, "What about Spike?"

"He'll be awake and be able to move in a few minutes. Until then help yourself to my library." Crimson answered. "Most of the books here may have been stolen for their value, but some are renewed journals of my ancestors, so read anything that catches your interest. Except the journals of my crew, leave them in their cases please."

"Where are we supposed to sleep?" Twilight asked

"I have plenty of rooms. There are enough guest rooms for your friends and the princesses, which are on the second floor, and mine is on the third along the rooms my gang stayed in." Crimson said, then turned to leave.

"Ugh what happened." Spike said sitting up and recovering from the tea.

"Well well, look who is starting to wake up." Crimson said as he passed the drowsy dragon, "Twilight wants you to send a letter, so you should go."