Stealing Equestria

Vinyl looks to the side in the van away from the others still pouting as Frozen Quill rubs his forehead in frustration. Sunset Shimmer and Derpy are also in the van.

"Mrs. Blue can we please not do this?" Frozen Quill pleads to Vinyl who glances at him and looks back away.

"Fucking kissed her..." Vinyl pouts again.

Frozen Quill is wearing a different outfit compared to the others in suits. He wears a long black jacket with a white shirt and blue jeans.

"On another note, does everypony remember the plan? This is a heist from Pandora this time and she is paying us to rob a jewellery store nearby. It's been two weeks since our last job and I made sure to select a slow day for the store. Expect a few guards and we will need to keep the inside under control. I was also given the shutter code just in case things go south." Frozen Quill explains.

"It sounds simple enough. Mrs. Grey and I will go into the alleyway and deal with any guards that might be lurking around the back of the store." Sunset Shimmer adds as Derpy nods.

"I go around back with Mrs. Yellow and Mrs. Grey in order to remotely disable the cameras from the power box. Afterwards all three of us move in the back and take out any pony who might cause a problem, once done we await your signal to storm in through the front and secure the store." Vinyl further develops the plan.

"Okay, if we time this right and proceed with caution, we will have a smooth time with little to no resistance." Frozen Quill checks his interceptor .45 pistol before sliding it back inside his coat.

The van arrives at the car park and settles beside it just out of view. The group climb out of the back and leave the doors open as they prepare their gear.

"I'll wait here for you guys, but if the cops come I'm bailing for a few minutes." Rainbow Dash states, putting her hooves up onto the dashboard.

"We won't be long." Frozen Quill comments.

The four approach the store before Sunset Shimmer, Derpy and Vinyl break off to go down the side alley. Frozen Quill enters the store and begins browsing the many display cases. A clerk walks up beside Frozen Quill, he has a medium length Chinese moustache, dull gold coat with a grey mane and tail that has dull gold streaks with emerald green eyes.

"It has been a while since I saw the fabled 'Pyro Writer' in public, let alone in the same store as I." The clerk states not looking at Frozen Quill directly.

"What is the 'Sleeping Fire' arsonist Shuìmián Huǒ, doing working in a jewellery store?" Frozen Quill states in a whisper.

"We all have to have day jobs, Pyro. Though it seems you have found another calling, that recent heist on the high street, the mall that was smashed. I know you now run with the illusive Pandora. Her sudden appearance and the shift in criminal power is... Noticeable. She has also assembled the most capable crew any of us have seen in quite a while... It has been too long. Come by that noodle shop, you know where and we can talk more." Shuìmián Huǒ states before slipping away to see to other customers.

Meanwhile, behind the store Sunset Shimmer has taken down two patrolling guards behind the store, answering their pagers and knocking them out. Vinyl opens the power box and sets about disabling the cameras while Derpy pick locks a window open. Sunset Shimmer and Derpy climb through the window and subdue any employees that are in the back rooms before being joined by Vinyl. Frozen Quill moves to a display case where he can see the three lying in wait down the corridor to the back rooms. Frozen Quill nods to Vinyl who signals the other two and they rush forwards to begin telling everyone to get down. Activating his mask Frozen Quill draws his pistol and joins in subduing and tying up who they can with the cable ties available.

"Right, move everypony who is too visible into the back and be careful of those out on the street." Frozen Quill states.

Sunset Shimmer and Derpy begin moving ponies to the back rooms as Vinyl starts smashing display cases and filling bags with jewellery.

"We need eight bags right?" Vinyl asks as she throws her fifth bag over to Frozen Quill who sets it down on a pile.

"Yes, eight. Mrs. Yellow, take two and make a van run." Frozen Quill directs Sunset who has just come into the front.

Sunset shoulders her gun and places two bags, one strap on either shoulder so she can sprint out of the store to the van. As she slides the bags in the back Rainbow Dash takes her feet off the dashboard and starts up the van. A few seconds later Derpy comes running over with two more bags to slide in the back.

"Okay, just two more runs. I'm surprised this has gone so well." Vinyl smiles before leaving the store with two bags.

"Yeah... It has gone well." Frozen Quill looks around and sighs before picking up the final two bags.

Frozen Quill sprints over to the van, jumping into the back with everyone else as Rainbow Dash speeds off. Vinyl shuts the doors to the back of the van and they all take off their masks before sighing in relief.

"That was amazing." Sunset Shimmer states as she lays down exhausted.

"Hmm maybe after this job we can upgrade our arsenal just a bit." Vinyl stretches before kissing Frozen Quill on the cheek.

"Maybe. What was that for?" Frozen Quill asks.

"Hmm, just being a good leader for our little crew." Vinyl smiles.

They get a block away from the store and are nearing the nightclub.

"We'll be home soon." Rainbow Dash happily states.

Frozen Quill looks at everypony in the van and sighs a little before moving to the back doors.

"Hey, could you inform Pandora I'm going to be a little late home. I have an errand to run." Frozen Quill states, making Vinyl confused.

Frozen Quill opens the back doors and jumps out, performing a backwards roll before coming to a kneeling position. He stands up and straightens his jacket before running off.

Frozen Quill walks down the street with his hands in his pockets before entering an eastern Equestrian noodle shop. The store is decorated in what could be described as having a Chinese theme. A skinny old Unicorn with a pale blue coat, white mane and tail with brown eyes stands behind the bar like counter that has stools in front of it, he wears the same moustache as Shuìmián Huǒ.

"Ah, Frozen, it has been too long. Come, come sit down. I'll prepare your normal order." The old Unicorn begins cooking on the appliances behind the counter.

Frozen Quill walks over and sits beside Shuìmián Huǒ who is drinking a brand of vodka.

"You remember why we always picked this shop?" Shuìmián Huǒ asks sipping his drink.

"Because there are no street cameras on this specific street. So, what did you want to talk about?" Frozen Quill asks, being passed a whiskey.

"It is good your memory has not dulled, Frozen Quill. You and I both know why I called you here... Pandora..." Shuìmián Huǒ states as he takes another sip.

"The mare who has shifted the criminal underworld's balance of power... Also who is my current employer." Frozen Quill rubs the back of his neck.

"The very one, yes. You see, the thing is there was another Pandora before her... That mare previous to the current incarnation, is the very reason the system was put into play. Because of her string of heists, the system was put into place to make Equestria safer." Shuìmián Huǒ begins explaining.

"And because of that it made every criminal's life hell as they could hardly do shit without finding the new loop holes. I've been told this story before by an equally elemental infatuated friend." Frozen Quill remarks.

Shuìmián Huǒ scoffs before smiling. "This is not a game, old friend. If Pandora has indeed returned or is another using her guise and assets as a cover... Rest assured a storm is coming and none of us want to be a part of it. Things work how they do now for a reason, Frozen Quill." Shuìmián Huǒ sighs deeply.

"The system doesn't work, Shu... You and I both know that, your family knows that. You think I don't know why you turned into an arsonist? Spare me the fucking ignorance... I'm in this for my own needs, I don't need that mare to tell me what to do..." Frozen Quill tightly grips his drink.

"I was not questioning your reasons, old friend. Nor did I call you here to insult your methods, or speak good about our fair system... However, I did wish to warn you about Pandora. Whoever she is, she cannot be trusted..." Shuìmián Huǒ states as their noodles are placed in front of them with chopsticks.

The pair take a break from talking and begin eating their food and drinking their alcohol before Frozen Quill breaks the silence.

"Was that everything you had to say?" Frozen Quill asks.

"No, I might have a contact you can make use of. He is a local Mafia drug lord in need of a crew who are able to move his product. Needless to say, with our current situation that leaves very few options. If you are interested I can set up a meeting at the Hammered Unicorn nightclub." Shuìmián Huǒ explains before slurping some noodles.

"Sounds promising... Let him know we are interested and that we will be there. You have an untraceable ready, correct?" Frozen Quill asks as he finishes his noodles and whiskey.

Shuìmián Huǒ slides Frozen Quill a little black simple phone before smirking.

"I hope this will be like old times, I've missed seeing the 'Pyro Writer' do his work." Shuìmián Huǒ continues eating as Frozen Quill waves and leaves. "Leaving me to pay... Definitely like old times..."