Chapters Frozen Quill sits in his spot at the meeting room table. He is wearing a fresh pair of clothes which are the same outfit as yesterday. The screen is also down and on it is Pandora in all her silhouette glory, also smoking.
"You got up early just to talk? Are you still having doubts about me?" Pandora asks in a low sultry manner.
Frozen Quill thinks for a moment before taking a long drag on his cigarette. "I don't trust you... That much should be obvious. However, I'm also intrigued as to your end game... You perplex me and I dislike it." Frozen Quill taps his ash into the ashtray.
"I'd be disappointed if you settled for just a face to face meeting and trusted me from that. I do not blame how you feel... Many of the others feel the same way I'm sure. However, I promise that the pay is equal to the risk level of these jobs I'm setting up for you. Which reminds me... Everyone has a wish they want fulfilled... What is your wish, Frozen Quill?" Pandora asks with a smile.
"Don't tease me... You already know, I'm sure." Frozen Quill looks at Pandora who chuckles.
"Indeed I do... I just want to hear you say it." Pandora teases as the others start to assemble in the meeting room all dressed.
Vinyl takes her seat again in Frozen Quill's lap and yawns. "How can you function after last night Frozen? I barely got any sleep..." Vinyl comments, lighting up a cigarette.
"Well... After our private 'reunion' session I went straight to bed instead of staying up listening to music." Frozen Quill wraps his arms around Vinyl to cuddle her.
Sunset sighs deeply. "You two are truly disgusting..."
"Just because you ain't getting any." Vinyl Scratch sticks her tongue out at Sunset.
"Everyone, can we please settle down... This is your first job so take it seriously. While not difficult, things can still go wrong." Pandora states as the holographic projector brings up a street view of a shopping street in Manehatten.
"From what I can gather from the heist brief... We are hitting four lucrative stores in the Manehatten shopping district." Frozen Quill comments.
"Correct... You will hit these four stores in close proximity and steal a certain amount of money which will be made clear later. The operation appears simple enough, you will be dropped off by Rainbow Dash in the van. Upon arrival, four of you will exit the van and scope out the area. When you feel ready enough put on your masks and begin the operation. One of you will accompany Rainbow Dash in the van and provide back up in case things go really south, she will circle the block till you are ready for pick up. You won't hear from me again until after the job is complete. Should you fail... Well, you won't hear from me at all. Good luck." Pandora explains before the screen turns off.
Sunset sits back in her chair and sighs deeply. "Does she expect us to just go in blind without a proper plan?"
"No, she expects us to make the plan... We are no novice criminals... Some of us here could hardly qualify for the term." Frozen Quill states before urging Vinyl to get up.
Vinyl gets up and sits in her own seat as Frozen Quill makes his way to the front of the table. taking a deep breath he crushes his cigarette in the ash tray nearby and looks over the table.
"Thankfully, I was given the brief early this morning, along with an equipment roster." Frozen Quill states.
"So, what's the plan... Boss?" Rainbow Dash asks with a smile.
"Only four of us can go in at a time. Given the targets in this specific job I've already selected the first team. Vinyl Scratch, Derpy Hooves, Applejack and myself will raid the four stores listed in the mission brief." Frozen Quill starts to explain as he activates the projector which shows a 3D visual of the street. "Vinyl Scratch will take the electronics store on the right side of the street, from there she will also remotely disable the security of the other three stores as well as her own. Once the grid is down Applejack will move in on the convenience store next to the electronics store, she will control the crowd and raid the cash registers. Derpy Hooves will be opposite Vinyl Scratch in the vase and antique store, they should have a sizeable safe in the back room you can blow the door off. I shall take the store opposite Applejacks and do the same while controlling the crowd. The goal appears to be around forty thousand bits worth of income. The payout will be around seventy-five thousand bits each. We are being paid to send a message which will result in them investing in our client for protection. Each and every civilian casualty will result in the reduction of our payout... That's a kind way of saying, no fucking innocent ponies are to be killed. The cops we shouldn't give a shit about, but no bystanders." Frozen Quill finishes explaining the basic plan.
"Seems simple enough. While this is all going on, I am to circle the block and wait for you to tell me when you reach the required amount. I have been instructed by Pandora herself, that until the amount is reached I do not have to pick you up. Spitfire is the same." Rainbow Dash explains.
"It sounds fairly straight forward... I see little room for error should everypony stick to their roles." Vinyl comments.
"If everypony is in agreement, I should go over the equipment sheet and how things work." Frozen Quill brings up each of their sheets which shows a picture of them, their current black market account balance and their current owned weapons. "This is everypony's equipment sheet. Obviously we start off with cheap weapons that should still be able to get the job done. A load of pistols, some rifles, a handheld machine gun, plus our special equipment such as medical bags, ammo bags, trip mines, ECM jammers and first aid kits. As we buy new equipment this sheet will be constantly updated." Frozen Quill explains looking through the job brief sheet.
"It all sounds simple enough... You seem to be going through that sheet an awful lot." Sunset Shimmer points out as she leans back in her chair.
"I like to know every aspect of the job... I dislike surprises while working." Frozen Quill replies, his eyes never leaving the sheet.
"Least you're thorough... I can't fault you there. I suppose with you at the forefront of our operation there is little room for error." Sunset states looking down at the table.
Frozen Quill stretches before starting to head for the bead curtain which leads outside.
"Where are ya going?" Applejack asks confused.
"I'm going to visit the street in person. Rainbow, you're driving." Frozen Quill states with a smile.
"Sure thing." Rainbow Dash eagerly stands up and walks over to the bead curtain.
The pair leave and Sunset sighs deeply as she rubs her forehead.
Frozen Quill sips his coffee as he sits in the shotgun seat of the car while the soft glow can be seen from Vinyl in the seat behind him with her legs in a meditate position as she types frantically on her laptop. Vinyl has her hoodie up with her headphones on. Rainbow sits in the driver's seat with her own hoodie up, seemingly asleep in a position which puts her hooves on the dashboard.
"How's the feed?" Frozen Quill asks as he looks out the window, watching the street.
"The feed from Mrs Grey's glasses is optimal. Mrs Orange is already scoping out the convenient store." Vinyl informs Frozen Quill, who nods before sipping his coffee.
"What about Mrs Blue?" Frozen Quill asks, looking in the wind mirror.
"I've already hacked into the stores security feed and scoped the place out. As well as obtained their schedule for the next seven days along with the safe combination which the store manager kept noted on his Hoofbook. Why am I Mrs Blue and not Mrs White? Or what about Mrs Neon?" Vinyl asks looking up from her laptop briefly.
"Because it's easier that we are called by our colours. However, me and you are both white so you're Mrs Blue while I'm Mr White. It makes it so the cops can't figure us out so easily in a world populated by countless coloured ponies. Mrs Grey, how is it going?" Frozen Quill asks, glancing at the store opposite the car.
"Umm, can I ask why you are not scoping out your own store, Mr White?" Derpy asks over the magical earpieces Vinyl developed for them.
"I'm well known around Manehatten for various reasons, mostly criminal offences. So, it would be counter productive for me to get caught so early in our game." Frozen Quill explains as he finishes his coffee and places the cup in the holder.
"That makes some sense, Pandora said we have a week to prepare for the heist-" Vinyl begins, but is cut short by Frozen Quill.
"Tomorrow. We don't need a whole week. We can have the gear and vehicle prepared tonight and do the heist tomorrow morning." Frozen Quill states as he leans back in his seat and closes his eyes.
"If you're sure. Guys we have all we need, come back to the car." Vinyl states into the comm device before closing down her laptop.
A few minutes later Derpy gets into the car and takes the middle seat next to Vinyl and Applejack enters the car to sit beside Derpy. Rainbow sits up with a slight yawn and starts up the car before driving them back to the nightclub.
In the armoury Frozen Quill is mixing some chemicals in vials before making some form of ink which he pours into an ink well. Applejack exits the range and places her mark 10 sub-machine gun down onto the workbench.
"You really think we are ready so soon? All we have is our basic equipment and weapons. Y'all are talented I'll give you that, but-" Applejack stops and sighs deeply.
"That's exactly the reason why we shouldn't wait. We're the most dangerous criminals in Manehattan joining up into a single squad. Plus, we need money to buy better equipment. My chemicals are cheap enough to mix together and produce my custom ink. However, the guns and gear we require for more advanced heists must be bought." Frozen Quill explains with a slight sigh.
Applejack opens up her locker and puts her sub-machine gun back after reloading it. She starts to head to the exit before stopping in the doorway.
"Mrs Grey is handling dinner tonight. I hope you're right about us, this group is my only chance to get ma family orchard back... Why are you here anyway?" Applejack asks turning to Frozen Quill.
"I'm here because I've something important to do... There is something I have to get back from them. That's all there is to it." Frozen Quill explains before adding the ink well to his messenger bag.
"So long as we can count on ya to get the job done. I don't have any problem with you leading us." Applejack states before leaving.
Frozen Quill sighs deeply and sits back in his chair as he lights up a cigarette and takes a long draft.
"Something important huh..." Frozen Quill muses as he starts mixing another few vials.
The group sit around the table in their individual seats apart from Spitfire. In the centre of the table is a countdown clock till the heist showing ten minutes. Frozen Quill takes a drag on his cigarette along with Vinyl.
"You know your roles, how much we need and how this will go down." Frozen Quill crushes his cigarette into the ashtray and cracks his neck.
"Hmm I've not been this excited since we last paired up." Vinyl states joyfully as she also crushes her cigarette into the ashtray.
Frozen Quill stands up and casually makes his way to the front of the table as he gets a quill out of his bag and starts spinning it around his fingers.
"Allow me to explain, we are a unified collective, a group. Right now at this very moment the city is teeming with cops of various motives and status. If that scares you then good, but for me? I find that exciting. Thousands of cops all in one city, in such a close proximity to us. We are about to preform a heist in broad daylight under the eyes of countless ponies. This is no longer just about us. This is about what we represent as a united symbol. I know cops who would die to bring this room down, who would lock us up and get a fat bonus. We are some of the best the criminal world has to offer and I plan to make that known. This is a message against the system, against everything the whole of Equestria knows. This is our time to truly let loose and feel alive, no shackles, no chains, this is our time right now. I don't know about you, but my blood is burning and I intend to live every heist to its full potential. When this countdown is done, me and Vinyl have a little musical surprise for you all." Frozen Quill enthusiastically explains as he throws his quill up into the air.
The quill lands on the table sticking into it as the counter reaches zero and begins to play a jazz based composition which fills the whole base.
"Ladies and gentlecolts we're on the clock, let's get this done." Frozen Quill states as he leaves the room for the armoury, wearing a massive smile.
"Oh hell yeah!" Vinyl sings as she jumps up and slides across the table following Frozen Quill.
"I'm starting to love this guy~" Rainbow happily states as she jumps out of her seat and follows.
The others look at each other and sigh before following the trio into the armoury. Each one of them go to their lockers and put on a normal suit which they straighten and adjust to fit them. Frozen Quill slings his messenger bag on. He then slides an interceptor .45 pistol into the holster under his suit jacket and an AK47 rifle into his bag alongside his ink wells, in a separate messenger bag he puts two large medical kits. Vinyl dances around to the music as she gets dressed and slides her crosskill pistol into her jacket holster while the AMCAR rifle goes in her bag along with her two trip mines. Applejack sways a little to the beat as she adjusts her suit and puts her own messenger bag on, she stuffs two bags filled with ammo clips into it along with an eagle heavy rifle. In her jacket holster she slides the handheld mark 10 sub machine gun. Derpy happily gets changed to the music and puts her own bags on which contain her ECM jammer and commando 553 rifle. She slips a chimano 88 pistol into her jacket holster. They all put on latex gloves and apply a black collar around their neck.
"These collars hold our magically compact masks, they were a huge hit this year on the black market and have remained ever so popular." Vinyl explains as they finish getting ready.
Rainbow slips an interceptor .45 pistol into the back hemline of her trousers as she rushes out of the armoury to the garage of the base. Everypony follows her and climbs into the back of the van as Rainbow starts it up and shifts her into gear.
"Hold on everypony, it's showtime!" Rainbow states with enthusiasm as she pushes the button to open the garage doors.
Once open she slams onto the accelerator which makes them speed off out of the nightclub back ally and off towards their shopping destination.
The group is dropped off in the parking lot beside the electronics store before it speeds off to begin its laps of the block.
"Everypony remembers the plan? No civilian casualties, understood?" Frozen Quill prompts the group who nod.
"What about cops?" Applejack asks, folding her arms.
"Kill as necessary... I'd rather not have any killed, but if it can't be helped then don't hesitate. Where possible take downs are appreciated." Frozen Quill answers.
"Let's see how this goes then." Vinyl states before the group disperse.
The gang split up and casually make their way to the four separate significant stores on the street they scoped out yesterday. Vinyl walks into the electronic store seemingly playing a game on her phone, little did anyone know she was actually hacking and disabling the store's security cameras. Once finished she puts away her phone and starts to inspect a pair of bass boosted XL lime green headphones. Across the street Frozen Quill casually walks inside the antique store and begins looking around at the many vases and old pots that are on display. He can see a break room just opposite the front door and another door in the back to the left of the cash registers. In the coffee shop next door Derpy walks in and takes a seat at a table before ordering a cappuccino from a waitress. Looking across the street next door to the electronic store she can see Applejack walk into the convenience and begin looking around the very extensive potato crisp section scoping out the lone security camera in the corner which Vinyl should have hacked.
"Let's do this..." Frozen Quill whispers, seemingly to himself.
Frozen Quill taps the side of his neck just under his chin to make a mask magically appear over his face before pulling out his interceptor .45 pistol and shooting once into the ceiling, gaining the attention of everyone in the store.
"If you'd all like to assume the needed position, you're being robbed!" Frozen Quill states as a guard pulls out his own pistol.
Frozen Quill sprints for the guard and knocks the pistol up out of his hand before slamming his knee into the guards chest and pistol whipping him round the face to subdue him. Frozen Quill then uses whatever cable ties he can and rounds up the stores occupants including the subdued guard. He then rushes to the till and shoots it open before grabbing all the money.
"How is it going, Mrs. Blue?" Frozen Quill asks, checking his hostages.
Meanwhile across the street Vinyl has already put on her mask, subdued her own single guard and cleared out the register.
"I'm just peachy, now drilling a safe which will take a minute or so. How about you Mrs. Orange and Mrs. Grey?"
Applejack has subdued who she could and cleaned out the register in the grocery store along with the ATM in the front corner of the store.
"I have about all this store can manage, how about y'all?" Applejack states, checking her own eagle heavy rifle.
Derpy suddenly bursts through the window beside Frozen Quill and giggles slightly.
"I'm already done, how long will the van be?" Derpy asks, checking the hostages.
"I'm going to be a minute, just hang on." Rainbow Dash states over their magical earpieces.
Outside Frozen can see police units storming the streets bearing their M.P.D insignia on the back of their uniforms.
"Cops are here, make some noise and remember what I said." Frozen Quill moves with Derpy to the store entrance.
Across the street Vinyl is occasionally leaning out the doorway of the electronics store to take a few shots at the cops. Some of her shots actually hit and kill several police members causing others to pull back leaving Applejack to pick 'em off.
"Thirty seconds, almost there" Rainbow Dash updates the team as another wave of cops hit the street.
This time a unit of S.W.A.T. storm the street making Vinyl and Applejack expend more ammo before taking them down. Frozen Quill aims for a few head shots with Derpy understanding the situation is dire.
"I thought y'all said this here would be a simple gig?" Applejack asks, dodging some bullet fire to get into the alley beside the store.
"I guess they take criminal activity much more seriously than when I ran around with Vinyl!" Frozen Quill yells as he and Derpy move out into the street behind a car for cover.
"I'm in the alley behind the grocery store, move it!" Rainbow Dash informs the group.
Vinyl moves out of the store after Applejack lays down some cover fire and they both provide cover for Frozen Quill and Derpy who just barely make it into the alley. Vinyl pops and throws a live grenade under one of the cop cars which explodes taking several S.W.A.T. units with it. After the explosion, the group retreat further into the alley coming to a door.
"I got this!" Derpy states, kneeling down to begin pick locking the door.
The rest of the group watch both alleyway entrances while Derpy works and once the door is open rush through to see the van. Sunset Shimmer opens the door and the group quickly dive into the back, only having to pick off a few S.W.A.T units who gave pursuit.
"That was awesome!" Vinyl exclaims as she taps her neck again to take down her mask.
"Yeah... Just like old times." Frozen Quill states with a weak smile as he takes down his mask.
"You alright there?" Applejack asks.
Derpy gets out a first aid kit and moves to Frozen Quill making him move the hand which is covering a bullet wound to his leg.
"Well... Almost awesome." Vinyl loses her enthusiasm.
"I'm fine... It can easily be removed and patched up. How are we with the money we stole?" Frozen Quill asks, looking at Vinyl.
"Well, looking at it all and the manifest Pandora submitted to us this morning... I'd safely say we have over fifty thousand bit notes worth of cash here. It should meet our client's criteria for the heist nicely." Vinyl states with a smile.
"That's good. How do you feel, driver?" Frozen Quill asks, looking to the front of the van through the small grated section.
"When we get home I'm pushing for a cool nickname, ya hear?" Rainbow Dash looks in the back with a wide grin.
The group enter the meeting room with Vinyl helping Frozen Quill to his seat as everyone places their messenger bags on the table. Applejack throws the gym bag containing the money from the heist on the centre of the table before sitting down. As they settle, the TV screen turns on and show the normal image of Pandora.
"Judging from the police reports I'm hearing about, you decided to up your timetable and do the heist now. Given you're all here and nobody is dead, I can't complain about results. I take it all the money is accounted for. Silverwing will be pleased with this outcome and might have more work for you later on. As we progress through this you will gain a list of contacts who will have jobs for you. Silverwing is from the frozen north and has connections to a Hooviet gang that used to run a certain district in Manehatten. Now Silverwing wants to start things up again and you have helped towards this. You'll find my first heist celebration gift in the armoury after you put away your gear. I'll contact you soon with another heist, good job." Pandora finishes before the screen turns off and is put away.
"This time went well at least... I only ended up with a shot to the leg." Frozen Quill complains.
"Oh please, you have had far worse. Now, let us put away our gear and celebrate our first win as part of the crew." Vinyl states, grabbing some of the bags and heading to the armoury.
"I'll help ya put away the stuff." Applejack states, before following Vinyl.
"If none of you mind, I'm going to lay down for a bit." Frozen Quill exclaims before standing up and, with Derpy's help, makes it to his room.
The pair enter the room and Frozen Quill removes his suit jacket and shirt. Laying on his bed, he sighs deeply.
"Derpy... Before you go I have a question..." Frozen Quill looks at Derpy.
"Sure, what is it?" Derpy looks puzzled as she changes Frozen Quill's bandages.
"What do you think about all this? The heists and stuff." Frozen Quill asks, flinching in pain as she disinfects and redresses his bandages.
"I like it here. True we might be causing the government trouble, but I don't care much about that. My muffin store was closed down because of a false report an inspector filed... Needless to say I'm in it to get what I lost back. So, I have no problems causing hurt to those who let the system get this corrupt." Derpy stands up and goes to leave. "Why do you ask?"
Frozen Quill sighs deeply. "I'm not sure... Guess I'm still figuring out why I'm here to begin with."
"Well, I hope you figure it out and get some rest. Goodnight." Derpy states, leaving as she shuts the door.
Frozen Quill rolls over and closes his eyes as images of his writing days and normal time spent with Vinyl cross his thoughts before slipping off into sleep.
Frozen Quill sips his coffee sitting opposite Sunset Shimmer while Derpy reads a newspaper nearby. Applejack can be seen running the pastry and coffee counter a few meters away from the pair as she serves ponies who come up to her.
"As far as undercover dates go, this isn't so bad." Frozen Quill comments to Sunset Shimmer.
"It's not exactly romantic central, but it's not bad for the infamous pyro writer of the underground." Sunset Shimmer smiles.
"Oh please you two are going to make me hurl..." Vinyl states over their communicators.
"Come now Vinyl sweetie, don't get jealous. We have to keep up appearances after all." Frozen Quill smiles.
"Ugh, I still can't believe you side lined me for this heist! It's absolute discrimination..." Vinyl protests.
"We had to switch someone out and you lost the straw draw... You know it was fair." Frozen Quill states, sipping his coffee.
"We are criminals! If anything we did was fair it'd be a bloody miracle... The packages have been dropped off by the way, the contract says for fifty thousand bits worth of damage to the mall stores. My calculations say in order to reach that amount... Burn two stores and throw a couple of grenades into a few more, should bring you up to the desired amount. The getaway vehicle for this heist Spitfire will be the getaway pilot as somepony broke the van..." Vinyl informs the group.
"Derpy you're with me, we are going to collect those packages. Applejack keep an eye on the crowd here... This has all the potential to go badly wrong." Frozen Quill states as he stands up and adjusts his jacket.
"What about me?" Sunset Shimmer asks.
"Just look pretty till shit hits the fan. Be right back." Frozen Quill states before pecking Sunset Shimmer on the lips and promptly leaving with Derpy.
"Mother fucker just kissed her!" Vinyl protests and sounds like she fell off her seat over the communicator.
Frozen Quill and Derpy make their way through a pair of double doors next to where Applejack can be seen with her rifle hidden under the counter. Once through the double doors the pair put on their masks and collect the dropped off gas canisters that await them next to the maintenance entrance. They come back through the double doors making Applejack put on her mask and grab her rifle from under the counter while Sunset Shimmer puts on her mask and stands up to join them. The group walk up the escalators and upon reaching the top take a few steps forwards before Frozen Quill throws a grenade into the air above them. Once above the first floor Sunset Shimmer shoots the grenade making it explode, taking out many nearby windows and glass panels. Loud screams and surprised noises come from civilians in the area.
"Would all those who do not wish to die please get the fuck out!" Frozen Quill states as said civilians start leaving the area in a hurry.
As the civilians are escaping the group move up the mall. Sunset Shimmer and Frozen Quill split off up the escalator while Derpy and Applejack take the stairs to the left through a door. Sunset Shimmer throws a grenade into the wine store blowing it up and breaking a lot if not all of the bottles inside.
"Holy shit that was some expensive inventory, just a bit more." Vinyl informs them over the communicators.
Applejack and Derpy come out of the other side of the mall first floor and throw another grenade into the car display shop which blows up the car and the store. Making their way to the end of the first floor, Frozen Quill throws his gas canister into the fitness store which is then shot by Sunset Shimmer and spreads across the store.
"Hmm you do have a thing for fire don't you." Sunset Shimmer comments.
"You follow my work?" Frozen Quill asks, as they move round to more stores.
"Quite closely." Sunset Shimmer smiles.
Applejack and Derpy stop in the electronics store to shoot up the place and smash all their products while the gas canister is handed off to Frozen Quill, who uses it to burn the shirt store next door. After throwing a few more grenades around the cops finally arrive and so does the escape helicopter for the crew.
"I'm here, come on!" Spitfire informs the gang.
The group retreat to the helicopter while taking out the few cops who make it up the stairs to try and take them out. Once the crew reach the helicopter ropes are dropped and they are air lifted out of the mall.
The group enter the meeting room with Spitfire, giving her praise for her excellent flying and evasion skills.
"I feel that went rather well, Silverwing should be satisfied with the results." Sunset Shimmer states.
The TV comes on again and shows the regular image of Pandora.
"He is indeed. He expressed his gratitude in a large sum and some not well understood Hooviet Union singing. Although, after this very open display I'll have you lay low for a bit, but not for too long. The funds from this heist will be wired into your black market accounts like the last time. I should also discuss about a job I have for you. It's a simple little job and should prove no match for your combined skills. A jewellery store on the west side of Manehatten, nothing special. I'll give you more details in a week's time." Pandora congratulates and informs the crew.
"Sounds fun, I better not get side lined again..." Vinyl pouts at Frozen Quill.
"Straws Vinyl..." Frozen Quill replies.
"Sounds like you all are doing well together, I'm glad. If the rest of you would excuse us, I have some business to discuss with Frozen Quill." Pandora asks.
The group somewhat reluctantly clear the room, leaving Frozen Quill and Pandora alone.
"I'll admit, I'm curious." Frozen Quill stands up and walks around.
"You have been digging, Frozen..." Pandora states displeased.
"What? Me? Pandora... I'm offended." Frozen Quill poses a fake smile.
"You're such a horrible liar. I know it's you who is looking around for clues, but I assure you that I'm very good at hiding my tracks. Why don't we work more on bringing down the system than who I am." Pandora states.
"How am I supposed to listen to somepony whose real motive I know nothing about! I don't understand a single thing about why this group was made or it's purpose..." Frozen Quill sighs.
"Are you not having fun? Are your actions not causing chaos and disharmony within the system? Remember what this system did for you." Pandora asks.
"Nothing good at all... Destroyed my work and erased my accomplishments... I will also admit it is very fun running with this group..." Frozen Quill sighs deeply.
"Look, the system needs to be brought down and you are the only ponies who can do it. You are already proving this by pulling off two very successful heists. Maybe, and I mean maybe, if you continue doing good work I'll let you in on some more of my master plan. However, for now keep your head down and don't continue digging. I know you'd never normally follow orders, but for your sake and the whole of Equestria... Stay away from this." Pandora finishes before the TV shuts off and is put away.
"Are you going to listen to her?" Sunset Shimmer is leaning against the door frame which leads to the armoury.
"Not in the slightest. What about you, Mrs Shimmer?" Frozen Quill asks.
"I need a hard drink and some company. Shall we go to the sound proof room?" Sunset Shimmer asks, before leading Frozen Quill before he can answer.
Vinyl comes out from the doorway which leads to their rooms and wears a very distinct frown as she watches the pair walk off.
"Frozen..." Vinyl sighs deeply.
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..."