My eyes continued to push out tears, even though I kept them shut.
I stayed quiet for a bit, calming down and gathering my thoughts on how to proceed.

"I've had to do some bad things..." I spoke softly, "To get away.."

"Get away? From what?" Rose let go of me and got up to turn off the water. "Cross, what's this about?"

I sat upright and the water evened out to cut off right below my stomach. "It's about my upbringing-"

"Your family?"

I winced and Rose lowered her ears.

"I thought of it that way— at least for awhile there.. My parents weren't really in the picture. One had passed, and the other disappeared." For a moment I was silent, remembering memories I had liked to forget.
"I lived on the streets until a stallion picked me up and saved me from the cold; and from malnourishment. You'd be surprised how many ponies can pass by a nearly starving colt in a busy downtown city."

Rose searched my eyes, her own reflecting sadly. "And.. You say you did bad things?"

I nodded and lowered my head, "I didn't find out that stallion didn't really care about me until I was roughly near the age of getting past colthood.."

"Hey, Uncle Dwight! Uncle Dwight!" A young colt comes galloping up to a much older pony, his call no more than a whisper compared to the busy city bustling along just outside the alleyway.
"Look how many bits I made!"

The middle-aged pegasus nodded. "That's great kid, but before you can rest I need your help. I found some ponies we can 'borrow' from."

With a worried look, the colt tilted his head up at him. "You're not going to hurt them, are you?"

"No, not this time," He retrieved a knife from his satchel and held it out for the colt. "You are."

The young colt shook a little and eyed the blade.

"Well?" The pegasus raised an intimidating brow.

"I can't do it–" The colt glanced up at him with pleading eyes.

"You can't? Why not?"

The colt closed his eyes tightly and turned his head so that he didn't have to face him. "I can't hurt them-"

The pegasus growled and struck him. Hard.

After the colt got to his hooves, having struggled to raise himself off the ground, he felt the pegasus place a hoof on his shoulder. He was still trembling.

"Now, go and beg them for money to take a cab. Lie and say it's to get to your older sibling, since your parents are abusive." The pegasus proceeds to put the knife back up.

With tears rolling down his cheeks, and blood dripping from his muzzle, the young Cross gallops out of the alleyway and up to the two ponies.

"Did you ever hurt somepony when he asked you to after that?" Rose questioned softly, her eyes still sad.

It took me a bit to think of the right way to word that. "I.. I didn't ever want to. I did when my life depended on it, that was the only time I ever seriously hurt anypony. When he asked me to hurt ponies after that, I did. But never badly, and whenever I could I used the least amount of force possible-"

"Would you ever hurt me?" She frowned.

I paused for second, stunned. "No. No, no, no, no," I pulled Rose to me and embraced her, "Of course not. You're one of the biggest reasons why I had to get out of that manipulating bastard's control."

"Promise?" She buried her muzzle into my neck.

"I've already made that commitment, Rose. If you asked me to marry you tomorrow, I'd say yes without a doubt."

I felt her muzzle form a small grin just before lifting her head up to plant a gentile kiss on my cheek.

"One more thing? I.. Think it'd be best if we got it out of the way now."

She pulled her head back to look into my eyes. "If we have to, yes."

"It's about your brother, Rose." I whispered with a slight frown, "He was dragged into it as well."

Rose's eyes teared up a little as she tilted her head down, and upon closing them, let a few trail down her cheeks. "I guess we should get that out of the way, then."

I wiped the tears from her face, and she grabbed my hoof to hold it in place on her cheek.

"How did it happen, and why didn't he stay?" She said softly, opening her eyes to look at mine.

"Let's get dried off, and I'll explain."

"The old pegasus, who was just at the age of being considered 'old' had wanted to do a big job, a final score so that he could, in his own words, 'live the rest of his life mostly worry free'. But that required more than just two ponies, and not just any would do, he needed ponies with specific qualities. He was the Mastermind and I was the Peacekeeper. All we needed was a Brawn and a Tech. That's where your brother came into play; the Brawn. This was roughly four years ago.

I was reading a magazine when the nearly old pegasus whispered to me from my side. "That one looks useful."

I glanced up slightly and towards the direction he had nodded in. "Indeed, he does."

We had both witnessed a fairly large pegasus come into the market carrying four crates of fruit on his back (two stacked next to each other) and a basket of a dozen fruits in his mouth by the handle.

"Give me a magazine so we can pretend to read and eavesdrop."

I sat the newspaper down and handed him a fresh bundle of papers from the stack next to us, and made sure to drop at least one bit into the metal container for purchase. The soft metal clunk-kitinnng satisfied my ears.

The two of us leaned against the wall of the Tailors Shop and discretely watched and listened to the conversation going on across the way.

The big pegasus sits down the basket, and an elderly earth pony gets his two sons to retrieve the crates from the pegasus' back. Once that's taken care of, the sons disappear around the side of the house.

"I appreciate your step-daddy loading you up and sendin' over food, my sons are so busy trying to get crops of our own to grow, that they haven't had time for much else."

"It's no trouble. Surely this'll be enough to keep you at bay until your crops grow, which should be done by the time I get back from vacation in Baltimare."

Rose looked into my eyes from her side of the bed. "So you knew my brother before you had met me?"

"Kind of, we weren't too fond of each other after Baltimare.. And after you and I hooked up, he definitely wasn't fond of me for quite awhile."

She pulled her foreleg out from under the blanket and rested it over instead. We were both laying on our sides, and had gotten pretty comfortable.

"We're almost there, Cross," The aging pegasus was looking out the train window, "You know the plan."

I nodded and kept my gaze forward. "Let him get in his apartment and pay him a visit a few hours later, see if he's interested."

Uncle Dwight nodded and pushed his hat up to make sure I could see his eyes.
"To put it simply, yes," He leaned in to whisper to me, "But we don't go into detail unless he is interested."

I glanced to my left at him, out of the corner of my eyes. "Do I look stupid to you?"

"Watch your tone, boy." Dwight growled under his breath and motioned a hoof to his wing, which concealed a knife under it, tucked in an invention that served as a pouch. It's made up of a fine velvet, it's the exact same shade as his coat, and to make things worse, the pouch itself is literally hidden beneath his underfeathers.

I looked at the pouch and then his face, "Since when is a question a threat, in your eyes?" With a shrug I turned forward once more.

Dwight shook his head slowly and realigned his hat. "When we get there, try to let me do most of the talking, or I may just cut your tongue out."

We both grinned and started to laugh. It didn't matter, the train was full of commotion, and practically everypony was in their own little world. Talking, planning, napping, and sharing their own little inside jokes, just as we were.

Within an hour we were pulling into the train station. Within three, we were following Rose's brother discretely into a hotel, and from a distance.

We were dressed up, wearing everyday dress shirts and everyday vests. Kind of like stories of old cowponys? Except I didn't have a hat on, let alone a cowpony hat like he was wearing. No, I just had my course mane slicked and combed back. I did however fit the part still, since I had an old satchel over me. It was in brand new condition, but it was made around the time my father was a colt. How I got lucky enough to find it when I was still a colt learning the ropes from Uncle Dwight, is beyond me. Hell, we were even wearing shoes.

Uncle Dwight rented a room with separate beds, and when asked about our 'business' he came up with something on the spot.
"We're probably gonna be here for a few days, trying to find some old friends and help out with an investigation."

The pony behind the lobby counter just nodded and handed Dwight the key.
We made our way up the staircase and checked into the room on the third floor, opposite end of the hall from the large pegasus. The next morning was all that really mattered. To go ahead and barge into his motel room right now would do nothing but cause problems, despite the fact that it'd probably be easier.
So once we took off those god awful dress shirts and shoes, we both hit the hay and slept until it was roughly noon.

"Hey, Cross." Dwight called as he walked into the motel room with a tray of food, "Brought breakfast, today might be a long one."

With a groan I stumbled out of bed and onto my hooves. "A long one? You're telling me we have more problems than just trying to recruit our Brawn?" I grabbed the tray from him, "Thanks, by the way."

"Big guy left this morning, apparently on some tourist trip, some bullshit like sightseeing. Might not be back until tonight, who knows.. When you're done eating, put on your clothes. We're gonna do some sightseeing of our own, enjoy a few drinks while we're here."

Three hours later.

Dwight lightly shook a half-empty glass of something strong smelling. "You know, I sometimes wonder why I take you drinking..."

I looked over to him.

"But then I remember that if you don't get something alcoholic in your system, you might be too impulsive. If I had known a year ago that beer would have similar affects to opiates when you drink, I'd have gotten you hammered wayyy sooner!" Dwight flipped the glass up and swallowed down his drink, leaving just ice left inside.

"Oh, yeah?" I chuckled, "Well if I had known you could drink like that, I think the first drink I bought you wouldn't have been a few mere shots." We both laughed and waved our hoof in a circular motion to signal for another glass.

Dwight waited until our glasses were filled before he spoke again.
"Would you mind being bait tonight? I'm starting to rethink the idea of a shady old fart like myself claiming to know the way to riches.. All I'm asking of you is to pretend to be a part of a plan in development, that just so happens to need a pony of fortified stature."

I shrugged and took a swig of the glass in front of me. "If it'll make you happy, boss."

"Oh, it'll make me happy alright," He nodded and took a big gulp. "So long as you leave the details to me. No mention of the actual action, whatsoever."

"You got it."

That night I sat in the hotel lobby while I waited for the big pegasus to show up. The second he walked into the room I nonchalantly went up the staircase and stood out of view to the side.

"Excuse me," I spoke out when he slipped by me, "You look like you could use a hoof or two."

The pegasus raised a brow and turned. "It was only a few drinks."

"I meant around the city, and possibly making some money while you're at it."

"Do what now?" He looked me up and down. "The hell are you talking about, 'making money' pfft. Do I look like a prostitute to you?"

I masked a smug grin, to avoid revealing my aggravation. "That'd be the last thing on my mind, but thanks for the offer. You see, there may be a way to make you a few thousand richer within a few years."

This peaked his attention. "Through a business deal?" He asked with curiosity.

I shook my head. "That's one way of looking at it, big guy. My boss could fill you in, if you're interested?"

At this point, he must've figured that he'd try his luck. After all, at his size, he wouldn't have to worry so much about getting mugged. So I sent him down the hall to Dwight, whom I introduced upon entering the room.

"So you're interested in making some cash?" Dwight stood relaxed and dressed.

The bulky pegasus nodded.

"Are you willing to make a commitment?"

The pegasus shrugged. "I've made 'em before, I'm sure I'll make them again."

Dwight shook his head slightly. "I mean a real commitment. Something that has to be abided by."

"I can do it. The family needs money, and I need money." He looks Dwight in the eye, "What's your business deal?"

Dwight looked to me, "Business deal, really?"

I shrugged and took a seat. "His words."

Dwight sighed and put a hoof to his face for a moment before looking back at the pegasus. "We're getting a team together to rob a bank. It's a plan that's been in the works for about half a year now."

"Where, exactly?" The pegasus stretched his neck.

"Manehattan. I'm still working out the schematics, but we could use somepony of your stature." He waved a hoof from the pegasus' head to his hooves. "A well fit and highly intimidating pony, who has the potential to do some of the heavy work and help carry the necessary supplies."

After a minute of thinking, the pegasus said fuck it and agreed to join us. "If that's how it's gotta go, then I can do it."

Dwight looked at us and nodded. "All we need now is a Tech."

Once more, the newest addition to the team spoke up. "I know a guy, crazy enough to do it for free if you'll let him handle some wire and explosives. Been talking with him while I've been in town."

Dwight grinned and clapped his hoof with the pegasus. "That, my friend, is about as perfect as perfection can get."

"Not too long after that was when your brother came home, and I accompanied him. Boss had said it'd be easier if the two of us were in the same town while he and the Tech planned out the rest of the schematics."

Rose smiled a little. "At least you didn't lie about having come to town with my brother. I enjoyed having met you in Appleoosa."

"It took a few months, but getting away from your brother sure was fun."

She sighed lightly and pulled me into a hug. "So.. You and my brother were a part of that huge heist in Manehattan."

"I'm afraid so. It got to the point where I knew it was my only way out."

Rose traced a hoof on my back and whispered in my ear. "Who else knows?"

I frowned slightly. "Nopony, until recently. In one way or another I reached out to Princess Twilight about it. I needed help, and something about it let me know that she could be trusted. I was going to tell you this soon anyways, but she helped me put a down payment on this house. I'm anonymously trying to pay back the bank."

"That sounds crazy Cross- I don't know how, but I know that you'll get it done." She pushed back and was about to pull me into a kiss, when a knock on the door froze us in time. After all, who would be knocking a few hours past midnight?

We went downstairs and I cautiously opened the door, Rose standing behind me.

In the doorway was Princess Twilight Sparkle, but something was wrong.

"Twilight? Is everything-"

"I have to leave and I don't know when I'll be back. It might be a few days, or weeks, or months.." She Interrupted and began to babble.

"What's wrong?" I searched her worried eyes, and soon enough Twilight sighed in defeat.

"May I come in? I'll make this quick."

Rose and I let Twilight right in, and she immediately headed over to the dining room table, turning the light on as she moved. "You trusted me, now I need to trust you. I'm leaving town for a bit because there's a problem going on up North."

Rose and I looked at each other and made our way over, while Twilight unrolled a scroll with her magic.

"Ponies are going missing in the Crystal Empire. Nopony knows why. Not Cadence, not Celestia, and not Luna."

My face had gone sickly pale the moment she had said 'Crystal Empire'.

"It's not Sombra or Chrysalis, we know that much for sure.. If this news got out to the public, it'd be a serious problem. The emotions that the citizens of the Empire express, reflect on the rest of Equestria. If they knew that they were starting to disappear..."

Rose stayed silent, but I couldn't.
"Let me come with you.. I think I know who's behind this."

Author's Note

Mastermind: Crew size, weaponry, course of action. Works out the timeframe for the heist, determines what weapons will be brought, how many ponies will be needed, and how each step will be played out.

Peacekeeper: Overall sanity and social relations of the crew. Keeps the crew on good terms, makes sure everypony is on the same page with plans, resolves conflicts amongst the group up until the heist is finished.

Brawn: Equipment, intimidation, vault breaker. Carries the heavy load and supplies such as plastic explosives and ammunition; serves as the vault breaker, lays explosives according to the layout the Tech has made.

Tech: Explosives, hacks, the technical stuff. Turns the cameras blind eye, gives the crew extra time to work with, delays police signal, and plans the layout of fuses and explosives for the vault.

Delay on this chapter for good reason, it's a long one!