The night was still young yet time was of the essence. Rarity knew it would only be a matter of time before the High Five were put on high alert and she knew they would scramble to protect their assets by any means necessary. However this didn't seem to bother Rarity nearly as much as it bothered the ever jittery Twilight Sparkle whom both she and Rainbow Dash were going to go see currently making their way to the safehouse they called home. The city of Canterlot was vast, with varying districts all throughout, many of the newer ones having been virtually build atop the rubble for former communities and so hiding was rather easy. As Rarity sat in the passenger seat of Rainbow Dash's car she stared longingly at the jewel in her hands as Rainbow cruised along the road.

'With this? At last I can take the first step in reclaiming my place among the elite. Then once those in power are rightfully removed? Change WILL be made so none shall suffer this fate ever again. A lady should NEVER have to stoop so low. But such is the way of the world.'

Rarity thought as her reflection looked back at her in the gem she held within her white hand. It was a flawlessly cut orange gemstone that closely resembled your stereotypical diamond. However according to Twilight? This diamond among a few others were particularly special and required both her eye both detail and Twilight's brains in order to discover just why that was and why Adagio would go to such great lengths to protect one gem. It wasn't like she had a shortage of them yet she guarded this one heavily. Truly they'd gotten lucky because the gem was scheduled to be moved to a more private vault the following morning and was only in that shop as a placeholder.

'I can't imagine she will be thrilled to know her precious diamond has been pilfered but she shouldn't be too upset. As impressive as this gem is? A fake is still a fake. No matter how realistic it may appear.' Rarity stated knowing full well the giant rock in her hand was not an actual diamond. The feel of the material, the cut of its edges, the patterns laced within and how it reflected her visage? It was too perfect and one small inconsistency only a trained eye could notice; was that it was also inverted. Why and how Rarity was unsure but she was sure Twilight would be able to crack the code with ease.

"Twilight will certainly have a fun time hacking this little gem, I must say technology has come such a long way since I was ten. Now people are able to inscribe codded messages into gemstones Truly astonishing." Rarity remarked as she recalled Twilight informing her of this sort of method used to hide hidden ciphers and messages.

"Heh yeah gotta admit the egghead sure knows her stuff, just wish she would get her butt out of that lab and come help us out. She'd be real useful out here if she would just-" Rainbow began to finish but a serious glance from Rarity cut her off.

"Darling, we've discussed this. Twilight's...unfortunate trauma....has left the poor girl unable to leave the sanctum of our safehouse...it's quite shameful to say she NEEDS her 'safe space' so to speak but after what the poor girl has been through? I would say she has earned that." Rarity said with her tone even, not yelling at or berating Rainbow because she knew the strong willed girl wanted only for the reserved bookworm to break out of her shell but Rarity knew it was not quite so simple.

Rainbow sighed and nodded. "Yeah I know, I know. I'm just sayin' she's gotta learn at some point? The world will move on without her if she just stays locked up in that laboratory with her robots."

"We can discuss this another time darling, focus on driving and making sure we aren't followed, I suspect we lost them but one can never be too careful"

"Right. We should be there in a minute. Let Twi know to turn off the lockdown so we can pull in." Rainbow affirmed as she drove deeper into the city where things began looking more old and run down as opposed to the more clean and well build districts in the upper levels of the city.

"Of course." Rarity nodded as she took out her phone and messaged Twilight through the special app she developed for them to communicate.

'En route to the hide out, ETA roughly 5 minutes.'

'Excellent! Any trouble getting the codex jewel?'

'It was a bit of a challenge and the police arrived quicker than I thought but no one managed to see my face.'

'Good, I've managed to loophole and hack any and all footage in that area in a 5 mile radius and the cars sensors are working well enough keeping the car invisible to cameras and GPS tracking. Once you arrive we can finally begin the decoding and to long awaited takedown of the High Five and their empire of greed.'

'Well said darling, see you soon.'

"It's gonna be so freakin' sweet to see those filthy rich chumps on the other side for once. Once this job is over? Everyone is gonna see them for who and what they are" Rainbow said with a thin layer of disdain and malicious intent behind her words. Thoughts and images of her past before all this flashing in her mind. She wouldn't stop until she got back everything she lost and take away everything they took from others.

"Indeed. The five have ruled Canterlot long enough; now the time has come for a real princess to take the throne." Rarity stated as she looked longingly at the diamond in hand still. Her own past flashing in her head as the motivation for all of this played in her mind like a film reel. Her mother, her sister, her aunt...that wretched wedding. All of it she remembered and she would not rest until she got justice. True justice.

"Not afraid you'll chip a nail?" Rainbow teased with a sly smirk.

Rarity gave an equally sly smirk. "If it'll lead to the liberation of this city I'll happily break all of my nails and use the Fives wealth to pay for the most expensive manicure a lady can buy if that's what it takes."

"Heh gotta admire your spunk Rare. I always have liked that about you. Eyes up, we're here."

Rainbow stated as the finally pulled up to their desired location. An old school that looked to have been shut down a decade prior but even after all this time the large marble station of a stallion stood tall on the front courtyard. Canterlot High School had been bought out by Crystal prep and all its students transferred to Crystal prep as the curriculum system began changing and new superintendents were put in place as well as principal's. The old building was left alone and untouched, many believing in legends that it was 'cursed' or haunted by magical forces.

Countless legends surrounding the school spoke of demons and angels battling on the very ground the school was built on. Though many of them were just that, legends. However their resident genius Twilight Sparkle thought overwise and sought to prove the existence of magic among other things and Rarity wished to help her in this endeavor as it was partly because of people thinking she was insane for believing in magic that led to her current isolationist attitude. Rarity of course like Rainbow wanted to help break her out of this but Rarity knew it was going to be an uphill battle but that didn't mean she wouldn't still try and help Twilight.

The young girl had decided to make the school her base of operation and for many years kept a low profile here and ever since meeting Rarity and Rainbow? She very slowly but surely managed to get closer to actual people again but even now the relationship was rather strange at times since Twilight being so incredibly smart meant it was hard to keep up with her at times but she managed either way. Rainbow mostly found her scientific rambling annoying but endearing as well, not to mention she turned her onto a really good book series so that was nice too.

As they came close to the school getting to the parking lot area the car stopped and under the tires four points of contact were activated and when the headlights shined into the wall of the school, a secret door was opened in the wall of the building and Rainbow drove the car inside which shortly after closed the door. Moments after that, the car was scanned by a variety of flying drones and they all gave a green light saying they were clear to exit. Exiting the car Rainbow stretched and walked along with Rarity headed from the converted garage out into the gym which served as a training area for herself and Rainbow.

"Twilight darling? Where are you?"

the PA system would turn on and Twilight would say. "Rarity and Rainbow Dash, please report to Dr. Twilight's lab. Rarity and Rainbow to Dr. Twi's lab."

Rainbow rolled her eyes and cocked an eyebrow "Seriously egghead?"

The PA system would come on again and Twilight would reply with a cheeky tone. "Yes seriously."

Rainbow smirked "Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeerd"

PA system activates again. "Oh shut up and get to the lab!"

"Must you tease her so?" Rarity giggled a bit as she walked forward through and out of the gym making her way towards where Twilight's lab was located.

"Gotta get my kicks somehow and she's too fun to not tease. Besides she IS a nerd." Rainbow responded with a slick smirk on her face as she walked alongside Rarity.

"Yes but she is our nerd and we would both be lost without her expertise and you would both be lost without my impeccable fashion sense"

"Says the one who goes out thieving in a friggin' dress." Rainbow remarked.

Rarity huffed as this would not be the first time this was brought up. "I refuse to have my skin clash with an all black catsuit."

"Oh c'mon you'd look friggin' hot in it; bet that freckled hick of a police officer would wanna 'flash her badge' if ya wore it."

"Hmph how crass and uncouth of you Rainbow. I am a master thief of grace and elegance; I need not stoop to sexualization stereotypes to complete my goals."

"Oh yeah? Then what was that up on the roof eh?"

"Art of the alluring takedown learned from the old codex. While you may not find the abilities we have acquired so far useful? I find them very informative and especially helpful for a lady of my size and strength."

"Yeah well I say you still need to bulk up a little, your still too much of a glass canon."

"Yes I know and hopefully whatever new developments Twilight had come up with will help even the playing field as it were. Going up against the High Five and taking them down how we plan is going to be complicated and things will no doubt get rough but that's a risk I am willing to take."

"Well lets not keep the egghead waiting, I'unno about you but I am bushed. Wanna find out what our next move is so I can get some sleep. Gonna go visit Shy in the morning to help with the kids." Rainbow stated with a yawn.

"It's so sweet that you still aid the orphanage. I do wish you simply would ask Fluttershy out already"

Rainbow groaned and rolled her eyes. "I'm not gay!"

Rarity snickered to herself as they got closer to Twilight's lab. "Ok, ok, relax. Just having a little fun with you darling. Anyway here we are."

Entering a code onto a keypad and scanning her hand she would enter the room and Rainbow would join her shortly after. Twilight was incredibly secretive and shut off. She never left this lab and granted while it was a very large lab which Twilight had also managed to customize with basic living essentials like an oven/stove, a fully functioning bathroom and even an 'entertainment' area. Walking into the room they saw the ever genius Twilight tinkering away at her desk when she noticed them.

"Oh good you're finally here! Lets see it!" Twilight exclaimed excited.

"But of course darling. Here you are." Rarity said taking out the gem and placing it in a special cradle that Twilight had set up. Once she had done that a few drones came around it and began scanning it and running diagnostics on it.

"Excellent work Rarity, in just a moment I'll have the data I need to compile a full list of the High Five's assets and where to strike first so they domino effect happens how we desire." Twilight stated as she looked at the computer as her drones scanned the gemstone.

"It wasn't all that hard especially with the new devices you created for me. Oh and by the way have you completed 'it' yet?" Rarity asked with clear anticipation.

Twilight smirked and adjusted her glasses. "As a matter a fact? I have! It was a bit tricky but I managed to get it to work, interactive nanotech woven into your fabrics should allow you now to design clothes that will better suit your endeavors in the field so you can have an outfit for every situation. Impressive if I do say so myself. It even comes with advanced microscopic cameras that allow you to target items of clothing, scan their measurements and design and copy them into a database for you to adjust clothing you need on the fly." Twilight rambled off her impressive invention and it was clear Rarity was pleased with the results.

"Splendid! Oh thank you darling!" Rarity squeed with glee.

Rainbow scoffed. "Oh so you can do that but not make sneakers that can let me run super fast?"

Twilight sighed and looked down at her own legs. "Be lucky you can even run at all. I'm working on it alright? It's hard to find passion for a device I can't even test myself given my situation."

To show emphasis to what she meant she would come from behind her desk showing the high advanced chair that she was confined to. It used magnetic energy to levitate off the ground thus eliminating the need for wheels and it would appear that she was basically plugged into the thing. It was for this reason she usually avoided working on devices that focused on improving the users legs because it brought painful memories of what happened to her own legs as she still remembered the incident vividly and it was due to this; that she would see the High Five torn down.

It was then Rarity cut in. "Now, now lets relax ladies. We all want the same thing; to dismantle the High Five and loosen their strangle hold on this city. Eventually we will all get what we desire and I promise you Twilight; we will find a way for you to walk once more so that you may leave this place one day. You are far beyond your High School years darling."

Twilight showed a small blush and nodded in agreement with Rarity. She did want to get better, to go beyond this place, to show the Five that she wasn't crazy, that she deserved respect and acknowledgement for her accomplishments and achievements. To reunite with her family. Wiping away a small tear she saw the gem was finished scanning and the information was coming through on her heads up display through her chair and she smiled with nerdy glee.

"Finally a challenge. Whoever coded this knew what they were doing for sure, but they seem to have left just enough holes in the encryption for it be hackable, otherwise the information wouldn't be accessible at all. Which means this is probably a trap." Twilight deduced given the nature of the coding and how the gem was stored and had already begun hacking and decoding the information in the cipher.

"Quite possible but we will have to take that risk. All they will know is that the diamond was stolen and that someone is likely targeting them, they don't know however it is me. After all? Who would suspect a dead woman." Rarity said with a layer of coldness in her voice when speaking that last line. There were days when she forgot that the world thought she committed suicide 10 years ago when she was just 11, after everything was taken away from her. They were wrong.

"Well when this is all over? They'll all rue the day they crossed White Diamond." Twilight stated as she finished hacking and she smirked as she displayed the information on another screen.

"And there they are. The elite of the elites, top dogs, the ruling families of Canterlot." Twilight spoke with obvious disdain in her voice as she saw each of their faces and names put to a price.

At the very bottom at number 5 was a man with slicked back hair, brown skin and pure black hair. He had a dollar sign tie and a smug grin on his face as he held a wad of cash in one hand. The display reading:

Name: Fredrick "Filthy" Rich
Alias': Filthy Rich, Sir Cash Bags, Big Boss
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Assets: Banks, real estate, copyright claim company
Worth: 1.9 Billion.

The next at number 4 was a woman with blackish green skin with a spotty looking complexation but she was still beautiful all the same. She was in a more alluring pose and she was dressed in a stunning dress the complimented her skin. The display reading:

Name: Chrysalis McQueen
Alias': Queen Chrysalis, Unholy
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Assets: Slave trade, spy network, fashion empire, church scams
Worth: 2.5 billion

Twilight would tense noticeably when seeing her but would keep scrolling through the names. The next one at number 3 was the youngest of the bunch and was heiress to a large fortune which she had no real right to. The only reason she was entitled to it was through family marriage and the 'passing' of the one who was ahead of her. The display would show a young girl no older than 18 with curly blue hair and a evil smile on her face. The display reading:

Name: Cozy Glow
Alias': Princess
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Assets: entertainment empire, child labor, charity scams
Worth: 3.5 Billion

Rainbow bit her lip and clenched her fist at seeing that brats name. Images of a tired and barely fed Scootaloo running through her mind. Next after her was a man with a devilish appearance yet one that had an air of charm to it at the same time. Pure black hair and green eyes he wore a stylish suit. The display read:

Name: Sombra Kingston
Alias': King Sombra, The King, The Dark Lord
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Assets: School Superintendent & Police Commissioner. Crime Kingpin.
Worth: 5 Billion

Twilight would tense again, tears slowly forming in her eyes as was the norm any time she thought about that...monster. However even for as bad as Sombra was? He wasn't anywhere near as craven and criminal as the one who stood atop the rest and who was the self proclaimed Queen of Canterlot. The display read her name and Rarity could feel her blood boiling.

Name: Mi Amore Cadenza
Alias': Heartbreaker
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Assets: Crystal Prep Principal, Canterlot Mayor, Crime Queen.
Worth: 5.5 billion(not including her husband)

Each of their names and crimes were on proper display and as Rarity and her two associates looked over the files they could see that their plans were finally about to be within reach. Twilight began typing away at her computer screen deciding which course of action was best to take next as their obvious first target would be the lowest on the food chain and easily the most dimwitted in terms of street smarts. Filthy Rich was a perfect example of a affluent douche who had everything handed to them and all obstacles removed for them by others or by the money they wielded.

"So now that we have uncovered their crimes and who much they are worth? How long until we have a full plan realized and ready to go darling?" Rarity asked as she stood looking over each of the names and the many crimes they were all involved in.

"Some will be quicker to formulate than others. We know who has the power and who controls what but we still need a map out of any defenses they may have and what other assets they have fully at their request. These are the richest in the city and they will protect what they've got with everything they've got."

Rarity chuckled at this as she began to think of a way to gather more information. Seeing that Filthy was owner of the various malls and high real estate locations in the city; Rarity had a myriad of ideas on how to ascertain what he was going to do to protect his assets from her retribution.

"Hmph the High Five are as predictable as they are greedy. Threaten what they have? And they'll flock to protect it with such vigor that they'll even turn on one another to guard what they consider valuable. I do believe a trip to the mall is in order next week, we will give the Five time to prepare themselves. Allow them to get complacent."

"And then WHAM! We hit 'em where it hurts; their wallets." Rainbow said punching a fist into her palm.

"I concur. So long as the High Five have their wealth they can worm their way out of anything...strip that away and they have nothing." Twilight stated as she continued typing at her console formulating various plans based on varying scenario's and outcomes. Her eyes glued to the screen behind her glasses as her fingers typed furiously at her keyboard almost appearing inhuman.

"Indeed. I am going to go indulge in a bit of wine and then take myself to sleep. We have a long week ahead of us ladies. For now we begin the first phase of our retribution and just like with any battle the first step into defeating ones foe? Is to know thy enemy." Rarity said with a grin however there was noticeable malice in her tone as she turned away from the screen that held the names of the families and crooks who took away everything from her. Simply seeing them? It reminded her of that time and she wished to forget just for a little bit and so she would go to lose herself in her wine.

'I will NEVER forgive you for what you have taken Cadenza. For the lives you have ruined; you and your family WILL pay and pay in full'

As Rarity left the room to go to her own, Rainbow Dash looked at the screen; Cozy Glow's smug evil little face sent violent shudders throughout her body and she clenched her fists tightly. In a huff she left the room, knowing if she stayed any longer she would start punching things and she didn't wanna hear Twilight nag. So she would just go and pound the Hell out of her speedbag in the gym.

'Hang tight Scoots. Kids. Dashie is coming soon.'

As Rainbow Dash left Twilight ceased typing for a moment. She removed her glasses and wiped out eyes as she tried to get the bad thoughts and memories to go away. It was always harder to do without him, without both of them it was just so hard. She counted her blessings one of them was still alive even though he thought she was not; however there were days where she wished she would have died alongside Spike. Maybe then she wouldn't be so alone. Shaking her head she put her glasses back on.

"No. Don't look back Twi. Forward...maybe soon after this is over? I can finally finish that project." Twilight stated looking over at a small doghouse made of metal with the words 'Spike' printed on the base of the roof. She missed her number one assistant so very much and she cursed the universe every single day she was without him and she would make it her mission in life to take away everything precious to the High Five to make even for what they had done not just to her but to countless others.

"We won't stop until you know what its like to feel like your worth nothing." Twilight said with a small grin though oddly there was a dark echo to her voice and her normally violet eyes flashed a icy blue if only for a second. As she continued to type away at her computer she smiled saying.

"Knowledge is power and with how well we know all of them? They'll be powerless against us!"

Author's Note

The fun is about to begin