Among Thieves: Chapter IV

Five Years Ago

 

>"I hate the smell of this place..."

"We'll get used to it, Amethyst. Trust me."

>"But why a sewer? I mean, of all the places to base a huge thief's hideout, why put it in a sewer?"

"Maybe the smell drives out officials. That, and this place is pretty deep in the waterworks. Hell this place looks like it's only maintained by us and not the city. Abandoned, you now?"

>Amethyst Star crinkles her snout as she shakes her head in frustration, all while you sip the mug of cider in your hands.

>It's been two weeks since joining the Guild, and Amethyst still hasn't gotten used to her surroundings yet. You've tried your best to ignore the dank, cold smell of this place, but it still gets to you sometimes.

>You look past the rim of your mug over to Amethyst, watching as she eyes the dining hall around her with suspicious eyes. The clatter of plates from behind makes her jump a bit, darting her eyes around the area.

"You alright?"

>She darts her eyes to you, nodding slightly.

>"Yeah. Yeah I'm just... just getting over what happened before, you know?"

>Your brow furrows a tad when she says that. The two of you had been recently imprisoned in the High Town prison center, but you both had escaped in only a week.

>Amethyst was still... shaken up, about the whole ordeal.

"Hey."

>"Hm?"

"We can talk about it, you know? If you want to try and calm down, I'm always here to listen."

 

>Amethyst tries to give a small smile, but she shakes her head.

>"No... no I'm fine. Really. I just need something to take my mind off all this."

"Hm. Agreed. When do you think we'll get a job?"

>"No clue. The guy in charge, Bruce? He doesn't really talk to us much."

"Star, he doesn't talk to ANYone much. Only to those he needs to."

>"Yeah, and that's what bugs me I guess... hey."

"Yeah?"

>"It's getting late. This place is hell on my nose. Think we can head out for a bit so I can clear my head?"

>Nodding you stand from the dining table, nodding at a few other ponies as you and Amethyst make your way out of the dining hall.

>Once you're out of earshot of all the others, you glance down to Amethyst and speak up in a hushed tone.

"How are you holding up?"

>"I'm... good, Anon. I'm good. I told you at the table that I don't want to talk about it."

>Your mouth spreads into a thin line as you look at her, Amethyst's eyes straight ahead and not moving.

>That entire week in High Town, she had spent in solitary confinement.

>The "Hole."

>Amethyst wasn't one for small, cramped spaces. And to be in one for an entire week...

>She flinches slightly as you bring a hand to her head, rubbing the top of her mane softly and reassuringly.

>Star looks up at you and smiles weakly, leaning her head into your leg as the two of you wake your way out of the Guild's headquarters, traveling even further through the dark, dank sewers.

 

>The nip of cool, night air meets your skin as you and Amethyst break out of a sewer grate, tucked nicely in an alley.

>Helping Star out of the hole in the ground, you look up at the building in front of you.

>Seems like this was as good a place as any.

>You nod to the roof of the building, and Amethyst nods back at you as you turn your back to her and kneel down.

>For a unicorn, she's very light, and you cradle her as she jumps onto your back, clinging to your shoulders as you scale the building.

>Setting her down on the clay slated roof, the both of you find a suitable spot and lie down, staring up into the sky surrounding Canterlot Castle, far into the distance.

>The stars were out, but the moon was not. It had yet to be raised.

>You enjoyed nights like this.

>Amethyst looks from you to the sky, and her eyes widen at the sight of the large, white orb floating into the night sky.

>Light, however dim it may be, crept across the land as the moon rose higher and higher into air.

>This was truly something to watch, as was the sunset. Of course, your line of work gave you ample time in the evening to watch these sort of things.

>In the light of the moon, you can see the faint glow of blue around a small, barely visible dot.

>"That's the princess..."

"Yup."

>Night wind slowly brushes over you, and you lean your head back, closing your eyes and savoring the clean smell of the air around you.

 

>"Anon?"

"Mmmh?"

>"Remember what you told me when we were just kids? About what we would be when we grew up?"

"...what did I tell you?"

>"You told me you wanted to be a prince. You wanted enough money to make sure no kid in Low Town would go hungry."

>You give a short laugh as you remember that night years ago.

>A prince among beggars, huh?

>...

"Hey Amethyst."

>"Yeah?"

"Remember what you told ME what you wanted to be?"

>You crack an eye open to glance over at Star, and in the light of the moon you can see her smile to herself, the smallest tint of pink on her cheeks.

>"Yeah... a princess... do you think we can still do that?"

>Your laugh this time is a bit stronger, but it dies down easier as well.

"I don't know Star... going from a criminal to royalty is pretty hard."

>"But maybe we could do it. You know? Maybe one day."

>You continue staring at her, her gaze fixed on that castle in the distance.

>...

"Yeah... maybe one day."

>You wrap an arm around Amethyst, hugging her against your side firmly as the two of you continue to watch the night sky.

>Maybe one day.

 

Present Day

 

>The sapphire crest tumbles delicately in Bruce Mane's hooves, his eyes sharp and dark as he examines the shimmering disk.

>You sit in a chair in front of his desk, Amethyst at your side.

>She bobs up and down in her chair in anticipation as she watches the Guild Master examine your prize.

>She's not the only one who's nervous. You're wringing your hands together in between your legs.

>You'd done it. The job. You'd stolen that crest from the Nightwing Commander, and she'd be none the wiser.

>Still, it was Bruce who'd give the go ahead when it came to your admittance into the big heist.

>So, you just sat and waited.

>Bruce places the crest on the desk in front of him, and looks up to the two of you.

>"You walked into Griswald's Landing, spiked a Nightgaurd Commander's drink, distracted dozens of patrons with an impromptu dance and song number, stole the crest, and got out without even a passing glance... You're in."

>For a second, the two of you can't say anything. You simply sit there with dumb expressions plastered to your face.

>Amethyst is the first to speak up.

>"You mean we're part of the job?"

>Bruce nods while taking out a small bottle of wine, pouring himself a glass.

>"You're both part of the job, yes. We execute it tomorrow evening."

>Amethyst springs from her seat in joy, jumping over to you and wrapping you in a hug.

>Truth be told, you're more than excited yourself. There's just one thing bugging you.

"Tomorrow night? That soon?"

>"I'm afraid so," says Bruce in between sips of his wine, "We've had this heist planned for months now, you know that. Tomorrow night is the night."

 

"You're the boss, Guild Master. It just seems... how are we going to get up to speed? We don't even know what we're stealing yet."

>Bruce smiles as he sets down his wine glass and looks past the both of you.

>"I'll let our newest illusionist fill you in on the details."

>Cocking an eyebrow, you turn around to see what Bruce is looking at.

>"Who's the new mare?" says Amethyst as she spots the new entity in the office.

>A blue unicorn stands at the entryway, holding the water that falls in front of it back with her magic.

>"The 'new mare' has a name. Trixie Lulamoon, at your service."

>"Or," Bruce begins, "As she's called on the stage, the "Great and Powerful" Trixie. She'll be our grifter on this little venture."

>Rising out of your seat, you walk to the sliver haired mare and hold out your hand.

>She looks from your open palm and then back up to you, giving a huff as she walks into the office fully.

>Your hand is still extended, but to empty space now as you close your grip and turn back to her.

>She's got an attitude.

>Perfect.

>Amethyst already notices this as she chimes in at Trixie.

>"So do you normally shrug off a greeting, or are you that arrogant all the time?"

>Trixie turns back to her and smiles.

>"The Great and Powerful Trixie does not 'shake hooves' with anyone but the Great and Powerful Trixie. She is not here to make friends, she is here to do a job. Now, could you be a dear and never speak directly towards me unless it's absolutely necessary? Thank you."

>With that, she takes a position beside Bruce's desk and looks at you, motioning for you to retake your seat.

>Amethyst glares at her, but simply blows a strand of hair out of her face in frustration.

>"Now then, shall I tell them what our quarry shall be, or shall you, Bruce?"

>"Be my guest, my dear."

 

>Trixie smiles to Bruce, and looks back to you and Amethyst.

>"We're robbing the Canterlot Castle catacombs."

>She smiles, as does Bruce in his strange, almost faint way.

>Amethyst, on the other hand, is not all to happy about the big reveal, it would seem.

>"The catacombs? Why? I thought we were going to break into the treasury, the vault where they keep the elements of harmony, something like that. What in Equestria could be in the catacombs that's so worthwhile?"

>"That is not your concern," says Bruce in a authoritarian tone. "Your concern is your role in all this. Amethyst, you'll be assisting Trixie in the distraction portion of the heist. Anonymous, you'll be breaking into the catacombs alongside me."

>You smile at the opportunity to work with Bruce, but frown when you see Amethyst's expression.

>Utter defeat.

>"What? You mean I won't even be doing any of the stealing?!"

>"Amethyst, each role in this plan is needed."

>"But the DISTRACTION?! Bruce, Guildmaster, you know I'm capable of this. Anonymous and I have been a team since the start, we work better when paired together."

>Bruce stares at Amethyst, eyes unflinching. They flick from her to you, looking for your input.

"She's right. Amethyst and I have been a team. You know that."

>...

>"Fine," Bruce relents. "Anonymous, Amethyst and I will break into the catacombs. Trixie, it'll be up to you to keep the general public and most of the guard detail distracted. I take it you can handle it?"

>"Of course I can! The Great and Powerful Trixie didn't even need this purple neighsayer."

>She nods to Amethyst, who glares right back at her.

>Bruce raises a hoof to speak, trying to get your group focused once more.

>"Once we're underground, we'll have to incapacitate any guards within. Remember, no killing. We go in clean, and we find our mark. The two guards will have keys on them. We need those keys if we're going to move forward."

 

"Understood Guildmaster."

>"Good. Follow my orders to the letter, and this shall go smoothly and easily. Now, rest up. Big day tomorrow."

>You rise, Amethyst hopping out of her chair along with you, bow, and leave the office.

>"This is ridiculous," Amethyst says once you're out of earshot.

"What?"

>"He was going to have me be the distraction! You and I have been wanting to get on one of Bruce's big jobs for the longest time now, and you think I'm alright with just being a distraction alongside that blueberry colored floozy?"

"Star, take a breath, girl. You'll be with me on the job. It's alright."

>She sighs, nodding as you both make your way to your sleeping quarters.

Dropping your cloak to the floor, you slump into your hammock and close your eyes.

>They shoot back open when Amethyst jumps into the hammock with you.

"Comfortable?"

>"Mmhmm."

"C'mon, don't be such a grump. After this job, we'll have enough money to take a break from all this, you know?"

>"I guess."

>You nuzzle into her neck, scratching the back of one of her ears as she giggles softly.

"Maybe we can make a princess out of you yet."

>You feel her nuzzle into your chest, speaking softly as she yawns.

>"I'd like that."

 

The Heist

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uDCvCt8_Jc

 

>Creeping through the gardens of Canterlot Castle... not something you normally liked to do.

>You hear the faint bang and crack of Trixie's magic show in the distance, the light from her caravan giving off an otherworldly glow from afar.

>The sound of gurgling slinks in from a few feet from you, and you see the body of a guard slump over into some shrubs, as Bruce claps his hooves together once he's finished knocking him out.

>You nod, and whistle to signal Amethyst as she bounds out from behind a statue.

>"Anyone get spotted?" Bruce asks.

"No."

>"No."

>"Good. Come on, we have more of these to deal with," he says motioning to the guard.

>The three of you creep through the shadows of the garden, making your way to the south gate that leads to the entrance of the catacombs.

>You easily scale the fence, and Bruce leaps over it in a single bound. Amethyst, however, picks the lock with magic and walks on through behind you.

>As you all get closer to the entryway, Bruce speaks up again.

>"If our sources are right, there should be two guards in the crypt. We find them, dispose of them, take their keys, and open the wall."

"The what?"

>"The wall. I'll explain more once we find it."

>You give Amethyst a look, but nod anyway and continue following Bruce.

>Grass turns to cobblestone, as the three of you finally make it to the doors of the catacombs, large marble statues of Alicorns in flight standing vigilant outside them.

 

"So, how do we get in? It's got to be locked, so-"

>Bruce walks up to the stone doors, and pushes them open.

"Wait, it's unlocked?"

>"Yes."

>Amethyst looks to you, then back to Bruce.

>"But why? You would think this place would be locked at all times or something. I mean, it's a grave."

>"Precisely. It's open to the public."

>Another worried glance to Amethyst, but she smiles sheepishly at you in reassurance.

>The inside of the catacombs was much, much darker than you expected.

>And this place... this place didn't sit well with you.

>Amethyst can feel it too.

>This place smelled... wrong.

>Although, it was a grave. Of course it would smell wrong.

>You're moving further and further into the crypt, passing large stone coffins and burial plinths as you do.

>The hall opens up slightly, and you're yanked behind a coffin by Bruce as he tells the two of you to stay quiet.

>Peeking around the corner, you spot two guards standing in front of a large mural.

"That the wall?" you whisper.

>Bruce nods, and glances to you and Amethyst.

>"Remember, no killing."

>He eyes the dagger on Amethyst's belt, and she nods at him, the message received.

 

>You take a small marble from your pouch, and toss it in the direction of the guards.

>When it hits the ground, the charm inside lets off a bright flash, the guards flinching in surprise.

>And then all three of you are on them, wrestling them to the ground in complete silence.

>Your arm is wrapped around on guard's neck, squeezing just so as he kicks in retaliation, but slowly he goes limp and flops to the ground, unconscious.

>Bruce, on the other hand, slams the head of the other guard into the stone wall, knocking him out with a sickening thud.

>Amethyst envelops them in magic, lifting the two small silver keys from their bodies.

>"Okay," says Amethyst, "We have the keys. Now what?"

>Bruce takes the keys from Star, handing one to you and walks to one side of the mural.

>It was quite beautiful, when you look at it.

>It depicted two alicorns in flight, one pure white and the other the darkest black, entwining in the void of space.

>"Now," Bruce begins, "We open the wall."

>You look to where he points, and spot a small opening in the mural.

>A keyhole.

>"On my signal."

>You ready the key, as does he.

>"Now."

>The two of you slip your keys into the wall, and turn them at the exact same time.

>...

"Is something supposed to happ-"

 

>The center of the mural splits open, separating the image of the two alicorns as it slowly slides open to reveal a chamber.

>A chamber with two large caskets at the far end, the walls littered with gems and precious stones.

"Bruce... this is amazing..."

>"Amethyst."

>Star breaks her gaze from the glittering walls to see Bruce, his hoof held out to her.

>"Dagger," he commands.

>She nods in obedience, unsheathing a blade and handing it to him.

>"I'm opening one of these caskets. You two see what you can do about the gems on the walls."

>"Yes sir," Amethyst says while looking at you with a grin on her face.

>The two of you walk to a wall covered in diamonds while Bruce pries open the alabaster casket with the dagger.

"Star... who's grave is this?"

>"I don't know. All I do know, is that there's enough gems on this wall to drive a hundred Diamond Dogs crazy."

"Right but, the mural, the elaborate key system... all of this," you say gesturing to the walls, "...it just seems that this is a really important place, you know?"

>"Well Anon, this IS the "Big Heist." Just help me get this one diamond and we can-"

>"Anonymous."

>You glance back to Bruce who is trotting towards you, the satchel at his hip faintly glowing from within.

"Guildmaster?"

>"I need you to go open that other casket for me. I'll help Amethyst in the meantime."

"Yes sir."

>You hold out your hand for the dagger, but Bruce smiles.

>"I pried it open for you already."

"Oh... thank you."

 

>He nods to you, and you turn around and walk to the black casket.

>Bruce wasn't kidding, it was already pried open.

>But it was wide open.

>Inside, the body of a long dead, sanguine alicorn rested.

"...oh Celestia... what is this?..."

>Your head whips behind you and you gaze into the other casket.

>Another alicorn, this one female and stark white, even in this decayed state.

"Bruce, what IS thi-"

>The sound of metal to flesh meets your ears, and you look up.

>The dagger that Bruce once held in his hoof was buried in Amethyst's chest, her legs stumbling as she processed what was happening.

>Your pupils shrink and your eyes go wide, and you see Bruce smiling at you as the wall closes, sealing you inside this tomb.

"Bruce!"

>You rush to the wall, and pound on it a few times before giving up and dropping to the floor next to Amethyst.

"Star! Star, it's going to be alright-"

>"Why did he-... I can't breathe, Anon."

>She's sucking on air in ragged breaths, her eyes unfocused.

>It's now that you realize that she's bleeding.

>She's bleeding so much.

"Star, stay with me we'll- We're going to be alright. Okay?"

>You can hear the fear in your voice as you watch her blood start to pool on the floor.

>"Promise?"

>She coughs, her breathing worse now.

>In reality, you knew this promise meant nothing.

>In truth, the two of you were trapped in a tomb, with a dying mare, your partner, in your arms.

>And so, the easy part was over...

 

End of Chapter IV