//------------------------------//
// Thieves And Two Idiots 
// Story: Criminally Stupendous 
// by dudenotactive 
//------------------------------//

A simple old warehouse by the docks, far from any workers to even be cared for. The exterior tells anyone who sees it that no soul had ever taken a step anywhere near the building, but if you have taken a look inside, you would see that this place had been claimed. The new owner of this previously abandoned warehouse had called in a favor from a friend.

And now the inside was like a cozy home, or place with enough comfort for a criminal mastermind and his new partner in crime.

Roman was greatly impressed, Spice's workers cleaned up, brought in household furnitures, and changed the double doors into a roller shutter door. All in just an hour. Even the hole from yesterday was fixed, which is awesome in Roman's opinion. Spice had truly paid for the best.

The thief took one look at his new hideout, a smile had found itself on his face. On one side was a kitchen with working plumbing, and the other was what some would call a living room, with only two couches, an orange and a blue one, between a shelf filled with books. There was also a bathroom built in between of the kitchen and the living room, to give it a little more design to the bland placement of furnitures. The best part is that they were only using half of the building, giving them enough room for whatever they wanted. Not even Trixie's wagon filled the large extra space, it barely even compared to the bathroom.

As for bedrooms, Trixie had told him that she preferred her wagon, she became used to sleeping in it after years of traveling. So seeing that she doesn't want a bed, Roman opted that the couch is all he needed and the workers were somewhat glad that they didn't have to build more rooms.

Now that they were settled in, Trixie had went straight for the bathroom for a well deserved shower.

With some free time, Roman went over to the living room part of the warehouse to read a few books, he was glad that Spice's workers had filled the shelves mostly with books that provide information about Equestria. And to his interest, a book about flying. Roman was meaning to learn how to fly, so this gives him a new chance to learn a new trick. He had already learned to control his wings since he discovered them, he even used it for his magic tricks to earn some bits. But not once had he ever tried to fly, he was too busy setting up his grand plan to even begin.

So he grabbed the book, sat down on the orange couch and took a look inside the book.

After a few minutes, the shower became silent, and soon Trixie came out the bathroom with a blue towel wrapped around her head. And after she dried herself she sat down on the blue couch. Trixie curiously watched Roman as he read his book, she smirk in amusement after reading the cover and felt slightly more superior than the unknown creature in pony skin. A fact that she accepted and also taking advantage of with the lack of Equestrian logic on Roman's part. Giving her a tiny bit of pride when she compared herself with the stallion who is obviously stronger than her. Though Trixie would never admit that. 

"So," Trixie began. "Pretty nice place, right?"

"Yes it is, and I'm actually glad that I have somewhere to sleep in. That wagon is too small for the both of us." He said as he kept his eyes on the book. 

"Trixie agrees, you were taking up too much room last night."

Roman glanced at Trixie with a smirk. "At least I didn't talk in my sleep."

"W-well at least Trixie doesn't- doesn't... Shut up!"

"What happened to that ego? Guess you had gone really soft after a few days with me."

"T-Trixie has not gone soft! Trixie is still the Great and Powerful Trixie! Better yet, Trixie had grown stronger than before... thanks to you." She looked away in embarrassment, as much as she was pleased with his generosity of teaching her, she still hasn't forgotten their first interaction.

"Well Trix'," Roman closed the book and sets it next to him. "you certainly did become stronger than an average earth pony. But not strong enough to face a unicorn who is familiar with the art of magic."

"If you're talking about that lavender butt, then shut it." Trixie proudly pointed her nose high in front of Roman. "With your training and Trixie's determination to be the best there ever was, no unicorn shall ever surpass Trixie!"

"I love the moxie Trix', but save it for later." Roman tossed his book aside and jumped onto his hind hooves with bravado that certainly surprised Trixie. "We got ourselves a job from Greeny, so let's go see how charismatic of a man I am." He finished with cat like grin that sent shivers down Trixie's spine. 





Manehattan's train station, a very busy place with ponies, just like everywhere else in the city, are always on the move. The hoof beats of every single pony were as quick as a ticking clock as many have somewhere to go. Though it has always been very busy, there some not so rare instances where a small number of ponies would stop by an amateur performer to watch the talented individual.

Sadly for Roman, that is not what he was currently looking for. His eye scanned the hundreds of ponies as he leaned on his cane, looking for his current objective. Whatever he was trying to find, Trixie does not know.  

Speaking of Trixie, she herself was just practicing her aura control next to him as dozens of ponies passed by, not giving any thought on the pair as time kept ticking. She only had unlocked her aura recently but the mare was better compared to yesterday, which is great if she wanted to make any progress. She just couldn't wait to test her new found abilities to the limit, but she doubted she had a limit, especially when you're a talented mare such as her. 

"I'm so glad that you could just sit back and relax while I do all the work." 

Trixie stopped practicing to glare at Roman. "Excuse me?"

Roman gave her a half glance before going back on scanning the passing crowd for something "Hmm? Oh nothing... Just that, a little help could really make my day."

"Um no, Trixie is not relaxing, Trixie is meditating to strengthen her aura control! " She defended herself.

Roman clicked his tounge. "You can do that later, we got a work to do."

"There's a hundred ponies here! How could we even find them in this station when Trixie can't even find a quiet place to think!?"

"Trix', look at this in a different way."

The showmare raised a brow. "In what way?"

The thief smirked before facing her. "In an educational way. Lesson one!" Trixie recoiled from his sudden rise on volume nearly falling on her back. "When I am working, what do I do?"

"Try not to get caught?" She answered. 

"Yes, but how?"

Trixie placed a hoof on her chin as she began thinking about his question, many things went through her mind but one thing really stuck on her. "Keep an eye out for spectators... Especially the authorities."

"Ding ding, you just earned yourself a cookie!" He mockingly said to the mare, annoying her even more lately. "Now think of it as looking for undercover blues hiding in the crowd, now I'm not asking for you to look for any, I just need you to find our target. Do you remember their description?"

She nodded.

"Good, now go look for them."

With that she began looking, though it was only a way to help her focus, Trixie took the whole undercover cops seriously and began watching out for anything out of the ordinary. Surprisingly enough she noticed a few ponies just standing there away from the moving wave of ponies, they weren't like the performers and were only standing on the sidelines which gave off a suspicious aura about them. Or she could be mistaken. But they weren't really what she was looking for, and to her own surprise she had found what they were both looking for.

"I think I see them!" She said before turning towards Roman. 

"By the entrance right? Nicely done Trix'."

The look on her face switched from pride of finding the ponies they were for to confusion. "Wait, you already found them!?"

"A few minutes ago, yes. Don't get mad but I just wanted to see how well you could spot things around you. And it looks like you've noticed our friends in hiding." He gently patted his hoof on her head with a peaceful smile. "That's an A plus!"

Trixie quickly slaps the hoof away and puffed out her cheeks, irritated for what Roman just did. "Don't do that, ever."

"Aw, widdle Twixie huwts my feewings..." He said mockingly before laughing after annoying her even further. "Alright, alright... Heh... Let's just get this done..."

Roman then began walking towards the entrance with a very displeased unicorn by his tail. As he got closer he found a small gathering crowd near his targets, and as he gets even closer he could hear two ponies speaking. He cuts through the crowd immediately and when he got himself on the other end of, he found two yellow unicorns. Both were almost identical with their red and white colored mane and matching clothing, which were a blue vest with white vertical stripes or horizontal depending which way you see them. Both also wore matching hats and the only thing to differentiate them was their voices and the fact that one had a red moustache. 

The obvious twins were both presenting a bottle of red liquid to everyone with a smile on both of their faces which Roman could see through it like a window.

"Greetings everyone!" The mustached one spoke. "That's my brother Flim, and I'm Flam!"

Flim then took the bottle from his brother's hooves and raised it high in the air for all to see. "And today in this beautiful city of Manhattan, we are proud to present our latest product! Right o' brother of mine?"

Flam took a step forward and showed off his winning smile. "Yes indeedy! We are here to present to you all, this amazing elixir that will change all your lives!"

"Now tell me," The crowd's focus switched over to Flim. "have any of you felt like you're only 40% all day? As if you just don't have the energy to go full 100?"

A few heads nodded, while the rest only stayed still. Roman gave out a silent chuckle at what he was watching, giving out some points for their performance. He knew exactly who and what they were, con artists. 

"Well that's why we're here!" Flam swiped the bottle from Flim. "Presenting our new and spectacular Boost Elixir!"

"This amazing bottle of greatness contains a magical energy that would, as the name suggested, boost your energy up for the day!" Flim paused for a second to let his words sink in with the crowd before continuing. "That's right folks, with this bottle you would be energized to get that full 100%! Now imagine all of your work being finished quicker than before with the help of the Boost Elixir!"

"That is correct my good brother, not only would you be on top of your game with the Boost Elixir, you would also be more efficient with all your work!"

"Now, don't just stand there, come and grab a bottle and be at 100%!"

That was when Trixie felt a hoof on her shoulder as Roman leaned closer to her. "Stay back and follow my lead." He whispered to her before stepping forward, leaving the mare with the crowd of ponies who were just eating up every word that came out of the twins.

The thief planted down his cane with a loud thud that echoed through the chatter and beating hooves of the station. Every eyes that once were on the two con artists landed on the white Pegasus that stood proudly on the spot. 

"Excuse me fine gentlemen, but I couldn't help but notice your amazing product over there. Sadly I am a bit skeptical about buying a bottle that possibly could have some side affects." Just as Roman mentioned about the possibility of side affects, the crowd of ponies began murmuring amongst themselves, thinking about it properly now that it was said. 

"Side affects?" Flam spoke, his confidence still intact. "My good sir, we ourselves have used the elixir and there was no side affects at all!"

"Yes," Roman took a short pause to make sure that all eyes were on him, he grinned when they were. "but what about us pegasi?"

"Pardon?" Both twins spoke. 

Roman chuckled, he tilted down his hat to be intimidating. "That's right, the elixir would surely work on you unicorns, but have you tested them on a pegasi or earth ponies?"

"He's right!" Trixie spoke among the crowd. "Each pony races always had different traits from each other. Like how earth ponies have stronger bones where as pegasi have weaker. Did you account the possibility that your customers will not always be a unicorn?"

"Hey, would this elixir work on me?" A griffon in the crowd caught everyone's attention. 

"What about me huh!?" This time it was a strange looking unicorn that had a curved horn instead of the spiral one.

"Oi! What if they're right, what then huh!?" A random pony asked. 

"Hmm, did you two not do your research? Tsk tsk." Roman shocked his head with his grin turning into a smug look as the crowd started to play right into his hands.

"People, people! We have accounted for all races on Equestria, there is absolutely nothing to fear!" Flim tried to convince the crowd that there were no risk.

"Y-yes, the elixir is as safe as the bottled water you could buy everywhere!" Flam quickly ran over to Roman and raised the bottle towards him. "There is nothing to be worried about sir, this drink will not cause any side affect, so go on and take a sip!"

'Got'cha.' Roman swiped the bottle away from the unicorn, eager to get this whole thing over with. "Well I was the one who opened my mouth, then I should be the one to find out what the results would be!"

The crowd sans Trixie watched with bated breath as Roman popped off the cork, everyone were on the tip of their hooves/claws when he began inching the bottle slowly to his lips. And with one single and quick sip from the bottle, Roman's eyes widen. 

At first the crowd became fearful, that is until they heard him speak. "Wow! That has a lot of punch in it!"

"See folks, there is no side affect, none at a-" Flim began, but was immediately cut off by the gasping crowd. 

"W-what's happening to him!?" Trixie loudly asked with everyone around began murmuring in fear as they were witnessing something strange. 

The stallion that drank the elixir was glowing. 

Both Flim and Flam were pulled by the collar of their shirts by an angry looking pegasus. His single emerald eye glared at them as he lightly lifted them both up. "What did you do to me!?"

"N-now, now. We don't want to do anything we might regret..." Flam tried to calm the pegasus down.

"Regret? I won't be regretting anything when we meet in court."

"Court!? Sir, let's not be too hasty now. This whole glowing thing is just a small side affect, I don't think that-"

"If something like this happens to me because of your elixir, then imagine the possibility if another creature drinks it. What then huh!?" Roman releases his grip on the two con artists and grimaced at them. "I have enough reasons to sue you right now..."

"Is there a problem here..." Another white pegasus but with a blue mane came over to check on the three with a crowd that gathered around them. The Pegasus brandished his MPD badge to show them he was a cop since he did not wear a uniform. "uh, mister lightbulb?"

Roman glanced over the two and saw the pitiful look on both of them, and that look became a horrified one once they saw Roman smiled devilishly.

They both feared that they were about to be caught all these years. "No officer, these fine gentlemen were just about to leave." This certainly shocked both the twins and the crowd, they all expected that the con artists to be sued by the Pegasus, but here he was, sparing the twins that were in his mercy. 

"If there's nothing else then, everyone move along!" The cop ordered before trotting off to who knows where. 

Without a word, the twins took off and ran through the crowd, not wanting to make things even worse than it already is. Roman then stopped glowing as the crowd started to disperse, returning to the flow of ponies that moved to their destination, leaving Roman and Trixie alone once again. 

With a prideful smile on his face as he approached Trixie. "Now was I good or was I stupendous?" He let out snicker.

"Well Roman, you certainly know how manipulate a crowd." She commented. "But why did we come all this way to shut down some sales pony?"

"Con artists Trix', not sales pony, I could see through their smiles. But they were good, really good. Sadly they decided to sell stuff on Greeny's territory without permission, which is why we're here." He explained which Trixie lets out a big 'Oh'. 

"Well, well." Roman cursed at himself after recognizing the voice that just spoke. "If it isn't bowler hat himself, fancy meeting y'all here at the station."

"Not these two..." Trixie muttered to herself as she frowned at the new members of the conversation.

Roman spun around and smiled sharply at the two mares from the park, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but with an extra, a small little nameless filly. "Blondie, Skittles, what a pleasant surprise!" Roman kneeled down a bit to try and reach the filly's level but he barely could himself to eye level with his natural height. "And who's this adorable doll?"

"This here is mah sister, Apple Bloom. Go on sis', say hello to the nice stallion." Applejack then gently pushed Apple Bloom forward. 

The little filly cleared her throat before smile adorably towards Roman. "Howdy!" Roman felt his heart melt from the smile alone, and if he had stared long enough he might have gotten diabetes from how sweet she just looks.

"Okay enough kid, I can feel my heart filling up with the amount of sugar you just ooze out. She's as cute as you Blondie, I can tell she was your sister the moment I saw her." Upon finishing his words, Applejack couldn't help but blush at his compliment.

Applejack moved a few locks of hair away from her face as she shuffled slightly on the spot. "Why, your such a sweet stallion yourself Roman, but flattery won't get you anywhere."

"Yeah, but I try my best."

Both Trixie and Dash gagged at the stallion and the mare, not really interested on all of this. As for the filly, she had only been quiet as a mouse, not making a peep as she watched them both.

"So Blondie, what are you doing here anyways?" Roman finally asked. 

"Just waiting for the train, nothin' much. You?"

"Oh I had to meet some friends, wish I could've introduced you to them, they are such a fun bunch."

"What about you Skittles, you feeling great?" When he faced the other pegasus, he had finally noticed that she was having a glaring contest with Trixie. He sighed before hooking his cane around Trixie's neck and pulling her over to his. "Trix', be nicer."

"Fine." Was all she said before looking away.

"Well seeing that there's a little tension building up between our blue friends, I think we should get going. I got big plans tomorrow and I don't want to miss it." He said as he dragged Trixie away. 

"Well see ya' next time Roman, you know where to find me." Applejack waved a hoof goodbye as Roman and Trixie trotted off towards the exit. 

Once Roman was gone Applejack released the breath she held from watching the stallion leave. Something felt off when he was gone, it was like Roman was a part of her and when he left she felt lighter than before. The feeling was so hallowing that she wanted to hear him talk again, to stand next to him. Applejack wanted to chase after him and not let this chance slip away, who knows when she could see him again. 

"So was that him?" Applejack heard her sister asking Rainbow Dash behind her back.

"Yup." Dash answered. 

"You were right, he does look like he owns a golden toilet."

"Right!?"

Applejack's own hoof found itself on her face as she groaned loud enough for her company to hear. "Could y'all just be quiet... For the rest of the day?"





"What do we do now Flam?"

"I don't know Flim!"

"What did you even put into that bottle!?"

"Nothing, it was just coffee and sugar with food coloring!"

"There was definitely something in it to make that guy glow! But we'll think about that next time!"

"Now what are we gonna do!?"

"I don't kno- wait... what is that on your shirt?"