//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Among Gods 
// by Grave_Mind 
//------------------------------//

	It was supposed to be just another job for master criminal-for-hire Rudy Jones AKA the Parasite: break into a S.T.A.R. Labs facility in downtown Metropolis, swipe some alien technology, and get out. He had no idea what the tech was meant for, but if the payment from his employer meant anything, it must have been pretty important. Regardless, Rudy was not a man who cared for pointless details like that. When it came to stealing highly advanced technology like what gave him his powers of energy absorption, he never bothered to ask. Stuff like that tended to go over his head anyway.
Rudy smirked as he approached the large lead vault door. He put his hands on his hips and scoffed briefly at the feeble attempt to keep him away from his prize. Over the years, his powers had mutated to the point where the energy he absorbed no longer became temporary. His strength had multiplied a hundredfold after his countless run-ins with Superman. This meant that doors like this one were no longer an issue with him. He gripped down on the stainless steel portal and let out a grunt of effort, heaving the massive door away to the side like it was nothing. The metal screeched and groaned against itself as it was rolled past its seals, rolling off and falling down in heavy THUD as it hit the floor. He stepped over what was left of the vault door and entered inside. Much to his relief, the contents within the containment vault was left intact. 
The device stood atop a metal pedestal, coated in a cold steel not unlike other devices he attempted to steal from S.T.A.R. Labs. However, the device itself looked almost alien in design. The shape of the thing seemed to resemble some kind of crown that encompassed the entire head when worn. Three round circles decorated the front of the crown, arranged in a downward cleft. The rounded symbols flashed rhythmically in an eerie green, almost inviting Parasite to it. Rudy shook his head and snapped out of his momentary stupor, swiping the helm and placing it under his arm. He then made a quick turn and started to make a break for it. The alarm triggered as soon as he broke into this place and knowing his luck that was not a good sign.
Parasite skidded to a stop in front of the giant wall he busted open to enter the facility. Two men blocked his exit to freedom. One was coated in a type of silver coloring, wearing red gloves and blue boots lined in black and the symbol of an exploding star emblazoned on his chest. He was hovering a few inches off the ground, arms crossed and glaring daggers at the Metahuman thief. The other was spry, sporting a green sleeveless tunic with a matching domino mask over his eyes and a hood pulled up, covering his face. He also sported a quiver full of arrows slung across his back with one already notched in his matching green bow, aimed squarely at Rudy. The two heroes that stood before him were none other than Captain Atom and Green Arrow of the Justice League, respectively. Both were established heroes in their own right, but as part of the League, that could only mean trouble for poor Rudy Jones.
“You’re getting sloppy, Parasite,” Captain Atom proclaimed. “You’re lucky we were in the area when you triggered that alarm. Even Superman could have seen you coming a mile away.”
Parasite only smirked as he clenched his fist, holding the helmet close under his arm. The ruby-coated super criminal cocked an eyebrow and scoffed at the two heroes. “Look who’s talking, chrome dome,” he taunted. “What’s the matter? Is Big Blue too busy rescuing a kitty from a tree to send his best?”
Green Arrow pulled his arrow back and prepared to open fire. He returned the smirk as he prepared to let the arrow loose. “Nope,” the archer retorted. “He just thinks you’re small stuff compared to the other criminals he has to deal with.”
Parasite growled at Arrow’s quick response. He prepared to leap and strike at the grinning emerald archer, only to see the arrow launch from his bow and ping against the helmet cradled under his arm. The silver helm left Rudy’s grasp and landed on the floor. Rudy stepped back to see the helm roll to a stop beside a desk only for his cheek to meet the red, glowing, gloved fist of Captain Atom. Parasite reeled backwards from the blow, spinning around and stopping to glare at the hero that dared to throw that punch. Parasite leaped at Captain Atom, arms stretched forth and glowing white hot in preparation to absorb the atomic energies stored within the nuclear superhero, only to be stopped mere inches from the Captain’s body and get flung backwards into the air by a boxing glove-tipped rounded arrowhead. Parasite landed square on his back with a dull thud, wincing as he rubbed his forehead. He glanced up at the two heroes, now towering over him. He stared up at them with a defeated look in his white pupils. Rudy took a second to go over his options, and decided it would be best to surrender now. He knew he would probably get sent back to Stryker’s Island sooner or later. He guessed it was better than being sent in a body cast. If there was one thing Rudy Jones learned in his entire career as a super criminal, it was to know when to hold the cards and when to fold. This was one of those times. 
Rudy slouched his shoulders in defeat and sighed, grumbling to himself. There was always next time and there was always a new job to take. Soon, he would break out again and take on another job of equal or even higher pay to anyone willing to take his services. This would not be the last time he tried to steal under the noses of gods.


Sunset Shimmer nearly stumbled as she galloped down the long hallway. She could hear the echoed shouting of the guards hot on her tail. The glimmer of her prize bounced and jostled around her saddle bag. Finally, after months of meticulous planning, she finally got her hooves on the one thing she so desired!
She knew this was no easy task. Nopony in their right mind would attempt to break into the Crystal Palace and steal the crown of Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic itself! However, Sunset was not like most ponies in Equestria. She was gifted, a talented unicorn in the ways of magic, and raised under the tutelage of Princess Celestia herself! If there was anypony who truly deserved to be crowned as royalty, it was her! This was meant to be her birthright and she wasn’t going to let some bookworm take that away from her!
The fiery-maned unicorn nearly skidded to a stop when the lavender alicorn in question blinked into existence in a ball of pink light. Twilight glared at Sunset, determined to stop the thief in her tracks right then and there. Sunset acted quickly, however, and slid straight under the mare’s legs. She got up quickly into a gallop, charging through a door straight ahead. She skidded to a stop at the sight of a great mirror-- the mirror. Its reflective surface glistened and seemed to glow in a strange and inviting hum. Sunset took one step forward, almost enamored by its glory.
The sound of pursuing hooves snapped her out of her stupor. She glanced up at the mirror once more, a mischievous smirk on her lips. She had found it! In short time, her goal would be within reach!
She reached back into her saddlebag, pulling out a strange and advanced device with her teeth. It was a small remote trigger, colored in a dull metallic gray, a gift from one of her associates on the other side. The name briefly eluded her before she realized it was called a Boom Tube Box. She just hoped her contacts were prepared for her arrival.
Her ears flicked as the hooves became louder. Now was not the time to gloat. She had to escape now! She set the remote device down in front of the mirror and activated the trigger. She then took a deep breath before her face returned to that evil grin. Soon… soon...
Twilight and her friends slid to a stop, the lavender alicorn eager to stop the thief before she could escape. Sunset gave the bookish pony a smug smirk and a thunderous BOOM echoed behind her. The mirror vibrated and shook violently, the rippling silver sheen glowing an intense and blinding light. While her pursuers were blinded, Sunset tossed the saddlebag, and its stolen contents, through the glowing portal. “Sorry it has to be this way, Princess.” She taunted. Sunset then followed the bag, leaping into the mirror after it!
Twilight simply stood there, shocked and worried about what had just occurred. That pony just stole the Element of Magic, one of the Elements of Harmony, and escaped to Faust knows where! Her mind raced at the thought! She never expected this! She never wanted this to happen!
She wasn’t prepared for this. She wasn't prepared for any of this.


Among Gods
A Nobleverse Tale
By Grave Mind