Radiant Glory trotted down the stairs of her mansion, yawning daintily as she adjusted her bathrobe and nodded at the maid waiting for her. "Good morning, Diamond Cuff. Ah, I see you have today's newspaper, what would I do without you?"
"I can't say, ma'am." The white unicorn gave her a sly smile as she levitated the paper over. "I'd wager the cellars would be far more empty, though."
Glory peered over the news, her violet eyes giving her personal servant a mock glare. "I don't know what you're referring to, Diamond, and I certainly won't thank you for spreading such nasty rumors."
"My apologies, ma'am."
"I will, however, once more extend my most sincere thanks for ensuring that those rumors never became true." A warm and genuine smile formed on the millionaire's face. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be drowning my sorrows down there.(1)"
"Just doing my duty, ma'am." Diamond Cuff smiled back, the slightest glimmer of sadness in her green eyes. "If you'll excuse me, I need to check the kettle in the kitchen."
She curtsied briefly and trotted away, leaving Glory to lounge on an extravagant couch as she read through the day's articles and idly combed her purple mane. A moment passed.
"Hmmm?" Radiant Glory peered at the paper. "My, my, this is certainly interesting. Something will have to be done!"
With a sudden motion the pale blue unicorn rose, swishing the paper onto the couch. "Diamond!"
"Yes ma'am?" The maid peered round the corner. "Is something the matter?"
"Quite. An important matter has just come to my attention." Glory hung up her bathrobe with a sigh. "I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy your wonderful tea this morning." She trotted out the front door, leaving the paper open on a sensationalist headline.
MASKED MATTER-HORN ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY
----
The Maretropilis penitentiary was one of the most secure prisons in the world. Guards trained by the legendary Captain Steelbender himself trotted down these halls, their mana batons free and ready to swing at a moment's notice. The west wing was constructed of meter-thick brick walls and impenetrable metal doors, with a closed sewage system that was examined daily and cleaned out weekly and a water system triple filtered before it even reached the cells. The east wing was a large empty space where specialized cells were constructed and placed for the more dangerous of criminals. The north wing, ostensibly, held laboratories devoted to researching the unusual powers that some of the penitentiary's perennial occupants possessed; that it also had a number of war tanks on reserve was a matter usually glossed over.
As Radiant Glory's luxury chariot descended onto the southern landing platform, she looked over the fortress and sighed. It was such a shame, in her opinion, that the penitentiary was under the administration of the corrupt Commander Bit Champer.
She stepped out onto the pavement, smiling politely at the warden as he trotted up. "A pleasure to see you again, sir." 'If I could toss you in one of these cells my day would be complete,' she added in her own thoughts.
"Always nice to see the noveau rich take interest in the handling of our more... undesirable citizens." Bit Champer grinned back with crooked teeth. "I must ask, though, are you absolutely sure about this? Some of the ponies we keep behind bars are quite frightening."
"Fret not. I have handled Ouroboros destroying half my mansion.(2) A few madponies behind bars won't ruffle me in the slightest." Glory raised an eyebrow. "Besides which, we won't be headed for the east wing will we?"
"Pfeh, no." Bit Champer chuckled grimly as he led her along. "That fake horn of hers is on the fritz. Without it she's nothing more then a pegasus in a slinky suit." He raised an eyebrow, giving the mare a calculating look. "What's your interest in the Matter-Horn anyway? A warden's gotta know these things."
"I have long been blessed with wealth," she replied smoothly. "It continues to amaze me how few of those in need approach my estate to ask for help, instead resorting to such desperate acts of thievery. If I can assuage the suffering of such a famous criminal, perhaps others will flock to my abode."
"Don't be too hopeful," Bit Champer warned her. "This mare's a quiet one. I figure she'll bite off your hoof soon as you extend it." He levitated the single key from his ring, rotating the prongs into position and inserting it into the lock. "If you need any help, yell."
Radient Glory stepped into the cell quickly, looking at the mare who rested on the cot bolted to the floor. "Oh dear. You're quite the mess." She flicked her tail meaningfully at the door. "When I saw the news I almost didn't believe it. The Masked Matter-Horn, resorting to thievery?"
The mare rolled her eyes. "I was framed. Not that anybody will believe Shadowlight's behind all this. He's an upstanding citizen."
"Hmm, well that is a serious accusation." Glory stepped forward, lifting one of Matter-Horn's hooves and examining it closely. "Why, darling, you are seriously hurt! These burns and bruises, has nopony even looked at them?"
"I refused to take off my mask," the pegasus explained. "So they refused to treat me."
"Well that simply won't do at all. Commander! Might I ask that you transfer this prisoner to my private hospice?"
Bit Champer snorted. "I'm afraid that I--"
"I'll pay for the expenses, of course," Glory continued.
"--will need some time to organize the paperwork," the guard finished smoothly. "Perhaps we can talk it out in our office?"
"That would be excellent, sir." With a final nod at the prisoner, Radiant Glory stepped out into the hall.