//------------------------------// // The Trottingham Heist // Story: The Elements of Unity // by Gremlin Grenade //------------------------------// [One who keeps to his duty shall not fear the bane of choice. The dutiful must meet the needs of the many to keep the pillars of civilization strong, and must be prepared for the sacrifices strength demands. When all keep to their duty, the vice of stagnation is second only to the glory of prosperity, but it must be to stand united.] “… and the little foal never walked again!” Steel Hoof’s guffawing was met with awkward silence as his attempts at humor failed once again (though it was a somber moment indeed when it was left to him to lighten the mood.) “I do not mean to be rude, but your jokes aren’t very good,” Kataro couldn’t help but point out what was obvious already, in hopes that it might put a stop to Steel’s depressing humor. “Why do you do that?” Steel Hoof’s seemingly unprovoked agitation caught Kataro off guard. “Do what, my friend, we’re quite the same; would you care to explain?” “Do THAT! Your talking, it is so strange!” “You think my speaking is so strange? Perhaps it is you who should change!” “Bah! Always with the rhyming! Why not talk like regular pony?” “Look here, in case you forgot, a regular pony, I am not!” It had been this way for the past four days now, the two of them arguing, with Master Plan caught in the middle. Though Steel Hoof didn’t completely trust him, either, the arguments between them were fewer, as the smaller gray pony chose to keep to himself, only speaking when they needed to stop or change direction. Though he rarely spoke, Master Plan heard everything, and he about had it. “Enough! You both sound absurd, and we’re all exhausted! Trottingham is only a few miles away, so let’s stay quiet the rest of the way while I prepare a plan.” The sudden outburst surprised the travelling companions, and Kataro remained silent. Steel Hoof, on the other hand, had no intentions of his pride being snuffed so easily. “Speak for yourself! I could travel three more days before I tired!” Sticking his chin up, he beamed with pride on his strength. “Excellent, the two of us will ride in your cart while you use your surmountable strength to carry us the rest of the way!” Master Plan had called his bluff, returning the earth pony to his usual sour demeanor; his brow furrowed his eyes half-closed. “I wish to help however I can, so tell me, what is your plan?” Kataro intended to change the subject to something more productive. “Our objectives here are twofold. First, we need a disguise for you, Kataro. While you may go relatively unbothered here, the further we head towards Canterlot, the more suspicious you will appear. Second, we need to increase our ranks. While Trottingham will appear pleasant enough on the surface, it has an underbelly of crime; one we must expose. That is where we will find our new allies.” ============================================================================= While not a particularly large city, Tottingham was bustling with activity. Ponies from all around were trading at the ports, while the newly built factories were attracting the attention of unemployed ponies and curious traders alike. Rows of homes and shops lined the cobblestone streets, while posters advertising inventions of all varieties adorned the walls. Smokestacks jutted over the horizon, and the town palace rose out among the industrial landscape. The seasonal commotion made it easy for the otherwise fairly conspicuous trio to move about the town unnoticed; couriers called out the evening news, while loud factory whistles and ship bells rang out over the humdrum of chatting traders. Master Plan looked skyward, toward the billowing smoke of the freshly built structures, and thought of home. “Kataro, I’m going to leave your attire to you, while Steel Hoof and I seek out these ‘esteemed associates’ of mine. I trust that, despite your people’s tendencies, you will avoid anything too eccentric?” “You do not even need to ask, of course I can complete such a simple task,” The zebra felt slighted at his companion’s apparent distrust of his judgment. Master Plan ignored his friend’s tone and turned about, looking for his first indication of shady activity, unaware of Steel Hoof’s smug grin. “So, little Master Plan cannot go to face these ponies on his own? He needs big friend to keep him safe? Would you like that I carry you there as well?” Steel Hoof was enjoying his ally’s apparent moment of weakness. “While these criminal types tend to be reasonable enough, they do occasionally have the inclination to break into practically unprovoked bouts of violence. However, with a pony as large as you at my side, I feel these ruffians may be less inclined to do so.” As Master Plan expected, his companion beamed with pride at the remark, almost engulfing his smugness entirely. =========================================================================== Finding the underbelly of the city was easy enough. While the criminal element of Trottingham had once been a very secret organization, with the emergence of the new factories, they had taken a much heavier interest in the livelihood of the town’s citizens. Criminal operated unions and corrupt factory owners had made tracking down Sly Dog, the leader of one of the major criminal organizations, surprisingly easy to do. Tipped off from a disgruntled union worker, Master Plan and Steel Hoof found themselves heading towards the oldest section of the Trottingham docks late into the night. Beneath the floors of The Rapscallion Stallion, the two ponies found Sly Dog and his associates, gathering for a routine meeting. The details of the meeting, though, would be anything but routine, Master Plan intended to ensure. The two ponies blended in with the usual rabble at first, the grunts drinking and singing upstairs while the gang leaders organized their newest industrial operations. “So, you’re the one called Sly Dog? I thought you’d be taller.” The gang leaders went quiet as they simultaneously turned in Master Plan’s direction. Though they initially appeared as though they would gut this intruder without a second thought, their expressions were more welcoming, if not much, when their eyes fell upon Plan’s bulky associate. At the head of the table was a gruff but young looking pony, wearing a green pinstripe vest and black bowler cap, with a wooden pipe in his mouth. “It’s not the wisest ‘ting to join one of ‘me parties uninvited. Tell me, wot does a tosspot like you want wit’ a lad like me ‘self?” Sly Dog’s gaze was cold and piercing as he tried to analyze the eccentric intruders. “My name is Mr. Midnight, and I want little more than to do a little favor for your group here.” “Really? And what do you think ya’ can do for me?” “I can see that your industrial operations have been going well, but I’m sure it’s been too long since you have had any real activity. Your men are probably getting restless, and if you don’t act soon, somepony is going to do something stupid. I have a job that will not only prove lucrative; it will keep your men in check.” Sly Dog gave him a cold look. Who was this pony, to be so presumptuous about his operations? And why was he dressed in such depressing garments? One thing was for sure, he was smart. Everything this Mr. Midnight said was true, and Sly Dog had been trying to find a way to keep his men in line for some time. But he didn’t trust strangers, and he knew that nopony in this town did anything for free, not anymore. “An’ suppose we did this little job of yours, what would you want in return?” “You don’t believe that I’d offer an opportunity like this out of the kindness of my heart?” “No, I don’t.” “Very well then, you caught me. I’d like full access to the manufacturing capabilities under your control in the southwest quarter. You can keep running them as you are when I’m not using them, but there are a few things I’d like built. And since it’s out in the open, I’d like access to the factories before this job is complete.” “No Dice, I don’t even know if dis’ job of yours is legit. Tell me, what is it that you’ve got in mind?” “The heist of Trottingham Palace, of course.” Master Plan’s statement was met with roaring laughter from the group, though the room quickly returned to its previous silence when everypony realized just how serious this stranger was. “Eh, boss, dis lad’s buggers!” one of the hoodlums from the table called out. “I think we should toss ‘im off the docks, see ‘ow smart he is ‘den!” Sly Dog was on his subordinate before he even realized what was going on, “don’t ever tell anypony, outside the gang, wot’ yer thinkin! You got that?!” The hoodlum pony was pinned against the table, the smoke from his boss’ pipe billowing in his face. “Err, right boss, wot eva you say!” The gangster was shaking in both fear and disbelief. “Now den, how do you suppose we go about dis’ little operation of yours?” “Boss! You can’t be serious!” Sly Dog glared at the perpetrator of this second outburst, shocked that his initial display of violence wasn’t enough. “Dis’ ‘ere lad seems like a smart enough bloke, I’ve decided we give ‘im a run for his money.” He turned to Master Plan, “But you know, if you botch ‘dis up...-” “Don’t worry, I don’t make mistakes. In fact, as a gesture of good will, I won’t even get your ponies involved until all the preparations are complete, so if anything goes wrong, your hooves will be clean.” Having gained the gangsters’ interest and cooperation, Master Plan leaned in and started going over the details of his plan. ============================================================================= The tall halls of Trottingham palace always brought a nostalgic sense to Royal Valor, her eyes tracing the intricate architecture along the repeating archways. Her mind drifted to better days, when her father trained her in the Equestrian royal guard, when she served under Duke Braveheart. His son, Duke Trueheart, was an honorable enough pony, but he lacked the conviction of his father. No, the new duke was little more than a fearful colt, and though his intentions were good, he let the growing mayhem bully him into submission time and time again. Now he summoned his trusted captain once again, and Royal could only wonder what new problem he had devised for her to correct. Her senses returning to the present, Royal Valor straightened her posture as she approached the doorway. Such thoughts were unfair, she concluded, the Duke had enough difficulties with simply managing the city, especially in this new age. Besides, he had always looked up to her like an older sister, and treated her with respect and admiration. As she stepped through the door, Trueheart was seated in his throne, his head resting against his fore hoof in contemplation. “You sent for me, milord?” Royal Valor’s voice was soft and welcoming, properly accompanying her angelic appearance but belying her history as a warrior. She was tall for a pony, though not as tall as the royal sisters, with long, slender legs and exceptionally large wings. Her long golden mane accented her gleaming white coat perfectly, though the majority of it was currently hid under her helmet. Though still in a grim state, Trueheart let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her; her words of strength always brought him comfort. He was not sure that even her council was enough this time. “Thank you for coming here, Royal. I can hardly keep these cursed industrialists in line these days.” He looked into her shining green eyes with haggard grief, “when those eccentric Flim Flam brothers arrived here, I thought these machines were the greatest thing to happen to my city. Now it seems all they do is push me around.” Royal Valor did her best to look concerned, though inside she couldn’t help but feel disgusted. “It’s Moneybags; he wants to build his factories in the northeast quarter. I tried to reason with him, tried to tell him that the jobs he creates are no good if he destroys homes in the process, but now he has those ruffians backing him up.” It was true, the increased gang activity was becoming almost impossible for the guard to monitor, and the industrialists knew this. What was worse, the gangs that were in the open were hiding behind these big investors, making them very difficult to hunt. “Sire, you can’t let these businessmen trump your authority. Your family has been leading this city for generations, and they are required by celestial law to submit to your word.” Trueheart smiled at his age-old friend, always so strong in her convictions. Since they were foals, she had protected him, and he wished nothing more than to have her resolution. Alas, his heart did not hold the strength hers did, he had seen too much corruption and greed, he thought, to ever return to such innocent courage. “Milord, you should really speak to your councilors about this, I’m really not qualified to-“ Royal was cut short by the sound of a hurried gallop down the hall. “Captain, a courier brought this to the gate, they said it was for your eyes only!” Royal Valor opened the rolled parcel. Her eyes widened as she scanned the contents of the letter. “Gather the troops, private; we’ve got vermin to hunt!” ========================================================================= Under the cover of the night, Sly Dog was able to slip over the gates with ease, but he still had his suspicions. If Mr. Midnight was to be trusted, the guards would be away from the gates, letting at least a dozen of Sly’s men into the castle unnoticed. He felt like an idiot for trusting a stranger even thus far, but upon further inspection, it appeared that his new associate had held up his end of the bargain. There was not a guard in sight, and all around his men were dropping silently over the gates. In front of one of the large, stained glass windows, Mr. Midnight stood waiting, his large companion nowhere to be found. As Sly Dog approached him, he gestured to the nearby side entrance to the building. “The keys are on the roof.” “Charlie, you know wot to do,” Sly Dog nodded at a dark blue pegasus pony wearing a top hat. The pegasus flew up to the castle rooftop, and found the key ring hanging on the end of the gutter. He flew down and unlocked the door leading to the castle undercroft, and a cavalcade of ponies dressed in black sweaters marched through the open door. Once inside Sly Dog could see that the treasury was not far away. After having navigating through the undercroft unnoticed, the gang came up in one of the castle’s many corridors, just down the hall from the castle throne room. The treasury should be in a hidden room behind the Duke’s throne, with Sly’s prize inside. He ducked back into the undercroft as the torch of one of the patrolling guards lit up the hallway. Sly gave a nod to one of his associates and the shady earth pony brandished a switchblade from the sleeve of his sweater. As the guard passed by, the gangster snuck up behind him and quietly slashed the guard’s throat. The group of criminals silently headed towards the throne room, inspecting their surroundings as they walked. The throne room looked like one might expect; the throne overlooking a large marble room with a long table, the walls opposite adorned with tall stained glass windows of heroes past. Its grandeur rivaled that of the royal palace in Canterlot, though the throne itself was significantly smaller than the princess’. Sly Dog walked up to the wall behind the throne, where a large carving of a pony knight battling a fierce dragon. The two masterminds inspected the carving, trying to decipher its secrets. Master Plan’s brow rose as he noticed the crest of the knight’s shield, the cutie mark of the sun princess. He pushed the insignia with his hoof, and a series of gears churned, pulling the two sections of the wall apart and revealing a vast and wealthy treasury. It seems, Sly thought to himself, that all this industry has been good for the Duke’s pocket. As Master Plan entered the treasury, the ponies around him stopped, and Sly Dog turned around to face him, flashing a sinister grin. “It seems, my esteemed associate, that dis’ is where our partnership comes to an end. You see, I can’t really afford to offer up services of my factory, when it’s raking in so much money! It’s not really my factory anyway, so you’d have to take it up with good ol’ Mr. Moneybags!” He nodded to the switchblade pony, who once again brandished his weapon and started to advance on Master Plan. “Oh, don’t look so upset, old bean! They don’t call me Sly Dog for nuffin’.” “Really?” Master Plan raised an eyebrow, “Because after this display, it would seem they do call you Sly Dog for nothing.” He returned a smirk of his own, and his eyes appeared to glow red with malice. “I, on the other hand, have the name Master Plan for a very good reason.” Almost as if on cue, Equestrian guard ponies started to storm the vault, brandishing ornate spears and flooding the vault with light. “EVERYPONY ON THE GROUND!” Royal Valor’s earlier softness was nowhere to be found, as she ordered the guards to capture each of the criminal ponies. Some of the hoodlums resisted, but Master Plan simply brought his head to the floor and placed his fore hooves on his head, still grinning maliciously. “Check their marks!” Valor barked at her men, as the guards inspected the flanks of each prisoner. “This is ‘im sir.” One of the guards called to Royal Valor after inspecting Master Plan. “You, you can go.” “Might I have a word with you first?” His apparent smugness agitated her, the fact that one of her friends lie dead in the hall was reason enough to lock this stranger up. “I have an investigation to finish here, I don’t need any more interference.” “You surely owe me at least this much.” Against her better judgment, she ordered her troops to continue the operation while she granted this stranger an audience. As soon as Master Plan approached the guard captain, she felt uneasy. His glowing crimson eyes and almost depressing attire gave the pony a very sinister air, one which wasn’t helped by the surprisingly calm tones of his voice. “What is it you want, a reward?” She couldn’t help but bark at the red-eyed pony. “Nothing so simple, I assure you.” “Then what!?” “I want what you want, captain. I want justice.” These words put Royal Valor a little more at ease, as the levity of the situation set in. “And you saw justice achieved today. Thank you for your contribution.” “Your welcome. However, I’m a large thinking pony. This catch may have helped your progress for the next couple months, but we’re not getting to the source of the problem.” “And what is the source of the problem, Mr...” “Plan. Master Plan. And the source of our problem, captain, is the government. Our national government, run by our omnipotent overlords, has been unable to keep the wealthy of this town in check, keep the gang problem under control, or keep your people safe. If you, as I, want true, lasting justice, it is necessary that we make some changes to this nation of ours, and I think you are a more than capable catalyst.” Royal was clearly offended by the implications of this stranger. “Choose your next words carefully, good sir. My family has served the Celestial throne and protected this country for generations, and I’ll be cursed before I let somepony make me go against my vows.” “I understand completely, and for generations, your family did the right thing. But, let me ask you, what do you do when ‘serving the throne’ and ‘protecting this country’ are not in the same interest?” It was becoming evident that there was little Master Plan could do here, so he turned to make his exit. “I’ll leave you with that, and it is up to you to think about it.” ========================================================================== When he arrived in downtown Trottingham, Master Plan was more than a little surprised to see the nature of Kataro’s disguise. His new garb made him look no more like a pony than before; instead he was draped in metal trinkets and tribal designs. If anything, he stuck out more now than before. “What is this?! I thought I told you to gather a disguise!” Master Plan was practically seething with anger. “You see? I tell you, ‘this is not disguise, this is not what we want’ but you do not listen!” It was evident that Steel Hoof had been arguing with his zebra companion for quite some time now, though now Master Plan felt he had more than just cause. “I am a chief in my native land, and so, my garments must be grand!” “No! They must be simple! How are we to avoid detection if you are dressed like… that?!” He paced back and forth, trying to figure a way to resolve this unexpected issue. “You take them back, you hear me? You go back to the shop you got those and you return them!” “Steel Hoof here insisted the same, yet the shopkeeper demanded, all sales remain!” Master Plan pulled his hoof down his face in frustration. Let’s just hope, he thought, they've seen a zebra down by Everfree before. ======================================================================== As he looked over the papers across his desk, Holy Justice couldn’t help but frown. The usurpers’ trail had been growing hotter every year for the last decade, but recently, he couldn’t find any trace. There was the possibility that the rebels had grown scared and ran off, but he knew they were smarter than that, and besides, his organization hadn’t taken any steps to eliminate them yet. The off-white unicorn adjusted his monocle as he looked over his notes again, trying to find what he missed. His investigation was interrupted as the door suddenly burst open, his assistant panting in the entryway. “Mr. Justice, sir, you’re going to want to see this!” She could barely get that much out before needing to catch her breath. Despite the sudden outburst, Holy Justice looked up from his studies slowly and deliberately, before addressing his assistant in his usual condescending tone. “What is it, Cleric?” “There was a robbery at Trottingham palace!” Justice raised an eyebrow before returning to his work, “that isn’t our department, dear, take it up with internal affairs.” “No, sir, the robbery was foiled, but the nature of the arrest-“ Before she could finish, Justice levitated the related document out of her saddlebag and over his desk. As he looked over the notes, his eyes widened and a smile broke across his face. It wasn’t long before his keen mind formed the connection. “Cleric?” “Sir?” “Prepare my chariot. I intend to pay this captain Valor a visit.” End chapter 3