//------------------------------//
// Forbidden Fruit 
// Story: The Cutie Mark Thief 
// by Zee The Freeman 
//------------------------------//

	"I'm Deep Pockets," Pox said, the back of his hidden mane standing on end. Something about this mare didn't add up. From far away, she seemed like any other. Power he's never felt it before emanated from her. "I don't mean to be rude, miss. I must inquire, excuse my directness-" He spoke to frozen statue of Fluttershy. A chill ran down his back, his eyes darting around to find him. The Harbinger was surely behind this. Discord appeared behind Fluttershy wearing an expression of unrelenting rage.
"When I said I had my eye on you, I meant it." He said through clenched teeth. "You shall NEVER touch this mare. Fluttershy is worth more than you or who you stand for." Discord lifted his lion's paw, and his chaotic magic surrounded Pox. Agony clenched his entire body, like something wretched out his insides with a giant spoon for him to see. "You've already taken. I suppose I knew with the barman. Nevertheless, go take from somepony else." Pox's horn gleamed, cutting through the torturing chaos magic. Undulating colors now surrounded him as he hovered in the air. His barrier grew more colored as Discord threw a few shots of magic into it.
"Thank you Harbinger, I can use that." The chaotic magic seeped in through the barrier, under the control of his horn. He shaped it to a ball, which his flaring horn expanded into a large net. The huge blast caught Discord in his own magic, whipping him back as the net imprisoned him. 
Discord realized his mistake, "You already have that power? How much have you-"
"Bother me no more." After Pox spoke, Discord flew off imprisoned in his own magic. Pox's horn extinguished, he landed back onto the cobblestone leading to the train station. He cleared his throat as Fluttershy blinked and became animate once more. She provided him an odd look, and waited in a bout of forced silence.
A short time later, Fluttershy gained her courage back and spoke, "What was it you were going to ask me?"
Pox cocked his head, and thought for a moment. She doesn't seem the talkative type, he resolved. Perhaps she could use a bit of encouragement. Pox's horn lit up for a split second, and his eyes glowed to match Fluttershy's light gold coat. He stared into her eyes, and spoke softly, "Do you know of the Elements of Harmony?" Fluttershy smiled, and nodded her head. "Have you seen them before?"
"Twilight usually keeps them at her library, we use them when danger comes around."
"How do you use these elements?"
"Well, each one of us represents one of the elements, mine is kindness."
Pox smiled, "I've noticed, you're very generous being this open about such power."
"Well, I don't know about that, Rarity represents generosity." Fluttershy blushed, her eyes now looking a bit glazed over.
"So who is this Twilight pony you spoke of?"
"Twilight is one of my best friends, she's Princess Celestia's student. She represents magic."
"The element of magic? The most unpredictable of them all."
"All six of us can unite and use the power of our friendship to overcome anything."
"Of course, my dear. Now, where are all of your friends? You claim there are 6 of you in total, yet you stride through the pathways of this hollow city alone."
"We live in Ponyville together, not in the same house of course. We all have different jobs to take care of the town."
Pox nodded, his eyes dimmed to a shadowy navy blue. "Thank you for your time, Fluttershy. I shall take my leave of you."
She stood rooted for a while, only rocking idly to and fro until she came back to reality. She shook her head to clear her mind, when she looked about, Deep Pockets vanished. Standing around wasn't getting back to Angel, who by now was probably going to eat the furniture, so Fluttershy tightened her saddlebags and waited for the next train.
He hadn't done anything to her, there wasn't anything to feel bad about. You had only convinced her to tell you more about what she knew, he told himself. You used your magic, he said from the other side of his head. The ends now justify the means, Pox now knew why Discord outlawed Ponyville to him. The most powerful magic lived there, in the form of six friends. The rain had begun to cease above him, though all of Canterlot sat drenched in the leftover downpour it received. Perhaps, he thought, sticking around a while might just be the thing to turn the tides. The night stood in its prime, the moon shining from holes in the clouds to illuminate the flooded streets so they shone like new coins upon which Pox trotted through. A new objective filled his mind, for he knew he could not touch the one called Fluttershy. He would have to face his next challenge hampered, time grew more crucial with each passing moment of moonlight. Turning Discord's magic against him drained Pox, his normally keen stance and trot now sat lower to the ground, hooves and back struggled and sagged.
He stood once more in front of Canterlot Castle, examining the area. Though his body remained feeble, his senses ran with the slack. Dissecting the tall stone towers with his eyes, he located the target. His target stepped from the shadow cast by the awning above her. She stood watch during the night, the mare of shadows and darkness. The crescent moon that rested upon her flank glowed softly during that particular night. Her dark wings tucked away at her sides, she glanced down upon Pox. In a blink of Pox's eye, and she was gone. The night still ruled in the sky, though the ruler of the night vanished into thin air. He focused all his might into his horn, it did not spark, it pulled him in the direction of great power. It fought between two sides, pulling towards the castle hall as well as thrusting him to a nearby dark alley. His horn released the precious remaining energy, providing just enough to stand and watch. Options were quite limited at this point with his current agility. Besides the fact Canterlot Castle could not be entered by this time of night, it was especially so considering the panic one of the royalty created. The aristocracy of the courtyard trembled as The Prince ran by, Pox watched as Blueblood searched high and low, "Has anypony seen my cutie mark? Somepony has stolen my cutie mark!" 
His shouts of desperation didn't change his situation, Pox thought within himself, chuckling quietly. His attention turned to the dark alley, the only option he'd be able to accomplish his goal with. The night-mare spotted him, he knew she awaited in the shadows between the stone buildings. He trekked over towards the entrance of the alley, it served mostly as a garbage dump for the bakery that lie ahead. Luckily it smelled of stale backed goods instead of any horrendous odors it easily could've housed. Continuing deeper into the alley, a bit of moss sat affixed on the bakery wall, threatening to touch and expand onto the bricked street. "Is there something you require here, stranger?" The shadows demanded, Pox felt as if the darkness itself stared at him.
"I come with a deal, Princess Luna." Pox stated, a showman's grin grew upon his face.
"We, er, I care not for your so-called deal, stallion." A glowing pair of eyes cut through the shadows, revealing her location. "Why should I trust one I do not know the name of?"
"Perhaps if you listen a while, you might change your mind." The luminescent eyes didn't budge from their spot. "We are both masters of the night, you and I. You rule the night, and I thrive in it. I use your glory as my tool for justice. It is only natural I admire you as the superior princess." The mare's glare softened upon these words, Pox continued and paced slowly as he spoke. "In fact, I'd say you're better than a princess. Let Celestia stay the princess, you deserve more. You deserve to be Queen of all Equestria!"
"That would not be fair to my sister, she is older than I-"
"You know as well as I, Queen Luna, that Celestia has cheated you out of much in the past, and even now. Ponies always basked in her sun, and shunned the true light they should've been imbibing. The power of the moon and the darkness you command is greater than Celestia's light."
"Sounds like my attitude during my 1000 year prison sentence on the moon."
"There's truth in it, Luna." Pox's eyes grew dark as he said this, matching the color of Luna's coat. The Princess of the Night questioningly glanced into his eyes.
"What sort of magic is that? Who are you?"
"Damnit," He muttered under his breath, eyes shifting back to normal, "my strength has yet to return."
"Who are you and what magic are you attempting to affect me with?" She repeated with a twinge of royal impatience.
"Fine. I shall tell you. I am Deep Pockets, and the magic you provide for me to use is what I use, your highness. The power of the night. This is the power all of Equestria may experience!"
"Deep Pockets, you have the power to shift your eye color? My night does not grant that. Besides the use in vanity, I don't see why-wait a moment." Luna bit her lower lip in thought, "I've seen this magic before. But where?"
"That's not important. What's important is Celestia! We must get rid of her and place you at the head! You shall be Queen of Equestria!"
"Get RID of Celestia? Are you mad!?" Luna's tone grew angrier as she glared at Pox.
"Oh no, not be rid of her, but put you in charge. I can do that. I could give you a taste of what it feels like to be in charge."
"You really think I'll believe you now?"
"You'll never be blamed for it. It's reversible to boot. What's the harm? Celestia caused much more heartache than this in you, didn't she?"
Luna grew quiet, her eyes wandered in silent contemplation. "Reversible, you say?"
"Queen for a day, just a taste of what you could have. If you like it, it can stay. If you want it reversed, Celestia will learn how valuable you really are. You two will serve on equal terms, together. Just as you've always dreamed. A free taste of the forbidden fruit, with only benefits after."
"So, what is your plan?" Luna asked wearily.
"All you need do is bring me to the castle. Give me a few hours, and you'll be Queen of Equestria. I'd rather we teleport in, given the situation at the dining hall."
"I've been busy with the moon and my watch hours, unable to see what the commotion is about."
"It's quite entertaining. Blueblood is running about scaring the aristocratic ponies, though it's rather irrelevant. Bring me back to your perch, your highness. I'll be on my way from there."
"Just, don't get caught doing whatever it is you'll do." She sighed, stepping close to Pox.
"We won't have to worry about that." He said as Luna wrapped her foreleg around him, pressing the bottom end of his cloak against his undercarriage with her hoof. A shadowed flash changed the surroundings. No longer did the moss dangle from the bakery, the bricks did not laze about acting as a street. They sat now within a dark spire overlooking the entirety of Canterlot. The city glimmered in the moon, rooftops glazed with the recent rain. Ponies gradually began to gather in the streets, going about their business like the rain never fell. Colts and fillies splashed in the puddles and played about the streets. Snooty aristocrats traveled in their typical hordes, conforming with whomever happened to be popular as popular could be. The buzz of the soggy city could be clearly watched from this one perch.
"Go now, Deep Pockets. I'd rather stay here while you commit your treachery." Regret sat forefront in her face, the curiosity kept her from undoing her actions.
"I shall return, and you shall be Queen." Pox waltzed through the arch, examining the room as he approached the center. The room was illuminated by candlelight, just enough to read and find the bed by. A refined table made of a dark lacquered wood hefted the weight of piles of books, dusty tomes, and tattered scrolls. Many relics of eons past hung in trophy cases fixed upon the walls. Several portraits were stacked in one corner, Pox got a long look at the top painting. The rise of Nightmare Moon set in paint upon an old canvas, age had frayed some of its edges, a scorch mark blotted out a quarter of the picture. Life's an ironic thing, Pox thought, and shifted his focus to himself.
Focus was vital, especially considering his weakened state from fighting the Harbinger. Stealing from Celestia could be fatal, one slip up and the spell backfires. His horn illuminated, the undulating colors extinguished the candles, filling Luna's room in shadows. She didn't look back, and muttered words of apology into the night. Pox's focus increased in the shadow, as he melded with it. He watched his hoof as it melted into the darkness. Lifting himself into the air, Pox proceeded towards his objective, melting into shadow as he traveled. The visuals of the world fell away, leaving only a pony-shaped beacon of light. He shot forward as a glob of shadow into the royal hall. Celestia sat tiredly on her throne, a long day of diplomatic discussions and dealing with Discord drained her energy. The princess nodded off a few times as a shadow arrived in the hall and crept around her.
"Luna? Is that you? How's the nightwa-" Her eyes fluttered, and she fell asleep for a short moment. Jolting awake, she shot upright. Her crown almost fell off upon the second bout with the Sandpony.
Now stood his time to strike, Celestia had fallen asleep now, she stayed in her half slumber as Pox initiated his reforming. The shadow purred softly as it molded the cloaked stallion, growing smaller with each feature it defined of him. He landed silently on next to his target, he examined her flank. The cutie mark shone brightly, he began the process. Breaths became slower, the air paused in its place, yet these things unhindered Pox. He traced over the mark, creating a layer over it in his undulating magic. His horn glowed during the whole procedure. Muttering a few words over the mark, he placed his two front hooves upon her flank. A feeling akin to electric shock shot through Pox, and as he focused upon the mark he felt himself burning like he stood in the sun's core. Pain invaded every inch of his body whenever he pulled upon her mark. After what felt like an eternity of wrestling with the mark, he felt a magic severing. Celestia's sun now hovered in front of him, he pulled it quickly within himself. It absorbed into his body, sparking agony through his entire being. He screamed in agony, and luckily with time itself on hold, vocalized agony fell not more than out of his mouth. Engulfed in flames, he roasted in fighting to keep the mark inside. Each passing moment it grew more docile, though the pain still burned him on all ends.
Finally, the sun subsided into his possession. He looked at Celestia, her flank now lay blank as a filly. An accomplished grin nudged its way onto him, until a loud scream pierced his ears. His own scream of agony upon taking Celestia's mark. Time had resumed, he stood merely inches behind the princess when the scream jumped her wide awake.