//------------------------------// // The Golden Gem of the Sun (Part 2 of 3) // Story: The Rainboom Thieves // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// “So, when is this train trip to Saddle Arabia?” asked Sunset Shimmer with anticipation. “One month from now my student, now I have other matters I must attend to. I will tell you the other details of the trip later my student.” said Celestia in a humble tone. Sunset Shimmer left the throne with a skip in her hooves. All she could think about was the fact that the princess was finally letting her go to the next level. “Yes! Princess-hood, here I come!” she said to herself. Celestia on the other hand, slumped her head down while she sat on her throne. Her adviser quickly asked her, “Your Highness, is she still not ready?” “No, she is not...I fear this trip will not help her either.” “How long do we have?” “A little over a year.” “I see, I do not mean to be blunt your highness but do you believe Sunset Shimmer could ever inherit it?” “No, I have researched over the years and I believe the one to inherit it will be one with a mark of a six pointed sparkle.” Sunset Shimmer went to her room, “Spike! I'm back!” “Hi Sunset!” said the purple dragon as he quickly walked down the room's stairs. “How did it go?” “It went wonderfully!” she said with a huge smile. “So you're finally going to become a princess?” “I'm about to get one step closer!” she said as she then hugged Spike. Meanwhile at the Rainbooms' hideout.... Twilight called a meeting and before she knew it, everypony was at the meeting table. Twilight looked at them all and then gave a huge smile. “Okay, you almost never smile like that pardner. What's up?” asked Applejack. “So, you already got us another heist Twilight?” said Rainbow with an even bigger smile than Twilight's. “Indeed I do.” said Twilight and she then pulled out several maps along with several disguise rings. “And this is our target.” she said as she pulled a picture. At that moment, Rarity's eyes became huge as soon she saw the picture. Then her jaw dropped. “Twilight....do...do you know...do you know what that is?!” she yelled. “Yes, I know. It's our target, the Golden Gem of the Sun.” “Did you not hear what I just said Twilight?!” Rarity screamed. “That is the Golden Gem of the Sun!” “I know. I just said that Rarity.” said Twilight with a humble look on her face. “Don't you know who owns that gem Twilight?” “Who owns it?” asked Rainbow with a confused look on her face. “Rainbow...Princess Celestia owns that gem.” responded Rarity. “Whoa, we're stealing from the Princess of the Sun?” asked Applejack. “Wow Twilight. Even I gotta admit that might be a bit much for us Twilight.” said Rainbow with hesitation. “Wow. Is that hesitation Rainbow? I never thought you would go there.” said Twilight with a grin. “Twilight, do you realize what we're going for?” asked Rarity. “Look girls, can I at least explain how this is going to work?” asked Twilight. The others looked at each other and then nodded. “Alright, first off, our target is currently about to be sent to another country. Celestia is going to use the Golden Gem of the Sun as a peace treaty to Saddle Arabia.” “Peace treaty?” “I was talking to some of our black market buyers. Several of them go to Saddle Arabia all the time. They buy and sell valuables to other nobles of Saddle Arabia. They have heard rumors that corrupt nobles in Saddle Arabia are currently trying to manipulate its government. Then the corrupt nobles will try to use the Saddle Arabian military against Equestria.” “Are you saying we're going to steal a gem that is being used to stop a possible war?!” yelled Rarity. “That sounds bad!” said Pinkie. “Hold on a second girls. Let me explain. The gem is going to be used a peace treaty yes, but things are not going to go as planned.” “What do you mean?” “The corrupt nobles of Saddle Arabia, according to the rumors, are planning something very nasty. They plan to start war as soon as the gem arrives.” “What?!” said the others with a shocked look on their faces. “The nobles plan to announce the gem is fake and accuse Celestia of giving a fake treaty. They will then accuse her of wanting to start a war and then they will start a true war.” “Are you saying, if we steal this...we could prevent a war?” asked Rainbow. “Hold on there pardner, if we steal it...what if they say that was Celestia's plan and start a war?” asked Applejack. “That won't happen. The nobles of Saddle Arabia will only be able to start the war if they convince the government that the gem is fake. According to the rumors, this is one of the last shots they have.” “So, how is the gem being transported?” “By train.” “We're doing a train robbery?!” said Rainbow with a huge smile. “Yes. Now here's the plan. First off, we will have to be on the train that the gem is being transported on. I have gotten tickets to go to Canterlot and back for me, Rarity, Scootaloo and Applejack. Our disguise rings can only be detected if they are on so we can't use them when we go to Canterlot due to its magic barrier. The disguise rings will look like ordinary rings so they won't be given any thought if our luggage is searched, which is good since we will be using them too. However, we will use them on the train out of Canterlot. I will explain later. Now, Rainbow, you will be the most important part of this plan. There is a mountain the train will pass under. You are going to be positioned on the top of the mountain. I scoped it out already and there are trees on the top. You will be hiding there until it is time to steal the gem. First, the four of us will go to Canterlot. I have reserved us a hotel room there in Canterlot for the future heist. Now, we will need some cloaks made by Rarity for this heist.” “Just cloaks darling?” “Yes. Now, when the gem is being transported on the train to Saddle Arabia, we will be boarded as well. Then, when the train is about to pass through the mountain Rainbow is positioned at, we will begin the heist. With the cloaks that Rarity will make for us, we will go and attack the guards guarding the gems. We won't be able to sneak orbs on board so we will have to use magic and raw force. Then, when we get the gem, we'll break a window and I'll use my magic to suspend it outside the train. Then, Rainbow will grab the gem and flee. Me and Applejack will return to our cabin and put the disguise rings on. All four of us will use the rings to look like an ordinary pony family so the guards won't suspect anything. Then, according to the path that the train will be taking, we will go by Baltimare. We'll get off there, safely since Rainbow has the gem.” “Say Twilight, how much is this gem?” asked Rainbow. “It doesn't have a full market price but I would say over 100 million bits.” said Twilight. “Whoa....Awesome!!!” “So? Is everypony in?” The others looked at each other in shock. They heard the plan and it sounded like it would work. They then all looked at Twilight with expectant looks. “Well, uh, Twi, you're plan sounds pretty, uh, solid.” said Applejack. “Aw yeah! I'm in!” said Rainbow. “I'm in! I'm in!” said Scootaloo. “The Golden Gem of the Sun...unbelievable...unthinkable...” said Rarity as she sat there pondering at what Twilight had told them. “....okay, I'm in Twilight.” she said with a glimmer in her eyes. Applejack looked at the others and then spoke up, “Sigh, I guess I'm in as well pardner.” Twilight then raised her hoof and the others followed. “We are the Rainbooms!”