It was the dead of night in Canterlot.
All was quiet, as the citizens slept in their comfy beds. However, at the Diamond Dust jewellery store, something was happening. A shadowy figure crept into the store, easily picking the lock with a lockpick he extracted from a saddlebag. He entered the front room, where all the jewellery lay, locked in near impenetrable glass cases.
"Ooh, so many glittery baubles." The intruder declared. "So shiny, so pretty, so fabulously expensive. So mine..."
The intruder unlocked one of the cases, which contained a magnificent necklace, several diamonds set in it.
"Come to poppa." The intruder eased the necklace out.
What the intruder didn't know was that there was a pressure pad under the necklace. Without a keycard to deactivate it (which only the staff possessed), the removal of the necklace triggered an alarm.
"Oh, buck!" The intruder yelped, as the alarm blared through the formerly silent store.
Stopping to grab some more trinkets, the intruder rushed towards the back door, intent on escaping with his ill-gotten gains. As he emerged into the outside alley, he found himself confronted by a group of police officers.
"Double buck." The intruder cursed.
"Stop right there!" One of the officers ordered.
"Yeah, right." The intruder sneered. He turned and ran down the other end of the alley.
"After him!" The officer yelled. "Don't let him get away!"
The police gave chase as the intruder fled.
"Get some light on him!" One of them yelled.
"You got it!" A Unicorn officer shone some light from his horn, illuminating the alley.
The intruder was caught in the light, and stood revealed; He was a Changeling, possessed of a particularly broad form.
"Sssss!" The Changeling hissed.
"It's a Changeling!" One officer gasped. "The thief is a Changeling!"
"Grab him!" Another officer yelled.
One officer tried to tackle the Changeling, but he dodged.
"So long, suckers!" The Changeling dived into another alley.
The police followed, but the Changeling thief had found his way into the winding, twisting back passages of Canterlot.
"Split up!" The leading officer ordered. "We can't let him get away!"
The police searched every passageway, but came up empty.
"It's hopeless." One officer sighed. "He must have changed shape and slipped away."
"Blast it." The lead officer growled. "This isn't over..."
One week later, over at the hive, Sleight and Chrysalis were enjoying breakfast when a messenger pony entered.
"Sorry to interrupt, you highnesses." He bowed. "But I'm afraid Princess Celestia and Prince Shine require your presence in Canterlot as soon as possible, to attend to a matter of great urgency."
"Again?" Sleight frowned. "Didn't they call us over a few months back about another 'matter of great urgency'?"
"What is the problem?" Chrysalis asked.
"I'm not at liberty to divulge, your highness." The messenger apologised. "It is... highly confidential."
"Mysterious much?" Sleight snorted.
"Tell Celestia and Shine we'll be there as soon as we can." Chrysalis declared.
"I shall." The messenger nodded.
"Typical." Sleight sighed as the messenger departed. "Seems like we always get a call to come to Canterlot right when we're eating..."
"I know." Chrysalis frowned. "It's uncanny. But knowing Celestia, she'll have a valid reason for spoiling our breakfast."
"She's bettter." Sleight scowled. "I was really enjoying my waffles. Fine cuisine like that should be savoured, not rushed."
"I know what you mean." Chrysalis chuckled. "You love also deserves to eaten slowly, so that it can be properly enjoyed."
"Next time, right?" Sleight shrugged.
"Definitely." Chrysalis nodded.
After finishing their breakfast, Sleight and Chrysalis hurried over to Canterlot. Shine and Celestia sat in the throne room, grim expressions on their faces. A Unicorn police officer stood by them.
"Okay, we're here." Sleight declared. "What's up?"
"Whatever it is, I'm guessing by your expressions that it is cause for concern." Chrysalis noted.
"I'm afraid I have some... bad news." Celestia confessed. "There was a robbery in Canterlot last week. and we have fairly substantial evidence that a Changeling from your hive was behind it."
"You can't be serious." Sleight frowned.
"No member of my hive would resort to such petty actions!" Chrysalis snarled. "We have no real need for material objects, and thus, no desire to purchase them, much less steal them!"
"I'm afraid the evidence speaks otherwise." Celestia retorted.
"What is this 'evidence', any way?" Sleight asked. "Let's see it!"
"Of course." Sleight nodded. "Officer Beat, if you would?"
Officer Beat stepped forward.
"We responded to an alarm at the Diamond Dust jewellery store, and after pursuing the perp for a few moments, we cast some light on him." He recalled. "It was then that we finally got a good look at him. And this is what we saw."
Beat projected a screen of magic with his horn, showing a still image of the Changeling.
"No way..." Sleight frowned.
"That Changeling is not from my hive." Chrysalis scowled. "I know every one of my children, and he looks nothing like any of them."
"Are you certain, ma'am?" Beat asked. "I mean, all of your... 'children'... look the same to me."
"They all look the same to you?" Chrysalis growled. "Do you have any idea how racist you sound right now?"
"I... I didn't mean anything by it..." Beat said nervously. "I meant no offense..."
"And yet, I am offended." Chrysalis snorted. "Just because my children don't come in a variety of assorted colors like you ponies doesn't mean they can't be distinguished from each other..."
"Come on, Chrys." Sleight urged. "This isn't helping. Leave the poor guy alone."
"Well, pardon me for reacting poorly to some random pony's prejudice." Chrysalis huffed.
"I... I really am sorry..." Beat insisted.
"...So am I." Chrysalis sighed. "Forgive me. I just don't respond well to insults against my children, intended or not."
"That's okay, your highness." Beat nodded.
"So, I think we can agree that this guy isn't one of ours." Sleight went back on topic.
"Be that as it may, this thief did not strike at just one target." Celestia declared. "We have been getting more reports this past week about stores and banks being robbed in nearby areas, with eye witnesses citing a Changeling as the culprit."
"As you can imagine, it isn't exactly doing wonders for the old Changeling rep." Shine added. "A lot of ponies are calling for something to be done."
"That is why we called you here." Celestia revealed. "We were hoping you could help us find this elusive thief before he strikes again. If you play a part in the thief's capture, it will help remind the publics that Changelings aren't as bad as some think."
"We will gladly assist." Chrysalis scowled. "Whoever it is that is besmirching our kind's reputation must be stopped. But in return, I ask that this Changeling faces our justice, rather than yours."
"This Changeling stole from ponies, so he must face pony justice." Celestia replied. "After he's served his time, we could remand him to your custody. Surely that would be an acceptable solution?"
"We'll see." Chrysalis frowned.
"In the meantime, maybe one or both of you could accompany Beat here down to the police station." Shine suggested. "If you're going to work with the proper authorities, that would be a good place to start."
"You got it, pal." Sleight nodded. "Okay Beat, lead the way."
"Of course, your highness." Beat bowed.
"Let's go, Chrys." Sleight urged. "We have a thief to catch."
"Indeed we do." Chrysalis snarled. "A thief who has disgraced his own kind. If pony justice is not harsh enough on him, I will be."
Sleight and Chrysalis escorted by Beat made their way down to the police station. They got quite a few looks on the way there, Chrysalis especially; The news of a Changeling thief had of course spread like wildfire. Naturally, since most Changelings worked with and for the hive, the kneejerk reaction was to assume the rulers had a part in the crime spree.
"Such brazen behaviour." Jet Set growled. "Walking around in the open like that."
"No doubt casing the next target for their sticky-hooved minion." Upper Crust spat.
"How dare they..." Chrysalis snarled.
"Easy, Chrys." Sleight whispered. "i don't like it any more than you do. But getting angry at a couple of small-minded bigots isn't going to help."
"Though it would make me feel so much better..." Chrysalis seethed.
As they entered the police station, the two got a few more looks, but not as many as on the outside.
"Captain Bookem, the King and Queen of the Changelings have arrived." Beat announced.
Captain Bookem, a stout brown coated stallion with a yellow mane, moss green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of an arrest ledger, turned to see Sleight and Chrysalis.
"Welcome to our humble headquarters, your majesties." He said curtly. "I'm sorry the two of you had to come here regarding such... unpleasant circumstances."
"Yes, I imagine you all share the populous' idiotic belief that we have something to do with the thief?" Chrysalis scowled.
"With all due respect, you imagine wrong, your highness." Bookem declared. "While it's true some of my officers hold that idea, we don't all believe it. I, for one, never let the actions of a single criminal define a whole group."
"Good to know." Sleight smiled.
"Some good sense at last." Chrysalis noted.
"Nonetheless, we are ready to work with you in apprehending this sneaky thief." Bookem smiled. "We have a full record of every one of his robberies in my office. I expect you'd like to see it."
"We certainly would." Sleight smiled.
"Then come with me." Bookem urged.
Sleight and Chrysalis followed Bookem to his office.
"Have a seat." Bookem offered. "Just got to check through the old files..."
Bookem started looking through a filing cabinet for the information.
"So far, so good." Sleight smiled.
"At least not all ponies have turned on us." Chrysalis admitted.
"Well, look who it is."
A tough, grizzled looking cop stood in the doorway, glaring at Sleight. He had a dull purple coat, short silver mane, hard brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a pair of hoofcuffs. And a sullen expression that Sleight immediately recognized.
"Well, well." Sleight scowled. "If it isn't ol' Collar Cuffs."
"Gambit." The officer said gruffly. "Long time, no see."
"Ten years." Sleight noted. "But who's counting?"
"You've done pretty well for yourself, haven't you?" Collar sneered. "From second-rate grifter to King of the oversized pests. You must be so proud."
"And look at you." Sleight sneered. "Still pounding a beat after all these years. Guess the old career train really stalled for you, huh?"
"Don't act all high and mighty with me." Collar growled. "Doesn't matter what you call yourself, you'll always be some two-Bit shyster."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Sleight snorted.
"You know this officer?" Chrysalis asked Sleight.
"Oh, yeah." Collar nodded. "Your hubby an' me ran into each other when that traveling circus he was part of visited Canterlot a while back. He was running this counterfeit playing cards scam."
"Allegedly." Sleight shot back. "Nothing was ever proven."
"I know you did it." Collar snarled. "I was just never able to prove it. If I could, I'd arrest you right here and now, you no-good conpony."
"That's enough. Whatever his past, Sleight is my husband, and King of our hive." Chrysalis declared. "He has moved on, and become a stallion of integrity and honor."
"Thanks, Chrys." Sleight grinned.
"Well, excuse me for not accepting your words at face value, Queenie." Collar sneered. "See, I've had my run-ins with your kind too. Honestly, this whole Changeling crime spree thing doesn't surprise me at all. You guys have always been taking what doesn't belong to you."
"Excuse me?" Chrysalis growled.
"You can't deny it." Collar spat. "Before that little peace treaty was written up, you'd take whatever you wanted. Love, towns... even my livelihood."
"What are you talking about?" Sleight scowled.
"About five years ago, I ran into this Changeling who was trying to drain the love out of some poor mare." Collar recalled. "I managed to get it away from her, but it went after me instead, like some kind of savage monster. My fellow officers managed to pull it off, but I ended up spending weeks in hospital, recovering. And when I finally got out, I was never the same again. I couldn't take on perps like I used to. All because of one of your babies, Chrysalis."
"Things were different back then." Chrysalis countered. "In those days, my children considered all ponies' enemies. But no more."
"And honestly, the Changeling was probably starving, you know, from all the lynch mobs and hunting and torturing that you probably had a part in." Sleight scowled.
"Leave it to one lowlife to defend another." Collar snarled.
"And leave it to a jerk like you not to leave things in the past." Sleight shot back.
"Well, I can't just up stakes and leave my problems whenever I want, can I?" Collar sneered. "You always did that back in the day, didn't you? How long before you ditch your precious hive, I wonder?"
"Why, you..." Sleight growled.
"That's enough." Chrysalis declared. "However painful your encounter with one of my kind was back then, things have changed between our two races."
"Yeah, instead of feeding on us, you're now stealing from us." Collar spat, as he glared at Sleight. "I'm guessing the new King taught 'em how to do it?"
"Hey, this guy isn't from Chrysalis' hive." Sleight retorted. "Neither of us have ever seen him before. He's some kind of rogue."
"And we're just supposed to take your word for it?" Collar scowled. "That'll be the day."
"It's the truth." Chrysalis growled.
"Says a second-rate sideshow act and the Queen of a bunch of bugs who nearly destroyed this city." Collar countered.
"That's enough, Cuffs." Bookem emerged from the file cabinet. "These two are our guests, and valuable informants."
"Captain, I've already made my clear my feelings about bringing these two into the case." Collar declared.
"Yes." Bookem nodded. "Several times, in fact."
"We don't help from their kind." Collar insisted. "We can do this ourselves."
"If that were true, we would have caught the felon by now." Bookem pointed out. "We need the help of those who know the ways of Changelings. Put your petty grudges aside, and accept it. Am I making myself clear?"
"...Yes, sir." Collar said through gritted teeth.
"Good." Bookem smiled. "Now, go about your work, officer."
Collar nodded stiffly, then left.
"Well, he's just as pleasant as I remember." Sleight snarked.
"Here's the file." Bookem opened up a folder. Inside was several sheets of eyewitness and police reports, along with a map of Canterlot and the surrounding towns, with crosses dotted around it. "Every location the thief has hit since he was identified. No real pattern that I can see, but maybe the viewpoint of a fellow Changeling can shed some light on it."
Chrysalis perused the map of Canterlot.
"Hmm..." She mused.
"Do you see anything?" Sleight asked.
"It's what I'm not seeing that intrigues me." Chrysalis declared. "Even a lone Changeling will construct a nest close to its... food. But these locations are too scattered, too widely spaced to be traveled to from a single location."
"So you're saying he's mobile?" Sleight asked. "Not ordinary Changeling behaviour..."
"Neither is theft, I might point out." Chrysalis noted.
"Maybe something in the news might help." Bookem turned on a nearby television.
A news reporter mare appeared on the screen.
"This is Scoop Snatcher, reporting on the recent Changeling crime spree." She declared. "For the past week, an unidentified Changeling has been robbing numerous stores and establishments, with the police and Royal Guard as yet unable to stop him. Unease is starting to spread, as pony storeowners all over fear they may be next. Senator Harlhooves stepped forward and made a statement."
"Senator who?" Sleight raised a brow.
"Aspir Harlhooves." Bookem declared. "Senator from Canterlot. And before that, he was a top chemist. Whipped up some revolutionary chemicals that changed the face of medicine. Even found a cure for Erebus syndrome."
The image changed to show a gold-coated, straw maned Unicorn stallion with cyan eyes and a Cutie Mark of a speaker's podium standing in the middle of a press conference.
"Now, let's not fall into prejudice." He told the crowd. "While this one Changeling may have fallen off the straight and narrow path, that's no reason for us to condemn his entire race. We should be past this. I mean, it has been over seven years since the peace treaty was signed. We have accepted Changelings into our towns, our homes, and some into our hearts. We should not let something as petty as thievery undo seven years of progress and prosperity. After all, we wouldn't like it if all of ponykind were hated, simply because of the action of a single member. All species have their bad eggs, after all. Let us just hope this particular bad egg is caught before he gets too rotten... for both pony and Changeling sakes."
"Well, look at that." Sleight smiled. "Somepony else who's still on out side."
The image changed back to Scoop.
"A heartwarming moment of support, as you might expect from the senator." She declared. "However, not everypony agrees with Harlhooves' setiment. As Equestria's Secretary of Defense, Grenade Gridlock, had some words to say on this crime spree."
The image changed to a large, muscular Earth Pony stallion with a steel gray coat, a gray mane, bronze eyes, and a Cutie Mark of an armored carriage, which was unseen, as he was wearing a heavy brown leather jacket, as well as a black cap and a uniform shirt underneath.
"Look, I have no qualms with Harlhooves." Gridlock shrugged. "But progress or no progress, it doesn't change the fact that these Changelings are getting cozy with the treaty in effect. It's a short way from a 'slippery slope' before changelings begin to think that if they can get away with taking our valuables..." His face turned into a scowl. "They can do much more. I am not talking about just stealing from our stores, but taking our own lives! As of now, there are Changelings all over Equestria, in our towns and homes, just like Harlhooves said, but that only makes it easier for those little pests to strike us when we're vulnerable!"
"What?!" Chrysalis spat. "Who does this oaf think he is?"
"Doesn't he realise that this kind of talk is only going to get ponies more wound up?" Sleight frowned.
"He means well." Bookem told him. "His major focus is on the safety of Equestria. He just... takes it a little far sometimes..."
"Now, I am not a racist." Gridlock insisted. "Far from it. But we cannot change the fact that these changelings were a lot of trouble back in the days. No matter their reason back then, they are not above our laws. It is important that we tighten up security. Maybe fall back to old Changeling safety protocols. Break out those old changelings detectors, grab your rosaries and crosses that somehow doubles as a Changeling repellant, and more importantly, keep heavy viligance on them! That is how we stop ourselves from going back to the days of 'Changeling paranoia'. By keeping them under our hooves, making sure they know their place, and-"
"Turn it off." Chrysalis growled. "I can't stand it any more!"
"Of course." Bookem complied.
"I can't believe that stallion would suggest such a thing!" Chrysalis snarled. "Acting like we are some slothful degenerates..."
"Again, he's only looking out for the ponies." Bookem sighed. "Unfortunately, as much as he tries not to, Changelings often get left out of the picture."
"Okay, so things are a little worse than I thought." Sleight frowned. "But hey, one word gets out that we helped bring this Changeling thief to justice, ponies will start changing their tunes."
"I hope so, my dear." Chrysalis sighed. "Now, Captain, tell me more about these crime scenes. You're sure a Changeling was identified as the criminal each time?"
"Yes." Bookem nodded. "Sometimes, the theft was caught by a security camera, sometimes somepony on the street catches a glimpse of him, and other times, an officer spots him."
"That's weird." Sleight frowned. "Why didn't the Changeling just take on another form? Why strut about committing crimes as himself? He could had easily frame some other pony."
"Perhaps he wishes to be seen as he truly is." Chrysalis remarked. "He may be intending to make some kind of bizarre statement. Like Char did so long ago with Mist."
"Well, whatever he's trying to say, we need to shut him up." Sleight declared.
"But if he is mobile, as you suggest, how can we track him down?" Bookem asked.
"We don't." Chrysalis declared. "We must somehow figure out where he will strike next, and be ready to catch him."
"Or better yet, bring him to us." Sleight smiled.
"How?" Bookem inquired.
"Simple." Sleight smirked. "We set a trap. Since our target likes stealing jewels and treasure, let's give him something he won't be able to resist."
"An excellent idea, Sleight." Chrysalis smiled. "But what shall be the bait?"
"You just leave that to me." Sleight chuckled.
A couple of days later, a piece of news filtered through all media outlets.
"The lost crown of Charlemane has been discovered." Scoop announced over the airways. "The ancient crown, estimated to be worth over fifty million Bits, is currently being examined by top historians at the Canterlot museum of history. It will be on display for one day only, this Saturday."
In a darkened room, a shadowy figure watched the report.
"Fifty million." He sneered. "Easy money... Hope nopony's looking to take a gander at the crown this Saturday, 'cause it won't be there."
Little did the thief know, the crown was a fake. Sleight had dressed up a prop crown with fake jewellery, and had Celestia break the fake news to lure in the thief.
In the rear of the museum, the crown resided under a glass case. Sleight, Chrysalis (in the form of a Unicorn mare) and several officers (including Collar) were lying wait for the thief.
"This is ridiculous." Collar sneered. "No way in Tartarus this plan is gonna work."
"Thanks for the words of support, Collar." Sleight snorted. "It really means a lot."
"We'll see who cracks the jokes when your little plan fails miserably." Collar declared. "This whole thing is a gigantic waste of time. Just like you."
"Just wait, Cuffs." Sleight whispered. "You're gonna eat those words."
They switched off the lights, hid, and waited in the dark, anticipating the thief's arrival. It was common knowledge that the musem doors were heavily locked, so the thief would have no choice but to come in through the skylight. Sure enough, before their eyes, a pane of glass was lifted up. A length of rope dropped down, and the Changeling rappelled his way to the floor.
"That's odd." Chrysalis frowned. "Why isn't he simply flying down?"
"No idea." Sleight whispered.
"Hello, do you bugs listen to yourself when you fly?" Collar growled silently. "It's like listening to flies that you can't swat."
"Yeah, and you'd know all about that." Sleight sneered. "When's the last time you took a bath?"
"Real funny." Collar snorted.
"I thought so too." Sleight smirked.
The Changeling thief placed his hooves on the floor, and made his way to the crown. He pulled out a lockpick, and started fiddling with the glass case's lock.
"Let's get him, already!" Cuffs hissed.
"Not yet..." Sleight countered. "Just wait a little longer..."
The case's lock clicked open. The thief gingerly lifted up the case and set it aside. He then reached out and grabbed the crown.
"Now!" Sleight yelled.
The light flickered on as the police, Sleight and Chrysalis emerged from their hiding places. The thief froze in shock as he realised he was surrounded.
"You have a lot to answer for, Changeling." Chrysalis declared, as she reverted to her true form. "Your Queen would like to have words with you."
"Watch yourselves." Sleight told the police. "This could get rough."
The Changeling quickly reached into his satchel and threw out a smoke bomb, blinding his would-be captors. He then ran to the museum's front.
"He's getting away!" Collar yelled.
"Not on my watch!" Sleight declared.
Sleight blindly throw a card through the smoke, hoping the card flew in front of the thief, and quickly set down another card. Using his magic, he utilized his card portals to jump through the first card and emerged right in front of the Changeling.
"Not so fast, pal." He declared.
The Changeling ducked to the left.
"You'd think he'd show some respect to the King." Sleight growled, as he gave chase.
As Sleight followed the thief through the museum displays, Sleight pulled out a deck of cards. With his horn glowing, the top card on the deck began to glow as well as he began flinging the cards at the thief, intent on catching him with a 'card entrapment' spell.
But the thief was proving to be hard to hit, as he ducked and weaved around his card throws. One card in particular ended up hitting a priceless vase and capturing it inside.
"Whoops." Sleight cringed. "I'll put that back later..."
As the chase continued, the thief grabbed another of the glass cases and threw it at Sleight.
"Whoa!" Sleight caught the case. "Hey, watch it! This stuff's fragile, you know?"
At that point, Collar and the other officer emerged from around a corner, trying to cut the thief off.
"End of the line, vermin." Collar sneered. "Get 'im, boys!"
The officers charged the Changeling, but, belying his size, the thief managed to outmaneouver and overcome each one.
"Ugh!" One officer grunted as he was punched. "Guy's got hooves like concrete!"
"I won't let some overgrown bug can't the best of me." Collar snarled. "Not this time..."
Collar launched himself at the Changeling, and they grappled. But the Changeling fought dirtly. He tripped up Collar, and slammed both hooves into his back, bringing him down.
It was then that Chrysalis joined in on the action.
"Enough of this!" She fired some magic beams from her horn (careful not to hit the exhibits), but had little luck. While one blast had a glancing hit the Changeling, didn't seem to have felt it. "What the...?"
The thief had almost reached the front door.
"We can't let him get away!" Sleight yelled. Looking around, he spotted a model blimp right above the door. "Bingo!"
Sleight flung one of his cards at one of two strings holding up the blimp. The string was quickly severed as the blimp, bereft of support, swung down toward the thief, striking him in the side. To the group's horror, the Changeling's head seemed to have been knocked off by the impact.
"Oh, Faust!" Sleight yelped, as he approached the headless body. "I didn't mean to-"
"Ohhh." The headless body suddenly stood up, the head of a black-coated, blue maned and lavender-eyed Earth Pony stallion popping up from where the Changeling head was.
"It was a costume?" Chrysalis gasped.
"Oh, thank Faust." Sleight sighed in relief, "That's a load off my conscience."
Sleight, Chrysalis and the police surrounded the thief.
"Wait, I know this guy." Collar growled. "This is Slink Shifty, the master cat burglar!"
"Yeah, that's me." Slink groaned.
"So you've just been dressing up as a Changeling?" Sleight frowned. "That... kinda explains a lot... the lack of a nest, not using disguises, and not flying..."
"I figured going around in disguise would take the heat off me." Slink smirked. "if anypony saw me, they'd think I was just some random Changeling. Clever, huh?"
"Clever?!" Chrysalis snarled. "You would run our reputation through the mud just to cover yourself? I have half a mind to administer punishment myself, you low-life!"
"Easy, Chrys." Sleight urged. "We got this slime. That's what matters."
Slink was taken to the police station, and locked up.
"Congratulations, King Sleight." Bookem smiled. "Your plan worked perfectly."
"Yeah, not bad... I guess." Collar snorted.
"Thanks." Sleight smiled. "But I never thought the crook would turn out like this."
"At least our reputations can be salvaged from his despicable masquerade." Chrysalis scowled.
"Rest assured, we'll get the word out immediately." Bookem smiled. "The truth will be known across Equestria."
"Thanks, Cap." Sleight smiled.
"No, thank you." Bookem smiled. "We couldn't have done this without you."
True to Bookem's word, news of the thief's true identity spread fast. One morning at breakfast, Sleight read the headline "Changeling Thief: Phony!" in the local paper.
"'The so-called Changeling thief who has been robbing us blind was revealed to be notorious crook Slink Shifty.'" He read. "'Thanks to help from King Sleight and Queen Chrysalis, his shameless trickery was exposed, and the public can rest a little easier'." He continued reading. "'Senator Harlhooves had this to say: "I am quite pleased that this whole spree was revealed to be a farce. The Changelings are our neighbours, and they don't deserve to be slandered like this. Hopefully, we can all get over this mess quite soon." Meanwhile, Grenade Gridlock had slightly less joviant words: "I'll admit I may have overreacted before. I was led astray by appearances. I offer my sincerest apologies, but also add that I was only thinking of Equestria's safety first and foremost." We can only hope Gridlock's suggests are never truly needed, and that we can continue to live in harmony with our Changeling neighbours.'"
"All's well that ends well, eh?" Chrysalis smiled.
"Oh, yeah." Sleight grinned. "Our hive's reputation is safe, and we get to enjoy our breakfast." He emphasized by taking a bite full of waffle.
"We certainly do." Chrysalis savouring Sleight's love.
Meanwhile, the two hooded ponies of the Forefathers were reading the same paper in a warehouse far from Canterlot.
"Poor Gridlock..." The larger stallion sighed. "It must had been very... uncomfortable, having to been proven wrong by that no good King and that parasite."
"It's for the best." The shorter one shrugged, "Like 'Gridlock' stated, it's best when the populace have peace of mind, so that when the time comes, they will not know what hit them. Both them and the Changelings."
"Yeah... though I must admit, Harlhooves was laying it on a little thick with his 'goody two-hooves' routine." The larger stallion scoffed.
"No more than Gridlock with his spiel about 'security'." The smaller stallion sneered.
"So it was a bit much." The taller stallion retorted. "Better than some sappy speech about peace and acceptance."
"Sometimes it pays to use a soft touch." The smaller stallion declared.
"I still say Gridlock had the right idea." The taller stallion retorted. "Better to call for action than sit around spreading 'good vibes'."
"Let's forget about that for now." The smaller one retorted. "In the end, it doesn't matter what the public thinks of Changelings. It has little if nothing to do with our mission and our endgame. Speaking of which, the next shipment of Spirotox is due. We'd better get ready to receive it."
"Oh, yeah." The larger one declared. "Just one step closer to putting our plan into action..."
"Yes, and soon, we will both get what we want." The shorter one declared.