• Published 12th Nov 2014
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A New World, A New Stage - tdnpony



A Thief and a Cop find themselves in a strange new world. Watch as their game of cat and mouse continues even in Equus.

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Fifth Heist

Opening theme:

Sleight Hoof and Quick Storm looked at the clock they had, slightly worried. It was just after dawn, and so far Fox had not returned. Earlier, just as they were preparing to pack up and move on, Scep, Spinner, and Charlotte had returned, all three of them looking quite satisfied. Unfortunately, as they could not understand them, all they could do was wait, as their return should have meant that Fox wasn’t far behind. So far though, she hadn’t turned up and they were getting a little worried. Just then, the leaves rustled a bit, before a figure dropped down. It was tall with black fur, a black cape and hat, and with a red mane.

The two of them jumped in alarm at the sight, but quickly relaxed as the shadows swirled around the figure, before parting to reveal the same form Alice had used to talk to them before. “Did ya miss me?” she teased.

“Not really,” Sleight Hoof deadpanned, though he did so with joking smile. “So...how did it go?”

Fox just grinned, before recapping the heist. By the time she finished explaining, Sleight Hoof couldn’t help but whistle, impressed by what she did. “Dang, you sure you weren’t an illusionist back in your old world? Cause girl, some of the stuff you pulled off, and with so few resources at that, would have made some of the best illusionists around her jealous.”

“Oh, I can’t be taking all the credit. I really have my team to thank for that. I only provided the illusions that made them see what I wanted them to see. Spinner, Charlotte, and Scep were the ones that helped make those illusions real. Even as a human I never could do anything like fly. That was me swinging from a web that we had prepared ahead of time. Furthermore, its thanks to Scep and his Bullet Seeds that I was able to make it look like the case shattered with a thought, not to mention the help they all gave me in keeping some of the more...close attacks away,” she smiled. She always believed that every successful heist was thanks to everyone working together. Heck, her father had always taught her that the trust each Fox shared with their Pokemon was one of the biggest factors that allowed them to become accomplished thieves. Likewise, Charlotte and Spinner who were in a nearby tree nodded their heads in agreement, looking quite pleased to be back helping her in her capers as Fox.

Scep was taken aback by the praise. He certainly wasn’t used to it. Usually, it would be ‘job well done….DON”T TOUCH THAT!’ Okay, maybe he would have gotten some if he wasn’t such a thief, but still. “Well….” he rubbed the back of his head, nervously blushing in embarrassment. “Just doin’ what I do best, dudette. Nothing special about that.”

“Nonsense. Every Fox who ever came before me managed to do what they did because they and their team worked together and trusted each other. After all, there is only so much one person can do alone. But when you work together, even the impossible becomes possible,” Fox smiled.

“Well, enough about that. From what you’ve told us, it looks like our old ‘friends’ have finally gotten into a hole they can’t get out of so easily,” Quick Storm chuckled.

“And now that you’re here, we better get going if we want to reach Vanhoover in a day. Not to mention we wouldn’t want any of the guards to find you,” Sleight Hoof added.

“Yeah, you’ve got a point,” Fox chuckled, before dismissing all her illusions, followed by taking off her cape and hat, before putting on a pair of reading glasses. “Let’s go then,” she said, her voice now sounding much more subdued as she slipped into her persona as Alice...even if the ponies couldn’t understand her again.

“We...really need to find someone to cast a Translation Spell,” Quick Storm deadpanned, earning an amused chuckle from the Zoroark as they quickly went back to the carriage/caravan, making their way to the next town.


Back in the city, most people, Ponies and Pokemon alike, were still asleep in these early hours. However, a few were awake, and in the case of a certain recently Evolved Lucario, very much wide awake.

Jonathan felt a rush of energy as he leaped from roof to roof. He just couldn’t describe the feeling of his new body, one which was far stronger than his old body. When he was a Riolu, his body felt strange since he was smaller than when he was a human. As a Lucario, his old body may as well have been that of an old man in comparison. For the last hour or so after he had caught a glimpse of Fox, who had promptly vanished, he had been getting acquainted with his new body, and frankly, he was loving it so far. However, his revelry was brought to a halt when his ears picked up on something.

“No! Stay away!” was the terrified scream.

Hearing that, he immediately stopped, and bounded off in the direction of the scream. Jumping off of a roof, he saw a Unicorn Mare being cornered by a gang of Stallions. “I already told you! I don’t give refunds, or rather, I can’t give refunds at this point,” the mare said, trying to put on a brave front.

“Well too bad. Me and the boys didn’t like your little show, so hand over the money,” one of the stallions sneered, before adding, “or...you could pay us back in other ways,” he grinned a perverted grin. At this point, Jonathan had seen enough.

“Hold it right there!” he growled, though to the ponies below, all they heard was “Lucario!”

The ponies looked up in surprise, just as a blue diamond dog-like creature landed between the mare and the stallions. “What do you want?! Can’t you see we’re busy here?!” one of the stallions grunted, not really caring about what one of the strange creatures wanted.

“The lady said no, so back off,” Jonathan growled, but again, they couldn’t understand him.

“Whatever. Let’s get him, boys! We can deal with the mare after this!” one of the stallions grunted, not realizing just how big a mistake they were about to make. The stallions lunged forward, intending to dogpile him. However, they didn’t get far, before Jonathan punched them in the nose, sending them tumbling back. Angrily, they got back up, and tried again, this time going from different directions, but they were all met with similar results as the Lucario lashed out with a roundhouse kick that knocked them into a wall.

“Okay, tough guy, huh? Well try this!” the lead stallion said, trying to keep up his false bravado as he levitated several items and chucked them at Jonathan, ending it with a sizeable trash can. Every last item was easily deflected, while the trash can was stopped dead in its tracks as the Lucario effortlessly caught it.

“What else you got?” Jonathan challenged with a ‘come here’ gesture of his paw. At this point, the stallions finally decided to grow a brain.

“That does it! This isn’t worth 10 bits!” one of them shouted, before they all turned tail and ran. However, they didn’t get far, as Jonathan quickly dashed forward, his new body’s agility allowing him to close the distance easily, and landed a quick blow to the back of each of their heads, knocking them all out. With that done, he turned towards Trixie. “Are you alright, ma’am?” Unfortunately, being a Pokemon now, his words were more or less unintelligible to her.

“Er...pardon me?” the mare asked, not wanting to accidentally offend him, especially after he had saved her AND effortlessly kicked the flanks of the gang of stallions so...getting on his bad side was very likely bad for her health.

Seeing that she couldn’t understand him, Jonathan sighed, figuring that the translation spell must have worn off. Looking around, he noticed a nearby stick, which he quickly picked up and used to write on the ground.

“Translation spell?” she read out, before realizing what he was asking. At that, a smug look appeared on her face. “Why of course. A trivial spell like that is nothing to the Great and Powerful Trixie,” she said proudly in a way that reminded him a little too much of a certain thief. As she said that, her horn glowed, before she casted the spell.

“Thanks,” he sighed. “As I was asking just now, are you alright?”

“Well, yes. I suppose I have you to thank for that. Er…”

“Jonathan. Jonathan Trace,” he introduced himself, extending a paw.

“Trixie Lulamoon,” she said, shaking his paw. “I must say, you’re certainly different than most of the other...Pokemon that I’ve run into.”

“That’s probably because I’m not exactly a...normal Pokemon,” Jonathan sighed. Despite starting to get used to this new body, it was still...weird. Shaking his head, he turned to the downed Stallions. “I’d better bring them to the station. Even if things didn’t escalate yet, they did attempt an assault,” he mused, as he picked each of them up, easily hefting them over his shoulders.

“Hm? Where are you going?” Trixie asked.

“The Guard Station. As a member of the City Guard, I’m supposed to report in any criminal activity, and attempted assault definitely fits. Actually, I’m going to need you to come with me as a witness,” he explained.

“You don’t even have to ask. I heard that these guys have been known to cause trouble, though I didn’t think much of it, since I am only going to be in town for a short time,” she snorted.

“Alright then, follow me,” the Lucario nodded as he led the way.

The trip to the station was...awkward to say the least, mostly due to the odd looks they got from the passing residents. Despite that, Jonathan decided to at least try to strike up some small talk. “So Trixie...you said you’re only going to be in town for a few days. Visiting relatives?”

“Hm? Oh no, I don’t have any family here. You see, I’m a traveling magician, so I go from town to town for my shows,” she said, a little surprised at the attempted conversation.

“Magic, huh?” he chuckled slightly, remembering Alice’s hobby on the side. However, the thought of his dear friend brought back a pang of worry in his heart.

“Something wrong?” Trixie asked, noticing his suddenly glum expression.

“No. Its nothing. Just...thinking…” he said, and with that, the conversation came to a halt.

Later, after dropping the stallions off at the station, it turned out that these stallions had a record for causing trouble, but since they were mostly minor incidents, it was often left alone. But now with the attempted assault, they were in for a world of trouble when they woke up. With that done, all that was left was escorting Trixie back to her wagon which she used for her shows. However…

“So, how’s it feel to suddenly be the knight in shining armor?” Heat joked, playfully nudging Jonathan with his elbow.

Jonathan sighed in annoyance, as they walked through the street. After he had told them about what happened, for some reason Heat and Howl wouldn’t stop teasing him about it. “Come on guys, lay off on the jokes already,” he groaned. “All I did was what I was supposed to do.”

“Yeah, but you did it ala superhero style. Announcing yourself when you were in a high place, jumping down, and absolutely overwhelming them. Maybe Fox is starting to rub off on you,” Howl sniggered.

“Don’t compare me to her,” he grumbled, though despite his tone, he was smiling an amused smile.

While this was going on, Trixie had to physically hold herself back from chuckling in amusement. Earlier, she had casted a translation spell on herself so that she could understand them, and she soon found herself enjoying the playful banter, like watching three brothers.

“You sure seem close to them,” she mused.

“Yeah, I’ve known them for 9 years now. They can be jokers at times, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world,” he chuckled.

“Yeah, and no matter what, this big guys our big bro through and through,” both Pokemon grinned.

Seeing that, Trixie couldn’t help but smile slightly. However, when she turned her head forward, she saw that they had already arrived back at her wagon.

“Well, I guess we’re here,” Jonathan observed.

“Yes we are. Thank you again for the save,” Trixie nodded as she stepped into her wagon.

“Good luck with your shows. Maybe we’ll stop by and watch one of these days,” Jonathan said with a wave as the three of them headed back for the station.

“I’ll hold you three to that,” Trixie chuckled. “Trixie will make it a spectacle you won’t soon forget!” she boasted.

“Likewise, we’ll hold you to that, Great and Powerful Trixie,” Howl shot back with a grin.


At the same time, a good distance away from the city, the trip to Vanhoover was going smoothly. In fact, the trip was quite enjoyable as the party chatted animately with each other. In the carriage, Sleight Hoof and Quick Storm were planning what they wanted to do once they got to Vanhoover, particularly on picking out a good location for Sleight Hoof to hold a show, since with his reputation, most if not all stages and theaters would jump at the chance of facilitating one of his shows. On top of the roof of the carriage, Alice, Spinner, and Charlotte were planning on how to find the rest of their team, while also laughing as they speculated on what Rascal might be doing right now, as the Weavile had a penchant for getting into trouble. Even the servants seemed to be enjoying the trip, especially happy that thanks to the fox sitting on the carriage, it seemed that their employers’ pasts could finally be put to rest. Amongst them, was a young Unicorn with a white coat and black mane, the youngest member of the staff whom the old couple had encountered on the streets and took in several years ago, named Toichi, and amongst them, easily the one who was most happy about this recent development, second only to the old couple themselves.

However, one member of the group who didn’t seem to be part of the conversation was sitting on a nearby tree, from which he would jump to another tree whenever they got far enough. Scep still couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw her like this, as Alice Maximilion. She had explained it to him earlier, and he knew that Fox was just her name as a thief, but seeing her in her ‘human’ persona was something different altogether. For a moment, he wondered if all Zoroark were like this, since this kind of reminded him of Roa. Though, Alice hadn’t eaten anyone. Scep counted his lucky stars that wasn’t so. Still... it was weird seeing a friendly thief...or just a thief with friends. For the longest time, he was a loner. Honestly, the PLA just put up with him and the closest he had to friends was with the Commander and his family. Even that was strained at times. She had even given him credit for his services. Sev rarely did that, mostly because he was caught up in something at the moment. Lia would, but she was a kid. She thought the best of everyone. Alice was a puzzle alright. Maybe he’d figure her out one day. Until then, he kept to himself….He was used to that. They’d find him annoying anyways.

As the rest of the group chatted, before long they could see another town at the end of the path.

“Vanhoover! Dead ahead!” one of the servants, a burly looking Earth Pony, called out, before pulling out a harmonica and playing an upbeat tune, much to the delight of the mare next to him, who pulled out a flute from her saddlebag and played along, the music helping them pick up the pace a little.

“Good thing too. The suns starting to set,” another stallion, a pegasus, commented as he picked up a sandwich and took a bite. However, what nobody noticed was the bush shaking nearby. Everyone except the four thieves of the group.

“Hey, what’s…” Alice was about to say, before a blur shot out of the bush.

“My harmonica!”

“My flute!”

“MY SANDWICH!”

Came the three cries, one notably louder than the others, as the three ponies in question suddenly found the items they had been holding missing. At the cries, Alice’s eyes immediately darted about on high alert, looking for the thief (the irony was not lost on her), when one voice got her attention.

“Bleh! Who puts daffodils in a sandwich?!” came Scep’s indignant voice amidst the sound of him spitting something out.

“Well, that answers where the sandwich went,” she sweatdropped, before looking around again, as she did not see the two instruments with the Sceptile. Her attention was again caught by a small gleam in the nearby branches. Turning to it, she saw the two instruments...in the paws of a very familiar Weavile. “Is that…?” the rest of her question was drowned out by an angry shout.

“Hey! Give those back!” the Earth Ponies in the front angrily demanded.

The Weavile on the other hand just smirked. “Finders keepers, losers weepers! You’ll have to catch me first if you want them!” he taunted, before pulling down an eye lid and blowing a raspberry, before jumping off, the two Earth Ponies chasing after him, both of them shouting angrily, with some...choice words.

Seeing this, Alice, Charlotte, and Spinner sweatdropped at the feeling of Deja vu. “...that was Rascal, wasn’t it?” Alice deadpanned, and at the nods she received from the two Spinaraks, she promptly face pawed. “Come on, we’d better catch up before he gets them lost in the woods,” she said, before the three of them gave chase.

Just as they left, Sleight Hoof and Quick Storm exited the carriage after hearing all the noise. “Did we miss something?” Sleight blinked.

“Finders keepers, losers weepers, dudes.” Scep said reverently as though that explained everything, with his hand over his heart. “Finders keepers, losers weepers.”

The old couple blinked in confusion. “...is that a yes?”

Out in the forest, Alice was making use of one of her favorite ways for quick movement; Zip-lining on Charlotte and Spinner’s webs. The two Spinarak had crawled on, and latched on to her arms, and using their webs, allowed her to move faster through the forest as they pulled her along. Thanks to that, it wasn’t long before they caught up, and boy did the two Earth Ponies look angry. Rascal had the two instruments in his hand as he hung upside down from a tree, dangling them, only to pull back whenever one of the servants tried to jump up and catch him. And for added fun, he had frozen the bark, making climbing impossible. “Oooh! So close, yet so far!” he laughed as the stallion made a jump, only to miss and land face first on the ground, which was thankfully soft.

Seeing the scene, the three of them couldn’t help but let out a guilty chuckle as the mare tried to climb up the frozen bark again, only to fall flat on her flank thanks to the thick ice. Pointing Spinner at Rascal, he then shot out some webbing, which promptly tied Rascal’s feet to the branch he was hanging from.

“What the-?” he managed to gasp, before Alice leaped and landed on the branch, and before he could react, took both items from his paws, and dropped them into the hooves of the ponies below. Both of them gave her a quick thanks, before running back to the camp. “Hey, what’s the big ide-” he was about to say, until he recognized the two Spinaraks. “Spinner! Charlotte! Where’ve you two been all this time?!” Rascal said as the grin on his face threatened to split it. Then he noticed the Zoroark who was looking down at him with a bemused expression.

“Really now, Rascal? I thought I taught you better. Don’t make me have give you ‘a talk’ again,” she scolded.

“Do I…?” Rascal was about ask, when it hit him. The way she talked and scolded, her knowing about ‘a talk’, and the reading glasses. “No way…”

“Good to see you again too, Rascal. I see you’ve been up to your usual tricks,” Alice chuckled as she cut him loose, the Weavile too shocked to do anything but let her pull him up. “Now then, I trust you won’t be causing anyone anymore trouble tonight?”

“Uh sure thing. Whatever you say Alice,” Rascal nodded dumbly, still trying to process this new information.

Later, after they all made it back to the camp (and after some quick explanation to keep the two servants from pouncing on Rascal), they could finally sit down and talk, with Alice recapping what’s happened so far.

“Awww, you pull of your first heist in a new world already? And without me? I’m hurt,” he joked feigning ignorance.

“Well its a little hard to do that considering I didn’t know where you were,” Alice snorted, giving him a light smack on the shoulder. “The fact that I found Charlotte and Spinner was a real stroke of luck to begin with. I don’t think I would have been able to pull of the heist without help.”

“Speaking of which…” Rascal started, eyeing Scep. “Who’s the Sceptile? He a new addition to our team or something?”
“The name’s Scep, little dude.” Scep tilted his head in greeting. “I’m General Thief of the PLA and the best darn one in all of Hoenn. I’ve robbed everyone up to Giovanni.”

Hearing that, Rascal developed an amused smirk. “Oh? So you’re one of those guys, huh? Not a bad rep, but nothing compared to me. After all, I’m Rascal. Best darn thief in all of Kalos...okay, second best. Fox is still number one. Either way, I’ve robbed people from thugs to mob bosses blind, some before they could even blink,” he boasted.

“Cool story bro,” Scep snorted, giving him a thumbs up. He leaned back into the tree. “Wake me up when I’m supposed to be impressed.”

At that, Alice, Charlotte, and Spinner developed sweat drops. “Oh dear…” was the general thought they shared.

“Oh? Is that a challenge I hear?” Rascal smirked, his eyes gaining a dangerous glint.

Scep yawned. “I’m gonna be smart with you, dude. Challenges are for equals. Get back to me when you reach my level.”

“That so? Well then, how about I prove just how far up my ‘level’ is. Or maybe you’re just scared I’ll show that I’m the better thief,” Rascal dared.

Behind him, the sweat drops on his team mates heads grew bigger. “Should we stop them?” Charlotte and Spinner commented.

“Do you really want to get in the middle of this right now?” Alice asked them, to which they shook their heads.

Scep turned his head to glare at Rascal. “Don’t be getting out there ideas, little dude. I’m the best at what I do. Nomon could do it better.”

At this point, both Pokemon were glaring at each other so intensely, if one looked closely, they could practically see the lightning sparking between them. However, before anything else could be said and done, another voice cut in.

“Here I am, following your scent, and it leads me straight to a camp. So Rascal, what did you do THIS time?” came a female voice that was a mix of annoyance and amusement with a hint of snark.

Turning to the source of the voice, they saw the bushes part as a Liepard stepped into the camp. Scep’s eyes widened and he quickly stood up. He moved into a defensive posture, eyeing her intently.

Seeing his reaction, the Liepard raised an eyebrow. “So who’s the Sceptile? Any reason for the sudden hostility?”

Rascal shrugged. “No clue,” he said, and he was about to say more, until Alice decided to cut in.

“I think we’d get a better answer if we asked Scep directly,” Alice said, catching their attention, before smiling gently at the Liepard. “Isn’t that right, Shade?”

At this Shade blinked in confusion. “Er...do I...know you?” she asked, as something about the Zoroark with the reading glasses seemed VERY familiar to her, just as she noticed the two Spinaraks. “And why are Charlotte and Spinner with you?”

“Yeaaaah….about that,” Rascal started, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. “This is probably gonna sound totally crazy, but...she’s…well...Alice.”

Shade looked at him like he had grown a second head, before she snorted, followed by her laughing her head off. “Really funny, Rascal. But seriously, who is she,” she said, still chuckling slightly.

“Oh well, I guess I’ll have to prove who I am...again,” Alice sighed, before walking up to her. Putting her muzzle near Shade’s ear, she whispered something to her, which caused her to go bright red.

“B-b-but…! That…! I only…!” she sputtered, before her eyes widened as the reality hit her. “But how? Why?”

“Guess Arceus decided to reward me,” Alice chuckled while shrugging. With that said, she walked over to Scep. “So...mind telling me why you’re acting like Shade’s going to bite your head off or something?”

Scep was silent for a moment, just eyeing Shade. He sighed and relaxed his posture. “Sorry dudette….force of habit…..” He scratched his arm nervously. “You see, Doctor Raziel...married a pokemon….A Liepard.”

“Wait what?” Rascal said in surprise, nearly falling off the branch he was standing on. “So you’re saying that on top of being crazy, immoral, and basically the kind of guy who makes it his life’s work to make the world a rotten place, he was a Pokephile too?”

“When you put it like that, he was pretty fucked up.” Scep snorted.

“Fucked up doesn’t even begin to describe the guy,” Rascal snorted. “Heck, he was one of those guys that was so bad, that even some of the other guys in the underground thought he was evil. And we’re talking the scum of our old world here!”

“Well at least the other guys weren’t cannibals,” Scep rolled his eyes.

At this a stunned silence descended on the group of thieves. “Pardon me for a moment,” Shade said, as she walked back into the bushes...before the sound of her being violently ill was heard.

Rascal was so shocked, he was just...staring into space.

Charlotte and Spinner, being the youngest of the group had pretty much fainted

Alice… “WHAAAAATT?! And this guy was...gaaaah! Of all the incompetent-! Corrupt-! And people actually…!” she went on in an incoherent tirade, before composing herself. “As much as I’m happy that he didn’t do it, but sometimes I wonder if Arceus should have just obliterated them all when he got out,” she sighed.

Scep shrugged. “You get used to it...or we did….Actually, we got used to a lot of things.” Scep rubbed his chin in thought and then shook his head. “....Is Shade alright?”

“I’m okay. Really, considering the kind of people we rob blind on a regular basis, you’d think we’d have seen it all,” Shade said as she stepped back into the camp, though she did look a little pale still.

“Sorry again dudette,” Scep rubbed the back of his head. “That Liepard gal, Parda...Yeah, she was just as zany as her husband. Tough as nails too. The two were pretty much inseparable.”

“I’m guessing there must be a story there, and though the fact that the guy actually had someone he loved is...touching, somehow I don’t think I really want to know too much about anyone who would fall in love with the second most wanted scientist in the world,” Alice deadpanned. “Besides, if she really did go along with Raziel, then odds are, she’s back on Earth, and with any luck, whatever Arceus likely did to punish whoever was left behind will leave her dead and buried with the rest of them all,” she sighed, just as a thought came to her. “Come to think of it, shouldn’t we be in town by now?”

“That’s true, but after you all started talking about your old world, we all stopped to listen,” came Quick Storm’s voice, as true enough, the ponies had been watching them intently. “Gotta say, this is better than any crime drama I’ve ever heard.”

The looks on the Pokemons’ faces was enough to give the entire group a good laugh, before they continued on and entered Vanhoover.

Ending theme:

Author's Note:

Finally uploaded this chapter. Sorry for the wait. Enjoy