Celestia furrowed her brow as she read the headline of the newest Canterlot Chronicle. Normally the paper was scandalously featuring the royal houses in hopelessly terrible situations, or tabloid articles with little to no truth, but this article was all too terrifying even for her.
“New Underground Gang robs Filthy Rich’s Estate. Millions in Gold and Bits Taken without a trace.”
This was troubling for a number of reasons. The first was that the council was in an uproar as was Filthy. This spelled out a truly rough start to the princesses day but also meant panic was sure to ensue at some point. The article was sensationalist at best but still hit on a few key words that Celestia felt nervous about.
“Midnight Ink dear, would you please come here?” Celestia asked as she lowered her cup of coffee.
A charcoal gray mare walked into the study wearing a very well fitted suit; her mane was done up in a proper bun that accented her slightly curved horn rather well. The mare looked at Celestia only taking a moment to push her glasses up before clearing her throat.
“Yes Princess? Is something wrong?”
Celestia stood from her desk and walked to the balcony that overlooked the kingdom. She had to pick her words out very carefully lest she give away secrets that should be kept as such.
“The news article on the robbery. Does anything seem familiar about its description?” She asked aloud not looking back at Midnight.
Midnight thought for a moment before opening her mouth to reply. She herself didn’t believe the sensational article about a minotaur, a diamond dog, and several ponies working together to disappear into the night. The story was just too fantastical.
“Well princess I think the article is needless tabloid garbage. Filthy has been caught multiple times making up lies of money disappearing to cover the transfer to the Gryphon embassy. Surely this is another ruse?”
Celestia nodded thoughtfully at the mares words. It was true Filthy had made multiple out of country accounts to dodge her tax laws but that meant little to her. Filthy was beyond furious and even asked Luna to send night guards to survey the area.
“Filthy wouldn’t have made as big a commotion about the theft if it was orchestrated. He truly is furious about this. Surely your organization has turned up something that points to the culprit?”
Midnight narrowed her gaze to the scrolls hanging off her saddle bag with a knicker.
“Well there was a apt description from one of the homeless colts that was hanging around the scene.” She said slowly hoping Celestia wouldn’t explode with-
“What do you mean a homeless colt?” Celestia started with a cold glare at Midnight. “I expressly stated at the last council meeting that I wanted all homeless ponies brought to the shelter I had built in the upper scales.”
Midnight knew this would happen. Even though the council had authorized a large allocation of the treasury to the building of the shelter it was never completed due to the constant fighting of the areas denizens. They simply didn’t want a homeless shelter in the golden districts of Canterlot.
“Princess we have discussed this…” Midnight tried to reason. “We simply are tied up in the council right now.”
Celestia sighed deeply with a shake of her head. She had the power to burn away anyone that stood against her but she had made a solemn oath not to use her powers in the democracy she had built.
“The description of the event, please.”
Midnight drew the scroll out and sighed while pushing her glasses up her snout.
“The colt claims he saw three diamond dogs, a felin, and a pegasus leave the house with several bags before the minotaur…” She stopped with a sigh of disbelief. “painted a door against the brick walls of Aeros Street and opened a door that no longer exists.”
Celestia perked her ears up before feeling herself chewing her lip.
“Princess this is insane there are no such artifacts in the Canterlot royal archives or catalogue of confiscated illegal items. The guard found no traces of magic or arcane meddling at the scene.”
Celestia knew full well what could have done it but she didn’t want to believe it.
“That will be all Midnight, thank you for your time.” She sighed before ushering the mare out of the room.
The princess stared out at the city contemplating the possible effects this would cause if the possible truth came to light. She hadn’t the details or the clues to make her claim to her sister or to the elements of harmony but she had a hunch, and if a thousand years of living had taught her anything it was to always trust her hunch.
She enveloped herself in the golden glow of her magic before popping between dimensions to cross the distance within a split second. The feeling was so familiar that she often had to consciously think about it to feel anything any more. She opened her eyes to adjust due to the sunlight blinding her temporarily. There in front of her was none of than the element of kindness, Fluttershy.
“Well good afternoon princess.” She said in a barely audible squeak.
The journey was slightly disorienting for Celestia even after doing so for a few thousand years. There was a time when it was exhausting to travel across a room let alone hundreds of miles. Celestia felt her body unwind however in the presence of such a gentle and kind creature.
“Good afternoon Fluttershy, Is Discord with you today for his training?” She inquired as she looked around for any signs of the god of chaos.
“Why of course he is. I think he’s out in the back meditating in the new zen garden.” Fluttershy replied with a soothing smile.
Celestia giggled to herself quietly at the thought of discord posing in a “gryphon facing forward” or “pegasus touches the sun” Oh how it would quite funny if he truly was-
“Awe Celestia, truly a riveting moment to be present in your glow.” Came the oddly soothing and calm voice of the god of chaos.
Celestia felt her breath hitch in her throat as she watched discord pose with his arms reaching for the sky, both legs on the ground and tensed as if he had been holding the pose for a long period of time.
“Precisely twenty five minutes if you must know.” He said with a waggle of his eyebrows. “I’ve gained quite the stamina thanks to Fluttershy.”
Celestia caught the very un-royal giggle from the back of her throat as she waved at him.
“How very subtle of you Discord. I wasn’t aware you had become so eloquently dirty.” She said with another giggle.
Discord smiled widely and wound himself into a perfect ring while maintaining eye contact through his poses. Celestia had to remember why she was here but having an old friend to talk to made her feel like she hadn’t lost everything in her years of life.
An old friend... Celestia sighed inwardly at the thought. Discord was once a wise and inquisitive immortal that had taught her the joy of not only magic but the very essence of fun and improbability.
“Discord, I’m here because I think something of yours might have popped up in Canterlot and it’s causing a lot of trouble.” she whispered to him while keeping an eye out for any prying ears.
“Oh goodie!” Discord exclaimed with a clap of his hands. “What is it? The Ender Blender? The Fork of Horipilation? Could it possibly be my old Singing Safron Stalks?”
Celestia merely glared at him trying to wordlessly convey the importance of the situation. Thankfully she softened as Discord took on a very serious look; the color literally drained from his face.
“It’s not… what I think it is, is it?” He whispered as he walked up to her clicking his claws together.
Celestia nodded and wrapped them both in a bubble of silence so nobody could hear her. Her lips felt dry as she watched Discord look around almost fearful. She was well aware about the chaotic gods tools that were made long before the elements of harmony and even longer before then when Discord lost his mind to the void of chaos. Looking at him almost reminded her what he used to be, the conversations, the literature, the sculptures he himself had produced and breathed life into.
“Somepony has found my Magnum Opus? That’s not possible Celly,” He whispered using her old nickname. “I sent that thing far away thousands of years ago. Nopony was meant to have it. Not even I could contain its power and…” He paused to take in a hissing breath “And its evil.”
“I’m aware about its power. I’m also aware of its signature trail so to speak.” She pulled a scroll from the void and handed it to Discord. “The colt that witnessed the theft in Canterlot said he saw a minotaur paint a door on the wall outside of the Rich residence and walk inside. We only found what appears to be acrylic paint on the ground from where the door would have been painted.”
Discord inspected the report and the pictures taken from the night guard. With a shaky claw he handed the scroll and papers back to the princess. His claws shook as his eyes filled with sorrow and confusion darted back and forth as if catching up to his own thoughts.
"No no no. That was never meant to come back to this world Celly. I knew after the incident that it had to be destroyed but I... but I..." Discord paused as he clawed the top of his head and yanked his horns to and fro. "I couldn't bring myself to silence all the voices. They begged me, you must understand."
Celestia softened and looked away unable to find the words to comfort him.
“Somepony has it Celly.” He growled low and menacing finally. “Somepony has stolen my brush. I will find them and I will once and for all destroy that cursed thing.”
Celestia was taken back by the seriousness of Discord. He had lost so much of his serious edge when he descended into madness after absorbing the Chaos Incarnate. This was a new side of him she never thought she’d see again.
“Where do we start looking?”
The room was louder than usual; Talon and Magnolia were both drinking their share of fine wine while they proclaimed thestrels being the best in all of pony genealogy, Carmella was counting out bits and adding to the gangs coffer, and Grave Digger was working on our tools while whistling to himself quietly. I had to hand it to the crew they worked together surprisingly well. Two thestrels, a felin, a handful of unaccounted for diamond dogs, an earth pony, and of course one very grumpy kirin.
That of course left me.
I watched everyone doing what they did best while sitting at the head of the makeshift table trying my hardest to have a good time and enjoy the company of all my friends. I'd have an easier time; I thought quietly to myself, if the item in my left pocket would stop burning. I was aware that it was not burning me in a physical sense but the pain was all to real.
I must create.
"Trys?"
I shook my head quickly and looked up at the young felin woman that was gazing at me with worry in her eyes. Her golden eyes looked like the coins we had so rightfully taken, complimenting her red and orange fur patterns. Out of everyone I had worked with she was the first that treated me like I wasn't a monster.
"Sorry Carmella. I was a bit lost in thought." I lied quietly as I reached into my pocket to draw out a very old and battered paintbrush.
The brush was a gift, a dire curse in my eyes, and the reason I was trapped in a world that was not my own. My companions knew of its power but not how to use it. As long as I could use the tool I would be the most precious part of this crew. I had to bite my lip to fight those terrifying thoughts back which in turn caused Carmella to look even more concerned.
"I'm fine, really." I grunted through my teeth while pulling my ashen gray hair from my eyes.
She sighed and sat on the table facing away from me, her ears perking at no sound in particular.
"What happened back there Trys?" She whispered quietly enough to not alert the other members of my crew. She was referring to the first door I assumed, and what it was that stared back at us when it opened.
"I painted the symbol a little off. It's nothing to worry about Carmella." I answered shortly while the weight of the brush seemed to increase in my iron grip.
"A little off? Try that place was terrifying. We could have lost our cut or worse. I need to know that won't happen again so I can calm down the pack." she whispered calmly but with authority.
Those eyes looked deep past my facade of leadership and landed square on the scared little boy within. I wasn't sure if I could contain the power let alone prevent such an incident from happening again but for the sake of myself and the crew I had to.
I was the boss of this crew. I had taken it rightfully from the last head but in the silence of my own room or in a situation like this Carmella was the true boss.
And she knew it.
"I got it. It won't happen again." I managed to whisper loud enough for only her to hear.
She seemed to accept my answer and stretched with a few audible pops. Her hair was adorned with gold coins and jewelry and then tied into individual dreads earning her a very unique appearance even in this world. Not, to my amusement however, as unique as me.
"Trystan? We have question." Came the monotone drone of the resident kirin. Aptly named Lotep (for his low temperature demeanor) he was the cooling tactician of the group. He had been apart of the crew far longer than I and had earned his place as the most intelligent of the number.
"Speak, Lotep."
He cleared his throat and stroked his odd beard/neck fluff thoughtfully.
"We have found a relatively low security target. The houses owners will be gone for the weekend during the summer solstice festival. This in turn will cause the servants and few guards to also depart so they do not miss the festivities."
My interest was piqued but there was still the question of who we would be robbing that needed to be answered. The summer solstice festival was a great time to score a sizeable amount of bits from partying folk and drunken members of the aristocracy.
Lotep continued as he laid out a scroll in front of me.
"The home belongs to one Fancy Pants and his courtesan Fleur De Lis. With them out of the house it seems we would have an easy way of getting in and getting out," He paused as he looked at the paint brush being twirled in my fingers, "and without need for your doors."
I stopped the subconscious twirling of the artifact and set it back into my coat pocket. The plan seemed concrete and was a large target compared to who we normally went after. This could be an easy job and had the benefit of giving us enough of a cut to help the lower class ponies in the iron works district.
"What size team do we want to go in?" I asked as I looked over the scroll one more time.
"We would suggest you, Carmella, myself and possibly one of the lovers." He added the last bit with a sigh as we all three looked across the table to see Talon and Magnolia damn near rutting on the table.
The two locked lips and separated between growls and shuddering breaths while the scent of arousal and hard alcohol permeated the room. Normally I'd be pushed to the point of vomiting but my time here had caused my stirrings to steer towards the native experience.
Not that I would openly admit that.
"Alright you two go rut in your quarters!" Carmella yelled with a hand on her hip.
The two thestrels stopped humping for a moment to look at Carmella and then back to me.
"Enough. Get out of here." I muttered with a wave of my hand.
The two smiled wickedly and began to grind once more as if to rebel against my command. It was the very few moments like these that I despised. Moments where I had to step in and do things I never would have in another life.
"I SAID ENOUGH!" I roared as I knocked my chair back to the floor paintbrush in hand. The air crackled with ferocious energy as the brush slowly dripped paint of an ever changing color to the floor. Tendrils of the paint raced across the floor and grabbed the two lovers yanking them apart violently across the room.
I hated doing this. I hated the absolute fear in their eyes when they scrambled to stand and leave the room. I hated looking like a crazed villain to the only family I had left. The room went deathly quiet and slowly the others left the room leaving only Grave Digger, Carmella, and myself in the dining hall.
"You did what you had to Trystan." Gravedigger coughed as he slowly began winding a gear on what I assumed to be another smoke bomb. "You are the boss now and sometimes you'll have to act like one."
My counsel as it was surrounded me with support. It was Carmella that freed me from a life of servitude and fear. Lotep Was the one that taught me Equish and how to mover unseen in the city. Gravedigger acted as a surrogate father when things got rough and tended to my wounds when I received them. All of them offered me a family and I greedily took it.
"Enough for now my friends. Retire if you would and leave me to look over the plans for the Fancy Job." I groaned as liquid paint traveled across the table and up the sleeve of my coat.
The three merely nodded with words of farewell as they left the room. This left me and my demons to sort out the mess that had taken place at the Filthy residence. I could hear the screams of the guards as I rubbed at my temples trying desperately to regain some semblance of sanity.
I must create. I must paint.
"I can't. Not right now." I whispered as the voices became louder and more demanding still.
PAINT PAINT PAINT PAINT PAINT
"NOT NOW!"
My own voice echoed across the room giving air to the crushing desperation I felt inside. When everyone retired I was always stuck in a perpetual state of waking. Whether the brush gave me youth and vigor I would never know for the only words it spoke were ones demanding creation.
Feeling the physical exhaustion taking over me I went behind the blanket serving as a door to my quarters where I walked past the dozens of tripods holding uncompleted works. All for the brush. All for the crew. In the back against a wall covered with fabric was a painting I dared not see but the demands were becoming too much. With a painful groan I tied the sackcloth over my eyes tightly and grabbed the brush, pulling back the fabric to continue the unseen painting.
I must continue the work.
"I worry about him, Grave." Carmella mouthed silently as she watched Trystan go through the curtain to his private quarters.
"As do we all my dear. I fear having that brush will slowly drive him to the point of insanity." Grave Digger replied as he kept a pace with the felin next to him.
Truth be told they both cared deeply for the displaced "hyuman" and his plight. He had come to them battered, bruised, and near death from lack of food. Over the course of several months serving as the tool of their previous boss he had lost more and more of his sanity until that terrifying day.
"Do you still speak to him?" Grave asked quietly.
Carmella swallowed hard and nodded her head quietly. Grave looked to her and nodded his head knowingly before taking the split down the hall towards his quarters.
"I'm sure he appreciates the company Carmella. I hope someday the new boss sees fit to restore him."
Carmella knew the old pony wanted to say more but couldn't. It wasn't from fear that they didn’t stand up to Trystan but respect for his craft and all he had done for the slum town hovering at the edges of Canterlot. His works had brought more bits to the community and the crew than the entire lifetime of the previous boss.
So why was she so apprehensive about the deed she committed without his knowledge?
"The night has ended and the day starts. Perhaps it is in this twilight hour that you will find peace." Came a voice behind her.
Carmella wordlessly turned around with a claw on her hip. The diamond dog before her leaned against the wall with a half eaten gem in one paw and a book in the other. Obsidian or "Sid" as he was lovingly called was the most intellectual diamond dog she had ever met and was one of the core leaders of the pack. If she ever needed to say anything to the pack itself she spoke through Sid.
"Did you relay my message to the others?" She asked coolly with a raised eyebrow.
Sid nodded and scratched at the remains of his left ear with a twitch. His coat was black with a caramel streak going across his chest to the bottom of his chin. By diamond dog standards he was a runt but his intellect had guaranteed victory against the others that tried to take his place as alpha.
"They are sated, for now." He began as he closed the book. "Trystan has been getting more and more willing to use that brush it seems. I wonder if that is for the betterment of the crew or if it will serve as our downfall."
Carmella hissed and felt the fur on her neck stand on end. She did not like to be undermined.
"I told you I have him under control. I have the situation under control."
Sid looked at her over his spectacles and shook his head.
"He killed two servants Carmella. We saw what transpired there and yet you claim to have no fear?"
Carmella bit her tongue to hide her reflective response. She was afraid of what Trystan had done to the servants at the Filthy residence. She would never forget the gurgling screams or the looks in their eyes as they were broken down into a series of liquid colors.
"We have it taken care of. This job will go easier."
Sid shook his head with an air of disbelief.
"I sincerely hope so, or the pack will make sure he does what we command."
Carmella growled louder than she herself wanted in response.
"I will not let you put him into slavery like he was before." She snapped with a hand on her saber.
"And do you think you can stop us? Can you stop Ore? Can you even stand against Ruby?" He calmly replied.
Carmella knew she could take on Ore but she hesitated at the thought of taking on the biggest member of their pack.
"You cannot stop us as a pack Carmella. We only work with you because without the human we wouldn't have the ability to pull in as much coin as we have."
Carmella clenched her hand hard as she tried to find something she could stay to make him feel her hatred.
"If you hurt him Sid I swear to the sphinx I will tear your throat out." She spat.
Sid actually recoiled for a moment before grinning widely.
"I look forward to it my dear. Let us see how the next day goes shall we?"
Carmella merely nodded before watching walk down the hall. She hated dogs.
