Chapter 1: "I'll Have You Know I am Not the Bad Guy!" Not a whole lot of things in this world can get to a bomb-proof horse like Novajin. The Brown maned pony (who was no older than a colt) found it hard to make friends. His light coat seemed to be stained in splotches of deep crimson. Nova played with the top soil on one of the few people who he would even consider to be his friend. (The pony's actual name is unimportant so he will simply be referred to as Shadow.) Shadow came out of the barn backwards with a brown bag covering his head, tripping right over Nova. The perpetually barn-sour Nova simply tried to pry the horse off of himself (only succeeding in the effort when the stronger Shadow sat up.) Nova was, it should be mentioned a rather sharp breed, even if he only used his wit to get out of doing things and getting others to do it for him. The farm that this particular Apple pony owned was out in the middle of no-where and sold few of the apples that they grew, but this did little to bring and shadows to the mind of the pony, Shadow. That was, it seemed what made Novajin spend so much time with the dark colored pony. The farm itself was a wonderful site (though no where near enough apple trees for an apple farm) with a grand barn, and a dazzling wind swept house. Any of Shadow's would ask how such a impoverish pony like Shadow could buy all of the amenities that made up his lovely home. It put even Apple farms home to shame. It was, however, noted that the pony Novajin owned a house of similar tastes and no pony could speak of seeing him work a day in his life. "So," muttered Nova, "you called for me?" Nova managed a smile. "Yup," said Shadow as he galloped happily about with a sack still firmly set on his head, "I need the help of my most trusted friend!" "Ahh! The help of a most trust worthy feind?" A wicked grin swept over the visage of the pony. Quickly it was replaced with a grimace as Shadow, in his galloping, smashed into a cart. With little bravado Nova pulled the sac off of his friends head, Nova's own shaking all the while, "So, what is it that you need?" "Uhh!" Shadow stared high into the sky as if seeing something up their that could help his own memory. Out of habit Novajin joined him in his search into the heavens. "Ohh!" shouted Shadow so loudly that Novajin toppled in no more than a breath into a tiny ball. Shadow unmoved carried on, "I need a hand. Or is it that my friend needs a hand?" Shadow puckered hit trying to remember. This of all things what what Nova could not stand about Shadow, his lack of concentration, "Yes, my friend!" Shadow shouted undaunted, "He was asking around if I knew anyone who could do 'this-and-that' for him." "What kind of 'This-and-That'?" Nova tried to seem as if he were uninterested as he gnawed on a Apple-Farms apple, but in truth whenever there was a chance for adventure he couldn't help but feel his insides churn with excitement. Ever since he was young he loved to adventure but, it seemed, fate was not without a sense of humor, the cutie-mark he was given was the symbol of ying and yang. Balance, he thought was something he could live with (and without.) Shadow paused knowing that his friend was his to do with as a he pleased, "Well..." he started slowly, "He asked if somepony could 'find this-and-that' for him. Could you perhaps 'find' what he is looking for?" Novajin's eyes sparkled with new life, fires flared within himself, "What am I 'finding'?" and evil grin crossed his lips. Shadow turned around and said, "I don't know. He didn't say...." Novajin flat-lined and fell on his side. "What do you mean, 'you don't know' you... donkey!" A fire filled Nova that could have burned the grass at his feet if he hadn't been on the soil in front of the barn. "Because," Shadow gave a smile that froze Nova in his death-stare, "he wants to ask you in person!" Chapter 2: "Wow! That is a Tall Ceiling..." "Wow! That is a tall ceiling...." Shadow gazed up into the endless blackness of the roof that belonged to the lord under who lived the princely-pony the two, Shadow and Novajin, were now audience to. The finely decked pony that sat before them was a noble that Shadow had worked for in the past and knew very well. Novajin had never seen him. It took every ounce of energy for Novajin, not to leap over the cushions and throttle him. The unicorn who sat on the cushion was garnished with enough gems to blind any given popper, but to the two ponies in front of him (Novajin in particular) saw him as a business opportunity, and Novajin also saw him as a mark should this investment prove less than profitable. How untactful this man is, Novajin thought, if I had the money this man had what would be the point of showing it off like this. Nova's nose furrowed in anger. The pony on the cushion, however seemed not to notice Novajin's brooding expressions from the moment the two had entered. He was however more than willing to explain what the masterpiece his friend was looking at, was. "Ahh! My friend, I see you have an eye for craftsmanship, it is black-stone, obsidian. A dragons hoard could not afford such a spectacular piece as this the gentalpony motioned with his hooves upward into the sky, "With the proper lighting it gives the illusion that it is endless!" Me smiled and eyed Novajin humorously. Novajin turned his head away and acted to be engrossed with a neat by statue, "Well my friends, you have come a long way to my humble abode." The gentlepony bowed to the two. Novajin, sulkingly bowed back. Shadow simply kept up grinning his massive smile, "I have asked you here because I need something." he paused, "Not any ordinary bauble of jewel to add to my already massive treasure trove... I want the jewel from the crown of Celestia herself." Novajin's draw dropped and it only took him a second to recover before he had flopped to the ground and gave out peels of laughter. "You, the pampered noblemen wishes to steal the gem of our queen!" Novajin's laughter kept him from casting anymore mud at the mane of the gentlepony. Shadow on the other hand, still smilingly, said, "You got it boss!" Novajin froze. His eye twitched, he had just been roped into a mad mission with two, even more mad ponies. Novajin sigh as he spoke, to the still unfazed noble, "I take it you have a plan?" "Yes," said the noblepony, "you two will be my guards at the Grand Galloping Gala!" Chapter 3: "It's as Easy as One, Two... Where is the Third One?" Novajin sat painfully aside from the two others who seemed to be having a grand time without him. He did however take the time to steal a few glances at the prize they were after. For the life of him, as he stared at the crown, why he had ever thought this a bad idea. The gem twinkled in the dim lighting as brightly as the sun that it had gazed in every dawn. Nova swallowed hard as he shook his head and tried hard to forget any notion to stealing it for himself, the plan had worked out perfectly in all their heads and nopony could do this on their own. Sighing for the millions time this evening (and in the waning powers of the jeweled crowns powers) dreading what they were about to do. The real crown was not at the Gala. It was, through the nobles spies, said to be locked away in the room of the princess. In the highest tower of the castle.Surely guarded by a thousand guards. In a most odd gesture, Nova smiled at the thought. "A real challenge." And all he had to do was to wait. The noble and Shadow would do the rest. He just had to find a way into the tower... unnoticed. His million and first sigh escaped him as he claimed up shadowed side of the garden. This was, Nova believed to be the easiest way to gain access to the tower with little trouble. Down on the steps of the Grand Hall a impeccably dressed unicorn greeted the princes, next to him, Shadow stood smiling stupidly, "Greetings, my princess!" The two bowed so low that their noses touched the carpet. Afterwards the noblepony flashed his golden smile and waved his blue mane to show off his golden gem encrusted earrings. Shadow shook the hoof of the princess with such force that it nearly made her loose her balance. "It was great of you to let me and my lord to your fancy party!" With a smile that would have put a angry dragon at ease Shadow started off to play his part in the pilfering of the crown and what would make him become known as one of the greatest thieves in all of Equestira. Shadow smacked his lips at all of the smells in the dining hall. But his job was still elsewhere. With a sigh he started off to the guard house and pulled out the deck of cards Novajin had lent him. The unicorn on the other hand was at his job from the get-go, back at the top of the stairs the noble said, "My, princess you seem to be all the more lovely every time I see you. How long has it been since we last met?" "Not so long as I know." Celestia smiled at the lord but inside she knew that this was a pony that cared almost solely about himself. She sighed to herself and got ready for a conversation that would take up at least half of the Gala. With a heave and a shove of his head Novajin pushed aside the secret servant entrance he had been told about. Cobwebs greeted him in the darkness. And a scowl crossed his face, "Maybe I won't have any fun after all...." Novajin said sadly to the darkness. Up the stairwell he went. To his relief the stairs had been carved of thick stone and little echo came off of the clopping of his hooves on the stone. Soon he was at the top of the stairs with another quick, but silent tug, this stone too, was moved. And into a room of lavish wonder greeted him. Dozens of lights played on the room. This was the room of Luna. It was filled with dark blue cushions that called one to sleep. Small gems covered the ceiling in the shape of stars and a myriad of shapes and colors. This to seemed to fill the pony with the notion of sleep, but Novajin shook aside any thoughts of sleeping on the job. It was the room across the hall he wanted. Novajin took out his watch with a tug of his mouth and looked at the time, only a few seconds until his window was open. In the guard house laughter billowed out. In the center of the guards was a laughing pony with a black mane. Shadow needed little inducing to pilfer all of the coin the guards had. A large pile had begun to form in front of him and many of the guards would not be moved back into their duty until they had won just a small portion of their coin back. The other guards were gathered around Shadow and egging him on to take more of their comrades hard won money. Again, Shadow told himself he needed little promting. Novajin watched the guards pass by on their scheduled rotation. As quick as a nightingale and twice as silently Novajin made his way into the princesses room. In every way Luna's room revered the night Celestia's revered the day. Brightly colored gems flared the room in colors of orange, red and yellow. The lights that filled the room played on the gems and made the room spark all the more to life. But this was not what held Novajin's attention. In the corner on a purple pillow sat the crown. It was a sight for sore eyes. With all ceremony lost Novajin stumbled to the crown. He fiddled with it, trying to stuff it into his bag. But the moment he had the crown he looked over. A bird eyed him in the most oddest way from its platform in a gilded cage. A cold sweat covered him as he dashed for the door but the moment he had his hand on the handle the bird began to squawk. To the other room Novajin ran for his very life and no sooner had he shut the door than the sounds of heavy hooves filled the corridor. The sound of alarm had been raised but Novajin was already half way down the stairs. Before another second had passed he was galloping out into the night. He sighed as he looked around the emptied courtyard as he lowered himself down. Good, he thought, at least the other two where doing their job. Off Novajin went to the nobles second wagon, once their with all the power he could muster to remain casual got into the wagon and was gone into the night. Chapter 4: Epilogue? Novajin smiled at the pile of gems he had been allowed form the nobles own treasury. The finest ever crafted, one of the gems Shadow and he had found difficulty in even finding the strength to move. Nova smiled as he hooved the gems in his hideout. He wouldn't have to work for sometime and even now the bards where at work singing the tales of the theft of the greatest theft known in all of Equestria. To bad it isn't the last tale ever to be told about the two thieves and their most profitable of employers. To be continued... http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/246/0/b/take_that_bronies_by_novajin-d48r6x1.png Prologue As night crept into the wind swept valley, Novajin sat on a hill overlooking the beautiful transition from day to night. For as far back as he could remember Nova came to this spot to watch the colors of pink, azure and crimson to bathe the valley in golden splendor. But it was not just the setting of the sun but its reflection off of the lake giving the whole scene a picturesque feel. But even that paled in comparison as one’s eyes drifted up to where the mountains of Equestria sprouted out of the rolling hills far off in the distance. The whole scene seemed to bask over the pony in such a way as clear his body, mind and soul. Still, he knew, or felt; that this was not the lot he should have been given. Still, even as he turned to gallop back down the other side of the hill to return to his friend, Shadow’s, home. As the last few moments of light washed over the valley, he wondered if, when he was young, he had stumbled into the wrong cutie mark… or was that too just a trick of the light. As Novajin crossed the well-worn path to his friend’s home a thought crossed his mind: how was it Shadow, who lived in isolation from his family could still find time to walk his land, rob the rich, write letters to all of his kin to ebb their fears of his life style choice and still find time to trot over his entire property regularly. This was also not to mention his very active social life among the other people of the town that was so small its name was, and still is, a subject of unimportance. These were the thoughts that Novajin entertained as he walked the well-worn path. It was one of the more modest Apple family farms but the home at its center was far from modest. It was a massive structure filled with all the amenities a pony could ask for. Many just said the farm was for show. Many more said Shadow paid for the lavish lifestyle though grand cappers. Still, more said he paid for it all by swindling guards out of their coin in card games. The truth to the matter was that all three were (and are) perfectly correct. Shadow, as on many nights, didn’t bother to sleep indoors. The pony simply piled into his favorite cart and through a thick tarp over himself to fight off the cold. With a shake of his mane, Novajin jumped into the back of the cart giving the kind of start that could only have happened to one who has all too often been the flank end of one of Novajin’s many, all be it cruel, pranks. It was on this particular night Novajin wanted to have a little bit more fun so as Shadow rose rapidly; his head was greeted with the thicker portion of a board that happened to be lying around. With a wicked Novajin trotted around the cart as Shadow shook his mane, all to desensitized to the pranks played on him by his friend. With a fading grin Nova called back, “So, what is the latest piece of work you have for the two of use?” Shadow shook his mane, “I’ll be able to tell you just as soon as I can remember where I am.” With a few more violent shakes he was back to normal, “Ohh!” he looked up, now not at all affected by blunt trauma to his very thick skull, “It is just a quick, easy job. It’s even on the up-and-up.” With a warm beaming smile, one that Novajin despised as it meant nothing but trouble for him, Shadow went on to explain, “It should only take a few days to finish. All we have to do is slay some monsters who have taken up in a cave to near to our happy town. So, are you in?” With a mild sneer Novajin slammed his hind hooves into a tree and caught an apple, “That depends solely on the; the who’s, the what’s, the where’s and, of course, the when of the job.” The juicy apple was quickly devoured in only a few bites. Novajin then jumped in the cart next to his friend who only stayed down for but a second. But, the truth was, Novajin hated the idea of working with mercenaries. The idea Novajin hated most about them is that they followed the money whereas a thief will at least try to save his friend if he or she is in over her head. The Shadow was out of the back and rushing about putting together the harness for the cart, “So,” asked Nova, “When ‘do’ we leave?” Novajin knew Shadow was in over his head. In less than a breath, Shadow was off down the road, “Right now!” As Novajin held on for dear life he looked back to the valley, “One day….” Was all he said to the fading sun as the two road on to glory… or at least legal coin. Chapter 1: On the Down-and-Down A dirt caked, red hoof slammed into the rock soil at the maw of a massive cave where the diamond dogs had locked themselves up. All Novajin and Shadow had been told to do was enter the cave, scout out best attack location, find out the number of the dogs (less than twenty-five) and, if at all possible, sabotage the diamond dogs armor and weapons. Sabotage was a skill Shadow had mastered at an early age. However, Novajin was not a fan of the notion of Shadow and he leading the first (and only) was of nine ponies into the cave. Shadow had signed up Novajin and he for this rather foolhardy exploit and the leader of the nine mercenaries agreed whole heartedly and even suggested a pay increase for the two. One thought went through Novajin’s skull as he talked to the pegasus leader, one cannot spend their fortune if they are dead. But, even this rant to his friend Shadow’s, the decision to enter the cave first still stood. And to Novajin’s dismay he found himself galloping right next to Shadow as the bounded off into the bleak darkness of the cave. In truth, Novajin didn’t feel all that bad about it. But there was one thought that passed though his head at every bend of the cave, why had the queen not only allowed them to make this raid, but was backing up the raid with two of her own personal guard against the small band that had, to the surprise of the ponies, gathered a large fortune of gems and gold in the heart of the their cave complex. It all seemed a little too off. And Novajin despised the idea of rushing in unprepared. Chapter 2: Not to Fast Now Not too many problems occurred as the ponies made camp in the caves. The band made their camp and swapped stories with one another. The biggest problem was the lack of warmth, for, the ponies dared not set a fire least they give themselves away to the diamond dogs. It was, on this perfect occasion, that Novajin pilfered the information he so desperately wanted. The dogs were using their vast gem mine to supply the food for a most foul dragon. In exchange the dogs were given gold and the best pick of gems. Novajin’s heart raced as he thought through his mind at the notion of fighting a dragon, a creature of power and mastery over fire. This was the only error that Nova could find in the logic of their raid. To fight a dragon was almost unheard of. At least, the deed was not out of legend. But the notion, now, seemed to be novelty to Shadow and himself. If they could slay a dragon, exceptionally one with a fat bounty on his head, could give Nova the thing he so wanted for so long: respect. In all his memorable days Novajin wanted respect. Now that it was within reach, did he really want it so badly? Even then it was only known that the dogs were mining gems for the dragon. What are the real odds that the band would rush in as the dragon came in for a bite to eat? To the passing darkness of the cave Novajin made a pact, that as long as blood coursed in his veins he would adventure on. A smile came to his mouth as he thought of the paradox he had set before himself. Chapter 3: Pointy Objects Hurt The first two waves of dogs came on them as they rushed into the compound. It was really rather productive. The traps Shadow had placed were doing their job. Seventeen of the dogs were left unable to fight, unconscious, at the feet of the ponies. As soon as the dogs were beaten out of consciousness they were tied up and thrown into a makeshift cage. Now only Novajin and Shadow were out of the camp. The dragon had decided to show up for a bit of exercise. His long golden wings spanned the entire area of the cave. This size was still no grand feat for a dragon. In fact the dragon was quite young but the thing that unnerved Nova was that he knew this dragon. Now be person but by deeds and title; Rimracer the Tyrant of Nevershadow who had kept Novajin’s home town under his thumb for years with fire and claw. Racer had turned winter to summer on a passing fancy, had burned the crops of the town for years and had even tried to openly fight Princess Celestia. This however led to his own failure. Now he had to raid the diamond dogs, or in this case stick up a bargain. Novajin looked around the rock he hid behind to eye the mean beast. To Nova’s surprise, however, he not only saw a dragon but also a pony hanging from a stalactite. How, in the name of Equestria, had Shadow climbed up to those heights? Novajin shook his mane; he knew what he must do. With barley a thought in his head (for if he had had one it would have told him to run the other way) Novajin rushed around the rock dagger in mouth. The dragon eyed him with passing interest. Though muffled speech Novajin shouted, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be leavin’ now!” It was on a rare occasion Novajin’s usually master grammar failed him. The dragon simply laughed and was rewarded with a dagger to the chest; which, in turn, bounced off harmlessly. Novajin swallowed hard as the dragons laugh hit new heights. Then in a display of great heroism (or massive stupidity) Shadow dropped onto the dragons head, slamming his mace down repeatedly. Each strike sent a jolt through Novajin that, before long, had his eyes closed as tightly as he could manage. The dragon too was now subdued. The remaining diamond dog, having seen this act, eagerly turned themselves in. It was good that they were all left unharmed (except for the dragon who would have a bruise for some time) the reward was going to be much more plentiful. Epilogue In a few weeks Novajin was back in his home. A small three roomed house that seemed to pull what little air it had in it from the hottest confides of some unknown place. This however did not break his happy mood. He would never have to sleep here again. Nova was moving out. With a, now massive, chest of treasure and his favorite nick-a-brack he was going to move out. He had purchased a nice plot of land outside of town. All in all, it was a nice place to move. A house not too big, but not too small for a pony of his size, that is. Still, he felt it a move in the right direction. Now as he struggled to load the last of his things (or rather got someone else to do it for him) into the cart he trod odd into the sunrise, and a new home, though not too far from his old one. To be continued….
