A single black pawn floated in midair, held in the grasp of an aura of pale golden magic. Its master studied the pawn intently, considering what he had learned.

So Phillip Finder truly had chosen partners in his private war. The white pawns were under his control, freely allowing themselves to be maneuvered into the line of battle. This was a tad surprising, he had to admit, but it did make the game a bit more interesting.

He considered the state of the board now. With Monopoly out of the way, he had been able to move in and take control of the former crime boss' assets. Mountains of wealth, an entire web of criminal contacts, a key into the underworld maze of Equestrian crime: all his now, his to command as he saw fit.

And he was going to put it to good use. Looking up at the wall, he studied the photographs tacked up over the peeling white wallpaper. Phillip's face stared at him from a dozen different images. Joining him were images of Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Spike.

His friends. His allies. His weakness.

The chessmaster smiled. This game was becoming more and more interesting by the moment.

Author's Notes:

Well, now, who's this?