“Hey! You. Tiger.”

“You Tiger? Where? I told him to quit following me!” Robert spun around. Filthy Rich twitched.

“No, I mean you.” the brown earth pony said, taking a deep, calming breath.

“Oh, alright, what can I do for you?” Robert paused.

“Filthy Rich. I'm wondering why you scared my daughter.”

“You'll have to describe her. I'm reasonably scary, so I've scared a lot of daughters.”

“Pink, tiara on her head and one for a cutie mark.” Rich said.

“Oh, the bully.” Rich blinked. “Ah, I see you didn't know.”

“Do you have proof?”

“None, beyond my own witnessing, and the terror with which my friends regard their coming.” Robert shrugged. "Perhaps it was wrong to scare her, but I'm also told that she will no longer come near my friends.”

“It seems I was misinformed.” Rich said, gaze flattening.

“Surely you lied to your parents. Most children do. Look, I... if you want me to apologize to her, I will.” Robert shrugged.

“Perhaps. But not now. I'm going to find out if she deserves it. Then we'll see.” Rich turned away. "Thank you. Not everyone would be so blunt.”

“You're welcome.”

Rich trotted away. Robert resumed his course into town. Twilight was just exiting the library. “Morning Twilight.”

“Morning Robert. What's up? She looked as though she was packing.

“I came to return the book, and see what you know about shields.”

“Shields?” Twilight tapped her chin. "Quite a bit, but my brother is the real expert.”

“Your brother?”

“Yeah, you've not met him yet. I've got a picture, and we'll get the book checked in before I go.”

“Where you headed?” Robert asked.

“The Castle of the Two sisters in the Everfree.” Twilight answered, horn flaring and lifting down the library ledger and a picture from her room. She didn't even seem to notice them. "We're helping to clean it up and sort through the books.”

“Ah. I'd heard about a castle there, but I hadn't had time to go see it.” Robert said.

“You're welcome to come along with us.”

“Thanks, but perhaps another time.” he set the book on the table, and while Twilight wrote the return date and reshelved the book in it's proper place, he picked up the picture. She turned to look at him when he burst out laughing.

“Princess is your brother? That's hilarious.” Robert continued to laugh.

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked, a little angry.

“Oh, well.” Robert cleared his throat. "I sort of... got lost on the way to Ponyville. So I ended up wandering into the Crystal Empire. I was scaring the ponies it seems to the guards took me to see Princess...” he paused, trying to recall the name.

“Cadence.” Twilight supplied.

“Yes. Anyway, I was taken just outside the throne room, and told that I would be seen in a moment. The door was opened and I was ushered inside. It seemed however, that the Princess had to step out for a moment, and this white unicorn was on her throne. I presumed that that was the princess, given that it was the first experience I had with Equestrian nobility.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Yeah. I said something along the lines of: Princess, I'm sorry for disturbing your subjects, but I was wondering how I ended up here instead of Ponyville.” Robert coughed. "Things just sort of went downhill from there. I must say, your brother gets to be a little shrill when he's angry. Fortunately your sister-in-law returned from her errand before we did anything serious to one another. I must admit, I have seen few tempers so terrific as hers. She made us apologize for the comments we made. She gave me directions, and I took your brother out for the night to apologize in style. I wouldn't say we're friends, but after the shiner he gave me, we might as well be.”

“What?” Twilight started.

“Guy thing. Don't worry too much about it. I suspect he had some 'splainin' to do when he got home.” Robert chuckled.

“Do have a story for everything?”

“Mostly.”

“Look, I have to go meet the others. Maybe tomorrow we can see what you can do with shields, and I'll have nothing major on my plate.” Twilight said, eager to do something quiet and non-stressful.

“Certainly, I will see you in the morning.” Robert bowed, and left. Twilight locked the library and headed off to meet Spike and the others.

Robert meanwhile, headed to the post office. The notice board was already being examined by a purple-grey pegasus. Robert sat and waited his turn.

“Sorry, you waiting?” The pegasus asked.

“When you're done.” Robert waved.

“Oh, I work here.” she held out a hoof. "Derpy.

“Robert.” he shook her hoof. "So why you looking at the board?”

“I pick up short flights from time to time. I don't do the dangerous runs, but there's occasionally something that needs a flight but it's too far out to be a regular delivery, but not far enough to be delivered from somewhere else.”

“Ah. I'm looking for the high-paying dangerous ones.” Robert stared for a moment. "So tell me, do you know how to read these?”

Derpy laughed. “Yeah. Let's see..” she perused the board. He noticed her eyes, but didn't mention it for a moment. “What?” she asked.

“Hmm?”

“You're thinking about my eyes.” Derpy said. "I know that look.”

“I thought so. You can read two books at once, can't you.”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“I've encountered a few tigers with the same thing. It's not too common though. The loss of depth perception makes them less effective at chasing, but they're much better at ambushes.” Robert shrugged.

“I just wish I could control it.” Derpy sighed. Then she pointed with a hoof. "This one, this one and this one. They're all no more than a day away, but they're dangerous. This one goes through the fire swamp, I wouldn't suggest taking that one. The Apple family is going to be going up there, so it'll be easier to send it with them. She pointed at a second one. "This one is on the far side of the Everfree. It's not too dangerous, but it's always expensive because no one wants to go through the Everfree, and no one in their right mind flies over it.

“Rainbow Dash... never mind.” Robert trailed off. Derpy grinned.

“Yeah. I bet she'll take that if she comes in for her mail.” she pointed at the last one. "This one. Oh boy. I'm not touching this with a ten foot pole. You'll be taking dynamite to a mining camp south of town. Thunderhead mining. Never going back there again, not without a battallion of royal guards. And an Alicorn.”

“Rough town?”

“That's one heck of an understatement.” Derpy shook her head. "Not to mention carrying the dynamite. Plus there's the chance of bandits.”

“Bandit's eh?” Robert grinned. "Sounds like fun. I might stop for dinner on the way.” Derpy eyed him for a moment, then chuckled. "So, how do I do these?”

“Take the posting to the desk, you'll get a receipt. Take that around back, they'll load you up. Then you get the receipt signed by the person the package is for, and bring it back. Then you get the monies. All the monies!” Derpy grinned. “And when you have the monies, you get the muffins.” The last was in a conspiratorial whisper.

“Thanks. Tell you what, when I get back, the muffins are on me.”

“Then you'll want to take a second job. I like muffins.”

“It's a deal.” he held out his paw. Derpy shook it.

---

The delivery Pegasus checked the straps holding the containers over Robert's back. They were large enough to fit around the chest of a griffon, so they fit around him with a couple notches spare.

“Alright, remember, the important thing is DO NOT DROP THEM. Or all they'll find are fine tufts of tiger hair.” he was not smiling at all.

“I'll make sure to remember that. I was warned there might be bandits.” Robert said.

“Doubt they'll trouble you. Usually they hit the pay, but they've started sending those in a sky chariot instead. Most bandit's don't want to get blown up so they leave the dynamite alone. Besides, if the mine doesn't get it's dynamite, it shuts down and the wages stop coming so there's no reason to rob anyone.” the pegasus tugged the straps one last time. "There you go, as secure as can be. Got the receipt?”

“Yes.”

“Map?”

“Yes.”

“Then you're all set.” the pegasus nodded, and helped Robert up. "Good Luck.”

“Thanks, I'll take all I can get.” Robert set out, skirting the edge of town until he encountered the south road. It was somewhat rutted, and he idly suspected that the dynamite would normally come on a wagon. The problem there of course being the need not to drop it. Or bounce it. Or do anything that might give it reason to become angry. Robert was not an expert in dynamite, but he knew enough that it shared some properties with magic. Namely, being powerful, easy to use incorrectly, and with a volatile temperament that didn't take well to being mishandled. In both cases, the best thing to do was try very, very hard not to rock the boat. Or the box. Or the wizard hat.

The path, was not as long as he'd expected, except it branched. And his map did not indicate the correct direction. In truth, he thought, as he examined the map, this branch wasn't supposed to be here. The new branch had a sign, pointing down it, labeled in crudely done letters: ShoRtCut. Robert considered the situation, then smiled. He squinted at the sign, and the labeling changed. Now it read: Guards, go this way.

Smiling, he continued on the main path, whistling as he went. The sun was nearing it's apex, which meant it was just getting to lunch time when the bandit's attacked. Two pegasi plummeted out of the sky, blades glinting on the leading edges of their wings. They dove in sequence, one after the other, rolling to the side so their wings clipped the the straps on his packages, sending them tumbling. Orange light flared and the boxes lowered gently to the ground. Several ponies appeared out of the trees. Some with spears, some with hoof-axes. In the trees, two more pegasi. Then a single unicorn, wrapped from horn to hoof in mottled green armor appeared.

“Hello Tiger. I see they've found someone to trick into trying to deliver the wages. Step away from the boxes, and we'll let you live.”

“I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. It is impolite to kill without knowing the name of the deceased. I am Robert.”

“Very well, I am Robin Hoof.” Robert stared at him flatly.

“Really?”

“It is the name I now answer to.” the armored unicorn dismissed Robert's disbelief.

“Very well. Make your case, and I will decide if I will abandon my job.”

“Did you open the cases?”

“Yes. They are filled with dynamite. Except for the secret compartments. Those are filled with gold.”

“Oh. I guess they figured the dynamite would go off and deny us the gold. No matter. Step away, and we will let you go. We will see this gets where it deserves to go.” The unicorn said.

“You have shown me no proof of your cause.” Robert answered. Some of the bandits were moving to surround him. His escape routes would be cut off in a few moments.

“They treat they're workers as slaves and pay them barely enough to survive.” the unicorn snorted. "We give the gold directly to the workers.”

“Perhaps they'll pay more if you stop taking the bits with which they pay?” Robert countered. The last of the earth ponies closed the circle.” He was surrounded. A smile flickered across his lips and his tail lashed. "Stand aside and I will let you live.”

“Alas, I am sorry Robert. I am afraid I cannot do that.” he motioned with his horn. Two spear ponies lunged forwards, intent on driving Robert back from the boxes and into the reach of the hoof-axes behind him. Robert fell back half a step, then shifted sideways. One spear shifted to track him, while the other started to rise to give it's fellow a clear swing. Robert lunged and slapped the shaft of the rising spear down against the other. The shaft of the upper spear snapped as it clattered against the other, while driving the point of the lower spear into the ground. The clay of the road was hard and the spear point stuck. One of the hoof-axes charged, covered by a spear. Robert reached out and smacked the axe user in the face with his tail. The pony flinched just long enough to tangle his hooves and fall forward. The axe blade jammed into the box.

“Don't move or we'll all be blown to kingdom come.” Robert told the pony, and leapt over it to land before the spear user. The pony with the spear tried admirably to short shaft the spear, but Robert slammed his shoulder into it before it could draw it back. Another pony flicked it's spear and slashed Robert's flank. Robert growled in pain, but rounded not on the spear user, but on another axe-wielder, trying to take advantage of his distraction. Robert lunged close, his opponent drew back his foreleg to slash, only to be knocked to the ground by a deafening roar at point blank range. Dirt stung his hip, reminding Robert of the spear wielder behind him.

“Pegasi!” Robin's voice rang out. Two Pegasi, one from above, one from the trees lunged into the fight between Robert and the four remaining ponies. The pegasus from the trees dove with his lance, the tip aimed for Robert's side. Robert turned and threw himself at the diving Pegasus. It saw him, and tried to back pedal too quickly. The lance scraped along Robert's side, but his paws hit the Pegasus on the shoulders, paralyzing it's wing muscles. They fell a good ten feet. Robert caught them both with a blast of air. Then he turned to the four ponies. Two were trying to lift the box with out the axe in it. The other two had spears, pointed at him. He heard rather than saw the pegasus coming in. He charged the spears, then just before he reached them, turned sharply to his right and threw himself up on his back legs. The wingblade slashed along his foreleg, but his other paw came down and smashed the pegasus from the air. The spear wielders raised their spears just in time to avoid skewering their comrade. Which left them no time to lower them to meet the charge of the tiger. The pair of spear users smashed into the ponies still trying to lift the box.

“Enough.” Robin leapt from his perch. "I see I must deal with you myself.”

“Robin.” The Pegasus in the tree called to him. "Take care.”

“Worry not. He is tired and injured. This fight will not last...” Robert had grown weary of conversation with the unicorn, and hit him while he was arguing. Armor is fantastic against weapons it was designed against, piercing or slashing. Few armors were ever designed to be struck by an object of much greater mass. Robin rolled and came unsteadily to his hooves.

“That was un...” he ducked away as the back of Robert's paw whipped by his head. "That's quite unsporting.”

“Says the pony who surrounded me with his men. Stand and face me.”

“I am a unicorn. I face no one in physical battle.”

“Fine by me.” Robert infused his roar with a touch of magic, throwing Robin up the embankment.

“Warned you.” Said the pegasus in the tree. The other one had joined it now.

“Oh shut up.” Robin came to his feet. "Fine, if that's how you want to do it.” Black-green magic hummed the length of Robin's horn, and he fired a blast. Robert wrapped himself into a ball and took the blast to the side of his chest. Some of it scattered across him like lightning along a rod. The rest shoved him several feet, and cracked his ribs.

“My turn?” Robert said, stretching out. Magic poured out from him, his eyes glowing. Robin raised a shield around himself, strong in the front, weaker elsewhere. Robert smiled. And the trees exploded behind Robin. Splinters and shards of tree slammed into the unicorns shield, shattering it, and then hammered against his armor.

“A valiant effort, but for naught.” Robin drew power from his horn and fired a blast into the earth. Rock stretched up and encased Robert's paws, trapping him in place. Robin drew up a horn blast. Robert's eyes flashed orange, and the instant before the blast struck him, the rock covered him over. The blast shattered the rock around him, including that which held his paws.

“I think it's time to end this.” Robert said. Air swirled around him, gathering into blades, screaming at the air as they sharpened themselves against it. With a twitch of his tail, he sent them forward.

As easily as that, they could have maimed, killed, and left nothing but a blood stained mess of hamburger on the forest floor. Yet, his time with the ponies, and with Fluttershy in particular had tempered Robert's feelings. The blades of wind did not maim, did not kill. Instead they simply struck against the unicorns armor, slashing away at the metal, leaving great gouges in it, but more shearing through the straps holding it on. The armor fell away, revealing a buckskin coat and black mane and tail. Robin staggered back.

“Ugh. Accursed Tiger, now you'll...”

“Now, he'll be called to testify Land Owner.” the voice came from a white coated, gold armored unicorn, now standing beside the two Pegasi from earlier. A dozen more Royal guard materialized out of the bushes behind him, and an equal number of pegasi, also in Royal Guard Armor appeared from the clouds.

“Where did you guys come from?” Robert asked.

“We've been watching this guy for a while. He's a deposed noble, who took to banditry. We suspected it was him, but we couldn't move without confirmation.” The lead unicorn said.

“Fools! Now that I know you're here, I can...” One of the earth pony guards who had appeared behind Land Owner snapped a horn ring on the unicorn. The magic that had been building fizzled. Another guard snapped cuffs on him.

“I suppose you two are working under cover.” Robert asked the two 'bandit' Pegasi.

“Not precisely. I am, but my sister joined up with them legitimately. She came to us when she found out that they were not out here protecting the trees, but robbing the post.” The other pegasus, the one with the wingblades was glaring at him. Robert put two and two together and came up with the answer.

“I can fix those trees.” Robert said, looking at the pegasus with the wingblades.

“I'll hold you to that.” she answered. Her sister rolled her eyes. Robert sighed.

“Might I ask why you let me fight those fools?” Robert indicated the fallen ponies who were now being cuffed. Some of them tried momentarily to resist only to receive a sharp, painful lesson in the folly of that sentiment.

“Had to make sure we had someone in place in case mister Warlock wannabe decided to get cute.” the unicorn shrugged. Robert glared at him for a moment, then winced.

“Fine. I don't suppose you've got a medic on you?” They did, so he spent a little bit sitting on a stump, having his wounds cleaned and sewn up. That done, he found himself with a problem. "Hey. You with the wing knives.”

“What?”

“You cut the straps on these boxes, now you're gonna help me deliver 'em.” Robert said.

“Oh no you don't. You're not taking my sister into that mining camp alone.” the guard pegasus said.

“Of course not, thank you for volunteering.” the guard spluttered. The unicorn captain restrained a laugh.

“She's right I wouldn't feel right sending them into the camp. However, since you helped us, I'll send a few guards with you as well.” Robert nodded. They left, the two female pegasi and a half-dozen earth pony guards accompanying Robert. They had managed to repair the straps, but the pegasi had part of the load of dynamite, since Robert's injuries prevented him from carrying them. The pace they set wasn't too fast, but it was quick enough, and they arrived in the camp in good time.

Dig Deep was the name of the foreman, a brilliantly blue earth pony with a Pickaxe and Shovel as a cutie mark. The arrival time meant that only Dig Deep and a few of the surface workers were around. This only slightly comforted the Pegasi, who had heard stories. They unloaded their part of the dynamite and Robert set down the boxes, then got the necessary signature.

“Any trouble along the way?” Dig Deep asked.

“Just a few bandits. The guard was waiting for them, and got the entire band. They shouldn't bother you guys anymore. Of course, you might get new ones, but that's how things go.” Robert shrugged, and winced. He'd forgotten how annoying stitches were.

“Thanks. Glad you made it here. The boys get restless if they don't get the dynamite to keep mining.”

“Or the pay to keep drinking.” Robert said. Dig blinked.

“Come again?”

“I presume that's why the money was in the secret compartment.” Robert said.

“What money? There shouldn't have been money. You know what? Never mind. I'll deal with it. Here's your signature. Have a good day.” Dig showed Robert out. Robert paused, considering his options. Then he shook his head and started back to the guards. He'd tell them what happened and let them make a report up the chain of command. This was not what Robert was getting paid for.

The guards were waiting on the edge of the camp, except the pegasi who were well hidden within a cloud. Robert joined the guards and they headed out of the camp. Once they were out of sight, the Pegasi joined them. Robert told them about Dig Deep's strange reaction to the money in the boxes, and they said they'd look into it.

---

Robert was sitting in Sugarcube corner, munching on a blueberry muffin when Derpy came in.

“So, I see you got paid.” she said.

“So I did, and the muffins are on me.”

“Mmm... Muffins.” Derpy ordered. Rather conservatively for her earlier boasts, and sat down. "Hey, what happened? Where'd those bandages come from?” Robert related the story as they sat and ate.

“Wow. You did all that and only got hurt that little bit?”

“I did have a couple of advantages. They weren't using weapons really suited for fighting me. Plus I doubt any of them had seen a tiger fight before, so they didn't know what I could do. Of course, if had been a warrior, instead of a shaman, I'd have been wearing armor and wouldn't have gotten hurt.”

“And then you'd have been knocked out by the unicorn.” Derpy said, poking him gently with a hoof. "So you're lucky you're not a warrior.”

“True enough.” He reached for another muffin and winced. "On the other hand, I'd very much like to have had the armor.” Derpy laughed.

“My poor tiger.” she patted him with a wing.

“Oh, the pain, it hurts so much.” he moaned exaggeratedly. She laughed and pushed him away. He chuckled.

---

Twilight flopped down on her bed. The day had been longer than she expected, between her adventure in Spike's comic, and the research done in the library. Spike was already asleep in his basket, mumbling about the adventure. Twilight smiled. It had been somewhat fun, even if it was also dangerous. She made a mental note to stop in to the shop in Canterlot and have a few choice words with the owners. In the Royal Canterlot Voice. Luna had taught her how to do it.

She slid the covers over her, and nestled into the pillows.