It turns out that it's spectacularly hard to stop a rampaging tiger. When the tiger in question can do magic, and fly, it's that much worse. Robert decided on the subtle method. So he set the forest on fire. While the stone walls that protected the Draw also protected it from the fire, it's defenders weren't so lucky, and they immediately began trying to put out the flames. They didn't have much luck, since ghost flames only appear to be fire. Robert landed in the middle of the effort, and unleashed a burst of magic that blew the gates off the wall. The same blast also shattered the mirror inside the entry hall. The ponies and griffon behind it were unconscious when he entered. Twilight's version of Moonwood's Lunar Blade punched through the inner doors like so much wet tissue paper. The interior of the Draw was in complete disarray. Combat magic was one option, but there was little need to expend the effort. Instead, a calculated burst of anger, charged with a bit of magic flared out from him. The anger would make those focused on try to start a fight. The magic would make it contagious.

The first blow landed within seconds. It spread with every contact, each blow translating into an infection, or reinfection. While being reinfected wouldn't precisely do anything, it would prolong the effects. When Robert landed outside the guarded warehouse, the battle had already spread. The guards were there, but they were hemmed in close to the gate. Contact from one blow finally caused it to spread to first one, then the other guard. Robert leaped over them. They didn't notice him as they battled each other and the crowd around. He slipped into the door, and closed it behind him.

“Hey! Who are you? And what on Equestria is going outside?” A voice demanded from the darkness.

“Hold that thought.” Robert replied, then gave a tug on the weave of magic. All at once, the touch effect dissipated, replaced by a different one. Each blow would burn out rage, both in the attacker and target. And subsequently burn out a considerable amount of energy. “Okay, right... I am Robert. And what's going on out there? A magically induced fight.”

“Okay, great. Who started that?”

“Me.”

“Why?”

“Because I've been sent after some stolen artifacts.” Robert replied.

“What? No Daring Do?” Ahuizotl demanded. “She usually shows up by now.”

“No, haven't seen her. Possibly couldn't get in here. The door is... was pretty well guarded. Now it's kind of non-existent.” Robert shrugged. “I'm sure she'll be along shortly. Not everyone has my flair for the....” A tan blur swept through the room, leaving a gray trail and sweeping the table clean of the artifacts. “Nevermind.”

“You'll never get these back Ahuizotl.” Daring proclaimed from her spot in the rafters.

“Daring Do! Seriously, it took you long enough.” the villain shook his head. “You will not foil me his time! Get her minions!” several jungle cats appeared from various places, followed by a white house cat.

“Steve?” Robert started. “You're working for him?” the other tiger coughed delicately.

“He pays well and the benefits are nice.” the other cat shrugged. Ahuizotl blinked.

“Dental?” Robert asked.

“Ye... no. None at all.” Steve said, having read the books.

“Too bad.” Robert hit him with the table. Ahuizotl snarled.

“You three, get her, you two, get him!” He directed them and lunged at Robert, as the other cats began climbing into the rafters. Unfortunately for them, a pegasus with the high ground is pretty hard to get hold of. Robert meanwhile found himself being grappled by the villain, one arm around his throat, the other trying to get him into a choke hold and the tail hand grabbing for his face. Robert let his legs buckle under him and rolled over, mashing the villain into the ground. As he came upright, he found himself with a face full of housecat, and a leopard leaping into the fray. The leopard was simultaneously the bigger threat, and easier to deal with. It landed on his back, claws sinking in. Robert roared in pain, then threw himself up on his hind legs and fell backwards. The leopard leaped clear and spun around to face him again. Robert landed face first on the ground, dislodging the housecat, then he rolled up.

In the rafters, Daring Do flicked back and forth between the ceiling supports and the tops of broken pillars. The cats followed as quickly as possible, but they were no match for her speed. Of course, she was weighed down by a bag of magical artifacts, and they had the advantage of numbers. They split up and corralled her. Which might have been more effective had they not all attacked at once, leaving her the simple route of escape of down.

Ahuizotl had pulled himself back up and was now circling Robert in tandem with the leopard and one very drunken looking house cat. Steve struggled upright, and glared at the teeth on the floor. Just in time for a descending Daring Do to crash into his head, driving it back to the floor and knocking more teeth out. He staggered a half-step before the cats that had crashed slammed into him from above. Daring shot forward low over Ahuizotl's head, and towards the door. Robert's paw reached up and snagged the bag of artifacts from her. Daring face planted and skidded forwards, rolling straight over the seriously startled housecat.

“Hey!” she yelled, stumbling up right. “Those belong in a museum!”

“So do you!” Ahuizotl retorted.

“Docta Jones!” called a small asian kid, running into the warehouse.

“Wrong universe kid.” Robert sighed. “And one movie too late.”

“Oh bugger.” said the kid, and disappeared out the door.

“I'll take those back now.” Ahuizotl grabbed at the bag. Robert let it go, just as Daring cleared his head, and snatched the bag away.

“No, I'll take them and put them someplace safe!” she declared and raced for a small window.

“No you don't!” Ahuizotl threw a crate which missed Daring, but closed off the window.

“Mine.” Robert grabbed the bag and booked it for the door.

“Get him!” Ahuizotl shouted to his conscious minions. Daring kicked the lynx in the head, and slipped past the panther and the villain himself. Robert dropped the bag, and spun around a corner. Daring grabbed it, but was grabbed by Ahuizotl and slammed to the floor. He scooped up the bag and leaped for the door. A crane arm swung out into the aisle and he slammed head first into it, dropping the bag and landing on his back. “Ow.”

“Sorry to fight and run, but this is my cue.” Robert snatched up the bag and ducked out the door, slamming it a half-second ahead of the Panther. He didn't stop to leave a relieved sigh, but sprinted out into the streets. There were still some ponies fighting, those who hadn't been affected by his spells but were working out things just the same. The gates were being guarded by a group of heavily armed criminals. Robert slipped into a building nearby, and laid down to rest. Patience would be rewarded.

---

It was half an hour before an opportunity presented itself. Ahuizotl came stomping around the corner of the street, straight into the guards. “Have you seen a Tiger with a huge bag? He stole something from me.”

“What? Where was he last?” the guard in charge demanded. “He's the one who broke down the gate.”

“I don't know, that's why I'm asking you!” Ahuizotl screamed in reply.

“You guys are dumber than a box of rocks.” Robert called from the end of the street.

“Get HIM!” Ahuizotl and the guard screamed, charging forward. Not all the guards followed, but the better part of them did. Robert smiled and watched them chase the illusion into the Draw. He turned around to find himself snout to snout with Daring Do.

“I'll take those now.” she said, smiling.

“Okay. I'm sure the guards will go easy.” the smile faded slightly.

“What?” she asked.

“The Royal Guards. They're who I'm after the artifacts for.” Robert said.

“You should have said so.” Daring replied, smile still fixed on her face.

“Never seemed to be a right moment.” Robert replied. “Robert.” he extended a paw.

“Daring Do.” she answered, shaking it. “Got an exit strategy?”

“Yes, but if you've got another option, I'm open to alternate suggestions.” Robert spread his paws.

“I was planning on bowling through the guards and escaping into the forest. Of course I also had a plan involving a little black dress and cocktail wieners filled with knockout drugs. Imagine my surprise to find someone had already opened the door. With explosives apparently.” Daring raised an eyebrow.

“I am well acquainted with subtle, because it is what I am not.” Robert admitted.

“Then we'll get along well. Shall I lead the way out?” Daring offered.

“I would be delighted to let you go first.” Robert waved a paw. Daring chuckled and lead him out of the building. The guards straightened. The tiger they were after, and Daring Do of all ponies, walking up the road towards them, chatting jovially, and seemingly oblivious to their presence. Naturally they suspected a trap.

“You two, stop!” the guard raised a hoof.

“Fine. Here.” Robert held out a note.

“I don't...” the guard started.

“What it's not like he prepared explosive runes. Who's that crazy prepared?” Daring asked. Robert nodded. The guard looked down.

The explosion knocked him and the other guards flat on the ground. Daring picked her way through the destruction.

“How long have you had those explosive hieroglyphs?” Robert asked.

“Since Book Two.”