Rain poured down steadily as ponies made their way through the downpour, hurrying along the dark and dank streets. Some carried bags of things, like groceries, or everyday items. Others held umbrellas above their heads, trying to stay dry from the rain. Either way, each one of them had a purpose as they struggled to escape the dreariness of the city and dashed off to wherever they needed to be.
One pony, however, was walking along one of the sidewalks, at such a slow pace that even turtles could pass her easily. She wore a dark pink raincoat, with a hoodie that covered her face, so she had some protection from the drizzle.
As the mare made her way into a dark alley, a voice greeted her, that seemed to echo off the walls of the alley.
"Aria, what took you so long?"
The girl forced her hand into the left pocket on her raincoat. "What's it to you?"
A figure stepped out of the shadows, wearing nothing but a tank top and some capris. Her sapphire blue eyes glared at Aria. "I'm the second in command, and when I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it!"
Aria Blaze was not bothered as her tone rose. She took her hand out of her pocket and pretended to examine the pedicure on one of her nails. "Like I would listen to you, Starlight," she scoffed. "Just because Adagio made you second in command, does not mean you get to boss me around as if I were a five-year-old! Besides," she added, looking up to meet Starlight's gaze. "Sometimes I wonder why the heck Adagio even made you second in command anyway. What, with me being her sister and all."
"She had a good reason to," Starlight Glimmer stated bluntly.
"And what would that reason be?"
"Because I'm the trustworthy one, obviously."
Aria's dark violet eyes stared daggers at her. "Is that so?"
"You know it is."
"Well, I would kill you if I could," Aria threatened, "but Adagio would probably kill me in return, so..." She smirked. "I'd rather live a long, peaceful life."
"Shut up, you little urchin. You know better than to be sassy with me!" Starlight suddenly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Aria, her own smirk playing at her lips. "Unlike you, I could have the privilege of ending your life in just one shot of this baby right here."
Aria scoffed again. "Yeah, right. You would never do that to me. You're too smart for that."
"True. Whether I like it or not, I need your assistance and I need you to do things for me. Speaking of which, did you get it? You better have, or else I'll--"
"Yeah, yeah, here it is." In one swift movement, she grabbed a large machete out from the right pocket on her raincoat and flung it at Starlight.
Just as the knife almost sliced into her, Starlight powered up her horn quickly, stopping the machete in a sky blue aura.
"Careful where you throw that thing," the unicorn growled, her magic still making the weapon float in the air.
"Nice catch," Aria chuckled, ignoring everything she just spoke of. "Also, I have a question for you," she continued. "Actually, two. First off, why couldn't you get the thing yourself? Second of all, why couldn't you just use the freakin' gun instead of the machete?"
"You know very well why, Aria Blaze. First off, I don't need to get things myself," she said, gesturing towards Aria, "I have a servant or two to do that for me." Aria narrowed her eyes, but didn't say anything as Starlight continued. "As for your second question, well..."
A big smile spread across her face, and though Aria didn't show it, it sort of scared her. Starlight powered down her horn and grabbed the knife out of the air. Like an axe-wielding maniac, she flipped the knife over a few times and caught it right-side-up in her hand, it glinting in the darkness. "That would be way too easy. Besides... Stabbing people is much more fun."
"Whatever the heck ya want. But what about my end of the bargain? You promised after I brought the machete to you, you would release her!"
"Really? Is that so?" The light pink unicorn pretended to ponder this.
"Yes, now give her back!" Aria shouted.
"Hmm... How about no?"
Aria stopped, and fury flashed in her eyes. "Excuse me?! What on earth are you talking about?! You promised--"
"I promised to give her back after I was done with you! Obviously, I'm not."
"NO, YOU DIDN'T!" Aria snarled, her fists clenching. "YOU PROMISED AFTER I GAVE YOU THE MACHETE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE ME SONATA BACK!"
Starlight chuckled, as if she found this amusing. "Aria, now, now, lets not get all upset. I will let her go, I promise, after all this over, and after you've repaid me."
"NO! I'M NOT FALLING FOR THAT!" Aria screamed at her, her eyes lighting up with bright red fire. "YOU GIVE HER BACK OR ELSE I WILL KILL YOU, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"
"Heh heh, really? You don't have the guts to do that."
The red fire still flamed in her eyes as Aria glared at her.
Starlight smirked. "Aren't I right?"
"Is that seriously what you think?!" Turquoise wings sprouted out of her back and a red aura matching her eyes enveloped her. "Think again, you--!"
"Well, you think of this: If you even try to lay one hand on me, I'll hurt Sonata."
The magic faded from Aria's body and disappeared. "What did you say?"
"You heard me."
Aria blinked once. Then twice.
"You... You can't... No... I-I won't allow it!"
"Then, if that's true, you will be smart and help me and Adagio. Otherwise..." Starlight glanced at the machete. "Sonata will get a most unpleasant death."
Aria opened her mouth to speak, but her mouth was dry, and no words came out.
"So..." Starlight said as her eyes flicked back up to meet Aria's gaze. "Do we have a deal?"
Aria's eyes narrowed and she glared at the unicorn with a look as sharp as the machete.
"Yes. I'll do it. I'll help you and my sister with this murder. And once it's over..." She held up a finger. "You give me Sonata back, you give me my life back, and you and Adagio will never hear of us ever again."
For a second, Starlight stayed silent. But then, her mouth slowly twisted upwards into a wide grin, her teeth the only thing visible now in the darkness.
"Excellent."