A second Raven emerges from the shadows of the trapdoor, squinting in the light of the Alicorn's horn. "An Alicorn?" She mutters, "Have the antics of the Collector warranted a sister's reincarnation and dispatch in the body of such a powerful being?"
"The Collector?" The Alicorn Raven tilts her head. "Do you refer to the creature that has brought me to this trapdoor?"
"Indeed she does," a third Raven emerges beside the second. "The Collector is quite harmless, but to him, we are his pets -- and quite valuable ones, at that. At minimum, however, he does treat us well."
Alicorn Raven raises a brow at her two duplicates before her, though only one of them has a horn. "I must ask, why is it that there is not one incarnation, but two, present here in Klugetown? I did not expect for my fellow sisters to be here with me, not to mention the fact that two have been dispatched to the same location seemingly at once."
"We were not sent simultaneously." The second Raven shakes her head. "I was the first to arrive, on orders to investigate the claims of there being a market for Equestrian ponies here in Klugetown following the events of the Friendship Festival. My sister, who lacks a horn, was sent following my assumed demise to carry out the same duty. Had it not been for the Collector, the both of us surely would have long-since been sold away. Though... he was originally arranged to be our chauffeur in our return to Equestria. Whether or not he will eventually carry out his orders is beyond us."
The third Raven glances at the Alicorn Raven's wings. "Have you too been sent to investigate the claims? If so, it is best for you to flee at once using those wings of yours. Our current predicament is proof enough of the market for Equestrians."
"I came on my own accord."
"Oh?"
"There is a target that my sisters in Equestria have painted upon my back for my crime of existing. They do not realize that this Alicorn they call 'sister' may very well be the key to our bloodline's continued indefinite existence."
"I do suppose that the birth of an Alicorn would place a fair amount of strain on the spell that sustains us..." The second Raven murmurs. She looks up. "What do you speak of when you claim that you may be the key to our continued existence?"
"Do you wish to hear the words that our sisters in Equestria call treason?"
The eyes of the two non-Alicorns widen.
"Treason? Whatever for?" The third Raven asks. "Surely you jest!"
The Alicorn Raven shakes her head. "I do not jest. When the Celestial Sisters abdicate, their magic will fade from disuse, and so too will the spell that sustains our cherished cycle of reincarnation. Is it not natural for any creature to wish for their bloodline to continue onward?"
"But we are a manufactured bloodline. We are far from natural, sister."
"Do you suggest that our lives are worthless compared to those of natural heritage?"
It takes a moment for the third Raven to respond. "...Yes, to an extent. We enjoy an unnatural immortality, whilst all others, including even the Celestial Alicorn sisters that sustain our bloodline, remain purely within the mortal realm. That is, if a fatal blow is to be dealt, regardless of method, death will be ensured. Our bloodline does not follow this natural rule."
"Then I expect that you do not value your own life." The Alicorn Raven's horn intensifies its glow. "In that case, I believe it will be better utilized in my quest to perpetuate our bloodline ever further."
"Wha--"
"Whoa whoa whoa! What's goin' on in 'ere?" Eh stumbles upon the commotion, shading his eyes from the dazzling light of the Alicorn Raven. "Fighting ain't good for your health, y'know!"
"What do you intrude upon us for, Eh?" The Alicorn Raven keeps attention on the third Raven. "My sisters call you the Collector. Do you see us as your playthings?" Her horn dims a little as she pulls the cloak once more over her body. "Regardless, I believe it is time for me to leave."
"Whaaat? Nah, you're more than playthings, you're like family to me! And don't leave, either!" Eh snorts. "I know you ponies get a little antsy sometimes, but it just isn't safe to take the bunch of you on walks! You'll get chopped-up out there!"
Hoofsteps approach from behind Eh.
"Oh, almost forgot--" Eh steps aside. "--Raven, Raven, and Raven, meet Raven! This one dropped straight outta the sky on a 'chute, and lucky for her, I was the first to jump off the balcony to snatch her up!"
Another Raven emerges from the shadows, a dim light spell flickering at the tip of her horn. Her eyes immediately land upon the Alicorn Raven. She lets out a quiet gasp and quickly bows, hiding a sly smirk in the darkness of the alleyway.
"Elevated One, I come as a follower in your ideals."