"'Nother call?" Eh yawns as Raven quietly pushes the door open.
Raven responds with a nod. She wastes no time in making her way toward the telephone system and dialing a number.
"Hello? Yes, this is she. The flock is to lounge within the caves of Crystal when the sun rises, and remain hidden until the coming of dusk. Make preparations for the grand festivities at the anchor point."
She hangs up.
"Grand festivities?" Eh hums. "You ain't throwin' a party now, are you?"
Raven shakes her head, though no further elaboration is given. "I must depart now, Collector. I thank you again for allowing me to utilize your services."
Just as before, the mare vanishes in a flash of mana.
Raven's hooftips brush against the sprawled-out wings of her Alicorn counterpart. She freezes for a moment, her eyes locking onto the face of her sister.
Thankfully, the action was met not with violence, but a quiet grumble, and the tucking-away of the Alicorn's wings. Raven lets out a quiet sigh of relief. For all the power that this sister of hers appeared to possess, her slumber was like that of a foal's. A faint smile surfaces on Raven's face as she traces a hoof over the mane of her unconscious counterpart. It was truly a shame that Starswirl never accounted for the creation of an Alicorn during his casting of the spell all those years ago. This sister of hers had committed no crime except that of existing, and yet...
She pushes the thought aside. She mustn't grow sentimental over her target.
Raven lays down beside her Alicorn self on the dirty tile roofing, and shuts her eyes.
Raven wakes to the sound of bickering in the streets--the usual. Her Alicorn counterpart stands before her, having clearly been awake for some time already and once more wrapped in her cloak.
"You're awake."
"Yes." The Alicorn Raven confirms. "I have spent the early hours of dawn constructing the prison structure."
Raven raises a brow. "You have completed construction by your lonesome?"
"Affirmative. Do not underestimate the powers of an Alicorn, sister."
"I understand."
The morning wind rustles the Alicorn's cloak. She turns her head, peering off in the direction of the Chamber of the First. "I suppose it would make sense to showcase the completed structure to you before we begin, as I plan for you to assist me in the unsealing process. Doing so would make the process of capturing our sisters somewhat easier, would it not?"
"I believe so." Raven rubs her chin. "Though, I had envisioned that you would be the one that ultimately places them into their cells. I do not think I am able to teleport the mass of a grown mare across such large distances."
The Alicorn Raven gives a nod. "Yes, that is to be expected. You need not worry, sister. I will handle the transportation of our fellow sisters. Would you like a demonstration?"
"A demonstra--"
Both Ravens vanished in a flash of light.
The two mares materialize at the steps of a snow-blanketed structure. The Alicorn Raven lights her horn.
"Camouflage, even?" Raven's eyes widen.
"To an extent, yes--" The Alicorn responds. "--though, for the most part, the prison I have constructed relies on the near-constant snowfall in the region for a more natural disguise." She lights her horn.
The snow sloughs off in sheets as the passageway unseals. A dull glow emanates from the lines snaking from cell to cell, concentrating into a single point before the chamber door.
"I will admit that it is not the best, regarding overall craftsmanship." The Alicorn Raven stares into the structure. "But regardless of quality, it will do for our purposes."
Raven cranes her neck. "Will we--"
"No. Entrance is prohibited until the unsealing begins. I plan to continue construction as I transport our sisters into their cells, so many portions of the overall structure remain dangerously incomplete. I wish not for you to be crushed by my inadequate structural support."
"Very well then." Raven backs away. "I will respect that wish. Shall we begin the transportation now?"
The Alicorn Raven nods.
Raven peers silently into the place of her rebirth. Their rebirth. As expected, there is no steady stream of reincarnations being brought into existence this morning. In fact, there are no reincarnations present at all; she made sure of it the night before. Raven turns to her counterpart. "Shall we target the guards first, sister, or do you suppose we should pluck the present Ravens one-by-one?"
"I believe it would be wise to avoid alerting the guards." The Alicorn responds. "If they are to request backup, I wish for it to come later, rather than sooner."
Raven nods. "Very well then. I will alert you of the guards' presence if needed. Do you still plan to use the rope and magic suppressors that I have brought?"
"The cells I have constructed in the prison are built to withstand and nullify magic. There is no need for binding and suppressing our sisters, though the offer is appreciated."
"Understood." Raven steps aside, glancing in the direction of the lone guard standing at the entry steps. Even she was a decoy, albeit one modeled after a specific Raven's activity patterns.
Hoofsteps approach before the Alicorn Raven could take off. The decoy yawns, shading her eyes from the bright morning sun.
"First catch?" Raven glances at her sister.
"First catch." The Alicorn agrees. She lights her horn, enveloping the decoy in a light aura.
"Unhand her!" The guard Raven shouts, trotting toward the Alicorn. "What do you plan to do with your return, Alicorn?" Her eyes turn to Raven for a brief moment.
The Alicorn Raven steps in front of her sister, unfurling her wings in defense. "I come in peace. There is no need for violence unless I am given a reason to resort to such measures. I plan only on gathering the Ravens that emerge for an important task."
The guard narrows her eyes. "And why do you bring your follower, when you alone may easily crush our defenses by your lonesome?"
"'Tis not your concern." The Alicorn returns the glare. "She is here only to--"
"--alert you of the guards' presence." The guard cuts her off. "I heard your scheming, sister. I assure you, there is--"
The guard Raven's glasses and armor clatter to the ground.
"One."