“REGH!” Meadow screamed as she used a wing to hurl a vase across the room. It smashed against the cave wall, leaving a mark and a bunch of scattered pieces across the floor. In Meadow’s mind, it also represented a shattered dream; namely, her dream of ruthlessly ruling Equestria. She’d followed Luster Dawn ever since the beginning of Scarlet Wing. In fact, she was the first one recruited into the organization after Luster promised the lonely Pegasus power and glory. Meadow’s loneliness had melted in the wake of Luster’s mighty proclamation, and she immediately joined the wicked Alicorn.
But, Meadow had her own plans. Luster’s plan to force Equestria to “evolve” away from friendship was excellent. However, Meadow had turned into something of a power hungry tyrant herself. She was going to kill Luster after Scarlet Wing took over and usurp the throne away from Twilight’s former student. Then, afterward, she planned to lead Equestria into wars with the nations around them. Her might would be asserted via blatant militarism. Nopony would be safe. She’d force them to fight for her, and then, when slaughter and victory had been achieved, no creature in the world could stand in her way. She didn’t just want Equestria…she wanted the whole world.
Unfortunately for her schemes, Armored Hoof had re-appeared. She remembered Luster warning her against the band’s music. The now deceased self-proclaimed Queen of Equestria said that Armored Hoof’s tunes could be used to hypnotize ponies. What she didn’t know was that there was no machination of any sort on the band’s part. It was simply that they made terrific music that ponies loved to listen to. But because of its message of friendship and hope, Luster spoke thunderously against it. Now that they’d returned, Meadow found that they presented a massive obstacle to her plans. Opaline’s report of their recent sellout concert in Maretime Bay was yet another setback.
“Um…you know you don’t have to hurl vases at me,” Opaline snorted snidely. “I’m just the messenger.”
“Oh, screw you and screw your message!” Meadow snarled. “What’s happened today is a complete travesty! If Armored Hoof are already mesmerizing the ponies of Maretime Bay with their songs, then we have no chance. Soon, they’ll get to Bridlewood, then Zephyr Heights, and then all the EPUP towns as well. Sunny’s coronation will be populated with their fans. Heck, Sunny might even ask them to PLAY her coronation!”
“Mistress…if I may be so bold,” Opaline ventured, “I think you’re getting upset over nothing.”
“Nothing?!” Meadow shrieked, whirling on her apprentice. “How dare you speak so lazily?! Armored Hoof may be our greatest foe ever!”
“…or…they may present our greatest opportunity ever,” Opaline said.
The words seemed to settle Meadow. “Explain,” she ordered.
“Well…think about it. If something were to happen to Armored Hoof before Sunny’s coronation…”
“Yes, yes, yes, if death or destruction befell them, then they wouldn’t be a threat anymore,” Meadow said sarcastically. “There’s just one little problem: THEY HAVE ALICORN MAGIC INSIDE THEM! They can’t die…at least, not until that magic runs out. We can slice and dice all we want to, but the fact remains that they won’t perish. We could drain them of all their blood, we could chop off their heads, and they wouldn’t die. That’s how Alicorn magic works. Their gift from Celestia and Luna assures them longevity until…well, until Celestia knows when!”
“But, Queen Luster-“
“Queen Luster is dead now, Opaline!” Meadow snarled once more. “Her magic ran out! She was beaten so badly that her magic died along with her body. We’d have to do the same to Quarter or Mane or somepony essential to the band’s success. Sunny’s coronation is tomorrow. We don’t have time!”
Opaline’s ears flattened. It seemed that their plans to dominate Equestria had hit a snag. She suddenly understood why her mistress was so upset…and anger began burning. Soon enough, that anger planted seeds of hate…and pushed their way into her very soul. She growled deeply, using her Unicorn magic to create flames above her head. Determination raged away. A sick, violent determination. She saw blood in her eyes and she felt her horn begin pulsing with a need to spear somepony through the heart. Yes, she’d been present when Luster died…but she wasn’t as high ranking as she was now. Now that Meadow was her direct mistress…she was sure that she could do anything.
“I need to kill somepony,” Opaline said in a voice packed with venom and hate.
Meadow stopped her carrying on to look at her apprentice. “O…Opaline?”
“Yes, my mistress,” Opaline hissed. “I need to kill somepony. I have a lust for the blood of those whom you have deemed unfit to live. Please, Meadow…let me kill Quarter Note. Let me kill Sunny’s friends. Let me kill Sunny herself. I need to see their blood on my hooves and my horn. If you can…even grant me the longevity of an Alicorn to do this work. I swear to you, mistress, I will not stop until all of our enemies lay dead before me.”
Meadow smiled. “Opaline…I had no idea you could be so…spiteful.”
Opaline smirked. “You don’t know the half of it, my mistress.”
“So…you really think you could carry out this mission all on your own?”
“If given the proper tools and the right time,” Opaline snarled, “I swear I can kill anypony, Alicorn or no Alicorn. They may not bear the same elements as Queen Luster or even Sunny herself…but I can kill them. No…I WILL kill them.”
Meadow’s smile deepened, along with her furrowed eyebrows. “You have my permission…and my blessing. Though, I cannot give you everything you seek. Alicornhood is granted only to those ponies deemed worthy of it and only by other Alicorns. As far as I’m concerned, you far surpass the worthiness criteria. It’s just a shame that I, myself, am not one. I would bequeath it on you in a heartbeat.”
Opaline growled and shook her head. “Then, I will find another source. I must make those ponies pay for everything they’ve done to us…and to Queen Luster.”