//------------------------------//
// The Pub 
// Story: Bolt 
// by InsignificantGryffindor 
//------------------------------//

	The rain slapped down on him. He felt the light taps tickle his ears as he trotted up to the tawdry pub that lay on the outskirts of the Everfree. It was once filled with a lively people who were traveling to the small town of Ponyville, but now it was practically empty since the train was built. The stallion took one glance at the large, extravagant door and quickly swung it open, gleeful to get out of the freezing rain. He tugged at the hood that shadowed his scarred face.
Candles made the once exuberant pub glow, a dim light spreading all across the marked floor. A couple of ponies were here. One was remarkably drunk and the other two were embracing each other with very loud sucking noises. With a sneer of disgust, he turned away from the dwindling crowd and turned to the bartender. He stood there, wiping a stubborn smudge, when looked up. His orange eyes glinted. "Want entrance?"
The stallion nodded.
The bartender cast a furtive glance towards the remaining customers, who were completely oblivious to their surroundings. With a quick nod, he pointed towards the back, allowing entrance. The stallion strode past him and into the dark cellar. Barrels of cider lined the stone walls. Inside this room was cold, and the stallion clutched at his cloak as he moved past the barrels and to the back wall. His eyes immediately turned to the right corner. With a quick glance around the dark room, he pressed a loose stone. The stones of the wall unfurled, floating down onto the ground as if by magic. He quickly ventured in, allowing the stones to return to their original places. 
In front of him lay a staircase lit by candles that hung from a wall. He climbed down his hoofsteps echoing off the ancient stones. His bright emerald eyes finally fell upon a larger, more open room than that of the pub. Ragged, etched tables were scattered around the room. He could see Ember Skies having a one sided conversation with Sacred Soul, who looked him with hatred-filled indigo eyes. A small fireplace was being stoked by Velvet Cloud, her gentle gray eyes flickering with red light. Lightning Dust stood from afar, nervously pacing the stone ground. He turned towards the staircase that clung to the side of the room and quickly climbed up them. The hallway he entered was long, and along its sides lay many, small doors. He turned to the first on his right and knocked, waiting patiently for an answer.
"Come in," came the reply. The stallion opened the door softly and saw a mare sitting in a ragged wing chair. A blue light flickered in the room. Her black gaze was thoughtful, as seemed to be most of the time these days. She looked up and smiled, her thoughtful gaze disintegrating. "Oh, bonjour, Poison Dart. What is it that you want?"
He removed his hood, unmasking his aging gray face and graying turquoise mane. He cleared his throat and spoke, his deep Southern accent rumbling through the room. "Ah came to tell you 'bout some news." He lifted his bag from underneath his cloak. Inside the bag was a newspaper that was ruffled from water's touch. He took it out and showed it to the mare, who glared at the headline.
WONDERBOLTS TO PLAY AT PONYVILLE
"Looks like they did not get our message from before." 
Poison Dart pursed his lips, unsure what to say. Nightshade paced the room. "Do they not understand what we can do to them? Do they not understand we can make them crumble? We will kill millions before we get it through their thick heads!" Her black eyes flashed with fury.
Poison Dart new Nightshade cared very little about the lives of the innocent.
They stood in silence, Poison Dart watching Nightshade closely as paced the room, cursing. She grabbed the newspaper, eyes flicking over the words, with her back turned from Poison Dart. Finally, as she finished, the paper fell from her grasp.
"Ah reckon you know what to do, Nightshade. Complete destruction?" He felt a smile form at his scarred lips.
Nightshade turned towards him. It was as if a she discovered something life changing. Her soft mouth contorted into a wide grin that reached her mad, black eyes. The tired, thoughtful expression she had been wearing all week disappeared into her victorious smile. Her chest heaved, as if she were holding her breath for a week. A soft laugh escaped through creases in her teeth, which seemed to glow like fangs underneath the cold light. "Oh, Poison Dart." the grin broadened. "Isn't that always the way?"