The room was rather small, and had a very plain smell. But she went along with it anyway. Pontus made his way to a small table, much smaller than the ones downstairs.
"Please," He insisted plainly, as he sat in wooden chair,"Sit down, make yourself comfortable."
Lightning Dust had no idea what to think of this griffin's hospitality. She came up to the small table to join him, not exactly knowing what to expect this time. It might be a trap of some kind. If so, she won't fall for it.
"Look," She began, "I don't know why you invited me here, but-"
"I only want to make an offer." He interrupted. The look in his eyes, was a serious one. She may have to be more careful.
"Alright, what is it? What's your offer?"
A wry smirk appeared across his beak, "I need somepony dead, but I can't kill him personally."
She could not believe what she was hearing, "You want me to go out and commit murder?!"
"Yes. But there would be payment involved."
"You're paying me to kill somepony?!" Lightning Dust was not expecting this at all.
His brow had been raised, "Well considering you killed that mugger without a problem, I wouldn't have thought you to show aversion."
"No," She corrected, "It's not that. It's just... He wanted to kill me, so I defended myself; that's all."
"But you are out of work, are you not?" He said slyly, "Surely you wouldn't be so scrupulous as to refuse my offer. If that is the case... Then I'd no other choice but to kill you, since you heard of what I speak."
She now has to consider her words as carefully as possible. To be hired to kill ponies for a living sounded too much--even for her--but getting killed by a griffin like this guy was also pretty bad too. It would have been a very horrible way to go. This was an incredibly difficult decision to make: to kill somepony, or be killed for knowing too much. She made her decision...
"Who is he?" She asked coldly.
The griffin's grin widened when he heard that. "Wise choice." He then handed her a wanted poster. The poster depicted a bald lanky stallion with a crooked smile."This guy, his name's Jackpot Slim. He recently stole a total of 2500 bits from me, while we played a game of Blackjack. The rat cheated and took off with my money!"
"I get it. You want me to kill him." Lightning Dust already knew it. "Why can't you just kill him by yourself?"
"Because he knows who I am. And he expects me to go after him. Hence is why I want you to do the job for me. He's never seen you before, so this should be easy for you."
There's gotta be more than what you say.
"He's probably got some guys to back him up, right?" She had to ask. It was very likely he wouldn't be alone.
"Not many... only two." Pontus answered. "I've seen them before, they won't be hard for you to take care of."
She thought of something else important, "Are they armed?"
"With pocket knives, I think. But you have the bigger knife, and the greater speed. Jackpot Slim is a coward and always run from a fight. You shall have no trouble at all."
She put a hoof on her knife. There was no backing out now, she had to do it. She knows what he looks like at least. All she had to do was kill him and that was it. He said he'd pay her for it, but how much she wasn't sure.
"Where would I find him?" Another important thing to ask.
"Not far. I've played with him an hour ago."
That's a lot sooner than I thought. Her eyes widened a bit from the surprise.
"He has a room here, in fact. Just outside this very room. His is on left down the hall, next to the staircase."
Lightning never thought it would be that close. With ponies downstairs, it would be a disaster if anypony were to hear any screams of agony. If so, she'd have to get out as quick as possible. Or unless she could kill them quickly, and they don't scream. Either way, it didn't matter.
"I suggest taking a bit of caution." Pontus then warned, "There is a chance you may fail, but I suppose you've got this covered."
Yeah, 'cause that's helpful! She would rather not doubt herself now. "It'll be easy."
"Very good." He thanked her, "Return to me once you get the job done. I'll reward you with enough to get by on your own."
With that said, she headed out the door. As she turned the knob Pontus stopped her for a moment. What could he want this time?! She thought impatiently.
"Whatever you do... Do not mention my name!" His eyes were narrow slits when he said that.
"I got it!" She said with impatience.
Lightning Dust couldn't just barge in through the door, that would bring more attention then needed. She would have to be rather stealthy. But how? How could she execute this pony without too much to worry about? She had pondered this just outside Pontus's room, pacing back and forth. She needed to think through this as best she could.
But then the thought came to her: What if I came in through a window?
That would mean going outside, but that did not matter all that much. And she knew how she was going to do it. She flapped her wings vigorously, as she attempted to speed down the hall. Without a moments notice, she dashed forward clearing past the hall at near blinding speeds. It became harder to see, everything went by so fast. She flew down the stairs and into the bar, causing tables and beverages flying off in different directions. Ponies were infuriated that their drinks had spilled on them. She then bolted straight out of the door.
Outside the inn, she knew she had to find a window into Jackpot's room. She flew up high because she wouldn't get anywhere faster. She had zipped to the side of the inn, and thankfully discovered the window. It must have been sheer convenience, but she didn't care. She had to make sure wouldn't be seen, so she went under the window for cover. Sticking her up to see, she witnessed three ponies inside the room. Including her target: Jackpot Slim.
The bald lanky stallion must have talking with his friends, even though she can't hear them very well; the most she could hear was very muffled. As she flapped her wings, she reached for her knife with her mouth. She gripped the pommel as firmly as she needed to, making sure it doesn't fall on the muddy ground below. She could taste a bit of iron from the mugger's blood.
If the window's locked, she planned, I'll just break in and hope nopony else hears. The last thing she wanted was to get caught killing. She needed the money so she has to get this right, otherwise she won't get paid and will most likely die.
Lightning poked her head up a little. Peering through the window, she could see them still talking. She raised her hoof up a little, to reach the window. She needed to know if it really was locked. Fortunately, she managed to push the window up to a crack. Interestingly enough, neither of the ponies inside noticed it. She continued to push it up a little more, feeling daring. As she opened the window more, their conversation could be heard clearly.
"--with the money?"
"What'ya think we're gonna do with it?" She heard Jackpot Slim say sarcastically in a thick Manehattan accent. "I need new things don't I?"
"Like what?" One of them asked.
"A new suit's one thing. With all those bits I won from that griffin, I'll do a little more than jus' spendin'!" He was obviously enthusiastic, "We'll hit the next town, and gamble some more. And hopefully we'll get enough bits to make it big, for the real deal: Los Pegasus!"
They all whooped excitedly when he said that. She continued to push the window up while they weren't looking. Hopefully they were way to busy cheering, that they won't see her coming. She managed to open the window wide enough to squeeze through. Still flapping her wings, she was somehow able to slip through very easily. They were still too indulged in their merriment to notice her. She needed cover, and fast. Scanning her surroundings, she spotted a cardboard box to hide behind. She rushed behind the box as quietly as she could.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Jackpot yelled, "Who left the window open?!"
"Don't know, boss."
"Go close it! Yous don't know who'll hear us!"
The stallion went over to do as his boss ordered. She still hid behind the box, and into the shadows. She hoped he's to occupied to notice her. He however, dropped keys which made a small chinking metal sound. So far, he just went back over to where he stood. She peered from the box to continue watching. Jackpot returned to his enthusiasm. She reached her hoof out for the keys. If they locked the doors, they won't escape without their keys. She reached her hoof as slowly as she could, making sure they don't hear or notice her in any way. Her hoof touched the cold metallic keys.
Almost got--
"Hey!" The sudden shout made her jerk her hoof back. "I saw that! Someponyelse is in here, boys! Go fish 'em out!"
"Yes, boss!" both of them shouted.
Her cover's blow... but that doesn't mean she's failed, yet. She snatched the keys away from its spot, and shoved them behind the box. Immediately, they were headed toward the box she took for cover. She may have lost the element of surprise, but she can make other plans for drastic measures like this. She may as well show herself, and look cool doing it.
"S'up?" She said as she leaped in front of the box, knife between her teeth.
"What the--?"
She dashed straight into one of them. She swung her knife to his throat, blood pouring from the wound as well as his mouth. Within seconds, the stallion had fallen. Jackpot's other guard's widened fearfully, as if his pupils shrunk down to pinpoints. Glaring, she made a sinister smile across her face, which made him even more afraid. He bolted to the door, only to realize he did not have the keys to open it and escape.
"HELP!!!" He shouted, "SOMEPONY HELP ME!!!"
Jackpot smacked his hoof across the petrified stallion. "What're you doin'?! Go get her!"
"B-b-b-b-but I can't do it by myself!" He whimpered.
He slapped him again. "Pull yourself together, you idiot! Go grab the keys! Do it or you're fired!"
"Okay!"
He sprinted to where she hid the keys. She knew he would do so. Dashing to the box she cornered him. The stallion made a yelp, before she stuck him. The knife went through his chest easily. She quickly removed the bloody blade from his lifeless body. With that done, her attention drew to her true target: The lanky stallion, Jackpot Slim. Knowing full well that his protectors are dead, He had nowhere left to go. She dashed toward him swiftly, pinning him up against the wall. Staring into his eyes, filled with terror, she made that sinister smile again.
"P-p-p-please!" He stuttered. "D-d-d-don't do this! I'll pay you anything! Anything!!! You name it, it's yours!"
"Thanks..." She muffled, knife still in her teeth. "...but no."
She had been walking back to Pontus's room to collect her payment. Her job was done; Jackpot Slim is dead, as well as both of his friends. Lightning Dust used the keys to unlock Jackpot's room door. She could have gone out in style, but didn't bother. She had sheathed her knife in its holster, and carried a purse of bits; Pontus's money, in her mouth Once she reached his room, she knocked three times and waited. Not a moment sooner, Pontus answered.
"You're back?" He asked. His crooked smile widened even further, "Excellent!"
"It's like you said: it was easy." Lightning answered. She handed him his pouch of bits.
"Many thanks, Lightning Dust!" The griffin then reached into his pouch, and handed her several bits.
"Don't mention it." Lightning slung off her satchel and placed her bits inside. As she was about to turn away, the griffin stopped her.
"Wait! I have something else for you." She figured she'd turn back, even though it might be another trap.
She rolled her eyes as she said: "What do ya got for me this time?"
Through his talons, he handed her something she's never seen before. It looked like a pair of armored boots, but with curved blades coming out from the sides like claws. They must have been gauntlets of some kind, but with blades. She grabbed them and decided to try them on. She slipped her front hooves in them easily; a perfect fit.
"I assumed you were getting tired of carrying that bloody knife," He explained, "so I thought it would be best you had something better fitted for your kind."
"What are they?" She felt the need to ask.
"Specialized hoof talons. I've smuggled them from an organization, which carries weapons like these. There's also a type specifically for earth ponies, but these however are fit for pegasi like yourself."
"An organization huh? Neat!"
"Take care, Lightning Dust. Also," He reminded himself, "now that you've completed your job for me, are you willing to take offers from others, to kill?"
She thought about it for a moment, and then made her final decision: "If it means earning tons of cash, then yes."
"And with those weapons, you'll be recognized as a mercenary by some. Take their offers, and you'll be rewarded."
With that said, she was on her way. But there was still one thought that came to her mind: Rainbow Dash. She'll have to train herself to use these weapons, but once she's perfected the use of her weapons, nothing will stand in her way.
I'm comin' for ya, Rainbow Dash! she thought darkly, And when I find you... you won't have a hope in tartarus!