//------------------------------//
// Dream Time Is Over 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	Somewhere...

Outside Atlantrot...

He touched down onto the highway with a flurry of gray feathers.  Digging his talons in the dirt, Romulus pivoted from the main city and turned—glaring—towards a rickety stagecoach parked along the side of the road.

A petite figure shuffled out, wearing a thick cloak.

Romulus trotted across the street, his tail whipping left and right at dragonflies and buzzing mosquitoes.

"Please..."  He rasped through a sharp beak.  "...tell me there's a reason why you dragged me all the way down to this sauna."

The figure lowered her hood, glaring across the way.  "I thought Don Canter was going to send one of his right hoof ponies," Sunset Shimmer said.

"I am the right hoof of Don Canter by now," Romulus said.  Schiiing!  He brandished several intimidating talons right in front of her face.  "And I share his impatience.  So, get to the point."

Sunset turned and whistled towards the carriage.  As two figures pulled out, she said, "I met a pair of stallions with something very interesting to share."

"I thought you were searching for the rainbow mare," Romulus slurred.  "Top Dog's friends in the underground said she had passed through here."

"I was searching for her."  Sunset smirked.  "And these two were who I found."  She turned towards the stallions.  "Tell them.  And make it quick."

A frazzled Flim and Flam shuffled up towards Romulus, bowing low.

"We heard that you were looking for Rainbow Dash..."

"And that you wanted to make an example of her..."

"Ruin her life...!"

"Crush her dreams...!"

Romulus sighed and waved a talon.  "All very good things, and basic means to an end."  His hawkeye glinted.  "She has several things that our employer wants, and he desires us to get them back from her... at all costs."

"Then we can help you get to her!" Flam exclaimed.  "You can get all you want... and more!"

"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific than that," Romulus grumbled, glancing at Sunset.  "We need substance."

"Do you, now?"  Flam grinned wickedly.  "We know where Rainbow Dash lives."

"And her friends," Flim added.

Romulus blinked.  He glanced over at Sunset, then back at the stallions.

Flam spat, "How's that for substance?!"