To Fulfill My Destiny

Interlude the First: Uprising

        A single stallion shivered and breathed out a visible cloud of warm air against the cold night as the heavy rain began to soak through his cheap cloak. The dark alley he stood in provided little respite from the large droplets and chilling wind, and only a little light shone into the alley; provided by a dim lamp post.

He slowly pivoted about, lightly splashing in a shallow puddle that had formed in the pavement. Impatience seeped under his skin alongside the wet and cold. Suddenly, his ears perked up at a noise behind him.

        “Hey, you!” a gruff, aggressive voice shouted. “Turn around, and don’t try anything funny; I’m armed!”

        “Good evening.” the stallion replied calmly, not complying with the request. “A bit wet to be out and about, don’t you think?”

        “Shut up! We can do this the easy way, or the hard way, and trust me, you want the easy way! Now, slowly turn around, and empty your cloak pockets!”

        “Friend, I’m afraid you are wasting your breath. I have nothing to share with you, tonight.” he replied.

        “I ain’t asking you to share! Now, I’m warning you one last time: turn around and empty your pockets, or I’ll-”

        “You’ll what?” the stallion interrupted, his voice soothing.

        He turned around slowly, his grey face hidden within the shadow that engulfed the entire alleyway.

        “What will you do, friend?” he continued, approaching the bandit slowly. “Will you cut out my throat? Gouge out my eyes? Slice my ears from my head? Stab my chest with a sword? And then, what? Calmly walk away with what little possessions I have on my person? Let me ask you something-”

        “Hey, stay back! I’m warning you!”

        The robber suddenly drew a small metal dagger from its’ sheath and held it threateningly in his mouth. The grey stallion still continued forward, closing the gap between them; his voice suddenly growing menacing.

        “Are you certain that you will be able to follow through on your big mouth and empty threats? Allow me to give you some advice: when you rob somepony in the middle of the night-”

        “That’s it!” the thief yelled, angrily, through his clenched teeth; preparing to charge.

        With a subtle click and a quiet wisp through the air behind him, the thief’s eyes suddenly widened in surprise and fear. Shortly after, he splashed to the ground with a horrible gurgling sound coming from his mouth.

Not batting an eye, the stallion approached the dimly lit alley entrance. He saw a pool of dark red mingle with the rainwater as it flowed into a drain, beginning from the thief’s neck where a short, deadly-looking arrow was lodged in; dead center through the spine.

        “-always be absolutely sure that you are alone. Rest in peace, friend.”

        Looking up, another cloaked and hooded, significantly larger figure approached from across the street and stood next to him.

        “Trouble?” the towering figure asked, holding up a rather complex cylindrical device that was secured around his right forearm. It appeared to be loaded with more of the short arrows.

        “Hardly, brother. Although I appreciate the gesture, I could have handled him adequately on my own.”The small stallion replied as he revealed his own arrow weapon secured to his own grey forehoof.

        “Hmph.” the brother grunted. “Well, I’ve gotten used to doing the dirty work, by now, and you were too busy monologuing, like normal. Besides, if you wanted to take care of the problem right away, you would have shot him, instead of waiting for me.”

        “Perhaps.” the grey stallion replied. “But, that is of no importance, right now.”

        “Whatever.” he mused. “What in heaven’s name are we doing out here, anyway, and this late at night?”

        “One of our agents sent word of important information that she claims to be of vital importance.”

        “She?” the brother inquired as he attempted to shake off some of the rainwater from under his drenched cloak. “Which agent?”

        The grey stallion flinched slightly at the extra water that detached from his brother and landed on his face, causing him to blink a few times before continuing.

        “Ahem... Surprisingly enough, the Ponyville agent. I received an encoded note by carrier pigeon that she was on her way, that it was important, where, and when, to meet.”

        The smaller pony took out a damp note from under his cloak and offered it to his larger counterpart. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, the larger stallion took it and began reading it in his head, mumbling a phrase or two under his breath.

        “What could our agent in Ponyville, of all places, have to report that couldn’t be sent by carrier pigeon as well?”

        “I suppose we shall find out.” the grey stallion replied. “Do not be so presumptuous, brother. Remember: Ponyville does house a select few... Important ponies. In the meantime, would you kindly dispose of this body?”

        “Hmph.” his brother grunted, clearly annoyed.

        After the body had been silently disposed into the city sewage system, the two stallions continued to wait for some time, getting all the more drenched. Both were growing impatient, but the larger was having trouble containing it. He paced about, staring daggers into the ground and shivering.

        “It is downright freezing, out here.” The grey pony pointed out, shivering involuntarily.

        The large pony stopped; turning his impatient glare onto his brother.

        “Oh, don’t even start.” he said, beginning to shiver as well. “I could have been home, getting the sleep that I need. Some of us do have actual paying jobs, you know.”

        The smaller brother looked offended at the comment.

        “Actual jobs? Need I remind you, brother, of the work we are doing, here? A lack of bits in my pocket, now, will pay off in the long run, when we have accomplished our goals.”

        “Pfft.” the larger retorted. “Your pocket? What about my pocket? I mean, seriously, now, how long do you think we can keep this up? Your ‘brilliant plans’ and ‘long-term goals’ are providing little of the return that you said they would.”

        “So, what, then? Are you going to abandon everything we have worked for?” the smaller confronted. “Do we settle back into our ‘normal lives’, instead of fighting for what is right and just?”

        “Of course not.” the larger replied, attempting to calm his impatience. “I’m just saying, if we don’t get a stroke of good luck soon, it might be time to rethink this whole... thing we have going on, here.”

        “We make our own luck.” the grey stallion rebutted.

 The two stood in silence for about another minute, the only sounds splashing around them were from the rain as it continued to bombard them from above. Their eyes scanned the empty street, looking for any sign of movement. They remained barely visible; hidden in the dimmest reaches of the light from the lamp post.

Suddenly, the larger of the brothers snapped his hooded head up and raised his hoof to signal for silence.

“What is it?” the smaller asked in a whisper.

“Someone is nearby...” he observed.

        “Where?”

        Before the question could be answered, two small arrows swiftly struck into each cloak of the brothers’ and lodged themselves into the ground. They flinched, attempting to pull away from their newfound prison, but found no freedom.

        “What the-” began the larger brother as he was interrupted by a swoosh that cut through the rain at an alarming speed. An aqua-coated and golden-maned pegasus swooped lowly through the air from behind them, landing in front of them with a splash.

        “Relax, boys: It’s just me.” the pegasus informed, shaking water from her wings and reloading her own arrow weapon.

        The grey stallion breathed out heavily in relief.

        “Ah, Miss Lightning Dust, you’ve finally arrived.” he greeted courteously. “I trust your trip was a safe one?”

        “I got here a while ago.” Lighting Dust replied nonchalantly. “I’ve been watching you two bitch and moan at each other from the rooftop, up there. Too bad you ended so quickly: I was about to get popcorn.”

        The larger brother took offense to Lighting’s rude words.

        “You watch your mouth-”

        “Calm down, brother.” the smaller replied. “I assume you have not met our Ponyville agent, yet.”

        “No, but I think I've learned all I need to know.” the larger replied, glaring from under his hood.

        “Aww, nice to meet you too!” Lightning Dust replied in mock kindness.

        After a brief staring contest, to which the larger brother eventually yielded, Lightning Dust turned her attention back to the smaller brother.

        “As much as I’d love to stay here in the rain and chat, I’d rather get straight to the matter-at-hoof.” she began, shaking more water from her wings. “Unless you want me to get Captain Tough Guy over here a ruler.”

        The larger stallion looked ready to crush Lighting Dust between his hooves, and he probably would have attempted to, had his brother not given him a restraining look. The two stallions finally turned their full attention to the waiting pegasus, though the larger kept an icy stare trained on Lightning Dust.

        “Of course.” the smaller stallion agreed apologetically. “What ‘important news’ do you bring us, all the way from Ponyville?”

        The mare smiled, pausing for a few moments before revealing what she knew.

        “The bearers of the Elements of Harmony have disappeared, and there is rumor that Princess Twilight has, as well. Equestria is now totally defenseless.”

        At this, the smaller stallion’s eyes widened and he held his mouth open, attempting to conjure up the words to voice his thoughts. The larger, however, did not change his glaring expression. Lightning Dust did not react to this and held her smile.

        “And you’re sure...” the smaller mused.

        “Positive. I was there when the five disappeared.” she confirmed. “They’ve attempted to lock down the town to prevent the news from spreading, but I slipped away before the Guard detachment could account for everypony. That was four days ago. Three days ago I met with our mutual friend in Canterlot to learn more: apparently, Twilight left in the middle of the Grand Galloping Gala and hasn’t been seen, since. Neither Princess Celestia, nor Princess Luna, have said anything. That’s when I sent the message ahead to meet with you; It was too sensitive to send in the message itself.”

        The smaller brother was lost in thought, as if he had shut the entire world out as Lightning Dust tapped her hoof impatiently and rolled her eyes.

        “So, yeah. I’m happy to bring this to you, and all, but I don’t work for free.” Lightning Dust pointed out. “Where’s my bits?”

        The larger was still burning with resentment, and her demand nearly made him lose control. He raised his voice considerably as he continued.

        “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your pretty little-”

        “Peace, brother.” the smaller interrupted, awaking from his trance. “Miss Dust has provided us with information that, well, to put it in your terms: brought us a ‘stroke of good luck’.”

        “I thought we made our own luck?” the larger challenged, reiterating his brother’s words.

        “Sometimes, it is given to us, and we should be grateful, for that.” he rebuked, before turning back to the still-waiting pegasus. “Miss Dust, I need to know everything you saw, and all that you have learned in these past few days, but not here.”

        He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch of golden bits, quickly tossing it over.

        “Find yourself a room at the Magic Carpet hotel, downtown. We will meet there, tomorrow night, and discuss this, further. After that, I will have another job for you.”

        Lightning Dust looked at the small pouch in disgust.

        “That’s it? You promised a heck of a lot more for information like this when I agreed to work for you!” she accused. “What the buck are you trying to pull?! ”

        “Yes, I promised more.” the smaller agreed. “But, if you agree to take this new job... Well, lets just say that your finances will not be of concern for the rest of your life. And, seeing as you have had a difficult time finding work after your escapade at the Wonderbolt academy, I think you may want to consider my offer, further.”

        Lighting Dust held a challenging, but intrigued stare. “What exactly are you asking?” she inquired.

        The grey stallion walked closer to Lightning Dust, pausing before continuing.

        “I need to know where Princess Twilight has... disappeared too. Find her.”

*        *        *