“So, how goes it?” Baki asked, a shark’s grin on his face. His horn was glowing, and he used his magic to levitate a comb that was brushing through his moustache.

“Almost complete.” Maki reported, a ghoulish grin on his face. “Although...it saddens me that the brats brought help to defeat our Sombra-castle...thing.” He frowned as he finished.

“How they beat it is still beyond me. All I know is those damn weapons grew to a size that I think puts the Titanic to shame.” Baki agreed, nodding as he went through his mane with the same comb.

“If Raki hadn’t turned on us like the bitch she was, we would’ve had the upper hoof.” Maki sighed, brow furrowing as the memory of that mare came into his mind.

“It’s beyond our control for the time being. Once we finish up with our little project, she’ll be ours again.” Baki stated, his eyes glinting momentarily. “But, we do know we’ve also begun invoking the bloody princesses, and the bearers of the so-called Elements of Harmony.” He added, now going through his tail with the comb. It was as if he tried looking his very best, regardless of whether or not he was evil.

“More like the whole damn nation.” Maki jabbed back, blinking. His horn glowed momentarily, and from nowhere came a cigar, which he then lit with the tip of the aforementioned horn and put into his mouth. He took a huff of smoke before sighing.

“Bah. Royal guards and their bullshit agenda.” Baki murmured, looking at his comrade as he said this. The blue unicorn noticed the cigar in his ally’s mouth. “Can I have one?” He asked.

“Why not?” Maki countered playfully, making another cigar appear from nowhere, lighting it with his horn, and handing it to his partner-in-crime.

Baki took a huff of smoke, closing his eyes briefly. “Mmm...my favorite flavor.” He murmured, opening his eyes again, and he shot a glance towards the dying fire. “Perhaps we should check on the project.” He said.

“Physically, sexually, or ability-wise?” Maki asked, brow arched.

“All three of them, in that exact order.” Baki replied, grinning as he took another huff of smoke. He turned away from the fire and began to trot into the darkness, his subordinate following suit. A navy light was cast from the horn of the makeshift leader, and a long, dark, dank corridor of stone awaited them patiently. Their hoofsteps echoed in the surrounding world of black, occasionally accompanied by faint drip-drops of water.

The two took a sharp right, the stones here glistening more than the previous set. There were some puddles here too, so they naturally splashed in them as they continued on their merry way. At the end of this hallway, a set of stairs greeted them. This one was accompanied by a hefty few lanterns that seemed to spur to life on their own as the two unicorns passed. Tentatively, the steps were descended upon, and what greeted them at the bottom of this flight was another stone corridor that lacked the puddles of water.

“The project is locked in the dungeon, right?” Baki asked, turning to his fellow as he spoke.

“Yes.” Maki replied quickly. “Chains and everything.”

“Very well, then.” Baki said, smiling wickedly as he turned back to the path before him. He resumed trotting down the hallway, hoofsteps echoing in a hollow manner as he and his friend went, before making a left down another. Here, they heard the distinct and faint sound of a mare sobbing. The two quickened their pace upon hearing that sound, and as they drew closer to their destination, the sound grew disturbingly louder. More distinct. Hauntingly mind-grating for any other pony who traversed these halls.

But these two were little deterred by that sound. For them, it was a sick form of music. At last, another set of stairs greeted them, this one turning a solid 180 halfway down. They descended the flight, finding the eerie hallway lined with multitudes upon multitudes of iron cage-doors adorning either side. A trail of blood, this one days old, extended beyond Baki’s light into the darkness.

As their first hoofsteps here echoed, the sobbing suddenly stopped in a heartbeat. Whatever was here had been made aware of their presence by the echoing hooves alone.

“Well, now, she knows how to behave.” Maki stated, grinning maliciously.

“Perhaps it’ll be a lot easier assessing her this time around.” Baki agreed, the shark’s smile returning to his muzzle.

“But, as always, chains are imperative.” Maki replied, still smiling. As if on cue, whatever was here had shifted, and with that shifting came the tell-tale cling-clang of iron shackles and steel chains.

“No...please...I don’t want to be tested again…” Pleaded a mare’s voice, riddled with fright and sobs. More chains clinked and clanked as the owner shifted again. “Please….no…”

“Too bad, deary. You’re ours now to do with as we please.” Baki hissed, following the trail of blood intently. Maki followed close behind, his member already protruding from between his rear legs.

“No!” Cried the mare’s voice, followed by more clinking of shackles.

“The more you protest, the more bruises will land on your body!” Maki yelled at the top of his lungs, his shout echoing down the hall. “It sounds like you want the punishment to come early!”

The mare’s voice fell silent, and so did the shackles. The trail of blood suddenly cut sharply to the right, leading straight to a cell. The two unicorns had stopped as well, turning to that cell. Behind the bars, barely visible, was a set of eyes with no sclera, pupils, or irises; they were all but a soft glowing bronze in hue. Tears trickled down the face these eyes were plastered upon, glistening thanks to the navy light.

“Please...no…” Pleaded the voice again, tear-riddled eyes slanting into a sad look.

Author's Note

Oh jesus, what the hell are those two working on?

~Dragon