Hoofsteps thudded dully against the cold stone. There was a menacing chill in the air. As the pony rounded the bend in the tunnel, she was met by an unmoving silhouette.
"Your late," the silhouette stepped into light, revealing her features. She was a coal black pony, her azure mane pinned up on her head in a neat bun. Curls framed her face, imposing a regal look.
"I had things to attend to, sister of mine. But I am here now," the other pony retorted. Unlike her sister, the thin strands of her mane dangled lifelessly over her body. She too, had a black coat but it wasn't well groomed, like her sister's. She had a sickly look about her. The regal pony nodded curtly.
"Listen carefully, Chrysalis. There is a pony, a messanger. Nothing important, but she knows to much. I was tired, so tired and I became careless. She will have to be disposed of, otherwise our cover is likely to be blown," the regal pony explained in a hushed whisper.
"Fool!" Chrysalis spat after a short pause, "You should have been more careful, Sinister!" It felt good to scold her sister, after all, it wasn't an opportunity that arised often.
"Without me, you are nothing! Now cease with your insults and help me with this problem. It affects me just as much as you." Sinister snapped back. She was annoyed at both herself and her sister. How could she be so foolish and how dare her lowly sister scorn at her. Chrysalis took several deep breaths, calming herself. Her sister was right. Without her, she was nothing. She would have nothing and would be weak, so weak.
"What is your plan?" she asked, anger replaced with curiosity.
"I cannot just creep up behind her and dispose of her, we must try a more subtle approach, otherwise, it will just stir up more suspicion." Sinister stared into space thoughtfully. It would be simple to do it as soon as possible but if her approach to the problem wasn't planned carefully, many things could go wrong.
Chrysalis stamped her hoof impatiently, her anger building up again.
"I do not have time for this, sister!" she shouted. She had things to take care of. Besides, it was not her fault that her sister had been caught, it had been her own foolishness.
"Hush now, do you want to get overheard?" Sinister shook her head in disgust, "There is a wedding in three weeks time. The wedding of Shining Armour and Cadance. They are important ponies. Shining Armour is the head of the royal guard and Cadance is a princess," she explained.
"I do not see where this is heading." Chrysalis interrupted.
"You can be most annoying at times. Cease talking and listen. Life has been most boring these past weeks. I do need entertainment at times. I want you, sister, to stir up some trouble with the wedding. It will be most interesting to see what you can come up with. While you are causing much commotion and fuss, I will simply do my job with that dastardly messenger."
"A perfect cover up," Chrysalis pondered "The other ponies will never suspect a murder but they will just assume she was a victim of the..." she trailed off. An idea was forming in her head, one that would exceed her sister's standards by far.
"Sister, I have the most brilliant idea. Brilliantly entertaining, brilliantly fatal," Chrysalis smiled thinly.
"What is it?" Although her sister was slightly thoughtless and irritating at times, when she had ideas, they were always good, especially when they were unpleasant ones.
"What's in it for me?" The question was asked and almost immediately, the atmosphere become hostile.
"What do you mean?" Sinister spluttered. She narrowed her eyes in anger and confusion.
"You know what I mean. What do I get after all this trouble?" Chrysalis smiled smugly. Yes, she wouldn't just grant her sister a favour for nothing in return. She would finally get her equal share! Finally show her sister what it was like being "the other pony who didn't matter."
"There is much love in Equestria," Sinister finally offered after a hesitant pause. She wasn't happy about her sister demanding a reward but she couldn't afford her own sister to turn on her.
"I will give you permission," she said putting an emphasise on the last word, "for you to feed on the love in the time that you are helping me sort out this dilemma," she chose her words carefully.
Chrysalis was silent for a few moments.
"Alright, I'll help you," she said, satisfied.
"You fail to realize that this is a great privilege that I am granting you, sister. You are lucky to have someone as generous as me in your life," Sinister pushed on. Chrysalis's eyes flashed with renewed anger. Generous? More like "bloated ego".
"I am your sister! I will treat you with as must respect as you treat me," Chrysalis shouted. Sinister was caught unprepared and took a few steps back at her sister's anger. She regained her composure. How dare she? How dare she even suggest that! She would show Chrysalis.
"That would usually be the case," she took a few daunting steps toward her sister who took a few steps back. She was beginning to regret her sudden outburst.
"It would be the case if we were equal," Sinister took a few more steps which lead to Chrysalis to cower on the stone wall.
"Please sister, forgive me," she said, her words barely audible. She was sweating and her breathing was harsh and came in quick breaths.
"But we are not," Sinister pressed on, ignoring her sister's pleading.
"Please, please, please," Chrysalis whispered. The thing she feared more than anything in the world was her sister's wrath.
"I am much more powerful than you. So much more," Sinister raised her voice.
"I can do this..." a bolt of lightning struck Chrysalis. She shrieked and writhed in pain. She felt a sharp burning sensation on her flank. She forced herslef to stare straight ahead and not look at the wound.
"I am very upset that we depart under such circumstances," Sinister mocked, "Remember our deal, sister, do not forget. Or you will suffer." She turned her back and began to stalk away. Her features were twisted into a cruel smile.
She was so caught up in her satisfaction and amusement that she did not hear her sister's low murmuring.
"I will arise. Ponies will bow in respect and fear. I shall make her suffer, so much. I will show her pain."