The heavily persistent rain poured onto the streets of Berlin on a Sunday night. It was past midnight, and all the residents of the nearby docks were not to become spectators of the encroaching events that were about to happen, for everyone was held dear by the warm comfort of their homes, while those who were expected to endure the harshness of the outside world proceeded with their nocturnal activities.

The chill from the black limousine's window wafted back towards Twilight's blushing face. It was not the rain that had her fidgeting with her pencil skirt, for it was the grim of the unknown that had her mind racing since the beginning of the venture. Though, she fought to restrain herself from revealing her nervousness in such a prestigious presence seated just across her.

For Twilight, it was almost terrifying to see a man so calm in a chaotic world. He never once fidgeted in his place, only the occasional turn of his head to face the window, seeing nothing but the fog and condensation that masked the view to the outside. Once or twice, he offered Twilight a vague but reassuring gaze. But that never eased her growing agitation.

The limousine rolled under a suspended roof that could barely keep the ground underneath dry from the downpour. A gentleman with an umbrella opened the door for Twilight, and assisted her on her way out. The old man came out of the vehicle next, equipped with his own umbrella, and later insisted to the other gentleman to let the young girl have her own.

Beyond the leaky parking spot, just before one could reach the edge, there stood two other familiar gentlemen with their own umbrellas, both positioned at either side of a kneeling figure.

Twilight's knees were locked in place for a second, but a hand behind her back gently urged her to move forward. And so she did, ignoring the puddle soaking her feet with each step. Her grip around her umbrella tightened as she and the old man approached the three figures at the edge of the dock.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked timidly.

"Do you recognize this man, Twilight?" Sombra asked, his eyes firmly fixed at the man kneeling before them.

Twilight looked again through her soaked specs. She swallowed as she tried to even her nervous breathing. "Yes."

The man was tied down, preventing him from any physical and verbal protests. He barely raised his head to acknowledge Twilight and Sombra's arrival, instead he hung his head low out of evident shame and fear.

"And what did he do to you?"

Sombra's question transported Twilight back to a horrendous time in her life. She remembered a year of complete and utter grief, loneliness and the need for comfort and consolation, the growing struggle to balance her work, the false hope given to her by someone who lied to her, and the unforgettable mistreatment that made her sick for days and nights on end.

"He hurt me."

"This man lived his life feeding off of others' labor. He failed to serve his purpose in our society countless times, and went his way to hide in the mud." Sombra said, the resentment in his tone was apparent. And with each word, the man kneeling before him squirmed like a turtle in its shell. "You insult me. You really thought that I would never plunge my hands into the filth to drag you back out here."

No one, not even Twilight uttered a word after that. Though she was shaking with hatred and fear, Sombra's presence demanded silence and every soul's utmost attention.

"Now, you went so far as to ruin this young woman. Society has dictated men how to act on their personal desires, but you? You are less of a man as you are less deserving of standing in front of The Court. You are a dog."

The man trembled in horror when Sombra fished out the revolver from his coat.

"I will make an exception just this once." Confusion and icy blood struck Twilight's very core when Sombra offered her the revolver. "Just this once."

"Sir, I…"

"I am offering you a path, Twilight. Take this and make the choice to stand above the injustices of this world," Sombra looked down at the man, judgement flaring from his green eyes. "Above those void of ambition and greatness."

He turned his eyes back to the girl. "Or you can go back out there, searching for a purpose like a dreamer running after the clouds."

Twilight eyed the gun with great hesitance. Her fingers were surely compelled to reach for it, but the thought of handling one made her stomach churn. "You're asking me to shoot this man."

"His guilt has been determined."

"But why me?!" Twilight pleaded, panic glistening in her eyes.

Even then, Sombra was calm as ever. "When you came to the university here in Berlin, you inspired many students and professionals in the field. Everyone knew that you worked that hardest. You were exemplary. But life subjected you to its inequities and I saw how much you sought for something that was meant to elevate you to a greater path. Greater than loneliness, grief, false affection, senseless violence, greater than being plunged down into the filth along with people like him."

Twilight's chest swelled with emotions she did not know still existed inside her, that she could not prevent herself from shedding a tear at Sombra's endearing words.

"I am not forcing you to make these decisions. The choice is always yours."

Twilight looked at the revolver one more time before slowly and carefully pulling it from Sombra's hand. "There is no turning back, is there?"

"The best of us never do."

Twilight contemplated while she stared at the revolver in her hand. What life would she have had back in Canterlot if she chose to stay for the sake of it after all that was lost? Must be nothing but pain and tragedy. And if the grief and anguish would not kill her like it killed her mother, what would? She was tired of looking for second chances at dead places. Maybe it was better to leave it all behind.

Now all that was left to do was to make sure to leave no loose ends. It was what she thought she deserved most at the moment.

Twilight did not close her eyes when she pulled the trigger that night. Every second of it felt slow and quick at the same time. She dropped her umbrella and let the rain baptize her entirely.

It was nearly six in the evening and members of The Court had gathered around at the hearing hall to witness the highly anticipated events. Surrounding the large round table were enormous screens that occupied entire walls, with each producing informational graphics, and all pertaining to tonight's mission, one that Sombra had surely turned into something overly sensational.

"Now, we have fully operational communication systems, direct visual surveillance from Sunset and Twilight, as shown here in the live feed. And over here we have a full view of her cranial activities. In case something intervenes with that, we have full control to regulate her cranial flow. Now I also have to point out that they are about to enter clandestine grounds. We have no existing maps of the structure until Sunset and Twilight has finally entered the premises."

Vanta reached for the keyboard in front of him and pressed the button that highlighted a satellite image, showing Twilight and Sunset's current whereabouts.

"The chopper's about to drop them off within ten minutes. Once they get to Canterlot's Celestial Tower, a service will transfer them to Club Andromeda." Vanta said. "Upon arrival, communication systems will be online."

While the rest of The Court remained seated around the table, it was Vanta and Sombra who stood behind all of them as the ultimate supervisors, both focused but not equally as enthusiastic as the other.

"Just like old times, eh?" Sombra whispered as he leaned closer to the other man.

"From headbutting with the underworld's filthiest factions, to sitting behind screens while we wait for the remaining years to eat us all away. Funny how that is." Vanta said.

"Cheer up. Your gloom is killing off tonight's excitement." Sombra chuckled.

"The experience of animosity never ages well, Sombra. Sometimes, you'd just want this all to be over and done with."

"Ah yes." Sombra sighed. "Days are getting slower and slower. At this rate, we might as well throw ourselves into a hurricane to get a little bit of fun."

Vanta merely shook his head at the comment. One of the live feeds on the screen showed a view of Twilight's back as both girls walked away from the chopper.

"The girls are almost there." Sombra announced quietly.

"Pairing those two might just be the most poorly conceived decision you've ever made, and somehow I think you're doing it on purpose."

As Vanta expected, Sombra gave no violent reaction to his bold remark. The old man had been as composed as an undisturbed river since it all began.

"And I should also keep you in check. You could have sent any of our Dark Horse to accompany Sunset Shimmer. Twilight being out there just seems too risky."

"You worry about your apprentice, I worry about mine." Sombra pressed, giving Vanta a stern side-glance.

"Oh, it's not the girls that I'm concerned about, my friend. I'm concerned about the way you're treating this mission." Vanta said, his voice quieter than before.

"Get to the point."

"This is more than just a mission. This is a test run."

There was a sense of lingering madness and dread radiating within the ever thriving city of Canterlot after the carnage that plagued its citizens not so long ago. Twilight took the chance to take a moment and sink it all in; the feeling of nostalgia, or was it the unwanted obligation of recognizing what she had left behind. Though maybe it was a mixture of both, depending on which weighed more in her heart.

Meanwhile, Sunset chose to avert her attention from Twilight. There was still that nagging feeling inside her, and she knew exactly what it was. There was so much to say, and yet not enough chances. Still, the distractions outside her window kept her at ease for the time being.

As for Twilight, it was just another one of those nights that she was required to get through. She had to remind herself over and over again every time she saw the completely unrestrained look on the redhead's face, that Sunset was indeed the monster that nearly burned Canterlot to the ground.

And she wasn't anything beyond that.

At last, the two finally arrived at the unassuming entrance of the infamous Club Andromeda. Both girls hopped out of the car and allowed the silence to settle around the vicinity. Meanwhile, Sunset could not help but grin at the memories surrounding the club, and the irony that came with them.

"Funny." She chortled, hoping she would ease the ever growing tension between the two of them. "I burned several crime hotspots in Canterlot but this one."

Twilight merely deadpanned at the redhead before she handed out a small plastic container. Sunset looked at it with false intrigue, then back at Twilight who was now impatiently tapping her shoe on the ground.

"What's this?" Sunset asked as she took the object. With the lack of response, she decided to examine it herself.

"Contact lenses." Sunset snorted, carelessly picking up the object between her fingers.

"Put it on. We have strict orders not to draw attention to ourselves…"

"Heard that one already." Sunset muttered under her breath.

"... And we can't have the public see you with that." Twilight continued as she pointed towards Sunset's crimson eye.

"Yeah, alright." Sunset said, quickly putting the contact lense into her crimson eye. With a few adjustive blinks, a normal set of eyes came to view and Sunset began showing them off to Twilight. "Well?"

There was short a moment when Twilight went still, as if she was astonished by what she just saw. But just before Sunset could make her remark, Twilight shifted back to her usual cold demeanor, and broke their eye contact before reaching for her earpiece.

"All communication systems are online." Vanta announced. "Twilight, Sunset, do you read?"

"We are here at the entrance of Club Andromeda," Twilight responded. "We are ready to proceed."

"Proceed with stealth and caution. Remember, the objective is to find the laboratory, take the samples and leave."

"Wait, so we're not gonna destroy the lab?" Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Negative. The area is currently occupied by civilians. This mission must be contained."

"Well, shit. Even after what happened, these people still know how to party, huh?" Sunset remarked.

"You will not engage, Sunset. Do you hear me?"

"What about potential disruptions?" Twilight asked.

"You will only engage if The Court orders you so. Do you two understand?"

"Copy."

"Roger that, maestro."

And so the two girls strutted down into the hidden place of Club Andromeda. Once they set foot on the other side of the door, a whole new world welcomed them. From the electrifying strobe lights, to the bombastic beats of the heavy music emanating throughout the place, down to its ecstatic, drunken and possibly high customers raving about at the center of the dance floor, the heat and the smell of it all nearly came off as alarming but Twilight slowly managed to adjust into the setting, without of course ignoring the perils hiding in its fine qualities.

Her advertance was only interrupted when Sunset decided to speak close to her ear. "Too much for your taste?"

Twilight clenched her jaw, restraining herself from showing any sign of predictability. "What makes you think that?"

Sunset cocked her head to the side. "I know that look. I figured that this is your first time coming to a place like this."

"Huh." Twilight nodded in mocking recognition. "And does that give you some kind of leverage because you think that maybe I'm unable to handle being here and you can?"

Sunset merely smiled. But Twilight was not dumb enough to bite off of that.

"Don't make a fool out of yourself." Twilight said, walking off. "The lab is located just underneath. We have to find the passage."

"Welcome back to the land of opportunity." A familiar voice rang through Sunset's ears louder than the beats of the music, before fully manifesting into a familiar face before her eyes. "Hello, my favorite bacon strip. You're looking fabulous tonight."

What the hell do you want?

"Oh, nothing." Flamepuff giggled. "Just here, checking you out while you're on a killer date with The Court's darling!"

Killer date. Sure. If I'm lucky I might keep my head at the end of this and not have my kneecaps crushed by a damn crowbar.

"Oh, stop it. You're giving me nostalgia!" Flamepuff squealed. "Ya know what? I have a feeling that this night might end deliciously for you both. Not that I'm getting your hopes up. I mean she clearly hates you with passion."

Thanks. Now, why don't you just leave me alone since you've been pretty good at it.

"Hey! It's not my fault that you were so occupied!"

Fuck. Off.

Sunset stopped in her tracks when intricate pictures of maps came scrambling about in her head, all of them so vivid it nearly convinced her that they manifested before her eyes.

After a few seconds, Sunset wobbled in her place, released from the unseen forces that subjugated her into absorbing all that data and information in her head. Twilight looked at her, not out of concern but out of bafflement.

"What is it?"

Sunset blinked a few more times and pressed her hand against her temple before facing the confused girl. But Vanta offered the explanation before the redhead had the chance to attempt.

"We have a partial image of the club's structure. The passage is located inside the storage room at the left side of the building. You'll find a narrow corridor which then will lead you to the storage room."

"Well, that was easier than expected." Sunset exclaimed, beaming like a child. "Can you give us the code to the vault?"

"The passage to the laboratory has a built-in biometric security system."

Both girls slumped their shoulders at the affirmation, followed by their own choice of colorful expletives, dissipating their little celebration.

"Well, fuck. Can someone hack pass it?" Sunset asked, though she was convinced that the following answer would only disappoint her.

"Negative. You need to find an authorized personnel to get through there."

"There's approximately less than a hundred or two people inside this club." Twilight thought aloud as she looked about the place, packed to the brim with its lust driven patrons. "We could try the staff..."

"No." Sunset shook her head. "If they're conducting secret experiments under Nimbus' authority, then it has to be one of his trusted lackeys."

"Seems plausible." Twilight said. "I can run a scan for identification." She pointed to her glasses.

"Or I can just smell them." Sunset suggested, before realizing how silly it must've sounded by saying it outloud.

Twilight paused and looked at her with ridicule. "Your senses will only be hindered by the strong narcotic vapor in the air. There's no way you can possibly sniff through these many people without drugging yourself up."

"Well, you seem to be more familiar with my own body than I am."

"Oh, I can provide you with all of the conclusive data."

"We do not have time for bickering, girls. Compose yourselves and focus on the mission."

"Apologies, Sombra." Twilight said as she gave Sunset a sharp glare.

The two turned their attention back towards the main dance floor, where they were once again greeted by earthly delights, everyone exuding with so much unhinged excitement that it would most certainly frighten those who came unprepared and sober.

"You know, between you and me, there's certainly one person that has more experience around these kinds of people. You think you can keep up?"

Twilight looked at Sunset and scoffed, "Oh, don't think so lowly of me just because you've never seen me waste my nights at places like this."

Sunset looked past Twilight's shoulder. "Maybe. But now's probably the time for you to prove how well you can handle the pressure."

"You think we're playing some sort of game here?" Twilight said, eyes furrowing.

"If that's how you want it to be." Sunset said, beckoning Twilight to look behind her. "See that blue haired chick, just beside those two other men?"

"What about her?"

"Might interest you."

With her curiosity getting the best of her, Twilight turned her eyes towards the dance floor and allowed her glasses to run a scan on the aforementioned subject. Information quickly popped into view, identifying the girl as Azure; eighteen years of age, Canterlot's police classified her as a wanted felon for harboring Sunset, among other crimes committed such as drug abuse, robbery, illegal possession of firearms, but none indicating her direct participation with any of Nimbus' operations.

"Nothing." Twilight said, unbothered and unimpressed. She swivelled back to face Sunset again. "She has nothing. Just another angel with a broken halo thanks to you."

"Yikes. Now I feel threatened about my security." Sunset fake squealed.

"I can assure you, we never took any delight in it." Twilight said flatly.

"Sure, you didn't." Sunset mumbled, smirking. "Vanta, do we have a list of Nimbus' closest pals?"

"Yes. I can transfer the list to your database."

"No. I think Twilight needs it more than I do."

Before Twilight could even question or protest, a collection of data began appearing on her lenses.

"So, found anyone that might help us?" Sunset asked, her smirk growing more conniving.

"A few subjects. Since almost half of them are already dead." Twilight said. "Rave Shackles, twenty three years of age and the watcher of Nimbus' most valuable money making sector; Club Andromeda. And if I'm not mistaken, he could also be the organizer of the experiments."

"Then it shouldn't be that hard to spot him." Sunset raised her head, nodding at the elevated platform to their right just beyond the dance floor. "Red tables. That's where the rich kids usually sit all night. Since they're the only ones who can afford it."

Twilight followed the given trajectory and began scanning every person that occupied the tables. There she saw the youthful man with silver white hair, highlighted with wild streaks of indigo. It was a match.

"Found him." Twilight said. "We have to bring him down to our level." She pulled out a small pellet from her jacket, shiny and prussian in color. "If I can get to him and give him this, it'll release a special type of aerosol. I can persuade him to open that vault for us. His memories will be completely wiped out by the time we're done."

"No, I don't think that's the correct approach here." Sunset pointed towards the table again, referring to the two larger men in suits standing behind Rave, to which Twilight followed. "See those two? There's no bribe in the world that'll convince them to let you near the guy. Plus, Rave isn't the type of person who'll be too interested in your special 'ecstacy' or even you."

"Why? Have you met him personally?" Twilight questioned, pocketing the pellet.

"Didn't have a file of him when I was planning to destroy Canterlot, so no. I haven't."

"Then how can you be so sure?" Twilight said, eyeing the redhead distrustfully.

"You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at the way they sit or where they're sitting in."

Sunset urged Twilight to observe the scene carefully. There were five other men seated at the red table, all of them a decade older, and clearly intoxicated, complete with their own bottles and a girl on each of their laps, beaming about unshared topics that have brought momentum to their conversation. Rave, however, had a fixed expression on his face, and while it may seem like he shared his companion's interests, it would appear that his focus on other subjects were much greater than booze or women. There was no mistaking that he was the dominant figure among all of them. And he wasn't to be touched.

Although impressed by the display of advertancy and the confidence in the way it was exhibited, Twilight could not offer her compliments. "Since when did you take an interest in ethology?"

"I think it's a talent of mine that I've perfected ever since I wasn't allowed to beat people into admission." Sunset beamed as she pointed to her head. "But maybe also because I've spent a lot of my time alone at clubs, with that time spent trying to know people's stories without asking for them."

Twilight nodded as her gaze bore into those untrustworthy cyan orbs. "Right. But we still have to get his print."

"Oh, not to worry." Sunset said. "We have another option." She darted a thumb to the blue haired girl on the dancefloor.

"Her again? What makes her so special?" Twilight asked, gradually getting annoyed.

"Nimbus lost a lot of blood. He doesn't have enough bodies to carry his crumbling, if not dying operation. And the experiments are probably the only thing left that has great significance to him. That would require a lot of attention from the few people he trusts."

"And you think that a smart man like him would want to put his trust on some wasted kid?"

"Desperate man." Sunset corrected. "Rave Shackles is someone who won't take bullshit from anyone. Azure on the other hand, is gullible. As bitchy as she may seem. Between the two of them, she's the easier target."

Twilight raised her hands. "Let's put some things into consideration first. What if you're wrong about Azure? What if she can't help us?"

"Just trust me." Sunset pressed.

Twilight scoffed. "Trust you?"

"I know her better than anyone." Sunset argued. "And that's enough reason for you to trust my judgement. After all, you can take partial credit for every smart move I make since it's all influenced by your little programming. Or, you know, maybe it's just me. And that maybe you should at least acknowledge that."

While the fair distance between them was maintained to a tolerable degree, the tension emanating from the sheer intensity of their locked gaze was almost excruciating for Twilight, and that it threatened her into submission. But instead, she created a compromise out of bitter acceptance, as she put into consideration that The Court was watching them both with their own judgements at hand.

"Very well," she finally said, folding her arms to her chest. "We still have one concern; Azure betrayed you. How do you expect her to cooperate now, assuming you can still sway her?"

That smile of pure confidence made a return to Sunset's lips, and Twilight already developed a great disdain towards it.

"Oh, I won't do anything. She's all yours."

Twilight blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You, Sombra's little darling, have the opportunity to act as the club's casual patron, looking for someone worthy enough to spend her night with. And besides, you have your crazy drugs with you."

"Oh, you cannot be serious." Twilight groaned.

"What? It's brilliant." Sunset spread her arms as if demanding for some concession, something that Twilight would not even entertain for the sake of vanity.

"Let me repeat what you're suggesting. You want me to go out there and drug a small-time underworld vixen?"

"The girl's already drunk up her ass. This is an easy case. All you gotta do is charm her, make her say a few things and if she gives any confirmation then boom! You can have her sniff some of that delicious drug and open the vault for us. Don't worry. If you want, we can both charm her, with you over there and me right here." Sunset said then pointed to her earpiece.

Twilight could not resist a look of pure disbelief when she saw the victorious smile on Sunset's face. Fortunately, Twilight was not one to withdraw from challenges. Aware that she was officially carrying The Court's name on her shoulders, with Sombra being the one that made her emissary.

"Fine. I'll do it. But this is not to play your game."

"You're… you're good?" Sunset could barely choke out the words when Twilight pulled out a cigarette from her jacket, in a way that made it seem like she was so accustomed to doing. Twilight could smile at the sight of the redhead's priceless expression, but chose not to. No way she would give her that satisfaction.

"Twilight."

Sombra's nagging voice didn't seem to throw her off. "Surely, I'm allowed to blend in with these people. If I'm going to approach one of them."

"Very well. But remember, young lady, I will be confiscating every pack."

"That's one reason to savor this then." Twilight said wryly, puffing as many rings of clouds into the air, all while making sure she was prepared to sit through another one of Sombra's lectures once this was all over.

Sunset obviously heard it, so she smiled. A little bit of the rebellious side was a quality that Twilight rarely exhibited but was always a treat to see.

Twilight strutted off to the dance floor with her cigarette pressed between her lips, with Sunset promising to stand guard and keep her senses alert, neglecting the fact that the air had the potential of threatening her into a dazed state. She sat and leaned against the countertop, facing the wild mass of bodies engulfed by the kaleidoscopic lights and shadows. The redhead's eyes never left Twilight's form, now sneaking her way into the crowd, and slowly getting closer to Azure.

Not before long, Azure bumped into Twilight and was caught in her gaze. Even from afar, Sunset could tell that the younger girl was intoxicated, judging by the lopsided smile on her face. Just as she thought. Twilight encouraged Azure to continue dancing without a word, as she too began bopping to the music.

Sunset watched the two girls dance together. A funny sight to see, it was. She could not resist a snicker escape her when she realized she wasn't even jealous, and instead she was deeply amused by it all. And oh, how she wished that The Court would grant her the chance to down a few shots.

"Ain't that a sight for sore eyes?" Flamepuff giggled into her ear. "Who would have thought that Sombra's little princess has her own secret venom? Now, you're just wishing she'd bite you too."

Sunset watched as Azure sneaked her arms around Twilight's shoulders. There saw a sudden pause, but Sunset was both relieved, and dare she say proud, when Twilight decided to return the gesture by pulling Azure closer by the waist. Although no matter how impressive it was for Twilight to put up an act, deep down, whether it was by intuition or mere observation, Sunset came to the conclusion that the girl absolutely hated every second of it. And knowing that gave Sunset all the amusement she wanted.

"Nice job, princess." She called. "When you're done, how 'bout you buy her a drink. See if she can hold a good conversation."

Sunset waited for a sign of acknowledgment from the girl, but it seemed like she was too busy dancing with the other in her arms. Sunset let out a sigh, kept her eyes and ears peeled for any signs of distress.

"Might wanna check up on Twilight, bacon strip. You don't wanna stay here for longer than intended." Flamepuff said.

Huh. That's odd. The last time there was any sign of danger, you were so damn excited and couldn't wait to throw me into situations where I'd get my head blown to bits.

Flamepuff did not bother to answer and it was not long until Sunset realized he'd already vanished.

Well, I guess we know who's the fucking pussy now.

While Sunset sulked by the counter, the heat and pressure on the dance floor had only continued to escalate. To Twilight, nothing was more alienating than coming to a loud club, surrounded by intoxicated strangers, and pretending to enjoy every second of that visit. By that moment, the amount of alcohol Azure had consumed before their dance was surely enough to allay any suspicion. She was so drunk that she could barely recognize the critical glare behind Twilight's specs.

Azure leaned close to her. "Thanks for saving me from those creeps." She whispered into her ear.

Twilight forced a small laugh, blowing little puffs of smoke from her cigarette. "No offense. You don't seem like the kind of girl who needed saving."

"Okay. Then why did you drag me out here?"

"Do we even need any real reason for doing anything in this place?" Twilight replied casually with a light shrug. She had to resist a scowl after hearing Sunset's snicker.

"Hmm. Touché." Azure smirked.

Twilight leaned closer. "Let me buy you a drink." She offered, side-glancing Sunset from afar.

Not bad, Sunset mouthed.

Twilight gently dragged Azure away from the dance floor and towards the counter. Both of them took the seats far enough where Sunset could still see them.

"Haven't seen you around here before." Azure began with a crooked smile.

"Oh, yeah. It's my first time here, really." Twilight said, nonchalantly resting her elbow against the countertop. "A couple of friends recommended this club to me a few times. I figured I should see the hype for myself."

"You're not from around here, are you? Canterlot, I mean." Azure asked after accepting the shot of vodka from the bartender.

"And you can tell?"

"Canterlot isn't everyone's go-to place when it comes to entertainment as of late. The city's gone through some bad shit. But I guess it's not bad enough to scare away its thrill-seeking and foreign customers. Such as yourself."

"Oh, I don't know about that."

"Not to creep you out, but you look and smell like someone really important too." Azure said before downing her drink in one go.

"Then I'm betting you know a lot of important people as well." Twilight said in hopes to spark something in their conversation.

"That depends. I mean, I know a lot of dead important people." Azure shrugged.

Twilight paused. "Oh. Really?"

Azure quickly raised her hand. "I'm a huge history buff." She said, chuckling. "Azure, by the way."

Twilight eyed Azure with careful intent before proceeding, "Shade."

"Shade." Azure repeated with a smile. "So, how do you like the club so far?"

"Well, it's surely not like the ones I'm used to." Twilight said, flicking off the tip of her cigarette. "This one's got a real sense of danger etched in every inch of its structure."

There was a twitch in Azure's eye after the dubious comment, and Twilight took note of this.

"How ironic." Azure said. "Do not be fooled by the bright colors and the fun that this place offers. Especially not in this fucked up city."

"Perhaps people are just attracted to the unusual." Twilight encouraged, offering another drink to Azure, which she absentmindedly accepted. "There's something about insanity that draws specific people in."

"Oh, believe me. The important people that I know each have their different doses of insanity." Azure said, after downing another shot. Her eyes glistened in a way as if she was unsettled by some unspoken thought. "Some might have overdosed themselves more than others."

"Seems like you've taken some of the doses yourself."

Azure let out a brief chuckle. "You're saying that I'm important or insane?"

"You tell me." Twilight said, her tone apathetic this time. She raised the pellet in front of Azure's face and broke it in half.

"I… I'm one of them now." Azure said, sitting in a daze with her eyes wandering about aimlessly, reverting back into a lost and confused child. "They're doing something. Something they said was gonna be… I don't like it but… I have no choice."

"Can you open the door?" Twilight whispered as she leaned closer to the girl. Azure didn't respond. She just scrunched her face as if she was in pain.

"What's wrong?" Sunset asked, perking up from her seat.

Twilight firmly grabbed Azure's shoulder and shook her out of her aimless trance. "Answer me. Can you open it?"

Azure opened her eyes again and presented them to Twilight. "Yes. Yes I can."

For a moment, relief and triumph washed over the two girls. More importantly, Sunset felt the most victorious. But it wasn't the time to gloat.

Twilight let go of Azure. "Show me." She ordered, dropping her cigarette to the ground before following Azure who already hopped off from her seat.

"You go ahead to the storage room. I'll follow shortly after." Sunset said to Twilight.

Twilight was about to question Sunset's choices, but quickly dismissed the idea before she headed off towards the storage room, with Azure leading the way. Sunset watched Twilight's departure until she vanished into a corner that led into the storage room. She scanned the club one last time, forced to her by the tingling sensation that had been warning her for awhile now. She could not specifically tell as to what was bothering her, as her senses had done nothing but fail her after being severely intoxicated by the air without her knowing it.

"Sunset. You are not supposed to lose visual on Twilight. Is there a problem?"

"Just hold on a second."

When all was done, and the threat had failed to reveal itself to her, a sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"Nevermind."

"Not so fast."

Sunset immediately halted in place when something pressed against her back. A gun's barrel, to be precise. And only then her senses were awakened. She raised her hands in caution while she slowly, and carefully turned around to meet the menace behind her.

"Ah, shit. Not you."

Author's Notes:

Stay at home. Stay safe. Eat your vedgetables and wash your hands.