"Sweet." Raven grabbed herself a spare guitar. "Well, it's more your song than mine. Show me how it goes?"
"Oh sorry. My name is Star Song and I'm here to ask for my services at the bar. Uh...As a singer." She was somewhat disturbed by Asmo.
"Pleasure to meet you. So is there some sort of stage or platform for me to stand on?" She looked around for something that wouldn't make her look as short as she really is.
The tiny, blue stallion shrugged. "We could always get you one." Raven followed along. "Alright... how about those lyrics? How do they go?"
Cricket took the phone to the corner booth and dialed a number. "I need to speak to him. ... His son's wife, that's who. ... Fine. Just put him on. ... Yeah, it's me. ... Yes, the 'foul succubus.' Now shut up, because this is important. I need you to meet me tonight. The Horseshoe Bay docks in Baltimare. Dock twelve, ten o'clock. ... Because your son will die if you don't." On the obituary page, Blackout's picture began flickering, shifting between the photo of him, and a photo of an infamous Baltimare crime boss.
"Not for long, you don't," Cricket snarled. "In three days, he's going to murder my husband. I will NOT let him get the chance."
"Yes." Cricket said calmly to Asmo. "Yes, you may. But first, I need to get to him. That's where Blackheart comes in." *************************************************************************** Blackheart slammed the phone down with enough force to smash it to pieces. Blackout was a disappointment, to be sure, but he was still his son and heir. Anypony foolish enough to threaten the son of Blackheart would find themselves not long for this world. He called his secretary in. "I need a progress report. The alien technology. How far are we?" The secretary, a severe old mare, nodded. "Fifteen percent completion. We should be ready for field tests by next week." "Good. Tell the labcoats to keep up the good work. Order them some pizzas or something. And hold my calls... I'll be going out tonight."
Azrael slowly stood from his seat at the bar, towering over Star. Cricket's song had worn off. "How long has it been since my last execution, Skydust?" Dusty shrugged. "A few years, I believe. Why..?" "Because the pony in the paper looks like he needs to learn a lesson." Raven shook her head. "No, is it gravely, growly, screamy?"
Cricket shook her head. "No. You're too big, too loud, and too noticeable. We need ghosts, not a demon. Asmodeus, I could use your help, if you're able to be subtle."