The three days passed slowly as Thunder Clap tried to decide. The Shadow King had good points, Equestria was becoming more centered around money and if they didn’t have the money to have even a dozen of his rifles then he would never get it out there for anything more than recreation. And since one and every one million ponies in Equestria even hunt, the only logical choice was to change the system. Celestia had been in power for more than a thousand years and things have hardly changed.

But at the same time, he had to end somepony’s life. And not just somepony, Lunarus Solaris Nexus; his mentor’s friend and co founder of the Lunarus Corp. This went against everything he had ever been taught. He never even wanted to kill a fly if it were buzzing in his face. He didn’t know if he could even bring himself to kill somepony. The only reason he killed the Timberwolves was because they were threatening him. That was a moment of desperation, one he didn’t want to repeat unless absolutely necessary.

Thunder kept to himself those three days. He told his dad and Midnight Spangle that he was making another breakthrough with the rifle. Spangle understood and kept his inquiries to himself and his father respected his privacy. And on the day of The Shadow King didn’t bother knocking, he entered his room.

“Have you made your decision?” Sombra’s deep sadistic voices asked.

“I-I have.” Thunder Clap said nervously. “Thank you for the offer, but I can’t. This goes against everything I’ve ever been taught. I refuse to kill anypony. No matter how much I want to be recognized for what I’ve done. Not like this. I’ll make it better and they will accept my terms. I’m going to Spangle to have you arrested for conspiracy against Equestria.”

“I am sorry to hear you say that young colt. And so is your father.”

From the other side of the door, his father was dragged in, unconscious, by a pony-insect creature. Thunder Clap was lost for words. He wanted to go to his father’s side, but he also wanted to kill the pony standing in front of him.

“You see Thunder Clap; I cannot have you going to the authorities with this. I am however surprised that you declined. Anyone else would have taken everything I had offered.”

“I’m not anyone else it seems.”

Thunder was suddenly serious. This was a side of himself he had not yet seen within himself. He didn’t quite know what it was inside of him that was keeping him as sharp as he was, but he hoped the same side of him could get him out of this.

“It would seem so. Here is my new proposition, you will kill Lunarus Nexus or I will kill everypony you care about. And when he’s dead, you will become my servant.”

“What happened to vanguard of the future?”

“You threw that out the door when you said you were taking me to the authorities. Now, get your warmest cloths and your weapon, we have a little trip to take.”

Thunder Clap kept his hood over his mint green mane and keeping his golden yellow eyes under his welder’s goggles. Sombra walked in front of him with a black cloak over his face and body. Snow fell all around them as they walked through the streets of Canterlot. Thunder had his Thunder Storm MK. II on his back as they came to a massive clock tower.

“Why are we here? Couldn’t I just call him back so we can kill him in the woods?” Thunder asked.

“Because he walks down the main street every day. And on this day it shall be painted in his blood.”

Even Thunder Clap’s metal leg shook in fear from hearing The Shadow King say that. The clock tower over shadowed the entire main road on the mountain side city. They entered the tower and were confronted with a white stallion in golden armor.

“Halt! Royal Guard!” the stallion shouted seeing the two.

“Continue to the top. I shall speak with him.” Sombra said waving Thunder Clap up the stairs.

The stallion tried running towards them but slammed into a light gray shield around him. Thunder was too afraid to do anything so he began climbing the long staircase.

“You are another one of them aren’t you?” Sombra asked the stallion.

Thunder Clap wanted to ask what he was talking about but felt it beset that he get to the top and await for his name to be mud. He walked slowly, hoping that Lunar Nexus would walk past before he reached the top. Unfortunately, Thunder reached his perched at the top with the bells of the clock tower. He took his rifle out of its case and put it in the window sill. He looked over the streets and saw it bustling with ponies shopping for gifts with Hearths Warming Eve bonuses. Through the scope, he can’t see the familiar cobalt pony.

“Patience. He shall arrive in moments, and I shall be in position to take this world by force. There.” Sombra said pointing his hoof towards the east.

Thunder looked over his shoulder and saw a small group of the insect ponies that knocked out his father coming up the stairs as well. Thunder Clap sighed and looked down his scope. The cross hairs lined up on a brick wall directly in front of them. He slid his aim to his right and acquired a pair of familiar figures in his sites.

“Princess Luna’s with him.” Thunder’s shaky voice told his dark handler.

“Perfect, kill her as well. Lunarus first, then the princess.” Sombra said.

“But, what if I miss?”

“Then you die.”

The two spoke as they approached the tower from the other side of the street. Thunder Clap cocked his rifle and took aim at Nexus. They were thirty stories up and a few hundred yards away. He needed them to get closer. Down bellow, the two laughed happily not knowing that their lives were almost at their end. Thunder’s mind raced as they got closer, the crosshairs on Nexus’ chest. He could see the black leather jacket and his silver wings sitting out in the open air on top of the jacked. Thunder made up his mind in that instant. He was going to make-