It was the next day and Dusk and Pinkamena set out on the streets to advertise so to speak.

"The barber of barber, the queen of all barbers. The Great and Powerful Trixie?" Dusk read a sign on a rather large carriage in the middle of the square.

"Don't know where she's from." Pinkie said. "But she's all the rage."

"Not for long." Dusk gave a very faint smile.

"You think you can beat her?" Pinkie asked, raising a eyebrow, then looking across the square, saw a little dragon in a hat and cane. "And it's Spike over there."

"Even better." Dusk said, but then his next line was interrupted by the sound a drum playing.

Looking over at the carriage, which was actually big enough where it had it's own small stage, an orange pegasus filly with a raggedy purple hat covering her mane started beating on a drum, getting everyponies attention.

"Mares and gentlecolts, may I have your attention please! Do you wake every morning in shame and despair to discover your pillow is covered with hair what ought not to be there? Well, mares and gentlecolts, from now on you can waken at ease. You need never again have a worry or care, I will show you a miracle marvellous rare. Gentlecolts, you are about to see something what rose from the dead - on the top of my head."

Taking off her hat, the filly revealed a raggedy but still impressive purple mane, unlike the pones around her which looked like their manes could fall off any minute. The crowd gave a good ohh and ahh at this sight, it was quite impressive. But the filly continued her speel.

"'Twas Trixie's Miracle Elixir. That's what did the trick, sir, true, sir, true. Was it quick, sir? Did it in a tick, sir, just like an elixir ought to do. How about a bottle, mister? Only costs a bit, guaranteed."

The filly poured a bit of this "elixir" on the bald head of a nearby stallion, using her hoof to rub it in.

"Does Trixie's stimulate the growth, sir? You can have my oath, sir. 'Tis unique. Rub a minute, stimulatin' i'n' it? Soon you'll have to thin it once a week!"

Dusk and Pinkie were not impressed by this.

"What's that awful stench?" Dusk asked openly.

"Are we standing near and open trench?" Pinkie asked openly as well.

Obviously being affected by Dusk and Pinkie's comments, the filly kept trying to sell.

"Buy Trixie's Miracle Elixir, anything what's slick, sir. Soon sprouts curls. Try Trixie's. When they see how thick, sir,

you can have your pick, sir, of the girls. Wanna buy a bottle, mister?"

"What is this?" Dusk looked the bottle over. "Smells like piss."

Then Pinkie took a whiff and agreed. "This is piss, piss with ink."

The filly tried getting louder. "Let Trixie's activate your roots, sir. Yes, get Trixie's! Use a bottle of it, mares seem to love it!"

"Flies do too!" Pinkie added, to the laugh of the crowd.

The door of the carriage almost burst open to a blue glow. Stepping out of the carriage was a blue unicorn mare, her almost white yet light blue mane flowed in the wind. On her back was an elegant looking silk cape with sparkling star images upon them.

"I am the Great Trixie the Famous and Powerful Trixie, the Queen of the barbers, the barber of Queens. I blow you all a kiss." This mare clearly had a massive ego issue. "And the so Great and Powerful, I wish to know, who has the gall to say, my elixir is piss...you says this?"

"I do." Dusk stepped forward. "I am Dusk Shine, and I have had a bottle of Trixie's before and I tell you all it is a fraud, of piss and ink. And further more, I have serviced no queens, but I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times the dexterity as any showmare."

Trixie's eyes widened with a lot of anger but she composed herself, not wanting to make a scene.

"You see these razors?" Dusk held them up with his magic, making sure Trixie got a good look. "I'll wager them against five bits that you are no match for me."

There were hushed whispers in the crowd.

"These are indeed fine razors!" Trixie complimented, looking at them. "Instruments like these, once seen, are not soon forgotten. You'd wager these against five bits?! Ha, you see this foolish pony, five bits it is!"

"Friends, neighbors, who's for a free shave?" Dusk announced to the excited crowd.

After everything was set up, all that was left was a judge for this contest.

"Will Spike be the judge?" Dusk asked openly.

"Glad as always." Spike made his way through the crowd. "To help my friends and neighbors."

Both Trixie and Dusk set up their stations

Trixie began her process, but she was prideful, arrogant even. She couldn't resist lecturing about her process:

To shave-a da face,

To pull-a da toot',

Require da grace

And not-a da brute,

For if-a you slip,

You nick-a da skin,

You clip-a da chin,

You rip-a da lip a bit

And dat's-a da trut'!

As Trixie went at it with her shaving, which looked rather painful, Dusk had barely finished sharpening his. It looked like Trixie was winning. But Trixie paid no mind, she was too into her zone.

To shave-a da face

Or even a part,

Widout it-a smart

Require da heart.

It take-a da art.

I show you a chart

I study-a starting in my yout'!

Dusk's sharpening was still happening while Trixie's was half way shaved. This confused the crowd and even Trixie was feeling very offended that this boastful Dusk hasn;t even begun and yet claims he can beat her; her the barber of Queens.

To cut-a da hair,

To trim-a da bear,

To make-a da bristle

Clean like a whistle.

Dis is from early infancy

Da talent give to me

By Celestia!

Finally, Dusk finished the sharpening, so sharp it could split a hair twice. But Trixie knew she won, there was no way this pony could catch up to her without screwing up.

It take-a da skill,

It take-a da brains,

It take-a da will

To take-a da pains,

It take-a da pace,

It take-a da grace--

A sudden piercing whistle noise interrupted Trixie and she quickly turned to the source. It was Spike and he gestured his claw at Dusk.

"The winner is Todd. " Spike said.

Trixie looked at Dusk who was done. The pony, who had an even bigger beard than the one Trixie was working with was shaved, smoother than a filly's flank. The crowd erupted with cheers and laughter. Trixie was defeated and humiliated. But Trixie had no choice.

"I bow to a skill far greater than my own." Trixie modestly bowed.

"The five bits." Dusk gestured his hoof.

"My Celestia's Sun smile upon you." Trixie smiled, then turned to her filly companion. "Come Scootaloo." With a swift kick of the hoof, Trixie brought the filly into her carriage, most likely to beat the poor thing.

"Poor thing." Pinkamena said to Dusk. "Too bad most fillies and colts these days either go to the work house, or get picked up by sme pony to be beaten."

"That was quite the performance Mr. Shine." A pony walked up to Dusk. "Tell me, do you have your own establishment?"

"Why he certainly does." Pinkamena intervened. "Dusk Shine's Barbary, right above my Bakery on Fleet Street."

Dusk was rather, unemotional about winning, but his mood changed when he saw it served his purposes. He saw the scales of Spike walking up to him.

"Mr. Shine." Spike greeted. "Such skill and yet so unknown, yet your face seems almost familiar to me."

"Nonsense." Pinkamena interrupted. "Why he's my cousin's uncle coming in from Manehatten, where he's lived all his life."

"And yet, since my arrival." Dusk used flattery. "I have heard the name Spike used in the most utmost respectful manner."

"Well I do what I can to help my friends and neighbors." Spike answered, giving into the flattery. "Your establishment is on Fleet Street correct? I may consider coming to get my scales trimmed."

"And I promise you dear sir." Dusk's eyes almost lit up with excitement. "And without a bits charge, the closes shave you've ever known."

"Is that so." Spike raised an eyebrow. "Then you shall expect me before the week's out. Good day."

With his victory secured, Dusk was ready to formulate his plans. First the Spike, then the Judge, and his revenge would be complete.

___________Back at Dusk's Barber Shop___________

Pinkamena and Dusk were sitting in the small, dusty room.

"Kinda bare, isn't it? I never did like a bare room." Pinkamena commented, just wiping the dust off the wall and large mirror with her hoof. Her pink hoof became brown with the amount of dust. "What do you think?"

"It's fine for what I need." Dusk looked anxious, almost twitchy. "Why doesn't Spike come? 'Before the week is out,' that's what he said."

"Who said the week is out. It's only Tuesday." Pinkamena said, moving over to Dusk, giving him a loving hug from behind, as the livid pony tossed a knickknack hard against the wall. "Easy now. Hush, love, hush. Don't distress yourself, What's your rush? Keep your thoughts Nice and lush....Simply wait."

"I don't need patience." Dusk said, in a subtly aggressive tone. "I want blood, I want revenge, I want justice."

"I know love I know." Pinkamena started petting Dusk's mane like she would a small child. "Hush, love, hush. Think it through. Once it bubbles, Then what's to do? Watch it close. Let it brew. Wait." Pinkamena then looked around the room. "Hmmm  I've been thinking, flowers-- Maybe daisies-- To brighten up the room. Don't you think some flowers, Pretty daisies, Might relieve the gloom? What do you think?"

"And the judge?" Dusk looked up at the mare holding him. "When will I get to her?"

"Can't you think of nothing else?" Pinkamena pouted, letting Dusk go from her hug. "Always broodin' away on yer wrongs what happened heaven knows how many years ago! Don't you know, Silly pony, Half the fun is to plan the plan? All good things come to. Those who can...Wait. Which is funny coming from me love. So don't worry, I'm sure Spike and the Judge will come to you."

There was then a sudden ringing sound. The sound of a customer. Was it Spike, or even Judge Rarity? Suddenly, a familiar earth mare burst into the room.

"Applejack?!" Dusk exclaimed in surprise.

"Mr. Shine!" Applejack said, shaking the hoof of her friend. "I need your help. Oh and I can see you're already in business, well congradulations to you sir. And you are?"

"Pinkamena Diane Pie." Pinkamena said. "But you can call me Pinkie if it suits your fancy."

"You said you needed help Applejack?" Dusk was curious at what his 'friend' needed.

"I have found the most beautiful mare in all of Canterlot." Applejack explained. "But there is a problem."

"And that is?" Dusk asked, subtly losing patience.

"She has a guardian. So tyrannical that she shuts her up from pony eyes." Applejack continued explaining, but then showed a small metal key. "But just as I passed her window this morning, this fell from aloft. This must be proof, a sign that Fluttershy loves me."

"Fluttershy?!" Pinkamena said in surprise, worried how Dusk would react.

Dusk's eye were unrecognizable. He was either excited, infuriated, or possibly both.

"That's her name ma'am." Applejack, oblivious to Dusk's expression answered. "And her guardian is a judge of some kind, Rarity I think her name is."

This day was just getting better and better. Dusk could use this to his advantage.

"But this brings to my need of help Mr. Shine." Applejack asked in a near pleading tone. "When the judge goes to court, I will sneak into the house and ask Fluttershy to run away with me. But when I do, I need a place to hide her until I find a coach to bring us to Ponyville."

"Bring her here." Pinkamena offered.

"Oh that is great news!" Applejack almost skipped in joy. "And do I have your consent Mr. Shine?"

"She can stay." Dusk's most emotionless tone answered.

"Oh thank you sir!!" Applejack could almost hug the two of them for their help. "I will be in debited to you to the grave, oh but I must go, as the judge must be in court now!"

After Applejack trotted out of ear shot, Pinkamena couldn't help but burst into a hearty laughter. "Oh Fluttershy! Who would've thought. This is beyond perfect Dusk!"

"Yes." Dusk said in a annoyed tone. "Just to watch my child go off with some pony."

"Well since you're into the whole...." Pinkamena simulated the look of slitting a throat. "Maybe you can do the same to that Pony Applejack. And you can have Fluttershy home with you again."

There was then another knock at the door. Dusk then looked out the window, seeing the sight of a certain blue mare standing at the shop's door. "Is that Trixie? What does she want?"

___________Canterlot Court of Law___________

In the large courtroom, the Judge Rarity stood at the large pedestal in her black attire, her magic holding the gavel high. Her white coat was shimmering as if she was an embodiment of justice, even though the case she was presiding over was less than justified.

"Pipsqueak your name was?" Rarity said, staring down at the terrified earth colt in the accused seat. "This is the third time you have been seen in this court. Your constant obsession to crime is both an abomination to Celestia herself. I therefore see no other alternative but to sentence you to be hung by the neck until dead. And may the Princesses have mercy on your soul."

After the court case, Judge Rarity made her way out to the main doors. Like always, waiting for her was her trusted adviser and obedient servant, Spike.

"Exceptional work today my lady." Spike said with great flattery. "Just the kind of sentence we wanted."

"Was the colt guilty?" Rarity asked, completely apathetic of the fact that the colt she just sentenced to death may have been innocent.

"We if he wasn't, I'm sure he must have done something to earn the noose." Spike nodded.

"What pony has not?" Rarity pondered to herself. "Come Spike, walk with me."

Spike unfolded his walking cane and gracefully walked besides Rarity. It was not a major secret, but Spike had a long held crush and affection for Rarity, but he never could admit his feelings. He knew that Rarity would never take Spike for who he was. But Spike still continued to do Rarity's dirty work. Twisting arms and breaking knees to make sure Rarity was happy. In fact, it was Spike who suggested that Twilight Sparkle may have committed some crime that led to her banishment and imprisonment. But Spike made sure that Rarity believed that Twilight committed the crime, whatever it took to make his Judge happy.

"I have news for you, my friend." Rarity said with confidence. "In order to shield her from the evils of this world I have decided to marry my dear Fluttershy."

"Oh, ma'am, happy news indeed!" Spike said, though his heart skipped a beat from the pain of the news.

"Strange, though." Rarity pondered aloud. "When I offered myself to her she showed a certain... reluctance."

"Excuse me my lady, may I request my lady permission my lady to speak?" Spike asked as politely as he could.

"Speak freely Spike." Rarity said.

"Forgive me if I suggest my lady you're looking less than your best my lady. Your coat is not at it's best, my lady and your mane is a tad disheveled. And mares, my lady, are weak"

"Disheveled , you say?" Rarity said, normally such talk would be an insult resulting in her full wrath. But today she looked in the nearby window and saw how she looked. "Perhaps I am a little over-hasty in the mornings."

"Fret not though my lady, I know a place my lady, a barber my lady of skill." Spike said, trying to cheer her up. "Thus art with a pampered face my lady. Some eau de perfume to place my lady. And to enhance the chase my lady. You'll dazzle the mare until...

"Until?" Rarity was intrigued and asked.

"She bows to your every will." Spike gave a bit of a wicked smile, almost gesturing what he promises Fluttershy may do to Rarity.

"A barber? Take me to him." Rarity asked. "What's his name?"

"His name is Dusk Shine my lady." Spike asked. "And he is by far the greatest I've ever met."

___________Back at Dusk Shine's Barber Parlor___________

Dusk and Trixie were sitting in Dusk's shop. Pinkamena took the filly Trixie was with down to the bakery to feed the starving looking filly as the two upstairs did their business.

"Now what do you want Ms. Trixie?" Dusk asked, somewhat cautiously.

"Call me Lulamoon." Trixie's accent became more uneducated and foreign sounding. "As we will soon be partners. I'll take my five bits back."

"Partners?! And why?" Dusk asked seriously.

"And not just the five bits, but half your earnings every Friday." Trixie grinned in a near victorious manner. "Ms. Twilight Sparkle."

"What did you say?!" Dusk's body almost froze from surprise.

"I don't expect you to remember me. Why should you?" Trixie walked over and levitated one of Dusk's razors. "I was just a simple filly, didn't even have a cutie mark you hired to sweep up hair. But I remember these razors, and you. Ms. Twilight Sparkle, the greatest barber and hair stylist in all of Canterlot. Later sent to that Celestia forsaken prison...FOR LIFE!!"

Dusk's body became tense, how could something like this happen. A mare from the old days recognizing him, and now daring to blackmail him. His eyes soon looked at the heating up kettle of tea that was heating up. If he had to, Dusk knew what to do.

"So 'Mr. Dusk Shine' will you agree to my terms?" Trixie moved her ody closer to the tensed up Dusk. "Or should I run down the street and fetch my friend Spike?"

That sealed Trixie's fate. In one fell swoop, Dusk grabbed the heated kettle with his magic and smacked Trixie across the face, knocking her down. Before Trixie could shout, Dusk was on top of her, denying her escape and the levitating kettle continued its barrage against her face. Until her head fell to the floor in unconsciousness, making a loud thud noise. Dusk then stared at the body, not sure what to do with it right now.  There was then a sound coming from the stairs outside.

"Trixie!" The filly that was with Trixie shouted up the stairs. "Great and Powerful Trixie! It's getting late, you still have an appointment with your tailor!" The filly then burst through the shop's door. "Trix-?"

But the only soul in the room was Dusk, who was sipping on some fresh brewed tea.

"Your master already left." Dusk lied. "Best to go after her."

"W-where did she go?" The scared filly asked.

"She didn't say." Dusk continued his lies,

"S-sorry sir." The filly explained. "But I must stay here until she returns."

"I see." Dusk thought of something quickly. "Did Pinkamena give you a tasty cupcake?"

"Yes." The filly answered. "It was quite tasty, she's such a kind mare."

"I bet she is." Dusk said. "What is your name?"

"S-scootaloo." The filly answered.

"Well Scootaloo." Dusk suggested. "How about you go downstairs and wait for your master. And tell Pinkamena that I said you could have another cupcake and a big tot of hard cider."

"Thank you sir!" Scootaloo said, almost bursting out of the room.

Now that he was alone, Dusk slowly opened the large trunk that he shoved Trixie's body into. It was twitching and very much alive. Grabbing his razor, Dusk ran the sharp blade across the mare's throat. Her body began convulsing violently, air was escaping in pathetic gasping sounds, and blood drained from her neck, he face becoming paler and paler. Soon enough her body went limp and all was truly silent. Dusk took a few steps back and looked at how much blood was on his hooves. There was no going back.

"That filly will eat my bakery out of stock." Pinkamena said, opening the door to the shop without knocking. "Dusk, how much longer before that Trixie comes back?"

"She's not coming back/" Dusk said coldly, wiping the blood off his hooves.

"Dusk you didn't!?" Pinkamena said, rushing over to the open trunk, seeing the bloodied corpse. "Have you gone nuts. Killing a pony that did you no harm?!"

"She recognized me from the old days. She tried to blackmail me." Dusk answered calmly. "Half my earning."

"Oh. Well that's different. Oh what a mess." Pinkamena then spied a shimmering purse in the folds of Trixie's rope. Pinkamena then grabbed the purse, shaking it a little to find it was full of bits. "Oh well, waste not."

By some unknown force, Dusk felt compelled to look out the window. And what he saw was beyond a shock.

"The judge!" Dusk said, then looked at Pinkamena. "Get out!"

Pinkamena almost bolted out of the room as Dusk quickly closing the trunk lid and finished wiping the lst of the blood off.

"Mr. Dusk Shine." Rarity's voice asked as it knocked on the door, entering the room slowly.

"Your grace." Dusk said, honeying up his words. "It is always an honor of a pony of your stature to grace my shop."

"How do you know me?" Rarity asked.

"Why who doesn't know of the great and benevolent Judge Rarity." Dusk said in a flattering tone. This attitude made him sick to his stomach but he had to endure it. "What can I do for you today ma'am? Stylish trimming of the hair? Soothing skin massage. Sit ma'am. Sit."

"You see sir a mare infatuated with love." Rarity explained sitting down. "Her ardent and eager slave. So fetch the pomade and pumice stone and lend me a more seductive tone a sprinkling perhaps of Prench perfume but first sir I think a trim of the mane."

"The best I ever gave." Dusk whistled with excitement.

"In a merry mood today Mr. Shine?" Rarity asked.

"Tis your delight ma'am catching fire from one pony to the next." Dusk explained.

"Tis true sir love can still inspire the blood to pound, the heart leap higher." Rarity exclaimed. "What more..."

"What more?" Dusk asked.

"Can pony kind require?" Rarity asked. "Than love sir."

"More than love ma'am." Dusk added.

"What sir?" Rarity asked

"Mares." Dusk said, luring Rarity into a false sense of security.

"Ah yes mares." Rarity agreed, leaning her head back.

"Pretty mares." Dusk said, preparing her blades. "Now then my friend. Now to your purpose. Patience. Enjoy it. Revenge can't be taken in haste."

"Make haste and in this work you'll be commended sir." Rarity offered.

Dusk asked, to keep Rarity distracted. "And who may it be said is your intended ma'am?"

"My ward." Rarity said. "Pretty as a rose bud."

"Pretty as her mother?" Dusk mumbled, hiding his malicious tone as he was about to begin.

"Huh? What was that?" Rarity asked.

"Nothing ma'am. Nothing." Dusk brought his razors close to a part of Rarity's mane that was close to her neck. "May we proceed?"

Pretty mares

Fascinating...

Sipping coffee,

Dancing...

Pretty mares

Are a wonder.

Instead of just killing Rarity, Dusk wanted to add to the revenge. So instead of simply running his razor across her pretty white neck. He decided to do her mane, so she become more and more lulled in a false sense of happiness and security. Dusk wanted the judge to be happy, just so he can enjoy watching it leave her eyes when she dies. So Dusk continued his distracting duet with Rarity.

Pretty mares!

Sitting in the window or

Standing on the stair

Something in them chills the air.

Pretty mares.

Silhouetted...

Stay within you,

Glancing...

Stay forever,

Breathing lightly...

Pretty mars,

Pretty mares!

Blowing out their candles or

Combing out their mane,

Combing out their mane then they leave

Even when they leave you and vainish they somehow can still can remain there with you

Even when they leave

They still are there.

They're there

Ah! Pretty mares,

At their mirrors,

In their gardens,

Letter-writing,

Flower-picking,

Weather-watching.

How they make a pony sing!

Proof of heaven as you're living,

Pretty mares! Pretty mares!

The time has come, the fun was nearing its end and Dusk brought his razor good and close to the lulled Rarity. She was at her most vulnerable. At the conclusion of this little duet, Dusk was going to get his revenge and slit this bitch's throat.

Yes pretty women,

Pretty mares,

Pretty mares,

Pretty mares