Lightning Dust just scowled at Nightmare Moon, whom sat scrunched beneath one of the tables at Mcmuffin's. It was the early morning, and only the two of them were present for the time being. "YOU DOLT! That's why you shouldn't have shown off! The workers at Cookie King are just as loony as you are! Now look at what you've gotten us into." Lightning Dust sighed heavily as she placed a hoof over her face in frustration. "And Octavia is a part of all this now to? I'm sure she's probably enjoying this. That mare always had some weird passion for defending the quality of those cookies." Lightning Dust lowered her head a bit, "And I'm sure she's still never forgiven me for that time."

Nightmare Moon was still distressed but caught on momentarily to what Lightning Dust said. "That time?" She immediately stood, a small trail of sweat coursing down the side of her head as she focused on the mare. "Is there something you might know comrade? Something that might help us best her? She must have a weakness, something we can use against her." She glanced to the lower left and grit her teeth in frustration. "I assume she knows more of me than I do of her, and I have not acquired enough status to be able to purchase one of these, media, services you mortal ponies indulge yourselves in. I see now the media ponies have their advantages."

Lightning Dust just looked at Nightmare Moon with tired eyes, ignoring her abnormal form of communicating again for a moment before turning around. "No, not some weakness. It's just something that happened a little while ago that she hates me for. It's not like I meant to do it, I never even expected her to be working at Cookie King's either. I mean, I was only being honest about how I was feeling."

Nightmare Moon pressed forward, persistent."Weeeeeeeeell, what was it?"

Lightning Dust glanced back at her, before looking up towards the ceiling. "It was a couple of months ago."

I was just trotting about Manehattan, minding my own business you know? I didn't mean any harm. But as I'm trotting I happen to see a billboard ad for the new White Macadamia Yummy Triple Choco Shake at Cookie King's. Looked pretty darn good at first glance, but you know, I couldn't get over that long name. So I just stood there on the side of the street, staring at it with confusion written all over my face. I didn't mean anything by it, all I wanted to know was why they decided to choose such a long name. I was thinking, wasn't that a little tedious to say when you wanted to order it? And as I was standing there thinking to myself, that's when she came along.

"Aha, taking admiration in the White Macadamia Yummy Triple Choco Shake I see." Even I was caught a little off guard by the idea that such a classy looking mare would approach me. I honestly thought she was some spoiled rich girl the first time I saw her, carrying around that huge case and acting like she was all high and mighty. There was something off about her, but, we still had no problems.

Lightning Dust just shook her head, as she continued looking up at the billboard. "Admiration? Hm, if you wanna call it that."

The mare laughed earnestly before appearing somewhat nervous. "W-What do you mean? You do love it, don't you?"

Lightning Dust just shrugged. "I mean, it's okay I guess. But I never really got why Cookie King's always felt the need to be so literal you know? I mean, okay, we get it, macadamia nuts and chocolate, mixed into some vanilla shake, but isn't the name a little long? It just doesn't flow right. They could've easily called it the Macadamia Shake, something easy." She paused with a shrug, "Their cookies are a little bland to, guess that's why I chose to work at Mcmuffins." She smiled brightly, "There's just something special about those muffins."

The mare was silent, as her face was darkened, covered in black shadow while a purple aura seeped from her very being. Soon she glanced up, her cold dead eyes looking seemingly into nothing itself. "So, you are the scum of across the street. I knew I smelt something foul."

Lightning Dust closed her eyes, beginning to laugh. "Ahahaha, yea, I'm-" her eyes snapped wide before she appeared shocked and in complete bafflement, obviously offended. "Wait a second! HEY! What did you just call me you prissy princess!?"

The mare glanced over at her as she wore no expression. "Those who insult the Cookie King are no less than scum. Foul ponies like you are not worthy of such quality food. But how could I ever expect you to understand? You work at Mcmuffin's." With that the mare just trotted off, going about her business while swaying left to right like a zombie, as if what Lightning said had stuck with her even after she'd left.

Lightning Dust sighed, shaking her head and crossing both hooves as she looked across the street at the Cookie King's establishment. "I guess I should've been weary of Octavia, I knew there were passionate fans of Cookie King's out there but, sheesh."

Nightmare Moon rose as she glared out the window of Mcmuffin's, straight towards Cookie King's. "So the King's right hoof mare is that worried that she'll be tossed from her throne? Little does she know I, NIGHTMARE MOON, do not give in to bribes and threats so easily."

Lightning Dust cringed a bit before looking at Nightmare tiredly. "You two are really taking this a bit too seriously aren't you?"

Nightmare Moon began pacing back and forth, head lowered, fully concentrated. "We must create an affective combat strategy to counter this this enemy. I witnessed her technique last night and her skill is unmatched. With such a weapon at her disposal, we have to pull out all the stops in order to topple that despicable establishment which threatens to cease our very existence." Nightmare Moon paused, only to look on with paranoia out the window straight at Cookie King's. While she did so, she noticed a small gray head watching from afar as well. Nightmare's eyes widened exponentially as she gasped, "SHE SPIES ON US!" Before ducking her head. "Hide you fool!"

Lightning Dust did nothing of the sort. "You know, I'm starting to think you all seriously love what you do."

Nightmare Moon glanced back at her, "Are you crazy!? The enemy is spying on us and you just stand there!?"

Lightning Dust just observed Nightmare Moon with tired, half-closed eyes before making her way out of the restaurant and over towards Cookie King's, not even caring for Nightmare Moon's warning. "Yea, you keep on doing whatever you're doing."

Nightmare Moon shook her head, reaching a hoof out towards the departing pegasi. "N-NO! Get back here! BLAST!"

Lightning Dust made her way across the street, only to pause in front of the window at Cookie King's. She stared blankly at the mare whose frame was lowered as that mare eyed the turquoise pegasi with suspicion. Lightning Dust just looked down at her with a blank expression, before casually fluttering on through the front door, immediately hanging a left and stopping in front of Octavia. "Hey, Octavia."

Octavia smirked as she rose from the window, before running a hoof through her mane. "Ah, Lightning Dust, have you come to negotiate peace with us? Surely you've made the wiser decision, seeing as your ally there believes she can topple Cookie King's."

Lightning Dust raised a hoof, "Listen Octavia, do we have to fight like this? Can't we just agree we all have our different food preferences and get on with our lives? There doesn't have to be any ill will between our restaurants, we're just workers there, nothing more."

Octavia chuckled, "Of course, just workers. I don't mind agreeing to a form of neutrality, but your lot fired the first shots. So it's only fitting you're also the ones to pay the price for your mistake. Should you admit that Cookie King's is superior, I will forgive these actions."

Lightning Dust sighed before shrugging. "But I don't like Cookie King's."

Octavia growled before swiping a hoof, turning around with a puckered lip. "Then, we have nothing to discuss here."

Lightning Dust rolled her eyes. "Really? Okay fine. Cookie King's is better than Mcmuffin's, you happy now? Seriously, let's stop trying to topple one another's businesses and just get back to how things were, we won't try to steal all the customers away from you guys this time."

Octavia smirked as she turned back to face Lightning Dust, "Good, now all that's left is the alicorn."

Lightning's expression worsened in that moment. "What?"

Octavia continued. "The alicorn. Make her admit it to, then I'll forgive you guys for what you did."

Lightning sighed as she glanced back at Mcmuffin's, then focused back on Octavia. "Leave her out of this, she's a nooby."

Octavia's brows furrowed. "A nooby who tried to steal all the customers."

Lightning continued. "She doesn't know any better. Seriously, just leave her alone Octavia. She's already got a lot to deal with seeing as she's an alicorn, but she's also my co-worker, I'm not going to put anymore pressure on her as is. Gotta look after my team."

Octavia raised a brow at Lightning Dust before glancing momentarily to the lower left. "Oh? That's funny, never expected to hear such noble words from a pony who was kicked out of Wonderbolt's Academy. Isn't that the primary aspect you learn there? Teamwork, that is?"

Mumbles went around from all the co-workers as they all were quite shocked by Octavia's sudden play.

Lightning Dust's face darkened as she just glared at the mare.

Octavia turned stubbornly from the mare. "I think we're done here, Lightning Dust."

Lightning Dust's eyes widened as she then fluttered on over towards the door, saying nothing more, leaving the restaurant.

Soon joining Octavia however would be her co-worker with the turquoise coat, pale blue mane and white streaks. She wore a worried expression as she shook her head, a little disappointed. "Octavia, aren't you taking this a little too personally?"

Octavia snapped, "NO! They're the ones who need to open their mouths and taste true sugary perfection!"

The mare backed away as she appeared a little freaked out. "You're acting weird..."

Octavia continued to appear highly frustrated as she recalled a certain memory.

She was but a filly, staring wide eyed up at something in particular. Soon appearing would be an older stallion whom greeted her with a warm smile, giving her a plate with a giant chocolate chip cookie covered in vanilla ice-cream. "Here you go little one."

Octavia took hold of the plate with her muzzle before continuing to blink up at the stallion, wide eyed. "Thank you sir!"

The stallion winked at her with a smirk. "Remember, you're always a Queen, here at Cookie King's!"

Octavia drifted back to the present as she calmed herself, easing up before glancing back at her co-worker. "I-I'm sorry Lyra." She paused with determination. "But we can't just forget what's happened. We have to remain sharp now, Cookie King's business is at stake."

Lyra nodded with a soft smile herself. "Yea, I get it. Just, don't let what they say turn you into a jerk."

Octavia looked to Lyra with determination. "Right." She then swiped her hoof, standing on both hind legs as she looked to the rest of her co-workers at the dimly lit restaurant. "My fellow co-workers! On this day we have come across a dangerous new enemy! An alicorn menace who threatens to topple the greatest fast food establishment in all of Manehattan! She knows nothing of our ways, and treats us as if we're actually on her level! Today we'll show her what it means to compete with us!" She clapped her hooves, "Get the candles! Unicorns! Dawn the chandaliers, with our sugary sweets and my knowledge and experience of the higher eschelon of Equestrian society! On this day, that alicorn will know that not even her natural born gifts can overcome our experience!" She looked to Lyra, smirking a bit.

Lightning Dust made her way back into the restaurant with a heavy sigh as Nightmare Moon didn't hesitate to approach her.

Nightmare Moon raised a brow at her, "So, what did she say!? What have you learned!?"

Lightning Dust looked to Nightmare Moon with an intense glare, obviously annoyed.

Nightmare Moon took a few trots back as her eyes widened as she shiftily avoided eye contact for a moment.

Lightning Dust looked towards the ground. "We're going to take everything from them."

Nightmare Moon blinked a bit, before she to appeared concentrated on Lightning Dust for a moment. In her view, she saw it, darkness seeping and pouring from the mare, an intense black void which shrouded her heart. Something has troubled you it seems. Before that serious gaze dissipated in but a moment, and she clapped her hooves. "Right! It seems that our relentless enemy has fired back, and the flags have risen! We will show them just what it means! To combat not only Mcmuffin's," she glared, "But the dread of night ITSELF!"

Hours later.....

Nightmare Moon, Lightning Dust, Raindrops, and three mute shadow ponies all stood on the outside of Mcmuffins, peering across the street with hooves crossed straight at Cookie King's. They each wore determined looks as the sun's light steadily graced them, rising up further and further as the seconds ticked on by. Nightmare Moon stood at the front as her nose wrinkled at the sight of her enemies.

Octavia and Lyra stood at the front of an opposing group, consisting of far more workers all adorned in Cookie King uniforms. Octavia wore a look of utter confidence as she ran a hoof through her mane at the pathetic sight. "You all do realize that I have been in this practice for years now no? What're you? But five and an alicorn? Let alone three of you aren't even real. It's pitiful really." She stomped a hoof, suddenly appearing annoyed. "You could've joined us! We could've had peace! But you chose to poke fun at Cookie King's! Now you must pay!"

Lyra spoke up then as well. "Guys, seriously, don't do this. Tell Octavia what she wants to here and we can get things back to normal."

Nightmare Moon scoffed, "HAH! As if we would submit to the likes of you! You all may be powerful, but we at Mcmuffin's shall show you, that true power comes from,...uuuuh, WITHIN! Yes." She smirked, appearing a little nervous since she was obviously bluffing. Within? What petty nonsense! True power came from having a distinct advantage, which they didn't have. Not only was she herself only but one alicorn, just subconsciously controlling three shadow ponies in this field of practice was exhausting, and not even they struck fear in their enemies. Her inherrant status would only get her so far, and she glanced left and right to her fellows, knowing they to were only mortals who grew tired much quicker than she. Nightmare Moon cringed a bit as she gulped, they were outnumbered, outgunned, and more than likely outmatched. But she was a veteran of the darkness, she would not allow her new world to crumble so easily.

Suddenly placing a hoof against Nightmare Moon would be Lightning Dust, who wore a gentle smile. "Whatever happens, it's cool."

Nightmare Moon focused on her again in surprise. It was as if she'd forgotten that both Lightning and Raindrops had what she lacked, the experience and knowledge to combat this enemy. She was not alone. This brought a feeling of ease and comfort to the alicorn as she smirked softly to herself. Hah...For it was also important, to rally behind your fellow soldiers.

Lightning Dust made her way to the forefront as she peered at Octavia in particular. "Hmph!"

Raindrops then glanced over at Nightmare Moon, "Uuuuuh, what's going on anyway?"

But Nightmare Moon ignored her question, remaining just as concentrated as Lightning Dust.

Raindrops blinked a bit, shrugging before just continuing to give a mean glare towards Octavia and the others for no reason.

Soon all eyes focused on a large clock towards the end of the street attached to one building in particular. With each tick, their hearts raced. Soon it would begin, the moment they were all waiting for on this day, the rush hour of the fast food industry,....Lunch.

Nightmare Moon watched that clockhand shift up with each second, her eyes wide with anticipation before throughout the city, a loud bell sound rung out, alerting all that the fated hour had finally arrived. The hour of freedom for many, an hour of trial for some.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And suddenly emerging down the street like a stampede of rabid animals, would be a multitude of ponies, some young, some old, all hungry as they each diverged and spread into different restaurants like the plaque. Although both groups of Cookie King's as well as Mcmuffin's watched with anticipation as another massive herd of ponies kept straight, Nightmare Moon and her allies stood there, unafraid. Nightmare Moon glared on over at Cookie King's staff with determination, before glaring ahead again. "Hoooooooooooooooooold!!!!"

Lightning Dust lowered her frame, not letting up and remaining just as focused.

Octavia and the others faced the oncoming stampede with just as much determination. But with more staff, also often came, more problems. Octavia glanced back to notice that some of her companions were now trembling, in fear for their lives. She cringed as she glared ahead again. "Do not falter! HOLD THIS LINE! We have superior numbers! We've dealt with rush hour many times before!"

One of the Cookie King staff members just backed away, shaking her head. "O-Octavia! T-There's too many of them! This is weird! It's been bad, but it's never been this bad before! We'll be overrun with orders! P-Please! Let's just go inside!"

Octavia scowled somewhat before glaring ahead again, feeling as if the very surface were trembling due to the amount of oncoming customers. And despite not admitting it, not even she was confused, baffled. W-Why were there so many ponies out today!? I-It couldn't possibly be due to the the alicorn!? Octavia glared over at Mcmuffin's group with a snarl and cocked brow.

And smirking at her would be Nightmare Moon herself.

Octavia's eyes widened as she appeared as if she were in a state of shock. I-Impossible, she anticipated this?

Nightmare Moon soon burst into wild cackles from across the street. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Octavia cringed as her expression sunk. She lowered her head, realizing what she must do. "Retrieve the samples."

Nightmare Moon's eyes snapped wide as she was suddenly thrown off guard. T-The what!?

Suddenly Octavia stood on her hind legs as she swiped a hoof. "SPREEEEEEEAD THE SAMPLES!" She now bore that cold look, the same expression Nightmare Moon saw the previous night. Octavia was now fully serious, only applying cold logic to her strategy. Still with fear in their eyes, her fellow co-workers spread themselves along the sidewalk, each holding trays of different assortments of cookies.

Nightmare Moon cringed as she watched this take place. W-WHAT!? They would give free food to the customers!? What form of madness is this!? Are they attempting to do themselves in!? They would sacrifice their own cookies just to succeed!? Savages!

"Nightmare."

Nightmare Moon glanced back at her companions then.

Having retrieved and now holding out trays of muffins would be Lightning Dust as well as Raindrops. Lightning Dust nodded to the alicorn then with a cold stare as she herself stated, "Sometimes sacrifices are necessary, if we want to succeed."

And as Nightmare Moon stood there, she wore a look of utter shock. "W-We would sacrifice our own muffins to succeed?"

Lightning Dust nodded plainly, "Of course. Samples are a necessity on days like this. We may not have as many ponies as Cookie King's, but we're smart enough to know that it'll take a lot more than just standing around looking pretty to pull in customers."

Raindrops nodded. "Mhm! I make sure to try samples all the time when I get the chance!"

But as they conversed, Octavia smirked in the background. "Heh..."

It was as if Nightmare's world went in slow motion from then on, as she glanced over to her right. Her ear twitched as her eyes widened, and she looked back over in Octavia's direction. Her pupils dilated as what she saw, only caused her to stare on in awe. A wave of dark energy poured from the mare, something only she could see. But it was dirty, rotten, foul. She looked to Octavia now, in complete worry as the mare only smirked back at her, and Nightmare Moon couldn't help but remain baffled. N-Not even this was your final move?

Lyra soon stood to her hind legs before calling out, "Incoming hungry workers, t-minus 7 seconds!"

Each group remained steadfast as they stood at their positions.

The stampede only continued to surge on, still trampling down the middle of the road like hungry dogs.

"SEVEN!!!!"

They pressed closer.

"SIX!!!!"

Raindrops gulped.

"FIVE!!!!!"

Lightning Dust continued to peer ahead.

"FOUR!!!!"

The shadow ponies each lowered their frames with a cupcake sample in hoof.

"THREE!!!!"

The Cookie King workers all stood there with fearful looks in their eyes.

"TWO!!!!!"

Nightmare Moon continued to peer at Octavia in bafflement and wonder. What is your source your darkness!?

"ONE!!!!!!"

Octavia ran a hoof through her mane before swiping her hoof. "RELEASE, THE FLIERS!!!!!"

The staff of Mcmuffin's all went wide eyed as Lightning Dust soon fluttered up, "Release the what!?"

Octavia's staff suddenly all dropped their trays of cookies, before emerging from the restaurant would be an assortment of pegasi workers each carrying bags of papers. They all spread their hooves, tossing the bags to their fellow co-workers who began to toss the papers.

And in that instant, the herd of hungry ponies arrived as they all began to navigate between Mcmuffin's and The Cookie King. But as they did so, many couldn't help but start picking up these assortment of fliars which laid about the area in curiosity.

Nightmare Moon also hurriedly picked one up as well with a curious look as her eyes snapped wide. "W-What? What is....what is-"

On the fliar was a picture of Nightmare Moon appearing elegant as she wore a classic smirk. But on her would be a pair of high knee socks as she sat in an awkward position, and circled would be her healthy mare figure as an arrow pointed to words on the bottom.

WANT THE TASTE TO GET NIGHTMARE'S SHAPE? TRY OUT OUR NEW NOCTURNAL SHAKE!

Then on the bottom, encircled, would be a picture of a pink fluffy pony munching on cupcakes.

Nightmare Moon was flushed red as she just remained silent and stared at the picture with a dead expression of absolute shame and embarrassment. Raindrops hurriedly looked over her shoulder to see, before her eyes widened as she turned away, coughing a little to release the tension. Lightning Drops made her way over as she observed also, before scratching at the back of her name. "W-Whoa, um, yeeeeea." She just glanced back, turning around like Raindrops as it was obvious the two pegasi wanted to say something, but didn't.

Nightmare Moon, Lightning Dust, and Raindrops all stood angrily in front of an office desk.

The older mare just sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "What? I was trying to help you guys out."

Nightmare Moon would look desperately to her boss before raising the flier. "L-Look what they did to me! They made a fool of my godly figure! And they're using my name without my permission! W-What a joke! The Nocturnal Shake!? Is this even allowed!?"

Lightning Dust just shook her head with both hooves crossed. "No, it's not."

The older mare lowered her head with yet another sigh. "I took the royalty fee. Obviously you're the mare of the hour Nightmare Moon so you'll get a percentage of what they make, but they'll probably get all the attention for basing their shake off you."

Nightmare Moon gasped. "T-This is absurd! I don't want the enemy to be getting loyal followers off of my appearance!"

The older mare shrugged. "Listen Nightmare, I'm trying to help you out here. Ever since I've met you, you've been a bit, um, ignorant to some of the way business works here in Equestria. Do you even know how to pay your rent? Do you even have a home for that matter?"

Nightmare Moon snapped, stomping a hoof. "I LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS CASTLE!"

Meanwhile on the border of Manehattan, a small wooden board snapped off the roof of a barren wooden hut.

The older mare continued. "You could use the bits." She paused before baring a serious expression. "And this was to teach you guys a lesson as well. Cookie King's is a business with a lot more backing than we've got. You're still in training Nightmare Moon and Raindrops & Lightning Dust alone isn't enough to keep the pace with the amount of workers Cookie King's has. We'll probably need to hire more workers to actually make a decent impact once the initial wow factor that you're an alicorn passes by. Also, it won't be long until everypony realizes what you did at Ponyville as well, so we've gotta be careful of that. Thankfully, most ponies aren't interested in searching for more reasons to be afraid in our crazy world. But we don't want Octavia going on causing trouble for you once we arrive at the point where ponies are weary of your existence Nightmare, she can make a very persistent foe if you attack her favorite cookie brand. It's better that we lay low for some time, you get to learn more of all the city itself, of the other restaurants, before going hoof to hoof with all them out there."

Nightmare Moon frowned heavily, as did the rest of them.

"Now you three finish up work for the rest of the day and don't go causing anymore trouble." With that the three took their leave out of the office, as the older mare just sighed as she glanced over the name of one of the potential workers with a raised brow. Hooves huh?

As the three made it out, they took a moment to gather into a huddle in the hallway outside the office.

Lightning Dust frowned a bit as she crossed her hooves. "Sorry guys, I didn't expect boss to go behind our back light that."

Raindrops raised a brow at Lightning Dust, "What about Mr.Buck? He'll help us won't he?"

Lightning Dust shook her head. "No I doubt it, he always takes a bunch of advice from her."

Raindrops sulked as she frowned heavily. "Right...."

Lightning Dust sighed as she looked to Nightmare Moon with crossed hooves. "But she's right about one thing, Octavia has way too much support and status from her plays and concerts to be taken on by sheer willpower alone. They say she's even friends with Vinyl Scratch and has took part in the Grand Galloping Galla's in Canterlot. This was probably more of a warning to us, or just an act of spite and annoyance on her part but maybe it isn't so bad. The LAST thing you want right now Nightmare is for somepony to be slandering your name. Maybe the way it works is the less attention, the better the situation for the time being." She tried to give the alicorn a reaffirming smile.

However, Nightmare Moon just kept her head lowered, as she began trotting back towards the main lobby solemnly.

Lightning Dust sighed again as she observed the mare and sulked herself.

Raindrops attempted to go after her, "N-Nightmare Mo-" before Lightning Dust grabbed hold of her, shaking her head. Raindrops then looked back in Nightmare's direction before whimpering a bit and glancing back at Lightning Dust, "You think she'll be okay?"

Lightning Dust nodded plainly before smiling a bit. "Y-Yea, she just needs more time to adjust. But I'm sure this is actually a good thing." She paused momentarily. "Nightmare may not see it yet, but in actuality, if we play along for now, it'll be that much better when we strike."

Raindrop's eyes widened as she then nodded in understanding. "O-Ooooooh."

And as Nightmare Moon trotted, she wore a cold calculating glare as well in deep thought. This isn't over, Cello Pony..

In another part of the city however, a tinier, less imposing figure trotted about. He was currently hidden in an alley as he wore a cloak to cover his body, and his long black mane was so long that it dragged along the concrete surface he remained upon. His body trembled as his eyes were wide and he looked down at his own hooves. "W-What? What has happened to me?" He glanced up towards the blue skies, before glancing back, attempting to take in all the sights and sounds. He steadily rose to all four hooves as he coughed a bit, and then began trotting closer towards a more open area of the city, while for the time being, remaining to be covered in shadow. He raised a brow at all the other ponies trotting about in curiosity. I survived? He lowered his head, I wonder, does that mean she survived to? He bore tired eyes as he glanced about wearily. Perhaps it is best to acquire some sustenance first, before concentrating on such matters.

Two stallions trotted along the sidewalk as the day came to an end, while the setting sun hung lower and lower in the background with each passing second. They each relieved looks as one looked to his companion with a smirk. "No no I'm serious, she was looking at me even though she was a griffon. They're actually pretty cute sometimes even though they can be jerks for the most part!" He chuckled.

The other stallion shook his head, trying to understand but ultimately not getting it. "That's just freaky man!"

The opposing stallion shrugged before smirking. "Listen, if you don't treat life as an adventure. Don't complain when-" before they each paused to the sudden mumbling of somepony not far off, only a few feet in front of them. Their eyes widened as they stood there silently, glancing around for a moment before looking towards the ground, to see that the figure was that of a colt, window shopping.

The colt wore a raggedy cloak and had a long black mane which touched upon the surface, obviously in desperate need of a manecut. But what was most disturbing was the color of his eyes, they consisted of a crimson shade and the whites of his eyes were an ethereal green. He just stood there, talking to himself. "It seems Celestia still goes about her daily routine, excellent, this means I may have time to form the strategy of my initial strike. Luna shall be the first to suffer." He smirked a bit to himself before glancing towards his left to take notice of the two stallions. "Ah, peasants." Before raising a hoof at them, "I acquire some of this strange form of currency known as bits in order to purchase myself shiny rocks to consume and devour and rise to my former glory. Slaves such as yourselves will serve me well."

One stallion looked to his friend with a raised brow. "Is this kid serious? He's not serious is he?"

The other one's brow twitched as he blinked a bit at the kid. "Listen kid, we don't got any bits for you, now scram, get out of here."

The colt's eyes widened as he snickered a bit, before tilting his head back. "Ah, how amusing, the slaves believe they have a right to talk back to their master and future ruler? You two are no more than cattle, slaves to be collared and shackled once I take the reigns of this wretched world back once again." His voice was much higher, like that of a colt still in pre-school, yet he talked with quite an educated dialect. "Serve me now and save yourselves the punishment later. Or defy me and suffer the consequences, the choice is yours."

The stallions each looked to one another before glaring down at the colt, one stated seriously. "Beat it squirt."

The colt smiled, before placing a hoof over his face. "So you have chosen to defy me, this is disappointing. Graaaaah, well, it is a shame really. You two would've made excellent haulers for my carts of crystals. Alas, a King cannot keep track of all the troublesome mongrels in his kingdom. I will make this quick." He began trotting towards them, "Now come, come and face the might of the one who will rule this-"

And it was now the dead of night as the colt was stuffed upside down in the dumpster.

Eventually he flipped himself over as he had a swollen lower lip and right eye. He wore no expression for the time being, as he just remained in place there for another moment, in utter and complete shock. There was nothing but silence and the sounds of coursing winds as eventually, he lost it and began roaring. "WHAT!? I AM A KING AND I WAS TOUCHED AND BEATEN BY PEASANTS!? WHAT FORM OF MADNESS IS THIS!?" Sombra suddenly wore a look of fear as he glanced around hurriedly. N-No, this is not the world I once ruled, this world is,....different. T-These ponies, surely none would defy my right to their lives. Nopony is that idiotic, so it could only mean one thing. He glared, These ponies have all lost their minds, they are but insane, broken ponies.

The colt raised his head, appearing noble somewhat yet again. It seems that I, still have quite a lot of work to do. Before he began trotting on, going about his way as he continued to trot about the city now in the dead of night. Uncertain of this, strange new world.