The last we saw our heroes, they had formulated a plan to kill the tyrant King Cobra. No sooner had this plan been brought up, King Cobra and his elite soldiers took up residence in Ponyville. Sending one of his men to deliver a vial of his seductive venom to Cloudsdale (to be spread across Equestria), he found haven in Twilight's house (who, by the way, is trapped in the human world). After intercepting the vial, Snowflake flew back to the hideout (Sugarcube Corner), to find her friends captured by King Cobra. She fled, unnoticed, to the Everfree forest, where she now sat with Tropical Breezes octopus, Toopie.

Snowflake: (Sniffing) I shouldn't have gone after that stupid vial. If I hadn't, I would be with my friends!

Toopie: Plooo!

Snowflake: Now, I'm the only hope for all of Equestria. Cloudsdale is captured, and soon so will the Crystal Empire. All is lost.

She put her head in her hooves and sobbed. For half an hour she sat, wallowing in self pity, when great wings flapped in the air. Fearing an attack from above, Snowflake hid in the bushes. In the small clearing where she had sat, a giant bird landed. His feathers were a bright orange; even in the pitch black night they shone. In a raspy voice, he began to speak.

Bird: Pony, are you there? Come on out, I want to speak with you.

Snowflake: (Not moving) What do you want?

Bird: Freedom, same as you. My name is Rocko, and I am a Cock-of-the-Rock. I watched from my high perch how your friends valiantly fought, but were quickly subdued. My superb eyesight was able to spot you coming into the forest as well. Pity overcame me, and I decided to help you. Are you really the only one left strong enough to fight the King?

Snowflake: (Stepping cautiously out of the brush) I am Snowflake, and yes, I am. At least, the only one free to fight him.

Rocko: (Crowing softly with laughter) Ra-ra-ra! You are funny, my little pony.

Snowflake: Why do you laugh?

Rocko: Don't you know? A way to fight the King's spell, other than destroying him, is with Cock-of-the-Rock saliva!

Snowflake: (Excitedly) So you can help my friends?

Rocko: (Flapping anxiously) No no no! The King can quickly subdue me with his venom!

Snowflake: But he will only put you under his spell.

Rocko: Wrong! He knows about my saliva. He can change his venom sac from mind controlling to murderous poison!

Snowflake: Hmm... Well, that may be so, but we can probably recruit others. My teacher is locked away in a prison cell in Cloudsdale. Even you, with your brilliant feathers, can hide in this eternal darkness.

Rocko: Snowflake, I will help you. (Extending out his wing) Climb onto my back, so that we may get there as fast as possible.

Snowflake: Are you sure?

Rocko: Just get on!

Snowflake gently retrieved Toopie, and clambered onto the giant bird's back. Stretching his wings, the bird took off into the night sky, bound for Cloudsdale.

Back to Twilight's house, to the evil presence of King Cobra.

King Cobra: (Knocking books to the floor) Blast all of these novels! Doesn't she do anything but read?

Sentry: Perhaps she loses herself in them.

King Cobra: (Snarling) Nobody asked you! How are the new prisoners?

Sentry: They are still getting... Broken. They will soon be ready to be subject to your rule.

King Cobra: Excellent. Do not kill them, but do make them more willing to serve me. Bring in Red Rose!

The Sentry, bowing, exited the living room. A few minutes later, the sentry and two others dragged in an angry pony.

King Cobra: Welcome, wife of King Sombra!

Red Rose: Bite my sword, you monster!

King Cobra: (Hissing with delight) Now now, don't be like that. I'm trying to make small talk with you.

Red Rose: I have nothing to say to you.

King Cobra: Oh, how I wish I could bite you, and watch you suffer. But, I will save that for another time. (Turning to Sentry) Take her away, and break her even further! Bring in the teacher when you return!

The Sentries left, and one returned with a frightened teacher.

Cheerilee: Please, I-I-I didn't mean to offend you by rebelling!

King Cobra: Relax, there's no reason to be afraid. (Coiling around the poor pony) Just relax.

Cheerilee: (Whispering now) Please.....

King Cobra plunged his fangs into her, holding his grip. Gallon after gallon of poison swept into her system. After four pumps, he removed his fangs. She stood there, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Suddenly, her body contracted, snapping her spine in two. The remains of her body shriveled up into an empty husk, a hollow shell of the poor pony. King Cobra cackled in laughter, spreading his hood proudly. The Sentries, struck anew with fear, bowed repeatedly to the Tyrant, chanting, "King Cobra! King Cobra! King Cobra!"