The last we saw our heroes, they met three new characters: Tropical Breeze, Toopie the octopus, and Red Rose (fiancee of King Sombra). They had just formulated a plan to overthrow King Cobra, and had packed the necessary belongings for the road before them. Since it was evening, they planned on going in the morning. As they slept, one was still awake, far across Equestria.

King Cobra: (Hissing to himself) I can't wait to get a move on and conquer this blasted land already. Hopefully I'll also find that sniveling coward King Sombra, so I can rip his horn right out of his skull!

Anvil, the main blacksmith of King Cobra, burst into the door panting.

King Cobra: (Snarling) I told you to knock!

Anvil: (Bowing) My most humble apologies, sire, but I come with good news. Your forces are outfitted with your armor and ready to roll.

King Cobra: Excellent!

King Cobra slithered out to the podium over the courtyard, where many-a-pony stood in battle armor. The King himself was outfitted in his armor, and shone like the noonday sun in the torchlight. He began to speak:

King Cobra: My faithful army, the time has come to reclaim the land stolen from us! We deserve to rule, because we are elite! We are the strongest there is! We are Cobras!

Red and black flags were raised, bearing the insignia of a coiled serpent poised to strike. The breastplates of the armor on everypony bore the same emblem. The crowd cheered and stomped their cleated hooves. King Cobra spread his hood, and drank in the silence that ensued.

King Cobra: We must waste no time! For by now, the entirety of Equestria has no doubt heard of our presence, and have formed armies of their own. The Pegasus will move on Cloudsdale, while every available earth pony and unicorn will conquer the Crystal Empire. Have messengers from each party report back to me, for myself and a special squadron of soldiers will reside in Ponyville. Move out!

All of the Pegasi rose from the crowd and flew swiftly, making no noise. The ponies below turned around, and began marching in unison. The sound of their hooves echoed throughout Canterlot, through the moonless night they marched. King Cobra himself slithered down, and began to make his way to Ponyville. His elite squad surrounded him on both sides and escorted him.

Let's jump ahead in time to morning, where the first rays of sun were supposed to shine. However, it was still dark in the land of Equestria. Snowflake awoke with a start, to the slight sound of scraping. It sounded like sandpaper on concrete, uneven and undulating. She awoke the others immediately.

Snowflake: (Whispering) Wake up! I think there's something outside!

Breeze: (Groggily) I think she's right... I see torch light outside!

They all rushed quietly to the window, and beheld the spectacle of awe-inspiring power that is King Cobra. The serpent towered over them, his thick armor reflecting the light from the torches. One of the 10 ponies around him held a flag, bearing his insignia. They continued past the store, and went right into Twilight's house. The door slammed behind them.

Monsoon: Crap! I didn't expect them to come here, and especially in such short time!

Daystar: Undoubtedly, they can move a lot faster than we can. It took us days to run here!

Toopie: Plooo!

Rose: Well, this changes things in our favor. We have the home field advantage!

Opal: That may be true, but-*

He stopped mid sentence to the flap of frantic wings. They saw a Pegasus against the faint outline of the stars, landing on the doorstep of Twilight's house. A single knock sounded, and a sentry opened the door. They heard only what they needed to hear.

Pegasus: (Panting) I... came with news... for the King!

Sentry: Stop gasping and spit it out.

Pegasus: (Calming down) Cloudsdale is under our control. Only a few ponies were there, and they were quickly captured. One put up quite a fight; she had a rainbow mane and tail.

Monsoon: (whispering) Rainbow Dash!

Pegasus: She was, however, quickly subdued.

Sentry: Good! (Turning around and picking up a large vial) Take this and put it in the cloud generator.

Pegasus: What's in it?

Sentry: Poison, courtesy of his majesty. His plan is to make it rain his venom over the land, quickly subjecting everyone to his awesome will.

Pegasus: (Taking the vial) Excellent. It shall be done post haste.

The Pegasus rose and flew off, while the sentry closed the door behind him. The ponies in Sugarcube corner quickly turned to each other.

Mirage: We can't let that vial reach Cloudsdale! If it does, that's the end of Equestria as we know it!

Breeze: Well then, have one of us get it!

Snowflake: I volunteer myself.

Rose: Then there's no time to lose. Go now!

Snowflake ran through the back door and rocketed into the sky. She could barely see the pony ahead of her, flying with impressive speed. She flew with all of her might, and collided into the Pegasus. The vial was knocked from his grasp, and flew into the Everfree forest below. There was a faint shatter of glass.
The Pegasus, angered, attacked Snowflake with his sharp hooves. She dodged right and left, and he didn't land a single hit. He tried to hit her and overstretched, becoming off balanced. She took the opportunity and kicked him in the head, sending him spiraling down below. A sickening crunch of broken bones resonated, and the pony moved no more. Snowflake made her way back to Ponyville, and landed behind Sugarcube corner. It was deathly quiet.
She snuck into the back door, whispering out for her friends. A brilliant light surprised her from the dining area, and she hid behind a stove. Peering under the double doors, she was struck with terror. King Cobra sat coiled around her friends, hissing with glee.

King Cobra: So, there were some ponies left in Ponyville, and I struck the Jackpot! Red Rose, soon to be wife of King Sombra... Or so she thought.

The sentries around him laughed, watching the six of them struggle. A strong flimsy arm wrapped itself around Snowflake's muzzle, and she almost screamed. Turning, she saw that it was just Toopie. He climbed onto her back, and she slowly backed out of the door, and sprinted into the Everfree forest. She sat on a boulder, alone, frightened... Was this the end of hope for all of Equestria?