After the incident involving Sendak and the kidnapped unicorn, Prince Tirek was simply looking forward to getting back to his regular life. Much to his displeasure, his father arranges a banquet with the rulers of Equestria as an act of consolation and a promotion of peace.

Tirek saw it for it was, an act to appease those who wielded more power than they did. But it is from this event that Tirek's path, and plan, is set.