Author's Note

Trigger warning; This story contains an unlikable female protagonist, and heavy themes.
Pass on this one if you wish to see humans portrayed Only positively.

The reformed Nightmare had both friends and enemies on earth. Humans were complex, and unpredictable; working to their own ends. Some liked who she appeared as and befriended her, and some stood to rebuke her for a myriad of reasons.

This is a tale of the dark underbelly, a low point that she had to wade through during that time.
Some have said, that its theme is misanthropic. Possibly? It is not for those with a weak stomach in the area of unpleasant human experiences.
An alicorn with a dark history, as an outsider with no stake in humans squabbles, only curiosity. She has a long term goal, and can't afford unchecked megalomania, to thwart it.
In this tale, they collide.

The Treachery of the Supplier: I

Of the group of fillies and colts before her, one piped up and asked;

"Princess, what were they like? Did they have a princess of their own, or somepony that watched over them?" Shadowbeam couldn't help but ask.

Shadowbeam...

The ponies of his lineage, as it would turn out; would be close to the throne over the coming centuries:
Ranging from humble castle staff, to Ceremonial Guards.

But as the princess settled her eyes on the colt, her mind wandered to the past...

Walking into the corporations presidents' office, the dark alicorn was in her disguise that she doned when interacting with the humans. Appearing to be wearing a business suit now considered 'classic' nowadays, though it was pristine in its cloth.

The visit today, or practically a summons, was about the nature of his purchase; Incubation units, fit for artificial gestation of any mammal from a fertilized egg.

Such technology was highly controversial, but available for discreet purchase, provided the price was amicable.

"Welcome Mr _______, please sit. I'm sure we can work out these little details in quick order" The company president assured her customer.

In her mid fifties, she wore a man's styled suit, though it was more up to current trends in business fashion than the alicorn bothered to keep up on.

"Wonderful. Material shortages come too often these days" The man returned with a pleasant chuckle.

Taking a seat before the expensive and ornate desk, he made himself comfortable.

"Artificially imposed shortages to exact a higher price from myself and others" she thought behind her mask of pleasantries.

Casting a one way telepathy spell, a mind reading tactic; the alicorn was going to find out what was standing between her and her future foals.

"I Agree, they stand against everything we are trying to accomplish here. The results are; troubling our clients, and needing to prioritize order fulfillment's" The woman behind the desk spoke with a tone of finality.

"Hmm, my presence here is not welcome. In fact, she is radiating much resentment underneath the surface. Why is that?"

"In order to fulfill your order rapidly, I need to know more of the nature of its application. It says here that it is to be used in equine breeding, could you elaborate in greater detail?" She asked with feigned interest.

"Gladly. Equines have served people for thousands of years; In everyday life, war, and joy. However, disease is still the greatest cause of heartrendingly sudden maladies and fatalities. Made all the worse that the species divide makes it difficult to understand when they are suffering illnesses..."

As the alicorn went on, she probed the company president for her reaction.

"Interesting, sudden flashes of barely controlled rage... How would anything I have said trigger such a thing? For all that she knows, I am merely a conscientious humanitarian throwing immense sums of currency to her for a trifling issue. Is that the cause? Is this too small a cause for her to spend her consideration?"

As the alicorn in disguise expounded her proclaimed intentions of genetically treating the diseases, the telepathy spell made the company presidents mood clear;

"My guise... she despises it? My speaking of equines in any fashion is filling her mind with... disgust? Oh, ah, it is clear now. I am dealing with one that has been poisoned of males, which my guise is. Of all of the preposterous nonsense! Even my speaking of horsemanship in any way, is causing her to flare. Sigh, I now see that I will not receive any supplies while she has any say in the matter. A pity that she has wasted my time"

Finishing with her cover story for the equipment's' designated use, she flashed a proud and sincere looking smile. Which, nearly made the president's facade break.

Taking a deep breath to reign herself in, the president spoke;

"Well, that sounds all well and good. However other clients are lined up for research in projects which will directly benefit humanity, which must take priority, I'm sorry to say"

"Ah, not only is that a bold-faced fiction, quite the opposite is involved. Her mind is quite easy to read. Every time she practices subversion, she rationalizes it in real-time; providing all of the details. To her, this is about exercising controls against those whom she dislikes...on sight"

Expressing a crestfallen look, which was in part heart felt, the man sitting in the chair feigned hope. Though, the alicorn knew that was impossible. Sighing, he replied;

"Oh. Then, is there a long waiting list?" Moon asked.

"It was, even before the materials shortages became an issue" She said, seeking to dash any remaining hopes.

"Now she is radiating joy, in sizable amounts at that. A very perverse individual, for it seems that I was correct about levying control. Now what is this about.. Contacting other suppliers to blacklist me so that I will never receive the materials I require? Regulators and investigators? Ohhhh. An Immense misstep, madam president. For I will not be deterred by any force which exists on this planet. Not of my foals, nor my future. And for this, Ye have earned my Wroth"

Concluding the meeting and excusing himself from her office, the alicorn cast a tracking spell on the presidents left leg, making it twitch in an involuntary spasm. To which the she dismissed as nerves from the trying interview.

---

Walking out of the building to her taxi, the man looked back at the towering building;

"See you tonight, Madam." Moon said with a tone that she hadn't uttered in decades.

Getting into the taxi, she bid the driver;

"I must stay in town for another day. Please, take me to an hotel which would likely have a vacancy"

Looking back to his passenger, the driver quipped;

"Sure thing, and there's a good restaurant and bar nearby, in case you want to blow off some steam tonight" He said with a grin.

Grinning back to him, the disguised alicorn replied;

"Thank you, and indeed I will blow off some steam tonight."