There weren't any words to describe the sight. Giant things, like steam engines with caterpillar treads and telescopic barrels roared through the streets of Ponyville, heading westward. Ponies eyed the vehicles with fear and awe from behind curtained windows or through the peepholes of their doors. The Royal Guard, armored in the orange and red ceramic plate and bowl helmets of their new armor marched beneath the weight of twin-linked cannons on their backs. The few that let their gazes stray from what was immediately in front of them watched the empty streets and houses with disinterest from behind red-tinted, ballistic goggles. The ponies hiding in their homes flinched away from those unfeeling eyes.
One pony, one of the few supporters of the Lunar Republic, stood before the tank column, hoof upraised as if it were all he needed to halt them. The tanks slowed to a stop mere feet before the pony. Before the Royal Guard's infantry could intervene, two ponies from a nearby house galloped into the street, grabbing the pony and dragging him into an alleyway, away from the soulless gaze of the Royal Guard, which continued on their way out of town, unperturbed.
The tanks and infantry continued on their way, a long line of vehicles and soldiers that defied comprehension. A small cadre, in red coats and cold trim, peaked caps on their heads, stopped before Twilight's library. The princess greeted them with open arms, and they bowed before her.
"Your Grace," the oldest of the stallions, clearly the one in charge, said, "the Royal Guard marches out to crush the Lunar Republic. We thank you for the safe passage through your lands."
"Think nothing of it, General." Twilight waved a hoof dismissively. She had no idea who this pony was, nor did she recognize the new uniforms, but the rank pins were still the same.
"The stallions feel they owe you something for your recent show of loyalty and mercy to the republicans in Ponyville." the general explained, "If there is anything, anything at all that you require, simply ask and it shall be fulfilled."
"Actually, there are two things, General." Twilight beamed. She went into her house and shortly returned with two items: a folded, red cloth, and a large book. "My friend Rarity and I created these items to inspire morale for the troops, and the everyday citizenry of loyal Equestria."
"We prefer to call ourselves the Solar Empire, nowadays." the general chortled, "Princess Celestia wasn't too pleased with it at first, but I believe it's growing on her."
"The Solar Empire..." Twilight said the words, as if tasting them, "Yes, that fits quite nicely, I think."
"I apologize for having interrupted you; what were you about to say regarding these items?"
"I was going to request that you carry this flag into battle, and read this book to your soldiers." Twilight levitated the cloth and book to the general who took hold of them with his own magic.
"Le Livre du Soleil?" the general read aloud, "Interesting name. Fancy, correct?"
"Yes, General." Twilight smiled.
The general unfurled the banner and the officers' eyes widened as they looked at the craftsmanship of it. Golden wings wreathing an orange horn before a golden sun upon the red field. Rarity had certainly pulled out all the stops when designing and piecing it. Fine silk, cut and stitched as only a professional seamstress like herself could do. Much grander than the small banner Apple Bloom had stitched together.
"It's beautiful." the general said honestly, clearly breathtaken, "I would be honored to have my soldiers carry this into battle."
"Rarity certainly poured her soul into it." Twilight chuckled, "I found her choice in color ironic. Red banners are typically associated with republican and revolutionary ideologies."
"In our line of work, Your Grace," the general said slowly, "red is a color of courage, of sacrifice, and of blood shed in defense of our nation."
"Celestia speed in your defense, this day, General." Twilight nodded.
The general looked a little confused over her choice of words, but bowed to her and left in good order, his officer cadre close behind. Twilight watched as the strange, tracked vehicles and sleek-armored soldiers marched out of Ponyville and disappeared into the distance. A train was approaching just as the Royal Guard vanished, and Twilight tried to fight the scowl growing on her face. She knew exactly who was on that train.
And boy, was he getting a scolding.
*-*
"Yeesh, seems like this train ride's gone on forever, right girls?" Spike chuckled anxiously as he looked out the window. Looking back, he saw both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo on oppisite sides of the train, glaring at him. He gulped.
The remainder of the ride was in drawn-out silence with tension so thick, Spike was sure he could have carved a piece of it out of the air with his claws. Why did both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle have to decide to reveal their secret crushes on him on an hours-long train ride from Appleoosa? Why did they have to reveal it at all?
For that matter, how in the hay had they come to like him in the first place? He wasn't cool, athletic, or even sporty. It made a little sense why Sweetie Belle would like him; he was well-mannered and versed in the arts of chivalry and service, things that he had hoped would draw the attention of Rarity. Why in Equestria did Scootaloo like him? All that was missing was Apple Bloom revealing she had a crush on him, and he'd probably lose it.
"When are you two going to stop glaring at me and start talking to me?" Spike asked, "I'm sorry I don't really feel like that for either of you, but it's no reason to hold a grudge against me. Can't we just be friends?"
That did it.
"Friends?!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exploded. Spike jumped back, arms half-raised in self-defense.
"Of all the pig-headed things you could say to a filly!" Sweetie spat, "You have no class, Spike! No class!"
"Did you seriously just friend-zone me?!" Scootaloo looked like she was fighting back tears, "I can't believe you'd be so, so... heartless!"
With that, Scootaloo ran past Spike and into the next car forward, while Sweetie marched to the car behind, muttering curses that made the dragon's ears burn. He was left there, stunned for a long moment, before crashing into the nearest seat.
"Mares." he muttered to himself.
*-*
The train pulled into the station and came to a full stop before passengers - the only three that were aboard, for not many ponies were travelling between Ponyville and Appleoosa these days - disembarked. Twilight couldn't decide if she was more relieved that Spike was alright or furious that he had left with only a letter to explain where he was. Rarity was also there, though she wasn't angry with Sweetie Belle - just worried over her. Twilight had asked all around town, but she couldn't find Scootaloo's parents. She hoped they hadn't been part of the casualties of the Royal Guards' last trip to Ponyville.
In a gust of a steam and a bellow from the engineer announcing the station, Spike emerged from one car, and the two fillies from two other cars. Twilight's anger was lost in her momentary confusion of this. Why would they all take different cars? Oh well; who knew how foals and drakes behaved when left to their own devices.
"Oh!" Rarity cried, rushing to Sweetie Belle's side, tears springing from her eyes, "I missed you so much! I don't know what I would have done if something bad had happened to you! I'd simply never forgive myself!"
"Spike!" Twilight found herself rushing to his side and hugging him, "Oh my gosh, I should be mad at you, but I'm just so happy to see you! Was the train ride eventful?"
"You could say that..." the dragon's eyes flashed towards Sweetie and Scootaloo, but quickly found themselves looking at the floor in front of his feet.
"How was it in the Lunar Republic, Sweetie?" Rarity asked, "How was the train ride?"
"Why don't you ask your precious "Spikey-wikey"?" Sweetie snapped and stomped off.
"Sorry your parents couldn't be here, Scootaloo." Twilight said, ignoring Sweetie's apparent tantrum, "I couldn't seem to find them."
"Not as sorry as I am." Scootaloo said, frowning bitterly, "I'm going home."
As the pegasus filly left, she shot Rarity a venomous glare that made the older pony flinch back.
"What in heavens did I do?" Rarity asked to nopony in particular, "Did I say something to offend them?"
"It's not that..." Spike said, "They're mad at me, but they're blaming you."
"What did you do to make them so mad?" Twilight asked, "And why would they blame Rarity?" After a little thought, the alicorn puzzled it out. "Oh... Both of them?"
"...Yeah..." the dragon frowned.
"You didn't let them down gently, I take it?" Twilight asked.
"Could somepony explain what's going on?" Rarity asked, her voice betraying the impatience she was feeling.
"Rarity, I don't know if now's the time to tell you or not, but recent events have shown me that life can end sooner than one would think." Spike said in a rush. Twilight's eyes widened and Rarity was speechless. "What I'm trying to say is that, ever since I first saw you, I've been completely head-over-heels for you. It started with your beauty and grace, but it grew with every act of kindness you've displayed. To put it bluntly... I love you."
Complete silence. Even the engineer and workers who were close enough to have heard the conversation were stunned by what they had heard. How could anyone that young articulate their feelings in such a mature fashion? Well, when one thought of who raised him, it wasn't too surprising, but it was still surprising.
"Spike..." Rarity blinked. She had known about his crush before, and even cried at how sweet it was, but she had never expected a confession like this. Her eyes welled up with tears. "You're too sweet, Spike. Your words are moving, and I can feel the honesty in them. I simply don't deserve it."
"But you do." Spike said quickly, "You're like a piece of priceless art, or a holy relic. So beautiful, so pure. Like the most perfect of snowflakes, or the clearest of diamonds. And your kindness! I have never seen anypony as generous as you, and only our friends match you in caring."
"Spike, what have you been reading?" Twilight asked, wondering where all this praise was flowing from. It was like Spike had pent it up for so long that now he couldn't get it out fast enough.
"I'm just telling the truth." Spike confessed, smiling and kneeling before Rarity, "I've kept it bottled up for so long, it just feels great to let it out. Rarity, I love you, with all of my heart!"
"Spike, please stop." the unicorn's smile was at odds with her eyes.
"I would do anything for you." Spike continued, practically bowing before her, "I would die a thousand times for you."
"Spike!" Rarity snapped, startling the dragon out of his praise. Visibly calming herself, she offered the stongest smile she could manage, which was pitifully fragile. "I appreciate your adoration, but I simply don't feel the same way. You're like a younger brother to me."
Spike blinked a couple of times, his mouth slack as he looked up from his position on the floor. Picking himself up, he was visibly straining to keep the tears from his eyes, clearing his throat uncomfortably. Rarity avoided looking at him. Twilight watched, too horrified to intervene.
"I understand." Spike finally choked out, "How could a mare as beautiful and graceful as you ever love... ever love an animal like me!"
Before Twilight or Rarity could say anything, the dragon sprinted out of the train station. Rarity broke into sobs and Twilight struggled to stand up straight. The workers cleared their throats and returned to their work, trying to forget the awkward scene they had just witnessed.
"He's so sweet." Rarity managed at last, between sobs, "He deserves a mare that's good to him, and he's not bad to look at, but for the life of me, I just don't see him that way!"
"It's not your fault, Rarity." Twilight said, hugging her friend, "He'll find his special somepony some day."
"I hope he does." Rarity sniffled, "As I said, he deserves it."
Twilight sighed as she watched the train depart again back towards Appleoosa. She briefly wondered what the train would arrive to when it reached its destination.
*-*
The forward sentry broke through the doors at a dead gallop. The gathering of politicians and attendants snapped out of their conversations and politicking. Premier Luna stood as the dominant presence of the assembly. The sentry, one of thousands of volunteers in Luna's growing Republican Guard, bowed before her. She had tried to do away with the bowing, but she secretly did enjoy it.
"What do you have to report?" she asked, regally.
"Celestia's army is on the march, only a few hours outside of Appleoosa, Premier." the sentry said, breathlessly, "They're armored in Filthy Rich's new ceramic plates and have a bunch of tanks with them."
Tanks. That's what Filthy Rich had labeled the strange, tracked vehicles. Luna grinned, despite this information.
"Ready our forces." she ordered, "We'll show these dogs that the Lunar Republic won't bow before their show of force."
Filthy Rich had made good on his promise of arming the Lunar Republic, though with such short notice, they were far from well-equipped. The Republican Guard, only a few thousand, wore a mix of the old, gothic armor of Luna's Royal Guard, and the newer, sleek ceramic plate of Filthy's design. Most of them were armed with gun carriages on their backs, though some still fought with spear and blade.
Luna knew she was outnumbered, and outgunned. She wasn't a fool. Although an outdated study, military science had still been a requirement for both princesses growing up. How could one lead their nation if they could not defend it? Still, Luna's knowledge had grown since those foalhood lessons. Reading the works of blacklisted philosophers, she had discovered ancient strategies to counter Celestia's archaic Royal Guard. Scarlet Banner's pupils referred to it as the "Ponies' War". Guerilla warfare. Partisan combat.
With her forces hidden in the dark alleys and the shadows of the town, they faded into the inky darkness of night. Many of the soldiers had taken to wearing black viels across their muzzles, and even going so far as to add black paint around their eyes. Lights were turned off, fires put out. Appleoosa looked abandoned, as dark as the desert around it.
Wisely, the Royal Guard sent in scouts. Five stallions, wearing minimal armor, scoured the pioneer town. Yet, for all their searching, they couldn't find the concealed Republican Guard; only frightened civilians inside their homes. Reporting as such to their officers, it wasn't long before they declared Appleoosa abandoned and moved in to garrison it. A motor pool was set up just outside of the town, where crews disembarked from their tanks and mechanics set about refuelling and maintenance. The soldiers set up camp as officers and NCOs took civilian housing - often by threat of arrest.
Like any soldier, they slept whenever they could get it, and it didn't take long before only the sentries were awake in the dead of night. One sentry watched the dark with a gaze like iron. Those steely eyes widened a fraction as half a foot of sharpened steel struck him in the throat. He fell, crying silently as masked ponies threw themselves over him. The other sentries fared no better, executed by silent blades and spearpoints.
The general, admiring the banner crafted by Rarity, was caught by surprise when the tanks outside began detonating, one by one. The motor pool burst into flames and Royal Guard personnel scurried around the flaming vehicles, fighting the flames desperately. Soldiers were rousing from their sleep, startled as sudden and violent gunfire erupted around them. The general grit his teeth as several members of his command staff fell in bursts of crimson. The Royal Guard were still trying to muster a defense, unable to find the sources of the enemy fire. Fastening a banner to a pole and planting it before the tent, the general strapped himself into a gun carriage.
"Rally! To me, my stallions! Rally!" he bellowed over the din of combat.
One by one, the Royal Guard formed ranks and fired into the darkness. Slowly, they advanced into the night, driving their attackers back, all the while marching beneath the flag of the Solar Empire.
"That's it, troops!" the general laughed as his guns silenced an enemy in the shadows, "Keep up the heat!"
A shadow cut out the moon- and starlight. The general and the soldiers immediately surrounding him ceased fire and looked up. Like a wraith shrouded in night, Premier Luna descended from the sky. Her armor was ornate, dark and glassy like obsidian carved by some gothic architect. She towered over them, her eyes glowing with heated wrath, her horn ablaze in cobalt flame. Behind her, a swarm of black-clad pegasi with the bat wings of the old Royal Night Guard swarmed in the air, eyes glinting in the night.
The general was too stunned to even fight back.