The Imperial Military train drove through the countryside. Some of the small towns were shocked at the size of the train. Princess Luna was standing in the open part of the cab so people could see that these soldiers were here to help. Many of the citizens began to cheer at the Imperial troops as they rode through their town.
“If you don’t mind, I have some questions for you two,” Luna began.
“Alright, shoot,” Matthew replied.
“First, how can you all have all those numbers when no other army could ever support that many troops?”
“Large empire, and not all of our forces are regular people. Some, like Yuri here, are clones.”
“Next question, how can that army fit in this train?”
“Actually, there’s more than one train pulling this force. That, and most of the forces are still at the docks,” Yuri answered.
“Why are there five types uniforms?”
“More than five. You’ve just seen the main ones, but to answer part of the question, wars can get confusing when soldiers wear the same outfit.”
“What do you mean?” Luna asked.
“We had a civil war a few years ago, so it was better for both sides to not wear the same uniform,” Matthew explained, remembering when he was wearing his blue uniform while some of his staff wore gray.
“Why are you driving the train and not riding in a royal coach or something?” Before Matthew could reply, the radio in the cab went on.
“Sir, Lennex planes incoming!” When they looked out, they saw five Lennex fighters come in and begin firing at the Royal coach a few cars back, before turning back for home.
“That answer the question?” Matthew asked. Luna nodded, realizing that anyone in those type of coaches were targeted all the time. “Here they come again!” The Lennex planes arrived once more and began to shoot at the coach again, before turning to the next train, doing the same. Imperial infantry scrambled to the top of the cars and began firing back, one bullet hitting a pilot and causing the plane to spiral out of control and crash near the tracks.
After around two hours, The Imperial forces arrived outside what looked to be a large Apple Orchard. What caused them to stop was a warning of sort. When Matthew saw it, let's just say that he was about to throw up. Hanging from a tree was one of the Royal Guards, his body cut up and looked to be beaten. His fingers and toes were gone and he had nails deep in his body. Luna looked away from the sight as Apple Bloom looked around and realized where they were.
"This is mah family's Apple Orchard!" she exclaimed. Matthew walked up to the body and read a sign hanging from his neck.
"'This is a warning to all who oppose the might of the Lennex Empire,'" he read. He turned to the officer that was with him in the cab and gave the order. "Get the advance group of the Emperor's Guard ready to move out!" he ordered. TK walked up to Matthew and saw the warning. "I'll take a group of men and hit their flank. When the shooting begins, I want you to bring the rest of the forces up the road," he finished.
"Just like the last two times?" he asked with a smirk.
"Just like the last two times," the Emperor replied with a smirk. The doors to the cars opened as men began to jump out onto the ground, making sure they had all their weapons before forming up in their lines. Matthew mounted his horse, Classie, and rode to the front of the men that had just unloaded from the train that would be going with him into this battle.
"Men, today we show the Lennex Empire what happens when they attack a peaceful people. This warning will not scare us. Remember your brothers fighting on the frontlines. Remember the Freedom and all the brothers we lost that day. Vive l'Empire Imperial!" he yelled. The reply from the soldiers was a thunderous cheer.
"Let's get 'em!" "I lost my friend on the Freedom! I want payback!" " I'll take them all on by myself!" were some of the yells that came from the Imperial soldiers. The amount of hatred coming from them sent shivers down the spines of the others.
'These men are out for blood,' thought Luna. After the yelling had died down, the soldiers began to form up for battle. four thousand Imperial soldiers were ready for the upcoming fight. Luna got on her horse and rode up to the Emperor. "I'll be going with you," she said. Celestia tried to talk her out of it, but Luna was determined to go.
As the light of day was beginning to fade, Matthew gave the order to move out. They marched for another ten minutes before they got ready for the attack.
"Jake, move your group over the hill," he said. Imperial troops began to move quickly and quietly up the hill. When the first group of men was over the ridge, a large yell rose from the Imperial forces. The Lennex soldiers standing guard looked at the ridge and saw the Imperial troops coming right for them. They dropped everything they had and ran into the camp.
"They're coming, get your muskets!" yelled one of the Lennex soldiers. Some of them looked at what they were running from and saw the Imperial forces heading right for them. More of the Lennex soldiers ran.
"Let's get out of here!" yelled another. Imperial forces ran by the abandoned cannons and into the camp. A group of thirty Lennex soldiers were getting into a line to fight. Before they could fire, the same number of Imperial soldiers did the same.
"Ready, Fire!" ordered an officer. With more accurate muskets, the Imperials were able to hit more targets than their Lennex counterparts, who had to get up closer to have the same effect. Twenty of the Lennex soldiers were killed while the remaining ten ran.
"You can't get away from us!" yelled an Imperial soldier. Imperial forces chased them through the camp. Some places turned into a massive melee fight. Fifteen Lennex soldiers were able to get a shot off before running into the main part of the camp. When the Lennex soldiers were waking up, they heard the sounds of a battle. When another group tried to form up, many of them were killed and the rest ran away with Imperial soldiers right behind them. Three Lennex cannons were beginning to get turned around in a last ditch effort. Two of them were able to fire off their canister shots, killing multiple Imperial infantry, while the third, as soon as it was primed to fire, had its crew shot. As the smoke from the muskets began to cover them, the Imperial forces ran forward and over the small barricade that was placed for it.
"Let's go, press on!" yelled the flag carrier. As one of the Lennex officers walked out of his tent, an Imperial soldier ran up and hit him with the stock of his gun, knocking him onto the table, before the soldier ran forward, following his regiment’s flag.
Two young women walked out of the tent just as Luna was riding up.
“Pinkie Pie! Rarity!” Luna exclaimed. “What happened?”
“We went with the Guard to try and help protect our homes,” Rarity said. “We were taken captive right after arriving.” Before Rarity could continue, Pinkie interrupted.
“They’re going to hurt Big Mac and Fluttershy!” she yelled. A group of Lennex soldiers were walking to the two in question before six Imperial soldiers ran up.
“Line up right here!” the lead soldier ordered. “Ready, fire!” all six fired into the backs of the Lennex soldiers, causing them to collapse in front of Big Mac and Fluttershy. “Let’s move!” The soldiers continued the advance, determined to keep up with the lead group.
“Are those people the help you found?” Pinkie asked, as they all ran to keep up with the attacking Imperials.
“Yes, they are,” Luna replied. “More are coming down the road and will meet up with these forces.” They all neared the Apple House as Imperial and Lennex infantry were fighting for control of both the house and the barn. A Lennex cannon was aiming right for Princess Luna as Imperial cavalry raced forward, cutting down the cannon’s crew just as the officer was about ready to give the order to fire.
“Into the breach, men!” one of the officers commanded, as his men rushed into the house through a gap in the fighting. The soldiers kicked down the door and rushed in as another group ran into the barn.
They heard the gallop of horses as the Imperial main officers raced towards the road, pistols drawn. As the Lennex infantry took aim, the Imperial officers aimed their pistols, firing as they continued to ride towards the enemy. As they rode by, the Emperor gave his order to the men.
"Push On! Push on!" he yelled to his troops. The remaining Lennex soldiers, realizing which Imperial army they were facing, ran to the nearby town, leaving the Imperial forces in control of the Orchard, but at the cost of around two-hundred fifty Imperial infantry. This fight was soon known as the Skirmish of Sweet Apple Acres. The opening move to the Battle of Ponyville.