3,000 years have passed since the unmaking of evil. The world has lived in peace and harmony but the assassination of two high level officers near and international border will bring that peace to an abrupt end.
Three thousand years have passed since the unmaking of the Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle and her minions and the world has lived in perfect harmony ever since. An assassination of a high level officer near an international border along with deteriorating economic conditions in a couple of nations will bring that peace to an end. This will bring about a terrifying war, the type that the world has never before seen.
In the end, the use of never before used spells which cause horribly unimaginable damage will cause dark forces from the distant past to return, causing the world to transition from one war straight into another.
Three thousand years have passed since the Dark Goddess Twilight Sparkle and those who she brainwashed into her service were unmade by Brevity Thrash. After their unmaking, the five nation world was restored and love and harmony were restored. For well over 2,500 years it remained strong, then as the world began to change that love and harmony began to slowly deteriorate.
For thousands and thousands of years each nation's economies were dictated solely by what was produced within their borders. Eventually, for the first time in the world's history, trade began to happen between nations. Naturally the resources that one nation produces have a higher value than others. This results in the nations with the more valuable resources doing better off financially than those which produce items of lower value.
Also, some nations wind up being able to produce resources that they used to import from other nations. This winds up hurting the economy of the nation that was the original producer of that product. With some leaders, this began to cause their hearts to be filled with resentment, envy and eventually hatred. With this being the case, relations between world leaders will not be as harmonious as they used to be.
Ultimately world summits become less harmonious, world leaders begin to fight and alliances become very fragile, and that is where things are now. With all the instability that has developed in the world and the hatred that has filled the hearts of some leaders, the world has become a tinderbox that could explode into a war of unprecedented proportions at any time.
It was another peaceful morning in Ponyville as Colgate woke up in her black tower. She looked out from her balcony and everything seemed to be going on normally. The schoolponies were headed to school, the Apple Family was apple bucking, Rarity was opening her shop, Pinkie was making sweets at Sugarcube Corner and Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were preparing for an upcoming relay race, like they did before the world fell into chaos. Just like she had for a bit over 3,000 years, she tapped into the blue eye to scan the world. Much to her delight, everything was going as it normally would. She then heard hoofsteps coming up towards her room.
Scootaloo, her commander for 3,000 years, asked, "Colgate, are you coming to breakfast? Everypony is waiting."
Colgate replied, "Yeah, I am. I was just making sure that there are no problems going on in the world and there aren't."
Colgate followed Scootaloo down to the dining hall where she was greeted by her usual company. General Dark Night, Equestria's highest ranking dark Alicorn for over 3,000 years said, "Good morning Colgate. It is so good to see you!"
Colgate replied, "Thanks, it is good to see all of you too."
Major Frigid Wind asked, "Colgate, how long has it been since the last violence our world has seen?"
Colgate replied, "Hmmm....." She scratched her face and asked, "Wait a minute, it is May 13, 5579 isn't it?"
Frigid Wind replied, "It is, why do you ask?"
Colgate smiled and said, "It has been 3,000 years to the day since Brevity Thrash unmade Twilight Sparkle and her minions!"
Scootaloo asked, "Why are you so excited?"
Colgate replied, "That means that the tri-millennial summit is....."
Before Colgate could say anything further one of her changeling drones led two ponies into the dining hall, Goddess Brevity Thrash of Alicorn Island and Queen Luna of the Equine Empire. Colgate ran into their wings, hugged them and said, "Brevity, Luna! It is so good to see you!"
Brevity replied, "It is so good to see you too!"
Luna added, "It is! It has been far too long!"
Colgate looked shocked at first and asked, "It is wonderful to see you two but you usually don't arrive this long before the summit."
Brevity asked, "What do you mean? Brevity thought the summit started today."
Colgate got a sheepish grin on her face and replied, "Oh yeah, it does. How the hay could I have forgot that."
Very soon their food arrived and they began to eat. Brevity said, "Wow Colgate, Brevity forgot about how good the food is here. Don't get us wrong, the food back home is great, but your meals are the best!"
Luna asked, "Brevity, I thought you gave up that speaking in the third-pony. Do you speak this way to the citizens of Alicorn Island?"
Brevity replied, "No, we do not. Brevity guesses that once she is not home she can let her mane down and be herself."
After eating Colgate, Brevity and Luna headed into the throne room to engage in minor chit chat before the rest of the world leaders showed up. Colgate asked, "Brevity, Luna, what happened? Usually Lyra and Lemon Hearts come with you two."
Luna replied, "Well they don't communicate much with us anymore. I might sound a bit paranoid but that does worry me."
Brevity added, "What really worries us is that when we are doing our patrols over the waters that surround our home we have been seeing a lot of carriers with the Neigh Zealand flag on them. We don't know what to think of this."
Colgate replied, "Hmmm....Well perhaps we can get some answers out of them once they get here."
There was a knock on the throne room door. Colgate opened the door and there were Lemon Hearts and Lyra, neither of which looked very happy to be there. Colgate went to hug the two but Lyra pushed her back with her wings.
Lyra said, "I am in no mood from a hug from you. Let's just get this started, ok?"
Lemon Hearts added, "I'm in the same mindset as Lyra is. I want to get this done so I can get back home."
Colgate shrugged her shoulders and asked, "What crawled up your flanks and died?"
Lyra grunted and headed over to her seat around the table. Colgate banged her hoof on the table and said, "Welcome to the tri-millennial summit everypony. It may not seem like it but it has been 3,000 years since Goddess Brevity unmade Twilight Sparkle and her minions!"
Brevity blushed and said, "Oh it was nothing!"
Luna patted Brevity on the back and asked, "What do you mean it was nothing? You pretty much ended the chances of there ever being another war on our world when you did that."
Lyra and Lemon Hearts had glares on their faces when Luna was patting Brevity on the back. Lemon Hearts asked, "Oh and what makes Brevity so great? What, is it because she speaks in the third-pony? Is it because she has that fancy unmaking spell? Is it because she is a Creator Goddess?"
Colgate banged her hoof on the table and asked, "Lemon Hearts, what has gotten into you. I know you and Lyra both haven't been overly friendly for the past fifty years but really, what has you two so angry?"
Lyra had been bottling her frustration up for many years but she just couldn't do it anymore. She stood up, spread her wings wide and shouted, "YOU KNOW WHAT HAS BOTH OF US SO ANGRY?"
Colgate replied, "No, we do not know. Why don't you enlighten us as to why you two are so grumpy."
Lyra said, "What has both of us grumpy is the fact that our economies are not doing that well. Ever since global trade started, our nations have been in decline while the nations YOU THREE rule are prospering!"
Colgate interrupted, "That is what has you upset? You have got to be kidding me!"
Lyra replied, "No I am not kidding."
Lemon Hearts added, "Yeah, Luna and Colgate have all these precious metals they export and Brevity has all this fancy silk she exports. What do I have? Fruit! Oranges and tangerines are the only natural resources that Saddle Arabia has!"
Lyra shouted, "AND ALL NEIGH ZEALAND HAS IS WOOL!"
This did not sit well with the other three. Brevity stood up and asked, "Have either of you two bothered to explore your nations more to see if there might be precious metals there?"
Luna added, "Look Lyra, I have seen plenty of rock formations in the hills down there that most likely have precious metals in them. We have the same types of rock formations in the Equine Empire and they are loaded with silver, gold and even platinum!"
Lyra growled, "Look, we are doing things the way we have for the past three thousand years and I do not want to change that. I don't want to have to make my subjects do that kind of hard work."
Colgate put her hoof up to her face and said, "Oh for crying out loud Lyra. Listen, I know you love the citizens in your country with all your heart but you are only hurting them by not adapting to a changing world."
Brevity was getting upset that she had not been able to address the situation involving Lyra and her carriers so she figured she would just jump in and ask. She asked, "Lyra, why the hay are you having carriers with YOUR flag sailing clear up around Alicorn Island?"
Lyra replied, "I haven't had any of my carriers that far up north."
Brevity said, "Brevity knows you are lying. When she goes on her patrols off to the south of her island she sees your carriers sailing in her waters. They have your flag on them."
Lyra started mocking Brevity. She said, "Well Brevity knows this, Brevity sees that, Brevity, Brevity, Brevity. Why can't you talk like a normal pony. Oh, I forgot it is because you are the most narcissistic pony to have ever walked the face of the planet, or in your case, the whole universe."
Colgate pounded her hoof on the table and shouted, "That is it! I have had enough of you Lyra. The same goes with you Lemon Hearts. All you two have done so far is cause trouble and you won't do anything to HELP your nations. You are so stuck in the past that you would rather bankrupt your nations before doing something to help your citizens."
Lyra and Lemon Hearts got up and headed for the door. Lemon Hearts said, "You know what? The hay with the three of you. You can find somewhere else to get your tangerines and oranges. I'm cutting ties with you."
Lyra added, "Same here, you three economics queens can get your wool somewhere else. GOOD RIDDANCE!"
They stormed out of the throne room and flew back towards their ship which was docked on the west coast of Equestria. Colgate looked at Brevity and Luna with a nervous look on her face and said, "Brevity, you really need to keep a closer eye out on those carriers of her's and Luna, you may want to keep an eye on your border with Saddle Arabia."
The three remaining leaders that were part of the alliance forged an even closer bond and their friendships grew even stronger. Lyra and Lemon Hearts decided to forge their own separate alliance and they grew much closer as they had the same enemies.
Late that afternoon Lyra and Lemon Hearts arrived at their ship on the coast and set sail for Prancington, Neigh Zealand. Both were frustrated but realized that in a changing world they could no longer be allies with Brevity, Colgate and Luna. Lyra asked, "Lemon Hearts, I never imagined that this would happen. I remember back when Twilight was defeated we were so close, what happened?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "Well things change, times change. They seem to care about nothing except money. They care nothing about the old world that was full of love and harmony."
Lyra suggested, "You know Lemon Hearts, I am seriously thinking that we need to start exploring our countries for more natural resources. After all, if we were to have to go to war with them, I don't think we would fare all that well against them with most of our equipment being made of wood."
Lemon Hearts asked, "Why do you say that? Do they have different types of equipment?"
Lyra replied, "Yes. When we were sailing out didn't you see their military base on the coast? Equestria's carriers are made out of metal. All they would have to do is ram our wooden carriers and we would sink in nothing flat. Plus, wood is easily destroyed by the energy of dark Alicorns, that metal they use isn't."
Lemon Hearts did not want to deviate from thousands of years of tradition but realized that Lyra was right. So she reluctantly agreed to Lyra's plan. She asked, "So what are we going to do? I really don't want to force my subjects to have to go out and do the hard work of mining."
Lyra replied, "Just do what Equestria and the Equine Empire does, have your dark Alicorn soldiers do it. Their civilian ponies don't have to do stuff like that."
Lemon Hearts grunted, "Why didn't both of us think about this thousands of years ago?"
Lyra replied, "I honestly don't know. This just came to my mind. I guess both of us have wanted to keep living in the old ways when peace and harmony were the norm, that we failed to see that our new enemies were forcing change on the world."
Lyra was scratching her head when something came to her mind. She looked at Lemon Hearts and asked, "Lemon Hearts, I believe it would be in our best interests if we form more than just a trade alliance. What do you think?"
Lemon Hearts knew what Lyra was thinking and she was unsure about it. She knew in the back of her mind that Lyra wanted to wage war on the Equine Empire and ultimately Equestria but she had not developed the hate that Lyra had. She asked, "Uh, Lyra, are you sure that would be such a good idea?"
Lyra replied, "Yes Lemon Hearts. I know they are going to forge a military alliance. They are probably drawing up plans in Colgate's black tower as we speak. It is either that or we get crushed. I now realize that Neigh Zealand must move forward from the past."
Lemon Hearts said, "Well you go ahead. I do not wish to eradicate love and harmony in Saddle Arabia just to be ready for a war."
Lyra replied, "Well, it is your choice. If you don't move forward, I can and will come in there, take Saddle Arabia for myself and modernize it just as I am going to Neigh Zealand."
Lemon Hearts shouted, "YOU WOULD SERIOUSLY DO THAT?"
Lyra replied, "Yes Lemon Hearts, I would. Yes I would rather be able to keep things the way they used to be but it can't be that way anymore. I care enough about my citizens to adapt to changing times. If you won't help your citizens the same way I will go in there and do it myself." Lyra's eyes were starting to shine white and she had her horn pointed at Lemon Hearts. She asked, "So which is it, will you adapt or do I have to bring Saddle Arabia into the modern era FOR YOU?"
Lemon Hearts started cowering back in fear. She had never seen Lyra act like this before. She also knew that Lyra knew much more magic than she did so she felt like she had no other choice than to concede defeat. She said, "Ok, Lyra. I agree, we should forge a military alliance as well."
Lyra replied, "Good. We can do that when we get back to my castle in Prancington. We can get my dark Alicorns and changelings in a meeting with us. There we can discuss with them what needs to be done in Neigh Zealand and then you, some of my higher ups and I need to go to Ridead and discuss the same with your officers."
Lemon Hearts said, "Ok, whatever you want Lyra I shall do it."
Lyra smiled and replied, "Good! That is the Lemon Hearts that I consider such a good friend and ally!"
In Ponyville Colgate, Brevity and Luna were still a bit in shock but ultimately realized what needed to be done. They realized that a strong military alliance must be formed. Colgate looked at her two allies and said, "Brevity, I think you really need to build up your army. Your army is still quite small. Yes your entire population is Alicorns and they can shoot enemies out of the sky but I still think you need to increase the size of your army."
Brevity replied, "Brevity thinks you make a good point. We do have more than just one island. We do have other islands that they could be stationed on."
Colgate said, "Sounds like a good plan. Luna, I think you might want to ready your forces for battle, as do you Brevity. You never know when Lemon Hearts might send her forces flooding across your border."
Luna asked, "What about you? What will you be doing?"
Colgate replied, "I plan on stationing more of my forces near our large coastal cities. If I had to pick which one would be more likely to use the resources to come here and attack, it would be Lyra."
Brevity asked, "Why would it be Lyra?"
Colgate replied, "Did you notice how much more aggressive Lyra seemed when she was here. I can sense that she wants to do anything she can to crush our nations simply because we have more resources."
Luna began to laugh, "Oh that is a good one! How is Lyra going to come crush us when our militaries are more advanced than her's and our armies are larger and more powerful?"
Colgate glared at Luna and said, "Luna, this is no laughing matter. I have a feeling that she is going to change what she is doing as soon as she returns home. I also have this feeling that she is going to manipulate Lemon Hearts into aiding her in any war efforts. She could even go as far as threaten her with a takeover if she doesn't do what she wants."
Brevity asked, "Why do you have that feeling?"
Brevity replied, "Because Lyra is quite a bit more advanced with magic than Lemon Hearts is, that's why. Ok, who is in favor of us forming a military alliance."
All three of them raised their hooves. Colgate said, "Good. Now let's just relax for a few days. I will, however, watch them through the eye and monitor what they are doing. I can then relay any and all information I find out to you. Let's just say that I have a feeling that the peace the world has enjoyed for the past 3,000 years will soon come to an end."
Five days later Lyra and Lemon Hearts arrived in Prancington where Lyra led Lemon Hearts into her castle. They headed directly to the throne room where they were greeted by Lyra's top dark Alicorn officer, General Black Rocks. Black Rocks said, "It is so good to see you Lyra! How did the summit go?"
Lyra growled, "It didn't. We are no longer allies with Luna, Colgate or Brevity. They have decided that the world has to move on to a new era. They have decided that money and stronger militaries are more important than love and harmony."
Black Hooves asked, "What are we going to do?"
Lyra replied, "Go get every dark Alicorn officer and every changeling officer. Lemon Hearts and I need to discuss things with you. Oh, and tell Grand Prince Silver Star that I need him here as well."
"Yes your Majesty." Replied Black Hooves
Lemon Hearts asked, "So what all are we going to discuss and why do you need all your officers along with your grand prince here?"
Lyra replied, "Just sit back and relax. You will find out in good time."
Lemon Hearts had an uneasy feeling about all of this. In the back of her mind she was worried that Lyra was going to start making plans for a war before they even had the proper equipment. Finally all of Lyra's officers and grand prince Silver Star were present.
Lemon Hearts asked, "So who are all of your officers?"
Lyra walked up to her dark Alicorns and said, "Well from left to right we have General Black Rocks, Colonel Stone Gray, Major Rock Crusher, Captain Steel Seas and Lieutenant Gray Mist."
Lemon Hearts said, "It is nice to meet all of you."
Black Rocks replied, "Likewise."
Lyra cleared her throat and continued, "These are my changeling officers. From left to right we have General Green Eyes, Colonel Blue Streak, Major Green Death, Captain Fly Wings and Lieutenant Black Haze. And the Alicorn to my right is Grand Prince Silver Star."
Lemon Hearts asked, "So Lyra, what are we going to discuss? I do hope it is more than just having me meet your officers."
Lyra sneered, "Well of course it is more than just meeting my officers. Bringing you here solely to meet my officers would be a waste of not just my time but yours as well."
Silver Star asked, "Your Majesty, what sort of things do you have planned."
Lyra replied, "Ok, for my plans. We must get out of the dark ages. Only having wool as an export is causing us to fall behind. We need to start exploring the hills in our nation, on BOTH ISLANDS."
Black Rocks asked, "So do you want me to go find the strongest stallions to start these mining operations?"
Lyra replied, "No, Major Rock Crusher will round up our dark Alicorns and have them blast the rock formations open. Any non-precious metals such as iron and titanium are to be separated from the precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. We need to build several open-hearth furnaces to convert this iron into steel. After all, we are going to need better materials to build our carriers with."
Colonel Blue Streak asked, "Your Majesty, couldn't you just use your magic to transform the iron into steel?"
Lyra replied, "I could do that. It would make the process easier and much more efficient. Good thinking Colonel."
Lemon Hearts asked, "How do you convert iron into steel anyway?"
For Lyra this was one of those facehoof moments. Yes while Neigh Zealand was not exactly a nation that did much work with metals she did know that spell. She asked in return, "Lemon Hearts, you are an Alicorn and you don't know one of the most simple spells on the face of the planet?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "No, I don't. For the small amounts of steel we have produced we used an open-hearth furnace, which is obviously more than you guys have ever done since you don't even have one."
Lyra rolled her eyes and continued, "Ok, once you get this iron out of the ground and get it transformed into steel here is what I want you to do. Go to the library, there are books in there about carriers and how to make metal made carriers that do not sink. I want you to build those carriers."
Major Rock Crusher asked, "How many of us do you want to work on this operation?"
Lyra replied, "I want you, Captain Steel Seas, Lieutenant Gray Mist and every single available dark Alicorn soldier to work on this. If all ten thousand of you work on it, hopefully when I return from Ridead I will see a whole fleet of carriers."
Rock Crusher asked, "How are we supposed to turn all this steel into carriers?"
Lyra yelled, "Weld it together using your magic! What are you, stupid or something?"
Rock Crusher replied, "No your Majesty, I am not stupid and what if they are not perfect?"
Lyra shouted, "IF THEY'RE NOT I WILL FIND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND FRY THEM! Oh and then I will use my magic to make the carrier perfect."
Lemon Hearts was quickly seeing a side to Lyra she never knew existed. For all of her life until just the past few days, the Lyra she knew was sweet, kind and caring. Now she sees a Lyra that is not preparing to defend her homeland, but to go on the offensive.
Lyra looked at her officers and asked, "Any questions?"
Steel Seas replied, "Where do you want us to put the precious metals when we find them?"
Lyra said, "Take it to the palace storage facility and we can remove the impurities later. Right now we need to get a good fleet built." She then looked at her generals, colonels and Silver Star and said, "Come on guys, we need to get going. It is a long voyage to Ridead. Let's get going."
Lemon Hearts asked, "Lyra, don't we need to get some food and water? The ship is running very low on both."
Lyra replied, "Yes, we better. Black Rocks, Stone Gray, get some of our soldiers to take those bins of apples up to the ship. Have some others wash out old cider bottles and fill them with water. Hurry up, I want to set sail before nightfall."
Lemon Hearts asked, "Can't we just wait until the morning and get some sleep here? It would give everypony more time to get the ship stocked with what we need."
Lyra rolled her eyes and replied, "Fine. But we are getting up and eating breakfast early. I want to get to Ridead as soon as possible."
The night passed all too quickly for Lemon Hearts but all too slowly for Lyra. They got up early that morning and ate breakfast before dawn. While they were eating Lyra asked, "Is everypony going to be ready for when we depart. It is anywhere between a seven to ten day voyage to Ridead, depending on the weather."
Lemon Hearts asked, "Lyra, can't we wait a couple more days? I don't know why you are in such a hurry."
Lyra growled, "Look, the sooner we get to Ridead, the sooner we can start getting Saddle Arabia moving into the modern age. You never know, Luna might try to strike first. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get your country ready for the upcoming war. Silver Star, round up both the generals and colonels. We need to get going."
Lemon Hearts looked stunned. She asked, "Upcoming war? How do you know that there is going to be a war? Are you going to start it?"
Lyra laughed and replied, "Now Lemon Hearts my friend, now why would I want to go starting a war? What I said just came out wrong."
Lemon Hearts was frustrated but knew better than to keep questioning the much more powerful Lyra. Finally breakfast was done and Lemon Hearts, Lyra, Silver Star and Lyra's generals and colonels boarded their ship and headed towards Ridead.
It was a rather uneventful week during their voyage to Ridead. Finally on the morning of the eighth day they saw Ridead in the distance. Lemon Hearts smiled and said, "Finally, soon we will be able to step back on dry ground! I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight!"
Lyra glared at her and said, "Look, I know Ridead is your capitol but once we make landfall we are having a meeting similar to what I had in Prancington."
Lemon Hearts asked, "So do you want me to have my dark Alicorn soldiers go out and look for iron and precious metals too?"
Lyra glared at her and replied, "Yes, I do. Unless you want my forces to come in, raise my flag over your capitol and do it themselves."
Lemon Hearts was quickly getting sick and tired of being treated like Lyra's subordinate. She shouted, "LISTEN LYRA, THIS IS MY CAPITOL AND WE'RE DOING THINGS MY WAY!"
Lyra's eyes began to shine white and she pointed her horn at Lemon Hearts. She asked, "Oh really? Are you sure about that?"
Lemon Hearts hung her head in defeat and replied, "Ok, we'll do things your way."
Lyra smiled and said, "Good! You know my way is more efficient anyway."
Once they arrived in Ridead they headed to Lemon Hearts' castle to have their meeting. Lemon Hearts still seemed a bit hesitant to call a meeting but felt like she had to as Lyra glared at her. Lyra asked, "Lemon Hearts, I would like to meet your officers. Could you go and get them?"
Lemon Hearts looked at her dark Alicorn general and asked, "General Black Feet, could you go round up all of my officers along with Grand Prince Crescent Moon"
Black Feet replied, "Yes your Majesty."
While Black Feet was out rounding up the rest of the officers Lyra asked, "Lemon Hearts, why do you seem so ancy? You act like you are preparing your officers for an execution."
Lemon Hearts replied, "I'm just nervous Lyra. I'm nervous about why you think it is so important that we meet one another's officers and the fact that you brought your generals, colonels and your grand prince with us really makes me wonder what you are really up to."
Silver Star asked, "No offense your majesty, but why the hay does it make you so nervous?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "I have seen Lyra's actions lately. She says she wants to build a good military to protect her homeland but she is building the type of military back home that is designed to launch invasions with."
Lyra interrupted, "Oh Lemon Hearts, you are just as bad as the dark goddess was, OVERLY PARANOID!"
Finally Black Feet returned with all of Lyra's officers and her grand prince. Lemon Hearts walked over to them and said, "Ok Lyra, here are my officers. My dark Alicorn officers are General Black Feet, Colonel Iron Hooves, Major Black Iron, Captain Dark Hooves and Lieutenant Thunder Hooves. My changeling officers are General Green Cloud, Colonel Sticky Ooze, Major Green Poison, Captain Deadly Ooze and Lieutenant Chryso. The Alicorn to my right is Grand Prince Crescent Moon."
Lyra said, "It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
Crescent Moon replied, "Likewise Queen Lyra."
Lemon Hearts started, "Alright troops, we are going to do things similar to how Lyra is going to be doing things in Neigh Zealand. We need to begin exploring our hills for natural resources, both precious metals and industrial metals such as iron and titanium."
Crescent Moon asked, "Your Majesty, will we be building a fleet of carriers with the iron and titanium?"
Lemon Hearts began to reply when Lyra interrupted, "BRAVO! We have a star student here! What do you think I would want done with it?, have shiny decorations made with it?"
Lemon Hearts shouted, "Look Lyra, this is my capitol and my meeting. You DO NOT try to run my meeting."
Lyra's eyes began to shine white and her horn began to glow gold as she replied, "Oh really Lemon Hearts? Remember which one of us is more powerful."
Lemon Hearts grunted and just allowed Lyra to continue on. Lyra continued, "When you are doing this, you will come across both precious metals and industrial metals. Take the precious metals and store them here in your royal depository or wherever you store items of high value. Take the iron and turn it into steel. Use the steel and titanium to build a fleet of carriers with it. You will need a good fleet of carriers if you are to defend your homeland and invade other territories."
Lemon Hearts shouted, "INVADE OTHER TERRITORIES? Listen Lyra, I am not going to go invading other countries. You want to go wage war on the world, be my guest but count me out. That is something I will not do!"
Lyra smirked and replied, "Oh we'll see about that."
General Black Feet asked, "So who will be doing all this exploring?"
Lyra replied, "Major Black Iron will lead all the other dark Alicorns in doing this. You along with Colonel Iron Hooves, Crescent Moon, the changeling general and colonel, my officers and Silver Star are going up north to inspect the fence along the border with the Equine Empire."
Lemon Hearts realized that it would be best to just let Lyra run the show. Crescent Moon asked, "So when do you want us to head up to the border?"
Lyra replied, "I want the ten of you to head up there right away. You can all fly so it won't take you that long."
Before they headed out Lyra gathered the officers of Lemon Hearts and her own together and said, "Listen, if you eight know what is good for you, you will kill both grand princes, come back here and claim that Luna's soldiers killed them."
Green Eyes gasped, "Really?"
Lyra replied, "Yes, really. Now get going. Border security is a must."
While the ten sped off to the north neither Crescent Moon or Silver Star knew that Lyra was sending them on what amounted to a suicide mission, that she would make sure something would happen to start a war. Lyra watched the ten speed off to the north with a huge smile on her face. Lemon Hearts saw this and asked, "Lyra, what is the huge grin for?"
Lyra replied, "Oh I'm just happy to see that we are going to start getting both our nations moving forward into the modern era. I think if we sell our precious metals to Alicorn Island at even one percent lower than Equestria or the Equine Empire does, we can sink them."
Lemon Hearts asked, "Lyra, why can't we just use diplomacy instead of building powerful militaries and using unfair economic practices to crush Equestria and the Equine Empire?"
Lyra rolled her eyes and replied, "Trust me Lemon Hearts, this will create balance across the whole world, not just military balance but economic balance as well."
Lemon Hearts just couldn't help but worry about Lyra's true plans. She wanted to believe her friend but deep down she believed that Saddle Arabia would soon be thrown into a war never before seen by ponykind.
After four hours of flying Lyra and Lemon Hearts' forces landed along the border and were exhausted. Grand Prince Silver Star said, "Wow, I knew it was quite a distance from Ridead to the border but I didn't know it was this far."
Crescent Moon replied, "It is. I knew this would be quite the tiring flight."
General Black Rocks asked, "Well shall we inspect the fence?"
Crescent Moon replied, "Yes, but I really hope we don't have to inspect the whole length. It is several thousand miles long and it could take us weeks!"
Crescent Moon continued, "Well how about we just rest and relax out here for a few weeks. It will be nice for us to be away from the monarchs who rule over us and besides, it's not like they would know we're not doing anything."
Everypony else agreed with Crescent and decided to just sit around, talk about how they think the world is going and how much they resent the queens they serve. Little did the grand princes know that the officers were lying and were just biding their time until it was time to kill them and start the war.
In Ridead Lyra and Lemon Hearts were holding a meeting before turning in for the night. Lemon Hearts asked, "Lyra, how long do you think they will be out there?"
Lyra replied, "Well considering that they will be inspecting the full length of the border, it might take a month. As long as they stay on our side of the border we will be fine."
Lemon Hearts shouted, "DON'T YOU MEAN MY SIDE OF THE BORDER? YOU DON'T RULE HERE WITH ME."
Lyra replied, "Ok, your side. Again, it just came out wrong."
Lemon Hearts started to panic and asked, "Lyra, what if they accidentally cross the border and Luna's forces catch them? They might want to invade us!"
Lyra got a huge smile on her face and replied, "You see Lemon Hearts. Even you are beginning to realize that anything is possible. I wouldn't worry about it though. With as big as that border is, the chance of Luna's border guards even seeing our forces is next to zero."
Lemon Hearts said, "You're right Lyra, I don't have anything to worry about. They will fix what needs to be fixed, come home and then you and your officers can head home."
Lyra smiled and replied, "Yeah, that will be what happens. I'm hitting the hay for the night. You get some rest Lemon Hearts."
Three weeks pass and up at the border the grand princes and officers have only inspected about a mile of fence and spent the rest of their time relaxing, grazing and even discussing how they would rule their countries if they took their queens out. Crescent Moon asked, "Well guys, think we should head home? I'm ready to sleep in my own bed again."
Silver Star replied, "I second that. Let's get going!"
The military officers looked at one another and decided the time had come. The changeling officers covered both of them in ooze rendering them unable to move and use their magic. General Green Eyes smiled at the two and said, "You two aren't going anywhere!"
Silver Star shouted, "What the hay? Lyra put all of you up to this didn't you?"
Colonel Blue Streak asked, "Now why would Lyra put us up to this?"
Crescent Moon shouted, "I see it in how she acts, how she talks. She is bloodthirsty, she wants a war and she thinks that if you kill us and blame it on Luna's border guards, Lemon Hearts will declare war."
General Black Feet shouted, "Alright boys, let's kill them!"
The dark Alicorns began frying them with their energy. The grand princes fell to the ground screaming in pain and horror as they were slowly but surely being fried to death by energy. After around three minutes of non-stop attacking, both grand princes were dead. Iron Hooves shouted, "Remember boys, we were attacked by Luna's forces. Let's get back to Ridead, this news must get to Lyra and Lemon Hearts."
In Ponyville Colgate was scanning the world and saw this. She overheard their conversations and started shouting, "DAMN IT, DAMIN IT, CURSE YOU LYRA!"
Commander Scootaloo heard Colgate's shouting and ran up to see what it was about. When she arrived in Colgate's room she asked, "Colgate, why are you screaming?"
Colgate glared at her and replied, "Commander Scootaloo, go get all our reserves, something has happened that will most likely result in the entire world going to war."
Scootaloo replied, "Alright, I'm on it."
Colgate was enraged over what she was seeing. She was even more enraged over the fact that Lyra had planned all of this out to start a war. She realized that after she informed her reserves and her army, that she would need to travel to Maredrid and Alicorn City to notify Luna and Brevity.
After seeing the murders of the grand princes unfold along the Equine Empire/Saddle Arabia border Colgate realized that the reserves would need to be notified and that she would need to bring Luna and Brevity to Ponyville to notify them. Colgate said, "Scootaloo, we need to go to Sugarcube Corner. This is usually when most of my reserves are having their mid-day get together. Let's get going."
Colgate and Scootaloo flew over to Sugarcube Corner and walked in. Given that Colgate has only went there when there are threats to Equestria everypony looked up at her with concern. Applejack got a worried look on her face and asked, "Whoa-nelly, what is going on for you to be here?"
Colgate replied, "We will discuss that at the meeting over at the base. Applejack, I need you to gather the rest of your family and go over there. Rainbow, Fluttershy, I need you to come with me to go get Brevity and Luna. You two are my fastest fliers and we need to get them back here ASAP. The rest of you, go over to the base and await our return. It should be twenty minutes max."
Rarity asked, "What happened? Did Twilight somehow reform?"
Colgate replied, "No. I will inform you all at the base. Come on, let's get going."
Fluttershy asked, "So who will we be going to get first?"
Colgate replied, "We will go get Brevity first. Then we will go get Luna. Come on, chop-chop."
With the sense of urgency Colgate seemed to be in the two Alicorns realized that they had no time to waste. They followed Colgate outside and waited for her to cast the necessary spells. Once they got outside they faced the west as Colgate began to recite the necessary spells.
She started out by reciting the time bubble. "A bubble is what we need, so from frozen time we can be freed, in this bubble we can move fast, while everything else is stuck in the past, it is frozen time which through we must pass so we will never be late to class." She then recited the spell to freeze time, "Tick tock, tick tock, look at the racing clock, what is short is time and being late is a crime, we must finish on top so it is time I must stop, with time froze, it is my enemies I shall bulldoze."
Time was now frozen and everypony outside the bubble was frozen in place. Colgate said, "Alright everypony, let's get going."
All three began to flap their wings with a furious pace. They had to be careful not to break the sound barrier though, which both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could do way too easily if they didn't remain focused. Finally in what was three minutes they could see Alicorn City in the distance. Colgate ordered them to stop so she could restart time and undo the time bubble.
She started by reciting the spell to unfreeze time. "Look at the clock, it is stuck in place, with this there can be no pace, everything is still but that does not fit the bill, for now the clock shall again run so everypony can have fun." Time outside the bubble resumed and all movement continued. She then recited the spell to undo the time bubble. "In the bubble time continues to run, but now the time outside runs and allows fun, the bubble must burst so we can quench our thirst, from the bubble we are now free and everything we can clearly see."
Now the bubble was gone and they felt a light breeze blowing in their faces. Colgate said, "Come on, we need to get to Alicorn City and notify Brevity of what is happening."
The three sped with great haste to Alicorn City. Brevity was out on her balcony having a mid-morning snack when the three landed in front of her. Brevity looked up and asked, "Colgate, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, what brings you three here?"
Colgate replied, "We will discuss this later, we need to get to Maredrid, pick up Luna and then head back to Ponyville. Some unexpected events have happened and an emergency meeting is necessary."
Brevity asked, "Colgate, couldn't you just drop Brevity off in Ponyville and then you three go to Maredrid and get Luna?"
Colgate replied, "Brevity, that would use up and extra minute or two and we have no time to waste. Besides, with you flying with us we can get to Maredrid much quicker."
Brevity seemed kind of frustrated but gathered around the other three Alicorns and Colgate cast the necessary spells. They decided to fly west and cross the vast eastern parts of the Equine Empire to get to Maredrid. The trip there was fairly quick as it took no more than five minutes. Luna was in her throne room visiting with some citizens who had stopped by to talk. There was a knock on the throne room door. General Black Night walked in with Brevity, Colgate, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Luna looked over and asked, "Colgate, what brings the four of you here?"
Colgate replied, "Luna, we have no time to waste. We need to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible."
Luna asked, "Colgate, can't you see I have company? I do not like to bolt out of here when I am visiting with my fellow equines."
Gray Hooves, one of the ponies Luna was chit-chatting with said, "Your majesty, I know that important royal duties come along. My brother and I can come back and talk at another time."
Luna asked, "Are you two sure?"
Gray Hooves replied, "Yes, it sounds important. You better get going."
Gray Hooves and his brother left the throne room and Luna asked, "Ok, what is it that brings you here and why the hay is it so urgent. There hasn't been anything truly threatening happen in this world in over 3,000 years."
Colgate replied, "Alright, it involves Lemon Hearts and Lyra and something that happened close to your border with Saddle Arabia."
Luna's attitude changed quickly and she said, "Alright, let's get to Ponyville. We need to make a plan of action."
Colgate smiled as Luna gathered around the four. Colgate again cast the necessary spells and they sped off to the west. Five minutes later they landed in Ponyville at the base where Colgate cast the proper spells so they could start the meeting. Colgate was pleased to see that all her reserves and her entire military were standing at attention. Colgate headed up to the front and said, "At ease."
Everypony became at ease and Colgate continued, "I am sure all of you are wondering why I have brought Queen Luna and Goddess Brevity here for a military meeting on such short notice."
Brevity replied, "Actually yes, Brevity is wondering why you have done this."
Colgate motioned for her and Luna to fly up to the front stage. They flew up to the front stage and Colgate continued, "Alright everypony, events have unfolded in Saddle Arabia that must be addressed. I was scanning the world a few weeks ago and I saw Lyra and Lemon Hearts having a meeting in Ridead."
Applejack asked, "Alright but why is that so important?"
Colgate cleared her throat and continued, "Well, they had already had a meeting in Prancington and Lyra has begun to modernize her army and she is dead set on forcing Lemon Hearts to do the same with her's. Once they got to Ridead Lyra pretty much took control of the meeting there. Her and Lemon Hearts sent their generals and their grand princes up to the border with the Equine Empire to allegedly inspect some fence."
Luna asked, "Oh and what did they do when they were up near their border with my country?"
Colgate continued, "Well before they left I saw Lyra talking to the officers to kill the grand princes up at the border and blame Luna's forces for it. That is exactly what they did. They spent three weeks up there doing basically nothing except talk about how things would be if they ran their countries and graze."
Brevity asked, "So have they killed the grand princes yet?"
Colgate replied, "Yes, they did less than an hour ago. The grand princes decided it was time to head home. The changeling officers covered them in ooze and the dark Alicorn officers fried them to death with energy. It is my belief that Lyra put them up to killing the grand princes. Lyra has become bloodthirsty and is threatening Lemon Hearts with a hostile takeover if she doesn't do exactly what she says. My guess is that once the officers get home, they will notify both Lyra and Lemon Hearts and both nations will declare war on the Equine Empire."
Fluttershy asked, "What does that have to do with Equestria and Alicorn Island?"
Luna interrupted, "Fluttershy, back when all of us were allies we signed a treaty that if one nation was attacked, it would be as though all of us were attacked and we would go to war. If this happens, each nation needs to be ready to go to war to aid the nation that was attacked."
General Dark Night raised his hoof and asked, "Colgate, when do you want Scootaloo, General Lightning Storm and myself to start preparing our forces for war?"
Colgate replied, "Tomorrow morning immediately after breakfast. Luckily we won't have any dragons or dark goddesses to face up against but still, I want us to be prepared for the war of our lifetimes."
Brevity asked, "Colgate, when will be going home and when will we need to start preparing our forces for the upcoming war?"
Colgate replied, "Immediately after this meeting. Regarding when you should start preparing your forces, I would say tomorrow morning. Luna, you might want to make plans on relocating your capitol if Saddle Arabian forces do indeed cross your border. Maredrid is dangerously close to that border."
Luna threw her hooves up in the air and asked, "Where am I supposed to relocate my capitol to?"
Colgate replied, "That is up to you but I would suggest Marescow. There are a couple of mountain ranges that separate it from the border and conditions there are colder than what Saddle Arabian forces can handle from October through late April. Now let's get going."
Luna replied, "Ok, Marescow it will be, only if it is necessary."
Colgate, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Brevity and Luna gathered around Colgate as she cast the necessary spells to take the two leaders back home. In what was thirty minutes Colgate, Fluttershy and Rainbow took the leaders home and returned to Ponyville. It was still a few hours before supper so Colgate thought she would watch over what was going on in Ridead. She believed that the officers over there would arrive home and notify their leaders before supper time, so she would have plenty of time to keep an eye on things.
Nearly four hours after the assassinations of the grand princes Lyra and Lemon Hearts' generals and colonels arrived back in Ridead. Lemon Hearts greeted them with a scowl on her face and asked, "Where are Crescent Moon and Silver Star? Why didn't they return with you?"
Lyra walked up next to Lemon Hearts and asked, "Was there some sort of accident, do we need to send rescue forces out after them?"
Colonel Stone Gray replied, "Well it would be more of a recovery crew. We were attacked by Equine Empire forces and they killed the grand princes."
Lyra got this sadistic grin on her face as Lemon Hearts broke down crying. She cried, "Why would they do that? We never did a thing to them."
Lyra patted Lemon Hearts on the shoulder and asked, "Lemon Hearts, so what do you want to do? Personally I would classify this as the Equine Empire declaring war on both our nations but what do you think?"
Lemon Hearts went from crying to screaming, "I will crush them! Luna wants a war, she's got a war! Alright troops, we need to prepare for war. We need to hurry up and get a real fleet built so we can invade them by sea."
Lyra said, "Lemon Hearts, once you get your fleet built I do think you need to attack them along their west coast. Also, I think you need to send forces north across the border and attack Maredrid. If you take their capitol, it will be a crushing blow to their morale and it will make the rest of the country ripe for the taking."
Lemon Hearts asked, "So what are your plans? Am I going to have to do this alone?"
Lyra replied, "No, I will send my carriers north and invade the eastern part of the country. If we can take both sides of the nation, they will be surrounded and in the end they will have no choice but to surrender."
Lemon Hearts asked, "But what about Luna? She could easily teleport out of there. She would probably teleport to Equestria. What if she went there, enlisted Colgate and her massive army and sailed across the Alicorn Ocean and invaded?"
Lyra replied, "Lemon Hearts, by then you will have a powerful enough army to drive any Equestrian force out and since I will have forces occupying the eastern part of the country, we will be fine."
Lemon Hearts said, "Well you better get back home and get ready for battle."
Lyra nodded and her and her officers headed back home. Once they got far enough out to sea Lyra started celebrating. She started jumping up and down on the deck shouting, "Yes, yes, yes! We got our war! Soon the economic queens will be gone and the world will be MINE, ALL MINE!"
General Black Rocks asked, "I'm glad you are happy my Queen but what about Lemon Hearts, she will have part of the world too."
Lyra replied, "Oh once we have taken care of Luna, Colgate and Brevity we will then take Lemon Hearts down and the whole world will be under the control of Queen Lyra Heartstrings!"
Her officers decided to let her celebrate yet they all had a sick feeling in their stomachs because they knew that Lyra didn't have anywhere near the knowledge of advanced magic of their new foes.
In Ridead Lemon Hearts was very angry yet at the same time she was still in a state of shock. Her changeling General, Green Cloud, walked up to her and asked, "Lemon Hearts, nopony ever saw this coming. Do you think anything that happened at the summit earlier this year may have provoked this?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "It very well could have. Lyra and I were very angry over the way the economic conditions around the world were going. All three of them were angry but Luna seemed to have this bad attitude towards me, well that is how I felt anyway. Long story short, yes, I think that may have caused it."
Green Cloud asked, "Are there any other plans of action you think we should take besides heading north and attacking Maredrid?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "Yes, there is. This will be taking a page from the days of old but I do think that the remaining dark unicorns we have should march north and attack Stalliongrad."
Green Cloud asked, "Why Stalliongrad?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "It is a city of almost entirely earth ponies. Yes they do have a few dark unicorns there as well but it is also where a lot of their most significant and regal artifacts lie. That city has been cherished for many, many millennia, dating all the way back to not long after that country was founded. That would KILL their morale."
Green Cloud said, "I like your way of thinking, that would be a great way to take the country."
Lemon Hearts motioned her general to the dining hall as it was getting late. She said, "Come on general, I'm sure the other officers are waiting. It is getting late and none of us have eaten since noon."
Eight days later Lyra's ship returned to Prancington and Lyra saw something that made her extremely happy, a whole fleet of thirty carriers, thirty strong steel and titanium carriers. When they docked Lyra flew over to the carriers and inspected each one. They were built even better than she could have imagined. When she arrived at her palace Major Rock Crusher approached her and asked, "Your Majesty, I take it you like the fleet?"
Lyra hugged her major and replied, "Major Rock Crusher, they are better than anything I could have ever imagined! Now I can duplicate our forces many times over and once we do some training exercises, we can set sail and invade the eastern part of the Equine Empire, which will be easy to take since it is sparsely populated."
Rock Crusher asked, "I know you have big plans my queen but aren't you worried about sailing into Alicorn Island waters? If Brevity catches us sailing into her waters she will probably have every single resident there launch a massive attack on us."
Lyra replied, "Good point. We will pull our ships ashore beyond eye sight of Alicorn Island and begin taking over the Equine Empire from the southeast and move northwest."
Rock Crusher asked, "How many carriers of soldiers will we be taking to invade the Equine Empire?"
Lyra replied, "We will be taking probably 18. The other 12 we will be using to launch aerial assaults on the coastal cities of Equestria. That way we can take care of two enemies at once."
General Black Rocks overheard this and asked, "Uh your Majesty, are you sure it is the best idea to attack Equestria right now. They do have the most advanced military in the world and Colgate is the most knowledgeable military commander not just in the world now, but maybe even in the history of the world."
Lyra spread her wings wide casting Black Rocks in her shadow and growled, "So, you're on HER side huh? I should drag you down to the base and KILL you to remind everypony what happens to backstabbers."
Rock Crusher said, "Queen Lyra, we do need to prepare our forces more if we are to take on Equestria. They are far more powerful than the Equine Empire and besides, Colgate has that eye she scans the whole world with."
Lyra grunted, "Oh you're right. I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself."
In Maredrid Luna decided she better address her citizens. She stood out on her balcony where the city's residents had gathered. She started, "My friends, my family, I have some very bad news that will affect us all. There has been an assassination on the south side of our border with Saddle Arabia. While it was an inside job on the part of Neigh Zealand and Saddle Arabia, we are being blamed and our friend over in Ponyville, Supreme Commander Colgate, believes that we will most likely have war declared on us."
A concerned citizen raised his hoof and asked, "Luna, what does all of this mean?"
Luna replied, "Given that our city is very close to the border it means that all of us will have to relocate until this threat has passed."
Another pony in the crowd asked, "Where would we move to?"
Luna continued, "Well Colgate seems to think that Marescow would be a good temporary location. It is well fortified and two mountain ranges separate it from the border."
Another citizen asked, "Will there be enough housing there for all of us?"
Luna smiled and replied, "Of course there will be. I will simply use my magic to create more, and whatever damage our enemies do when they come here I can easily fix it, so don't worry, after this war is over our wonderful capitol will be restored and our lives will return to normal."
Another citizen asked, "When will we head up to Marescow?"
Luna replied, "We will be spending the next week relocating. We do have sufficient transportation methods to take us and our belongings up there. For now I think we need to remain calm. I have everything covered."
After that the crowd dispersed and headed home. Luna headed into her throne room and seemed a bit irritated. General Black Night said, "Your Majesty, I know in the end everything will be ok. If you have to you can always transform into Nightmare Moon and take on our foes."
Luna's ears perked up and she replied, "Damn General, you're right. I totally forgot about that. I guess when you haven't had to do that in several millennia, you completely forget about it. Thanks for reminding me."
In Ponyville Colgate had called a meeting with Scootaloo and her officers. She began to tell them about how Lyra was discussing launching aerial attacks on Equestria's coastal cities. Scootaloo said, "Wow, Lyra seems to be overconfident if you ask me."
Colgate replied, "She is being over confident. She is sitting there thinking that she is invincible. Little does she know that besides us having a vastly more powerful military, that I have discovered a material that when coupled with some powerful magic, that I could obliterate Neigh Zealand if I wanted to do so."
Lieutenant Dark Crystal had heard of legends that a powerful substance known as uranium existed in trace amounts in the hills around Ponyville. He asked, "Colgate, is it the uranium that you discovered?"
Colgate replied, "Yes, it is. Over the last century I have went out and mined some of it on my own. Why did I do this in such a secretive manner? I did so because I didn't want it in anypony's hooves except my own."
Scootaloo asked, "So what would happen if you used uranium with a powerful beam of energy?"
Colgate replied, "The combination of the two would result in the most powerful, destructive and deadly explosion of all time. For it to work, I would have to put enough energy into my magic to split the uranium atoms. After the splitting of the atoms, radioactive fallout would spread over a large area. If Neigh Zealand attacked and I had to use it on them, I could render that place uninhabitable if I used enough of it."
Major Frigid Wind got a terrified look on his face. Just like with how vicious she was in killing Twilight's brother with a hypercane, he realized that Colgate was willing to take war to a whole new level. Colgate could see the fear in his eyes. She asked, "Major, what is wrong? You act like you are the one I will unleash my wrath upon."
Frigid Wind asked, "Regarding this fallout, will it kill everything within a certain distance from the detonation of it and how will you know if it will work? Wouldn't you need to test it first?"
Colgate replied, "Yes, it will kill everything within a certain distance. It would depend on how much of it I use. I will be testing my nuclear spell on the uranium in the arctic north, where the Crystal Empire used to be. That way it should be far enough away that no fallout will reach inhabited areas of Equestria. Alright everypony, let's call it a night. I'm getting tired."
Everypony left the throne room in a very nervous mood. Colonel Green Toxin was talking to Scootaloo. He asked, "Commander, does it scare you that she is wanting to use a weapon of this magnitude?"
Scootaloo replied, "I am. I am very scared. It isn't just the incredibly destructive power of it but what if the fallout were to do something really bad, like tear a hole in the fabric of the void unleashing all the villains that Twilight had banished or even worse, what if it somehow caused Twilight and her allies to reform?"
Green Toxin replied, "If that is the case, then we will be in for a war that could destroy the entire planet if her nuclear spells don't destroy it first."
Scootaloo nodded and suggested that they stop talking about it so Colgate doesn't hear them and punish them. While everypony headed home Colgate was up in her bedroom contemplating how destructive the uranium weapon would be if she had to use it. She was thinking to herself, "If I use that and Lyra sees the destructive nature of it, she will go from being bloodthirsty to being petrified and once I capture her and drag her back here she will be thrown into the void forever!"
Two weeks had passed since Lyra headed home and Lemon Hearts had put her troops through intensive exercises. It was a calm morning in mid-July in Ridead as Lemon Hearts addressed her troops. She said, "Alright troops, the time has come. Luna had her forces killed Crescent Moon and now she must pay. Black Feet, Green Cloud, you guys are to sail north and attack Maredrid. Once you get there, cover everypony in ooze, destroy it and leave none alive. Then you sail northward up the coast, do the same to every other city and once you hit Braylin, leave the ships in their shipyard and fly to the northeast."
Black Feet asked, "Why would we do that?"
Lemon Hearts growled, "Because that will take you to Marescow. I am certain that is where Luna will take her beloved citizens, well the ones that get out alive anyway. Once you get to Marescow, kill everypony, destroy the city and bring me Luna's head on a platter."
One of the changelings laughed, "But your Majesty, what if we can't find a platter? Would it be ok if we brought it in a bowl instead?"
Lemon Hearts' eyes began to shine a bright white, she fired a powerful bolt of energy at the soldier and incinerated him. She stood up on her balcony and shouted to her troops. "THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS TO IDIOTS WHO TREAT THIS LIKE IT IS A GAME."
General Eternal Darkness asked, "What about us dark unicorns? What do you want us to do?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "I want you guys to march to Stalliongrad. It is a heavily fortified city and while it is mostly earth ponies, they do have a few dark unicorns of their own. Marching in there full force may result in many losses so what I want you to do is surround the city. This will cut off their supply lines and eventually they will run out of food and starve. THEN move in there and raise our flag."
One of the dark unicorns asked, "Your Majesty, please don't get mad at me for asking this but what will we do for food."
Lemon Hearts' eyes began to shine white and with her voice dripping with sarcasm, she replied, "Oh your majesty, please don't get mad at me for asking this, but what will we do for food?" She then glared at him and continued, "What the hay do you think you will eat. You will eat the same crap you will be eating on the way up there, you will graze on the available vegetation. GOOD GRIEF, DO I HAVE A MILITARY FULL OF IDIOTS?"
Her forces looked stunned because she had never been this ill-tempered. She then shouted at them, "TO WAR, TO VICTORY!" She then motioned for them to go on their missions, all except for a thousand soldiers she was keeping in Ridead in the event they were to be invaded.
Up in Maredrid Luna stood on her balcony in front of a concerned city's residents. She started, "Ok everypony, I think the time has come that we must, for now, retreat further north. I love it here as much as all of you do but we are very close to the border with Saddle Arabia. Our city will be their first target."
A citizen in the crowd asked, "Queen Luna, where will be relocating to?"
Luna replied, "We will be relocating to the city of Marescow, way up north. It is a well fortified city plus there are three mountain ranges between here and there. Saddle Arabian forces are not used to the cold and flying through such frigid regions should kill a decent portion of them."
Another citizen asked, "When will we be leaving?"
Luna replied, "Today. I want you to grab only your most prized possessions, one item per pony and get to the passenger train. The whole evacuation will take four to five days so it will be a matter of who gets to the train first. We have to get going, now."
The citizens dispersed, headed home and grabbed their one prized possession. Very soon a line of ponies was waiting at the train station waiting for the train to leave. Luna saw this and had a sense of nervousness about her and her officers could tell it. General Black Night stood next to her and asked, "Your Majesty, you seem awfully nervous. Why is that?"
Luna looked down at him and replied, "Well General, I am nervous because I'm not sure if we will be able to get everypony out of here before Lemon Hearts' forces get here. Many of them are earth ponies and can't just fly out of here or use magic to defend themselves."
Black Night asked, "I am assuming that both dark Alicorns and changelings will be invading?"
Luna replied, "Yes, they will be. It isn't so much the dark Alicorns I'm worried about, it is changelings. The changelings of the world are much tougher and more resistant to energy than they used to be thanks to Pinkie's spell that made them so."
Black Night scratched his head and replied, "I don't get it. What do you mean?"
Luna replied, "Well a little over 4,000 years ago when Colgate was educating those who were Twilight's friends to defend Equestria against the then dark goddess, Pinkie Pie, one of Twilight's old friends discovered a spell to strengthen changelings. Well she cast it on their changelings and since every changeling alive today descends from those, they are much more durable than the ones that Chrysalis had."
Black Night nodded and they watched over the events going on to make sure that there was no fighting among the ponies as to who would get on the first train out of town.
Two days had passed when roughly half of the city's residents had left. However, half of the city's residents remained as the enemy forces' target was within sight. Out at sea General Black Feet addressed his troops. He said, "Alright troops, you see that city on the skyline? That is Maredrid, our first target. We need to go in there, kill everypony and level it."
One of the changelings asked, "General, do we really have to kill all of them? What about the foals? Couldn't we just capture them, send them down to Ridead and have Lemon Hearts brainwash them?"
This enraged Black Feet. He shouted, "WHAT? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" He lowered his voice and continued, "Look, we are to act with no mercy and what the hell is a changeling doing having these kinds of thoughts anyway? You are a weak link. We can't have weak links around here!"
Before the changeling could react Black Feet fired a powerful beam of energy and incinerated him. He glared at the rest of his troops and said, "Is anypony else here a softy? Anypony else have these stupid, foalish feelings?"
Black Feet finished, "Alright, half of us, including half of the officers, myself included, will remain here in the ships in the event we are wiped out. After all, we need forces to continue on northward."
They shook their heads and readied themselves for the battle. Finally they docked and flew into the unaware city. Luna and her officers were walking out in the streets as another trainload of ponies pulled out of the station and headed north. Green Waters, Luna's changeling general, looked off to the west and saw dark Alicorns and changelings invading the city and firing energy to destroy buildings. Luna shouted, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! EVERYPONY GET SOMEWHERE SAFE!"
Colonel Iron Hooves led the forces into the city and shouted, "Cover them in ooze and kill them troops! Leave none alive!"
Luna ordered her troops to take to the sky to fight the invading forces. While the changelings and dark Alicorns on both sides were beginning to fall, Luna began wiping Lemon Hearts' invading forces out. While she and her forces continued to fire, enemy forces had begun to kill the residents of the city and level buildings. Finally Luna was having trouble flying and using her magic as she was covered in ooze. She shouted, "Somepony help me, I'm caught in ooze!"
General Black Night shouted, "I'm coming your Majesty!"
Black Night fired a calm beam of energy to melt away the ooze. Luna shouted, "The city is lost, we need to get to Marescow, NOW!"
Black Night asked, "What about the residents of the city your Majesty? We can't just leave them to perish."
Luna looked down and saw many, many corpses and saw buildings continue to be leveled. She began to cry and shouted, "IT'S TOO LATE! THEY'RE ALL DEAD. UNLESS WE WANT TO JOIN THEM, WE MUST GO, NOW!"
Luna and all of her officers took off towards the north. They knew it would be a long journey to what would become the new capitol so once they were out of eyesight of what remained of Maredrid, they slowed down so that they would not use all their energy at once.
In Maredrid almost every building was leveled while the palace, given that it was built quite well, sustained only minimal damage. Black Feet flew to the top of the castle, lowered the Equine Empire flag, burned it and raised the Saddle Arabian flag. He shouted, "VICTORY! IN THE NAME OF SADDLE ARABIA, IN THE NAME OF LEMON HEARTS, MAREDRID IS OURS!"
While victory was being celebrated in Maredrid, several hundred miles to the east an army of dark unicorns crossed into the Equine Empire. General Eternal Darkness looked back at his troops and said, "Ok troops, we are in enemy territory now. Stay extra alert, we could get attacked at any time."
His troops shouted, "YES SIR!"
The general nodded and they continued their northward march. In Ponyville Colgate was watching all of this and realized that she must send forces to the Equine Empire to stop Lemon Hearts' advancing forces. She looked over at Scootaloo and said, "Commander, we must get to the base. We need to put our forces through high intensity exercises. They must be duplicated and we need to send forces to the Equine Empire."
Scootaloo asked, "Why? Is Saddle Arabia invading them?"
Colgate replied, "Yes Scootaloo, they are. Let's get to the base, now!"
They flew down to the base with great haste. Once they got there the army stood at attention. General Dark Night, who has served Equestria for over 4,000 years asked, "Colgate, you have a serious look on your face. What is going on?"
Colgate said, "At ease soldiers." She cleared her throat and continued, "Alright troops, I have some very bad news. I have been watching through the eye and Saddle Arabia has invaded the Equine Empire. They have already taken over Maredrid."
Dark Night asked, "Colgate, what happened to Queen Luna? I know that is their capitol."
Colgate continued, "Well luckily Luna and all of her officers were able to escape. Also, she had already got half of the city's residents out of town but the other half was mercilessly killed in the invasion. Now they will continue to sail north and attack coastal cities while an army of dark unicorns is marching northwards towards Stalliongrad."
Dark Night asked, "When do you want me to have them ready? Would two days be enough time to get them adequately ready?"
Colgate replied, "You must have been reading my mind. I will duplicate them in two days time and they will head to the coast and set sail eastward to stop the Saddle Arabian forces and hopefully run them back down into their own country."
Dark Night and Scootaloo immediately started having their forces engage in the proper exercises while a nervous Colgate flew back up to her bedroom. Luna was a dear friend of hers and she did not want her nation to fall. She laid on her bed contemplating not only the plan of action to save the Equine Empire but what to do in the event that Equestria were to fall victim to an attack or invasion.
Early in the morning after the fall of Maredrid an exhausted Luna and her officers finally arrived in Marescow. She and her officers landed in the city square. At first the citizens were terrified when they saw an Alicorn with numerous changelings and dark Alicorns land in their city until a filly from Maredrid ran up to her.
"Queen Luna! Are you ok? What happened to Maredrid?" asked the filly
Luna had a sad look on her face and replied, "I am sorry little one, but those who were unable to evacuate were killed and the city was leveled to the ground."
The filly began to cry and asked, "Even Aunt Tulip and Uncle Anvil?"
While Luna did not personally know the two she could tell by the filly's question that they had not evacuated when the attack occurred. Luna leaned down, nuzzled the filly and replied, "I'm sorry, but they did not survive the attack."
She grabbed of Luna's hoof and held on to it tightly and cried harder and harder. Very soon her parents, Misty Mae and Cactus Joe came running to the sound of their daughter's cries.
Misty Mae said, "Primrose, you leave Queen Luna alone. I'm sure she has bigger issues to worry about than your crying."
Luna interrupted, "Ma'am, your daughter is crying because her aunt Tulip and uncle Anvil were unable to evacuate before the attack and were killed by enemy forces. Her sadness is important to me."
Primrose's parents ran to their daughter and Luna hugged all three of them. Luna said, "I know there are many here who are going through the same situation as you three are. I need to address those who relocated here."
Luna flew up to the balcony of the ancient citadel that rose from the city's center and began to address the crowd. She started, "Citizens of Marescow, refugees from Maredrid, I want you all to know that the city of Maredrid has been attacked, everypony who was unable to evacuate has been killed and the city has been leveled."
When she said this a lot of ponies in the crowd began to cry and comfort one another. Luna saw this and continued, "Alright everypony, I want you to know that I am here for you. If you need to talk, come to the ancient throne room in the citadel and discuss things with me. Right now I can't do much but comfort you."
While the refugees and Marescow natives who lost family in the attack were distraught, they knew that eventually Luna would find a way to help them anyway she could.
Two days had passed and in Ponyville Colgate's forces were ready to head to the coast and set sail. Colgate stood before her troops and said, "Alright troops, an ally and a very dear friend of ours needs our help. I am going to duplicate ALL of you. I am going to do this because we need forces both here and to drive Saddle Arabian forces back into Saddle Arabia."
General Dark Night asked, "Colgate, so where are we going to make landfall?"
Colgate replied, "Well I have been listening in on their conversations and the final city their forces plan on attacking by sea is Braylin. That is where you guys will be setting sail for. We should arrive there before they do. That way, we can ambush them before they can do much damage and prevent them from heading to Marescow."
Dark Night asked, "Colgate, will you be going with us?"
Colgate replied, "No. I am sending Commander Scootaloo with you guys. Don't worry, she has an immense amount of military knowledge and she possesses very powerful magic, almost as powerful as my own."
Scootaloo stood there stunned. She never imagined that Colgate would put her in charge of a full scale invasion. Scootaloo asked, "Colgate, can I say goodbye to my friends and family before we leave?"
Colgate replied, "Sure, just make it quick because I want you guys to set sail before nightfall."
Scootaloo nodded and headed over to Sweet Apple Acres. Everypony was in the barn enjoying lunch. She went running to them and said, "Goodbye everypony."
Applejack spit out her cider and asked, "What do you mean by goodbye sugar cube?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well Lemon Hearts launched a full scale invasion of the Equine Empire. Colgate has put me in charge of a mission in which we will sail to Braylin and lay in wait to attack Saddle Arabian forces when they get there."
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom ran up to her. Apple Bloom asked, "Scootaloo, why are y'all saying goodbye for. You're acting like you're not coming back."
Sweetie Belle added, "Yeah, you act like you're going to get killed."
Scootaloo replied, "What if I do?"
Applejack said, "Now don't you worry Scootaloo. Your power is great, your knowledge of how opposing forces work is immense. Just use your energy, keep your troops well disciplined and everything will be just fine."
Scootaloo hugged them and said, "Well I better get back over to the base. Colgate said to make it quick and you know how she gets when somepony is late. Instead of good bye, how about I say see you guys later."
Applejack replied, "Now that's better. See y'all later."
Scootaloo nodded and flew back over to the base and was met by a surprised Colgate. Colgate said, "Wow, that was quick. I know I said to make it quick but I didn't expect you to be back this quickly."
Scootaloo replied, "Well the sooner we get going the sooner we can liberate the Equine Empire."
Colgate said, "Now that's why I made you the commander so long ago. You have the initiative to go get things done."
Colgate looked out at her troops and continued, "Alright troops, I need you all to stand out in that field. I need to duplicate you."
Colgate motioned for her forces to go to the field and once they got there she began to glow as she recited, "From one to two, two to four and so much more, when one is simple mere, more and more shall appear."
Suddenly there were twice as many officers as there were before. Scootaloo asked, "Colgate, I am taking the duplicates with me, right?"
Colgate replied, "Yes, they are the ones who will be going with you."
Scootaloo looked at the soldiers and said, "Those of you who are duplicates, follow me. We need to get to the coast as soon as possible. Colgate wants us to set sail by nightfall."
Scootaloo and the duplicates flew off to the east. Colgate felt like a proud parent as her commander led the duplicate soldiers off to the east. General Dark Night asked, "Colgate, aren't you worried that something might happen to her?"
Colgate replied, "General, I know you are concerned about her but she is tough as nails and isn't the type of pony to make dumb decisions. Besides, I have taught her many spells, the armor spell being one of them, so I am thinking everything should be fine. Troops, you are dismissed. It is time for lunch anyway, officers, let's go grab a bite to eat."
Five hours later Scootaloo and her forces landed out at the shore where three ships sit there waiting. Colonel Black Mist asked, "Scootaloo, what are we going to do for food and water? I highly doubt those ships are already stocked."
Scootaloo replied, "We are going to have to pick these plum bushes empty. The voyage to Braylin is a four to six day journey depending on the weather. Luckily these plums have enough juices in them that they will keep us hydrated. Before we start stocking the ships, let's eat a few of them. I'm hungry after that long flight."
Scootaloo and her forces spend around thirty minutes eating and then spent two and a half hours picking the plum bushes clean so they would have adequate food for their journey. Finally right as the sun was setting they finished. Scootaloo said, "Alright troops, let's get going. Board one of the ships, let's raise our anchors and let's get going!"
Right as the sun dipped below the horizon Equestria disappeared from the skyline. Scootaloo looked back and said to herself, "Colgate, I won't let you down and Equestria, I promise to return."
It was right after supper in Ponyville as Colgate was watching them set sail to the east. Colgate said to herself, "Good job Scootaloo, you set sail exactly on time. I take this as a good sign."
On the fifth morning after departing Equestria Scootaloo can finally see a faint dot on the horizon in front of the bright sun. She puts her hoof over her forehead, squints her eyes and looks closer. Their destination was in their sights. General Dark Night could see a beaming smile on the commander's face. He asked, "Scootaloo, is that what I think it is? Is that Braylin?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, it is. We should be there in thirty minutes. Now I want you to know that we may not be all that well received. While many ponies around the world know what Colgate looks like, very few know what I look like. Most of them probably don't even know who I am. I will discuss this further with everypony once we dock."
Thirty minutes later the three ships dock in the harbor. Scootaloo leads all of them onto the shore where she addresses them. She said, "Alright troops, I am not going to count on us being well received. The reason being is that while most ponies around the world know what Colgate looks like and who she is. Almost nopony knows who I am and very few if any know what I look like. Luckily for us, most of the ponies here are earth ponies and pegasus ponies, so we probably won't have energy fired at us."
Colonel Green Toxin asked, "If that is the case, why are you so worried?"
Scootaloo replied, "I am not so much worried as I am concerned. I am concerned that they may not take our warnings seriously and will still be around when the Saddle Arabian forces attack." She paused for a minute and then continued, "well let's get going. The sooner we get in there, the sooner we can get the city evacuated."
Scootaloo and her forces took flight and headed towards the center of the city. In Braylin everypony was on edge as they knew about the fall of Maredrid but did not know that enemy forces were heading up the coast. Soon Scootaloo and her forces were flying over the city. A pony in the crowd panicked and shouted, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! EVERYPONY RUN!"
Scootaloo and her forces landed in the city square and just stood there watching the chaos. When the residents saw that Scootaloo and her forces were not attacking, the panic stopped and there was an odd silence. The mayor decided that he would find out who this orange Alicorn was and what her and her army wanted.
Green Hooves, the mare of Braylin, walked up to Scootaloo and asked, "Who are you and what is it you want with us?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well I am Commander Scootaloo of Equestria. I am Supreme Commander Colgate's second in command. She has sent us here to protect your city from an attack by Saddle Arabian forces."
The mayor glared at her. He growled, "Oh and how do I know you are not lying? How do I know you are not a spy for Lemon Hearts?"
Before Scootaloo could reply a pony out in the crowd, Sweet Pea interrupted, "Mr. Mayor, she tells the truth. I used to live in Ponyville when I was younger and she is indeed Supreme Commander Colgate's second in command."
The mayor looked at Sweet Pea and then looked back at Scootaloo and asked, "Ok, so maybe you aren't lying. Tell me though, how do you know that there are Saddle Arabian forces coming this way?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well you see, Colgate has this great eye at the top of her tower that scans the entire world. She can see everything and hear everything using this. It was because of things she saw and heard that I along with my forces were sent here. She sent us here to protect your city and hopefully cause Lemon Hearts' forces to retreat."
The mayor asked, "Wait a minute, are the legends of the jade Alicorn and the great green eye true?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, they are, but Colgate used a spell to change it to a blue eye after the fall of the dark goddess."
Green Hooves asked, "Commander Scootaloo, what do you think would be the best option for the citizens of this city?"
Scootaloo replied, "Head north. Perhaps go to Horsinki or St. Pintosburg. Those cities are far enough to the north that everypony should be safe."
There were an abnormally large number of trains at the depot that day, enough to carry every citizen to safety. Green Hooves said, "You heard the commander, let's get in the trains and head north. We don't want to be here when the enemy forces arrive."
Scootaloo added, "No, you don't. This will likely be a bloody battle. This is no place for civilians right now."
The mayor motioned for the citizens of the city to pile into the trains. Once every citizen was in the trains they took off to the north. Scootaloo and her forces stood in the now vacant city's square wondering when the enemy would arrive. Dark Night asked, "Commander, when do you think they will arrive?"
Colgate replied, "Well that I am not sure of. I have a feeling it will be any time. My intuition is telling me it will be shortly after dawn tomorrow but I can't be 100% sure. Early tomorrow morning though, I want us to lay low. In the event they do arrive, we can ambush them and instead of both sides losing many soldiers, this will be a rout."
General Lightning Storm, Scootaloo's changeling general asked, "Scootaloo, do you want us to cover them in ooze?"
This question frustrated Scootaloo. It was one of those facehoof moments. She shouted, "What do you think I would want you to do, have a friendly chit chat with them? Of course I want you to cover them in ooze. It will make them easier to kill. However, DO NOT kill their dark Alicorn general. I believe he will have a great amount of knowledge that will aid us in our offensive in taking this country back."
Captain Green Storm, the changeling captain asked, "Commander, what if he won't tell us anything?"
Scootaloo replied, "Trust me, I will make him sing like a canary. I know exactly what to do. Don't question me, just do as you are told."
Her troops could tell that she did not like them questioning her, but then again no commander likes their troops questioning their plans so the figured that they better just do as they are told.
Out at sea Lemon Hearts' forces continued to sail north. They had killed many, destroyed many cities and were now less than a day's voyage away from Braylin. General Black Feet said to his troops, "Well guys, so far we have done very well. I am sure that if Lemon Hearts were here she would be damn proud of us. We have done exactly what she has asked us to do. Tomorrow we will destroy Braylin and then head off to Marescow to take the final prize!"
That night was a rather uneventful night as Black Feet's troops took turns sleeping in shifts. Finally dawn arrived and Braylin was in their sights. Black Feet said to his troops, "Alright guys, Braylin is on the horizon. This isn't going to be easy. While the civilians there won't cause us any problems, I am sure that the Equine Empire has stationed troops there. Just remember, be alert, show no mercy and be as mobile as possible."
Twenty minutes later Black Feet's ships dock and the troops head into the city. The city appeared to be abandoned. This both pleased and irritated Black Feet. While he was happy that they were able to take the city without a fight, he was unhappy about not being able to spill any blood.
They landed in the center of the city where Black Feet said, "Well guys, it looks like Braylin is ours. We will rest here for a day and then we will head towards Marescow."
One of the changeling drones asked, "General, you don't think that they have members of their military hiding in the buildings here do you? I could seriously see Luna setting us up for an ambush."
Black Feet was greatly irritated with this question. He snapped, "Listen, you are a lowly drone, I am the general. If Luna had troops stationed here to ambush us they would have attacked us the moment we got here." He rolled his eyes and continued, "GOOD GRIEF, HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?"
Iron Hooves, Lemon Hearts' dark Alicorn colonel said, "Well guys, let's go raise our flag! This city is ours now and everypony needs to know it."
Black Feet and Iron Hooves headed to the top of city hall to lower the Equine Empire flag and raise the Saddle Arabian flag. Scootaloo saw this from inside a building and shouted, "CHARGE! KILL THEM BOYS!"
Scootaloo and her forces swarmed out of every building in town and began to massacre the enemy forces. After a few seconds of confusion Lemon Hearts' forces finally took to the sky and started taking out their enemies. The battle, while many soldiers perished, was fairly short lived as only ten percent of Scootaloo's forces lost their lives and all of Lemon Hearts' forces were killed, except for one, General Black Feet, who had been covered in ooze and fell from the sky.
He was laying there on the ground in fear as an orange Alicorn approached him. He had no clue who Scootaloo was. His voice trembling he asked, "Wh-who are you? Y-you aren't L-Luna, I know that much."
Scootaloo planted her hoof on the general's side and replied, "I am Commander Scootaloo of Equestria. I know you and your forces have caused much death and destruction. Well that stops here. All your precious troops are dead so there is nothing stopping us from retaking the Equine Empire."
Black Feet sneered, "Oh, and does Luna know about your invasion of HER country? I doubt she will be thrilled that Equestria is trying to take over her nation."
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, she knows. Now you are going to tell me everything you know. You are going to tell me all of Lemon Hearts' plans, what other invasions you have planned and what you know about Lyra's plans because I'm sure you know."
Black Feet growled, "Oh and what if I refuse to say anything? I do have a right to not incriminate myself or Lemon Hearts."
Scootaloo's eyes began to shine white and she fired a powerful bolt of energy at him, burning him badly. She shouted, "Hey idiot, this is war! All the rules have been thrown out of the window. Fess up or you will wish you were dead!"
Black Feet shouted, "Never!"
Scootaloo smiled and replied, "Ok, you asked for it!"
Scootaloo began to whip Black Feet with chains violently. He was screaming in pain but continued to shout that he would not say a thing about Lemon Hearts' plans. After a while Scootaloo got tired with beating him with chains. She decided to pick him up with her magic and began slamming him into the side of a building with full force. Still, he was shouting that he would never say a word. Finally Scootaloo had enough. She looked at General Dark Night and said, "General, go get me that gurney. Colonel, see that rope over there? Go get it and tie this idiot to the gurney. Major, go get me some bottles of water. I know how to get this canary to sing."
Being covered in ooze all Black Feet could do was scream and shout as he was tied to the gurney. Scootaloo used her magic to hold Black Feet's mouth open and began to pour the water into his mouth, giving him the sensation that he was drowning. She went through many, many bottles of water and after three hours of non-stop water boarding, he began to groan so Scootaloo stopped the torture. After clearing his mouth of all water, he looked up at Scootaloo and said, "Stop, please stop! I can't take it anymore! I will tell you everything."
Scootaloo replied, "Alright my little canary, sing!"
Black Feet started, "Well alright, Lemon Hearts and Lyra have formed a military alliance. As you know, Lemon Hearts sent us to go up the coast and massacre as many as possible and level the cities, which we have done. Had we taken Braylin, she ordered us to fly to the northeast to Marescow and wanted us to kill Luna. Also, she has an army of dark unicorns marching towards Stalliongrad."
Scootaloo stared straight into his eyes and sneered, "And?"
Black Feet continued, "Well, she did not want them to simply go there and attack the city. She ordered them to surround the city, cutting off all supply lines taking food into the city. She said that after a while the residents of the city will begin to starve and they can then go in and take the city, which would crush the morale of the Equine Empire since so many ancient artifacts of the founding of the empire are there."
Scootaloo asked, "What of the defenses of Ridead, how well defended is that city?"
Black Feet shouted, "I will not give you information regarding Ridead. You and your thugs will not conquer Saddle Arabia."
Scootaloo replied, "Oh well, it's your choice. It is either you tell me or I will water board the hell out of you."
Black Feet cried, "Please no! Ok, there are a few thousand troops down there that Lemon Hearts had stay there in the event of an attack. She has roughly 2,000 dark Alicorns and 2,000 changeling soldiers. So if I were you I would think twice before being so arrogant as to think you can go conquer Ridead!"
Scootaloo began to beat him with chains over that comment. He was screaming and crying in agony as she did this. Finally after ten minutes of being beat he said he would tell her the rest. Scootaloo asked, "What about the cities that you and your forces destroyed on the way up here? How many forces do you have protecting them?"
Black Feet replied, "Well since we pretty much destroyed every single one of them, we left nopony behind. Everypony continued up here so we would have maximum numbers in our attacks."
Scootaloo laughed, "Wow, it looks like getting back down to the border is going to be a cakewalk. Thank you so much for making our trip to the border so easy!"
Black Feet sneered, "Oh, and is there anything else you want to know commander?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, I want to know about Lyra's plans."
Black Feet did not care one bit about Lyra, he loathed her actually so he had no problems telling Scootaloo about her plans. He continued, "As far as Lyra goes, she plans on sending part of her fleet up to the eastern coast of the Equine Empire and having her forces invade. Since the eastern part of the Equine Empire is largely uninhabited, it will be no problem for her to take."
Scootaloo looked into his eyes and asked, "I know you are hiding something regarding Lyra. What else?"
Black Feet replied, "Well, I overheard her talking to one of her generals saying she had plans on taking part of her fleet over towards the west coast of Equestria and launching attacks on coastal cities. I don't like Lyra but I think Equestria would deserve for some of their own to die. Ugh I hate that Supreme Commander Colgate. I would love it if she were to wind up dying in a battle! She thinks she is the greatest thing in the world. She needs to be knocked down a notch or two."
This infuriated Scootaloo. She began to beat him more mercilessly than before with chains again. He was crying out in agony for her to stop but this time she continued the beating for almost an hour. Finally in some areas his skin was tore open, his armor had been long ago shattered and he was whimpering like a puppy. Scootaloo growled, "So Black Feet, what is that you want to see happen to Supreme Commander Colgate again?"
Black Feet whimpered, "Nothing Commander Scootaloo."
Scootaloo puffed her chest out and replied, "That's what I thought. Thank you for all the information general. Now there is just one more thing I need to do and then you are free to go."
Black Feet knew it would probably be horrible but he figured that if he could be free it would be worth it. He asked, "What is that?"
Scootaloo began to laugh hysterically. She levitated a sword she saw leaning up against the armory over to where Black Feet lay. He saw this and shouted, "You filthy wretch! You lied to me, you're not letting me go, you're killing me."
Scootaloo laughed, "Of course. After I kill you we will just leave your corpse here to rot, so you will be free in a way!"
Before the general could say anything else Scootaloo lopped Black Feet's head off. As it fell to the ground, blood began to squirt everywhere. Scootaloo smiled at her troops and said, "Alright soldiers, we now know what we need to do. We will have no issues getting to the border. At that point, I will duplicate us so we will have more than sufficient numbers when we invade Ridead."
Dark Night asked, "Do you think that Lemon Hearts will be there when we attack them?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes. I want us to go in, kill their troops from the remaining officers down to the very last drone. We will then storm the palace and I, along with a few changelings, will capture Lemon Hearts."
Dark Night said, "Well what are we waiting for? Let's do it!"
Scootaloo replied, "Let's just rest for the day. This city was not damaged, all our foes are dead so we have nothing to worry about. Tomorrow after breakfast we will sail down to what is left of Maredrid and take things from there. For now let's get some rest and clear our minds."
One of the dark Alicorn soldiers asked, "I like your idea of resting here, but being among all these corpses is kind of unnerving and what are we going to eat?"
Scootaloo growled, "Look, you are a soldier. Corpses should not bother you. As far as what we are going to eat, we shall raid the houses here and we will have plenty to eat."
The soldier backed down and realized that questioning his commander was not a great idea so he did his best to just avoid looking at the corpses that cluttered the city's streets.
In Ponyville Colgate has been watching all of this and she has a beaming smile on her face. She thought to herself, "Holy moly Scootaloo, you are brutal! Even I wouldn't have thought to torture an enemy combatant the way you did!"
She stood there for a minute and that smile quickly turned into a scowl as she remembered Black Feet telling Scootaloo about how Lyra plans on attacking Equestria's coastal cities. She stormed down to the base and decided to tell her whole army about what she had seen and heard, both the good and the bad. She told them about the massacre of Lemon Hearts' forces, the enemy forces marching on Ridead and Lyra's plans on attacking the west coast.
General Dark Night asked, "Colgate, I am assuming we are going to increase our numbers along the coast given the information you have?"
Colgate replied, "Yes, that is what we are going to do. First though, now that I know Lyra is going to attack us, I need to test this new spell I have come up with. Let's just say that if it works, Neigh Zealand will be transformed from a beautiful, scenic vacation spot into an uninhabitable wasteland!"
Colgate flew back up to her tower leaving her suddenly speechless troops at the base. They began to talk among themselves wondering how their commander could have gone from a great commander who wanted to win wars but spare non-combatants to one who didn't care who she killed. To them it seemed like she WANTED to kill them solely to crush the morale of enemy leaders.
It was the middle of September when Lemon Hearts' dark unicorns finally saw Stalliongrad on the horizon. They were tired, they had not ate much of anything except grass and it looked like that is all they would have to eat for the foreseeable future. General Eternal Darkness addressed his troops. He said, "Alright guys, we need to surround this city. We need to cut off all supply lines. Once we do this, no more supplies will get in there and eventually they will starve."
They finally got within a quarter of a mile of the city and spread out forming a large circle of soldiers around the city walls. The city's mayor, Gray Eyes, was standing up on a balcony overlooking the areas outside of the city and became terrified of what he saw. He saw what was probably in excess of a couple thousand dark unicorn soldiers. He ran down to the armory and notified the few dark unicorn soldiers they have that the city had been surrounded. They all sighed in disgust realizing that if the soldiers didn't come in and kill them, that hunger and starvation would.
Gray Eyes growled, "Is that all you can do is sigh in disgust? Yes we are outnumbered but couldn't you make stronger armor? You guys have powerful energy. If you make strong enough armor, you could wipe them out."
Dark Storm, the captain of the city's guard replied, "Are you kidding. There are only 150 of us, there are well in excess of 2,000 of them. It would be a suicide mission."
Gray Eyes rolled his eyes and replied, "Well I better go tell the residents of our city that we are going to have to cut back on what we eat significantly. Good thing a huge caravan of supplies arrived here just yesterday."
Gray Eyes stood on the balcony of the old citadel in the city. All the townsponies saw this and knew that he needed to address them over matters that are very important. After everypony was gathered he began, "Citizens of Stalliongrad, I have some very bad news."
One of the townsponies asked, "What is that?"
Gray Eyes continued, "Our city has been surrounded by what appears to be over 2,000 dark unicorns from Saddle Arabia. They have cut off all supply lines to us so we need to cut back significantly on what we eat."
A pony out in the crowd shouted, "But we just got a ton of new supplies yesterday!"
Gray Eyes glared at the resident and continued, "Look, I don't know how long we will be surrounded and we just can't continue to consume our resources at a normal rate hoping that by some miraculous force they will either just leave or other forces will come and take them out."
One of the Pegasus ponies in the crowd suggested, "Mr. Mayor, one of us pegasus ponies could always fly out of here, go to Marescow and notify the forces stationed there and they could come and aid in taking these enemies out."
The mayor replied, "You know, that might just work. I have heard that Queen Luna had to relocate the capitol there. If that is the case she could come to our rescue."
Thunderwings, the pegasus pony with the most endurance of all the pegasi in the city interrupted, "Tonight I could always fly out of here, get to Marescow and notify Luna. She along with some of her dark Alicorns and changelings could come and liberate us."
Gray Eyes replied, "Do you even know your way to Marescow? It is tough enough to navigate through the landscape in this area during the day, much less at night."
Tunderwings said, "Well I do know a lot about astronomy and assuming we have clear skies tonight, I can use the stars as a guide to what direction I would need to go. Besides, I have flown to Marescow from here many, many times."
The mayor shrugged his shoulders and decided that what the pegasus pony wanted to do would probably be in their best interests. In Marescow Luna was sitting on her throne when one of her guards came running to her and said, "Your Majesty, I have some good news."
Luna replied, "Oh, and what is this good news?"
The guard replied, "I was doing some patrols of the region and when I was down around Braylin I saw Equestrian forces eradicate Saddle Arabian forces that were advancing from the south. I kept my distance but I saw that they had ships in the harbor so I am thinking that they will be setting sail southwards soon. I don't know if they are just going to liberate the cities further down the coast or if they are going to launch an invasion of Saddle Arabia."
Luna smiled and replied, "I knew that Colgate would send forces over!"
Her guard asked, "Your Majesty, have you heard anything from the guards who patrol the inner regions of the country. I am sure those cities are probably under threat as well."
Luna replied, "No, I have not and it kind of worries me. If I have yet to hear anything from those cities in a couple of days I will send some dark Alicorns and changelings out to take a look at things."
Back in Stalliongrad the sun had been set for a couple of hours when Thunderwings had one last discussion with Gray Eyes. Gray Eyes said, "Thunderwings, just be careful when leaving the city. I know you know your way there but if you are seen by the Saddle Arabian forces they will shoot you down and likely kill you."
Thunderwings replied, "Don't worry about me Mr. Mayor, I can fly quite fast. It should take me around a day to get to Marescow if I only stop for a brief moment of rest."
Gray Eyes said, "Well you better get going. You be careful!"
Thunderwings took to the sky and soared over the dark unicorns completely unnoticed. Once he got a mile out of town he felt he could slow his flying a bit. He thought to himself, "Well that was easy, now all I have to do is tell Luna and everything will be fine."
Thunderwings decided to fly non-stop all the way to Marescow. He was approaching the city square when he saw Luna talking with some of the townsponies. He shouted, "Princess Luna, I really need to talk to you."
He landed down by the princess and she glared at him and asked, "Look, I don't know who you are and can't you see that I am busy?"
Thunderwings replied, "I see you are talking with some of the city's residents but I have news regarding Stalliongrad that you must know about."
Luna told the ponies she was talking to that she would have to finish their discussion later and asked the pegasus who he was and what was going on with Stalliongrad.
Thunderwings started, "My name is Thunderwings and I am a pegasus from Stalliongrad. Stalliongrad is currently surrounded by what appears to be over 2,000 dark unicorn soldiers from Saddle Arabia. The mayor, Gray Eyes, was wondering if maybe you could help us wipe them out."
Luna asked, "Doesn't Stalliongrad have a decent number of forces stationed there?"
Thunderwings replied, "No. All we have there is 150 dark unicorns."
Luna said, "Well you are obviously dead tired. Tell you what, I will go there myself, transform into Nightmare Moon and destroy them. Then I have plans to make a trip south."
Before Thunderwings could say anything Luna sped off to the southeast. She hoped that she could get there soon enough that she could wipe out the enemy forces and then have enough time to meet the Equestrian army before launching an invasion on Saddle Arabia.
Luna flew at a great speed non-stop from Marescow to Stalliongrad. Given that she is an Alicorn, one that has been around for a very long time, she had more endurance than almost everypony with the exception of Brevity Thrash, who is a Creator Goddess.
Around noon she sees Stalliongrad in her sights and is not thrilled with the army of dark unicorns she sees surrounding the ancient city. She said to herself, "Well the time has come Luna, let's wipe these idiots out."
Luna began to stretch herself vertically. As she did this the sky began to be shrouded in dark clouds and powerful winds began to blow. Luna was encircled in a dark energy that quickly transformed her into Nightmare Moon. As soon as her transformation was complete she began firing at her enemies. The loud booming echoes of her voice could be heard across the landscape as she was shouting, "Death to the dark unicorns, victory is mine!"
While initially the dark clouds and wind scared the ponies in Stalliongrad when they heard the echoes of Nightmare Moon's voice, they began to cheer realizing that Luna had come to save them from certain death. The mayor said to himself, "Thank you Luna, we owe you our very lives."
The dark unicorns were running around in a panic as Nightmare Moon was firing powerful bolts of energy at them, killing them as she struck them. General Eternal Darkness started shouting at them, "Fire back at her you pathetic cowards. Bring her down or it won't be her who kills you, it will be me!"
Finally the dark unicorns began to fire back at Nightmare Moon yet she was able to easily dodge their energy bolts not only because of her agility, they were also very errant and off target. Fifteen minutes after arriving, Nightmare Moon had wiped out every dark unicorn except one, General Eternal Darkness. She saw him crawling away from the remains of his soldiers when she swooped down, grabbed him with her magic, flew into the city and threw him onto the ground in the city square, injuring him further.
Almost as quickly as the skies had become shrouded in darkness, the skies brightened back up and Nightmare Moon transformed herself back into Luna. Luna landed in the city square in front of Eternal Darkness and a whole city of grateful ponies. When she landed Gray Eyes ran to her, hugged her and said, "Thank you your Majesty, you saved us! We owe you our lives."
Luna smiled and replied, "Nonsense, you do not owe me your lives! What would make you think that?"
Gray Eyes replied, "Well we are all so happy that you came and saved us from certain death." He paused for a minute and continued, "Who is the dark unicorn soldier you brought to us. He looks like an officer as he is quite decorated."
Luna glared at Eternal Darkness and asked, "Who are you and are you part of Lemon Hearts' forces?"
The injured dark unicorn replied, "I am General Eternal Darkness and yes I am a part of Queen Lemon Hearts' military."
Luna planted her hoof on the general and said, "That is what I thought." She then raised her hoof up, kicked him in the head and then continued, "So defeated one, what are your precious queen's plans. What all invasions did she plan on for the Equine Empire and did she plan any military actions elsewhere in the world?"
Eternal Darkness said, "I'm not saying anything to a pony who is so arrogant as to kick me in the head."
Luna's horn began to glow and she pointed it down at the general and sneered, "Oh, so you're one of those types huh? Tell me or you will suffer dearly and don't count on me putting you out of your misery, so if I were you I would reveal everything."
Eternal Darkness had a lump in his throat as he said, "Ok, I will tell you." He paused for a minute and continued, "Well besides my forces coming up here and attempting to take Stalliongrad she also sent an army of dark Alicorns and changelings to sail up the coast, seizing each city as they go up the coast. She ordered them to kill everypony there and destroy the cities. She said once they take care of Braylin that they are to head to Marescow and kill you." He then laughed, "So if I were you I would be back guarding your capitol!"
Luna laughed back, "Oh I don't have to worry about that. Forces from Equestria sailed across the Alicorn Ocean and ambushed your queen's forces. In the end it was a massacre. The dark Alicorns and changelings of your nation are all dead! So general, what about Lyra? What do you know about her plans?"
Eternal Darkness replied, "Given that I am only a dark unicorn officer, Lyra and Lemon Hearts did not share that information with me. They only shared it with the dark Alicorns and changelings."
The general laid there trembling as Luna was staring into his eyes. Her scowl changed to a look of indifference as she could tell that he was telling the truth. She said, "Well at least you aren't lying about this. Now I have one more thing I need to do before I am finished with you."
Before the general could say anything Luna shouted to the citizens of Stalliongrad, "Stand back everypony, I don't want to see any of you get hurt."
Eternal Darkness could see Luna's horn glowing again and he shouted, "No your Majesty, please let me live. I promise to help you in any way I can!"
Before he could say anything else Luna fired a powerful bolt of energy at him. He began to scream in agony as the energy was burning him. Finally he fell silent and Luna stopped firing her energy. She walked over to him and kicked him in the head. She got no response from him. She smiled at the stunned city's residents and said, "You have nothing to worry about anymore. All the enemy forces which surrounded your city are dead."
The whole city began to cheer loudly and chanted, "LUNA, LUNA, LUNA!"
Luna blushed and continued, "From information I have received the forces that sailed up the west coast laying siege to each city were eradicated by Equestrian forces in Braylin."
A colt in the crowd asked, "Queen Luna, does that mean that our country is free?"
Luna smiled and replied, "Yes little one, it is free. Now I must go and join these forces from Equestria as they are sailing south as we speak. I have a feeling that an offensive against Saddle Arabia is about to ensue."
The colt said, "You be careful your Majesty!"
Luna nodded and sped off towards what was left of Maredrid. She dreaded what she would wind up seeing but knew that is where she would meet up with the Equestrian forces that liberated the west coast.
Scootaloo and her forces, after a dominating victory in Braylin, sail back to the south. Everypony was in a very good mood. General Dark Night asked, "Scootaloo, after what you did to their general what are your plans for Lemon Hearts if you capture her?"
Scootaloo got this sadistic grin on her face and replied, "Oh if we are the ones to capture her, the torture I have planned for her will be far worse and will last much longer than Black Feet's torture did."
General Lightning Storm asked, "Scootaloo, what if Luna was to decide to lead forces into Saddle Arabia and she is the one who captures her? What do you think she will do to her?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well I do know that she would make sure she would never escape. She might banish her to the void, she might banish her to the sun but what I do know is that she won't be brutal like I plan on being. The thing that separates me from other ponies, I find brutal torture not only necessary, but quite entertaining!"
After four days out at sea Scootaloo's forces finally made it to the port of Maredrid. When they flew into the devastated city they were not surprised by what they saw. Upon landing in what was the city square Scootaloo looked around and shook her head. She said, "I was expecting this but I did not expect there to be corpses of Maredrid citizens. I thought Luna would have been able to get them all evacuated. This is truly sad."
The dark Alicorn Scootaloo yelled at up in Braylin over his comments regarding corpses sneered, "Well Scootaloo, you are a commander so I wouldn't think this would bother you."
Scootaloo pointed her horn at the soldier and growled, "What did you say soldier? You care to repeat yourself?"
The soldier knew that repeating what he said would not be in his best interests so he said that he thought that all the corpses were a sad sight to see.
Dark Night asked, "Well it looks like the only building here that didn't suffer much of any damage is the palace. Commander, will we be sleeping in there until we are ready to launch our offensive?"
Scootaloo thought this was an incredibly stupid question. She rolled her eyes and growled, "Yes General, it is where we will be staying until we are ready to go." She paused and then with her voice dripping with sarcasm she continued, "What do you think we would do, just stare at the houses and expect them to rebuild themselves?"
Colonel Black Mist asked, "Scootaloo, do you think we should go in to the palace and see if there is enough food for all of us?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, I do think we should do that. Also as bad as I hate to, I do think we should search through the rubble and collect any food we find in it as well."
Black Mist asked, "Why do you hate to search through the rubble?"
Scootaloo shed a few tears and replied, "I just feel like we will be violating the space of the ponies who were killed here but we have to do what it takes to survive."
Her forces had not seen her shed any tears before. While at times they felt a bit uneasy around Scootaloo because of her short temper and thirst for blood, they realized that she does still have some feelings, well feelings for those on her side anyway.
Further inland Luna continued her flight south. She realized that if she wants to meet the Equestrian forces that she must fly as fast as she can for as long as she can. Finally two days after leaving Stalliongrad, she finally saw her old palace in the remains of Maredrid. When she arrived Scootaloo was addressing her troops from the palace's balcony. Luna flew in and landed next to the Equestrian commander.
Scootaloo looked over to her right and said, "Queen Luna! It is so good to see that you are ok!"
Luna replied, "It is good to see you guys are alright too, and thank you for liberating the west coast of my country!"
Scootaloo said, "Well Luna, I think the two of us along with my officers need to head into your throne room and discuss what our plans are now."
Luna replied, "I agree Scootaloo, let's go."
Luna, Scootaloo and her officers headed into the throne room. For the first time in a couple of months Luna sat on her throne and addressed everypony else. She said, "Alright, thanks to Scootaloo and her forces, the Equine Empire has been liberated. Now it is what do we do next? Do we simply secure our border or do we go on the offensive and invade Saddle Arabia?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well I am thinking that perhaps we should do both. I do know that Lemon Hearts does have some forces still alive. They are stationed in Ridead for protection."
Luna asked, "Oh, and how do you know this?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well their dark Alicorn general told me all this after I water boarded him for a while. Also, I have found out things regarding Lyra. But first, we discuss what to do regarding Lemon Hearts."
Luna was shocked when she heard Scootaloo talking about how she got the information out of the Saddle Arabian general. She asked, "Wait a minute, you waterboarded their general just to get information out of him?"
Scootaloo laughed, "Of course. Beating him and slamming him up against buildings didn't work. Sometimes a commander has to do what a commander has to do to get enemies to talk. And it worked, that is all that matters."
Luna, still stunned, replied, "You do know that waterboarding is against international law don't you. You could get tried for war crimes for that."
Scootaloo glared at Luna and growled, "Well no one has to find out about it now do they? After all, he was leading forces that attacked your nation and killed many of your citizens. So whose side are you on, the side that liberated your nation or the side that massacred many of your subjects?"
Luna stood there silently for a minute. While she did not approve of Scootaloo's torture methods, she realized that she was right. She replied, "No Scootaloo, no one will find out about this. It will remain between us." She paused for a minute and continued, "Ok, back to the subject at hand. If we are going to secure my border, how are we going to do it? All we have is your army."
Scootaloo replied, "Well I do know the duplication spell and we should be able to shore up the border with duplicate forces. After we do that, we can then invade Saddle Arabia, fly into Ridead and capture Lemon Hearts, which will result in the collapse of her nation."
Luna could see in Scootaloo's eyes that she had plans for Lemon Hearts once she was captured and she decided to find out what they were. She asked, "So Scootaloo, what are your plans for Lemon Hearts if we capture her?"
Scootaloo glared at her and replied, "Don't you mean WHEN we capture her?" She sighed and then continued, "My plans for her will make what I did to Black Feet look like nothing. She is DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the deaths of many civilians, civilians who were citizens of the Equine Empire."
Luna asked, "Instead of torturing her, couldn't you just have her covered in ooze and then take her up to Alicorn City to be held until we can get a war crimes court started after this is all over?"
Scootaloo replied, "Hmmmm.....well I don't plan on killing her. I do plan on punishing her though. YOUR citizens were shown no mercy. They suffered in their deaths so why should she not have to suffer any? If you won't cause her to suffer through any pain, I will make sure she endures through pain, and lots of it."
Luna asked, "Scootaloo, can I ask you a question? I remember back at the end of the last war how you and Colgate decided to use psychological warfare against Twilight. Now you seem obsessed with torture. What is it with the change in war tactics with you two?"
Scootaloo replied, "Luna, just as the world has moved on to a new era involving global trade, we have moved on to use different methods of warfare. The methods Twilight always used were too soft. What fun is there in simply banishing your enemies somewhere? War involves the enemy leaders suffering."
Luna said, "Fine. But if I capture Lemon Hearts she will be dealt with in a way that is legal under international law, a law that Colgate agreed to in a treaty signed by the five leaders a couple thousand years ago."
Scootaloo decided to drop that issue and simply say that they need to get a few good meals in them and leave in a couple of days. Luna agreed to this and while they seemed to be not as warm towards each other as normal, they did decide to continue with the invasion as planned.
After three days of resting in Maredrid Luna and Scootaloo decided the time had come to go through with the invasion. Scootaloo was really hoping to conquer Ridead soon as there was little food in Maredrid and never being completely full was starting to irritate her. She said, "Alright Luna, I am going to duplicate my troops. The duplicates will stay here while you, my forces and I will take flight as soon as possible."
It was mid-morning when Scootaloo addressed her forces. She started, "Alright guys, today we begin our offensive against Saddle Arabia. However, we must leave forces here to protect Maredrid and the Equine Empire in general."
General Dark Night asked, "Does this mean we will be duplicated?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes general, it does. I need all of you to gather together."
Her whole army of changelings and dark Alicorns gathered in the town square. Standing up on the balcony with Luna, Scootaloo's horn began to glow and she recited, "From one to two, two to four and so much more, when one is simple mere, more and more shall appear."
She fired the energy and suddenly her army was twice as large as it was before. Like what happened when Colgate duplicated her forces, there are now two of each soldier and two of each officer. Scootaloo shouted, "Alright, those of you who are the originals, follow Luna and I. The duplicates need to stay here and hold down the fort."
The duplicate Dark Night asked, "But Commander, what are we going to eat, there isn't a ton of food around here."
Scootaloo replied, "Well you might have to go back to eating the way ponies did in the ancient days, grazing in the fields outside of town."
One of the changeling soldiers asked, "What about us changelings? What are we supposed to eat?"
Scootaloo replied, "Well you might have to graze as well. Yes I know changelings aren't exactly fond of grass and brush, but you might have to deal with it."
Luna interrupted, "Changelings, as much as it pains me to say this, you may just have to eat the corpses of the dead here. I know you guys prefer meat. You have my permission to do so."
Scootaloo was shocked by this. She said, "Luna, you would simply have them eat the corpses of your citizens? What has gotten into you?"
Luna glared at her and replied, "Look Scootaloo, you are the one who is in such a hellfire hurry to get going." Luna paused and looked out at their soldiers and said, "Originals, follow us, duplicates, stay put."
Luna and Scootaloo took to the skies and headed south. All of Scootaloo's original forces followed them. Shortly before noon they crossed the border into Saddle Arabia. Scootaloo looked back at her forces and shouted, "Alright troops, we are in enemy territory now, keep your eyes open, be alert and most of all, be ready to attack if we encounter enemy forces."
In Ridead Lemon Hearts was in her throne room meeting with her new officers. She said, "Alright officers, while we have sent forces to conquer the Equine Empire, I could see Luna being dumb enough to think she could invade us at the same time. And naturally, if they do invade, since we aren't overly far away from the border, we would be the target." Lemon Hearts paused for a minute and then continued, "So boys, if we are invaded what do we do?"
Her new dark Alicorn general Dark Skies replied, "We attack them with full force and wipe them out."
Lemon Hearts smiled and said, "That is correct." She then asked in a more stern voice, "And what if Luna is accompanying them instead of defending her own keep? What do we do with her?"
Her changeling general, Green Skies replied, "We cover her in ooze and bring her to you to deal with."
Lemon Hearts got a huge grin on her face, started jumping up and down like a school filly and replied, "YES! Now I know why I made you and Dark Skies generals! It is because you two are so bright!"
This kind of irritated the other officers but they knew better than to say anything because not only would Lemon Hearts punish them, their superior officers would punish them as well. Lemon Hearts looked off towards the dining hall and said, "You know something guys? It is time for lunch. Let's go grab a bite to eat."
While Lemon Hearts and her officers were enjoying a lavish, filling lunch Scootaloo, Luna and their soldiers landed in a field and were eating the only thing they could find, which was brush, grass and a few berries from the bushes that grew in the area. Luna scowled at Scootaloo and said, "This meal is the embodiment of disappointment. Couldn't you have found a better place to land for lunch?"
Scootaloo growled, "Look Luna, this whole area does not have much in the way to eat. It is either we eat grass, brush and these berries or we starve. You should be glad that there is a small lake here as well. This isn't Equestria where you can find great food almost anywhere."
Despite Luna having ruled in Equestria at the past she was rather irked by that statement as she felt that Scootaloo was saying that Equestria was superior to every other country. She glared at her fellow leader and replied, "Oh, so are you saying that Equestria is better than everywhere else in the world?"
Scootaloo replied, "No, I am not saying that. I am simply saying that the climate here is not conducive to the growth of apple trees or other plants that produce nutrient rich fruits. Now let's hurry up and eat. It is still a two day flight to Ridead."
Luna was really beginning to have her doubts about Scootaloo. She knew that she was basically a carbon copy of Colgate when it came to war and world issues. She truly felt that once things were over, that Scootaloo and Colgate would want it all. Finally around mid-afternoon they took off towards the southeast towards their final objective.
Two days later Luna, Scootaloo and her forces see Ridead on the horizon. Scootaloo orders them to stop and land. Once they land Scootaloo addresses them, "Alright everypony, off on the horizon is our target. We shall fly no further today as we will need to be well rested and completely alert for this attack."
This time they had landed by an apple orchard and a good sized lake. Lieutenant Dark Crystal said, "Wow, these apples look so tasty. It is about time we find some good food in this country."
Luna added, "Thank you for having us land here Scootaloo. With the way your mind works, I thought you would have just sped straight into the city full force without much rest and with little to eat."
Scootaloo replied, "Well we aren't attacking until tomorrow after breakfast. After breakfast tomorrow I shall duplicate our forces two times over, with the exception of the officers. That way we should have twice as many soldiers as Lemon Hearts has there protecting the city."
Luna suggested, "Scootaloo, I do have a suggestion. Would you let me handle Lemon Hearts? She respects me more and will be more likely to talk to me than you."
Scootaloo realized that Luna just wanted to coddle Lemon Hearts like international law dictates. She replied, "Luna, whoever gets to her first will be the one to handle her. If you get to her first, you can go ahead and coddle her like she is your precious little daughter. If I get to her first, she will be treated like any other threat to Equestrian security would be treated."
Luna shouted, "SCOOTALOO, SHE DIDN'T EVEN INVADE EQUESTRIA! SHE IS NOT YOUR ENEMY!"
Scootaloo laughed, "Oh you're so funny Luna. Let's just relax, enjoy our food and once night falls, get some sleep. There is no need to stress out over how an enemy leader is treated upon capture."
Luna decided to drop it and get some rest. Her and Scootaloo continued to be kinda cold towards one another for the rest of the time they rested. Finally night fell and almost everypony fell asleep except for Luna and Scootaloo's changeling colonel, Green Toxin. Luna, despite being tired, looked like she was getting ready to fly off to Ridead when she was stopped.
Green Toxin stood in her way and asked, "So where do you think you're going? What are you going to do, go warn Lemon Hearts of our coming? Go and capture her so she can be coddled like a small child?"
Luna replied, "Colonel, don't you see anything wrong with how brutal Scootaloo is?" She paused for a minute and continued, "I know about how brutal she was to Black Feet before she killed him. Yes I know Lemon Hearts needs to be punished, but I don't think she needs to be tortured."
Green Toxin stared into Luna's eyes and made her even more tired. After this Luna continued, "You know colonel, perhaps I should stay here with you guys and wait, I'm just so tired."
The colonel nodded and eventually both he and Luna fell asleep. Finally dawn arrived and in Ridead Lemon Hearts and her officers were sitting down to breakfast. Dark Skies looked at Lemon Hearts, smiled and said, "Wow, oats, bacon, eggs and orange juice. You are so good to us my queen."
Lemon Hearts blushed and replied, "I don't know why you're saying this this morning when this is what we always eat, but thank you nonetheless."
Dark Mane, her dark Alicorn captain asked, "Your Majesty, do you think we have anything to worry about regarding an invasion by Luna?"
Lemon Hearts had been asked this numerous times by her officers and regular soldiers in the past couple weeks and she was finally fed up with it. She shouted, "NO, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! WOULD ALL OF YOU JUST DROP IT?"
Her captain replied, "I'm sorry. I won't ask again."
Lemon Hearts put her hooves on her head and just sighed. While she was putting forth the attitude that there would be no chances of an invasion she had a sixth sense that she was trying to ignore telling her that all her forces she sent to the Equine Empire were dead and that an invasion was being planned.
Colonel Steel Armor could sense her stress and asked, "Your Majesty, you seem quite stressed. Is there anything that any of us could do for you?"
Lemon Hearts sighed, "Yeah, could you guys just let me have some alone time? I just need to do some deep thinking."
Her officers headed out of the dining hall and let Lemon Hearts have her alone time. While she continued to eat her meal she thought to herself, "What the hay am I going to do if Luna does invade? My power is nothing compared to her's. I would just have to beg for mercy."
Back out where Scootaloo's troops had landed to rest yesterday they were finishing their breakfast. Scootaloo was licking her chops as she was finishing the last of what had been five apples. Luna could see in her eyes that it wasn't the juices of the apples that was causing her to do that. Finally Scootaloo looked off to the east and addressed her troops. She started, "Alright troops, the day has come. Today Saddle Arabia falls and will, for the time being anyway, be jointly held by Equestria and the Equine Empire."
Luna interrupted, "What? Jointly held?"
Scootaloo replied, "Yes, jointly held. After all we are doing this together. Besides, Colgate will see this happening and will then do what she thinks is best here."
Luna growled, "Oh, and what do you think that will be?"
Scootaloo smiled and replied, "I know what she would want. She would want us to have Lemon Hearts covered in ooze, have me torture her to get information out of her and then haul her to the dungeon until the time comes to transport her to Alicorn Island."
Luna sighed, "Whatever Scootaloo."
Scootaloo told her forces, excluding the officers, to gather together so they would be sure and have sufficient forces for the attack. Once they were gathered together Scootaloo cast the duplication spell on them a couple of times so they then had twice the number of soldiers that Lemon Hearts had.
Before taking off, Scootaloo whispered to her generals, "Follow me into the palace. We are taking Lemon Hearts. She must be punished for what she has done."
Her generals agreed to her plan. Scootaloo looked back at her troops and shouted, "TO WAR, TO VICTORY!" She then motioned for her forces to follow her into the city and they took off.
In Ridead Lemon Hearts was standing on her balcony looking off to the west when she saw what appeared to be a swarm of insects heading towards the city. General Dark Skies, who has better eyesight than her shouted, "We're under attack! This orange Alicorn and Luna are leading forces into the city!"
Lemon Hearts and her generals then ran back into the palace knowing that their time of being free will most likely end soon. Lemon Hearts shouted, "Follow me to the bunker guys. With as strong as the door to it is, they shouldn't be able to capture us."
While Luna and the soldiers were starting to take out enemy soldiers Scootaloo and her generals flew into the palace through the open entrance to the balcony. Dark Night asked, "Scootaloo, where do you think her and her generals are hiding?"
Scootaloo replied, "They most likely went to her basement bunker. Let's get down there. Our forces are making quick work of her army and we can not have Luna getting to her first."
Outside the palace Scootaloo's forces decimated Lemon Hearts' forces in less than twenty minutes. Luna then took flight towards the open balcony. She was bound and determined to get to Lemon Hearts first. She figured that since she knew the layout of the castle, that she would easily be able to acquire her.
After twenty-five minutes of searching Scootaloo finally found her way down to the bunker. She was kicking on the door but was unable to get it open. Inside Lemon Hearts was with her generals cowering in fear in the back corner of the room. Dark Skies asked, "Lemon Hearts, who do you think is trying to break in?"
Lemon Hearts, her voice now trembling replied, "We-well I h-hope it is Lu-Luna. She will b-be less harsh."
Outside Scootaloo was quickly getting angry. Finally she decided she would just vaporize it. She began to glow a bright orange, her eyes were shining a bright white, her horn was glowing and she fired a powerful bolt of energy at the door, blasting it open. Luna saw the orange glow and ran towards it. It was too late though, Scootaloo had got into the bunker first.
Scootaloo said, "Lightning Storm, cover them in ooze."
Lightning Storm covered the three in ooze and as Luna entered the bunker Scootaloo started laughing, "Well, well, well, what do we have here. Why it is the tyrant Queen Lemon Hearts my dear!"
Scootaloo then picked up Lemon Hearts with her magic and slammed her up against the wall. She motioned for her generals to surround her while she decided to take care of Lemon Hearts' generals. Luna shouted, "Scootaloo, stop!"
All this did was irritate Scootaloo so rather than say anything to them she fired powerful bolts of energy at them until they were dead. When she turned around Luna was angry. She shouted, "SCOOTALOO, WHAT DID WE AGREE TO?"
Scootaloo laughed, "Luna, I was the one who got to them first. Therefore, I decide their fate." She then looked at her generals and ordered, "Come on boys, let's get our little queenie to sing just like Black Feet did."
Luna rolled her eyes and headed back upstairs. Lemon Hearts shouted, "Scootaloo, what the hay did you do to Black Feet?"
Scootaloo replied, "You will soon find out."
Within five minutes Scootaloo and her generals had Lemon Hearts tied to a gurney and Scootaloo had plenty of water ready. She asked, "So Lemon Hearts, do you wish to tell me what you have done regarding your forces or do I need to force you to tell me?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "Ok, I will tell you. I sent forces into the Equine Empire. I sent dark Alicorns and changelings up the west coast to seize and destroy the cities there."
Scootaloo replied, "No worries there. My forces and I destroyed every last one of them in Braylin."
Lemon Hearts growled, "And I sent an army of dark unicorns to surround and starve out the ponies of Stalliongrad."
Scootaloo interrupted, "Don't worry, they're all dead too. Anything else?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "Well that is all I did as far as military action goes."
Scootaloo asked, "What about Lyra? What are her plans?"
Lemon Hearts was scared of Lyra so she flat out refused to say anything about her plans. Once she did this Scootaloo began to waterboard her just like she did with Black Feet. After ten minutes Scootaloo stopped the waterboarding and asked, "So Lemon Hearts, what plans does Lyra have?"
Lemon Hearts decided to just tell her to stop any further torture. She replied, "Well she was saying something about taking 18 of her carriers and invading the Equine Empire and then using 12 of her carriers to launch attacks on Equestria. But I have a feeling she won't attack the eastern part of the Equine Empire at all. She has a lot of hate towards Colgate and will likely use all 30 of them not to just attack coastal cities, but to launch a full scale invasion."
Scootaloo stared into the very soul of the fallen queen and could tell that she had told her the truth. Scootaloo said, "Alright Lemon Hearts. Lead us to one of your carriers. We are taking you to Alicorn Island. There you will be held until this is all over and the victorious leaders can deal with you."
While Scootaloo led Lemon Hearts to the carrier, back in Ponyville Colgate was watching all of this and was very pleased with Scootaloo's performance. She said to herself, "Wow Scootaloo, you did an amazing job." She paused for a minute and then growled, "So Lyra wants to attack us huh? Well it looks like the time has come to test my new weapon!"
While one part of the war had drawn to a close, a much nastier part of the war was about to begin, a part so nasty that it would transition the world into a new era of warfare completely.
In Ponyville Colgate had just finished watching the interaction between Scootaloo and Lemon Hearts. She realized that the time had come for her reserves to be activated for the first time in 3,000 years. She quickly flew off her balcony and headed to Sugarcube Corner where she was greeted by her reserves, just as she had for the past three millennia. She was greeted by Applejack. She asked, "Howdy Colgate, what brings you over to these parts?"
Colgate replied, "Applejack, I need you to go get the rest of your family and head to the tower. In fact I need all of you to get to my tower as soon as possible. I have seen and heard things that regard the security of this nation."
Applejack asked, "What could be going on that you would have to have ALL of us there?"
Colgate was getting a bit irritated. She snapped, "You will soon find out in the meeting. Don't worry, we will have lunch afterwards. Just go get them."
While Applejack headed home to get the rest of her family Rarity asked, "Colgate, what is going on? We certainly can't be under threat of any attack, the world has been at peace for three thousand years."
Colgate frowned and motioned for them to head to the tower. She replied, "Come on everypony, this is important."
The remaining four followed Colgate to her tower and a few minutes later the Apple family along with Sweetie Belle arrived in the throne room. Joining them were her officers. Colgate slammed the door after everypony was present and started, "Alright everypony, effective immediately, everypony is active duty."
Rarity asked, "But why Colgate? You did not tell us earlier."
Colgate replied, "I did not tell you earlier because I figured it needed to wait until all were present." Colgate paused for a second and continued, "First I do have some good news, the war on the other side of the Alicorn Ocean is over, Lemon Hearts has been captured. Now for the bad news, she has told Scootaloo some information that has caused me to put everypony on active duty."
Fluttershy asked, "What is that? Are my critter friends at risk of being hurt?"
Colgate rolled her eyes and replied, "No, your critter friends are at no risk of being hurt. As far as what she said, she said that Lyra has plans for attacking Equestria."
Rainbow Dash asked, "Oh, and how does she plan on attacking us? With her puny little army she won't get anything done against us!"
Colgate glared at her and replied, "Rainbow, I wish she did still just have a puny little army. She has modernized and increased the size of her fleet. She now has thirty carriers and Lemon Hearts told Scootaloo that chances are that Lyra will use all thirty not only to attack us, but to launch a full scale invasion."
Pinkie asked, "Colgate, don't you have a lot of troops stationed out there along the west coast?"
Colgate replied, "Yes but only along the big cities and at the naval base we have south of Los Alicornus. Lyra is somewhat familiar with our coast so she will probably send her forces to invade lowly or non-populated areas."
Apple Bloom asked, "So commander, is there anything we could do?"
Colgate smiled and replied, "Yes, I would like for you and Sweetie Belle to fly out to our naval base south of Los Alicornus and tell them that they need to have carriers doing patrols up and down our coast." She paused for a minute and asked, "Do you two think you are up to this?"
Applejack interrupted, "Now just wait a gol-darned minute Colgate. You are going to send these two out there?"
Sweetie Belle said, "Applejack, you do know we aren't fillies anymore don't you? We'll be fine."
Apple Bloom added, "Yeah, look at Scootaloo. She led forces to liberate the Equine Empire and captured Lemon Hearts. Flying out to a naval base to give orders from Colgate is nothing."
Colgate smiled and replied, "Applejack, they will be fine. If I didn't think they were up to it, I wouldn't send them."
Applejack sighed, "Ok."
Colgate continued, "As far as the rest of us, for now we will just engage in military exercises and if their fleet approaches the coast and they either attack us or invade us, ALL of us will be headed out to the coast to aid in the war effort."
Rarity gasped, "ALL OF US?"
Colgate glared at her and replied, "Yes Rarity, all of us. This will also result in me needing to duplicate the army, and it is now time for me to go and test this new spell I have been working on."
Pinkie asked, "What kind of spell is it?"
Colgate replied, "This is a completely new spell. This information must remain classified. This spell can only be known by me as it is a very dangerous one."
The entire room had an uneasy silence about it for a minute. None of them knew what her plans were although Colonel Green Toxin had this sick look on his face as he had a feeling what it was. He was worried that it was what she had discussed immediately after the grand princes of Saddle Arabia and Neigh Zealand were assassinated.
Colgate looked over at him and noticed the uneasy look on his face and was a bit irritated. She asked, "Green Toxin, what is wrong? Are you getting sick?"
Green Toxin replied, "I'm not getting sick. I'm just worried about that new spell......."
Colgate did not want any of her recruits knowing about the uranium or her spell. She interrupted Green Toxin, looked at her recruits and said, "Well everypony, let's go have some lunch. After that, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom will fly out to the coast and the rest of us will start our exercises."
Green Toxin asked, "But what about......"
Before he could finish his sentence Colgate said, "This meeting is adjourned. Let's go have some lunch."
Everypony looked at one another with concerned looks because of how Colgate interrupted Green Toxin twice and would not answer any questions from him. The reason he had such concern was because of the legends regarding huge explosions tearing holes in the void.
After lunch Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom approached Colgate and asked, "Colgate, so when we go out to the naval base, do you want us to simply go tell them they need to have patrols along our coast or do you want us to do more?"
Colgate replied, "I want you two to do more. I want you to stay out there at the base in the event of an attack. You two are very powerful and will aid greatly in defending against an attack."
Apple Bloom asked, "Can we say goodbye to our family first?"
Colgate replied, "Goodbye? You act like you are going to be killed in action, but yes, go tell them that you will be gone for an extended period of time."
The two headed over to Sweet Apple Acres where they were approached by Applejack. Applejack asked, "So what was Colgate talking to you about?"
Apple Bloom replied, "Well we are going to do more than just go tell the soldiers at the naval base to increase their patrols along the coast. We get to stay there and aid in defending against any attacks."
Applejack was stunned. She shouted, "You get to do what?"
Sweetie Belle replied, "We get to help defend against attacks! Isn't it exciting!"
Applejack became enraged. She was beginning to head towards Colgate's tower and said, "The hay you two are! You're just fillies, she can't send you there to do that!"
Apple Bloom shouted, "Applejack, we aren't babies anymore! We haven't been fillies for nearly 4,000 years."
Sweetie Belle added, "Yeah, and look at Scootaloo. She is the same age we are and she liberated an entire nation AND captured Lemon Hearts, which ended that part of the war."
Applejack realized that the two were going to go regardless of what she said so she just sighed, "Well y'all be careful. I know you're powerful but you two ain't military commanders like Scootaloo."
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and said, "Bye sis, we'll see you later!"
With that the two took off to the southwest towards the base off to the south of Los Alicornus. As they headed out Colgate was down in the very back of the archives gathering some of her uranium. When she got to the exit she was greeted by Green Toxin. He had a concerned look on his face and asked, "Colgate, are you sure you want to use this stuff? Aren't you worried that the nature of this kind of explosion could do something really bad?"
Colgate glared at him and asked, "Oh, and what could it possibly do?"
Green Toxin replied, "I am worried that it might tear a hole in the void. If a hole was torn in the void it would result in everypony that has ever been banished there to return to our world."
Colgate said, "Don't worry colonel. I have done my research on this and it is perfectly safe. The void will be fine." Colgate paused for a minute and then laughed, "Yeah this is perfectly safe unless you're one of my enemies!"
Colgate placed the uranium in her saddle bag, exited the tower and sped off towards the north. In Ponyville Green Toxin watched her speed off to the north and actually began to throw up he was so worried. Dark Night saw this and asked, "Colonel Green Toxin, why are you throwing up?"
Green Toxin replied, "That new spell of her's that she is going to test is what I am worried about. She has uranium and is going to use her magic to split the atoms, causing a devastating, powerful explosion. I am worried that it will tear a hole in the fabric of the void, which would be very bad."
Dark Night was stunned. He shouted, "She's doing what?" He paused and then continued, "I know she wants to punish Lyra severely but she is becoming downright reckless."
The colonel asked, "Dark Night, do you think we should go after her and try to stop her?"
Dark Night asked in return, "Do you have a death wish? You know she will kill anypony who challenges her authority or questions her actions. Even though I have served Equestria for over 4,000 years she would kill me if I challenged her decision to do this. All we can do is hope for the best."
Green Toxin asked, "I have a question. You have been serving Equestria since the days of the dark goddess. Was she like this?"
Dark Night replied, "No. Twilight Sparkle, while she was ruthless, was not like this. She simply wanted to conquer the lands of her enemies, Colgate wants to destroy them. She does not care who has to die as long as she wins the war." The general paused for a minute and continued, "It is times like this that I wish Twilight was still in power."
While the two officers continued their discussion Colgate continued her flight northwards. Finally she reached the absolute center of the arctic wastes. She swooped down, dropped a small pellet of uranium and then soared skywards. She then began to glow a deep shade of blue, her horn began to glow a bright white, her eyes began to shine a bright white, her cutie mark began to glow and she recited, "The atoms must be split so I can send my enemies into a pit. The explosion shall be big so my enemies will squeal like a pig. The time has come to make my enemies numb. The big fire shall be great, it shall destroy all the hate."
Colgate began to fire energy, striking the pellet with great force. As she continued to strike the pellet with her energy, her energy output became greater and greater. Finally it became so great that it split the uranium atoms, causing the largest, most powerful explosion in the world's history. As soon as the explosion took place, Colgate sped off to the south ten miles with great haste. Once she got ten miles away she stopped and looked back in the direction of the explosion and saw a huge mushroom cloud rising above the horizon.
Colgate was ecstatic when she saw the mushroom cloud. She began to jump up and down like a school filly and shouted, "YESSSS! YESSSS! IT WORKS! IT WORKS!"
Colgate then realized that she better get far, far away from the explosion. Despite being dead tired, she sped back home towards Ponyville. It was finally around two in the morning when she flew back onto her balcony and headed into her bedroom. She was so tired it wasn't even one minute after plopping down on her bed that she was asleep. While Colgate would have pleasant dreams last night, the effects of her nuke test would soon bring about a terror that the world has not seen in over four millennia.
While Colgate slept peacefully in her black tower in Ponyville strange things were happening where she had tested her nuke spell. A great dome formed in the arctic. Inside this dome magical energies caused a new crystal tower along with many, many houses to form. Shortly after that a great white vortex opened up above the new city. Out of this vortex emerged every creature that had ever been banished to the void.
The first two to fall out of the vortex were King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis. As they hit the ground they screamed in pain. "OWW!" screamed Sombra. Very soon he saw the changeling Queen, Princess Cadence and many, many other ponies around him and the last to emerge was the bumblebee which Twilight tested her banishing spell on first.
"WE'RE FREE!" shouted Sombra
Queen Chrysalis replied, "I know! What I would like to know is how we were freed. We certainly weren't freed the same way that LaurFa was. This had to be from something that tore a hole in the void."
Behind Chrysalis was Princess Cadence. She asked, "Um, Queen Chrysalis, I know we have had our differences in the past but since we were all sent to the void by Twilight, do you think we could be allies?"
Chrysalis looked up at the pink Alicorn and replied, "Under one condition. You must swear complete and absolute loyalty to myself and King Sombra."
Cadence, with a determined look on her face replied, "Consider it done. We were all betrayed by Twilight. I think it is time we get revenge on her and take over Equestria."
Sombra interrupted, "And how the hay are we supposed to do that? These ponies that came out with us are not soldier material. We need to find some soldiers. How, I don't know."
Chrysalis smiled and replied, "Leave this up to me. I still remember the loyalty spell that Twilight would cast on ponies. I also remember the invisibility spell. I can make myself invisible, go to Ponyville, turn the soldiers there against Twilight, bring them back here and train them for an offensive to take back what is rightfully ours."
Sombra and the newly loyal Cadence had unsure looks on their faces but knew that Chrysalis would do what she wanted.
Chrysalis smiled and said, "Don't be such worry warts you two. I'll be fine. See you later."
Chrysalis then took off to the air and exited the protective dome. It was a snowy day in the arctic but the winds are calm so Chrysalis had no problems flying. Two hours later she exited the arctic and landed in the northernmost part of the Everfree Forest for a snack. She was very hungry given that it had been ages and ages since she had a bite to eat, but something didn't seem right to her.
She said to herself, "Hmmm., something doesn't seem right here. Shouldn't there be a purple force field surrounding this area?"
She began to wonder if something had happened to Twilight and began to think that Celestia had returned to power. She however still knew that she would have a major enemy she would have to avoid. Once she finished her meal she flew south over the forest towards Ponyville.
In Ponyville Colgate was out at the base working with her soldiers when something didn't seem right to Green Toxin, her changeling colonel. He asked, "Colgate, is it just me or does something seem horribly wrong?"
Colgate replied, "Oh I'm sure things are just fine." She paused for a minute and asked, "What, are you still being a worry wart over that nuke spell I tested in the arctic?"
Before he could say anything he saw a larger changeling in the sky. He began to panic. While he never met her he knew that the one that changelings are supposed to bow to had returned. Colgate was wondering why he was panicking but then looked off to the north and saw the changeling queen fly over her tower and ultimately land in front of her.
Colgate looked at her and said, "Wait a minute, what the hay are you doing here? I thought you were permanently banished to the void."
Chrysalis laughed, "Well something tore a hole in the void and released us. It even caused the Crystal Empire to reform."
Green Toxin shouted, "You know what Colgate, I told you that your nuke spell would do something bad!"
Chrysalis looked at Colgate and asked, "Colgate? I don't remember you being part of Twilight's forces."
Colgate replied, "Twilight was a wimp. She's gone for good and I'm in charge now." Colgate paused for a minute and then replied, "Oh, and you need to address me as Supreme Commander Colgate until I know whether we are friend or foe."
Chrysalis had a nervous look on her face and asked, "What happened to Twilight? Did you kill her?"
Colgate replied, "No, I did not kill her. She was unmade by Goddess Brevity Thrash."
Chrysalis had heard of Brevity when she was very young. She got a terrified look on her face and asked, "Brevity Thrash? You mean as in the creator goddess that is yellow and has a pink mane and tail?"
Colgate replied, "Yep, she's the one!"
One thing that Colgate did not notice was that more and more changelings were gathering around the queen. They seemed to be bound to her in a way. Some of them were even looking at her like she was their mother. Even some of the dark Alicorn drones felt a sense of loyalty to Chrysalis, despite never meeting her before. Suddenly Green Toxin, who was angered over Colgate's recklessness shouted, "Cover her in ooze boys!"
The changelings covered Colgate in ooze. While Colgate was screaming and shouting at them, Chrysalis laughed as her and the changelings and dark Alicorns loyal to her sped off to the north. Applejack heard the commotion over at the base. She ran over and asked, "What the hay? Colgate, what are you doing covered in ooze? Is this a training exercise?"
Colgate shouted, "Free me from this stuff damn it."
Applejack released a calm beam of energy, melting away the ooze. Colgate looked at her and said, "Applejack, Green Toxin was right, my nuke test tore a hole in the void." Colgate looked down and continued, "What have I done?"
Applejack replied, "Well Commander, what's done is done. All we can do is continue on with the forces we have." Applejack paused for a minute and asked, "Wait a minute. The ones who stayed are loyal to you and you know the duplication spell. Why don't you just duplicate them?"
Colgate smiled and replied, "That's right, we do. I think we need to gather everypony else together and have a meeting. This changes the plans somewhat."
While Applejack and Colgate headed to Sugarcube Corner to round up the rest of their friends Chrysalis and her army flew northward. Five hours later Chrysalis and her army entered the domed empire. Sombra looked up and was amazed by what he saw. As soon as they landed Sombra looked at the dark Alicorns and gasped, "What? You guys can fly now?"
The dark Alicorn soldiers, just like the changelings, knew that Sombra was somepony important despite never meeting him. Lieutenant Dark Crystal, the only dark Alicorn officer to defect asked, "Sir, I know we have never met but you seem like somepony very important to me, someone whom I should serve under."
Sombra had an evil grin on his face. He realized that their chances of taking Equestria were much higher now. He replied, "I am King Sombra, king of the dark unicorns. Many millennia ago your ancestors served under me."
Dark Crystal said, "Well then I shall also serve you my liege." He paused for a minute and then asked, "My king, where are your wings?"
Chrysalis interrupted, "Don't worry about that for now. I will make sure he has wings soon enough."
Sombra looked around and saw many unicorns and some earth ponies. He said, "Well I don't know what the hay we are going to do with all these new ponies. We don't have the food to feed them."
Cadence walked up in front of the new army and asked, "Where did these ponies even come from anyway?"
Chrysalis replied, "Cadence, I have overheard them talking about how Twilight destroyed their home city of Marentreal and killed many of their family members."
Sombra asked, "Speaking of Twilight, did you encounter her?"
Chrysalis laughed, "No, Equestria is now ruled by this pony who identifies herself as Supreme Commander Colgate. I am guessing Equestria is ruled by the military now."
Cadence looked shocked. She said, "Wait a minute, Colgate? She was the one who wrote a pain free root canal spell for my aunt Celestia."
Chrysalis shook her head and asked, "Who cares what she did for your precious aunt?" She paused and then asked, "Cadence, was there ever a library here? One that might aid me in writing a spell to give Sombra wings?"
Cadence replied, "There was a vast library on the fourth floor of the crystal tower. Hopefully they reformed when the rest of the empire returned."
Chrysalis nodded and then headed up to the library. She realized that Sombra would be useless if he remains a unicorn. She figured that if she could study the same way Twilight did, that the world would be her's for the taking.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle finally reached the west coast and the Los Alicornus naval base. When they landed they were greeted by the dark Alicorn general, Dark Mane. He could tell they were friendly but still wanted to know who they were. He asked, "Who are you two and what do you want?"
Apple Bloom replied, "Howdy! I am Apple Bloom and this is my adopted sister Sweetie Belle. We have been sent here by Colgate to give you guys some important information and direct orders from her."
Dark Mane asked, "Oh, and what is this information and what are these orders?"
Sweetie Belle replied, "Well Commander Scootaloo has captured Lemon Hearts. You know that eye that Colgate scans the world with?"
Dark Mane asked, "Yes, I know about it. Did she hear any important information?"
Sweetie Belle replied, "Yes, she has. During enhanced interrogation Lemon Hearts told Scootaloo that Lyra has plans on sending her whole fleet to Equestria to not just attack this base and the city of Los Alicornus. She wants to launch a full scale invasion of Equestria. Colgate wants you guys to do patrols up and down the entire coast."
Dark Mane said, "Thank you. I will relay that information to my other officers." He paused for a minute and asked, "What about you two? Will you be heading home now?"
Apple Bloom replied, "No. We have been ordered to stay here. Since our power is equal to Scootaloo's, Colgate figured that we would be able to help in defending against any attacks."
Dark Mane nodded his head and told the two that there are sleeping quarters that are going unused on the largest carrier, the E.S.S. Colgate. The two headed to their new bedrooms while the general headed over to the shipyard to discuss the orders from their Supreme Commander.
Everypony saw him, lined up, stood at attention and saluted him. Colonel Storm Hooves asked, "Sir, what do you wish for us to do sir?"
Dark Mane replied, "At ease. Ok, two of Colgate's higher ups have flown here and notified me that we are under risk of being attacked."
Storm Hooves asked, "The base?"
Dark Mane replied, "More than just the base and more than just the city of Los Alicornus. The whole coast is at risk so Colgate has ordered that we do patrols up and down the coast."
Captain Thundermane asked, "Are these threats from Neigh Zealand? I have heard they modernized their army and built a real fleet."
Dark Mane replied, "Yes, these are from Neigh Zealand. I will be staying here but I do want Colonel Storm Hooves, Captain Thundermane and Lieutenant Black Sun to sail up and down the coast. Major Stinging Blades will stay here. Each of you grab 200 dark Alicorns and 200 changelings and get going. You are dismissed."
While the officers grabbed their soldiers and headed off on their patrols, Lyra called a meeting with her officers in Prancington. In her throne room she addressed them. She started, "Ok officers, the time has come. Our enemy must pay for their crimes."
General Black Rocks, her dark Alicorn general, asked, "Enemy? I thought we had three enemies."
Lyra replied, "The Equine Empire is in shambles. Despite being liberated by Equestrian forces and then capturing Lemon Hearts, they are suffering economically so we don't have to worry about them."
General Green Eyes, her changeling general asked, "What about Alicorn Island? Aren't they an enemy too?"
Lyra replied, "Yes, they are but since all they export is silk I'm not so worried about them. It is that arrogant Supreme Commander Colgate that I want to destroy."
Green Eyes asked, "So I take it the attack on the Equine Empire is off?"
Lyra laughed, "I never planned on helping that wimp Lemon Hearts to start with. I only told her I would so she would take part in this war. All forces will attack Equestria."
Lieutenant Gray Mist, her dark Alicorn lieutenant asked, "So when will we begin this attack?"
Lyra glared at the lieutenant and replied, "We shall set sail immediately after this meeting. First I want twenty carriers to set sail for the west coast of Equestria. For now I shall stay put here in Prancington. Once things heat up more, then I will join in on the attack. The generals will stay here while the rest of you officers will gather soldiers and head out. Chop, chop, get going."
The officers, with the exception of the generals, headed to the base to address the regular soldiers. Colonel Stone Gray addressed them. He started, "Ok men, the time has come. We have been ordered by Queen Lyra to set sail for the west coast of Equestria."
One of the soldiers asked, "Are we sailing there to begin the war?"
Stone Gray, his voice dripping with sarcasm replied, "No, we're going there to have a friendly chit chat with their soldiers!" He paused and then continued, "Well duh we're going there to begin the war. Now I think we should leave around 1,000 of each type of soldier here. You will be staying here with the generals."
Major Green Death asked, "You ready for this soldiers?"
The soldiers shouted, "Yes sir!"
The major nodded and the officers rounded up the soldiers they would be taking with them. In the end 20 of the 30 carriers did head off to the northeast. Lyra was standing there with her generals with a sadistic grin on her face. She said, "Oh pretty soon that arrogant rat Colgate will be begging us for mercy and I will NOT give it to her! She will pay dearly for her crimes against us!"
Black Rocks asked, "Don't get mad my queen but what kind of crimes did she commit against us?"
Lyra replied, "It is economic crimes that she has committed against us for a very long time. Equestria has increased it's own sheep population and now produces it's own wool, which means they no longer have to import from us. That lost revenue is harming our economy so it is a matter of Equestria harming every single citizen here. She will pay dearly. You know how much I love the ponies here. I am doing this for them."
The two generals nodded and agreed with their queen. Ten days pass and the carriers from Neigh Zealand see the Equestrian coast off in the distance. Stone Gray addresses the troops on his carrier. He said, "Alright troops. You see that city off in the distance? That is Los Alicornus. That is our target. I want us to destroy the city and kill as many civilians as possible."
One of the soldiers asked, "What about the other carriers? Where will they attack?"
Stone Gray replied, "A couple will attack their base, some will attack other cities and one will invade an uninhabited area and fly off towards Ponyville." He paused for a minute and then shouted, "TO WAR, TO VICTORY! KILL THEM ALL!"
It was an ordinary day in Los Alicornus. The sun was shining, a westerly breeze was keeping things cool and everypony was out doing their business. Suddenly a dark cloud drifted over the city and energy along with ooze began to be fired down from the city. One of the residents shouted, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
This caused mass panic in the streets. Eventually the unicorns began to fire energy back at the energy forces until they were covered with ooze. The dark Alicorns began to strike the citizens multiple times until they were killed. Finally a few troops who were stationed near the city flew in and began to take out the enemy forces. After an hour long fight, Equestrian forces had killed every enemy combatant except for Colonel Stone Gray, who was found laying in the street with a broken wing and two broken legs.
Before acquiring the injured colonel, the dark Alicorns freed the city's residents from the ooze. After that they captured the colonel and dragged him to the city's military office. While none of them were officers, they still had the authority to question those that they capture. The largest of the soldiers looked down at the colonel and asked, "Who are you and what are your forces' plans?"
Stone Gray replied, "I'm not telling a lowly hoof soldier anything!"
A changeling soldier said, "Well it is your choice. We do have the authority to punish enemy forces we capture."
Again Stone Gray refused to say anything so the dark Alicorn officers began to beat him with chains. Still he refused, so they tied him to a gurney and proceeded to waterboard him. After an hour of waterboarding he finally squealed. He said, "Ok, I will tell you everything."
The soldiers stopped the torture, motioned for him to talk and he did. Stone Gray said, "Ok, there are still 19 other carriers out there. There are some which will invade other cities, some will invade other bases and one which will land in an uninhabited area. Those soldiers will fly towards Ponyville."
After he spoke the soldiers continued beating him with chains until he breathed his last. In Ponyville Colgate saw this and became so enraged the whole town could hear her screaming and yelling. General Dark Night ran up to her room and asked, "Colgate, what is wrong?"
Still screaming in a rage, Colgate replied, "THAT DIRTY RAT! She's finished! I am going to turn Neigh Zealand into an uninhabitable wasteland for what she has done!"
Dark Night asked, "But what about your nuke spell tearing a hole in the void? Aren't you worried about doing further damage?"
Colgate screamed, "THE DAMN VOID IS EMPTY SO WHAT DOES IT MATTER. I WILL KILL HER MYSELF FOR THIS!"
Dark Night asked, "Did her forces attack Equestria?"
Colgate calmed down some and replied, "Yes, she did. I am calling an emergency meeting at the base. You notify every officer and soldier. I am going to notify my recruits. Anypony who refuses to attend this meeting will be executed."
For the first time in his entire life, Dark Night was truly terrified. While Sombra could be brutal and Twilight would use brute force, he knew that Colgate would stop at nothing short of destroying Neigh Zealand entirely and most likely killing or at least severely injuring Lyra. While Colgate headed to Sugarcube Corner Dark Night headed to the base to notify the army of what had happened.
In Ponyville Colgate headed to Sweet Apple Acres to round up Applejack's family before going to Sugarcube Corner. Once she got there she was greeted by Granny Smith. She had heard Colgate's screaming so she asked, "Colgate, are you ok? I heard you screaming and yelling."
Colgate knew that she needed to remain calm, especially with Granny and Big Mac. She replied, "No, I am not ok. Equestria has been attacked and I need everypony over at the base as soon as possible."
Granny Smith replied, "We will head there now, won't we Big Mac."
Big Mac added, "Eeyep!"
Colgate said, "Good. I'm glad to hear it."
Granny and Big Mac flew off to the base while Colgate headed to Sugarcube Corner. Once she got there her recruits could tell she was in a very bad mood. Pinkie wanted to lighten the mood so she asked, "Hi Colgate, do you want something sweet?"
Colgate was in no mood for a snack. She growled, "No. I need the five of you over at the base NOW."
Rarity asked, "Oh let me guess, you are paranoid about another attack."
Before she could say anything else Applejack interrupted, "Now listen Rarity, this is important. Come on everypony, let's follow Colgate over to the base."
Colgate smiled at Applejack knowing that she was taking everything seriously. Once they arrived at the base Colgate addressed her army. She started, "Alright troops, I have some very bad news."
Fluttershy asked, "What is wrong Colgate? Did we get attacked?"
Colgate replied, "Yes Fluttershy, the city of Los Alicornus was attacked. Many were killed and they have plenty more forces out there along our coast ready to attack."
Rarity asked, "Did Lyra do this? I know she isn't overly fond of you."
Colgate replied, "Yes, it is Lyra who did this."
Fluttershy became enraged. She shouted, "THAT FILTHY PILE OF MANURE. SHE WANTS A WAR, SHE'S GOT A WAR! I WILL KILL HER MYSELF IF I HAVE TO!"
Colgate was ecstatic to see such fury erupting from Fluttershy. She replied, "That is the fighting spirit I want out of all of you. Fluttershy, I want you by my side when we attack Neigh Zealand."
Fluttershy, who normally only becomes angry before and during pegasus races was fuming over the attack and was ready to aid Colgate in any attack against Lyra. Fluttershy shouted, "Thank you Colgate! I will not let you down!"
Colonel Black Mist asked, "So what is the makeup of their soldiers on their carriers?"
Colgate replied, "Well this is rather funny. They only have 200 dark Alicorns and 200 changelings on each carrier. So chances are most of them will be slaughtered upon their invasions given I have troops stationed in each city. It is the one carrier that will land in an uninhabited area that I worry about. We will deal with them when the time comes."
Green Toxin asked, "Look, I know you are planning these grandiose battle plans, but what if Chrysalis returns with her army?"
Everypony else sighed in shock. None of them knew that she was even back in their world. Rainbow asked, "Wait a minute? Chrysalis is back? How did that happen?"
Colgate finally realized that she had to tell her army about the nuke spell. She had a nervous look on her face and replied, "Ok troops. Over the years I have been gathering uranium in the hills around town. Well, I learned this spell that allows me to split the uranium atoms, which causes a powerful, deadly explosion. Well I tested this in the arctic north and unfortunately it tore a hole in the void, allowing everypony and everything ever banished there to return to our world."
Rainbow threw her hooves up in the air and replied, "Great, just great. Because of your recklessness we now have multiple enemies. What the hay were you thinking?"
Colgate pointed her horn at Rainbow and shouted, "Look Rainbow, I didn't know this would happen but that does not give you the right to talk to me like that either. Remember, I'm the pony in charge, NOT YOU."
Her recruits, except for Fluttershy, started to see a much darker side of the Supreme Commander that they have been loyal to for so long. They began to remember how Twilight would never use such tactics and began to wonder if perhaps another coup was necessary. Of course they then realized that she is so powerful that they wouldn't stand a chance against her, so they just obeyed her and hoped she would change.
A soldier in the crowd asked, "Supreme Commander, what are your plans for Neigh Zealand?"
Colgate replied, "Well since the void is empty and any further damage to it will not matter, I plan on nuking Neigh Zealand. The death of many of Lyra's subjects will crush her morale and she will likely surrender to spare any citizens I don't kill first."
Rarity was so shocked that she fainted upon hearing this. Even her dark Alicorn soldiers were shocked upon hearing this. Lieutenant Dark Crystal asked, "Uh Colgate, don't you think that is going a bit far? Do you really have to kill innocent civilians to force Lyra to surrender?"
Colgate shouted, "WHO IS IN CHARGE! ME, NOT YOU! IF I WERE YOU I WOULD JUST SHUT UP AND NOT QUESTION ME."
By this point, Fluttershy was probably the only one who was all for Colgate's plans. She asked, "Colgate, when will we leave to go destroy Lyra and wipe out Neigh Zealand?"
Fluttershy's friends looked at her in shock. They began to realize that Fluttershy was quickly becoming bloodthirsty just like their supreme commander. Colgate replied, "We will be doing five days of high intensity exercises. I will then duplicate our army so we will have sufficient forces here at home and then we will head out."
Pinkie nervously asked, "So will all of us be going with you?"
Colgate could sense that out of her recruits, that only Fluttershy had the same ambitions as her. She replied, "No, out of all of you only Fluttershy will be heading out with me. The rest of you will stay here and hold down the fort."
Fluttershy's friends breathed a sigh of relief as none of them wanted to take part in destroying an entire nation. Fluttershy had a beaming smile on her face and began to lick her chops thinking about destroying Lyra and her beloved nation. Colgate saw this and said, "Fluttershy, I want to have a private meeting with you and you alone."
Fluttershy flew up to the podium where Colgate was addressing her troops and shouted, "YAY!" She then lowered her voice and asked, "When do you want to do this?"
Colgate replied, "Now, let's get up to the tower."
The rest of her army and Fluttershy's friends just watched as Colgate and Fluttershy fly off to her tower. Applejack said, "Y'all know what? I really don't know if I can think of Fluttershy as a friend anymore. She has went from kind and sweet to being bloodthirsty almost overnight."
Rarity began to cry and added, "I know. I miss the sweet Fluttershy that I would have afternoon tea with, the one who would model dresses for me."
Rainbow added, "And even though I hated losing to her in the pegasus races, I miss the Fluttershy that would beat me."
Pinkie finished, "And I miss the Fluttershy that would always compliment me on my treats no matter what."
Colgate and Fluttershy arrived in the throne room where Colgate asked her, "Fluttershy, I want to know something. Is it just me or does it seem like your friends really aren't on board with my plans?"
Fluttershy had a determined look on her face and replied, "I don't think they are on board with us. I think it is a wise decision you deciding to leave them here. What if they were to try to help Lyra?"
Colgate smiled and said, "You and I think way too much alike! The same thing crossed my mind."
While they continued to talk on Alicorn Island Scootaloo had just arrived after a very long voyage. Brevity Thrash was standing on her balcony and saw the ship docking. At first she was getting ready to attack but then she saw Luna and Scootaloo levitating Lemon Hearts onto land.
Brevity flew down to them and said, "Luna, Scootaloo, Brevity sees that you have captured Lemon Hearts!"
Lemon Hearts shouted, "So, I see that little miss Brevity is still speaking in the third pony."
Brevity smacked her for that comment. She said, "Luna, Scootaloo, take her into the throne room so the three of us can question her before taking her to the dungeon."
They took Lemon Hearts into the throne room where Brevity stood before her with her wings spread wide, casting the fallen queen in her shadow. Brevity asked, "So Lemon Hearts, what all crimes did you commit?"
Lemon Hearts replied, "I will not say anything until formal proceedings start."
Brevity replied, "Ok Lemon, it is your choice. For now you are going to the dungeon." She then proceeded to haul her down to the dungeon where she would be held indefinitely. Once she got back upstairs she asked, "So how long do you think it will be until Lyra is captured and this war is over?"
Scootaloo replied, "You know, I'm not sure. Colgate is extremely powerful, her recruits are extremely powerful and given her determination, I could see her finishing this off before too long."
Luna asked, "Has that part of this war even begun? How do we know that Lyra isn't just bluffing?"
Brevity replied, "Brevity is not sure what is going on. We will just have to wait and see."
While the three hoped that Colgate could finish this off they had no idea what kind of tactics she will use against Neigh Zealand, nor did they know about Colgate's nuke spell test and they certainly didn't know that the void was ruptured and that some of the enemies of the past had returned.
The five days of high intensity training passed all too slowly for Colgate and Fluttershy, who were just itching to go and end the war. Colgate had been watching through the eye and despite time crawling by to her, things seemed to be looking up for Equestria. All of the other forces that attacked Equestria were killed during their invasions. Even the ship that was going to invade an uninhabited area was intercepted by a patrolling carrier from the Los Alicornus base. With those foes out of the way, Colgate knew she could proceed with what she thought would be the death blow to Lyra.
She had Fluttershy up there in her room with her while she was looking through the eye and she saw the beaming smile on Colgate's face. She asked, "Colgate, what is going on that has you so happy?"
Colgate asked in return, "You promise you won't share this with your friends?"
Fluttershy replied, "I won't say a word."
Colgate said, "Alright. Well Neigh Zealand had sent twenty of their thirty carriers to our coast to invade us. Well in their attempts to invade us every single one of their soldiers were killed."
Fluttershy commented, "Well this will make things much easier for us!"
Colgate smiled and replied, "Yep, it will." She paused and then continued, "The five days have passed. Tomorrow we shall fly to the Los Alicornus base, grab Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and the necessary forces and set sail."
Fluttershy said, "Don't forget your uranium!"
Colgate replied, "Oh thank you Fluttershy! I probably would have forgot about it had you not mentioned it."
Fluttershy asked, "So what time do you want me over here tomorrow morning?"
Colgate said, "Well if you wouldn't mind, I would like it if you just stayed the night here. I have plenty of sleeping quarters that are going unused."
Despite the fact that her critter friends would wonder where she was, Fluttershy agreed to stay in the black tower that night as she wanted to see Lyra's destruction just as much as Colgate did.
That night at supper Colgate and Fluttershy were laughing and talking about humorous things from the past, such as when Discord corrupted everypony and how terrified Celestia was about seeing the dentist. The officers however, were not laughing along with them. Fluttershy wondered why and decided to find out. She asked, "Why aren't you guys laughing along with us? Usually you are laughing with us on everything."
Dark Night replied, "I'm just nervous about how we are going to handle the attack on Neigh Zealand. I'm just nervous that we might get injured ourselves by the explosion."
Colgate said, "Don't worry general. I can fly very fast and besides, I plan on having the carriers fifteen miles or more away from where I will cast my spells."
This relieved Dark Night immensely and he suddenly became more joyous as did General Lightning Storm. The rest of the officers however, remained somber and nervous. This was irritating Colgate immensely. She asked, "Ok, besides the generals, what other officers would like to come with me?"
The majors raised their hooves. Other than the generals, they were the only ones who weren't opposed to Colgate's plans despite being nervous themselves. Colgate said, "Ok, the generals and majors will come with Fluttershy and myself. The colonels, captains and lieutenants shall remain here with the rest of Fluttershy's friends."
Dark Night asked, "Are they still opposed to your plans?"
Colgate replied, "Yep and even worse they seem to be distancing themselves from Fluttershy."
Fluttershy added, "They are. They claim that I am not the sweet Fluttershy I used to be. But damn it, Equestria is our homeland. Somepony attacks the land I call home they must suffer dearly. They will thank us and come crawling to both Colgate and I begging for forgiveness after this is over."
Colgate smiled realizing that Fluttershy is doing this for more than just her, but for her homeland. After a very long supper they decided to head to bed. Colgate said, "Alright everypony, we will eat an early breakfast tomorrow. We will fly out and probably reach the base around one. There we will have lunch and then set out for Neigh Zealand."
Major Deadly Cloud asked, "So how long is the journey there?"
Colgate replied, "Well it could take up to two weeks. Luckily I plan on taking ten carriers so there will be plenty of us and we won't all be crammed together."
Dark Night asked, "I take it you will be duplicating us many times over."
Colgate replied, "That is correct. Let's get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
They all headed to bed that night knowing that the fate of the entire world would rest on this one mission. Colgate was having trouble sleeping that night worrying about some of her officers turning on her while Fluttershy slept tight with a smile on her face dreaming about the destruction of Lyra.
When morning arrived Colgate was tired, the other officers were a bit tired but Fluttershy was well rested and ready to go. After a rather uneventful breakfast they headed down to the base to brief the soldiers. Once they got there Colgate addressed them. She started, "Alright troops. Today, those of us who will be going with Fluttershy and myself, will begin the mission that could determine the fate of the entire planet. It is vital that we win this."
Major Deadly Cloud asked, "What if we don't win?"
Colgate replied, "Well I don't know. Lyra doesn't have the power to take over the entire planet but still, life will be much easier for all of us once we win."
Fluttershy saw Granny Smith and Big Mac out in the crowd. She shouted, "Granny Smith, Big Mac, where is Applejack?"
Granny replied, "Well Applejack and her friends don't care about Equestria if you ask me. They are at Sugarcube Corner and have locked the door. Ain't that right Big Mac?"
Big Mac replied, "Eeyep!"
Colgate said, "Well that doesn't matter now anyway." She looked at Dark Night and Lightning Storm and said, "Generals, gather the soldiers that you think will be the best for this mission. I will duplicate everypony once we get to the base."
Before heading out Fluttershy asked, "Colgate, do you have your uranium?"
Colgate replied, "Oh crap, no I don't. You guys wait a minute while I go get it."
While Colgate headed to the archives to retrieve the rest of her uranium Dark Night and Lightning Storm went through all the soldiers and gathered the ones they believed would be best for the mission. By the time Colgate got back the generals had gathered the forces they felt were most prepared.
Colgate asked, "Is everypony ready to go and bring peace back to this world?"
Everypony shouted, "HAY YEAH!"
Colgate nodded and motioned for them to follow her. They all followed her off to the southwest to the base. Colgate was confident but it seemed as though Fluttershy was even more confident as sometimes she was the one leading everypony else. Colgate thought to herself, "Wow, I never imagined a pony who used to be so shy would be so determined!"
Around one that afternoon they arrived at the base near Los Alicornus. They were quickly greeted by an excited Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. They immediately ran to Colgate. Apple Bloom said, "Colgate! It is so good to see you! It feels like it has been forever."
Sweetie Belle asked, "Yeah! So what has been going on?"
Colgate asked in return, "So how did defending the invasion go?"
Sweetie Belle replied, "It went fine. They came in but we were able to kill all of them and we didn't lose anypony. Isn't it exciting?"
Colgate was pleased with the enthusiasm of the two. She asked, "So, what would you two think about sailing out to Neigh Zealand to aid Fluttershy and I in ending this?"
Apple Bloom replied, "Really? Y'all want Sweetie Belle and I to come?"
Colgate said, "Of course! You two are very powerful and I know you will do well."
The two enthusiastically accepted Colgate's offer to aid her in the attack on Neigh Zealand. After a normal lunch Colgate gathered all her soldiers, excluding the officers, into one area. She started, "Ok, we have ten carriers that we will be taking with us. I will duplicate you guys sufficiently so that we will have enough soldiers on each carrier to handle any attacks."
Dark Night asked, "Why aren't you duplicating us officers?"
Colgate replied, "Because having more than one of the same officer in the same battle would be quite confusing." She then looked off to the southwest and continued, "Come on guys, time is a wasting."
With all the soldiers gathered in one area, Colgate pointed her horn at them and it began to glow. She recited, "From one to two, two to four and so much more, when one is simple mere, more and more shall appear."
Colgate's forces were now double what they were but she used the spell on them a couple more times to make sure each carrier had sufficient forces on board. Once she saw this she was happy. She ordered them to get on the carriers and they headed off to the southwest.
Twelve days after Colgate and her forces set sail Lyra was having a meeting with those troops who stayed behind. She looked at her generals and said, "You know guys, I have a feeling that Colgate and her minions have not only set sail, but that they are closing in on us."
Black Rocks asked, "How do you know this? Are you developing a sixth sense or something?"
Lyra replied, "Yes, I have. I believe we need to sail tomorrow and meet them in battle. We will sink their fleet, I will capture Colgate and punish her severely."
Green Eyes asked, "How do you plan on punishing her?"
Lyra replied, "I don't know yet. I will make sure it is painful. I will see to it that she endures ten times as much physical pain as the economic pain every Neigh Zealander has suffered because of Equestria's selfish economic practices."
Green Eyes asked, "You really hate her don't you?"
Lyra began to cry, "Yes, I truly hate her. Before they started producing their own wool they had to import it from us and we were doing so well. Everypony was prospering, there was no poverty, there was no hunger, there was no sadness and there were plenty of jobs for everypony. Now ponies have to fight to the death for jobs, the unemployment rate is high, the wool producers are barely making it by and I had to beg Alicorn Island to buy our debt."
Green Eyes commented, "Well I don't blame you. I would hate her if I were in your hooves too."
While Lyra and her generals headed to the throne room to have some lunch Colgate and her fleet continued to sail to the southwest. A nice tailwind was pushing them along nicely. Fluttershy was standing by Colgate's side and said, "This tail wind should help us get there much sooner. Perhaps we can catch them off guard."
Colgate replied, "We very well could. I have a feeling though that we will encounter them before we reach their coast."
Fluttershy added, "It would make sense for her to send ships out to keep us from getting there but you know what? We will sink their fleet, we will capture Lyra and make her beg for her very life!"
Colgate said, "Whoa, let's not get ahead of ourselves Fluttershy. I know you are as determined as I am but we can't go getting overconfident. Remember how Twilight's overconfidence caused her to lose not just once, but twice?"
Fluttershy replied, "Yes, I do remember that. I guess when I set my mind on something I tend to get this aggressive mindset."
Colgate said, "Well keep that overly competitive mindset for the Alicorn races once they resume. War isn't like a race. You can't just go in for the kill immediately."
Colgate looked over at the other carriers and asked, "Fluttershy, could you go and make sure that the other soldiers know to expect us to run into our enemy at any moment?"
Fluttershy replied, "Sure thing."
While Fluttershy was notifying the other soldiers to expect to run into the enemy at any moment Colgate had her hoof over her face. Dark Night saw this and asked, "Colgate, you seem awfully stressed. Are you ok?"
With the way she was at this point she normally would not tell anypony how she was really feeling but given that Dark Night has served her for over 4,000 years she knew he was one she could trust. She asked, "You won't tell anypony a word of this will you?"
Dark Night replied, "Not a word of this will be told to anypony."
Colgate said, "Thanks." She then continued, "Well I just have this really bad feeling that something horrible is going to happen, and it doesn't involve Lyra. I just feel like something far worse is going to wind up breaking out. You might think I am crazy but I have a feeling that SHE will return."
Dark Night had a confused look on his face. He asked, "SHE? Who are you talking about?"
Colgate replied, "Twilight Sparkle. I am worried that she will somehow return, will be invincible and will crush everypony, including myself."
Dark Night had an unsure look on his face. He was worried about Colgate and her worries but he also wondered how in Equestria Twilight could return from being unmade. Fluttershy returned to a suddenly paranoid Colgate. She could tell she was upset and decided to find out. She asked, "Colgate what is wrong?"
Colgate snapped, "Nothing is wrong, I'm fine."
Fluttershy said, "Well then why are you burying your face in your hooves? Why are you biting your hooves? You know that a commander who goes into battle nervous like this is almost certain to lose."
Those words hit Colgate like a ton of bricks as she realized Fluttershy was right. She replied, "I am sorry for snapping at you Fluttershy. I just have a feeling that the dark goddess will somehow return to our world."
Fluttershy asked, "How could she do that? Brevity unmade her and it is impossible for anything to return from being unmade."
Fluttershy's words really reassured Colgate. She replied, "You're right. We have nothing to worry about." She stopped and then laughed, "Yeah, nothing to worry about except hearing Lyra cry and whine!"
Fluttershy said, "Now that is the Colgate that all of Equestria knows and loves!"
It was getting late so most everypony went to bed, except Fluttershy who volunteered to keep watch for enemy ships that night. Colgate, while being somewhat reassured, still had trouble sleeping and when she did sleep, she dreamt about the dark goddess returning and banishing her to parts unknown.
The morning sun rose and everypony rose. Despite being awake all night, Fluttershy was as energetic as ever. She was pacing back and forth almost hoping to encounter Lyra's forces. Colgate saw this and asked, "Fluttershy, why the hay are you pacing back and forth. You are acting like you are impatiently waiting for something."
Fluttershy replied, "I'll admit, I'm ready to meet Lyra's forces and end this war. I just want things to return to normal, I want to return to racing, I just want things to go back to the way they used to be."
Colgate put her wing around Fluttershy and replied, "I know how you feel. I miss those times too. Well hopefully within a couple of days we can finish all of this. Once we capture Lyra we will take her up to Alicorn City where Scootaloo most likely already has Lemon Hearts. We will put them on trial and after that, things can return to normal."
Fluttershy smiled and said, "Good. Now it is just a matter of mending the fences with my friends. I think they don't like me anymore."
Colgate replied, "Well once this war is over, everything will be fine. We will return home, they will see you as a war hero and realize that you were just overly enthusiastic to do this."
Fluttershy looked straight ahead and saw two things. She could see Neigh Zealand off in the distance but also saw a fleet of ships just a few miles away. Fluttershy looked at Colgate and said, "The time has come. The battle is about to begin." She looked off towards Neigh Zealand and asked, "Do you have your uranium ready?"
Colgate replied, "I need to run down to my cabin and get my saddle bag. It is in it. Look, while I go down and get it you fly to the other carriers and ready the rest of our troops. We need to attack with full force."
Fluttershy nodded and sped over to the other carriers firing up the troops. When Colgate got back up to deck she could hear all the troops rallying and cheering. This brought a smile to her face. She realized that with the forces rallied up like this, that victory was certain.
The mood among the ponies on Lyra's fleet was not so jubilant. Lyra did not have a strong pony with her to rally the troops and she was in a very bad mood. Seeing the Equestrian Navy approaching her did not help matters any as it only caused her rage to grow stronger which began to erode any rational thought she had left. Black Rocks was standing next to Lyra and asked, "Well my queen, it looks like the time has come."
Lyra had a scowl on her face and growled, "Yes, the time has come. Let me handle Colgate. I will drag her sorry flank onto this ship and beat her to death. Then I will throw her corpse at her beloved soldiers."
As the two navies got closer to one another Lyra was scanning the ships and saw that Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were with them. This only made her thirst for Equestrian blood stronger. She said, "Alright General, the time to attack is now."
Lyra knew she would have to shout loud for everypony on all her carriers to hear her. She shouted as loud as she could, "CHARGE! KILL THEM ALL!"
Colgate heard this and shouted, "CHARGE! FOR EQUESTRIA!"
The soldiers on both sides launched themselves into the air and the battle began. Both forces, through intensive exercises, had become extremely agile so hits were not as easy as they used to be. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Fluttershy sped towards their carriers. They were bound and determined to sink that fleet. They started to fire powerful bolts of energy at the hulls of the ships. It took around ten energy bolts to tear the hulls open. Lyra was the only pony with enough power to tear Equestria's ships apart but she stayed on the deck of her carrier waiting to confront Colgate. That however, would not happen as Colgate was headed towards Neigh Zealand to unleash the deadliest weapon in the history of ponykind.
Finally forces from both sides began to fall but because of more training, Equestrian forces were starting to take out Lyra's forces at a greater rate than they were losing soldiers of their own. Finally a few changelings along with Fluttershy made it to Lyra's carrier. Lyra began to fire energy at them but missed. Very quickly she was covered in ooze, her magic useless and she was immobilized. Fluttershy landed in front of her and began laughing. She said, "Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
Lyra sneered, "What the hay is a shy little Alicorn like you doing here?"
Fluttershy smacked her and knocked her down to the deck. She shouted, "What the hay did you say about me?" Fluttershy picked Lyra up with her magic and carried her back to the E.S.S. Colgate. Once they got there Fluttershy dropped her on the deck and said, "Lyra, your ruling days are over. You will be punished for your crimes."
Lyra sneered, "Oh really? Where is super commander Colgate?"
Fluttershy laughed, "Oh you'll find out soon enough."
While the Equestrian forces were wiping out the remains of Lyra's forces Colgate landed on the north island of Neigh Zealand, around a mile away from Prancington. She placed her uranium pellet on the ground and then sped a mile skywards. She began to glow as though she were a blue sun in the sky and could easily be seen by Lyra. Her horn began to glow, her eyes began to shine a bright white, her cutie mark began to glow as she recited, "The atoms must be split so I can send my enemies into a pit. The explosion shall be big so my enemies will squeal like a pig. The time has come to make my enemies numb. The big fire shall be great, it shall destroy all the hate."
Colgate's energy struck the pellet. The stress on the pellet grew greater and greater and then Colgate added more power to her energy beam and then BOOM, the atoms split and the whole island shook. While Colgate was speeding off to the east towards her carriers the citizens of Prancington were running in terror as they had no clue what was going on. Finally a powerful wind struck the city and leveled it, killing many of the city's citizens. Then the wall of fire struck the city, killing those who were not killed by collapsing buildings.
Lyra along with everypony else saw a blinding flash of light from the carrier and soon saw a mushroom cloud rising above the horizon. Fluttershy said, "You know Lyra, many of your citizens have just perished because of you. Are you going to surrender or are we going to have to kill more of your citizens and turn your other island into a nuclear wasteland?"
Colgate was getting close to the carrier when she heard Lyra screaming, "NO, I WILL NOT SURRENDER! NEVER! LYRA HEARTSTRINGS DOES NOT SURRENDER! I WILL GET FREE FROM THIS OOZE AND KILL ALL OF YOU!"
Colgate heard this and without even getting back to the ship she turned around, sped off to the southwest towards the south island. Once she arrived there she placed the pellet not even a quarter of a mile away from Buckland, the largest city in Neigh Zealand. Again she soared one mile skywards and again she began to glow brightly and her eyes began to shine as she recited the spell. Like on the north island, she fired a powerful beam of energy at the pellet. Again she added more energy to her bolt and BOOM, another powerful explosion occurred and Colgate sped off to the northeast. Just like in the attack on Prancington, a powerful wind leveled the city killing many and a powerful wall of fire killed those who survived the wind blast.
Lyra saw this from the carrier and realized that she had to surrender. She began to cry uncontrollably. Fluttershy held Lyra's head in her wing and began to laugh, "Well Lyra, are you still going to kill all of us?"
Colgate returned to the carrier exhausted but relieved. She saw that Fluttershy had Lyra captured and decided to ask her if she was ready to surrender. She looked at Lyra and asked, "Well Lyra, this is what you get for attacking Equestria." She paused and then continued, "So, are you going to surrender or do I have to kill more Neigh Zealanders?"
Lyra was so angry she was crying. She shouted, "FINE, I SURRENDER! CALL OFF YOUR TROOPS."
Colgate replied, "I don't have any forces invading Neigh Zealand." She looked up at Fluttershy and asked, "Fluttershy, could you go down to my cabin and get the proper documents?"
Fluttershy replied, "Of course."
Lyra's crying went from an angry cry to a cry of pure agony. It finally hit her that her actions resulted in the deaths of over a hundred thousand of the ponies that she held so dear for so long. When Fluttershy arrived with the surrender papers Lyra was curled up in a ball on the deck sobbing so loud that soldiers on the other carriers could hear it.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Dark Night flew over to the main carrier to watch Lyra sign the surrender papers. Colgate nudged Lyra and said, "Lyra, you can continue to cry later. For now you must take care of one piece of business for this war to be over."
Lyra replied, "But I can't sign these papers covered in ooze, my magic is immobilized."
Colgate rolled her eyes but had Dark Night put her in enchanted chains so she couldn't teleport out of there. Colgate then melted away the ooze and had Lyra read over the papers. The papers stated that Lyra is to hand over all control of Neigh Zealand to the alliance of Brevity Thrash, Colgate and Luna until a new leader can be installed there, that she is forbidden from ever travelling to Neigh Zealand again and that she will have to go before a war crimes court for her actions. Lyra did not like the terms of the surrender agreement but signed the papers.
Lyra sneered, "So Supreme Commander, what's next. Are you going to beat me with chains, whip me, try to drown me?"
Colgate snapped, "You do not sass me Lyra. You are being taken up to Alicorn City where you and Lemon Hearts will be tried for your crimes."
Lyra just sulked as Colgate's fleet set sail northwards for Alicorn Island. Colgate was happy to have finally ended the war. She was indeed sad that she had to nuke two cities but she realized that Lyra would have launched further attacks against Equestria if she didn't. Finally the deadliest, most brutal and most hateful war had drawn to a close. While The Great War was over, evils from the past would soon plunge Equestria into another war with the epicenter being in the nation's capitol.
