Broken Skies

-Somewhere Near Appleoosa, 2 AM Equestrian Time-

On the entrance to Appleoosa, a path snaked to and fro from the small town. Along that path, were a small group of Griffons. Hand picked by King High Cloud, they were set to attack and invade the unprepared town. Why they were chosen to attack such a far away place, only the King understood the tactical advantage that could be given from the distant area. One thing for sure, however, was that the warriors sent to do so were uninformed of the impending attack on Appleoosa.

"Ajax, didn't you have a sister that was friends with a pegasus? Gilda, I believe?" queried Private Ironwing.

Sergeant Ajax replied calmly, "Yeah. The pegasus was a nice pony, I just think that Gilda can be reckless sometimes, I mean,  if people got mad at her for mistaking someone for another while persuing that thought, it can take somebody to bad places."

"Hm. Words of wisdom right there bro." Ironwing complimented.

"Honestly though, I don't know why the Emperor wants us here. What could amassing a third of the Griffon military near the Equestrian border me- Oh my. Iron... Are... Are we going to war with the Ponies? " Ajax pronounced bluntly.

Ironwing had replied momentarily, "Y-yes we are. Why wouldn't we be? The Griffon forearm is just begging for a tear at Equestria! What did they ever do to us?!"

"I don't understand, this has to be a scout party! We arn't really fighting them! All they have are fancy gold and bronze spears! Its going to be a slaughter!" Ajax had panicked. He knew that friendly pegasus, he didn't want to harm her, or any of the ponies for that matter.

He had only been promoted for his ferocity against rebellious Griffon tribes, and even then they were not much of a fight. Why would this be any different? The Royal Army were basically as efficient a Griffon scouts with the lightest gear, for he had helped in quelling riots and rebel fighters that hired pony guard mercs, which still were very lightly armed. But orders are orders, and today would mark the day when Equestria was engulfed in war on not one, but two fronts. The recurring march of the Golden Crest task force then told of the impending bloodshed.

                                    ~~In the Changeling Hive's Inner Sanctums, 2:35 AM Equestrian Time~~

"Yes, that will do nicely. This day will mark when Equestria is devoured of its love! Then, we will leave the palace in ruin for the others to weep on!" Queen Chrysalis had schemed about this day. She would finally be able to feed her children, and leave the Princesses to die for once and for all! Suddenly, she felt a minor migraine from feeling yet another one of her poor people die and break from the Hive Mind. It had been occurring frequently, but she had worried less and tried to focus on her living children and ensuring their survival. Recently, three of her Generals had broken off, but left without a trace.  No feelings of hunger, pain, cold, or what have you. The Queen had even given them names, symbolizing their rank while lesser drones were simply a presence in the Synapse. Nevertheless, she moved on and got new children to replace them.

            Little did any drone, warrior, worker, or any Changeling know, the "dead" children had augmented and broke from the Hive Mind, forming a covert insurrection that the people would know as - The Cult of Individuals. Growing stronger day by day, they are unique. Each one, a different Changeling. Together they are many, but alone they are truly powerful. Having formed a simple hierarchy with everyne given names, their goal is to cease the rule of the foolish Chrysalis and her ways. Their motto - "Love is not taken, it is earned." - Chutt of COI

                           ~~Planet FIM-Delta's Atmosphere, 4 AM Earth Time, 3 AM Equestrian Time~~

           If one had cared to look at the skies above, small ripples of energy began virulently thrashing about small bolts of electricity, slowly opening a small wormhole that lead to another place. However, an object was coming through the manmade portal, and towing along a fleet suited for colony purposes. The advance team however, jetted out the ripple first, leaving the fleet to push on through after roughly 3 Earth days. This small team of elite soldiers and combat scientists were sent to scout for life and habitable areas. The VTOL the crew was riding in touched to the grassy hills beneath, shrouded by the cover of night. The hatch hissed open, and out came one of humanity's greatest achievements - The Bullfrog Project. These soldiers were the elite of the elite, and are usually the ones put up to the most dangerous jobs in the galaxy.

            To assist both themselves and the Conglomerate, prototype tech and teleporter/jump packs are given to each Bullfrog, alongside the lucky (or unlucky) fellows who were given highly classified telepacks, "Earthworm" Worldhopper FTL Packs. Sealed in their Ext-170 EVA-Combat variant suits for the cleverly nicknamed Helljumpers 4th Regiment.

      Upon hitting the ground with an audible *thump*, a Helljumper and two Bullfrogs formed a semi-circle around the hatch of the Landing Craft as three Scout Troopers and a handful of scientists emerged to set up camp in what they thought to be a forest, when rather it was the Whitetail Woods. However, an unknown assailant was watching the group the entire time, that being a certain brash pegasus with a rainbow mane, cyan fur, and a gallon full of curiosity.

                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What are those things? Rainbow Dash had seen a large metal beast burst from Luna's night sky. They had flown right past her cloud house, and giving her quite a spook. Out of curiosity, she followed behind the floating monstrosity as quietly as possible, as she lay upon a cloud she propelled about with her wings. The crisp, cold wind brushed her mane as she observed what the thing was doing. It had landed within the Whitetail Woods, and proceded to open a hatch that released many smaller creatures. She tried to get closer, but wondered what things the aliens would do to her. Burying that thought deep into her mind, she rushed off to Ponyville to get help from Twilight, who had recently been crowned a princess.

            Leaving a trail of technicolor behind her, she reached Sweet Apple Acres, which was only a short distance from Twilight's tree. The breeze of night time flying had always calmed and made her feel nice, but this was different. She had to hurry, Ponyville was in danger, possibly even Equestria! She finally reached the tree that housed Twilight moments later, and began knocking furiously on the door.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

      "Twi! Get up please! Equestria is at stake!"- Rainbow Dash had halted her beating of the door, only to notice Spike had already opened the door once Dash had said "Twi", - "Heheh... sorry Spike. Anyway, I need to speak with Twilight, and soon!"

"Whats the rush, Rainbow? What, -" Spike chuckled, - "aliens are invading?" He had to breathe a bit to halt his barrage of silent snickers.

"Yes! Exactly! Now please let me in!" Dash had pronounced.

"They really are?! Hurry in then!" In a hasty reply, Spike held the door open for Rainbow Dash to enter the library. Unbeknownst to them, the Bullfrogs and Helljumper were already there, fully loaded with thermal, cloaks, and gauss rifles.

                       -Appleoosa, 3 AM-

             Sergeant Ajax and his company of Griffon allies reared near the entrance of Appleoosa, bracing for the impending dight against their former friends, the ponies, and readied his mind for the coming slaughter of the Royal Army. Soon enough, his ears had earned purchase and barely heard over the horde of warriors -

  "CHARGE!"