Broken Skies

Panic unfolded beneath the massive figure of the Grahm and its sister ship escorts. Nobles demanded for information, Equestrian Guards were holding back massive crowds of ponies, and the two royal sisters were struggling to figure out a compromise for their people. Celestia however, had a trick up her sleeve. She would try to get the Admiral to come down for another meeting, and hopefully, it won't be as awkward as last time.

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Edward Jarvis stood over the the Grahm's bridge, looking over at the mass of panic that ensued over the mountainside capital. Suddenly, the ship's A.I. had picked up an incoming call from the planet, presumably the Princess. The on-board A.I. then had asked if he would accept the call, with a sounding answer of "Yes".

"Admiral, my ponies are in a dire situation! We require your assistance, the press could be here soon, and they might get the wrong word out! Quick, we need your reassurance of your trust!" hastily asked Celestia.

"Hold on, hold on, we are on the way. Just stall them a bit longer, we need the drop pods ready." replied Jarvis.

With that, he took a small group of Marines, grabbed a few light weapons such as his special, antique, 21st century era revolver. Grabbing a single spare speed loader, he ordered his guards to grab a few pistols, as to not alarm the bulk of the ponies of their clear technological advantage. H.U.D.s were flicked on, armor was strapped in, weapons were loaded, and the group set off to make their first public appearance.

"Preston, hit it." ordered Jarvis.

"Aye, aye." replied the marine.

The egg shaped pod dropped and automatically directed itself to a suitable landing spot, an open area in the front of the palace, where they could properly conduct a speech. The thrusters roared, stabilizers clicked, and the journey was set.

Celestia could see a small black dot enter the atmosphere of her and Luna's palace. Assuming this was another one of his flying machines, she await on her balcony alongside Luna, where they stood until a unfamiliar looking black object sped towards the upper of the palace's opening stairs.

"I-Is that them?! Its going to crash! Lulu, get down!" yelled Celestia over the clambering loudness of the nobility's cries.

The drop pod crashed into the open area just in front of the crowd and a little bit behind the guards stationed to hold off the wall of citizens. The wealthy ponies were appalled at the current event, and the guardsmen raised and appointed their weapons to the metal egg. Dust was lingering from the impact still, but the general shape could be seen. A guttural hissing noise, and a small sliver of the mysterious pod had slid downward, revealing six humans, one in a clearly more, higher appointed uniform than the others.

"Celestia, Luna, come down! Its fine!" shouted Jarvis.

"Oh thank the Creator, you are alright!" said the relieved Celestia. "Your ship has crashed, why is that so?"

"Just thought, that we'd like to make one hell of an entrance." stated a marine. Said marine was then given a thwack on the head by a fellow soldier.

The crowd had just winced over one of the most taboo things that anybo-anypony* could have done, which was using a swear of any kind in such a casual way.

"Such language! The monster even speaks the word of the Demon in vain!" shouted a random noble.

"Gah! Begone with this vulgar beast!" exclaimed yet another pony.

Anger had risen even higher as well, for the cries of disdain was clear to every one of the humans staring down at the wealthy ponies. Quick to react however, Celestia had broadcast a message to all of the ponies in the crowd. The caps lock key mashed down and broken, she spoke.

"Ponies of Equestria!" the rumbling shout crawled across the land, even heading as far as Ponyville. "These people are no monsters! Lower your weapons, calm your tone, they are only here to protect us from others!" Celestia had shouted.

"Lies! These beasts are only here to take our land!" shouted a pony, presumably a certain one named Fancypants.

"Stay your words of mischief!" Luna had joined in with the speech, "The true cause of all this ruckus, is one of which we have not encountered in millennia! We, are at war! The Griffons have foolishly chosen to attack us, where you have done nothing! But us, my sister and I, we have done many things in time to grant this! This, land you call Equestria! Before your coming, you nobles and anypony who hears us, our great kingdom was one where we were at war! An ancient enemy of ours was once the mighty and ancient Griffon king Harlaus, whom of which we had defeated to cascade the land in freedom! Our crusade was one of which that was a requirement, other lesser kingdoms were being harassed by these brutes, and it is the time that they had decided to rise up once more! So please everyone, give these space beings a chance. We have come to them in a a time of need, a time of despair. Our army may be strong, but is only so large enough to keep hold. As we speak, the Griffons have already taken Appleoosa. Your understanding must be willing and mighty, so please, we, the princesses, beg of you, the citizens of our kingdom. We just ask you this once, be strong for our new friends. Be supportive of the war! This may sound terrible, but you do not know what is at stake. Our friends and family, our works, our beliefs, our way of life! So, what will you decide? To leave your cities in ruin, or rise up against our oppressors? Become a Guard. Join the military, do anything to protect your loved ones. Protect, the magic of friendship. Make farms, send spare tools, everything counts. Together, we will stay strong. Together, we will prevail."

The words touched and moved many, the journalists themselves too had tears blurring their visions. Today, marked the day that the most peaceful country in all of the planet went to war. The click clacking of the printing press echoed all across the land, news traveled city to city, cloud to cloud, train station to train station. Mass loyalty could be seen, guard recruitment stations were built, training regiments were designed, Equestria had just become the second planetary superpower, trailing behind their new enemy, the Griffon Empire. It was time, to rise up.