Equestria is at war with the Gryphons, the first war fought since the rise of nightmare moon. Celestia, worried about the outcome of her little ponies going to war, sent a call for aid to the two Minotaur nations; Bullivia, ancestral home of the Minotaurs, and Cape Horn, a newer Minotaur kingdom based on mining and industry, namely metals.

The Minotaurs have always kept themselves secluded in terms of politics, so nopony knew what to expect.

But even if they did expect something, it wouldn't be the army of Minotaur warriors from Bullivia, or the strange machinery from Cape horn.

Or for king Redhorn of Bullivia and king Iron eye of Cape horn to be there themselves.