Once more, Dear friends

In the capital city of the Imperium, two ponies walk down its expansive streets. One is a tall strong looking stallion, his coat is as blue as the sky with silver eyes, the other a mare whose coat is a deep shade of violet with red eyes.

Both wear black officer overcoats and hats with gold highlights with the symbol of an eagle on it, that show the signs of wear and tear that only long periods of combat can bring.

Many ponies regardless of whether they be guard, soldier or civilian, either gave them a large berth or bowed their heads slightly in respect. The two ponies walk into the headquarters of the Imperium military and enter its war room.

Inside the war room, the high command of the Imperium's military look over to the two figures, many of them with looks of disdain. One of which a tall black stallion spoke with thick sarcasm

"Well, well , well. If it isn't the mighty leaders of the Imperial Vanguard, the so called, 'Spear heads of the Imperium'. I can only imagine how it must have felt getting shipped off to some nowhere province full of rebels and bandits." The Stallion spoke with a voice that was cold as ice,

"I go where my duty takes me, I have no reservations on my posting there, so long as I can serve my Imperium, the location matters not."The same Stallion from before growled before another spoke up, this stallion was deep magenta.

"Well you would have been able to serve our Imperium better on our front lines in Equestria if you hadn't of disobeyed a direct order Darkling." Darkling removed his hat and looked the magenta stallion straight in the eyes .

"If I had been here when this war was started, we may have won long ago, instead of assaulting Canterlot and moving to capture Equestria’s princesses, you instead chose to launch an attack on the defenseless town, ponyville. Causing the birth of the 'Demons' I’m sure has been giving you reason to relent and regret such an incompetent action."

The Black stallion from before shouted at Darkling.

" DID YOU JUST CALL US INCOMPETENT!?" Several other stallions got up and voiced outrage at Darkling who only looked over at the black stallion from the corner of his eye.

" I did, in my honest opinion, if you all weren't in command of the Imperium's military, it would be far more powerful than it currently is." The magenta stallion growled at Darkling.

" I will have you tried for treason and executed you overblown bastard."The mare next to Darkling spoke up at that point.

" You could try that if you wish, all of you could at once, but you should know that he has more authority and power than all of you combined. The only reason any of you are alive is because General Darkling isn't like the rest of you. And you would do well to remember that." The mares voice was as cold as Darkling's and many of the stallions in the room either slinked down in their chairs or shuddered.

"As of right now, i'm in command of all forces in combat against Equestria and its allies, anyone who attempts to overrule that or dispute it...Will face the consequences. This is not a grab for political power,its a measure taken to secure the safety of citizens of the Imperium. Again is this Understood?" Darkling's voice was low and just as cold as before but it held such power and authority that no pony not even the most arrogant of the high command dared speak out against Darkling.

Darkling and the mare then left the high command building. The mare then said,

"What's wrong with our Imperium Darkling? Time was, the Military was full of ponies like you and me while arrogant,evil bastards like them were punished for their actions." Darkling looked with a bit of sorrow in his eyes.

"I don't know Deadeye, but I will not allow bastards like them to destroy what generations of our ancestors sacrificed everything to build. Our emperor is not a bad stallion, he is one of honor and duty just like you and me. He is who we follow. He is the only one worthy to be followed.” Deadeye closed her eyes sighing

“ Honorem, donum, et sacrificium.”

Darkling nodded back to her.

“Pacem lapsis”

*That morning*

"So anyway Lucky got a home run off the first pitch! I'm tellin you! Bottom of the nineth bases were loaded and she brought them all home." Steele smiled passing a few Equestrian soldiers hearing them talking about the latest baseball game, as they set up a machinegun nest near the bridge as he headed to Tiger 001 that was using a bombed out building as cover.

" Twilight! I got us some coffee!" He called out as the commanders hatch opened and Twilight popped her head out smiling.

"Where in Equestria did you get that?" She asked hopping off the tank and heading over to her fellow Tiger commander as he handed her a cup.

"Supplies just got pushed up. Hope you like it black." He said taking a sip of his as she took a gulp of hers.

"Oh yeah that's the good stuff. How's your crew doing?" She asked as he smiled.

"Sound asleep. After the last few days of nonstop engagements I think they earned a little shut eye. What about yours?"

"Same. Dash and AJ are sound asleep on the gun. I can't sleep with the way Dash snores. It's almost louder than our engine! Hows the other end doing?" She asked taking another sip.

"They've dug in and are waiting for a counter attack. The main bulk is on it's way here. Maybe another day or so. You know the orders. Defend the bridge at all costs." He said taking a sip as she nodded and yawned making him yawn.

"So what do you think we'll be facing once we push in?" Twilight asked as she sipped some of her coffee as he shrugged.

"Who knows. From what we've seen so far more devoted mind warped ponies and maybe some happy griffons." He sighed gulping down the coffee and sighing.

"I hope so. Eagledor was the last they took a year ago before they tried us. So lets hope they'll help us push them back." She stated getting a nod from him

" Yeah. Well I better get going. I need to make sure everythings ready if there is a counter attack. I'll see you later Twi." He walked away as she waved at him finishing her coffee.

"Bless that stallion. Well I better go see what needs to be done." She sighed and headed towards the command tent as she watched a few troop transports head down the bridge towards the defensive front as a few stallions waved and called out to her making her smile and wave as well.

"Hello Colonel Twilight." Twilight froze and turned to see Princess Luna smiling down at her as she beamed and slammed into the alicorns chest.

"Its ok Twilight. I am here now." She leaned down nuzzling the mare as she sniffed as Twilight pulled back.

"I heard you were shot in the Valley a few days ago. Are you ok?" Twilight asked wiping her eyes as her friend and commanders smiled and turned showing the small round scar that was near the top of her cutie mark.

"Tis a flesh wound my dear. The medic was able to remove the bullet before the wound healed up. How are you and the girls my dear? I heard that you have had quite a hassel when the Imperialist tried to capture you and the other before our allies stepped in." Luna asked as they headed for the command tent.

" We're fine now and are itching for some payback. Dash is really looking forward to moving out. You know how she can't sit still." Twilight smiled as they pushed the flap away entering the Equestrian command tent as they all bowed to the princess.

" My princess. We have to far side secured. Germane forces are holding that side while we are keeping this way open in case they need to fall back." One of the officers informed her.

"Very good. What of supplies for everypony?" Luna asked.

"We're fine for now and with the Germanes holding off any counterattacks. Besides supplies are only a few days away so everything will be ok till then princess." The mare said as Twilight looked over the map.

" From here we can hit their right flank before they can really prepare. At the same time we can hit them at the center and left flank. I believe it's call a pincer maneuver." Twilight said as Luna nodded.

" Indeed. We'll have the Germanes pull back and help with the main assault when they're ready. It should only be a day or so." Luna said getting a nod from the the other commanders.

" Ja. Ve vill give zhem hell mien princess." Panzerschreck stated as she nodded to her fellow captains.

As the commanders discussed strategy on the other side of the river German tanks began to pull back along with soldiers as Equestrian soldiers moved in to take their position.

In the forest Imperialist gathered to take back Trottersburg. Most were the Imperium's elite.

" Signal the attack while they're disorganized." A stallion said getting a nod from another beside him.

Above them pegasus swooped in as an alarm went off and tracer fire filled the sky.

Across the river Twilight scrambled through the debris as the air raid sirens went off while everyone that could fired into the air trying to take down the enemy when she heard the sound of tank fire across the river.

She looked back and could see bombs falling on the forward position while Equestrian and Germane tanks were being knocked out left and right from bombs and enemy fire.

"Twilight!!!" She turned and saw her Tiger pulling up as she scrambled up the front and took her position in the commanders hatch.

"Pinkie radio across the net for everypony to pull back and take defensive positions!" Twilight yelled as she slipped on her throat mic and headset while Pinkie relayed her orders.

[Negative hold position! Everypony reinforce the other side of the bridge!] Luna's voice was heard over the radio as Twilight gritted her teeth as a few soldiers ran past her.

[ Tiger 1 and 2 provide support for 3rd battalion!]

" What's the call Twi?" Dash asked as Twilight growled.

" We have orders to follow. Support 3rd battalion across the bridge. Move to a defensive position and hull down. We're in for a long one." Twilight said as the all looked wary.

"Lets go move! Ponies are dying without us up there!" She yelled as Fluttershy nodded as the Tiger lurched forward as they heard the sound of the Equestrian and Germane artillery thunder to life.

" Shy move us up by the wreckage! We're gonna be doing a lot of shoot and scoot today so Dash be on the bit every time got it!" She yelled as they felt the shockwave of a bomb landing beside them dazing them a bit.

" Ri-Right! You got it Twi!" Dash yelled as Fluttershy pulled the Tiger by the wreckage of a Equestrian tank and pulled up a little past it so Dash could get a shot off.

" E- 73, range, one mile, load HEAT." Twilight yelled as the large cannon swung to the right.

"Target sighted!" Dash reported.

" Round up!" Applejack called out.

"Fire!"

THOOM!

*They watched as the turret was blown off the tank as some Germane and Equestrian soldiers moved ahead to a building while Applejack reloaded.

" Shy move up to that building! We're a bit exposed out here. Make us a new door." Twilight said as she turned in while Fluttershy pulled the Tiger up and turned right crashing through the side of the building just as a hole was blown through the wall and hitting the dead tank they were at.

" Fire at will!" Twilight screamed as she saw Steele moving across the bridge to support the other side.

THOOM!!