With fire and steel: The tale of the 12th Expatriate Regiment.

Princess Celestia read another report from the Minotaur Tribes. the final clan that was friendly to Equestria had fallen, and the new lord of the Minotaur Czardom had set eyes on Equestria. She turned towards her sister, Deep worry etched into her face.

"Luna....I had hoped to avoid this outcome, But Equestria is... At war." As the last words spilled from her mouth, Celestia choked. She knew her power was waning. It was a point driven home by the changeling invasion and Tirek's rise to power. She had seen war, and had failed to protect her little ponies from it. Luna looked equally ill at the thought. She had seen war as well, and it was inglorious.

"I shall summon the generals sister. We must prepare now, while we have the chance." Said Luna, Hugging her sister tightly. "I hope to see this end quickly, with as little pain as possible. Maybe they're new king can see reason hmm?" said Luna hopefully.

She couldn't have been more wrong. In the first two months of the conflict, the Griffin Imperium failed. Their losses had been too great, and they retreated to their inaccessible mountain cities. The minotaurs continued to advance, and the only thing that stood in their way, was the Equestrian Expeditionary force, and the Highlands. The Highlands were a free state who were allied with Equestria. Because of the small size of the nation, they were often in conflict with the Griffins, who wanted the Iron and sheep that the Highland clans raised. Constant skirmishes with enemies who could fly led the Highlanders to develop an advanced weapons program, Discovering gunpowder and Rifling well before any larger nation. Military service was Mandatory, and in times of peace, Regiments were loaned out as mercenary Forces in order to Bring money into the treasury.

This also led to Superior and experienced soldiers, and officers with the knowledge and ability to counter the advantages that other species had, From developing charms to dissipate magic, to Creating timed shells that explode in the air to combat flying foes.  To many nations, the Highlands were untouchable. Unfortunately, the officer in charge of the defenses Betrayed his homeland for gold and power, and caused the destruction or capture of most of the Highland army. The King of the Highlands, Matchlock Cavalier, led his personal guard into battle in order to protect the battered EEF and the refugees he had tasked them with rescuing. He Died screaming Profanities at the Minotaur horde, Swinging his sword and holding his banner high. The Minotaurs, Respecting a tenacious foe, Allowed him to be buried with full honors, and proclaimed him a hero, even in their own lands.

During the next year, The only thing that kept the Mino-tsar and his army From flooding Equestria was a capable and Tenacious Resistance movement from the highlanders, and the return of several Regiments from abroad. On and on the fighting went, Until only the 12th remained. Colonel Saberhilt, the youngest stallion to have ever reached said rank, Pulled his forces from the fray and retreated. He recognized that he alone could not dislodge the Minotaurs, and that to fight and die in a futile attempt would be to waste the lives of his soldiers, so he offered his services to the equestrian army with a heavy heart. This is where the story truly Begins.