"Lord Ironbeak, the soldiers are ready. Shall we send the declaration to the Equestrian royal court? Honor dictates that we must-"
"Honor?!" King Alevrus snapped. "If this was a contest of honour, I'd challenge Celestia herself to a duel to the death. . But I myself do not wield magic, and yet magic is the strongest aspect of the sun princess." He began, glaring daggers into the General he had summoned.
"And physical strength is the strongest aspect that I myself wield. Any sort of duel would be unfair in all ways. If it was a fight of strength, I'd clearly overpower her. If we were allowed to use any of our skills, no doubt I'd lose." He said, pacing around the throne room. Some of the guards smiled, clearly fine with the tactics the king was suggesting. There was no room for honor in warfare. The use of dirty tricks was the sign of a smart soldier, not a cowardly one.
The general nodded, understanding the circumstance. "I see, m'lord. I'll tell the battalion the message was already delivered. Many of them would not agree with this." He said, worried about what the soldiers would think of their King, should they learn of the idea of attacking without notifying the defenders.
"Yes, it would be a shame to have to quell a mutiny before the war even started. Of course, we would have a head start on killing off the soldiers who support Equestria, but there are, of course, too many of the glory hungry ones, aren't there." King Alevrus noted, when at that moment, the doors to the throne room opened, revealing a cloaked pony, bearing the insignia that was resting above the very throne.
The gryphon king ordered all in the room to exit, as do the general. He stepped up to the pony, and smiled. " Blinking Dagger, what news do you bring me? I hope your first mission of espionage was successful." He asked, before awaiting his answer.
The pony stepped forward, till he was face to face with King Alevrus, and moved up his hood, showing his face, but no more. A tent formed in the top of the hood, as the unicorn disturbed what concealed the fact prior.
"My liege: I bring you information of a town by the name of Buckston immediatly across the border between the Gryphonlands and Equestria. My news as of now is of a week old, but there are no trained ponies in that town. If I am permitted, I would say that is your first target. The gryphon population there is low, so it will not cause a revolution among Gryphonkind should you attack it." The spy noted, speaking only loud enough so that if anyone was still in the room, only the king and general would hear.
" I see. You must have some business in Equestria to attend to. You may return to your espionage. I wish for a report at least once every two weeks, and if you find your self in trouble, I still wish not to wait over a month. Once you leave, tell the guards to return." Alevrus ordered, before turning to the general. " I hope you hear that. Buckston is our target. I will fetch the orders I prepared for this very moment." He said, padding off to his chambers.
Upon the Gryphon King Alevrus' return, he carried a scroll, and gave it to the general. "Tell your battalions that they can do what they wish to the Earth Ponies and Pegasi. Of either gender and of whatever age. " He said, grinning. He clearly knew exactly what he was implying the soldiers were allowed to do.
"I can care less about what... Or who the soldiers do....Especially to the Pegasi. Those winged equines are useless for my goals." He explained, returning to his throne.
He then looked back to the general , before sitting. "Oh, and if you see any gryphons who would dare fight against the Gryphonlands, to tempt fate by flying under an Equestrian Banner... I want them tortured. And when you're done with that, they'll think death is a reward. Use them as cannon fodder. "
The general nodded, but there was one group Alevrus excluded: " The unicorns, sir?"
The King's eyes widened, realizing the mistake he nearly made. "Spare them. Send them to the internment camp at the base of Peak Featherclaw. Treat them with utmost respect. I have very special plans for them. If you let a member of the other races live, send them there as well."
"Special plans, sir?" The general asked, unsure what the king meant.
The king's eyes narrowed, before grinning
" I've looked into Equestria's history. The princesses are, in fact, disposable... Now go. Tell the soldiers, you've been here long enough. "
With that, the general bowed, and exited.
They came... from the north..
The War begins: Chapter one
A week later..
"'No Warning! Buckston attack, burned, and slaughtered by the Gryphonlands!'? This is terrible news!" Princess Twilight Sparkle realized.
The other bearers of the elements sat in the room, upon their crystal thrones. They all gasped, unsure of the idea of war.
" I have to go see the damage..." Twilight started. " What if there are survivors?"
Rarity was the first to speak our against the caring, brave, but very dangerous plan. " Oh, Twilight, no! You can't just go to a town tht was just attacked! You're a princess, my dear. What if you get hurt, or worse? Equestria needs you more than ever! Ponyville needs you! If you go now, it's like you've abandoned the town!"
" I know Rarity. I am a princess. Which is why I can't sit idle. You saw it, no warning. That means its possible not a single guard... Equipped at least.. was at the town when the gryphons attacked. With nopony to defend them, they probably thought THEY were the ones abandoned. I have to show them that's not the case!" Twilight said, adamant in her decision.
"But Twilight, it's still a dangerous-" Raritiy began, before being cut off by Rainbow Dash .
" Hey, Rarity, come on, it's not like she's going alone or anything. I for one am totally with her the whole way! We'll kick it to those gryphons if they even THINK to still be there when we arrive!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
Then Applejack stepped into the conversation. "Speakin' of that, why would the Gryphonlands attack Equestria? Even if they won, they'd be doomin themselves wit' the no risin' of the moon an' sun. They can't just remove Princesses Luna an' Celestia, can they? No princesses, no cycle, right?"
Twilight shook her head. "I hate to tell you Applejack, but Celestia and Luna really are just figureheads..."
Everypony else in the room responded with a confused "What?".
"Figureheads? What do you mean by that twilight? Of course they can't just be figureheads..." Rarity asked.
Twilight looked to all of her friends, before answering. " Remember the play for Hearths Warming Eve? Celestia and Luna are only who they are because they can raise the sun and moon alone. But if multiple unicorns had bonded together, using their magic together...."
" They could force the unicorns to do their magic, their magic makes the moon and sun rise, the gryphons get their sun, and Celestia and Luna are... Disposable... That sounded happier in my head.... But that isn't happy at alllllllll.... " Pinkie Pie explained cheerily, before drooping and covering her head at the realization.
Twilight nodded, frowning. " That's perfectly correct, Pinkie Pie. If you're coming with me, I'm leaving now. Pack your things for a trip, I'll wait for you at the edge of town. I have to go before Celestia gets the royal guard following my flank." She declared, before everypony scattered.
" They're my friends, but I hope I'm doing the right thing, letting them come with me.... " Twilight said to herself, hoping nothing bad would come of the trip.
