The Road to Fame: Death of a Utopia

"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..