Author's Note

I finished this chapter late at night, so I'm really sorry for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. If you find any, please let me know where in the comments and I'll fix them. Enjoy, and be prepared for the next chapter in this story!

II. First Blood

The 1st action squad of the Griffin Empire stealthily crossed the border into Equestria. They had a simple mission, provoke a war. They had come up with a plan to accomplish this. Under the cover of night, they were to head to the Equestrian village of Garnin, a village with a large Griffin minority, and kill all Griffins in the village. The Griffin Empire would then blame the incident on Racial discrimination and hatred on the two countries border regions.

After this was done, The Imperial Army of the Griffin Empire was to occupy all villages along the border that had Griffin minorities within them. Sergeant Major Korien, commanding officer of the 1st action squad, gave a hand signal to stop. As they were to use stealth tactics, they would be completely silent in their mission, Griffin night vision was better than pony night vision; so detection was no worry. The squad had arrived at the village, during their briefing they had been told the location of the Griffins in the village on a map, they knew the area intimately.

Each of the four members was to take a house and neutralize It before moving on to the next. Two hours later, their work was done, covered in blood and scattered feathers, they sneaked back across the border and waited for the nation's response to the "Equestrian" atrocities committed in the village.

*****

Senator Phalant roared over the commotion of that was the Griffin Parliament. "THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! THE EQUESTRIANS HAVE SLAUGHTERED OVER ONE HUNDRED INNOCENT GRIFFIN VILLAGERS IN GARNIN! WE MUST DECLARE WAR!"

Other members of the parliament building loudly agreed with him. Still, there was a small minority of senators that didn't wish for war with Equestria. Their pleas fell on deaf ears however, as nearly all of the five hundred senators were out for blood. They were in a murderous rage and wanted revenge. In an hour of deliberations, it was decided that an invasion of Equestria would commence immediately. All villages along the border that housed Griffins, were to be occupied and annexed.

All military units stationed along the Equestrian border were then ordered to advance along the whole of the border while reserves occupied areas and offered anti partisan duty. Towed and pack artillery were brought along with the main army advance. The invasion had begun.

*****

Luna casually walked through the Royal Garden, admiring the lush vegetation in it. She marveled at how it had grown since her banishment. Moon lilies and roses grew everywhere, honeysuckle and pine grew along every other open space except the large ponds. Looking to the sky she noticed with sudden alarm, that sun was supposed to set over two hours ago. She went back into the castle and headed to Celestia's room.

The hallway leading to her room was awash in gold and marble. Marble pillars held up a gold roof shined to rival the sun, extremely beautiful roses, tulips, and lilies dotted the walls. The entire hallway had a warmth to it that was inviting. Reaching the door to Celestia's room, Luna braced herself and knocked. The door simply slid open slowly, puzzled, Luna entered the room.

"Tia, are you in here?"

"What... what is it Lu... Luna?" Celestia's voice betrayed her feelings, Luna instantly knew that she had been crying, and walked quickly to her side. Celestia looked up at Luna, and in the light, Luna knew that Celestia had been not crying; but sobbing. She was at a loss as to what had caused it, but she was determined to find out.

"Tia, what's wrong? Why did you throw yourself at me yesterday?

"About yesterday Lulu, I'm so sorry, I don't know what happened. I couldn't control my actions, this feeling of emptiness took over, I thought... I thought I might lose you again. The night after you were banished, I just laid down in my bed and I wept like a child, I cried and I cried until I passed out from exhaustion."

Luna was in a shock and awe over the confession from her sister, she simply couldn't believe her ears. "Tia, you'll never lose me again, that thing is gone for good, and I say let it rot. When I realized what had happened, that i'd been banished to the Moon, I cried. Granted it was internally in my own psyche, but I still wept. I will always be here for you Tia, you have my word and sanctum. I love you, i'll never stop loving you. Yesterday was a first though." Luna said the last part of her mini speech with a little giggle, causing Celestia to look up at her.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Yesterday, tis odd what transpired, lest we be wrong in our memory."

Before Celestia could respond, a sergeant of the Royal Guard nearly broke the door down. "YOUR MAJESTIES! COME QUICKLY TO THE WAR ROOM, IT IS URGENT!"

Within five minutes the trio had arrived at the palace war room, it was bare save a table with a map of Equestria and chairs around it. Celestia dismissed all of the ponies in the room save for herself, Luna, and Grand General Tern of the Equestrian military.

"Your Majesties, the situation is grave. After the mysterious death of Griffins in the village of Garnin, the Griffin Empire invaded the north half of our common border. They have occupied all villages that contain Griffins within them, they also exiled all ponies from them; those who didn't comply were massacred en mass. Their justification for their actions is racial hatred and discrimination in the border territories."

Celestia sat there in shock, while Luna barely kept her rage and hatred contained, though she was shaking from it. An unbridled fury rose from deep within her. She had to do something to alleviate it, and she would. She began walking towards the exit to the outside.

"Luna, where are you going?"

"To send the Griffins a message Tia."

Luna quickly went outside and flew into the air. Her eyes flashed and the air around her glowed in a violent purple aura as she bellowed out in the Royal Canterlot Voice. "HERE ME SCUM OF THE GRIFFIN EMPIRE! THOU SHALT RUE THE DAY YOU PLUNGED EQUESTRIA INTO WAR! WE SHALL BEAT YOU WITHOIT MERCY, YOU HAVE DESTROYED ENTIRE VILLAGES AND FAMILIES, COMMITED A GENOCIDE IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES; WE SHALL SHOW YOU NO MERCY! YOU SHALL WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN TO START THIS WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE! FEAR FOR THINE LIVES!"

With her message concluded, she teleported back into the war room and broke down into a fit of sobbing. Celestia draped a wing around her and pulled her close to comfort her. She looked to General Tern and began speaking.

"General Tern, you are to take the 1st and 2nd Armies Du Equstra and launch a counterattack against the Griffins in the Northern Territories. Do not rush blindly into it, plan for it and execute it with ruthless efficiency, show the Griffins no mercy!"

General Tern was shocked to see Celestia have such rage, but he would carry out her orders to the last. All of Equstria would soon want revenge against the Griffins, and he would have to deliver.

Celestia then looked to Luna. "Lulu, let's go get some dinner and then do something relaxing okay?"

Luna looked at her sister with tears still in her eyes. "O... okay Tia. That wou... would be niha... nice."

*****

The 1st and 2nd Armies Du Equstra met with the 1st and 3rd Amries of Griffina in an open plain west of Garnin. The air though crisp and clean, had a stuffiness to it due to the anxiety felt by both army groups. High General Taq of The Griffin Empire, and General Der of Equstria met in the middle of the field, each had a squad carrying their respective countries coat of arms.

"Hello General Taq, I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but our nations have decided to fight. I'm saddened by this, but we must obey our orders to the last. Whoever may come out as victor today, know this" I have the deepest honor and respect for yourself and your soldiers. It is an honor to fight a tactician such as yourself. Decci Liverk." Der had given his opponent a wish of long live in ancient Equestrian, signifying his respect towards the opposing side, and his honor at getting to fight him.

"I wish the same things General Der. We must fight and it is most unfortunate. I reciprocate your feelings of respect and honor. Let us not boast of our victory, whom ever may have it, but let is honor those who live and die on this day. You have my deepest respect and honor. Screxi Kern." Having given General Der the same wish if long life in the Griffin language, the two went back solemnly to their command posts.

Within thirty minutes, two massive armies were assembled in the fields. They simply waited for one order to start their attacks. It came as a uniform shout from the officers of both sides, a simple CHARGE! As the word was uttered, the artillery of both sides roared to life with the fury of a lion. Snipers quickly took up positions and started picking off their opponents one by one. The main divisions had engaged each other, and were exchanging volley after volley against one another. The fields were turning a shade of red.

*****

Celestia and Luna had a light meal of salad, hay fries, and a chocolate lava cake. They had soon retired to Celestia's chamber to relax and regain their composure after the new from the morning. The sun had been set, and the moon was well on its course for the night. Luna and her sister were seated on the large plush silk bed in the center of the room.

"Tia, what shall we do, I have no ideas in all honesty of what to do. We art bored dear sister." Her last line was exaggerated to a point of near faintness. Celestia simply giggled.

"I don't know Luna, I don't have any ideas either. How about we talk?"

"That works for me dear sister, we shall start. Our question is this, why did thou kiss us yesterday?"

Celestia mulled over her thoughts and tried to speak with care while giving her answer. "I'm not sure Lulu, something just came over me and I couldn't control myself. My mind screamed no, while my body screamed yes. I'm so very sorry for what happened, I just don't want to ever ever lose my sister again."

"Tia, you'll never lose me again, I promise you. I will always be here for you, no matter what. You are my sister and I love you, nothing you can ever do will change that."

Celestia's heart stopped for a split second, before she took her sister in a rib crushing hug.

"Tia...can't breath...let go!"

"Hmm? Oh I'm so sorry Luna! I didn't realize I was crushing and collapsing your lungs!"

"It's ok Tia...couh...you're fine, and my lungs aren't dead just yet." A strained giggle followed Luna's words. She sat next to her sister and draped a wing over her back in comfort and love, all the while Celestia having a brutal battle between her mind and body. One wishes to jump Luna right then and there, the other fought that line of thought back tooth and nail.