Author's Note

This is a shorter chapter, that is meant both to tide you guys over till the next big chapter, and to provide some context for the next one. Enjoy, and as always, leave your thoughts in a comment and like the story if you did.

IV. Counteroffensive

Celestia and Luna had gone to the Royal Garden to speak to each other privately about what Luna had said in the war room. It was a beautiful afternoon, the birds sang and the sun hung low in the 1:00 o'clock sky.

"Luna! Why?!" Celestia was stunned by Luna's wish to lead the new spearhead divisions. She simply couldn't understand why she would wish to lead them into combat, let alone into the heart of The Griffin Empire.

"We wish to lead them because our nation demands it Tia. We've been attacked, and I wish to see the Griffins brought to their knees, begging for mercy!" Her last spoken thought was said with a growl of resentment. Celestia knew she couldn't persuade Luna from doing this, but she could at least try.

As she began to speak, her lower lip began to quiver, her mind filled with horrible scenarios that could befall Luna. "Lu-lulu, what if something hu-happens to you?! I can't lose you again! I won't let you go!"

"This is not a matter of discussion sister! We are going to lead this assault and you can't stop us!" Luna began to walk out of the room, but was stopped when something tugged her back by her tail.

"What art though doing Tia?! Release us now!"

Celestia's voice had an edge to it like daggers. "You dare walk away from me?! I will not allow you to do this! I forbid it!"

"You forbid us from doing what we wish?! When did you gain that authority princess?!"

"I did when I confessed my love to you! I've given you my heart and the sanctity of my life, if I were to lose you I would lose those as well!"

By now, tears were freely flowing from Celetsia's muzzle. Her mind had filled with dark and horrific scenarios of what could befall Luna should she lead the new army.

"Tia we must do this. You will not lose me, I promise you this. When I confessed my love to you I gave you my heart and life as well. I love you Tia, you will not lose me no matter what may happen."

Luna pulled Celestia towards her and kissed deeply, as a sign of both her love and her guarantee to return to her. When they broke, Luna said her goodbyes and headed off.

*****
After two days of travel Luna had arrived at the army encampment along the Griffin border. Mountain peaks topped with snow rose high into the air, and birds sang their chorus. Luna looked down upon the shanty town of tents on the valley below, and headed down.

"Hello General Der, are the divisions ready?"

"Oh! My apologies Princess Luna, I didn't see you. Yes, they're prepared and eager to go."

"Excellent. Tell me general, when will we begin the offensive?"

"In two hours your highness."

*****
After two hours of restless waiting, the Equestrian troops began their march into Griffin lands. Full of energy and zeal, as well as confidence after the victory at Garnin, they all though that this would be a very easy and effective raid.

After marching for an hour and a half, Luna and her divisions came upon a Griffin border post. Half of the divisions took up the right flank, the other the left. Insuring that both were in their positions, Luna signaled for a longer attack to begin.

In a flash a fourth of the Griffin guards were dead from sniper fire. Panicked and unsure of which direction the fire came from, they formed a hasty defensive line. Another volley took down half of the guards, and Luna teleported to the middle of the defense line.

Drawing her sword from its sheath, she dispatched a Griffin. Stabbing another through the chest, she strangled another with her magic. With the beauty of a dancer, she dispatched combatant after combatant. Within the five minutes, the remaining fifteen griffins lay dead.

"The area is secure. Left and right flanks converge and search it."

"Your highness, while searching the bodies I found a map of the area with griffin detachments marked."

"Excellent work sergeant, thank you."

Scanning the map, Luna saw that her divisions were due west of another border post. She planned an ambush based on the terrain detailed on the map.

"Troops, we are going to march west until we encounter a wooded area. Once we reach said area, you are to split into three groups, center right and left. I will lead the center. We will initiate an attack on the border outpost in that area. Let's go."

Trekking through hills and marsh to reach the woods to the west, the divisions began to realize how vast the Griffin Empire truly was. In half a day, they had barely traveled 10 miles. After an hour of hiking they had reached the second outpost.

Luna herself, true to her word, led the charge. With the poise and grace of a deadly dancer she dispatched half the outpost, while the other troops mopped it up. Little did they know, their scheme had been discovered, and the breach in the Griffin's lines was being closed behind them.

*****
5 border posts and 3 and a half hours later, and Equestrian forces carved another 10 miles into Griffin Territory. The troops were exhausted but still in high spirit from success. In a small clearing they set up camp.

A small tent city was set up, with lights and fire dotted around it in the still night. Conversations floated throughout the camp and tents; gossip, jokes, and discussions about the previous day's victories. No one noticed the Griffin special forces creeping through the underbrush.

Luna sat on her bed in her tent, and meditated. She was sifting through the days events in her mind to try and figure out the best course of action for the next day. She too didn't notice the sounds of the Griffins.

In a second the camp was in a frenzy. From the pitch black woods came a volley of bullets. Blood sprayed against tents and fire began burning through the camp. Griffin troops marched through the eastern section of the camp and executed any who were still alive.

Luna was out of tent in a flash. Unsure of what she was to do, she lingered for just long for a sniper to lay on her. The bullet missed her chest and instead imbedded itself in her left hind thigh. She screamed in agony and fell, convincing the Griffin sharpshooter that he had competed his mission, he moved on.

Slowly, from shock, pain, and slight blood loss, Luna faded into the world of unconsciousness, with the screams of the dying and dead following her.