The twelfth and thirteenth legions had to set sail the next day to get across the sea that separated Zebrinica from the homelands of Equestria. They have everything from two months worth of food to handicraft weapons such as swords and shields. Many of the soldiers on board had shifts between being the crew on the ship so they all could get their respective rest to be in top shape.

Brikoius walks around on deck where the morning sun is covered by a strangely thick fog among the waters. He knew that the ship is not due to reach their destination in three more days, but his senses warns him of something coming through the fog. Leaning over the rail, he sees a ship out in the distance, but it is a different kind of ship entirely. It looks bigger and had a few more sails then the current one they were in. Strangely though, the ship was on it's starboard into a large boulder jutting out from the water.

"Keep your eyes open soldiers." Brikoius said.

Many of the crew begin to work as they look outside to spot any trouble themselves. "Rock up ahead!" the zebra made in the crow's nest shouts as Brikoius rushes up the helm turning right.

"Give more slack!" Brikoius commands.

The soldiers released a much slack was they could. A view of the rock they nearly missed says that they just barely missed it. As the ship sailed on, Brikoius began to realize the ships that had sunk here were Caribou battleships along with a few cargo ships in-between once in a while.

Katina walks up to the helm standing beside Brikoius. "You seeing what I'm seeing? These are Caribou ships that have wrecked at sea. Maybe the Stonehoof Tribe was planning to invade us as well when we had refused."

"I wouldn't put it pass the barbarians and their King to try, but these natural rock formations a ice always protected our lands for many generations. Although, I would have rather kicked their collective asses sooner than later."

"I suppose so." Katina walks from her position to looks out from the rail to see the fog on the sea. Feeling the slight cool breeze that came with the eerie part of this sea.

On the boarders of Prance......

A small boat lands on the docks revealing a unicorn mare wearing casual clothes and has something of a recorder along with a video camera in her grip. She urgently proceeds off the deck to meet with a dark blue pegasus stallion his shaggy snow white mane and tail blowing lightly in the cloudy morning. His red eyes spoke volumes of seeing her safe and sound. The pegasus wore a black hoodie with a red tee shirt underneath the hoodie itself and blue jeans. "Did you get any information?" he asks.

A green flame suddenly engulfed the unicorn mare as it revealed to be a female changeling in disguise. She has the perfect feminine figure that could rival Queen Chrysalis herself, wearing combat clothing to show her experience in the military. Her eyes is a crystal blue that made her appearance looks memorizing to some. "It's not good. The Caribou are winning some battles, and they have manage to come in from the south as well taking a few towns along the way. The Caribou are still trying to take the Crystal Empire. So far the Crystal Empire is standing strong." she reports.

"Good work, Serene." the stallion says back kissing the changeling before breaking it a few moments later. She blushes slightly at the affection she receive. "Now then, I should get the crew sailing, back to my homelands."

The now named Serene and the pegasus stallion walks away. He slipped his arm around her hip before they vanished from sight.

Canterlot Palace.....

-CELESTIA POV-

Preparing and keeping hold on a war is a stressful burden on anyone, especially for a princess. My sister and I have both been working non-stop on the situation and so far it was going poorly. Why I didn't think about giving the Royal Guard more training was beyond most minds that only are out for conquest and warfare. Unfortunately, this group that called themselves the Stonehooves were only seeking feminine conquest all over Equis, if the scout reports are saying is true. Plus, on top of all this, Discord is currently missing in action.

Eventually, if this trend continues, it would come up as my sister and I to be the last defense before they take all of Equestria. Suddenly, a green flame appears above me as a scroll lands on the desk I am currently occupying. Carefully, I inspect the seal of the letter, and to my surprise, it is of Zebrinican origin. Opening up the scroll I read to myself.

Dear Princess of the Sun,

Because of our current situation with the Stonehoof Tribe of Caribou, we have been recently informed about, the Emperor graciously has sent two legions to aid your defenses. He would like for your subjects to treat his soldiers fairly and without pretense. Also, the Emperor has requests that you, as the representative and one of the princesses of Equestria, to meet him in person to discuss matters further.

From the Commander of the Imperial Guard,

Ikrai Saber.

I reread it several times over to make sure I read the words correctly. Once I confirmed the information, I stand still in silence thinking what should be done. The Zebrinica Empire is one of Equestria's worse and oldest enemies even before the Caribou attack, or major single villain activity. Even I myself did not trust the country or their deceptive Emperor's. For all I knew, they could be working for the Caribou putting Equestria in a checkmate scenario.... I'm going to need Luna's opinion on the matter.

I walk my way to her office, right beside mine, she looked up from her desk covered in papers as well on smaller matters that have arise in Equestria. "Lulu, do you have some time on your hands?" I ask.

Luna looks slightly tired from her work. "I can spare a few minutes." she says getting up from the desk and out from underneath it.

".....What would you do if the Zebrinican Empire offers support to us." I ask carefully.

Her expression seem to have a moment of surprise before suspicion replaces it. "Well, dearest elder sister, I would hear what they have to say. Even though they have been our enemy for over a millennium, I am certain they don't think the same as the monster Caribou do."

"They have been in hiding for about seven centuries, and Equestria still does not have the same optimism as you do, Luna. I would think my subjects see Zebrinica more of a threat than the Caribou." I state.

Luna walks up in front of me smiling warmly up into my eyes. "I know they might, but I think that we should give them a chance. If they blow it, we always have our last resort."

I give a warm smile to her. "Of course. In that case, I should prepare a meeting with the Emperor of Zebrinica. In the meantime, I would appreciate if you would handle the two legions heading to Equestria shores." I say. As Luna nods.

"It shall be done."

At sea....

The fog seem to have lift slightly, but it was impossible for the Imperial Guard to see too far out from the vast sea itself. Many of the soldiers start to party with rum and whiskey having fun inside. But not more than Lieutenant Soap. His outlandish, crazy tactics and skill has always been respected among the Imperial Guard simply because his crazy plans somehow work despite the odds set on the battlefield. Some do not know whether he is a genius in disguise, or a mad zebra.

The soldiers all chant as Lieutenant Soap gulps viciously down his eighty first mug of rum. Everyone in the bar went wild with cheer as he finished the shoot, but soon after, he fell out of his chair signaling that Soap has reached his limit.

"That's a new record!" one of the soldiers shouts through the cheer.

Sadly, though, the cheer slowly dies off into casual talk as Katina helps Soap up. He seem to be only slightly drunk despite the insane amount of alcohol he took in. "You know Soap, one of these days you'll get alcohol poisoning like a normal zebra should get after consuming that much." she says.

Soap shrugs. "I don't know about you, but I like my rum extra bitter. It has never hurt me before."

Katina sighs in defeat. "Come on," she says as Katina assists Soap up and out of the bar. "Back to your quarters."

Many soldiers party until morning while others wisely decide to man the main vessel. However, Brikoius remain to man the helm of the ship just looking out at the, now clearing up, blue vast-as-the-eye-can-see ocean they sail across. It has a mystical charm that normally would set most sailors uneasy and have frightful respect for the unpredictable twists the Black Sea of Misery (the southern part of the Eastern Ocean) has to offer. But, to the zebra people, this sea is like a second home.

Brikoius did have a curiosity to why the Emperor, the fiercest and battle harden Emperor in Zebrinican history, would want to support the menace of their existence. The ponies. They never understood our religion or our way of life. Matter of fact, many of the Zebra cultures and temples was burnt down because of insane pony cults or mobs that try to throw off the Imperial Guard's morale. But, that wasn't to say that the Equestrians got some payback in return for what they selfishly did in return. The situation only result in Zebrinica going into isolation after the seven centuries of endless war between the ponies and zebra. Emperor Dazeswift took this time in rebuilding the culture and economy of the zebra people.

Shaking away the thoughts of long forgotten history to the rest of the world, Brikoius returns his gaze to find that there seem to be small little dots out in the distance. The zebra mare in the crow's nest notice Brikoius gaze as she followed it and unfold her spyglass looking in that direction. Her other eye widens in realization as she shouted.

"Caribou battleships ahead!"

Author's Note

OC Shocker Blitz by Dusk Star Shine.

Hey guys, I hope you like this chapter. Let me know if you see any mistakes in the chapter. The next chapter will come out.