Some time later, the Republic Gunships had dropped off their passengers, and flown back to the Sentinel to refuel. The entire base was quiet as a tomb, and there was a feeling of distrust in the air. Kyris, Commander Gale, the Elements of Harmony, and Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight now sat inside the command center. The tension was thicker than an AT-TEs hull plating, and Kyris’s face showed confusion, distrust, and anger at the two Princesses.

“Princess Celestia, I’m not sure where to begin.” The Jedi Master said. “First, you knew this Regulus at some point before our duel against him. Second, he was in command of several Separatist droids, including Commando Droids and modified Super Battle Droids. Finally, he seems to be in league with the Griffons who spied on our base at the very least.”

“All I want to know is…what aren’t you telling us?”

Celestia looked down, thinking hard on how to respond. Eventually, she finally spoke in a stalwart tone.

“I never imagined that Golden Plume, or Regulus, would return the way that he did, or how he is even alive in the first place. Second, I had no clue that those Separatist war machines were here either, and if I had even a gut feeling they were…I would’ve personally dealt with them. Finally, yes, you are due an explanation of how Golden Plume knew me, and what happened nearly twenty years ago.”

Celestia conjured a map of Equestria with her magic, which then displayed a small village on the northwest border of both the Griffon lands and the Everfree Forest.

“Golden Plume was a unicorn, born in Canterlot to a middle-class couple. A natural-born leader, he emerged from his schooling on multiple levels as a valedictorian. After gaining his Cutie Mark, he was offered a place in my School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“Golden Plume declined, insisting he wanted to serve in the Solar Guards. I allowed this, and like his early days, he rose through the ranks rapidly. He earned the admiration and respect of his fellows, and the loyalty of those under him when he became a commissioned Captain.”

“Like Shining Armor was?” Twilight asked. Gale looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow, though it was hidden by his helmet’s black visor.

“He was on the verge of holding your brother’s position at the time, yes.” Celestia replied. “Before I would give the promotion necessary to allow him that rank, I…began to sense something was wrong with him through the Force, and I saw in his eyes a change that frightened me.”

“He had always been eager to follow any order he was given, in a devotionary way that inspired his troops. However, that devotion was turning to dogma, and then to zealotry. I knew he was starting to lose his way, but I wanted to be sure of my feelings.”

“Thus, I assigned him a task that would supposedly put my mind at ease. In the end, it was one of my life’s darkest moments that resulted.”

“What happened?” Gale asked.

“The village of Fairgrove, here, had been repeatedly raided in the past by Griffon brigands, and they sent an urgent plea to me for Guards to defend them. I sent Plume and thirty of his own Guards to fulfill these orders, along with a messenger to report on his progress each day, and to remind him of my orders should things take an unforeseen turn.”

“First, they were to secure the villagers and ensure no more lives were lost.”

“Second, Plume was to capture the raiders alive, and return them to the Griffon border fort nearby as prisoners.”

“Third, they were to ensure these raids would not happen again.”

“Seems simple to me.” Gale nodded. “However, my experience in battle and as a Marshall Commander of the 389th…tells me something went wrong.”

“You are correct, Commander.” Celestia sighed. “From the get-go, Plume brilliantly set up a trap for these raiders and captured them alive, as I had requested. He set up a border camp not too long after that, and everything seemed to be going just fine.”

“Until my messenger reported that these brigands were not bandits or the like…but soldiers of the Griffon army. They were deployed to this area to undertake a military rite of passage. They were to survive off the land for those three days, and only return once they had proven themselves by doing so.”

“My messenger told me of this, and then he reportedly told Golden Plume once he realized what was going on…but after that…I didn’t hear from him for three more days. I gathered a unit of one hundred to investigate, and I donned my battle armor for the first time in ages.”

“What I found…was horrifying.”

The Elements, who had been patiently listening, sucked in a wary breath.

“Plume had gathered these soldiers, interrogated them for their camp’s location, and then…he executed them for “acts of war against Equestria”. Then, he had my messenger poisoned to silence him, and then he marched upon the Griffon camp, crossing the border in the process, which was against my orders.”

“They burned the entirety of that camp to the ground, and killed any who resisted. Two soldiers escaped, and while one told me of what happened…the other sent a message to the Griffon General who was in command of these troops.”

“This General, Gaius, once we established contact with him, demanded things be made right and the lives of his recruits avenged, or it would be war not just by Golden Plume’s actions, but by mine.”

“You didn’t even do anything!” Rainbow Dash said, shocked.

“I sent my own troops there, under my own orders. The attack was both my responsibility and Plume’s, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia replied. “After I…promised him that Golden Plume would not go unpunished, and that war would not come, Gaius allowed three companies of his own veterans to go with me to avenge their fallen.”

“Plume defied my orders to stand down as we approached, and in the battle that ensued…he was captured, and after refusing to surrender again, I was forced to kill him. The rest of his troops fought to the death. When we found the village, it had been fortified heavily at first, and then burned to deny us refuge. The villagers were found in a cave, starving and thirsty. They had what little resources they possessed taken to feed Plume’s traitorous soldiers.”

“I made my peace with General Gaius, returned his troops to his fort, and we buried the bodies of those that died in the ashes of Fairglade. My trusted messenger laid there, along with one of the bravest ponies I had ever known.”

“I had believed him dead…until now, that is.” Celestia finished. “I wrote every single condolence letter to the families of the fallen, issued an official statement regarding it to my council, and ordered Plume’s name be erased from all records. Those that did come home…they swore to never tell a soul of what really happened, and some even voluntarily had their memories altered…just in case.”

“And now, he’s our newest adversary.” Kyris frowned. “I thank you for telling me this, Princess. However, the time to act is now, and we must find him before he attacks again.”

"With all due respect, General…" Gale said in response, drawing Kyris's attention. "I don't think that's a particularly good idea. I ask permission to speak freely, sir."

"Granted." Kyris nodded.

"First, we have no idea how much Separatist technology that Regulus has at his disposal. For all we know, he could have weapons much worse than those modified droids waiting for us. Rushing into a full-scale attack would just turn it into a massacre. "

"Second, we aren't going to be receiving reinforcements at any time, as the Republic that would have provided them doesn't exist anymore. That is also true for weapons, rations, materials, medical supplies…and our resources were stretched thin, even while we were on Razkos."

"Third, we don't know where Regulus went after our engagement at the cavern, or how much support he has gained from the Griffons. Throwing our men, my brothers headlong in some direction and hoping for the best is…a suicide manuever."

"Finally sir, though it pains me to say this…you're not in the right state of mind to lead an assault like that. You've been active for over three planetary rotations now without rest."

Gale bit his lip, knowing that he had never spoken to his General like this before. He straightened up, and continued.

"With all due respect, sir, as my official recommendation…we need to rest and prepare for what lies ahead, build up our resources…and take a defensive stance against this threat."

Kyrius looked away, knowing that Gale was telling the truth about their situation. He could also sense his body was in dire need of rest and refreshment, and he didn't need the Force to realize that.

"...you're right, Commander." Kyris acquiesced. "Please excuse me, I must…rest, under the advice of my second. Gale, whatever issues should arise, I leave it to you to resolve them."

"Yes, sir." Gale said in an affirmative manner as Kyris exited the room. As the Elements turned to the Princesses and Gale, Celestia rose and headed for the door as well.

"Celestia..." Twilight asked, feeling quite unnerved. "What can we do to help?"

"For now, aid the Clones with whatever tasks they have. I need to speak to the ambassadors that came here, and the court ministers in Canterlot. There is much that needs to be done…and there is no time to waste. Sister…I will need your help."

As both Princesses teleported away, Gale looked at the Elements, and took in a ready breath.

"Ready to get to work?" he asked.

"As we'll ever be." Twilight replied, with the other Elements' voices chiming in with affirmation.

"Good. Let's get to it."

=====

The Griffon Lands, Western coastline

Regulus exhaled in exhaustion, as he looked over his base of operations and the ongoing bustle of activity within. After returning from the Ponyville base, he had ordered his followers and droids to prepare for war.

He gazed on in admiration as B1 Battle Droids stacked crates of ordinance, pushed and pulled carts, and directed other droids to their destinations, all of which was being supervised by Griffons clad in red, gray, and gold.

Ever since an array of Separatist supply ships crashed into the ocean, Regulus and his followers quickly seized the opportunity in front of them. The fleet had been small in number, with only two light cruisers for escort, and a DH-O supply ship, but it was fully stocked.

Even now, boats continued to funnel supplies from the wreckage, ranging from proton cannon artillery, to crate after crate of E5 blasters. From what Regulus and his engineers could tell, the fleet had been intended to resupply a CIS garrison on the planet Razkos, in Wild Space.

Regulus didn't exactly care what those terms meant, only that he now had a massive array of weapons and technology never seen before in the Griffon lands…and soon, he would conquer both Equestria and these lands. He would rule not through harmony, but by the might of blasters and technology.

He only had to be patient for a little while longer, and he would have his revenge and eventual triumph at long last.

As the sun began to set overhead, Regulus's laughter echoed through the coming night, and the shadows around him seemed ready to extend their reach like a hungry ghost into what remained of the light.

Author's Note

Hot damn, this took naerly a full year to write.

I promise there won't be any more long breaks like that agin.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the update!