Invasion

“I won’t let this Appleloose fall to ‘Masher’...”

“Why is he called Masher?” Came Twilight.

“No one really knows. He’s known for his blatant disregard for orders. He’s twice as bad a Gritz. He kills things for no reason other than killing is fun. He fires so many bullets at his enemies it leaves them in piles of mulch.”

Emerald Impaler giggled

“Thats an outright fabrication. But it was funny.”

“Whatever he does, it is not good. We must take a train to Dodge Junction and stop his forces.”

“And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”

“With our new assassin of course, and with a bit of Talomanzan tactics, I bet I could train the ponies to fight.”

“Sugarcube, you ain’t gonna get them to fight with your weapons. In case you haven’t noticed, we ain’t got ‘thumbs’ or ‘fingers’ just hooves. Only chance you got of using those are unicorns, and Appleloosa ain’t nothin but earth ponies.”

“Shit...then they can bite and clobber.”

Emerald Impaler looked to the side.

“It’s clobberin’ time. AAAAHAHA!”

“That wasn’t funny.”

“What? I can enjoy American Comics.”

“Whatever, focus on the task at hand.”

“Yes sir.”

“Now, what’s the fastest way to Dodge Junction?”

“Train of course.”

“Then we have no time to waste.”

Armanii picked up his guns and motioned for the Assassin to grab his weapons. After all weapons were in the hands of their respectful owners, they walked out of the castle and down the streets of Canterlot. Many ponies looked to them in awe, as they walked, Emerald Impaler overheard a small conversation going on at a table.

“So apparently that human, the one in the military garb, he’s helping with that war business.”

“What war business?”

“You heard about that small town in the heartlands right? Ponyville?”

“No, what happened?”

“Rumor has it, it was attacked by the 2 legged armies. That humans own people are attacking us, he’s trying to stop them, before they turn us all into slaves. I don’t believe a word of it, I think they just came of him. They probably don’t care about us.”

“Why just him.”

“He’s a traitor, a war criminal. They’ll get him soon. I applaud anypony who has the guts to stand up to him.”

Emerald Impaler kept walking with the ponies, directly beside Armanii. His mask still on, ponies made weird faces as he walked by. Every now and then he would look to one to terrify them, as a monster.

They reached the still operating train, and walked aboard.

“This train looks like it came straight out of Candyland.” mumbled Emerald Impaler.

“Just get on. Conductor, take us to Dodge Junction.”

“Right away, you folks are the only ones on board, hope you like small talk.”

The train gave a whistle, and they were on their way.

They were packed together on the train, as close as they could be. Emerald Impaler sat alone on the edge of the train car.

“This train is very relaxing,” he said aloud. “Much better than walking”

“I should hope so, walking would have taken us days.” Twilight said with a chuckle.

“How long will the train take us?”

“A good 3 or 4 hours, and 27 minutes.”

“Great...”

“We can pass the time with stories!” Pinkie Pie said with a large grin.

“Good idea Pinkie, Mr. Sve, why don’t you tell us a story?”

“What?”

“Tell us a story Mr. Sve.”

“Me? Is this really the appropriate time for stories?”

“We all need something to calm our nerves.”

“You’re a cold blooded killer! Why do YOU need calm nerves?”

“I don’t. I just like stories.”

“Fine...I have a story about Galog and I...”

The ponies leaned in to listen. Emerald Impaler leaned back to relax, but you’d never tell he was relaxed on account of his comm.

“So, once, when we were about 8, i had a bully problem. Everyday at school this older boy would come and pester me and beat me up for my lunch or my shoes or something. He was a crafty person, however, and his parents were very well thought of in law enforcement, so he was never caught or sentenced for his crime, since in Talomanza, bullying carries the death penalty. My teachers didn’t care, and therefore never reported it. One day, Galog got fed up, you see. He put a video camera in his hat and stood beside me the next day. When the boy came around and beat me up, Galog watched for the evidence he needed. After the boy was done, Galog stepped in and punched him, right in the nose. I think he broke it or something because the boy on was the ground for a good minute. When he finally got up, the two fought, for a good while, maybe 5 minutes before it was over. Galog came out on top, and the boy was on the ground, unconscious. Galog walked over to me and and sat down by me.

"Sorry about that." he said, "Are you okay Armanii?"

I never saw that boy again, and I thanked Galog immensely for ending my bully problem. He claimed, later when we were in Maraskon together for our war studies, that his dad worked for the police department and he took care of that kid, if you know what I mean, but I didn’t care. I was still glad he cared enough to help me...Now he’s gone soulless...and distant...”

“He seems like he was a good friend.” said Applejack.

“Well, We did a lot for each other. Back at Sum-Sarem I mentioned that I was there when his father died. His father was a very nice man. Big, a bit chubby, but still a very sweet and loving father. When we were studying war in Maraskon, I had this girlfriend, and we had the greatest of times together. I was at a play with her, we were seeing our favorite musical, Les Misérables. At intermission I recieved a message from Galog. Translated, it said,

"I need to talk to you, call me when you get this."

So I stepped away from my girlfriend and called him. The conversation went something like this as I recall.

"Galog?"

"Yes?"

“It’s Armanii, what did you need?"

"Thank Talos, I thought you were too busy."

"I’m at intermission right now, did something happen?"

"Yeah..."

He choked up a little.

"Galog, what is wrong?"

"It’s my father...Armanii...he’s been in a terrible accident..."

"Dear Talos, is he okay?"

"No...I need you here quick.”

“Then what did you do?” Pinkie Pie said, obviously enthralled in the story.

“Well, I went to my girlfriend and told her what happened. She knew Galog very well, and we left the theater before the second half started. I dropped her off at home and drove straight for Galogs house. When I got there, He was in tears.

"Galog, what’s wrong?" I began, "You look like someone..."

"My dad is dead..."

"What?"

"Daddy...he died..."

I looked around the room, his mother and sister were there, and their eyes were welled up with tears as well. I gave Galog a hug for comfort, and he cried on my shoulder for a good half an hour.

"I never got to say goodbye...or that I loved him..."

"He knows Galog, he knows." was all I said.

I kept quiet the rest of the night, but I spent it mostly over a Galogs house. He wasn’t at school the next day, and everyone knew why. No one knew that I was comforting him till 4 in the morning, however.”

“At least he feels emotion.”

“Yeah, he did. But he grew cold after his fathers death. Originally, he wanted to study diplomacy with me, but after his father died, he changed to striving to be a commander of the armed forces under Master General Gritz. He felt it was an honorable way to show his father he loved him.”

“But he was still your friend?”

“Dearest, I never wanted any of this to happen between us...”

Emerald Impaler coughed

“There are some things we do not intend to happen, but fate dictates that they must.”

“What do you mean? Do YOU have a story?”

“Short, but yes. When I was a recruit in the Silver Assassins, I had a hunger for jobs. I hadn’t received one yet, and I was hoping my first assassination would be a juicy one. Poison Blade himself came to me and gave me my first packet. I was hired to kill a Princess. I won’t say where, but this princess was especially evil. She had even locked her own father, the king, in a prison. He managed to get a hold of us to kill his daughter. When I arrived, she had no idea who or what I was."

"Who on Earth are you?"

I replied "The one who brings justice."

"GUARDS!"

I drew my plasma blade and walked slowly forward.

"Poison Blades will be done."

"Wait...You’re...Silver Assassin?"

As I continued walking, I replied. "Yes."

She got out of the chair and onto the ground on her knees, begging me not to kill her.

"I’ll make you a royal advisor!"

"None escape the Silver Clutches of us."

She begged more for life, I didn’t want to do it, after all, she was willing to do anything...but as I got closer, I readied my blade.

"I’ll pay you doub..."

it was one decree, she never finished. Her head rolled off her shoulders and her lifeless body fell to the ground. My job was complete. I left the room with a heavyness in my heart. But It quickly faded... I’m a Silver Assassin...no time for feelings...”

“You never wanted to be an assassin...did you?” Said Applejack.

“Oh no, I love killing. It’s in my veins. I just...had compassion long ago. Friends are for newbies. Friends get you killed. Friends give you heartache...”

“But it’s always nice to have friends!” Pinkie Pie said with a cheery smile.

“Not in the assassins line of work. Drop it, my only friends are money, death, and my blades.”

“Sheesh, what’s wrong with him?” Pinkie whispered to Twilight

“He’s just cold hearted.”

A long wait of silence overtook the cabin. None dared to speak for the majority of the ride to Dodge Junction. Many wanted to speak, but none dared. Emerald Impaler broke the silence about 3 hours in.

“So, Armanii, what do you plan to do after this Invasion is over?”

“You mean if we win?”

“No. When you lose.”

Armanii didn’t answer.

“Face it Armanii, you are horribly outgunned and outmanned. You have to deal with MASHER of all things...”

“Why do they call him masher anyway? You sound like you know.”

“You’ll find out soon. Actually, for your sake, I hope you don’t.”

“Just tell me!”

“No. I’ll tell you later.”

“Gah...anyway. All I can hope for is that Talomanza doesn’t kill me...but I have to try, I’m not leaving the side of Equestria. I can’t...”

“I guess I’m with you then. You know, you’d make a good Silver Assassin. We’re always looking for new recruits.”

“Thanks, but I’m not a cold blooded killer.”

“You are Talomanzan, Armanii. In the end, all we will ever be, our entire nation, we will all be cold blooded killers.”

“You seem confident in that statement.”

“Even the peaceful have death wishes...”

The train suddenly stopped. Armanii stood up and walked to the train doors. He opened them, and looked with a grim stare at the site before him...

Dodge Junction was in ruin, it’s buildings burned to the ground, bodies of ponies, charred and mangled, laid on the ground, hanging out of windows and doors. Blood pooled on the ground where the bloody battle occurred.

Not a single Talomanzan soldier lay there.

Armanii punched the side of the door in anger. He couldn’t save the ponies of Dodge Junction...he had to get to Appleloosa...before it was too late...

The ponies walked out to see what Armanii was angered by, their faces quickly turned grim as well, Twilight came close to throwing up at the sight of the mangled bodies...

“We need to get to Appleloosa...”

“What?”

“Arog will destroy all in his path...we need to warn them...”

At that moment, a soldier could be seen walking around from the buildings. He saw the train and ran to it.

“Uli! Uli!” which meant, Help, Help.

Armanii looked to the ponies and motioned them to get back on the train.

“Get on, don’t let him see you.”

The ponies scooted out of site as the soldier slowly approached them.

“What do you need soldier?” he said in his native tongue.

“I was in the middle of the battle, and a pony knocked me in the head with it’s hoof and I got knocked out! Where’s General Arog? Did he leave for the next town?”

“I think so. Who are you?”

“Private Homdaz Skiz.”

“General Arog is probably done with his fight by now. We were going to assess the damage.”

“We?”

The soldier reached for his gun.

“You look familiar...sergeant...”

“I...uh...”

Emerald Impaler came from behind Armanii, and grabbed his gun. With lightning speed he shot the soldier in the head. The soldiers body fell limp to the ground.

“You were going absolutely nowhere with that conversation Armanii. Just be glad he was a soldier, and no one will mourn his passing.”

“I had it!”

“Obviously not, he reached for his gun!”

“You didn’t see that!”

“Oh really? May I remind you I am the top ranked Silver Assassin in all of Talomanza? And most of the world?”

He stopped speaking in English and went back to Talomanzan for a brief sentence.

“Me plaou twe doh sempta ytola carmaniir...” which meant, ‘I know when a situation has turned sour....’

They got back in the train and headed for their next destination, Appleloosa. As they left, Armanii stared at the ruined Dodge Junction, all the ponies he failed to save, all the ponies that fell to Yemzii Arog.

“They will never rest in peace until this war is over...” Armanii said under his breath.

They sat there, on the bumpy train, the sight of that gruesome battleground still haunted them. All the dead innocents...all the destruction...the war had become a reality now. Many, like Applejack tried to deny what happened at Ponyville was just a mistake. But with the view of what “Masher” did...

There would be no dreams of peace...Not anymore...