Beyond Equestria's Border

Far beyond the Borders of Equestria, lay a network of earthworks and trenches. These trenches were manned by the Equestrian Expedition force. Their mission was to defend this part of the border from invasion, a task that they had been doing for the past five years. After some early battles, the situation had quickly bogged down into trench warfare between the Expedition Force and the mysterious invaders.

No one had any clue what they enemy looked like, they only saw the enemy's cannon fodder, which consisted of Diamond dogs, Dragons, timberwolves, and the occasional changeling.

The leader of one particular part of the army, Commander Meteor Mash, has no problem with the bleak life in the trenches, and is content to continue waging the war.

That all changes one day, when he receives a letter.

XXXX

Commander Meteor Mash was walking back to the foxhole that his squad was currentley sitting in. The sun was out, the wildlife was calling from the forest, the wind ruffled his mane, now graying from age, it was a perfect day.

Which instantly put him on guard. The enemy on the other side of no-pony land never let the troops get a break. the only time there was a break was if they were prepping another attack. He had learned never to let his guard down.

He arrived at the hole his squad mates were sitting in, sliding down the side and landing near the pegasus of the squad, Hail Storm. Hail Storm had grown up in Cloudsdale, but had left the second he was old enough to. The man was orphan, never knew his parents. The his coat was a light purple, which used to get him insults from the other soldiers. They had promptly shut up when he showed them how good he was with a crossbow, dispatching several timberwolves in a few seconds.

Sitting next to him was the loud mouthed unicorn of the squad,  Rampart. Really lucky with the mares if you listened to him talk but all the commander cared about was his Rampart’s skills in combat. He was indeed skilled, being very good at combat magic and skilled with the cavalry saber. He had been a royal guard until he decided he could do more good on the frontlines of fighting

Sitting next to him was his polar opposite, personality wise. The gray unicorn named Falkenhayen, was a rather timid, quiet stallion. He had the same sort of accent as the famous fashion desinger Photo Finish. While he might be quiet outside of combat, during it, he was a ferocious warrior who would roar battle crys in his native language.

Nearby was a pony from the highlands of Equestria(Think Scotland) named Dufford. An earth pony of humble farming origins, he had proven himself a valuable assest, being courageous and a skilled warrior. He did not use a cavalry saber like the rest of the squad, using a heavy claymore sword instead.

That was all the ponies who were in his team, the other members were a bit more, diverse.

On the other side of the hole sat a large, grey buffalo. His name was Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. Commander Meteor Mash had met him on the edge of Buffalo Territory years ago. The Buffalo had joined the team, stating that he would do his best to help the commander. Being a much larger than the ponies, he needed modified weapons and armor. He was a rather serene and wise creature, but when he was angry, watch out.

Sitting next to him was a diamond dog. While most diamond dogs kept to themselves, this particular one, named masticator, had left his colony to seek his fortune and explore the world. Commander meteor mash had stumbled on him beating a medium sized dragon to death was his pickaxe. Upon finishing it off, the Commander asked if he would like to help him fight some timberwolves that were living nearby. He had been travelling with them ever since, using weapons such as warhammers or a mace and chain.

The last person in the trench was a changeling that the team had dubbed ghost.  He was the most recent member of the team, having joined around six years ago. He had been scouting out equestria for the changeling infiltration when he had been set upon by timberwolves. Though he managed to dispatch them all, he had been savagely mauled. The commander had patched him up, and, after gaining some more strength, Ghost had decided to join them.

“There good men” Commander Meteor Mash thought, staring into space. “Best soldiers I could ask for” he thought to himself.

“Commander, your staring into space again”

Meteor Mash shook himself from his thoughts.

“Sorry guys, just thinking” He said.

“Well, were gonna start a card game, you wanna play?” Rampart asked.

“Sure” The Commander responded.

They played the card game skat for a few happy hours, chatting amiably about the weather, recent news, and the coronation of a new princess.

“So, I had no clue that you could get upgraded to be an alicorn. Since when was that a thing?” Rampart asked.

“Ah don’t no mate, seems like things are strange away from the front. Its way simpler up here” Dufford responded.

“True” Hail storm responded “Although we don’t get any recognition for what we do” He griped.

“Ya, why don’t we get recognized for what we do” Masticator chimed in.

They continued to argue about why they did not get mentioned, ever, for a few more minutes until a loud greeting interrupted them.

“Hi guys!” A voice said

Glancing up, Commander Meteor Mash noticed the earth pony standing above them. It was Fleet Foot, a soldier from Mustangia. When he was not fighting, he was out handing out letters to the various squads.

“Whats up man, you stopping here for a break?’” Rampart asked. It was a know fact that fleet foot would take frequent breaks during his working hours.

“Actually, no, for once you guys have mail” he replied.

“From who? Nobody sends us mail” Hail Storm said.

“Well you have mail now, take a look” he said tossing it into the hole.

“Thats the seal of Princess Celestia” Falkenhayen said “I wonder why she would send us anything.”

“Well, open it!” Ghost snapped “Enough delays”

Meteor Mash picked up the letter, opened it, and proceed to read it.

“Dear Commander Meteor Mash, Something urgent has come up in Ponyville, I want you to get your squad and head there ASAP. Upon arrival, meet up with my former student and newley coronated princess Twilight Sparkle. She will explain the situation to you. Also, she will probally ask you a bunch of questions regarding your background, what the army is like, your magical abilities etc.Best regards, Princess Celestia.”

“Wait a second” Thunder Rolling in the Mountains said “If she had time to send this letter, why did she not tell us what the problem is?”

“See why I call here Trollestia?” Masticator said.

“Alright then, get your stuff together, we leave immediatly” Meteor mash ordered.

The team marched to the train station behind the front lines. The train they were boarding was not the pink, wooden ones seen driving around Equestria, no, these trains were triple decker , armor plated war trains that had ballista and even catapults mounted on them.

Settling in on the third story, they prepared for a long ride.

XXXX

They arrived at the next stop near sunset. They boarded the normal, rather girly train, destination Ponyville.

They talked to around midnight, discussing what the Elements of Harmony might be like, what they would be doing there. Eventually, they went to sleep.

Commander Meteor Mash was the last awake, staring out at the scenery as it passed by. He wondered what it would be like in a calm setting once more. He drifted off to sleep staring out as the calm night landscape rushed past outside the window.

He awoke, the sun streaming through his eyes as the train slowed to a halt.  Outside the window, Ponyville shimmered in the morning light.

"Wake up boys, were here"