(Imperium of the Moon)

A mare stepped up to a podium looking over at the tens of thousands of Imperium citizens and soldiers alike. She smiled at them as they cheered before she held up her hoof silencing the crowd as she took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"I'm sorry but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible; Ponies, Griffons, Changelings, and Donkeys. We all want to help one beings are like that. We want to live by each others' happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned ponies souls; has barricaded the world with hate; has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge as made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need happiness. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in poines; cries out for universal brotherhood; for the unity of us all.

Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women, and little children, victims of a system that makes beings torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say "Do not despair." The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of beings progress. The hate of ponies will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as ponies

Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes, ponies who despise you and enslave you; who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder! Don't give yourselves to these unnatural ponies-machine ponies with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are ponies! You have a love of freedom in your hearts! You don't hate! Only the unloved hate; the unloved and the unnatural.

Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St. Luke, it's written "the kingdom of God is within thee", not one being nor a group of beings, but in all beings! In you! You, the people, have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of freedom, let us use that power.

Let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill their promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world! To do away with national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all beings freedom.

Soldiers, in the name of the Imperium, let us all unite!"

The mare stepped back and sighed as she looked back to the people to see the cheering masses before stepping back up to the podium.

"Now I ask you! Will you help me and our leader fight for a free world?! Will you fight for our nations freedom and to bring our empress back home and our allies? WILL YOU STAND BY OUR LEADERS TO BRING FREEDOM TO THE WORLD?! LET US UNITE AND STAND AS ONE, LETS US UNITE IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, LET US UNITE TO END THE HORRORS OF EQUESTRIA SO OUR ALLIES ARE SPARED FROM THEM AND CAN SLEEP IN PEACE KNOWING THEIR BORDERS ARE SECURE! WILL YOU HELP ME!?" She yelled as a roar came from the people as she held up a hoof.

"What say you people of the Imperium? Will we unite to bring harmoney back to an unatural land wrecked with death and greed, ruled by machine mares with machine hearts that lead with fear and slavery, who's soldiers fight for that same idea! What say you people of the Imperium will you unite for freedom and our way of life and show Equstria what it is to love again and not let them fall into the darkness the we worked so hard to crawl out of. WHAT SAY YOU MY FAMILY? WILL YOU RISE AND END THIS MADNESS WITH ME?" She yelled hearing them roar with approval and could hear it echo over the waters and through the hills and mountains letting all know that the Imperium will no longer sleep in the shadows letting all know that the might of the Imperium has come to bear and all will know their name.

"Thank you. I will make sure that the Imperium is led into a new age of peace and freedom, free of hate and greed - of war and death." She said stepping back from podium as the people continued to cheer as a white mare stepped up to her and hugged her.

"You are a great leader Stardancer. Your father would be proud." Vinyl stated as Avitus pulled her into a hug as well.

"You did a great job sis." He said as he stepped back making her smile.

"Thanks guys I wish dad was here to see me." She said looking down till Vinyl pulled her head back up smiling at her.

"Your father heard you dear. I know he did." She said holding a ear piece making Stardancer go wide eyed and took it with shaking hoove and put it to her ear.

"Daddy?"

[You were beautiful baby girl, I'm so very proud of you.] He said as she choked on a sob, he sounded so tired.

"Where are you daddy?" She asked as he coughed and goaned.

[I'm in Ponyville, in your aunts old library. But don't worry I'll be home soon ok?] He said his voice getting softer.

"Daddy are you ok?" She asked starting to panic.

[Yeah daddies fine baby girl, I'm just very tired.] He stated making Star sigh.

"When are you coming home daddy?" She asked sniffing a little.

[Very soon sweetie very soon. Put your mother back on ok?] He said getting a nod from her and handed the ear piece.

(3 days earlier)

Darkstar landed his boat on the island shore late at night the deranged and insane laugher filled the are but also the sounds of a battle, Darkstar silently followed the sound of battle to see a sight that well was strange to be on the other side.

He saw a stallion in silver and gold armored robes , he couldn't make out how old but he was smaller than most but most peagasi didn't move that fast or were as agile! What really caught his attention were two things.

1. The strange silver and black blade that cut through literally everything in its path and 2. The stallion was alone and fighting over 100 cult members and was barely holding his own and was loosening ground. FAST , he needed help NOW.

So Darkstar used his war hammer on the closest cult necromancer leaping up and brining it down in a brutal slamming motion crushing the insane pony with a satisfying squish and crunch.

A few undead finally dropped but maybe half of them turned and charged Darkstar laughing insanely the whole time for hours the two stallions fought on tacking a few hits here and there but nothing to serious.

Darkstar was impressed with the stallion

'I should try and recruit him to the imperium he will be a very powerful ally but i should be wary i don't know where he stands in this war' Finally the last cult Jester of Baltimare died and the battle was over.

"Im getting too old for this crap". Dark panted out loud the other stallion remained silent.

" Thank you i would most likely be a walking corpse right now if it wasn't for you" Darkstar was surprised by the sound of his voice it was young not older and experienced as he expected.

" You can pay me back by telling me who you are and what house you belong to" Darkstar asked warily. The stallion said

"My name is DarkSteel and i am with house moon and star" He said so with the kind of pride one would have in their own home. Darkstar was immediately on guard

" Moon and star!? Your with those slaving fools!?" DarkSteel immediately had to fight down the insult to his mother.

" Ill let that slide if you tell me your name" He said politely keeping his anger in check.

" I am Darkstar lord of the Imperium, I've never seen a weapon like that before"Dark stated

DarkSteel was not surprised by the question but was shocked to learn 3 things, 1. His uncle was now standing in front of him 2. His life was saved by his greatest enemy and 3. The stallion whose armies were attacking his home and trying to kill his mother were standing before him.

"My weapon is unimportant what you want is for me to tell you where you could either get or make one for your self i won't tell you that but i will tell you that i am the son of a high ranking member of moon and star and while they do use slaves and it is disgusting but sadly the only way at this time that will change soon believe me very soon . We can exchange more pleasantry's when we've purified this dark place agreed?"

Dark smirked nodding knowing that it would indeed change very soon, but he was right the faster they cleared the place of filth the faster he cold save Pinkie and go home.

He let Steele lead the way not trusting the young colt not to stab him in the back and leave him for a snack for the laughing dead.

(Northern Moon and Star)

Over the last few weeks the alliance struggle with Everfree had been won with heavy causalties on both sides and estimated 32% of the Changeling and Imperium to their total army in that sector, and now they were marching to Moon and Star boxing them in from the west while Changelings invaded from the south with Whitegold.

With Griffon and Stormwing coming from the north and the bulk of the Imperiums finiest coming from the east Moon and Star were boxed in and cut off from supplies.

With slave uprisings happening in the house and being pushed from all sides Moon and Star were getting desperate sending whatever slaves they could against the onslaught of musket fire while the Imperials knights cut down all that were in the way.

(Outside Fortress Moon)

"MAKE READY!"

MAKE READY

"FIRE!" The crack of musket fire tore through the lines of slaves while the Imperiums artillery hammered the fort and they could see Changelings landing in the fort along with Whitegold blimps firing from above into the enemy lines below.

"Fix bayonets! CHAAARRRRRGE!" General Redcoat yelled as the Imperials war cry was heard across the field.

"FOR THE IMPERIUM!"

"WE LIVE AND DIE FOR THE EMPRESS!"

The surge of black and blue armored ponies along with the Imperial Knights as they charged the retreating lines.

(Moon and Star, Canterlot)

Twilight sat in her throne room as Shining came up to her and sighed while Twilight looked back at him with tears coming down her eyes.

"Where is Steele Shining? Where is my son?" She asked as he looked down.

"He was last seen heading for the cults island east of Stalliongrad." He said as he looked over at her as she was deep in thought.

'What are you up to Steele?" She asked as a explostion rocked the foundation making her sigh and looked over the war map and sighed again looking at the lines of her troops falling back on the magical war table while her enemies converged on the capital.

"Shining take your troops and defend the east sector of the kingdom and order all troops to retreat back to the capital and hold the line, we make our final stand here and we will wait on our brothers to arrive." She said as a shadow smiled and left the room to report to its new comrades.

Out on the battlefield Eclipse made his way out to the captured Star Harbor where he was meeting with Imperial command.

(Seabreeze Island demon lair)

The sound of blades clashing and screams of the dying could be heard around the cursed halls of the Laughing Mares hideout was as demons and the mad flung themselves at two stallions who build a wall of bodies around them.

"We cannot hope to keep this up Darkstar!" Steele stated as he sliced a laughing dead in from chest to tail.

"I know this Steele! Keep moving deeper into the bowls of this cursed place. COME FEEL THE BITE OF MY BLADE!" Darkstar yelled as he shoulder checked a zealot crushing her face as they made their way down a stair case and ran for the doors at the bottom of the stairs.

The two made it through the door closing and sliding the heavy door bolt as the two stumbled back as the doors shook from the force of colliding bodies.

"Come Lord Dark that door won't hold for long." Steele said as the older stallion grunted spotting another door leading deeper into the stronghold.

"There move forward." Dark said taking charge as the two quickly made their way though the door and found what they were both looking for.

There in her coffin stood Pinkie Pie along with the demon that stole her for her final resting place. As she smiled in front of the coffin.

"So you finally made it Darkstar, and it looks like you brought a friend with you how nice." The demon stated smiling showing it's sharp teeth while Dark and Steele growled.

"Your day in these lands are over demon!" Darkstar stated as she laughed.

"Oh and how are you going to defeat me?" She asked as the body of the demon was cut in half by a fine black blade as Dark rushed and grabbed Pinkies body out of the coffin.

"I can not let you leave with that body Darkstar, Pinkies body is the key to destroying the Laughing mares hold on this world." Steele stated blocking the door as Darkstar rolled his eyes.

"Boy you know nothing of what anchors the demon here, it's not my wifes body." He said looking back at his beautiful wife before sighing.

"Lies! I know that the mare is connected to Pinkie, it's the reason why she always looks like her when she's spotted." Steele said growling at this stubborn old stallion who narrowed his eyes at him.

"Pinkie is going home with me for a proper rest at her home where her family is." D*arkstar growled.

"I can't let you do that Lord Darkstar." The young stallion said.

"What are you going to do to stop me?" He asked smiling at the stallion growled.

"I will fight you if I must." He said as the doors behind him were slammed into as they started to laughing from the corpse of the laughing mare doll.

"You will give me back Pinkie now Darkstar." She growled as he looked at both of the two.

"Um, no?" Flash.

"Son of a-" Flash.

"RAAAAAAHHHHHHH! BRING ME BACK PINKIE PIE KILL THE OTHER TWO!" She screamed to all her servants on the island when explotions rocked the the strong hold.

Outside Steele was thown to the ground as the island shook from cannonball fire from the frigates off the coast and Darkstar was no where to be seen.

(On the LMS Apocolypse)

"Welcome aboard my lord." The captain greeted Darkstar as he watched the other ships hammer the island.

"Make sail for the Imperium and bring Pinkie home. Stop at Star Harbor my troops need me." Dark said getting a salute from the captain when the island exploded and out came the upper body of the Laughing mare.

"GIVE ME BACK PINKIE!" She screamed as they all stared in horror of the massive demon but Dark who looked confused.

'What's going on?' He thought as he closed his normal eye and nothing was there but when he closed his demon eye she was looming over the battle group.

"CAPTAIN! IT'S A ILLUSION! ALL SHIPS OPEN FIRE ON THE ISLAND!" He yelled as the order went to all ships their broadside cannons flashing as the demon disappeared.

"Take me to the shore captain." He said looking at the pale stallion.

"AYE SIR!"

(2 hours later)

"PUSH FORWARD STALLIONS AND-" THOOOM!

General Redcoat looked on in awe as a black cresent cut through the ranks of Moona and Star troops taking out the entire right flank.

"LORD DARKSTAR IS HERE!" A soldiers called out as the stallion ran down the hill and past their line.

"FOR THE IMPERIUM CHARGE!" The war cry came as they followed their leader into battle.

The sound of swords clashing and the screams of the dying filled the air along with the taste of blood hung heavy with the mixture of gunpowder.

"This ends today stallions! For the Empress and the Imperium purge these heritics!" Darkstar screamed as Lunar troopers battle Lunar knights.

"Smite the enemy and bring down these traitors!" General Redcoat cried as he lopped the head of a legionair off while turning and drivin his sword through a knights neck.

"RETREAT!" Called the Moon commander.

"LEAVE NONE ALIVE STALLIONS, DEATH TO THE ENEMY!" A Imperial commander yelled as they charged after the retreating forces.

"WITH ME MY BROTHERS PURGE THESE HERETICS!" Darkstar screamed over the battle as musket fire ripped into the backs of the enemy forces as pegasus troops dived into the lines cutting them down before they surrendered.

"Kill them, and burn this taint from the fields." A major ordered as Darkstar held up his hoof.

"I believe that the ruler of this land is waiting for a letter." He stated looking at the lone knight.

"You will tell my sister that I'm coming and not even her best will stop me." Dark said as the mare nodded and took off to her own lines.

"Sgt. Windsurfer, follow her and report back where here lines are. This war will be over in the next month. Now follow me brothers send word that I am on the field." Dark said watching the tired troops smile as a fire was sparked in their eyes.

"Now go rest, we have a war to win." He stated as they cheered as a flight of assualt marines landed.

"Lord Darkstar are you here to aid us?" The mare asked as she pulled her helmet off making him smile.

"Ah sister Helena it's good to see you alive in these dark times." He stated as she smiled.

"As well as you brother Dark, Now are you going to represent the Imperium and the Empress dressed in those rags?" She asked as he smiled.

"It matters not what I wear sister as long as I help lead the Imperium and her allies to victory." He stated getting a nod from her.

"True words brother, but I say some proper armor is waiting for you in the command tent. Suit up brother we have much work to do if we are to win this war." She said as he smiled.

"Don't I know? But by the Imperium it will be done." He stated as she smiled and bowed.

"To the front then brother, we will be waiting for your call." She stated taking to the skys as he smiled.

"Soldiers this day is ours but be warry the enemy may come again." He said as replacement troops marched forward.

Darkstar walked back with the winded troops as medics and others came back and forth with wounded troops.

"Lord Darkstar? It's good to see you well." He said looking at the covered eye.

"I'm as well as I will ever be General Daleus." He stated as some troops set a trunk down with the Imperial symbol on it.

"Now I need to prepare for the coming battles." He stated hefting the trunk on his back and headed to the commanders tent.