Prologue: A Country Divided

All was calm in the Cotton Candy Kingdom. Its ponies silently waited as their western neighbor, Equestria, tore itself apart in wake of a civil war. Equestria's former ruling party, sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, divided their former country after the suspicious assassination of Six Legendary Ponies.

Celestia had suspected Equestria's past enemy, The CCK, for this tragedy. However, Celestria drove herself to insanity to discover the true culprit. In her time searching for the criminals, Celestia began to suspect Luna and her followers of the assassination. Before the division, Celestia began to oppress those loyal to Luna in the southern tundra of Equestria. The oppression led to a rebellion in the south.

Lunar loyalists forcefully drove Celestia's soldiers out of their homeland. This was sought as an act of treachery. Celestia demanded Luna's head on a pike. Luna was able to evade capture and death. She escaped to her southern loyalists and under her authority; they formed The New Lunar Republic.

In response, Celestia claimed to be an immortal god empress and formed The Solar Empire in northern Equestria. She declared the NLR to be Heretics to her glorious name. All those who opposed the Empire were to be put to death.

King Chemi awaited news of his bickering neighbor. Hostilities were high in Equestria and information was rare in this time of uncertainty. The tall, slender dark blue Amnicorn trotted his mechanical hooves across the halls of his hallowed castle deep in the Royal city of Gallington. The King's elongate, light blond mane flowed across his horn and through his glorious, golden crown encrusted with the finest rubies. The magnificent crown reflected the dim lighting of the ancient structure. His flank bore the cutie mark of a beaker filled with cyanide and peaked with a crown that mimics his own.

King Chemi's hooves clanked against the metal floor of the highly advanced war room deep inside his lonesome castle. The war room illuminated with many high tech computers along the wall, a holographic generator lay in the middle, and an enormous monitor flickered with life.

An image of a young unicorn appeared on the monitor's screen. The young unicorn stood ready at attention. Her white coat reflected the lighting in the room on her side of the monitor. Her professionally trimmed rich blue mane sat silently. The King's murky brown eyes stared at the mare in the monitor. Instantly, Chemi recognized her as one of the many spies he had sent to secretly collect Equestrian information. Her royal blue robes embroidered with gold trim suggested she was deep in Canterlot.

“My liege,” the spy announced respectfully, “Equestria lays divided. Luna has been sought as a traitor by Celestia. She has retreated to their southern tundra. They have formed the New Lunar Republic under her rule. Celestia, in response, has claimed herself an empress and formed The Solar Empire. War is predicted between the two.”

King Chemi carefully thought over the stupendous news. His first reaction was to immediately amass the Earth Pony Corps' armored and infantry regiments to strike the heart of The Solar Empire. However, this would have been impulsive in the eyes of military elite. A board of military advisers must be assembled, King Chemi quickly foresaw. An invasion strategy was to be delicately constructed to insure victory over the squabbling Equestrians.

“I thank you for the grand news my loyal advocate. Now you must infiltrate the ranks of the Imperial army. Reports this directly to your superior officer and by his discretion continue your surveillance. I commend thee for great service to the Kingdom!” King Chemi lowered his horn graciously to acknowledge the spy's service.

“Thank you, my king”

The monitor faded, leaving Chemi alone to his thoughts. The King's metallic hooves reached for the horrific scars left where his natural wings once were. The bloodcurdling memories of his father surfaced. His father's torturous claws melted in Chemi's skin. The thought made him grit his teeth. The memory faded and reality set back in.

“I must contact General Razor Wing at haste,” Chemi hissed to himself.” As Chemi’s lips sealed from his statement, another image appeared on the monitor. An Amnicorn was seen standing at full attention, suggesting he was ready for something. A worn, golden coat and cybernetic enhancements decorated his damaged body. Two of his limbs were replaced with mechanical legs. His left eye was transformed into a pulsating red sight. The shadow, grey mane reflected his age and experience. The pony bore great wings with Razor ends.

“King Chemi sir,” General Razor Wing saluted his glorious King.

“My esteemed general, welcome. I say, you must be psychic. You always know when I need you the dearest.” As King Chemi chuckled slowly, Razor stood silent, displaying his disciplined nature.

“Sire, are you aware of the recent developments in Equestria?”

“Of course my general, I was just informed moments ago by one of my greatest spies.”

“Shall I help you assemble a board of war advisers?”

“Astounding! Indeed I say again; your psychic abilities impress me. Yes… I need you to assemble our generals for the war board. I have a friend who may be able to assist us.”

“Yes my King. What else do you command of me?”

“Inform the chapters of The Royal Air Cavalry. I have decisive quest for the Blood Stallions. They shall lead the grand invasion force my great general. Will you be at the head?”

“Well, of course my grand King! My soldiers thirst for Equestrian blood,” Razor exclaimed in anticipation.

General Razor Wing lowered his horn to salute the King. The screen faded to black and Chemi was left once again. He grinned dreadfully in the eve of war. Those impudent fools, Chemi deemed. They should prepare for the chaos that awaits them. Only industrious power, scientific development, and advanced technology determined a pony’s worth. Equestrian dependence of magic weakened their country.

The King’s heart bumped vigorously to the beat of the drums of war.

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