Chapter 3: The Eve of Invasion

To the western deserts of The Cotton Candy Kingdom, a range of magnificent red mountains lay near the border of Equestria. Deep within the blood red mountains, a secret air base was created by the notorious chapter of The Royal Air Cavalry, The Blood Stallions. In the ashes of an unsuccessful invasion, similar bases were created along the border to inspect for an Equestrian retaliation. The years following their establishment, no sign of an invasion was ever found. The bases sat patiently, remaining as an ever vigilant eye on Equestria.

The Blood Stallions were no different to the other secret facilities. General Wind Storm, supreme commander of The Royal Air Cavalry, strategically place The Blood Stallions base to recon the growing Equestrian city of Appleloosa. Appleloosa was a rose in the desert, becoming a large hub for travel and trade following the years of CCK defeat. Ultima, the newest chapter master of The Blood Stallions, had been dying to claim the city as his own. He viewed it as an insulting example of prosperity. It adorned wooden structures and towers of cinder and iron. It did not gleam like the royal cities Ultima was inspired by to serve The CCK. It was a dull underworld when compared to even the smallest CCK city. His raged boiled even to think of the ponies who claimed it to be a metropolis.

In recent days, Appleloosa was becoming a curious location for soldiers bearing emblems of different countries. Moons and suns decorated the armor worn by those who occupied the city. Outbreaks of violence and destruction plague the pathetic town. It was as though a spike had been driven into the heart of the town, splitting it into northern and southern districts. It was obvious The Blood Stallions were going to be called soon for a mission by the recent developments. A special report from General Razor Wing had confirmed what Ultima had already presumed: Equestria was divided by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and The Blood Stallions were going to be chosen for a special mission.

This day brought a chill over the mountain top. The blood red coat of Ultima shivered in the eerie atmosphere. His jagged, sandy blonde mane was blown by harsh winds that gushed over the air base. It was as though an army flew above his head, invading Equestria as this very moment. The grizzled pony had been patiently waiting to wring the claws he bore on his hooves around the neck of Equestrian. Five humiliating years gave Ultima time to perfect the art of killing. He trained his ponies to be vicious, cruel, and to show no mercy, even in the eye of defeat. The superior numbers they had faced in the first invasion; gave Ultima insight to use fear to exploit weakness in Equestrian ranks. It was unknown whether this was a viable tactic, but it pleased Ultima he understood how to use it.

Ultima began to pace to a platform that overlooked Appleloosa. He gazed into the city with his blank, blue eyes from a telescope. From his observation, it had seemed as though the city was consuming itself in a riot. Soldiers from The New Lunar Republic and The Solar Empire watched over the bickering citizens, but keeping their distance from each other. In the middle of the town square, an alicorn had built a ragged stage to preach peace. The alicorn was throwing flyers into the distraught crowds of citizens. It was evident this pony bore no banner to either side of the Equestrian dilemma. This intrigued Ultima, but still infuriated him. Her concept of peace was in confliction with Ultima’s standard. You must make your enemy submit to your will, not dangle your intentions in his face like bait, Ultima calmly thought. Ultima admitted his interested in the alicorn was peaked. Never before he had seen one tied to royal guards or emblems. However, Ultima’s burning rage overcame him and he wished to capture and brutally gut her.

In the middle of his mental strategy to kill the unknown pony, the beeping alert of his communicator ringed through his ear.

“Sir,” the professional tone of the communications officer sounded, “General Wind Storm has entered the base and is requesting your presence in your chambers as soon as possible.”

“Tell the general I shall make my way at once,” Ultima’s soothing voiced declared. Ultima took his leave from the watch post. The sight of the strange alicorn soon died to be replaced by the anticipation of war. General Wind Storm’s presence was an obvious sign that The Blood Stallions were finally going to be given their special task. Ultima grinned from the joyous news and he pressed on the meet the general.

Upon his arrival to his chambers, the amnicorn greeted Ultima by raising his wing in the trademark salute of The Royal Air Cavalry. Ultima did the same respectfully and sat next to General Wind Storm. In the moment of the silence the two shared, Ultima looked over the general’s lightless, brown coat. His age was not reflected well. The legendary general seemed to be only a few years older than Ultima, but his obvious stature suggested otherwise. The general glared at Ultima, noticing he was staring. Ultima’s head cowered and Wind Storm rose.

“Ultima, I bring you remarkable news. Your chapter has been hoof chosen by the king for a decisive task. General Razor Wing gave me all the details in full,” Wind Storm spoke in a triumphant tone, alerting Ultima of the dire need of his service.

“Yes, what is my lord’s biding?”

“King Chemi has chosen you to be the first force to strike Equestria tomorrow. Your chapter will fly straight into that pathetic Appleloosa and you will crumple it into a patch of dust. However, the king is dedicated to finding rarities within the town. Anypony or any object that is unique shall be captured, not eliminated. Is that clear?” Wind Storm’s voiced boomed on the last sentence. It was a reminder to Ultima not to deviate from the mission.

“Of course sir; any oddities shall be taken care of; if any are found in that pit they call a city.”

“I am glad we are at an understanding. I apologize for raising my voice. Your preference of total destruction suites me, but the king insisted on this. Your reputation as one of the most blood thirsty professionals impress me, but strike fear as well. You will either obtain victory beyond all expectations, or go down fighting to the last pony. I respect you Ultima, and wish you a great battle tomorrow.”

“Thank you, General Wind Storm. I only employ the best when it comes down to the art of killing. I shall not fail you.”

“Of course you will not Ultima, but it is this secondary objective that gives me doubts of this invasion. I see no point in preserving Equestrian anomalies, but there may be somepony or something of use to us in their rat holes. I would love to continue this discussion, but I have been called to Gallington after I deliver your mission. Good hunting stallion.”

General Wind Storm abruptly took his leave, and was headed for Gallington. Ultima was seen alone in his chamber. He began to contemplate the alicorn again. It seems as though royal intervention was going to sustain her life, granted she survived the attack.

“The eve of invasion,” Ultima’s whispered trailed off. “I must give a glorious speech to my fellow Blood Stallions at once!”

Ultima approached the communication tower. The jamming signals in placed ensured unwanted ears that the mountains were dead. Ultima approached a microphone readied for his dramatic speech.

“My fellow Blood Stallions!” Ultima’s thunderous voiced echoed through the secret base, “It seems as though tonight is the eve of invasion! I have just gotten word from our General Wind Storm that we have been hoof chosen to drive our forces into the heart of Appleloosa. We have been honorably selected to be the first force to invade Equestria. Our King Chemi understands the elite potential of The Blood Stallions. However, we have been given the foolish secondary objective to preserve any anomalies we may encounter. This includes any object or anypony we may come across. I do not know of any specifics besides the presence of a third alicorn in the city. She is too be captured and taken directly back to this facility. My brothers, it is time to rise once again! We shall show our might over the pitiful Equestria!” His booming echoed once again. A sheer thunderous roar rose from the blood thirsty soldiers. The Stallions clamored in their highly advanced suits of armor and armed themselves with weaponry ranging from razor sharp claws to assault rifles.

Ultima looked over his troops preparing for war. He saw the dedication and blood lust within their eyes. It was their time, he thought, to finally taste Equestrian blood. It was his time to reclaim the honor he had lost from the devastating defeat at Canterlot.

Next Chapter: Chapter 4: Violet Peace Estimated time remaining: 12 Minutes