"Is it too late to turn back now?" Carmel didn't like the look of the situation. Supposedly they were up against a group of gryphons who didn't even fear death. All thoses posters said that these guys were like demons, and it was our sworen duty to protect our homes from them. It was very inspiring but he was still worried.

"Keep it together Carmel." Ace said. "Just remember training, keep a cool head, and don't be a hero."

"How do you know what to do in war? You've never been in one before."

"Well, I've read about it enough to have some understanding." He did manage to find some books in the library just before he went of to train. He didn't know if it was legal to take them, but signing up for the army did absolve you of any crimes before the war. And that hefty pay of 2,000 bits was nice too.

A pony then walked up to their camp fire. "Ya'll know what division dis is?" The large, brown pony with black hair asked.

Ace looked at the stallion, "Yeah, this is the Third Pikeman Infantry Division. Why, you just join up?"

"Well, I am sort of late. But I do have to trainin'. I was actually lookin' for this division. Lucky find I guess."

"Welcome to the force. You got a name?"

"Yeah, it's Promontory. What's ya'll."

Carmel spoke up, "I'm Carmel, the one with the chops is Ace, gramps over there is Shamrock, and the red one is my cousin Big Macinthosh."

"This it?" Promontory asked.

"Heck no! We're just the ones that are somewhat social. Well, except for Shamrock. He knid of just stuck around."

"Oh, alright." Promontory hesitated a little. "So, gonna tell me why ya'll joined up?"

"Just doin' my part for Equestria." Carmel said. "It would be nice to have a nice shiny plaque with my name on it, too."

"I couldn't resist the pay." Ace said, "With that much for pay I could by my own plot of land by the Bridle Shores and have my own private Tennis court. Also, those 'recruitment shows' were rather 'convicing' if ya know what I mean." He gave a nudge at Promontory.

"Well, I'm in for the money, too." Big Mac said, "But I'm usin' it to help fix up the farm back home."

"Boy's sick." Shamrock croaked. "Needed money for the meds."

"Oh, sorry for asking." The mood lessened to silence again.

Carmel got bored and asked "Aren't you too old to join up, Shamrock?"

"Anybody asks, I'm twenty-one, ya'hear." Shamrock glared at Carmel.

"Gee, sorry I asked."

"Ya should be." Nopony talked for the rest of this night.

==================

One month. Hardly enough time to train anypony. Celestia surveyed the field. Wide opening. That should be good. If she plays her cards right she should have them surounded. Wait! What if they decide to fight for air superiority? We have about 1,000 pegasi and they have about... if only she could remember the gryphon census. Worry was causing her to lose focus. If she keeps a clear head she can do this.

She heard them before she saw them. That didn't sound like gryphons. She saw Silver Claw. No fancy carridge. Only him, him and his troops. He never was one for show-boating. The army stopped but he continued to the center of the field. She decided to meet him there.

"I know I said this before, but I don't want to murder innocent ponies Please turn your army back now. Please."

"Then stop this maddness!" Celestia decided to try the bluff card. "I don't care for murdering countless gryphons either."

"So your answer is no? Then so be it. May your warriors die a glorious death." He turned back. Celestia waited there for a few more moments before heading back to her army.

"Ponies! Prepare for battle!" She hardly had any time for a speech. Just over the hill to their right a stampede of buffalo came running down. "What is this!" She looked at her intelligence officer. "Where did they come from!?"

"I-I don't know!"

"What do you mean you don't know! It's was your sole job to know what we were facing." Then she heard something in her head.

"Hellow, Celestia. Long time no see."

"Discord!"

"How wonderful! You remember an old friend."

"Your in on this too?"

"How could I ever pass up a chance to see you get angry. I know, the concealment spell works like a charm."

"You shall pay for this Discord!"

"Getting angry, are we? Oh, you always get angry over the simplest things. You really got to calm down." She didn't have time for this. They were clearly outnumbered, surounded. She was lucky to get any of her soldiers out alive...

======================

Two Days Before The Battle:

Silver Claw was sitting in his tent. It was no different form the others, other than the fact that his was the highest on the hill. He nearly dosed off the sleep when he was awoken by the sound of a teleportaion spell. "Come to convince me Celestia? I can save you a long speech and tell you that we won't stop."

"Oh! I'm sorry, were you expecting her?" Silver Claw jumped out of his chair and pulled out his sword.

"Discord! What do you want!?" This was not what he needed before a battle. His soldiers needed him to lead the charge.

"What I want is to make a simple deal. Can I not have that much."

"Speak crossbreed!"

"Well, if you insist we skip the pleasantries." Discord cleared his throught. "You know that you are clearly outnumbered. If you do follow through on this attack you will be met with a full force of nearly the entire planet."

"What are you getting at?"

"It's simple. I give you my allience and the power of the corruption. You only give me your life."

"Ha! You think you can fool me!? You shall kill me and then lead my troops to victory? I know you shall lead them back to slavery and death! I know that is your plan! I say nay!" Silver Claw pointed his sword at Discord's throught.

"Who said that you had to die before hand? All I ask is that you allow your death at the end of your conquest."

"It is impossible! Immortals cannot die! That is why we were chosen to lead!"

"So, you actually believe that you were born with this gift? No a certain power gave you this and I know how to reverse it. Also, if you were to really think about it you would know that The Elder is immortal, correct?"

"Yes..."

"And if immortals cannot die, how do you expect to kill The Elder?"

"Well... I..."

"Exactly. I would kill him myself, but I would rather have a standing army by my side for insurance."

"How can I trust you? How do I know you won't kill me and then take my army?"

"I'm not sure if you've read, but I am a hated creature. Nobody would join me, not unless thier immortal leader trusted me 'Because he's our imortal ruler! He knows what's best for us!'. So I need you alive, I couldn't have it any other way."

"Fine, you have my alligence."

"That's good. Now, how do you expect to beat the pony army?"

"Well, I belive a frontal charge would demoralise them, cause them to force a retreat."

"My, my. You haven't been in war for a while, haven't you? It's a good destraction but what we need is something more." Discord snapped his fingers and a talbe with a map appeared out of thin air.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well, it just so happens that I have the buffalo in my alligence..."

"How did you do such a feat. They are sworn loyal to The Council!"

"I have my ways. Now do you wish to hear the rest of my plan?"

"Yes, of course. Excuse my interuption." This was good. Silver Claw was rather useless in planning. One of his many flaws as king. But what made up for that was his willingness to make his people great. No matter what the cost, even if it be his own life. Next Chapter: War Crimes Estimated time remaining: 28 Minutes