Appaloosa was a peaceful town. Ponies had continued on their peaceful ways even as the war raged on. When ordered to evacuate the town, they replied with. "We helped make this town with our hearts, sweat, and tears. If the humans want it then they are going to have to come through us!" The whole town agreed with this declaration. Still wanting to protect their subjects the Princesse's ordered for five hundred guards to be stationed there. It wasn't enough to thwart off an invasion but perhaps enough time to give the town it's residents time to escape. They all didn't know the horror that was coming towards them three miles away.

The Conquistor walked through the ranks as the two thousand soldiers stood at the ready with their weapons held at the ready. Once he was satisfied he turned towards.

Bits of laughter spread through the ranks as he continued with a smirk.

“I have direct orders from our emperor to make this trash heap suffer. So we WILL make them suffer. Their homes will burn. Their supplies will burn. Their precious apple trees will burn. After everything has been burned…. then and ONLY then…will they burn!”

The army released a loud cheer while some even beat on their armored chests with their weapons or hands. They quickly became silent as the Conquistor raised his hand silencing them before continuing.

.

“Once this is done we continue our march east to meet up with the legion division. We will then march towards the east and demolish that city next! Now is the time to annihilate these ponies. Normally we would capture these pathetic beings but not today! Today we kill everything that moves. Any questions?”

Silence hung in the air. The Conquistor smiled underneath his helmet.

Throwing his arm forward, he yelled. "Don't bother with strategy! Run them all through!"

His army let out loud cheers as they rushed towards the direction of the town. The Conquistor watched his army for a minute before turning towards a figure who stood off to the side.

"It's beautifull isn't it, Caelus

The figure named Caelus wore a black kimono that went down to his ankles. He had his right armor out of its sleeve revealing the right side of his chest and that he wore a black shirt underneath his kimono. On his feet, he wore a light armored black boots. He was also wearing a scarf around his mouth that also covered his neck. His hair was long and black went down to his neck and his hair also covered his right eye. His only seen eye was a light brown.

Caelus didn't speak but instead walked past the Conquistor who simply growled at him. "Are you actually going to kill someone with that pathetic blade?"

The blade Caelus had strapped to his left side was katana. The sheath itself was white as snow with the handle of the sword being just as white. The blade was seventy-seven point three centimeters.  

"Answer me maggot!" The Conquistor reappeared in front of Caelus who stopped and stared at him. "Are you actually going to kill something? In the last five attacks, we led you had not killed even one pony when ordered to."

Caelus simply brushed past him only for the Conquistor to get in front of him again. “You are actually going to kill something right? The emperor will not allow you the pleasure of being a coward again and for that matter neither will I”.

He continued to not speak, which began to infuriate him. He pushed him back with one hand while he glared at him.

“Are you actually going to be useful for once? Answer me! Every second you spare a pony it is a disgrace to our empire. Do not think for one second that I will sit back and allow you to fester like the little disease you are. If you do not pull your weight I will remove you myself.”

While the Conquistor was more experienced in using his magic, Caelus was still capable of killing him. This was not the first time he belittled him and it would not be that last. Every now and then the Conquistor pushed his buttons too far.  Still meeting the Conquistor glare he took a step closer to him.

"There is no honor in attacking those who can't even defend themselves properly." Caelus spoke in a soft voice.

The Conquistor scoffed. "Honor. What has honor got you? Nothing. The only thing that matters in this world is power and money! As for these things.....they should feel lucky to be in the presence of the Athearans! If they get to live to be our slaves than they should be 'honored'."

Caelus didn't say anything as he stared at the Conquistor before brushing past him leaving him growling behind him. "Kill the ponies!"

He didn't acknowledge the yell behind him as he continued walking towards where the town was located. Walking he could see the small number of canterlot soldiers being swarmed. They put up a valiant effort and tried to buy time for the town. However, the Athearans simply outnumbered them. He could see the towns ponies coming and fighting alongside the guards. Some of the ponies were able to take down multiple Athearans on their own. Many of them were earth ponies and had natural brute strength that far surpassed anything a human could have without magic. Caelus continued his walk ignoring the fighting and was standing in the town where he saw the towns ponies were running with their families. Mothers grabbing their colts or fillies while he also saw a few guards and stallions rushing towards him. Glancing around he counted about five of them. Two being guards while the others were simply towns ponies.

Caelus stared at them as they rushed towards him. Once they were close to him, he grabbed his sword handle and pulled it from its sheath while swinging it horizontally before stopping than holding it outwards with the blade reflecting the sunlight off it. He stood there before finally bringing his blade back to his side. The ponies suddenly gasped in pain and held their hands that were bruised causing them to drop whatever they had in their hands to the ground.

"You all should flee." Caelus spoke softly while the ponies glared at him. Looking at them Caelus saw they were earth ponies mostly which meant they could easily overpower him if they got hold of him. "There is still time to where you can evacuate most of the town while the other guards hold us off."

"Or we can kill you!" One of the ponies shouted with complete hatred while glaring at Caelus who would be dead if looks could kill.

"Don't be fools. You are all outnumbered."

They ignored him and instead picked their weapons up with their other hands rushing him. He stood there waiting for them to get closer to him and once they were he swung his sword once more causing more pain to them and causing them to drop their weapons. "I told you. Run."

The ponies replies were to glare at him while he simply sheathed his blade and walked past them. "Why are you not killing us?"

Caelus stopped at the question being asked of him. "There is no honor in killing those who don't deserve it." With that said he walked off leaving the ponies to glare at him though they did have curious looks in their eyes.

Caelus continued walking through the once peaceful town that was now in ruin with smoke rising from the buildings with others looking ready to fall apart. It was during this he heard a commotion going on and saw Athearans rushing towards two ponies who din't look like they were part of the guard. One had red fur with the other having a light tan type of fur. Caelus watched as they sent three to four Athearans at a time with a kick. The wonders of an earth pony strength. Walking forwards Caelus glanced over at the Athearans standing away. "“Leave this one to me. Continue on with the mission.”

The Athearans did as they were told leaving Caelus and the two ponies alone with both sides staring at each other.

“Ya think you can take Braeburn on by yerself?! Do ya know who I am?  I am a stallion of the Apple family. Earth ponies don’t come any stronger than this!”

The other stallion didn't say anything but simply glared at Caelus who stared at the two. “You both are much stronger than I am. Strength isn't everything though." Caelus spoke calmly while grasping his sword with his right hand while the other hand grabbed its sheath. "Come earth ponies. Show me the strength you both posse."

The two stallions narrowed their eyes at him then both proceeded to rush towards him at a faster speed than the ponies from earlier. Caelus moved his head to the side as he avoided a fist that caused a breeze to go through his face. He immediately had to move to the side to avoid a kick that was meant for his side. Caelus kept dodging their fists or kicks with each coming closer to hitting him. He was put on the run though he was also waiting for a moment that would leave the two open. He watched their body movements closely and could see their body would move a certain way. Once he saw his opening he stopped and planted his feet waiting as the ponies swung their fists at him. With eyes narrowed Caelus grabbed his sword and swung it where the blade slammed into the two ponies chests causing them to grunt in pain while stumbling backwards holding their chests while gasping for air. Caelus stared at them before sighing and putting his sword away then turned with his back facing them.

"Why didn't you kill us?"

Caelus was silent for a few minutes with nothing but the sound of wood burning was heard along with the sounds of battle raging on.

"This army will move towards the east to destroy whatever city is the way." Caelus spoke not answering their question.

The two ponies didn't speak only stared at Caelus who began to walk off though he stopped. "The reason I didn't kill you is cause you both are undeserving of being cut or to be killed by my sword."

"What the hell does that even mean!? You hit us with the sharp part of the sword and it didn't cut us!"

Caelus smiled underneath the scarf wrapped around his mouth. "Perhaps it is a dull blade after all." With those words said Caelus walked off ignoring the ponies running past him in terror. Looking forward he sighed. Where was the one that would give him the challenge he sought?