As the press dispersed, Celestia turned to Admiral Ashurkov with a smile.

"Admiral, when can your forces be expected to join our own?"

Ashurkov laughed.

"Whenever we are ready. My troops are gunning for battle, as they wish to prove themselves."

"Then…"

Celestia's sentence was interrupted by a letter appearing in front of her face. As she finished reading it, her face paled.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"It appears that King Dainn has diverted a large amount of troops towards the Crystal Empire." Celestia said. "That can mean only one thing."

"An invasion." Ashurkov said. "We can fight them off."

"You will need transport." Celestia said. 'Have your forces board our trains at Ponyville depot. They will take you to the Empire."

"Good. We shall wipe them out!" Ashurkov said. "General, let's move!"

"Yes, sir!" Korelai replied as they walked out. Celestia turned to Twilight, who had been struck deep by the news.

"If the Crystal Empire falls…" Twilight said.

"They would control our northern flank." Celestia replied. "And be in a very advantageous position."

"Let's hope the Soviets can hold the line." Spike said.

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

Back aboard the C-47, Korelai and Ashurkov were talking with Eisenhower and Paige.

"What's your yield in heavy armor?" Eisenhower asked.

"T-34/U tanks, straight from the factory." Korelai replied. "Several Katyusha rocket batteries have been acquired. With a rocket barrage, our tanks and shock forces will rush in and slaughter them."

"We'll be on standby to reinforce you, in case things don't work out." Eisenhower replied.

"Good. We shall alert you if that happens." Ashurkov said as the plane landed aboard the Traveler. As the Soviets boarded a boat that would take them to the Soviet flagship, the Markovis, Eisenhower and Paige smiled.

"Think the Soviets can take the Caribou?" Paige said.

"I don't think so." Eisenhower said. "I know so."

==============================
Several hours later…
==============================

Dusk was settling over the Crystal Empire. Cadance, in preparation for the Caribou attack, had put up the Shield around the Empire. Cadance had also received a letter from her aunt that human "Soviet" forces would be supporting her troops in the field. She had heard of the human's first assault on the Caribou lines, which had driven their normally stalwart warriors back several miles. As dusk settled, she saw the guards depart to their trenches.

"Cady?"

Cadance turned to see her husband walk up with a war-weary expression.

"I've diverted all civilians behind the shield."

"Alright. Let's hope these...Soviets…can fight them off."

Shining placed his arm on her shoulder.

"From what I've heard from Twily, they will."

===========================
PERSPECTIVE-Ashali Koretski, 3rd Shock Brigade

As I loaded my SVT-50 rifle, I looked over at Commissar Markov, who was directing our forces.

"Listen up, troops! The enemy is advancing rapidly. Protect the Crystal Empire! For us! For Russia! URAH!"

"URAH!" we bellowed in response.

"Mount on the tanks! MOVE OUT!" Markov yelled. My best friend Viktor smiled in his reckless way and boarded a T-34/U tank, fresh from the foundry. As I boarded next to him, he laughed.

"Quite a hunting trip we have gotten ourselves into, my friend." he said jauntily.

"Indeed." I replied. "When should the attack start?"

"Now!" a soldier replied as the sky was filled with the trails of Katyusha rockets. As they landed in the distance, explosions shook the ground. Our tank lurched forward, and the battle began. Soon, we saw Caribou lines, peppered with craters and explosions.

"Open fire!" Viktor yelled as we loaded our rifles. Giving them a volley of rifle fire, those who were not killed immediately attempted to stand and fight or flee. Those who fled were wiser as our tank's machine gun killed any who stood. As I ended a warrior's life, Viktor laughed and kept shooting, killing several Caribou.

"Keep moving!" Viktor cried as our Tank fired a shell towards a group of Caribou. The explosion sent bodies flying into the air. It was a sickening and yet somehow beautiful sight. As my rifle echoed with a spray of bullets, I saw several of our infantrymen bayoneting survivors and shooting the wounded. I was stricken by guilt, yet I knew this was war.

"Stay quick, Ashali!" Viktor yelled as I had nearly fallen off the tank. I settled myself and fired my rifle at a Caribou group. Several fell, but one rushed Viktor, who was dragged off the tank. As they wrestled, I couldn't fire my rifle, as I did not want to hurt my friend. Then, Viktor kneed the warrior in his loins and cut his throat with a knife. As he leaped back onto the tank, I slapped him on the back.

"A worthy opponent." I said.

"Was." Viktor said, laughing.

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

As the thunder of war raged, General Revias sat in his command tent, with a melancholy face. His forces had been ambushed by the human Soviets, and they had been all but routed by the Iron Liberator's war machines. Revias knew the end was near. Drawing his sword, he sighed and placed it to his throat.

"I failed you, my King." he said before two warriors rushed in.

"General! The camp has been breached!" one said.

"They are killing survivors!" the other added.

Revias placed his sword down.

"Tell all units to surrender. This battle is lost. Lay down our arms and submit."

"Sir?" A warrior replied.

"Do as I say. The humans will be more merciful than Dainn." he said simply.

The two warriors nodded and departed. Soon, three Russian soldiers had their rifles in his face.

"You surrendered?" a soldier asked.

"Yes. My name is Revias, of the Caribou Dynasty. I submit my forces and myself to you." he said.

A soldier nodded and restrained him. As he was dragged out of his tent, he saw a large group of warriors sheltered by Russian soldiers. As he joined them, the once proud general became a prisoner. Next Chapter: Chapter 6-Two Armies Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes