Author's Notes:

While this chapter is slightly shorter than the previous one, it is still very important. I hope I didn't disappoint. I also hope I will be able to update this story more. I have some very interesting ideas.

Away from the field of war, beyond the Frozen North, escaped ponies were being settled into their new, hopefully temporary, home. Andromalius ensured that the needed amount of tents could be built in time for the first ponies to come out of the newly constructed portal between Equestria and the Union. The ponies carried little with themselves, and most had to start from scratch. Such was a prize for the war.

Ponies were scared and uncertain, wary and cautious of the new place. In one moment, they had to leave everything behind, everything that they had been working on for their whole life. Some ponies could barely hide their tears — the loss struck them unlike anyone else.

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough room for every pony. The demons were friendly enough to allow a lot of them to stay in the actual houses, though. They welcomed the newcomers without prejudice or suspicion. After all, demons had experienced wars and knew how it felt when homes were destroyed.

All in all, many ponies were settling down among the nation of demons. They were slightly afraid of what they saw, but some things were still familiar. Celestia was overseeing everything as well, and her presence eased the ponies. She declared that those who wished to work could apply for a job in the city. Surprisingly, a good amount of ponies volunteered for work. There were musicians among them, and they were given instruments to play something for others, to help them feel at home. Everyone calmed down slightly, instead focused on helping to build new tents and making sure new ponies had somewhere to stay.

Andromalius sighed wearily. He knew everything was going to be hard and he needed to make sure everyone felt safe and secure among his nation. He needed to make sure there was enough food and drink for everyone, enough hygienic utilities, and most importantly — work. He knew that anyone can become bored quickly if there's nothing to do. He needed to ensure that there was payment for their work as well. It would stretch the budget of the country, especially with such an inflow of ponies, but it would manage fine. Celestia promised to help his country financially. Overall, everything wasn't too bad.

Foals were invited to explore the new playgrounds, for there was plenty of them. They weren't the best, but the new constructions would begin soon, enhancing the city and the whole country.

However, there was still a war to fight. Many demons volunteered to protect their new friendsofo and thus were willing to fight in the war. Most of them were ordered to guard the cities that were closer to the griffons. The coastal cities were further reinforced by both Equestrian and the Union's armed forces. Lines of defense were built, outposts erected, watchtowers constructed. The coastal line of Equestria was quickly being reinforced.

Andromalius knew how to help from his own side An interesting idea appeared inside his head and demanded action.

"Celestia, can you tell me about the cannons?" he asked his aunt.

"Why are you asking?" the alicorn turned to him with a surprised expression on her face.

"I have a mean to help you defend the coastal cities from ships and other big objects that might try to get to them by either air or sea." Andromalius explained. "In another world, there are cannons, but they are more developed than what you have. They have more firepower, farther reach, superior armor-piercing capabilities and the rate of fire."

"Well... I suppose we must use everything we can get our hooves on." Celestia sighed. "The development of weaponry... New ways to kill... It is what I so feared, Andromalius. I hoped it wouldn't come to this."

"Weapons don't kill, people do." the hell stallion replied. "We make it for self-defense. If you feel bad about it, we will destroy the schematics and the weapons after the war ends."

"I suppose it's fair." the alicorn nodded. "I will bring in the weapon engineers. Lay out your ideas to them, and I'm sure they'll construct the new cannons in a month at most. Are you sure your idea will work?"

"Absolutely. Let's begin."

Andromalius tried to explain the modern artillery to Equestrian weapon engineers. He didn't know much about it, but the engineers were able to understand his idea.

Basically, the cannons in the use of Equestrian Armed Forces at that time were outdated by modern Earthen standards muzzle-loaders. Their rate of fire was low, their accuracy wasn't that great either because of the smooth barrel, and the firing rounds didn't travel far because of its spherical shape, which was easy to make but could use some refinement.

Andromalius proposed an idea of making a shell-firing artillery that would be fed with shelled rounds through another system — breech-loading. He knew a few things about modern firearms, including them having rifled barrels and what ammunition they used. Conical-shaped bullets traveled a long distance, certainly farther than a round one would.

So, Equestrian weapon engineers started experimenting with the rounds and the cannons themselves soon after the demon lord had left. Andromalius hoped that the new artillery would keep the griffons at bay. Their own bay, that is. The distance between the Griffin Empire shores and Equestria wasn't very large and could be covered in a few days at most by ships. There was a chance that some cannons would be able to fire that far beyond the sea. It would help to keep the enemy away from the coastal cities as well as gain superiority on the sea itself.

However, placing such cannons wasn't an option on the Grittish Isles — the bigger island was too rocky for such cannons to be effective with the current level of aiming, and the griffons would most likely be able to sneak in and either disable the cannons or steal them, which would be disastrous. Besides, the city of Trottingham was the smallest among the coastal ones and the most recently built as well. It would be hard to build any sort of fortification around it.

The smaller islands were too rough, keeping them stocked with ammunition and provision would be difficult. The islands were placed in very bad positions as well, and some skyscrapers present in the city could be damaged from the inaccurate fire.

Andromalius had anticipated the loss of at least one city, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon. It wasn't lost to the enemy, but defending it would prove to be a fruitless task. However, he deployed a garrison to keep an eye out for griffons. By the moment he ordered the new cannons, the troops should've been around Trottingham.

Luna and her army prepared to assault the mainland of the Griffin Empire. She was in her tent, in a fortified area the undead army had set up near the coast. The alicorn and her general Midnight Hour were discussing the recent battle, as well as the next course of action.

"Your majesty, my strategy consisted of two steps: lessening the enemy troops before they were close, and then finishing them off with armored units." the general explained. "It is hard to dodge a wall of projectiles, and I noticed that griffons lacked any ranged weaponry. Thus, I was able to take many of them down before they could land a single hit. After they came close to our troops, I used the 'row' formation, spreading out the troops. I saw griffons aiming for the center, and thus I was able to surround them while they were distracted."

"Good, general Midnight Hour. You are showing promise." Luna smiled slightly. "No wonder you are the best of Night Guard. Now, what would be our course of action?"

"First of all, we will send pegasi to scout the shore." the general started explaining. "Unlike what griffons did, our scouts will fly low and close to water. Their armor will be painted blue beforehoof, allowing them to blend in with the water better. They will also use debris from the bridge as cover."

"Your strategy is excellent. Please, continue."

"There isn't much more, your majesty. After the situation is known, we will decide on what to do next." Midnight Hour finished.

"You might become a great leader indeed, Midnight Hour." Luna nodded once again, pleased with her general's strategy. "For now, rest. After this night of bloodshed, you need to have some sleep. It is an order."

"Will be done, your majesty." the general saluted, and then left the tent.

Luna's smile faded as she remembered what she needed to do next. He ordered a couple of soldiers to bring in one of the captured griffon troops.

Soon, a griffon soldier was sitting on a chair across her, restrained. Two unicorns were standing behind him, ready to do whatever Luna ordered. They were undead, they knew nothing of disobedience.

"I will tell nothing!" the griffon said angrily, snapping his beak at the alicorn. She was unfazed by the show, sitting calmly and collected.

"Incorrect." she said, looking him in the eyes. She knew how to act with griffons. They were a proud nation. They showed fear rarely, instead relying on their intimidation as a tool. It was no use beating them up — they would spit their own blood at their enemies. Instead, psychological means needed to be used. "You certainly will. It might take some time, but you will. My first question — why did you declare war on us?"

"Are you acting surprised we retaliated after we caught your spy looking where he shouldn't have?"

Luna frowned. There were a few ponies that answered directly to the princesses and were to watch over the growing empire, but none of them were spies. They were more of news reporters — none of them were ordered to steal anything or look into unofficial matters that included internal politics or military intel.

"I'm afraid I'm not aware of whom you speak." the nightly princess said. "Quite a lot of ponies used to live in your lands, it is true. However, none had any malicious intent."

"You're lying!" the griffon retaliated.

"To your knowledge, I might be." Luna replied, partly agreeing with his statement, confusing him. "Well, I suppose the mess that was made can't be sorted out, it has already blown out of proportion." she sighed. "In the light of these events, I'm afraid we'll have to use force to defend ourselves."

"You ponies are weak. That's why you want to put us down, because we're stronger than you." the griffon replied, snorting.

"Believe it or not, we didn't want your newly-built empire down, no." Luna shook her head slightly. "The union between your divided kingdoms was a great achievement for all of you. You did what we once did a long time ago — put the differences aside and united. It is admirable."

"You want to get me with your fancy words?" the captive said sarcastically.

"No, I have more effective tools at my disposal." Luna replied calmly. "However, I do prefer talking. It can solve issues before they become problems. It seems that it won't work now, I'm afraid. You have attacked us, and unless you surrender — we will retaliate."

"We're not afraid of your kind."

"It is not the matter of fear." the alicorn explained. "We will not tolerate those who murder our citizens. Your empire has committed a crime against our nation, and you won't be left unpunished." she leaned slightly closer. "You have disturbed peace that reigned for almost a thousand years. I hope you understand what consequences it brings."

In the end, Luna hadn't found out anything useful from the captive. She decided to let him be and locked him in a cell. Other griffons didn't know anything useful either. They were just scouts sent on a mission to see how well Trottingham was protected.

However, Luna found out one very important thing. Equestria was wrongly accused of treachery. Why was it done? It was the question the nightly princess intended to find an answer for.

There certainly was a cause for this war. Who was behind it?