A/N I've had the idea for Myrynion and her inhabitants, as well as a few other things, for a while, so there may be slight inconsistencies as regards naming. Enjoy!

The once noble city of Wipers was in ruins. Urban warfare had reached its peak, as major scuffles broke out when the defenders met the attackers. The Tsardom's Landships were outperforming themselves, but were slowly losing. The flamethrower Landships, those in division F, were displaying their true, horrific value, with arcing lines of fire, incinerating anything they touched.

Sergeant Jack Linford and his squad, of the First Kangaroo Division, or the Tsar's private army, were attempting to hold the line, but knew they were fighting a losing battle. The sergeant was busy blasting at the invaders with his custom-built Stoke-Vickers heavy machine gun, until he noticed the Tsar and his manservant nearby.

"Protect the Tsar!" yelled Sergeant Linford.

The squad fell back, and provided cover for the Tsar.

"It's been fantastic knowing you all, but this war ends here." stated the Tsar.

Those around him knew what this meant. The Tsar began to perform a terrible spell, known only to himself, and destroyed the entire planet. He was just about to perish, when Sergeant Linford woke up, sweating profusely. It was just a dream.

"And that concludes my flying visit. Is there anything else, Celestia?" asked the Tsar, who was walking down the main hall of Canterlot Castle with Princess Celestia.

The Tsar was a massive stallion, and much larger than Celestia. His coat was an intense reddish brown, and his mane was a mixture of light brown and green, and neatly combed. His tail was a different matter, as, although it was the same colour as his mane, his tail was a mess. On his flank were two cutie marks; one a magnificent oak, the other a skull and crossbones.

"Yes, there is, Orpheus." replied Celestia, looking up at the Tsar.

"And what would that be?"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle doesn't have a kingdom or some other place of her own to rule."

"And you want me to pull a few strings, as it were?"

"It would be appreciated."

"I will. And until next time, goodbye."

With that, Orpheus left in a blinding flash of light.

The following day, it was bright and sunny in Ponyville, where Spike and Twilight Sparkle were enjoying a day off. Spike had just given a cup of a cup of Twilight's favourite tea to her, when he belched, sending a scroll into Twilight's face. Spike opened it, making the comment that the handwriting was not Celestia's.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I would like to speak to you in pony, rather than through letters. Please get on D18 when it arrives. Also, on Princess Celestia's recommendation you might want to pack for a few days, and notify anypony whom it concerns that you will not be around.

Yours sincerely,

Tsar Orpheus

"Who's Orpheus?" asked Spike.

"I don't know much about him, but I do know that he rules over the Myrynion Tsardom to the south. He claims to be the oldest living thing on the planet, and a rare species of ponies, the Hercules. Also, he reportedly has two cutie marks, one displaying his control of the Tsardom, and the other that he can destroy the world." replied Twilight.

"And what is D18?"

"And that is something I don't know. We'll probably find out when it gets here."

Spike went to pack a few things for Twilight, while the alicorn cleared what little she had on her schedule, which was mainly reading, with the minor meeting with Rarity over a dress, both of which could wait until she got back, and then went to help Spike.

A few hours later, the residents of Ponyville were stunned when they saw D18. It was an enormous, rhomboid-shaped vehicle, with two rather large and very powerful looking machine guns at the front of two side sponsons, and six other machine guns elsewhere, four of which were on the roof. Tracks propelled it forward, and a good many of the Ponyville residents ran from it as the war machine surged towards them. "HMLS Villers-Bretonneux' was written on the side in white paint, underneath a similar coloured D18. It stopped outside the library, and a stallion got out to collect Twilight Sparkle.

D18 was moving away from Ponyville at a modest 40 miles an hour.

"And this is D18, or HMLS Villers-Bretonneux, as we call her. She's a female Landship, thanks to the machine guns in the sponsons being the main armament. And she's your ride to the Tsardom." stated the commander.

"Do you know what the Tsar wants to talk to me about?" asked Twilight.

"So he wants to speak to you, eh? Make the most of it."

"And why did he send this Landship?"

"He takes your security very seriously. Magic is too unreliable to use thanks to the mountain range between Equestria and Myrynion, flying with wings would take too long and be too tiring, and no other vehicle doesn't have the protection that a Landship provides."

Spike was looking out a gun-slit, watching the scenery outside flashed past.

"Are all Landships like this one?" asked Spike.

"No. Except those in the F and S divisions, Landships are divided into two categories. As it was said earlier, females have machine guns as the main armament, which are used to combat infantry. Males have two cannons replacing the machine guns in the sponsons, and take out fortifications. Those in S division are the supply Landships, and, as such, have no weaponry, while those in F division have flamethrowers, which are an entirely horrendous weapon, used to clean out fortifications. Landships in T division are used for training, and have thinner armour and a less powerful engine." replied the driver.

"What he just said." stated the commander.

They arrived in Wipers, the Tsardom's capital, about seven hours later. The city had a lot of trees growing in it, the some in large open parks, others lining the streets. The houses were made of stone, elegantly and beautifully engraved, with inspiration from Art Nouveau. Large industrial factories were belching out large plumes of dark black smoke from smokestacks, while smaller factories released small amounts of steam from cooling towers. Large pipes entered and exited the factories in the most efficient and effective places. Trams, as well as Underground trains, were running around the city, both of which were a cross between Steam Punk and Clock Punk.

Twilight and Spike were greeted by a kangaroo when they got out of HMLS Villers-Bretonneux. He was in a black, short-sleeved shirt with the buttons undone, baggy oversized shorts, and a brown, wide-brimmed hat.

"You must be Princess Twilight Sparkle. Come with me." stated the kangaroo.

"Who are you?" asked Twilight.

"Ozzy Oz, the Tsar's manservant. Now come."

Ozzy led them through the outskirts of Wipers, bouncing along beside them in a manner that reminded Twilight and Spike of Pinkie Pie, until they reached a reasonably sized house, which looked like most of the other beautiful houses in Wipers, even down to the amount of ivy and other plants on the rather grand front of the house, and the well-kept garden.

"The Tsar's inside. Be respectful, 'n' don't anger him. He could beat Discord to a pulp, 'n' walk away with a broken leg 'n' a couple of fractured ribs. Which, incidentally, he did in the year before Celestia 'n' Luna turned Discord into stone with the elements of harmony." said Ozzy.

The trio entered, with Ozzy fetching Orpheus immediately afterwards. Upon Orpheus' arrival, Twilight's knowledge of him was confirmed, and even more added. Orpheus looked down upon Twilight, instantly giving her a feeling of inferiority.

"Has Celestia told you why you're here? I apologise for the brief letter, as I take precautions over long distance, and the mountain range between here and Equestria is a nuisance, and that letter might not have been delivered directly to you." stated Orpheus.

"Celestia hasn't told me why I'm here." replied Twilight.

"Ah. To simplify, she asked me to obtain a place for you to rule over, as you don't have one already. There are some small, coastal islands near Equestria that I am regent over, and, quite frankly, you are the ideal replacement leader."

"But I have no idea how to rule. I don't even know how good I'll be. What would I do?"

"I've got three books that deal roughly with that area: The Princess, The Art Of Fighting, and The Wealth Of Countries. They should be of some value, although real understanding comes not from reading books, but though your experiences."

"So this is why I spent seven hours coming here? To hear you say a few words?" questioned Twilight, getting mildly annoyed.

Orpheus flared up his magic, three tiers of three light brown orbs lazily orbiting his light brown horn, and calmed Twilight down.

"No. That is just a part of why you are here. Princess Celestia has asked me to accommodate you in the Tsardom for a few days. A holiday, as, I am assured, that you need one after what you've been doing."

"What I do is my business." stated Twilight, huffily.

"Sure, Twilight, but you need a break. I'm concerned for you." put in Spike.

"Alright. I'll have a break."

"Good. I've arranged accommodation for you. You'll be in the house of one of the few creatures on this planet that I trust. You'll be living next to the library." Orpheus said.

Oz beckoned Twilight and Spike to follow him again, for the second time that day. After bouncing a few times down the street, Oz commentated on the "little incident" that had happened.

"Y'know, if you'd been somepony else, Orpheus might have reacted slightly more aggressively back there when you got annoyed."

"Define 'slightly more aggressively'." commanded Twilight.

"Where you get shoved against a wall, with Orpheus strangle-holding you there while he gives you a dressing down. Not a nice possie to be in, I'm told. You got off lightly, prob'ly because you're a princess, 'n' a favourite of Princess Celestia. "

"Oh."

Spike decided to move the conversation elsewhere.

"What's with the floating orbs around his horn?"

"You notice that as well, eh? It's part of Herculean magic. At the relaxed pace that they were moving, as well as the lack of noise, indicates he was using a small amount of his power." replied Oz.

"Small amount?"

"When accompanied by a low hum 'n' the orbs are moving at a reasonable pace, he's using between a quarter 'n' a half of his power. If there is a wailing sound, like that of an air-raid siren, 'n' the orbs are moving at a brisk pace, he's using between half 'n' three-quarters of his power. "

"And what if he uses more?"

"I dunno. Never been done before. But every living being on the planet will probably know about it when it happens. Just like when a Herculean passes on – that's a heap of magic being released."

"I've heard that Herculean magic doesn't perish with the wielder. Is it true?" asked Twilight.

"As far as I know, yes. According to Orpheus, the magic of a deceased Herculean is split between those that remain alive, so the skills 'n' knowledge of that Herculean can be passed onto their successor. Not even alicorn magic can do that." replied Oz.

The trio continued until they reached the house next to the library. Like the rest of the houses on the street, the front, although covered in the rather common ivy, was magnificent. Unlike the rest, though, the ivy seemed more orderly. Oz went up to the dark brown door and knocked three times. A few moments later, another kangaroo opened the door. He was a grim looking fellow, with an eye-patch covering one eye.

"G'day Oz. These the ones Orpheus asked us to lodge?" asked the kangaroo.

"Yeah, Jack. Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike." replied Oz.

Twilight and Spike moved closer to the door.

"And this is Sergeant Jack Linford. He pretty much runs the Tsar's private army." sated Oz, with Jack nodding his head in greeting.

"Come in, anyway, you two. You staying, Oz?" questioned Jack.

"Nah, I should be getting back to Orpheus. He might get a little bit paranoid otherwise."

Oz left, and Twilight and Spike entered Jack's house. Everything was neat and orderly, placed where it was the best for it to be. Going through the living room, Spike noticed two big trunks, labelled "Jack" and "Sheila", under a settee. Twilight posed Jack a question.

"At the door, Jack, you said 'we'. Who else were you referring to?"

"Me fiancée, Sheila, one of the engineer medics in the Tsar's private army. We're getting married next month. And you're invited." replied Jack.

"And why the eye-patch?"

"Shrapnel. I was lucky not to get killed. Much deeper and, well, I needn't go there."

Jack grinned weakly, before leading them upstairs to show them where they would be boarded. Both rooms were modest, and both were quite suitable for Twilight and Spike. Jack proceeded to take them downstairs and showed them a bit of hospitality in the form of tea and biscuits.

"Where's Sheila?" asked Spike.

"She's collecting honey from the bees we keep." replied Jack.

"You have bees?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah. We use the honey as a sweetener, such as in drinks." answered her host.

This explained the unusual but rather pleasant taste in the tea. A few minutes later, Sheila arrived. She greeted her guests, before beckoning Jack into the kitchen, where both kangaroos conversed. Twilight and Spike remained in the living room.

A few minutes later, Jack left the house through the front door, quickly disappearing. Sheila went into the living room and sat down.

"Jack's just gone to get some food; it's his turn to make the tea." stated Sheila, answering the unasked question of both Twilight and Spike.

"Just a question, Sheila. What's in the trunks under the settee?" asked Spike.

"Our equipment for when we are on active duty in the Tsar's private army. Guns, ammunition, tools. That sort of thing."

Sheila got up, pulled out her trunk, and opened it. Spike was mildly interested, and so he wandered over and had a look inside. After a couple of minutes, after Spike had finished looking, Sheila shut her trunk and pushed it back under the settee.

"Of course, because I'm a medic, it is illegal as regards international law for me to be fired upon unless I fire first." stated Sheila.

"Then why do you have a shotgun?" asked Spike.

"If somepony starts attacking me, I need some form of self-defence. All of the engineer medics do. The shotgun is the most common weapon amongst us, although some do have sub-machine guns and assault rifles. One of us has the DeWalt Auto-Nailgun, which is rather useful."

At this point, Jack returned with some groceries and deposited them in the kitchen.

"Jack, show Spike Gertrude." said Sheila.

Jack went upstairs, before coming back down, entered the living room with a monster of a heavy machine. Despite the rather large size, the design seemed quite simple, although the appearance was deceiving. Jaws had been painted along the barrel, although the rest of the gun was black.

"She's a hundred and twenty-five kilogram, belt-fed, water-cooled Stoke-Vickers heavy machine gun. Gertrude's pretty accurate, and fires two hundred and fifty rounds a minute, so, as a result, she'll quite happily boil her way through two gallons of cooling water in a day, provided I've got the bullets to do it. Ammo consumption is excessive, while the recoil is catastrophic, hence the heavy duty springs in the stock." stated Jack.

Twilight looked rather disgusted at the monstrous automatic weapon held in the paws of her host, although Spike was interested in the weapon. However, Spike decided that the best place was to be nowhere near the gun, although he did stroll over to have a brief look.

"And, of course, theoretical physics come in really useful when I use Gertrude." chuckled Jack.

"You know theoretical physics?" asked Twilight, rather surprised.

"Got a doctorate in it. It's useful on the battlefield, as well as impressing ponies, and getting access to University resources, which I refer to as 'free stuff'."

Spike suppressed a snigger, and Twilight smiled slightly at this.

Jack put Gertrude back upstairs, in a little bed next to his own, before returning to the living room.

"So, is there anything you want to do?" asked Sheila.

"Yes, I'd like to have a look in the library." replied Twilight.

Sheila rose, and hopped out of the house, Twilight following. Jack went into the kitchen and started preparing the tea, which consisted of a variety of plants and vegetables for himself and Sheila, oats and hay for Twilight, and some gems for Spike.

Meanwhile, Sheila was showing Twilight the largest library in Wipers. Twilight was, in short, impressed.

"There must be tens of thousands of books in here." said Twilight.

"The amount of books in here is actually in the hundreds of thousands, getting close to a million. I've taken a lot of books out of here, and I've not even read that large a proportion of all the books they have here." stated Sheila.

Twilight headed off to the history section of the library and selected a book about the condensed history of the Tsardom. Sheila bounced off to the medical section and started reading a large medical journal.

That evening, after Twilight had finished reading the book and all had eaten tea, Twilight and Spike were sitting in the living room of Jack's house. Sheila was continuing reading the medical journal from the library, while Jack was smoking a rather elegant pipe and talking to Twilight and Spike.

All four were disturbed by the ringing of Jack's telephone. Jack got up to answer it, and saw that the telephone wasn't displaying a number. He answered it regardless, and remained quiet while the person on the other end spoke. Jack put down the telephone without saying a word.

"Sheila, would you get Oz, please." requested Jack, in a rather serious tone.

Sheila put down the medical journal and bounced off to collect Oz. Meanwhile, Jack put a grey double breasted jacket on, complete with scarf, opened his trunk, took out his modified .357 Magnum and a crowbar, and told Twilight and Spike that they were going with him on a walk when Oz arrived. Sheila and Oz arrived a few minutes later, Sheila going immediately back to her medical journal. Jack whispered something to Oz, and the latter's ears shot up.

"Really?" asked Oz.

Jack nodded, before he beckoned to Twilight and Spike to follow, which they did. Going down to the end of the street, Jack then lead the quartet down into the Wipers Underground.

"Why are we going down here?" asked Spike, rather curious.

"Now is not the time, Spike, nor is it the place." stated Oz.

The four of them continued to platform three, where Oz told them to wait, counting down while he looked at his watch.

"Five, four, three, two, one." muttered Oz.

A train arrived on cue, and Twilight and Spike were impressed.

"How did you do that?" asked Twilight.

"Oz knows every timetable for all of the public transport. He knows the location of all the secret passageways and tunnels. Oz knows everything about Wipers, and, with the exception of Fell Hire Corner and some of the more shadowy areas, Oz knows everything that happens in Wipers on top of that." stated Jack.

The train left the station, and Oz led them down the line, following the train.

"Why didn't we take the train?" asked Twilight.

"Think of this as a game of hide-and-seek, just on a much larger and more dangerous level." replied Jack.

"Dangerous?"

"Somepony wants to kill you. Oz and I are getting you out of Wipers."

A/N Please rate and review, as I need the encouragement. More chapters on the way.