After around two hours, The Imperial forces arrived outside what looked to be a large Apple Orchard. What caused them to stop was a warning of sort. When Matthew saw it, let's just say that he was about to throw up. Hanging from a tree was one of the Royal Guards, his body cut up and what looked to be beaten. Luna looked away from the sight. Applebloom looked around and realized where they were.
"This is mah families Apple Orchard!" she exclaimed. Matthew walked up to the body and read a sign hanging from his neck.
"This is a warning to all who oppose the might of the Lennex Empire," he read. He turned to the officer that was with him in the cab and gave the order. "Get the advance group of the Emperor's Guard ready to move out!" he ordered. TK walked up to Matthew and saw the warning. "I'll take a group of men and hit their flank. When the shooting begins, I want you to bring the rest of the forces up the road," he finished.
"Just like the last two times?" asked with a smirk.
"Just like the last two times," The Emperor replied with a smirk. Matthew rode to the front of the men that would be going with him into this battle. "Men, today we show the Lennex Empire what happens when they attack a peaceful people. This warning will not scare us. Remember your brothers fighting on the frontlines. Remember The Freedom and all the brothers we lost that day. Viva Imperial Empire!" he yelled. The reply from the soldiers was a thunderous cheer.
"Let's get 'em!" "I lost my friend on the Freedom! I want payback!" "I'll take them all on by myself!" were some of the yells that came from the Imperial soldiers. The amount of hatred coming from the soldiers sent shivers down the spines of the others.
'These men are out for blood' thought Luna. After the yelling had died down, the soldiers began to form up for battle. One million Imperial soldiers were ready for the upcoming fight. Luna got on her horse and rode up to the Emperor. "I'll be going with you," she said. Celestia tried to talk her out of it, but Luna was determined to go.
As the light of day was beginning to fade, Matthew gave the order to move out. They marched for another ten minutes before they got ready for the attack.
"Jake, move your group over the hill," he said. Imperial troops began to move quickly and quietly up the hill. When the first group of men was over the ridge, a large yell was given from the Imperial forces. The Lennex soldiers standing guard looked at the ridge and saw the Imperial troops coming right for them. They dropped everything they had and ran into the camp.
"Their coming, get your muskets!" yelled one of the Lennex soldiers. Some of them looked at what they were running from and saw the Imperial forces heading right for them. More of the Lennex soldiers ran.
"Let's get out of here!" yelled another. Imperial forces ran by the abandoned cannons and into the camp. A group of thirty Lennex soldiers were getting into a line to fight. Before they could fire, the same number of Imperial soldiers did the same.
"Ready, Fire!" ordered an officer. Twenty of the Lennex soldiers were killed while the remaining ran.
"You can't get away from us!" yelled an Imperial soldier. Imperial forces chased them through the camp. Some places turned into a massive melee fight. Fifteen Lennex soldiers were able to get a shot off, before running into the main part of the camp. When the Lennex soldiers were waking up, they heard the sounds of a battle. When another group tried to form up, many of them were killed and the rest ran away with Imperial soldier's right behind them. Three Lennex cannons were beginning to get turned around in a last ditch effort. Two of them were able to fire, while the third right as soon as it turned its crew shot. Imperial forces ran by the last cannons.
"Let's go, Press on!" yelled the flag carrier.
Meanwhile, a Lennex soldier had just finished his business with the last of the Royal Guards before he walked outside to see what was happening. The prisoners saw him get hit and knocked down.
"Line up right here. Aim, Fire!" said a soldier as he and five other shot at the Lennex troops. They walked out and saw the Imperial Emperor riding through on his horse.
"Push On! Push on" he yelled to is men. The remaining Lennex soldiers ran to the nearby town, leaving the Imperial forces in control of the Orchard. This fight was soon known as the Skirmish of Sweet Apple Acres, the opening move to the Battle of Ponyville.