The march back to Ponyville was silent save for a few conversations. Spike and Sweetie Belle were asking TK different questions about what life was like for him in the Imperial Empire, to which he replied "Good, bad, good, worse, great, stressful, and ok." They didn't understand what he meant, until he explained that his answers were in order from when he had joined to now.
Luna was up front with Matthew trying to get him to speak, with no success. He just kept to himself, not saying a word the whole journey. Luna eventually gave up and just kept on walking.
When the forces finally returned to Ponyville close to dusk, the others cheered for the victory. Twilight ran up to her son as soon as she saw that Spike was with them.
"I'm so glad to have you back, Spike," she exclaimed. She hugged him as Flash, Shining Armor, and Cadence walked up to them. They bent down and joined in the hug.
"Cho-king he-re," he tried to get out. They let go of Spike allowing him to breath again. Twilight stood up to try and find Matthew, but he had disappeared.
"Where did he go?" TK was the one to answer her question.
"Most likely, he went some place to be left alone. He heard some things that caused him to question his achievements and it seems to be bothering him quite a bit." The others were confused. "From what we heard, this war was planned out from the beginning of the Imperial Civil War." Mummers arose from the men that had fought in the war.
"I can't believe it." "We were tricked?" "We were being used by some other person?" The younger soldiers were confused by what they meant.
"What is going on?" One of them asked. A veteran of the war turned to them.
"Before you all joined the Imperial forces, a massive civil war broke out. The current Emperor was causing more troubles than he was solving and it broke out into fighting when he attempted to kill the Governor of one of the conquered territories. That was the war that led our current leader to become Emperor." The Equestrian people were shocked by what they heard. Celestia decided to take over the situation.
"Right now, we need a plan to drive the Lennex Empire from Equestria. Luna, do you have a plan?" She turned around to find that Luna had vanished. "Luna!"
"She and the younger ones went to find Matthew," Yuri explained. "Knowing our Emperor, he might have some crazy idea that we can do to win." The rest of the Imperial forces agreed.
Meanwhile, Matthew was resting under a tree on the top of a hill when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Luna with the teens that went with them to free Spike.
"We saw you leave and decided to follow," Luna explained. "These nine also wanted to know more about you since you did say you would tell them more 'later'." Matthew looked at the nine teens, each giving him a puppy dog look, and laughed.
"I guess I better give some explanation," he said. They all sat around him while Luna stood off to the side to listen. "You most likely have already heard about how I went from being a Captain to the Emperor, so I'll leave that part out. There was a small rebellion during my earlier times commanding and army, but that's just the beginning of my tale. For us, it was just another small rebellion that was beaten before it became worse. After that war was over, I was promoted to General and given the honor of taking over the Empire of the Knights. That Empire was the one that put the Dragon DNA in your friend, Spike."
"On the way there, our king at the time, Thomas Smith, was assassinated and my cousin took over. He redirected my forces to where we would be cut down. When we arrived, our landing operations had some issues, the main one being the tides. We turned back before landing, and for disobeying orders I was exiled. Around a month later, rebellions broke out and I was asked to lead one of the rebel forces. That statue in the gardens represents the final battle against my cousin. A few days later, we marched on the capital. It took a few weeks, but I was crowned Emperor when the city fell."
"During the beginning of my time as Emperor, we conquered large amounts of territory and brought down two Empires. The one responsible for Spike's Dragon DNA, The Empire of the Knights, and the one they wanted to use Spike to fight against, The Dragon Empire. The Dragon Empire was the more challenging one. Their armies were vast in numbers and most of the people were afraid of us because of the rumors that we killed without mercy. I'm sure Celestia told you about the bandits, so I believe my tale is finished." The teens and Luna were shocked. Before any of them could ask any questions, TK walked up.
"We're planning on what to do next. You're needed at HQ, Matthew." Everyone walked back towards the town hall to begin planning. Matthew walked behind them with Luna, Spike, and Sweetie Belle.
"I'd like to thank you for bringing my Spikey Wikey back to me," Sweetie Belle told him. She was leaning up against Spike, feeling safe in his arms. She looked over at Spike and kissed his cheek, causing Spike to blush. Spike, in turn, turned his head to Sweetie Belle and kissed her on the lips. They continued kissing, until they heard Luna clear her throat.
"I believe we need to get back to Ponyville," she said. Spike and Sweetie Belle blushed as they followed the path back to Ponyville while Matthew and Luna laughed. Luna turned to Matthew. "I would also like to thank you for helping us. You could've said no, but you arrived to help us. Thank you." She hugged him and kissed him on the same cheek she did last time. They continued on the path back to Ponyville to plan the next move. They arrived at Town hall and looked over the maps along with the other Imperial and Equestrian leaders.
"I have a plan that might work. General Baker, your 2nd Army will march north to the Crystal Empire. Shining Armor's forces will join you to liberate their home. General Potter, I need your 5th Army to march south to Appleloosa. Expect a counterattack on your left flank from the Badlands." Celestia interrupted Matthew.
"I can lead my guard to provide a distraction in the Badlands. Queen Chrysalis is sure to cause a bit of trouble for you." One of the Generals of the Imperial Marine Corps spoke up.
"Allow my unit to accompany you and provide support. If there are Lennex troops there, you will need help." Matthew nodded his head.
"Alright, that takes care of the south. Mrs. Patten, your 3rd Army along with some elements of the airborne units will move on Cloudsdale and take the airfields." Rainbow Dash spoke up.
"My boyfriend and his fellow pilots were shot down. What makes you think your pilots are any better!?" she shouted. Twilight spoke up.
"He went to take the airfields and never returned. We fear the worst." One of the Imperial pilots interrupted her.
"We've been training every day and each of us has seen plenty of action. We will not fail our comrades on the ground." Matthew smiled at the pilot.
"Alright, looks like everything is almost set. That leaves Canterlot to the 1st Army, Guardian Force, My group, and what is left of the Equestrian forces. All forces are to be ready to move out at 0900 hours." Matthew finished his plan and turned to the Imperial Generals. "Any questions?"
"None at all, sir," they replied. Braeburn went up to the map and pointed to an area outside of Appleloosa.
"There is a group of people that would be willing to help. We just have to get to this point before the Lennex Empire gets rid of them," he explained. Matthew turned to General Potter.
"Have some men meet up with them and see if they will join us."
"Sir, yes, sir!" He replied. Everyone gathered at Sweet Apple Acres after leaving the town's hall to get some sleep. Tomorrow would set events in motion to begin the Liberation of Equestria.