The Song of the Warp

Equestria, in the scheme of things, was a very unnatural place. It may have lacked the insanity of the warp or the cold metallic surfaces of a human construct, but it was more than made up for by magical domination. Everything in Equestria was controlled through magic, even the sun. Equally important, but on a smaller scale, were the plants, animals and weather, also controlled by ponies. This put things in a very unusual position. Ponies were by no means militarily or economically powerful, yet they were the dominating species of the planet. Who could compete with a species that could stop their crops from growing and the sun from rising? The other species had always resented this, Griffons specifically.

This position was actually due to Equestria’s large number of psykers. No other species on the planet had the unique ability to use their minds as tools. Ponies were excellent warp conduits. However, this also meant that ponies were more susceptible to possession and insanity. In several different realities, Twilight Sparkle went insane and became omnicidal maniac under the encouragement of a Greater Daemon of Khorne. In three of these realities, she managed to exterminate all life on Epona thanks to her warp enhanced abilities. That, however, is a different story.

***

Celestia was in the process of lowering the sun when Twilight’s letter arrived in a corona of green flame. Seizing it in her golden magical aura, Celestia scanned the letter once, assuming that it was a friendship report. It quickly became apparent that it was not. She read the letter again, the words beginning to sink in. Aliens were in Equestria. They had killed a hydra. Almost immediately she was out the palace door and sitting in her chariot. A quick order to the four pegasi guardsponies responsible for her transportation and safe keeping, and she was heading towards Ponyville. This was exactly what she needed.

Despite the advantage the ponies’ possessed, they were not in lack of conflict. They were most commonly fighting the expansionist Griffons. The Griffons thought of the ponies as weak and soft, cowering behind their ruler for protection. They thought of Celestia herself as unnatural at best, an abomination at worst. It was no surprise, then, that the Griffons had attempted to exterminate the ponies twice in the past. Both times, Celestia had defeated them, but could not bring herself to destroy them.

In the thousand years since the Nightmare Wars, the Royal Guard had become weak. Muscles that are not used become atrophied. This analogy could be applied to the Equestrian Military. A thousand years of peace could make an army more ceremonial than useful. The Griffons were as strong as ever. Celestia could use the sun to threaten them, but that didn’t always work. If she were to be killed, the sun would return to its natural orbital pattern. If the Griffons exterminated the Ponies, they would reap far more in terms of benefits than it was for them to lose. They would become the dominant species of Epona.

The arrival of the aliens was timely. They were obviously fighters based on Twilight’s description. They were technologically advanced. Two had arrived. There were likely several more in orbit over her planet. They could be a threat, but Equestria was likely doomed either way. The minontaurs would invariably join with the griffons, the changelings as well. Zebras, as always, would remain neutral.

The aliens could help, assuming that they did not kill them first.

***

The HUD of Argel Tal’s armor immediately locked onto the incoming object, listing it as unidentified, and a potential threat. All Space Marines had modified eyes, and Argel Tal was no different. Even from a distance where most naked eyes were unable to make out the silhouette, Argel Tal could see it clearly. Zooming in with his helmet, he saw the sole occupant of the flying chariot. This had to be “Princess Celestia”.

She had both wings and horn. Her horn was longer than the other pony species’ and looked capable of inflicting injury on a normal human. Argel Tal had no doubt that ceramite could stop it, especially the biological form of his armor when Raum took hold. She wore golden regalia that would make the average Slaaneshi cultist weep with joy, the poor bastards. Her mane flowed on its own, against the wing. Argel Tal could taste the warp influence that flowed through her. He had only felt such power when he was in the Eye of Terror.

Kharn stared at Celestia through his eye lenses, his helmet giving an almost predatory aspect to his form. It was fitting, really. Kharn was like a predator. He roared like a predator, he killed like a predator, he hunted like a predator. But, outside of combat he was continuously calm and calculating, to Primarch Angron’s benefit. He was one of the only World Eaters who saw anything of worth outside of killing.

The chariot landed in a puff of dirt. Celestia trotted out gracefully, her wings outstretched in an attempt to impress. It was only successful for her subjects. Argel Tal and Kharn had been around the Primarchs constantly. Celestia did not even come close to the glory of Lorgar or the force of Angron. No one could, besides another Primarch, or the Emperor.

“Greetings, visitors, and welcome to our world,” Celestia’s voice was smooth and firm, “I am Princess Celestia Solaria Maxima of the Kingdom of Equestria.”

“I am Captain Argel Tal of the Vakrah Jal, of the Seventeenth Legion Word Bearers. At this point, I speak with the authority of Primarch Lorgar Aurelian,” The daemonic undertone sounded uncharacteristically emotionless.

“I am Centurion Kharn of the Eighth Assault of Company of the Twelfth Legion World Eaters,” Kharn was in the process of suppressing a twitching fit, thanks to the Butcher’s Nails.