What is an Adeptus Astartes?by winterman17ChaptersThe Beginning of the EndIn the Emperor's NameThe Dark GodsThe Siege BeginsThe GuardFor the Good of the PlanetThe Beginning of the EndWARNING! BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR'S HOLY INQUISITION THE FOLLOWING CONTENT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS HERESY! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Ask not whence the thunder comes. _________________________________________________________________________________________ "I was in Canterlot when it happened." Twilight said in the darkness of the bunker. "How did you manage to survive?" Asked Rarity with a gasp. "Because she is a princess, silly!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie. Good old Pinkie. Always happy, even in the darkest situations. "It had been too cloudy to see the sky for weeks then, and I should have known that the princesses were hiding things." "Ah can't believe the princesses would even think of hidin' the truth." Applejack said with accusation. No one said anything to defend them. "I was having dinner with the Celestia at the time." _________________________________________________________________________________________ Five metallic objects fell from the clouds in a burning wreath of flame. "Princess, what are those?" Twilight asked from the table, pointing at the window. Celestia looked, and suddenly her expression darkened. She stood, and walked to the window where she could get a better look. Her face darkened even more with tears starting to well in her eyes. "Twilight, run to Ponyville and get the others to safety." She spoke as if there was a knot in her throat. "I don't understand, Princess." "There should be a trap door in the basement of the library. Scan the room with magic and you should see it. Go Twilight. Go now." The solar alicorn said in all seriousness. "What is happening?" The princess of magic asked, completely shocked at her mentor's sudden mood change. "Guards, take her to carriage and bring her to Ponyville." Ordered the ruler. The guards did as she asked while Twilight trundled along in overwhelming surprise. They passed through the castle largely unseen, as it was completely empty. She soon discovered that everyone had gone outside to get a better look at the spectacle as the guards had to shove through the crowd to get to the carriage platform. The problem was that the falling objects were getting closer. And after a few seconds, they hit. In a tight radius a shockwave was sent out that knocked ponies off of their feet. The red glow faded, and they seemed to be tall boxes. Tapered at one end and big enough to fit several ponies side by side. Everyone stopped and stared, even the guards. And after what seemed like an eternity there were exactly twenty small bangs and the four doors of each box hurled themselves into the dirt. When the dust settled five monstrous black giants walked out of the boxes. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Pieces of seemingly decorative armor flew from stands around the hallway and assembled themselves into a suit around Celestia as she ran threw the corridor. Her sister needed to know that time was up. The aliens had arrived in a massive ship that Luna had seen on a trip to the moon. It was covered in barrels and lances that seemed to be weapons of some sort. The sisters had immediately clouded the skies and tried to detect if anyone aboard could receive telepathic messages. Oddly enough a group of the people in the ship could receive their words and they arranged a meeting on the moon. They creatures were monstrous and were a full two feet taller than the sister maybe more, and they weren't even considering peace. They had a fanatical love for someone they call the Emperor, a stereotypical God-King if she had ever heard of one, and that they would kill them all in his name. Ever since they had been biding their time, trying to make a solution. It seems they were too late. "Luna! Luna wake up!" She yelled while hammering on the door. The door flew open and her sister yelled, "What do you want!" not noticing her armor. "They have come, get your armor. We must protect our nation." The sun princess said solemnly, and her sister obeyed without question. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The massive creatures stood on two legs, easily twice as tall as a normal pony with two arms holding large blocks of metal with thick barrels drilled into them. Strapped to their sides were what seemed to be swords with metal teeth instead of a blade. And all five seemed to be wearing heavy armor. It looked like black pottery with silver metal trim around each plate, on the left shoulder there was a seemingly random color, and on the right there was what looked to be a huge silver skull. attached to the shoulder plates were long fluttering papers sealed to the plates with wax. Things were written in a language she recognized as latin, but some of the words weren't quite right. The moved into a V shaped formation with thundering footsteps and stopped as what Twilight assumed was the leader said something. "They aren't attacking. New course of action?" The deep, slightly metallic, and decidedly male voice asked to no one. Aren't attacking? Why would we attack them? Twilight thought to herself as she noticed the guards tugging at her. "Yes sir." Said the leader. Twilight was moving now, and a carriage was waiting for her. "Marines!" He yelled. "Yes sir!" The rest replied. Twilight was surprised to find that there were no female voices. "Suffer not the alien to live!" The leader cried. No sooner than he had finished saying that, the blocks of metal became alive with light and sound. The roar was deafening and Twilight ran as innocent ponies turned into a unifying red mist. The metal seemed to kick in the hands of the so-called marines as the citizens of Canterlot chocked on the remains of their friends before joining the repulsive cloud. And once they realized that no one was fighting back they put down the hunks of metal that had caused such a brutal massacre, and before she could even think about the possibilities of what they would do next, the pitch black giant pulled out their swords and the teeth came to a horrifying artificial life. They started to spin so fast that they finished the gaps in the blades, and the ponies that had the horrible fate of meeting them were ripped and rended into crimson gore and viscera. She was all but thrown into the carriage as it took off and she watched as the guards tried to telekinetically tear apart the armor of a marine. "Psyker!" It shouted. He picked up his metal block and in the next second the only things left of the two guards, were charred golden shells. In the Emperor's NameMY ARMOR IS CONTEMPT MY SHIELD IS DISGUST MY SWORD IS HATRED. IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME, LET NONE SURVIVE! _________________________________________________________________________________________ The vox channel was silent. There was no need for communication if the xenos weren't going to fight back. Maybe they are smart enough to lay themselves on the emperors sword. That was the one interesting thought that crossed Isothon's mind. The teeth of his chainsword hacked through the horse-like xenos creatures. He was in a relatively peaceful state, but then he started to take notice of movements. Most of the aliens seemed to be frozen in shock, but some were wearing armor. And the ones in armor were taking defensive positions. "Psyker!" Came a shout through the vox system. The acting commander of the kill-team spun around, his chainsword swinging in a large arc that scythed through several xenos, and saw that the golden armored warriors were in fact pyskers. It was suggested by their preliminary scans, that this world had a very large psyker population but if every one of the golden guards had the power, they would need reinforcements. He also saw an aircraft trying to escape the warzone. It was excessively decorated and seemed to be of importance. "Shoot it down." Isothon commanded. Several hard bangs later the carriage-like contraption was falling from the sky in a cloud of burning wood and fabric. The Marine spun and brought his sword down on another group of stock still aliens. Chunks of meat collided with his armor, and a red mist started to form. There was already crimson cloud overhead, but the glint of golden plating was worrying. Suddenly he was enveloped by a dull grey aura, and felt his armor being pulled apart. He looked around to find that a guard had its horn lit up in the same color. Then the grey aura gained a hint of blue as another horn lit up, and the pulling became stronger. The aura gained colors until it was a blazing white light, and the pulling was strong enough to rip of one of his shoulder pads, exposing the weak joints and wires underneath. "Kill-team! To me!" Bolter fire left trails in the air as golden suits burst into pieces. The light faded and the acting leader could move again. Isothon's chainsword roared like a cage beast as it hacked through the crowd. The red cloud slowly expanded as continuos gunfire echoed off the buildings. Adamantium teeth chewed through golden armor as the morale of the xenos crumbled. The noise died down as the last of the horses fell, and the kill-team formed up around the palace door. Two marines ready to fire around the corner, and three ready to mow the xenos down where they stand. "Let us pray." Said the leader as the marines dropped to one knee. "Without the dark, there can be no light." Isothon led. "We have purpose." They answered. "Without the lie, there can be no truth." "We have purpose" "Without the war, there can be no victory." "We have purpose." "Without the death, there can be no sacrifice." "We have purpose." "Without the hope, there can be no future." "We have purpose." "Without the loyalty, there can be no one chapter." "We have purpose." "Without the Emperor, there is nothing." "And we would have no purpose." They all stood, and Isothon hailed the battle barge. "two heavy bolters, two flamers, one jump pack, and one power fist." He said simply. Moments later a small drop pod fell from the sky, filled with the needed equipment and ammunition necessary. The marines geared up, and reformed on the door. "Cleanse, Purge, Kill!" He yelled. The door flew off the hinges as it was kicked in and the flamers started to melt and blacken the stone interior of the fantastic building. Golden armor melted into burning flesh, and fur ignited in screaming masses of civilian and military personnel. Heavy bolters sent large shells thundering into into the firestorm of His wrath. The jets on Isothon's pack ignited, and the fist crackled with energy. The chainsword roared, and while going without a firearm was a strange choice, killing the Emperor's enemies by hand was giving Him more praise than anything else, in Grimote's opinion. "Hold fire!" He yelled. The firing stopped, and in a moment of perfect glory, he saw the xenos dying in dozens. Burning corpses, and maimed carcasses slept together in perfect silence over a bloody, melting crater of blackened marble. The jets on his pack launched him into the hallway at blinding speeds. The whine of acceleration was deafening, and he slammed into the wall above a gathering of golden armor, his powerfist digging into the stone, and holding him with ease. The other marines advanced, flames licking the walls and igniting elegant tapestries, shells hurling themselves down range and exploding inside the bodies of xenos creatures. "Hold your ground!" Said a female voice as two figures stepped around the corner. They were both large, about the height of a tall guardsmen, and Isothon recognized them as the matriarchs of this kingdom. One wore shining white and gold, and seemed to be leading, while the other wore pitch black and dark blue, and seemed to be readying for combat. Grimote released his electrified grip from the wall and launched himself forward. He extended his fist, and it connected with a skull made of blue and black armor. Lightening arced from the fingers, through the metal armor, and he was hurled backwards through crackling flames, and explosive shells. The helmet was torn from the face of the xeno, just as his other shoulder pad was torn from his arm by a bolter round. He flew through the door way and skidded to a halt a few feet away from the supply drop. His vision was black as the psychic blast had fried his helmets sensors. The helmet came off, and his vision was clouded from the disorientation caused by the sheer power of the blast. "Fear of the Xenos, we need heavy reinforcements! Strong psyker presence, around thirty-three percent of the population!" Yelled Isothon into the vox. He tore off the mangled, sparking powerfist. He ignored the pain of electricity burns as he waited for his armor to release stimulants. Grimote chose two bolters at random, and hauled them into a firing position. He walked forward at the ground eating pace that astartes love, and roared over the firing weapons. "Fall back!" The marines backed up as he pulled both triggers, and aimed at the two figures at the end of the long hallway. His bolters added to the beautiful cacophony, as the kill-team slowly backed out of the doorway, and dozens of drop pods fell in flaming glory from the now bright blue sky. Author's Note I realize that some instances here probably aren't accurate in terms lore, but I still haven't done much in the way of research. Sorry if it bugs you, but its very likely that it won't get better. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Winter. The Dark GodsBUBOES, PHLEGM, BLOOD AND GUTS! BOILS, BOGEYS, ROT AND PUS! BLISTERS, FEVERS, WEEPING SORES! FROM YOUR WOUNDS THE FESTER POURS! _________________________________________________________________________________________ The first explosion was deafening. The second struck one of the drivers. After that there were too many to count, but the effect they had was glorious in some kind of sick and twisted way. Flashes of light, sprays of crimson, and tongues of flame all inflicted horrible sensations on her. Then suddenly it stopped. A brilliantly colored flame engulfed everything she could see, but Twilight felt that something was wrong. "Hail to the Prince of Pleasure! Hail to She Who Thirsts!" A female voice screeched. Twilight turned to the noise and the flames parted to reveal a vast orgy of every sensation and desire, so large as to cover an entire world. And in a moment it was all ripped apart with a painfully beautiful, shrieking wave of discolored fire. "Praise to Khorne! Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!" The roar of a dying man filled her ears. and the flames divided once again, as she turned. She saw a lake of crimson stretching far into the horizon, and a mountain of skulls soaring into a flaming sky. On top of the pile of bones was a heavy brass throne, and an indescribable figure of rage. The flames closed like curtains, and it was silent. She felt something wet spray across her back, an when she turned yet again, there was a blood stained book. It was open to a page that read, "Do not ask which creature screams in the night. Do not question who waits for you in the shadow. It is my cry that wakes you in the night, and my body that crouches in the shadow. I am Tzeentch and you are the puppet that dances to my tune." "Blessed be the hand of Nurgh-Leth! Blessed be! Blessed be!" The stench of rotting bodies, and the sound of the happiest laughter found their way to the princess of magic. She turned once more, and shambling alien carcasses slowly started moving through the flames. Green light filled their eye sockecs as they laughed with a twisted joviality. Then it all went black. Stars pulsed in the background of space, and heat threatened to burn her back. Twilight turned for the final time, and a massive amber eye stared into her soul. "Let the galaxy burn!" a historic voice thundered. It echoed through space, and seemed to shake her bones from her flesh as it all faded into nothingness. _________________________________________________________________________________________ (If you would like some url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASj81daun5Q]heroic music[/url to help you read)] Celestia stumbled to the side, as her sister was thrown into the wall. The closest lines of guards were knocked off of their feet, and even the Marines at the end of the hall flinched from the sheer energy of the blast. Her vision blurred for a second, but she recovered in time to see one more golden shell smashed by a renegade shoulder plate. The older sister turned and rushed towards Luna, and had a feeling similar to being kicked in the stomach as a projectile blackened her armor. She ignored the pain and continued towards her sister, whose face was now visibly mangled by electrical burns. The solar alicorn looked into Luna's eyes as the wounds began to rapidly close, and they both knew what to do. Sparks arced between their horns as the lunar princess stood, and when they finished turning, bolts of jagged blue shot from their horns. Lightening licked at the melting walls, as the fires had refused to die, and the warriors started to move back at an almost inaudible command. The guards, seeing their leaders power, added their own magic to the storm and soon the Marines were outside the door. "Keep pushing forward ponies! We will drive them from our homes, and families! This affront will not be tolerated!" She cried over the deafening crackle of energy unleashed. The lightening dismantled the doorway with all the power of a hundred dying beasts, and the scene in front of her was glorious. Five armored giants stood with roaring weapons as electricity filled a perfect blue sky. Dozens of fiery tails marred that wonderful sky, and as one neared the ground it struck out with spears of starving flame. The impact shook the earth, and the doors of the box threw themselves open. A mighty black and silver machine stomped out, its size dwarfing the giants, and its metal feet sounding like drums as they collided with the dirt. "I have come to to destroy you." It said in a deadpan tone. One arm made of bound barrels started cycling, and the other, which was strickingly similar to its feet, ignited in jets of searing heat. All around her a metallic tasting crimson mist began to form, and it filled her with the fury of all those who had died that day. The storm of magical energy collapsed in on itself and gathered around her horn as she charged towards the black monstrosity, her movements completely silent compared to the constant roar of the battle. She felt that sensation of pain once again, but this time it seemed to bring her joy instead of misery. She tried to shrug it off, but the towering machine had turned to her, and she felt the full force of its fire power as her magically sealed armor tried to hold off the inevitable. She diverted some of the energy from her horn into a protective shield in the same moment her armor ruptured. She felt crippling pain of gold shards burying themselves in her burning flesh, as the fire finally made its way to her. The shield of pure power weathered the damage, and she spurred herself on faster. "Only in death does duty end." Its monotone voice boomed. Celestia remained silent as its flaming hand crashed into the shield, sending the torso of the machine reeling as it recoiled off of the immense power. Its flank exposed in perfect timing, as the magic sliced through its armor like paper, and the power was released. The massive war engine flew from the ground, its plating shearing from its body in twisted strips, and lightening filling the air. Her power expended, and the psychic shield gone, she fell to her knees. Everything started to fade as blinding pain and deafening noise filled her head before it turned black. And for the first time in thousands of years, the planet had once again heard the thunder of war. The Siege BeginsAuthor's Note Sorry guys, not the end of the month I know, but close enough I think. Also, please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes and notify me, I wanted to get this done as soon as I could. Enjoy the new chapter. Winter The Siege Begins Walls of Stone, Walls of Iron, Fall Down All the Same, They May Delay but Never Prevent, The Hail of Death, and Pain. _______________________________________________________________________________________ "Fall Back!" The ancient dreadnought was no longer in the vicinity. It was instead, flying through the sky in pieces. This alone was a demonstration of psychic might that could only be rivaled by the most powerful psykers that the Imperium has to offer. Grimote hailed the ship. "The dreadnought has fallen. We need supplies a few kilometers back." "Did I hear you correctly? Have we lost a dreadnought?" Replied an angry tech adept. Grimote cut him off right then. The Drop pods were hitting the ground with the sound of a titan's footfall. Three hit the ground fairly close to the huddled mass of golden armor. The doors slammed down, and automated turrets on the inside flipped out, and opened fire. The gold seemed to create clouds of shrapnel, as the black and twisted metal flew from the bloody and punctured bodies of the horses. Another two came down, one in the forest below the cliff face, and the other one near the edge, causing it start crumbling. "Full retreat! Stop firing!" Grimote shouted to his squad-mates. "Help our brothers!" The squad turned their backs on the dying mass of guards, and hurried to the drop pod on the crumbling ledge. The doors blew outwards, and the cliff started to slide. The five battle-brothers inside jumped out of the tumbling pod and onto the solid cliff. Grimote threw himself onto the ground, and caught the hand of one his brothers. Pulling him up and over the edge, the recently saved astartes commented, "I think we need a different way down, don't you Captain?" "I would agree. Now help the others." The statement was pointless since the last of the five was just now pulling himself up. "Reinforcements are here, where do you want us?" Said a female pilot over the vox. "Come and get us, then drop down a few kilometers back in the forest." "The Emperor protects." She said in farewell. Isothon switched vox channels to the third squad of five. "Start clearing a path, and follow the thunderhawks." "Yes captain." A voice answered. By this point the ponies had retreated into their castle with the body of their diarch. The turrets had stopped firing, and everyone seemed to be safe. The walls of the palace were black, burning, and melting. The screams of the wounded and dying were audible through the thick stone walls. Grimote contemplated how long this war would be drawn out. The capture of this city was supposed to take two hours maximum, instead they had been repelled, and the enemy retreated into a fortified position. The stalemate could go on until the enemy ran out of food, but this was only one nation, of one species on this planet. If one species was this powerful, what would the others be like? What of the thousands of large dragon-like lizards that also inhabited the planet? What of the humanoid bulls, or the chaos infested creatures in the most inhospitable regions of the planet? The rock was rotting from the inside out, and chaos could have a foot-hold anywhere. His thoughts were cut off by the roaring sound of a shuttle flying towards them at high speeds. It slowed suddenly and turned so an opening was facing them. "Get in!" A speaker shouted at them. The marines obliged. And soon they were racing off to the makeshift encampment that was their only presence on the world. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight Sparkle woke in the forest below the sheer rock face that Canterlot stood upon. Not that she could actually see Canterlot, she was either too far from the capital city, or below a canopy too dense for her to see light. It very much seemed like the latter option was the current problem. The extravagantly decorated carriage was now nothing more than a wreck of burning wood, and heated metal. She couldn't quite remember the crash, nor how long she had been passed out. What was really remarkable though, was the fact that she survived. There was only one surviving pony, and even he would die soon. There was a wooden shard buried in the side of his chest, pinning him the the dirt. It must've missed his heart, because he was alive and screaming. The screaming didn't make sense though, for it was in garbled and guttural speech, and seemed to be filled with pleasure rather than pain. Twilight got closer to examinate, and saw that there was a rune burned into the bottom of a paralyzed hoof. It was softly glowing like a burning coal, and as soon a she saw it the alicorn sank to her knees, the memories flooding back to her. Pleasure, Secrecy, Plague, and Blood. The planet sized eye entered her head agin, and the corrupted pony screamed in agony. "Let the galaxy burn!" "I think I heard something, Do I have permission to search?" "Yes, brother." Twilight panicked as she heard the marine trample bushes beneath his armored boots. She looked around for no less then a second, when she saw a dense overgrowth of tall grass. She bolted just before silver skull shoulder pad a appeared from behind a tree. The black giant was slightly shorter than a minotaur warrior, and taller than Celestia by a fair margin. He was carrying one of those lethal machines in his, and had one of the toothed swords attached to his hip. "Quit your screaming xenos filth!" The marine ordered the dying pony. "No! Don't kill me!" The corrupted pony laughed sarcastically. "I am the Emperor's angel of death, not his angel of mercy." The metal barked twice, and the golden guard was turned into a red pulp. Then there was a mumbling as the marines voice was muffled by his helmet. He started searching the wreckage, and Twilight shook in fear of being found by the ruthless giant. After about three minutes she heard more stomping, and four more marines walked into the clearing. "Show yourself within the next minute, and we will take you alive! But if you make us search for you, I will personally tear your legs apart with my chainsword, and leave you to bleed and die, alone!" The GuardAuthor's Note Sorry for the wait, and the fact that i've been skipping around in chapters. My goal is that eventually there are some epic battle scenes, and everything converges in a much smaller time scale. I hope you understood all that, thanks for reading, sorry again for the delay, and enjoy some imperial guard. The Guard Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that. _________________________________________________________________________________________ A green tide surged over the hills outside the sanctuary once known as Ponyville. The roar rose from the sea of belligerent orks, and shook the ground beneath the rioting ponies. Just then there was a ring of flame that appeared in a ring enclosing the walls of the town and vanished as soon as it touched the ground leaving nothing but slightly distorted air. "WAAAAAAAAAGH!" came the battle cry once more as the bloodthirsty brutes reached the wall and started firing. Of course, being irks, they were to blinded by the need to kill that the dimwits failed to notice the psychic shield, and their internal systems overloaded as they ran head first into the shimmering dome. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The dropship hurtled towards little more than a clearing in the forest. Why the Deathwatch couldn't make a proper landing pad was beyond you, especially since they had built a pretty secure looking stronghold not more than a kilometer away. Of course the armor had gotten here first, as was plain to see rom the bane blade looking very imposing by the main entrance, and the earth shakers atop rockcrete towers. This was of course a very rare opportunity for any imperial guard regiment, let alone for the 17th Tyrant Shredders. Even being a commissar for the regiment, you hardly know anything about the peculiar organization of soldiers. They do not talk of their home world, and are now completely space bound. The little amount that anyone outside the higher ranks of the administratum knew, was that their home world was besieged by tyranids and was destroyed by an exterminatus. Their is given by their somewhat unorthodox use of modified lightening claws produced only by the engineers attached to the regiment, and they specialize in the killing of xenos. The engines screamed, and the dropship shook with enough strength as to vibrate the bones in your body. The ship had finally touched ground. "Everyone out." Came the pilots voice in the commbead. All of the troopers stood up, still talking happily as is the usual when entering a peaceful area. Suits of black and green flak armor entered the sunlight, and you realized it was a mistake to wear the greatcoat. Outside the air conditioned environment of the dropship the heat felt like it was burning. Stripping the greatcoat, the heat died down immediately, going from sweltering, to annoying. The heavy weapons specialist came out behind you, hauling an auto cannon like a mover would haul furniture. The air screamed once again, as the dropship rose, the heavy weapons team stumbled in the force of it, and the aircraft was gone. "Everyone in formation!" Shouted Sergeant Valerian Valerian was a very relaxed man generally, remembering the pains of training, the irritation of having every superior to so much as glance at you, call you filth. Unfortunately, when the good sergeant was watched by others with differing opinions on how he should control his soldiers he became the strictest man in the galaxy, checking for everything including the most minor uniform infraction. So strict in fact that it was well known amongst the Tyrant Shredders that his squad was a nightmare to be in. Most of this attitude had rubbed of quite easily on you, considering that you studied under Commissar Cain himself, and firmly believed in the hero's suggestion of not shooting any wayward soldier who decided to be a smart ass. In fact you were a quite rare breed of Commissar who tended to socialize with the soldiers of the regiment you were attached to. "Forward!" Valerian yelled. 2nd Squad of the 3rd Company started to march towards the base in lockstep, with the marching bands of the other companies playing up the road. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The ground-shaking WAAAGH! slowly died down as the orks slowly got it through their thick skulls that they couldn't storm the walls. There were hundreds of variations of "What do we do boss?" and "Shut it ya bloody squig lover!" And suddenly a massive metal monstrosity shoved his way to the peak of the hill, sending orks flying in all directions. "Alright boyz! Wots da hold up!?" "Sorry Warboss Bloodklaw, but da boyz can't get through the wall thingy." "Wot?" "Look fer herself boss." The Nob said prior hurling a gretchin at the wall, it turned into ash just before it touched the rockcrete. "Can ya fix this git?" The Warboss growled. "No boss." The Nob's voice trembled. "Well get me someone who can, ya filthy humie lovin, stupid as a squib, gretchin!" The black, scrap metal, power klaw attached to the right arm of the war boss's mech-like body, swung down and split the massive nob from crotch to topknot in a second. Ichor and gore spilled everywhere, and showered a number of green skins in blood and guts. The crowd started to part after this, all to reveal an ork slightly taller than a normal nob, dressed in a large cloak covering almost all of the greenskin, carrying a scepter made of scrap metal. "I think I can fix this." The ork said with an eloquence rarely scene in their kind. "Then do it!" Bloodklaw yelled in frustration. "First, I need to sacrifice some of the boyz." "Yeah? And who are you to order my boyz around?" "Boss, I fink he's one a dem weirdboyz." There was a brilliant flash of green lightening, and the unfortunate nob was a pile of ash on the floor arcing with green electricity. "That should do." The pile of ash started to rise, and spread, slowly forming a cloud of conductive ash fire bolts of sickly green everywhere, with the crack of superheated air. It continued to rise and spread until it looked over everything for miles, and the only arcing was between the particles. Then, as if a sudden decision was made all the electricity was gone, and a second later the hooded ork started softly laughing. The laugh rose in volume, and talk between other irks died down as they all started to stare.The laugh rose up to an insane mans cackle, and was suddenly drown out by an ear shattering boom. Every individual particle of ash fired a lash of the blinding green lightening, all of which centered at a singular point in the psychic dome. The point of the dome collapsed in dark green fire, and it spread. It spread across the invisible bowl of energy, consuming it until there was audible screaming coming from inside the walls. The ork horde slowly started towards the rockcrete wall, and when one of them laid a hand on it, he let out the ork's famous bellow. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Seconds later the whole horde was screaming , rockets were flying, engines were revving, and ork weapons were chattering. Green hide was pouring over the wall, and in the sky purple and green lightening was clashing. For the Good of the PlanetAnother day nearer the battle, So drink up lads, and look brave, For another day nearer the battle, Is another day nearer the grave. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The warning came only a few minutes ago, and already the minotaur armies were marching. Warband Steelbone was one of the last companies to receive word of the invasion, and the commander was furious. Chieftain Steelbone himself was walking the camps clad in full armor, yelling belligerently, and making threats with his axe. The weapon had a crude beauty, a, single blade about two feet long, and a foot from the haft to the apex of the deadly curve, it was wrought from pure iron, and was sharpened unevenly, making it look as if the edge was beaten from the blade itself. His armor consisted of little more than thick sheets of random metals attached to a stiff leather carapace. Each plate was at least 5 inches thick, and the chest piece was a full foot thick, and entirely steel with the chieftain's own broken bone sigil in the center. "Pick up your lazy asses and move! You aren't soldiers, your cows! Hell, even the cows move faster than you sniveling, less than intelligent, rocks!" This was followed by a snort, and some kind of guttural roar. "We're moving as fast as we can, shut up!" This shout came from a half dressed minotaur with only his leggings on, and thus was not very intimidating. Steelbone's hoof flew forward with such force that the bone shattered, and the shin plate cracked. Then the axe started to fall, and there was a metallic ringing as the flat of the axe rendered the challengers horn into nothing but shards. The other minotaur's head snapped around, and his body spun to match as he sprawled out on the ground. "Get my whip!" The chief bellowed. The beaten soldier was was restrained by his comrades, face down over the top of a bench. Steelbone's servant hastily presented him with his whip. The weapon itself looked like something out of a book of torture. The sickening aesthetic of the braided leather was matched only by the horror caused by using it. The leather was four feet of glossy black, with barbed steel hooks along the length stopping about a foot from the bottom and the tip, which had a tiny steel mace head, half an inch across, and razor sharp. The crack of thunder was heard as the whip sliced through air and flesh, faster than could be seen. The sound echoed through the swiftly packing camp, and everything seemed to stop and watch as screams echoed eleven more times, and thunder twenty-nine times after that. After a score and a half of lashing the only thing left of the now dead challengers back was maimed flaps of skin, and carved vertebrae. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The ponies of Ponyville were in a state of panic. The royal guard had showed up to their town with the injured in tow. The stories were that the princesses had sent a small force into the Everfree, with the hope of gaining information. Unfortunately all that came back were horror stories of killing sounds, and metal giants. Princess Twilight had returned with the carnage that was left of the scouting party. She stumbled through town, her fur matted with dry blood, and locked herself in the library. After a few days Twilight called all the remaining soldiers to her, and told them to mix some things together and build walls. These walls were rocky and pale, and made of single slabs of stone. Rockcrete, she called the material. It was mush stronger than any other building material on hand, and it was at least a few feet thick. Effective enough to stop just about anything on the planet. The citizens of Ponyville felt much safer after this new addition, but the princess also started to recruit unicorns. For what reasons, they didn't know, but it was never a question they bothered to ask when ponies started getting killed for simple things, like being sick, or having sex. The entire town was put to work eventually, and one day, seemingly at random, the elusive princess Twilight walked out of her tree. "The Ruinous Powers have turned their gaze to the rock we call home, and they seek to destroy us. I have seen the end of this struggle, and the turning point is here. Ponyville shall be the last bastion of light against the darkness. You are no longer free, for freedom is now dangerous. There shall be a cataclysmic meeting of powers on this planet. Powers of all kinds, shall do battle. Great war machines shall battle dragons, silent soldiers shall kill those that have forgotten them, and the two greatest brutes shall meet in open combat on plains of fire. Only behind these walls can the ponies survive, and until our time comes, we can do nothing but watch." The crowd sat in shocked silence for a while, until someone yelled out in protest. "She's gone mad!" He was killed immediately. He just crumpled to the floor, like his body shut down. "She murdered my husband!" A mare yelled, as she rushed to her lovers dead body. She collapsed on top of him. "Why are you doing this to us?" Yelled another stallion cried out. "For the good of the planet." was the only answer she gave before walking inside, and closing the door behind her. "I refuse to be enslaved!" Shouted a female voice from the center of the crowd. And suddenly it erupted into violence. Rocks flew threw the air and bounced harmlessly of air, the unseen walls of psychic energy not budging in the slightest. Royal guard shouldered their way into the crowd, and put down anyone spreading dissent.This madness went on for only a few minutes until it was silenced by an unending, unwavering, primal roar. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Author's Note for all you Slaanesh worshippers out there ;) All constructive criticism is accepted.
The Beginning of the EndWARNING! BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR'S HOLY INQUISITION THE FOLLOWING CONTENT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS HERESY! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Ask not whence the thunder comes. _________________________________________________________________________________________ "I was in Canterlot when it happened." Twilight said in the darkness of the bunker. "How did you manage to survive?" Asked Rarity with a gasp. "Because she is a princess, silly!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie. Good old Pinkie. Always happy, even in the darkest situations. "It had been too cloudy to see the sky for weeks then, and I should have known that the princesses were hiding things." "Ah can't believe the princesses would even think of hidin' the truth." Applejack said with accusation. No one said anything to defend them. "I was having dinner with the Celestia at the time." _________________________________________________________________________________________ Five metallic objects fell from the clouds in a burning wreath of flame. "Princess, what are those?" Twilight asked from the table, pointing at the window. Celestia looked, and suddenly her expression darkened. She stood, and walked to the window where she could get a better look. Her face darkened even more with tears starting to well in her eyes. "Twilight, run to Ponyville and get the others to safety." She spoke as if there was a knot in her throat. "I don't understand, Princess." "There should be a trap door in the basement of the library. Scan the room with magic and you should see it. Go Twilight. Go now." The solar alicorn said in all seriousness. "What is happening?" The princess of magic asked, completely shocked at her mentor's sudden mood change. "Guards, take her to carriage and bring her to Ponyville." Ordered the ruler. The guards did as she asked while Twilight trundled along in overwhelming surprise. They passed through the castle largely unseen, as it was completely empty. She soon discovered that everyone had gone outside to get a better look at the spectacle as the guards had to shove through the crowd to get to the carriage platform. The problem was that the falling objects were getting closer. And after a few seconds, they hit. In a tight radius a shockwave was sent out that knocked ponies off of their feet. The red glow faded, and they seemed to be tall boxes. Tapered at one end and big enough to fit several ponies side by side. Everyone stopped and stared, even the guards. And after what seemed like an eternity there were exactly twenty small bangs and the four doors of each box hurled themselves into the dirt. When the dust settled five monstrous black giants walked out of the boxes. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Pieces of seemingly decorative armor flew from stands around the hallway and assembled themselves into a suit around Celestia as she ran threw the corridor. Her sister needed to know that time was up. The aliens had arrived in a massive ship that Luna had seen on a trip to the moon. It was covered in barrels and lances that seemed to be weapons of some sort. The sisters had immediately clouded the skies and tried to detect if anyone aboard could receive telepathic messages. Oddly enough a group of the people in the ship could receive their words and they arranged a meeting on the moon. They creatures were monstrous and were a full two feet taller than the sister maybe more, and they weren't even considering peace. They had a fanatical love for someone they call the Emperor, a stereotypical God-King if she had ever heard of one, and that they would kill them all in his name. Ever since they had been biding their time, trying to make a solution. It seems they were too late. "Luna! Luna wake up!" She yelled while hammering on the door. The door flew open and her sister yelled, "What do you want!" not noticing her armor. "They have come, get your armor. We must protect our nation." The sun princess said solemnly, and her sister obeyed without question. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The massive creatures stood on two legs, easily twice as tall as a normal pony with two arms holding large blocks of metal with thick barrels drilled into them. Strapped to their sides were what seemed to be swords with metal teeth instead of a blade. And all five seemed to be wearing heavy armor. It looked like black pottery with silver metal trim around each plate, on the left shoulder there was a seemingly random color, and on the right there was what looked to be a huge silver skull. attached to the shoulder plates were long fluttering papers sealed to the plates with wax. Things were written in a language she recognized as latin, but some of the words weren't quite right. The moved into a V shaped formation with thundering footsteps and stopped as what Twilight assumed was the leader said something. "They aren't attacking. New course of action?" The deep, slightly metallic, and decidedly male voice asked to no one. Aren't attacking? Why would we attack them? Twilight thought to herself as she noticed the guards tugging at her. "Yes sir." Said the leader. Twilight was moving now, and a carriage was waiting for her. "Marines!" He yelled. "Yes sir!" The rest replied. Twilight was surprised to find that there were no female voices. "Suffer not the alien to live!" The leader cried. No sooner than he had finished saying that, the blocks of metal became alive with light and sound. The roar was deafening and Twilight ran as innocent ponies turned into a unifying red mist. The metal seemed to kick in the hands of the so-called marines as the citizens of Canterlot chocked on the remains of their friends before joining the repulsive cloud. And once they realized that no one was fighting back they put down the hunks of metal that had caused such a brutal massacre, and before she could even think about the possibilities of what they would do next, the pitch black giant pulled out their swords and the teeth came to a horrifying artificial life. They started to spin so fast that they finished the gaps in the blades, and the ponies that had the horrible fate of meeting them were ripped and rended into crimson gore and viscera. She was all but thrown into the carriage as it took off and she watched as the guards tried to telekinetically tear apart the armor of a marine. "Psyker!" It shouted. He picked up his metal block and in the next second the only things left of the two guards, were charred golden shells.
In the Emperor's NameMY ARMOR IS CONTEMPT MY SHIELD IS DISGUST MY SWORD IS HATRED. IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME, LET NONE SURVIVE! _________________________________________________________________________________________ The vox channel was silent. There was no need for communication if the xenos weren't going to fight back. Maybe they are smart enough to lay themselves on the emperors sword. That was the one interesting thought that crossed Isothon's mind. The teeth of his chainsword hacked through the horse-like xenos creatures. He was in a relatively peaceful state, but then he started to take notice of movements. Most of the aliens seemed to be frozen in shock, but some were wearing armor. And the ones in armor were taking defensive positions. "Psyker!" Came a shout through the vox system. The acting commander of the kill-team spun around, his chainsword swinging in a large arc that scythed through several xenos, and saw that the golden armored warriors were in fact pyskers. It was suggested by their preliminary scans, that this world had a very large psyker population but if every one of the golden guards had the power, they would need reinforcements. He also saw an aircraft trying to escape the warzone. It was excessively decorated and seemed to be of importance. "Shoot it down." Isothon commanded. Several hard bangs later the carriage-like contraption was falling from the sky in a cloud of burning wood and fabric. The Marine spun and brought his sword down on another group of stock still aliens. Chunks of meat collided with his armor, and a red mist started to form. There was already crimson cloud overhead, but the glint of golden plating was worrying. Suddenly he was enveloped by a dull grey aura, and felt his armor being pulled apart. He looked around to find that a guard had its horn lit up in the same color. Then the grey aura gained a hint of blue as another horn lit up, and the pulling became stronger. The aura gained colors until it was a blazing white light, and the pulling was strong enough to rip of one of his shoulder pads, exposing the weak joints and wires underneath. "Kill-team! To me!" Bolter fire left trails in the air as golden suits burst into pieces. The light faded and the acting leader could move again. Isothon's chainsword roared like a cage beast as it hacked through the crowd. The red cloud slowly expanded as continuos gunfire echoed off the buildings. Adamantium teeth chewed through golden armor as the morale of the xenos crumbled. The noise died down as the last of the horses fell, and the kill-team formed up around the palace door. Two marines ready to fire around the corner, and three ready to mow the xenos down where they stand. "Let us pray." Said the leader as the marines dropped to one knee. "Without the dark, there can be no light." Isothon led. "We have purpose." They answered. "Without the lie, there can be no truth." "We have purpose" "Without the war, there can be no victory." "We have purpose." "Without the death, there can be no sacrifice." "We have purpose." "Without the hope, there can be no future." "We have purpose." "Without the loyalty, there can be no one chapter." "We have purpose." "Without the Emperor, there is nothing." "And we would have no purpose." They all stood, and Isothon hailed the battle barge. "two heavy bolters, two flamers, one jump pack, and one power fist." He said simply. Moments later a small drop pod fell from the sky, filled with the needed equipment and ammunition necessary. The marines geared up, and reformed on the door. "Cleanse, Purge, Kill!" He yelled. The door flew off the hinges as it was kicked in and the flamers started to melt and blacken the stone interior of the fantastic building. Golden armor melted into burning flesh, and fur ignited in screaming masses of civilian and military personnel. Heavy bolters sent large shells thundering into into the firestorm of His wrath. The jets on Isothon's pack ignited, and the fist crackled with energy. The chainsword roared, and while going without a firearm was a strange choice, killing the Emperor's enemies by hand was giving Him more praise than anything else, in Grimote's opinion. "Hold fire!" He yelled. The firing stopped, and in a moment of perfect glory, he saw the xenos dying in dozens. Burning corpses, and maimed carcasses slept together in perfect silence over a bloody, melting crater of blackened marble. The jets on his pack launched him into the hallway at blinding speeds. The whine of acceleration was deafening, and he slammed into the wall above a gathering of golden armor, his powerfist digging into the stone, and holding him with ease. The other marines advanced, flames licking the walls and igniting elegant tapestries, shells hurling themselves down range and exploding inside the bodies of xenos creatures. "Hold your ground!" Said a female voice as two figures stepped around the corner. They were both large, about the height of a tall guardsmen, and Isothon recognized them as the matriarchs of this kingdom. One wore shining white and gold, and seemed to be leading, while the other wore pitch black and dark blue, and seemed to be readying for combat. Grimote released his electrified grip from the wall and launched himself forward. He extended his fist, and it connected with a skull made of blue and black armor. Lightening arced from the fingers, through the metal armor, and he was hurled backwards through crackling flames, and explosive shells. The helmet was torn from the face of the xeno, just as his other shoulder pad was torn from his arm by a bolter round. He flew through the door way and skidded to a halt a few feet away from the supply drop. His vision was black as the psychic blast had fried his helmets sensors. The helmet came off, and his vision was clouded from the disorientation caused by the sheer power of the blast. "Fear of the Xenos, we need heavy reinforcements! Strong psyker presence, around thirty-three percent of the population!" Yelled Isothon into the vox. He tore off the mangled, sparking powerfist. He ignored the pain of electricity burns as he waited for his armor to release stimulants. Grimote chose two bolters at random, and hauled them into a firing position. He walked forward at the ground eating pace that astartes love, and roared over the firing weapons. "Fall back!" The marines backed up as he pulled both triggers, and aimed at the two figures at the end of the long hallway. His bolters added to the beautiful cacophony, as the kill-team slowly backed out of the doorway, and dozens of drop pods fell in flaming glory from the now bright blue sky. Author's Note I realize that some instances here probably aren't accurate in terms lore, but I still haven't done much in the way of research. Sorry if it bugs you, but its very likely that it won't get better. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Winter.
The Dark GodsBUBOES, PHLEGM, BLOOD AND GUTS! BOILS, BOGEYS, ROT AND PUS! BLISTERS, FEVERS, WEEPING SORES! FROM YOUR WOUNDS THE FESTER POURS! _________________________________________________________________________________________ The first explosion was deafening. The second struck one of the drivers. After that there were too many to count, but the effect they had was glorious in some kind of sick and twisted way. Flashes of light, sprays of crimson, and tongues of flame all inflicted horrible sensations on her. Then suddenly it stopped. A brilliantly colored flame engulfed everything she could see, but Twilight felt that something was wrong. "Hail to the Prince of Pleasure! Hail to She Who Thirsts!" A female voice screeched. Twilight turned to the noise and the flames parted to reveal a vast orgy of every sensation and desire, so large as to cover an entire world. And in a moment it was all ripped apart with a painfully beautiful, shrieking wave of discolored fire. "Praise to Khorne! Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!" The roar of a dying man filled her ears. and the flames divided once again, as she turned. She saw a lake of crimson stretching far into the horizon, and a mountain of skulls soaring into a flaming sky. On top of the pile of bones was a heavy brass throne, and an indescribable figure of rage. The flames closed like curtains, and it was silent. She felt something wet spray across her back, an when she turned yet again, there was a blood stained book. It was open to a page that read, "Do not ask which creature screams in the night. Do not question who waits for you in the shadow. It is my cry that wakes you in the night, and my body that crouches in the shadow. I am Tzeentch and you are the puppet that dances to my tune." "Blessed be the hand of Nurgh-Leth! Blessed be! Blessed be!" The stench of rotting bodies, and the sound of the happiest laughter found their way to the princess of magic. She turned once more, and shambling alien carcasses slowly started moving through the flames. Green light filled their eye sockecs as they laughed with a twisted joviality. Then it all went black. Stars pulsed in the background of space, and heat threatened to burn her back. Twilight turned for the final time, and a massive amber eye stared into her soul. "Let the galaxy burn!" a historic voice thundered. It echoed through space, and seemed to shake her bones from her flesh as it all faded into nothingness. _________________________________________________________________________________________ (If you would like some url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASj81daun5Q]heroic music[/url to help you read)] Celestia stumbled to the side, as her sister was thrown into the wall. The closest lines of guards were knocked off of their feet, and even the Marines at the end of the hall flinched from the sheer energy of the blast. Her vision blurred for a second, but she recovered in time to see one more golden shell smashed by a renegade shoulder plate. The older sister turned and rushed towards Luna, and had a feeling similar to being kicked in the stomach as a projectile blackened her armor. She ignored the pain and continued towards her sister, whose face was now visibly mangled by electrical burns. The solar alicorn looked into Luna's eyes as the wounds began to rapidly close, and they both knew what to do. Sparks arced between their horns as the lunar princess stood, and when they finished turning, bolts of jagged blue shot from their horns. Lightening licked at the melting walls, as the fires had refused to die, and the warriors started to move back at an almost inaudible command. The guards, seeing their leaders power, added their own magic to the storm and soon the Marines were outside the door. "Keep pushing forward ponies! We will drive them from our homes, and families! This affront will not be tolerated!" She cried over the deafening crackle of energy unleashed. The lightening dismantled the doorway with all the power of a hundred dying beasts, and the scene in front of her was glorious. Five armored giants stood with roaring weapons as electricity filled a perfect blue sky. Dozens of fiery tails marred that wonderful sky, and as one neared the ground it struck out with spears of starving flame. The impact shook the earth, and the doors of the box threw themselves open. A mighty black and silver machine stomped out, its size dwarfing the giants, and its metal feet sounding like drums as they collided with the dirt. "I have come to to destroy you." It said in a deadpan tone. One arm made of bound barrels started cycling, and the other, which was strickingly similar to its feet, ignited in jets of searing heat. All around her a metallic tasting crimson mist began to form, and it filled her with the fury of all those who had died that day. The storm of magical energy collapsed in on itself and gathered around her horn as she charged towards the black monstrosity, her movements completely silent compared to the constant roar of the battle. She felt that sensation of pain once again, but this time it seemed to bring her joy instead of misery. She tried to shrug it off, but the towering machine had turned to her, and she felt the full force of its fire power as her magically sealed armor tried to hold off the inevitable. She diverted some of the energy from her horn into a protective shield in the same moment her armor ruptured. She felt crippling pain of gold shards burying themselves in her burning flesh, as the fire finally made its way to her. The shield of pure power weathered the damage, and she spurred herself on faster. "Only in death does duty end." Its monotone voice boomed. Celestia remained silent as its flaming hand crashed into the shield, sending the torso of the machine reeling as it recoiled off of the immense power. Its flank exposed in perfect timing, as the magic sliced through its armor like paper, and the power was released. The massive war engine flew from the ground, its plating shearing from its body in twisted strips, and lightening filling the air. Her power expended, and the psychic shield gone, she fell to her knees. Everything started to fade as blinding pain and deafening noise filled her head before it turned black. And for the first time in thousands of years, the planet had once again heard the thunder of war.
The Siege BeginsAuthor's Note Sorry guys, not the end of the month I know, but close enough I think. Also, please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes and notify me, I wanted to get this done as soon as I could. Enjoy the new chapter. Winter The Siege Begins Walls of Stone, Walls of Iron, Fall Down All the Same, They May Delay but Never Prevent, The Hail of Death, and Pain. _______________________________________________________________________________________ "Fall Back!" The ancient dreadnought was no longer in the vicinity. It was instead, flying through the sky in pieces. This alone was a demonstration of psychic might that could only be rivaled by the most powerful psykers that the Imperium has to offer. Grimote hailed the ship. "The dreadnought has fallen. We need supplies a few kilometers back." "Did I hear you correctly? Have we lost a dreadnought?" Replied an angry tech adept. Grimote cut him off right then. The Drop pods were hitting the ground with the sound of a titan's footfall. Three hit the ground fairly close to the huddled mass of golden armor. The doors slammed down, and automated turrets on the inside flipped out, and opened fire. The gold seemed to create clouds of shrapnel, as the black and twisted metal flew from the bloody and punctured bodies of the horses. Another two came down, one in the forest below the cliff face, and the other one near the edge, causing it start crumbling. "Full retreat! Stop firing!" Grimote shouted to his squad-mates. "Help our brothers!" The squad turned their backs on the dying mass of guards, and hurried to the drop pod on the crumbling ledge. The doors blew outwards, and the cliff started to slide. The five battle-brothers inside jumped out of the tumbling pod and onto the solid cliff. Grimote threw himself onto the ground, and caught the hand of one his brothers. Pulling him up and over the edge, the recently saved astartes commented, "I think we need a different way down, don't you Captain?" "I would agree. Now help the others." The statement was pointless since the last of the five was just now pulling himself up. "Reinforcements are here, where do you want us?" Said a female pilot over the vox. "Come and get us, then drop down a few kilometers back in the forest." "The Emperor protects." She said in farewell. Isothon switched vox channels to the third squad of five. "Start clearing a path, and follow the thunderhawks." "Yes captain." A voice answered. By this point the ponies had retreated into their castle with the body of their diarch. The turrets had stopped firing, and everyone seemed to be safe. The walls of the palace were black, burning, and melting. The screams of the wounded and dying were audible through the thick stone walls. Grimote contemplated how long this war would be drawn out. The capture of this city was supposed to take two hours maximum, instead they had been repelled, and the enemy retreated into a fortified position. The stalemate could go on until the enemy ran out of food, but this was only one nation, of one species on this planet. If one species was this powerful, what would the others be like? What of the thousands of large dragon-like lizards that also inhabited the planet? What of the humanoid bulls, or the chaos infested creatures in the most inhospitable regions of the planet? The rock was rotting from the inside out, and chaos could have a foot-hold anywhere. His thoughts were cut off by the roaring sound of a shuttle flying towards them at high speeds. It slowed suddenly and turned so an opening was facing them. "Get in!" A speaker shouted at them. The marines obliged. And soon they were racing off to the makeshift encampment that was their only presence on the world. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight Sparkle woke in the forest below the sheer rock face that Canterlot stood upon. Not that she could actually see Canterlot, she was either too far from the capital city, or below a canopy too dense for her to see light. It very much seemed like the latter option was the current problem. The extravagantly decorated carriage was now nothing more than a wreck of burning wood, and heated metal. She couldn't quite remember the crash, nor how long she had been passed out. What was really remarkable though, was the fact that she survived. There was only one surviving pony, and even he would die soon. There was a wooden shard buried in the side of his chest, pinning him the the dirt. It must've missed his heart, because he was alive and screaming. The screaming didn't make sense though, for it was in garbled and guttural speech, and seemed to be filled with pleasure rather than pain. Twilight got closer to examinate, and saw that there was a rune burned into the bottom of a paralyzed hoof. It was softly glowing like a burning coal, and as soon a she saw it the alicorn sank to her knees, the memories flooding back to her. Pleasure, Secrecy, Plague, and Blood. The planet sized eye entered her head agin, and the corrupted pony screamed in agony. "Let the galaxy burn!" "I think I heard something, Do I have permission to search?" "Yes, brother." Twilight panicked as she heard the marine trample bushes beneath his armored boots. She looked around for no less then a second, when she saw a dense overgrowth of tall grass. She bolted just before silver skull shoulder pad a appeared from behind a tree. The black giant was slightly shorter than a minotaur warrior, and taller than Celestia by a fair margin. He was carrying one of those lethal machines in his, and had one of the toothed swords attached to his hip. "Quit your screaming xenos filth!" The marine ordered the dying pony. "No! Don't kill me!" The corrupted pony laughed sarcastically. "I am the Emperor's angel of death, not his angel of mercy." The metal barked twice, and the golden guard was turned into a red pulp. Then there was a mumbling as the marines voice was muffled by his helmet. He started searching the wreckage, and Twilight shook in fear of being found by the ruthless giant. After about three minutes she heard more stomping, and four more marines walked into the clearing. "Show yourself within the next minute, and we will take you alive! But if you make us search for you, I will personally tear your legs apart with my chainsword, and leave you to bleed and die, alone!"
The GuardAuthor's Note Sorry for the wait, and the fact that i've been skipping around in chapters. My goal is that eventually there are some epic battle scenes, and everything converges in a much smaller time scale. I hope you understood all that, thanks for reading, sorry again for the delay, and enjoy some imperial guard. The Guard Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that. _________________________________________________________________________________________ A green tide surged over the hills outside the sanctuary once known as Ponyville. The roar rose from the sea of belligerent orks, and shook the ground beneath the rioting ponies. Just then there was a ring of flame that appeared in a ring enclosing the walls of the town and vanished as soon as it touched the ground leaving nothing but slightly distorted air. "WAAAAAAAAAGH!" came the battle cry once more as the bloodthirsty brutes reached the wall and started firing. Of course, being irks, they were to blinded by the need to kill that the dimwits failed to notice the psychic shield, and their internal systems overloaded as they ran head first into the shimmering dome. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The dropship hurtled towards little more than a clearing in the forest. Why the Deathwatch couldn't make a proper landing pad was beyond you, especially since they had built a pretty secure looking stronghold not more than a kilometer away. Of course the armor had gotten here first, as was plain to see rom the bane blade looking very imposing by the main entrance, and the earth shakers atop rockcrete towers. This was of course a very rare opportunity for any imperial guard regiment, let alone for the 17th Tyrant Shredders. Even being a commissar for the regiment, you hardly know anything about the peculiar organization of soldiers. They do not talk of their home world, and are now completely space bound. The little amount that anyone outside the higher ranks of the administratum knew, was that their home world was besieged by tyranids and was destroyed by an exterminatus. Their is given by their somewhat unorthodox use of modified lightening claws produced only by the engineers attached to the regiment, and they specialize in the killing of xenos. The engines screamed, and the dropship shook with enough strength as to vibrate the bones in your body. The ship had finally touched ground. "Everyone out." Came the pilots voice in the commbead. All of the troopers stood up, still talking happily as is the usual when entering a peaceful area. Suits of black and green flak armor entered the sunlight, and you realized it was a mistake to wear the greatcoat. Outside the air conditioned environment of the dropship the heat felt like it was burning. Stripping the greatcoat, the heat died down immediately, going from sweltering, to annoying. The heavy weapons specialist came out behind you, hauling an auto cannon like a mover would haul furniture. The air screamed once again, as the dropship rose, the heavy weapons team stumbled in the force of it, and the aircraft was gone. "Everyone in formation!" Shouted Sergeant Valerian Valerian was a very relaxed man generally, remembering the pains of training, the irritation of having every superior to so much as glance at you, call you filth. Unfortunately, when the good sergeant was watched by others with differing opinions on how he should control his soldiers he became the strictest man in the galaxy, checking for everything including the most minor uniform infraction. So strict in fact that it was well known amongst the Tyrant Shredders that his squad was a nightmare to be in. Most of this attitude had rubbed of quite easily on you, considering that you studied under Commissar Cain himself, and firmly believed in the hero's suggestion of not shooting any wayward soldier who decided to be a smart ass. In fact you were a quite rare breed of Commissar who tended to socialize with the soldiers of the regiment you were attached to. "Forward!" Valerian yelled. 2nd Squad of the 3rd Company started to march towards the base in lockstep, with the marching bands of the other companies playing up the road. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The ground-shaking WAAAGH! slowly died down as the orks slowly got it through their thick skulls that they couldn't storm the walls. There were hundreds of variations of "What do we do boss?" and "Shut it ya bloody squig lover!" And suddenly a massive metal monstrosity shoved his way to the peak of the hill, sending orks flying in all directions. "Alright boyz! Wots da hold up!?" "Sorry Warboss Bloodklaw, but da boyz can't get through the wall thingy." "Wot?" "Look fer herself boss." The Nob said prior hurling a gretchin at the wall, it turned into ash just before it touched the rockcrete. "Can ya fix this git?" The Warboss growled. "No boss." The Nob's voice trembled. "Well get me someone who can, ya filthy humie lovin, stupid as a squib, gretchin!" The black, scrap metal, power klaw attached to the right arm of the war boss's mech-like body, swung down and split the massive nob from crotch to topknot in a second. Ichor and gore spilled everywhere, and showered a number of green skins in blood and guts. The crowd started to part after this, all to reveal an ork slightly taller than a normal nob, dressed in a large cloak covering almost all of the greenskin, carrying a scepter made of scrap metal. "I think I can fix this." The ork said with an eloquence rarely scene in their kind. "Then do it!" Bloodklaw yelled in frustration. "First, I need to sacrifice some of the boyz." "Yeah? And who are you to order my boyz around?" "Boss, I fink he's one a dem weirdboyz." There was a brilliant flash of green lightening, and the unfortunate nob was a pile of ash on the floor arcing with green electricity. "That should do." The pile of ash started to rise, and spread, slowly forming a cloud of conductive ash fire bolts of sickly green everywhere, with the crack of superheated air. It continued to rise and spread until it looked over everything for miles, and the only arcing was between the particles. Then, as if a sudden decision was made all the electricity was gone, and a second later the hooded ork started softly laughing. The laugh rose in volume, and talk between other irks died down as they all started to stare.The laugh rose up to an insane mans cackle, and was suddenly drown out by an ear shattering boom. Every individual particle of ash fired a lash of the blinding green lightening, all of which centered at a singular point in the psychic dome. The point of the dome collapsed in dark green fire, and it spread. It spread across the invisible bowl of energy, consuming it until there was audible screaming coming from inside the walls. The ork horde slowly started towards the rockcrete wall, and when one of them laid a hand on it, he let out the ork's famous bellow. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Seconds later the whole horde was screaming , rockets were flying, engines were revving, and ork weapons were chattering. Green hide was pouring over the wall, and in the sky purple and green lightening was clashing.
For the Good of the PlanetAnother day nearer the battle, So drink up lads, and look brave, For another day nearer the battle, Is another day nearer the grave. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The warning came only a few minutes ago, and already the minotaur armies were marching. Warband Steelbone was one of the last companies to receive word of the invasion, and the commander was furious. Chieftain Steelbone himself was walking the camps clad in full armor, yelling belligerently, and making threats with his axe. The weapon had a crude beauty, a, single blade about two feet long, and a foot from the haft to the apex of the deadly curve, it was wrought from pure iron, and was sharpened unevenly, making it look as if the edge was beaten from the blade itself. His armor consisted of little more than thick sheets of random metals attached to a stiff leather carapace. Each plate was at least 5 inches thick, and the chest piece was a full foot thick, and entirely steel with the chieftain's own broken bone sigil in the center. "Pick up your lazy asses and move! You aren't soldiers, your cows! Hell, even the cows move faster than you sniveling, less than intelligent, rocks!" This was followed by a snort, and some kind of guttural roar. "We're moving as fast as we can, shut up!" This shout came from a half dressed minotaur with only his leggings on, and thus was not very intimidating. Steelbone's hoof flew forward with such force that the bone shattered, and the shin plate cracked. Then the axe started to fall, and there was a metallic ringing as the flat of the axe rendered the challengers horn into nothing but shards. The other minotaur's head snapped around, and his body spun to match as he sprawled out on the ground. "Get my whip!" The chief bellowed. The beaten soldier was was restrained by his comrades, face down over the top of a bench. Steelbone's servant hastily presented him with his whip. The weapon itself looked like something out of a book of torture. The sickening aesthetic of the braided leather was matched only by the horror caused by using it. The leather was four feet of glossy black, with barbed steel hooks along the length stopping about a foot from the bottom and the tip, which had a tiny steel mace head, half an inch across, and razor sharp. The crack of thunder was heard as the whip sliced through air and flesh, faster than could be seen. The sound echoed through the swiftly packing camp, and everything seemed to stop and watch as screams echoed eleven more times, and thunder twenty-nine times after that. After a score and a half of lashing the only thing left of the now dead challengers back was maimed flaps of skin, and carved vertebrae. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The ponies of Ponyville were in a state of panic. The royal guard had showed up to their town with the injured in tow. The stories were that the princesses had sent a small force into the Everfree, with the hope of gaining information. Unfortunately all that came back were horror stories of killing sounds, and metal giants. Princess Twilight had returned with the carnage that was left of the scouting party. She stumbled through town, her fur matted with dry blood, and locked herself in the library. After a few days Twilight called all the remaining soldiers to her, and told them to mix some things together and build walls. These walls were rocky and pale, and made of single slabs of stone. Rockcrete, she called the material. It was mush stronger than any other building material on hand, and it was at least a few feet thick. Effective enough to stop just about anything on the planet. The citizens of Ponyville felt much safer after this new addition, but the princess also started to recruit unicorns. For what reasons, they didn't know, but it was never a question they bothered to ask when ponies started getting killed for simple things, like being sick, or having sex. The entire town was put to work eventually, and one day, seemingly at random, the elusive princess Twilight walked out of her tree. "The Ruinous Powers have turned their gaze to the rock we call home, and they seek to destroy us. I have seen the end of this struggle, and the turning point is here. Ponyville shall be the last bastion of light against the darkness. You are no longer free, for freedom is now dangerous. There shall be a cataclysmic meeting of powers on this planet. Powers of all kinds, shall do battle. Great war machines shall battle dragons, silent soldiers shall kill those that have forgotten them, and the two greatest brutes shall meet in open combat on plains of fire. Only behind these walls can the ponies survive, and until our time comes, we can do nothing but watch." The crowd sat in shocked silence for a while, until someone yelled out in protest. "She's gone mad!" He was killed immediately. He just crumpled to the floor, like his body shut down. "She murdered my husband!" A mare yelled, as she rushed to her lovers dead body. She collapsed on top of him. "Why are you doing this to us?" Yelled another stallion cried out. "For the good of the planet." was the only answer she gave before walking inside, and closing the door behind her. "I refuse to be enslaved!" Shouted a female voice from the center of the crowd. And suddenly it erupted into violence. Rocks flew threw the air and bounced harmlessly of air, the unseen walls of psychic energy not budging in the slightest. Royal guard shouldered their way into the crowd, and put down anyone spreading dissent.This madness went on for only a few minutes until it was silenced by an unending, unwavering, primal roar. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Author's Note for all you Slaanesh worshippers out there ;) All constructive criticism is accepted.
