“Two lemon-berry surprise for table two!”

Aveline swept past the counter, scooping up the plate of cupcakes and depositing a note containing another order alongside an empty mug.

“Table four wants a hot chocolate refill.” She told Twilight, who was at the register, and quickly moved to the table in question.

Carrot Cake hurried in from the kitchen and placed a varying mixture of pastries behind a glass shelf. He had barely set them down before a half–dozen chocolate muffins disappeared in a blue light and Lance floated away from the shelf. He hovered over to a pegasus mare with a blonde mane and eyes looking two different directions and the blue light shone from his optic, causing the muffins to materialize within her open bag.

“Here are your muffins, now stop bugging me!” He said but the mare giggled.

“Thanks!” She said cheerfully and left the store, bumping into the doorframe on her way out. Lance gave an irritated sigh.

“Aveline, I was created to help you kick the darkness’…” The Ghost paused and gave a brief look around the shop filled to bursting with ponies of all ages, presumably due to the presence of the Guardian. “Posterior… not play servant Frame for a bunch of extraterrestrials!”

“Not all battlefields are filled with fighting and death, Lance.” Aveline replied sagely as she swiftly delivered a plate with a cake on it to the mint–green mare from before, who’d already had several by this point. “Besides, I agreed to help them while Pinkie Pie is with Samson.”

“And why do I have to help?” Lance asked.

“As a learning experience. To truly understand the nobility and responsibility of leadership, one must first understand the humble humility of serving.” Aveline told the Ghost, taking the now full cup of hot chocolate from Twilight.

“Another saying from your old CO?” Lance deadpanned and Aveline smiled. Lance gave a sigh. “Whatever, let’s just finish up what we’re doing here.”

“Well howdy there, Aveline!” Came a familiar voice and Aveline saw Applejack trot up to her. “Ah see yer helpin’ out the Cakes while Pinkie’s off doin’… whatever it is she does. The way y’all run around these tables, ya’d never think y’all are actually soldiers who…” The farmer paused and gave a cough. “Never mind. Applebloom told me yer friend took off. Did she an’ the Crusaders chase him away or somethin’?”

“No, I think he may just be stressed. He shall return once he has cleared his head.” Aveline replied as she deposited the cup of hot chocolate back in front of the pony who ordered it.

“I hope he hurries up. I’m not sure how much longer-” Lance froze briefly, and then turned urgently to Aveline. “Emergency transmission from Gospel, we’ve got trouble!”

At this statement, the entire shop stood still as though time had been frozen, with all eyes fixed firmly on Aveline.

“Patch him through!” Aveline commanded, ignoring the stares.

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Lance replied, his spines lifting off his core as a blue sphere expanded from it and they began to orbit his core.

“Wisp, we’ve got a problem! The Fallen, they followed us here!” Gospel’s voice explained urgently, reverberating around the room. “I’ve got bogeys hot on my heels and I have a VIP.” There was the muffled sound of an explosion and they heard Gospel grunt. “I need backup ASAP; Scripture is currently broadcasting our location so hurry!”

Aveline immediately charged out the door with Lance disappearing. She leapt over the railing of Sugarcube Corner’s patio while summoning her sparrow and landed on the hoverbike just as it materialized. Twilight teleported to Aveline’s side, the Awoken’s helmet floating in the air next to her. Aveline took her helmet, put it on and pulled her hood up.

“I’m coming with you!” Twilight told Aveline, but the Hunter shook her head.

“No, it’s too dangerous.” Aveline replied. Twilight, however, just concentrated and her horn began to glow. After a moment, there was a flash and a purple skinned, teenaged human girl stood where Twilight had once been. She walked over to the sparrow and mounted it, locking her arms around Aveline’s waist.

“I said I’m going with you, and I meant it.” The now human Twilight Sparkle told Aveline. “I’ve been in dangerous situations before, I’m not afraid.”

‘She hasn’t met the Fallen before…’ Lance said. ‘I get that she wants to help, but she’ll only get in the way.’

“I doubt she intends to take ‘no’ for an answer, Lance.” Aveline murmured to the Ghost. “Besides, she may be able to help us and with Samson still not back, we could use the assistance.” Aveline turned her head to Twilight. “Alright, you can come, but just know that these foes will not be trying to hinder you. They will do everything in their power to kill you so whatever you have planned, do not hold back because the Fallen will not.”

“Right, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve so let’s go!” Twilight said and the sparrow sped away toward Gospel.

The Vandal stood next to the delighted Baron in the cramped cockpit of the skiff they were aboard.

“Your Lordship, were not your orders to avoid engaging the Guardians?” She asked him, but Caltor waved her off.

“His majesty, the Great Kell Xarksis, shall honor me for eliminating one of the Light-Wielders!” He replied haughtily. “And you should be honored that you were selected to aid me, Kellsguard Morra.”

“I was commanded to ensure your safety, Baron, nothing more.” Morra said matter–of–factly. “If I must slay a Guardian to do so, then I shall.”

Morra stepped out of the cockpit and into rear of the skiff where several other Vandals and Dregs sat huddled, awaiting deployment. The female Kellsguard sat next to another Vandal that was also wearing the regalia of the guard.

“His Majesty will not be pleased.” Morra murmured.

“Only if Caltor does not succeed.” The Kellsguard next to her replied.

“And if he fails?” Morra asked and the Vandal looked gravely at her.

“Pray that Kell Xarksis is feeling merciful and takes only our heads.”

Kell Xarksis sat in his command throne, a look of irritation unseen behind his helmeted face, but all on deck could feel the palpable aura of his growing rage.

First he had been informed that Baron Caltor had redirected all of his skiffs to one specific location in pursuit of a Guardian in direct defiance of his orders. Then, as though it were some cosmic jape, the Guardian’s flagship had appeared over the moon’s horizon line and immediately retreated, having spotted the moored ketch. Xarksis was under no delusions that their anonymity had been completely dissolved and he was seething with fury.

‘I should have known Caltor would immediately attempt to defy me and killed him long ago.’ Xarksis fumed. ‘We are in no position to be provoking the Guardians.’

“Your Majesty?” A Dreg inquired from his station. Xarksis turned his raging glare toward the lowly Fallen, who cowed.

“What is it?” He demanded.

“Th-The Guardian that B-Baron Caltor is pursuing…” The Dreg stammered, terrified. “Th-There is a human female with him b-but…” The Dreg paused and Xarksis loomed over it.

“But what, Maret?”

“R-Reports state that she wasn’t human when Baron Caltor first engaged the Guardian.” Maret finished and Xarksis’ rage diminished, replaced by curiosity.

“Show me.” He commanded.

Gospel swerved the sparrow through the gorge, narrowly avoiding the arcbolts and skip grenades raining from the skiffs above his head. An errant grenade bounced wildly off one of the walls of the gorge and straight towards him, but it was caught in a star-studded navy aura and shot back up toward its sender.

“You okay back there, Princess?” He called over the whine of the sparrow and he felt a delicate hand grasp onto him as he banked hard to avoid more arcbolts. He didn’t know how she’d done it, but the alicorn had somehow turned herself into a human.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to think about it thanks to the Fallen.

“Do not worry about me, Gospel.” Princess Luna replied casually. “Are your friends on their way?”

“Oh, I fucking hope they are!” Gospel exclaimed. “I know Aveline’s gotta be making tracks, but I’m not sure about Samson!”

The sparrow approached a fork in the gorge but just as Gospel was about to turn, a skiff hovered down and fired its arcbolt cannons, causing him to turn the sparrow down the other direction. As they sped down the path, the other skiffs broke off pursuit. Gospel felt Luna look around suspiciously.

He didn’t blame her; Fallen don’t usually give up the chase easily.

“They abandon pursuit…?” Luna murmured. “T’would be far too simple if that were the case.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” Gospel replied, but then the path widened considerably and he brought the sparrow sliding to a stop.

Both passengers looked around at the steep, circular canyon walls. After a moment, Gospel turned the sparrow toward the opening they just came through, but stopped when he saw a skiff above it dropping skip grenades down. The grenades exploded and caused an avalanche within the small pass, blocking it with debris and shutting out their only means of escape.

‘Like rats in a cage…’ Scripture remarked.

Gospel looked around, saw an outcropping of rocks and quickly moved the sparrow over to it. They managed to take cover behind the rocks just as the other six skiffs began dropping Fallen into the clearing.

“Shit, we’re trapped.” Gospel cursed, pulling out his handcannon. “Princess, I know you can teleport. Get out of here, go back to Canterlot and tell your sister that she needs to ready any troops she may have.”

“Absolutely not, I shall stay and assist you.” Luna replied.

“They’ll kill you!” Gospel told the moon princess, but she simply gave him a stoic glare.

“Do not think this to be our first time on the battlefield, human.” Luna stated as she shifted back to being an alicorn. “We shall not abandon thee.”

“Fine.” Gospel groaned. “Just stay in cover; I don’t want to have to tell your sister that you died.”

With that said Gospel vaulted over the rocks and fired his weapon, dropping several of the approaching Fallen. Naturally, they returned fire, their weapons firing streaks of light blue arcbolts that exploded off the ground and walls behind Gospel, but never hitting the quickly moving Guardian. Gospel threw a small orb that shone with a violet, cosmic light beneath a small group of shanks.

After a moment, the orb exploded in a star–studded cloud reminiscent of the night sky and the drones vanished in a brilliant indigo light. The Warlock then charged another group of Fallen, firing his handcannon rapidly and dispatching the howling aliens.

He ducked behind a large boulder to reload his weapon, but then he heard a buzzing noise and immediately rolled away as several Vandals suddenly appeared swinging their vicious swords. They wasted no time in rounding on the Warlock, charging at him with the crackling blades, though they were instead caught in a navy aura and thrown away. Gospel looked and saw that Princess Luna had leapt into the air, her eyes shining with a brilliant and furious light. The other Fallen noticed her as well and turned their weapons on the moon princess, but the projectiles were repelled by a force shield surrounding Luna.

“Have at thee!” She cried and sent more Fallen tumbling toward the wall of the gorge.

Morra stared at the melee occurring in the gorge, observing the fighting intently.

“Is there simply no way to kill the Light–Wielders?” She muttered, but then she heard footsteps and Morra turned to see Baron Caltor pulling a Shrapnel Launcher off the rack. “You intend to engage the Guardian? Your Lordship, I must advise against such a course of action. Your safety is not assured.”

“Be silent, Kellsguard. It shall be I, Baron Caltor, who ends this Guardian’s life!” The Baron replied, stepping over to a hatch. “I will show all in the House of Dragons that the Guardians are not to be feared! I refuse to scurry away from them like a rodent any longer!”

With that, the hatch opened and Caltor leapt onto one of the perches, dropping into the fray. Morra glanced at her fellow Kellsguard and gave a groan. They all grabbed rifles off the rack and followed the Baron down, forming a defensive circle around him. Morra looked in the direction the rest of the Fallen were firing just in time to see the Warlock and the mysterious creature retreat behind an outcropping of rocks.

Gospel sat behind cover and held out his hand as a speed loader materialized into it. He had noticed the larger Fallen Baron drop down from one of the skiffs and pulled Luna into cover with him.

‘Last one, Boss.’ Scripture stated and Gospel sighed.

“I am unsure of how much longer I can fight, Gospel.” Luna said, panting slightly. He didn’t blame her; she had been using a lot of magic while maintaining a shield. While he didn’t know where the energy for her powers came from, it still had to come from somewhere and it was clearly not infinite. “Unless you have a plan of action, it is likely we will perish here.”

“Come on, Aveline… where are you?” Gospel whispered desperately. He could channel the light into something big, but it wouldn’t be enough unless he somehow hit the leader. Even then, that would probably just drive the Fallen crazy.

“Dog of the Traveler!” Came a guttural voice and Gospel realized the Baron was calling him out. “I am called Caltor, Baron of the House of Dragons! You are accused of stealing an object of value, come out now and face your judgment!”

“What? You stole something from them?!” Luna demanded, her expression turning to one of anger. “That is why they followed you?!”

“We didn’t steal anything, Princess, we simply got to it first… by going through them.” Gospel told her. “Doesn’t matter, though, they would have come anyway.”

Luna was silent for a moment before she turned, assumed a regal posture, and trotted serenely out from behind the outcropping.

‘Um, what is she doing?’ Scripture asked, slightly scared.

“I don’t know…” Gospel replied, watching the moon princess. She stopped a few paces from the Fallen Baron and glared at him. The Baron wuffed in a mixture of disapproval and curiosity.

“So the coward chooses, instead, to let the beast fight his battle?” Caltor asked and there was a smattering of a sound that could only be laughter from the surrounding Fallen. “It makes no difference. I shall kill you both if that is what you wish.”

Luna, undaunted, stared the Baron straight in his eyes. The alicorn opened her mouth and the next thing they all knew, her voice was reverberating loudly around the gorge.

“We are called Luna, Princess of the Night and co-ruler of the Diarchy of Equestria!” Luna roared, literally. “Thou hath committed an act of aggression upon us, Baron Caltor, and we demand satisfaction!”

“You demand satisfaction?!” Caltor asked, disbelieving, and then he laughed. Almost all of the other Fallen joined him, but they were all silenced when Luna spoke again, her voice still magically enhanced.

“Thou shalt relinquish thine arms and submit thineselves to judgment under the Equestrian diarchy!” Luna commanded and the silence that followed was palpable.

Gospel watched with amusement as the Baron cocked his head in confusion. Apparently he’d never heard Shakespearian terminology before. Gospel’s amusement was short–lived, however. Baron Caltor’s head slowly rose as if in realization and he looked at Luna in a manner suggesting rage.

“Oh shit.” Gospel muttered and he left the safety of the outcropping, readying his handcannon.

“You want me… to give up… my ARMS?!” Caltor roared, livid. He began to advance on the alicorn. “I shall rip you apart and use the pieces to decorate my ship!”

Luna’s eyes widened in surprise and she took a step back. Gospel interposed himself between Luna and the Fallen Baron, the air around the two practically vibrating with the angered growls of Fallen.

“Cohr… te’mosha!” Caltor roared, raising his gun, but then there was a loud crack and the Fallen Baron was thrown to the ground, howling in pain.

Gospel looked around and saw a figure in a billowing, emerald cloak on the ridge behind the Fallen lines.

“Aveline!” He called out and the Hunter replied by firing her sniper rifle on several other Fallen.

The rest of the aliens began hooting and howling, many turning their guns on Aveline while the rest opened fire on Gospel and Luna. Gospel shielded Luna as best he could while returning fire until there was a flash of magenta light and when he opened his eyes, they were encased in a magenta bubble alongside a curious purple skinned girl.

“What? Who are…” Gospel’s eyes widened when the girl, arms outstretched, looked at him and he recognized her face even though she was no longer a pony. “Sparkle?! What- how are you human?”

“After my trip to Canterlot High, I began working on a few shape-shifting spells!” Twilight replied, grinning with pride. “It took a few tries but I final-”

“That is all well and good, Twilight.” Luna interjected quickly. “But perhaps now is not the best time for this conversation?”

“Er, yeah… y-you’re right, Princess.” Twilight replied sheepishly, her face turning a light shade of red.

Gospel looked over to where the Baron had fallen and saw a pair of Vandals dragging him over to a waiting skiff while the rest had formed a tight defensive circle. He moved to leave the protective field, but felt himself get pulled back. He looked down and saw that his arm had become encased in Luna’s midnight aura and he glared at the moon princess.

“To’rah, to’rah!” One of the Vandals holding Caltor called out. “To’rah je cal shorafed, Soreks-fel!”

“Let me go, I have to keep him from getting away!” Gospel shouted, but Luna shook her head and looked up. Gospel followed her gaze just as the other skiffs began to descend and the Fallen retreated into the ships. He looked at Baron Caltor again to see the Fallen being dragged, thrashing, onto the skiff.

“Shah’mo! SHAH’MO, TOH KA’REY!” Caltor cried out in rage, struggling. He was silenced once the rest of the protective Vandals boarded the skiff and all the ships departed, creating sonicbooms as they quickly broke the sound barrier. Once the skiffs were gone, Twilight lowered the shield and Luna released Gospel, who rounded on her.

“Why did you stop me?! Now they’re just going to go to their ketch and return with even more Fallen!” Gospel exclaimed furiously, but Luna held his gaze.

“And when they do, we shall be prepared for them.” Luna told him calmly. “I have no doubts that if you and your friends are present and properly equipped, you shall be more than a match for their forces. Until then, we must stay our hoof and rest.”

“They will bring their heavy walkers when they do, Your Highness.” Aveline said as she strode up to them, her helmet under one arm. “Very few have seen a Fallen siege but I assure you, they are fully capable of a large–scale assault. The Fallen are highly trained and much stronger than most Guardians give them credit for being.”

“Well… shouldn’t we go to Canterlot and warn Princess Celestia?” Twilight inquired as she turned back into a pony with a flash of magenta light. “She’ll want to get the Royal Guard ready to defend Equestria.”

They heard a roar from above and saw the familiar shape of the Mischief Maker descending. Scripture and Lance both appeared and expanded, opening a communication link to Samson.

“What’s this, you started a fight and didn’t invite me?” Samson voice echoed from the two Ghosts.

“You can turn into a bubble! I love bubbles!” Pinkie’s voice chirped excitedly. “Oh hey, it’s Twilight, Luna, Linny and Gos!”

“Are you guys alright?” Asked Rainbow Dash’s voice, worried, but then it switched to confusion. “Did they hear me? I was supposed to talk into you, right?”

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed, exasperated. “You snuck onboard too?!”

‘Hey, Pinkie’s the one who talked me into it!’ Rainbow Dash replied.

‘True story!’ Chirped Pinkie and Twilight facehoofed with a groan.

“Save it, you three, we’ll talk onboard.” Gospel said. “Wedge, set course for Canterlot Castle.”

“Request accepted, Warlock Ian McKenzie.” Wedge replied and Gospel groaned.

“‘Ian McKenzie’? That is your true name?” Luna remarked, smirking. “Why ever do you require an alias?”

“Just transmat us onboard, Scripture.” Gospel said sourly.

“Got it, Boss.” Scripture replied.

“Wait, what do you mean by-” Twilight asked, but finished in a scream as her body dematerialized and reappeared on the ship. She stood for a moment, shaking.

“What’s wrong, Sparkle? I thought you could teleport.” Gospel asked, cocking an eyebrow. The alicorn turned a shaky gaze on the Warlock.

“That… felt way different…” She said hesitantly. “Like being taken apart and put back together again, only without any pain.”

“You get used to it, Twilight.” Aveline said soothingly.

“We will arrive at destination ‘Canterlot Castle’ within approximately five minutes.” Wedge’s voice sounded robotically.

“I guess we get ready for war now?” Twilight asked uncertainly, looking at Gospel.

Gospel was silent a moment before he answered.

“Yes.”

Xarksis sat on his command throne, glaring at the kneeling forms of Baron Caltor and the small group of Kellsguard before him. Morra knelt next to Caltor, ashamed to bring failure before her Kell.

“Baron Caltor, would you please enlighten me…” Xarksis began, his rage providing an intimidating undertone to his voice. “As to what part exactly was unclear about my orders?” The Kell rose from his throne angrily. “I commanded you to scout this world without drawing the attention of the Guardians, yet somehow you managed to become involved in a skirmish with them in moments!”

“It is no fault of my own, Your Highness.” Caltor stated without rising. “The Guardian spotted us while we were analyzing the surface.”

Morra’s eyes widened, but she also did not rise.

‘What? That is not what happened at all!’ She thought, astonished. ‘Caltor would dare lie to our Kell?!’

Xarksis narrowed his eyes at Caltor, but did not display any hint that he disbelieved the Baron.

“And I assume your pursuit was simply to…?”

“Prevent the Guardian from regrouping with his allies.” Caltor responded. “Unfortunately, it would appear he had been broadcasting an emergency transmission to bring them to his location.”

“What of the other life form, the one that could change shape?” Xarksis inquired.

“I… I am afraid I do not know of one, my Kell.” Caltor replied. Xarksis stared silently at the Baron for a long time, as if waiting for more. When Caltor said nothing else, Xarksis strode over to a nearby display.

“Well, if that is your story, then I suppose there is nothing to be done of it.” Xarksis said, his hand reaching for the console. Morra, fearing that Xarksis truly believed the dishonorable Baron, instinctively did the only thing she could.

“My liege!” She shouted, standing up. The Kell’s hand froze, hovering over the console and he looked up at Morra. “I apologize for my interruption, but that is not what happened; Baron Caltor lies to you!”

Baron Caltor immediately rose and rounded on her.

“Silence, wretch! I will not stand to be accused of perjury to the Kell and made a fool of by some lowly warrior!” Caltor growled, raising a hand as if to strike Morra, but it was caught by Captain Tolarum.

“You will not lay a hand upon any in my command without either mine or Kell Xarksis’ permission, Caltor.” The gruff Baron stated firmly. Caltor was silent for a moment before wrenching his arm free. Tolarum turned to Morra. “And you, Guard Morra; if you have a differing account of what happened, you shall address it in a manner befitting your station.”

“I am present, and clearly your charge has deemed it of utmost urgency to interrupt me. I see no reason not to hear her tale.” Xarksis said casually, sounding almost interested, leveling a threatening gaze on Morra. “Tell us, Kellsguard… what truly happened down there?”

“We were scouting the land just as you ordered when our scanners picked up the signature of a Guardian’s energy.” Morra stated and she saw Caltor bristle, but not with anger. “Baron Caltor immediately ordered all ships to converge upon the Guardian and attack. We pursued him and a life-form we believe to be a local terrestrial, presumably the one you spoke of, through a gorge and into a clearing where the Baron then ordered all troops to engage.”

“Fascinating… it would appear that my Kellsguard just happens to be much more informed about the incident than you, Baron Caltor.” Xarksis stated. “Care to explain that to me?”

“Sh-She lies, my Kell!” Caltor replied nervously. “The Guardian led us into that accursed gorge to trap us!”

“So now you wish to call one of my personal guards a liar?” Xarksis asked.

“Yes, my Kell.” Caltor said, bowing. “I would never directly disobey your orders.”

Xarksis was silent and then walked over to Morra, who stood paralyzed with fear. There was no way they would take her word, the word of a Kellsguard, over that of a Baron.

“Morra, was it?” Xarksis asked and Morra nodded hesitantly. “Do you swear that you tell naught but the truth to your Kell?”

“Y-Yes, I have told you nothing but the truth about what has occurred.” Morra replied.

Xarksis stood in front of Morra for a moment before lifting his upper-right hand. Morra flinched as he brought it down…

Gently onto her shoulder.

“You have nothing to fear from me, Guard Morra.” He told her. Morra was breathless; Kell Xarksis believed her story, which could only mean that he did not believe Caltor.

After a moment, Xarksis turned sharply to Baron Caltor and in the blink of an eye, had approached and struck the Baron to the deck with the same hand he had put on Morra’s shoulder.

“Did you truly presume I would believe such a ridiculous story, Caltor?! I gave you that assignment as a second chance to prove your loyalty to me and you use it to usurp my authority and shame me in front of my entire House!”

The Kell kicked the Baron, who skidded back several feet from the force of the blow. Xarksis stomped toward the fallen Caltor, picked him up by his throat and began throttling him.

“And then you have the gall to lie about it to my face?! I should have killed you for your insolence long ago!” Xarksis roared at the gasping Caltor, but instead of maintaining his grip, he released the Baron. He knelt down next to Caltor and leaned close, whispering. “However, now I cannot simply execute you… that would be far too merciful. You have made me appear ignorant and weak, and for that I shall make you suffer humiliation and dishonor the likes of which you have never even dreamed of. You will beg me to end your miserable life before I am finished.” Xarksis stood, nodded at a pair of Kellsguard, and waved a hand. “Strip this treasonous filth of his regalia and throw him in the brig with minimum ether rations. I have very… unique plans for the former baron.”

Caltor was manacled and then forced to his feet by the Kellsguard. All on the command deck watched as the Vandals dragged Caltor out the hatch. After a moment, Xarksis approached Morra once more and she bowed.

“Please, forgive my failure.” She said.

“There is no failure to forgive, Morra.” Xarksis told her. “Caltor attempted to undermine my rule and you showed your loyalty by revealing him as the coward he was. Now, I have a new task for you, one that comes with an increase in your standing, should you accept.”

“You need not ask, my Kell.” Morra stated, snapping to a salute. “If it is your will, then I shall see it done.”

Morra wasn’t sure, but the way Xarksis’ eyes glinted made her think that he was smiling.

“Very good, I see why Tolarum thinks so highly of you.” Xarksis said, making Morra swell with pride. “For now, I bid you to retire to your chambers. I shall send you your orders and armor befitting your new title shortly.”

Morra bowed and departed the deck, her fellow Kellsguard doing the same. Once they had left, Tolarum walked over to Xarksis and stood next to him, staring at the closed hatch.

“You will not tell her, I assume?” Tolarum asked and Xarksis pressed the button that Morra had stopped him from pressing. An audio recording of from Caltor’s skiff played, his voice coming from an unknown source and revealing his deception.

“No. She has proven her loyalty and that is all that matters.” Xarksis replied, and then he stopped the audio playback before deleting it from the archive. “I shall allow her this boost in her morale, for my next move will shake the foundations of everything we have come to know. Her faith in my judgment shall be what tips the scales in my favor.”

“What do you mean, Kell Xarksis?” Tolarum asked, curious. Xarksis did not answer, but instead pressed another button and an image appeared. All the Fallen still on deck turned to face the display while Xarksis took a step back to gaze intently at it.

“Perhaps war… is not the only answer.” He stated, staring at the captured image of Canterlot Castle.

Author's Note

Grimoire Cards acquired – Kellsguard, Morra.

Kellsguard:
Not much is known about the Kellsguard, the elite group of Fallen Vandals that protect the House Kells. What is known, however, is that they are fanatically loyal to their Kells and they are highly trained, possibly more so than most Captains or even Barons, and also that they are rarely seen anywhere a Kell is not immediately located. They are the shields of the Kell, willing to throw down their lives for their Fallen Lord.

However, observant Hunters have noted that Vandals bearing the insignia of Kellsguard have, albeit very rarely, been deployed to areas of importance to the Fallen or to accompany High Value Targets, the most notable and most frequent deployments being made by the House of Devils to reclaim their Lair and the remains of the High Servitor, Sepiks-Prime.

It has thus been the conclusion of Kayde-6, to the unanimous agreement of the rest of the Vanguard Leaders, that locations of Kellsguard deployment – however rare – are to warrant heightened vigilance and Guardian deployment.

Morra:

All Fallen undergo ritual amputation of their lower arms early in their lives, regardless of gender, and spend what could be many years working to attain the honor of regrowing them. Morra’s achievement that not only earned her arms, but a position in Kell Xarksis’ personal guard was when she saved her future captain, Tolarum’s, life during a Vex ambush. She is steadfastly loyal to her Kell and her Captain and will follow their orders without question. As with all Fallen, she is trained to use all her weaponry to the fullest of its extent, but her greatest skill is in the use of the shock sword. She is fully capable of engaging multiple foes and dispatching them with ease, with a rumor circulating amongst her peers that she could perhaps take on a Guardian and win.

A noted distaste for combat, Morra would rather mediate a conflict than allow her fellow Fallen to kill each other. Kell Xarksis is aware of this tendency and has thus taken the opportunity to assign her to a role only she is capable of filling, much to her chagrin.

Eyes up, Guardians.

I apologize for getting this out so late to you, even later than I had promised. It's been an... interesting couple of weeks, but I assure you we are back on schedule.

That said, if you would humor me a moment, I have a little question for all of you, my faithful and loyal readers.

When you read the lines of the Ghosts, whose voices are you hearing in your brain grapes? Let me know in the comments below and I'll tell you if you're close to what I'm hearing or if you're ice-cold.

Anyway, the next chapter is being worked up so keep an eye open or else I'll have you thrown in the brig with Caltor... you don't want that.

Stay frosty, Guardians. Signing out.