Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria

Chapter 3

Following Luna without question, Mekrail paused after they were in the room she'd led them to. Making sure Nitronus was inside, he gingerly shut the large doors before returning his attention to the room around him. The entirety of the room was dark as the night, yet a peaceful vibe echoed from its furnishings and walls. Mekrail knew immediately that this was the princess's private chambers.

"So what dost thee wish to speak of us in private of?" He asked.

Luna didn't answer, instead she moved gracefully and silently across the room to a large round table that bore many items. This piqued Mekrail's curiosity, as he noticed from a distance that there were many photos that he couldn't quite distinguish just yet. That wasn't all, he also saw that there was a chain-axe, its blood dried against the ripping teeth.

Mekrail's expression soured at the sight of this weapon, for in that instant he felt age old wounds come back both physical and mental that resulted from this weapon. Moving to the table, he paused as he took in the photos.

"So, dost thee recognize any of this?" Luna questioned, seeing Mekrail tense at the question and his expression one of cold rage and grief.
Mekrail picked up a single photo that showed a blood red creature bearing a sword that seemed as hot as molten steel in its clawed hands. He crumpled it up immediately before tossing it violently back to the table, a whisper slipping his lips. "Yes....I'd know these foul creatures anywhere Princess Luna." Taking up the chain-axe, he examined it as though remembering something particularly painful before pressing its activation stud and letting it roar to life with a vengeance. Its teeth seemed to rip and tear, wanting to spring forth from his hands and strike down those around him; and yet, Mekrail seemed unaffected as he reined the weapon back close to his body. "Those pictures...they are of creatures we of my universe call Daemons of Chaos. These in particular seem to be of Khorne...The Blood God."

Stepping aside slightly, Mekrail powered down the chain-axe before strapping it at his side. Passing a photo to Nitronus, it showed a massive armored form leading a great band of similar armored forms and Daemons. "Recognize those traitorous filth brother Nitronus?" He asked, although already knowing the answer.

"The Knights of Blood Chaos Space Marine Warband, heretics that hail from our brothers in the Blood Angels Captain, I am more than familiar with them." Nitronus replied turning his head to look at the other items on the shelf.

He moved closer to it and past Mekrial before picking up a book that was bound in skin, with an odd eight pointed star.

"Beg your pardon Princess, but how did ye acquire such an heretical object as this?" he asked showing the large book to Luna.

"My sister Celestia procured it from an underground vault beneath the Crystal Castle, ever since then she has been rather distant towards us, and now she is missing." Luna said with a hateful glare at the skin bound book.

"This, dearest princess, is a tome of Khorne." Nitronus said as he opened it. "Have you seen what lies within it?" he added as Mekrail gave him a look of confusion.

"We know not of what it contains, only that it seems to radiate power." Luna said taking note of Mekrail as he put the chain axe down and observed other photos on the shelf with a look of absolute hatred.

"Excellent, it is best that thou doesn't." Nitronus said as he tore it in half and it burst into flames.

Mekrail eyed the ashes of the tome that now laid on the floor. Despite the destruction, he still swore he could feel the Chaos around him radiating from. But that was impossible he thought. Unless it were to be....No. No it couldn't possibly be that coming again. Mekrail took a step away from the others, his mind clouding for a moment as another world, one of vengeance, darkness, and death blinded him from them. His body visibly shook, the vile scent of Chaos embracing and wrapping around him as it had done so many years ago in the depths of Tartarus. Without thinking, knowing it was the only way to hang on, Mekrail drew his power-sword and stabbed it directly into his gut. The pain, as it always had, helped him to focus enough to break free of the shadowy depths that had tried to take him once more. With his blood fresh and staining the floor, trickling down his armor and turning it crimson, he withdrew the sword before sheathing it once again.

His eyes weakly looked to Luna, seeing her reaction before he saw Nitronus with a look that suggested he had some explaining to do privately right then. Nodding faintly, Mekrail gingerly held his wound as it continued to leak blood as he took slow, pained steps away from Luna. His body showing just how drained the experience was for him as he gestured for Nitronus to come and ask what he wished.

Maximus finished writing down a step by step procedure to open the warp and looked at Trayclian who had been reading over his shoulder as he wrote. Discerning when enough time had past for his brother to memorize what he had written before opening the warp and kicking the chalkboard inside allowing it to close instantly.

"Perhaps I should try and open the warp myself." Trayclian said as he turned around to see a pink blur jump up into his face.

"Welcome to Ponyville Mr, ummmmmmmmmmmmm, just who and what are you now?" the pink mare asked Trayclian who picked her up by her mane and put her on the ground near Maximus who placed his right hand behind himself and gripped his power sword.

"Pinky Pie!" Scootaloo yelled, she had been knocked into a puddle of mud by the pink pony. "Now I've gotta clean my wings again, you know they don't work when dirty." she added before walking off with Derpy in tow.

"Sorry Scoots." Pinky said before turning to Twilight who was now standing with Tempest and Dashing.

Trayclian, unlike his brother Mekrail who would have growled and likely berated Pinkie for what she did, remained completely calm and at ease as he simply snapped his fingers. A warp aura, nearly undetectable shot forth, off in pursuit to where Scootaloo and Derpy had gone. After judging the appropriate amount of moments, Trayclian brought the aura back and found that it encased within a large amount of mud and dirt which he quickly placed down on the ground before releasing the aura. Knowing he didn't desire thanks or anything for doing what he'd done for Scootaloo, Trayclian turned his attention to Pinkie but his eyes caught on Maximus first. His eyes gave away his worries yet his expression remained friendly and at ease as he spoke up.

"Thank you for the welcome Pinkamena Diane Pie, we both appreciate it greatly." He said, smiling though inwardly worrying as he felt something amiss with the party pony. "My name is Librarian Trayclian, and my companion here is Holy Chaplain Maximus. We are humans, more specifically space marines young Pinkamena."

Dashing was looking Pinkie up and down with a hint of confusion showing in his expression. Even though he'd never much interacted with Pinkie, he could tell something was off about her. For now, he decided, he'd let it go and simply try to be friends with her once again as he gave her a soft smile. "Hi Pinkie, good to see you again."

Tempest looked at Twilight and gave a concerned eye to her before pointing at Maximus who still had his hand on his the handle of his blade.

"Don't worry Maximus, Pinky does stuff like this often." Twilight said with a smile before turning back to Tempest who had loaded his guns just in case. "No need of that General Knight." She said towards him to get him at ease.

"Just a precaution Ma'am, I'd much rather not shoot somebody but in the defense of a citizen or comrade I will." Tempest said before Pinky moved next to him at lightning speed.

"You don't need to do that silly!" She said before turning back to Maximus.

Trayclian put his hand on the shoulder of the Holy Chaplain who seemed on edge, as if ready to cut this pony in half even though he openly greeted the others without any animosity. Maximus released his blade and looked at the librarian before walking away from the group and further into town towards where Scootaloo and Derpy had gone.

Telios laid in peaceful sleep, his mind at ease in knowing that Elizabeth was watching over him while he recovered from his spinal injuries. He had no dreams or nightmares to speak of, which he thanked the Emperor for that he was able to rest without waking up ten times an hour screaming from the horrors of reliving the past.

But yet, fate was not to be that he would be able to rest, as his ears detected the slightest, faintest sound of movement to his left. Knowing it didn't sound like Elizabeth, for he'd already recognized and mentally recorded how she sounded when she moved as he did with everyone. Yet this sounded like the sloshing of water, lots of it. His eyes opened, and though he couldn't move much he craned his neck and eyed where the noise was coming from. He knew Elizabeth heard it as well, as she was tightly gripping her bolt pistol in preparation for whatever was coming this time.

Telios' eyes widened as he watched a massive, hulking form emerge from the swampy marsh and thick treeline. It was swathed in moss, leaves and mud. Large, jutting limbs emerging out of its back and glowing red eyes glared at them. As its gaze turned between them, it seemed to be fixed on Elizabeth as she raised her bolt pistol and prepared to fire.
After the first bolt round fired, it was immediately bounced off of its head and landed in the marsh. There was a mechanical hiss, like the creature was annoyed before it suddenly spoke up in a voice Telios knew well. "Cease fire you fool. Unless you wish for me to strangle you with all the strength of the Omnissiah's finest technology I suggest you put that bolt pistol down."

"Wait a second....Rekriel?" Telios wheezed painfully.

"Yes." Rekriel spat, wiping away the mud and moss from his helmet and shoulders before shaking the rest off. His bionics did their own, separate shake and suddenly the Techmarine was fully visible as the red lenses zoomed in on Elizabeth as though glaring accusingly at her. "Good thing I wear a helmet." He muttered before noticing that she was missing an arm and also seeing Telios' wounded state. "Alright...What did you two lovebirds do to each other while Uncle Rekriel was away?" He asked, no particular joking tone or malice in his voice, just the usual static tone.

Elizabeth shot him a death glare and went back to tending the fire with her now burnt femur bone as Rekriel walked over to Telios and looked him over. Thoughts of slaying the space marine for suggesting such things between her and Telios angered her greatly, but killing him would bring her nothing, for he was just joking. She had lost herself in her thoughts and hadn't realized that the femur bone was now on fire.

"Battle Sister, your femur bone is on fire." Rekriel said moving over to her.

"So it is." Elizabeth said before sticking it into the ground and suffocating the flames.

"Something troubles you?" Rekriel asked her as he knelt down to her level.

"Its nothing, just the past Tech Marine." she says as she stands up and walks to the edge of the light.

Rekriel knew that it was much more than she would likely ever wish to let on about. Though he perhaps had went a tad far with what he'd said, he hadn't exactly been connected with human emotion in many, many centuries. As such, he generally said things without taking consideration of others. However, his eyes drifting over to Telios he saw that his ancient Assassin friend was blushing faintly in the firelight and smiling at the same time.

Deciding in that moment it would do no good to have a rift between himself and Elizabeth, as he'd already become disconnected with so many others, Rekriel rose from the fire. His eyes drifted down to his bionic hand, which just happened to be matching the stub where she'd clearly lost her own arm. With only a hiss of steam and a few small sparks, the bionic arm disconnected from his own stub and he held it gingerly in his other bionic hand.

Moving over to her, he spoke up in his usual tone. "Battle Sister...I offer unto you sincerest apologies for what I have said that has offended you." When she turned, he held out his bionic arm for her to take. "I did not mean to offend you...Rather after so many centuries of being among the Adeptus Mechanicus one learns to be very literal in what they say. I truly felt what I said....and for that I am sorry. Please, accept this....A limb to replace that which you lost to this place." Leaning down, he quickly removed the bandages covering her wound before taking the bionic arm and clamping it into the proper place over her stub. Hooking several wires that would give her nerves and feeling within the arm, he immediately turned on his heel and marched off. Without speaking further, he settled down in the edge of darkness, the firelight barely licking up his back. His lenses were set to watching the moon through the tree canopy above.

Elizabeth looked at the arm and moved it about to see how its range of motion fared, then drawing her swords tested its synchronization with her original arm. After testing its capabilities for a few minutes and feeling quite satisfied she looked at the tech marine who had given it, his own arm, to her, a woman who had given him the cold shoulder.

"Thank you Astartes, may I know your name? Mine is Elizabeth" she asked coming to his left side to peer up at this planets moon.

"It is Rekriel, Battle Sister Elizabeth." He said not taking his gaze off of the moon.

Joshua cursed silently to himself as he gazed out at the massive assembly of Chaos soldiers. The warband of the traitorous Chaos Marines were bad enough, but the Daemons along with them just made matters worse. He knew that the Daemons could smell out those not covered with the taint of Chaos, so going out there and trying to sneak around them was not a good idea. Joshua racked his brain for a long while trying to come up with an answer to their predicament when suddenly he caught just out of the corner of his eye someone moving about. The reason he could see it was because of the glowing green lenses of his helmet as he entered what appeared to be a cavern of sorts just a few hundred paces away. There was what also appeared to be a fire as well, for flickers of light emerged from this cavern.

Deciding that this cave, if anything was a good respite from their problems, Joshua turned to Reginald before speaking. "Chapter Master, I wish of you to follow me. We must remain undetected for now, and we need to get out of the cold. I saw a cave with what seemed like only a single marine within. We can ambush him, kill him quickly and take the warmth of his fire for ourselves while being out of harms way of the Chaos army."

Reginald pondered the idea for a few moments, considering it carefully before he nodded faintly. "Very well Lord Inquisitor, for now stealth is the better idea than fighting and dying foolishly."

Joshua smiled faintly despite the painful cold that whipped across his face." Then follow me, we've got a cave to reach."

Setting off into the snow at a brisk pace, Joshua and Reginald made great time to the cave. Within minutes, they'd covered the distance without a single alarm raised by the army and were standing in the entrance way to the cavern when Joshua halted. He watched rather intently as he saw a Marine dressed completely different than the others kneeling next to what appeared to be one of the dead Royal Guards. Only, she wasn't dead, and he wasn't killing her. This confused Joshua as he continued to watch, seeing how gently the Marine treated the Guard and helped tend to her wounds. He even fed her before gently patting her head and whispering for her to close her eyes and rest.
Joshua took in the Marine much more closely now as he rose, his armor, his colors, they all suggested one that was not Chaos turned but rather a Blood Raven who'd lost his way. holes and slash marks marred his armor, yet his heraldry insignia remained proudly displayed as his helmet cocked to one side. "I can sense you both, venerable Grey Knight and honorable Lord Inquisitor." He whispered, just loud enough for them both to hear.

This shocked Joshua greatly, as he'd not made a sound nor had Reginald yet this Marine raised a hand to the entrance to show he was harmless. "I'm not like them, if that's what you're thinking. Otherwise, young Quicksilver here wouldn't still be alive."
His free hand gestured to the Guard now named Quicksilver as Joshua cautiously entered with Reginald in tow. Quicksilver seemed to stir when they drew close, to which the Marine held up a hand for them to stop. When she woke up, her tired, deep blue eyes were staring at the Marine's helm. She smiled weakly, but before she could get scared at the sight of Joshua and Reginald he headed her off with the words. "They are friends...do not worry Quicksilver dear...They won't harm you like those bastards I've been forced to be among."

Quicksilver's eyes were still fearful, but she nodded out of trust to the Marine before looking to Joshua and Reginald again. "W...Who are you two?" She asked in a hoarse voice.

"I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors, a former Grey Knight. And this is the Lord Inquisitor Joshua of the Ordo Xeno." The terminator said before Joshua could open his mouth.

Quicksilver slowly looked the two very different Space Marines over before closing her eyes a returning to her restful state.

"She is the sole survivor of the battle that took place here my lords." The Blood Raven said as he stroked her purple mane.

"What happened here?" Joshua asked the sergeant, after examining his armor and seeing his golden emperors sigil upon his right pauldron.

"These ponies came to evacuate their civilians before the forces of Chaos arrived, unfortunately they were too late and were obliterated by the Knights of Blood that you saw outside, I have only just been able to keep poor Quicksilver alive." The battle scarred marine reported.

"You have done well, together we may stand a chance at purging the heretics and daemons alike, may we know your name Brother?"

"It is Karolus Chapter Master." The sergeant said, looking at the pony next to him who was now whimpering quietly in her sleep.

"Well Sergeant Karlous, is there anything we can do to help you and your friend Quicksilver?" Joshua asked, looking concernedly at Quicksilver as she clearly was still suffering with nightmares from the battle.

Karlous looked up from Quicksilver, his hand still gently running through her mane to calm her while she slept as he whispered. "There is one thing...I wish to get both myself and her out of this frostbitten waste."

"How are we to go about doing this Sergeant?" Reginald questioned.

"We must reach my old Thunderhawk that I arrived in. It is freshly fueled and prepared to fly, however I cannot simply evacuate the area alone, let alone with my..........friend. The few Daemons and Chaos Marines that are around the landing area would prevent me...but with you two....we might yet stand a chance of killing them and getting out of here." Karlous explained, however it was noticeable of his stumble with words about Quicksilver and Joshua detected an emotional change in his mind yet he said nothing.

Joshua considered all of Karlous's idea, but before he would say anything he looked to Reginald for any input or thoughts on the plan.

"It is a sound strategy, though perhaps you should three should go, I'll will create a diversion to grant you an escape." Reginald said before turning around and walking just out of the fires light.

"Very well Reginald, very well." Joshua said, deciding not to argue with the age old Terminator and allow him to do what he sees fit.

"We shall depart as soon as she awake." Karolus states, still stroking the mare's mane.

"Of course." Joshua said still watching Reginald who was now silhouetted by the fire standing guard over them.

Nitronus pulled Mekrail off to the corner of the room and unsheathed his force sword, pointing it at the Dark Angels chin in a close embrace. Luna was watching intently from the other side of the room, worried that the two massive men would begin ripping each other apart., but decided that it would be best not to get between them.

"What was that all about Mekrail?" Nitronus growled as he edged his sword up a little, cause Mekrail to put his chin up ever so slightly.

"Nothing you need to concern yourself over Champion." the Dark Angel stated, trying to push the sword down without any results.

"I destroy a tainted relic and you stab yourself, something is up, and brothers don't keep secrets, that is how we ended up with the Horus Heresy, Captain." Nitronus quietly growled, leaning his head closer to Mekrail, so that Luna wouldn't hear him.

Mekrail's expression grew dark as he eyed Nitronus. He knew Nitronus wouldn't dare actually kill him, lest he invoke the wrath of his brethren that likely had landed here as well. However, Mekrail knew he should explain, he owed the Champion some answers and this was something he'd not shared with anyone except those of his Company who'd lived through it with him. Sighing, Mekrail brought his gauntlet up to Nitronus and gripped his arm tight as a vise as his eyes changed in color. They were blood red pupils with black surrounding. Horror, pain, and a lust for vengeance lurked there, dangerous, deadly, unquenchable as Mekrail's entire body also began to change. His hair becoming bloodied and matted, his face scarred and burned near beyond recognition. His holy armor ripped apart, melted in many places and scorched black in all others. His insignia remained the same, shining brightly out of the sea of despair that radiated from Mekrail now as he continued to watch Nitronus closely.

"My past is a long one, filled with pain, misery and death Champion." He whispered. "This...This is what I do battle against every day, what I fight against to keep my sanity. Chaos called out to me when you destroyed it...called out to my memories and beg me to relinquish control.....but the pain helps me focus. That's why I impaled myself." Mekrail paused, as if considering what to tell Nitronus. "This world...this place....it's what gave me this foul form that even now is trying to compel me to murder you both. This place...it saw me watch as so many good brothers fell to protect it from Chaos. It forced me to nearly make the same sacrifice, and after it was all over and done they cast me out, declared me a traitor and my entire Company as well. They forced us into the depths of Tartarus itself and let us burn as we fought off the madness of Chaos from all sides." A few tears, made of solid blood streamed down Mekrail's cheek. "They killed so many innocents when we had come back...slew all of our brethren entrusted with our old city we'd built with out own hands. Since then....Chaos has always been inside me...always calling out to me to take my vengeance...I fight it...still am now...but you destroying that tome only made it so much harder to rein in and control for now it wakes and dwells once again."

As if proving his point, Mekrail's body tenses, a wild look in his eyes as two minds fought a desperate battle for control before Mekrail sagged as though tired already. His chin rested on the tip of the blade, his eyes still Chaotic but exhausted and in control. "I'm just so tired...want to sleep Nitronus....let it all go." He said.

"Fix yourself brother, you haven't fallen yet." Nitronus said putting his sword away before knocking Mekrail to the side and walking back over to Luna.

Mekrail grunted as Nitronus shoved past him before joining his ally who had moved toward the door only to stop cold when Nitronus put a hand on his bolt pistol as a warning for him to come no closer until he has returned to normal. Luna looked Mekrail up and down seeing his scorched armor and bloodied hair before she looked to Nitronus whose body language indicated a great amount of rage.

"Beith something amist?" Luna asked looking to Nitronus.

"Nothing princess." Nitronus managed to growl without turning his head from the battle torn Dark Angel.

Mekrail's expression, while there was some anger it was more sad as he shook his head. "You may as well not lie Champion, I can feel your hatred towards me now. Now, now that you know the truth I know you will never trust me again." Mekrail trailed off as he imagined so many others who'd turned the same way, mainly his entire company and brothers that had suffered with him. "We fell once, all of us in my company Nitronus. I at least have the integrity to admit my failure to the Emperor and every day I have prayed for his forgiveness. We all looked like this, all driven by an innate desire for vengeance, bolstered by dark powers." Seeing he had caught Nitronus' attention, yet that his look was still deeply angered Mekrail continued. "But you must first understand....We do not suffer from Chaos affliction...not the Chaos you or I know. More so it was like an insanity, fused to our very minds and souls forever. A split of our minds, two personalities in one body." Mekrail paused, as he carefully considered his next words. "We all have darkness within us Nitronus...you and me, even the Emperor himself. We all bear a dark part of ourselves that can emerge under certain conditions. I am not Chaos, never was possessed by their power or Daemons, but rather my own darkness that lives within me."

Not giving time for Nitronus to answer but rather leaving him to ponder on his words, Mekrail moved past him and returned to the throne room. His body now as he stood in the room very dispirited and slouched as he gazed about. His eyes remaining saddened; the fact that his brother could not trust him or offer to help him return to normal and banish the darkness in his soul back to the depths.

Nitronus watched him leave and walk into the throne room before he himself removed his helm, a look of anger upon his face. Taking a deep breath he composed himself before turning once again to the Princess.

"What do you require of us Princess Luna?" He said, pausing for just a moment on the word 'us' before continuing.

"My sister Celestia had been studying that book, now she is missing." Luna said before bringing out a map for the Champion to see. "I know where she is, she is alongside King Sombra in the Crystal Empire, and I would like you to help me get her back." Luna said with a frown as she looked him over.

"Consider it done, I only have one request." Nitronus said before putting his helm back on. "I need to find my brothers and sister, I suspect that they are upon this world as are we, but I am unsure."

"Very well, my soldiers will keep their eyes open for them." she said before they both left the room.

"Perhaps the Chaplain can set this marine straight." Nitronus muttered to himself as they left the room to rejoin his Dark Angel brother.

Maximus had been walking down the streets of Ponyville in search of the two ponies he had seen earlier, Scootaloo and Derpy for some time now, only stopping when he heard a bloodcurdling scream coming from a side street. Rushing over he saw Derpy with a pool of blood surrounding her and Scootaloo in a defensive stance over her. Two Royal Guard Unicorns stood facing her, one of them had a bloody spear.

"I don't know where you two came from but no pony hurts my friend!" Scootaloo yells spreading her wings out to cut them down.

"This doesn't concern you, just here to eliminate a threat." They said in a monotone voice in synchronous.

They turned to walk through a warp gate and were greeted by a large black fist in the face of the guard who stabbed Derpy as another gripped onto the guard next to him causing him to drop his spear.

"Holy Celestia." The guard yelped as he was brought to the face of his partners killer.

The Holy Chaplain threw the unicorn into a wall before drawing one of his bolters and aiming it towards the murderer.

"No please, I was told that..." The guard never finished as a short burst of bolter fire silenced him forever leaving Scootaloo with a dying pony and a rather pissed off Chaplain.

"Derpy...." Scootaloo whispered in the ear of her friend who had been talking about her beloved muffins not too long ago with a mention of a delivery she made to Princess Luna.

Maximus approached the two, his bolter now holstered as he knelt next to the wounded pegasus. Scootaloo looked at him in fear as she backed up, but he paid her no mind as he placed his hand upon her friend, moments later to remove it and for her to be asleep but whole.

"How did you?" Scoots started but remembered that this was the guy who never spoke.

Maximus merely picked Derpy up before walking up to Scootaloo with one hand pointed towards a forge at the edge of town, a place that he deemed safe.

Dashing walked leisurely alongside his friend Trayclian as he followed behind Tempest, Pinkie and Twilight. Pinkie was still being bubbly and bouncing around the group, asking questions that Trayclian never seemed to get annoyed at and answered rather politely and calmly. Yet even still, though Pinkie was being her usual self Dashing felt something off about her that continued to nag at him as she passed by him again. Yet again he chose to ignore it as a flurry of questions towards him were coming from Twilight.

"How did you and your friend get here exactly? Where have you been? Do you happen to know where Celestia has gone off to?"

Dashing first grew confused as he clearly recalled the fact that he and Trayclian had thoroughly explained they were not of here at all and had merely been dumped on this Equestria. Despite this, Dashing did his best to answer her questions. "First of all Princess Twilight, I arrived here from the Warp with my friends Trayclian and others. Although they seem to have been split off from us before we arrived so they could be anywhere here now. Secondly, I haven't been anywhere near this planet in a decade. I've been with my friends in a place many galaxies away, fighting an evil this realm could never hope to stand up against. And lastly, I haven't a clue where your Princess Celestia is, though I know where mine is. She's still back home, attending to her new duties under a new leader that I believe in." Dashing smiled as he remembered the fond memory of seeing his father for the last time ruling over all Equestria with the Princesses seconded to him.

He did notice Twilight's expression, and saw even Tempest was confused at his answers as he continued to smile. This game, until they finally figured it out fully as to what he meant would be fun to play. Although sometimes it would hurt, like when he would likely run into his mother or those that he'd married and a had a family with.

Tempest looked at Dashing and let that last bit sink in as they walked into the castle, he still couldn't understand the Warp entirely but decided not to question it any further. But someone ruling over the Princesses in his eyes was insane, at least from his standing, for Tempest fully understood wanting knock old sun butt off her high throne. Deciding not to dwell on the topic for long he asked one final question to Dashing.

"What do you plan on doing upon our Eqis, seeing as though it isn't the one you left behind?" he asked, immediately moving to a dark corner of the Friendship Hall as he always did when he was in meetings with others.

"I don't exactly know yet General Tempest, although I can guess that my experience as a soldier could be useful to this war you are waging." Dashing replied rather nonchalantly as he stood in the shadow of a massive column supporting the structure. In the darkness, even through the thick patch that covered where his right eye used to be one could see a dull red glow underneath that seemed to be observing all that he did.

Telios had been watching Rekriel quietly for some time as he looked up into the light of the moon. It seemed as though he would never move, so fixated upon this one thing with such intensity that Telios wished he could rise and see what his comrade was eyeing. But the pain would be too great, he knew for he'd suffered injuries like this and far worse, and every time he had it had taken him months before he could walk again. Yet something caught Telios' eye as he much more closely inspected Rekriel, something that obviously hadn't been like this before they'd all been transported. There were spots where deep rents had been through his armor, spots where life-threatening injuries should be but weren't.

"Brother Rekriel, how did you recover from you injuries so quickly? Some remedy of the Mechanicus or a blessing of the Omnissiah?" He asked.

Rekriel didn't answer for a long time, his eyes still watching the moon to the point Telios grew worried he'd passed out or perished. When he did turn, Telios mentally sighed in relief as he felt the weight of the Techmarine's gaze. "Neither brother Telios. The Mechanicus never taught me techniques to heal the injuries I sustained, nor would the Omnissiah bless anyone, let alone me with anything more than the grace of serving him.

Now Telios was confused. "Then how Rekriel? How could you heal without access to any modern Imperial medicine or Apothecaries?"
Rekriel's lenses seemed to convey a look of gratitude as he gazed to the point where he'd come out of the forest. "When I crashed here, I was injured greatly. My bionics smashed and my body a wreck as I limped through the forest. Yet, when I found a single hut sitting in the depths of the forest, I met a single Zebra. She gave me aid, though never even knew what or who I was. I was worse than you Telios, and she fixed me up within minutes." Rekriel rose from his seated position and moved back into the firelight. "I do remember her name, it was Zecora. I think....I think Mekrail and the others knew her back when we came to Equestria so long ago and she was always an excellent healer of the mind and body."

"I remember her well brother, she was at a few times my only hope for survival after battles that left me grievously injured." Telios said, smiling faintly.

"Would you like me to take you to her Telios? It isn't a long walk, and we could all rest up at her hut since I took the liberty of gifting her some of the Mechanicus's finest defenses as payment." Rekriel asked as he turned to see what Elizabeth thought.

"Yes, that would be great brother." Telios said, shifting painfully to look around Rekriel as he wanted to see the Battle Sister's response.

"So? What do you think Battle Sister Elizabeth?" Rekriel asked. "We obviously can't remain here, lest we wish to stay for several months to wait for his injuries to mend naturally."

"Zebra?" Elizabeth muttered before crossing her arms. "You want to get help from a xenos that resembles a zebra?" she said distastefully.

"Zecora is a healer and has helped us before, helped Rekriel not too long ago, she can be trusted." Telios said moaning in pain from trying to turn towards her.

"Very well, but if this 'Zecora' turns on us, I will not hesitate to kill 'her.'" Elizabeth said with reluctance as she moved over to her collection of pelts that she had turned into a cloak and put it on. "Let us waste no time brothers." she stated before walking into the swamp, one chain sword drawn.

Rekriel picked Telios up cautiously before following her, making certain no further harm would befall his brother.

Joshua and Kalorus had remained mostly silent while the mare slept, thus leaving Reginald to his own thoughts for which the old terminator was grateful. As he stood there with his lance freestanding to his right, he thought back to the battle that changed his life forever.

"Captain, we cannot hold this position, the daemons will overrun us for certain!" his lieutenant said as he grabbed a blood letter and tore it in half with his hands before drawing his power sword and cutting two more down.

"Please, they are only lesser daemons Sebastian." Reginald stated as he walked through a horde slicing them to pieces with his lance.

"But..." Sebastian never finished his sentence as he was ripped in half by a Daemon Prince of Khorne.

"Sebastion!" Reginald yelled as he was knocked back, the blood of his closest friend covering the front half of his body.

"Blood for the Blood God!" the Daemon Prince proclaimed before turning and walking through the warp as the Knights of Blood War Band charged out screaming for blood.

"If you want blood so badly, we will give you plenty!" Reginald yelled as he got up with the help of his Sergeant, Johnathan.

"Captain!" a booming voice bellowed from behind. "Get out of here, we will hold the line." his teams Dreadknight spoke calmly as his plasma cannon burned the chaos marines to cinders.

"And abandon my brothers, never!" Reginald cried as he gunned down eight raptors at once with his assault cannon.

"Do not argue with David Captain, he knows what must be done, and you are the only..." Johnathan was silenced before he could finish his sentence when his head was smashed in by a Berserker's maul.

"Go Captain, I have the line!" the tone of urgency in his last Knight's voice forced him to retreat to their Thunderhawk to escape, only when he turned to see if David had followed did he see the his final brother die from a Las-cannon shot.

Reginald had been lost in his thoughts, he had just suggested doing the same thing, forcing his brothers away to escape the hellpit while he sacrificed himself for them, just like his brothers had.

"Reginald, the guard is awake and filled in, we are ready to go." Joshua said from behind the chapter master.

"Then let none stand in our way." he stated calmly as he gripped his lance and marched forward.

With the support of Karlous, Quicksilver got to her hooves from the soft furs of the ice wolves that he'd slain to keep her warm. "Thank you again Karlous, I don't know where I'd be without you." She said, smiling faintly at him as he gathered up some of the pelts and draped them over to her to keep the bone-chilling cold out.

"You need not thank me my...friend. It's been too long since I've been able to use my strength and skills to help others." He replied as he took up at her side, watching her closely to see if she could walk unassisted yet.

After a few tentative, short steps she nodded to him before beginning to move to the cave entrance. That, was when her legs gave out, yet before she could hit the floor Karlous had moved and stopped her just inches from the cold icy ground. Holding her gently, he brought her back up before shaking his head. "You're just not strong enough yet Quicksilver. Let me help you."

Quicksilver would have told him no, but she could sense that he wouldn't take that as answer as she sighed in fake annoyance before smiling. Within moments, he'd picked her up from the ground and held her close to his chest with one arm, the other clutching tightly a bolt-pistol that he'd taken from the corpse of a fallen Knight of Blood earlier. After she'd settled in, snuggling close to his chest where she heard the deep, rhythmic beats of his hearts Karlous moved to Reginald's side. Joshua joined them, his expression faintly showing amusement as he eyed the Blood Raven before looking away.

"So where is this Thunderhawk of yours exactly?" Joshua asked.

Gesturing to his left with a flick of his head, Karlous trudged out into the blizzard with his pistol ready to end any servant of Chaos that dared block his path. Joshua merely shrugged at Reginald as he passed, following the Sergeant. Yet in but a moment of passing, he got a feeling that something with the Chapter Master wasn't right. He decided for now that asking wasn't the best time. He could do that after they had escaped, he thought.

After many minutes of walking through the frost, with Quicksilver shivering despite the heat from the pelts covering her and Karlous's body heat, they reached a large hill made of out snow and ice that overlooked an area cleared out by the Chaos forces. As Karlous had told them, about a dozen Chaos marines, some Khornate Beserkers and other wielding just plain bolters or heavy las-cannons adorned with the sigils of Chaos. Around them, dozens of Daemons, weak Bloodletters and occasional Horrors stood out. They were all guarding, as Karlous had said, a Thunderhawk. It seemed as though it had suffered much battle damage, most of its outer systems and weaponry stripped and armor plating shorn from the sides. Only the insignia remained. A faint, blood smeared insignia of the Blood Ravens with the inscription of the first company under it.

Without hesitation, Karlous marched down the hill and gestured for them to wait for the right time. He moved with swiftness, though his posture and form suggested he was affecting a more Chaotic look so as to not draw suspicion yet as he passed by the Daemons without so much as a second look. It was, however, the Chaos Marines whom would prove a challenge to convince as he paused before a Beserker Champion and a Chaos Sergeant who eyed him distrustfully.

"So, the Renegade decides to join us in our post." The Sergeant says.

"And he comes bearing gifts." The Champion says, gesturing to Quicksilver. "An offering to the Blood God perhaps? Or did you capture this weak flesh creature for your own gratification?" He asked.

Karlous mentally was screaming in rage as he desired to bring his bolt-pistol up and blast the damnable Heretic's head from his shoulders, but he held his tongue and instead spoke up calmly. "Neither, Champion. I am here by orders of Daemon Prince Azerath. He wishes me to take this Pony to King Sombra and Princess Celestia and at the utmost speeds."

Both the Champion and the Sergeant gave him a long, hard look before gesturing for him to pass to the open landing ramp. But as he passed, the Champion placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke up. "You're a terrible liar Renegade. I despise liars, and for that I shall rip the flesh from your bones and make you watch as you die what I shall do to your little Pony 'friend'."

Almost instantly, Karlous turned and smashed his bolt-pistol into the helm of the Beserker before pulling the trigger as he fell back to the ground. Emptying half his clip, he turned and ducked a hit by the Sergeant's chain-axe to take his head before thundering the pistol into his gut and causing him to bend over in pain. "Eat this you sick bastards." He shouted as he pulled the trigger until his pistol clicked empty. The sergeant slumped over on his arm before he discarded him without thought. His eyes turning to see Joshua and Reginald coming to his aid as he dropped the pistol and drew his knife.

"Don't worry Quicksilver, I'm not going to ever let these foul traitors harm you while I still draw breath." He whispered as he sunk the blade into the skull of a Daemon that got too close.

Reginald stopped, "Inquistitor, go, clear the area and escape with the others, I will draw their fire!" he said ripping a squad of marines and a small group of daemons with his assault cannon.

"No, we go together!" Joshua said running back to the chapter master.

"Go now, this I command!" Reginald yelled pointing his lance at the Thunderhawk which was now starting up.

"We can both make it." Joshua said.

Reginald threw his lance and impaled a marines Las-Cannon causing it to explode before the Grey Knight ran past the corpse, grabbing his lance in the process before shoving his assault cannon into the chest of a dreadnaught and firing.

"No time Inquisitor, go!" he said before running into the hordes to combat the War Band.

"I wish you luck Reginald, may the Emperor be with you." Joshua said before running to the Thunderhawk.

"Isn't he coming Inquisitor?" Karolus asked, flicking a few switches in the cockpit.

"No, take off." Joshua said, his voice low.

The Thunderhawk took off and blasted away from the battlefield leaving Reginald behind.

"Thank you Joshua, the Emperor protects." Reginald stated before turning to the mass amounts of dead chaos marines and burning daemons while the rest of the War Band backed up at the sight of the mighty Terminator.

Out of the Warp walked a Daemon Prince, his armor was a dark red symbolizing his devotion to Khorne. "I am Azerath, servant of Khorne."

"And I am Reginald, Chapter Master of the Blood Raptors." the former Grey Knight said sticking his lance in the ground.

"You are done fighting." Azerath said.

Reginald looked at this Prince, "Take me to the ones known as Sombra and Celestia, and perhaps then you shall have a fight."

The Daemon Prince contemplated this before waving his right hand at his War Band. "Very well, I shall comply loyalist."

Joshua sagged against the wall of the Thunderhawk as they sped away from the battlefield. Deep in his heart, he knew he'd made the right decision, but he still felt horrible knowing he'd left Reginald there alone. "I should have stayed...helped him." He whispered.

Across from him, laying in one of the remaining seats and swathed in the furs Quicksilver poked her head up at his words. She saw how saddened he was, and though she didn't know him or Reginald at all she spoke up quietly. "I don't know you two very well Joshua sir...But I could tell you that your friend never would have forgiven you had you stayed. I don't know why, but I just feel that he's had something similar to this happen and he lost people he cared greatly for. He doesn't want that to happen again."

There it was, the answer to what he'd felt from Reginald as they left the cave. Joshua now knew, at least to a degree why he insisted upon being left behind. Joshua still felt horrible, but at least he understood why Reginald had stayed as he spoke. "I still would have stayed...I still would have fought alongside him until death, for only then shall my duty end."

"As would I have Lord Inquisitor." Karlous said over the vox. "However...despite how angry I am at your decision to leave him...I understand his reasons...but Just know that we shall return soon. I won't leave a brother behind...not again. Not to die."

Joshua nodded faintly, accepting the criticism before speaking up, loud enough over the now roaring engines as Karlous pushed the battered Thunderhawk past the cloud layer to be above the storm. "Nor shall I Sergeant. We shall return roaring on wings of fire with the righteous fury of the Emperor descending upon those foul traitors and free Master Reginald."

Karlous's silence was his answer of agreement as Joshua turned at last to Quicksilver again as he settled down on a chair. "So, how are you feeling Quicksilver?"

"Still very weak Joshua sir, but I'm getting better." she smiled. "Thank you for asking though." Looking back and meeting his eyes, she asked. "And how are you?"

Joshua gave a weak smile as he felt the turbulence shake the craft for a second. "I'm holding on..."

Quicksilver nodded faintly as she laid her head down and closed her eyes. "We all are Joshua...because that's what we do...just keep holding on until it's over."