Chapter 4

Joshua was silent for a long time as he rode in the Thunderhawk; his mind drowning in thoughts as the craft continued its choppy, turbulent flight through the clouds. He knew not where they were going, nor how long it would take to get back to help Reginald. All he knew, was that this craft wasn't likely to hold up much longer. He could feel it, the machine shook and shuddered with every turn, its engines sputtering on the verge of collapse any second. Not only was this that told him of their imminent crash, but there was the matter that he sensed the despair in Karlous's thoughts as he likely read the consoles in the cockpit that told of the Thunderhawk's critical condition. Still, the ancient machine did not yield yet to the forces and stresses put upon it. Which, thank the Omnissiah, gave Joshua some time to think about how they may survive and then afterwards get back to the frozen wastes.

The Lord Inquisitor's thoughts were inevitably interrupted, as the Blood Raven wrenched open the cockpit door and rushed over to Quicksilver's side. "Brace for impact Lord Inquisitor! We're going down!" He shouted over the now blaring warning klaxons as the craft began to spiral in a downward descent through the clouds.

Watching how Karlous fiercely protected the mare for a moment made Joshua smile before his expression grew serious as he asked "Any idea where we're crashing this tin can?"

"Aimed her for a large castle that appeared. Hopefully we'll peel right through it and land mostly intact. Otherwise, it was a straight drop Lord Inquisitor." Karlous replied gruffly as he covered Quicksilver with his body so as to protect her from the worst of the crash.

Quicksilver remained quiet, understanding and yet again trusting the judgement of her close friend as she weakly gripped around one of the marine's massive gauntlets. She felt a calm wash over her at the touch, and it was in that feeling that seemed to radiate from him that truly convinced her they'd be alright as she kept her eyes focused up into the lenses of his helm.

Joshua, anticipating he'd have no such protection like Karlous gave to Quicksilver, strapped himself into the seat with the massive adamantium safety bar before gripping tightly as he felt the craft beginning to rip apart. The metal giving way, cold air rushing in and whip lashing his face as she entered her final descent. Closing his eyes, whispering a soft prayer to the Emperor, Joshua prepared for death just in case it should come.

Immediately, all three jolted harshly as the nose of the Thunderhawk slammed into the wall of the castle the Sergeant had mentioned earlier. Though severely weakened, the mass and momentum of the craft could not be denied as it forced straight through the thick masonry and into what must have been a very long and spacious room. Joshua was sure they'd continue going, fly right out of the castle through the other wall and head into the likely abyss below; and yet, as they skidded across the smooth brick flooring, Joshua suddenly felt something at the nose force the Thunderhawk to stop. It must have been powerful, whatever it was. For they were all paused immediately as the craft continued to slowly lift up into the air as though trying to flip over. Yet, whatever had them gripped seemed to control it within a few seconds, for they were gently set to the ground afterwards.

Within moments, Joshua's eyes snapped open as he looked around. The entirety of the Thunderhawk was in ruins. Cables snapped and sparking dangerously. control panels smashed beyond repair that sent jolts of electricity to nearby panels. Support beams had collapsed, and as his eyes wandered to Karlous he grew worried as he saw the marine was motionless. One such beam had seemingly impaled him, and many pieces of metal had cut straight into his helm as he laid over Quicksilver. The Lord Inquisitor thought that he'd likely died in protecting her, as he'd promised before boarding the craft to escape. But to his surprise the Sergeant slowly, painfully, rose from Quicksilver. Joshua watched as he gingerly felt along where the beam had pieced him; all the way through his side and to his back, before with a single great heave he ripped it loose. That was when the blood started pouring, but not for long as the marine seemed to be utilizing a skill many psykers of the Blood Ravens could wield when trained. He actually held back the blood, forcing it to remain within and clot to cover the gaping hole as he reached out to Quicksilver. His hands, gently running across her to check for any injuries before confirming there were only minor cuts to be remedied. Then, unceremoniously he ripped his helm from his head and tossed it to the floor. It was no use any more, cut up and damaged by the metal shards.

Joshua drank in the marine's features as he removed the safety bar across his chest. The man before him was young, at least for a space marine. He was light skinned with closely cropped hair and three standard service studs set above his left brow. His eyes stormy grey, but full of concern as he helped Quicksilver to her hooves. She was staring in surprise at Karlous, to see his face instead of the helm. There was something else too, but Joshua couldn't place it entirely Desire, confusion, it could have been anything as he shook himself and spoke rustically. "We made it."

Karlous turned to him, looking no less serious than he'd envisioned the marine behind his helm as he spoke in a deep, gravelly tone. "Indeed we did Lord Inquisitor, and no worse for ware it seems. The Emperor and the Omnissiah must truly have been with us this day."

Nodding at that, Joshua was about to reply when he heard a voice he'd recognize anywhere come from the front of the Thunderhawk. "If you three are done talking in there, perhaps you'd like to come out like kind guests and greet us."

His eyes snapping to the cockpit, the glass long since smashed away he saw Mekrail standing there. His arms outstretched, gripping both ends of the massive craft and his legs dug into the floor up to his knees. Though never doubting the strength of those he'd worked with, Joshua was surprised; at least for seeing Mekrail, and the fact he was in his darker side's form. Still, the Lord Inquisitor smiled as he moved to the side hatch of the Thunderhawk. Merely gripping the bulkhead, he watched as it fell outward and landed with a loud clang as it indented into the floor. Gesturing for the Blood Raven to emerge, he stepped out and moved around to the front.

Karlous gave Quicksilver another concerned look before nodding as she smiled faintly. "I trust your friend Karlous. After all he's helped us this far."

Moving swiftly, although still wincing ever now and again from the pain of his healing injury to his side Karlous stepped out as well with Quicksilver still gently held in his arms. When he got around to the front, he saw the strange marine that had saved them had gotten away from his previous location and currently was cracking his neck and hands.

"It's good to see you've made it through Mekrail. Especially since you just saved us, lest we'd all be dead now." Joshua said, getting a grin out of Mekrail as he lightly punched his arm.

"Liar. You are too stubborn to die old man." Looking to Karlous, he was surprised momentarily at seeing specifically a Blood Raven, especially one cradling a Royal Guard before he shrugged and muttered. "Seen weirder in my time."

"Ah, thank you for reminding me. These two behind me are Sergeant Karlous of the Blood Ravens, and a Royal Guard pony by the name of Quicksilver." Joshua said, turning to them before seeing behind them a doorway in which he recognized both Luna and Nitronus standing in. "And so I see that the Champion of the Blood Raptors arrived with you as well. And that we likely are in the Princesses Castle, are we not?"
"Yeah, turns out me and brother Nitronus emerged out of the Warp here." Mekrail said, again shrugging.

"Even in all of my years I have never seen a Thunderhawk crash land in front of me, let alone inside of a building." Nitronus stated walking up to the Blood Raven but still keeping a swords distance with Mekrail.

"I needed to put us someplace that would break our fall." Karlous said walking up to Joshua's side who was now standing but a few feet from Mekrail.

"I'd say so sergeant." Nitronus replied. "You may refer to me by name, Nitronus." he added putting his hand out to shake the Blood Raven's.

"Very well Champion Nitronus." Karlous said, still cradling the pony he gave the ancient champion a nod before Quicksiver spoke up.

"Princess Celestia, betrayed us Princess Luna." she said still sounding weak.

"Thank you for your report guard, I will have one of my guards escort you to the infirmary." Luna said as two Lunar Guards walked up to the hulking Blood Raven who held her.

"I will carry you there Quicksilver, no harm shall befall you." Karlous said as he turned and followed the two silver guards past the rubble.

Nitronus watched as the sergeant departed with the pony before looking at the rubble and the massive hole in the wall before turning back to Luna who was now in deep conversation with the Inquisitor. He decided to start clearing the debris, after all this was her throne room and she has given him no reason not to be courteous, but when he heard Reginald's name he stopped for a spell and listened to what was being said.

"Chapter Master Reginald insisted upon holding a defensive so that we could escape. I tried to sway his decision but he had made up his mind." Joshua stated as he gave a look towards Nitronus whom was clearing the rubble as if he had grown used to cleaning others messes.

"Do you know if he could have slipped away from the Knights of Blood?" Mekrail asked his old friend.

Nitronus dropped the ten large bricks he had been carrying making a loud crash, splitting a few of the said bricks, before turning a storming up to the inquisitor.

"Something the matter Champion?" Mekrail asked, unaware that Nitronus had been listening in.

"You let him stay?" Nitronus barked, his voice rang throughout the halls of the castle.

"I didn't have a choice, you Chapter Master was quite determined on the action he took." Joshua replied, showing no signs of shock toward Nitronus's outburst.

Nitronus looked away and sighed before removing his helm, a grave look of despair upon his face. "It was the Knights of Blood that shamed him and killed his brothers before we found him, I should know, I was there."

Joshua's expression remained unmoved by the sudden revealing of information, yet inwardly he was cursing himself for his failure to act upon the sense he'd gotten earlier before their escape. "This I was unaware of at the time Champion, you must remember that we only met for a short time before the portal tore us away and I'd barely gotten to know any of you." Sighing as well, Joshua shook his head before continuing. "Besides, I could not have argued with that man to get aboard, even though I wanted to with every fibre of my being. Not even the Emperor himself could have convinced him otherwise. However, after we had made it safely out as your Chapter Master had ordered we intended to return and free him from his likely capture." Pointing to the door where Karlous had gone, he finished with. "I just had to get Sergeant Karlous and his....friend Quicksilver out first as he'd wanted." Again, like the Sergeant had done he hesitated for even he was unsure of the marine's feelings toward the Guard.

Nitronus looked to Luna before speaking. "My lady, I am ready to depart for the location in which our enemies and my Brother are at any given time." He finished before leaving the throne room and one very surprised alicorn.

Tempest watched as Twilight took Trayclian into her study, leaving the two soldiers alone in the main hall of her castle.

"Care to tell me of yourself General?" Dashing inquired after standing in the room for a few minutes watching Pinky Pie polish her party cannon.

"Depends on what you would like to know Captain." Tempest replied, his voice low and foreboding.

To most Tempest's tone would have shut them up out of fear from the pony, but to Dashing, who was used to mass alien genocide, it had no effect.

"How did you come into the military?" Dashing asked, now looking at the general who stood masked by the shadows, Tempest snorted red flames from his nostrils before looking at the captain.

"It happened long before any of this." he said with a gesture of his hoof towards not only the castle, but Dashing as well.

"Do tell." the retired captain retorted.

"It was just after Luna's banishment, Celestia raised an army to combat Sombra." Tempest stated before snorting more flames. "I was more experienced than anypony else in the newly reformed military. Naturally she appointed me as General of that army." he added turning his eyes to Pinky Pie who was now tying balloons about the room.

"What happened with Sombra, if you don't mind me asking?" Dashing said getting closer to the draconian pony standing half submurged in the shadows.

"As directed I took my troops into the frozen north to combat the hated king, unfortunately my army was obliterated, I fell in combat against Sombra himself, my troops fell not too far afterwords." Tempest breathed a calm fire out as he sighed. "Sombra left me alive after beating me as an example of his power, that is when Celestia finally did her job and banished him." He finished, his eyes now closed in memorandum of losing all of his friends.

"Then how are you here?" Dashing now asked confused.

"As you probably know when Sombra was banished he took the Crystal Empire with him, one thousand years later it reemerges, and not a pony has aged." Tempest said turning and walking completely into the shadows and vanishing into thin air.

That left Dashing in the hall with a party pony who was now singing smile to herself as she made rock candy.

Trayclian stood to the side of the hall, cooling his heels for a moment as he realized just how tired he actually was. After fighting endlessly for weeks, no time for rest or even the slightest taste of food had clearly taken its toll on his body. He was only really remaining awake and alert for the fact that he was still protecting his young friend Dashing. And there was Twilight, who was constantly asking questions about him.
"So where did you come from? What was it like where you were from?" She asked.

Mentally sighing, Trayclian falsely smiled as he always did and did his best to hide his tiredness as he answered her. "I come from a universe of grim darkness. A place where fear rules, death is commonplace and the powers of technology and peace are forgotten for the hallowed call of war. Every day of my life, from birth to now, I have fought to protect all Humanity from that darkness. My own Humanity, given up for the sake of all. All I've known is blood and death, it is my craft, my pledge, my burden to carry for all the Imperium to survive. Where we come from, it is the forty-first millennium, and there is only war."

Trayclian waited patiently for Twilight to absorb all that he had told her, which was true to the letter and he could prove it by the scars on his body. All of his brethren could prove it should they be here with him now.

"Wow...I thought we had problems here...but I can see you and your friends must have endured far worse." Twilight whispered.

"Yes...but I do not like dwelling on the past Twilight my friend. I prefer to focus to the future, and as such I'd like to ask what your world is like." Trayclian said, stopping further conversation on the subject before he dredged up any painful memories.

At the question, Twilight perked up some before speaking. "Well, for starters...Our place here in Equestria was, at least a short time ago, a very peaceful and happy place. We haven't had any conflicts with one another for many years and the Princesses Celestia and Luna ruled the land with fairness and kindness. That was until at least the time when Celestia went missing...and then after that Sombra had come back to power in the Crystal Empire and has turned it into a barren, frozen waste. As for Discord, no one knows where he is anymore and some suspect he's the one who set all this in motion."

"Hm...I could believe it was Discord. He was the one after all that...." Trayclian paused immediately, stopping himself from remembering. He didn't want to remember; never did he want to remember that which had poisoned his brother and close friend Mekrail's mind, or that which had caused them to lose so many brothers in fighting him. Shaking his head, Trayclian turned away slightly as he reached up and gently ran his hand along a long, wide scar that went from his left eye down his entire face and past his neck before disappearing underneath his armor. "Never mind Princess." He muttered.

Maximus put Derpy down on a straw bed in the house connected to the forge for while she slept, he had only healed her external wounds after all, he was no apothecary. This gave Scootaloo time to interrogate the armored freak with many skulls detailed onto his armor, and what looked like a wolf biting the moon on his right pad.

"What the hell was all that back there?" She yelled, flying into the air slightly and hovering next to the Holy Chaplain.

Maximus looked around before reaching his right arm through the warp and puling out a cell phone, opening the slide open keyboard he typed in his most simple explanation. "The guard attacked you and your friend, my friend, they were inflicted by chaos and therefore heretics." the phone spoke in a British woman's accent.

"Okay, heretic to whom exactly, not that I am complaining about still being alive?" She replied, sitting down on a cloud of smoke.

Maximus once more typed into his 'phone' and before long it spoke again. "They are heretics to your people and mine, they serve the Chaos Gods who would sooner turn this world into a pool of blood than speak to any of you." Maximus then signaled that he was done explaining by throwing the phone into another warp gate and sitting down against a large metal beam holding the forge up to wait for Derpy to awaken.

Going as quickly as Rekriel could, the Techmarine moved through the waist deep water with Telios held far above the murky waters. He didn't want to risk any chance of infection of his spinal injuries or possibly harming him further as he could feel his greaves smashing through tree roots and rocks with every step. Knowing it wasn't much further, Rekriel nodded as this was confirmed by the sounds of his turrets turning to the area they were coming from.

"It is just up ahead Battle Sister Elizabeth, Telios. my friend." He said, listening to the hum of the turrets as they likely were scanning them to see if they were threats. "00120001002" Rekriel said as he emerged with Elizabeth into the clearing before the turrets and Zecora's hut.
The turrets immediate stood down, their barrels turned away as a quiet message played back in response. "Safety code priority 1 engaged. Previous targets surrounding venerable Techmarine Rekriel Tecumseh deemed friendlies."

Nodding again, Rekriel caught note of Elizabeth's reaction. She seemed to be thinking deeply on why Rekriel had designed these turrets, and likely how he'd built them as a static-filled laugh came from the Techmarine. With no words, Rekriel moved to the door with Telios still held behind him off the ground he gave a single, tentative knock.

Hearing Zecora unlatch the door, he waited until she was looking up at him again in slight surprise before she spoke. "So soon it is indeed...to meet you again friend."

Rekriel bowed slightly before replying in a soft, urgent tone. "I know Miss Zecora...I wish I didn't have to come for your aid again but it seems that your impressive healing services are required once again." Moving aside, Rekriel allowed Zecora to see Telios and how gravely injured he was before she quickly beckoned them inside.

Within moments, Rekriel had placed Telios stomach first on a large, low sitting table that though squeaking under the weight held firm. With a practiced eye, Rekriel watched as Zecora moved about; gathering herbs and various plants before taking them and grinding them up together. His eyes were also watching Elizabeth closely, for he knew she was distrustful of the Zebra despite his and Telios' assurances. Lastly, his lenses settled back on his Assassin friend, who was laying on the bed with labored breathing as he likely kept fighting against the urge to scream from the pain that he was in from being moved so much.

"This potion should help with all your woes, dealt to you by your foes." Zecora stated as she tossed the mixture into a brewing cauldron that quickly flared up before settling back down into a large, deep green pool of liquid. "To heal your woes, we must put he potion on that which was inflicted upon you by your foes."

Without speaking, Rekriel knew he would be needed as he readied a servo-saw. "Don't worry Telios. I'm just going to cut you loose of your armor so Zecora can get to your injury easier."

Getting a faint, pained nod, Rekriel's saw began. Starting from the top of his chest plate, he cut straight all the way down his back although skillfully avoiding his injuries until he had cut all the way to his waist. He did this several times, each cut going deeper through the ceramite armor until suddenly it cracked and he had cut all the way through and was able to remove the chest plate with his hand and servo-arm. He set them aside, his attention now focused on the knotted, bloodied and ripped shirt that barely covered the tips of his spinal disks as they poked out of his skin. With a gentle touch, he quickly removed it for he wished to cause the least amount of pain possible. Still, he received a cry of agony that he knew the Assassin almost never uttered. This meant the injury was far worse than he'd likely ever suffered, and Rekriel bowed his head in remorse as he tossed the ripped shirt to the side next to Elizabeth and the remains of the chest plate. What was left behind was what normally would be a scarred, but well muscled body that was perfect from neck to waist. Yet due to his injuries only the massive, gaping hole with bone poking out and blood pouring forth was easily noticed.

Rekriel backed away, noticing how Zecora grimaced at the injuries before holding a large vial of the liquid over him. "This shall sting quite a bit, all the way from tip to tip." She said, giving Telios time to prepare for the pain before she began pouring it up and down his back.

Compared to the cries from earlier, this reached a new height of pain and made the Techmarine feel sorry Telios was forced to suffer like this as he watched the process. Telios kept screaming, the liquid seeping deep within his body and forcing flesh to mend and bone back into place. His eyes clouded with pain, he looked about before settling on Elizabeth as he slipped into unconsciousness. His last words, now a whisper of quiet agony held a reverence to them. "The beautiful angel graces me one last sight..."

Zecora nodded faintly, the process was done. His back no longer injured, she stepped away as she said. "He will need to rest, that is what is best for his body now."

Rekriel had heard her, although he was still trying to comprehend what Telios had said. How he'd looked to Elizabeth before passing out, and how he was looking to her only to see that she was in deep though, a confused expression on her face.

Reginald followed the prince as he walked the streets of the Crystal Empire, two Champions walked beside of him with their daemon mauls at the ready should the Chapter Master strike. Looking about, the former Grey Knight could tell that this battered kingdom was once a beautiful place that many peaceful creatures lived in, the latter of which was confirmed by the many broken bodies littering the ground. Reginald then stopped as he witness a young filly who had spoken out from behind her mother against the Chaos Marines get pumped full of bolt pistol rounds.

"Keep moving loyalist." the Champion on his right said, before looking towards what Reginald had stopped to observe. "No worries, that's not the worst we've done, you should see their Princess." he added pointing up.

The Chapter Master cast his gaze upward at a broken form of a pink xeno with a blue and white mane, her skeleton was visible in most areas, her body chained to the side of what used to be her castle for her former subjects. Reginald remained silent and continued on, silently praying to the Emperor that they found peace after death and swearing vengeance upon those who had brutally murdered them.

They entered the castle itself, part of the Grey Knight was glad that he no longer had to watch the innocent that he was powerless to defend be tortured by these heretics. Alas the inside was spotless and shined brightly, Reginald looked at his armor in the reflection of the floor. It had been battered slightly and was still white with frost making him appear as his former chapter, the irony was great.

"Loyalist, we are to now enter the throne room of King Sombra as you had requested, show him your respect. "Azerath stated before his two Champions opened the doors and remained back, obviously disgruntled with working on the same level as the xeno within.

"Azerath, it is good to see you." a loud and menacing voice said from a throne on the other side of the room, his eyes green and red with a purple aura emanating from them.

"Sombra another day full of blood, Khorne is pleased." the prince replied before Sombra stood.

"And who is this my exalted ally?" he inquired about the large silver man next to the prince, "Bow before me creature."

"I bow to none save the Emperor xenos, I came for an audience and will be on my way shortly." Reginald retaliated, to which Sombra was slightly taken aback.

"Very well, Azerath, leave us." the King said as he waved a hoof towards his ally.

Azerath merely nodded before walking through the warp and leaving the two in the throne room.

"What would you like to talk about?" Sombra asked as two servants galloped up to him with bowls of grapes and fed him by hoof.

"Your so called allies cannot be trusted King Sombra." Reginald replied as he removed his helm, a face of disgust at the actions before him.

"I know Mr.?" the king of hate wondered as he walked closer to the massive being before him.

"I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors, and those allies of yours are heretics who would sooner commit mass genocide upon your planet than piss on it." The warrior replied, disgust in his voice.

"Ah, but you need not worry about that Chapter Master." a feminine voice that reverberated from the walls echoed to the ancient knight.

Reginald cast his head towards a massive white mare with an insignia resembling the sun upon her flank as her mane and tail flowed without so much as a breeze.

"Blood Raptor, this is Princess Celestia, my bride." Sombra said waving a hoof towards her.

Reginald merely frowned at this, as it made his plan much more complicated.

Joshua cast Mekrail a confused glance at why Nitronus was so angry. Understandably, he was pissed about the fact of he, Karlous and Quicksilver leaving Reginald back in the frozen wastes; yet the fact as to why he was bristling with aggression toward Mekrail specifically. Calling his ancient friend over to him, he asked a simple question in a calm voice. "What is the matter between you and Champion Nitronus Mekrail?"

Mekrail merely scratched his head and shrugged in response. "I honestly have no idea Joshua. I mean, I can understand that he despises Chaos or anything Chaotic; but I'm not. He merely can't see that, he doesn't know, nor does he care to acknowledge it that I'm not afflicted by a Chaos presence."

"I know all about it. You and Trayclian explained it to me a few weeks after we met and joined up together." Joshua said, heading him off. "And it's that which I cannot see his anger, nor comprehend how deeply it ran against you when he stormed off."

Mekrail gave a short sigh of exasperation before throwing up his hands. "I don't know Joshua. I just don't know anymore. I think I really will just try to leave him alone for now...while the darkness lulls slowly back to sleep deep within."

Nodding at his suggestion, Joshua turned away and dismissed Mekrail to go and try to finish cleaning up what Nitronus had started while he was faced with Luna. "Princess. Forgive me for my lack of manners. I am Lord Inquisitor Joshua Samson. But you may just call me Joshua." He said, bowing slightly in respect. "As I understand it, your sister Princess Celestia has been enraptured by the seducing whispers of Chaos."
"Indeed sir Joshua. We art most troubled by the thought of our sister in the foul clutches of thy tempest that beith Chaos." Luna replied, nodding faintly at the Inquisitor's respectfulness.

"I may be of an Ordo of the Holy Inquisition not charged with handling these foul magicks, but I have picked up on quite a bit of knowledge in my time about the Warp and I wish to discuss with you about a possible solution to this problem that shall not involve your sister losing her life."

"What beith this solution?" Luna asked.

"I shall wish to speak with you in private of this. It is considered very radical, even among my fellow Inquisitors so I do not wish to have my friend Mekrail or Champion Nitronus hear of this." Luna nodded, although she was unsure as to what this solution may be and was very incredulous of his idea as she turned and began heading back to her private chambers. Joshua followed, his last glance back to Mekrail saw him actually using his full, dark strength to lift the Thunderhawk's wreckage and move it out of the way.

Meanwhile, Karlous stood watching over Quicksilver as she rested in the hospital bed assigned to her. As he'd sworn, he was still protecting and guarding her as he leaned against the wall at the head of her bed. He'd remembered listening to the doctors and nurses as they'd examined her. No permanent physical injuries, at least thanks to his quick care of her before the injuries had become severe. Her ribs and lungs were still bruised, which explained why despite his first aid she was so lightheaded and quick to tire. The doctors and nurses had praised him for his work, yet he'd accepted none of it. Despite this, he was smiling faintly as Quicksilver continued to lightly snooze on. He actually found himself lost in wonderment for a few moments as he admired her simple beauty.

Reaching down, he wiped a stray strand of her mane out of her eyes before whispering softly. "Just keep resting my dear friend...I will be here when you awake as always for you are that which gives me purpose in life." Before he looked away, Quicksilver rolled over in her sleep and wrapped her hooves around his hand. She snuggled close to it, sighing blissfully as though something she'd been missing was finally with her in her dreams. Karlous didn't know it, but through his smile he was blushing before he turned sharply as his ear caught what sounded like the one he knew as Nitronus down a few corridors away.

"What in the Great Father's name is the matter with the Champion?" He wondered silently before returning his attention to Quicksilver again.

Nitronus marched a fast pace down the halls as he ranted, many of the ponies dashed to the edges when he came down the corridors, a few of them yelped as his wake hit them. But all he could think of was his brother doing battle with those heretics and the fact that Mekrail is tainted by the Warp. He stopped in front of a massive window and peered out at the calmness that sprawled out before him.

"How can they live like this?" Nitronus muttered to himself as he peered at a colt and filly who had just been married with his superior vision.

"Out of my way guard." a rather snobby voice cried out from behind him, "I wish to observe the commoners." a white and blue unicorn continued as he approached without a care in the world.

Nitronus ignored him entirely, if he wanted to look at the city beyond the castle he could do so from another window. That was until the snob hit him.

"Out of my way lowly guard." the incredibly stupid pony.

Nitronus looked down on him before placing a hand on the hilt of his blade, "Pardon ingrate?"

"Ingrate, I am Prince Blueblood!" the self proclaimed prince said as he placed a hoof on his chest.

"I don't care." Nitronus said before turning his back on the worthless whelp.

"Remove yourself from my presence disgusting creature." Blueblood said before grabbing a pie in his telekinesis and throwing it at the Champion.

Nitronus turned and slowly walked towards the prince who was now backpedaling as the Champion drew his blade and pointed it at him. Without a word Nitronus threw the blade to the side before grabbing the pony by the neck and slamming him to a wall instantly cracking his head and the stone wall.

"Filthy xeno." He said before recovering his blade, "The universe has no purpose for you."

Tempest emerged from his travel through the shadows in Luna's private quarters, the Princess herself was speaking to another one of the bipedal creatures, about what Tempest had no idea but he decided to merely sit in and remain in the shadows.

"We would like to learn more about thee." Luna said as she got comfortable on her bed.

Joshua nodded at Luna's question, he himself getting comfortable in a chair that faced the Princess before answering her. "What would you like to learn about me Princess? Specifically I mean."

He paused, although seemingly like he was waiting for her answer he actually was sensing another presence among them. He didn't know what or who it was, only that it was hiding itself physically from them and his psychic senses could feel the general area he was in. The Inquisitor slowly turned in the chair, looking behind him to a shadowy corner that the presence's emotions were radiating from. Without letting Luna ask about what she wanted to know more specified, He quickly drew his plasma pistol and aimed it at the dark corner. It charged near instantly, his finger on the trigger to release the hot plasma upon who dared intrude as he spoke in an icy calm tone. "Whoever you may be, reveal yourself now or I shall purge you back to the shadowy realm you came from for daring interrupt our private discussion."

"At ease pal." A pair of red crystal pony eyes materialized from the shadows.

"Tempest, I was beginning to worry that you had come across hostiles while on patrol." Luna said before turning to Joshua. "This is my most esteamed General known as Tempest Knight.

Joshua then put his pistol away after venting it. "Good to meet you." he said before looking to Luna, unsure of their relationship.

"A pleasure to have a plasma based weapon aimed at me by another large and armored creature that speaks with that odd accent, though it would have been useless if you had shot as I am fire proof," Tempest said snorting flames that reflected off of his silver armor.

"You know of my brothers?" Joshua asked turning again to the pony in the darkness.

"Yes," Tempest said as he stepped into the light and spreading his dragon wings slightly, "I met two of them and a pony who claimed he knew them as well in Ponyville just a few hours ago. Twilight is with them now."

"Ah, you must mean the son of Lord Jackson. Captain Dashing Jackson Hardin." Joshua said. Getting a nod, the Inquisitor smiled as he shook his head and looked out a window. "Yes, myself and my brethren have known that young Pegasus for a long time. We, after all, did meet him on his world when he was still a young captain in his twenties." Joshua moved closer to the window, lost in thought of times long past as he gazed out to the city that he had seen so many versions of in his life. "I remember watching from orbit as he and his wife traveled with the remainder of his fellow soldiers across all of Equestria to recover the cure for his father." Joshua's smile turned grim and his eyes shined as he remembered how impressed he'd been with the young Captain and his father Jackson. "I watched as he struggled, how he suffered. Losing his wife, all his unit in Las Pegasus. Yet he still came through, and in doing so he brought back the greatest leader Equestria had yet seen in its long time. His father, who now reigns over the Princesses as the Lord Commander of the Sun and Moon."

Joshua finally snapped out of his spoken thoughts as he blinked. His expression showing only slight embarrassment to be caught in one of his rare moments as he turned back to face Luna and Tempest. "My sincere Apologies General Tempest, Princess Luna. Sometimes I can ramble on." Scratching his head, Joshua turned specifically to Tempest and asked. "Did the other two Space Marines mention who they were exactly? And you said they were with Miss Sparkle correct? Where might they be?"

Tempest looked over to Luna wondering what was going on inside her head at the mention that she and her sister were second to someone else in another realm, to his astonishment, she was rather accepting of the idea. But recalling that she had talked to Tempest about stepping down from power and wanting to lead a relatively normal life alongside of him, at which he put down her offer of courtship as he was already seeing Rainbow Dash, her face made sense.

"One said his name was Trayclian, the other is known to me as Maximus." Tempest replied as he took a seat in a chair adjacent to the one Joshua had been using.

Mekrail up to this point had kept his mouth shut. He'd chosen not to question Joshua's orders nor Nitronus's anger toward him. He'd ignored the conversation going on in private between Joshua and Luna, and he'd tried to forget the fact that the angry Champion was ranting through the halls of this castle. But it was the one sound he knew he could never ignore. That was the sound of bone cracking and snapping, and a shriek of agony far too familiar to the old marine. Without waiting for anyone else to respond, he dropped the Thunderhawk and let it crack through the floor where he was going to set it down before taking off at a speed few Space Marines could claim to match. His expression one of concern, but more so anger at Nitronus as he dashed through the halls. Many of the palace staff were set spinning as he passed before they collapsed on the ground. cutting down corridors, the shriek and snapping still imprinted in his mind; the Dark Angel suddenly stopped in his tracks when he was met with the grisly sight before him. Nitronus, having just finished his words to Blueblood who was laying on the ground. His neck broken and his skull crushed and bleeding profusely. He was almost certainly headed for death within minutes.

"NITRONUS!" Mekrail bellowed in a voice not his own. It was one that echoed throughout the entire castle as Mekrail suddenly was up in the Champion's face and slamming him against the wall he'd slammed Blueblood into. The force, coupled with his anger indented him into the wall to hold him there before Mekrail turned away after wrenching the Champion's sword away and tossing it aside.

As quickly as he'd done this, he was turning away and moving to Blueblood. He knelt before the Prince, shaking his head. "Such unnecessary violence...You are a damn fool Nitronus...We are sworn to protect the innocent...no matter who or what they may do to us. This pony, no matter how annoying he is...is innocent. You have broken your oath to the Emperor. We never raise out blade or hand against them." He whispered angrily as he cradled Blueblood's head in one hand and helped him to look in his eyes. "You are no longer my brother...no matter how angry we get we must never take up our arms against the innocent...Xeno or not. I shall honor the man you once were, but no longer shall I or my Dark Angels give you the benefit of being my brother-in-arms."

As he cradled Blueblood, his eyes began to glow deeply as ancient powers of darkness untold coursed through him. In this moment, in this place, his darkness for once finally sided with his consciousness as the aura spread down his body and to his hands. Instantly, his expression turned to one of pain as the aura connected with Blueblood's neck and head. His own body seemed to contort in response as the aura straightened the Prince's neck and snapped the bone back into place. His own neck cracked at that moment, to which he was no looking at an awkward angle as his hand traveled up to his cracked skull. Splits of pure darkness spread instantly spread across his own face and head, which brought even more pain to his already agonized features as Blueblood's skull slowly healed until nothing remained to show for the injuries inflicted by Nitronus.

"You are lucky Prince...Blueblood...I'm giving you a second chance at life." He whispered painfully before setting Blueblood back on the ground to let him get up as he turned on his heel. He managed to make it a few steps and turn down a corridor toward the infirmary before collapsing as the wracking pains finally got the better of him.

Nitronus looked out the window and sighed before recovering his sword and leaving the castle, heading towards a more private spot where he could perhaps cool his head.

Elizabeth looked around the hut, she had never seen such decorations, and the scent of the many concoctions that this xeno had created made the place smell like a candy store. Telios was passed out on a bed at the far end of the hut, blood was still everywhere and Rekriel was negotiating payment, even though the xeno, Zecora, was refusing to accept. That left the Battle Sister with nothing better to do than clean, after all it was the least she could do.

"Enough you have paid, rest now and stay." Zecora said, as she began working on another potion, thus turning her back to the Tech Marine making it clear that this was to be free of charge.

"As you wish Zecora friend." Rekriel stated as he walked out of the hut to probably check the turrets, that left Zecora in the room with anit social Elizabeth and dead to the galaxy Telios.

Elizabeth had finished cleaning the blood up with nothing but water when Zecora came by and sighed.

"Meant to help, potion now goes to the shelf." the zebra said as she put it on a high up shelf.

"Rekriel trust you, as does Telios." Elizabeth said, breaking her silence as she stood.

Zecora nodded, "I know not why they place their trust, perhaps it has something to do with their fuss." Zecora stated as she chuckled to herself.

Elizabeth once more took in her surroundings, "Could I ask a favor of thee Zecora?" she asked, deciding to be much more polite than she had ever intended to be.

"What troublesome woes block your way, Zecora will make them go away." the mare replied as she pulled out a cauldron.

"We need to get back to where we came from, our brothers need us in their, our, fight." Elizabeth said eyeing the cauldron as Zecora placed many ingredients into it.

"This I can do, though time it shall take." Zecora said before a large puff of green smoke curled out of the pot.

"Thank you, know that you are now my friend." Elizabeth said as she sat down next to Telios and watched Zecora, ready to assist if she needed it.

Reginald checked behind him as warriors of Chaos emerged from the doorways that slowly opened, looking back to the king and queen of this realm he frowned, "You have chosen wrong, Chaos can never be trusted." he said as he placed his helmet upon his head, "For the Emperor!"

He charged, catching the heretics behind him completely off guard as he cut them all down and crashed through the wall and out into the city that surrounded the castle. Ponies and heretics alike peered upward to see what was happening, until one heretic changed form into a miss matched dragon like creature and grabbing ponies and vanishing with them before returning alone. Reginald knew that he was no enemy, for as this creature approached the broken in spirit ponies, they all smiled and gained a shimmer before he took them away in entire groups.

"The loyalist is escaping, stop him!" Reginald heard one of the Champions yell to the other traitors just before Reginald used him as a landing pad.

Turning around he saw the Daemon Prince walk forth with his war band surrounding the two of them, Reginald looked to the right slightly and saw the draconess return, this time it looked straight at him before mouthing the words 'retreat, we can take them another day.' Turning back to the prince Reginald made a decision, he ran toward the xeno and it wrapped around him before they entered nothingness.

Author's Note

Tempest Knight-

Hey everypony Tempest here with a couple questions.

1: What do you think of this little fanfic?

2: Where do you think it is going?

and

3: 1-10 rating if you please!

Stay Brony

-DeathAngelWolf

Ratings? What do we need ratings for? I didn't write this for people's enjoyment. I wrote this because It was stuck in my head and I couldn't stand it cropping up. And as for all other things considered, this fanfic is worse than Twilight's castle being cometely covered in jizz and then set on fire. Lastly, we all know where this fanfic is going don't we audience? No, nothing is going to be innocent. I love to corrupt your young Brony minds with thoughts of clopping anyways.

(P.S. Tempest loves it too, so don't just blame this on me if you see it in the future.)

Anyways, it was good to see you ponies again and all. DeathAngelWolf chillin' out. (Blame it on Tempest.)

Tempest-

Snorts flames before charging as he breathed fire, "Foul creature, thou shalt not soil thy name with heretical nonsense!" Tempest yelled as Death ran from the balefire nipping at his ass.

(Stay brony everypony, and don't listen to the heretic! )