Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria

Chapter 6

Nitronus stood at the entrance to the maze of hedges that surrounded them as he waited for Fluttershy and Quicksilver when Karlous approached him once more.

"Champion." he said in a hushed tone.

"What do you need Karlous?" Nitronus replied not moving from his statue like pose, his helmet atop his head giving him an eerie look as he gazed at the two ponies.

Karlous had mediated long enough on his thoughts as he calmly placed a hand on Nitronus's shoulder guard. "Champion...I am grateful that you have considered my words and heeded my advice...But there is but one obstacle you face... An obstacle that no one can help you through." Seeing he truly had the Champion's attention now, the Sergeant sighed as he looked back to Fluttershy and Quicksilver before continuing in a quiet, urgent tone. "The Veteran Captain...Mekrail. It is he who shall be your most difficult fight...I could sense the deep rift between you two...of how much he despises you now...and with my knowledge of the Dark Angels...they never forget...and never forgive. An impossible task...he believes you have broken your oath to the Emperor and the Imperium...something he and his brethren frown upon to the point that they shall turn their backs on you and your Chapter mates when you need them most. You must correct this...it may be impossible...but you must try Champion. Your life...and the lives of those around you I sense depend on the assistance of these grizzled, ancient warriors."

Karlous drew away, releasing Nitronus just as Fluttershy and the others caught up to him. He smiled, putting away the worried, fearful look that had come out at his ominous warning as he eyed them both. He, for now, would leave the Champion to stew in his thoughts as he heard Quicksilver speak to him. "Having a nice chat while you waited for us Karlous my dear friend?"

"Yes indeed Quicksilver. The Champion and I were just getting more acquainted while you girls were catching up." Karlous replied in a hearty tone.

This drew a cute laugh from Quicksilver before she answered back with equal fervor. "Such a gentlecolt you are, giving us ladies the time we need to ourselves."

Karlous blushed faintly at her words before nodding as he turned back to Nitronus. "Shall we perhaps go to gather the good Captain before returning to the Inquisitor and this Princess Luna Champion?" His eyes were still warning, but his expression was still a smile as he waited next to Quicksilver and Fluttershy.

"Very well." Nitronus said leaning towards the Blood Raven as he passed him, "I will make amends, alas I am but one old marine who isn't used to being friendly, you may ask Reginald, I seldom interact with others." he said in a hushed tone as he briskly walked out of the maze.

Karlous nodded and followed him out with the ponies, ignorant to what had been said, followed a few feet behind them, that was until Quicksilver screamed. Turning around in a blur, both Karlous and Nitronus raised their bolters, but neither of them had been prepared for what stood before them, holding the pegasus upside down was an Chaos Sorcerer sporting the insignia of the Emperors Children Chaos Marines.

"Foal heretic, place her down so that I might gut thee!" Nitronus rumbled pointing his wrist mounted Storm Bolter at the traitor.

"The renegade has taken a liking to this one, I think I'll keep her." a female voice reverberated from inside the armor.

Fluttershy had flown off towards the castle, possibly to get help or to hide, probably both, which left the two marines in a stare down with the pink and blue turncoat.

"Your cowardice shall only get you so far heretic!" Nitronus growled as he lowered his bolter.

Karlous felt as though he'd traveled back in time as he stared down the Chaos Sorcerer. Another war, the Civil war between his Chapter in fact. It had been when he'd watched Kyras preparing to execute his last surviving brother and close friend, Terminator Sergeant Clendarius and how powerless he'd been to stop him. He could still see the action as a warp bolt pierced the Sergeant's chest plate, hear the scream of agony and smell the burning of flesh and metal. He could still hear the fellow Sergeants last words as he gasped his dying breaths.

"Rise up and strike him down Karlous...Do it for all of us...Avenge us...and protect anyone else from suffering the same fate by the Great Betrayers." It was these words that brought him back, snapped him to reality.

No longer was he on the icy world of Aurelius, surrounded by traitors and the dead. Here, now, he finally could act upon that promise he'd made so long ago as he suddenly tossed aside his Bolter and glared at the Sorcerer with a flaming hatred burning in his eyes. He could feel the strength of ages past surging through him, brothers lost coming to his aid one last time and lending him their own strength and speed as he let loose an earthshaking feral howl. Charging forward, without a care to what would happen to him, Karlous beat the Sorcerer to harming Quicksilver; just as he'd wished he'd been able to do for Clendarius as his gauntlet rose up and stopped the blade moments before it could reach her. Though the blade ripped easily into his armor and butchered his flesh and bones, he didn't even wince as he hauled his arm back and wrenched the entire blade from the Sorcerer's grip. Letting loose another bellow, he drew back his uninjured arm before delivering a thunderous blow to the gut of the Sorcerer and sending it flying back into a wall of the castle. There was a plume of dust that rose out of the massive crater in the wall now as Karlous raised his hand and gently caught Quicksilver in his grip before she fell to the ground.

Despite the blood pooling at his feet as the Daemon blade continued to prevent his injury from healing, Karlous didn't seem phased as he focused his gaze intently on her. His eyes caught sight of her broken wings and the deep gashes in her back, and before she could even cry out in pain he focused all the power he had into healing her injuries before he would even consider his own. When he finally sensed she was no longer in pain, his expression turned into a smile as he met her own gaze. She was looking at him in complete surprise, not just that but with worry and fear for him as he held her close to his chest. "Why? Why me Karlous? Why would you do this to protect me?" She asked, just loud enough for him to hear.

Without even batting an eye, Karlous answered loudly and truthfully as he watched the Sorcerer staggering out of the rubble with another glare of hatred. "Because you are the only one left I care about Quicksilver. You are the only one who holds my heart, and I cannot allow anyone to ever hurt you. I would rather die before they could harm you in any way."

His bold words shocked Quicksilver to her core as she looked away. She didn't know it but she was blushing deeply as she smiled. To hear that her close friend whom she'd met only a few weeks ago had such deep feelings for her that he was willing to sacrifice himself to protect her made her feel just completely giddy inside. Before they could talk any further however, Karlous gently set her down and spoke sharply. "Go to Nitronus and stay with him. I will finish this." His expression told her not to argue, but before she would leave his side she gestured for him to come down to her level to which he did promptly With a nervous look, she quickly leaned up and kissed his cheek before speaking.

"Get that thing for me Karlous...But please...be careful....I...I'm feeling things I've never felt before for you and I just...I couldn't bare it if you..."

Though he was blushing faintly, Karlous nodded and spoke softly before gesturing her to run. "I will be fine...It's you I worry for so go now." When he saw she'd obeyed his order, Karlous turned his attention to the Sorcerer. Before it could even attempt to escape, his inner rage and strength flared up again and he was already pinning it back against the wall. His psychic prowess enhanced with the souls of his damned brethren, he prevented the Sorcerer from overpowering him with the warp as he snarled out a single sentence. "I'm going to rend your soul into a billion pieces and shatter your fragile little body for touching her...But before that I want some answers Traitor." His grip against the Sorcerer's throat tightened to just about crushing strength as he asked. "Why are you here? And what purpose do you serve for your Daemon Prince master for attacking us?"

Quicksilver moved over to Nitronus's side as he once more pointed his arm at the sorcerer as he moved his shield around to protect her. "Fear not pony, I have you now."

"Its not me I'm worried about." Quicksilver said with a look of worry shot towards Karlous who was now holding the traitor up against the wall by his neck.

Multiple ponies in shining silver armor bearing robes with red trim underneath came from behind the group, just in time for several warps to open before them.

"Chaos!" Nitronus yelled which got Karlous's attention as he tossed the dead sorcerer aside and ran for his bolter only to be shot in the back by plasma weapons.

"Nooooooooo!" Quicksiver yelled as she tried to run forward, only for Nitronus to block her with his shield as plasma flew their way.

"Fallback with the guards, I'll help Karlous, and don't worry I shall bring him back alive, you have my word." Nitronus said calmly but with an edge in his voice, different from how he had spoken earlier.

Deciding that she could trust him she darted off toward the guards allowing the champion to fir his storm bolter from around his shield at the turncoats as he advanced towards his fallen brother.

"Kill the loyalist!" the one in front of the group said just before he was cut in half by bolter rounds.

"Silence fool and meet your end, FOR THE EMPEROR!" Nitronus yelled as he drew his force sword and charged a group of raptors who scattered after he cut two of them down.

"This one has lost his sense brothers!" a high pitched voice rang out from above the ancient champion.

"No, I'm just to old to give a damn any longer heretic." Nitronus calmly said as his shield and sword were bashed out of his hands after he was hit by a Daemon Maul.

"Then allow me to beat it back into you!" a feminine voice stated, but before the maul could connect with his head Nitronus caught it with his right hand and ripped it from the tainted marines grasp.

"No, allow me." Nitonus whispered as he swung the maul into the traitors chest and watched as the said marine exploded into red mist and chunks of armor. "Who shall be next!" Nitronus bellowed as he raised the maul for the traitors to see.

Karlous began to stand, his momentary stupor from his many wounds passed. As he got up he saw that Nitronus was surrounded by roughly thirty marines, but they seemed hesitant about attacking him.

Karlous's entire body was in an uproar. His back was burning beyond anything he'd felt before from the hot plasma, and he could sense his armor had practically melted to his flesh as he looked on at Nitronus still slightly dazed. His arm wound now was now a steady stream that pooled at the ground as the sudden collision of the attack had buried the blade deeper. Seeing the marines though once more reminded him of the Sorcerer that had tried to harm Quicksilver, and as they still remained poised to attack around the Champion he finally gathered his thoughts and unsteadily moved to his Bolter.

Taking the weapon in his shaky hands, he dropped to a crouch for better accuracy and to stop the terrible shakiness permeating his body before finally shouting to draw the Chaos Marines attention. "By the will of the Emperor, I sentence you all to death!"

That second longer of hesitation as they turned away was enough as he faintly nodded to Nitronus while opening fire. The hail of bolts flew with such precision that nearly every target was cleanly decapitated or just about as he raked through the ranks of the Traitors.
Nitronus, at the same time leapt once more into action. Swinging his stolen Daemon Maul, he was crushing skulls and bodies to bloody chunks and armor pieces with righteous fury in every blow. Despite their previous advantage of numbers, the crowd around the Champion was quickly thinned from the deadly fire of the Sergeant's Bolter and his own murderous blows. The few left suddenly turned to Karlous as his Bolter clicked empty, and with dark grins they let loose mad cackles and dashed for him with blades and hammers raised.

Tossing aside his Bolter once more, Karlous got to his feet and drew his combat knife just as the first of the marines reached him. With speeds surprising for one so injured, he deflected and parried each slash and hammer strike before delivering his own heated slices back. The first of them he rammed his blade straight to the hilt in his gut before hauling upwards and throwing him to the side as he twisted the blade savagely. The second actually managed to get a few gashes across his sides, and though the pain made him want to pass out he doggedly dug in his heels and parried another slice before slamming the blade straight into his neck and letting go as the blood flowed. Karlous barely could register that Nitronus was now behind them, fighting the last few as he was left weaponless against a massive looking marine wielding a similar Maul. It was in these moments, these last moments that Karlous shut his eyes and prayed to the Emperor to watch over Quicksilver as the hammer descended upon him.

And yet, the blow never connected. The Sergeant kept waiting or it to come, for death to finally take him in honorable battle. But after long minutes he finally opened his eyes to the sight of Mekrail. It wasn't just this that made the Blood Raven look on in astonishment, but for the fact that the Captain stood with the Maul firmly grasped by its head in one hand; the Dark Angel was holding it with an ease that suggested boredom and that scared the Sergeant deeply.

"You little bitches done making fools of yourselves?" Mekrail asked, stifling a yawn with his free hand before suddenly and violently ripping the Maul from the Chaos Marine's grip and tossing it with such strength that it sped away through the skies like a Valkyrie attack gunship. As Mekrail glanced back, Karlous saw in his eyes nothing but darkness and blood pupils glaring at him as he heard a concerned question. "You gonna be alright?"

Giving a faint, pained nod, The Sergeant fell back and almost instantly lost consciousness. The last thing he heard and saw was Mekrail standing in front of the marine and that same marine being first torn in half before it burst into flames blacker than the night and turned to ash at his feet.

Mekrail, refusing to acknowledge Nitronus's presence, merely turned toward the few left before the Champion and with a voice so thunderous and filled with power he roared out. Charging forward, he didn't give the two Marines any time to react before he was holding them both by their throats and with but a flash of a dark aura around him to warp portals opened before him. Hauling back, he tossed each one into their individual portals and as he turned on his heel they immediately dispersed. Moving back to Karlous, he knelt before him just as Quicksilver emerged with the other guards, Blueblood and finally after a few minutes Fluttershy. The first of them was immediately beside the Sergeant, tears in her eyes as she wrapped herself around him

Before she could begin to sob, the Captain spoke in a calm voice. "Do not worry for him Miss Quicksilver...The Sergeant will live. I sense no truly life-threatening injuries. I need only remove the taint blocking his injuries from healing." Looking to the embedded sword, Mekrail gave it a simple twist and wriggled it free before tossing the thing aside. As though proving his point with the blade now free, Karlous no longer appeared in as deep agony as before as his breathing settled and the large wounds finally started to clot and scar over. "Stay with him for now, I have business to attend to with the Princess and Joshua." Mekrail murmured before rising and walking off without another word to anyone.

Quicksilver did as instructed, curling up in his limp arm and hugging tightly to his side as she listened to his heartbeat to remind herself he'd be alright as she quietly cried; still she was unable to contain her feelings and thought she was crying there was happiness that the one she cared so much for would be fine.

Luna had parted ways with Joshua, without him knowing, and now walked one of the many secret passages of her new home. While she was still getting used to the new castle, since she destroyed the old one when she attempted to seize power from Celestia, but she knew precisely where she was going for Tempest had shown her this hidden chamber many times before. What she didn't know was that the Inquisitor had noticed her departure and was following her just out of her sight.

She stopped next to a couple of empty suites of armor that held spears in there hooves. The ancient sentries visors began to glow red and they crossed their spears in front of her before turning to stare her in the eye.

"What is your business?" they said with a low and rather edgy voice.

"I am Princess Luna and I have business with thy master." the alicorn said to the ghostly sentries.

"Very well, you may pass." they said before returning to their prior states as their visors once again went dark as though the spirits within had left there armored body behind.

The door gave a soft click before silently opening to reveal a large chamber lit with torches from high upon the walls, though it was still rather dark. The floors were made of black wooden planks while the walls were of grey stone with the ceiling matching. Along the edges of the room were small tables holding ancient relics alongside larger items of similar origin. Towards the center of the room there was a large ornate dining table decorated with stone dragons breathing fire, and in the back there was a large bed of the same design sitting inside of a large dragon skull, its large maw wide open and its eyes with a dim fire as if it was still alive.

"Hasn't changed to much from the old days has it?" Tempest said from a corner of the chamber, he was standing next to a pedestal with a necklace carefully placed upon it.

"Not too drastically no." Luna replied now walking towards the draconic knight.

"If I may ask, what brings you here Luna?" Tempest asked as he walked away from the pedestal.

"What beith thou opinion of these 'Space Marines' Tempest?" Luna asked as she inspected a painting of Tempest and his army from ancient times fighting Sombra and his army.

"I am undecided, and frankly as long as their weapons are trained upon the enemy I will be more than happy to fight alongside them." he replied now tinkering with his guns at a small forge in the corner of the room.

Joshua had watched in silence for a long time, his eyes on the hallway that Luna had disappeared into behind the massive statue guards. Having sensed in but an instance the powerful spirits that returned to the armor, and as of how fiercely protective they were of what lay ahead that they would halt even one of the Princesses he was currently attempting to figure out as to how he'd get in. Several plans at once ran through his head, and all of them he knew would involve his injury or possible death before he ruled them out one by one. Mentally sighing in frustration, he pinched the bridge of his nose before finally going with the gut feeling he'd had before his thoughts. Stepping out from the corner, he walked with a silent step down the hall of which the two sentries were once more awakened from their slumber. With spears crossing in front of him, he raised his gaze to meet theirs before the question was spoken again in the same tone as before.

"What is your business?"

Joshua thought for but a moment before answering as honestly as he could. "I am Lord Inquisitor Joshua of the God-Emperor's Holy Inquisition. I know that thy has cause to not trust me, but I speak truth in that I have business with the Princess and thy Master that is urgent."
For a long time, the guards were silent as they stared at him, their eyes sweeping over him as though boring straight through his body and looking directly at his soul for the truth. However, eventually they lowered their spears back to their ready position with a rumbling of assent.

"You may pass Lord Inquisitor Joshua."

Nodding respectfully, Joshua once more advanced on silent feet down the hall. When he finally reached the large chamber, Joshua took a long look around at all the sights to behold. It had been some time since he'd seen such a place, only a faint memory of his Ordo's ship that had been destroyed some three centuries ago seemed to match the grandeur of this room as he was lost in times past. When he finally snapped back, it was on the same painting of Tempest and his army from ancient times. Moving towards it now, he paused just before Luna as he looked over every detail; absorbing the entirety of the battle and kneeling in respect before speaking softly. "So many...many years ago...Too many battles. Heros of the day, Legends forever."

Every word was meant as his eyes slowly turned to Tempest. "You and I are not far from alike General...Ancient and ageless to the passage of time, we have both weathered the horrors of war and death...watched those we cared for die in droves for the righteous cause." Joshua's expression grew into a sad smile as memories of his Inquisitorial companions many deaths to protect him flashed by. "But as I say, they were all Heros; they all died for the cause they believed in, and the man they trusted to lead them. They are the Legends among men and ponykind alike, not I nor you; and we should all do to remember their brave sacrifice."

Joshua's expression instantly changed into an emotionless mask once again as he glanced between Tempest and Luna. "But...You should know well the sacrifices my brethren already have made for worlds just like this." His voice was tinged just a hint with agitation as his eyes fixed on the General. "So many have died, we've given up so many hundred of thousands of brave men to protect Equis and her surrounding worlds; not to mention the thousands of fallen Space Marines to count that gave their lives to halt the Great Enemy's endless advance. So General Tempest Knight of the Ancient Equestrian Army, from one venerable man to another I suggest you make a decision rather quickly on whether you trust us to once again protect your home from an enemy you do not know and that we have faced. If not, then feel free to watch as true Chaos overtakes you all and destroys everything precious to you." Yes, Joshua had heard their little conversation; the words were not able to be missed what with his augmented and genetically enhanced hearing as he turned back to the painting and once more resumed his silence.

Tempest looked at the Inquisitor before looking to Luna, his face showed no emotion as he walked towards an old set of armor that had many gashes and large holes. He stood for a time looking at this ancient armor before turning his head to the side and looking at the Inquisitor with his right eye.

"You and I are more alike than I thought Joshua." Tempest began, using his name to show him that he viewed him as an equal, "I shall trust you and your brothers, as I expect thou to trust me." he finished before levitating a small trinket towards the Inquisitor.

"What is this?" Joshua said taking the silver medallion with a small red gem inside of it.

"I'll let you figure it out, for even I had difficulty mastering it." Tempest said as he turned to face the man, his chest plate holding a similar gem but in the shape of a two headed eagle.

Holding the medallion in his open palm, Joshua's eyes became bright and alert as he studied both the medallion and the gem closely. Though neither accepting nor rejecting it, he knew his curiosity was intrigued as he now brought the gem closer and inspected it. He didn't even know just how much time passed as he examined the medallion, such was the state of his concentration as his mind was wracking for some preexisting relic of a similar look. Minutes, hours, it could have been days in his mind as his psychic consciousness searched memories long since forgotten; for stories told by executed Heretic Tech-Abbots to even the mysterious Eldar. There! That was it! Joshua's mind latched on to the possibility, his hypothesis already forming as to the medallion's use as he also felt a type of...for lack of a better word an energy or aura faintly emanating from the trinket itself. Despite his deep rooted hatred of the Eldar, for all they'd done to him throughout his long and tortured life; it had actually paid off to study their ways and shun the close-minded Puritan Inquisitors of his Ordo as he actually gripped the medallion a little tighter now. Looking at last to Tempest, Joshua nodded faintly before placing the medallion around his neck; where it just covered over a deeply cut scar across his neck where it was obvious that the flesh had been peeled away at one time.

"This...This medallion, I can sense somewhat of what it is. Not only that...but I know what this is." Looking away, his eyes returned to the medallion at his neck. "This is a soul-gem...and it bears what you call magic and what I call psychic power. That which is of someone that has passed on, yet they wished their power be preserved through the ages to be used for a purpose of some kind." Finally, Joshua asked his most important question. "So why choose me to carry this item of power? I may be a Psyker, but not of any renown and Magic I do not possess in the slightest. What is it that you see in me to make you believe I could master such a thing?" Joshua turned away, his eyes looking at last to Luna as he awaited the General's response.

Tempest gave a small smile before turning towards the large skull that swallowed his bed, "That should be obvious, if we are to succeed in our endeavor then we must have a competent fighting force. You and your brothers may be powerful, but the Equestrian Army is far from experienced, while able to amply defend against small attacks, they have fallen against greater foes." Tempest said still gazing at the skull.

At the mention of their losses Luna frowned, a couple hundred of their finest had died in combat, half that number Tempest had found had been tortured, their wings torn off, unmentionables cut open, but they were still alive and he had granted them mercy for they had obviously been broken both physically and mentally.

It had been a long time of waiting, sitting around in the main hall of the castle. Sometimes Trayclian and Twilight spoke to each other, but most times the Librarian and the Princess were left to their own thoughts as they kept a constant vigilance for when Dashing would return with the others. And yet time still passed, more so than the Librarian was comfortable to admit as he tried to focus his thoughts elsewhere; and for a moment it worked as he recalled the knowledge he'd been taught by Maximus earlier. The thought gave him some pause as his picture-perfect memory recalled exactly what had been said and shown and he smiled as he knew that it was indeed within his power to do finally recover something he'd left behind many centuries ago.

"Forgive me Princess Twilight, but I wish to ask if I may perhaps conduct a little experiment while we await my brethren?" Trayclian asked.
The response was instant; and to his liking as he watched the previously bored and quiet Princess transform into a lively, attentive and excited mess. "Yes!" Blushing a little as Trayclian gave her an amused look, Twilight backpedaled somewhat as she tried to calm down. "I...Forgive me Trayclian, I mean to say that I approve of your experiment and that I wish to study whatever you do if it is alright with you."

Trayclian gave Twilight an appreciative, delighted nod before watching Twilight suddenly pull parchment and a quill out of nowhere and test it a few times before returning his nod. "I'm ready when you are. But first, I wish to ask what it is you are going to do?"

"I intend to recover relics of mine...Something that is most precious to me and has been lost to the ruins of a place the sands of time have weathered away and rendered forgotten." Twilight quickly jotted down his words and he smiled before turning away slightly from her, his focus entirely now on the task ahead as he closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. Within himself he could feel his psychic prowess already coming to the forefront of his mind, and something darker as well. Something that he knew easily could grant him great power, something that he had given into only once and had regretted ever since as he pushed it away for now as he let the psychic power flood through his veins. When he opened his eyes, they were bright and full of energy and his skin radiated a slight aura that made him nearly glow as he held out his hand slightly in front of his chest. Looking down at them, he studied the aura as it spread and slowly, very slowly it was growing darker as more of his power emerged. Finally, he felt the aura reach his palms, and with a quiet voice he began to recite something in a language Twilight didn't quite understand.

As soon as the last word slipped his lips, Trayclian lashed out and with a howling rip that resounded through the entire castle hall. What now floated in front of the Librarian was a solid void of a constantly changing purple aura, one that seemed to beckon at the Princess to listen to its sweet whispers and promises of power and knowledge before Trayclian suddenly disappeared into its depths. It was a long time once more of waiting as Twilight watched the portal with a disgust and yet curiosity at what the promises held as she felt herself inching very slowly towards it. However before she could get too close, the whispers convince her to listen and enter its depths the Librarian emerged; within his grasp was a massive warhammer that was faintly glowing with an aura that suggested both it was powered and yet it also had a dark, heinous feel to it as well. There was in his other hand a large tome, inscribed upon the hide-bound cover a strange symbol that resembled that of a two-headed eagle with both wings outstretched to the edges. Gripped in its talons were that of a bolt of lightning and a warhammer much like the one Trayclian now held as he eyed her sternly.

Feeling self conscious, and that she'd been caught almost obeying whatever voices whispered to her she back away as the rip in the air dispersed slowly behind him. "What are these 'relics' you have brought back exactly? And where did you go?" She asked him.

He settled down on a column's edge and set the warhammer in his lap with the tome laying at his side as he sighed deeply. "These relics...They are very potent and long since forgotten. A weapon of great power, imbued with technologies lost to my race; and the other a tome filled with ancient secrets and powers discovered by some of Caliban's greatest psykers." Knowing that Twilight wouldn't be completely satisfied with his answer, the Librarian gave her a very hard glare before shaking his head. "I'm afraid I can share no more to you for now...Tis not wise to involve oneself who is untrained or unknown to the warp to get involved with its many mysteries."

Twilight huffed, but didn't respond as she knew that she should heed his advice as she settled down next to him. Despite this, Trayclian did smile at her as she looked to him. "However perhaps later when you are more familiar and I can better protect you from the voices and allures of the warp I can show you more."

This made Twilight smile in return as she nodded. "Okay. Thank you Trayclian." And so both of them once more resumed their wait, the time having passed beforehand not even noticed as the Librarian looked over the ancient and very damaged warhammer.

Elizabeth almost walked straight off a cliff when she emerged from the forest if it had not been for Rekriel grabbing her before she fell.

"Thank you Rekriel!" Elizabeth stammered without looking to him, but observing instead what she almost walked into.

"Think nothing of it Battle Sister." he said without so much a hint of emotion in his machine voice.

Looking down off the cliff which spanned either side of them, all Elizabeth could see was snow, ice, and clouds. Looking over to Rekriel she removed her helm and fixed her hair.

"What are we to now, can you see anyway down?" she asked as she gave him a hopeful stare.

Rekriel didn't answer for long minutes as Elizabeth watched him. His helmet whirring quietly as he gazed side to side, searching with his different sets of vision lenses through the immense snowy, icy brew beneath the edge of the cliff. Eventually, a slight, distorted sigh escaped his voice cogitator before he finally removed his own helm. His face might have been one to bring shock to even Elizabeth, as now what met her own gaze was a glowering red bionic eye on his right and a deep forest green for the other. His face was marked by many a scar, most were seeming to be of explosive origin of some type of fire; yet it was the large plate of welded metal fused into his very skull on the side that stood out. Cables ran from it to his bionic eye, likely connecting it to his brain. His skin, naturally a dark color so unusual for a Dark Angel, was ashen in places around his neck and and bionic eye as he stared back at her with such a stoic and intense gaze.

"I can only detect one possible way for us to reach our objective Battle Sister, though you may not like it very much." His voice remained as impassive as ever, even without the helmet's distortion it was eerie and ominous.

"If there is only one way, then I must trust your judgement for now Techmarine." Elizabeth replied, not understanding just exactly what he meant.

"Very well, do not say I didn't warn you though." For but a moment, Rekriel's expression flashed a dark smile and his one green eye changed to a deep blood red pupil with darkness around it.

His bionic arms latched around Elizabeth and held her tightly. Before she could object at all to what he was going to do, he leapt off the side of the cliff. As they fell, he listened intently as he heard her cursing horrible things to him and about how he may very well have caused their deaths. His expression once more then melded back into a stoic visage as he felt the darker blood within him beginning to flow and awaken. His eye was shut, and he didn't look into Elizabeth's for a long time as they whizzed down to the massive valley of snow and ice below. When he finally did open his eye, it was almost as though it were bleeding darkness before he let loose a piercing cry like that of a Lion and hauled back sharply. When he did this, suddenly from two slots pre-built into his servo-harness backpack massive wings, one midnight black and the other a puffy white sprouted. With buffeting flaps that forced away the storm and snow around them, he slowed their descent to near stop before settling down gently on the floor of the valley. Feeling the snow crunch and sizzle underneath his greaves, the Techmarine calmly set Elizabeth down before stepping away as his wings tucked behind his back in perfect alignment with his other servo-gadgets.

Looking about for but a sharp minute, the Techmarine shook his head before holding up a hand to his mouth and suddenly breathing jet black flames into it that exuded a heat so intense it was like that of a furnace in his palm. The storm around them evaporated, and the sight of him standing in the form he was now was easily visible to the Battle Sister as his eyes latched on to her and waited simply for her reaction.

"Finally, someone in the Imperium that does not hate us for our darker gifts." Rekriel said, following behind Elizabeth so as to prevent the storm from whipping up around them with his fire-palm and to prevent them from losing one another.He didn't much know who she referred to; but whomever this friend of hers was, the Techmarine didn't mind much considering the much deeper depths of his powers he'd not even tapped into yet and shown to Elizabeth. "You may feel free to ask of me any questions you like, since you do not despise us as even our own brethren from our Chapter would; or other Imperials should they discover our...mutations. I shall not withhold any information you request." Rekriel stated, catching up to the Battle Sister and walking side by side with her through the path in the snow carved by his intense fire.

"I have no questions, though perhaps if we live through all of this I will." Elizabeth said as they continued on through the storm.

Rainbow Dash had too many thoughts running through her mind when the crazy guard pony dropped out of the sky, but after seeing the knife she only had three.

"What the buck was that all about?" she said wide eyed in terror at watching one of her closest friends soul be devoured in plain sight. "First off what do you mean by mother, and secondly why the hay would Pinkie Pie ever want to hurt me? She added before getting right up in the pegausus' face.

Dashing instantly shrunk away from Rainbow Dash's barrage of questions, almost like a foal's mentality of being scolded as he stammered incoherent sentences. He wanted to answer her, to explain why he did what he did and that this wasn't the Pinkie she knew; but he just couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes nor speak above a choking whisper.

Fate had it though, that a different voice would answer her. One that was older, wizened, and rather saddened as it called out to Dash. "Those, I can answer, my Dashie."

When Dash stepped back and turned to face the voice that had called, she found that she was looking at a completely covered figure. His head hooded, shrouded in darkness except for a golden eye that radiated both sadness and love; and another that was a glowering red pupil. From his forehead sprouted a single, dark horn that was snapped and jagged; while above his hood a flaming crown of darkness flourished. His expression was torn, between a smile, and a skeletal jaw that was visible in the light. Borne atop his shoulders and over his robes were two epaulets and upon them were insignia's of the sun and moon of Celestia and Luna respectively. Clutched in his right hand, and leaned upon was a massive obsidian scythe with intricate carvings along its frame of rituals of death and ceremonies celebrating it. The blades extended from both sides at its peak were razor sharp and jagged, with a bloodshot eye in its center that was also watching Dash. The hand that held it, was skeletal; while the other at his side was a light skin that was almost as pale as those long dead.

What would be more shocking, was that behind him at both sides were Celestia and Luna; both were dressed in similar robes that matched their personal looks and no longer wore their tiaras and were kneeling with their eyes held low and in reverence to the 'Man' in front of them.
"My son, you must understand my dearest, is not of this realm and nor am I or my Stewardesses who follow my commands. We, are from a realm much like this one; although much older and ravaged by war. But no longer." The 'Man' seemed to realize he was rambling on, and so he shook his head before chuckling softly. "Apologizes Dashie my dear, so off topic. Now, to answer your questions. My son. Yes, Dashing. He's just so protective of you because...Well he lost you when he was so young...And he doesn't want to see you hurt by anypony, and he's prepared to give his life to protect you. As for your second question my Dashie, she would desire to hurt you for that wasn't the Pinkie you know. Her soul, stolen. Chaos. Demons to replace."

By this time, Dashing had risen to his hooves again and was staring with wide eyes filled with tears at the man. He was smiling now, a grin so large it was like a grimace before he broke down with sobs of joy and almost incoherent whispers that Dash could hear. "Dad....Jackson." Quickly, the Captain rushed over and was nuzzling at the man's side.

The man, now known as Jackson, was still smiling happily as he looked down at the comparatively small Pegasus and gently petted his head. "Dad missed you too son...Too many years and your old father has been fighting too many battles for unity. He's forgotten to make time for his favorite little stallion; what with the wars to bring all of Equestria together under one nation."

"It's okay dad...I forgive you." Dashing mumbled into his side as he continued nuzzling lovingly to his father.

"All is well then..." Jackson seemed once more to realize Dash had slipped his mind, his eyes returning to the mare and a sheepish color flashing in the glowering red one as he spoke. "Forgive me dearest again, I'd forgotten you once more."

"What is going on here?" a voice boomed as a dark figure materialized from behind Rainbow Dash, red flames danced across his muzzle.

"I haven't the slightest idea Temp." Rainbow said as she turned to greet him.

Tempest regarded the soulless Pinky Pie before focusing his attention on Jackson, "Who are you supposed to be?" he boomed, his voice radiating out of the shadows.

Jackson's eyes locked on to Tempest, a slight, but significant shift in his expression that suggested the draconian pony had just brought something grave to his attention. Nevertheless, despite Luna looking up and catching his eye with a slightly worried gaze; the man merely smiled again as he gently detached his son from his side and walked toward Tempest.

Fearing not of any repercussions, for even he could recognize just by sight and scent alone one who served the same master; Jackson looked down upon him as an equal as he extended a hand and spoke in a tongue only Tempest would know. The language of Death. "I am the Lord-Commander of the Sun and Moon, supreme ruler of the United States of Equestria. My name is Jackson, and I just as you am a servant of the master of death. Though I sense that yours is not borne from the venerable God Lord Adam, you serve that of Hades correct? And I serve under Lord Death as his host for his physical form." Jackson paused, taking a look at Pinkie and seeing the vacant look in her eyes that reminded him so much of the un-judged that awaited in the fields of eternity. "So servant of Hades, perhaps you and I can avoid having any problems; keep my good old friend and your boss Hades from coming down on your head and those around you hm?"

Jackson finally was silent, though he knew that Dashing and his Stewardesses could understand him perfectly like Tempest he knew Rainbow Dash didn't get a word of it as he waited patiently with his hand extended to be shook in friendship.

In the same tongue Tempest replied, though his voice low and graveled in comparison to how he spoke earlier, "Just so long as you don't flirt with my fiance Jackson." he replied, "I am General Tempest Knight, commanding officer of the Lunar Army and master of Hades' army of the condemned." he added before turning back to Pinky, "The strange thing is that I still sense her soul, but it is far from here."

Rainbow sat on her haunches and watched as her secret love conversed with the stranger in a foreign tongue only to be approached by Dashing who was visibly nervous when in her presence. "So that's your dad, huh?" she asked while looking at the pegasus through the corner of her eye.

Jackson's response was a hearty laugh, as though Tempest had told a good joke; but to all who heard it would think it a gritty, hallow, and chilling cackle as he shook his head slowly. Soon, he steadied himself and had taken his serious demeanor once more before replying in a calm tone, "Just as I said, you and I so alike. Would happen to be that your fiance was my wife back in my realm; and she still is to me, even after her untimely passing." Jackson's expression turned sour before he smiled again. "But then again, that's why I and she made a deal with Lord Adam; to protect and unite all of Equestria and she could return to me and my son as an immortal Angel." His look seemed distant now and daydreaming of the future before he shook himself again. "My apologies, General Tempest. Just voicing my thoughts aloud." Turning to Pinkie, Jackson frowned slightly. "As I said, the Demons have hid her soul from us. It likely is held within the clutches of another, more powerful Demon that has control of one of your ponies here in Equestria."

Dashing nodded faintly, still slightly shy of Rainbow. Despite the reassurances of his Father in the deal with Lord Adam, this was the closest he'd been to his mother in a way since he was a year old and he wasn't wasting it. Finally having found his voice, and having the courage to meet Dash's eye he spoke normally to her. "Yes, Jackson is my dad." There was pride in his voice as he recalled all his great memories, both of his upbringing and the numerous battles they'd fought together in Death and Adam's names for peace. "What do you think of my father, exactly?" This was where his nervousness showed. He was curious as to what this Dash thought of his father before the time perhaps when his true mother would return to them eternally.

Tempest gave Jackson's words time to sink in before he spoke again, this time in the tongue of the equines so they could understand him, "Rainbow stay here and keep Dashing company, I have a few things to discuss with Jackson and the sisters within my chamber, as for Pinky rest assured I shall find her." he finished before turning and walking into the shadows with the three others in close pursuit.

Rainbow Dash gave Tempest a nod with a smile before turning to witness two armored ghost ponies take Pinky's body into the shadows, "Okay then, well your dad is interesting, but um... a bit unnerving if you ask me." She finally said as she stood up, "How bout we grab something to drink." she added as she took off towards the safety of her cloud home.

Dashing followed in quick pursuit of Rainbow Dash, his massive wings shattering sound to catch up before he slowed to the same pace beside her. As they flew through the clouds, Dashing thought carefully on Rainbow's words before finally looking to her again and speaking. "To everypony who's met him, you certainly aren't the first to say that." Dashing sighed as they neared the cloud home. "He's...Well he's just always had this...Deathly aura that puts off others. Runs in the family though....Since the beginning. Despite this, he's really a fair, kindhearted man and an excellent military commander. The best I know in fact; for none of Equestria's greatest Generals thus far have managed to do what he's accomplished in our world."
Dashing easily touched down next to Dash in the clouds outside her entrance. Admiring the well built home, Dashing smiled happily and for a short time seemed lost in the same daydreams his father had fallen into earlier before returning sharply to the present. His eye on Rainbow, Dashing nodded to her faintly as he waited patiently for permission to enter her home for the drink.

Jackson quickly stepped out of the shadows behind Tempest, emerging back into the General's personal chambers. Behind him followed his Stewardesses, and they were now at little more at east and chatting amiably as their master swept the room. Taking in the decor and relics, Jackson's expression was a faint grin which quickly turned into a full one as he spotted an old friend. "Joshua!"

Joshua turned slightly from Luna, having been confused a few moments ago by the fact of Tempest disappearing again he was even more so by the sight of the Lord-Commander. "Jackson? Is that really you old friend?" He asked, not entirely believing his eyes before he too was smiling lightly as he walked over to Jackson. Taking his extended hand, the Lord Inquisitor shook before embracing somewhat and withdrawing swiftly as he spoke again. "It's so good to see another friend from long ago. I must ask you, how has Equestria fared since we last saw one another?"

Jackson chuckled before lowering his hood, revealing a slightly aged face and a short, military buzzed head with a soft shadow of a beard just setting in on the part of his jaw that was normal. "It has been a harsh few years Joshua my friend, what with the endless wars and the politics that come with them."

This time it was Joshua's turn to laugh. "Indeed Jackson, indeed. But that comes with the job of taking over for Tia and Lulu on all their duties; to become the sole father of a new nation under your Lord, Adam."

"Might not be all fun and games, but this wizened ancient soldier fought on for his beliefs and has finally won." Jackson said.

"Yes, and now your deal can come to pass?" Joshua asked.

Jackson merely nodded in response, to which the Lord Inquisitor smiled before looking back to the Luna he'd been talking to. "Princess, I'd like to introduce to you an old friend of mine. This is Lord-Commander Jackson."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess Luna." Jackson said courteously bowing and scarily in sync the two sisters bowed as well in the middle of their conversation. "Truly, it is." He added before changing his attention back to Tempest. "Now, I believe you wished something of a discussion with me, correct?"

Joshua turned as well, looking to the General and watching intensely as he was rather curious about what Tempest desired to talk with his friend about.

"Superb you two know each other, though perhaps my realms Luna should take her leave." Tempest said looking at his oldest friend, "I would hate to disrupt the time space continuum."

"I believe I shall be fine Tempest." Princess Luna said before looking to her other self behind the new arrival.

"Now Jackson, I would like to know what you intend on achieving by coming into our realm." Tempest said as he levitated a a set six tea cups to his table, "Also would any of you care for tea and biscuits?" he added as he retrieved a cake.

Jackson shook his head slightly in response to Tempest's offer before speaking, "I can't eat anything anymore. Food is tasteless to me and just as useless. I lost any part of me that was mortal and human the night my wife passed, and I shall not return to any sense of normalcy until she is with me again."

Taking a seat at the table, though, Jackson pondered deeply on the General's question to him as Joshua walked up and nodded slightly in thanks as he took a cup. "My thanks General." He said, sipping lightly before turning his attention to Jackson.

The two sisters however were looking back at Princess Luna. both were rather intrigued by her, having never ventured beyond their realm before except this one time at Jackson's request as they finally moved over and paused a few paces away. "Lulu, it's so weird to meet another of you. It's like I have two sisters now." Celestia said, giggling slightly at the thought.

Luna shot her sister a mock look of disappointment before smiling and turning to her other self. "So, how hast thee fared fellow twin of another realm?" She asked in a curious tone.

It was just then that Jackson finally answered Tempest's original question. "I have come here because it is where I am needed most, General." Pausing for a moment, Jackson looked to Joshua and saw he needed to elaborate. "My realm is left in peace, unified and under my best Death Corps General's temporary leadership. He will see to it the sun and moon rise and fall, and run the entire country until my affairs here are done. This realm though, it teeters in grave peril and I have been contacted by my old friend and your master Hades of the plight. Not to mention Hades also took notice of my son and his powers, just as you did; and he brought this to my attention as well and I knew I was needed." Jackson paused, taking a breath, before continuing, "I am here by your master's request, to not only help quell the Chaos here and prevent too many needless deaths but also because he desires something only I hold that can best Sombra. For my support, he has agreed to gift unto me one wish of any desire; but I am a rather humble man and do not need it, so instead I told him to give this wish unto you General for whatever you want and he has agreed and sworn on the river Styx."

Jackson sat back, letting his words sink in as Joshua turned to Tempest to see what his reaction was.

"Well," Princess Luna began as before she sipped her hot tea and deemed it too hot to drink, "Celestia has defected to the enemy and has gone off the proverbial deep end, I am left to run an entire country in chaos, and my only source of normalcy comes from my last friend from ancient times of whom you are visiting with now." she finished before looking at Tempest as she sighed.

Tempest looked at Jackson without emotion while he sipped his tea, "A gift." he said silently as he pondered his thoughts, "All I could ever need I have, but alas I feel as though I am missing something." Tempest reeled on as he set his tea down and walked over to a crystal mirror that lit up and showed him the Crystal Empire. Tempest looked on with a scowl at what was transpiring as he saw a massive army rally at the steps of the castle he had once fallen to protect, "I cannot fathom anything that I would require at this time aside from help from thee Jackson, certainly two servants of Hell can stop this madness." Tempest said as the mirror flickered off and he turned to see his worlds Luna's face shocked at what the mirror showed.

"What was that?" Luna asked looking at her old friend with shock.

"The Crystal Empire, though there are no civilians there at this time." Tempest said before taking a bite of cake and activating the mirror.

It displayed an image of Discord and a massive Space Marine arriving in a small town with many dull Crystal Ponies.

"Discord managed to execute my suggested strategy, now we are free to lay siege as soon as the troops are ready Luna." Tempest said with a smile, "Though it seems as though he had help, Joshua might you know who the great warrior is?" he added as he froze the image in the mirror on the massive soldier.

Joshua's expression registered recognition to Tempest's question of the space marine, and as he took in the sight of Reginald being safe and away from the Crystal Empire he breathed a sigh of relief. Simultaneously, his cup shattered in his steel grip in registry of a sharp stab of anger as he glared at the mirror image. "That, is Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors. He is one of the few others that came along with my brethren through a warp gate and into this realm."

For a moment, Joshua's eyes seemed to glow and the necklace as well faintly before it passed as he slouched back in his chair; an aggravated sigh slipping his lips. "Damn that man, I don't leave brothers behind...Because the last time I did that my parents...." Joshua shook his head and turned away, his expression now slightly grieved.

Jackson's eyes turned away now from the Inquisitor, allowing him his grief in peace as he focused back on Tempest with a knowing gaze. "If it was me and I was offered anything in the universe by my master...If I was you I'd take that wish and...I would ask to be released from his service; my soul returned and myself and family left alone." Jackson's eyes showed sadness at his own fate as he elaborated, "My family is forced into an eternal agreement with Death. Since time began, we were chosen as his lineage for which to host his physical form; we were cursed forever to carry him with us and perform his duties. Every son born of myself or my children and so on are made for when the father perishes to take the mantle and carry on. You have a choice Tempest, to get out of this horrible curse forever. Please, promise me you'll do that...if not for yourself then for Dashie, and the family you two will share." Jackson sat back once again, slipping into silence as he pondered on his own words and fate.

The two sisters looked sadly at Princess Luna as they stepped closer before both hugged her for a few seconds. "Sister of another realm, we are so disheartened to hear of your fate." Celestia said.

"But know twin, we art always here for thee in thy time of need. As long as our Lord-Commander beith in thine realm we shalt remain to assist thee." Luna added, looking to Jackson who nodded faintly. "He giveth unto us the authority to assist thee in anything. If thee desires rest, we shalt be able to take over thy country for the time being and thy sun and moon."

Tempest looked at Jackson with a soft expression, "Then perhaps I shall gift this gift to you my friend, for my required service to Hades was completed over a thousand years ago, just before my battle with Sombra after Luna was banished." he said before touching the gemstone on his chest plate, "I now am voluntarily at his service, though with my current relationship with Dash it may come to an end sooner than I had thought when I woke in the Crystal Castles dungeon to Shining Armor helping me up." Tempest finished with a smile.

"My little ponies know not that Celestia has betrayed them, I think it best that they never find out." Luna said before turning to the subservient Celestia before her, "If it would be at all possible for the two of thee to run the Sun and Moon while performing the normal duties before this conflict, so that I may be able to fight alongside Tempest and help end this conflict?" she finished looking hopefully to her twin and twins sister.

Jackson's smile was sad as he shook his head. Tempest didn't understand, and the Lord-Commander decided to explain why that simply couldn't be. "Hades has no power to grant me my freedom General. He is not my master, nor has he ever been. I serve he who committed the original Sin, he who murdered the first and was cursed by Adam to render judgement for the dead. I serve a common goal, yes; but the Death I know is different than Hades. He and I, our fates are forever intertwined; my family since the beginning was made to host him. A fate I cannot escape, and one your master cannot override. There is not just this, but I and Sin have become old friends; working together towards a common goal and together we are stronger than apart. And then there is to say that without him, I would not have lived to meet my wife nor had my son or had the strength and will to unify an entire world. We are inseparable. I'm sorry, but this wish is for you only my friend."

Jackson smiled, this time somewhat happily as a darker aura resembling him appeared over his shoulder. Its eyes were completely blood red, chains wrapped around its arms and feet and jagged wings were tucked behind his back as it leaned in close and whispered in the language of Death. "She comes Jackson my friend...Even now, she speeds through the realm gates in search. Field Marshall Rommel informed me personally of her return when she entered the throne room."

"Good...Thank you for the news...Sin my old friend." Jackson whispered back.

"Anytime Jackson..." Sin glanced over to Tempest, his eyes boring straight through to his soul before smiling softly as he faded away again back into Jackson's shadow.

Both the sister's smiled underneath their hoods before nodding as they glanced between one another. "Yes, of course we can do it Lulu." Celestia said, answering heartily.

"Indeed, t'would be a rather enjoyable change of routine." Luna added. "Please, if thee would be willing; direct us from thy maze and to thy throne room. We shalt begin there." Luna was now grinning as she drew back her hood and let her mane flow freely, wanting to leap and bound to the throne room to test out her new leadership skills she'd been picking up from observing Jackson over the years.

Celestia was excited as well, knowing just as much as Luna did about how effective Jackson's leadership had been and how crucial it would be to instill those same values and bring about a new age for this Equestria under their guidance. "Do show us the way Lulu, I wish to get started as quickly as possible so you can rest and prepare for the days ahead."

Tempest gave what had been told to him more thought as his gaze drifted towards a silver necklace carefully preserved that sat upon its pedestal for a few thousand years. The dark gem beating a faint red in synchronization with the old generals heart. "I'm certain that I shall think of something my friend, though I may keep this favor from Hades for when all this is over." Tempest finally said as he watched Luna and the two sisters depart his chamber.

"Good." Jackson whispered. "Much will be lost by the end-time of this war, so many dead and many more scarred forever. Perhaps, if necessary, the favor could be invoked then; should you not find something you need more."

Jackson glanced to the necklace, his thoughts distracted by its rhythmic beating for a moment and bringing on another memory. It was so that of how, the day he and Dash and gotten married; they had invoked a powerful magic only known to be used by Alicorns that intertwined their hearts forever when they chose their mate. When she suffered, he did just as acutely. When she was happy, so was he; and now, as she approached through the realm gates he felt a longing that ran so deep it was almost paralyzing to him. "Don't let her get hurt through this Tempest. No matter what happens to anypony in this war, you put her first. You don't want to know what happens if she....It's a fate worse than burning in the blackest pits of Hell."

The Lord-Commander held his head in his hands on the table as more stabs of longing hit him. "I don't care who dies...just don't let her...Promise me that Tempest. Promise me...Before I can help you...Or my Stewardesses...We can't...won't help, unless you swear it."

Tempest looked upon Jackson with a stern face, the thoughts had crossed his mind previously when he had first started getting involved in their relationship. "No harm shall come to her, or it will be my life that is taken in her place." He finally said with steely eyes as the necklace flashed white upon his words before returning to its harmonic beating.

Reginald slipped inside of the ponies quaint dwelling place taking care to not smash the items inside as he was rather large, and this building was rather small.

"Oh you should take a couple tons off Reginald." Discord chirped as he popped into existence and lounged on the couch.

"And I am to do this how spirit, my armor cannot be removed without the air of a servitor or one who is trained by the Adeptus Mechanicus." the chapter masters voice reverberated in the relatively small confines of the wooden home as Breyburn turned around to look at his house guests.

"Good point." Discord said picking up a magazine from a floating coffee table and hummed Hush Now Quiet Now to himself before drifting off to sleep with the magazine on his head.

The old marine merely shook his head and carefully removed his assault cannon and set it down next to his lance at the doorway as he moved into the house.

"Make yer self comfortable Mr. Reginald and I'll go whip up some pancakes." Breburn said as he walked through a hinged door and into the kitchen to leave the hardened marine to his thoughts.