Chapters Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 1
Blood spilled once more, holy fields slathered in the rivers of red of the mighty defenders, and the unclean glowing liquid of the beasts they faced. Armored warriors, steeled by faith and belief in each other, stood shoulder to shoulder and fired into the horde that again and again charged their position. A hill they stood, the only cover provided by the corpses of their fallen brethren, felled only by the sheer overwhelming force of the bio-weapons of which melted the holy-ceramite armor that protected them. A standard, clutched in the cold, dead hands of one of these marines, a Sergeant, flew high and proud as it displayed a symbol of hope and gave strength to the beleaguered defenders. The symbol of a winged sword, shining and bright, the same heraldry displayed on the right shoulder guard of all fallen or standing. One marine stood out among all others, standing taller and dressed in robes that covered ancient armor adorned with a double-headed eagle that shined across his breastplate. His face was weathered and scarred, but still somewhat young and even enthusiastic as he fired his pistol at the horde, slashing in the same motion at those that got too close.
“Fight on brothers! Crush them, like our ancestors did long ago!” He shouted above the din of battle, all his men echoing his command with a roar like that of a Lion as they fired with renewed vigor into the beasts.
Another man soon joined this, his armor covered in deep rents and blood spewing forth. Yet his shoulder guard was untouched, bearing the insignia of a large I with a skull in its center. His face was older, scarred heavily yet his eyes held a hate that burned intensely as he fired his pistol into the crowd.
“Captain Mekrail, how long until we've purged these putrid Xenos?” Mekrail turned, his look turning grave for a moment as he responded.
“We won’t be able to Joshua, the Tyranids are overwhelming our positions and we’re losing brothers every second.”
Joshua cursed under his breath as he took a quick observation of the field of battle. Seeing the dozens of marines dead or dying, Joshua turned to a deep red marine who was firing into a large Tyranid that was screeching and clawing into his armor. This marine was equipped with a massive claw arm mounted on his backpack, and his body was covered with bionics and wires that surged with an electric glow and hummed as they kept his mechanical legs standing and arms responding to his mind’s orders to keep firing.
“Rekriel! Techmarine! We need Thunderhawk extraction immediately! Call up to the Angel’s Exterminatus now!” Joshua’s words we’re much stronger and forceful than Mekrail’s, yet they yielded no results as Rekriel snapped a Tyranid in half with his servo-arm before looking to Joshua.
“Lord Inquisitor, we cannot extract from this location as of now. The Angel’s Exterminatus is on full battle stations with the Tyranid Hiveship and not to mention a Space Hulk has entered from warpspace. It sees to be bearing Tyranids, yet we are receiving Imperial life signatures within.” Rekriel responded in a cool, machine-like voice as he calmly cut down another wave of Tyranids before shouldering his Bolter as it clicked empty.
Joshua was almost on the edge of screaming in anger, but quickly his emotions were hidden behind a mask of cold fury as he tossed his empty Bolt Pistol away and drew his power knife before gutting a Tyranid that he managed to dodge. All the while, he was thinking to himself, “What in the God-Emperor’s holy name is going on up there?” His eyes looking to the sky as though it might answer but to no avail as he saw only more Tyranid spores raining down from the skies. He smiled somewhat, “Good, more of these beasts to kill. That will put my mind at ease for now.”
Before another Tyranid could leap upon the remaining marines and the Inquisitor, there were massive bolts of lightning shot overhead and were accompanied by the shout “No more Dark Angels shall fall this day!”
The incoming Tyranid waves were fried instantly, their flesh actually burning and lighting the fields ablaze as the strength of the lightning continued arcing from one Tyranid to the next. Mekrail looked back, relief clear on his face as he knew just who had saved them from certain death. Standing atop a small mound of dead marines, a lone marine dressed in heavy armor augmented with tomes of purity and warding against the warp on his shoulder guards. His chest plate merely a skulled cuirass, covered by robes and his face concealed by a cloak. But his eyes were visible, those storm-raven eyes that stared so fiercely out into the remaining Tyranids that seemed for now to be going feral for their leaders the larger Tyranids had been destroyed in the lightning wave. “Come brothers, Lord Inquisitor, we must go now if we are to escape with our lives.” He said calmly, yet in a tone that suggested urgency as well as Mekrail nodded to him.
“Agreed Brother-Librarian, but how are we to escape this place with no craft?” He asked.
Trayclian’s expression barely curled into a smile underneath his hood as he gestured far behind him in the fields. “I have a Thunderhawk that’s still functional back behind our lines, we can use it to get into orbit and rejoin our Strike Cruiser.”
Out of the Warp we emerged. Our ship, an ancient Gloriana class Battleship named the Emperor's Revenge; in ruins but still operating under minimum efficiency, was drifting idly when we saw it. From our makeshift position in the bridge, we watched as two ships, one of Imperial origin and the other a mass of armored hide, tentacles and spore cannons that one could easily distinguish as a Tyranid Hiveship. The fight hardly would be called fair, the Hiveship was ripping apart the Imperial Strike Cruiser with ease and efficiency, its massive maw closing slowly about the prow and aiming to rip the vessel in two. Despite this, the Imperial Cruiser fought bravely, its cannons firing straight through the maw of the Hiveship and damaging it heavily.
Quickly, the Emperor's Revenge opened fire with every weapon available, striking the vessel amidship, it caused the Hiveship to shudder and release its grip on the Imperial Cruiser. It drew back, tuning cautiously toward us.
"Reclusiarch, we have identified that the Imperial Strike Cruiser hails from the Dark Angels Chapter." A Techmarine said as he tinkered with an old console before it flickered to life again and showed the vessel in question on a gritty display screen.
"It would seem that the Tyranids have decided to cause trouble for our brethren." The Reclusiarch said brusquely, "Prepare our brothers for surface combat and transport all available armor planet side." The Reclusiarch turned on his heel and exited the bridge, intending to return to the Reclusium; but he paused in the doorway and added. "Dispatch our Warhound Titan as well, I'd like to see the Tyranids reaction."
The first reaction that the Lord Admiral of the Angel's Exterminatus had was of complete disbelief. First, they'd been engaged with a life-and-death battle with the Tyranid Hiveship; and the next the giant, presumed Space Hulk was firing upon the Hiveship and drawing its attention off of them. Before he let the oddness of the situation get to him or his crew, the Lord Admiral shook himself of his thoughts as he silently uttered a prayer to whoever was aboard the Space Hulk and rose from his pulpit. His eyes scanned around the bridge, many of his officers had minor injuries from the falling debris caused by the acid attacks shaking the ship, but were no worse for wear. The Ship's automatic Servitors were wounded or dead, slumped over in their chairs and their consoles and displays of the many systems offline.
"Men of the Third, man your stations! We owe our very lives to those who spared us death at the hands of these beasts! We're not just about to let this abomination of a ship destroy them are we?"
His response was met by a loud roar of affirmation and he shouted his order one last time as he sat down in his command pulpit and took direct control of the ship once again. He whispered a quiet prayer to the Machine spirits to hold out as the Dark Angels officers ripped the servitors out of the chairs and took up the systems of the ship. Its guns once more resumed firing, the shields began to recharge and the engines kicked in as the Angel's Exeterminatus moved about its starboad side to broadside the Tyranid ship.
-On Planet.
The dust kicked up from the Thunderhawk's engines was great as the gunship waited idly for its passengers to board and escape the hellish battlefield that had cost so many good brothers at the hands of the merciless Tyranid assault. Joshua was aboard first, watching the backs of the others as they too boarded quickly. Several small hordes of Tyranids were closing rapidly, but it wasn't them they were worried about as the Thunderhawk took off. What the group worried about, was the massive Bio-Titan lumbering towards them, its repulsive body contorting in rage and spew forth vile fluids from wounds as it raised its cannon to target the rapidly lifting Thunderhawk. As it began to speed away, a sigh of relief was breathed before suddenly a loud crash shook the entirety of the gunship. Quickly running to the cockpit door, Mekrail shouted through a vox caster to the pilot.
"What just happened pilot? Report."
"We've been hit by a massive biological weapon Captain. Its currently eating away at our Engines and likely within minutes we'll burn up if we continue on our course to the Angel's Exterminatus." The Pilot responded, an edge in his voice.
Mekrail sighed before speaking calmly. "Land this thing now, before we break apart or explode pilot."
"Aye Captain, brace for impact for we've lost the landing gear from the acid already."
Mekrail looked back at the others, his expression grim as the Thunderhawk began deep descent that made them all slightly off balance. Before he could speak, they were crashing into the field and all of them were tossed about the interior violently. One of the marines that had escaped with them was dead, his head bashed in on a support beam, the other was the pilot who slumped out of his chair and fell through the now slashed open door in the cockpit. Mekrail and Joshua did a head count and found that the others were fine, if not only superficially injured as Trayclian released the clamp on the landing ramp. The dead bodies of Tyranids were all around, crushed into sticky ooze which told them they'd crashed right back into 'Nid held land. Mekrail looked around, drawing his powersword again as he prepared to defend Joshua and his brothers from the incoming Tyranid swarms, but none came now. All that he heard now, was the massive rumbling of what seemed like a God's feet shaking the earth behind them. When Mekrail and Joshua turned, their eyes widened in surprise before Joshua smiled and said.
"Now that's what we call some reinforcements. Captain, your men know just when to deploy our best weapons."
Mekrail grew worried and puzzled as he spoke up. "But my Company doesn't have a Titan. We don't have a ship capable of carrying a Warhound Titan."
Joshua reacted in surprise as the Titan stomped past the wreckage, its guns carving a bloody swathe through the Tyranid hordes and crushing the Bio-Titans that stood in its way.
The Blood Raptor Thunderhawks touched down on the surface a few miles from were they had deployed their Warhound Titan, for this Chapter Master Reginald was glad, but that also meant that they would have to face the forsaken 'Nids on their own.
"Chapter Master." A Captain shouted approaching the age old Terminator Space Marine.
"What is it Captain?" Reginald asked, slowly walking down the pile of dead 'Nids to the Captain.
"What is our strategy sire?" The Captain asks as he removes his scarred Master Crafted helm and begins to kneel.
"No need of that Captain." Reginald states as he grabs his Captains left pauldron and lifts him back to his own feet. "Our strategy is simple, we find and assist our brothers in anyway we can, best I see fit, we kill the damn bugs."
"As you wish sire." the Captain says, he then turns on his heel and draws his power ax. "Blood Raptors, For the Emperor, leave none alive, we purge the xenos!" he yells as he point the ax forward and begins to march in the wake of their titan.
Reginald started to take a step and follow his chapter when a warp portal opened next to him and their Holy Chaplain known as Maximus walked out, his pre-heresy Luna Wolf armor now painted black with their chapter insignia shining upon his left shoulder. He spoke not a word as he strode up to his Chapter Master.
"Maximus?" Reginald says confused as to why Maximus wasn't with the Reclusiarch on the ship.
Maximus merely nodded and pointed to the remains of their hardened chapter, but more specifically the smaller form next to the Chapter Champion who was at the tip of their spear.
"I agree, we should catch up with Elizabeth and Nitronus." Reginald said as he began to take a step, but before he could Maximus pointed ever so slightly past their chapter, towards a downed Thunderhawk before he him self walked through another warp gate and joined with his chapter on their march.
Reginald took a moment to compose himself before moving to join his chapter, Maximus was always a puzzle.
Mekrail rushed around to the starboard side of the Thunderhawk, his sword gripped tightly in rage as a group of Tyranids that had managed to sneak past the Warhound Titan were devouring his many deceased brethren. Such an affront, such an atrocity would not be tolerated by him while he could prevent it as he leaped straight into the midst of them. A litany of fury on his lips, he slashed through the termagaunts and hormagaunts with ease, evading and dodging their claws and acidic fire from the bio-weapons. Their sickening blood slathering his blade and armor, he didn't stop for a moment to let the stench overwhelm his senses as he expertly parried a claw from another Tyranid and quickly rammed his sword up into its gut. Despite its extreme weight, he hefted it off the ground as it screeched and hissed, its primal desire to kill him prioritizing over its pain as he slashed the blade and even his arms. Before it could cut through his holy armor, he drew back his fist and smashed its head from its body, the blood splattering on his face and the ground around him. As he released the Tyranid, he turned just in time for the next to leap out of the shadows of the Thunderhawk and jump him. The 'Nid began to claw apart his armor, he was nearly defenseless as his sword had been flung from his body and was lost in the wreckage as he grappled with it, trying to free himself of it. The others could't help him, he knew because just a glance over to the ramp he saw they too were facing their own groups of the 'Nids. Joshua was crushing two beneath his boots and expertly dueling with three others with just his knife; Trayclian was burning and frying groups of 'Nids at a time with his psychic powers, and Rekriel was bashing Tyranids left and right as he voiced his rage at the precious machine they'd destroyed.
Just as he felt it strike flesh, he heard a whistle in the wind. The sound he knew well, the sound of death itself coming. He smiled faintly as he watched the Tyranid get blasted off of his body by the force of a weapon that few men of the Imperium could claim to wield. When he looked where the 'Nid had been shot, he saw far in the fields the faint outline of a human body that was moving swiftly from the position it had fired from. Before he knew it, that form had reached them. The man was dressed from his neck down in thick padded clothes, heavy black carapace armor mounted over it and his soft footfalls belied the special boots he wore. Carved in his chest plate was the words "Exitus Acta Probat." (The Outcome Justifies the Deed). His face was young, unmarred by any scars. Hair, short but spiky and silver flowed faintly with the breeze as his expression twisted slightly into a smile. The man's eyes were two glowing dots in a sea of blackness as he eyed Mekrail. His scoped rifle, large for one of his size but held with ease in one hand as he extended the other to help Mekrail to his feet.
"Seems like I'm never invited to these parties. But when I show up, I'm always having to save all your clumsy asses" The man jested as he observed the wounds that already were healing on Mekrail's now exposed chest.
Mekrail shook his head, but a small smile came to his face as he placed a hand gingerly on the man's shoulder. "Well it just wouldn't be right if you didn't show up Telios my friend. I'm glad you decided to come and assist us." Mekrail paused as he heard the others combat dying down and once more only he peaceful sound of the gentle breeze could be heard. Mixed with gunfire in the distance and explosions as the 'Nid hordes were crushed beneath the Titan. "So how did you find us exactly?" He asked.
Telios sighed as he pointed to the downed Thunderhawk. "I knew Joshua and you all were attempting to evacuate from the area and return to the ship. I had been watching through my scope and I saw you guys get hit and crash. After that, I was moving as fast as possible to regroup with you and the others. Figured you needed the support."
"Until that mysterious Titan dropped out of nowhere and saved us from the hordes." Mekrail said. All he got as a response was a shrug before the others interrupted their conversation.
"Telios, where is Captain Dashing? Wasn't he with you?" Joshua asked, looking with a slight worry in his eyes at their missing friend.
Before Telios could say more, there was a ear-splitting sound that made all four clasp hands over their ears. When they looked behind Telios, what they saw would surprise most of the Imperium but not them for they'd all been used to and exposed to this for a long time. Dashing was far from a man, the more accurate description would be that he was actually a pony; a Pegasus to be exact. His fur was a cyan color, with his cutie mark bearing a Shield with arrows and a sword crossing each other. He was dressed in burnished gold armor, inscriptions depicting his many battles against rebels and the darkest creatures of both the Imperium and his homeworld. His blue plumed helm, intricately carved and finely crafted, shined in the afternoon light as he looked the others over while stretching his large wings. His right eye covered by a dark patch, the other a golden pupil that shined with determination but also a young enthusiasm as he nodded to them all. A large silver broadsword, gripped in a dark aura, floated at his side.
"Good to see you guys again." He said.
"And you as well Dashing buddy." Mekrail replied.
Joshua was about to say something, but his words were stuck in his throat when he saw the mass formation moving through the plains. Tyranids were falling in droves around them, and their advance only seemed to be headed straight for their position. "Mekrail, we've got a problem."
Mekrail's smile turned grim as he looked to Joshua. "What is it?"
"Them." Joshua said, pointing to the formation that continued to close on their position.
The Blood Raptors sloshed through the vile Tyrinid swarms, thus far not a single brother had fallen and if any were wounded it was superficial. At the very tip of their wedge formation the Blood Raptor Champion charged forward with his force sword pointed towards the sky and his storm shield extended in front of him. The entirety of the Chapter halted as they witnessed their champion charge a Hive Tyrant, more 'Nids came from the sky and the ground to halt the Chapions advance but were blasted by the two Fellblades in the rear of the Chapters formation.
"Perish xenos!" Nitronus yelled as he leaped into the air and brought his sword down upon the Tyrants head.
The Tyrant careened to the left, towards the downed Thunderhawk and Nitronus slid with his blade easily cutting through the beasts head down to the ground before sheathing his blade and smacking the Tyrants head with his storm shield. The Tyrant stabbed the ground directly where Nitronus was standing but the Champion had sidestepped and grabbed onto the beasts scythe-like arm and maneuvered himself towards its face as the Tyrant brought his limb back up to see what remained of the foolish marine that charged him, only to receive a Master Crafted grenade into its jaws as Nitronus fell to the ground.
"Glory to the Emperor!" Nitronus calmly states as the Tyrants guts are scatted across the land before him and his chapter marches up to their position, the 'Nids temporarily gone.
Reginald walked past his Champion and observed the four Dark Angles standing with an Inquisitor of the Ordo Xeno alongside a strange life form in golden armor.
-In orbit.
The Emperors Revenge listed to its starboard side as the Hive Ship grasped onto it with two of its four tendrils, the Strike Criuser had maneuvered itself towards the gaping hole in the Hive Ships side to cause damage to its internal organs and began firing.
-Inside of the Emperors Revenge.
The Reclusiarch knelt in front of a large two headed eagle that adorned the top of a staff made of burnished gold. The old Gloriana Class Battleship rocked back and forth as he prayed to the Emperor for the safety of his brothers who were now within the heart of battle against immense odds.
"Reclusiarch, the foul beast has us!" The tech marine who was operating the entirety of the ship from the hastily rebuilt console on the makeshift bridge stated.
The Reclusiarch stood and walked up to the staff. "Ready the guns brother, the Emperor protects."
"Aye my lord." the tech marine replied as the moaning of the guns slowly moving against the Tyrinids body before finally blasting it in its cavernous maw.
Standing silent, face to face now with the mysterious ones that seemingly came from nowhere. Likely it was they that had come with the Titan, no coincidence could see a force that resembled 500 Space Marines strong backed by Felblades and a Titan appearing at the same time to assist the Dark Angels and their world in its time of need. The very air held the tension between the two groups as Mekrail retrieved his sword, gripped tightly in his bionic arm as he was ready for anything from these strange marines.
Telios had his eyes on the formation, scanning for any hostile intent but sensing none; his weapon still remained ready as he held it with ease in his hands. Telios did observe however, the one marine who was covered in the foul blood of the Hive Tyrant he'd slain. The colors of whatever War band he may serve hidden mostly, but his helm revealed a insignia of Raven Guard heraldry. This, along with the slaying of a great Tyranid Hive Tyrant impressed the Assassin as he continued his scan of the army.
Trayclian himself pondered these marines, whom they originated from and why they were here. He sensed no taint from them in the Warp, his psychic senses detecting mental fortresses that couldn't be breached by his prowess. It was coming from two marines whose armor looked far out of place, one was marked and colored with the same as the others but stood at a greater height, and the other was black with his shoulders matching that of his brothers. The larger of the two was the one who was eyeing their group, his weapons seemingly targeted on their friend Dashing.
Rekriel moved in front of Dashing, his servo-harness saw arms and drills spinning menacingly as a signal to back off as he saw the other marines beginning to aim their weapons as well.
Joshua however, was the first to recognize who exactly they were dealing with. His many years in the Inquisition; one-thousand one-hundred twenty five, to be exact, had shown him many things about the galaxy that most of mankind was completely unaware of. He'd put down great rebellions of Xenos working with Humans to defy the Imperium, recovered many techno-marvels from Xeno held worlds and issued Exterminatus on many dozens of others. However, in his many travels across the galaxy he'd known and met with Inquisitors of other Ordos, the Ordo Malleus no exception. He recognized that within the very ranks of these odd Space Marines, one of the God Emperor's own holy Grey Knights stood before them all. Deciding to go off a hunch that the Grey Knight may be reasonable, and perhaps would be the leader of this possible renegade War band; Joshua began walking at a delicate pace toward them. Mekrail looked him over as though he were crazy, but Joshua just shook his head as he sensed his old friend's emotions and continued his walk toward the standing army with his power knife sheathed at his waist to show no ill will. He paused once he reached the front of the formation, looking it over with a blank expression that showed no emotion as he thought of the great strength these hundred of Space Marines held before his eyes locked with the towering Grey Knight.
"Grey Knight, I am Lord Inquisitor Joshua Samson of the God Emperor's Holy Inquisition, of the Ordos Xenos." He said stoically. "What is your name great warrior? And perhaps you might shed some light as to why you travel with this band of Space Marines."
-In Orbit
The Angel's Exterminatus groaned as though in pain, the stresses of turning almost tearing the badly injured ship apart as she moved to broadside position against the Hiveship attacking the Space Hulk. The Lord Admiral prayed that his ship would hold up to the pressure, and that she'd make it through this engagement. Slowly, she drifted to her port side, the guns swiveling. All their armament, at least two of the still functional Nova Cannons and several broadside bright lance guns targeted the rapidly closing weak point in the mid section of the Hiveship. Rising from his pulpit once more, the Lord Admiral took in the sight as the massive Tyranid vessel began to slowly devour the Space Hulk. All the while though, the Hulk was firing into its gaping maw and causing great damage within.
The Lord Admiral sensed that whoever was aboard the Hulk would be of great value, especially considering that he would like to thank those who had spared his ship and brethren's lives. His voice was calm, quiet even, but it echoed over the soft chanting of Tech-Priests seeking to calm and mend the ship's pain. "Fire all cannons brothers, aim right for that weak point and hit it hard. Those who saved us are in need of repayment of the favor."
Immediately, every visible battery still functional across the ship fired in near synchronous. The two Nova cannons shook the ship as the massive rounds sped off with the long, bright trailing lasers of the bright lances toward the alien vessel. As quickly as they were fired, they had made impact and the effect was instantaneously visible. The first Nova Cannon round struck, cutting a deep hole through the wounded area and then exploding. More bright lances followed, cutting even deeper and burning the area around the wounds to keep them from healing for a moment as the second Nova Cannon round found the real target. Deep in the heart of the ship, the second Nova Cannon round buried itself in a chamber that held within it one of the few hearts that was laboring to keep the massive beast vessel alive from its many battle wounds.
"Chew on that, alien scum." The Lord Admiral whispered as he watched the next round detonate with awe inspiring effect. The Hiveship seemed to shudder as likely an agony it had never felt before as explosions ripped around the area the rounds had struck. It once more released from the Space Hulk, spasming as it tried to recover from the loss of one of its major hearts that had kept it alive throughout this long and desperate battle. Dark alien blood leaked from its many great rents into the vacuum of space and smaller alien support ships around it exhibited similar symptoms of disorientation and pain.
The Lord Admiral smiled faintly as he looked now the Space Hulk, who's weapons while seemingly locked in place due to damage were still on target to the Hiveship. "Your move Space Hulk...give those Xeno bastards what's coming to them." He said before passing a general order to reload and rearm for the next bombardment.
Reginald looked at the Inquisitor who had called himself Joshua of the Ordo Xeno and turned his Assault Canon off, allowing it to fall to his side.
"I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors, a former Grey Knight Terminator Captain, Lord Inquisitor Joshua." Reginald replied, sticking the butt of his lance into the soft soil next to him and reaching his hand out to shake the Inquisitors.
Taking Reginald's hand and shaking firmly, Joshua replied "It's good to see one of the Imperium's finest soldiers Chapt...." Joshua paused for a moment as the words finally sank in. "Blood Raptors...I've heard that name before..." Joshua thought to himself before remembering who had told him. Deciding not to speak of it for now, lest old wounds be opened, Joshua continued. "Chapter Master Reginald, I think I speak for everyone here when I say your timing could not be better."
"The Emperor is smiling upon both of our Chapters this day Inquisitor." Reginald stated as he picked his lance back up and turned to his Chapter.
"Indeed he does Chapter Master however we have quite the battle to come, our numbers have been horribly depleted to just the six of us currently." Joshua says, looking back to his group.
Reginald nods to the Inquisitor before turning to face his chapter. "Blood Raptors, behold the Lord Inquisitor Joshua of the Ordo Xeno, and his mighty escort of Dark Angels!" Reginald says lifting his lance, he is immediately greeted with many cries praising the Emperor and his entire chapter raising whatever weapons they had been holding and then dispersing into their companies to take stock.
Nitronus walks up to Reginald and the Inquisitor removing his blood covered helm and revealing his battle scarred face. He bows his head to the Inquisitor who nods in reply before he turns his attention to his Chapter Master.
"What is that thing on four legs over there Reginald?" Nitronus says, a look of concern about the fact that a member of the Ordo Xeno is traveling with a Xenomorph.
"Nitronus, you raise an excellent question." Reginald replies before turning back to the Inquisitor.
Elizabeth then walks up to the group, she also bows her head towards the Inquisitor who raises his brow in surprise but nods nonetheless.
"My lord, would you care to introduce us to your Xeno friend?" Reginald asks as Maximus now walks up to the group, but remains behind the former Grey Knight and out of sight of the Inquisitor.
-In orbit.
"Reclusiarch, is this a good idea?" The tech marine inquired as the Reclusiarch made his way to the armory for the tool in which he sought.
"The Emperor shall protect brother Daniel." The Reclusiach replied, content in his decision to board the Tyrinid ship and destroy it.
"It just seems a tad suicidal my lord." Daniel replied as he managed to get the reloading mechanism repaired to fire the main battery and dash off back to his console to prepare the ship for combat.
The Reclusiarch checked his supplies, one Relic Bolter designed to fire Kracken Bolts, his Jump Pack, and the very Crozius Arcaneum with the Emperors sigil and an Iron halo. Eclipse looked out of the gaping hole in the ship that he stood in and out at his target, the Hive Ship. His plan was that of shear simplicity with a dash of insanity, he was to board the ship and kill the Hive Queen aboard it.
"Daniel, begin firing I am off." Eclipse says calmly as he launches into space and hastily approaches the Tyrinid as his ship opens fire to punch a hole for him.
Joshua's eyes turned from Reginald and to Rekriel, whom Dashing was standing behind currently as Rekriel had felt a little protective of his old friend. Dashing peered around the ancient marine's bionic legs, a calm expression on his face as he tapped Rekriel's back to get his attention. "What is it old friend?" Rekriel asked in his flat monotonous machine voice.
"Stand aside Rekriel, I will be fine. You need not worry for this veteran." Rekriel gave a metallic hiss of a sigh, knowing his friend was right. Quickly, Rekriel stepped to the side and allowed Dashing to be in full view. Taking his best posture, and standing at eye level with Mekrail and the others Dashing marched up to Joshua's side before halting and remaining at a form of attention.
Joshua looked to Reginald first before speaking. "This Chapter Master, would happen to be an old friend of ours from many years ago." Looking to Dashing, he gave a slight nod to indicate he could speak.
"My name is Captain Dashing Jackson Hardin of the Canterlot Guard retired." Dashing said, looking around at the gathered group and feeling impressed at the looks of all of them. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, although I wish the circumstances could have been better." Dashing sighed. "But war is war, and the Tyranids just love causing trouble."
Joshua nodded in agreement. "Indeed. These foul Xenos have been the bane of my Ordo's, and the Imperium's existence since the first attacks on Tyran so long ago."
Shaking himself loose of memories, Joshua turned his attention back to Reginald and the others and asked in a voice that practically dared anyone to say otherwise. "Do any of you have a problem with mine and my escorts friend?"
Behind Joshua and Dashing, Mekrail's sword was held ready and Rekriel's servo-harness remained geared for combat should the need arise. Trayclian watched everyone carefully, ready to do his best to defend his brethren and friends to the death should Joshua give the order. Telios didn't move or say anything, but his grip on the rifle was much stronger now and his eyes had darted to Reginald as though already sizing him up to blow his head from his shoulders.
A Warp gate suddenly opened between Joshua and Dashing. Maximus appears from it and gently pats the pony a few times before looking to Reginald and nodding.
Reginald nods back to Maximus and states to Joshua. "The Holy Chaplain believes there shall be no problem, so I believe there shall be no problem."
The Dark Angels were alarmed, especially when the fact that their close friend and Lord Inquisitor was just but a few paces away from what appeared to be a Warp spawn. Even Trayclian hadn't seen it coming, he'd thought there was no Warp presence other than the collective mind of the Tyranids scratching at his psychic defenses as his hands sparked with lightning. Weapons were raised, shouts and litanies of hate against Chaos were on lips, but one look form Joshua made them all take pause as he spoke in that same voice that dared defiance. "Stand down Dark Angels, Assassin, there is no fear of Chaos today." Looking to Maximus, he gave a faint nod before speaking again. "I trust that the Holy Chaplain wouldn't have such a rank were he not one of the most loyal brothers among this Chapter."
Maximus gives a nod to the Lord Inquisitor, while Reginald stood with his assault cannon spinning idly at his side. He stopped abruptly as the Inquisitor spoke. Nitronus planted his storm shield in the ground, holding the bridge of his nose with his bionic arm, while the Battle Sister shakes her head.
-In Orbit
The Lord Admiral couldn't really believe what he was seeing, but he knew that his eyes weren't deceiving him as he watched a lone figure leap from the deck of the Space Hulk and propel toward the Hiveship. His advanced eyesight could tell as he observed closer that the form was armored much like he and his fellow officers. He watched in awe as the lone Marine crashed into a hole carved by the Space Hulk's gun batteries that been pounding the Hiveship moments before. Uttering a prayer to the Emperor for the Marine's soul before calmly ordering the gunners to continue heavy bombardment as The Lord Admiral was seeking to keep the Hiveship's attention away from the intruder aboard now as long as possible. Turning away from the view of the space battle, the Lord Admiral eyed the Communications officer as he asked. "How are we in raising comms with the Space Hulk?"
"A few minutes, Lord Admiral. We'll have patched through to the Vessel's Captain's Vox unit." The comms officer replied.
-On planet.
Maximus knelt next to the pony who stared at him with his one eye like the Chaplain was the strangest thing that he had ever seen when Maximus procured a small white parcel that had a oddly familiar look to it, and a wondrous aroma. He then handed the small box to Dashing before standing up and fading into nothingness, across the field Dashing could see Maximus standing apart from his fellow chapter members and watching the horizon where the Blood Raptor Titan squash the worthless 'Nids. Dashing looked at the small white box closer and saw that it said Sugar Cube Corner on it, his curiosity getting the better of him he opened the box revealing a solitary muffin and a note that said Maximus told me he found you Dashing, your buddy Derpy Doo . Dashing looked back up to Maximus who happened to be looking his way, Dashing mouthed the word, "how", but Maximus only gave him a nod before looking up at the sky.
Nitronus saw the Dark Angel Captain standing with his two brothers and an assassin, so he decided to walk up to them after Maximus pulled another one of his now trademark vanishing acts. Putting his helmet under his right arm and picking his storm shield back up in his left he walked out to greet the Dark Angels.
"Greetings Captain, I am Champion Nitronus of the Blood Raptors Chapter." Nitronus stated as he came to a halt in front of the Captain and his men.
"And I as you know am Captain Mekrail, Third Company Master of the Dark Angels." Mekrail said, looking Nitronus up and down with an approving gaze as he recognized the hardened warrior that stood before him.
Joshua too was confused at the disappearance of Maximus as he eyed the spot he'd previously been. However he quickly just sighed and told himself it was merely, "Warp mishaps." before turning to the Battle Sister with curiosity showing in his eyes as he asked. "So young Battle Sister, what is your name? How did you come to meet this Chapter?"
"Lord Inquisitor, my name is Battle Sister Elizabeth, I owe this chapter my life, though to be more specific I owe my life to the Holy Chaplain whom you just met." Elizabeth said turning her head towards the lone figure looking at the sky and fingering his bolters.
"Something isn't right..." Reginald says turning as a storm of plasma flies into his chest, hardly even denting his shields. "Blood Raptors we have incoming!"
Nitronus put his helmet on just in time to deflect a bolter round off of his head as he pointed his arm in the directions of their assailants and fired what appeared to be a storm bolter that was built into his bionics.
Maximus was gone from where he once stood, but the cries of Chaos Marines being cut down rapidly and confused by the teleporting chaplain could be heard over the battle cries of the five companies charging into battle.
In an instant, Joshua and the others changed completely from their calm talkative demeanor. Joshua himself turning to face the shots being fired with his knife drawing in a single, fluid motion before charging forth without a word spoken. His expression cold as bolt rounds bounced off, his Holy armor standing firm against the traitor's fire. When he drew close, he caught sight of the insignia borne on the marine's shoulder guard's before hissing, "Traitorous Thousand Sons!" as he hit the activation stud of his power knife and sank it into the neck of the closest marine. Quickly twisting his knife, he maneuvered the dying marine around and used his body to block incoming fire before wrenching the knife out as the enemy clicked empty and heaving the marine forth with all his strength into the group. Knocking them off balance, he leaped into them and within seconds had silenced them with quick thrusts between their eyes.
As he drew up from the group, he looked about to see Mekrail dueling with a squad of assault Raptors that cackled and howled as did their thruster-packs as they jumped around him to elude his strikes. Several were dead already though, yet they doggedly continued attacking him from all sides and for every one he slew he received a wound of his own from their ripping chainswords.
Rekriel was smashing the Thousand Son marines left and right with his servo-arm as he swept around the area around the downed Thunderhawk to cover their flank. Occasionally, he would smash a marine down, his servo-arm holding them to the ground before lashing out with his saw and splitting them in two. His voice was full and resonant with machine static as he howled in the tongue of machines curses from the Omnissiah upon them while cutting them down without pity.
Telios calmly dropped to one knee, his eyes closed and breathing deepening as he brought his rifle up to his shoulder. When he opened his eyes and looked through the scope, he had his first target. Pulling the trigger, he knew already he'd slain a Chaos Sergeant as the whistle of Death echoed and the tell-tale sound of a marine being plowed into the ground was heard. Switching targets with an efficiency few could claim, he dispatched them all with the same one shot per target as he was seeking to rid the War band of its leadership.
Turning to the sounds and shots coming from the battle, Dashing's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the massive armies pouring forth from large rifts opened in the Warp. Thousand Sons marines everywhere, mixing with hideously deformed Daemons wielding blades or claws and the fragile and miniature Cultists that died in droves from the Blood Raptors disciplined fire. Without hesitation, Dashing spread his wings and shot up from the ground. High in the sky, he took in the scene of battle one last time before racing down at speeds that would do his mother proud as his broadsword was gripped in an even darker aura that seemed to match his rage. "Chaos has already taken too much from me....I will not let it take my friends." He shouted, his voice amplified above the din of battle as his sword swept through the ranks of the Traitors, their clusters cut apart not just from the blade but the dark aura that seemed to stretch and take the form as an extension of the broadsword.
Nitronus turned around after slaughtering what he once called brothers, he could remember the days before the heresy that led to the loss of so may of his closest brothers in the Raven Guard, witnessing Mekrrail in a losing battle against eight or so Chaos Raptors. Acting on a decision he made long ago when his entire company was wiped out by the Black Legion, he would lose no more brothers so long as he lived. Nirtonus then charged into the fray and took up a position at the back of the captain, wielding their swords they quickly cut down the raptors and moved to regroup with the Blood Raptor Chapter, Nitronus only hoped the others would catch the idea.
Reginald fired his assault cannon without remorse as he laughed at the feeble attempt to kill him and his battle tested Chapter. He could see the entire battle from on top of the Tyrant's dead body, Elizabeth stood below him with her twin chainswords out ready to battle the few demons that managed to slip by Reginald's stream of red hot death.
The Blood Raptors had divided themselves into their companies and began to meet their adversaries on all fronts, attempting to place themselves between the Thousand Sons and the Dark Angels. A Blood Raptor Captain whose very legs and right shoulder were on fire drew his glowing green power sword and thrust it forward into a Heretic Champion who thought he could rival the Third Company Captain. On another front two of Second Companies Sergeants dueled with a Thousand Sons Terminator, both of the Sergeants had spikes and bone-like blades coming out of their armor that they used as melee tools. First Company had moved in towards the Inquisitor, their Captain cut down his foes with his power ax but was soon knocked aside by a Thousand Son Sorcerer who blasted him back and into his company.
Maximus ran in an out of warps as he made his way through the battlefield, he could tell that the heretics were confused as to why a Space Marine was emerging from the warp and killing them in droves, but after he vanquished a horde of daemons he turned and saw the Inquisitor not really paying attention to his surroundings but to what his escort was doing, he could also see the tainted sorcerer charging him. Maximus drew his short power sword and leaped through a warp and intercepted the blade of the Chaos Librarian just before it would have slain the Inquisitor.
"Loyalist scum, why do you serve a false Emperor?" The heretic asked, his voice was like that of the vilest of serpents.
Maximus didn't respond, instead he threw the heretic filth off of his blade and side stepped into the warp.
"What kind of trickery is this?" the Sorcerer inquired, but instead of an answer he was quickly thrown aside by the Holy Chaplain who merely pointed his blade at him and made a neck slicing motion before getting into a ready stance.
"Who are you?" the Chaos Marine simply asked as he too got up, Maximus allowing him an honorable challenge as both sides stopped battling to watch the two blades clash.
Reginald and the battle sister had quickly joined up with the Nitronus and the Inquisitor's escort to view the odd sight before them.
Joshua stood silent as he observed Maximus and the Chaos Sorcerer. It was like two colossal presences facing each other down, he felt the power and prowess of the Chaos Sorcerer as it raked against his mind trying to corrupt him. The other, he found wasn't from Maximus although he was sure this marine was special and very powerful indeed if he was considering facing this Sorcerer who's power he could see was weighing even on Joshua's friends and guards.
Mekrail felt as though he had a Thunder Hammer smashing inside his skull as the power of the Sorcerer washed over him. Although his wounds had healed, he felt as though the sheer will of the Sorcerer was weighing his body as he watched the battle finally begin. Seeing Maximus rush forward, his blade raised to cut the Sorcerer in half before disappearing into the warp. Watching the Sorcerer's confused expression before being slashed across his sword arm, he finally succumbed to the mental war going on in his head and fell to a knee with his head bowed as he could no longer focus clearly through the pain.
"How did you learn to use the warp Luna Wolf?" The Sorcerer questioned as he traded blows with Maximus.
Dashing came down from the skies, hearing the voices rippling in his head and promising him great power should he turn against his friends. His eyes watched the Sorcerer as he recovered from the blow, drawing back his sword in a defensive manner as Maximus appeared again and this time blocking him. Despite the voices, Dashing could focus as he'd had more than enough voices in his head in his life from Death. He watched as the Sorcerer caught Maximus's blade and twisted it away from striking an almost certainly fatal blow before the sword flared to life and hot flames began to lick up its slender form. The Sorcerer quickly kicked out with his boot and pushed Maximus away before lashing out with his force-sword and scoring a burning mark across his chest plate. Dashing shook his head as he knew these two were fighting a battle neither could win, they both clearly matched one another in strength and skill as he looked away for a moment and began to focus on ridding the whispers of Chaos from his mind.
"Who taught you? Who bestowed you the gifts you bear?" The Sorcerer asked as he evaded a slash from behind by Maximus's warp strikes.
Both were bleeding from deep wounds, but one could tell they were truly superficial to these great warriors as the sorcerer suddenly shot forth bolts of lightning to Maximus. They moved so quick that one couldn't blink before they reached Maximus, yet somehow he was able to deflect them and they flew off harmlessly into the skies above.
Upon seeing his attack deflected, the Sorcerer seemed to grow angry as he finally realized that neither he nor Maximus could win. As he drew back from another series of sword clashes, the Sorcerer quickly summoned to him all his strength that he could muster from the Warp as he howled. "I'm through with this you damnable fool! You dare mock me? Use the Warp against me? No more!" His entire body glowed with the power he summoned before it focused in his hands as he shouted, "Perish slaves to the False Emperor!" before releasing the energy in a wide arc that enveloped Maximus and the others; Joshua and all his friends caught in its radius before suddenly a massive warp portal opened and sucked all of them into its swirling depths.
The group fell through the warp, Elizabeth was certain that this was the end, she only remained conscious long enough to see the others before she blacked out. Nitronus had become unconscious, his Force Sword flew downwards just ahead of him. Reginald plummeted feet first seemingly unaffected as he chanted something that referred to the Ordo Mallus. Maximus was streamline head first but definitely in control as this happened, probably wasn't the first time he was thrown through a warp. Dashing was knocked out and upside down, the three Dark Angels, Mekrail, Treklian, and Rekriel all plummeted down together, screaming curses at the Sorcerer, Joshua was spinning out of control but managed to mimic that of Maximus's stance as they fell, and Telios hugged his rifle and curled into a ball.
The Sorcerer laughed as the loyalists in front of him shouted curses and made promises of a slow and painful death as his legion formed up behind him.
"Behold, not only did I vanquish the fool who challenged me, but your Chapter Master and the Inquisitor, along with a number of your forces!" He said laughing maniacally.
The Blood Raptors merely took a few steps back as they took aim, thunder could be heard in the distance. Though there was something off about it, it was far to rythmatic.
"Die you dishonorable heretic!" A massive and booming voice cried as a massive foot bearing the insignia of the Raven Guard plowed into the ground where the Sorcerer once stood, only a poof of smoke remained.
"For our fallen brothers, and for the Emperor!" The First Company Veteran Captain screamed as his company lead the charge with the rest of their brothers in tow.
Author's Note
Tempest-
Hey this is Tempest Knight sitting her on my computer going back and forth on the plot line with my good friend DeathAngelWolf and we are proud to announce the release of Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria, this will be the longest story I have attempted, and the first story that I have worked on with someone else writing along side me.
Death-
Who? Oh yeah, that's right we're doing this together aren't we? Anyways, well I'm Tempest's friend DeathAngelWolf and I've apparently been dredged up from my hiatus on my other site at Fanfiction.net to work with this numb skull. I hope you guys enjoy the story and let us know...well let Tempest know if he messes up and I'll get onto him about it.
Have a nice day everybody, DeathAngelWolf out.
Tempest-
Yeah okay... Enjoy the read and Stay Brony!
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 2
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of falling through the snaking, ever changing tunnels of the hellish warp space that the Sorcerer had flung them into; Mekrail and Nitronus were vomited forth from the immaterium's shadowy depths. Both still unconscious as they fell from the skies toward what appeared to be a city of sorts set into a mountainside. Unceremoniously, the two both crashed into what appeared to be a large labyrinth maze of hedges inside of a massive courtyard of a grand castle. Mekrail barreled through a fountain after skidding through the paved ground and several hedges before finally stopping under the fountain's gentle trickle of water. As the water forced him to stir, his eyes fluttering before opening drearily and looking about. His vision blurry, he was still able to make out Nitronus's body laying half over a hedge that he'd crushed nearby. Groaning as he tried to shake himself fully awake and rise he felt the immediate pain in his side. Looking down, he realized it was that of a wedge of the masonry of the fountain itself embedded within. His blood mixing with the water and giving the fountain a ghastly look.
Without hesitation, Mekrail raised his bionic arm and with a swift yank he removed the impaling stone with only a grunt of pain before rising to his feet. His injuries healing quickly as the larraman cells in his blood clotted the wound before moving to Nitronus and rousing him. When Nitronus was up as well, Mekrail finally gave much more careful consideration to their surroundings as much of it seemed familiar to him. Nitronus was looking about as well, yet only when Mekrail saw the castle and observed it more closely did he realize just where they were.
"Where is here, that you refer to Captain Mekrail? And what about this place is making you angry?" He asked as he collected his sword from the nearby hedge where it had been deposited by the warp portal spewing them out.
"Here....is Equestria. More specifically the city of Canterlot." Mekrail answered, bile in his voice as he rose once more and retrieved his sword as well.
His look told Nitronus that the other question was off limits for now as he looked around to see several ponies staring at them in shock. They seemed to be of noble look, dressed finely and well groomed as Mekrail spat a few quiet curses again before looking to Nitronus to him reacting with alarm. Merely shaking his head in response as he sheathed his sword Mekrail moved to Nitronus and forced his blade to lower before looking back to them. "Those fools aren't our enemies Champion Nitronus....hmpf....rather I know just who shall be soon enough once her guards arrive." He muttered angrily.
"Thanks again for the book Temp, though I still don't know how you knew about the Traders Exchange incident." Rainbow Dash said as she blushed to the dark grey pony in shining silver armor standing in front of her.
"No problem Dashie, forget I mentioned the exchange, and enjoy your book." Tempest said before snorting red flames from his nose and smiling, his red crystal pony eyes glistened at the smile that broke across his closest friend who he hoped someday would be more than that.
Tempest turned and spread his dragon wings as he caught air and flew away, if not because he had duties to perform for Princess Luna he would have stayed longer, but alas with Celestia missing and King Sombra's forces growing, Equestria needed the extra firepower. He looked down below his wings at his newest invention, a fully automated armor piercing grenade launcher strapped to the sides of his flanks, Luna had said that they may be able to save our homeland, but to be honest Tempest had his doubts that they would be all that effective against magic.
Tempest's thoughts were interrupted when he collided with what appeared to be a Royal Guard pegasus. Both of the heavily armored ponies plummeted downward before Tempest managed to pull out of the dive and grab the pegasus before he became a splatter mark on the ground. Tempest set the pony down on the side of the road and took a closer look at him, since he was wearing Royal Guard armor and all of the fabled guard had vanished alongside Celestia.
The pony was cyan colored with an eye patch over his right eye, his mane and tail were blonde in color, Tempest went to inspect him further but a broadsword impaled the ground between them as the mystery pony opened his eye and pinned Tempest to the ground before his eye went wide.
"Whoa there buddy, watch the temper!" Tempest growled as he threw the guard off of him and levitated one of his swords using an ancient arcane device built into his armor.
Dashing looked at this mysterious armored pony with confusion as he backed away from the sword that levitated close by. His composure returning quickly as he shook off the vestiges of the daze that the warp travel had left him with, Dashing's eyes returned to the pony as he spoke up. "My apologies sir, I didn't mean to act aggressively but I've just come from the warp after heavy combat with Chaos Marines and......" Dashing trailed off as his eye widened both in surprise and alarm.
Quickly his powers returned, the dark aura stretching forth and drawing his broadsword from the ground before sheathing it on his back once more as he looked around. "By God....I'm home again." He whispered. "After so many years....I'm finally brought back to the planet that so many memories reside upon." Dashing's expression was hard to read, but it was a mix of happiness and sadness and even anger before he finally looked back to the other pony.
Snapping out of his thoughts as he noticed his perplexed look as to what he'd said Dashing apologized. "Sorry...just a little caught up in memories is all sir, but I do sincerely apologize for crashing into you and being so aggressive." Taking a step closer to the pony once more, Dashing added. "Why don't we just start over. My name's Dashing Jackson Hardin. Former Captain of Canterlot's Guard. What's yours sir?"
Tempest looked over this pony who called himself Dashing, he then sheathed his sword and pondered on the name, though he didn't think for too long before speaking for himself.
"I am Tempest Knight General of the Equestrian Army." he said placing his hoof on his chest and unfurling his light grey wings with red sparkles throughout them.
"Ah so I see Equestria is at war again isn't it?" Dashing asked.
"With Sombra's army on the rise and the eminent threat of expansion I thought you would know." Tempest said as a question popped into his head. "Did you say former captain, and what is this warp you speak of?"
"Its a long story, lets just say that I've been gone for awhile." Dashing said as he looked up at a house made of clouds.
Maximus rolled out of the warp and stopped on both of his feet, observing his surroundings he deduced that he was in the Crystal Castle in the Crystal Empire on the planet of the ponies. But he had focused on putting them back on the battlefield, guess there is a limit to his abilities. Another difference he noticed was that the castle wasn't as colorful as normal, wait, hadn't Luna told him about a pony of shadows that controls others by fear?
His thought process was interrupted by the Dark Angel Librarian plowing through the warp and past Maximus, he quickly got up to his knees and began cursing under his breath. Trayclian then noticed he wasn't alone, the Blood Raptor Holy Chaplain was walking up to him at a brisk pace before stopping a foot away and looking towards a large chair. A pair of green and red eyes glowered at them.
"Who dares enter my throne room!" a disembodied voice boomed through the crystal halls.
"Sombra, but how are you alive, we killed you?" Trayclian said, earning a glance from Maximus.
"I do not know what you mean fowl creature, but I assure you that you will join whoever you believed you killed!" Sombra's voice boomed.
Maximus opened a warp and threw Trayclian through it as black crystals pierced through the ground where he was standing, Maximus then jumped through the same warp gate and combat rolled to a halt in the middle of Ponyville.
Rekriel cursed as he was spit from the warp, his voice echoing out across the forest that he was hurdling toward. His armor was steaming, almost catching fire at the speeds he was falling before he smashed into a large tree that slowed his descent. When he finally hit the ground, he made a great crater in the forest floor and decimated the local wildlife and flora around. His armor merely dented and scratched, he rose and prayed for forgiveness to the armor spirits and servo-harness's as he looked about. Seeing the destruction he caused, he cared not. Even though he saw the animals dead around him, he merely kicked their steaming corpses aside and moved into the forest. Cutting through thick brush and trees, he stopped when he reached a hut; thinking it surprising anyone would live in such an Emperor-forsaken place as the thick brush infested forest filled with wild animals. However, deciding it might be of use to seek assistance as he finally recognized that he had wounds his body couldn't mend naturally; Rekriel moved to the hut's door and knocked. His voice was static filled and machine-like, yet there was pain in his tone as he spoke. "Hello? Is anyone home? I am in need of medical assistance immediately.
Zecora opened the door and took a few steps back from what she saw, a massive bipedal creature that was made of metal and bleeding in many places.
"You do not look well, so help you I shall." Zecora stated as she looked him over and vanished into her hut, reemerging with a green goop and rubbing it on the Tech Marine.
"What is this you put upon my wound?" Rekriel asked, eyeing the glowing green goo.
"A potion to help you with all your woes, all the way down to your toes." Zecora replied, going back to her hut and returning with a cup of water.
"Many thanks." Rekriel said, observing the potion as it regrows his missing flesh.
Rekriel sighed in relief as his armor senses ceased giving him notification of his injuries. He was grateful that this zebra had given him aid, despite not knowing anything about him nor understanding what he was as he nodded faintly to her. Quickly though, he set out to working on his bionics that were leaking and damaged; repairing them with the skill and speed that only a master of the machine could do as his hands worked and caressed the wires and parts back into their proper places and sealed any leaks with a welding torch arm on his backpack. Seeing Zecora eyeing him as he worked, he paused after cauterizing a leaking tube on his left arm before speaking again.
"Again I must thank you young Zebra, for helping heal me of my injuries. Not many would assist one such as I, yet you do it without hesitation. For that I am truly in your debt." Rekriel finished adjusting the zoom-able lenses on his helm back to correct focus so he could see clearly before adding. "I owe you my life, and for that I can never repay except by offering my humble services as a priest of the holy Omnissiah to assist you in whatever endeavors of the machine or of battle and protection as a Space Marine." Rekriel calmly waited for Zecora's answer as he added finally. "My name is Rekriel, should you desire to call me by it."
Upon exiting the warp, Telios uncurled from his ball form and angled himself as his eyes took in the possible landing areas below him. Cursing as he saw few that were close, Telios was bracing to have a hard landing in the deep swamps below when he remembered that he'd heard someone emerge with him out of the portal. His gaze cast behind him for a moment, he saw that the Battle Sister Elizabeth was still falling unconscious toward the ground. At the speeds they were going, likely impacting would severely injure or even kill her since she wasn't awake and alert enough to ease her descent. Deciding that it was now or never, Telios drew his rifle and aimed to the swamp before firing. He knew the powerful recoil of the Exitus rifle, how when wielded in a standing stance and not braced it could send one flying quite a distance in the opposite direction. He'd made that mistake many centuries ago, and now that mistake was going to help him spare the Battle Sister's life as he fired toward the ground in quick succession. Each round boosted him back up into the sky, a little closer to Elizabeth until his rifle clicked empty. Shouldering it, he knew he was within arms reach now as he leaned as far up as possible and caught hold of her arm. Using as much strength as he could, Telios pulled her to him and held her tightly as he flipped around just before they plowed into the ground. Hot spikes of agony shot up his entire backside as he impacted upon the ground and began skidding past tree roots underneath thick murky water and through lilies floating on the surface. However, when he finally stopped he was laying on the shallows with blood pouring into the water around them. Releasing Elizabeth, Telios tried to push her off him but was unable as his vision swam from the agonizing injuries he was subjected to from the back of his feet to his head. Instead, he sagged back and let everything go to black before she could awaken.
Elizabeth started to move and found a great pain in not only her left shoulder, but her left arm as well. She looked around and found that she was in a swamp of some kind, and that the Assassin had broken her apparent fall but had been knocked unconscious in the process. That was when she heard the low growl from behind them, as she turned she drew one of her chainswords from her back and revved it up. Gazing at the beast she noted that it was green and black with, wait eight heads? Since when do Fire Drakes have more than one head? Her thoughts were blasted apart when it breathed fire and she shielded her only companion with her own body remembering that he wasn't wearing a helmet and that she had landed on top of him.
"What kind of xeno are you fowl beast?" Elizabeth yelled as the beast closed in to bite her.
She quickly jumped to the side and cut one of its heads off only to see two more grow from the stump.
"What in the name of the Emperor?" Elizabeth questioned as she was knocked down, her chainsword flying out of her hands and her left arm making a loud crunching sound before the beast ripped it off and swallowed it as she screamed in agony.
Upon hearing Elizabeth's screams, Telios awoke from the pain induced unconsciousness that had claimed him. Lifting his head, he looked with blurred vision to where she was and saw just how hurt she was before his eyes drifted to the creature that had caused the vicious injury. His expression, though still incredibly pained was full of hate that the beast he'd hunted long ago had harmed yet another under his watch as he forced himself to rise to a sitting position through the agony. His back felt broken, his legs useless for now as his hand reached instinctively for his Exitus rifle and found it almost immediately. Drawing it to his shoulder and looking down the scope, he whispered, "Incendiary rounds." before hearing the rifle click and whir as it changed the ammunition.
Without hesitation, he instantly began firing for the heads of the massive Hydra. He knew that with each blast, not only did he bring it closer to death but also closer to him as it bellowed in rage and snapped down at him. Yet every time its heads slammed into the ground, he'd forcibly rolled his body away with grunts of pain resounding from his broken back being forced to smash into more tree roots and get the dirty thick mud deeper into his injuries. Eventually, when once more his Exitus rifle clicked empty he found that the hulking creature was toppling over, all its head stumps cauterized from the rounds burning the flesh.
Rolling one last time, he dodged the Hydra as it landed in the water before finally collapsing back onto the ground next to Elizabeth. He didn't however, succumb to his injuries this time as he lolled his head to look at her before reaching down and retrieving a flare from a pouch at his waist. Lighting it, he whispered in a pained voice. "This is going to hurt a lot...but It'll help."
Reaching over, he held her still before holding the searing flare under her flesh and systematically cauterized her stump. He ignored her screams until the wound ceased bleeding and quickly he doused the flare in the water. His hand remained on her shoulder as a faint smile masked his agony before he passed out again. "You'll....be okay....now."
Elizabeth forced herself up with her one arm and retrieved her chainsword, the pain of where her left arm was still eating away at her. She sheathed the blade upon her back next to its twin before approaching Telios and lifting him over her right shoulder to carry him, despite the fact that she was two feet shorter than he was, and began carrying him in the direction she hoped would lead them out of this Emperor forsaken place.
Nitronus in response to Mekrail's anger drew his blade and held it to Mekrail as he spoke sternly. "Stop destroying the grand scenery around us more than we already have, and tell me why you hold such anger against these Xenos who appear peaceful."
Mekrail gave him a look that told him he didn't believe that Nitronus would dare harm him, yet after an intense glaring match Mekrail sighed and finally gave in as he raised his gauntlet up and gestured for him to remove the blade. "I harbor such a deep resentment, naturally as a son of Caliban for any of these snobbish high class fools who do not deserve the power and privilege they wield such as the ponies present in this very courtyard." He paused, as though memories were flooding through him that seemed to bring out a much darker general aura that Mekrail radiated as he continued. "But, there is one such pony that I hold such anger and rage at, and she lives under this very castle's roof. Her name, is Celestia. She and I used to be friends, until she betrayed my brethren and I and destroyed all that I held dear before casting me into the pits of Tartarus to rot."
Mekrail decided not to explain further, feeling his answer sufficient as he heard the distinct clank of armored guards approaching. Instead of letting his anger get to him however, Mekrail sheathed his sword and in an instant forced the anger to dissipate to the depths of his mind as he always did in these situations. "Best to appear as non-threatening as possible for now I suppose." He thought to himself as he gestured for Nitronus to do the same for when the guards would arrive.
"Thank you Captain, upon meeting this, pony, I shall have a nice chat with her." Nitronus said as he sheathed his force sword and removed his helmet, tucking it under his right arm.
"Her guards should be arriving any moment now." Mekrail stated as he turned towards the clanking sound that the heavily armored ponies were making, though they wore silver armor instead of the gold he remembered of the Royal Guard, and each one had a weapon that resembled that of a bolter.
Nitronus looked at Mekrail who was still balling his fist and decided that it would be best if he spoke first.
"Greetings ponies, we bring you no ill will and will be on our way as soon as possible back to which we came." He calmly stated, showing his hands to prove that he would not strike.
"We are here under orders to bring the two of you to the Princess, any refusal will deem you a hostile and we will terminate you on the spot. Is that understood?" A mare clad from head to hoof in heavy pony armor stated loudly as her unit surrounded them.
"Mekrail?" Nitronus whispered to the Dark Angel next to him.
"We will follow you guard." Mekrial said, nodding once to Nitronus before following the mare, Nitronus instantly followed Mekrail as he didn't want to start a fight.
Dashing's expression was conflicted as his memories again fought for control of his consciousness. "Mom?"
Tempest raised an eyebrow as he continued looking over his equipment before saying. "I'm not your mother."
Tempest looked him over and shook his head, saying. "There's no way she could be your mother. Dash's my age." Taking in the weathered look on Dashing's face, his older armor and the patch over his eye he guessed. "You look like you're in your forties anyways, and you're dressed in Royal Guard's armor."
Dashing nearly lost it as his memories roared to punish those who dared challenge his past and who had been his parents. Yet he held restraint from allowing his powers to release as he shook his head vehemently. "I'm in my late thirties to be exact General, and secondly this armor was bestowed upon me as a final gift from my Father as recognition of my achievement as Captain when I was twenty-one back on my...." Dashing trailed off, as he knew he was about to open a Pandora's box of questions from Tempest as he looked away with a faint trace of anger on his face.
Dashing's response left Tempest confused, though he decided not to dwell on it, instead he figure that he would find out what exactly a Royal Guard Pony was doing way out here when they were all supposed to be missing.
"So I would like to know where the rest of your unit is Captain Dashing." Tempest inquired.
Dashing's expression grew angry and full of regret as he answered with a razor sharp tone in his voice. "They're all dead. They've been dead ever since the Las-Pegasus incident fifteen years ago when we were on a mission from the princesses to capture a particular pony and bring him to justice." Dashing didn't let on, but he was biting back tears as so many of his fellow guards had died on a mission he'd actually fabricated completely out of his desire to save his father from a terrible fate. But he didn't want to tell Tempest that, it was so full of pain and anguish as he'd watched the spirit of his grandfather that had seized Death from his father and used it against his entire unit.
Tempest was now confused, but before he could take this pony named Dashing to the closest hospital for mental medical treatment a blast of blue light spread across Ponyville. Dashing also saw is because he started galloping towards it, which confused Tempest even more than Dashings response.
"Whoa, hold up, you need a doctor!" Tempest cried as he took off after the Royal Guard Pegasus.
Joshua and Reginald were falling through the warp, the latter of the two completely at ease as he chanted softly to himself while falling feet first toward the portal opening. Joshua was still spinning somewhat, but he'd gained a semblance of control over his fall as he too fell fast toward the exit. Reginald came through first, landing out of the portal into an icy tundra that was currently under the effect of a heavy snowstorm that immediately covered the Chapter Master in a thin layer of white.
Joshua emerged next, rolling out of the portal and somehow coming out crouched before he rose and looked to Reginald, whose only traits that could be seen where the glowing eye lenses in his helm and the Inqusitorial insignia on his chest plate and shoulder guard. Joshua laughed quietly to himself before saying. "Now you look much more like a Grey Knight, Chapter Master if I may say so."
"Once a Grey Knight, always a Grey Knight." Reginald replied.
Quickly though, Joshua's expression grew serious and shook off the snow layers forming already. "So what in the Emperor's name just happened Chapter Master? Do you have any clue?"
"From what I can tell, we were just thrust into the warp by that Sorcerer. Besides that, I am clueless as to where we are or the specifics." Reginald answered.
"Damn, well that does us no good here." Joshua said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "However I suppose we can venture a guess we're close to one of the poles of whatever planet we're on currently." As his breath frosted in the air.
Suddenly, Joshua and Reginald both noticed two objects flying at a rapid pace through the air.
"What was that?" Reginald asked.
"That looked like...." Joshua said, his eyes widening slightly at the thought. "But that's not possible...what're the odds I could be here again."
Joshua gave a deep sigh of exasperation as he eyed where the two figures had come from before he spoke. "Yes Chapter Master Reginald....I do know what those two things were." Pausing for a moment, he allowed Reginald to ask again.
"So what were those things Lord Inquisitor?"
"Those 'Things' were Pegasi, Chapter Master. They are Pegasi ponies, like my friend Dashing." Joshua explained.
Maximus rolled out of the warp and got to his feet, looking about he saw Trayclian laying flat on his face but beginning to stand. Maximus also noticed that he had stopped just in front of a small orange pony with metal wings and a solitary gear as her cutiemark, he waved at her and the crosseyed grey pony next to her who was also spooked by their sudden appearance.
Trayclian finally rose from the ground, his expression annoyed as he felt the rough, skinned patches of his face that already were healing. Looking at Maximus first, his hand charged only slightly with a fireball and he tossed it at him. When it hit, he knew it would do no effect but let the Holy Chaplain know how annoyed he was as he spoke up. "As much as I appreciate your concern for me Holy Chaplain Maximus, I'd prefer it if you'd refrain from tossing this old Librarian willy nilly in the warp."
After his piece was spoken, Trayclian turned his attention to the two ponies and finally put two and two together about where they were. His expression at first shocked, but quickly returning to one of calm that he was always known for wearing as he called out to them. "Hello." Deciding it was best not to reveal what he knew about them for now, he added. "I'm terribly sorry to trouble you two but perhaps you could tell us your names? Mine is Trayclian."
The orange pony spoke up first while the grey pegasus eyed both of us simultaneously, "The names Scootaloo, and this here is my buddy Derpy Doo." Scootaloo said cheerfully, as she had gotten over her surprise near instantaneously.
"Might we know your name mr. umm, glowing eyes?" Derpy asked.
Maximus looked over to Trayclian and nodded once hoping that the librarian would get the hint.
"This is Holy Chaiplain Maximus of the Blood Raptors, he doesn't speak." Trayclian said as Maximus did a show mans bow towards the ponies and procured flowers from thin air.
Trayclian gave Maximus a look before shaking his head and saying. "That's just Emperor's level bullshit right there..." Giving a sigh, his eyes returned to Scootaloo and he gave a faint smile. "I'm glad to meet you young Scootaloo, Derpy. As is Maximus."
Watching Scootaloo's expression as she looked at the flowers Maximus held, he mentally chuckled at her raised eyebrow before catching Derpy's eye. "Don't be so surprised young ones about the Holy Chaplain's affinity for the warp. It's strange I know what he just did, but actually it's quite normal." Knowing Maximus likely was about to continue his answer, Trayclian stepped back just a bit to give him room as he heard a third pony beginning to walk toward them from down the street behind the two young ponies.
Maximus turned around after Scootaloo took the flowers from him in her mouth and saw a lavender pony with matching mane and tale that had pink and blue stripes in them approach. Giving a nod to Trayclian, who's face had fully healed, he approached this new mare who had both wings and a horn. Maximus knelt to her, showing the proper respect to a Princess of Equestria, which raised an eyebrow from Trayclian who believed that Maximus hadn't had experience this planets customs, though he did get over it rather quickly considering it was Maximus.
"And who might we have here?" The alicorn asked, giving a 'is everything okay look to Scootaloo' before waving a hoof at Maximus who was overdoing it a bit.
"Um, yeah, these guys just popped out of nowhere." Scootaloo replied.
"Though they seem to be rather friendly." Derpy added, at which the alicorns from turned upside down.
"Oh good, my name is Twilight Sparkle, what is yours?" the lavender pony said grinning.
Waking once more from his pain induced unconsciousness, Telios found his back was still killing him but not as much as before. He felt that he was laying on something soft, and when he placed a hand on the ground he found it was a pelt that had been skinned from a wolf and lain out for him to rest on. There was no water, but his body still felt damp and slightly cold as he raised his head faintly to take in the surroundings. They were on a raised area above the swamp lands around them, a fire burning likely for warmth as well as light keeping the twilight that streamed in small shafts through the thick canopy of the trees around away. Wolves, seemingly ripped apart by what appeared to be chainswords were lain about. His Exitus rifle leaning up against a nearby tree. There was the scent of blood, Telios noticed, and the scent of meat being cooked as his eyes fell back to the fire and he saw Elizabeth sitting next to it; a large femur bone in her hand, just tending the fire.
She wasn't wearing her helmet this time, and Telios finally was able to drink in her full features as he looked her over. Long, red hair that fell to her shoulders, freckles that dotted her young face and piercing green eyes that focused intently on the fire. A single cross tattooed on her left cheek. Telios almost forced himself to do a double take, as he was unsure what he was seeing was true. However instead he merely let out a groan of pain as his already injured body protested the movement of adjusting himself slightly so he could see better.
"Oh that's smarts." Telios grumbled to himself before looking to Elizabeth and asking. "Sorry Battle Sister...What happened while I was out?" His expression despite the pain was concerned as he was reminded of her arm stump "Are you alright?"
"I will be fine assassin, tis just a flesh wound." Elizabeth replied not even looking her way, her face had the look of deep thought upon it.
"As for what happened?" Telios asked, resting his head down and trying not to move.
"I don't know how you killed the beast that took my arm, but afterwords I carried you to higher ground and set up this camp. Not long after we were attacked by these wolves which I slew without a problem." she said, gesturing to the pelts about them.
"Incendiary rounds, the beast was a Hydra, they won't grow heads if you cauterize the flesh." Telios said before looking at the meat on the fire.
"Do not fret, I am using the bodies of the wolves for other purposes than food, this meat belonged to a large lizard that attempted to eat me when I was picking berries." Elizabeth said as if reading his mind as she pointed over to a rock like pelt which looked as though it was being tailored to fit her as a shroud.
Telios nodded before gazing upwards at the tree tops and at the twilight sky while Elizabeth attached her new shroud to her side and back.
"Rekriel...A strange name indeed...for a strange creature of lands where your sight has never been." Zecora replied as she continued to watch Rekriel tinker with his bionics with intrigue as to what he was doing. She was also thinking to herself about what he'd offered. She found herself asking aloud to him. "Why are your legs of metal and wire? Your body of steel, cold and hard?"
Rekriel's helm turned to Zecora, although she couldn't see it she was sure his eyes were glaring at him as if she'd asked something over the line. "So sorry am I to ask of this, instead I shall request what you wish to do now."
This time, Rekriel's body language seemed to soften as he replied. "Of the best defense I shall gift, made of the finest technology that I of my craft can build and then afterwards I mayhaps shall seek out my brethren that I have lost."
"Of which I cannot deny, your friendship proves that no matter your exterior you are good." Zecora said, smiling faintly at him as she added. "My name is Zecora, Rekriel sir."
Rekriel gave a slight nod before rising and moving to the door. "I shall set to work immediately. Soon, your home will be as well defended as a Forge World." This thought left Zecora baffled as to what he meant for defenses and what a Forge world was. Nevertheless, she decided to allow him to work as he'd promised before she'd send him on his way with directions out of Everfree Forest.
The guards led the two space marines into the castle, they walked through many grand hallways and stained glass windows depicting many moments that Nirtronus assumed were historical moments in their past. Finally they come to a massive set of golden doors that have more guards standing at attention.
"We have the two the Princess Luna requested." the mare said to the guards who parted ways and opened the doors.
"What is happening Mekrail?" Nitronus whispered.
"Do as I do." Mekrail stated in a hushed tone.
"Princess Luna, we have recovered the two who fell from the sky." The mare who had led them here announced in a booming voice before bowing before a dark blue pony with wings and a horn.
Luna looked down at these bipedal creatures who didn't bow before her, but stood tall peering directly at her. One was a dull red and bone color, while the other was in a dark green armor scheme.
"State your business in my country aliens." Luna said calmly.
Mekrail, though he respected Luna, would never bow before her for that would suggest that he recognized she was superior to him. Instead, he stared at her, his eyes devoid of emotion as well as his expression as he spoke up in an icy tone he reserved for such occasions. "Princess Luna, though we wish that we could giveth thee our purpose for being within thy domain and realm, however we art just as confused as thee art." Pausing as though considering his next words carefully, Mekrail continued after several moments of silence. "We beith no harm to thee or thy subjects Princess Luna, though we assuredly do understand thy distrust of us, as thee likely has not seen our kind before."
Mekrail calmly waited for Luna's response, without making any movement he at the same time was ready to draw his sword and defend himself should it be necessary.
Luna stood and the guards closed the doors with a loud clank, Nitronus looked towards the doors before turning his attention once more on the princess as she walked over to them.
"I will not be lied to!" Luna yelled, her voice echoed in the massive room.
Mekrail seemed as though he was about to draw his sword, so Nitronus stepped between them with his bionic arm in front of the Captain.
"Fair Princess, Brother Mekrail speaks the truth. One minute we are locked in combat with hoards of Tyrinids and a faction of Heretic backed by Daemons." Nitronus said as he walked to the wall and set his storm shield against it.
"I find that highly irregular." Luna's voice sounded as sharp as Nitronus's own sword.
Removing his helm and putting himself on her level by taking a knee before her, but not daring to bow his head. "If we had come to cause you harm Princess Luna, you and all you know would be dead." Nitronus calmly stated.
Luna taking this answer into account after getting a closer look at the two battle tested Space Marines decided to believe them. Nitronus stood and looked to Mekrail who wasn't expecting this of him merely place his Corvus helm back on and retrieved his Storm Shield.
"I wish to speak with the two of thee in private." Luna said, no longer reverberating off the walls as she quietly dismissed her guard and retreated into another room that was hidden from sight.
Mekrail and Nitronus looked to one another before setting off to join the alicorn in her secret room.
Dashing kept running, knowing that his long years of pushing himself both in flight skills and running would have him reach his friends whom he'd just witnessed emerge from the warp. His eye was alight with happiness at being reunited with any of them drawing him out of his shadowy memories hold and his conversation with Tempest forgotten temporarily as he raced toward the town that had started it all so long ago. Without even being out of breath, he was already at its outskirts and quickly entered the town. He slowed to a slower trot, knowing that he didn't want to raise any attention as he moved through the winding streets. He smiled and greeted everypony who passed him, getting similar greetings in return but also hearing some odd comments about the fact that one of the 'missing' Royal Guard was here. Eventually, Dashing came upon Trayclian and Maximus, whom he grinned at and ran at full gallop to join before greeting them in a hearty tone.
"Trayclian my friend!" He called out, catching the Librarian's eyes off Twilight and now focusing on him. Trayclian nodded and returned his smile before extending out a hand and pointing to him past Twilight and the others.
"This Princess Twilight, is my old friend Dashing." He said as Dashing held up a hoof to be taken in a warriors grip before nodding to him.
"I was so worried about all of you Trayclian, I didn't know what happened when we were sucked into the warp by that Sorcerer's attack." Dashing said, concern in his voice.
"As was I friend, but I'm glad you're okay and here with us." Trayclian said, dismissing his concern before motioning Dashing to Twilight.
With an instinct only found through many decades of service under the Princesses, Dashing bowed immediately in respect before rising and saluting smartly. "Captain Dashing Jackson Hardin of the Canterlot Guard retired, at your service Princess Twilight."
Maximus gave a nod to Dashing before turning around to the two pegasi with another one in silver armor galloping up behind them. Maximus tapped Dashing on the shoulder and then pointed at the dark grey pony who had given chase after him and come to an abrupt halt.
"Wait, Royal Guard?" Twilight said, a look of confusion on her face.
Dashing looked back to her and explained how he had gotten to Equestria as he had done for Tempest, that just left her more confused. While Dashing and Twilight spoke Maximus approached Tempest and gave a friendly salute, which Tempest gladly returned before looking the Holy Chaplain up and down before sitting on his haunches and whistling.
"Perhaps I should just go check into the nearest hospital and figure out what the hay is going on." Tempest muttered to himself only to turn around and walk clean into a large black pillar that had a golden two headed eagle detailed into the knee pad.
Maximus picked Tempest up and carried him over to where the others were.
"Oh hey Tempest, this is Trayclian and the guy holding you is Maximus." Scootaloo said flying up to his height.
"Welp, guess I'm not dreaming." Tempest said as he wiggled his way free of the massive beings grasp, just to find that Maximus had vanished into thin air.
Trayclian gave Tempest a knowing smile as he nodded faintly. "I've been in the exact position you're in right now Tempest. So I understand just how difficult this may be for you to accept as real." Knowing Maximus vanished for some reason or another back into the Warp, and both he and Twilight were confused about how and why they were all here Trayclian decided to clear everything up as he gestured for both of their attentions.
"Alright, now that I've got your attention, I'll explain to the best of my abilities what my friend Dashing is trying to tell you." Trayclian took a deep, preparatory breath before explaining. "The Warp, in its most simple essence is a soup of endless creation. It is constantly changing, a never-ending landscape of nothing and everything. It coexists with our universe as we know it, and as such of an overlap we of the material realm and venture into its depths as a sort of system of travel. We can also use it for special abilities, provided that one like myself and Maximus are attuned to the Warp can capable of controlling it. As such, we were brought here due to one such person, a Sorcerer of Chaos. He used all his psychic might and prowess with the Warp to force myself, Maximus, Dashing and many of my other friends and Battle-brethren through those 'tunnels' in the Warp. Why we ended up here is unknown exactly, however I for one am not the least bit worried that we did. For at least it's a place I'm very familiar with as well as much of my brethren and friends."
Trayclian finally ceased talking as he turned to see Maximus emerging from a warp portal with a chalkboard of sorts. Puzzled slightly by this, Trayclian raised an eyebrow before returning to normal as he watched what Maximus was writing about.
Dashing nodded as he was happy somepony was able to explain and understand how they had gotten here before looking to Tempest and saying. "So do you understand now General? At least how I and my friends arrived here?"
"Okay then, I believe you now. But why here?" Tempest asked, also looking at the diagrams that Maximus was drawing out on the chalkboard.
"On that we don't know General." Dashing said coming out of his conversation with Twilight who most likely had dozens of questions more than what Tempest had.
Maximus then tapped his chalkboard three times rather loudly to get everyone's attention. On the chalkboard were diagrams with mathematical explanations behind everything that Trayclian had explained, including an explanation of how Maximus opens the warp and walks through it like it was a normal everyday activity.
"Well then, perhaps you could teach me a few things Chaplain." Trayclian said as he memorized Maximus's method of 'warp walking' before Maximus erased everything and began writing again.
Telios had stared up into the twilight sky for a long time, his mind on many things all at once as he gazed into the stars and reminisced about the last time he'd done the same thing on his homeworld so long ago. He smiled faintly at the fond memory as it came and passed, followed by so many others which he had long thought forgotten. Eventually, his eyes came back down and he was brought back to reality as the pain that seemingly had vanished returned fully. He grimaced for a moment at the pain before focusing his attention to Elizabeth.
"Who were you Elizabeth?" He inquired. Seeing her look, he added. "I meant before you became a Sister of Battle. Who were you before you joined their ranks?"
Elizabeth looked to him and stroked the fire, her eyes unfocused and glazed over, she calmly finished stroking the fire and set the femur down next to her before pulling out her bolt pistol and inspecting the sigil upon its side.
"I was an officer Cadian Shock Troopers during the Twelfth Black Crusade." Elizabeth said in a passive tone while checking the load on her pistol.
Telios gave a faint nod as another memory emerged from her mention of the Twelfth Black Crusade. "I remember that Crusade well. Abaddon's forces were overwhelming the entire sector." Seeing her give him a confused look, he added. "I was there, my mission at the time from my master was to assassinate any of the leaders of the Warbands." Telios gave her a dark smile. "The notches on the barrel of my rifle tell of how many great Chaos leaders died in that Crusade by me." Pointing to his rifle, the marks were numbered in dozens.
Sighing, Telios returned his eyes to the sky above before he began. "I was once a Guardsman in the Calthian Regiment before the Horus Heresy happened." Ignoring her strange look, he continued. "I served as a marksman, was the best arguably in the whole Ultramar system. One day, an Assassin of the Vindicare Temple came to our world, looking for a new recruit. He found me when I was practicing my skills, and in those moments he chose me to be that one. After that, I trained for centuries to become the best and it was my skills that allowed many of Horus's commanders to be slain." Telios paused, as he once more remembering his civilian life. "I was also a proud husband and father, raised two sons who became great soldiers of their own." A single tear came to his eyes, as the last memories of his homeworld came into sharp focus. "But then, the Heresy happened. And my world was destroyed by the Word Bearers. Everything...my friends, brethren of the army...family." Telios shook himself as he knew that Elizabeth didn't need to hear or see him so depressed as he reached up and wiped the single tear away. Making a quick decision, he avoided talking about his time in Equestria and instead said. "I was eventually found by Lord Inquisitor Joshua when he was a young aspirant for the position of Inquisitor. He's the one who brought me eventually to Mekrail and the others and now I serve him as my new master."
With his tale finished, Telios laid back and closed his eyes as he felt the nightmares that were dredged up from the dark recesses of his memory of every bad thing that had happened to him.
Elizabeth did't realize that she had moved next to him and left her bolt pistol by the fire, her eyes locked with his as he shed a tear.
"I never had a chance to start a family, everyone I knew died during the Black Crusade." Elizabeth said, feeling the stub where her arm used to be.
Telios listened, just as Maximus and Reginald had, she had never told anyone else who was among the living of her past, as all her sisters are dead.
"Aside from the Black Crusade there isn't much left of me to tell, I joined the Adeptus Soritus, went on one deployment, all of my sisters were killed by heretics belonging to the Emperor's Children, Maximus saved me, and I joined the Blood Raptors alongside of him." she said leaning back on a tree with her legs laid down in front of her, her eyes in sorrowful remembrance.
Telios felt that he and Elizabeth had both went through the same things. Both had lost everything to Chaos, both had been saved by those they now called friends. However for Telios he had learned one thing that lived with him for the rest of his life.
"There is one thing I carry in my life to remind me to keep going, to stop myself from often times believing I'm alone in the universe and ending it all." Catching Elizabeth's eye, Telios gave her a serious look before he continued. "Joshua, Mekrail, Trayclian, Rekriel, Dashing, all of them. They are closer than friends to me now, they are my family. My new family. We've lived through good times and bad, weathered the storms of fire and trials of battle and held each other together through thick and thin. To them I have a devotion that defies my own desires to simply die, for I cannot leave them now when they need me most and when I need them." Seeing Elizabeth wasn't quite getting it, Telios decided to point it out. "Maximus, Reginald, Nitronus, all the Blood Raptors. They are your family now. All of them, they stand by you as you to them and together you can overcome any obstacle, weather any storm. Face any fear, defeat any enemy."
Telios sighed as he now remembered all the good times he'd had with his friends and brethren. "Chaos may have taken everything from me, but that was only in that my past and my old life. Now, I do not let the past rule my mind, let it dominate my thoughts and plague my actions by its negativity. Instead I remember it all, the good and bad, and use that to look to the future with blind hope and ambition. Ambition, to protect my family wherever the road takes us, and if it happens to be by the Emperor's will a new family member or more will join us in that journey."
Elizabeth looked away from him and at the fire which was now dying down, standing she looked back to Telios and smiled.
"Thank you for this talk, now get some rest, your back needs to heal." She said as she walked back to the fire and began tending it with the femur again.
Rekriel moved with speed and efficiency as his servo-saws sliced through thick tree trunks, his bionics determining what was the strongest and would last the longest as they scanned to the tree's very core. With ease, his servo-arms collected the trunks, carrying them behind him. When they could carry no more, he would pick them up by hand. The weight of the logs however, were nothing to him as he'd carried far heavier machinery all his life and his bionics gave him strength far superior to even his fellow space marine brethren. When he felt he had enough, he turned on his heel and began the leisurely trek back to Zecora's home. What he left behind was a clearing all around her house for several dozen feet, this would provide him all the space he needed to work and build what he'd promised as he laid all the logs down in a perfect, stacked order.
The first log he took, he grasped tightly with his servo-arms and had it held out in front of him as he did the calculations rapidly in his head. With a speed few of the Mechanicum could claim to match, he cut the log into three separate pieces first before hollowing them out with his servo-drills. Placing them down, he moved on to a large trunk that would serve as the base for his design. Slicing it quickly, he shaped it into a hollow rectangular prism before placing it on the ground. Next, he took several logs and carved them so they would enable the three-hundred-sixty degree rotation he desired. Working fast, he took the rest of the logs and incorporated them by making joint work to connect all the pieces. Lastly, he took the pieces he'd carved and hollowed and put them together, taking the scrap logs and working a miracle with their inner fibers that allowed him to make ductile wiring for the innards.
Each piece he put together, the four legs supporting the work, the prism body supporting the barrels, he made sure they were properly wired to work off of another project his idle servo-arms and tools had been working on behind him. Once the first of its kind was assembled, Rekriel cut inscriptions and sigils of the Imperium and the Adeptus Mechanicus into its frame before stepping back and blessing the machine with a prayer to the Omnissiah. What stood assembled before him, was a fully functional tarantula gun turret. Now, it only waited to be powered as he'd managed to also make the ammunition for it out of yet more of the strange wood that Everfree forest was plentiful with.
Turning to his back, he kneeled down and took from his backpack a single reserve power cell. This cell, while only capable of powering his armor's functions for a year or two at most, would power these turrets for decades without pause as he inserted it into the armored form of the generator's power slot. Watching the generator come to life, hearing its soft hum as wires that spread to the turret he constructed began to power it as well. The turret responded by activating, its gun barrels rotating with a well-oiled ease on its frame a sit began to do its duty and scan for threats that Rekriel had programmed it to respond to.
Within hours, several more turrets were built around the perimeter and performing the same job of protecting Zecora's home as Rekriel's servo-flamer burned the remaining refuse of his work to bits before returning to her hut.
"Your work is fast, there is no denial, but I wonder does it work or is it idle?" Zecora said as he entered. She'd been watching him work on the machines, a natural curiosity as to what their function was.
"The tarantula gun turrets will work I assure you Zecora, my craft has never failed me in my long years of service to the Omnissiah."
Rekriel nodded faintly to Zecora as he turned on his heel and moved to the door. "I bid you farewell for now Zecora friend, but I must go to seek out my brethren."
Zecora smiled faintly as she waved him goodbye. "May your travels be fair as your craft is out there Rekriel friend."
As he shut the door behind him, Rekriel immediately set out into the treeline, his greaves sloshing in water about knee high as he entered the swampy part of Everfree forest.
Reginald had taken point silently, Joshua didn't complain as the wind began to tear at his skin, having a Terminator walk ahead of him and block most of the wind and snow was preferable to having his face torn up. But Joshua's thoughts were on the two pegasi, and the planet it suggested that they had been transported to. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he walked into the back of Reginald when he stopped, it didn't help that the former Grey Knight's armor was as white as their surroundings.
"What is the matter Chapter Master?" Joshua said as he came up to Reginald's side.
"Something is off." Reginald said as he slowly turned his head from left to right before stopping on a faint light to his right.
Joshua followed his gaze, "Shall we investigate?"
"Let us go." Reginald said as he began to walk again.
Joshua followed the Terminator Marine but instantly stopped when Reginald vanished. The snow had picked up and Joshua had placed one of his hands before his face as he walked forward. Yet upon his second step he found himself falling down a long twisting tunnel when he flew out of a shaft into a cobblestone catacomb filled with partially frozen water that was waist deep.
"Inquisitor are you all right?" Reginald said walking through the water with ease as it only came up to his knees.
"I am fine." Joshua replied taking another look around.
"We must get out of this before our armor freezes to our bodies." Reginald said as he pointed his lance, "This way."
Joshua followed, but a question had been eating at him. How did a Grey Knight Terminator Captain end up becoming the Chapter Master of a lost Chapter? Joshua looked again at Reginald who was weakening the ice with his Power Lance because he had gotten stuck, looking down Joshua realized that he too had been encased in the ice, following Reginald's example he drew his power knife and melted the ice.
"Tell me, how did you find yourself with the Blood Raptors Reginald, it has been pestering my mind since we met." Joshua said as they began moving again.
"I was part of a kill team sent to a remote planet to eliminate Chaos." Reginald said stopping a moment to stab the ice ahead of him before moving on. "At first there were no problems, but upon a week into our campaign a Daemon Prince arrived with a legion of Greater Daemons belonging to Khorne, I was the last one of my brothers left when the Blood Raptors Champion alongside a Sister of Battle, a Reclusiarch, and that Holy Chaplain came down alone and helped me kill the heretic." He turned around and removed his helmet, his breath frosting in the icy air, "Since then I have determined that they are a worthy chapter, and if they are to ever be considered loyal to the Emperor they will need someone of a high stature to champion them." Reginald finished before stepping out of the ice and onto powdered snow.
"Highly interesting Chapter Master." Joshua said as Reginald picked him up out of the ice.
"They are my brothers, I have known none better." Reginald stated before turning around and placing his helm back upon his head.
"I understand." the Inquisitor stated before suppressing a gasp of horror at the sight before him.
All around them were frozen dead bodies of Royal Guard ponies and Crystal ponies who looked as though they were not just killed but torn apart or tortured.
"What happened here?" Joshua said a grim expression across his face.
"They happened." Reginald said pointing to a massive army of Khorne daemons and the Chaos Warband known as the Knights of Blood.
Author's Note
DeathAngelWolf-
Hello once again audience, this is authors Tempest Knight and DeathAngelWolf here with the next chapter in our story. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed the first chapters of our little collaboration and that you'll continue to read and enjoy this story until its completion and even afterwards. Remember that your feedback is appreciated so please comment about it with your thoughts to help us do better.
Tempest Knight-
Hey all, second installment complete, feel free to let us know what you think, and remember that we are just getting started.
Stay Brony everypony!
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 3
Following Luna without question, Mekrail paused after they were in the room she'd led them to. Making sure Nitronus was inside, he gingerly shut the large doors before returning his attention to the room around him. The entirety of the room was dark as the night, yet a peaceful vibe echoed from its furnishings and walls. Mekrail knew immediately that this was the princess's private chambers.
"So what dost thee wish to speak of us in private of?" He asked.
Luna didn't answer, instead she moved gracefully and silently across the room to a large round table that bore many items. This piqued Mekrail's curiosity, as he noticed from a distance that there were many photos that he couldn't quite distinguish just yet. That wasn't all, he also saw that there was a chain-axe, its blood dried against the ripping teeth.
Mekrail's expression soured at the sight of this weapon, for in that instant he felt age old wounds come back both physical and mental that resulted from this weapon. Moving to the table, he paused as he took in the photos.
"So, dost thee recognize any of this?" Luna questioned, seeing Mekrail tense at the question and his expression one of cold rage and grief.
Stepping aside slightly, Mekrail powered down the chain-axe before strapping it at his side. Passing a photo to Nitronus, it showed a massive armored form leading a great band of similar armored forms and Daemons. "Recognize those traitorous filth brother Nitronus?" He asked, although already knowing the answer.
"The Knights of Blood Chaos Space Marine Warband, heretics that hail from our brothers in the Blood Angels Captain, I am more than familiar with them." Nitronus replied turning his head to look at the other items on the shelf.
He moved closer to it and past Mekrial before picking up a book that was bound in skin, with an odd eight pointed star.
"Beg your pardon Princess, but how did ye acquire such an heretical object as this?" he asked showing the large book to Luna.
"My sister Celestia procured it from an underground vault beneath the Crystal Castle, ever since then she has been rather distant towards us, and now she is missing." Luna said with a hateful glare at the skin bound book.
"This, dearest princess, is a tome of Khorne." Nitronus said as he opened it. "Have you seen what lies within it?" he added as Mekrail gave him a look of confusion.
"We know not of what it contains, only that it seems to radiate power." Luna said taking note of Mekrail as he put the chain axe down and observed other photos on the shelf with a look of absolute hatred.
"Excellent, it is best that thou doesn't." Nitronus said as he tore it in half and it burst into flames.
Mekrail eyed the ashes of the tome that now laid on the floor. Despite the destruction, he still swore he could feel the Chaos around him radiating from. But that was impossible he thought. Unless it were to be....No. No it couldn't possibly be that coming again. Mekrail took a step away from the others, his mind clouding for a moment as another world, one of vengeance, darkness, and death blinded him from them. His body visibly shook, the vile scent of Chaos embracing and wrapping around him as it had done so many years ago in the depths of Tartarus. Without thinking, knowing it was the only way to hang on, Mekrail drew his power-sword and stabbed it directly into his gut. The pain, as it always had, helped him to focus enough to break free of the shadowy depths that had tried to take him once more. With his blood fresh and staining the floor, trickling down his armor and turning it crimson, he withdrew the sword before sheathing it once again.
His eyes weakly looked to Luna, seeing her reaction before he saw Nitronus with a look that suggested he had some explaining to do privately right then. Nodding faintly, Mekrail gingerly held his wound as it continued to leak blood as he took slow, pained steps away from Luna. His body showing just how drained the experience was for him as he gestured for Nitronus to come and ask what he wished.
Maximus finished writing down a step by step procedure to open the warp and looked at Trayclian who had been reading over his shoulder as he wrote. Discerning when enough time had past for his brother to memorize what he had written before opening the warp and kicking the chalkboard inside allowing it to close instantly.
"Perhaps I should try and open the warp myself." Trayclian said as he turned around to see a pink blur jump up into his face.
"Welcome to Ponyville Mr, ummmmmmmmmmmmm, just who and what are you now?" the pink mare asked Trayclian who picked her up by her mane and put her on the ground near Maximus who placed his right hand behind himself and gripped his power sword.
"Pinky Pie!" Scootaloo yelled, she had been knocked into a puddle of mud by the pink pony. "Now I've gotta clean my wings again, you know they don't work when dirty." she added before walking off with Derpy in tow.
"Sorry Scoots." Pinky said before turning to Twilight who was now standing with Tempest and Dashing.
Trayclian, unlike his brother Mekrail who would have growled and likely berated Pinkie for what she did, remained completely calm and at ease as he simply snapped his fingers. A warp aura, nearly undetectable shot forth, off in pursuit to where Scootaloo and Derpy had gone. After judging the appropriate amount of moments, Trayclian brought the aura back and found that it encased within a large amount of mud and dirt which he quickly placed down on the ground before releasing the aura. Knowing he didn't desire thanks or anything for doing what he'd done for Scootaloo, Trayclian turned his attention to Pinkie but his eyes caught on Maximus first. His eyes gave away his worries yet his expression remained friendly and at ease as he spoke up.
"Thank you for the welcome Pinkamena Diane Pie, we both appreciate it greatly." He said, smiling though inwardly worrying as he felt something amiss with the party pony. "My name is Librarian Trayclian, and my companion here is Holy Chaplain Maximus. We are humans, more specifically space marines young Pinkamena."
Dashing was looking Pinkie up and down with a hint of confusion showing in his expression. Even though he'd never much interacted with Pinkie, he could tell something was off about her. For now, he decided, he'd let it go and simply try to be friends with her once again as he gave her a soft smile. "Hi Pinkie, good to see you again."
Tempest looked at Twilight and gave a concerned eye to her before pointing at Maximus who still had his hand on his the handle of his blade.
"Don't worry Maximus, Pinky does stuff like this often." Twilight said with a smile before turning back to Tempest who had loaded his guns just in case. "No need of that General Knight." She said towards him to get him at ease.
"Just a precaution Ma'am, I'd much rather not shoot somebody but in the defense of a citizen or comrade I will." Tempest said before Pinky moved next to him at lightning speed.
"You don't need to do that silly!" She said before turning back to Maximus.
Trayclian put his hand on the shoulder of the Holy Chaplain who seemed on edge, as if ready to cut this pony in half even though he openly greeted the others without any animosity. Maximus released his blade and looked at the librarian before walking away from the group and further into town towards where Scootaloo and Derpy had gone.
Telios laid in peaceful sleep, his mind at ease in knowing that Elizabeth was watching over him while he recovered from his spinal injuries. He had no dreams or nightmares to speak of, which he thanked the Emperor for that he was able to rest without waking up ten times an hour screaming from the horrors of reliving the past.
But yet, fate was not to be that he would be able to rest, as his ears detected the slightest, faintest sound of movement to his left. Knowing it didn't sound like Elizabeth, for he'd already recognized and mentally recorded how she sounded when she moved as he did with everyone. Yet this sounded like the sloshing of water, lots of it. His eyes opened, and though he couldn't move much he craned his neck and eyed where the noise was coming from. He knew Elizabeth heard it as well, as she was tightly gripping her bolt pistol in preparation for whatever was coming this time.
Telios' eyes widened as he watched a massive, hulking form emerge from the swampy marsh and thick treeline. It was swathed in moss, leaves and mud. Large, jutting limbs emerging out of its back and glowing red eyes glared at them. As its gaze turned between them, it seemed to be fixed on Elizabeth as she raised her bolt pistol and prepared to fire.
"Wait a second....Rekriel?" Telios wheezed painfully.
"Yes." Rekriel spat, wiping away the mud and moss from his helmet and shoulders before shaking the rest off. His bionics did their own, separate shake and suddenly the Techmarine was fully visible as the red lenses zoomed in on Elizabeth as though glaring accusingly at her. "Good thing I wear a helmet." He muttered before noticing that she was missing an arm and also seeing Telios' wounded state. "Alright...What did you two lovebirds do to each other while Uncle Rekriel was away?" He asked, no particular joking tone or malice in his voice, just the usual static tone.
Elizabeth shot him a death glare and went back to tending the fire with her now burnt femur bone as Rekriel walked over to Telios and looked him over. Thoughts of slaying the space marine for suggesting such things between her and Telios angered her greatly, but killing him would bring her nothing, for he was just joking. She had lost herself in her thoughts and hadn't realized that the femur bone was now on fire.
"Battle Sister, your femur bone is on fire." Rekriel said moving over to her.
"So it is." Elizabeth said before sticking it into the ground and suffocating the flames.
"Something troubles you?" Rekriel asked her as he knelt down to her level.
"Its nothing, just the past Tech Marine." she says as she stands up and walks to the edge of the light.
Rekriel knew that it was much more than she would likely ever wish to let on about. Though he perhaps had went a tad far with what he'd said, he hadn't exactly been connected with human emotion in many, many centuries. As such, he generally said things without taking consideration of others. However, his eyes drifting over to Telios he saw that his ancient Assassin friend was blushing faintly in the firelight and smiling at the same time.
Deciding in that moment it would do no good to have a rift between himself and Elizabeth, as he'd already become disconnected with so many others, Rekriel rose from the fire. His eyes drifted down to his bionic hand, which just happened to be matching the stub where she'd clearly lost her own arm. With only a hiss of steam and a few small sparks, the bionic arm disconnected from his own stub and he held it gingerly in his other bionic hand.
Moving over to her, he spoke up in his usual tone. "Battle Sister...I offer unto you sincerest apologies for what I have said that has offended you." When she turned, he held out his bionic arm for her to take. "I did not mean to offend you...Rather after so many centuries of being among the Adeptus Mechanicus one learns to be very literal in what they say. I truly felt what I said....and for that I am sorry. Please, accept this....A limb to replace that which you lost to this place." Leaning down, he quickly removed the bandages covering her wound before taking the bionic arm and clamping it into the proper place over her stub. Hooking several wires that would give her nerves and feeling within the arm, he immediately turned on his heel and marched off. Without speaking further, he settled down in the edge of darkness, the firelight barely licking up his back. His lenses were set to watching the moon through the tree canopy above.
Elizabeth looked at the arm and moved it about to see how its range of motion fared, then drawing her swords tested its synchronization with her original arm. After testing its capabilities for a few minutes and feeling quite satisfied she looked at the tech marine who had given it, his own arm, to her, a woman who had given him the cold shoulder.
"Thank you Astartes, may I know your name? Mine is Elizabeth" she asked coming to his left side to peer up at this planets moon.
"It is Rekriel, Battle Sister Elizabeth." He said not taking his gaze off of the moon.
Joshua cursed silently to himself as he gazed out at the massive assembly of Chaos soldiers. The warband of the traitorous Chaos Marines were bad enough, but the Daemons along with them just made matters worse. He knew that the Daemons could smell out those not covered with the taint of Chaos, so going out there and trying to sneak around them was not a good idea. Joshua racked his brain for a long while trying to come up with an answer to their predicament when suddenly he caught just out of the corner of his eye someone moving about. The reason he could see it was because of the glowing green lenses of his helmet as he entered what appeared to be a cavern of sorts just a few hundred paces away. There was what also appeared to be a fire as well, for flickers of light emerged from this cavern.
Deciding that this cave, if anything was a good respite from their problems, Joshua turned to Reginald before speaking. "Chapter Master, I wish of you to follow me. We must remain undetected for now, and we need to get out of the cold. I saw a cave with what seemed like only a single marine within. We can ambush him, kill him quickly and take the warmth of his fire for ourselves while being out of harms way of the Chaos army."
Reginald pondered the idea for a few moments, considering it carefully before he nodded faintly. "Very well Lord Inquisitor, for now stealth is the better idea than fighting and dying foolishly."
Joshua smiled faintly despite the painful cold that whipped across his face." Then follow me, we've got a cave to reach."
Setting off into the snow at a brisk pace, Joshua and Reginald made great time to the cave. Within minutes, they'd covered the distance without a single alarm raised by the army and were standing in the entrance way to the cavern when Joshua halted. He watched rather intently as he saw a Marine dressed completely different than the others kneeling next to what appeared to be one of the dead Royal Guards. Only, she wasn't dead, and he wasn't killing her. This confused Joshua as he continued to watch, seeing how gently the Marine treated the Guard and helped tend to her wounds. He even fed her before gently patting her head and whispering for her to close her eyes and rest.
This shocked Joshua greatly, as he'd not made a sound nor had Reginald yet this Marine raised a hand to the entrance to show he was harmless. "I'm not like them, if that's what you're thinking. Otherwise, young Quicksilver here wouldn't still be alive."
Quicksilver's eyes were still fearful, but she nodded out of trust to the Marine before looking to Joshua and Reginald again. "W...Who are you two?" She asked in a hoarse voice.
"I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors, a former Grey Knight. And this is the Lord Inquisitor Joshua of the Ordo Xeno." The terminator said before Joshua could open his mouth.
Quicksilver slowly looked the two very different Space Marines over before closing her eyes a returning to her restful state.
"She is the sole survivor of the battle that took place here my lords." The Blood Raven said as he stroked her purple mane.
"What happened here?" Joshua asked the sergeant, after examining his armor and seeing his golden emperors sigil upon his right pauldron.
"These ponies came to evacuate their civilians before the forces of Chaos arrived, unfortunately they were too late and were obliterated by the Knights of Blood that you saw outside, I have only just been able to keep poor Quicksilver alive." The battle scarred marine reported.
"You have done well, together we may stand a chance at purging the heretics and daemons alike, may we know your name Brother?"
"It is Karolus Chapter Master." The sergeant said, looking at the pony next to him who was now whimpering quietly in her sleep.
"Well Sergeant Karlous, is there anything we can do to help you and your friend Quicksilver?" Joshua asked, looking concernedly at Quicksilver as she clearly was still suffering with nightmares from the battle.
Karlous looked up from Quicksilver, his hand still gently running through her mane to calm her while she slept as he whispered. "There is one thing...I wish to get both myself and her out of this frostbitten waste."
"How are we to go about doing this Sergeant?" Reginald questioned.
"We must reach my old Thunderhawk that I arrived in. It is freshly fueled and prepared to fly, however I cannot simply evacuate the area alone, let alone with my..........friend. The few Daemons and Chaos Marines that are around the landing area would prevent me...but with you two....we might yet stand a chance of killing them and getting out of here." Karlous explained, however it was noticeable of his stumble with words about Quicksilver and Joshua detected an emotional change in his mind yet he said nothing.
Joshua considered all of Karlous's idea, but before he would say anything he looked to Reginald for any input or thoughts on the plan.
"It is a sound strategy, though perhaps you should three should go, I'll will create a diversion to grant you an escape." Reginald said before turning around and walking just out of the fires light.
"Very well Reginald, very well." Joshua said, deciding not to argue with the age old Terminator and allow him to do what he sees fit.
"We shall depart as soon as she awake." Karolus states, still stroking the mare's mane.
"Of course." Joshua said still watching Reginald who was now silhouetted by the fire standing guard over them.
Nitronus pulled Mekrail off to the corner of the room and unsheathed his force sword, pointing it at the Dark Angels chin in a close embrace. Luna was watching intently from the other side of the room, worried that the two massive men would begin ripping each other apart., but decided that it would be best not to get between them.
"What was that all about Mekrail?" Nitronus growled as he edged his sword up a little, cause Mekrail to put his chin up ever so slightly.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself over Champion." the Dark Angel stated, trying to push the sword down without any results.
"I destroy a tainted relic and you stab yourself, something is up, and brothers don't keep secrets, that is how we ended up with the Horus Heresy, Captain." Nitronus quietly growled, leaning his head closer to Mekrail, so that Luna wouldn't hear him.
Mekrail's expression grew dark as he eyed Nitronus. He knew Nitronus wouldn't dare actually kill him, lest he invoke the wrath of his brethren that likely had landed here as well. However, Mekrail knew he should explain, he owed the Champion some answers and this was something he'd not shared with anyone except those of his Company who'd lived through it with him. Sighing, Mekrail brought his gauntlet up to Nitronus and gripped his arm tight as a vise as his eyes changed in color. They were blood red pupils with black surrounding. Horror, pain, and a lust for vengeance lurked there, dangerous, deadly, unquenchable as Mekrail's entire body also began to change. His hair becoming bloodied and matted, his face scarred and burned near beyond recognition. His holy armor ripped apart, melted in many places and scorched black in all others. His insignia remained the same, shining brightly out of the sea of despair that radiated from Mekrail now as he continued to watch Nitronus closely.
"My past is a long one, filled with pain, misery and death Champion." He whispered. "This...This is what I do battle against every day, what I fight against to keep my sanity. Chaos called out to me when you destroyed it...called out to my memories and beg me to relinquish control.....but the pain helps me focus. That's why I impaled myself." Mekrail paused, as if considering what to tell Nitronus. "This world...this place....it's what gave me this foul form that even now is trying to compel me to murder you both. This place...it saw me watch as so many good brothers fell to protect it from Chaos. It forced me to nearly make the same sacrifice, and after it was all over and done they cast me out, declared me a traitor and my entire Company as well. They forced us into the depths of Tartarus itself and let us burn as we fought off the madness of Chaos from all sides." A few tears, made of solid blood streamed down Mekrail's cheek. "They killed so many innocents when we had come back...slew all of our brethren entrusted with our old city we'd built with out own hands. Since then....Chaos has always been inside me...always calling out to me to take my vengeance...I fight it...still am now...but you destroying that tome only made it so much harder to rein in and control for now it wakes and dwells once again."
As if proving his point, Mekrail's body tenses, a wild look in his eyes as two minds fought a desperate battle for control before Mekrail sagged as though tired already. His chin rested on the tip of the blade, his eyes still Chaotic but exhausted and in control. "I'm just so tired...want to sleep Nitronus....let it all go." He said.
"Fix yourself brother, you haven't fallen yet." Nitronus said putting his sword away before knocking Mekrail to the side and walking back over to Luna.
Mekrail grunted as Nitronus shoved past him before joining his ally who had moved toward the door only to stop cold when Nitronus put a hand on his bolt pistol as a warning for him to come no closer until he has returned to normal. Luna looked Mekrail up and down seeing his scorched armor and bloodied hair before she looked to Nitronus whose body language indicated a great amount of rage.
"Beith something amist?" Luna asked looking to Nitronus.
"Nothing princess." Nitronus managed to growl without turning his head from the battle torn Dark Angel.
Mekrail's expression, while there was some anger it was more sad as he shook his head. "You may as well not lie Champion, I can feel your hatred towards me now. Now, now that you know the truth I know you will never trust me again." Mekrail trailed off as he imagined so many others who'd turned the same way, mainly his entire company and brothers that had suffered with him. "We fell once, all of us in my company Nitronus. I at least have the integrity to admit my failure to the Emperor and every day I have prayed for his forgiveness. We all looked like this, all driven by an innate desire for vengeance, bolstered by dark powers." Seeing he had caught Nitronus' attention, yet that his look was still deeply angered Mekrail continued. "But you must first understand....We do not suffer from Chaos affliction...not the Chaos you or I know. More so it was like an insanity, fused to our very minds and souls forever. A split of our minds, two personalities in one body." Mekrail paused, as he carefully considered his next words. "We all have darkness within us Nitronus...you and me, even the Emperor himself. We all bear a dark part of ourselves that can emerge under certain conditions. I am not Chaos, never was possessed by their power or Daemons, but rather my own darkness that lives within me."
Not giving time for Nitronus to answer but rather leaving him to ponder on his words, Mekrail moved past him and returned to the throne room. His body now as he stood in the room very dispirited and slouched as he gazed about. His eyes remaining saddened; the fact that his brother could not trust him or offer to help him return to normal and banish the darkness in his soul back to the depths.
Nitronus watched him leave and walk into the throne room before he himself removed his helm, a look of anger upon his face. Taking a deep breath he composed himself before turning once again to the Princess.
"What do you require of us Princess Luna?" He said, pausing for just a moment on the word 'us' before continuing.
"My sister Celestia had been studying that book, now she is missing." Luna said before bringing out a map for the Champion to see. "I know where she is, she is alongside King Sombra in the Crystal Empire, and I would like you to help me get her back." Luna said with a frown as she looked him over.
"Consider it done, I only have one request." Nitronus said before putting his helm back on. "I need to find my brothers and sister, I suspect that they are upon this world as are we, but I am unsure."
"Very well, my soldiers will keep their eyes open for them." she said before they both left the room.
"Perhaps the Chaplain can set this marine straight." Nitronus muttered to himself as they left the room to rejoin his Dark Angel brother.
Maximus had been walking down the streets of Ponyville in search of the two ponies he had seen earlier, Scootaloo and Derpy for some time now, only stopping when he heard a bloodcurdling scream coming from a side street. Rushing over he saw Derpy with a pool of blood surrounding her and Scootaloo in a defensive stance over her. Two Royal Guard Unicorns stood facing her, one of them had a bloody spear.
"I don't know where you two came from but no pony hurts my friend!" Scootaloo yells spreading her wings out to cut them down.
"This doesn't concern you, just here to eliminate a threat." They said in a monotone voice in synchronous.
They turned to walk through a warp gate and were greeted by a large black fist in the face of the guard who stabbed Derpy as another gripped onto the guard next to him causing him to drop his spear.
"Holy Celestia." The guard yelped as he was brought to the face of his partners killer.
The Holy Chaplain threw the unicorn into a wall before drawing one of his bolters and aiming it towards the murderer.
"No please, I was told that..." The guard never finished as a short burst of bolter fire silenced him forever leaving Scootaloo with a dying pony and a rather pissed off Chaplain.
"Derpy...." Scootaloo whispered in the ear of her friend who had been talking about her beloved muffins not too long ago with a mention of a delivery she made to Princess Luna.
Maximus approached the two, his bolter now holstered as he knelt next to the wounded pegasus. Scootaloo looked at him in fear as she backed up, but he paid her no mind as he placed his hand upon her friend, moments later to remove it and for her to be asleep but whole.
"How did you?" Scoots started but remembered that this was the guy who never spoke.
Maximus merely picked Derpy up before walking up to Scootaloo with one hand pointed towards a forge at the edge of town, a place that he deemed safe.
Dashing walked leisurely alongside his friend Trayclian as he followed behind Tempest, Pinkie and Twilight. Pinkie was still being bubbly and bouncing around the group, asking questions that Trayclian never seemed to get annoyed at and answered rather politely and calmly. Yet even still, though Pinkie was being her usual self Dashing felt something off about her that continued to nag at him as she passed by him again. Yet again he chose to ignore it as a flurry of questions towards him were coming from Twilight.
"How did you and your friend get here exactly? Where have you been? Do you happen to know where Celestia has gone off to?"
Dashing first grew confused as he clearly recalled the fact that he and Trayclian had thoroughly explained they were not of here at all and had merely been dumped on this Equestria. Despite this, Dashing did his best to answer her questions. "First of all Princess Twilight, I arrived here from the Warp with my friends Trayclian and others. Although they seem to have been split off from us before we arrived so they could be anywhere here now. Secondly, I haven't been anywhere near this planet in a decade. I've been with my friends in a place many galaxies away, fighting an evil this realm could never hope to stand up against. And lastly, I haven't a clue where your Princess Celestia is, though I know where mine is. She's still back home, attending to her new duties under a new leader that I believe in." Dashing smiled as he remembered the fond memory of seeing his father for the last time ruling over all Equestria with the Princesses seconded to him.
He did notice Twilight's expression, and saw even Tempest was confused at his answers as he continued to smile. This game, until they finally figured it out fully as to what he meant would be fun to play. Although sometimes it would hurt, like when he would likely run into his mother or those that he'd married and a had a family with.
Tempest looked at Dashing and let that last bit sink in as they walked into the castle, he still couldn't understand the Warp entirely but decided not to question it any further. But someone ruling over the Princesses in his eyes was insane, at least from his standing, for Tempest fully understood wanting knock old sun butt off her high throne. Deciding not to dwell on the topic for long he asked one final question to Dashing.
"What do you plan on doing upon our Eqis, seeing as though it isn't the one you left behind?" he asked, immediately moving to a dark corner of the Friendship Hall as he always did when he was in meetings with others.
"I don't exactly know yet General Tempest, although I can guess that my experience as a soldier could be useful to this war you are waging." Dashing replied rather nonchalantly as he stood in the shadow of a massive column supporting the structure. In the darkness, even through the thick patch that covered where his right eye used to be one could see a dull red glow underneath that seemed to be observing all that he did.
Telios had been watching Rekriel quietly for some time as he looked up into the light of the moon. It seemed as though he would never move, so fixated upon this one thing with such intensity that Telios wished he could rise and see what his comrade was eyeing. But the pain would be too great, he knew for he'd suffered injuries like this and far worse, and every time he had it had taken him months before he could walk again. Yet something caught Telios' eye as he much more closely inspected Rekriel, something that obviously hadn't been like this before they'd all been transported. There were spots where deep rents had been through his armor, spots where life-threatening injuries should be but weren't.
"Brother Rekriel, how did you recover from you injuries so quickly? Some remedy of the Mechanicus or a blessing of the Omnissiah?" He asked.
Rekriel didn't answer for a long time, his eyes still watching the moon to the point Telios grew worried he'd passed out or perished. When he did turn, Telios mentally sighed in relief as he felt the weight of the Techmarine's gaze. "Neither brother Telios. The Mechanicus never taught me techniques to heal the injuries I sustained, nor would the Omnissiah bless anyone, let alone me with anything more than the grace of serving him.
Now Telios was confused. "Then how Rekriel? How could you heal without access to any modern Imperial medicine or Apothecaries?"
"I remember her well brother, she was at a few times my only hope for survival after battles that left me grievously injured." Telios said, smiling faintly.
"Would you like me to take you to her Telios? It isn't a long walk, and we could all rest up at her hut since I took the liberty of gifting her some of the Mechanicus's finest defenses as payment." Rekriel asked as he turned to see what Elizabeth thought.
"Yes, that would be great brother." Telios said, shifting painfully to look around Rekriel as he wanted to see the Battle Sister's response.
"So? What do you think Battle Sister Elizabeth?" Rekriel asked. "We obviously can't remain here, lest we wish to stay for several months to wait for his injuries to mend naturally."
"Zebra?" Elizabeth muttered before crossing her arms. "You want to get help from a xenos that resembles a zebra?" she said distastefully.
"Zecora is a healer and has helped us before, helped Rekriel not too long ago, she can be trusted." Telios said moaning in pain from trying to turn towards her.
"Very well, but if this 'Zecora' turns on us, I will not hesitate to kill 'her.'" Elizabeth said with reluctance as she moved over to her collection of pelts that she had turned into a cloak and put it on. "Let us waste no time brothers." she stated before walking into the swamp, one chain sword drawn.
Rekriel picked Telios up cautiously before following her, making certain no further harm would befall his brother.
Joshua and Kalorus had remained mostly silent while the mare slept, thus leaving Reginald to his own thoughts for which the old terminator was grateful. As he stood there with his lance freestanding to his right, he thought back to the battle that changed his life forever.
"Captain, we cannot hold this position, the daemons will overrun us for certain!" his lieutenant said as he grabbed a blood letter and tore it in half with his hands before drawing his power sword and cutting two more down.
"Please, they are only lesser daemons Sebastian." Reginald stated as he walked through a horde slicing them to pieces with his lance.
"But..." Sebastian never finished his sentence as he was ripped in half by a Daemon Prince of Khorne.
"Sebastion!" Reginald yelled as he was knocked back, the blood of his closest friend covering the front half of his body.
"Blood for the Blood God!" the Daemon Prince proclaimed before turning and walking through the warp as the Knights of Blood War Band charged out screaming for blood.
"If you want blood so badly, we will give you plenty!" Reginald yelled as he got up with the help of his Sergeant, Johnathan.
"Captain!" a booming voice bellowed from behind. "Get out of here, we will hold the line." his teams Dreadknight spoke calmly as his plasma cannon burned the chaos marines to cinders.
"And abandon my brothers, never!" Reginald cried as he gunned down eight raptors at once with his assault cannon.
"Do not argue with David Captain, he knows what must be done, and you are the only..." Johnathan was silenced before he could finish his sentence when his head was smashed in by a Berserker's maul.
"Go Captain, I have the line!" the tone of urgency in his last Knight's voice forced him to retreat to their Thunderhawk to escape, only when he turned to see if David had followed did he see the his final brother die from a Las-cannon shot.
Reginald had been lost in his thoughts, he had just suggested doing the same thing, forcing his brothers away to escape the hellpit while he sacrificed himself for them, just like his brothers had.
"Reginald, the guard is awake and filled in, we are ready to go." Joshua said from behind the chapter master.
"Then let none stand in our way." he stated calmly as he gripped his lance and marched forward.
With the support of Karlous, Quicksilver got to her hooves from the soft furs of the ice wolves that he'd slain to keep her warm. "Thank you again Karlous, I don't know where I'd be without you." She said, smiling faintly at him as he gathered up some of the pelts and draped them over to her to keep the bone-chilling cold out.
"You need not thank me my...friend. It's been too long since I've been able to use my strength and skills to help others." He replied as he took up at her side, watching her closely to see if she could walk unassisted yet.
After a few tentative, short steps she nodded to him before beginning to move to the cave entrance. That, was when her legs gave out, yet before she could hit the floor Karlous had moved and stopped her just inches from the cold icy ground. Holding her gently, he brought her back up before shaking his head. "You're just not strong enough yet Quicksilver. Let me help you."
Quicksilver would have told him no, but she could sense that he wouldn't take that as answer as she sighed in fake annoyance before smiling. Within moments, he'd picked her up from the ground and held her close to his chest with one arm, the other clutching tightly a bolt-pistol that he'd taken from the corpse of a fallen Knight of Blood earlier. After she'd settled in, snuggling close to his chest where she heard the deep, rhythmic beats of his hearts Karlous moved to Reginald's side. Joshua joined them, his expression faintly showing amusement as he eyed the Blood Raven before looking away.
"So where is this Thunderhawk of yours exactly?" Joshua asked.
Gesturing to his left with a flick of his head, Karlous trudged out into the blizzard with his pistol ready to end any servant of Chaos that dared block his path. Joshua merely shrugged at Reginald as he passed, following the Sergeant. Yet in but a moment of passing, he got a feeling that something with the Chapter Master wasn't right. He decided for now that asking wasn't the best time. He could do that after they had escaped, he thought.
After many minutes of walking through the frost, with Quicksilver shivering despite the heat from the pelts covering her and Karlous's body heat, they reached a large hill made of out snow and ice that overlooked an area cleared out by the Chaos forces. As Karlous had told them, about a dozen Chaos marines, some Khornate Beserkers and other wielding just plain bolters or heavy las-cannons adorned with the sigils of Chaos. Around them, dozens of Daemons, weak Bloodletters and occasional Horrors stood out. They were all guarding, as Karlous had said, a Thunderhawk. It seemed as though it had suffered much battle damage, most of its outer systems and weaponry stripped and armor plating shorn from the sides. Only the insignia remained. A faint, blood smeared insignia of the Blood Ravens with the inscription of the first company under it.
Without hesitation, Karlous marched down the hill and gestured for them to wait for the right time. He moved with swiftness, though his posture and form suggested he was affecting a more Chaotic look so as to not draw suspicion yet as he passed by the Daemons without so much as a second look. It was, however, the Chaos Marines whom would prove a challenge to convince as he paused before a Beserker Champion and a Chaos Sergeant who eyed him distrustfully.
"So, the Renegade decides to join us in our post." The Sergeant says.
"And he comes bearing gifts." The Champion says, gesturing to Quicksilver. "An offering to the Blood God perhaps? Or did you capture this weak flesh creature for your own gratification?" He asked.
Karlous mentally was screaming in rage as he desired to bring his bolt-pistol up and blast the damnable Heretic's head from his shoulders, but he held his tongue and instead spoke up calmly. "Neither, Champion. I am here by orders of Daemon Prince Azerath. He wishes me to take this Pony to King Sombra and Princess Celestia and at the utmost speeds."
Both the Champion and the Sergeant gave him a long, hard look before gesturing for him to pass to the open landing ramp. But as he passed, the Champion placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke up. "You're a terrible liar Renegade. I despise liars, and for that I shall rip the flesh from your bones and make you watch as you die what I shall do to your little Pony 'friend'."
Almost instantly, Karlous turned and smashed his bolt-pistol into the helm of the Beserker before pulling the trigger as he fell back to the ground. Emptying half his clip, he turned and ducked a hit by the Sergeant's chain-axe to take his head before thundering the pistol into his gut and causing him to bend over in pain. "Eat this you sick bastards." He shouted as he pulled the trigger until his pistol clicked empty. The sergeant slumped over on his arm before he discarded him without thought. His eyes turning to see Joshua and Reginald coming to his aid as he dropped the pistol and drew his knife.
"Don't worry Quicksilver, I'm not going to ever let these foul traitors harm you while I still draw breath." He whispered as he sunk the blade into the skull of a Daemon that got too close.
Reginald stopped, "Inquistitor, go, clear the area and escape with the others, I will draw their fire!" he said ripping a squad of marines and a small group of daemons with his assault cannon.
"No, we go together!" Joshua said running back to the chapter master.
"Go now, this I command!" Reginald yelled pointing his lance at the Thunderhawk which was now starting up.
"We can both make it." Joshua said.
Reginald threw his lance and impaled a marines Las-Cannon causing it to explode before the Grey Knight ran past the corpse, grabbing his lance in the process before shoving his assault cannon into the chest of a dreadnaught and firing.
"No time Inquisitor, go!" he said before running into the hordes to combat the War Band.
"I wish you luck Reginald, may the Emperor be with you." Joshua said before running to the Thunderhawk.
"Isn't he coming Inquisitor?" Karolus asked, flicking a few switches in the cockpit.
"No, take off." Joshua said, his voice low.
The Thunderhawk took off and blasted away from the battlefield leaving Reginald behind.
"Thank you Joshua, the Emperor protects." Reginald stated before turning to the mass amounts of dead chaos marines and burning daemons while the rest of the War Band backed up at the sight of the mighty Terminator.
Out of the Warp walked a Daemon Prince, his armor was a dark red symbolizing his devotion to Khorne. "I am Azerath, servant of Khorne."
"And I am Reginald, Chapter Master of the Blood Raptors." the former Grey Knight said sticking his lance in the ground.
"You are done fighting." Azerath said.
Reginald looked at this Prince, "Take me to the ones known as Sombra and Celestia, and perhaps then you shall have a fight."
The Daemon Prince contemplated this before waving his right hand at his War Band. "Very well, I shall comply loyalist."
Joshua sagged against the wall of the Thunderhawk as they sped away from the battlefield. Deep in his heart, he knew he'd made the right decision, but he still felt horrible knowing he'd left Reginald there alone. "I should have stayed...helped him." He whispered.
Across from him, laying in one of the remaining seats and swathed in the furs Quicksilver poked her head up at his words. She saw how saddened he was, and though she didn't know him or Reginald at all she spoke up quietly. "I don't know you two very well Joshua sir...But I could tell you that your friend never would have forgiven you had you stayed. I don't know why, but I just feel that he's had something similar to this happen and he lost people he cared greatly for. He doesn't want that to happen again."
There it was, the answer to what he'd felt from Reginald as they left the cave. Joshua now knew, at least to a degree why he insisted upon being left behind. Joshua still felt horrible, but at least he understood why Reginald had stayed as he spoke. "I still would have stayed...I still would have fought alongside him until death, for only then shall my duty end."
"As would I have Lord Inquisitor." Karlous said over the vox. "However...despite how angry I am at your decision to leave him...I understand his reasons...but Just know that we shall return soon. I won't leave a brother behind...not again. Not to die."
Joshua nodded faintly, accepting the criticism before speaking up, loud enough over the now roaring engines as Karlous pushed the battered Thunderhawk past the cloud layer to be above the storm. "Nor shall I Sergeant. We shall return roaring on wings of fire with the righteous fury of the Emperor descending upon those foul traitors and free Master Reginald."
Karlous's silence was his answer of agreement as Joshua turned at last to Quicksilver again as he settled down on a chair. "So, how are you feeling Quicksilver?"
"Still very weak Joshua sir, but I'm getting better." she smiled. "Thank you for asking though." Looking back and meeting his eyes, she asked. "And how are you?"
Joshua gave a weak smile as he felt the turbulence shake the craft for a second. "I'm holding on..."
Quicksilver nodded faintly as she laid her head down and closed her eyes. "We all are Joshua...because that's what we do...just keep holding on until it's over."
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
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?"
"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.
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.
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."
"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?
(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!
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 5
Karlous stood in silent shock, his eyes focused to the doorway of the infirmary. Having first heard Nitronus's anger, the annoying complaining of one of the ponies here, and then that pony's likely demise; the Sergeant had thought to move and intervene. However, hearing and feeling the earthshaking steps that had rushed through the halls and the bellow of rage that still had his ears ringing he knew whoever had went there had rectified the situation alright. The shaking of the walls had proved it, and the silence afterwards was unnerving as he pondered whether or not to investigate.
"Wh...What was that?" Quicksilver murmured as she turned over in her bed. Yawning cutely, she looked to the door with a confused, half-asleep expression before trying to rise.
"Be calm my friend...You need not trouble yourself." Karlous said calmly as he gestured her to remain in bed. "I will investigate what happened."
Quicksilver shook her head defiantly, waving his hands away as she pushed herself off the bed. "I'm not going to stay in bed while you go out there. Somepony very dangerous could be lurking about and you may need backup."
What she didn't tell him, was that whatever was out there had frightened her deep to her core and she didn't want to be alone; but luckily for her he was convinced by her brash response as he laughed slightly and smiled some.
"Alright then my friend, stay close to me if you can walk and we'll see what lies out there." The Sergeant said, drawing his combat knife and checking Quicksilver as she again tested to see if she could indeed walk. After a few testing walks about the room, she nodded to him and rejoined at his side.
Karlous didn't say it, but he was looking over her as they moved to the door. How different she looked, now without armor and clothed only in a thin hospital gown. Her beautifully formed figure was on full display as she shivered slightly, still cold from the lack of more insulating clothing. Her scars were visible as well, places where deep gashes all across her well toned body had been healed by what the mare had called very strange and mysterious powers he possessed. Her mane was also let down fully now, flowing slightly in the breeze the massive marine created with every step as he finally made it to the door. Turning away, he met her gaze once and this told her she'd been looking at him as well; to which they both blushed faintly before focusing fully on the task at hand.
Glancing down both ways of the hall, the Sergeant saw nothing amiss yet. He stepped out cautiously, his knife held level and ready to pierce anyone who dared try anything on him or his friend.Moving down the corridor to his left, where the commotion had taken place from, he still didn't notice anything and so he gestured for Quicksilver to move up again and rejoin him. She did, and finally he peeked around the corner to his right and saw that Dark Angel from earlier. The state he was in, his body contorted in agony as blood pooled around his head and toward their way. His hand clutching to his neck, which was noticeably broken with the bone poking the skin up at the back. His other hand weakly reaching out toward the hallway, likely he was trying to reach the infirmary before he'd collapsed. There was another though, as Karlous rushed with Quicksilver trailing behind as she was already running short of breath from so much movement.
This pony, though ruffled and still bloodied had a regal look and feel about him as the Sergeant got a gauging feel in the warp from him. There was a nagging sense of superiority from him, but now it was overshadowed by concern as he sat by the Dark Angel's side with a slight whimper escaping him.
Falling to his side, and immediately his hands flaming with warp power Karlous asked in a serious tone that Quicksilver knew well. "What happened to him? Why is he like this? And most importantly, who are you?"
The pony gave a slight gasp of surprise before turning to face them. "I...I am Prince Blueblood....I..I was standing just down the hall, arguing with one of those foolish guard just like this thing when it attacked me outright." The pony now named Blueblood actually had a single tear as he glanced back to the Dark Angel. "This...thing...it saved me from death and told off the other creature...I don't know what he did but now he's injured just like I was." His voice became urgent and slightly annoying as he tapped Karlous's shoulder guard firmly. "You have to help it. I demand that you give this thing immediate medical care now!"
Quicksilver came around Karlous, eyeing the state that her friend's acquaintance was in unnerved her slightly and the shrill voice of Blueblood annoyed her greatly. Yet her training immediately kicked in as she turned to the Prince and barked sharply at him. "Shut your mouth and let Karlous help him! Don't pester him while he works or you're just hindering us healing him!"
This had taken Blueblood aback, the sudden anger at him made him want to shout back. But the look in the Guard's eyes was enough for now to convince him otherwise as he turned back to Mekrail and stepped back to give him some space.
Karlous, with a ginger touch guided his glowing hands over the injuries on Mekrail's head. He felt within the deeply broken body the shattered and cracked skull, and knew if he didn't immediately fix this he would die soon from internal bleeding and brain damage. Summoning all his knowledge from his time underneath the first company Librarian's tutelage about healing with the Warp, the Sergeant used all his psychic strength and focused it over the excruciating and profusely bleeding injuries. His voice was soft as he chanted mantras of healing and recovery, and he watched and sensed within the Warp as Mekrail's skin began to slowly suture back together. Every second brought a grunt of pain and groan of agony, but Mekrail must have known he was being helped as he didn't fight the process neither physically or mentally as he glided his hands over every part of his skull that was shattered. Eventually, he stopped. The healing there was complete. There was a sharp sigh, as though Mekrail was more at peace; although he still held a pained expression as he held his neck tightly to keep it somewhat aligned.
Reaching down, sweat steaming down his face and dripping to the floor in puddles Karlous faintly pushed Mekrail's hands away before holding his hands steady over the breaks. "This is going to hurt a lot, so brace yourself Captain." Gritting his teeth, Mekrail signaled he was ready with a wave of his hand and so the Sergeant set to work.
None of the noises Mekrail had made before to express his pain even came close to matching his scream of agony that rang out and echoed through the halls as bone was forced to snap back into place by the strange powerful aura of the Warp that flowed from Karlous's fingertips. Quicksilver looked away, covering her ears as she couldn't bear to listen to such screams of pain from another being and didn't want to see his pain. Especially when she'd known the exact same pain herself, for that had been when Karlous ahd rescued her from death the same way back in the cave.
Blueblood was still watching, although he was still looking outwardly very arrogant on the inside he was worried that perhaps this mysterious creature who had spared him would not make it. Previously to speak of, Blueblood had had no friends and nopony would risk their lives in the way this thing had done. He owed this creature his life, and would make sure it knew that as he sat with his head lowered and watched as it continued to scream from the other armored one's healing hands. Eventually, the creature stopped screaming. His breath was shallow and his skin very pale. He seemed as though death would take him any moment, but it was when he spoke that Karlous stepped back. His voice, rough and breaking every few words, was music to the Prince's ears as he moved to the creature's side to hear better. "T...Thank you...Sergeant...K...Karlous."
The creature known as Karlous leaned down as he spoke in an even tone. "Do not thank me for doing the right and proper duty to any brother of mine. Your time was not up brother...you didn't deserve to die like this Captain Mekrail."
There was laugh, then a large coughing fit with a few flecks of blood and phlegm before Mekrail spoke again. "I...T...Thank you anyways....A...And you...y...young pr...prince...for staying at my side."
Blueblood actually smiled as he patted the Marine's massive armored leg. "You saved my life...I owe you everything. The least I could do was be here for you now and from now on if you ever need anything I am at your disposal."
Mekrail laughed weakly again at Blueblood's promise before finally turning back to Karlous and Quicksilver as the mare asked a very important question. "Why were you like this?"
"I...It was...Champion Ni...Nitronus...That damn f...fool...is a be...betrayer of his oaths...He...He harmed the innocent Prince....a...and I he...healed him at a cost...t...to myself." Mekrail said, another coughing fit beginning but yielding nothing but tiring him more as his gaze became clouded and unfocused.
Karlous looked at first to Quicksilver and then to Blueblood before speaking firmly. "You rest for now brother-Captain. The Prince shall look after you while I and Quicksilver seek out this Champion and have a few words with him." Blueblood nodded in agreement to the idea, settling down at Mekrail's side and maintaining a watchful vigilance as Karlous rose and headed off; Quicksilver hugging close to his side as the marine followed the psychic signal of where Nitronus had gone off to.
Nitronus walked stopped when he got to the entrance of the park, the place was quiet, the only sound being the creatures inside. Deciding that this would do he stepped into the park and everything went silent, no birds made a sound let alone dared to move.
"Perhaps Mekrail was right, perhaps I am overreacting." the old marine said to himself, no longer in a booming tone, but one that sounded tired and beaten.
Walking to the center of this park he drew his blade and impaled the ground before him, taking his shield he laid it upon the ground in front of him and to the left of his sword.
"Tis no Reclusium, but it shall do." He said as he knelt before the shield bearing the Emperors Sigil.
In a tree behind him Fluttershy had hidden herself with her animal friends when the giant metal creature made his way into the small clearing. She knew not of who or what he was, but she could tell that he was in pain, not physically as the bluebird she had come to heal and had successfully done so, but that of the heart. Flying down softly she stood and waited for him to finish whatever ritual he was performing.
Nitronus peered out of the corner of his eyes at the yellow and pink xeno with wings before returning to his concentration. He thought about his oath as a space marine, what it had meant before coming to this planet where xenos are not evil, where everything he knows doesn't apply. He looked to the shield for guidance, and it shined in his eyes before the reflected light retched the fore hooves of the little yellow pony. Nitronus didn't question the shield, for he knew better than to question the Emperor, even if his actions are a tad odd at times.
"Greetings... pony." Nitronus said, remaining knelt before the sigil with his sword arm on the ground away from his blade.
"Hi, um, I I"m Fluttershy." The yellow pegasus said with a voice so low and so soothing it could tame a Tyrinid Hoard.
Nitronus sighed, he had no idea what he could talk to this pony about, she was no Reclusiach.
"Are you... okay?" Fluttershy asked before Nitronus could compose himself.
He closed his eyes and relaxed, he not believe the xeno was hostile, emperor forbid this pony could never be hostile even if Khorne himself turned her into a Berserker she wouldn't harm even the tiniest of creatures. "I am, at a crossroads." the Champion finally said as he sat down and leaned back on a tree to show that he was at ease.
"Whats wrong?" Fluttershy questioned as she flew over to him and practically layed on his right leg causeing him to put his bionic arm over her.
"Where I hail from there is constant war, there is no peace. This world is so very different than the rest of the galaxy that I do not know what to do." He said, not realizing that he was now stroking her pink mane.
"Just be kind, and when things start to go bad, if they do, be firm." she said with a smile, this mare was so kind, it was as if she was the embodiment of kindness, Nitronus didn't realize it, but he was smiling down on her from inside his helmet.
"Thank you Fluttershy, my name is Nitronus." the champion responded as he put his head back and sat there stroking her mane as the animals began to play in the clearing.
Karlous once again was silent as he stood in the doorway to the clearing. This time, it was in awe of the young mare whom in seemingly just moments and with few words had completely changed this Marine. His own heart had somewhat felt a pull by her words, and it made him smile slightly as he glanced to Quicksilver. He saw she had taken it similarly, but there was something else there as well. He could sense from her a joy that was almost overpowering as she grinned happily.
"Shy? Is that you down there? Is it really you?" She called out, half galloping down the small footpath near them and stopping a few feet away.
"So I understand you have a problem fine Champion. Be it with the Dark Angel by whom bears the darkest curse we all carry within?" He asked in a firm, yet gently flowing tone as to not disturb the animals he'd gathered.
Quicksilver was smiling at Fluttershy and watched just how quickly she'd become shy and embarrassed at being caught like she was with Nitronus. She couldn't help smiling as the blushing mare rose and stepped stammered away muttering excuses for why she was like that. Before it got too far, Quicksilver held up a hoof to silence her before speaking in a kind voice that told her it was fine. "Do you remember me Shy? We used to be such close friends back in flight school when we were little fillies." She said, attempting to jog the mare's memory.
"Ah, so good to hear the ancient Librarian is still alive and well. I was worried that perhaps we'd lost one of the wisest and most powerful souls to the Emperor's final call." Joshua replied, his expression one of relief as he eyed Tempest. "And the Holy Chaplain as well...This is most glorious news indeed General." Sensing both Tempest and Luna's reaction, Joshua moved once more to the window and looked out to where he knew Ponyville was. "Those two...We shall need them in order to rescue your sister from the shadowy realms that Chaos has stranded her in. The Holy Chaplain to fight through the massive defenses between them...And Trayclian to crush the Daemon that has possessed her body and soul."
Joshua said no more, he wished not to explain the gruesome process that he'd only seen once before the Librarian conduct. It had been frightening, to see the Librarian so enraged and utilizing the full power he'd gathered over the eons he'd lived. At that time, Joshua feared that the entirety of the sector may be absorbed into the Warp by his rage alone; and yet what scared the Inquisitor the most was it was focused into both his own being and the one he'd fought to free from Chaos's grip. Joshua didn't realize it, but he was gripping now so strongly into the masonry of the windowsill that it had turned to dust before Luna had tapped his shoulder.
He waved her off, a false smile on his lips as he moved away from the window and began to head for the door to wait. "Nothing...Just...old memories. It'll pass." Shaking his thoughts from the Librarian's power, Joshua spoke up as he stood in the doorway. "We must gather my brethren here Princess, General. Then, soon we must set forth and seek out my Librarian and the Holy Chaplain." His voice was cold, unfeeling as he detached himself from emotion so as to focus on the task at hand and not return to the shadowy world of his memories.
"I will go get them my lady." Tempest said before walking into the shadows and vanishing.
Maximus hadn't moved, he hadn't even twitched, during the two hours they had spent in the forge. Scootaloo was officially bored, yes she was worried about her friend, yes she wanted to learn more about why those guards tried to kill Derpy, but alas, Maximus was done talking. Looking around she smiled faintly at the forge she had come to know so well, she did after all live in the house connected to it as the apprentice to its master. So she decided to walk into the house, she looked back at Derpy and saw Maximus get up and turn around, placing one of his hands on his swords hilt in a defiant stance.
Upon entering the house she smelled smoke, as though a wood fire had been burning, though she knew better and continued to her private room. Opening her door she entered the room without much care, her air fresheners greeting her nose with the scent of daisies. She opened the cabinet mirror on her vanity and pulled out her diary and a pen. She had just started to write about the days events when a booming sound repeated from the forge itself followed by an explosion.
"Die loyalist, wait where did he, gah!" a deep voice called before the distinct sound of a sword going through metal was heard.
"Oh come now chaplain, certainly you have no desire to get involved." a more feminine voice called, though the creature was still the same size as Maximus.
Maximus looked back at Derpy before un-holstering a bolter and killing the purple creature, his helmet had been knocked from his head and Scootaloo could see his face. It was red with a pointy chin, his mouth was open slightly and she could see a forked tongue inside, his eyes were slits and his ears pointed.
"Whoa, now I see why you keep the helmet on big guy." she whispered to herself from the second floor window before hitting her floor to avoid a glowing mess of goo flying towards her that melted the roof above her.
She peeked out of her window again to watch as Maximus ran the other creature through and spat on him after sheathing his blade.
Dashing had at first avoided talking much with Pinkie or assisting her in livening up the decor of the palace with her festive party decorations. He'd originally just remained in silence, pulling out old photos that he always kept with him in a special compartment hollowed out of his armor. There were happy memories here, of his old unit and his best friend and lieutenant Blazing Shield just messing around and having fun together. Others, that which made him smile with a few small tears were of when he was just a little foal; asleep and cradled in his mothers hooves on a cold winter night or flying around the central park in the Crystal Empire with his father. Then there was the picture that showed both him and his mother in the hospital, him just born and being held in his mother and father's embrace. And then there was the photo he'd sworn that his father had been the happiest in of all. The one that was of his and his mother's wedding. Their picture together was said to have been the most beautiful couple in a long time, his mom actually in a Wedding dress that while simple had accentuated her beauty and likely made both Stallions and mares fall head-over-hooves. His Father dressed in his full blues, his best military dress with all his medals and ribbons for his meritorious service in two World Wars. Preserved here forever, these strange little bits of happiness had kept him sane far longer than he'd even imagined possible. Quickly gathering the photos up in one stack, he was about to put them back when Pinkie bounced over and accidentally jarred him. Out of his hooves, the photos fluttered and flew about the room.
"OhmysorryaboutthatDashingIdidn'tmeantodothatIjustwantedtoaskyouwhatthosewere." Pinkie said frantically, although he doubted her emotions were true as he sighed and watched them flutter downward in a spiral to the floor.
"It's...fine Pinkie." He started. Then an idea hit him. "If you help me get them back, I'll let you look at them."
Pinkie instantly gave him an overly ridiculous salute that he actually returned before she giggled and tapped his helmet so it fell over his eyes. "Alright silly billy. Be back in a moment!"
Her voice echoed some around the empty halls with her as he'd predicted true joy. The Captain found himself laughing as he pulled his helm up and off his head so he could see fully and be free of its constraints. Setting it on the table, he looked all around. The photos were nowhere to be seen, and neither was a certain pink mare. Knowing that looking for her wouldn't solve it; and knowing she would return in a moment when she'd looked at the photos Dashing steeled himself for her return as he shook his mane loose from its cramped, matted condition on his head. His eyes were alert and about as he waited for her, but for long minutes she didn't return. He was actually just about to give up waiting when he felt a presence suddenly appearing between his front legs. Looking down, he was met with the conflicted and confused expression he'd expected as Pinkie held up the two photos that showed Rainbow Dash.
"What are these supposed to be Dashing? what do they mean?" She asked "I know that Dash and Tempest are a thing, so I don't understand." She tapped her hoof in thought before disappearing again and reappearing on his back.
He didn't even break a sweat in supporting her weight as he turned his head and met her gaze with his eye. "Those Pinkie...Are of my mother and father." He stated. "You may or may not understand it...but I'm from another Equestria."
"Why do you get so protective of Dashie around anypony?" She asked, as if unsure.
Dashing looked up, his expression fierce before dying down. "I get so protective because I watched her die. I watched as Chrysalis killed her, and I couldn't do anything to save her. Neither could my father, and I lost him the same night. I watched as he went crazy, killing Chrysalis and his own best friend with Sombra and Sin's powers before absorbing her own and disappearing by an escort of Celestial Guard." Dashing was teared up slightly as he relived the horrible years all over again. "I blame myself for what happened that night at the Gala. I couldn't do anything to protect them...and now...I just can't stop wanting to make sure she'll be alright so I can see her smile one last time, hear her laugh." Dashing's smile as rueful as he finished with. "I'd even settle for her berating me....Just to hear her voice is like sweet music I haven't heard in so long."
As he lowered himself and let Pinkie down, he took the photos back and put them in his special compartment over his heart before turning back to face her. Pinkies expression, usually joyful, was more so with a few tears as she hugged him tightly. He returned it, welcoming the affection for a moment before letting go and her as well.
"That was beautiful...sad, but beautiful Dashing. Thank you for sharing those with me." She said.
"No, thank you my friend. I needed that." Dashing replied happily.
"Can you help me with the decorations Dashing?" She asked, changing the topic which he was ecstatic about.
"SurethingPinkie." He said, imitating her enthusiastic, frantic voice for a minute before they both laughed and went about the room. Working together, they were making record time in setting everything up as Dashing flew high above to catch and place the high up decorations.
All the while, neither noticed the fact that Tempest had been sitting in the shadows.
Trayclian nodded faintly as he and Twilight exited the private room they'd been talking in. After he'd brushed off his memories, Twilight had been very concerned for him about what was wrong. Yet like water the Librarian had flown away from the source of his pain and shook away any worries for him with a smile and a few kind words. That was how he'd always done it in his life, never let anyone in to the wasteland that was his mind. Let none share the pain and grief, and always reflect on the outside a positive, calm and fatherly attitude to those around him to help them from suffering the same way he had.
"I thank you again for explaining the situation to me Twilight. Surely I shall do all in my power to bring this realm back to peace as I always have, and restore the balance." He said, looking down at Twilight as they paused before the door back to the main hall where they'd left Pinkie and Dashing.
"I very much appreciate your assistance Librarian Trayclian." She replied, smiling somewhat at his willingness to help them with a problem that wasn't even of his concern.
"It's no trouble really. I am sworn to an oath to protect the innocent until my last breath should be given and I join at long last at the Emperor's side." Trayclian chuckled quietly. "And please, just call me Trayclian Twilight my friend."
Twilight blushed faintly before nodding and turning her attention back to the door. She, though being very inquisitive about what was going on, didn't wish to interrupt just yet as she waited patiently. Both she and Trayclian listening intently, although the latter being able to hear the entire event perfectly clear and even sense where and what was happening between the involved parties. His hand gripped very lightly to his sword, it was natural to do so; despite the fact he felt no hostile feelings from any side he was ready to leap in and defend his close friend from any harm should he need it.
Elizabeth watched as Zecora raced about the room collecting herbs and prepping her cauldron, "I need nothing to end you woes, save the clothing of your daemon foes."
Elizabeth thought a moment before standing up and giving the zebra a nod before walking to the door, "Take care of Telios for me, I do owe him my life twice over, I am the reason he is in this condition." she said before walking out the door.
Zecora looked at the creature who she had just healed known as Telios then looked at the door with a smile before turning back to her new project.
Rekriel was waiting outside tinkering with a new wooden arm that he had constructed.
"Excelent craftsmanship brother." Elizabeth said as she walked up to his side.
"Thank you sister Elizabeth, what is the news?" he replied in his machine voice.
"Telios is still asleep and Zecora is working on a way for us to return to the battle against chaos and the Tyrinids, she said that she needs the clothes of a daemon for it to work." the young sister said as she checked her gear.
"Daemon hunting then, I will follow your lead Elizabeth." Rekriel said before standing up ready to follow her anywhere.
"Let us depart then." she said before waving at Zecora's hut and beginning their march north, it was just a feeling, but she was almost completely sure that chaos was this way, and for once she wanted the foul heretics to show up.
Rekriel remained silent for a long time as he walked behind Elizabeth. Their trek though the forest was a long, rather quiet one for his taste. That was okay though, he enjoyed the peace and solace that the forest provided. Lost he became in his thoughts, mostly they were of technologies he was dreaming of designing and building; but they were also on other things like his brethren back in their realm and Telios here. It took a long time as he stewed in his thoughts under the slowly rising sun on the horizon for him to finally speak up.
"How do you feel about Telios Sister Elizabeth?" His words were matter-of-fact, not to be wasted and brisk as he continued walking. It wasn't until he gently bumped into her that he realized she'd stopped dead in her tracks. "Sister? I just wish to know what you think of him. Your honest opinion, and don't try to lie to me for I can sense one better than a Chaplain."
"He saved me, not once but twice, broke his back and endured much pain for me, the way I see it brother, he is family, I will do all I can to protect my family." Elizabeth said as she remembered her order getting wiped out before her eyes by the Emperors Children.
Rekriel thought long on Elizabeth's words, remaining still as the great trees around him and in the process getting a few small birds to land on his shoulder guards. Though one could not see his face, it was easy to imagine just how carefully and deeply he was thinking about what was said. When he finally did speak, it was slow and considered; every word to be understood clearly. "If you believe that you owe Telios for something Sister, you don't truly know him. I understand why you may think that, but Telios didn't do any of that because of the fact that you would be indebted to him. No, this man is an emotionless, removed, cold hearted bastard; but he does things for very specific reasons. Some may be as simple as protecting an ally, or assassinating a target to preserve the lives of Imperial soldiers; but Telios, what he did for you...It is something he's never done for anyone else before in his entire life. "Seeing Elizabeth's expression, Rekriel elaborated what he meant. "He did what he did out of something I thought was gone from the man...at least...it has been since the Heresy. What I can tell...and perhaps what you haven't taken notice of...is that he risked his life out of love for you. Perhaps he doesn't know what way, neither do you; but I can clearly see just how much he cares for you. For I know that he would never do that for anyone..Not Joshua or Mekrail...Trayclian or myself or Dashing...None of us."
To prove his point, Rekriel turned to the side and leaned his head over, letting his neck be completely visible. The injury that could be seen ran all the way around his neck and showed that it had almost decapitated him "In the last war we had, we were battling an entire Chaos warband of Iron Warriors that was scourging a sector now long lost to Imperial records. Our Company was pinned down, under heavy fire from the Iron Warrior's siege units when suddenly one of their squads was upon us. Their men were equally matching us in melee, and I could only fight off so many by myself when one tackled me and drove his knife through the side of my neck. He intended to rip my head from my shoulders and claim it as a trophy. I called for support over the vox, and when Telios answered he fired a single shot. That shot wasn't to save my life, but only killed the Champion leading the squad. If I hadn't twisted the knife further into my neck, wrenching it from the Traitor's grasp I would be dead and Telios would have cared no more than if a bug had been crushed under his boot." Lowering his helm and returning his focus back to Elizabeth, Rekriel finished with. "Do you understand just how special you are to Telios? He was willing to risk his life and bring injury upon his own body just to keep you safe when anyone else; even those of us he's known for centuries he would sacrifice for the mission."
Turning away, Rekriel shook the birds from his shoulders and began walking through the thick forest in he direction she'd indicated previously. He wished to allow her to stew in his words before speaking with her again, for it was indeed a lot to absorb about his old friend.
That left Elizabeth with her thoughts, love, she was part of the Adeptus Soritus, a group of female warriors equal to that of the Adeptus Astartes, and an assassin loved her. She had been standing there so long that the same birds that had gathered on Rekriel had gathered on top of her armor, but she didn't care, one word repeated in her mind, love.
Reginald stopped running as the mix and matched xeno fell to pieces and reformed before his eyes, the xeno only spoke once he had placed his eyes back into their sockets.
"Hello my good sir, what brings you these part if I may ask?" the draconess asked.
"A mishap with the Warp brought me and a Lord Inquisitor to this planet, he seemed to know it, I do not." Reginald replied as he began to ease, knowing he had nothing to fear from this xeno as the ponies seemed to shimmer and shine when they came into their clearing.
"My name is Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony, though now I tend to help ponies and make life much more fun for them by making them happy." the mix and matched dragon said.
Reginald upon hearing that he belong to chaos initially was alarmed but looked at the ponies who had just saved, realizing that Discord is a great ally Reginald stuck his lance in the ground before putting out his right hand, "I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors, Daemon Hunter and protector of the innocent."
Discord shook his hand and vanished, leaving his hand behind as it shook with Reginald, as he spoke with a guard pony in silvery blue armor that glimmered in the sunlight, "We must get these ponies back to Equestria, they should be safe there."
"Very well, lead the way spirit." Reginald said as he picked up his power lance and followed behind the group.
Mekrail laid in peaceful rest. Since the Blood Raven and his friend and gone off to seek out Nitronus, the Prince had ensured his comfort by ordering a few of the palace's staff to assist him in getting to the infirmary. Now in a proper bed, his tired body was relaxed, yet the phantom pains of his previous injuries promised to hang on for a while. Such it was, more so just a deep throbbing ache in his neck and a migraine that felt like it could split mountains; but Mekrail didn't complain or cry out in pain. It wouldn't do good to be seen as weak, not even in front of Blueblood; whom was seated at his side. The Prince had simply been watching him, as he'd promised earlier he would not leave his side. Although it felt a little odd to the marine, he didn't mind the company; no matter how annoying he'd been in his own realm this one seemed to be a genuine friend. Though, there were a few times when Mekrail did have to quietly get on the Prince's case for being annoying and snobbish to the ponies helping himself or other patients. Generally though, Blueblood's near-death experience seemed to have changed him almost completely.
"How are you faring friend?" Blueblood asked out of the blue, turning to him.
Mekrail appeared in thought for a moment before answering with a slight smile. "I am well Prince Blueblood, much better than before. Thank you for asking."
Blueblood smiled some before looking away, himself also in thought. "That's good..." It was a long time of silence before he spoke up again. "Why did you do it?" Mekrail gave him a confused look, to which the Prince asked another question "I mean, why did you come to save me? I likely didn't deserve to be spared...I was so awful to this...Nitronus as you called him."
Mekrail was taken aback slightly at these questions. Why had he done what he did? Saved this pony that he cared not for? His answer, he found deeply embedded within the very heart and soul of his being; his oath that he'd pledged to the Dark Angels and Humanity as a whole before becoming a Space Marine. "Because my duty is to protect the innocent, no matter who or what they may be. I swore it upon my life that I would never break that oath, that I would ensure the innocent were not harmed by anyone or anything. If I break that oath, I am nothing...my life would be nothing. And you my friend, are indeed innocent and undeserving of death." Mekrail fell silent, no more need to explain as he turned away slightly from Blueblood.
"I...I..." Blueblood seemed to struggle for his words. "I...I've never heard anypony speak so strongly about such a thing as an oath...Such an attitude...a mindset...it inspires me...to want to be like you."
"And you can be like me Blueblood my friend. You must simply find something to devote yourself to...and honor that oath until your death if necessary." Mekrail said, returning his attention for just a moment before yawning as a tiredness he'd known only once before begged him to rest.
His eyes slowly closing, he was almost completely asleep as he caught the end of Blueblood's whisper. "Then my oath...I choose to devote myself to...is you my friend."
Still stroking the mane of his new friend the Champion sighed before closing his eyes, "I know nothing but war, I seldom ever speak unless it is to pass on final words to a worthy opponent." Nitronus said before opening his eyes and standing, "I worry for my closest brothers and my dearest sister, we are not often separated and worse yet it was by chaos." he finished, looking straight at the Blood Raven in front of him.
"Don't let your worries get to you Champion, if your brothers and sister are warriors worthy of your friendship than they will be fine." Karlous stated before looking at Quicksilver and Fluttershy who were now standing of to the side talking, the latter blushing furiously.
"I admit that I made a mistake, I let my anger take hold." Nitronus said looking away and towards his shield, "I don't expect you to understand my mentality brother."
Karlous felt somewhat insulted, yet he knew that the Champion didn't know his own history and was right to make such an assumption that he could not understand. Moving closer to Nitronus, the Sergeant paused before the sword and shield. How long it had been since he'd seen such a stark work of beauty in dedication to the Imperium of Man.
With his eyes transfixed on that Aquila, he finally spoke up. "Anger is such a thing that which is only human my dear friend. We all are inherently human, though mankind casts us as Demigods in the guise of their form. It is what we choose to do with our anger that defines us. Are we mere savages, unleashing our rage upon the helpless, the weak? Or do we take our rage and use it to bring a righteous fury down upon the enemies of Man?" Karlous paused, and without waiting for permission he drew the sword from the ground and held it in a firm grip. He could feel deeply embedded emotions swirling from many long years, trapped and kept within the spirit of this machine of war. The rage, anger, grief. It showed more plainly than Nitronus would ever admit as he spoke up again. "I do understand you Champion Nitronus, more than you could ever know. For I have fell victim myself to my own anger, and I've seen just what it can cost me."
As the Sergeant relinquished the blade back to its owner, he placed his free hand on Nitronus's shoulder guard and with his Warp power that he could muster he showed just what he'd truly lost. The entirety of the Blood Ravens Chapter, both the secretly Chaotic side under Chapter Master Azariah Kyras and the Loyalists under Captain Gabriel Angelos. He showed him of how he'd watched the chapter be split apart in civil war, the entire system ripped into blood and death as Chaos and Xenos pillaged and battled with the Imperial forces. It was then that he showed the final battle; where his own forces of the First Company were battling against the might of Kyras's Chaotic army. They both saw as his Terminator brothers were butchered mercilessly by the onslaught of Daemons and Fallen Blood Ravens, and of how he was the last standing when Captain Angelos and Diomedes arrived and did battle with the foul Traitorous Chapter Master and his forces. Finally, there was the showcase of him as the Loyalists turned on him and declared him a Heretic; believing he'd fought for Chaos when the opposite was true. He had to fight, plowing through hundreds of his brothers as they blasted Bolters and hot plasma at him before he finally boarded the Thunderhawk that had crashed and fled into deep space.
"I lost my entire world that day brother...My entire Company was dead and I was declared a Traitor because of doing my duty to the Chapter and fighting that fool Kyras. I had no one to turn to...only my rage to keep me company...my rage at my own Chapter for its crimes and heresies...and for being cast out when both myself and my brethren bled and died to protect those still loyal. I hated every Xeno and Chaos with an intense passion...and I still despise Chaos to this day...But my rage has quieted with time and the realization that not all Xenos or those afflicted by dark forces are evil like Kyras was....So..Yes...I understand your feelings Champion...but just remember that it is how we act upon those feelings that matters most." Karlous didn't know it, but he was looking especially over Nitronus's shoulder to Quicksilver before shaking himself away from the Champion and watching him intently.
Nitronus took his blade and gazed into the eyes of this Blood Raven, he was right, Nitronus had more in common with him than he thought. Looking upward towards the sky he said a silent prayer of thanks before looking back to the sergeant, "Thank you brother, for clearing my mind." he said before retching onto the lower left of his breastplate and removing a purity seal, "You deserve this more than I." he added and without waiting placed it on the Blood Ravens left shoulder guard.
"Thank you champion." Karlous replied, not expecting this action.
"May the Emperor protect you always sergeant." Nitronus said before walking back to retrieve his shield.
"The Emperor always has..." Karlous whispered, barely loud enough for the Champion to hear. "But may the Emperor be with you Champion." He said, louder now before turning his gaze to Quicksilver and Fluttershy. He smiled faintly as his close friend seemed to be very happy to have met one of her oldest friends again; likewise it was for Fluttershy, who was smiling.
"It has been so good to see you after all these years Shy. I really wondered what had happened to one of my few friends after school was over." Quicksilver said, her eyes turning from Fluttershy to her friend as a deep, happy smile showed. "This...Is Karlous, Shy. He's the one who saved me from those evil soldiers and creatures I was telling you about back in the wastes. He kept me safe and warm and healed my wounds, he was just like you are to the animals Shy...So gentle and kind and caring."
Quicksilver's smile grew shy in its own right and she pawed the ground while looking down slightly as Karlous spoke up. "It is nice to meet you Miss Shy, is it?" Raising out a hand for her to take, he could sense her shyness around him and knew the gesture was for naught; yet he'd done it anyway just to test otherwise as he lowered his hand to his side again and continued to smile lightly at her. "So from what I understand you and Quicksilver must go way back, don't you two?" He asked to Fluttershy.
Yet all in the same time, Karlous was thinking of the words he needed to share with Nitronus before they left here as he watched the Champion out of the corner of his eye. He had retrieved his shield, and now was waiting for them patiently by the door.
Tempest had heard plenty, his wife to be was Dashing's mother, but how, aside from that lousy pegasus Soarin she had never dated anypony before him. Walking out of the shadows Pinky noticed him almost in an instant, though thinking about it, that seemed off considering that he has never snuck up on her before.
"Oh hello there Tempest, how are you?" she said as confetti went everywhere.
"Princess Luna needs the other warriors, Trayclian, Maximus, and Dashing ASAP." he said before turning to Dashing.
"Trayclian is still talking to Princess Twilight and Maximus is exploring the town general." the captain replied.
"Go find him, and quickly, we have no time to waste!" Tempest said before turning around to see the doors open and Twilight and Trayclian step out.
"Tempest, what is going on?" the alicorn asked.
"Need to know only, by orders of Princess Luna." he said before walking through the shadows again.
"I should go get Maximus Princess." Dashing said with a bow before running out of the room.
"And I suppose that I should remain here." Trayclian added as he inspected the decor around him.
Dashing didn't waste time as he rushed through the hallways, cutting down corridors until he came to the door that he and the others had entered from. Flinging it open, he quickly braced his body before leaping into the air. The air around him caught fire as his speed increased and left an arcing trail to follow as he sped through the air. He knew that easily he was matching his mother in speed, which made him grin as his training for all those years had paid off. With his eyes scanning the town, he knew that the ponies all in the streets were looking up in slight confusion and pointing in his direction. He waved at them, flashing his smile before returning his attention to scanning. It didn't take too long, as he'd sensed something amiss in Ponyville as soon as he'd left the castle. Seeing the forge, and the damage it had suffered; he decided this was the best place to start looking. Coming down swiftly, he sharply hauled up and used his wing power to slow his descent just before touching the ground. His landing, as he'd known, was perfect. As he got a closer look, he could tell a pretty good fight had been had here as he observed all the damage and the butchered bodies. Luckily, he recognized none of them as Maximus as he slowly moved to the smashed-open door.
His first sight as he entered was of Maximus, his sword still drawn and in a defensive stance as though expecting more attackers. Yet, when he locked eyes with the former Captain, his expression grew confused. Not only was he confused about Dashing being here, but he was likely trying to figure out why Dashing hadn't drawn his weapon and tried to slay the Holy Chaplain for his overall Daemonic features. Instead, the Captain merely sighed softly as he looked all around and saw Scootaloo and Derpy; the latter of which was still unconscious but slowly stirring.
Returning his gaze to Maximus, Dashing once more took off his helm and stared dead in the Holy Chaplain's eyes before removing the patch covering where his right eye would be. The black void that held within it but a single, blood red pupil that glowed bright in the darkness was watching him as well. Around it, just barely edging out now that the magical patch that contained it was removed; there was cracks of pure darkness in his skin that spread about halfway across his face before pausing as he halted its progress. The skin there became grey, hallowed and dead; and his skull was visible around the edges of that eye as he finally spoke up. "You may think I don't understand why you look the way you do Holy Chaplain, but I do. You and I...*Laughs*...We're both in the same boat. Having to hide our darker sides, although for different reasons I'm sure." Quickly, Dashing replaced the patch over his eye and the transformation receded near instantly back into the eye and returned him to normal as he continued speaking. "Mine is not for what anypony would think of me...but for the destructive power that becoming that other...darker version of myself can bring."
Dashing paused as he shifted his gaze around, once more taking in the sight of the dead Daemons and Chaos soldiers around them. "What happened here exactly? Scoots, can you tell me why Daemons of Chaos are here and trying to attack the three of you?"
"Maximus didn't say why, but he told me that they were after Derpy." Scootaloo said, looking at the two soldiers in front of her.
Maximus had sheathed his blade and was now picking his helmet up from across the forge, seeing that it was too hot to put on his head he dunked it in water and turned back to the ponies around him.
"Why are they after her Chaplain?" Dashing asked.
Maximus sighed before opening a small warp next to him and pulling out another talking piece of metal. After pressing a slew of buttons it spoke once more in the same odd accent with that same odd mares voice, "In my travels two ponies have always been more attuned to the warp than any others, Pinky Pie, and Derpy Hooves." the little square spoke.
"That would explain the muffins." Dashing said, looking towards Derpy who was now starting to stir.
"It would stand to reason that they would be the most adept to detect chaos, therefore I would imagine Tzeench would want them out of the way." the device replied after Maximus typed on it for a few moments.
"So the forces of chaos wish to infiltrate this world and conquer it it, but why?" Dashing asked, though he was now watching as Derpy sat up facing away from them.
Maximus put his helmet back on after drying it so that he wouldn't freak the mare out with his demonic face before he started typing again.
"How am I alive?" Derpy said as she put a hoof to her head.
"Maximus saved you after he saved me in the ally, then we were attacked again but he fought them all off without mercy." Scootaloo said, pointing her hoof at the great warrior.
"Okay so we know why they have attacked, and have a theory on why they are here, but why haven't they just taken over by force, what do they hope to accomplish by taking over slowly?" Dashing asked now turning back to Maximus who was looking straight at him.
"They want to corrupt the ponies and use them, granted that they have powerful magics on this world they don't want to risk the loss of such power." he let his text to speak device say before he threw it into another warp.
"Coming from you, I'm not going to question it, but that means that Derpy isn't the only one in jeopardy here, Pinky Pie is too." Dashing replied.
Maximus shook his head before walking past the pegasus in armor, he only stopped when he reached the doorway. Turning his head back so you could see the profile of his helm he put one thumb down while he pointed at the pink mare who was just leaving the castle, his sign for heresy.
Dashing's eye followed the Holy Chaplain's finger, his expression turning slightly sad as he remembered the moment he'd shared shortly before coming here. The fact that Maximus had pointed her out as already having been enraptured by the offers of the Warp and that she wasn't truly her right now didn't bode well for the shell-shocked Captain's mental stability. This was proven as his grief changed several times, fading between rising anger and despair as the two clashed in his mind; his darker powers attempting to overcome the magic and nearly succeeding in doing so as his body would phase between forms. His skeletal form underneath the armor shocking and frightening, his golden eye turning that same sickly red and his large wings becoming sharper and more jagged hat the finest blades as they turned to bone. Dark robes tried to form over him, slightly masking his body but not quite as he continued to war with his own mind over what to do. Eventually though, he managed to tide over his anger and despair long enough to regain control and dispersed the powers before they caused him to do things he'd regret. He didn't look to any of them, but instead emerged quickly from the forge and passing by Maximus.
His heart intent and set, he would not let this stand as he gave a long glance back at the Holy Chaplain; his eye flashed that red again and he whispered in a deep, powerful and gravelly voice that was not his own. "Leave her to me Maximus. I shall handle her and ensure that the Daemon is purged from her. You however, are needed here. Remain and protect Scoots and Derpy." His last sentence was an order, and his eye dared the Holy Chaplain to deft him before he turned away. His final words were in his own voice. "I will not let her die. I've let too many die already and she shall not suffer for my failure." With the same speed as before, he shot off and left not just any fire in his wake as he sped through the sky; but this was fire of pure darkness that didn't cease burning and even from within the forge its intense heat could be felt as though it were right next to them.
Pinky bounced up and down as she strode down the road from the castle to the bakery greeting everypony along the way.
"Good afternoon Rainbow Dash!" she said with massive grin as she began to pull something out of he mane where Rainbow couldn't see it.
Rainbow looked at her and began to fly over, landing at a decent distance away, "What’s up Pinky?" she asked with her head tilted to one side.
Neither of the two suspected that a pony in golden armor would blaze out of the sky and create a devastating black fire ball upon impact with the ground not ten meters away.
In what was once the road between Rainbow and Pinkie, Dashing was crouched in the deep crater that he'd caused. Fire was still burning all around him black and unquenchable as it reached out almost like tendrils to the road still ringing the crater. There was a deep vibe emanating from him, an aura all its own of darkness that radiated anger, feelings of betrayal and promising a fate worse than death as he rose. His full height now revealed as he towered over both Pinkie and Rainbow easily from the depths of the crater, his dark form only revealing some of his true self as his head slowly turned; slowly, with a frightening visage that was his face as his one eye shined that same blood color and eyed Pinkie. Seeing the knife she'd started to remove with a sight impossible by normal ponies or people around him, his expression twisted sharply into one that was a snarling, feral animal that was prepared to protect those it cared about to the death. He stepped out of the crater, at an almost leisurely pace as he stood at least twice their height now in full view and stretched his wings; this revealed them to be made of that sharp bone now that Maximus and the others had seen previously as they spread across the entirety of the road's width. His eye never blinked, only maintaining a steady gaze that latched onto the party pony as he moved toward her. His tracks where he'd stepped left flames of darkness, and he paused quickly after being just a few paces away from her.
His voice once more was ancient, powerful and full of undisguised hatred as he spoke only loud enough for both Pinkie and Rainbow to hear. "We had hoped that We could convince thee otherwise Pinkamena Diane Pie...To cleanse thy Daemons from thy body and forsake their ways of blood and malice and hate." His expression shifted slightly as he took a step closer, and before Pinkie could back up from the very road behind her two horrible, bloody, bony soldiers dressed in the rags of their uniforms from World War ll clawed their way out and blocked her way with bayonet tipped M1 Carbines pointed to her back. "Thee hast not only lost thy chance for redemption in our eyes...But thee had the audacity to actually attempt to harm our Host's mother?" The question was confirmed when a dark aura suddenly overpowered Pinkie and ripped the knife from her mane and held it in the air where Rainbow could see it. he didn't look back, not for a moment to see her reaction to either what he'd said nor the knife as he continued speaking. "For this...We can only think of the most severe punishment for thee....A fate worse than any death we could give unto thee."
Without waiting for anything further, the two soldiers suddenly slammed their rifles together in front of Pinkie and held her with their Carbine's bayonets gently prodding her throat as though to dare her to attempt escape from their iron grip. Their bloody, scarred and ripped flesh that was their faces contorted in sick smiles as they began to chant in a language long lost to time by mortals. It was the words of Death himself, and it seemed that with every word the aura from Dashing permeated the air even further and encased all around the group; the flames reached as well for that, but they couldn't stretch far enough as Dashing left the aura just light enough to be seen into from the outside. His hooves gripped tightly to either side of Pinkie's face, holding her so she couldn't escape his gaze as his other eye was made visible by the patch being raised up. He stared at her intently, his jaw opening wider than should be possible before snapping shut inches from her snout. "Hungry....after so many years...We are so hungry." He whispered in that voice that both enraptured and repulsed those who could hear it.
Quickly, his eyes grew far more intense and a power conferred to him by his family line was activated as he opened his jaw again. This time, a void was able to be seen by Pinkie in that cave of darkness; a void that promised non-existence for eternity and everlasting pain for those who entered. That was when the screams started, but it wasn't Pinkie screaming, not her voice. This was the shrill, frightened scream of the Daemon as slowly its very essence and soul was sucked from her body as he made sure she kept her gaze locked with his so to keep the process going. And within an instant, it was over. He stared now into a blank gaze of a pony who still lived, yet until her soul was found and given to her body she would be merely just a shell of a creature that blindly would follow his orders with nearly no personality or feelings. He let her go, and she just stood and stared blankly back at him as though nothing had happened.
His soldiers, releasing her, stood at attention before saluting him promptly and then burrowing back into the earth; the ground returned to normal to leave no trace as Dashing slowly closed his jaw and returned to some normalcy with his form and body normal except for his height. His powers once again locked away within behind the magic patch as he settled it over his one eye. He didn't say anything to Pinkie, deciding that seeing what Rainbow was feeling and taking what he'd done to protect her as his one golden eye settled on her with an almost fearful gaze of her judgement about him.
Elizabeth began walking in the path Rekriel left behind, she had forgotten how much time had past, her mind had been fully set upon thoughts of Telios who she had mixed feelings about. Yes he was amazing in combat and loyal to his cause, almost to a fault, but she was a sister of battle she can't just go back on her oath. Elizabeth just hoped that she wouldn't break him, but her order is dead, the Blood Raptor Chapter Master proclaimed so himself.
She stopped in her tracks and looked up, before her floating in the sky was a cloud formation that looked a lot like a city.
"Well howdy stranger." a equine with a country draw spoke to her.
"Greetings, how is that a city?" Elizabeth asked pointing up to the cloud formation with rainbow waterfalls.
"That there is Cloudsdale lady." The brown pony in the skull cap replied as he pushed his wagon marked with three bullets in a circle to a halt on the top of the hill next to her.
"What do you have there, um?" she asked him.
"Oh this, its just ammo, oh and the names Bulls-Eye, the best shot you'll find in these here parts, aside maybe Tempest." the stallion said.
"Battle Sister Elizabeth of the Blood Raptors." she replied looking at his wares, among which he surprisingly had bolter rounds.
"Lookin to buy somthin?" the light brown stallion asked as he popped open a bottle of whiskey.
"I have no money to purchase anything with." Elizabeth replied as she realized she only had four rounds left and that her brothers may have even less munitions.
"That's alright, tell ya what, we'll do a trade, services fer goods." Bulls-Eye bargained with a look at the hides she was carrying on her belt.
"How many crates of bolter ammo would my six wolf hides buy?" she asked.
"I'll give you half the cart and throw in a bolter too." The old stallion replied with a smile.
"You have a deal." Elizabeth said as she handed him the hides as he sorted out her goods.
"Pleasure doin business with ya Ms. Elizabeth." he replied as his sipped his whiskey bottle.
With a nod Elizabeth stowed her new gear and walked back into the woods to find Rekriels trail he had left her, her previous thoughts put to rest as ideas of how they had a city made of clouds and how much they could learn from these xenos flooded her mind.
Rekriel had been waking through the woods for a long time, his servo-saws cutting a wide path ahead of him through the dense foliage as he moved so as to provide Elizabeth a path to follow. For a while, he knew she'd been drowning in her thoughts of what he'd said; and he'd sensed she'd veered away from this well-beaten path as he'd not heard a single sound from behind him for about an hour or so. However, when she returned he knew instantly she was there as the crunch of the cut moss underfoot gave her away. He paused in his diligent work, knowing that they needed to talk as he turned around to face her.
"So I see you have found some ammo and even a blessed Bolter Battle Sister?" He asked. When she nodded and explained how she had acquired the provisions and weapon, he listened patiently. He wasn't the least bit surprised about Cloudsdale, a city he himself had observed so many times. "I am glad you were able to secure such things from this Bulls-Eye Sister Elizabeth, for you were starting to run low on ammunition if I recall correctly and I know what a pain it is to go into battle under-equipped." He laughed some as he looked in the direction she'd emerged from. "Cloudsdale...That's a city I haven't seen cloud or wisp of in about five-thousand years or so. I was a younger man then, we all were of course. I remember helping to rebuild and redesign that floating city after we came back from the second Equestrian war with the corrupted Princess, Celestia."
Rekriel didn't say more as he returned to cutting through the thick forest. For a long time he didn't speak, returning to the routine of the work. But when he did, he finally viced the true question on his mind as he continued to work. "So what is your thoughts on Telios now that you've had time to consider what he feels for you?"
Telios had bee unconscious for a long time. He didn't know in exact hours or minutes, but it was too long as his eyes slowly opened to reveal he was laying on his back on a cot obviously not designed for one of his size. Instinctively, his hands went to his back to check for injury; which to his surprise he found none and felt no real pain. All that remained was a deep soreness that seemed to permeate his entire body as he sat up on the cot. He stretched, yawning quietly so as to not awaken the other occupant that laid stretched out on her own cot a few feet away. It was Zecora.
'That's right, I remember now.' The Assassin thought. 'It's all fuzzy right now...But Rekriel and Elizabeth brought me here to be healed of my injuries from that Hydra.'
Telios looked about, seeing they were nowhere to be found within the hut; nor did he hear a single sound outside besides the calming hum of the turrets as they scanned the wilderness around them. They were gone, and Telios couldn't help but feel worry for the Battle Sister as he rose on silent feet and moved without sound to a wall that his rifle leaned on. As he gathered his equipment, he couldn't help blushing as a few thoughts about Elizabeth ran through his head. Shouldering his rifle, he looked to Zecora with his blush fading as he left without a word; the only sign of his presence was a small knife in the wall that held a note of thanks to the Zebra for healing him a promise to repay her when he could.
With speed and diligence, he easily could tell which way they'd set off from as it held trampled brush and deep footprints followed by smaller ones. There was also the slashed moss on he ground, which the Assassin gave a faint smile as he whispered to himself while setting off at a quick pace to catch up. "I'm on my way brother Rekriel...Elizabeth." Again he blushed at even the mention of her name.
Reginald watched as Discord helped an elderly pony cross a stream before he summoned a glass of chocolate milk for a much younger pony.
"Please try and keep up Reginald, we are almost to a settlement where I can secure faster transport to Canterlot for you and the ponies, since you have so graciously offered to escort them all the way." Discord went on as Reginald got stuck in the river that the ponies had just crossed.
"Lend a hand spirit?" Reginald asked as he tossed his power lance to shore and held his hand out.
"Perhaps you could use a tad." snapping his claw Discord's paw detached itself and helped Reginald out of his sinking predicament before returning to the rest of its body.
Picking up his lance he quickly caught up with the group, "Thank you spirit, the ground her his a bit soft, especially for the like of myself and my brothers."
"Ah yes, I would suppose so." Discord laughed as he popped into a tree ahead, "Congratulations ponies and Chapter Master, welcome to Appaloosa!"
A single, light gold pony was caught from his usual routine in Appaloosa by the sight of so many ponies approaching. This pony smiled as he began to gallop towards the mass, his cowboy hat nearly flying off his head and his vest fluttering in the breeze around him as did his gamboge and amber mane. Despite the tiredness he could see in the crowd, some of them seeming to be somewhat injured, he greeted them in a hearty tone. "Welcome ta Appaloosa everypony!"
When he saw Discord, his expression faltered for a second before brightening again as he continued. "Discord! Mah old friend! Sure is good ta see ya again!" Not waiting for a response, he turned back to the crowd and saw Reginald standing nearby. "My oh my Discord, ya brought a big feller with ya this time." Holding out a hoof to the Chapter Master, he spoke in a happy voice. "Mah name's Braeburn friend. What's yours?"
"I am Chapter Master Reginald of the Blood Raptors." Reginald said, reaching down and taking Braeburn's hoof in his hand and shaking gently.
"Well then Mr. Reginald...Ah suppose ya'll are really tired after such ah long trek hm?" Braeburn asked as he turned his eyes to the streaming crowd of ponies heading for the town. "Well, we ain't got much round here, but ah'll make sure O' it that these 'ere ponies ah taken care of fer ya." Rushing off to town, Braeburn raised his voice so all the townsponies could hear him as explained the situation.
Within minutes, everypony in town was coming out of their homes and helping the displaced refugees into their homes as Braeburn finished with. "Yawl stay 'ere as long as ya like! Ya need yer rest after such ah long trek so just rest fer today everypony an tomorrow ah'll speak with tha railroad company ter arrange yawl some transport ta Canterlot!"
Braeburn then turned to a young mare with her colt that was near Discord and Reginald and he smiled some as he gestured for them follow him. "Ah'll help yawl get settled in fer tha day. Follow me." Looking to Discord and Reginald, he gestured for them as well before turning away and heading into town to get to his home.
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.
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."
"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.
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.
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."
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.
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 7
Mekrail had walked in silence for a long time. His imposing, dark presence in the halls cowing all the palace staff and guards to the sides as he marched past. Blueblood followed behind, his lack of fear off-putting to the ponies he passed as they turned a few times through twisting corridors. After some time, they reached the massive, ornately crafted doors to the throne room. The Captain paused, taking a calming, steadying breath; and then he opened the door and stepped inside. Both of them glanced about, seeing that much of the destruction had been cleaned to the best of the staff's abilities; all that was left was the downed Thunderhawk that sat in the same crater from earlier.
"When did this happen exactly Mekrail?" Blueblood asked.
"Long story. I'll explain later."Mekrail grumbled, remembering the slight soreness from halting the massive craft before finally taking notice of the two sisters and Princess Luna. His expression didn't show anger as he eyed Celestia, for even he could take notice of the tell-tale uniform that his old friend Jackson required of his higher ranking officers. He knew she was of no threat to him or his brothers, and so instead he smiled faintly as he approached them. Bowing courteously to the three, He spoke up after rising again. "Greetings sisters of Jackson's realm, Princess Luna."
Blueblood remained silent, his expression slightly sheepish as he eyed the three in front of him. He didn't wish to ruin whatever his close friend had come to speak with them about, after all he never exactly maintained a good relationship with his aunts as Mekrail continued. "Princess, I wish to speak with you privately once your business is taken care of." Nodding to the two sisters before seeing the tired look in Luna's eyes. "It will be brief I assure you, and then you can take a deserved rest Princess."
The two sisters looked to Luna and nodded to her before Celestia spoke up. "We know what to do sister of this realm, do not worry for us. Go and speak with our friend Mekrail and then please do rest." Celestia frowned slightly as though she felt personally responsible somehow for the state of Luna. "You need it so much, and we've been resting for far too long and it's time we stepped up again to take the weight of responsibility." Her words were stern, but compassionate as the two both made their cloaks disperse into shadows and their normal royal attire take its place.
Both moved to their thrones and took respective seats before nodding faintly to the Princess. "Go and speak with him and rest our twin, we shalt rule in thy stead until such time as thy war is passed and peace restored." Luna said, her smile turning slightly sad before they looked to Mekrail as he waited for the Princess's response.
Luna motioned Mekrail to follow her as she walked to her bedroom, the Captain and Prince did as she meant to enter her room as she began to remove her royal garments.
"Princess!" Blueblood said momentarily shocked by this.
"You can't expect thee to wear these in battle do you?" Luna replied with a devilish smile as she used her magic and revealed new armor that had small boxes on either side of her barrel.
"Impressive." the Captain replied as he looked upon the armor with an amused expression.
"I need say no more than Tempest felt that I needed better equipment." Luna said as she laughed.
"Seems likely." Mekrail replied as she put on her new armor and the two rectangular boxes lit up with a narrow blue tip at the end.
"You mean to tell me that you are planning on fighting, what if you die, who will lead us?" Blueblood practically yelled.
Luna merely smiled as she put her new helmet on and a semi circle visor dropped down from just below her horn to cover her eyes, it to lit up blue. The armor itself was blue with a black under suit and Luna's ciutiemark upon its flank, her long sword sheathed on her back between her wings and the two plasma based weapons securely mounted to her sides. She looked to Blueblood though no one could tell if she were smiling since her face was completely sealed as the rest of her body was before she spoke with her voice having a slight electronic tone to it.
"Do not fret, Tempest's design has few flaws that the enemy could exploit." she said as she looked to Mekrail for his opinion now thta he could see the armor in its full glory.
Mekrail's expression was intense, his brows knit in concentration and a tactical eye studying every last detail of Luna's new armor. He walked about her, gleaning every inch about the armor's security and like she'd promised next to no flaws. However, there was but one flaw that he did take to noticing; it was perhaps the only one and could be rectified thanks to something the Captain always carried in remembrance. Walking back to her front, Mekrail crouched down to her level and withdrew from a pouch at his waist a small orb-like construct that faintly gave off an aura and was intricately carved with the Aquila and several small scriptures in High Gothic.
"This is a Rosarius Princess. It is an ancient relic of great power, entrusted to only those of the highest honor and greatest faith to serve within my Chapter. The Chaplain. The bearer of purity, installer of justice and faith, and the great mantle of morale in any Company. This ancient device took the deeply rooted faith of he who wears it and converts it into an impenetrable field of psychic energy of the Emperor's own blessing." Mekrail's expression seemed slightly pained as he recalled a long faded memory, but he smiled as he remembered the heroics that had saved his company that day. "Our Chaplain, Drakeun. He was the most faithful man I've ever known, and this relic protected him from all harm until he bestowed it unto me before his ultimate sacrifice for our survival. It shall serve you well, as long as your faith remains strong no matter what happens. And I know it shall, for you are unshakable and unwavering in your duty."
Mekrail reached out, gently setting the Rosarius in the center of her breastplate where it glowed brighter for a moment as it integrated with her armor before it shone bright enough that Mekrail ahd to shield his eyes. "Another just like old Drakeun hm?" He whispered, drawing back with a smile. "Now, you are perfect and prepared Princess."
Luna's visor rose slowly, back to its original position and her smile was seen as she eyed the Captain. "Thank you Mekrail, I shall cherish your gift unto me and use it well in your Chaplain's name in the battles to come."
"I know you shall Princess, otherwise I wouldn't entrust you with it should I not believe you worthy of it." Mekrail replied, turning slightly to Blueblood who now was shaking his head before huffing in defeat.
"So what was it that you wished to speak with Auntie Luna about anyways Mekrail?" He asked.
Mekrail's expression turned slightly grave, his eyes taking a distant look as he turned back to Luna. "Ah, yes." He said. "What I wished to speak to you about...It is of the war...the future ending...I wish to know should you desire we simply crush both Sombra and your sister...or do we take them alive?" His question was blunt, sharp and uncaring as he didn't mind either option. Though, he recalled; for the sake of his brother Rekriel he felt for some reason that keeping them both alive may be the best decision.
Luna was taken aback. Hearing such a question from someone she considered a friend about her sister and potentially murdering her at her command made her feel slightly sick. She shook her head slightly in response. "No...If we are to win this war...I wish my sister to be alive and well...And if Sombra has done something irreversible and she cannot be taken from him then he must live as well."
"Very well...Thank you Princess for answering that." Mekrail said, catching a glimpse of surprise from Blueblood at what his savior and close friend was prepared to do. Before Luna could ask why he'd wanted to know her answer; he waved her off and shook his head. "My reasons are best unknown Princess. I rather desire to return to the throne room and see how Jackson's sister's fare."
Blueblood nodded to his aunt, desiring to be rid of the past conversation for now and focus on something less depressing and shocking. "Let's go see them, perhaps they'd desire to see your armor auntie."
Nitronus kept his distance from the Blood Raven as the guards approached him. Turning to look upon them he noted that the lead guard had removed her helm to reveal her silver coat and red mane that practically fell out of her helmet.
"Is everyone okay?" the mare asked with worry in her red eyes.
Nitronus closed his eyes as he remembered what he had done earlier to Blueblood, it was foolish and wrong and he could no longer stand to shrug it off since Mekrail, a marine that he had shared blood with in battle, refused to acknowledge him. "Nothing too serious soldier."
"Good to know." the mare replied before turning to her guards, "Set up a perimeter and ensure that this doesn't happen again!" she yelled.
"Yes ma'am, Applebits ma'am!" the guards all replied in unison before running different directions to relay the orders.
Nitronus once again looked towards Quicksilver and Karlous before giving a sigh and walking back into the former battlefield to retrieve his sword and shield. Applebits decided to follow the marine and was astonished to see him remove his helm and give the sky a look of great sadness as the mighty warrior sighed once more.
"Something troubles you?" Applebits asked while holding her helm in red magic from her horn.
"What could be right, I am helping xenos fight chaos, but I am also expected to take orders from them?" the warrior asked gazing at the sun.
"Nopony said that you needed to take orders from us, in fact I imagine that we would much rather just have your help." Applebits replied giving him a soft look before looking at the many scars across his face.
"I must make amends with the Dark Angel Captain, no good will come of us fighting each other." Nitronus said as he picked up his sword and shield before walking back over to Quicksilver and Karlous, the latter now stirring.
Karlous had been laying out for a great deal of time. He knew it, for every second of his forced sleep he'd been counting and trying to force himself to wake for Quicksilver. He remembered every word she'd said, the feelings they'd shared and how much he wanted to be there for her; but instead he'd been knocked out and was unable to do so. Now, as he groggily shook himself from the dark clutches of his forced slumber he could barely make out and feel the warm body of the one he cared so deeply for wrapped around him. She still had tears in her eyes and running down her cheeks, but now she was smiling so deeply it might have been mistaken as a grimace by others as she hugged him tighter. With a groan, acknowledging the dull ache of his wounds; the Blood Raven shook away any last remnants of his grogginess and returned her embrace somewhat weakly.
Before he could speak, she silenced him with a deep kiss that surprised the Sergeant. However, but only for a moment. He returned her affection just as fiercely, and the two had a passionate duel of tongues that was only broken sadly by need for oxygen. A string of saliva still connecting them before breaking, they stared lovingly into each other's eyes and Karlous gently wiped away her tears as she whispered in a hurt voice. "I didn't know when you'd wake up....And every time I thought you'd never come back to me it felt like I was dying inside."
"Well...I'm here now Quicksilver, and I'm never leaving. Come hell, come high water, let the Chaos Gods rain down upon me; I shall never leave you." The Blood Raven whispered back in response, prompting another loving kiss from Quicksilver that they both again enjoyed immensely and were sad to break away from.
Finally, both remembered where they were and the audience that had borne witness to their affections. Both Quicksilver and the Sergeant's cheeks were burning as they glanced around at the guards, Applebits and Nitronus. Despite this, both were smiling happily as they looked into each other's eyes again and she helped him to sit up fully. Within moments, he was to his feet; although quite unsteadily and Quicksilver was on her hind legs helping to keep him upright. Her hugging about his body lessened the pain, and looking into her eyes helped even more as he kept an arm wrapped gently around her as well.
Finally, the Sergeant's eyes shifted away to Applebits whom he regarded already highly of as he sensed the great leadership and honor radiating off of her. "Thank you for coming to our aid Captain Applebits." He laughed hoarsely, coughing a bit of blood before shaking his head as Quicksilver looked up at him worriedly. "Even though it is a bit late, the fight was totally unforeseen. Even with all the Great Father's psychic skills at my disposal, I could not sense them in time; so please, accept my thanks."
"I was going to say that we have done nothing. you two held your own and killed these things, not us." Applebits said, smiling somewhat.
Applebits took the compliment, to hear it of this great warrior calling her a good leader; it meant a lot as she nodded slightly in respect. "Thank you..." She gave a slightly embarrassed look as she added, "I'm sorry, I didn't get your names."
"I am Sergeant Karlous of the Blood Ravens First Company. This is my..." Karlous searched for a word, but Quicksilver spoke up for him in a loving voice. "I am his marefriend, Private Quicksilver of the Celestial Guard."
"Thanks Quicksilver." Karlous whispered, blushing slightly again as he kissed her cheek before continuing as he glanced worriedly at his fellow brother. "This is Nitronus of the Blood Raptors."
"Well, thank you for the compliments Sergeant Karlous. And thank you for defending the palace from attack by these things. You have all our most sincere gratitude." Applebits said.
"We only do our duty, nothing more." Karlous replied, watching Applebits nod before giving them a respectful salute and rushing off to her soldiers to ensure her orders were carried out.
Finally, Karlous turned to Nitronus with his worry shown clearly. "You and I know just how difficult regaining the favor of Captain Mekrail shall be. Dark Angels are stubborn, more so to the point of dying for their beliefs if necessary. they have a strict code of honor, and you have broken that code in his eyes; now he no longer trusts you nor believes you a man of honor. Honor is everything to them, and now he and all his Dark Angels under his command shall have nothing to do with you; lest somehow you should be able to regain that honor by proving it to him. And proof, well that depends on what you did to anger him and break their code."
Karlous finally turned away, his extensive knowledge of the Dark Angels spent as he leaned slightly on Quicksilver for support; insisting he would be fine walking as long as she was there and they went slowly. His intention, to return to the throne room; and the Sergeant despite his pain enjoyed every step that he took as he and Quicksilver held each other lovingly the whole way.
Maximus had sat down next to Scootaloo while they both watched Dashing and Rainbow Dash fly away from Ponyville and to the latter's home.
"So, want to get something to eat?" Derpy said coming out from behind them.
Maximus turned around and stared her in the face with his daemon face.
"Max, that you?" Derpy asked with a cocked head.
Maximus nodded before putting his helmet back on and standing up.
"Where are you going?" Scootaloo asked as she stood up and followed the chaplain.
Maximus pointed inside the house without stopping.
"You arn't gonna cook are you?" Derpy asked.
Maximus walked through the door before they heard the fridge opened.
"Yeah, I'd say he's cooking." Scootaloo said wide eye'd.
A few hours past and Maximus walked out of a warp that materialized next to Scootaloo and Derpy as smoke billowed out of the forge kitchen. In his hands he held three small boxes and six small sticks, he gave us each one box and two of the sticks before he sat his down and walked back into the house. He procured a small red cylinder and began blasting white foam out of a nozzle, dowsing the flames in the kitchen, before tossing it back into the warp. He came back and sat down next to the two mares before taking off his helmet and opening the little box.
Rekriel and Elizabeth both had been walking for hours through the snowstorm. The blizzard all around them whipping and lashing, snow banks along each side a few paces away building up beyond even the Techmarine's stature. The harshness of the storm even at points was affecting Rekriel's flame held within his palm, forcing it to flicker and began to smolder before it would flare up again and deny the frozen wastes an opportunity to freeze them solid. All the while, it was peaceful silence from any battle. Silence, that in turn allowed both to stew in thoughts previously forgotten.
For Rekriel, it was simple. He was wondering about his Assassin friend, whom he had no doubt was tracking them right now; especially since he'd ensured a fairly easy path to follow up to their current location. As for the Battle sister behind him, he couldn't quite tell yet what she was pondering on. Perhaps something similar, or perhaps something different altogether; like that of her own brethren's fates. Whatever it might be, the Techmarine felt that though he should focus on the task at hand, he should lighten things up somewhat.
"No doubt by now you have guessed I am not a true Dark Angel." He said, not even glancing back as he forged ahead.
"That is evident Techmarine, you do not resemble your fellow Dark Angel brethren in the least." Elizabeth replied.
"Indeed." Rekriel stated. "That is because my heritage is to be traced back to that of the mighty Vulkan himself. I was never to be a Dark Angel...Rather my destiny was that of a Forge-Master for my long-lost brethren on our homeworld of Nocturne." Rekriel smiled somewhat though, as he glanced back at Elizabeth. "I do not pity my loss of my home, but I gained a new one amongst my brothers here; and once before in this very world in another universe I had a chance to settle and live the life I may have lived back on Nocturne."
Rekriel turned back, awaiting a response that would never come as he heard off in the distance ahead of him a shout. This shout was so filled with hatred, yet it sang with righteousness through the howling of the storm as puffs of fire came from two individuals off in the whiteness. "Hold the line Initiate! In the name of Dorn and the Emperor we shall not falter!"
"Yes Champion! Suffer not the Unclean to live!" The other voice rang out as more fire burst from the second speaker's direction.
Upon entering the are where the blizzard was kept back, Rekriel caught sight of them. Two towering marines, one clad in simple Mk. Seven Aquila power armor; the other wearing exquisitely crafted artificer armor that was adorned with purity seals and scrolls of faith, intricate words carved into its shoulder guards and greaves. They both bore heraldry of the Black Templars, and despite his initial agitation at meeting those his brethren had crossed several times before he forced it down as he saw the artificer one dueling and cutting apart hordes of Daemons with a black blade. The simpler marine was peppering crowds and tearing apart their ranks with volleys from a Heavy Bolter. They were cut off by a burning Valkyrie, which surprised him if only for a moment before he leapt into action and joined the blade-wielder in combat.
"By Dorn's holy name!" The marine shouted, turning for a split second to acknowledge this new fighter before returning to dueling with a Beserker whom he quickly disemboweled and hurled back into the horde. "What's a Dark Angel doing here?" He howled above the storm as Elizabeth joined alongside the simple marine and was battling with both her chainswords against those that dared brave too close.
the Initiate was still gunning down the hordes, his heavy bolter burning hot from the sheer amount of volleys he had blasted. A lake of blood pooling at his feet, he just continued to chant mantras to the Emperor to see him through and aid his destruction of the unholy creatures before he finally glanced at the Battle sister. "So he has answered our prayers..." He murmured, his weapon lowering before his voice rose to a shout of defiance. "You hear that you Unclean scourge! The Emperor's own are here to put you six feet under!" With this, he continued to feed round after round into them, not stopping until finally the last on his side fell from a bolt to the head or a chainsword in its throat.
When the battle was finally over, the marine lowered his weapon and was panting with uncontrolled rage as he stomped the prone body of a wounded Beserker that had fallen before him. "Abhor Chaos! Destroy Chaos!" He bellowed, crushing the traitor's skull with ease through his helm before turning his sight on Elizabeth.
His weapon instantly aimed at her just as the Champion Templar slipped around the Valkyrie wreck with Rekriel beside him. His gaze was stern as he barked, "Cease and desist Initiate! These two have aided us as loyal Servants of the Imperium." The Champion glanced to Rekriel, who nodded as he wiped the blood form his eyes. "There is nothing more we could pray for from him this day, so lower you weapon."
"I am Techmarine Rekriel of the Dark Angels Third Company, and this is Battle Sister Elizabeth of the Blood Raptors." Rekriel said, rather evasively at the mentioning of Elizabeth.
"Blood Raptors...I've heard the name before...." The Champion thought aloud. "Must be your order, where are your other sisters and your Company, then fellow servants of Man by the way?"
"Lost...We were besieged by Chaos and cast into the warp and now we are scattered likely upon this world." Rekriel answered, just as Initiate Stanton emerged with a fresh stocked ammo pack for his heavy bolter.
"Ah, in the same boat as us then...." The Champion muttered before shaking his head as Stanton stood idly by with his weapon ready against more enemies that may come.
Rekriel eyed the Champion with slight confusion before turning to Elizabeth as he saw she was about to ask a question.
The trail had been easy to find. Working its way through the thick forest, trampled brush and snapped limbs of trees; the ground bearing witness to the passage of his Brother and that Battle Sister with deep prints in the soggy earth. It normally would seem too easy, almost like a trap to Telios; such clues left so carelessly. However, Telios knew that only Rekriel would have left prints with the Adeptus Mechanicus symbol in the tread; so this is how he knew he wasn't being duped as he followed along the treeline. Sticking to the shadows, using the available cover to keep hidden; he was able to make impressive time as he trekked alongside the path beat through the forest. with no enemies to face, he finally found himself hours later at the edge of the forest. This was where the tracks ended, although he could tell there was something drug over the edge as he studied the ground. Looking over the cliff, he saw what awaited as his visor scanned deep into the depths of the storm.
"I'm on my way brother Rekriel...Elizabeth." He whispered, the last part seemingly warming and steeling him for what was coming as he gracefully leapt from his crouched position and went over the edge.
As he fell, all he could think of was the frigid cold before he tucked and rolled just before the ground came up. Rolling with the impact lessened the pain, but only just as he grunted and felt a few bones fracture in his legs. When he came to a stop, he forced himself to rise and set off after seeing a recently melted path that was lower to the ground than the snow around it. "May the Emperor guide me to you both, and may he have kept you safe through this terrible storm." The last part more pointed to Elizabeth yet again as he set off at a fast pace through the cut snow path, his eyes dead set forward on his objective as he drew his Exitus Pistol and held it tightly in preparation of engaging an enemy should they be in trouble.
Reginald removed his helmet, but without the servitors he could not even think of removing the rest of his armor, that is, without help. He looked to the form of Discord before clearing his throat, "Perhaps you could lend me assistance spirit?" he asked looking down upon the mismatched draconian.
Discord raised his claw and snapped them as Reginald's armor flashed white and materialized in the corner of the room neatly away, "Will that do?" he snickered.
Reginald raised a brow, but merely shrugged before sitting down on the second couch adjacent to the one Discord was laying on, "Thank you Discord, though I would have taken that as heretical if not for how we met." the old chapter master replied with a small smile.
"Ah, think nothing of it Reggie, ever since I was reformed I have done nothing but help ponies, though I do have a few, harmless, mischievous spouts every now and then." the spirit of chaos replied looking straight towards the aged marine.
Reginald didn't respond, though he did maintain his smile as Braeburn walked back in with biscuits and milk.
"Now ah suppose ya'll are hungry?" the western pony asked.
"Oh, I'm famished, how about you CM?" Discord asked as he took one of the biscuits and took a small bite.
"The biscuits do look well baked, and it has been forty two Terran hours since I last consumed nourishment." he replied as he took a biscuit and eyed it with care.
"Ah think you'll like it, its an ol family recipe!" Braeburn said, looking upon the mass of man before him wearing nothing but black shorts.
Reginald took a bite and closed his eyes, when he opened them again after he had swallowed he gave the pony in front of him a grinned, "Thou has done thy ancestors proud pony, I hereby proclaim this the greatest biscuit I, in my long life, have ever tasted."
Braeburn smiled and tipped his hat before hoofing Reginald a glass of milk, which the marine took with his free hand, before he did the same for Discord and sat down with his own food. The three sat inside eating biscuits and drinking milk without speaking for a long time, that was at least till they heard screaming outside.
"Discord, can you put my armor back on?" Reginald asked as he stood and began for the door.
Discord snapped his claw once more and the armor with weapons covered the giant marine.
"My thanks friend." Reginald said before opening the door to be greeted with a Knights of Blood chaos marine staring at him, "Die heretic!" Reginald yelled before cutting the traitor in half with his lance.
Observing what was surrounding him he counted ten more marines, roughly fifty bloodletters, and ten flesh hounds. behind his helmet the chapter master was grinning before he raised his assault cannon and let loose a fury that would make even the strongest of marines think twice of crossing him in battle. He cut five of the marines down before they took cover behind the buildings that housed the ponies as the bloodletters surrounded him. Waving his lance to and fro, he cut the daemons down easily, though his killing spree was interrupted by a flesh hound throwing itself upon him.
"Begone mangy mut!" Reginald bellowed as he grabbed the lesser daemon and flung him into the remaining bloodletters before the five marines began firing upon him with their bolters.
Discord appeared above them wearing a white toga and holding a rather cartoony lightning bolt before he threw it down upon them, vaporizing them all into dust. Then he turned to the nine flesh hounds that were now making their way towards the downed chapter master.
"Sit!" he commanded, though the hounds ignored him and continued their sprint to Reginald who was now back on his feet.
Reginald shoved his assault cannon down the lead hounds throat before he slammed his boot into the second one, crushing it skull with a wet crack.
"Okay, we can do this the fun way." Discord growled darkly as the remaining seven hounds floated into the sky and were each struck by bolts of rainbow colored lightning.
"Effective Discord, you fight well." Reginald stated as he stood to his full height and looked at the carnage.
Many mutilated bodies of ponies lay about the little town, many innocent had died. Reginald frowned before he acquired his spear and stuck it into the ground. Though he was by no means a chaplain, it was still proper to pray for the fallen of this gruesome assault.
"We do not know what our chances of survival are, so we fight as if they were zero. We do not know what we are facing, so we fight as if it was the dark gods themselves. No one will remember us now and we may never be buried beneath Titan, so we will build our own memorial here. The Chapter might lose us and the Imperium might never know we existed, but the Enemy - the Enemy will know. The Enemy will remember. We will hurt it so badly that it will never forget us until the stars burn out and the Emperor vanquishes it at the end of time. When Chaos is dying, its last thought will be of us. That is our memorial - carved into the heart of Chaos. We cannot lose, Grey Knights. We have already won."
Reginald sang to the fallen ponies, some of whom were wounded beyond revival-able conditions, but still smiled to hear that they would be avenged by such a grand warrior and his compatriots, as they too passed at the end of his speech.
"That was, touching." Discord said sympathetically as he rested his claw upon Reginalds left pauldron and looked upon the dead with a frown, "Even when I had brought chaos to this world with my magic, I never harmed anypony, if anything I made many laugh."
"May they find peace in whomsoever's grasp they now lay, be it the Emperor's, or another deity." Reginald said as he stood once more, and looked to the sky.
The moment Princess Luna had exited the throne room with Mekrail and Blueblood, the two sisters had set to work. Luna had called up her twins's guards and immediately ordered them to spread word to all nobility that until further notice their authority in the government was to be revoked and all power returned to the Princesses. This royal decree was cemented when the Nobles that instantly showed up to rebut the decision were shouted down by Celestia's powerful voice alone. All of them were escorted out by Luna's guards, more so dragged out at the sheer strength of her command voice had paralyzed them with fear. In rapid succession, they had reclaimed all of Equestria's power to where they believed it should be; and with the nobility and other councils of which indecision was high disbanded they called upon their powers bestowed by Jackson to bring in sharp replacements.
These replacements came straight from Jackson's Death Corps, and they were of his highest ranking officers besides that of Field Marshal Rommel. Five soldiers, three Colonels and two Brigadier Generals; all standing at attention in their dress-blues before saluting sharply. "At-ease gentlemen." Celestia said, having them relax somewhat as they eyed both her and Luna.
"We trust thy five understand why thee was summoned?" Luna asked.
"Yes Lieutenant General Luna." They all answered in perfect sync.
"Good." Celestia stated. "Then I need not state the importance of your missions. However, you all must be informed of what we require."
"Thy missions, beith to train and mobilize an Army capable of crushing our enemies; and thee ist expected to efficiently supervise all Equestrian Government and see to the needs of our ponies here and abroad." Luna ordered, once more getting a sharp salute from the five before she effectively ended the meeting. "Dismissed. Now see to it that our country is taken care of and defended."
"Yes Lieutenant General." They responded before each one was escorted by two of Luna's guards that were called in and informed of their new orders to assist the Officers.
After they left, Luna eased back into her throne and was smiling somewhat as she saw the last of their Officers disperse to different areas of the castle to assume their new posts accordingly. The three Colonels to oversee the raising of the new Army and the re-training of the remaining one of Luna's troops. The two Brigadier Generals were off to take control of Equestria's government and oversee the distribution of resources to all affected and unaffected areas by the war.
Celestia was grinning as well. She and her sister were enjoying being able to exercise their power and very much so were ecstatic that the Lunar Guard was accepting their new orders. "This is the most fun I've had in a while. Is it not for you as well Sister?"
"Indeed it is. We art most thrilled to be commanding again, even if it beith on for a short while." Luna answered.
Before either could talk further, they were interrupted by the sound of a door opening above them. Both looked up in response, and seeing the large golden doors that heralded a small balcony open they were for the moment surprised at seeing a sleek black Alicorn standing there. He was large, his wings stretching as he looked around with a yawn and slightly droopy, light blue eyes. His mane was short, somewhat ragged; a mix of silver and white, as was his tail as he finally turned his eyes down. They lit up instantly at the sight of the two, but more so towards Luna as she gave him a slightly confused tilt of her head. Leaping down, he landed before her on the steps and was smiling. "Ah, it hast been too long since we last spoke my dearest Princess." He whispered sweetly in her ear.
"Wha...." Was all she managed to say before he was pressing his lips to hers. Taken completely by surprise, all she could do was stare at him with wide eyes as he closed his and leaned further into the kiss.
Celestia was nearly beside herself with shock that this Alicorn; albeit he was a handsome one, was kissing her sister. When he finally broke away from her, he was looking into her eyes happily and noticed she was blushing; but he also took in the fact she was still giving him a shocked look. "What beith wrong my love?" He asked.
This seemed to snap her out of her trance, and in an instant her expression turned to one of anger and disgust as she furiously was smacking him back and forth on the ground and shouting so loud the castle was shaking slightly. "THOU DARE TO STEAL A SMOOCH OF OUR LIPS WITHOUT PERMISSION! THOU SHALT BE PUNISHED FOR THY FOOLISH ENDEAVOR!"
Celestia could do nothing, knowing to interfere would mean she as well would be subjected to injury. Even though they both had great strength, improved even more by Jackson's generous grant of power for joining his order; she knew to attempt to save him would only make it worse as she watched sadly from the throne as the poor Alicorn was slammed again and again into the ground. Blood was flowing when she finally stopped, and he was left in the pool of blood as she stepped away and snarled at him.
"We art most certainly not thy love, nor would we ever be after such a heinous act upon us." Luna said harshly, retaking her seat upon the throne just as she realized that her twin had been watching.
Mekrail was shaking his head and sighing as he eyed the battered Alicorn, while Blueblood was looking surprised as they'd all seen everything that had transpired. "So is this your lover Princess?" He asked, walking into the throne room just as Quicksilver and Karlous arrived.
"Oh my...By Galaxia and Chronos what happened?' She asked, still hugging to Karlous as he surveyed the scene with a grim expression.
There was a lot of blood coughing before the Alicorn answered in a whisper. "Eclipse."
"Well then Eclipse, this is going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you." He whispered in response before he once more called upon his darker powers and began to slowly absorb the injuries back into himself. Deep gashes running all across his body; Bones snapping and breaking, he merely knit his brows and continued until naught an injury remained except for those on himself. "Now get up, I didn't heal you so you could wallow."
Helping him to his hooves, Mekrail wiped away blood that dribbled down his face before turning to the two sisters. "I trust thy had good reason to injure Eclipse, yes?" He asked.
Celestia answered back, more pointedly to Princess Luna. "My sister. She hasn't ever considered love before with anypony, believing her duties outweighed such concerns. Such as this, she never has experienced such affections unlike myself with Lord-Commander Jackson's Field Marshal, Rommel. Him kissing her oversteps her boundaries, and she has always reacted rather angrily to any mention of courtship or such things and this sadly is what results."
"Hm, very well Stewardesses. Thank you for the information." Mekrail answered, shaking his head before going to the downed Thunderhawk and collapsing against it as he tried to focus his advanced body to heal his new injuries.
"Bless you Captain, for healing my love." Luna said, nuzzling Eclipse lightly before turning with a sad look at her twin. "I can understand your reaction...But such violence would've been unnecessary."
Eclipse was still just looking at the two twins like he was crazy, also looking at Mekrail and the others the same way before shaking his head. "If I caused thee any issue dear Luna, I most sincerely apologize for my actions." He bowed slightly, making the twin give him a tiny smile as though he'd already started to redeem himself in her eyes.
"We art sorrowful as well for our actions Eclipse, but thee understands our predicament." She stated, nodding to him somewhat.
"Okay." Karlous said, annoyed slightly before coughing some blood. "so now that this fiasco is out of the way, perhaps all of you would like to explain to my marefriend and I what all we've missed?"
Nitronus found himself at first concerned, but then amused by what had transpired before him. Chuckling quietly to himself he walked past Karlous and looked at the dazed Alicorn, "By the looks of it..." he started to say before he stopped himself midway, "Do you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Karlous replied, before being thrown across the room by an invisible force.
"Sirrus!" Nitronus yelled as he charged the invisible intruder who impaled the old Champion through the chest and out of his backpack with a possessed power sword.
"Brother Nitronus, I see my former chapter has lowered the requirements for their champions." the Chaos marine laughed.
Bringing his head up Nitronus watched as two other chaos marines of similar color, these two with red painted across their black and gold armor unlike Sirrus who had blue, marched past the two foes.
"Don't mind us, we just need to remove the powers that be Luna and Celestia from the alternate universe, you see they are not part of my plan." Sirrus snickered.
"In the name of my Primarch Corax I shall allow no harm to come of these ponies!" Nitronus bellowed before ramming the traitor and making for one of the Korhn Berserkers as he ripped out the power sword and drew his force sword.
"Kill the loyalist scum brothers!" Sirrus commanded before drawing his plasma gun to fire upon Mekrail who had drawn his blade to battle him.
Nitronus dashed past the lesser of the two marines, as he cut off his legs, and turned to find Princess Luna battling, and losing, against the other.
"Thou art not welcome here!" she cried as she was hit by two chain axes.
"Hehe, I'm going to enjoy this, Blood for the Blood God!!!" the familiar voice of Franklin, the former Blood Raptor First Company Captain cried out.
"Franklin, stop playing with the natives and fight someone your own size!" the champion screamed, half in pain half in anger, as he charged his foe.
The traitor champion swung both of his axes outwards to have them lock with the loyalist's blades as they wrestled for dominance. Nitronus' backpack however was shutting down, forcing him to rely upon his muscles alone, which left his bionic immobile. Unable to swing his stolen sword he used all of his might in pushing off the other chain ax.
"You seem to be having trouble Nitronus, I shall enjoy painting these halls for Korhn with your blood and that of these pathetic xenos that you protect." the traitor grinned, his fangs showing.
"FOR CORAX, FOR THE EMPEROR!!!" Nitronus bellowed before punching the chaos champion in the head and sending him into a wall, in which he was embedded into.
The champion was effectively knocked out of the fight as Nitronus fell to the ground, landing on one knee.
"Thank you Nitronus, we owe you our lives." Princess Luna said as she motioned to two badly injured guards from the battle.
"It is my duty to serve those who the Emperor decrees a friend, and as such my actions earlier were not justified." Nitronus paused as he gathered more breath, "For earlier events I have repented, while no chaplain was present, Fluttershy made due."
"Your actions are forgiven, for you have not only repented, but have saved the lives of four of my little ponies and my own." Luna replied with a smile before turning back to where Mekrail and Sirrus now clashed with their fists.
Both marines seemed evenly matched, though Sirrus seemingly knew Mekrails next attack before it was coming. With effort Nitronus stood once more and drew his bolt pistol, carefully aiming it at the traitorous Blood Raptor, he fired three bolts into his chest and head, the latter only grazing his skull. Disoriented from being shot, Sirrus then dropped his guard for a second, in that second Mekrail capitalized and put the marine on the ground.
"Foul traitorous filth, I swear on my oath to the Lion I shall end you next time we meet." Mekrail muttered as he fell back away from Sirrus.
The portal closed quickly, and left nothing but a dead Chaos Marine and his blood decorating the masonry as Nitronus was limping on his one good leg with the other dragging behind him towards the others. His right arm was hanging at his side, due to his backpack's power failure he was only using his natural strength as he paused before the Sergeant and his love. Karlous was busy at the moment tending to Quicksilver, who had a small gash on her forehead that he was healing. His eyes locked to Mekrail's, whom wasn't smiling at all at him but did nod slightly in respect. "Perfect timing...But this doesn't change anything between us honorless fool." Mekrail then walked away after making sure Eclipse and Princess Luna was alright. He took his place back against the Thunderhawk and closed his eyes as he sighed in annoyance.
Karlous meanwhile, shared another loving kiss with Quicksilver after healing her injury and with her help rose to his feet. Stagger-walking to Nitronus, he weakly patted his shoulder guard before shaking his head as he gestured to Mekrail. "See what I told you, it shall take much more to convince him." He whispered, moving around his back and looking over his power pack. "I have something in my Thunderhawk brother Nitronus, you can take my powerpack for now."
Quickly removing the Champion's backpack, he set it on the ground before replacing it with his own with Quicksilver's help. "There. Now you won't be dragging about any longer." He gave Nitronus a smile before walking slowly with Quicksilver around to the side door of the Thunderhawk and stepping inside.
Nitronus tested his limbs before nodding as he retreated away from the Thunderhawk, and the Dark Angel, as to not be, intrusive towards him.
Jackson nodded faintly in response, a smile finally curling his lips as a single tear ran from his normal eye. "Thank you..." He whispered, addressing Tempest and seemingly another as he rose slowly from his chair.
Turning slightly, his eyes set across the room as though waiting. Tempest could see past him, see what he saw; and Joshua was watching intently as well from his seat. Eyes to the exact same place as though drawn to the same area in front of the massive bed like his friend. Within minutes, a nearly blinding white light split the very air, making the Inquisitor cringe slightly by the pure feelings of holiness that erupted; but Jackson remained intensely focused on the light as he began to take tiny steps towards it. By the time the light had dimmed to manageable levels and look upon what spawned it, one could see a towering swirling portal flanked by intricately carved columns and topped by a small roof that bore the symbol of twin Angels crossing swords. A slight breeze emerged, chilling the Inquisitor through his armor but not phasing Jackson in the slightest as he drew closer to it. At last, whatever created this swirling portal emerged; and both she and Jackson were breaking into a run towards each other.
"Dashie!" Jackson called.
"Jackson!" Dash responded before the two collided; clinging into one being, indivisible.
She laid atop him, kissing him deeply while hugging tight to his chest; her hoof band clinking against the stone floor. He in response embraced her back, pressing his lips further into hers and closing his eyes as she did. At that moment, one could see the small ring that resembled her hoof band as his robes slid down his arms; and one could notice the glowing halo as the portal disappeared as mysteriously as it came. Her wings; spread wide, were much larger now and a deep, fluffy white as she drew back and looked into his eyes happily.
"Oh Jackson..." She whispered, "I've been waiting for this day for thirty-three years and it's everything I've dreamed and more."
"Me too my lovely Dashie..." Before she could respond, he silenced her with another kiss as Joshua shook his head and smiled for them. "Oh it feels so good to be in your hooves again my love..." He said softly.
Joshua finally glanced to Tempest, wondering just what the old General was thinking as he called upon his Empathic powers; and yet this proved impossible as his mind was bombarded by the sheer love emanating off of Jackson and Dash. His head was hurting so much from it that he felt like he'd pass out as he stopped using his limited abilities and instead returned to watching the two as they rose hesitantly from the ground. Both still hugging tightly to each other and sharing loving kisses, forgetting the rest of the world around them as Joshua looked to Tempest again to gauge the General's response to this.
Joshua nodded faintly in response, looking to the set on the table before him before his eyes settled back on Dash and Jackson. "I do not mean to interrupt your long awaited reunion my friends, but perhaps you Miss Dash might desire a spot of tea to refresh yourself from the journey."
Tempest watched as a angelic Rainbow Dash lovingly kissed Jackson, part of him was distraught, but his more reasonable side reasoned that this was his realms Dash and that he had no competition for his marefriend. Sighing Tempest stood up and walked slowly toward the two lovers before standing silently before them. Glancing at Joshua, who was still smiling, Tempest darted his eyes to the tea and the happy couple.
Dash finally broke her eyes away from Jackson, looking confused at the Lord-Inquisitor before realizing what he had asked. She blushed lightly in response as she felt her throat and how dry it was. "Yeah, I could sure use something for my throat. It's as dry as a bone, I was just wanting to get back to my love so badly that I forgot about my own needs." She glanced back to Jackson, who nodded in understanding before releasing her from his embrace and she doing the same.
"It's alright love, I've waited thirty-three years, I can wait a few minutes more." He whispered to her before pecking her cheek lightly and gesturing her to go to the table.
Just as she was heading to acquire said tea from Joshua, whom had poured her a cup; the sounds of shouting besides that of Luna and Celestia earlier was heard. Weapons clashing and firing echoed, reaching the ears of everyone in the room as Joshua was already on his feet and moving to the door. Jackson gave a slightly confused look, but judging from the emotions he could sense of his Stewardesses there was trouble as he looked to Dash. "Guess we'll pick up where we left off in a bit love, let's go." He said, hugging her close before his glowing red eye flashed and they dispersed into the shadows.
Tempest silently moved alongside Joshua as they left the chamber with its two ghost guards in close pursuit. Tempest paying no mind towards the inquisitor as they rushed through the secret halls that lined the interior of the mountain.
Upon arrival, all that Jackson and Dash saw from the shadows was the carnage wreaked from the fight as he surveyed the throne room. His expression was cold, and Dash was looking over the others with a slight frown before shaking her head at the thought that such things happened here as well. "Jackson. Dash. That you my old friends?" Mekrail asked, looking to the shadows where they'd emerged.
"Yes Mekrail." Jackson replied, watching as the ancient marine moved slowly from the Thunderhawk to him before fist-bumping him.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other...wasn't that a few years ago on..." Mekrail scratched his head as though trying to conjure a fuzzy memory; but alas could not as he shook his head and looked to Dash.
"It's awesome to see you again bud." Dash said, hovering up into the air and getting a bro-hoof from him.
"Likewise." Mekrail responded before turning to a door behind the thrones where Joshua emerged and was studying everyone with his combat knife gripped at his side.
"Missed the fun, did I?" He sighed, moving past the two sisters and stopping at the bottom of the stairs near his brethren and friends. "Nitronus, what happened here?" He asked, studying the Champion closely as somehow he sensed that he knew more about this than the others.
Tempest looked down upon the Champion before turning his attention to the dead body of a chaos marine, "Seems as though Luna's fears are now justified."
"Fears of the forces of Chaos general?" Joshua replied as he looked to his new friend.
"Indeed." Tempest quietly replied as he walked up to the shattered remains of the dead marine, "Champion, who is this?"
"That is a traitor belonging to the Blood Raptor Warband that severed itself from my adopted chapter shortly after they became lost in a warp storm." Nitronus replied, earning a glare from Mekrail.
"Your chapter had a heresy?" Joshua asked, mostly just to confirm.
"Yes, before I joined them, these traitors plague us wherever we go, using the warp to throw xenos and even other warbands upon us." Nitronus replied as he slowly turned to face his allies.
Tempest nodded to Luna and Eclipse before walking into a spot of shadows and vanishing from the throne room.
Trayclian was a very patient man. Time. Many, many millennia had taught him this most important of virtues as he waited on the steps of the grand entrance to the castle. Here, he was waiting for the arrival of his brothers and friends still in town; waiting before he would leave off for anywhere without them. Sitting at his side, he knew still was Twilight. The mare had proven to be an amiable companion, as always she was inquisitive like he was; asking questions even still to him about his Universe. He'd smile and answer them, passing the time as he patiently waited. His Hammer still held in one arm, he was carefully examining the psychic damage that had devastated the once beautiful weapon's entire being. The long, flowing cracks pulsated with a darkness so familiar, and so nearly free as he sighed and returned his attention once more to Twilight.
"May I ask you where you came from, specifically Mr. Trayclian?" She asked, watching him intently as he rose.
"I suppose I could share such knowledge." He replied, "But perhaps over a walk through town hm? I'd like to see where my friends are."
"Sounds good to me." She responded, joining him to her hooves before he set off at a leisurely pace.
"I hail from the planet of Holy Terra." He said, "The birthplace of all mankind and the Emperor himself, Terra. It was a magnificent, grand place; at least after the Emperor came and united us all." He paused as they came to an intersection, of which he smiled at a few groups of ponies and bid them good day before going down the way to his right. "I personally hailed from Terra's capital city, a place of industry and smog and harsh conditions. But the people who lived there were good men and women, hardy and strong and kind. They raised me up, even though I lived on the streets most of my childhood and teen years; and when I was a young man the word came of the Great Crusade and the need of able men to answer the call. I did, and I was initiated into what became known as the First Legion of the Adeptus Astartes."
At last, Trayclian ceased speaking; as his eyes caught on to Maximus ahead. He was between Derpy and Scootaloo, which made him smile slightly as he continued walking towards them with a friendly wave to get their attention.
Seeing the Librarian wave them down, Maximus tore himself from watching Scootaloo's latest piece of technology and quickened his pace towards his fellow marine. The Chaplain held out his hand and shared an arm lock with his brother before gesturing back at the two ponies with him. Scoots machine whistling uncontrollably before puffing out a little smoke and settling down in a robotic arm that came off the top of her right shoulder.
"Well it wasn't supposed to do that..." she remarked as she looked it over for damage.
"I'm not even sure what it is Scootaloo..." Derpy replied, as she smiled up towards Trayclian.
Trayclian chuckled quietly at witnessing the small machine and how it had acted upon activation. "Nopony ever gets it right the first time young one." He said, patting her head before gesturing to the machine. "May I?"
Scootaloo seemed unsure, to which the Librarian reassured her with a smile. "I would like to study it a bit closer for a moment, if you'd allow me."
"Alright....I guess no harm done since it is a bit damaged." She replied, raising he mechanical arm to the Librarian's level.
He took the small device, itself dwarfed in his enormous gauntlet as his eyes scanned over the device intensely. For several minutes, he did this in complete silence; nothing disturbed him as he turned and worked over the small device's every surface and even disassembled it once before putting it back together. "Interesting." Was all he said before passing it back to Scootaloo.
Looking to Maximus, a flare of the Warp seemed to spike him as he glanced to his left and slashed a rift into the Warp with ease. Once more, he reached through it, grumbling a few times as he gripped his hammer tighter in his free hand. It pulsed darker and the cracks spread wider for a moment before returning to their original positions as he withdrew with a larger, motorized skull that floated above his gauntlet. The skull seemed to be looking hauntingly, both with its hollow eye socket and the glowering bionic one over its right temple. Upon its forehead, it bore an archaically painted Dark Angels insignia. A small claw for grasping items of import jutted from beneath its teeth, and a few anti-gravity stabilizers kept it aloft as it scanned about before stopping upon Trayclian. The Librarian was smiling, although he was slightly tired for reasons that would remain unknown to the others before him as he glanced to Scootaloo. "Your machine just reminded me of my old Servo-Skull young one. Very similar indeed, although yours I'd say needs a little work and a much stronger base than any metal could give you."
The Servo-Skull seemed to sputter and spew mechanical chatter and screech in incomprehensible tones before settling down in its Master's hand. "Yes, yes Angelus I hear you my friend. Activate protocol 23" He patted it gently before sending it over to Scootaloo, where it whirled around her at a fast speed before stopping in front of her face. Its bionic eye emitted a large grid that scanned over her entire being before flashing a green light and nodding slightly.
"Angelus says he consents to being studied for the time being, and that he would like to study both you and Derpy." Trayclian said, smiling as he glanced to Derpy and pulled the steaming muffin he'd also brought through the rift out and tossed it to her.
And speaking of the rift, it was taking all his strength to keep it safe now that the hammer had ceased lending its strength. He quickly forced it to close before Daemons managed to enter into his private tunnel in the Immaterium.
"Hmm, well aren't you interesting bub?" Scoots said as she looked over Angelus.
The skull sputtered a few times, which made the young engineer smile before opening up her creation. All the while Maximus looked at the ancient hammer, though he just shrugged at Trayclian when he looked his way. Instead the Chaplain pulled the wagon that had been hidden behind his form closer to the group and began sorting its contents.
"What have ye there brother chaplain?" Traclian asked, peering down at the many different items within the confines of the wagon.
Maximus picked up an object that resembled a weapon, a melta gun to be precise, and set it down gently to his left and next to a weapon sharing many traits with a plasma gun.
"So young Scootaloo seems to have a knack for constructing things similar to what we have." Trayclian stated, glancing at the orange mare.
Maximus nodded, but seemed to be in an almost trance like state when he uncovered something unlike anything else in the pile. Picking up the suite of armor he gave it an intense look over before setting it upon its hooves. From its elegantly crafted contour lines and leaf patterns the suite shined with its blue steel finish gleaming in the sun.
"Impressive." Derpy said from behind them, as she shot a look over to Scootaloo who had just closed her project after tinkering with it alongside the servo skull.
"Want to see how all this stuff works?" Scoots asked as her servo bot flew into the air and began scanning everything with a series of beeps and boops.
She gently picked up the melta gun and set it upon a four legged brace before aiming it at a steel target. Placing a charge into it she stepped back and pulled on the cord connected to the trigger, causing the experimental gun to fire a stream of hot metal clean through the the steel target before the gun exploded.
"Scoots!" Derpy yelled as Maximus ripped out his bolters and obliterated the weapon.
Despite being caught completely off guard at the sudden explosion; and with the smoke still clouding the air from the weapon's demise, Trayclian's eyes snapped straight to the site of ground zero. His advanced sight cut straight through the smoke; and upon the grisly sight that laid on the ground, blood pooling round her ruined body was Scootaloo. Fragments of the weapon and its hostler remained embedded in her broken body, her flanks and hind legs were completely gone along with most of her left side, as he caught the faint scent of blood over the hot metal and powder in the air. It was like a snap, what happened next; and Twilight watched on in fear for her young friend's life as the Librarian's right eye became a solid black. Dark cracks spread out from it, but halted a few inches out from their origin across his face as the hammer pulsated dangerously.
Even his voice was different, more malevolent and commanding, ancient and yet still retaining a shell of its former lightness and human qualities as he kneeled before her ruined body. "Now is not your day." He rasped, his gauntlet placed just above her before the same dark energy began to radiate down towards her.
It encased her wounded areas, not healing them but stopping the injuries progression and the bleeding as he slammed his hammer into the ground and looked to his Servo-Skull. "Find a life-sustaining piece of equipment now Angelus!" He bellowed, and the Skull obeyed immediately as it began scanning everything that Maximus had brought along.
Quickly, it returned before pointing with its claw towards the suit of armor. All it received was a grunt of acknowledgement and a nod before the Librarian raised his free hand and captured it within a light aura of the same darkness. It hovered over to him, pausing next to his hammer before he released it and forced it to open. Without hesitation, he lifted Scootaloo into position before gently guiding her into the suit; ensuring a good fit before he closed it back around her. With its systems activating, he finally released his power's grip on her completely and forced the injuries to seal as they were and heal.
Finally, he withdrew from her side, clutching at his dark eye and letting out an annoyed huff as he took up his hammer again in one hand. Turning quickly, he fled from them all while doing his best to conceal his eye with his psychic hood from the ponies around him that he passed. all the while, Twilight was glancing between Scootaloo and the Librarian down the road; trying to decide whether or not to stay with them or go after him. She looked especially to Scootaloo, waiting for an answer before she would go anywhere. The Skull also hovered beside her, checking her vitals via deep scan and ensuring she was okay before spouting a few bits f mechanical chatter as though asking a question of whether or not it could go to its Master.
Maximus turned his attention to Scootaloo and just waved off Twilight and the Servo Skull before he picked the wounded mare up and cradled her to his chest.
"But!" Twilight stammered as the Skull began flying off towards its master.
Maximus merely shot her a look as he stood up slowly and walked away, Derpy payed the princess no mind as she gathered up Scoot's belongings and chased after Maximus. Twilight then spread her wings and took off towards where the librarian had gone off to, following his massive foot prints in the dirt.
The trekking through the immense, snowy tundra thus far had been an easy one; the icy wind and pelting of snow shrugged off with ease by the Assassin. Telios had been through far, far worse; and then he had endured and made his kill before slipping away undetected. The trail had been so very effortless to follow; but knowing his brother it had been purposefully set to show him the way as he crunched the fresh snow under his boots, shuffling quickly along as the snow continued to pile up around his sides.
Before long, there were the wisps of fire that could be seen far ahead in the blizzard. Fire, that undoubtedly was unnatural as it should've been stamped out by the harsh conditions. Without hesitation, Telios took off for it as fast as he could; although now his steps were more measured and silent as he approached. His vision more clear, the objects in question around these fires now seen through his scope; he realized that this was where his friend and brother Rekriel had stopped. Seeing the two others, Black Templars, was a bit off-putting to him; but he put that aside as he noticed Elizabeth standing off to the side. His attention, his full attention was on her for the moment as a faint smile came and remained on the Assassin's face.
At last, he rose; and with his rifle strapped to his side he marched forth in the snow until he was just in sight of those that waited at the foot of the wreckage. "Another Heretic to purge!" Initiate Stanton proclaimed, raising his heavy bolter to fire upon Telios.
Moving swiftly, the Champion had drawn his blade and was preparing to charge the intruder; but before Stanton could unleash his fury Rekriel was detaining him with a quick slam of his servo-arm against the weapon and then to the Initiate's chest he was floored. The Champion had not the time to react to the lesser of two evils, and so was almost prepared to slice the Assassin's head from his shoulders when he deflected the blade deftly. "Heretic Assassin! I will destroy you for all you did to my Chapter!" Before he could say more, a paralyzing strike; Telios first hauled the Champion up with a blow to his helm, before putting him to his knees with a hit to his gut; and lastly, he ended it all with a smash to the back of his head.
With him floored, Telios drew his pistol in a smooth motion and whispered coldly in his ear, "If I'd wanted to kill you, I'd have done it Templar. I don't know what my fellow Assassins have done to your Chapter, but I know I've never harmed both directly or indirectly any of your brethren in my long life. Now, you can accept my hand, or i'll blow your brains into the snow if you prefer; and your initiate will follow."
Seeing no other choice; and not wishing to condemn the young Initiate to death alongside him just to settle an old score, the Champion reluctantly relented as he grasped the Assassin's hand firmly. He was hauled to his feet, and Stanton shrugged off the servo-arm and glared at the Techmarine. "You make a solid point Assassin...I shall...try to restrain myself and my Initiate from now on."
"Good." Telios replied, looking first to his friend who was staring stoically back before he glanced to Elizabeth.
She too, it would seem, was silent and observing the scene that had unfolded. However, there was a hint of a smirk; perhaps at the fate of the two Templars, the Assassin guessed. This was not of his concern however. What was, happened to be of her well being as he moved past the Champion and looked her over thoroughly. She seemed okay, to which made him smile a little more than before. But, prior to hinting any more than the faint blush that showed he moved away to the wreckage just as the Champion moved closer to her and spoke up in a questioning tone, "What's his deal with you Sister Elizabeth? You and that Dark Angel both?"
Stanton didn't take notice of his brother and commander's questions as he was actually in the middle of observing Rekriel as the age-old marine repaired the damage done by his subduing moments ago. But Telios did, and he awaited her answer as he leaned against the ruins of the Valkyrie; the firelight reflecting off of his eyes and giving much more luminescence to the deeply embedded scars that formed the Aquila across his seemingly young face.
Elizabeth stood there and stared for a moment at the champion before she gave a faint smile and walked toward the Astartes who questioned her, "That man is an Imperial Assassin, who is in the service of an Lord Inquisitor, best that you show him respect." she spat. Then turned around, "And you know what my order would do to you if you strike a loyalist, do you not?" she added.
This silenced the champion who looked between the sister and Dark Angel now with higher senses, trying to decipher if she spoke the truth. But before he could study them to closely three Termigaunts shot out from the white surrounding the five humans.
"Xenos!" Elizabeth screamed as she drew her twin chainswords and locked them against the front most appendages of the closest Termigaunt.
"Purge them!" Stanton roared as he blasted away upon the insect like xenos that were besieging them.
Reginald filled in the last grave and set his borrowed shovel down before turning to Breaburn, "What now pony?"
"I reckon that we should all get someplace safe from those... things that ya'll fought off." he replied as he loaded up a cart with the last of the towns supplies and ponies.
"I believe that you would be wise to do so, perhaps Canterlot then?" Discord asked him.
"Rightly so my friend." the brown pony replied.
"Canterlot?" Reginald questioned as he picked up his lance and strode up to his two travel partners.
"Equestria's capitol Chapter Master, you shall get to meet Princess Luna, Oh she is going to love you!" Discord chimed as a box appeared in his hand and he squeezed himself next to the ancient marine as the box flashed, "Ooh, that's a keeper!"
"Can you take anything serious spirit?" the Chapter Master questioned to himself as he began walking away from the ruined town with the ponies close behind, Discord flew ahead of them humming an unfamiliar tune.
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter: 8
Since having suffered the injuries in due part with healing Eclipse, Mekrail had been resting against the ancient Thunderhawk's damaged cockpit. For the moment, his pain was subsiding; to which he was thankful for. There was not only that which comforted him, but his companion Blueblood that had long since taken to his side sat beside him. A gentle tune, he hummed; his voice faintly melodic and soothing to the old marine's ears as he relaxed, breathing deeper and easier.
From within, he could also hear the rummaging of his two friends; metal being shifted aside and hushed, loving words of encouragement. For a few minutes, this went on; until the sound of their steps drew to the side door once again and they emerged. The old Captain was surprised momentarily to see the towering, heavily armored form that now stood with his love cradled against his chest. Karlous was indeed a sight to see now; as he smiled down at Quicksilver, who rested in the grip of a Power Fist that nearly engulfed her small frame. Held with reverence in his left gauntlet was a masterfully crafted storm bolter that gleamed in the soft light. Inscribed across his massive chestplate were names; the names, of the entirety of the Blood Ravens First Company that had perished as Quicksilver flew up to eye level and shared a kiss with him. This brought a smile to Mekrail, to see love flourishing for the younger Sergeant made him happy; and yet all the same he was somewhat saddened as murky memories he couldn't quite remember flashed in his mind. He shook them away quickly though, and instead watched as the Blood Raven moved with Quicksilver flying beside him over to Joshua and...."That honorless scum." He thought to himself about the Blood Raptor as the three communed with the Lord Inquisitor about perhaps scavenging some weapons and armor he had accumulated within the Thunderhawk's hold.
Before long, words from that same Alicorn and the Princess caught his attention. The two, whom anyone could guess were madly in love with one another, were still embracing tightly and whispering softly to each other. Comforting one another, since they had almost lost one another to the two sisters that sat upon their thrones and were discussing important war matters.
At last, it came time for Mekrail to try and stand strong once again. However, as he did so he caught a hint of worry in his young friend's eyes as the Prince looked up at him. "Are you sure Mekrail? You don't seem like you're recovered yet." He said, making the Dark Angel chuckle quietly in response.
"Yes." He replied, "I am strong enough to walk about on my own." As he rose, he wanted to grimace at putting the full stresses on his weakened body; but he held firm and stood straight as Blueblood watched. "Although, if you're so worried friend; I suppose I wouldn't mind you being close to me in case I should fall." This clearly set the Prince's mind at ease as he smiled and joined his close friend at his side.
The doors were eased open by guards without comment; to which the Marine and Prince promptly thanked them before continuing on as they descended the worn stone steps that had seen so many other feet before over the ages. With this, the Captain found peace outside; the air was cool and crisp against his skin and blew his long hair just faintly as he smiled and took a sniff of the sweet breeze. It carried with it the many plants scents from the garden across the way, and a few birds were chirping delightful songs as Blueblood admired the simple beauty and elegance of this place of nature. "Now I see why you wanted to walk." He whispered, "Because this is just perfect."
"Indeed." Mekrail answered, "There is no finer place I'd rather be to recover than among that which reminds me so much of home."
"Home?" Blueblood asked, "What do you mean by home?"
His query was curious, innocent; so the Captain decided he could indulge as his eyes looked to the skies above. "My home, it was a glorious place. The Plains World, a place that was covered in lush fields and thickets of forest across its surface. Massive lakes and oceans all about where the land gave way, and both modern industrial Hive-Cities to the smallest of Imperial Villages. I heralded from one such village, long since lost to the ages as its people were conscripted into the Imperial Guard or taken into my Chapter as Initiates. It, was a quaint place; filled with hard working people that slaved the fields day by day to ensure we were all fed and well kept for the future. I myself worked in the local Militia, keeping the village safe from wild animals, occasional raiders, or themselves." Mekrail sighed as he breathed another sweet breath, "But I was a younger man then, and now so many thousands of years old I long for those days; but I also make peace with the fact that I have a new family now, in my Chapter."
"Fascinating Mekrail." Blueblood said, "It's a story so different from my own upbringing, and one that again aspires me to become like you."
All it took was the single word, and the swift slice of his blade as the first of many leapt from the warp energy at them. "Chaos."
What attacked them now, in droves that never seemed to cease were Possessed Chaos Space Marines. These already deadly, traitorous warriors had taken within their very bodies and souls Daemons; thus granting them incredible strength and speed and cunning. Yet at the same time, they were horrifying to see from their mutations by the Daemon to suit its needs. Tentacles, barbed gauntlets, mutated distorted faces that hissed and revealed rows of blood caked teeth. Their armor cracked and bloodied, they charged and hacked and clawed at him; all seeking to end his life as they sensed his weakness. They scored many a hit, making the Dark Angel stagger and nearly fall to his knees; but it was the effort of Blueblood that kept him afoot as he lashed out at his attackers with all the fury of the Lion. Dozens were dead, piled around him like sandbags to a fortified position as he fought doggedly on against the odds to protect his friend. Even though he knew it was futile, as more and more poured forth and harassed him heavily with their claws and even a few bolt shots from the bolt pistols some carried in their hands. They were weakening him up, wearing him down; and within minutes he was to his knees again as his sword was savagely kicked away and he was forced to fight with only his fists. But he still did fight, hard and strong as he deflected claws with his Necrodermis bionic arm and dealt harsh blows with his normal fist that slew those that approached.
Glancing back, Mekrail knew he couldn't keep them off anymore as he met his friend's gaze and looked to the clear way to the main doors. "Go!" He shouted, "I'll hold them off! You need to get out of here, now!"
Blueblood shook his head, both out of fear for his friend and the courage he expressed as he stood his ground to the end. "No. I promised you that I'd be at your side through thick and thin and I'm not going to break that promise now; not in the face of any adversity, no matter how strong." He planted himself at Mekrail's side, keeping him from hitting the ground as he whispered, "I'm standing with you, wherever you go or through whatever fate brings us."
Mekrail actually smiled, words of how brave his friend was on his lips and of how good a friend he had been; but that was when his eyes drifted to one Possessed Marine. This one wielded a Lascannon, gripped in one hand and aimed straight for the Prince's heart. It was in that instant, that moment, that the Captain summoned what remained of his strength to move as he stepped solidly in front of the shot and grimaced in pain as it pierced his chest. The agony was not unlike what he had felt before, but as the three next shots rang out the pain dulled to nothing as he fell back and hit the ground. His chest destroyed, searing holes gaping through to the stones below as blood filtered into a pool; his left leg sustaining the same as he coughed and spluttered blood.
Blueblood was instantly at his side, ignoring the Chaotic forces around him as he tightly gripped his bionic hand and cradled his head gently in the other. He was sobbing, tears staining his fur along with blood that Mekrail coughed onto his face. The power armor that had held firm for so many thousands of years, now had given up at long last as it registered the destruction of most of his implants and organs; that included his Black Carapace, as his armor disconnected from his body and essentially left him to die.
The Lascannon shot was supposed to come next for the Prince, and yet it never did. Instead, there were the horrible screeching sounds of the Daemon Marines death cries as it was being ripped apart. Malicious cackles, mad cackles, followed. As though reveling in the slaughter, and yet also crying out in damnation to the Chaotic forces as they were brutally murdered by what sounded like claws. "I will peel the armor from your skin and the flesh from your bones! This garden shall be watered by your blood foul Daemon brothers!"
Mekrail could barely see, his vision filled with black spots as his body slowly died; but what he did manage to catch a glimpse of was the massive armored form of what resembled a Terminator, but only just. Festooned with bloodied spikes and skins of fallen enemies, its armor was befouled and swirled with the aura of Chaos. Coated in blood, the insignia that shone proudly on its shoulder guard was that of the World Eaters Chaos Legion. His face was covered by a spiked helm, custom crafted to resemble an ancient Knight's as he continued to hack and slash through his own Chaotic brethren with Lightning Claws. "Die! DIE! DIE! Blood! More Blood!" Again the Terminator cackled, spewing his hate and rage into his strikes until only one remained.
The Lascannon, which the World Eater charged. He took two shots, but his armor held firm as he grasped the Daemon Marine in a crushing grip and squeezed him until he was screaming in horrible pain. Quickly, the Marine's head was crushed by the other claw before the corpse was discarded as the Terminator let out a warcry that shook the castle's foundation. "You damnable Blood Raptors chose wrong this time! No one manipulates Force Commander Hellscream! NO ONE!"
Hellscream finally turned, his attention focused entirely on Blueblood as the Prince fiercely stood guard over his friend. To mention it, Mekrail had since slipped into a state of suspended animation as he laid completely null to the world around him; waiting to be revived when he could be healed. "Don't worry little pony, I have no desire to bring harm to you or your pathetic Dark Angel boyfriend." The Terminator bellowed, chuckling at the blush he received from Blueblood before the Prince returned his attention to his friend; whom was still dying as he curled up next to him and continued to cry softly into his shoulder guard.
Blueblood knew there would be no harm, since this Hellscream had indeed just saved them from death entirely as the World Eater Commander watched with his blooded claws still crackling in eternal thirst for more blood spilt. Hellscream did actually go to their side, leaning down and looking them over before returning his attention to the receding portals of Chaos energy. The Terminator also glanced back to the doors, which slammed open to reveal Nitronus and all the others emerging worriedly. "Foul Heretics!" Karlous shouted, his Storm bolter raised to fire just as Joshua took in the scene and raised his Plasma Pistol.
In the end, it was Blueblood that halted everyone from fighting as he shouted, "Stop! Stop right now all of you! Hellscream saved me and my....my...friend." Blueblood was again blushing, but also glaring at the gathered Imperial soldiers and Inquisitor.
"Aye!" The Terminator boomed, "The little lovesick pony speaks truth! Though if you desire your blood to decorate this garden and my armor, then step right up and shall give you the Emperor's peace!"
"Wait...did you say, Helscream?" Joshua questioned, holstering his pistol and stepping past the others and towards the massive World Eater.
Joshua merely shot the Sergeant a harsh look before shaking his head as he neared the Terminator's form. "Is that really you, old friend?"
Joshua broke into a smile, "It's good to see you are still alive after all these years...I was unsure, after the last Black Crusade when you went missing from our ranks."
"Nay, I still live to slay the enemies of Man. Although I do wield the 'gifts' my former Master bestowed upon me." Hellscream cackled again, making the Inquisitor eye him oddly before shaking his head and passing by him and heading towards Mekrail.
"Stand down, all of you." He ordered coldly, kneeling beside Mekrail's inert body with a serious expression as he looked the severe wounds over keenly.
Behind the others however, the two Sisters had been shouting orders to the nearest guards to round up all the Captains of the Guard forces and their Generals that had been dispatched. There was now a war, and blood had been officially spilt in their eyes; the blood of a close friend of their Master Jackson, whom was observing silently alongside his wife Dash. There would be hell to pay, and they needed to meet with all Army leaders and officers to discuss their plans before continuing as they returned to their thrones and waited.
The Inquisitor didn't even spare a glance at the ancient Champion as he looked to Blueblood with a halfhearted smile. "Don't worry friend, Captain Mekrail isn't going to die. He's just trapped in suspended animation, at least until we can heal and revive him."
Blueblood's expression was confused and quizzical, but he didn't understand what it meant beyond the fact that his close friend wasn't going to die; and it was in this he took solace as he nodded gratefully.
"Lord Inquisitor..." Hellscream echoed, "The puny Space Marine grows impatient." The Terminator cackled as he slammed the ground with his claws before getting into a battle stance.
Joshua sighed softly, there indeed was much to explain that the Champion did not know of their past. Rising to his feet, he stared straight through the Marine in question as coldly as the blizzards of Fenris as he answered his question. "Force Commander Hellscream is no Traitor Nitronus, not anymore." Knowing he'd need to explain, he elaborated what he meant. "Hellscream was once, during the Great Crusade an up-and-coming Force Commander of the World Eaters Legion. He served through many millions of battles, charging through the hell-fire of his enemies with Lightning claws bared and ripping entire armies to bits alone when no other of his Legion could. At the time, he was extremely loyal to the Imperium and his men; but then the Heresy occurred and his Primarch, Angron, declared that they were joining Horus in the rebellion. He was forced to fight those he called brothers of the other Legions, lest he and his entire force under his command be executed."
Joshua paused, as he felt the World Eater step beside him. "I did what I had to, in order for my men to survive we had to fight!"
"Yes, but after the Heresy was over and the Legion fled...Both he and his men splintered off, and found themselves traveling in a captured Strike Cruiser through Warpspace. Hated, betrayed, angry; and equipped with weapons and armor that had been forcibly corrupted by their Master of the Forge previously, they would do battle through the coming ages against Chaos wherever it existed. Fighting fire with fire, the Heretics were often surprised before their destruction at supposed Allies turning on them while they crusaded." Joshua continued.
"Aye, and after many long millennia we emerged into a space battle between a Chaos Battle Barge and the Angels Exterminatus! With our mighty weapons, we blasted away at them until we were close enough to board; to which their deaths were fast and gruesome!" Hellscream shouted proudly, his helm looking down to the Inquisitor.
"Suffice it to say, Mekrail didn't allow them to escape to the Warp; and instead he raised the vox and hailed their ship immediately. They responded, and after many hours we managed to strike a deal that worked well for both of us. We would keep their existence secret, by all my power in the Inquisition and Mekrail with his pull in the Dark Angels; and in exchange they would return to service secretly alongside us. Over the centuries and millennia, they had proven to be the best allies we could have in our fight; at least, up until the last Black Crusade.
"Foul Blood Raptor witch!" Hellscream shouted, "He cast a damnable spell alongside some Sorcerers and sent my entire ship into the warp!" The Terminator looked away, ashamed, as his voice fell low to a whisper. "He had them all killed, facing endless daemons until we could go on no more...And I alone held on until my ship clashed with some Space Hulk in the warp and I was able to use the teleportation systems to jump through the Immaterium and onto the nearest planet. It just happened to be this one."
"Of which I am glad you did, Hellscream." Joshua interrupted, glancing back towards Mekrail. "Or I do believe the Captain and Prince would not be with us still at all." Joshua finally returned his attention to the group, his eyes catching that Karlous had lowered his weapon as they seemed to share a story in a way. Quicksilver's fear had dispersed as well, although now she was looking more worriedly towards Mekrail as Jackson stepped up beside Nitronus with Angel Dash at his side.
He calmly placed a hand on his shoulder, his intent to cease this standoff as he spoke. "I don't know you, nor would we have ever met were it not for my son requiring my aid here; but what I do know through my many years of experience is that this 'Hellscream' is the most prime example of loyalty." Seeing Nitronus's look, Jackson shook his head disarmingly as Angel Dash continued.
"Yeah, I mean come on man; this guy's clearly proven he's not an enemy. Whatever that Inquisitor guy my love knows said, he's proven how much he seeks to repent for his forced actions and has redeemed himself in battle against many a real Traitor. Just like my husband's regiments, all are souls seeking redemption for crimes in life; and they serve a common cause of peace against all forces that oppose it. He is the same, seeking redemption. Will you deny him that now with your narrow thoughts and ways?" Angel Dash's question was blunt and to the point as she glared at him harshly before walking with Jackson over to Blueblood's side.
"Would you like me to help get him to the infirmary?" He asked.
"I...Yes." Blueblood answered softly.
"Help us sit him up then." Angel Dash said.
After a few minutes, the three had gotten Mekrail's nearly lifeless body to sit upright; to which his injuries were far more prominent to everyone looking as light shone straight through the remains of his chest. Jackson quickly scooped him up, grunting at the weight as he shifted him in a fireman's carry before beginning to walk back towards the door that Blueblood said led to the Infirmary area. Angel Dash followed beside them, assuring the Prince that Mekrail would be alright before they vanished from sight into the building.
Nitronus slammed his shield down and walked towards Hellscream, his sword still raised, "Force Commander!" he said calmly as he removed his helm.
"Yet you still wish to fight?" he replied as he prepared himself.
"Nay brother, for I have proven myself a fool once this week, and I shant again." Nitronus stated with a hearty chuckle as he inverted his blade and rammed it down, "Any foe of Chaos is a friend of mine, shall I tell you of the time I trained a Tyranid?"
Hellscream chuckled lightly in response. Silently, he was thanking the Emperor that he didn't have to slay this Marine, and that he was indeed as level headed as the good Captain had been when they met. "It is good that you trust me, otherwise I do believe more than Traitors blood would be spilled here."
Joshua sighed softly in response, knowing that what the Terminator spoke was true; as even the Captain hadn't the strength nor skill to best him in single combat to date. "Then I am grateful that I was here, and that you Champion could see some sense."
Again the Force Commander chuckled, "Aye, but since this has all come to pass I do believe I'll take you up on that Tyranid story." Hellscream paused, remembering something that held importance to him back before the Warp had engulfed his ship. "And perhaps I shall share with thee the secrets of how I trained a Daemon Hellhound to fight at my side against the forces of Chaos?"
Meanwhile, Karlous had decided that the situation was contained; and as such he and Quicksilver went back into the throne room. What they saw was a cobbled group; consisting of all five of the original officers that the sisters had dispatched, two Equestrian Guard Captains, and their friend Applebits from the previous battle where the two had declared their love for one another. Both smiled, although they knew that this was the war meeting the two had called as guards closed the doors behind them and all others leading into the Throne room.
Nitronus ripped his blade from the ground and recovered his shield which he placed upon his back, "Haha, it appears that we have much in common then."
Twilight had been flying for some time, high above the streets of Ponyville. Her eyes scanning far below, searching for her friend Trayclian. Thus far, he had eluded her; and from the looks of it she'd likely never find him as she descended down into a street about seven blocks from her point of origin. Walking down the street, she kicked aside an old paving stone that had become dislodged and sighed softly. She really had wanted to find him, to be able to ask what had happened and why he had acted so oddly after healing Scootaloo.
However, her ears caught a familiar voice. It was emanating from an alley that was just ahead, and she recognized it as she neared. It was indeed Trayclian. Turning down the alley, she saw his hulking form sticking out barely from the shadows. His hammer gripped tightly in both hands, its pitch black cracks bending the darkness around it to shield itself and its master from light. He wasn't facing her, and what he voiced was a mixture of what she could understand and some language he'd described to her earlier as High Gothic. It sounded like prayers, to which she was slightly perplexed as she called out softly, "Trayclian? Trayclian what's wrong?"
As she stepped closer, she knew he was alerted as he looked up sharply to her. His eye, his normal one at least, reflected almost a sense of fear of some kind as he fell back. He was whispering the prayers faster now, scrambling back towards the end of the alley where his back hit the wall of a building. He seemed to fear something, judgement perhaps? Either way, Twilight pressed closer. She was both worried and curious as she repeated her question, "Trayclian, what's wrong? Why did you run? You can tell me, I can keep a secret if you want?"
Trayclian sighed softly, his eyes closed for a moment as though considering the validity of her offer. Eventually, he relented and was looking at her again with a haunting remembrance showing in his normal eye. "It was a long, long time ago. Before Captain Mekrail was in command of my company. A world, Avelius V. The planet was to be re-annexed into the Imperium, and my Company was tasked to bring it under Imperial law and order once again. There was another, older Captain whose name was Marvel. The battles, for weeks on end. We were fighting Chaos forces, Traitors; those that were of the Chaos Legions of the Word Bearers. Brothers once, who betrayed the Imperium They, made it difficult...Losses were growing, and it was when my old friend Marvel was struck down by one of their Chaplains that I...I lost it. That Dark eye, was but not even a sliver of what I can do when the Darkness emerges....Well....My last sane orders were for our company to return to the Angels Exterminatus.....and then there was nothing I can recall except being back on the ship and watching the planet we fought so hard for crack apart."
Seeing Twilight's surprised and confused expression, Trayclian laughed harshly before giving her a knowing look, "That has only happened once, that time. This is the first time in many millennia since my Darkness has even marginally revealed itself. Luckily, I was in control. And that's also why I am still trying to force it back within the confines of my Hammer where it resides. I don't want to see another world lost...not with some many I've grown to care for upon it."
She wasn't sure, but that answer seemed rather pointed to somepony as she heard the humming of the servo-skull Aurelius behind her. "Oh....Well...I'll be sure to keep your secret Trayclian. I won't say a word." Twilight noticed a faint smile as he rose from the ground, and she also saw that his cracked eye had returned to some normalcy; beyond that of darkness still surrounding his pupil he seemed to have recovered.
She flew up to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder guard and for some reason wanting to say more; but she didn't know what she was feeling or wanting to say as she blushed. the Princess turned away, mumbling softly as she headed for the entrance to the alley. "We...We should get back to the others....They'll...be wondering where we are and....Scootaloo will want to thank you..."
Trayclian observed her curiously, wondering why she'd reacted the way she did before remembering something long ago in his and Mekrail's Equestria. His smile grew somewhat, and he followed her with Aurelius floating beside him. He spluttered more machine noise, to which the Librarian chuckled before nodding in agreement as he followed behind the Princess down the streets towards where he'd previously fled.
Maximus' shoulders slacked as the chaplain looked down upon the now armored pony, the equipment being the only reason she had lived. He admired once more the ornate patterns, etched in by her own hoof, that covered it from top to bottom, every last detail of the armor was in perfect measurement and its systems obviously functioned just as well as its cool blue steel finish looked. The chaplain looked down to the Plasma Gun that she had brought before picking it up for a close examination, to his eyes it seemed like a properly crafted weapon of war, so he went ahead and installed it to her left flank with great care.
"You sure that's a good idea Maxi?" Derpy asked from behind him.
Maximus gave her a nod before standing up and looking to the shadows, though more specifically a pair or glowing red eyes that were full of concern.
"What happened here?" Tempest questioned as he came out of the shadows and approached Scootaloo carefully, ignoring the Marine.
"Her weapon test blew up in her face." Derpy replied for the mute Chaplain, who just gave a nod.
"How badly is she hurt?" the pony in black armor asked, giving a look that stared into the very soul to Maximus.
The Chaplain merely knelt down to the ponies level and shook his head, trying to say 'badly' without using the warp and that accursed cell phone. Luckily Tempest understood and turned his attention fully over to his pupil, tears slowly trickling down his face.
Elizabeth jumped over a charging Termigaunt as her twin swords mutilated the insectiod xenos with ease, she could have sworn she had heard one of her comrades whistle, but she was unsure of which one. Stanton and Telios stood side by side as they fired into the horde that was charging them, now spreading out as if they were coming out from every angle. Stanton's shots were rapid and most missed, whereas Telios' rounds hit their mark on the larger and more dangerous xenos. The Champion slashed and hacked his way through the xenos alongside the battle sister who was now dueling a Warrior.
"Elizabeth!" Telios yelled as he placed a round clean into a Harpy that had come down from the sky in an attempt to snatch the sister.
"My thanks Telios." Elizabeth replied as she parried an attack from the warrior before sweeping the floor with her left leg and driving her left blade into its chest, "Die xenos scum!"
"Excellent kill Battle Sister." the Champion shouted as he sliced another Warrior in half.
Elizabeth remained silent, personally she missed battling alongside Maximus her other brothers Nitronus and Reginald. But alas here she was with a couple Black Templars of all chapters, a Salamander turned Dark Angel, and an Imperial Assassin, personally she wouldn't mind if it was only the latter two.
"Watch yourself!" Rekriel yelled as he grabbed two Harpies from the sky with his servo arm and crushed them, all the while blasting away at the Termigaunts that continued to encroach upon their position.
"They're worse than the damn roaches on our ship!" Elizabeth yelled as she sheathed her left chainsword and pulled out her bolter.
"Your ship has roaches?" Stanton inquired, surprised at this information.
"You would be amazed at what my ship has on it." she replied as she did a one-eighty and poured half of her bolter clip into a swarm of Rippers, "Heavy bolter adjust your fire to the right and hit those Rippers!"
"Aye sister!" Stanton yelled as he began to spew litanies of hate upon the xenos.
"Is there no end to these xenos?" the Champion questioned as a Warrior jumped upon him, though impaled itself on his blade and died instantly.
"I do......." Elizabeth began before a Carnifex slammed her into the ground.
"Noooooooo!" Telios screamed as he brought his rifle to bear against the foul beast and charged it, each of his shots hitting their mark.
The Assassin jumped to the side once he got close to it and then slid beneath the beast, firing more rounds until it finally fell. He then forgot about the battle as he knelt to help the sister who had nearly been crushed to death in a single blow. Rekriel made his way over to them and provided cover as the Assassin removed her helm.
Looking now into her eyes, Telios took in the scope of the horrendous damage the massive Carnifex had done unto her. Great rents cut through her holy armor, leaking blood; but this was only the surface. He was no Apothecary, but he was certain many of her bones were broken as well. Silent tears streaked his cheeks, freezing in the cold before they could fall as he cradled her head and body in his hands. "I've failed you......" He whispered softly.
And yet even despite the furious protection of the Space Marines, a single Tyranid Ravener burrowed beneath their string of defenses. Realizing their weakness at this moment, the swarm pressed its attack to keep the three distracted as they fought blade to claw, gun to bio-weapon. The Ravener came straight through the frosted ground, its horrible features fixed on the Assassin and Battle Sister as it howled and charged. No one could stop it, they were all tied up in hand to hand combat now; even Stanton swinging his heavy bolter at the Aliens to knock them back as he watched the hideous Xeno attack its target. Its claw was buried through the Assassin's chest, emerging on the other side and hooking to him as to prevent any attempt of removal. as it howled in victory, his blood joining hers in the pool between them; He didn't show any hint of pain or take notice as he continued to cradle her closely.
"Brother!" Rekriel's voice howled, "Damnable Xenos!" The Techmarine made a clean sweep with his servo-arms, clearing the beasts from him as he turned and charged the Tyranid. With all his fury, his servo-saw came down upon the claw around the Assassin's back and cut it cleanly away; and as the Tyranid reared away he slammed into it and began to beat it to death with his fists.
"Dammit all Emperor, we can't stay here!" the Champion shouted, seeing another of the massive Carnifex beasts emerging into vision among hordes more of Rippers and Gaunts.
Before he could move to challenge it in single combat; to break the Horde's morale for the moment and seed confusion in their ranks, he watched as Stanton ceased firing and began to walk towards the horde. His armor was alight with a faint golden aura, his eyes shining brightly as though consumed by a light as powerful as a thousand suns. The Champion saw and knew this well, the mark of the Emperor choosing another Champion; gifting him with visions of new victory here and now as his helm fixated upon the same beast in the crowd. "Suffer not the Unclean to live!" He said, his voice echoing in the wind before he looked straight at the Champion. "Your blade."
The Champion knew what he meant, as he drew his sword for the last time and admired the Black Sword before tossing it to the waiting Marine's grip. Catching it deftly, the new Champion had just enough time to deflect a blow from that very Carnifex and lock its massive scythe arm against the blade. His heavy bolter raising, he again proclaimed his Oath once more, "Suffer not the Unclean to live!" Before firing it into the gut of the beast until a gaping hole resided there now. "Go!" He echoed, "I will drive them back."
"Emperor be with you, Champion Stanton." The former Champion responded, fleeing his brother and leaving him to fight this battle alone; as he knew his place no longer was here.
Rekriel and the former Champion took up arms, the latter wielding his combat knife now as they watched the Assassin rise with Elizabeth still held in his arms and her helm in her lap. "Let's go." He whispered, setting off into the storm with the two behind him.
The sounds of endless battle echoed behind them; one marine fighting against the impossible, the implacable, neither accepting defeat nor giving in to the enemy as his voice rose up in furious hatred through the hailing winds and the sounds of his blade and chosen gun traveled far with it. Eventually, Rekriel caught sight of a place of respite; a single, dingy cave entrance in the side of what appeared to be a small hill. Luckily enough, it hadn't snowed in yet as he waved the Assassin and former Champion forward. Entering it, he glanced about and confirmed it was safe before turning his eyes to his comrades.
The Black Templar was injured somewhat; a dozen or so slices and cuts across his armor that had since healed and a decent hole in his right shoulder guard from a bio-weapon finding its mark. His eyes swept to his brother and friend, Telios. Seeing the grisly sight of the claw lodged in his chest made him speak up, his voice amplified in the cavern. "Assassin....Telios...The claw, it's still inside you we have to...."
His voice was colder than the ice, uncaring for anything but the one he laid out before him and began to gingerly tend to the injuries he could as he interrupted the Techmarine. "Nothing else matters....not me...only her. I cannot live with myself if she dies."
The Assassin removed from a pouch at his waist a small syringe, praying silently to the Emperor it would help before whispering softly in her ear, "This will hurt more than anything, but it will help with your bones." Finding an open rent in her armor, he quickly injected her with it and pushed the plunger; the dark blue liquid flowing into her body.
He knew she was gritting her teeth to stop a cry of agony, to which he gripped her hand tightly to show he was there as his free hand stroked the hair out of her eyes. All the while, the Techmarine was taking stock of the situation as the sounds of battle continued to echo and reach his ears. The former Champion seemed to have something weighing heavily on him, it was plain to be seen as he watched the cave entrance and listened to the litanies of hate. Rekriel decided to say nothing, focusing his attention back to his friend and Elizabeth as he cleansed the Xeno blood from his weapons and armor.
Dashing had followed Dash for a while, flying through the skies above. The wind on his face, flowing under his wings as he beat a powerful gust behind him. He knew Dash was watching him, curiously; as with an ease he kept up with her was likely surprising somewhat as he cruised beside her. Before long, they had touched down on the clouds outside her home; a place that Jackson had only told him about, since in the war it had been torn down by the battles between his forces and the Rebels against him. Not to mention that he'd never had the time to stop and enter it; with his job as Canterlot's Captain and his duty to his family he never had a chance to visit a piece of his life. But now, standing on the clouds before it; he was nearly breathless. It's beauty, though simple, was something of admiration by his eye as he took in the completeness of the place where his mother had grown up.
Dash though, interrupted him with a tug on his shoulder and telling him to follow her inside. "Ah oh!" He stumbled, "Coming Mo.....I mean Dash." He rubbed the back of his helm's plume sheepishly, catching a look from her before he followed her to the door and stepped inside. The simplicity of her house didn't escape him, but his eye absorbed all eagerly as he noted every detail of the small living room; from the couches to the tables and even the pictures and posters that hung up on the walls he committed to memory as he trotted over to a couch and took a seat.
"So, what do you want to drink?" Dash asked.
"Water please....I've never been much for anything else..." Dashing replied, smiling faintly at her as he watched her go to a nearby room.
"So, what was all that back there exactly?" She asked after taking a sip.
Dashing immediately froze. With such precision you'd have thought the glass might detonate, he set the glass down on the table and looked her over to see if she was serious in her question. Seeing that she indeed was, he sighed softly and said, "I'm not sure....If I can tell you Dash. Dad might be furious with me for explaining what I can do."
Rainbow gave him an inquisitive eye before shrugging at the thought as she flew up to retrieve the book that Tempest had dropped off earlier. Landing down next to the armored pony as he sipped his water, she sat down and opened her Daring Doo book.
"You read?" Dashing asked.
"Eeyup, not that I'm an egghead though." Rainbow replied, sheepishly putting the book down and whistling.
"Yeah, okay." he chuckled at her response.
"Hey, you hungry?" she asked as she shot over to the kitchen feeling a tad bit awkward.
"Yeah. Yeah I am." Dashing replied, "But...you don't have to go to any expense for me. Letting me come here, it's more than enough."
"Pancakes work?" Rainbow asked as she pulled out a spatula and pan.
"Sure." Dashing replied, stunned that she was about to cook.
"Lets just hope they don't turn out like last time." Dash muttered under breath.
A few minutes of shouldering Mekrail had done about as much work on the soldier of Death as the military exercises that he did every morning until lunch every day. But the hard work to get him to the infirmary was worthwhile as Blueblood rushed ahead with Dash and pushed the golden doors open. There were a few patients present, none as seriously injured as the Space Marine was as Jackson entered and found the nearest bed. Laying him down gently, he took a moment to observe the injuries a little closer before looking up to a waiting Unicorn Nurse across the bed. She wore a look of calmness and professionalism, but through the cracks Jackson could read shock at seeing a patient this bad.
"Ma'am, is there anything you can do to help him?" Blueblood asked, appearing at the bedside and holding one of Mekrail's hands in his hooves.
"I...I need to conduct a thorough examination before attempting any aid Prince Blueblood." She answered, slightly surprised to see him showing such care for what he likely considered a commoner.
"Can I stay here with him while you work Nurse?" Blueblood asked, "I...I don't mean to break protocols...but I want to stay with Mekrail."
Jackson chuckled, both at remembering how they came to love one another and the little nickname that she had called him at the time. "I know, I remember those days fondly Dashie." Jackson smiled more as he saw Angel Dash blush a little at him using her own nickname.
The Nurse finally finished her examination, to which she had a look of sadness for Blueblood as she shook her head slowly. "I don't know anything about his physiology for the most part first of all, so I have no idea what to attempt to heal or repair beyond the basics. And secondly, there's some sort of dark force infesting around his injuries that is preventing me from repairing any of the damage." Seeing Blueblood's disheartened look, the Nurse placed a hoof on his in a reassuring manner. "I'm sorry Prince, but I promise that we'll keep trying to heal him to the best of our abilities."
Blueblood perked up somewhat, hearing such a promise, an oath, reminded him again of Mekrail as he smiled somewhat at his close friend. "Thank you Nurse, it's more than I could ever ask."
Just then, Jackson turned to see Joshua entering the Infirmary with Karlous and Quicksilver. the first of which, moved to observe Mekrail closely before sighing sadly and going to a nearby window. He didn't seem to want to see his comrade having suffered so much, and his eyes were focused to the city out in the distance as Karlous and Quicksilver watched from the doorway. There was a single tear, barely visible in the Lord Inquisitor's eye as he periodically shifted his gaze between Mekrail, Blueblood, and the window.
Jackson watched this, and his expression shifted slightly and significantly. It was a look Angel Dash knew well, one that spoke of action to come as she nodded in understanding. Watching him, she saw how he dispersed into the shadows and knew that he was seeking the ones that didn't come.
Jackson arrived quickly, silently through the shadows of the garden courtyard. His eyes locked on the very World Eater and Champion as he stepped towards them. It wasn't until he was behind Nitronus that he made himself known again, after having listened to the Marine telling stories to the Force Commander he was actually agitated. His voice resonated through the very ground and echoed in the air, "The Brother-Captain has been gravely injured and you care not that he lays in a coma? what sort of honorable brothers are you?" As Nitronus turned, prepared to utter a reply he was cut off, "I don't care if that man hates you and wishes you as dead as the Traitors themselves; you being there would mean more than anything you could do for him and his brethren and friends." Jackson turned on his heal, dispersing silently once more into the shadows and returning to Angel Dash's side.
Hellscream's helm tilted in shame as he turned to the way they had taken Mekrail originally. "I can't believe...I forgot about the brother I saved and owe so much to." His voice was slightly melancholy before his helm tilted forward and he set off at a speed that normally only regularly armored Space Marines could lay claim to.
"You go on Hellscream, I have an idea." Nitronus said as he walked off towards the exit of the castle, while Hellscream made his way to the infirmary.
The mood was sober as Trayclian shuffled quietly down the side streets, his head bent low and eyes cast to the ground. Even though he had vented his past to Twilight, whom walked beside him, he still felt the depths of the mad forces that lurked within his mind and burned in his soul. Every step he took, a whisper; a beseeching voice speaking to him, begging him to relinquish control. The very same force that, several thousand years ago, had caused him to destroy the planet Avelius V. It cried out, offering him the unimaginable strength that none, not even the Emperor himself could best. But the Librarian had listened to its words for ten millennia and more as his soul resided in the Warp during his demise; he could bear its sickeningly sweet promises far longer.
The Emperor himself had said so, "I watched you for many years young Space Marine...And I know that it is you...and only you I trust." Those had been his words, upon meeting for the first time with the accursed Hammer still in his grip. Fresh it had been from the forges, shining and new; and yet the Librarian had already been wary to what lay within. The Tech's had promised it pure and strong, but even without his psychic power developed or known he could sense its evil. He knew of its dangers, and as he had kneeled before the Emperor with it clutched in his hand the second words of the Master of Mankind resounded in his memories, "What forces lie within your Hammer...They are beyond even my power to control...You...And you alone I sense...have sensed of its power though...and been more appalled than drawn to it..."
"Indeed, my Emperor." He had responded, glancing up and barely meeting the golden eyes of the Master of Mankind. "Whatever lurks within its confines...It cannot be for the good of Humanity's future."
A faint nod had come from the Emperor, of which the young Space Marine bowed his head again as a last token of wisdom came with but a whisper in his ear, "You and I both know though...That someday it will be free...But I ask that you delay its release for as long as you can...Perhaps...one day...you shall be strong enough...to control it...And Humanity...will be strong again."
Those words, Trayclian knew, were coming true. The Emperor himself had foreseen far into the future of men, and had known that Mankind would not achieve its greatness in his time. He, had seen of his demise and secretly steeled himself all those years; and yet even faced with Horus and knowing what he ahd to do he could not. What man could slay their own son without pain seven fold reflected upon themselves? Trayclian felt a dark pulse of his Hammer, which pulled him from his thoughts and to the present as his vision cleared of ages past. His eyes were settling upon the sight of Tempest and the others, and the voices echoed in the depths of his mind as he quieted the darker forces dwelling within the reaches of his cracked eye and approached.
The Librarian bowed slightly, in apology for his previous actions before moving towards Scootaloo. Settling before her, he accessed her condition before hearing the whispers grow again in promise of giving him the power to heal her completely. Again, he quieted them. Instead, he turned to Tempest with a somber look as Twilight watched solemnly. He saw within the General something beyond his grief; something that spoke a thousand words. Tempest, it seemed, knew more than he let on, as the Librarian gestured for him to follow back to the forge house. "Worry not." He said, composing himself, "She will be fine...Although I must have a few words with you General...Privately, if you would." His tone wasn't asking, nor was it demanding. Just calm, as though a long feared event had transpired as his Hammer crackled darkly without provocation.
The Librarian faintly acknowledged the Holy Chaplain, to which he gestured for him to follow as well as he made for the forge house. "You must come too...I require you for different reasons Maximus."
Tempest gave a single look towards Maximus before kissing the still Scootaloo and marching off to join Trayclian, Maximus directly behind them.
Telios hadn't yet said a word for the longest time. As snow fluttered and settled on his armor, and his skin began to turn an icy, pallid blue that worried his friend Rekriel immensely. The toxins in the claw were getting to him, ever so slowly, they were killing him; and the elements didn't make it any easier on the Assassin's body. He was still cradling her, though, gently resting against the cave wall with her head resting on his shoulder. His eyes, still firm, and fiery with a passion to protect the Sister of Battle, were beginning to glaze over slowly. His death hour would approach soon, if he was not treated.
Yet still, he would refuse. He waited for her to wake before even thinking of caring for himself, which both amazed and baffled the Techmarine and the former Champion alike as the latter turned back to the rest of the group with a sorrowful gaze as the sounds of battle quieted. No words spoken, as a single tear ran down Telios' eye. Soon, he felt her stirring; and a great smile that belied any horrible pain he felt from the massive claw in his chest was seen as the tear froze and he gazed at her. "Elizabeth." He whispered, so quiet it was barely heard by the Astartes present.
Elizabeth stirs from her agony induced slumber at last. Though still very much sore from the battle and forced recovery by the Assassin's stimulants, she knows that she's escaped very well a death sentence as she shakes the sleep slowly from her eyes and glances about. Seeing the emotion now stirring behind the stony expression of Rekriel, she knows something is amiss as his eyes are locked firmly on Telios. Sparing a quick glance, she notices faintly the few silent tears frozen on the Former Champion's face as he faces the storm at the cave's mouth, and barely recalls hearing Stanton's desperate fight to save them all before she passed out.
At last, she shifts her gaze up to meet the gruesome sight of the Assassin's dying body. What is chilling, is that he's still smiling happily at her, even though the light in his eyes is fading rapidly and life is leaving him.
"So it is that you have cheated Death, Battle Sister." Rekriel whispers, "And condemned perhaps another to serve, although he'd do it happily, in your place." The look is sad in the Techmarine's bionic eyes, as they darken and lower away from the two.
"Elizabeth..." A faint call rings out from the Assassin, so quiet it barely reaches the Battle Sister's ears. As though entranced, this is all he whispers as he begins to slump, slipping further into Death's clutches and away from the chance of healing.
"Telios?" she whispers, pain flaring from the movement of her body, "Does anyone here know how to treat his wounds?" she yells as she painfully sits up and reverses his cradling.
The Former Champion's gaze slowly shifts from the blizzard whipping at his face and towards the one whom had shouted. His eyes reflecting a hint of purpose as he remembered his first deployment, in a Tyrannic War against Splinter Fleet Tyrus. Glancing toward the Techmarine, he gave a curt nod and gestured for him to ready his servo-claws and plasma torch. Advancing towards Elizabeth, he settled down beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder as his frozen tears shattered from his determined expression. "I've got experience in these injuries," He gestures to the scar where his chestplate was repaired, "Fought against the Splinter Fleet Tyrus. Kept some of the medical techniques in case I'd need to treat myself or more brothers again."
Moving quickly, the Techmarine carefully extracted the claw from the Assassin's chest. Laying it aside, The Templar took from a pouch at his waist and revealed a small, odd looking device that he used to collect a sample of the claw's decomposing blood before it whirred and chugged.
Meanwhile, Rekriel had been working fast, his plasma torch cauterizing the injuries quickly before more blood loss could occur. At last, the device registered it was finished, and from it produced a vial that the Former Champion quickly placed into a syringe he seized from the Assassin's belt. "Don't you die on me...Not another." He whispered, muttering a prayer to the Emperor as he shot the vial's contents directly into his neck through a vein.
Immediately, the Assassin's face relaxed, and his eyes fluttered as though on verge of sleep as the life faintly returned. "Elizabeth..." He whispered, his hands weakly caressing her face, "I..I was so...so worried...For you." His words quieted by the weakness of his body from blood loss and poison that it could scarcely be heard as he brought his gaze to meet hers. In a final moment, before darkness claimed him into a forced sleep, he surged forward with an energy that shocked the two older Marines as they stepped back. Watching his lips pressed to hers, they both looked away as he kissed her. His breath hot and lips feverish before he pulled away, his eyes already dropping and closed before settling to sleep with a smile still on his face. "H...Had...to do that." He said softly before slipping into sleep.
"I'll make certain to return the gesture when you wake up." Elizabeth whispers to herself as Telios fall asleep, though the two marines could easily hear her.
Reginald led the four ponies aside from Braeburn who survived, Minuette, and three of the Crystal Ponies that he had rescued up north through the desert, the mountain that holds Canterlot in constant view. Majority of the trip had been quiet, even with Discord flying along with them, the events that transpired in Appaloosa haunting the innocent ponies.
Braeburn had been walking through the desert behind Reginald for many hours. His eyes always sweeping the land, keeping a constant vigil. Now that his home had been destroyed; and these ponies were all that was left, he was determined to insure their protection and survival. Despite this, the silence was even more haunting than what he had seen, and so he decided to break it at last. "Ah'll be sure that we'll be but ah few hours from tha nearest town. If'n we hurry along, we'll be there afore nightfall."
Catching curt nods from Reginald and the others, he added rather optimistically, "If'n we're where I think we are, ah know some ponies in tha town we'll reach that'll be willin' ta take us in till we can git on ta Canterlot."
"Take the lead then friend, for have naught the idea of where this town is." Reginald replied, stopping to turn slightly to his pony companion.
Discord then shivers as he vanishes into this air, leaving nothing but a small puff of smoke behind, "Where is he off to? Oh what does it matter." Minuette spat, her mood fouled the previous events.
"Hmm?" Reginald inquired, not removing his eyes from Braeburn.
"Ah well, let's not be too worried bout him fer tha moment mah friends." Braeburn replied, shaking his head at Minuette. "Ah know what we've jus been through is hard mah friend, but ya can't let this keep on ya heart. If'n there's somethin ya need ta talk bout an somepony ta listen ta ya, ah'll be glad to take ah private moment with ya Minuette."
His expression was a pained, stricken smile. Even despite all he had lost. Family, friends, everypony save these few; he still cared more for their feelings and health than his own state as he drew his eyes away and toward their destination in what he guessed was the northeast. "Follow me mah friends, an we'll be outta this here desert soon." His eyes, directed away from all, held within them a deep sadness and threatening tears that he fought off and hid with that same pained smile and bright outlook. His ear, however, tilted as to hear Minuette's response as he walked to his destination.
"I'll follow you, but don't expect me to talk." she replied keeping her head low and eyes half shut as she and the t[other three ponies passed by the still as stone Reginald.
"..." Reginald slowly turned around and followed the group of ponies, though he knew they were being followed for in Discords vanishing act he did leave a clue.
Author's Note
Tempest-
Howdy everypony, a ton has happened in this chapter, though I am sorry it took so long, 'fraid that was my bad... Writers Block is evil. But Death was waiting and kept on my case about it!
"Applause!!!"
Now thoughts on the chapter, do you have a favorite character yet, where do you think that this fic is going? I want to hear from those 9 ponies out there who gave us a thumbs up!
Stay Brony Everypony!
Death-
Hello ladies and Gentlcolts. It is I, the masterful Muffin Fuhrer! Once more have I returned to speak on behalf of this...*Death pauses as he looks over his fellow writer* I'm...Even I'm not sure what to say...*Eyes cross* I'm so confused!
(Tempest- Just talk about the fic!)
Ah yeah, well about that I can tell you I've kept on this here...*Confusion grows*...whatever he is...Tempest I guess. He's back on schedule now, and I'll not let him off again *Looks to characters* Got the whips and chains ready, dear?
Always.
Now anyways, please do let us know what ya think.
(Tempest- Ahem, pardon me while I go for a midnight flight!)
Ah, no. You're not to leave this castle afore reminding the audience to like and favorite if they enjoyed! And to tell us what they liked most or even didn't like in the comments below! *Death latches on to Tempest's tail* Either that, or we're going together my friend!
(Tempest- Wait, didn't already, ah shit! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to press the thumbs up and hit the star if ya really loved it... Wait why a thumbs up button, we have hooves, not claws or hands!!! Death you can let go now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Neigh! *Death mumbles* I was promised a flight, an I'll get one!
(Tempest- ... But you know my wings are underdeveloped, hey wait you've got your own!!!)
Warhammer: Chaos in Equestria
Chapter 9
The sun was just beginning to fade away giving way to the darkness of the night, the stars and moon blocked out by thick storm clouds above a lone space marine. Nitronus had been marching from Canterlot in the one direction that he could feel his old chaplain's presence, though he would never admit to being able to actually feel where the Warp was he couldn't deny it's usefulness. Though in his mind he hoped that Maximus knew where the others were seeing as the chaplain had rather effectively found most of their chapters members. The old marine's thoughts were interrupted by the forest changing from a lush wooded area with timber wolves that would scatter from his view, to a desolate wasteland of blackened trees and dusty dirt.
Nitronus stopped for a single second to take in his new surroundings, before him laid a small pony sized village that had been burned to the ground, black flames still licking what remains of the former residents homes. Dark Blue armor still gripping tightly to the charred corpses of the ponies that once wore them with pride. But something was off, the black flames seemed to be interlocked with the red in somewhat of a duel, and the guard ponies that remained on fire had red flames licking their corpses.
"Interesting." Nitronus muttered under his breath as he drew his force sword.
The scent of burnt flesh meeting him even through his helms filters further implied that this was a recent battle. Nitronus slowly made his way into the burnt village but stopped himself when he heard deep base-like voices accompanied by vicious laughter.
"These ponies are so much fun to tear open, did you see how much came out of that one female!" one of the Khornate Beserkers laughed as he patted his comrades shoulder.
"Aye, you wouldn't even find that much blood in an Ork, truly these xenos are filled with the good stuff!" he replied.
In between them sat a three in half foot tall batpony with a coat of midnight black and a mane of florescent orange, who was also crying tears of crimson blood as they spoke of how they tore apart her fellow guards. She was bound by heavy rope and secured by another marine who Nitronus couldn't see too well.
"So, shall we grant the blood god more blood with a final sacrifice for now brothers?" this third marine asked as lifted his foor from the mares side, eliciting a small whimper from her.
"P..please I-I don't..t want t-to die." she practically whispered, though the marines could all easily hear her begging.
Nitronus gripped his sword tightly, this wasn't his mission, the ponies didn't need his help, nor did he wish to give it, he only wished to return to his true battle. But, given that they are fighting against, or at least trying to fight against Chaos, he should help them, tis what his Primarch Covus Corax would wish. Thus he charged his roar masking the squeak of fear from the mare as two of the Beserkers turned and revved their chain axes to engage him.
"Loyalist scum!"
"I shall enjoy offering your skull to Khorn!"
Nitronus ignored them as he clashed his sword to an ax and turned his back to his current foe so that he may intercept a swing with his shield. Ducking down he used the Kornates momentum to toss him into the other with his shield before standing to finish them off.
"Hold thyself, marine!" the third spoke up, "Don't you wish this insect to live?"
That caught the champions attention, turning his head slightly so that he could see this Terminator holding the miniature (even for a pony) ponies frame who was by now sobbing, out of the corner of his left eye. He knew not why he cared for her well being, had she been a guardsman he would have ignored the Terminator's threat. But this gave the other two marines time to get back up and ready themselves for his eventual attack.
"Leave her be, these ponies have no place in our war heretic!" Nitronus found himself speaking as he stabbed his sword into the ground and dropped his shield.
"War? Ha, they didn't even manage to kill anything but the Daemons we brought, Sirrus was correct, this place shall be a fine tribute to our god!" he replied.
"Blood for the blood god!"
"Skulls for the skull throne!"
"Now, loyalist... I don't normally make deals with your kind, but what say you and I have a bit of fun?" the Terminator chuckled to himself, tossing the pony down to the sidelines and nearer to his brothers.
Nitronus sparred her not a glance, refusing to move his head from its corner stare, "What have you in mind traitor?" he inquired slowly, his tone even and dangerous.
"You and I, one on one combat, no weapons." he replied as his brothers cheered.
"And if I refuse?" the champion asked but was immediately answered by by one of the other marines smashing his foot down on a dead pony, causing the five living beings to be drenched in pony blood.
"Accept or decline brother, I shall not ask again." the Terminator laughed as the mares eyes met that of Nitronus', though she knew not that he was looking at her as she mouthed the words 'I'm not worth you dying.'
"Ready thyself!" Nitronus evenly stated as he slowly turned to face him.
"Raaaa!" his foe screamed spurring the champion to charge as well.
They met in five strides, Nitronus placing the first blow with his bionic fist against the Terminator's unarmored face. The Terminator in turn grabbed the Champion's leg and threw him into a burning structure, though Nitronus failed to miss a beat and had himself standing prior to his backwards momentum ending.
"You are worthless traitor, I shall be more than happy to send you to your god." Nitronus evenly said as he walked out of the flames and back into sight of the smiling Terminator.
His foe merely charged upon the valiant champion who rolled with such speed that he was not but a red and white blur before turning and planting his grip upon the Terminator's power pack and ripping it clean off.
"Pathetic whelp." Nitronus chuckled as he used his foes own power pack to beat him to death.
"Loyalist peasant!" the Terminator growled as he struggled to get up from his beating.
"I fought your challenge and won, now you shall allow the pony to leave." Nitronus once again betrayed not a hint of emotion in his tone.
"She may leave when she wishes, for now.. you fight my broth..." he never finished speaking as Nitronus put his boot through his head in an act of aggression previously unseen by him.
"You heard your brother, fight me." Nitronus casually chuckled as he strode forward towards the two remaining heretics.
"Blood for-" one began before Nitronus grabbed his head and in one swift motion threw his body aside into his brother as his head remained in his grip.
"If you dare." Nitronus growled as he surged forth and dismembered the last marines arms from his torso prior to using his own arms to beat him to death.
"Ple..please... DON'T HURT ME!" the pony screamed as Nitronus turned himself to her and got down on a knee.
"I shan't little one." he calmly stated, though he still knew not why he had even stopped, surly this pony was beneath his attention.
"You, aren't gonna kill me?" she whimpered as more blood leaked from her eyes and wounds, she having somehow survived a chain ax's bite.
"Nay, it never crossed my mind." Nitronus replied truthfully, as unlike most other ponies, the only emotion he felt for her was one of guardianship.
"I'm, well.... um.... Neon Storm..." she whispered.
"And I am Nitronus." he replied as he snapped her bonds, the winds picking up as she struggled to stand.
Despite the great haste of which the ancient Terminator had made towards the infirmary wing, Hellscream felt a deep pang in his heart of failure. Failure to be there for the last few of whom he considered his brothers, which was a sin not tolerable to the Force Commander's mind. Turning the corner, a bound of footfalls had him at the doors to the Wing, which he slammed open with such force that it threw off the Terminator standing near them.
"Emperor's mercy!" He heard the familiar, yet strange voice of Karlous cry out. There was a sense of tension in the very air, which was broken by the Sergeant's collision with the floor that left behind but a crater as he stared in surprise at the door.
"For Angron's sake..." Hellscream muttered, "Here, get up," He added, helping the fellow Terminator to his feet again as Quicksilver hovered with a slight scowl in his direction. "Look, I'm sorry. Alright? I was in a hurry to get here."
This somewhat appeased the mare; but she was busy now brushing the dust off of her love and checking him for injuries, despite the Sergeant's repeated statements that he was fine.
Looking about the scene, the Force-Commander took special note first of Blueblood and Mekrail's position, and sauntered past the fussing couple before settling a few steps from them as he eyed the serious injuries of his comrade and brother.
"Doc says she can't do anything yet." Joshua answered, sensing his thoughts through his hidden emotions concealed by the ancient Terminator's horned helm. "He's got some sort of Chaos energies blocking our attempts at aid, and we haven't the medical supplies to bring him to full heath anyways either."
There was pain, full and clear, in the Lord Inquisitor's voice. However, Hellscream ignored it as he approached and settled before the Captain he'd saved and then been saved by so many times. "Damnable dark forces of Chaos. Their malicious sorcery has wreaked havoc with every Las-cannon shot from their blasphemous weapons. There's no room for any healing until these foul magicks are removed...but I sense none of us have the skills to do that."
His glance confirmed it, as his eyes met that of Joshua's and caught that single tear that had frozen in its march down his seemingly cold features. "There's only one person I'd trust to handle this...But I don't know where he is."
"Epistolary Trayclian." Hellscream finished, "He's the only one learned enough in the dark ways of the Warp that I'd trust to heal my wounds, and many times his insight into the mysteries of Chaos have saved my life."
"Indeed." Joshua said, surprised at the World Eater's knowledge of the Librarian despite his hatred of Psykers. "Afflicted flesh far from able to be treated by normal means, and can only be healed if the taint is removed first." Pausing, the Lord Inquisitor turned his gaze back to the city from his window perch. "But these injuries...They'll require entire new organs...Most of his body is obliterated..."
Pondering in thought, both men tried to figure out just where to acquire the necessary afflicted Dark Angel organs necessary to revive Mekrail as Blueblood remained steadfast at the Captain's bedside with his hooves tightly gripped to a nearly lifeless hand. The nurse watching over him to make sure he didn't get any worse as silence once more reigned in the Infirmary.
The moon now high in the sky Maximus chose to sit upon a massive inset boulder near to Tempest's humble fore home that was almost hidden from the mighty oaks that obscured it from every angle. Tempest himself payed the chaplain no mind, instead opting to remain next to the librarian who had wished to speak with him.
Coming himself to a halt outside the hidden home once more, the Librarian finally could safely speak and reveal freely what he too had kept secreted away for many millennia. The effects were instantaneous, and frightening to witness, as his psychic defenses lowered with his back still turned to the General and Chaplain. The dark aura, cracking through the hammer, ever so closer to shattering it and escaping. A haunting visage presenting itself, as Trayclian turned back to them. His eyes fully enveloped, face half consumed; a daemonic expression, kindred only faintly to what had once been its human form. His once holy armor, desecrated now, with sights too horrible to describe that was an ever changing mass of pure insanity. Crackling shots of black, tomes on his shoulder spewing forth endless prophecies and sconces upon his back kindled with bones and skulls of the damned. Everything about him, save for an eye, and the hand that gripped tightly upon the hammer itself, screamed death, disease, and change.
"Pure....Chaos." He whispered, although it echoed in the air.
Suddenly, without a word further, everything faded away and he stood once more as a normal man among them. Noting even Maximus's slight surprise, the Librarian leaned heavily upon the hammer as his eyes revealed a great tiredness. At the same time, they reflected that same calm, of the end. "It is the coming of a new Age, young General." He coughed, a faint trace of blood trailing down his lips. "It is something I've only delayed as long as I can...But no more. Soon...very soon...This world will bear witness to an age old prophecy come true."
The Librarian coughed again, giving pause as his eyes shifted to the Chaplain. "The Emperor's prophecy of Mankind...Damnation or Salvation...Only True Chaos will choose. Whichever it may be, the Imperium and the universe shall rise or fall with it." His words, he allowed to sink in, and waited for the response as his gaze fell upon the General once more.
Tempest was silent, eyeing the librarian with a calm expression before turning to Maximus. The chaplain shrugged and nodded his head in confirmation that he knew of this prophesy before standing and and walking to higher ground to give the two more room as he looked upon the moon. Tempest looked back to Trayclain, uncertain as to what to think or do now that he knew that his world was in danger, but remembered that this was a man that Jackson had placed his trust in, thus Tempest took a chance.
"Trayclian, when the time comes I am certain that true chaos shall deem what is necessary, I only hope that we make a good impression." he states with a calm, even friendly tone in his voice before pointing a wing, "Would you care to discuss it over coffee and perhaps a box of doughnuts?"
"Well, you've already made a good impression at that offer...my young friend." There was a hint of a smile on the Librarian's lips, although his expression soon darkened somewhat as he muttered, "Though I doubt old Anarchy will remember, much less care of such gestures." Dismissing his future thoughts voiced aloud, he wiped the blood from his lips and strengthened his psychic defenses once more to halt the progression of the God's emergence. "By all means, lead the way my friend." He gestured to Tempest to kindly take point before leaning heavily once more on his hammer as a walking stick almost. As they passed the Chaplain, he whispered softly, "Pray for me, pray for us all...but most of all...please...pray for my son Mekrail's sake I make the right decision when the time comes."
Maximus gave him a reverent nod before taking a knee and gazing to the stars in silent prayer, an action that most other Imperium forces who didn't know of his heritage would find odd.
It had been too long since Dashing had enjoyed a fine meal of any kind. Years. Endless years of unremitting war and death. In his eyes, the one that sat across the table from him could easily read just that hunger, an almost feral desire, for these simple flapjacks stacked four high on his plate. However, his eyes fluttered away in slight embarrassment at having stared for so long as he settled more formally than before in his seat. Taking a fork and knife in each hoof, he cut tenderly at the sweetly scented object of his desire before capturing a single bite in his fork. Tasting it slowly, he noticed how Dash seemed rather interested to hear his response; although, to be fair, he was enjoying the taste far more than he'd ever remembered about any food before so he closed his eye and savored it as he swallowed.
When he finally opened his eye again, he was smiling so deeply and truly that his words could not be denied as he held her slightly nervous gaze. "God help me...That's the best home cooked meal I've ever had since..." His smile was tainted now, as vague memories of his childhood recurred. "M...M..." Dashing looked away, feeling an intense heartache that made him rise from the table suddenly. "I..." He began, weakly, "I'll be...need some fresh air..." Staggering to the door, he quickly exited to the living room and fled to the outside clouds where he knelt down. Prayers to Adam slipping his lips to aid him, he didn't notice Dash's following to the door to see what had happened.
Rainbow Dash came to a slow hover and landed on a cloud a fair distance away and cocked her head to the side before giving a shrug and sitting down as if nothing had happened.
It was at this moment, a hand of shadows settled softly on the Mare's shoulder. Her reaction of surprise silenced, as the ghostly figure made a gesture of quiet. His wings, bloodied and tattered, tucking behind his back as he settled in a comfortable crouch beside her. His face hidden, save for eyes that burned an intense dark blue, as though of sadness. "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt young Queen, but I can't bear witness to this any longer without you knowing all the facts." Seeing her perplexed look, he muttered, "Another time, perhaps when things are a bit more private." His hand now pointed toward the Captain, who was still sobbing and praying in the clouds nearby. "I know this shalt be rather difficult to understand...but thou art indeed thyne holy bloodline for the one whom weepth before us. Thy memory only serves his agony, or perhaps, his salvation." Fading away, within seconds, the sharply dressed Soldier of Shadows who bore Stars upon his shoulders whispered a last time, "Thy choice...Queen. Thy...choice."
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and let it out slowly before muttering to herself, "Okay Dash, he just needs a little comfort... Yeah." Opening her eyes she could see that Dashing hadn't moved nor had he stopped praying. Deciding not to waste time she flew over silently and landed gently on the cloud next to him before draping her right wing across his back, "Hey, you can tell me anything, whats wrong?"
Several long, grueling minutes passed in near silence. A haunting, fear-invoking silence. The only change, was the twitching of Dashing's ears as those words replayed in his head over and over. A memory, ages ago, his mother had said those same words, in that same way.
*Flashback*
The day had been warm, shining, and gleeful as usual. The beautiful sun, Celestia's sun, had risen yet again over the Crystal Empire. Already, one family was awake. Not from choice, but because one very noisy little foal had roused them from the first somewhat peaceful slumber in weeks. A somewhat older man, with a younger mare, grumbling as they woke before smiling. "Another day," The man said.
"To share my love with you." The mare completed, kissing his cheek as both got up.
The man, getting dressed in his uniform, a Captain's shining armor, left immediately for the source of crying in the house. Sighing, the mare followed, but was surprised when the man stepped outside to follow the cries. In the street, her eyes narrowed in worry as she flew swiftly to the side of her husband. Gently cradling in his hands the little foal, who was crying with tears of pain. Her wing gently patting his back as she looked him over, the mare whispered softly, "Hey, you can tell me anything. what's wrong?"
*End Flashback*
"Mommy...I...Hurt." He answered, as though again a child as he turned to her at last. Tears still in his eyes, he nuzzled against her and cried, mumbling softly, "I...Hurt..Mommy. I...Need...Mommy."
Rainbow thought for a moment before pulling him closer with her wing and nuzzling his neck, "I... I'm may not be mom, but that doesn't mean that I won't give you comfort kid. Chin up, I don't think you mom would like to see you weeping, I know I don't like it..." she paused to ruffle his mane, "I've got double chocolate chunk cookies inside!" she cooed.
There had once been a light, shining and bright, guiding the Assassin towards the Emperor's side. It had seemed so beautiful, so enlightening, so enthralling. However, there was ever something wrong, that the Assassin actually turned away from it and began his return. The Emperor would just have to wait, although he sensed perhaps a faint smile coming from that light as he returned to reality.
The cold. The agony. This was all that was promised and awaited, but Telios pushed through it without care. His eyes opening, he felt an enormous pain from his chest, and the chill was deep within his bones. No matter what, he still couldn't help the smile that played on his face as he turned his head with a jolt of agony shot through his entire being. Coughing blood that froze on the remains of his chestplate in moments, he still was grinning like a madman as he met the gaze of the Battle Sister that cradled him in her arms. "H...Ho...How Be...Beaut...Beautiful." He whispered painfully, his hand raising faintly and lovingly caressing her face before falling uselessly again at his side. "I..I mi..missed...y...you so...mu..much." His expression still of hurt, it was repressed by his pure happiness that must have appeared a grimace to her.
Faintly, he noticed that the others were gone. Normally, he would be worried, but he just couldn't care for why they were gone, as he forced himself to sit up. His other arm, seemingly less useless, managed to weakly wrap around her shoulder and hold her closer.
"The others are out looking for signs of both our direction, and of the missing Templar, but you, you should rest for I am going nowhere, my love." Elizabeth cooed as she stroked my hair gently.
"No...No..." He answered softly back, "I've rested f...for thousands o...of years al...already...In the Warp...I...I've ha..had my fill." With a horrible, painful attempt at a chuckle, the Assassin coughed a little more blood before his smile returned. "B...Been..a l...lo...long time...s...since I've...h...heard...th...those t..two words..My love." He repeated, louder, as though it might be untrue if not above his pained whispers and would slip away if grasped for. "Do...Don't worry...I...I'm not g...going...Anywhere. D...Death al...already tried to...take me...f..from you and...he...he failed."
Shivering, the Assassin was reminded now of the immense cold that plagued his injury riddled body, and so he settled back against the cave wall before feeling his forehead faintly. He was burning up, which surprised him slightly. His hand settling now at his side again, he coughed, "To...Toxin must no...not be out...of my... bl...blood...yet." Seeing Elizabeth's gaze, as his smile weakened somewhat, he shook his head slowly, "I'll...be alright...Just...h...hold me...now. Please. I'm s.....so cold."
Elizabeth pulled him closer to her, revealing that she had actually removed her armor as well, and did her best to warm Telios up.
The undeniable chill of the frost was blatant, as the air whipped and assailed the large Techmarine that wandered through its deep drifts. For a while, he had been searching, alongside the Templar, in silence. They made great company, having no words needed to communicate. The sifting through the bodies left behind uncovered one secret that both shared in an uneasy silence. "He's gone." the Templar finally whispered, retrieving only a damaged helm left behind amid the remains of hundreds of Tyranids.
Placing a firm hand on the grieving Templar's shoulder, he was shrugged off before hearing a deeply saddened, somewhat angry answer to his silent comfort. "Get the hell away! Just Go! Leave me in peace to mourn my brother's loss!"
A faint nod sufficed, as the Techmarine left quietly his grieving brother. Setting a course back to the cave, his march was rather undisturbed; save for the sounds of sobs carried forth on the chilling gales. Ignoring this, a brief moment of respite was had and peaceful quiet restored before something slammed hard into Rekriel's side. Taken to the ground, a deep warmth was felt; but also the sensation of rending claws already at his throat. There was a laugh, one that the Dark Angel knew well and made even him smile slightly beneath his helm. "Should've known you'd eventually find me again." He said, gingerly shifting the claws from his neck.
"Of course, I'd find you." The voice purred in response.
"Then you know." He replied softly.
"Indeed." She answered, drawing a large, furry wolf-like creature from her belt and placing it next to him. A faint kiss, almost of fangs gently nipping the skin of his neck, were left behind. "See you later, love." She winked, fading back into the snow and leaving him alone with the beast.
"Not quite what I had in mind, but it will do for now, love." His smile grew somewhat, before fading away just as she had beneath his helm. Taking the large beast, he quickly skinned it with his servo-saws. With its pelt and meat taken, he secured both before setting to work stitching the pelt into something a bit more comfortable as he set off towards the cave.
Minutes later, he was sauntering into the entrance to the sight of Elizabeth, with no armor, cradling Telios close. There were no assumptions, however, on the Techmarine's part. He knew just what was before him, even before his logic engines confirmed it. With silence thought unattainable by men of his type, he quietly set beside the two the finished wolf fur blanket he had finished along the way. His power over fire brought him to leave a small, eternally burning flame within the cave to keep them warm and keep the mood as he left the meat for them to roast and eat at their leisure. He knew she'd notice soon enough, and use what he'd left for her.
Leaving again, the Techmarine wandered again into the snowy wastes. All the while, wondering of his own love that had so secretly visited him; and yet, at the same time, seeking perhaps her all the same as he wandered aimlessly now. Still searching, even now, along the broken road.
Reginald stopped and looked straight up at the four figures approaching him and his pony refugees from above. The four split in two and arched around the small group twice, before two of them descended down to land before the former Grey Knight.
"Who are you!" A dark blue pegasus mare with obvious cybernetic enhancements shouted, her single cyber eye seemingly zooming in on the age old Chapter Master.
"I am Reginald, Chapter Master of the Blood Raptors, this is Breaburn, and these others are survivors from the Crystal Empire and Appleloosa." The mighty knight replied.
"Major Vapor Trail, Equestrian Sky Guard..." The light blue maned pegasus stated as she looked to her airborne teammates and gave them a curt nod before they flew off towards a mountain in the distance that seemed to have a castle built on its side.
"Major, I bring bad news." Reginald said, garnering her attention.
"Kinda figured that, see, I came out here on a report from a few scouts about a massive Space Marine beating off Daemons... They also said that the town died in the process." She looked away to her right, leaving her cybernetic side to bare towards Reginald.
"Why did they not engage?" He asked, a frown forming over his lips.
"That was my question, lets just say, they are to receive lashings for their failures and, well, I am going to use them as an example to our other scouts." she replied as she received a look from her wingpony.
"Ma'am, we can't stay here, Ponyville isn't far." He stated, looking up at Reginald.
"Yes, would be best if we got the Marines together huh?" she replied before taking off, one wing dropping a blue feather while the other flashed silver.
"So... Neon Storm, what was your purpose out here exactly?" Nitronus asked as he walked next to the miniature bat pony.
"Well... Luna sent us out here to... well... kill a dragon that has sided with Sombra." Neon replied, pointing up towards a smoky cave in the distance.
"What happened here?" he inquired.
"Well, at first we thought the smoke was from the dragon, but... turned out to be from those marines and a full army of Daemons." she replied, frowning a bit.
"Your team killed the Daemons?" Nitronus actually cast his black optics towards her.
"Yes, fire breathing freaks of nature, it wasn't until those to red guys showed up that we started having trouble." She stated before raising a hoof, "We are here by the way."
"Indeed." Nitronus caught the hint to stop talking about it as he cast his gaze upwards and upon the darkness of the dragons lair.
"My mission, stay here." she said as she began forward.
"Nay, you were sent with a squad, you shan't go it alone. I will accompany you Neon." Nitronus urged as he began to follow her inside the mammoth cave.
"I'm not in the mood for anymore dead, you are staying here." her voice cracked while she spoke, as if she were still in her early teens.
"I am coming and that is final, besides, I can't just leave a young-ling to fight a dragon now can I?" Nitronus asked.
"How did you know that I am only fourteen? Wait, you didn't... crud." she stammered, a furious blush piercing her dark grey fur.
"As I said, no mere child is going to duel a dragon on her own." Nitronus chuckled slightly, his respect for this filly growing greatly.
"Fine, you can come, but do me a favor and don't kill him on sight, it is possible that the dragon that was reported was actually one of those Daemons my squad and I had slain, and not this Drake." Neon commented as she strode into a dimly lit chamber to which they could not see the top of.
"Who dares enter my home, another of those creatures on two legs I see, and a pony in armor? What would thou wish upon me?" A deep a grizzled voice boomed from the shadows of the cave.
"I am Lieutenant Neon Storm of the Equestrian Army and this is Champion Nitronus of the Loyal Blood Raptor Space Marine Chapter." Neon calmly stated back to the voice, "Did you attack the settlement due east of your home?"
"No, I did not attack it pony, but you should know that I have no love of your kind or of his! You are to leave my home at once or die like all the others who have trespassed upon my treasures!" The voice boomed as Nitronus stepped forward.
"Neon, she speaks the truth, but I believe that we may yet improve our chances against our foe if we can bring this Drake into the fold." He whispered to the small pony as he gazed intently upon the darkness.
"How would we-" Neon started before the drake roared and Nitronus snatched her up and used his own body to block the emerald flames that swirled about the two.
"Leave that to me young one." He reassured before standing up, his armor smoldering from the blast of fire, "Dragon, you have yet to tell us your name!" He shouted up to the drake in the shadows.
"I beith Emeralda, and thou beith trespassing." She boomed as another blast of emerald fire cascaded down to Nitronus' shield.
"Why do you not join us, for we fight a common foe mighty Emeralda!" The Champion shouted as he drew his force sword.
"I shall tell you what Champion, if you can defeat me in battle then I shall join you in your crusade as my father did with the General Tempest Knight." she retorted as Nitronus finally got a good look at his opponent.
"Deal." He shouted at the dark grey scaled lizard with massive wings and deep green under scales.
Emeralda wasted no time in advancing, he maw snapping just where Nitronus had been standing mere seconds before, allowing the Champion to slash his blade downwards and cut deep into her snout. Before Nitronus could pull his blade from her though she quickly rose, dragging the Blood Raptor high into the sky and into the darkness. Nitronus bashed his shield into the side of her head, just below her faintly glowing emerald eyes, eliciting a great roar of pain before she shook him off of her. Falling to the ground with his blade in hand Nitronus wasted no time in moving away from where she blasted the ground with flames.
"You move well for a bipedal creature." She stated as she batted him away from her chest with a fore claw.
Nitronus didn't reply, in fact he made no sound as he blended into the dark. Before Emeralda could assume he was dead though, he plunged his blade into her tail, eliciting yet another roar of pain, though this one was much louder than the last.
"Yield Emeralda, for I have ye now." Nitronus stated in a voice that boomed louder than that of the Dragons.
"Very well, you have won." She growled, gasping as he ripped his blade out of her pinned tail and sheathed it.
"Well fought, you should know that I have never had the honor of doing battle with a Dragon before, but by normal standards I'd say that you are on par with most of my Space Marine Brothers." Nitronus stated as he walked out of the darkness.
"I shall now join you in your battles, but do not anticipate me to hold small talk Champion." She retorted.
"So, to Ponyville now, right?" Neon asked from the caverns entrance, surprisingly calm about the two combatants emerging before her.
"Indeed." Nitronus said as the three began to walk away into the forest below them.
"My thanks to you, son of the Wolf." Trayclian whispered again, with a glance tossed to the Holy Chaplain before returning his eyes to the General. The Librarian suddenly caught a foul trail in the wind of the Warp, although he looked to Tempest and said softly. "There's a disturbance in the Warp nearby. Strong. Do you sense it as well?" He wanted to ensure he wasn't simply feeling the remnants of his power surge from moments past, as well as know he wasn't the only one as he raised his hammer to a casual defensive position in one hand.
Tempest was silent, though his body movements told the story as his ears flicked to and fro, followed by his seemingly glowing red eyes slowly scanning their surroundings, "Treeline, three contacts." he whispered in a low growl as he walked over towards a large boulder.
Maximus gave a nod and moved opposite, but refrained from engaging whomever was spying on the three; his right hand resting one the hilt of his sword just above his butt.
Trayclian was the only one to remain unmoved from his current position in the open. Silently awaiting his foes, as he had been taught by his Legions ages ago as a Neophyte and by the Primarch. Stubborn as the stones of Caliban, as thick as the trees that once filled its surface. His eyes fixed on the disturbance, studying closely in far more detail than any of the others eyes ever could as the Warp fed him an unholy sight that pierced the places he could not see and told of what he could not possibly foresee. Within a moment, he had made his decision, and so easily lowered his hammer and shook his head slowly before shouting five words. "CHAMPION! GET OVER HERE! NOW!"
There was a tone that commanded whomever called to follow the order in the Librarian's voice, one that was as commanding as the Primarch himself of ancient times past as his brow knit in concentration and expression schooled to a stern look while still watching the treeline with hammer in hand.
Suddenly the trees burst as a massive green and grey dragon flew sideways from the edge of the forest, followed by several Chaos Daemons. It wasn't long before Nitronus himself appeared clutching a Khornate Berserkers by his head all the while cutting down one or two Daemons with his blade. Then a small framed bat pony suddenly popped out of the shadows and speared another Daemon before twisting her spear out of its disintegrating husk.
"Neon, help Emeralda! Trayclian aid her! Maximus help me with these infernal traitors! You with the wings, fight something!" Nitronus bellowed as he flung his screaming traitor at another who emerged from the woods.
Trayclian's eyes latched to the Traitors that were emerging from the thick treeline, his eyes observing all in acute detail. Only seconds passed from Nitronus shouting his request, and Trayclian made another mental decision as he recognized the markings of The Lost upon several of the Berserkers shoulders and helms. "You must, You must!" It howled in his head, "Save them, they were your brothers! Do it, release me! I can save them!"
The roar that loosed from the Librarian's throat shook the earth with its intensity, and for a brief moment halted the battle as he now stared with twin pits of smoldering fire into the Berserkers that had stood still even now. They glared, as though uncertain, until the screaming finally started. Those who refused to recognize him, burned from within until nay but charred armor stood in their place. The others, now, turned on their own brethren and attacked with a furious collective roar. "Fiends! Traitors! Corrupted our minds and turned our belief! Here he stands, alive! You have lied to us, Lied!"
"Strike with the judgement of the Righteous!" Trayclian screamed, charging into battle with his hammer crackling near as loud as the thunder of a Titan's cannon. He raised it high, and slammed it into the traitors, joining those who had returned to his service. "Kill! Kill!" He roared in hatred, striking out at a Possessed Marine and shattering his entire being into shards with one blow.
Nitronus dropped both of his weapons as he grabbed onto two traitors legs and began to spin, releasing them once he saw that Tempest had flown up with both of his blades drawn. The two marines flew true and directly into the Draconian's blades, before bursting into flames.
"Little help!" Neon screamed as she was thrown into a tree, causing the massive oak to break in two.
Trayclian heard the cry of the little pony, through all the blood and the howls and the death; he had truly heard her. His twin pits of fire turned, and within a blink he was there. Standing over her, he placed a hand to her neck to check for a pulse. Finding one, he snarled, almost ferally, and a dark aura channeled to her from his hand. "Get...UP!"
He turned, facing the creature that had smashed her through the tree. "Little small, aren't you?" The possessed Librarian cackled madly, looking the Daemon in the eyes. "I love a good laugh. Come on" He gestured, his hammer withdrawn to his back. "Bare knuckles, skinny." He laughed insanely yet again, and waited for the creature's first move.
The creature, as it turned out, was a towering Bloodthirster Greater Daemon of Khorne. Its axe, as large as ten of Trayclian, slammed into the ground beside it as it let loose an earth-shaking laugh. It raised its claws, smashing them down to crush the two; but, before it could do so it was stopped abruptly. As it looked down, it saw that Trayclian had stopped it with ease. He was smiling, yawning even, as his flaming eyes burned with amusement. "Oh, you shouldn't have done that."
He laughed, darkly, as he yanked hard. The Bloodthirster was felled without nay but a small squeak and a large echo of a crater being made. It lay before him, as he walked forth and stared into its eyes before raising a greave and setting it to the lower jaw. His hand on the upper, he began to push with the new-found Daemon strength bubbling within on both ends. The Daemon yelped in pain, smashing him endlessly like a child as its maw split further and further. The Librarian all the while, laughed, and all he did was laugh as blood began to flow and the claws bounced harmlessly off his body. Eventually, there was a rip, a tear, a scream. It was over. The massive creature had been torn asunder, straight down the middle. Its soul essence came forth, and was embraced by the Librarian's hand before being crushed. "No more, that's all for you, meathead shitfucker."
The smile of the Librarian would have been warranted at his victory, til he turned back and saw Neon still laying. She was waking up. As quick as he had begun, the surge of strength withered away as Trayclian fought back for control. His sight at something, so frail, in his mind, tuned his fatherly instincts, and awoke the fire within to fight back. He howled in pain, agony, and bashed his head into the bloody ground until all was quiet again. The forest, was quiet. The Lost, stood silently by; awaiting one of their Lords commands. Eventually, the Librarian rose, and with the blood running down his face he was whole again. His eyes, still burned, as he approached, though. He knelt beside her, watching, and waiting patiently.
“Wha…? How am I? Ngj” Neon muttered almost incoherently as she tried to stand, succeeding in getting to her hooves for a few seconds but then falling back down with an obvious broken wing. “My wing, I, arg, think it’s broken.”
“Hold still Neon!” Tempest yelled as he dropped down and procured a small vial filled with a glowing orange liquid, “Drink, it shall help I promise.”
Neon greedily drank it down and gave a content sigh as everyone watched her wing glow orange for a few seconds before a pop was heard and it was fully healed. “Thank you sir.”
“Good to know you’ll be alright, was worried there for a moment.” The Librarian said, smiling faintly, although with the depths of his short possession by the Dark God still fading he still looked quite frightening to the eye as he rose and turned his burning gaze to those few Astartes who had turned on their fell brethren.
“Pray tell, what was that?” A British woman’s voice spoke from a phone as Maximus looked at the Librarian.
“Something of a pact, I made ten-thousand years ago in the Warp...though in our time, twas only twenty years.” Trayclian answered, solemnly, as the dark marines knelt and bowed their heads to him.
“Master, forgive us for our forgetfulness…” They whispered, “If it were Master Mekrail, we would be dead. Have mercy upon us, merciful Master Trayclian.”
“They are marines of past and present, who died in combat but were banished by Chaos to Tartarus. There were once hundreds of thousands...But after the Second Equestro-Human War, when Mekrail lost, they numbered only fifty-five. They were ordered by my son, er, the Captain, to spread to the stars and seek a different life. However, their loyalties still lie to him, and by extension, to me.”
Maximus walked over to one and looked at him before nodding his head slowly and walking away into the Warp. He came back moments later with a steaming pizza and a tray of soda before gesturing to everyone for them to sit.
“Is this really the time for this?” Tempest asked before his nose picked up the scent of sausage, “And is that meat?” He added, drool leaking from both his mouth and Neon’s.
The Librarian, as well as his flock of but five of the Damned, all shook their heads as what appeared to be a lumbering Terminator of sorts dressed wholly in black from head to toe shook his helmeted head. “We are but undead. We need no rest, no sustenance but the hellfires of war itself.” With a massive power sword at his back, he turned to his brothers who nodded in agreement with the warrior before he focused attention on the odd marine who had walked into the Warp. “I am Guardian, Dark Angel of Caliban’s First Company. What be ye name? Master Trayclian did not tell us.
Maximus looked up at him and crossed his legs as he passed out pizza, though it seemingly never stopped coming. He didn’t stop until every living being there had a piece and only then did he reach into the Warp and pulled out a new, hot pink, smart phone. After hacking into it and figuring out where the text to speech function was it didn’t take him long to reply, “I am Holy Chaplain Maximus, formerly of the First Company Luna Wolves, currently of the Second Company Blood Raptors.” It said for him in a French woman’s accent before Maximus began fiddling with its settings before nodding once.
“Hm, I respected the Wolves for what they were, before most of them stabbed us in the back.” If there was a frown, it was present beneath the Terminator’s helm before he turned his head to Trayclian. “Master, we know of thine great power, would it not be possible to heal of him his injuries. I smell the Warp of it, and it is strong but… It is possible, yes?”
“Indeed, despite my mild enjoyment Holy Chaplain, you deserve the right of voice.” The Librarian answered, his expression plain for Maximus to see that the Terminator could not express.
Maximus typed something out on the phone a moment before standing up while being accompanied by a dark gravelly voice that was breathing heavily into the mic, “My Emperor, just when I found a suitable voice, I can have my own back!!!?” a voice akin to Batman’s shouted, making Neon and Tempest look to one another as Emeralda and Nitronus walked over and observed, both with raised eyebrows.
“Sorry,” The Librarian smiled, “That one was spot on, reminds me of Chaplain Drakeun before his sacrifice to save us.” Walking till he was but a few paces from the Holy Chaplain, Trayclian gave him a serious, dark look. “I will have to reach far within your soul and the Warp to taketh back what was stolen. It will be painful, particularly, for me. but I would make that sacrifice for any of my brothers. do you wish for me to proceed?”
“Only if you wish to do so, I am content with this…” Maxi replied in Batman’s voice as he pointed to the pink phone, “Also, will this affect my Warp vacations?” Everyone who was present aside from Trayclian and his followers looked at Maximus as if he had walked out of Canterlot wearing no pants with a pink tutu on his head.
“No, but it certainly will affect mine for a little bit…” The Librarian tried to make a chuckle, but he knew laughter was futile for him for he’d not had a day off since his birth on Terra many millennia ago. “I hope you don’t mind, this will feel a bit, invasive.” With his eyes burning furiously, and darkness seemingly overtaking much of his form, Trayclian suddenly lashed out and punched straight through the Holy Chaplain’s chest and together the two froze in place as time and space around them faded from their senses.
What the Holy Chaplain could see now, was the ethereal plane of the Warp. Not unlike his usual trips, but utterly different in a sense as well. looking around, there was no sign of the Librarian until suddenly a boot that looked like it was made for a size five-thousand foot stepped beside him. looking up, it was clear that the dark, armored, malicious form that stood beside him were Trayclian. Only just, for it seemed everywhere the Librarian changed and moved as wildly in his bodily form as the Warp itself as he churned forth with a booming tone. “Follow me, I can smell where my brothers have hidden it.” So it were, a voice not the Librarian’s, one more ancient and crazed, spoke in his place. “Fuckers, why’d they have to put it in Slaanesh’s realm? I like my ladies, but just dayum!”
Maximus did as he was told, though he did remove his helmet as he followed the massive figure. Walking for a time, there seemed to be nothing that pursued them nor neared them. This, in fact, was strange, but the Librarian dismissed it as he laughed maniacally. “They know I’m bat-shit crazy, they wouldn’t dare invoke a response from me at all!” Eventually, there came a singular overly-extravagant palace in sight, which made Trayclian snicker as he kicked his foot straight through the gate and called. “Hey bitch, your slavemaster’s here!” Stepping inside, he looked about before gesturing Maximus close his eyes as to not be corrupted by the things Slaanesh left as traps for mere mortals who wandered inside. There was the sound of death, mostly massive feet stomping something, then moving on as they meandered down corridors and spiraling hallways of sin and vice. Eventually, there were a few exchanged words, the sound of a fist slapping someone’s face, laughter, and then suddenly Maximus was scooped up in the Librarian’s massive hand and they were running for the gate with what sounded like a very angry woman on their tail. “I love ya sis, but not today!” The Librarian shouted, kicking down the gate once again as it had reformed before making his escape.
Running for a time, he eventually stopped when the sounds of a woman chasing them had ceased. Huffing, he set Maximus down before kneeling to where he was closer. “I don’t have much time left, my control is slipping. This is going to seem weird, but,” Suddenly, the God first smashed Maximus where he stood before placing a very small portion of dark Warp energy in his mouth and then screaming and falling back immediately after doing it. The sheer willpower it took to replace what had been taken, combined with the exertion of maintaining his physical form and control in the Warp quite nearly killed him as both were ejected violently to reality once more.
Maximus flew back as a black aura surrounded him, plowing into the ground dark laughter echoed from everywhere. “Thank you my friend, I can call you that yes?” A deep voice with a slight British accent to it boomed as the ground shook and a figure stood in a massive cloud of dust. At least at the height of a Deredeos Pattern Dreadnought the Holy Chaplain stood, though his armor now crackled slightly with energy as he slowly tested his limbs, “Though admittedly this wasn’t expected… I blame the Warp.”
“Maximus, is that…?” Nitronus muttered, actually finding himself to be at a loss for words.
“Well then, that was different…” Tempest stated as he galloped over to where Trayclian had flown back to, Neon next to him as Emeralda moved a few fallen trees out of their path.
“Emperor… I’m not one for complaining but...THAT SHIT HURT!” The Librarian shouted, hoarsely, before passing out abruptly where he lay embedded inside the trunk of the final tree. Totaling the numbers, he had flown through at least fifteen.
“Well, he seems okay…” Tempest said, having already procured another vial of the unknown orange liquid.
“Is anything broken sir?” Neon asked, placing her nose almost to the Librarian’s own.
With a sudden surge, There was lash out as the Librarian’s eyes flashed with fire. “GET BACK!” He roared, smashing her away from him before coming undone from the tree and falling to a knee. “Urg...Emperor… It’s getting worse…” He coughed, shaking himself slightly before rising as he blinked at what he had just done. “These hands, I swore they’d never bring harm to an innocent again… Forgive me.”
“It’s okay…” Neon Meekly said as she was untangled from a tree by Emeralda and placed on the ground, her muzzle slightly bloodied but easily taken care of by Tempest.
“What ails you Trayclian?” The old General asked, his tone purely curious, most likely to see if he had anything that could help.
“Simple General, within him he wields a God, Anarchy, my new Patron, though loyal I remain to the Emperor, Anarchy shall restore the Galaxy!” Maximus explained, earning a very confused look from Nitronus as he tried desperately to figure out what was going on.
“Better if you don’t even try...I had enough trouble explaining it to Mekrail, and he’s my own kin.” The Librarian finally said, giving a faint nod in thanks to the Holy Chaplain. “Just, pray that when the time comes, I will have strength to control it.”
“You shall.” Maximus replied, before looking at a random spot and shifting his voice, “And that be all folks!” He shouted before aiming a bolter towards the spot he was looking and firing a single oversized round akin to that of a Fellblades main armament. A single body flared to existence before turning to ash. Clearing his voice, “Damn Chaos Traitors, if you shall require aid just holler, I needed to be at the movies two minutes ago for my date.” Maximus stated as he turned and walked through the warp to a sunny place with primitive looking yet advanced technology where Humans and Ponies, along with many other unidentifiable creatures and Xenos strode about in their own business.
“Damn...At least he can go to the movies...I’ve still got to find the Captain and…” The Librarian paused, as Nitronus looked to him. “What? Something wrong with what I said?”
“Actually that was the reason of my coming to you Librarian, the good Captain and I upon arrival were in Canterlot, he remains there I imagine in their medical facility, as he was badly injured. Rest assured that he lives… Though if not for Hellscream’s intervention I fear he may not have.” Nitronus stated, knowing that if Trayclian were to be angered he could easily be dead as he mouthed prayers to the Emperor from behind his helm.
Trayclian stood, silent, mouth moving as though a fish out of water. For long minutes, the Librarian came to terms with what was said before visible signs showed. Three blood vessels popped as his eye twitched. Remaining silent, the Librarian suddenly turned on his heel, despite the dangers of using his Warp powers again after being so weakened by reining in the Dark God within him for so long, he ripped a massive tear in the Warp that heralded immediate arrival into the medical bay. Stepping into it, the portal remained open as if inviting the others to tag along. Before Nitronus could make a move however, a fist came flying out that smashed him upside his helm and knocked him back some.
Nitronus stumbled back but caught himself, looking at the Warp he once again remembered why he had wanted to kill Maximus originally, but kept his mouth shut as he was not in the company, nor would he ever be in the company, to voice those opinions. Stepping through the Warp with Neon, Tempest, and the other Marines who had remained silent they found themselves back in the capitol and more importantly, in the medical wing, which Nitronus made certain to move out of instantly, not wanting to be near the Captain or anyone else.
Tempest and Neon however remained, both setting their gazes upon the bedridden Marine as Tempest pulled out an ancient tomb and began sifting through it. Neon however made a point to get closer, though she remained a fair distance from the Librarian as she did so.
By now, past the initial shock, Trayclian had since moved to the bedside of his secret son. Standing beside him, he surveyed the immense and horrendous damage as he calmly took the Captain’s hand in his own. Silent tears stained his cheeks, and he sobbed in silence as the Inquisitor studied him. The Terminator, Guardian, was the first to make approach. He stood beside the Librarian, finally removing his helm and revealing a burn-stricken face that no longer seemed human for its disfigurement defied the laws of what should be alive. He and his brethren, they mourned their Master in quiet for a long time with Trayclian before one noticed the Warp energy slowly seeping from the Captain to the Librarian. Blueblood stood opposite him, and watched with uncertainty before realizing what was occurring and nodding faintly in thanks before taking a step back from the bed and giving him room to work.
“Taking away that which prevents us from healing him…” Guardian whispered, “Master, you are already so weak…”
“I will be strong enough, for this.” He replied, cold anger and pain in his tone.
“At least allow us to aid thee, You know I have no need of my organs and implants and I am a match.” Taking his own power fist, he wrenched apart his chestplate before cutting stitches across his chest to reveal that in fact his body was intact beneath the scarred surface. “Taketh what you need Master, I will await.”
“Thank you Guardian…” Trayclian replied stiffly, though gratefully, as he looked about for a moment to take notice of what he would need. Ultimately, it came down to nearly everything, for the chest of the Captain had been obliterated. An hour passed, two, and the Librarian worked ruthlessly and calmly to ensure every organ and implant fitted where it need to be. “There…” The Librarian whispered, “Now we need only wake him...But that knowledge, I have none.”
“I do, Master.” Another Marine replied, approaching to which he revealed himself to have previously been an Apothecary in life of the Ultramarines. “Apothecary Gadran, at your service.”
Making room, the Librarian allowed his fellow to begin the process of reviving the sleeping Captain. For long minutes, nothing happened as the Apothecary chanted, making extensive use of his tools to reawaken organs and implants as well as body and mind. Eventually, the Librarian watched as the Captain’s eyes began to flutter. He gestured everyone back away, and was still holding tightly now to Mekrail’s bionic hand on his left side as the man came back to the world.
“W...Wha?” Was all the Captain managed, as his groggy gaze glanced about and saw odd colorful shapes of the people present before falling at last upon the Librarian beside him. “Oh Emperor...an Astartes!?” Clasping a hand to his mouth, he muttered apologies for his reaction and made Trayclian look at him oddly. “Sorry my Lord, I...I’ve never seen one of the Angels of Death before…”
“What are you talking about Mekrail?” The Librarian asked, confused as he released hold of the Captain’s hand.
“You know my name!?” Mekrail said, surprised. “I wouldn’t presume myself to be of any note to such a highly respected man as yourself, my Lord.”
“Of course I know your name Captain, why wouldn’t I?”
“I’m not a Captain my Lord...I’m just a PDF Sergeant?” Now Mekrail was confused, as he turned his gaze, only to find himself looking into the eyes of Neon. Reacting fearfully, he literally jumped from his Hospital bed with cries to the Librarian. “Protect me my Lord! it is a dreadful Xeno!”
“What?” Neon said, raising a brow as Tempest found himself levitating a large a rather knotted tree root out of his saddlebag.
“Librarian, if I may?” He asked, the root hanging over his head as he never tore his gaze from his tome.
“They know you!?” Mekrail said, fearful for his life as he looked now at the Librarian as if he were hostile himself. Taking a lunge, he grabbed Trayclian’s bolt pistol from his hip before suddenly shooting him where he stood and sending him back a few steps. “You’re no honorable Astartes...You’re a Traitor! You’re all Traitors!” He screamed, firing only one more round in warning before rushing away as fast as he could move and making it out the door of the medical bay.
Trayclian, as well as the others, merely stood shocked and unable to say or do much of anything. Especially the Librarian, who felt he’d been rejected by both his own son and his own best friend after being shot and called a Traitor. He sat, head against a medical bed, crying this time where all could hear as he covered his face.
“I’m going to retrieve him before one of two things happens, A- He kills somepony, B- Luna or a guard vapes him… starting to regret sharing a few of my more lethal spells…” Tempest shouted before shutting his tome, setting down the stick and beating his wings once, causing a mild shock wave to form as he blasted out into the halls in pursuit of the Captain.
Mekrail had never been so scared in his life. First, he’d woken up in a strange hospital, with one of what he presumed to be the most Honorable and prestigious of the Astartes Loyalists Chapters Librarians standing next to him. Then he’d only come to find they were all Traitors, consorting with Xenos. He’d have never thought in his whole life he’d see a Dark Angel turn, for they had been of such high Honor and legend among his soldiers of the Plains World. And then there was that question. He didn’t know at all where he was, and that frightened him only more so as he heard voices searching for him and the sound of things moving about down several different corridors. No, I’m not letting these Traitors and Xenos take me...I will not be corrupted...I must get away...I will get back home, and see that asshole of a friend James and my girl, Delphine… These thoughts assured the Captain, as he ducked away from the searchers and down another corridor before bumping into Nitronus head on.
“Ow fucking Emperor’s throne watch where you’re…” Mekrail suddenly started shaking, his pistol raised as he took a single step back. “Another Traitor!? Don’t move, or I’ll shoot you!” He kept his voice under control, to prevent others from hearing, but he still visibly shook in the presence of Nitronus and was muttering prayers to the Emperor to help him survive and make it home alive.
“... Why would you… Did you hit your head? Mekrail what is thine issue?” Nitronus asked, catching himself as he took a step back, having a fully grown astartes crash into you would make even the firmest of his brothers falter, if only for a moment.
“How do you Traitors all know my name!? What do you want with me!?” The Captain managed only enough courage to fire once, and he missed, before he stared wide-eyed and reaffirmed his aim. “Tell me, now! How do you know me!? Why do you need me here!?”
Nitronus then actually realized to whom he was speaking to and stared a moment, I knew they could revive him fully, he thought to himself before answering the questions, “First off I am no traitor, as none of my kin are… Former Raven Guard Veteran Captain Nitronus. Secondly Captain, that would be you by the way, fought alongside of me and my brothers in the Blood Raptors not that long ago getting transported to this strange new place, though you knew it from before…” Nitronus paused a moment before taking off his helm, “I can tell by your face that you didn’t understand a word I said, come to the gardens with me and calm down, I shall explain more thoroughly and in simpler terms. "Maybe even perhaps figure out how to shock your memory back into being a thing again.” The Champion commanded as he reached out to take the pistol.
“No...No!” Mekrail shouted, firing a single round that barely grazed the Astartes before him as he stared in disbelief. “The Emperor has forsaken me…” He whispered, turning on his heel and running as fast as he could away. “I will not listen to the lies of a Chaos spawn!” He shouted, nearly insanely, as he cut down a hall to his left and then his right. He had no idea if anyone were on his heels and he didn’t care or dare to look back as he broke into what appeared to be a library of sorts.
Nitronus took off at a dead sprint, dropping his helmet and shield and only focussing on the Dark Angel fleeing before him, “Come back here, no one calls me a member of those shitty pieces of fracking shit! No offence Maxi!” Nitronus yelled after him as they rounded a bend, coming out to a library.
“None taken.” Maxi said from nowhere as the sounds of oriental music and a “Shakabouy” was heard.
“I’m not even going to ask…” Nitronus face palmed before staring down Mekrail.
“What the Fuck!? More Daemons? Emperor, what did I do to deserve such a fate!?” Mekrail cried, his weapon clicking empty before he tossed it aside and was backed against a wall. With nowhere to go, he was cornered like a beast. Knowing full well he would lose to the Astartes, he said a single prayer. “Delphine...I’m sorry, I won’t be making it home..May the Emperor not forsake you, as he has me.” He whispered, putting his fists up as he prepared to defend himself and die in one last desperate battle.
“I’m not going to hit you Mekrail, I owe you my life.” Nitronus said as he walked in and closed the door, though a shadow managed to slip in before it had shut. “Stand down and perhaps I may stay true to my word.”
“Traitors owe me nothing save their death!” Mekrail screamed, “And you lie, you would not keep your word I know it! Come on! Come on!” Already accepting his fate, Mekrail advanced with intent to strike first. Feinting a jab with his right, Mekrail came in with a thunderous left hook that he knew would be caught before it even began. Thankfully, it was his bionic hand, not his normal one, although it still registered with slight pain on his face.
“You should not have done that brother.” Nitronus said darkly, narrowing his eyes before his own bionic hand began to crush Mekrail’s slightly, the groaning of metal reverberating off of the walls.
With a single tear coming just from this pain, the Captain found strength in only the thought that he still had to try and get home to his friends and beloved as he shouted, “You are no brother of mine!” and then spat in his face before kicking him away harshly with what remained of his greave. His hand regenerated slowly, repairing itself as Mekrail glanced at it in surprise before returning focus to his foe.
Nitronus wasted no time, even in his red and bone armor he managed to almost blend with his surroundings, making little to no noise as he grabbed Mekrail from behind with his bionic arm over his neck, and his organic arm grabbing his Necrodermis limb. “I DO NOT WISH TO HARM YOU BUT I WILL IF YOU DO NOT STAND DOWN CAPTAIN!” He shouted, his voice actually breaking a nearby window.
“I will never stand down, you’re just going to have to kill me!” Mekrail shouted in reply, twisting himself somewhat of the Champion’s grasp like he had been shown in his Training period in the PDF and delivering a heavy jab to the side of his opponent’s face to get him off of him. “I will see my love before the day’s over, or I will die trying you foul Traitor!”
“I am no traitor Mekrail, I never have been one, never will be one! I for Emperor sakes attacked a pony when we got here, albeit for the wrong reasons, and you were, and should still be angry with me for it, but at this current FUCKING moment I am going to look past my own self punishment and bring you back you annoying piece of Tau SHIT!” Nitronus lost it as he began charging Mekrail before at the last moment rolling to the right and sweeping out his legs, “You fight a Pre-Heresy, no survivor of the Heresy Raven Guard, be happy I don’t wish you dead you stubborn mule!”
Falling face first, Mekrail landed on the hard floor and earned a bloody nose as a result. Feeling that crimson taste in his mouth, he felt a brief moment of surging underlying rage that seemed to empower him as he felt a cold anger reaching to the depths of his being at this Astartes. Kicking out with a spin, he too downed the Raven Guard before jumping up and slamming down hard on his back. “I will kill you for fucking betraying me you bastard! You will know my pain I have felt for taking me from my family!” Kicking him savagely, he sent the Champion into a bookshelf nearby before he found himself huffing with rage he now fought to suppress and keep in check.
Nitronus threw him off almost savagely, all restraint now lost as he unclasped his blade from his hip and tossed it aside, “I will defeat thee with my bare hands, and then I will shove the truth down your throat so far that you won’t be able to eat for a month!” Nitronus was no longer pussy footing around as he blatantly charged his adversary and planted his bionic arm into a bone shattering, would be fatal if not an Astartes, blow to the others chest, sending Mekrail careening through the library and through countless tomes of knowledge.
Mekrail coughed and spluttered, trying desperately for a single breath, but finding near none in his body. My lungs Was all he could think, not knowing how to switch over to the implanted third one as he actually fell to his knees and coughed blood. Falling over on his side, he struggled for any gasp of air left as his vision started to fade somewhat and darken. It was then that the shadow that had entered the room approached him.
“Good, you’ve stopped moving, drink this.” Tempest off hoofedly said as he shoved a potion down Mekrails throat. The liquid tasted like fire and sparked a massive pain in his lungs as his eyes shone gold for a moment. But the moment of breath was interrupted by a massive pressure on his back when Nitronus decided to sit down and shake his head. “And this.” Tempest said as he shoved yet another vial down Mekrail’s throat, this one green in color. Then images flashed before Mekrail’s eyes as memories returned, albeit still broken and fragmented, but clearer than previously.
“Can I get off him now?” Nitronus asked, receiving a nod from the Draconian before standing and offering a hand of assistance. “I really didn’t wish to fight you you know.”
Mekrail sat up, gasping for breath that he could at last take freely once again. He had seen his death, so nearly, as he held his chest to steady himself a moment. Eventually, the Captain turned slowly to face the Champion, his eyes still unsure but not so much looking at him or Tempest as hostile. “D...Don’t lie to me…” He muttered, rejecting any offer of help as he remained seated. “That punch was meant to kill me, I know that much from training…”
“You have a third lung, didn’t know you didn’t know how to turn it on… Take it from the guy who has lost his before.” Nitronus replied, a off hand chuckle, “I won’t lie, I may have put too much into that punch but then again… I am not used to fighting without the intent to kill.”
“You should see a doctor about that…” Tempest said before turning his attention to Mekrail, "How do ye feel Captain, anything seem clearer now?”
“I feel like shit, that’s how I feel.” Mekrail replied, before looking to Nitronus. “And I was fucking lost in memories...of when I wasn’t, an Astartes...What did you expect?” His eyes glared at the Champion, realizing he at least knew that he was in fact an Astartes again before looking to Tempest. “I know I’m not supposed to kill you...not anymore at least...But I… I don’t seem to recall much more… W..Where’s Del…” He paused, shaking his head as confusion came to him again.
“It shall come to you in time, I shall not push it any further as I have already used too much Ambrosia and Nectar upon ye as it stands.” Tempest stated, looking away as if a painful memory had struck him between the eyes.
“I shan’t ask for forgiveness Mekrail, merely tolerance.” Nitronus stated as he walked over to where his sword lay, “Last time I lost my temper I made a Bloodthirster shit itself…” He added in an afterthought.
“Emperor’s blood...please, don’t leave me like this I…” Mekrail said, gripping tightly to the Draconian’s shoulder with a pained look in his own eyes at the mess of his mind. “I have to know...I don’t care what it takes… I don’t want to be like this. Walking around for my life, never knowing what’s real or fake.”
“You will sort it out, I can no longer help you with it… I wish I could, but alas the effects of another dose would certainly kill you.” Tempest stated, now bringing forth the true danger of his Alchemy.
“Do not fret, I shall not leave you until your head is clear, it should all return in time Mekrail, in time.” Nitronus said, once again offering him a hand up. “Let’s take a walk Cap.”
“You should know if I didn’t take your hand the first time, I won’t accept it this time.” Mekrail said, faintly recalling how stubborn he was briefly as he forced himself to rise on his own and stand. “I will take that walk though, I need some fresh air, I think.”
Reginald walked calmly, though his senses were on high alert, with the survivors as they emerged from the woods and into Ponyville. The scene before him was serene, almost surreal, as he gazed about, the armored pegasi flew above them before one of them broke formation and made a shot for a massive crystalline tree.
“Proceed through the town towards the Tree, we’ll see you there Chapter Master!” Vapor shouted as she lived up to her name and left a trail of soft white clouds behind her as she flew.
“Full of energy, yet knowing of war, if only every soldier I had met was like that.” Reginald muttered.
“Eh, can ya blame her? Tha way I heard she an’ a hoof ful of others that Princess Luna’s got spread out are survivors of tha Initial Contact War.” Braeburn stated his eyes falling on a farm in the distance, “Wonder if ah could visit Applejack while we’re here?”
“Always trust in the veterans, they’ve been through the fires before, and they can usually take a Hell of a lot more.” Reginald chuckled, as they entered Ponyville proper and could see the Castle Gate sitting wide open with an arrangement of seven ponies plus a Dragon.
“Chapter Master Reginald, allow me to introduce you to Princess Twilight Sparkle and four of her ponies on the friendship council.” Vapor stated before taking a step back and observing from the sidelines.
“Greetings Princess…” The word did not roll off his tongue so much as fall off and cause several nuclear detonations. “I come in peace as well as seeking my fellow Astartes.”
“I appreciate the formality, Chapter Master, but just call me Twilight.” The Princess replied, taking note of the mentioning of his fellows before recalling her previous moments with the Librarian. “Oh yes, I met your friends a short while ago, though where Trayclian may have in fact gone now remains a mystery to me.” she gave a small, confused look, as she had truly enjoyed the short time she’d shared with the Librarian before his odd flight and now sudden disappearance with his fellow the Holy Chaplain as well.
“The Librarian of the Dark Angels, who else?” Reginald asked as Vapor walked over to speak with Braeburn.
“Maximus I think.” Twilight replied, the others all looking on but unsure as to how they should speak with him.
“If it was Maximus, then you should have no fear, they are probably off to join the others, if not in their company as of right now.” Reginald sated, a small smile behind his helm, “For now however I believe these refugees need safety.”
“Yes, which is why my castle is open to them, though Braeburn, Applejack wished to know if you would like to stay at Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight inquired.
“I rekon I ‘ave no reason why I shouldn’t, t’would be a pleasure AJ.” Braeburn replied, tipping his hat as the other ponies began to file in behind Vapor.
“Reginald, as of now I am the official guard for these ponies and this town, will you be remaining with us here until the others send word, or travel to Canterlot to see if Princess Luna has seen them anywhere?” Vapor asked, her light blue cyber eye fixing itself on the Grey Knight.
“I shall remain here for the time being, but thank you for my next destination’s name.” He replied as they all walked into the castle and out of sight.
Author's Note
Tempest-
Okay so this is a thing... Of course it is... Also anyone want to guess at the movie Maxi is watching?
Death has nothing to say, I think he's preoccupied with that 'game for my soul' thing again, last I checked it was DnD, sweet Luna have mercy I suppose I'll see him again in a few hundred years...
Death-
On this day, on this hour, my guns fell silent. The world at last knew a peace it has never known before, as the war against Nerd Rage was ended by the full withdrawl of a one Major-General Death's entire Army.
Tempest-
Scratch that, how's the DnD going?
Death-
I think I'm preoccupied with kicking the ever-loving shit out of your ass, that's what. And I don't play DnD, I play Warhammer tabletop you twit...I'd think you'd know that by now.
Tempest-
See you all before I lose my soul again... and Hades needs to interfere... again...
