The ships engines roared through the icy cold of space as it made its way back to Terra with the survivors from Appleoosa. Braeburn along with Cherry Jubilee and Little Strongheart sat together sharing some rations while the ships crew went about their daily routines, all seemed well and good but no matter what they did the three of them could not block out the horrible things they had witnessed during the attack on the colony. Braeburn sat in his chair, playing with his food when he heard the pilot announce that they were going to be at the space station in a few minuets.

The survivors were ordered to assemble at the exit hatch after landing and were escorted by a squad of space marines as a precautionary measure against the media which was no doubt waiting for their arrival. The moment the ships doors opened a swarm of cameras began flashing nonstop with reporters trying to push past the security as well as the armed escort pushing them back, many of the colonists refused to talk about the incident on Appleoosa since the memories were still fresh and many were sworn to silence by order of the empires most secretive group; The Inquisition.

"Braeburn!" A farm pony amongst the crowd began pushing her way through when two marines stood in her way, for a moment things were getting tense between the three when a squad of Ultramarines came marching into the station followed by none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle herself. Twilight ordered for the photographers to disperse immediately so that the med teams at the station could treat the sick and the wounded while the mare who had been arguing with the guards was allowed to see Braeburn and the others.

"Applejack." Braeburn cried out with relief as his cousin wrapped her arms tight around him. When Applejack got a good look she could see her cousin had been through a terrible ordeal. His clothes were tattered and burnt, his face looked like he hadn't slept for days and his mane was a complete mess along with Jubile and Strong Heart who were also happy to see their friend again.

"Braeburn what in Celestia's name happened to ya?!?" Applejack looked at her cousin who seemed to just stand there frozen and unable to speak.

"it's...it's gone! All of it! The town, the farm, our friends....all gone!!" Little Strong Heart broke out in tears with Jubilee to comforting her as best she could, neither Applejack or Twilight had seen their friends so frightened before and began wondering about what happened at Appleoosa. Applejack assumed it was a band of space pirates that destroyed the town but her theory was shot down when Twilight told her of the creatures that infested the planet along with the other colonies in the sector including Manehattan, it was noon when the group was called to the royal city of Canterlot for a meeting with the empress to discuss the matter at hand. When they arrived, Twilight and Applejack noticed that security had been beefed up in the whole city with security checkpoints on every entrance and guards on every street corner.

"There some kind of event going on?"

"Not that I know of. Hold on." The Princess walked up to one of the guards and asked what all the security was for but his only response was that it was orders from the Royal council and that was all he knew. Twilight rejoined her friends on the trip to Canterlot Castle where inside was a huge gathering of nobles from all over the imperium.

"Announcing her majesty; The Empress."

When the doors opened, all stood at attention as a bright and powerful figure entered the room. There standing before the council was Empress Celestia in all her glory with a strange light that seemed to ease the tension of the council members as well as bring a smile to her subjects faces; she was like a living goddess born from the sun, as the council sat down to begin the meeting Twilight was called forth to sit next to her former mentor.

"I suppose you all know why we're here?" Celestia's tone was serious and her eyes seemed to focus on the entire room with none giving her an answer.

"The Tyranid threat must be answered!" With a wave of her hand, the empress displayed a holo map of the recently abandoned sector followed by footage of the Tyranid swarms that had been seen there.

"Twilight. If you please?" The empress stepped down as Twilight took the stand to explain the situation they were facing.

"Thank you your highness. Now I suppose you are all wondering why we are showing you footage you have already seen and I have the answer. These attacks weren't just random; they were coordinated strikes on the empire." The revelation from the princess made some of the council members burst out in laughter that was quickly silenced by a glare from the empress as Twilight went onto explaining her theory.

"The Tyranids aren't as mindless as you think, they all share a single thought; A hive mind. The ones you have seen in the footage are called Hormagaunts, they are the swarms foot soldiers and are often sent in as the first wave of an attack when invading a planet along with Termagants who specialize in ranged combat then there's the Carnifex these hulking brutes are the muscle of the swarm and are capable of ripping an imperial tank to shreds as well as breach the gate of any fortress but these are the ones we know of."

Twilight then began showing photos of other Tyranids which were being dissected by imperial scientists including herself. While some found the photos fascinating others seemed to cringe at the sight of the creatures, some even ran out of the council room after becoming sick almost instantly.

"This creature here is called a Hive Tyrant. They help command the swarms troops as well as guard the nests from which the other Tyranids dwell, the next one is a Genestealer; A type of Tyranid known to infect other beings with its DNA thus turning them into Tyranids themselves and are mostly found in abandoned ships or hive fleets."

Twilight then stepped down as the empress rose up from her throne with a firm look in her eyes.

"Summon all the chapter masters across the imperium. As of now, we are at war!"

From sector to sector the space marines gathered together and armed themselves for war, the threat of the Tyranids and the recent loss of the outer colonies had set a fire in their hearts so intense that some said they could see a fire in their eyes. While the marines prepared to move out, Twilight and the Elements of Harmony were summoned back to the castle for a special meeting.

The group was lead to a secret room deep in the castle where Luna and two of her personal guards were waiting.

"I'm glad you could come Twilight. This is something you and your friends must see."

The empress ordered for the lights to dim before a small footage was shown of the news crew that was at Manehattan during the attack. A large number of Tyranids came rampaging through the burning streets when out of the smoke she came; A mare with wings like an insect and skin which seemed to reflect the light of the fire followed by the numerous holes in her body and sinister green eyes that could bring a chill to any who dared stare at them.

"CHRYSALIS!" Twilights rage sprang up instantly when she saw the face of the one who nearly destroyed Canterlot and her brothers wedding, twilight even remembered the day she was banished from Terra many years ago.

Chrysalis was brought before the council in shackles, her body was covered in cuts and bruises from a ferocious battle and her wings had been singed off by an explosion yet despite her weakened condition a squadron of royal guards surrounded her as they marched into the throne room where the empress was prepared to deliver judgement.

"Queen Chrysalis! Last of the changelings. You are found guilty of high treason, deception and the destruction of Canterlot and have been sentenced to exile in the void. Have you any final words?"

Chrysalis broke in a hysterical laughter before staring down Celestia with a satisfied grin.

"Don't act so high and mighty Celestia. Need I remind you that I was only able to infiltrate your precious city because you failed to listen to your most trusted student who learned that one of the most important values of friendship....is trust."

Celestia felt like someone had just ripped her heart out when Chrysalis spoke those words and though they were harsh there was some truth to them. She began to recall the immense guilt she felt when she realized Twilight was right about her suspicions when Chrysalis disguised herself as her niece; Princess Cadence but she refused to listen and it had nearly cost her the entire kingdom, she also remembered how powerless she was to stop her after revealing her true form and as Chrysalis continued to laugh the empresses anger boiled over to the point where she could no longer restrain herself.

"SILENCE!!!"

Never before had the citizens of Equestria had seen her in such a rage but despite her anger the changeling queen continued to laugh even as the guards hauled her away.

"Somehow Chrysalis escaped the void and is now in full command of the Tyranid swarm."

"I understand your majesty! Me and my friends will-!"

"Not this time Twilight." Celestia cut her off before handing over a file which read Deathwatch and in it were pictures of space marines from different chapters along with their service records, as Twilight read through the file her teacher began to explain the details of how Chrysalis was captured all those years ago.

"When she was captured, an elite team of space marines brought down Chrysalis and the remaining changelings but by the time reinforcements came in the entire team was wiped out. This team was called Deathwatch, my sister Luna will explain." Celestia stepped aside as Luna presented another file that gave a more inside look into the squads operations.

"The Deathwatch operates in the shadows, you could say they're a black ops group mainly for the inquisition and as my sister explained; only the most acceptional space marines of each chapter are chosen. We need you to assemble a new team if we are to stand a chance against the Tyranids. Your first stop is Aurelia." Luna was startled when Twilight let out a rather loud gasp before grinning in anticipation.

"Aurelia? As in THE planet Aurelia; home of the Blood Ravens?"

"The very same."

"Why didn't you say so?" Twilight took off like a shot and wasted no time in packing while her friends stood there confused as to what just happened.

"Heavens sugarcube you're more excited than Rainbow dash during cider season!"

"How can I not be excite? We're going to Aurelia! EE!!" Twilight squealed as she continued to pack her bags while Rainbow Dash laid back hovering in the air.

"So what's so great about this place?" She asked while continuing to hover.

"Aurelia is not only the home world of the Blood Ravens but it also has the most vast collection of knowledge in the history of the Galaxy! Plus there's a good chance Gabriel Angelos will be there."

"Who?"

"Chapter Master Gabriel Angelos. Former captain of the Blood Ravens third company." Twilight brought out a large book from her shelf to show her friends a picture of the Blood Ravens third company and in the center was their captain.

"A long time ago, the Blood Ravens third company was betrayed by their former master; Kyrax who branded them as renegades and ordered them to be hunted down while he secretly served the powers of chaos. It was on the scorched planet of Cyrene where Gabriel and the other Blood Ravens rallied together and defeated him, it was not long after that when Gabriel was named Chapter master of the Blood Ravens and since then they have always served the empire loyally." The Princess the flipped the page to reveal the chapter master himself holding his mighty war hammer; God-Splitter yet he appeared to be more machine then equestrian with his cybernetic eye and limbs.

"The battle on Cyrene nearly cost Gabriel his life, it was a miracle that he survived." Twilight then closed the book before returning to her packing.

Hours Later

After what seemed like days of space travel, the ship carrying Twilight and her friends finally arrived on the surface of Planet Aurelia where they were greeted by a squadron of the Blood Ravens elite units and their sergeant.

Greetings princess and to your friends as well. I am Sanguine Quartz; Sergeant of the Blood Ravens Elite Guard. Welcome to Aurelia.

End.

Author's Note

Colored text will be used to identify which member of the kill team is speaking.

Thank you once again Thunderbolt Sentinel for proofreading.