MLP / WARHAMMER 40,000 : THE INDOMITOUS CRUSADE

In the hangar bay of the Hulk class vessel, a brigade of Thunderhawks, Stormtalons, and other Imperial landing craft was being prepped for lunch by the cybernetic servants known as servitors. It was here that members of the reconnaissance party began boarding the vast ships that were destined for the planet’s surface.

Not only would the famous second company of Ultramarines be sent. But, also members of other Astartes chapters were to join them, most notably the Imperial Fists’ 5th company, known as the Heralds of Truth. Joining also was the White Scar’s own 3rd company, The Eagle Brotherhood, who brought with them a few of their Biker Squads. Leading one of the Biker squads was a Sergeant by the name of Barulatai, who took notice of the final company joining the mission. These were members of the Space Wolves chapter, specifically members of the Bloodmaws Company. One of the swift claw biker squad members looked over to see Barulatai giving him a look that suggested something was on his mind.

“What’re you looking at, Scarface?” The wolf snarled with a sneer. “That any way to greet an old friend, Sigfast?” Barulatai asked. The wolf merely smirked and scuffed at the remark. “Aye lad, any friend that decides to go in loud and crazy.” “Like any of your Thunderwolf comrades wouldn’t?” The Sergeant spoke. “Those loud-mouthed buggers? Obnoxious pissers more like it.”

The two looked over to see what appeared to be two packs of Fenrissian Wolves boarding one of the Space Wolves own Stormfang.

“You’re bringing those mutts with us?” Barulatai scuffed. Sigfast was not amused. “Those “mutts” got more fight in them than any of you half-assed speedsters.” That remark brought the White Scar sergeant to His point. “Care to put that to the test. Prove to me and my squad that you wolves can get first blood quicker than us.” The challenge then perked the ears of the wolf, in which he let out a smirk at the idea of rubbing the white scars’ face in the dirt. “Alright lad, you got yourself a challenge.”

Last to join were various pieces of equipment, such as Land speeders, Razorbacks and Rhinos, and a couple of Land Raiders.Among the equipment that was to be brought planetside were a group of Dreadnaughts, one being a Venerable Dreadnaught by the name of Odysseus of the Imperial Fists. And the other was a new Redemptor Dreadnaught, who carries the space marine, Justinian Gregorius. As the gargantuan machines were boarded upon their assigned craft, The Lord Commander was last to join, boarding the nearest gunship containing two tactical squadrons, and Intercessor squads of Ultramarines. The door then closed as the ship's engines roared to life.

The hanger had been cleared of its personal, allowing the bay doors to give way. The ships took for the vast open space before them as they cleared their fleet for the planet’s surface below. Nobody in the recon team knew what to expect, even if they asked their commander, he only replied with uncertainty. Several seconds had passed before they had completely entered the atmosphere. It was at this time, the gunship’s pilot spoke to Guilliman via the overhead.

“Lord Commander, we’re getting a scan of the area’s geology, in attempt to find a suitable landing spot.” “Show me.” The Primarch answered. An overhead projector lowered itself, projecting a holographic map of the closest area. The map projected a wide range of mountains with some scattered civilized areas, as well as a vast forest. Hidden within that forest was what appeared to be the ruins of an old castle, which has since been left to the ages. Guilliman saw this as a possible candidate for a landing site. “Set us down here.” He commanded, marking off the location.

The ships continued their course, passing through the skies in the dead of night, and just around the time of a massive storm. Heavy rain pounded the medal haul of the spacecraft as they descended upon the ruined area. The ships lowered their landing appendages in an opened area that fortunately fitted a majority of the ships. Once the crafts had been securely landed, the doors to the craft lowered to the ground, creating ramps for Guilliman and his task force to step onto the planet’s surface, deploying the infantry units first before making way for the heavy equipment. Despite the heavy rain, and thunderclaps upon occasion, the space marines were unphased by such phenomenon.

Roboute Guilliman examined the area carefully before removing his helm, breathing in the fresh rainy air. “The air isn’t toxic, that’s for sure. But that does not mean this world isn’t hostile. Proceed towards those ruins there. We shall establish a base of operations from there.” With the order stated, The reconnaissance group, comprised of Ultramarines, White Scars, Imperial Fists, and Space Wolves ventured forth to the castle-like ruins, as the heavy machinery was being unloaded for the craft to take back off into the air.

As the battalion pressed forward, many of them began to examine certain pieces of the fallen architecture, discovering the area had a certain theme to it. Several of the broken statues resembled those of ancient equine, as described in myth, and of the White Scars’ homeworld of Chogoris. One of the Tactical Marines of the white Scars turned to Biker Sergeant Barulatai.

“Do you suppose this was a lost monastery of the White Scars?” “Possibly” He answered. “For all, we know this could have very well been built by Jagatai Khan himself, in the days of the Great Crusade, left to corrode in the wake of the Heresy.” One of the Imperial Fists Terminators pointed towards two tapestries, both mostly intact. Both depicted two horse-like figures, each having a horn, and a pair of wings. Yet the two were different, almost opposites. The one on the left was blue and held an icon of a crescent moon. The other banner was golden with a depiction of the sun.

“Funny.” Sigfast proclaimed. “With all this horse themed rock lying around, no wonder you’d think that Jagatai was here. That’s if he even was here.” The Space marines began to investigate the palace itself and all its corridors, examining the ruins for any signs of who used it. It was upon the discovery of the palace’s library that Guilliman had discovered its answer. He grasped hold of a book that seemed to be less dusty than any of the others, indicating that this was picked up not too long ago. He opened the book and began reading through it. As he read on, Tigurius too entered the Library.

“Who do you suppose left this amount of knowledge to corrode here?” He asked his lord. Guilliman handed him the book he just read and pointed to the same two figures seen on the tapestries. “Nothing here was made by the hand of man.” He stated. “I believe this was once the home of a Xenos empire at some point, or at the least was once its capital.” The Librarian noticed several more books less dusty than most of the other books. “This empire may still exist if these books can indicate anything.” “Perhaps so,” Guilliman remarked.

Unknown to them, however, a figure laid hidden in the shadows, observing them as they continued to search for their answers. Cautiously, this figure poked its head out to continue to watch the primarch, and Librarian scroll through the books. However, curiosity had gotten the better of this figure as their hoof had lost its grip on the corner, giving way to rubble falling to the ground.

This caught the attention of the two humans, as their heard clopping sounds echo in the distance. Both Guilliman and Tigurius perused the sounds down a hallway. They could see just ahead of them a small hooded figure. Upon reaching the middle of the hall, the figure stepped onto a pressure plate, which gave way to a trap door before them. Rather than being captured by the unknown beings, the figure leaped over the trap door, hoping they would not pursue. Unfortunately, both figures managed to pass the door unchallenged. The figure then cut a few corners too by themselves sometime before coming across a doorway, leading back to the main hallway.

Taking their chance, this hooded figure made a run for the doorway and the main entrance. However, upon reaching the main door, a large armored hand grasped hold of the figure’s hind leg. Letting out a scream of distress, this figure, now identified as a female began to struggle her way out of this monster’s grip. She continued thrashing, kicking her way out.

But, ultimately was brought face to face with a yellow figure with red eyes, frightening this figure who’s hood then revealed itself to be a small horned equine creature with light purple skin, and a deep violet hair with turquoise and purple highlights. Her purple eyes shrank in fear of such a sight.

“By the emperor, an agent of Chaos…LORD COMMANDER!!! BROTHERS, COME QUICKLY!” The yellow warrior shouted. Quickly more of these armored beasts came running towards the yellow one. Including, the two figures that pursued her near the Library. These battle brothers pointed their bolters and plasma weaponry towards the creature, who knew they had not come in peace. “What is it?” One Astartes asked. “Look at its hide, a marking” Another spoke. One of the Terminator squads readied their storm bolters. “An agent of Slaanesh, if anything! Destroy it!” A terminator cried. As the soldiers prepared to fire…

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

A voice cried that came from the creature’s mouth. The Astartes warriors looked on in astonishment. “Great Terra…it…it spoke.” A flag bearer proclaimed. The creature’s horn began glowing with a purple aura as it forced the warriors back with a small burst of what seemed to them a psychic force. “What further proof do we need to kill this daemon?!” Sigfast exclaimed. “Hold yourself, Swiftclaw.” The response came from the Bloodmaws’ own Rune Priest. “I’m not a demon, or whatever you think I am!” The creature shouted defiantly. The bolters pointed themselves towards her again, preparing to fire once again.

“Hold your fire.” The primarch commanded. The little Xenos looked to see both the strange aliens walked towards her, stopping only a few feet away. She could sense that the tallest was their leader. This figure knelt close to her height before removing his helmet, revealing his face. This creature gasped at the sight of his face. “A…a human.” She thought, recalling her time with Sunset Shimmer at Canterlot high. Yet, unlike the humans there, this one was different. “If you are not an agent of Chaos, then who are you?” The creature remained silent from the shock and awe. “Speak.” He asked again.

The quadruped being then mustered enough courage to reply. “My name is Starlight Glimmer of Ponyville, Advisor to Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of friendship.” The Astartes warriors looked at the creature in confusion. “Is she the ruler of this world?” Guilliman inquired. “One.” Starlight corrected. “She rules alongside four other alicorns, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Flurry Heart. They govern a small portion of Equestria, holding their own domain.” Roboute pointed to the two tapestries. “Decedents of theirs?” He asked. Starlight shook her head. “Those are Celestia and Luna. The first two.” “Tell me…how long has this empire been established?” He asked. “Well, roughly a little over a thousand years. Founded by Princess Celestia herself, after a terrible time of war, she unified all the three pony races together under one banner.”

With that answer, Guilliman couldn’t help but notice that there was a similarity to this princess to another being of power…The Emperor. “Tell me, Creature…” “Pony” She corrected. “Tell me, Pony. Why were you spying on us, in the library?” Starlight went on to explain her situation. “You see, I was trekking my way through the Ever free forest, just outside of here, when I came to these ruins, the old palace of the princesses. I hoped to take shelter here, for the night, until the storm passed. But, as I wondered the halls, I heard your voices coming from the library. Examining the books. I did not know how to approach you, didn’t know you would be dangerous.”

“Only dangerous to the enemies of my father’s empire, little one.” He answered. “But…I have to ask…who are you” She curiously asked. “I…am Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion, and its successor chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, Lord Commander of the Imperium of man, thirteenth son of the Emperor of Mankind.” Starlight was astounded by the number of titles held by this being. “Quite impressive for one such as you.”

“Yet...” He continued. “You did not answer my question.” She then turned her attention east of the castle. “You see, my village has fallen under attack by creatures we call Diamond Dogs and have been under siege for many months now. Our resources have been drained, and our forces dwindled. We had no chance to evacuate for they attacked us on all fronts. My people have been trapped, and the inevitable end is quickly approaching. I was sent by the elements of harmony to find help while they stayed to fight. I have only begun my search when I found you here.”

There was a look on Guilliman face, almost sympathetic. He too knew of such an attack, much was the fate of Terra at the conclusion of the Horus Heresy when nine traitor legions struck the holy capital to dispose of his father. But, he also knew that should he chose to aid these creatures would not only prove problematic to these ponies but with the Imperium at large. “You have my pity, Ms. Starlight. But, we cannot help you. Our fleet has suffered heavy damage for us to remain on board for any significant span of time. We came here to investigate this world for any human colonies as we travel through space.” Starlight’s eyes widened at the sound of space. “You mean…you’re aliens?” She asked.

“By definition to your kind, I suppose.” He responded “Our presence here would bring only further harm to you than good. That is why we must leave this world as soon as possible.” “I understand.” The unicorn responded. She began trotting out of the palace with Bolters pointed at her. “Let her go,” Guilliman commanded. The Space marines lowered their weapons allowing her to leave.