MLP / WARHAMMER 40,000 : THE INDOMITOUS CRUSADE

The sounds of angry roars and growls accompanied the cracking of wood, as the barricade began to crack from the force of the army of two thousand strong. The Diamond Dogs applied a sheer force upon the gate, in which Rainbow Dash felt as she and several others braced the doorway. The weight of several thousand pounds of force is what the Element of Loyalty felt as several more hurried to repair the damage quicker than the damage that can be afflicted. “Damn! These guys just won’t quit, will they?!!” Rainbow grunted.

As the Wonderbolt continued holding the line, the enemy began approaching the wall with a different tactic. Hooks were fired up over the wall, sinking the sharpened edges into the walls tightly, allowing Diamond Dog Soldiers to scale the walls. Despite the arrows fired across, and the valiant, yet feeble defenses. The Guard ponies became overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Diamond Dogs.

Even Rainbow Dash could see that the inevitable was quickly approaching. She then ordered the soldiers to fall back, as they cleared the giving gate. The sounds of wood cracking, and splitting apart roared like a violent snap of bones, as the army breached the gates, pouring in like a tidal wave of destruction. Intending on bringing about the village’s destruction. The two Elements of Harmony regrouped with the few remaining guards, and their captain as they prepared a final stand as citizens fled to the south.

The captain readied his sword, as the guards their weapons. “This is it! We hold them back. If we die, we die while doing our duty to the princesses, and Equestria!” Rainbow looked to Rarity, both ponies ready to fight. Though, the unicorn was less eager to shed any blood. “Rainbow…” Rarity spoke. “If we are to die today…I’m glad I’m dying alongside you.” Rainbow smirked as she nudged Rarity reassuringly. “Same here.” The Pegasus responded.

The angry ranting of the dogs approached the small force rapidly. The beasts were mere feet away before the equines heard what sounded like the clap of thunder, though on a rather small scale. None the less, they saw the dogs were rapidly pierced by numerous flying objects hurtled from behind the group. These objects pieced through the beasts like a hot knife through butter, in loud bloody impacts.

“GUYS!!!” a high pitched voice cried out. Both Rainbow and Rarity looked back, and there came charging to the rescue were Starlight Shimmer and the other three elements of Harmony. Accompanying them was a rather towering figure in Blue and gold armor, wielding a flaming sword. As well as a multitude of what was guessed as this figure’s soldiers, in blue armor, as well as yellow armor. These warriors charged in, reinforcing the depleted equestrian soldiers, and bringing hope to their darkest hour.

“Starlight, Darling!” Rarity squeaked, hugging the advisor, as well as the other three. Rainbow dash hoof bumped Starlight calmly before she too embraced her friend. “Glad to see you’re back, Star.” She stated. “I conquer. Your return is most opportune!” Rarity added. “But, who are these…” “Space Marines!” Pinkie interrupted. “Starlightfoundthesebigguysintheoldcastlewhoalsobeatasquadofdiamonddogs! AtsweetappleacrestheywerelikePOWPOWPOWandthedogswerelikeAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!”

The two elements then turned to the taller figure. “Who’s this?” Rainbow inquired. “I am Roboute Guilliman, Lord Commander of the Imperium of Man, Primarch to the Ultramarines.” He stated. “Basically, he’s those guys’ boss.” Pinkie explained. “Got to us just in time, we were getting overrun back at the farm.” Applejack started “But thanks to Mr. Girlyman here, we were able to beat those pests back. Made them run like there was no tomorrow!” The pony guards watched on as the space marine tactical squadrons, and Intercessor squads of Ultramarines applied their codex discipline tactics on the battlefield, while the Imperial Fists proceeded to apply their close range tactics, either be it close range firing, or melee combat. As the battle progressed, a large diamond dog was locked in combat with a Primaris intercessor in melee combat. The dog thought he had the upper hand as he blocked the Primaris Marine’s toothed blade.

However, the blade began roaring as the blade began eating through the dog’s handle like a saw and then rapidly making contact with his skull in a bloody fountain as bone crack, and brain matter scattered in the beast’s shriek of agony. The dogs quickly learned of the fear these soldiers had brought as a rather smaller diamond dog was caught under the boot of an Ultramarine, who looked the creature dead in the eyes as it used its fist to beat into the boot futilely. But ultimately, the creature was put out of its struggle with a bolt shot into its cranium.

“By Luna’s rear flank…” one soldier proclaimed. “These creatures are incredible.” Another soldier said. The captain of these ponies looked on before he was then approached by Starlight Shimmer and Roboute Guilliman. He took notice of the two and looked like he was about to speak his mind. “We had this under control, Ms. Shimmer.” He boasted. “My men were more than capable of holding these beasts back.” Starlight and Guilliman looked at one another, then back to the captain. “Right…” Starlight skeptically stated. “You just happened to let them walk right through the front door.” The captain grew angry at the statement. He let out a slight growl before Starlight turned to the Primarch. “It appears you’re incapable of defending Ponyville under this much stress. That is why you are relieved of command.” She proclaimed.

The captain was utterly horrified, to strip him of command was absolutely hypocritical in his mind. “You…YOU CAN’T!!!” He shouted arrogantly. “As Princess Twilight’s advisor, I can, unless any of the elements have any objections.” The elements shook their heads, seemingly perfectly happy with this decision. “Lord Guilliman…” Starlight started. “Do you accept command of Ponyville’s forces for the time being?” “I do.” He replied. “But on one condition. You and your elements shall serve as my lieutenants.” He requested.

The captain rolled his eyes and scoffed at such a move. “Lieutenants indeed…They have no military background!” Roboute looked to the arrogant pony with dismay. “They have shown more courage, and determination, and far more discipline than I have seen any of your forces this day.” The Lord Commander then turned back to the Elements. “Do you accept?” They all looked to one another and replied with a nod. “Alright, let’s do this!” Starlight exclaimed. One of the soldiers approached Guilliman. “What do you need from us, sir?”

The captain was surprised at how well his own troops were with this change in command. “But…but…but…” the captain muttered. The primarch then looked to the soldier and knelt to his height. “Have your remaining forces aid us in clearing a path for more of our brethren. The rest we’ll handle from there.” The soldiers then saluted with a loud “YES SIR!” then proceeding to the front lines to aid the Space Marines, and their Primaris brothers.

With newfound Hope, the soldiers of Ponyville pressed the attack to the dogs, as both ponies, and Astartes warriors pushed by the tide of Diamond dogs back from the inner walls, with each thrust of a power sword or chainsword, or by the sound of bolter fire from Intercessors and tactical squads. Even the fiery blast of plasma blasters from Hell blaster Primaris Marines was enough to send the dogs falling back to friendly lines. This change in tides was also aided by the encouragement of Starlight Shimmer, and The Elements of Harmony, who did their best to support pony soldiers, and Astartes, Whether by sheer force or by encouraging words and actions. Once a clear path was made, Guilliman’s next part of his plan took place.

On the diamond dog’s front, a small squad of dogs was falling back from the main gate. “Gah...Could this day get any worse?” One dog hissed. As if fate had answered his question, the sound of distant howling and loud roars grew louder as something was approaching from the mouth of the gate. The squad looked back to see that more of these creatures came, riding on strange looking two-wheeled contraptions. Half were adorned in white armor, and the other a grayish blue, accompanied by what appeared to be a pack of rather large wolves. The soldier looked to his comrade, who stared at him with a scolding stare. “You, and your big mouth.” He sneered.

One of these riders approached the squad with a chainsword in hand, slashing through several of these dogs, in a bloody massacre, having the pack of wolves pounce upon them, as they tore the few survivors apart. The white riders, who were of course members of the white scars, continued to apply their lightning tactics with each kill. One of the bikers was none other than Barulatai riding on an attack bike with a heavy bolter, armed by another of his kin. The Astartes fired their bolters into the creatures, as they fled from the battle lines. Each shot meant another score in Sigfast’s little game.

Though, neither the White Scars nor Space Wolves cared enough to count as many of the two thousand diamond dogs were quickly being decreased. By the time that defeat was assured on the Diamond Dog’s part, the remaining six hundred turned tail and fled the scene, retreating back to the rocky areas, on the outskirts of Ponyville. As the dogs retreated, Baruatai radioed into his commander of the victory. “Lord Commander, the enemy is in full retreat. Shall we pursue and destroy?” He inquired. “No. Let them go.” Guilliman responded, via com communication. “Return to the village, to assess the damage.” “Yes, my lord.” The White Scar sergeant replied.

The citizens of Ponyville began to take notice of the calmness in the air, as they all began coming out of the shelter of their homes and businesses, to discover the sight of the bloodied battle and the towering warriors that had arrived. Many citizens were a bit frightened by the giants, while others were rather curious. It was at this moment the elements approached the nervous townsfolk reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid.” Starlight stated. “They will not harm you. These soldiers helped in the defense of Ponyville.” The citizens started discussing with one another, still uncertain. Many of them asking questions like “Who are they?”, “What are they?” where did they come from?”, and so on.

It was at this moment, Roboute Stepped forth, and drove his sword into the ground, gaining their attention. “Citizens of Ponyville, hear me! My Name is Roboute Guilliman. I am the Lord Commander of the Imperium of Man, Son of The Emperor of Mankind. I and my Space Marines were asked by your advisor to your princess to aid in your hour of need. Rest assured you will not be harmed by us. I swear this on my own life that we mean your world no harm.” The ponies began looking at this towering man a bit calmer than they were minutes ago. “Though I must if any of you know why these…Diamond Dogs as you call them would attack your village?” He asked. The crowd then looked at one another, trying to answer that question themselves. The soldiers also began wondering why all this bloodshed. It was in this moment she recalled rarity saying something before the battle.

“Rare…” Dash asked. “What did you mean by...“It’s my fault”?” She continued. This got Rarity in a nervous state, as sweat began pouring from her head. The other elements and Roboute took notice. “Well?” The Primarch asked. “Answer her!” he ordered. Rarity then lets out a sigh of defeat, knowing she could not hide it any longer. “Well…there is a possibility that…I…I may have something that belongs to them.” The Ponies gasped at this statement. Knowing Rarity was known for many things. But, Thievery wasn’t one of them. “Rarity…what did you take?!” Applejack asked furiously. She gestured the small group to follow her back to her home.

Inside the boutique, Guilliman, Glimmer, and the four other elements took notice of Rarity’s item. “Holy Manure…” was all Glimmer could say. “That’s the…” Applejack started saying… “Collar of Divinity!!!” they all proclaimed. Guilliman was curious as to why this object was so well known. “Tell me about this collar.” He asked. Starlight then explained to the primarch. “The Collar of Divinity is the Diamond Dog’s most prized object. Said to have been worn by their ancient kings, who thought to have been gods in mortal form. It was lost for centuries until a decade ago.” This information reminded the Lord Commander of one of his chapter prone to guarding sacred relics “acquired”.

“But what I want to know is…HOW IN FAUST’S HUGE FLANK DID YOU GET A HOLD OF IT?!!” Rainbow Dash exploded in anger. Rarity composed herself, with tears in her eyes. “I…I wanted something back from them, after calling me an old mule!” Guilliman looked at the pony somewhat irritated that his aid was called for because some pony simply wanted revenge. But, he saw that he paled in comparison to Starlight Glimmer, who was outright furious. “You mean to tell me, that I risked my flank to find help, and bother Lord Guilliman and his men to fight for us…ALL BECAUSE YOU WANTED PAYBACK?!! DO YOU REALIZE ALL THE DAMAGE YOUR LITTLE GAME CAUSED, ALL THE PONIES AND DOGS THAT DIED BECAUSE OF IT?!!”

After venting out, Starlight took notice of Rarity bawling her eyes out. “I’M SORRY!!! I didn’t mean for this to happen!!!” She screamed, still crying her eyes out. Despite their anger towards the fashionista, Starlight and the others felt a little bit bad for going off on her like the way they did. However, Guilliman looked on at her, unphased by her reaction. He seemed to be in a state of meditating before he looked to the Element of Generosity. “You know that there is only one way to ensure they will never attack again.” Rarity sniffed as she looked to Guilliman. The pony nodded as she knew he was about to suggest the next course of action. “I…I have to take it back.” She stated with a sniff. “Are you crazy?!!” Dash asked. “They’ll rip you apart for just holding it!” Rarity then grabbed a bag and placed the collar inside it before saddling it to her back. “Then I will pay for my mistake.”

But before she could step outside, Starlight placed her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “At least let me go with you.” She pleaded. “I will go as well.” The two looked to hear the statement come from Guilliman. “But…but you didn’t steal the collar.” Rarity stated. “It was my men who slaughtered a great deal of these creatures. They will need reassurance on all parts. I have placed Captain Acheran of the Ultramarine’s second company in charge in my stead. He has assured me your village will be protected, should they try again.” He assured them. Rarity then nodded her head, as she opened the door. Once the trio reached outside, they soon began their journey to the outskirts, in an attempt to bring an end to a long and bloodied conflict.