MLP / WARHAMMER 40,000 : THE INDOMITOUS CRUSADE

-Back in Canterlot-

“It’s been ages since the last report came in.” Twilight sparkle worried, pacing back and forth in the great dining hall of the castle. Princess Celestia and Luna looked on at the distressed alicorns, concerned for her well being. “Twilight, you must calm down.” Celestia recommended. “This consistent worrying though warranted, and understandable is not doing you any good either.” “She is right.” Luna added. “Your friends are more than capable of handling themselves and others for that matter.”

Just down the table sat Cadence, and Flurry Heart, as well as Twilight’s older brother, General Shining Armor, as well as her now grown up assistant, Spike. “Twiley, we’re all worried. Believe me. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the girls. I really do.” Shining admitted. “But, that doesn’t mean you need to…” The general was interrupted by the sound of hooves trotting in a hastened pace, as a messenger pony came charging in abruptly. Upon reaching Celestia, the poor pony began panting, catching his breath before delivering a scroll as he spoke. “I…I..Bring news from…Ponyville…” He stated, handing the scroll over. “You…You want to read this.” Once delivered, the Pegasus departed out of the room, back to his duties.

The others then gathered around to hear what has happened since the last report. “Sister?” Luna asked. “What has happened?” Celestia read on, her eyes varied from a curious look to one of shock, and amazement, but utterly reassuring. She then hands the letter over to Twilight, with a smile on her face. “I believe your answer has arrived, Twilight.” Celestia stated. The purple alicorns grasped hold of the scroll and read it as Celestia explained.

“It appears we have visitors.” She started “We received word that Starlight Glimmer had encountered a small task force of creatures in the Everfree forest. Creatures who wear colorful armor, armed with weapons that resemble cannons, but on a smaller scale, even weapons beyond our comprehension. She states they are lead by a large figure that they call Lord Commander.” It was at the very end of the sentence that had Twilight worried the most. “And Rarity took the dog’s Collar of Divinity, the one reason behind the war! Now, she, Star and this…robot girlyman are on their way to return it to them!!!”

Spike looked on in confusion. “But…isn’t that a good thing?” he asked. “Spike, they’re walking into a trap!!!” Twilight shouted. Cadence then took the letter from twilight. “Twilight, if what this says is true, and then I highly doubt that this…Roboute will allow any harm to come to them, based on the description provided.” Cadence reassured. “Perhaps,” Twilight uttered. “But, how can we be sure as to trust this “Human”?” “I agree.” Shining spoke. “For all, we know they could be dangerous.” Celestia stood from her chair and looked to the two siblings. “Perhaps we don’t know them that well. But, until we can prove otherwise, we must give them the benefit of the doubt. However, it would be wise to learn more about these…Space Marines. I want you, and Twilight to board the next train to Ponyville to observe and report. We will continue from there about arranging a meeting.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Shining bowed. With the order given, Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor, and Spike made their way out of the dining hall, to prepare for their departure for Ponyville, and learn the truth about the fierce warriors that aided in the defense of Ponyville.

-Near the Diamond Dog’s territory-

The trio of two ponies, one primarch was approaching the borders of the Diamond Dog’s territory. During that time, Rarity was analyzing Guilliman’s armor and was simply quite fascinated by the detail put into it. “I must say…” She stated “Your armor is just simply beautiful. Such craftsmanship put into it. And the blue and gold does suit you rather well.” Guilliman let out a smirk a bit as he continued walking on. “Your compliment is rather appreciated.” He stated. “But, some of those other marines, the yellow ones….Ugh! They should consider changing their…” Rarity was interrupted by Roboute, who looked down a bit furious at the remark. “The Imperial fists wear that color in honor of their Primarch, my brother, Rogal Dorn. If I were you, I would not be so eager as to jump to criticizing the heraldry colors of my fellow Astartes.”

Remembering that this was a xenos creature, and only spoke her mind, Roboute let out some air before turning back to the path, leaving Rarity a bit nervous. “I…I’m sorry.” She stated. Starlight placed her hoof to Rarity’s side as the two walked on behind him. “Don’t take it too harshly. Let’s just say he has family issues.” Starlight stated. “But why is that?” Rarity asked. It was during that time Roboute began overhearing the conversation as Starlight explained what she could get from the other space marines.

“From what I’ve gathered, Roboute has nineteen other brothers, all are or were generals of the twenty original space marine legions. They were a part of their Father’s campaign to reunite their kind’s lost colonies, in a time they call The Great Crusade. It was near the end of the crusade that half of these legions and their primarch turned bad and attacked the Imperium. They were defeated but at a great price. They were left leaderless, and disorganized. It was during that time Roboute suggested the nine remaining legions were to be broken down into multiple thousand strong chapters, one in which bared the original legions name and colors, while others were left to their own devices.”

Rarity was astonished by the amount of information Starlight stated. “My word…” is all Rarity could say. This was about the time Roboute explained it further. “It was shortly after that my brothers began setting off on their own to deal with their grief. Rogal was killed in battle, with only his hand to be the only piece remaining.”

This made rarity begin to feel bad about judging the Imperial Fists color. “I…I didn’t know.” She mustered. “Nor did I expect you to.” Roboute stated. “That is why I apologize for my outburst. But now is not the time to talk.”

The group then approached a barren plain near a large rocky cave, guarded by two large dogs, with the remaining few hundred soldiers tending to their wounds, and to their dead. They all took notice of the approaching trio, as they began to worry and arm themselves. Starlight trotted up, waving a white flag, a sign that indicated no harm is to come. The dogs drew their weapons before a hand raised up.

“STOOOP!” cried the hand’s owner. This being cleared himself a path to the front of the army, as the three figures stopped a few feet away. The figure was that of their leader, a dog rarity was all too familiar with.

“Rover?” Rarity asked. The figure was that of Rover indeed, adorned in royal garments, and a crown on top of his head. “King Rover, I’s is…What does the ponyses want? Come to finish us poor dogs off has they?!!” Roboute then gestured to Rarity, who of course nodded as she trotted up, and present rover with the Collar, in which all the dogs gasp. ‘The collar…” Rover stated. “I…I’m sorry for taking this.” She pleaded. “If I had known this would bring about bloodshed…” Rarity uttered. Rover could only gaze upon the collar before gesturing the soldiers to stand down.

“Why should us forgive ponies after killing Rover’s soldiers?” He asked. It was here Roboute stepped forth. “Because it was not them.” He proclaimed. “I, Roboute Guilliman, had ordered my men to defend the village from being destroyed by your kind. Their deaths are your responsibility, just as mine are. Your kind chose to fight where negotiation was still visible. You have your precious collar back and have no further reason to attack. I have no quarrel with you or your kind, Rover. But, should you continue to attack these people, no matter the reason. I will have no choice but to eradicate your empire from existence. Believe me, I do not wish that upon you any more than you would.”

Rover then looked back to see the sorry remains of his forces, and the size of this primarch, knowing that what he spoke was truthful looked back to Guilliman. “If wes agreed, How can wes trust tall one to keep his word that no harm comes to Rover’s people?” The King asked. Roboute then drew his sword and drove it on the ground before stepping forth to the dog. “We have no quarrel with you, you have nothing we want. Your people’s destruction would be a waste of time and resources on my part. This I swear on to you, as Lord Commander of the Imperium. If you truly hold dear to your people, choose to live for your people.” The dogs all looked to one another, and back at the conversation. After what seemed like an eternity, Rover then nodded, as he took the collar, and handed it to one of his assistants. “Where does I sign?” He asked.

Starlight then presents a piece of parchment that listed the terms of the treaty. After reading over the terms, and quite pleased on both sides’ terms, Rover then signed away with an “X”. Starlight Shimmer then signed the treaty as well, followed by Roboute himself. Once the treaty was signed, the trio bid their farewell and departed back to Ponyville, while the dogs retreated back underground to recollect their forces, and rebuild what they had lost.

“Quite the diplomat, aren’t you Guilliman?” Starlight stated. The primarch looked over with a serious look, a pleased look on his face, but serious in tone. “I meant every word.” He said. “We could easily destroy their very kingdom…but what use would it be? It would only waste time and resources. Besides…my father always said that a peaceful solution, by all means, is a much preferable one than that of war.” Starlight looked ahead, with a smile as the sun began to rise in the east. “Your Father must’ve been a very wise man.” She believed. “He was.” Guilliman responded. “He really was.”