MLP / WARHAMMER 40,000 : THE INDOMITOUS CRUSADE

-Ponyville Station-

The train makes its final approach to the now war-torn village of Ponyville. But as the Royals, and their honor guard stepped off of the passenger car, and onto the station, the town was livelier than ever, and filled with much joy with the war now over. Life began to pick up as the townsfolk began to repair the damage to the buildings, and washing away the blood stains. “Whoa…” is what Spike can say, after getting a whiff of the stench of the air. “I know.” Shining retorted. “This place has seen better days.” Twilight began looking around, hoping to find any sign of her friends. But due to the size of the crowd, finding any of them became rather difficult. “Ooooh, this is…” She started. But then …

“TWILIGHT!!!”

A high pitched voice cried out. The princess then looked to see the six ponies she identified as her friends trotting up to her. She could only smile in utter joy as she ran up to them. The seven of them embraced one another in a most joyous reunion. “Guys! You’re okay!” Twilight let out in tears. “Of course we are, dear.” Rarity. “That’s right, sugar cube,” Applejack added.

Spike and the others joined in through his eyes were set on one in particular. The then rushed towards to this certain mare. “Spike.” Starlight said as the two embraced. The young dragon held onto her for a good few seconds. “I should’ve been here.” He confessed, ad he buried his face into her shoulder. “Spike, look at me.” Starlight nudged him to make eye contact. “You needed to be with Twilight. You’re her number one assistant.” The unicorn stated. “But, you’re my wife.” He responded. “I could’ve helped fend off the diamond dogs and…” Twilight overheard the conversation. “We both could have. Believe me spike, I wanted to be here just as much as you do.” She interjected. “Yet, as I am to understand, they did in fact receive aid.” “Yeah!” Flurry Raced to the Advisor. “Is it true what they say?! Are these real humans, big humans with cool weapons and armor?!!”

The honor guard and Shining Armor let out a slight chuckle to such an idea. They continued to do so until the general himself took notice of several shadows that passed over, and the sources of those shadows. Soon the other guards took notice and simply froze as they saw two squads of Primaris Intercessors and two tactical squads of Ultramarines patrol by. The sergeant of the Intercessors glanced over to the Honor guard, who simply watched in intimidation as the Astartes warriors carried on with their routine patrol. While Shining had his jaw wide open, Flurry could not hold back any more of her excitement. “OH MY GOSH!!!” She exclaimed. Twilight and Spike also were left in awe, as they turned back to Starlight. “Yep, Big help.” She answered in a most confident way. “Which brings me to the next course, follow me.” The five elements nodded to Twilight and company to follow them.

They trotted down a freshly paved road, leading into the Everfree forest. “This road wasn’t here before.” Spike noticed as signs of progression indicated that someone or something had cut down several trees to make room for rather large vehicles to move. It was in the middle of this trek that the honor guard, general, dragon and alicorns heard several objects pass overhead. The ponies were a bit startled, much to the expectation of Starlight, though the others weren’t affected as much.

“What in Faust’s huge flank was that?!!” one of the guards cried out. “I don’t know.” Shining answered, looking towards the girls for an explanation. “Don’t you fret fellas. That there was just a couple of those Stormraven ships.” Applejack assured. This got Twilight, and Flurry perked with curiosity. “Stormraven? What’re those?” Twilight inquired. “Oh! Let me tell!” Pinkie bounced. “They’re these big spaceships that carry lots and lots of Space Marines and Other troops! Lots of the other chapters have them!” The guards looked at one another, realizing the sheer number of these creatures.

“You mean…there are more of these things?” Shining asked. “They’re not things.” Starlight corrected. “They’re living creatures, flesh and blood. But…don’t call them aliens. They don’t take that too kindly.” “Why’s that?” Flurry asked. “I think their leader can explain a bit better than we can.” Applejack stated. This brought Twilight to the point in which she wanted some background information. “Yes, this…Roboute Guilliman. Tell me what you think about him?” She pleaded.

The six turned to Twilight, each willing to give their friend their honest opinions about the primarch. “Well,…he’s similar to you.” Starlight said. “Very well organized, and not too fond of anything that isn’t.” “Yeah, but he’s also one hell of a badass! He can fight like nobody I’ve seen.” Rainbow added in her usual jock like terms. “Not only that, but he’s quite the strategist. Not to mention a fairly reasonable fellow.” Rarity interjected quite delicately. “Very dedicated to his folks, I’ll give him that, Though he’s not one to be trifled with.” Applejack advised cautiously. “Yeah! He has this big flamey sword, and big hand that’ll bash you to pieces!” The element of laughter stated excitingly. The last one to give their opinion was Fluttershy. “Maybe…but…He’s has a good soul…though…he has this feeling of guilt…What exactly it is, I don’t know. But, he’s very kind as far as I’m concerned.”

Twilight got her answers she needed and began to mentally compile them into a somewhat more comforting feeling. That all was then shoved away as the group looked at the end of the road to see that the once deserted grounds of the Castle of the Princesses had been turned into a landing site as Astartes craft, guardsmen landing ships, and transports of the Adeptus Mechanicus landed with fresh troops, and supplies, and took off back into the sky.

The ponies looked on in awe. Twilight and the others looked to see various individuals were inside the castle working on what appeared to be repaired. “It looks like they’re making themselves quite at home.” Rarity suggested. Seeing the rate at which these events were transpiring. “No kidding.” Pinkie complied. It was there, that the group was approached by two Primaris Intercessors as well as a Primaris Chaplain. The honor guard and Shining ready themselves to engage, feeling threatened by these towering beings. But the mane six gestured them to stand down as Starlight approached them. This got spike worried. “Star, No!” She looked back to her mate. “It’s alright. They’re not going to hurt us.”

She continued to approach the Space marines. The Chaplain stepped forward, adorned in his hollowed armor, hooded with his menacing skull helm, and tokens of battle and ritual. “Chaplain Valanor, we are here to see Lord Guilliman. He’s expecting us.” Starlight stated. The hooded priest-like figure nodded. “We were sent to escort you personally.” Twilight, Flurry, and Shining armor approached behind Starlight. “You know this particular…” Twilight started to say. “Chaplain.” The hooded figure spoke. “Valanor, Chaplain of the Ultramarines second company. Follow us please.”

The figure and Primaris marines gestured to the group to follow them. The ponies obliged and followed closely behind. It was then that Flurry began asking questions. “Chaplain…what is that anyways.” She asked. “We are responsible for the spiritual well being of our battle brothers. Through Tenet, dogma, and catechism, we are what armor them against such things as Heresy, and false pride, To ensure that the wisdom of the Emperor and Primarch into them.”

“So basically, you’re somewhat like priests?” Twilight asked. “Yes, in a way,” Valanor responded. “We are masters of ritual, administer rites, and perform our ancient rituals of initiation.” Twilight began to see the way these warriors’ societies were like; these were creatures of faith, bound by some code of honor. Yet as they pressed on, she began t see that these space marines varied in color, and the wondrous equipment they had from vehicles to weapons, and even Valanor’s Crozius Arcanum. Yet she took notice of the other troops as well, the guardsmen for one. These were much smaller than the Astartes, almost as if they were children.

“What of those ones?” She asked. “Oh, those are Imperial Guardsmen. They’re basically the average Joes army. The Space Marines are the super soldiers compared to them, literally.” Rainbow said.

The soldiers let out a unified “Ah”, understanding the reason behind the difference in size. “But…How do they get so…” Before he could finish his sentence, the group of ponies took notice of the loud thumping footsteps next to them. For these steps belonged to the Imperium’s most ancient weapons, and greatest war machines, a squad of Imperial Knights from House Taranis. “Big?” Valanor finished impatiently. “That is something I will not utter now.” The group pressed forward further into the palace.

Twilight could see the repairs and some modifications to the palace going on. Knocking out various walls, and rebuilding areas to their needs. Starlight nodded to her former instructor that the one overseeing this project was a much larger Astartes, bigger than even a Primaris marine. It was then Twilight began to realize this was indeed the supposed Lord Commander.

While Guilliman instructed several tech priests to their selected assignments, he glanced over to see the small group of ponies approach him, accompanied by the Chaplain, and Primaris marines. The warrior priest stepped forward and bent the knee. “Lord commander. The one called Starlight Glimmer has returned.” Valanor announced. Roboute drew his attention to the pony and company. “That will be all, Chaplain.” The black armored figure bowed and departed with the two Primaris marines. Starlight knew she had to start up a conversation and introduce the royal siblings to this ancient lord.

“Lord Guilliman, I’d like you to me Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship, and her brother General Shining Armor of the Royal Guard.” The primarch simply looked upon the two Sparkle siblings, unphased by this revelation. “Greetings, your highnesses.” Roboute uttered. The two ponies took notice of Guilliman not bowing.

This got Spike a bit annoying. “You know, you should bow before royalty when introduced.” He growled. Starlight looked back to him with a glare. “Spike, it’s alright,” Twilight stated. Roboute turned to the somewhat agitated dragon. “I meant no disrespect for not bending the knee. But these two are no lord or lady to me. Nor I to them and I only bend to my brother Primarchs…and my father alone.” “Oh…well, I…I suppose that’s fair enough.” Spike calmly spoke. “Sorry.”

Starlight continued with the introductions without further interruption. “Your Highnesses, this is Roboute Guilliman, Lord Commander of the Imperium of Man, Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion and chapters transcending from it, Son of the Emperor of Mankind.” Twilight was quite impressed with the many titles he bared if any of them were true that is. “Quite the titles you bear, huh? I didn’t even know there was such a thing as The Imperium.” The Lord looked down and nodded at the inquisitive Alicorn. “Indeed, there is.” He said. “And I understand that you have an abundance of questions about it, as I have for you.”

Twilight’s interest was perked the moment she heard him say he was curious about her. “Really? Yet my friends have told you what they know about Equestria already.” Twilight answered. “They have only provided me fragments and snippets at best. Though I do not hold any fault to them.” Guilliman replied. “Shall we continue this in the Library?” Twilight asked as Roboute gestured them the way.

The Guards remained in the great hall to observe the forces of mankind at work, leaving a rather curious Flurry heart to slip from the group, and venture amongst the humans as her father, and Elements and one dragon were escorted to the Library for further conversation.