Aries was released from Discord's tail the instant they exited the Warp.

Surveying his surroundings revealed that while they had returned to Equestria, they were not where they had been before.

"Why have you brought me here?" Aries demanded. They had landed in Ponyville, in fact, they were right in front of Twilight's castle.

"Well, it's not like the PDF can't function without you. And even you need to take a break sometime." Discord explained.

Thinking about it, Aries agreed with him. He nodded...and cut Discord's head off.

The Draconaquis' ears transformed into wings likened to those on his back, and his body remained standing. "...Still mad about the Earth Pony thing?" The flying head asked.

"Yes...but now that I have punished your heresy...thank you." Aries deactivated Warp Eater and mag-locked it to his thigh as he proceeded to Twilight's castle.

Discord reattached himself as the War Hound entered the castle proper. Hmm, I suppose I could warn him...but where's the fun in that?

Aries was proceeding to the room he slept in when the need for it arose (one time prior) when he heard voices. Twilight's, Fluttershy's and one other that sounded familiar.

He decided that he would let the Aliens(regardless of their true nature, he simply cannot bring himself to think of them as Daemons) know that he was among them, in case they needed to know of his location.

He went to the door the voices came from and opened it...Aries looked at the Ork...the Ork looked at Aries...the ponies had frozen in fear.

"...A-Aries...I can explain..." Twilight offered.

"...Those wounds were inflicted by a Dark Eldar. It is not first time that their alien prisoners welcomed the 12th Legion as happily as the humans we came to rescue, knowing very well that they would not survive." Aries explained.

The War Hound turned his head from the Greenskin to Twilight. "I assume you do not wish to kill it?"

Twilight was dumbstruck by the War Hound's reaction. "...No, we...we want to help him... you're taking this...remarkably well."

"Are you familiar with a being named Discord?" Aries asked.

Twilight and Fluttershy went from confused to concerned in an instant. "He didn't...brainwash you, did he?"

"No, but...I have had a long day, even by my standards. I came here to rest, not to fight. The Ork will turn on you. It's in their nature. And I have told you of the fungal spores that ensure more of their kind will be born by the hundreds within Ponyville someday. That will be your teacher. The lesson: Mercy is not a weakness, it is a sign of power. One you are not strong enough to wield. The blood that beast and it's spawn spill will be on your han...hooves." Aries explained.

He took one last at the Ork. It stared back at him with emotionless eyes, uncaring of it's own fate...for now. "Hmph." He turned back to Twilight. "At least the experience will serve to harden your kind, though they will probably execute you for causing the destruction." And with that, he left the room. Leaving Twilight just as mentally exhausted as he was.

On the other side of the room, still standing next to the mirror, Greenskin kept a neutral face. dey fink I'm stupid. Dat humie...he'z gonna try an' make me muck up so dey can turn on me an' say it'z moi fault. I see it comin' a moile away.

The Ork was pulled from it's thoughts by Fluttershy tapping a hoof on him. "...If he's right, we won't blame you. We know what Orks are like. Let's go home. It's been a long day for Everycreature."

Greenskin nodded. He knew better than to let them know that he was onto them. Dey're lettin' stay wiff da noicest one dat lives far away from da uvvaz so I'll be tempted ta stomp'er an zogg myself. Noice try.

The Next Morning

Luna had visited Aries briefly as he slept that night, but he had sent her away. He didn't wish to dream, only to rest, and to meditate on what had become his fate.

He knew what he wanted to do, but he had no idea how to do it. He was a single Tactical Marine, he had no means of teaching these primitives a means of traveling the stars or building war machines.

It was possible that he could find a means explaining the concept to ponies with the proper Cutie-Marks...he wanted to drive his head through a wall for thinking like that, but found that the ridiculous idea had some weight behind it.

And so, he decided that this was going to be his next objective, Equestria had a respectable defense for the time being, now he would work on offense.

With this in mind, he awoke with the intent of enacting this plan. Only to find he already had a window of opportunity to do so.

"Uh, good morning Aries. I'm sorry to bother you, but the Princesses wanted to see you on a special matter. They wouldn't explain what?" The message came from Twilight's serf, Spike, and saw Aries and Twilight's friends traveling to Canterlot.

As always, Aries tuned out their friendly chatter...until a topic of slight interest came up. "So how's the Ork doing?"

Fluttershy shot a nervous glance to Aries. Though he was listening, he hadn't turned to face them or given any sign that he was paying attention.

Fluttershy returned her attention to Pinkie Pie. "He's...the same. Apparently Luna had to help him through a nightmare about us turning on him."

"What!? after all we've done for him, including accepting the possibility of him betraying us, he thinks we would betray him!?" Rarity asked.

"Apparently, the Dark Eldar did the same thing. They would have one of their own pretend to be his friend for years and years only to turn on him and...laugh about it." Fluttershy said with barely contained rage.

Aries felt her disgust as his own. He had no pity for the Greenskin, but he would tolerate a hundred Orks over a single Dark Eldar purely because the Orks would cause less suffering to humanity.

He tuned them out after that. The Ork's current mindset, and possibility of aggression, was all that interested him. Ideas on how to help it most certainly did not.

Canterlot

An hour or so later, they arrived at Celestia and Luna's throne room. Waiting for them were the ruling Monarchs, Twilight's brother...wearing an old aluminium crown for whatever reason, and a Pegasus stallion that Aries did not recognize, save for the manner in which he carried himself: a soldier.

A gasp from Twilight followed by a scowl at Shining Armor told him that there was a story behind the aluminum crown, but he did not care to hear it. "You requested me?"

"Yes, after the Awakening, it was decided that Security required a dramatic increase. While we wanted Ponyville to receive the first enhancements, our laws demanded a vote between representatives of our provinces...all of whom chose Canterlot." Celestia said with a voice that was sad and proud in equal measures.

"It is not that they care more for our safety sister..." Luna began whilst wrapping a comforting foreleg around Celestia's back. "It is that without us, day and night will cease to cycle. I'm sure you remember the catastrophe that brings."

Aries was curious, but not enough to ask. Nevertheless, this rose Celestia's spirits a bit. "Ahem, to that end: two security systems have been put into place, one to prevent an infiltration, and one to prevent an assault. We called you here to test the latter's effectiveness against powerful foes."

"Hmm, I actually wished to speak to you about something similar. Seeing what you already have will serve to show how to improve your capabilities." Aries explained.

The Princesses then conversed with Twilight: who had evidently been summoned to test the infiltration counter-measures, while the Pegasus soldier came up to Aries.

"I am Flash Magnus: One of the Pillars of Old Equestria, and the designer of the security you'll be testing. If there's any problems, I will correct them." The Pegasus said to the War Hound before indicating with his wing for Aries to walk with him.

"...Magnus, the name of the Primarch of the 15th Legion, though you carry yourself more like a member of the 7th." Aries said aloud.

"I actually have a bit in common with you sir. An incident with an evil spirit ended with me and the other Pillars being trapped in a pocket dimension for a thousand years until Twilight and her friends got us out. Been catching up with society ever since." Flash replied.

Aries nodded. "The purpose of this walk is to lead me away from the defenses that I will be trying to breach?"

"Yes sir. They're being set up as we speak. Your next trip to the Throne Room won't be easy...hopefully." He said the last word in jest. Aries hoped his confidence was justified.

Outside Canterlot Castle

Aries had been instructed to wait a few more minutes as final preparations were made for his attack. He had paced the same three meters until Flash Magnus returned with an old Unicorn by his side.

"Alright, everypony's all set to keep you out. There's just one thing left to take care of." Flash Magnus turned to the Unicorn, who approached Aries and bowed.

"I am Starswirl The Bearded. Prior to the incident Flash told you of, I was Celestia's and Luna's teacher in the ways of magic." The Unicorn said.

Aries felt the introduction was unnecessary, but responded in kind. "Greetings, I am Aries of the War Hounds. I trust knowing your name was not the last thing?"

Starswirl shook his head. "For the purpose of both security systems, I placed a means of preventing unauthorized magic. I wish to see it's effect on your weapon, and also to enchant it with a protective sheath that will prevent you from cutting anypony."

Aries obliged the request, drawing Warp Eater and activating it...the power field, born from a magical artefact, was disabled.

The Unicorn casted it's magic upon the blade, giving it a silver glow. "I will remove the spell upon the end of your assault. Until then, your weapon is blunt."

The Unicorn bowed and walked away while Magnus took over the briefing. "Everypony is instructed to treat even a tap of your blade as being taken out. I'd rather you didn't hit them too hard after hearing what you're capable of. Good luck."

With that, Aries was left to begin his attack.

Charging straight for the gate, Aries found four Unicorns waiting with horns aglow. He also took notice of the large ballistas that began to train on him.

He sprinted to engage the Unicorns, moving too fast for the ballistas to track him...until the Unicorns halted him with their magic.

Their skills with the Warp were not as great as many, it took all four of them to slow him down, but it allowed to ballistas to fire.

The first bolt shattered on his shoulder. "AIM TO KILL!!" Aries shouted when he realized what they were firing warning shots.

Unsure at first, the second ballista still fired, the bolt shattering against the War Hound's chest plate.

He was closing in on the Unicorns, who were beginning to sweat and strain against him...until one of them lowered his horn before attempting to raise it as it glowed brighter, resulting in the War Hound feeling an unnatural force trying to lift him into the air.

Another ballista round struck him in the head, no damage. But the other three Unicorns copied their ally.

Aries stopped moving altogether as he was lifted an inch off the ground, and then another, and another.

Aries' limbs moved easier now, leaving him to theorize that they focusing on his chest...big mistake.

The final ballista bolt soared towards him. He grabbed it, spared a half-second to calculate that it had been aimed at his neck, and threw it at a Unicorn backwards.

The blunt wooden pole collided with the pony's hoof, not tripping it but causing enough pain and shock that it lost focus.

The others buckled under the unexpected strain, but didn't drop him.

He threw Warp Eater like a knife at a second Unicorn, but the first one caught it.

Aries was genuinely impressed. He knew that their weapons couldn't hurt him, but the fact that they were able to apprehend him was commendable.

The Unicorn that captured Warp Eater in its telekinesis sent it back at Aries. Aries decided that he would accept the loss, as in a true combat situation, the power field would've been functional...and that's when it happened.

The other Unicorns collapsed from exhaustion. Aries fought the instinct to catch himself and fell on his battery-pack.

This should've allowed Warp Eater to soar over his head, but it stopped in mid-air in time with a gasp from the last functioning defender.

The sword turned to face Aries and stabbed downward. Aries rolled out of the way, rolled back, and grabbed the sword.

The Unicorn tried to pull it away from him, but Aries allowed his grip on Warp Eater to hoist him up before charging full speed at the last guard.

The guard gave out a shriek, identifying itself as a mare, and fired a blast of magic at the War Hound.

Though the blast was consistent, it did not possess the power of even a lasgun. Aries charged right through it.

The mare seized up and closed her eyes. She opened them when Aries tapped Warp Eater's blade onto her, lightly. "This concludes our battle."

The guard blinked as she comprehended what was happening, and then lowered her head with defeated sigh. "We screwed up again."

Aries was all too familiar with the abhorrent state of Equestria's military, but found no fault here. "This defeat was not yours, if you had better support, you would've defeated me. I will advise superior armaments to replace the ballistas after I've finished my assault, to determine if there are other defenses that are adequate as is."

The War Hound's words saw the mournful look on the mare replaced by a smile that most mortal humans would've considered cute. "Well, since this is just a training exercise, I won't make you torture me to find out that our badges open up the doors. I know you could probably brake it down, but I'd rather you didn't. It would be expensive and time consuming to repair it."

The Unicorn gave Aries her enchanted badge and saluted him before helping her exhausted allies to their feet.

Aries opened the doors to the castle and proceeded through. Pegasai were waiting in ambush above the door, but they underestimated their opponent's reflexes, as many unfamiliar with astartes do.

Aries proceeded down the hall...and came across a peculiar obstacle.

On the other end of the hall was a Unicorn he had seen in the streets of Ponyville, a mare bearing a white coat, a mane of two different shades of bright blue and violet glasses covering her eyes.

She stood at the end of the hall with some sort of control system before her, Royal Guard Earth Ponies flanking her with crossbows ready and waiting for some sort of signal.

It was obviously a trap, and while he would advise better concealment, the War Hound's immediate priority was testing the ability to stop a Space Marine. Taking him by surprise can be rehearsed when they knew how to take him.

Aries charged into the obvious trap, noting a change to the material of the walls. He expected hidden crossbows or poisoned darts...he hadn't expected this.

The mare pressed an activation rune on her console, resulting in the ceremic concealment plates shattering like glass as hidden speakers erupted in a violent cacophony of noise that actually drove Aries to his knees.

The Earth Ponies fired their crossbows, no effect. Aries switched off the audio receptors in his helmet, deafening himself to the cacophony, and resumed his charge.

The Earth Ponies couldn't reload their crossbows even once before Aries closed the distance and eliminated them.

The mare at the console switched the noise off after being eliminated, obviously confused about Aries' swift recovery.

The astartes removed his helmet with an audible hiss, the mare wincing at the sight of his scarred face. "The helmet is sealed to the point that I could survive the void of space for a small time. I can only hear and speak through it because of speakers and vox communicators that I can turn off if needed. But the fact that I was required to do such a thing speaks volumes. You've done well."

The mare nodded her thanks, uncharacteristically quiet for one of her kind, perhaps mute.

Aries did not voice his curiosity, simply proceeding to the next objective.

It was the same everywhere he went. While Unicorn witchcraft, or clever tricks could put him on the back foot, the Equestrians lacked the means of putting him down. He was more certain than ever that the invention of greater weapons was necessary.

Not possessing a means of opening the doors to the Throne Room as easily as those of the castle, Aries charged through them shoulder first.

Seizing the shock and confusion of his violent entrance, Aries targeted the Unicorns first...or so he thought.

As soon as he charged, the War Hound found himself suspended in midair by none other than Celestia, who did not exert herself while restraining him.

Luna flew up and touched her horn to his head. "And this is me forcing you to sleep. Do I really need to do it, or will this conclude the exercise?"

"I yield." Aries said flatly.

Celestia lowered him down. She, her sister, Starswirl, Flash Magnus, and Shining Armor came up to him for a debriefing. "Heh, it was probably hopeless to think you wouldn't pull it off, but you took longer than I thought...am I allowed to be proud of that?"

"Indeed, I hadn't expected your defenders to perform as well as they did. But the reason for their failure is exactly what I expected it to be: lack of effective weapons. You can hold me off for scant seconds, or even immobilize me. But without a means of finishing me off, you only delay the inevitable.

"Yes. That...is a problem that comes from living peaceful lives protected by willing champions." Luna lamented. "What do you suggest?"

"You used my memories of power swords wielded by my brothers to create one for me. I want you to use my memories of other weapons to teach capable ponoes how to create versions that can be used by your kind. Firearms, artillery, war machines." Aries explained.

A look of shock upon those present. The two Equestrian soldiers turned to the Princesses, who turned to each other.

After a silent conversation between siblings, the Alicorns nodded in agreement.

"Very well. We must permit Twilight to test our infiltration countermeasures, but I shall visit tonight should you choose to dream." Luna said.

"I shall. Purely for this reason." Aries answered. With his task complete, had the spell on Warp Eater removed and returned to the PDF to train them.

Author's Note

And that's that. To start off, the reason Aries didn't do this before is because back then, he only intended to defy Chaos until he died again, he never expected to make it this far.

And when now that he believes the ponies could stand against Chaos, and has the Emperor's blessing, he's going to develop Equestria's military might as much as possible.

We won't see too much of it this Volume, as we're following the events of Season 9, but Volume 3 is going to switch from 40k getting used to Equestria to Equestria getting used to 40k.

It will also introduce a third Element Bearer, but he'll be in on the loop from the word go.

Also, the reason he's so relaxed about Greenskin is because he was A: turned into a pony, B: dragged through the Warp to meet the Emperor, and C: had the Emperor say, in no uncertain terms, that he had failed humanity. Even astartes have a limit before they're just done.

Okay, so that is going to be the last heavy focus on Aries until the main battle at the end. (Which will be bigger than last Volume's) And next chapter will revolve around Greenskin.

Okay, that's all I got, see you next time.