Chapters The Blood Ravens Last Flight
My ship bounded through the Warp. It was my custom ship, gifted to me for my loyalty during the Horus Heresy. It was also currently hooked to a heretical war ship chartered to an unknown location. I sat at my console, cleaning my bolter. I was very low on supplies so I was trying to maximise its efficiency, but the techpriests knew how to treat her when I last went to get her serviced and her spirit was purring like a cat while I cleaned her.
My consoles all hummed quietly allowing me to finish without an interruption. I reassembled my bolter and mag-locked it onto my back. As if the Emperor himself willed it to wait until I finished cleaning, my consoles started beeping. I threw on my helmet and walked to the bridge. The consoles all flashed and beeped about twenty things, all of which were about how I was getting jettisoned from the ship. I started plotting a course for where to exit the warp, but I was well cut off from the Imperium. I started thinking of maybe accepting the Emperor as a god before deciding now was not a time for theology. My ship tumbled and fell out of warp travel. I started trying to gain my bearing by finding an inhabitable planet. If I could survive long enough, perhaps the Imperium would come to me. I set all my scaanners to finding worlds nearby witch could support me. I sat back and started a digital journal entry, the scans might last long enough for me to write a bit about my life.
I had just finished summing up my minor role in the Horus Heresy when the console chimed. There were three planets on the list so I sat back and started reading through them. The first was a small planet, barely big enough to support human colony. I thought it would make a poor choice for a semi-permanent home. I must admit, I was scared for a moment. I calmed myself, trying to remember that I had to chose one soon. I didn't trust my ship after an emergency warp jettisoning. The next planet was like Terra long ago. There were signs of at least semi-intelligent life. I put it aside and went to the last planet. It was huge and had many forests. The problem was it's atmosphere was well-removed from earth. I couldn't allow my senses to dull on such a long-term mission and with it's atmosphere oxygen would be a problem. I started checking the second planet's geography.
I looked over the notes on the second planet. I dropped my jaw. I read them again, this time much more carefully, the damned facts were there, and it broke all of them. I looked at some readings from the local star. My face tightened. A retirement was out of the question now started readying myself for war. A planet that was geocentric was rare enough. This one was special though. I strapped on my armor. This one had it's sun held in place by massive amounts of warp energy. I plotted a course and started to descend into the unknown.
My ship slowly landed in the only clearing of a massive tree field. My inner scientist noticed the trees all had apples, long extinct since they only grew well on Terra itself which is to mechanized to allow crops. I brought out my bolter and began scanning for the forces of chaos. My armor started compiling a map to aid me in the battle that I felt was inevitable. I was surprised when I saw a xeno casually walk forward. It was shaped as if a horse, only smaller and even seemed sentient. It was staring wide-eyed at my ship. “What in tarnation is this thing doin’ in mah apple field!?!” I smirked under my helmet before slowly retreating under the trees. My red armor wouldn’t hide me well, but it might let me observe the xenos actions. It walked up to my ship and I cocked my bolter. The spirit sensed my need of quiet and muffled the sound excellently. The xeno simply stared for a moment before reaching a conclusion. “HELLO? YA’LL AROUND HERE GUYS? I RECKON’ I COULD USE SOME HELP!” As if on cue a smaller blue xeno soared through the air. I was surprised to see that this one was a horse too. Only, it had wings. I settled to watch some more.
“Yo, AJ what the hay did you do this time?” The blue pony said glancing back at my ship.
“Ah don’t rightly know. This thing fell outta the sky and made a lotta racket, but it seems tah not do anything.” I continued my deduction and thought these to be scouts. I was reminded of the beginning of Hourus's fall and the humans who refused to kill all xenos they saw, I stopped that thought. I didn't have supplies for an unneeded war. if they were peaceful I would have to compromise and live with them. I shook off the thought and scared them allowing my booming voice to command their attention.
“TINY XENOS, YOU ARE NEAR MY SHIP. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” I was surprised by the response from both the xenos. The blue one landed and started looking around for whoever talked, seemingly more confused than scared. Meanwhile the orange xeno jumped back before trying to respond.
“Ya’ll are on my property, ya hear? If ah’m near your ship it’s because your ship is on mah land. So come out and introduce yourself before doin’ all this crazy magic to scare us.” I started to smirk, these xenos had a way about them. As if they never had to fight for a meal. I started a subtle scan. The accented voice disturbed my thoughts. "Ah said for ya'll to introduce yahself. Now get to introducin'!" It's stance changed, it seemed ready to kick something. I pushed my luck with diplomacy. Emperor damn the consequences.
“Hello small xenos. I am Crucius Marx of the Blood Ravens. You are standing beside my ship The Pursuit of Knowledge and I am here to help this world.” It wasn’t a lie. Anything tainted with chaos I would kill, which would help this world. I also still pointed my bolter at them, better safe than sorry. The blue xeno jumped up and started staring at my visor. She tapped my helmet with a hoof before flying back and talking.
“AJ this thing is made of metal.” My smirk evolved into a grin. Even if I had to kill these xenos they were funnier than a Slaaneshi
“No, no tiny xenos I am simply wearing armor.” I stopped actively aiming my bolter at them. If it was a chaos trap I had already sprung it. I laughed. A scary sound to the xenos if their sudden jump behind my ship for cover was any sign. I didn't like the thought of the xenos put out of my sight. I checked the results of my scan. Both of the xenos had an innate warp ability, though neither seemed adept at using them. I looked at the facts laid before me. These xenos hadn't attacked me. That was good. They seemed not to trust me, but the feeling was mutual. I decided to take the chapter motto to heart. If knowledge was power then I need to gain knowledge I needed a Librarium. I needed to at least fake being polite to gain entrance to the nearest source of knowledge.
Both xenos looked around the ship before shuffling out from behind it, and looking at me. “If ya’ll are wearin’ armor, then ya’ll must be a guard. What are yah doin’ so far from the princess?” I slowly tried to figure out this confused orange xeno. I decided the only cure for my confusion was to question everything.
“I’m sorry before we continue this conversation I have to find a way to stop calling you “xeno”. Could I bother to ask a name or two, one from each?” The blue xeno perched on my ship before stretching like a feline.
"Sorry man, I thought you’d recognize me. I’m Rainbow Dash.” The orange xeno perked up and shot a disapproving glance at Rainbow Dash.
“Don’t mind her none, she’s got a bad case of cockiness. Ah’m AppleJack, call me AJ if yah wanna.” I looked both of them up and down, if I needed to know something one of them would probably know.
“If you’ll excuse me, but I’m not from here. Do you perhaps have a Librarium or somewhere where I could learn about this land?” Rainbow bolted up and jumped on my helmet.
“How about a trade Marxie-boy? I give you directions to the town Library, and I get to ride on your head and nap ‘til we get there.”
“Well, seems fair enough to me.” I shrugged and tried to watch for any aggressive movements. Neither xeno seemed on edge.
“Alright then. Just go towards the town and it’s the big tree in the middle.” I waved at AppleJack before heading towards the nearest settlement from my ships scans. Rainbow dash perched on my helmet taking a nap. I almost threw her off. A xeno on my head seemed to be the last thing I wanted. I couldn't bring myself to do it. She was just lying there, taking a nap. I ignored her, letting her sleep on my head.
The trip was both short and uneventful. We reached the town within an hour and I garnered quite a few stares. I didn't like being surrounded by xenos. I sucked it up, none of them seemed to be interested in me besides as an oddity. I reached the tree and tilted my head. Rainbow Dash started sliding off. "Whoooo." She screamed and slipped of my helmet. She glared up at me. My hand instantly went to my bolter. "What the buck man, I was just sleeping on your head and then BAM i was slipping off." I slid my gauntlet off my bolter before responding.
"Well, I reached the library, and now I don't know what to do. Maybe, you would like to help?" I tried my best to sound polite, but the sight of an indignant blue, rainbow maned pony was rather hilarious. Rainbow Dash deflated at that. She started to stare at the ground.
"Yeah, I guess so." She perked up as a thought hit her. "Hey, maybe the new Daring-Do is in." with that she trotted up to the door and walked in, She didn't even bother to knock.
I was halted in the doorway by my helmet squawking in my ear. There was a psyker in here. Not just any psyker, but an extremely powerful psyker. I started moving slowly and drew my bolter. Rainbow dash was staring at the bookshelf looking for a Daring-Do, whatever that was. I slowly ascended the staircase, following my helmets readings. At the top of the staircase was a purple xeno. I thought of her as this worlds librarian, keeping the knowledge of the planet safe and controlled, while trying to learn it all personally. I then noticed she was the center of all my warnings. I brought my bolter to bear on it. I was barely a pound of pressure from firing before I hesitated. I thought maybe these xenos could be like humans. My thoughts were halted as the psyker grabbed hold of me. "I just damned myself."
"Wait- you can speak?" The purple xeno looked at me as if I was an affront against nature. I felt the warp powers recede from around me as I was deposited gently on the ground. The purple xeno looked me up and down."By Celestia, what are you anyways?"
I smiled and set my bolter on my shoulder. "I am Crucius Mark of the Emperors space marines. I am stranded here without a way home. In accordance with my chapter doctrine I must gain knowledge on this land. May I ask for some assistance?"
The xeno looked me up and down. "I-I guess so. I don't have much in the way of recent history, but "An Unabridged History of Equestria" has all the history up to one hundred years ago. Also, before I give you some books I have to get some info about you." A stack of paper about three feet high appeared beside her and I felt my guts shift as she brought out a quill. I swear that chaos itself shuddered when she started asking questions.
An hour later I had learned more about Equestrian history from the librarian (Whose name I learned was Twilight Sparkle) than the book. I had set up in the back corner of the library. I kept an eye on everything that walked in. I started reading the history book Ms.Sparkle passed me and started learning the language. The language was simple and was decoded in less than an hour, but my studies got cut short.
Twilight Sparkle cantered into the room. "Hey Marx, you have a place to stay, right?" she looked genuinely worried. A realization hit me. These xenos were nice. They didn't act nice to further their own goals. They legitimately cared for others. The warming of my heart put a smile on my face.
"Of course I do Ms.Sparkle. My ship is located in the middle of an apple farm." Her expression went to shock rather quickly.
"No way Marx. No debates, we can get you a house with some help. The nearest construction pony owes me a favor. I'll call it in and get you to design the general layout. How does tomorrow sound?" She looked like she thought that up while saying it, but I didn't complain. I was more than likely stranded her for at least a century or two. Might as well make it into an experiment seeing if xenos really can be peaceful.
Ms.Sparkle, I think I'd like that a lot. Now if you'll excuse me I must return to my ship. I have to check some things." I departed swiftly, barely hearing her goodbyes before closing the door.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I managed to get back to my ship without running into anyone else. The book had given me the xenos name. They appear to be called ponies. The quiet of night allowed me a chance to run a diagnostic on The Pursuit . All my servitors were scrapped as soon as I hooked up the Chaos ship. My navigation systems were only set to short-range with no hope of repair. The only way off of this planet was if the Imperium conquered all the way here. I looked at the moon through one of my windows. I then remembered the reason I was still set up for combat. I remembered the book I read said that the princess’s controlled the sun and moon. I quickly decided to try and talk to them when the sun rose tomorrow. I started to meditate on what would happen if the Imperium actually got here. I decided I would need to do some good negotiating to save this world. I started making my case.
My meditation was interrupted by a loud noise. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS MYSTERY SOLVERS!” I stood up and turned on exterior microphones. A small "hoof" started poking my ship causing annoyingly loud feedback. I figured they were young, and harmless enough. I opened up my ship to find three very young ponies. I believe they are called foals. They all stared at me wide-eyed.
A small yellow foal looked me up and down. “Ah thought sis was tellin’ stories when she talked about you.”
The small orange foal looked at me and started blubbering. “ohmygosh you look almost as cool as rainbow. Can you teach me to look like you? Or maybe just let me see inside your house?” The foal seemed to hover for a second before the third foal spoke up.
"I think he just got here. He doesn’t even know us yet!” The very thought seemed to disgust her. “I’m Sweetie Belle.” The orange foal spoke up next
“I’m Scootaloo.” The yellow foal spoke last and seemed to be trying to figure out how my armor worked.
“Ah’m Applebloom. We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” I sat there for a minute, trying to figure out what a cutie mark was. I decided to find a book on it when I went to the library today. Scootaloo then shot down all plans I was making for the day. “I bet he should meet the princess’s.” I stopped thinking of the library. The princesses were said to move the sun and moon. If there was something had the power to move stars it demanded some attention.
I asked the only question that I could. “Where can I find the princess’s?” All three of the “Crusaders” looked at me like I was stupid. Slowly, Scootaloo raised a hoof and pointed to a city in the mountain about a half-days march away. Scootaloo started to speak.
“I wish I could visit there again, but I live alone so I couldn't make the trip on my own.” I looked at the orange foal, she was near-tears.
I smiled under my armor and picked her up. “Well my small friend, If no one would mind I could take you there.”
She perked up almost instantly. “Really? YES YES YES YES YES!!” the other two started to jump up and down. They simultaneously started asking.
“Can we come to? Can we come to? Please?” I smiled and guessed they both had families.
“Go ask if you can, if your families say yes I’ll take you along.” They both bounded of while scootaloo stayed with me. I called out before they got out of earshot. “We shall meet at the Ponyville library in an hour. I’ll expect you then.” Both of them started galloping backwards and nodded at me. Scootaloo started trying to climb up my armor. I looked down at her.
“Hey Mr.Marx, how can you eat with your silly mouth?” I was hit with a sudden feeling of warmth. It was like when you went to a planet with small children everywhere. I liked this foal, she was like the rookie in a squad, she was like a little sister, at least, I imagine so. I smiled and took off my helmet. She opened her mouth wide and stared at the helmet, then back at my head.
“You have two heads?!” I laughed at the absurdity of it. “No, no my friend. that’s a helmet, like what you ride on a bike.”
“Or a scooter!”
“Yes, or a scooter.” I started to put my helmet back on, then stopped. Deciding any more confusion over my having two heads should be avoided and simply mag-locked it to my waist. I looked over my ship, still scanning the planet. “Well my little friend, let’s go visit Ms. Sparkle.”
“Yay, I get to go to Canterlot.” My smile almost faltered. Why would one so young live alone? I put off my questions. After all, I had a princess or two to meet.
I went to the library with Scootaloo attached to my leg. He was gripping tighter than my armor could take, I could feel it’s spirit slowly liking the foal though. When I got within easy seeing distance I noticed a white pony with a horn with Sweetie belle lying on her back. She was knocking on the door with just the slightest hint of urgency.
“Twilight dear, I think Sweetie went crazy. She says she met some big metal thing today. I asked who it was and she said AppleJack said it was named Marx. Can you come here please?” I decided it best I introduce myself subtly.
“Ma’am if I may? I don’t think she was lying.” She scoffed. Not a high and mighty sound as if I was under her notice. More a sound of disbelief. She turned around to respond. She saw me and stopped dead.
“Twilight, darling, I need help now.” Scootaloo chose that moment to crawl in my helmet and poke his head out.
“Hi miss Rarity, this is Mr.Marx. He said he would let us go to Canterlot with him.” Rarity stood there confused for a moment, but recovered with the grace of a Primarch.
“Well, if Twilight will vouch for him, then why not.” Ms.Sparkle decided that, since the problem was gone, now she should exit her house.
“Sorry Rarity, I was busy fixing up a shelf. What’s up? All I heard was Sweetie might have gone crazy.” Rarity looked at me a bit sheepishly. “Well darling I thought she was imagining a ten-foot metal pony who was named Marx." I reacted completely on impulse.
“Well that is a problem. I’m not a pony, and if someone see’s me as such they must be crazy.” A small bout of laughter echoed out of my now orange filled helmet. Rarity and Ms.Sparkle looked me up and down before cracking smiles of their own.
Twilight was the first to recover enough to respond. “Well Marx, you seem to have met our most rambunctious group of fillies. So come on in and explain everything so I know if I should seek mental help for them.” I crouched into the doorway and walked in.
`A half-hour later Applebloom jumped through the door. I was explaining how I felt I should visit the princess when the excitable filly (I learned this word from Ms.Sparkle.) landed squarely beside the still napping Sweetie Belle. Rarity apparently drugged Sweetie Belle with some cold medicine so she would sleep until Ms.Sparkle could help her insanity. I looked at Applebloom with my actual eyes and I thought she would faint.
“What happened to yah head Marx?!” I laughed and reluctantly pushed Scootaloo out of my helmet. I was still chuckling when I replied.
“Do you mean my helmet?” I put my helmet beside my head and then put it on the table. Appleboom stared at my helmet before remembering why she arrived in the first place.
“Sis said that Big Mac had ta go anyhow so I could tag along with you if Big Mac didn't mind staying close.” As if on cue a large stallion entered the room and looked around.
“Eeyup” He said slowly putting a piece of straw between his teeth. “That sounds about right.” I nodded in his direction and got a return nod. I liked him, if only for his seemingly rare ability to not assault me with questions. I went back to the matter at hand.
“So Miss Rarity-” “Darling, enough with formalities. Just Rarity, please.” Ms.Sparkle seemed to catch up on that.
“Yeah and no more Ms.Sparkle. I’m just Twilight.” I looked at them both before shrugging.
“I find this acceptable. As I was saying. Rarity would you mind if your daughter accompanied me to Canterlot? They all seemed rather taken with the idea.” She looked at me in confusion.
“No dear I wouldn’t. However, I’m not her mother. I’m her sister, and before you ask our parents don’t mind if she’s with her friends.” It was my turn to look a bit confused.
“Well then, I need to leave soon. It’s at least half a day away.” All the ponies in the room stared at me. Rarity was the fastest to realize what I had said.
“Dearie, you can’t walk to Canterlot. You should take the train. It’s a free service if you can prove you’re going to Celestia or Luna.” I looked at her and arched an eyebrow.
“They don’t exactly know I’m visiting them.” Now It was Twilight who responded.
“Well I can tell them. Give me a minute.” She looked around before hitting her head with her hoof. “Still asleep as always. SPIKE!” I looked over to a stairwell, which was now curiously mumbling. A small part of the wall fell out, and out of the wall fell a small dragon.
“Geez Twi, could I sleep in a hiding place without you screaming to get me?”
“No, Spike you couldn't, now I need to send a letter to Celestia quickly. And there's somepony new in town who you should meet. Spike meet Marx, Marx meet Spike.” Spike continued grumbling as he hauled himself up and looked at me. He looked around the room for a bit and then back to me.
“Either I’m dreaming, or a giant metal thing is crouched in the middle of the library waving at me. I think I’m gonna go scream for a bit. I’ll send the letter when I get back. You good with that Twi?” Twilight nodded before Spike waved back at me and walked up the stairs. I heard muffled screaming and a couple of loud bangs. I think I still made the right choice in ignoring them.
After a little while Twilight had finished writing a letter explaining the situation to the princess. After a minute of waiting she just sighed and yelled again. “Spike I need to send the letter soon, mind coming back down?” The screaming abruptly stopped and a very calm Spike descended the stairs.
“Sure thing Twi.” I looked at him and just pushed my luck and attempt conversation.
“Well, at least I know your lungs work correctly.” He laughed a bit at that before taking the letter from Twi. This is where my scientist lost it. Spike lit the letter on fire, the ashes burning out of the window. I was about to comment when spike started choking.
“Oh great.” Spike coughed out a small envelope coming from his mouth in a spurt of flame. “I hate it when she sends a responds as soon as I send it.” Twilight picked up the letter and withdrew five blue slips of paper and a new letter. I was sitting there, trying to figure out what just happened. I shut down any thoughts of the letter by thinking of it as a primitive vox network. Twilight looked up.
“Well aren't you in luck Marx. The princess wants to meet you too. She sent enough tickets for the crusaders and Big Mac to tag along.”
The commotion roused Sweetie Belle who looked around and saw her sister whistling nonchalantly.
“You gave medicine in my hot chocolate again didn't you?” Sweetie Belle roared glaring at her sister. I leaned over to defuse the situation. I put my helmet on Sweetie belle. It covered her pretty well and she screamed in surprise. “What’s going on now?” I laughed before removing my helmet and mag-locking it back on my hip. Before Sweetie Belle could respond Scootaloo jumped back in her makeshift seat. I had to wonder for moment why she thought my helmet was so comfortable. Then Sweetie Belle’s voice brought me back to reality. “You wear a hat that covers your whole head? Cooool.” I decided to skip the helmet discussion and grab the Train tickets.
“I think it’s time to meet the princess." With those simple words the fillies instantly crowded me. We were apparently ready to leave.
The train station was almost empty. We showed up and scared the ponies on duty. To their credit, when they saw I wasn't an animal they all pretty much stopped caring, except for staring at me occasionally. We entered the train car at around nine o’ clock in the morning. It was a two hour ride so I used the time as wisely as I could. I tried to find out how to calm the “crusaders”. In the end the only thing that worked was stories from where I was from. I censored them heavily, but they still were awed by humanity’s saviors. The were scared of Horus and his heretical armies. In the end I think I kept them rather entertained.
“When we arrived planetside the colony was turned multi-color and the Slaaneshi had thrown puppies at us!” The fillies all bellowed with laughter and even Big Mac chuckled at the insanity of the Slaaneshi. I decided to remove the part about the puppies being strapped to grenades. Then Applebloom caught something I wish she hadn't
“Weren’t these the same folks you had to stop from destroying an entire city.” I grimaced a bit but the truth is the only way to save people. Even if we stopped the great imperial truth.
“Yes, you see. Slaaneshi follow one of the chaos gods called Slaanesh. He is the god of doing whatever you want. So they wanted to destroy that city, and they wanted to throw puppies at us. They’re unpredictable, though their heretical parties are still the best thing to ever happen on that planet.”
They all let that sink in. Big Mac was the first to respond. “Now, before we keep goin’, I gotta know. You ain’t gonna do that kinda thing here are ya’? We don’t need to have to deal with this “war” thing ya’ll do.” I smiled at him.
“My friend, If I wanted to fight, I would’ve been a space wolf.” None of them got the joke, but the train stopped before anymore questions were asked. Thinking I should look official I tried to put on my helmet. I stopped when I looked in it to see a sleeping Scootaloo in it. My lips twitched and I sighed. I slowly turned my helmet upside down until an orange filly fell out. “
"Huh-what?” Scootaloo grumbled. She caught a glimpse of Canterlot through the window and jumped towards it. “Hay yeah, I’m in Canterlot.”
She turned around to face a disapproving glare from Big mac. His low voice had a steel edge in it. “Language Scootaloo. I don’t need tah hear that while we’re visitin’ the princess. Yah hear me?" Scootaloo shuffled nervously. “Yes sir.” She said, putting up a feeble salute. I broke the tension with the subtlety of a chain-sword.
“Come on, my friends. We get to meet royalty.” I waved them out like I was getting my squad out of a Rhino.
We reached the castle rather quickly. Granted, I made crowds of ponies disperse with my presence. Then we had our first problem. The door guards. “The palace is off limits to non-pony personnel unless there is a note from a royal member allowing them in.” The guards demeanor was rigid, scared, but most important, brave. I was impatient however, and simply used my observations to further my own goals.
“Well sir, if I am not allowed entrance I guess I’ll hang around here all day.” The guards eyes widened but he held fast. “Me and the fillies here will play poker and try and scare away anyone who tries to get inside the palace.” The guard didn’t buckle under pressure and gained some strength when I mentioned the fillies. He responded before I could finish my rant.
“Speaking of the fillies who’s are they? I know they aren’t yours.”
“How astute of you." The sarcasm was unneeded, but it calmed me down. "This orange one is Scootaloo.” Scootaloo raised her hoof to show I meant her. “She lives alone, and I’m taking her to see Canterlot, since I’m here anyways. This yellow one is Applebloom. She is AppleJacks sister.” The mention of AppleJack gave the guard some alarm and he switched stances to something more defensive. “And this last one here is named Sweetie Belle. She’s Rarity’s sister. All of them are from ponyville, with Big Mac here as our guide of sorts.” I motioned to Big Mac who nodded at the guard before chewing on the straw that was still in his mouth. The guard looked at us all with no small amount of confusion. He started muttering.
“I swear, if you’re lying Cpt. Armor's gonna have my hide on his wall. I’ll let you on through, but please don’t do anything to get me in trouble.” I walked into the castle with a chorus of oohs coming from behind me. It was nothing compared to some of the work by the adeptus mechanicus, but it was still beautiful. I allowed myself a brief moment to take it all in. I then followed the main hallway hoping it led to the throne room. I then ever so conveniently remembered I still had Celestia's letter in my armors straps. I crumpled it up and threw it away, It was of little use now.
The throne room was a sight to behold. It was what the mechanicus made for main Imperial cathedrals. This time I felt the “oohs” behind me were very well deserved. I stopped, unwillingly, to absorb the tapestries and windows. It was all close to perfect. The throne itself was simple. There was a problem with it though. It was empty. I searched the room for a place the princess would be until a loud voice rang out. “Welcome to Equestria stranger. I am Celestia, the princess of this kingdom. Who are you and why are you here?” My inner marine butted in, guiding my words.
“I do not tell my reasoning to shadows and ghosts. If you really wish to speak to me then come out and let me see your face!” The whole room glowed brightly for a few seconds. My eyes adjusted just in time for the light to die down. In the middle of the room sat a solid white horse, not a pony, a horse. It had both wings and a horn. My helmet beeped telling me she had enormous warp power. I knew that already, now it was question time. I felt my marine die down and allow my more diplomatic side to speak. “Since I can now see you I think I’ll answer your question. I am Crucius Marx of the Emperors Blood Ravens. I am stranded here and have decided to stay here until my welcome has been worn, or my brothers come to save me. So I am here for two reasons. One is to ask your permission for my stay here. The second is to ask you a private question.” Celestia looked at me for a moment, her one visible eye judging me.
“Well Mr.Marx you certainly cut to the heart of things the first request is simple, of course you have my permission. Why would I say no? However, any question you can ask me, you can ask me in front of my guards.” I saw wisdom in this. I signaled for Big Mac to take the crusaders out. “Hey girls, why don’t we let them two talk while we tour the night garden. They never really show it that much so it’ll all be new.” The fillies all followed Big Mac while I started making small talk.
“I must admit Princess, your kingdom is perhaps the most peaceful I've ever seen.” I felt the flattery would get me nowhere, but it seemed to affect her mood positively.
“Well sir, This land only ever has wild animal attacks. The guards are purely for show, and to keep out the odd pony who wants to fight.” I smirked at this and thought that the crusaders would be out of earshot by now.
“Okay princess let me cut straight to the the matter at hand. This planet is tapped into the most chaotic and powerful energy in the world. We in the Imperium call it Chaos or the Warp. I need to make sure. Has anyone suffered a great fall or rise before?” Celestia looked taken aback by the comment. She looked offended, or maybe just angry.
“I’ll have you know the only fall anyone has experienced was my sister, and she got cured by the most powerful forces in the land.” That surprised me, as far as I knew there was no cure for the taint of chaos. I went back to diplomacy
“Well ma’am I would like to speak to her very much. I need to see the effects of this cure." It was a solid case, one I made up, but a believable one. “Well, There’s no harm in that. Luna if you wouldn't mind.” I thought I saw a shadow shift. Then as if it were alive it opened up and another of the princess’s stepped out. Their physical makeup was very similar. The main difference was simply their colors. However on my cursory examination I noticed something for the first time. A mark on the rear of the princess. I flipped back my memory to every other pony I’d seen. AppleJack had one, along with Rainbow dash. The more I thought of it the more it clicked together. The only ponies I met without those marks were the cutie mark crusader. Therefore, they must be these "cutie marks" the young ones are crusading for. Feeling temporary pride at solving this riddle early I sat down on the floor. The purple princess looked at me in surprise.
“What have you brought home now Celestia.” I laughed a bit but was silenced by a glare from Celestia.
“Sister he wished to speak with you, he supposedly know what caused your fall into Nightmare Moon.” Luna looked at me with a different glint now. It was more judging. I could feel that, despite Celestia being the more popular princess Luna was the one who could learn and change something without it messing everyone up. I went through the book on Equestria mentally and remembered that there had been little change in the last thousand years, while before that there was constant improvement on the standard of living. Now I saw why.
“He says he knows does he. The warrior from a faraway land has learned more about our planet in, what two days, then we have gathered in centuries?" I was surprised by her correct deductions. I had told no one I was a warrior. I could tell her annoyance, but I liked her. She was the mind of the two meanwhile Celestia was the face allowing the subjects to come to the one who didn't need time to think.
I then decided to correct her. “No humanity has learned more in two thousand years, and I am well educated.” This response seemed to calm her down.
Luna regained some composure. “Very well then, what caused my fall to darkness.” I started what I assumed would be the short version.
If I wanted to, I could not scribe that conversation. There was only one problem that led to this. Luna’s curiosity. I referred to the warp which led to a conversation about the warp, and thus branched off until she talked about another, possibly fallen being. I shall scribe what happened there. “You see Luna” I said slowly pacing across the hall. Celestia had long since retired and left us to our talks. “The Warp is a powerful thing. Normally when one falls they transform. You simply changed color and grew armor, but some who fall mutate horribly, but gain unspeakable powers.” A little voice in my head spoke up, “Like me” I dismissed it. Luna seemed to think a moment.
"Now that you've said that I can think of another being who could have fallen. A spirit very ancient who has unspeakable powers. He is the king of chaos, Discord.”
I tensed and put a hand on my bolter. “Where is he now?”
Luna smirked “Oh he’s quite well contained. Follow me.”
The little voice in my head spoke up. “Oh thats a riot. HAHAHAHA oh yeah contained physically, but not mentally.” I winced at the thought. I realized a chaotic being was in my head, chatting with me.
I started bantering with Discord as we walked. “If you’re a being of Chaos why is this land not a wasteland?” I thought I heard more laughter
"Simple, this world is fun. They imprisoned me for classic chaos. You know, baby stuff. Raining chocolate, twenty foot rabbits, warping them from being friends, really anything harmless and funny.” I stopped for the briefest of moments before looking at the statutory. They were worth being in any Imperial museum. The centerpiece was a master sculpture of a terrified patchwork monster.
Luna spoke loudly “There is the fallen one now.” I looked at her and nodded before racking the slide on my bolter.
Discord chimed in again. “Oh come now, I still have some chaotic ability. If you shoot your gun will jam. Now think for a moment. I used to rule this world. I was a demon prince back then. Oh, but this world changes you, you’ll see. You lose the will to hurt things permanently. In the end I just wanted to have fun. If you need to talk to someone, I am always here. After all, we remnants from humanity have to stick together.” I ignored his last comment. If he was once human he wasn't anymore. I mag-locked my bolter and disengaged the chambered round.
“I think he’s fine where he is.” Luna turned to me with a raised eyebrow, but said nothing.
We turned back towards the castle, at least until I couldn’t see from an orange blur wrapped around my head. Scootaloo’s voice rang out beside my ear. “Mr. Marx we found you! We went back to the throne room but the guard said you walked off with Luna towards the garden, and I got worried ‘cause I didn’t know where you were, But then I remembered where the garden was from a school field trip and I found you.” Her excitement caught me off guard as I tried to pry her off my head.
Luna looked at our party of five. “Well then, the night is young and it is a long way back to Ponyville. Though before you go you might want this.” Her hoof disappeared into a nearby shadow and withdrew a book. She passed it to me before disappearing into the shadow herself. I looked at the book. It’s lettering was new and glossy, a decal of a crown was printed under the title. It was called “The Elements of Harmony: A Study” I put it in my helmet before gathering everyone. I only managed to get Scootaloo of my head and onto my shoulder plate, but everyone else seemed dead on their feet. I picked up Sweetie Belle and put her beside Scootaloo as Big Mac put Applebloom on his back. Together, we made the short walk back to the train.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I awoke feeling like I hadn’t slept in months.That was mainly because I hadn’t, but I stopped worrying about that. I sat up and took a quick look around my destroyed workroom. For a champion, order was not one of my strong suits in the recreation department. I whipped the room into an acceptable state before working in one of my drawings. It was an old favorite that I always went and spruced up whenever I had time. It was of the Emperor, the only time I saw him in person. I was one of the few lucky enough to see him prepare for battle. The picture showed him in full armor, striding across a ruined land to go meet Horus on the field of battle. It was always off just a little. My sketching was cut short as a scream escaped from my bedroom.
I acted on impulse. I rolled off the floor and found my bolt pistol already in my hands. I couldn’t find my helmet and charged forward without it. I peeked around the corner and saw the source of the scream. Scootaloo was in the corner, the blanket still wrapped around her, cowering in fear. I looked around the room and saw the source of her distress. It was a poster I designed for the Guardsmen long ago. It showed a Blood Angel, ripping Deamons apart with a power sword while Guardsmen covered his sides. Scootaloo saw me and ran behind my leg.”I don’t like the scary man in the picture Mr.Marx.”
I chortled a bit at her ignorance before carefully taking down the poster and putting it on my counter. “There, there young one. He was simply stopping a Deamon. He was saving people, like in my stories.”
Scootaloo seemed unconvinced. “He was scary though, and he looked funny.” I still couldn’t resist from laughing at her ignorance.
I looked down at her, gaining a somber expression. He was indeed a light-hearted marine. But, he was also dead, his gene-seed unable to be recovered. “We shouldn’t talk like this. We are speaking ill of the dead.”
“Wait, what do you mean “ill” are we making the dead sick?”
Even the innocence of such a comment gave me no falter. “No, the man on that poster is dead. He was one of my battle-brothers on a raid against the ruinous powers. His sword Mercy was worth nothing to him after that attack.” I sat back for a moment to gather my thoughts. “Let us think not of these things Scootaloo. You have had to do much thinking like this for one so young. Here I appear to have some mail and apples. I’ll take the mail and you take the apples. Deal?”
Scootaloo looked at me with a grin plastered on her face. “Thanks Mr.Marx.” I patted her head and grabbed an apple for myself. It was a new sensation, eating an apple. It was unlike anything else I had eaten. I opened the letter for a quick read and have scribed it here for your convenience.
Dear Marxie
I’m Pinkie Pie and your new in town so I thought, Hey this guy needs to meet everyone, but Twilight said you were gone yesterday and I was like AAWWW, so I went and got some apples and wrote a letter. The letter said all this crazy stuff and Scootaloo started reading it over your shoulder. Then I thought WAIT you didn’t tell Marxie when the party was. So now I wrote that the parties at ten pm today.
Bye
Pinkie Pie
I was baffled, indeed where the letter said Scootaloo had started reading over my shoulder. I looked at her and she shrugged. “Nopony knows half the stuff Pinkie knows. She seems to be able to do anything, even if it’s impossible.” I didn’t question it. I grabbed my helmet, which had been occupying the small table in the mess hall and prepared for the day.
A thumping at the ramp interrupted my rites, but told me I had a visitor. I strode out with Scootaloo at my side, feeling like I was home. I flipped the switch and watched the ramp descend. A clang made me turn around. In my ship, beside Scootaloo, was a bright pink pony. She appeared to be walking on thin air. She looked at me and screamed. “WOOOOW, you must be somepony new. I left you a letter and some apples yesterday but Twilight said you were in Canterlot and that I shouldn’t come and talk to you. So here I am now talking to you today and Scootaloo is here and everyponies happy.
It took me a minute to figure out what just happened. I turned around when the ramp closed and Twilight was there. I looked at her helplessly and gestured to the pink pony with my thumb. “Please Twilight, tell me this is a friend of yours.”
Twilight looked between the two of us as her expression descended into confusion. “Pinkie pie, what’s going on? You were beside me until, like, five minutes ago.”
The pink pony jumped up to Twilight and bounced around her. I maintained a constant amount of confusion. Scootaloo jumped up to my shoulder and whispered in my ear. “You get used to her, she just has a lot of energy and stuff.”
The pink pony started talking again, much to my dismay.”Well Twi, you said there was somepony new in town and I wanted to meet him so I went to his house-ship thingy and started talking to him. We’re having a party tonight so he can meet everypony.” Twilight just shrugged her hoof at Pinkie Pie before walking towards me.
“Well Marx, seems you’ve met our neighborhood party machine. I just wanted to tell you the construction-ponies here. His name’s Mech if you want to talk to him. I’ve gotta go check on AppleJack.” She said this while looking around my ship’s interior. I could feel her curiosity building. I thought of offering her a tour, but that seemed like a recipe for disaster.
“Well Twilight, I shall go meet him at once. If I may, where exactly is he?” I tried to act friendly and sophisticated, but that was rather hard with an orange filly sitting on my shoulder.
She looked from me to Scootaloo before responding, a small grin on her face. “Well, I guess he’s probably still at the library. If you hurry you might make it before he gets annoyed at you.” I didn’t even respond. I pushed the small ponies out of my way before running off towards the library. “Marx, where are you going?”
I thought it was a stupid question, but I answered nevertheless. “I am never late. I must reach this, Mech, as you call him before I offend him.” I thought I heard laughing behind me, but I ignored it. A glance to my left showed me Scootaloo, using her wing and aerodynamic shape to glide using my shoulder to keep altitude. [What a clever little pony] I mused to myself.
We reached the library in a half-hour. It was a nice little wake-up run since I hadn’t done much upon my arrival. I scooped my helmet off my waist and onto my head. I should look formal for a business meeting. I opened the door to find a large brown colored pony sitting down with a cup of similarly colored liquid. There was a small picture of a hard hat on his flank, a cutie mark, as I recall. I opened the conversation. “Hello sir. I am Crucius Marx, at your service. I was told by Miss Twilight that you could assist me in building a house.”
He took a sip of his drink and looked me over. He stared for a moment before glaring at his drink. “Ah swear that this was only coffee when ah got it. Ah well, eyup Ah’m Mech. Ah owed Miss Sparkle a favour, since she took care of mah little filly when she was sick. Ah’ll give yah this house for free. Ah got a base idea for how tah build yah house. The only thing is ah need tah make sure. Y’all are a seven foot tall, unknown thingamabobber, correct?”
I hear Scootaloo laugh from my shoulder and felt her move to the top of my helmet. “Of course Mr.Marx isn’t a pony, if he was he would be on his hooves.”
Both Mech and I laughed at this and I took a seat across from him. “Well then my friend. Where do we start?”
Mech and I spent an hour talking and debating plans on how to build and design my house. I got to sketch what I wanted. That was the main reason it took so long, I never got to design something based purely on what I wanted. It was an alien concept to me. In the end I took a bit of the design from my ship, Scootaloo’s suggestions, and Mech's pragmatic advice. We rushed outside and started building as soon as I finished the sketches.
I raised up the last of the walls. Not three seconds after that, I saw the brown tint of Mech’s warp energy and jumped down. I landed with a thud and turned around. I saw the roof clamp on and some more warp energy melt all the walls and roof together. I called out for the young fillies undoubtedly watching us. “Hail Cutie Mark Crusaders. I believe if you want to help we could use assistance painting.”
Three small heads poked out of a nearby bush. After a flash of orange my small friend had appeared in front of me. “Really Mr.Marx? I was hoping to be able to help.” I saw the other two show up and swamp me in an instance.
I squirmed them all into a small little heard on my chest. “Hello my friends, yes you can all help. Provided you behave yourselves.” They all jumped off my chest and lined up beside me. I looked straight at Scootaloo. “Well, well, didn’t I say to stay clear of the construction zone.”
Scootaloo smirked at me and had an instant reply. “Mr.Marx, I checked in the library and it said that construction sites were, legally, as far as the buildings walls could fall. We were clear of that by at least a few feet.”
I had to hide my appreciation for the scholarliness of her venture into breaking rules. “That being said young one. I expected you not to listen to me. We finished the outer building and Mech is already heading inside to put up the walls of the rooms, so that leaves me to watch you guys paint.”
The three little fillies beamed. I handed each of them a paint brush and checked how the house looked from the outside. It was towards the outskirts of town, Twilight said one of her friends lived nearby. The house, my house, was red, the same red as my armor in fact. It was much larger than the other houses to fit my considerable size. It was one story with the door already in place. I stopped my inspection when I realized that the house was indeed red. The crusaders had finished in an incredible amount of time. I walked around to the back of the house and sighed. Each crusader was covered in red paint. “How did you three manage to make yourselves covered in paint so fast?”
Applebloom was the first to answer. “Well, ah figured we could paint the walls with our tails, and then we all started flicking paint at each other. Well, y’all see how it turned out.”
I looked at their embarrassed expression, then to the near flawless paint job on the house. “Well young ones, you did such an excellent job on the house,” I picked a gauntlet full of paint up. “That you deserve an equal paint job with your work!” I flicked them all with the paint in my hand and ran behind the house. It was in vain, they were laughing too hard to chase me and gain vengeance. I could feel that this was going to be a good day.
______________________________________________________________________________
Scout 1-1 report, I shall arrive at Champion Marx’s last known position in approximately three days. Current data suggests he landed on a nearby geocentric system. Investigation will continues as warrants.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I heard the laughter slow as I rounded the corner to see the inside of my house. I opened the door to see the walls being put into place. It had the maze-like feel of my ship, with a nice red and black color scheme. There wasn’t any furniture, but I could live without for a while. I saw Mech walking out as the last wall glowed and melded with the rest of the house. “Well mister Marx, Ah figure that that’s about it. Now, Ah ain’t got no furniture fer yah, but ah know a filly who’ll set yah up with the materials tah make yer own.”
I almost laughed at the good-naturedness of the pony. “Well then mister Mech, I feel I must thank you. Without you, I feel I would still be sleeping in my ship.” I looked at him as an equal until the door exploded, that diverted my attention rather well. The crusaders were there, outfitted with water guns and, somehow, a catapult.
Scootaloo walked forward switching between me and Mech equally. “Mr.Marx, I believe you splattered me and my friends with paint, no?” I knew where this was going. I jumped forward, patting scootaloo’s head as I grabbed her water gun. When I finished my roll I turned around the catapult and bolted out the door.
The chaos I caused lasted a little over six seconds before Applebloom rallied the troops. “He’s gettin’ away!” I smirked. These foals provided good sport. I started a light jog across Ponyville, dodging water the entire time.
After an hour I found a white flag posted by the sweet shop. I slowed and noticed a distinct lack of water being thrown at me. Being the logical thinker I am, I decided to go into the possibly booby trapped sweet shop. “Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner and- MARXIE.” I prayed to the Emperor for salvation, the pink pony of death approaches. “Wow Marxie, the crusaders said you’d be here soon, but I thought they were kidding. Since you’re here though, you need a cupcake.” The next half-hour is a blur of cupcakes, the crusaders trying to play tag, and a toothless alligator trying to ravage my armor.
I stood up and started trying to communicate with Pinkie Pie. “Well ma’am, thank you for your time, but I should see if Mech is nearby, he said he could find a pony to set me up with some furniture building materials.”
Pinkie stopped in mid-air. “You mean Mech as in, coolio construction pony Mech? OHMYGOSH, I still owe him cupcakes since I couldn’t get it to him when his little filly got sick a while ago. I should bake him a super-special batch.” With that simple phrase, I was yet again lost in a blur, now of cupcakes baking, and after a few minutes, a very confused Mech.
I stopped the whirlwind of movement with a well-timed gauntlet put in front of Pinkie Pie. “Ms. Pie, I wish to have a word with Mr. Mech, if you don’t mind.”
Pinkie vaulted over my hand and put a cupcake there. My hand had been sideways, and she had put a cupcake in my palm. I didn’t question it as the little scientist in me slowly killed himself. Pinkie jumped over my gauntlet again and ate the cupcake. “Sure thing Marxie, you were kinda in the way anyways.” The crusaders all tried passing along supplies to help bake the cupcakes.
I motioned for Mech to follow and walked outside, within seconds he was outside. “well then mistuh Marx, watcha need?”
I almost took off my helmet, them I remembered the anomaly in the building beside me. I tried to subtly get an armor diagnostic done while answering. “You said I could get some supplies to build furniture from someone. i was wondering if you could point me in their direction? I wouldn’t mind having a spare bed and such for any unforeseen circumstances.” i avoided mentioning my impromptu kidnapping of a homeless filly.
“Well friend, I think we can reach an agreement. Now I like you sir, but if I go home with nothing, I’d be out, so how’s about this? You owe me a favor, not something bad, just like a way to say you’ll help me build a house again if I need a hand.”
I was surprised to say the least. Favors were a solid currency to the honest, and this man gave one to a near-total stranger. I nodded, “Yes, I find that to be more than fair. In fact, I was going to ask if you needed another worker, I seem to be at a disadvantage for funds.” In hopelessly shrugged my shoulders as I talked. A small beep finished my armor diagnostic, I could live through some more ancient nuclear weapons. I was still scared for my life.
“In that case, why didn’t yah say so. Yah ain’t opposed tah work, so I’d love another worker.” He stuck out a hoof. I took it as an old Tera greeting and shuck it. I’ll run back this way if I get a building order, but I gotta roll. By the way, ask a Ms.Fluttershy for some lumber and an axe. She keeps track of where the forest needs some trimming.”
He ran off, disappearing into the night. Not a minute later Pinkie Pie came out, olding at least two hundred cupcakes. “Oh buddy, he ran off again. Not this time.” With those words Pinkie gave chase. I uttered a prayer for Mech and went to check on the crusaders.
They were inside still, though awake is a different matter. They were all three asleep on the floor of the shop. i figured letting them sleep offered no problems. I walked out again with my helmet telling me it was around twelve o’clock. I thought of visiting Fluttershy, but I had no idea who that was, I ran off towards the library, thinking Twilight might know her.
The library was locked, it foiled my plans expertly. I sat there for a while until my expert discipline cracked under knowing I was doing something without a use. I stood up and heard a small ‘eep’ behind me. I twirled around, perfectly transitioning from relaxed to defensive. I threw my hands up in time to see a small mare in the air. She had wings, like Rainbow Dash. That was where the similarities end. This pony was to scared to speak, let alone answer any questions. Luckily I had been the marine-citizen liaison, and had learned a few calming techniques. “may the Emperor guard your night and brighten your day sister.”
This ushered in a confused squeak with a flapping of wings. I remembered just how far from home I was. A sad, short, thought, but one I let linger. I took off my helmet, maybe that was a sign of trust here. “Ma’am, forgive me. I’m very far from home. I have a few questions. If you don’t mind.” This calmed her down from ‘scared as an eldar at a Slaaneshi party’ to ‘scared as a space marine at a Slaaneshi party’, both are scared, but space marines have security in their souls not being eaten. “If you need me to ma’am, I’ll just keep waiting right here for the librarian.”
The mare squeaked again before flying off. I noted a hint of urgency, but shrugged it off. I was a giant metal man in a world of tiny pony-xenos, I should expect some fear. I sat down and waited until I heard a galloping ponies heading for me. I stood, dusted off my armor, and waited.
I saw Twilight running up with the yellow mare. She got to the library and between me and Fluttershy. “One sec Marx, Fluttershy, is this the thing that scared you?”
I stalled my questions, the yellow mare, who I now identified as Fluttershy, was still scared. “Umm, uh, yes. He’s so big, and umm metal, and scary.” I almost laughed. It was a fitting description, but she was the first to bring it to light.
Twilight looked at me as if it was the first time she saw me. “I... I guess he is,... but he’s also really nice. I’ll vouch for him.”
This appeared to ease Fluttershy, if only by the smallest margin. “I-if you say so Twi. I’ll go back to my cottage now.”
This is where I intervened. “Actually Ms.Fluttershy, if you wouldn’t mind, I was looking for your help with something.” That went almost as badly as expected. She slowly turned to face me, opened her mouth, and turned around. She flew away as soon as I she finished turning around. I looked between her shrinking dot, and Twilight.
In Twilight’s defense, she only took a short period of time to laugh. “Sorry Marx, sorry, but watching you try to talk to Fluttershy is hilarious. I assume you needed something before she ran off?”
I smirked before putting my helmet back on. “I needed to know where I could borrow an axe, and cut down a few trees. I was told that she could help me.”
I looked at Twilight as she nodded. “Yeah, she’s good at telling where the tree’s need to be cut. I could get a few books on the matter, but I tend to get a bit... overzealous.”
A small chuckle escaped my lips as I heard her word choice. “Yes well, I still need to know where to get some supplies. I believe house furnishings are in order for the small resident who appears to be an orphan.”
Twilight took a double take. “A-an orphan. No, no, no. I would have noticed if Scootaloo was an orphan. She was always too brash, too smart, too nice, to be an orphan. Her parents must just live far away from here or something, I don’t know. I need to get a list of everypony in town and find her parents if I hurry I can do it be-”
I waved a gauntlet in front of Twilight. She stopped her rant mid-sentence to look at it. “Twilight, I will provide Scootaloo with a home. If I may make a suggestion, why not ask the princess about Scootaloo? Surely she’d know.”
Twilight yielded my point. “Ok then Marx. You keep an eye on that silly filly, alright? I’ll send a letter to Celestia as soon as I can. In the meantime, go to a cottage on the edge of the forest. It’s near your ship. When you get there, knock on the door, and... try not to be too scary.
I nodded and turned away, starting a run in the direction of my ship. The cottage was right on the edge of a massive forest, with a large amount of animals living around it. I walked up to the door and very calmly knocked on the door. I knocked it off it’s hinges. I heard an extremely scared ‘eep’ from the second story. “I’m so sorry Ms.Fluttershy. I appear to have broken your door. If you would be so kind as to tell me where I could acquire some lumber, I would rebuild it for you.”
The rebuttal was a yellow and pink head peeking out from behind a couch. “You would? It’s hard to rebuild a door. I would love it, uh, that is, if you don’t mind.”
“I surely don’t mind Ms.Fluttershy, though, I would need an axe, and know where the forest needs a trimming.”
Fluttershy almost looked like she was happy. She still eyed me like a rabbit eyes a wolf, but you know, small steps. “Well, I could show, but... ummm it’s kind of a long walk. I’m sorry.”
Her eyes darted to the floor as she kicked the ground aimlessly. I took my helmet back off and locked it to my waist. “Ms.Fluttershy I assure you, a long walk for you is average for me, and that’s at best.
“Um, if you say so. What’s your name again? All I remember when you talked to me was something about an Emperor.” She looked back up at me at this point.
“Yes ma’am. I am Crucius Marx, of the Emperor’s Blood Raven’s. As for the Emperor, he is my ruler, and as far away as he is, he will protect me. He is no god, but he’s as close as he can get.” I felt a sense of foreboding in those words, but I ignored it.
Fluttershy simply ignored it and looked to a rabbit on the couch. “Now Angel, keep an eye on the other animals while I’m gone, ok? I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Fluttershy looked back at me. “If you don’t mind, you can follow me there. If that’s ok.” I turned out of her still broken doorway and allowed her out.
I grabbed an axe out of a nearby stump. It was a human axe. It was then that a certain prince returned to my head. “Odd isn’t it. How all these ponies have a few human tools.”
I grimaced in my helmet. “Discord.”
Discord started singing. “I know something you don’t I know something you don’t. Let Tzeentch be praised for the gift of knowledge.”
I started to really want to kill him. “Discord, if there’s something I need to know, tell me ot get out of my head.”
He laughed, it was infernal. “Oh, this is a joy. I’ll leave, but try and do some research, look for the ‘before race’.” With that he left my head. I knew I would have to think about that later, but I shouldered the axe and ignored it. I had work to do, and ponies to try and get to stop fearing me.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
Walking with Fluttershy was an eye-opener. She would rarely talk to me, but her tidbits traded with animals were fountains of information. She would chat with a bird, and mention a manticore. What was once thought to be mythical beings on Terra, were now alive on this planet. Things I thought long gone from thought, were surfacing. and here I was low on ammo. In less than an hour we had arrived at a small clearing. “uh.. Mr.Marx, those trees there, the ones with no leaves, they can be chopped down, if you don’t mind I mean.”
Her gaze stayed firmly planted on the ground. I took the initiative and tried to start a conversation as I started working on the trees. “If you don’t mind Fluttershy, you can call me Marx.” I struck the tree solidly with the axe. It barely penetrated. I looked over the tree and noticed it’s bark. It was almost as strong as ceramite, yet still malleable. I chipped off a bit for the lab in my ship.
“Well, um, ok then Marx.”
I readied my axe and swung again, almost getting clean through since the bark was gone. “Yes, by the way, how did you learn to walk through the forest so well? I’m trained to walk through all terrain with ease, yet you walk through thick foliage like it’s a paved street.”
“Um, it’s not all that interesting really. I’ve just been walking in the forest so long that it comes naturally. Though, it helps since I can always float a little bit with my wings to help me get over the bigger logs.” Her gaze looked at me for only a fraction of a second after that. I I swung my axe and the tree fell over in an astounding crash.
I heard a muffled ‘ah’ as Fluttershy ran behind my leg. I looked the tree over. It was of good size, surely enough for a bed and table. I hoisted up the tree and looked down at Fluttershy. She was still cowering behind my leg. “That is all I require Fluttershy. Is there anything else I can assist with?”
Fluttershy slowly moved in front of me. “Um, well, if you don’t mind. There’s been a bit of a problem with an annoyed manticore. I;m not that scared of it, but someone to stop it if it gets grumpy would be nice.”
I stuck my axe inside the tree over my shoulder. “That seems easy enough. What do I do if it starts to get dangerous?”
Fluttershy moved towards the forest in a way to the west of her house. “Oh, well... just growl at him and it should be fine. Maybe shout a little bit, I tend to be too quiet with my animals.”
“So, you’re saying, if it tries to harm you, I should growl? Is that wise Fluttershy.” I managed to remain polite in my question, even if I was doubting her sanity.
“Oh yes. I couldn’t bear the thought of him being hurt.” I wasn’t sure if I should have been warmed to the hearts, or disgusted by the ignorance. I would comply with her... directive, but if it manages to harm a single hair on her mane, I would end it. We continued walking,with me listening to the barely audible Fluttershy as she conversed with the animals.
We arrived at a small widening of the trail. The sounds of the forest were all but gone, replaced with a silence that muffled everything else like a blanket. I stood with my hand resting on my bolter. Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the first to speak up. “Oh mantis, we’re here to help you.”
The silence broke, replaced with a rustling from the trees above us. I looked up in time to see a large beast fall from the sky and land squarely in front of me. It looked at me and drew itself to match my height. I turned on my speakers. it growled at me. The speakers feedback was not but a forewarning. I let loose a growl that could have killed some lower orcs. The manticore whined, and ran to Fluttershy. “Yes, I know he scared you, but you growled at him, he’s from far away, and doesn’t know that’s how you say hello.”
I looked at Fluttershy in disbelief. She was reasoning with an animal. I knew some animals understood speech, but I had never heard of a creature that listened to reason. I might have scoffed if it didn’t work. The manticore growled a little bit and I let loose ore feedback as a warning. “MARX, don’t scare him.”
I was taken aback, was I just admonished by Fluttershy, better yet, how did it work? “Sorry.” I muttered, turning off my speakers.
“Now, now Mantis, what’s the problem?” She looked him over, pausing her eyes at his paw. “You got another splinter didn’t you? It’s okay, you can trust me.” ‘Matis’ as Fluttershy calls him, slowly reached out a paw that could have easily crushed my helmet, and showed a splinter. It was a splinter that could have hurt the Emperor. It was easily larger than my bolter. Fluttershy slowly grabbed the splinter and pulled it out. Mantis jumped up and licked Fluttershy, I put my hand on my bolter and watched. “Down boy, down. Yes, yes I know, you’re welcome. Let me down please.” The manticore slowly let her down and growled again, a smile on his face. He leaped into the air and the silence of the trail returned. Fluttershy walked away while talking to me. “Um, if you don’t mind, I need to um get home.” I swung my tree to the other shoulder, and followed her.
Within an hour we had returned back to Fluttershy’s house. I bid her a farewell while taking the axe with me. Discord’s words started to come back to mind. Why was there a human axe here? Why did all the creatures seem to be from ancient Terra mythology? As the answers swirled in my head Discord returned. “Oh, hello there Marx, debating the curiosities of the universe I see. Want me to share some insights with you?”
I rolled my eyes and started to enter Ponyville, meriting quite a few more odd looks as I walked through town with a tree on my shoulder. “Yes Discord, tell me what an insane prince of Chaos thinks.”
“Mr.Marx, you’re home! I smiled as I added the finishing touches to my bed. It was an Imperial design.
I let my artist flow and the axehead was true. It was almost blank, except for the two-headed eagle on the head of the bed. I turned around to face my favorite little friend. “Scootaloo, welcome back.” It was almost eight, and my bed was the only piece of furniture not in the house. “I have a surprise for you.” Her eyes opened wide as I led her into the house. I walked through the doors to a small room in the back. It was blue and orange, with a bed made to look like a cloud.
“M-m-m-m-Mr.Marx, it’s amazing.” I looked at her face, it was wearing a smile so big that it threatened to envelop her face. I small tear was coming down her face. I knelt beside her. “I don’t know what to say Mr.Marx.”
I hugged her as gently as possible “Well, I thought that behind the library was nowhere to spend the night, even if I approve of the books.” Scootaloo was unconscious before I finished the sentence. I put her in her bed. I closed the door to the room and walked to the door. I had an errand to run.
The door to the library was unlocked as I walked in. I loudly walked to the corner and sat down and pulled out the book Luna gave me. It only took a few minutes before Twilight walked down. “Marx? Oh, I’m guessing you’re here for news on Scootaloo’s parents. I just got the letter a minute ago. I haven’t even read it yet.” She walked down the stairs and sat beside me. I returned the book to the pouch on my waist.
Dear Twilight
You should look behind you.
From Celestia
Twilight looked behind her in time to see Princess Celestia appear behind her. “Hello my dearest student. I got your letter and needed to check who Scootaloo was staying with.”
I stood up and addressed the princess. “She’s staying with me until I can find her an acceptable home. It’s a bit like having a daughter, only with less parents.”
Celestia flinched at my word choice. “Well, you see. Her parent’s were once wonderbolts, but they were killed by a rampaging Hydra.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “And, does this creature still live?”
Celestia looked at me, her eyes wide. "Yes, of course. Why would we kill it, it's needed for the ecosystem. Killing it wouldn't solve anything."
This was an odd idea. Holy vengeance was the only response I could think off, Until I realized that Scootaloo still had no home. "On an unrelated note. Where will Scootaloo be staying now?"
I hid my worry as Celestia formed a response. "Orphans are rare in Equestria. I would have to find her a suitable home. She would be difficult since she's lived on her own so long."
I smiled under my helmet. "Well, your search is over. I have had brothers for as long as I can remember. Now, I can have a daughter."
Celestia smiled. "I had guessed as much."
I turned around. "If you'll excuse me, I need some sleep. I have an errand to run tomorrow." I turned and walked out of the library, I had a hydra to hunt.
____________________________________________________________________
Scout 1-1 reporting. ETA is two days. Halting incoming comms to maintain a state of meditation. I shall send updates to you on a daily basis. Everything going smoothly, Scout 1-1 reporting out.
Authors note
Leaving a comment to help my writing style would be appreciated.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I opened the door to my house slowly, admiring the furniture I had built myself as the inside came into view. Fluttershy's door was leaned against the wall. The red and grey looked industrial, while furniture looked utilitarian. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I went to the make shift armory. It was the biggest room in the house. It had a gym, which was bare due to my lack of funds, and a mesh cage with a small amount of supplies in it. A quick inventory showed my ammo was at a maximum of four filled magazines for my bolter. I only had a main and a spare for my pistol. More than enough to kill a xeno on this planet. I walked to my bedroom and plopped down on my bed. It took about thirty seconds for the noise to wake up Scootaloo, and she instantly stuck her head in my doorway. I didn't want to scare her so I pretended to be asleep. She jumped up and landed on my armor, "You must have been really tired." She walked in circles on my armor before lying down. "Good night daddy." My armor warmed slightly as a single drop of moisture landed on it. "I hope you can hear me papa, because now I have someone to protect me, maybe he'll be as awesome as you were."
I felt her body slow, and eventually fall into the natural sleep-cycle of all species. This wasn't something I could forget, this was something that I had to avenge.
The morning came quickly. A lapse in judgement caused me to sit up, spilling my small, orange roommate into my floor. I felt bad for a moment, until I realized she was still asleep. I picked her up with as much grace as I could manage, before placing her on my bed. I ran of to the kitchen. There were only three things in the kitchen. One, a small table and chair set in the exact middle, all with ravens. Two, a shelf mounted on the wall, filled with apples from the box that Pinkie Pie gave him. Third, a counter space. I thought of the apples and remembered I was supposed to meet Pinkie for a party last night. I mentally berated myself, I had forgotten about building the house and the party. Memory and documentation were needed to keep things in order.
Before I had finished berating myself a high, bubbly voice sounded behind me. "MARXIE, I knew you'd be here. I had to throw a 'Marx-is-out-chopping-down-a-tree-for-Fluttershy-party! Now I'm planning an, introduce 'Marx-to-everyone-party', so you gotta show up."
I grimaced, my hunt would have to wait. "Very well, when is this party and where? I'll be there."
Pinkie Pie jumped up and summoned a cannon from nowhere. I rolled backwards and brought my bolter to bear. Pinkie pushed a button and confetti fired everywhere, when it cleared I was in the middle of the sweet shop from yesterday. Pinkie jumped up and screamed. "The party is here and now! Get some cake and celebrate!"
After that line, everything was a social blur. My helmet was still locked onto my waist, and I tried the cake I was offered. it was delicious. I sat there, meeting new ponies, with nothing of interest happening until a brown pony took notice of me. He walked up with a dead expression. "Hello there, I'm Doctor Whooves. If I may, why is the Imperium here?"
The question was quick, precisely worded, and made to spark my interest. I fought to make the surprise invisible. "Well, I was following a Chaos cruiser and got a bit of a crash landing for my trouble."
The good doctor didn't flinch. "I'm willing to bet you aren't a normal marine. You had a named ship, you aren't purging all of us, you aren't in a corner stroking you bolter, so that's a no to being a techmarine. AHA, your a champion, armor is of Blood Raven design, you must be Crucius Marx. I know you, you know me, and I have an ultimatum. I know what you are, and where you come from, if one of these ponies die, because you bring more of your kind her, I will go back and purge EVERY TRACE OF YOUR NAME FROM HISTORY. Do we understand each other?"
His reasoning was flawless, with my only confusion being from the fact he knew what was going on. I didn't want to let him feel superior though. "Right on all counts sir. Now allow me to do some conjecturing of my own. You look like a pony, but you know of humanity, and the Imperium. You talk with a slight accent, and know enough records to sink half of the Imperiums military operations. I myself am rather learned in history. You know of most marines initiate a purging of xenos on sight and you have taken a species under your wing now that humanity defends itself. You must be the famous Doc-"
"Clever little boy aren't we? No, here I'm Doctor Whooves. You figured me out, but I have the same stance, this is my species, if you hurt them, I will burn you to the ground, and put the ashes on the most distant planet I can find. Now that we've got formalities out of the way, have some more cake. It's great."
I grabbed the cake without hesitation before a horrible thought struck me. I stood up and ran towards Pinkie. "Pinkie, I need to get Scootaloo, I'll be back in a minute." Pinkie exuberantly waved and screamed something about how I have to come back or something will die. I exited the building and started jogging back to my house.
I walked into my house noisily and went straight to my bedroom. Scootaloo was sitting on the bed rubbing her eyes. "Hey Mister Marx, where were you? I was asleep on your armor and I woke up without you here."
I lost some of my good mood, but still had a grin on my face. "Why, making a party of course. You coming?" Scootaloo's wings jutted open and she fluttered up, floating above my bed for a few seconds before slowly descending back to the ground. She started pouting. "Darn, I'll never learn to fly at this rate."
I thought for a moment, [I'm a scientist, I know how to run the math and teach her to fly.] I smiled down at her. "I can give you a hand with that, but Pinkie still wants us at the party. So let's go." I walked towards my door while scooping up Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, I've been meaning to ask. Why did you leave your house and move to Ponyville?"
Scootaloo moved in my hand, her eyes shifting across the landscape. "Well, I guess since papa always took me here, I just kind of, liked it. That and, well, I didn't really have anywhere to go."
I nodded sagely, despite my lack of knowledge on the subject. She didn't seem to want to give me much more information, so I dropped it. "Well my dear, I worked it out so you can stay with me until such a time as you think you can make it on your own. How's that sound?"
She stood up, still in my hand. "Really? You talked to the princess and she said it was cool. YAY, you can teach me how to fly too. This is gonna be awesome."
By that point we were nearly deafened by loud noises. It appeared as if Pinkie's party now had a DJ. I opened the door and instantly, Scootaloo was gone, lost among the party goers. I didn't worry and instead focused on the music. It was interjetic, yet promoted no ill thoughts. Most music I heard was battle songs, or songs of mourning. This was a kinder beat, and had given many ponies a reason to dance. A quick look showed me that even Doctor Whooves was dancing with a wall-eyed mare. I saw the musician, wearing glasses while perfecting her track on the turntable. I reasoned that I should just relax, and let the music flow through me.
My plan to relax was interrupted almost instantly. Twilight felt it necessary to come and talk to me as the song switched."Marx, I was wondering if you could help me with something. I was hoping to learn how your equipment works."
My interest was piqued. I couldn't say no to a quest for knowledge, even if the heresy in that statement could have called for a complete exterminatus. "Why not. I won't show you how it works, but I only moved the essentials over to my house. If you help me carry the rest of my mobile equipment, I'll gladly let you see all of it."
Twilight's ears perked up. "Yes! Alright then, when should I help?"
I picked myself up as the DJ left and a different pony took the stage, carrying a large cello. If I stayed I would be here until the end of the concert. "We should probably go ahead and get it done. I'll tell Scootaloo and meet you outside." Twilight nodded and cantered off towards the door, leaving me in a party alone. the next song started up.
After a moment of shocked silence I looked to Doctor Whooves. He simply nodded and smiled. This fingerless pony was playing one cello as if it were fifty, and to top it all off she played some ancient Terran music. I was flabbergasted. At least, until I saw my target. Scootaloo was sitting at a table with the rest of her friends. I walked up. "Hello crusaders. How goes the day?"
They all three looked at me with smiles. Applebloom jumped up on my head. "Y'all gonna take care of Scootaloo now right? That's amazing, Ah mean, we always had tah look around town fer her, but know we can just ask yah yerself."
I smiled at how they welcomed the news. "Yes, well ,I just dropped by to say I'm going to be running an errand. Scootaloo, don't burn down anything important while I'm gone."
Scootaloo stood up and saluted. "Yes sir." she ran up and hugged me. "See ya later Marx." I patted her on the head before turning around. Facing the horde of ponies to get to the door would take time.
The door was so close, yet so far away. The last of the group that stood before me appeared to be deep in conversation. I went around them and opened the door to a familiar voice. "Ah don't know Ms. Sparkle, seems like a bit of a silly idea to me."
I thought for a moment. The only pony with a voice like that was Big Mac. Twilight spoke up, seemingly scolding him. "Now Big Mac, I had to get Marx to stop calling me that. You should already know better, But the main point still stands. We have to find a way to fix up the farm. You're the smartest of the Apple clan, so you're going to the library tonight to learn some advanced agriculture. No 'ifs' 'ands' or 'buts'."
I remembered the armorer on my first mission. I was a scout, and was going out for the first time. I had grabbed a random rifle of the rack and started to move out before he stopped me. "Hey, scout. If you survive this mission you have to come back to me for a proper lesson on weapon selection. That spirits gonna annoy you to no end." I was so young that I didn't know what he meant by spirit, but I showed up anyways, which is how beautiful got strapped to my waist here.
My remembrance was cut short by Big Mac. "Eyup. Guess I don't have a choice. Meet you at the Library tomorrow Ms. Sparkle."
Big Mac rounded the corner at the same time as me. We did our customary nods before walking off. I waved to Twilight before gesturing for her to follow. It was already getting late, and the sun was beginning to set. "So Twilight, whats up with Big Mac?"
My attempts at small talk were pitiful, but succeeded in keeping the journey from being silent. "Oh, his farms been doing badly and I need to teach them how to use their land more efficiently." Her face flushed red while she said this. I figured that that was a personal matter and left it at that.
We reached the ship without much more conversation. I handed Twilight all the lighter, less important things. I myself took the radio, which occupied my full attention. In the end, she simply had my drawings and writings. She seemed to find this acceptable. "Hey Marx, how do you get the lighting on this? Even the Vincent Van Hoof couldn't get something to look like this."
I looked over the tangled mess of my radio to see her looking over my drawing of the Emperor. I had to control my reaction to snatch it from her grasp. My incomplete magnum opus, was currently being scrutinzed by a xeno, which was almost unacceptable. I simply calmed myself before responding. "It took me a few centuries to get it right. Even then, it still doesn't do justice to the man in the painting. He is as close to a God as one can get. Nearly immortal, unbeatable in battle, and can destroy planets with only his mind. Yet, he is the best of us. He show's kindness when others show anger. Mercy, when others show cruelty. Truly, if one could ascend to godhood, it is him."
Twilight seemingly stopped paying attention after the centuries comment. She was intensely staring at all my paintings, while making notes with a quill and scroll she apparently brought aboard. I simply shrugged to the best of my abilities and started to trek back to my house.
Twilight was behind me as I exited my ship, now with at least a quarter-mile of paper purely on my brushwork. I wanted to be complemented, I really did, but I was concerned of where she got the paper from. She continued asking insufferable questions though. "Hold on, you said that you perfected it over CENTURIES of drawing. How old are you?"
I sighed, this might get complicated. "I am an Adeptus Asartes. I am immortal, though, not invulnerable. I will live as long as no one kills me, and through that time I will constantly seek to better myself."
Twilight simply tilted her head. "The immortal thing I get, but everything else flew right over my head. What's an Adeptus Astartes? Why would anypony want to shoot you? What does all this have to do with this guy?" She held up the portrait of the Emperor with her magic. I sighed, it was one of THOSE conversations.
I had to explain for almost the entire trip. "So you see Twilight, I am bred to fight. I may not be the most angry, or violent of specimens, but I am one of the strongest. I was made in the face of a genocide on humanity, and forged in blood. I was strengthened in war, and finished in knowledge. The battles I have participated in were all in defense or assault of something that wanted all of humanity to die. So I am here, as protection, and as a weapon. Now do you understand?"
The little purple pony simply sat there numb. "So... your'e saying, that somewhere up there," She gestured her hoof up to the now orange sky. "in Luna's sky, there's armies of different species in a never ending battle to the death?" I nodded as I continued to walk. "That's awful. The worst fight I've ever seen between two ponies was a drunken bar fight. How can a species thrive like that."
I adjusted my grip on the radio and kicked open my door. "Simple, we don't. While we've made advancements in our technology, they have been slower as of late. We simply must find a way to live, that doesn't always equal thrive." Twilight simply shook her head.
"OK, I need a subject change before even trying to understand all this alien stuff. What are you carrying?"
I put down my radio in the armory, adjusting the straps before removing the mobile power source I cooked up long ago. It was, as all of luck would have it, burned out. I held it up. "If this thing was working, then that would be my radio. I could contact other's of my species, or hear where things were happening. As it stands, it's a bunch of scrap metal."
I flipped the battery around my hand until I saw a purple aura envelop it. "Well then Marx, I have a proposition for you." I really didn't like the glint in her eyes. "If you teach me how to make one of these, I'll charge up your thing-a-ma-bobber here."
I looked her over. What harm could there be in teaching them the secrets of a radio? I took out the guide book from the inner guts of the radio and opened it up. "I'll only go through this once, alright. Take some damn good notes." I instantly regretted my word choice as a pile of parchments appeared in my house.
***
This is Scout 1-1 reporting. Now within radio range of Crucius Marx's last known location. Broadcasting hail message on all frequencies. Response shall be monitored and notarized.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I finished explaining the way radio’s work to Twilight in about two hours. It was a dry, boring conversation, but she was a fast learner. I taught her just about everything until we got to securing frequencies. I didn’t want to get on the subject of bugging people radios. Twilight held up my battery. “So Marx, just making sure, I can charge this with my magic, right?”
I cupped my head in my hands, I was hoping she would know how. “I believe so, yes. Focus the energies at the base of the battery, and wait until it resists your ‘magic’.” If she could hear the apostrophes I dropped around magic, she ignored it. The battery glowed for a short time before Twilight moved it back to the table. I snatched it up and plugged it into my radio. “Praise be the Imperium. It works.”
Twilight’s ears drooped. “Wait, what?”
I smiled and pet my radio. “Simple, you got the radio working Twilight. You are quiet the perso-I mean, pony, aren’t you.” Twilight simply stood herself up and bowed, as if she just gave a great performance on stage. “Don’t let it go to your head. According to the read-out you only charged it to about seventy percent. Or you charged it enough for about two years, whichever you prefer.”
She still held herself high. “Oh, I’m sorry, you can do it next time.” Her mouth moved to a cocky smile that never left her face. I simply smirked back at her.
I turned around and started to power up the speakers. “-out one reporting on all frequencies. I am here to retrieve Blood Raven Champion Crucius Marx from unknown areas, anyone with relevant information please respond. Message repeat. This is scout one reportin-” I flipped down the speakers.
The static changed and I turned up the speakers. “Scout one responding. By the Emperor, m’lord, is it really you?”
I tired of formalities already. “Yes, it’s me, hello. I must ask, why were you sent to retrieve me?”
There was a moment of silence. “The orcs are very green this year.”
I hated the questions, this one was the one to make sure we weren’t captured. “Yes, but the baddest of moons can still help us.” It was an all clear, I was simply curious response.
The static resumed. “Yes m’lord, anyway’s. We are here to retrieve you from possible warp forces, and warp taint.”
I sighed and shook my head. “I require no rescue. Who sent for my rescue?”
My simple Q and A seemed to be odd for the scout. “Um, well m’lord. After you and Vurces left, the higher Blood Ravens sent for all Champions to return. When you two didn’t answer the summons, I was sent to retrieve or rescue.”
More sighing on my part, they were going to have a training session. That was the only thing they called me and the other champions together for. “Well, I wish to remain here, at least for a while. I assume that you know I was attached to a Chaos ship and sent here.” Two bursts of static came out of the speakers, an affirmative. “Then, am I right in assuming that my brothers overreacted and have sent a full contingent of Space marines my way.” Another two bursts of static. “Alright then, return to your post and send word to my brothers I await their arrival. Have them land in the nearest clearing off my own ship. Also, mention I said it was a code alpha-alpha-omega.”
“This is scout one, did you just say, alpha-alpha-omega?”
“Yes, yes I did. Now relay the message, I have things to attend to.” I shut off the radio and turned around. I looked around my house and looked down. This was a right bastard of a situation. I probably had around a month before they arrived. That was bad, if only because I already knew my plan. Code alpha-alpha-omega was a code for an adopted world. It was rare, but it happened. A space marine tired of traveling and adopted a world to be permanently stationed in. I had just either saved this planet, or destroyed it. If the Blood Ravens disagreed I would challenge their decision. That would mean I would face twenty marines in an arena of my choice, rules would be chosen on the spot. Before the Blood Ravens arrived, I had to make an arena, and set up the rules I would need to stand firm on. I sat on the nearest chair and started a list.
The sun had almost finished setting when Scootaloo walked in. She was dead on her feet and fell down as soon as the door closed. I couldn’t remove my grin as I scooped her up. “Well little one, have a fun day?”
Scootaloo squirmed in my hand for a minute and settled down. “Yep, me and the crusaders all learned how to dance at miss Rarity’s, it was kinda fun, but then we helped her mine gems and got into a fight with some diamond dogs. Long story short, we can’t help Ms.Rarity hunt for gems anymore.
I laughed. “Really know, why don’t I take you out crusading tomorrow. I need to scout some land, and then build some stuff. Sound interesting enough for you three to join me?”
Scootaloo woke up instantly. “Really, we could help you? Yesyesyes.”
I smiled. “OK then get some sleep, I’ve got some questions for Twilight.” Scootaloo obediently turned around and went to her room. In turn, I got up, and walked out of the house. As I walked I thought over my rules. One, no ponies be harmed. An obvious one, but a needed one. Two, no matter the outcome, they leave this planet alone, no fights, no worries, just another nameless planet far from the imperium. Third, I don’t have to kill a marine to remove him from the competition. My brothers numbers were low enough, I could do without killing them.
By the time I reached the library I hadn’t thought of many other rules, maybe something about having an apothecary on site so no one would lose the progenitor gland. I bumped into the doorway to the library. I complained to myself as I opened the door.
I walked in on Twilight teaching Big Mac. It was rather amusing to watch. The blush from our earlier conversation was easily explained now. She liked him, and he her. The problem was neither would admit it. I sat there for a moment, watching in amusement, before stepping in. Twilight, Big Mac, how goes the learning?”
Twilight looked up as Big Mac buried his head in the books. Twilight looked at him and tried to take a few steps back. “Hello Marx, I was just teaching Big Mac here crop rotations. I think he’s learning it all rather well.”
Big Mac simply buried his head further in the book. I looked over both of them. “Well Twilight, to be honest I came here to ask a favor. I’m... let’s call it ‘entertaining, some friends of mine, and need a large plot of land to do so. Is there, perhaps, an abandoned field neaerby I could make some ‘adjustments’ to?”
The veiled meaning soared over Twilight’s head, but not quite over Big Mac’s. “Now waht d’ya mean ‘adjustments’?”
I sighed as Twilight looked at him, then back to me. I looked at Big Mac and fitted him with my best stare of disappointment. “Well, I mean that I will have to build some temporary structures to ‘accommodate’, my friends.”
Big Mac stood up and stretched. “OK then, what did y’all mean by ‘entertain’?”
I blasphemed under my breath, this was the most observant pony here. “Well, they might not be my friends after I say I plan on staying here, so I need to prepare. That involves bringing a field up to spec for a challenge.”
At this Big Mac just shrugged. “Ah don’t rightly know what yah mean by ‘challenge’, but I get the gist. Y’all are havin’ a family reunion on some mighty bad terms. Ah think that you should use the old abandoned apple orchard. It’s only ‘bout an hour from yah ship.”
For an answer I simply looked at Twilight expectantly. She brought her hoof to her head and shook it back and forth. “Big Mac is technically the legal owner, so with his permission, there’s your field.” I nodded at them.
Big Mac trotted over to me and stuck out his hoof. “Y’all helped out AppleBloom an’ her gang, so I feel this reays yah for that.”
I took his hoof, shaking it, as is custom. How they do it with other ponies is beyond me. “Very well then. I accept your offer with goodwill and gratitude.”
Big Mac looked at me with an air of confusion, but some happiness nonetheless. “Ah don’t pretend tah understand half the stuff yah spout, but thank you kindly.”
Twilight seemed to regain the ability to speak. “Wait, that’s it. You have to go fill out the forms at the mayor’s office, then fill out the building forms, then you can start actually building.” Twilight started pacing back and forth across the room, removing various legal books as she did. “After all, we don’t want either of you to get legal back-blast. Especially since Big Mac need some help as it is.”
Big Mac wasn’t sure whether to be complemented or insulted. He went with the middle ground of embarrassed. Twilight on the other hand, kept muttering until the words caught up to her. She defaulted to embarrassed as well. I, on the other hand, had discovered a wonderful spectator sport. “Well, I thank you for all your time you two, but I must attend to some planning.” With a wave of my hand I left. I’m fairly certain they waved back, but they were still in the process of overcoming their blushes, and were rather distracted. I chuckled as I left. Truly, this world was innocent.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I returned to my housing. It was a nice evening, though not one that fit with my melancholy mood. I kept turning over ideas in my head. I opened the door with a bit too much speed and sat down at the kitchen table. I looked and noticed that Fluttershy’s door still sat on my table. I mentally admonished myself, she needed her door. It was in the exact same style as her previous door, except for a small Blood Raven badge on the bottom left corner. I still had some pride, and most of it was just to gain credit for my work, no matter how clumsy. I slowly allowed sleep to overtake me, after all, what could happen in my house.
That question was stupid. My natural reflexes kicked in a few hours later and I bolted up. What I woke up to, was all the crusaders, and spike, trying to approach my face. I wouldn’t have minded, were it not for the bucket of water held threateningly in Scootaloo’s hooves. I jumped fully up and retrieved the bucket from the filly’s hoof. “Now Scootaloo, I’m not mad you tried to pour water on me.” All four faces flooded with relief. I stood as imposing as I could, and leaned in close. “I’m livid that you failed.”
I poured the bucket of water equally over the four of my attackers before grabbing the door. “Knowledge is power. Guard it well.” With the old battle-cry uttered I flew with all speed to Fluttershy’s. It barely took ten minutes.
I knocked on the door. Surprisingly, it still managed to function, though it still had a rather large crack in it. “OH, um, come on in, the door doesn’t work so well so don’t bother locking it. Um, that is... if you want to you can.. I guess.”
I smiled and moved the door in front of me. The twinkle in her eye told me all I needed to know. “Ms.Fluttershy, I believe I broke your door?”
Fluttershy squeaked in appreciation, the lack of air in her lungs making a ‘squee’ noise. She picked it up and instantly affixed it to the hinges. “You really replaced my door Mr.Marx. Most ponies say they’ll do stuff like that, and never actually do it. Thank you.”
I turned out the door to see all the crusaders, plus spike, marching up the hill out of breath. Scootaloo hovered up and looked me in the eyes. “Why did you have to run so frickin’ fast Mr. Marx?”
Her eyes cut to my soul, not enough for repentance mind you, just enough to make me feel bad. “Why, to make you run for trying to pour water on me? Why else?”
Spike looked at me. “Marx, you have earned all of my hate. There wasn’t a lot, but I think you made it grow two times as big.” He had a mixed expression. On the one hand, he looked like he was about to laugh until his lungs gave out. On the other hand, I think he was contemplating murder.
I decided not to stick around and find out. “Anyway my friends, Big Mac said we could use one of his fields as a hosting ground for my fellow Blood Ravens. I still need some help building, if you want to.”
Spike fell to the ground in mock exhaustion, meanwhile, the other crusader’s all perked up at the new. Applebloom jumped up to my head level, an impressive feat. “Really? Big brother said someone was usin’ our old field, but ah thought he was meanin’ ol’ Mr. Mech.”
I looked down at the various young xenos around me. This was still a surreal experience, but, how could I hurt such creatures? “No, he was meaning me. Now come on, we’re wasting time.” With that, we all began to walk to the field.
The field didn’t arrive soon enough. Throughout the entire trip the entirety of the crusaders, including Spike, sang songs about finding who they were. I wouldn’t have minded so much, except for the fact that only Sweetie Belle could sing. I found it odd, the quiet one with the beautiful singing voice. Even in the Astartes we cherish music, and say that if a brother can sing, then he should sing. However, we reached the field with no incident. It was in a valley, which was good. The only downside was the size. It could easily host our ships and a bit more, but I wondered if it could support a battle. Scootaloo only worsened my hopes of finding a bigger area. “Wow Mr.Marx, this is the biggest field in all of Ponyville.”
I looked around the entirety of the field. I could mark an area for them to land with a sigil. The next problem was cover, the field was completely bare, I would have to bring in supplies from outside. That, and the only materials on this planet probably couldn’t stop Bolter fire. I looked across my recruits. “So, which one of you knows how to build.”
Applebloom jumped up. “Ah can build. I’m the one what built that catapult we used the other day.”
I perked my eyebrows at that. It had looked like a professional job. Well then, I think you could help me out pretty well.” With that phrase we started working. Towards the end of the day I called us all together. We had made a respectable amount of headway. We had some trenches, along with some cover. It now began to resemble an arena. Very good my fiends!! We shall be done in no time. What are you three doing tomorrow?”
They all three gave me the look they gave me when we first met. It was the ‘are you stupid’ look. Sweetie Belle picked herself up and walked up to me. “We have school tomorrow Mr.Marx.”
I felt stupid. Of course school happened. I looked at the time, it was approaching eight quickly. “Alright then my young apprentices, to home with the lot of you.” After much groaning they all complied, going their separate ways. I walked home with Scootaloo on my shoulder.
I put Scootaloo in bed with a promise to teach her about flight tomorrow. I walked to the door, about to leave for the library. “Going to do your research project yet?” I growled in my helmet. Discord was back.
I heard his infuriating laugh sound in my head. “Oh, yes, YES!! Someone's finally going to read about my adventures.” I simply closed my door, and walked towards the library.
The library seemed to be my magnet. It always attracted my attention whenever I wanted something. I thought over my supplies, before a humbling thought flashed through my head. I still had no money. I was going to have to see if Mech had a building planned.
As luck would have it, Mech was in the library, along with Twilight and Big Mac. Their fumblings amused me still. I walked up to Mech and sat across from him. It was uncomfortable, sitting on my own heels, but better than standing. Mech took a sip of what I assume was coffee before looking at me. “Ah assume you’re still looking for a job friend?” I nodded back. “Well, ah got a job that’ll take me a few months, would go a lot better with an extra set of hooves.”
I gave him an appraising look. “Sounds like a deal friend.”
I stuck out my hand and Mech took it. After having shook on it, he became less business like. “Well, ah can pay yah twenty bits per day. Not a lot, but enough for food and water with a bit left over.”
I nodded back at him. “That sounds fair. If you’ll excuse me, I still have to find a book and get back home. Even in her sleep, Scootaloo might break something important.”
I nodded back at him, walking towards Twilight. She scooted away from Big Mac as subtly as possible when I approached. She had a small blush plastered on her face. I looked at the book Big Mac was reading. It was titled “The Zebra Shaman”. It was also obviously not about agriculture. I smiled, even if it wasn’t official, they were dating. “Twilight, Big Mac! I was hoping to find a book.”
Twilight jumped up. “Really? Good, I needed to let Big Mac read anyways, I was kinda, um, distracting him” Her energy puttered out as her blush deepened. I even saw one clearly on the already red Big Mac.
I chuckled under my breath. “Well, I was going to look for a book about something called ‘the ones who came before’. You got any?”
Twilight almost looked crestfallen. “Really? You wanna learn about that old mare’s tale. Be it not in my mind to judge, I guess.” As Twilight walked through the shelves I thought about her reaction. It was more than likely a very old story turned fairy tale. Not uncommon, even in the Imperium. Oh, the heresy’s I could spout, just from living through the most trying of times. My thoughts were cut short by a book in front of my visor. “Here you go Marx, It’s all the old tales about them. They aren’t very interesting, but hey, I can’t really judge you freaky aliens.”
After a short goodbye I left, leaving the library to my back and continueing home. the trip, as always, was short. I got in and instantly opened the book. I read through it within an hour. I was almost blown back by the amount of war for such a peaceful planet. The references were different than normal of course. This was a Chaos cruiser of Tzeentch sorcerers, and one unlucky marine. The sorcerer’s slowly tried to dstroy the planet, looking for archeological artifacts, the marine however, began to localize with the culture, and slowly formed around it. He delved deeper and deeper into his ‘dark magic’ and ‘banished’ the sorcerers. By ‘dark powers’ I was guessing they meant the Warp. By ‘banished’ I knew they meant killed. As time went on, the marine changed. He slowly morphed into a more and more animalistic state. He never killed, but he tortured through chaos. He would ruin crops by replacing water with small mammals. All to gain a laugh. I now knew how Discord had gained his power, and why I should begin to fear.
After that night, my life began to take the form of a schedule. I would teach Scootaloo to fly before school, and then go work for Mech. I would work on my arena every free day I got. Soon the crusaders and I found a natural rhythm, which led to one of the proudest moments of my life.
The first was within a week of starting to build. I wanted to see how well Applebloom built. So, I asked her to build an Astartes sized pavilion. She worked on it for two days before finishing. When she was done, she let me look over it. It was beautiful. We invited her whole family to see her wonderful work. It wasn’t until we started a meal that we noticd she had her cutie mark.
AppleJack had just thrown an apple to me when I heard her scream. I jolted up and looked at her. “Applebloom!!”
Applebloom began to worry. “What is it sis? Is there a spider on mah bow?” She began slowly spinning in circles to look at her bow. I smiled and sat back down.
AppleJack smiled “No sugarcube, look at your flank.” And look she did. A scream exited her lips as well. All the crusaders jumped up and sang and danced. Ther, on her flank, was a small picture of a hammer, with an apple at the hilt.
Sweetie Belle was the first to see the downside. She looked down and kicked the dirt with her hooves. “Well, I guess you won’t be crusading with us anymore, will you?”
Applebloom just about decked Sweetie belle in the face. “Of course ah will yah silly filly! Ah just won’t get a cutie mark fer it.”
With that our miniature party resumed, allowing everyone to have a good time. The next moment arrived only two days before the Blood Ravens arrived. I was finishing the sigil for their landing zone. They seemed to be in good enough moods, but I was angry. They had an inquisitor. I could imagine my brothers accepting my choice, an inquisitor might try to destroy the whole planet simply because of the xeno’s there.
I chopped the last of the dirt out of my way. The sigil was almost complete, and I was getting annoyed. I still had to clean my bolter, and get my radio to hail the Blood Ravens for a last minute check up. I had to get together some dinner for Scootaloo, and finally, do a final ammo inventory. I wouldn’t have minded, except that was a schedule for tonight and two of things could take a full day. I was about to lose it when a voice came into my little hole. It was utterly flawless. The lyrics melded into my mind and seemed wordless. I got an overwhelming sense of peace. I suddenly knew exactly how to get everything done. I peeked out and saw Sweetie Belle singing the object of my rapture. I also noticed a new mark on her flank. I sunk back into my trench, Rarity would want to be the one to find it. I smiled as I finished my work. How would she react when she know’s she’s carrying a smile and new treble on her.
There was a party for the event. I attended for a brief moment, but I left after a few minutes. It was only a short flutter to my house, and Scootaloo needed the practice. I got home and did the final checks on everything. Counting the days I went out and did marksmanship rites, I had two full magazines for my bolter, and one magazine for my bolt pistol. I went to my bed and fell into a state of deep slumber. My brothers would arrive in fourteen hours, and I needed to be prepared to kill them if the need arises.
Authors note
I wanted to put this at the end so as not to ward off any potential reader. This chapter was a bit of a cash in. I had no ideas for a filler arc between then and the arrival of the Blood Ravens, so here's the full month. It was originally the same thing with about seven more pages, but it bores me to tears. While I don't love this, it's better than anything else I could do at the moment. I say all that to say this. I'm really sorry, but this chapter sucks ad I know it. I will never let this error in planning happen again. If I do something like this I'll find a filler arc that I think would fit the character and plot. With Marx's planning he would have only done what he needed to during the planning stage. Forgive me for this. This is Nobodyslament, signing off.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
I woke up to a hail on my radio. Checking on Scootaloo, I found she was in her room. I walked away, hoping I could get all my business done before she woke up. I walked to my radio and took the receiver in my hands. “Hello, this is Crucius Marx, please respond.”
“Yes, this is Blood Raven rescue team, here to verify reported alpha-alpha-omega.” I knew what that meant. It meant they wanted to make sure I was on a world they approved of. I hoped a brief check would placate them.
“Confirming, if you wish to talk, their is a sigil near my current location, I’m en route their now.”
I put down the receiver and walked away. I hoped they would say no. “This is rescue team, we are en route as well. ETA ten minutes.” I sighed and grabbed a piece of paper. I left a note explaining very clearly to Scootaloo that I shouldn’t be followed. I wrote for her to go to Twilight and get the whole town to stay away from the abandoned field. I prayed she would listen.
I jogged to the field, making sure that I reached it within ten minutes. I was only waiting for two. The ship descended slowly, allowing me full time to see how armed it was. The answer was heavily. Heavy bolters surged along its sides, with lascannons and even heavier weapons to complement it. It landed with a barely noticeable hiss. The ramp opened up to a captain saluting me. I returned the salute. He slowly moved to an at ease position as marines slowly filed out to make a pathway. “This is captain Narwan reporting to check on your situation. You seem to have picked a nice planet Champion.”’
A voice cu in on our conversation. “Uh-oh. Looks like some friends just showed up.” I really began to loathe the chaotic little cur.
I looked over all the marines and nodded to the captain. “I like this planet a fair deal, enough to live here anyways.”
The captain smiled at me. “Forgive me for not sharing your sentiments/ I’d prefer a battlefield to a planet any day.” All the marines chuckled at their captain.
A robed figure walked out of the ship. I gulped, the rose on his lapel told me all I needed. The inquisitor was here. He looked over me, and then to a small palm pad. His knuckles were white. He cleared his throat. “Greetings, champion. Though I hold you in the utmost respect, I must assuage my fears. I assume you’re here to combat the massive warp influence?”
I had feared this, but honesty was a flaw in this scenario. “No inquisitor. The inhabitant appear to have controlled the warp rather well. I chose this world to study the effects.”
The inquisitor dropped his pad. “That is unacceptable. I demand a purge. At once.” He turned to the captain. “Make it so.”
I threw the body aside and looked at the captain. “Sir, the good inquisitor broke my only law on this planet. No indigenous life is to be harmed, or even threatened, by outsiders. I am still happy to welcome you, if you want to stay a while.”
The marines all pointed their bolters at me. Not in a threatening way, more to calm any nerves that may be frayed by my actions. The captain, for his part,didn’t flinch. :You know what this means, don’t you?”
I nodded. “Yes, you’ll respect my law, and challenge my decision to live here. I expect you’ll leave afterwards, and wipe all pertinent info. As per regulations.”
The captain nodded, and turned to face the marines. “Marx is being officially challenged for a right to stay, brother-scribe, step forward.” A marine stepped forward. His armor was the same as everyone else’s, minus a few details. His armor had Imperium scripts written throughout it. He carried a bolter of almost ceremonious design, and finally, he had a large book on his arm. He brought out a pen and looked back to the captain. The captain looked over his marines. “A champion is being challenged, who volunteers to battle?”
I re-shielded my visor, and looked across the line. Most of who I was fighting were half-century veterans. One looked to be a century or two old, but still pretty young. I started planning. I had thirty seconds before we were cleared to move, then a buzzer would sound. I could possibly remove two from the action then. I would roll to the side and duck into a trench. If all went according to plan, it would mean I would be facing eighteen combatants in combat as opposed to twenty. The odds would be more in my favor.
The buzzer rang, and I sprang to life. I dropped to one knee and braced my bolter, the sharp kick woke my senses. I had aimed for a high ranking soldier in the middle. I saw the blood erupt from the newly acquired hole in his leg. I rolled almost to the ditch and reacquired my aim. I felt wind as one of the marines fired at me. I zeroed in on him and let loose a five round volley. His arm was ripped out by the force. I fell into the trench as fire hit the ground all around where I stood previously.
A new faced recruit jumped into my trench. I saw him clear as day, and readied my bolter. My training kicked in and I aimed for the head. His helmet stayed on through the ventilation of his skull. I peeked over my ditch. The two marines I hit were now stationed with an apothecary tending their wounds. I heard a flutter of wings and gritted my teeth. Someone had shown up. I looked over the battlefield, and had to hide my shock. Scootaloo was looking at the ship, and throughout the battlefield. I had no real options to get her to leave besides the obvious. I filled all three lungs to their bursting point. “SCOOTALOO, GO HOME NOW!!!”
She looked at me, and did the opposite of what I wanted, she ran into the ship. I had no time to deal with that, as much as I wanted to. I brought my bolter to bear and put forth the last of my mag, I grabbed a few from the dead marine at my side. I had five full mags and a good shot at winning. I peeked up and looked at my foes, they were in cover keeping me pinned. I kept low and followed the ditch. I stopped once I reached a small piece of cover. I looked around it, the view was good. I saw all the marines mounting an offensive. They moved like mobile art. They did everything perfectly, except for purging the hostile. When eight had gone to the trench I moved as if a god of battle. I spun out of the corner and popped three of the marines, unsure of where I hit, I spun back around my useless cover. I looked at my surroundings. My trench was useless, but there was a useful one about ten strides from my cover. I didn’t think of my actions. I ran.
The bolter fire tore the ground around my legs to shreds. One grazed the side of my armour, but deflected the round away from me. I dived into the trenches, guessing my luck to be divine. I looked at the chaos I had wrecked. One of my rounds had been lucky and taken out two marines. That left fourteen in the fray. I smirked, the odds had gone to my favor. I ducked down, and headed towards the right flank of the enemy.
The right flank was considered the worst way to flank an enemy, which is why I chose it. They had a guard on the left side, but the right was considered safe. They had even place an impromptu leadership element beside it. I took a moment to check casualties. The ship had four marines watching the proceedings, even the one missing a leg. I guessed that the other two were dead. There was no time to mourn, for Scootaloo was now seated beside a marine. I didn’t worry too badly though, since none of them were trying to shoot her. There was time to complain at her later. I brought the bolter to bear, and aimed for the leader directing the others. I propelled a round clearly through his arm. Before they could respond, I creeped towards their lines. I took a knee and waited. Sure enough, they passed by me, trying to take cover against my flanking, they even posted guards at each flank. I smiled and thought, I had a plan that was stupid enough to work.
I double checked, there were thirteen left, with ten in front. I guessed one was on the opposite side of the cover I was hiding behind. I vaulted over the cover and kicked the marine there, and boy, was he there. I picked him up in front of me and punched him square in the jaw. he was out before he could tell his group what was going on. I I grabbed the knife from a sheath on his leg, and moved to the rear guards. They both were focusing on the rear trenches, keeping an ear out for clearance to go in there themselves. I brought my bolt pistol up and fired a round into the first ones leg, as he went down, I stabbed the other one in the arm. It was clean, but it was also loud. They started to limp back to the ship without a second word as I rolled into cover. Now instead of fourteen, there were only eleven.
I peeked around cover and instantly took off running. They were playing it safe now, and bolter fire ravaged the pitiful wood structure I had been using as cover. I dove across a solid line of cover and stood still. I anticipated right, and the area I would be if I kept moving exploded in a rain of solid bolts. A marine came to inspect the wreckage. I had no time to gauge for an arm shot. I fired from my pistol and the round went cleanly through his chest. I cleanly switched my weapons and checked my surroundings. The nearest trench was right behind me, I rolled into it, and made as much of an escape as possible.
Ten left, now they were scared, and that meant they were more dangerous. It also meant they were more paranoid. I threw the knife over cover and heard the satisfying thunk as it embedded itself in the ground. “He’s over there!” I looked over my cover, they had all forgotten to assign guards. I grabbed my bolter and aimed, there was a good sight line on them all. I opened up on all of them. After the horrendous burst of twelve rounds I heard my bolter click empty. I cursed and moved to reload. There were four left, and I liked those odds.
The first three seemed at ease with their fates, and started to try and aim a shot while I clicked in a new mag. I cleanly broke my arms into a shooting position and fired a burst at the ones aiming at me. They all went down with leg shots, and I turned to face the last marine. Unfortunately, I noticed two facts then. First, he had his rank on his head, a private. Two, he was two inches from me. I Punched him in the helmet and backed up. He was stunned enough for me to get off a clean shot. I popped a round clean through his leg and sighed. It was over, and I had won.
These thoughts left a minute later as I was knocked to the ground. I looked up to see the lowly private looming above me. “You should have killed me. I won’t leave without granting you the Emperor's peace.”
I was astounded, this broke most codes of our race, and they were paramount. I heard bolters click, but I knew they would be too late. I at least had my bit to throw in. “You must be new, there is no God-Emperor, only a very powerful man.”
He screamed in rage. “YOU KNOW NOTHING, AND FOR YOUR INSOLENCE, YOU. WILL. DIE.” He brought his bolter square onto my face.
Then, the unthinkable happened. “GET AWAY FROM MY DAD!!!” At that, an orange blur took across my sight and knocked down the marine on top of me. I rolled over and coincidence was with me, the knife was right beside me. I grabbed it and stood p, the marine was still on the ground. I walked over when scootaloo flew up to me. “Leave Scootaloo, this isn’t a place for you.” She was about to respond, when a bolter round sounded through the arena. Scootaloo’s leg crumbled out and she dropped. Training overtook goodwill and I went for vengeance. His bolter clicked empty as I advanced upon him. “You broke our terms.” I grabbed him and stabbed him in the arm. He screamed. “You shot a child.” I stabbed him in the other arm. “And now, you will die for your treachery.” I stabbed him straight through to the progenitor gland. Nothing in his body should ever be used again. I threw him aside, and ran towards Scootaloo.
She lay unconscious in the middle of her own blood. I ran towards the ground where she lay, screaming all the way. “APOTHECARY, I NEED YOU HERE NOW!!!” I looked her over with as much restraint as I could. The round had went clean through her leg. Though I didn’t think it at the time, she was lucky that she didn't set off the explosive charge. As it was, she only lost a small bit of her leg with a bone fracture If it had ignited, her entire leg would be gone. The apothecary arrived shortly, and looked at her, then back to me. “If you won’t treat her, then give me the supplies. I will heal her.” I stared at her leg, I noticed a few things out of the ordinary, but they were unimportant at the time.
The apothecary allowed both counts. Bowing to face her injuries while handing me bandages and other various instruments of healing. He worked with speed, bringing down needles and salves with great speed. I was minorly trained and acted as an assistant of sorts. Passing bandages, applying pressure, and uttering phrases to Scootaloo under my breath. The marines around me simply watched in a kind of utter fascination/ never had they seen such skill in the healing of a xeno before, I doubt they will ever see such a feat again. The apothecary brought forth a long needle, and my hearts skipped a beat. He jammed it into Scootaloo’s chest and hit the plunger. Her breathing shuddered, then stabilized.
The apothecary looked her over. He carefully picked up her injured hoof, and looked it over for any signs of poisoning from a bolter round. I wanted to stop him, but knew he had probably just saved her life. I restrained myself as he finished looking her over. Finding everything satisfying, he looked to me. “She’ll live to see another day, but she’ll need to take it easy until she’s fully healed.” With that curt response he left, allowing me to hold Scootaloo in my arms.
The captain approached almost soundlessly. It didn’t help that I was singing a lullaby to Scootaloo and was rather focused on the task. The captain looked down with the ghost of a smile on his lips. “I see why you love this world so much. We will honor the agreement, as you honored your word. I can never apologize enough for what that marine did to her, but I can say you’re dead. The records state this as a system of unfit planets. You are safe for the millennia to come. I won’t ruin this with a good bye. I’ll go to my ship, and pilot us out of here, may you live as you wish, and die for those you love.” With that he left, the roar of engines soon followed. I slowly stood up, and carried Scootaloo to the Ponyville hospital.
Discord was in an amazing mood. Not only had his prison been weakened to an easy breakout, but the very person responsible had just saved his world, without Discord having to raise a claw. The stone in the garden chipped as the limits of the barrier were tested. A laugh invaded all those nearest the statue. “Ohoho, I think I have the perfect little game planned out.”
Authors note
Hello everypony, how y'all doing. I normally am sucktacular at writing action scenes, so if you would scroll down and tell me how to write it better, I'd be in your debt. Thanks for reading either way.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
Chapter 11
I had begun an annoyingly slow pace to the hospital. I would have run, had I not been worrying about disturbing Scootaloo’s injury. I was whispering to her still, trying to calm myself more than comfort her if she could hear me. Nobody seemed to be in the market today, all the stalls were abandoned, with their wares locked down. The hospital itself was right beside the market, and the doors open without a sound.
The hospital had only some of it’s daily hustle about it. The nurse’s station was manned, while doctors calmly walked their rounds. I walked up, not wanting to create a disturbance, and quietly checked into the hospital. “Ma’am, if I may, I would like a room for a trauma patient.”
She looked at me, then to the filly in my arms, then back to me. She carefully grabbed a pencil, and wrote down what she was seeing, before addressing me. “Very well, please put the filly in room two-zero-six and come back here, Nurse Redheart will be there shortly.” As much as I wanted to stay with Scootaloo I knew I couldn’t stay. She had more than likely noticed I am a big xeno, and assumed I had done this. I nodded and took Scootaloo to the room irected, while pointedly ignoring the two large ponies nonchalantly trotting behind me.
The room had a deceptive peace about it. Not deceptive because it wasn’t actually peaceful, but deceptive because it had the peace of death, not of healing. I walked back to the room where I met the nurse, when a purple force field enraptured me. Without the ability to move much I focused my frustration into words. “Well, fuck me then.”
Twilight slowly moved into sight, a mix of rage, worry, and confusion plastered her face. Her tone of voice was creepily calm, while maintaining a level of passive-aggression as to scare me. “What the buck is going on Marx? I get a letter from you, delivered by Scootaloo, saying that no one should leave town. Then, after spreading your message, a giant thing falls out of the sky. Scootaloo disappears for a few hours, and now, I get a letter from the hospital suggesting a giant two-legged monster beat up an innocent filly. Actually, I take back my first question, because now it’s a demand. What did you do?!”
I didn’t falter, which amazes me to this day. “Simply put, my former brothers showed up, I told them I was going to live here, and they tried to kill me. Scootaloo didn’t listen to my letter, and saved my life, then got hurt because of it. If you’ll let me go, I really want to check on her. If that’s okay.” I left the last words dangling, as if they were a threat. Twilight stood her ground, and before long I felt the aura of power around me fade. “Thank you Twilight, now if you’ll excuse me.” I left, leaving Twilight to figure out any philosophical queries she now had by herself.
Scootaloo was still asleep, with no nurse in sight. I slowly picked her up, and made sure she had a blanket wrapped around her. The bandaging had held, and was keeping the wound in a state of disinfected glory. I shuddered at the thought of an infection with this race, their medicine seemed second-rate, and I really didn’t want to take any risks. Twilight showed up in the room a second later. “Pass her here Marx, even if you still have an explanation to give me that’s a bit more in-depth, I can’t let Scootaloo stay hurt because of it.”
I sat back and cleared a path for Twilight. She had enough power to fry up both me and Scootaloo, and no one should meddle in the affairs of those who can melt your skin. Twilight got to Scootaloo and took of the covers. Summoning up some parchment and a quill, she began taking notes. “Bandaged very well, bleeding stopped, though evidence remains.” I looked and saw that the bandages did indeed have flakes of blood on either side, I left all comments to myself and continued to watch. “Alright, removing bandages.” The bandages complex notes lasted almost half a second against Twilights power, unraveling to the mere whim of her power. “Wound is, oh Celestia,” She gagged seeing Scootaloo’s bullet hole.”Wound is clean, though goes all the way through the hoof. Healing spell to be administered will have to be given at full strength, if I misjudge wound, it will take multiple times. First try beginning now.” She set down everything in an orderly pile and touched her horn to Scootaloo’s injured hoof. I got up to watch at a better angle.
The horn glowed a bright color, washing Scootaloo’s hoof with a purple light. Slowly, the wound healed, and closed to a state like it was in before it got ventilated. I watched silently, waiting for her to say something. My wait was short. Not, because Twilight, or even Scootaloo, talked, but because Twilight fainted. I caught her, and put her on a chair, and because a rest would be a dumb idea, a nurse showed up right then. She looked between the three beings in the room, and screamed. Scootaloo woke up and screamed too, which caused even more screaming from every party except me and Twilight. Finally, I had had enough. “QUIET!” Everything instantly gained a quiet, foreboding atmosphere. “Ma’am, could you check on this filly now? Miss Sparkle did what she could, but I know not how to deal with injuries of your species.”
That seemed to snap the nurse out of it, and she got to work. Scootaloo, however, it just confused. “What do you mean Miss Sparkle, do you mean Twilight’s here? Oh no, she found out I forgot to turn in that book didn’t she. I knew I shouldn’t have checked out a book about the latest ponies in history! It was a bad omen. I’ll go get it as soon as this lady stops telling me to calm down.” Indeed, the nurse had been poking her, and attempting to calm her down. Scootaloo then seemed to catch a second wind. “Wait, weren’t we doing something, I remember getting a note from you, then I got worried and went to the field. You were playing something with a few of your friends, then I saw you were hurting them, and they were trying to hurt you. So I ran into the ship, where a nice marine explained something about it to me that I didn’t understand, and I watched you for a while.”
Scootaloo didn’t notice the nurse’s face. “Yeah, you got the last of them and I let out a big cheer. Then the guy got up and knocked you down. He pointed one of those dangerous things at your head and seemed like he was gonna hurt you, so I tried to jump to you.” She suddenly smiled. “But instead of jumping, I flew. Can you believe it daddy, I flew, I really flew.” Her words suddenly caught up to her. “I-I uh mean, Mr.Marx. But I flew to you, and decked him right in the schnoz.” She accentuated this point by punching the air. “After that, I flew back to you, and my leg hurt a lot. Now I’m here, and you're looking at me funny.”
I smiled and took off my helmet. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright. You were hit by a very bad person, and he left with all the others. Twilight healed your hoof a bit, but she got very tired from it and fell asleep on that chair. I gestured towards where Twilight slowly moved, apparently waking up. I glanced back towards the nurse. “If you’ll pardon me, does everything seem to be well with Scootaloo?”
The nurse seemed to overcome her confusion. Or, at least, the confusion was buried under so much more confusion that she didn’t care anymore. Nevertheless, she responded. “Well, Twilight here managed to get the basic work done. The hoof should be fine. I can’t really give an estimate for how long she’ll be here though. What with the magic healing, she could be here anywhere from two hours to a week.”
I nodded and watched Scootaloo wrestle with the controls for her bed. Eventually, the nurse went to check on other patients, leaving me and Scootaloo with a comatose librarian. We chatted for awhile about aimless things with no real meaning, the topic of Rainbow Dash came up and I was instantly inducted into her fan club, of which Scootaloo was the founder. I would have minded a lot less if a certain pink pony didn’t appear and put a rainbow wig on my face at the same time, but it was still a fun evening. After maybe thirty minutes, Twilight woke up. I myself had been deep into a story about the time me and a brother had a bet of who could confuse an orc the most and was utterly surprised at her voice. “Everything get a bit better while I was out?”
I looked over at my purple friend with a huge smile etched into my features. “Much much better, thank to your magic my friend. How goes your own recuperation?”
She looked between me and Scootaloo for a bit before saying anything, and that something wasn’t even an answer to my question. “Marx, when are you going to tell her?”
Scootaloo looked confused. “Tell me what? I got some of this nasty hospital food stuck in my teeth?” She began furiously assaulting her teeth with her hooves, trying to expunge the imagined material.
That got both me and Twilight to share in a deep, hearty laugh. Scootaloo looked ready to kill, so I ended it off and told her. “In all today’s excitement, you forgot to check your flank.”
Scootaloo just looked at me as if I was a madman. “Check my flank?” She slowly maneuvered herself to get a look at her flank “I don’t see anyth-” It clicked, her eyes went wide, her wings beat a little bit. She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, letting loose a scream that could be heard for miles. “I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!”
I had to keep her from jumping out of bed. Indeed, posted across her, was a cutie mark I would be proud to have. It was not forthright in the skills it invested in, because it held so many. A desire for knowledge, seeking inner strength, even the protection of friends, all pertained to this cutie mark. I almost cried when I looked at it. She held the insignia of the Blood Ravens, and none could take that away. I smiled down at her. “I think everyone should hear about this. Twilight, would you be so kind as to gather up anyon-I mean, anypony, you see fit. Also, get Pinkie here, this requires a party.
Twilight was frozen beside the door. That is, until it opened, and about a dozen ponies rushed inside. I was lost, and it appeared Twilight was as well. Her tone had an exasperated, almost defeated feeling. “Pinkie, should I even ask?”
Pinkie just pushed a blue maned pony on stage and smiled wide. “Well, I got a three itch on rear hoof, two twitch of my mane signal. That’s my Pinkie sense saying there needs to be a party in the hospital, ASAP.”
I just shook my head and exited the room, I wasn’t in the state of mind for a party. I put my helmet on my waist and, ‘liberated’ a piece of paper and a pencil from the desk to leave a note. With that done, I walked to my house.
I opened the door to the armory. I went and put beautiful on her rack, before heading to the back of the room. There was a little shelf there, with an enormous barrel behind it. I knew that the stuff was bad news, but I grabbed the barrel anyways. I moved it to the kitchen and started to hunt down one of the few cups I had. I grabbed one of some cartoon Scootaloo watched, and filled it with my chosen poison. It was an old Space Wolf brew, possibly one of the oldest. Vurces had about four barrels of the stuff when I traveled with him. We drank after every time one of us got hurt in battle, it was kind of a tradition. I sipped it and and started to talk, knowing he probably couldn’t hear me. “You know Vurces, I think you would of liked it here. You would find it, what was the word you used? Quaint, that’s it. It’s a very quaint little planet. I’m torn a bit now. On one hand, I couldn’t avenge you. I know I couldn’t have saved you from those khornate bastards, but maybe vengeance was possible. Then, on the other hand, you led me to a retirement in death.You always said they picked the stubborn old bastards for champions so we couldn’t retire.” I went to take a sip of the highly alcoholic brew, drained it, and refilled the glass. “You always made that joke whenever we reached a new planet, I think I know why now. You weren’t joking, you wanted to retire. A first for a champion. Well, I wish I had found out a bit earlier, or maybe that we could have swapped places. I have more duties now, but hey, only in death do my duties end.” I chugged the glass, and finding the pain from memories to strong, resolved to have another. Pretty soon, the barrel lie empty, an I was out cold on the floor, in a mixture of a coma, and pure restful sleep.
Author's Note
Hey everypony, how y'all been. Yes, there will indeed be two to three parts of this. I know for sure the plot of the second part, and there will be about a chapter of two for an interlude before that happens. I intend to finish up a loose end that's been annoying me (Can you guess it?) and go into an in-depth introduction for my take of Discord. So read comment and review my faithful friends, and soon we might see this journey's end.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
Epilogue
I woke up with a headache. I knew what a hangover was, but had never experienced one myself. I did a few experiments, and finding the results disagreeable, deduced that hangovers suck. I vaguely knew where I was, and decided to expand on that information by rolling over. My head shrieked in pain. My experiments concluded, my final conclusion was that hangovers were extremely painful. I toughed out the pain and stood up, reaching a hand to my head. It collided with the pain of a gauntlet crashing into my face. I looked at my hand. It was still wearing it’s armor. I looked myself over to find I was still wearing full armor. I took a step forward, and found the pain almost unbearable. I thought of ways to cure the hangover, and finding very few ways of doing it, went to the easiest solution. I fell down and went into a healing coma.
I woke up again, this time in a much more agreeable shape. I was in such a good shape, that I instantly noticed the large number of ponies surrounding me. I creaked upwards, literally, my armour creaked. They were all looking at me as if I had just assaulted Celestia. I looked at all their perplexed expressions and worry, needless to say it made me curious. “Hello there, what did I miss?”
All the ponies jumped back, seemingly in pure fear. AppleJack stepped out of the crowd, looking a bit worse than the last time I saw her. “Marx, are yah really up?”
I slowly stood up, making most of the crowd back up. Only a few stood their ground. I recognized a few of them. Namely a certain hourglass marked stallion. He nodded at me and turned around, exiting out the door. I looked at AppleJack. “What’s going on here? I’ve just been sleeping.”
AppleJack shuffled back and forth guiltily. “Well Marx, yah see.... How do ah put this. Well, uh, y’all been sleeping for a might longer than yah planned on.”
My mind was already fully awake, but that statement kicked it into overdrive. My house was clean, which was odd, considering I never removed the empty barrel of alcohol. I looked for the other signs of intrusion. There was a few dishes on the table, all dirty, and the rear rooms lights were on. I spun around to face AppleJack. The calm on my face betrayed none of my confusion. “”I hate to ask my friend, but how long have I been in a coma?”
AppleJack caught a second wind. “Well, ah reckon’ ‘bout six months. Though Scoots could tell yah the exact day. She’s been waitin’ on yah for a while now.”
I bolted up to attention. “Scoots? As in Scootaloo? Where is she? I need to know where she is right now.” I almost sprinted to to the door. I stopped in my tracks as I turned to face AppleJack, a glimmer of worry went across her face. I ignored it. “Hurry my friend, I must see her. I have been very, no, I have been a heretical level of negligent. I must fix it.” She simply looked at me. I shot her a winning smile. “I bet she’s in school. I’ll gladly sacrifice some time to see if I can get her out early today.” Without another word I opened my door and went out my door like a rocket, and no force in Equestria could stop me.
I reached the school building in record time, even for me. The building itself was quiet, and I could hear the unmistakable droning of a teacher being ushered through an open window. I slowed my pace to a walk and went to the front door. I listened for a moment before I heard the cue I’d been awaiting. “Alright everypony, could you please do the first nine questions in the book.” I knocked on the door twice. After some time I heard a shuffling of feet come near the door. The pony who I assumed to be the teacher walked up and opened the door. She looked at me, then back inside the classroom. “Pardon me, I have to go outside really quickly.” She extracted herself from the room, then turned to me with a fearful expression. “Whatever you do leave the children alone.”
I raised an eyebrow at this. I almost went so far as to laugh. “Hurt? You thought I would hurt the children?” After saying that I actually did laugh, which did nothing to improve the teachers mood. “Sorry ma’am, but after all I’ve done, thats the funniest joke I’ve ever heard.”
Now it was the teachers turn to raise an eyebrow. “All you’ve done? I wouldn’t mind some exposition on that.”
I was not in the mood for explaining myself, and she was rude to me. Even with all that justification I still feel like a bastard for what I did. “I don’t know, let’s ask somepony.” I opened the library door and saw the room filled with foals. I knew three of them. I hadn’t bargained on them knowing me.
I saw three flashes of movement, followed by the loudest noise in Equestria. “MR.MARX!!!!” I was swarmed instantly, the three fillies covering my head and breastplate. The voice of Scootaloo cut through the various noises made by her classmates. “You finally woke up? You’ve been asleep since I got my cutie mark, and now you’re back.” She stopped moving around my head and gave me an embrace “What made you sleep anyways? Was it that stuff that was burning through the floor at you house?”
I shuddered a bit, explaining anything to do with the Space Wolves would be a scarring experience for all parties involved. In any case, I was spared by the teacher recovering from her shock. “Wait, you three know this thing?”
I was also spared the thought of correcting her as to my species. Scootaloo apparently took extreme offense to me being called a thing. “Hey ms. substitute-lady. You’re new to Ponyville so here’s your warning, Mr.Marx isn’t a thing.” She turned around and nuzzled my leg. “He’s my daddy, and he just woke up, so be polite to him.”
The teacher looked stunned as I picked up Scoots and held her in my arms. I thought it wise to reveal my original reason for showing up. “Despite the distractions ma’am, I still have something to do. Would you mind if I checked Scootaloo out for the day?” The mare shook her head. I smiled at her. “Thank you ma’am. I believe you can fly beside me Scoots.”
After I said that sentence I threw her in the air. She caught herself in the air and hovered by my shoulder. She bounced in the air beside me excitedly, following me outside the school building. She started flying backwards in front of me, meeting my eyes. “Where we going Mr.Marx? We haven’t been able to go to the clearing since you slept, Princess Luna said something about it being dangerous until you got there. Lunar guards have been there ever since.”
I patted the fillies head and grinned. “I sincerely doubt that that stopped you.”
Scootaloo looked about nervously for a second before responding. “Of course I didn’t let it stop me. The only thing there was a big bag though, and It had it’s own special guard beside it.” She then seemed to remember something and perched on my pauldron. “You never answered my question though, why’d you go to sleep for so long anyways?”
And here we are back in the firm territory of awkward. I still had enough of my near-primarch levels of charisma to not turn into a stuttering mess though. “I was following a tradition child.” I grew quiet for a moment. “Long ago I had a friend. His name was Vurces. He was a champion, like me. Where I was calm, and collected. He was wild, outlandish, and nigh on unstoppable in a fight. We traveled together, waging a two man war for the Imperium. Before he died we had a tradition, if one of us got wounded, we would drink some of a special blend to calm our nerves. This was my catch up night. He did not make it past a team of deamons, and I had no time for rest. As soon as that danger past I got here, and was occupied until the evening of my sleep.”
I was competent that was a good answer, and tilted my head to see if Scootaloo had any questions. She was asleep on my shoulder. I popped out a smile and kept heading towards the clearing. A large grunt reminded me of the weight on my shoulder. I shrugged around a bit until she woke herself up. “What’s up Dad, we get to the clearing yet?”
I walked through the start of Sweet Apple Acres with a shake of my head, “Not quite young one, but I had the feeling you feel asleep.” I chuckled a bit before breaking the tree-line. I was a bit annoyed when three Lunar guards stepped in front of me, and even more annoyed when two tried to approach me unnoticed from behind.
My first reaction was to move Scootaloo off my shoulder. Which I followed. Past that, I went with pleasant conversation. “Well hello there, I seem to be heading this way. Would you mind letting me through?”
The pair stood tall. Almost managing to hide their fear at my visage. “No civilians allowed into the clearing until such a time as a ‘Crucius Marx’ deems to redeem his items.”
Hoping this would be an easy resolution, I gave the easiest answer. “Yes, and thats me. Seems like your mission is accomplished.”
The guards bought into none of it. The mare of the pair stepped forward. “You seriously expect us to believe that you are Crucius Marx. We weren’t told much about him, but I doubt you’re him.”
I turned to Scootaloo. “If you’ll do me a favor young one, could you run to the house and get my helmet? It has my name on it.” She saluted and flew off, presumably to head home. Or maybe she knew I was about to... how would she put it... oh, ‘bust some flanks’. I turned to face the pair of guard. “If you’ll please move aside. I would like to be done before she gets back.” The guards simply fortified their stances and pointed glares at me. I could here the ones behind me do the same. I sighed. “Don’t say I didn’t play nice.
I jumped backwards and grabbed the guards behind me. One let out a scream while the other simply stood his ground and relaxed his muscles in case I dropped him. I rolled them back into the brush so they would get tangled up. I turned to the next two and smiled. “You still sure you want to do this.”
Sadly, they never got to answer. “ENOUGH!” I turned to face the new voice. To my eternal surprise, Luna herself was looking into my eyes hovering in the air. “Why are you beating up my guards. The mare and stallion over there are only standing because they saw me when I arrived.”
The mare of the pair spoke up. “That’s princess Luna to you.”
I glared her down. She stood back up while trying to stare back. I simply turned back around, with a new passive aggressive streak opened up. I still knew how some civilians spoke. “Anyways big momma, how am I supposed to grab my bug out bag when your A’s are blockin’ the get-go route. I could cheese the fuckers, but you’d be mucho ticked at that.” Luna simply sat there confused. Meanwhile the stallion was holding the mare back from trying to beat me until I was slush at the bottom of my boots.
It took Luna a while to translate that, and she still looked at me like I had just spoke gibberish, but she responded. “Guards, leave me alone with Mr.Marx. I believe if you continue to be here he will continue to be... difficult.” The guards left with only angry glance for me to remember them by. Luna put a hoof to the crest of her snout, and took a deep breath before talking again. “I really don’t have time to deal with you being angry at my guards, please just, get your stuff and get ready to go to Canterlot. Me and my sister needed to talk to you.”
I looked at her. I gladly will princess, but first I have an errand I must run. I might have to show up a few days later.”
Luna looked at me. “Very well, we have waited a few months, we can buy you a few days in the royalty.” With that, she left, leaving me with the scent of night and a few thoughts in my head.
Unfortunately, a certain being decided I shouldn’t be alone in my thoughts. “Well hello, my little human. How’s your day going.”
I grumbled. “Discord, what could you possibly want?”
Another laugh grated my nerves and threatened my sanity. “Oh, then I guess I’ll inform you. You see, hydra’s are actually pretty nice creatures. The problem is normally the fact they’re highly territorial, and the ponies put their village a bit too close to its hibernation spot. The Hydra slowly destroyed building, and ponies that refused to leave. The wonderbolts were called in, and tried to fight the thing. Frankly I’m surprised only two died. I thought it would be like watching a guardsman popping zerglings of at range. I got an image of a patchwork monster holding a lasrifle. Anyways, just something to think about.”
With that I had my bag of unknown goodies I started to walk back to my house. As soon as I was at the farm gates I saw an orange dot on the horizon. It soon went up and started to dive bomb at me. I put down the bag and readied myself. When Scootaloo reached me, I was ready. I grabbed my helmet and threw it in the air. I grabbed Scoots next, and used her momentum to propel me back. The helmet slipped onto my head and fizzled into place. “Well young one, you certainly do know how to make an entrance, don’t you?”
Scoots simply ruffled her mane and smiled. “Well, Rainbow taught me some things while you were asleep, so I guess I picked up some stuff.”
I patted her on the head. “I need to think on some things young one. Want to go to Sugarcube Corner for some lunch?”
Scoots jumped up in joy. “Hay yeah! Last one there has to pay.”
Scootaloo jumped into the air and whizzed off in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. I used the time to slow my pace and think over some things. The hydra that killed her parents was a territorial creature who was threatened. It was attacked and moved without any reasoning on either sides part. It would be wrong for me to hunt down an animal because it defended what was it’s own. I used this to justify my new mindset. I would try to start a new ,ovement in Equestria. A true crisis aversion team.
I reached the restaurant where I had promised to meet Scoots. I walked in to the sight of Scootaloo gorging herself. I would have asked about it, but supernatural force of evil approached me. “Hiya, Marxie. Foods on the house today since you just woke up. Sorry to leave so soon, but I gotta run and warn Twilight about an impending alligator gnawing on her book. Bye!” With that I was left in an empty store, with Scootaloo.
“It was cool I guess. Twilight got some letter from the princess and said I could stay with you while you slept. Oh yeah, and I learned how to build a parachute, it should make flying a lot safer. I learned about it in one of your books.”
I smiled at that. Then remembered some word choice she had a while back. “By the way Scoots. If I wanna keep you around, do I need to formally adopt you? I don’t want any trouble later on because of it.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened “You mean you actually wanna be my daddy? Celestia said that nopony needed to worry about paperwork unless you didn’t want me.”
I smiled and patted her on the head. “Of course I want to keep you. You saved my life.” We sat there for a while, simply basking in each others company.
We sat there for almost an hour, snacking and chatting. We had to leave once Pinkie got back. The threat of a party if I stayed was rather severe. I stopped by Carousel Boutique for a moment. When I mentioned that I needed an outfit to see the princess’s Rarity freaked out. After a few moments of calming her down I got some measurements done. I was surprised to see the suit done in time for me to go to Canterlot right now. I headed back home and changed into it.
“But dad, I wanna go too.” Scootaloo whined while I changed clothes.
I grinned and shook my head. “I’m walking there, and you’ll have to fly beside me all the way there. You cool with that?” Scootaloo nodded enthusiastically as I walked out of my room. I walked out of the door. “Alright Scoots, try to keep up.” With that I set off at a brisk jog, or a heavy sprint by Scoots’s effort. I chuckled and scooped her into my arms.
It took me about half a day to get to Canterlot, which means at about nine or ten o'clock at night. I walked up to the castle and knocked on the gates. I was greeted by two very familiar lunar guards ponies. They were not as happy to see me. “What are you doing here beast, had you not been appeased with your ill-gotten gains?”
The bag had been filled with weaponry, all of which was now locked in my house. I raised an eyebrow at the guard in question. It was the stallion who held back the mare, obviously a slow learner. I knocked down the gate. “I was appeased by the returning of property that would be highly dangerous to all of your species.” I got within an inch of his face. “But your princess of the Night summoned me here. I understand you are angry, and I understand you want to avenge your earlier antics to me, but I will not stand for you being mindlessly rude to e because of a petty grudge.”
I let that sink in a moment before walking on. I was mostly glad Scootaloo had been asleep through the whole ordeal. I walked into the throne room, and awaited my audience. It was not a long wait. Celestia appeared first, a smirk gracing her visage. “Do you make it a habit to insult every guard trying to do his job?”
I let back a smile of my own. “Of course not, I just find myself angry when they treat me like a creature of evil.” My smile never left, and Celestia sighed. It seems I had that effect on immortals.
A shadow shifted, allowing Luna to come into the room. “well Marx, you’ve made a historical moment. You are the first to ever receive an official apology from the lunar guards ponies. They must have really done something to tick you off. Before getting sidetracked though, it’s time for business.”
My smile grew. “Business you say? I would be honored to hear it.”
Luna’s expression softened as Scootaloo shifted on my shoulder, keeping herself warm. “As we were saying Marx. Immortal beings are rare in Equestria, and they tend to become rulers, or imprisoned.” She cast a meaningful glance at the statue garden. “Our proposition is simple. You became a co-ruler of Equestria, and rule over the peace. You will do as you please, and we will not judge, but you mustn't ever hurt or kill. Only rule.”
I smiled. “I will gladly agree if you accept my terms. Nobody will learn of my status, except those who I reveal it to. That, and I get to recruit some guards from your ranks to start a private crisis aversion force. Does that sound fair?”
Luna smiled, and looked to her sister. “Sister, I believe you were right. We have a new guardian, and he will most certainly keep everything in order.”
Author's Note
Well, this is it. End of the story. I hope everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The Blood Ravens Last Flight
The train was quiet. Big mac had opted to sleep while I looked out the window. I was left to think about my current scenario. I was lost in a xeno infested world. At best these xenos were friendly and simply wanted me to be happy and peaceful. At worst they were simply getting me to drop my guard. I looked around the train car. All the ponies were asleep. Scootaloo had once again done so in my helmet. All thoughts of them trying to kill me were banished at that sight. I looked out the window, we still had another brief hour before we were in Ponyville.
The train halted, the shuffling rousing Big Mac from his sleep. I looked at him with a wave and and a motion towards Applebloom. He picked her up while I retrieved Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. I put my helmet on my waist with scootaloo still in it, and put Sweetie Belle on my shoulder plate. Both of us slowly proceeded through a darkened Ponyville. I was struck with a thought while we walked towards the Carousel Boutique. “Big Mac, where should we drop off Scootaloo?” Big mac’s eyes wandered to my helmet.
He thought for a moment before responding. “Well, ah don’t rightly know. Normally ah get done in the fields after all the young uns’ get back. So I barely see em ‘less they come see me.” I was mildly disturbed by this. Did anyone know where this child’s parents were? I quickly decided she would have to bunk with me in my ship. Then the second thought hit me. I was supposed to meet Twilight to build a house today. I delivered Sweetie Belle and made my way to the Library.
I knocked on the door and was met with a yawning Twilight. “Marx what are you doing here? You have to know how late it is by now.” There were few things in the galaxy that scared me. An annoyed psyker was one of them.
I started talking as soon as I thought prudent. “Sorry Twilight, I remembered the thing about the house when we got back and decided to apologise for forgetting. So I’m sorry.” Twilight stared at me. For a moment I thought I was going to die.
Twilight grinned. I swear it touched her eyes, it was so big. “Marx, I forgot too!” THis statement was accompanied by both of us laughing a bit. Also by a very scared looking pony galloping away after hearing me laugh. “We’ll deal with it tomorrow, sound good?”
“Yes, that sounds excellent.” I suddenly remembered my orange friend in my helmet. “Before I go Twilight, do you know where Scootaloo lives?” Twilight’s eyes grew. Her stance went from normal to slightly strained. I appeared to have hit a touchy subject.
“I’m sorry Marx, but nopony know’s where Scootaloo lives. She says she lives by herself but never says where that is. She can’t even fly. It’s sad really.” I looked down at my orange-filled helmet. If she had nowhere to ggo by the holy throne of Terra she would stay with you until she did.
“Thank you Twilight, I’ll accommodate her for the night.” Twilight seemed relieved at that before switching into an all out panic mode.
“Oh, that means you definitely need a house. I bet if I can get Dash to relay the mesage we can have Mech here by morning. If we get AJ’s help we can have you a house by the end of th-”
I started to get agitated at her rant. “TWILIGHT” I feel I shouldn’t have used my speakers since it roused Scootaloo, I don’t regret scaring Twilight out of her rant. “I’ll use my ship tonight. It’s rather comfy for a utilitarian device.” Twilight moved her hooves about uncomfortably.
“Alright then Marx. I’ll get my friend over here about noon-ish tomorrow all right? Don't be late you “xeno”.” I laughed at her calling me a xeno. Her dictionary must have the definition. I waved goodbye before heading back to my ship.
“Mr.Marx, where are we going?” I froze and looked down at where a small orange head was emerging from my helmet. “I don’t live around here. I normally sleep behind the school.” I looked at Scootaloo’s face. Her eyes were drooped over and her body was limp in my helmet. I figured she was mostly asleep.
“We’re going to my ship, unless you tell me where your house is?”
“Don’t got a house Mr.Marx. Not since *yawn* my parents died.” I patted Scootaloo on the head absent-mindedly. I kept walking as Scootaloo fell back asleep in my helmet. So there was death on this planet. And if something had killed this foals parents, they now had the spirit of righteous vengeance chasing them.
I returned to my ship to find a small box there. Opening it I received two things, the first, a note, I put aside for later. The second was a bushel of apples. I grabbed the box and hauled it into my ship. I was then met with a new problem. How to get us both a place to sleep. I didn’t need it, but I felt it would be good, and I wasn’t letting Scootaloo sleep in my helmet. I remedied that I would bunk on the floor and relinquish my Astartes-sized bed for a small pony. I spilled Scootaloo onto the bed and covered her up, and walked into the workroom. It was filled with proof of my artistic side. It had drawings and half-written books strewn about it like an animal den. I cleared out a large area and went to sleep. I would worry about the house and what to do with thee small, tired orphan in my bed in the morning.
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Outpost seven-zero respond with findings.
This is outpost seven-zero findings follow. A large Chaos cruiser was being followed by Blood Raven chapter Champion Crucius Marx. Upon finding his ship hooked to theirs the Chaos forces unhooked him causing him to land in a previously unexplored area. We have his approximate destination.
Outpost seven-zero please transmit location and approximate time of arrival from our position.
Transmitting location. There was a scout sent earlier, he should reach Lord Marx in a matter of weeks, However, from your current location it would take you approximately a month to arrive at his exit point.
Outpost seven-zero ready ships. The Blood Ravens are on their way. They say we won’t stop them from getting their champion back.
Ships already prepared, approximate time of Blood Raven arrival?
Two hours, they left once you transmitted his location. Emperor protect whoever tries to get between them and lord Marx.
Outpost seven-zero returns the statement. We will have a private escort here to go with them, the inquisition wants to talk to Marx about the Chaos cruiser.
I can’t say the Blood Ravens will agree, but go ahead I can’t stop you.
Outpost seven-zero signing off.
This is Omnis Arcanum signing off.
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*Authors notes*
Hey everybody, I won't do this much, but I got shit to say. First of all, Thanks to each and everyone of you for giving me advice on how to write. I can't get better without some help. Two if you want to be doubly awesome, I proofed the previous chapters so if you want tell me what I did wrong there then Fire at will. Finally, You're all beautiful and I want each of you to bee as high-speed as possible in your chosen life. have a nice day.