Horror and Harmony: The Ultramarine's Oath

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Initium Finis
Chapter 2 - Tranquillitas Ante Tempestate
Chapter 3 - The Hunt Begins
Chapter 4 - Ego Meditatio
Chapter 5 - Consequences
Chapter 6 - The Anomaly

Chapter 1 - Initium Finis

The air was thick with the acrid scent of promethium and blood. The battlefield roared with the chaos of war as the Ultramarines clashed with the vile Orks. Bolter fire thundered through the air, echoing off the twisted metal ruins of a once-thriving city. Explosions shook the ground, and the guttural cries of Ork war cries mingled with the disciplined shouts of the Astartes.

“Git ‘em, boyz! Show these humies wot’s fer!” roared an Ork Nob, swinging his crude choppa in a wide arc, carving a path through the rubble.

“Stay firm, brothers!” shouted Captain Aurelius, his voice a bastion of calm amidst the storm. His power sword cut through an Ork’s torso, blue energy sizzling in the wake of its passage. “We are Ultramarines! We do not falter!”

Nearby, Brother Sergeant Valerian dragged the limp form of Brother Arcturus into the scant cover of a crumbling wall. Bolter shells ricocheted around them, and the Orks’ crude slugga rounds peppered the area with shrapnel and debris.

“Hold on, Arcturus,” Valerian said through gritted teeth, his helmet visor cracked and smeared with grime. “You will not fall here.”

Arcturus coughed, blood flecking his lips. “Leave me... Save yourself...”

“Never,” Valerian spat back, his voice resolute. “We stand as one. We fall as one.”

Captain Aurelius’ voice cut through the cacophony. “Valerian! Forward! We need to press the attack!”

Valerian glanced at his injured brother, then back at the Captain. “Yes, sir!” He clasped Arcturus’ hand one last time before rising, bolter in hand. “For the Emperor!”

“For the Emperor!” echoed the squad, their voices a unified chorus of defiance.

The Ork Boss, Gorgutz Da Smashah, watched the battlefield from atop a pile of wreckage, a massive grin splitting his brutish face. He reveled in the carnage, his bloodlust only stoked by the ferocity of the Astartes’ resistance.

“Oy, look at ‘em go!” he bellowed, his laughter a deep rumble. “Now dis is a fight!”

His second-in-command, a particularly ugly Nob with a bionic eye, looked up at him. “Boss, da boyz is gettin’ pushed back!”

Gorgutz grinned wider. “Good. Call in Stompy Gits. I wanna see dem blue boys dance!”

Back on the frontline, Valerian pushed forward, cutting down Ork after Ork with precision and fury. His armor was stained with the blood of his enemies, each step a testament to his resolve. He raised his power axe high, the weapon crackling with energy. With a roar, he slammed it into the ground, a surge of lightning clearing a path through the Orks, leaving smoldering corpses in its wake.

In the sudden quiet, he found himself face to face with Gorgutz. The Ork Boss towered over him, a massive cleaver resting on his shoulder. His red eyes gleamed with malice and delight.

“Well, well, well,” Gorgutz chuckled. “Wot ‘ave we ‘ere? A blue boy wot’s got some fight in ‘im!”

Valerian tightened his grip on his axe. “I will end you, xenos filth.”

Gorgutz laughed, the sound like rocks grinding together. “We’ll see ‘bout dat, humie. Come on, then! Let’s see wot yer made of!”

The two charged at each other, Valerian’s axe meeting Gorgutz’s cleaver in a clash of sparks and fury. The battlefield seemed to fall away, leaving only the two warriors locked in mortal combat.

Valerian moved with the grace and precision of his training, each strike measured and deadly. Gorgutz countered with raw power, his blows shattering the ground where they landed. The clash of weapons rang out, a deadly symphony of steel and hate.

“You fight well,” Gorgutz growled, “for a humie.”

“And you die well,” Valerian retorted, slashing at the Ork’s arm, drawing green blood.

Gorgutz roared, swinging his cleaver in a wide arc. Valerian ducked, the blade passing inches above his head. He retaliated with a powerful upward strike, but Gorgutz caught his axe with his gauntleted hand, the metal sparking and screeching.

“Not bad, humie,” Gorgutz grinned, leaning in close. “But not good enough.”

Before Valerian could react, a blinding light enveloped him. He felt a sudden, chilling sensation, as if the very fabric of reality was tearing around him. The sounds of battle faded, replaced by an eerie silence.

The last thing he heard was Gorgutz’s laughter echoing in the void.

The clopping of hooves sounded a stark contrast to the sounds of metal and death. A hooded pony walked through the streets of Appleloosa, surveying their surroundings. They seemed on edge, talking to themselves, always looking back to ensure they weren’t followed. They crossed into an alleyway, the color of their hood blending into the darkness. The pony mumbled something about a summoning, of prophets and of saviors. Making their way down the alley, a door to a small house loomed at its end. Entering, the pony was greeted with patterns of golden glyphs carved into the walls, a strange skull with a sword through it and wings, along with a familiar U-shaped glyph. The pony reached up and clenched their necklace. It was the same golden U, given to them during the indoctrination of their cultist group. They brought the glyph up to their face with a wary look, the hood blocking half of their face, allowing only a deep scowl to be seen on their muzzle.

Walking forward, they were met by a set of stairs leading to what seemed to be a lower level of this eerie house. They proceeded, the scowl never leaving their muzzle as questions of doubt rang through their mind. Would the summoning work? What manner of horror would be summoned? Would it be able to carry out their plan? They paused just before the end of the stairway, lost in a final thought that rattled their conviction to the core. Were they making a huge mistake?

A deep voice brought them back to reality. Another five hooded ponies quietly stared at them, as one of the five approached the pony on the stairs. They stood there, unflinching for but a moment before the pony who approached moved back his hood, revealing an elderly changeling. The pony on the stairs did the same, revealing a younger changeling, stone-faced and stiff with uncertainty.

“Pharynx,” the elder changeling greeted.

“Elder Vrax,” the younger changeling replied, bowing his head.

“Are the ritual’s preparations complete?” Pharynx asked, his voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.

Vrax nodded, stepping aside to reveal a magic circle drawn on the floor. “We have converted enough emotions into magic. I am certain the ritual will be successful.”

Pharynx shuddered slightly, trying to hide it, but Vrax simply smiled and rested a hoof on the young one’s shoulder. “Do not worry. Have faith in our beliefs. The creature we summon will surely grant us the means to get revenge on Celestia and Luna for what they have done to our leader, Queen Chrysalis. Equestria will be brought to its knees. Of that, I am certain.”

The changelings took their places around the magic circle, their horns enveloped in the sickly green aura of their magic, making the drawing on the floor begin to glow. As more and more magic poured into the circle, some of the changelings lost their footing slightly and stumbled under the strain. Looking around, Pharynx’s doubts began to fester once more. He saw four of the changelings around the circle gritting their teeth in an effort to stave off the pain and pressure. He was not too far off these changelings, pain gripping his horn and his legs beginning to feel like jelly. Were they about to fail, he questioned.

Looking over to Vrax, his doubts were soon washed away as the elder stood stoically, in the same pain, but braving it for the sake of their goal, his conviction showing on his face. This seemed to be what Pharynx needed to anchor him, as he focused on pouring more magic into the circle. Soon all six changelings were standing tall, the circle glowing brighter and brighter. The ritual was almost complete. Whatever happened next. Whatever creature they summoned. Whatever the future held was about to be decided. This was it.

One final time the circle glowed a blinding light, forcing the six to turn their eyes away lest they become blind. When they looked back, there in the center of the circle knelt a massive brute, clad in thick blue and gold armor. Even kneeling, he was scores larger than them, but it was not just his size that stood out. There on his shoulder was the U glyph of their cult. Pharynx smiled. Surely that’s a good sign. He is already under their control, he naively thought.

The brute began to move, slowly standing to his full height, nearly bumping his head on the ceiling. Pharynx’s mouth gaped at not just the height but the width of the brute. Such an imposing figure. It took all of his strength and faith not to turn tail and run immediately. However, while his legs refused to move, his eyes were glued onto the brute’s chest plate. A larger version of the strange skull and wings, majestic and emitting strength, almost captured all his attention. Almost. He would surely have kept staring at it if not for the piercing red eyes of the brute peering back at him, making his knees begin to buckle. Pharynx attempted to move back but instead fell on his rump, his jaw still agape in awe and fear.

Vrax moved in front of Pharynx and began to speak. “Greetings, mighty warrior. I am Elder Vrax of the Changeling Cult. You are the key to our grand plan to destroy Equestria. A five days’ journey to the north is a city known as Canterlot. Within it resides the diarchy of Equestria, who have near butchered our kind and imprisoned our queen for an eternity. We wish for their heads, and by the will of our queen, we will have it. You will follow my every word and become my tool of destruction.”

The brute stood there, still as a statue for only a few moments, somehow feeling like an eternity. Nopony said a word, but they could all feel it. The air in the room had become heavier. It was becoming harder to breathe. Pharynx looked around, seeing his fellow cultists shiver and buckle to the ground. Whatever fear and doubt he had was now amplified one thousandfold. What was happening? The summoning was a success, wasn’t it? This creature was under their control, wasn’t it?

His questions were promptly answered when his gaze returned to the brute, still standing tall and still, but this time, behind the red eyes of his helmet, there was an undeniable, unprecedented level of rage and disgust. Pharynx quickly looked to Vrax for guidance, but all he found was fear and terror plastered on the elder’s face. If it wasn’t certain before, it was 100% certain now that they had indeed made a HUGE mistake.

Finally, the brute spoke, clear and solid, his rage barely hidden behind his tone. The changelings could do nothing but listen as he spoke. None dared to protest, as they already knew, rebellion against this creature meant certain death. Peering down at Vrax, the brute’s steady, yet rage-filled voice pierced their ears.

“Hear me, vile xenos scum. You who have torn me from my brothers on the battlefield and my solemn duty to the Imperium of Man, DARES to order ME?!” Raising his axe, the brute cleaved Vrax in half with little effort, then continued his speech. “I, Brother Sergeant Valerian, Astartes of Ultramar, son of the great Primarch Roboute Guilliman, hereby swear that for this heinous crime, along with the crime of EXISTING, vile xenos that you are, you will DIE by my hand and your world shall be PURGED!!”

With a swipe of his axe, Valerian cut through the next four changelings, one of them falling to the ground, only to be crushed under his cold metallic boot. Pharynx couldn’t believe what was happening in front of him. The elder and his brothers were dead. It happened so quickly he was still frozen in fear, dazed by the horrors he witnessed. He was only awoken from his daze by the painful feeling of Valerian’s huge hand clasping around his head, raising him up to meet the brute’s eye. The pain was unbearable as the brute’s grip grew tighter and tighter. Through the pain, he could hear Valerian speak his final words, the brute looking deep into his eyes.

“By the Emperor’s will, filth, I WILL cleanse this world of ALL xenos scum, till I draw my last breath. This. I. Swear.”

The pain became unbearable as Valerian’s grip tightened even more, Pharynx’s consciousness fading into nothingness. His final thoughts were not of his family or regrets, no, it was of a simple question that held profound regret and terror.

In his final moment, Pharynx thought, “What have we done….”

Author's Note

Well there you have it. The first chapter of my wild, impulsive imagination.

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter and perhaps stick around to see where it goes.

May the Emperor's blessing be upon you all :scootangel:

Chapter 2 - Tranquillitas Ante Tempestate

The sun blazed down on the dusty streets of Appleloosa as the bustling town went about its daily business. Ponies moved to and fro, engaging in their routines. Among them, one figure stood out. A unicorn with a golden-brown coat and a light green mane walked through the streets with a confident stride, exuding an air of pride that seemed almost tangible.

“Is that...?” a rugged stallion murmured to his younger companion, eyes wide with recognition.

“You bet it is!” the younger stallion replied, awe evident in his voice. “That’s Quickdraw, the new fastest shot in town. They say he beat Sharp Shot in a duel a few days ago. Mares love him, stallions hate him, and the sheriff? Celestia knows the sheriff wants to kill him. He’s been causing a ruckus all week. It’s like the power’s gone to his head.”

Quickdraw’s ears twitched at the conversation. He stopped in his tracks and turned towards the younger stallion, the crowd parting like the Red Sea, anticipation and fear evident in their eyes. He approached the younger stallion, his horn sparking menacingly.

“You say the power’s gotten to my head, colt?” Quickdraw growled, sizing up the young stallion.

“I uhh... I didn’t mean nothin’ by it, mister, h-honest!” the younger stallion stammered, backing down quickly.

“You better know yer place,” Quickdraw sneered. “Why’d a scrub like you even think he has the right ta talk about ME? Look at ya, cowerin’ behind yer buddy like a weakling. Why I outta—”

“Quickdraw!” A loud, authoritative voice interrupted, cutting through the tension like a knife. The sheriff had arrived, a look of pure determination on his face.

“I’ve had just about enough of you terrorizing my ponies,” the sheriff declared, stepping forward. “You’ve waltzed in here like you own the place, acting like you deserve everything just because you beat Sharp Shot. Lemme let you in on some new information, you lousy waste of air: Sharp Shot never took over this town ’cause he could never beat ME. You think you’re the fastest shot here? Come prove it. Right here, right now.”

“I thought you’d never ask, you old buck,” Quickdraw retorted, a cocky smile plastered on his face.

The crowd wordlessly reformed, clearing the street for the duel. Ponies took their places on porches and rooftops to get a better view. The sheriff and Quickdraw stood at either end of the street, eyes locked onto each other, scanning for any opening. They focused magic into their horns, preparing their shots.

Quickdraw closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Th-Thump, the first beat of his heart echoed. “You got this,” he thought. Th-Thump. Another echo. “Win this and the town is mine!” Th-ThuMP. “What? Why is my heart beating that hard?” Th-ThUMP. “What?? I’m not nervous, am I? No way!” TH-THUMP. He paused, feeling the ground vibrate beneath his hooves. “Wait... That’s not my heart...”

Opening his eyes, he surveyed his surroundings. Nothing unusual. “What the hay was tha—” TH-THUMP! He turned his head to the source of the tremor and saw the sheriff slowly backing away from an alleyway. Emerging from the shadows was a towering figure clad in blue and gold metal.

“What in Tartarus?? Is that... A Minotaur?” Quickdraw questioned, noticing the alleged Minotaur turning its head to peer at the crowd around it. It held something that looked like a miniature cannon, but surely that was pushing it. That’s gotta be fake.

“Now listen here, stranger, this here’s a duel! I don’t know who you are and frankly, I don’t care! You better clear outta here if you know what’s good for you!” the sheriff’s raspy voice echoed loudly.

“Look at this stuck-up moron!” Quickdraw thought. “Always acting like he’s the law. What he is, is a stallion with a giant stick up his keister—”

BANG!

The sound of a loud explosion pierced the air, causing Quickdraw to flinch and cover his ears. His head pounded, and his ears rang from the deafening noise. His eyes flew open at a wet feeling on his hoof. Blood. His ears were bleeding. Looking up at the armored creature, his heart sank. Where the sheriff had stood moments ago was now a mangled corpse, scattered across the ground. The sheriff’s legs had been blown off, scattered several feet away from what appeared to be his barrel, his lifeless head resting at the creature’s feet. Slowly Quickdraw’s eyes made its way up its towering body, only to notice that the creature was now staring daggers into his soul. That however, was the least bone chilling thing he noticed. The creature’s cannon was smoking, and it was now pointed straight at him.

His breath hitched and he immediately turned to run. “Oh Buck... Oh BUCK!!” he screamed out as his legs scampered in an attempt to flee. “PLEASE!! I DON’T WANNA DIE—”

BANG! BANG!

The crowd stood, silent as a mouse for but a moment, dazed as if what just transpired before them was but a mere illusion. Oh but it was no illusion. “RUN!!!!” a young mare screamed out at the top of her lungs causing the crowed to scatter in every direction, attempting to flee for their lives.

Valerian’s patience had reached its limit. Enough testing. Let the purge begin! He squeezed the trigger, raining bolter fire through the crowd, cutting down scores of ponies in mere seconds. The bolts cared not for the buildings it hit, detonating the explosive payload of the APHE round, causing one after the other to collapse killing everypony inside.

“Look at these feeble creatures, not even making an attempt to defend themselves,” Valerian muttered, his scowl deepening. “This sickens me. Even if this is a completely new place, the Xenos of the warp defended themselves with everything they had.” He continued his ruthless onslaught, the crowd scattering like ants. He thought back to the battle before his summoning. He was fighting valiantly with his battle brothers. Victory was surely at hand! The Emperor’s blessing was surely with them in that battle!

“And yet...” He hissed. “And yet these THINGS who dared to take me from my brothers, REFUSE to even give me the honor of battle. PITIFUL! YOU HAVE SUMMONED ME HERE!!! WHO HERE HAS THE BALLS TO BATTLE ME!!” he bellowed into the crowd in a rage, only noticing the clicking of his bolter rifle after he was done shouting.

“Hmm...” he calmed himself, checking his remaining ammunition. Five magazines left. If he was to proceed with the purge, he needed to be smart about his usage. Valerian’s brow furrowed, and he grit his teeth in anger. They were not even worth the bullets. Surely, some of these creatures were warriors.

Just then, a bolt of magic hit the back of his helmet, causing him to shift forward slightly. Turning around, he saw four ponies clad in golden armor, wielding spears. Some had horns, some had wings. Truthfully he had not bothered to really look at the pitiful beings til now, but the fact that they could use magic, solidified him in his need to purge this world.

“Surely this is the foul work of the warp. If it is so, the Codex Astartes is clear: You cannot touch the warp and emerge unscathed,” he spoke to himself, holstering his bolter, and readying himself for battle.

The four guards spread out, trying to encircle Valerian. One of the unicorn guards, a mare with a fierce determination in her eyes, stepped forward. “Stand down, creature! We will not let you harm any more of our citizens!” she shouted, her horn glowing with magical energy.

Valerian snorted, a derisive smirk hidden beneath his helmet. “You think you can stop me? You are but insects beneath my boot.”

The pegasus guard to her left flared his wings and charged, spear aimed at Valerian’s chest. With a swift motion, Valerian sidestepped and swung his power axe in a wide arc. The blade cleaved through the pegasus’s body, splitting him in half. Blood and viscera splattering onto his helmet as the lifeless halves of the pegasus fell, twitching, to the ground.

The other guards hesitated, clearly shaken by the brutal demise of their comrade. “Is that all you’ve got?” Valerian taunted, his voice dripping with contempt.

The unicorn mare gritted her teeth and fired a powerful bolt of magic at Valerian. He raised his arm, deflecting the bolt with his armored gauntlet. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Valerian remained unmoved.

“You are outmatched,” he stated coldly, advancing towards the remaining guards.

The earth pony guard to his right charged, attempting to tackle Valerian. With a swift motion, he brought his massive leg back then rocketed it forward in the earth pony’s direction making contact with his core, sending him flying across the ground. The earth pony’s bones crunched and cracked while bouncing and twisting as he flew, eventually coming to a skating stop. His body contorted beyond belief.

The unicorn mare and the remaining pegasus exchanged mortified glances. “We can’t let him win,” the mare said, determination hardening her voice.

The pegasus nodded, his wings flaring as he prepared to launch another attack. Together, they charged at Valerian, their magic and physical prowess combining in a desperate attempt to subdue the Astartes.

Valerian’s movements were a blur as he countered their attacks with precise, brutal strikes. He ducked under the pegasus’s lunge, delivering a powerful uppercut with his axe cutting the guard’s lower body clean off, sending them plummeting to the ground. Guttural screams of agony rang out; music to Valerian’s ears, until their final desperate chirp.

The unicorn mare’s magical blasts were deflected effortlessly, and with a swift motion, Valerian grabbed her by the horn, lifting her off the ground.

“You are brave, but bravery without strength is meaningless,” Valerian said, his voice a cold whisper. Moving his hand from her horn to her neck, he squeezed. “Another of you weak creatures said that five days north of here is a place called Can-Ter-Lot. Is this true?” He bluntly asked, as if the pony he had in his grasp wasn’t deprived of air.

He released his grip slightly. “Speak, Xenos!”

She didn’t say a word. Instead, her horn flared to life as if to make one final futile attempt to take him down.

Valerian chuckled “Foolish, warp touched filth. We have already established that your attacks are ineffective. Stop wasting my time.”

She took a deep breath and finally she spoke. “You cruel, disgusting bastard! By the sun and the moon, you will pay for the atrocities you’ve committed! Forget stone imprisonment!! Equestria will have your head!!!!” She grit her teeth, her magic flaring into a bright, blinding light causing Valerian to look away for but a moment, however a moment was all she needed.

Valerian felt his grip grow loose, as if holding onto air. He turned back to his target only to see that she was not there. “Well….How unexpected. But a creature of the warp is anything but predictable.” He hissed at his defeat.

Valerian stood tall, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the town. He surveyed the scene, the mangled bodies of countless ponies laying before him. Searching in vain for any signs of life, he reached up and took off his helmet, breathing in the stench of blood and death. “I suppose I can let one go for now. After all….” He snickered turning to face the north, with a wicked smile. “I know where she’s going.”

Author's Note

Hello there! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter of this impulsive story of mine. :twilightsmile:

Truth be told, I had a bit of trouble writing this chapter. I couldn't quite figure out how to introduce Valerian into the world and I in the end I decided to just go with the flow. Again i'm quite new to writing, this being my second story ever. I'm not 100% satisfied with how this chapter turned out, but I hope you enjoyed it none the less. :raritywink:

Title Translation: Tranquillitas Ante Tempestate, means, The Calm Before The Storm

In the next chapter we take a look at how Canterlot takes the news of the Ultramarine's Arrival

Chapter 3 - The Hunt Begins

In the grand throne room of Canterlot Castle, sunlight streamed through the tall, ornate stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the marble floors. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat on their thrones, their serene faces reflecting the peace and harmony that had long reigned over Equestria. Beside them stood Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, whose contributions had further strengthened the bonds between the many races of their world.

Celestia’s voice was warm and calming as she addressed Twilight. “It has been a time of great prosperity, Twilight. Thanks to the Elements of Harmony, we have maintained peace not only within Equestria but with our neighboring kingdoms as well.”

Twilight nodded, her eyes sparkling with pride and hope. “Yes, Princess Celestia. The alliances we have formed with the Griffons, the Yaks, and the Dragons have been fruitful. Friendship truly is the most powerful magic.”

Luna, her dark blue mane shimmering like the night sky, added, “And our efforts to keep the Everfree Forest at bay have ensured that no ancient evils arise to threaten our harmony. It seems our realm has never been safer.”

As they continued their discussion, the air in the throne room grew heavy with an unspoken tension, as if some unknown force was drawing near. Suddenly, a bright flash of light filled the room, and a unicorn guard mare appeared, collapsing to the floor in a heap.

“Guard!” Celestia exclaimed, her voice filled with concern. She rushed down from her throne, followed closely by Luna and Twilight. The mare was battered and bleeding, her golden armor dented and scorched. Her breaths came in ragged gasps.

“What happened?” Luna asked, her voice a mixture of authority and compassion. “Speak, brave one.”

The guard mare struggled to lift her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. “Princess... Appleloosa... It was attacked... A creature... Unlike any we have ever seen...”

Twilight knelt beside her, using her magic to stabilize the mare’s injuries as best as she could. “Take your time. Tell us everything.”

The mare’s voice trembled as she recounted the horrifying events. “It... It was a minotaur, clad in blue and gold metal. He wielded a weapon of incredible power, a cannon that could obliterate anything in its path. He... He killed the sheriff... And Quickdraw... And so many others...”

Celestia’s eyes widened with shock and anger. “A minotaur? In such a manner? This cannot be.”

“It was no ordinary minotaur,” the guard continued. “He... He called us ‘Xenos’ and spoke of purging us. He said something about being summoned from a battle and... And his strength... It was like nothing we have ever faced. I... I barely managed to escape with my life.”

Luna’s expression darkened, her eyes flashing with resolve. “This creature is a threat to all of Equestria. We must take immediate action.”

Celestia nodded, her face set with determination. “Twilight, send word to our allies. We must prepare for whatever this new threat may bring. Luna and I will personally investigate this matter.”

Twilight’s horn glowed as she sent out magical messages to the leaders of their allied nations. “Consider it done, Princess. We’ll mobilize the Elements of Harmony as well. We must protect our home.”

As the royal sisters prepared to depart, the guard mare managed to speak one last time. “He... He mentioned Canterlot... He knows we’re here... Please, be careful...”

Celestia placed a gentle hoof on the mare’s shoulder. “Rest now, brave one. You have done well. We will see to it that your sacrifice is not in vain.”

With that, Celestia and Luna took to the skies, their majestic wings carrying them swiftly towards Appleloosa. Twilight stayed behind, organizing the defenses and ensuring that everypony in Canterlot was alerted to the impending danger. The peace that had blanketed Equestria for so long was now threatened by a darkness unlike any they had faced before.

The journey to Appleloosa was swift, but the scene that awaited the royal sisters was one of utter devastation. The once bustling town was now a smoldering ruin, bodies of ponies scattered across the streets, buildings reduced to rubble. The air was thick with the stench of death and smoke.

Celestia and Luna landed in the center of the town, their hearts heavy with grief and anger. “This is... Monstrous,” Celestia whispered, her voice barely audible.

Luna’s eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the creature responsible. “We must find him. He cannot be allowed to continue this rampage.”

After completing the survey of their decimated town, the sisters took flight back to the throne. On the way back, no words were said, as they both knew what needed to be done, the anger and sorrow over the death of their subjects visible in their expressions.

Upon returning to Canterlot, Twilight greeted them, her face a mix of relief and worry. “Princesses, the other nations have been notified, and the Elements of Harmony are ready for deployment.”

For a long moment, silence reigned in the throne room. Twilight looked upon her mentors for guidance, yet they wore expressions that never in her life had she seen before. Before her were not just the princesses she knew, but the generals of the solar and lunar guard, ready to do whatever it took to protect their kingdom.

Celestia’s voice was somber and firm, a tone Twilight had never heard from her before. “Twilight, call off the Elements of Harmony. Ensure they are kept safe. This foe is beyond their reach; there is no good in a creature capable of committing such atrocities.”

“But…”Twilight’s heart sank, but she could do nothing but agree. “Yes, Princess,” she said softly, her voice trembling with the weight of the command.

Celestia then turned to her sister and nodded, a wordless gesture that Luna immediately understood. Beckoning a Lunar guard to her side, the mare of the moon ordered, her voice laced with unspoken hate, “Deploy the Shadows. Track this creature down and bring it to us. This... demon will pay for his crimes against our subjects in BLOOD.”

Elsewhere, in the depths of the Everfree Forest, Valerian’s heavy footsteps echoed through the air. The creatures of the forest were silent, leaving an eerie, foggy stillness. The Ultramarine, however, didn’t even notice. Onward to the north he marched, his goal of purging this world for the sins of its inhabitants never leaving his mind. His thoughts were consumed by burning hatred and a blistering need for vengeance.

Yet, as he moved, he felt the pangs of hunger gnawing at him. Though Astartes did not require much sustenance, his engineered body still needed energy. He continued his march, now also on the lookout for worthy prey.

The animals of the Everfree cowered and hid, their instincts screaming at them to stay out of his sight. Even the ferocious Timberwolves steered clear of the ironclad giant. No creature was stupid or prideful enough to face off against this walking embodiment of death—almost no creature.

Before him, semi-hidden by the thick brush of trees and tall grass, he stumbled upon a cave filled to the brim with gold and gems worthy of the Emperor himself. That, however, was not what caught his attention. The massive, gleaming pile of treasure seemed to come alive with the sounds of deep, heavy breaths. Just then, the colossal head of a red dragon emerged, towering far above the already massive frame of the Ultramarine.

The dragon’s eyes narrowed as it glared down at Valerian. “Leave now, intruder, or be burnt to ash,” it growled, its voice rumbling like an earthquake.

Valerian’s eyes gleamed with a fierce light. “I will do no such thing. You are already marked as my prey. This is where you will die.”

Insulted by the foolish words of his attacker, the dragon laughed, a sound that echoed through the cave like rolling thunder. It reared back its massive neck, preparing to scorch its rude intruder with a blast of searing fire.

Valerian narrowly dodged the torrent of flame, the intense heat singeing the edges of his shoulder plate. Even in his armor, he was no match for such heat. He had seen many of his brothers fall to similar flame-wielding demons before. As he recovered, he prepared for a fight, his power axe enveloped in crackling lightning.

The dragon roared, its massive claws scraping against the cave floor as it lunged at Valerian. The ground shook with each of its steps, sending shards of stone tumbling through the air, as Valerian met the beast’s charge head-on, his axe slicing through the air with deadly precision.

The dragon’s scales were tough, but the power axe was tougher. The blade bit into the dragon’s flesh, sending a spray of blood and scales flying. The dragon roared in pain and fury, its fiery breath scorching the walls of the cave as it thrashed wildly.

Valerian pressed his advantage, striking again and again with relentless fury. Each blow of his axe sent shudders through the dragon’s massive frame, blood pouring from the deep gashes in its flesh. The dragon fought back with all its might, its claws and teeth clanking against Valerian’s armor, but the Ultramarine’s strength and determination were unyielding.

The battle was fierce and brutal, a savage clash of titans. The dragon’s roars echoed through the cave, mingling with the sound of Valerian’s axe and the crackling of his lightning. Blood and gore splattered across the cave floor, the stench of iron filling the air. Valerian’s armor was stained with the dragon’s blood, his visor splattered with flesh and debris, but he pressed on, undeterred.

The dragon lashed out with its tail, a massive sweep that sent Valerian crashing into the cave wall. Rocks and debris rained down upon him, but he rose from the rubble, his eyes burning with a cold, unrelenting rage. He charged at the dragon, his axe raised high, and with a mighty swing, he severed one of the beast’s claws, the limb falling to the ground with a sickening thud.

The dragon howled in agony, its blood pooling around its dismembered limb. It tried to retreat, its massive form trembling with pain and exhaustion, but Valerian was would stay true to his word. He leapt onto the dragon’s back, his axe striking down with savage fury. He hacked through the thick scales, tearing into the beast’s flesh, his strikes fueled by a burning desire for vengeance.

The dragon thrashed wildly, its roars growing weaker with each passing moment. Blood poured from its wounds, its life force draining away. With one final, desperate lunge, the dragon reared back, its jaws snapping at Valerian. But the Ultramarine was faster. He drove his axe deep into the dragon’s skull, the blade sinking in with a sickening crunch.

The dragon’s body convulsed, its eyes rolling back in its head as it let out a final, pitiful whimper. Then, with a shuddering sigh, it collapsed to the ground, its massive form lifeless and still.

Valerian stood atop the dragon’s corpse, his chest heaving with exertion and blood dripped from his axe, pooling around his feet. He surveyed the scene, the once magnificent cave now a scene of carnage and destruction. He had claimed his victory and the battle had only served to deepen his resolve.

Now comes the fun part.

He set about butchering the dragon, his movements precise and methodical, carving through the beast’s flesh, his blade slicing through sinew and bone with ease. Valerian tore chunks of meat from the carcass, all while his stomach continued growling, reminding him of his hunger. Finally, he built a fire in the cave, the flames casting eerie shadows on the blood-stained walls of his once lively battlefield as he roasted a huge chunk of the dragon’s leg over the fire, the meat sizzling and popping as it cooked.

As he took his first bite, Valerian relished the taste and texture. The meat was tough and chewy, yet juicy and flavorful; he had chosen his prey well indeed. He savored each bite, the flavors exploding on his tongue. For the first time since his arrival in this strange world, a small smile graced his face.

His mind wandered to his battle brothers and the times they would spend in the mess hall, enjoying great food and telling tales of battle and bravery against the Xenos and the Heretic alike. “I will do you proud, brothers,” he said softly, taking another big bite of his roast. The memories of his brothers gave him strength, a reminder of his purpose and his mission.

Outside the cave, a storm raged on. Rain pounded against the ground, thunder rumbling in the distance. Lightning flashed, illuminating the dark forest in brief, brilliant bursts. The storm would do little to hinder his progress, even without his armor to protect him, but Valerian decided that it would be a waste to let all this meat spoil and rot. So he sat and ate, continuing to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Unbeknownst to him, in the shadows of the night, numerous eyes watched him from the darkness. “Is that the target?” a gruff, masculine voice said. Their golden, catlike eyes never leaving the feasting Ultramarine.

“He truly is a monster. Look at him, gorging on flesh….Disgusting.” another, more feminine voice spat, disturbed by what she saw.

“Tis not a carnivore’s fault for being a born a carnivore. However…he waltzed into that dragon’s home and slaughtered it without remorse. I’d say we have our work cut out for us, right Captain?” a third, more relaxed masculine voice asked, seemingly exited.

A long silence swept over the shadowy figures, before the fourth and final voice finally spoke. “Any creature that is capable of taking down a dragon solo, should not be underestimated. Remember your training, cover each-other’s flanks, trust your instincts.” A calm, raspy female voice stated as the other three pairs of eyes slowly began disappearing into the darkness.

“Shadows…Let the hunt begin”

As Valerian finished his meal, he leaned back against the cave wall, his thoughts turning to the journey ahead. He would march north, towards Canterlot, to complete his mission. The ponies of this world had summoned him, and he would show them the true meaning of fear. He would purge this land of its sins, one bloody battle at a time.

Chapter 4 - Ego Meditatio

Author's Note

*Servo-Skull Scans Your Face* "Relaying Message"

Greetings and Salutations readers! I sincerely apologies for going so long without adding a new chapter. This story was originally an impulse for my extremely bored past self, but that is no excuse.

The reasoning behind my lack of updates is because I had to focus on university. I recently completed my final year in Greenwich and achieved my Bachelor's Degree with First Class Honors. IT FELT GREAT....For all of 2 hours. The process of achieving this was extremely stressful and took up all of my time in my attempt to achieve the highest grade I could. Thankfully I did, but now comes JOB HUNTING :fluttershbad:

From this point on I will try my best to add chapters more frequently IF this story does well. To be honest I kinda forgot about it for a while, but I hope you all still wish for me to continue Valerian's misadventures in Equestria.

In the next chapter, we take a look at our old enemies, the changeling cult!

May the Emperor's blessing be upon you all! :scootangel:

Chapter 4 - Ego Meditatio

Thunder and lightening filled the night sky as the rain continued to batter the lands below. All was going as planned, as the Shadows moved into position, just outside of the cave’s entrance. Captain Silent Edge and her crew had been stalking this monster for quite some time, observing it’s mannerisms, it’s reflexes and it’s weaponry. The creature boasted an arsenal unlike any she’d ever seen and armor that despite it’s terrifying owner, was most impressive and majestic. If they were to take this creature down, they would need to do this right the first time. Celestia knows, it won’t give them the luxury of a second.

Glancing into the cave, she spotted the supposed ‘minitour’, resting alongside it’s kill, seemingly still oblivious of her squad’s presence. Good. They’ll need the element of surprise for this to work.

Looking back at her squad, Silent Edge spoke quietly “Ready yourselves everypony. The crowns want it alive so they can figure out it’s motive. Needless to say that makes things a lot harder. Stick to the plan and don’t do anything stupid.....I’m looking at you Nightshade.”

“Oh come on, It was one time! Ugh...I can hear Veil’s smirk from here” Nightshade Bolt muttered, rolling her glowing eyes.

“Hey, I didn’t say anything. It was your genius plan to go AWOL and almost get yourself killed while scouting a changeling hive. Nopony told you to try and assassinate their general. It was a recon mission and you know it. Isn’t that right Iron?” Mystic Veil retorted, his smirk growing larger by the second.

“Yes, Exemplar.” Iron Hide, firmly answered.

If Nightshade’s eyes rolled any harder, they may have fallen out of her head. “It worked didn’t it? Sure they almost got me, but I definitely got their bucking general. Nightshade one, Changelings Zero.”

“Cut the chatter. Veil, Iron, stay at the entrance and be ready. Nightshade you’re with me. As soon as we get it in position, the real fight begins. Watch yourselves, this thing won’t go down quietly.” Silent ordered, before turning her gaze back to the cave.

Luna guide us...Here goes nothing.

Valerian sat in his thoughts, as one memory after the other flashed in his mind. The memories of the dragon felt like a wave of information, making it clear to him that his prey had lived for quite some time. They made him aware of a great many things, not just about the creature itself but the world it inhabited. Of those things there were a few that stood out most.

One, He is currently in the land of Equestria, more specifically, a place the locals called the ‘Everfree Forest’.

Two, Equestria is largely occupied by the creatures that summoned him here, although that part is a bit skewed as the dragon saw most other beings as too insignificant to remember. A sentiment that he mirrored at this current moment, but nonetheless he needed a proper plan.

Three, these equines were mostly peaceful, which contrasted greatly to what he had heard when he was first summoned. They had intended to use him as a weapon against this country’s leadership. Not only was it a foolish and naive decision to assume they could control him, but it didn’t add up to what he had now learned. Come to think of it, those that summoned him looked quite different to the rest in the settlement he destroyed. More bug like. Perhaps they are similar to the Tyranids of his realm.

Four, there is a large number of psykers within this nation’s populous, which is a concerning fact. Most concerning of all is that the very Leaders my summoners intended me kill are some of the most powerful psykers of this world. The dragon remembered that quite clearly. This planet is heavily touched by the warp and further justifies that it needs to be purged...or at least that’s what he would of thought a moment ago.

Looking over to the corpse of the slain dragon, he reflected on his prior behavior. Rage. Pure, uncontrolled rage. It was unbecoming of an Ultramarine. Justified, but unbecoming all the same. He did not regret his actions in the slightest, however it was clear to him that a change needed to made. His primary objective should be to return to his battle brothers, no matter the cost.

Breathing a sigh of frustration, Valerian reached over and took his helmet, placing it upon his head once more, glancing toward the opening of the cave.

“Emperor guide me, for the Inquisition would have me burned for what I am about to do.” Holstering his bolter and power axe he rose to his full height. A change was about to be made. By the throne, he hoped it will the right one.

Silent Edge and Nightshade rush into the cave, hoping to catch the armored monster’s attention, only to realize the red eyes of its helmet fixated on them. “When did it notice us? Did it already know we were here?” she whispered in confusion as she and her companion ran to opposite sides of the entrance. Any questions were quickly snuffed out as the Ultramarine sprinted toward her with shocking speed. Much faster than she though such a large creature could move. Her horn lit as she focused her magic. If she didn’t get this right, this would be the end for her....or so she thought. It was extremely subtle, but her armored assailant hesitated slightly, slowing down just enough for her to teleport in front of the entrance. That was more than odd. She just witnessed this creature massacre and consume a dragon. Why was it hesitating? Something’s off, she thought.

Her questions were halted once more as the feeling of Nightshade’s body colliding with her own, knocking her back and sending shockwaves of pain down her spine, right before a thunderous boom shook the ground they landed on. Gathering her bearings, her eyes settled to where she once was, the armored creature’s fist buried in a small crater that, she should have been buried under. SHOULD. Once again it hesitated to go for the kill. This was getting confusing.

Raising his fist from the ground, the Ultramarine began taking slow, heavy steps towards them.

Silent Edge staggered to her hooves, adrenaline dulling the ache in her back. Her mind raced with questions as she watched the Ultramarine approach, every step measured, calculating. She could sense that whatever this creature was, it had no intention of making this easy for them.

“Nightshade, are you alright?” she asked, barely glancing away from the towering figure before them.

Nightshade coughed and rolled her shoulder, a defiant gleam in her eye despite the close call. “Just a scratch, Captain. Let’s teach this thing not to mess with the Shadows.”

Silent Edge glanced at her companion, steeling herself. “Then stay sharp. If we’re going to bring it down, we’ll need every bit of skill—and luck—we have.”

The Ultramarine stood silently, his armored form towering over the two mares. His red gaze pierced the darkness like a burning brand, every inch of him exuding lethal purpose. “I commend your bravery, equines, but your efforts are misdirected. Withdraw before I am forced to act.”

“Funny, monster,” Nightshade retorted, wings flaring as her sharp, slitted eyes gleamed with a fierce challenge. “We were going to say the same to you.”

In a blur of motion, Nightshade took to the air, vanishing from sight in a shimmer of shadow, her form melding with the darkness. Silent Edge didn’t hesitate, her horn sparking with deep purple magic as she released a disorienting blast in the Ultramarine’s direction, filling the cave with blinding light. They needed to confuse him, throw him off balance if they had any chance of subduing him.

Valerian’s helmet filters compensated instantly for the flash, his vision clearing just in time to track Nightshade’s approach as she descended from above with wings tucked, her forehooves striking at the joints of his pauldron. His reflexes took over, his gauntlet rising with precision to intercept her strike mid-air. The impact sent a shockwave through her body, but Nightshade twisted, using the momentum to kick off his armor, sending herself spiraling back into the air.

Silent Edge launched another spell, this time focusing on his legs, wrapping thick coils of enchanted energy around his joints, pulling hard in an attempt to destabilize him.

For a moment, Valerian felt the pressure tighten around his knees, forcing him down slightly. Impressive, he thought. But nowhere near enough.

With a low growl, he flexed his leg muscles, the enchanted binds snapping in a burst of violet sparks. His gaze shifted to Silent Edge, who took a step back, her ears folding in brief alarm.

“Your magic is formidable, but this will not end in your favor,” he rumbled, taking a menacing step forward.

“Not with that attitude, it won’t,” Silent Edge muttered under her breath before signaling to Nightshade. With a nod, Nightshade dove again, but this time she wasn’t alone. Iron Hide and Mystic Veil had joined the fray, Veil’s horn casting a shimmering aura around Nightshade, amplifying her speed, while Iron Hide’s legs galloped powerfully behind him as he surged forward with a fierce battle cry.

Valerian’s HUD tracked the two new threats, their outlines bright and distinct. His instincts kicked in, and he calculated their trajectories instantly. As Iron Hide drew close, Valerian swung his fist forward with brutal speed. But this time, his strike met a force field—a brilliant, indigo barrier conjured by Mystic Veil just in the nick of time. Iron Hide dodged left, narrowly escaping what would have been a crushing blow, and reared up on his hind legs, delivering a swift double-kick to Valerian’s chest.

The force made Valerian’s armor vibrate, but it was barely enough to move him an inch. In response, he grabbed Iron Hide’s rear hoof and hurled him aside, sending him skidding across the stone floor.

Nightshade used the distraction to her advantage, looping around to strike at Valerian’s side, her hooves targeting the weak points between his armor plating. Her blows landed true, but it felt like striking iron, each impact reverberating painfully through her forelegs.

Valerian swung his arm wide, his open palm striking her mid-air. She was sent spinning, landing hard on the cave floor with a gasp. Mystic Veil rushed to her, his horn casting a protective barrier around them both as Valerian advanced.

“Stay close, Nightshade,” Veil whispered, struggling to keep the barrier steady as Valerian’s heavy bootsteps echoed closer. “If we don’t work together, we’re not going to hold him off.”

Nightshade wiped blood from her lip, defiance glinting in her eyes. “Then we go together.”

With a flash of his horn, Mystic Veil fired a concentrated bolt of arcane energy at Valerian’s helmet, hoping to disorient him. Valerian’s head tilted as he absorbed the impact, but he was prepared; with a quick swipe, he shattered the shield between them, forcing the two thestrals to scatter.

This game ends now, Valerian decided.

In one swift motion, he leapt forward, landing directly in front of Silent Edge. She barely had time to raise her defenses as his gauntlet shot out, grabbing her by the collar of her armor. She felt herself lifted from the ground, her hooves dangling helplessly as he held her in a grip that could crush steel.

“Stand down,” he commanded, his voice carrying a weight of authority that demanded compliance.

Silent Edge grit her teeth, her own magic sparking in defiance, even as she gasped for air. “We… don’t… surrender.”

In a last-ditch effort, she focused all her remaining magic into a burst of blinding light, dazzling even Valerian’s enhanced optics for a split second. She used the opportunity to twist out of his grip, dropping to the ground with a pained grunt.

Iron Hide, who had regained his footing, lunged at Valerian from behind, wrapping his powerful forelegs around the Ultramarine’s arm in an attempt to wrench it back. Valerian glanced over his shoulder, momentarily surprised by the raw tenacity of the equine soldier, but he would not be slowed. With a single jerk of his arm, he threw Iron Hide off, sending him tumbling once more.

Seeing her squad’s condition, Silent Edge’s breath came faster, her determination flickering under the sheer, unrelenting power of this warrior. She caught his eye, noting that same hesitation from before. Was he truly holding back?

Valerian loomed over them, contempt in his voice. “I have no more patience for this pointless struggle. Lead me to your leaders, equines, or face the Emperor’s wrath.”

“We’ll never betray our princesses,” Silent Edge spat, her teeth bared as she struggled to stand, her squad rallying behind her despite their injuries.

Valerian’s eyes narrowed behind his helmet, his contempt deepening. “You speak of loyalty, yet you waste your lives in futile resistance. You can barely stand. Surrender, or I will find my own way to your rulers, and none of you will stop me.”

Silent Edge looked back at her team, seeing the weariness in their eyes, their bruised bodies barely able to withstand another round with this giant. She met Valerian’s gaze, the weight of duty and the grim reality of their defeat sinking in.

“We… will take you,” she said reluctantly, her voice filled with bitterness. “But know that you will face the full might of Equestria.”

Valerian gave a slight nod, a grudging respect flickering in his gaze. “You may take comfort in the illusion of power, Captain, but your rulers are the ones I will judge.”

With a signal to Mystic Veil, Silent Edge and the unicorn channeled their combined magic, surrounding Valerian in a complex teleportation spell. The air crackled as the spell charged, Veil’s horn glowing with a brilliant aura. With a final burst, they disappeared from the cave, reappearing in the dark, reinforced depths of the dungeon beneath Canterlot Castle. Valerian stood alone in a cell as his surroundings shifted. Thick, stone walls rising around him, enchanted runes etched into every surface.

Silent Edge and her squad materialized in the throne room, where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna waited, their serene faces betraying no hint of surprise. Silent Edge took a deep breath, steadying herself, and stepped forward.

“Mission accomplished,” she reported crisply, bowing before the princesses.

Celestia’s eyes met hers, and a slight nod of approval passed over her expression, though her gaze flickered with curiosity. “You have done well, Captain.”

“Indeed,” Luna added, her gaze shifting to the squad with solemn pride. “To bring such a powerful being to Canterlot alive is a testament to your skill and resolve.”

But Silent Edge hesitated, her head lowering slightly as a look of shame crept into her eyes.

“About that…” she muttered, her voice carrying a hint of regret.

Chapter 5 - Consequences

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Chapter 6 - The Anomaly

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