Equestria First and Only

by Verlax

Rating: teen
Tags: Other, Adventure, Tragedy, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Dark, Human, Main 6, Princess Luna, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 27132

Tanith First and Only Cross-Over. Equestria joined the Imperium of Man, and due to Imperial Law homeland of ponies need to provide Imperial Guard Regiment of their own. Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt is sent to ensure everything is going well.

For ten thousand years Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled over the peaceful land of Equestria. But something dark is beginning to stir in the shadows of space. Eternal, violent, mindless and bloodthirsty war. It was during the Age of the Old One's, or in human terms Horus Heresy. To make dreams about creating a utopia for their fellow ponies the Princesses of the Sun and the Moon unleashed a powerful spell that covered Equestria and Moon, hiding them from the war. The Royal Sisters buried the memory about the universe and they create harmony. But the spell wasn't powerful enough to hold for eternity, and even the Princesses effort didn't help. Probably one of the biggest manifestations of power in the entire universe vanished, revealing a peaceful nation of colorful, speaking ponies to the grim darkness of a galaxy wide war. It would be the end for Equestria, but Princess Luna managed to convince General Anders from the Imperial Guard, and Equestria joined the Imperium of Mankind. But to do this, the Princess of the Moon made a sacrifice that cast thousands of ponies into the oblivion.

That, was how The First and Only was born.

Applejack heard the whine of Gaunt’s chainsword as the commissar leapt up the scaling ladder nailed into the trench wall above the firestep and yelled to his soldiers.

“Ponies of Equestria! Do you want to live forever?”

Their reply, loud and raucous, was lost in the barrage of shells. But Ibram Gaunt knew what they had said. Weapons blazing, Gaunt’s Ghosts went over the top and blasted their way towards glory, death or whatever else awaited them in the smoke.

Forget the power of kindness and goodness, for so much has been forgotten, never to be re-learned. Forget the promise of friendship and magic, for in the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods

Published 2013-01-05 22:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-16 18:37:48 UTC

Chapter I : The First Setback

Equestria First and Only
by Verlax

Pre-Readed and Corrected by :

Dusk Apollo - Hingard

Cover Art by : Angry Muffins

Characters from Gaunt's Ghost novel series belong to Dan Abnett and Black Library, I don't own any of them.
Characters from My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic belong to Lauren Faust and Hasbro, I don't own any of them.

Chapter I : The First Setback

Thought of the Day : Happiness is a delusion of the weak.

Location : Segmentum Pacificus, surface of the Darendara planet, Secessionist's Last Stand in the Palace
Time : 758.M41

Cadet-Commissar Gaunt signalled to General Caernavar and Commissar-General Oktar that the fight was over. He brought the prisoners out with their hands on their heads as Hyrkan troops set about disabling gun emplacements and munitions stores.

"What do we do with her?" - Tanhause asked him.

Gaunt turned from the assault cannon he had been stripping of its firing pin. The girl was lovely, white-skinned and black haired, as was the pedigree of the Darendarans. She clawed at the clenching hands of the Hyrkan troops hustling her and other prisoners down the draughty hallway.

When she saw Gaunt, she stopped dead. He expected vitriol, anger, the verbal abuse so common in the defeated and imprisoned whose beliefs and cause had been crushed. But what he saw in her face froze him in surprise. Her eyes were glassy, deep, like polished marble. There was a look in her face as she stared back at him. Gaunt shivered when he realised the look was recognition.

"There will be six." - she said suddenly, speaking surprisingly perfect High Gothic with no trace of the local accent. The voice didn’t seem to be her own. It was guttural, and its words did not seem to match the movement of her lips.

"Six living manifestations of power. Save them, and you will be free. Do not abandon them. But first you must find your ghosts."

"Enough of your madness!" - Tanhause snapped, then ordered the men to take her away. The girl was vacant-eyed by now and froth dribbled down her chin. She was plainly sliding into the throes of a trance. The men were wary of her, and pushed her along at arm’s length, scared of her magic. The temperature in the hallway itself seemed to drop. At once, the breaths of all of the men steamed the air. It smelled heavy, burnt and metallic, the way it did before a storm. Gaunt felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He could not take his eyes off the murmuring girl as the men bustled her away gingerly.

"The Inquisition will deal with her." Tanhause shivered. "Another untrained psyker witch working for the enemy."

"Wait!" Gaunt said and strode over to her. He tensed, scared of the supernaturally-touched being he confronted. "What do you mean? ‘Six manifestations’? ‘Ghosts’?"

Her eyes rolled back, pupil-less. The cracked old voice bubbled out of her quivering lips.

"The Warp knows you, Ibram. Same as the Sun and the Moon"

He stepped back as if he had been stung. "How did you know my name?"

She didn’t answer. Not coherently, anyway. She began to thrash and gibber and spit. Nonsense words and animal sounds issued from her shuddering throat.

"Take her away!" - Tanhause barked.

Gaunt watched the corridor for five full minutes after the girl had been dragged away. The air remained cold long after she had disappeared. He looked around at the drawn, anxious face of Tanhause.

"Pay it no heed." - the Hyrkan veteran said, trying to sound confident. He could see the cadet was spooked. Just inexperience, he was sure. Once the Boy had seen a few years, a few campaigns, he’d learn to shut out the mad ravings of the foe and their tainted, insane rants. It was the only way to sleep at night.

Gaunt was still tense. - "What was that about?" - He said, as if he hoped that Tanhause could explain the girl’s words.

"Rubbish is what. Forget it, sir."

"Right. Forget it. Right."

But Gaunt never did.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 17:13 PM, 26/06/1002 in the Equestrian Calendar, Five Years Later

"Sergeant Fast Spear, what part of ‘I'm not available at the moment.’ do you not understand'!?" cried Princess Luna. She didn't use the Royal Canterlot Voice. Still, the wall of her sanctuary shook horribly due to the power of the Princesses shout.

"Princess, we are under attack by Change–" - tried to say aghast guard once he recovered from the Princesses shout.

"I'm busy, don't you see!? Get out of my room! NOW!" - shouted the princess, her patience wearing thin. Fast Spear held his ground, his message was of the utmost importance. Luna turned to see that Fast Spear still had not left. Summoning her magic she grabbed hold of Fast Spear and threw him out of her chambers. He tried to deny it, but he was no match for the dark blue alicorn. He flew through the room, and landed past the doors as they were slammed shut and locked. Luna then enchanted the doors with the “Silent Gate” spell, keeping all the sound within the room. The last thing she heard was something about Celestia being in danger. Probably some prank from the nobles, nothing important. They did a lot of stuff to get under our skin, anything from faking love letters to something more radical like sending mobs. Though a thought did nag at the back of Luna's mind that perhaps it truly was something important. Pushing her thoughts aside she returned her attention to the task at hand. It was the occasion of the century, and she wouldn’t let it pass by. If she succeed in her plan, it would give Equestria a chance

Luna approached a large stain glass window that showed not the moon but stars. At first glance, their positions looked totally random. However, every single white dot was placed, based on her research. Before she started to cast her spell, Night Stalker came into the room. He was a member of the Night Guard, her own elite guardians. Similar to the Royal Guard, every one of her warriors looked the same: skin, wings, hooves... their entire body. But Night Stalker was more. He was unique, because Night Stalker actually could 'think'. Giving him a task, always ended in solving the problem in quite unique and unexpected way. The best part was his willing to perform even the stupidest task, and in unknown to her method, he could do this.

"Princess, are you sure? - Night Stalker spoke, removing his helmet. His mane, compared to the rest of his light gray body, was entirely black. His voice was calm, almost relaxing. "I mean, it's really rare, that we get these... these ships in orbit. But we are under attack, and it looks really serious."

Princess Luna sighed hard "I’m sorry Night Stalker, but I'm on the edge of what could be the biggest discovery in the long history of Equestria.” Luna turned to face Night Stalker, and in a flat even tone she said “Barricade the doors, cover the windows, make my sanctuary a fortress. I need three hours of peace."

Members of the Night Guard saluted and started moving furniture to barricade all the entrances to the room. Princess Luna stood still for a moment. She could hear sounds and voices coming from somewhere outside her sanctuary. Those were the sounds of combat, of magic missiles flying... she thought for a moment, maybe she should join her sister in the defence of Canterlot? But she abandoned the thought soon enough. Celestia was powerful enough to deal with the threats by herself.

Now, she focused on the space. Not this one in the room, but in the cosmos. Her horn became a beacon of the pure white light, she shut her eyes, but while her physical eye sight was gone, she was still able to see everything. Okay, not exactly everything. She was in space; dark, empty space. Not entirely empty, however. There were also dots, millions of dots everywhere, but now they meant nothing. There were also the Moon, orbiting Equestria from far away, and the Sun, shining extremely brightly. She could look at the Sun, but even in spirit form it was blinding her. She didn't have a body, but she felt that her... existence was here, in the cosmos. She could move anywhere she wanted to, but she couldn't leave this system. Something like a leash was attached to her, not allowing the Princess of the Moon to leave the solar system. However, she didn't need to leave.

An abnormally big ship stood still in the space, really close to Equestria. The passengers didn't realise there was a Moon or the Equestria planet. This was the result of Celestia and Luna’s magnificent spell. They cast it about ten thousand years ago, and the royal sisters sacrificed a large amount of power, only to for the spell to last for five years. Every day after that both Princesses needed to cast the spell. Celestia in the morning, and Luna in the evening. Ponies thought they were raising and lowering the Sun and moon. Truth was, they were enpowering their spell, which made the planet and the moon invisible. Not only invisible, but the planet’s gravity was masked from the universe.

The ship looked like a flying cathedral in the space. It was magnificent, mostly covered with gold and red. She felt thousands of living creatures in this vehicle, every one of them busy with maintaining such a powerful machine. From data she gathered earlier, they called themselves "Humans" from the "Imperium of Mankind". Every frigate accidentally arriving near Equestria gave Princess Luna a chance of learn what the world outside Equestria looked like. This one was the biggest she had ever seen, and it probably stored a great amount of knowledge.
She focused one more time, and in a single moment, she was on the vessel.

Location : Segmentum Pacificus, half way between Tobm III and Gornus II, Juvenalis Battlecruiser from the Imperial Navy
Time : 763.M41

It was weird... He felt something strange. He was sure that he was being observed. It wasn't something like instinct whispering quietly to him. It felt like his own brain screaming violently to him : 'Something is watching you!' He looked everywhere, but he couldn't find it. He was so distracted by this strange feeling that he accidentally fell into somebody. They fell over, and landed on metal bars of the ship floor.

"Uhm... I'm... Oh my God-Emperor, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."

He fell into Sejanus, Flag-Lieutenant and second in command of the Juvenalis. He was an old man with white hair and face filled with wrinkles, wearing a blue uniform with golden decorations. A few medals were pinned to his chest, briefly showing the officers entire glorious history. Before Sejanus was hit by him, he leaned on the staff with the small Imperial Eagle symbol on top of it.

The old man slowly got up on his legs again, helping a bit with a staff. He looked on his face, and surprisingly, he didn't find anger or fury on the officers face. He was afraid of being punished for attacking such important person on the board, but instead the old man smiled.

"Apology accepted. I guess you feel it too, don't you?"

"Wh-What, sir?" - he asked, still in consternation.

"Being observed, of course. Don't try to deny it; the entire crew is feeling it right now." - Sejanus said.

Probably the worst thing with this feeling was how aggressive it was. It was something not like somebody glaring at him, but rather shooting to him with the lasgun on minimum power. He couldn't help looking behind, still searching for this "Observator". Sejanus stood near the glass, facing monotonous landscape of the black space.

"Well, so you probably don't know what it's all about. I think I can easily explain it to you." - Sejanus spoke, using his "mentor" voice. - "Well, we exit the Warp because of the technical problems, and there is nothing here. In theory of course. It's only one star, we called Solaris, because it's surprisingly similar to the original Sun of the Holy Terra. And, in space surrounding Solaris there is nothing. In theory, of course." - he turned to him, with delightful smile. He was looking like a professor in this moment, rather than the commander of battleship section. - "But every ship that came near this system, has gotten the same symptoms. The entire crew feeling like they were being observed. The oldest report of the "strange feeling" came from M33, so it's really something bigger here. That's why most ships try to avoid this region. There are a lot of theories, what exactly is this place." - Sejanus stopped lecture, looking on him expecting something.

`"Hmm... Warp Anomaly?" - he shot

"Yes and no. It "looks" like a Warp Anomaly, gravity weirding, strange feelings, navigators pissing their pants... but no, it's not the Warp Anomaly. Or at least, it's not the "Warp" Anomaly. It's a big mystery, and I think we will never discover the truth...

Location : Juvenalis Battlecruiser from the Imperial Navy, Section III, Library
Time : 763.M41

"Oh, come on! Turn the page!" - Princess Luna shouted. Or at least, she tried. No one could hear her.

She stood just above the anonymous iterator, who was reading a big tome of pure history. Just as planned. But, one of the points of her plans was destroyed. This iterator was so slow in reading. She was reading much faster, but she couldn't turn pages in the spirit form, it would alert the human. Despite that, the information she gathered was totally worth it.

One of the biggest surprises was how familiar their language, called "Low Gothic" was similar to Equish. Sometimes she heard words in a Latin, which humans called "High Gothic". Only two things were different. Human accent was completely different; it sounded hard and harshly. Compared to them, ponies did not speak, but sang their words; it sounded calm and relaxing. Second was a minor difference in the words list, but still it was extremely similar. It gave her an idea, that actually her species didn't raise themselves in the Equestria, but rather they came as colonists from Terra. It would explain why they used same languages. Some data she found, made a foundation for this theory. On the other hoof, she saw the old book of the wars in the Ultima Segmentum, and "horses" were actually used as a "cavalry". The idea seemed ridiculous to her, but in a universe where one poorly placed word could cause the slaughter of dozens of "heretics" it wasn't that mad.

"Who’s there!?" suddenly she heard a powerful shout. It wasn't iterator. It came from outside of Library. Afterward, she heard loud and often stomps. Really heavy boots, probably power armor, strong voice, humans actually hearing her... oh...
Inqisuitor

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" - she panicked, trying to restore her focus again. The iterator immediately rise from his chair and ran towards the member of the Inquisition. He just moved though her, like though ghost and the human didn't felt anything. Princess of the Moon calmed down, and started her spell again, only backwards. Vision became blur, and after a moment she again saw the beautiful panel of her sanctuary. Last thing she saw before vanishing from the Juvenalis battleship was the Inquisitor who just passed the entrance to the library.

Inquisitor Toth ran into the room. He was a member of the respected Ordo Xenos and he definitely 'heard' something or somebody on this ship. He made his way though sections of the ship and entered the library.

To his surprise everything was normal. Books stood where they stood, windows clear, no xenos prints on the dust, iterator still alive. But the biggest surprise was the vanishing of this strange feeling. Thousands of people sighed with relief, when the "being observed" feeling just simply disappeared. Bookshelves were still in place, holding pricey knowledge. Beside him, there was only one iterator, glaring at him taken-aback.

"My lord, what happened? - asked the iterator in Low-Gothic. He wasn't scared by his presence. The inquisitor wore red-painted power armor with a long fur cape on the back. In one hand he held a power sword, in his second, a bolt pistol. He wasn't old; he had only nineteen years of purging xenos scum, in total forty-eight years. Still, it was some really rich years, during which he managed to wipe entire species of dangerous aliens.

He didn't like to admit it, but he really didn't know what happened. They entered the Anomaly, entire crew start shaking in horror of being observed, he heard non-human shout in the library, he approached library only to find it empty and in the same moment 'feeling' vanished. That were facts, now: analyse. Something breached the security of the ship. What or Who was it? Extremely potent psyker? He could sense him. Deamon? Gellar Field certainly cut the possibility of deamons breaking into the cruiser. Even if a deamon could get in, he would still sense him. Of course, it was related with this strange feeling that every crew of every ship felt during travel though this area. To gather more Intel, he should call old crews, start inspections, make some interviews, called more support from the Inquisition...

"It's time to start an investigation." - Inquisitor Toth said

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 21:03 PM, 28/06/1002 in the Equestrian Calendar, two days after the Changeling Invasion

Princess Celestia finally ended her usual meetings with the nobles, only to find exactly thirty-eight letters from bussi. This night was supposed to be extremely long and boring. She slowly made her way to her personal room. It would be a real understatement saying that her room was luxurious. It was a mystery for most ponies, that actually sitting on the throne isn't comfortable as it seems. It was the first rule of setting up a new kingdom: always make a good and comfortable throne for yourself. If you are supposed to be stuck with this furniture for years, dozens, hundreds or even thousands of years, make it comfortable. You are not supposed to replace your throne with a better one, because "it's tradition that you always sit on this throne, Princess." So, if she couldn't make her throne comfortable, even with pillows and magic, she tried to change her bedroom into a heaven in which she could actually rest.

As a result, the room contained one wooden desk with a golden finish, gorgeous, an abnormally big hoof chair, and some marvelous painting. Actually, she rarely looked at them, but because they were there, she just felt that it leveled up her room into a new level of richness. And of course her bed—what a bed! So comfortable, so warm, so fitting... that bed was the cause of her being incredibly late for one of the one thousand Summer Sun Celebration and many others. After that, she made it a bit 'less' comfortable to avoid being late for everything. There was a lot of big windows that could provide light in the day, and a beautiful sky view at night. Celestia sat in her armchair and was about to unfold first letter when suddenly she heard knock on her door.

"Can I come in?" - she heard a soft voice from outside of the door.

She easily recognized her sister, Princess Luna. Instead of answering, she approached the door and opened it. Luna stood in the entrance, holding a big bag of scrolls in her magic. Without a single word, Luna came into her room and sat gently on the edge of her bed. The Princess of the Moon waited a moment before she spoke, probably gathering her thoughts.

“I want to speak about the Changeling incident. I apologise for yesterday; I lied about the reason why I didn’t appear during the battle.”
It surprised her. She wasn’t angry because of her sister absence during the fight. She didn’t say anything, so Luna continued.

“Another human ship appeared in orbit. It was the biggest since… it was the biggest in entire history. I broke into it, and I gathered some knowledge”—she pointed at the scrolls—“But, this time, one of the humans actually felt my spirit form. This was the inquisitor, and if the data we’ve collected is true, it is a high probably that the humans will start an investigation.

“Can I read these scrolls?” – Celestia asked. She still didn’t know what to think about the entire situation.

“Sure”. she answered and gave her the papers with her magic.

The Princess of the Sun started reading. There were a lot of these scrolls, and it took some time before she finished. There were notes, plans, dates, schematics, personal data, a large amount of knowledge. Now, if they could put all the data they’ve collected during the millennium, it would create a library.

“It was worth it.” Celestia spoke “And... I think we need to start negotiating. It's already too late, but we can still save Equestria from the grim darkness of an eternal war beyond our measure."

"Well... actually, we can hold this spell a little longer. Maybe two years. Princess of the Night said "In two years, we could find some power source, that will hold this barrier longer. I can disrupt the human ships that will come near Equestria. We don't need to reveal ourselves."

And that was a problem. Celestia was hiding something, as it destroyed Luna's plan completely. Actually, she didn't know why she didn't say it earlier. Maybe it was one of her few mistakes, she made during her entire life.

"Sister..." she spoke. "I lied".

"What”? Luna asked taken-a-back, her face changing in disbelief.

"I'm weak, and it's a fact. During your absence, for one thousand years I was holding it alone. I became so feeble that Chrysalis actually defeated me. I needed the Bearers of Harmony to defeat Discord and Nightmare Moon, because I was too fragile to do it myself. Yesterday, I was on the edge of Magic Exhaustion, and it's getting worse. We won't be able to hold it much longer, than a few months. When the Elements of Harmony released you from the Nightmare, you came back just in time to save the barrier."

"Why didn't you tell me?" - Luna inquire, with an easy to read anxiety on her face. "I could..."

"You couldn't do anything to help me, but I admit, I have should told you. I wanted to apologise for it."

"Accepted. But now we need to do something. War, incredibly violent war is just near our doors. We isolate our fellow ponies for ten millennium. They are not ready for this. If we just left this barrier to destroy itself, Equestria would be destroyed. I have updated our star map, and it's not looking well. We could make an alliance only with the Tau Empire, but they are too far from us. Elders are too proud and selfish, they would leave us at the first occasion. What others... Chaos obviously not, Orks not, Necrons not... Imperium. Imperium of Mankind. But what could we offer them for protection? We could pay taxes I guess, but humans hate..." Luna fell silent, searching for a good word.
"Xenos. I wouldn't be surprised if they would just perform an orbital bombardment and destroy us completely. Even if we were to use our incredibly good diplomatic skill, I don't think we could manage to do this.

"I was 'investigating' the humans ships too, and I found a really good quote in one of theirs books. They are living in the mindless, idiotic universe, but still their faith is beyond measure. 'Heresy grows from idleness'. We can still try to save our fellow ponies. We will try to convince them..." she stopped, when suddenly she realised one thing "When will another ship come into orbit?"

"I really don't know. But this time they realised that something is really wrong with this place, so the next cruiser will probably arrive earlier. We have about six months, if we won't ask for help. Maybe... maybe you could ask Shining Armor to help maintain the barrier; he knows everything anyway, so it won't be hard."

"He will give us only a few weeks, but yes, it's good idea sister." - spoke Princess Celestia, when suddenly realisation struck her mind. - "How many ponies actually know this?" - she asked.

"Well... you, me, Shining Armor knows that we keep a barrier, but he doesn’t know from what, Night Stalker knows almost as much as me, King of Griffonia knows, The Great Shaman of the Zebrica knows... and Discord. He is the only being from the outside of the Equestria, in fact. Deamon of the Lord of Change in our motherland... good that magic of our country is powerful enough to hold him."

"If we will reveal ourselves to the Imperium of Mankind, our fellow ponies will of course discover it. We need to prepare them for such a revelation." The Princess of the Sun said. "We should do something about this."

Obvious statement. Isolation for 10,000 years... It would be shocking and terrifying that for such a long time they lived in a artificially created utopia, separated from the real world. They were goddesses, with incredible power. They could dominate entire groups of worlds. They could use this power to create a real empire. They could use it to spread the pony nation across the stars, to create a kingdom of eternal happiness and harmony for their loyal subjects. But what did they do? They ran, ran from the possibility of fighting, of sacrifice and instead they used their goddesses powers to isolate their ponies from the suffering. Actually, this could work. But now, they knew that spell is going to be annihilated. Was it worth it? Ten thousands years of peace, ten thousands years of prosper, ten thousands years of harmony, ten thousands years of friendship and magic. And in a few months, it will all vanish. If she weren't almost a thirteen millennia year-old goddess, she would already start crying. So many years of her work will be utterly destroyed. Turned into dust.

It was a surprise to her, when Luna approached her and hugged her hard. She answered it, and they stood in this position, hugging each other and not saying a single word. Princess of the Sun and the Moon united to stand against all the threats to their loyal subjects.

"We will do something about this" - Luna said quietly.

Chapter II : The Deal and Sacrifice

Chapter II : The Deal and Sacrifice

Thought of the Day : Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 16:08 PM, 14/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar, a few hours after defeating King Sombra

"They did it again." - spoke the Princess of the Sun.

"They did." - answered the Princess of the Moon.

The Royal Sisters stood on the balcony, with an incredibly beautiful landscape just below them. Equestria was bright, even the colors of the peaks in the distance were soothing, calming the Princesses nerves. An even more colorful train had just vanished into the tunnel, shuttling the victorious Bearers of Elements. It reappeared on the other side of the mountain, on the bright green grassland of the Celestial Plain. Celestia and Luna just stood, observing the entire situation. The wind was gently blowing, it was a refreshing, cool breeze, bracing their skin and the feathers of their wings.

King Sombra, forsaken ruler of the Crystal Empire was defeated. Again. The barrier that they created to protect Equestria from the bloodthirsty war above them didn't protect from the war in the midst of their motherland. However, thanks to the Bearers of Harmony, the tyrant was banished again.

But not all objectives were achieved.

"So, can we use Crystal Heart to empower the barrier?" - asked Princess Luna, cutting the long silence.

"No. The power of the Crystal Heart is clearly bound to the capital of the Crystal Empire. We can't drain strength from it, without corrupting, or even completely destroying the Crystal Ponies country." - Celestia answered, now looking at her sister.

"According to my research, if Shining Armor will still help us, the barrier will last three months. - the Princess of the Moon continued. - "We could gather the Mages Council, to gather more power to maintain the spell, but it still only delays the inevitable. It could gives about two more weeks. What about the Elements? - she asked.

"The Elements can't be used for this situation. Their power is focused on the emotions, and what emotions have our clearly loved six friends to our barrier spell? They don't know that it even exist. If we would ask Twilight Sparkle to help empower our spell with her magic, she could give us only about..." - Celestia stopped, quickly analysing the facts - "Three and half weeks. Almost nothing, considering how long we’ve been maintaining this spell.

"So, we are on the edge of destruction, apocalypse, or whatever you will call it, and we can't do anything to stop it. Just great." - Luna said with a pain in her voice.

Celestia didn't have answer for this. She already reconciled with a thought of death. They have been living for too long, and it would be a good time to end this. Still, she won. Because she proved that it's possible to create the paradise, it's possible to create heaven in the grim reality of the violent and deadly universe. She knew, that revealing their nation to rest of the world will result in almost immediately extermination. Orks Waagh! searching for easy target, selfish Craftworld destroying their motherland and then claiming artifacts and magic of their land, forces of Chaos killing and corrupting everything in their sight, Imperium of Mankind anihilating every "alien" race that could dangerous in their opinion... it didn't matter who will destroy them at last.

Suddenly, Princess Luna eyes widened in shock. Usually, it was Luna who was stupidly brave and imprudent, but if it was her sister who was scared, it was something serious for sure.

"Th-They are here" - she said quietly.

Realisation struck her with the force of a hurricane. The Minds of the Princess of the Sun immediately started working, generating dozens of strategies, ideas and finally, setting up the plan.

"Sister, I have an idea. - Celestia spoke. - "Shining Armor is in the Crystal Empire, so send the message to the Night Stalker. With this "special list". We will try to communicate with humans.

Luna hesitated for a moment, but finally her horn glowed and after the moment, the Princess of the Moon advisor received special list of orders, to ensure that entire Canterlot castle will be closed and isolated for a full day.

"Well... we’ve got only one chance." - Luna said - "One, single mishap and we won't manage to save our kind. Better, if this one human we will be conservating his energy”.

"Wouldn’t it be nice." - Princess of the Sun admitted in her minds. However, the signs that they were observing earlier really weren’t optimistic either.

The royal Sisters entered the castle again, and headed to Lunas sanctuary. Two ponies from the Night Guard saluted, and allowed them passage. A dark-blue Alicorn was starting a spell already, when her sister stopped her with a hoof-touch.

"We need to discuss some matters before we will start."

"Didn’t we do this before?" - Luna said

"Yes, but better to memorize it better. We won’t mention Discord, we won’t mention that there are so many unicorns with possibility of magic use, we will try to not mention that ponies are extremely pacifist, we won’t mention that we are goddesses. We will have possibility of mind-communicate, so stay tuned. Oh, and one thing."

"Yes?"

"Whatever price we’ll have to pay for saving our kind, we need to still keep them from the cruel reality. We didn’t build an utopia for ten millenniums only to be destroyed by some random space ship."

"Got it." - Luna nodded - "Can we start?"

Celestia confirmed. They sit down, and after a few seconds, their horns start shining with purely, white light. A moment later, they were already in space, with them sitting in a mighty and overwhelming vessel around the orbit.

Location : Segmentum Pacificus, "Anomaly" Zone, Pride of Solar Battlecruiser from the Imperial Navy
Time : 764.M41

Lord-General Anders, the commander of Mordian 11th Iron Guard regiment was hardly keeping fury at bay. His face was still calm, but behind that mask he was filled with the anger, that could make the Khorne Berserker jealous. Advisors and adiutants of general instinctively felt it, so they were avoiding him all the time. He admitted, that it was the best idea they ever came up for. General was walking around the abandon sections of the ship, slowly and methodical, trying to calm down a bit. Still, the reason why he was in such a rage totally explained this.

It was the biggest piece of nonsense he ever received. His Mordian Iron Guard were fighting in the Sabbat World's Crusade, dealing with the waves of the mad heretics, zealots, deamons, orks, and only the Emperor knows what more. His soldiers earned a glory, that would be compared to the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines ones. They won a lot of battles, which his advisors considered as impossible to win. He was going to help the Warmaster Slaydo in his glorious task of liberating Sabbat Worlds. And then came Inquisitor Toth.

"I need to give you an errand, Lord-General. The Emperor needs your battlecruiser to arrive in the Anomaly Zone, and start a research of a irregularity in this area. Refusing will end in accuse of heresy of yours, and yours regiment."

He received a message from the Ordo Xenos. These incompetent fools ordered him to abandon the Warmaster in his campain on Sabbat Worlds, Futhermore, the rest of Regiments wouldn’t receive orders from him, because of the far distance seperating his flag ship and Mordian forces. Just great. How they even dared to offend him in such way!? How!? Thousands of his soldiers would die, only because of some thoughtless Inquisitor who came up with idea of sending the commander of Regiment to check totally not important, freaking anomaly.

Ordos of the Holy Inquisition were sacred institutions created by Malcador the Sigillite, they were supposed to be the Law, Justice, and Punishment to all the heretics, witches, deamons and other enemies of the God-Emperor of Mankind and his eternal and mighty Imperium. But it didn't change the fact, that sometimes you could meet such fools in their ranks. He knew that offending Inquisition would end in indictment of heresy, but that was a painful truth and he couldn't deny it.

His thought was interrupted by... something. He was centairly feeling, that somebody was in the room. "Ah, the observator feeling" - he recalled. It was extremely annoying, but he was doing well ignoring it. He turned back, to made a way to his office, when he suddenly stopped. Something was totally wrong here. The feeling was much more powerful than he expected. Anders looked around him, searching evidence for this action. He turned again once more, and in this single moment he realised why the feeling was so powerful.

Because, the observators were in this section of ship, just in front of him. General saw two strange, blurred images, in some way it looks like poor quality record. Anders spotted two faces, absolutly not like the humans ones. On the left, skin of this manifestation was white, while on the right dark-blue. Their countenance were smooth and alien. However, the most noticeable things were horns of the top of their foreheads. Faces of these abominations didn't show any emotions.

"Greetings, the representative of the Imperium of Mankind." - they spoke in unison. General Anders spotted, that their mouth didn't move at all. Their voices were soft and warm, something he didn't expect for... these things. Their High-Gothic seemed really good, however their accent was quite strange, it sounded like melody, rather than usual hard voices of humans. - "We are the Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, rulers of the Ponykind and Equestria country. It's a pleasure to meet one of leaders of the Imperial Guard. Who are we talking to?"

The goddesses ghost forms arrived in the gloomy corridor of the humans vessel. Just before them, stood the human, whose uniform highly suggest that his rank in the "Imperial Guard" was high. He was quite old man, with long brown beard, deep wrinkles and piercing look. Royal Sisters also spotted a bolt pistol under the mantle and magnificent power sword in his sheath. The human was astonished. but to Celestia and Luna, they were unfazed. he shook it off really quickly. He stood proud, looking in their eyes with a clear determination.

"I'm Lord-General Anders, commander of the Mordian regiment. How and why have you appeared here? Explain yourselves, before I call the guard." he demanded, glaring at them with suspicion.

"It will be a long story, then" - Princess Celestia spoke " a Long time ago, long even before the events of Horus Heresy we were a race, originating from your well known "ponies" Anders rose eyebrows with astonishment, but the Princess of the Sun didn't stop. "According to the data we collected during the millennium, one of your colonisation ships arrived in this sector and establish a colony on one of the worlds, bringing ponies with them. However, for unknown reasons all the humans died there, and for even more strange reasons, ponies survived.

The speech the Celestia delivered, wasn't truthful at all. She didn't know if they really came from humans worlds, those were only a theory she and her sister created from weak evidences they collected long time ago. It was manipulative statement, giving a bit more chance to convince this human.

"Not only survived, but ponies created a civilisation". Princess Luna continued. "In a few hundred years, ponies developed the entire kingdom, with me and my sister at the top of it. We were idealists, so we created a peaceful, kind and wealthy nation. Next a few hundred years, after we established the Equestrian Kingdom, Horus Heresy began. We were truly frightened by the war, slaughter and all this terrible things, so I and my sister decided to isolate entire planet from this. As I said before, we were truly idealists, seeking only for peace and harmony for our kind.

It was a truth. But the Princess of the Moon didn't mention Discord, the Greater Deamon of the Lord of Change, who almost destroyed the entirety of Equestria in a few years. He almost denied the cloak spell and was responsible for the Ponykind Anarchy. Celestia and Luna defeated him, but using such amount of power and the Elements of Harmony weakened them much. They couldn't rule they country while being so fragile, so they decided to kept their souls tucked into the Sun and the Moon to restore energy and help maintain the barrier.

However, during their absence, the earth, unicorns and pegasus ponies declared a civil war against each other. It was the topic of every Hearth Warming Eve, and Celestia still regreted hiding facts and manipulating history. Before the conversation, Celestia and Luna agreed that they wouldn’t mention him, because it will end in the Ordo Malleus, the appalling Deamonhunters arrive and probably purging entire world.

And now came the hard part. It was almost putting their heads on the executioner stump.

"Anomaly, you can see in this sector is our planet, cloaked by my and my sister spell." the Princess of the Sun spoke. "Observator" feeling was a side effect of our spirit form spell. It allowed us to observe every ship coming near Equestria. We used it to gather knowledge about the universe, what happened after our isolation. However, our spell during the millennium became weak and could fail at any moment.

Again, to the Princesses surprise, General Anders face expression didn't change at all.

"What is your purpose?" - he asked

"We knew a long time before that isolating our kind was a cowardice." - Luna answered. - "We were foolish, thinking that we could keep our kind away from reality of this universe. However, we agreed that it can't stand any longer. Once upon a time, our ponies fully known how the real world looked like. We can do this again.

"In the name of Ponykind, we, the Princesses of the Sun and Moon, the Rulers and Goddesses of Equestria, want to join the Imperium of Mankind." The Royal Sisters spoke in unison, with a great force, enchanting their voice with a bit of their magic.

The mind of General Anders procided this invasion of totally abnormal and insane informations gradually. This wasn't something he could deal with a swift, fast order. He shut eyes, and start pondering. A few seconds of meditation, and he realised something.

"Goddesses?"

The blur images of the Celestia and Luna didn't show much, but he spotted restlessness on their faces.

"Ehm... the barrier spell we used to isolate Equestria was a really powerful incatation. We had to restore its power every day and every night. To mask it, we said that we were lowering and rising Sun and the Moon. Our loyal subjects believe that we are goddesses." Luna answered nervously with a small smile, which obviously was fake.

Wrong answer.

"Emperor wouldn't be pleased, if we would tolerate a xenos goddesses just coming back from ten millenniums exile. General Anders spoke. "You are a potential threat to the Imperium. And a potential threat to the Imperium is a real threat to the Imperium. Your skill in manipulating Warp is beyond measure, and this cannot be tolerated.

"Our forces didn't relay on the Warp, our planet is a storage to big amount of the pure power. We use link to Equestria to use our incantations. In that case, we couldn't use it outside of our planet." Celestia explained.

Not so bad, he thought. Wait, what? He was dealing with Xenos!? He should call all the nearby Imperial warships and declare immediately Exterminatus. Holy-Emperor, what was he doing!? However... maybe...

"Okay, let's sum up facts." He spoke cruely. "You are xenos, with extremely powerful magic, who can cloak entire planets for millenniums. Give me a reason, why I shouldn't exterminate you immediately for the sake and glory of the God-Emperor."

"This isn't going well." Celestia thought. Definitely she was the mistress of the obvious statements.

"Better come up with something or we will be all dead." Luna spoke to her in minds.

"We are not xenos." she stated loudly. The Princess of the Sun said it like it was the indisputable rule of the universe.

General Anders rose an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Your Imperium of Mankind is quite “agressive" towards the mutants or abhumans." she said diplomaticaly, trying to not mention that humans usually just torture or kill all the proteuses.

"However, you allowed, for example Ogryns and Ratlings to join to the Imperial Guard. They physical appearence is much different than yours, but the most important part, is that think in totally opposite way. Comparing to ours fellow subjects, we have even more different psyhical appearence, but we think in very similar way to you."

It was the obvious manipulation. Of course, their ponies didn't think like humans. They weren't racist, cruel, narrow-minded, blinded in the faith and savage beings. However, ponies could think like humans in similar ways, but only if the Royal Sisters wouldn't isolate Equestria from the rest of the universe.

"You almost convinced me” the General answered, slightly smiling. "Heh, on the other hand... or rather hoof in your way, please say me, how many of your ponies can use magic? I guess, that you use your horns for that?

Oh crap. And what now? Saying that almost one quarter were unicorns who could use magic wouldn't help at all. Anders was definitely too cunning and sharp, considering fact, that they were ten millennium aged goddesses, and this human could have a eighty years max. He was definitely broad-minded, general agreed to talk, instead of immediately calling Inquisition. However, conversation strayed from the path into a deep and really dangerous area.

"One quarter of our population are unicorns, who can use magic. Princess Luna spoke, surprisingly being honest. "However, their magic is really limited. Only about five percent of the unicorns are capable of doing such things like your psyker's can, and still it's much weaker. Rest of them, are limited to the weak levitation spells."

"I guess it's enough I want to know about "Equestria" Anders said, raking his beard. "Maybe later, you will give me all information about your entire land. But let's back to the main point of the discussion. You want to join the Imperium of Mankind. How?" he asked.

"We will turn off our cloak-barrier spell, so the planet will be visible to you." Princess Celestia started. "We want to have a guarantee, that if enemy, like forces of Chaos, Orks or others will attack us, you will defend us."

"I understand. But what you will give us in reward?"

Again, the hard and manipulative part of the conversation has begun.

"We will pay taxes to the Imperium" The Princess of the Sun said, with a kind smile.

General Anders exploded with laughter. “Oh, come on! Seriously?"

"We will allow you to use the space near the Equestria and the Moon" - Luna tried.

"We would do that anyway, without your permission."

"We will give you a technology."

"And what exactly?"

"..."

They didn't have any, that could outmatched so many milleniums of Adeptus Mechanicus heavy work.

"We will allow you to use the most powerful artifacts of our land"

"Imperium of Mankind is not interested in a foal, xenos artifacts."

"We will allow you to build bases and stations near our system. - Celestia expanded the offer.

"We would do that anyway."

"We will use our magic to disrupt enemies of the Imperium vessels in the space near Equestria."

"Considering fact, that planet will be revealed to all factions of this galaxy war, you would do that anyway." - General answered.

"We will pay more taxes than usual, plus factories from our land will be producing items for the Imperium." - Luna tried again.

"Finally some good point. But it isn't worth it." - Anders admitted "You know, we have a better place which would be protected by the Imperial Navy. I'm sure, that Equestria isn't a Forge World, is it? You can’t product so many items for the Imperium to be worth it. If you don't have better idea, you can kill yourself already."

Princess Luna was thinking. Never, ever, had her mind worked so fast, trying to find something that could convince this human. What price should be paid for this? Did they have anything valuable enough? She tries to come up with something, she had read a big amount of books from human libraries, and she still couldn't do it. Problem was, that even with the destruction of their invocation, they still didn't want their fellow ponies to feel the cruelty of this mindless, accursed universe. She made an agreement between her and her sister, that whatever the price will be paid, it will not throw their ponies into this bloodthristy, real existence. But what price should be paid for such isolation?

She was still thinking, when suddenly realisation came. But it was a terrible realisation.

"Life is the Emperor's currency, spend it well."

Life. There were a few billions of planets, with medium two billions human populations in each. In total about ten quintillion people. What would change, if they would give them some...

"Even a being who has nothing can still offer his life."

In this single moment, Luna made a decision.

"We will provide an Imperial Guard Abhuman Regiment, created from ponies." Princess Luna spoke with a clear determination "We will recruit them, train them, equipped them, and then we will give them to your command."

"WHAT!?" - Celestia cried to her in minds, with even more clear fear in her voice.

"Three Regiments, three thousand ponies each and deal." - General Anders said with a strange, suspicious smile on his face. - "And it will be not me, who will be commanding these forces.”

"Deal." - Luna agreed.

"What have you done!?" - her sister shouted - "This is madness! We..."

"We don't have any choice." - Luna cut her. - "Trust me, sister."

"I will send a message to the Segmentum Command." Said the commander of the Mordian regiment, not realising the telekenitic talk between Royal Sisters. "Your three Regiments need to be ready in four years. Your country will start paying taxes for the Imperium in one year. We will send iterators, investigators, Adeptus Munitorium, Adeptus Arbitres and representatives of the Inquisition. Not related with Ordo Xenos, if you are interested. We will send a special governor to advise you in all tasks. Do you agree?"

"Yes" Answered the Princess of the Moon. Celestia was too shocked to say anything.

"Will you be able to ensure that Equestria will accept the Imperial Law and will provide Imperial Guards Regiments on their own?"

"Yes" Luna confirmed

"Farewell then, the princesses of Equestria. My ship will stay on orbit for some time, if you need a guidance." Anders said. "May the Emperor watch over you”.

And with these words, Celestia and Luna disappeared from the vessel. Thousands of people sighed with relief, because of the Observator ( or rather Observators ) dissapearing.

Truth, was totally other.

He didn't agree, because "Luna" offered him Regiments. Or maybe, not in it full.

What would he gain by exterminating this world? It would only prove that Inquisitor Toth was right.

"I said there is something General, as always guidance of the sacred Inquisition led to the execution of the God-Emperor holy will." Yea, yea, right. His soldiers were dying in hundreds on the worlds of Sabbat system, only because of this... idiot. Yes, he was mad at the Ordo Xenos. And this would be his revenge. "Did you wanted to exterminate another specie of dangerous xenos? Ups, they are serving in Imperial Guard now!" Old general was imagining face of the Inquisitor Toth when he will received message from him. And if actually this Regiment would serve well... this would be a nail to the coffin for the Ordo Xenos. It would prove, that negotiating with peaceful xenos could serve the Imperium of Mankind. Also, almost ten thousand soldiers for free in the serve of the Warmaster Slaydo and his holy quest.

To reward himself, Lord-General Anders made a way to the canteen. He stopped just before the metal doors to the next section of the ship.

"But who will command these Regiments?" Anders thought. "I cannot give a command to the xeno general, and I can't give it to some random commander...”

With that thought, he made a way to the Astropath's hall. He had to send some messages...

Location : Surface of the Gylatan Decimus, capital city.
Time : 764.M41

Gaunt entered the warm, sickly atmosphere of the chamber. Locked in a life-prolonging suspension field, surrounded by glowing fire-lamps and burning bowls of incense, Oktar was plainly minutes from death. His mentor, his teacher was slowly dying from the poison, which killed eight people just where they stood. Commissar-general made only one sip. That, and Oktar’s iron constitution, kept him alive for eight days.

"Ibram…" - The voice was like a whisper, a thing of no substance, like smoke.

"Commissar-general."

“It is past time for this. Well past time. I should never have left it to a finality like this. I’ve kept you waiting too long.”

"Waiting?"

"Truth is, I couldn’t bear to lose you… not you, Ibram… far too good a soldier to hand away to the ladder of promotion. Who are you?"

Gaunt shrugged. The stench was gagging his throat.

"Cadet Ibram Gaunt, sir."

"No… from now on you are Commissar Ibram Gaunt, appointed in the extremis of the field to the commissarial office. Fetch a clerk. We must record my authority in this matter, and your oath."

Oktar willed himself to live for seventeen minutes more, as an Administratum clerk was found and the proper oath ceremony observed. He died clutching Commissar Gaunt’s hands in his bony, sweat-oiled claws.

Ibram Gaunt was stunned, empty. Something had been torn out of him, torn out and flung away. When he wandered out into the anteroom, he didn’t even notice the soldiers saluting him.

Chapter III : Reorganization and Promotion

Chapter III : Reorganization and Promotion

Thought of the Day : Beginning reform is beginning revolution.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 18:02 PM, 14/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Both Princess of the Equestria arrived again in Luna's Sanctuary. Moon Princess was about to rise her hoof in gest of triumph when she suddenly spotted the grim face of her sister. She looked calm, but Luna instinctively felt that under this mask there was a fury that couldn't be matched by anything she knew.

They didn't say anything. It took some time before Celestia sighed hard.

"Why did you do that?" she asked.

This question seemed silly to her. Didn't she save her kind?

"I saved the whole Equestria, of course!" Luna stated.

"No, you didn't" her sister answered with strange, absent voice. "Why it seems like success what have you done, it's another prolongation of our ponies agony. Answer me, how you want to tell ponies that we were lying to them for a few milleniums?"

Luna was about to answer, when she realised that her sister was right. If Anders would agreed with only a industrial and taxes payment they didn't have to revealing all the truth. Now with regiments... kidnapping nine thousand ponies was a bad idea.

"But let's state that they will not mad at us for lying. How will you tell them, that so many ponies will be obligated to be sacrifised on the anvil of war? You know, that a beings joining the Imperial Guard never come back from the war? That they are forced to fight for their "Emperor" forever, until all of them will be dead? And it will not be a long time, average life length of the Guardsmen on the battlefield is seventeen minutes according to the Adeptus Munitorium data. How will you tell the families that their sons and daughters will never come back?"

The Luna's head lowered, when the realisation of what have she done came down with a force of the hammer.

"But actually... I can believe that this could happen. Maybe three percents chance. But what about the faith?" Celestia continued. "Firstly, we are not capable of rising sun and the moon. Another lie. But this is not the point. We will have Adeptus Munitorium and Adeptus Arbitres visit, how we will tell them, that none of our kind pray to their "Emperor"? These "institutions" are quite zealous in their work. We will be forced to introduce our loyal subjects to this filthy faith. How they will deal with it?"

Princess of the Moon didn't know what was more painful, that her sister was almost centairly right, or rather that Celestia lost all of her faith and confidence. Maybe both.

"You see Tia... It's not something, that I'm proud of." she started. "But let's state it clear, we had to do this, this was the only thing we could do in this situation. And... I think I have an idea how to deal with all those problems."

Her sister rised her eyebrows with astonishment.

"Lying part is actually easy." Luna said "We will make a really beutiful half-truth and half-manipulation speech and we will convince them. You are doubting our kind trustfulness, it will not be that hard at all. Because ponies trust you more, I think it should be you who will tell them."

"What a irony." Celestia said "It's the first time I regret that I'm in charge of being face of the Equestria goverment.

"Next part, regiments. We need : ponies, training ground, some competient instructors, equipment and weapons. I can deal with all these things, however I will be forced to meet Anders once more to collect some more knowledge. Also, I need to write some letters and to make these clear, I need your signature on all of these.

"My signature? What do you need this for?" Celestia wondered

"You know Tia... I think that ponies still remember the events of the past. I think they don't think about it all the time, but if we would place ourselves on the "trust" scale, you would still be higher, even if we are in theory "equel".

"Nonsense" Celestia denied. "You are close to our subjects hearts and don't even dare to say that this..." her sister stopped, searching for a good word "Mishap. We have forgotten it already. And by saying "we" I mean entire Equestria."

"I understand." Luna spoke "But I'm trying to increase the chances of our survability. This little fact maybe will increase it only from fourteen percent to feefteen but this little one percent can save our kind."

"A lot of things changed." Celestia said philosophically. "I never suspected we would became so manipulative and calculative about everything. It looks almost as the time soon after the Three Tribes Union. I never suspected that these small details will come back. And I have no idea how, but you finally learned to speak Equish properly.

The awkward silence holded only a moment and after it, both sister exploded with loud laughter, that filled a few corridors of the Canterlot Castle and make the unicorn guards besides door wondering. However, Luna’s face expression suddenly changed when she recalled something, that was the most important at all.

“Celestia? One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Hide Discord.”

Next Day

Location : Equestria, Wonderbolt Academy
Time : 14:33 PM, 15/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar

"This better be importa... oh, hi Soarin." Spitfire greeted vice-captain of the Wonderbolts.

"Hi there Spitfire. We got a letter from the Princess and it looks quite serious." the white pegasus told her, while trotting into captain office.

"Letter from the Princess? Show me." Spitfire got up from her comfortable chair and took envelope from the Soarin hoof.

To the Captain of the Wonderbolts

Due to incoming changes in politicy and due to incoming danger and war we have to give you a special task. From this day ( 15/05/1003 ) you will be in charge of training a new group of ponies. This will be the "Imperial Guard" and this group will be called Equestrian Regiments. In four years ( from 1003 to 1007 ) training of these troops will be complete. Why and how you will prepere this troops is described in two books we will sent to you with this message. First recruits will arrive probably in a few months.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna

"Well... it's kinda strange. Both Princesses signatures? Did they send some books with it?" She asked Soarin.

"Yes, here they are." He answered, putting two books on the desk, one really small and one quite big.

They didn't came up from printing house, it looked rather like a amateur work, instead of the serious writer piece. They had a black, simply cover, but there were no pictures on it, only a titles. Small one was called : "The Imperial Guardspony Uplifting Primer - Re-written Edition". Spitfire spotted that small tuck was slightly extended from the pages. She took it off and read it.

Actually, this one isn't complete yet. I will send to you all materials as fast as possible. This will be your primary book to teach your new comrades. I will probably finish it in a week.

Princess Celestia

Spitfire spotted, that signature was written in completely different way, like it was somebody else who write it and then it was signed by the Sun Princess. Spitfire rifled the book and realised that princess was right with it. All the pages were blank. She was quite concerned, so she took the second, larger book. This one was called : "The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer". Captain of the Wonderbolts realised that this tome had a small tuck as well.

This book is top secret for now. Revealing it existence will end in the serious punishment. For now, use it as a guide, but do not recognize all the information here as valuable or truthful. Do not read any of propaganda, law or religious chapters.

Princess Celestia

So, Spitfire opened a book on the first pages and started reading. She searched for information what exactly Imperial Guard was. However, there wasn't any clearly description and all the pages were written in quite strange and pompous style. Finally, she found a foreword to the book. It was written, that the author of this section was Lord General Militant Huxlow. Spitfire didn't recognize him, strange title and even stranger name only ensure him that something was really odd here. With that thought she started reading.

You are a soldier in the Imperial Guard. You stand with billions of others in the greatest army that has ever existed, bathed by the brilliant light of the Golden Throne with a chance of immortality that is the gift of a glorious death. It is the highest honour to fight in these same illustrious ranks which have produced some of the most exulted heroes the Imperium has ever known. Your responsibility, and that of your comrades, is to help ensure that our magnificent Imperium is defended from its enemies. You will smite our foes whenever you find them, with the fervent passion and fury of these heroes of the past...

"Spitfire?"

She totally forgot that Soarin was still here.

"What is this? It's some type of guide or something?" he asked

Captain of the Wonderbolts closed book with quiet thump. She sighed hard, removing glasses from her eyes.

"Yea. It's guide. Really strange and out-dated one..."

Location : Equestria, Canterlot, Royal Garden.
Time : 14:57 PM, 15/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

The orb of fire and heat was high, sending incredibly waves of warm, driving poor citizens of Canterlot to the brink of madness. Most ponies were cooling themselves in their houses. "Most" was a key word.

Two unicorns from the Royal Guard were in the garden, trying desperetaly to bring Discord monument on the chariot.

"Why... they... couldn't... make... this sculpture... from... plastic... sweet Celestia... dammit!" - one of the unicorn grumbled, fighting for every inch of the area, desperate in pushing the Spirit of the Chaos forward.

Discord couldn't answer, however it was quite funny to see these two guards fighting the weight of his own presence. It was quite boring here.

"Wait... plastic?"

With that thought, Discord mentally snapped his fingers. In the blink of the eye, the stone of the sculpture immediately changed into a heavy iron, reflecting the beams of the sun.

The unicorn guards reaction was really speedy, they "tactical retreat" was one of the fastest known in Equestria military history. Discord was a bit dissapointed that his power couldn't reach further than his own sculpture, however the little show he made really changed his humor into a good one.

Location : Equestria, Stalliongrad, Industry District
Time : 15:12 PM, 15/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Sounds of hammers, old machinery and fabrics filled the air. Winning Bet, the manager of the "Lost Brother Inc", the biggest beast in the industry enviroment troted into his office. He sat down on his favourite chair and grabbed the cup of tea.

"Splendid" he judged the taste of it after a big sip.

Then, his hoof reached the desk with all the messages his company got this day. One particular catched his eye. This one had the sigil of the Royal Sisters.

"Priority, priority, priority" he thought.

He took this one and opened it. Inside was a letter and a small, paper note. Winning Bet decided to start with a letter.

Because of the State of Emergency, we are giving a special order for you. A new military unit is about to being set up, and this unit will be equipped with special weaponry. From this day ( 15/05/1003 ) your firm need to make ten thousand "lasguns". We will pay a one hundred and ten percent costs for each rifle you will create. You need to make ten thousand "lasguns" in four years and you need to make at least three hundred this month. Project of the "lasgun" is write in the note which should be in same envelope, we sent to you.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna

"Well... goverment order. Not so bad." he thought. However, he was really curious why they needed a new military unit with such a strange weaponry. What lasgun was? He never heard about it before.

Winning Bet now took notice on the small note. Actually, when he made a close look it wasn't that small at all. In miniature print there was written every ingredient and procudure how to make it. He turned it over and saw an image.

Below this was written with the red ink :

Note that this image shows "lasgun" not created for pony, your research staff need to discover how to adapt it into pony way.

"Splendid" he judged again, taking a sip from his tea.

Next Day

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time: 16:28 PM 16/05/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar

The announcement that the goverment made brought almost entire population of the Canterlot city. After a few seconds of analyse Celestia realised that there were also ponies from the other cities, she spotted the council of Cloudsdale and head-governor of Stalliongrad along with their entourages. Entire Royal Guard was brought into a full readiness stance with the Shining Armor as their leader. It was against the tradition, but the Night Guard was brought too, however they were hiding in the halls of castle, avoiding the rays of sun like it was a curse for them. Actually, Celestia was wondering why they brought them. What could go wrong? Ponies rebelling? She didn't think they could overthrow them, even if the garrison was so small.

She looked on the crowd below. Hundreds or thousands of ponies? Her analitic mind failed here, from the balcony they seemed to be a one big mass of the colors, shouting horribly loud. It was a truth, that ponies united together were much stronger than divided. In this moment, she felt weaker than their subjects, even if she was a sun goddess with incredibly big power. However, the thing that made her the most weak, was the fact how much she changed during one sleepless night with Luna, trying to cure all the mess they started.

Maybe, finally after a few thousands years she started developing tyrant obsession. She never was so calculative and manipulative, it was something she didn't feel for about thousands years. Many minds were buzzing in her brain and attempts to calm them down didn't bring much result.

Maybe, it was just the reality of the world. Barrier they created could hold against the outcomers, but maybe the reality of the gray and grim universe just slipped though. Their land, how much the sisters tried, couldn't reach the perfect level of the utopia they seeked for the milleniums. Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra...

Specially, she didn't recall Nightmare Moon. It wasn't the thing she wanted to thought about.

"It's the first time, I really wish it would be you, instead of me standing here and making this speech." Celestia said to her sister. "I'm feeling bad about this".

Luna who was hiding in the shadows of the room rose her head.

"What a irony. It's first time I wish it would be you, who will do this." her sister answered.

Before Celestia said something, Luna continued.

"I know it will be hard. I suggest you to think about it in the broader perspective. Just think all you are going to do is for the Equestria existence, it helped to stay awaked during this night" Luna yawned. "For comfort, your guards finally managed to remove Discord from the garden and put him into the Canterlot caves.

"Good to know" she said.

However as much as the Princess of the Sun wanted to talk more, Celestia knew that she couldn't wait any longer. She approached the rail of the balcony and smiled down to the ponies beneath her. Loudly mess lasted only a few seconds.

"Ponies of the Canterlot, Flankfurt, Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Stalliongrad and other cities and villages of Equestria, I'm welcoming you!"

Actually, she highly doubted if there was anypony from the Flankfurt. However, no one could protest, right? Crowd cheered vigorously, calming it down took another a few seconds. She was really grateful that the ponies gave her this moment, every second the crowd was trying to calm down she was analysing what to say next.

"In this particular day, I have a special declaration to do. I wish to reveal some old and deep secrets from the Equestria past..."

6 Months Later

Location : Segmentum Pacificus, surface of the Balhaut planet, Ogliarchy High Palace.
Time : 765.M41

Some words brings memories. Sometimes, one word can say more things than entire definition in the chronicles. Commissar Ibran Gaunt was centairly sure that these days will take a big part of the "A History of the Later Imperial Crusades" chronicle. He regarded the work of the historians, however they usually tended to avoid some facts, which were worthless in their minds.

Balhaut.

Two days of cruel orbital bombardment. Then, nine armies deploying simultanious on nine seperates sides of the planet. Imperial Guard, the Hammer of the Emperor. Billions of soldiers, equiped with lasguns, sometimes named "flashlights" due to their effectiveness, flak armours that couldn't hold a one shot from the bolt pistol and as his friend, Commissar Dagon liked to say, standart issue balls of steel. As the Lord Solar Macharius, the hero of the Imperium said, courage stood above all of the virtues.

Indeed, Slaydo had this courage.

When nine manifestations of the God-Emperor holy will arrived the hell started. The fiercest fighting took place in the cities of the planet. Balopolis was a particularly bloody struggle, during which Imperial officers took extremely high casualties. The initial commander, General Currell, was wounded and taken from the field after about two days of fighting. In the next ten hours, two successive Imperial commanders were both killed, and command fell to the senior surviving officer, Commander Macaroth. Upon receiving this news, Slaydo field-promoted Macaroth to Marshal. Macaroth proved immediately capable at such a command and eventually turned the battlefront completely around, making an impending Imperial loss into a remarkable victory.

Macaroth... Ibram Gaunt still didn't know what to think about him.

However, day was saved thanks to the Adeptus Astartes. The Space Marines, the Imperium super soldiers... whatever he would told about them, he still couldn't catch it. The God-Emperor of Mankind a long time ago, during the creation of the Adeptus Astartes Legions said these words :

They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me. Like clay I shall mould them, and in the furnace of war forge them. They will be of iron will and steely muscle. In great armour shall I clad them and with the mightiest guns will they be armed. They will be untouched by plague or disease, no sickness will blight them. They will have tactics, strategies and machines so that no foe can best them in battle. They are my bulwark against the Terror. They are the Defenders of Humanity. They are my Space Marines and they shall know no fear.

Commissar Gaunt never suspected that he would discover a true meaning of these words in such way. Never, ever he saw the Space Marines fighting with such a fury, immune to enemy fire, blind in the determination and faith in their Protector.

White Scars was one of the oldest Space Marines chapters. They were well known for their incredibly furious assault, usually by using motorbikes and devastating offensive deep strikes with the Drop Pods behind enemy positions. The initial breakthrough was made by the them, they broke through the defences and killed Magister Khul Koresh, one of the fearsome Chaos warlords, scattering his forces. Following up on this, Astartes of the Silver Guard, led by their Chapter Master, broke into heretics lines. In result, tainted machines and tanks of the Chaos were then systematically engaged and destroyed by several Imperial Guard armour and artillery regiments. Swift attack made by Space Marines allowed tanks battalions to go into full offense, cutting, circling and then destroying enemy army.

However... it was Slaydo in the end who won this.

Panic between the lines of the Chaos forces allowed Warmaster Slaydo to lead a force of eight regiments directly into the Ogliarchy High Palace. The Warmaster eventually met his fate at the 18th hour of the tenth day of the assault, clashing with Archon Nadzybar personally in a close-quarter battle that lasted somewhere between six and eleven minutes. Mortally wounded twice over, Slaydo was able to stay fighting, eventually delivering a death-strike to the Chaos warlord. The death of Nadzybar destroyed the morale of the remaining Chaos forces, rendering them easy prey for the Imperials. The entire planet was soon reclaimed.

But it didn't change the fact, that Warmaster Slaydo reached the brink between life and death.

Before he died, Warmaster did a lot things. Laying in bed he talked to almost every commander in the Imperial Guard on the Balhaut. A lot of decision was made.

Macaroth became a Warmaster. Almost every commander was against it, counting Gaunt himself. Lord-General Anders, leader of the Mordian troops in this sector and Lord High Militant General Dravere were the most against it. And they were right. Macaroth was incredibly young, the youngest from entire officer crew in fact. He didn't have enough experience to lead the Sabbat World Crusade to the victorious end. However, Macaroth wasn't the only one who achieved a new title. Slaydo promoted a few officers to higher ranks. He gave a medals to the brave soldiers who followed him into the heart of battle.

He was the last one who met Warmaster Slaydo.

Commissar Gaunt entered to the room. It was a shock. Of course, he was aghast due to the Warmaster condition. What was frighting him however, was that it looked totally same as one event from the past. Hero of the Imperium, Warmaster Slaydo was locked in a life-prolonging suspension field, surrounded by glowing fire-lamps and burning bowls of incense. Why... why it looked so similar?

"Ibram…" Slaydo whispered with a great pain.

"Warmaster?"

“It is past time for this. Well past time. I should never have left it to a finality like this. I’ve kept you waiting too long.”

"Waiting?" - Gaunt asked. "Why it looked so similar!?" he thought.

"You are too good soldier... I can't allow you to get into a political games between commanders and other commissars... it will be loss for the Imperium..."

Gaunt didn't say anything. He knew that Warmaster didn't called him to make last friendly talk with a friend.

Slaydo waited a moment before he spoke again. He was meditating... or he was just the seconds from the grip of death.

"I just can't make it happen. I promoted Macaroth, because Dravere is a cruel and ill-natured commander... and Anders..." - he finally spoke. Gaunt was terrified that Warmaster was speaking such openly to him. "Anders did something I will not forgive him. But it was done, and it can't be changed. That's why, from now you are a Colonel-Commissar, appointed in the extremis of the field. You will be leading three newly created regiments. They come from the new founded planet and they deserve a leader such like you... do not dissapoint me, son. There is only Emperor..."

"...and he is our Shield and Protector" - newly promoted Colonel-Commissar ended. He felt something wet gathering in his eyes, when the Warmaster dismissed him.

Ibram Gaunt exited the chamber. To his suprise, there was somebody waiting for him in the corridor of the Ogliarchy High Palace. At first, he didn't recognize him, but the long brown beard immediately racalled it. Lord-General Anders was looking with suspicious smile on him, raking his beard with his hand in the same time. Ibram saluted him, but he didn't even spot it.

"I never saw something like this." the Mordian commander said "My entire regiment... crying. At first I thought that my soldiers became such a wimps. But then, I met other regiments. Hyrkans, Cadians, Mordians, Ketzoks, soldiers of Phantine, Pardus, Tanith and Urdesh... all of them in pain, crying. They fought deamons, heretics, rot, plague, waves of mad zealots, formation of accursed tanks and they didn't made a step back." He rose his head. "And you are crying too."

Ibram realised that tears were slowly runnind down on his face. He swiftly wiped them from his skin.

"In this times... I regret that I just can't feel that emotions. I feel sorry for the Slaydo, sorry that I couldn't help him in his last battle. However, soldiers of our army forgot, that his death isn't a barrier that will not allow us to reclaim the Sabbat Worlds for the Mankind. To admit defeat is to blaspheme against the Emperor."

He didn't say anything. During his stay at Schola Progenium he learned that in presence of the old and wise people he should stay silent, in this particular situation he totally agreed. He also started wondering why it wasn't Anders who received a Warmaster title. Slaydo words seemed odd in this matter.

"I talked with Warmaster earlier" Lord-General suddenly changed topic. "Imperium need you Ibram. I and Slaydo have a special task for you. I suppose, that Slaydo promoted you to the Colonel-Commissar?"

He nodded. Anders smile grew even bigger.

"Regiments we chose for you are quite... unique. Diplomatically saying." he smirked "They are for the planet, that accepted Imperial Law a few days ago. However, Slaydo think that you are the best person for this task and after your wonderful lead of the Hyrkan regiment I have to agree too."

"Warmaster didn't tell me exactly what regiments I will be leading. Could you tell me, lord-general?" - Ibram asked.

"Oh... I guess that it will be a big suprise for you..."

Chapter IV : We Care

Chapter IV : We Care

Thought of the Day : Victory needs no explanation, defeat allows none.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 16:28 PM 08/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar. Six months after Celestia’s speech.

This was absolutely unbelieveble.

No reasons for that. Nothing at all.

And still...

Equestria did this.

Maybe Luna was right about the ponies trustfulness. Her calculative mind gave about twelve percent of a chance to do this correctly. And she did it. However, neither Celestia nor Luna suspected that it would be appreciated so much.

The lying part was actually easy, Luna was right again. Ponies just... forgave her? No, bad word. Maybe ignore would fit better. They just didn't care about it at all. Maybe one thousand years of peace and prosperity created such a love between her subjects and her that they would forgive her for anything. Still, Celestia didn't want to test her subjects tolerance anymore.

The God-Emperor and the Imperial Law part was easy. Mostly, because ponies didn't care about it at all. Luna released a new law codex with a large amount of references to the Imperial Law. The Sun Princess had to admitted, that her sister actually managed to write it in such a way that it would please the ponies of Equestria and representatives of the Adeptus Arbitres, the galaxy-sized police force of the Imperium.

Speaking of it, the first visit of the humans was rather uneventful. Bureaucrats of the Munitorium didn't have any objections to their ruling style. Ponykind greeted them as just a new kind of equine, she was surprised that ponies treated humans like any other kind of pony. She wasn't relieved, however. Celestia wasn't sure if that was because the Munitorium actually "liked" their government, or rather they "liked it" because Lord-General Anders said so. Something in her mind was telling her, that Anders was plotting behind her back, but she couldn't sense what exactly this long bearded general wanted. He seemed like the usual leader of the Imperial Guard, but Celestia "felt" that this was only the mask.

Inquisition came too. Ordo Malleus, the Deamonhunters arrived and started investigating. However, Celestia hided Discord pretty well and humans couldn't find Discord body. She didn't like the presence of the inqusitors and their stormtroopers but she didn't have any choice.

Regiment part... this was the most surprising at all. Sister decided to make this speech quite early, to ensure that they would gather nine thousands ponies in four years.

They managed to do that in less than six months. And she still didn't know how.

That's why she invited one particular pony to her castle.

The majestic golden gate to the Throne Room opened after being pulled by two unicorn guards, standing on each side of it. Another unicorn trotted inside, Celestia's heart started beating faster after she spotted her favourite pupil. Twilight Sparkle looked as usual, her violet mane, lavender coat, her plain and heart warming smile... some things never changed.

Celestia's heart started beating even faster, when she found one thing, that changed however. The head of Twilight was now decorated with the beret. The distance was far, but from her throne she spotted the characteristic red colour of hat and famous golden badge of the Equestrian Regiments, she and her sister invented. One skull of pony, three daggers intersecting in the middle of it and the inscription below it : "For Equestria, For Emperor". The lavender unicorn approached her, standing below her.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight said vigorously

Despite the fact, that the plan she created thirty years ago was now turned into dust, she managed to keep her perfect, smiling face. Her voice was a bit problem, but she dealt with it too.

"My faintful student. I called you, because I need answers. Can I ask you a question?"

Twilight was taken aback, it was first time when it was Celestia who was giving questions, not her.

"Ehm... of course." she answered hesitantly

“Here it goes.” she thought

"You centairly know, that ruling this country for such a long time was and will be a demanding job. I'm planning things a dozens years ahead. After the speech I made, you said that you don't mind my lying, I was doing it for the Equestria, to keep her aside from the cruel reality. However... I still don't understand why you were so kind, so voluntary... It's not something like the war with the Griffon Kingdom, it certainly isn't something like the Red Revolution in Stalliongrad and it's even more than the short reign of Discord. You read for sure the Imperial Guardspony Uplifting Primer. My sister clearly pointed out how dangerous the world outside of Equestria is. And you know what's the most terrifying? What Luna wrote, isn't even the ten percent of this universe dangers. So why, ponykind decided to leave their homeland, to leave everything they hold dear?"

Twilight stayed silent for a while. She was just staring into space, clearly meditating about the answer.

"Maybe..." she started. "Maybe... they are caring as much as you, Princess?"

Celestia rose a eyebrows with astonishment.

"What do you mean?"

Her faithful student sighed and continued.

"You have been ruling us for... ten thousands years? Maybe, I don't want to speculate. But this is the point. You care about us. That's also why we forgive you this speech six months ago. It was... evil. But we knew, that it was just you, always having Equestria close to your heart. Princess, you need to know that ponies care about Equestria as much as you. Our land has many names. Friendship, kindness, wealth, prosperity... I don't want to use the entire dictionary. Point is, that Equestria means a lot to us. In that case, ponykind is ready to sacrifice everything to save it. If our motherland needs nine thousand soldiers to save Equestria’s existence, this price seems even ridiculously low. Ponies are ready to pay it. We care about our motherland.

"Is this a reason why you joined the Equestrian Regiments too?" Celestia asked. She was proud of her students maturity, however... she had other plans for her. Why she did this?

"Yes and I'm fully aware of it." Twilight answered.

"But joining the Regiments means that you will abandon your friends. For three years you were learning that friendship is the most powerful thing in the universe and it is truth. Are you ready for that sacrifice?" Are you..."

"Princess?" Twilight delicately cut her.

She stopped her speech. Celestia was hoping that Twilight wouldn't go, she was so wonderful and...

The lavender unicorn rose her hoof in the gest of triumph and cried :

"This is not a problem. We are playing debts together. My friends are coming with me!"

Location : Equestria, Equestrian Regiments Training Facility, a 23 killometers from Ponyville.
Time : 16:31 PM 08/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

"Try again Big Mac!" Applejack cried to her brother who was desperately firing with his lasgun.

The shooting range of the 2nd Equestrian Regiment was filled with the cracking sounds of the lasguns fire. Their red rays were traveling instantly from the barrels of the ponies weaponry and were hitting the targets thirty meters ahead. Practice targets were designed to show usual "Chaos Heretics", they were made from adamantium, to ensure that that lasers of their weapons wouldn't destroy them immediately.

"He really had a problem with it, isn't he?" Rarity spoke

"Isn't dat' obvious?" Applejack said

It was obvious. In a few weeks Big Mac earned reputation of the worst shooter in the entire regiment, and maybe in the entire army. Applejack’s brother managed to beat Derpy in terms of low accuracy and this was a really big achievment. The abnormally big stallion was pulling the trigger every three seconds, but still none of the shots were accurate enough, usually missing the target completely. It wasn't about technique, Big Mac learned it good enough. It was just... bad luck? Applejack had no idea.

Suddenly, Big Macintosh stopped shooting and head to the armory. If he was frustrated with his lack of accuracy, he didn't show it. Some things never change, Big Macintosh face as always showed absolutely nothing.

"Actually, where is Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked. "She was supposed to meet us here."

"Ehm, Dash said something that she had some "not-finished business." The farm pony sighed "Ah knew she hid something, but Ah didn't want to press on her. Dunno."

"And what with..." Rarity started when suddenly Big Mac entered the shooting range again, holding one of the most powerful weapons in his hooves.

Heavy bolters were one of the few heavy weapons that their regiment were using. Instead of las fire, heavy bolters were firing self-propelled explosive 'bolt' which exploded with devastating effect once it had penetrated its target, effectively blowing it apart from the inside. Thomas, one of the few human instructors invited to the Equestria called this weapon "Back Breaker". Heavy bolters were incredibly heavy, unicorns couldn't levitate it with their magic alone and pegasi couldn't even lift it from the ground. Earth ponies could move and use this weapon, but they had to be two of them to use it properly.

Big Macintosh however didn't care about it, he just took Heavy Bolter, approached the barrier of the shooting range and pulled the trigger. This abnormally heavy weapon in the hooves of the Applejack brother was like toy.

When the first bullets left the barrel of the stallion weapon loud, stunning sound filled the air. Big Macintosh didn't care about accuracy, he just covered entire shooting range in the storm of bolts, hitting all the targets. Small explosions of the bolts hitting the adamantive bodies of "heretics" covered part of hall with the smoke. Big Mac was pulling trigger until finally he emptied the entire ammo cartridge.

After the smoke disappeared, ponies saw that entire line of targets was devastated by the fire from Big Mac heavy bolter. All targets received at least five hits, some of them have more holes than Changeling's bodies.

"Well... Ah guess this bolter fits yer better." Applejack said, watching the devastated targets of the shooting range.

"Yup." Big Mac simply agreed.

Location : Segmentum Pacificus, Sabbat World Crusade HQ on Balhaut.
Time : 765.M41

"Okay, I want an explanation. Why for the Golden Throne we allowed xenos to join the Imperial Guard?" Ibram Gaunt asked.

"I said it three times, but I can repeat it again if you want. They are not xenos." answered Rogan, adiutant of Lord-General Anders.

This annoying prick...

"They are speaking, magical ponies dammit! Don't even try to say that bullshit again!" - he outbursted.

"They are not xenos. Fifth times." Rogan said with the taunting smile.

Good that Ibram Gaunt left his chainsword in the armory, because he would tear him apart for sure. He knew however, that he couldn't even touch Rogan, he was the closest advisor of Anders. He was assigned to be his "adiutant" but it looked rather like "spy". Or maybe he was just the typical, useless idiot.

After Slaydo’s death, chaos erupted in the command center of the Crusade. Thousands of contradictory messages, hundreds of officers without their units and dozens of regiments without their commanders. The battle over Balhaut was victorious thanks to the brave soldiers and their leading Warmaster, but now totally different battle awaited. Entire officers crew was assigned to deal with disarray in the Crusade structure, it was battle to the death by the pen and paper. Ibram Gaunt was now in the HQ of the Crusade, talking with one of the most annoying officers he ever met. He was the Commissar, the political officer of the Imperial Guard, so he was assigned to this war too. He purely hated it. War wasn't about plotting behind the officers backs, it wasn't about the small "deals" behind the Regiments structures. What was the point of it, if Chaos warbands were ravaging entire sector? And this Equestria case...

"Could you at least explain it without your annoying commentary?" he asked irritated.

"Oh, of course. We found a lot of evidences, that these "ponies" are in fact abhumans. For example, the usual pony from Holy Terra is colorblind, while ponies here see exactly like humans. Also, their civilisation and history seems extremely similar to ours. We got confirmation from "trustful" institutions that their incorporation will not negatively affect the Imperium."

It didn't convince him. Anders was against the Macaroth promotion, maybe he was plotting something behind his back? Maybe this was this thing Slaydo didn't forgive him. Anyway, Ibram Gaunt was certainly sure that it was a very bad idea. And whatever Rogan was telling him, speaking, magical ponies certainly didn't sound like abhumans. Not saying, how ridiculous this thing sound.

"By the way... I have a special message for you!" Rogan said. "It just came from Warmaster and you are officially the commander of the Equestrian 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments. Congratulations, you definitely earned it."

Rogan saluted and his smile grew even bigger. This time however, he spotted that it was the malicious sneer. Colonel-Commissar finally came up why exactly he got these regiments. It wasn't the Slaydo decision, it was the Macaroth one. As far as he know, a new Warmaster didn't like the old crew. Maybe this was kind of punishment, for siding with Slaydo? Wait... no. Slaydo certainly made this decision, he told him face to face. The more he thought about it, the more confusing it became. Commissars were political officers, but still it was the weakest side of him. Why the war couldn't be that simple, like during the old times?

"Yea, yea... when I will arrive on "Equestria"? Ibram asked "I want to inspect these soldiers quite early, I don't want any more surprises. You gave me a lot already."

Rogan laughed hard.

"Suprisingly soon."

Location : ???
Time : ???

/ Incoming Transmision...
/ Proceeding...

...

This... arrogant fool...

It was me who show him a path to them. It was me! ME! I’m the instrument of His will and I will not be ignored. Never again. I’m the torch, I’m the sword, I’m their executor and their doom! For every second I’m delayed I will strike with the bigger fury and zeal!

May the Emperor forgive them, because I will not.

...

/ Transmision Ended.

Chapter V : Our Enemy and First Blood

Chapter V : Our Enemy and First Blood

Thought of the Day : While the enemies of the Emperor still draw breath, there can be no peace.

Location : Equestria, Equestrian Regiments Training Facility.
Time : 16:30 PM, 08/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Entire class stood up to salute the incoming instructor. Cloud Kicker was busy with reading his own Uplifter and almost didn't spot that Soarin, their new drill sergeant entered the room. Drill was a bad word however, Soarin was quite nice, comparing to others. Cloud Kicker really pitied the poor ponies under the Spitfire wings, they had no rest during her command. What was unique this time however, was the human marching just beside Soarin. He was higher than anypony in the class and was wearing a black uniform, which looked rather like ceremorial, rather than battle suit. His entrance to the class was accompanied by the sounds of creak, his metal, artificial legs were realising dozens of the squeaky sounds. He looked old, however future guardsponies couldn't think of how many years he exactly had. Deep wrinkles and white hairs suggested that he was pretty old, but also he looked quite excited and energetic.

"Hi guys, did you miss me?" Soarin asked, chuckling a bit.

"Sir, yes sir!" entire class bursted out.

"Oh, thanks. But you don't need to be that serious. We have a special guest today and by mean "special" I really mean it. Allow me to introduce retired Mayor Hingard from the Mordian 11th Regiment. This time he will lead the lesson."

"I'm not retired." Hingard said. "Only in death does duty end after all, I'm just serving other way."

The human saluted and without asking for permission took Soarin favourite chair. Vice-captain of Wonderbolts approached doors and just stood in the entrance, while Hingard was comforting himself, trying to find a perfect position in his seat.

"So..." Hingard began. "You were told earlier, that topic of this lesson will be the vehicles variety of the Imperial Guard. However, as much as I would love to teach you about Leman Russ tanks, artillery and other vehicles, we have much more important topic."

Hingard rose his head, almost looking into the celling.

"You have learned about weaponry already, but do you know to what targets you will be shooting at all?"

Class felt silent for a moment. After a few seconds, Golden Harvest gathered courage to answer.

"Chaos?" she said quietly.

"Elementary, my dear pony. What is Chaos?" Hingard asked with a smile.

This time, no pony had idea. Some guardsponies recalled something with Discord, but they were sure that it wasn't the thing Hingard was asking for.

Mordian Seargant sighed and continued.

"You see, you are the first living, intelligent beings that don't know what Chaos is. As you already know, Imperium of Mankind reaches almost all the edges of this galaxy and there are no humans, that don't know what it is. In all honesty, it's unbelievable to me. But well, you were isolated for quite long time and my order is to teach you it. I'm not questioning orders. Let's start then."

"Before I will get to the point what Chaos is, you need to know some history. I guess, that Soarin taught you something about it, but honestly..." he turned to face the vice-captain and smirked. "I don't trust him. Take the notes guys, because it will long as the Mordian infantry column. In your calendar it's one thousand three year, while in humans calendar it's forty thousands, seven hundreds sixty five. In shortcut : "765.M41". We need to go back in time. Close your eyes guys, you need to imagine all the glory of our past. Long time ago, I can't freaking remember date, so let's stay that really long ago, humans built the civilization on our home planet, Terra. Basically, we were in the same state like you are now. However, we discovered the way to travel to the distant planets and stars. We were using the "Warp" jumps. I guess, you already started making questions what in the hay is the Warp jump. For now, you need to know that's the way to travel in space really fast, but with quite great danger.”

“So, our civilization reached other planets, and we built our cities on the other worlds. Everything went quite well until the Age of Strife began. If my memory is still working it was 23M... or 24M? My memory is messing, no idea. But you are following, right? So basically, Age of Strife destroyed our possibility to make the Warp jumps. All planets were isolated from Terra and because of it, the great civil war began. We were fighting everything, other races, some crazy mad robots, orks and of course, ourselves. It was the dark age of the Imperium, but then... miracle happened. On the Earth, the God-Emperor appeared. He re-united entire Terra, and using his power he created Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines. They become our ultimate weapon of war, their invincibility allows Imperium to re-unite again. Also, Emperor power allowed us to travel though the Warp again, thanks to the light of Astronomica. God-Emperor created also eighteen genetic sons called Primarchs. All of them took one of the Space Marines Legion, like for example Jaghatai Khan was in charge of the White Scars..." Hingard stopped for the moment.

"I'm not mumbling, am I?"

"Certainly not, please continue." Soarin said. Rest of the class wasn't that sure.

"Okay then. Wait, where did I end? Ah, Space Marines, okay. So, in total we had eighteen Legions of Adeptus Astartes and eighteen Primarchs to lead them. And this is a time when Chaos appeared."

Hingard stood up and came closer to the future guardsponies.

"Okay guys, what I told earlier I could tell quite in frankly jokingly atmosphere... but Chaos is something much darker to do it. Chaos is a manifestation of the Four Gods of Chaos. Their ruinous powers is beyond measure and only the light of the Golden Throne and wise eyes of the God-Emperor allowed us to survive. The four are : the god of blood and slaughter, the god of rot and disease, the god of change and fate and the god of pain and pleasure... Yes?"

"What are the names of these Gods?" Cloud Kicker asked. "We never heard about them."

Mordian seargant fell silent for a moment.

"Their "names" are such foal and powerful that I will never dare to say them." Hingard answered. "And you will also. However... if you heard one of these names, you will certainly know what they mean. Hate them, nothing more."

"But backing to the topic." the old man continued "Chaos is tempting. Chaos can offer a power beyond measure. Chaos can do things, which our minds can barely understand. It was M31, the times of the Great Crusade. God-Emperor of Mankind came back to Terra, while he promoted one of his Primarchs, Horus to the rank of Warmaster. His task was to re-unite rest of the colonies, lost in the depths of space. However, Chaos already started breaking though existence and soon Chaos reached the Horus weak mind."

"Finally, Horus declared a rebellion against the God-Emperor. He gathered half of the Legions to his side. That was, how the Horus Heresy began. History of this war is really long and I really don't have time to teach you about it. The most important is the last part, the Battle on Terra. Horus sided with the Deamons of Chaos and received a blessing from the all Four Gods. His army became foal, rotten berserkers, they were burning entire cities, worlds... once he destroyed entire planet by simply bombing it to death by cyclone's torpedoes. You need to remember another thing. God-Emperor wanted to create a heaven, an utopia for their kind, same as yours rulers. I don't want to argue about which method was better, to fight to the death for the better world or to isolate yourself from the rest of universe... but point is that Horus destroyed permanently the God-Emperor plan. In the last battle, in the fearsome duel God-Emperor defeated his son, but he was strucked deadly too. Rogan Dorn, the Primarch of the Imperial Fists Space Marine Chapters put the body of the Emperor on top of the Golden Throne. Thanks to the lost power of the past technology God-Emperor is still alive.

“However, the Imperium is now under siege from all sides. Forces of Chaos, greentide waves of Orks, Eldars and their dark cousins, Tyranids, Necrons and Tau Empire, all at once are attacking the Imperium of Mankind. Now, there is only war, nothing more. Horus Heresy ended in M31, but the war still remains. It’s M41, and nothing changed at all. The mighty Imperium is still holding, thanks to Adeptus Astartes, Inquisition, mighty hammer of the Imperial Guard... and soon you will help the Imperium too. There is no peace in these times and as you see, the war finally came back to your Equestria too. Any questions?"

“Who now leads the forces of Chaos? Had Horus have a succesor?” somepony asked.

“In theory, yes. Horus was the Primarch of the Sons of Horus Legion and after his death, the first captain of the Legion took control over the army. So for now, Abbadon the Despoiler is “Warmaster” of the Chaos forces. Thankfully, other Legions really don’t care much about Abbadon, so they forces are pretty scattered across the galaxy.”

"Okay, let's keep going.” Hingard continued. “So, what fighting Chaos is like? The are several options. The most common Chaos treat are heretics and bandits that gathered in warbands are pillaging sectors. Really often in their ranks you can find traitors guardsmens... do not feel any regret to shoot them down. Another major difference between Equestria and the rest of the universe is that there is no forgiveness. Damnation is eternal, you will not feel any mercy for people that worship Chaos."

"The next come Chaos Space Marines. They are nine Legions of them, and I guess that Soarin will make one lesson with the huge describing of these traitors, so I will not do it myself. If you will really meet them, be really careful, because most of these guys are ten thousands years veterans and by saying “Ten” “Thousand” “Years” “Veterans” I'm dead serious. One of them is more powerful than one hundred of the crazy heretics."

“There is also the Dark Mechanicum. You know already, that Adeptus Mechanicum is responsible for caring and keeping the technology of the Imperium of Mankind. Dark Mechanicum was a part of the original Mechanicum, but they decided to side with Horus. After his death, they helping Chaos forces in maintaining tanks, weaponry, ammunition and the last and more fearsome, Chaos Titans. What can I say, may seem crazy for you, but Titans are the war machines that are from fifteen to eighty meters tall and have weaponry enough to destroy entire continent in one barrage.”

"And the last one, Deamons. And to all honestly, I have absolutely no idea what they really are. I can tell you only that they are really dangerous, but also really rare. In my entire military carrier I never met one. Once, when my squad was helping the acolytes of Inquisition, one of them told me that even one, weak deamon is really bad news. Maybe you will tell me about them, after you will met them on the battlefield? I wished I could still have a chance to fight for the Emperor" Hingard sighed. "I'm really jealous in that matter... Yes?"

"Ehm, sir." Cloud Kicker spoke. "With all respect, but from what you described I don't see how our Regiments will make any difference in fighting the Chaos threat. I mean... we have our lasguns, we have flak vests but I still don't see it, sir. Nine thousands of us will not stop the wave of mad, skilled in combat zealots, especially while being outnumbered one to ten or even more, not talking about Chaos marines, Titans and such.”

"You are doubting yourself and calling it foolish is a big understatement." Hingard smile vanished immediately. “I tell you a story and it's the true one, I can ensure you. I guess you still remember the Horus Heresy? During the Battle on Terra the God-Emperor himself teleported on the Horus flagship. He found his traitor son and the fearsome duel began. However, our Emperor loved his son so much that he couldn't finished him. Horus, blind by the forces of Chaos was attacking his father madly, dealing many deadly wounds which later brought the Emperor on the top of the Golden Throne. The days would be over for us when this happened."

"Imperial Guardsman. Same as you, equipped with the flashli.. I mean lasgun" Hingard smirked. "and flak vest. Probably, he had even shorter training than you. Horus palm was bigger than his entire body. Horus have just dealt the mortal wound to his beloved God-Emperor. He could run. He could shot himself. And you know what? This guardsmen didn't do that. He started shooting with his lasgun at the Horus, which couldn't even scrap the piece of metal from his armor. Horus, in exchange tore him into pieces just by using his foolish mind. When the God-Emperor saw this, he truly realised how evil his son became and with one, swift strike he killed him, ultimately stopping the forces of Chaos from overcoming Terra. This was one guardsman. His name was Ollanius Pius and he is the hero and saint of the Imperium."

"Now, realise this. If one guardsman can change the fate of galaxy, how much can do nine thousands of them?"

Cloud Kicker didn't have answer for this.

Location : Equestria, Equestrian Regiments Training Facility.
Time : 17:13 PM 08/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Almost entire hospital was abandon. Most of the beds vanished, same with the medicines and the hospital equipment. The building was strangely silent, even for the hospital standart. Doctors leaved this place for the special lecture at the Wonderbolt Academy. However, “almost” was a key word. Two ponies giggling were delicately throwing the perfect peace of this place out of balance.

"So, I finally didn't go for the camouflage training, because I really, really, really wanted to see this new human instructor!" Pinkie Pie said with her usual enthusiasm. "Ponies says he have shiny, robot-metal legs, but I couldn't find him so I left this idea and I headed to the kitchen, when suddenly sergeant Loken found me. He immediately grabbed me and said "Well, I didn't see you on the camouflage training.”

"Oh. And what did you say?" Fluttershy asked curiously.

Pinkie Pie made innocent face and said.

"Thank you sir, I really strive."

It took only a dozens of milliseconds for two ponies to explode in laughter, that filled empty hospital. After the moment, Fluttershy managed to calm down. Pair was sitting on the bench in the regiment hospital. There were no other ponies around, war didn't started so no patients were in sight. She tried not to think about the future.

"Pinkie, but why you was supposed to be on the camouflage training?" she asked. "I mean you are... cook."

"Silly filly, it's better to be sneaky cook than not-sneaky cook!" Pinke Pie answered, chuming muffins she received from Derpy. "I think it's purely logical."

"Well... logic..."

Pinkie Pie was about to make another bite into the muffin when suddenly entire Pinkie body began to shake horribly.

"Wawawawawawawawawa! MMMMy Pinkie Sense!"

“Pinkie! Are you okay!?” cried Fluttershy and dashed to her. However, in the same moment she approached the pinkie mare, she immediately stop shaking.

“Nah, I’m fine! But I think something really, really, really bad will happen soon!” Pinkie Pie cried, jumping in the place. “Something not related with falling and doors sneaky, sneaky attack!”

Fluttershy gasped and now it was her, who was shaking. Not from sense, but rather from fear. Now, her eyes were locked on the entrance to the building, looking for “something bad to happen”. Pinkie Pie was alerted too, glaring at these two metal doors with piercing sight.

However, they didn’t spot the problem. They heard it.

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy heard the sound of the explosion, quite far away, due to the low volume of it. Pinkie Pie was about to dashed out of the building to check what happened, but then she realised that Fluttershy was too scared to even leave the bench. The shy pegasus covered her head between hooves, not daring even to look again at these two metal doors, shaking horribly. The party pony hooped on the bench again and hugged Fluttershy tightly.

“It’s alright, probably they are launching fireworks.” Pinkie Pie hushed, her smile not cracking for any moment. “And I guess that they probably didn’t bring enough of them for a New Year and it’s really really scary! And...”

“P-Pinkie, can you hear t-that?” she stammered out.

The party pony felt silent as her ears twitched in the quest for these odd sounds. After a few seconds, there was the loud cry. The cry filled with pain, fear and horror. The cry, which reached all the nerves in the two ponies minds.

“MEDIC!!!”

With that shout, the doors into the hospital were suddenly opened. Three figures entered the hall of the hospital, not bothering with closing the doors behind them. A yellow earth pony and bald, massive human were carring the dark blue unicorn with short, messy mane. Pinkie Pie gasped when she realised that carring pony was leaving a blood trail behind her. The human glanced on them with disbelief.

“What is going here!? Where are the doctors!?” he cried with desperation. Now, Pinkie recalled who was the human. She couldn’t mistake this voice with anybody else.

“Th-They are all at the lecture at the Wonderbolt Academy, they are not here.” Pinkie Pie answered with a weak voice.

Seargant Loken blinked several times. “You seriously mean that there are no doctors at the hospital!? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The party pony looked on the wounded pony. There was a small stream of blood, which came from the rear hoof of the injured unicorn. She also spotted, that in the same place something was delicately protruding from his hoof. Something metalic... oh, no...

“We were training with grenades and we made, ehm... mistake.” the earth pony with a big sunflower as the cutie mark explained, widely gesturing with her limbs. “This thing exploded really close and Star Gazer got shrapnel deep in his hoof!”

“Guys, I’m fine, it’s just a...” Star Gazer tried to say and fainted, his head dropping low.

The earth pony and Loken were now piercing Pinkie Pie with their eyes. The party pony knew that they were demanding her help.

“I’m sorry, but I just don’t know anything about the medicine...” she whispered.

“I can do it.”

All the heads turned immediately to the shy pegaus who now stood near them with determination written in the capital letters on her face.

“Seriously?” the Star Gazer partner muttered.

“Of course she is!” Pinkie cried and hugged the shy pegasus hard. “Fluttershy gonna fix everything! She is always the most caring of all of us!”

“Ehm, thanks Pinkie but...” the yellow pony tried to release herself from Pinkie help.

“Guys, you know, it’s cute and all, but we have a bleeding pony here dammit!” sergeant Loken shouted with annoyance, holding the unconscious unicorn along side with the yellow earth pony.

“Ehm, sorry.” Pinkie Pie realesed Fluttershy and let her catch the breath.

“Okay, listen up. Pinkie Pie, I need you to find all the medicines available. Loken, take the Star Gazer and find a bed to put him into. Mrs...”

“Sunflower. Pretty obvious.”

“It would be nice, if you could find somebody with higher rank and inform him of everything.” Fluttershy ordered.

“Roger that.” earth pony saluted and bolted out of the building, while both Pinkie Pie and Loken with Star Gazer entered the long corridors of the hospital.

Fluttershy feared it. This was exactly the thing she was afraid for. Even the idea of war seemed incredibly cruel to the shy pegasus mind. She could almost see all the faces of the ponies... and humans in pain. It was unbelievable. But it was also the reason why she joined too. She just couldn’t stand the thought of these poor beings suffering and left alone, she wanted to comfort them. Fluttershy just couldn’t make this happen.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 23:24 PM, 8/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar

On the balcony of the famous Canterlot Castle two figures were sitting against each other. While the moon was sending the small but marvelous light, these two figures were playing chess. First one was Princess Luna in all her grace, the second one was the bald, much bigger human with the power armor. The symbol with the skull and the “I” symbol was clearly stating that human was the inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus, the Deamonhunters. One more figure was guarding the entrance, standing still. Its black armor matched the darkness of the night, making it almost invisible.

“I never asked for this.” Inquisitor said. “When I received this order I was clearly shocked, I was thinking that my superiors were heretics in disguise. Even now, when I think about it, this idea was ridiculous.” He moved his pawn forward. “I came here with a suspicion that you will be threat. Before that, I heard how similiar you are to humans. I wasn’t believing it. When I arrived on Equestria, I still wasn’t impressed. You were xenos, nothing more. But then I saw this.”

Inquisitor rose the bishop from the tableboard and was observing it for a while.

“Priest. You call that bishop, but it’s the same. How it’s possible? The same game, the same rules, the same figures... I never saw something like this.”

“In fact, I was suprised that you are playing chess too, inquisitor Goran.” Princess Luna stated and moved her tower. “But I guess, you invited me to the game not just for the fun?”

“Of course.” Goran answered. “My task is to seek the foul deamons and you are first person to ask.”

“First?” Luna rose brew with astonishment. “I thought that you will start your interrogations from my sister.”

“Celestia will be second. And I don’t like to call it “interrogation”. I prefer “friendly conversation.” he smirked.

“You know what, even your presence is quite scary. Not talking about the words.”

“My chief weapons are suprise and fear at all.” his smile grew even bigger.

“Okay then,” Princess Luna sighed “Start.”

“Is this true, that once you rebelled against your sister, becoming something which was called “Nightmare Moon?” he asked.

“Who told you that?”

“Random filly from the streets of Canterlot.” Goran smirked. Luna wasn’t sure if he was joking or not.

Princess Luna sighed again. “It’s not something I’m proud of. When I was responsible for the Moon, my sister was basking in the glory, being the keeper of the Sun. Of course, it was all lie, but this was the game of pretend. Princess Celestia was beloved in the eyes of ponykind, while I was barely remembered. I was hunger for the love and after a few thousands years I couldn’t stand it anymore. That was why I rebelled and I’m still regreting it.”

“This “Nightmare Moon” thing... I’m still not understanding it in full. I think it’s something like “transformation”. While being Nightmare Moon I was still able to think, but I was blind in a fury. I could still feel emotions, but they variety ended on the hatred to my sister. After I finally back to my normal own, I started research to discover what exactly happen. I didn’t find clear answer, but I think it’s closely related to the magic from the deep core of Equestria itself. The barrier existed long before I turned into Nightmare, so it was for sure not related with “other” influences.” she said with the small suggestion.

There was a few seconds of silence. Night Stalker, who guarded the entrance didn’t say a single word from the begin on the conversation, but was looking with suspicion at the inquisitor.

“You was so busy with answer that you didn’t focus on game.” Goran said and moved bishop, killing her tower. “Check.”

Luna winced when she realised that inquistor was playing with her.

“Are you so sure?” she asked and elimanated bishop with her own.

“Yes, I am.” Goran asnwered and elimanated her bishop with the queen. “Check.”

Luna moved the king forward. Inquisitor moved his queen deep inside her side of board, killing her pawn. In that moment Princess realised that his queen wasn’t protecting inquisitor king anymore. Luna moved her own queen across entire board.

“Checkmate.”

Goran was watching the board for a few moments, clearly suprised by the Princess maneuver. Night Stalker couldn’t hold his poker expression any longer and a small smile appeared on his face. Luna smile grew even bigger in the triumph.

“Good game, princess.” Inquisitor said. “I wish that you will manage to create this Regiments as easily as you beat me in chess. I also really hope, that no Chaos taint settled in this land...”

Chapter VI : Lies, Lies, Lies...

Chapter VI : Lies, Lies, Lies...

Thought of the Day : In an hour of Darkness a blind man is the best guide. In an age of Insanity look to the madman to show the way.

Location : Equestria, Ponyville.
Time : 12:29 PM, 09/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Ponyville was abandon, only a few pony were marching on the streets of the village. Almost the entire city joined the regiments after the famous Celestia speech six months ago. The Mayor announced that due too city emptiness, Ponyville will lose municipal law. While of course, the rest of Ponyville citizens weren't happy about it, they couldn't deny that it was good decision. A city with a few dozens ponies wasn't a city anymore. It was unnatural, usually the city was filled with the annoying noise of the ponies talking, trading at the market and usual craziness. Now, there was nothing.

On Sweet Apple Acres, an orange filly was looking with nostalgia at her "home". Maybe not home, but though the months she spent here more time than anywhere else. Once she dreamed about the house on the tree, but she never thought, that the best part of this wouldn't be the awesomeness of the house on the tree, but her friends that could enjoy it too.

She didn't understand much of what was going on. She only knew, that this was also responsible for her friends disappearing. Wrong word, they didn't disappear. First one joined to her parents at the Canterlot, second was busy all day at the farm, helping Granny Smith. Without Big Mac, her friend had a real problem with maintaining the Apple farm. She was helping her from time to time, but it didn't help that they didn't spend much time together.

Scootaloo suddenly heard the small *thump* of the hooves hitting the ground. She turned to see the familiar blue pegasus. The newcomer face broke in the gentle smile.

"Hi there squirt." Rainbow Dash said. "I was hoping to find you here."

The orange pegasus in a one, swift dash was hugging her mentor tighly.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash! I missed you so much..." she managed to spoke.

The rainbow maned pony hugged her tightly too. "Yea, I missed you too."
They were hugging each other for a few dozens seconds but finally Rainbow Dash freed herself from the grip. Scootaloo was waving her tiny wings with excitement, a true, adorable smile appeared on her face. "This little filly is so adorable..." Dash thought.

"How you manage to get here?" filly asked. "You shouldn't be at these "training grounds?"

"Yea, I should, but I get a permit. Don't ask me how I managed to do this, I can say only it was seriously hard, but still not enough hard for me!"

"Is that means that you are not going? That you will stay with me? Please, please, please!" orange pegasus begged.

Rainbow Dash couldn't help and winced when she heard her question. Holding her smile became a problem too.

"You see Scoot... I can't. I..." she weakly said.

The weight of the mentor words stroke the filly horribly, Scootaloo could feel the tears slowly gathering in her eyes. Rainbow Dash thought about herself as a brave mare, but she truly scared when she looked on her "little sister" face with fury clearly written on it.

"Why!?" she squirted. "Why we can't just make same things as always!? I didn't see you much for about six months and it's painful already! You are doing it only because Panders told you!"

"Anders..."

"Whatever! I mean, this is nonsence! These "humans" are just coming from nowhere and first what they do is making demands! I don't want to see you and your friends just going on "war", whatever it is. Where is your loyalty when it's needed the most?"

Scootaloo breath became rough as she just couldn't stop herself from crying. Rainbow Dash weakly hugged her, however filly didn't respond for that.

"The biggest problem with loyalty, is that being the loyal to one, usually means being unloyal to somebody else." the blue pegasus said. "A choice between everything, my friends, Equestria, ponykind and you was a hard one. I wish I could not make it. I... I really wish you will not be obligated to make similiar one in the future. I'm not feeling awesome anymore, knowing that I did it." Rainbow Dash lowered her head. "Whatever I would chose, I was screwed. You are right kid. I'm not the loyal to my friends, but rather I'm disloyal to a pony, that I truely adore. You know kid, you are awesome, aren't you?"

"Yea?" she whispered.

"I think the greatest things we achieve are not in ourselves, but what other ponies can achieve because of us. In that case, you are my biggest pride squirt. Besides..." she changed topic, because speaking of the slice-and-life stuff make her head dizzy "I kinda need somebody to be enough awesome to replace me here, in Equestria. You are fitting this role really well." Dash chuckled.

"You really think?" Scoot asked.

"Of course! Heck, I wish I would be here to see your cutie mark right after you will achieve one. Think about that in this way, the longer you will wait for it, the more awesome it will become!"

With that, Scootaloo hugged her, pulling the rainbow mane close. Dash feeled the Scootaloo mane wiping her chest.

"I will missed you so much..." the filly turned her face to meet the Rainbow soft gaze. "...but I understand."

"Good to know that kid." she smiled. "But actually, I came here not only to make some talking stuff with you. I want to show you something."

"Yea?"

"You still have problems with flying?"

"A bit." Scootaloo admitted.

"So I guess I need to help you a bit with it, because this place is quite far away" she said and spread her wings. Scootaloo blinked only once, before the hooves of her mentor brought her into the air, the wind striking furiously against her face. She cried with excitement when she realised that she was in the air with her idol, flying toward the east.

"So here it is." Rainbow Dash said as she landed on top of the arboreous forest.

Thanks to the trees leaves, only the small amount of light illumanitated area. While earlier Scootaloo heard the sounds of birds and other creatures of the forest, now she heard only a quiet sound of the wind, sweeping between the trees. At first, she didn't spotted anything at all, just some boring trees, grass and bushes. The filly was about to ask why Rainbow took her here, but then she finally noted something which wasn't usual. It was the sculpture of somepony, covered with so many vines that it was blending with the scenery. It was quite strange, she didn't think that there were more ruins than the Old Castle in the Everfree Forest.

The sculpture itself was the pegasus, she spotted a piece of rock which looked really similarly to the wings. She couldn't recognize if it was the stallion or mare, the were too few hints to guess it. However, Scootaloo spotted that the pony was wearing a big armor and was holding a weapon in her hoof, however due to the low quality of the sculpture she wasn't able to tell the name of it.

"Heck, I never thought I would become so philosophical." Rainbow Dash started "I dunno why, but after I heard about all these "Calling, regiments and humans" stuff I realised something strange. The grass isn't the greener where we aren't, but the grass is greener in the places we left. While practising to the Wonderbolts I almost forgot about this. The past is always better. Okay, not always but hey! You can miss the stuff from your past, but you can't miss stuff from future, because, well they didn't happen yet! Kinda."

Scootaloo was ashamed by this suprisingly wise statement, but she started wondering why exactly her mentor brought her here.

"You see... this is one of the thing I will miss much. You know, Equestria... itself? Like... dunno. Just a small things. Like a cloud napping. Or making pranks in duo with Pinkie. Usually, I start thinking too late to realise such kind of stuff. Do you know who is he?" she asked pointing the sculpture.

Scootaloo observated the statue for several seconds. It seemed familiar but not enough to recall who exactly this pony was.

"Ehm... no?" she answered awkwardly.

"Oh, come on squirt. Pegasi who don’t know this guy are Changelings for sure." Dash chuckled.

"Well I..." Scootaloo was about to said that she didn't remember him, but then she recalled one particular lesson with Cheerilee. "Okay, I remember." she said unhesitatingly.

"Of course you are!" Rainbow Dash smirked. "This is one of the thing I will probably miss too during this "war". You know, I will go to the places where everything is so "new" and "not like" Equestria. These things are worring me more than this "war" itself."

"I wish I could go with you Rainbow Dash, it would be awesome." Scootaloo whispered.

"I guess it would, but you are too young for that. And somebody need to be awesome here, while I will be helping my friends!" Dash cried with joy. The blue pegasus looked to the sun when suddenly the shock appeared on her face. "Oh, sweet Celestia. I'm late! Spitfire will kill me or something worse!" she was about to fly immediately, when she recalled that her favourite filly was still there.

"You leaving so soon? Will we at least meet again soon?" Scootaloo asked.

“Of course! As soon as I will manage to get a permit! Stay awesome there kiddo!” she screamed, while the rainbow mare lifted off into the air. Scootaloo was observating her for a few seconds as her idol figure became less visible until she couldn’t see it at all.

Location : Equestria, Canterlot Castle
Time : 14:13 PM 09/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

"I'm not impressed." the governor said. "You managed to do this better than my superior expected, but in my personal opinion it's not enough."

"What's your problem with the regiments? We made everything according to the original Uplifting Primer and re-written Codex, everything is perfect." Celestia stated.

The Throne Room of the Canterlot Castle was unusual filled with many figures, both humans and ponies. Celestia was sitting at her throne, while the governor sent by Lord-General Anders was standing just before her. There were several doors for the left and right side of the princess, almost every of them was guarded by the member of Royal Guard, now equipped with lasguns. The governor was acompanied by two stormtroopers, the special forces of the Imperial Guard.

Differences were easy to spot, stormtroopers were wearing black carapace armors and instead of lasguns they were equipped with hellguns, much more powerful version of this weapon. Hellguns had much bigger rate of fire and their penentration though the armor was stronger. Faces of the stormtroopers were hidden behind the gasmasks. However, both humans and ponies guards were only mute figures with dangerous tools. They just stood in place, creating the tense atmosphere. Only Celestia and the human governor were the living figures on this board.

"Yes, in term of law you made everything succesful." governor spoke. "However, your soldiers are still untrained and not ready for the warfare. And they will have to be ready in three months."

"With all respect, Anders said we have four years to prepere regiments and we used only a six months." Celestia said, trying to stay calm, because she realised that something is going really wrong. "We still have a lot of time and besides, you said that they are untrained and you still want to send them to battle?"

"The situation has changed. After the victory on Balhaut the forces of Chaos scattered. However, the new chaos leaders appeared and they are regrouping their armies in this sector. Warmaster Macaroth and his generals are suspecting that Chaos want to unleash counter-attack in a few months and they can be a real threat to our Crusade. In that case, we need your regiments now." governor said and got a piece of paper from his pocket. "This is official order, signed by Lord-General Anders. The final Calling of your Regiment will happen in three months, not in three and half year."

"You think I will agree for this? I can't even say it with a manner, so let's state this is ridiculous. They are not ready, plus you broke the rules of our agreement. I will not accept this. We made our agreement six months ago and the term of it will end in three years and half."

"Is this your final decision?"

"Yes."

The governor didn't seem to be bother by her decline. "Lord-General Anders suspected that you would decline." he said and clapped his hands.

One of the few doors unguarded by her Royal Guard opened, revealing two more stormtroopers. They entered the room caring the unconscious pony in their hands. Celestia gasped in horror when she realised who he was.

"Shining Armor!" she shouted.

With that cry, every guardspony in the room turned their lasguns on the Anders pawn and his stormtroopers. Stormtroopers prepered their hellguns too, pointing towards Celestia, despite that they couldn't hurt her. Shining Armor looked like he was tortured, even from far Celestia spotted a few deep scars across his body.

"Explain it, or I will burn you into the ash!" Celestia cried with fury, her horn glowing with a yellow light ready to unleash the destruction upon the humans. She was ready to fulfil this threat with no doubt.

"You will not." the governor smirked. "The Imperial fleet is still on the orbit. If I will be killed, there will be nothing standing on this planet. Trust me, cyclone torpedoes solves all the problems. Permanetly. But actually, I will explain it."

"Maybe you don't know, but idea of the world being isolated for ten thousand years, without the Chaos taint seems ridiculous. Ponies? Psykers power without the Warp presence? Magic of Friendship? No self-maintaining weather? Flying ponies? A new goddesses we never heard about? The fact we weren't trusting you was obvious you, I guess. Lord-General Anders gave me this order to ensure that no Chaos taint settled down in this land."

Shining Armor opened one of his eyes, still dazed from the torture. He whispered something and thanks to the Celestia hearing she managed to hear him.

"I-I'm sorry..." he whispered and fainted again.

"You could ask us, we could tell you about entire history of Equestria. You didn't have to torture my loyal servant. No Chaos taint settled down in this land. " Celestia stated, the glow from her horn fainted. Princess started observating the position of the guardsponies and stormtroopers, thinking of the emergency plan.

"Is that so?" human asked. "This unicorn..." he pointed Shining Armor "didn't gave us much, but I think it's enough. What is Discord?" he asked, having a bit problem with pronouncing “Discord” correctly.

As much as Celestia tried, she couldn' hold her perfect, blank face. She heard the sound of her heart beating loudly and her hooves shaking a bit.

"Or nevermind, I don't want to know. But hear me now, Celestia." he came a bit closer. "Inquisitor Goran of the Ordo Malleus will come in two minutes for the audience. If upon this time you will not agree, I will tell him everything I know. The inquisitor will show no mercy for this world when he will realise he can't trust you anymore and Chaos really exist in this land. Consider it as the final chance given from the clement hands of the Lord-General Anders. The regiments will be called in three months."

The silence took control over the room. Celestia couldn't help her nerves. She started regeining calm with trying to put her perfect poker face again. When she did it, she looked on the faces of her Royal Guard. They weren't supposed to be her advisors, they weren't even able to talk during the audiences, but she just wanted to know what they felt. Most of the guardsponies were targeting the governor with their lasguns, ignoring the stormtroopers. They were much more experienced than usual recruits with only six months service. Still, their emotions were mostly dominated with fear and insecure. Celestia wasn't even sure if they would start fire if the fight would begin.

"One minute." the governor said.

Actually, they already agreed to... no, bad words. Luna agreed to create the Equestrian Regiments, in serve of mankind. But the agreement was totally different. They were supposed to be well-trained, she hoped they would come back from war. This order gave her suspicion that Anders just wanted to find the meatshields to protect his own regiment. Still, the power of Lord-General was scaring her. The biggest question was, why Anders was ploting behind the backs of Inquisition? It seemed really strange, in theory all institutions of the Imperium should work together. And how much the Anders pawn knew about Discord? He seemed to only knew a name, maybe he wasn’t knowing anything at all. So many questions, so few answers...

“The time is coming to the end. What is your response?”

Celestia sighed. The worst part of entire situation was the fact she didn't have any choice at all. She could say “Yes” or “No” but all the facts were against her free will. No matter how much she wanted to decline, she couldn’t do it.

"I agree."

The governor smiled.

"Well, in that case I'm realising Shining Armor. However, if you will dare to not tell us the truth, other ponies will suffer his fate. Do not try to do this again."

With that words, two stormtroopers who held the unicorn in their hands exited the chamber, pulling captain of the Royal Guard with them. Other two stormtroopers who guarded the governor put off their weapons and stood on attention. With a few seconds of hesitation, the guardsponies did the same. When entire situation looked exactly like the one before Shining Armor entrance, the main door to the Throne Room opened.

Inquisitor Goran entered the chamber. Despite the fearsome reputation of his organization, the bald human was cheerful and his smile seemed genuine.

"Princess, Governor. It's honor to meet you again." the inquisitor said.

"My lord, it's a honor to meet you again too." the Anders pawn turned to him. "However, I don't think I can talk with you right now, I need to make inspection of the regiments. Emperor protects."

"Emperor protects." Goran said while the governor left the chamber with his stormtroopers. The pair of stormtroopers closed the door when they entered the corridor in front of the Throne Room. In time when the inquisitor was busy observing the governor, Celestia put the best smile she could on her face, while the guardsponies tried to not shake so much. She was sick of talking with another human, she was sick of tense conversations in which one bad word could bury her. She was sick of these ploting, hiding, planning... everything.

She was sick of her plan being in total ruin. Humans discovered Equestria, Twilight accidentally buried her secret plan, she was forced to send nine thousand ponies to death and future was looking like “Hey, you think that’s the only thing I got? Better brace yourself, because I’m going to make things even worse!”.

But still, the worst part of it was that she was defeated by the mortal human. She had the thousands years experience and she was outsmarted by usual Imperial Guard general. How was it possible? She wasn’t getting old, her mind was still sharp as always. Maybe a bit poor choice of words, she wasn’t defeated. But in the battle between her and Lord-General Anders she was forced to abandon the key structures on the battlefield. She was hoping only, that even with a few defeats on the battlefield she could still win the war...

"Greetings, Inquisitor Goran of the Ordo Malleus, why you came here?" she asked in the soft tone. Despite her experience, she was suprised that she managed to say it that calm.

The human turned to her with smile clearly written on his face.

"Princess, I just want to invite you for a small, friendly conversation..."

Location : ???
Time : ???

...

“Spirit of the Chaos, hear my voice...”

“Spirit of the Chaos, hear my beg...”

“Spirit of the Chaos, hear my pray...”

...

“The Deamon of Change, answer the call of Souther, for there is a task to be done...”

Chapter VII : Ibram Gaunt

Chapter VII : Ibram Gaunt

Thought of the Day : An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded.

Location : Equestria, Equestrian Regiments Training Facility.
Time : 11:57 AM, 08/11/1003 in the Equestrian Calendar.

Hingard, "partially-retired" mayor of Mordian Regiments sit down and took the headphones. Massive vox-caster before him was really huge. In shortcut, it was four big metal boxes with crazy amount of buttons that didn't make any sense on the first look. His legs were creaking loudly, supressing sounds of working vox-caster.

The history of his legs was one of the strangest, indeed. Almost everybody thought that he was kind of hero, that he lost both of his legs because he was fighting heroicly with a dangerous foe. Well...

Actually, he cut one of his leg himself. During the campain on Galarnus V he was ordered along his squad to attack enemy fortified positions. He clearly knew that this was suicide. Charging several heavy bolters and a few dozens of cultists while having only a few guarsmen with stupid and stubborn Commissar, this just had to end bad. When nobody looked ( and especially when Commissar didn't looked ) he crippled himself and actually he saved his own life. All men from his squad with Commissar died pointlessly.

Still, he got metal prosthesis and he was forced to fight despire his crippleness. Hingard lost his second leg during the next campain. His leg wasn't shot or cut. Arcus Primaris was arctic planet, his normal leg just freezed out. He didn't know if he should feel proud or ashamed when younger soldiers were gloryfing him for something he didn't do.

Hingard snapped himself out of his pointless thoughts and turn vox-caster on.

/Incoming Transmission
/Proceeding

" *buzz* This is Ju*buzz* of Muni*buzz*rium. Can *buzz* hea*buzz* me?" Hingard heard the message, but it was really hard to understand.

"Testing new vox protocols. Give me moment, I have to clear buzzing." Hingard said using his vox-caster and switching settings.

"Ok*buzz*ay, I'm *buzz* *buzz* just cle*buzz*ar this mess." answered the officer of Munitorium.

"Uno momento, this frickin' thingy just can't set up right..." Hingard mumbled. The officer tried to correct settings several times, yet the buzzing didn't vanish. Technology in the Imperium was a huge paradox. Actually, everything from older times worked better than new. This voxcaster was definetely new.

He turned on and off several buttons and changed the range but this didn't make any difference.

/Incoming Transmission

"Wait, what?" Hingard asked confused.

"I thi*buzz* that someb*buzz* is *buzz* "

/Proceeding

"Is anypony there?" Hingard suddenly heard soft, mare voice.

Now this was getting really awkward.

"Who's there?" he said.

"Ehm, Twilight Sparkle." she answered. "And you?"

"Wait, this isn't some sort of casual talking." Hingard ignored her. "This is serious. Identify yourself. Rank, squad, regiment and which voxcaster are you using?"

"Privite Twilight Sparkle, unsigned for squad, Equestrian 2nd. I'm not using voxcaster." she slowly spoke.

"Okay, so for Emperor sake, how it's possible we are talking if you are not using voxcaster?"

"No, no, you didn't understand. I'm using voxcaster, but it's no the main reason." Twilight explained. "Without code I couldn't start this transmission and even if I could there is too much buzzing. I activated voxcaster, but I'm empowering it by magic. I'm testing it for science."

"It's *buzz* rea*buzz* intere*buzz*ng but *buzz* still *buzz* there!" the officer of Munitorium spoke or at least he tried.

At this moment Hingard forgot that he should ask who gave her permission for using it. This was definetely interesting.

"Magic? And how this thing work? You are like, talking by Warp or what?" he asked confused, ignoring the officer of Munitorium.

"No, no. I'm just empowering the outgoing message, while not using the main function of vox-caster. Maybe if I will upgrade the spell, it will be possible to achieve telephatic transmissions without voxcasters. I have to say that while the idea itself of vox-caster is revolutionarry, you are not using it full potential. I definetely don't have enough time to expand the researches..."

"Wait, what?"

"Ehm, how to put it simple..." Twilight said impatiently. "Okay! I'm just using my magic so this message can reach you even if it can't reach you."

"Ah. That clearly makes sense." Hingard admitted ironically.

"I wan*buzzzzzzzzzzz*" the Munitorium officer tried to say something again, but the hum was clearly too big.

"Twilight, could you actually help me?" he suddenly came up with the idea.

"Of course! What's the problem?" Twilight cheerfully agreed.

"I have a guy from Munitorium on line, and I can't understand what he is saying 'cause of fricking buzzing. Could you clear that for me?"

"Maybe? Give me moment." she answered and felt silent.

Hingard waited for several seconds, listening carefully. For a while there was only some strange noises, but suddenly he could clearly understand the outgoing message.

"I'm sick of this Emperor damnit vox-caster!" officer said.

The mayor smiled. "This is Hingard. I hear you clear and loud. Thanks Twilight."

"No problem. Cutting transmision in three seconds." she answered cheerfully.

Location : Segmentum Fleet Headquarters, Planet Hydraphur, Segmentum Pacificus
Time : 766.M41

When the servant was announcing the arrival of the all Imperial generals, it took three minutes just to introduce them. Lord-General Anders was completely mad, when the servitor started mentioning all of the Dravere's titles. He couldn't understand how it was possible to be Lord High Militant General, while also being the High Lord of Cordian and Field Marshall of Yogilavia at the same time.

However, while Anders was of course, furious, he didn't show it. He had several dozens of years in practising his perfect, blank and emotionless face. He could hold it for a few hours, it was usually enough for most of the meeting. When the discussion was over, he was usually locking himself in his chamber and destroying furnitures.

The meeting that took place in the Segmentum Command was quite nervous. The fact that almost all of participants were armed with deadly weapons didn't help too. During the introduction he spotted that Dravere was hiding bolt pistol behind his uniform, Admiral Thorner had two laspistols, several Imperial Guard colonels had hidden blades in their equipment. Fleet Headquarters in this Segmentum was one of the most heavily-guarded. In the space, several hundred vessels of Imperial Navy were defending the area. On the orbit, several planetary defence stations turned their battle cannons to meet potential threat. The planet itself was completely covered with void shields, protecting from orbital bombardment. Finally, the Headquarters itself were protected by two full regiments of Imperial Guard and several units of Stormtroopers.

The headquarters itself were placed on big mountain, artificially builded in the middle of desert. It was marvelous to see it and Anders knew that it was impossible to attack something like that. To arrive there, Munitorium called several Vendetta's to transport them. Inside however, it was a big dissapointment. It was a big pile of rocks, with no artist thinking whatseover. Besides rocks, there were also several computer systems placed by Adeptus Mechanicus. Several servitors and tacticians were controlling them, reacting to every single change on the galactic map. The place the meeting took place, was old library. All books were already stored and sent away, so they have enough place to set up.

All of the participants sit down, counting himself. First off, they received their meals, cooked by the most skilled chefs. However, Lord-General didn't focus on his food, but instead he started observating what was happening.

Dravere was whispering something silently to Inquisitor Toth of Ordo Xenos. High-Administrator Turion of Munitorium was bragging of his success in the last deployment during the battle of Avender II. Several Imperial Stormtroopers were patrolling the area with their hellguns on their backs. The upcoming topic didn't allow him to make a single bit of his food.

However, the meal couldn't take forever. The bragging and joking was over, several servitors cleaned up the rest of the food. After that, most of the guests, including his advisors and even Inquisitor Toth were forced to leave the chamber. Now, there was only him, Lord High Militant General Dravere, Admiral Thorner, Boyar Dmitri Skorzevsky and anomymous hetman of Voystroyan regiments.

Hechtor Dravere was a squat, bullish man in his sixties, balding and yet insistent upon lacquering the few remaining strands of hair across his scalp as if to prove a point. He was fleshy and ruddy, and his uniform seemed to require an entire regimental ration of starch and whitening to prepare each morning. There were medals on his chest which stuck out on a stiff brass pin. Anders never saw him without his decorations. It gave him a silly thought that they were natural part of his body.

One of the most important commanders of the Imperial Navy in this Segmentum, Admiral Thorner was incredibly low, almost like dwarf. He was also probably the oldest person in this room, his hair and beard were purely, completely white and his wrinkles were almost deep as canyons.

Bayor Skorzevsky and the hetman were looking quite similar. At first thought, he was actually thinking that they were brothers. The only major difference was their hair styles and uniforms. While both of them had long hair and even longer beards, bayor's ones were in complete disarray. He also had much bigger, feather jacket over his uniform. He had to admit that it was cold there, but to bring several pounds of bears fur to cover himself was clearly stupid.

"Gentlemens." Dravere rised from his seat. "Before we will make our way to serious topics, I want to make toast for our marvelous victory during the battle of Avender II! Glory to Skorzevsky, for his cunning and glory to his soldiers!

"Glory!" they joined in unison. Lord-General Anders with little less zeal than average.

Dravere sit down again and took another sip from his golden cup.

"We meet together to discuss quite controversial topic. Xenos serving the Imperium of Man. A long time ago High Lords of Terra themselves were arguing over the joining Ogryns to our Regiments. Finally, they allow them to join. However, Ogryns are only mutants, they are only slightly different than average human."

Dravere turned in direction of Anders.

"General Anders allowed "Equestrians" to join the Imperial Guard. It's completely not the same. You made this decision without the permission of High Lords, without the permission of Segmentum Command and of course, you made it despite the protest of Ordo Xenos. I want to hear from you why you did this."

Anders was thinking for several seconds how to answer this. Of course, he could actually state that they are not xenos, because they culture and way of thinking is incredibly similar, but at the same time, he didn't think that this could work against Dravere.

"It was purely mathematic decision." Lord-General Anders lied. "To conquer this world I needed several hundreds of my soldiers to exterminate this planet. Now, I conquered a world without a single shot. In the result, Imperium will receive taxation from Equestria and Imperial Guard will receive several cannon fodders to throw at enemy bayonetes. Instead of losing several hundreds soldiers, I will save a dozens of them, thanks to throwing the ponies body into the battle instead."

It was truth, because he actually wanted to save his soldiers lives. It was only a part of it, however. If actually these ponies would succeed, he would become the commander of next big regiment and this would give him even more power than before. It was also opportunity to stab Ordo Xenos in the back.

"Your reasoning is truly admirable... but how actually only six thousand "ponies" could work as meatshields? It's quite low amount." Admiral Thorner spotted.

"And actually, what is the value of one Equestrian? From the reports I saw, these "trained soldiers" are looking worse than conscripts." Boyar Skorzevsky added.

"They will be effective, I can assure that." Anders answered. "And actually, weren't that your soldiers that lost to single Chaos Space Marines warband? Your soldiers must be really "valueable" if you have to sacrifice two hundreds guardsmen to kill one heretic."

"How dare you!?" the boyar rised from his seat. "How dare you to suggest that these foul xenos can be more effective than human soldiers!?"

"I didn't suggest it. I stated the fact." Anders answered calmly, while his fury was slowly buzzing in his head.

Before Skorzevsky cried one of his usual curse, the anomymous hetman slowly rised from his seat.

"Seriously, gentlemens. We have to state if accepting these xenos was a good decision or not. Because you are not about to push it further, I will ask the next question. What abilities of Equestrians can assure that they will be good "meatshields?"

It was a big suprise to Anders that he actually had ally here. It took only a moment to answer.

"First of all, term "Equestrians" is quite broad." Lord-General explained. "In the Equestrian Regiments, there are six races. They are called : Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasus, Crystal Ponies, Zebras and Griffons. Earth Ponies are probably the most similar to humans in terms of their possibilities. Like usual Imperial Guardsman, Earth pony can carry lasgun, heavy weapon, can use equipment like vox-caster and drive vehicles like Chimera's. From the ponies, their are the most muscular and vital."

"So basically, nothing usual. Just a few hundreds of meatshields." Dravere ironicly concluded.

"Unicorns are probably the strangest of all." Anders continued "They are capable of using "magic". To the psyker's astonishment, unicorn magic do not use Warp and had absolutely zero connection with the Chaos at all. Unicorns can use telekinesis, adapt forcefields and magic shields, threw magic bolts at enemy. Some of them are capable of short distant teleportation and most of them can empower bullets with their own magic or increase the range of vox-caster. Also, comparing to psyker's, they can't suffer from the perils of Warp."

"So that is why Ordo Xenos had problem with that. "Magic..." Admiral mumbled. "This word sounds pretty ridiculous."

"Pegasus. Now that is interesting. They can fly in normal, Terra-like atmosphere." Anders started again, after he sipped a wine from his cup. "Their bodies are much lighter and they can reach incredibly speed. They can match Imperial flying vessels in atmosphere. Most of them are also really resistant to cold and heat, thanks to their "natural magic". Also, pegasus have the longest military tradition from all six races."

"They actually have military tradition? How cute." boyar Skorzevsky snapped.

"Maybe only one thousand years, but better short one, than none." still anomymous hetman stood in the Lord-General's defence.

"These were three main races of ponies. There are also three more, but they are in minority. Crystal ponies are actually really similar to Earth ponies, the only major difference is that Crystal ponies have much bigger knowledge of geology and mineralogy. There are also Zebras, who are excelent trappers and guides. They have big knowledge of forest and jungle survival and they are really sneaky. The last one are Griffons and..."

"Wait." Admiral Thorner suddenly cut him. "You mean "this" griffon?"

Thorner was holding a big staff in one of his hands, it was symbol of his rank at all. It was covered with gold, silver and adamantium, in extreme situation this could be used as weapon. On top of that was figure of...

"Yes, indeed." Anders confirmed. "Griffons of Equestria looks exactly same."

There was a short, awkward silence.

"I didn't joke when I said that their world is really similar to us in many terms." Lord-General added.

"So, what are griffons like?" his ally hetman asked him.

"Well... imagine the ogryn, that is cunning, intelligent and for some reason can fly like pegasus." Anders answered.

"Hah! That is something that would be actually worth the effort you made!" the boyar cheerfully said and finished his entire cup in one swing.

Anders looked again on the other commanders faces. He knew already that Vostroyan hetman was on his side, boyar Skorzevsky looked convinced too. Admiral looked really confused, like the idea of his mythical griphon actually existing. The biggest unknown was Dravere himself. His blank and emotionless face was almost as good as his. It was hard to guess if he actually succeed or not.

"Well, I think that's enough. I will consult this with other generals, but at this moment I will support the Anders quest. There is no such thing like not enough meatshields. Mark this words." Dravere smiled widely.

Lord-General simply nodded.

Three Months Later

Location : Equestria atmosphere, orbital cutter of Imperial Fleet.
Time : 14:54 AM, 13/02/1004 in the Equestrian Calendar.

...

"Fire... fire all over the world. And Dust only to be left... Dust... All is Dust..."

Opening his eyes, Ibram Gaunt, Imperial Commissar, gazed into his own lean, pale face. Heavy turbulence were shaking him regularly with passion, not allowing him to sit still.

"We're making the final approach now, sir."

Gaunt looked round, away from his reflection in the small, thick port of the orbital cutter, and saw his adiutant, . Rogan, the advisor "sent" by Anders was holding the same mocking smile. He was tolerating the quakes well, much better than him.

"I said, we're making the final approach." Rogan repeated.

"I heard you." Gaunt nodded gently. "Remind me again of the schedule."

Rogan sat back in his padded leather G-chair and perused a data-slate. "Official greeting ceremony. Formal introductions to the Princesses of Equestria and the government assembly. Review of the Founding regiments. And a formal dinner tonight." Gaunt's gaze drifted back to the vast forests that flew by under the window. He hated the trappings of pomp and protocol, and Rogan knew it.

"Tomorrow, sir, the transfer shifts begin. We'll have all the regiments aboard and ready to embark before the end of the week. Of course, if Munitorium will manage to tied all the mess at the surface." the Anders agent said.

Gaunt didn't look round but said, "See if you can get the transfers to begin directly after the review. Why waste the rest of today and tonight?"

Rogan nodded, thoughtful. "That should be possible. However, I need to warn you, that "should" is a key word."

A soft chime signalled imminent landfall, and they both felt the sudden pull of deceleration g-forces. The other passengers in the craft's long cabin: an astropath, silent in his robes, and officials of the Adeptus Ministorum and the Departmento Munitorium, began to buckle their harnesses and settle back for landing. Rogan found himself looking out of the port, watching the Everfree Forest that so intrigued Gaunt.

"Strange place this, this Equestria. So they say." He rubbed his chin. "Hingard said that this world is both totally different and yet it's incredibly similar to a human world. He said that in their world even cows can speak! Can you imagine that?"

Rogan's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't want to believe it, but one of the Mordian soldier told me that it's the touch of Chaos! Can you believe it? They say Equestria has a touch of Chaos, being this close to the Edge of Segmentum, so far away from the Emperor light."

Gaunt did not reply.

Location : ???
Time : ???

"Spirit of the Chaos, hear my..."

"I heard you! Jeez, I'm a bit busy, you know? Trying to free from my marvelous sculpture. Kind of hard, you know."

"It's a pleasure..."

"Seriously!? I have the entire Spam folder filled with your prays! I have to clear up this mess in my e-mail box."

"Ehm..."

"Discord Chaos Corporation can't provide any help if my box is so filled with your mumbling."

"But..."

"Okay, state your buisness. Or scratch that, who sent you? Or scratch that too, I already know. You can go back and tell Tzeentch I'm not backing from the vacation. I have a little "problem" with these ponies."

"I..."

"Okay, I already know. What's wrong with you people!? You always want to absend to the deamonhood. Jeez.... seriously? I started wondering why nobody wrote a story about sad, lone Chaos Lord who lost all of his friends because of his immortality."

"It's not..."

"At least say you are not psyker. Please, I'm sick of turning Librarians into deamons. The last time I did I almost blew up the entire sector. Good old times."

"It's not the Change who sent me."

"Oh, that is a suprise. So who?"

"Not Tzeentch. Or maybe it's him, but he didn't want me to know it."

"Wonderful! So we can be best Chaos friends forever! I always needed answer machine for these prays. I don't have time to answer them as you see."

"I'm not here to hear your useless mumbling. I have the offer for you. I want you to make a one, small thing."

"Oh, I'm listening! But first of all, why I would do this? What I would receive in reward? You know, the fun have to be on both sides."

...

"Freedom."

Author's Note

After two months of crying how bad writer am I, re-writing this Chapter about three times I want to humbly apologise for my struggling with this Chapter. I have to admit that I never had such a problems with writing. I think that it affected this chapter in pretty bad way.

I have no idea what happened actually. I really wanted to finish this Chapter, yet I couldn't write a single sentence. Dunno, I think I have perfect plot plan for the several chapters ahead, yet I had no idea how to write this one. It's possible that the next Chapters will appear much faster than this one. Note the word "possible".

One thing, about Hingard legs and wounding himself. It was really common during first World War. If you would shot youself, you could be exempt from military actions. Of course, if you would get caught you would be put into prison ( or shot ) but hey!

Also, in this Chapter I tried to set up how the EQ Regiments will be ( maybe? ) looking. Another note, of Imperial Guard's rank. A lot of regiments have their own ranks. In this conversation, they are all "Lord-Generals", but they are called differently.

I guess this Chapter was really weak, and I hope that at least the last part with Discord was good enough.

Stay Awesome

Verlax