The day actually seemed a little brighter than before, just as dawn began to rise over the horizon there were shouts all along the first wall of the city, warning that the legions of chaos had returned and every guardsmen that was armed with any weapon from swords to crossbows and everything in between made their way to the walls to brace the city against the impending tide. Tall armored human-shaped ponies patrolled the ranks, shouting and chanting litanies of battle to help bolster the troops' resolve, boosting morale as they brought the wrath and praise of the Empresses to the front lines even before the first wave of Diamond dogs began attacking the walls.

"Suffer not the taint of chaos to live!" one of the blue-clad warriors shouted, his skull-helm glinting in the morning light as the box-like bolt pistol roared its magnificent roar. "They seek only to bring ruin and sorrow, let your bolts fly true, may their blood drench the grass and their bodies turn to ash as you strike them down!" Each of the guardsponies seemed to take the words to heart, some letting out growls of anger as they fired their crossbows. Some, while nervous, refused to let their nerves show as their spears braced against the ground of the castle, just in case the enemy got past the walls. Archers let crossbow bolts and arrows sink into the unarmored harpy beasts and changelings alike, any attempt to pass the wall was met with enough projectiles to make a creature a pin cushion. One marine made his way just above the gate of the city, aiming a large gun down at an incoming battering ram, a hose attached itself to the back of the gun and looped around to a large tank attached to the marine's back. With the image of a dragon winding around the barrel and the jaws painted against the opening, it left little to the imagination as a loud hiss filled the air while flames poured out of the barrel of the flamer, dousing the ram and any nearby enemies in Celestia's heavenly flame, burning the unworthy to a crisp.

Near the middle and center ring ponies hugged what family they had, even some griffons and minotaurs found friends and honorary family among the populace as all realized that this could be the end to everything that they knew. Those that weren't saying what could be their last words to loved ones were readying themselves to join the guardsmen on the walls, hoping, praying that they could take at least one of the beasts of chaos down before they fell.

Within the walls of the castle itself Apothecary Magron was making himself busy as he guided several neophytes through the still-experimental surgery process that was making volunteers from the pony population more human-shaped. His white armor was tinted a slight orange in the torchlight as he walked from room to room, assisting the young new marines in the ways of surgery. He let out a sigh as he began to reflect on his situation, "for ones so young... to have to take up the mantle of apothecary..." Finding a mostly-empty room Magron took a seat as best he could on a large bench normally made to hold medical equipment.

With another small sigh he unclasped his helm from the rest of his armor, letting a small hiss of air escape as the environmental seal of his armor was broken. The yellow-furred pony looked at his reflection in the eyes of his helmet as if taking a look at his reflection for the first time since his arrival. His voice even seemed to sound a little gravelly, "... Not even thirty and already I feel like I'm sixty..." a smile cracks its way across his muzzle as he lets out a small chuckle. "...I miss being able to relax..." he mumbled as he let his gaze drift upward towards where the light sounds of fighting could be heard. "... I may have loved being able to fight... but a siege? We're on the losing end unless we get new allies..." He closes his eyes and his ears start to twitch every so often to keep him alert as he rested.

Dreadnought Maximus stomped his way down the main street of Canterlot as his burst gatling cannon and twin-linked meltas scanned around for any signs of enemy breakthroughs, one of the greatest things about having stone buildings was the fact that fire would really only harm the rooftops. He blinked open the vox-communication to speak with the other nearby marines, "Brothers... it is too quiet by the south wall..."

After only a few seconds a voice came in with a bit of static over the vox. "Understood Maximus, sending a tactical squad from second company over to you." With a small nod he blinked away the communication. It was a bit difficult at first, being in a dreadnought after nearly losing his life to an ogre in Las Pegasus, in a way... he still missed being able to actually feel the touch of real fur beneath his hands. He had noticed himself watching foals playing with siblings while their parents watched from a short distance back when the siege had started, wishing that he still could remove the armor and feel the world again.

"...It seems that you never truly know what you have until it is gone..." He sighed as his gaze continued to scan the world around him.

you don't have to stay in that prison...

Maximus quickly began to search around as he heard the strange voice. "Who's there! Show yourself!" He demanded as his meltas and cannon swept their deadly gaze over the whole area.

you won't be able to see me... I'm not there... But I can see your heart... I can see your desires...

"You lie..." Maximus growled as he continued to search, setting his visuals to look for heat signatures. He began to mutter litanies of hate and protection under his breath as he could feel what was left of his bodily fluids pounding in his ears like a loud drum.

You seek to be whole again... to be released from that prison-sarcophagus weapon that you are trapped in... not quite dead... but not quite alive either... you want to live as you used to, to feel the wind against your face, to feel the earth beneath your hooves... I know your true desires...

Maximus' weapons slowed their search as his mind began to envision his desires, everything that he wanted again, and suddenly he felt and tasted the heavy and stale air that seemed to permeate the inside of the dreadnought. It was strange, the voice seemed to be both male... and female at the same time, sometimes even shifting tones between the two.

I need no answer now, but when the time comes... when you truly see the chaos of this world and seek a bit of order... call for me...

Maximus was stunned a little, his weapons dropping a little as his mind seemed to race against the possibility of having his life back as it once was. "W-what is your name?"

Simply know me for now as the goddess of passion.

Maximus was quickly drawn to attention as he heard the footfalls of the incoming tactical squad, raising his weapons and making it seem like he had been searching. As the others took up defensive positions around him though, his mind wandered back to the offer that the goddess of passion had made for him... it seemed... almost too good to be true. But, if what she... he... the goddess said was true, then he would have to think thoroughly about the offer.

Within the western district of the mid-ring the homes had to be quarantined since a week into the siege, a sickness had sprung up in the district and only those who wore filtered masks were allowed to enter. While the sickness wasn't incredibly strong, it was enough that if it spread any further it would compromise the city. Within one of the smaller, more run-down homes was a small group of ponies, griffons and minotaurs sat around a dying fireplace as they all seemed to shiver in the summer morning.

A creak in the floorboards caused all their heads to turn and see several creatures that were minotaur-like in figure, but more like the marines in body type, each one seemed to have plants growing from various spots on their bodies, each plant blossoming with life. The closest creature spoke with a gentle, even voice.

"We are the lifebringers of Nurgle... we wish to help aid you in your time of suffering..."

Author's Notes:

And the plot thickens!!! Who are these newcomers who call themselves lifebringers? Who was that voice? Will we find out soon?

That's for me to know and you guys to find out.

On a more serious note though, this was actually a pretty fun chapter to write. I managed to get well above a thousand words before I realized it.

I love talking to my readers and I do hope to eventually give every submitted marine an appearance, no matter if it's just one scene or one line.