The Alpha
Chapter 13: Chapter 9: Twilight Armor and Ahriman The Exiled
Previous Chapter Next ChapterI had just finished the firebase when I found a staff that looked identical to the one Craig used to open a portal. Could it be? I pick it up and hear
"To those that seek the power of Chaos, or have a score to settle with Celestia, summon me in thy time of need. I am Ahriman The Exiled, and may thine enemies cower before my name, for I shall bring naught but destruction raining on their heads!"
"Huh, let's see here... I summon thee Ahriman The Exiled! Let's Chat."
A portal opened up in the sky, depositing a massive armoured person and a similarly armored pony.
"Now I understand what it's like to be sent through the void.... no wonder Craig was a bit angry." The armored human said to himself, before standing up and dusting himself off. He looked around before setting his eyes on me. "And who are you?" He asked.
"Epsilon-Church, Memory of the former director of Project Freelancer. Current director of Project Overlord. There's a lot more but that's the basics. You look like you've never seen an AI like me before."
"Well, I am Ahriman, Greatest sorcerer of Tzeentch, Leader of the New Black Legion, and the soon to be conqueror of Equestria. This here is my father's Apprentice, Lady Twilight Sparkle, and you are right, I have not seen a AI like you before. Where I come from, ai are treasured, and sometimes worshipped as gods. But that doesn't matter." He replied, motioning towards the armored pony, whose helmet retracted into the armor to reveal the purple pony from earlier.
"Indeed. I-*radio transmission* AGAIN?! Sorry about that you two, these assault carriers keep coming." I motion to the three mile covenant starship in orbit. "For whatever reason the covenant keep sending them every time I destroyed another."
Ahriman looked at the ship before smirking.
"A small ship like that? I could easily tear it to shreds. As my Loyalist brothers would say, 'Suffer not the alien to live.' Do you want me to get rid of them?" He asked.
"At least it isn't one of these again." A holopanel appears showing a 6,000 mile warship. The panel shows the specifications. "You ever see something that big?"
"I've seen bigger. Imagine an 8 kilometer long ship. Then imagine a ship so massive that the 8 km ship is like a tip of an arrow puncturing it. That was the Necron World Engine." He replied.
"Oh okay well personally I didn't destroy the warship... It kinda... you know... got ripped in half... by a black hole..."
"The World Engine literally eats planets for breakfast. Plus, I can summon and control black holes." He glanced at the covenant ship.
"Go ahead. I know you want to."
"Oh, I have a better idea. A way that leaves the ship entirely intact too." He raised his hand, and began muttering words that shouldn't come from a human mouth. After a few seconds, he stopped, before casting an image on the screen. It showed strange, monstrous, abominations with burning swords tearing into covenant left and right. He looked back to me. "Bloodletters. Demons from the Warp." He explained simply.
"Neat. Huh, she doesn't talk much do you?" I nod at Twilight.
She glanced at me. "Sorry, I've just been thinking about some things.... back home, we are prepping for a war." She told me, a small smile plastered on her face.
"One second I sensed the covenant losing control." I exit my armor, appearing ghost-like. "Initiative Covenant Hijacking Protocol DZN185_56." The shields on the covenant ship flare before failing. The carrier starts to turn towards the planet. "Easy enough." I turn towards the two to just see them staring at me, "What?"
Ahriman recovered first. "Well, I have never met an AI that can turn into a mobile transparent hologram. But before we take the ship, allow me to disperse the demons. They don't really have much if a mind." He raised his hand, and multiple black chains erupted out of it, phasing through the window and towards the covenant ship. Twilight stepped forward, her horn glowed, unleashing a similar version of Ahriman's ability, except purple this time.
A siren starts ringing throughout the base. "All forces prepare for combat, there was a second carrier behind them! Approximately 1250 aircraft detected!" I facepalm. "They are going at least mach 10. Did you notice that carrier before?"
"No, I didn't. But I'm not wasting any time with them. One moment please." He closed his eyes in concentration, and for a small amount of time, nothing happened. Suddenly, however, a massive portal of all sorts of colors ripped into existence between the carrier and us. As I watched, a massive ship flew out of it, with giant guns bristling across it's hull. "Scion of Prospero, this is Ahriman. Open fire on all craft in front of you. Also, prepare to launch boarding torpedoes. That is all." Ahriman said seemingly to himself before turning to me. "This will be over shortly." He stated, before the massive ship opened fire, energy beams flying into the multiple covenant fighters.
My claimed covenant ship finally landed. We turn around to see an army of over two thousand of my Lopez drones firing at the covenant with magnetic accelerator cannons and railguns. "Into the pelican!" I walk into the unlocked pelican and wait for them to follow me inside. "Welcome to my pelican which is apparently a full warship using quantum mechanics and other bullshit laws nobody cares about."
"Laws that nobody cares about?! I think not!" Twilight seethed, her eyes turning a bit red. "I want a book about these 'quantum mechanics' and whatever makes this thing work!" She ordered, then got control of herself. "Sorry. My rage has got a bit of an itchy trigger hoof lately. Don't know what to do about that." She apologized.
A green spartan AI, Delta's hologram appears next to mine. "I could transfer the data to you neurally but there is a 19.6183% chance of failure. Failure could cause a coma or expiration of brain."
"Well, how about this?" She asked, hovering a dataslate over her head.
"How much space does it have?" I ask before giving a laugh that could make Satan shit himself.
"Well, let's see.... about Twenty digital libraries put together?" She replied, holding a hoof to her chin in thought.
"Hehe...Hahahaha. HAHAHA the size of the data I'm transferring is approximately 2 quadrillion bytes. Like I said before it hurts my fucking mind." I pull out an empty datapad before copying all the data on the ship to it and placing it down. "The amount of data on that pad is more than all the atoms in a standard human. And yours. Knock yourself out."
She squeed in delight before picking up the data pad and tucking it into her armor.
"Let's just say you may as well have the answers to literally everything now. Don't ask how. It was all there when I found this ship."
Twilight gazed at the pad in wonder. Ahriman shrugged. "I bet it doesn't have any knowledge of the Warp. After all, I can sense it all around me. It's barely even active in this universe. And anyways, the Warp could never be understood. Nothing can understand it, not even Lord Tzeentch himself. Anyways, it has been a pleasure. Also here." Two massive guns appeared in front of me. "These are heavy bolters. Pack a decent punch when dealing with infantry. It uses mass reactive ammunition, which is nearly infinite for some reason. Each shot can take a creature's head off with ease." Ahriman stated
"Kinda like this?" I unsling my sniper rifle and set it to automatic and accurate aim before unloading 200 rounds in succession, leaving a crater that goes... I'm not even going to bother counting that. I see Twilight clutching her ears in pain and Ahriman looking amused.
"Sort of. But it has a bit more kick to it, as well as firepower." He picked one up, and opened fire. The massive shells flew out, punching into the wall before exploding, and created an even bigger crater at the same amount of bullets. Twilight clutches her head again, before her helmet reforms around her.
Discord teleports in front of us. "Would you kindly, SHUT THAT FUCKING THING OFF!? I CAN HEAR THAT FUCKING THING FROM SPACE!" He teleports away. I just stare at where he was.
"Uh..." I try to start the conversation back up but fail miserably.
"Just don't question him. It's best not to. Anyways, I might as well add a magic suppressor." He implants a glowing gem into the side. "There."
"So uh... I kinda remember your token saying something about chaos power or something. Ah yes that is why I originally summoned you."
"Ah, I understand. Here, take this." He tossed me a book. "That book holds many spells and rituals that enable you to summon demons, shoot lightning out of your hands, and burn people with your mind. Or send them to the Warp for shits and giggles. Everything you need to know."
"Uh... By the way, you mentioned a war. Any way I can help? I'm basically invincible since I can go body to body and possess others."
"At the moment, no. In reality, we are going to be needing weapons. As well as soldiers. We got that entire ship full full of troops, but we need more. The ponies are kinda superior somehow. Plus, they have our own weaponry. I've taken the liberty and removed some covenant weapons from the carrier for reverse engineering, but we could probably use more." He replied.
A forerunner looking weapon forms in my arms. "This alone could probably deatomize a star... Any use for it? Actually that's a horrible idea. What this weapon does is sends a signal that causes anything hit to either implode, disintegrate entirely or not exist. Found it in the weapons bay. It's called a Type-4 Galaxy Destroyer. Experimental, really."
"That would definitely be a boost to our capabilities. Let's see here.... what can I summon from the Warp..... aha!" He held up a image of a massive machine.
"This is a Reaver Class Titan. A God machine, really. Nearly unstoppable, and can destroy most of an entire city with one shot. Strange, how did an uncorrupted titan manage to get out here...." Ahriman puzzled.
"If you question it you will go insane, hehe I'm neither sane nor insane, I just am."
"Good wording. Anyways, I must get going. I have a war to prepare for. That titan will appear in the badlands tonight. It has a limited battery supply for some reason.... who switched it's generator with Duracell batteries? How did they?"
Discord appears looking embarrassed. "If it ain't broke don't fix it." He disappears again.
I scoff, "Amateur hour."
"I HEARD THAT!"
I turn towards Ahriman, "Duracell, seriously?"
"I am not kidding. This thing is somehow running on a Duracell battery. HOW DOES 'A TITAN RUN ON BATTERIES?!" Ahriman replied, shaking his fist to the ceiling. "Oh, by the way, you haven't been in your body for a good while. Just thought I should mention that." Ahriman added.
I look down and see myself without armor. "Shit." If anyone had strong enough hearing, Twilight for example, they would hear a battle between the red and blue grunts going on. "I have one question for you before you and best pony leave."
"And that question would be?" Ahriman asked, while Twilight looked around.
"Does anyone else hear that?" She asked, though she was ignored.
I turn on the recording of the red and blue grunts fighting.
"KILL THE REDS KILL THE REDS!"
"HUT HUT HUT HUT HUT HUT!"
"*Gunshots"
I look at her pointedly, "Oh, you mean those idiots. They are probably more religious about their flag than they are smart." Twilight winces at that. "Anyway my question is how the fuck are you losing to ponies who have primeval technology?" I turn towards Twilight, "No offense."
"None taken. As for your question, we technically aren't losing. It's a standoff. The pony army somehow managed to find a large amount of our own weaponry, and are using it against us. I'm surprised they learned how to use the guns so quickly. We believe the Crystal Empire might have discovered it, and we are planning to take over to control the weapon supply." Twilight explained.
"Or," I argue, "The weapons were always there, by the way, I find it odd that you are on the side against Equestria or so I see. Different timeline that caused you to choose that side or...as you say... destiny?"
"Lord Magnus, Ahriman's father, taught me the powers of the Warp, and enlightened me to Celestia's crimes. Also, Princess Luna had me arrested just for knowing about the Warp once she found out. Both of them can kiss my flanks when we destroy them. They don't deserve to be rulers. They can't even properly protect a town right in front of the capitol. How can they expect to lead a country?" Twilight replied, poison in her words.
"Ah, this land you are standing on I manipulated Celestia into giving me. She thinks it's a protectorate. Ha! I'm going to use this land to make a militaristic society run by artificial intelligence. Impenetrable by moles because of our capabilities. Unless she wants to attack and come back with all her troops disintegrated."
"Welp, since you have this land, I am moving the Titan here now. Also, in case you want a better body than that, I gift you a robotic set of Terminator Armor." A portal opened up, and a massive, bulky figure stepped out, carrying a sword as long as a man was tall, and a heavy gun on its other hand. "In this, you are literally a walking tank." As he said that, a massive robot stepped out of another portal. "And here's the titan. Also, there's a spy in the bushes behind you." Before I could reply, Ahriman shot a ball of fire at the bushes behind me. A pony rolled out, burning.
After a few seconds a blue fire erupted revealing a blue insectoid equine thing or changeling, not to be mistaken with the black ones from Chrysalis. "Wot."
"Oh great. More Tyranid Wannabe's. I mean Changelings." Ahriman groaned.
My second in command, Virgil, still her Sangheili General form chuckled before wrapping her arm around the changeling's neck and holding it above an energy sword. "Well aren't you cute?" The changeling faints. Virgil scoffs before carrying away the unconscious changeling into our Forward Operating Base.
I look at Ahriman and Twilight. "Do any of you like torture and intimidation?"
Ahriman smiled. "I can summon a demon that is excellent at that." He stated.
"Hey Twi, got any mind-delving spells or know any revival rituals Ahri? Kill and revive until they surrender information." I laugh. "Not too demented right?"
"I've seen worse. And yes, we do. However, that was a drone. It's linked to the queen and and has no mind. However, we can trace the link back to the Queens home, if you want." Twilight replied.
"Do you hold a grudge changelings like this Equestria's Twilight? I do but not for the same reason. They turned to spying and impersonation for something they could have not needed. Why drain love when you can drain hate, apathy, betrayal, hatred and such."
"Who knows? But anyways, I do not hold a grudge against them. In fact, they are our allies in the war." She answered.
"You misunderstood, I only hate Chrysalis and hers. She even failed when she could have killed and impersonated Celestia. Anyways these other changelings show potential." I sigh, "Have you found the hive?"
"The changeling hive that one was from was beyond the badlands, and heard from Chrysalis about you." Twilight answered.
"Precursor classification gravemind detected on ruins."
"Why? Why is it always the ones who could evolve us and make us immortal with but a thought that I have to fight. Changelings aren't really a problem. But that gravemind? A single flood spore could destroy an entire species."
"I can drop it into the Warp for all eternity if you want. Let Nurgle teach it a lesson." Ahriman said.
"I don't think you understand. Even if you wiped all life in this galaxy yet again they'll always come back. Through blood, and metal, and time."
"I don't think you get it. Nurgle is the fucking GOD of Plague, Disease, and Decay. He invented every plague and disease ever encountered. He probably created the Flood too."
"The flood weren't exactly created. They are the inert remains of a possibly multi-trillion year old race. Technology tier 0 Transsentience."
"Nurgle has been around since the birth of the Warp, which was a few hundred years after the birth of the universe. He gifts immortality so long as you bear his plagues and shit."
"Both of you stop acting like fools. There is a threat to the world and you two are arguing." Virgil says angrily. I jump. Where the fuck did she come from.
"Oh, I dropped off a few Nurgle demons to deal with it."
"Hey Twilight can you lead us towards the hive? Just input the coordinates into the ftl and warp drive."
"Sure thing." She inputs the coordinates. "Welp, it's been fun, but me and Ahriman need to get going. Give us a call sometime okay?" Twilight said, before leaping into a portal.
Before Ahriman can leave I throw my token at him. "My token, works like an energy sword. Infinite charge. Don't end the war without me!"
"Wouldn't dream of it." He replied, before stepping through the portal.
Next Chapter: Chapter 10: You are not welcome here... Yet Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 24 MinutesAuthor's Notes:
This chapter is a crossover with Dark lord Kirito's story The Warriors of Chaos