Author's Notes:

Those who wanted this story on here... I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY! Btw... There is a reason why those other "author notes" aren't in here throughout the story... Heh, I'll allow you guys to read on and figure out why that is. *wink wink*

It was the day he long feared to come, the day their father will die. None of the others are allowed to do anything, all but one, by his order. Konrad had ordered them to stand down, to let the assassin come. Though, despite his orders, Xeron was not going to allow this to happen, he refuse to.

The Night Lord lost his mother, at an early age, due to the gang wars on Nostramo. Even though she was the victim of a rapist, Xeron’s mother kept saying he was the jewel in her life, a true gift from the Night Haunter. She kept saying that he was special, since he was stronger and faster than the other children. Upon her death bed, holding her hand, Xeron swore that he would become a Night Lord, and bring justice to the stars, like the Night Haunter once did for Nostramo. That he would become a hero, just for her.

When he became one, the sword that was required but not wanted, Xeron soon became attached to the Primarch, imprinting on him like he would his real father. Being part of the First Company, under Jago Savartion, allowed Xeron to be on the same skirmishes as their Primarch. Every day, he trained to one day be part of his personal Raptor Squad…. Showing his prowess with the dreaded lightning claws… Reforging them to seem like real claws on his gauntlets.

But, after the Heresy, even he could see the madness that now claimed their Gene-father. The mindless slaughter, the random acts of cruelty, the deeds of horror that was not the Night Haunter’s way… All could see it, many relished in it, but Xeron knew it was wrong and something had to be done. So, there he was, in their Primarch’s throne room, hidden in the shadows and perched on an archway.

To keep himself hidden, Xeron kept a low squat, resembling one of the fortress’ many gargoyles. Remaining motionless, he watched the Primarch sitting upon his throne of flesh and bone. It almost looked like he was contemplating something.

“I know you are there… Come out, and show yourself.” The Primarch suddenly said, making Xeron lock up in surprise.

“D-Did he see me? Impossible, I have been waiting here long before he arrived!” Xeron thought, his eyes filled with panic, the Primarch may have discovered him. “Well… He is the Night Haunter, and our tactics derived from him…”

“I don’t have all day, come out.” Konrad spoke again, making Xeron even more nervous. Just as he was about to reveal himself, movement suddenly caught his eye. Now, standing before his Primarch… Was the Imperial Assassin!

“Perfect! I’ve still gone unnoticed.” He thought, giving a fanged grin behind his helmet. “I’ll just wait until she is in the perfect position, then I’ll-“ His thoughts were cut short by his Primarch’s next words.

“Your presence doesn’t surprise me, Assassin. I have known of you, ever since your craft entered the Eastern Fringes. Why did I not have you killed?” Konraid asked, leaning into his throne, while holding up his right claw, like the answer was obvious. “Because your mission, and the act you are about to commit, proves the truth in all I have ever said or done. I merely punished those who had wronged, just as your False Emperor now seeks to punish me.”

“This is why he is doing it? B-Because… It is proving this his path was the only answer?” Xeron thought, frozen by his Primarch’s words, barely noticing Konrad standing up to say his final piece.

Konrad stood there, like a stoic Avatar of Fear. His next words, will forever be engraved in Xeron’s hearts. “Death is nothing compared to vindication.” Even from his perch, Xeron could see the smile on Konrad’s face… Just before the Assassin leapt forward, and took the slayed the Night Haunter.

It was all too quick, Xeron’s body still frozen by what he had just heard. When he finally shook it off, the Night Lord saw the Assassin cutting his Primarch’s head off, along with stealing priceless artifacts from Konrad’s, his father’s, lifeless body. The act enraged him, the jump pack attached to his armor roaring to life and caught the assassin’s attention… “Get away from him, you worthless whore of the False Emperor!” Xeron roared, his claws ready to rip her apart, if she didn’t move.

Knowing she couldn’t win against a Night Raptor’s ferocity, the Assassin quickly evaded and moved away from where she once stood. She looked back at the Night Lord, who had just tried to kill her… Seeing him standing between her and Konrad’s corpse, claws open for a possible fight.

“Leave… Before I tear you to shreds!” Xeron growled, using every fiber of his being to not lunge out and kill his Primarch’s killer.

The Assassin didn’t wait, she knew there would be more very soon. She quickly turned and did what she was trained to do, in a situation like this one…. Run.
Xeron could hear his brothers cursing the Assassin, all saying they vow to destroy her order one day… But he blanked them out, he didn’t care. The mourning Night Lord knelt beside his Gene-father, the only father he ever knew, running his claws against the corpse’s armor. “So… That is why you became what you hunted. To prove, that fear and violence can be used for good...” He muttered, eyeing the headless corpse.

When he heard the telltale heave boot steps of several Astartes, he just turned to see the Primarch’s Inner Circle. “It is done?” One wearing the armor of a Terminator asked. Xeron could only nod, in response, before looking back at the lifeless corpse.

One of them, and he knew exactly who, suddenly raced out of the throne room. The others tried to call him back, talks of him disobeying the Primarch… But they all knew, he would avenge their father’s murder. By the time the Inner Circle noticed that Konrad’s relics were stolen, they too were after the assassin. All but Xeron, who stood up and flew back into the raptors of the throne room’s archway, to do what he hasn’t done since his mother’s death…. To shed his tears of sorrow and mourn the death of his father.

This was all three-hundred years ago, ten-thousand in the Imperium, for the Night Raptor. While his armor had changed, adorned with trophies of those he’s slain and mimicking other Raptors in armor style. Unlike many other Raptors, Xeron tries to stay on both of his feet but will be found squatting, and leaping, like them. While other Night Lords have fallen to mindless acts of slaughter, and acts of terror, Xeron tried to keep to the way Konrad would have wanted them to. Which included viciously slaughtering criminals, along with the corrupt, while ignoring those he deemed as innocent. He didn’t spare any Imperial Forces, representatives, or Astartes; such actions didn’t leave him with many “brothers” or Claws to truly fight beside. He often found himself in a vacant spot that a random Claw needed filled.

The Night Lords had many personal slaves, Xeron didn’t have even one. He had the tokens, enough for ten slaves, but he didn’t feel right after losing his first one…. The only slave he ever actually “owned”.

She had turned his token into an amulet, to wear around her neck and show it off. He called her “Airy”, a little girl he found balled up and crying after her kidnapping. She had been beaten by the other slaves, unable to find herself a place to live within their ship. The Night Raptor took pity on her, and gave her the coin… Which allowed her to share his chambers.

Unfortunately, after the two actually became attached, a new slave killed her out of spite for his own kidnapping. Not knowing the rules, he boasted about killing one of the Night Lord’s “favorite pets” and held Airy’s token like it was a trophy…. The other slaves backed away, seeing the blood red eyes glowing from Xeron’s anger, behind him. That day, the new slaves got a taste of what happens when a Demi-God of Terror is fueled by rage.

Now, Xeron was alone again, heading to another Claw’s meeting room… Their current Lord said this Claw was going out on a special mission. One that needed his ‘expertise’, as the Lord called it. Xeron couldn’t make much sense of it, since any Raptor had his same skill sets. Only difference was that he used his bladed claws instead of bolters or chain weapons.

When he walked in, he was greeted by the clicking of bolters and the red visors of other Night Lords. “So, the Raptor finally shows up? About time.” One, wielding a stormbolter, said in an arrogant tone. Xeron watched, as the others lowered their weapons.

“Be happy I even agreed to this mission. It’s rare to get a Raptor without a hunting pack of his own.” Xeron said, wlaking up to the planning table. “What is the mission, anyways? Our ‘benevolent’ lord didn’t share much. Only that I, specifically, was needed for it.”

“Assassination and Disruption Mission, on an Imperial Supply World. While we move in, and destroy the primary warehouses, you’ll be moving in to take out the world’s Lord Governor… In a Night Lord’s fashion. However, the catch is, you aren’t allowed to leave any witnesses of your presence.” The Claw Sergeant, by the look of him, answered.

“Hm… Strange request, but I can see why it requires a lone Raptor, instead of a whole pack. Easier to evade detection.” Xeron said, but he felt off about the mission… There was something that wasn’t being said.

The Claw’s Havoc, sporting an autocannon, suddenly spoke up. “Think you can do it, Raptor? If not, we’re sure there is another that could.” He gave a light, insulting, chuckle. “There are rumors that Raptors from the First Company weren’t skilled, as many would have thought.”

They were playing at his pride now, Xeron really didn’t like the feel of this mission. They were goading him into doing it, he’ll have to be careful. “Of course I can… Though, I could demonstrate by ripping out both of your hearts.” He answered, holding up his right hand, flecking the claws.

“Why you little-“ The Havoc was about to point his weapon at Xeron, when the Claw’s Sergeant stopped him.

“Enough, Xir. He’s already agreed and I’m happy we can fully focus on our own task at hand.” The Claw Sergeant said, before going back to the mission. “Once done, we’ll meet up back at the Thunderhawk, used to bring us there. Understood?” The group nodded, in agreement. “Good, now get prepared and loaded up. We leave in the hour.”

“An hour? What called for such a rapid deployment?” Xeron asked, not aware of any current operations.

“This supply world is a target of opportunity, one we cannot pass up.” The Claw Sergeant answered.

“Alright… I’ll see you all at the Thunderhawk.” Xeron said, he knew this squad’s personal transport. He’s been with almost every squad on the warship, and knew their docking position. Instead of ‘bonding’ with them, Xeron decided to just wait for the Claw at their transport.

Once the Raptor had left, the Claw’s Apothecary walked up to the Sergeant. “Think he suspects anything?” He asked, looking back at the door.

“Possibly. Lord Garthor warned me that Xeron is rather keen on the unexpected… But we have our orders, so we must carry them out.” The Sergeant said, going back to his own preparations. The Apothecary nodded, going back to checking the squad’s vitals and scans.

The deployment and infiltration was rather easy. The Supply World was a back water one, and lightly defended. It was only given enough equipment to ward off pirates, or raiders. Xeron, who was sticking to the shadows that were provided by the world’s night cycle, was moving from building top to building top. He knew how to stay out of sight, while hunting for prey, it came with the territory of being a Raptor. When he reached the top of a barracks, he could see the target location.

“Loyalist Imperial bureaucrats…” He thought, eyeing the largest building in the city, not far from his current location. “So predictable.” He reached up, and pressed the vox communicator on his helmet. “Sergeant, I’m in position. When you set off the first charge, I’ll move in. By the time I get there, most of the guards will be gone.” He said, eyeing the building, noticing there were no Imperial regalia on it… Which was strange.

“Acknowledge. Setting off the first charge in three… Two… One…” When the count ended, a massive explosion occurred in the supply yard, on the other side of the city.

Guardsmen started to pour out of the barracks, their attention fixed on where the explosion occurred. Xeron gave a fanged grin, they were acting like he had predicted, allowing him to soar over the building tops, unnoticed.

By the time he reached the Lord Governor’s building, latching on to the walls with his claws and talons, two more explosions had gone off. Xeron looked around, smirking at what he saw. “Only a skeleton crew to protect the Lord Governor? He must be an idiot!” He thought, how easy it is for an assassin to infiltrate the building.

When he reached the Lord Governor’s office, the balcony entrance was open, a forth explosion had occurred and he could hear what was being said. “I don’t care, Captain! Find out what is causing these explosions, use every man you have to do so!” The Lord Governor yelled, over the radio. His personal Guards were flanking both sides of him, watching the office doors.

“Too easy…” Xeron smirked, before silently approaching the three of them. He opened both claws, their edges darkened by the crimson paint over them. By the time he was noticed by the Guards, it was too late for them.

The Lord Governor fell back against his desk, terror written all over his face, while watching the Raptor lift the guardsmen by their heads. Their muffled screams filled his ears, the claws growing tighter. “No, wait! Please, don’t kil-“ The Lord Governor went pale, the moment blood splashed all around his office, and ran down their armor. “Y-You killed them…” He muttered, as Xeron dropped the now dead guardsmen, before he grabbed and slammed the Lord Governor against his desk.

Xeron leaned forward, giving a twisted cackle. “Yes, I did, Lord Governor.” He whispered, reaching a claw up and using it to caress the side of his face. “But, compared to what I’m about to do to you? They got off easy.” He could almost taste the fear emitting from him, the Lord Governor’s eyes wide in pure terror.

Before he could possibly plea for his life, Xeron ripped both of his eyes out! Causing the Lord Governor to scream in agony. Using one hand, Xeron kept the mortal pinned while using the other to slowly cut his limbs clean off. Keeping the Lord Governor alive was rather easy, Xeron has done such things countless times before. However, the amount of blood loss soon caused his victim to expire. He used his thumbs to cut into the mortal’s cheeks, and forced his jaw to open wider than it should, before pulling his tongue out… It gave a sickening look of terror.

“Not my best work, but it’s still rather well done.” He thought, smirking at it, before a sound and a voice caused his eye to go wide.

A young, feminine, voice asked in a sleepy manner. “Daddy? What are those noises, and why is everyone yelling?” Xeron slowly turned around, and saw a five year old girl, no older than Airy was, in the doorway. It took her a moment, after wiping her sleepy eyes, to see what had happened. “Dad-dy?” She asked, eyes wide at the sight.

Xeron was frozen solid by what he was looking at, and how she was just staring at the scene in front of her. “Damnit… What am I going to do now?” He thought, before another voice suddenly spoke up.

“Yes, Xeron… What are you going to do?” The voice asked. It was of a woman, motherly and almost benevolent. “Are you going to slay her, like you did her father?”

“N-No… I can’t! I only punished those who deserved to be punished.” His mind replied, looking around for the supposed psyker.

“Why… Why did you… Kill my daddy?” The girl asked, tears forming in her eyes. “H-He never hurt no o-one… He always helped people.”

Xeron just looked at her, taken back by what she just said. “Imperials never help those around them, they are selfish in their own corrupt hunger for power… They all must die for their crimes that all of the False Emperor’s lackeys are guilty-“ He was cut off by her next words.

“B-But daddy wasn’t helping the Imperium anymore… He said he couldn’t stand how they were treating everyone.” She looked up at him, Xeron felt both of his hearts drop.

“W-What have I done?” Xeron looked back at the Lord Governor’s corpse. “I’ve done the Imperium’s work for them!” He heard a click before rushing over to the girl, and yelled. “Get down!” Covering her smaller frame with his ceramite clad body.

After the explosion had gone off, Xeron looked back at the hole in the wall, and was surprised at the site. Standing there, in the ruined hole, was the Claw he had arrived with! “Well done, Xeron… With him dead, all we need to do now is kill the girl.” The Sergeant said, looking at the scene before he eyed Xeron, who kept the girl shielded with his arms.

“Why?” He slightly growled.

The Sergeant tilted his head, pondering the question or why it was asked. “Why what?” He asked.

“Why did we attack this world!? They weren’t Imperials! We had no reason to!” Xeron roared his grip around the girl becoming tighter.

“Because this is what the Warmaster wanted… The more others think how cruel the Imperium is, the more side with him.” The Sergeant answered. “That, and Lord Garthor wants to see if you’re truly with us…. Now kill her.”

Xeron looked at the girl, who was giving him a terrified look… That was when the woman’s voice returned. “Well, Son of the VIII Legion? Will you kill her, or will you save her? Will you be a Night Lord of Konrad Cruze, or of Abbandon?” She asked, making Xeron ponder her words.

“No…” He muttered, placing the girl behind him.

“What did you just say?” The Sergeant asked, the others looking at him.

“I said…” Xeron suddenly held his claws out, becoming more like a shield for the girl. “No! I refuse to become a pawn for one who insults our Gene-father, who uses us as cannon fodder, and forces us to go against the Night Haunter’s teachings!”

The Sergeant shook his head, and sighed. “How unfortunate.” He said, looking at the Havoc. “Xir, kill them both.”

“With pleasure.” Xir said, preparing his autocannon… But he never got the chance to fire a single bolt.

Xeron, with blinding speed and a hunter’s grace, rammed one claw into Xir’s chest before using the other to rip his head clean off! He looked back at the girl, his helmet giving off a metallic growl-like voice. “Run! I’ll hold them off, get out of here!” The girl was dumbstruck, but nodded and ran away.

Within the Canterlot Castle’s throne room, a white alicorn, with a flowing rainbow-like mane, smiled at what she was seeing. “Found him.” She muttered.

One of her unicorn guards looked up at her. “Found who, Princess?” He asked.

Celestia held her smile. “The guardian of a special foal… One that isn’t afraid to get his hooves dirty.” She said, making the guard give her a confused look.

“You three, kill him! Malcor, kill the girl!” The Sergeant yelled, but his orders weren’t fast enough to be registered by his Claw.

Xeron used his jump pack to launch himself into the Apothecary. When they hit the wall, he quickly rammed a claw into their neck, and ripped out Malcor’s throat! Feeling panicked bolter fire slam into his shoulders, Xeron turned around and used Maclor’s body as a meat shield. While using Maclor’s corpse, Xeron charged into the three that were firing at him. He threw the corpse on one, grabbed the second’s bolter and forced him to fire at the third. Before the second could recover, he used his claw to stab into his chest and rip out their hearts.

When the first was actually able to recover, he was face to claw with Xeron… Fairing no better than the others. Xeron went to deal with the last, he was hit by a burst of the Sergeant’s stormbolter. Xeron fell backwards, and landed on top of one of the other Night Lords, the Sergeant slamming his boot on to the Raptor’s chest. “See what happens when you betray your brothers, Xeron? I hope you’re happy.” The Sergeant pointed his stormbolter at him. “Any last words?”

“Yeah…” Xeron coughed, laughing a bit before a few rings fell down on to the ground. “Now I know how Prophet Talos felt.”

The Sergeant went wide eyed, and couldn’t react fast enough before the entire office went off with a large explosion, caused by the four grenades Xeron detonated…. Killing both Xeron and the Sergeant.