Without hesitation, and with a predator’s instinct, Xeron charged Brutalight, claws bared! The twisted alicorn gave a twisted grin at the Night Lord’s charge, and quickly changed into her human form, wielding two large blades. The moment her opponent swung his large claws, Brutalight quickly parried and flew up. She waited until Xeron was about to fly up to meet her, before dive bombing the Terror Guard, who caught her attack within his claws.

Xeron grinned, believing he had caught his prey, but quickly remembered… Brutalight was Twilight, which means she can use magic! He quickly threw her to the side, just before Brutalight unleashed a blast of magic. The attack barely grazed his shoulder guard but it was enough to send him to the ground, in pain.

“Damnit, that hurt!” He growled, holding his shoulder, the vox breather preventing his words from being heard. “I’ll have to figure a way to actually take her down, avoiding her blasts of magic…” He glanced around, seeing that his brothers were all fighting their foes. He couldn’t use the old ‘Attack in Numbers’ tactics the Night Lords use against single opponents, but he had to think of something.

“Is something the matter, Xeron? Feeling a bit... Overwhelmed?” Brutalight asked, stepping forward, while running her blade down her chest. “If you want, you can surrender. Then, I’ll let your end be swift.”

The Raptor knew a lie when he heard one, and prepared to fight her again. “Like that’ll happen. Dishonesty suits you, Brutalight Sparcake… You would blend in with the Thousand Sons, or Black Legion.” His claws opened up, ready to sink into the flesh of their wielder’s victim. “And I won’t surrender… Such things are beneath an Astartes.” He lunged at her, ready to strike, but the twisted version of Twilight teleported away and only allowed Xeron to destroy the dirt below him. “What!?”

“Behind you.” The moment Xeron turned, he was sent flying by a blast of magical energy! Using his claws, he stopped himself from being sent crashing too far away. “Your ferocity could use some work… It seems serving my goodie two shoes version has dulled your lust for the hunt, Xeron.” Brutalight slowly felt the edge of her right hand’s knife, eyeing it carefully. “You’ve become weak, predictable… Almost like you’re trying to be some knight in shining armor.” She gave a sickening laugh, looking at him with her twisted eyes. “It is unbecoming of a Night Lord.”

Those words suddenly struck something within Xeron’s mind… He was fighting her, like he was some kind of Knight. How could he be so stupid, the Raptor wasn’t using his truest nature. With a grin, he got on all fours, the claws digging into the ground. “Then…. I should start fighting like a Raptor of the Night Lords.” Brutalight raised an eyebrow, but quickly covered her ears the moment Xeron released a deafing wail! Using it as a form of cover, Xeron shot up into the air and then burst towards her with his claws ready. His prey was distracted by her loss of hearing, which means she was open for an attack! “Die, Witch!” He wailed, claws ready to sink in.

But they didn’t find their mark, the moment he was closed in, Brutalight suddenly smirked and vanished! Xeron created a small crater, his claws digging into the dirt, and began to look around for his prey. Something told him to dodge, and he quickly used his jump pack to glide to the right, just before a blast of energy struck the ground. “Better… Your killer instinct is slowly coming back. Perfect.” Brutalight was at the crater’s edge, her hands glowing and the knives levitating around her. “Maybe now we’ll have a real fight!” The knives flew at Xeron, who used his claws to try and swipe them away. He was able to strike one, but the other dug into his elbow joint and dug into his flesh. He growled, in pain, before ripping the knife from his arm. “Yes… Bleed. Bleed, Astartes!”

The twisted Twilight lunged towards him, bolts of magical energy flying towards Xeron. He could only dodge back, slashing when he could. But the witch of a girl was much quicker in her reaction time, somehow, and appeared when his back was turned. Xeron was at a huge disadvantage, and wondered how the others were fairing against their foes… “However they are doing… Long as I keep her distracted, they should be able to hold their own.” He thought, remembering how this is still a version of Twilight, and so is far stronger than the others. “If you want an Astartes to bleed, Witch… Then you’ll have to try harder than that!” He retorted, actually dodging a last second lunge, striking Brutalight’s side!

The twisted Twilight was sent to the flying to the ground, her right side bleeding from the Astartes’ claws. Brutalight placed a few fingers over her wound, and held the blood to her lips. Letting her tongue come out, she carefully licked the blood from them, eyeing Xeron while she did so. “You actually bled me, Xeron… I’m going to enjoy listening to you scream in agony.” She promised, taking up another fighting stance, like she was never wounded, while Xeron returned the challenging pose.

Xarl clashed with Night Reaper again, their weapons struggling to overpower the other. The swordsman needed to be careful against his foe, they had the advantage of flight over him, and quickly broke away before the twisted Astartes could actually try something with his jump pack. Taking a high guard, he watched as Night Reaper slung the scythe around his back, the two opponents slowly circling one another. This wasn’t a battle of two warriors, not to Xarl, it was a battle between two vicious predators… One planning on mutilating the other beyond recognition or at least ripping them apart. Neither cared, they wanted to win, they wanted to bleed their foe.

The first move was caused by Night Reaper, who used his jump pack to launch forward, scythe held back and ready for a powerful swing. But Xarl was too quick for the strike, and leapt above Night Reaper! Using his head, as a stepping stool, the swordsman sliced at the twisted Astartes’ jump pack, quickly as he could. The two handed chain sword bit deep into the metal, and the sounds of it ripping through echoed around the opened area. With that, the swordsman had to get away or he’ll be caught in the backlash of the attack.

Night Reaper, who landed after the destruction of his jump pack, quickly detached from the useless piece of equipment and jumped out of the way before it exploded! Growling, at the loss of his major advantage, Night Reaper took another stance, a more ground based version of his normal one. “You’ll pay for that.” He muttered, eyes locked on his prey.

Xarl returned himself to the high guard stance, the two circling each other once more. “What? Can’t fight me with a handicap? You dress as one of us, but you are no Night Lord if you can’t turn a disadvantage into an advantage.” He taunted, earning an angered growl from his opponent. He was close, Xarl knew that taunting Night Reaper would actually throw him off… Make the twisted Astartes fall into a mistake, then he’ll be his. “It’s sad, really… Here I thought you’d be a worthy opponent. I’m seriously contemplating killing you, and going for that Xeron boy after. He seems like more of a real challenge, able to go toe to toe with that twisted witch.”

Night Reaper took the bait, and went for a frontal attack with the scythe, roaring like Uraz, in Xarl’s opinion. Good thing too, for the swordsman never did like that berserker, not one bit. He lunged at him, and quickly took a move to strike from the side, but the twisted Astartes was already in a stance to parry his attack! “Nice try, you worthless interloper. But you won’t get me so easily riled.” He snarled, his scythe clashing with Xarl’s sword.

“Really now? Your mouth says one thing, but your actions say another.” Xarl noted, the two locked once more. “Tell me, did you actually lay with the pony over there? Did she offer herself up, so you’ll serve her?” He asked, trying to hit a nerve of some sort. A decent Astartes wouldn’t willingly serve a pony, even one like Brutalight, without some form of payment. Xarl knew this, and got the response he wanted.

“Shut up, dead man!” Night Reaper growled, using his strength to force Xarl back, and took a more berserker like stance… Wild, one handed, sloppy. “I’ll rip out your heart, and eat it in front of that blue mare you came with!”

Xarl grinned, returning to his high guard stance. “Try me… You’ll soon find out, I’ll remove your head, before you are able to actually do such a thing.” He taunted.

The mares watched the display between the two brutal Astartes, confused at what they were doing. “Why is Xarl taunting Night Reaper so much, wouldn’t making him angry be worse?” Rainbow Dash asked, noticing how more crazed the twisted Astartes’ attack was becoming. “The guy is practically becoming stronger with each taunt.”

“Then you do not know strategy, like Trixie and her Swift Blade.” The show mare noted, watching the display. “Swift Blade is riling up that ruffian. Making his attacks more wild, yes, but also making them sloppy. Soon, he’ll make a mistake, then Swift Blade will-?” She was interrupted.

“Go for the kill…” Twilight said, watching the battle between the two hunters, and also with Xeron against her twisted self. “But it seems Xeron is having trouble holding off that Brutalight. She’s actually breaking his armor, drawing blood.” The Night Raptor’s armor was cracked, blood leaking from it… And he had yet to actually wound his opponent like she did him, only leaving a three clawed wound on the witch’s side.

“Be glad he’s gotten that far, on his own, sugercube.” Applejack said, walking next to Twilight. “After all, that there is your alter ego. If ah was a bettin’ mare, ah say she is just as strong, but twice as mean. The fact he’s lasted this long against her, means he’s rather strong.” The group nodded to the farm pony’s point, Twilight continuing to watch the bout between Xeron and Brutalight.

“That is true, but not even he can stand up against her… Especially if that hooded human decides to join in.” Twilight looked towards Mr. Hood, who held his book close while Derpigun was using her cybernetics to repair herself. “If he steps in, Xeron will be in trouble.” Her eyes narrowed on the book, she could sense the raw magic emitting from the object.

“No worries, that guy doesn’t even seem interested in helping these ‘Elements of Insanity’ guys. Once the others clean up their opponents, Xeron will get some major back up!” Rainbow Dash said, watching Sevatar take on Rainbine with deadly accuracy, the cyborg unable to actually keep up with his speed. “I mean, look at Jago! Even though this Rainbine has the ability of flight over him, she just can’t hit him and he strikes her exactly where it hurts!” She grinned even more, the moment Rainbine flew too close, Sevatar dodging to the left and using his guardian spear to rip her wing clean off. “Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about, big guy!”

Applejack nodded. “Rainbow has a point… Ah mean, they may be stronger than us, but our boys are stronger than them, look at Malachion. Who was taking on both Applepills and Pinkis. He had the twisted version of Pinkie in his hand while the other was trying to find a weak point in the Terminator’s armor. “They are tougher than these lot put together.” The War Sage suddenly threw Pinkis square into Applepills, sending the two twisted earth pony humans skidding away. “There ya go, partner! Show’em what we got down at the Farm!”

Rarity nodded, watching Mercutian take on Rarifruit. While the twisted Unicorn human seemed weak, her spells were much different than that, and proved to be rather intimidating with those strange hands. But the Havoc used his Heavy Bolter to actually hold her back. “Agreed. While he uses an ungraceful weapon, Mercutian actually somehow creates an art with such a thing… His movements fluid, and able to hold back that awful looking version of me.” She smiled, seeing the unicorn human send her hands towards Mercutian, but the Havoc unleashed a volley of unstoppable bolter rounds, forcing Rarifruit on to the defensive and putting up a barrier. “That’s it, show her what a gentleman with a lady is capable of, Diamond.”

Fluttershy just silently watched Talos charge Fluttershout, now unaffected by the sonic attacks with his helmet. She smiled, seeing the Prophet force the twisted pegasus human on the defensive, his sword keeping her from getting close, while using his pattern bolter to prevent any sonic attacks from her. Every once in a while, he would actually boot the pegasus human away from him, and square into the ground. The mare would let out a silent ‘yaaay!’ each time he did so.

Twilight nodded, smiling at her friends. But her attention was grabbed, the moment they all heard a loud thud, and saw Xeron in a dug part of the ground, his armor completely cracked and looked like it was ready to shatter. “Oh no… He can’t take much more of this. We have to help, let’s go girls-?” Brutalight suddenly turned towards them.

“I don’t think so!” She yelled, sending a blast of magical energy towards them!

Twilight prepared a barrier, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough, that version of her was really powerful… There was something in her, increasing her power beyond that of even an alicorn! She closed her eyes, praying to Celestia for something to happen, feeling the blast crash against her barrier and it about to break. “It can’t end like this…” She mentally screamed, before pushing more of her magic into the barrier. “I won’t let it end this way!”

“And I’ll make sure it doesn’t.” A voice whispered, before her barrier was supported by a crimson one! Forcing Brutalight’s attack to actually be absorbed.

“What!?” The Witch yelled, looking past the girls, and seeing who had created the second barrier. Her attention is ripped straight to Mr. Hood. “Why didn’t you say he would be here!?” The hooded man had his book open, eyeing through it.

“It doesn’t say he was coming… I don’t know how it ignored him.” Mr. Hood lied, hoping he can keep the ignorance going, and pretended to be panicking. “It must be the fact he doesn’t truly exist in this realm!”

“No matter, I’ll finish off his whelp, then I’ll deal with him next!” Brutalight growled, turning her attention back to the wounded Xeron, who got up to one knee, and held his injured arm.

Twilight and the girls looked behind them, to see a familiar male alicorn slowly walking up to them. His face was unreadable, he was giving an uninterested look at the display before him. Yet, his horn was glowing red for a few moments, before the barrier was no longer needed and quickly dismissed his spell. “Prince Night Haunter! You came!” Twilight said, running up to the alicorn stallion. “Quickly, you have to help-?”

“I’m not here to fight this battle, Twilight.” Night Haunter said, the princess going wide eyed. “I’m only here to protect you from those twisted versions of you, Xeron, and each one of your friends.”

“T-Then how will they win? Xeron is going to die against her!” Twilight argued, but was confused by a strange smirk on Night Haunter’s face.

“Oh, he won’t die, Princess… I’ve already foreseen the outcome. Just sit back, and observe.” He motioned towards the Night Raptor, causing the mares to look at him. They saw the determined look his helmet was giving, and could feel the defiance behind it. “My sons… Fate’s truest enemy. They’ll never submit to anyone, but I…. And yet, you Twilight Sparkle, were able to subdue a Raptor. One of my fiercest hunters.” He gave a strange chuckle, shaking his head. “Not to mention, I wouldn’t count out any surprises from happening.”

They were all confused by his comment, until they overheard Xeorn taunting Brutalight. “Come at me, you worthless witch! Even with one good arm, I can still rip out your heart and throat!” He growled, staring up at her, his right claw out and ready for battle.

“Please, you’re not going to last another second, like that.” She taunted, her hands glowing with magic. “Join me, Xeron, I’ll heal your wounds, and if you bring me Twilight Sparkle’s head… I’ll be sure to grant you more power than you can imagine.”

Xeron managed to spit from his helmet’s vox breather, the acid saliva actually burning the ground. “You can take that offer of yours, and shove it up your ass, Witch! I sooner perish than betray my oath!” He growled, the claw cracking a bit. Xeron knew it wouldn’t last much longer, his weapons were at their limits, her knives were reinforced by some diabolical energy that made them stronger than normal metal… But he could not allow harm come to Twilight, and stood up on his good leg, the other somewhat bent. “I will not allow you to harm Twilight, Scootaloo, or any of Equestria’s people… Not so long as I draw breath.”

“Pitty… You and Night Reaper would have made quite the team.” With that, Brutalight unleashed her spell, the blast flying straight towards the Raptor… Who roared in defiance, ready to swipe the attack away with his claws.

“I will not faulter!” He roared, slamming his claws straight into the spell, actually holding it for a moment… But his claws slowly started to crack, breaking as it drew closer.

“Xeron!” The mares all screamed, even Trixie suddenly had a concerned look on her face. She knew the stories of the fabled Terror Guard, and knew Equestria couldn’t lose such a hero who stood against the darkness of its terrible enemies. While Night Haunter, simply grinned.

When the spell was about to touch Xeron’s hand, a bright flash of light suddenly surrounded his body, and became like an aura. A voice appeared upon the wind, his words like a whisper but powerful enough for all to hear. “And so, due to his power and zeal… The Terror Guard was granted a gift by powers he does not yet know, along with healing… The gift of both armor and weapons to use against his foes.” His armor slowly started to repair itself, even meld and mold into new armor. Xeron’s eyes were wide, as the armor began to transform.

Brutalight stopped, backing up. “Hood! What’s going on here!?” She demanded, looking back at the cloaked figure. Who, ironically, had a real sense of panic about him. He was turning page after page, trying to figure out what was going on.

“I-I don’t know! The book is writing on its own!” He yelled, watching new words appearing on blank pages. “I can’t figure out what is going on… This shouldn’t be happening!”

“He gained the armor of the Angels of Death, who took on to Wings of Fire. The armor named, after the Primarch, who dwelled within the Shadows.” To his surprise, when the armor was finished, Xeron was now wearing armor that resembled the Corvus Armor. He could feel the thick plating, meant to resist even the harshest of battle, but his jump pack and colors remained the same, as if to give off some form of loyalist Night Lord. “For his weapons, he gained Claws of Lightning. Weapons he used in a time long forgotten, but always remembered.” His vambracers became bulkier, but he could feel the familiar weight of his old weapons.

Mr. Hood then realized what was going on, and looked up at the Night Raptor, not believing it. “Oh no… I’m so screwed.” Were his only words.

When the light dimmed, Xeron stood up right, as if he never sustained a single injury. He took a wider stance, throwing out both arms and engaging the lightning claws within. The display of pure energy emitting from the ancient weapons, shocked Brutalight and the mares. The new, and improved, Xeron suddenly yelled out. “Ave Dominus Nox! Hail Lord of the Night… I come for you, Brutalight Sparcake!” His jump pack came to life once more, like his zeal awoken some slumbering spirit of war, and he flew straight for the witch on wings of fire! The lightning claws shining and discharging every second, wanting to take bloody vengeance on their wielder’s foe.