“RRRAAAAAGHHH!!!!” Xeron slammed his clawed fist on to the table, the claws tearing at the map laid before him. The Night Lord breathed heavily, his rage spiking after what Twilight told him happen in Manehatten, while the hero was away. “The Night Guards stationed in Manehatten have turned that city upside down searching for that bastard, and yet.” He swiped the maps and figures off of the table, in his blind rage. “There is no trace of him ANYWHERE!”

Malachiorn placed his powerfist on to Xeron’s shoulder, actually holding the raging Night Raptor in place. “Calm down, boy. We will find him soon, because he will come to us.” The venerated Captain said, as Xeron looked towards him with a raised brow. “After all, we have what he wants. The filly seems to be important, the fact she somehow called forth three Iron Warriors Bikers, loyal only to her, is proof enough of this.”

“You may be willing to risk him coming here, but I am not!” Xeron slammed his fist on to the table again, staring at its center while his mind continued to rage. “If he comes here, then Twilight and Scootaloo will be put in danger. I cannot, and will not, risk such a thing.”

Jago pondered over the situation, chainspear leaned into the crook of his shoulder guard while tapping a finger against his chin. “Hmm… There has to be some way for us to lure him into a trap, or facing off with us while keeping the others safe.” The Atramentar Captain grabbed his spear, walking over to the table and joined his council of brothers. “Father, do you have an idea?” He simply asked, looking towards the Primarch, who stayed near the room’s entry way.

Konrad Curze simply shook his head, giving a light sigh. “I do not, my son. If we had the ability to gain information about our foe, then I may be able to devise a way for us counter him…” The Primarch leaned his head against the wall, looking up at the room’s ceiling. “But our… Guests are either less forth coming about him, or do not know this ‘Darth Various’ enough to give us reliable information.”

“Then what can we do?” Talos asked, the other Captains all having ponderous looks.

“Oh, I know! I know!” A voice chirped, causing the Captains and Primarch to look at the filly riding on her hound. “Can I answer? Please, please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!” Silver Star bounced up and down on Fluffy’s back, the hound having a passive look on his muzzle.

The Captains looked at one another, before they looked at the Primarch, Konrad Curze simply shrugging his shoulders in a “can’t hurt” fashion. Xeron gave a nod, placing both claws on to the table. “Sure, little one, what do you purpose we do?” He asked, smiling at the filly.

Without warning, Silver Star floated over to the table, her wings buzzing while in air, and sat down at its center. “We could go to the Twin Peak Mountains! Daddy said it would be safe there for everypony in Equestria! Plus, he said there is a Mr. CA that can help protect everypony! He is super strong, according to Daddy, and kick any bad guys butt!” She chirped, the Captains looking at one another, before the filly gained a confused look. “But… Daddy also said that Mr. CA has to be woken up from his nap. Apparently, he is a very sleepy person.”

The Captains just looked at the filly, before Vandred spoke up. “Well, it cannot hurt to try? I mean, does anyone else have any brighter ideas?”

Mercutian sighed, thinking for a moment. “It’ll be hard to transport every citizen in Equestria to these Twin Peaked Mountains… Any idea where it might be?” The Havoc asked, as Malachiorn retrieved the map, and rolled it over the table.

Every Captain looked at the map of Equestria, searching for this “Twin Peaked Mountains”, before Silver Star tapped the exact location… North of Canterlot. “There! Daddy said there is a cavern entrance leading inside! Deep within the Cavern, is where he said we would find Mr. CA!”

They all looked where the location had been pointed at, the Captains tilting their heads. “Huh… It is an easily defended position, if it truly is where she says… I mean.” Malachiorn traced his finger around the point where Silver Star said the cavern entrance was, in a half circle. “We could place defensive positioning all along the perimeter of the entrance, making Darth Various have to come through all of us, before actually gaining entrance.”

Jago raised an eyebrow, looking to the venerated Captain. “Are you expecting him to bring an army, brother?”

Malachiorn nodded at his question. “He’s been exposed, we now know about him and is probably predicting that we are planning for him to attack.” The Terminator pulled his hand back, looking at the other Night Lords within the room. “If he is smart, he’ll try to bring a force to penetrate our defenses. Especailly if he sees us moving out to the location the youngling has pointed out to us.”

“What is to say he isn’t planning on ambushing us while we are moving out?” Talos asked, pointing out a major flaw in the plan.

This time, it was Xeron’s turn to speak up. “Because, it would be suicide to attack Night Lords using ambush tactics.” He answered, the other Captains looking at him, with surprise. “I think it is time, we reveal who we are to Equestria, no more hiding… Do you agree, Father?”

The Primarch remained silent, all eyes on him, it looked like the Lord and Gene-Father of the Astartes was truly pondering his question. “Under normal circumstances, I would not agree with this plan.” He finally spoke up, the Captains straightening their posture as he spoke. “But these are not normal circumstances. We shall go to Equestria’s defense… In Midnight Clad.”

“Ave Dominus Nox!” They all yelled, throwing their fists into the air as a salute to their Lord.

Every Battalion of Night Guards had been assembled outside of Canterlot Castle, each unit within standing at attention and presenting their weapons. Many of Canterlot’s citizens, news crews from all over Equestria, and those who were nearby; had arrived to watch what it was Princess Twilight Sparkle had to say to their Kingdom… The fact that her forces had been assembled amass scared them all, and many wondered if this had to do with the Human that appeared in Manehatten, and the three armored giants that rescued her, another mare, and an alicorn filly. Now, they just waited for her to appear on the castle balcony, with her husband and Command Squad.

Though, the Princess was honestly nervous about going through with all this. “A-Are you sure about this, Night?” She asked, looking up at the Terror Guard next to her, who simply smiled back and nuzzled the mare.

“Of course, Twilight… I would not gather all, if I was not sure. Father even agreed, this was the best option for us.” He answered, looking back at all those gathered behind them… The Command Squad, Twilight’s best friends, the other three Princesses with Shining Armor holding Flurry Heart, Silver Star with Magic Shield, her hound, and the three Iron Warrior Bikers, and for some reason Twilight had Zecora come. Night Haunter stood off to the side, with Scootaloo riding on the alicorn stallion’s back, the prince seemingly uninterested in the whole affair. His gaze returned to the princess. “Now, we await your address, in which we’ll take over from there.”

Twilight gave a nod, before walking out on to the balcony, with Night Claw next to her and the others behind her. The crowds all cheered, seeing the youngest Equestrian Princess appear, while the Battalions of Night Guard all stood at attention and presented their weapons to her with a thunderous “Hail!” and knelt down. “G-Greetings, Everypony! I am sorry for the sudden address to Equestria, but a threat has appeared within our peaceful Kingdom once again, a threat that not even I am sure we could possibly defeat as we are.” The crowds of citizens and news crews looked at one another, gaining worried looks about them, before returning their attention to the princess. “I know about the rumors about some strange Human appearing in Manehatten, who attacked me and two others… Then, shortly after, three giants appeared to rescue us. This address does have to do with that, it is a royal decree for the activation of a failsafe I feared to use… An activation, in which my Guard Council have all agreed should be done.”

That confused the groups of ponies, all wondering what Twilight could have meant by all that. However, the Night Guards already figured it out, their glowing red eyes staring up at their Princess and Matron… Fanged grins appearing within their helmets, they are finally getting to do this openly.

“I have been keeping a secret from everypony, one that the other Princesses and Elements have known about since they arrived… My personal Guard Force are not the ponies you think they are, in fact? They aren’t ponies at all.” That confused the crowds, the Night Guard instantly standing up and presenting themselves even more, Twilight’s Command Squad appearing near the railing and around her. The mare’s eyes suddenly gained a serious look, as she looked down at the battalions of powerful defenders, the Night Guard Captains all looking towards her. “My Night Guard! Shed your false skin, and show all of Equestria the warriors that protect them! Show them what the necessary blade looks like, show them who you are! Appear in Midnight Clad!”

“Our Claws Forever Red!” Every Night Guard roared, even the Command Squad, as they were engulfed within bright lights. The citizens and news crews all had to shield their eyes, trying to hold their ground as the powerful magic had been released! When it died down, and they managed to look, every single ponies gasped at what had now appeared within the Night Guard’s place… Battalion upon Battalion of giant, armored, warriors with lightning bolt markings and icons of death drawn across their armor. Their left shoulder guards bearing marks of a white skull and red wings, each wielding a might weapon of some kind. “We are the VIII Astartes Legion! We are the Night Lords!”

The ponies all looked up to the princess, hoping that her personal guard were prepared to fight these evil looking warriors, but became shocked and awed at the fact she is now being guarded by six of these warriors, all but the Havoc having decorated armor…. But, what shocked them even more, was the one standing in Night Claw’s place. The Night Raptor now holding Princess Twilight up in his claws, allowing her to lean against his armored chest, the razor sharp claws acting like her shield. “My little ponies, I present you the Guardians of Equestria, the Masters of Fear… The Night Lords!”

“Ave Dominus Nox!” They all yelled, saluting Twilight as if they were sworn and loyal to only her, instantly placing their weapons to the side and kneeling before her. “By the Night Haunter’s decree, we are at your command and disposal, Princess Twilight Sparkle! Unleash us upon your foes, and we shall show no mercy!”

Twilight nodded, as the Equestrian Citizens remained dumbstrucked at the beings before them, a smile finding its way on to her muzzle. “Night Lords! You are my hand, my wrath, my hand! All Equestria, and neighboring Kingdoms, shall know that you protect us within Midnight Clad! But…” Their helmeted eyes went up to the princess, being held up by their acting High Commander. “This threat is far more dangerous than I could ever believe, from what I understand… Your Commanders, your Lord, and the Princesses of Equestria; have all come to the conclusion that we must evacuate everypony in Equestria, and escort them to a safe location! I ask that you go now, and find everypony you can and bring them to the Twin Peak Mountains! Please… This is my first Command to you, not as Night Guards but as Night Lords!” Her eyes suddenly flared with white magic, her horn glowing with alicorn magic and her next response being in the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Go now, in Midnight Clad!”

“Ave Dominus Nox!” They all called, before standing up and following their orders. The Raptors took to the skies and flying towards where they needed to go, the others marching out of the city in battle formations. The citizens assembled were soon herded by Atramentar remaining behind to protect the Princesses and their Lord, ponies not wanting to anger these hulking behemoths and feeling like they should trust their princess… After all, awakening such beings would mean she is desperate, and the threat is very real. Xeron slowly lowered Twilight to the ground, before he and the Command Squad returned to their Night Guard Forms. “Well said, Twilight… Heh, felt quite inspired.”

Twilight let out a held breath, nodding. “I cannot tell you how worried I was with that… I talked a good game, and seemed confident, but in truth? I was terrified.”

“And I’m guessing having us nearby didn’t help at all?” Jago said, cackling a bit, as they entered the castle again. “After all, we have that terrifying feel to us.”

“I was more afraid of what the citizens would have done… What if they didn’t react like we believe they would?” Twilight admitted, before Night Claw draped his large wing over her, in a comforting manner. “Thank you, Night Claw.”

“Anything for you, Twilight.” He said, smiling at her. “And calm down, you did very well… Our brothers will also seek out everypony out there, and take them to the Twin Peak Mountains. Though, some may end up being forcibly rounded up and taken, due to how we look and they running in fear.” The Terror Guard, and Commanders, began chuckling a such a thought.

Though, Twilight was more stuck on Night Claw’s first comment. “Anything, huh?” She asked, Night Claw and the Night Guards suddenly looking at her and the look she was giving.

“A-Anyone else… Noticing the hunter’s look in her eyes?” Night Claw asked, the other Night Guards giving a rapid nod. Without warning, his entire body became in cased with a lavender aura… Actually lifting Night Claw off of the ground! “WHOA! Hey, what’s going on here, Twilight!?”

“Our honeymoon got interrupted, and this may be the last chance I have to do this… I’ve waited long enough.” She answered, trotting off towards her room within the castle, closing the door right behind them.

“You could have just ask-HEY! What are you going to do with that!?” The Night Guard Commanders all heard their brother yelled, eyes wide. “WHOA, WAIT! Is that one of Zecora’s potions!? What are going to do with-GULP!” A Sound Proofing Spell suddenly appeared around the door, as the Commanders all went slack jawed.

“She’s vicious, are we sure she isn’t truly one of us?” Soul Hunter said.

“We best pray for our brother… I have the strangest feeling; he may actually die from this.” War Sage said, lowering his head a bit.

“Such a savage method...” Diamond Arrow noted, face burning.

“…. Seriously not looking forward to seeing what Pinkie is going to be like, when this happen with her.” Void Dancer admitted.

“Are you kidding?? I think me and Dashie will have a blast, trying to see who is the dominate one between us.” Sky Spear’s eyes narrowed, giving a fanged grin, the other Commanders giving him a confused look.

However, Night Haunter slowly walked up behind the group of stallions, and placed Scootaloo on to Sky Spear’s back, earning a raised brow from all of his sons. “Um… Father, where are you going?” Soul Hunter asked, noticing the alicorn stallion’s wings were strangely flaring out a bit, but he was obviously resisting them being going into a full display.

“The Princess’ spell is powerful, not even you can hear what is going on in there, but…” He started, Scootaloo hugging on to her Uncle Sky Spear’s back. “Her spell isn’t strong enough to best a Primarch’s hearing, and I have a need to meet with my Luna in private, for a couple of hours.” With that, he left… Dumbstrucking his sons.

It took a couple of days, but the Night Lords managed to actually get every citizen within Equestria assembled and herded into the caverns within the Twin Peak Mountains. Half of their forces were escorting the citizens into the cave, a few moving ahead to scout the terrain further in, while the other half were building defensive positions in front of the cavern’s entrance… More keen eyed Night Lords perched on the mountain side, keeping an eagle eye over the area. The Elements and Command Squad were following Magic Shield, the Iron Warriors, ‘Fluffy, and Silver Star, the filly bouncing at their point. They all would have admitted, it felt strange following a small filly deep into such uncharted terrain, and none of them knew exactly where it is she was leading them.

“How much longer, little one?” Xeron asked, the Night Lords all having their search lights turned on to help the others see in the darkened cavern.

“Um… Hmmm…” The filly had her guardian stop, Fluffy holding his large head up for her to see. “I-I think it isn’t much further ahead.”

“You think?” Jago asked, looking down at the filly.

She looked back at the First Captain, narrowing her eyes in a serious-adorable manner. “Hey, daddy didn’t really give me exact directions to Mr. CA… Only that he was deep inside this Cavern.” She looked back forward, titling her head. “Something about… We’ll know when we see him.” Silver Star tapped Fluffy’s head, the guard dog moving forward again and continuing deeper into the cavern.

“I am just wondering how exactly this ‘Mr. CA’ could protect us against this ‘Darth Various’… According to Ms. Shield here.” Mercutian motioned to Magic Shield, the navy blue mare nodding to him with a smile. “He is really strong, able to withstand an all-out assault on his person.”

Jago cave a slight chuckle. “Probably some over exaggeration on the filly’s part.” He noted, as Silver Star gave a slight glare to him. “I mean, if an entire Legion of Night Lords cannot hold him off, how can this Mr. CA be able to-By the Night Haunter’s claws…” They all stopped, as the Night Lords’ search lights stopped on what it was in front of them.

Breaking through the rock, making it seem like the very mountain had formed around it, they all saw the tell-tale sign of one thing every army feared to face off with. Its knightly helmet suspended over a single piece of rock expanding towards its face, almost like the ledge had been formed to act as a pedestal to the being in front of it. The Cavern opened up more, and more, allowing the group to look down to the never ending abyss below, and the body going deeper into the rock. They could see the being’s arms digging into the rock, making the assumption that the Twin Peaked Mountains had formed around this ancient war machine's body had been correct… But, they did not focus on that, the fact that something like this had been dormant in Equestria, gone unknown to all those that lived here, completely dumbfounded the Astartes, while the mares all wondered what exactly they were staring at.

“We found him! We found him! We found him!” Silver Star chirped, bouncing up and down on Fluffy. “We found Mr. CA!!! But…” She stopped, tapping her muzzle with a hoof. “He’s still asleep, and daddy didn’t exactly tell me how to wake him up.”

Her words confused Twilight, the princess looking up at the terrified Xeron, her eyes going wide to actually see him reacting such a way. “X-Xeron, honey… What is that thing?” She asked, looking back at the knightly helmeted head in front of them.

Xeron stepped back a bit, along with the Night Lords and mares after seeing their reaction. “An ancient War God of our people… A rare weapon that could decimate entire worlds.” His eyes narrowed more on to the frame in front of him, the icons and design matching the very description, along with the sheer size, to what he believes this was. “One of the World Burners… An Imperator Titan!” All eyes went to the dormant eyes of the Titan, a sense of dread and terror coming off of the War God.