Every single Techmarine available within the Legion rushed into the Caverns, and down to the Imperator Titan’s chambers. Each one working tirelessly in attempts to try and wake the War God from his millennia upon millennia slumber. But, unfortunately and despite their best efforts, they failed in trying to wake him. It was almost like the Titan was either refusing to wake from his slumber, or is waiting for someone specifically to do so. What was worse, they couldn’t even get inside of the colossus’ metal body, due to the sheer drop keeping the War God and the ledge apart from one another. This made them resort to more distant related means of trying to wake him.

All the while, the Command Squad and mares kept their distance while they worked, pony after pony pouring into the Imperator Titan’s chambers. “Who would have thought, that such a destructive thing was hidden in Equestria, for many years from the looks of it.” Jago said, looking up at the dormant helmet. “Is it bad, for me to say I’m actually terrified what would happen if that thing woke up, and isn’t too pleased about it all?”

Talos shook his head, getting the same sense of dread. “You are not the only one, who feels that way, brother… Even when they are on your own side, an Imperator Titan terrifies you.”

Twilight looked up at the two that spoke, confused by what it is they are talking about, along with what Xeron had told them before about this mighty war machine. Her gaze went to the Night Raptor, who kept his gaze locked on to the Imperator’s own eyes. “X-Xeron, mind telling us about what exactly this ‘Imperator Titan’ is? I-I mean, we kind of got the picture by what you meant by ‘World Burner’ but…” Her own gaze went to the dormant titan, suddenly feeling a chill go down her spine. It terrified her, to even wonder what had been the dreaded need for such a destructive thing. A weapon that carried enough firepower to burn entire worlds beneath their iron feet. “Are they truly so bad?”

Xeron looked down at Twilight, the Night Raptor kneeling next to her and placing a clawed hand on to her back. “In short? Yes…” His gaze went to the titan’s helmet again, remembering all he could about such things. “They were rare commodity to see, but when they are deployed? The opposing force’s fate had been sealed… They carry enough fire power to level entire cities with a single burst, or volley. Mobile Fortresses, able to hold entire battle lines for days, possibly months, without reinforcements.” He shivered, remembering seeing one battle against the Orks and an Imperator Titan striding on to the battlefield. “I saw one in combat, only once… We were up against the Green Tide of an Ork Waaagh… We were having trouble, fighting it. Outnumbered ten to one, we called out for assistance.” Xeron started to shake, the terror of seeing such firepower, it is unnerving to even Astartes. “Our situation had been drastic enough for an Imperator to be deployed directly on to our position. The moment it landed, and became active, the entire Ork Horde had been wiped out in mere moments, under the sheer firepower unleashed upon them.”

That scared the mares, they didn’t know what a “Ork” was, but they were enough to overwhelm Astartes. It was enough for them to get the idea, these were no easy foes and very dangerous, and the fact that a lone Imperator actually decimated their entire army? The mares paled, almost losing all color in their fur, when they looked back up at this sleeping War God. They could not see what it is currently armed with, but the imagination alone is enough to get the idea that, if it wakes up, nothing is going to stop its mighty warpath.

“Commander!” A voice came over the vox channel, causing the entire Command Squad to snap out of their trance, and activate their personal vox channels. “We’ve spotted the enemy! All Night Lords and Royal Guards are moving into defensive formations and positions! Atramentar are getting the remaining citizens into the Caverns now, they’ll be at your position shortly!”

“Acknowledged, brother. We shall move to the defensive positions now.” Xeron looked back at the mares, the sounds of heavy footsteps echoing from where the entrance was. “The Atramentar will be here, soon… They’ll be our last line of defense.” He looked down at the mares, kneeling in front of Twilight. “You stay here; I rather not risk you being out there…”

“Why? I can help you, Xeron.” Twilight asked, stepping forward with a rather determined look on her muzzle. “I am a Princess of Equestria and now your wife… If there is some grand threat out there, it is my duty to stand and fight it alongside my husband and champion!” The other mares nodding, those within the Command Squad not sure how to approach this, but Xeron shook his head.

“You’re not staying here, because I believe you should be protected, Twilight…” He reached up, and placed his clawed hand on top of her head. “You’re staying here, because those within this Cavern will need protection, you and your friends are the mares for the job.” Twilight just looked at him, tilting her head. “Our Father is, no doubt, preparing traps for our foes if they get past us… The Atramentar will be looking to you, for leadership and commands. So, you are in charge here, while we go and meet our foe head on.”

Twilight just looked at him, ears lowered into her mane. When she heard Scootaloo giggling, looking back and seeing her riding on Harion’s shoulder, the Atramentar herding the remaining ponies inside the caverns before taking up defensive positions… The princess gave a reluctant nod and looked back at the Night Raptor. “You promise not to do anything stupid, and I’ll stay.”

Xeron smiled at her response, before going through with an unexpected swear. “Cross my heart, and hope to fly… Stick a cupcake in my eye.” They all gasped, as he stood up and nodding towards the Command Squad. “Let’s go, brothers! Let us run these invaders away from Equestria! Ave Dominus Nox!”

“Ave Dominus Nox!” The other members of the Command Squad wailed, before all six charged towards the Cavern entrance, readying to lead the defense forces against whatever Darth Various is sending their way. Though, near Twilight, Silver Star sat on top of Fluffy’s head, watching them rush off, with Magic Shield and the Iron Warrior Bikers, each having their arms crossed, with her. “T-Think they’ll be ok?”

“No idea, sweetie… But we need to stay where it is safe.” Magic Shield said, reluctantly, trying to resist the urge to go out and help the Night Lords… It wasn’t in her nature to sit back, and let others fight her battles. However, she made a promise to keep Silver Star safe, and she was not one to go back on her word… Ever. “Xeron can fight them back, without a single problem, Silver-?”

“That isn’t my real name, is it, Ms. Shield…” Silver Star interrupted, lowering her head until the filly’s banes covered her eyes.

Magic Shield just looked at her, the Iron Warriors looking down at her, their helmets preventing any from seeing what response they gave. The mare hesitated, not wanting to talk about this, but she had already let it slip and the filly deserved answers. “N-No, Silvy… Your father told me, that your real name is ‘Galaxia’. He did not really give me a good explanation as to why your name had been kept secret, but he said the gift you’re given can be really big… In a good or bad way, it is all up to you.” The Iron Warriors looked down at her, the mare noticing how Lightning Hon’s hands were gripping tightly and his armor straining from the action. She may, or may not, have pissed them off by revealing such.

“What… Kind of gift did daddy say I have?” She simply asked.

Once again, Magic Shield was hesitant to say anything about that, and the looks she is getting from the Iron Warriors weren’t helping at all. But, she gave a defeated sigh and nodded. “According to BK… When you’ve fully grown and matured? You’ll have the power over space and time, kind of like how Celestia controls the Sun and Luna controls the Moon. Except, you’ll be able to step in and appear whenever and where ever you please. Even summon characters at will, like how you summoned these guys.” She motioned towards the Iron Warriors, who suddenly looked towards the filly, “Galaxia” giving no real response.

“I’m not really his daughter, am I?” She simply asked, actually shocking all five around her, the Iron Warriors uncrossing their arms with the shock.

“O-Of course you are, dear! BK loves you more than a father should, really! He gives you everything you ever wanted, and always finds time for you!” Magic Shield stuttered, before she noticed a tear slide down the filly’s cheek. “If you weren’t his kid, then that’ll be a shocker to me!”

Galaxia suddenly looked at Magic Shield, the mare placing a hoof over her muzzle when she noticed the filly’s eyes were actually starting to shine like a rainbow. “I know he’s a human, and I’m a pony… That is impossible, Ms. Shield! I’m probably just another character he created for some story!” She suddenly looked towards the Cavern’s Entrance, narrowing her eyes. “But… I cannot ignore what daddy has done for me, for long as I can remember.” She leaned forward, Fluffy suddenly going wide eyed as he started to feel the urge to sprint after the Command Squad. “No way am I letting daddy’s killer get away with ruining his story!”

“Silver Star, wait!” Magic Shield screamed, before the guard dog suddenly sprinted after the Command Squad, leaping over the Atramentar line. The Elements all suddenly watching the filly ride off after Xeron. “We have to stop her; she’s going to get hur-URK!”

“You aren’t going anywhere, little lady.” Lightning Hon said, pulling the mare back while he and the other bikers got on to their Chaos Bikes. “We’ll go after our hot headed sister; she’s put up a very good point… You stay here, with the others, we will make sure she stays safe.” Magic Shield nodded, as the bikers suddenly started to ride after Galaxia, the Atramentar opening up for their passing and quickly closing ranks.

Twilight galloped over to the sitting Magic Shield, who started to nervously bite on her hoof. “Ms. Shield! What was that all about? Where is Silver Star going, and why are those bikers riding after her?” She asked, the mare wide eyed.

“B-BK is going to kill me, if he finds out I just let his kid go off to a future battlefield!” Magic Shield started to pull on her mane, letting out an irritated growl. “THIS IS WHY I DON’T DO FOALSITTING!!!!”

Darth Various eyed the defensive trenches and positions that both Night Lords and Royal Guards were currently manning, noticing that their defensive is primarily centered around the cavern entrance. When six, familiar, Night Lords rushed out and started talking to one of the lead Night Lords, he smirked behind his mask and stood up from his crouching position. “Seems like they are ready for battle now…” He placed both hands at the small of his back, looking back at those behind him.

“Commander, were you sure about that Raptor seeing us so blatantly? We could have easily shot him down before he could report back, and still have the element of surprise.” One of his leaders said, the human being in a high powered suit, gauss rifle in his large gauntlets, his armor painted in a red color. “Once that happened, we could over run their position, take out their defenders, and then go into the Caverns with minimal casualties.”

“Ahhh, Captain, that is where you are wrong… The moment one of our men got a shot off, those Night Lords would have reacted and position themselves to the point that they’ll take down as many of our men they can before going out themselves.” Darth Various said, turning to face his leaders. “Though, I chose this way because of the fact that we’ll have the pleasure of ripping them from their position, and shoving whatever hopes they had of defeating us down their friendship loving throats.” The Sith laughed, as he approached them. “Captain, prepare your Terran Marines. They’ll go after our Stormtroopers softened them up a bit, saving our heavier infantry after they’ve wasted precious ammunition.”

An Imperial Commander suddenly saluted. “Sir, what about the Walkers? When will they move in?”

“Easy, Commander, when the Terran Marines start their advance, have the walkers back them up… Use Tie Fighters and Vikings to bombard their positions, soften them up more with air strikes.” Darth Various ordered, as the Imperial Commander gave another salute. “Now move out, and relay my orders! We attack, now!” He threw his fist up, as the leaders of Darth Various’ forces all yelled. “Hail, Darth Various!” and rushed off to relay the Sith’s orders, while he turned back around to observe the upcoming battle. “Let us see how long it takes, before that little filly becomes opened up enough, for me to take her from out under their noses…”

“Commander…” A metallic voice said, causing the Sith to turn and faced twenty black armored Stormtoopers. “What will you have your Commandos do?”

That caused Darth Various grin, nodding. “Activate cloaking, infiltrate that Cavern…. Assassinate the Elements of Harmony, immediately. Once we break morale, we’ll have them defeated.” The Commandos saluted, before they disappeared from sight, Darth Various facing the battlefield again. “This’ll be fun to watch, while I wait.”

Xeron observed, from one of the rear trenches, as a wave of mortal soldiers, in white and black armor, began to advance towards their positions. He held his right claw up, the forces on the front lines positioning bolters, crossbows, lascannons, bows, and spears; on to their trench’s edge. “Wait for my command, and my command alone!” He yelled, watching the mortals drawing closer. “Hold!” They began to get closer, and closer. “Hoooooold!” Those on the front line started to get a bit anxious, the Royal Guards starting to shake. These advancing warriors looked intimidating to them, and they were also humans! Mythical Creatures from old pony tales, but they were also standing next to War Giants, that their princess assured were more than a match for such things. When they were close enough, Xeron threw his arm forward. “Open fire!”

At his command, all hell broke loose and the trenches began to light up with bolter fire, magic bolts, lascannon beams, rockets, and arrows! The Stormtroopers advancing on their positions, being struck or exploding from the heavy gun fire or being sent flying away by magic bolts. However, they were able to use their standard issued blasters to open fire on to the trenches, some of the Royal Guards being struck by blaster fire and falling back into their defenses! Field Medics quickly rushing in to get the wounded away from the battle lines. The Astartes managed to resist the blaster fire but not even their armor will be able to hold it off for very long.

Malachiorn quickly walked up to the front lines, using his own bolter to mow down the advancing forces. “Hold the line, warriors! Hold. The. Line!” He roared, keeping up the bolter fire, trying to cover any wounded Royal Guards or Astartes, the Terminator proving to be a massive bulwark of hate and fury.

Though, Jago was starting to get anxious, while watching the other members of the Command Squads taking up positions with the defenders. He, and many other Raptors, could not engage yet… Xeron feeling that the enemy had not revealed their full hand just yet. But, his attention went to the sky, hearing a strange wailing, and seeing several H-Shaped objects heading straight for them. “XERON!” He yelled, drawing the Night Raptor’s attention. “We got company!!!!” Jago lowered into the trench, knowing what was coming.

Xeron looked up into the sky, seeing what he venerated Captain saw, and went wide eyed at what he saw. “Air Strike, inbound!” He looked at the rear trenches, motioning to the Astartes stationed there. “Havocs, prepare to open fire, we cannot-?” A bright flash appeared behind their lines, drawing Xeron’s attention. “What in the-!”

RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWR!!!!!!

“Fluffy” stomped out of the Cavern’s Entrance, spinning up his Hades Pattern Cannons, before unleashing the full hate and fury of those devastating armaments of his! The Ectoplasm Cannon Mouth starting charge up. “Bring them down, Fluffy!” Galaxia yelled, pointing towards the incoming Tie Fighters. The Forgefiend let out a powerful roar before it unloaded on to the aircraft! Actually destroying those that had moved in too close, and unable to avoid the anti-aircraft fire. Energy bursts flying out, and destroying multiple aircraft before they could get away in time.

“A… Daemon Engine?” Xeron said, raising an eyebrow as the heavily armed Forgefiend walked up, gunning down any aircraft that came within its sites, and seeing the filly riding on his head. “Silver Star! What are you doing up there!? You should be with the others!”

Galaxia shook her head, smiling while she road on her guardian. “My real name is Galaxia, Xeron! And I couldn’t sit by, while my daddy’s legacy gets torn away!” She replied, as Fluffy fired another burst from his Ectoplasm Cannon mouth! The filly smirked, as it took out three Tie Fighters flying too close to one another. “And you need all the help you can get!”

Xeron shook his head, but before he could discourage this sort of action, they were nearly hit by a massive explosion! The Forgefiend backing away, nearly be taking off of his feet, Galaxia nearly falling off but kept a tight hold on one of Fluffy’s neck spines for dear life. The Night Raptor looked back towards the battle lines, going wide eyed at the strange sight… “Great, the hell are those things!?”

Slowly approaching, behind the wave after wave of Stormtroopers, were battle groups of gigantic four legged walkers, slowly moving, with several two legged walkers at their base! But that wasn’t the worse part, platoons after platoons of soldiers in strange red power armor began to move up behind the Stormtroopers, their dome-like orange helmets covering their faces. When they got close enough, the power armored soldiers began to open fire with gauss rifles, hitting Astartes and actually making them recoil back! Their armor being damaged by the blows dealt to them!

Galaxia went wide eyed, looking down at the Night Raptor. “Terran Marines! They are using gauss rifles, and those are Imperial Walkers marching behind them! Giant, walking, tanks!” She yelled, as he gave a nod.

“Acknowledged!” Xeron activated his vox channel. “All lascannon and rocket Havocs, aim at those damn walkers! Don’t let them close, give them everything you have!” He ordered, the Havocs below following orders and started to open fire more on the approaching walkers. “All others, focus fire on those ‘Terran Marines’! They are your bigger threats, let the Royal Guard focus on the mortals!” All across the vox channel, the Night Raptor heard acknowledgements from every squad and battle leader within their defensive perimeter, before he looked at Jago. “Looks like our time has come, Captain… You ready?”

Jago grinned, his chainspear roaring to life for a moment. “Born ready, brother… Give the word, and we’ll go on wings of fire.”

Xreon gave a nod, smirking while rushing up, squad upon squad of Raptors behind him. “Alright… Raptors! TO THE SKIES, MY BROTHERS!” He roared, before his jump pack came to life and sent the Night Raptor flying into the skies! Soon, he was joined by every single Raptor within their forces, soaring into the skies and taking aim at the approaching walkers, watching as lascannons and rockets struck their hauls but had a hard time penetrating it. “Aim for the four legged ones! They seem to be the heavier tanks of the groups, let our brothers take out the two legs!” Once again, they echoed acknowledgement.

“Ave Dominus Nox!!!” The Raptors wailed, as they rained down upon the walkers! Tearing through the armor with rending weapons or placing explosive charges on to the haul and flying away before they detonated. However, the giant walkers weren’t stopping, and their heavy blaster fire tore through the Night Lord and Royal Guard defensive lines, causing areas to explode where they hit! This battle… Had become an all-out war.

An Imperial Commando Squad of five moved through the caverns, stopping at certain corners to watch for any approaching enemy. “Third squad here.” One said into the comm-link, staring down into the cavern corridor. “No sign of targets yet, just how deep does this cavern go?”

“No idea, Third Squad… But we have our orders, hunt down the Princess and Elements, then eliminate them.” The lead Commando relayed, as Third Squad prepared to move on. “Have you run into any contacts yet?”

“Negative… We haven’t encountered any contact. It is almost like they have pulled all their back up forces to where ever they’re hiding the civilians.” The Third Squad Leader replied, eyeing their intended route. “We haven’t encountered any traps yet-?”

“Might want to correct yourself, Mortal.” A voice whispered from the darkness, before a massive figure suddenly leapt down from the ceiling, his claws flashing for a mere second before the heavy weapons commando had been cleaved in half! “You have fallen prey, to the Night Haunter’s Trap!” Konrad Curze wailed, before he started to cleave into the Commandos.

“This is Third Squad! We have contact!” The Squad Leader yelled, as the Commandos started to open fire, but unable to hit the agile primarch and started to be picked off one by one. “I repeat, we have contact! We have conta-AGGGGGHHH!”

He had been cut short, by Konrad Curze gutting him with his razor sharp claws! Blood spilling out on to the cavern floor. Once sure the Imperial Commando was dead, the primarch tossed his corpse back towards the others, blood drenching the ground where he slayed them… His keen ears listening to the helmet’s comm-link. “Third Squad, come in. Have you neutralized the contacts? I repeat, did you neutralize your target? Damnit, they must be dead! Cut all communications for Third Squad, before they-!” The comm went dead, causing Konrad to give an irritated growl.

“Clever… These are trained stealth warriors. They remind me of my brother, Alpharious Omegaron and his sons.” He gave a dark chuckle, slowly disappearing into the darkness. “I wonder if they’ll be fun, as the many headed Alpha Legion.” With that, Konrad Curze disappeared into the cavern’s shadowed wall… Moving on with his hunt.