“HOLY SHIT, IT IS COLD HERE!!!!” Night Reaper yelled, scythe mag-locked to his back, as the Astartes tried using his arms to keep himself warm… Even wearing a red scarf around his neck. Next to him, Darth Nextrion simply wore a heavy winter military coat, a black scarf, and kept his hood up. “This guy actually LIVES here? And why could we not land closer to the Fortress, anyways!?”

Darth Nextrion kept both hands in his coat pockets, making sure they stayed warm, shaking his head. “My crew is terrified enough having to land in this frozen wasteland, little brother. If we got too close to the Fortress, our transport would have been attacked by undead dragons and gargoyles… Big Brother isn’t a very trusting man, when it comes to high speed landings.” He answered, pulling both hands and tried using his breath to help keep them warm, then placed them back into his pockets. “Don’t worry, we don’t have much farther to go.”

“What on earth do you-?” Night Reaper stopped himself, after his boot crunched something, causing him to look down and see the bones of countless dead underneath him. They weren’t walking on ground anymore, but he remains of some massive battlefield! He looked around, noticing the different assortments of armor, weapons, and remains; scattered around them. “Whoa… Now this is morbid, and that’s saying something from a Night Lord.”

“If you think this is morbid, have a gander at that.” The Sith pointed forward, drawing Night Reaper’s attention, in which he instantly froze.

The blizzard slowly dimmed, allowing the two to see a massive, black metal, fortress just in front of them! How the Astartes missed such a massive prison-like fortress, he’ll never know, but the iconography decorating it was unnerving, even to him. Everywhere he looked, the walls and ramparts had spikes jutting off of them, the remains of either failed invaders or escapees impaled upon some of the spikes. The ramparts were given light by strange, blue, flames burning from either watch blazers or massive ones to help the watchers brighten their surroundings and make it near impossible to sneak over the gigantic walls. Though, the most intimidating part, was the fact that the closed gates looked like a massive fanged skull, its black eye sockets lit up by single dots f blue flames, making it seem like where ever you went? The gates were staring at you. Draped on both sides of the skull gate, were two massive crimson banners, with a black cross and boarders being its house symbol.

“Whoa…” That was the only thing Night Reaper could possibly say.

“That isn’t all… We’re being watched.” Darth Nextrion said, his masked gaze going up to the ramparts, Night Reaper following and going wide eyed what he saw standing upon the ramparts.

Skeleton after Skeleton were all staring down at the two, the watchers having already strung an arrow on to their long bows and pulled them back… One wrong move, both Darth Nextrion and Night Reaper would have hundreds of black arrows rain down upon them from the ramparts. Over the gates, though, he saw two skeletal dragons, their bodies bright from the blue flame giving them life, the undead wyrms just staring down at them and growling.

“Uh… Hi?” Night Reaper said, the Frost Wyrms narrowing their eyes at the two.

The ground suddenly shook, nearly knocking Night Reaper off of his feet, before the skull gate’s mouth began to slowly open! “Do not say a word, unless specifically asked… Let me do all the talking.” Darth Nextrion instructed, Night Reaper nodding, before the gates fully opened.

Walking out from within the mouth of the skull, three knights wearing black armor, decorated with iconography of death, marched towards the pair. Their eyes glowed with the same blue flame, their strange weapons edged with strange runes that glowed either blue, green, or red. When they got close to them, all three stopped and drew their weapons. “In the name of our Lord, identify yourself, now! Or you shall die an agonizing death!” The lead knight demanded, Night Reaper slowly stepping back and reaching for his war scythe.

But Darth Nextrion held his hand up to the Astartes, stopping him. “Death Knights, we are here to speak to your Lord and Master!”

The Death Knights looked at one another, before looking back at the pair. “Our Lord does not wish to be disturbed, for he is handling a private matter for the day!” The lead Death Knight answered, all three preparing to fight. “Turn around, and go back from which you came!”

Darth Nextrion stepped forward, the moment his foot hit the ground he forced a burst of willpower to push away every bit of snow around them! The Death Knights held their ground, deepening their stances, as the watchers prepared to attack. “I am Darth Nextrion! Lord of Crimson Fleet and a Lord of the Sith! Your Master’s Younger Brother, will you deny me entry to speak with my kin!?” His voice echoed with anger, the Sith not faltering despite having so many weapons trained on him.

The three Death Knights looked at one another again, before sheathing their weapons and bowing their heads submissively. “We apologize, Lord Nextrion… Forgive us, many have tried attacking our Lord for the past year and we were only being careful.” The lead Death Knight said, before Darth Nextrion gave an understanding nod. “Please, you and your guest will follow us to our Lord.”

The two accepted their invitation, following them into the gate’s massive maw. Once they walked through the gates, it slowly started to close behind them, the jaws making a rumbling noise once it fully closed and sealed all those within. Night Reaper looked around, seeing Battalion after Battalion of undead soldiers marching across the drilling grounds, large war beasts he’s never even seen before, and even mortal soldiers dressed in winter clothing. All the soldiers were wearing the same tabard, crimson with a black cross and boarder. Though, there were those barely wearing any clothing at all, wearing black chains and collars around their bodies… They almost looked like prisoners, and the skeletons were whipping them, forcing said prisoners to work faster in either digging or fortifying the walls.

“What is this place?” Night Reaper asked, with a raised brow behind his helmet.

“This is the Dark Templari Fortress and Headquarters, simply called the Dark Citadel.” The lead Death Knight answered, as they headed towards a massive citadel. “To your left, are prisoners and criminals that our Lord has captured over the years… Each one some threat to Azeroth that had been defeated by either himself or heroes, and needed to be incarcerated. Not far from here, is the Dark Templari Prison, where the most dangerous of threats are imprisoned with no hope or chance of seeing the light of day again… This place is heavily defended and warded to keep those within said prison trapped there, it has been designed to where you can only attack from the gates. However, you’ll have to get through the Alliance and Horde Fortresses south of here just to approach.” The Death Knight actually chuckled at the thought. “Our lord was clever, in making this spot his headquarters.”

“Yes, Big Brother was always the strategist and warrior.” Darth Nextrion said, as the five walked up the citadel’s stair case… Reaching the top, and finding themselves within the sight of ten massive humanoids! Their entire form seemed frozen, but they had the blue flames in their eyes, and slowly looked at the five, lowering their savage looking weapons to prepare for a fight.

The lead Death Knight placed a fist over his chest, nodding to them. “Chosen! We bring visitors for our Lord! Open the gates, so that we may pass.” The “Chosen” looked at both Darth Nextrion and Night Reaper, before nodding to the Death Knight. All ten moved from their path, as the Citadel gates began to open, a powerful aura exploding out from within!

Night Reaper had to step back, throwing a hand up protectively over his face, when the aura passed over him… It felt like his entire body was being crushed, due to the aura being so strong. He didn’t know if he could possibly remain standing for much longer, both legs feeling weak! “W-What in the Night Haunter’s name!?” Night Reaper called out, doing his best to keep on his feet.

“Oh, seems like he knows we’re here…” Darth Nextrion said, placing a hand over his masked forehead. “Never could sneak up on him, somehow knowing whatever was around him. Should have known better, than to think we could actually drop in for a surprise visit.”

“T-That aura… Is him!?” Night Reaper asked, and the aura quickly disappeared, as if it answered his question personally!

“Yes… He has this little tic in which he enjoys making some grand display, allowing those who approach him to know, that he is far stronger than you’ll ever hope to be.” Darth Nextrion gave a sigh, shaking his head. “I say tic, but it is more like him saying ‘Don’t try it, you’ll die.’ He despises wasting lives, and which is rather ironic when a Death Knight believes such things.”

Night Reaper just stared at him, before the two followed their escorts inside of the Dark Citadel… Gates quickly closing behind them.

An explosion covered the area with smoke and fire, as another AT-AT fell to the ground! This was the seventh to fall in battle, but the massive four legged walkers kept coming out from the woodline and opening fire on the trenches! Their heavy blasters actually causing explosions of their own, knocking back Astartes or heavily wounding Royal Guards caught within the blast. But, despite this, the defenders rallied after each hit and began to keep holding their positions… Due to the Walkers and Terran Marines suddenly appearing, the defenders were pushed back to the forth trench line, with only three more behind them.

When an AT-AT closed in on the trench, its heavy foot falls digging into the ground, it prepared to open fire on the defenders… Until Xeron landed on to its head, using his claws to rip into the command center and tear it back like a can opener, just enough for him to drop a krak-grenade inside of it. He used his jump pack to get himself away, just before the explosive went off and obliterated the AT-AT’s head, falling to the ground. The Night Raptor observed the battle from the air, seeing his forces being pushed back, but making their enemy pay for every inch lost to them.

“Xeron…” Jago came over the vox channel, the Night Raptor descending into one of the trenches.

“I’m here, Captain… What is it?” He asked, peaking over the trench, watching the new walkers starting their approach.

The venerated Captain sighed into the vox channel, before he continued. “We’re getting our asses handed to us. Those Walkers are giving us trouble, and for every one we take out, two more take its place. Any ideas?”

Xeron watched the battle unfold in front of him, noticing two more walkers coming out of the forest, like Jago had told him. “None, actually… I have no idea how we could possibly defend against this, besides falling back into the caverns. At least then, we could take those Walkers out of the equation, but they can deploy more and more of those mortals into our positions from outside.” He answered, before sitting back into the trench, eyeing what armaments he had left. “I got one more krak-grenade left, and two frags. I had to scavenge from our wounded and fallen.”

“I got nothing left, brother. Resorting to using my spear to hold the line with our brothers and the Royal Guard. I’m actually enjoying dismembering any that think they can invade my trench.” A dark cackle came from the venerated Captain, before Xeron heard his chain spear roar and sounds of someone screaming bloody murder. “Kind of making me feel better about our situation.

“I’m not too keen on dying again, that’s for sure.” Malachiorn said, bolter fire coming from his vox-channel. “Plus, I have far too many chores back at the farm, Applejack will be rather angry if I die and leave her with so much.”

“As would Pinkie Pie be sad, if I were to fall.” Vandred said, as the strategist tried to position more of their forces where the defensive positions were starting to weaken. “Damnit, those Walkers are really proving to be a pain in the ass… And the chicken legged ones are too quick, the Iron Warriors having difficulty maneuvering around them.”

Xeron gave a nod, despite the others unable to see him do so. “At least we have Bikers to harass them…” He peaked back over the trench, seeing the three Chaos Bikers speeding across the battle field, throwing melta-charges onto a AT-AT’s legs, the explosives quickly detonate and cause said walker to tip over against another, making it fall on top of three of the AT-STs that couldn’t move out of the way in time. “Lightning Hon, this is Xeron, can you hear me?”

“Lightning Hon, here! Go ahead, fly boy!” The Biker Sergeant replied, Xeron watching him draw his chainsword, and actually split one of the Terran Marines in half with his passing. “I have killing to do, and walkers to cripple!”

“How many Melta-Charges do you have left? Do you need to resupply?” He asked, before having to duck, just to avoid an incoming gauss round.

“I got about three left, but we’ll make do with what we got, fly boy! You just keep our radical sister safe!” Lighting Hon replied, Xeron hearing his twin-linked bolters firing. “Heh, who would have thought she’d have the guts to charge out here on Fluffy, and start giving us anti-air cover.”

That caused Xeron to looked towards the Daemon Engine riding filly. She was acting as Fluffy’s second pair of eyes, helping him spot any incoming fighters moving into an attack run, along with ones that were trying to blind side the devastating Forgefiend. “We’ll do our best, you just keep on the move-?” He heard the roaring of engines overhead, seeing wings of strange new fighters, replacing a squadron of Tie Fighters. He raised an eyebrow, before the fighters suddenly dropped, their bodies releasing a grinding noise and quickly turned into walkers. “INCOMING!!!” He yelled, before the first landed right in front of his trench, opening fire at point blank range! Three Royal Guards and one Night Lord weren’t able to move out of the way in time, and were torn apart by the chain guns acting as the transforming Walker’s arms. But, before it could fly away, a lascannon struck it right into the pilot’s cockpit! Causing the walker to explode and fall backwards. “Damnit, we got new walkers! I repeat, new walkers! These bastards can turn into fighter jets and do air drops!”

He heard confirmations all across the vox channel, rockets and lascannon fire being shot up into the air, trying to take those new walkers out before they could land and cause major damage to their defensive lines. Xeron couldn’t have the Heavy Bolters and Autocannons join the anti-air fire… He needed them to keep the opposing infantry pinned down in front of them, slamming a fist into the trench. They needed help, more support, but there was nothing they can do right now. No help was coming, no allies out there to outflank their enemy, they were alone…

Or so he thought.

The sound of metal dragging against stone echoed all across the castle, staggered steps between each dragging sound. The Black Knight was leaving a trail of blood behind himself, as he slowly entered a bright, white, room that had a single altar at its very center, bearing strange markings carved into its three block stand. He just eyed the pedestal, keeping a hand over the front portion of his wound, like the appendage could stop his bleeding wound. Before he could step towards the altar’s base, he had to stop and rest for a second, using his sword like a cane. Memories, of what this strange altar is, coming back to him.

“Father? What is this thing?” A cloaked, human, child asked, as he looked up at a man dressed like some nineteen-twenties investigator.

The Investigator slowly lit a cigarette, taking a deep breath before patting his son’s hooded head. “BK, this is the Altar of Stories… Only Authors who have over active imaginations have these, those who can take what appears within their mind and transfer it on to paper. Those who do not seek for fame or praise, but to make stories to make them, to help teach lessons or light a single candle for those around them.” The Investigator looked down at him, smiling at the young Black Knight. “One day, you’ll take this Altar and make it your own, when I finally pass the torch on to you.”

The young Black Knight tilted his head looking at the altar. “What does it do? It looks like a stack of three stones and some keyhole.” He asked.

That caused his father to laugh, smiling at the comment. “Ah, that is because it is supposed to look unimportant, to best hide the power within itself.” He answered, kneeling next to the cloaked child, pulling him closer with one arm and pointing at the strange altar. “But, in reality, the moment you place the key inside of that altar, and push your imagination and power into it? It’ll bring to life every character you’ve created, and give them form where ever you wish them to. It’ll drain you of power, but so long as you remain in contact with the key, the spell will hold.”

The boy suddenly looked up at his father, tilting his head. “Did you ever have to use the altar, father?”

The Investigator looked down at him, with a raised brow. “Noooope! But, your grandfather did, when some weirdo tried to invade his stories and take it over. The battle between him and the invader was one for history books, too bad he forgot to record the blasted thing.” His father laughed, shaking his head before looking down at the cloaked child. “Though, I do hope you never have to use this thing… The Altar of Stories is believed to have a mind of its own, some thinking it could very well turn on its user if so choses.”

“Alright, father… I understand.” The young Black Knight said, as the Investigator patted his back and stood up.

“Good, now… Let’s go get something to eat, I’m starving!” The memory slowly started to fade into black.

The Black Knight just stared at the Altar of Stories, his mind weight the options of either using it, or not. He honestly did not know if risking such a thing is possible, activating the altar could actually infect any story with Darth Various’ darkness or worse, a demon of his own making. However, another memory suddenly appeared within the Black Knight’s mind, making him remember why he kept watch over the Altar.
The Black Knight, grown to a young adult, just stared at the Altar of Stories. His father, after passing away, left him with charge over this powerful entity. It could have been left with his older brother, who was far smarter than he, but no… He had to be the one left with such a thing. Now, the Black Knight is forever bound to watch it, to keep it safe, to ensure that nothing could ever misuse its devastating power for the wrong reasons. His hand gripped tightly around his blade, actually contemplating destroying this accursed thing. It destroyed his father, who used it to defend his own stories from a dark author. The Altar of Stories defeated his enemy, but it also destroyed his father completely! The Black Knight fought in the battles against the Dark Author, trying to help what his father created, and actually smiled at their victory… He had not known what the price was, until he returned and saw his father’s empty cloak, and nothing but dust remaining inside of it.

Now, he is alone… Unable to truly leave his own realm, because he had been made this thing’s caretaker. He could not leave to enjoy himself, he could not go see his friends, he could not even go out and try his luck with the whole relationship idea. He would never have a family of his own. No, he is stuck here, in this realm, bound to the entity known as the ‘Altar of Stories’.

He walked up to the altar, eyeing it and weighing his options of possibly destroying it, wondering if he could actually do such a thing… Did he have such power? Could he destroy something that wielded enough power to annihilate countless stories? Even as he thought about it, he remembered how his father always told him that having such a thing, was an honor. To be entrusted with caretaking over an Altar of Stories was the highest honor an author could possibly have. His father cared for such a thing, and now passed such an honor on to him. The Black Knight smiled behind his helmet, reaching out and placing his hand on to the altar… Caressing the stone, his father was starting to get to him. But, without him here now, the Black Knight was alone, for good.

As if it sensed his thoughts, his feelings, the Altar of Stories came to life! A bright light exploding off of its form, and caused the Black Knight to back away from it! The power actually stabbing into the Black Knight, a strange shadowy mist draping off of his body and making his eyes glow red… He could feel unimaginable power awakening inside of his body, slowly expanding out, and taking form as a shadowy mist around his frame! Even his sword started to change, the blade itself starting to turn black and release an aura of its own. Quickly as the power arrived, the altar dropped the Black Knight on to his knees, allowing him to feel the newfound power within himself… But that wasn’t the only thing the Altar of Stories did.

The Black Knight slowly got up, his body releasing the shadowy mist with each movement… The sudden power increase actually made him lose nearly every motor skill for a short period of time, as the Black Knight placed a hand over his helmeted forehead. “Ok, note to self, Alter of Stories is very temperamental.” He commented, shaking his head, and looked up at the altar… Suddenly going wide eyed at what now laid across its keyhole.

It was… A newborn alicorn filly, wrapped in a pink blanket. She had a gray coat and silver mane, sleeping soundly on the altar. Slowly, the Black Knight stood up and walked over to the filly, eyeing her strangely. He had to admit, she was a cute little thing, but also seemed so weak, so fragile. Almost like, if he would touch her, the little filly would actually shatter.

However, the filly started to stir in her sleep, before began a wail of crying. The Black Knight quickly covered where his ears were supposed to be. “WHOA! Talk about having a pair of pipes!” He joked, before laughing a bit, and picking the filly up in his arms, gently cradling her and trying to calm her down. “There, there… It is alright, I got you.” The Black Knight cooed, smiling down at her, the filly starting to calm down and started to giggle happily. “Aren’t you the cutest little thing, hm?” He smiled at her, the filly giving a tired yawn and nuzzling into the Black Knight’s armored chest… Going back to sleep. “A tired one, aren’t we?” He joked, before noticing a note on the altar’s top.

He readjusted the filly into one arm, making sure his hold on her was secure… But quickly noticed, the shadows were actually helping him keep the filly safe against his armored body. With a nod, he picked the not up, opening it and reading what was inside. “Galaxia, Alicorn Princess of Time and Space. Child of Stories and the Black Knight” It read, making him tilt his armored head.

“Galaxia, huh? Well, that name makes you sound extremely important, and we can’t key everyone in on such a thing.” He joked, smiling down at the sleeping filly and turned to leave the Altar of Stories’ chamber. “I’ll call you… Silver Star, until the time is right. Yeah, that’s a good name.” The Black Knight cooed, as he walked out of the chamber… His cape of shadows dragging across the floor.

The Black Knight smiled at the memory, out of every memory he had made over the years, that was the one he held closest to his heart. The birth of his beautiful filly, the altar using him as genetic coding, and recent fandom, in order to create an entity like her. He was proud to call Galaxia his baby girl, and even laughed a little when he remembered trying to feed the little mayhem. Many times, the intimidating author, known as the Black Knight, ended up with either apple sauce or mushed carrots spilt all over his armor, with some giggling filly in a high chair. There were even times when she would gallop into his room, buzz on to his bed, and curl up next to the knight because something in the dark had scared her… Asking if she could sleep with her daddy for the night. He could never deny his daughter, ever, often giving her exactly what she wanted over the years.

That was when he made his decision, he wasn’t doing this for other authors, he wasn’t doing this for himself, he wasn’t doing this for his own stories. He knew exactly what he was doing this for, and the sheer will of it actually forced his feet to keep moving towards the Altar of Stories. Once he hovered over it, the Black Knight lifted his sword up into the air, reverse gripping it and aiming the blade’s tip towards the altar’s keyhole… The movement actually strained his body, blood spilling out on to the white stone altar. “F-For… Galaxia!” With that, he rammed the blade into the Altar of Stories’ keyhole, driving it inside until only the hilt of his blade remained outside.

Straining, he turned the blade like a key inside of the lock, until the hilt was vertical with him… Causing a massive burst of white light to explode around him, in a strange magic circle! His cloak of shadows was pulled up into the air, along with ever part where the mist exited his armor… His shadows were being dispersed into the magic field around his body, the Altar of Stories draining the necessary power from his very body.

It felt like he as burning inside of his armor, the pain was nearly unbearable, the Black Knight roaring out in pain. But, he could not break his hold… They needed help, and by the Gods, he was going to get them the help they needed! “Hear me, my Sons! Your Father has need of you!” He called out, as the energy shot up through his realm, into the twisting nether above, and shot out in all directions.

Garble crashed on to the charred ground, his entire body riving with agony. His rebellion against Dragon Lord Ember had been decimated by a single counter attack from Equestria! How was he supposed to know Ember had such allies, how was he supposed to know Equestria had been hiding these terrible War Leaders. Just how could he have known that Equestria had an entire battalion of armored contraptions, capable of decimating mountains and obliterating entire squadrons of Dragons!

Just as he leaned up, a massive, armored, foot slammed down in front of him. Garble slowly looked up, seeing the Equestrian High Commander’s hulking form, incased in strange armor, metal chains decorating his hip and cape, along with a single metal skull acting as his belt’s buckle. There was no escape, that last volley of anti-air fire had shredded his wings and tore his body apart. When the Commander’s razor sharp claws grasped the rebel leader’s neck, forcing him off of the ground, Garble did the only thing any sane dragon would do right now.

“P-Please! H-Have mercy! We’ll surrender, we will take any punishment the Dragon Lord decides!” Garble pleaded, seeing the four silhouettes behind the High Commander, their red eyes locked on to him, one even ramming their strange sword into his second in command.

The Equestrian High Commander pulled the teen dragon closer to his tusked helmet. “You had your one chance to surrender, when the Dragon Lord and Princesses offered it to you, whelp… When you denied it, your life became forfeit at my claws.” And with hat, he grabbed Garble’s head with the other hand, ripping said dragon head clean off of his shoulders! Garble screamed until his vocal cords were ripped apart, blood gurgling within his throat until the High Commander fully decapitated him.

The Equestrian High Commander tossed Garble’s corpse to the side, keeping his head as a trophy for all to see… But a voice suddenly caused him to freeze. “Z-Zarrix…”

Warsmith Zarrix looked around, trying to locate the voice’s owner, his cadre doing the same. “Who is there? I demand you reveal yourself, now!” He ordered.

“Zarrix… Your brother… Has need of you.” The voice continued, the Warsmith still looking for him. “Your… Baby sister… Needs you.” His eyes went wide behind the helmet, before the venerated Warsmith gave a nod.

Nyx bounced around her newest aunt, even going so far as to leap into Ember’s waiting arms. It had been quite some time since the Dragon Lord visited Equestria, and this current visit being one for a trade agreement between the ponies and dragons. But, she could not resist the filly’s charm and play time request.

Nearby, however, Twilight leaned against the one warrior that actually unnerved the new Dragon Lord. The Princess’ Champion, and Consort, “Dragon Hammer”. The charcoal black unicorn stallion had an aura of danger about him, one she feared would crush her for making the wrong move… She could see past the kind and humble exterior he is giving, seeing the brutal and venerated Champion underneath it all.

However, a voice caused them all to suddenly stop what they were doing completely. “Zu’hal… It is time.” Ember raised an eyebrow, as both Twilight and Nyx looked at the stallion, who had a serious look about him. “Innocent lives are in danger, your brother struggles to defend them… And your Sister, her life hangs in the balance.”

Dragon Hammer narrowed his ruby eyes, before softening them and looking at Twilight. “I must go, my love…”

Twilight nodded, smiling up at her champion. “I understand, be careful.”

“Look who you’re talking to Twilight.” Dragon Hammer grinned at her. “Astartes specialize in combatting the impossible and coming back unscathed.”

“Need I remind you, about the battle against that Sorcerer?” She said, making him suddenly cough in embarrassment before clearing his throat again. “Go get them, dear.”

He gave a nod, before his body suddenly started to glow, brightly, and before he disappeared? Ember could have sworn she saw his silhouette of light turn into a nine-foot-tall, bipedal, armored, being wielding a shield and hammer.

Moon Howl simply waited on his seat, a sleeping Rainbow Dash leaning against his large, armored, body. He smirked at how she slept, once again… The Charger could not help but stare at her, chuckling a bit. “Such a heavy sleeper, this one.” He whispered, before leaning against the cart’s wall and watching everything whiz past the window. “I hope Celestia can actually do what I ask… I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

“Ayden Wolfhowl…” A voice echoed around him, actually startling Rainbow Dash awake… The mare preparing for a fight, but saw nopony around them. “It is time, your ferocity is needed elsewhere, for now.”

Moon Howl looked up at the train’s ceiling, his yellow eyes narrowed, growling. “And why should I go? My wyrd is here, in Equestria.”

“You’ll return here, once all is completed, my son… Now, prepare to go.” The voice said, as the Charger gave a nod, looking at Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll be right back… Seems like I have flank to kick.” He said, with a fanged grin.

The mare gave him a confident one, in return. “Make sure you show them who’s the most awesome Charger around, Moon.”

“Will do, Dashie.” He said, before the Charger suddenly disappeared in a flash of light! The mare still blushing at the little pet name.

Marious sat in the command throne of Umbra Equitis, eyeing the displays on his screen, as the engineers below were reloading the Imperial Knight’s armaments. It’ll still be some time before they are restocked and reloaded, but they also needed to train the squad with their new weapons, along with prepare their newest recruit. The barrier around the city could buy them more than enough time for this, holding off any horde of undead, along with Umbra Equistis able to stomp on any that got too close… But, they were running out of supplies, and needed to find somewhere close enough to make a quick supply run. However, he is also wondering, why is the cockpit so clean, and why does it smell like a mare’s perfume?

“Marius…” A voice called out, causing the pilot to look around. “Umbra Equitis…” This caused the Imperial Knight’s eyes to turn on, his armored head looking around for who called for him. “I have need of you.”

Marius continued to look around, before looking at his Imperial Knight’s screen. “Umbra, do you have a fix on this voice’s location?”

“<Negative, Lord Marius… I can’t seem to pinpoint his location. Nor am I able to see him.>” Umbra Equitis answered, the scanners coming online and showing the voice’s pattern, but no match anywhere in the city. “<If I may guess? I think it is coming around us, the voice sounds really close.>”

“I have need of you two, my sons.” The voice continued, causing both to look up and see a strange portal in the sky, a bright like forming within it.

“I… Think we found the voice.” Marius said.

“<Affirmative, Lord Marius.>” Umbra Equitis agreed.

“Prepare yourselves, for a battlefield awaits you… Once you have finished, you will return to your charge.” A bright beam of light slammed down over their frame, quickly teleporting the massive war machine away from where he stood. “Your sister… Is in need of the great Shadow Knight and Lord Marius.”

Aythai’Vadam suddenly charged towards one of the apple trees, before leaping into the air, and performing a flawless spinning drop kick against the hardened trunk! The massive force made the tree buck back, shaking from the hit, and every apple within it fell down to the waiting baskets below. With a grin, the Sangheili slowly reached down, and picked up what baskets he could carry, Flipyap and Easy to Adjust grabbing the rest. “Ya’re natural, sugarcube!” Applejack shouted walking up next to the armored Sangheili, smiling up at him. “With yer help, the harvest will be brought in with barely any trouble at all!”

“With all that you are sacrificing for us just to stay here, Applejack, helping around the farm is the least we can do to help.” Aythai’Vadam said, smiling at the mare and nodding to her. “Plus, this is very good exercise for me and the others, Flipyap being the most in need of it-?”

“ARE YOU CALLING ME FAT, BOSS!?” The Unngoy yelled, flaring a bit while holding his basket.

“No, I’m calling you stubby, Flip, now keep going. We still have a lot of work to do.” He answered, before looking back to Applejack. “I know you don’t like to rest when there are chores, but maybe you should take a break, hm? It is rather hot, and I rather our caretaker not faint from heat exhaustion.”

Applejack blushed a bit, at how the Sangheili is looking out for her health, but shook her head. “No can do, sugarcube, ya gonna have ta deal with me helpin’-?”

“Aythai’Vadam…” A voice called out, drawing the group’s attention. “You are needed elsewhere… Your sister is in danger; her young life requires a Warrior of Sangheilios.”

At those words, the Sangheili dropped his baskets, quickly drawing the Plasma Repeater magnetized on his back. Without warning, he looked back at Flipyap and Easy to Adjust. “Flipyap, Easy, keep the farm protected while I’m gone, I got a mission to complete!”

The Unggoy saluted. “Yes, sir!” Easy to Adjust making a few whistle and chimes, before saluting with a tendril.

Applejack looked up at the Sangeheili, tilting her head. “Where are ya goin’ pardner?” She asked.

Aythai’Vadam looked down at her, smirking a bit. “Do not worry, Applejack, I’ll be back in no time.” A portal of light appeared in front of him. “This is something I have to handle.” Before the mare could stop him, the Sangheili sprinted forward! Rushing in and jumping into the portal.

Sonic Wave held a newspaper in his magic, leaning back into the train seat with a smile on his face. Sleeping next to him, Vinyl kept her head against the broad stallion’s shoulder. They were drawing close to their destination, and their gig was going to be starting sometime soon. They needed to get what rest possible, he had a feeling it shall be a very long night for the two performers. However, his eyes narrowed when a strange energy started to appear near him. “Whose there?” He whispered, knowing this entity could hear him.

“Kharion… It is time, my son. Your sister needs you.” A voice whispered back, before said stallion let out an irritated sigh.

“So close to my first gig in Equestria, too… Huh, will I’ll be able to-?”

“Return? Yes. Like the others, once it is over, you shall be returned where you left off, and precede like nothing had ever happened.”

The rocker thought about it for a moment, before giving a nod. “Alright, better get this over with… I need to rest for my big appearance with Vinyl.” The stallion slowly started to disappear in a beam of light! Vinyl slumping over on to the seat.

“H-Huh, what?” She said, wiping the drool off of her mouth. “Sonic? Where did you go?” Vinyl looked around, but couldn’t find the stallion anywhere.

Silver Flash gently poured a cup of tea for both Sun Guard and Nighting Gale, the two nodding towards the old butler in thanks, before he poured one for himself. “Ah, it is good for us to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation… It was kind for Princess Celestia and Luna to grand the two of you a day off.” The old butler said, before taking a sip of his tea.

Nighting Gale gave a nod, smiling at the fact they chose one of the most beautiful spots in the Canterlot Castle Gardens for their little tea break. “I have to agree, Mr. Flash, and it is also a lovely day to be out! I’m also still a little sore from the Changeling Invasion, so resting for another day is doing me some good.” The mare admitted, stretching her wings out a bit, before using her wing claw to take the tea cup. “What about you, Sunny-?” When she looked at the armored stallion, both she and Silver Flash noticed that his narrowed eyes were looking off to the side. “Sunny? Everything ok?”

He shook his head, the stallion sensing something… Familiar to him, yet he could not quite place it-? “Aerion, my grand Honor Guard.” A voice whispered, before both Nighting Gale and Silver Flash passed out, falling out of their chairs and dropping their tea cups! In seconds, the unicorn stallion was up, and trying to see if the two were alright. “They will be fine, my son, their memory of your name erased. When they wake, everything will be as it should be, none the wiser… But I have need of your skills and strength.” Sun Guard began to look around, trying to find the voice, before a beam of light suddenly washed over him. “Your sister is in need of a protector, one who cannot be defeated by the norm.”

Aerion looked up, his body slowly shifting from the stallion form, to one of a venerated Custodes, his helmeted gaze going up to the sky. He gave a light nod, before a strange, golden orb appeared in front of him. The Custodes looked down at it, and gently took it with his free hand, eyeing the orb strangely.

“When you arrive, go to your brother Xeron… Give him that orb, he shall need what is inside of it.” The voice said, Aerion pulling it closer, allowing him to see a strange figure inside. A figure, with red claws and talons.

His eyes went wide, holding the orb away from him, he knew exactly what that thing was. Not even Custodes could fight such a creature in equal combat, they were too agile and unpredictable. Despite this, however, he gave a nod and was quickly shot up into the air, within a beam of light.