The group kept going deeper and deeper within the morbid fortress prison, Night Reaper could feel the darkness growing around them with each step… Almost like, the closer they got to his estranged “Eldest Brother”, the sense of dread and death grew. He didn’t know whether or not if he should turn around, and allowing Darth Nextrion to continue said venture alone or keep going and see this Lord of Dark Templari face to face. The former being his most reliable on possibly living and seeing the light of day again.

The Death Knights stopped at a massive, black iron, door adorned with icons of death and images of some might war between the undead and living… At the very top, was a strange human clad in armor like the Death Knights, but he wielded a massive sword, which had been slung over his shoulder. In the Death Knight’s right hand, aiming down towards the undead, was a massive ruby-like crystal, releasing streams of energy down and destroying undead after undead. The following image showed said Death Knight battling it out with a cloaked figure, wielding a scythe, whose robes were adorned with the skulls of slain victims. The last image, placed at the door’s top, was that of the Death Knight having slain the Necromancer-like mortal, driving the large sword deep into his foe’s chest and holding said Ruby Crystal in hand.

“What is this a story of?” Night Reaper asked, drawing the attention of Darth Nextrion and the Death Knights.

“It is of our Lord defeating a feared foe of Azeroth, a Grand Necromancer, whose name is forever stripped of records… To prevent others from falling to his corruption or wicked tongue, to prevent his soul from returning to the Living Realm.” The lead Death Knight said, placing his hand on to the center of the door, his armored appendage slowly pushing into the metal barrier. Several clicks and gears were heard coming from within the door, as it started to open. “Our Lord is inside, waiting… Please, tread lightly new comer.” The Death Knights all looked towards Night Reaper, as Darth Nextrion silently waited. “Our lord is not very welcoming to new faces... Especially with his current company.”

“Current company?” Darth Nextrion beat Night Reaper to the question, honestly confused by the statement. “What could cause dear big brother to become so protect-?”

“Catch me, Grandpa! Catch me!” A little girl squealed, giggling, as the two looked inside and watched said little girl falling from a decent height… And right into the waiting hands of a black robed man. “Yay! Again, Grandpa, again!” She cheered, making the robed man laugh.

Nearby him, sitting on a bench, was a human woman with raven black hair and pale white skin. Her robes matched that of a priest of some kind, but she bore the same tabard as those guarding the fortress-prison… One would have thought she may be the spouse of this robed man, but she was far too young for such a thing but also old enough to be that of a mother. Next to her, his viper-like eyes instantly going to the new arrivals, was a green furred being with long tusks and ears. He squatted next to the woman, viper fetishes adorning his tribal-like clothing and staff. His tiki mask tilting towards the group. “’ey, boss mon, ju be ‘avin’ companeh.” The Amani Troll said, smirking some.

That drew the attention of the woman, placing a gentle hand over her chest and looked towards the two new arrival. She recognized Darth Nextrion, but Night Reaper being new made her instantly stand up and create a barrier of pure light between them and the two. “Tarena, my dearest daughter.” The robed man said, holding the little girl up to where he can look her straight in the eyes. “Do not be rude.” With his last statement, she gave a respective bow towards the man, who continued to play with said child, before dropping her barrier. “Zul’maji? What do you think of our ‘guests’?”

“Dey be strange, da big mon bein’ ignorant of jur powah, but ah be knowin’ da smallah one.” ‘Zul’maji’ said, lifting a hand up and leaning his chin on to it. “Dat be jur feisteh bruddah, Nexy.” He cackled a bit, while said Sith grave an irritated growl. “Ah be tinkin’ dey ‘ere foah sometin’ important, boss mon.”

“A good assumption, my Amani friend. Good assumption, indeed.” The robed man said, as Tarena walked over towards him. “Amilia, you need to go with your mommy and daddy, alright? Grandpa has business to handle.”

The little girl nodded, smiling. “Okie dokie, Grandpa! Can I play with Mr. Sevon and Mr. Liman? They are funny, and they let me play with their ribs like instruments!” She asked, as the robed man handed her to Tarena.

Placing a hand on to her head, he gave a nod. “Of course, dear. I’ll have them both go to our room, once I am finished here.”

Tarena gave a respective nod towards him, before leaving the room with Zul’maji, the robed man turning to face his guests. “Tarena married an Amani Troll? That’s rather… Strange.” Darth Nextrion said, walking up to the robed man, with Night Reaper right behind him.

“Zul’maji is her adoptive father, found her after the Forsaken killed her parents when she was just a newborn. He quickly turned her over to me, and I gave her to Tarena. However, the catch was that he could keep an eye on his little ‘tuskling’.” He slowly turned towards the two, Darth Nextrion quickly kneeling down to the ground, while Night Reaper hesitantly did so. “Now, what has caused you to come here, Darth Nextrion… And brought another of our brothers, it seems? One of the younger ones?” He chuckled a bit, the echoing laugh actually making a chill run down Night Reaper’s back.

“O-Older… Brother, you know I do not dare come to Dark Alpha, unless it is for a great importance. Your privacy and work is very important to me, but-?”

“Father is dying, poor Xeron is holding off his attacker, and our dearest baby sister is in danger, am I correct?” The man said, giving them a side glance, both looking up at him in surprise. “I’ll take your sudden reaction as a yes.” He slowly shook his head, reaching a hand into the darkened hood to press against his hidden face. “Father never was one of caution, his sudden power boast did give him a flaw in overconfidence.”

“Y-You knew!? H-How! It took Night Reaper coming and telling me, before I knew about father’s situation!” Darth Nextrion said, quickly standing up and completely forgetting his place within the dark being’s presence. “How did you know, and yet still waited for us!?”

The robed man just watched the Sith, almost like he found his reaction rather amusing. “Father and I never lost touch, Nex. Being his truest firstborne, he and I are forever linked together, his mind is open to me unlike yours.” His attention went towards a nearby wall, and slowly walked towards it, his steps cloaked by the large black robe. “And I am very sure his foolish attacker did not even think that those stories within Father’s Realm were mere forgeries.” Darth Nextrion and Night Reaper looked at one another, they could feel the other’s confusion, before looking back towards their eldest brother. “Father could not risk a foe possibly getting their hands on the real stories… So, he left them within my charge.”

They watched, as he placed a robed hand on to the wall… Causing it to slowly split open, both Night Reaper and Darth Nextrion going slack jawed behind their helmets, as they watched shelf upon shelf of books and notebooks being revealed behind a false wall. Though, cut out near the floor of it, stood a black suit of armor. Cresting the very top, was a strange ruby crystal. All along the black metal, were skull iconography, even the shoulder pads were fanged skulls. Holding in front of its metal body, the suit of armor had the very same massive blade the two saw on the chamber’s door… Red Runes written across its face, its finely sharpened edge glistening within the low light.

Night Reaper’s eyes were on the suit of heavy armor, feeling an even worse chill run down his spine, but Darth Nextrion could not remove his eyes from the terrible Runeblade in front of it. He knew its danger, he knew what power that blade held, he knew the thirst it had deep within its tainted soul, forever linking it to its mighty wielder. A single word left the Sith’s lips, as he looked at the blade, almost like saying the blade’s name would lift its fearful spell. “B-Beloved…”

The robed man chuckled a bit, slowly pulling his hood back, revealing his raven black hair being put up in a rogue’s tail. He removed the helmet from its rest, and slid it on before looking at the two… His lich fire eyes burning behind the helmet’s eye sockets. “Now, let us go save poor little Galaxia.”

The defenders were almost pushed to the Cavern’s entrance; they were now pushed back to the second rear trench… Soon, they’ll have to either make a true final stand, or fall back into the Cavern’s extended systems and try ambush tactics against their foes. Both options did not please Xeron, as he landed into the trench, destroying another AT-AT that tried approaching and bombarding their defensive positions. However, they were taking casualty after casualty, their wounded and dead starting to stack up. It will not be much longer, before they will not have enough warriors to even fend these, seemingly, endless invaders off.

“Looks like we’ll be dying here after all, brothers.” Talos said, over the vox channel, before unloading a volley from his bolter. “I’m down to one last magazine, my blade being the only weapon left.”

“I have nothing left. My chainspear is all that reamins.” Jago said, using said spear to impale a Terran Marine. “Got to give it to these ‘Terran Marines’, they are tenacious.”

Malachiorn used his power fist to crush a Stormtrooper, before unloading his combi-bolter’s remaining ammunition into two Terran Marines. “I preferred it when we were Equestria’s super soldier force.” The War Sage said, before reloading his combi-bolter behind the trench’s safety.

“The Havocs won’t be able to cover you much longer, brothers… Their Walkers are keeping us pinned, and the Bikers are out of Melta-Charges… It seems our only defense against them, right now, is the filly and her Daemon Engine.” Mecurtian said, using his Heavy Bolter to mow down an advancing squad of Stormtroopers.

Xeron placed a hand over his helmeted forehead, rubbing the claws his hidden temples. “I am truly sorry, brothers… It seems our lives, our new lives, will be torn ended before anything good could come of them.”

Their only response were only hysterical laughter, confusing Xeron bit. “Brother! Do not seem like such a thing is a curse!” Jago laughed, leaning against the trench, trying to shake his laughter off. “After all, you gave us a life worth living!”

“He is correct, boy.” Malachiorn said, helping a wounded Royal Guard towards the rear trench, to where a group of medical personal were waiting for him. “Brief as it had been, this life was most enjoyable… My time on the farm, will be one I’ll cherish in the afterlife.”

“All I can think about, now, is seeing Pinkie smiling… Even as the darkness closes in on us, her smiling face seems to be brightening my outlook.” Vandred said, eyeing his gladius and bolter. “While I wish things could have been different, and I could return to that mare with a smile of my own… I would gladly throw my life away to buy her more time, brightening the lives of others with a smile.”

Talos gave a nod, readying Aurum for combat. “And Fluttershy’s kind heart, gave me a whole new outlook, as well. It brought back the Apothecary within me, the will to save lives instead of taking them.” He pressed the holy blade against his chest. “A will I’ll gladly use now, to pay her back.”

“Seems we all have something to say.” Mercutian said, smiling as he remembered Rarity’s beauty. “I’ll be sure to make my death worthy of Rarity’s beauty… I shall create a work of art; one she could immortalize in some fashion line.” He reloaded the Heavy Bolter, the teams of Royal Guards back away, so he could unleash hell. “I’ll use this bolter as my brush, and paint this blank canvas!” With that, he open-fired upon the advancing Terran Marines and Stormtroopers, the other Havocs joining his supporting fire.

Xeron listened to all of their words, smirking while he stared at his claws. “This is also more of a reason for us to fight with all we have.” He stood up, jump pack roaring to life while Royal Guard moved out from behind him. “To the sky, brothers! We shall end this, here and now!” The claws activated, creating a discharge around his body. “Ave Dominus Nox, for Equestria!!!” Every Raptor launched into the sky, with their battle leader and High Commander! The Terran Marines, Stormtroopers, and Walkers; spotted this and began to fire up at them. Many of the flying Astartes were shot down by the barrage, but they did not stop. Those who were hit, aimed their skyrocketing frames and slammed down into their enemy! Doing what they can, despite being wounded by the crash. Xeron’s eyes scanned for the opposing commander, soon locking on to a black robed man, with five more behind him. He narrowed his eyes, and flew towards him. “For Equestria, for the Night Haunter, and for Twilight!!!” He wailed.

Darth Various looked up, seeing the oncoming Night Raptor… But smirked, as a Terran Marine shot him out of the sky! The explosion sending him back into their forward trench. “Pathetic.” Were his only words, more of his forces advancing, watching the last stand starting to crumble.

The Night Raptor slowly started to pull himself up off of the ground, the explosion scorching his back. “D-Damnit… I was on him.” He growled, before hearing a click above him. Quickly spinning around, Xeron saw that a Terran Marine was right on top of him, aiming his gauss rifle right at the grounded Astartes. Gripping the dirt under his claws, Xeron closed both of his eyes and prepared for what is to come. “I’m sorry, Twilight…”

FLASH!
ENRAGED ROAR!
CRUNCH!
SCREAMS OF AGONY!

“Worthless, unworthy, pathetic excuse for an Astartes!” A metallic voice roared, causing Xeron to open his eyes again, seeing an iron and brass Terminator gripping the Terran Marine within his Lightning Claws! Xeron recognized those colors, and armor designed since he had a chain mail cape… This was a Terminator Lord from the Iron Warriors Legion, a Warsmith no doubt! He threw the Terran Marine up, grabbing his leg with the opposite claw, before actually tearing him in two! “I’m not going to allow you another step forward, invaders!” The Warsmith roared, his sudden appearance actually scaring the advancing army. Slowly, the Terminator turned around, and offered his claw to Xeron. “Get up, little brother! There is a battle to win!”

Hesitantly, Xeron took the offered claw with his own, and quickly hoisted off of the ground. “W-Who are you, Iron Warrior?” He asked, watching the Warsmith aim his wrist mounted stormbolter at an advancing squad, quickly decimating them.

“Warsmith Zarrix.” He answered, before quickly stepping in the way and deflecting a volley of blaster fire. “And I’m more kin to you, than these Night Lords!”

His words confused the Night Raptor, who took this sudden appearance as a chance to take a breather. “I have no idea what you mean by that, Warsmith Zarrix, and I am thankful for your timely rescue, but…” Xeron looked back at advancing army. “It is going to take more than a lone Terminator Lord, from the IV Legion, to turn this tide.”

Zarrix snickered at his statement, slightly looking back at him. “Oh, dear little brother, who said I came alone?”

Before Xeron could ask what he meant, a burst of sonic energy suddenly exploded, sending a group of Stormtroopers and Terran Marines flying away from the trenches! He looked back, where their Havocs were stationed, and saw a Blastmaster, clad in silver and black armor, bobbing his head to some beat. A sudden wall of fire, drew the Night Raptor’s attention back to the trenches, seeing a Thousand Sons, wearing their Legion’s old colors, incinerating an advancing platoon of Stormtroopers with psychic flames. A sly smirk slowly appeared on Xeron’s lips, just as a melta gun suddenly went off, completely destroying an AT-ST’s head, forcing it to fall. He saw the standard gray and green shoulder pads of a pre-heresy colored Death Guard Demolition Astartes, showing zero signs of corruption from the Chaos God of Death and Disease.

“Lumarion! How many charges are you carrying?” Zarrix asked, drawing the Mk. III clad Death Guard’s attention.

“Enough, my Warsmith.” He answered, his voice showing zero hint of emotion, before drawing his combat blade and splitting a Stormtrooper in half. “These Walkers shall not escape my wrath.”

“Good, now where is-?”

“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!!!” A voice roared, before countless Stormtroopers and Terran Marines were sent flying into the air, their limbs hacked completely off and blood going everywhere. Xeron could faintly make out the crimson and brass of a World Eaters Khorne Berserker, wading through their ranks, his twin axes hacking and slashng widly.

“Ah, there’s Ariontus… Was wondering where that Berserker went.” Zarrix looked towards the calm Thousand Sons Sorcerer. “Anubis! Do you have an ETA on our back up?”

The Sorcerer nodded. “I do, brother.” Anubis bowed his head, respectively, and placed a clawed gauntlet over his heart. “They’ll be arriving soon enough, your transports landing the next wave and that rather useful Ironhorn will be deploying our…. Counterparts rather soon.”

“What does he mean by ‘Counterparts’, Warsmith?” Xeron asked, somewhat dazed by the appearance of the new combatants.

Zarrix looked down at Xeron, pointing a claw towards the sky. “Look up, and you shall see.”

Xeron did so, and saw what looked like… A giant, metal, Hercules Beetle flying overhead? With what looked like six Astartes riding on his back.

Zu’hal placed a hand on to the Insecticon’s back, nodding his armored head. “I thank you for the assistance, might one… We shall deploy from here.”

Ironhorn gave a nod, firing his blaster at any incoming fighters. “Safe travel, fleshling brother… Have fun fighting our foe.”

The Salamanders Terminator gave a nod, turning to the five Astartes behind him. “Listen up, Imperialis Squad! Below us, are our brothers… Our dearest sister is in danger, and Xeron fights to defend her and this world.” He passed Aythan and Ter’ron, hammer and shield in hand. “We will put aside our petty differences, and do this for Galaxia’s sake, am I understood!?” He asked, passing Ayden Wolfhowl and a Blood Angel, Zu’hal’s attention going to the Blood Angel. “Do I make myself clear, Azress?”

“Transparently, Venerated Brother Zu’hal.” The Blood Angel answered, with a hint of both arrogance and sarcasm in his voice.

“Don’t worry so much, big green.” Ayden gave a fanged grin, placing his helmet on. “He gets out of line, I’ll shove a boot up his arse.”

“You can try, Ayden, but it’ll be your down fall.” Azress said, preparing his plasma pistol and powerfist. “Besides, even I care for our little sister enough to ignore the Night Lords and Iron Warriors we’ll be fighting beside.” His gaze went to the Valor’s Edge, before nodding. “Let us just deploy already.”

Zu’hal nodded, before looking at Augustus. “They are yours, Sergeant.” With that, the Salamander Terminator suddenly leapt off of the Insecticon’s back, plummeting towards the battlefield.

The Ultramarine Vanguard looked to the other members of Imperialis Squad. “You heard him, brothers! Looks like we’ll be deploying together on another mission!”

Both Ayden and Azress rolled their eyes. “Great, revenge of the book banger.” They both said, at the same time.

Augustus ignored their comment, lifting his lascannon up. “Well then… Imperialis Squad, deploy!” The four raised their armored fists up into the air, roaring out their personal battle cries, before leaping off of the Insecticon’s back. “Brother Ironhorn… Mind dropping me off somewhere more elevated? I rather keep a bird’s eye view of things.”

“I know a good spot, hold on, fleshling brother.” Ironhorn’s speed increased, as he flew towards the Twin Peak Mountains.

Darth Various could not believe what he was seeing right now, wave after wave of Iron Warriors began landing right in front of him, along with champions from every Black Knight’s story he has read started to show up. He looked towards his cloaked warriors, nodding to them. “We’ll have to try and advance another way, order all AT-ATs to move in, try and push back-?”

A heavy thud caused him to look back forward, the Sith instantly going pale the very moment he spotted a towering black and silver armored mech. For its right arm, the Imperial Knight was armored with a Reaper’s Chainsword, the left had an Avenger’s Gatling Cannon. On his back, the walker was armed with a Stormspear pattern Missile Launcher, which it instantly used to send a volley of missiles into the lead AT-ATs! Effectively tearing their armored bodies apart and sending them crashing on to the ground.

“U-Umbra Equitis is here too!?” The Sith yelled, staring up at the walking, hate-fueled, warmachine.

“Not just me, invader.” Marius said, over the Imperial Knight’s warhorn, just as another giant landed next to him! The dust kicked up by it, caused the advancing army to cover their visors, trying to resist the shockwave that followed.

Before they could see what caused it, a burst of light beams suddenly shredded into their ranks, slaughtering a good number of Terran Marines! When Darth Various was able to look, his jaw nearly ripped through his war mask. “A Wraithknight!?” He yelled, seeing the giant Eldar Construct’s onyx black body, crimson head with a black visor piece, and crimson spirit stones lining its entire body. The strange Eldar ghost blade in its right hand, and a scattershield attached to its left.

The colossal Eldar Warmachine scanned the battle field, before it locked on to Darth Various, realizing he was the one who spoke. “That is correct… I am Althiar, Guardian and Protector of Equis.” He held the ghost blade high up into the sky. “I have been awakened to defend this world’s wraithseer and my little sister!” And, with that, he swung the blade down, effectively creating a new trench and sending Darth Various’ forces flying back!

“A damn Wraithknight… We only have one weapon to actually bring that down, and I’m not ready to use it yet…” Darth Various said, looking back at his Acolytes. “Any word from the commandos!?”

“Yes, my lord… Most were wiped out by the Night Haunter, but a group made it to the inner Cavern.” The Acolyte snickered a bit, handing Darth Various a datapad. “Seems like they ran into a straying group of ponies, ones that an Element tried to lead back to safety. They are about to execute them now.”

“Good… I’ll enjoy watching this.” He looked towards the datapad. “Order all forces to advance, overwhelm them!” The Acolytes nodded, as the Sith looked to the datapad.

Applejack looked up at the group of black armored Stormtroopers, while she kept a group of foals behind her. She knew that these were some of the guys that the Night Lords were trying to fight off, and their armor told her they were the sneaky types. Their leader aimed a blaster at her, the weapon making clicks and whirring sounds, as it started to activate. “Well? What are ya gonna do with us, ya no good varmint.” She glared up at him, not wavering for a second, trying not to show her weakness in front of the foals.

He pointed the blaster more at Applejack. “Kill you. Those are my orders.” The Imperial Commando said, Applejack’s eyes going wide, but soon narrowed at him. The mare refused to show any form of weakness, and remained strong in front of the foals, which the Imperial Commando could not help but respect. “I’m sorry, but you must-?” He was distracted, when one of his commandos started to choke, dropping his blaster and grabbing at his neck like something was choking him. “Trooper? What is the matter?” The very moment the commando had been lifted off of the ground, the squad leader realized what was going on. “Contact! Contact, he’s cloaked! BLAST HIM!”

The other commandos began to open fire, trying to shoot their cloaked foe, but they only struck their squadmate and watched his limp body drop to the rocky ground. The commandos, even the ponies, began searching for what had just caused that commando’s death… But couldn’t see nothing. “W-Where did he-AHHH!” Without warning, another commando was sent flying across the corridor, and down into the nearby cavern canyon.

The commandos began to open fire again; the cavern being lit up by red blaster fire. However, no matter where they aimed, the Imperial Commandos could not hit anything around them. “He’s here, but where!? We’ve struck just about every spot within this damn cavern!” One of the commandos yelled.

“Not everywhere.” A voice whispered, before a two-pronged energy blade rammed through his chest, effectively lifting the ripping him off of the ground! The other Commandos looked towards their impaled comrade, just as their attack decloaked.

“W-What are you?” The squad leader asked, staring up at the black and red armored Sangheili.

“I am Aythai’Vadam… Warrior of Sangheilios and Commander of the Equestrian Special Operations Division!” He roared, before drawing his Plasma Repeater, and started to blast the remaining commandos! The leader started to attempt an escape, but the Sangheili saw this and threw his blade kill off of the energy sword.

The Imperial Commando kept looking over his shoulder, trying to crawl away, and watched the Sangheili approach him. “P-Please! Have mercy! I as only following orders!” He pleaded, before Aythai’Vadam slammed his foot on to the Commando’s back. “H-Have… M-Mercy!”

“You’re a soldier… Die like one, coward.” The Sangheili said, before grabbing the Commando by his neck, pulling him off of the ground. “And another thing?” Aythai’Vadam suddenly brought the commando forward, ramming his energy sword into his back and caused him to gasp. “You shouldn’t have tried killing Applejack.”