Darth Various dodged another massive metal foot, trying to avoid being crushed by the Gouf Custom that had suddenly joined the battle. Two of the AT-ATs aimed their heavy blasters towards said Mobile Suit, and opened fired… But Reaper used his shield to deflect the attack, and then aimed his gatling gun at them. In mere seconds, both AT-ATs were nothing but torn apart pieces of scrap metal! The fact that his heavier vehicles were reduced to nothing, made the Sith release a rather feral growl. “Damn that thing...” He reached up, placing a hand on to the comm-link attached to his mask. “Where is my damn Battle-Staion? Is it ready yet!?”

“Sir, we will be ready to deploy it… In the next few minutes, it shall land near your position and overwhelm their defenses.” The Imperial Commander replied, as the Sith watched his forces almost in full retreat.

“We need it here, now! We’re going to lose this battle!” Darth Various roared, as he dodged the next metal stop from Reaper. “What about my ships!? Can’t you move some of the Star Destroyers down here to bombard this area?”

“Sir, we could do that but they have enough fire power down there to shoot the Star Destroyers out of the sky.” The Imperial Commander replied, Darth Various reaching for one of his lightsabers. “The Battle-Station is your only option right now.”

That caused him to give another feral growl, before drawing the lightsaber and activating it. “Then I’ll just cripple that thing, and hopefully the walkers can get a lucky shot on it.” He pulled the other out, and leaped towards the Mobile Suit. “I’ll just cleave into its legs, and-WHOA!”

Before he could reach Reaper, a frostblade was suddenly swung towards Darth Various! This caused him to raise both lightsabers up to block it, but the force behind said frostblade sent him back and slide until fully stopping. “I don’t think you can do such a thing, lad.” A gruff, norse-like, voice growled, making Darth Various look up to see a Space Wolf staring him down… Wearing a wolf-like black helmet, and a stormshield gripped in his left hand. “I’m gonna teach you what happens, when you mess with a Wolf’s Pack.”

“Really, Ayden, you’re going to take all the fun?” Another voice called out, before a Blood Angel Vanguard landed next to the Space Wolf, pointing his plasma pistol at Darth Various. “How rude of you, but then again… I shouldn’t expect any less from you, you do always get tunnel vision when you see a worthy foe.”

Ayden Wolfhowl snickered at the Blood Angel’s comment, readying to charge. “Well, if you like to join me, Azress, you’re more than welcomed too. Just gotta ditch the powerfist and draw that Valor’s Edge of yours.”

The Blood Angel looked at the Space Wolf, before shrugging his shoulders. “If you say so, but ditch the shield. Let us see how he fairs against both of our skills at their peak.” With that, Azress detached his powerfist, even his jump pack, and drew the Valor’s Edge sitting on his hip. Ayden Wolfhowl threw his stormshield to the side, and the two Space Marines taking a battle stance with their blades, each one showing their Chapter’s different combat styles. “First to drop him, gets the first drink.”

“You’re on!” Ayden Wolfhowl howled, the two leaping towards their foe, Darth Various instantly pulling up his lightsabers to try and parry both attackers.

However, no matter how hard he tried, the combined strength of two respective Astartes Blademasters were difficult to hold back. One was ferocious, relentless, and tried to overwhelm him with his strength and speed. While the other was calm, precise, almost near surgical; combined with his own restrained fury, using both his agility and skill to try and land a blow. Not to mention, the fields around both relic weapons were preventing Darth Various’ lightsabers from tearing into the metal and render them utterly useless. He needed to disengage, or else these two were actually going to split him in half!

When Ayden swung his frostblade, Darth Various quickly used his superior agility through their size difference, and dodged the attack. “I say, it is a good time for a tactical retreat…” The Sith quickly turned tail, and began to force leap away from the two blademasters.

“Oh no you don’t!” Azress called out, drawing his plasma pistol and aimed it at the retreating Sith. “You are not getting away that easily.” Before he could take the shot, a group of Terran Marines began to fire upon the two! This caused Azress to use is charged blast on one, while Ayden cleaved into their ranks! His frostblade roaring to life, cleaving the less armored Terran Marines to blood chunks. Though, when the Blood Angel Vanguard took aim at Darth Various again, the Sith had gotten out of range. “Damnit! Crafty little bastard!” He snarled, lowering the pistol.

“No worries, Azress… We’ll get him later, let us handle the rest for now!” Ayden yelled, cleaving a Terran Marine down the middle. “Let us see who can get the higher kill count!” The Space Wolf began to cackle madly, the excitement of battle starting to get to him.

Azress shook his head, with a sigh. “I can never let you out do me, Ayden… You are on, brother.” With that, the Blood Angel joined in the slaughter.

Darth Various avoided heavy burst after heavy burst, artillery after artillery, trying to avoid being hit by a stray shot. His eyes narrowed, this battle is nearly lost to him. He needed support now. “Damnit… Where is that Battle Station!” He yelled, coming to a halt when he nearly ran right into a lascannon blast. This caused him to look where it came from, up a bit higher on one of the mountain sides… Seeing a blue clad Devastator Sternguard aiming his lascannon at him, said Ultramarine waving a left hand at him while aiming his tank hunting weapon. “With him here, trying to out flank them is near impossible.”

“My lord?” An Imperial Commander came over the comm-link.

“Speak, and be quick.” Darth Various ordered, placing both lightsabers back on to his hips.

“Well then, my lord, I shall sum it up for you… You are about to be very happy.” The Imperial Commander replied, a sick and twisted grin appearing on Darth Various’ masked face.

He pressed his finger on to the comm-link. “I need a shuttle, now.” He received an acknowledgement, as one of the Imperial Shuttles quickly flew over to his position.

Galaxia kept her senses sharp, making sure she kept a close eye on every bit of information on her screens, down to the very last bit. Luckily for her, the mobile suit was designed for ace pilots, which means that its systems were more advance than a regular model and could pick up on any possible high threats before they became a problem. So, when an AT-AT moved into firing range, she was able to quickly react and either used her shield to deflect their attack, or tear it apart with her main weapon. But, what made her a bit unnerved, a shuttle had taken off a minute or two ago, and it managed to avoid her barrage of gunfire. Something told her, Darth Various was on the shuttle and there had been a reason he left the battlefield.

But, her attention could not last on that subject, there were dangers all around her. AT-ATs moving into the battlefields, AT-STs trying to out maneuver her, the infantry trying to hit her with anti-armor weapons, and then there were the fighters overhead. While she did have support, both Umbra Equitis and Althair watching her back, she needed to keep a close eye on everything.

When she spotted a large group of Terran Marines moving on a smaller force of defenders, Galaxia quickly had Reaper unleash a burst from his gatling canon and blew them all away. Though, before she could do anything else, the emergency alert alarm started to sound within her cockpit, as three arrows started to pointing forward. “Priority Alert! Incoming High Heat Energy!”

“What? How can something be-?” Galaxia silenced herself, seeing a large beam heading straight for her! It started to get brighter, and brighter, her body locking up when she saw it. It is big enough to actually split Reaper in half, moving far too fast for her to dodge, evening using the thrusters. Where it was heading for, though, terrified her… The beam of energy, is aimed directly at Reaper’s cockpit!

“Move, Little Sister!” An echoed voice called out, before Reaper had been shoved to the side by Althair, the Wraithknight taking the beam’s attack instead!

He let out a wail of pure agony, dropping his ghost blade, as the beam of energy tore him in half. The Eldar Construct’s body shattered, almost like glass, as the beam passed through him and dispersed on to the mountain side. A beam of light suddenly came down from the sky, slamming on to the Wraith Knight. It repaired his body, making it like he had not taken the beam, but it also caused him to disappear… Sending Althair back to the story he came from.

“A-ALTHAIR!” Galaxia yelled, having Reaper kneel next to where said Wraithknight disappeared from, his hand rubbing the scorched marks. “W-What could have caused that?”

“How about you have a look, brat.” Darth Various’ voice echoed from some intercom, making all looking up in sheer terror…

Standing at nearly six-hundred and fifty meters tall, an eight legged battle station stood not too far from their battlefield… Slowly approaching with each colossal step it took. All along its armored haul, were defensive and offensive turret placements, each taking aim at certain target vectors in front of them. Missile pods along its back started to aim for anything airborne or where it could strike on the ground. The main gun emplacements along two large bridge-like structures on the Battle-Station’s front aimed towards all of their heavy walkers and normal walkers. The Battle-Station’s mere presence terrified those on the ground, causing all combat to suddenly come to a halt. All eyes were on it, as the giant mobile machine stepped towards the Twin Peaked mountains.

“W-What is that thing…” Galaxia said, as Umbra Equitis moved in to cover her, trying to act as a shield if the Battle-Station tried to take advantage of her confusion.

“Meet the Spirit of Mother’s Will… Yours, Xerons, those puny brothers of yours, and this entire story’s; end!” Darth Various laughed over the intercom, as complete, utter, panic ensued within their defensive emplacements.

Zarrix started to roar into his vox-channel. “All heavy weapons, open fire on that thing! Try to bring it down, now! Aim for its legs, aim for the damn legs!” At his command, every mech, tank, and heavy weapons; began to open fire on the Spirit of Mother’s Will! However, its thick plating actually shrugged it all off like they were fleas on a dog. Not even Umbra Equitis’ heavy fire could penetrate its armor.

“Damnit, that thing isn’t going down!” Xeron yelled, trying to help a wounded Royal Guard back on to his feet and towards the medics. “We don’t have anything that’ll-?” His attention was drawn to something appearing on the Battle-Station’s back, before he became wide eyed. “SHIT! Incoming! We need to lay down suppressive fire, now, Warsmith!”

His words confused Zarrix, until the first heavy round suddenly hit their defensive positions, taking out a nearby Vindicator! That was when the Terminator Lord saw the rank after rank of Armor Cores deploying from Spirit of Mother’s Will deployment stations. Quickly, Zarrix reactivated is vox-channel. “All weapons, concentrate your fire on those damn armored walkers! Don’t let them get near our positions, or they’ll be steam rolling over us!” He ordered, every weapon adjusting their vectors to the new targets, and started to lay down suppressive fire.

Unlike the Spirit of Mother’s Will, the Armored Core were more vulnerable to their attacks, which allowed the defenders to actually target and take out the giant walkers before they either could land or just as they did. But they did not have a respite, being reminded that the Spirit of Mother’s Will had firepower of its own, when said Battle-Station actually decimated the Defiler and Riptide in a single volley! Both heavy supports being transformed into their model forms, Iron Warriors quickly retrieving them and taking the two o safety. However, they also found out that the Battle-Station’s aiming is more of a volley form, with no real aiming, when majority of its attacks struck the mountain side instead of their defensive positions.

“So… What are we going to do against that thing?” Xeron asked, looking to the Warsmith. “Got any other surprises for us to use?”

Zarrix eyed the Spirit of Mother’s Will, even as Ironhorn landed, transformed, and began to help take down any Armor Cores that were inbound to their position. In all honesty, the Warsmith had absolutely nothing to say, no big trick left in his back pocket. “Honestly, if a miracle doesn’t happen soon, I think we may lose this battle… We do not have anything heavy enough to take that thing out, and we’re all out of ways.” The Warsmith looked down at Xeron, placing a lightning claw on to his shoulder. “All we can do now, is use what we can to bring that thing down… Hopefully, we’ll get lucky and hit something important.”

Xeron gave a nod, activating his own vox-channel. “All remaining Raptors, let us try and slow that thing down! Gather what melta-charges you, and let’s hit its legs… There has to be a weak point somewhere on it.” He ordered, quickly going to retrieve a jump pack from one of the fallen Raptors.

“We’ll try and give you all cover, brother… Iron Within.” Zarrix said, aiming is stormbolters at the advancing infantry.

“Iron Without.” Xeron replied, knowing their war cry. Though, when he turned to leave, the Night Reaper was met with a figure wearing gold armor, a guardian spear in hand and a crimson cloak draped over his back. “WHOA! CUSTODES!” He yelled, prepared to fight, but Zarrix quickly took noticed and stopped the Night Raptor.

“Calm yourself, Xeron… This is one of our brothers.” He answered, nodding to the Custodes. “Brother Aerion, it is good to see you finally showed up. A bit late to the party, but we could use every bit of help we can get right now. Got anything for us?” Zarrix asked, as the Custodes shook his head, before pointing to Xeron. “Ah, yes, he has something for you.”

Xeron looked up at the Terminator, then to the Custodes. “What? What does he have for me, exactly?” He asked, as Aerion reached into his cloak, and pulled out an orb of light. It gave off a warm feeling, almost soothing, which confused the Night Raptor.

However, the orb actually made Zarrix smirk. “Possibly a way to help deal with all those infantry units advancing on us… It may not help against that ‘Spirit of Mother’s Will’, but it may also open up chances to find a weak spot.” He said, as the Custodes walked up to Xeron, holding the orb towards him. “He’s telling you to take it, brother.”

The Night Raptor looked between the two, hesitant as to what this orb could be… But, what choice did he have? They are desperate right now, and this thing could be a way for them to gain an upper hand or at least but some time. So, Xeron stepped towards the Custodes, opening his claws up to take the orb. Aerion gave a nod, and placed the orb into his opened claws… Said orb instantly exploding with light, which entered Xeron’s own body and caused his eyes to brighten up with the same energy.

Night Claw started to look around, confused as to where he could possibly be right now, along with how he had been turned into his Night Guard Form! All around him, were white walls and no way for him to possibly get out or any to get into where he is. However, the room’s blankness actually made him feel relaxed, at east, almost like there was no true care in the world. A place of pure serenity, and peace.

“It is about time you showed up.” A voice called out, making Night Claw look from side to side.

“Whose there? Show yourself, now!” He ordered, eyes narrowed, as he searched for the other presence within the blank room.

The voice laughed a bit, out of amusement. “I’m not hiding, Night Claw… How about turning around?” The voice asked, Night Claw turning his head and suddenly seeing a large bat pony, matching his size, with a black coat and mane. His eyes, however, were pure red like the membrane of his wings. The stallion gave him a sincere fanged smile. “I have been waiting to speak with you.” The black look-a-like said, nodding to him.

“Who are you?” Night Claw asked, raising a brow in confusion, as he faced the look-a-like. “I do not think I have ever met you before, brother.”

His question caused the stallion to laugh a bit, using a hoof to cover his mouth, so not to seem rude. When he stopped, the bat pony smiled at him. “Oh, you have, but not like this. We met when I was a bit more… Savage, I guess would be the best word?”

Once again, the stallion’s words confused Night Claw, not exactly understanding what he meant by that. But, when he actually thought about it for a second, his eyes widened with surprise and realized who this stallion is. “S-Shadow Blitz!?” He asked.

The stallion gave a nod, smiling from ear to ear. “It is good to finally meet you, as myself, brother.” Shadow Blitz walked closer to Night Claw, the two stallions being at the same height. “Too bad it is under such strict circumstances and we cannot speak more like brothers… I understand our time is short?”

Night Claw gave a nod, his eyes becoming serious. “Yes, we are under attack by an enemy called ‘Darth Various’. We almost had him on the ropes, then he brought some massive, walking, Battle-Station called ‘Spirit of Mother’s Will’. Its sheer destructive power is limited, but it has destroyed two of our heavy support and one of our walkers.” The Night Guard gave a sigh, as Shadow Blitz merely listened to his words. “I do not know if we’ll win against that thing, but we are going to fight it with everything we have…”

Shadow Blitz snickered a bit, shrugging his shoulders. “My, seems like you’ve gotten into quite the pickle… Though, I may be able to help, but what I’ll give you is limited on time.” Both stallions looked at one another, Night Claw tilting his head. “It isn’t much, but it is all I can offer you… Consider this repayment for reuniting me with my Twilight.” Shadow Blitz lifted his hoof up, for a hoofshake, a cocky grin on his muzzle. “I bet this ‘Darth Various’ won’t see this coming.”

Hesitantly, Night Claw lifted his own hoof up, and placed it around Shadow Blitz’s own. “What exactly are you planning to do, Shadow-?” He instantly stopped himself, realizing that the two of them were now in their Night Lord forms… Xeron standing as a Night Raptor, while Shadow Blitz had become a Warp Talon again.

“Easy… We shall how he can handle you, as the Hound of Equestria, brother.” Hound answered, looking down a bit before he looked back up at Xeron. “You know… I really wished we could have met a lot earlier, you seem like a grand friend and brother, a true match for Twilight… Please, do not end up like me, and take good care of her with this gift I’m giving you.”
Xeron gave a nod, smiling at Hound’s form. “You know I will, brother.” He said, before the two were engulfed in a blast of pure light.

The group had to shield their eyes, due to how bright the light was, and waited for it to die down… But, when it did, they were all shocked to see a customized Warp Talon-Night Raptor Mix standing where Xeron now stood. Most of his body had remained the same, the jump pack not having the fins, but Xeron’s claws were now blood red, his helmet having a brass forehead guard with red horns sticking out of it, even his faceplate had a skull mask painted over it. It looked like it had become an altered version of the Mk. IV Maximus Pattern Helmet. His feet were red, razor sharp, talons that dug into the ground with ease.

When Xeron’s eyes suddenly came to life, he instantly looked down at his claws, noticing and feeling the difference within them. “You are limited on how long you’ll be able to Warp Shift, it isn’t easy granting such a power when you are dead.” Shadow Blitz’s voice echoed within Xeron’s mind, making him look around for a second. “But, you have far enough time to make this ‘Darth Various’ have one heck of a headache. Simply reach your claw out, with the destination in mind, and slice the air… Your claws will take care of the rest from there.”

Xeron gave a nod, smirking a bit. “Good… I’ll see what I can do with the time given.” He looked to Zarrix, with a nod. “I’m going see if I can place any Melta-Charges on that thing’s legs… You try and keep things handled here.”

The two gave a nod, giving him a salute. “Good luck, broher.” Zarrix said, as Xeron threw his claws forward, tearing a rift in reality and leaping through! The rift sealing right after he fully passed through, a matching flash appearing on the Spirit of Mother’s Will’s forward right leg.