The entire battle line began to open fire on to either Spirit of Mother’s Will or the Armored Cores that had deployed near their lines. Though, out of them all, Galaxia had Reaper focus most of his fire power on to Spirit of Mother’s Will’s arsenal or taking out any incoming missiles that tried to hit their lines. With all the air power, infantry, Spirit of Mother’s Will, and mechanized suits; attacking them, things started to seem nearly impossible to actually win against Darth Various. The heavier vehicles focused more on Spirit of Mother’s Will, the mechs focusing on any Armored Cores, while their infantry countered Darth Various’ endless army.

Galaxia’s mind started to strain as she piloted the Gouf Custom, known as Reaper, using his gatling cannon to take out three heavy weapons Armored Cores, before trying to intercept incoming vollies of missiles. “Come on, where are you Xeron…” She whispered, spraying the gatling gun’s rounds into the volley of new missiles, but two got through and struck Reaper’s armored body! “Ahhh!” She screamed, as the mobile suit got knocked back and lost his balance, but something suddenly slammed into her back and put her back upright, making the anthrofied filly look back, and see the armored body of Umbra Equitis right behind her, using his bulk to push her back up.

“Are you alright, Galaxia? Are you hurt?” Marius asked, as Reaper reset himself, allowing the filly to take a quick breather.

She had Reaper give the best nod he could, one eye focusing on Umbra. “I-I’m alright, just a bit shaken up.” She answered, canting the mobile suit’s body and had his eye stare up at Spirit of Mother’s Will. “But I wonder if Xeron is alright, he’s been gone for a while now…” When another set of missiles fired from the Battle-Station’s back, both Reaper and Umbra Equitis raised their cannons and began to open fire! “We won’t be able to keep this up for very long! I’m almost out of ammo here.”

“Same here…” Marius replied, as they took out the last of the missiles. “Where is he…”

“Right here!” A voice shouted, before a rip opened up on Reaper’s shoulder and Xeron slid on to the mobile suit’s shoulder. Both of his talons and one claw slid against the mobile suit’s heavy armor, scratching it, while the other held a detonator switch. “Here goes nothing!” When he came to a full stop, Xeron slammed his thumb’s claw on to the detonator, initiating the bombs left on Spirit of Mother’s Will.

One after another, explosions began to riddle Spirit of Mother’s Will’s entire body. Most were going off on the Battle-Station’s legs, causing it to stagger and step off path to return its stabilization again. The crowds began to cheer, seeing their one threat start to fall down with metal-charge after metal-charge going off within its metal body! Where Xeron found so many, none of the group knew, Zarrix knew he didn’t bring that many explosives with him and the Night Lords only had what they died with.

Zarrix looked towards Anubis, who had finished incinerating a group of Storm Troopers. “Anubis! Can you use those flames, to take out the crews within that thing!?” He called out, drawing the Sorcerer’s attention.

Anubis looked at his lord, for a moment, then to the burning Battle-Station before narrowing his eyes at it. “On it, my Warsmith.” He muttered, before both of his eyes began to blaze, reaching out to the flames within Spirit of Mother’s Will. Slowly, they began to burn brighter and even more, blazing across the armored haul and reaching to grab hold of the weapon. The Sorcerer began to grin, as his newly acquired inferno exploded towards the Battle-Station’s bridge and went to grab hold of he who had threatened their dear sister.
FZZZT!

“ANUBIS!!!!!!” Several voices yelled.

Both of Anubis’ eyes went wide, feeling a burning sensation right at the center of his stomach, he could hear Zarrix calling out to him, but he could not hear his words… All the Sorcerer could focus on, was the burning within his body and then to the Stormtrooper that had caused it… Just before said Stormtrooper had shot him seven more times, the Rubricae not turning fast enough to stop him. With their Sorcerer’s link broken from them, the Rubricae quickly started to go back into their slumber, a light appearing around them and transporting the ten back to their story. All the while, Anubis fell to his knees, grabbing hold of the area where he had been shot.

The Stormtrooper prepared to fire again, but Zarrix slammed his lightning claw right into him, not hesitating to rip him to pieces and throw the remains right at the group behind him. Without hesitation, the Warsmith grabbed hold of his Sorcerer, allowing him to lean back. “Stay with me, Anubis, damnit! You can let go, we still have a battle to win and we need you here!” He ordered, causing the Sorcerer to actually laugh.

“S-Sorry, my lord… But, I don’t t-think that’ll be possible.” He said, giving a light nod, before looking up at the tusked helmet. “I-I cannot wait for us to meet again, so I can tell you everything I have learned. Until then?” His body became incased within a bright light, transporting him back to his story. “I’ll be waiting, and learning.”

Ariontus stared up at the Warsmith, wide eyed at the loss of their Sorcerer. Rage built up within the Berserker’s heart, his body burned with anger, his T-shaped Visor blaring a dark red. He turned to the other Stormtroopers and Terran Marines, throwing out both chainaxes out, and letting out a roar of pure anger, fury, and rage. “BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!!!!” His charge actually created a massive shockwave, sending those around him flying away, his weapons cleaving and rending flesh in mere seconds! This Khorne Berserker, seeks bloody vengeance!

At the Defensive Line’s reach, Kharion’s reaction was that of his armored body shaking, the plates clanking together. His Sonic Weapon started to hum, as he pointed it at the heavy vehicles and invading foes. “I shall play him a tribute… One that shall be perfect for our sorcerious brother!” He called out, his weapon letting lose a sonic blast of noise and energy! Its passing releasing harmonious noise, matching that of a flame and meadow of peace. “I shall call it, the Flowering Inferno!”

Lumarion, mixed in with the Night Lords, actually had an unknown feeling to him… It had been so long, since he last felt any emotion, but seeing Anubis die? He couldn’t tell if it was either anger or sorrow, but he did not care. The silent Pre-Heresy Death Guard marched towards his armed targets, melta-gun charged and ready to blow away any of his targets. A couple of Terran Marines felt his fury, the melta-gun fusing their flesh with the armor that is supposed to protect them, or being completely blown apart by its shock wave. The Mk III Helmet’s visor glowing red, each step sounding like some avenging stone sentinel marching to finally gain their revenge.

Zarrix looked at his empty claws, staring at where Anubis had once been, the Warsmith lost a close brother…To never see him again, until their end days or their father deems otherwise. Rage built up within his cold heart, as the Terminator Lord stood up and stood like some iron clad behemoth. “Unbreakables… SLAUGHTER THEM ALL!” His voice was filled with unbridle fury, both wrist mounted stormbolters roaring to life and tearing into any of Darth Various’ forces in front of him! His lightning claws crackling to life, tearing through any that got too close to him.

Within Reaper’s cockpit, Galaxia’s eyes were filled with tears, she had just seen one of her older brothers get taken down again. Soon, her tearing eyes blinked and were filled with anger. “Darth Various, I’ll kill you!!!” She screamed through Reaper’s speakers, pointing her gatling gun at Spirit of Mother’s Will and unloading towards the Battle-Station, but Umbra Equitis quickly stopped her.

“Galaxia, stop! You’re just wasting ammunition; the bridge is too far away!” Marius said, as the Imperial Knight looked towards the Spirit of Mother’s Will’s bridge. “We need to get a lot closer, for us to be effective at all against such a thing…” They watched the Battle-Station started to move again, the melta-charges’ damage not proving to be effective as they had believed.

His words suddenly sparked something within the mobile suit’s robotic mind, the logic within it suddenly figuring out what needed to be done. “Marius, Umbra, Galaxia; I just figured something out… We need to get closer, and I can do that with my thrusters.” The Gouf Custom’s eye went to Umbra Equitis. “But, we’ll need cover, my body will be vulnerable in flight and we will require a bit of elevation.”

Marius just looked at him, realizing what the mobile suit is asking for, and snickered. The Imperial Knight moved his hulking body and stood in front of Reaper, looking down at those on their side of the battle. “You heard her men! Let us clear a path for the lady!” He blared from the warhorn, those in the right mind all cheered and began to fight even harder. Umbra Equitis turned to look at Reaper. “Follow behind me, Galaxia, I’ll lead you straight to that monster and open up a hole big enough.”

Galaxia just stared at him, using Reaper’s cameras to do so, and smile. “You got it…. Lead the way, you two!” She agreed, the Imperial Knight giving a nod, and charged forward, Reaper right behind him.

The opposing AT-ATs all saw the charging mechs, and began to readjust their vectors… But were soon met with a barrage of heavy fire coming from the vehicles at the Defensive Line, even the Armored Cores were being hit by their heavy fire. Though, their worse punishment came from Umbra Equitis, when the Imperial Knight unloaded every weapon he had! Avenger Gatling Cannon fire left, Stormspear Missile Pod firing forward, Reaper Chainsword swiping anything on his right, and the Heavy Stubberd Cannon firing at anything below him. “Get. Out. Of. My…. WAY!” Marius roared, kicking an AT-AT over and gutting it with is chainsword, before unloading a volley of bolter rounds on to one trying to close in on them.

Galaxia had Reaper do the best he could, and support their current Imperial Knight escort. Though, when the gatling gun’s ammo count hit zero, she was forced to detach it and use the triple barrel machinegun hidden underneath the shield! Now, her best weapon against Spirit of Mother’s Will’s bridge, will be his heatsword. She knew this, and did her best to conserve what ammunition that is within the hidden weapon.

When the Imperial Knight was near the base of Spirit of Mother’s Will, he took out two more AT-ATs before bracing his base. “Now, Galaxa! Use me to get up there!” Marius yelled, as Galaxia nodded, Reaper charging his thrusters.

“Alright!” Galaxia called out, before having the mobile suit jump up from behind Umbra Equitis, stepping on to the Imperial Knight’s back, and then jumping again! Once it was in the air a second time, using the armor as leverage to get higher up, Reaper’s thrusters engaged and sent him soaring up into the sky! “I’m coming for you, Darth Various!” The filly’s words blared through the mobile suit’s speakers, as the thrusters unleashed a torrent of flames while it soared, making it seem like the Gouf Custom was soaring on wings of fire, both hands gripping the heatsword in a combat hold!

Darth Various, from within the bridge of Spirit of Mother’s Will, saw only a very angry looking mobile suit glaring at him, while it soared towards him. In a panic, he looked towards all those around him, pointing at anyone manning the turret consuls. “What are you idiots waiting for!? Fire! Fire! FIRE DAMNIT!” He ordered, sending those on the bridge into a panic as well, pressing buttons while the Battle-Station’s cannons roared to life and missile pods tried firing at the fast moving mobile suit! “Knock her out of the sky! What are you doing, she’s right fucking there!”

Those manning the controls were trying to do their best and lock on to Reaper’s flight path, but he was flying far too fast for them to even do so. Before long, the Gouf Custom flew past the bridge, cutting all thrusters just above the Battle-Station’s bridge. “Now, you shall pay!” Galaxia yelled, having Reaper reverse grip his heatsword, pointing it at the bridge. Going into a complete dead drop towards it!

Darth Various backed up, seeing the free falling mobile suit heading straight for them. “F-F-FIRE! TAKE HER OUT!!!” He yelled, both eyes locked on to her, fearing that this filly will actually take out his Battle-Station this way!

But, this was not so, as a pair of machinegun turrets homed in and locked on to Reaper’s decent, riddling the armored mobile suit with holes! The entire Gouf Custom began to shake violently, as the gun fire ripped off his left arm, tour the breather line from his head, tore off the right leg, damaged the rear thruster pack, and actually shot his heatsword out of his hand! “Rraaaagghhh!!!” Reaper yelled, as his entire body was hit hard by armor piercing rounds, tearing away the armor plating and destroying the sensitive inner parts within. The mobile suit’s, flickering, single eye moved to the left and saw a larger cannon home in on him and made him panic. “N-No! I-I got to get… Gally out, b-before that thing fires!” His logical mind screamed, trying to open the cockpit and activate what thrusters were left, but there wasn’t enough time and the cannon is about to fire.

“And, that is game.” Darth Various released a sigh of relief, before grinning at what was about to happen, Galaxia’s eyes wide when she saw the cannon aiming right at her. “Looks like I win-WHAT!?”

Just as the cannon was about to fire, an energize arrow of flame slammed right on to it, effectively destroying the heavy cannon and causing its entire platform to catch fire! This caused all those aboard the bridge to be distracted, wondering what just fired at the high point of the platform, knowing that it was out of those below’s line of sight. During their confusion, Reaper’s remaining thrusters activated, allowing him to spin around to face those below, and activate the emergency eject! Sending Galaxia flying towards the Defensive Line, a group of Raptors flying up to catch her and bring the filly back down to safety… Just before a secondary cannon fired, and finished him off, a light glowing around Reaper’s destroyed remains, repairing him, and sending the Gouf Custom back to his story.

Though, Galaxia’s eyes were still on the burning platform, both wide. “That was… But, how? She is away on business…”

A woman, wearing a black battle kimono, with white underclothes, portraying that of a Soul Reaper, held a long bow within her hand. She was kneeling, her spare hand pulled back like she had just fired an arrow. From where she was positioned, the Soul Reaper had a perfect bird’s eye view of the Spirit of Mother’s Will, her bow aimed right at the destroyed cannon’s platform. A hood and underscarf kept her a mystery, but the woman’s glistening brown eyes were giving a look of relief at having saved Galaxia just in time. “Thank goodness… I arrived just in time.” She released a sigh of relief, placing a hand over her heart.

Standing up, she held the long bow to her side and returned it back to its katana form… Allowing her to sheath it, and look up towards the sky. With a nod, a beam of light came down, and transported her away from the story, not wanting to cause any problems with her presence there. Xeron and the others were having to deal with enough as is, and the Alter of Stories were causing even more with rifts it had been making.

The beam of light drew Augustus’ attention, causing the Ultramarine Devastator to look up towards the peak, with a raised brow. “What was that?” He muttered, tilting his head and used the lascannon’s scope to look… But saw nothing at where the light was, and shrugged his shoulders. “Guess that isn’t much of a problem, now.” He reaimed his lascannon back down at the battlefield, and began to take snap shots at any heavy vehicles that managed to get in his sights.

Darth Various glared at what just happened, his once chance to end this battle quickly got snuffed out by some unknown attacker. He knew for a fact that it wasn’t those below, his Stormtroopers taking out their only pyromancer on the field. Shaking his head, he looked back at those working the heavy turret consuls. “Target the mountain with all of our heavy guns, if we can’t get to those inside directly, then we’ll bury them alive… I’m tired of playing nice.” He ordered, looking back down at the battle.

“Yes, sir.” The crewman all announced, typing away on to their consuls. Within seconds, the heavier guns aboard the Battle-Station began to open fire on to the mountain! Tearing away at the rocky foundations and causing rocks to be dislodged. One of the cannons struck near where Augustus was stationed, actually knocking him from the location and rolling down the mountain side! Missiles began to open fire, striking the mountain side as well, and forcing more rocks to fall. When Augustus managed to recover, he barely had any time to dodge a falling boulder, Aythan assisting him back on to his feet before the Ultramarine took up position next to Kharion.

“We will end this farce… For good, this time.” Darth Various crossed both hands at the small of his back, glaring down at the defenders. “They really do not have anything left this time around, and have exhausted all their resources.”

Or have they?

The Caverns suddenly shook again, another volley of cannon and missile fire shaking the stones around them. Everypony cowered together, in fear, as the Night Lords charged with protecting them continued to hold position at the Cavern’s entrance. The Atramentar Terminators went so far as to use their power weapons to destroy any falling rocks that came close to the defenseless ponies. Even Konrad Curze had returned to the Cavern, assisting in keeping the civilians safe and the falling rocks from slamming down on to them.

Twilight looked over towards what they could see of the Titan’s head, its eyes dead and silent. “They need help, and Xeron said that thing has the power to turn any tide of battle…” She said, ears falling back into her mane.

“Yeah, but he also said that thing is asleep and none of them know how to wake it up! It’s useless, as we are to those things outside.” Rainbow Dash argued, the others nodding, while Harion stood guard over Twilight and Scootaloo, remaining silent.

Though, unknown to the mares, Scootaloo was staring up at the Titan’s knightly helmet. She could see the amber glass for the war machine’s eyes. Something about it, was calling to her. She didn’t know why, but she felt like the War God was an old friend, one she hasn’t seen in years, his mere presence warming her heart.

The filly quietly made her way to the Titan’s helmet, the mares unaware of her doing. Both of her eyes were locked on to its own, it even seemed like the Titan was looking down at her. A feeling of serenity filled her young body and soul, as she stopped at the Cavern’s ledge, words filling her mind. She didn’t understand them, but they made her feel happy and want to voice them.

The words seemed like those of a password, made into a song… Almost as if they are to be said, before going into the real password phrase. “Rest, now… My warrior.” Scootaloo’s words echoed around the Cavern, drawing the attention of all the ponies and Night Lords. “Rest now, your hardship is ooooover.”

The ponies walked up, even the Night Lords, and looked up at the Titan with Scootaloo. For some odd reason, they all wanted to sing to him, like the filly is doing now. Twilight nodded to the others, as she stepped forward and joined her adopted daughter, with the others. “Live. Wake up. And let the cloak, of life – cling to your bones.” The other Elements, and the Night Lords around them, joined in the song. “Cling to your bones.”

Now, the other Night Lords joined in, along with the other ponies… But only Scootaloo stood at the ledge’s end, before the Titan’s knightly helm. “Wake up, wake up. Live. Wake up, wake up… And let the cloak, of life – cling to your bones. Cling to your bones.” Their words were in sync somehow, and the words of the song flowed into all of their minds. They didn’t understand how, but right now? This song felt like it could help them, it could bring hope to a hopeless moment in time.

Something was happening, the cavern started to shake all around the groups. Stone falling from the cavern ceiling, and it wasn’t another blast from whatever it was outside the defenders were fighting. A rumble from within the cave shook the entire area, making them all look around. They kept singing, despite how afraid they were from the attackers outside and the mysterious rumble.

“Wake up. Wake up!” Unknown to them, within the mighty war machine’s core, a light started to flicker and glow. It listened to their words, it heard them. But one lone voice reached it more than the others, the single voice of a child reached its very heart. “Live! Wake up! Wake up! And let the cloak! Of life! Cling to your bones! Cling to your bones!”

The caverns started to shake even more, as more rock started to fall around them, the groups backed away as it fell closer, the Atramentar Terminators trying to deflect the falling rocks. Twilight attempted to get Scootaloo, but several falling rocks came down between them, and Harion had to quickly pull her away or she would have been crushed. “Scootaloo!” She screamed, seeing the filly still singing to the sleeping War God.

“Wake up! Wake up!” She chanted, sensing something closer to the helm and to her, almost like another presence started to appear in front of her. “Wake up! Waaaaaaaake up!” The last part of the song was extended, more so than normal. She looked up at the helm’s eyes, tears in her own. “Please, wake up… We need you.”

As if her words, alone, commanded it… The Titan’s eyes flashed to life! Blinding both groups, as it lit up the entire caverns. But, the loss of their sight was soon forgotten, as the Titan released a thunderous blare from his warhorn! Its voice echoed throughout the caverns, none knowing if it reached the outside, almost like the Titan was giving a warning to any foes around it… It was now awake.

Both groups moved away from the helm, as the beams of light, coming from its eyes, searched all around the caverns. Thy soon found young Scootaloo, standing before it with an awe struck look. Twilight kept calling for her, telling the filly to run from it… But she couldn’t, she honestly didn’t feel in danger of the Titan’s gaze or presence near her.

The Titan just looked down at her, its eyes locked on to the filly’s small frame. Its voice boomed within her mind. “I heard your words, little Princeps… And answered your call for aid.”

“W-Who are you?” She asked, out loud, still staring at the Titan’s eyes.

“I am the Imperator Titan…” His voice was powerful, proud of what he was. “Custos Aeternam, the Eternal Guardian!”