//------------------------------//
// I Expect War in all Things 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War | Winter Strike 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	Thanks to the Eldeer for eliminating the Hog forces that guarded the way, the Equestrial Guard went in and destroyed the Discord forces that were keeping the Pony Marines at bay. But a single Discord Unicorn escaped the razing of the stronghold and teleported to the Aquamarines' holdout. They fired at the Unicorn, but the Unicorn fell to his knees and was lifted into the air, only to plummet to the ground and explode in a bloody mess to summon a Greater Daemon of Khorne before them. A marine charged at the monster, and to his folly, was crushed by the beast's mighty grip.

Chaplain Harnus then rushed in to combat the daemon. The beast slashed at the Chaplain, but missed. Harnus then hit the daemon in the face with his mace, and then uppercut it, making it reel back and lose its axe. The daemon fell to its hands and knees and tried to grab the Chaplain, but Harnus grabbed one of its horns and flung himself onto its head as the monster stood up. Harnus pounded the daemon on the head with his mace three times, making it fall onto the ground. Harnus rolled off and delivered the killing blow, crushing its head. A warp portal opened underneath the daemon's limp body, and it was sucked back to where it came from.

General Buck and Harnus soon met near an armed Pony Marine transport, thanking each other for their brilliant efforts in the battle.

"Again, General Buck," said Harnus, "you have my thanks and the thanks of the Aquamarines."

Buck nodded. "I am the Empress's humble servant, but... we were not entirely responsible for today's rescue. Someone else is helping us. This is twice that some impassible obstruction miraculously evaporated."

"You should trust in the Empress." said Harnus. "She was with us today."

"Of that I have no doubt." said Buck. "Still, something else is helping us and I wish they'd stop. I don't like favors curried in secret. They wilt under the Empress's light."

"Your words are pious..." Harnus commented, "I respect that."

"Thank you." said Buck, "I expect war in all things and rarely disappointed or caught unaware. I'll let my stallions know that the Equestrium's finest extend them their gratitude."

"Indeed." Harnus said in agreement, "The Titan's crew is secure and ready for transport."

"Let us leave this place, then, and make our return to the outpost." said Buck. "We must get the crew back to the Titan, or all this will have been for naught." Buck and Harnus trotted off to the outpost to prepare for the march towards the Titan.