//------------------------------//
// The Final Battle 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War II 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	The Avatar, like on Tartaurus and Cronus, was a massive colossus that possessed immense power. Its right-front hoof bled nonstop, and it wielded a giant sword of flames in it magical grip. It claimed the lives of many Ponies before meeting its end at the hooves of the Pony Marines and being turned to rubble. The Blood Phoenixes returned to the Ponigeddon.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "It still seems madness that the Eldeer would strike at us in the midst of this infestation."

"Agreed." said Pinkie, "But the Eldeer have a deeper purpose in the sector. They would not have sacrificed so much just to give the Paranids one less world to feed on."


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Applejack gave a warm smile as they all reflected upon their battles against the enemies of Ponies. "We taught those pigskins to kneel in the Empress's presence." She said.

"Hmph. We did better than that." said Hoovitus. "We taught them to lie down flat on the dirt and bleed in her presence."

The Ponigeddon received a call, and Captain Pegalos appeared on screen.

"Commander Hammerheart, grave news." said Pegalos. "The Paranid Hive Mind's efforts continue to stymie out travels through the Warp. Our last Zebra suffers now in the effort to transmit this message to you, and only a few Unicorns and Navigators remain to guide us. It is unlikely the Stampede of Fury will ever emerge from the Warp. But if this is to be our end aboard this vessel, we die with pride, because the Hive Mind's efforts have clearly cost it. Our surviving Unicorn reports that the Paranid fleet's main hive ship even now approaches Planet Salika to feed. This is the gargantuan organism that houses the brain of the Hive Fleet. Your strike force can deliver a killing blow while it feeds. I have transmitted a tactical briefing to your planetary map display. On a final note you may tell Captain Nule that the secrets of Cyrene die with me. Pegalos out."

The Ponigeddon received another call, from Galantius, and Administrator Fluttershy appeared on screen.

"Commander Hammerheart," She said, "we have received orders from Captain Pegalos to deliver several concentrated bio-toxin doses to you. I have readied a contingent of Equestrial Guard veterans to provide you with additional firepower during this critical mission."

"More hindrance than help." said Hoovitus.

"Many are veterans of Alicorn Gate, Commander." Fluttershy said calmly. "They see supporting you as a matter of duty. They will deploy in Hawkeye Gunships and rendezvous with you on the surface of Salika."

"Accept their help, Commander." Applejack suggested. "In this battle, we are all siblings."

"Commander Hammerheart," said Rashet, "I will remain aboard the Ponigeddon to provide fire support during your mission."

"And I will do the same from Lightningeagle Two." said Spike.

"The Ponigeddon will not last long against an entire Hive Fleet." said Pinkie.

"It will last as long as we need it to, Pinkie." said Rashet. "Getting the toxin to the capillary tower is all that matters now."