On the grounds of the Paranid Graveyard, the monument of Sergeant Antares stood tall and proud with four Blood Phoenix banners on each corner. Hammerheart's drop pod touched down a fair distance from the tomb, and he and the other Pony Marines emerged and could smell the stench of the dead animal corpses and once-living structures.
"I never thought we would return here." said Rainbow Dash. "Smells worse than the Galantius slum."
"Rotting Paranid smells like glory to me." said Hoovitus.
"Focus on the task at hoof." said Applejack. "Xenos still pollute this place."
They headed out to eliminate the Eldeer forces, and soon found a large squad. They went in to engage, and the Eldeer struck back. Hammerheart shot and struck at the animals, Applejack, Pinkie, and Hoovitus shot them to oblivion, and Rainbow Dash took to the sky and slammed into their numbers. When the Eldeer strike force was defeated they moved out.
"Guardponies are calling this place 'Michael's Miracle'." said Rainbow Dash.
"Credit belongs to the Empress." said Applejack. "Cap'n Pegalos would be the first to say so."
They eventually arrived at the monument, and it was already being defiled by the Eldeers' presence. They went in and killed off the animals.
"There is the tomb of Sibling Antares." said Applejack. "Exercise caution, less we destroy it in battle."
As soon as they were set up for defense, the Eldeer began their retaliation, and brought with them destructive firepower. They began to fire explosive magic missiles that were very damaging to both the Pony Marines and the monument. The Blood Phoenixes gave them their all, but despite their defensive efforts, the Eldeers' weapons of destruction caused the statue to succumb to its damage.
"The tomb is destroyed!" said Applejack in disappointment as they killed the last of the Eldeer attackers. "We must atone for this."
They headed down the stairs and found more Eldeer forces.
"Armored units ahead." said Pinkie. "We should flank them."
"Or we could crush them in a direct assault." said Hoovitus as he aimed his heavy bolter and fired.
Rainbow Dash took to the sky and slammed into the Eldeer, crushing a few of them under her hooves and sending others flying. Applejack shot the remaining xenos in quick succession, and they continued on. They found a Warlock as they reached their next position, and Applejack was not pleased with him at all.
"You should have slipped away when you had the chance, Eldeer." She said.
"The remains of a Woodworld still lay among these benighted worlds." The Warlock stated. "We will not leave while the souls of the lost lie scattered on the wind, and until Prancayla's vision is fulfilled at last."
"Your witch's vision died with her on Galantius." Applejack stated.
"Spare me your primitive obstinance, pony." The Warlock said angrily as he began to cast a spell.
"Brace for magic blast!" said Pinkie.
The Warlock was beginning to burn with daemonic flames, which could only mean one thing.
"Warp fire!" Applejack yelled. "Clear the area!"
All the Blood Phoenixes stepped away from the burning Eldeer as the animal's transformation began, and he grew in size into none other than an Avatar of Khaine.
"Holy Equestria!" said Hoovitus as he stared at the colossus.
"Your efforts are futile, ponies!" The Warlock/Avatar said to them through some form of telepathy. "The Avatar, the bloody hoof of Khaine shall tear you asunder!"
The Avatar began to conjure a spell, and Pinkie knew what was coming.
"It summons Warp fire!" She said.
The Pony Marines cleared their position, and flames bursted where they stood. Hammerheart, Rainbow Dash, and the Pegasus Marines went in to attack, while Pinkie, Applejack, Hoovitus, and the other Pony Marines unleashed Equestrial fury upon the damned manifestation of an animal god. The Avatar killed Pegasus Marines with its blazing sword and burned Pony Marines with its daemon fire. After minutes of combat, the Avatar thrusted it sword at Hammerheart, but the Commander stepped back, and the titan's blade got stuck in the ground. Hammerheart swung his Thunder Hammer at the daemon's front legs, bringing it to its knees. The Avatar then tried to impale the Commander with its deadly antlers, but a hammer hit to the lower jaw delivered the killing blow.
"Yes!" Hoovitus shouted as the Avatar's flames died out, "Die xenos filth!" The colossus turned to stone and crumbled to the ground. "Battles like this are good for the soul."
"What little is left of it." said Twilight.
"Hoovitus," Applejack addressed, "do not mistake blood-lust for righteous fury. That way lies damnation."
They returned to the Retribution, and Captain Pegalos called their ship again, this time with news that would surprise everyone.
"We have an urgent message from Salika." said Pegalos. "It comes from TechDrake Spike. We thought him lost in the Paranid war, but he survived. He needs your help, Commander Hammerheart."
"Play the message from Spike." said Hammerheart.
Pegalos played the message. "TechDrake Spike to any Blood Phoenixes capable of receiving." Spike's voice said softly. "I am transmitting from the Astronomic Array station in the Salika Highlands. Hog Bandits have been a recurring threat since my arrival. However, at dawn this day, I detected a graver threat: Discord Pony Marines. I fear they want the array for themselves. I risk damaging the array by sending this message, but I require support-- Ares and Equestria! Power levels are drop--"
The message was cut. Indeed Spike was in real grave danger.