//------------------------------//
// Expose the Ascendant 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War II | Redemption 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	With the renegades and traitors dealt with on Arctika, Helios and the Pony Marines used the Teleportarium they found to get to Galantius, where Spike had intercepted a transmission from more traitor guardponies.

*Priority channel vox Thirdatious.* a Guardpony called. *Lord Ascendant, I lead the faithful assaulting Capital Spire. I am pleased to report that the Spire's defenders have fallen. They were unprepared for an attack from within. We shall hold this spire and await your transmission, bearing further instructions. Glory to the Ascendant! Glory to Khorne!* The transmission ended.

"This is the opening we need!" said Pinkie. "If we journey to Galantius, we can intercept this 'Ascendant's' vox communications and expose his identity."


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Helios and the Pony Marines deployed onto the streets near the Capital Spire of Galantius, but they alerted the traitorous guardponies of their presence.

"Assailants! Push them back, do not let them gain a hoofhold on the Spire!" the leader ordered.

The Blood Phoenixes had to get past a blockade that was between them and the Spire itself. They moved out, passing ruins and the dead bodies of fallen Equestrial Guardponies who fell in the surprise attack. They soon found the blockade, defended by dozens of traitors. Both engaged each other in combat. The heretics had a Lemon Rust Battle Tank with them, which could take heavy amounts of punishment from enemy attacks. Nevertheless, the Pony Marines had to destroy it, or it could severely hinder their progress. Anti-vehicle Devastators and Termineightors with missile pods opened fire at the tank. When the leader of the traitors found out the battle tank was in danger, he quickly began to give more orders.

"Pull back that Lemon Rust and regroup!" the leader said. "Fourth and Seventeenth, I want an assault line of Spider Banes pressing this position!"

The Lemon Rust ceased fire and headed across a bridge. When it reached the other side, the bridge was destroyed. The Pony Marines continued to attack more traitor guardponies, who fell to their supreme firepower. They came to a headquarter, and Pinkie got to work placing it under Blood Phoenix control. More guardponies came out from a tunnel system and attacked. Helios took to the sky and slammed into the guard, killing them all with one hit. Soon, the base was captured, and the Pony Marines had their hoofhold.

"The fiends, they've broken our lines!" the leader yelled. "Fifteenth, open a vox with air support and stand by; if they encroach the HQ, I want the sky to fall on them!"

A Chimera Tank approached the Pony Marines, who dealt away with it with their heavy weaponry. The Blood Phoenixes moved onward to raze the Air Command Bunkers. Their search led them to a large squad of guardponies, another Chimera, and the Lemon Rust from before attacked them from atop a ledge. Helios flew up to the ledge and the Termineightors teleported up with him to attack the battle tank. Meanwhile, Pinkie threw charges into one of the bunkers and it exploded, killing anyone inside.

"Commencing bombing run, Sir!" said the fifteenth station.

One bunker down, one left. The Pony Marines made haste for the next location. Another Chimera tank appeared in their way. They engaged and struck the tank with all their might until the vehicle was destroyed.

"Hawkeye is hot and on approach!" fifteenth station said.

The Pony Marines quickly moved up the stairway, and a Hawkeye Ship flew over and bombarded the spot where they were. They found the last bunker. Pinkie threw in another charge just as more guardponies approached and attacked. Pinkie set off the charges, and the bunker collapsed and killed the heretics stationed inside.

Now all that was left was the traitors' stronghold. The Pony Marines eliminated the guardponies before them and made for their base of operations. When they found it, they immediately unleashed their righteous fury upon the structure. Even if more guardponies were deployed to defend the base, they were quickly gunned down on the spot. Soon, the base was leveled before them.

"I have intercepted an incoming vox." said Spike. "With luck, it will be the one we were expecting. Relaying now..."

"Priority vox channel Thirdatious. This is the Ascendant, Benedict Traytus." the Ascendant spoke. "Marvelously done, Sergeant. Your slaughter of your own siblings in legs shall bring you much favor from Khorne. Without its center of administration, Galantius is as helpless as a babe set upon by wolves. Remain stationed there and repel any invaders. Your reward for your faith shall be... forthcoming. Skulls... to Khorne."

The dying sergeant leading this attack struggled to get up as he reached for the transmitter. "N-no!! Help us, L... Lord... Tray..." And he dropped dead.