//------------------------------// // Much to their annoyance // Story: Back to Equestria brothers. // by ThatRarityIsaSpy //------------------------------// same. They needed something to fight. Afterall, it was something they were literally made to do. And remember to take care of the library. Twilight wrote down on the note he was leaving to spike. She was going to be gone for some time. The trek to the wastelands from ponyville would already take the better part of the week. While what the space marines planned to do, Twilight had a feeling could last more. She for one, felt a twinge of fear on what the space marines would do. Could they really potentially wipe off an entire race? This seemed to have been mentioned several times in the past. If they did, however, Twilight wondered if this would bring benefit to Equestria. Changelings had been known to be evil. But..... Wait why was she thinking about this? That’s just silly! There’s no way that the space marines would destroy an ENTIRE race! No, they were going there to search for answers. And they seemed determined on that. But... just what if.... “Twilight. You ready?” Martellus asked from downstairs. The purple unicorn made her way downstairs and got her saddlebag on. “Ready.” And with that, they left. The snow while still being there, wasn’t as deep as it was just days ago thanks to the fact that the pegasi had made it stop snowing. With the sun continuing on shining, the snow little by little had begun to melt, now to Twilight, it hardly passed her hooves. To the marines, it was hardly noticeable. Onward. “Forest.” Cyrus said as he brushed his way past vegetation. The space marines had gotten into a huddle, some were even looking around in all directions. “Is something wrong?” Twilight asked watching the four look around almost frantically. “Forest. Perfect place for an ambush.” Cyrus replied. “I don’t think anything here could possibly be of harm... especially to you.” Twilight answered taking the lead. “Why does everything that is the slightest bit threatening seem to exist in the south?” Diomedes asked. “I am surprised the fools haven’t killed each other in their fighting.” “They don’t really fight....” Twilight said. “Dragons are merely territorial, not aggressive. They eat rocks for the most part. And changelings really don’t have much business being around big fire-breathing lizards.” “They do seem to want to take over this planet.” Tarkus said. “Well.... yeah....” “Stop!” Cyrus whispered as he got out his knife. “Somethings there.” Everyone stopped for a moment getting into a kneeling position to conceal themselves. To Twilight’s surprise, Cyrus had vanished. Rather surprising how a 9 foot giant managed to vanish. The day remained silent until for a few sounds of wet meat splattering. Cyrus returned shortly after with a dead elk. “I found this stalking us.” “That’s an elk.... it’s a herbivore.” Twilight said. “Well, Too bad we’re not” Diomedes replied taking a piece. “I am partial to meat.” To her surprise, the space marines seemed to not mind eating food raw. This would be later explained when Martellus said it doesn’t matter for them. In addition, the average disease would have no effect on them. Deciding to take the liberty of resting, Twilight took out a scroll and quill. “What do you call yourselves again?” “Human?” “No.... not that.” “Space marine?” Diomedes suggested. “It started with an A.” “Adeptus Astartes?” “Yes....” Twilight said. “I thought I should get this done.” She continued on writing on the scroll. “Get what done?” Tarkus asked. “Well... Princess Celestia told me I had to write a report on anything exotic. Provided it was alive. Nice of you to arrive a few days ago. I had almost no idea on what to do!” “Is Princess Celestia like.. your teacher?” “Yeah!” Twilight said. “Alright.... Adeptus Astartes.... average height....” “3 meters.” Martellus said. “Diet: Anything with even the slightest bit of nutritional value. Natural habitat: Almost anywhere.” “Alright.” Twilight said making a sketch of Tarkus. “Vertebrate, warm-blooded, bipedal. Has hands.... only has fur on the head....” “Has 3 lungs, 2 hearts, able to spit acid, sees furthers than the average human, poses in enhanced hearing, resistant to most poisons, immune to most diseases.....” Martellus droned on and on about the amazing physiology of the space marine. “Spends most of it’s time on the battlefield.” “Princess Celestia will want to see this!” Twilight said with excitement as she made a very detailed report. She made sure to also add “loves to fight. Highly intelligent, some dangerous and unpredictable while others are merely mistrusting. A few prove to be reasonable. Most will however fit in the former two categories.” Rolling the scroll up, she placed it back into her saddlebag and finished her apple. The space marines had finished ripping the elk to pieces and got back to moving south for the wastelands. “So... do you think these changelings would be of any challenge?” Martellus asked toying with his weapons. “No.” Cyrus said. “I killed a dozen in just a blink of an eye. They however could be good for recruits.” “Another place we could use.” Tarkus said. “I wonder how recruiting goes as of now.” “To be honest with you.” Diomedes said. “I have a feeling we may not be prepared for what is to come.” “What makes you say that?” Cyrus asked. “Well... listen, I have reason to believe the black legion warbands sent to the sub-sector were under Lord Abbadon’s orders. I have a bad feeling he’s readying another one of his black crusades.” “Then we must get our chapter to full-strength. Fast.” Tarkus said. “This planet shows promise. It could even aid us in our efforts with it’s resources.” “No matter how rich this planet is, it won’t make a difference if we can’t get out numbers back up to what the need to be.” Cyrus said dryly. “And that’s going to take at least like....” “I give it 10 years.” “I give it twenty.” “Maybe eight.” “Six if we’re lucky.” “Ten years?!” Twilight asked. “That’s a long time.” “Well... to install all the new organs, to actually train them and prepare them mentally..... yeah. That’s going to take a long time.” Diomedes said. “You know, maybe... there’s a pony in town who can help you with such.” Twilight said thinking of the pony for the job. “His name is Dr. Whooves.” “Unless he can somehow speed up the process then he won’t be of much help.” “But he can!” Twilight said. “He owns several machines in his shop. He has time traveled before and seems to have much knowledge on the subject.” “Intriguing. My idea is to try and open a warp rift that on one side, time passed faster while on the other, time progressed slower.” Martellus said. “Or, anything along those lines really.” “Then perhaps we have hope yet.” Tarkus said. “It’s good this planet has a wide variety of locations as well as many creatures.” “I hope myself that these changelings will be of some challenge.” Cyrus said. “I have not had a good fight in days.” “Allow me to recount that time when you were in the deathwatch and that you lost your...” Diomedes was silenced by Cyrus. That was one wound he didn’t want to have opened again. “Shhhh!” Cyrus hushed after a pause. “Something is following us!” “Positions!” Tarkus hissed watching Twilight duck behind him. The space marines stood in formation against the bushes which have begun to rustle. “Contact approaching. Aim.....” “Ready....” Something burst from the bushes. Something orange, yellow and white. Twilight’s mouth hung open for a sec. What the hell were they doing here?! Did they have any idea what they are doing? What are they doing anyways?! The situation was just.... so messed up! Three fillies, out here. In some random pine forest following a purple unicorn and four large bipedal creatures. “Girls! What the hell are you doing out here?! Do you have any clue where you are?! Do you even know what you’re doing?!” Twilight asked screaming her head off. “Yeah!” The three replied at the same time. “We’re going on an adventure with you guys to earn our cutie marks!” Taking a look around, it was clear the space marines were surprised to. Tarkus had his face buried in his hands, Diomedes looked like he didn’t comprehend the situation, Cyrus was muttering to himself and Martellus was digging at the ground with his feet. “Go home.” Twilight said again. “You even know where we’re going?!” “But.... but.... puh-leeze?” “sweet Celestia” Twilight muttered under her breath. “Well, if you’re willing to get yourself killed over just to find your “talent”. Be my guest.” Cyrus said rolling his eye. “Yes! I knew you’d let us!” Scootaloo said happily. “Ya the best, ya know that!” Applebloom said. “Thanks for saving Twist by the way! Her parents really appreciate it!” “That’s a first.” Cyrus muttered under his breath. “So... whatcha doing?” “Finding answers.” Tarkus said taking out the book of Lorgar. “Ohhh..... a book! That yours Twilight?” “No. I was told not to read it. You shouldn’t either.” “Oh... why?” “Cause it’s tainted. That’s why.” Cyrus said flatly. “Reading it is on par with cutting your own throat.” “Oh.... wow....” “Girls... it’s getting late.” Twilight said. “Get some rest. We’ll have a long walk in the morning.” The cutie mark crusaders each went to go find a spot and get some rest. Terra, I wanted a crusade of my own. Not a camping trip. Diomedes thought watching the three equines. He felt a twinge of jealously. About what, he had no clue.