"Welcome..... champions of the Anathema." Slannesh warbled sweetly as the pair entered. The throneroom of the dark prince was garishly decorated, as were the attendees and the entertainers.
The two said nothing. One because she was too lost in the grandeur of one room, the other, because he was busy strangling a mortal thrall that got too close for comfort.
"Your impudence and silence offends Slannesh!" One of Slannesh's followers shrieked. A member of the Emperor's Children. Man did Draigo hate those guys, it didn't help much that said astartes grabbed one of the deamonic weapons and made a run for the two. Draigo retaliated by bowling him over with his shield, and crushing his skull, all the while, earning a demented (by this, I mean extra demented) laugh from Slannesh.
"Ah.... Kaldor Draigo, Hammer of The Emperor, The edge of his sword, the gauntlet of his fist. His personal champion after his sons. Your reputation I see, is well earned."
"If you know my name and my titles, then you know why I am here. Give me those steeds and we'll be out...."
"Or what?" Slannesh asked mockingly. "You really think I am just going to give you one of my steeds so you can go off and ask Tzeentch your questions? No way. Most who chance upon my domain never leave with their souls, lives or at all. Yet you two.... you and your incorruptible brothers are ever so difficult to destroy and harder yet to corrupt, and that.... that filthy little beast can resist the touch of the warp....."
That's the second time I've been called that. Twilight thought.
"So... what's it going to be then?" Draigo asked... somewhat rhetorically.
"I smell a threat. Draigo, you of all people should know that I can't exactly be slain by your methods.... ho no. Unless your Emperor, himself decided to barge in here, which I've listened to his conversations, he thinks he has too much to lose. You hear that? Your god is a coward!"
"He is not!" Twilight retorted. "He would never choose to go on any wild battle that loses too many lives...."
"The Emperor in his wisdom, values all our lives..." Unfortunately, hers too. Why did he decide that giving me the most annoying horse in the universe was a good idea for a partner? "You dare insult Him? Come, give me three... no ten of your best champions. I will separate their heads from their shoulders... All of them.... if you believe we are all "cowards". The righteous, the honorable would never allow the stain of cowardice upon their greatness."
Threatening gods, allowing himself to get mad over a god, then making challenges he won't win. This guy.... Twilight thought. I wish everyone had nerves of steel like him.
Slannesh had an idea.
"Perhaps. I think I might just give you one my steeds. For a price. Let's see if you can be of any amusement."
“So... one of us has to tell a joke?” Twilight asked.
Slannesh shook his head almost pitifully.
“No... something more entertaining....”
“Give me ALL your best champions, I will best them all within the ring of honor. All at once if you please.”
“Too easy for you. But I have just the idea for a little game.” Slannesh said as he snapped his fingers.
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Twilight looked around. She was.... in an area from what looked like a massive stable.
“You see Twilight, my steed is rather elusive. You will have to go find him.”
Oh brother.
Time to start looking. This couldn't be so bad right?
Well, this stable is only MILES in size.
Draigo looked around.
“Tell me good knight of righteousness, what matters more, the needs of the many or the needs of the few?"
"The needs of the many."
"How far will you go to find your prize?"
"To hell itself."
"Then go there!"
Draigo soon found himself surrounded by daemons. Time to do what he does best.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rogal Dorn looked at the planet from high orbit. Everyone upon the bridge looked at him. Waiting for his orders.
"News Cypher?"
"Those who are found wanting shall not return." The man on the vox said.
"I see." Dorn said looking at the planet sadly. He felt the weight of a hand go on a shoulder. It was Cypher. Man was he fast.
"We have our orders milord. There are millions of souls down there. Too many have been found wanting. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
"I assume you overheard our conversation?"
"I overhear everything." Cypher replied. "His trust is something I value."
"It's something we all value." Dorn said pointing out the obvious. "Commence Exterminatus."
The bridge was promptly cleared by order of the primarch. Just him and Cypher.
"You spent 10,000 years faithfully serving The Imperium despite being branded a traitor. You were busy sabotaging and undermining the ranks of chaos while I spent all my time buried within an ancient temple, trying to figure out some alien language.... my question is.... why?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's far easier to serve chaos. To serve yourself. Why... would you remain loyal to the Imperium, even indirectly, though we had believed you to be a traitor?"
"I was an outcast everywhere I went." Cypher said. "At first, I considered to join Luther and his men. The Emperor spoke to me that night, and told me that the duty of redeeming my brothers would fall upon me. I am upon eternal watch, never leaving his side."
"Your loyalty is something that anyone could treasure. To think despite the fact the lion hated you, you still returned his blade to him."
"And here I am, tasked with the honor of delivering the Emperor's will. I truly am His voice now. But of course... not just his voice."
"You are his assassin too. But you've done more than that have you?"
"Aye, a quick sojourn to the eastern fringes of the galaxy." Cypher shook his head. "They really are endless."
"You think we can win?"
"Who knows? We defeated Abaddon because Equestria was able to restore The Emperor back to health. Only Equestrian crystal shards are able to seal portals to the Immaterium permanently. Yet... what good will they be when we fight the Tyranids?"
"Hopefully Galaxia has a solution. My father does hold her in high regard."
"Well... a C'tan that's technically not a star god, born WAAAAY after the rest of them, gives life to planets instead of feeding off of them, and hid an entire planet within a pocket section of the warp, and made an entire race that would be instrumental in defeating chaos. Let's not forget the part regarding how the genetic data used to make geneseed was obtained from her."
"And now, we seek to improve our geneseed. Perhaps Galaxia knows how."
"Maybe that's why The Emperor wants her back so badly."