It is the forty-first millenium, and there is no more friendship, only... WAR!
Michael Pegalos, Captain of the Blood Phoenixes Third Company, is called to the planet Tartaurus to eliminate an infestation of Hogs that have invaded the planet. But he will soon learn that darker secrets await him as the war goes on.
There are no other explanations other than it's Dawn of War cutscenes ponified. Some of the characters' names have been changed for non-plagiarizing and ponification reasons, and there might be some copyright stuff somewhere in which case belongs to their proper owners. I apologize in advance for not asking, but if you let me know I will mention it.
The atmosphere echoed with the sounds of explosions and gunfire. Hogs were running rampant in the blood soaked streets of the city they were attacking, shooting at Equestrial Guardponies. They soon engaged a small platoon of Earth Ponies, who were terribly outmatched in terms of melee combat. The stallions jabbed at the hulking beasts with their lasgun bayonets, but the large axes of the Hogs were more powerful.
"Shoot! Chop! Shoot! Chop!" the Hogs yelled. One by one, guardponies were being slaughtered and shot up. The navy blue furred and blond maned Colonel, wearing different armor from the rest of the stallions and wielding a bolt pistol and power sword, was doing everything he could to hold back the barrage of Hogs.
"HOLD THE LINE!" he shouted, "IN THE NAME OF THE EMPRESS YOU WILL NOT FALTER!!!"
Despite his shouts of warning, the stallions were still falling to the axe blades of the Hogs. Their brute strength and hunger for battle overpowering them, murdering them. The bodies were piling up fast.
"We can't hold!" a guardpony cried as he and another one turned and ran from the fight.
"Run for your lives!" The other said, completely demoralized by the conflict.
The Colonel turned and shot at the fleeing stallions. "Cowards." he hissed, "You will fight, or you will die." And yet the bloodshed continued, until three deep red drop pods fell from the sky, killing any Hogs underneath their weighted impacts and sending others flying. From the pods, Earth Pony soldiers clad in heavy armor emerged and fired their shoulder-mounted bolters at the Hogs, killing them easier than the guardponies' lasguns.
"Pony Marines, ATTACK!" a beige furred, white maned Earth Pony soldier in partially gold armor shouted as he slashed and shot at Hogs who assaulted him.
Meanwhile, the other soldiers were firing away at more oncoming Hogs. "For the Empress!" They shouted as the animals fell at their hooves. Even if the beasts engaged them in melee, the Pony Marines were the best the Equestrium had to offer.
The gold soldier galloped to the colonel. "I am Captain Michael Pegalos, of the Blood Phoenixes Third Company. Status!"
"My Lord, forgive me." The Colonel apologized, the shame of his defeat was well disguised. "We have done all we can to stop the Hogs, but we have failed. My stallions' lives are yours."
"You've stood your ground in the face of the Empress's foes; you have done your duty." Pegalos said. "If your stallions have failed you I will leave their judgement in your hooves."
"Thank you, my Lord." The Colonel blurted.
"I am not here for your thanks." Pegalos stated, turning to the side. "This port must be held if we are to maintain troops and supply lines to the planet surface. That is why we are here. Now, what of the wounded and the civilians?"
"Stranded. We have few ships."
"Then you shall have more." Pegalos brought his hoof to his ear comm link. "All Blood Phoenix flights, execute protocol 23 and initiate civilian evacuation. We will dispatch the ground forces."
"Yes my lord." a pilot said.
"Ground forces, My Lord?" The Colonel said, confused by this action. "But the Hogs have retreated." Another drop pod landed on the field and out came two young Dragon Servitors.
"You must know your enemy to defeat them, Colonel." Pegalos stated. "Hogs only retreat to regroup. They will keep coming until you, or they, are dead." A large ship placed a stronghold on the ground, and the Servitors quickly got to work planting it into the concrete.
Pegalos regrouped with the squads of Pony Marines and headed towards the headquarters. "Siblings! Let us destroy this animal filth!"
The Pony Marines managed to drive the Hogs away from the city and into the forests. All around, Hogs laid dead in the dirt, their blood marking the beginning of the turning point of the war. Pegalos bowed in place and silently said his prayers to the Empress that he loyally served.
The Colonel was standing at the edge of the fight with his stallions and a single tank. From the sky, another drop pod smashed into the ground. Out of the pod came a Pony Marine who wore armor, like the other soldiers, and he wielded a bolt pistol. But had a magical force weapon, and a strange headset with many wires connected to his cranium. He was also a Unicorn.
The Colonel was surprised, never had he seen a Unicorn before. He approached slowly.
"I am honored to be in the presence of a Unicorn." the Colonel said. "I wish to know how my stallions can better serve you."
"We shall wait for the Captain to finish his prayers." the Unicorn said softly. "I saw you stand against the Hogs, you are a brave steed, Colonel. I wish I could say the same of your stallions."
"I shall strengthen their resolve, My Lord." the Colonel said with determination.
"See that you do, or we shall do it for you." the Unicorn said as he trotted away, but then stopped in his tracks. The Colonel turned around and wanted to say something.
"You have something you wish to say. Say it, Colonel." the Unicorn insisted.
"How did you know?" the Colonel asked in curiosity as he trotted back up to him.
The Unicorn turned around and looked at the far away battle. "Even without my magic... 'gifts'... it is obvious. Speak."
"Is it true your company eradicated a heresy on the planet of Cyrene recently?" The Colonel asked. "An Exterminatus? Down to the planet's last stallion, mare, and foal?"
The Unicorn's face, though could not be seen, grew solemn at the mentioning of that name. "Colonel, your company is welcome, but such questions are not. Do not ask the Captain about Cyrene, if you intend to remain in his good graces."
The Colonel knew better than to argue against that logic. He and the Unicorn trotted up to Pegalos, who was now done praying.
"Brother-Captain. The Colonel wishes an audience with you." The Unicorn said as Pegalos trotted towards them.
"Thank you, Unidor." the Captain said.
"My Lord," the Colonel addressed, "my Tartaurus 37th Equestrial Guard Regiment stand ready to serve you in protecting the city. They wish to make amends for-"
"They will have many opportunities to prove themselves warriors worthy of the Empress." said Pegalos. "The Blood Phoenixes are leaving the city, its protection is in your hooves."
"I will ready my stallions." The Colonel nodded. "May I ask what your next course of action is?"
Pegalos looked at a dead Hog. "Hogs only respect strength and I intend to show them that we have it in ample supply."
Pegalos and Unidor were standing on a cliff that overlooked the forest that more Hogs were encamped within. Two Earth Pony scouts stood before Pegalos.
"You have your orders, now go, and may the Empress protect you." He said, and the scouts took off into the jungle. Unidor was looking over the forest, thoughts of objection running through his head.
"I do not care for all this sneaking about." He said.
"I know, old friend." said Pegalos, understanding the Unicorn's thoughts. "You always have preferred the direct approach."
Unidor turned to face Pegalos. "We have the Equestrial Guard." He said. "Why not send them into battle instead of treating them like glorified shepherds? If we meet the Hogs in force they cannot possibly stand before us."
Pegalos shook his head. "We have fought the Hog a hundred times before." He stated. "They thrive on war. A direct assault on them would likely improve their morale, and simply attract more of them. The casualties would be enormous."
"What are the Equestrial Guard for if not to die for their Empress?" Unidor asked. "At the very least we should retain a regiment to remain at our call. We have little support this far out. We would not want to be remembered for our carelessness."
"We, old friend? Or me?"
Unidor raised his eyebrows in shock. "We are Siblings, Michael. You know better than to ask that question." The meaning behind Pegalos's self-blaming quickly came to Unidor's realization. "I know what this is about. There was nothing you could have done to save Cyrene."
Pegalos furrowed his brows at the mention of that name. "Do not mention that place again, Unidor." He said with gruff but soft seriousness, "Cyrene was my homeworld..." He sighed, "my responsibility." He was clear that he did not want to talk about his home and everything that happened on that planet.
Unidor looked down, understanding with great sympathy, and then trotted down the hill. Pegalos faced the jungle and put his hoof to his comm link.
"Scout team three, do you copy?" He called.
"Yes my Lord." A scout whispered in response.
The Captain ran through the difficult mission details. "The local Equestrial Waterworks has fallen into Hog hooves. If we are to reclaim this area, we must first retake this position. Scouts have infiltrated ahead of you and will assist you in your reconnaissance. If things prove to be more than you can handle, reinforcements will be mobilized to assist."
"Getting into position." The scouts were deep in Hog-claimed territory, ready to retake the area.
The battle was intense, but the Blood Phoenixes destroyed the Hog encampments and burned the remains. Unidor watched from a distance when a scout trotted up to him.
"I must speak with the Captain." The scout said, bowing in respect to the Unicorn.
"He is giving the Empress his praise." said Unidor. "Leave him this moment."
"Yes, Brother-Unicorn," The scout nodded. "We completed our sweep of the area and can find no more Hogs."
"Indeed." Unidor replied, "Tell your squad to move ahead and clear the Company's path."
"Yes, Brother-Unicorn." The scout got up and trotted away to carry out his orders. Unidor felt strange and he put his hoof to his head. Unintelligible voices started whispering to him in a strange language. Then the intangible form of a Unicorn, clad in sinister-looking armor, slowly approached him.
Unidor turned to face the specter and gritted his teeth in anger. "I will suffer no trespass."
Near a freshly constructed base, in a different city, the Blood Phoenixes were being bombarded by hidden artillery. Pegalos stood with Unidor at the headquarters, giving commands to individual squads through his comm link.
"Brother Steel. Second Squad is to garrison those buildings opposite the market streets. Go!" Pony Marines galloped towards their ordered location, barely dodging the shells that exploded near them.
"Brother Sagittarius. Take Ninth Squad and shore up our defenses along our southern flank. We need those gun emplacements operational." At said location, four turrets landed around a strategic point. A Dragon Servitor rushed in to construct the guns while the squad fired at the assaulting Hogs.
"That is correct, Brother Scorpius. Begin executing protocol 18." said Pegalos. "We will silence that Hog artillery." As they headed towards the eastern part of the base, the Colonel approached them.
"My Lord." He said, "I have taken the liberty of stationing my Equestrial Guard around the key facilities including the Spaceport and Power Plant."
"Your initiative is admirable, Colonel," said Pegalos, "but I need you to pull your stallions back to this location where they can concentrate their defense." Four Pony Marines fired their rocket launchers at a Hog tank, which was actually a stolen Equestrial tank.
The Colonel's heart and mind started racing from the given orders. "But if we abandon the Spaceport-"
"We cannot hold the Spaceport, Colonel." Pegalos interrupted. "We have to maximize our defense in one location to assure victory. Do not mistake the Hog's simple manner for stupidity. They are far more cunning than they may seem. Now go." The Rocket Marines opened fire on another stolen tank, but Hogs rounded the corners and charged at the squad.
The Colonel did not further object and nodded. "Yes, my Lord." He galloped away to fix his mistake. Pegalos and Unidor trotted back to the base, which was no longer being attacked, for now.
Unidor was also having other thoughts about Pegalos's plan. "I do not agree with this course of action." He said. "Why are we sitting back waiting for the Hogs to strike? We should attack! Surely it is better than doing nothing."
Pegalos stopped and turned to face Unidor. "You would have us go out and meet the Hogs on open ground?" He asked. "That would be madness. It is written in the Codex Astartes that this situation calls for a defensive action."
Unidor bowed his head. "Of course... you are right." He sighed. "Perhaps patience is the better virtue here."
Up a hill in the distance, the battle raged on as the Pony Marines eliminated the Hog forces that stood before them. More Hogs ran towards the war zone, eager to fight the Marines some more, but a Hog that was a little bigger than them fired warning shots at them and they stopped.
"Knock it off, all a you'z!" He yelled, his english was very poor as was every other Hog's. "We'ze movin' out!"
"We'ze not gonna stay an' fight?" A Hog asked as they waddled up to the larger Hog.
"I'z da biggest Hog 'ere," the big Hog stated, "which meanz I'ze da leader a you'z lousy bunch a gitz." He snorted and snarled and growled, making it clear that he was the top Hog of the pack. "We been waitin' an waitin' to fight deze Marine-boyz, an' we'ze gonna stomp dem but good. To do dat we need da strength of all da boarz, not a small weak mob a runtz like you'z boarz."
The Hog growled in annoyance. "Use your skull for sometin' besides thumpin'. We'ze Hogs, an we'ze were made for fightin' an' winnin'!" With that said, the big Hog went and smacked the other Hog with the side of his axe, sending him spinning to the ground.
The Hog got up and waddled away from the other Hog. "Sure fing! You'ze da boss!"
"We'ze gonna go get Big Boss Hogamungus." The big Hog announced, "He got sometin' special planned for deze poniez." and they retreated back to their main stronghold where their Big Boss resided.
In a large, trampled out portion of the wild, crudely built structures and defensive walls were scattered around the flat lands. Turrets with large wooden banners that said "SNAARL!" were fully erected at the walls, garrisoned by Diamond Dogs. Hogs ran rampant around their territory and were gathering at a certain part of the lands, all of them battle ready for what's to come. They pounded their axes on the ground, making drumming sounds. Some Hogs drove in their hoof-built vehicles. One of the vehicles, shaped like a carriage but motor powered with treads, drove through the large crowd of Hogs and stopped. The large Hog hopped out and headed to the Hoggy Fort.
"Everyfing iz ready, Boss!" He said as he waddled up to a humungous Hog that was almost completely covered from head to tail with mechanical parts that made him look even more intimidating than he already was.
He laughed a creepy laugh. "Dem poniez iz in for a good stompin'!" He bellowed. "Dis iz gonna be da best fight o' dere miserable lives!"
"Just make sure it's the last fight of their lives." A Unicorn said smoothly behind the massive tank of a beast. He wore armor, similar to that of Unidor's, but it was a deep blue and looked sinister with every single inch of detail. He also wore a helmet that covered his head and face. But his horn, which was as sharp as a spike, was protruding from the helm and glowed an evil purple aura that held his bladed staff. Behind the Unicorn was a dark grey Earth pony that wore armor similar to Pegalos's, but just as wicked-looking as the Unicorn's, and he wielded a large scythe.
"I don't take orderz from you, ponie." Hogamungus hissed.
"We've held up our side of the bargain, have we not?" The Unicorn asked. "You wanted a new planet to wage war on, we have given it to you." Elsewhere, Pony Marine tanks followed by armored Pegasi were moving close to Hog territory. "You wanted to face the Equestrium's greatest warriors, the Pony Marines. They are here. We've even provided you with weapons and Equestrial Tanks to use on the battlefield. And all we ask in return is that you keep the Equestrials distracted from our operations here."
"You'ze kept your word," Hogamungus bellowed, "but dat still don't meanz you can order da Hogs around."
"My apologies." The Unicorn bowed his head. "We've delivered the last of the weaponry. They are in the hooves of your 'servants'. We'll take our leave now, I... respectfully request that you keep the Marines busy for as long as you can."
"Bah! We'll keep 'em more than busy." The Hog gloated. "We'll keep dem dead!"
The Earth Pony, who was quiet throughout the conversation, snarled and snorted in annoyance. "The thought of kowtowing to these 'creatures' disgusts me."
"The Hogs are a tool," the Unicorn cooed, "nothing more, and quite an effective one I might add."
"Perhaps," the Earth Pony snorted, "but I dislike providing such unpredictable animals with our own weaponry."
"Lord Fale," the Unicorn said softly, "Hogs are not unpredictable. Quite the contrary, you can rely on them to turn against you. But they will honor our agreement as long as we provide them with enemies to satiate their battle lust."
Fale's voice rose into an angry rasp. "If we intimidated them into doing our bidding, showed them our strength," He snorted in satisfaction at the image of cowering Hogs in his mind, "they would take pause before betraying us."
"You cannot intimidate something that knows no fear." The Unicorn stated. "Trouble yourself no longer with the Hogs. We will have what we came for and be gone before they finish with the Equestrials and turn on us."
The Hog Nob growled in frustration. "Why'z we talkin' wit dem poniez instead a fightin' wit dem?"
"Dem smelly Discord-boyz iz weak, not nearly enuff of a challenge for da boarz." Hogamungus said. "If dey were strong like Hogs, dey wouldn't need us ta fight for 'em." He waddled towards his gathering of Hog boars. "We'll take dere gunz and dere help and when we'ze done choppin' up all da poniez we'll come back here and chop dem up as well." The Warboss let out a loud "SNAAAAAARL!!!!!", and suddenly a large mammoth with a hoof-made weapon system on its back rampaged through the crowd of Hogs, trampling some beneath its feet and sending others flying into the air.
"Orbital imagery shows a heavy concentration of Hogs in the area." said Pegalos. "We must secure a location, and establish a base before destroying the Warboss and his Clan. Combine the holy fire of the Tornadoes with the wings of our Pegasus Marines. Cleanse this area."
The battle was long and challenging, but with the united strength of the Pony Marines, and Unidor's magic, the Hog forces were at last slain. But the victory was short lived when Pegalos received the grim news of his Battle-Siblings from a scout.
"Brother Sagittarius?" He asked.
"Burned beyond recovery of his geneseed," the scout said, "along with Brother Capricornus. Nothing was left of them save for ash. They burned from the inside out."
"Anything else to report?" Pegalos asked.
"The Hog Warboss has been destroyed, but we saw a dropship leave the area." The scout's tone grew worried. "Captain, she bore the eight-pointed star."
Pegalos's face turned solemn from the news. "The Mark of the Ruinous Powers of Discord."
"The Forces of Discord? Here? Now?" A Marine Sergeant asked.
"Tartaurus has endured several Black Crusades led by the terrible Discord Champions," Pegalos explained, "however, it seems too convenient that Hogs and these heretics are here at the same time. But I trust the eyes of our scouts." Pegalos looked at the Unicorn. "Unidor, do you sense anything?"
Unidor shook his head. "No, I have sensed nothing." He said. "But if the nature of Brother Sagittarius's demise is any indication, then they would have a Unicorn with them who would be capable of masking their presence, especially with all the background static caused by the Hogs." At that moment, a ship landed in the distance.
Pegalos looked at the ship and took a deep breath. "Ah, our 'honored' guest has arrived."
"Who is it?" The Sergeant asked.
"Inquisitor Princess Luna," said Unidor, "protector of the Empress's divine word and will."
"Is she here to take command?"
"An Inquisitor may have near-unlimited power." Unidor explained. "Yes, she can commission the service of any Equestrial citizen, from peasant to planetary governor, but-"
Pegalos interjected. "I shall not cede command of my Pony Marines to her, Inquisitor or not!"
"Then why is she here? Does she suspect one of us of heresy?"
"She is an Inquisitor." Pegalos reminded. "They suspect everyone of heresy. If Discord taints this world then that explains her presence. We must share with her what we discovered." They turned to face the dull blue, starry maned Alicorn who wielded a warhammer with her magic. "Inquisitor Luna, welcome to Tartaurus."
"Thank you, Captain," said Luna, "but we have little time for courtesies. You and your stallions must leave Tartaurus. Now!"
Deep in the jungles far from the city, Pony Marine structures fell from the sky ready to be built. The stronghold was landed softly on the ground by aircraft, and the Dragon Servitors began their construction. Pegalos, Unidor, Luna, the Colonel, and the Sergeant trotted to the construction grounds of the base.
"This Warp Storm could trap us here for a month or for a century." said Luna. "We can not risk staying here. We must evacuate Tartaurus before it arrives in three days time."
"The Equestrial Guard and Holy Fleet can attend to the evacuation." said Pegalos, not looking at the Alicorn. "The Blood Phoenixes have more pressing matters to contend with."
Luna looked at Pegalos with curiosity. "Such as?"
"I believe agents of Discord have taken strong root here."
"I sense no taint here." said Luna as she took a few steps forward. "Even so, were there a Discord presence on Tartaurus, it is best we leave them here with the Hogs than waste more lives fighting them. We could wish no worse fate for either of our enemies than to be trapped with the other." She turned to face Pegalos, and her tone grew serious. "But we must leave here. Now."
Pegalos also took a few steps forward. "That is a matter for my Siblings and I to decide." He said. "We will use these three days to settle our affairs and satisfy our suspicions. Meanwhile, you have our transports to facilitate evacuation."
Luna turned to face the Colonel. "Colonel Runn." She said, "The Captain and I must attend to matters of faith. If you would leave us, please."
Runn raised his eyebrows at the request. "But surely this involves me as-"
"Forgive me for not being clear on the matter." Luna interrupted. "I said please when in fact I meant, now." Colonel Runn, knowing better than to argue with an Inquisitor, simply walked away from the conversation.
"This does involve him," said Pegalos, "you should have given him a modicum of respect."
Luna ignored his suggestion and proceeded with what she had to say. "Captain. You uncovered extensive heresy on your home-world. Cyrene, was it?"
Pegalos turned away. "That has nothing to do with the events here on Tartaurus-"
"But I believe they do." said Luna. "You requested the Inquisition undertake an Exterminatus, the destruction of your planet's entire populace, which we obliged-"
"I still fail to see..."
"Captain, I am not questioning your loyalty. But I must wonder if your actions on Cyrene have not affected your judgment." Pegalos turned to face Luna with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps that was a... poor choice of words. I merely fear that you might see Discord where it does not exist. I ask that as a loyal subject of the Empress... you serve the Equestrium's interests before your own... agenda." With that said, Luna trotted away to leave Pegalos with his thoughts.
"Captain," the Sergeant said as he walked up to Pegalos, "that Inquisitor had no right to speak to you in such manner, but perhaps she is right. The coming storm will trap our enemies here where they can consume one another."
"And what if the Forces of Discord escape the system before the storm?" Pegalos asked. "No. We will not use this freak occurrence as an excuse to avoid our enemies, or our responsibility. They are here for a reason, and we will discover that reason."
Unidor stepped up. "We are with you, Brother-Captain. As always."
They never noticed the hooded figure with antlers and a rifle hiding in the trees behind them. "The ponies are coming your way in full force." He said to someone. "You should hear their heavy hooves long before you see them. And smell them long before that." And he turned invisible and disappeared into the foliage.
Outside the base camp, three Pony Marine scouts traded information with each other. Two headed off into the forest, and the other approached the Captain. "Orbital Command has indicated the Drop Ship landed in this general proximity." The scout said. "We have discovered a path Captain, it's obvious someone has been digging here."
"Cut by Hogs?" Pegalos asked.
"Hmm, I've never seen a Hog lend such a careful hoof to a task."
"If it wasn't Hogs," Pegalos rubbed his chin, "then it must be the forces of Discord." Meanwhile, in the forest, the two scouts were suddenly killed by an unseen force that quickly fled the scene without any trace. "We will follow this path and discover the truth that has transpired here."
On the snowy foothills of a mountain, the Blood Phoenixes find the body of a Guardpony impaled to a burning wooden altar by his own lasgun. Pegalos looked at the gruesome display and sighed through his nostrils.
"So the good Inquisitor senses no Discord here." He said. "How fortunate for the Equestrium that such keen-eyed eagles stand vigil over her gates."
"What dark crafts have these Eldeer invoked?" The Sergeant asked as he stared at the burning corpse in disgust.
"None," said Unidor, "at least not here. The servants of Discord sacrificed this poor Guardpony themselves."
"To what end, Unidor?" Pegalos asked.
"I know not. I believe the altar is a marker, a waypoint in a map that leads elsewhere. Someone defaced many portions of text. Regardless of what Discord seeks here, the altar requires a sacrifice of blood, or more likely, a life."
"Brother Unidor, you have an hour to study the altar." said Pegalos. "Document everything as is our tradition, then burn it lest its taint infect us all." He turned and trotted away.
"But Michael," said Unidor, "there is much to learn here." Pegalos stopped as Unidor continued to speak. "We should not be too eager to-"
"Learn what?" Pegalos asked as he walked up to Unidor with a scowl, "Discord does not teach, it misleads and it betrays. There is nothing to learn here save for our next course." And he trotted away again to leave Unidor with his studies. He came to the transport tanks to discover something strange about them. "These transports have been... damaged somehow." He said, full of suspicion. "Make the repairs, and be quick." The Dragon Servitor began fixing the tank as ordered.
Meanwhile, at the altar, Unidor was confronted by the intangible specter that was the Unicorn of Discord. "Well, well, Brother Unidor." the apparition said with an eerie echo. "What betrayal have you wrought? Disabling your own vehicles? Harboring artifacts despite your good Captain's instructions?"
Unidor closed his eyes and bared his teeth. "Michael does not understand, he does not appreciate the significance of this."
The apparition flashed behind him. "Oh, but I do."
Unidor opened his eyes and grew angry. "Quiet, heretic. Once I find what you seek, I will use it against you, for the glory of the Empress and my Siblings."
The apparition flashed next to him. "You wish to deal me a harsh blow, to prove your strength and worth?" The specter asked. "Then come to me. I wait at Mount Dracath." The Unicorn then disappeared.
Unidor took a deep breath. "Have no fear, Unicorn. I will be there."
Further in the forests near the mountain, Eldeer forces were preparing for the arrival of the Pony Marines. Their hovering tanks and towering mechs swiftly headed into their positions, while the deer-like warriors readied their ambushes. An Eldeer Warlock approached another Eldeer that wielded a mystic spear within her white aura of magic.
"Exalted Farseer Antla." The Warlock addressed her with a melodious voice, "The ponies are moving, traversing through the slope as you predicted. They are walking into our trap."
"Yes," said Antla with the same musical tone, "but you can never ambush a Pony Marine. Remember that. They expect treachery at every turn; you can only validate their suspicions."
"Your orders?" The Warlock asked.
"We have locked the ponies into this path as they have locked us into ours. They know they enter a gauntlet, and they will likely drag us into it as well. Now, we play our parts and pray that we are the better actors."
Meanwhile, Pegalos and Unidor trotted up the abandoned street, followed by squads of Pony Marines, a squad of Pegasus Marines, and a Harmonaught.
"Are you certain?" Pegalos asked, turning to Unidor. Four Scout Marines infiltrated ahead of them.
Unidor nodded. "Yes. The pass to Mount Dracath, this is where the altar said we must go." Unidor cocked an eyebrow. "Why, do you question my findings?"
"I do not question your abilities, Brother-Unicorn," said Pegalos, "but I do question their tactical sense. That mountain pass is the perfect location for an ambush."
The Unicorn specter appeared next to Unidor, still only visible to him. "Listen to the distrust in his voice." the apparition whispered. "He probably calls you a freak behind your back, but he fears your divinity, your power. You must put the foal at ease."
"I do not deny that this is likely a trap," said Unidor, snapping back to reality, "which is all the more proof that our enemy lies in this direction."
"Very true, old friend." said Pegalos in agreement. "Stay alert, and follow my lead. I want no mistakes."
"Agreed." Explosions echoed in the atmosphere.
"Scouts, are you in position?" Pegalos asked through his comm link.
"Yes, My Lord." A scout answered, "We have discovered the location of the first Eldeer forces."
Pegalos rubbed his chin in thought. "We must find a way to overcome this Eldeer strike force before we can scout out a good location to stage our field operations."
After getting past many Eldeer forces and ambushes, the Blood Phoenixes reach the mountaintop and find another marker of Discord that glowed with evil power.
"We are still unearthing more Eldeer explosives and demolition charges," the Sergeant said to Pegalos, "but we dare not move them. We did replace their triggering mechanisms, however, that is all I care to do with such xeno-tech."
"Was this a trap?" Unidor asked.
"No." The Sergeant answered, "By the placement of the charges, it is likely they planned to collapse this area, burying the marker and anyone near it."
"They failed." said Pegalos, "Unidor, study the marker and see where it leads us next."
"Captain," said the Sergeant, "Inquisitor Luna has arrived."
"Of course she has." Pegalos said sarcastically.
The Captain and Luna met upon a hill where they could fully see the heretical altar. "Yes, Captain, it is an impressive sight," said Luna, "but I never claimed Discord had not set hoof on this planet before. I said that if something were here, the impending warp storm would eliminate that threat. Best we not remain here to share its fate."
Pegalos turned to face the Alicorn. "And as I explained, Inquisitor, the Blood Phoenixes will remain until the last possible moment. Until that happens, in two or three days hence, I plan on pursuing this riddle."
"Captain, I do not... presume to question your decisions concerning the Blood Phoenixes." The anger in her tone started to slightly escalate. "But when it comes to employing the Colonel's Equestrial Guard in your quest-"
"My quest?!?" said Pegalos, subtly outraged, "Yet again you accuse me of pursuing my personal interests! It is my duty, and yours, to expunge any scent of heresy or Discord."
"You overstep yourself." Luna warned.
"As do you, Inquisitor. It is not the 'Colonel's Equestrial Guard'. Their lives belong to the Empress. It is by her mandate and will that I use the Equestrial Guard against the forces of disharmony and elevate them in the glory of holy battle."
Luna turned away and sighed. "I see now that coming here was a mistake. If you are set on a path that will lead you to destruction I can do nothing to stop you, but I won't allow you to drag us down with you. By Inquisitorial edict I am taking control of the planet Tartaurus. All requests for planetary resources, including its military, will go through me."
She turned her head and looked back at Pegalos. "Captain, from this point on you and your stallions are on your own."
In the ruins of an abandoned city, Farseer Antla and her forces were gathered for a new plan against the Pony Marines.
"Our choices are gone." She said, "We have but one recourse left." She looked at the Exarch before her. "Do you understand what is asked of you?"
"You cannot ask that which I offer freely, Farseer." The warrior said. "My life is yours."
"It belongs to all Eldeer now, brave one." said Antla. "You will become the war-cry made manifest! The host is assembled and we fully commit ourselves to the battle. You are the best of us. May Kaela Mensha Khaine find you worthy of becoming his Avatar. Then the ponies shall have the death they seek!" With that said, the bold warrior ran out and burst into flames, growing into a blazing colossus with a bleeding right front hoof and a massive burning sword in his magical grip.
In the city, Lord Fale and the Unicorn watched from a distance. "This delay-" the Discord Lord hissed, "you cost us the key, Cyndree! The False Empress's lackeys and Eldeer will battle for the city-"
Cyndree chuckled. "They are naught but hapless fools before your might, Lord Fale. Surely a modicum of patience is in order here. Matters progress to your benefit and my devices. You will see. Have faith. Have I led you astray thus far?"
"No," Fale snorted, "but if you fail me in this-"
"Yes, yes, then my suffering will be great." Cyndree finished. "Just be ready to move when I instruct."
At the Pony Marines' headquarters, the Blood Phoenixes were preparing for a difficult battle against the Eldeer, and possibly Discord as well. "Just a bit longer," Unidor thought to himself, "and then the key will be mine."
"You are approaching the objective." Pegalos said through his comm link. "On your guard, siblings." Scouts attacked an Eldeer Listening Shrine while Pegalos observed their progress. "The Key is located in this monument, which is currently held by the Eldeer."
Suddenly, strange Eldeer units appeared behind the scouts and surprise attacked them. "An ambush! Foul xenos!" said Pegalos. When the last scout was killed, the Eldeer squad disappeared in a flash of magic. "We must find our way through the city to the monument and take it from these treacherous animals."
After a terrible struggle between Pony and Eldeer, the Pony Marines had managed to destroy the Avatar and capture the monument. Pegalos and Unidor confront Farseer Antla. The Key laid on an altar in a dug up portion of the monument, pulsing with an ancient evil power that could not be explained.
Cyndree's apparition appeared next to Unidor. "It lies within reach now." He whispered. "You sense its power, do you not? Still think you have the strength to use it against me? All that stands in your way is that Farseer."
"Kill me, obliterate my body and cast my name to the wind, but you must heed me." Antla pleaded. "Bury that which lies beneath my hooves. It will undo us all. I may be your enemy in this, but we both have a greater foe."
"Do not listen, Michael." said Unidor. "We must destroy this 'animal'."
"She knows much," said Pegalos, "much we need to learn."
"What could she offer but lies?! Do not trust her, Michael!"
"The Key!" Antla exclaimed. In the pit, Cyndree stood, holding the Key in his dark magical grip. With a swing of his staff, he disappeared in a bolt of evil energy.
"NO! Damn you!" Antla screamed.
"Who was that, animal?" Pegalos asked. "What did he steal!?"
"A key." Antla said grimly, "The last step along a bloody path."
"A key to what?"
"The undoing of us all."
"Stop speaking in riddles!" Pegalos said, his patience was wearing thin.
"He stole a key," Antla explained, "a key to the shadows of this world, to the evil horror that lies within."
Pegalos's patience ran out. "Tell me what this key does!"
"You do not know?" Antla asked, sounding somewhat surprised. "Your Inquisitor keeps you on a short leash. She knows. Ask her."
"How dare you speak ill of the Empress's loyal subject?" said Pegalos angrily.
"She has known since she arrived," said the Farseer, "or should I say, she never left. Do you not think it convenient she appeared from nowhere and landed on the cusp of a warp storm? Or that I know her already? Pony, you are caught in events beyond your reckoning. But we can help one another and stop the forces of Discord from succeeding."
"You fought well, animal," Pegalos complimented, "and while we share common goals, I cannot risk your betrayal in this matter. You have squandered enough of my attentions..."
At that moment, the strange Eldeer squad appeared behind Antla, ready to shoot down the Captain and Unicorn. But Antla ceased their fire. "No! For better or worse, we are locked in our course now, him and I." She trotted away, but stopped and turned to give Pegalos directions. "Your enemies have taken position in the Ganaan city-sector. They will not remain there long. We are too weak to fight them. You have seen to that." And she and the other Eldeer warriors ran off to recover from the bloody conflict.
At a chapel in the city of Ganaan, a cultist of Discord was trotting along the side of the old church. The grounds of the ruins were completely covered with the pulsing energies of evil corruption. Even the sky was no longer a light blue, but instead red as blood. The cultist kept trotting until he reached the massive doors, and he went inside. More cultists stood chanting around a stone altar where the Key lay, glowing with its untouchable power. The lone cultist approached Lord Fale and Cyndree with dire news.
"Heh, My Lord," The cultist said, his voice on the edge of cracking, "Blood Phoenixes approach from the South."
"How did they get so close!?!" Fale asked in disbelief.
"My Lord." said Cyndree, "These flies are minor annoyances. We have the Key and ample bodies to imprison the Blood Phoenixes behind a wall of corpses while we complete the ceremony."
"Your assurances leave me cold, Cyndree."
"Events have proven my words true at every turn, My Lord. We are not in danger-"
"Events have proven you fortunate, Unicorn." Fale snorted. "To what do you owe this present bout of nauseous optimism?"
"We have received a message, Lord Fale." said Cyndree. "We have a new ally who is more than ready to betray the Blood Phoenixes."
Fale grinned at what the Unicorn said. "Excellent." He snorted, "Prepare for what is to come." He looked sinisterly at the cultist. "And dispose of this idiot."
The cultist gasped. "Why?" the cultist asked as Fale trotted away. "H-h-h-how have I failed?"
"You were stupid enough to personally deliver ill news to Lord Fale." said Cyndree. "And we cannot abide stupidity." In panic, the cultist tried to attack the Unicorn, but Cyndree shot bolts of magic at the pony that tore him up from the inside-out, leaving him a bloody mess on the floor.
Elsewhere, the Blood Phoenixes were battling against the forces of Discord, both sides equally matched in firepower and endurance.
"Brother Steel," Pegalos called through his comm link, "report."
"The Discord Forces have rent an impassible chasm through the center of the city," said the Sergeant, "and have taken up position in a temple. The battle is upon us Captain."
"We are arriving at your position momentarily." said Pegalos. "Hold the chasm, I will deal with the temple."
"It will be done." Steel assured as he resumed the fight.
At the headquarters, Pegalos stood before an Apothecary, the sibling-marine treating his Captain's wounds from the previous battle. Time was short. "You are finished Apothecary." The Captain said, walking away from the white-armored healer. "Had the Empress not intended I suffer, then I would feel no pain." He turned and approached Unidor. "What foul acts are these heathens involved in?"
"They are performing a ceremony to release the Key from its bindings." said Unidor. "We must stop them."
"Yes." Pegalos said, rubbing his chin, "We will need to break down the doors of that once glorious temple. It appears they have rent a chasm across the city, stopping us from reaching the other side."
Pegalos looked at the radar and pointed at a vitally important location. "An outpost with Machine Cults located here gives us access to the vehicles we will surely require." At the outpost, cultists were being gunned down by turrets protecting the area. "Secure that outpost, and stop that ceremony!"
The battle was a bloody one to behold. Many lives were lost, some were honorable Battle-Siblings, and some were citizens and Guardponies who had fallen to Discord. But with the tactics of Pegalos and the use of their tanks, they emerged victorious from the gore of despair.
Pegalos and Unidor stood in the ruined temple, surrounded by the bodies of Guardponies and cultists. "Inquisitor Luna has arrived at your request." said the Unicorn.
"And what do our scouts say?" Pegalos asked.
"The Guard's distraction was a success, the Discord Lord and his host escaped. We are, however, tracking their movements, and 'questioning' some of the traitor Guard we captured."
"How could I not have seen this?" Pegalos asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "How is it I am blind when it matters the most?"
"Are you referring to these traitorous Guardponies," Unidor asked, "or the destruction of your homeworld, Cyrene?"
Pegalos looked down in painful hindsight. "I should have seen the rot before it spread. Instead, I was blind for far too long." said Pegalos, fully blaming himself for Cyrene's demise. "I put my own world to the torch. I killed with the Inquisition's eager sanctum and watched too many innocents die in a holy firestorm. And yet... here I am again, at yet another doorstep, with the executioner's blade in my very hoof."
"Blessed is the mind too small for doubt, Michael." Unidor said in empathy. "Perhaps there is truth in there... for the both of us."
"I still believe, old friend." Pegalos said softly, "I believe in the sovereign might of the Golden Throne and in the purity of the Equestrium..."
Unidor closed his eyes. "But, you have lost faith in yourself."
"Only in what I see, Unidor. Only in what I see."
Luna trotted up to the two. "And what is it that you see, Captain?"
Pegalos cocked an eye to the Inquisitor. "I see conspirators and liars more concerned with their own agenda than the will of the Empress."
"I am not so easily cowed by such displays, Captain." said Luna.
"You lied to me and cost me stallions!" Pegalos yelled angrily.
"Better they die, their blood pure!" Luna argued, "If you feel warranted in handing out recriminations, then their deaths are on your head! I warned you to leave this world, to leave Tartaurus for the warp storm."
"Your words still ring untrue, Inquisitor." Pegalos hissed. "I know you were here before we arrived."
"I am not in the habit of explaining my actions, Captain." Luna sighed, "But, yes, I was here before you arrived, stalking after horrors to strip my nights of their dreams."
"The same horrors that the legions of Discord seek." said Pegalos.
"On Tartaurus, there are no coincidences, Captain." Luna stated. "There is only the storm that winnows the faithful from the heretic."
"Are we faithful ponies, Luna?" Pegalos asked, "Good servants of the Empress? It is time for us to put aside our differences. What do they seek, Luna? What do you seek, here?"
Luna took a deep breath and spoke. "This world is cursed, Captain. Thousands of years ago an artifact of ancient, evil power was lost here. The forces of Discord seek this artifact. They've sought it for centuries, but have never held all the pieces of the puzzle."
Pegalos closed his eyes and shook his head. "And now they do."
"An Equestrial excavation team uncovered the first marker," Luna continued, "and word somehow got to the enemy. With the knowledge of the exact planet, and the first marker, it was a simple matter to uncover the remainder. Now they have the last piece necessary, a key to unearth the artifact itself."
"What is this artifact?" Pegalos asked.
"A stone." said Luna, "Called the Maledictum. It contains a creature of great evil, a creature of Discord itself. The stone imprisons a daemon, one of untold power."
"How is it possible that the citizens of Tartaurus did not know this?" Pegalos asked with a raised eyebrow, "These artifacts lay buried beneath their own cities."
"From what I surmise," said Luna, "the daemon within the Maledictum may be imprisoned, but it is not powerless. It can still influence ponies with visions and madness. The ancient text in the Registratum Malfeas speaks of a warp storm that visited this system at an age when many Pony Marine Chapters were still young. The storm drove the inhabitants of this planet insane. Under the daemon's influence, they hid the markers and buried the Maledictum, to protect it against hunters like myself. When colonists returned to this world they remained ignorant of the perils. They built over the dark places, never knowing what lay beneath."
"And the Eldeer?" Pegalos asked, "Did they seek this power for themselves?"
Luna shook her head. "No. It was they who imprisoned the daemon in the first place. The Eldeer fiercely safeguard knowledge of the stone against all others, going so far as to interfere in our efforts to find it. As Discord's most ancient enemy, they see themselves as the only capable defense against its influence. And we have paid for their arrogance."
"I assume there is still time to avert disaster." said Pegalos.
"This is already a disaster." Luna stated, "The power of the Maledictum is enough to turn the faithful and drive ponies mad. Many of the Equestrial Guard and local population have already turned, as you've seen. It's affecting you and your stallions as well, I can feel it. It is calling the Warp Storm to eclipse the system. It wants to trap us here, with it, so it can force even the best of us to serve its twisted will. This is why I encouraged you to leave. Why I still encourage it."
"You know I cannot do that." said Pegalos, bolstering his determination. "I will not shrink away in the face of evil!"
"I would do no less." said Luna, and she put up a hoof, "Enough. Let us end this bickering and face our enemy united. Together we have a better chance of finding, and destroying the Maledictum." With that said, Luna and Pegalos trotted away to ready themselves for the next battle that awaited them.
But Unidor stood still as a statue, as the image of Cyndree appeared behind him again. "They are weak," Cyndree whispered, "terrified of the power that you alone are strong enough to control."
He flashed closer behind. "It is yours!"
He flashed right next to him. "Yours for the taking!"
He flashed to the other side. "But they mean to destroy it, those small-minded fools!"
He flashed in front of him. "Think of the good you could do in the name of the Empress!"
He flashed to the left-front of him. "Think of the power you could wield!"
Unidor was surrounded by the Unicorn's voice of influence. "It is all yours, for the taking."
The words struck Unidor's mind, and he could no longer hold back. "The Maledictum... is... mine."
In another temple, within a different city, Cyndree stood holding the key near a magic bonfire that burned with the scent of Discord. Cultists danced around the inferno that blazed before them.
"All power demands sacrifice." said Cyndree.
He slowly walked around the blazing ceremony in sync with the cultists. "...and pain. The universe rewards those willing to spill their life's blood for the promise of power."
"Cyndree!" Fale called in anger as he approached the Unicorn.
Cyndree sighed in annoyance. "WHAT!? My Lord." His patience with the Discord Lord was wearing thin.
Fale snorted. "The Traitor Equestrial Guardponies have fallen."
"So quickly," said Cyndree, feigning his surprise, "I expected them to last a bit longer."
"Some of them have betrayed our position to the Blood Phoenixes." Fale rasped. "They are on their way here, now."
"Continue chanting. I shan't be long." Cyndree said to the cultists before returning his attention to Fale. "The circumstances you mention are divine providence, My Lord. Everything is as planned. Once I dispense with this last obstacle, you will have that which we have plotted and schemed to achieve."
"And if the Pony Marines should arrive before 'providence' graces us?" Fale asked.
"Then we shall play the good hosts and indulge them in a bloody feast." said Cyndree. "At all costs, however, keep them from interfering. This is a delicate process that cannot well afford anymore interruptions. And, might I advise you throw everything at the Blood Phoenixes. Everything. Their every contribution in this matter is paramount, especially when we are so close."
Fale trotted away with the suggestion, and Cyndree resumed what he was doing. "Now, where were we? Ah yes... power demands sacrifice."
At the Blood Phoenixes' base, Pony Marines and Equestrial Guardponies were ready to combat the forces of Discord again. Pegalos, Luna, and Unidor were relaying the battle plan.
"Now you know what we fight and why." said Pegalos, "We will launch a two-pronged assault against the Temple with the help of several Guardpony units who remain loyal to the Empress. We must stop our adversaries from uncovering the Maledictum." Pegalos and the others trotted off to prepare and launch their attack, but Unidor trotted the other way and grabbed the attention of a small squad of marines.
"Come with me." Unidor said to the squad. "You have new orders. We know of a hidden way into the Temple. Tell no one else..." They trotted away with the Unicorn. "...it is a surprise."
After capturing the relics and storming the temple, Pegalos and a squad of Pony Marines faced off against Fale and a squad of Discord Marines.
"Cyndree! CYNDREE!!!" Fale called.
"Lord Fale..." Cyndree whispered, "The ritual failed to break the protective seal guarding the stone. But then, I already anticipated it would not work. In fact, I counted on it. We require a larger sacrifice."
Cyndree turned to address the Discord Marines. "It is time. Leave him." The corrupted Pony soldiers turned and left Fale to fight alone.
"How dare you, Unicorn!" Fale yelled.
"My Lord." said Cyndree. "Never forget, all power demands sacrifice. Thank you for yours."
"CYND..." was all Fale could say before Pegalos slashed him to death with his power sword, and he fell to the ground screaming his last breath.
From the other side of the temple, Unidor trotted past the fallen Pony Marines he brought with him and approached the unearthed artifact; The Maledictum.
"There it is, as I promised." said Cyndree. "Yours for the taking."
"Old friend?" Pegalos said, hoping his eyes were deceiving him. He could do nothing but watch in disbelief as Unidor trotted away with the Discord Unicorn, with the stone in his magical grip.
In another ruined city, Pegalos was making preparations for an all out attack on the forces of Discord, as well as the fallen Unicorn. The entire landscape was slowly, but surely, being morphed by the wicked effects of Discord. The sky was growing darker, and the ground started to develop strange, pulsing tumors. Inquisitor Luna was talking with Sergeant Steel.
"What news, Sergeant?" Luna asked.
"The Discord Marines retreated to this city and entrenched themselves." said Steel. "Whatever is going to happen, will happen here."
Luna looked at Pegalos in the distance, who raised his sword skyward and called upon an Orbital Bombardment. "And the good Captain?" She asked.
"I would call him starved for vengeance," Steel said, also looking at Pegalos, "but my words are inadequate to encompass his fury."
On the streets, several heretical ponies, as well as lesser daemons of Discord, were being utterly demolished by the fury that was Captain Pegalos' wrath.
Pegalos trotted up to Luna and Steel. "Make ready." He said, "We have wasted enough time, and suffered for it."
"Agreed," said Luna, "but we know nothing of our enemy or his intentions. Fale was someones pawn. Cyndree, he called him."
"Cyndree is not my concern." Pegalos stated, "Unidor is. He has fallen... and he will find me at his doorstep."
"Now you know the full weight of my original concerns." said Luna. "I must admit, I was surprised that it was Unidor who succumbed."
"I know." said Pegalos, "You suspected me."
"It takes either steel or rot to willingly condemn your own world," Luna stated, "your very family, to the torch. I sensed the seed of Discord in your midst and you seemed too eager to uncover this planet's secrets. But I was so certain the taint stemmed from you that I failed to notice its true source in Unidor." Luna closed her eyes and sighed. "I was wrong, Captain."
Pegalos nodded. "We will discuss the matter another time, Inquisitor." He said. "For now, we have an enemy who demands our ministrations."
Meanwhile, deep within the most corrupted part of the city, Unidor still had the artifact in hoof. He had obtained the stone and everything was going according to his plan.
"You allowed me to take the stone." Unidor said to Cyndree behind him. "You were true to your word, and for that, you are a fool. Better I keep the Maledictum with me. You are too weak to stomach its gifts. And now I will use its power to destroy you."
"Lord Fale was likewise foolish in believing me defenseless," said Cyndree, "believing himself in control." The Unicorn cast a spell on Unidor, making him fall to the ground and put his hooves to his head in agony.
"Make it stop!" Unidor begged.
Cyndree took the stone in his magical grip and continued. "The Hogs thought more of their abilities then they did of me. But I relied on their arrogance at my benefit alone."
"Please!" Unidor pleaded.
"You, however." Cyndree said, looking at the suffering Unicorn, "You hold promise, and for that I should let you die before you prove too great a threat. But I have invested too much effort into you. And, had you a century to prepare, you would still be too late to stop me from achieving my glory. Now, I must prepare. Attend to the Captain's demise, if you are capable."
Unidor got back onto his hooves. "What makes you think I will do your bidding?"
"You have little choice." Cyndree stated. "Your Captain is quite tenacious; you more than anyone know that. You will have to deal with him, and that benefits me."
Cyndree turned to Unidor. "Oh, and thank you for delivering the Maledictum." He said before trotting past him.
"You cannot abandon me now!" Unidor argued.
"But I can, and I do." Cyndree stated, "At least I leave you in good company..."
One of the Discord Marines seemed to hunch over in pain.
"Now prove yourself worthy!" said Cyndree, the Discord Marine fell to his knees. "Go, spill the blood of those who were your siblings!" The marine slowly rose into the air. "Spill the blood!" The marine plummeted to the ground and exploded in a bloody mess, sending the other marines and Unidor flying. From the bloody mess rose a giant, winged, minotaur-like monster wielding an axe. "BLOOD... FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!!"
After pushing through each other's armies of marines, Pegalos and Unidor finally met on the battlefield. The fury in Pegalos's heart burned like the sun, while Unidor knew he had the upper hoof.
"You are a fool, Michael." said Unidor. "You know you are no match for me."
Pegalos closed his eyes and shook his head. "Of all my siblings, why you?" He asked, looking at him angrily. "You were stronger than this!"
"I am stronger than you ever imagined." Unidor said. "I can feel the universe tremble at my approach. Even the GODS know my name!"
Pegalos scowled. "No one will remember you, traitor. I will see to that!" Pegalos then slashed at Unidor, but the Unicorn blocked every hit with either his staff or magic. Unidor parried Pegalos's attack and then hit him hard with a good swing of his Force Weapon. Pegalos struggled to get up, but the weight of Unidor's betrayal was weighing down on his spirit.
"Pathetic!" said Unidor, mocking the fallen Captain. "You were great once, before doubt addled your will. Before you rendered judgment on Cyrene. Before you murdered the innocent and guilty, all in one stroke." Unidor's tone rose with anger. "You weak, sorry fool! How does it feel to have slain millions? To have betrayed your own family?"
The truth of Cyrene snapped within Pegalos. "I betrayed NO ONE!" He got back up to his hooves. "Innocents die so that ponykind may live. I ended their suffering, as I will end yours." He and Unidor charged and clashed. Both were equally matched, until Pegalos parried and sent Unidor's weapon flying out of reach. He then proceeded to slash at Unidor until the Unicorn fell to the ground in defeat.
The bloodied Unicorn sat upright and held up his hoof towards Pegalos, who looked down upon the broken shell of a Pony. "You have beaten me. I cannot believe it. I was wrong, Michael. So wrong. I thought I was strong, strong enough to control it. I wanted to use the power for good, for the Equestrium. You must see that. You must give me the chance to make amends, to seek redemption."
"If redemption is what you seek then that is what I will give you." With that said, Pegalos aimed his bolt pistol at the Unicorn and pulled the trigger. Unidor dropped dead with a hole where his horn used to be. A squad of Pony Marines trotted up behind Pegalos.
"This is the fate of traitors." Pegalos turned his head. "Remember this, and do not stray. If you do, I will be ready to render you the same service." Pegalos trotted past the marines, who turned and followed shortly after.
Deep within the barren wastelands, the taint of Discord was ever so overpowering on the ground, and in the air. The sky was so clear, you could see deep space. You could even see the approaching warp storm. Pegalos examined the decayed field before him, along with Inquisitor Luna.
"This disturbance is acting like a beacon for the warp storm," said Pegalos, "accelerating its arrival."
"We have little time left." said Luna. "We must assume Cyndree has released the daemon."
"Then our course is clear. We must destroy it. However meager our armaments are today, the daemon will not find our hearts lacking."
"I know. I believe you, Captain." Luna presented her warhammer to Pegalos. "Here..."
"What is this?" Pegalos asked as he took the hammer while Luna took his blade.
"A DaemonHammer: God-Splitter." Luna explained, "We have always intended to destroy the daemon within the stone. Would we not appear the fools without the means to dispense our wills?"
"You," Pegalos asked with a raised eyebrow, "you entrust this artifact to me?"
Luna smiled. "I can think of no better champion to wield God-Splitter against the daemon. And, you can call it a premonition, but I believe you will end this fight, not I."
Pegalos was greatly honored to be gifted such a weapon, but turned and looked away with thoughts running through his head.
"You are thinking of the traitor, Unidor." Luna correctly assumed, "I render judgment on more ponies than you can imagine, Captain. Trust me, you are not responsible for the failings, or strengths, of others. It is not our lot to test their purity. We merely dispense the Empress's justice when they fail."
Elsewhere on the field, the Eldeer have set up an Assembly and were somewhat ready for the worst.
"The Eldeer." said Pegalos, "If they are this desperate to waste their already meager forces-"
"Then matters are truly dire." Luna finished. "Prepare yourself. You are about to enter a battlefield unlike any other."
At the center of the dead plains, Cyndree held the Maledictum in his hooves and was shaking with anxiety.
"Almost! Almost!!" He hissed at the stone, "A moment more, damn you!!!" The stone started to glow brighter.
"YES!" Cyndree cracked, "It is upon US!"
The stone's aura surrounded Cyndree, and lifted him into the air. "Bear witness to my ascension!" He shouted in triumph.
The power of the Warp overcame him, disfiguring his body. His dark grey fur and corrupted armor sloughed off in patches, revealing smooth skin beneath that was quickly covered by brown fuzz up to his neck, above which an ash grey grew to replace his coat. His white mane turned a deep black as it burst through his helmet, while his tail fell away and was replaced by a red reptilian sprout. His hindlegs churned like modeling clay, one disfiguring into the leg of a goat while the other became a green scaled dragon leg. Cyndree's laughter rose to a feverish pitch as he was reformed from one of the Empress' little ponies into the very image of Discord. His front legs fell away, consumed instantly by the evil magical power he had claimed, and new limbs grew in their place. He snatched the Maledictum from the air with a Gryphon's claw, and seized his weapon again with a Manticore's paw.
His staff had changed as well, it was now a massive claymore with runes of Discord written into the pulsing metal. With a sickening crack his spine curved until he could not walk on all fours without discomfort. Even his horn shrunk back into his skull, and two mismatched ones rose in its place. Two wings, each from a different creature, sprouted from his back. Above all else, the most terrible of all transformations was what happened to his purple eyes. First they were bleached away by an ill yellow, the color of an egg's yolk, and then two wretched little slits of red welled up where his pupils had been. With a savage roar, he stomped the ground hard enough that every Pony Marine and Eldeer felt the earth tremble. Something told all of them that everything was not going to be fine.
That feeling was underscored a moment later. Not with a big musical number, but a soul-scorching cry of...
It was a battle of unexplainable proportions. It took the lives of many noble warriors and spilled the blood of countless souls, but it was done. Cyndree, the ascendent, was destroyed by Michael Pegalos of the Blood Phoenixes Third Company. All that remained of the Daemon Prince was the Maledictum, the artifact the Pony Marines sought to destroy, but the Eldeer did not support the idea.
"Pony!" Farseer Antla called, "Do not destroy the stone! You will doom us all!"
"Ignore her, Captain!" Luna ordered. "Destroy the stone before it leads others to ruin!"
"You know not what you do!" Antla yelled, her tone growing angry. "We cannot allow this! Take this pony down!" The Eldeer forces opened fire, and the Pony Marines retaliated.
"NO!" Pegalos shouted as he struck the Maledictum to dust.
Antla stared in horror and anger at what she just saw. "FOOL! You have damned us all." She turned and retreated with the rest of her warriors.
Luna looked at Pegalos and smiled. "Well done, Captain."
"Let us bid haste, Siblings." Sergeant Steel said to the marines, "The fleet is about to depart and leave us stranded." The Pony Marines headed off to escape, and Luna followed after, but Pegalos stood still.
Something did not seem right.
"I AM FREE." A deep, daemonic voice, nearly impossible to mimic, echoed around the Captain. "YOU HAVE MY THANKS."
Pegalos looked for the source of the voice, then held his hammer combat-ready. "Show yourself, daemon!"
The head of the daemon rose from the dust of the stone before Pegalos, glowing with absolute evil power that could break a weak soul apart. "I WILL. SOON. UNTIL THEN, GO FORTH AND SPREAD WORD OF MY RETURN."
"I am not your herald, warp-spawn!" Pegalos spat.
"ARE YOU NOT? YOU RELEASED ME."
"No! I destroyed the stone!"
"YES, AND HAD YOU DONE SO SOONER, YOU MIGHT WELL HAVE VANQUISHED ME. INSTEAD, YOU CONTRIBUTED TO MY RELEASE WITH YOUR EVERY SACRIFICE."
Pegalos raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Sacrifice? What sacrifice?"
"THIS PLANET WAS AN ALTAR, PONY," the daemon explained, "TO THE BLOOD GOD KHORNE. CYNDREE ARRANGED THE HOG INVASION KNOWING PONY MARINES WOULD COME TO END THEIR THREAT. EVERY DEATH WAS A SACRIFICE TOWARDS MY RELEASE, AND I MUST SAY, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MANY AND MAGNIFICENT. UNIDOR, FALE, AND FINALLY CYNDREE HIMSELF. WITHOUT SO MANY OFFERINGS, I WOULD HAVE REMAINED TRAPPED. I THANK YOU. I WILL SPARE YOUR LIFE, FOR NOW."
Pegalos lowered his weapon as he soaked in what he just heard. He released the daemon from its prison, and he also made it stronger with everything that died in the war against the Hogs, Eldeer, and forces of Discord. Knowing there is nothing he can do now, Pegalos turned and retreated to the escape fleet.
"YES... FLEE AND KNOW I WILL SOON COME TO CLAIM YOU ALL!"
Pegalos turned to face the daemon. "Then come and find your judgment waiting. You have escaped captivity, only to face annihilation. I know you now." He turned back and hurried to the fleet again.
The battle has finished, but the war against Discord is far from over.
