It is the forty-first millenium, and there is no more friendship, only... WAR!
The Planet Cronus. Beset on all sides by the tides of war, this once-quiet colony became a savage battlefield. Seven armies clashed on this one world, each refusing to back down, each convinced it was in the right.
From beneath the sands of Cronus's central desert came the Necronies, ancient machines bent on eradicating all life. But another evil already had its eyes on the planet. From the depths of the Warp, the daemonic forces of Discord arrived to enforce their claim. To oppose these fearsome powers, the planet's rulers in the Dau Empire sent their elite soldiers and sophisticated battlesuits into the fray. From the mighty Equestrium of Ponies came the Equestrial Guard, there to secure Cronus for the glory of the God Empress. Like a pink tide, the Hog horde descended on Cronus, caring little for others' claims and sowing destruction in its wake. The Eldeer, ancient enemies of the Necronies, emerged from their Webway to pursue their own agenda on Cronus. And last came the Pony Marines, finest and most uncompromising of the Equestrium's soldiers. Seeing a world beset by animals and heretics, they undertook a great purge.
A Dark March had begun. It could only end with the total victory of one of these factions, and the total defeat of all others.
(I'm gonna go with the Pony Marines for two reasons: One, they're already the canonical victors in the series. Two, they're too awesome to not win the conflict.)
The Pony Marines of the Blood Phoenixes Chapter arrived on Cronus like the mailed hoof of the Empress. Acting under orders from his Chapter Master and Chief Unicorn, young Brother-Captain Goliath Nule ordered the Blood Phoenixes to carry out a thorough purge of this world.
The Chapter Master had told Nule that ancient relics of the Chapter were hidden on Cronus, artifacts from the mysterious early years of the Blood Phoenixes. These sacred items could not be allowed to fall into animal hooves.
Captain Nule ordered the withdrawal of the Equestrial Guard forces stationed in Firstion Bay, but Governor Rockvolter flatly refused to pull his stallions back. Nule judged the Governor a good steed, but had little choice but to send his Pony Marines to battle the Governor's troops along with all the other powers on Cronus.
The Blood Phoenixes willingness to fight soldiers of the Equestrium did not go unnoticed. Whispers began that the relics on Cronus were more damning than holy. Only the war's victors would be left to decide the truth of the matter.
Upon arriving on Cronus, General Duke Rockvolter became Governor-Militant and set about reclaiming the planet for the Equestrium. When his enemies launched attacks on his Capital, he prepared to repel them with extreme prejudice.
Experts on planetary defense, the stallions of the Equestrial Guard were heavily dug in and fortified in Firstion Bay. Any attackers would face well armed and well supplied soldiers, back by powerful armored columns and artillery positions.
The Guard's only real weakness was its morale. Although most soldiers served honorably, the stallions of the Regiment's fifth company were proven less than stalwart and were placed under command of Regimental Commissar Tonnes Gidyup in a forward base on the Northern shore of River Champion. Without Gidyup's whip, the company and its base would surely fold.
Other companies took position in forward bases in more sensitive areas, ready to drive the enemy off. Still, determined attackers could overrun those positions.
Governor Rockvolter remained confident, however. Indeed, any opponent who made it past his forward positions would find themselves staring down the barrel of the massive Maelstrom Cannon of an Equestrator Titan.
At the Fifth Company's base, Equestrial Guardponies were saluting to General/Governor-Militant Duke Rockvolter and Commissar Tonnes Gidyup before them.
"Fifth Company," said Duke, "this is the moment of truth. You will not fear. You will not falter. You will not give a single step to the enemy."
A Guardpony step out of line and approached the Governor. "But sir-" the stallion said before Gidyup shot him with his laspistol.
"If you will not serve in combat, then you will serve on the firing line!" Gidyup said fiercely.
Duke went into the headquarters and turned on the intercom. "Enemies of the Equestrium, hear me." He said, his voice echoing all around Firstion Bay as soldiers, tanks, and walkers moved out. "You have come here to die. The Immortal Empress is with us and we are invincible. Her soldiers will strike you down. Her war machines will crush you under their treads. Her mighty guns will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. You cannot win." More soldiers and tanks moved out to fight against the invaders.
Rockvolter continued to speak. "The Empress has given us her greatest weapon to wield. So make yourselves ready." The Maelstrom Cannon's lights turned on, and the beast of a weapon roared with power. "We are the First Cronus Regiment and today is our Victory Day!"
The Pony Marines had set up a base, but were still trying to convince the Guard to leave. Goliath had made contact with Duke through the Equestrial Vox Channel. "General Rockvolter!" Nule called, "This is your last chance. We purge this world under the authority of the Chapter Master of the Blood Phoenixes. Withdraw your stallions to orbit and our conflict can still end peacefully."
"I have the utmost respect for the Empress's Pony Marines and their millennia of service, Captain Nule," Duke stated, "but my orders are explicit and come directly from Segmaretum Command. I cannot withdraw."
Nule sighed through his vox. "Then the time for talk is over."
The Pony Marines had destroyed every forward base that was set up. Goliath Nule had killed Commissar Gidyup and the Fifth Company turned on the other Guardponies. They even disabled the Titan Cannon. Duke Rockvolter was outraged by their actions against his base; in fact, he suggested they have fallen to heresy.
"These Pony Marines are gripped by madness, stallions!" Rockvolter yelled. "They fight against the Empress's holy will!"
Captain Nule gritted his teeth in anger against Duke's proclamation. "I will not be called a traitor, General!"
"You haven't silenced me yet, Blood Phoenix." Duke back-sassed.
The Blood Phoenixes pushed their way to the main headquarters. Duke combated against Goliath, but met his end to Nule's bolter. The Pony Marines shot at and destroyed the Regimental Command Center, they then engaged the remaining forces near the Titan Cannon. Ponies died "honorable" deaths as they stood against each other. A TechDonkey Engineer approached a Sergeant, who faced the builder with a last ditch plan.
"The command post is gone!" The Sergeant said. "We can't hold them back much longer! We can't allow the Titan Cannon to fall into their hooves. Overload the core!"
The Donkey ran back to the Titan to carry out the bold order. "For the Empress!" He said as he tinkered with the Titan's circuits and overpowered the great weapon. After a few seconds, the Cannon blew up in a massive inferno of metal and fire.
When the Blood Phoenixes leveled the Governor-Militant's palace in Firstion Bay, they brought an end to a sad conflict within the Equestrium. Both Captain Nule and Governor Rockvolter were acting under orders of their superiors and neither could back down when those orders brought them into conflict. Captain Nule and Chaplain Aries went so far as to praise the slain Governor for his stalwart dedication to his orders. With his death, they arranged for the transport of the surviving Guardponies off world. Most were sent toward Segmaretum Command with testimonials that they had done their Regiment proud.
The Blood Phoenixes were less forgiving to the rebellious Guardponies of the Fifth Company. Although these stallions had shouted their loyalty to the Empress's Holy Celestial Warriors upon the death of Commissar Gidyup, the Pony Marines showed them no favor. Indeed, these Guardponies had taken up arms against their Regiment and the Blood Phoenixes judged them traitors to be executed. The Pony Marines' greatest penalty, however, was reserved for the TechDonkeys, who sabotaged the great Maelstrom Cannon rather than have it fall into the Chapter's hooves. The one Engineer, who survived to be interrogated, claimed he had done what he must to keep the Cannon from unworthy hooves.
Those opposing Warhog Borbutz Headhunter's pink tide faced the same challenge the Dau had faced on Cronus for generations: pushing the Hogs back from the deserts and cities was one thing, but dislodging them from the jungle was another altogether. Even the legendary Dau leader Commander Guang Shi had failed to purge the Hog-infested swamps of the Grime Coast.
Still, a complete purge wasn't necessary to break Borbutz. The Warhog had cobbled together his great horde (or "SNAARL!" in the parlance of the animal) from a large number of fractious clans and tribes. So long as the Warhog led the SNAARL! to victory, their clans' loyalty was assured. But with enemies assailing them in their very homes, discontent reared its head among the Hogs. Secondary Chieftains wondered if they might not make better Warhogs than Borbutz.
With these fissures in the SNAARL! widening, the Hog's enemies struck. They drove deep into the Grime Coast, hoping to eliminate Borbutz himself and plunge the horde into infighting and rebellion.
For Warhog Borbutz, the only solution was to crush the attackers under relentless waves of Hog warriors.
In the jungles of the Grime Coast, Hogs were waddling around, making ready for the battle at their doorstep. The legendary Warboss Borbutz himself was standing before a captured Scout Pony Marine, while Hogs banged their axeheads on the ground around him.
"Ya think ya can sneak about wiffout me boarz seein ya?" Bobutz said before he grabbed the scout. "Ya think ya can come for me 'ead?!" He then flipped him upside-down, and pounded him on the ground four times, and threw him like a rag doll.
"Hogs iz neva beaten in battle." A Hog boasted.
"Shut it, ya grot!" Borbutz growled. "Da rest of 'em are comin' and we'z got ta be ready. Tell da boarz dere'z some killin' ta do!" He looked at a large, crudely built post with a big sign that sported the word "SNAARL!" upon it. "I made dem Big Bannaz ta remind da clanz dat dey better keep dere boarz in line. I don't want no butt'eads lookin' ta fight me when da enemy's right 'ere."
A Mega Armored Nob shot at a suspicious Hog near a banner. "Borbutz is da Warboss, got it ya mud-munchas? Dis 'ere voicy-box lets 'im talk to ya, so open yer ears!"
Borbutz turned on the intercom device and bellowed his mighty voice into it. "Lissen up ya grots n' butts! D'eyz comin' fer us like we some kind o' ponie gitz. But we ain't. We'z da Hogs and dis here is gonna be one great fight! So gets yer choppas and yer shootas ready boarz, cuz dere's some killin' ta do! Headcrushaz, you ready?"
"SNAARL!" Hogs shouted as they pumped their hooves.
"Hoofstompaz, yer Mammoths n' such ready?"
"SNAARL!" Hogs shouted as they waddled past a Mammoth that pounded its feet on the ground
"Burnaboarz, you wanna fight?"
"SNAARL!" Shouted Hogs wielding flamethrower and smoking cigars.
"Rokkitrangaz, you in it or what?"
"SNAARL!" Shouted Hogs that took off into the air with crudely made jetpacks.
"An what about youz Kwikmeks? You gonna lets dese other runtz get all da good fightin' done?"
"SNAARL!" Shouted Hogs driving hoof-made and stolen vehicles.
"Dat's right!" said Borbutz, "We gonna crush 'em all. Dis here is a right and proper SNAARL!"
The Pony Marines' Headquarters was set up, and the Warboss was calling them out from afar. "Oi poniez," Borbutz yelled, "you're in Hog lands now. 'Ope you ain't too attached to yer 'eads."
Goliath huffed through his nostrils. "Yell and gnash all you want, animal. The Blood Phoenixes are here to finish you off."
"A ponie wit some spirit!" Borbutz exclaimed. "Yer 'eads gonna be mine."
"You'll meet my bolter first, filth." Nule spat.
Borbutz laughed at the Captain's proclamation. "I like da way ya tink, ponie. Dis iz gonna be fun!"
After destroying the Banners that united the Clans, and driving the Hogs into a rebellion, the Pony Marines had only one target left; The main camp and the Warboss.
"Marines," said Nule, "there's the enemy's camp. Attack!"
"More poniez ta kill!" Borbutz yelled. "Get to it, boarz!"
"It's time for you to meet your misbegotten maker, Hog." said Goliath.
"I made meself, ponie," said Borbutz, beating his hoof on his chest, "and I'm gonna unmake you."
The Blood Phoenixes opened fire on the settlement and quickly razed it to scrap. They attacked the Warboss, and more Hogs waddled in to fight the marines, but were losing fast.
Borbutz would not allow himself to be defeated. "Ya ain't got me yet..." said Borbutz. "Got me one more serprize for ya..."
"Uh, Boss?" a Hog called, "We'ze gettin' shot up."
Borbutz cocked an eye to the Hog. "Ain't you da master of da obvious. Use da splosives!"
"Da what?" the dumbfounded Hog asked.
Borbutz facehoofed. "Da bomb, ya git! Da bomb!" The Hog waddled over to the hidden bomb Borbutz mentioned, gave it a good tap, and quickly fled from the battlefield with the Warboss.
The bomb beeped several times before blowing up and killing off some Pony Marines, and the other Hogs unfortunate enough to be caught in the blast radius.
"Always have yer tunnels dug 'n ready." Borbutz stated.
"You sure iz smart, Boss." The Hog said, hard to tell if it was a compliment or sarcasm.
"Shut it, ya git." Borbutz spat. "I got me a 'ole SNAARL! ta rebuild. Now get me da Hork offa dis here planet."
As they had on Tartaurus, the Blood Phoenixes cut with surgical precision into the heart of the Hog horde on Cronus. The hardened Pony Marines sent into the depths of the Grime Coast answered the pink tide with waves of bolter fire and the faith of true soldiers of the Equestrium. The swamps ran red with the blood of Hogs, as camp after camp fell to the Blood Phoenixes' purge.
That Warhog Borbutz managed to escape Cronus weighed heavily on Captain Nule. He surmised (correctly as it turned out) that the Hog would someday return to plague the Equestrium again. In an effort to make sure no other Hogs survived, Nule ordered a massive Scorched Earth Campaign, burning hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of jungle, to purge the Hogs once and for all.
When the tide of war turned against the Dau, they faced attack in their stronghold in the city of Elkonis (renamed Ziben by the animals). The animals were well entrenched, however, and ready to mount a vigorous defense.
Shas'O Zhu, the Dau military leader, made his headquarters in a mighty citadel in the city's center, forcing attackers to wend their way through the tight city streets, exposed to sniper fire and ambushes. Outlying bases in different quarters of the city supported his strategy, with Gryphon warriors and powerful armored units harassing attackers even further.
The Dau's only strategic vulnerability was Unity Plaza, the city's main public space. A sophisticated communications tower there could potentially be used by an attacker to expose the stealth units positioned across the city.
O'Zhu knew, however, that his attackers' ultimate objective would be assassination, not conquest. Zhi'zhe Xi'ong Lu, a member of the mysterious Ethereal Caste, led the Dau forces from the citadel in Ziben. Were he to die, Dau forces would crumble.
But as long as the Ethereal lived, the Dau would defend Ziben against all comers.
Within the heart of the city of Ziben, Dau troops, wearing pale yellow armor, were preparing for the coming attack that would threaten their place on Cronus. The Ethereal Zhi'zhe Xi'ong Lu, who wore oriental robes, was double-checking with Shas'O Zhu, whose white battlesuit made him look bigger than other Dau troops, to make sure things were set.
"O'Zhu," the Ethereal addressed, "are the troops ready?"
"Yes, Zhi'zhe." Zhu answered, "The Earth Caste is completing construction of the Ji'sha command post. Our armored units are ready to deliver the killing blow."
"And our Gryphon allies?" Zhi'zhe asked.
"Also ready, Zhi'zhe." said Zhu. In a different location of the city, Gryphons were sharpening their talons and loading their shotguns. "The Binglieren command post in the city's Gryphon Quarter is prepared and the Alphas have readied the finest of their warriors."
Elsewhere, atop a ledge, Dau troops flew with jetpacks into position, and disappeared. "Stealth Teams are taking position across the city," said Zhu, "ready to strike where the enemy is weak." Pony Scouts and Marines marched up the streets and faced a big group of Dau troops and large Dau battlesuits that stomped their hooves into the ground and deployed their shoulder-mounted guns. The Pony Marines attacked the Dau, but were then flanked by Gryphons that lunged at them. "Strike Teams of Flame Warriors and Gryphon packs will defend the streets and meet the enemy head on."
"Excellent, Commander." Zhi'zhe commented, "Patch me through to the troops please." Zhu gave Zhi'zhe the communication device he asked for, and the Ethereal turned it on. "Soldiers of the Fire Caste! Gryphon and Changeling allies! Today, we stand as a bulwark against the selfish, the soulless, and the mad! Today, we must drive back our enemies from our city and from our world! Today, more than ever before, we fight for the Greater Good! And we will triumph!"
The Pony Marines had destroyed both the Ji'sha and the Bìnglieren command posts and also captured the communication tower. Any stealth unit that was on the field was rendered visible by the tower. Now the Pony Marines had fought their way to the citadel, where Shas'O Zhu and Zhi'zhe were holding.
"Target spotted!" Nule called, "Eliminate that xeno, siblings!"
"Your murderous ways condemn you to barbarity, Pony Marine." Zhi'zhe stated.
"Flame Warriors," O'Zhu yelled, "beat these ponies back! Protect Zhi'zhe at all costs!" The Flame Warriors fought hard and bravely, but were overpowered by the sheer strength of the Blood Phoenixes. Zhi'zhe quickly galloped into a corner with his bodyguards. The Pony Marines trapped him, killed his guards, and finally did away with him.
"All is lost." was Zhi'zhe last words before he dropped dead.
O'Zhu and Dau warriors in elite battlesuits landed near the Ethereal's body. "Zhi'zhe is dead." one of the Dau said in despair. "We cannot win."
"Fall back. Now." O'Zhu ordered as he picked up the body and jetpacked from the fight. All over the city, Dau troops were gunned down by Pony Marines. They could not fight back; all was lost to them.
"All forces, fall back." O'Zhu ordered, "Evacuate the city." More Flame Warriors were shot to death by marines as they tried to escape the city. "We will return Zhi'zhe to D'au for burial. There is nothing left for us here." The Great Tower of D'au deactivated and Dau transport ships took off and fled from the world.
During the earlier Fillypeens Gulf Crusade, the Dau Empire had repelled the Solar Marines who landed on Cronus. In their assault on Elkonis, the Blood Phoenixes more than avenged the Solar Marines' defeat.
Much as the Third Company had during the battle of Marga Bonni on Tartaurus, the Blood Phoenixes Fourth Company fought its way through the streets of Elkonis one block at a time, pushing back at the Dau Flame Warriors and Gryphon carnivores with steely determination. The Dau Commander Zhu did manage, however, to cheat the Blood Phoenixes of one prize, namely the body of the Ethereal Zhi'zhe, which would undoubtedly have ended up under study in the Chapter Librarium and Apothecarion. As it was, Apothecary Rashet spent many days collecting the animal blood samples left behind when the Dau withdrew with the corpse of their slain Ethereal.
Eldeer rely on stealth and trickery where others trust in direct force and valor. An ancient and debased race, the animals only sully their hooves in battle when they have no choice.
When the Eldeer's enemies at last tracked down their hidden base of operations in Tyrolea, the Farseer Toldear turned to a strategy of trickery. In this, she followed the ways of her ancient and deceitful race. Her forces were centered on a great reinforced hill in a remote, frozen area with very limited access. To cut off these access points, the Farseer lured cat's-paws to Tyrolea. Hogs dissatisfied with the SNAARL! of Warhog Borbutz followed advice whispered by Toldear's Warlocks and camped right where they could screen the Eldeer from attackers.
The Eldeer nevertheless built a substantial force of their own. Advanced Webway Gates allowed them to ferry troops from the Treeship hiding behind a Miragefield somewhere in the Cronus system. But these same gates were the Eldeer's great weakness--if attackers could take and hold them, Toldear would be cut off from reinforcements and any hope of escape.
Alone and outnumbered, the Eldeer would be caught in their own trap.
In the snowy hills of Tyrolea, Eldeer warriors were making unhoped for readiness against the oncoming attack that waited at their doorstep. Toldear stood before her base, believing that she will win the battle. An Eldeer, dressed in rather colorful attire, gracefully pranced to her.
"All is prepared." The Eldeer said, the melodious sound of her voice truly masking her lovely but deadly capabilities.
"Excellent." Toldear said as she turned to face a small squad of strange Eldeer troops. "Exarch Parancis, take your Warp Stags to their positions and then return to the Aspect Shrine."
"We are on our way." The Stag said with a distorted and warped voice as he and the other Warp Stags disappeared in a flash of magic.
Toldear turned to face the dancing Eldeer before her. "You have doubts, Doelequin." She said.
"I trust in your vision, Toldear of Boisees." The Doelequin said. "But to stand surrounded by primitives makes me uneasy."
"I understand your distaste." said Toldear, "But Eldeer rely on speed and stealth. We are not made for entrenched positions." Eldeer Woodsingers had finish molding turrets near three gates, which turned invisible upon completion.
Elsewhere, Hogs were also readying themselves for a fight. "The Hogs, however, make for excellent tools." Toldear stated. "They will keep the supply roads closed and our true enemies weak." Behind a crudely built barricade, Hogs were being beaten around by mammoths. Up the hill of their encampment, the other Hogs were on the move.
"And if these attackers defeat the Hogs?" The Doelequin asked.
"I do not doubt they will overcome our cat's-paws," said Toldear, "but it will cost them. And in their weakened state, they will face the Howling Doom itself." At the location where the Warp Stags teleported to, Eldeer Warlocks casted their magic upon the Exarch, who turned and trotted up the hill.
"The Seer Council has named the Young King." Toldear proclaimed. "Exarch Parancis of the Warp Stag Shrine shall sacrifice himself to awaken our most powerful warrior-" The Stag reached the shrine and bursted into flames, transforming into the massive flaming colossus. "-the Avatar of Khaine."
"None shall escape my wrath!!" The Avatar bellowed as it reared its head, releasing a wave of fire upwards.
The Blood Phoenixes' Headquarters was set up, and the Pony Marines knew this would be a very puzzling battle to fight. Pony Scouts approached Captain Nule. "Captain. We have discovered an Eldeer forward encampment. The Farseer herself is there."
"In such an exposed location?" said Goliath, questioning the xeno's tactics. "With any luck, we may be able to eliminate the animal in one stroke."
After dispatching the rogue Hog clan, Discord warbands lead by a traitorous Unicorn, and destroying Eldeer defenses, the Blood Phoenixes captured all three of the Great Webway Gates. Goliath knew that if the animals wanted to escape with their lives, they would have to retake their gates from them, with force nonetheless.
"The Treebone will never answer your call, outsider." Toldear leered. "Retreat now!" Eldeer forces appeared out of nowhere, but the Pony Marines were expecting them, and fired at the animals. Hours seemed to have gone by, then the Avatar of Khaine appeared over the horizon, burning with hatred for the ponies. But a Brother-Unicorn galloped towards the colossus and attacked with his magic. Goliath knew it was time to end this. He raised his sword skyward and called forth an Orbital Bombardment upon one gate, and Tornado tanks opened fire upon the other two gates, utterly demolishing them all to rubble.
Toldear stared in horrified disbelief at the destruction. "The Webway is closed to us now. We are trapped on this world."
In the battle against the Unicorn and the Avatar, the colossus slashed at the ground near the Unicorn's hooves, making him jump back and fall to the ground. The Avatar was ready to finish him, but the Unicorn turned his head and blasted the daemon in the face with a magic force. The magic interfered with the Avatar's own magic and the colossus dropped its giant blade. The Unicorn got back to his hooves. The Avatar tried to swing his flaming antlers at the Pony, but the Unicorn took up his staff and struck the giant in the heart. "The Avatar of Khaine has fallen." The great warrior's fire burned out, and it fell to pieces.
Toldear turned to her warriors. "Go, all of you. Find what refuge you can in the wilderness of this world." The Eldeer troops headed to their earthbound transports.
The Doelequin turned to face the Farseer. "Escape is still possible, Farseer-"
"I do not deserve that title, Doelequin." Toldear stated, her voice overcome with despair. "My vision has failed us all." Pony Marines galloped towards the former Farseer's position, getting closer with every step. "My fate is here and I shall not flee from it." With that said, the remaining Eldeer entered their transports and fled from the fields. Toldear stayed put as Pony Marines approached and gunned her down.
The Blood Phoenixes had suffered Eldeer trickery on Tartaurus and Wyne's Paradise not long before their arrival on Cronus. In Tyrolea, they avenged their fallen battle siblings with animal blood. By sealing the Eldeer Farseer Toldear's Webway Portals, they blocked any possibility of her escape. What followed was a careful hunt for every last animal in Tyrolea, culminating in the death of Toldear herself.
The Chapter's Unicorns, for their part, spent much of the aftermath of the battle studying the remains of the fearsome daemon summoned up by the Eldeer. This so-called Avatar of Khaine - the savage incarnation of a blasphemous animal god - crumbled into inert matter at the battle's apex. Arcanius Libra, Senior Unicorn on Cronus, made sure that each piece was collected, cataloged and shipped back to the Chapter Librarium. In later years, this would cause the Blood Phoenixes no small amount of trouble.
In a foul shrine in the Sombrio Peninsula, lost souls summoned the Dark Apostle Skarsend to Cronus. There, the Word Breakers raised their black temples and launched their assault on the world. Warp magic split the earth with abyssal fissures, and remade the lush jungles into a nightmare hellscape pulsing with ruinous energies.
A master demagogue, Skarsend made an advantage of the fractious nature of those bent to Discord. Instead of relying on a unified defense, he allowed his Champions and Cult Leaders to establish their own satellite temples where they could pursue their own dark rituals. Any attacker who hoped to defeat the Word Breakers would have to run a bloody gauntlet of heretics, including some of the Legion's most veteran Discord Pony Marines.
Indeed, killing the heretics on Cronus was pointless so long as the great Warp Portal in Skarsend's bastion remained open. The dark spells of the Unicorns Bonelor and Darcon maintained this massive rend in the fabric of creation, granting Skarsend endless reinforcements.
So long as the Sombrio Portal remained open, there could be no victory on Cronus.
In the heart of the corrupted stronghold, the two Unicorns, Bonelor and Darcon, were commencing their dark summoning rituals upon the massive Warp Portal that stood before them.
"With the thirty-seven keys of Tzeentch," said Bonelor, "we open the way for our siblings." Behind the Unicorns, Minotaur Berserkers were pumping their chainaxes and growling with bloodthirsty desires.
"With the thousand whispers of Slaanesh," said Darcon, "we call to them." The portal started to emit its horrific power as it slowly opened.
"With the twelve plagues of Nurgle we fell their enemies." said Bonelor as the portal roared open.
"And with the mighty axe of Khorne," said Darcon as Discord units flooded out from the portal, "we cut open the world for them!"
"Yes," said Skarsend, "come forth to bear the Word of Discord! Hear my warning unbelievers, carried to your minds by the power of the Prince of Excess himself. We have raised altars in this land so that we may sacrifice you to our Gods." Elsewhere, a Unicorn casted a spell on captured Celestial Pony Marines, binding them in chains of warp energies. "Veterans of ten millennia of unholy war wait to grind you beneath the treads of their mighty hooves. The chosen of Khorne hunger to add you to their bloody tally. The Blood God himself has marked this land and will claim your skulls for his throne." At one of the said markers, Pony Marines exploded in a bloody mess when it released a wave of warp energies. "There is no hope in opposing the inevitable. Put down your lives, unbelievers, and bow before the Forces of Discord Undivided."
The Blood Phoenixes had surpassed all random warbands that stood in their way, and eventually reached the great Warp Portal. Once it was destroyed, Discord's reign on Cronus would cease. However, Skarsend was still willing to invite them to join their forces.
"Come Siblings!" He exclaimed, "Let us welcome you home!"
"You stopped being our Siblings when you betrayed the Empress, filth!" Goliath shouted.
"Brotherhood is not lessened when one Sibling is foolish, Captain." said Skarsend. "You can still be forgiven."
The Blood Phoenixes unleashed their holy fury upon Skarsend's bastion and razed most of their wicked structures to the ground. Goliath ordered an Orbital Bombardment upon the portal itself, and completely destroyed the massive doorway to the Warp. The portal started releasing violent explosions, and the Pony Marines withdrew from the area. Captain Nule reached the top of the hill, but turned to see Skarsend in the distance, along with a Daemon Prince.
Skarsend looked around in disbelief. "They reject the Word of Discord, my Lord. The faithful here are not strong enough..."
"It is a poor shepherd who blames his flock, Apostle." The daemon bellowed as the portal continued to collapse around him. "This failure is yours and yours alone!"
Skarsend's face, though covered by a horned helmet, grew wide with terror, and he started shooting at the Daemon Prince. "No! I will not go back to the Basilica of Torments again!"
"Fear not, Apostle." The daemon said as it casted its evil magic upon the trembling Discord Lord. "The Basilica is reserved for those who may redeem themselves."
Skarsend fell to his knees as sheer pain gripped his soul. "No... no..." Skarsend ascended into the air and the daemon grinned sinisterly.
"You will have no such chance." And Skarsend was torn to pieces, banished back to his prison to be forever tortured.
The Blood Phoenixes assault on the black temples of the Sombrio Peninsula replayed the tragic battles of the Horsus Heresy. Once again, Pony Marine fought Pony Marine, one side holding true to the Empress's light, the other fallen into darkest heresy. The Blood Phoenixes faced this battle with zeal, anxious to bring down those who had betrayed all they stood for.
In the end, the Blood Phoenixes weathered the assault of daemons and traitors alike, closing the Warp Gate that was feeding the heretical army and bringing down the fiendish Dark Apostle who led it. As for the desecrated temples and foul shrines that dotted the landscape, the Unicorns of the Chapter cataloged and recorded all their contents. They then undertook the safe transport of these dark artifacts to their Librarium, where they could be safely destroyed.
The full extent of the Necrony presence on Cronus did not become clear until those opposing them launched raids into the catacombs under the Crisa'lide Plateau. The first Necrony massacre on the planet had occurred there and their enemies expected to find some sort of xenos bastion. Instead they found an entryway into the underworld.
Gargled reports from doomed scouts sent into the cavernous passageways revealed a network of catacombs honeycombing the entire plateau. Some of these now stood hollowed out, while others served as staging grounds for Necrony forces. Worst of all, however, were the deeper tunnels where row upon row of Necronies still stood, slowly waking to join their lord's global genocide.
The attackers settled on a dangerous gambit. A strike force would enter the catacombs and plant a massive explosive device deep in the main cavern. An explosion there would collapse the entire network, crushing or sealing off the legions of still-dormant Necronies and shattering those already risen.
It remained to be seen if anyone could deliver this devise, much less escape in time to continue the fight across Cronus.
Deep in the Crisa'lide Catacombs, Pony Marine scouts were retreating from Necrony Warriors coming after them. The scouts were outnumbered and outmatched.
"Fall back and regroup!" one of the scouts yelled as they galloped for their lives. They kept galloping at their retreating speed, but then Necronies covered in raw, bloody flesh crawled out of the dirt. They flexed their claw-like blades and were frighteningly demoralizing. The scouts slowly backed away from the gruesome monstrosities, but the Necrony Warriors trapped them between a rock and a hard place. They aimed their gauss blasters and fired while the flesh-covered Necronies closed in on them.
From afar, a Necrony, strangely different from all the others, watched the massacre. "Lucky creatures." the Necrony said softly. "At long last you have found the tranquility of death. I was like you, once, clinging to life and blind to the truth." All around, Necrony Warriors were moving about the catacombs while other Necronies, shaped like giant beetles, rose black structures from the ground. Necrony war machines, shaped like giant spiders with three-pronged pincers, were harvesting dead Necrony bodies.
"When I uncovered the truth," the Necrony continued, "I too shuddered and paled with fear. Deep in these catacombs, I was remade. Here, my brethren slumbered for eons while the living grew like weeds." Elsewhere, a Necrony with a bladed horn awoke and claimed his bladed staff with his sinister green magic. "My Lord knew this day would come. He had plans for us all. We would purge this world once more. So come, poor victims of life. We will grant you tranquility in these crypts. Cronus will be a Tomb World once more." At a relic, a specter wielding a large scythe overlooked everything before it, and it wailed a low screech.
The Blood Phoenixes' base was set up and the darkness of the catacombs was not very welcoming indeed. A Pony Marine approached Goliath with news.
"Captain." said the Marine, "The TechDrakes report that the plasma bomb is ready."
"Thank you, Sibling." said Nule. "We must now deliver it into the belly of these xenos catacombs and bring the sky crashing down upon these Necronies."
"Though it may cost our lives, we will not fail the Chapter." the Marine said.
"We fail if we give our lives needlessly, Sibling." Goliath stated. "To die in the Chapter's service is praiseworthy, but not if it leaves us without the means to fight the battles to come."
"Your leadership is our most valuable resource, Captain." the Marine said. "You above all must survive to continue the campaign."
After making his way past innumerable Necrony forces and destroying beacons and dormant monoliths, Goliath found the spot and placed the bomb.
He brought his hoof to his comm link. "Siblings, the plasma bomb is planted. We make for the surface!" Goliath and the Pony Marines turned and headed for the exit. On his way back, Goliath saw Chaplain Aries fighting against the Necrony Lord in his way. Aries fought boldly and hard, but the Necrony Lord picked him up with his gauss magic, pierced him with his staff, and slammed him into the ground. Goliath had to save Aries's geneseed before he would be forever trapped under the rubble of victory, or claimed by the robotic creature.
He went up and engaged the Necrony Lord. They slashed and clashed at each other. Nule had to hurry up and finish off the deadly xeno. The Necrony Lord then struck the Captain in the eye, but Goliath refused to give up. With a powerful slash, he sent the Necrony Lord flying down a small cliff. He recovered the fallen Chaplain's geneseed and galloped fast to make up for lost time. He put his hoof to his eye hole to suppress the bleeding, which slowed him down a bit. It took a while, but soon he reached the headquarters and the exit.
He put down his bloodied right hoof and brought his other hoof to his comm link. "Blood Phoenixes, I have reached the surface. All remaining Battle Siblings withdraw!"
The Pony Marines all hurried towards the exit and left the underworld to be demolished. Captain Nule headed out, still suppressing his wound.
Elsewhere, the Necrony Lord had teleported to a place where several dead Necrony Warriors lay. He pulled a glowing green orb out of his chest and slammed it into the ground. The Necronies around him surged back to life and walked off to fight.
The Necrony Poniah approached the Necrony Lord. "Bring them back, my Lord." He urged. "The living are escaping..." The Necrony Lord put away his orb and headed of to fight the Pony Marines again.
The Poniah walked over the hill and spotted the bomb, which started beeping. "My Lord!" he called, "The living have-" The bomb exploded with immense power and destruction. Everywhere, Necronies were being crushed under heavy falling rocks and their black structures evaporated into nothingness. The specter, overseeing the destruction, screeched and disappeared in a whirlwind of dark grey smoke.
The final assault against the Necronies in the catacombs under the Crisa'lide Plateau became the thing of legend among the Blood Phoenixes. Descending into that sepulchral underworld, the Battle Siblings must have felt cut off from the Empress's light altogether. Nevertheless, they fought with all the courage and steel of the Equestrium's finest, bringing holy fire to the enemies of all life.
Those Siblings who emerged from that charnel underworld marked their armors with a small elongated skull, emblematic of their fallen Necrony foes. The Chapter's Second Company, which contributed most of the forces sent into Crisa'lide, would add the Necrony skull to its heraldry and adopt the motto "Victory over Death".
After many long and bloody battles, the Blood Phoenixes finally completed their purge of the Planet Cronus. The Battle Barge Stampede of Fury remained in close orbit, imposing a strict prohibition on any visits to the world, while the Fifth Company maintained the Castallium Incorruptus in North Manedea.
The Equestrial Guard's Segmaretum Command lodged protest for the Blood Phoenixes actions, reporting them to the Inquisition. The Blood Phoenixes successfully defended their actions, convincing their interrogators that General Rockvolter should have bowed to the Blood Phoenixes orders and withdrawn.
Nevertheless, the Inquisition kept a watchful eye on the Chapter, for the rumors of hoarded relics never fully abated. Likewise, many in the Guard's command structure never forgot the blood shed on Cronus.
And indeed, the darkest time in the Chapter's history began soon after the war's end.
