Chapter Fifty
Both groups within the cavern just stared up at the newly awakened Imperator Titan, as Scootaloo just looked up at him. With a smile, the pegasus filly nodded to the mighty War God. "Well then, Custos Aeternam! Our friends, and my dad, are out there fighting the bad guy… Are you ready to go help?" She asked him, walking a bit closer.
The Titan just continued to look down at her, his eyes acting like spotlights on the small filly, before his armored head gave a nod… The movement causing more rocks to fall, as his armored carapace scraped against the mountain's walls. "Of course, Princeps. With you at my Command Throne, and an able body crew, we shall burn all before us. In the Emperor's Name, we shall cleanse this world of all its evils." He replied, as a few ramps suddenly lowered from his body, the hooks stabbing into the stone ground like a hot knife through butter. "You, and all those behind you, climb aboard… With your help, I shall break free of my bonds, so that I may defeat our foes."
Scootaloo gave a nod, turning to those behind her. "Climb aboard, everypony! Custos is going to need every hoof, if he is to get out of here!" She announced, the Night Lords nodding, as the ponies looked at one another. They were confused, wondering what the filly was talking about, for they didn't hear the mighty War God say a word. "What's wrong? Didn't you all hear me?" Scootaloo tilted her head, the Night Lords looking at the ponies around them.
Though, Twilight smiled at her daughter, understanding what she meant. "You heard her, everypony… If Scootaloo says the Titan needs help, then that means it does! After all…" She looked up at how the Imperator Titan was staring at Scootaloo, almost like the two were connected to one another, or the mighty War God is able to commune in a form that didn't involve normal speech… Almost like it could possibly use telepathy. This would make a lot of sense, seeing how it was Scootaloo that initated the process of actually waking it. "Let us all get aboard, and pitch in! Night and his brothers have fought to defend Equestria, don't you all think it is about time repay them?" That got a response from the ponies, all cheering in agreement, as the princess walked up to Scootaloo. "What do we need to do, dear?"
The filly smiled up at Twilight, before turning to Custos Aeternam, nodding to him. "Ok, Custos! Tell us what you need, and we'll do our best!" She called out to him, as the Titan's eyes flared for a moment, then narrowed, and went bright once more. He did this a couple more times, leaving the ponies and Astartes to believe that he was actually talking to Scootaloo. Each time the lights made a change, it was like an expression within the Imperator Titan's emotionless face. Once it finished, Scootaloo nodded again, turning back to the groups. "According to him, he'll need the Techmarines, and some engineering savvy ponies, to go to his primary cores and system sectors. There are things he calls 'Servitors' waiting there, and just require the needed instructions to begin work… He said there is also areas that require combat teams to man throughout his body, Servitors also manning majority of them but there are still open positions."
A Night Lord Techmarine gave a nod, and saluted Scootaloo. "I shall lead those worthy deep within the War God, and handle things from there." He said, the filly nodding, before she looked at Twilight and the Mane Six.
"He also said that we will be needing a Command Crew. Most of his systems and functions can be handled once the two of us link together within something he calls a… 'MIU Halo Capsule'. But, the Command Crew is there to handle anything outside of the normal functions, or prove to be more complex." Scootaloo explained, as Twilight gave a nod.
"Then we will go with you, dear… After all, cannot leave my daughter to do everything by herself, without a mother's support." Twilight said, causing Scootaloo to blush a bit.
Though, Konrad Curze also walked up to the group, a fanged smile across his lips. "And I shall join you… After all, you shall require tactical advisement while you're linked with the mighty Imperator… Tactical Advisement that I am willing to give to you." He placed a claw over his heart, with a slight head bow. "A grandfather should also be willing to support his family… Even though I'm not the best one could have, I must abide by this." His input earned a slight giggle from Scootaloo, who didn't really understand what he meant since she's only seen his… "Kinder" side.
"Alright then, everypony! Let us get Custos up and walking out of here!" Scootaloo cheered, before she attempted to fly towards the Imperator Titan's head, but Twilight quickly flew over and decided to carry her instead… All the others taking the ramps, or flying on to the War God's armored body, going deep inside.
The inside of Custos Aeternam was more confusing than Scootaloo and the ponies had every believed, more twists, turns, corridors, and hatches; than one could every believe. The giant War God was like a city within himself, and were lucky that they had the Night Lords there to guide them throughout the entire structures and where they needed to be. Konrad Curze lead the Mane Six to the Imperator Titan's bridge, which sat within his heavily armored head. To their surprise, the command area looked like something out of a science fiction story, matching space bearing space ships! It took every ounce of willpower Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Scootaloo; had to not freak out about how awesome it all looked.
Scootaloo walked to the bridge's center, looking around for what Custos Aeternam said she needed to go into, in order for the two to become linked, but saw nothing. "Hey, Custos… Where is this MIU Capsule thing you told me about? I don't' see anything…" She said, outloud, as the Imperator Titan rumbled a bit.
"It is right in front of you, Little Princeps." He replied, causing Scootaloo to earn a raised brow… But went slack jawed when the bridge shook, the center opening up and a large capsule lowered from the ceiling, another piece coming up from the ground. The glass front opened up, as metal tubes slowly lowered down. "Step within the Capsule, Little Princeps… And we shall become one, our minds linked and our souls connected. So long as I stand, or find you worthy, we shall both exist outside of time."
The filly's eyes scanned the capsule, seeing the tubes, not exactly understanding fully. "What do you mean by… Existing outside of time?" She asked, causing the group, even Konrad, to look at her.
"My Life Support Functions are unique… Thanks to the one who sacrificed his existence in order to create and bring me here. With them, you shall age until your body has reached its peak, then it shall forever remain in such a state until I either fall or no longer find you worthy, cutting you off from the function." Custos Aeternam answered, causing Scootaloo to gasp with sheer surprise.
"Y-You mean… I practically become… Like an alicorn? I could live for centuries?" She asked, all the ponies and Night Lords presence becoming dumbfounded by the new information.
"If that is the equivalent of such life sustaining functions… Then yes, you shall become this 'Alicorn' state." He agreed, Scootaloo staring at the capsule. "My Creator, who only called himself 'The Doctor' found the function most agreeable. He believed that one on par with a God should have such immortalizing powers, giving it to those I see as worthy, like that of a real God." Steam released from the capsule, causing Scootaloo to step back a hair, but saw everything was prepared for her inside. "Do you accept this gift, Little Princeps, along with the responsibilities that come with being my partner?"
Scootaloo could not believe what she was just told… Custos Aeternam practically said she would become immortal, so long as he is still alive or finds her worthy enough for the task. In all honesty, she felt like this was one of her many hero comics. The filly's very own superhero origin story in the making! Not to mention, with Custos Aeternam's help, she could help Night Claw in combating Equestria's evils, probably even go toe to toe with some powerful bad guy like Triek one day! With a wide grin, and a nod, Scootaloo flew up to the capsule's center, and stood up proudly. "I accept, Custos! Now, let us go save my dad and everypony else!"
"Princeps Accepted. All MIU Halo Systems prepare for Mental Link." At his words, the capsule's glass went down, incasing Scootaloo within its protective cocoon. The strange tubes began to poke against the little filly's body, needs puncturing key areas of her body and started to insert a strange fluid. A larger cord slowly went down, and entered her mouth. Acting as a form of breather for her, which she didn't exactly understand, as a twin pronged one inserted itself within her nose. "Stasis Gel Process: Initiated." In moments, a strange green jelly fluid started to fill up the capsule! It lifted Scootaloo off of her hooves, and to the capsule's center, allowing her to float there while it filled the rest up completely. Slowly, she started to feel tired, sleepy, almost like the gel itself was putting her into some sort of trance. "Neural Link Process… Initiated."
Scootaloo's eyes started to get heavier and heavier, the sight of a shocked Twilight being the last thing she saw, before her eyes fully closed and entered a dream like state… But, instead of the normal sleeping process, her mind's eye shot through a tunnel of colorful light until it reached the bright white light end! In seconds, her sight wasn't filled with a typical foal's dream of being a superhero, but that of the Cavern outside of Custos Aeternam's body. She gazed around, feeling something hard scraping her head as she did so. Strangely enough, where she looked, a light followed her like they were her eyes. "W-What is going on? How can I see this?" Soon, her sight became like a three sixty-degree vision and was aware of everything around her! Every bit of stone, everypony, Servitor, and Night Lord; within Custos Aeternam's body. But, she couldn't exactly move either. "How can this be possible?"
"Neural Link Achieved. Princeps now in full control… Well done, Scootaloo, and welcome. How does it feel, to have the power of a god at the tip of your hooves?" Custos Aeternam asked, his tone changing to sound almost like Scootaloo's but remaining robotic still.
"Y-You mean… That I'm…" Scootaloo's eyes went wide, realizing what he had meant, her voice echoing within the cavern.
"Now a seventy-meter-tall, heavily armed, world burning, walking colossus of a war machine? Yes, yes you are." He answered, as the filly let out an excited squeal of sheer excitement! But, calmed down as the Imperator Titan cut in. "I shall be guiding you from an engineering and logistical stand point… Keeping you updated on ammunition count and functions. Primarch: Konrad Curze has linked up with the tactical array and the other Elements are at their stations, as the Primarch instructed… Now, are you prepared to show the world our combined might?"
"You know it! But, first we need-?"
"An Entrance Song?" Custos Aeternam finished, truly proving that their minds were linked and he could tell what the filly was thinking. "Sorting through your favorite songs and style of music, I have one particular one set within my files for such a matter… Another gift from 'The Doctor', music from his own life and thought it would be suited for when I first deploy."
The song's name suddenly appeared within Scootaloo's sight, making her grin with excitement. "Oh yeah, definitely gotta play that over the speakers, Custos! But, wait, aren't we stuck within this mountain?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
The Imperator Titan's voice began to chuckle at her question. "My dear Scootaloo… When I said seventy-meters-tall… Where did you think my body was? Buried beneath the mountain?" He asked, as Scootaloo gave an affirming nod. "Oh, you're going to love this… I am the mountain!" The blue prints of Custos Aeternam's body suddenly appeared in front of Scootaloo, making her jaw go slack at what he truly looked like. "Get ready for the most epic entrance of your life, Scootaloo… Because, we're about to make this bad guy piss himself. May I take over the speakers, please? I know exactly what to say, to make our big entrance even better."
Scootaloo gave a nod, smirking within the capsule. "You have the speakers, Custos!" She announced, as the entire mountain, around them, started to shake.
-Outside the Twin Peaked Mountains-
The defensive lines were starting to falter again, due to the heavy support from both Spirit of Mother's Will and the Armored Cores in support of the Battle-Station. Many had to fall back, the armored vehicles becoming one giant barricade of metal and heavy fire. Xeron and the main Captains fell back behind the metal wall, since they were not like those that have arrived to support them… Though, that did not stop them from regretting to abandoned their allies to such a fate.
Umbra Equitis fought hard against the overwhelming numbers of Armored Core after Armored Core he was facing, the Imperial Knight fighting with both fire, metal, and curse; as he swung a death blow. Though, he was not invincible, his Ion Shield having been destroyed by a bazooka wielding Armored Core and his armored carapace torn apart by the continuous fire. Swinging his Reaper Chainsword around, he split a melee Armored Core in half, before turning and filling another full of bolter rounds. When he was struck by a heavy rocket, the entire right side being damaged and spilling out liquid plasma and fuel, the Imperial Knight staggered, seeing more and more Armored Cores approaching. Marius narrowed his eyes, letting out a defiant roar. "I am a Knight of both the Imperium and Equestria! Where I stride, all those behind me shall know hope and salvation, while my foe shall know fury a damnation!" He yelled, battle striding towards the large group of Armored Cores, turning into a giant metal battling ram, either slamming them to the side, slicing them in half, trampling them, or shoving them to the ground. "I am Prince Marius Corvain, pilot of Umbra Equitis, the Black Knight of House Corvain!" In one defiant charge, he decimated a great number of the Armored Cores, before three bazooka carrying ones finally took him own, the Imperial Knight falling forward before being taken by the beam of light.
Ariontus charged into the Stormtroopers and Terran Marines, unleashing a terrifying roar of anger and hate, blood spilling all over with each swing of his chainaxes. He did not waste time with words, only the laughter of madness and insanity filled bloodlust. Despite the Stormtroopers and Terran Marines striking his crimson ceramite clad body, he just kept charging into their ranks and slaughtering those before him like some sort of daemon of war. When a heavy blaster crew of Shock Troopers opened fired upon him, the Khorne Berserker staggered back, before his T-Shaped Visor glared at the Shock Troopers and gave them a challenging pose. "You dare challenge me, mortals!?" He demanded, causing the Shock Trooper to look at one another, feeling like they've made a mistake, and Ariontus began to laugh. "So be it! I shall paint this battlefield with your blood!" With that, he charged straight for them. "Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne! I am Ariontus, Khorne Berserker of the Unbreakable Warband and Guardian of Fluttershy! Feel. My. Wrath!" He roared, cleaving into their ranks and sending limbs every which way. "I shall not fail!" But, despite being such a deadly warrior, Ariontus was not immortal and proned to the weakness of the flesh… With each kill, another Shock Trooper fired a burst from his heavy blaster, wounding him further. His entire frame becoming a blasted heap, but he refused to give up and continued to charge towards other Shock Troopers. He cleaved those around him, but more blasts sent him flying back and on to the ground… The red armored Stormtroopers not taking second chances, and blasting the downed Khorne Berserker even more, before a white light slammed down and teleported Ariontus away.
Kharion and Augustus kept up their heavy support fire, the twin heavy weapons Astartes trying their best to pin down any heavy unit or vehicle, while Aythan and Lumarion stayed next to them. Though, their position was more exposed than the others and they were not meant for close range combat. This did not stop the three, and continued their fire, trying to take who they could. When Aythan's bolter ran out of ammunition, he quickly drew his thermal blade and began cutting those that got too close, Lumarion doing the same with his curved power sword once the melta-gun's charge reached zero, while Kharion and Augustus resorted to using their enhanced strength to break their bodies with powerful punches or kicks. However, despite the heavy resistance to damage of both Aythan and Lumarion, they soon fell against several vollies of gauss fire from the Terran Marines, leaving the two heavy weapon specialists to try and fend off their foes. Augustus soon following his old squadmate, being hit by a sniper blast right through his helmet, which caused Kharion to look at the fallen Ultramarine before he and Aythan were teleported away. "Rest well, brothers…" He muttered, before pointing his sonic weapon towards the advancing forces, blowing them away with pure sonic energy. "Seems like… I'll be silenced, soon." He grinned, blaster fire and gauss rounds striking his body, making him stagger. "This may be so, but I shall not be silenced so easily! For when I go, I shall not go quietly in the darkness!" He yelled, hitting several keys on his sonic weapon, causing it to charge up. The continuous fire against his body caused Kharion to fall to both of his knees, but he kept playing and charging his weapon. When it keyed in as prepared, his visor flashed as every amp on his armor's back began to roar with life. "Do you hear that sound? Because I'm amplified!" With that, he unleashed the full force of his charged weapon, sending scores of Stormtroopers and Terran Marines flying away before Kharion fell forward, the light claiming him.
Deep within Darth Various' ranks, a large death circle had been made by Ayden, Azress, and Ter'rion… The three melee specialists of Deathwatch Squad Imperalis readied for any brave enough to actually enter their kill range. Each one tempting a Stormtrooper or Terran Marine to try them, melee weapons ready and covered in the blood of their enemies. With a snicker, Ayden kept his eyes locked on those in front of him before speaking to his brothers. "Looks like… We'll all be going back soon… Who thinks we should go out with a bang, hm?" He asked, slightly looking back at the two assault marines behind him.
"I have yet to appear in the story I'm in… So, I have all the time in the world. "Azress said, before cleaving a Stormtrooper in half with his Valor's Edge. "What about you, Ter'ron?" He asked, wiping a big of his hair away.
The Black Dragon cleave the head off of a Terran Marine, before slamming his other wrist talon square into another's heart. "I have a duty to Trixie, and need to get back… So, how about we make this quick, hm? Not so flashy this time." Ter'ron said, before kicking the head of a Stormtrooper clean off and turned the remains within said helmet to nothing but a bloody mess. "You two really need to be more efficient."
"That's the red asshole there's problem, not mine. He always wants to make some big scene with everything." Ayden said, before he split a Terran Marine down the middle, grabbing another by the collar and head butting them… Breaking through the dome helmet and their face to cave in. "So, how many explosives do you all have? I got three."
"Five." Azress answered.
"Two." Ter'ron added.
"That makes seven… Heh, let's send them to hell. All together now!" Ayden yelled, as the three primed their explosives, and leapt for three different massed positions of enemies. Each of them letting out the war cry of their Chapter, before said explosives went off and created three different infernos among Darth Various' ranks. Three lights appeared within the infernos, causing the flames to part, before claiming the fallen Astartes.
Near the large barricade of vehicles, both Zul'hal and Zarrix stood side by side, the two Terminators breathing heavily while watching the overwhelming odds start to mass in front of them. They watched Ironhorn swoop in on to two of the Armored Cores, quickly transforming and blasting two more before a pair of heavy weapons Armored Cores open fired on to him… Blasting the Insecticon, tearing his entire torso open and fell back. Zu'hal watched the light come down on top of him, teleporting Ironhorn away, and gave a sigh. "Seems like… It is just the two of us, Zarrix." The Salamanders said.
Zarrix watched Aerion charge towards many of the Terran Marines, slicing them to pieces, proving to be more than a match for the heavy infantry… Drawing the attention of a nearby Armored Core, who then proceeded to blast the high threat before he could become more of a danger. This caused the Warsmith to give a sigh of his own, shaking his armored head. "Agreed, Zu'hal… Here I thought I wouldn't pull another suicide charge again." He laughed, as the Salamander gave a nod.
"You and me both, I get the feeling father enjoys such a thing from us Terminators." Zu'hal joked, gripping both his thunderhammer and stormshield tightly.
Zarrix also laughed at his joke, nodding. "Well, we are the most venerated of our groups, and not yet turned to Dreadnoughts, so it is to be expected from the likes of us." He admitted, detaching the spent stormbolters. "So, want to join me in the war cry?" His lightning claws cracked to life, the Iron Warrior staring down his foes.
Zu'hal placed the thunderhammer over his chest, in a prayer like state, before nodding. "It would be an honor, brother… Let us strike fear in our foes, with his name." The two took a combat stance together.
With a nod from each, they both went into a dead sprint! Their heavy foot falls sounding like thunder, the Terminators roaring three words that filled them with zeal and fury, while Darth Various' forces only knew fear. "For the Emperor!" The pair disappeared within the amass of Terran Marines and Stormtroopers… Blaster, gauss rounds, and bodies of both; flying every which way before two beams of lights came down and claimed the fallen Astartes.
Behind the barricade of vehicles, Xeron slammed a clawed fist into a tank's haul, right after the last of their support was taken. "Damnit!" He roared, slamming another into the tank. "We cannot hold any longer! And that bastard is firing upon the mountain! What are we going to do, not even melta-charges can bring that Battle-Station down, and we are out gunned." This time, he slammed his helmeted head into the tank, as if abusing himself will cause an idea to appear within his mind.
Behind him, the Captains all gathered around Galaxia, who had freed herself of Reaper's ejected pilot seat and now stood within a protective circle of Night Lords. "Looks like our only option, is to fall back within the mountain." Malachiorn said, looking back at the damaged cavern entrance, where Fluffy rested allowed his injuries to slowly heal. "Maybe the Forgefiend could act as a diversion, seeing as he is finished."
"NO!" Galaxia yelled, staring at the Terminator Captain. "I'm not losing another, to him! He's already claimed so many, and taken Hon away from us!" Malachiorn held up both hands, showing that he retracted the idea completely now.
"Then what do you suppose we do, little one? I doubt you can summon another giant titan class for us to fight with." Jago asked, staring down at a now nervous Galaxia, who used her hoof to dig into the ground a bit. "Didn't think so." The Atramentar Captain's gaze went to Xeron, who had stopped abusing himself and now faced the others. "So, what are we going to do, Commander?"
Just as Xeron was about to answer, the Spirit of Mother's Will's intercom blared on, drawing their attention. "Well then, I think that is enough, don't you?" Darth Various said, chuckling a bit and made them glare up at the Battle-Station. "So, are we going to be good little insects, and accept or fate? Or are we going to keep resisting and cause your deaths to be painful? If you surrender, and hand over that little precious Silver Star, then I'll be more than happy to end your existence quickly, and painlessly."
Xeron's grip tightened, as he glaring up at the Battle-Station's bridge. "Never! We will not be handing her over to the likes of you!" He replied, as Darth Various gained a disappointed frown at such a response.
"X-Xeron, please… We have nothing else, and I rather you not-!"
"It is not open for discussion, Galaxia… He wants you, and we're going to deny him that." Xeron answered, not even looking at the filly, while the other Captains shielded her even more. "They all died to keep going this long, it would disgrace them if we just gave up now." A thought suddenly appeared within his mind, actually making him snicker a bit. "Giving who we are, such a tactic would be common… Buuuut, we've changed a bit and this caused our outlook on things to change as well."
"Immortalizing words, I'm sure." Darth Various said, over the intercom, before nodding. "Fine then… You shall all die, here and-huh?"
The sounds of some base alarm started to sound from the mountain, being muffled and sounding like it was coming from the very stone. When heavy instruments started, the Sith realized what was happening.
"Oh, what now!?" He roared, before the lyrics started.
Another mission
The powers have called me away
Another time
To carry the colors again
My motivation
An oath I've sworn to defend
To win the honor
Of coming back home again
No explanation
Will matter after we begin
Unlock the dark destroyer that's buried in me
My true vocation
And now my unfortunate friend
You will discover
A war you're unable to win
I'll have you know
That I've become
The entire mountain started to shake! Boulders and stones rolling down, as it seemed like an earthquake actually took hold of the area. Not even the Night Lords could hold their footing, falling down alongside the Royal Guards stationed within their ranks. "W-What's h-happening?" Galaxia asked, before she slipped but was caught by Talos.
"I-I don't know!" Talos answered, as Xeron dug his claws into the ground to help keep his footing, the prophet tossing Galaxia to him and caught her. "But, it seems like this entire area is about to go under!"
That's when it hit the Night Raptor… Only one thing could cause such a thing so suddenly, and he remembers the very first time he saw such a destructive presence. "I-It can't be… But, how?" He said, looking up at the Twin Peak Mountains, as metal spikes started to appear.
Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side
A terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable
Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you're alive
I'm an indestructible master of war
At the last word, the entire mountain exploded, throwing rocks and boulders everywhere, crushing the Stormtroopers and Terran Marines not fast enough to get out of the way. The entire area was covered with dust from said mountain's explosion, the lyrics still going. All eyes were up at its center, when a bellowing roar sounded, and the silhouette of something massive within it appeared. "I… Have… AWAKENED!" A powerful voice boomed overhead, causing those below to cover their ears, Darth Various falling back within his Battle-Station's bridge at the sudden explosion. "Cower, Mortals and Foes of Equestria, for the Eternal Guardian, Custos Aeternam, has come to bring terrible vengeance upon you!"
Before any could react, a massive, six-barrel cannon exploded out from within the giant dust cloud and open fired with high powered energy blasts! Effectively destroying several gun platforms on the Spirit of Mother's Will, causing the entire Battle-Station to shake from the sudden and destructive burst! "W-What the hell!?" Darth Various yelled, never expecting such destructive firepower to suddenly appear, but paled when he saw the weapon arm that caused the attack. "N-No way… You have got to be kidding me!?"
Another reason
Another cause for me to fight
Another fuse uncovered
Now, for me to light
My dedication
To all that I've sworn to protect
I carry out my orders
With not a regret
A declaration
Embedded deep under my skin
A permanent reminder
Of how we began
No hesitation
When I am commanding the strike
You need to know
That you're in for the fight of your life
You will be shown
How I've become
Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side
A terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable
Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you're alive
From within the smoke, several volleys from numerous, and uncountable, turrets opened up! Causing the dust cloud to disappear and reveal the very Imperator Titan that had been acting as the Twin Peaked Mountains finally appeared! His black and silver trimmed body shining within the sunlight, the vengeful knight helm glaring up at the Spirit of Mother's Will's bridge. The entire first, second, third, and all the way up to the tenth; wave of Darth Various' army had been wiped out completely! Infantry, vehicle, aircraft, Armored Core, heavy transport; nothing remained from the War God's burst attack… Only the scorch marks from the heavy arsenal aboard his mighty body marked where his foes once massed.
"F-Fire! Fire, bring that damn thing down before it fires its Hellstorm Cannon again! Take it out, TAKE IT OUT!" Darth Various ordered, as Custos Aeternam started to charge his primary weapon once more. Every remaining forward gun platform aimed directly at the Imperator Titan, and open fired at him!
However, when the words "I'm an indestructible master of war." Sounded from the song, the Imperator's eyes flared brightly, the void shields suddenly going to full power and actually deflecting every incoming it had! "Pitiful…" Custos Aeternam bellowed, before seeing more of Darth Various' forces moving up, and prepared another volley to take them out. "I shall focus on our foe, Princeps… I give controls over to you."
I'm...
Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side
A terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable
Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you're alive
I'm an indestructible master of war
Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side
A terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable
Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you're alive
I'm an indestructible master of war
At the War God's feet, the Night Lords and Royal Guards were all dumbfounded at the Imperator's sudden, and timely, appearance. Though, Galaxia kept hopping up and down, cheering. "Mr. CA is awake! Mr. CA is awake!" Over and over.
Xeron could not believe it, but the truth of the matter was literally standing in front of him, decimating the very thing pushing them back with ease. "B-But… How? Who could be piloting it?" He muttered, dumbfounded.
"Dad! You guys stay within my shadows, leave things to me!" A familiar filly's voice shouted over the Imperator Titan's speakers, making the entire command squad go slack jawed.
"S-Scootaloo!?" They all yelled, their upper bodies going limp and staring up at the Imperator Titan's frame, hearing said filly giggling at their sudden revelation of who is piloting the World Burner before them.
"You got it! Commander Scootaloo is on the field!" She giggled, looking down at the advancing AT-ATs coming towards her, the lower body turrets taking aim and opening fire on them. The heavy walkers didn't stand a chance against the Imperator's armaments, being torn apart by the turrets and missile pods, not even the Armored Cores could withstand the hellstorm of destructive fire power. Though, volleys of missiles and blasters struck the upper void shields, causing Scootaloo's attention to be drawn up and see the aircraft trying to swarm her. "Gah, you guys are annoying as flies! Time to bust out the fly swatter!" Scootaloo shouted, before the las-weapons and missiles stationed on the siege towers began to open fire! Actually acting as anti-aircraft guns, and taking them out with ease.
Seeing her stride closer to the Spirit of Mother's Will, said Battle-Station starting to stagger back and away from said War God, rallied the Night Lords and caused them to charge beneath Custos Aeternam's shadow! "Forward, brothers! And I can't believe I'm saying this, but follow Scootaloo to victory!" Xeron yelled, pointing towards the currently being decimated Army of Darth Various. The Night Lords all let out war cries and wails, charging forward or taking to the skies. Though, Galaxia decided to stay behind and make sure Fluffy was going to be alright.
Noticing said Battle-Station's speed increasing backwards, Custos Aeternam's mind began to run the calculations of how to effectively halt the Spirit of Mother's Will and leave it to the War God's wrath. When the calculations were completed, it came to a single conclusion and needed to inform Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, we have a problem."
"What is it, Custos?" She asked, having her lower turrets continue fire on the AT-ATs, Infantry, and Armored Core beneath her, while the ones on her siege towers continued to shoot down any incoming air craft. "Something the matter?"
"That would be correct… At its current speed, that Battle-Station will out run us and get away." He answered, a targetter appearing around Spirit of Mother's Will, numbers appearing next to it and showing how fast the Battle-Station was moving. "We need to take out one of those forward legs, if we are to stop it and destroy it for good."
Scootaloo read the information in front of her, having Twilight recheck it and agree with Custos' calculations. "Do we have anything that can do that? Besides the Hellstorm Cannon?" She asked, searching through the Imperator Titan's arsenal to find something, the primary weapon has charged up fully yet to unleash a volley at one of the legs.
"We do, however… It only has one shot, so we'll have that one chance to hit." Custos Aeternam answered, bringing up the weapon specs for Scootaloo. "It is known as the Quake Cannon, positioned just above the command bridge and between the two forward Siege Towers. A single shot from this will decimate one of the forward legs, another behind it, and any gun platforms around it. Shall I prepare to fire it?"
"Do it, Custos… Give me a targeting vector, and we'll stop that behemoth in its tracks!" Scootaloo ordered, having the Imperator Titan go into a fully battle stride. Though, she felt something strange, and terrible, send a chill down her spine. It was like she could hear the wailing of hundreds of ponies in her mind, and directly behind her head. All the while, she could also feel a powerful weapon starting to charge up.
"Just a few more moments, Scootaloo… Quake Cannon is almost ready to fire." He informed, as the filly felt a large cannon on her back starting to lower itself and take aim towards the Spirit of Mother's Will's left side forward leg. A targeting ridicule appeared around the leg, appearing from green to red after a couple of minutes. "Quake Cannon primed, and ready to fire. Target locked, awaiting firing command."
Scootaloo passed the order for all those aboard Custos Aeternam to hold on, knowing such a destructive weapon will have one heck of a backlash, before leaning forward. "Fire!" She blared, from within the capsule and in the speakers. The charged Quake Cannon let lose a discharge of energy, before it fired at the Spirit of Mother's Will! The cannon firing released such a force, that it caused a shockwave to reach those beneath it, knocking everyone down to the ground, and those within to fall down to their backs. However, their attack flew forward regardless and homed in on their target.
Darth Various' eyes grew wide, seeing the destructive weapon actually fire at them, and watched its round approach them in slow motion. He could hear the wailing screams of those who were sacrificed to make such a devastation round, and nearly felt their vengeful cries grab hold of his very soul! When it struck the Spirit of Mother's Will's forward left leg, the entire Battle-Stations shook from its destruction, the disabling of the leg behind hit, and utter decimation of any weapon platform around the forward left leg! The Sith actually had to hold on to something, as the Battle Station tried to regain its balance, trying to compensate for the mission and damaged leg. "Damnit… They just keep coming up with near weapons. All remaining weapon platforms, and yes I mean all of them, open fire on that damn titan! I want its shields down and destroyed! Reduce it to scrap!"
The entire Battle-Station roared to life with every weapon platform, from minor guns to heavy cannons and missile pods, began to open fire on to Custos Aeternam. But the Titan held its ground, and returned the abuse in kind! Now, their battle was on equal ground and hope began to seed within Equestria's defenders once again.
