Chapter 1: Many intersecting paths

"We discovered this Xeno within the confines of the planetary capital, taking refuge within the goveners palace" said one of the marines, this one wearing the distinct imperial purple and the honour of the Palatine Aquila, as he addressed his gene sire, a man of both beaulty and grace as another stood by his side as an equal.

Fulgrim looked upon the Xeno with a barely restraint look of disgust, the single Xeno was held with chains upon both her legs and arms as to restrict her movement with both held onto a single manacle upon their neck, the prominent pointed ears and larger than human height belayed her origins as their vestments of black with parts of white was tattered and bloodied, while the female looked at Fulgrim with tears and a fearful face.

"Bee... It seems this... pest has been saying our Warmaster has fallen to these so called "chaos gods" and that some great calamity is to befall our glorious Imperium" Fulgrim said to the person to his side.

Standing beside him was a man of dark coloured skin, his pair of shades and white hair belayed his size, standing just under a foot near Fulgrim as multiple blades were in positions around his person, he carried himself on armour of black, a snarling fox head showing upon his pauldron while the other pauldron carried a creature that looked a cross between a bull and an octopus.

"Is there any evidence of this claim?" Bee asked, a calmness upon his voice.

"Does it matter Bee? This Xeno by it's nature cannot be trusted. I would rather you deal with this mess. I have a certain govener to reprimand by letting such 'xeno' grace my presence"

Fulgrim moved away from the lone female, as his astartes followed to ensure that his Liege's will be enforced upon those that would disgrace him

"Ohh and Bee... Do be speedy in your judgement. I will need your council after this work is done" Fulgrim said as he left the area, a small tone of brotherly kindness upon his voice.

The pair were within a clearing near the planetary capital, a place far away from any citizens that could see such an event. The Asuryani woman was crying while her voice was barely a whisper. Bee could see that even for beings as old as they are this female was but an adolescence of her race.

"Please" she whispered "I do not want to die... Please help me, save me from she who thirst"

Bee merely drew one of his blades, as he stepped to the side of the Asuryani,her tears and crying was now becoming more hysterical as she comes to the reality that her life is forfeit.

"I am Sorry for this" Bee said.

The young woman held her eyes closed as the sounds of a blade cutting the air rung through the clearing, a clash of metal upon itself was heard yet the thumping of the Asuyani's heart paced at a rapid beat, she had though that death would be more dramatic yet she could still feel the slight pains of her wounds.

She was confused, was she not to be executed by this Mon'keigh? She opened her eyes and stared in mute silence at what layed before her.

The weight of the chains that were binding her layed upon the ground before her as she could feel the binding of her neck free, her hands were also freed from the chains as she dared to look up upon the astartes whom just did this act.

He looked upon her with his glasses still covering his eyes, yet she could see that his look conveyed feelings of forgiveness and mercy. She quickly skirted away from the solder as she took upon shaky legs, as Bee sheathed his weapon.

"You must move quickly, I can only give you soo much time" Bee said as he looked upon this woman.

He first reaction was to draw upon the warp to destroy this mon'keigh. Yet that would not only show her position but also leave a bitter taste within her mouth, instead she merely asked a single question.

"Why?"

"Because it is the right thing to do. Fulgrim hasn't been himself and I have a feeling what you are saying is the truth. You need to tell those who lead your people that the Imperium is compromised, none of us can be trusted"

"Who are you?" the eldar woman said, as now fear cleared from her head and only curiosity was what remained.

"My name is Killer Bee. Captain of the 6th company of the shadow foxes"

"You are not a son of Fulgrim?"

"No. Fulgrim is my friend and blood brother in arms. My genefather is Naruto Uzumaki, a good friend and someone whom I trust with my life"

"Bee" a distant voice said "Are you finished yet?"

"Go now. Leave this place and tell this warning to those whom lead you" by now Bee pointed to the forest surrounding the clearing, away from the echoes of the other voice

"Go! Before both of our lives are forfeit"

The Asuryani rushed to the other side of the clearing, but paused for a moment and looked onwards towards bee, a look of gratitude upon her face

"Thank you Bee"

She faded among the clearing, her heart beating among her chest as she uttered a incantation to render her immune to the sight of others within her vicinity, using the immaterium to blend into the space beyond vision.

Her curiosity of the mon'keigh was however too much still to ignore and so she returned to the edge of the forest, only to be in shock to see herself kneeling before Bee while Fulgrim had returned before him.

"You are still here Bee? I had thought you were going to be more efficient in your judgement than this"

"Honour demands that I at least give final rites to those whom this blade will kill. You of all people know of this"

"This Xeno is not human, they are not deserving of honour"

"All life is deserving of honour Fulgrim. It is the difference between us and animals. A Beast merely kills for it's own selfish means, a man kills to defend both their family and loved ones"

"Very well then Bee. You have made your point. Now please finish this"

Bee stood behind the woman, as tears poured from their eyes, and in a swift motion, their head departed from their body.

The Asuryani woman held her breath as she was witness to what could have been her own death, the thought of that happening filling her with a sense of dread behind her horror filled visage. Yet she did not utter a sound, lest that fate becomes her own truly.

Bee swiped the blade a few times in the air to remove the blood stain upon his blade, as he finally sheathed his weapon. Yet he could not help shake the feeling of Fulgrim doing an action that gives him concern.

"Fulgrim"

"Yes Bee?"

"That blade, why have you got it out and pointing towards me?"

Fulgrim's face was in confusion until he looked towards his hand and noticed one of his blades within his hand, facing towards Bee.

This blade was of almost otherworldly beaulty, the blade itself of a magnificent silver sheen, a gentle curve gave the blade a gace unlike others within it's class, the handle was wrapped in golden patterns and a handle made from a scaled skin from a creature long gone from Imperial records, and the final piece of the blade held a symbol of two horns gently carresing a lonely amethyst gem, a crudely cut piece that looked out of place upon the weapon.

"I... I am sorry Bee" Fulgrim said, sheathing the blade back into it's sheath.

"Fulgrim... That blade is not good for you. I have seen you use that blade more times than you use fireblade, there is something wrong about that thing Fulgrim. Even now I can feel something undernearth it, as though it covers itself in an aura of inocence."

"Bee" Fulgrim says, gently touching his shoulder as he looks towards his friend and blood brother

"I see that you have much concern for me my brother. But let me assure you that I am perfectly fine" at this Fulgrim smiled at Bee

"I care because you are my blood brother Fulgrim. This crusade has changed you, and I fear not for myself but for your own health and safety"

Bee drew one of the blades from his back, this one was made of a sheen of brilliant purple, as it was styled in the shape of an ancient Terrain design, this blade held a guard of silver as the handle was weaved with the colours of purple and gold within it's handle, Bee looked upon the blade as a smile came upon his face.

"This blade was made by your hand Fulgrim. This is a gift I will always cherish, yet this blade also comes with the responsibility to ensure that it's creator is of sound mind and of good heart, this blade is more than frienship to me Fulgrim. It represents family" as Bee sheathed the blade he looked at Fulgrim with a brotherly smile, holding his hand out towards his shoulder.

"You and Ferrus are both my Family, along with my brother Aye, and family looks out for each other"

"I... thank you Bee."

The two walked out of the clearing towards the main capital, discussing matters that were of importance while the corpse of the asuryani was laying upon the ground.

After a few moments, a flicker of the air gave way to the same asuryani looking upon her own corpse, a look of shock upon her face.

She looked upon the face of this supposed illusion and was shocked at how accurate the body looked, yet as she looked more into it, the corpse convulsed and started to break down until only a blood soaked ground was before her.

She backed away as she realised that this was not some act of the warp, but something different all together, something new and potentially important.

Not wasting any time she rushed back to the nearest webway point, where her backup entourage were awaiting for her, she had information that must be given to the seer council, as it pertains to the fates of all.

"I must Say Lee... Your hand to hand combat astounds me every single time we spar"

This was coming from a giant of a man, as the other combatant was engaging the giant in close quarters combat. The much smaller man was pushing the giant back as their blows were displacing the very air around them. The giants armour, made from crafts of his own and showing the scales of a mighty dragon shined with a glorious green, while his opponent merely had a simple black set of armour, a snarling fox on one paudron while the other had a detailed lotus blosom upon the other.

The other fighting the giant did not wear any helmet, as his bowl cut hairstyle was shown with pride, his eyes burned with a fire that could move mountains while his eyebrows were of an almost unnatural shape.

"Thank you Vulkan sensei, It feels good to spar against a man as youthful as yourself"

"Ohh Lee" Vulkan said, as a combo of vicious jabs and hooks were executed to the smaller Lee, yet the warrior merely dodged the combo as though the attacks were moving in slow motion, yet the enviroment that was struck by said blows bellayed the strength of those strikes as great craters of dust were made, the marterial that had taken those blows obliterated from the backlash.

"Even now you still wish to not fight with your servo's online?" Vulkan asked as the two continued their so called spar.

"I must continue to push myself Vulkan sensei, and the only way for my body to push past it's limits is if I give it barriers it must learn to surpass. My armour can protect me from blows my body cannot handle, but what if my armour cripples me because it cannot move? I must be strong even without it"

The two pulled back from each other, one looking upon the other with a look of contentment and a bit of comradery.

Lee was unprepared for the sudden grasp of his smaller form into the arms of the massive primarch, his form being crushed in a hug of both affection and pride upon Vulkans face. Lee in return pushed his being into Vulkan, and above the crushing hug proceeded to give the primarch the same showing.

"Lee, you make me proud to have given you training within the art of war. You make me happy to have such an apprentice"

"Vulkan Sensei!"

The two shared in a moment of contentment, as one was expressing his happiness at showing one whom was both a keen learner of his style of combat and war, while also carrying a heart much like his own. While the other found warmth upon a man whom felt like a second father.

"Sensei Vulkan, can I talk to you about something?"

"what is troubling you Lee?" Vulkan said, as the two took a seat near their combat clearing, the two of them letting their ache's settle.

"It's about Mortarion sensei"

"What is it about my brother that troubles you?" Vulkan ask, a clear look of curiosity among his face.

"Even though he hides it very well, I can see that he has this look of scorn among those who have psychic powers, as though he is disgusted by it"

"Mortarion has been through much Lee. I have only heard rumours and parts of his past but I know that something happened on his home that has lead him to have this anger at them."

"That's the thing Vulkan sensei, when he looks at me he seems to be somewhat pleased that I am with chakra, as though he wished he could hold this power coursing through my veins, yet it feels like he has this...disgust for himself. It is not something I wish for him to have"

"Ohh lee, you have a heart that most people would see as a weakness. Yet I see that as a strength. My brother has been scarred by the otherworldly too many times to forgive it, yet it seems that he even hates himself for having the same potential. I find this sad that he cannot forgive even himself"

"Well sensei, even if Mortarion sensei doesn't appreciate himself, I will do everthing in my power to make sure he finds happiness, even if I have to be the one to give him a reason to appeciate what he has"

"Lee, you are a truly kind hearted person, a refreshing take in this galaxy of gloom. Please Lee, don't change, even when everything around you does"

Date: [REDACTED]

Shadow Fox Legion Company's 5th 'Silent Ghost', 6th,7th Fleet command

Current location: Unknown, in transit

"How accurate is this information?"

this was the important question asked during the meeting between fellow Captains Darui, Killer Bee and Lee along with their most senior members and lieutenants of their battle companies. Darui himself was the one whom asked this question as they were given information by Bee, and judging by the looks on all three of their faces, the information painted a grim image.

"It has been confirmed by both Fulgrim and Ferrus to my own person, so you know the information comes straight from the Warmaster himself"

"To think such a thing would happen, all those comrades" Lee said, giving a little sombre look upon his face as he tried to envision what had happened.

"We must inform our companies, prepare them and perhaps allow them to seek closure on personal matters before we commit to the coming battle"

"I agree with you Darui" Bee said as he stood up, he was the only one whom his lieutenant was not present among the senior command, yet this did not deter or change the man's focus. "Giving a moment to our brothers and sisters will ensure that they can at least have no regrets if the worse was to happen"

"Then we shall see that our friends and family are in a happy and joyous mood before the coming of the dark. I do not wish to see our comrades die for nothing"

"Then I will take my leave. Strength to stand brothers"

"Courage to you Captain Bee" Darui and Lee said as Bee returned to his main ship in a flash of light.

"I will return aswell captain Darui, I wish you and my comrades safe times" Lee said as he also flashed in a pulse of light, leaving Darui by himself. His senior command were around him while he contempated the information he was just given.

"Lieutenant"

"Aye Captain" One of Darui's Lieutenants gave a salute while addressing him

"Gather the company in the main hall for an annoucement, and make sure all personell are there for the news"

"It shall be done my captain"

"Also... where is Senior Seargent Blake and Seargent Sun?"

Various Sounds were echoing across the hallway as Darui made his way to his destination, the subtle sounds of moans and happy mewling sounds giving him a vague idea of what one of his senior command was currently engaged in.

He stood before a blast door, much like the others around the same corridor, yet he knew this was his destionation. He gave three loud knocks before promply opening the blast door.

The smell of love making was pungent in the air, the mix of pheomones and smells making even his transhuman nose recoil slightly, yet within the middle of the room, on a bed big enough to support two astartes side by side layed Blake Belladona, flushed and holding her bedsheets towards her blushing face, while next to him in the same state was Sun Wukong, one of his other more escoterric sergents within his company

"I thought you two would have been notified of the meeting?"

"Sorry Captain" Blake said, her face still flushed as she looked into her pillow, unable to stare at her captain in such an embarrased state

"I'm not as sorry Cap." Sun said as blake gave him a little tap on his head "I would rather spend time with my Blake than be bogged down in those boring meetings with the other captains"

"Well you two, you want to get changed, the whole company is meeting in the great hall, and this aint optional"

"But Captin" Sun said as he looked at the man with a look of outrage "What about our couple time?"

"What about it?" Darui said, he turned away from the door as he walked down the corridor "Dont be late you two"

Darui was giving a quiet chuckle as the sounds of once happy moments gave way to frustrating yells and pleads of forgiveness.

Bee walked into the barracks of one of his companies, two individuals were chatting towards each other, one looked like she was talking quite vigorously towards the other, a male whom was quite a different contrast to the female, yet one could see the small smile of affection upon his face.

"And then I was all like, 'Blam!' and the orks was all 'Waagh!' and I started screaming out, and we both started to just scream into each other and it was pretty fun and I got to boop the ork with my hammer and he went WAAAY far, and I then got all his mates all angry and they were like 'OI u killed da boss!' and I was like 'And what are you gonna do about it?' and they got all angry and ran towards me and I booped them too! It was fun! Wasnt it fun Ren?"

"Seems you were having a blast Nora"

"I mean these orks are nothing to those grim on Remnant! Ohh that reminds me that I got to send some things back home and I got to sort out all the different types of laundry we got back home and we got to tell all the others in the other companies when we all got to meet together and I got to get Jaune something nice and all cause he is sooo down in the gutter at the moment... Do you think he would like hammers?"

Bee gave a loud clearing of his throat to get the pair's attention. Nora and Ren looked towards the guest only to give a quick salute, well it was more Nora giving an exagerated salute while Ren was more informal on his one

"Brother Ren, Sister Nora. I see that the both of you are in good spirits"

"Ready for anything and everything sir!" Nora said, a huge grin upon her face, while Ren gave a small sigh in the background.

"Just came to tell you both there is a meeting in the grand hall in twenty, and to ask where my first command lieutenant is currently at. He was supposed to be at the senior meeting but didn't show up"

"Ohh... umm" Nora said nervously, a stark contrast compared to her usually cheerful self "Jaune is kinda..."

"He is in training room 7 sir, he is... doing his thing" Ren replied

"I see" Bee said, a solemn look upon his face, "well you two best go to the meeting, I will get Jaune"

"Good Luck sir" Nora said as Bee walked out from the room.

It was ten minutes later when the sound of clashing metal and the groan of the ship alerted him to his missing lieutenant, he could see that the door was closed yet that didn't stop him from entering the arena.

Inside the room, many different training ranges were scattered across the room, from targeting ranges, to various obstacle courses to even a full weapons trial range for his men and women to hone their marksman craft, yet all of them were empty except the main combat arena where a lone figure was in the middle of his sword stances.

"Alright Jaune, Just like we Practiced... follow these instructions"

This message was being played from and old model of communicator, one from Remnant's past, yet Jaune merely stood in a ready stance, a look of determination upon his face

"Shield Up"

He raised his shield, this shield was of a gold and white, yet the shield had many dents and maulings. Marks of many combat scenarios and near death situations.

"Keep your grip tight"

He held his weapon, a masterfully crafted sword, firm within his powered gauntlet, the metal was not strained yet the grip was absolute.

"Don't forget to keep your front foot forward"

Jaune stood ready, his battle stance honed through years of purpose and of zeal.

"Ready?... Go"

With a mighty roar, an arc of energy struck from his blade to the targets in front of him, these being

reinforced training dummies meant to handle even the most destructive abuse were cleaved like roses upon the titanic strike given by Jaune.

"Again"

A second strike destroyed a second set of dummies, these fared even worse then the first set.

"And Again"

A third set of dummies were destroyed as parts of the ships hull strained against the destructive power of Jaune's strikes. He stood there, breathing heavily as his vision was reduced to a single minded purpose, while his body was short of breath even for one that had ascended from his human origins.

"Okay... Now Assuming you aren't cheating. We can take a break"

Jaune felt the weight of many things settle upon his shoulders as he took in breaths of air upon his three lungs, both the fatigue of the body, mind and soul weighted heavy upon him even in these few moments of respite.

"I know this can be frustrating... and it can feel like so much effort to progress such a small amount. But... I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I've never met someone so determined to better themselves. You've grown soo much since we started training. And I know this is just the begining"

Jaune was now looking at the communicator, as the face of someone, this being a woman was upon the communicator, yet Jaune merely had eyes of sorrow upon his, as small flashes of crystal tears were upon the corners of his eyes.

"Jaune... I... I... I want you to know that I am just happy to be a part of your life. I'll always be here for you, Jaune."

The message at that point had ended and had begun to rewind itself. Yet Jaune paused the device as he sensed his captain behind him.

"What is it captain" Jaune said, his look at Bee showing a fire of determination

"Company meeting in ten minutes. Main room 1"

"I will be there" Jaune said as he turned once more towards the communicator as the message played once more.

Bee could only look solemnly, as he watched a mans purpose be reduced to nothing but a single message upon an old recorder, he had to give pity to Jaune, for in finding out the power of unconditional love, he was denied it by lifes cruel hand.

As he walked away from the shouts of a broken man, he had to spare a thought to those whom they all have lost.

"Alright. You are all gathered here because we have received some very disturbing and troubling news"

This was said by all three captains of the 5th, 6th and 7th companies of the shadow foxes. All three commanders were standing before their respective companies giving this speech, as though they were synchronized across the fleet.

"As of three months ago, Marines from the Death guard legion gave word that Horus, our warmaster and crusade leader, is leading a rebellion against the Imperium and her interest, and has massacred his forces loyal to the Imperium"

Gasp of surprise and shock spread across the fleet as those whom had comrades in those legions gave silent prayers to those whom were killed, while others showed a fire within their eyes crying out for vengeance

"To that regard, Rogal Dorn. Praetor of the Emperor has given the command for seven legions to mobilise and bring the Warmaster back to Terra to answer for his crimes. This has been sanctioned by the Emperor and as we speak eight legions are being mobilized for the upcoming assault, these being the Iron hands, Salamanders, Raven Guard, Iron Warriors, Alpha Legion, Word Bearers, Night lords and our three companies representing the shadow foxes."

"We Will be deploying with the first Wave, providing support to the Iron hands, Salamanders and the Raven Guard, while the others will be a reserve force that will ensure that this rebellion will be done swiftly and without too many casualties"

"I know many of you would of known those that now fight for us. But make no mistake that these people are traitors to the dream of peace in this galaxy. They will show you no mercy... and regretfully you will have to show none in kind"

"Captain" A Leutenant from each legion asked their Captains "Where is the world we are gonna make planet fall on?"

"The World in Question, intel has suggested is being fortified as we speak, it was one of the few planets that wasn't inhabited by colonist so is a perfect point for us to unleash our legions full potential. We will act as support for the legions proper to provide on the spot fortifications and exit points should things not go acccording to plan"

"As for the Name... Well apparently it's not much of an original name, just a numbered world within it's System"

"the world in question is the Fifth Planet in the system, ironically called Istvaan V"

Well howdy all. Welcome back to the story of the shadow foxes.

Overall this has been a bit of an interesting little pastime trying to write this little bit of a story down. Had many ideas floating in my head on how I wanted it to happen during certain points, but sometimes it is truly hard to try and put words onto a canvas.

But i guess we'll just keep going forwards right?

Hoping that this little taste of what is to come is gonna give you all some thoughts on what is to come during what we now as 'The great betrayal' so be prepared to see the galaxy begin to be alight with the fires of war once again.

Until next time fellow readers