The Emperor's Key
Chapter 9

Authors note:
Ahh, the Eldar/Asguard connection... Once again I slip a crossover in and once again "huh" points out the hole... this is getting fun. I was going to explain afterwards as part of the story but I can't seem to fit it in so here's the explanation:-
Somehow/someway the Asguard are able to over come the cloning problems, one of the first things they do is reintroduce the ability to procreate. For a short time they prosper and grow once again. Unfortunately they are not ready for the sensations of their new bodies, developing psychic powers and the joys of life (if you know what I mean). In an effort to understand the psychic energies that they have uncovered, they look back to the distant past and rediscover their long forgotten gods. Unfortunately the same can't be said about their sex drive, starved for the better part of two thousand years they suddenly have a feast in front of their eyes. Thus starts the debauchery and wild parties that eventually create the Chaos god Slaanesh and alienate the Humans/Tau'ri! Devastated as the Eye of Terror opens (a enormous rent in the fabric of space time caused by the fall of the Eldar/Asguard) they flee in terror, turning to the psychics and surviving old gods for protection. They finally change their race name to Eldar. There's a lot of assumptions there and not a few inconstancies but that how I was going to explain it.

As for the Emperor as a Xenophobic dictator... If you want to call him that by all means do. God knows there's enough evidence! But I read things differently, from what I can tell The Emperor is after what is best for mankind. The problem is that a lot of alien races might not want the same thing so he had to fight them off. Personally I think it's a matter of perspective and how actions are perceived. Also remember that the Eldar would only have helped the Orks if it was advantageous for them in the future. They do have the ability to see the future, who's to say the Emperor can't do the same? And the future for the 41st millennium looks dark indeed...

Oh and if anyone's curious I've been collecting and playing Warhammer 40k since '93 and have three armies:- Space Wolves, Eldar and Tau! I have also yet to win a match... (That's not a joke, I set up my local club. Still haven't won!).
Thanks again "huh" for letting me explain these things... on with the story:-

Dawn grunted with the effort it took to haul her body over the rock wall. It had been something like three days since she left for this cross country trek, it didn't take her long to realise just how out of shape she was. After the first day she collapsed and the wolves spent the better part of the second day carrying her like a sack of potatoes. Not a few of them commented that their meals usually had more meat on them.

So for the last two days she pushed herself, determined not to be the butt of a bad joke again, literally.

The Old Wolf spared a glance to the struggling child. She was too proud to ask for help. He didn't like it, she didn't know that they had slowed down for her, if she was willing to be carried again they would already be at the web-portal. She didn't have the training or the muscle build to undertake this journey and there were other reasons...

'Njal, can you sense them?'

'Yes lord, their psychic is very powerful but only half trained. Her mind is a beacon, only a few miles away now.'

'Have they found any transport?'

'No, they believe that to do so would reduce their chances of finding us. They are, however, counting on the fact that the Key cannot match their own pace.'

'Blast! We will have to move by night and she is not ready for that.'

'Let her sleep, then carry her without her knowledge.' Njal suggested.

That night Dawn struggled to get to sleep, she had heard what the two men were planning. She didn't like the idea but knew it was for the best. Finally she picked up a small stone that was under her and got combatable.

She felt herself finally falling asleep, only to find herself somewhere else. It looked like an old mansion complete with old furniture and art work. A large decorated fire place provided the only light but it was enough. Looking around she saw the Space Wolves that were escorting her were very confused. There were three other men in the room, one had unruly red hair and a massive beard, he was wearing what looked to be an older version of the armour the Astartes had. The second was almost as tall as the red haired man-mountain but not half as heavily built. He was thin, almost too thin to be human and his pail complexion and angular ears proved that he wasn't.

The final man was the most impressive, while he was only a few inches taller than Dawn and while not as extensively built as the first man his presence was undeniable. That presence drowned out the others and the room itself. When she saw him Dawn was shocked that she almost recognised him.

After a moment had passed he smiled, Dawn wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light but the fire seemed to grow brighter. 'Well come on, sit down.' He said.

The larger man smiled, 'You know who I am.' He asked Logan.

Logan simply fell to his knees, along with all the Space Wolves. 'Yes my lord. You are Leman Russ founder and Patriarch of out chapter.'

'Good,' he looked at Dawn. 'Now so do you.' Russ gestured to the thin man. 'This is Eldrad, Farseer of Ulthwe.'

'I am honoured to meet the Key.' He bowed, his robes disconcertedly moving in a unseen and unfelt wind.

Russ continued 'And my father, The Emperor.' Dawn stifled a gasp and the Astartes fell to their faces.

'Get up and come over here.' The Emperor of Mankind asked. You will never see a man move faster than the space marines did at that point. Dawn was only a few steps behind them.

'So, your Majesty, if you're here why do you need me?' she asked

'Dawn,' he made her name sound like something holy, 'you and your company are no longer in your own bodies. I have brought you here with my mind. With your power I can brake the seals that death has over me and shatter the status field that keeps my body locked away.'

'Oh sorry...'

'Its just if you can talk to me why will I need my physical form?' he said for her

'Yes! How did you know what I was about to ask.'

'It was not that difficult revered teacher, not for some one who has known you from since they were born.' The Emperors statement shocked the room. 'You are as dear to me as my own mother, she gave me life but made sure I would survive it. My father taught me how to fight but you taught me when. Willow trained my first steps as a sorcerer but you trained me in the use of my powers. Xander told me when to look, you told me where.'

Dawn could only blush at his praise, 'I think you have me confused with...'

'No I don't. You have learnt much but will learn more. I speak of the person you are to become.'

'Well that make sense, I think.' She looked around nervously only to see others looking at her in awe, she blushed again under the scrutiny.

'I have brought your minds here for a reason. The Inquisition has, for the last thousand years, possessed the power to free me.' The Emperor changed the subject.

'WHAT!' roared Logan.

'They believe that with me as a martyred figure head they can control the Imperium. The lords of Terra do fear them. The only force that is outside their influence is yourselves. That is why I chose you to undertake this journey. They are divided and too weak to face the coming darkness.'

Dawn had a horrible feeling and with out knowing it, spoke it aloud. 'Your talking about returning and uniting the galaxy under your rule. A dictator commanding everything.' A deadly silence permeated the room.

The Emperor looked through her, 'I agree, it is never the best course. But it is needed. You once told me; "Those who seek greatness least deserve it, those who deserve it often has greatness thrust upon them." I don't want to do this, I much preferred living in this house training slayers and reading old poetry. I loved this house and that life but like you taught me, life makes its own plans. I have the power to help. I am the only one that does and I will not let life itself be destroyed by the Necrons.'

'Please don't tell me I taught you all that.' Dawn laughed wondering if she would ever sound that pompous.

The Emperor frowned and then laughed, 'Some of it, the rest I picked up on my own. My point is that a great danger is coming. Only a few beings exist that can stop it and I, unfortunately, am one of them.

'I have arranged a surprise for the council of thieves that call themselves and Inquisition.' He turned to Logan. 'Once you have returned to our time, head to your home world. An escort will take you and my teacher to Terra where together my teacher and myself will free me and we can return the Imperium of man to what it should be.' He stopped and smiled. Instead of the friendly comradeship of his last smile this one was as cold as the depths of space. 'Welcome Miss Rosenberg to my humble abode.' He turned to the door.

Willow was standing there, her face as white as a sheet. 'You... you...' She stammered.

'I am the Emperor young lady. I did not invite you here. Nor to follow my children. You should not have come. Goodbye.' His tone mirrored the smile that never left his face. Willow tried to speak again but the doorway suddenly lit up. She glanced around as the light became so bright that it eclipsed her, only to fade leaving nothing there as the door swung slowly close.

Buffy watched as Willow hovered for only a few moments before being thrown back a few yards. 'What happened? You were only gone a second?' she rushed to her friends side.

'I'm not trying that again. Ever! Got that, never again.' Willow was shaking. As she got up. 'If Dawn is being controlled I can't stop it.' the gang looked at each other, there wasn't that much time to gather everyone so it ended up with just Buffy, Willow Kennedy, Spike, Angel and Illyria.

'Why not Red?' Spike asked.

'That big thing I felt coming. It wasn't The Immortal, it was Him.'

'Him?' Kennedy asked

'The Emperor. I've never felt such power. Its like holding a candle to a sun and He uses it like a scalpel with a sledge hammer behind it. Think Glory, then ten times worse. And you might be able to get close.'

'Bugger.' That came , surprisingly, from Buffy

'I was able to pick up one thing, Dawn has something to do with the Imperium of man, whatever that means.'

Illyria glanced at the witch, 'I talked with their Priest. The Imperium is the name of the empire of mankind. He said it spanned most of this galaxy.'

The younger slayer looked shocked 'And The Emperor rules most of the galaxy!'

The witch responded 'After seeing Him, He could do more than that. Probably over the weekend.'

'Willow I can almost hear the capitol letters, you think he's a God?' The elder slayer asked

'At least.'

'Wonderful, sodding brilliant,' Spike spat 'Fight of a group of super strong fanatics with futuristic techno/magic weapons to free Dawn from the power of the God of the said fanatics. And this time with no help! Priceless!' Spike slumped his shoulders in defeat before standing up straight. 'Complaining ain't getting us nowhere, lets go.' Illyria watched as he picked up his small pack and lead the way. The elder slayer seemed to perk up and was following close behind.

It was a few days later, Spike could taste Dawn they were that close. Hidden deep within a mountain cave they followed the elusive sent throughout the cave network until the neared the top and came a cross a cavern. Just as the group made it to the entrance they saw a monolith crack open and explode in a gush of water. The eight people at the base of the monolith stepped aside as the crack became more pronounced and eventually a circular pond that stood up right. Two shadows appeared on the surface before it broke and two thin men came out.

They were smaller and thinner that the Astartes and had tall, conical, helmets. From behind him spike heard Buffy hiss a question to Willow, 'Eldar?'

A third figure came through the portal and bowed to Dawn he was dressed exactly as Willow said the one she met except he had another helmet, this one swept back and had a jewelled finial coming from the back. 'I think so... but why are they bowing to Dawn?' The portal fluttered for a moment and the water seamed to spin backwards, becoming a long tunnel. Then Dawn and her escort walked towards it.

'We can figure that out later Red.' Spike whispered before shouting down at the kidnappers, 'Stay right there mates, we'll be down in a second. Oh balls!' he dived out of the tunnel, as did the others, as the Space Wolves and newcomers pointed their weapons at them.

'No!' Dawn shouted and no one fired. 'Damn it guys! What are you trying to do? Get yourselves killed?'

Buffy glanced around the cover she had found 'Dawn I'm sorry but you have to get out of there. Please, I love you.'

'Thanks, that's good to know. Now that we got that out of the way, get out of here!' She called back.

'Dawnie, please your being controlled like I was. You have to come with us before its too late.'

Spike added his two pence 'Your sisters right Bit. At least let us talk to you face to face. Without the fire power.'

'I am not being controlled. This is something I have to do. I love you too Buffy And I know what happed wasn't your fault.' Spike saw her touch her arm, someone had fixed an armoured gauntlet to it. 'But this is my choice I'll be back, I promise.' Without more than a glance she skipped up to the portal and vanished. One by one so did the others and all too quickly they were gone. Then so was the portal. Buffy howled with grief.

The group scrambled down to the monolith but there was nothing there.

Dawn had no idea how long she had been on the ship. Time worked differently in the warp. She knew it had to have been a few months but the exact time was impossible to guess. So far she hadn't ventured far from her quarters. The ship was very dark and almost gothic. From what she could guess and what she was told the ship had to be thousands of years old and millions of miles long. What she had seen on the shuttle scared her guns the size of houses by the hundred. The thing that unnerved her the most was the almost constant howling and scratching, Logan had told her it was normal for warp travel but not why. She was roused from her thoughts by the door chime.

'We are about to leave the warp and arrive at Fenris, our home world.'

'Can I see?' she asked.

'Of course, come.' Logan smiled and together they walked down the enormous corridor. After living in Rome for a few months she thought she'd seen it all but the shear gothic majesty of this ship stunned her. Glowing balls sat in wire mounts along the walls, she could see eons of dust clinging to the shadows.

On the way to the bridge they passed through what Logan called the Chapel. It was more like a cathedral. 'What is all this?' she looked around every surface was decorated with a banner or a glorious painting.

'The history of the ship. Going back to the Age of Strife and beyond this is one of the biggest and oldest we have. It is my personal flag ship, few can match it in battle.' Dawn was amazed at one picture of the behemoth ship destroying another in horrible detail. Every part of this ship was living history. Something that permeated the whole existence of everyone on board. Dawn felt very much alone amongst it all.

If it was possible the bridge was even more astounding. Uncounted people scurried from one screen to another. Generally unseen and left alone. In the centre a grotesque fat man sat in a chair. Both man and chair were one thing with tubes and wires connecting him to the ship. 'Old Wolf. We are ready to return to real space. Astropath Doran says that there is something you must see.'

'I will, with my own eyes. Return to real space.'

'Aye my lord.' Dawn felt the shudder across the ship and noticed lots of people were holding their breath for some reason. Finally the shuddering stopped and the crew breathed again.

'If there is something I should see then let me see it.' Logan barked out. A bust of activity answered him and the front of the bridge cracked open and two massive doors opened. Fortunately there was something like glass between the bridge and the Space Wolves home world.

There was also a fleet of ships.

A very, VERY big fleet of very big ships.

For that instant the universe gasped.

'Communication from the lead ship, for you my lord.'

Dawn watched Logan tear his eyes from the sight in front of him and to a monitor that a half human half robot provided. A bulky man with giant blue fists and sky Blue armour appeared on it. He looked like the sort of person who took things very seriously, including polishing his armour. 'Grimnar.' He stated.

'What do you want Magnus.'

'We know where and when you have been. We have been told to find you.'

'You and the combined Astartes fleet. Tell me Magnus have you ever heard of the phrase, "Over kill"?' Dawn looked again, it was an awful lot of ships.

'I am following orders, as are you. We are to escort the Emperor's teacher back to Terra and free The Emperor. In his name!'

End of chapter 9

Oh boy. For those of you not familiar with Warhammer 40,000 the combined might of every chapter is more than enough to destroy, for example, Starfleet (from Star Trek), the Imperial Navy (from Star Wars) and the Galactic Alliance (from Babylon 5) together and still have enough left over to smash the Romulans, Klingons and who ever else happens to get in their way.

And for those of you who do know something about 40k (i.e. "huh") and about to note that the Space Marine chapters hate each other, yes but bare in mind the Emperor has ordered them to do this. The Astartes would wear, en mass, pink laced tutu's with matching socks if he ordered them to.