Light the All-Mother's Story

The day was strange.

One moment she was waiting for Sazhori or her sisters, One of the three Ravens were most helpful in finding people, they found everyone they sought pretty darned easy, well uncomplicated that is, but not simple off the bat "there he is" kinda finding. Finding the young man she promised the Mortal she'd help find right off the bat was one thing. Not finding him within a week was quite another

But then she felt the summons, or something, Something was wrong!

She could feel it through the summons. Light needed her ?

So there she was, Standing before the great Silver and Crystal Doors of the berautiful palace of the Courts of Light, waiting to go into the Court itself.

The doors opened, allowing the Tigris to enter.

So the White Bengal did just that. As the doors opened the White Tiger ambled in seemingly without a care, when going through the portal one had to be in their original or natural form, and in her case it was her feline form.

The White Tiger came to a halt, her head bowed, her eyes averted from the beautiful crystalline throne. It was there she waited for why she was summoned. Kanwar didnt even greet her!

Where was Kanwar anyhow ?

The woman sitting in the throne lifted her eyes to the white Tigress before her, the nine-hundred pound cat beautiful and yet gentle for its size. The woman smiled, and stood. "Lady Hawkthorn, such a pleasure to see you my dear. Tell me, how are you?" She asked, moving down the stairs leading to her throne and sitting before the great cat.

"I'm sure you noticed Kanwar isn't here...she's dealing with an annoyance." Light's eyes looked off to the side, where Draco was conversing with her in the main hall, and where the Legion was attacking. "Anyway, do tell, how are you? How's the rest of the family?" she asked.

"Family ?" The white tiger asked finally looking up, the question confused her, she did have dreams recently of a sister and brother looking up to her, but when she woke there was only three Ravens, Able, Siv and Sazhori, the last of whom was away on business according to orders from a certain Silver to protect a certain mess from screwing up. "Then the dreams.... are memories ?"

Wait what ? Lady Hawkthorne had no actual family, sure she called the three Ravens sisters in a way as they acted like her family and they looked out for each other. But she had been recently plauged by dreams of two other people, looking to her and calling her their sister. She could just barely place their faces too.

But it was also mention of Kanwar that had her compelte attention. "Yes, the Portal dropped me near where she normally is; but she wasnt there; though who was.... the poor Tigris" Lady Hawkthorne said, she'd seen the state Serena was in after Kanwar healed her. The Tigris would recover completely, no memories even of the event as well.

The White Tiger looked to Light, "The summons, I felt it, something is going on, you, or Kanwar, or someone, needed my aid ?" She explained what she felt, there was corruptive power felt through the summons. Had the darkness finally assailed the Courts of Light ?

Light smiled and nodded. "Memories long forgotten it seems, though now they want to be remembered." She patted the Tiger's head and stood, moving over to a table, where some water sat in a pitcher, ready to be poured and drank. Pouring two glasses full, she took one in each hand and moved back to the Tiger, expecting her to shift to accept the water. Paws tended to make it difficult to hold things.

"But if your sisters weren't fine, there'd be something wrong, wouldn't there?" She asked, still regarding the birds as her family as well. At the question of the summons, however, it was Light's turn to look puzzled.

"I didn't summon you. I'm not the type of Dragon to summon someone for a little chat....but perhaps, I can give you something for your troubles." She said calmly, with a smile. She tapped the edge of Lady Hawkthorne's water glass, and the water began to glow dimly.

"Have a drink; and you'll remember who you are." Light said simply. "Your family needs you, or at least, one or two might be very happy to see you." she smiled, crossing her legs at the knee as she took a drink of her own water.

"Memories.... Memories of A boy and girl.... looking to me" Lady mused mostly to herself, The white tiger smiled as Light gently patted her head, then when the All-Mother moved to get them something to drink Lady had shifted form to mostly human, Mostly because of the burn of the portal had made it feel strange to be there to begin with. Going full human wasnt exactly possible yet, so she had a lot of feline features, at least she had humanlike hands.... for the moment.

She accepted the drink as Light handed it to her, moving to sit at the table before being directed to the cvhair near Lights throne, the one normally reserved for Kanwar a step or two below Lights own throne. Upon taking the seat she saw Light's confused look, "Someone had summoned me here, the portal opened and waited for me to enter, it deposited me outside the throneroom doors. If it wasnt you, then it could have been Kanwar"

She smiled though, "No it isnt any trouble coming to see you or kanwar, All-Mother, if anything I'd give up being in the Mortal Realm and just be with you" She looked curiously however at her water as it began to glow, well, it was a gift from Light so, so be it! Lady drank it down, and right away memories danced around her. Mostly her sisters voice, she remember her sisters name, Charity. hearing her voice, calling her name,

Over and over her brother and sister, various memories replayed for about a minute, Finalyl she remembered it all. Who she was. She remembered the ill fated voyage. how she had failed in her task set before her by her sister, protect the Queen. Setting the glass, now empty, aside, Lady, no, Athena put her head in her furred hands. "Dreams that I thought were simply that, dreams, were not dreams, but memories, I saw them, I saw my sister and brother!... my... nephew"

It was then the Throneroom shook as something struck the tower. What the ??Out of reflex alone Athena shifted back to full tiger as a pair of Guardians entered, rushing to the throne as Athena looked about before going to the balcony "All-mother, are you alright ?" asked a Guardian, a female. Concern clear in the golden blue eyes of the young Light Dragon

Light smiled and nodded. "All memories. Go to them, they need you. But first, I have something for you. Stand." she commanded, standing, herself. She conjured up a badge, and moved to place it over the woman's heart, her hand glowing and sealing it to her clothing with magic.

"I now make you a Lieutenant in the Guardians of Light. Go and serve me well. Spread Light's influence, protect those who cannot do it themselves." she commanded, hand hovering over her forehead as she gave her blessing. She smiled when done, and offered a hug to the Tigress, squeezing her tight before patting her back. "Now go. Your family deserves to see you again."

Blessed energy washed over her as she shakely got to her feet. When Light hugged her Athena nodded, She remebmered everything, every family event, seeing her niece and nephew growing up. In her pale green eyes, now a renewed life within them they glowed with her Tigris heritige. She had no words exactly to say, but she did simply say "Thank you, Alla-Mother; for saving my life" Athena didnt know it then, but she did now, Light had saved her when she washed up on shore in the Southern Isles when the royals ship sank. She hugged Light tightly then. "I will not ask why you kept the past from me, of who I am. You kept it safe, and now I have it all back. All I can say is thank you." She didnt eve have to bow or salute or anything.

She nodded, it was time to go see her nephew. Light was right, her family needed her. her eyes went to where the sudden retching and screaming came from, She nodded again. a smile on her face. She quickly turned and shifting form, darted off in her White Tiger form for the balcony, her claws clicking on the ice

Before the Throne of the Emperor, aboard the ship the Imperium called its Flagship, a single tear in Space opened. It was radiant and Gold, glorious and beautiful, solemn and somber, benevolent and gentle, and at least a million other things that could be used to describe the harmony of Light. A singular form emerged from the tear, as radiant as the light that surrounded her figure. Her. The figure was female in shape; with a distinct, yet slightly pear-shaped body, the form was entirely Gold, with no other distinct features for a while, before the Tear closed, and the woman known as Light the All-Mother of Dragons was revealed to the Emperor. Four distinct Flashes of Light appeared, forming the corners of a square around her, and four Guardian Honor Guards appeared, standing at rapt attention, their one-handed broad-swords in their sheaths at their hips. Another Flash, and Irral himself appeared before the Emperor, wearing his Battle Armor, and looking his best. He removed the helmet, revealing his soft, yet stern features to the Emperor and his guards, and stepped forward.

"Emperor of Mankind; may I present, Light, the All-Mother of Dragons." Irral said, gesturing to his mother, the most powerful Dragon in existence, and the oldest. "As Agreed many days ago, we are here to discuss the destruction of Draco, his Fortress, and his Shadow Legion.

The Light was quiet, but she was not entirely still. Already she had seen the entirety of the room she was in, the weak points in the armor of not just the guards who would understandably be startled into a ready stance, but of the Emperor himself. A small, almost innocent smile graced her lips, and she blinked. Unlike any other Dragons, she was more human in appearance because of one obvious fact: Her height. Rather than twelve feet or higher like her son, Irral, she was a mere five foot five inches tall; and could blend in almost completely with the general populous of a Human world. Still her silence continued as she looked upon the man calling himself Emperor of Mankind. She could see many flaws within him, but she kept them to herself. His power partially was derived from the idea that he was perfect and untouchable. She would leave it be.

As Irral introduced her, she nodded her head subtly, but her smile did not fade; though her eyes continued to bore into the very core of the man she looked at, and for a while she was quiet. Perhaps it was a simple mind-game she was playing with the Emperor and his Guards, to see who spoke first, to see who may have the upper hand. Or perhaps she simply didn't know what to say yet. After all she had recently given birth to another Light Dragon not two weeks ago, and she was still a bit fatigued. Despite the birth however she bore no signs of mother-hood, except for the wide hips brought on by carrying a child. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and then finally she spoke.

"Good Evening, Emperor. I heard you wanted to Assault Draco's Fortress in the mountains?"

It was their meeting, between the Emperor himself and their alliance with these beings of light. He would be true to his word, it was time to finnaly rid Terra of the Shadow Legion.

”I welcome you both aboard. And yes, we have been planning this operation ever since we made first contact with the Shadow Legion. Normally my men would mount a massive offensive however their fortress in the mountains proves to be our biggest obstacle. However, we already have developed a means to breach those walls. However we only needed time. Time which we had plenty of.” The Emperor started as he rose from the throne he sat on before standing at attention.

”As you already know, we can’t just blow up the planet of Terra. To this extent we copied the pattern known as the Ordinatus Mars. A siege weapon that was used against a fortress similar to the Shadow Legions. This Sonic Disruptor should be able to shake apart the fortress and open up a few routes of attack. With that in mind, our main method of attack to to utilize both orbital bombardment and spearhead an assault using an Emperor Class Titan, Imperitor Class. Alongside our most powerful war machine, we intend to support it with Imperial Guard support and my Space Marines. My Sons may provide support as well, and I myself shall fight in the front lines. Of course, do you have any objections to our plan thus far?” The Emperor spoke. His plan seemed sound, but with only a few years fighting this foe, perhaps their allies could shed some light on any hidden enemy secrets they may not know about.

"A brilliant, well-thought out plan indeed, and of course it would be executed perfectly by your men.... but one word of Caution:" Light spoke, leaning back, a chair appearing beneath her as she crossed her legs at the knees. She leaned back against the backrest and thought for a second. Snapping her fingers, a Light-Projection of the Fortress that was Draco's home appeared between the two of them. "Draco was exceedingly smart in his placement; whether he knew about the Imperium or not, he chose the natural cover of the mountain range to cut off assault from all but one side, and even that side was difficult to reach with any larger than perhaps a cohort of Trolls. The Natural Forest makes moving your vehicles difficult, his Watch-Towers will alert him of the presence of your forces, and the very nature of the ground will begin to sap the life from those of your soldiers who are unprepared in mind, body, and spirit. Even if one of those three bastions are weakened, the Corruption will begin to invade them, tearing them apart from within, turning them against their comrades. The Ruins before the Fortress are a nigh impenetrable maze, many of your troops will be lost, which will only wear down their morale, and then the corruption of the land will do its work.

"This is not even including the Shadow Legion, nor the Shadow Guard, nor Draco's children, his Mate, or himself, either. He is undoubtedly bolstering everything he has in preparation for this. His air-fleet now likely matches my own in strength, and his Drakon-Class flag-ship can level the mountain range around them inside of a day when operating at full power." Light finally stood, gesturing around the map with Irral's Lance, her body floating to highlight each thing she mentioned, showing the Emperor one of the most clear battle maps his enemy had stacked against him. Light smiled then.

"However; my Guardians of Light can negate many of these affects, allowing your men to advance normally, needing only to worry of size constraints, and getting lost within the labyrinth. Be forewarned, that each of my Guardians are either Dragons, Tigris, or Eagle citizens, they are taller, stronger, and more Magically Inclined than many your men have ever encountered. However they are cunning warriors and no better allies."

Irral stepped forwards then, clearing his throat. "I of course will be on the field with you once the actual battle begins, I hope your men will trust me enough to obey if I tell them something that may save their lives." he spoke that last part with a small hint of animosity for the Grey Knights he'd engaged previously. The four Honor Guards of Light stood motionless, still at rapt attention. Their discipline was impeccable, their armor flawless and glittering. One of their chests dropped slightly as they let out a breath; despite their perfect discipline they were still nervous, and even they could not hide it forever.

"I feel.... that a counter-plan must be devised, Emperor of Mankind, if your original plan does not work. Draco and his Fortress are hardy... and may not fall at your initial assault. Have you a back-up plan?"

The Emperor nodded. ”My men are no strangers to siege warfare. Of course backup plans are to be prepared. My men are stalwart of mind, of course I have concerns for the Guardsman. But even so as long as the lower ranked soldiers stay near any veteran officers they will hold until the bitter end. And our many years of fighting the forces of Chaos for millennium have already steeled most if not all my Space Marines. We should be safe in the case our forces are separated. Now as for our backup plan: My main plan involves getting the Ordinatus Mars into position to fire to breach the walls, of course I fully expect the enemy to target our vital equipment. Any other means may be too slow to be effective such as drills or using the Titan. As such, I have three solutions. The first Solution is to deep strike a veteran company once we secure a foothold armed with a Vortex grenade to breach the walls. It’s a dangerious piece of equipment which will be unpredictable when used. The second is to bring my Librarians to do the same, or possibly warp units into the stronghold itself...Of course that is also still a major risk. Finnaly, I can fully breach the walls myself. But of course my strength would be more used to fight the enemy.” The Emperor relayed his backup plans.

Of course there were other plans. ”In the worst case scenario, the Titan we have deployed can unleash a devastating plasma blast from one of its armaments. It’s capable of wiping whole cities with a normal blast, however we need time to fire a maximum blast. It’s risky, it could overload and detonate. There’s also using Vortex warheads. Many other options. However...” The Emperor soon discussed the most important thing.

”Our greatest problem is to ensure my Space Marines can co-operate with your forces. I can only ask that your forces can bear their comments. They are still as xenophobic, however they will quietly work with your forces as long as both sides can tolerate eachother. The Guardsman you should have no problem with.” He concludes.

Light nodded as the Emperor spoke. Solid plans, all of them, all of them equally effective as well as dangerous. Her Golden Eyes were thoughtful, and calm. Nodding again, and smiled. "I will bring something of my own to aide in the Battle, something besides my Son or my Guardians of Light. I cannot disclose it here.... but I will bring it." she smiled and the projection of the Map faded from view, and stood again in the center of her Honor Guard, the chair vanishing. She was readying to leave.

"I have a feeling that your men will come to realize the futility in angering my son.... but do be warned he is not above killing insubordinate men; be sure to warn them." She said as a passing thought, the tear in Space opening behind her, allowing her to simply back into it, vanishing from the ship. Irral himself stayed until after the Honor Guard had left, his eyes leveling to meet the Emperor's. In that gaze was the unspoken truth behind what Light had just said: He had no problem killing any who would be insubordinate towards him in battle - even if that meant eradicating the entire Imperium himself.

With a slight bow, Irral turned, and vanished from the ship. Now all that was left, was the Assault itself.

The ground smoldered under foot of the Space Marines, Light Captains, and other Imperium Forces. The Black soil shifted and churned under foot, making the weaker minded men feel as though a wrong step would cause them to simply slip away into the darkness. In moments of the lapse of guard, some would. Silent and quick, they'd slip under the soil, sinking quickly into the abyss. Suddenly the Darkness became bold, and began to envelop the feet of the Black-Armored Space Marines, the weight helping them sink further into the Soil as Tendrils likewise reached up to grab at them and their armor, aiming to pull them deeper and deeper, into the abyss to be corrupted.



The whisper echoed in the minds of all Imperium Soldiers within the Forest, however it was met with another whisper, this one physical and with presence among their ranks: "Press Forward. I will protect you." The voices, feminine and strong in nature, were resolute in their request for them to continue forward The Paladins of Light. A Glow bolstered their morale and mental fortitude, but only revealed the horrors of the Forest to the men: Bones and carcasses of Dragons and other creatures fallen in battle against Draco and his Shadow Legion. Chunks of charred metal, rusting hulks of cars, and discarded armor plates of Guardsman and Space Marines alike.

Next was movement. Movement skittered across the peripheral vision of each man in the Imperium; they were not alone within the Forest. Never in sight yet never out of it, these figures danced along their vision's borders and made little to no noise, save for the rustling of branches and leaves. Hisses seeping from the soil itself, and the creak of the wood in the breeze or the rumble of the advancing army's march.

It was too quiet.

The Space Marines slowed their march down, these superhumans fully aware of hostile trying to dart around. Contrary to their appearance, they were lethally quick. Each Black Templar Space Marine gripped chainsword and bolt pistols as they assumed defensive positions. ”Never fear the Xenos! The witch! Nor the heretic! Let the enemy come to us brothers and slay them without mercy! Let these creatures skulk in the dark and when they meet the light of the Emperor they will know fear!” The Marshal roared as they all prepared to fight.

Of course the Imperials were receiving reinforcements. Penal Legionares soon joined the main army, hardened criminals forced into service. Of course these men were prepared to fight tooth and nail with nothing left to lose, unlike regular Guardsman these men did not have much to fear anymore. They would be willing to walk through the jaws of the abyss if needed for a chance at redemption.

So what better way to use a whole bunch of captured criminals in a warzone?

"Skulk in the dark? He thinks we're skulking. He is afraid. He is uncertain. He is wrong. We are within them. Each of them. the voices whispered around the troops as the Marshal barked out his orders. Each sentence from a different spot; revealing that they were entirely surrounded on all sides the moment they step foot into the forest. The ground shook and a mist rose from the ground, and inhaling it would likely begin to change the temperament of the men. Merely inhaling it burned, but then the air was cold, it reeked of death and disaster, but then the forest was merely a graveyard, it even tasted bad. Slowly the corruption would begin to spread within those susceptible, and their hearts would flutter gently with each violent thought. It was praising them for each violent, wicked thought. Each "Impure" thought that a man of the Imperium could have was praised and cultivated if the mist was inhaled.

But that was only the beginning.

Those who began to repent would feel great pain within their heart, as if they'd wronged the Emperor himself by thinking peacefully, and properly for a man and woman of the Imperium. The conflict within their minds and hearts would only be pressured and amplified, until it was unbearable, and their entire bodies began to writhe in pain. Stomachs were upset, lungs and windpipes constricted, tears welled up in eyes, and teeth began to chatter. Any exposed skin began to shrivel slightly, and their veins began to turn black with Corruption. Any inner demons would begin to stir, and fight for control over the body of those afflicted by the mist.

Immediately after, the silence was hardly broken, as the Shadow Legion's Hounds and Slashers swarmed the men of the Imperium and the Captains of Light. Paladins of Light slammed their staffs unto the ground in the center of each squad of Guardsman, a sphere of light enveloping them, allowing them to see the Demonic Shadow Legion troops with ease as they charged towards their targets from all sides. There was no eyes to speak of on the bodies of the Slashers, just wide-open mouths, slobbering black acidic saliva all over the place as they charged and squelched into each other, becoming stronger, or weaker, if they multiplied, but still, all the harder to hit as they moved forward like angry lions. As small as dogs or large as bears, the variety of sizes making it difficult to hit them all as they swarmed everyone, including the Space Marines. Clambering up the armor plates and scratching at everything they could, trying to wriggle their ways under the armor plates to attack at the men within the armor, and if possible, corrupt them into minions of the Legion.

The Black Templars stood steadfast against the mist, their helmets acting like a filter of the mist. Guardsman scrambled for gas masks while those affected began to fight back against the pain and thoughts.

However as the Shadow Legion finnaly has their soldiers appearing, the Space Marines charged with holy fervor. Despite the enemy numbers each Marine began to hack anything nearby with their chainsword while firing with their bolt pistol. Guardsman That we’re capable affixed bayonets and took firing positions and began to pour fire and of course be forced into melee combat.

The Emperor himself raised his sword and slammed it into the ground sending a massive surge of psychic fire ahead of him which began to burn a massive path ahead of him to help clear a flank. Guardsman sadly were not the best in melee...For a select few however. They showed almost as much ferocity as a Space Marine. No doubt Catachan Guardsman, armed with large knives hacked the swarm of creatures like a swarm of Tyranids.

Draco's voice echoed nearby; though truthfully he was still deep within his palace, watching over the battle with his Magic. Already he donned his Draconian Battle Armor, and his eyes glowed a deep Crimson. Finally he stood, projecting his image towards the Emperor, connecting their minds briefly, as if they were standing across the room from one another. Granted, Light was right next to the Emperor. Draco's eyes flickered towards the All-Mother, and he begrudgingly managed a small nod in greeting, his lips twitching and his hands curling into fists. His eyes returned to the Emperor, and he let out a breath. "You even have the All-Mother on your side... which means.... Irral.... and the Guardians of Light." he fell silent for a while, bringing his arms in front of him, his hands forming a steeple as his eyes became thoughtful, narrowing slightly. "Very well. May the better beings win." With that, Draco offered another subtle nod, and severed the connection. At least he was polite about it. There was definitely an air of respect for the power of the Emperor and of Light, and perhaps even the thought that if he wasn't bent on domination, he and the Imperium could have cooperated.

As the vision of Draco faded, the Emperor and Light would be greeted with the sight of the mighty battle going on within the forest, the Legion and the Imperium seeming to trade blow for blow, overwhelming numbers of Shadow and Darkness against the zeal and prowess of the Space Marines and Guardsmen. And now, the Guardians of Light themselves. The Army of Light, all of them clad in Golden Duradaeden Armor with shining swords, charged into the forest, summoned to the field by the Captains of Light who led them in the first place. Each regiment had its own flag, according to the Captain. There was one with an Eagle, a Tiger, a Dragon, and many other variations. Hawks, Pumas, Leopards, and even a Dove. As the Guardians of Light appeared so too did the Bashers of the Shadow Legion in their Black and Purple Armor, the Roman Legionnaire like armor gleaming in the battle as the two armies clashed and the bloodshed begin. Both sides so far were evenly Matched, with Shadow Commandos engaging Space Marines and Captains of Light, and the lesser Shadows engaging the lesser Guardians of Light and Guardsman. Nothing assaulted the vehicles of the Imperium yet, however; perhaps waiting for them to be at their most vulnerable within the Forest where their maneuverability would be at their least. Of course that would be the most common answer, and for now, it was the correct one. Limiting their options on whether or not they risk pushing through, bound to meet more resistance for every inch that they pushed forward.

The Four Shadowlings of Draco appeared, their wispy forms floating over the battle as they waved their hands like conductors, the Legion of Shadow moving to their commands. At the same time, an Orb of Shadow began to form, dense and powerful, over the main Imperium Force outside the Forest, mainly, their Siege engine. The faint sound of Chanting floated by, coming from an unknown direction, the sound of war drowning out the words and direction to all but the most acute of ears. Something was building up that Shadow Bomb. But where was it?

May the better beings win? For a corrupted dragon he seemed to have a small bit of respect. Of course it remminded him of the Servants of Khorne, bloodthirsty humans that engaged solely in melee combat. As such the only right thing to do was put such a creature down. For the time being, the Emperor began to annialate any creature even remotely in his field of vision as the Imperium troops engaged the Shadow Legion in the forest alongside their allies.

Of course from outside, the Main Imperium Forces was waiting in earnest, that was until they noticed the massive gathering orb of shadow forming over the Ordinatus Mars. It seemed that they were making a move to attempt to destroy it. Of course such a venerated and holy machine would not fall that easily. Spotters would spot the main battle going on however there was many areas where the gathering could be...So in a fashion, Imperial Guard spotters on the Ordinatus began to paint locations on as many areas where their intuition told them where to fire and far away from the battlefield, hundreds of Imperial Artillery opened fire with both shells and missiles bombarding the wide left side of the forest while the Titan armed it’s Apocalypse Missile Launcher and began to fire a salvo of twenty missiles into the fight flank along with its Gatling Blaster, a rapid fire weapon that fired 150MM shells into the right flank as well.

The Grey Knights in orbit of course assumed ready as they began to use their innate psychic might to locate and detect the exact location of the gathering. If blind fire did not work, they would have to use precision to intercept the enemy.

Teddy marched and hastened out into the battlefield along with the rest of his new brothers-in-arms towards the battlefield within the Despairing Woods of the Valley of Shadows. He gripped his weapon tight, began to hold his wits tighter, and tries to hold his heart the tightest. He was steeled and his instincts at their peak.

Then he got a glimpse of the outside world into the Despairing Woods.

He was in over his head, he felt for sure that Mizer had sent him to die. He refused, he refused to accept what is possibly a cruel and grizzly fate, as he briefly clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. He was going to find a way to get one of Draco's scales, and he will achieve it, for him, for Ebba, and for anyone else tied into this conflict between him and his worst enemy. He had to do it, he must!

When the mist became visible, everything he learned about magic like this flooded his mind and entwined themselves in his psyche. Nothing to shield himself with, but the gas mask he had been given. He rushes to put it over his face, fastening the straps securely. However, while he was no longer in a position to inhale it, the mist did began to cover and wisp itself over his exposed neck. Just that and that alone was already attempting to carry out its dreadful effects, though, absorbing it through the skin didn't seem to hit him with as powerful as inhaling it. His mind, his memories, his past began to subtly creep into his mind as he took cover behind a tree. He heard voices, voices that were attempting to tell him that he was better, that he didn't deserve any of this, that he should be free to instigate the madness he had kept away in its cage for so long. He found himself unable to move as the voices started to grow louder and more seductive. But before the spell could sink his claws, "No," was the word that left Teddy's mouth, "I am better, better than you. I'm nobody, I'm a traitor, but I am someone who's protecting my friend and anyone else who may suffer at Prometheus's hand!"

The voice was about to roar out in disapproval and malice, until the dark and draconic Hounds and Slashers began to swarm about. Teddy's eyes snapped back and forth, trying to make sense of this chaos, but was taken down onto the ground as a beast tried to bite and tear him to pieces! Teddy held his Las-gun horizontally, using it to keep the beast back, which was a little larger than an attack dog. It tries to throw its head back and forth, trying to rip the weapon out of his hands. Ursa kept his grip tight, refusing to risk losing his weapon. His hand left his weapon, but just as the demonic animal was about to toss it aside, he grabbed his knife and reached to the creature's neck with it, or at least, where he thought it was. The blade sank into the creature's skin, and Teddy began to heave the blade back and forth, sawing it as hard as he could. The creature's blood began to leak out and as it began to grow weaker, Teddy was able to pull his Las-Gun free and kicked it off, it rolling onto its back. He Teddy began to put himself back onto his feet as quickly as he could. He wouldn't be able to survive if more of those things chose to attack him! His mind instantly snapped to the tree he hid behind, so he dashed to it and hoisted himself onto the top, turning and looking down just in time to see that a few of those things had tried to chase him onto the tree. He took his Las-gun and fired upon the beasts and began to cut them down with well-placed shots. Thanks to his tree, he had a high leg up on the things around him. It was just now, though, that he parts of his armor corroded away by that creature's saliva, he knew then that he had gotten lucky.

He saw one of the four Shadowlings floating up in the air. He saw that by the waving of its hands and its movements, that it must be a greater intelligence controlling the abominations around him and his allies. It was simple, point and shoot, no worries of weather and distance.

If only it really was that simple.

He felt a force clinging onto his ankle and attempting to pull him back onto the ground! He took his eyes off of the Shadowling, and onto a Slasher trying to yank him back onto the ground to tear him to ribbons! He was pulled down a bit, but then began kicking at the shadow trying to pull him down, clashing his heel against its head and knocking it off, but more just replaced them! They were trying to climb the tree too and slash at him with their claws. This tree was getting crowded, and he needed to get off of it. That prized quarry he sighted was going to just have to live. He knew nothing else to do except jump off the tree onto the back of the largest Hound he could see! He put his Las-gun onto his back and stabbed his knife into the beast.

All he could do now was hang on for dear life, hoping no enemy any more powerful than this thing showed up to destroy him and one of his more powerful allies coming to bail him out...

Teddy's tree would find itself swarmed indeed as the Shadow Legion swarmed his allies beneath as well; the screaming and snarling of each Shadow echoing madly in his ear. Descending from the branches above, Monkey-like beasts of Shadow screamed at him as their long and slender arms snaked around the thick and sturdy branches, slithering across the strong wood as they attempted to swarm and kill him - to tear him limb from limb and devour his body and soul to be taken into the ranks of the Legion itself.

The mountains shook and mighty rocks were felled from the valley walls as the bombardment struck; and the forest went up in flames as the missiles all collided and exploded on target, but alas they hit not the target they were intended for: A Fifth, New Shadowling, cloaked in darkness and secrecy, behind the very lines of the Imperium, right under their noses where it would take them a while to finally figure it out. By the time they did, the Shadow Bomb was complete, and began to fall.

"Hmm nope." Light snapped her fingers, and with a flash of Golden, Brilliant, Blinding Light, Irral arrived, slashing through the Shadow Bomb with his Holy Draconian Lance. Staying in the air, the Corrupted Dragon turned, watching the bomb split into two, and then begin to crumble into thousands of tiny, equally powerful chunks. Twirling his Lance proudly, Irral by himself was able to deflect or cut up most of them into harmless sized chunks that merely made small pot-holes in the dirt where they landed, and maybe knocked out a person if it hit them squarely on the head. The ones he missed were intercepted by the Court Guards of Light, leaping from their positions on the Siege Engine, curved blades drawn and ready as they slashed the remnants of the Shadow Bomb, neutralizing the threat before landing perfectly on their posts. A sudden surge of negative emotion was felt as the New Fifth Shadowling emerged from his hiding spot, his featureless body and face proving that he was quite literally new, perhaps made earlier in the week by Draco. Spreading his arms out, another contingent of the Shadow Legion charged forth from the downed Watch Towers of Draco, the towers themselves proving to be the Shadows that they emerged from. Beasts of all shapes and sizes, Tendrils, Bashers, Slashers, Hounds, and even a few fully armored Screaming Minotaur, which if not engaging a Space Marine, would move to try and tear apart the vehicles of the Imperium, and cripple their advance to a crawl.

Within the forest, the chaos only grew in intensity as more of the Shadow Legions forces were simply wiped out by the Emperor himself. The Four Original Shadowlings, their bodies misty and ethereal, any attempt to shoot at them would first be met with the resistance of Shadows launching themselves from the tree tops to take the round for the Shadowling, next by the shadow Legion troops themselves already swarming and keeping the attention low and on the ground. If a round was set loose, it would phase through the Shadowlings, as they were not entirely physically present, using their close proximity to their Master, and their Source of Power, to continue their movements without a care.

"Very well! If the Shadowling cannot do its job, I will do it for them!" a Young, Naive, brash male voice rang out. It was echoed by the annoyed snarl of Draco; who perhaps had been trying to convince the young man to not go out and fight in such proximity to the Emperor himself. "You would just let it approach, Father? I wont! Emperor or not!" The Roar of a Young Dragon echoed out as he appeared on the Valley Wall.



"I see Draco Jr. Lives up to what I've heard. Brash, impatient, and full of pride." Light said, turning her eyes to see the young Dragon spread his wings and began to charge the Siege Engine.

"Shall I dispose of him?" Irral shifted his stance while floating in the air, grip on his lance tightening. Light said nothing, and thus Irral did nothing yet, before nodding and returning to a more relaxed Stance.

"DISOBEDIENT CHILD! DO YOU WISH TO PERISH?!" Draco's voice screamed over the battle, and for a moment, the One-Hundred and Seven Meter Tall Dragon appeared in front of his much smaller son, the thirty meter tall son of Draco freezeing in his tracks as his Father appeared before him, and swatted him from the sky like an annoyance. That same claw then extended and trapped the younger Dragon his back, pressing his weight against him as the older, more experienced, and powerful Dragon roared in his son's face. Well, there were worse ways to discipline a child. "Return to the Palace at once, and don't you dare attempt anything so stupid again while I still live." Saying nothing, Draco Jr. Would wriggle his way from his father's grasp, and with a cascade of Darkness, vanished from sight. Draco himself turned his massive head to look at the Emperor of Mankind, Irral, and Light herself. The Tension in the air was thick, and heavy. It made it hard to move; hard to breathe, and was thick enough to cut with a dull butter-knife.



For Teddy Ursa, who, for whatever reason, did seek one of Draco's scales, he would find that the task would be extremely difficult, with each scale being the size of a house, and likely as heavy as one, too. Slowly the Dragon of Shadows narrowed his massive Coal-Red Eyes, and his maw remained shut, throat visibly rumbling from his gentle, growling breath. Two things could happen: Either all out hell broke loose, or the combatants would continue their little game of chess, and wait until they reached the Fortress of Draco proper. Regardless, Draco's body slowly turned to face his enemies, great wings folded against his body, tail curled in a defensive posture, ready to lash out like a lightning bolt.

For a moment, the entire battle stopped, and all was still.