The Shadow Guard's Story

The Commando who found his head blown off would crumple into the ground, and the entire regiment of Commandos would suddenly shudder as they collectively learned of a new threat to their existence. After a few seconds the Headless Commando's body would suddenly launch into the air, regrowing his head before landing into a squad of Guardsman, his sub-machine gun roaring out .500 Magnum rounds as fast as it could; the recoil reduced to next to nothing by the strength of the arms holding the gun.

It was until the cloaked person made her presence known with a rallying cry that the Commandos didn't react to her presence otherwise. Each one she felled only getting back up, and becoming harder to shoot as they learned where she liked to aim, and how to protect that area of the body with movements or by moving behind something and thus blocking the line of sight. When the rallying cry was heard, the entirety of the Commando Regiment swiveled on their heels and darted for the source of the noise at inhuman speeds.

Most super soldiers could move at over fifty miles an hour on foot, they made that seem slow. Darting through crowds of soldiers, the TLA Super Soldier would very quickly find her position compromised, and if she did not relocate, she would be over run within seconds, and then systematically hunted down like a dog until she was killed.

As the Commandos took their leave from the regular battle to hunt down the TLA commando-woman, a massive Bolt of Lightning struck the center of town, and the ground rumbled as the sky lit up with fire. The air turned cold and shook before a massive thunder clap was heard, and before the Grey Knights stood another foe:

The Shadow Guard

Tall, strong, Broad Creatures, with skin ranging from Purple to Blue to Black, and even White appeared before the Grey Knights. They bore the Mark of their master: Draco, on the chest-plates of their Drakon-Forged Duradaeden. Females of this species of creature were tall, slender, and extremely beautiful, with supple lips and soft features that would make most human men fawn over them, however they were not here to protect or make friends with men. They were hear to carry out their Master's Orders: Drive out those who dare interfere with the expansion of the Darkness, and see that they will not return.

The Largest Shadow Guard slammed the end of his Raw Duradaeden hammer upon the ground, resting his hands upon the handle as he examined the battlefield before him. A mighty and glorious beard hung from his jaw, massive horns extended back around his head as his broad forehead made him only more imposing; pure white eyes narrowing. A tail lined with Spikes running up the center of the back twitched idly behind him, almost touching the ground with its length. With a grunt, the order was given, and the Shadow Guard went into the battle.

Many of them were Close-Range, Melee fighters, using their own Varients of Magic to boost their own abilities, armor, and weapons to match the Grey Knights in combat one for one. They were reserved in emotion and did not waste any movement; every strike lead to another technique, whether it be a block, dodge, parry, or another strike. One strike from their hammers could collapse buildings with ease, and could cleave and smash through dozens of normal mortal men in a single swing.

From the back, A female Shadow Guard chanted her Magic; Horns alight with mystic energies as the clouds overhead darkened further, and began to rumble with thunder and Lightning. A great Bolt of Lightning struck her Staff, the Crystal in the top glowing madly with White and Purple Light.

Lowering her Staff, her eyes flashed brightly and she finished her chant. Bolts of Lightning came crashing down upon the Artillery and Support Vehicles of the Imperial Guard as well as the TLA. These bolts, being magically charged, made a normal bolt of lightning seem like child's play. Each bolt caused an explosion equivalent to that of a 2000 pound bomb as well as creating a fire that would spread quickly. On top of that, electronics would likely begin to short-circuit or fry out as she drew any and all Electric power into her own body in order to channel it into her magic. Approaching her in any way, be it physical or through Projectiles, would prove to be nigh impossible, as lightning raced in arcs around her body forming a sort of barrier within which she would remain safe.

The majority of the heavy combat between the Shadow Guard and the Grey Knights would inevitably come down to who was the more experienced, and therefore who was the better fighter, as at the moment the Shadow Guard would be able to match nearly everything the Grey Knights could do in one way or another.

The Grey Knights would soon encounter a new enemy, it would appear that they were sending some of their best creatures to try and stop their advance. An order was not needed to be said for the Grey Knight Terminators and the Paladin, With Psycannon and Storm Bolters at the ready, these five elite warriors aimed ahead as they were faced with their new foe.

Blessed Bolts were fired at the The Shadow Guard, a slow but purposeful march to close in in melee combat to tear them asunder with their Nemisis-Force weaponry. Their Halberds were ready. For the Psycannon, Psybolt ammunition was loaded into the weapon, silver-tipped, psychically charged shells that when fired, each bolt becomes imbued with a portion of a Grey Knight's innate psychic power, causing it to glow with an eerie blue light, and strike home with significantly greater force than an ordinary round of its type.

Of course the ammunition of the Storm Bolters were also the same for the Terminators. Their mind ready to resist any sort of mental attack, their Aegis Terminator Armor capable of resisting getting crushed by the largest war machines in the Imperium with little more than a scratch. They were ready to bring death upon their enemy, on the Emperors name they would defend this city and cleanse every last creature. Even if they have to resort in its destruction if they must be forced.

The Many Grey Knights in the area, cleansing the last of the Lesser Fiends began to march with the Veterans, these warriors all ready to bring death upon their enemy. Hammers, Swords, Psychic powers, Even warding barriers and Purity seals. Their combined might became a massive psychic choir. Many of these warriors had seen many battles, many wars. Each one were considered Hero's in the Imperium. They knew no fear, nor did they know of defeat. Each Warrior did not waste any uneccecary motion as well. With each warrior that clashed, their power and psychic might clashed through their own body.

For the Imperial Guard forces, more Guardsman continued to fall, More armored vehicles continued to fall but each soldier continued to fight with even more ferocity. The Vehicles that would suffer any sort of system failure, onboard Tech Priests began to pray to the Machine spirit. To strengthen its protection and deny the witch. The effect would be less damnable, especially for aircraft in the air but their efficiency was lowered.

Of course, soon enough the events taking place gathered the attention of the Imperial Fleet in orbit. Without wasting time, orbital lasers bombarded the Shadow Legion forces outside the city delivering much needed orbital firepower to incinerate whatever was caught under their wrath. For now, they planned to take back the city in one piece.

The Ghost had not uttered a single word and even if she had been the one making the rally call she would have long been gone as she moved every few shots to keep her position unknown.
The Shadow commandos would only open themselves up for attack as they foolishly rushed towards what they thought was the Ghost as the TLA forces where playing support to the Imperium the Shadow commandos would have to make their way though the bulk of the imperial guard to even get to the TLA forces.
This reckless move plus the fact that they came in mass opened them up to the rocket troopers of the TLA who would fire thier Hellfire Rockets into the Shadow commandos. These weapons on contact with do two things... One blow the commandos to bits and two set fire to the bits preventing any kind of regeneration.
The Ghost would also switch to Hellfire Rounds which upon hitting her target would make them burst into flames and like the rocket version would prevent any regeneration.
The mages within the trooper ranks would unleash spells of fire and acid upon the Shadow commandos for the same effects as the Hellfire weapons.

The Terra Nova may be just human but they had many tricks up thier sleeves and where trained to adapt to even the most hellish of situations.

Upon finding nothing the Shadow Commando's resumed their onslaught of the TLA and the Guardsman. Each Commando lost would still resume fighting, the Shadows smothering out fires and then regenerating regardless. As usual, each Commando became harder to hit and thus harm, or kill, with each regeneration. TLA Wizards became Top Priority, Tendrils of Shadow reaching out from their own Shadows to harass them while the Commandos moved in to finish them off with their sub-machine guns or blades.

Sensing a cloaked enemy, one of the Shadow Guard females in the back line by the center slammed her staff upon the ground, a pulse of energy expanding outwards before she turned to the techno-mancer and nodded, pointing to the TLA Shadow, sending out another pulse of Magic. This pulse would likely reveal the locations of any other hidden enemies of the Shadow Legion. The Techno-mancer chanted a spell, and that which kept each cloaked person cloaked would more than likely short out, and reveal them to the Legion, which in turn would immediately pounce with droves of Hounds.

The Shadow Guard fighting with the Grey Knights would eventually bolster themselves to the point where the advance of the Grey Knights was stopped. Each party was dead-locked and a smile stretched across the Shadow Guard-member's faces; they were enjoying this opportunity to finally fight worthy opponents! Their weapons began to glow Purple with Magic, this Magic increasing the power of each strike by causing explosions to occur each time the weapons struck a target in order to cause more damage, and begin to try and push back the Grey Knights.

From the sky descended orbs of pure Shadow, the Black and Purple Obs would prove to be immaterial; pure Magic and thus unable to be affected by normal physical means of assault used by both the TLA and Guardsman. From these orbs were deployed more and more Droves of Legion Soldiers, as well as even more Screaming Minotaurs, which with their agonizing fury, would begin to carve through the enemies who dared stand against the Shadow Legion's annexation of Ridgecrest. From these orbs also would be more Arcs of Lightning from the Female Shadow Guard; each one still as strong as a 2000 pound bomb as they struck home on Imperial and TLA forces, the explosions causing craters and sending out shock waves.

Finally the leader of the Shadow Guard spoke, his voice booming over the chaos of battle:



He hefted his Massive Hammer into the Air, chanting a Battle-Chant that increased the speed, power, and Durability of all in the Legion and Shadow Guard. Totems appeared around his body, representing each Blessing he bestowed upon his Allies, as well as one providing him with a protective barrier so that he would not be interrupted in his Chanting; his body glowing with an unearthly purple as the ground around him shook and rubble began to lift from the ground.

The Grey Knights would be at a standstill against the enemy as they began to try to push them back, as the Shadow Guards weapons began to glow purple, the Grey Knights weapon would gloew blue as they channeled their psychic might into each clash. Desite their bladed weapons not causing any splash damage, their own blades with their psychic might would begin to chip away at the enemies weapons.

Their Protective psychic barrier protected them from the explosive damage, and their Aegis Power Armor ensured that they gave no ground to their enemy. As the Grey Knights continued to battle, they noted the unholy chanting and the increase of power in the Shadow Guard. Guardsman in the front lines of course noted increasing enemy reinforcements which Orbital fire began to vaporize entire hordes, they continued to hold their ground even as more Guardsman were blown up by the magical lighting, Tanks hit would note plenty of damage but continued their fight even if most of their tank was reduced to rubble.

Of course the Shadow Legion was not the only one with supportive abilities. The Grey Knight Librarian nearby all his brothers as they fought began to chant holy prayers channeling the height of his psychic mind. "We are the Might of Titan! We bring destruction to the enemies of the Emperor! We are the edge of the Emperors sword! We do not fear no man or creature or demon! We are the Grey Knights!" The Space Marine spoke as the Grey Knights Power and Movements improved drastically.

With The Might of Titan, summoning up the power of the Chapter's ancestors and calling on the sacred genetic heritage which all Battle-Brothers possess, the Grey Knight Librarian began to harden muscles and boost the strength of those allies in close proximity to him. Along with this he casted Minblades, The Grey Knight imbued the blades and other melee weapons of his allies with unerring accuracy and the ability to seek out even the smallest of chinks in their foes' armour, any small weakness the enemy had would be exploited in full force. Finally the Librarian cast Quicksilver, Quickened by the Grey Knights Librarian's uncanny mind, his fellow Grey Knights' reflexes are increased to an uncanny speed and swiftness.

With reflexes to already gauge an enemy formation, to block bullets fired upon them, and strong enough to tear open tanks. The Entire Grey Knight collective gathered together began to push back in force against the Shadow Guard. Blows would be lethal and quick, their defenses improved greated to block and counter the Shadow Guard. They may have buffed up but the Grey Knights began to fight with even greater ferocity.

In the Center of the fighting the Grey Knight Paladin alongside Purifiers and Terminators where gathered in the thick of the enemy. With his Nemisis-Force Halberd and his great Psychic potential. His Strikes easily capable of destroying Greater Demons in one blow would fell even the elite Shadow Guard with ease. Shattering both weapon and armor if needed. "We do not fear the demon! We will purge this city of these vile ilk in the name of the Emperor brothers! Face the Emperors wrath!" Pravius roared as the Grey Knights pressed the attack.

"Enough!" Shouted a voice from the sky as a girl with six wings appeared in the air. "To long has your shadow tainted the land. I am the Angel of Terra! I am the tears and blood of those you have mindlessly slain! I am judgement and retribution! And I will wipe you from my Holy Land!"

Great waves of pure holy light came down from the angel it's power healing and protecting the warriors of the TLA and Imperium. But any Shadows caught in the waves would feel the fury of godlike flame ripping them to the very core.

A new and powerful protector was born and her crusade was just beginning...

Nymeth the Shadowling, the Legion, and the Shadow Guard all shuddered collectively. Something big was coming. Something powerful enough to shake fear into the battle-hardened, and already terrifying enemy of the Imperium. Even as the annoyance known as the Angel of Terra used her magic to burn the Legion, fighting continued, albeit suddenly the Grey Knights and Guardsman began to make headway, pushing the Legion back quickly.

Shadow Commandos lept into the Alleyways they'd come from, the Shadow Guard would launch devastating kicks in an effort to knock back the Grey Knights long enough to turn back towards their portal and leave, and the Shadow Legion simply began to die. Slowly it became a mass of unending Black Sludge, undulating and smoldering all at the same time while still retaining a liquid, gelatinous form that raced for the Alleys and Storm-Drains.



The very air and ground rumbled and shook as a great roar echoed across the land; the Roar of a Dragon. Not of Draco, but of something much more powerful. One not too keen on the presence of the Shadow Legion. A beam of Golden Light arced down from the sky, landing in the dead-center of the Shadow Legion Forces, vaporizing them on contact. Irral, the First Son, had arrived.



As the beam of Golden Light faded, Irral stood fully in his Armor, the Twelve Foot-Tall Human form of the First Dragon born from the Light herself lowering his gaze upon the Shadows of the Legion. His hand slowly raised to the Lance upon his back, drawing it and settling into a stance.

All was still.

Before a Shadow could Screech and attack, the Lance pierced its mouth, spearing straight through it and into the chest of another Shadow. Within seconds Irral was dog-piled by the Shadows, but all he did was open a hand, a ball of Holy Draconian Light expanding from it, blasting the Shadows away from his body and vaporizing them as he then twirled his Lance around his body quickly, creating a light breeze likely felt by many in the area from how quickly he spun it. With it he sliced through every minion the Shadow Legion sent at him, Minotaurs were cast aside, Shadows torn asunder, Commandos ended entirely, and Watchers dispersed. Nymeth the Shadowling herself narrowly escaped decapitation, fading into the Shadow of her cloak, leaving Irral standing alone as the Shadow Legion continued to squelch and attempt to leave the area.

Slowly, the Dragon of Corrupted Light turned, facing the TLA and Imperium; looking upon them with a discerning gaze. He paid no mind to the Angel, her power actually helping him, holding back the inherent Corruption within his own body and Magic. "I commend you all for your efforts against the Legion of Shadows...... but I'm afraid you are too late; if they are here, then Draco has claimed this land as his own...." his Lance was in a relaxed, but ready position within his right hand as his head turned to gaze over the area, watching the remaining Shadows try to attack from the flanks of Guardsman Positions. "I recommend you all leave now.... so I may Cleanse this land of its Corruption." he lifted his Left Hand, the fingers curled into a Claw as an orb of Golden Light Swirled in his palm, corrupted by the faintest tinge of Purple. Retribution; Irral's most powerful combative Spell. He would find a way to use it to cleanse an area of Darkness; this would prove to be an excellent testing ground.

As the Shadow Legion withdrew from the area, Imperial Guard forces hunkered down slowly approached forward or held defensive positions for those that advanced forward. Heavy weapons were being reloaded, fresh energy packs were being inserted into las-guns, and armor held their tactical positions. They slowly approached the city with steady hands ready to fire if required.

However the Grey Knights were another story. They were outraged that a unknown being dares to step in and make them leave. This was their task for the Emperor, they would be the ones to purge the area. And they would never allow a xeno to dare say to leave the area.

The Paladin, Pravius marched forward. "Cease your tongue xeno! We will not leave this area. We will be the ones to purify this area in the Emperors name! We do not require your aid, we do not require the aid of the false deity that has also appeared! We are the defenders of humanity and you are not needed. We have this area under our control. We will purify this area without your aid xeno!" The Paladin stated before turning to the Grey Knights gathered. They decided to work quickly before the Imperial Guard appeared. They were already channeling their psychic might, ready to commence purification of this area and the land.

The Terra Nova forces regrouped those few of the recon force left as well as what was left of the Vikings and Banshees. The Ghost took command of the ragged group as they worked to heal wounded and repair damaged vehicles. There was victory but at great cost.

The Angel of Terra sighed upon hearing the words of the Imperium Leader. "Can you not see we are all on the same side here?" She asked.

"Don't waste your breath Angel they are too blinded by their self righteousness to listen to truth. What we came here for is gone now and we have no desire to stay here and help the Imperium start another war." Spoke the Ghost

The Ghost turned to her men "Let's get the hell out of here shall we?"

As the Terra Nova troops made ready to leave the Angel of Terra went towards the Imperium " Can't you see that your bigotry and arrogance turns the very people you claim to protect against you?"