Guardians

 "Father?" the Lion asked as the Emperor checked on him one night.

"Yes?" the Emperor asked.

"Have you ever gone a safari?"

"Yes," the Emperor said. "A very long time ago. Where did you learn that word?"

"Malcador," the Lion said. "Can you tell me about it sometime?"

"In the morning," the Emperor chuckled. "Why are you the one awake?"

"I wanted to ask about safaris," the Lion said around a huge yawn.

*********************************

"Where are we going, Allfather?" Leman asked as they boarded the Imperator Somnium the next day.

"Are we going to find a safari?" the Lion asked.

"Not quite," the Emperor chuckled. "Queen Serlynn of Xeninath has invited us to see the phenomenon they call the Dancing Comets."

"Oh, that sounds cool!" Magnus said. "What about Uncle Malcador?"

"Unfortunately, one of us has to stay behind while the Navis Nobilite determine their next representative," the Emperor said. "We agreed that Malcador would stay for that."

"Oh," Magnus said.

"We can take picts," Jaghatai suggested.

"Or tell the tale like the skjalds on Fenris," Leman said. 

"That might be fun," Magnus admitted. 

"I think it's a great idea," Fulgrim said. "Maybe combine it with picts?"

"A good tale can stand on its own," Leman said. "But, maybe some picts wouldn't hurt."

The Primarchs headed off debating on whether to turn it into a competition to see who could relay the event the best. It seemed Fulgrim and Leman were being the most vocal about it, with Ferrus backing up Fulgrim.

*********************************

"Serylene, it's  time to meet our guests" Queen Serlynn said to her young daughter. "Their lander will be here soon."

"Alright, Mama," Serylene said. "Can I play Guardians with the Lord Primarchs?"

"Of course you can," Serlynn said. "But only after we've greeted them properly."

Serylene took her mother's hand and they went to the receiving room. Though the Emperor and the Primarchs technically outranked the queen of Xeninath, they would present themselves as she was their hostess. As was tradition, they would approach the queen and princess individually. 

The Emperor came first, a tall man, taller than any Serylene had seen, which made her a bit nervous. Serlynn gave her a glance, before they made the sign of the aquila and kneeling before the Emperor. One dusky hand quickly waved away the deference, and indicated for the two to rise.

"My ladies," the Emperor said, acting as his own herald. A break from tradition, but allowed as he had insisted. "My sons, the Lord Primarchs."

The Lion was first, as was normal among them. His green eyes darted cat-like around the room, then settled on the queen and princess. He made a deep, courtly bow, as was often seen on Caliban.

Fulgrim was next, white hair almost sparkling. Oooh, he'll make a very pretty Guardian, Serylene thought as Fulgrim did his own courtly bow. This one was somehow more utilitarian, and more flamboyant than the Lion's, which impressed Serlynn. 

Pertuarbo followed, he struck Serylene as all hard edges and planes. He was going to be harder, but she was certain something could be done to make him an acceptable Guardian.

She was impressed by Jaghatai's topknot, and Leman's braids. Rogal was stiff, and almost overly formal, she considered him a challenge. Konrad scared her more than the Emperor did, but she was certain that would be useful as a Guardian. Then it was Sanguinius's turn.

He had opted to enter on foot, as he typically did when being presented to new people for the first time. A quick glance showed that the reception room was large enough for him to fly in, and he was willing if requested. He did spread his wings wide when making the sign of the aquila. It was both striking, and made it easier to bow. Serylene was enamored, as many were.

Ferrus paused in the doorway, noting how the lighting was arranged, trying to avoid accidentally blinding anyone with light reflection from his arms. Fulgrim mistook it for nerves and waved encouragingly from the side of the room where the Primarchs had been been told to stand after being presented.

Angron, uncomfortable in his formal robes, did his best not to glower while being presented. It didn't help that he hadn't been allowed any kind of weapon, so he felt a bit naked. A short bob of a bow, and he was off to the side. 

Roboute came in looking like he was born for formal presentations. Mortarion had been convinced to go without his rebreather, which was a very rare occasion. It was occasionally joked that he was born with one. Serylene was surprised by Magnus, but he also seemed nice.

Horus was impressive, at least to Serlynn. Serylene found him oddly off-putting, as if he was too charming, or something. It was weird. Lorgar was quiet, oddly shy for a Primarch. Vulkan was happy for the lights, and quite jovial. Corvus was calmer than Vulkan, but looked nearly as uncomfortable as Angron. Serylene was surprised that Alpharius was noticeably shorter than the others. 

Now that the presentation was over, she looked towards Serlynn, wanting to go and play. Or at least that's what her mother thought. Being a Guardian was serious work, and she knew that the Blue Moon Gang was going to do something soon. They wanted to disrupt events around the Dancing Comets. 

"Serylenne," her mother said. "Why don't you take the Lord Primarchs outside to play? I have to speak with the Emperor."

"Of course, Mother," Serylene said formally.

"Go along, Primarchs," the Emperor said, and the boys fell in with her. 

*********************************

"Can we get out of these?" Angron asked, indicating his robes.

"Of course," Serylene said.

"Thanks," Perturabo said. He didn't particularly like his formal robes either. Fulgrim loved to wear his, but didn't want to play in them. She lead them to the guest quarters and the Primarchs quickly changed.

"Alright," Jaghatai said as the last ones came out. "What are we playing?"

"Pretty Guardians," Serylene said. This caused a cacophony in reply, several of the Primarchs spoke at once.

"OOH that sounds fun!" Fulgrim said. "What do you think, Sanguinius?"

"Who cares what he thinks?" Angron snarled. "I'm not pretty."

"You aren't ugly either," Lorgar pointed out. He was still getting used to the idea of actually being a part of a non-antagonistic grouping. Angron apparently was also still getting used to it, as the comment seemed to short-circuit him. 

"Guys," Horus said, causing everyone to stop talking. "Can we just be Guardians?" 

"Yes," Serylene said, somewhat saddened. "But it's a magical transformation thing."

"Oh?" Fulgrim asked, raising an eyebrow.

"There's a psychic field that runs throughout Xeninath," Serylene said. "When we 'play' Pretty Guardians it transforms us into them."

"That's cool!" Magnus said. "How do you trigger the transformation?" 

"You raise your right hand," Serylene said. "Then call out a planet you're connected with, power, then make up. Here I'll demonstrate. Xeninath power make up!"

There was a flash of light, and Serylene was suddenly wearing what looked like a dress with a frilled skirt and a ribbon, knee high boots that matched the ribbon, and a tiara with a pink stone in the center. She struck a pose, almost like a battle stance.

"Hm," Horus said. "We probably shouldn't all pick Terra. What about our special recruiting worlds?"

"Do I have to?" Angron asked. 

"You've never changed your world from Nuceria," Horus pointed out. 

"But one of us could be Terra?" Rogal asked. He liked Inwitt, but felt closer to Terra.

"You can be Terra," Horus said after a moment. "But if you do, Angron will have to go with Nuceria."

"Angron?" Rogal asked, willing to let him use Terra.

"You can take it," Angron said. "I'll see if I can make Nuceria a force for good."

"You're working on that now, aren't you?" Lorgar asked. "By curtailing the high riders?"

"True, I guess that's something positive," Angron said.

"How about one of you tries?" Serylene suggested. "Just to see if it works. Think about something the planet is known for."

"Alright," the Lion said, then paused. "Do we have to use that phrasing?"

"Yes, at least I think so," Serylene said. "I've never tried it with anyone from off-world, or boys for that matter."

"Well, if it doesn't work for Lion, I can try," Fulgrim said.

"I still want to try first," the Lion insisted, then raised his hand. "Caliban power make up!"

There was a flash of light, just like with Serylene. When it faded the Lion was wearing what almost looked like the robes he wore over his armor. He had a circlet with a dark green stone in it. The stone almost matched his eyes in how dark it was. 

"My turn!" Fulgrim called. "Chemos power make up!"

One by one they went, and were surrounded by the flash of light. Fulgrim ended up in something like an executive's outfit from Chemos, his circlet had a purple gem. Perturabo looked like an ancient warrior of Olympia, his circlet was hazard stripped, except for the part that housed the gem on everyone else's. That was just plain metal and confused everyone. That was until Ferrus touched it and needed Fulgrim's help to pull his finger away from the magnet.

Jaghatai came out looking like a Chogorian fighter, with an amber gem. Leman was in furs, and surprised everyone by saying that he wasn't overheating. His gem was the color of ice. Rogal's only obvious difference was the circlet, set with a yellow gem. Konrad's outfit looked to be made of shadows, leaving his face and circlet with a black gem, as the most visible parts of him. 

Sanguinius's gem was a tiger eye, and his wings got some level of decoration as well. He looked at them, and made sure they didn't affect his ability to fly. Ferrus's outfit was close to Mechanicum robes, he had a white gem that had faintly purple effects on it. Angron was set up like a Nucerian gladiator, which made him happy. He had been concerned it would put him in a dress. His gem was a pale red, that came close to the red dust of the arenas.

Roboute was in a toga, split for fighting, with a deep blue gem. Mortarion looked like one of the resistance fighters from Barbarus, with a mossy green gem. Serylene thought it kind of looked like snot. Magnus had what looked like sorcerer's robes and a blue gem that matched the summer sky. 

Horus's outfit also didn't change much, though his bodyglove was a different color and his circlet had a grayish-black gem. Lorgar was in monkish robes, with a gem the color of sand. Vulkan's smiter's apron had a flame motif, and his circlet a bright green gem. Corvus had a pearl for his gem, along with flowing black robes. Alpharius's bodyglove became scaled, and his gem was a dark teal color.

"Awesome!" Serylene said. "Let's go!"

She set off at a run and took the Primarchs out of the palace grounds. The Blue Moon Gang lived in the palace village, so she tried to have her confrontations with them away from home. It also helped her try and hide that she was the princess. They made it out to a wide field just out of sight of the palace before finding their foe.

"Oh ho!" the taller, older child said in a taunting voice. "You have some friends now, Guardian Xeninath? Afraid to face the Blue Moon gang on your own after we beat you so badly last time?"

"We don't need to listen to this," Horus said. He looked to Magnus, then remembered how Serylene had been addressed. "Guardian Prospero?"

"I've got this," Magnus replied. He raised one hand, intending to psychically make the older child incapable of speaking. However, nothing seemed to happen. 

"Oh dear, looks like you haven't explained everything about how Guardian powers work," the other girl said, giggling at Magnus's confused expression. 

"You have to say something to power up the attack," Serylene hissed.

"Do we have to?" Angron muttered. This earned his a swift look from Roboute and Lorgar. 

"I don't think we should just swing fists," Roboute chided.

"Uh," Magnus said, trying to come up with something clever. "Prospero logic silence!"

The older girl went to laugh, and her face froze. She couldn't make a sound.

"Nice!" Jaghatai said. "Is that how it'll work for all of us?"

"Yes," Serylene said. "I did forget that part."

"It's alright," Horus said. "Seems you usually run solo?"

"I'm... still... here," the older girl ground out. 

"Oh, yes," Konrad said. "Guardian Lycaeus, do you want this or can I?"

"I'll do it," Corvus said. "Lycaeus deafening mist."

"Good one," Konrad said. "So, what do we do with her now?"

"Not whatever you're thinking," Mortarion said firmly. 

"What if I was just thinking to spin them around a few times?" Konrad asked.

"I think she's better as a messenger," Serylene said.

"Oh, I like that idea," Konrad said. "Getting her to gather the rest of this gang?"

"Yep," Serylene said. "With all of you here, I think it's time to take them down for good."

Corvus dissipated the mist, and Magnus let the older girl speak. Serylene told her to gather the rest of the Blue Moon Gang, and they would settle everything between them.

"You think we'll go that quietly?" the older girl asked.

"Maybe not," Serylene said. "But it's worth the shot. I know you guys want to try something big, and we can't have that while the Emperor is planet-side."

"Oh, but that's the best time to do it," their adversary said. "We can set our sights higher than just this mudball."

"But it's my mudball," Serylene snarled. 

"Well, your plan does let us plot," the other said. "And we weren't planning on you having back up."

"Makes it closer to fair," Serylene said.

"Oh, very well," the other said. She went off, leaving Serylene and the Primarchs.

*********************************

"Where have they gone?" the Emperor asked. "The children?"

"Serylene wanted to 'play' Guardians with the Lord Primarchs," Serlynn said. 

"Oh?" the Emperor asked. "It's not actually play?"

"No," Serlynn laughed. "But not dangerous either. Not really."

"Ah, if it's not dangerous for her, then it's perfectly fine for my sons," the Emperor said. "And they can have fun."

"Indeed," Serlynn said. "It's more of a tradition, the princess and her guardians."

"Ah, are her regular companions going to have an issue with my sons stepping in?" the Emperor asked.

"No," Serlynn said sadly. "Unfortunately, it's just been Guardian Xeninath, not anyone else."

"Ah," the Emperor said. "That is most unfortunate."

"There are records in the palace that indicate that there have been fewer Guardians each time around," Serlynn said. "So it was bound to happen, but it's hard because she also doesn't have any regular friends. She's been so driven to find the other Guardians."

"Perhaps too much so," the Emperor mused. "How do the Guardians work?"

"They have power over a given element or concept," Serylnn said. "Sailor Xenanith is the leader and has the strongest attacks. There's also things like fire, lightening, and other things."

"Oh, well, Vulkan would love to take the fire role," the Emperor laughed. "There may be a bit more of a fight for the lightening. I can see Perturabo, Jaghatai, and Ferrus all going for that."

"Oh dear," Serlynn said. "I hadn't even thought about that, there may have to be some overlap."

"It's likely," the Emperor said. "It's fairly normal for them to share aspects of things."

"Well, hopefully there aren't any actual fights about it."

*********************************

"Oh, that's cool," the Lion said after Serylene had explained how the Guardian powers worked. 

"It is," Magnus said. "Though the naming thing is weird."

"Not much weirder than the hand motions usually used for psychic powers though," Jaghatai pointed out. "Just verbal."

"It's still psychic," Angron pointed out. Mortarion nodded in agreement. 

"It's also play," Horus said firmly. Angron looked away, while Mortarion nodded curtly.

"Are we ready?" Serylene asked. 

"We're as ready as we can be," Horus said. "Were they coming back here, or are we meeting them somewhere?"

"I think it's that second one," Sanguinius said, glancing over at Konrad. The other nodded. "They're trying to sneak around us."

"Cowards," Angron growled.

"Their whole thing is trying to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the palace town," Serylene said. "And it's our job to protect it."

They ran along, guided by Jaghatai and Sanguinius acting as scouts. Everyone liked the idea of Sanguinius scouting because people don't look up. Corvus had found that his shadow walk didn't work as normal, but he could go into it if he called it as a power. This had caused a bit of confusion about why Konrad and Sanguinius weren't affected. It was determined that passive abilities weren't affected, but ones that were active or needed concentration like the shadow walk, were. 

"There they are!" Sanguinius called out. It had been determined that he had powers related to honor. Almost all of them had a version of their preferred close combat weapons, though Corvus had a whip. Serylene's powers were based around justice, which was the only reason that it wasn't Corvus's. 

"You're going down, Blue Moon Gang!" Serylene said as she burst through a row of trees. The Primarchs hung back, letting her take the lead. Several found ways of getting across the narrow way that the Blue Moon Gang had been using. Sanguinius flew over while they were distracted looking at Serylene.

Corvus quietly called out the phrase to trigger the shadow walk, then strolled along behind Serylene. He briefly thought about making some rude gestures he had seen, but decided against it, better to wait until it could be seen. Konrad was using some of his shrouding powers to muffle his footsteps and slipped over behind the Blue Moon Gang. Magnus cast a glimmer, while Jaghatai used his wind powers to rush along. 

"Oh, did your friends leave you?" the girl from before taunted. 

"What's to say you aren't surrounded?" Serylene answered. 

"Doubtful," said another youth. "We're good at knowing where people are, even Guardians. And everyone knows that there's only you."

"That's... not true," Serylene said, stumbling slightly. 

"You can't claim your friends from before as Guardians," the first girl said. "They were all boys."

"Even though they had powers?" Serylene asked, getting back onto firmer ground. 

"They didn't know the rules, so it was a fluke," the first girl growled. 

"Is that so?" Fulgrim asked, strolling out of the foliage. 

"You heard what I said," the girl said.

"Oh, so you stopped talking because of surprise?" Magnus asked, joining Serylene and Fulgrim. "I can do it again, if we need to."

"Oh no, I'm sooo scared," the girl taunted.

"Chogoris wind spin!" Jaghatai called out, beating Magnus to the punch.

A small cyclone appeared, spinning around the Blue Moon Gang. Jaghatai guided it around them, forcing the gang into a tight circle. Once there, Jaghatai let the cyclone go and signaled to Rogal.

"Terra stone wall!" Rogal called, leaping into sight. The gang was surrounded by a wall that was just slightly too tall to get over. 

"Nice team work, Guardians!" Serylene said. 

"Let's go," Horus said, as the rest of the Primarchs emerged. "Unless there's something else we need to do?"

"Other than alert the local authorities, not really," Serylene said. 

"Guardian Baal?" Horus asked. 

"On it!" Sanguinius called.

Sanguinius had gone up a tree, and broke a few twigs off as he launched himself out of it. He vanished with a quick down sweep and a bit of a gust from Jaghatai. The rest headed off on foot,  Serylene in the lead. 

"'How long will that wall stay up?" Rogal asked. 

"I'm not sure," Serylene admitted. "I think it may last as long as you have focus on it."

"Oh, they'll be there for awhile then," Rogal said. "Certainly long enough for the local enforcers to retrieve them."

"Do we have any idea what they were going to do?" the Lion asked suddenly.

"Uh," Serylene trailed off. That might be a problem.

"Sanguinius!" Horus called out. "Hold off! They probably won't do anything without evidence."

"True," Sanguinius said, landing in front of the group. "I had just realized that myself."

"Now what?" Leman asked. 

"I guess we have to let them go," Serylene grumbled. "And wait to catch them in the act."

"They've been released," Rogal said after a moment. "I could actually feel the wall flowing back. It was kind of cool."

"Now, how are we going to find out what they're doing?" Horus asked.

"Corvus and I could trail them," Konrad suggested. 

"Maybe as front runners?" Vulkan suggested. "How powerful are the Blue Moon Gang?"

"I'm not sure," Serylene said. "They've been around for awhile, but the Guardians have always been able to stop them."

"We'll figure it out," Fulgrim said. 

"We are good at things like that," Rogal said. "And our earlier idea worked great."

"I doubt we'll be able to do it again though," Perturabo said. 

"True," Rogal said. "But they only saw a few of our powers. We can keep using different pairings or the like to get them off guard."

"That's a good point," Horus said. "But we're currently standing here, talking about things. They're probably running for their base."

"We have the Guardians base," Serylene suggested. "It's actually not far from here, and has auspex."

"That's a good plan," Horus said. "Where is it?"

"Just over here," Serylene said, indicating an arcade. 

"In an arcade?" Angron asked. 

"Yep," Serylene said. "Under a game that's used to train the Guardians."

"That's cool," Perturabo and Ferrus said together.

They entered the arcade, and Serylene showed them the cabinet that was also the entrance to the secret base.

"Wait, how do other people not find it?" Alpharius asked. "How is it accessed?"

"It's under the cabinet," Serylene said. "No one looks for things hidden under them."

"That makes sense," Roboute said.

*********************************

"Has the Blue Moon Gang always been the enemies of the Guardians?" The Emperor asked Serlynn. 

"Not always," she replied. "At least according to the records it hasn't. The Guardians have seen off other threats, and is a large part of how Xenanith survived Old Night despite the psychic forces at work on the planet."

"Interesting," the Emperor said. "When did the other Guardians start disappearing?"

"Let's look," Serlynn said, taking the Emperor to the royal library where records of the Guardians deeds were kept. "I know there was a bit of time before it was realized."

She pulled the book that revealed the secret room holding the records of the Guardians. It was kept by the former Guardians as they slowly lost the ability to transform. It was something Serlynn would reveal to Serylene when she was older. 

"This goes back to the fall of Old Night?" the Emperor asked, impressed.

"The founding of Xenanith," Serlynn said. "About a century before the fall of Old Night. It is something we are very proud of."

"It is indeed something to be proud of," the Emperor said. "Very few planets can boast of such records." 

They dug through the records, starting with the most recent. Serlynn revealed that she had been on her own in terms of being Guardian Xenanith when it was her time to be Guardian, and her mother had had only one Guardian companion. This gave them a starting point to work their way back from. 

"There appears to be a gap here," the Emperor said. "About a century and a half ago."

"Ah, yes," Serlynn said sadly. "Guardian Xenanith and her brother. He tried to usurp her place and there was a schism in the family."

"So no records were made of that time?" the Emperor asked.

"No," Serlynn said. "Or if any were made they were taken when he left. Wait, the Blue Moon Gang starts showing up in the records just after that."

"I see you also don't believe in coincidence," the Emperor chuckled. 

"No, I do not," Serlynn said. "But what does that have to do with the missing Guardians?"

"Are they like Guardian Xeninath?" the Emperor asked. "Carried on a bloodline?"

"Yes," Serlynn said, realization hitting her. 

*********************************

"This is really cool!" Perturabo said as he looked at the cogitator console in the Guardian base. "You can scan the whole planet from here."

"How did you find out about this place?" the Lion asked.

"I lead her here," came a voice, the owner of the voice turned out to be a smallish black rabbit. 

"Now that's cool," Leman said. "Hello!"

"Um, hello?" the rabbit said. It gave Serylene a confused look. Or as close to a confused look as a rabbit could get.

"Oh!" Serylene said. "I'm sorry Nithaya. These are the Lord Primarchs that I mentioned."

"Hm, so they can become pretty Guardians," the rabbit said, then caught sight of Angron and Mortarion. "Or at least Guardians."

"Yeah, it's pretty cool," Serylene said. "Even if it's only temporary."

"Trying to find the Blue Moon Gang?" Nithaya asked.

"Yeah, or more specifically, what they are doing," Serylene said. "We had them earlier, but without knowing what they're planning we don't know if they're letting themselves get captured, and we can't detain them in the law."

"A good point," Nithaya said, hopping around the cogitator. "We know they've been planning something. It may have to wait until closer to the welcoming feast."

"How would that work?" Horus asked. "If the identity of the Guardians is supposed to be a secret?"

"We'll have to go as ourselves, and find a way to slip out and transform," Serylene said. 

"We should head back, then," Fulgrim said.

"You don't need to bathe," Ferrus said instantly.

"We're still a decent ways from the palace," Jaghatai said. "And we'll not want to be seen there as the Guardians."

"He's got a point," Mortarion said. 

*********************************

They arrived back at the palace with just enough time to change back into their formal robes. Serlynn and the Emperor met them, and they told them a bit about their adventures. Corvus noted that Serlynn was a bit surprised, and the Emperor had a measured look. 

"It sounds like you had fun," Serlynn said, shooting a quick glance at the Emperor. "Did you enjoy seeing the area around the Palace, Lord Primarchs?"

"We did!" Horus said. "You have a nice town."

"Not a nice planet?" Serylene asked.

"I haven't seen the whole planet," Horus said. "Except from orbit, and that's only an overview."

"Oh?" Serlynn asked.

"He means we don't have enough experience of the whole planet to make a judgement, Queen Serlynn," Sanguinius said. "Though I agree that I like what I have seen."

"A good answer!" Serlynn said with an approving laugh. With that she led them into the feasting hall. The other nobility of Xeninath had already gathered, they rose from their seats and knelt to the Queen and Emperor.

"Rise, all!" Serlynn called. "Rise and enjoy! We are joined by the Emperor and his sons. We feast in their honor."

Everyone resumed their seats and the first course was served. Serylene and the Primarchs were trying to watch the servants, making sure they could see all of their faces. They didn't know all of the servants, but had seen the whole Blue Moon Gang, so they would know if someone had been replaced.

+You seem surprised,+ the Emperor sent carefully to Serlynn.

+I am,+ she replied. +I've never heard of boy Guardians before.+

+Is that what sparked the issues with the brother?+ the Emperor asked.

+Yes, it all came down to simple jealousy,+ Serlynn said. +He wanted to be Guardian Xeninath and couldn't be.+

+Interesting,+ the Emperor mused. +Was he the younger?+

+No, the elder, and that's what rankled him the most,+ Serlynn said. +The field that does the magical transformation didn't work for him. But for some reason it worked for your sons.+

+Maybe it's trying to rebalance,+ the Emperor mused. +And they are from off-world, so maybe it reads them differently.+

+Very likely,+ Serlynn said. 

While the adults were having their private conversation, the Primarchs were keeping a running commentary of who they were seeing entering and leaving the feasting hall. Leman and Angron had ended up in a competition to see who could come up with the goofiest names to refer to specific people. Roboute and Horus were trying to keep them from getting offensive. This wasn't being helped by Konrad, Mortarion, and Lorgar all offering suggestions.

"There's...." Konrad started, pausing to think of something. 

"Titan nose?" Mortarion filled in.

"Guys," Roboute groaned. 

"What?" Mortarion said. "He's got a giant nose."

"He can't help that," Roboute said.

"No, look at that again," Angron said suddenly. "I think it's fake."

"He's right," Fulgrim said. "It isn't even a good fake nose, doesn't match his skin tone."

"You're agreeing with Angron?" Lorgar asked, surprised.

"We can do that from time to time, right?" Fulgrim asked, he then turned to Ferrus. "Is it really that weird?"

"For you, a little," Ferrus said. "You and Angron are opposites on a lot of things."

"But that means it's even more serious when the two of you agree," Lorgar pointed out. "It means something's up."

"Lorgar has a point," Horus said, signaling to Serylene. "We're going to have to find a way to slip out."

"I recommend going in smaller groups, or solo," Corvus said. "It'll look conspicuous if all nineteen of us leave at the same time."

"True," Vulkan said. "But Serylene should go in the first group. She's less likely to get injured if she's Guardian Xeninath."

"I can't though, the guards will follow," Serylene whispered urgently. 

"Hm, we'll have to do something about that," Horus said. 

"It'd be more dramatic if we showed up after Guardian Xeninath," Fulgrim said. "But maybe we go first?"

"There's guards and servants watching us too," Ferrus pointed out. "We're guests, so it'd be even worse. Serylene likely knows the hiding places to escape, but we don't."

"And people will be more focused on helping us in case we get lost," Perturabo said. "Not that it's likely to happen."

Horus was torn. He wanted to ask the Emperor for assistance, a distraction perhaps, but he wasn't willing to expose Serylene's secret either. Magnus was another possibility, but it wasn't exactly clear if his powers worked as normal when he wasn't acting as Guardian Prospero. 

"Let's see what they do," the Lion said suddenly. "Give them some chance to show their hand."

"Give them enough rope to hang themselves?" Konrad asked, flashing an innocent looking grin at the Lion.

"That is what I was thinking," the Lion said. "This way they can be taken down and made to repent of their actions."

"Punishment is always good," Konrad said, nodding in a sagely manner. The febrile light in his eyes somewhat marred the effect though.

"Good point," Roboute said. "But let's come up with a better name than 'Titan-nose'". 

"We could just refer to them as gangers," Horus suggested. "Then either number or letter them."

"But that's not interesting," Fulgrim said. Ferrus nudged him hard in the ribs. 

"It's also easiest, and therefore the most efficient," he said. 

"Fine," Fulgrim said. "But can we have some flair next time?"

"Maybe," Sanguinius said. "You could come up with character names for the next holodeck story."

"Focus," Perturabo hissed. "There's more coming in."

Five more people dressed as servants had entered the hall, but none of them were carrying trays. Serlynn noticed and made a discreet gesture to the guards. She wanted the chance to catch them herself and get some answers. 

That plan ended abruptly as the room grew dim. She turned to look at the Emperor, having heard that he emitted his own light, but it wasn't there. He met her gaze, but didn't indicate if this was on purpose, or he was actually effected by whatever was going on. Then, the entire room went black.

"What just happened to the adults?" Serylene asked.

"They've all blacked out," Mortarion said. "Something the Blue Moon Gang did?"

"Possibly," Horus said. A quick glance at the Emperor showed that he was faking it, ready to help if needed, but also not interfering.

"But why would it only affect the adults?" Serylene asked.

"Because you're weak, Guardian Xeninath," came a voice, muffled by a rebreather.

"How...?" Serylene asked, the question trailing away.

"Oh, I know everything about you, Guardian Xeninath," the speaker stepped out of the shadows, revealing themselves to be a young woman. "You see, what you have was supposed to be mine."

"What are you talking about?" Serylene asked.

"I can explain," Nithaya said, suddenly appearing. None of the Primarchs had seen the rabbit enter. Magnus shook his head as the others turned to look at him.

"Nithaya?" Serylene asked. "What is going on?"

"This is your cousin, many times removed," Nithaya said, one ear twitching towards the woman. "Guardian Xeninath has surfaced from the first-born daughter of the royal family since Xeninath was founded as a colony."

"One of my ancestors had a sister?" Serylene asked.

"No," the woman growled. "A brother, and he was born first."

"But, Nithaya just said it was the first-born daughter," Horus pointed out. "If you're descended from the brother, it doesn't matter that he was the elder. It goes down the female line."

"It should have gone down the line of the first-born," the woman growled. "And skipped to my ancestor's line."

"Horus is right," Fulgrim said. "Clearly said first-born daughter, so if it's a boy he doesn't count, and it goes to the girl."

"Logically, the only way it would skip is by there being a generation that didn't have girls," Ferrus said.

"You all stay out of this," the woman snapped. 

"No," the Lion said. "You clearly want to fight, and probably kill, Guardian Xeninath. We cannot allow that."

"And what are you going to do about it?" the woman said. "You're boys, and according to tradition you don't get to be Guardians."

"Not so," Fulgrim said. "Chemos power make up!"

There was a flash of light, and the others transformed as well. Revealing nineteen Guardians.

"Seems we have some exceptions," the woman marveled. "Though that just makes it worse."

"They are exceptions because of missing Guardians," Nithaya said. "You have grown too powerful to curtail alone, and balance needs to be restored."

"Oh?" the woman sneered. "The previous Guardian Xeninath did just fine on her own."

"Not really," Nithaya sighed. "She ran herself ragged to try and keep you curtailed."

"Sounds like you picked the weaker bloodline then," the woman said. "And I may not have the numbers, but I have the skill and raw power."

"You... don't know who we are, do you?" Vulkan asked. 

"Should I?" came the quick response.

"I mean, maybe not as Guardians?" Corvus said. "But on a general level you should be sort of aware of who we are. Or at least who our father is."

"I don't care what upstart off-world noble your father is," she said. "The real power here is through the Guardians."

"And I thought Guardian Nuceria lived under a rock," Magnus said.

"Hey!" Angron called over. "We all know it's Guardian Terra who lives under the rock."

"Wait," Leman said. "Doesn't Aldurukh translate to 'the rock'?"

"It does," the Lion said. "But no one lives under it."

"And we're side-tracked," Roboute muttered.

"GUYS!" Horus yelled. "Focus!"

"You didn't have to use the f-word," Perturabo grumbled.

"Clearly your team isn't very well organized, Guardian Xeninath," the woman said. "That means I'll have an easy time beating them."

"Oh, we're only like this out of battle," Lorgar said. "Once we're in battle it's a very different story."

"I doubt it," the woman laughed. "Companions?" 

The other members of the Blue Moon Gang, all of the ones they had captured before, appeared. Disguises fell from those who had been posing as servants. Alpharius noted that the outfits were somewhat similar to Guardian Xeninath's outfit. This made him suspicious, but he wasn't sure who to try and flag to point it out.

"Let's see if they've all learned the rules," the girl they had fought with in the park said. She shot forward, a lasso coming out like a lash at Vulkan. Corvus leapt in the way, intercepting her attack with the handle of his own whip. He then flicked his wrist, dragging the girl closer to them. Vulkan took it from there.

"Nocturne seal of fire!" he called out, something that looked like a wax seal made entirely of fire flung itself at the girl. She tried to dodge aside, but got hit in the arm. There was a scream and one of the other gang members threw water on her.

Other members of the gang rushed forwards, trying to scatter the Primarchs so their leader could get to Serylene. The Primarchs had other plans, and almost instinctually formed a defense around her. The Lion and Rogal were the closest to her, working around each other and striking out where they had opportunity. The others ranged around them.

"Guardian Xeninath," Rogal said calmly. Serylene was frozen, confused. She stared at Nithaya. 

"Why does this person think they deserve to be Guardian Xeninath?" she asked the rabbit.

"Because they seek power," Nithaya replied. "But don't understand how power is to be used."

"What do you mean?" Serylene asked. "It doesn't make any sense."

"The Guardians were a thing created by the women of the court when the colony was founded," the rabbit said. "It was meant to teach what power was and where it comes from, as the men at that time didn't want to recognize the power that women have. That is why your identity was a secret, even though your costume doesn't hide your face."

"They could also work as a mouthpiece," Rogal said suddenly. "A way to show men the power of women."

"That was a consideration," the rabbit said. "I'm an expression of the psychic field that creates the Guardians, so I foster the process."

"Where did the other Guardians come from?" the Lion asked.

"They're the descendants of the original Guardian Xeninath's friends," Nithaya said. 

"So it started out as play?" Serylene said. "Or has that always been a cover?"

"Mostly a cover," Nithaya said. "Though play was a big factor at first."

"And they just want the power?" Serylene said. "But it doesn't work that way."

"Correct," Nithaya said. "Power comes in many forms. Your ancestor gave up the power he could have had by being jealous of his sister's."

"But, if he was first born, wouldn't he have been heir?" Serylene asked. 

"That's what Nithaya means about giving up the power he had," the Lion said. "He was heir, but was blinded by his desire to be stronger. To have all the power for himself."

"Your loaner Guardians see the truth," the woman said. "if the first born daughter can have it, why not the son?"

"Because sons are taught a different way," Nithaya said. "They don't need their worth to be enhanced or pushed in the same way that daughters do."

"The son doesn't need the power to be heard," the Lion said. "To be able to speak is nothing if you aren't heard."

"But it's not fair!" the woman snapped.

"What's fair about life?" Rogal asked. "Your ancestor had overt power. The Guardians let daughters experience that overt power so they have a frame of reference. It helps them know what power is, and ways that it can be used. This makes it easier to use more subtle power."

"And that subtle power can be much more powerful than overt power," the Lion said. "It's part of why Malcador is so useful to Father."

The other Primarchs contracted, filtering around the woman to join the Lion and Rogal. Horus was trying to direct them into position. Sanguinius had taken flight and came down immediately next to Serylene, who was still unsure of what to do.

"You have to use your power, Guardian Xeninath," Sanguinius said. "It has to be you that ends it."

"Why though?" she asked. "I don't understand anything."

"The Blue Moon Gang is your foe," Sanguinius said. "You have the power to stop them. It's not something we should take from you."

"But how?" she asked, "What do I do, Guardian Baal?"

"I'm not sure," Sanguinius said. "Nithaya?"

"We have to restore balance," Nithaya said. "Demonstrate that you know how power is supposed to be used."

"That doesn't make sense," Serylene whimpered.

"First, you have to believe in yourself," Horus said. "Confidence is a form of power."

"But that doesn't tell me how it's supposed to be used," Serylene said.

"It doesn't matter if you know how to use a tool if you don't have the tool," Rogal said.

"You are Guardian Xeninath," Sanguinius said. "Nothing can change that. As Guardian Cthonia said, confidence is a form of power. To be a leader, confidence is a foundation."

"Right," Serylene said, though she still sounded doubtful. Nithaya began to hum, an eerie sound that echoed more than it should have given the space of the banquet hall.

"Power is many things," Fulgrim said, having an idea of what was going on. "Therefore it has many uses."

"It should be used justly," Konrad said. 

"And in protection of those without power," the Lion added.

"Power is used to bring stability," Roboute said. "Law and order."

"Peace and security to those you rule over," Perturabo grunted. 

"Freedom" Jaghatai said. "The ability to chose, but have safety if needed."

"To have power is to defend," Rogal said. "As Guardian Caliban mentioned."

"It's to be used honorably," Angron said. "Not just to have your way."

"Power needs to listen," Corvus said. "Just because you have power doesn't mean you are above the law. Or that you see all."

"You have to be careful with it," Vulkan said. "It can be like fire, good for forging strong worlds and people, but can also consume if left unchecked."

"Power can corrupt," Magnus said. "That's why you need to surround yourself with knowledge. For it is also a foundation of power."

"Confidence and knowledge," Serylene said, looking to the others. "I train to gain both."

"Exactly," Horus said encouragingly. "From there comes power."

"As  long as I have friends to stand with me, I can do anything," Serylene said. There was a bit of a waver, but she was starting to glow slightly, the light pulsing in time with the tune that Nithaya was humming.

"From iron cometh strength, from strength cometh will, from will cometh faith, from faith cometh honor, from honor cometh iron. This is the Unbreakable Litany. May it forever be so," Perturabo said. It was something he was working to instill in his Iron Warriors. Making them harder to break. Magnus referred to it as a mantra.

"And so may it be," Lorgar echoed. 

"What's happening?" the woman shrieked. "You're just saying pretty words. Power is for the strong to make the weak do what we want them to do."

"That's abuse of power," Angron growled dangerously. 

"Tyranny," Mortarion agreed. "That is what you describe."

"You'll have to defeat my entire gang to get to me!" the woman suddenly screamed, backing away to let the other members get ahead.

+Be careful with them,+ the Emperor suddenly sent out to his sons. +They are the other Guardians, turned to the Blue Moon Gang out of jealousy.+

"Aim high," Magnus said. "Go over the other members. We just need the leader."

"Take out the head, and the body dies," Ferrus said in agreement.

"Right," Serylene said. She felt more sure of herself than ever. These were the lord Primarchs, and they felt it was important for her to make the final blow. That also meant that they thought she could. The light that had been surrounding her coalesced into what looked like it was supposed to be a rod or scepter. The fact that it was longer than she was tall made it look more like a staff. "Xeninath scepter judgement!"

Light shot out of the tip of the scepter, arcing over the other members of the Blue Moon Gang to strike their leader. She screamed, then vanished as the light faded out. The rest of the Gang froze, backing away. Another flash of light, and the Primarchs were no longer Guardians. 

"Did you just kill Nyvelen?" the girl from the park asked sharply.

"No," Nithaya answered for Serylene. "She was sent to a holding cell, to face the judgement of Guardian and Queen."

"Why are we no longer Guardians?" Fulgrim asked. He looked the most upset about it, though Angron looked a bit relieved to not be Guardian Nuceria any more.

"Because the actual Guardians are no longer under the control of Nyvelen," Serlynn said. 

"Why weren't you affected?" the girl asked again. "It was supposed to affect all of the adults."

"Because I was once Guardian Xeninath, just as my daughter is now," Serlynn said. "And it leaves something behind, even if we can no longer transform."

"And it certainly didn't affect all of the adults," Magnus said. "Father has also been pretending this whole time."

"We don't care who your father is," another member said.

"You really should," Horus said.

"My sons are correct, on both counts," the Emperor said, as he sat up next to Serlynn. "I have been faking, and you should care."

The Blue Moon Gang fell to their knees in near perfect unison, realizing who was in next to the Queen and how much they were in trouble. The Emperor waved them to rise, then looked to Serlynn.

"This is your world, Queen Serlynn," he said. "Their fate is yours to decide."

"I will need time to assess them," Serlynn said. "However, my lord, if you could assist in breaking the field affecting the other adults? Once awakened the guards can take them in hand."

"Of course," the Emperor said.

*********************************

"How was the Dancing Comets?" Malcador asked at family dinner several days later. He hadn't been able to greet them at the landing pad due to meetings running long. The preparations for the new representative of the Navis Nobilite were in full swing, and it could get a bit hectic.

"It was fun," Roboute said, glancing swiftly at Magnus, since he'd answered first. "The way they rotate looks like they're spinning around each other as they pass across the sky."

"It's really pretty," Sanguinius added added.

"Anything else happen while you were on Xeninath?" Malcador asked. He hadn't been too surprised about Roboute answering the question first. Everyone knew he was deep into learning about space and comets were a special focus currently. Sanguinius adding the part about it being pretty was a bit more unusual. Malcador had been expecting Fulgrim to add the aesthetic assessment.

"We got to be Guardians for a bit," Ferrus said carefully. Fulgrim had really liked being Guardian Chemos and it was the reason for him being so subdued.

"Oh?" Malcador asked, one eyebrow going up. "Like guards for Queen Serlynn?"

"No," Horus said. "It... I'm not sure how to explain it really."

"It was presented to us as play," Vulkan said. "But it was more than that."

"There's a powerful psychic field around Xeninath," Magnus said.

"Kind of like the world spirits of Fenris or Nocturne," Leman added. 

"But, perhaps a bit more refined," the Lion said. "Less primal then Fenris or Nocturne, and less dangerous than what can be felt on Caliban."

"It makes sense though," Corvus said. "Xeninath isn't a death world."

"True," the Lion said. "Though I do agree with Leman on how the field around Xeninath is similar to Fenris or Nocturne."

"You agree with me about something?" Leman asked.

"Am I not allowed to?" the Lion asked, tilting his head. 

"No! I mean...yes?" Leman said. "You can agree with me, I guess."

"That's good," the Lion said with a nod. Vulkan tried to turn his giggle into a cough, and didn't quite succeed. 

"So, how did this psychic field present itself?" Malcador asked.

"Partly as a talking rabbit named Nithaya," Horus said. "But it also did a transformation thing that gives the Guardians powers over things."

"Oh?" Malcador asked, doing a quick glance at the Primarchs he knew weren't the biggest fans of psychic powers. "How did that work?"

"It was centered around planets we have a connection with," Magnus said. 

"How long was the fight for Terra?" Malcador asked, looking towards Rogal and Angron. "I assume you weren't all allowed to pick it."

"There wasn't one," Angron said. "I let Rogal have it. Though he did offer to let me have it if I wanted."

"Interesting," Malcador said. "Why let Rogal have it though?"

"Lorgar pointed out that it's the high riders I specifically have an issue with," Angron said. "And that I could use the opportunity to start to change how Nuceria is seen, and how I see it personally."

Malcador nodded at that. He had been encouraging the friendship between Angron and Lorgar. The Emperor had been a bit concerned about it at first, but after some convincing had agreed to let it take it's course. 

"Is this why you're upset, Fulgrim?" he asked, turning his attention to the other Primarch. Fulgrim just nodded, not wanting to say anything. The Emperor gave Malcador a look, silently asking him to not go further. Malcador nodded, indicating he understood both Fulgrim's response and the Emperor. 

*********************************

"Father?" Fulgrim asked at bedtime.

"Yes?" the Emperor asked, feeling a slight sense of deja vu. 

"What did Nithaya mean by showing women how to use power?" Fulgrim asked. "Women can learn to wield power the same as men."

"They can," the Emperor agreed. "However, not everyone can see that."

"But Queen Serlynn rules Xeninath without a king or any form of consort," Fulgrim said. "So why keep the Guardians?"

"I don't know," the Emperor said. "Though often times things like this becomes traditions that stay with us. Even if the original purpose is no longer a thing."

"Oh," Fulgrim said, drawing it out with a yawn.

"Besides," the Emperor continued, "I think it was a big thing for Serylene."

"It was," Fulgrim murmured, laying back and falling asleep. "And now she has her friends."