Hello! It's been a bit, hasn't it? This story is a bit different than normal, as this is an attempt at actual chapter structure. For reference, the Pokemon story was actually written as one giant thing, then I split it up into chunks. Just a quick thing about some OCs in this story. There are lady Custodians, though this is the first time it's ever come up. There's some other familiar faces. Hope you enjoy!
"This is so exciting!" Angron said as they saw the assembled fleets. "What do you think, Lorgar?"
"It is impressive," Lorgar said after a moment. "There's a lot of strength out there. I wasn't expecting Father to have fleets this size for our first war games."
"Soo pretty!" Fulgrim said as the others started to crowd around the view ports.
"Lorgar's right," Ferrus said. "It's a lot more firepower than I was expecting. Especially since we're being pitted against each other."
"Yeah," Fulgrim said. "I'm a little sad that we aren't on the same side."
"Me too," Ferrus said. "But it's also good to go against each other. And it's not like we're the only ones split up. Jaghatai and Magnus, along with Sanguinius and Horus have also been split."
"Yeah, I wonder how Father came up with that split," Magnus said. He didn't like it either, but they hadn't been allowed to pick their sides.
The eighteen fleets were arranged in layers in the void, starting with the Dark Angels, and ending with the Alpha Legion. The Imperator Somnium was delivering each Primarch to their flagship, then they would be participating in war games, nine Legions against nine. Each fleet was the same size, trying to keep the playing field even. Horus was overall commander of one side, and Rogal the other.
"Everyone gather up!" Horus called. "Valdor's got something for us before we split up for final in person briefings. Once those are done we'll get dropped off."
"What does Valdor have for us?" Corvus asked.
"Good question," Vulkan said. Vulkan and Corvus were on the same team; the only other pair who were on the same side were Angron and Lorgar.
"Observers," Valdor answered as the Primarchs gathered around him. "One for each side since your father cannot stay."
"You aren't one of them," Ferrus observed.
"No, I'll be staying with your father," Valdor said. "But that shouldn't change anything. The observers are just watching you, but if anything happens and they have to take charge, you need to listen to them."
"Oh?" Fulgrim asked. "Who are they?"
"A pair you've seen, but never met properly," Valdor said as two Custodians stepped forward. "Joysepha will be joining Horus's side, observing from the Fidelitas Lex. Pryskella will observe from the Shadow of the Emperor."
"There are lady Custodians?" Fulgrim asked, getting in before either Lorgar or Corvus could as their own question.
"Of course there are," Valdor said.
"The more important question is why our ships?" Corvus said, gesturing to himself and Lorgar. "Wouldn't it make more sense for them to be observing from the Vengeful Spirit and the Phalanx?"
"Perspectives, Lord Corax," Pryskella said. Lorgar tilted his head in confusion. It was rare that he was asked for his perspective on a fight, other than his kill count. He also wasn't the leader for his side, in fact he was set up to be reserves at first. Joysepha seemed to see that.
"Part of the purpose of this war game is to see how you work as a team," she said. "How you interpret orders, and to get your thoughts on what Lord Lupercal is planning."
"For my part," Pryskella said. "I'm looking forward to seeing some of your stealth techniques in action up close."
"I can understand that," Corvus said. It was something that came up on occasion. The shadow walk wasn't something widely known outside of the main family and the Raven Guard.
"Alright," Valdor said. "That's all I had, I believe Rogal and Horus wanted to go over things with their teams before drop offs started?"
"Yes," Horus said, glancing over to Rogal who nodded. "But isn't Father going to join us?"
"Unfortunately, no," Valdor said. "He's currently dealing with an issue between two fleets. They are very up in arms about it."
"Oh," Horus said, looking away.
"He knows when drop offs are to start," Valdor said. "I'll take over if it's still going, and he can see you all off."
"Thanks, Valdor," Rogal said, trying to keep everyone positive. "My side, with me."
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Valdor was true to his word, and the Emperor was waiting in the hangar bay to see them all off. Each flagship would send a Thunderhawk when the Imperator Somnium was close by. This meant the hangar would be busy for a bit, but the Emperor was able to properly see off each of his sons.
Finally, it was just Alpharius left. He seemed extra excited about this event. Omegon had been stumped a bit by his conversation with Valdor on Pimalia about how rarely his own name was used. They had brought it up with the Emperor and he had been happy to assist them in finding a way for both to participate in this war game. Omegon was already aboard the Gamma having been attached to a group of initiates. The reasoning was they were to learn through observation, it also let Alpharius and Omegon stay together.
"Do you still want to keep yourselves secret from your brothers and Legion?" the Emperor asked as they waited for the Thunderhawk from the Alpha.
"For now," Alpharius said. "Though I think it's only a matter of time before we have to tell one group or the other. Might be helpful for Omegon as well."
"But only one?" the Emperor asked, curious at that.
"At first," Alpharius said. "We've kind of been lying to them both for a long time, longer for our brothers. Is it weird that I don't remember why we decided to only be one?"
"That's because it wasn't exactly your idea," the Emperor said. "You agreed to it, but it was my idea for you to only be one."
"How could you and Malcador tell us apart as babies?" Alpharius asked suddenly. "Psychic presence?"
"Mostly," the Emperor said. "Though there are very slight differences between you. They're basically unnoticeable though. Mostly personality differences."
"Ah," Alpharius said. "Very unlikely that my brothers have figured it out then."
"Indeed," the Emperor said. They watched the iridescent Alpha Legion Thunderhawk pierce the shielding that held in the atmosphere. It landed, and Alpharius trotted over to the lowering ramp. He waved to the Emperor as he boarded, then the ramp closed and the Thunderhawk departed.
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Thus the Primarchs boarded their flagships. The Lion was told that the wind was from the forest, and the Hound was out to play. Fulgrim had to disappoint his Legion by saying they weren't going to have time for a full welcoming feast. Perturabo headed not to the strategium, but to the forward bulkhead where the real planning of the Iron Warriors was done. Jaghatai's trip through the Swordstorm was disrupted by a pair of White Scars racing on jetbikes; their punishment was to face Jaghatai for their lack of patience and poor timing. Leman, like Fulgrim, had to disappoint the Vlka Fenryka regarding welcoming feasts.
Rogal was already giving orders as they moved through the Phalanx. This didn't surprise Archamus, Rogal’s Master of Huscarls. The Phalanx was a relic from Inwit, and significantly bigger than a Gloriana-class vessel was. This was just the most practical thing to do.
Konrad was making sure everyone was behaving themselves. Sanguinius was already thinking that he was going to have a long conversation about personal space with Azkellon. Ferrus was having possibly too much fun at Gabriel Santar's expense. Delvarus was still trying to make things up with Angron after the incident at the training hall. Roboute was getting situation reports from each of his captains and shipmasters while going through the Macragge's Honor.
Mortarion went through the Endurance, making sure everything was either ready, or getting that way. Magnus gathered the heads of the different disciplines of the Thousand Sons. Horus called for the Mournival, happy that it was a rare occasion where the four of them and Maloghurst would be present. Lorgar was working with a different chapter than usual and meeting Argel Tal, Erebus and Joysepha watching him closely.
Vulkan was trying to greet everyone, while also getting ready for Rogal's orders. Corvus was turning the trip to the strategium into a bit of a tour of the Shadow of the Emperor, it also served to let the Raven Guard know about Pryskella. Alpharius had double-checked that Omegon was on the same ship as him, they were still using the "Frederick" code name for the moment. It would take more discussion before they decided who they were revealing themselves to, and all the details of that.
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"I don't like having to leave the sector," the Emperor said. "Even if they are with their Legions."
Valdor looked at the blank viewport, blocked by the warp shutters. They had intended to remain in the sector, but at a distance to watch the war games as they developed. However, that wasn't an option now that they had to deal with the infighting between an Expeditionary Fleet, and one of the Mechanicum's Exploratory Fleets. They had both found a new Knight world at the same time, and it was causing jurisdictional nightmares.
"I don't see that we have a choice," he said finally. "They have their Legions, and Joysepha and Pryskella are good at their jobs."
"I know," the Emperor said. "And they would be devastated if I called a halt to the war game."
"Indeed," Valdor concurred. "We'll have to keep things quick."
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"Are you ready?" Horus asked.
"Of course I am," Rogal said. He was present in the Vengeful Spirit's strategium via hololith. "Are you?"
"Naturally," Horus said. "May the best brother win."
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The war game had Horus's group coming into a system while Rogal's defended it. To cover approaches Rogal had spread his forces wider than he typically deployed just the Imperial Fists. This was because he naturally didn't know where Horus was going to be coming in from. There was also the risk that Horus would put some of his forces into a direct assault, likely lead by Perturabo, but keep some spread out to come in on the flanks.
All of his Primarchs: the Lion, Jaghatai, Leman, Sanguinius, Ferrus, Roboute, Vulkan, and Corvus, had their routes to patrol, staggered around the system to cover all of the area. It was very similar to the Sol system, but currently no one lived there. It had been agreed to be a perfect system for the war games because of these facts.
The bridge of the Phalanx was busy, but surprisingly quiet. Rogal looked around, and nodded in satisfaction. This was just the way he liked his bridge. He had heard that others tended towards noisy bridges and strategiums, but he felt that didn't make sense. He turned his attention back to the tactical hololith that displayed all of his brothers' positions, spread out in a circle.
Void battles typically ended up in a spherical shape to account for the three dimensional nature of space. Each fleet formed its own sphere and they ran along side each other, or through each other if someone was being daring. Rogal planned to be able to unite all of his groups into one large sphere, but he know it would only work if his brothers cooperated with the instructions he had given them for their formations.
Jaghatai and Leman were the two he was the most concerned about. Jaghatai was known for running headlong into things, and Leman wasn't the biggest fan of being told what to do by anyone other than the Emperor. His attempt to try and keep them in line was to place them on either side of him.
The other six were also grouped in loose trios. The Lion, Sanguinius, and Roboute formed another arc. This left Ferrus tagging along with Vulkan and Corvus on the last arc. Rogal liked that because he needed someone who could keep Ferrus in line that wasn't Fulgrim. Ferrus respected Vulkan's craftsmanship at the least, and Corvus was good back up. Not as devious as Konrad, but good at subtle ways of getting people to do what he wanted.
Thinking of Konrad made Rogal feel the faintest pang of pity for Horus. He was under the assumption that Konrad and Mortarion had likely been separated. They were getting more active in egging each other on and it could be problematic for maintaining proper order. Angron and Lorgar he thought would be better together, but then he'd do it just to see if they could actually stand each other through the war game without Angron trying to kill Lorgar.
"Anything?" He asked the strategium at large.
"Nothing on auspex," the Mistress of Auspex reported.
"No word from your brothers, Lord," the Master of Vox added.
"He's trying to wait us out," Rogal said. "Let me know if anything happens." With that, he turned and left the strategium.
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"Are you two ready?" Jaghatai asked, looking at his two legionaries. Both nodded, trying to hold Jaghatai's gaze, and failing. Qin Xa and Yesugei were watching closely. Jaghatai was using a full-sized jetbike with some slight modifications so he could use it with ease. This didn't quite meet with Qin Xa's approval, but Jaghatai had explained that it was an attempt to keep things slightly fair. This was punishment, but could be used as a learning experience. Yesugei was of the opinion that it was because the race had inspired Jaghatai to try it.
There were many passages set throughout the Swordstorm that served both as maintenance passages, and race tracks for the White Scars. They weren't supposed to cross the main transit ways as a safety precaution. The course used by the pair who had cut off Jaghatai was down while a large piece of equipment was moved in one stretch of the course. It was the most challenging course on the ship, and they had devised a detour to go around the work.
"Qin Xa?" Jaghatai called over, looking to the master of the keshig to officiate the race. This was using the same course the two had meant to do, but it was now clear of the maintenance work. Qin Xa nodded, called out the countdown, and waved them to start the race.
Jaghatai whooped happily as the race started. They jockeyed for positions before having to drop into single file for a section. Each time it broadened out they tried again, Jaghatai was excited as this was the first race he'd gotten to do on the bigger bike. He was also happy that the two legionaries didn't seem to be holding back. He wanted the challenge, and had tried to make that clear to them before the race started.
One of his sons, Shiban, shot past Jaghatai at a broader patch. Torghun, the other White Scar, cursed under his breath. He nearly clipped the wall falling back into line for the next narrow section. That would have been a disqualification from the race and further problems for him.
Jaghatai found himself sandwiched between his sons, waiting for the next broader section. It was going to be a tight race, and he was enjoying the thrill of it. Two other members of the keshig were waiting at the finish line, one to escort Jaghatai and the other to take control of the jetbike. Qin Xa was of the opinion that Jaghatai was going to lose control of the mount at some point. He didn't know that Jaghatai was aware of this.
The last time the course broadened, it did so both horizontally and vertically. This created an extra challenge. Due to the dangers of being caught in gravitic down wash passing could only be done if everyone was level, but the course did rise to the last area. Torghun and Jaghatai both gunned it, Jaghatai trying hard to not shoot up too fast, since he was lighter. Torghun moved closer to Shiban, then caught up. It looked like he was trying to grab at his brother.
"What is he doing?" Jaghatai asked himself. Shiban had seen him and boosted higher, but Jaghatai overtook them both. They shot into the final stretch, trying to go as fast as their mounts could take them. Jaghatai focused on controlling his mount, he'd ask Torghun what that was about after the race.
Making a sharp turn, he saw the lights marking the end of the course. His mount was already going at the top sped, but Jaghatai was trying to find ways to keep the other two behind him. Then he felt a tap on the back of his mount, not enough to destabilize it, but one he could feel. Risking a quick glance back, he saw Shiban dropping back from him slightly, an amused look in his eyes. Jaghatai turned back in time to shoot across the finish line.
"What was that about?" he asked as soon as Shiban had dismounted. "Was it related to what Torghun was doing on the vertical section?"
"It was, Kagan," Shiban said, choosing to answer Jaghatai's questions backwards. "It's a feat to touch another's mount without risking injury, or taking over the mount while racing."
"That's really cool!" Jaghatai said. "Perhaps someone will show me how it's done sometime. Though probably not on this trip. We have the war games to focus on now."
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Each Primarch's flagship had a library, though none of them were quite the same. The Lion, Magnus, and Alpharius all had secret parts to their libraries. Angron's library was small, and very private. He didn't count it as a secret, but it wasn't known beyond Kharn, Lotara Sarin the Conqueror's shipmistress, and himself. Fulgrim's was full of art as well as books, Magnus grumbled that it was closer to an art gallery than a library.
Sanguinius swung his legs happily as he sat at the top of a bookshelf in his library. It wasn't quite as ornate as Fulgrim's, but he did have decorations. Some were on the walls, and some were mementos he kept on the shelves with his books. He was reading a book Magnus had recommended, and enjoying the moment of calm.
"My lord?" a voice came from the mezzanine level above Sanguinius. Looking over, he saw Raldoron.
"Did Mother Hen send you?" he asked, glancing around quickly to confirm Azkellon wasn't there to hear the nickname.
"No," Raldoron said with a rumbling chuckle. "At least not this time. He knows you like your privacy in the library. Though he probably wouldn't approve of your reading spot."
"Probably not," Sanguinius agreed. "Though scaring the mortal librarians has been fun on occasion. I change shelves sometimes. What are you here for, if not Azkellon?"
"A matter of discipline," Raldoron said. Sanguinius straightened, snapping his book closed.
"What kind of discipline?" he asked.
"The kind involving the Flesh Tearer," Raldoron growled.
"Who is he messing with now?" Sanguinius asked.
"A Captain Corvo of the Ultramarines," Raldoron reported.
"Zephon Sorrowbringer is my liaison with Roboute's Legion," Sanguinius said with a frown. "Why would Amit be contacting them?"
"I believe something with patrol paths getting crossed," Raldoron said. "I've requested a report and will handle the discipline. However, you needed to be informed."
"Indeed," Sanguinius agreed. "Has Zephon also been told?"
"He's being told now," Raldoron said. Sanguinius nodded, then shifted his grip on the book he had been reading. Knowing it was secure, he casually pushed off, extending his wings to catch himself. He then came up over the rail to land next to Raldoron.
"It's probably best that Azkellon didn't see you do that," Raldoron chuckled. "He'd probably try and ground you."
"He probably would," Sanguinius said with a sigh. "I've tried talking to him about being so protective. I shouldn't have to feel like I need to hide from him."
"Do you want me to try?" Raldoron asked. "We all want to protect you, but I can agree that Azkellon takes it too far sometimes."
"I don't know," Sanguinius said as they headed out of the library. "None of my other brothers say they deal with anything like this."
"I doubt that, my lord," Raldoron said. "You missed Eidolon's reaction when he accidentally hit Lord Fulgrim during training day last year. I almost thought I saw a tear in his eye."
"Oh, you better hope he doesn't ever hear you mention that," Sanguinius said with a laugh. "You'd have an enemy for the rest of your life."
"Naturally," Raldoron said with an amused glint in his eye. "He'll never hear it from me."
"Good," Sanguinius said. "I'd hate to have to tell Fulgrim about it. Everyone thinks our Legions get along so well."
"Not as well as people might think," Raldoron grumbled. "Sometimes I think they only like the Iron Hands."
"Fair," Sanguinius said, turning more thoughtful. "Though how much of that is due to Fulgrim and Ferrus being so close, I don't know."
"Most likely," Raldoron admitted. "Otherwise the Iron Hands have a lot more in common with the Iron Warriors."
"I think that's part of why they were put on separate sides," Sanguinius said. "Perturabo and Ferrus, I mean. Not sure why Fulgrim and Ferrus were split up."
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Ferrus glared at Fulgrim's hololithic image.
"You want me to become a traitor?" he growled, trying to keep his voice low. He was in a private room, but Gabriel Santos was right outside.
"I want you to help me," Fulgrim said. "So we can be on the same side."
"No," Ferrus said firmly.
"No?" Fulgrim asked, tilting his head.
"You heard me," Ferrus said. "I'd be happier if we were on the same side, but this is something we need to take seriously. I have agreed to follow Rogal's direction, and that is that. What would you think if I had asked you to provide information about your attack plans? Would you have done it?"
Fulgrim opened his mouth, froze, then closed it again.
"I think you see my point," Ferrus said. "We should disconnect before someone catches us, I know I'm not really supposed to be talking with the other side." He cut the connection before Fulgrim could react, still upset at the idea that Fulgrim might think he'd betray the people he was working with. He came out, and looked up at Gabriel Santos, "Come with me. I need to go to my forge."
Gabriel Santos nodded and went along without comment. He could tell Ferrus was upset, and it wasn't a good idea to speak with him until he'd sorted himself out a bit. The pair arrived at the forge, and Santos waited five minutes more.
"What happened?" he asked.
"He wanted me to betray Rogal's plans!" Ferrus practically screamed in the vault of the forge.
"Lord Fulgrim?" Santos asked, clearly surprised. "I thought he knew you better."
"So did I," Ferrus said, then shifted his feet. It was something Santos had learned to read as Ferrus having a realization. "Maybe this is why Father put us on separate teams."
"To see who you would be more loyal to?" Santos asked, not quite keeping up with his Primarch.
"At least in part," Ferrus said. "Everyone says we're so close. How deep is our bond? Does it affect our ability to fight if we aren't aligned?"
"Good questions," Santos agreed. "And I can understand wanting to test that. I can't imagine you breaking for anyone if you can stand against Lord Fulgrim."
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Corvus found Pryskella in the forward observation lounge of the Shadow. As he approached he spotted the bag on one side of the chair she was using, and a stack of squares on the other. A string ran from the bag up to Pryskella's hand. She turned her head slightly, noticing Corvus's presence.
"Can I help you, Lord Corax?" she asked.
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" Corvus answered with a chuckle. He noticed that her hands were still working the yarn, one controlling the flow of yarn and the other sliding a hook through the fabric she had already made. This was being done without her needing to look. "What are you making?"
"I'm not sure yet," Pryskella said. "Joysepha taught me a new stitch, so I'm trying it out." She looked at that stack of squares, as if assessing how many she'd made. "Maybe I'll make a bag. You never know when you need one."
"I guess?" Corvus said, sounding very unsure. "Where did you learn to crochet?"
"Your father taught us initially," Pryskella said. "Though we take turns as it were going through the archives and the Library to learn more."
"Why though?" Corvus asked. "As a hobby?"
"Of course," Pryskella answered. "We all have hobbies, it's important for keeping balanced and rounded. Often times our hobbies influence how we grow within the Legio. In fact, Lord Valdor made your first battle standards."
"Huh, I didn't know that," Corvus said. "Though now that I think about it, it makes sense. They were gifts from him, but we all thought he had gotten serfs to do it."
"Oh, no," Pryskella said with a laugh. "He got some of the Vexillas to teach him tapestry. There might still be some failed attempts hiding in the Tower. They were supposed to be destroyed, but I know for a fact they kept at least three from different Legions."
"He wouldn't be too happy to learn that," Corvus said. "But it is nice to know there was a more personal touch than him just ordering them made."
The conversation faltered there. Corvus turned his attention to the observation window, trying to enjoy as much of the calm before the games actually began. It was the waiting part of the fight, which could make anyone antsy. Except Rogal he thought with a bit of a smile. He'd just stand there until something moved him if Father asked it of him.
"Do you think Lord Lupercal will go after the Phalanx?" Pryskella asked suddenly.
"Yes," Corvus said, turning to face her. "But I don't think he can take her, or kill her. He will want to disable it though. The Phalanx is much closer to a star-fort than a Gloriana-class battlebarge. That's a lot of fire power." He was actually a bit surprised the Emperor had allowed Rogal to bring it.
"That's a good assessment," Pryskella said, nodding her head in agreement. "I have had similar thoughts. Especially considering Lord Lupercal's preference for the spear tip strike."
"It does help make Horus easier to predict," Corvus said. "But there is a reason why Father and Horus like it so much."
"What would you do if you were Lord Dorn?" Pryskella asked. "About the likely attack on the Phalanx?"
"We all know it's going to happen," Corvus said. "Rogal is likely to have a plan to escape when it happens. If it were me in command of the Phalanx I'd already be off her, but make it look like I'm still there."
"Are you sure Lord Dorn hasn't done that?" the questions kept coming, as Pryskella finished off a square and added it to the pile. Instead of starting a new one, she started packing the squares away, carefully tucking the hook into the unused yarn.
"Rogal was picked to lead the defense for a reason," Corvus said with certainty. "He's like Mortarion that way, he's willing do endure anything if he's got something to protect. It's why Perturabo has such a hard time moving him."
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