//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Lord Of ARMs // by Xenoguyver //------------------------------// Cruger sighed as he took a break from the mass of paperwork in front of him. While he stood behind the creation of the new divisions, he had no idea that the paperwork would be this extensive. “I could use a break,” Cruger said to noone in particular. Suddenly, a portal opened up a few feet above his paperwork. Cruger looked up in confusion. His confusion grew when he heard what sounded like a guy screaming, and the screaming was getting louder. “What the?” A body fell through the portal, landing on all his paperwork which then scattered the papers into a big mess. Cruger’s eye started to twitch slightly. He noticed the person on his desk and saw it was a young boy, someone in his late teen years. “Oh god that hurt.” The young man groaned out. He rolled over and then fell onto the floor with a thud. All was silent for a few moments, but the newcomer said in a simple flat tone one word. “Ow.” Cruger sighed before looking at the ceiling, “Murphy, would you mind aiming away from my desk next time?” Without waiting for a response, Cruger got up and walked towards the newcomer. “You alright kid?” The newcomer groaned a bit and slowly stood up, dusting himself off. “Yeah. I’m good. Thanks.” The newcomer looked at Cruger and suddenly got wide eyed. “Holy shit! Commander Doggie Cruger? How the hell did I land at SPD?” Cruger chuckled, “You didn’t, at least not the one you’re thinking of.” Cruger then pressed a button on the wall, “Sorrow Song, could you report to my office please.” The newcomer shook his head and grinned. “Sorry man. Forgot to introduce myself. The name’s Guy. Nice to meet you.” Guy looked around and cringed. “Um, sorry about the mess. Want some help on cleaning it up?” Guy asked. “That’s what she’s for.” Cruger said as Sorrow Song entered the room, “Sorry Song, but a new Displaced popped in, mind organizing this while I show him the ropes?” “Very well sir.” Song replied, “Although I hope this isn’t you trying to get out of it.” “He popped out of nowhere, I don’t think he’s even got a token yet.” Cruger replied defensively. Guy chuckled and shrugged. “Don’t you mean ‘dropped in’?” He shook his head. “Anyway, what is this about Displaced and Token? Am I missing something? First, I woke up surrounded by  what was essentially Celestia and Luna’s soldiers, I fought them to defend myself, saw my reflection on one of their shields and saw I was NOT human but a Protoblazer, blanked out, woke up later to find myself buried under some stone blocks, broke them to climb out, saw Twilight Sparkle and her friends about to be killed by Nightmare Moon, defend them and help them ‘purge’ her for lack of a better word, get knocked out, wake up again this time as Knight Blazer, find Luna AND Nightmare Moon separated, fight the crazy one, beat her, BARELY, then later say I need training, the next thing I know, a portal opens up under me and I land here. Sorry if I seem a little short right now, but I could REALLY use a break and wish SOMEONE would tell me what the hell is going on here?” Guy ranted, his right eyebrow twitching rather violently as everything finally hit him in a delayed reaction. “Which is why the Multiverse in its wisdom has sent you to me.” Cruger said before opening a portal. “Mind if we continue this in a more comfortable setting?” Guy took a deep calming breath, exhaled, then nodded. “Yeah. That would be great. Thanks. Again, sorry for the mess.” Guy said and walked up to the portal. “So where are we going anyway?” “My apartment.” Cruger said before stepping through. Guy shook his head and walked through the portal as well. He looked around after he got through. “Nice place.” Guy walked over to one of the chairs. “Mind if I sit down?” “Go ahead.” Cruger said, taking a seat of his own. “So, ask your questions.” Guy nodded and sat down. “Okay then, first off. Earlier you said ‘Multiverse’ and judging by the anthro pony, I’m in your version of Equestria right now?” “Yep.” Cruger said, “We Displaced go to other Equestrias like normal people go to the grocery store.” Guy nods. “Okay, second and third questions. What the hell is a Displaced and how the hell DID we become Displaced? I AM assuming that when you say Displaced you are referring to you and me. Individuals who stand out in Equestria. At least more than the natives that ALREADY stand out.” “I guess you could say that,” Cruger replied, “Displaced are people that have been sent to an Equestria with the abilities of a fictional character, usually after going to a convention dressed as them and buying something from a shady merchant.” Guy blinked and stared for a few seconds. In a flash of light, his twin guns, the Twin Fenrir appeared in his hands. “Knew getting these and those Mediums were too good to be true. Seriously. They all looked like HIGH quality items that would have cost me 2 grand, but I ended up paying just 150 bucks.” Guy blinked a few more times and looked back at Cruger. “I get the feeling that I need to know as much as you know about this Merchant. What can you tell me?” “In all honesty, not much,” Cruger admitted, “although in my defense, no one does.” Guy sighed and dismissed his weapons. “The reason I asked is because I just had a thought. It might not hold water and it also might just be the optimist in me, but this theory is also…….kinda scary. I know it would have no basis, but I guess I would just be hopeful. I’m honestly hesitant on sharing this theory.” “I’m a fan of MatPat, theorize away,” Cruger replied. Guy chuckled and nodded. “Okay. Now, I’m guessing that not ALL of the Displaced out there are like you and me. Good guys basically. There HAS to be one or two at least that would be on par with Joker from Batman. I think that those ones might be the…...outliers so to speak.” Guy said, getting Cruger’s attention. “I think this Merchant MIGHT be doing something that is considered illegal by whatever standards his…...species for lack of a better term, has. Also, I think his species might be similar to the Q from Star Trek. Anyway, The Merchant might have seen something……..VERY bad and decided that doing this would be the lesser evil……...do you want to hear the rest of the theory Cruger?” “I think I might, but before you continue,” Cruger opened a portal and pulled out a wanted poster. “the first part of your theory is confirmed. This guy, Basco, likes to go around the Multiverse and kill other Displaced for fun. You see him, you call me, then run.” Guy takes the poster and nods. “I will. I get the feeling that I still need training to be able to fight alongside you against this guy.” Guy said as he narrowed his eyes at Basco’s image on the poster. He then shook his head. “Anyway, if Basco here is an example of the FEW Evil Displaced, then this might give my theory more credibility, it might not. I think this Merchant is making Displaced, hoping to make an ARMY of us. Possibly to DEFEND the Multiverse. Or whatever is threatening it anyway.” Guy said. He then looked Cruger straight in the eye. “Besides, what would YOU consider the lesser evil? Doing the same thing as the rest of your race and do nothing, letting the end of reality happen, or break the laws of your race and create a hopeful army of multiversal heroes to defend it?” Guy finished as he looked Cruger in the eye. Guy closed his eyes and sighed. “Sorry about that. My brain tends to go into a tangient like that sometimes.” He said as he rubbed his closed eyes. “Anyway, that is my theory. The Merchant might be a good guy, but willingly broke the law and got in trouble for the greater good.” Cruger rubbed his chin. “Definitely something to keep in mind.” Guy chuckled a bit morbidly. “Yeah. But like I said, this is just a theory. There is no HARD evidence to verify it. And I honestly hope that theory is true, because the only other one that comes to mind is that there is nothing wrong with the Multiverse at all and the Merchant just grabbed us from our homes and dumped us where we are just for shits and giggles. I get the feeling that even DISCORD wouldn’t do that. That latter theory is why I am hoping the first theory is the real one.” Guy rubbed his head. “God I need a drink. Preferably a Sprite. Never was a fan of alcohol.” “More of a Mountain Dew guy myself.” Cruger said as he pulled two green plastic bottles from a portal before tossing one to Guy, “Luckily I found the local versions of both.” Guy caught his and chuckled. “Thanks Cruger. Nice and cold too. Just how I like it.” Guy opened his up and was glad he didn’t get sprayed. He took a few gulps and sighed. “Anyway, like I said in my rant earlier, I said that I needed to train in the use of my power and the Twin Fenrir, the two guns earlier, then the portal opened up under me and dropped me here.” Guy then proceeded to go into detail about what has happened to him so far, including the conversation and revelation that he was sealed in the Twin Pony Sister’s old castle in the Everfree for 1500 years. “In all honesty, it’s not the weirdest story I’ve heard.” said Cruger. Guy chuckled and nodded. “I’m sure.” Guy said with a laugh and drank some more. “Anyway, know someplace I can go to train? It’s not like you have a way to download a bunch of martial arts into my brain and nervous system like they did in The Matrix.” “Well, a Displaced I know founded a school for Displaced, but if you just want a quick spar, I know just the place,” Cruger replied. Guy nodded. “I could go for a quick spar. See where I stand compared to others, and see if my battle against Nightmare Moon and my victory against her really WAS just dumb luck. Better to find out in a friendly and controlled setting than in the middle of a battlefield where I can easily get killed.” “Fair enough,” Cruger said before standing up and forming another portal, “the badlands await.” Guy finished his drink, placed the empty container on a table and walked through the portal in a determined stride. After he goes through, he starts to think. “I just need to figure out how to change into Knight Blazer.” Guy said to himself. “Alright then,” Cruger said as the entered the desert, “maybe you could start by shouting ‘Henshin!’, if it’s good enough for Kamen Riders it’s good enough for anyone else.” Guy chuckled and grinned. “I certainly like the sound of that. In the game, the hero had to shout “Access” in order to change.” He shrugged. “Henshin sounds better. Okay then. Here we go.” He took a few steps forward for some safety. He stopped, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyes snapped open and he yelled out. “HENSHIN!” A burst of power caused a minor sandstorm to erupt around him similar to a cyclone. A glowing light seen inside the sand. After a few seconds the light faded and the sand fell, revealing his now transformed state, his scarf billowing slightly in the wind. Guy looked at his hands in awe. “Whoa. What a rush!” He said as he clenched his hands a couple times. “That was also easier than expected.” He turned to look at Cruger. “I almost expected to have to meditate and try to ‘sense’ the ‘Power’ within me.” “In my experience magic is 70% intent, 20% practice, and 10% showmanship,” Cruger replied, “Focusing your intent to transform through one of the most iconic transformation phrases ever took care of 80% of what you needed.” Guy chuckled and nodded. “Thanks. That’s good to know. Now to test this out.” In a flash of light, Twin Fenrir appeared in his hands. “Okay then. So far so good.” The next moment, two long ammo clips, each one almost 4 feet long, stick out of the guns and started glowing. Guy grinned. “Cool. Another lightsaber setup. Now I have two lightsaber sets. One from Twin Fenrir, and one I can make with my power as Knight Blazer similar to how Ryoko does it in Tenchi Muyo.” Guy looked back to Cruger. “Just out of curiosity, what do you think of my looks in this form? I’d like to get your opinion is all.” Guy asked in honest curiosity. “Pretty badass in all fairness,” Cruger replied, “especially the scarf, a good breeze and you’ll be able to skip the lesson on the dramatic entrance.” Guy chuckled and nodded in agreement as he turned to face Cruger fully and got into a combat stance. “Thanks. I’ll be honest, I used to be a 29 year old guy before I became a Displaced and got turned into a kid again. Sure I have to go through puberty again which will be a bitch to deal with since the ponies in my Equestria are anthro and have figures that could put supermodels to shame, but I can deal with it. It is great to be a kid again in a way. The reason I asked for your opinion was both honest curiosity and my inner kid slash fanboy kicking in. Anyway, shall we start our match? Cruger-Sensei?” Guy said in a semi joking tone. “No problem, although if you don’t mind I’d like to take the opportunity to test a new piece of equipment I’ve been working on,” Cruger replied as he took out his Morpher, “SPD Emergency! Machi-bugyō mode!” Cruger transformed into his standard form before shifting again into a form that resembled a samurai, a jutte at his hip beside his sword and the kanji for justice on his back. Guy blinked a few times. “Whoa. Talk about retro.” Guy grinned. “Saw an outfit like that worn by the lead character of one of my games. Let me guess, old Edo period police commissioner?” “Pretty much,” Cruger said as he held his Jingasa with his right hand and drew his jutte with his left, “was in the mood to have a samurai based mode for sword fighting, and this was more appropriate.” Guy chuckled and nodded. He stood there for a few seconds, the wind blowing gently. With a shout he charged at Cruger, firing a few bullets at him as he got close. He saw how Cruger managed to block each bullet. Guy then swung his right Twin Fenrir to hit Cruger with the Blade Extension. Cruger caught the Blade Extension in the hook of his jutte and twisted, sending it flying out of Guy’s grip, “Lesson 1, hold your weapons firmly, or you won’t be holding them for long.” Guy grinned. “No need.” In a flash of light, the weapon reappeared in his hand surprising Cruger for a moment, allowing Guy to shoot Cruger point blank in the gut a few times. Guy then leaped up and slammed both feet into the same place he shot Cruger, pushing Cruger back and sending himself flipping back a few feet as well. “These are not ordinary guns. They LOOK like guns, but they are actually nanotech colonies that are bonded to me. So I can pretty much summon them at will.” Guy looked down at his weapons, frowning under his helmet. “Although now that I think about it, that seems like a big cheat.” “If you think that’s a cheat,” Cruger said as he let go of his Jingasa and drew his sword, “perhaps you’d like to see my signature techniques in this form.” Guy looked up at Cruger and blinked a few times. “Huh?” That moment of confusion gave Cruger the opening to strike with his sword, slicing through Guy’s blades and part of his armor, leaving a cut so smooth it showed his reflection. “My primary offensive technique, the Hougetsu Jigen-Tou. My sword enters and exits this plane of reality over 1000 times per second, causing whatever it’s currently intersecting with to be pushed out of it’s way when it returns, cutting through practically anything like a 10,000 degree ripsaw through ice.” Guy shakes his head after the explanation and charges at Cruger again, the Blades of his Twin Fenrir extending again to their full length to try and strike back. He then swung his left Twin Fenrir at Cruger when he got close. Cruger hooked it with his jutte, however unlike last time he didn’t twist, instead it wouldn’t budge. “The Tsukamu Muei-Tou, your sword is now locked in space-time, making it a literal immovable object. Thanks for telling me about it being made of nanobots, it might not have worked if I only pinned one piece of it.” Guy chuckled and nodded. “No problem. And your techniques ease my conscience when I do this.” Guy released his Twin Fenrir from both his hands and slapped both hands on both sides Cruger’s head over his ears. However, they just passed through him, causing him to merely clap his hands. “Did I forget to mention that the Hougetsu Jigen-Tou can also be used defensively?” Cruger said before driving the butt of his jutte into Guy’s stomach. Guy stumbled back a few feet, a hand on his stomach as his Twin Fenrir disappeared in a flash. “Heh, not bad. Thanks. It really eases my conscience about how my Twin Fenrir could be a bit cheat. It just felt like that because it made your first lesson seem pretty pointless.” Guy said as he got into a combat stance. “Besides, I get the feeling that I need every advantage I can get in the future so I probably need to drop this ‘fair play’ mentality.” Guy said. He then suddenly stumbled in place when he heard Lord Blazer speak up in his head. -No shit stupid!- Lord blazer yelled, causing Guy to grab his head after stumbling and groaning. “Oh god. I forgot about you.” Guy said, confusing Cruger. Guy looked back at Cruger and laughed a bit nervously. “Looks like our match is over earlier than expected. I forgot to mention a few things.” “Wouldn’t be the first guy I met with a crazy backstory,” said Cruger. Guy just sat down and crossed his legs. “Well, in the original game Knight Blazer is from, the hero is essentially a……’Prison Break Attempt’ by a powerful fallen god known as Lord Blazer. The Blaze Of Disaster. Lord Blazer was originally sealed beyond the Event Horizon, however the hell THAT works, and over time, Lord Blazer was breaking free of the Event Horizon. The hero gained the power of Knight Blazer in the process, but Lord Blazer eventually broke free and was, I assumed, killed by the hero with the spiritual backing of all life on the planet.” Guy sighed and looked at Cruger. “Only instead of him being silent to try and break free this time, I hear Lord Blazer in my head. I think I might be Lord Blazer’s Prison this time. In other words, I have myself in a Naruto Uzumaki kind of situation. I think.” Guy said. Cruger sighed, “One of these days I am going to have to track down a Kamen Rider Wizard Displaced and sweet talk an Engage Ring out of them. I don’t suppose there's a way for us to have a chat with him, is there?” Guy just shrugged. “Fuck if I know. Maybe meditation or something? Besides, Lord Blazer is NOT created by magic and my ‘Despair’. He is NOT a part of me. So I seriously doubt that an Engage Ring is going to work on me. Also, I’m into women. Not guys.” Guy said in a joking tone at the end, managed to get a chuckle out of Cruger. Guy then sighed again and stood up. “Maybe we can get some help from a powerful mage or tech head at SPD. That should make it easier and less awkward. What do you think?” “Technically I am a powerful mage, although there currently isn’t anything we’ve got in R&D that could help with this,” said Cruger, “although if you want to launch a chicken several miles and have it perfectly cooked when it lands, that we can do. Right now our best chance is to find a Professer Xavier Displaced or something.” Guy stared at Cruger for a few seconds. “What was that about a chicken again? That sounds like something out of Tom and Jerry or Looney Tunes.” Guy shook his head. “Nevermind. Probably something like Pinkie Pie. Better for your sanity if you don’t question it. Anyway, yeah, finding a Professor X Displaced is probably our best chance. For now, I am probably on my own through meditation or something.” “Yeah, anyway one last lesson before we send you home,” said Cruger, “Tokens 101.” Guy nodded. “Sure thing. What do I do?” Guy asked, wondering how to make a Token. “Step 1, pick an item that represents you,” said Cruger. Guy nodded. He thought for a bit and managed to come up with something. “Okay then, how do I create said item? I’ve got an idea, but I don’t know how…to…….Let me guess. Magic?” Cruger just shrugged, “I dunno.” Guy sighed, closed his eyes and held out his right hand. An emblem the size of his palm faded in, looking like a side silhouette of a roaring wolf with what looked like a collar or halo around its head. Cruger looked it over, “Looks good. Step 2, infuse it with some of your power while speaking a phrase that represents you. This will automatically play whenever it first gets picked up, so make it a good one.” Guy nods and thought for a bit. He spoke up as he focused a bit of power into his new Token. “My name is Guy Ryugen, inheritor of the title and power of Knight Blazer. If you need help to fight an enemy of justice, peace, freedom or the very right to exist, call upon me and I will help bring damnation to their existence. If you want to just talk, call me anyway.” “A little corny, but then again they all are,” Cruger chuckled as he opened a small portal, “last step, throw it in here and it will automatically propagate throughout the multiverse.” Guy chuckled and nodded. He tossed in his Token and the portal snapped shut. “There. That should help. Again, sorry about the paperwork. Here’s hoping that I don’t hit the floor face first when I get back huh?” Guy said with a laugh. Guy then stood up, changing back into his human form and patting whatever sand was still on him off. “What’s your Token Cruger?” Cruger demorphed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a silver badge which he tossed to Guy, “Careful with that thing, it’s got a bit of a security system on it.” Guy catches it and blinked a few times. “This? What’s it going to do? Taser me or something? Still is a pretty good one. This is the SPD logo isn’t it?” Guy asked as he put it in his coat pocket. “Also, think I can learn how to do that pocket dimension magic of yours? It would certainly come in handy if I end up getting more Tokens in the future.” “Pocket dimensions are rather advanced, my recommendation would be to find a nice shelf,” said Cruger, “also if the wrong person tries to summon me it’ll explode.” Guy blinked a few more times. “Ouch. I think I am better off not knowing how powerful of a blast. Anyway, thanks Cruger. A couple things before I go. I forgot to mention this about my Twin Fenrir. With it being a nanotech colony, it can shapeshift. I potentially have the equivalent of either an entire army’s firepower, or 3-4 SPD’s in my hands when I use them. Hopefully we can remain in contact so we can bounce a few ideas back and forth. Also….” Guy held out a hand with a grin. “It’s pretty cool to meet a childhood hero. Sort of.” Guy said with a laugh. “You get used to it,” said Cruger as he shook it. “Anyway, ready to head home?” Guy chuckled a bit. “It’s not home. Not yet. But I think I can get used to it. Also, those parts you cut off of Twin Fenrir earlier, no need to worry about them. They are already back with the rest in the colony. Maybe next time I’m here, we can have your R&D study them a bit.” Guy sighed and grinned once more. “I’m ready to go Cruger.” “Then our contract is complete,” Cruger said as a portal opened behind Guy, “by the way, when you summon a Displaced they have a time limit before they automatically return, but you can use that to zero the timer early.” Guy nodded. “Sounds like a dimensional equivalent to an organic beings immune system. Anyway, later Cruger. And good luck with that Ultimate Evil known as Paperwork.” Guy waved goodbye as he walked into the portal, which snapped shut behind him. “Shows what you know,” Cruger chuckled as he opened a portal for himself, “its true name is Bureaucracy.”