Chapter 10-
Video Games and Shadow Clones
Chris stood in his lab, Blue Static across his arms as he held a sphere of ice magic between his hands. Come on, Chris, Sam said in his mind.
“You’re really bossy today, you know that?” Chris said through gritted teeth. It had been a few days since his battle with Mean Screen, and the Resistance had ground to a halt as the wounded were seen to and the dead paid respect. Chris had gone to every funeral to pay his respects, memorizing every detail to be recorded in his memorial.
Today was the first to have no ceremonies scheduled, so he’d decided to work in his lab and explore his magic a little more. Starlight had told him that his elemental magic was missing two elements before he could use the full spectrum of his powers. Those elements happened to be water and wind, and he’d cooked up a plan to gain their abilities. Now if Sam could calm down.
Come on, come on, Sam urged, pull harder.
“How hard are you pulling!?!” Chris growled in his stress. The ball off magic was slowly beginning to separate, the colors beginning to change as the ball started looking like pulled clay.
Just a little more, pull harder!
“Would… you… shut UP!!!” Chris yelled, tearing the magic apart. The two spheres, one of sparkling clear water, the other a vortex of air, floated in each of his hands. “Hey, it worked-” An explosion of force knocked Chris across the small work space. He landed on the floor and slid a few feet before coming to a stop. He stared wide-eyed at the ceiling. “Ow.”
What the hell, Chris!?! Sam shouted. You could have killed us. Starlight told us how dangerous this is!
Chris sat up, rubbing the back of his head. “Sorry,” he apologized, “just got tired of your yelling. Why are you so uppity today anyway?”
I just feel kind of antsy, that’s all, Sam answered his voice a little more solemn. Thanks for wearing my clothes by the way.
"You’re welcome,” Chris replied shortly. “Did it work?”
Don’t know, check the- Hey, what’s that?
Chris looked over in the direction Sam had directed and saw something shining on the floor. He flipped over and crawled on his hands and knees to get to it. He reached the object and took a long look. It was a pendant of two crossed swords, one green, one black, both with intricate designs. “What the…?” He reached out his hand and picked it up. A message immediately played in his head: My name is Kirito, The Twin Blade Swordsman or the Black Swordsman. If you ever need a warrior willing to lay his life down for the innocent just say my name and I will come to your aid.
Awesome, a new token! Sam exclaimed. Wonder who it belongs to- A black void suddenly appeared in the floor in front of them, just barely removing the floor from under Chris’ hand. He lost his balance and tumbled face-first into the portal. The portal closed just as Starlight walked through the door.
“Hey, Chris, how’s it going in- Oh,” Starlight stopped when she saw nopony present. She simply shrugged and turned to go. “Guess he went to get some lunch.”
-Unknown Universe-
Meanwhile in another reality, there were four creatures standing across from each other in teams of two.
The first two where both humans the first being a woman who had long flowing blue hair and eyes along with a large blue and white coat, along with that she held a large silver sword with a bright blue handle. The second was a young boy who was wearing a long black trench coat with white accents, he had jet black hair and had a long black sword that was bigger than the length of his body on his back.
The second group was more a familiar team of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. However unlike how you’d normally expect Scootaloo to look she appeared to have no wings and instead had only two bandaged stubs where her wings should have been.
They were in what looked to be a coliseum like structure that seemed to go up a distance almost like a large group had worked tirelessly for months to build it.
“You sure you're ready to do this squirt… you just got out of the hospital a week ago.” Rainbow Dash asked Scootaloo clearly worried about the injured foal.
“I’ll be fine… besides I can’t sit back after what happened, Craig’s gonna need all the help he can get.”
“Scootaloo maybe you shouldn’t push yourself… remember what the doctors said if you injure your wing joints anymore they may be unable to create any working prosthetic limbs for them.” The women said calmly with a smile.
“Mom, if she wants to risk it, we can’t stop her… besides she’s just as stubborn as her father,” the boy replied with a smirk.
“Kirito… don’t encourage her… if she gets hurt she may never recover fully,”
“Oh you worry too much Aunty Asuna,” Scootaloo chuckled.
“I often think I don’t worry enough with you,” Asuna muttered back in annoyance.
“Mom we’re just sparing what’s the worst that could happen?” Kirito asked.
“You just had to say that,” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Now everythings going to go wrong,” Scootaloo muttered as bright green flames surrounded her as her form changed from that of a pony into a more bipedal body although she still retained her normal looks apart from some wings that actually looked like they could support her body in flight. She also held what looked to be a bright silver sword with a plain black handle.
Out of nowhere, a black hole opened up in the coliseum floor, a body seeming to jump out, only to have gravity take hold and drag it back down with a thud. It was a young man with reddish brown hair, wearing what looked like a racer’s jacket and cargo pants, green lining and white accents covering the jacket. The jacket hung slightly open revealing a green shirt and an odd symbol.
“Umm… did one of you activate a Token?” Kirito asked.
“Nope,” They all replied in confusion.
“Just great... Who are you?” Kirito asked as he drew his swords from his back
The young man groaned and rolled over onto his hands and knees. He sat back to rest on his knees, rubbing his face and head. He suddenly stopped and his hazel eyes flew open. “What the hell!?!” He shouted jumping to his feet and looking around him in panic.
“Who are you,” Kirito asked as he pointed his swords towards the man.
The young man narrowed his eyes. “Name’s Samson Jaeger, and I suggest you put those down before someone get’s hurt.”
“I wouldn’t threaten three of the captains of the Canterlot guard if I were you,” Rainbow said standing behind them trying to get Scootaloo away from the oncoming fight.
Sam flicked his gaze towards the pegasus. “Rainbow Dash?” He questioned. “Whatever,” he said with a huff, turning his body sideways. “You’d better tell your ‘captains’ to lay off before I lay them out.”
“Oh I have no control of them… in terms of these guys i’m just a civilian.” Rainbow pointed out.
“Dad… you should get to the training grounds… something's up,” Scootaloo whispered to seemingly nobody.
“Tch, just give me the answers I need, and no one gets hurt,” Sam replied, struggling to find any trace of his brother in his head.
“Listen Kid… you're in no position to make threats, maybe you need some snickers?” Kirito chuckled.
Sam lowered his stance with a growl. “You won’t be laughing long, trench coat.” Red and silver electricity danced over his hands, and two weapons appeared, a strange silver gun, and a red twisted sword.
“Rainbow get Scootaloo out of here, find Craig and bring him here!” Asuna ordered.
“On it,” She replied grabbing Scootaloo as she uncharacteristically retreated.
“Should I be worried?” Kirito chuckled as his form changed as his hair grew and he began to look more feminine, “you don’t look to tough.”
“You’re not the first to think that,” Sam growled before charging. “But they’ve all been wrong before!” The silver gun folded out, becoming much more sword like as yellow electricity danced over his body.
“Okay… maybe I should humour you here… what makes you think you're better than that pathetic wimp we fought one-thousand years ago?” Kirito asked still smirking as he drew his photon sword.
Sam disappeared from view and reappeared a second later in front of Kirito, his blades crossed for a twin slash. “I don’t know… you tell me!”
Kirito quickly brought his sword up blocking the blow before he said “I don’t know… you tell me, at the moment the only difference is we were in a throne room… not much else.” he then quickly brought his knee up before thrusting it into Sam’s chest knocking the wind out of him in the process.
Sam’s body hesitated in the air, green lightning dancing around his form. He looked up into Kirito’s eyes, before Red Static replaced the Green. It gathered around his jaw and he unleashed a ball of flame at the swordsman.
“Oh look we have a Skyrim cosplayer here… nice light show,” he mocked as he just cut fireball with his sword, “You know I was wrong… you're weaker than a woman who wouldn’t even fight me by herself.”
“Kirito… stop tormenting the poor boy.” Asuna said back kindly, “I’m sure he’s doing the best he can.”
“I’ll do him one better,” Sam replied to Asuna as he appeared behind Kirito. “I’m not even using half my natural strength.” He threw up his red sword, cloaked in black energy, and swung it towards the swordsman's head.
“Well… maybe we shouldn’t be babysitting you,” Kirito replied clearly unimpressed by the display as he simply brought a second sword up, a plasma sword from Halo, and caught the blade in between the two sections of it.
Sam’s eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly jumped back. He paused for a moment before thrusting his silver blade into the ground. Plant vines wrapped around Kirito’s ankles.
“Seriously… i’m just scratching the surface of my powers… Sombra… if you would.” Kirito sighed before his shadow shot spikes out the ground that hardened and cut through the vine effortlessly. “Honestly… I think you’re not trying right now.”
“Fine,” Sam replied, stabbing his swords into the ground. “You want a light show? I’ll give you a light show!” He stepped back, bringing his right arm back and resting two fingers on a device on his wrist. “Go, Psycho!” he shouted, throwing his arm forward and stepping. Dark red and silver energy surrounded his form and shattered, leaving him standing in the Psycho Ranger Silver form. However, the rectangles on his arm and leg guards were red instead of silver. “Let’s go!” The ranger yelled, racing forward, grabbing his swords as he went by.
“Oh… you're a power ranger… great.” Kirito said unamused.
“Wrong,” Sam said, clashing swords with him. “I’m the Psycho Ranger.” He suddenly disappeared from view.
“And why should that make a difference, it’s just people with swords and guns creating unrealistic sparks from enemies' bodies.”
“Psychos aren’t known for playing fair.”
“What do you even....” He asked as he turned around to see that Asuna had two swords crossed over her throat from behind. He then stopped before he said “Kid… let's not do something we regret.”
“I just want my goddamn answers,” Sam growled from behind the women. “And I don’t care how I get them.”
“You never asked any questions,” Asuna pointed out somehow staying calm.
Sam let out a growl and shifted the blades. “Where. The. HELL. Am I?” He asked slowly and deliberately.
“Where do you think?” Another voice said from behind him sounding very calm and controlling almost regal.
Sam whipped around, taking his silver blade away from Asuna’s throat to point it at the newcomer in surprise.
“Mom, Kirito… get out of here, I’ll handle this,” the person replied as it became clear he was not like the other two. He was releasing some sort of pressure that was making it almost impossible for Sam to stand from how close he was to him. He was wearing only a black hoodie and tracksuit bottoms that didn't seem to match up to the voice Sam had heard only seconds before.
Sam’s eyes widened in his helmet. He immediately jumped away, feeling something very… off about the figure. “What’s wrong with me?” He mumbled to himself. “Why does he feel like this?”
“You can feel the overwhelming physical and spiritual pressures i’m giving off can’t you…? For weaker opponents it can completely drain them of all energy and willpower within seconds as they try to stand against it,” the man said still completely calm as both Kirito and Asuna ran towards the door and out of the room.
“What are you trying to say?” Sam questioned, bringing up his swords despite his body’s protest.
“What do you think I’m saying?” The figure asked back, “If you want to try and strike me go ahead… but you may regret your choice,” as he said this a small black shield appeared on his arm. “In fact… for each strike you get on me, I’ll answer one of your questions and the same applies to me… and I can only use my hands and shield to fight with.”
Sam hesitated a moment. But, as he thought, he came up no other solution. “Sounds fair,” Sam replied. He spun the red sword so he was holding it in an underhand grip, held it up and dropped it towards the ground. As it fell, grid lines etched through the air and solidified into an amalgamation of other weapons that roughly resembled a sword. “But no more holding back.” He rushed forward, light green Static flashing around him.
The figure just sighed before he said “Shīrudo Bankai,” before his shield just disappeared in a flash of light as he just continued to say ““Fumetsu no tate,” before lowering into a fighting stance.
“Enough with the moon-speak!” Sam yelled as he swung his silver blade in a horizontal slash, only for it to stop dead in mid air not even making contact with the figure’s body. Sam growled and swung his other sword in an upward swing, still getting the same result as the figure just stood there unmoving as the pressure he was releasing just kept increasing.
“You sure you don’t just want to stop before you hurt yourself?” The figure said.
“I need those answers,” Sam gritted out as he struggled to press his swords through the defense.
The figure simply sighed before he just punched forwards and buried his fist in Sam’s chest causing him to buckle, dropping his sword in the process, before the figure picked it up and unceremoniously kicked Sam away from him, resting the sword he had taken on his shoulders.
Sam got to his feet with a stagger. “Guess I owe you a question,” he said. “But I’m going to need that back.” The sword was covered in grid lines and disappeared.
“Okay, simple question first, kid, what were you doing before you got here?”
“My brother and I were working on our magic,” Sam responded as the sword rematerialized in his hand.
“Well then...do you really want to keep going and should I use my sword?”
“I still need my answers, so unless you’re willing to answer,” Sam raised his swords again. “The answer is yes.”
“Well then… I guess I can be nice and give you one question without the strike… so ask it?” the figure asked as a one handed katana appeared in his hand.
“Where’s my brother?” Sam asked simply.
“Simple answer… from what my daughter told me you appeared alone… so can’t help you there kid.”
“Well, if that’s the case, I need another question.” Sam started to go into another stance.
“Being I hadn’t helped with the last one fire away,” the figure said holding his sword blade away from Sam.
Sam hesitated a moment. “Where am I?”
“Well assuming you're not in your reality, I can tell you that you’re in my universe… my guess you got called here by mistake.”
-AAAAAAWWWWWWW!!!!!!
Sam slammed his hands to his head at the sudden internal scream. “OW!!!!”
“You okay there, kid?” the man asked walking towards Sam.
Sam didn’t hear him as he removed his hands from the sides of his helmet. “Chris, is that you?”
Yes, I’ve been trying to reach you since I woke up!
“Oh, you have another personality in there do you, kid?” the man said calmly.
Sam’s eyes widened. “How does he know that?” He questioned.
You’re talking out loud, genius, Chris replied. Sam’s hand met the front of his helmet.
“No… I can hear you both… you’re not the only ones with multiple… well in my case being in my head.”
...Oh, scheisse, Chris said in awe. Sam just shook his head.
“While I’m still a little confused as to how I’m out here and Chris is in here,” he pointed to his head, “I think I owe you an apology.”
“Not me… I think you owe that to my younger brother and mother,” the figure chuckled.
“Right…,” Sam said slowly, before his armor disappeared along with his weapons. “And you guys are…?”
“Well me, my name's Craig, King of the Everfree Changeling hive and Captain of the Canterlot guard, the people you were fighting before were my younger brother Kirito and mother Asuna.” the figure now identified as Craig explained.
“That’s a mouth full,” Sam replied, blinking his eyes.
“That’s just one of my titles… I’m also the leader of a pack of Diamond Dogs and a hoard of Dragon’s… also…. I’m able to achieve the power of a Super Saiyan god.” Craig admitted almost as if it was second nature to him.
“Huh,” Sam replied impressed. “The hell’s a ‘Super Saiyan’?”
“This,” Craig said with a smirk as his hair instantly lifted from his head glowing bright red as an overwhelming force of Physical pressure washed over Sam and Chris, “It’s basically an increased state of power… what you were facing was little less then about five percent of my actual power threshold.”
And you still couldn’t hit him, Chris said with a snicker. Sam’s eye just twitched in irritation.
“Hey, if it helps I’m used to fighting extremely powerful beings… this was actually me just training you… did you not notice that you were able to withstand the pressure I released just then… before you would have collapsed from just the release of that.”
Sam lifted his hand and flexed, noticing that he did feel much different than before. “Oh, wow, that’s going to take some getting used to.”
“Not really… you think that’s crazy you should see what would happen if I released about twenty percent of what I have… right now you would be stuck in a wall just from a tap at that level… you also seem to have a weak grip on your weapon and your stance was sloppy from the get go… even when you faced Kirito.”
Sam frowned a little. “I’m not used to being in the pilot seat when it comes to pushing out that much power,” he answered.
“Nobody is at first. To attain what I have it took a lot of training and… almost dying about ten times.” Craig admitted as an orange AI appeared on his right shoulder and a Draconequus appeared on his left as his the shield he had appeared before both the shield and sword disappeared and his hair fell back to normal.
Seconds later Scootaloo ran up to Craig before she said “Dad, you finished with the thing that attacked Aunty Asuna and Uncle Kirito?”
“Yeah Scoots it’s not an issue anymore.”
“Thing?” Sam murmured to himself.
“Opps sorry… Displaced that attacked them,” Scootaloo backtracked looking at Sam.
“Scoot’s,” Craig scolded as Scootaloo looked to the ground down ashamed at what she had said.
“Sorry dad and sorry umm?” she asked looking to Sam.
“Samson,” Sam answered simply.
And Chris! Sam’s eye twitched again.
“She can’t hear you, Chris,” Craig admitted.
“Oh… I’m sorry Samson and… whoever this Chris is.” Scootaloo said apologetically
Aw, man….
Sucks, doesn’t it, Sam asked internally causing Chris to blow a figurative raspberry. “So, uh… now what?” He asked hesitantly.
“Maybe apologize to my idiot brother and my mother,” Craig suggested.
“That’s… a good plan,” Sam answered.
Lead the way, magic-man, Chris said enthusiastically.
Seconds later they were cut off as Asuna ran back in and shouted “Craig, we have a problem!”
“Whats happened?”
“Some bug like creatures are attacking but their not Changelings,” Asuna admitted.
Craig then looked to Samson before he said “Okay what bug like creatures exist in your guys' cannon?”
Sam quirked an eyebrow. “Nothing bug like appeared in 'In Space'.”
But they did in Lost Galaxy, Chris added, fear in his tone.
Craig’s eyes then went wide “Oh… god dammit… looks like they are part of my world now… I’d had enough on my plate with Hollows… now I have to deal with frickin Stingwingers.”
“We’d better hurry,” Sam said. “These things can do a lot more damage than you’d think.”
“I bet they can… Scoots I want you transformed and armoured up.”
“You got it dad,” Scootaloo replied as she was once again surround in green flames as she turned back into a bipedal pony as a sword rested against her side.
“That’s new,” Sam said in surprise. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Don’t we have a pest problem?”
“Yeah, Kirito’s fighting them as we speak,” Asuna said as she ran back outside.
“Ugh… I really wish I could have just one month when things don’t go to hell,” Craig said as his shield and a sword that held similarities to the Master Sword from the Legend of Zelda appeared in his hands. “Let's get this dealt with,” Craig muttered as he made his way outside.
“Right behind you,” Sam replied, summoning the Psycho Silverizer in sword mode as he followed.
As the group got outside they looked around to see that there were indeed some bug like creatures flying around above them. They looked to be almost gray in colour and had what looked to be blades sticking out where their hands should be.
Craig then looked to Sam before he said “So… you want to help with this or just run home?”
Sam threw him a look before stepping forward and looking into the sky. “I never run.” He raised his blade and it shifted back to blaster mode. Green and Yellow Static raced along his body, and his arm began to move in a blur, golden bolts racing into the sky to collide with the creepy crawlies.
“Okay then… this shouldn’t take long,” Craig said with a smirk as hundreds of clones appeared around them and on the roofs before they flew off and began to tear through the Stingwingers they encountered.
“I’ll go assist Kirito, you just keep them away from civilians.” Asuna said calmly as she flew off.
Craig then looked to Sam before he said “Want to see my other release?”
“As long as it doesn’t knock me off my feet,” Sam half joked as he switched to the Bow to take out a group of Stingwingers that was getting to close to a building.
Craig then smiled as he sheathed his sword before a katana appeared in the same hand before he said “Raitoningu Denki ka jūden” before a bright blue light crackled off the blade as a dragon made of electricity spiraled around the blade before it charged into the air spearing any Stingwinger’s it hit as they disappeared into ashes on contact moving on to it’s next victim.
Holy… Chris started in awe.
“Did you even leave any for me?” Sam joked as he turned back to the masses with the Silverizer.
“I left you plenty, don’t worry… I wonder who is leading them?”
“With our luck, it’ll be Deviot or Trakina herself,” Sam replied with a snort.
“Not like anyone worse could appear,” Scootaloo said.
“Why Scoots… Murphy’s gonna get us now,” Craig groaned.
“Murphy hasn’t been that bad for us,” Sam added.
“...Who would you least want to appear from the series.”
“Anything that could take control of me, or use my powers,” Sam answered readily. “Why?”
“And what could do that… because i’m getting a bad feeling.”
“Well, there is-” Sam was cut off as an explosion was heard coming from near the Everfree. “Goddamn it.”
“Maybe we should find out what did that.” Craig said calmly.
“Agreed,” Sam replied as he turned towards the commotion.
“This will be either really fun or really annoying,” Craig admitted as began to walk towards the commotion as the attack he had launched before returned to his sword.
Probably both, Chris responded as they made their way towards the Everfree.
As they arrived at the edge of the Everfree they looked in front of them to see a sight that neither Sam nor Chris were prepared to see. Holy…
“Shit,” Sam finished as they looked at the black, twisted armor of Psycho Ranger Black who was standing over Kirito’s body, his foot against his head forcing him to the ground. His black, spiky armor and helmet looked all the more sinister under the shadows of the trees, the horns of his Psycho Rod shining dangerously.
Craig eyes then suddenly sharpened as the energy he was giving off tripled within an instant before his hair levitated from his head, spiking up and glowing blue before he charged forwards leaving dust in his wake as he charged into Psycho Black at full speed as he knocked him off Kirito.
“Craig!” Sam shouted as he followed after, his other sword materializing in his left hand as the Silverizer extended into sword mode. He stopped as he watched the two clash and turned instead to Kirito, rushing over. “You okay?”
All he got was a muffled groan as a health bar appeared over his head that was only had a speck of red flashing on it.
Verdammte, what do we do? Chris asked in worry.
Sam was silent for a moment. “Maybe,” he lifted his hands, Pink Nature Static dancing around them and slowly moving them towards Kirito. He focused his magic on the same aspect that made plants grow. “Hope this works.” His hands finally touched down on Kirito as his health bar began to slowly restore.
“What happened to Asuna?” he muttered almost unable to be heard.
“Last I heard, she was coming to help you,” Sam responded.
“She was… she was batted away instantly… her health bar… it’s almost dead…. where has she gone… and who’s fighting that thing that attacked us?”
“Craig’s going against Psycho Black now. And don’t worry about Asuna, I’ll find her,” Sam reassured, lifting his morpher up and opening it to the radar.
“Ugh… I need to help him… but I couldn’t even land a blow on him, I was blocked constantly.” Kirito groaned as he looked towards the fight to see Craig blocking every strike that was sent his way with his sword.
Sam looked between the fight and his radar that showed a downed ally not far away. We’ve got a choice to make, Chris stated.
“I know,” Sam answered, still switching his gaze back and forth. Finally, he stood and began running in the direction his radar showed. “Women and children first.”
“I’ll go with you,” Kirito stuttered as he tried to stand only to collapse instantly.
“You just stay here and get your wind back, I’ll take care of things,” Sam called behind him as he continued towards Asuna.
Sam ran up to a stone structure to find that Asuna had crashed into it and had rubble from the stone scattered around her body that had multiple cuts and open wounds. “Damn,” Sam muttered as he kneeled down, holding his hands over her body and focused his nature magic. Slowly, her health bar began refilling just as Kirito’s had.
Asuna’s eyes then slowly flickered open before she muttered “What… what the,” as she tried to sit up before she screamed in agony.
Scheisse! Chris exclaimed. What’s wrong?
I-I don’t know, Sam replied. “Asuna,” he tried to get through to her. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
“I… remember arriving when that… thing just dropped in on us before it just focused on Kirito… then when I tried to heal him he just backhanded me and I got sent flying here… then… nothing till now,” Asuna groaned as a new wound opened on her back that began bleeding
“Son of a…,” Sam murmured as he turned his full attention to the ugly wound.
We need to get back to Craig, Chris stated. I’m getting a bad feeling.
Not without making sure Asuna’s okay first, Sam responded as he continued to pour out his magic.
The three of them were then startled as a loud voice shouted “StrunTuzVokun!” which was heard through the forest.
Sam looked up from his work and looked towards the sound. “What was that?”
“If that's what I think it was… Craig’s being overwhelmed… he’s calling for help from one of his subjects… A dragon called Stormbreaker.” Asuna said “But he won’t get there in time and he sounded desperate.”
Sam, we need to go, Chris urged.
Yeah, Sam replied. “Will you be okay, Asuna?”
“I should be,” She added before looking up before she said “What are those things?” gesturing to some swords stuck into the stone behind her.
Oh my god…. Chris muttered.
“The Quasar Sabers,” Sam breathed as he finally looked at the stone and its five swords.
“The what now?” Asuna asked as her hand rested against one of the blades as she tried to stand up.
“Legendary blades that grant the ability to wield the power of one of five Galactabeasts,” Sam explained as he examined the swords more closely. “Anyone deemed worthy will become a Power Ranger.”
“...You can’t be serious about that,” she said as her hand gripped on of the blades before it suddenly came loose and slid from the stone in Asuna’s grasp and landed on the ground.
Sam’s eyes widened in surprise before a smug smirk spread over his features. “Maybe you should give it a try,” he said, a gleam in his eye as he nodded at the blade.
“Maybe when I can stand… give me a second,” Asuna replied before runic symbols surround her body as she said “Þú fylla heilagr austr, brott svalr bani” before water droplets began to surround her before he health bar rapidly restored and her wounds healed.
“Nice,” Sam replied impressed before turning towards the where Craig’s shout had come from. “You take your time and rest up, I’ll go help Craig.”
“...No… I’m coming with you… I need to bring Kirito and Craig here.” Asuna said calmly.
“Alright,” Sam replied turning. “Just keep up, and, no matter what….” He then stopped abruptly as where Asuna had been standing a figure that was covered in a yellow suit was instead, it had black markings on a white background on her chest, shoes and gloves and her helmet looked to resemble that of a bird of some kind but she still had her fairy wings visible on her back.
“What the… what is this?” the figure asked before Sam realised it was Asuna.
Sam’s face changed from shocked to his smug grin again. “That,” he replied pointedly, “is the Yellow Lost Galaxy Armor. How's it feel?”
“Different… but right now we should get to Craig… I’m worried what state he’ll be in by now.”
“Right,” Sam replied with a nod of his head. He turned and Red and Yellow static sparked across his body. “Let’s go.” And with that he took off into the forest as Asuna flew next to him.
As they reached where Craig had been fighting they looked around as they saw that Craig was not only being pinned by the Black Psycho ranger but a second Ranger that held similarities to that of Sam’s suit but had his sword held against Craig’s throat his head lowered and eyes barely open.
Sam’s eyes narrowed and he blinked out of existence only to reappear next to Craig and knocked away the Psycho’s blade. He came to a stop and put himself between the evil rangers and Craig. “You okay?” He asked never taking his eyes from his foes.
Sam got no reply as Craig’s body just collapsed to the ground unmoving. Sam let out a growl and stepped forward, letting go of his swords so they spun in the air lazily. “You’ll pay for this.”
Asuna then stepped forwards towards Sam her sword raised before she shouted anger dripping from her voice “You will pay for this, I will kill you myself!”
Seconds later a black shadow covered the group before a loud roar was heard as two claws grabbed hold of both Psycho Rangers as they were tossed into two nearby trees. Sam then looked up to the creature that had just assisted him to see that a large black dragon was above both him and Asuna white flames filling up his mouth as it glared at both Psycho Rangers as he saw Craig’s body.
Asuna then looked to the Dragon before she said “Stormbreaker… they have just killed him.”
The dragon then roared in pure anger before white flames travelled towards the rangers freezing them solid in ice except from their heads.
“Good,” Sam said, his voice dangerously low. “Keep’em still so I can execute them.”
Asuna then quickly turned around kneeling over Craig’s body as her helmet opened before she said “Þeír fylla heilagr austr brott svalr bani” as white light surrounded Craig’s body before his eyes slowly flickered open as he began to cough up blood.
Sam flicked his eyes back to check on them and his anger grew. “No one,” he started as he turned his head to look at the Psychos. “Hurts my friends.” He raised his right arm diagonally across his chest. “It’s morphin’ time!” He threw his arms back and stepped with the action. “Go!” He threw his right fist forward. “Psycho!” Black energy surrounded Sam’s body and shattered, leaving behind dark under armor. Dark blue lightning shot from his limbs and torso, drawing in the white arm and leg armor and the dark blue chest piece. Sam rotated his arms over his face, leaving navy grid lines. The helmet materialized as his arms moved back to rest, and when they stopped, the visors slid into place over his eyes.
A sudden cracking sound was heard as the ice surrounding them began to suddenly fracture before the two Psycho rangers began to laugh as it shattered the shards striking Stormbreaker causing him to fall to the ground as they impaled his wings before both rangers walked forwards staring at Sam.
“What are you?” Psycho Black asked in a gravelly growl.
“We’ve seen this before, blockhead,” Psycho Red responded, his tone fierce and sharp. “Just another imposter.” He slammed his fists together.
“Sam… I’ll get them ready to help you… think you can handle them till we get back?” Asuna asked as she supported Craig and Stormbreaker grabbed Kirito, who had collapsed where Sam had left him before.
“Don’t worry about me,” Sam answered, his eyes glued to his opponents. “You take care of them, I’ll be fine.”
“Just leave a bit for me when we get back.” Asuna said angrily as the group disappeared back into the forest.
Sam waited until the group’s footsteps faded away before he stepped forward. “You were wrong, Red,” he stated as Blue Static tinted in orange and light green sparked over his body. “I’m not like anything you’ve ever seen.” A twisted trident materialized in his hand and he charged forward.
As they group reached where the Quasar Sabers had been before Craig stuttered out “So… someone found the Quasar Sabers.”
“It won’t just be me who finds them I can assure you of that. So what happened to you, I can’t imagine how they managed to actually kill you?” Asuna asked.
“Red got me with a sneak attack and Black kept me from blocking his attacks I couldn’t keep track of them both while keeping them away from Kirito.”
“So they outnumbered you and used dirty tactics.”
“Yeah they did… and I couldn’t help him… Black took me down easily… I couldn’t even get a strike in,” Kirito muttered.
“That won’t happen again,” Asuna said as they reached their destination before they saw that only three swords were in the stone and a pink figure that was in similar armour to that of Asuna’s was standing near them.
“Looks like you two got beaten hard,” The figure said as Craig instantly recognized the voice.
“Scootaloo… you’re the pink Ranger!”
“How did you know it was me?”
“Scoots… I know your voice,” Craig said calmly as he managed to support himself as he stepped towards the rock that housed the Quasar Sabers and reached for the central one as it easily was pulled from the stone before glowing red as Craig stepped away from the platform.
Kirito was next to be able to stand as he and Stormbreaker reached the sabers before placing their hands and claws respectively against the blades as they both came free just as easily as it had for Craig and Asuna, their blades glowing Blue and Green respectively.
Seconds later three bright lights surrounded Craig, Kirito and Stormbreaker before they were covered in three costumes that each held the same similarities to the other two, there's being red, blue and green respectively.
“So… we’re the Galaxy Rangers,” Craig said before smiling and said “I think it's time for round two.”
Everyone nodded to Craig before they all ran back towards where Sam was fighting the Psycho Rangers.
-Meanwhile-
Sparks exploded off of Psycho Red as the Psycho Trident slashed across his chest. Sam spun and twisted the harpoon to catch the Rod that Psycho Black was swinging towards his head. “You guys are going to have to do better than that,” Sam taunted before bringing his left leg up and around to kick away the staff. Black’s defenses opened up and Sam brought the Trident across his chest twice, running past with the second strike.
The Psycho stumbled backward a few steps then turned to face Sam, his chest still smoking. “We’re not done yet,” he called out defiantly.
“Don’t be so sure,” Sam replied. He swept the trident in an upward swing, a slash of navy energy flying towards the doppelganger. Black crossed his arms in front of him, bracing for the worst. A blur of red raced around him and knocked the attack away, materializing into Red.
“What are you doing, idiot!?!” Red chastised. “That attack is nothing.” He turned to Sam and stalked forwards a few paces. “Enough of these games.” Black stepped up next to him and sickly green Static flowed over their bodies.
Sam took a step back in his surprise. “Oh, crap,” Sam murmured. “I don’t remember them doing that!”
New reality, new rules, Chris replied. But we can take’em! Flames erupted from the red parts of Red’s armor and bits and pieces of earth and stone started floating around Black.
Sam hesitated then tensed up. “You were saying?” He deadpanned.
Oh, shut up, and hit them! Chris exclaimed. Sam rushed forward to oblige. He swung the Trident horizontally only to have the blow stopped by Black’s weapon. Before Sam could react, Red sped out from behind Black and slashed his sword across Sam’s chest. Sparks exploded and Sam was sent backward with a shout of pain. He came to a staggering stop and supported himself with the Trident as the Psychos made their way towards him.
Now what? Sam asked as he straightened up and readied his spear.
I don’t- In a blur of motion, Red appeared in front of him. Sam’s eyes widened in his helmet as Red swept his blade across Sam’s midsection. Sam was sent backwards again in a shower of sparks and slammed into a tree. He slid down the trunk, his eyes screwed closed. He tried to stand only to be kicked back down and held there. He opened his eyes to see Black standing over him, the Psycho Rod poised for a death blow.
“Say goodbye,” Black rumbled wickedly. “Imposter!” He thrust the horns of his weapon down, aiming for Sam’s heart.
Sam flinched in fear waiting for the blow to come… but nothing happened until a familiar voice then said “Sorry I think you misunderstood who dies today.”
Sam opened his eyes to see a red suited figure standing in front of him his sword blocking the blow as he said “I thought you said you could handle this alone.”
Sam stared in surprise for a moment, before he gave a chuckle as he recognized the voice. “They had a few extra tricks that I didn’t know about.”
“Well so do we,” A second figure said in a blue suit… “Craig would you mind?”
“Of course not bro,” Craig replied as he kneed Psycho Black in the groin before tossing Kirito his Quasar Saber before the Katana and shield he had used before appeared in his hand as he kicked Black away from the group.
Sam staggered to his feet, using his Trident to help himself up. “So, you guys pulled the other Sabers?” He asked as he fell in next to Craig and who he believed to be Kirito.
“Yeah… all five of us,” Scootaloo voice said as she appeared next to Kirito.
“Maybe I should go all out on these bastards.” Craig said before he shouted “Shīrudo Bankai!” As his shield disappeared just like before “Fumetsu no tate!”
He then continued to say “Raitoningu Bankai” before lightning crackled over his sword falling down the blade before it began to crackle as Lightning began to move along the blade before a two dragons spiraled from the hilt of the sword and circled his body at high speed creating a storm outside the shield that he had created before raising him towards the top of the storm before both Dragons rose above him before charging down towards his first Sword as an almost identical copy appeared in the other but this one was composed almost completely of lighting that seemed to be shifting constantly. He then looked up before shouting “Tsuinsōdo denki shōmetsu!”
Sam stared up in awe. “Damn….” He then dropped his focus back on the two Psychos. “What say we put these bastards to bed?” He asked, brandishing his spear.
“Lets do it!” they all shouted brandishing their weapons as Craig disappeared in a flash as he appeared in front of Psycho Red and said “Your first… any last words?”
Red stepped back then let out a growl. “Die!!!” He shouted, swinging his blade at Craig. It just bounced off the shield in front of him doing nothing.
“My turn,” Craig replied as he brought both his swords down as they cut directly through Psycho reds arms removing them instantly as they fell to the ground.
Red staggered back. “T-this is impossible!” He shouted looking back and forth between his missing limbs.
“Not impossible,” Sam hissed as he raced passed with Kirito towards Black followed by the others. “And not even improbable.”
“You know I’ve heard the worst insult to a warrier is to be killed by his own sword.” Craig said picking up the Psycho Sword from the ground as his second sword floated in the air before Craig decapitated Psycho Red with his own sword as his body turned into a small red and black figurine of himself.
As this all happened, the group reached Psycho Black. “What was that you told me earlier?” Sam asked rhetorically as he swept by slashing the Trident across the shade’s midsection.
Asuna, Scootaloo and Stormbreaker then each grabbed ahold of him leaving him immobile as Kirito walked up to him and said “Any last words?”
Black only tilted his visor foraward. “We’ll be back,” he growled out. “We always come back.”
“No you won’t,” Kirito replied as he brought both saber’s down removing both of Black's arms before doing the same to his legs, “Hey Sam… target practice!” as the group threw Black's body into the air.
“Don’t mind if I do!” Sam shouted as light flowed over the Trident. It shrank down and the light faded, leaving an amalgamation of the Silverizer, Trident, and green kamas that looked like a crossbow. “Say goodbye!” He shouted, firing a stream of blue, gold and green into Black’s body causing sparks to appear from Black’s body as he too turned into a key that resembled himself which Kirito picked up.
“Well they're both done… and we get some souvenirs for our trouble,” Kirito mocked.
“What are those things anyway?” Sam asked as he approached him, the weird crossbow hefted over his shoulder.
“I don’t know?” Kirito replied.
“Ranger keys,” Craig said as he approached them holding Psycho Red’s key in one hand and his sword in the other.
“What are they used for?” Sam asked as navy grid lines criss-crossed his armor that then dissolved away as his belt transformed into electricity and replaced itself on his right wrist as his morpher.
“In the right hands you can turn into them… but I don’t have the equiptment to do that right now,” Craig explained.
They won’t do us any good either, Chris said. Sam just nodded in agreement.
“Sam… thank you for your help,” Craig said as his suit dissolved before everyone else did the same.
“It was no problem,” Sam replied. “However,” He turned to Kirito and Asuna. “I believe I owe you guys an apology.” He walked forward a little and looked each of them in the eye. “I’m sorry for my behavior earlier today. There was no excuse for it.”
Asuna then smiled and said “It’s not a problem, Sam.”
“Yeah we hold no grudge towards you,” Kirito agreed.
“Thank you,” Sam replied with a nod of his head. “You guys going to be okay?” He asked as he turned to face Craig again.
“We’ll be fine, it’ll just take a bit of time to repair this mess again.” Craig admitted.
Asuna then looked to Sam before she said “Do you have a family in your universe?”
Sam looked her way and was silent for a moment as his features danced between saddened and thoughtful. “I’ve spent most of my life looking for a family,” he finally admitted.
“Well… what about you join our family,” Asuna offered with a smile.
Sam blinked at the sudden offer. Thoughts raced around in his head. Finally, a small smile danced on his lips. “You know, if I could stay, I’d accept in a heartbeat, but there are a lot of ponies counting on me back home.”
“You don’t need to stay here, we have family members all over the multiverse, you could still stay where you are but we would be here if ever you needed us.” Asuna explained.
Sam’s smile widened. “Then I'd be happy to accept.”
“And we’ll be happy to have you… brother,” Craig said with a smile.
That's going to take some getting used to, Chris said.
Yeah, Sam agreed. But in a good way.
“Don’t worry bout it both of you, just remember if you are ever overwhelmed just call and you’ll have the Galactic Rangers come to your aid.” Craig chuckled.
Sam let out a laugh. “King Mondo will never know what hit him.”
“Well then uncle Sam I guess you need to get back to your world,” Scootaloo said sadly.
Sam let out a chuckle. “Don’t worry, Scoots,” he replied. “You’ll be seeing me around.” He turned to Craig. “Ready when you are.”
“Well then before you go I think you’ll want these,” Craig said as he threw Sam his token and Asuna did the same.
Asuna then walked up to him and gave him a hug then said “One for the road.”
Sam hesitated a moment then returned the hug. “Thanks… mom.”
“No worries Sam, you both stay safe,” Asuna said with a smile
“We will,” Sam and Chris answered together. Sam suddenly dug around in his pocket and pulled out three pins with the same symbol as his morpher. “I almost forgot my calling card,” Sam joked as he handed Asuna hers and tossed the others to Kirito and Craig. “Call if you guys ever need us. We'll be right there.”
“We will,” Craig said before he added “Sam, Chris our contract is complete we wish you both the best of luck.”
“We wish you the same,” Sam replied as a portal opened up. He started to walk through but stopped and looked back to Scootaloo. “Oh, hey, Scoots,” he started with a grin, “When you find the Wildcat Galactabeast, give it a scratch behind the ears.” He winked and stepped through the portal and it closed behind him.
“The what now?” She asked in confusion.
“You’ll know sooner or later,” Craig chuckled before he nodded to Storm before he said “We need to get back to the hive and hoard we’ll catch up later, okay.”
“Of course, see you later,” they all replied as Craig and Stormbreaker flew off.
Starlight turned to walk out the door only for a large amount of wind to pick up and start blowing around in the small space. She turned with her eyes wide as a dark portal opened up near the back wall. After a few seconds, Chris tumbled out onto the floor.
"Owww...," he groaned as he got up rubbing his head.
I seriously hope that gets easier, Sam muttered, before he too let out a groan of pain.
It won't, Chris replied pesimistically.
"Chris?" He whipped his head around to look at Starlight. "What was that?"
"Oh, hey, Starlight," he said nervously. "That was just... a portal to another Displaced universe...." He let out a nervous grin.
"O~kay," Starlight replied slowly. "Did you finish your experiment?"
Chris let a real smile replace his nervous one. "Finished and field tested," he replied enthusiastically.
"I'm glad to hear that," Starlight answered before she turned to go. "I've got to go. Good luck with your other tests."
"Thanks," Chris called after her. "Have a good one." When the door closed, his face fell and he looked down at the Tokens still in his hand.
It's weird having a family, isn't it, Sam said.
Yeah, Chris replied. He moved the Tokens around with his finger. Suddenly, thoughts of the ponies in his world came to his mind. Artemus, Cadance, Shining, and Flurry Heart, the Elements, Heavy Ladle, Cobalt... Sweetie Belle. A small smile played on his face. But I think we might have already started. Sam was silent, but Chris feel a warm glow imanate from that part of his mind.