Location: Equestrian Heartland; Realm: Equestria 40; Time: 5:45; Day: July 20; Month: July; Year: 1240
It was nearing night and John and Iron have been traveling west for a few hours following a set of train tacks into the Equestrian Heartland. Iron said that there is an Applejack's Rangers contingent in New Appleloosa that his previous contingent found about and that they were planning to attack it before he got banished. They hoped to reach it before the Steel Rangers arrive and destroy everything. They were about halfway there there when they saw a group of power armored ponies with red highlights were galloping across the wastes.
"Are those them?" John asked.
"Yep. Applejack's Rangers." Iron replied.
The group then turned towards them and started running towards them. Iron was slowly revving up his grenade machine gun, but John stopped him.
"What are you doing?" Iron asked nervously.
"Just follow my lead. We have to convince these guys you're not with the Steel Rangers." John said.
"Halt! Who and what are you and why do you have a Steel Ranger with you?!" a Ranger asked.
"I am Elder John Quinton of the Templars of Steel and I am a human. And this is my commander, Iron Works. We have information regarding the Steel Rangers White Tail Woods Contingent. My commander used to be a Steel Ranger from that Contingent. While he was there, they were planning to attack your Contingent." John said.
"I wish to believe you, but we still have to take you in for questioning." the leader of the group said.
"Alright. I will allow that."
The Rangers surrounded them and they started to walk all the way back to New Appleloosa.
"So how did a human get into the Equestrian Wasteland? I thought you guys were legends." a Ranger asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." John said.
"Go on."
" I used to be from another world called Earth. I was just a simple man attending a convention. Then I bought my minigun from a guy, then all these portals started appearing and sucked other people into them. I managed to save a few others before getting sucked into one myself. Then I woke up in Ponyville Ruins with my armor and weapons becoming real and a bag was next to me with a bunch of armor, weapons, meds, equipment and miscellaneous stuff. I basically have a never-ending cache of items."
"That does sound a bit far-fetched."
John removed the bag from his back and pulled out an assault rifle, a sack of bottle caps, ammo and some Stimpaks.
"How did you fit that in there?" the shocked Ranger asked.
"I dunno. I think I have a Pip-Boy in my armor or something. I can even cheack my S.P.E.C.I.A.L, perks, skills and vitality." John said putting back the items and pulling out a Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV, "Huh. So that's why this thing was so light. The Pip-Boy was digitizing everything I put in there." he put the Pip-Boy in a slot on his left arm and they continued walking.
"So how did your commander defect from the Steel Rangers?"
"I saw him being attacked by Raiders and I helped him out. The both of us drived the Raiders away from that are of Ponyville, then a Hellhound attacked us. We barricaded ourselves in a house, then I found a bow which I used to summon Shobbit. Another human like me, but from a different universe. He killed the Hellhound and explained that I was a Displaced, one of countless others that were all sent to a version of Equestria to live the rest of their lives there. Then you guys took us and here we are now."
"Other dimensions. I find that very hard to believe."
"I'm not judging you. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it myself."
"So what do you Templars of Steel do?"
"The Templars of Steel is a faction set on spreading God's teachings across the world, we protect those who can't protect themselves, we eliminate the threats to the Wasteland and we do whatever it takes to follow God's will."
"Sounds a lot like us, but we follow our Ministry Mare's real purpose for us. Protect Equestria. Not to hoard technology, but to share it instead. Not to shun others from the outside, but to help them."
"Looks like our factions have more in common than we thought."
It was late night when they finally arrived at New Appleloosa. The walls were made of boxcars with ponies with guns patrolling the top of them. Once they saw the Rangers they immediately opened up the gates. The New Appleloosans were all staring at John as they passed by and entered a group of boxcars connected to form a makeshift base. Inside, there were Rangers wandering around doing their daily tasks, Scribes working at terminals and even a few suits of power armor being repaired. John and Iron were led into a small office with a table and a terminal whith a blue earth pony with a gray mane was sitting down in a chair.
"Star Paladin Steel Apple. We have returned from our scouting mission and we have information regarding the Steel Ranger's White Tail Woods Contingent. These two can provide it for you." the Ranger said leading John and Iron inside.
"Very well, Paladin Silver Fleet. You and your team can have the rest of the day off." Steel said as Silver nodded and left.
"So. What is it about the Steel Rangers that was so important that you had to come all the way here to tell us?" Steel asked.
"Sir, they plan to attack New Appleloosa to take hold of it and establish a new base here and eliminate your Contingent. I was a guard in the briefing room and I heard every single battle plan to capture this town. My Elder and I can help you defend this town and its ponies from them in any way we can. They plan to attack within the week." Iron said.
"Why did you leave the Steel Rangers, Iron?" Steel asked.
"I went to the Ponyville Ruins to investigate Raider activity without saying it to Elder Raspberry, and then I was incapacitated then John arrived and helped me drive them away. I contacted my Contingent after what happpened, but they banished me when they knew that I went there. Since I had nowhere else to go, John initiated me as his first Commander."
"Alright. I trust you. We will arrange for a room to be set up for the both of you and we will discuss this again in the morning. In the meantime you are free to explore the town and our base." Steel said and John and Iron left the room.
Steel Apple pressed a button on his table and said "Prepare all the weapons and power armor. Get ready for an assault within the week. I want patrols doubled with more ponies per team. We will not let our guard down." he released his hoof and sighed.