Tis was the night before the event which would bring more Reploids into Equestria and Crashman couldn't be more nervous. Having been given three days to become accustomed to a simulation of the Moon's gravity. Princess Luna has not truly recovered from Maoh's attack and was still weak magic wise, although it could be said no pony or Reploid could be more worried about Luna's physical and magical health then MedaBee and Celestia. Though lately, Crashman had noticed, the two had been butting heads when no important decisions had to be made.
Most of the time, Crashman himself just ignored it as lately Celestia had to make some difficult decision that MedaBee doesn't really agree on such as bring Reploids into Equestria beyond what was necessary. However the situation has forced Celestia's hand or rather hoof and Equestria's future hangs in the balance.
As Princess Twilight had arrived the day before to lay the necessary runes and magic to transport Luna and Crashman to the moon, and while Crashman was excited to meet the Reploid known as X, he was also worried that he may fail in his mission and get Luna hurt.
Crashman sought out the only course of comfort, the military pony he had met during the Ball. The mare known to him, after a lot of searching, as Emergency Stash who was in the REF's medic core. At the moment the two were watching the sunrise having taken a late night stroll. Emergency or Gency for short, had reassured Crashman that he was indeed well suited for the mission and not only that she had a lot of confidence that he could pull it off. But just to be on the safe side, she had given him one of her scarves to keep as a good luck charm.
** Fast-forward to mission start **
Twilight had activated the magic runes which transported Luna and her Reploid guard to the moon which unfortunately for them, was populated.
"What. HOW DARE THEY!" shouted Luna as she saw a strange structure being built on the dark side of her moon," How did... why... my poor moon... THEY WILL PAY FOR THIS!"
"Calm down Luna," said Crashman as he tried to push Luna into some cover. The offending Lunar Base was populated with various Hoganmers types loitering about with laser weaponry. Form what Crashman could see, some of them had laser swords and guns, although some also had rocket launchers as well.
"Luna, where is the dimensional 'breach' you used to contact the other worlds?"
"Near that base, but from the looks of it the bastards had built a compound surrounding it."
"Yeah no kidding. Looks like I will have to take out the base before you can even try to contact X. Port back Luna."
"Agreed, we should return back to Equestria for reinforc-"
"No Luna, you teleport back to Equestria. I'm staying."
"But Crashman?!"
"No buts Princess, I will get rid of this base, heck maybe even convert it into one of our own but I'll work better if I didn't need to worry for your safety as well Luna."
"Fine, but you better not die up here Crashman or Emergency will never forgive me."
"Wh- How do you know about Emergency?!"
"Please, the night is my domain. Not much is hidden from me."
"Fine, whatever. Just get your plot by to Equestria already. I think one of the Hoganmers are coming over."
"Ok ok I'm going," and with a flash Princess Luna teleported back to Equestria. Unfortunately, such fast teleportation does create a lot of light and now all the Hoganmers are converting towards Crashman's position.
"Time to lock and load."
*****
Boomer Kuwanger was staring at the monitor as he continued to research the anomaly known as the 'Dream Breach' which my his own research, is a mass of dream magic, which if it wasn't for the existence of the Nightmare he would never have consider magic to exist, and a dimensional rift. Thus, He theorized, to use it properly one needed to use dream magic from the center of this base. Before he could record another set of information to send down to Master Vile, his monitors started flashing the red alert Cyber Peacock install in this base. Switching the alarm with his room off, Kuwanger accessed the security monitors to find of the Maverick Hunters currently making his way though the first wave of Hoganmers. The hunter had easily dodged rocket fire while launching his own explosive at the Hoganmers. Crushing his luck, he ordered all available Maverick Forces to attack the hunter while he complied, encrypt and send the information down to Master Vile. Hopefully he can make it before the hunter engages him, the master of Time-Space teleportation.
*****
Crashman weaved between two Hoganmers and shoved his SparkMissles between the two. The enemy Reploids shock in place as the electicity fried their circuits and leave the two twitching messes on the ground. Having easy dealt with the Hoganmers before it becomes easy to predict their movements and reactions. At the moment he was searching for a monitor he could hack and make his way towards the Maverick stationed at this base. As he continued down the hall he noticed there are in fact many rails built into the walls and some of the floor looks like it can come apart. The reason for them however soon revealed themselves and lizard like machines rushed towards Crashman while riding on the rails. The floor itself and some of the ceiling opened up and turrets opening fire at Crashman.
Reacting quickly, Crashman grabbed one of the Hoganmers and used it as a shield against the blaster fire. While the strange rail lizard which was identified as Ladder Yadders (which he immediately though the name was ridiculous) they were easy to deal with. Launching a SparkMissle at one of the rails, he send a burst of electricity down the rails. However the turrets were the real challenge, as each turret were placed to support each other so if Crashman went in closer to take out one of the turrets, he would be vulnerable to further fire.
Getting an idea, he picked up one of the Hoganmer fallen laser guns and started to take out the turrets one by one with the enemy's own weapon. Having cleared the current hallway he made his way down the next hall way to see much more enemies in his way.
"Maybe I should have waited for reinforcements," said Crashman to nobody but himself before changing down the hallway.
*****
Kuwanger just completed the encryption and started the upload back down on the new main base. It was then the doors behind him blew open to reveal the hunter.
"Ah so we meet at last, tell me are you the hunter which attacked my friend Cyber Peacock?"
"...Who?"
"Really? You don't know? Perhaps you are not the hunter who can fight within cyberspace."
"Yeah that's not me. but I know who you are Kuwanger, the database classify you as a Maverick."
"Indeed, yet you have not attempted to, as most of the unclear fools, blow me and my installation to oblivion. Tell me why do you hesitate to do which is your duty hunter?"
"Because, I actually believe you are not truly evil. Why not join us hunters Kuwanger? the Equestrian-"
"While I would applaud a hunter who uses their head rather than just brute force, I must decline hunter. Instead, I would offer you the same deal you have just offered me. I'm sure Master Vile would welcome a Reploid like yourself."
"Sorry Kuwanger, but my side is to protect the Equestrians. Not to rule them."
"And thus we have reached an impasse. Well while I despise unnecessary violence, lets shall we say. Dance!"
Kuwanger teleported behind Crashman and attempted to lop Crashman head off but Crashman dashed forwards and used his grav-boots to quickly turn and shot a Crashbomb at Kuwanger. The stag like Reploid teleported again and the Crashbomb dented the wall. This carried on for quite a while until the entire room was filled with Crashbombs and while Kuwanger was a rather smart Reploid he didn't notice the amount of explosives until it was too late. The entire room erupted in explosion, however Kuwanger still managed to teleport out of the base and onto the surface of the moon. Crashman rushed out as well and tackled Kuwanger. Bring his SparkMissles to bear and place it near Kuwanger's throat Crashman said," Surrender, Kuwanger and you will be treated fairly."
"You have much honor, hunter. Unfortunately, your honor is wasted on me," as he said this a small beeping started from Kuwanger's chest," So I shall give you, wise hunter, one gift. Your life."
Kuwanger teleported one last time and landed away from Crashman before his self destruct sequence reached zero. the Maverick had exploded and his remains was was floating in various direction. Some of which was flung violently so. Crashman was surprise by the sudden act of kindness and honor, and used his grav-boots and pick up some of Kuwanger's remains that he could reach.
"Come in HQ, this is Crashman. Base captured and Maverick.... destroyed."
"Very good Crash," answered MedaBee," We'll send Luna back up."
*****
Luna had used the remaining technology and which the help of Shadowman, they took over the Lunar Base and convert it into a receiving base. Luna then used her powers and the surrounding tech to contact X and both Shadowman and Crashman was extremely surprised by X's appearance. He resembles their Megaman greatly although Luna didn't see the resemblance. Having discussed their request, X agreed to send the Reploids they need plus some of his friends to help out with the Hunter Operations.
Crashman proceeded to bury a small part of Kuwanger on the surface of Luna's moon despite her protest. The Maverick was his enemy but it would seem that Vile had their loyalty though brainwashing, reprogramming or basic threats and fear. Kuwanger's last action remind Crashman of his own before he had died, although not as heroic but he too was forced to be a villain. In truth he suspected the Maverick was a scientist at heart rather than a warrior but Vile's orders were absolute, or else.
At least Shadowman agreed to help, he could at least see that an honorable enemy should be treated honorably in dead. As Crashman set the gravestone, he swore to himself he will find and destroy Vile, if only to free the other Maverick out of his control.
*****
X turned his monitor off and looked towards the strange human that was standing next to him," So you think you can handle it?"
"Depends, that's a lot of Reploids and I'm pretty sure that the Nightmare will find out what they are doing. So who among your special buggers are you going to send over X?"
"I have two skilled operators in mind and a nurse as well. That and the Massimo himself."
"You're sending Steel Massimo? But he's a combat type right?"
"Yeah that is true but Massimo is also a skilled metal worker."
"Really? Wow didn't know that."
"Whatever, so Kevin can you handle the dimensional gate?"
"Hey, your talking to a fucking Titan of Ether. I got this, although it will take me a while to convice their world's titan to let me though... assuming I'm not their ether as well. I am the Titan for so many Equestrias I don't even know which is which anymore unless something magical and outer-dimensionally is threatening it."
"Right, well help me with the logistics then. The deal is a huge order or materials and gear as well so we have to work fast."
"It's the least I can do for your Titan, after all I'm just babysiting for him why he is on holiday."
X sighed as he watched the visiting Titan walk towards one of the monitors and started tying out a order sheet. maybe Axl was right, X though, these guys are far to crazy to waste processing power on.