//------------------------------// // Case 19: Space Marines, Spartans and Rangers, Oh My // Story: SPD Emergency // by cyberlord4444 //------------------------------// Cruger was riding hard towards the Apploosan Desert, he’d felt a signature that felt like an incoming token, but unlike the others it wasn’t in his general area. Granted, he was on his way back from negotiations with the Minotaurs, but it still puzzled him. He arrived at the site to discover not one, but two tokens, although they were slightly different from the others he’d acquired. ‘Man,’ he thought to himself, ‘Good thing I found these before somepony else, these are dangerous.’ One was a simple looking assault rifle, it looked somewhat familiar but he couldn’t place it. The other looked like a cross between a chainsaw and a machete. As he picked them up, he heard a pair of voices. "This is Sebastian of the Dark Angels Chapter... And I'm Spartan Sebaste-915 of the UNSC.... Together, we are humanity's last hope in the future. If you're in need of the galaxy's most powerful supersoldiers, or if you are needing to bring Death to the enemies of the Imperium and the UNSC, we will answer the call... AVE IMPERIATOR, FOR THE UNSC, FOR TERRA! Cruger chuckled to himself, “Another paired Displacement huh? That being said,” he crossed them over his head, “Sebastian, Sebaste, I’d like a word.” A portal opened up, but something wasn’t right, a bright light could be seen coming out, then a cry of “AAAUGH!” was heard as two armored figures fell out of it followed by a plume of fire.As the portal closed, one of the figures said, “Damn it, Rainborg’s gonna pay for that!” before noticing Cruger. “You’re the one who summoned us?” The figure asked, revealing himself to be a red and silver Halo 4 Orbital Spartan with a few Mk.IV (B) armor pieces mixed in. “That I am, call me Cruger, Power Rangers SPD Displaced,” Cruger said, “might I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?” “The name’s Sebaste, my friend in the Adeptus Astartes armor is Sebastian, but he prefers to be called Sasha.” The Spartan said, “SPD, ey?, I’ve seen a few episodes of it, really good show!” “One of my favorites of all the Power Ranger series,” Cruger replied, “though if I knew back then what I know now, I might have gone with Kamen Rider Drive instead.” Cruger looked up at the sun, “Looks about noonish I’d say, Appleloosa’s not far off if you’d rather continue this in a more comfortable environment, I don’t suppose you have a Warthog?” Cruger asked while looking at Sebaste. “Warthogs? Why ride one of those when you could ride this?” Sebastian said before summoning a Land Speeder Tornado. “Because I know what Sebaste’s base is and not yours?” Cruger asked sarcastically as he straddled his ATV, “Follow me, and try not to shoot anything.” As he said that, he rode off. Both augmented humans lept into the Land Speeder and followed Cruger to Appleloosa, as they headed towards the town, Sebastian asked, ”Have you ever heard of Warhammer 40,000?” “That I have,” Cruger replied, positioning his ATV so that it was about 2 feet in front of the Land Speeder, “but my only exposure to it was a copy of it that I got secondhand that wouldn’t let me play it because of reasons, and a few episodes of ‘If The Emperor Had A Text to Voice Machine’.”. “I’ve always been a WH40K fan, the army that I would play most were the Dark Angels, but when I went to that convention, I was going as a Astartes from that chapter, and now, I’m stuck as one thanks to that thrice damned merchant!” The Astartes said, “Since then, it’s been a rough time for me, both me and Sebaste had just come back from fighting Empire forces with a few other Displaced on the Alliance…” “I’d like to hear about this Empire/Alliance thing, but first,” Cruger said as they arrived at the outskirts of the town, “you should put that away. It’s badass looking and all, but I’d rather not have the entire town run off before we get to eat. Hope you're hungry, this Equestria is omnivorous, and I know a place that serves the best meatloaf this side of the Griffon Kingdoms.” “Don’t worry about that.” Sebastian said before making it vanish, “Let’s see about that meatloaf.” Cruger led them through the streets. While the various inhabitants, pony and buffalo, were a bit nervous about the two heavily armored humans, Cruger managed to put them at ease. They stopped in front of a medium sized building. “Welcome to Cracker Barrel’s general store and eatery,” said Cruger, “Amazing the parallels you’ll find in the multiverse isn’t it?” “Yep, it is amazing.” Sebaste said, deadpanning under his helmet at the irony of it all, “So, I’m guessing that you have your own version of the Rangers here?” He asked Cruger. “Have it, I founded it,” Cruger deadpanned back as he held up three fingers at the mare responsible for seating. As she lead them to their table, Cruger continued, “I’ve been through some crazy stuff since coming here a thousand years ago, I even helped raise Celestia and Luna.” “You helped raise the Princesses?!” Sebastian asked in disbelief, “How did that work out?” “First thing I did when I got here was save them from a kidnapping attempt,” Cruger said, “Second was convince their mom I wasn’t the one trying to kidnap them. Sweet Apple Acres Black Label,” Cruger told the waitress. “When we first arrived in our version of Equestria, we got Twilight out of a tight spot with some Timberwolves, but soon after that, we were attacked by a squad of Chaos Marines.” Sebaste said,” And before you ask, our Twilight’s still a unicorn. After we fought them off, we trained as Guard Reserves.” “Pity I couldn’t see her like that, I got sealed by Discord inside my own base when he first popped up, and only woke up to knock Tirek into next week,” Cruger turned to the waitress, “I think they’ll have Black Label as well.” “Haven’t encountered him yet, and we’ve met Discord, at least a version of him on the Alliance ship.” Sebastian said, ”I’ve met a lot of Displaced, but there is one group you need to avoid, Ahriman and the New Black Legion, we’ve had the...displeasure...of meeting them when Ahriman summoned us, and after we managed to beat two of his entourage and wound a third, they’re out for our blood.” “Well, at least you don’t have to worry about fighting giant monsters every week,” Cruger replied as he looked over his menu, “that’s how it’s looking like my life is turning out. Hmm, do I want the meatloaf or the fried chicken?” “I’ll do the fried chicken.” Sebaste said, while Sebastian chose the meatloaf, “Well, we’ve had to fight two mobs of Orks, and a small Covenant remnant storm lance, plus a tyranid swarm. We ended up having to summon two displaced to help defeat the orks.” Sebastian said. “My usual interactions with Displaced normally consist of me helping them by teaching them something, on second thought I’ll have the hamburger steak, and we’ll all have Mac and Cheese and grits for sides.” The waitress nodded and took their menus. When she left, Cruger continued, “By the way, mind filling me in on what you were talking about earlier, the Alliance and Displaced and all that?” Sebaste nodded,”There’s a massive war going on between two factions of Displaced, The Empire of Nightmares and the Alliance of Heroes. Both of us are with the Alliance, and just recently, there was a prison break on one of their ships. The Empire tried to save some of their commanders but both sides were stopped by a third faction, the Neutrals. This war is known as the War of Shadows, and many Displaced have flocked to it.” Cruger whistled, “sounds serious, mind if I ask how it got started?” “Two Displaced, Lee and Folteren, were going after a whackjob named Killjoy, and Folteren’s daughter Darkaloo, who’s his version of Scootaloo, was accidently hurt in the fight. Angered, Folteren killed Lee’s Twilight and things escalated from there. Now multiple Displaced have joined this war, and we’re the newest additions to it.” Sebaste explained, “And it’s not pretty, I can tell you that.” Cruger steepled his fingers, “I’ve heard of worse reasons to start a war, but not many. Mind explaining who the neutrals are?” Cruger asked as the waitress returned with their drinks. “Not much is really known about them, but what I do know is that they’re like the police force of the war, and that it’s a good idea not to annoy them. We know, because we’ve faced off against one.” Sebastian said. “Nothing personal,” Cruger said as he sipped his drink, “if I were to join any side in that, I think I’d be a neutral.” “Hmm, it would suit you.” Sebaste mused, “Out of curiosity, who’s on the A-team?” “Well, the only member of the Mane 6 on it is Rainbow, Red if you’re curious. I’ve also got a thestral, an earth pony, and two unicorns, all very skilled.” “Rainbow’s the Red Ranger? That’s impressive actually, it would suit her, though I thought she was Wonderbolt material…” Sebaste said, he then looked up at the doorway, “Um, don’t look now, but I think we’ve got company. And I don’t mean the friendly kind. ” Cruger looked to see a group of rough looking stallions. “Let’s ignore them for now,” said Cruger, “If they do cause trouble, there's one for each of us.” Sebaste nodded and sat back down. “Sorry, being a Spartan usually I’m always on the edge in case something popped up.” he said. “Good policy, as long as you don’t descend into total paranoia, looks like our lunch is coming out.” As the waitress exited the kitchen with their food, the three stallions started making unwelcome advances towards her. “Come on,” said one of them, “what mare wouldn’t want a piece of me?” “I believe you mean us,” said another, “so hot stuff, how about a little rodeo?” “Excuse me,” said Cruger, “I believe that she’s not interested.” “Shove off, Diamond Dog,” said the third stallion as the other two laughed. “Diamond… oh you just crossed a line,” said Cruger. He turned towards his two guests, “Anyone else feel like being a gentleman and assisting the young lady?” “You don’t have to ask.” Sebaste said, cracking his knuckles. “This should be good…” Sebastian smirked as he summoned a pair of Lightning claws, “So who wants Ugly number one?” He asked the other two. “Who are you calling ugly?” said the first Stallion. “Did I say ugly? I meant stupidhead number one.” Sebastian taunted, “By the way, did your mom dance with a goat or something? Because you’re being a ‘butt’ head!” “Why don’t we take this outside?” said the second. “Sounds good to me,” said Cruger, “Mind holding onto those for a minute, my friends and I need to work up an appetite.” “We’ll see who’ll be walking back in here, and who’ll be crawling in pain,” said the third. “Then let’s start with you.” Sebaste said before grabbing said stallion and throwing him out the door, while Sebastian tossed the other two after their fellow and walking outside. “If you don’t mind me saying, some might consider that overkill,” Cruger said as he cracked his knuckles, “that said, I don’t. Try not to do anything permanent.” “Believe me, I’ve managed to do more damage on Rainborg, I don’t plan on killing a few hoodlums!” Sebastian laughed, before delivering a powerful punch to one of the stallions charging at him, “Here’s a knuckle sandwich for ya!” He said as the stallion was send flying. “Well, as long as you’re careful, go ahead,” Cruger said as he put the second stallion in a headlock. Sebaste ducked under a wild haymaker from the third stallion, then delivered a hammerblow that stunned him long enough for the Spartan to summon a battle rifle equipped with stun rounds. A few shots later and the stallion was unconscious within seconds. Sebaste then looked up just in time to see Sebastian go flying from a well placed buck. “OOF!” The Astartes grunted, before summoning a power maul and slamming it on the stallion’s head, knocking him out instantly. “Now, I thought the Emperor’s chosen would be able to handle small fry like these,” Cruger teased as he held his stallion on the ground, “I managed to take mine down in 3 moves, without resorting to using any weapons, you boys need to practice your CQC.” Sebastian glared at Cruger, “I did have him, he caught me by surprise! And for your information, I usually use close combat weapons in battle.” “While that may be true, you should both brush up on your unarmed CQC, might come in handy.” Cruger turned towards the stallion he had pinned, “Now, how do we treat mares?” “With respect.” “And why don’t we insult people?” “Because they might be able to kick my flank.” “Nice guess, but wrong,” Cruger said as he twisted his arm a little more, “Try again.” “Because I should treat everyone how I’d want them to treat me?” “Very good,” Cruger said as he let them up, “Now get your friends to Doc Brown, and tutor them on what I taught you.” “Yes sir,” he said as he moved towards his fallen comrades. “Good lad.” Cruger turned towards the others, “Now, I don’t know about you two, but I’ve worked up an appetite.” “Same here.” Sebaste said as he took his helmet off. “You’ll have to show us the HQ sometime, it’s pretty interesting that it turns into a Megazord” Sebastian said as they went back inside. “Maybe another time,” Cruger said as they arrived at their table, “Right now I’m starved.” As they sat down, the waitress arrived with their food, which they then proceeded to devour. “Throne, that was great!” Sebastian said as they exited the restaurant, “I really missed eating meat.” “Agreed, it’s been a looooong time since I’ve had chicken.” Sebaste said in agreement. “Glad you liked it,” Cruger said as he picked his teeth with a toothpick, “I’ve got a little something for ya before ya go if you don’t mind.” “Not at all.” Sebaste said, “What is it exactly?” “Just a little something to help you with your CQC,” Cruger said as he opened a small portal and pulled out a book, “SPD hand-to-hand training manual, should come in handy.” “Thanks Cruger, and it was an honor meeting you.” Sebastian said,”May the Emperor smile on you and help you.” “And may your mind be as sharp as your blade,” Cruger replied, “Our contract is complete.” As the portal opened, Sebastian handed a pair of lightning claws to Cruger and said,”These are The Wolf’s Claws, a specially made pair of lightning claws that allow you to be able to move as swift and silent as the wolves of Fenris. Use them well.” “Nice,” Cruger said as he took them in his hands, testing the feel, “Should come in handy for a stealth build.” “Which Spartan armor do you like, really quick?” Sebaste asked. “I’m not well versed in the different kinds,” Cruger admitted, “But if you’re offering, something streamlined, with a lot of storage pouches.” “Hmm, let’s try this..” Sebaste summoned a suit of Scout armor with a Commando chestplate and GUNGNIR shoulder pads colored in grey and silver, “This okay?” He asked Cruger. “Looks good,” he said as he opened a portal to put it in, “you don’t mind if I mod it a bit do ya?” “Not at all.” Sebaste said, then both he and Sebastian entered the portal to their universe. After the portal closed, Cruger grinned to himself, looking at his new Claws, “Well, I know what I’m doing when I get back.”