Every villain has a story and motivation. Every villain falls to defeat by the hero. But for Crashman, he welcomes his defeat. Crashman wished that he did not have to be the villain but to be the hero, yet here he was following his programing by Dr W
Every hero has a reason to be the hero. Every villain has a story and motivation. Every villain falls to defeat by the hero. But for Crashman, he welcomes his defeat. Crashman wished that he did not have to be the villain but to be the hero, yet here he was following his programing by Dr Willy. So he called Megaman to come and destroy him and take his power to defeat Dr Willy. And so Megaman came....
Metabee was the world's greatest Medabot and has saved the world many times along side Ikki more times that he could count however the years has not been kind to the two. With age and rusting parts Metabee still goes strong as the world's strongest Medabot without his trusted friend as Ikki has passed on, Metabee still is the hero that he was back in his golden age. Now while setting the path for a new generation of Medafighter heroes and Medabots, Metabee must sacrifice his life to make way for the next generation....
ShadowMan has fought many net navis yet none of them could top Megaman nor Photoman or their net navis. Roaming the net, ShadowMan finds a rather strange Net Navi. Alone to fight this strange Net Navi and a hoard of virus and for free no less, ShadowMan fight true and strong before he is confronted by a creature with a proposition. A new challenge and a new world to fight for.... with a few rewards one of which will be paid up front.... a body....
All while a certain blue Alicorn watch from her prison far far away.....
Crashman sat in his conner, waiting for the robot that will come and kill him. His battlefield with it's reinforced walls that surrounded him was his prison. In the distance was the sound of blaster fire which drew nearer and nearer to him. Death was coming for him and he would go out as a hero at least that what Crashman hoped to be remembered as. He remembered the day when he was "born" in this world, his "father" Dr Willy had built him and his brothers for war and destruction.
He looked at his hands and switched them out with the Crash Bombs. He remembered when he had failed every test set for him. His destructive ability was great yet Crashman and a few of his brothers could not bring themselves to become the monsters Dr Willy wanted them to be. That was changed however as Dr Willy reprogrammed him and his brothers to be monsters. Monsters that will help Dr Willy to rule the world.
Crashman brought one of his drill like appendages towards where his robotic heart used to be. It took a while but he managed to fight the new programming that Dr Willy and become his old self. He and Quickman had managed to overcome most of the programming but it had an effect on them. Quickman had changed to be competitive and wanted to go after the hero, Megaman. He eventually agreed to help Dr Willy for the chance to go toe to toe with the robot in blue. Crashman witness that battle and remembered the words which Quickman had said before his body was destroyed. He himself had also changed. The need to fight was a part of him now, but that was not what he wanted.
Crashman hated his "father" for what he was turning Crashman into. What he was denying Crashman from becoming. He wanted to fight against Dr Willy, along side with Megaman and Dr Light but his programming would not let him. He found a way, one that will allow him to help Megaman and deprive Dr Willy one of his weapons.
Deep in though, he almost did not hear the sound of the door opening, to see Megaman with smoke rising from his Megabuster. Both of the two robots locked eyes as Crashman stood up from his conner and armed his Crash Bombs.
Silence greeted the two robots, one that grew for a while before being broken by Megaman," Why do this? Why did you send your robots to construct this base right in the open? Why did you bomb the city Crashman? What is your game?"
Crashman gave out a hearty laugh as Megaman looked at him with a determined look in his eyes," How else do I lure you out Megaman? How else am I going to get you to kill me?"
Megaman eyes went wide as he heard Crashman's words and said," What?"
"Megaman," said Crashman," You are the hero, the hero that I can never become thanks to my "father" and what he did to me. What he did to my brothers. So I am doing what I am programmed for.... and I will die today in the manner that I wish. Hopefully."
"What are you talking about Crashman?" asked Megaman growing more confused about this robot and his actions.
"We shall fight Megaman," said Crashman as he launched a Crash Bomb next to Megaman," you will take my power and defeat Dr Willy, and I get a hero's death."
“No Crashman,” said Megaman,” Come with me, I’m sure Dr Light could.."
“I’m sorry Megaman,” said Crashman fired again this time Megaman had to dodged out of the way,”We MUST fight!”
Before Megaman could react, two more Crash Bombs flew towards him, Megaman jumped back and dodged the two bombs as the bombs drilled into the reinforced floor. Megaman was forced to use his Megabuster to shoot back at Crashman who dodged the shots. The fight waged as the clash of metal and grinding gears echoed across the night sky.
* * * * *
In the night sky, alone on the moon was a blue Alicorn watched from her realm. While she was entrapped in the moon she noticed that her moon stayed with a strange rift which was thin enough that she could use to peer into other worlds. With the Nightmare as her only company she could not do much other than watch this strange world today. However as she watched Crashman and Megaman fight she could not feel sorry for Crashman. A hero denied, Crashman did the only thing he could do to be a hero which was to sacrifice his life to stop this Dr Willy.
However Luna also noticed that the Nightmare had been leaving her alone once in the while, going towards the rifts and giving Luna some moments of respite. She had a good guess what the Nightmare is doing, for if you could use these riffs to not only see other worlds but visit them, The Nightmare may bring forth enemies that Equestria may not have the strength to defeat. She continued to watch Crashman and Megaman making a note to keep an eye on the Nightmare and where it is going.
* * * * *
Megaman and Crashman were both at wits end. They gave each other as good as they could, hurting each other greatly. As Crashman closed in for the kill, he stopped in his tracks.
"You are as they say," said Crashman," A hero, and you are very worthy of that name Megaman. Now do it."
"Crashman.... no I won't. I won't destroy you. Your not like the rest of Willy's robot masters, you can be a hero...." said Megaman.
"I cannot be saved Megaman," said Crashman," I don't know how much longer I can suppress my program, do it and promise me... you will get Willy for me."
Megaman looked at Crashman, seeing that he had no choice he raised his Megabuster and aimed it at Crashman," I'll make sure you will be called a hero Crashman."
"Heh..... up to you Megaman. But just like Quickman said... Death does wear blue."
And with that a final shot rang across the night sky.....
* * * * *
Luna watched as Crashman's body hit the ground, feeling sad that she could do nothing for the brave robot. Realizing that she may be able to grant the robot his deepest wish to be a hero and maybe stop Nightmares plans as well she cast a spell that would preserve what was the essence of Crashman. This spell would save Crashman's mind and (if he had) soul so that he could be reborn someday. She knew that her sister Celestia is waiting for her and there will be a lot more danger in store for Equestria even if Celestia found a way to destroy the Nightmare so maybe just maybe Crashman could become the hero he always wanted to be, just in a different world that he would even expect.
Hopefully, she could contact this Megaman and his creator Dr Light without the Nightmare finding out.
Metabee looked at the Ro-Battle between NeoBee and Black Panther. The two youngsters and their Medabots were shaping up nicely and soon both of them will represent Japan in the next International Ro-Battle Championship. "But then again," thought Metabee," These are Ikki's grandkids we are talking about here. If their anything like their granddad, they and their Medabots will go far."
Watching the Ro-Battle some more, MetaBee stretched his arms and heard the sound of rust and the wear of old circuitry and thought," Damn I'm Old. Maybe its time to retire and hang up the laser cannon."
MetaBee jumped up from where he sat and walked towards the two Medafighters and their Medabots, when he was close enough he yelled," Hey you two! Quit playing around and finish up already! Your moms is going to freak out again if we stay out to late."
"Yes Grandpa Bee," answered the kids and their Medabots.
"I though I told you crazy kids to stop calling that! I'm not that old! Wait till i get my hands on all of you...!"
MetaBee chased the kids and their Medabots back towards their house as with the latter group laughing all the way. The kids were about to enter middle-school and they were still calling him as Grandpa Bee, despite that he forbade them from calling him that a few years earlier.
"Damn I really feel old now," said MetaBee as they enter the Tenryou household. The kids ran right into the dining area while MetaBee stoped in front of the family memorial which sat in the living room. Among the pictures there was the picture of Ikki as an old man. Metabee scanned around the room and came to his usual sight of an old picture of him and Ikki winning the International Medabot Championship for the fourth year in a row which later got them banned from entering the championship. His though always drifted to Ikki whenever he came home to the Tenryou household. He always spent some time when he arrived home to remember all the times Ikki and MetaBee fought with each other and along side each other. From winning the International Medabot Championship for four years running to finding and arresting the Rubber Robo Gang time and time again to way back when the Killobots made their first début. He even remembered the time where he was the best man for Ikki's wedding, babysitting for the first time, for being the bot who handed off one of Ikki's daughters during her wedding when Ikki was hospitalized. Both of them agreed that its time for the next generation of Medafighters and heroes but also agreed that they will be there to help if necessary. Shaking his head, he noticed that Black Beetle and Roks were huddling together and went to talk to them.
"Hey Beet! Roks! How its hanging?"
"MetaBee..." said Roks," Can't you see we are a bit busy?"
"Busy with what Roks?" said MetaBee before he heard the crying of a baby.
Black Beetle was holding the newest addition to the Tenryou family and was rocking the baby to sleep when MetaBee decided to butt in.
'Now look at what you did," said the Killobot," It took me an hour to get this little girl to sleep. And you ruined it you stupid idiot."
"Now now honey," said Roks," MetaBee didn't mean to."
"Yeah yeah," said MetaBee," Oh would you look at that, got to go! Later Beet, Roks!"
MetaBee ran towards the kitchen as he usually did when he upset Black Beetle. The Killobot being an old enemy along side with Cam, MetaBee felt it was very ironic that Cam and Black Beetle were now very good family friends. It seems like only yesterday that Cam was trying to destroy MetaBee.
Reaching the Kicthen where a few of the family members were getting dinner ready, MetaBee noticed something was amiss. The backyard was to quite and still. Walking abck into the living room he gestured for Black Beetle and Roks to come to the backyard. Noticing that this was serious, Black Beetle handed the baby back to her mother. The two Medabots and the Kilobots walked into the backyard and scanned around.
"Yo! Whoever you are we know your hinding around here," shouted MetaBee,"Why don't you come out so that we can hand your sorry metal back to ya!"
"HAHAHAHAHA," laughed a being in the bushes and jumping out," I 'the third generation Rubber Robo Gang Leader' will finally defeat you!"
"Ah great, another gang of Rubber Robo Freaks?" said MetaBee.
"Don't let your guard down MetaBee," said Roks.
"Hey you don't need to tell me what to do!" said MetaBee," I ain't that old!"
"And now for my first trick," said the Rubber Robo Gang Leader," I will end the legendary Tenryou legacy!"
"What?! And you think we will stand by let you do that!" Said Black Beetle.
And so they fought with the new Rubber Robo Gang. The new gang had the new model of the Slug Kilobots and the Butterfly Medabot to attack the Tenryou household. The three veteran robots were fighting the new gang with ease until MetaBee noticed something.
"Hey," said MetaBee," Is it me or does these Robo Freaks seems to be smarter than usual."
"Agreed," said Roks," Be on your guard."
"Look who your talking to Roks," said Black Beetle.
"Good point," said Roks.
The enemy robots were shooting at them and the house as well. MetaBee then noticed that some of the enemy robots were trying to shoot at the family. It had seem that the Rubber Robos had found a way to bypass the Medabot and the new line of Kilobot safety mechanism and were using it to try and kill the Tenryous.
"Oh man," said MetaBee as he could feel his rage rising," Not cool you robo freaks!"
MetaBee rushed into the fray and started to smash as many of the enemy robots as possible and he got closer and closer to a squad of those old Robo-Emperor Medabots. There he started to glow in the recognisable green glow of the Medaforce.
"its time," said MetaBee as he always did when he used the Medaforce," to kiss your bot goodbye!"
MetaBee fired of the Medaforce at the grow of Robo-Emperors but not before one of them managed to launched a missile at one of the kids that MetaBee was with earlier that day. After he had fired the Medaforce he then jumped in the way of the missile to safe the kids life.
"FIRE!" said the Rubber Robo Leader," Fire again! We got him on the ropes!"
The Butterfly Medabots launched a new barrage of misslies and MetaBee used his body as a shield to protect the family while Roks and Black Beetle dealt with the Rubber Robo Gang. The missiles were slowly damaging MetaBee right down to his Tinpet. With one of his arms blasted off, ripped of right at the shoulder joint, he looked at the new Rubber Robo Gang Leader and felt his rage rise again. The Medaforce was rising with him once again.
"Dude," said MetaBee," Its time to kiss your bots goodbye! Medaforce!"
MetaBee fired off his second Medaforce and then his third and his forth Medaforce in a repeating manner eliminating the Rubber Robo Gang's robots.The Rubber Robo Gang Leader was shocked that the legendary MetaBee had fired three Medaforce in rapid secession and had taken out all of his bots. Cursing, he ordered a retreat but was welcomed by a squad of police men who was already rounding up the gang.
"MetaBee!" shouted Roks and Black Beetle as they made their way to MetaBee as he collapsed under his own weight. His legs had broken from the foot and from the knee and his remaining arm was completely blacken. The Light in his eyes was slowly fading and flickering. MetaBee knew that firing off the Medaforce like that would most likely damaged his Rare Medal. He looked up into the eyes of Roks and Black Beetle.
"Heh," said MetaBee," Now that was a fight to last a while right guys?"
"Save your strength MetaBee," said Roks.
"Yeah Grandpa Bee," said one of the kids.
"Nah," said MetaBee," I'm way to tired to do that. Hey now don't cry guys."
"But..." said one of the kids.
"Hey, don't be sad," said MetaBee," I'm just going to say hi to Ikki.... Beet, Roks, Take care of them for me ok? Ikki would never let me live it down...."
"We will MetaBee..." said Roks.
"We most definitely will," said Black Beetle," You stupid idiot."
And with that MetaBee ejected his medal which was very damage. However before anyone could react the medal vanished as if it broke apart as it landed on the ground.
[* * * * *]
Luna looked with the medal of the hero she just collected. The medal while badly damage can be easily repaired with the power of magic. It will take a while but it is useful. A veteran hero like that will be useful for Equestria. Assuming that the hero named MetaBee would forgive her for taking him away from the family he had almost sacrificed himself to protect.
ShadowMan was bored. Well bored is a very weird way to say it. ShadowMan was the best Net Navi when it comes to assassin and infultration. He has defeated many net navi but none could come up to the challenge when it came to Megaman or Protoman. Furthermore these net navi's had superior operators and have travel to the real world. ShadowMan knew of his operator skill with is non-existent. All he had was his on skill and abilities yet he could defeat all that stood in his way except those two.
Now ShadowMan was looking for the next challenge, one which could test himself once again. His operator was not with him at the moment as he truly felt that his operator was not using him to his full potential.
"No that's not right," said ShadowMan as he walked within the UnderNet. In truth ShadowMan knew that the operator was not using him to his potential rather he was not helping ShadowMan reach it. Battle Chips were a Net Navi's greatest asset other than his or her abilities. Now ShadowMan was looking for a way to gain access and use a large set of Battle Chips without his operator's wishes or ability to slot in. ShadowMan had heard of a way for Net Navis could use Battle Chips electronically and without the Operator's consent. However that meant he had to go into the UnderNet.
ShadowMan, however, did not forget that the UnderNet is a dangerous place even to him. The informant he was meeting with were going to give him a sample folder of the special Battle Chips but ShadowMan knew that this could very well also be a trap. but for now he had to risk it. And if it was a trap he would have to see if he can turn the trap into a massacrer for trappers.
* * * * *
ShadowMan was right, it was a trap but of a different kind. Currently he stood in the middle of a large Colosseum which somehow was a new addition to the UnderNet. A look around he could tell that there are viruses all over the place, waiting to be released from their cages. On the podium was Bass the rouge navi with some strange net navi along side him. In the centre of the Colosseum was a folder which ShadowMan assumed was the Battle Chip folder he wanted.
"You," said Bass from the podium where his voice was amplified," Here's how this is going to work weakling, that folder over there is a generic Battle Chip folder pack so it will contain the basic Cannon, Shotgun, Spreader, Air Shot and Vulcan chips. With this folder and your natural abilites you have to fight a wave of viruses I have gather up here."
"Are you mad," said ShadowMan," Why do you think I would do anything like that? I could just take the folder and leave."
'Sure you could," said Bass with an evil grin," But what do you say if I mentioned that my... ah 'friend' here can give you more than just a Battle Chip folder?"
"What do you mean Bass?" asked ShadowMan.
"Well this bitch," said Bass turning to the strange Net Navi," Has something similar to a body in her world, think about it. Your own body, your own decision... being free.. well almost free in a world where you are one of the strongest. The ultimate challenge! The Real World."
"... I'm listening," said ShadowMan.
"Well the bitch really has a world that needs protecting," said Bass," So in exchange for a body, you have to be it's protector but for what I've been told you will not be doing it alone. But that world is real, your body will be real heck from what I been told your powers and the Battle chips are real."
"Then what's stopping you from taking the job?" asked ShadowMan.
"Simple," said Bass," I do what I want, not what others want of me. And since I was this bitch's first choice I've been hounded for quite a while. So your my replacement, your not as good as me but you will do."
"And this arena?"
"Ah well the bitch doesn't believe you can fill my shoes, so this is a test and it starts 5 minutes after you take the folder. are you ready weakling?" asked Bass.
"I am ShadowMan," said ShadowMan as he took a few steps in front of him," I am always ready...."
* * * * *
ShadowMan had gone though 40% of the virus in the first 20 minutes and that saying something because Bass had collected slightly over a thousand viruses of various strengths. bass turned to the other 'Net Navi'. This 'Net Navi' was in the form of a horse or a pony if you will. This bitch, though Bass, had hounded him for the pass two months trying to convince him to go to her world.
As tempted as he was he still had a score in this world, that and he would be taking orders from the bitch.
"He's doing pretty well," said Bass," I'm surprise he hasn't gotten hurt yet but then again he has yet to reach the harder viruses wouldn't you say Luna?"
"Indeed," said Luna," he should be a good replacement for you Bass, for what it is worth I'm sure he will do just as much good in my world as you would."
"Nope not even close," said Bass," But enough that it will make a difference in your world. To bad you are not taking that MegaMan instead."
"He and his Operator is still needed in this world," said Luna," Besides I can not bring his operator to my world without... repercussions."
"And ShadowMan and those... others can be?" asked Bass
"Yes," said Luna," For their story in their worlds have ended and I'm giving them a new beginning. As for ShadowMan, he does not have a body thus it will be easier to transport to my world. That or let him become like you."
"A rogue Net Navi?"
"Yes," said Luna.
"One of me is already enough," spat Bass," Anyway what sort of problems are you having over there that you will need these so called heroes?"
"As you can see I am," said Luna," Crossing into different worlds. The Nightmare which is inhabiting my body back in my world is also doing the same. Where I've been going to various worlds, it has been going to one constantly. I'm afraid that once we are released from our prison and it is forced out of my body, it will use the knowledge or weapons it had collected in that world."
"To complicated," said Bass," Shouldn't have asked."
"Well we shall see," said Luna," ShadowMan is doing very well."
Bass stayed silent as he watched ShadowMan reach the 55% mark.
* * * * *
ShadowMan sunk his Muramasa katana into the ground as he looked around himself. Over a thousand viruses was deleted and the energy within himself is almost depleted. He looked up to see bass giving him a very soft slow clap and said," Looks like you won. I would love to go up against you right now just to see if you are a match for me or not. But for now looks like you need to sleep."
"I can," panted ShadowMan," Still.. fight on..."
"Sure you can," mocked Bass," But the bitch needs you to sleep. Travelling to her world can be stressful but don't worry though kid, your going to be waking up to a surprise."
However ShadowMan didn't hear that last part as he blacked out.....
Once again those three have fought against me and again they defeated me! I'm the better fighter! I"M THE BETTER HUNTER! But no X, Zero and that newcomer Axl has defeated me and once again I am denied what should be mine....
Well frankly I'm sick of this, I'm sick of this Nightmare of failure, this accursed world where humans and reploid are 'equals', this world where the greatest Maverick hunter is that stupid X and his partners Zero and Axl, I'm sick of Sigma always coming back and beating my ass in line, I'm sick of never amounting anything except being scrap metal!
.... Frankly I hate this world, the only thing that keeps me going nowadays is that Mavericks are still around and we keep growing in number, only to be beaten down by Sigma for his own ends or destroyed by the Maverick Hunters, but I have also a responsibility for all those Mavericks for you see I have been secretly backing up as much data on every Maverick reploid, from the old Spark Mandrill to the "traitors" yet honourable Magma Dragoon so I cannot die just yet oh no. I must never be completely destroyed if not all of this will all go to waste....
Imagine X's face when I unleashed all of these reploids! He already has trouble fighting one of these guys but I also must be careful.... Most of these Reploids are either crazy or very loyal to Sigma, Sigma of all reploids! That bastard will throw all of them at some stupid plan and have them all get destroyed again! I have already begun reprogramming their data to obey me and to insure that they are better than before. Now to only get those parts and I'll be all set to bring back the first of the Mavericks....
Also I need to fix that time stamp, The last encounter has damaged some of my systems if I can't tell what the bloody time or date it is.... now lets see... is it a Tuesday?
END DATA.
* * * * *
Data Journal: Time Stamp ??:?? ?? ??? 21XX
DATA START.
... The stupid thing is still broken, whatever I have more important things to do than fix that bloody thing. My plans to resurrect all those reploids have let to come to fruition, I've gotten the parts and just rebuild that Armored Armadillo, who knows when I need to use that block of metal as a shield, Slash Beast is also coming along nicely along with Dark Mantis although those more advance reploids will take longer to be completed, unlike that Optic Sunflower.... Now in the world was he build in the first place The stupid thing keeps falling apart every time I am at the 30% mark... maybe I'm doing something wrong but never mind I have made a great discovery today.
When I was out stealing parts for the Mavericks I met something.
It called herself Nightmare Moon, some sort of lunar god or something from another world and it offered me a chance at something big, she offered me a ripe world just for the taking, me at the top of it! Imagin me a king or and emperor so something similar, and even better NO X NO ZERO NO AXL NO SIGMA! A world that can be all mine oh and that Nightmare Moon as well I guess.
Not to say that I'll just jump on the welcome wagon right away, I can bet that thing will backstab me when she gets the chance but at the same time I'll be stupid to not take this chance. I'm moving half my lab right now to a better location so that when the time is right I can move everything into place. This also means I need to steal as much stuff as possible because as Nightmare moon says its a one way trip so if I need new parts I'm going to have to build then from scratch.
Still though that offer is very tempting....
DATA END.
* * * * *
Data Journal: Time Stamp ??:?? ?? ??? 21XX
DATA START.
Hello X,
If your reading this then your to late, I'm gone and you can't follow me.
I am leaving this message and as well as the two previous messages as a little reminder for you to remember me by.
Before you ask, no I have not and will not take over YOUR world any more, I've not reformed rather I have found a more suitable target. I have been stealing as much of maverick Reploid data and reconstructing as many as I can and now I have taken everything to a new world.
Don't follow me X, as much as I hate your guts I have to agree that this world can't function with you now. Between you, that red son of a bitch Zero and that copy cat Axl, your world is safe. You also better not get yourself killed by some Maverick wannabe X, because if I can't get to do it well you bloody hell better not let some rookie get the honor of killing you.
Sincerely and finally out of your helmet,
Vile.
PS: The end of my Nightmare begins Equestria's Nightmare.
DATA END.....
* * * * *
X looked up from the data logs recovered by the Hunter Team Gamma. Sighing he then turned towards Princess Luna
Luna looked towards the moon remembering the time she talked to a little robot named Roll and her creator Dr Light. She wondered how they were doing and was also wondering if they recognised her in her proper form. she shock her head and walked inside to be greeted by her sister Celestia. The older monarch and the regent of the sun was waiting for Luna to walk back into the room and have some tea.
"Now Lulu," said Celestia," What is it that you want to talk to me about?"
"Well Celly," said Luna," Thou remember the... thing that possessed me all those years ago?"
"Lulu...," said Celestia," You know that your not."
"I know I know," said Luna interrupting Celestia. Luna knew that Celestia doesn't blame her for what the Nightmare did even if she still felt responsible for it. "It's just that we have not heard hide nor hair of the Nightmare since it was pushed out of me by the Elements of Harmony."
"Lulu," said Celestia," There is a very good chance that the Nightmare has been destroyed when the Elements of Harmony freed you from its grasp. I feel that..."
'That is just it Celly," said Luna," During that thousand years being trapped in the moon, the nightmare and I visited other worlds..."
"Yes Luna," said Celestia," I know. You told me and my generals all about this after you had returned and you did give us the time to research and build and repair all the things to recreate those strange golems. They haven't woken up yet but.."
"Celestia! Will you let me finish!" shouted Luna in her royal Canterlotian voice," Oh I'm sorry sister..."
"Its ok Luna," said Celestia," Its my fault and your right I should let you finish talking."
"Yes sister," said Luna," Well as I was saying, I can feel the Nightmare because it possessed me for such a long time. Well earlier today I felt something that i haven't felt for two years since my return sister...."
"Its back isn't it," said Celestia," And you think its brought some friends?"
"Yes sister," said Luna," Which mean we have to wake those heroes up by force."
"Do you think that is a good idea Lulu?" asked Celestia as she stood up from her chair.
"No Celly," answered Luna," But what choice do we have?"
* * * * *
In a large messa, lay a large strange structure. It looks slightly lopped sided as if it fell from the sky and it the ground crooked. A creature walked out of the building, his legs shock from the impact and he could tell that his legs will be shacky for a while.
"What a rush," said Vile as he leaned back on the building," Last time I decide that there is no space for a reinforced chair. At least the equipment is untouched. Now the hard part of moving all of this before i get spotted."
"You do realize," hissed the Nightmare who materialize next to Vile," The more you stall the more prepared Equestria will be..."
"Yeah yeah shut it, you stupid cloud," said Vile," These are my Mavericks so that means we follow MY plan. And that mean I need to find a place I can hide and set up shop there. The one thing I have learned when I was under Sigma's boot is always have a back up base that you can run to and hunker down."
"Bah," spat the Nightmare," Fine but you better be able to deliver. Especially on that new body. You had two year since we meet to start on it and I have yet to see what it looks like."
"You have no patience do you?" asked Vile who continued to talk without an answer from the Nightmare," That your problem and I say DEAL."
With that Vile walked away from the Nightmare cloud and back into the building to "enlist" the help of his new subordinates.
Luna walked along side Celestia as they both walked towards the old wing off the castle. The old wing was where Luna and Celestia's parents room and where the old kingdom was kept mostly from prying eyes. Both of them decided a long time ago that this place would be used to for any secret projects that they would like to hide form Equestrian citizen's prying eyes or more importantly the eyes of those of their neighbors. However no matter how big their projects get, the old king and queen private chambers has not been touched at all.
As they walked they reach the old throne room and headed towards the seats of power. As they approched the seats of power glowed their familiar light of the sun and the moon and parted along with the rest of the back wall to reveal a doorway big enough for the two to walk though.
The sisters walked through the gateway into the lab where the three machines lay in their stasis tubs waiting to be awoken. A unicorn walked up to the princesses.
"Oh hello Princess Celestia, Princess Luna," Said Professor Technical "Techy" Board," What can I do for you two today? Its rather odd that you two should visit when the routine check up and report in only tomorrow instead of today."
"Bad news Techy." said Princess Celestia," We need to wake these golems up."
"Heroes," corrected Princess Luna.
"Yes dear sister sorry," apologized Princess Celestia," We need to wake these heroes up and we need your help Techy."
"I see," said Professor Techy as he turned around to face away from the two princesses," HEY WINCH AND WENCH! SUIT UP AND GET YOUR FLANKS DOWN HERE! TIME TO WAKE THEM UP THE HARD WAY!"
A few seconds pass with loud noise of things getting overturned, pushed out of the way and the sound of things tripping down stairs to reveal two earth ponies who had stopped at the bottom of the stairs in. Professor Techy facedhoofed as he waited for the twins earth ponies to untangle themselves and present themselves in a more dignified manner.
As Princess Celestia suppressed a giggle, Princess Luna asked," What do you mean the hard way?"
"Ah well you see," said Professor Techy as he turned around to face Princess Luna," We have been slowly feeding them magic and electric energy as required as well as doing all of the ideas to wake them up. From the natural way to wake ponies up to the extremes to forcing vasts amount of energy or magic and even sometimes both. But we always stop at a limit. Five seconds at full power, things like that. But since we now have the urgency of your command well.... We are going to pull out all the stops and see if we can generate a lot of magic and energy for a full five minutes. Well see if that can help wake them up."
As Professor Techy was halfway though his explanation, the twin brothers Winch and Wench had untangled themselves and hooked up the three tubs with cables connecting to the giant energy amplifier. The Amplifier would receive power from the Canterlotian Dam that was set up much further away. An assistant who had heard Professor Techy was also preparing by setting up another energy amplifier but this time it amplifies power from that assistant who is a unicorn.
"Er Prof?" asked the assistant," What do ya mean a full five minutes? I can barely last 2 seconds on this bleeding thing!"
"Don't you worry your little head of Mana Pillar," said Professor Techy," I and a couple of the other assistants will be hooked up as well and hopefully will decrease the drain. Now get those helmets ready please."
"Ok but your the boss on this Prof," said Mana Pillar.
The set up took a few minutes to complete and the set up was ready. The two amplifier are hooked up to the three tubs and are ready. Professor Techy raised his hoof and said," Ok colts and fillies! Here we go! In Three, Two, One, Ignition start!"
With that Winch and Wench pulled the levers on both of the Amp and started generating the vast amount of energy and magic into the tubs. As the Amps turbines whined and sparked, Winch yelled," How much more do we pump in this thing?!"
"Four more minutes!" Yelled Wench," But I don't think the Amps can take it!"
And Wench was right. Hitting the 3 minute mark of the needed 5 minutes, the Amps started to overheat and the turbines of both of the amps started to wobble out of the machines. It took another 40 more seconds before the amps decided that it couldn't hold on much longer and started to crash and burn. The amps exploded flinging many of the ponies present to the ground and Princess Celestia and Luna to the wall.
When the two princesses got up they survey the scene to find that while many ponies were hurt or sporting nosebleeds, no ponies were in critical conditions but the Amps were completely trashed.
The experiment looked like it was a complete failure if it wasn't for three things. The three tubs that housed the heroes were opening to reveal.....
A very confused looking Crashman. A rather indifferent looking Shadowman And one very Pissed off and apparent in a lot of pain Metabee.
Crashman looked around from the few of his charging chamber before walking out of the tube. Surveying the surrounding as his diagnostics were booting up he watched a yellow like robot with many guns (and what looked like a stag beetle horn) stomp out of his chamber and grabbed one of the small horse like being and start yelling. His systems were still booting up thus he couldn't hear what the yellow robot was yelling.
Watching the diagnostics list run by, he didn't recognize some of the data that was being pulled up, such as the Reploid base data and what not. Looking down at his hands, he saw that this wasn't even his own body. It looked like someone took his original design and modified it ten fold with better technology. As the diagnostics checked off his Audio sensors he could finally hear what the yellow robot was saying.
"... and where in the MedaForce damned backside am I! I died! I was ready to go to that big Ro-Battle Arena in the sky and I could finally see Ikki again!"
"MedaBee please calm down," pleaded a rather taller horse like being which only now came into Crashman's viewfinder," The fault is not in poor Winch here but mine."
The taller horse was then accompanied by a white version which spoke to the yellow robot called MedaBee," Please forgive my sister but we had no other choice but to forcefully waken you and your new allies."
"New Allies? What are you..." Medabee tailed off as he looked to his left and to his right. Crashman is now walking towards the group and he sees another robot, this time was a purple themed ninja.
"Ok ok, timeout." said Medabee," Whats going on here. And who are they and why am I talking to talking horses?"
"Forgive us," said the tall white horse," I am Princess Celestia de Equestria, princess of the Sun and the day diarch. This is my sister, Princess Luna De Equestria, princess of the Moon and the night diarch. This is the land of Equestria and our race are called Ponies not horses."
"Tis was I who brought you all here, both you MedaBee and Crashman before your flame of life extinguish."
"Wait so this purple freak come here willing?" asked MedaBee pointing at the robot ninja.
"I have a name you know," said the robot ninja," Shadowman.EXE or Shadow for short."
"Fine Shadow," said MedaBee with air quotes.
"As my sister was saying," said Princess Celestia," We had no choice but to awaken you so... forcefully and for that we apologize but you heroes are needed."
"Wait, heroes?" though Crashman.
"Ok ok," nodded MedaBee," So what the hell do you want us for?"
"In due time MedaBee," said Princess Celestia," For now you need to get use to your new Reploid bodies. And as well as getting to know your new team mates."
"So I'm suppose to work with ninja bot over there and El Sliencio?" asked MedaBee," Sorry princess but The Bee works alone."
"Sir MedaBee," said Princess Luna," Thou didn't work alone in the beginning..."
"YOU LEAVE IKKI OUT OF THIS!" interrupted MedaBee.
Crashman surged forward to stand between MedaBee and Princess Luna transforming one of his hands into a drill and pointing it at MedaBee and commanded," Calm down."
"You want some of this?" said MedaBee as his new and improved laser cannon armed itself," I got a good laser cannon shot with your name on it."
"ENOUGH!" yelled Princess Celestia,"i don't know whats you are going on about MedaBee but I can see that you all need a bit more time to adjust. We will let you know everything once all of you have calmed down."
" Fine," said MedaBee grudgingly," I'm calm and collected and all that jazz."
"Finally we can get on with it," said Shadowman.
"As I was saying," said Princess Luna meekly," We would like if you, SIr MedaBee, to take charge of your team here."
"So these two will have to talk orders from me huh?" asked MedaBee.
"Fat chance," said Shadowman under his breath.
"Regardless," said Princess Celestia leering at Shadowman," MedaBee has the most experience among the three of you and thus has more experience especially going into full combat situations. For now we will leave the three of you to get to know your new bodies and each other."
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna walked away from the group while medics started entering the room to deal with any injured ponies particularly Winch.
"So I guess we are stuck with each other huh," said MedaBee," So before this what were you two?"
"Infiltrator, Assassin, Stealth Specialist around the net," answered Shadowman," And before you ask I went along with this to get this body. I was just a program where I'm from."
"So you were generally a bad guy huh?
"No, just a mercenary."
"Might as well get it over with," though Crashman.
"I... was a Robot Master," answered Crashman," A Robot built to blow things up... for a villain named Dr Willy."
"....so he's a kinda bad guy and you were one?"
"Yes, but I died to assist the hero of my world, Megaman to defeat Dr Willy."
Shadowman stiffen at the name of Crashman's hero but didn't say anything even if the two noticed.
MedaBee whistled and said," That's hardcore. So would you like to know how to be a hero?"
"Indeed I would sir," answered Crashman.
"Then lets get working, I need to test out this new body of mine but let me just say it feels good to be taller for once." MedaBee stretched his new body before walking over to one of the guards," Oi you, stick-up-his-butt, where is a good place for us to test out our new bodies and weapons?"
The unicorn guard didn't blink an eye at the name MedaBee called him and then said," Sir follow me Sir!" the Guard started marching towards a particular direction and the group followed them, with MedaBee mumbling," Wow maybe he does have a stick up his butt."
** Elsewhere **
"Are you sure this is a safe place for a hidden base?" asked the Nightmare as it watched Vile and his Mavericks hall some equipment into a unactive volcano.
"With Magma Dragoon and some of the other fire based Mavericks, we can make it look like a active volcano and make sure no one comes close to the place. Plus its deserted for a couple of miles around and easily defensible." answered Vile who was not looking up from his chart.
"But its so cliche" argued Nightmare.
"Ok cloud-for-brains, why don't you help pick up the very heavy and very valuable equipment and bring it to your 'perfect' base while the rest of us watch," said Vile," Oh that's right until I make your new body you can do jack shit now can you so shut up and keep a magical ear out for trouble."
** Back to our Heroes **
MedaBee, Crashman, and Shadowman followed the guard into an open garden which was large enough for then to let loose.
"Will that be all Sir MedaBee, Sir Crashman, And Sir Shadowman?" asked the guard.
"Yeah two things," answered MedaBee," First your name and rank."
"Private Sharp Stick Sir!"
"....really? Sharp.... Stick.... and i've been calling you Mr stick-up-your-butt..... nevermind. Ok and secondly get us an expert on this world's weaponry and command structure will ya?"
"I will bring Commander Sure Shield and Captain Valkyrie." said Sharp Stick before making a sharp about face and galloping away.
"Sure Shield... Sharp Stick.... ok the naming conventions on this planet is downright weird," said MedaBee," Ok so here whats we are going to do. First, we got to see what we can access in terms of powers, weaponry and stuff like that. So who wants to go first?"
"I shall," said Shadowman pulling out a katana," I have my MuneMasa here but also a large folder of datachips. Each datachip contains data for a from of one use weaponry and will take time before i can use them again."
"Well I got my head rockets, my revolver arm and my laser cannon." said MedaBee," Don't know if I can access the MedaForce here or have access to any Medaparts but I'll come across that bridge when we come to it."
".... I can throw my crash bombs and have drills our of my hands...." said Crashman.
"I don't think that's all dude," said MedaBee," But that's what we are here for. To find out."
"Now a quick..." said Medabee before he gets cut off my a loud alarm sounding though the castle," Looks like training will have to wait, lets go!"
The three reploids ran down the corridor towards a group of guards. Following the guard, the three looks out the windows to see four very large bee like helicopters heading their way. Their IFF & Reploid database registered them as Bee Bladers and of the them had a robot handing of one of its legs.
The database registered the reploid as the Lighting King of the Bullet Fist, Spark Mandrill. Status: MAVERICK.
Chapter 4: Spark Mandrill Stage / Attack On Canterlot Castle
MedaBee looked in his HUD display and said," What the heck is a Maverick?"
"Don't know, don't care." said Shadowman as the group came to a stop in front of the throne room," But we'll need to take it out and the 'Bee Bladers' too. Whats the plan?"
"Don't know yet," said MedaBee," But we might as well find out whats going on. Check your HUD and see if we have some sort of com-system linking us together, and lets find out the situation on the ground."
"...ing, coming Maverick Hunters..."
"Got something on the HUD," said Shadowman," Something about Maverick Hunters?"
"This is Princes Luna, respond... MedaBee, Shadowman, Crashman... Team Maverick Hunters respond."
"This is MedaBee, receiving you aloud and clear." said MedaBee." Whats the situation? "
"Strange mechanical monster assaulted the main gate and broke though the stationed guards. Many of the royal guards are working with the Wonderbolts and Regular Equestrian Forces in stalling the monsters from entering the residential and noble district but we have lost the airship yard and the commercial district and it appears the monsters are heading directly towards this castle," explained Princess Luna," The Command Systems I received and rebuild from X and his Maverick Hunters identified the leader of this attack, Spark Mandrill. Taking him out might blunt the edge of this assault. It has been reported that Spark Mandrill has landed at the airship yard."
"So we got a Command Center huh and we are technically Maverick Hunters correct?" asked Crashman.
"Indeed," answered Princess Luna," MedaBee what is your plan of attack?"
MedaBee though fro a moment before answering Princess Luna, "Ok here's the battle plan. Shadow, you take head off and assist the ponies in pushing the enemy back. How you do it is up to you. Crash, those Bee Bladers are bound to be as heading this way, see if you can ground them permanently. I'm going to see if I can keep that overgrown monkey busy. When both of you are done, I want you guys to beeline to me and we can take out Spark Mandrill. Got it guys?"
"Roger Bee," said Crash giving him a thumbs up.
"Got it," responded Shadowman.
"Right, Maverick Hunters! Move out!"
The three went towards their objectives.
** Noble District **
Shadowman ran though alleyways, over roofs and bee-lining towards the the Line. The Line is what divides the Noble Sector and the commercial district. There were panicking civilians running all over, mostly away from the Line. As he was free-running over the roofs he noticed a rather well dress pony fighting the flow of the panicking civies. Deciding to intervene, Shadowman jumped down into the path of the pony. This caused more of the fleeing ponies to panic even more but he didn't care.
"And where do you think your going," said Shadowman to the startled and well dress unicorn stallion," Safety is the other way."
"Whoever you are, out of my way! My wife is still stuck in the commercial district and I need to get to here.," said the well dress unicorn trying to shove his way pass Shadowman but is held at arm's length by Shadowman," OUT OF MY WAY! I NEED TO GET TO FLEUR!"
"What does she look like," said Shadowman calmly," I'm on my way to the Line to subdue the enemy robots. I can keep her safe should i come across her."
"You... you will do that? For me? For my Fleur?" asked Fancy Pants in shock.
"So long as you get your but to the safety zone and you don't get in my way," said Shadowman.
"Thank you... thank you" said Fancy Pants," She's a thin white unicorn with light pink mane. Who.. who are you kind sir?"
"Shadowman. Maverick Hunter," said Shadowman as he jumped by up on the roof and rushed towards the Line.
** Canterlot Castle High Wall **
Crashman reached the top of the stairs and out the turret door to see a group of Royal guards rushing left right and center. One of them, a private by rank, was busy giving first aid to a Wonderbolt flyer. Many of the unicorn Royal Guards and REF were firing mana bolts at the four Bee Blazers. While not very effective, it did get the attention of whatever that was piloting the flying bee themed battle-choppers.
"Oi," said Crashman as he rushed twards the fray," Back off and let me handle them."
"And who are you to order us around," said one of the REF officers.
"Crashman, Maverick Hunter." said Crashman," Now move and give me some space."
"You heard him, let the Hunter handle this!" ordered the same officer," I hope you got this!"
Crashman nodded before he dodged some gunfire from the first of the four Bee Battlers. The other three went after the retreating ponies as if to finish them of or keep them occupied. Crashman didn't care which but he needed to take them down and join up with MedaBee ASAP. Throwing a Crash Bomb at the Bee Blader, he was surprised to see the drill end of drill itself into the bottom end of the helicopter. Quickly consulting his HUD, Crashman found out that he can launch his Crash Bombs as well as using the drill end as a melee attack.
Crashman dodged another barrage of fire from the Bee Blader and 'shot' a few Crash Bombs into the head of the first Bee Blader. As it detonated and started to spin out of control over the wall and into the garden, Crashman turned his attention to the other three Bee Bladers. The other helicopters were busy laying down suppressive fire at a number of wall turrets.
"One down," though Crashman," Three more to crash and burn."
** The Airship Yard **
"Right remember what the cloud said," said Spark Mandrill," Grab what we can and high tail it out of here. Just hope the boss like the stuff we are bring back."
"Huh so its a snatch and grab eh?" though MedaBee," Well lets ruin his day."
MedaBee jumped out from his hiding place and started firing his laser cannon at the feet of Spark Mandrill, who was surprised and started dancing to avoid getting his feet shot. When MedaBee stopped shooting, the maverick looked at him and said," Whats the big idea? And who are you anyway. I didn't see you with the rest boss and cloud brought."
"The rest? Boss? Cloud?" said MedaBee," Whatever. All I know is your going down you big baboon."
"WHAT! I AM NOT A BABOON!" screamed Spark Mandrill," I will CRUSH you!"
"Now that I got his attention," though MedaBee," Let's survive this."
** Noble District **
Shadowman reached the Line to see mostly what the database called Hoganmer running around and causing havoc. These Hoganmer were human-like reploid had a mace for one hand and a shield on the other. the Royal Guards and the REF were holding them at bay for now but unable to pass them to help out any ponies trapped on the other side. The Wonderbolts themselves were having trouble as these Hoganmers were backed up by Gun Volts, a missile turret on legs. These Gun Volts were scattered in various location, which only allowed the quickest of Wonderbolts to get into and out of the commercial district airspace.
Equipping a MiniBomb battlechip, his left hand retracts into his arm and comes out a MiniBomb that he could use. Clutching the bomb he ran forwards and over the line to shove the MiniBomb into one of the Gun Volts's missile rack. Jumping out the way he saw the Gun Volt blew up leaving only the feet. A few Hoganmers removed themselves from the Line and charged at the interloper but to only get taken down by the Vulcan battlechip.
The first row of advancing Hoganmers fell to the Vulcan pretty quickly and the second row quickly raised up their shields to only be attacked by the REF and Royal Guards. Shadowman has now broken the Line, giving the ponies the chance to turn the tide or at least push the Line further in.
Shadowman could see that a lot more "work" would be needed before heading to MedaBee. However with the REF and the Royal Guards providing a good "distraction" Shadowman could search for the mare called Fleur.
Leaving the Line and venturing further into the commercial district, Shadowman drew his signature and deadly MuneMasa blade and prepared a barrier battlechip as a just in case. Once in a while, he would find a lone Gun Volt or a rouge group of Hoganmers but they were easily dispatched with his katana. It was a long while later that he heard a high pitched scream coming from a high class boutique. Shadowman rushed towards the boutique to find two mares, one fitting the "Fleur" description and another unicorn mare with purple mane and tail. Switching out his MuneMasa for a Vulcan battlechip, he peppered the offending Hoganmer. The mace and shield reploid didn't know what hit him before it fell to the ground. Shadowman surveyed the shop to find it a complete mess, the mares must have barricaded themselves in the shop and only recently the Hoganmer broke though their defenses.
Shadowman walked over to the two with the many holes in the Hoganmer and the barrel of the Vulcan still smoking. The two mares were still covering in fear but had magicked some of the broken furniture to use as makeshift clubs. Shadowman smirked, and then turns his back on the mares saying," Come on, I'll cut you a path."
** Canterlot Castle High Wall **
Crashman ducked for cover as the two of the BeeBlader crashed into each other letting off a very large explosion. Already he could hear the cheering of some of the royal guard as he rolled out of the way. Now eying the last BeeBlader, He armed and primed several more CrashBombs to be used in succession on the last BeeBlader.
Rushing the last BeeBlader, he had to dash and dodge the missiles and gunfire that was aimed at him. The BeeBlader was also flying higher and higher to get out of the reach of Crashman and his arsenal. To bad for him, Crashman knew his way around explosives. Logging the Crashman in the ground, he detonated them to shoot debris into the air and onto the BeeBlader. WHile not doing much damage, it did force the BeeBlader down and within range of Crashman's bombs. Firing two Crashbombs into its cockpit, one into its bee like abdomen and the last into it's gunbarrel he watched the fireworks as the last of the BeeBlader's was no more.
"Objective completed, moving to assist MedaBee."
** The Airship Yard **
The fight with Spark Mandrill was tedious to say the least. the Maverick prefers close quarters combat with a ranged lightning attack while MedaBee prefers long ranged combat. Leaving the two to dance with lightning and gunfire. Spark Mandrill knew that if they continue to fight any further, he couldn't get the goods he was ordered to get.
MedaBee shot one of his rockets towards the Reploid and actually hit him. Blasting off one of his hands. Before Spark Mandril could retaliate further he felt something piece though his back and another though his shoulder. Turning around he saw another reploid of orange and red.
"Bout time you should up Crash," said MedaBee as he reloaded his Revolver Arm.
"Hey, you try taking out four attack-copters, its not easy MedaBee." retorted Crashman.
Before Spark Mandrill could do anything, the two explosives on his back detonated, leaving him with a exposed back and a useless arm. As his consciousness slowly faded, he activated his self destruct mechanize to deny his enemy the chance to salvage and reprogram him, with a final death yell," LONG LIVE VILE!"
Crashman and MedaBee shielded their visors at the self contained explosion, and look at the scarp of what was left of Spark Mandrill. Shaking his head, MedaBee went over to the previously blown off fist.
"Well what now MedaBee?" asked Crashman," Who was he talking about?"
"Don't know Crash," answered MedaBee," But lets bring at least some of him back to HQ. Who knows what those ponies could do with it."
"Right," said Crashman before switching to his squad comlink," Crashman to Shadowman, where are you? You missed the party here."
"A bit busy here," said Shadowman," They brought a lot of troopers and anti-air mechs. There are to many trapped civis in the area so I've been going back and forth rescuing them. Don't have much time to just wipe them all out."
"Copy that Shadow," said MedaBee who has joined into the conversation," We'll back you up, I've contacted the princesses to come and pick up whats left of the Maverick."
*****
The rest of the fight was one sided, with the firepower of both Shadowman and MedaBee, The REF and Royal Guards broke though the Line and easily routed them. Crashman took over Shadowman rescue operation and brought back civis who was caught in the crossfire,safe and mostly unscratched. Of course many of the populace were very weary of the three newcomers. Who were they? Why do they resemble the things that attacked them? Some of this questions went unanswered that day.
Princess Luna looked over the remains of Spark Mandrill within the new Tech Lab. Princess Celestia was nearby looking though the report generated by the three Maverick Hunters.
"Well, looks like your gamble paid off after all Lulu," said Celestia as she put down the reports," Indeed the Nightmare has brought herself a new ally."
"Indeed sister," replied Luna," The technology and data given to us by X and his Maverick Hunters have proven useful. We already know what Vile is capable off. The only question is whether or not, MedaBee and his team can defeat them."
"Well that is true but we will be ready Lulu," said Celestia as she got up and walked to her sister," We are already giving MedaBee new Trans-parts, Crashman some new abilities and Shadowman a set of Lighting based battlechips. Now lets give our heroes some rest. I'm sure the nobility and the rest of Equestria would want to know all about them."
"Indeed, would we scheduled a ball in their honour?" asked Luna.
"Why not," said Celestia," It will be a good way to introduce the Maverk Hunters to the nobility and as well as let the rest of Canterlot to get use to them."
** Elsewhere **
Vile smashed his fist into the wall as he heard the news from Magma Dragoon. One of the Hoganmers had managed to run back to the Volcano HQ without letting anyone know of their location. Spark Mandrill had fallen. While Vile did consider the muscle bound baboon expendable, what really ticked him off was that he was taken down by Maverick Hunters. While it is mostly speculation at this point, but what else could take down a Maverick who is several thousand years more advance than these primitive ponies.
"Nightmare," said Vile though gritted teeth," I though I told you to keep a magical ear out for trouble."
"I did," said the Nightmare Cloud," Whoever they are, they are either local or was brought in way before I brought you here. Either way, I think it is safe to say that Luna has disturbed our plans."
"Right," said Vile," So that mean we have to be more careful. Magma Dragoon, get the Armored Armadillo ready for a stealth run. We still need those materials. Just make sure it's not the capital again."
" I already have Armored Armadillo, Storm Eagle and Storm Owl ready to strike at multiple locations on stealth material runs," answered Magma Dragoon.
"At least you have more brains for command and structure than the rest of the idiots. Carry on and report me of the situations as it h appends," said Vile with some satisfaction.
"Yes Sir!" saluted Magma Dragoon before walking out the situation room.
"Keep and eye on that one Vile," said the Nightmare Cloud," He's a little to smart for his own good."
Shadowman was sunbathing on the roof of the main hall. It has hardly been a day since the attack and yet the ponies have had already repaired the damage. Mind you, they still don't have the level of technology that is currently used in the Maverick Hunters HQ but it still amazed Shadowman how quickly they can get back on their feet (or in this case hooves).
Although that also meant that the Princesses have a lot of explaining to do to the populace. This morning alone, Princess Celestia's "Day Court" was swarmed with ponies asking about the three robots and the attack. She told them most of the truth, saying that MedaBee, Shadowman and Crashman were the newly instated Maverick Hunters who's job was to go after the Mavericks that attacked the city. Shadowman cringed at the though of coming ball later that night. He rather be alone, maybe with a good book or in a training center than in a crowd of ponies. At the very least he and his teammates didn't have to dress up.
Letting his mind wander a bit, he started to think of the stallion and the two mares he saved that day. The stallion who after the battle managed to find and approach Shadowman to thank him and introduce himself. Shadowman didn't know how Fancy Pants managed to bypass the REF but Princess Celestia did assure him that Fancy Pants can be trusted. The stallion had thanked him for saving both his wife Fleur and their friend, Rarity. Both mares were very grateful and also apologetic for thinking he was with the "monsters". He acted as he usually does, being mostly quiet and speaking only when necessary.
Despite the emergency deployment and the missed opportunity to gather some information from Spark Mandrill, the colts and fillies down at the lab (at least that was this world's expression) were already busy using the remains to make new parts and weapons for the three. Already, Shadowman could picture how he would use them and how he could train with them.
Getting up from his spot he decided to take up Fancy Pants offer to make more informal introductions with the nobility. At the very least he would know who to keep his guard up, just in case.
*****
Crashman dodged another string of bullets as he let another SparkMissile fly towards the mobile dummy. The missile latched onto the dummy and gave it a rather violent electrical shock. As it went down, tow more dummies advance. He switched the SparkMissile to melee mode allowing him to use them like stun batons and gave the advancing dummies two hard strikes.
"Good job," said Crashman to both Winch and Wench," At least I don't have to blow everything up now."
"Oh such a kidder right bro?" said Winch and he elbowed Wench who just groaned that Winch missed the sarcasm.
"Please forgive my brother here," said Wench," He's smart but also very dumb at the same time."
Before Winch could retorted, Wench plowed on," Now bare in mind that the SparkMissiles have a shorter range compared to your normal CrashBombs due to the non-lethality of its application to organics. Its a pity that we can't increase the range of the thing without turning it into an explosive as well."
"Yeah, now we can work on that shield mod you requested," said Winch," Say don't you got a ball to prepare for?"
"Oh gee look at the time, You better get going Crash or you'll miss the opening number!" said Wench pushing Crashman out of the testing room.
"Alright alright already," said Crashman as he picked up the pace," I'm going! You don't have to push me!"
*****
Shadowman entered the ball with Crashman and were announced to the attendees. They were not accompanied by their "leader" Medabee because he said he had something important to take care of. Maybe it was because of this or some other reason, Shadowman and Crashman were separated by the tones of ponies, with Shadowman, of course, having the bigger crowd.
Crashman was mainly swarmed by military ponies while Shadowman was swarmed by the nobles. While the two were being 'interrogated' by the two groups, Celestia and Luna was observing the whole event.
"Sister?" asked Luna," Where is Medabee?"
"Ah I believe he requested some alone time.... and a crate of sake."
"..... Can these reploids drink? And futhermore what could Medabee need a crate of sake for?"
"I don't know Luna, but why don't you go and find out? I believe he is by one of my reflection pools in the eastern gardens."
"But the ball..."
"Oh I think I can handle it by myself," interrupted Celestia as she nudged her sister," now go."
*****
Medabee looked onto the reflecting with a bottle of open sake. He was told it was imported from a place called Neighpon and it was expensive so instead of slashing it on his face in the mock gesture of drinking it or pouring it onto the ground... he had been force feeding the sake on any guard that happens to walk by. No guard was safe from Medabee be they Solar or Night Guard.
Normally, Medabee wouldn't be so depressed or rather he doesn't normally shove alcohol down pony's throats. While he sat and thought about his world, Luna came about as saw the pile of drunk ponies.
"Hey Luna," said Medabee seeing her looking shocked at the amount of drunk guards," Grab some grass I think this is the last bottle in the crate."
"Medabee... what are you doing... especially to the guard!"
"Yeah well, I can't drink like at all and I was told this stuff was expensive so rather than just pouring it on the ground..."
"I can see your logic in that... however flawed but prey tell what had brought this on?"
"Well," said Medabee as he scratched the back of his head," Its that time of year again, at least by your Equestrian calendar."
"....and what time of the year are you referring to? Get all the guards drunk day?"
"Ikki's death anniversary."
"Oh... well... death is a natural thing is it not?"
Medabee looked up to Luna," Well yeah if your you know, mortal or in this case human. But I was a Medabot. A, rather violent now that i think of it, toy for kids. Sure I went of epic adventures and save my world a few times but in the end I'm just a machine. Sure I age, mostly its rust but I could be repaired... but I watched Ikki, my best friend and someone I could proudly call my brother, grow older and older. I watched his children grow up and get married, I held Ikki's first grandchild in my hands and I was there by his deathbed when he passed away. Well, sometimes I wished I could you know, go with him when he passed on you know?"
"Medabee...."
"Hey don't beat yourself up Luna," assured Medabee," You need me here, I understand and most probably even Ikki would understand. Heck I bet if Ikki was here, we would be bickering about how to deal with those Mavericks or kick my ass for being this depressed. But I miss him you know?"
"I understand what you are talking about Medabee," said Luna as she took a seat next to him and gazed into the reflecting pool," I too have lost ponies that are dear to me, I and my sister have lived for thousands of years and at most our friends barely last a century."
"Really? So the whole Alicorns are immortal and such correct?"
"No Medabee, we are long lived... very very long lived but we are not immortal. We can die... it just takes a very long time before it happens. Naturally of course."
"Of course, So why don't we just sit here and just... remember you know? Heh and maybe even share some stories? I got a few funny ones about what Ikki and I did back in the day."
"While that is a lovely idea Medabee," answered Luna as she got up from her spot," Lets move to the west garden to recollect. I rather not have to see the amount of drunk guards drooling all over the grass. It tends to spoil the mood."
"Oh er, yeah my bad," said Medabee as he walked away from his crime scene and followed Luna to the western gardens.
Chapter 6: But Why the Rum Gone?!/Ballroom Bash pt2
Crashman was surrounded by military ponies, something that he really didn't want every much. The solders were a mix of career solders, old veterans and military nobles. Some wanted him to demonstrate his strength and power while others wanted to squeeze into the Maverick Hunters. Even some of the older veterans brought their daughters to try and get Crashman to be 'interested in them."
However, despite his insistence that this wasn't the best place for it, Crashman couldn't get away from them.
"Look guys," said Crashman," Like I said I'm not the in charge of the Maverick Hunters, I'm just one of the Hunters. Medabee is our leader here so you got to ask him."
"Oh then how about you and my daughter get together some time?" said one of the older vets.
"DAD!" said the vet's daughter," Don't embarrasses me, I'm in the military too!"
"WHAT?! I'm trying to set you up with a Maverick Hunter. I mean look at him! Yes he is rather weird looking but he's a good fighter! We saw him take down four of those giant bee things by himself."
"Indeed that is true," said a officer from the Royal Guard," So tell me though, I've been wondering. What are you guys anyway?"
"What you mean?" asked Crashman.
"I mean Princess Celestia told us who you are, but what are you? What species do you belong to?"
"Oh that's easy." said Crashman," Our species in a way are called Reploids or at least that was what we been told by Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Reploids is a combine word or Replicated and Droid. So I'm a machine."
"....a what?" said a collected voice from the corner.
Crashman and the group of military ponies looked to their side to see a blond unicorn who seemed to belong to the group of nobles attending the ball. It seemed he was part that bothered Shadowman but somehow he had managed to excuse himself and left Crashman to fend for himself.
"A Reploid. In a way I'm like a robot. Or a mechanical golem if you prefer."
"Huh and here I though you were some being who deserved some respect but it turns out your just tools. And here I though I could get something out of your guys. But it turns out I just can order you around can't I?"
"And you are?"
"Oh he doesn't need an introduction," said the daughter from earlier," That's Prince Blueblood, the most arrogant noble in existence."
"Huph, says the military mud brat. Anyway why don't you get me a glass of rum."
"Er who is he asking?" asked Crashman
"Asking? That was an order you stupid piece of scrap!"
The entire ballroom became quite, most of the ball attendance backed away from Blueblood and the military mare and the Hunter.
"An order? I think you have me mistaken for something else Mr Blueblood..."
"That is Prince and what do you mean I am mistaken?!"
"Simple really, I'm not a waiter, I'm a Maverick Hunter. I combat the Maverick threat and keep everyone safe."
"That may be but I am a noble! A descendant of Celestia herself! You will do exactly as I..."
Before Blueblood could say another word, the military mare attempted to smash a bottle of rum over his head. But was stopped by his Unicorn Magic.
"And what are you trying to do?" asked Blueblood," Ruin my beautiful mane?"
"You... you bastard! This Hunter saved our collective butts out there! He and his fellow Hunters risked their life and limbs to save your collective butts too!"
"So? He said it himself, he is a golem is he not? Golems can be repaired and rebuilt."
"Even so! That doesn't mean he is expendable! He and his fellow hunters are the only thing keeping those Mavericks from taking over Equestria!"
"Hah! I bet I could handle those things with one hoof tied behind my back."
"Oh as if Blueblood! I was there holding the Line and a few of us saw you running with your tail between your legs!"
AT this Blueblood got really angry at the military mare and wrenched the bottle of rum away from the mare. Before Celestia could intervene, Blueblood and attempted to smash the bottle on the head of the military mare, only to break it on Crashman's arm instead. Crashman who now had some of the rum over his arm was now standing in between the two. The ball was dead silent as Crashman stared right at Blueblood.
"Now your really getting on my nerves Blueblood," said Crashman menacingly," Its something to be verbally abusive but to hit a mare? With a full bottle of rum."
"She tried to break my skull first?!"
"True but you have your magic, plus the magic of multiple unicorn guards if you were in any real danger."
"Whatever, I tire of this nonsense," said Blueblood as he turned away from Crashman and the military mare," You will never see a promotion beyond private you stupid mud horse. And you! Don't think this is over Crashman, I will get what I want and you will feel my fury!"
"Yeah well, I will only feel sad that I have to waste all this rum."
"What are you talking about, you stupid piece of-"
Crashman had (somehow by celestial means) had procured a extra large barrel of rum with it's lid off. Blueblood seeing the large amount of alcohol and the fear of being drenched in it caused him to run as fast as he could but he couldn't run away from the now tossed barrel that was heading in his general direction. Fortunately, he did not get hit by the barrel. Unfortunately the lid was facing his direction. Is a split moment all that rum washed Blueblood out the door.
The entire ballroom was quite until some elderly pony shouted," Why the Rum gone?!"
The entire ballroom erupted laughing.
*****
Crashman had a better time after the incident, mostly because of the military mare who had stayed with Crashman throughout the event. Granted he didn't get her name in the end, but there might be a chance to see her again. For now he had to find where Medabee and Shadowman got off to. Currently, he is following the trail of drunken Royal Guards however something to him is still very off about all of this.However he pushed it out of his mind when he had discovered both Luna and Medabee laughing it up and telling stories.
".... And then after he tripping head first into the cake, when he got up, his wife shoved the last slice of cake into his face as well!"
"Oh my goodness," said Luna though her laughter," And then what?"
"Then they got me into the act and dumped the rest of the icing on me!"
"Oh my sides! This reminds me of the time I switched Celestia's shampoo with green dye."
"Excuse me," interrupted Crashman.
"Hey Crash! Grab some grass and join us!"
"Indeed Sir Crashman, join the merriment!"
"Love to guys but I'm just checking up who is where before heading back to the ballroom. Have either of you seen Shadow?"
The two looked at each other before answering.
"Sorry dude," said Medabee," I haven seen his butt all night."
"Indeed although I have to question why would you be looking at your comrades posterior?"
"I don't mean literary!"
"Right well maybe he'll show up sooner or later. You two coming back in or what?"
"Nah we're good."
Crashman turned towards the ballroom once again before a loud and rather visible explosion occurred in the "Day Court" thoneroom.
"That can't be good!" shouted Medabee," Crash, head back to the party and evacuate the guest. I'll head over the to explosion. I just hope its not another attack."
"Roger!"
Medabee disappeared from Crashman's sight as the two went their separate ways, Luna looked towards the explosion and said.
Shadowman 'walked' into vast data-space of the command HQ server. Right now he felt a bit bad for leaving Crashman to deal with the nobles but he would understand the reason why he had to leave him once he had a chance to explain himself. For you see, he had neglected the most important asset that he had and could contribute to the Maverick Hunters. The fact that he was just a program.
Having 'Jacked" into the terminal, he had left his physical body and entered the server, with two of Luna's guards to keep watch over him, just in case. Now he ventured into the server to look for a nice secure area to make back ups of himself. This way while it would take a long while to rebuild his body, should he fall in combat, Princess Celestia, Luna and Medabee can load a backup of himself. This would also mean he would have to constantly update his backups but the tedious work would pay off in the end should he actually fall in combat.
Finding a host of secured and restricted data which was relating to some guy named X and Dr Light, he figured this would be a safe place to store him's backup. As he started to code the program which would store the backup and the security around it, he noticed something was off. Not that is was strange or anything, after all, he had spent many cycles on the Net with sometimes hundreds and thousands of Net Navies running around. This had given him some awareness of the navis around him, especially the targets he was paid to assassinate. Now in the vast and rather empty void of this Net Space, his keen awareness picked up another net navi in here.
Drawing his famous katana, he warped over to the datastore of all known mavericks to find a strange looking navi attempting to delete the data there.
"How cruel!" shouted the navi with a rather feminine male voice," For some strange reason, all my attempts to bypass the security to delete all of this unsightly data has been in vain! Who could have coded such beautiful security is beyond me! Ah but it seems I have let someone see my unsightly side of me haven't I?"
"Indeed," said Shadowman as his hub identify the rouge navi as the Maverick Cyber Peacock," To bad for you this is my natural arena Cyber Peacock. You have been confirmed as a Maverick. Prepare for deletion."
"Oh my, such a brute aren't you," said Cyber Peacock as a number of his tail feather float out and aim at Shadowman," Well its time for my-"
Before Cyber Peacock could launched his/her homing feathers. Shadowman has thrown his trademark shurikens at then and was now closing in for the kill. The Maverick warped out of the way and proceeded to shot his aiming laser at him but the beam bounced off his barrier battlechip. Closing in further, Shadowman slashed with his katana and was blocked by the maverick toe talons.
"How cruel! Is that anyway to treat a lady?!"
"....you're a lady?"
"Of course, can't you tell by my feminine charms?"
"....don't care," and with that Shadowman broke away to switch to the Elec-Sword battlechip. When Cyber Peacock tried to block with the same method, she got the shock of her life.
"Damn you! Why do I have to fight such a heartless monster! I'm leaving!"
"You're not going anywhere Maverick!" shouted Shadowman as he tried to slash at Cyber Peacock but he/she had 'jacked out' before the electrified beam stuck him/her.
"Darn it. Well I don't care if your a lady or not. I will delete you. Maverick."
*****
Shadowman jacked out quickly without making himself a backup. It was rather lucky he had decided to do it tonight or he would have missed the maverick. Since the firewall had not been broken down, it means the maverick had found a jack somewhere very close by. Turning towards the two batpony guards who saluted Shadowman, he gave them their orders.
"Private Nightwing! We have an intruder somewhere in the palace! Send out a red alert immediately! Captain Dark Saber! Inform the Princesses at once!"
"Sir Yes! Sir!"
The two guards turn to rush towards their respective locations they both heard and felt the rumble of an explosion. It seems the intruder Cyber Peacock has done blown up something. in the distance he could see the throne room and some of the surrounding area on fire.
"Private Nightwing! Belay that order! Get the rescue team ready and put out that fire!"
"What about the maverick sir?!"
"I and my team mates will deal with him... or her, I can't tell which."
"Huh?" said Private Nightwing, as Shadowman sped of towards the throne room.
"Oi stop lollygagging private! We got work to do!" shouted Captain Dark Saber.
Cyber Peacock looked about from where he jacked out to see three of his so called teammates waiting for him. First he saw was the ever logical and greatly annoying Boomer Kuwanger, the Space-Time Hunter. This Stage beetle like Reploid was his main concern if he wanted to survive the oncoming battle.
"You fucked up didn't you." Kuwanger," What did their security got a hand on you?"
"Lay off you stupid beetle," Countered Cyber Peacock," Looked like I'm not the only one with the ability to Jack In, One of the hunters Shadowman has that ability too!"
"This is bad," said Skiver, the Spiral Pegasion. This Pegasus Reploid is one of the many flying Reploid under Vile's command but not the greatest filer but the most hardy and physically strongest among the other flying Reploids," I would recommend a retreat, even if we do get punished by Master Vile later. At least he wouldn't lose us as an asset."
"That's what you always say Skiver," answered Commander Yammark, another flyer this time based on a dragonfly. This flyer has the ability to create numerous smaller dragonflies and send them out like a battalion of fighter planes if necessary. Highly distrustful, the only Reploid he seems to trust is Skiver and often on mission where they are together fly's by as Skiver's wing-man," But this time I've got to agree. I don't trust Double at all."
"This time I consider your distrust founded," said Cyber Peacock as he properly unplugged himself. In the distance he could see a plum of smoke rising already." And I see he's getting himself to work. Let's get out of here before something unsightly happens."
"You two go," asked Skiver," Yammark and I will assist Double."
"Acknowledge, see you at the base," said Kuwanger as he held Cyber Peacock and readied for Space-Matter Teleportation. Once the two warped back to base, Yammark tapped the taller Reploid on the shoulder.
"You pick now for all time?! We don't owe anyone anything. How bout this Skiver, you and me, as far as we can fly!"
"Yammark, my friend. You don't have to follow me."
"And who would look out for your sorry ass Skiver!" shouted Yammark angrily," No way am I leaving my wing-leader to crash and burn."
"Your a good friend you know that Yammark?"
"Stop blowing wind up my stabilize you stupid idiot."
Skiver nodded as he took off towards the fire, leaving Yammark to wait behind and watch. As Skiver grew further away, Yammark whispered before taking off after him," The things I do for you, my silly prince."
*****
Double stood at what used to be the throne of Princess Celestia with a smile on his face. Flanked by two Hawk Armors and two Kangaroo Armor, all piloted by Hoganmers, he laughed maniacally.
'Now THIS is how to have fun! Now to wait for the guest of honor!"
*****
Shadowman was the first to reach the throne room but before he could do anything he had to dodge a string of energy bullets. Looking up from his cover, he saw the strange tall Reploid and his fighting force. His HUB brought up the data immediately marking the tall Reploid as the Maverick known as Double and the Ride Armors the Hoganmers were piloting.
"Ah looked like guest number one has arrived. Please don't be shy and eat plasma!" At Double command the two Hawk Armors piled on the attack slowly destroying Shadowman's cover.
"Anytime now!" said Shadowman though his comm-link.
*****
"Sorry Shadow," replied MedaBee," We're pinned down here!"
Behind him sat Princess Luna as she kept the magical barrier up which protected the ballroom. The large Beast which was raining blows shurged off Crashman's latest attempt to get it's attention. Classified as Maoh The Giant. It withstood most of their attacks be it explosive or otherwise and continued to hammer Luna's barrier. As it shot out his mace like fist into the barrier, it resounded in a large gong before it pulled its fist back for another strike. As blood slowly inched it way out of Luna's nose, she could only groan at the mental strain and pain from the force of impact.
"We got to make this fast," said Crashman," Think MedaBee, what should we do next?"
"Right. We attacked all over but the head, the shoulders and the thrusters. You go low and I go High?"
"Righto Bee," said Crashman as he allowed MedaBee to jumped on his shoulder and started climbing up the giant mech.
Crashman ran underneath the massive thrusters to see not one but multiple thrusters are what keeping this monstrosity afloat. Gambling on the first shot, he armed his Crashbombs and shot directly into one of the thrusters only to have it detonate before it made contact. He then switched to the Spark Missiles and shot around the thrusters in hope of staggering it. It worked but only slightly as the giant mech continued it's assault, only being unbalanced for a shot while. Crashman then set to work to attach as many Spark Missiles as he could before triggering them simultaneously. Each time he did it, he upped the ante by launching more Spark Missiles. Each time not causing much effect....
*****
MedaBee was making progress but so was the giant mech. He figured out he couldn't reach the shoulder before it broke though Luna's barrier. That is before something decided to tap his back. Looking around he saw a Pegasuses-like Reploid which his HUB designated him as Skiver. Before MedaBee could aim his weapon at him, the Maverick picked MedaBee up and flew upwards keeping him somewhat level with the mech.
"Hey what's your deal here?"
"Shut up and shoot sir. Unlike some of my former allies, I don;t like hurting civilians."
"You and I will need to chat after this, until then get me closer! Transport Meda-Part! Spark-Drill!"
Swapping his revolver arm with the new weapon, Skiver flew in closer to the mech releasing MedaBee. MedaBee drew his drill arm and stuck it right into one of the eye sockets causing the mech to real back in pain. Skiver then used his body and speed to strike and push the giant further back ,while MedaBee coninued to drill though it's left eye.
"Crashman! Get your butt in gear and prepare me the largest bomb you can fire!"
*****
Shadowman continued to dodge from cover to cover as he slowly whither down the Ride Armors. The Kangaroo Armors being the most troublesome of the bunch while Double sat on the remains of Celestia's throne looking bored.
"Come on," yawned Double," This the best you got? Shish and I wonder why Master Vile is so worried about you lot. But then again what is one Reploid going to do against so many armors?"
"Wait for backup of course," said an unknown voice.
One of the Hawk Armors was then surrounded by what looked like mechanical dragonflies and exploded leaving scrap in its place.
"Commander Yammark?! What are you doing here?! You're suppose to return to..."
"Yak Yak Yak, that all you do Double, Now DIE!" Yammark sent a number of his dragonflies at Double causing him to jump out of the way or else become scrap. Some of his dragonflies also was harassing the Ride Armors as well, leaving Shadowman enough time to get his elec-sword ready.
"You know for a guy who is constantly afraid of being betrayed, you sure know how to backstab your own teammates!" shouted Double as he threw a large energy disk at Yammark.
Yammark sent one of his dragonfly at the disk and deflected the attack but said nothing, as Shadowman plunged his Elec-Sword though the last remaining Ride Armor. Seeing himself outnumbered Double went though a broken window and made a run for it. Yammark was about to go after him when Shadowman blocked him off with his Elec-Sword.
"Why did you stop me?! We need to kill that son of a-"
"We got bigger fish to fry, and besides I don't trust you enough to let you leave my sight just yet."
"But Double could be going right back to Vile! If he reports back that Skiver and I-"
"We'll deal with it when we come to it. Besides I'm pretty sure Vile would know by now anyway."
"...Fine, whatever." And with that Yammark few out the broken window and towards the battle with Shadowman following behind.
*****
With one last huge explosion, Maoh the Giant was destroyed. Many of those who were behind Luna's barrier were cheering as MedaBee was brought back to the ground by Skiver. Luna herself was rather pleased but was to tired to cheer along with the rest of her subjects. In fact, the only thing that was keeping her up was her sister Celestia. The officers on duty were also praised as they had put out the fires around the palace as well. Some have even taken down (Thanks to their combined efforts) a few Hoganmers and their Rider Armors in tack as well. Princess Celestia has ordered some of the Solar and Lunar Guards to start learning how to operate these Ride Armors.
The giant remains lay at the bottom of the mountain being gutted for parts and tech. Not much to say about the head as it was blown up thanks to the combined efforts of Yammark and Crashman.
However that was two hours ago, right now Skiver and Yammark are sitting in the same jail cell as they were waiting for the Princess's judgement.
"Are they done yet?" asked Yammark to the guard outside their cell.
"For the twentieth time, no."
"Leave that poor guard alone Yammark," ordered Skiver.
"Whatever you say ace."
The guard stood at attention as MedaBee and Princess Celestia walked towards the jail cell, with a whispered order the guard left the room leaving the two with the Mavericks.
"Firstly before anything else, I would like to thank you for your help against the Maverick known as Double and the giant. However as it stands you both are Mavericks who serve Vile, the current threat to Equestria."
"While in the past true," interrupted Skiver," Vile has not successfully reprogrammed all of us to be his slaves. I do not know how many more of his forces have actually combated his reprogramming but for at least Yammark and myself, we are free of his control."
"Indeed, which is why I would like to ask you and your friend there what are your intentions now?"
"I would like to serve Equestria," answered Skiver," I feel... that for now until Vile is at least subdued, it is my duty."
"Where he goes, I go. I'm his Wing-man after all."
"Since that is the case," said MedaBee," We'll need to do one last system check. So step this way dudes."
As the two walked out of the cell, Celestia blocked Yammark from exiting the jailhouse," Would you mind if I talk to you for a second Yammark? MedaBee, you and Skiver can go ahead first. We won't take to long."
"Whatever you say princess, your the boss," MedaBee walked out with Skiver and Celestia waited for a few seconds before speaking.
"So... Commander Yammark, why do you follow Skiver all over?"
"I'm his wing-man, I cover his ass and he covers mine."
"That's not what I asked little missy."
"I think you need to check your eyes Princess, I ain't no missy."
"Oh do I? As far as I can tell, or at least as Shadowman says, I have perfect 20-20 vision. But why not prove me wrong and remove your helmet for me if you think I am wrong?"
Yammark stared at the Celestia for a long while and letting the silence dominate the background. Slowly she unhooked her helmet and let her long black hair fall out," Ok Princess you found me out, now what do you want?"
"I would like to know as if why doesn't Skiver know? Particularity if you have feeling for him?"
"...I already have very bad trust issues. Before coming here, I died... twice. Once was by sabotage and the second... well I was Maverick by then. That being said after meeting Skiver and how he treats me... well I'm not just a fellow weapon to him, I'm his comrade and friend. The others just want to use me, heck I'm sure Vile if he knew I was female would just reconvert me for his pet project. So he is the only one I'm willing to trust you know? But after a while and give or take a few lonely patrols I started falling for him too."
Celestia listen and just nodded," At least your being honest with me. But that doesn't explain why your willing to follow him."
"Oh that's easy Princess, someone got to look after him after all. Plus it gives me an exuse to stare at his ass all day."
"Oh I know the notion deary, that is why my sky chariots are open air, some of the guards are rather toned after all."
Both of them shared a giggle before Yammark re-equipped her helmet. She then looked pleadingly at Celestia," You... won't tell anyone will you?"
"Well if you insist but I would like to tell my niece about this. She might be able to help... get across your feeling to Skiver."
"but-"
"And she is the Princess of Love as well so she might have a lot of wise advice on the matter. More than me in fact, I have yet to find a good pony to spend the rest of their life with and yet my niece who is thousands of years younger than me finds a husband already."
"Ok ok already, I guess she can know. But no one else ok?"
"Well its to late now, Shadowman was the first to figure you out."
'What?! That short flightless ninja figured it out? How? Whe-"
"But I already told him to keep it to himself, It seems rather irreverent to him it seems, so shall we get moving I'm sure MedaBee is getting impatient already."
"...fine," said Yammark in defeat and hoping the ninja bastard doesn't let Skiver know just yet. No she isn't ready yet.
*****
"WHAT?!"
"It's true sir, Skiver and Yammark has turned traitor," said Double without a hint of fear," I had to retreat when Yammark turned the tables on me."
"....Right, DRAGOON! I want you and Cyber Peacock to conduct a sweep among the ranks. I want to know if any others have even the slightest notion of betraying me and I WANT THEIR HEAD ON A PLATE! Furthermore we are moving!"
"But where do we go? asked the Nightmare," I would assume that this was the backup base."
"Yeah that is true but I've been informed that a new ally of ours just offered their living space to move in."
"You mean we have to-"
"Yes we do. Double I want you to go though the ranks with Magma Dragoon and Cyber Peacock. I want at least two Mavericks waiting for them here if they come a calling. WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET TO WORK!"
"Sir Yes Sir."
*****
Magma Dragoon looked at the current roster of Mavericks under Vile's command. He made a little smile when he recalled the recent bid of freedom Skiver and Yammark made. They deserved their freedom and he was rather glad that he found a way to deactivate the so called loyalty enrichment device (a fancy way to say a bomb) installed in him and as well as the two Mavericks. Now if only Yammark would stop pretending to be male but that's now the Hunters problem. For now he had to make sure he plants enough evidence on where they are going. Luckily his friend Web Spider has agreed to hide a few of his spiders to act as monitors and guides to said evidence.
Commander Yammark stepped out the improvised static-pod, with the main computer and Shadowman giving her a clean bill of health (in the terms of programing) however her secret has now been leaked to the Maverick Hunter Leader MedaBee as he poured over her data. So for, he seems to be keeping it to himself but she could only pray to whatever deity that would listen to her, that Skiver didn't find out yet. She didn't really understand the yellow reploid, as he seemed to be giving out orders to anyone of the ponies who were in earshot in a rather crude way. He also keep referring to one of the privates as Mr-stick-up-his-butt for some reason or another. She didn't know how such a rude reploid could even be chosen to be the squad leader let alone the leader of Equestira's entire Maverick Hunting force.
"You alright there Yammark?" asked Crashman as she turned to look at the orange reploid," What's on your mind? You look like you're processing a lot of data there."
"Just thinking," answered Yammark," Say have you known High Commander MedaBee for long?"
"High Commander? Oh right the rank thing. Nah not really and don't say that to his face, MedaBee may be in charge but he doesn't like the rank very much."
"I... see, however may I ask a question then?"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you follow him then? From the sounds of it he doesn't seem to know how to lead very well."
Crashman chuckled a little before answering," Yeah he doesn't seem to be the type now does he? Crude, Rude and rather a smart ass, reminds me of a particular red bot back home, but it really just who MedaBee is. From what I heard and been told, MedaBee there has fought and won for a good 50+ years. All the while in a tag team formation with his partner, a human named Ikki providing the plans and MedaBee will follow them, sometimes improvising a lot along the way. compared to me and Shadowman, MedaBeee has a lot more combat experience and as he puts it, known how to deal with Charlie Foxtrot situations. Whatever that means."
"So he is in charge just because he is the oldest here? Shouldn't there be someone else who should be higher rank then him?"
"Yeah according to Princess Luna, We don't follow the normal command structure, so we only answer to the Princesses. Something about not letting normal ponies get a hand in our tech just yet."
"That I have to agree with." said MedaBee as he butted into the conversation," We already have eight REF ponies in the hospital due to training accidents with the captured Hawk Ride Armors. Come on Yammark, we got a few things to get done before you join Skiver as a team."
"Really? You're going to just let me and Skiver-"
"I already have my reservations on that but Celestia tells me you two work together well. That and we do need a team in the sky so the two of you are stuck together. Once we have trained one of the ponies to join your squad, then you'll be a full team but for now its just going to be you and Skiver."
"Really we are going to have pony Maverick Hunters teams as well? Aren't they a little...."
"With what Vile put out last night? We have no choice. For now its just response teams and a few scouts. Once we are sure they can handle it I'll form a combat team with just ponies. Anyway I'll need you with me for now Yammark, We got to deal with something which is a more pain in the butt than Vile."
"Which is?"
"Nobility."
*****
"When you said deal with I assumed it was with a good plasma cannon to the face," quietly grumbled Yammark.
"Please don't give me tempting ideas. At this point I seriously want to do it just to shut the idiot up," answered MedaBee as he sat and listen Prince Blueblood go on and on about how only Unicorn Nobles should be allowed to become Maverick Hunters which carried on for another hour.
"-and futhermore to instill that-"
"Stop," said MedaBee as he held up his hand much to Yammark's surprise. From what she has observe, the High Commander did have a temper and he should by now have started yelling, not that he arrogant prince didn't deserve it."
"Now Blueblood, what are you trying to pull here? I cannot just limit the Maverick Hunters to just one race of ponies and furthermore just one social class of ponies? Even if we were a few thousand strong Blueblood, that still is a silly Idea which WILL," which MedaBee emphasize by standing up," screw us up the ass so hard that the Mavericks will steamroll over all our forces. Right now we are LUCKY that two of the Maverick forces decided that our team, while still massively underpowered, is the better team."
"But High Commander-"
"Nope, going to cut you off there Blueblood. Now I do have a list of ponies who have proven themselves to be inducted into the first round of ponies and the Council of Nobles was organized a meeting today for the purpose that hwile all the ponies on this list are commendable and skilled, its still to many ponies to be inducted for the first round of Equestrian Maverick Hunters. We don't have the technology to equip all of them."
"Oh PLEASE!" shouted Baron Heavy Lance, a fat pegasus noblepony who had a hoof deep within Equestria's Military Airship construction," I and many other nobles here saw those, Ride Armors things eh? and I'm pretty sure you have enough-"
"You are incorrect in your assumption Baron Lance," interrupted and countered Yammark," Those are captured Maverick vehicles, and you ponies don't have the technology to manufacturing them yet. Even then you have about two dozen Armors and they are getting damaged from training some of your military who are trying to learn how to use them. In the end there will be like what one dozen heck one and a half dozen armors left by the time their done? The fact is right now you don't have the means to build the firepower even if the Princesses gave you the blueprints."
"So what we don't have the way to build them? What about materials?" asked Lady Diamond Crown, an earthpony, who owned a large part of the Metal Mining industry," As I have submitted before my commercial stores have been raided by the Mavericks, most which I am assuming went into the construction of the Giant."
"Yeah I remember the report milday" answered MedaBee which caused the young pony to blush a little," It is true we have the raw materials and the magic to make Reploid Tech." This caused many of the nobles to whisper and talk around themselves but quite down when MedaBee held up his hand," But without the tools they are worthless, and even if we had the tools and the gear, we don;t have enough ponies skilled at using it. All we got is the two back at the refurbish lab making more gear from captured or damaged parts. And even then they are winging it."
"Then get someone who understand it," shouted somepony. That somepony was the Duke of Manehatten, Quick Wit.
"...We are working on it," answered MedaBee," But there is a problem with that."
"Oh and what's that, High Commander?" asked Blueblood though gritted teeth," What is the problem? JUST DO IT ALREADY!!"
"So you want more of my kind showing up your ass Blueblood?"
"MedaBee what are you talking about?" whispered Yammark.
The entire room was silent as Blueblood stood there stunned. MedaBee looked in the eye of all of the nobles gathered before continuing," Ladies and Gentlecolts, right now my squad mate Crashman is currently in negotiations to bring in more reploids into the fold as Scientist and Manufactorers. These reploids will be integrated into Equestrian society and become Equestrian citizens."
The silent was thick enough that a pony would need a sharpen sword to cut though, Heavy Lance however broke it by laughing," And so the plot thickens eh? So we will have reploids living with us too eh? So will they be replacing Equestrian then?"
"No they are not, they will not be combat ready reploids. Maybe somewhere far down the line where they are born and built here but not now."
"So I have to ask," said Diamond Crown," What happens after? Once this is all done and the Mavericks are done and buried? All of reploids go home or are they staying?"
"Its a one way trip," said MedaBee," So they will be staying as are we."
"I believe," said Fancy Pants as he was one of the major nobles in Canterlot," We would need another session or two before we can settle all concerns, do you agree High Commander?"
"You got it Fancy, let's dismiss for now and reconvene tomorrow, ok everypony."
"Many agreed while some grumbled, the council was adjourned and the Hunters went to a private room to discuss.
*****
"Whats this all about Yammark?" asked MedaBee after Yammark closed the door.
"Do you have any idea what would happen if reploids come from-"
"Yammark, I know your worried that any reploid coming here will go maverick or hurt you. BUT it is not my decision to bring them here, that is assuming we can in the first place."
"No YOU don't understand MedaBee, what of the Sigma Virus? That thing has plagued every reploids it cam in contact with save for one Hunter."
"Well that is also the problem. Face it Yammark since Vile came here, Equestria is forever changed. All we can do is prepare and well deal with what we got and for now we just have to accept that reploids have to be apart of this world."
"....I still don't like it." said Yammark with real concern," I mean, I was a registered Maverick and not to mention being dead and all. What would..."
"Well I think a lot of shock will be in for with some of the reploids coming. Especially with Vile and all. Look if you are REALLY worried, I'll convince Celestia and Luna to only bring enough for our needs. We will have to train a lot of the Euqestrians on how to use and make reploid tech anyway."
"I do hope we can do it, and not screw up MedaBee..."
"I know and don't worry." said MedaBee as he left the room," I have not failed yet."
**Elsewhere**
Shadowman stood at what used to be a large inactive volcano along side with Skiver. The former Maverick who was flanked by two Lunar Guards looked at what used to be Vile's command post to find it completely deserted. Safe for a few Hoganmers and some small electronic spiders, the base was stripped down to its bare components.
"Well we assumed correct. They vacated as fast as they could but the only question is now is where they have fled off to?" said Shadowman with a sigh.
"Unknown sir," answered Skiver," It is very likely that Vile had already a few bases in mind and kept hidden until it was time to move."
"Right moving on. I'm pretty sure they left a few surprises here for us to deal with." said Nightwing as he putted another electronic spider," What's with all the robo-spiders anyway?"
"AH that would be me little pony," said a voice from the vents," Names Web Spider, defensive expert extraordinaire and you lot are trespassing."
"Well come on Web," said Skiver," They are with me and the Maverick Hunters."
"Ah Skiver! Good to hear from you but I can't. Not right now anyway, Dragoon need as much help as he can with Double and Cyber Peacock searching though the ranks for traitors. Listen, you need to grab the purple spider I have hidden around somewhere here and bring it back to the Hunters HQ. In it is the location of one of our factory bases, however its guarded by the Storm brothers. Just to let you guys know its juts me and Magma Dragoon left. The others have either been reformatted or shown true loyalty to Vile."
"Can't you desert right now Web? We could really use your-"
"Sorry Skiv, I would like to but that would out Dragoon to Double. For now just get going. And I'm getting out of here. Oh and say Hi to Yammark for me, the crazy git owes me a favor!"
Shadowman and Skiver discussed their next move while the two Lunar Guard searched for the elusive purple robo-spider.
**Meanwhile**
Crashman readied his new hover boots for testing. Built from reverse engendering Maoh the Gaint's own repulser system, his would allow him some maneuverability while on the moon with Princess Luna. Right now he was practicing before the lunar mission as Luna was still weak form the attack. He couldn't wait to meet X and his Maverick Hunters. What he didn't know was that X would seem very similar to a particular blue robot.
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.
Shadowman, Crashman, Princess Luna, Princess Twilight and a number of Regular Equestrian Force engineers worked around the clock as they repaired as much of Kuwanger's base as X and his Hunters prepared the material and personnel. While Shadowman worked within the base's systems it self and making sure as many backdoors in and out of the systems were shut and bolted, Luna and Twilight help with faring personal to and fro the site and Canterlot with magic circles and spells to allow them to withstand the vacuum of space. Crashman himself was put on guard duty but ocassionally ran around to pass tools from one engineer to another. The two geniuses Winch and Wench were unfortunately not available as they were busy working Canterlot side with Kuwanger's Time-Space Teleportation ability. They were hoping to outfit Shadowman with this tech although Shadowman himself was not comfortable with the idea of using such unstable technology. At least not until the Reploid researchers can contribute to it's safety.
While all of this was happening however, MedaBee was dealing with allocating resources with Princess Celestia to ensure that the migrating Reploids will be able to settle into Canterlot and various other towns and cities with ease. As MedaBee dropped another stack of paperwork for land allocation for Celestia to review, he looked around to see a lot of other activities.
"Hey sun butt, I'm going to take a walk around the castle if it is alright with you. Can't be to careful after all," said MedaBee as he slowly took a few steps towards the door, not expecting Celestia's reply.
"If you must Bug-head."
"... Well what do you know, you do have a sense of humor."
"If you grew up with Luna, you kinda have too, especially getting back at her for all the pranks she pulls."
"Right-o, I will remember that."
MedaBee walked out of the room and started to patrol around the castle, noticing that Skiver and Yammark have set up air patrols as well. While not unusual, he did notice something very very off. As in the sky's are turning purple. MedaBee quickly ran back towards Celestia's office and and barged though the door.
"Er your highness, the sky is turning purple over one of the drop zones."
"What? So soon? But it should have taken a month and they would still-"
"No time for buts and whats and whatchamacallits, get your sunny butt in gear cause its happening now!"
"Right. I'll send Twilight to get the others. You pick up Skiver and Yammark, they'll be your back up until the rest of your team arrives."
"Roger-roger."
*****
The Equestrian welcome wagon were waiting for the dropships to land and power down their engines, which was a welcoming change of pace rather than the constant attacks from the Mavericks. While Celestia and Luna was waiting within the places (MedaBee said it might not be a good idea if all the rulers were in one spot, especially if there were snipers), Twilight stood at the fore-front of the group with the Maverick Hunters surround thing them. Eight fully loaded dropships came down from the portal, each marked with the Maverick Hunter's logo and gently touched the ground as the purple skies faded back to blue. As the dropships bay doors opened with a loud hiss, the first being to walk out was one none was suspecting.
The large green giant was taller than Skiver but only by a hand, wielding a long beam waraxe and wearing a large M on his belt, he walked up to the group and looked down onto Twilight, Yammark and MedaBee providing backup just in case the green giant did anything.
"Greetings small purple one, I am the great steel warrior MASSIMO! Adventurer! Hero! Hunter! and of course, metal worker." said Massimo with the last of his titles the most humble," Now which one of thee if this MedaBee I hear of? I believe I have to report to him."
"That would be me you great big lug," said MedaBee," So your a two in one deal eh? If you don't mind We'll keep you in the defensive side of things."
"Most favorable! Especially since X has sent thee more surprises and one from that strange human fellow as well!"
"What do you mean more surprises and what human fellow?!"
Massimo waved his wand towards the dropships and out came three female and one male reploid, each coming up to the group. Shadowman recognized one of them and drew his signature blade and went up to 'meet' him. The first of the girls, the one with the 77 across her chest spoke first.
"Please forgive the intrusion," said the female reploid," I am Nana and this is my fellow operator Irene."
"Please to meet you!" said the operator with the floating pigtails.
"Operator?" asked Twilight," Whats that?"
"Ah so there are no assigned Operators yet? Er, either way we Operators guide Hunters in the field and provide information and technical data for their use."
"Indeed!" interjected Massimo," There were many times I can count that the extra data provided save my green butt, X knew you guys might have not have operators trained yet so he asked around, and these two volunteered."
The third female reploid who was modeled like a nurse was about to speak when MedaBee had to get between Shadowman and the camo reploid," You two seem to know each other already so stop trying to stare each other to death."
"I am Searchman," said the Camo Reploid," And this net Navi cannot be trusted."
"Same goes for you Searchman, don't you work for your government as an military Navi? What are you doing here of all places then?"
"That's classified Shadowman."
"Why I aught to-"
"Both of you stop it," said the nurse reploid," your both on the same side here. You two could at least not fight each other."
" As you wish ma'am."
"So long as he doesn't get in my way."
"Right. Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Cinnamon. A class B-Hunter and Medic."
"Oh so you know how to treat other reploids?" asked Twilight
"In a way but I'm still learning. I'm mostly here to help Massimo and to help ensure the work force are in tip top shape."
"That awesome," said MedaBee," Welcome to Equestria. Honestly speaking here, you guys came way to early."
"Indeed, however it was mostly due to the response X received after corresponding with the leaders of our world. So they made sure X got everything he needed," answered Nana.
"Well that's good to hear," said Yammark," But then again, the Mavericks will have noticed this by now."
"Yammark is right," said Twilight," Please follow MedaBee's instruction and move the according materials to the designated areas."
"ROGER!"
*****
"Kekekekek. Look at them, moving around like god damn ants."
"You think you can handle them alone Sting?"
"Of course Double but you know I love to share the fun, Kekekekeke."
"Well then let say hello to the new arrivals."
*****
The ships had landed on the outskirts of Canterlot without incident, although like Yammark said, they do tend to draw a lot of attention. The Hunters got together and started to unload the amount of cargo and many of the worker reploids have already started building living quarters for themselves at the foot of the mountain. Part of Celestia's plan was to have them build their own living requirements as well as the hunter HQ within Canterlot Castle itself. Eventually, the plan for Reploid Sector Alpha, as some of the reploids are calling it, will merge with Lower Canterlot.
However after an hour of the worker reploids have built their foundations, Searchman and Shadowman started to attack thin air, to mostly reveal that they in fact were not just shooting thin air.
"Kekekekekeke, looks like I was found out, it's a pity though. But then again I wasn't briefed on you Camo boy."
Searchman did not reply, however he did fire a few more times with his Search Buster. The maverick revealed itself only to jump out of the way but was faced with Shadowman's blade.
"Oi oi oi oi! Weren't you two at each others throats earlier!" complained the Maverick," Whats with this perfect sync all of the sudden!"
"Identify yourself," ordered Searchman.
"No need,' said Shadowman," Remind MedaBee to allow you access into the databanks later, this is Sting Chameleon, status Maverick."
".... Affirmative, commencing deletion."
"Well you got to catch me first!" Sting used his camouflage and ran from the two Navis, however their skill kept the stealthy Maverick from getting any heads up," God damn hunters, Double I could use a little help here!"
"Sure but I brought a few friends as well," said Double as he and his Mavericks stormed the area. Sting took this opportunity to get his scaly butt out of there even if Double is bringing out a lot of other Maverick Commanders to the fight.
"Welcome new Reploids," said Double as his team started to surround the area," Seeing that this is your first time in Equestria, let me ask you all one question. Do you want to work for the organics or rule above them?"
Before Double could continue, Shadowman and Searchman were backed up by Crashman, MedaBee, Skiver, Yammark, and Steel Massimo. Each of their display hubs listing off the many Mavericks that now surround Reploid Sector Alpha.
The first was Double himself, and MedaBee signaled that he was going after the leader, next came up the large Flame Mammoth whom was setting himself to fight Steel Massimo, the third maverick was Tunnel Rhino who Searchman was lining up in his sights. The next maverick to line up their sights was Neon Tiger whom Shadowman was edger to test his katana on Neon Tiger's claws. Blast Hornet, their flyer was starring straight at Yammark while Magna Centipede was setting up his own brand of explosives to go up against Crashman. Lastly their main speedster, Overdrive Ostrich kept his eyes locked with Skiver and giving him a what seems to be a pure look of envy.
"Well then looks like the entire party decided to show up," said Double with glee," well I'm pretty sure most of you have already picked your targets. SO LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!"
The two group charged towards their marked number with gusto and the clash of metal and flame could be seen from all the way in Ponyvile.
** Search & Rhino **
The forest camoed reploid ran though the dense forest as his prey rammed tight though the overgrowth, Tunnel Rhino as his hub had registered was a fast yet heavily armored Reploid with the thanks of Nana and Irene quickly setting up the Reploid database for the rest of the Hunters. The main problem was his large drill arm which if Searchman didn't put enough distance between himself and the Maverick could end him easily.
"Come out come out wherever you are," taunted Rhino," Your not going to outlast me anytime soon with that little peashooter of yours."
Searchman gave himself a little smile as he aimed with his scope buster. While the rather large weapon is useful and can go though most armors, its best feature has to be the Search Scope, his personal Navi ability. Searchman the took the first shot as his Scope targeted the tube between the drill and the rest of the arm, severing it and giving Rhino a lot of pain. Too bad it gave a away his position. As Rhino screamed in pain, Searchman moved towards the next hiding spot. Just as planned.
** Skiver & Overdrive **
The two reploids raced each other going far away from the battle that took place within the vicinity of Lower Canterlot and Sector Alpha. While Skiver could match Overdrive's speed on land, he could not bring himself to hurt one of his former comrade. Too bad Overdrive didn't share the same opinion. Throughout the race, the flightless reploid kept throwing his energy boomerangs at Skiver, unfortunately Skiver is mostly a very close combat fighter, which puts him at a disadvantage in this fight. Skiver however had a plan, one that would give him an edge and perhaps allow him at least talk with the speedy reploid.
** Shadow & Tiger **
Shadowman stood with his Munemasa drawn, leaning towards his prey. The tiger like reploids however kept his claws sheath throughout the whole encounter, just dodging out of his slashes and keeping his distance when ever possible.
'What's your game tiger," asked Shadowman as he lowered his blade," Or do you think that Vile is not worth the pain and suffering?"
"Nail on the head," said Neon Tiger as he sat down," Frankly I would side with you and the ponies. But I also cannot allow myself to become a slave to the ponies."
"So you want to be free but you don't want to work for the Hunters is that it?"
"Ah this time you miss, Shadowman. Its more along the lines of which I want to be free but if I do, what shall I do with myself? But alas, that option does not exist anymore."
Shadowman knew what Neon Tiger was saying now, he wished it would be a honorable fight, one of skill and strength and not of powers and tricks, raising his Munemasa again he gave his opponent a bow of respect which was returned to the ninja. Neon then lit his laser like claws and got into battle stance, the fight of these two warriors had now begun.
** Yammark & Hornet **
"Traitor!" shouted Blast Hornet as he fired his explosive stingers at Yammark, who casually flicked her arm and her dragonflies swarmed in front of her like a shield.
"Please, if you really think that you'll be trying harder to kill me."
"We were made to serve Vile and the Nightmare, so why brother have you gone to be enslaved by the ponies?"
"Firstly jackass, I am not YOUR brother. Secondly I have my reason."
"Very well 'brother' if that is the case then I shall ensure that you do not suffer anymore. AFTER I KILL YOU!"
"Great, looks like Hornet's reprogramming has cause him to become even more unstable than he was before. Looks like I have to go all out in this fight!"
** Massimo & Mammoth **
Massimo and Flame Mammoth gave each other the best they got, trading blows as often as possible yet neither gave ground to the other large warrior. However it is plain to see that eventually one would give out to the others attack. Unlike the other fighters who had pushed to pulled their fight away from the construction zone, these two fought where they stood. Almost all the reploid and a good chunk of ponies (and maybe one or two stray griffons, a changeling spy and the Minotaur ambassador) could watch.
"HA HA HA HA! Indeed this is the most favorable battle!" exclaimed Massimo," Two juggernauts duke-ing it out, mano e mano!"
"Shut it you over sized windbag!" said Flame Mammoth as he returned a punch right into Massimo's face," I will burn EVERYTHING to the ground!"
Flame Mammoth then proceeded to blow flames at Massimo to stagger back a few steps before pulling out his signature poleaxe," Alas looks like we have to fight with our weapons and abilities now. I quite enjoyed our little brawl."
"Your nuts you know that!" yelled Flame Mammoth as he charged the Steel hero.
"Kick his metal butt Massimo!" yelled Cinnamon,
"You got it honey!"
** Crash & Magma **
Crashman fired another one of his Shock Missiles at Magma Centipede who retaliated by letting one of his magnetic mines towards the missile and with another explosion made contact in the space between the two.
"How unfortunate, we seems to cancel each other out." said Magma Centipede as he sat down on a piece of rock.
"Doesn't mean I will not stop trying," said Crashman as he prepared one of his Crash Missile," So tell me what is it like to work for a mad-bot?"
"Sucks that's for sure," said Magma Centipede as he stood up," Which is funny in a sense, tell you what. If you can find a way to deplete my ammunition before I deplete yours I'll tell you something interesting."
"Then lets the games begin."
** MedaBee & Double **
Medabee and Double jumped from cover to cover as they shot at each other, with Medabee's energy bullets passing Double while Double's energy disks went right over Medabee.
"Tick, so the bug actually has some skill eh?"
"Hey your not so tough when you don't have any walking shields in front of you now do you?"
"What was that you over sized dung beetle?!"
At that last exclamation, Double jumped to his next cover and fired his Energy disk only to not find Medabee doing the same. The Disk went into the wall where he though Medabee would be to only see that Medabee was standing in the same spot as he started with a red and yellow aura steaming off of him.
"Its time.... TO KISS YOUR BOT GOODBYE!" Shouted Medabee and he aimed his two fist at Double," MEDAFORCE!"
Medabee fired the Medaforce at Double, the streak of golden light hitting Double right in the chest and breaking out the other end. Double stared in disbelief as he fell to the ground, he knew that he was played but what the hell was that. That wasn't part of what they knew of Medabee's capabilities, nor was it part of any reploid abilities. Double stood himself up to look at Medabee who was standing strong and leveling his revolver arm at him.
"I-impossible! My new armor.. was made to withstand any reploid attack and abilities...."
"Too bad Double, I'm not a Reploid," said Medabee as he let of the final shot that ended the maverick," I'm a Medabot."
** Search & Rhino **
Tunnel Rhino slugged along the forest undergrowth, his drills locked up from the sniper shots save for the drill that is his horn. Despite the shots from the enemy unable to penetrate his armor, they could still damaged his joints and jam his equipment. He slogged forwards with his wheels completely immobilized and his right leg completely useless, his arms limp on both of his sides, fluid leaked out of the joint connectors in his armor. In front of his was Searchman, one of the new reploids that came down with the workforce.
"Wh- What are you," asked Tunnel Rhino as Searchman leveled his Search Buster at Rhino's head.
"A hunter," answered Searchman as he fired though Rhino's eye socket and though the back of his head. Tunnel Rhino feel backwards, as Searchman turned around," Maverick Deleted."
** Skiver & Overdrive **
Overdive ran as fast as he could, after all it was the only way he could keep up and fire his Sonic Slicer, his only long range attack. He knew he had the upper hand but at the same time the two were pretty much at a stalemate. Overdrive would spam his Sonic Slicer at Skiver which would miss while Skiver could not get close enough to deal any of his melee attack that he is famous for. With all of his attention focus on bring Skiver down he failed to notice where he was being lead to.
Overdrive speed up once again but only to find that his feet had no solid mater to run on, looking down he had run off the cliff side of the Ghastly Gouge, Skiver took this opportunity to rush up to him and grab him before flying higher and higher into the sky.
"At least you will be flying for a while Overdrive," said Skiver as he let go and and gave Overdrive an uppercut that ripped his beak right off his face before plummeting to the ground....
** Shadow & Tiger **
The two stood in the clearing with Neon Tiger clutching the remains of his left hand, despite he pan he was feeling, he was at peace with himself.
"You fought honorably my friend," said Shadowman with a bow," As such I will honor your last request, should it be in my power to do so."
"Yeah I got one, my only regret and one of the only things that was keeping me with Vile before he implanted the new command chips, my little brother... Slash Beast... save him from my fate if you can."
"I will... Goodbye, Neon Tiger," and with the final slash of his sword, Neon Tiger was no more.
** Yammark & Hornet **
"You fought well brother but looks like we are in a stalemate," said Blast Hornet," Never the-"
"OH SHUT YOUR FUCKING TRAP HORNET! I'M NOT YOUR BLOODY BROTHER!" shouted Yammark as she sent a swarm both in front of and behind Blast Hornet. The swarm insured that Blast Hornet could not fly and were rigging his explosive stingers to self destruct. As he plummeted, Blast attempted to grab Yammark but missed and exploded before he hit the ground.
"I hope the others have had a easier time, wait.... damn," said Yammark as she saw Blast Hornet speed away from the explosion but not before dropping a few explosive down towards Sector Alpha. Yammark had to intercept and let Blast Hornet get away.
** Massimo & Mammoth **
Massimo swung his plasma poleaxe as it cut into Flame Mammoth's trunk as the Maverick staggered back in pain," Haha! looks like your primary fire-spouting tool has been damaged! Well to make this a fair fight let go back to duking it out!"
"Your crazy! Your bloody ass crazy!" shouted Flame Mammoth as he attempted to run away before a well placed bullet pieced his skull.
"Hey! Who took my fight?!"
"Hunter Massimo," said Searchman as he walked out of the forest," You shouldn't allow your enemies the chance to run."
"Well I was going to let that one run back to his little hidey hole. But that plan is out the window now."
"Ah, my apologies then."
"You got to see further than your scope my friend."
"Understood, sir"
** Crash & Magma **
The two stayed at a stalemate, until the two ran out of ammo.
"Alas, looks like our match turns out to be a draw. Now tell me, how are you going to beat me now?" asked Magma Centipede.
"With a little help from an old friend," said Crashman as his hand transformed into a very familiar weapon.
"What?! How did you?!"
"It was included in my reploid schematics by my Megaman's creator, Dr Light, as a back up. Now talk before I blow you to bits with this Mega Buster."
"Tsk, Well then all I got to say, bye bye." and with that Magma Centipede ran as fast as he could while Crashman fired the Mega Buster's charged shot at him and hit him. Damaging him slightly that was enough to capture the maverick.
"Hunter HQ, this is Crashman, I have marked a maverick for extraction."
"Copy that Crashman, we'll have Skiver and Massimo over to help with the collection."
With the battle of Reploid Sector Alpha and the confirmed death of Double, The Maverick Hunters were being treated like international celebrities. Many of the other nations were biting at the hilt for a Maverick HQ of their own before MedaBee shut them down due to the overload of request.
In front of an international summit where many leaders and Ambassadors were watching MedaBee and Nana as they gave their response to the request.
"The Maverick Hunters are an international and independent fighting force deployed for the sole purpose of policing Reploids and dealing with Maveircked Reploid. There are times we will deal with organizations that are in association with the Mavericks but other than that we will not be 'owned' by any nation." said MedaBee as he held the floor which caused an uproar from the attendees.
"That being said," said Nana as she tried to calm down the attendees," We are an international operation thus we will go where we are needed. We currently are stationed within Equestria due to the large activity of Mavericks in the nation."
"Make no mistake," added MedaBee," Now that Reploids have been introduce into this world, they will be given free will to grow as a population. This comes with the risk of these new citizens of Equestria and EVENTUALLY the rest of the world, the chance of these new citizens will go maverick is also taken into account. However, the treat that Vile prose have force many plans into motions."
"Mr Bee," said the Unicorndia Ambassador," Is this this Vile truly a treat that requires such plans?"
"Alone? No. However, he had brought with him a army of Mavericks with him, and is currently supported by the entity known as the Nightmare, the same entity who attempted to plunge this world into eternal night."
"This is troubling news," said the Republic of Zebrania Representative," What are the current attempts to halt this Vile? That can be discuss here of course."
"Hah, what is there to discuss? We griffons will apprehend this criminal without the help of you 'hunters'," boasted the Griffon Representative.
"Says the Griffons who's forces recently lost three trade convoys with various metals to an armadillo." Countered the Dragon Ambassidor.
"You wanna fight?!"
"This is getting us no where." said Metabee as he sat down to watch the Griffon Representative and the Dragon Ambassidor squawk and squabble.
"At least we are moving forward, even if it is one step at a time," said Celestia.
"Still though what would Vile need so much materials for anyway," asked Fancy Pants who was there as the representative of Equestrian Citizens," Other than more giant robots of course."
"He have already seen him use those materials to make his army, and at the rate we have been smashing them he is going to need more," answered Medabee," What I'm worried about is the world's supply of metals, how fast Vile is burning through them and some of the recent thefts of the magical verity. After all, What would Vile want with magic?"
"I don't know, but whatever the reason. I don't like it," said Celestia with a frown.
* * * * *
"At last! Its about time you completed my new body Vile."
"Oh shut it you oversized gas cloud. It's not done yet."
"WHAT?!"
"You're too unstable for the average reploid body. You're too magical in nature. And I consider that an asset. But if you're going to do any damage here I can't ignore that asset. So for now, we will be doing a wee bit of experimentation to see which of these items work in helping setting your body right."
"Fine but we have to get moving if we want to catch them with their weakest."
