FIGHT LIKE HELL, FIGHT LIKE DOOM MARINES!

Ch.10: Hot Heels and Running Gags...

(Kevin/Doom Marine, afterwords...)

"... That went better than expected, milord." Azurai commented. It was late in the evening, and after the Talk I had with Tia, she seems to have grasp what she done was an act of betrayal, especially when it's against her parents's final wishes. Even if she was within the right.

While she did confessed, Tia still has a long way to fix things up with us. But I'm uncertain how she'll be able to fix things with Bryan, seeing as how he's not letting her apologies to him. Sometimes, he can be very hard to read, and stubbornly so. Even I can't figure him out at times.

Then again, who am I to judge? Even I still have secrets. We all do.

After leaving Tia to do what she needs to do, we made our way back to the others. I asked Bryan where they all were, and answered that they're in the Dining room. Once there, I saw Bryan and Tahilla sitting on one side, while the rest were sitting across from them. I shook my head at this, and went over to him.

Sitting next to him, he was talking to Tahilla, so I didn't interrupt them. Looking across towards the girls, they were trying to strike up a conversation, which only turned out to be small talk. I don't think they're used to that kind of thing, from the looks of it. Although, there were twin dragons sitting next to Twilight, along with her...parents, I presume.

Soon though, our dinner had arrived, as both VEGA and Luna came walking in, with a couple of carts. Stacked with food. It was a quiet one, once the food came out, everyone just focused on eating. Guess war hasn't popped up in a long time, seeing as they act like total strangers to the concept. Then again, both Luna and Celestia did state that the world has been at peace for so long... Well, in Equestria, that is. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time, before another war broke out. For reasons, all too familiar, and all the more annoyingly stupid.

After dinner, we went our separate ways. Luna was with us at the time, while she raised her father's moon. Making our way towards our base, I sensed that we were being followed, my hunter instincts tingling. It wasn't hostile, by any means, but whoever this is better have a good reason for stalking us. Arriving at one of the secret passageways, Bryan opened it up and went through. I made sure I was the last one, discretely so, and looked back to see the entrance close behind me. Staying there for a few more moments, I started making my way towards catching up with the others.

Once there, Bryan asked me. "Kevin, what's wrong?"

Looking at him, I answered. "Someone was following us."

"Who?"

"I can't say, but whoever it was, didn't follow us through. We're safe."

"For now..." He stated as the others were staring at us. Bryan explained to them about it, and it got our Night Sentinels on edge. VEGA said he'll have some Drones patrolling the castle, alongside the Guard, while Luna handles with the giving the details to the Guard about this.

As they set out to do so, I asked Bryan for the shard. "Bryan, do you mind if I use the Crystal Heart's shard? It'll help benefit with searching for the others, I promise."

"How?" He questions.

Before I could answer that, the shard appeared in front of us. "We will be happy to assist you. Let us begin." It said. Looking at Bryan, he nodded his head, and I took it to the computer. Opening up a hatch, I placed it inside and things were going through smoothly.

"Question: how long have you been planning this?" Bryan asked me.

"Years. Let's just say I had a hunch about something like this happening. It's a good thing I've actually planned this out." I answered him, and seeing as the shard is doing most of the work, I being explaining to Bryan about the Displaced. He seem to have taken it well, for the most part, but he did mention that, if that's true, then some may as well be dressed up as the enemy, from other gaming franchises, and so on. Which, I agree, and even admitted that I mistook something as a Demon, only because it looked the part, and played the part too. I also told him that the first Displaced I've met was a young kid, who was a Scalebound, and even showed him the Summoning Token, that he created.

"So... You can create these Tokens out of anything?" He asked and I nodded at him.

"Incredible." Azurai commented. "So, it would appear a God-like being, is posing out as a old man, and sending people off to other dimensions, all for what they paid for? That's... Strange. But still, incredible."

"I don't know. That sounds unreasonable, even for a deity." Tahilla stated her input. "I mean, why would he do that?"

"Maybe because he's bored, and wants to shake things up for all parties involved." Bryan shrugged. "But, in all honesty, I don't think we should question it any further. Nor do we want to know any other beings like him."

We all nodded in agreement. After that, me and Bryan decided to go to sleep. As for our Night Sentinels, they wanted to stay on sentry duty. We didn't stop them, as we took our seats, and dozed off to sleep. Hopefully, nothing happens while we're asleep...

As much as we would like to make sure it stays that way.

(Azurai/Night Sentinel...)

After watching our lords take rest, Tahilla and I stand guard over them. Making sure they sleep peacefully, and not let anything ruin it. Looking about, this is our very first time being within this realm. Although, this is probably not for me, and I don't want to leave Tahilla unsupervised here.

Speaking of which, she was looking at the many tomes that sat upon the shelves. Some were ancient, others were technological. Digital reading, as our lords would put it. At least, I think they would call it that? Sometimes they say the most profound things that doesn't make much senses.

"Bored." I heard her say, walking over to their computer. "I thought they would have something related to 'fun' around here."

"Tahilla, don't touch anything." I told her. "This isn't a playground, and even if they did had it, they wouldn't place it where it gets in the way. We are at war." I reminded her.

She sighed, her shoulders sagging a bit. "I know, sir. But I've always wondered what life would be like here." She then sat in the chair, looking up at the screen. "Yet, here we all are, fighting. This isn't even our war..."

"Do not speak so carelessly." I snapped at her. "Of course this is our war. Our lords are charged with keeping Equestria safe, which effects us, as well. We still owe them a debt."

"Yeah..." As she said that, we felt something powerful within the facility. Before we could do anything, that something appeared into existence. "What the--!?"

"Please..." The hooded figure whispered, pointing towards our lords. "Do not be alarmed, or you'll wake them up." Well, she has a point. But still...

"Who are you?" I asked, finger on the trigger, as I eyed this mysterious woman.

"I am simply know as a Guardian. I was created for the Doom Marines." She answers us, and she wasn't lying either. But if that's true, why would she stalk those she was charged with? Did they even know of her?

"Why have you chosen to appear? You could have--"

"I could have, yes. But I couldn't yet." She cut me off. "Not without finding out who sealed up the first four." She answered.

"... And did you?" I inquired some more.

She sighed. "Yes. Unfortunately, they're dead. They have committed suicide."

"Well, that's terrific. We can't exact vengeance upon them." Tahilla snarked off at this. "But moving this along, can you help?"

"Well, that we can agree on." She said as she walked up to the computer. "I have found out where the third one is. But as to who, I cannot say. Not yet." Typing in a few things, the computer worked on downloading it quickly, and the location of one of our lords have appear. Out in the Badlands.

"Well, that'll be all."'she said as she started to walk away. But before that, she turned to look back at us. "Should Kevin awaken, tell him the Guardian was here." With that said, she teleported.

Sighing, I looked towards the computer. Wondering which of our lords are in the Badlands...

(Princess Celestia, the next morning...)

After waking up and raising my mother's sun, I went down to the Dining room. Once there, everypony was there, except for my Doom Marines. They're probably more focus on finding their brothers, I guess. Nevertheless, I sat next to my sister and ate my breakfast. Still though, having that Talk with Kevin wasn't the greatest. He's still as frightening as ever, a complete extension of my father, for sure. He even said on what would my parents would think on such an act? I knew the answer to that; disapproval and disappointment. Somehow, he even knew about my decision of banishing Luna to the moon, when she turned into Nightmare Moon.

It was quite terrifying, but then it became clear, when he said he went to another version of Equestria. I told him that VEGA explained about the Displaced-verse and the whole Multiverse Theory thing. But Kevin, he said that, when he was there, helping out a young boy with his enemies, he asked what year it was. That Equestria's Applejack, told him the year, and explained what happened, what events took place, and such. When he heard about the banishment, he got so angry, he destroyed an entire building, with a single punch.

Not surprising, really, seeing as he said that he was in Appleloosa, since the entire town's buildings are made of wood. He was disgusted of me for doing that to Luna, and he doesn't care if I said it was the only way, because I was suppose to look after her, be there for her. So, when I told him about it, how it happened here, he punched one of my draws into oblivion. I wasn't going to hold it against him, since he was right. I should have looked after her, not use her.

"... Sister, are you alright?" I was snapped out of my bemusing, by Luna.

"Uh... Yes, I'm fine. Honest." I tried to put on a smile, but it didn't do much to convince her. Sighing, I dropped the facade and told her. "Luna, Kevin knew about your banishment."

"W-what!?" She shouted in shock. "How!? He was--!"

"I know Luna. But he knew beforehand..." I explained to her about his travel to another Equestria, and what they have told him. "... Apparently, he thought we could stray from such a path, on our own. But, seeing as how it has come to past, it happened anyway. Perhaps he should have told us..."

"But, back then, you were still very distrustful to them, and that anything he says would sound crazy." Luna added.

I nodded at this. "That, and I would have thought he was driving a wench between us." Looking back at the present company, they were staring at us. "Everyone, remember, this is something beyond our comprehension, it would be best if you don't question it any further." I told them, reminding them on just how deep this really is.

After breakfast, we all went to the Doom Marines base. Twilight went into explaining the whole Displaced story to the twin Dragons, which got them even more surprised by this. Entering through the Throne room, we saw that was only Kevin and VEGA here, no sign of Bryan, or the Night Sentinels.

"Ah, good morning everyone." VEGA greeted us. "We had a late night guest come along, and helped us with finding the others." He explained, seeing as Kevin was busy on their computer.

"And who was this 'guest', you speak of?" Luna asked him.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot answer that, for obvious reasons." We sighed at this, but let it be. Seeing as they still tend to keep secrets from us, they stated before that it was for our own good and safety.

Walking over to Kevin, he was mainly focused on what was happening on screen. Apparently, it was a VID-CAM from Bryan's helmet. But, what really surprised me and present company, was the fact that he, and the Night Sentinels, were riding on the back of Cerberus. As to where they are now, in the Badlands.

"... Kevin, question..." I looked towards him. "... Are they there, because one of the others are buried there?" Facing me when I asked that, he nodded his head. He even typed in who it was, which only made me run around the castle, screaming my head off, out of terror. Every being in the castle, saw me and looked on in shocked confusion, as to why I was doing what I'm doing right now.

Soon enough, I barricaded myself in my tower, along with my stash of Royal Sweets. I don't care what's happening out there, they got Luna and the others, so they can take it up with them! All that matters is keeping my stash safe and sound, at all times, with me. But still... "Why? Why, oh, why did it had to be Deaths Runner!?" I wailed, lying on my bed, eating some ice-cream, just to make me feel better. "... So why isn't it working!?"

(Bryan/Doom Marine, in the Badlands...)

"... Alright big boy, that's far enough!" I shouted. We woke early in the morning, with Azurai explaining about this mysterious cloaked woman, known simply as Guardian, who helped out with speeding up the search. Kevin explained that she was the one who sent him to that other Equestria, created by that Merchant, from where we got our things.

As Cerberus skidded to a halt, me, Azurai, and Tahilla, dismounted from him. Landing on the soilless ground, we started walking up to where Deaths Runner would be buried. Cerberus sniffed the ground, to see if he can pick up his scent, or any other scent we should be wary of. Seeing as this place is still an unknown, there could be anything living out here. At lest we're far away from those towns, settled either within its borders, or outside of it. Still, who's crazy-ass idea was it?

Although, about half an hour later, we felt the ground starting to tremble. Soon, Cerberus started barking like mad. Whatever's out there, it just picked a fight with the wrong kind. But what came out, from underground, wasn't what I was expecting, nor anyone else. It was a gigantic, fucking, worm.

When that happened, I found myself lifted into the air and landed back on Cerberus. Looking back, the others were with me, as we started running around the thing. The hide of this thing is thick, I doubt anything can penetrate it, since it's made out of stone. Hell, we can outrun it, but the damn thing is persistent, while trying to keep pace with us.

"Sir, what do we do!?" Tahilla asked over the Comms. "At this rate, we won't find Deaths Runner!"

I was about answer her, but then Cerberus changed course and ran away from it, and fast. He must have sniffed something out, and hopefully not a giant-ass bone. Jesus, he must be running at about a mile an hour, but for some odd reason, that giant worm wasn't chasing us anymore, and I doubt it gave up on us easily. A while later, Cerberus came to a halt, and out in front of us, was this stone made panel.

"... How convenient." We all said together, agreeing on what are the odds of finding this sitting way out here. Jumping down, I walked up it, with carvings on the whole thing, but the only one I know of is our Doom Slayer's mark.

I just shook my head at this. "Just what the Hell did this to us?" I got a bad feeling about doing this, but there is no other option. Placing my hand on it, I felt the energy flow within it, and the ground up front gave way. Backing up a bit, I got out my Heavy Assault Rifle, Micro Missiles mod still. Instead of something popping out to kill you, like the usual, it was a pillar-like structure shooting out from within.

Once it was done reaching towards the sky, a door opened up, and I walked up to it. Although, as I came closer to it, I heard a lot of noises happening inside, along with some screaming and...someone running really fast? But that can't be right, I didn't even open his tomb up! Before I could enter on through, I heard him getting closer and closer, and BAM! At blinding speed, I got ran over by that son of a bitch, and put into a bit of a daze.

As for him...

"WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!?!? WHY AM I HERE!?!?!? WHERE IS EVEN HERE!?!?!? WHAT HAS MY LIFE BECOME!?!?!?" He was screaming these things, while running around the pillar, in circles, anti-clockwise.

I just groaned at this. "Goddammit, Vincent..." Speaking of which, I gonna have to stop him. Seeing as he was using his power-up Haste, I pulled out a Frag and armed it. Throwing it in his path, timely so, as he continued on so, with yelling out more stupid shit.

The only warning he ever got from Azurai was, "GRENADE!"

"I WAS-- WAIT, WHAT!?!?!?" Just as he past by it, the Frag went off, the force behind it sending Vincent flying.

Momentum of Speed, plus Combustion of Grenade, equals disastrous results!

"OW--! JNK--! OUCH--! SON OF--! HRNK--! A BITCH--! ARGH--!!" Vincent said, as he was bouncing off in a straight line, somewhere. At least we can find him, until he fell off a cliff and into a patch of cactus. "... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW-- Oh wait, I got armour on! But still, this fucking hurts!! BRYAN YOU CUNT, I KNOW IT WAS YOU!!!" He shouted.

"NICE OF YOU TO FUCKING NOTICE, YOU ASSHOLE!!!" I shouted back at him.

Before we could bitch at each other any further, the ground started shaking, and out came that fucking worm... With Vincent clung to it! "UH!? A LITTLE HELP GUYS, PLEASE!?"

"... Oh Fuckberries."

Author's Notes:

And so, here we have Vincent! A guy who's...well, the fastest out of all the Doom Marines. And quite possibly more insane than the rest. For shits and giggles. Also, who was that Guardian?

So anyway, we'll be seeing more fighting in the next chapter, and something else happening within the backgrounds. As always, thanks for reading.