Part 1 (Edited by Cage_)

'Damn it all...'

'I hate being in the rain, sure I liked listening to it to help me sleep but being out in it was fucking annoying.

Then again, when get out here? When did it start raining? Where the hell was I? I don't recognize this place at all, this wasn't-'

*BOOM!*

Light flashed across the sky causing the lone man to flinch as he began to go door to door pulling on them trying to find one that was open and get into a shelter.

'Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! Get inside! GET THE FUCK INSIDE!'

Coming to what looked like a shop he opened dunking in he pulled his hood down as he rubbed his hands together as he saw someone behind the counter.

"Hey man sorry about coming in like this but I have no idea where my car is and your shop was the only one open," Greeting the confused man as he gathers his bears and looked around at the stuff in the store. "This storm came out of nowhere,"

The owner had his back to the guest at his shop as he held a golden pocket watch.

"Your right on time," The shopkeeper said caused the man to look up.

"Huh?" As he said this the man turned around hearing the door shut behind him and lock... itself.

Confused he turned back to see the shopkeeper turn look forward at his guest.

"Welcome shopper to my shop," The lost man froze upon seeing the very familiar face of an actor who played in many different movies but this wasn't the actor. "You know who I am yes?"

The shopkeeper placed his hands in his pockets as the hoodie-wearing man stood in shock and confusion before laughing.

"Oh man this is rich... this is a prank, right? This is a damn good one getting you to play the shopkeeper from the old Sony commercial? Love what you did with the door had me going there for a moment," The shopkeeper held a smile as the man came to the desk. "This is all well and good, I like a good prank and all but how did I get here?"

"A very good question dear shopper but this isn't a prank," The shopkeeper told the person before him. "Think about it one moment your out getting food and the next your here in a small dark shopping area you have never seen before and it starts raining,"

The shopper froze slightly.

"How did you know that?"

"My dear boy if I had a penny every time someone says that I would still be here, to be honest... but still my friend you know who I am yes?" The shopkeeper asked.

"Um... I do but this is so weird like how did I get here? I don't understand," The shopper asked to which the shopkeeper smiled.

"No matter where you are there is always a reason why your there," He then waved for the shopper to follow as he lifted the counter panel to let the shopper in, as the shopkeeper lead the baffled young man into the back and into a lift the shopkeeper pushed a button that didn't have a number on it but a door.

"It's a natural thing you know the primal need to put one's self into the unknown give the world's famous adventurers if for their curiosity you wouldn't been born!" As they were lowered the shopper watched as the lift passes by a battle between the banished and the UNSC. "Every action has a ripple through time and space, similar to the butterfly effect but on a much greater scale, say if John F Kennedy wasn't shot maybe WWIII could have happened or maybe history would play out to where the cold war could have ended early,"

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction Sir Issac Newton," The shopper quoted as they went past Super mutants charged the brotherhood lines.

"See you catching on," The shopkeeper lightly hit the shopper's chest."Whether it be in real life or in the digital world from Bioshock to the Tale series you used to play. Actions may lead up to a good outcome or a bad one but there are actions where the outcome would be bad both ways,"

"Like fallout new vegas?" The shopper asked watching Geralt fight off a werewolf.

"Yes for every ending in that game results in Vegas being left in some form of ruin like the witcher before us once said: evil is evil, lesser, greater it doesn't matter if I had to choose I rather not a choice at all. But sadly you have to pick," The shopkeeper said as another level they passed was Prophet fighting the Ceph allowing the human survivors to back away from the fight. "There are millions of ways something can turn out. From the way you were born, maybe you had green eyes instead of blue or your hair was black instead of blonde to things in your life maybe you hate the color red or maybe your first console was an Xbox original than a Play station 2,"

As the final level, the level they pasted was with Sly cooper going from rooftop to rooftop being cased by none other than the police fox known as Carmelita.

"So many paths and so many choices it's hard to pick," The lift stopped as the two exited upon the large shop they were in. "Like what will you choose to go on the path before you?"

The shopper followed as the shopkeeper passed by many objects.

"Will you be a powerful being, an immortal, or how about the rare nightmare?" He pushed a door shut before locking it with a smile. "Just what are you looking for?"

There had to be millions of items in the shopkeeper's shop as the shopper was overwhelmed slightly.

"I... I..."

"Take your time we have all the time you can ask for. Well, your view on time is different than my own," The shopkeeper said as he opened a drawer filled with knives. "Still you humans never cease to amaze me but you are pretty interesting yourself,"

The shopper looked around seeing Rivet's hammer he held the big tool, as the merchant smiled slightly.

"A Gamer, A Brony, A Weeb, A furry, and A human that hates his own race," The shopper set down the hammer not knowing what the Shopkeeper was planning. "Though I guess that is what makes you, you alright. But I don't blame you the humans of your world are killing each other and praising the killer along with breaking down the kind people of your world because of their views on politics. Even an adult actress is running for governor!"

The shopkeeper laughed as he watched the shopper move his hand across a display case where a massive-looking weapon laid, knowing when a customer has an eye on a ware that he knows they want he walked over.

"Yet you still see the light in the dark in the end don't you and find yourself attracted to those who a hero's in a grimdark world," The shopkeeper said as the shopper looked down at the unique weapon before him. "Like none other than those who are worthy to be called knights in the future where there is only war,"

With a snap of his fingers, the display case opened on its open surprising the shopper as the weapon waited for him, as the shopper turned to the shopkeeper who smiled.

"Go on it is your path waiting for you," The shopkeeper said holding his hand out to the weapon of an Astartes.

The shopper reached down and grabbed the weapon the moment he did fire engulfed his and the weapon with that the shopper was gone with the weapon as the shopkeeper smiled knowing that he was ahead of the merchant and the duke.

Though he was going to have to around back to take the place of those items now...

At least he sent another lost soul of the void on a path to a new life only costing them the memories of their death.

After all nothing is free.

(Equis-The crystal empire)

The young Flurry heart cried as the monsters that King Sombra unleashed to serve him in his third conquest to retake the crystal empire. Learning from his mistake last time for this time he came forward with an army of monsters that Celestia sealed away for many centuries long ago. The five-year-old filly cried as her guards were torn apart her very eyes as her light pink fur was covered in their blood as she was backed against a wall. Tears streamed down her eyes as her horn was covered in the black crystals that stopped her from using her magic meaning she was helpless since her left wing was broken.

The monster laughed as it reached out for her with its large claw-like hands as they were inches away from her as Flurry closed her eyes begging for anyone to save her. Before they could touch her a vortex of fire burnt the arms of the monster as the vortex reached from the heavens before returning to the earth but in its place was a giant before Flurry heart. The being was on one knee with a weapon in its arms before it lifted its head up the rudy-like eyes on its helmet lit up with light as the being rose up.

Flurry blinked awestruck at this being before her as she lowered her arm to the being who turned its head to flurry heart as she looked upon the massive shoulder pad it had was an icon of a snarling orange drake surround by black paint. The Being looked down at Flurry as he saw her tear-stained cheeks before turning forward with a growl as he spoke in a booming voice.

"Demons hear me! I am Hunter Konn veteran of the salamander's third company! I may not know where I am but I cannot have you lay your corrupted hand on this child! Human or Xeno you shall not touch her! Let me send you to your misbegotten maker in FIRE!" Pointing his weapon fire he fired as Flurry watched as a monster exploded into flames as a brass case fell from Hunter's weapon.

The monsters froze in shock as the being didn't need to aim as he fired three more times at the remaining three monsters who like the first exploded into fiery chunks of gore. As three more bass casing hit the ground the remains of the monsters were still covered in flames, Flurry watched as the being turned around as she watches him set down on one knee and hold out his hand.

"Come child we must move more will be coming," Hunter said as she looked at his black helmet with a white dragon-like skull painted on the left side.

Flurry didn't move as the salamander was patient, unlike a black templar who would have left her if not killed her first, placing down his weapon he raised his hands to his helmet before removed the black helmet as the face of a dragon looked down at her. Though lacking horns this dragon was quite handsome, to say the least with onyx colored scales cover his face, like his helmet rested burning red eyes looking down at her, and unlike the most dragons knew he had locks of dark ash colored hair.

Setting his helmet down in front of her he then spoke.

"I am like you child a living being," Flurry blinked before reaching her arm out and taking his hand. "Where are your parents little one?"

Flurry then pointed forward as the dragon turned to see the crystal palace, he then turned to her as he placed his helmet back on before speaking.

"Can you walk?" He asked.

"I-I-I think so," Flurry told him as he helps her up to her feet as he held his weapon in his hands.

"Come let us get you to safety then I shall seek to help your parents," Hunter told her as she nodded.

Little did the two know someone was watching them as Hunter walked forward about to leave the ally he looked up to see something white move forward onto the roof top, Flurry noticed him looking up before speaking.

"Is something the matter?" She asked.

"It's nothing we should move," Hunter said marching forward with Flurry at his side.

"WERE CUT OFF FALL BACK!" A crystal guard shouted as he was about to run but the captain stopped him as he got up from some wreckage.

"Relay that order holds you ground we must hold out till the friendship army comes!" The captain said as he whipped some blood out of his eye as he held his shield. "HOLD THE LINE WE ARE THE CRYSTAL GUARD ITS TIME WE ACTED AS SUCH! FORM A SPEAR WALL!"

As they formed a wall formation the monsters came forward as the crystal guard held out their shields, as the monster got close they pushed with their shield then stabbed with their spear before closing up and the next monster line came up.

Shield, Spear, Shield.

Shield, Spear, Shield.

Shield, Spear-

"ACK!" As the line was exposed a monster climbed over his stabbed brother and tackled down a crystal pony making way for the other monsters.

"FORM UP! DON'T-"

"BEST PAY ATTENTION TO YOURSELF CAPTAIN!" A monster hissed as it lept into the air with its claw out the captain was exposed as the long knife-like claws reached back for an attack the captain's blood froze.

"No!"

*Cue bolter sound here*

Before his eyes, the monster was ripped apart by an impact of an object causing it to roar into flaming chunks of flesh and bone. Falling down on the ground the captain heard more of the sound and with each sound, a monster shared the same fate as the one that attacked him. The crystal guard watched as the monsters destroyed one by one with the sound before the wave was ripped apart coming from the smoke made by burning fires came to a green armor-clad being who walked forward through this smoke. The guard's watched as the being reached for his weapon removing the box-like part and pulling it off before reaching behind him and replacing it with another before pulling a lever on his weapon back and pushing it forward.

As the being stood before the guard they were awestruck at the green and black armored being who held a mighty cannon in his hands that none of them seen before. The captain looked up at the giant who turned down to his side as the captain followed suit to see Flurry heart standing next to the giant.

"Princess!"

"Lamp light!" Flurry said with a smile as he ran to the guard captain as he held out his arms as she hugged him, breaking the hug her smile faded when she saw his bleeding head. "Your hurt,"

"I'll live who's your friend?" He asked as Flurry heart turned to see the giant looking at the crystal palace.

"This is Hunter, he's a dragon! He saved me from some monsters," Flurry told Lamp who was surprised upon hearing what she said.

"A dragon you say?" He then rose up. "What bring you here drake?"

"Unknown," Hunter turned to the captain. "I trust it that you can take care of the little one?"

"It is my duty to do so," Lamp said as Hunter nodded.

"You've done well Captain. Hold here with your guardsmen while I go to stop this 'Sombra' it's time to stop this bloodshed," Hunter spoke.

"PFFT! Why should we take orders from you lizard?" A guard asked as Lamp held out his hand.

"Because I'm ordering you to just that," Lamp told his guard. "Forgive the lad he's young,"

"He's forgiven captain," Hunter then looked forward. "Take care of Flurry heart while I deal with this so-called king,"

"By yourself? Even with that weapon of yours, Sombra has never been as powerful as he is now with the crystal heart! He could rip you apart!" Lamp warned as Hunter chuckled slightly.

"Either the Emperor or my father brought me here for a reason I believe that reason is to slay that dark king even if I die trying," Lowering his weapon to his side as Hunter took an object from his belt and raised it in front of him while lowering his head.

Lamp and Flurry then watch him whisper to the object.

"What's he doing captain?" The guard from before asked.

"I... I think he's praying," Lamp answered as Hunter lifted his head and placed the two-headed eagle crest back on his belt.

"The emperor protects captain," lifting his weapon back to his other hand he began to march down to the Crystal palace leaving the guards confused about who this being was.

Flurry just hoped that the dragon would be there in time before Sombra would do something awful to her mother and father as she watched him move forward. Little did she know that they were overheard by a figure on the roof top of the storehouse as the masked being then looked up to the dragon moving forward to the crystal palace.

"Might as well. Heck, I might learn where I am," The being said with a smile before a mask cover the being's face before leaping to the next rooftop to follow the dragon.

Author's Note

Man haven't done a 'actual' displace like one where the MC meets either the merchant or the shopkeeper... one day someone might even do the Duke or something for their displace but hey the shopkeeper is a lesser known of what I call 'the merchant guild'. Along with that nearly 3,000 words! Damn when your in the zone your really in there! Well it's not like my Loona x courier chapter I did the other day were get this I wrote 5,000+ words! Still more than I normally do...

Anyway, I've wanted to do a replacement for my favorite legion/chapter of loyalist Astrates!

To show off what I know about the fire lads that I didn't use the first company AKA the veteran company of a white drake icon that is most common in 40k. So I decided to spice things up and do the 3rd company who are the ones you most of the time see with flamer and meltas.

"bUT ConNoR wHy ISn't HuNteR uSeINg oNe?"

Damn it timmy though you were gone for good... Look not every single member of 3rd company uses a flamer or melta weapon! Besides he does have a flamer that's for later on but besides that he is using dragonrage rounds, much suited for a 3rd company veteran don't you think?

"BuT-"

And no, not all veterans have to be in the first company! God lord Timmy! Lets talk about the blood ravens real quick, Cyrus is a veteran but he's still with the blood raven scout company! Many space marine who are veterans are given a chance for the first company but some stay in their current company.

Along with that who is in the shadows?

Can you guess? I think you guys know who it is. Got a feeling a follow of mine with a Mako avatar knows (sorry man forgot your user name).

Heck maybe a few others will see it, who knows... until the next chapter.

Damn the internet is fast, it's so fast that it scare me half the time.