Reignite: Down Fall.

He ran, fleeing from his pursers he had no other choice: if he stopped in one place for a single moment the monsters would find him and kill him. They had killed everyone else already, ever since that damned moon showed up everything went to hell. Two or three of the creatures he could deal with but 9 or 10 was another matter altogether.  Jumping off a ledge towards the nearby roof of a ruined apartment building, he drew his weapon; An unusual black blade with a midnight blue blade edge, it was unusual because of the rifle like hilt it possessed, aiming as he fell towards his destination he took a few shots at the pursing creatures.

The black creatures snarled and hissed in pain as a couple of shots hit them dead on in the abdomen, while in any other circumstances the injury would have been fatal as the rounds fired were made to pierce the armour of a tank. it was only enough to get the creatures to back off and regroup.  They let out various hisses and screeches which to him translated as a “We’ll be back.” He just calmly gave them a middle finger as a reply.

He was relieved to have some breathing space, if only for a little while. He was tired of running but if he wanted to live that’s all he could do. He entered the ruined building pulling down his hood as he did so.

“C’mon Raines get some food and rest, you’re in desperate need of some.” He muttered to himself: his own stomach growling in agreement. Taking a torch from his rucksack and shining it around the dark ruins, cautiously examining his surroundings he noticed a part of the ceiling was caved in, or rather something had fallen through it. He knew something was off but not in the usual way, his experience in dealing with those monsters had taught him how to sense their presence and how to track them. This presence was different, otherworldly like the creatures but it was more soothing, arming himself he slowly made his way to the rubble. Despite how fearless he looked he was only a civilian for the most part, a simple mechanic by trade and as such he was frightened.

As he shone the light of his torch down the hole in the floor, he saw something stir and groan slightly in pain; from what he could tell the creature itself was mostly blue and didn’t look like any of those monsters, at least any he’s seen. He could just walk away right now, but something about this creature intrigued him.

“Heh, Mom always did say curiosity was my biggest weakness.” He laughed bitterly to himself, as he leapt down into the hole containing the creature. He landed with a dull thud and the soft hum of the device attached to the soles of his boots, the device was designed to alter gravity for the wearer but only for a few seconds at a time. He pointed his weapon at the creature as it slowly began to stir as he approached it.

“W-Who’s…there?” It said weakly, He said nothing in reply and waited for the creature to get up. “S-sister where are you?”

“Well this is new.”  He thought to himself. He knew fine well what the creatures used to be but none of them had spoken plain English; in fact he was pretty sure they only spoke through hisses and screeches. Getting a better look at the creature in front of him, he noticed that it was probably no bigger than half his own height, covered head to hoof in dark blue fur and had a mane and tail that reminded him of the night sky for some odd reason. It had dark patch of fur upon its flank with a star and crescent moon like mark upon it. The creature finally aware of its surroundings finally turned its head towards him.

“Who are you? And where am I?” It spoke in a soft, gentle manner. He was unsure how to answer.

“I could ask you the same thing!” He said firmly, “Are you with those monsters?” He cocked his weapon and aimed.

“Monsters?” She asked confused, “As royalty is this how you address us? Do you not know who I am, creature?” She sighed, muttering something he didn’t quite understand to herself, “I am Luna, Princess of the moon and co-ruler of Equestria!”

“Sorry, never heard of you.” He answered politely, “You’re the first thing I’ve seen in months that hasn’t tried to kill me on sight.” He paused for a moment, “While I am pleased to see something other than those monsters, the fact you mentioned the moon is a deep concern.”

“How may I ask?” Luna asked, becoming frustrated that he hadn’t introduced himself yet.

“It was the moon that brought them here…” He said flatly.

“Is there anyone else here?” She asked him.

“…” He remained silent for long moment, “No, I’m all that’s left…” This caught Luna by surprise.

“Surely you must have friends and family?” She asked disbelievingly, he just shook his head.

“My friends and family have been hunting me relentlessly the past month or so…” He answered with a hint of sorrow in his voice, “Look I explain once we get somewhere less exposed. Follow me.”

As they made their way through the labyrinth of hallways, Luna couldn’t help but wonder what he had meant by his family and friends hunting him. This talk of monsters and the moon was concerning her greatly.

“What happened here?” She muttered to herself, as she examined the ruins of the building.

“Genocide…” He stated simply, opening a door to what seemed to be a dimly lit bedroom. “What you smell now is the stench of blood.” He shone his torch around the abandoned room, “I think it would be best if we rested here for the night.”

“Just who are you exactly?” Luna asked again.

“Raines, Cillen Raines of the 5th division maintenance team.” Cillen introduced himself, “I’m the last human being on this entire damned planet.”

“What happened to the rest?” Luna asked regretfully.

“What do you think the monsters are?” He answered, no emotion betraying his statement.

Cillen sat down on a nearby chair, frowning slightly. He was wondering on how to explain all this to his newfound…guest.

“Over 7 months ago that moon appeared from some sort of rift, as it appeared it sent out a pulse disabling every bit of electrical and mechanical equipment. It went dormant for a while, our scientists tried to study it and figure out where exactly it came from.” Cillen explained, “Apparently the research base went silent and they sent in a rescue team.”

“Were they alright?” Luna asked, hoping this wouldn’t get any worse than it sounded.

“Oh they found the research team alright, or rather what they had become.” Cillen continued, “They’re called Memoria from what I have been told, their appearance seems to vary from what they originally were. They are all viscous, can impersonate what their original form was and blend in to the environment at will, and seem to be impervious to all standard issue weapons.”

“Surely they can’t be that tough.” The princess said in disbelief.

“No one’s ever killed one…” Cillen replied disheartened, “Everyone who has been killed by one of them, has become one of those monsters…and I do mean everyone.” Cillen’s voice was full of regret and anger, “I tried to save as many people as I could, but I couldn’t save a single one of them. I had to watch as my family was burnt from head to toe as they became one of the things as they picked us off one by one.”

“What will you do now? Surely you can’t save this world by yourself.” Luna stated, “Not when everything is…” She hesitated to finish her sentence.

“I have no intention of saving this damn planet.” Cillen replied, “If anything…I’m going to destroy every last thing on this god forsaken rock.” The finality of his statement shocked Luna, “It was my father’s idea, there’s a machine in a ruined city that’s few weeks journey from here. It’s really the only option I have left now…”

“Cillen…” Luna muttered, “Is this really the only way?” He just nodded in response.

“How’d you end up in here anyway?” Cillen asked.

“I was following that abomination of a creature impersonating a moon, it tried to pull the same thing with my own world but I managed to fend it off. It fled in cowardice unfortunately I got dragged along with it. After that though, I remember nothing.” Luna explained; Cillen had a grim look on his face.

“So it’s because of you that…thing came here?” He asked his voice emotionless.

“No, I think it jumps from one world to another hoping to make a meal out of whatever it sets its sight on.” Luna explained.

“Luna I suggest you get some rest, we’ll be leaving here in the morning. I’m going to have a look around to see if I can find some supplies.” He said as he smashed a bottle of florescent blue liquid against the wall. “The scent of this stuff seems to drive those things away, so this place should be safe for tonight at least.” The door shut behind him with a resounding click, leaving Luna alone in the dimming light of the room.

Cillen made his way through the hallways towards the garage of the building, hoping to find some form of transportation that would make the journey ahead a bit easier. A small part of him was debating on leaving her behind, but he decided against it. The past 3 months had been hard for him and to be honest he was lonely, the company alone would be a godsend for him.

As he looked around the garage, he had the feeling he was being watched by one of those creatures. It didn’t surprise him much really.

“C’mon out dad, why don’t you fight me like a man!” He called out and dared the creature stalking him, “What’s wrong afraid to have a go! Come on out you old fart!”

A heavy thump echoed throughout the room, slowly rising from the ground behind Cillen was a hulking creature easily over 7 foot tall, hunched over in a gorilla fashion. Its spear like tail swaying threating him, ready to strike in an instant. The creature let out a low hiss at Cillen before it screamed and launched its attack.

“…” Cillen dodged the attack, rolling out of the way of its spear like tail. He cut at one of the creature’s upper arms, just below its shoulder which seemed to injure it. “Interesting…” He noted as he recognised something on the creature’s back: a pitch black spiral like spear.

Cutting away at the creature’s tail, Cillen attempted to get that blasted thrashing tail off. Its hide however had other ideas in mind as the tail threw Cillen off its owner and into a nearby wall. Cillen grunted in pain from the impact, but smirked none the less.

“Betrayal…MARK TARGET!” He ordered the spear impaled on the creatures back. Upon the command the spear extended and multiple tips shot out of the creatures hided causing it untold agony as it howled and screeched writhing in untold amounts of pain.

“You know what old man…” Cillen spoke as he walked slowly towards the pinned monster, “I can forgive what happened between us in the past, but what you did to everyone I ever loved when you became what you are now…” Cillen pointed his sword at the creatures head and pulled the trigger.

“…W…a…i…t…” The creature hissed.

Again Cillen pulled the trigger without any remorse.

“…St…op…Ple…ase…” The creature rasped out, Cillen only responded by pulling the trigger again.

“…W…hy…?” It hissed, Cillen gave out angry yell as he began to impale the creatures head with his sword.

“Why?” He asked angrily, “WHY.WON’T.YOU.FUCKING.DIE!!!” Cillen roared as he slammed his sword through the creature’s skull and into the floor.

“…W…hy…?” The creature rasped out once again, frowning Cillen ordered the Betrayal spear to sever the tail. The spear itself had little issue doing as asked, and as he walked over to pick up the spear like tail. Cillen spoke in a cold, calm manner towards the creature.

“Everything we’ve tried on you bastards only seems to slow you down. So let’s see if one of your own weapons can finish the job.” In a sense of finality Cillen slammed the tail into the creature’s spine. To his amazement the creature howled in agony as it died, right in front of him.

“DNA analysis completed…” The spear impaling the creature stated, “Applying patch data to all nearby compatible systems…”

“Explain…” Cillen ordered, still astounded he had actually killed the creature.

“DNA has been modified on genetic level, resulting in the creature before you now. The creature emits a temporal field that protects it from harm. As the creature has now been killed, the frequency this field uses can be applied to all medical equipment and weaponry.” Cillen looked impressed, “When the patch it applied to medical equipment and antibodies it is impossible for the creatures to infect you, and all weaponry becomes lethal towards the creatures.” Cillen began laughing,

“Apply the patch to all weaponry and living things in the building.” He ordered, as he withdrew the blade and continued his exploration of the garage. A smirk never left his lips as he explored the abandoned garage, a smirk which became a full blown grin at the sight before him.

Luna woke up startled as the door opened; Cillen came into room and sat down upon the dusty chair. What concerned Luna was the content smile upon his face, which was unusual considering how grim he looked earlier.

“I take it you have had some good news.” She inquired.

“Yes.” He said simply, “A lot of good news in fact.”

“So what happens now?” She asked curious, “Surely your plans haven’t changed.”

“You’re right.” He shrugged, “From here on out I’m going to get you home to where you’re from and I’m going to destroy this entire damned planet. I found us a ride out of here earlier and rid myself of big problem.”

“So you want my co-operation in destroying a planet?” Luna stated in disbelief.

“Oh dear lord no…” Cillen corrected, “More like some company for the journey, you know last human being on the planet and all that.” He poured himself a drink from his flask and offered her one, “Where this weapon is located is the technological superpower of the world, the city of Babel.” Cillen explained, “If there is any way of getting you back home I would imagine it would be there.”

“Hmm, that does sound acceptable.” Luna stated, “How far is it from here?”

“On foot it’s a two week journey, but with what I’ve found it should shave a day or two off the journey.” Cillen answered happily, “Sadly though we have to go through the Disaster Valley to get there.”

“Disaster Valley…” Luna wondered, “What’s there?”

“Imagine if you will, an entire region filled with nothing but tornados and hurricanes, every last one of them out to close in on you and everything moving in the area and I do mean they are literally hunting you down.” Cillen answered her, “its real nightmare fuel if you ask me.”

“I take it you have found a way through?” Luna inquired as Cillen pulled out a 3D Map.

“In the garage of this building is a HARDFRAME, a combat suit used by the military on this world. At present it’s missing one of its arms but it’ll be fully functional once I’m done repairing and refuelled it.” Cillen pointed at the 3D map, “The HARDFRAME is what will get us through that valley, as it was made be used in inhospitable environments.”

“And the monsters?” Luna asked.

“They won’t be as big of an issue until we actually get to Babel.” Cillen said sadly, “Once we are there we would have 24 Hours to find and ready the weapon, and of course get you home.”

“Why are you so sad…?” Luna said softly.

“Because that’s where I’m going to die…” He answered, “I would have to use Babel’s defences to hold off every single Memoria on this planet while the weapon prepares to fire.”

“…” Luna could say nothing to comfort him.

“Either way Luna, I’m not walking away from this alive…” He said with finality.