It starts with a button
Clutching the straps of his book bag, a young boy strains to keep up with his step-mother. Even if he didn't quite care for her and the impromptu marriage to his dad, the empty streets and eerie lighting told his brain to cling tight.
“Aiden!” She says in a harsh whisper. “Hurry up, stick close.”
“I'm trying Miss Darla; my legs are shorter than yours.” He replies out of breath. “What's happening, where's my dad?”
“Hush boy, just do what I say and stick close to me.”
The pair cut off the main street and into an alley. The street lights cast long shadows that threaten to swallow them if they stand still too long. Aiden nearly falls over like a feinting goat at the sound of a garage door opening just outside his vision.
“There you both are. I thought something had happened.” A familiar voice calls from the darkened entrance.
“Hello Eric...” Darla begins.
“DAD!” Aiden shouts, twisting his arm out of Darla's grip. Aiden runs toward the door, his obviously relieved voice echoing in the cramped quarters.
“Hey champ.” He kneels, scooping Aiden up in his arms. “How are you son?”
“I'm fine... wha... what's going on dad? I've never been up this late before.”
He chuckles and smiles at the innocent statement. “Let’s get inside and I will show you.”
The large roller door shuts with a screech made louder by the time of night. Aiden slowly adjust to the lack of light. His eyes go wide at the strange shapes that materialize out of the dark. Tall machines covered in plastic watch the three of them stroll across the warehouse, a small slit of light glows from a large trap door in the corner. The three of them shield their eyes as the hatch opens up revealing another man about the same age as the other adults.
“Dr. Connor, Mrs. Connor.” The man says nodding his head at the two. “We are almost ready, if you want to follow me.”
The long windy set of stairs empties into a large control room with an even larger viewing window. Beyond the re-enforced glass a tall spire of electrical equipment can be seen being worked on by a few dozen people in jumpsuits.
“Have a seat here son and watch your dad make history.” Dr. Connor turns, cracks his knuckles and grabs a headset.
Speaking into the mic Dr. Connor clears his throat. “Alright people, finish the last of your checks and clear the platform.” The last of the workers clear the platform and funnel out of the chamber, sealing the large metal door behind them.
Dr. Connor nods. “Jimmy, give me power and watch the flow. I don't wanna fry my baby before we even start.”
Jimmy swipes at the holographic display. The interior lights brighten for a moment then settle. He gives a thumb up to Dr. Connor.
“Now for the fun part.” Eric whispers under his breath.
“Push power to the stage one emitters.”
The spire hums to life. Lights begin surge up the tower and the window begins to vibrate.
The crew looks nervously to Dr. Connor. “It's perfectly normal guys, just do your jobs and we will be fine.”
A few relieved exhales can be heard as they turn back to their screens.
“All stage one emitters are charged sir.” Jimmy says without looking away from his images.
“Good work Jim, lock them down and spin up the stage two amplifiers.”
A large man with a slung rifle bursts into the room. “Dr. Connor!, We've got trouble. They found us and are in the warehouse. It's only a matter of...”
'”BANG!” The sound of a small charged explosive and bending metal can be heard at the top of the stairs.
“Do NOT let them down here Carl! We've come too far for that.” Dr. Connor says pointing to the stairwell. The man nods, turns away and begins speaking into the radio.
He continues. “Jimmy”
“Already on it sir, beginning final stage.”
Jimmy presses a few more buttons and the spire begins to screech out a terrible noise. Aiden, eyes wide, covers his ears in fear.
Dr. Connor pulls a key from around his neck and turns it into a slot on the console. A port opens up revealing two buttons: One red, one green.
“Here son, I need you to hide right here for me okay?” Dr. Connor says picking Aiden up and putting him under his control panel. “I need you to stay here until I tell you to come out okay?
“O..O.. Okay dad” Aiden stutters but complies.
“It's over Connor.” A man's voice says from the other side of the room.
“Eric! He's got a gun!” Darla screams.
Dr. Connor stands, puts his hands up and slowly turns toward the voice. “Alright Special Agent Duran... just take it easy.”
“I'm only gonna say this once: Shut it down Connor!”
“I can't, not without frying everyone and everything in two mile radius.” He says in a calm voice.
There is an audible chime and a female computer voice announces. “Stage three complete, awaiting final command.”
“Don't you put your fuckin' hands down Connor- I swear to God I will put a hole in you.” The sound of half a dozen boots can be heard echoing from the stairs.
“I believe you Duran.” Connor says while slowly walking toward the man.
There is a pause before it happens. “Don't!” Is all Duran can muster before Darla lunges. He squeezes the trigger of pistol and the energy removes Darla's right arm and leg from the middle down. He stumbles back as the woman body checks him. Dr. Connor rushes forward grappling the gun into the air. Another shot rips a hole in the concrete above them sending dust and chunks of rocks raining down.
“AIDEN! Push the green button!” Dr. Connor shouts trying to look back over his shoulder.
Aiden freezes for a moment before scrambling out from under the console. He stands to look at scene before him. His step-mother is lying on the floor grabbing the intruder’s leg with her one good arm, blood leaking out from the stumps of the other limbs. His father is locked in a fight with a man at least 40 pounds heavier and a foot taller than he is.
“Don't do it kid!” The stranger shouts before tossing the scientist to the side.
Aiden looks to his dad hanging on a console clutching his ribs, and back to the approaching man. He turns, raises his hand high and mashes it on the now illuminated green button.
For a brief moment... Stillness. Nothingness. That's how Aiden would later describe it. No air, no sound, no light, no nothing, but only for a moment. The spire erupts in energy. Starting at the base and accelerating toward the top where it explodes, ripping the top of the warehouse off and sending a spherical blue shock wave that turns the night to day if only for a few seconds.
Duran rushes toward Aiden, putting his hands on the console.
“What have you done?” He says weakly dropping to his knees. “By the stars... what have you done?”
Laughter can be heard from the other side of the room. “I knew you could do it son.” Dr. Connor says lying on the ground leaning up on an elbow. “Just remember no matter what they say, you’ve done an amazing thing here and I will always love you.” He reaches into his jacket pocket, pops the small pill into his mouth and bites down.
The doors to her bedchambers are bucked open and four guards pour into the room weapons out and horns glowing, bracing for a fight. The regal princess of the day and ruler of Equestria is sitting up in her bed breathing heavy, drenched in sweat and a look of panicked-shock on her face.
“Princess we heard screaming... are you..”
She cuts them off with a weary smile and a raised hoof. “I am fine Commander, just a nightm.... a bad dream.”
“...As long as you’re sure my princess, I.”
She cuts him off again a small smirk on her face, “Ho, ho. MY princess hmm? Since when did I become your princess Captain Iron Shield?”
“Uh.. well.. I just.” The night captain blushes and stutters.
Celestia lets out a genuine laugh. “Oh commander, you must not be so serious. I am only teasing. I am your princess and you are my night
captain and I do appreciate you coming to my rescue.” She feigns a hoof over her forehead.
“Ye.. Yes princess.” He says gaining back his composure. “Just fulfilling my duty.”
“Indeed Commander, thank you, I suspect that will be all for tonight.” She says with a smile and a stretch.
They all bow and exit, shutting the large door behind them.
“What in all of Equestria was that?” She whispers to herself.
Stepping into the dark through the silk curtains of her balcony, frustrated that the dream was already fading from her memory she looks up.
“Then again, Dreams were never my domain, were they dear sister?” She thinks to herself locking eyes on the unicorn bust staining the lunar surface.
“Not long now... When you return will you still hate me so sweet Luna?” She asks the moon.
When it doesn't answer she sighs and tries to hold back tears. “No matter what you think of me... I do love you, and It will be nice to see you again. I just hope...”
Her monologue is interrupted by the subtle tug of the Sun over the horizon, an ever-present reminder that the day must go on. She smiles a sad smile and reaches out to the moon to make way for the sun just like she has for almost a thousand years. As her magic grasps it, she feels her sister. Twisting and screaming in her prison.
“Please Luna.” Celestia begs, tears how visible in her eyes. “For once, please don't make me.” Her voice barely a whisper.
“Luna?” The voice snarls. “Luna is gone! There is only the Nightmare you created! Do your worst while you can sister.” The last word hits like venom... it hurts.
“Very well then.” Celestia says, furrowing her brow.
Her eyes begin to glow and Nightmare Moon screams in pain and protest. Celestia forces her sister down. Despite the mystical chains holding her; this task is not easy, magically or emotionally. Nightmare stops struggling and is once again quiet. Celestia stumbles back to her bed, now openly weeping. The feeling of what she has to do could be described as forcing her sister's head under water till the bubbles stopped and she had done it almost every night for a thousand years.
She only allows a few moments of self-pity before regaining her composure. She wipes her eyes, magically dawns her regalia and looks at her beautiful sunrise.
“Sleep now precious Luna and dream of happier days.”
Years later
“Push the button Aiden.... Earth to Aiden, push the button!”
Aiden shakes his head back to the present. “Huh?, oh, uhh right.
He reaches out to the button on the door and hand grabs his wrist.
“Get your fucking head in the game Gay-den, you will not fuck this up for me do you understand?”
“Yeah Garth, I got it. I won't ruin your chance for the Vanguard..”
Aiden's arm is shoved away. “Good.” Garth sneers.
“Just remember Garth, follow my orders and no showing off. I don't give a damn about your score, as long as we win... As. A. Team.” Dominic says, Poking Garth's face shield with his last three words.
Garth smacks his hand, “What ever you say boss. Just tell this non-shooting fuck to stay out of my way.”
Aiden broods, clutching his rifle remembering how embarrassing it was/is to consistently get the lowest qualifying marksmanship score. He shakes off his insecurities and the button is pressed. The small squad of five flow into the arena. Towers of scorched rock loom overhead threatening to collapse at the slightest touch. The lunar surface is already an unforgiving place normally however, they were the last ones in and the countless battles before have left it almost un-traversable. The abnormal lighting had a way of tricking the brain into seeing things that weren't there. Even if it was the closest and only natural satellite to Earth, it still seemed so alien.
Using hand and arm signals they fan out. Eyes shift and heads swivel searching for any sign of the enemy. The squad pushes forward in a loose wedge formation. Dominic in the lead, followed by Garth and Aiden on is left and Rudy and Christina on his right.
A computer voice can be heard in their headsets. “Eliminate all enemy hostiles.”
“That's it?” Garth asks, a tone of superiority in his voice. “Too easy.”
“Damn it Garth, don't jinx us.” Dom says A "What-the-hell," look on his face.
“See anything?” Rudy whispers over the radio.
“Rudy... you don't need to whisper” Christina giggles.
“Oh... Right.” He says rubbing the back of his neck. "So uhh, Dom... why do we always the the shit end of the stick?" Rudy asks with genuine confusion. "I mean last in the chute for training, The most jacked up gear, food, quarters...." He trails off realizing how long the actual list was.
"Because they hate me Rudy." Aiden says before anyone can answer. "They are punishing me, you just happen to be near me.. and for what its worth, I'm sorry."
"But why?" The always curious boy asks.
Garth speaks up this time. "Seriously stupid? You don't know? I always knew you were slow but... this is just too much."
"Leave Rudy alone." Christina says lashing out. "Rudy doesn't listen to rumors and neither should you."
"Rumors huh? Just keep telling yourselves that." Garth says, eyes narrowing at the arch above them.
“Still... I don't see wh...AHH”
A spangly metal tentacle wraps around his head, dragging him backwards into a nearby crater. His life signs flat-lining in Dominic's visor.
“They are burrowed, get to high ground!” Dominic shouts, firing up his jump jets.
The remaining four activate their packs in an attempt to reach the over arching rock formations.
“Above!” Garth shouts firing straight up.
Nine more creatures had appeared above them attempting to pull them from the air. One falls to his shots. Christina destroys another two. Five are juked outright by the maneuverable jump jets but one lands on Dominic, ripping a hole in his left thruster. He spins out of control into a nearby rock wall, luckily crushing the unwanted rider. The three land on the arch. From the high vantage point they can see the unmistakable silver mass of enemy moving to the cut off cadet.
"Jesus look at them all." Christina says in shocked wonder.
“We have to get him!” Aiden says readying for a jump.
“No you dumb-ass. We take this time to use him as bait and kill as many as we can from here. Kite whats left and take them on as few at a time as possible” Garth says firing a few rounds into the approaching hoard.
Aiden knew it was the right answer. He knew it was a good plan but that didn't matter.
“I don't believe this...Christina... say something!” Aiden pleads pointing at Garth. “Tell him!”
“Sorry Aiden... There ARE too many of them. We can't take them all on. It's harsh but... it's our best chance to win.” She says, stepping toward Garth reading her rifle.
“It's just one guy Aiden, one guy for what?... Two hundred enemy? Seems worth it to me. Even your dumb-ass can figure that out.”
Aiden glares and un-slings his rifle. He removes his ammo vest dumping it at their feet while he speaks. “For one Garth I'm, by far, smarter than you are. Secondly, if what you say is true, one more life won't matter then will it?”
He leaps off, pulling out his own arc-blade using small bursts from his jets to cover more ground while moving toward where Dominic fell.
“Just stick to your plan and thin them out!” He says over the radio. “And try no to hit me please.”
Saying low to try and avoid the prying eyes of the gathering enemy, Aiden tears through the jagged craters, moving toward Dom's last location. The other two begin firing into the mass. Aiden uses the low gravity and his superior mobility to his advantage. Using his body like a bladed wrecking ball to cleave through the enemy.
“I may not be a good shot but this I AM good at this.” He smiles to himself dancing through the churning machines, felling one by one. He alternates his jets to increase his torque for slashing while seamlessly dodging the enemies futile counter attacks. Then he sees it, the silver light of another arc blade.
“He's alive!” Aiden shouts over the radio.
Aiden crests the hill to find Dominic standing back against a wall slashing wildly at the approaching machines. Aiden makes one final jumping dash, touching down in front of his team leader.
“Grab and hold Dom!”
Dom is surprised but complies, stowing his blade and gripping Aiden's armor. Aiden cranks his thrust up to 100% and kicks off the ground. Even with the added person the jets have no issue carrying the added weight in the low gravity.
“A parting gift.” Dom says with smirk.
He pulls a rail-grenade from his belt and drops it. The explosion is bright but with no atmosphere, there is no sound. The tiny bits of metal shred the remaining enemy. With the majority of the them grouped up for what they thought was an easy kill, the rail-grenade worked wonders. . After a few minutes of picking off the stragglers the computer voice is heard over the radio again.
"Mission Complete. A new academy recor...."
A new voice cuts off the computer. “Heads up fuck-sticks. New objective. Destroy the acceded.”
All four remaining cadet's eyes go wide with fear.
