Chapter one
1
“Hero ponies of your type fetch quite a high price if you bring them in alive -barely, but what makes us highway-pony unique is that we take the heads of the victims we kill, how fortunate are you to have run into us instead of some other highway-pony? If you give up willingly we’ll let you die swift and exploded, instead of a slow and agonizing death.”
Meet Tested Theory, he’s in a spot of trouble right now with some highway-ponies on some random highway that’s got no name, but before we get back to the situation, let’s take a look at how life has treated Tested Theory so far.
He was born in with the aid of a robotic nurse/doctor drone… the mother died in childbirth due to internal bleeding and anesthesia overdose. Tested Theory didn’t cry when he was born.
All through his childhood, Tested Theory was considered eccentric by most, he took an unusual approach to life… always reading and studying, his father died when was young, causing him to retreat further into his shell. The only time he was ever seen moving was to eat or use the restroom. He was usually only animate when he was at his lab.
So what compelled him, of anypony, to look beyond the world his endless studies had to offer him?
The Vault complex was life itself for the ponies down here, and strict laws forbid anypony to leave it’s confines.
The day that the unspeakable happened, and the entire World was engulfed in a blazing inferno of nuclear fire sparked by pony and zebra hooves… the end hadn’t come for all, the few smart ponies who had holed up in bunkers that had bale-fire protection, survived the first few years of fallout. Those unlucky enough to have bought and lived in bunkers without radiation protection were exposed to ungodly amounts of radiation, as well as those that weren’t in bunkers who happened to survive the blasts of the bale-fire Eggs. In mere moments, Equestria's population of all life was reduced from millions to half of million at best, at worst… don’t even think about those numbers. Things got really tough after that, ponies became cruel… murderous even. Government was history, machines pursued pony-kind through the wastes to exterminate all life that happened to pass them by. Mutant Animals and Alicorns began cropping up, along with their twisted brethren the ‘Centaurs’ called so because of their many legs and squat bodies and long necks ending in a hideously gnarled head that boasted whip like tongues.
Did I mention Centaurs spit acid?
Anyway, weird things began happening, like ponies began forming colonies, small bands of ponies, that grew over time, until they built ramshackle towns out of debris and existing structures.
Anyway…. Back to what caused Tested Theory to leave his comfort zone, his step-father, the stallion who took care of him when his father died under sketchy circumstances… decided that he was leaving the Bunker Complex forever.
This caused quite the disturbance in the Complex, including the Overmare “yes you heard right…the Bunker Complex has an Overmare.” Choosing to blame the fact that Tested Theory’s Step-Father left on Tested Theory, and sending her flunkies on a killing spree until they kill everypony.
Tested Theory's childhood friend, Lyre, broke him from his trance he was always in, and they formulated a plan to escape.
Lyre went over the plan one last time, “Are you sure know the plan?”
“Get to the Ruler’s Room, pick the lock, find a way to access the terminal’s secret passageway control, use the underground passageway…”
Lyre handed Tested Theory a pistol, “Good, here’s a pistol I used to use at the target range, try not to shoot your foot off… okay?”
“Will I ever see you again?”
“probably not, but it’s better that you survive isn’t it?”
Tested Theory took one last look at his vast library and his laboratory, he was Crestfallen… it was almost impossible to say goodbye to it all. But it was a must. He had to make it out alive.
"I still can't believe I am leaving this place forever."
Outside his room it was utter chaos, the security guards were exterminating the civilian ponies. Radroaches were feeding on the casualties as well as causing a few of their own. The Pivot Twins were running for their lives in the arboretum, and the Overmare had many of the areas on lockdown.
There was only a few moments before an explosion rocked the entire sector, bursting open a hatch that was locked before, allowing a window that Tested Theory took advantage of and slipped through.
If robots could feel, then Rivet was enraged, barbecuing as many Radroaches and flunkies of the Overmare as he could before going down in a burning blaze of glory.
Two of the security guards who were always picking on Tested Theory’s Stepfather before he left, were able to survive the robots rampage along with another security guard.
Tested Theory took what he had on hand, a bottle of explosive acid and used his telekinesis hurled it at his would-be murderers, which broke and spilled all over them.
The acid ate away at their hides and flesh, and while they were writhing in pain Tested Theory tried to make a run for it.
But before Tested Theory managed to escape because of the acid, one of the guards shot towards him, yet the security guard missed… this shot caused the acid to ignite and burn the three guards alive as well as eat them with acid burns.
Tested Theory took a moment to run back and take the guard’s guns and ammo.
Things just got only worse after Tested Theory managed to reach the Overmare’s office Room, which was a big room… much larger than any room he’d ever seen before. He felt like suddenly he was boxed in his whole life.
Can’t get distracted, need to focus!
He trotted over to the Overmare’s desk, searching for anything, ANYTHING that might help him.
He found nothing, aside from a few paperclips and a manifest clipboard, there wasn’t anything.
Then there was pounding on the door, “Tested Theory! When I get in there you’re in deep trouble you little Runt!”
It was the Over-mare, and by the sound of her voice she wasn’t pleased. It was a good thing Tested Theory locked the door from the inside.
But he had to act quickly, the Overmare already had someone welding away at the door.
Tested Theory quickly ran to the terminal and began to hack, his telekinesis shaky yet determined.
Passcode entry: Loathing
Passcode incorrect 1/4 tries left.
Passcode entry: Leader
Passcode incorrect 3/4 tries left.
Each attempt brought him closer to being locked out and having to enter the passcode manually, which of course he didn’t know it. The very next one was a leap of faith, for he didn’t bother to jump out and re-enter the hacking terminal, instead he just prayed that this one would be correct.
Passcode entry: Mind Control
Passcode correct!
Welcome Overmare!
A very sudden chill went through Tested Theory's spine as he realized the pass-code, the chill intensified as he read the earliest entry, left on the screen opened so he could read it, as if someone-thing intended him to read the cruel words.
Log Entry 804: Over-mare here, I just managed to make progress on project Cognizance, which has been a huge success up until this point, but… I never suspected for even a moment that I could mask a mother’s instincts to the point that I could make her try to-”
Tested Theory closed his eyes briefly, for he feared what it might say on the terminal further. He just opened them long enough to close the log entry and click on the secret tunnel control and open the secret tunnel.
But by this time the welder had finished cutting through the door, only to get rewarded with a shot to the head.
Nexus made a mad dash for the tunnel as bullets rang out in the Overmare’s office. “Aw can’t you stupid ponies get anything right? You ruined my office! Plus you didn’t even get him anyway… Quick he’s getting away!”
As he closed the secret tunnel’s entrance-way’s opening, the opening crushed the two guards trying to chase him into its depths, crippling one and killing the other.
As Tested Theory reached the passcode lock that would ultimately lead to his freedom, he was able to hack it in somewhat contrasting peace. Which was unusual, considering the violence just a moment ago. But as soon as he opened the vault door, he heard a shout behind him.
It was Lyre, and the Overmare had her ‘safely’ wrapped in her telekinetic grip.
The Overmare was seething anger to the point of being furious, “listen here you snot-nosed runt! I’ve got better things to do than watch over you two! Get back inside or she dies!”
Nexus was beside himself with fear and anger, Lyre wasn’t doing much better.
Nexus was tired of this crap, “And what if I say no? Then what?”
The Overmare smiled cruelly, “Then this!!!”
And with that she shot her in the chest, but not fatally.
Tested Theory couldn't believe what had just happened, “Lyre!!!!!!! You'll pay for that! You… you jerk!”
And with that one act of cruelty, Tested Theory shot the Overmare in the head even though his telekinesis was shaky from adrenaline and his P.I.C.T.S. “personal interactive computer targeting system…” wasn’t working at the moment with its E.A.S. “Enhanced Action Sequencer,” system was currently offline.
The Overmare fell… down to the ground with a slump, a hole straight and visible through her head.
But that wasn’t what was bothering him at the moment, Lyre was currently slowly bleeding out!
But he couldn’t help her, as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t. The shots continued to ring out as Tested Theory had to abandon his newfound task of saving Lyre.
As he ran, one of the bullets grazed him on his leg, but he just kept running because he just knew the pain would only intensify if he stopped running.
A few last futile shots rang out before the outside world unforgivably glared it’s radioactive sunlight into his eyes, causing him to fall blind onto the fallout plagued landscape.
“No,”
Said one of the police ponies,
“We can’t trot after him. It’s in the rules… besides, we have to tend to Lyre- our new overseer, otherwise we’ll have no one to lead us.”
And with that, they sealed the bunker complex’s door, leaving Tested Theory to his ill-begotten fate.
The first thing Tested Theory did was cover his fragile eyes from the light, because he was living underground his whole life up until now. But eventually his eyes adjusted to the harsh light of the wastes. And he was on his hooves taking in the view, it wasn’t very much to look at. Then again… it was all brand new, at least for Tested Theory it was, and that was enough for the pony.
Unfortunately, he automatically knew this reverie wouldn’t last, as like many things the reverie was short lived.
He had a post escape plan, and he wasn’t hoping to get sidetracked. But distractions came easily, and it wasn’t long before he was wandering lost with wanderlust and soon forgot all but subconsciously about his goal to find his ‘step-dad’ and his mind moved to the desolate ruins that once was Linux Computer Industries.
Lying just beneath the mountain of stone holding the home to which he once belonged and may never see again, Linux Computer Industries was now just a ruin above ground level. But below ground level...
This was his first time in the wastes, and also his first time inside Linux Computer Industries… He passed the electric fence that once worked enough to provide security to the perimeter of the vault as well as the desecrated army installations, but the installations were now hardly recognizable, as well as the electric fence being hardly a fence anymore-let alone being electric.
Inside, there were dead and broken PCs and wrecked processors everywhere inside the complex.
“What a mess! I can hardly see the floor in here! It looks like a tornado went through here!”
Suddenly, there was a shuffling sound, a pretty loud one, and a evil laugh.
“Cut it out Dorkahontas! I mean it!”
“My name's not dorkahontas, and no, I'm not gonna stop, we've got to find a way to access the mainframe, it has access to all the robots. We would be unstoppable!”
“An army of unstoppable robots, sounds like a dorkahontas move to me.”
Dorkahontas heard something, “Hey what's that sound? Shh!”
“Probably a Radroach, there everywhere around here.”
“Shutup Sad Satchel, I think it came from this way.”
Suddenly the corpse that immediately caught Tested theory's eye suddenly made a lot of sense. Something went click-click in his mind then, and he quickly whipped out his gun out with his telekinesis. Suddenly, the raider Dorkahontas sped around the corner.
“Well looky there! We have a visitor!”
He yelled as he pulled out the chainsaw, causing Tested Theory to fall on his rump, but Tested Theory didn't waist any time firing the gun. A bullet rang out and pierced the chainsaw wielding raider's head. Suddenly 10 more raiders ran around the corner, Tested Theory fired two more rounds at them.
One of the rounds hit home, causing the raider pony with an Sub-Machine Gun to reel around. Firing shots into five of the other raiders before dying herself. One of the remaining raiders yelled, “Now it's a party!” before Knocking Tested Theory out cold with a lead pipe.
Tested Theory woke up in a cage made crudely of barbed wire. He was dirty, and his insides hurt. He looked around and saw a skeleton in another barbed wire cage next to him, and a mare with caked blood on her lower half in a barbed wire cage as well. Tested Theory tried to push through the barbed wire, making his skin bleed in several places. The cages were quite well made, and stabbing his hooves was the only way to avoid slicing his groin any further.
The pony beside him quietly said, “Don't bother...”
“Huh?”
The pony restated her comment, “I said don't bother. If you struggle too much they come back and drag you out and hurt you, no sense in struggling.”
The mare, who was obviously suffering, turn ever so slightly, revealing her lower half just enough to get across what was done to her. Tested Theory winced, this was no way to treat somepony, let alone a mare! He looked around for something to pry his door loose.
The pony next to him started to panic, “Wait, what are doing? They'll hear you!” She said in almost a whimper.
Tested Theory was determined now with added resolve, “I am getting us out of here...”
Tested Theory added, “...Now.”
“Stop, they hear and come.”
“Just be quiet, I have an idea.”
Tested Theory grabbed a bone, a femur, from the skeleton that was beside him, almost feeling sorry for it, then began working on the door.
One of the raiders heard him in the other room, “Hey I think I heard something, shut up Gauge!”
Gauge was furious, “Nobody tells me to shut up!” a gun fires off {thud!}, “Better to me dead anyway!”
“actually, I heard something too.”
Gauge laughed, “want to die just like Sad Satchel there?”
“I only said I heard something, psycho, I am perfectly capable of killing you. So shut it.”
A few more shots rang out with an additional thud.
“They don't call me Twitch for nothin', [censored]!”
If any time was the time to escape, it was right now.
Tested Theory tried with renewed fire to pry the door to his cage loose. It gave, but just a little.
Tested Theory was struggling to get the lock open, “Come on. Come on. Aha!”
The door finally gave, grudgingly to his efforts, and it swung open with a whining sound.
He winced as he tried to pry his feet loose, thinking about infections, he wasted no time finding a weapon, a grenade, a lobbed it into the next room where Twitch was after pulling the pin and waiting a few seconds.
Twitch didn't even see it coming, “What the-”
That was all he got out before the grenade went off.
Tested Theory courage swelled as he peeked around the corner to see a very dead Twitch, along with other raiders dead in their beds. Not even managing to wake up before the grenade killed them.
Tested Theory grabbed a gun, some ammo, and his overalls before going back to the room where his new friend was.
“Why are you doing this?”
The mare asked him, obviously she already had given up.
Tested Theory couldn't believe his ears, “Seriously?!”
“Well.... Yes, you never had to do this for me. I thought I was worthless...”
Tears welled up in her eyes when Tested Theory said, “You are not worthless! Nopony is, except maybe those raiders, but they are worthless because they chose to be, not because they really are.”
"It's the only right thing to do. That is why I did it.”
The mare winced when she moved, some of her bones were broken.
“We'll have to get you looked at...” Tested Theory said... Saddened by his new friend's state of health.
“Shining Radiance ...”
Tested Theory didn't expect the sudden shift in subject, “Wha-”
“My name is Shining Radiance, and thanks... It isn't often anyone cares about me.
Tested Theory took a few seconds to admire the mare, her coat was ghostly white, maybe albino, her eyes were pink, and her mane white as well, like snow. She had a severe sunburn from exposure, and she had wings, 'the very first thing Tested Theory noticed about her. Her wings were broken in several places, probably the raiders doing. As well as the wings being bloody, with caked blood and feathers yanked out. She looked up at Tested Theory longingly, and his pony heart just melted right there.
“Can I please get out now?”
“Wha- Oh! Sorry about that, I spaced for a sec- I didn't mean to, well I-”
“by the way Radiance, can I call you that?...”
“Yes, my hero?”
“my name is Tested Theory, and we have to find you a doctor pony.”
The raiders were well stocked in clothes, and by well stocked, I mean they literally almost had nothing. What little they didn't burn or cover in blood, they threw all over the ground and stomped on until it was rather unrecognizable.
But Tested Theory wasn't about to give up, he did a search of the whole complex. He had only rad-roaches and a stray feral ghoul pony to deal with in the upper levels. The feral ghoul was wearing an outfit that was oddly scientist-like in nature.
He decided to take the outfit off the ghoul and give it to Radiance., after he killed the ghoul pony, of course.
Level up
Welcome to Level 2
Perks: Intense Training- you gain +1 to your endurance.
