The Blade Chronicles: Book Two

Chapter Four

The Deadliest Game

“Listen here, Cog! We didn’t come to your bunker to play in your bullshit games!” The blossom forged mare said with an agitated tone in her voice. “We’ve come to put a stop to you and your terrorizing of the wasteland!”

“Oh, have you now, my dear?” The voice asked in a patronizing tone, the harshness in the voice resonated through the air as it spoke. “Dear sweet little Metric Zoom… You truly were one of my greatest failures, as well as one of my greatest successes.” Cog chuckled through the speaker.

“I-I don’t feel okay with being here… this is getting to be scary.” Fluttershy stated as she nervously looked around, her fight or flight levels had begun to rise as she listened to the patronizing voice come from the speaker.

“Well, sorry Fluttershy… But, you’re stuck here with us, until this is done and over with.” Seeking Blade said as he looked to the speaker and to Metric Zoom. The blossom forged mare looked to be shaking a bit as she listened to the crazy madpony that spoke through the bunker. “Hey, Cog… I think that your a bastard and a half, so why don’t we do this the easy way, and end your life right here and now…!”

“Oh yes, you’d just LOVE to do that, wouldn’t you?” the voice said over the speaker. “Well, sorry! I can’t allow you to find me, not like you ever will… besides, I have control over this bunker, not any of you.” Cog let out a maniacal laugh. “You play by MY rules! You ponies will be pushed to your absolute limits, and if you can overcome my challenges that I have set up for you… Then you shall be allowed to go free.”

A door slid upwards as it opened at the opposite side of the room, the four ponies looked at one another as they slowly began to trot towards the door. Metric Zoom glared up at the speaker as she snorted, Dark Heart rested one of his leather wings reassuringly over his daughters back as he gave her a reassuring smile. Fluttershy hesitantly moved, her legs began to shake from fear as she folded her wings tightly against her backside. Seeking Blade blinked as he gently nudged the yellow pegasus mare forward. The four of them made their way into the opposite room as the door slammed down behind them, a loud hissing sound as it locked. The room was lit up by fluorescent lights that shone down onto a walkway that rested high above a massive hole in the floor. The room had two ramps that lead up to the walkway, the sounds of some strange and odd sounding beast resonated upwards from bellow. The speakers crackled again as the group stared at the room.

“Welcome to the first challenge, At the far side of the room there is a door that leads to the next challenge. In order to reach the door, you must cross over that walkway and avoid the hazards that will be thrown at you all. Flying is not allowed, and if you fall into the hole that is in the floor, you will have to fight your way to a ladder that leads up and out of the opposite side. There are things made of nightmares inside of it, and there are more hazards, but I won’t be telling you what they are.” Cog said with a malevolent laugh.

“Why are you doing this? Why attack innocent settlements in the wasteland?! What did they ever do to you?” Metric Zoom asked in a confused tone as she looked at the walkway, her sensors flicked along the walls as she noticed several loose and small panels, along with a large loose panel up at the top above the walkway.

“Why? Why do I attack the settlements?” Cog responded, his tone took on a more enraged tone. “I attack the settlements, because they are remnants of the ponies that tried to stop my experiments… My research and tried to take you away from me! You and your two sisters! I attack the settlements to protect you three, I killed your mother, and became one with this damned supercomputer, to protect you three! And now, you came here to try and take that all away from me… well, I’m sorry, my dear Metric Zoom… But much like your ability to fly not being present, I must not allow you to reach me…”

“So, what you are saying is that you hate everypony? All because they tried to stop your damned research?” Dark Heart said with a quizzical tone in his voice. He held Metric Zoom close against his body with his wing, now. His eyes flashed red with anger as he kept his teeth hidden behind his lips.

“Hate…? Let me tell you why I hate everyone…” Cog said with a screech from over the speaker. “I hate everypony, because of how they tried to kill my daughters. I hate everypony, because they attempted to shut down my project and tried to take away my research… If you were to take one of these thin wafer sized chips from my motherboard, and looked at it, you would find that the word “hate” is written on every single one about three-hundred eighteen thousand and ninety-five times… I hate everyone, because of how they tried to put me out of a job, and for making me take the course of action that I did…”

“And? Why don’t you just stop? Surely there’s some part of you that wants to go back to being a good pony…” Fluttershy said as she gulped quietly, she was even more nervous than before and felt just as scared as when they had first spoken with Cog.

“No, There is no turning back for me… I can’t just turn over a new leaf when this world is going to shit. I did this because it was to protect Metric Zoom and her two sisters. There will be no more talk of this. I shall see you at the end of the challenges.”

With that, everything went quiet. Metric Zoom looked to her father as tears welled up in her eyes. She brushed them away with a hoof before briefly returning underneath his leather wing. She was the first to approach the walkway as she trotted up the ramp calmly, her sensors looked downwards and into the pit as she heard the strange sounds and noises coming from below. She motioned to the others as she then looked back ahead and stared at the several outlines that she had found with her sensors. Seeking Blade, Dark Heart and Fluttershy trotted up behind Metric Zoom as she took to the walkway.

The walkway was just wide enough for Metric Zoom and the others to carefully move along it. The blossom forged mare began to make her way carefully towards the other end of the room, having left the safety of her companions even briefly. She made her way slowly as she flicked her metal tail, a few of the smaller panels suddenly opened up as bright red bullets shot outwards with a loud explosion. Metric Zoom’s ears caught the explosions just in time as she suddenly leapt up and into the air as the bullets went flying by underneath her. The bullets hit the wall with a second loud explosion as flames spewed forth from them and drifted down into the pit, only to dissipate in seconds. As Metric Zoom landed carefully, she continued to make her way onwards and over the walkway. A sudden and quiet electrical hum began to fill the air as Metric Zoom had made it halfway over, now. She turned her head as a few more smaller panels opened to reveal what appeared to be a strange electrical pad of some sort. On the opposite wall, a second set of panels opened to reveal another pad that appeared to look the same. Without thinking, Metric Zoom suddenly dove forward and out of the way as the trap went off. A bright neon blue flash filled the room as what looked like lightning had filled the room in a straight line and barely missed the blossom forged mare. However, as Metric Zoom dove through the air, she noticed the large panel that her sensors had scanned as it opened up.

Down from the panel came a large and rounded object that was supported by two metal strips. On the rounded object, were spikes that were surging and sparking with electricity. Metric Zoom grunted as she watched the roller lower towards the walkway, her entire body stretched outwards as she sucked in her metal gut and slid underneath the trap. Her wings just barely missed the trap as she slipped and slid to the other side of the walkway. The blossom forged mare ended up sliding into the wall with a loud thud, causing her to let out a whinny of annoyance.

“I-I’m good! I’m okay…!” Metric Zoom stated as she got up and shook her head. “I think that the traps are all deactivated, now… Those two almost got me.” Metric Zoom grunted as she leaned against the wall and waited.

Dark Heart, Seeking Blade and Fluttershy made their way across slowly as they followed in Metric Zooms hoofsteps. They eventually reached the other side of the room as the door opened and slid upwards. The four trotted into the next room as the door closed behind them once more. The room that they had entered appeared to be bare, the next door at the far end was able to be seen as they grunted in unison and began to trot forward. Metric Zooms sensors revealed small round lenses in the walls as they trotted ahead. The blossom forged mare put her right foreleg out as one of the lenses suddenly activated and a bright red laser suddenly jolted from it. The laser barely missed the group as they had stopped just inches from its path. The blossom forged mare gave a nod as she dropped her right foreleg back to the floor. The group made their way carefully through the room as they ducked and dodged their way around the laser fire as they watched the walls carefully. It took them a fair bit of careful moving, but they reached the door at the far side of the room and took a breath of air as the door opened up.

Dark Heart, Seeking Blade, Metric Zoom and Fluttershy entered the next room only to find a series of grey floating orbs scattered throughout the room. As the door slid shut behind them, the grey orbs began to vibrate and fluctuate as they slowly took on the form of what looked like puzzle pieces. Metric Zoom looks to Dark Heart and gave a shrug as the four of them moved up to the puzzle and began to get to work. The blossom forged mare looked along the ground as her sensors picked up what looked like outlines of odd floor panelling as she blinked. The four of them worked on the puzzle and attempted to piece it together correctly. A couple of failed attempts left with portions of the floor falling down into an abyss of darkness. Seeking Blade began to flail as he was about to fall, only to be caught by Metric Zoom with her mouth and set back upright.

As they worked on solving the puzzle, there were a few more failures, causing even more portions of the floor to fall down into the abyss below. Though none of them were caught off guard this time. The group had managed to successfully complete the puzzle after what felt like an hour, causing the door to the next room to open up. There was just enough floor left for them to walk across and through the door in a single file line. Their tired hooves marched onwards and into the next room as the door closed behind them. This room, however, was different. Mounted on the wall in front of them was a large monitor that turned on. A pair of large and pupil less eyes and a large, frowning mouth appeared on it. Though Metric Zoom knew who it was, causing her to sigh.

“Well, I can see that you four are determined. So, this is the final room. The door will open after what I have to say, is finished being said…” Cog stated in a dominating tone. “My goodness, I do hope that those challenges weren’t too much for all of you. You look so tired, so agitated and pissed off… Almost like you hate me.” Cog said as the face on the monitor sneered down at the four of them.

“Cog, shut the fuck up…” Metric Zoom said with a snarl as she looked up at her creator. “You’ve been a bastard long enough, and you’ve clearly shown no interest in fighting us… Just interest in being the biggest dick in the schoolyard! So why don’t you just fucking stop acting like a damn colt and man the fuck up!” She was beyond pissed off as she glared at him.

“You call me a colt, do you? Well, I suppose that your attitude has earned you a little extra!” Cog said in response as his expression soured. “Now, the door is opened. You may leave, but due to your attitude, I have put a few obstacles out… and oh yes, do enjoy the fun!” The monitor shut off as the face on it began to laugh wickedly.

The door on the right wall of the room slid open as the sounds of the very things from the pit were able to be heard from a few rooms behind them. Metric Zoom looked to the other three as her eyes widened and she took off running at a full gallop. Seeking Blade, Dark Heart and Fluttershy took off right behind her as they heard the sound of loud hooves racing towards their location. As they ran down the adjoined hallway, the sound of hooves that were chasing them grew louder more and more by the moment. As Metric Zoom scanned the way ahead with her sensors, she saw several of the wall panels open up and several turrets appeared.

“Shit! We have turrets ahead!” Metric Zoom called out as she lowered her head and charged forward, pushing her body to move at a faster pace.

“What?! Oh fucking shit!” Seeking Blade exclaimed as he looked to Fluttershy and Dark Heart. “Come on, you two! Put your all into it!”

“Right!” Exclaimed Dark Heart.

“O-Okay…! I don’t want to die here! I don’t want to die in this miserable place!” Fluttershy stated in a worried tone.

The four ponies put all of their strength into running as the turrets began to fire at them. They kept their heads down as they focused, their speed made it hard for the turrets to properly lock on to the four ponies as they made their way towards the large, gear shaped exit. It was open, like Cog had said. Metric Zoom and Fluttershy were the first to reach it as they breathed heavily and turned around. The sounds of the damned beasts that Cog had put in the pit were chasing after the four ponies at a full run, now. What was once fifty, was now forty-five. The turrets having gotten a few of them and taken them out. Seeking Blade and Dark Heart both rushed out of the open door and into the cold night air of the ashen wasteland.

Fluttershy flew out of the bunker after the two stallions, her eyes closed as she tried to forget about the monsters that were chasing them. Metric Zoom glowered at the still legion that was chasing them, her sensors took in the decaying flesh and almost earth pony like look to them. Their forms appeared to be almost amalgamations as the blossom forged mare finally turned her head back to the door release switch and pulled it. The warning alarms went off as the door began to close, that’s when she took her moment to hurry outside as well. The sounds of the monstrosities back inside of the bunker had dulled down as screams of anger and hatred had sounded. The door had closed on them… The four ponies were safe in the cool outside air.

“Well, that was something!” Seeking Blade exclaimed as he turned to Metric Zoom and the others. “We should get back to the settlement and get the truck fueled up so that we can all go back to Dunport… I just want to get as far away from this bunker as I possibly can.”

Dark Heart, Fluttershy and Metric Zoom both gave a nod as they headed back to the settlement that the rest of their group was left. The time flew by as they trotted in silence, the settlement slowly drew closer. Inch by inch, hoof step by hoof step as the four had almost made it back to their loved ones. Back to the area that had friendly ponies of all shapes and sizes. None of them wanted to be close to Cog’s bunker any longer, they had wanted to defeat him, but Cog wasn’t going to give them the opportunity. After a good while of trotting, Seeking Blade, Dark Heart, Metric Zoom and Fluttershy had arrived at the settlement and looked around as they were ushered into a bar. The bar was full with ponies that were drinking and playing various games to relax and to calm down from the hell that they had gone through.

As the four waited, they found a booth to sit down in. the time passed by as the group waited, after a couple of hours the door to the bar opened. The place had become a fair bit quieter as the other patrons had gone back to their homes. As the four ponies looked up, they saw the rest of their companions as they entered and approached the booth. Serene Morning and the others sat down in the booth as they joined them, she looked tired as Divine Kiss was the only one that wasn’t with them.

“Divine Kiss is resting in the back of the truck, the locals fueled it up, as well. So we can get going whenever you are ready.” Serene Morning said as she softly rested a hoof on Seeking Blades front left shoulder.

“Well, I suppose that we can leave now… We came and did what we could, barely got out of that bunker with our damn lives.” Seeking Blade said as he exhaled. He looked to Serene Morning and gave a nod. “Alright, let’s get going, everyone.” he said as he grunted a bit.

The others all gave a nod as they filed one after another out of the booth and out of the bar. The group headed back to the truck that they had arrived in. there was ash covering the hood, but that was normal for this hellish place. The group piled up and into the truck, Seeking Blade and Serene Morning piled into the cab and buckled up while the others climbed into the back and sat down on the benches. Diving Kiss was asleep on her seat, her eyes closed as her kneecaps were wrapped in bandages, dried blood was able to be seen having tried to seep through the bandages. As Seeking Blade started up the truck and turned around to head back to Dunport, Dark Heart softly rested the back of his alicorn lovers head on his lap. The leatherwing stallions eyes closed as the truck drove off.

Two days passed by as the truck had arrived at Dunport. Dark Heart, Metric Zoom and Divine Kiss climbed out of the back and gave Seeking Blade a wave. The three watched as the truck departed from the city and towards the horizon. Dark Heart took Metric Zoom and Divine Kiss with his wings as he lead them to his manor up on the hill. It took them a bit of time to make it up the hill due to the alicorn’s injured kneecaps and how they had to stop and rest every five to ten minutes. After a bit of time walking and resting, the three of them had made it into the manor. It had become evening and both Divine Kiss and Dark Heart were exhausted. Dark Heart turned to look to Metric Zoom with a soft smile.

“Divine and I are exhausted, we’re going to head to bed. If you need a place to lay down and sleep, if you even do have to sleep. Then you can find a bedroom or even the couch to sleep.” The stallion unwrapped his wing from around his daughters chassis and softly kissed her forehead. “If you need anything, please let me know.”

“Alright, father. Thank you for everything!” Metric Zoom said in response as she trotted off to try and find a quiet place to sit.

Divine Kiss and Dark Heart smiled to one another as they made their way slowly and carefully up the stairs to the second floor. After carefully making their way up the steps and to Dark Hearts bedroom, which was pitch black, the stallion softly helped the mare over to the bed. As they sat down on it, she could feel the soft cotton insides as the bed supported both of their weights. Her eyes closed as she felt around the bed, it was nice and big. Big enough to support the both of them. Dark Heart sat down next to her and blushed a bright red, which Divine Kiss could see in the pitch blackness.

“Hey, um… Divine… Can I tell you something?” Dark Heart asked with a shy tone in his voice.

“Yes, what is on your mind, Dark Heart?” Divine Kiss asked in response. She felt her own cheeks become red as she blushed.

“I… I’m in love with you. I have been in love with you since the day we met.” Dark Heart said with a shy and nervous gulp. “I love the way that you fight, the way that you talk… How courageous you are in battle and how you are able to be tough when the need arises… Your kind and amazing, and… I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” He blushed a darker red as he sat there next to her.

“...I feel the same way about you, Dark Heart.” Divine Kiss said as her blush too, deepened. “The way that you fight, that strength that you have… How you are able to tell when to cross the line, and when you shouldn’t be crossing that line. There’s a lot about you that really draws me in.”

There was a brief silence as the alicorn mare gently turned the leatherwing stallions head to face her own. The both of them pressed their muzzles against one anothers as they embraced in a passionate kiss, their bodies fell sideways and onto the bed. As the night was calm, the hours passed uneventfully… Until Metric Zoom heard her fathers scream as it echoed down the halls of the manor.