Chapters
White veil.
Infrequent glare of bright light.
And two voices that cannot subside.
''Not a tenant, definitely. Doc rarely gives wrong predictions. If he ever does.''
''I disagree with him. We've had worse patients ... cut veins, aortas, gouged eyes, cut off wings and sawed off horns - I've already seen everything. Fuck, one even pretended to be an alicorn. At the same time being a unicorn. Don't ask where the wings came from. And then - even such were cured. Or at least it became much easier for them to live. This one, in comparison, is a real dandelion.''
''The same to me, compared. If Doc had eaten his bread in vain, he would clearly not have been put in charge of our . And he manages somehow! Either he will give practical advice, then he will help to sew the crippled limbs...''
''Did he sew your brains too?''
''Hey, I wouldn't get personal.''
''I'll go over. You have to think with your own head. And then how do you differ from patients?''
''I cannot have the opinion similar to the authorities?''
''You can. But now it looks more like a public suck.''
''How dare you...''
''Shut up already, idiots.''
A tired voice broke by itself from the lips of the lying on the hard couch.
''Look. Our hero awoken.''
The veil began to dissipate little by little. And the clearer the soulful face of the stallion looking at him became, the more he wanted to return to oblivion.
''Mhmm ...'' the easy movement of the front leg immediately ran into the constraining weight. The patient tried another. The same effect. Very soon the heaviness was felt all over the body and even in the head, which, to his deepest surprise, he could not even tear a millimeter from the unpleasant surface.
''Belts. Clever. Obviously not your idea.''
''How mobile he is. Look, no matter how break free'' sarcastically added walking to the right. His snout was nicer. But not much.
''Lie down. rest. You obviously deserve the rest'' the earthly pony of dirty brown smiled ''I should have put a muzzle on him. In vain the doc is on ceremony with them'' yes, the color of his fur definitely suited him.
''Put on yourself, a scarecrow'' the gaze of the lying person rested on the ceiling that was slowly riding above him ''Where are we going?''
''Where you will get help.''
''I didn't ask for help.''
''Nobody asked you.''
''So where are we going?''
''Where to go.''
''To your mother, or what?''
''Listen, give him that rubbish! Celestia is my judge, if this freak doesn't shut up - I will allow myself to forget the oath!'' the couch shook tangibly. The lone sighed wearily. And then he shuddered from a prick of a sharp pain in his side. Unbearable weakness began to cloud his mind again.
''Bi-i-itche-e-es ...'' only managed to hold out the one who returned into the darkness.
Act I - Sometimes I feel like a fool
Crimson eyes sparkled mysteriously in the darkness. Emerging out of nowhere, the gray filly rose on its hind legs, beginning to perform an exotic dance. The curls of her jet-black mane with scarlet parting twisted in a whirlwind along with the perfect body, circling in pirouettes - closer and closer to to the insolent, frozen with surprise.
''Who else you are?..'' he muttered in bewilderment when the stranger had already crossed all permissible boundaries.
In the next pirouette, the fluffy tail seductively tickled his chest, and the hooves that fell on his shoulders gently pulled his reddened snout to the shamelessly smiling blond.
''So far - just a figment of your sick imagination'' she whispered sweetly ''But very soon...'' a heavy, warm breath caressed his neck ''I will become much more real than you can imagine. And we will do great business.''
''Business?..''
''Wake up'' the filly pulled back, leaving only her face visible. Her voice became hushed ''Come on! Wake up!''
Then the face disappeared. And then the light returned, with which a new face came. A middle-aged green-haired unicorn, with a pronounced anxiety in completely unremarkable blue eyes, stood opposite him, fearfully covering her pretty mouth with her hoof.
''Oh, I'm sorry, I thought...really, what nonsense'' she sighed with relief ''The orderlies are sometimes very rude. I yelled at them for these tranquilizers...I hope you're feeling better already?'' the nurse raised her eyebrows. The patient said nothing. He studied the room, lucky, the vertical position of the couch, or whatever it was, allowed.
''Sir?..''
''It can't be bad in the company of such a charming lady'' he finally replied with a wry grin. The flirtation worked flawlessly. The nurse's blond flushed. She looked away, embarrassed. A long lack of love by itself reflected on the face far from youth ''However, it would be much easier for me to enjoy her beauty, if I didn’t pinch these belts on my upper legs in such a shameless way'' the patient noted painfully.
The filly looked thoughtfully at the chained to the wall. She had no doubts that belts arranged in a similar way and tightened in such a situation could pinch. Doubts arose when looking at what they were holding down. Maybe this beige, almost cream-colored stallion with a soldier's haircut of jet-black hair seems quite adequate and even to some extent...cute, but do not forget that he is a patient. After all, wouldn't you just shackle him? It would be much wiser to wait for the head physician - Mr. Hooves, that mysterious "Doc," as one of the degenerates she had driven out with reverence and trepidation called him.
On the other hand, to look at the suffering of the patient, and especially to look as a doctor, who, in theory, should prevent these torments, is no less torment than hardened skin, rubbing sweaty flesh through and through. But even in spite of this, do not forget - she has not been a young graduate student for a long time. Moreover, such a decision looks overly frivolous even for her. But suffering ... damn it, why did she get a cutie mark not with flowers, not with butterflies, and not even with the notorious dusty books? Why is it the red cross that decorates her croup?..
She hesitated visibly. What could not be said about him.
''Grrr...'' the prisoner reached forward, making a grimace of sincere pain. So convincing that the unicorn gave a little back from surprise, never for a second taking her from the constrained even more frightened gaze.
''Please, be patient! M-m-m-m-r Hooves should be here any minute...'' she muttered.
''It will be much easier for Mr. Hooves to talk to me if my speech is at least similar to speech! And not to the groans of a dying manticore'' hissed the patient struggling with the intolerable severity of being.
The nurse finally broke down. After all, nothing terrible will happen if she looses the fasteners a little? In addition, in the event of force majeure, the unicorn will have a clear advantage over the earth pony. The main thing is to keep sufficient distance to be able to loosen the belts and not get a hoof in the face. Resolved.
''Okay...okay! But I warn you - if tricks start, blame yourself. Lean back and try to relax'' the filly entered a pose, tilting her head forward. A soft greenish glow enveloped her horn, very soon covering the upper straps of a simple ring-shaped design.
He was just waiting for that. Barely sensing a loosening of the grip, the patient rushed forward, throwing off the fetters that were released from the fasteners and immediately leaning towards the table, almost instantly magnetizing one of the syringes to the hoof. The unicorn did not even have time to scream, as a sharp needle flew in her direction.
The filly's eyes widened. She swayed. And then lavender hair scattered on the floor from under the cap that had come off. A sad gaze rested on the syringe thrust into the very heart, ominously towered over the still warm body. He felt no remorse. Only a little regretted.
Without much difficulty, he detached the lower legs of the earth-grabber and jumped to the cold floor. Pulling his numb limbs, he yawned long and as if nothing had happened, stepped over the corpse, not forgetting to grab a doctor's saw on the way. He headed straight for the closed door, pulling the handle of that door towards himself. Didn't give in. He pulled away from himself. Didn't give in again.
''You yourself are rare magicians...'' grinned the stallion, leaning over to the lock built into the door. Its design immediately seemed somewhat strange. Exactly in the center was a large groove, gradually tapering to the size of a small dot. At the same time, on the sides of this gutter there were recesses twisting into the depths, just like...and then it dawned on him. The gaze returned to the body lying behind, slowly crawling onto the horn. He would like to see this key. However, he was already looking.
Without wasting time on unnecessary hesitation, the patient walked around the nurse and lifted her by the education protruding from his head, taking the saw aside with his right hoof and sharply hitting the main dignity of any unicorn with it.
The corpse let out a piercing cry. The saw fell to the table with a clang and the patient staggered back to the cabinets. Behind the wall came the sound of hooves.
''This whore isn't dead?!'' he could only exclaim, staring at the convulsing nurse. It seems that a sharp blow to such a powerful magical conductor caused an equally sharp rush of adrenaline into the blood, starting the heart again. Or he simply doesn't know how to throw.
In a matter of seconds regaining his composure, the notoriously crafted brilliant strategist without further hesitation grabbed the nurse by the mane and pulled this wriggling something to the blocked passage. Then he clasped the skull with his hooves and thrust the horn of that into the keyhole. Someone started banging on the door.
''Healney? Are you all right there?!''
The patient swore foully, throwing the crumpled lady on the floor, and fell against the door wall, preparing the saw to attack.
''Healney! Tear you Tartar!'' the door threatened to fly off its hinges.
''Mel, what's going on here?'' came a voice nearby.
''Oh, Mr. Hooves! It's good that you came. I heard a scream from the operating room! There's a new nurse looking after your maniac...''
''One?..'' with astonishing speed, the restrained voice grew into an indignant cry ''What idiot thought of leaving them alone?!''
''I don't know, sir... I was just passing by.''
''Leave unnecessary conversations! You two - open the door. You - urgently on the guard post. Let them draw everypony here! EVERYPONY!''
The doors shook with unprecedented force and clang. Someone was clearly knocking the lock. And it obviously won't last long.
The patient evened his breathing and gripped the weapon of sophisticated killing tighter. An instant later the door swung open with an eerie crash. An imposing-looking, blue-uniformed security guard burst into the room, bumping into the saliva-splashing nurse on the way.
''Healney, my mother mare! - he bent over the horse, - She has a seizure!''
''Rghypvapyvariyavryap ... abyr ... abyr-roll!''
Next came an intelligent-looking unicorn in a medical gown and with round glasses on madly darting from side to side eyes.
''Damn it...'' immediately glancing in the direction of the disconnected device he muttered. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, a natural reaction to the pop behind him.
''Wanted to see me, doc?'' someone said with a dirty grin.
In the next instant, a bright flash illuminated the room, and the last thing that the guard blinded by her saw for a moment was a mustang flying at him, bringing a saw over the victim with shiny sharpened blades. And the blades sank into her neck, cutting through the aorta like a knife cuts through butter. A fountain of blood hit the stallion's muzzle in distorted rage, immediately hitting his opponent's legs and ripping the saw out of the shredded flesh. The rest was dealt with by nature.
''IT LOOKS LIKE YOUR HEAD IS A RARE RAT!'' he barked, intercepting the saw and turning to the colleague of the murdered standing at the newly opened door.
''S-stay there, where you stand!'' stuttering mumbled pegasus, shaken by gagging.
''And if I don't stand?''
''Then ... then-a-a-AAAAAA!'' only the dexterity inherent in his race saved the boy from a psychopath who had pounced on the door that grew right in front of him. But he was not going to give up.
''Better run while you can run. Perhaps this way you will prolong your miserable life at least a little'' came from the operating room with amazing calmness. Pegasus swallowed. How to be? He will not keep him here for a long time - the lock is knocked out, and the pegasus clearly does not have enough strength to hold this earthly on one handle. Run? But what about the rest? How will colleagues look at him later? Like a coward. Wait, what is this...
The psychopath's ears heard the vile crunch and thud of the collapsed body. And then a lingering creak.
She was standing there. The same gray fur, the same strange mane and the same mysterious shine of crimson eyes.
''In life, you are even more beautiful...''
''And you're still the same freak.''
The filly smiled slyly, pulling an utterly strange object from the girdle of her belt, and threw it to the stallion.
''Ever met something like that?''
''I see for the first time'' admitted patient without hiding a slight bewilderment, having caught an unknown thing. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be something like a hoof attachment, on the sides of which there were fixing plates going in the opposite direction, and several small wide trunks protruded from the front.
''Never mind, you will still have plenty of opportunities to appreciate this baby.''
At some point, he came out of the stupor caused by the unexpected appearance of a new acquaintance, starting to rely on his head, and not movement under his own bottom.
''Maybe even now you will bother to explain what is happening here?''
''Everything has its time. Plus, now we have bigger problems...''
The deafening roar of sirens rang out over their heads.
''And if you don’t want to aggravate them even more, I advise you to run after me'' she turned around and wanted to lean forward, as she stopped, throwing a painfully pressing question behind her back.
''By the way, do you even remember your name?''
''Heh. I don't...''
The filly chuckled.
''In that case, I will call you Fugitive'' the stranger threw in a laughing tone and disappeared behind the turn of the corridor that opened ahead.
''You know'' the Fugitive said after her ''Sometimes I feel like a fool. And this is an extremely pleasant feeling.''
Act II - They are ready to kill
The words, or rather the stream of hysterical cries of the orderly who burst into the security post, became not just a complete, but extremely unpleasant surprise for the security guards who had just played solitaire. Cursing mercilessly, they hastily grabbed the rubber truncheons leaning against the walls and rushed after the uninvited guest, sincerely regretting that he was leading, and not scrambling from them.
The only remaining in the room was a unicorn sitting in a comfy chair, a hoof on the pull-out plate on the table in front of him, causing it to illuminate with bright lights, the glow of which was highlighted by the six screens above them. The key points of the complex were displayed on those. Pushing a cigar out of his pocket between his teeth and striking it with a lighter, the caretaker released a long cloud of smoke, immediately after starting to magically influence the barely noticeable panels on the sides of the screens themselves. Pictures on them changed with feverish speed. Until that time, until on the central right did not seem to gallop along the deserted corridor earthmongers. The unicorn pulled up a luxurious mustache and pulled up a microphone that came out from the side.
''All operatives. Sector B-5. They are unarmed, but they are ready to kill...''
''Where are we?'' barely keeping up with the supernaturally fast filly threw the Fugitive.
''Power unit. Entrance doors and cell doors are controlled from it. If we turn off the electricity, we will create total chaos, and we will blame ourselves on the sly''
''So, you propose to release all these psychos...'' the stallion squeezed out through heavy breathing ''Out?''
''I doubt that after those two you are confused by anything here.''
“And that's right...oh yeah...you...didn't introduce yourself.''
''Oh, are you interested in my name?'' giggled filly not at all tired from a two-minute run ''Call me simply - Mistress.''
''You're fucking kidding...''
''And how. Okay, since this is so important - Dust. Angel Dust.''
''What a name'' the runner whistled right after another convulsive sigh.
''I have no idea what you...your mother!''
A crowd of angry guards was already rushing towards them.
The filly pushed him, pointing to the two side passages ahead. The crowd and the couple were separated from them by a few meters.
''Then it's up to you! Run to the right - I'll stop them!''
''Stop them? You? How?!''
''Women have their secrets...''
Having neither the desire nor the opportunity to argue, the stallion tensed and jerked with his last strength. As soon as he reached the turn, he collided face-to-face with a guard who was swinging at him, immediately stepping aside and immediately hitting the scum with his hind legs. There was a crunch that he had already heard, immediately followed by a cry pierced with sincere pain, accompanied by the crash of falling armor. The fugitive without looking back rushed into the passage that opened in front of him, upon a cursory examination it turned out to be an exact copy of the previous one. What he saw next jarred him. This is a dead end. Behind him, there was a quickened gallop of hooves clad in heavy metal.
And then the stallion remembered about the nozzle, as it turned out, capable of being drawn into itself. Working on the principle of a switch knife, not too light, but not too heavy, it did not restrain movement at all, making it the ideal murder weapon. Although he had no idea how this thing worked. He had to learn on the go.
Finally exhausted, he turned sharply and threw the hoof covered by the device forward. The muzzles of the barrels, protruding with a loud click, rushed towards the policemen rushing at him. They realized their mistake too late.
A burst of machine-gun fire shot through the air, riddling the body of the nearest pursuer. Streams of scarlet ooze gushed from the torn chest, together with a heart-rending scream, began to beat from the neck that exploded with disgusting stuffing. The first fell forward, smashing the remains of his face on the bloody floor. The second managed to stand on his feet a little longer. A moment later, his brains knocked out of a punctured skull were already decorating the corridor behind the body that had collapsed near the rubble.
The Fugitive blew away the light smoke that hung over the satiated weapon.
''And where only they are found...''
Finally, taking a deep breath, he took hold of the barely visible protrusion on the drum placed in the center, opening the magazine cleanly shot. Perfectly. It's easy to find this unknown garbage somewhere, but as we give extra cartridges, we are not in business. Yeah, well. Now with this thing, perhaps crumbling the muzzle - however, not the worst alternative. With a quick movement, the gunner pulled the machine gun back and put the hoof on the floor.
“I don’t believe in my life that she didn’t know about this bloody dead end” he turned to the bare wall, almost intuitively taking his gaze to the right and lowering it down.
Lattice. Was there always a grill? Ha, at least it's here now...hmm, and when did it get quiet? So quiet.
After looking at the blood-soaked deserted corridor for the last time and making sure that it would remain deserted, the somewhat puzzled Fugitive grabbed the edges of the barrier and, to his deepest surprise, without any difficulty uncovered the tunnel immersed in darkness. In height, it was from the average foal, while the width allowed an adult stallion to climb there without any difficulty. Where could he go?
The caretaker had already been desperately trying for several minutes to restore clarity to the wrongly obscured screen. Cursing what the light was on the donkeys who created this misunderstanding, the unicorn unsuccessfully moved the panels and levers, each time getting the same result - no such. However, very soon it became the least of his concerns.
Like a virus interference began to capture the rest of the monitors. One by one, the screens plunged into a jumble of randomly glittering particles, emitting a disgusting, hissing ringing. The unicorn pulled away from the console.
''What the hell...'' from what he saw the cigar fell out of his teeth.
“Do you know that peeping is not good?'' came out at the same time female, male and somehow not at all amenable to description in a voice.
''Secu-u-urity...'' the caretaker bleated frightenedly.
''Security won't help you. Nobody will help you. You want me prove it?'' suddenly for himself the unicorn realized that he did not feel his own body. When only a faint moan came out of his half-open mouth, he realized that the tongue was no longer under his control ''SO GET YOUR PROOFS, BITCH!''
The unicorn's head slammed into the console. Darkened in his eyes. The pain echoed in my temples like a throbbing shock. Suddenly the head fell back. And hit again.
''GET IT!''
The pain got worse. Peace - intensifies in the eyes. And again.
''GET IT!''
There was a crackling sound. His horn broke. The pain became unbearable. He had to scream. But he had no mouth.
''GET IT!''
With each blow he banged his head faster and faster against the console, desperately watching it stain with his own blood. The only thing left for him was to dream of an early end to the flour. But she never thought it was coming to an end.
''GET IT! GET IT! GET IT!''
Time after time, without pity or compassion for oneself.
The head, crumbled into minced meat, rolled under the table, dragging the limp body behind it. The enemy lost his ears and eyes. But he only had to lose his mind.
He did not know how long he had been crawling along this pipe. Distant screams, the clatter of hooves and the omnipresent howl of sirens reached him. They are not represented here by such insignificant and distant details. It was worth giving to the beginning to act on the nervous stiffness, which he is trying with great difficulty to ignore. By this time, the idea of climbing here had completely disliked him. And therefore, as soon as a faint scarlet light dawned ahead, the Fugitive rushed forward with redoubled strength, reaching the same unfortunate side grill. Little, if anything, could be seen behind it.
With a dull clang, an iron hoof kicked against the grate. For the third or fourth time, the grate fell down with a crash, and the exhausted Fugitive fell out after him, making a deft roll near the floor, which, fortunately, was not too far away. Already at the moment of the first blow, some kind of fuss began at the door. When the patient, who had jumped on his hind legs, rushed forward, he collided with a white man from the horror of an earthly scent, who, when he appeared, was striving with all his might to become one with the door. He recognized an old acquaintance by the dirty brown fur alone.
''You?!'' came from his side.
There was a click. Scared to death, the orderly felt the cold steel touch his throat.
''W-what is it?..'' stammered the stallion from himself.
“I don’t know myself. But believe me - it kills.''
''You...you won't u-u-use this...?''
''It depends on how useful you will be. And now to the questions. Why didn't you evacuate?''
“Azur and I have almost...reached emergency speed. But then...then...''
''Then what?!'' a dangerous-looking acquaintance tangibly shook the orderly. From behind the latter there was a grinding sound, immediately followed by a drawn-out, almost bestial roar. The Fugitive felt his ward shake with fear.
''D-d-don't know...but this is something...completely abnormal...''
''Let me guess, your brother in mind is scratching towards us?''
“Sweet Celestia...they're behind!''
He had already noticed how yellow lights began to light up in the darkness of the rest of the room, which grew more and more every second. Distorted silhouettes, growling and groaning, rose from the ground, staggering towards them. But he also noticed something else, which almost instantly gave him some thought.
''This place is just one big problem. And the fuck is it just you got a job here?''
"D-do something with them!"
''And I won't think about it.''
''W-what?! You're going to kill us!''
''Maybe.''
Pale, peeling muzzles appeared in the light. Rotten flesh hung in disgusting clothes from the withered, bony bodies of creatures slowly moving in their direction, predatory lines of razor-sharp fangs grinning and emitting a lingering, animal howl.
''WHAT DO YOU WANT, SICK BASTARD?!''
''It's simple. Your life in exchange for a path to the power unit.''
''Rrr...deal.''
The hoof, but already made of iron, crashed into the retractable plate to the right of the cutter. A bright light hit from under the rushing up partitions, which opened the windows previously hidden behind them, which in turn made it possible to see not only the adjacent corridor, but also the skinless face of Azur, who decayedly hammered into the glass with his snow-white skull.
''SIDE!'' the Fugitive barked a second before one of the creatures actually rushed in his direction.
The glass shattered with a deafening clink. The dead fell on top of each other, tossing and turning helplessly on the ground. Still alive, but hardly more lively than the last ones, they jumped out after them, and from all their hooves they rushed off no one knows where, but all knows why.
A few minutes later they had already changed their canter to measured, but no less strenuous walking. The mumbling orderly clattered in front of him, while the patient held hostage walked behind, unsuccessfully trying to find meaning in the construction of this mad maze. They walked in silence, still moving away from a slight shock caused not so much by the fact of what they saw, their own salvation from what they saw.
''Remember, if I have the slightest suspicion ...'' the Fugitive finally dispersed the silence.
''I remember, I remember...and why the power unit worries you more than...them?'' his own helplessness infuriated the orderly. But fear told her to shut up.
''When I am there, you will find out. Oh yeah, is it still far away?''
''You're in luck - we are already there.''
''I’m lucky all day'' the patient chuckled, looking at the circular arch, behind which was seen a spacious hall with rows of sparkling lightning generators, fenced off from the central and only passage by a high grating. The passage itself led up by stairs to a small platform, the view behind which abruptly dropped off somewhere down.
''I am free?'' with obvious hope in a slightly hoarse voice, the mud stallion threw to the companion.
''No.''
''How not?!''
''Nobody said you could leave.''
Brown muzzle with caked blood flashed ominously in another burst of beating energies. The orderly turned pale.
''So...'' he stumbled back ''Is this the end? Here and now?''
''You were wrong again. This is just the beginning'' the Fugitive pointed barrels at the stallion ''Forward. Cut off the electricity supply.''
''You collapsed from an oak tree or just a suicide?..Without electricity there will be no light! Without light, there will be no turning back! Not only are these creatures roaming there, but they will be supplemented by selected psychos from all over, her mother by the leg, Equestria!
''You speak as if you are given a choice'' the barrels inevitably and mercilessly looked at the poor fellow.
''Sick bastard...and then what? After all, we are in the same boat. Nobody escapes.''
''We will see. Enough talk! To business.''
''In vain, in vain did the doc stand on ceremony with you ...'' through tightly clenched teeth, the orderly who entered the arch hissed. Like an overseer, the Fugitive followed.
They reached the extreme railing at a leisurely pace, climbed over the intricate interweaving of pipes that overlapped them, and found themselves at the very edge of the cliff, going into the humming and thundering abyss constantly rotating by mechanisms. Mud stood in front of a unit attached to one of the generators, opening the cover of that unit and peering at the control panel represented by the levers. How could he not find an excuse - he could not doom so many to death. He had long considered himself a dead man. If so, does this agony have any sense? If it's over? For me, but not for him. And how many more lives will this madman cut off? And they will all die because I was afraid to fight back?! So I became a weapon in his hooves?! No! I still have one more try. It is foolish to waste it on humble acceptance of fate.
A rare mess reigned under the feet of the orderly - bolts and gears were lying around, some tools obviously thrown in a hurry. Rebar pieces. With peripheral vision, he saw that the captor was somehow distracted, studying the abyss. There he belonged.
The fugitive did not expect this blow. A steel blade pierced his body, making his throat shudder with a heart-rending scream. An iron hoof crunched into the orderly's rage-contorted face, throwing him against the pipes. Flying away, he tore out the rod from the Fugitive's body, forcing the scarlet goo to gush from the opened wound in fountains. Mad with pain, he rushed at the traitor.
''You are not capable of more?..'' the orderly hissed spitting blood when the hoof collided with a piece of reinforcement. He immediately kicked the patient's legs, knocking him to the ground and jumping up over the enemy. The bloody blade floated overhead, hitting immediately.
The Fugitive rolled to the side, knocking down the orderly already and grabbed the repair saw that fell under the hoof. Today taught him to love saws. At the last moment, he dodged a rod flying in his direction, ramming the enemy with a jerk and chopping with blades from his shoulder. But instead of the neck, the spikes were cut through the pipe that appeared in its place. By inertia, he went down.
''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!''
The stream of steam escaping from the crevice hit the orderly who appeared behind him in the face, which, covering his face with hooves, recoiled to the cliff. Using the moment, the Fugitive leaned on the stallion, throwing him over the railing.
The abyss extinguished the heart-rending cry of one who flew away towards the gears grinding everything and everything.
The Fugitive went to the switch and pulled the lever, a few moments later falling to his knees near the steps of the stairs. He was rapidly losing consciousness. A dull gaze passed along the darkened passage after the whole complex, already bursting with distorted creatures weaving along it. There was no doubt that they had been following their trail all this time. And finally, they reached their goal.
He knew he couldn't escape. He has lost too much blood. Therefore, when the eyes glowing in the darkness approached him, he remained in place, humbly bowing his head in anticipation of an unworthy but inevitable death.
Imagine his surprise when, instead of an attack, the zombie that appeared in front of him froze, expelling a roaring semblance of speech from its mouth.
''Yoouuuuuuuuu fiiiiiniiish YOUR! Miiiisssiiion...SHE orrrdeeeereeeed US! Tooooo taaaakee YOU!...OUUUTSIIIDE!''
The stallion chuckled wryly.
''That's...a beast, kha! AND! He broke into a convulsive cough.''
''OOOOON ME!'' the dead one put his side, as if inviting him to climb. Strange, but the Fugitive's eyes have already adapted to the darkness.
''Eh. And why am I still surprised?..'' he phlegmatically threw himself to himself, lying on the offspring with all the load of his pierced carcass. Oddly enough, the creature did not even budge, calmly stretched out to its full height and rushed back into the maze.
What was happening there could not be described in words. A cavalcade of mad laughter, hysterical crying and screams, endless and multi-tone screams shook the complex like an earthquake. Dozens of silhouettes tossed about in pitch darkness, crushing, killing, or simply trying to escape from those who were still called to protect them.
He did not notice the chaos happening around him, rushing through the darkness on a rotting steed. Pain and echoes of thoughts occupied his mind, in no way creating a single, holistic picture of himself. Everything that happened seems to him to be some kind of hot delirium, but whenever he understood the aroma of jumping under him, he understood - all this is real.
A bright light dawned ahead. Gradually, the light filled everything around.
The Fugitive stood at the edge of the cliff. Thunder shook the heavens, huge waves crashed against the tusks of black rocks and whirlwinds swirled over the seething water. The vast, stormy ocean opened before him in all its terrifying grandeur.
This hostile, alien to everything ordered element was his ally. He knew this without knowing anything.
A whirlpool began to form on the changeable canvas. With each passing second, the funnel became wider and wider, eventually reaching an impressive size.
''Run, the one who will always run'' the wind sang over his head.
And he ran, running at a run into the roaring abyss. And after him rushed...
''You are free! Free once again!''
Dr. Hooves has always been an ambitious stallion - even during those moments of his incredibly long life when he did not walk on four legs at all. He has achieved a lot and seen a lot. His knowledge was many times greater than the knowledge of the greatest sages of this world and, to be honest, they did not hesitate to be ahead of their time. But what he saw by one fact of his existence proved that all his experience is nothing more than dust.
She was alive embodiment of a wild, uncomprehending force, before which he, with all his feigned importance, seemed only a pitiful puppy. And this could not but frighten.
''Meters...sensors...even light! Everything, absolutely all!'' the distinguished scientist muttered to himself nervously, turning his own office upside down. In the very center of a small room by the standards of the complex, a filigree even circle of burnt linoleum was blackened ''Damn ... where are these unfortunate scribbles?!''
An even more miserable table took a desperate blow from the hoof. His crates flew forward with a strained creak, making the dock almost squeal with pleasure.
''Aha ha ha! Here they are, my dear ones! My darlings!'' he burst out laughing no less nervous, shoving papers into the pockets of his robe as quickly as possible.
A few moments later, Hooves rushed from all hooves into a special room known only to him, just designed for such, a little out of control situations. The whole degree of the perfect discovery could not fit in his head.
His plans were interrupted by an extremely disgusting scene, which the scientist was not fortunate enough to witness around the next bend. The crowd of guards beat each other with wild frenzy, not disdaining to use their own teeth. The armor, so lovingly made for them by the best gunsmiths in Canterlot, by the time the customer arrived, it looked like rubbish unsuitable for scrapping. The naked bodies of the madmen were full of numerous glimpses of torn skin, mixed with the remains of bloody wool chaotically scattered between them. The hooves were breaking their legs. The clubs shattered the ribs. Foam gushed in a fierce stream from mouths bared in mad grimaces, exuding animal whinnying and roaring from themselves. The picture was completed by the unhealthy glow of visibly yellowed eyes.
She stood behind them. The same filly he had seen a few hours ago. Something strange lurked in this nurse from the very beginning - the instinct and wearable devices never let Hooves down...but he had too much to do. Now everything fell into place. This annoying noise, every now and then covered the cameras all day. Sparks ejected from computers. Power outages. Finally, the distraught magical locators, which he met everywhere while jogging.
Having barely escaped death, he was from her at an extended hoof distance. And she just smirked insidiously, with a wave of her stopping the carnage and turning the slaves towards Hooves.
''Food is served, boys. Bring me his head.''
It took officer Little a few seconds to comprehend what had happened, during which something that had flown into the examination room managed not only to take a liking to a bulky machine called a <>, but also made this strange thing work. The latter especially strongly struck the stallion, who was forced to crumble the skull of the mechanic assigned to the apparatus - until recently, the only one who understood at least something in this new-born misunderstanding.
''Mr. Hooves, praise to the sisters - you are saved!''
''Entrance, block this discords entrance!'' muttered the scientist who was busy with the control panel.
''Stown's group is stuck in the lower sectors!'' the stallion began to turn the steel valve, blocking the only passage with a dense barrier ''As far as I understood from the radio, several civilians are with them. Why were they allowed here...''
''You will have to forget about the group.''
''What? But this thing can open and close doors in any part of the complex!''
''Energy is running out, - without taking off his focused gaze'' It is enough for only one action.
''Sir, I don't understand you...'' the guard approached the console ''What prevents us from spending it on them?''
''This is absolutely pointless. Even if the passages are open, they will somehow meet with your defective colleagues. No matter how sad it was for me to state this, the survivors simply have no chance of salvation.''
There was a noise of interference from somewhere, immediately followed by intermittent voices.
''Everyone...hears...we're...trapped...''
Heart-rending screams were heard in the background.
''Do not hold back...''
An ominous rumble and the last, shrill.
''HELP!''
The connection was interrupted. Little swallowed, looking worriedly at Hooves.
''How can it be...we didn't even try. It is our duty to protect them...''
The doctor turned and met the stallion's gaze.
''Think Little, what is more important for the country - a few lives or the lives of millions? Understand that we are facing a threat never seen before. This is a forced, inevitable sacrifice. But by sacrificing them, we will save everyone else.''
He knew that he was lying. He knew that the device was self-powered. But he didn't want to waste a single extra minute in this damned place.
"What are you going to do?"
''Transfer myself to Canterlot and report the incident to the princesses'' Hooves returned to the device, hammering in the final commands and stepping back, watching the result ''This is the best I can do for Equestria.''
The guard exclaimed in surprise. Before his eyes, the wall behind the panel parted to the sides, revealing a spacious and completely empty domed room, in the very center of which there was a pedestal entwined with upward wires.
"One of my greatest inventions. Teleport. A machine that with the help of condensing magic in any pony is able to move like a unicorn"
"Is it somehow connected to this thing in your forehead?"
"Directly. The only difference between the two is that this 'horn' is a portable prototype. Together, they should give a truly impressive result."
Behind those who were contemplating a great hiss was heard. Beams of orange light shot out from under the steel screen. Sparks fell like fountains to the floor. No matter how imposing the obstacle seemed, it was obvious that it could not delay the breaking ones for long.
"Well that's all. Goodbye, Little... '' without turning around, the scientist went to the pedestal.
''Goodbye, doctor'' notes of undisguised irony were heard in the stallion's voice.
But Hooves ignored them. Standing on the dais with closed eyes and turning his face to the exit, he focused his thoughts on the desired place. A dazzling radiance enveloped his horn. Lightning struck the wires. The convex circle encircling the pedestal began to spin slowly, spinning faster and faster with each passing moment. The flash consumed the false unicorn, who saw his sight a second before the point of no return.
A predatory glint stands in the narrow slits of bloodshot eyes.
"So this is what you are, Doctor Hooves...to admit, I expected more from you"
The insane flow of changeable energies has already replaced absolutely everything. But he could not forget that look.
"However, you will still have a role in this play"
When the world cleared up, he found himself standing in the middle of a huge hall, decorated with luxurious stained-glass windows, an alley leading to two thrones, only one of which was occupied. A figure woven from pure light, it seemed, rose above the crowd of parted subjects, heading towards him with a dignified step.
The rays breaking through the mosaics of the windows played in her hair fluttering in the invisible wind, dazzling with shimmering colors, which only emphasized the snow-white wool bound with gold. The head of the walker was crowned with a pointed diadem, in the center of which a flawless amethyst shone.
The legs knocked themselves down. The velvet carpet was covered with charred fragments of a wonderful device that fell from under the mane of a stallion hanging over the ground, frozen in the lowest bow that he could make.
Greatest of ever lived and living. Ruler of Equestria. The one that raises the sun.
Celestia.
"Stand up, Hooves"
Although the aura of warmth and calmness surrounded the princess, her voice was as cold as ice. The majestic face burned with anger so righteous that it was even afraid to be near - not like talking face to face. The stallion followed the order.
"Princess, I arrived here so quickly, for..."
"Silence"
The voice immediately refused him.
"You let me down. He let all of us down'' despite the absence of even a hint of rage, pronounced cut like blades ''Do you remember your words? I remember them clearly. You have sworn that the project you lead is not a threat. You lied, because I am already being told of numerous casualties. You assured that you could keep the unfortunates entrusted to you under control - you guaranteed their recovery. And where are they now?'' with each spoken word, the doctor's heart contracted harder and harder ''Finally, you promised that the fruits of the project will lead to prosperity. But all I see is chaos. I know that the most dangerous of the threats he generated has found freedom...so tell me, Hooves. Why dare you come here, dare you count on my grace?"
A lump stuck to his throat.
"I-I-I can expla..."
"I don't need your explanations. You have already earned the highest possible punishment by your atrocities"
The stallion's face turned white. The lump began to crush unbearably, blocking all access to oxygen.
"How...but I just wanted..."
"Hooves, also known as The Doctor. I strip you of all titles and titles, sentencing you to death by hanging. The sentence is carried out at dawn. Guards!"
A detachment of pegasus in golden armor surrounded him on all sides.
"Take away"
And they grabbed him, dragging him out of the hall under the condemning and alarmed looks of the whispering crowd.
''Outrageous!''
"Horrible..."
"This is the first execution in the last 200 years..."
"What kind of pony does one have to be to receive such a sentence..."
"And I also considered him a well-mannered and trustworthy stallion!"
"Shh, you shouldn't talk about this in front of the princess..."
But Celestia did not care about the hubbub of the servants. Without changing either grace or dignity, the mare walked towards her chambers, meeting with a gloomy gaze a shadow that appeared from the side.
"Is your decision justified?'' walking beside she said.
"Leave me, Luna...'' the princess turned away, hiding behind the heavy doors.
