[url=http://www.bungie.net/7_Attack-of-the-Alts-A-Floodian-Epic/en/Forum/Post?id=63546072#referred-OffTopic]The Prelude[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/7_Chapter-One-Confinement-Attack-of-the-Alts/en/Forum/Post?id=63553629#referred-OffTopic]Chapter One: Confinement[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/7_Chapter-Two-Surprise-Attack-of-the-Alts/en/Forum/Post?id=63580047#referred-OfficerNasty]Chapter Two: Surprise![/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/7_Chapter-Three-Mansion-Attack-of-the-Alts/en/Forum/Post?id=63594627#referred-OffTopic]Chapter Three: Mansion[/url]
[u]Chapter Four: The Mountain Pass[/u]
The group exited the mansion and entered an open grassy area preceding the pass. It was sometime early in the afternoon, as it was as bright as they’ve seen since the nukes fell. The narrow pass cut through a thick forest which made it noticeably darker. As they walked closer to the pass, the sound of Little Cowpie and Vien’s scuffle became fainter and fainter, until there was a complete blissful silence. At the entrance there was a warning sign that urged travelers to follow the bright green flags on the trees; however, the words “Enter, IF YOU DARE,” were carved into it. The group saw a person about 30 feet into the pass who was on the ground cowering in the fetal position with an envelope clenched in his hands. When Officer Nasty walked up to him, the man looked at Nasty with cold, soulless eyes, as if he’s suffering from shellshock.
“Hey man, are you alright?” asked Officer Nasty in a sincere tone. The man’s mouth began to quiver as he struggled to find the will to speak. “A-a-are you Officer Nasty? Leader of t-t-t-The Flood’s Salvation?”
Officer Nasty turned back to the anxious group looking for a solution, but they all responded with a shrug. “Yes I am, why?”
“Take this envelope; it’s a m-m-message from ‘The Destiny Purifiers.’” The petrified man slowly outstretched his twitching hand containing the envelope. “I don’t k-k-know who it’s from, b-b-b-but he said you’d know w-w-what it means.”
Officer Nasty grabbed the envelope and asked, “Who, or what, is ‘The Destiny Purifiers’? And what is your name?”
“My n-n-name is Pureeey. They’re l-l-located in Destiny City’s marketplace, that’s a-a-all I…I…”
Officer Nasty stood there for a second waiting for Pureeey to continue, until he realized his eyes glazing over and saliva dripping from his mouth as he laid limp on the ground. “Uh, are you okay?” asked Nasty as he gave Pureeey a few gentle kicks. “I guess he passed out or something. Come on, let’s go.”
“Are you crazy, Nasty?!” exclaimed BaconShelf. “There’s no way we’re going in there! It’s spooky as hell!”
“Yeah, and what about this guy?” asked Greene. “Something in there must have spooked him really bad.”
“We don’t have a choice!” exclaimed Officer Nasty.
“Come on, Nasty, there has to be another way.” Said Smiggles.
“No, there isn’t.” said Hawke. “Nasty’s right, this is the only way we can get to Destiny City. We’ve come this far already, there’s no way we’re turning back now!”
“Exactly, thank you Hawke.” said Officer Nasty. “We’ll be in and out quick and easy, all we have to do is move fast and don’t stop for anything. But first, let me open this.” Officer Nasty pulled out the mysterious envelope and gently opened it. “What the hell…” said Officer Nasty as he looked inside. He reached into the package and revealed a single piece of burnt toast, buttered on only one side. “Is this some kind of joke?”
Officer Nasty scoffed and threw the toast on the ground, which became food for the ants below.
“Alright then, let’s go. Remember what I said: [i]Don’t stop for anything.[/i]”
The group continued walking through the dark, constricted path. The darkness made it difficult for them to see much of anything around them, as they found out that tripping over tree roots became a real nuisance. Officer Nasty checked his watch, realizing that they’ve been walking for over an hour. They continued down the path for a little bit longer, until Officer Nasty began slowing in front of them. He noticed that the dirt path stopped a little ways ahead. As he inched closer towards the end, he realized that the path begins to gradually slope downwards, leading to a distant patch of light in the darkness. “Look at that, we made it!” said Officer Nasty triumphantly. “The exit is near.”
BaconShelf gave out a sigh of relief. “Guess this wasn’t too bad after all.”
Officer Nasty led the group’s descent to the exit, but stopped when he noticed a note on the ground. He crouched down and picked it up, which read “Look down.”
“Shit, look out!” exclaimed Smiggles.
There was a loud whooshing sound all around them, and a figure was seen sprinting in the woods. As Officer Nasty tried to move, a snare tightened and took him off his feet, causing him to bang his head onto the root of a tree. Seconds later, the snare was hauled upwards which took Officer Nasty with it as he hung six feet above the ground. His vision was blurred from the fall and he could feel the blood rushing to his head.
“Hold on Nasty, we’re gonna help you!” exclaimed Hawke.
The group all grabbed Officer Nasty and tried to pull him down, but he was too high for their reach.
“We need to find where that rope is tied and cut it!” exclaimed BaconShelf. “Everyone search nearby!”
They began to scan the area, until the mysterious figure appeared out of the darkness, which made them stop in their places. He was a tall, lanky humanoid wearing a burlap sack over his head, and a glove with five needles containing glowing yellow liquid on his left hand.
“What do you want with us?!” questioned Greene.
The man raised his hand and spread his fingers outwards. “I want to feel your fear…”
He vanished into the darkness and began phasing through the forest around them.
“Let the darkness enfold you.” said the mysterious figure, followed by a maniacal laugh.
“Come on out and fight like a man!” commanded BaconShelf.
“BaconShelf, stop! We have to save Nasty and get the hell out of here!” exclaimed Hawke.
BaconShelf turned around and was met face to face with the man, locking eyes with him; all he could see was darkness and dread. The man grabbed BaconShelf’s neck, pulled him closer, and whispered, “I can taste your fear.” He lifted BaconShelf off the ground and tossed him with considerable strength, causing him to land under the dangling Officer Nasty.
“You son of a bitch!” exclaimed Hawke as he bolted towards the man and attempted to tackle him, but was met with a kick to the gut.
“Fools, you stand no match against the Scarecrow.”
Scarecrow delivered another blow to Hawke, this time to his face, breaking his nose.
BaconShelf rolled on his back and felt the barrel of Officer Nasty’s .44 magnum under him, which fell out when he was strung up. He grabbed the revolver, aimed, and fired at Scarecrow, connecting with his right arm. He let out a scream of agonizing pain and darted into the forest, followed by the warning, “This isn’t the last you’ve seen of me!”
Smiggles and Greene ran towards the ailing Hawke and helped him to his feet.
“Shit, you’re bleeding a lot.” Said Greene.
“Ah, I’m fine, ‘tis but a scratch!” said Hawke. “We need to get Nasty down.”
They continued to search for where the rope was tied, eventually found by Smiggles on a nearby branch.
“Guys, I found the rope!” she exclaimed. “Stand under him while I cut it so you can catch him.”
Smiggles waited by the rope until the rest of the group readied themselves under Officer Nasty. They said “Ready” in unison, and she cut the rope, allowing Officer Nasty to fall into the hands of his awaiting friends. His vision was still strongly blurred, and he was dazed from hanging upside down for an extended period of time. Hawke and BaconShelf positioned themselves under each of his arms and supported him upright as they began inching towards the exit. “What happened…Where am I?” Questioned Officer Nasty, and he could faintly see the light coming from the opening become stronger.
“We were ambushed,” said Hawke. “I’ll explain to you later.”
[url=http://www.bungie.net/7_Chapter-Five-Darkness-in-Destiny-City-Attack-of-th/en/Forum/Post?id=63649315#referred-AttackoftheAlts]Chapter Five: Darkness in Destiny City[/url]
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I love these stories!