> Half Life: Equestria > by Marc Moses > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > the arrival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Princess Luna, even though she raises and lowers the moon, was an employee at Black Mesa. Princess Cadence while she spreads her love and brightens everyone's day, also was an employee. Her sister Princess Celestia's voice came through the intercom saying, "Princess Luna and Princess Cadence, you are required in the anomalous materials control room." A guard pony who was waiting for them said, "Good morning, Princesses. It looks like you two are right on time today." "Perhaps you were dazzled by our beautiful looks." Princess Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice echoed and the guard pony shook in his hooves a little bit. "Oh yeah I was dazzled," the guard said. "Good looking and friendly. Everypony in the facilities are going to love you." "Indeed," Princess Luna replied after lowering the volume of her voice. After he stopped shaking, The guard pony smiled and said, "Please follow me." Princess Luna said, "Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm." The princesses head in, signed their names into the employee sign in sheet, went through the scanning process, and headed straight for the control room. When they got there, their boss greeted them saying, "Good morning, Princesses, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are running late. Princess Luna, I need you to get the testing samples from the storage and bring it to the freight elevator, and Princess Cadence, I want you to head in to the test chamber and start the machine." Princess Luna said, "We will do what you ask and we won't fail." > the arrival part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were on their way to the security complex in Black Mesa to meet their co-workers when their train passed by the cutie mark crusaders. "Scootaloo is back from her training. That's AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy said, "I'm sure they'll be okay." Rainbow Dash said, "I would love to see them with their cutie marks after doing extreme science." Fluttershy said "I do too, but we have our jobs to do." They arrived at their destination, flew out the doors of the train, and were knocking on the malfunctioning doors to the security complex. A guard pony heard them and she said, "Hold on a minute, the door is not responding to your Pass ID. Let me see if i can get it open on this side." So the guard pony tried her side and the door would not open. Rainbow Dash said, "Try it again, ma'am, we are not in a hurry." The guard pony tried the door again and the door opened. The guard pony said, "Sorry about that, Rainbow Dash, we've been having problems all over the facility this morning." Rainbow Dash asked, "So what has happened since we got here? The guard pony said, "System crashes, plus the security malfunctions. Other than that, it's a wonder this facility hasn't shut down yet. Rainbow Dash asked, "Is this some kind of joke? The guard pony answered, "No, Rainbow Dash, it's very serious. My advice to you is to report to Sapphire Shores." Rainbow Dash obeyed the guard as she and Fluttershy went downstairs. There they met Sapphire Shores who said, "I heard what was going on about the problems with the access system. I hope you 2 are ready for a long shift." Rainbow Dash said, "Don't worry about us. We were always ready and we always will be." Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy headed straight to the locker room. > the arrival part 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Just look the size of this place." Applebloom said as the cutie mark crusaders arrived the Equestrian styled Black Mesa transit system. "Where's Sector C?" " I asked a guard pony and he said that we need to go past the mountains and past the slime," Scootaloo said as she checked the map of the Black Mesa facility. "How long have we been here?" "Let's see," Sweetie Belle said. "We spent all day and half the night training and we passed the training. So it's been 48 hours since we joined." "Well, What in the hay are we waiting for," Applebloom shouted, "Let's earn our cutie marks!!" Their train arrived and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were filled with joy as they hopped on the train. They passed by Scootaloo's mentor who was still knocking. They saw scientists who were walking, working, reading the foal free press, and even enjoying breakfast at restaurants. After they left their level 3 dormitories, they passed by an area where they saw mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, gardens, Valleys and fields. They passed above the slime and they arrived at the sector C test labs and control facilities. That was when a security guard approached the train and said, "Morning, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Looks like you're running late." The guard pony escorted them to the door while Sweetie Belle said, "I can't wait to get started on doing extreme science. Scootaloo, what do you think we could do?" Scootaloo said in reply, "How about we sing after the experiment? I would bet everyone would like that if they survive." Applebloom said to Scootaloo, "You got a deal!" They get to the door and the guard pony entered the code and Sweetie Belle and her friends went in. When they got into the facility another guard at the desk greeted them saying, "Hey Ms. Belle, I had a bunch of messages for you and your friends, but we had a system crash about 20 minutes ago, and I'm still trying to find my files. It's just going to be one of those days I guess." She looked down at the papers on her desk, and she looked back at Sweetie Belle saying, "They were having some problems down in the test chamber too, but that's all straightened out now. They wanted you, Applebloom, and Scootaloo to get down to the test chamber as soon as you got into your hazard dresses." Sweetie Belle bowed her head and said, "Thank you." Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle were in the halls to the locker room when 1 of their co-workers greeted them with respect. he said, "Good morning, Sweetie Belle." Sweetie Belle said, "Good morning, sir, I hope you are ready for the test results when they come." The scientist pony said, "I wouldn't miss it as long as I survive." When the got into the locker room, a scientist said, "Why do we all have to wear these ridiculous ties?" "No idea," Scootaloo replied as they got into their hazard dresses, "Try asking Pinkie Pie because she thought of the idea of making employees wear ties." On their way to the control room, they heard Princess Celestia's voice on the intercom saying, "Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle, report to the test chamber." > working together as security guards > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was getting her security vest on and headed down to the cafés and Fluttershy followed her. They headed down the stairs and ordered food for themselves before work when one of Rainbow Dash's co-workers said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" "Yeah," Rainbow Dash said in reply, "I'm thinking about the specimen cart in the test chamber that the cutie mark crusaders are trying to analyse. This is going to be so awesome once we get the results." Another one of Rainbow Dash's co-workers said, "I just hope it's not another drill because if it is I will rage." Rainbow Dash said, "I assure you it's not going to happen at any time." While Rainbow Dash was eating, A scientist pony walked to a guard pony and said, "I can't access my files, I can't answer my mail, and I have not been able to get into my office." The guard pony said, "I know, sir, we are doing everything we can to get the problem under control. Just give us some time and--" The scientist pony cut her off saying, "Time? I don't have any time. If I don't get my report to the Princess in the next hour, my job will be in serious jeopardy. And I will make sure I’m not the only 1 who gets sent to the moon." Fluttershy was shocked at what the scientist pony said. Rainbow Dash heard the whole thing, but was busy enjoying breakfast. > working together as store clerks > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity even though she is a fashion designer in Equestria has got a job at the food store in black mesa. Pinkie Pie even though she plans parties and make everyone smile worked alongside rarity. They had gone to great lengths to be store clerks and Pinkie Pie was making money by ringing up items. Rarity was also making money when she sneezed and dust flew in the air. She said, "Of all the worst things that can happen, this is the WORST POSSIBLE THING! What? Can't a lady sneeze while working?" Upon hearing this, Pinkie Pie said, "Bless you Rarity, that was a big sneeze." Rarity answered in reply, "Thanks, Pinkie Pie, and yes it was a really big sneeze. Next pony in line." > applejack trying to control herself > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Applejack was in the break room listening to music that was amplifying from the speakers when she broke the glass to the snack machines and grabbed some snacks out saying, "Yeah, this is more than perfect." She sat at a table that was below a security camera and she drank soda and ate candy, Danish, and Chex Mix. "Dang it, I think I ate too much." She said as she stood up from where she was sitting, looked at the security camera and belched, and passed gas. A pony from the crowd said, "SAY EXCUSE ME WHEN YOU DO THAT!" "Excuse me," Applejack blushed and laughed as everyone was getting ready to hold their noses with their hooves before the smell came. She got over her embarrassment after everyone was holding their noses with their hooves while they were dancing to their music. > working together as scientists > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cutie Mark Crusaders were headed towards the control room with 3 scientists. When they got through the doors, one scientist pony said, "Hey, Cutie Mark Crusaders! We just sent the sample down to the test chamber." The second scientist pony said, "We boosted the spectrometer to 105%. A bit of a gamble but we needed the extra resolution." The third scientist pony said, "The Princess is very concerned that we get a conclusive analysis of today's sample. I gather she went to some lengths to get it." The first scientist pony said, "They're waiting for you three in the test chamber." The Cutie Mark Crusaders were shown to the door that leads to the test chamber. The first scientist pony said, "Testing, testing... everything seems to be in order." The second scientist pony said, "All right, Sweetie Belle, you and your friend's dresses should keep you comfortable through all this. the specimen would be deliver to you in a few moments. If you would climb up and start the rotors we could bring the anti mass spectrometer to 80% and hold it there until the carrier arrives." > the actual experiment > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Princess Luna and Princess Cadence had been granted access to the underside of the test chamber. Cadence accidentally turned the spectrometer to 110%. The scientist pony in one of the control rooms said, "We'll take it from here." Princess Cadence said, "What have we done?" Princess Luna said, "Just listen to what's going on upstairs." The scientist pony said, "Power to stage 1 emitters in three, two, one." A yellow beam shot into the anomalous array lighting the chamber. The princesses saw the beam shoot down in the glass and they looked on the view-screen and see the barrels rotate. The princesses heard the same scientist pony say, "I'm seeing a predictable phase array." A moment later, they heard the third scientist pony say, "Stage 2 emitters activating, now." The barrels that were rotating, shot electricity into the beam and into the glass. The second scientist pony said, "Sweetie Belle, we cannot predict how long the system can operate at this level, nor how long the readings will take. We are asking you and your friends to please work as quickly as you can." The third scientist pony said, "Overhead capacitors to 105%. Uh, it's probably not a problem, but I'm showing full discrepancy." The first scientist pony said, "Well, no it's well within acceptable bounds, and we are sustaining the sequence." Princess Cadence turned to Princess Luna and said, "They are going to get themselves killed." Princess Luna said, "We can't interrupt the test because the cart is above us now." > power fails > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were headed passed the front desk when they heard Princess Celestia's voice over the intercom, "Power management personnel, please report to areas 3, 5, and 8 to fix the power terminal." Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy also heard their dispatcher Sapphire Shores say, "Looks like they're having some problems with the main access lift in sector G. Why don't you two go and see what you can do?" Rainbow Dash said,"I don't about Fluttershy, But for me, danger is my middle name." Sapphire Shores turned to Fluttershy saying, "Fluttershy, I want you to sound the alarms for when the aliens appear so you can stand behind the one of the desks." Fluttershy was shaking in her hooves when she said. "I'm just scared of hurting those creatures, but I'll be glad to sound the alarms when the aliens show up." Fluttershy was still shaking as if it was cold even though Black Mesa is kept at 68 degrees at all times. "Have you been drinking this morning?" Sapphire Shores asked. Fluttershy said, "No. Not at all." "You sure about that honey?" Sapphire Shores asked. Fluttershy said, "Yes ma'am." She stopped shaking and remained calm. Rainbow Dash thought of going but then she said, "On second thought, I'll stay here." > resonance cascade parts 1&2 combined > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle said to her friends, "Scootaloo, Applebloom, are you ready to do this?" They answered at the same time saying that they were ready and they pushed the cart into the anomalous array. Princess Luna looked away from the view-screen and said, "They pushed the cart in so quickly. The debris is about to hit us so we better get out of the way." The power turned green and the beam struck everywhere and there were several explosions that followed above and below the test chamber. The Cutie Mark Crusaders got away from the beam just like the scientist pony instructed. The princesses under the exploding test chamber got away from the falling debris that was right above their heads. In the test chamber, the Cutie Mark Crusaders checked their work. While they were doing that their cutie marks appeared. “YAY!! OUR CUTIE MARKS APPEARED!! WE ARE SCIENTISTS!!" the Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed at the top of their lungs, their screams of happiness echoing. > evacuation part 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Princess Luna and Princess Cadence felt the tremor, heard the alarms, and saw the explosion under the test chamber. "Perhaps the experiment didn't go right." Princess Cadence said as looked terrified, and Princess Luna sighed and said, "It's not the experiment, it's a resonance cascade! Let us make a run for it!" They ran back to the control room, but on their way, they see aliens appear so they used the elements of harmony against them. Princess Cadence screamed, "How many of these things are there?" Princess Luna used her magic while saying, "Enough to prevent us from getting to the control room!" They finally got to the control room after a wave of aliens that had blocked their path were destroyed and went to the escalator that would take them upstairs. > evacuation part 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle looked at the destroyed test chamber, and heard the alarms. "It was worth it. Wait a second, is this a resonance cascade or is it something we did?" Scootaloo asked. Sweetie Belle replied, "It's a resonance cascade. This place is a mess and We have to get out of here. Hey, that's the door we came in from. Now that the glass is broken, the way out is extremely easy." Applebloom said, "Let's get to that door while we have a chance." The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran past broken and destroyed machinery. "We need to inform Rainbow Dash about our cutie marks." Scootaloo said. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle said at the same time, "AGREED." They laughed at how they sounded as everything behind them blew up. Luckily the cutie mark crusaders weren't harmed. > evacuation part 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack and the other ponies saw the aliens and heard the alarms in the break room. The music stopped and the ponies were screaming while evacuating. While they were doing that Applejack yelled out, "APPLEBLOOM!!" Applejack ran out of the break room and that was when an alien grunt appeared, picked up and threw Applejack across the hallway with its claws. Applejack rose up, and with her head down ran towards the alien grunt and headbutts the creature knocking it to the floor. After she knocked the creature to the floor, she shot it before it could get up saying, "Now that's more like it!" Applejack got more snacks and soda while the alarms were still sounding. After she did that a headcrab appeared and Applejack destroyed it with her hoof. She emptied the machines by taking the snacks and soda out, she puts them in her backpack, and heads for the surface. > evacuation part 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash heard the alarm and she said, "Time to take out the adorable trash!" She got out her weapon and flew at top speed holding her weapon in her hooves. She flew to where Fluttershy and Sapphire Shores were and saw that they were busy evacuating everyone from their rooms while Fluttershy yelled while shooting her weapon at the aliens, "You're going to LOVE ME!!" The aliens fell on their backs, sides, and on their stomachs. "Oh, my," Fluttershy said. "Who's going to clean up the bodies?" "There's no time," Sapphire Shores said. "We need to get out of here. Don't stick your hoof in those dead bodies. That's trifling. We could have Equestria Defense Force soldiers coming to secure the facilities." And Princess Celestia's voice said over the intercom, "Security personnel, please report to sector C immediately." Upon hearing this, Fluttershy, Sapphire Shores, and Rainbow Dash headed to where the Cutie Mark Crusaders are. They picked up Sapphire Shores, because the transit system was out, and flew to sector C. > united at last > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- When they got to sector C, they heard more alarms nearby, joyful screams of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and explosions in the distance. Rainbow Dash said, "Looks like the Cutie Mark Crusaders are having a grand old time even though this sector blew up." "YAY!! THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST SCIENTISTS EVER!!" They heard them scream again, plus another explosion. Princess Celestia's voice was heard on the intercom, "All science personnel, evacuate sector C immediately." Rainbow dash, Sapphire Shores, and Fluttershy heard the Cutie Mark Crusaders singing Hearts Strong as Horses as they came closer. "Did you get your cutie marks already?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes," Scootaloo said, still laughing at how funny she and her friends sounded when their voices echoed. "We earned it by doing extreme science, but we caused an explosion while doing it." They showed their cutie marks to Rainbow Dash, who yelled, "WHAT THE-?!" Her voice echoed in the hallway that they were in. This time the explosions were two feet away, and That made everyone laugh. Princess Luna and Princess Cadence came up the walkway. While they were walking they stopped in front of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Princess Cadence said, "I hope we're not interrupting anything important." "You're not interrupting anything at all, Cadence. We were just laughing at how our voices sounded." Sweetie Belle said. Princess Luna knowing that she wanted to get out of the exploding sector said, "We must leave this sector because I think this sector is unsafe and we must find Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity." Everyone agreed and they set off to find Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. > two ladies together and afraid > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity was running when she saw a bullsquid. She thought it was a crocodile so she said, "Oh! A CROCODILE!!" She ran back to the mess hall, the bull squid followed, and Rarity was screaming. She kept running until she bumped into Pinkie Pie and she followed Rarity and they were both running from the bullsquid until Pinkie Pie touched the hanging tongue of a barnacle and she was being lifted up. When she got to the barnacle, she hits it with a crowbar and she broke free even though the drop would hurt. So Rarity provided boxes for Pinkie Pie to land on, and Pinkie Pie's fall was cushioned. But it was not long before the bullsquid caught up with Rarity and it tossed her around so many times and she lays on the ground Dragging herself on the clean floor as she grabbed her weapon and shot the bullsquid with a shotgun. The bullsquid died and Rarity got up after a few minutes and Pinkie Pie was with her. "Take that, you ruffian!" she yelled at her kill as she polished her nails. Rarity went to find her little sister but, As she walked past, she heard alarms. She said, "Oh no, don't tell me we've been attacked. Of all the worst that can happen, this is THE WORST POSSIBLE THING!!" She really was worried about Sweetie Belle and what would happen to her. Pinkie Pie looked at Rarity and said, "We don't have much time. We need to find our friends and get to the surface." > infestation termination, and a second job for the cutie mark crusaders > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity met with her sister and her friends at the surface and The EDF soldiers came and they took the group and Rarity to their base at the lambda complex. When they got there, the place had broken machines, and a huge infestation of aliens. They destroyed the aliens that became a threat to the lambda complex and kept fighting on using their weapons and the elements of harmony. When all the aliens were destroyed, a government pony appeared. Sapphire Shores asked, "Does anyone know this pony?" While everyone was shocked, the government pony walked over to Sweetie Belle and her friends and said, "Cutie Mark Crusaders in the flesh, or rather in those hazard dresses. I took the liberty of relieving you 3 of your weapons. Most of them were government property. As for the dresses, I think you earned those." All three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed, "YAY!!" The government pony continued saying, "You 3 have proven yourselves to be decisive young ladies so much that I have a job for you if you are interested just say that you are ready and I will take that as a yes." Sweetie Belle said in reply, "We will accept the job and we are always ready for anything." The government pony said, "Wisely done, Ms. Belle, I will see you and your friends up ahead." Rainbow dash was amazed saying, "You got another job? Awesome!! what is your next assignment?" Sweetie Belle answered, "City 17."