//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 We Don't Go To Ravenholm... // Story: Black Bloom 2 // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 6: "We Don't Go To Ravenholm..." As they entered Ravenholm, Gordon asked, “Do you know anything about this place?” Jacob sighed. “Yes. Ravenholm remained under the radar for some time. But eventually it was discovered by the Combine. They destroyed the town with a massive Headcrab Shell bombardment, causing the town to become completely overrun with Headcrabs and Zombies. I can’t remember when it happened, but it was years ago before you two arrived in City 17.” Apple Bloom trembled in fear. “Those poor people.” She looked at the sign on the ground. A Zombie awoke. Gordon, throw an explosive barrel at him. He entered a house filled with saw-blades and propane cylinders. The saws were very useful against Zombies. Jacob and Apple Bloom followed him. She felt sorry for the victims, Zombies and citizens killed by the shells alike. Gordon took the lead, flashlight on, saw in midair with the gravity gun. They came to an activated Propeller trap. “For it was said, they had become like those peculiar demons, which dwell in matter but in whom no light may be found.” A man could be heard. “It seems that there is a survivor somewhere.” Jacob suspected. Two Zombies were killed by the trap. Crawling through, Apple Bloom could hear voices, screams, breathing, and crying of the deceased residents. What disturbed her even more, was that a child among the voices. She sobbed and breathed scared. She was startled by a Zombie moan in the distance. Jacob noticed this. “Shh, Apple Bloom, I am here for you.” He took her in his arm. “Ah… Ah just want to get out of this place.” Gordon switched another trap on. “For the days of my life have vanished like smoke, and my bones are parched like ash, and let all my impurities be as fuel for that fire until nothing remains but the Light alone.” Headcrabs and Zombies died as they touched the trap. After activating another trap, they came to a barren street with a large pile of ashes and large metal poles with bodies stabbed through from the top. Apple Bloom threw up and looked away. Burning Zombies approached them but a man on a platform took care of them while laughing insane. “But who is this? Another life to save? I’ll keep my eye on you. More than that, I cannot promise.” Two Zombies broke through a door. Jacob backed away while firing, killing one. Gordon killed the other with a saw. Inside the house where the Zombies came out were supplies and a trapped Zombie. Gordon turned a while Propane tank on and used a red switch. The Zombie raised his arms as he burned. Turning off a second Propane trap, a group of Zombies surprised them at an electric trap, with a burned corpse stuck to it. Gordon retreated with Jacob to the Propane trap to activate it again. “There must be a switch to deactivate the electric trap.” Gordon walked into the building, where the piles of ashes were. Inside, he fought more Zombies. He heard a strange noise. A thick black headcrab attacked him. “Warning! Blood-toxin levels detected!” Gordon felt much better, after Morphine was administrated. “You better keep that mask on. Those black Headcrabs are venomous.” “I won’t take it off.” Gordon turned the trap off. The rooftops were free from Zombies and Headcrabs. Again, there was insane laugher. “Well done, brothers and sister! Make free use of my traps, but take care not to fall in them yourselves. Look out, brother! Behind you!” The man shot a Headcrab that was about to attack Jacob. “In Ravenholm, you do well to be vigilant.” Jacob inspected the Headcrab. It had thinner legs. “This is also the fast variant of the Headcrabs. Good that we had only normal Headcrabs to fight in Black Mesa.” Moving into the street where a car trap was, Gordon waited until the Zombies were under the shadow of the car then activated it. The result was… crushing. One trap was used as elevator to get on the rooftops again. “Better and better! I am Father Grigori! You have already met my *laughs* congregation.” He laughed in a crazy manner. In a house, Apple Bloom was almost hit by a bullet. “Ah, it is you, sister! I apologize! But no harm done. My bullets are the least of your concerns.” He laughed while leaving. Jacob shot two Poison Headcrabs. For a Ghost Town, ammo for the MP7 was plentiful. Father Grigori threw a Zombie out of the window. “Although they call me crazy I care not, for thou art my helper, my strength, and my saviour.” On the street, Apple Bloom was startled by howling. Gordon saw some Zombies in the distance. One of them attacked him with a scream. Gordon fired his MP7 at the Zombie, killing him. The Zombie was stripped completely of his skin and most of his internal organs; bones and muscle tissue were clearly visible throughout the host's body. The Headcrab was shot off. The face was a bald, flayed skull with empty eye sockets, frozen in mid-scream. “Frightening. This must be the Zombie version of a Fast Headcrab.” “Agreed.” Jacob comforted Apple Bloom. On a roof, they met Father Grigori again. “Here, brother! Come closer.” Gordon obeyed. “You’re stirred up Hell! A man after my own heart!” He laughed. “Here, I have a more suitable gun for you. You’ll need it. Catch!” Father Grigori threw a shotgun to Gordon. “Good. Now keep it close. My advice to you is…aim for the head! Hush! They come!” There is no rest in Ravenholm. Move on and I will meet you at the church!” A Fast Zombie jumped on the roof. Gordon killed it in midair. At an elevator, more Fast Zombies attacked. The shotgun took care of them with ease. Outside was a bloated, reddish purple Zombie controlled by a Poison Headcrab. He had additional Poison Headcrabs on his back. He had a stooped posture and shuffling gait and emitted loud, strangulated breathing and muffled groans. He threw a Headcrab at Apple Bloom but Jacob used his Stun Stick to kill it in midair. It was an instant kill, equal to Gordons crowbar. They killed the Zombie with their combined firepower of shotgun and MP7. The Poison Zombie emitted loud, whale-like howls as he took damage. It let out a laugh after dying, as if was relieved to finally die. “That was close. I don’t want that you get poisoned, Apple Bloom.” She just trembled in fear. Gordon used a Propeller trap as normal Zombies, a Poison Zombie and a fast Zombie came. The trap broke. As the situation was bad, Gordon used an explosive barrel to kill the Poison Zombie before it could do any damage, while Jacob eliminated the Fast Zombies. With the gravity gun, the fallen blade was used against the normal Zombies. However, a Poison Headcrab survived. He bite Apple Bloom's wound from behind. Jacob killed it. “I don’t feel so well. So…tired…” Apple Bloom felt dizzy. “No, stay with me! Jacob panicked. Gordon found a medkit. The antidote defeated the neurotoxin in her bloodstream. “Much better.” On a roof, Father Grigori helped them against a pack of Fast Zombies. “How came you here, brothers and sister? This is the wrong side of Town for you! Did I not tell you to seek the church? Mend your ways, before it is too late!” They fought their way to the church through all kind of Headcrabs and Zombies. “Ah, there you are! At last! I will send the cart for you, brothers and sister. It will be but a moment. Patience, brothers and sister! Guard yourselves well!” The howling of Fast Zombies could be heard in the distance. Jacob sat Apple Bloom down. He covered the right gutter, Gordon the other. As the Zombies were only one at a time, it was easy. The cart arrived. “Now, brothers and sister! Step into the cart! The hand-brake brother! Release it and come down!” Said and done. “Greetings, brothers and sister! And so we meet at last. You are to be commended for avoiding my traps. The work of a man who once had too much time on his hands, and now finds time for nothing but the work of salvation. I suspect you have little wish to remain on Ravenholm, so I will show you to the mines. As for me… A shepherd must tend to his flock, especially when they have grown…unruly. Follow me. And tread lightly. For this is hallowed ground.” “We will Father Grigori”. Jacob had respect of the church. Following the priest to the mines, a pack of Fast Zombies attacked. “I will end your torment!” In the graveyard, Apple Bloom closed her eyes and covered her ears as multiple howls of Poison Zombies could be heard. “Aim for the head!” Grigori fired at incoming Standard Zombies. Gordon supported him with saws. A Zombie was cut in half but survived. Jacob finished it off with a kick to the head. “I still remember your true face!” By this comment, Jacob and Gordon knew that Grigori missed the human inhabitation of Ravenholm. Jacob tripped. Apple Bloom crawled backwards from a Zombie. However, Grigori killed him before he could harm her. “You meant no harm.” He opened a gate for them. “Hurry while I hold the gate!” They walked through the gate. “Farewell, Brothers and Sister! I fear I deliver you to a darker place. May the Light of Lights illuminate your path. Look to your own salvation!” He laughed in a crazed manner while fighting Zombies. The small group fought their way through the mines. Apple Bloom was glad to see light. “Finally, we’re out of this dark place!” “I need to rest a bit.” Jacob sat with Apple Bloom down. He took his mask off. “I never thought we would survive this.” He hugged Apple Bloom as Gordon killed a Fast Zombie. “Me too, Daddy! But Ah survived thanks to you!” Gordon smiled. The trip through Ravenholm took all his suit power but his health was at 100% thanks to the many Medkits in the Town. “Looks like we’re at the docks of Ravenholm. Let’s move.” He reloaded his shotgun. A blue Laser pointer was aimed at Zombies. He even shot a bird. Gordon threw a grenade in the window where the shooter was. “Shit!” The Sniper was thrown out of his nest. He wore a similar uniform as Jacob. He wore however a blue and grey camo body armor over his mid-sections with padding on his arms, thighs, and groin. His mask had blue googles. “This is the Overwatch Soldier, the basic transhuman infantry units of the Combine Overwatch, composing the backbone of the Combine's military presence on Earth as far as I know. Never thought, that the Snipers would take the doctrine ‘shoot anything that moves’ quite literally,” Jacob explained. Gordon scouted ahead to take out another Sniper. Up ahead, Soldiers were fighting stray Zombies that came out of Ravenholm. They defeated the Zombies but were weakened by them. Gordon killed them. He picked up a rifle. His HUD showed that it was an “Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifle." His suit allowed him to use it with only one hand. “Oh nice.” One Soldier was wearing a brown and red uniform and battle armor. His helmet was slightly darker than the average Overwatch Soldier, and had blood red/orange goggles. He also had an insignia on a red shoulder pad. It displayed a cracked human skull within a straightened up standard Combine “claw” symbol and City 17. “The Shotgun Soldiers appear to be the squad leaders of the normal Soldiers,” Jacob suspected. Apple Bloom trembled in his arm. “Ah had a nightmare about those guys.” “Shh, no tears, we will protect you.” Jacob patted her. At a warehouse, they encountered a squad of Soldiers. They saw only Gordon as enemy which was logical, as they thought that Jacob was chasing him, overlooking that a CP wasn't supposed to be here. Gordon noticed that the squad leader was charging at him, regardless that this was dangerous. The only Soldier left shouted, “Outbreak! Outbreak! Outbreak!” before he was killed by Gordon. “This means that he was the last member alive in the squad. I was also taught this in training,” Jacob explained as Gordon smiled at the automatic mechanism that reloaded his rifle. “I think I will call it AR2.” The Shotgun was apart from the crowbar, his favorite weapon, but the MP5 back in Black Mesa was a good-all-around weapon with the grenade launcher. Even 20 years later, he liked to use the MP7 and Shotgun but this new rifle was very powerful. In the warehouse, shots could be heard. Gordon entered it. Soldiers were fighting rebels. Gordon killed all Soldiers as they were distracted by the rebels. As the AR2 could only hold three magazines; it was the best weapon against Soldiers, as ammunition was plentiful, as Overwatch Soldiers used this rifle. Jacob took the MP7 ammo from the Soldiers that used the MP7. “Who’s hurt?” “Winston’s been hit.” He moaned in pain. “Patch him up and get him to the back as soon as he’s stable.” The leader turned to Freeman. “Gordon Freeman! It’s incredible you made it! We’ve been getting communications from Alyx. I’ll see if I can reach her again.” He was so excited that he didn’t noticed Jacob and Apple Bloom at first. “Follow me.” He knocked on a door. “It’s Leon. It’s all clear. And I’ve got Gordon Freeman and his two friends!” The door opened. “Dr. Freeman? You’re kidding. I’ve been on the line with Alyx. Her father’s been captured.” A nurse reported. “Over here.” “The Eli Vance is indispensable to the liberation,” A Vortigaunt said to Freeman. Leon used a radio with a small TV. “Alyx, its Leon, and I’ve got Gordon Freeman and his friends with me.” “Gordon, you made it through Ravenholm? Thank God! I need your help! They’re taken my father! He’s been taken to Nova Prospekt. The vortigaunts tracked the ship that made off with him and Judith Mossman. While the trains are still running, I’m going to hitch a ride. Here’s where you come in, Gordon. I need you to make your way along the coast until you get to Nova Prospekt. It used to be a high security prison-it’s something much worse than that now. But I think it’s still easier to sneak in than to break out.” “You want him to take the coast road? He won’t last five minutes on foot. It’s spawning season for the antlions.” “That’s why I called you, Leon. I was hoping you still had the scout car we left with you last summer. The one my Dad rigged with the tau cannon.” “Yeah! Good idea! Hold on a sec.” Leon changed the channel. “Noriko, bring the buggy out, put it on the dock right now. Gordon Freeman will be driving it!” “Will do! I just finished mounting an ammo crate on the back.” “Good timing. Okay, Alyx, we’re all set.” “Thanks, Leon. Gordon, I haven’t driven the coast road in over a year, but I have no reason to think it’s gotten any safer. Meet me in the depot where the trains unload. Take care of yourself and I’ll see you in Nova Prospekt. And Leon, take care of Apple Bloom and Jacob. Bye.” “Bye, Alyx.” He turned to Gordon. “Okay, Doc, before you hit the road, you might want to grab some medkits, restock on ammo, maybe check the map and see where you’re headed. There’s an ammo supply crate on the back of the car, if that’s any comfort.” He opened a door for him. “Stay with the car, make use of the thumpers, and you’ll stand a fair chance against the antlions. I’ll radio ahead and let the next base know you’re coming.” Gordon looked at a map. “That map is out of date, but you can still see more or less the route to Nova Prospekt. Can't vouch for the road, though. We've lost touch with some of the outposts,” Leon explained. Gordon left. “I’ll take you to the crew quarters. Follow me. It’s really incredible that you’re really made it.” Leon leaded them upstairs. “Ah am just glad that we’re out of Ravenholm.” Apple Bloom was still a little bit in shock. The crew quarters were empty. Jacob sat Apple Bloom on a mattress. “We should rest. This was an exhausting day.” Jacob took his mask off for sleep. “Right Daddy, Ah need some sleep.” She snuggled herself in Jacobs arms and chest, drifting off to sleep with a sigh. Jacob heart melted. “Goodnight.” He whispered in her ear. Apple Bloom dreamed that she was in a tram. “Please keep your limbs inside the train at all times. Fasten your seatbelts, and do not feed the rabid monkey.” The intercom spoke. “What?” “Do not attempt to open the doors until the train has come to a complete halt at the station platform.” “Must've been mah imagination...” “Failure to comply may result in limb loss...” “Huh?” “...termination of your pass for the transit system...” “Ugh...” “...and a one-way ticket to the principal's office.” “Principal's office? What?” “In the event of an emergency, ignore it, and it will pass.” “What the HAY?” “Passengers are to remain seated and await further instructions should the emergency continue.” Apple Bloom cleared her throat “Ugh...” “If it is necessary to exit the train, each man for himself...” “What the h...?!” “...and the disabled personnel may wait behind and pray for a miracle.” “SON OF A DODO!” Apple Bloom could not believe what she just heard. She looked out of the window. In the Distance she could see how Gordon was fighting Soldiers. “Okay suppressive fire in, suppressive fire out, do the hokey pokey, and that's what it's all about!” He complained stressed. She couldn’t help but giggle. But the helicopter that Gordon shot down made a strange sound. It was like the sound of Artillery. Then a loud bang. She woke up. “Combine Soldiers! Run for your life!” a Rebel shouted. The Combine attacked again, this time with a bigger force. Jacob was knocked out. Leon ran in. “Follow me, quick! He shouted as a grenade was thrown in. Apple Bloom's eyes began to tear. “Mah eyes!” “Tear gas!” He grabbed her to bring her out of the room. At a door that leaded to the upper section of the warehouse he said, “Head to the roof!” He held the door to prevent the Soldiers from entering. Apple Bloom ran for her life and hides herself in a small box room. The Soldiers broke through, killing Leon. But he managed to hurt a Shotgun Soldier. He was hit in the head but still able to fight. Still, the Soldier had a flashback of his life before he was a member of Overwatch. He was defending himself, until he had to surrender as he was surrounded. Then, he was brought into a room where he was transformed into a squad leader, because the Combine realized how versatile of a fighter he was. Still he had a mission to do. Instead of a SPAS-12, he used an AR2, as he preferred Rifles, which was a leftover of his old personality. He gave his Soldiers a sign to move forward. Apple Bloom was cowering in fear, tears leaving her eyes. “There’s no point in hiding! You have no chance of escape! You’re surrounded! Get out of there!” An Overwatch Soldier kicked the door open and aimed at her. “Ah surrender, don’t shoot! Please!” She begged for her life. “Freeze! Get on the ground, do it now!” He screamed. She obeyed. “Overwatch, mission was a success.” “Copy that, Squad leader 1821225. Get the prisoner for questioning to the Citadel. And bring the officer for medical attention to the hospital.” “Copy that.” Apple Bloom was restrained and brought into a Dropship, off to the Citadel. Strange. Why have I the feeling that she is familiar to me? He thought as she was brought away.