//------------------------------// // Chapter 32: Fated Outcomes // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// A wistful wild wind blew by the hospital, rattling its exterior with fright. The night filled the air with dropping temperatures, even the hospital’s interior started to chill. Enzo looked up at the tantalizing breezes flushing by his window. He rubbed his eyes and coughed a bit. ‘I’m not catching a cold on top of all this, am I?’ Enzo shuffled in his green bed sheets checking for the right position. The pain from long before had numbed away and the black stallion could finally start to feel his leg again. “Only a night and a half and I’m already recovering quickly,” he said eagerly. “Could that be due to my origin as a non-inhabitant of this place? My darker blood?” A knock startled Enzo. “Come in!” he said in defense. The knocking only increased. “Who is it?” More knocks. ‘If it’s another one of my rivals...’ The door busted open and Vice waltzed in with a stumble. “Vice-” Enzo gasped and sat up with haste. Vice tilted and swayed as he walked. His movements were slow, but erratic. The pegasus limped up next to Enzo’s bed and smirked before falling over. Vice hit the ground and a sickening splat was heard. Blackish red blood spread on the ground. “Hey, Enzo.” Enzo was speechless. On the ground, lifeless before him, was Vice bloodied from every angle. His wings lay torn and mutilated, metal rods shot out and his brown feathers mixed with staining blood. Stab marks were located everywhere, the pony kept on bleeding. “Heh, half this blood ain’t even mine,” Vice said with a gruesome coughing choke. More blood poured out his mouth. “I did it. I killed them.” “What-” “I. Killed. Them,” Vice repeated sinisterly. “I killed them...” Tears started to roll down his eyes. “Dammit.” He closed his eyes and started shaking intensely. “I didn’t do it!” “Vice, I don’t understand,” Enzo said gritting his teeth. “What the hell did you do to yourself!” “I went in the forest,” Vice said now in a whisper. “Just now…and I tried to take them all on. I tried, I did. I tried and I got far.” He coughed up more blood. “But not far enough. I killed the henchmen, Enzo. Just the small guys not the big bosses. I murdered ruthlessly again just like in the past. I’m still that same killer inside.” “No, you’re wrong. We’ve changed-I can’t believe-” Enzo started choking on his words. “Don’t die.” “Hey, if I die, I’ll die knowing I took some of those bastards with me. That’s just less asshole for you to deal with. The ultimate sacrifice-” “You idiot! You took lives for your own? That doesn’t solve anything!” Enzo said with pained frustration. “Why...” At this moment, another figure had entered the room. “Enzo, your friend-hey! I need a doctor in here!” A pristine pony had closed in on the scene and hesitated. “Gray Sh-Patch?” Enzo said. “Not now. We’ll discuss later. Right now he needs help or he will die,” Gray Patch said. “...shit.” He shook his head and looked up for some sort of hope before picking up Vice. Blood stained the stallion’s clothes, but Gray Patch shrugged off the feeling. “I’ll get him to safety, just stay put.” Enzo watched with that helpless feeling as Gray Patch exited the room leaving a trail of blood behind. Vice shivered in the hooves of his carrier. He watched the hospital lights flitter into blurred specks. The flickering went on and on until he finally blacked out. The darkness consumed his vision. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Will he be alright?” “Yes, that is what the doctors said, but he lost a lot of blood.” Enzo slumped with defeat into his bed. “Nothing but trouble.” He felt a surging rage burning inside him. “All that he does is trouble...” “I will agree it was unwise to venture into that alone,” Gray Patch said. “But he made his point. We must deal with these...undesirables as soon as possible.” He frowned and wiped a splotch of blood from his suit. “Rather unfortunate that he bled all over me, but I did what was necessary.” Gray Patch peered around cautiously. “Perhaps now I can retire to my other outfit. This one has proved its purpose.” He reached for his own mustache, but stopped as the door swung open. “Mister Enzo, Mister Gray Patch!” Clyde came running through and stopped at the sight of Gray Patch. “What happened?” Enzo did not dare to speak, but Gray Patch took initiative. “Mister Vice has been severely injured. From what I could tell, his wings were badly damaged and he had cuts all over his body. The reason, you may ask?” Gray Patch walked closer to Clyde. “It is with the forest.” Clyde’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And just how do you know that, Mister Gray Patch? You seem to know awfully a lot about what’s going on.” Both Gray Patch and Enzo exchange looks, but had the tension break as Clyde sighed. “Never mind that. This is just more reason for me to investigate and more reason for me to be ashamed of my duties.” “Clyde-” “No! I am the protector of Ponyville and I just let another pony get hurt. On my watch, I swear I’m going to end this madness tonight,” Clyde said with passion. “Well now, we are all upset about this predicament,” Gray Patch said. “But that should not be an impulse to charge right in.” “Mister Gray Patch, I appreciate your concern,” Clyde said. “But a few other guards and I are well beyond combat training.” “You don’t know what you're getting yourself into-” “How do you know, Mister Gray Patch, how? Why are you so mysterious?” “Trust me, Clyde.” At this point, a short popping sound erupted from Gray Patch’s mouth. His mustache suddenly removed itself from its owner and made a departure for the ground. Landing with a disappointing thud, Clyde’s eyes widened in shock. “Blasphemy!” Within seconds, Clyde had shifted his body and rammed the unmasked pony. Gray Patch was sent tumbling into the wall, breaking multiple tiles and decorations along the way. He grunted in pain as he sat motionless in a pile of rubble. “You sir, Mister Gray Patch, sir! You have broken the sacred mustache law!” Clyde said with tears in his eyes. “How could you do such a horrible thing. That fake representation of potent masculinity is beyond an atrocity. You bring shame to the mustache code and therefore must be punished.” Clyde reared himself and started charging towards the downed Gray Patch. “Clyde, wait!” Gray Patch said holding up his freed, bandaged hoof. “Prepare yourself for to receive judgment for your sins!” The two collided and Enzo watched mouth wide open. Clyde was stopped dead in his tracks; Gray Patch had materialized a blade through his bandaged arm at the hoof. It shined inches away from Clyde’s throat. “Stop.” Clyde shook his head before retreating back. “What in Celestia...” Gray Patch stood up and unraveled his bandaged arm. A shining gold stump replaced his hoof with multiple attachments crawling into the wrist. From the end, a silver blade ran from the golden device. “So then, Enzo, it seems fate has revealed me. There’s no hiding it now.” A puff of smoke appeared from under Gray Patch. The two ponies waited with anticipation for the smoke to clear. Barely audible sounds were heard before the gray cloud disappeared. Eye patch, hat, jacket and mouth mask; Gray Shark stood in the spotlight. “Now then Clyde, I-” Gray Shark raised his sword hoof in defense as Clyde rushed closer again. He failed to block in time and found himself being tossed into the wall again. “So, MASKED PONY! It seems we meet again.” Gray Shark sighed a painful breath. “Enzo, will you please elaborate.” “Clyde, please calm down. It’s okay, he’s my friend.” “Friend?” Clyde said angrily confused. “Mister Enzo...ARE YOU IN CAHOOTS-” “No.” Enzo shifted into a better position to articulate himself. “Gray Patch is the masked pony, as you know him, but to me he’s Gray Shark. He’s a friend from the...other world.” Clyde’s anxiety died down. “So...he’s like you then. A machine transformed?” “Yes. He’s like me, thrown into this world taking the body of the inhabitants.” “Great, are we settled down? I would enjoy not being pummeled to death, Clyde,” Gray Shark said now standing without any source of injury or bruise. “Who are you?” Clyde said emotionless. Gray Shark gave him a look. “Let’s just say I’m a more...laid back version of my former title. I still tend to be very formal but just in a lesser manner. Rogue fanciness if you will.” Clyde shook his head. “What is your story? Who are you, really?” he said more seriously. “Ah, I see what you mean. Well all you need to know is that my origins stem with Enzo and his friend physically; being a machine. This device,” Gray Shark raised his golden hoof and retracted the extended sword, “is what transferred over to this world.” He proceeded to unsheathe the blade again and it jutted out within milliseconds. “My personal weapon of choice.” Gray Shark eyed Clyde with satisfaction. “Now then, that’s all you need to know along with-well-me being on your side now. No hard feelings.” Clyde frowned. “And what of Gray Patch? Is he just magically gone from existence?” Gray Shark sheathed his weapon and started to lean on the wall. “From now on, you never met Gray Patch and he does not exist to you anymore. Enzo, your friend will understand easily and that boy I met earlier has probably already forgotten about that name. As for the masked pony...he simply got away.” Gray Shark gave an eye smile. “The guards could never catch him.” Clyde nodded slowly once he took in all the information. “I supposed I can arrange for that in the records.” Awkward silence came back to haunt the situation. “Ahem, now that this is somewhat settled, Mister Enzo, may I ask some important questions?” “Of course, Clyde.” “Can you describe what exactly happened in that forest?” The words were clear and meaningful. “Surely you still remember from a few days ago.” “Vice and I were attacked by...other robots from our world.” Clyde gasped while Gray Shark simply turned his head curiously. “Masquerade Blade, Joltaire and their leader, Sir Cutter X. They’ve hated me ever since I-well, I did something to them.” “Like what?” The question came from Gray Shark. “This is news to me.” “I...killed one of their acquaintances. Now they’re hunting me for revenge and honor, but there’s no honor in any of this. It used to be about who was going to kill who and I was fine with that. Now it’s different. I just want the fighting to stop but I can’t do that. I can’t control what’s happening and now I can’t tell what they’re going to do. If Masquerade Blade was able to get into Ponyville...then that means-” “Any of them could get into here,” Gray Shark said. “That’s quite a problem.” “Indeed. It’s a problem that I must personally take care of,” Clyde said. “Hold on,” Gray Shark said. “You cannot expect to go in there alone or even with a few guards. You realize they are from our world. That means they’re capable of immense destruction. You know I can’t let you do...without me.” Clyde rubbed his mustache with confliction. “Mister Gray Patch-” “It’s Gray Shark now, sorry.” “-Mister Gray Shark, I don’t know if I can necessarily keep my trust up with you. However, I understand the threat we face and I agree that we need as much help as can be given.” Gray Shark bowed. “At your service then.” “Indeed.” Clyde turned to Enzo and stared distantly. “Are you going to be alright?” Enzo did not shake his head nor nod. “I don’t know.” “Your friend will survive,” Gray Shark reassured. “He’s like us, he won’t die that easily.” “You’re right,” Enzo said. “He won’t.” Gray Shark tipped his hat. “Alright then. Clyde, we shall meet tomorrow morning at the hospital to reimburse everyone you choose to bring. Then we can depart into the forest. I’ll lead and if anything gets out of...hoof you get out.” “Mister Gray Patch-” “Gray Shark.” “-I appreciate your willingness for sacrifice, but I cannot abandon my duty,” Clyde objected. “If anything happens, we stay.” Gray Shark closed his crimson eye. “I am not the one responsible for the well-being of your guards.” He opened his eye. “I’m just trying to prevent unwanted tragedy.” “We will end this madness tomorrow,” Clyde said confidently. “With or without help, I am personally ending it. For Mister Enzo. For Mister Vicer. For Ponyville.” “So be it. Enzo, I will personally take care of this. You deserve freedom from this chaos above all else. I’m here to see that through.” Enzo smiled and Gray Shark bowed. He nodded to Clyde and both left Enzo in silence. “Vice...Fluttershy...” Enzo placed his hooves behind his head. “My best friend is dying and so is my heart.” He grumbled with discomfort at the events swarming around him. “...I’m in love. I’m in love with fantasy. Something that nobody can believe is what I’m falling for. A girl of dreams. A girl that shouldn’t and wouldn’t exist in my world.” Enzo put his hoof over his heart and pressed against it. “Is this what Electric Flaire meant and felt? That he wanted to meet Twilight Sparkle so badly, he’d do anything? Is that what it means to be hopelessly in love with fiction?” Enzo snuggled himself tighter into his fold of blankets. “Fluttershy…Vice…” ~~~~~~~~~~ Everfree Forest rustled with immense banter as the night poured itself away. Yells and screams echoed throughout the thick, crowded nature. The night sky drew in cries of insults and leaves shook with intense vibes. “I told you to get away from me! I don’t want you!” “Aww, c’mon girl. You said you're in desperate need of a strong guy.” “I never said that you freak!” “Hey, don’t call me that, bitch!” The harassed mare backed away as Joltaire closed in on her. “Don’t make me shut you down.” He smiled with intent and grabbed at the mare’s dark purple mane. “I said get away! Don’t touch me,” the mare screamed struggling against Joltaire’s grip. “You want it don’t you!” “Hey, hey! What in the name of the Nipple God is going on?” Bull It Buster said swinging his gun hooves wildly into the conversation. He flopped his body happily into the situation. “Yo, I didn’t invite you. Get outta here!” Joltaire said releasing his hold. “Give a man some privacy. Jesus!” “Who dat? Yo’ lady friend?” Bull It Buster teased. “I didn’t join you guys for this!” the mare said. “I’d advise for you to stop,” a female voice said from behind the three ponies. The attention drew onto another mare standing firmly across from the scene. Her face was obscured by the green overcoat she was wearing with the hood up. “Good boys don’t do that.” “Yeah? Boy, oh boy. What are you gonna do, huh?” Joltaire said stepping forward. The second he did so a magical glow sparked and chain shot out from under the mare’s sleeve. It snaked itself towards Joltaire and wrapped around his neck. Bull It Buster howled in laughter as he watched Joltaire get dragged to the ground by the mare. “You’re not doing anything, you got that?” the mare said glaring down at Joltaire. Her horn emitted a white, almost clear glow as the chain was covered in magic. “All you girls: bitches-whores!” Joltaire said struggling to untie the link around his neck. “Are you gonna bug off?” the mare asked politely. “Nah-get this thing off-” The mare grinned before tossing Joltaire like a ragdoll into the nearby bushes. He landed with a thud and a cloud of dust erupted from the growth. She then proceeded to walk silently past the hysterical Bull It Buster towards the other mare. “You alright?” The slightly shaking mare nodded. “Yep, I’m better now.” “Good.” The shrouded mare observed her work of launching Joltaire and chuckled. “Hey, I’m Platinum Chain.” “Sweet Pop” the other mare said. “Thanks.” “No prob.” Platinum Chain said. She unveiled her light green hood and let her long black mane flow down to her shoulders. With a swift motion, she quickly retracted her chain back under her coat. It slid with magic out of view to her silver-gray body underneath. “Just thought that you might need some help.” “Yeah…” Sweet Pop stood up and brushed off her pale pink coat. Her dark blue eyes darted nervously at Bull It Buster and Platinum Chain. “I hate both of them.” “That other guy is the jerk, though.” “Not as much of a jerk-off, fapsalot as me!” Bull It Buster said still crying with laughter. Platinum Chain’s green eyes rolled, but then filled with worry. “Wow, what’s that bump on your cheek? Did he hit you or something?” “Oh no, that was from a few days ago.” Sweet Pop rubbed her slightly swollen cheek with embarrassment. “They made me be a distraction and I ended up getting my pretty face slapped. It was awful!” “Really, they forced you to do that?” “Well…I kinda wanted to do it,” Sweet Pop said coyly. “It felt good to holler for help.” “Okay, uh-” “Hey, I ain’t finished!” Joltaire said appearing from the bushes. His helmet was smeared with dirt and his helmet eyes glowed with fury. “You hear me?” He fell forward and landed on his head. “Oh we hear you,” Platinum Chain said. “Well then, let’s get outta here. Leave that trash in the garbage.” “…” Joltaire still lay askew within the bushes. “Righty then!” Sweet Pop said following Platinum Chain closely out of the area. “-wait!” Joltaire bolted out of the bushes and crash landed on the ground. “I’m sorry-no. Come back!” His attempts proved useless as the mares already left. “Dicksauce!” “Looks like someone got his poochy screwed.” “Screw you, prick,” Jolatire said running away into the inner forest. Bull It Buster tilted his head with disappointment. “Aww, he’s no fun.”