Fleeing in the Dark [Private, please ask] (Dated)

[Johan Tercel]

November 7th, Year 4

Zweihander awoke with a start, in complete darkness.

Where am I... he thought, confused as to the whereabouts and time. Putting an arm out to the side, he felt a twinge of pain on his shoulder. That pain brought back the memories of the last two days: the kidnapping, the chase, him being shot by two different beings in as many days... and the fledgling curled up in his warchest.

Zweihander was in a less-traveled part of the sewers, hiding from the reach of Feliks. Now he remembered.

He also remembered how to banish the dark; with the crystal beside his bed on the table. A smaller one than in the metal bowl on the ceiling, it still illuminated, and provided warmth. He just had to turn it on.

Picking the crystal up with his left arm now, Zweihandet slammed it against the nearby wall with moderate force. The impact triggered some sort of internal magic in the crystal; it lt up quickly, brightening the entire room in an instant. Looking at his now messy home, he gave a sigh.

The entire contents of his warchest had been emptied and stacked, covering every flat area with random detritus. Books, leather, weapons, even some gold were scattered. Every spare blanket had been used to make the warchest a makeshift crib. He doubted he could even see the tawny fledgling's body in all those blankets; and by any indication of the snoring inside, he was as comfortable as an eagle in a nest.

However, craning his head to listen, Zweihander was wary. He never woke up without reason anymore. More often than not... it was soldiers instinct. Trouble was coming. And it would pay to be prepared.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten's claws clicked on the stones as he made his way down. In all his life, of all the degrading, terrible, humiliating tasks he'd been given, this was easily the worst. The smell was only half the problem. Here he was traipsing through the deepest, dankest corner of the sewers, looking for Zweihander. For some reason he was on the wanted list now, and orders were to hunt him down. So that's why Sten was on his own hunting for a bipolar psycopath with a sword that laughed at armour. Even getting here had been pretty tense, all those big eyes watching him go. He was glad he'd lost his uniform. At least he was less likely to get stabbed in the back down here, even if death by stench was still a possibility.

Something flashed and lit up the corridor ahead. Sten slipped up against the wall. He edged further down the tunnel, trying to ignore the wall. They haven't used these tunnels for drainage for years he told himself.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander looked slowly at the ajar door.

SHIT! He thought in a panic. Using the crystal had just revealed his location... he knew something was wrong, he knew it. Who was hunting him? Pony scavenger? Griffon mercenary? Maybe one of Feliks' cronies? Regardless, it was time to go.

Looking around for what to grab, Zweihander picked up a specially modified saddlebag that would let him carry supplies.

Lets see... food for four days, a canteen with water, my rapier, my sword, a light crossbow with 7 bolts....and blankets. That small crystal will be useful too. Grabbing all these items in under a minute, putting his namesake on his back, his rapier on his left side, and crossbow on his left.

Maybe a gas mask would be useful... he looked around. Only one could be found however...and there were two griffons running away this time. Shaking his head from the grim thought, he quickly shoved the gas mask in his bag, and prepared to leave.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten took a few breaths to calm himself and padded as quietly he could up to the side of the door. Sure enough, someone was clanking around in there, whoever they were. Sounded like weapons, but Sten wasn't too worried. Why bother with a sword when you had five knives on each hand? Unless it was a crossbow, but that wasn't much of a worry in a tight corridor. One ricochet and it could be anyone's problem.

He put a claw on the door and pushed it open, stepping into the doorway.

[Johan Tercel]

Facing the door, Zweihander already had his hand crossbow drawn. The fledgling was nestled on his back, held tight by some straps and padding, quickly grabbed as soon as Zweihander heard someone come in. But it was who came in that stunned him.

Pigeon gray feathers, with beige fur, this could only be one griffon... Sten Softclaw. Zweihander had met the griffon once before, and after that meeting it resulted in Sten having an indeterminate stay in the Prudentatae cells. Now it seemed he was free...and who should he meet, but the griffon that gave Sten the beating. This whole month was not Zweihander's month, that was for sure.

However, this time Zweihander had the upper claw, for now. The crossbow would be enough of a threat to insure Sten would not approach. At least, Zweihander hoped so. He couldn't even hit a target with a crossbow if he tried.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten stayed put in the doorway. Zweihander was holding that great export of the Courts, the hand crossbow, and Sten was loathe to see what it could do. This gave him a good while to take in the surroundings, though. Small room, but packed full of detritus. Zweihander was in the middle, and was carrying quite an arsenal on his back.

And a fledgling. Ah.

That was going to be a problem any minute now, but until then it was an advantage. Odds were it was either a hostage or a personal attachment, either of which meant Zwei wouldn't be risking harm to it. Sten, on the other hand...

Priority one, though, was the crossbow.

"Alright, mate," he said, as personably as he could. "I'd put the shooter away. You miss in here an' it'll ricochet, and there's no telling who it'll end up worse for then."

This guy was all about swords, after all. Probably never had a crossbow outside a firing range before.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander kept the crossbow aimed at Sten, level at his throat, and took a small step forward. He wasn't dropping this weapon anytime soon, that was for sure; Zweihander would never give himself up consciously.

The bolt was already loaded, the string taut; if it came to it, Zweihander would not hesitate pulling the trigger point blank. It might not be a kill shot, but most beings didn't willingly subject themself to harm.

Looking at Sten with sharp, intelligent eyes, Zweihander raised an eyebrow as if to say, "Try me".

[Sten Softclaw]

Damn damn damn damn damn.

Now Sten was in trouble. Zweihander had him from the front, and if that crossbow went off at this range, at least one kidney would go with it, regardless of Zwei's aiming.. Any attempt to disarm him would meet with immediate pain and very possible death, and running away wasn't an option.

So Sten took a third option. He lunged left around Zweihander's side.

[Johan Tercel]

Taken by surprise at Sten's gambit, Zweihander fired an amateur shot where Sten was before. The bolt flew through the doorway, and into the dark beyond the portal.

Not missing a beat, Zweihander quickly strafed so his front faced the pigeon gray griffon. Hopefully he was swift enough.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten pirouetted on one claw and turned on a dime to face Zwei. A fine movement to be sure, if Zwei hadn't achieved the same effect just by turning his head. Good news? The crossbow was useless and still in Zwei's hand.

He leapt, but not head on. He went for Zwei's side. A glancing hit, and he could claw the kid. Get Zwei distracted by that, and his job became easier. So went the plan, anyway.

[Johan Tercel]

Time seemed to freeze as Zweihander saw what Sten was trying to do.

He's going for the child...

In a quick decision, Zweihander moved his body so that the claw would hit himself, and not the child. If this worked, Zweihander would immediately move, and bring the bottom of the crossbow on Sten's right arm with plenty of force.

[Sten Softclaw]

It was a hit, and Sten's claws scraped down Zwei's side. Not a great hit though, and certainly not what he needed.

He didn't really have time to evaluate it though, because the crossbow came up and smashed into his elbow. That knocked his arm away, quite apart from stinging like a billy-o! He brought his shoulder up in line with Zwei's beak and kept moving forward. He swung his other claw to dig into Zwei's haunch.

[Johan Tercel]

Feeling Sten's shoulder impact his beak, as well as the sharp pain of the pigeon gray griffon's talons, Zweihander was forced back.

No! he cried in his thoughts. He wouldn't be driven back; not in his own home!

Flaring his wings at Sten, he began pushing at the gray griffon with the entirety of his force; he would also dig both of his claws in Sten's shoulders for leverage.

Meanwhile...

In the dark, things gathered. A fresh meal was nearby, and the odour of blood was strong. The sounds of skittering insectoid legs became slightly audible, and likely to be missed by Sten and Zwei... for now.

[Sten Softclaw]

Ow ow ow ow ow.

Alright.

That hurt.

Sten heaved himself backwards, feeling Zwei's talons slip out of his shoulders, but that was just as unpleasant. Who knew it was just as bad coming out as going in? Ahaha, a funny joke (oh wow that really hurt). He lunged again, beak open. Maybe he could bite this bastard's eyes out.

[Johan Tercel]

Scrambling away from Sten, Zweihander attempted to avoid the gray griffon's murderous lunge. He hoped that it would work, and that if Sten missed, he would dash for the door. Anywhere was better than here... even the danger of the sewer systems.

Meanwhile...

The pack of insects gathered; they sensed two full grown meals, and one young one. Easy prey, they instinctually believed, as all animals who were unafraid of the sapient being were. For, indeed, these roaches were "fearless"... they did not shy away from thinking, talking, loud creatures. As soon as one of the griffons stepped outside, they would get the shock of their life.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten's lunge came up short, which in all fairness, he hadn't exactly been expecting. He scrabbled for purchase and skidded past Zweihander. It was the work of a moment to get back on his feet, but under the circumstances, that was probably enough.

[Johan Tercel]

My chance! Zweihander thought in a split second. With a great leap, he dashed to the open doorway, and brought himself into the darkness..

And came face to face with a cockroach the size of a small dog. If he had vocal cords and a tongue, his scream would have pierced the eardrums of all nearby. But... he didn'y. So a barely audible wheeze of surprise would have to do.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten doubled back as Zwei leapt past him. Damn damn damn! he thought. He was about to leap on Zwei (his back was exposed, the kid was exposed), but he stopped himself. Zwei was frozen in the corridor, his beak open in a horrible noiseless scream. Sten knew that look, and stayed put. He didn't want to be any closer to what was out there than he had to.

[Johan Tercel]

Backing up quickly, Zweihander turned tail, and ran down the passage, away from the giant cockroaches. Because he saw more than one pair of feelers... he shuddered as he ran. He had seen what those things could do to a full grown earth pony once before, and the death they entailed was not quick or painless.

Zweihander continued running regardless of his thought processes, not daring to look behind him.

Meanwhile...

The cockroaches slowly began following their fleeing prey, until the packleader noticed there was still one more nearby...

What Sten would see was around five roaches slowly turning their heads and feelers in his general direction...

[Sten Softclaw]

Over the years, Sten had found it handy to keep a list of "Things I don't need right now" to mind. Today, top brass and Zweihander had capitalised that list, until now. Because at this moment, an entire pack of cockroaches had rounded the corner. The word 'pack' seemed appropriate given their size.

He retched and swallowed a scream. Hideous things at the best of times, no one needs to see a cockroach up close, expecially not at this size.

Given that, it took Sten a moment to realise Zweihander had taken off. Out of a desire partly to catch up with him and partly to avoid the insects, Sten followed suit, dashing off after him, claws clattering on the stones.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander ran as fast as he could, claws and paws splashing in puddles of filth. Moving ever faster, he was "thankful" this corridor was a straight and narrow one. In a few minutes, there should be a right turn, which would lead him to a specially prepared (note: not prepared at all) escape route. However, Zweihander would still need to see the turn off before he could escape his predators.

Skidding to a halt, Zweihander produced the small crystal he had secreted in his saddlebags when he heard someone coming, Quickly clinking around in his saddlebag, he produced a small metal object, just a tiny bit larger than the crystal itself. It functioned as a "hood" of sorts, keeping the light of the crystal to one direction, instead of 360 degree coverage. Putting the bright crystal in the hood, and attaching said hood to his harness so that it pointed where he was facing, Zweihander heard Sten catch up to him.

Time to go. With another mighty spring, the brown griffon launched down the tunnel with speed.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten could just about see Zweihander up ahead, through the gloom. He knew that because he wasn't going to look in any other direction that 'straight ahead'. He could hear what was behind him quite well without having to look and see.

Zwei stopped, for whatever reason, but Sten had no such pretensions. He barreled on down the corridor (it helped him not to think of it as a turd-pipe) at Zwei. It looked for a moment he'd be fine, when suddenly, Zwei took off again. No rest for the wicked. Sten sighed and kept pace as best he could.

[Johan Tercel]

With the cone of light in front of him, Zweihander could clearly see where he was going now, and it allowed him to gain a steadier pace. Sten had almost got him just a few short moments ago; if Zweihander's hearing wasn't betraying him, that gray vulture was still keeping pace.

Pursuit aside, he kept an eye out for his "exit". It should be coming close in five minutes-

There it is! Ahead of schedule...? Zweihander thought confusedly. He had at least timed the exit's visibility to minutes...but it seemed he was off this time.

Performing a quick 90 degree turn-and-skid, the brown griffon scrabbled his paws and claws on the uneven masonry, and launched himself down the side passage.

Meanwhile, behind Sten...

The cockroaches had swelled in numbers, gaining at least 4 more to the pack during the chase. The "alpha" 'roach was at the head of the group, its mandibles clicking expectantly at the delicious flesh before it. Their speed reflected their hunger, being only 6 metres behind Sten, and steadily gaining.

[Sten Softclaw]

The light up ahead went right and vanished. Had Sten the air in his lungs he wouldn't panicked. As it was he just hung close to the wall and swung that way when the wall vanished. He kept listening out for the pant of puff of Zweihander ahead of him, but all he heard was the chitter and clack behind him.

He swore he was going to get some fine-class vomiting done when he finished this. This was going to be one of those things that had him waking in a cold sweat at three in the morning, as if he didn't have enough of those already.

[Johan Tercel]

Zweihander felt the little fledgling on his back hold tight, amazingly still asleep during all the commotion. Thank the heavens... he didn't need roaches, a murderous griffon, and a crying fledgling on his claws.

With the light shining in front of him, Zweihander followed the passage. His breathing even, and above all, not loud. He knew how to keep his breath for "long" runs with heavy loads (such as full plate). The supplies he was carrying were a fraction of what he would normally carry, so endurance was trivial. He had no idea how fast his pursuers were, but damn it he would try his hardest to flee from them... he had a life to keep safe now.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten saw something like light over Zwei's shoulder and put on a burst of speed. After all, he didn't need to run faster than the insects, just faster than Zwei. Sten was gaining on him now, but he wasn't paying much attention to the distance. What mattered was getting out of here in one piece. It was all that had ever mattered.

[Johan Tercel]

This isn't the exit... we're heading down, not up!

Zweihander's eyes widened in panic. This wasn't good, he had no idea where he was in relation to the topside. It appeared he was correct earlier with his assumption that the turn off was "too early".

Coming to a crossroads, Zweihander wasted no time in turning right. There wasn't a moment to spend in deliberation; he had to keep moving.

Behind Sten and gaining...

The cockroaches had managed to gain a meter on Sten, and were slowly closing in. One of them stepped through a puddle, and the consecutive splashes of the insect's six legs echoed through the passage.

[Sten Softclaw]

Zweihander jinxed right, and Sten followed suit. He was close now, real close. Behind, the bastards were still chittering and chattering and... splashing? Whatever. Just get them away. Far, far, far away.

[Johan Tercel]

Running at full kilter, Zweihander saw what appeared to be... how cliche... "light at the end of the tunnel".

Maybe that's an exit! Zweihander thought with hope. Putting that extra bit of effort in, his strides quickened and he gained speed.

[Sten Softclaw]

Cliche or not, Sten wasn't going to die down here. He put on a burst of speed and pegged it towards the light. Jeez, he hadn't run like this in yonks. He was going to have a good long sleep after this.

So concerned was he with getting out, he barely acknowledged Zwei as he drew level with him.

[Johan Tercel]

The light grew closer, and the brown griffon's heart soared for a moment.

Sunlight! he thought with desperation. As Zweihander got near, however, he was proved sadly wrong. It was a metal door, ajar, looking like the old bank vaults one could find scattered about. The light was coming from inside... like a fire, flickering. Voices could be heard inside, rough griffonic accents pervading the corridor. Maybe they would help... or maybe they were bandits. Either way, they were Zweihander's only option.

Not knowing Sten was nearby, he gave a mighty burst of speed to reach this new hope.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten saw Zwei pick up speed, and decided to join him in that. The door up ahead hove into view, and not a moment too soon. He didn't hear the voices, but then again he wasn't listening. Spurred on by terror and hope, he was only inches behind Zwei by the time he reached it.

[Johan Tercel]

Using his shoulder to open the door, Zweihander stormed into the lit space. Not even checking if anyone had past him, he made a 180 degree turn, and ran to close the door behind him.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten barrelled through the doorway mere inches behind Zwei and moved with him to shut the door, leaning all his weight against it. It shut heavily, but Sten didn't move. He stayed leaning against it, hoping against hope it'd stay shut.

[Johan Tercel]

Hearing shouts from behind him, Zweihander couldn't make out the words in his stressed situation. However, he felt a second griffon help him close the door. Turning his head, he saw Sten pressed against the door to keep it closed. It was no great effort, however: the bugs were not overly strong, and their feeble smashes were not getting them anywhere.

After a brief moment, something could be very, very clearly heard. The door vibrated with the force of a bestial roar, filled with hunger and rage.

By the gods...

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten turned his head quickly. He stepped away from the door (the cockroaches seemed to have been stymied for now) and walked beside Zwei. Safety in numbers and all.

"Any clue what that might've been?" he asked, trying not to sound utterly utterly, leg-wettingly afraid.

Trying, I say. Not succeeding.

[Johan Tercel]

Taking a step back, Zweihander did not know what creature could make that kind of roar. He couldn't draw upon his laughable education in the natural philosophies for anything similiar... pity he didn't pay attention to his tutor.

Whatever made that sound, however, caused the entire room to be thrust into the most lethal of silences: the silence of fear.

The room stayed in a state of tranquility, until one of the beings present from before Sten and Zweihander's arrival spoke up.

"GET THE DOOR SECURE!"

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten didn't need telling twice. He leapt at the door, throwing all his weight against it. So maybe whatever it was could break through the door, but Sten intended to die as he had lived. Cravenly avoiding his own death.

"Any clues as to what it is?" he shouted back at... whoever it was back there.

[Johan Tercel]

A wiry burgundy feathered griffon ran to the door, panic in his eyes.

"I don't know, but it sounds bloody angry!"

-----Zweihander-----

Zweihander kept his body pressed against the cold metal of the door, the familiar tingle of adrenaline rushing through his nerves. So focused was Zweihander on the door, and the monster beyond, he almost didn't notice the pinpricks of a fledgling on his back.

Oh gods... can this get any worse...

[Sten Softclaw]

"Is there anywhere else we can run to?" Sten shouted back, hoping the plural pronoun would keep the chaps together.

Running would work. Running always worked. If that thing came through the door, he could be sure to let it do it's thing while he got busy running. Griffons would keep anything busy for a while, after all, and with any luck that'd be long enough to run in.

[Johan Tercel]

The strange griffon shook his head. "No-where t'go mate. This 'ere's the bloody safest place short of topside. As long as that door holds!"

A deafening roar echoed once more, although this time it was accompanied by the scrabbling of claws on metal. The beast outside was trying to get in.

-----Zweihander-----

Feeling the thuds of the creature's claws on the door, Zweihander breathed quickly. Whatever it was, it was clawing with the frenzy only the mad or desperate possessed...

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten kept his back to the door and cast an eye aruond his surroundings. Once you got used to the constant thudding and violence on the other side of it, the door could be relegated in the order of things.

"Nice place," said Sten, diplomatically. "Very, ah, robust."

[Johan Tercel]

The ghastly noise from outside increased in volume; whatever was bashing on the door evidently was scared witless. High pitched squeals replace the roars, and the grim sound of chitin on stone could be heard. Quite abruptly the smashing against the door stopped, to be replaced by the sound of... chewing. As if many small mouths were eating something large and meaty.

With a gulp, the talkative griffon backed away from the door.

"Welcome to the sewers mate..."

-----Zweihander-----

With a gasp, Zweihander collapsed against the door, exhausted and frightened. This had been... the most frightening escapade he had been in any time recently. And the fledgling on his back had slept through it all. Small miracle.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten backed away as the door relaxed. He dusted off his claws and smiled broadly to his new companions. Best to make a good impression just in case.

"Well, no need to worry now," he said. "Sounds like it's something else's problem now."

[Johan Tercel]

"Don't grin like an idiot, pigeon." A large earth pony grumbled from by the fire. "Whatever made that thing scared and killed is still outside. So I suggest you shut your pretty little beak before I smash it to powder."

The talkative griffon shrugged at Sten. "Ya can't go 'round 'ere with a cocksure d'meanour. We've lost too many young hotheads like that already. Is your friend alright?" He pointed as Zweihander, who was sitting by the door.

-----Zweihander-----

He heard mumbling, and it appeared that the group here already had a varied population of beings... mostly griffons and earth ponies, although there was a unicorn and pegasus embracing eachother sadly. He wondered what brought these beings together... they seemed a varied bunch in personality so far as well. Well, he would just sit here and recuperate, and keep an ear out.

Who knows what he might discover.

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten bristled a little. Cocksure? Well, maybe he was, but it was good to know you weren't dead. Good to change the subject, often as not. What did that grassmuncher know about it?

Sten caught the last bit of what the griffon said through a haze of grump. He cast an eye over to Zwei, who seemed content to sit. He was, Sten decided, probably alright.

"He looks it," said Sten, deciding not to notice the 'friend'. Fighting at a time like this seemed like a poor decision.

[Johan Tercel]

The griffon nodded. "Lesse that th' wee cub on yer mates back is safe then. Aegolius! Nicolaus! Bring 'em to th' hearth."

Two of the three griffons sitting around moved over to Zweihander, and gently brought him to the fire. One was a pure white, with the lavish dyes of an Aquilae griffon upon his feathers and fur. The other was a short, squat, ugly individual with what appeared to be brigands attire on him, complete with a nasty cleaver at his side. After they made sure that the brown griffon and his ward were safely place near the fire, they stood up, and walked to Sten calmly.

"Now mate, mind tellin' us wot yer doin' this far in th' sewers?"

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten shrugged. The truth would out sooner or later, so best go for sooner.

"Trying to kill him," he said, nodding to Zwei. "Government business, you see."

With any luck, they'd laugh it off. After all, what kind of moron would come to a place like this with government business? The obvious answer stung, but Sten told himself he'd had no choice.

[Johan Tercel]

The griffon narrowed his eyes.

"We don't fancy the government down 'ere... you know what happens to the Tsar's rats?"

He took a step forwards to Sten, and grinned nonchalantly.

"We gut 'em and leave 'em to th' dark."

[Sten Softclaw]

Sten didn't flinch. He gave what he thought was an impassive glare, but really made him look a bit sleepy.

"Well of course," he said.

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