A SERIES OF APERTURE EQUIPMENT, METAPHORICALLY SPEAKING

Author's Note: As mentioned in the summery; this story is a series of one-shots revolving around what happens after 'Portal 2' so expect spoilers for both games. Each one-shot will be humorous, sad, happy and so on. Story arcs will come in later. Enjoy and I don't own 'Portal' :)!

Chapter 1: The Comeback

Walking through the wheat field felt like eternity. Same old things kept repeating; swish, swish, swish that came from the wheat swaying in the silent wind. Plus the hot weather wasn't exactly encouraging a certain person walking across the field with a cube in her hands.

Chell, mute and former test subject of Aperture who left the facility two days ago, was walking across the golden field with her Companion Cube in hands, panting and grunting. Sweat was dripping down her slightly tanned skin as she moved slowly like a turtle across the fields.

How long was it till she finds civilization? When will she reach a city or town? Every anticipation and thought going through her head made the mute dizzy and nauseas. Her stomach grumbled like a miniature earthquake marking that she was hungry. Recently her only food was a rabbit that wandered across the field yesterday afternoon. Today she was less fortunate; there were no rabbits or water even.

Water, she hadn't had any since she was back at Aperture. Yes, there was water in the overgrown facility; from the leaves and even under the dubbed Old Aperture there was water due to the dampness. Without water her tongue was dry and crackle like the wheat themselves and her eyes were blurry as if she was staring directly at the sun.

At least back in Aperture it was cooler due to the moisture and greenery unlike this place, which was a desert compared to the decayed ruins of Aperture. Honestly, Chell shouldn't be thinking about Aperture in the slightest, especially when it is positive. Still she could help it; this heat was unbearable, food was scare along with water and her Companion Cube was weighing her down. Debating whether to keep the cube or not the mute walked over to a tree she noticed and sat down on the hard earth against the tree, glancing skywards, slowly inhaling and exhaling for much needed cooled off the mute noticed what seemed like a shape of a half-barrel.

Curious and cautious, Chell placed the cube beside her and crawled over like a helpless baby over to the barrel, praying inward that there was some water for her to drink. She needed the nutrients to keep her going and find civilisation. If there was no water than she'd probably die from heat, thirst and hunger the day to follow. This situation seemed like a gamble on a slot machine; get three numbers or whatever equal and you win. With a deep, hallow sigh she clutched the edge and peered over, the moment of truth to unveil like a drama show.

Water, about a quarter of the half-barrel full of the liquid. Automatically she clutched the half-barrel like a teddy bear and drank quietly and in serenity, appreciating and inhaling as much as her dry mouth demanded for. With a sigh of satisfaction, the mute lowered the barrel and wiped her mouth from any water that rained down like a raindrop. At least she had the water she desperately needed and now she could have something to eat. Blue eyes glanced over and regarded the heart-plastered cube, pondering and debating once more whether to take it or a light push, Chell got up from her position and continued forward leaving the Companion Cube near the silhouette tree to be forever in solitude…

Another day passed as Chell walked through the never-ending wheat field and her stomach started to grumble more constantly than yesterday as if something was about to burst. She must have lost a few kilos, maybe two to three. Thinking about weight brought back the memories of GLaDOS, who'd always tease her about her 'fatness'.

The Genetic Life-Form and Disk Operating system or many who knew her by her acronym name, GLaDOS, wasn't your stereotypical AI. She was witty, a narcissist and she had a dark, dry humour that sounded like she was stating the obvious. There were many occasions when the Goddess of Aperture tried to tempt her and kill her during her testing back at Aperture but at one point the two tost aside their differences and battled together as two unusual, unlikely companions.

Wait, why was she thinking about GLaDOS? She should be ecstatic and thrilled that she left that AI behind along with the facility! Yet it was quite difficult being thrilled in this unknown, solitude region by yourself… and it was hard to forget the place that changed her.

'It must be the hunger,' Thought Chell unpleasantly, looking for some excuse for her ponders on Aperture and GLaDOS. 'Yeah, it's making me delusional…'

As she preceded her enduring, stamina quest for civilization something caught her attention in the distance. Looked like some sort of a square-based prism but it was hard to tell due to the radiating sunlight. Lifting her arm to cover her face, Chell saw clearly that, that solid was in fact a building. A wave of relief, joy and self-gratitude consumed the mute who just couldn't believe what she saw.

That building no doubt marked civilization!

Just over that hill would be a city, a city of new hope and life. Some new kind of energy out of the blue transformed the tired mute into an energetic girl who just dashed up the hill like there was no tomorrow. There was a smile on the girl's face as she ran as fast as her legs could go. This was what she wanted, this is what she desired this is what she needed. When she reached the top of the hill all her joy, anticipation, relief and belief were shattered like glass and replaced with the opposite emotions; of horror, flabbergast, disappointment and scandalize.

Right in front of her was a city, a destroyed city. Buildings were tilted to the side, some with broken windows and some barely standing. Decay embraced every building both standing and collapsed. Chell dropped to the ground butt first in utter shock, her sky blue eyes glued to the decayed city. This wasn't what Chell dreamed for. How could this have happened? Human were the most advanced creatures on Earth!

'No… this can't be…' She thought unpleasantly.

All she ever fought for back at that place that-shall-not-be-mentioned, all she went through, all she endured was for nothing. She missed her opportunity of life.

'Maybe there's some people living there or at least some food' She pondered desperately, the grumbling of her stomach not encouraging the mood.

Getting up from her place, Chell walked slowly over to the decayed city for food and hopefully human life. The last one she really doubted…

Everything about this abandon city was eerie and ghost-like. Those building that still stood tall loomed over any unwelcomed guests and other creatures that prowled the area like dogs. Crows cawed in the distance and fluttered away when the mute walked by. Chell glanced around the area in caution as she walked, feeling like she was being watched.

'What has happened to this place for the past who-knows how many years?' Chell pondered. 'I can't imagine any person living here…'

As she walked through the deserted streets a sudden shriek was heard. She paused, glancing around like a meerkat, trying to find the source of the noise. It only took one step and the shrieking came back, louder than before. Chell turned around, looking around the area for the noise.

'What was that noise-'

Suddenly a loud shrill was heard from behind which made Chell turn around in fright and reflex. Sky blue eyes widen and a breathless gasp escaped her lips at the creature in front of her.

It was like some kind of a mantis/grasshopper thing with leaf green skin, four legs; two at the back that went forward and two at the front that went back and squared head that had miniature, spider-like pincers rising up and down to intimidate its foe. Another shrill came from the creature and it moved in for the strike. Without a second of thought, Chell immediately turned and ran as fast as she could with the mantis-like creature chasing behind. All the silence in the city was cut off by the banging pincers that smashed the earth like nothing and the shrieks that called for it's prey.

'W-What kind of creature is that? Is it one of those mantis-man that possibly escaped Old Aperture?' Chell frightfully thought, feeling sweat sliding down her skin like tears.

Before she could realize that the shrieking stopped and it was replaced by a flutter of wings, the mute glanced over her shoulder then back to see the creature in front of her charging. Too late to react, one of the creature's pincer rose and it grazed Chell's upper arm. She winced at the long scar across her arm but she didn't moan about it. Instead she took a turn to the left and ran once more with the creature behind stalking dangerously close.

Ever since she tested back at Aperture, Chell has developed many skills; her running speed and rate has improved, her thinking has improved and her reflexes have improved; if she was slower before, then she could have had a huge scar across her chest to stomach than her arm. Her panting was starting to become frequent which was starting to slow her down that made the creature gain it's distance closer.

She took another turn and ran across the main street with just her and the creature stalking. If Chell had her trusty, personal device, the ASHPD or the Portal Gun then she could have teleported out but right now she was defenceless. When the two reached an interval, the mute noticed at the corner of her eye a partly broken 'one way' sign that just lay there on the earth. In a quick slide, Chell dashed toward the sign. The creature once again leapt into the air, it's wings opened and fluttering like a bee's. Thinking that running wouldn't allow her to get on time the mute dived, grasped the metallic bar and twisted it like a Kwan Dao spear, her sky blue eyes closed in anticipation.

Shortly a cry of agony was heard, echoing across the eerie buildings and startling some crows that fluttered around in fear. Slowly and surely, those sky blue eyes opened to see the creature lay there limp with the metallic bar piercing through its abdomen through it's back like a claymore. Lime coloured liquid oozed down like rain against the bar. Even though the creature was dead, Chell still continued to pant from the tiredness and fear. Who would have ever thought that creatures like these roamed the streets of an abandon building?

Luck played a major part for Chell once more but she had a feeling that if she encountered another one of those mantis-creatures she wouldn't be so lucky. Feeling a bit awkward staring at the dead creature that weighed her down, she pushed the creature off with a grunt and slammed it to the ground, eyeing it closely. So this is the reality.

Unfortunately it is true… that she is the last human being…

A sombre look crossed her face as she pondered on being the last human and her own survival. There could be more of those mantis-creatures roaming the streets or even worse creatures that would hunt in this city both morning and night. One metallic bar and one human wouldn't stand a chance against those odds.

What about the seasons? Would winter snow and freeze Chell to death? How about water? If there is water, there would be creatures drawn to that place like some sacred shrine and defend it.

Could she even… bare the solitude?

Chell gave another deep, sullen sigh. This wasn't what she wanted, but honestly, this wasn't what she didn't expect. After all, she's been in deep sleep for hundreds of years so, so much has changed, but she didn't like this kind of drastic change. There was nothing here for her, nothing at all. She had no chance of surviving all on her own…

For a second, she was tempted to cry.

But somehow she held it together for an idea came to mind giving her a slight hope. It was the kind of idea one would thing you'd be crazy to gamble with; an idea that she didn't think she'd possibly agree on.

Simple, it was to go back to Aperture.

One of Chell's fists clenched at the dire thought. GLaDOS would no doubt be furious at her comeback, but it was the only way she could stay alive. There was water, food and shelter there for her, just sitting there in hiding within the never-ending golden wheat fields. But she might force her to test over and over till the day she died or be suffocated by neurotoxin. Still, it was the only way for her survival and a risk she was going to take. For a few seconds that felt like forever Chell stared at the creature, still debating the idea and it's flaws.

'I don't think GLaDOS will be pleased with my return, but it's the only way for my survival. Besides, it's better there than here,' She thought as she stared at the dead caracas. As she continues to stare at the dead creature that still oozed its blood a grumble was heard from her stomach. Blue eyes narrowed in distaste and embarrassment. 'I do hope that thing is edible…'

She dreaded the fact that she had to eat that abnormal creature that just tried to murder her a short while ago yet her stomach kept debating, tempting her and begging her to eat something. Using the broken bar, she tore through the side and cut out a large piece of green meat that reeked of the lime blood. Reluctantly and slowly, Chell took a huge bite off the piece. After a gulp her face twisted in slight disgust. It tasted like… well it was hard to say.

Many years have passed since Chell ate meat and it was all a blur for her to distinguish whether it tasted like chicken, beef or other meat she has tried in the past. Her taste buds have adapted and changed so much over time; it was like this meat tasted like nothing at all. At least it was edible and not poisonous. In one last gulp the mute broke into a deserted shop and picked up an old, slightly shattered arm bag and went back to the dead creature and once again cut some more meat pieces that she stuffed into the bag, getting prepared for the journey ahead, a comeback to Aperture that would take her three days or two in-a-half.

'Time to leave…' She declared as she hung the bag over her shoulder.

In a sprint, Chell began her comeback journey to Aperture, leaving the last ruins of civilization to rest in piece…

Almost a week past since she left Aperture to reach civilization but now ironically she was coming back to Aperture, the place she dreamed of leaving. All the meat she took from that mantis-creature three days ago definitely paid off; its blood also supplied her not just food but water too. Glancing up at what was in front, ignoring the tense sunlight, she saw the one and only shed, the gateway to Aperture. She took off the bag and dropped it to the ground and she then approached slowly towards the shed.

For as long as she could remember, she was always fighting and enduring hard to escape the dreadful facility, the tests and the AI. Now she wanted to return and stay there and try to live a new life. One of her hands stroked the rusted door because she was still finding this ironic.

'So this is it, I'm coming back Aperture…' Chell sighed guiding her hand to the handle, hoping it would open.

Fortunately it did. In one pull the door was open and the lift just stood there as if it did for all its life. Without a second thought the mute entered the elevator and turn to face the glass. A hiss came as the elevator door closed and descended into the bowls of the robot-occupied facility and into her chamber.

Speaking of that, Chell wondered what she should sign to GLaDOS and what her reactions would be. Anger and curiosum? Definitely; happy and eagerness? Not at all… Would she kill her or would she not was the main question that's been circling the mute's head like a whirlpool. Soon the elevator reached its destination and low and behold was the Goddess of Aperture, the Genetic Life-form and Disk Operating System, GLaDOS herself, her body facing away.

Some thought she's abnormal, others thought she is beautiful. In reality, she was a balance of both. A body that hanged like ropes from the ceiling with two massive wires sticking up as if someone was doing upside down acrobatics on a swing; titanium, white-painted plates positioned on her with the engraved Aperture logo and a golden optic that shone with calmness yet decisiveness. Truly, GLaDOS was a beautiful, abnormal AI, naturally. Said AI turned her chassis to Chell, her golden optic that blazed like the sun eyed her like an owl. A breathless gasp came from Chell's crunched up throat; she forgot how huge the AI really was.

"Well, well, well, the dangerous, mute, lunatic once again ignored what I clearly said and has returned," GLaDOS spoke with her sardonic, false innocence tone. Her golden optic narrowed in disapproval, bearing into Chell's blue eyes. "You have some nerve coming back; hoping for me to give you cake? Honestly, you must be really desperate, but then again someone of your obese nature would be addicted…"

Using her signing skills she's been taught, Chell signed-Civilization is gone; I need food, water and shelter. This was the only place that could come to my mind.

For a second Chell swore she saw a look of surprise wash over the omnipotent AI. "Wow; I thought you were desperate for cake. But now I can see that you are really, really desperate in staying alive," GLaDOS replied, rearing up her chassis in mock scandalize. "I almost feel sorry for someone of your… interests…"

Again, Chell signed-I know you don't like me too much, but I have nowhere else to go, so I came back.

"After six days you finally thought about returning? Hmmm… perhaps you really are brain damaged. That won't do well for testing… On the other hand, I find your desperation and brain damaged mind quite amusing. I've now officially recorded it so I can play it over again, and again, and again. So congratulations; you've proved that weight is no boundary and how dumb you and your dead humans really are; I've also noticed that you abandon your Companion Cube. Poor cube; it's probably sulking and cursing you, metaphorically speaking" GLaDOS stated amusingly.

Please… Chell begged and with a sigh, she gave a sullen, desperate and stubborn look and signed-can I stay here with you and the rest of Aperture?

There was that look again; the look that GLaDOS despised the most. Ever since she tried to test the mute, she always had that same look on her. Chell used to be so stoic but now she was being so emotional about living here with her. Back in Old Aperture the two formed a team, a duo who would fight to save her facility. GLaDOS widen her golden optic slightly at the memory.

She hated the feeling of being a potato; defenceless and mocked. Yet her sworn enemy waltzed in and saved her from the bird, fought her way and placed her back to her righteous body. Honestly, GLaDOS didn't… hate the test subject. She just disliked her presence. But fair's fair; she helped GLaDOS now GLaDOS was returning the favour. Once again the AI narrowed her optic and questioned.

"Do you have any murderous intentions?"

Chell shook her head.

GLaDOS gave off a metallic sigh in defeat. "Very well then; you may stay…"

A look of flabbergast and disbelief crossed the once-enemy human who inwardly jumped in joy and relief. A smile was placed on her face, a smile of rapturous joy, relief and hope.

"But," Her smile vanished into a frown when the AI added something gleefully. "You are to collect your own water and food; not too much food otherwise you'll grow fat, not that you aren't already. Plus, you will be doing some tests whenever I demand for, are we clear?"

Chell groaned at the test part, her sky blue eyes staring at the golden optic in annoyance, light fear and mercy.

"Oh don't look so surprised; you had this coming after all. Think of it as a… gift from your comeback" GLaDOS stated when she saw the agitated look.

Can I at least have a piece of cake as a gift? Chell signed in humour and rhetorically.

"You're still going on about cake? How pitiful," There was a hum of deep thought imitating from the AI. She gave off a robotic shrug. "Well I don't see why not…"

Chell glanced up in surprise as if she witnessed a murder. That answer wasn't what she expected. Maybe GLaDOS had a change of heart-

"It's filled with rot and maggots that'd be perfect for you digestive system and pleasure" She added emotionlessly with a dark chuckle at the end.

Blue eyes narrowed, completely forgetting about what she was thinking off-Well aren't you nice.

"Don't demand too much from me, test subject. Be grateful that I'm allowing you to stay here. Why, I can't believe I'm even tolerating you; it's that torturous. I should receive an award for what I'm doing so don't gloat about it. Also you should bandage that scar across your arm, otherwise blood will drip down and stain the floors that I will not clean after," Chell glanced down at the arm that was healing slowly. She completely forgot about the wound till it was mentioned. "Now take your weight and waddle to the elevator where two of my testing robots will escort you… hopefully to the incinerator where you will relax and stay warm" Declared the AI, who flicked her head to the elevator.

Sometimes it was hard to tell whether GLaDOS was being serious or sarcastic. Without a word, Chell turned and paced over to the elevator. Before she could take a few steps in, she turned and signed-Hey, GLaDOS…

"What is it? Can't you see that I'm preparing the incinerator for you?" Demanded the mocked-irritated AI who turned to her, her golden optic blazing in impatience.

A few seconds passed and Chell signed with a sly smile-Thankyou. To be honest I missed this place… She shot another smile and signed slowly-And I also missed you…

"You must be absolutely delusional. Now leave before I change my mind" GLaDOS snorted.

'A typical reaction' Once again, Chell went back into the elevator, which hissed down to the next level, leaving the omnipotent, witty AI alone. This was her first day to start her new life… and avoid neurotoxins…

Author's Note: First one-shot complete :); I hope you all enjoyed it. Also, that mantis like creature thing is called an 'Antlion' from 'Half-Life 2'. I think this will be the only one-shot to use 'Half-Life' references but if you like, I may add more in later chapters. Please leave a review and critic on whether it needs improvement or if its good enough to be continue, thank you :D.