Adventure Time © Pendleton Ward/Cartoon Network
Fallout © Bethesda/Interplay
As Aiden stepped through the open Vault Door and into the entry chamber,
Marceline floated beside him, her hand still firmly holding his own.
Once in the smaller chamber, the Vault Door behind them creaked as it slowly back closed up.
Now sealed in the room illuminated by ceiling lights, said lights switched off in favor of flashing red ones.
An alarm sounded as another Vault door at the other end of the room started to open.
As the Cog-shaped door popped out of it's socket and slowly turned,
Aiden again stood in front of Marceline in an attempt to shield the vampire from any sunlight.
But once the true door of Vault 110 opened up, the pair saw what looked like a cavern on the other side.
"Hey, now!" exclaimed Marceline, flying ahead.
"HEY!" called Aiden, now running after his companion.
Marceline was the first to exit the Vault, followed closely by Aiden (who had to pause to catch his breath)
the pair looked around and found they were now in the interior of dark cave,
illuminated only by crystals that glowed different colors, from green, red, blue and even purple.
"oh my grob, THIS IS AWESOME!" exclaimed Marceline, her voice echoing. "This is just my home back in Ooo!"
"You...lived in a Cave?" inquired Aiden.
Marceline made a shy smile at Aiden. "kinda of. Technically I lived in a house... a house that I built in a cave."
Aiden stared at Marceline for a moment. "a house in a cave."
Marceline nodded, and smiled.
"alright, I guess that makes sense." said Aiden, shrugging.
Aiden turned suddenly upon hearing metallic creaking. He and Marceline then watched as the vault door began to close.
The cog-shaped door eventually locked into place, the number "110" facing the pair in bold, yet aged lettering.
Aiden stared at the wide, metal structure for a good long minute.
He eyed a lone computer terminal near the Vault Door, which switched off after awhile.
Aiden then exhaled, and turned away. Finally accepting the reality of the situation.
"aiden?" spoke Marceline, worried.
"i'm fine." answered Aiden. "we should...go."
Marceline took a moment to look around the surrounding area.
If there was one thing she knew the most about, it was navigating caves.
"I don't see anywhere else for us to go but forward." said Marceline.
"then that's where we'll go." said Aiden, as he started to walk.
As Marceline started to follow, she suddenly froze. her elven ears twitching.
With lightning fast reflexes, Marceline grabbed and pulled Aiden backwards.
"M-MARCY!?" exclaimed Aiden. "WHAT ARE YOU-?!"
Aiden quickly got his answer upon seeing the ground where he was standing just a second ago rupture.
He and Marceline watched as hairless rodent the size of a wolf crawl out from the hole.
"holy shi-!"
At that moment, additional 'molehills' broke through the ground,
and the giant mole rat was joined by three others, and squealed as they all advanced.
Marceline acted quickly, and put herself between Aiden and the feral rodents.
In one reflex, Marceline drew out and swung her Axe-Bass, cleaving one of the Mole Rats in bloody halves.
She then swung her axe down upon another, splitting it's skull open with ease.
Marceline then inhaled and breathed out raggedly. The scent of fresh blood triggering her Vampiric instincts.
Her serpentine tongue uncurled as she licked the red spatters on her hand (which made her moan in her throat.)
((*BLAM!, BLAM!, BLAM!*))
Aiden fired his 10mm Pistol at the Mole Rats that were *avoiding* Marceline and going after him instead.
While he managed to shoot two (with one even being blown into bloody meat chunks) he missed the last remaining one.
As it lunged at him, Aiden tried to pistol whip it...only for the giant rodent
to clamp it's massive teeth onto his arm, tearing easily into his flesh.
"AAAARRGH!" screamed Aiden, in immense pain.
Aiden's screams instantly got Marceline attention (breaking her from her 'bloodlust'.)
Upon looking at the grisly scene, her eyes turn black as coal and glowed ruby red in absolute rage.
(("HISSSSSSSSSS!"))
Marceline flew straight for the Mole Rat, her teeth look a Cookie Cutter Fish,
She tackled the giant rodent, and bit into it's pink flesh. Her fangs easily pierced it's bare skin.
The Mole Rat immediately released Aiden and screeched as Marceline drained the fluids from it's body.
In just seconds, the rodent was reduced to a withered husk of dried skin and bones.
Marceline then tossed the withered corpse away (which shattered upon hitting the ground.)
The Vampire Queen then reverted to normal and quickly dropped down to tend to Aiden.
"Aiden!...oh GROB, your arm!" exclaimed Marceline, horrified.
Aiden winced, gripping his injured arm that was bleeding out rapidly.
His flesh was torn so badly, it was hanging in strips with some bone exposed.
"g-god...dammit! this... really... fucking... HURTS!" gasped Aiden, in such pain he was crying.
Marceline, despite being a Vampire, felt sick seeing Aiden bleeding like this.
Acting quickly, she reached into Aiden's Rucksack and pulled out one of the StimPaks.
She then jammed the needle into Aiden's shoulder. The device made a loud hissing noise
as it began injecting the mysterious healing substance into the human's body.
After a few seconds...Marceline watched as Aiden's flesh began to regenerate,
not unlike how her own 'natural' healing ability would.
Aiden let out a sharp breath as his pain began to fade, replaced with a numbness.
"oh, god... what a relief." gasped Aiden.
Marceline suddenly hugged Aiden. "i'm so sorry... I should've-"
"Marcy, NO. it's fine." spoke Aiden, quickly. "you didn't do anything wrong. If anything, it was my own fault."
"HOW was it your fault?!" inquired Marceline.
"well, apart from not watching where I was going. I should've been more faster on my feet, and not been such an easy target."
Marceline frowned. "still. I should've protected you better."
Aiden looked at Marceline. "We're Companions, Marcy. not an Escort.
While I accept that I will need your help in surviving out here, I also need to pull my own weight and not leave you to do everything."
This statement made Marceline smile as she momentarily thought about
her ex-boyfriend, Ash. who was so completely the EXACT OPPOSITE of Aiden right now.
"what?" spoke Aiden, noting the odd look that Marceline was making.
"nothing." said Marceline, who then helped Aiden back onto his feet.
"let's tread more softly... We don't know what else is lurking in these caves."
Aiden nodded. "agreed. You'd better take the lead, Marcy."
"I could also carry you." suggested Marceline.
"Unless my legs are crippled, I'd rather you didn't." said Aiden, bluntly.
"I want to maintain at least SOME dignity and not be babied throughout this long journey."
Marceline blushed. "r-right, sorry."
Marceline took Aiden's hand, and the pair took very careful steps forward.
Marceline was even walking herself, rather than floating like she usually does.
The cave was deathly silent. with the echoed sounds of water and gravel dropping being heard.
Aiden looked around as he and Marceline walked, examining the cave's interior carefully.
"wait." spoke Aiden.
Marceline stopped and looked at Aiden. "what?"
"let's take some of these crystals with us." spoke Aiden. "I have a feeling they might be useful later."
Marceline looked unsure about this... But, ultimately decided that it probably was smart
to gather whatever materials that they could, even if it didn't seem to have any value right now.
As Aiden said: 'they could be useful later.'
"oh, alright. but work quickly, I don't want us to get ambushed again." said Marceline.
Aiden nodded and knelt down to a cluster of crystals that each glowed in different colors.
Taking out a mallet and screwdriver, he began to hammer into the base of the crystals
in an attempt to break them off from the cave's stone wall and collect them.
Every hammer created a sharp echo, which made Marceline feel agitated.
She darted her eyes around, looking for any signs of hostile animal that might be drawn to them.
After a few minutes passed with no real progress made, Marceline sighed sharply and quickly turned to Aiden.
"Here, use my Axe." said Marceline, handing her Axe-Bass to Aiden.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. This will go much faster if you use that." said Marceline.
"But, what about you?" asked Aiden. "What if we're attacked?"
Marceline pulled out the 10mm Pistol that Aiden had given her, and cocked it with a sly grin on her face. "I'll improvise."
Aiden gave Marceline a thumbs up, and then proceeded to swing the Axe at the crystals.
And sure enough, this yielded a better result. Easily breaking them off from the stone wall.
However, Marceline worries proved well founded as rapid skittering was soon heard.
Marceline saw the approaching enemies first due to her nocturnal vision. They weren't Mole Rats this time...just normal rats
(though to call them 'normal' would be generous, as they were still 'Giant Fucking Rats!')
Marceline raised her gun, and aimed it in the direction of the approaching rodents.
While she could see them perfectly, she had to wait for them to get closer for any shots to count.
While she could use that VATS thing that Aiden told her about,
She really didn't need such a thing, Her own vampire powers was her VATS.
(*BLAM!*) Marceline fired a single shot, which hit a Rat square on the head.
(*BLAM!*) Marceline fired another shot, which sliced through it's front and back legs. Crippling it.
...just one more left.
The Final Rat sprinted and lunged, but time slowed to a crawl from Marceline perception.
The Vampire Queen inhaled, and fired the 10mm pistol straight at the Rat's underbelly mid-jump.
(*BLAM!*) The rat exploded into a bloody mess.
Marceline didn't even blink as she wiped bits of flesh from her cheek.
"frock you." spoke Marceline, with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Okay, I think I've got enough." said Aiden, as he stood up.
"Perfect timing, man." said Marceline.
"yikes." said Aiden, finally bearing witness to the carnage. "and I thought RadRoaches were pests."
Marceline then flew over the rodent corpses, and opened up her own satchel.
Aiden watched in bewilderment as Marceline began to gathered the flesh chunks
and stored them away in some plastic bags that she placed back in the satchel.
"uhh... what are you doing, Marcy?"
"just gathering some food for us to eat later." said Marceline.
"ick." responded Aiden.
"You better get over that, Addie. Food can be hard to come by in the Wastes." began Marceline.
"You need to take what you can find if you want to live to see tomorrow."
Aiden shrugged in defeat. "fair point."
[Later.]
After trekking through the dark cavern for nearly 10 minutes,
a faint light gleamed through the darkness as the mouth of the cave finally came into view.
"Finally!, some light." exclaimed Aiden, relieved.
Even Marceline was happy to see daylight (momentarily forgetting how dangerous it would be for her.)
As the pair made a run for the cave entrance, Aiden suddenly stopped and grabbed Marceline. "WAIT!"
"WHAT!?"
"Did you forget, Marcy!? It's daylight outside!"
"oh...right." said Marceline, realizing her near dumb mistake.
"wait here. I'll go and check things out real quick." said Aiden.
"Don't go too far." spoke Marceline, worried. "If you get in trouble out there, I won't be able to help you!"
"I'll be right back, Marcy. Don't worry..."
Marceline then handed Aiden her Axe-Bass again. "take this with you... just in case."
Aiden nodded as he took Marceline family heirloom once again. "stay out of the light."
Marceline watched as Aiden walked towards the mouth of the cave and into the light.
She followed him just enough that she stopped at the very edge where light and shadow met.
Marceline growled in her throat, hating how helpless she was right now.
While being a Vampire had it's many upsides, this was certainly one downside that she hated.
Aiden carefully approached the cave entrance, gripping the handle of Marceline Axe tightly.
As he finally stepped outside, he froze upon seeing some dry human skeletons laying on the ground.
Pushing his fear aside, he stepped out further and walked out of the cave.
Outside, he found a clearing with a forest of skeletal-like trees that lay ahead of him.
Aiden then looked up at the sky, which was shrouded in thick gray clouds.
He couldn't even see the sky itself, and any trace of the sun was a dim glow among the grey.
"MARCY!" called Aiden. "IT'S OKAY!, THE SKY IS OVERCAST!"
(("YOU SURE!?")) answered back Marceline, her voice echoed.
"YEAH!, I CAN BARELY SEE THE SUN! IT'S BREEZY OUT, TOO!"
Marceline carefully extended her arm into the light cast into the cave.
And as the light touched her pale skin... It didn't burn.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Marceline floated forward into the light.
She soon exited the cave and rejoined Aiden in the clearing where he stood.
Marceline then inhaled deep, extended her arms out in a cross-posture.
She then shot up into the air, and twirled in the air like a ballerina, her long hair moving like a wisp.
Aiden stared up at his friend, in awe at what he was seeing.
"GROB, I love cloudy weather!" exclaimed Marceline, gradually floating down. "It's the only way for me to enjoy the daytime at all."
Aiden smiled. "Hopefully it'll stay this way for awhile."
Marceline looked back to Aiden and smiled. "Then we'd better find shelter fast.
I mean, I like caves. But the one we were in has a bit of a "pest control problem."
Aiden chuckled at Marceline's minor joke. "you're funny, Marcy. I really like that."
Marceline blushed a little. "thanks, Addie."
After a brief moment, the two turned back to the cave that they just came out of.
They paused upon seeing more human skeletons, and rusted construction vehicles near the cave entrance.
Aiden began to walk back to the cave opening and examine this scene frozen in time.
He noted some piles of rocks gathered near the cave, both outside and inside of it.
"what happened here?!" spoke Marceline, walking up to Aiden.
"these are Excavation vehicles, used for digging." began Aiden, thinking aloud.
"There must've been a cave-in that these people were trying to dig through.
The Bombs were probably what caused the cave-in. GADS!, mom was lucky to get to the Vault when she did!"
Marceline shivered as she imagined a scenario where Aiden and his mother had failed to get to the Vault in time.
It made her shudder to imagine them being so close to safety, only to die because of something so random.
Thank Grob that they made it in time...
"Looks like these guys managed to dig through... but they didn't get too far." mused Marceline.
Indeed, the furthest these unfortunate people ever did manage was right into the mouth of the cave.
Apart from that, they all died right here and remained that way for the past 200 years (give or take.)
"the radioactive fallout must've killed them." spoke Aiden.
"even 18 years after the bombs fell, the radiation levels were too high, even with a radiation suit.
These people died centuries ago. they were dying, even as they were trying to get into the cave where the Vault was."
Marceline frowned, feeling a little bad for the fate that befell these nameless humans.
then again, they might've all been willing to do anything to survive,
even kill Aiden and his mom (and then each other) just so they wouldn't need to share any resources.
Having grew up surviving in the Wastes that would one day become Ooo,
Marceline knew full well how Survival could bring out the Best, or Worst in people.
"we should go. there is nothing more for us here." said Marceline.
Aiden sighed, frowning sadly. "yeah... I know."
Aiden finally turned and walked with Marceline away from the cave.
But as they approached the surrounding forest... Aiden once again stopped and stared in awe at what lay before him.
"my...GOD." spoke Aiden, stunned and horrified. "th-the woods!, it's-It looks so... DEAD."
Marceline took a moment to look at the forest, and it was indeed devoid of any life.
All the trees were little more than branches with barely any leaves to be seen.
This was so unlike the forests of Ooo, where the forest were almost like green clouds at a distance.
If that 'Huntress Wizard Chick' could see the state that THIS forest was in, she might actually have a meltdown.
(or at least, Marceline assumed. She really didn't know much about Finn's leafy not-girlfriend.)
"I...I used to play in this forest." spoke Aiden, in an emotional trance.
"It was like my own little world where everything else didn't matter...I felt so safe here."
Aiden frowned as he continued to stare at what was left of the woodlands. "I don't even recognize it anymore..."
Marceline walked up, and put her hands on the human's shoulders.
"It won't stay this way forever..." spoke Marceline, softly.
"One day, everything WILL grow back, and these woods will be Green again."
"but I won't live to see that... will I?" asked Aiden, looking at Marceline.
The Vampire Queen hesitated to answer... so Aiden turned away.
"we should go... my hometown shouldn't be too far from here." spoke Aiden, monotoned.
"oh, wait. Before I forget... Here." Aiden handed Marceline back her Axe-Bass.
"oh, uhh... Thanks." said Marceline, taking back her prized possession.
As Aiden proceeded to enter the forest, Marceline followed close behind.
The pair walked (or in Marceline's case' Floated) down a dirt path,
passing by the many skeletal trees, and even some that had collapsed completely.
The air was dead quiet, with only the sound of a breezy wing being heard.
Aiden shivered, missing the sounds of twittering birds that used to be common in these woods.
Now, he felt like he was walking through Purgatory. It wasn't quite Hell, but this certainly wasn't Heaven either.
Just dead... cold... silence.
"Hey!" spoke Marceline, suddenly. "This Pip-Boy thing is picking up Radio Stations!"
Aiden looked back to Marceline. "Yes, they can detect nearby radio signals."
"Wanna listen to some tunes while we walk?" asked Marceline.
Aiden shrugged. "might as well. The silence out here is maddening."
Marceline smiled as she tuned into a Radio Station, which started to play some music.
(("I don't want to set the world on fire... I just want to start, A flame in your heart.
In my heart, I have but one desire... And that one is you, No other will do.
I've lost all ambition, For worldly acclaim. I just want to be the one you love.
And with your admission, That you feel the same. I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of.
Believe me...
I don't want to set the world on fire... I just want to start, A flame in your heart...
I don't want to set the world on fire, honey... I love you too much.
I just want to start. A great big flame Down in your heart.
You see, Way down inside of me. Darlin', I have only one desire.
And that one desire is you. And I know, Nobody else ain't gonna do.
I've lost all ambition, For worldly acclaim. I just want to be the one you love...
And with your admission, That you feel the same. I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of,
Believe me...
I don't want to set the world on fire...
I just want to staaaart... A flame in your heeeaaaart..."))
Marceline smiled as the song ended. "not a bad song there... Even if it is ancient."
It was at this point that the travelling pair finally exited the forest,
and came across a wooden bridge that went over a creek that was still flowing.
And ahead of the bridge... were the remnants of a bunch of houses.
"What's that up there!?" inquired Marceline (switching the radio off.)
Aiden paused and stared with wide eyes. "home... I'm Home."
Aiden then broke into a sprint, running across the wooden bridge.
Marceline flew over Aiden, and the pair both entered the ruins of a small, radial neighborhood.
The houses, though a varied stages of disrepair, all looked the same.
a Large, skeletal tree stood at the center in a patch of ground covered in dead leaves.
Marceline then flew over to a rusty sign. Though the full writing was illegible, One word was still intact.
['PARADISE']
"Paradise?" inquired Marceline.
"Paradise Hills." spoke Aiden. "It was a gated community where I lived with my mother.
It was... a nice place. Everyone was so friendly, and I had many friends here, too."
"what were they like?" asked Marceline, wanting to start a conversation.
"well...There was Fritz. a kid who was really into pirates and was a bit of a troublemaker.
He was the fastest kid in the neighborhood, and was really good at swiping things without anyone noticing.
then there was Jeremy. he was always quiet, usually kept to himself.
but MAN, could he tell the best jokes. and he had the most infectious laugh.
There was also Gabriel and Susie, who were brother and sister.
Gabe liked to play the Ukulele, and Sue could the best cupcakes!"
Aiden then frowned. "and...Cassidy."
Marceline caught the shift in Aiden's tone. "Who was she?"
"a very...special girl." said Aiden. "she wasn't like other girls... Certainly not like Susie.
She was a bit of a tomboy, getting into scraps (often when defending me from bullies.)"
Aiden looked down, a saddened look on his face. "and I... I kind of... l-liked her."
Marceline looked at Aiden with soft eyes. "did she... like you back?"
Aiden breathed out softly. "last time I saw her... it was during my birthday party, when the bombs fell.
Everyone was in a panic, running in all directions. and Cassie, she...
(*deep sigh*) she kissed me on the cheek before running with her parents... that was the last time I ever saw her."
Aiden shed a tear, the reality of the situation hitting him like a ton of bricks.
"they're gone... all of them. Even if my friends found shelter, it's been 200 years since that day."
Marceline frowned sadly. "I... I wish it wasn't true, but... yes. Yes, I am afraid they are all gone.
Most humans are lucky to live for 90 years. Even if they lived to see old age, you outlived them long ago."
Aiden inhaled deep, trying to hold in a sob.
"is... Is this what it's like for YOU?" spoke Aiden. "to outlive the people you love... to feel so... ALONE."
Marceline frowned again, looking down sadly. "yeah.. sometimes Immortality really sucks."
Aiden turned and approached Marceline. He then suddenly hugged the Vampire.
Marceline widened her eyes, but quickly returned the hug in kind.
"don't worry, addie. you still have me." said Marceline, in a comforting tone.
"I know... and I am so grateful for that." said Aiden.
After hugging for a whole minute, the pair finally parted.
"So. which, uhh... Which one of these was your house?" asked Marceline.
Aiden looked around, Trying to remember the layout of his derelict childhood home.
After half a minute, he finally spotted a house that vaguely looked familiar. "There!"
Aiden proceeded to run towards a house, with Marceline close behind as usual.
a quick look at a mailbox confirmed Aiden's suspicions, as the name ['MADISON'] was still present.
Aiden approached the open doorway that was now missing it's door.
Walking inside, he paused and gasped at the interior of the ruined living room.
Remnants of a birthday party was still present, with aged decorations still hanging from the walls.
Unwrapped gifts that were long since left behind were now withered by time and the changing weather.
Aiden staggered, his legs feeling weak as old memories returned to him.
((*SQUEEEAK-Eeee*))
Aiden stepped back, having stepped on something. He looked down to see a dirty looking dog toy...
...right near a dish that read 'SCRUFFY' in smudged lettering.
tears flowed down Aidens eyes as emotions boiled over that he couldn't hold back.
he then dropped to his knees, his body limp as he silently cried over. his tears wetting the ground.
Marceline grimaced, feeling shame at having apparently just made things worse for Aiden.
With no words that could possibly give the human any comfort, she instead lowered down and put her arms around him.
Aiden grasped Marceline's arm, clinging to it
Then, Suddenly-
((* BZZ!, BZZ!, BZZZZ!*))
Marceline and Aiden quickly looked to see what looked like Giant Flies the size of beach balls approach.
"oh, give us a frocking break!" exclaimed Marceline, now EXTREMELY aggravated.
Marceline was about to draw out her Axe-Bass... when Aiden then stood up instead,
drawing out a collapsible security baton that he fully extended with a single flick of his wrist.
Aiden then glared with an anger that Marceline hadn't thought was possible.
The human then charged, letting out a primal yell that actually scared the Vampire Queen.
The Flies then shot a green, thick liquid at Aiden... but the enraged human evaded them.
He then swiped his baton at one of the flies, which shattered it's exoskeleton like it was made of paper.
The other fly again, shot what Marceline figured was some kind of spitwad.
This time it DID hit Aiden in the back, making him wince as it burned into him like acid.
But the human's anger had dulled any pain he felt and he reacted with another vicious swipe, killing his attacker.
"whoa." spoke Marceline, stunned at Aiden's sudden combat prowess. "holy shizz."
The last of the giant flies dove for Aiden, but he reacted quickly,
driving the rod of his baton straight through the insect like a stake, impaling it.
Aiden then angrily slammed the fly down, obliterating it into pieces.
Still angry though, Aiden began to bash his baton against the dead corpse.
pointlessly battering it, and breaking the exoskeleton into oozing pieces.
"Aiden!, ADIEN STOP!" Marceline ran and grabbed Aiden. "It's over, Aiden! Calm do-"
Aiden yelled as he quickly turned and glared at Marceline.
Clarity then returned to him, his rage finally melting away.
"I... I'm sorry." spoke Aiden, breathing heavily. "I... I don't know what came over me."
Marceline gently released Aiden, her gaze still on him. "it's okay, Aiden. I'm here for you... everything is going to be okay."
Aiden breathed out, finally putting his Baton away. Marceline then checked on where one of the flies had hit him.
"yeck!, what is this stuff?, Acid!?" spoke Marceline, as she wiped the substance off.
"Are you hurt? if you are, please tell." said Marceline, worried.
"I'll live." answered Aiden, who then let out a small cough.
Aiden then knelt down, and began to gather sentimental items and pack them in his rucksack.
"we should try and salvage what we can here." spoke Aiden, monotoned.
"um... Y-Yeah. good idea." spoke Marceline, distracted.
Aiden took his rucksack and walked with Marceline through the house.
"My mom's room is through there." spoke Aiden, pointing to a doorless frame. "You go on ahead. I'll be... in my old room."
Marceline looked back at Aiden. "You're not coming with?"
"sorry, I... I'm not ready to go in there... yet."
Marceline nodded. "I understand. Okay, but if you need me... just holler."
"kay." responded Aiden, walking away.
Marceline frowned, feeling great empathy for Aiden.
'Grob' knows that he was going through a rough time, and it hadn't gotten better.
And right now, she wasn't sure if she should give him more comfort, or just give him some time to himself.
She understood more than anyone that sometimes you need space to deal with trauma.
But other times, you really did need others to support you... Even if you don't think you need any help.
"i'll give him a few minutes..." mused Marceline, aloud. "then i'll check on him."
Marceline entered the room that resembled more of an office, than anything else.
the bed was completely trashed, a wall was completely gone (revealing what looked like a bathroom)
and all that remained was a broken dresser, a computer that was somehow intact... and a metal safe.
"Okay, THAT looks interesting."
Marceline flew over to the desk where the computer and safe were.
She first switched on the computer, which asked for her to input a password.
"Password, huh? okay. let's try... A-I-D-E-N."
[PASSWORD INCORRECT]
"Damn. thought that'd be it. Okay, let's try... E-I-L-E-E-N."
[PASSWORD INCORRECT]
"Duh, of course that wouldn't be it. Aiden's mom was a genius." grumbled Marceline. "Umm... is it... F-U-C-K-V-A-U-L-T-T-E-C."
[PASSWORD INCORRECT]
[ONE (1) ATTEMPT REMAINING BEFORE SYSTEM LOCKOUT.]
"oh, Frock this." said Marceline, who swooped over to the safe. "I'll just crack this thing the old fashioned way."
Marceline then drew out her pouch of Bobby Pins and a Screwdriver.
She then inserted the pin into the keyhole, and used the screwdriver to turn the tumbler.
Carefully she fiddled with the lock, trying to drive the pin through.
(*SNAP!*)
"Shizz!" cursed Marceline, discarding the broken pin.
She then took out another, and tried to pick the lock again.
The pin vibrated a little... but then-(*SNAP!*)
"FROCK!" cursed Marceline, having failed again. "come on you stupid lock..."
Marceline inserted another pin, and tried again. This time being extra careful.
The tumbler creaked a bit further than before... Until finally-(*CHINK!*)
"Frock, Yeah!" exclaimed Marceline, as she swung open the safe door.
"Now, let's see what hidden treasures that you had stashed away, Eileen."
Inspecting the safe, Marceline found old stacks of dollar bills, some jewelry,
a box of Bobby Pins (which she quickly took), some Stim Paks and a disk of some kind.
"Hm. I wonder what this is." mused Marceline, taking the disc.
((*BZZZZZ!*))
With lighting fast reflexes, Marceline quickly evades a sudden attack from behind.
She looked to see a strange looking robot shaped like a sphere with three eye stalks,
and three 'legs' that each had a different device on it (one of which was a Buzzsaw, which she narrowly avoided.)
(("TRYING TO STEAL THE MISSUS PERSONAL BELONGINGS, EH?")) spoke the robot,
whose 'voice' sounded oddly similar to Princess Bubblegum's 'Peppermint' Butler.
"Who the Frock are you!?" exclaimed Marceline, clinging to the ceiling.
(("I am COGSWELL. the Caretaker of this Household.")) replied the robot.
(("And I simply WILL NOT tolerate thieves and looters!, NOW HAVE AT YOU!"))
"Cogswell?!" spoke a voice.
One of the robot's eyes turned to see Aiden standing at the doorway.
The Robot then stopped what it was doing, turned and faced Aiden.
(("M-Master Aiden?")) spoke Cogswell, sounding almost shocked. (("By the Manufacturer! It's... IT'S REALLY YOU!"))
[To be Continued...]
[Author Notes]
Getting this chapter posted proved to be more difficult HERE, then any other site
as for some reason FF Document Manager wouldn't process my text file like it usually does.
I found a workaround, but I really hope that the FF Staff fixes this soon.
That said...
This chapter unintentionally went a bit longer than the others,
So if you enjoy this story then today you got a bit more story than usual.
While most of this narrative is based on Fallout 4, the opening of this chapter
in which Aiden and Marceline leave Vault 110, I actually took from the original 1997 Fallout by Interplay.
Like Vault 13, Vault 110 is inside a cave (which I wrote in to make reference to Marceline living in a cave)
and like in Fallout 1, the first hostile that the protagonists encounter are "Giant Rodents."
I will state that I am contemplating raising this story's rating from "T", to "M" due to the bloody violence
(which is normal for Fallout, a typically "M" rated videogame franchise.)
Later on, the "M" rating will be justified. but I am debating on if I should change it NOW, or later.
Anyway, this chapter also hints at the dynamic that Aiden and Marceline will having as companions.
that Marceline won't be carrying Aiden through the whole thing, and that Aiden himself will pull his own weight too.
Mainly in protecting Marceline from her common Vampire weakness of sunlight,
and that at times, he may have to do things on his own without Marceline.
(Despite this, I also implemented a workaround for Marceline to still be active during the day
by having cloudy/overcast weather be the only time that Marceline can safely be out in the day.
So she won't strictly be a 'Night Owl' all the time.)
I knew that once the duo made it outside, their Pip-Boys would pick up radio signals like in the games
which means, Yes. I will be writing in those classic songs from the series from time-to-time.
In choosing the first song for this story, I decided to go with a classic
that has been featured in numerous trailers and may as well be Fallout's theme song.
Like in Fallout 4, The pair find their way to a neighborhood where Aiden used to live in.
But as this isn't set DIRECTLY during Fallout 4, I didn't want to just put them in Sanctuary Hills.
Instead, I created a similar town of "Paradise Hills" (I was going to call it "Paradise Falls", but you need a Waterfall for that.
AND, I learned from the Fallout Wiki that there is already a place called Paradise Falls in Fallout 3...and it isn't a ice place.)
And, yeah. I also created my own version of fan favorite Codsworth with a similar Mr. Handy Robot named "Cogswell"
(since all these robots literally sound the same, it is believable that Cogswell can just be Codsworth with a different name.
He certainly can't be the only Robot Butler that was left behind when the bombs fell and dealing with the...well, "Fallout.")
And before anyone comments: YES, the names of Aiden's childhood friends were indeed
named after the "missing children" from the Five Nights at Freddy's series.
That DOESN'T mean that this is also a FNAF crossover. Only that there were similar children with the same names
that also existed in this Fallout Timeline (and I liked the idea of Aiden having a childhood crush on Cassidy.)
I also once again apologize if readers find Aiden to be a bit "wimpy" in this chapter.
But I wrote him as I feel someone might realistically react to losing everything you cared about.
His mother his dead, his dog is obviously dead, all his friends are gone, his whole world is in ruin.
Frankly, I would feel probably cry and rage at giant bugs if I were in the same situation he was in
...and SO WOULD YOU.
[Guest Review]
"I'm interested in seeing Marceline reaction to the vampire cult in DC.
if you haven't played fallout 3 or don't remember it there's a group of people in DC that believe they're vampires
and have started a cult you discover them in a quest that's giving to you by a woman
who wants you to deliver a letter to her brother."
Ah, yes. You speak of "The Family", that weird vampire cult that has made many Fallout Top 10 Lists on YouTube.
And I used the term "Weird", in that despite calling themselves Vampires, they can't really do any cool Vampire stuff
like turning into bats, flying and by Vance's admission he and his Vampire family can certainly cast a reflection in a mirror.
I haven't gotten that far in Fallout 3, but I am almost certain that these "Vampires" are just Hot Topic Humans
that decided to cosplay as Vampires one day and got waaay too into it
(I wouldn't be surprised if the sunlight doesn't bother them either.)
While I am unsure if Marceline will travel that far, if she DOES encounter The Family she may just laugh in their faces
and call them posers at best (and if they become hostile and try to feed on Aiden, or anyone else.
Well... Marceline WAS a Vampire Hunter, who still keeps plenty of wooden stakes on hand.)