FusionFall: Invasion

Chapter Seven: The Gravity of Darkness

My NanoCom beeped, as did everyone else's. A small red dot blipped in the top right corner of the screen. We all clicked it and the same video popped up on our holographic screens. Dexter's face grinned up at us.

Hello my friends! We have begun research on a new sort of weapon for all of you soldiers. However, we need specific kinds of Fusion Matter, and from every individual who would like to obtain these weapons. We urge you to not undertake this mission if it becomes too much for you. We don't want to lose anyone. Details will be sent to all of you who decide to undertake this. Good luck!

"Huh." Jayven said. "New type of weapon?" He commented. We glanced around and noticed many other people nearby had begun fiddling with their tech, eager to begin this mission.

"What's the harm in it?" Chris said.

"Plus, any kind of weapon that'll give us another advantage will help us considerably." Piped in Tony.

"So...we'll check it out?" I asked everyone. There were murmurs of consent. I looked down at my Com and clicked the message that appeared and read Unstable Nano.

"Unstable...?" Alexis muttered. I clicked the words and a pop-up, well, popped up. I read aloud;

Welcome to the new primary way of communication throughout this war! These NanoComs will be very valuable. Check often to find missions from Heroes when they feel you are ready and to communicate with each other across the continent.

I, Dexter, and very excited to announce my new Unstable Nano. Nanos have been under experimentation by both Mandark and I since we have been able to obtain Fusion Matter. What Nanos will be able to do is have one special ability, as well as add more energy into your weapons making them stronger while active.

In order for you to obtain one of these Unstable Nanos, we must first obtain the right Fusion Matter, and test some of your abilities.

Below was a button that simply showed a green check mark. I clicked it and another message came up. "Another?" Daniel sighed. I nodded.

This time, a picture of Computress was next to the body of text. In order to create a nano, you must obtain Fusion Matter from Fuse's creatures, a specific item from a hero, and most of all, your imagination.

Below was Dexter again. Now that you know what is used to make a Nano, you need to collect the needed Fusion Matter from the creatures in Genius Groves.

"More traveling?" Jackson complained.

"It's alright," I said. "The slider is still operational! We can ride that down to Genius Groves." I pointed at the tracks above us.

"Fair enough." Jackson replied. "But...uh...How do we get up there?"

"Hmm..."

"The East port is in Peach Creek Estates...a bit too far." Brandon chimed in.

"And the West on is back in Marquee Row. Which is twice, thrice as far." David said.

"So it sounds like either way we'll have to walk a long distance..." Sherylann sighed.

"Wait...I think there's a better way." Andrew grinned. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"See?" Andrew said a few minutes later. "I overheard some people talking about the new jump pads that were installed not too long ago, like, everywhere." I inspected the pad. It was a short cylinder, with a rubber top. "It's...simplistic."

"Don't need much." Andrew grinned. "As long as it works."

I shrugged. "I guess..."

"Well, might as well try it." Blake said. He lifted a leg and stepped on it. He bounced a little. "Just jump." Hailey laughed. Blake looked at her, then jumped. When he landed, he seemed to disappear. He was launched at least 40 feet into the air screaming. He fell back down onto the pad and bounced up into the air again, still screaming.

"Land on the slider track!" Aiden called up. Blake fell down onto the pad once more, but this time when he flew up into the air, he put a hand on the metal strip and swung himself on top. He wobbled on his feet for a moment, stabilized, then put a hand to his mouth.

"Oh he better not..." I said.

"Oh he's gonna. Move!" Ali said. Everyone backed up out of spray range, avoiding puddles of deadly Fusion Matter on the ground. We heard a loud moan and then a splash. "Eeeugh." Everyone groaned, then laughed.

I sighed. That was not a fun ride. I laughed at Blake and everyone else who went first, but I understood now what the struggle of jumping that pad was like. I looked around. No one had a better experience with it. Suddenly, we all heard a loud hum that was only growing bigger. We whipped around to see the massive slider inching towards us.

"Quick! Jump on!" I shouted.

"How?" Rebecca called back.

"There are plenty of handholds! Jump up and grab one." I ran across the metal tracks and jumped up onto a bundle of wires that were tumbling from the sliders' body.

A few minutes later, everyone was sitting on the slider as it continued on it's path over Pokey Oaks.

"How's everyone holding up?" I asked.

"All good."

"I'm fine."

"Kinda fun!"

"Are you kidding? That was terrifying."

I chuckled and collapsed. Whew. I thought. This only started a few days ago, but it's already tiring...I'm glad we can still laugh. I looked over the edge of the slider. I spotted two people on the ground, under a tree. One was lying on the ground, a green-crusted hole in his chest, mixed with red. A girl knelt over the boy's body, her body shuddering. As I watched, a fusion monster lumbered up behind her. It was tall, lanky and made of...newspaper? It lifted a massive throwing star-looking thing and raised it above the girl. I quickly grabbed my Luxury Rifle, aimed, and shot.

I took the scope from my eye..."No..."

I was to late. The Fusion disintegrated in a gust of wind, but not before I saw the girl slumped over the body of her comrade. The star stuck up from her back. I closed my eyes and took a breath, then turned away, gripping my rifle. I realized no one was talking. I glanced around and saw everyone looking down at the dark scene. I heard the pitter-patter of raindrops and shivered as the cold water hit my skin. Ali walked over and sat next to me and laid her head on my shoulder.

I sighed. "When is this going to stop?"

"I don't know. I don't think it will any time soon." She said.

I nodded. "It was rhetorical." I chuckled.

"Mm..." She buried herself into me further. I put an arm around her. "I won't let any of us end up like that. I swear that."

As I said those words, loud commotion could be heard. I slowly got to my feet and helped Ali up to hers.

"We're at Genius Grove..." Jackson said. "It's completely overrun by...teenage soldiers."

We looked out and indeed, there were singles and groups of soldiers running around, hunting for Fusion monsters. I sighed.

"Looks like this isn't gonna be as easy as we thought."