[To get this out of the way. Even though I have a lot of time in warframe I have basically no idea about the story, but that doesn't really matter for this. I'll try my best to make the warframes, weapons, abilities, and such as lore accurate as possible, but a lot of this is probably going to be headcanon. So if you want to correct me, you can, just be respectful about it. I don't mind being corrected as long as someone is nice about it. That's pretty much all I needed to say real quick. so prepare for some things to most likely be wrong TvT. nonetheless, enjoy this story.]
[Unknown room]
'Where am I? Who am I? What am I?' We see a humanoid figure standing in a dark room. This figure has no defining features. Their face is completely blank, devoid of eyes, a nose, or even ears. They have no hair anywhere on their body, and even though they are 'naked,' it makes no difference. Their body is like a blank canvas, ready to have features applied to it.
Despite this, the figure could see everything around them, even without eyes. They turned in the same spot multiple times, searching for anything besides darkness, but with no luck. So they sat down, then lay back and decided to take a nap. 'Whatever I'll just take a nap.'
Before long, the figure fell asleep in the dark room for a few hours. When they eventually woke, they sat up from where they had been lying and looked around. This time, they finally found something other than darkness. They immediately stood and squinted their non-existent eyes at the object in the distance.
Realizing they had nothing better to do, they immediately began the long walk toward the very distant object. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours. it felt like days before they eventually reached it. Up close, the object appeared to be some kind of spaceship.
The figure walked around it for a few minutes before finding an entrance and stepping up a ramp into what could be considered the cockpit. The power still seemed to be working, as the lights were on and multiple floating screens glowed in the air above two table like objects.
Stepping further into the ship, they moved onto a circular plate. A hologram of a ship appeared, with words above it reading, 'Return to Orbiter?' They hesitantly pressed confirm. The ramp closed, and the entire ship shook slightly as it steadily lifted and began flying forward. Not long after, light burst all around as the ship trembled again.
A few minutes later, the light faded. Outside the ship, numerous stars and the blackness of space could be seen. A nearby sun cast natural light into the ship's interior and illuminated the massive structure known as the Orbiter. The ship, now moving much slower, approached the Orbiter and prepared to dock, taking its place alongside several other uniquely shaped ships.
The ramp lowered once more. The figure hesitated before slowly walking down into the Orbiter. To their left was a hallway with more open ramps. Walking further down the tunnel to their right, they were immediately greeted by greenery—a medium-sized open area with a glass ceiling facing the nearby star. Light poured down onto grass, bushes, and small trees. Off to the left was a circular door labeled 'Command Deck.' Straight ahead was another circular door labeled 'Power.' To the right was a door marked 'Main Area.'
Walking to the Command Deck, the circular door rotated ninety degrees and split in two, opening into a wide room with glass walls opposite the entrance. Banners hung from the ceiling. A massive hologram of a star, surrounded by planets and moons, floated in the center. A single console stood between the doorway and the hologram. To the right of the door was a cylinder-like station attached to the wall, lined with about two dozen circular blue lights.
They stepped back out and headed to the Power room. Like the last door, it rotated ninety degrees and split in two. Inside was a medium-sized chamber with a reinforced glass container at its center. Within it, white-blue strands of unknown energy constantly writhed, generating power for the Orbiter. A nearby console displayed: [Power Level: Stable; Nominal.]
Backing out once more, they walked toward the Main Area. The door opened into a wide circular room. Inside was a console displaying [Down? Up?], with 'Up' grayed out. With only one choice, they pressed 'Down,' and the platform immediately began descending, revealing itself to be an elevator.
After a minute, the door slid open to reveal a small room lined with lights along the walls and ceiling. Two short ramps flanked an exact copy of the cylindrical station from the Command Deck.
To the left of the elevator were three separate machines: A medium sized machine with a square platform, with a cylinder shaped part above the platform; a circular wall-mounted segment that opened to form a small platform with a selection screen; and further to the right, another cylindrical machine that opened to reveal nothing inside.
On the right side of the elevator stood a medium-sized table with a component suspended above it by two extended supports with rods, constantly sliding back and forth along them. To the left of that was an empty recessed section with no machinery at all. Around the corner stood a pedestal with an orb-like object floating above it. When touched, it projected a hologram.
Walking down one of the ramps leads to a three-way intersection. To the right is a room with an aquarium along the right wall and a wide, table-like structure protruding from the left side. A pedestal stands nearby with some kind of helmet floating above it—this one clearly real. Further inside, a section of the right wall holds shelves, four stacked atop each other.
Back out of that room, directly opposite it, lies a darker section of the ship. Organic growths surround the doorway. Hesitating, they eventually step forward and enter, only to witness what could be described as a horrific scene. Organic matter covers the walls, ceiling, and floor. In the center sits a chair with sharp, spider-leg-like growths extending from it, resembling some kind of operation table. Behind it looms the largest growth of all—a massive pair of lips forming a mouth that appears to breathe.
It seems to sense the figure's presence, because in the next moment the lights flicker and a distorted yet clear voice resonates inside their mind.
[Void demon? You are new master? We shall serve.]
The lights stop flickering, and everything returns to normal. Slightly disturbed, the figure exits the room and approaches the final door between the other two.
Inside is a large chamber. At its center stands a massive machine that opens as they approach, revealing a seat within. To the left and right are cylindrical platform-like sections embedded in the floor. But the most majestic sight in the room is behind the chair—a massive tree formed from white energy, emitting the same white-blue strands seen in the Power room.
They return to the main area and stand before the cylindrical segment. Suddenly, a figure appears within it.
A tall, biomechanical being stands there—its dark, sinewy body blending organic curves with sharp armored plating. Thin streaks of icy blue light glow along its chest, limbs, and head. Tendril-like growths coil from its back and shoulders, and a long segmented tail extends behind it, giving the entire form a sleek yet menacing silhouette.
The figure circles the immobile form before reaching out. Their hand phases through it, causing them to stumble forward and disappear inside. After a few seconds, the biomechanical body moves. It steps forward, loses balance, and falls onto its hands and knees. It raises a hand, staring at it in confusion, then slowly rises to its feet.
Now standing, they look around and reorient themselves before heading back up the elevator. Entering the Command Deck, they notice a few consoles to the left of the door. Against the wall is a table with a screen labeled 'Codex.' To the right stands another table with a larger screen labeled 'Market.'
Suddenly, a screen appears before their face, and they find themselves outside the armored 'puppet.'
[Hello, Tenno. I can simply be called the Jump System. My main function is to allow travel between worlds from your current position. Here is a breakdown of your situation. You died and lost your memories. You fell while working at a construction site and were impaled on several pieces of rebar. You bled out before help could arrive. Currently, you are what is known as a Tenno. You control these living armors called Frames. The one behind you is Nidus Prime. I will explain more along your journey, but for now, let us transform you from a featureless blob into a human.]
[Please input name: ______.]
The 'blob,' as the system called it, somehow appears thoughtful and eventually enters a name.
[Please input name: Alan Stone.]
[Name accepted! Please wait while we randomize your appearance.]
The blob's form begins shifting visibly. First, the face forms—a sharp jawline, strong cheekbones, a diamond-shaped structure, heavy stubble, deep blue eyes, and medium-length two-tone hair, black fading into white. His body becomes toned, with defined muscles across his chest, arms, and legs. His skin is fair with a light tan.
Soon after, a skin-tight black suit forms over his body, ending at his neck, hands, and feet. White accent lines run across it in complex patterns. A white cloak appears around his neck, adorned with gold lotus flower designs and reaching down to his calves.
Once complete, he steps back and re-enters Nidus Prime.
[Now that you have a unique appearance, let us begin. The first world has already been selected for you: Highschool of the Dead. You may not remember it, but you enjoyed it before your death. Go to Navigation in the center of the room and select the world for travel.]
Following the system's instructions, Alan walks to the navigation console and sees [HOTD] as the only option. Pressing confirm causes the Orbiter to tremble slightly before blasting into hyperspace, traveling through the Void. The estimated time reads two minutes, so Alan walks into the green room and sits among the trees.
Eventually, the ship stops. Returning to the Command Deck, he sees a large planet before the Orbiter. He heads for the landing craft bay, scans the available names, and selects 'Scimitar.' Entering it, the interior powers on, revealing Market, Codex, and Navigation consoles.
Stepping up to Navigation, Alan selects Earth.
The ship detaches from the Orbiter and shoots toward the planet. It enters orbit and activates a stealth system, becoming completely invisible. It hovers over a city known as Tokonosu, eventually positioning itself above a large building—Fujimi Academy—where a zombie outbreak has already begun.
[mission generated]
==========
Mission name: Save students.
Primary objective: Save students.
Secondary objective: Kill zombies.
==========
Alan looked at this and, with no other purpose, decided to do just that. With no memories and no wants, the only thing he knew to do now was take orders. He walked to the back of the landing craft and jumped down into the building below, landing on the roof of the school and cratering the flooring, which barely held him after the impact. A single girl was terrified of this creature that just landed, while two shambling figures turned towards it.
[A couple hours before]
On an open staircase a black haired boy with a black uniform over a red shirt was leaning against the stairwell railing, looking sad and dejected. "Pinky promise... Cross my heart, and hope to die... Yeah right." He wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, but after a moment a reply came. "That's so stupid." The boy, Takashi Komuro, looked over and saw a girl with pink hair styled in twin-tails in a white and green school uniform, with a green skirt.
Takashi looked slightly annoyed and sounded it too "What do you want?" Saya seemingly ignored the question and started berating him "Every time you have to face something you don't like, you always come to this stupid staircase. It's like your own little pity corner, look at you. Good god." She stepped forwards and continued after leaning forward slightly "The first semester has just started. How are you ever going to make it through the year?"
Takashi looked to the side and replied "I could say the same for you. The fifth period isn't even over yet" Saya straightened back up and replied back in a haughty "It's okay because I'm a genius, unlike you, who got into this school by dumb luck." Takashi sounded even more annoyed now "Takagi, why do you always dis me like that?"
His answer came not long after, Saya crossed her arms under her chest and still in a haughty tone "Because I don't like stupid people. Especially those ones who can't admit their stupid. I mean, you're pretty stupid, but at least you know you are. So, If I tell you that you're stupid, maybe by some miracle, you'll be less stupid, stupid." Takashi just turned back and leaned over the railing again, which annoyed Saya.
"Grow up. Moping because your little friend dumped you? Stupid" Saya then walked off leaving Takashi there leaning against the railing, looking over the school. Soon a clanging sound could be heard, and when he looked over he saw a man in a suit pushing against the school gate. Takashi spoke to no one but himself in confusion "Who's that? a tresspasser?"
Down at the school gates a group of four could be seen approaching the gate, three men and one woman. One of the men had a catchpole with him, but the most muscular walked up to the gate first, and grabbed the man by the collar of his suit, and slammed him against the gate bars. But not even a few seconds later, the man grabbed the more muscular mans arm and bit it, tearing flesh away, and causing blood to spray out.
Takashi was startled by this. Back down at the gate the situation seemed grim when the man stopped moving on the ground, the other three crowding around him. But he soon moved, but it got even worse as he grabbed the woman and bit into her neck.
This startled the two other men down there causing both back away, the elderly man to fall on his butt, and the other ran away. Takashi was even more startled at the sight and stepped back from the railing. Takashi then started running, bursting through the stairwell door, and booking it down a hallway.
Takashi soon reached a classroom and slammed the door open. Everyone was staring at him, and the teacher was not pleased at all "Komuro! You couldn't be happy with just skipping my class?" Takashi ignored him though and walked up to a girl with waist-length orange-brown hair that is tied in a single small ponytail on the back of her head.
"Come with me, we're gonna get out of here." Takashi then grabbed her wrist, and yanked her up. "Wh- What are you talking about?" Saya off to the right stood up with an angry expression. Right after another boy walked up to them, this being Hisashi Igou, Rei's boyfriend.
"Dude, what are you doing?" Hisashi was confused by Takashi's actions. "People just got killed by the front gate. No bullshit." Hisashi looked a little worried "Are you serious?" Takashi sounded slightly annoyed "Yeah, I'm making shit like that up." Rei then ripped her arm out of Takashi's grip and said "Jesus, what's going on?!"
Rei stepped back, closed her eyes, and lowered her head looking tense "I can never understand what's go-" Before she could finish, Takashi walked up and slapped her hard across the face. Hisashi looked worried but didn't say anything. Rei now had a red cheek and looked bewildered "What the-?!" But she couldn't get anymore out before Takashi cut her off. "Listen! Listen to me!" Takashi turned his head to Hisashi, and Hisashi got a serious look on his face.
[A little while later]
The group of Takashi, Rei, and Hisashi made it to the roof. Looking out over the city you could see traffic jams, smoke rising, blood everywhere, and hear the sounds of screams. It could only be described as a nightmare made real.
Takashi looked completely stunned, and nervous "Holy shit. It's happening everywhere." Hisashi in the back was holding his arm after being bitten on the way too the roof. Rei looked worried "But everything was normal- everything was fine a minute ago!" not long after, a huge gust of wind blew by followed by squad of choppers.
They all looked up at them with Takashi the first to speak up "Black hawk? American military?" Hisashi replied soon after saying "That's not it. That's self-defense force! Where did they come from? There's no base around here." Rei hurriedly raised her arms, and waved them while shouting "Over here!"
Bitterness seeped into Hisashi's voice "Don't bother. I wouldn't even waste your strength. That's the self-defense force. They must have some kind of special mission." Hisashi's voice turned grim "They're not here to rescue us. They're not even doing anything about that." Hisashi's pointed down drawing Rei's, and Takashi's gazes towards a female student being held by multiple zombies about to bite her. "That's what's going on outside where you can still run away from it. Imagine what's going on inside the school."
"This is like a disease caused by 'Them'." Takashi next to him responded confused "'Them'?" Hisashi continued "The dead are attacking people left and right, but this isn't a movie or video game. That's why it's 'Them'. They bite people. And then they come back to life as one of 'Them'. And it looks like smashing their heads in is the only way to get rid of them."
The undead started to surround them, coming from both sides of the roof. "There are to many of them." Rei was nervous seeing so many of the zombies surrounding them. Hisashi looked around and noticed a stairway behind some zombies "Let's get up there and block the stairs." All three took a ready stance and Takashi said "Let's go!" before they all ran forward.
Takashi managed to hit one of them in the head with his baseball bat, and slip under one that reached to grab him, flipping them over his back, and Hisashi ran forward with Takashi to the stairs. Rei tried to stab a zombie but lost the weapon it, where it then smacked her against the wall with it, and was going to bite her.
Both boys heard this and turned around, Hisashi looking angry "Rei!" Hisashi took the bat from Takashi's hands, and ran down the stairs. "Get away!" Rei shrieked as the zombie was about to grab her, but Hisashi managed to make it in time and bash it's head in. He then grabbed Rei and pulled her up the stairs with him.
[Later]
The stairs were now barricaded, multiple pieces of furniture attached to railing, and the wall with tape. "Why? Why is this happening?" Hisashi besides her replied "There has to be a reason. Maybe if we can figure out what's causing it, we can stop it. or at least protect ourselves." A moment of silence passed before he continued, starting to look worse and worse "We need to look around. Find matches or a lighter around her somewhere. If we don't make a fire now, we're going to be fucked when it gets dark."
Hisashi started gagging, and vomited up blood, sliding down the railing to a sitting position. Rei looked worried and rushed over "Hisashi, what's wrong with you?" Rei turned her head towards Takashi "Takashi, Hisashi is..." Rei stopped halfway, while Takashi was staring with worry, and a grim thought dawning. Looking back Rei saw Hisashi lift his head, his eyes had dark circles under them, he was looking paler, and blood was leaking from his mouth, and eyes. Hisashi was having trouble breathing.
Rei asked in a small voice to no one in particular "Why? Why? He got bit just a little, so why does it look so horrible?" Takashi over to the side spoke up "So it is just like the movies. They bite you and that's it." Takashi sounded very grim. Rei refused to believe it though "This can't be true! What you see in movies will never happen." Takashi responded quickly "But it did happen to everyone else." After that there was just silence.
Soon though Hisashi spoke up weakly "Takashi, will you help me?" Another moment of silence before Takashi asked "Help you with what?" Hisashi raised his hand, and pointed to the railing that led to the bottom floor "Help me over the rail, straight to the ground from here. The impact from the fall should smash my head."
Both Rei and Takashi looked shocked towards Hisashi for suggesting something like that. Rei argued "What are you saying?!" Before Rei could continue, Hisashi interrupted her shouting "I don't want to be one of them!" in a gruff voice, and hunched over spitting out a huge glob of blood that splattered across the floor.
Rei worried got a hold of Hisashi as he began hacking like he was trying to spit something up. Takashi looked grim while watching this when Hisashi said "Come on, Takashi, do it for me. I want to stay myself until the end." Hisashi looked even worse now, paler, the bags under his eyes more prominent, and even more blood flowing from his mouth and eyes.
Hisashi began coughing up more blood, while Takashi looked completely shocked. Hisashi fell forwards onto the ground, and started squirming while making sounds like he was in agony. Rei rushed over in worry "Hisashi, let me help you! No! No, Hisashi! You can't die!" A long stretch of silence followed after, with Takashi looking grim, but ready.
Rei was hunched over Hisashi's unmoving body while sobbing. After a moment Hisashi's hand twitched, and Takashi off to the side readied his bat, ready to fulfill Hisashi's last request. "Get away from him, Rei." Takashi's voice was calm, but no less grim then the situation. He slowly started walking forward with the bat at the ready, Rei however wasn't ready to let it happen "No! You can't do that! He's not turning... He's not turning into one of them! He's going to be fine!"
Takashi looked down at Rei, his gaze cold, already prepared for what he has to do. "Get away from him." Just then Hisashi moved slightly, and Rei looked down at him with small smile "Hisashi? Look, Takashi, he's getting up! He's getting better..." Near the end of her sentence her joy turned to slight fear and worry. "Hisashi?" Hisashi stood up and had shadows covering his face. Rei looked up from her sitting position "What's the matter?"
Hisashi growled lowly, Rei was about to run up to him but Takashi stopped her, wrapping an arm around her to stop her. "Hisashi! No way! This can't be true... No way!" Takashi stepped forward with bat in hand "I know you can't believe it. I can't believe it." Rei looked fearful and on the verge of tears "Takashi..."
Hisashi started growling and gasping more as he shambled forward. "But it's happening..." Takashi tightened his grip on the baseball bat, Rei now started crying and pleaded "Don't do it..." Takashi grit his teeth and shouted "It's happening!" Before he ran to hit Hisashi, and crush his head. But Hisashi grabbed the baseball bat, and Takashi's eyes went wide as Hisashi lunged forward and bit into Takashi's neck causing blood to spray out.
Takashi cried out in pain, and fell back with Hisashi on top of her, still biting his neck. After about a minute Takashi was dead, but wasn't unmoving as he slowly stood just like Hisashi is. Rei looked horrified, and had to accept the fact that she was about to die, and that both her childhood friend/crush died, and her boyfriend died.
Just as she was falling into despair, something crashed onto the roof a few feet away, nearly collapsing the entire area. And when it stood up, Rei was even more terrified as this seven foot monster stood nearby, and seemed to be staring directly in her, and subsequently the zombies direction.
The figure stood up fully and walked towards them, Rei not knowing what to do simply froze as she was trapped on both sides. The zombies lunged forward to grab Rei when the figures tail lashed out, and smacked both against the wall. Rei blinked in surprise as the figure walked right past here, seeming to be more intent on the zombies then her.
The monster grabbed both of the zombies heads, and popped them like rotten grapes, causing Rei to start shaking again. She then fell to her knees as she stared at this monster that easily killed two of the zombies with it's bare hands. And that now had turned it's attention to her.
[Thoughts? I had to rewatch highschool of the dead to get the scenes right TvT]