Prologue: Nightmare Night
Prologue: Nightmare Night
It was nightmare night, a time when young foals in many major cities in Equestria were begging to be scared (and eat candy, of course). One small colt was poking around in his grandfather’s attic, looking for something to do before he went out for the night, when he noticed something odd. He saw an ornately carved ring, made of a metal that shone like gold, but was of a pure black luster.
The ring was not unfamiliar to him, in fact, he saw his grandfather wear it all the time. What was odd, however, was the fact that it was away from his grandfather. You see, this colt knew his grandfather well, and that old stallion never removed his black ring, and refused to part with it, even for a moment. It was almost like it was a part of him. The colt went to grab the ring. Right as he was about to touch it, a familiar voice croaked behind him “Just what do you think you are doing up here young colt? I thought that I had taught you better than to go snooping in other ponies' attics!” The colt's ears flattened to his head, and he whimpered "I... It's... It's just so... tempting... The colt broke his reverie as his grandfather had a coughing fit. He went to his grandfather's side and asked "Are you okay, grampa? Still coughing, his grandfather swept past him, grabbed the ring, and put it around his hoof. The effect was immediate. His coat brightened, he stopped coughing, and he was able to straighten up. Neither of them noticed a flash of orange run through the old stallion's irises. Eager to see what effect the ring would have on him, the young colt whined, “When will you let me wear it grampa?”. His grandfather gave him a long, hard look, and after a moment of silent contemplation, sent him downstairs to have a good time out in the town square with the rest of the ponies. As he watched his young charge's flank disappear down the attic steps, he mumbled reverently "Never, if I have anything to say about it. This ring is meant for Jack..."
Later that night, the colt and his friends sat around the Nightmare Moon statue, eagerly awaiting the famous story told every year. Suddenly, an old stallion appeared from behind the statue, a black ring visible on his front left hoof. The stranger announced “I bring grave news this night, fillies and gentlecolts... "Grampa! What are you doing here?" the young colt interrupted. Regaining his composure, the old stallion continued. "Apparently Mr. Goodmane will not be able to tell the nightmare night traditional story tonight, due to his wife being in the hospital. However, I will be able to fill in for him tonight, albeit with a story of a slightly different sort…” The old stallion let out his best evil laugh, making the young children look at each other with fright. He had them sit down, and began his tale.
“Most nightmare nights, ponies tell each other the haunting story of Nightmare Moon and her eternal night, but I am a different sort of pony, and have no use for mundane things such as tradition. Instead, I think I’ll tell you young ones how I came across this here ring I have on my hoof. What’s the first thing you notice about it?” One of the younger fillies shouted “It’s black!” ”Good eye!” the old stallion exclaimed. “That attention to detail may just get you through this night alive… OH COME OUTTA THERE! I’M ONLY KIDDING! Darn kids… Anyway, my story starts not so long ago, right here in Manehatten…” “What kind of story is it mister?” a shaking filly asked. The old stallion looked her dead in the eye.“It’s going to be an unfinished one, if you keep interrupting!"
Author's Note
I realize these first two chapters are short, but they are more of a teaser than the main act. The next few chapters will be (hopefully) longer. They are also going to focus on Jack's day-to-day life. Then things can REALLY get fun...
Chapter 1: Birth of a Killer
The hospital in Manehatten was a whirl of activity. Nurses and doctors galloped urgently through the halls. It went on like this for hours. Small cuts, broken bones, chipped teeth! The list went on and on. And the only doctor on duty was Edgar Raven, PhD. Dr. Raven had finally sat down and ordered a cup of coffee, after all, he had just gotten off four straight hours of "Doctor my leg!" and "Oh, I feel funny!". He decided that if any more fluids were to hit his poor lab coat, then he would have to burn it to put it out of its misery. Suddenly the P.A. announced “Dr. Raven to the ER! Dr. Raven to the ER.” "Oh come on! Can't anypony just go and see their dentist for a feathering toothache!?" he yelled to nopony in particular. "I guess not." he grumbled, and set down his coffee. “Well, back to work, I guess…” When he arrived, he quickly appraised the situation. There was a mare laying across the seats in the advanced stages of labor, screaming "GET THIS HORSEFEATHERING PARASITE OUT OF MEEEEEEE!!!" Dr. Raven quickly called three nurses and got her on a gurney. He left a nurse to calm the husband, get him into the proper attire to attend the birth, and help him fill out the paperwork while the other two prepped the mare for delivery.
Upon entering the delivery room, the head nurse gave her partner a knowing glance, and turned to their patient. “You are too close to giving birth for us to give you any anesthetic. I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt.”
Sundance Hoofington gasped as another shooting pain ran down her spine. “What!? But I’m about to-“ Her scream was enough to rattle the windows as she bucked on the table. Just at that moment, the doors burst open.
“Honey! Are you okay?” Stormwatch asked as he charged into the room. “Oh.” He stared wide-eyed at his wife’s exposed bottom. He opened his mouth, closed it. His eyes rolled up into his head as his world went dark.
The nurse handed Dr. Raven the mare’s chart. The mare screamed and cried for a few agonizing minutes, until Dr. Raven exclaimed “I see the head, Mrs. Hoofington! Just a little more, you're doing well!”
Sundance gave one final shriek, and deposited a slimy, bloody foal into Dr. Raven’s hooves. He looked over at the unconscious Stormwatch as he rolled his eyes “Amature. Oh well, can't be helped; Can somepony please get him a chair?" It’s funny, they always say they will be their rock, and yet they always pass out... Dr. Raven handed the baby to the nurses, and went over to Sundance. “Congratulations ma’am, it’s a foal.”
Stormwatch jumped to his feet. "I'm alright!"
Dr. Raven looked at him and said “Ah! Good thing you’re awake, sir! It’s time to name your new foal! Isn't it nice to not have to do any work at all?" Dr. Raven decided to leave them in peace to decide on a name. “The nurses are right outside if you need anything. Enjoy your new foal!” As he walked out, he thought to himself Did I REALLY just say that? Two stern voices replied "YES!" Dr. Raven cringed, and a nurse fell over laughing. "Hahahahahahaha! Your face! Can't! Breathe!" Dr. Raven trotted towards the staff lounge. "I need a freaking drink!"
Sundance Hoofington was ecstatic. She had just given life to a foal! (It didn’t hurt that she was exhausted either!) Stormwatch asked “What should we name him honey?” Right at that moment, a nurse opened the door.
“Would you like to hold him?” she asked. Sundance nodded, beaming. The nurse placed him in her arms, and Sundance melted. As the nurse left, she focused on Stormwatch’s question. She tried out their top name choices, feeling how they sounded attached to the newborn cradled in her hooves, but none of them felt right.
Suddenly a feeling hit Sundance and she said “Jack! We should name him Jack.” Her husband gave her a reproachful look. “Jack? Are you sure honey? That’s not exactly a normal name. What about Cloudcrusher, or Windrunner, like we agreed on? She looked away from him, thinking hard, and then said “Yes. I’m sure. Jack feels right to me, like it was his name before he was even born.” Stormwatch just shook his head, saying “OK then, it’s settled. Jack it is!” He filled out the form the nurse handed him, and Jack Hoofington was officially named.
Author's Note
Trust me when I say to enjoy the heartwarming while you can. Next chapter, the downward spiral finally begins!
*insert evil laugh here*
Chapter 2: Tough Love
Sundance Hoofington woke to the sound of a foal crying. She trotted over to Jack's crib, and picked him up. She held him close to her, but his crying wouldn't stop. She tried rocking him, but he just wouldn't calm down. Sundance decided to try feeding him again, but he just cried harder. Just as she was about to start crying herself, she heard a floorboard creak behind her. She spun around, and saw Stormwatch standing in the hall. She looked down at her feet.
Stormwatch wouldn't have known Sundance was crying if he hadn't known what to look for. She was shaking, and tears ran down her muzzle. He moved to her. As he wrapped her in a sidelong hug, he whispered in her ear. "Honey, It's all right, I'm here to help you, and you don't have to face this alone." A short pause. Then, "Honey? You know you can always talk to me, right?"
Sundance felt like a failure. " I... It's just... What if I can't do this? He cries every night, all night. I feel like I'm letting him down, letting us down! Is something wrong with him? Is something wrong with me?" Sundance took a deep breath. "Look at me, blubbering like a school filly caught misbehaving. I... I'm a grown mare! I should be able to comfort him! He should always feel safe with me!" She looked at Stromwatch. A strangled whisper came out of her mouth, rendered almost inaudible due to the baby's wails. "Wh.. Why can't I comfort him? Am I a... a... failure?
Stormwatch just stood there, trembling. "Are?... Are you?... Are you serious!? You, Sundance Hoofington, Are the most wonderful, caring, and un-horrible thing in existence! Bar none! And Furthermore, you are not a failure! A failure wouldn't even get out of bed to care for their little ponies, much less keep themselves up all night to comfort them!" Stormwatch took a deep breath. "Besides, if it makes you feel better, we have to take him to the hospital tomorrow and get his first set of booster shots and a check-up done anyway. Now please, stop trying to make yourself out to be a bad mother! Our child is not going to hate you. In the meantime, let's try to get our little noisemaker here to take a nap, shall we?"
Sundance hugged Stormwatch - as much as a mare with both hooves full of screaming baby could, anyway - and grinned ruefully. "Thanks Storm. I... I think I needed that..." She gently slipped out of his grip, and started tickling Jack under the muzzle. "Uh oh, It looks like somepony's a little cranky-wanky! Isn't that right, honey?"
Stormwatch took the hint, tickling Jack's lower hoof. The effect of two hooves tickling him was irresistible. The loud cries from before quickly became sniffles, and then transitioned to full-on laughter...
As the sun rose over the busy city of Manehatten, three very tired ponies cuddled on the futon in their small apartment. The blissful reverie was broken by the sound of an alarm clock going off in the other room. Stormwatch shot out a hoof to hit the snooze button, accidentally poking Jack In the eye. Now, most baby ponies don't take too kindly to that, and Jack was no exception. Stormwatch found himself being glared at by Sundance as she comforted Jack and attempted to inspect the affected eye. Once Jack had been dealt with, she approached him and tapped her hoof. A playful, stern look came to her face. "Do you care to explain why in Equestria you thought it was a good idea to poke a sleeping baby in the eye? We just got him to fall asleep in the first place!"
"Sorry. Reflex." Stormwatch looked sheepish.
"Reflex, my hindquarters Pal! Next time look before you swing! Now go get in the shower before you're late for work!" As Stormwatch left the room, she chuckled. "Oh Stormwatch Hoofington, just what am I going to do with you?
"Surprise!" Stormwatch nearly had a heart attack when he got to the Office of Weather Management - Manehatten Branch. It looked like everypony in his office was there from what he could tell. They were all over the room, which was decorated with a huge banner that said 'Congratulations Stormwatch + Sundance! It's a Colt!' After about five minutes, Stormwatch's boss, Mrs. Nimbowitz strutted in. "I would like everypony to please remember that you all have jobs to do, even if a certain someone does have a new bundle of joy! Come now! Chop-Chop!" With some good-natured grumbling, and a few more congratulatory remarks, the room slowly emptied as employees filed out. As Stormwatch made to leave as well, Mrs. Nimbowitz called out, "Mr. Hoofington! A word, if you please!"
Stormwatch rolled his eyes. A co-worker nudged him. " Whaddya reckon 'Ol Nim-Wit wants?" he whispered.
"No idea. I hope it's just about my son, but-"
"Eeyeah... Good luck wi'that! Ah reckon she's a-gonna drag yer sorry rump over to 'er orfice so's she kin rag on ya fer' incitin' this here shurprahse pahrty we done set up fer' yeh! Stormwatch rolled his eyes. His co-worker may have a really thick accent, but he was sharp as a tack.
"I sure hope not, but yeah, that's probably what she wants..."
"Mr. Hoofington! I'm waiting!"
Stormwatch grimaced. " I had better go. You know how she gets..." He walked over to Mrs. Nimbowitz. "Hi Mrs Nim- ah, Mrs. Nimbowitz! I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I wa-"
"I don't particularly care what you were doing! Now, come along my dear, step into my office!" Stormwatch gulped. When they arrived, he attempted to find out what was going on.
"Mrs. Nimbowitz? If I may, ma'am, what can I help you with? She gave him a cold glare that sent shudders down his spine.
"What you 'may help me with' as you put it, is to tell me what exactly you think you are doing giving your co-workers a reason to throw a party in a weather office! Do you know what this setback shall do to our efficiency? I've got the top brass literally breathing down my neck, when our office is already down to fifth place overall! And now I have a bunch of unmotivated, foalish employees using your new foal as an excuse." She stared daggers at him, as if willing him to burst into flames, panting the whole time.
Stormwatch was about to respond when Mrs. Nimbowitz seemed to deflate. Letting out a heavy sigh, she said "Look, I'm sorry Stormwatch. I don't mean to be this hard on you, or anypony for that matter. It's just... I have to put on a strong performance, otherwise those brutes will tear me apart out there! But look at me, sitting here making excuses to you! Now say something very rude, very loudly, and leave. Oh! and when you go, slam the door hard!"
Stormwatch was speechless. He had always complained to his co-workers that it was impossible for somepony to be that mean, but he had never expected it to be true. Figuring it was better to just roll with it than to potentially get fired, He yelled a few choice words at her, and bucked the door closed behind him. As he trotted back towards his desk, the gray weather pony thought to himself 'I wonder how Jack's doing over at the hospital?
